Attachment mechanism for use with a portable electronic device, and method of manufacturing same
View Patent ↗An attachment mechanism for use with a portable electronic device ( 101 ) includes a case ( 110 ) having a first surface ( 211 ) and a second surface ( 111 ), where the first surface and the second surface define therebetween a space ( 105 ) capable of receiving the portable electronic device. The attachment mechanism further includes a clip ( 120 ) attached to the second surface of the case. The clip includes a body ( 221 ) adjacent to the second surface, a first extension ( 222 ) spaced apart from and extending toward the second surface, and a second extension ( 223 ) also spaced apart from and extending toward the second surface. The second piece creates a first pocket ( 231 ) between the case and the clip, and the second piece creates a second pocket ( 232 ) between the case and the clip.
1. An attachment mechanism for use with a portable electronic device, the attachment mechanism comprising:
a case comprising a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface define therebetween a space capable of receiving the portable electronic device;
a flexible clip attached to the second surface of the case and comprising a body, a first extension, and a second extension; and
a mounting piece comprising a backing piece and a protrusion extending from the backing piece,
wherein:
the body comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section connecting the first section and the second section;
the first section is mounted flush with the second surface;
the first extension extends away from the third section and toward the second surface, thereby creating a first pocket between the case and the flexible clip;
the second extension extends away from the first section and toward the second surface, thereby creating a second pocket between the case and the flexible clip;
the second section of the flexible clip comprises an inside perimeter;
the inside perimeter comprises:
a first portion that defines a first opening in the second section capable of receiving the protrusion of the mounting piece; and
a second portion that defines a second opening in the second section;
the second opening communicates with the first opening; and
the second opening is more narrow than the first opening.
2. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first extension is long enough to touch the second surface; and
the second extension is long enough to touch the second surface.
3. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first section of the flexible clip comprises a first segment and a second segment;
the first segment is substantially straight and flat and is mounted flush with the second surface; and
the second segment extends away from the first segment toward the second section.
4. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the mounting piece further comprises a locking piece extending from the protrusion;
the second opening is capable of receiving the locking piece; and
the flexible clip is prevented from rotating about the protrusion when the locking piece is located in the second opening.
5. The attachment mechanism of claim 4 wherein:
the backing piece is substantially flat; and
the backing piece comprises a self-adhesive surface.
6. The attachment mechanism of claim 5 wherein:
the first section of the flexible clip comprises a first segment and a second segment;
the second segment extends away from the first segment toward the second section; and
the second segment is long enough to touch the second section.
7. The attachment mechanism of claim 6 wherein:
the first surface comprises a viewing window.
8. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the case further comprises a patch attached to the second surface; and
the patch is between the first section of the flexible clip and the second section of the flexible clip.
9. The attachment mechanism of claim 8 wherein:
the case further comprises a spacer sewn between the second surface and the patch.
10. The attachment mechanism of claim 8 wherein:
the patch is sewn to the second surface of the case.
11. The attachment mechanism of claim 10 wherein:
the first surface comprises a viewing window.
12. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first pocket is configured to receive a first portion of a headphone cord; and
the second pocket is configured to receive a second portion of the headphone cord concurrent with the first pocket receiving the first portion of the headphone cord.
13. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first extension is long enough to touch the second surface.
14. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the second extension is long enough to touch the second surface.
15. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first section of the body of the flexible clip comprises a first segment and a second segment; and
the first segment is mounted flush with the second surface.
16. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the mounting piece further comprises a locking piece extending from the protrusion.
17. The attachment mechanism of claim 16 wherein:
the second opening is capable of receiving the locking piece.
18. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the backing piece is substantially flat.
19. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first section of the body of the flexible clip comprises a first segment and a second segment; and
the second segment extends away from the first segment toward the second section.
20. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the first section of the body of the flexible clip comprises a first segment and a second segment; and
the second segment is long enough to touch the second section.
21. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein:
the case further comprises a patch attached to the second surface.
22. The attachment mechanism of claim 21 wherein:
the patch is sewn to the second surface of the case.
23. The attachment mechanism of claim 21 wherein:
the case further comprises a spacer sewn between the second surface and the patch.