Holding case for portable electronic devices

Abstract

The presently disclosed holding case allows a user to hold a portable electronic device with a single finger, allowing the user to keep the device in a convenient and handy position for use. The device comprises a flat, flexible strap which fits along the backing to a device or device case. The strap adjustably slides into two slots placed on opposing sides of the case. On the inside of the device casing or backing, the strap slides along a raised track. One end of the strap further comprises horizontal ridges across its tail portion, which partially lock into matching grooves in the case. This permits the strap to be temporarily locked in an open position for reception of any finger and to securely hold a device in place. When not in use, a slight touch causes the strap to retract back to its default flat position.

1 . A holding case for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a case;   a thin, flat, rectangular strap woven into two slots on said case, said strap further comprising a leading end, a plug, a gripping portion and a tail portion, said tail portion further comprising at least one ridge located on said tail portion; and   a raised track located on the underside of said case, said track further comprising a plurality of grooves for adjustably interlocking with said tail portion of said strap.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said case is an integrated backing to a portable electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said portable electronic device is one of the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a feature phone, a smartphone, a slider phone, a clamshell phone, a personal digital assistant, an electronic video game, an mp3 player, a satellite music player, a DVD player, a digital reader, a notebook laptop computer and a touchpad computer. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said strap has a thickness of 1 millimeter to 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said strap has a width of ⅛ of an inch to ¼ of an inch. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said strap further comprises rounded edges. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said tail portion of said strap further comprises edges that fit around the sides of said track. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said track further comprises an inward or outward rail for securing connection to said strap. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said plug is T-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said plug is spherically shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said leading end has a length of less than 0.01 of a millimeter. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said leading end is fixed to said case. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said plug is fixed to said case. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said grooves protrude outward at approximately right triangles. 
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 14 , wherein said ridges are oppositely shaped right triangle protrusions to said grooves, so that said grooves and said ridges fit snugly together. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said tail portion further comprises a spring. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said tail portion further comprises an elastic portion. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said strap is completely removable from said case. 
     
     
         19 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said gripping portion is etched or coated with a padded or tacky substance. 
     
     
         20 . A method for using the holding case of  claim 1  to hold a portable electronic device comprising the steps of:
 providing a user with said case; 
 pulling a strap from the front of said case; 
 attaching said strap over a finger of said user; 
 using said device while attached to said finger; and 
 pulling said case off said finger when said device is no longer in use, wherein said strap retracts to a flush formation with the face of said case.