Securement apparatus for a portable electronic device

Abstract

A securement apparatus for a portable electronic device including a body having a panel and a plurality of elastomeric retainers secured to and extending from the panel. Each retainer forming a loop defining an opening, the openings adapted to receive therein a corner of a handheld electronic device. A tether is connected to and extending from the body. A strap is secured to the tether. An attachment device is operably connected to the strap to secure the apparatus to a member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A securement apparatus for a portable electronic device comprising:
 a body having a panel and a plurality of elastomeric retainers secured to and extending from the panel, each retainer forming a loop defining an opening, the openings adapted to receive therein a corner of a handheld electronic device;   a tether connected to and extending from the body; and   an attachment device operably connected to the tether, the attachment device adapted to secure the apparatus to a member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further including a strap having a first and second end, the strap first end being secured to the tether and the strap second end being secured to the attachment device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the retainers include a plurality of elongate bands secured to the panel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of bands includes first pair of band and a second pair of bands, the first pair of bands each have a first end connected to opposed sides of the panel and a second end joined together and body upper end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the body upper end includes a node to which the second ends of the first pair bands, the tether and the central panel are operably connected thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the second pair of bands each have a first end secured to the opposed sides of the panel and a second end joined together and to a panel lower end. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the panel has a generally diamond-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the panel has a first side having a perimeter bounded by a rib. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the tether incudes distal end having an aperture formed therein, and a portion of the strap extends through the aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body and tether are integrally formed from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the elastic material is selected from a group consisting of silicone, latex, and rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a body lower end includes a junction point wherein the second ends of the second pair of bands join together. 
     
     
         13 . A cell phone securement device comprising:
 an elastomeric body having a plurality of openings formed therein, the body having a plurality of bands extending from a central panel, the bands at least partially surrounding the openings, each of the openings adapted to receive a corner of a cell phone, wherein the panel has four corners and ends of the bands join at each corner;   a tether secured to and extending from the body;   a strap secured to the tether; and   an attachment device operably connected to the strap, the attachment device adapted to secure the apparatus to a member.   
     
     
         14 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the central panel has a first surface bounded by a rib. 
     
     
         15 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the bands each have an arcuate configuration and extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of the panel. 
     
     
         16 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of bands include four bands that define four openings. 
     
     
         17 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the central panel has a first and second opposed corners and an end of two of the bands are secured to each of the first and second corners. 
     
     
         18 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the panel includes a surface including indicia disposed thereon. 
     
     
         19 . A method of securing a mobile electronic device to a member comprising:
 providing a securement apparatus including a body having a panel and a plurality of elastomeric retainers secured to and extending from the panel, each retainer forming a loop defining an opening, the openings adapted to receive therein a corner of a handheld electronic device; a tether connected to and extending from the body; a strap secured to the tether; an attachment device operably connected to the strap;   inserting a corner of the mobile device in one of the openings and stretching the band defining the opening over a surface of the mobile device;   stretching the remaining bands over the remaining corners of the mobile device wherein each corner of the model device enters one of the openings of the securement apparatus, thereby securing the securement apparatus to the mobile device; and   attaching the attachment device to the member.   
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the securement apparatus is formed of a single unitary piece of elastomeric material.