IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,075,580
Granted Patent B2
US 12,075,580 · App. 18/439,577 · Granted Aug 27, 2024

Devices and accessories employing a living hinge

Inventor: Walter G. Mayfield (Houston, TX)
Assignee: GUI Global Products, Ltd.
H05K5/0226A44B18/0073A45C11/00A45C11/04A45C11/34A45C13/005A45C13/1069A45C13/30A45D8/34A45F5/02H01F7/0263H05K5/0086H05K5/0091H05K5/0204A44D2203/00A45C2011/002A45C2011/003A45C2013/025A45F2005/008A45F2005/023A45F2200/0516A45F2200/0525A45F2200/0533A45F2200/0541A45F2200/0558A45F2200/0575
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,075,580
App. No.
18/439,577
Granted
Aug 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (56)

1. An electronic device comprising:

1) A first electronic component, 2) a second electronic component, 3) a third electronic component, 4) a flexible material connecting the first electronic component to the second electronic component, and 5) a plurality of magnets wherein:

the third electronic component is selected from the group consisting of: a watch, a clock, a phone, a smart phone, a GPS device, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, a tablet computer, a laptop computer and combinations thereof, each having at least one view screen;

a first magnet is imbedded in the first electronic component;

a second magnet is embedded within the second electronic component;

a third magnet embedded in the third electronic component;

the first electronic component magnetically couples to the second electronic component employing the magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets; and

the second electronic component magnetically couples to the third electronic component by employing magnetic attraction between the second and third magnets.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a fourth electronic component selected from the group consisting of: a watch, a clock, a phone, a smart phone a GPS device, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, a tablet computer, a laptop computer and combinations thereof wherein the fourth electronic component includes a fourth magnet embedded therein, has a view screen, and is coupled to the first electronic component employing magnetic attraction between the first and fourth magnets.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is configured such that the viewscreen of the third electronic component is visible when the third electronic component is magnetically coupled to the second electronic component.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first electronic component and the second electronic component may communicate employing a wire.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the flexible material may bend to secure third electronic component between the first electronic component and second electronic component.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third electronic components are magnetically coupled employing magnetic attraction between the first, second, and third magnets.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the first electronic component is secured to a first module and the second electronic component is secured to a second module wherein the exterior edges of the first module and the second module approximate a semi-circle.

8. An electronic device comprising:

a first module, a second module, a plurality of magnets, a first electronic component, and a second electronic component wherein:

the first electronic component is selected from a group consisting of: a watch, a clock, a phone, a smart phone, a GPS device, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, a tablet computer, a laptop computer and combinations thereof having a view screen;

a first magnet is embedded within the first module;

a second magnet is embedded within the second module;

a third magnet is embedded within the first electronic component;

a flexible material connects the first module to the second module;

the first module is magnetically coupled to the second module employing magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets; and

the first electronic component is magnetically coupled to the second module employing magnetic attraction between the second and third magnets.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the second module comprises the second electronic component.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the second electronic component further comprises a radio transmitter, GPS device, or combinations thereof.

11. An electronic device comprising:

a plurality of magnets, a flexible material with a first end and a second end, and an electronic component wherein:

a first magnet is fixed near the first end of the flexible material;

a second magnet is fixed near the second end of the flexible material;

the first magnet of the flexible material is magnetically coupled to a third magnet of the electronic component;

the second magnet of the flexible material is magnetically coupled to a fourth magnet of the electronic component;

the electronic component is a smart glasses which further comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a watch, a clock, a phone, a smart phone, a wifi or cellular data link, a microphone, a power source, a GPS device, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, and combinations thereof having at least one view screen to display text, graphics, or video;

the flexible material wraps around or to an object;

the first electronic device is configured such that the viewscreen is visible when the flexible material is wrapped around or to the object;

when the flexible material is wrapped around or to an object, the view screen may be used hands free.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the electronic component has a slit or loop that may used to clip to the flexible material.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein a pair of glass lenses are magnetically coupled to the smart glass.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the smart glasses are worn upon the head.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the speakers are affixed remotely.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the power source is affixed remotely.

17. The device of claim 11 further wherein the electronic device further comprises a tablet computer or a laptop computer.

18. An electronic device comprising:

a plurality of magnets, a flexible material with a first end and a second end, a glass lens and an electronic component wherein:

a first clip is fixed near the first end of the flexible material;

a first magnet or a first ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate is embedded within the electronic component;

a second magnet or a second ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate is fixed to the glass lens wherein the glass lens magnetically couples to the electronic component employing magnetic attraction between the first magnet or a first ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate and the second magnet or a second ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate;

the electronic component is a smart glasses further comprising an element selected from the group consisting of: a watch, a clock, a phone, a smart phone, a wifi and/or cellular data link, a microphone, a power source, a GPS device, a radio transmitter, a digital music player, speakers, and combinations thereof, and having at least one view screen to display text, graphics, or video;

the flexible material wraps around or to an object;

the first electronic device is configured such that the viewscreen is visible when the flexible material is wrapped around or to the object;

when the flexible material is wrapped around or to an object, the view screen may be used hands free.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the electronic component has a slit or loop that may be used to clip it to the flexible material.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein a pair of glass lenses are magnetically coupled to the electronic component.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein the smart glasses are worn upon the head.

22. The device of claim 18 wherein the speakers are coupled remotely.

23. The device of claim 18 wherein the power source is coupled remotely.

24. The device of claim 18 further comprising a tablet computer and/or a laptop computer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2024
From: MAYFIELD, WALTER G.
To: GUI GLOBAL PRODUCTS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 067570/0544 →
Continuity (11)
Continuation 18121080 · Mar 14, 2023
Continuation 17829264 · May 31, 2022
Continuation 17562892 · Dec 27, 2021
Continuation 16871637 · May 11, 2020
Continuation In Part 16269454 · Feb 6, 2019
Continuation 15881458 · Jan 26, 2018
Continuation 15713332 · Sep 22, 2017
Continuation 14440548
Provisional Application 61759114 · Jan 31, 2013
Provisional Application 61722401 · Nov 5, 2012
Related Publication 20240188241A1 · Jun 6, 2024
Cited By (1)
US 12,690,574