IP Library Granted Patent US 11,606,112
Granted Patent B2
US 11,606,112 · App. 16/742,732 · Granted Mar 14, 2023

Mobile device connection apparatus

Inventors: John Osmanski (Mequon, WI); Kent Solberg (Whitefish Bay, WI); Bowden Ormsbee (Longmont, CO)
Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
H04B1/3888A45C11/00A45F5/021H04M1/04A45C2011/002A45F2005/006A45F2200/0516H04M1/0202
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,606,112
App. No.
16/742,732
Granted
Mar 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mobile device connection apparatus, method and system is disclosed which allows a user to physically connect or tether, without the use of adhesive, a mobile device with a case to a user, surface, or structure. The mobile device connection apparatus comprises multiple layers of materials to create a connection point for mobile devices, such as mobile phones, which is compatible with devices with a case, reusable, and robust and prevents mobile devices from being damaged, lost, and stolen. Further the mobile device connection apparatus allows a user to interact with their phone in new ways.

Claims (32)

1. A mobile device connection apparatus comprising:

a body piece folded on itself to form a first layer of material and a second layer of material, the body piece comprising a base having a length and a width;

a strengthening material comprising opposing ends and folded to define a loop between the opposing ends, the opposing ends sandwiched between the first layer of material and the second layer of material to extend the loop away from the body piece, such that the loop is defined only by the strengthening material, the loop extending from the body piece parallel to the length of the base and having a width less than the width of the base, the body piece positionable at least partially between a mobile electronic device and a case for the mobile electronic device with the loop extending through an aperture of the case for a charging port of the mobile electronic device, wherein the width of the base is greater than a diameter of the aperture to limit removal of the body piece through the aperture of the case; and

a third layer of material disposed or formed on the base, the third layer of material comprising an electrostatic cling property to removably adhere the base to the mobile electronic device and/or the case for the mobile electronic device.

2. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive holding the body piece in the folded configuration.

3. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third layer of material resists lateral movement of the body piece in relation to the mobile electronic device while being held to the mobile electronic device by the case.

4. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third layer of material is composed of cling vinyl.

5. A mobile device connection apparatus comprising:

a body piece folded on itself to form two layers of material, the body piece comprising a base having a length and a width;

a strengthening material comprising opposing ends and folded to define a loop between the opposing ends, the opposing ends sandwiched between the two layers of material to extend the loop away from the body piece, such that the loop is defined only by the strengthening material, the loop extending from the body piece parallel to the length of the base and having a width less than the width of the base; and

a third layer of material comprising an adhesion property to frictionally hold the mobile device connection apparatus relative to a mobile electronic device and/or a case for the mobile electronic device without use of adhesive,

wherein the body piece is positionable at least partially between the mobile electronic device and the case for the mobile electronic device, with the loop extending through an aperture of the case for a charging port of the mobile electronic device, and

wherein the width of the base is greater than a diameter of the aperture to limit removal of the body piece through the aperture of the case.

6. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising adhesive holding the body piece in the folded configuration.

7. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the third layer of material comprises an electrostatic cling property to removably adhere the mobile device connection apparatus to the mobile electronic device and/or the case for the mobile electronic device.

8. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the third layer of material resists lateral movement of the body piece in relation to the mobile electronic device while being held to the mobile electronic device by the case.

9. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the body piece is composed of polyvinyl chloride.

10. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the third layer of material is disposed or formed on the base.

11. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the body piece is folded at a fold line to form the first layer of material and the second layer of material; and

the loop extends from the body piece on a side opposite the fold line.

12. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the opposing ends are positioned apart and laterally adjacent each other when sandwiched between the first layer of material and the second layer of material.

13. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a relief element disposed in the body piece to facilitate a range of movement of the loop.

14. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the relief element is defined by the first layer of material and the second layer of material.

15. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the relief element is defined by the third layer of material.

16. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

the body piece is folded at a fold line to form the two layers of material; and

the loop extends from the body piece on a side opposite the fold line.

17. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the opposing ends are positioned apart and laterally adjacent each other when sandwiched between the two layers of material.

18. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a relief element disposed in the body piece to facilitate a range of movement of the loop.

19. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the relief element is defined by the two layers of material.

20. The mobile device connection apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the relief element is defined by the third layer of material.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 19, 2026
From: NITE IZE, INC.
To: NITE IZE, LLC
Reel/Frame 076014/0073 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2020
From: OSMANSKI, JOHN; SOLBERG, KENT
To: OSMANIUM LLC
Reel/Frame 051950/0204 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2020
From: OSMANIUM LLC
To: NITE IZE, INC
Reel/Frame 051950/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2020
From: ORMSBEE, BOWDEN
To: NITE IZE, INC
Reel/Frame 051950/0354 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16003962 · Jun 8, 2018
Continuation In Part PCTUS2017029019 · Apr 22, 2017
Provisional Application 62326159 · Apr 22, 2016
Provisional Application 62414257 · Oct 28, 2016
Related Publication 20200153473A1 · May 14, 2020