Lockable pouch for a mobile phone

Abstract

A lockable pouch for a mobile phone and a method of fabricating a lockable pouch for a mobile phone. The method comprises the steps of configuring a pouch body with an opening between opposing top ends thereof for receiving the mobile phone therein; coupling a first locking element to a first one of the opposing ends; coupling a second locking element to a second one of the opposing ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch; and disposing first and second magnetic elements on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively; wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

Description

[0001] LOCKABLE POUCH FOR A MOBILE PHONE

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates broadly to a lockable pouch for a mobile phone.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Any mention and / or discussion of prior art throughout the specification should not be considered, in any way, as an admission that this prior art is well known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0006] Mobile phones are omnipresent in today’s society. While mobile phones have greatly enhanced our lifestyle and interaction options, the "always on their phone" and "always contactable" mentality can be disruptive in various environments, such as in school, concert, seminars etc.

[0007] For such environments, it has been proposed to arrange for the phones to be locked in a pouch for the duration of a particular scenario, such as during class or during a seminar, to enhance focus of participants on the scenario. One such proposal is described at https: / / www.overyondr.com / howitworks. The locked pouch with the mobile phone inside can remain in the possession of the participant, but the unlocking is performed with an unlocking device centrally provided and used at the end of the attended scenario.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide improvements to and / or alternative solution to existing lockable phone pouches from mobile phones.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lockable pouch for a mobile phone comprising: a pouch body having an opening between opposing top ends thereof and being configured for receiving the mobile phone therein; a first locking element coupled to a first one of the opposing top ends; a second locking element coupled to a second one of the opposing top ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch; and first and second magnetic elements disposed on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively; wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

[0011] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating a lockable pouch for a mobile phone comprising the steps of: configuring a pouch body with an opening between opposing top ends thereof for receiving the mobile phone therein; coupling a first locking element to a first one of the opposing ends; coupling a second locking element to a second one of the opposing ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch; and disposing first and second magnetic elements on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively; wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments of the invention will be better understood and readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view drawing of a lockable pouch according to an example embodiment, in an unlocked state.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view drawing of the lockable pouch of Fig. 2, in the unlocked state.

[0016] Fig. 3 shows a photograph of a partially dismantled pouch body of a lockable pouch according to an example embodiment.

[0017] Fig.4 shows a photograph of one top portion of the dismantled pouch body, with the electromagnetic shielding cloth disconnected and folded away from the material forming the pouch body of the lockable pouch according to an example embodiment. Fig.5 shows a photograph of the other top portion of the dismantled pouch body, with the electromagnetic shielding cloth disconnected and folded away from the material forming the pouch body of the lockable pouch according to an example embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view drawing of an unlocking base for unlocking the lockable pouch according to an example embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 7 shows a photograph of a portion of a lockable pouch according to an example embodiment, viewed onto the button side of the top end, in a locked state.

[0020] Fig. 8 shows a photograph of a portion of the lockable pouch of Fig. 7, viewed onto the locking cup side of the top end, in a locked state.

[0021] Figure 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of fabricating a lockable pouch for a mobile phone, according to an example embodiment.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a schematic perspective view drawing and a schematic side view drawing, respectively of a lockable pouch 200 according to an example embodiment, in an unlocked state. The lockable pouch 200 has opposing top ends 202, 204 defining an opening 214 of the lockable pouch 200. In this non-limiting example embodiment, the opposing top ends 202, 204 are connected to each other at a first side 206 of the pouch body 208 and separated from each other at the top. In this embodiment, the opposing top ends 202, 204 are also separate at a second side 210 of the pouch body 208, defining a side slit 212 of the opening 214.

[0024] However, it is noted that in various example embodiments, the opposing top ends 202, 204 can be configured differently, including that the opposing top ends 202, 204 may be separated from each other on both sides, in addition to being separated at the top. Also, in various example embodiments the opposing top ends 202, 204 may have various shapes, including, but not limited to, substantially triangular shapes. Also, in various example embodiments, the opposing top ends 202, 204 may be mirror images of each other or may have different shapes.

[0025] In this example embodiment, a clip 100 is disposed inside a fold of the material of the pouch body 208 in the top ends 202, 204. Cut outs 216, 218 are provided in the folded-over portion of the material of the pouch body 208 for accommodating a pivotable connection element of the clip 100. Accordingly, the respective opposing top ends 202, 204 are moveable together with a first wing 102 and a second wing 104 of the clip 100, respectively. Holes 217, 219 are provided in the folded-over portion of the material of the pouch body 208 around a first locking element in the form of a locking needle or pin 112 (retracted in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) and a second locking element in the form of a locking cup 214 However, it is noted that in various example embodiments, instead of the pivotable clip 100, separate plates may be provided in the respective opposing top ends 202, 204 on which the first and second locking elements may be mounted. In other example embodiments, the first and second locking elements may be mounted directly on the opposing top ends 202, 204.

[0026] In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the side slit 212 increases the opening 214 of the lockable pouch 200 for easy receiving and retrieving of a mobile phone (not shown), when the clip 100 is manipulated for accessing the interior of the lockable pouch 200.

[0027] Manipulation of the clip 100 for accessing the interior of the lockable pouch 200 in the example embodiments involves pivoting of the first and second wings 102, 104 of the clip 100, as well as slight bending of the first and second wings, with the conforming shape of the top ends 202 and 204 as schematically shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It is noted that advantageously, the presence of the side slit 212 allows accessing the interior of the lockable pouch 200 even if the first and second wings 102, 104 are made from a relatively rigid material, i.e. with reduced or substantially no bending of the first and second wings 102, 104, in different embodiments.

[0028] In the open, unlocked state shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the locking needle 112 Fig. is retracted inside a button 118 and is biased against accidental exposure of the tip of the locking needle 112. This advantageously reduces, if not eliminates, possible injury of a user and / or damage to the mobile phone during insertion and / or retrieval of the mobile phone. In the example embodiment, the tip of the locking needle 112 is processed, e.g. by milling, to be relatively blunt, to further reduce possible injury of a user and / or damage to the mobile phone during insertion and / or retrieval of the mobile phone.

[0029] However, it is noted that in various example embodiments, the locking needle 112 may be static and protrude from the inner surface of the top end 202 on the unlocked state. Additional care may have to be exercised to avoid damage or injury in such example embodiments, as well as optionally modifying the shape and / or material of the locking needle 112 to reduce possibility of damage or injury.

[0030] In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, because the first wing 102 and the second wing 104 are pivotably connected, the locking needle 112 and the locking cup 114 are advantageously "automatically" aligned during closing of the opening 214 for locking the phone inside the pouch 200.

[0031] In Fig. 2, dimensions of the lockable pouch 200 according an example embodiment are shown, by way of example, not limitation.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a photograph of a partially dismantled pouch body 300 of a lockable pouch according to an example embodiment. In this example embodiment, an electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 is provided on the insides of the material 304 forming the pouch body 300 of the lockable pouch. In this example embodiments, the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 is stitched to the material 304 at the peripheries thereof. However, in various example embodiments, the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 may be attached to the material 304 in different ways, such as by an adhesive.

[0033] The material composition of the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 is preferably chosen to provide the electromagnetic shielding properties with flexibility, weight, and / or texture. It was found that a composition of about 63% content percentage of the Polyester, about 9% content percentage of Copper, and about 28% content percentage of the Nickel worked well, but the present invention is not limited to the this exact composition percentages and / or materials.

[0034] Providing the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 advantageously reduces or eliminates reception and / or transmission of electromagnetic signals by and from a mobile phone inside the lockable pouch according to an example embodiment. Therefore, even if the mobile phone is not witched of or put into silent or airplane mode, disturbances such notification sounds / vibrations caused by receipt of incoming messages / calls etc. can be reduced or eliminated.

[0035] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show photographs of portions 400, 402 of the dismantled pouch body 300, with the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 disconnected and folded away from the material 304 forming the pouch body 300 of the lockable pouch according to an example embodiment. Magnetic elements in the form of strips 404, 406 are provided on the portions 400, 402, respectively. In this example embodiment, the magnetic strips 404, 406 are positioned adjacent below the opposing top ends 408, 410 (compare elements 202, 202 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) of the pouch body 300, on inside surfaces thereof. However, the location may be varied in different example embodiments.

[0036] The magnetic strips 404, 406 extend substantially across the width of the pouch body of the assembled lockable pouch, i.e. substantially continuously across the width of each of the two dismantled halves of the material 304 forming the pouch body 300 in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The magnetic strips 404, 406 are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch. The magnetic strips 404, 406 in the example embodiment are preferably flexible and deformable together with the material 304 forming the pouch body 300.

[0037] It is noted that in various example embodiments, the magnetic elements may be provided as a plurality of separate shorter strips with relatively small gaps therebetween, thereby together still extending substantially across the width of the pouch body of the assembled lockable pouch, i.e. substantially continuously across the width of each of the two dismantled halves of the material 304 forming the pouch body 300 in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In such embodiments, each (shorter) magnetic strip may be made from a rigid material while still enabling sufficient deformability together with the material 304 forming the pouch body 300, due to the relatively small gaps therebetween.

[0038] The first and second magnetic strips 404, 406 are attached to the inside of the pouch body 300 in the example embodiment. The first and second magnetic strips are attached to the material 304 forming the pouch body 300 by an adhesive. However, the magnetic strips 404, 406 may be attached in different ways in various example embodiments, such as by stitching. The magnetic strips 404, 406 advantageously provide for sealing of the inner space of the (assembled) pouch body 300 in which the mobile phone is stored in the locked state, i.e. beyond the mere locking action of the first and second locking elements as described above with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. This can preferably reduce or eliminate foreign matter such as dust entering inside of the locked pouch, thereby providing additional protection for the mobile phone inside the lockable pouch according to an example embodiment.

[0039] An additional advantage of providing the magnetic elements, here in the form of the magnetic strips 404, 406, is that the electromagnetic signal blocking capabilities of the lockable phone pouch can be enhanced by the sealing of the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 between the magnetic strips in the locked state of the lockable phone pouch. As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the magnetic strips 404, 406, when stuck together under the magnetic attraction therebetween, also provide an additional electromagnetic seal component for further enhancing the Faraday cage effect of the electromagnetic shielding cloth 302 around the mobile phone.

[0040] In the example embodiment, the material for the magnetic strips 404, 406 is chosen / magnetized such that the magnetic strips 404, 406 automatically close the opening of the lockable phone pouch under the magnetic attraction force when they are within about 1-2 cm of each other, which advantageously improves the customer experience by ensuring a reliable and convenient closing and sealing of the pouch.

[0041] Additionally, in the example embodiment the material for the magnetic strips 404, 406 is further chosen / magnetized such that the magnetic strips 404, 406 can be conveniently opened without requiring excessive pulling or the like, preferably by deformation of the walls of the lockable pouch at or near the opposing top ends 408, 410, preferably using only one hand.

[0042] Returning to Fig. 1, various mechanisms may be used to securely engage the locking needle 112 within the locking cup 114 and for disengagement of the locking needle 112 from the locking cup 114, including, but not limited to, mechanical locking mechanisms and / or magnetic locking mechanisms. Such mechanisms are understood by a person skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein. By way of general description, in a magnetic mechanism for use in an example embodiment, the locking cup 114 comprises biased ball elements (hidden) which can engage a circumferential trench (not shown) on the locking needle 112. As the locking needle 112 is inserted into the locking cup 114 via a central hole 111, the tip initially moves the ball elements radially against the bias. When the locking needle 112 is fully inserted, e.g. when its tip abuts the (closed) end of the locking cup 114, the ball elements are biased into engagement with the circumferential trench on the locking needle 112, which is located to be just beyond the hole 111 in a funnel shaped cavity of the locking cup 114. The ball elements are biased using a coil spring (hidden) disposed within the funnel shaped cavity (hidden) and a metal ring (hidden) disposed between the coil spring and the ball elements.

[0043] For unlocking, the metal ring is moveable under an external magnetic field applied at the closed end of the locking cup 114 by a suitably strong magnet incorporated in separate unlocking base 600 (see Fig. 6) against the force of the coil spring and hence the bias is removed from the ball elements so that they are radially moveable to disengage from the circumferential trench , allowing removal of the locking needle 112 from the locking cup 114. As shown in Fig. 6, in this example, the unlocking base 600 has a depression 602 for receiving the locking cup 114 for optimum directing of the magnetic field relative to the biased ball elements / metal ring inside the locking cup 114. Advantageously, because in the example embodiment the locking needle 112 is biased for retraction into the button 118, as will be described in more detail below, the locking needle 112 is "automatically" retracted from the locking cup 114 and into the button 118 upon removal of the bias from the ball elements to disengage from the circumferential trench. It is noted that the unlocking base for use with example embodiments can be designed differently compared to the unlocking base 600 shown in Fig. 6.

[0044] Returning again to Fig. 1, as mentioned above, the locking needle 112 in this example embodiment is moveable relative to the first wing 102 between a first position in which the tip of the needle 112 is flush with or retracted relative to the inner surface 108 of the top end 204 and a second position in which the needle 112 protrudes the inner surface 108 of the top end 204 to be receivable in the locking cup 114.

[0045] In the example embodiment, a button mechanism, which has a button element in the form of a two-piece telescopic button 118 coupled to the locking needle 112. Using the two-piece telescopic button 118 can advantageously make the button mechanism more compact. The button 118 is moveable relative to the first wing 102 for effecting movement of the locking needle 112 between the first position and the second position.

[0046] In the example embodiment, the two-piece telescopic button 118 is coupled to the first wing 102. The two-piece telescopic button 118 in the example embodiment is configured such that the locking needle 112 is biased in the first position

[0047] Various mechanisms may be used to achieve the bias, including, but not limited to, spring bias mechanisms. Such mechanisms are understood by a person skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein. By way of general description, in a spring bias mechanism for use in an example embodiment, a coil spring is disposed inside the two-piece telescopic button 118 and around the locking needle 112, with one end of the coil spring engaging a bottom of the two-piece telescopic button 118, and the other end of the coil spring engaging the top of the two-piece telescopic button 118.

[0048] Materials for the components of the clip 100, including the locking cup 114, the button 118, the base 120, the locking needle 112, the first wing 102, the second wing 104 and the pivot connection 107 in this non-limiting example include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic, stainless steel and metal.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows a photograph of a lockable pouch 700 according to an example embodiment, onto the button 702 side of the pouch 700. In this embodiment, a metal ring 703 is provided around the hole / opening through which the button 702 extends. However, the hole / opening can be designed differently in different embodiments. Fig. 8 shows a photograph of the lockable pouch 700 according to an example embodiment, onto the locking cup 706 side of the pouch 700. In this embodiment, a metal ring 707 is provided around the hole / opening through which the locking cup 706 extends. However, the hole / opening can be designed differently in different embodiments.

[0050] In an example embodiment, a lockable pouch for a mobile phone is provided, comprising a pouch body having an opening between opposing top ends thereof and being configured for receiving the mobile phone therein; a first locking element coupled to a first one of the opposing top ends; a second locking element coupled to a second one of the opposing top ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch; and first and second magnetic elements disposed on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively; wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

[0051] The first and second magnetic elements may be flexible.

[0052] The first and second magnetic elements may be attached to opposing inside surfaces of the walls of the pouch body.

[0053] The first and second magnetic elements may be attached to the pouch body adjacent below the opposing top ends, respectively.

[0054] The first and second magnetic elements may be attached to the walls of the pouch body by an adhesive.

[0055] The lockable pouch may comprise a lining disposed inside the pouch body. The lining may cover the first and second magnetic elements. The lining may be made from an electromagnetic shielding material. The electromagnetic shielding material may comprise a mixture of Polyester, Copper and Nickel. The electromagnetic shielding material may comprise about 63% content percentage of the Polyester, about 9% content percentage of Copper, and about 28% content percentage of the Nickel.

[0056] The first locking element may comprise a locking pin and the second locking element may comprise a locking cup for receiving the locking pin. The locking pin may comprise a retractable locking pin.

[0057] Figure 9 shows a flowchart 900 illustrating a method of fabricating a lockable pouch for a mobile phone, according to an example embodiment. At step 902, a pouch body is configured with an opening between opposing top ends thereof for receiving the mobile phone therein. At step 904, a first locking element is coupled to a first one of the opposing ends. At step 906, a second locking element is coupled to a second one of the opposing ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch. At step 908, first and second magnetic elements are disposed on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively, wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

[0058] The first and second magnetic elements may be flexible.

[0059] The first and second magnetic elements may be attached to opposing inside surfaces of the walls of the pouch body, respectively.

[0060] The first and second magnetic elements may be attached to the pouch body adjacent below the opposing top ends, respectively.

[0061] The first and second magnetic elements may be attached to the walls of the pouch body by an adhesive.

[0062] The method may comprise disposing a lining inside the pouch body. The lining may cover the first and second magnetic elements. The lining may be made from an electromagnetic shielding material.

[0063] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the systems and methods is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the systems and methods to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the systems components and methods are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the systems, components and methods, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the systems and methods provided herein can be applied to other processing systems and methods, not only for the systems and methods described above.

[0064] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Also, the invention includes any combination of features described for different embodiments, including in the summary section, even if the feature or combination of features is not explicitly specified in the claims or the detailed description of the present embodiments.

[0065] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the systems and methods to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all processing systems that operate under the claims. Accordingly, the systems and methods are not limited by the disclosure, but instead the scope of the systems and methods is to be determined entirely by the claims.

[0066] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above," "below," and words of similar import refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the word "or" is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lockable pouch for a mobile phone comprising: a pouch body having an opening between opposing top ends thereof and being configured for receiving the mobile phone therein; a first locking element coupled to a first one of the opposing top ends; a second locking element coupled to a second one of the opposing top ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch; and first and second magnetic elements disposed on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively; wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

2. The lockable pouch of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are flexible.

3. The lockable pouch of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are attached to opposing inside surfaces of the walls of the pouch body.

4. The lockable pouch of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are attached to the pouch body adjacent below the opposing top ends, respectively.

5. The lockable pouch of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are attached to the walls of the pouch body by an adhesive.

6. The lockable pouch of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lining disposed inside the pouch body.

7. The lockable pouch of claim 6, wherein the lining covers the first and second magnetic elements.

8. The lockable pouch of claims 6 or 7, wherein the lining is made from an electromagnetic shielding material.

9. The lockable pouch of claim 8, wherein the electromagnetic shielding material comprises a mixture of Polyester, Copper and Nickel.

10. The lockable pouch of claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic shielding material comprises about 63% content percentage of the Polyester, about 9% content percentage of Copper, and about 28% content percentage of the Nickel.

11. The lockable pouch of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first locking element comprises a locking pin and the second locking element comprises a locking cup for receiving the locking pin.

12. The lockable pouch of claim 10, wherein the locking pin comprises a retractable locking pin.

13. A method of fabricating a lockable pouch for a mobile phone comprising the steps of: configuring a pouch body with an opening between opposing top ends thereof for receiving the mobile phone therein; coupling a first locking element to a first one of the opposing ends; coupling a second locking element to a second one of the opposing ends, wherein the first and second locking elements are configured for engaging each other in a locked state of the lockable pouch; and disposing first and second magnetic elements on opposing walls of the pouch body, respectively; wherein the first and second magnetic elements each extend substantially continuously across a width of the pouch body; and wherein the first and second magnetic elements are aligned to substantially overlap each other in the locked state of the lockable pouch.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are flexible.

15. The method of claims 13 or 14, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are attached to opposing inside surfaces of the walls of the pouch body, respectively.

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are attached to the pouch body adjacent below the opposing top ends, respectively.

17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are attached to the walls of the pouch body by an adhesive.

18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, comprising disposing a lining inside the pouch body.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lining covers the first and second magnetic elements.

20. The method of claims 18 or 19, wherein the lining is made from an electromagnetic shielding material.

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