Multi-function accessory for handheld electronics

Abstract

A multi-functional articulated device with an adjustable set of rotationally locking leaves that can provide a PDA, or other handheld device, with a hand-carrying ability that creates a more secure grip on the PDA while still allowing use of the hand for other tasks. The current invention also is attachable to a pocket, a belt or waistband. The current invention further has a surface stand up ability for multi-person viewing of the handheld device. This is useful in sharing data and making presentations when the invention is attached to a PDA or Pocket PC. The current invention also incorporates a unique paper handling capability for users that require the ability to input data into their handheld device while still holding paper documents. The current invention further allows the user to place a nametag or business card on the device in such a way as to create a breast pocket personal identification methodology for meetings and conventions. The current invention further allows the user to display the screen of their handheld device in such a way as to create an electronic breast pocket personal display methodology for meetings, conventions, marketing and sales purposes. The current invention further allows the user to place their handheld device down on dirty or wet surfaces without affecting the handheld device. The invention further creates multiple configurations that can hold handheld devices above desk level so that additional components like keyboards and power cables can be easily attached. The current invention further allows the user to display a handheld device in a portrait or landscape-viewing mode. The current invention further allows the user mount a handheld device on a vehicle dashboard. The current invention further allows the user to attach additional accessories to the invention to amplify the users ability to see the screen of the handheld device attached to the invention.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A jointed hinge support apparatus for use with detachable handheld devices wherein said apparatus is configured with a plurality of hinge leaves superimposed on a common axial length for swinging movement about an axis independently of one another, comprising in combination; 
 a. a plurality of hinge leaves, each said hinge leaf being configured with at least one knuckle portion for receiving hinge pin means therethrough,    b. each said knuckle portion of said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;    c. one or more components of hinge pin means being disposed through said knuckle portions of said hinge leaves thereby supporting all said knuckle portions aligned on said hinge pin means.    d. Means providing and maintaining the radial position of each said hinge leaf about said hinge pin means against the operation of gravity and until manually re-set.    
     
     
         2 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a methodology for manipulating, hand-held personal electronics, comprising: 
 a. An attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device so that said attachment has the ability for temporary attachment, detachment, and re-attachment of the invention to a hand-held device.  
 
     
     
         3 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a methodology for standing and or displaying a hand-held device on a desk or other surface, comprising: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said surfaces attached to said leaves to an angle capable of creating an support structure composed of two or more of the leaves so that a personal electronic device can be placed on the desk or other surface area so that its display screen or controls is visible to one or more users.  
 
     
     
         4 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a methodology for displaying the, control screen of a hand-held device on a belt or from a pant or shirt pocket, comprising: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said surfaces attached to said leaves to an angle where the two leaves are adjacent and parallel to each other, thus forming a large clip structure attached to the personal electronic device so that it can hang by the clip structure from a belt or pocket.  
 
     
     
         5 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a document retention system allowing control over, and use of, an attached hand-held device while holding a paper document, comprising: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said leaves to an angle whereby said hinged leaf can capture a document by physical pressure between a compressible material located on the said leaf and the body surface of said hand-held device.  
 
     
     
         6 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  can further include a clip for holding and retaining business cards or other printed materials so that they can be displayed to the user while the hand-held device attached to the invention is in the hand of the user, comprising: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said leaves to an angle whereby said hinged leaf can incorporate a “U” shaped channel to act as a clip that can retain a small document, like a business card, that can be viewed by the user when the axially rotated leaf is positioned linearly with and parallel to the attached leaf that is said leaf surfaces attached to a hand-held device.  
 
     
     
         7 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a clip for holding and retaining business cards or other printed materials so that they can be displayed to others while the hand-held device attached to the invention is in a stationary, standing position, comprising: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said leaves to an angle whereby said hinged leaf can incorporate a “U” shaped channel to act as a clip that can retain a small document, like a business card, that can be viewed by the persons opposite the user when the axially rotated leaf is placed in a position at an angle perpendicular to the hinge leaf attached to the handheld device thus forming a support stand with the “U” channel at its base visible on the opposite side of the invention from the screen area of the handheld device.  
 
     
     
         8 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a clip for holding and retaining business cards or other printed materials so that they can be displayed to others while the handheld device attached to the invention resides in a shirt or coat pocket, comprising: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said leaves to an angle whereby said hinged leaf can incorporate a “U” shaped channel to act as a clip that can retain a small document, like a business card, that can be viewed by the persons opposite the user when the axially rotated leaf is placed in a position at an angle parallel to the hinge leaf attached to the handheld device thus forming a channel between the leaves that can be placed over pocket edge material so that the “U” channel at the base of the leaf on the exterior of the material is visible on the opposite side of the invention from the screen area of the handheld device.  
 d. Said handheld device with the invention is placed in a shirt or coat breast pocket with said leaf on the exterior of the pocket and the attached leaf with the handheld device is inside the pocket, whereby the retaining clip with the business cards or other printed materials is displayed outside the pocket of the user.  
 
     
     
         9 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes an attachment system capable of holding, displaying and axially rotating the handheld device on a vehicle dashboard or other area within a vehicle, comprising; 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. A complementary attachment means that can be adhered, either temporarily or permanently to a vehicle dashboard or other vehicle interior area.  
 d. A secondary complementary attachment means that can be adhered to a leaf of the invention that can be axially rotated to form an “L” configuration with said secondary attachment means adhered on the base of the “L” leaf that is positioned parallel to the attachment means on the dashboard and;  
 e. the handheld device is axially rotated to a positioned on the vertical portion of the “L” and held perpendicular to the dashboard and;  
 f. the rotation means can be re-set to allow the vertical perpendicular leaf with the handheld device to be rotated axially into a position where it is parallel to the leaf attached to the dashboard.  
 
     
     
         10 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a methodology so that the screen of a handheld device can be displayed to others while the hand-held device is attached to the invention and the invention resides in a shirt or coat pocket, comprising:: 
 a. said hinge leaves being disposed in non-interfering axial alignment with any other knuckle portion of a hinge leaf;  
 b. said attachment means for connecting one of the said leaf surfaces to a hand-held device,  
 c. whereby a user could axially rotate one of the said leaves to an angle whereby said hinged leaf can form “U” shaped channel to act as a clip that the invention on a coat or jacket pocket so that the screen of the handheld device can be viewed by the persons opposite the user;  
 d. a leaf of the invention is axially rotated and is placed in a position at an angle parallel to the hinge leaf attached to the handheld device thus forming a channel between the leaves that can be placed over pocket edge material so that the screen area of the handheld device is visibe on the exterior of the garment;.  
 
     
     
         11 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a methodology so that utilizes one or more leaves to support and display accessory items that interact with the handheld device attached to the invention  
     
     
         12 . The jointed hinge support apparatus of  claim 1  further includes a variety of overlapping configuration methodologies that utilize one or more leaves to support, display and carry handheld device attached to the invention.