Pivoting Touchless Key on Phone Case

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touchless safety systems for illness prevention, such as combo-tools, face limitations in storage configurations, accessibility, and usability, particularly for users who do not carry keychains or bags, and require cumbersome methods for extracting the key from its casing, leading to reduced availability and increased risk of misplacement.

Innovation Solution

A personal case system with a pivotally connected touchless tool feature that allows for easy access and storage on a mobile phone case, featuring a tool with a spine, pivotally connected to a casing that can rotate between open and closed positions, including a trigger member and grab members, and optionally equipped with USB holders or nail files, promoting one-handed operation and enhanced availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If combo-tools use traditional storage configurations (holes and loops for key-chains, bag-straps), then the tool can be paired with other objects, but the availability is limited to users who carry bags or key-chains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage configuration compatibilityVSAvoidavailability to users

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a protective cover for the touchless key, provides a magnetic attachment mechanism for smartphones, and offers additional utility through integrated features like USB drive storage and nail files. This multi-functionality ensures users have reasons to carry the casing regardless of whether they use the key function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the touchless key, its protective casing, and smartphone attachment features into a single integrated system. The magnetic attachment mechanism merges the key storage function with smartphone compatibility, while additional features like USB holders and nail files are integrated into the casing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If combo-tools use temporary affixations to paired objects, then the tool can be removed for use, but the burden of discipline increases and misplacement risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of toolVSAvoidrisk of misplacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tool transitions from a static permanently-attached design to a dynamic system where the key can be easily rotated between stored and deployed positions. The magnetic attachment allows the entire assembly to be dynamically attached to or removed from the smartphone, facilitating flexible use while maintaining secure storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If combo-tools require both hands or skilled fingers to unholster the key, then the key can be secured in casing, but the extraction method becomes cumbersome and hinders access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of key in casingVSAvoidextraction of key

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded plunger mechanism automatically performs the extraction function when the cap is removed. The user simply needs to take off the cap, and the spring mechanism self-activates to push the key outward, eliminating the need for manual manipulation or both hands to extract the key.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If combo-tools casings serve only as covers, then the key is protected from cross contamination, but users have no other reasons to carry the tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from cross contaminationVSAvoiduser motivation to carry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Ease of operation

If the system is pivotally connected to rotate between open and closed positions, then easy access and storage is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess and storage convenienceVSAvoidpivotal connection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12030172B2Personal case system with interchangeable touchless tool feature and method of its use

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 BARES CHRISTOPHER EDWARD

AI summary

A personal case system with interchangeable touchless tool feature and a method of its use are provided. The system includes a tool having a spine, a distal end and a proximate end. The tool is pivotally connected by the proximate end to a casing at a pivot point. The casing includes a front side, a back side, a sidewall formed by a top side, bottom side and a rear side, and a space formed between the front side and the back side and adapted to receive at least a portion of the tool; wherein the tool can be rotated, relative to the casing, around the pivot point between an open position in which the tool extends from the casing, and a closed position in which the tool retracts into the space of the casing; and wherein the pivot point is located at the top corner of the casing opposite the rear side.