Flexible Strap Portable Carrier for Secure Device Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable article carriers, such as belt-worn holsters, often suffer from insecurity, bulkiness, and discomfort due to rigid and loose spring-loaded clips, making it difficult to access devices like smartphones when seated and risking the device slipping out during movement.
Innovation Solution
A portable article carrier featuring a flexible strap member with a fold that includes a loop member, where the loop can be made of flexible, elastic, or rigid materials, and is secured between strap portions, allowing for secure retention and comfortable wear with options for closure flaps and support loops for external attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded clip is used to secure the carrier to the belt, then the carrier can be firmly attached, but the clip becomes loose, fatigues and breaks through stress of daily use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded clip mechanism entirely from the design. Instead of using a clip that attaches to the belt, the carrier uses a simple strap that wraps around the waist and secures through friction and geometry, eliminating the component that fatigues and breaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces the complex, stress-prone spring mechanism with a simple, replaceable strap. If the strap wears, the entire carrier can be replaced or the strap renewed, rather than dealing with fatigue in a critical spring component.
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded clip is used to secure the carrier, then the carrier can be firmly attached, but the clip is rigid and bulky making the holster uncomfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier uses a flexible fabric strap instead of a rigid metal or plastic clip. The strap can conform to the wearer's body and belt, providing comfort while maintaining secure attachment through its flexibility and wrapping design.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap design allows for curved, organic forms that follow the contours of the wearer's waist and belt, rather than the straight lines and sharp angles of a rigid clip mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the portable article is stored in a garment pocket, then the article can be conveniently stored, but the article is difficult to access when the wearer is sitting
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be placed in optimal locations such as the front waist area where articles remain easily accessible regardless of the wearer's posture. The strap system allows adjustment to maintain accessibility in various positions.
4Ease of manufacture
If the portable article is stored in a garment pocket, then the article can be conveniently stored, but the article may not be securely retained and can slip out when the wearer moves
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier incorporates preliminary retention features such as a closure flap that can be folded over the article and secured with a magnetic closure or snap button. This pre-secures the article before movement occurs, preventing slippage during activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism acts as an intermediary between the article and the carrier body, providing a dedicated retention interface that positively secures the article through magnetic attraction or mechanical interlocking.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a portable article carrier for carrying and securing portable articles such as mobile phones, cameras, radios, tools, and water bottles; where the device can be secured to a belt, strap, or harness that is optionally worn by a wearer. The portable article carrier can be assembled from a folded flexible strap member and a loop member. The loop member can be flexible, non-flexible, or elastic. The portable article carrier can be configured to present a seamless surface to the portable article in order to minimize surface damage or wear to the portable article.