Belt or strap mount for cellular telephone or portable electronic device

Abstract

The clip-on mount attaches to a strap or belt and includes a hinged first and second clam shell or plate member. Interfacing material on interior surfaces embrace and capture the belt or strap. A plate latch closure locks on the belt/strap. A common cell phone attachment (which may also be on a personal electronic device) is on the exterior. The cell phone or personal electronic device is attached to the attachment. The method includes capturing, by compressive force, the strap or belt between two opposing plates, attaching and detaching the plates together and attaching the cell phone or device to one plate.

1 . A clip-on mount for cellular telephone attachment to a strap or a belt comprising: 
 a cellular telephone attachment;    a hinged first and second clam shell member having compressible material on opposing interior sides of said clam shell members, said cellular telephone attachment mounted to one of said clam shell members; and    a latch to close said clam shell members together while said strap or belt is interposed between said clam shell members.    
   
   
       2 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said latch for said clam shell members is disposed opposite said hinge of said clam shell members.  
   
   
       3 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.  
   
   
       4 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 1  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.  
   
   
       5 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 1  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.  
   
   
       6 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.  
   
   
       7 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 6  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.  
   
   
       8 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 6  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.  
   
   
       9 . A clip-on mount for cellular telephone attachment to a strap or a belt comprising: 
 a cellular telephone attachment;    a first member rotatably coupled to a second member, said first and second members having interior and exterior surfaces, said first and second members having interfacing material on opposing interior surfaces, said interfacing material coacting with said strap or belt adapted to pass therebetween, said cellular telephone attachment mounted to one of said exterior surfaces of one of said first or second members; and    a closure system to close said first and second members together.    
   
   
       10 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said first and second members mate together about said strap or belt.  
   
   
       11 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said interfacing material is compressible.  
   
   
       12 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said interfacing material is compressible foam.  
   
   
       13 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 9  wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members are flat.  
   
   
       14 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 9  wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members have complementary shaped surfaces.  
   
   
       15 . A method of mounting a cellular telephone attachment to a strap or belt comprising: 
 proving two opposing plates hinged together;    capturing, by compressive force, said strap or belt between said two opposing plates;    attaching and detaching said plates together and opening and closing said plates by hinged movement about said strap or belt; and    attaching said cellular telephone to at least one of said plates.    
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  including latching said plates together and locking said plated about said strap or belt.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  including capturing said strap or belt with a tortuous path.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the step of capturing includes resiliently capturing said strap or belt between said plates.  
   
   
       19 . A clip-on mount permitting a portable personal electronic device to be removably attachable to a strap or a belt via a two piece cellular telephone attachment, said two piece cellular telephone attachment having a first and a second complementary attachment mechanism, said first complementary attachment mounted on said personal electronic device, said clip-on mount comprising: 
 a hinged first and second clam shell member having compressible material on opposing interior sides of said clam shell members, said second complementary attachment mounted to one of said clam shell members; and    a latch to close said clam shell members together while said strap or belt is interposed between said clam shell members.    
   
   
       20 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said latch for said clam shell members is disposed opposite said hinge of said clam shell members.  
   
   
       21 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.  
   
   
       22 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 19  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.  
   
   
       23 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 19  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.  
   
   
       24 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said compressible material is compressible foam.  
   
   
       25 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 24  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have flat interfacing surfaces.  
   
   
       26 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 24  wherein corresponding compressible material on the respective interiors of said clam shell members have shaped interfacing surfaces wherein one interfacing surface includes one or more raised lands and the other of said interfacing surfaces includes one or more corresponding valleys complementary to said one or more raised lands.  
   
   
       27 . A clip-on mount permitting a portable personal electronic device to be removably attachable to a strap or a belt via a two piece cellular telephone attachment, said two piece cellular telephone attachment having a first and a second complementary attachment mechanism, said first complementary attachment mounted on said personal electronic device, said clip-on mount comprising: 
 a first member rotatably coupled to a second member, said first and second members having interior and exterior surfaces, said first and second members having interfacing material on opposing interior surfaces, said interfacing material coacting with said strap or belt adapted to pass therebetween, said second complementary attachment mounted to one of said exterior surfaces of one of said first or second members; and    a closure system to close said first and second members together.    
   
   
       28 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said first and second members mate together about said strap or belt.  
   
   
       29 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said interfacing material is compressible.  
   
   
       30 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said interfacing material is compressible foam.  
   
   
       31 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 27  wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members are flat.  
   
   
       32 . A clip-on mount as claimed in  claim 27  wherein corresponding interfacing material on the respective interior surfaces of said first and second members have complementary shaped surfaces.