Dual function clip device for an electronic device having a screen

Abstract

A dual function clip device for use with an electronic device having a screen has a mount for receiving the electronic device; a clip mechanism constructed and arranged to clip onto a peripheral edge of a clothing article of a user; and an arm movable relative to the mount between a closed position and at least one open position. A securement device is also provided for locking the arm in the at least one open position. When the arm is in an open position, the clip device is positioned to engage an upwardly facing flat surface, and the mount is oriented to support the electronic device in a viewing position to display the screen on the electronic device.

1 . A dual function clip device for use with an electronic device having a screen, the clip device comprising:
 a mount for receiving the electronic device;   a clip mechanism constructed and arranged to clip onto a peripheral edge of a clothing article of a user;   a viewing position support mechanism comprising an arm movable relative to the mount and the clip mechanism between a closed position and at least one open position, the arm having an outer surface constructed and arranged to lie substantially flush with an outer surface of the clip mechanism when in the closed position;   the viewing position support mechanism further comprising a securement device for securing the arm in the at least one open position, and the viewing position support mechanism being constructed and arranged such that the arm in the at least one open position is positioned to engage an upwardly facing flat surface and orient the mount for supporting the electronic device in an at least partially vertical viewing position to display the screen on the electronic device.   
   
   
       2 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the arm further comprises a wheel with a plurality of ridges along at least part of the circumference thereof, the wheel constructed to rotate about a pivotal axis;   the clip mechanism further comprises a leaf spring, the leaf spring comprising at least one lug constructed to cooperatively engage at least one ridge of the wheel, and   the rotation of the arm about the pivot axis locks the at least one lug within at least one ridge of the wheel to secure the arm in the at least one open position.   
   
   
       3 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm comprises a locking member adjacent a pivot axis to secure the arm in the at least one open position. 
   
   
       4 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the locking member is near an end of the arm,   the clip mechanism further comprises a plurality of locking ridges on an inner surface, and   the rotation of the arm about the pivot axis to the at least one open position locks the end member of the arm within at least one of the locking ridges of the clip mechanism.   
   
   
       5 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 4 , wherein the clip mechanism further comprises a resilient hinge, and wherein the hinge provides an engagement force that assists in securing the end member of the arm within the at least one locking ridge. 
   
   
       6 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises a rotatable attachment device that allows the electronic device to be rotated with respect to the mount. 
   
   
       7 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is removable with respect to the mount. 
   
   
       8 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip mechanism further comprises a hinge that is spring-biased for clipping the clip device onto the clothing article. 
   
   
       9 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip mechanism further comprises a living hinge for clipping the clip device onto the clothing article. 
   
   
       10 . A dual function clip device according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm is releasably locked with respect to the clip mechanism when in the closed position. 
   
   
       11 . An attachment device for a portable electronic device having a screen, the attachment device comprising:
 a mount for receiving the electronic device;   a clip mechanism attached to the mount, the clip mechanism constructed and arranged to clip onto an edge of a clothing article;   a viewing position support mechanism comprising an arm that is rotatable relative to the mount and the clip mechanism about a pivot axis between a closed position and at least one open position;   the arm comprising a first lock member adjacent the pivot axis for cooperatively engaging with a second lock member associated with the clip mechanism, and   wherein, upon rotation of the arm to the at least one open position, the first lock member of the arm engages the second lock member of the clip mechanism to hold the arm at an angle with respect to the mount, and, when the viewing position support mechanism is positioned on an upwardly facing flat surface, the mount is oriented to display the screen of the electronic device at an angle with respect to the surface.   
   
   
       12 . An attachment device according to  claim 11 , wherein the first lock member comprises a locking member that is rotatable about the pivot axis, and the second lock member comprises a plurality of locking ridges. 
   
   
       13 . An attachment device according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the first lock member comprises a wheel with a plurality of ridges along at least part of the circumference thereof, the wheel constructed to rotate about the pivot axis, and   the second lock member comprises a leaf spring, the leaf spring comprising at least one lug constructed to cooperatively engage at least one ridge of the wheel.   
   
   
       14 . An attachment device according to  claim 11 , wherein the arm has an outer surface constructed and arranged to lie substantially flush with an outer surface of the clip mechanism when in the closed position. 
   
   
       15 . An attachment device according to  claim 14 , wherein the arm is releasably locked with respect to the clip mechanism. 
   
   
       16 . An attachment device according to  claim 11 , wherein the mount comprises a rotatable attachment device that allows the electronic device to be rotated with respect to the mount. 
   
   
       17 . An attachment device according to  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is removable with respect to the mount. 
   
   
       18 . A method for displaying a screen of an electronic device using a clip device constructed and arranged to clip onto a peripheral edge of a clothing article of a user, the clip device comprising a mount, a clip mechanism, and a viewing position support mechanism constructed and arranged to clip onto a peripheral edge of a clothing article of a user, the method comprising: mounting an electronic device on the mount of the clip device;
 rotating an arm of the viewing position support mechanism of the clip device relative to the mount and the clip mechanism from a closed position to at least one open position about a pivot axis;   releasably securing the arm in the at least one open position by engaging a locking member with one of a plurality of ridges associated with a clip mechanism; and   engaging the viewing position support mechanism with an upwardly facing flat surface and orienting the mount to display the screen of the electronic device in an at least partially vertical viewing position relative to the upwardly facing flat surface.