MAGNETICALLY ATTACHED HOLSTER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USING SAME

This application claims priority to 62/872,438 filed Jul. 10, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if full set forth herein.

The present disclosure relates to holsters for holding objects, such as mobile phones. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to holsters that provide better securement of objects.

Mobile phones and similar objects are often carried in pockets or purses and their glass displays may be scratched or cracked as a result. Additionally, certain mobile phones are too large or bulky to fit in pockets. Other users will carry a mobile phone on a belt clip, but these clips are difficult to quickly access and are limited by where the belt clip can be attached. Moreover, these clips cannot be properly mounted on all clothes, and may be easily decoupled. Finally, if a user does not have pockets or a purse, they will be forced to carry their device in their hand, which limits their productivity while leaving the device vulnerable to damages. All of these solutions have their drawbacks.

In some embodiments, a holster includes a first plate having at least one recess, a second plate having at least one protruding member, the at least one protruding member being aligned with the at least one recess, and a coupling member for securing at least a portion of a mobile device.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

Despite the various improvements that have been made to device carrying cases, conventional methods and devices suffer felons some shortcomings as described above.

There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing and using device carrying cases. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may address one or more of these needs.

In some embodiments, a movable holster is described which may be located in an area convenient to the user. The holster may be a wearable light-weight device for carrying a device, such as a cell phone to any fabric through the use of magnets. In addition to being light-weight the disclosed product will also be better secured to fabric, and will not allow a foreign object to pry apart or dislodge the carrying case.

In some embodiments, a flat-ridged back plate sized the same or slightly larger than a flat-ridged front plate will attach magnetically, with fabric in between. This forms a tight sandwich difficult to pry apart. Specifically, in one example, a holster may include a flat-ridged back plate of rectangular shape made of light weight material, such as plastic, with a ferromagnetic plate below of at least 1 female recessed member, and a top plate of similar shape and/or size or slightly smaller with protruding magnet(s) (male members) to fit into the female section of the back plate.

In some embodiments, a holster 10 includes a first plate or back plate 102 (FIG. 1A). The first plate 102 may be generally rectangular in shape as shown, and may have rounded or curved edges 103. In at least some examples, the first plate may be of a different shape (e.g., square, circular, oval, etc.). First plate 102 may be generally flat, and may have formed of a light-weight material, such as plastic, a metal, or wood. First plate 102 may include a plurality of recesses 104a,104b. In some examples, recesses 104a,104b may be generally circular as shown. Alternatively, recesses 104a,104b may be square-shaped, rectangular, or some other shape. As shown, two recesses are shown, but a single recess, or multiple recesses (e.g., two, three, four, five, etc.) may be formed in first plate 102. One or more ferromagnetic plate 106a,106b may be coupled, adhered or affixed to first plate 102. In at least some examples, ferromagnetic plates 106a,106b may be disposed adjacent recesses 104a,104b.

Holster 10 may also include front plate or second plate 202, formed of a shape and/or size that is similar to first plate 102 (FIG. 1B). Second plates 202 may also be formed of a same material as first plate 102. In at least some examples, second plate 202 includes a pair of protruding members 204a,204b. In at least some examples, these protruding members 204a,204b are magnetic elements that are coupled, affixed or otherwise adhered to second plate. It will be understood that second plate 202 may include a single protruding member or a plurality of protruding members (e.g., two, three, four, five or six protruding members). The protruding members may be of a same shape and/or size as recesses 104a,104b, and they may be aligned so that each protruding members lines up with a corresponding recess 204. In addition to having a magnetic coupling between protruding members 204 and ferromagnetic plate(s) 106, protruding members 204 may also fit within recesses 104 to form a male-female connection with at least a portion of the protruding member being fit (e.g., friction fit) within the recess 104. A coupling member 250 may be attached to second plate 202 or otherwise incorporated in the second plate. In at least some examples, this coupling member 250 is a pocket that includes a second wall spaced from the second plate 202 and includes a partially circumferentially border 251 that joins the two components except for the top so that an opening 252 is formed (FIG. 1C). The opening may be sized to receive at least a portion of a mobile device “P” (FIG. 1D). In at least some examples, the coupling member is a clip that grips a portion of the mobile device.

In at least some example, first plate 102 is slightly larger than second plate 202 to prevent foreign objects from getting under the second plate 202. Additionally, the two plates may be sandwiched together tightly with no room for another object to fit therebetween. This may prevent an object from catching the underneath part of the second plate and prying it off the first plate. Thus, the configuration may prevent unintended dislodging of the holster and enables the system to use lower strength magnets to insure coupling. Lower strength magnets may be lighter in weight thus preventing tugging and sagging of the fabric. Additionally, lower strength magnets may also reduce cost.

In some examples, a method of manufacturing a holster 10 includes forming a first plate 102 by molding or cutting it to an appropriate shape (e.g., rectangular). First plate may be between 1/16 and ½ inch in thickness and may have a ridge around its perimeter. In some examples, first plate 102 may be formed of a plastic or wood. One or more recesses 104a,104b may drilled or cut into the first plate and aligned along its central axis. One or more ferromagnetic pieces or plate may be attached or coupled adjacent the recesses 104a,104b. Second plate 202 may be molded or cut of similar material into a size that is equal to or slightly smaller than the first plate. A number of protruding members 202 (e.g., magnets) may be attached, adhered, or otherwise coupled to second plate 202 along its central axis (e.g., halfway between the two side edges). Protruding members 204a,204b may be of the same shape and/or size (or slightly smaller) than the recesses, so that the recesses 104 can accept the protruding members 204a,204b therein. In at least some examples, the number of protruding members is the same as the number of recesses. Alternatively, the number of protruding members is less than the number of recesses.

In this manner, the first and the second plate may be coupled together via magnetic attraction between the protruding members and the ferromagnetic components, and possible friction between the protruding member and the sidewalls of the recesses. In some examples, a rubber layer may be disposed on either all or some of the protruding members, within all or some of the recesses, or both to increase grip between the two components. In some examples, the rubber or non-skid, non-slip or gripping material may be applied to the back plate, the bottom of the recess, the protruding members and/or the front plate. In some examples, the material may be applied on a side that contacts the material sandwiched between the two plates. Thus, the non-skid material may be applied to a variety of components as described. In some examples, a magnetic shield may be placed between the magnetic protruding members and the object being carried to prevent damages from the magnets.

In a second example, a holster 30 may be formed of three components, including a backplate 302 having recesses 304a,304b and ferromagnetic plates 306a,306b, a front plate 312 having protruding members 314a,314b on one side that faces and aligns with backplate 302, and a plurality of clips 315 on an opposite side. As shown, three clips 315 are disposed on the face of front plate 312, at the top and at each of the two side edges of the rectangular perimeter. A protective material (e.g., cloth) and/or magnetic shield 316 may also be disposed on the face of front plate 312 on the side that will face the mobile device. Finally, a case 322 having, for example, an aperture 323 may be attached to the mobile device such that when the device is inserted into the case 322, the display of the device faces the protective material 316, and the case 322 can be slid into the front plate from the bottom to be secured to front plate 312 via clips 315. The front plate 312, in turn, is secured to backplate 302 via the magnetic protruding members and the recesses. It will be understood that variations of this are possible. For example, case 322 and front plate 312 may be integrated.

Thus, a holster 10 for a cellphone or other object(s) to be placed anywhere on an article of clothing or fabric case such as a pocketbook may be formed, and the holster may be secured at a convenient and safe location. For example, the holster may be used on the front or side of a pant leg or on a jacket or shirt. Thus, the device can allow the user to choose their preferred accessible location that suits their needs.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invent on as defined by the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forth therein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initial claims. It will also be appreciated that the features described in connection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of the described embodiments.