Gripping accessory for handheld devices

Abstract

An accessory for a device defines a generally arcuate shape in plan view, and has a flat surface configured for attachment to the device. The flat surface is in an X-Y plane, and is configured for attachment to the device. In a plan view when viewed from the Z direction, the main body defines a shape including two arms. Each of the arms is generally elongate and defines a longitudinal direction in the X-Y plane. The longitudinal direction of the first arm is generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second arm. The arms are connected to one another at an elbow, where the elbow and the arms cooperate to define a smooth, rounded, inner concave curve. The accessory is generally shaped and dimensioned for at least two of a user's fingers to be placed interior to the inner, concave curve, to apply a holding force to the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accessory for a device, defining an X direction, a Y direction generally transverse to the X direction, and a Z direction generally transverse to the X and Y directions, the accessory comprising:
 a main body defining a substantially flat surface in an X-Y plane, the surface being configured for attachment to the device;   wherein, in a plan view when viewed from the Z direction, the main body defines a shape comprising:
 first and second arms, wherein each of the arms is generally elongate and defines a longitudinal direction that lies in the X-Y plane, wherein the longitudinal direction of the first arm is generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second arm; 
 wherein the first and second arms are connected at an elbow, the elbow and the arms cooperating to define a smooth, rounded, inner concave curve. 
   
     
     
         2 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the plan view shape further comprises a first and a second foot connected to distal ends of the first and second arms, respectively, wherein each foot has a larger width than a width of the distal end of the corresponding arm, wherein the widths of the feet and the widths of the arms are defined in a width direction generally transverse to the corresponding longitudinal direction and lying in the X-Y plane. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory of  claim 2 , wherein each foot is substantially circular in the plan view, and wherein the width of each foot is a diameter of the corresponding foot. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow further defines a smooth, rounded outer convex curve. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the main body further defines an additional surface which intersects the substantially flat surface along a length of the inner concave curve and protrudes generally transverse to the X-Y plane. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the additional surface is substantially a projection of the inner concave curve in the Z direction. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the additional surface intersects the substantially flat surface at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the additional surface is an additional curve that extends from the inner concave curve in the positive Y and Z directions, then in the negative Z direction and the positive Y direction, to rejoin the substantially flat surface at an outer edge of the respective arm, wherein the outer edge is located in the positive Y direction from the inner concave curve. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory of  claim 8 , wherein the additional surface is substantially semi-circular, when viewed in a plane transverse to the respective longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is substantially mirror-image symmetric, wherein a plane of symmetry of the accessory is a Y-Z plane disposed at the elbow. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is made in the form of a single integral, monolithic piece. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory of  claim 1 , comprising silicone. 
     
     
         13 . The accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive on the surface, configured for attachment to the device. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory of  claim 13 , consisting essentially of silicone and the adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . An accessory for a device, defining a generally arcuate shape in plan view, the arcuate shape comprising a first arm and a second arm, and defining an inner, concave curve connecting the first and second arms and having an apex, the accessory further defining a flat surface configured for attachment to a device, the accessory being configured and dimensioned for at least two of a user's fingers to be placed interior to the inner, concave curve, to apply a holding force to the device. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory of  claim 15 , wherein the at least two fingers comprise an index finger, a middle finger, and a ring finger of a single one of the user's hands. 
     
     
         17 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory is configured and dimensioned for the middle finger to grip the accessory near the apex, and for the index and middle fingers to grip respective ones of the arms. 
     
     
         18 . The accessory of  claim 16 , further comprising a foot at a distal end of the first arm, the foot being configured, dimensioned, and located to be gripped by a pinky of the hand. 
     
     
         19 . The accessory of  claim 18 , further comprising an additional foot at a distal end of the second arm. 
     
     
         20 . The accessory of  claim 19 , wherein the accessory is substantially mirror-image symmetric, wherein a plane of symmetry of the accessory is disposed at the apex and extends in a plane generally transverse to the flat surface.