DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES EMPLOYING A LIVING HINGE
A device incorporating both a magnet and a living hinge may be employed to construct cases to protect electronic devices and to function as a closure for cases and lidded containers. Such cases often can be bent three 360° allowing the cases to be either closed protecting devices therein are closed upon themselves allowing the case to function to secure an electronic device to a substrate such as an article of clothing. The devices of the disclosure can also be used to organize and hold loose items together.
1 . An electronic device comprising:
an electronic component having a slit or loop and
a living hinge formed by a continuous material defining at least two modules separated by the living hinge;
wherein:
the electronic component is attached to the at least two modules; and
a first rare earth magnet located along a first module and a second magnet, rare earth magnet, or a ferromagnetic or a ferrimagnetic substrate located along a second module are configured to attach the electronic device around or to an object, and wherein the electronic component is attached to the continuous material using the slit or loop.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic component is selected from the group consisting of a watch, a clock, a phone, a gps device, a cable, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, a light/reflector, and combinations thereof
4 - 5 . (canceled)
6 . The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least two modules separated by a living hinge have a first and a second magnet and are configured such that the first and second magnets' polarity allow the at least two modules separated by a living hinge to wrap around thea target substrate.
7 . The electronic device of claim 6 wherein, when attached to a target substrate, the electronic device is configured such that the electronic component may be used hands free.
8 . The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic component further comprises an attachment point which is a clip.
9 . An electronic device comprising:
an electronic component having a slit or loop and
a living hinge formed on by a continuous material defining at least two modules separated by the living hinge;
wherein:
the electronic component is attached to the at least two modules; and
a rare earth magnet located along a first module and a ferromagnetic or a ferrimagnetic substrate located along a second module are configured to attach the electronic device around or to an object, and wherein the electronic component is attached to the continuous material using the slit or loop.
10 . The electronic device of claim 9 wherein, when attached to a target substrate, the electronic device is configured such that the electronic component may be used hands free.