Electronic device case gripper
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention is a gripper for gripping a portable electronic device case. The case has a defined opening, and an inside and outside. The gripper comprises a retainer to partially pass through the case opening, and the retainer defines two opposing slots. There is a retractable strap having two flanged ends. Each strap flanged end is passed through the retainer slots to communicate with the case inside. The strap flange is shaped to prevent the strap from completely passing through said retainer slots to the case outside when the strap is pulled. The gripper facilitates carrying a portable electronic device using a single finger, or an open hand, depending on the size of the device.
1. A gripper for gripping a portable electronic device case, the case defining an opening, the case having an inside and an outside, the gripper comprising:
a retainer to partially pass through the case opening, the retainer defining two opposing slots; and
a retractable strap having two flanged ends, each strap flanged end being passed through the retainer slots and communicating with the case inside, the strap flanged ends being shaped to prevent the strap from completely passing through said retainer slots to the case outside when the strap is pulled.
2. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the retainer is rotatable within the case opening.
3. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the retainer is made of plastic.
4. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the strap is made of plastic.
5. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the case opening is circular.
6. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the retainer is circular.
7. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the strap is sized to permit one selected from a group comprising a finger and a hand, to pass there through when the strap is pulled.
8. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the case is sized to hold one selected from a group comprising a phone, a computer, and a computerized tablet.
9. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the case defines a recessed groove on the case inside, circumscribing the case opening.
10. The gripper in claim 9 wherein the retainer nestles in the recessed groove and lies in a plane with the case inside.
11. The gripper in claim 1 wherein the retainer has a circumscribing flange to bias against the case inside to prevent the retainer from completely passing through the case opening to the case outside.
12. The gripper in claim 11 wherein each retainer slot is adjacent the circumscribing flange.
13. The gripper in claim 11 wherein the case defines a recessed groove on the case inside, circumscribing the case opening.
14. The gripper in claim 13 wherein the retainer flange nestles in the recessed groove and lies in a plane with the case inside.
15. The gripper in claim 11 wherein the circumscribing flange defines two opposing breaks therein, to pass the retainer strap there through.
16. The gripper in claim 15 wherein the strap flanged ends are shaped to bias against the circumscribing flange when the strap is pulled.