Holding aid for a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device and methods of use
View Patent ↗A securement device to make it much easier for a user to securely hold onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader, a tablet computing device, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, and a common clipboard—while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands: A typical device solves this problem by providing a system of one or more finger holds formed with a fabric or pliable material that are disposed on the back side of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device. In many devices, the position and fit of the finger holds are easily adjustable by a user via hook-and-loop schemes.
1. An apparatus for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, said personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on its back surface, comprising
a back-panel coupling member configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device; and
at least one finger-grip member configured for detachable coupling to said back-panel coupling member, wherein:
said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of four finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate,
said intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each other,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand,
said at least one finger-grip member can be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative to a substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device, and
said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each said looped aperture is adapted to receive only one user finger.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each at least one finger-grip member has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:
said at least one said finger-receiving aperture is defined by a strap of material that is fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and
said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said “loop” part of said strap to a portion of said “hook” part of said strap.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device that is at least partially encased within a protective covering.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device.
14. A method of using a personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a personal tablet-shaped device equipped with an apparatus for securely holding said personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand according to claim 1 ;
inserting at least one finger of the user's hand into one of said at least one finger-receiving apertures disposed within said at least one finger-grip members; and
holding said personal tablet-shaped device without needing to grip said personal tablet-shaped device using the user's opposing thumb.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of adjusting the placement of said back-panel coupling member according to the user's preference.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step for inserting at least one finger of the user's hand is applied to the user's right hand, as inserted into a first finger-grip member, and is applied to the user's left hand, as inserted into a second finger-grip member.
17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of, before the inserting step, adjusting the position of said at least one finger-grip member on said back-panel coupling member according to the user's preference and comfort.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein said securing apparatus further incorporates the limitations of claim 9 , and further comprising the step of adjusting the fit of at least one finger-grip member looped aperture over at least one user finger.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
20. A method of making an apparatus for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, said personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on its back surface, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a back-panel coupling member configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device; and
providing at least one finger-grip member configured for detachable coupling to said back-panel coupling member, wherein:
said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of four finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate,
said intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each other,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand,
said at least one finger-grip member can be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative to a substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device, and
said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
26. The method of claim 20 , wherein each said looped aperture is adapted to receive only one user finger.
27. The method of claim 20 , wherein each at least one finger-grip member has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein:
said at least one said finger-receiving aperture is defined by a strap of material that is fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and
said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said “loop” part of said strap to a portion of said “hook” part of said strap.
29. The method of claim 20 , wherein said apparatus is adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
30. The method of claim 20 , wherein said apparatus is adapted for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device that is at least partially encased within a protective covering.
31. The method of claim 30 , wherein said protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone.
32. The method of claim 20 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device.
33. A kit for assembling an apparatus for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, said personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on its back surface, said kit comprising:
a plurality of variously sized and shaped pieces of matting for assembling a back-panel coupling member to be installed on a substantially planar back surface of a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device,
wherein said matting pieces have a first side that can be adhesively attached to said substantially planar back surface of said user-selected personal tablet-shaped device,
wherein said matting pieces have a second side adapted to be detachably coupled to at least one finger-grip member, and
wherein the diversity of said variously sized and shaped pieces of matting is such that a subset of said pieces of matting can be assembled and installed on said substantially planar back surface of said user-selected personal tablet-shaped device by a user to provide an effective coupling surface for said at least one finger-grip member; and
a plurality of finger-grip members adapted to be detachably coupled to a back-panel coupling member installed on a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device, wherein:
said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of four finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate,
said intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each other,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand,
said plurality of finger-grip members are provided in various sizes to facilitate a user's ability to select one or more properly sized finger-grip members for attachment to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said plurality of finger-grip members is adapted to be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative to said substantially planar back surface of said user-selected personal tablet-shaped device, and
said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.
34. The kit of claim 33 , wherein said detachable coupling between said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member and any user-selected finger-grip member is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.
35. The kit of claim 34 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member and any user-selected finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said user-selected finger-grip members' detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
36. The kit of claim 34 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member and any user-selected finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said user-selected finger-grip members' detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
37. The kit of claim 33 , wherein each said looped aperture is adapted to receive only one user finger.
38. The kit of claim 33 , wherein each of said plurality of finger-grip members has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger.
39. The kit of claim 38 , wherein:
said at least one finger-receiving aperture on each of said plurality of finger-grip members is defined by a strap of material that is fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said respective finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and
said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said “loop” part of said strap to a portion of said “hook” part of said strap.
40. The kit of claim 33 , wherein said kit is adapted for a user to assemble and install a securement apparatus on a plurality of variously sized personal tablet-shaped devices selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
41. The kit of claim 33 , wherein said kit is adapted to facilitate the assembly of an apparatus for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device that is at least partially encased within a protective covering.
42. The kit of claim 41 , wherein said protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone.
43. The kit of claim 33 , wherein matting pieces that comprise said back-panel coupling member are configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device.
44. A method of using a kit for assembling an apparatus for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a kit according to claim 33 ;
determining the target personal tablet-shaped device to install said securement apparatus;
selecting at least one piece of said matting of compatible size and shape to affix to the back panel of said target personal tablet-shaped device, then affixing said at least one piece of matting to said back panel;
selecting at least one finger-grip member of compatible size for effective detachable coupling to said installed matting,
wherein each selected finger-grip member has a user-specified number of finger-receiving apertures;
coupling said at least one finger-grip member to said installed matting at a user-specified orientation relative to the back panel of said target personal tablet-shaped device;
inserting at least one finger of the user's hand into at least one said user-selected finger-grip members' apertures; and
holding said target personal tablet-shaped device without needing to grip said target personal tablet-shaped device using the user's opposing thumb.
45. The method of claim 44 , wherein said target personal tablet-shaped device is selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
46. A method of making a kit for assembling an apparatus for securely holding a personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand, said personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on its back surface, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of variously sized and shaped pieces of matting for assembling a back-panel coupling member to be installed on a substantially planar back surface of a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device,
wherein said matting pieces have a first side that can be adhesively attached to said substantially planar back surface of said user-selected personal tablet-shaped device, and
wherein said matting pieces have a second side adapted to be detachably coupled to at least one finger-grip member, and
wherein the diversity of said variously sized and shaped pieces of matting is such that a subset of said pieces of matting can be assembled and installed on said substantially planar back surface of said user-selected personal tablet-shaped device by a user to provide an effective coupling surface for said at least one finger-grip member; and
providing a plurality of finger-grip members adapted to be detachably coupled to a back-panel coupling member installed on a user-selected personal tablet-shaped device, wherein:
said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of four finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate,
said intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each other,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand,
said plurality of finger-grip members are provided in various sizes to facilitate a user's ability to select one or more properly sized finger-grip members for attachment to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said plurality of finger-grip members is adapted to be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative to said substantially planar back surface of said user-selected personal tablet-shaped device, and
said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.
47. The method of claim 46 , wherein said detachable coupling between said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member and any user-selected finger-grip member is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.
48. The method of claim 47 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member and any user-selected finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said user-selected finger-grip members' detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
49. The method of claim 47 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member and any user-selected finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said assembled and installed back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said user-selected finger-grip members' detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
50. The method of claim 46 , wherein each said looped aperture is adapted to receive only one user finger.
51. The method of claim 46 , wherein each of said plurality of finger-grip members has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger.
52. The method of claim 51 , wherein:
said at least one finger-receiving aperture on each of said plurality of finger-grip members is defined by a strap of material that is fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said respective finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and
said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said “loop” part of said strap to a portion of said “hook” part of said strap.
53. The method of claim 46 , wherein said kit is adapted for a user to assemble and install a securement apparatus on a plurality of variously sized personal tablet-shaped devices selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
54. The method of claim 46 , wherein said kit is adapted to facilitate the assembly of an apparatus for a user to hold a personal tablet-shaped device that is at least partially encased within a protective covering.
55. The method of claim 54 , wherein said protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone.
56. The method of claim 54 , wherein matting pieces that comprise said back-panel coupling member are configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device.
57. A securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device, comprising
a personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on its back surface;
a back-panel coupling member attached to said substantially planar back surface on said personal tablet-shaped device; and
at least one finger-grip member detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member, wherein:
said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of four finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate,
said intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each other,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand,
said at least one finger-grip member can be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative to a substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device, and
said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.
58. The device of claim 57 , wherein said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.
59. The device of claim 58 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
60. The device of claim 59 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
61. The device of claim 58 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
62. The device of claim 61 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
63. The device of claim 57 , wherein each said looped aperture is adapted to receive only one user finger.
64. The device of claim 57 , wherein each at least one finger-grip member has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger.
65. The device of claim 64 , wherein:
said at least one said finger-receiving aperture is defined by a strap of material that is fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and
said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said “loop” part of said strap to a portion of said “hook” part of said strap.
66. The device of claim 57 , wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
67. The device of claim 57 , wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is at least partially encased within a protective covering, including said substantially planar portion on the back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device.
68. The device of claim 67 , wherein said protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone.
69. The device of claim 57 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device.
70. A method of using a securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a personal tablet-shaped device equipped with an apparatus for securely holding said personal tablet-shaped device in a user's hand according to claim 57 ;
inserting at least one finger of the user's hand into one of said at least one finger-receiving apertures disposed within said at least one finger-grip members; and
holding said personal tablet-shaped device without needing to grip said personal tablet-shaped device using the user's opposing thumb.
71. The method of claim 70 , further comprising the step of adjusting the placement of said back-panel coupling member according to the user's preference.
72. The method of claim 70 , wherein the step for inserting at least one finger of the user's hand is applied to the user's right hand, as inserted into a first finger-grip member, and is applied to the user's left hand, as inserted into a second finger-grip member.
73. The method of claim 70 , further comprising the step of, before the inserting step, adjusting the position of said at least one finger-grip member on said back-panel coupling member according to the user's preference and comfort.
74. The method of claim 70 , wherein said securing apparatus further incorporates the limitations of claim 64 , and further comprising the step of adjusting the fit of at least one finger-grip member looped aperture over at least one user finger.
75. The method of claim 70 , wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
76. A method of making a securement-enhanced, personal tablet-shaped device, comprising:
providing a personal tablet-shaped device having a substantially planar portion on its back surface;
providing a back-panel coupling member configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on said personal tablet-shaped device; and
providing at least one finger-grip member configured for detachable coupling to said back-panel coupling member, wherein:
said at least one finger-grip member has a substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
said at least one finger-grip member is comprised of four finger-receiving apertures made of a pliable and elastic material, and said finger-receiving apertures are formed by the intermittent secure attachment of portions of said pliable and elastic material to said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member, on the side of the substrate opposite of the back-panel-coupling interface of said substrate,
said intermittent secure attachment of said pliable and elastic material substantially forming a substantially sinusoidal pattern and adapted to distribute the stress of inserted user fingers along said substrate adapted to detachably couple to said back-panel coupling member,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each finger-receiving aperture is substantially parallel to said substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures are generally aligned in parallel with each other,
each of said finger-grip member's set of four finger-receiving apertures is adapted to snuggly engage one or more user fingers on a user hand,
said at least one finger-grip member can be detachably coupled to said back-panel coupling member in a user-specified orientation relative to a substantially planar back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device, and
said snuggly engagement of user finger(s) allows a user to securely hold said personal tablet-shaped device without a user having to consciously grip said personal tablet-shaped device.
77. The method of claim 76 , wherein said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, mechanical-snap coupling, and magnetic coupling.
78. The method of claim 77 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
79. The method of claim 78 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
80. The method of claim 77 , wherein:
said detachable coupling between said back-panel coupling member and said at least one finger-grip member is a hook-and-loop coupling;
said back-panel coupling member's detachable coupling surface is the “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling; and
said at least one finger-grip member's detachable coupling surface is the “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
81. The method of claim 80 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is comprised of a plurality of pieces of matting, each piece of which can act as a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling.
82. The method of claim 76 , wherein each said looped aperture is adapted to receive only one user finger.
83. The method of claim 76 , wherein each at least one finger-grip member has at least one finger-receiving aperture adapted to be adjustably fitted to a user finger.
84. The method of claim 83 , wherein:
said at least one said finger-receiving aperture is defined by a strap of material that is fixedly coupled at a point along said strap to said finger-grip member;
said strap of material has a “hook” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on one side, and has a “loop” part of a hook-and-loop coupling on the other side; and
said strap of material can be made into a variable-sized aperture by detachably coupling a portion of said “loop” part of said strap to a portion of said “hook” part of said strap.
85. The method of claim 76 , wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is selected from the group consisting of e-readers, cellular phones, tablet computers, personal data assistants, and clipboards.
86. The method of claim 76 , wherein said personal tablet-shaped device is at least partially encased within a protective covering, including said substantially planar portion on the back surface of said personal tablet-shaped device.
87. The method of claim 86 , wherein said protective covering is substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and silicone.
88. The method of claim 76 , wherein said back-panel coupling member is configured for attachment to a substantially planar back surface on a personal tablet-shaped device by being incorporated into the structure of a protective covering that is adapted to substantially encase a personal tablet-shaped device.