- Number
- 9913525
- Published
- 2018-03-13
- Filed
- 2015-06-22
- Assignee
- DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
- Inventors
- Mine; Mark R. et al.
- CPC
- H04B1/385; A45F5/00; F16M11/041; F16M13/04
- Verdict
- Medium Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Wearable hand-mount for interaction devices.
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a hand. The apparatus includes a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body and a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body. At first and second ends, the second mounting member is rigidly coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the first mounting member. A device support is rigidly coupled to the first mounting member, and the device support is adapted for supporting a hand-operated input device. The first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points, and the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point. The first and second contact points are located on opposite sides of the hand between the knuckles and the heel of the hand, and the third contact point is on an opposite side of the hand from the first contact point and proximate to the heel.
Background
BACKGROUND(1) 1. Field of the Description(2) The present description relates, in general, to handheld input devices such as smartphones and, more particularly, to a system for use in supporting handheld or hand-operated tools, objects, and interaction devices (often grouped together as handheld or hand-operated “input devices” herein) on a user's hand so as to reduce physical strain on the user and also to improve ease of use or operation of the hand-mounted input device.(3) 2. Relevant Background(4) There is a growing trend towards the use of small handheld and hand-operated devices. For example, there has been a widespread adoption of smartphones and handheld tablets for interacting with digital data and for use in communicating with others with such devices. Many of these devices are used as input devices, e.g., to interact with an application (or “app”) running on the device, for communicating with others by sending text messages (or texting), and so on. The users of these hand-operated devices generally have to hold or grip the device in one hand while operating the device, e.g., interacting with buttons, sliders, and the like, on a touchscreen, with the other hand. Extended use of handheld and hand-operated devices can cause physical strain on the user's fingers, hand, and arms and limits the use of the hand gripping the device from other tasks (e.g., difficult to use fingers with other input devices when gripping the handheld device).(5) Extended and repeated use of ha
Claims
1. An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a user's hand, comprising: a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body; a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, wherein the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member when the second mounting member is coupled to the first mounting member; and a device support rigidly coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the hand-operated input device, wherein the device support comprises a first support arm coupled to the first mounting member so that the first end of the first support arm does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the first support arm and the first mounting member does not change, wherein the first support arm extends from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member and the device support further comprises a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving and supporting the hand-operated input device and the first support arm having a length defining a distance the hand-operated input device is spaced-apart from the location of coupling between the first support arm and the first mounting member, wherein the first end of the first support arm does not rotate or move relative to the first mounting member, and wherein, when the apparatus is worn on a hand, the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the semi-circular shaped body of the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point.
7. A mounting system for suspending an input device in registered positions relative to a hand, comprising: a hoop-shaped first mounting member comprising an inner core and an outer contact surface layer extending over the inner core; a U-shaped second mounting member coupled at first and second ends via first and second connectors, respectively to the first mounting member, wherein the second mounting member comprises an inner core and an outer contact surface layer extending over the inner core; and a device support coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the device support does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the device support and the first mounting member is retained, wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the input device, wherein, when the mount system is worn on the hand, the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point, wherein first and second connectors are provided for coupling the first and second ends of the second mounting member to the first mounting member so that the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member, the first and second connectors being attached at spaced-apart first and second locations to the first mounting member so that the first and second connectors do not move relative to the first mounting member, and wherein, when the mounting system is worn on the hand, the first connector is positioned adjacent the back of the hand and to the knuckles of the hand and the second connector is positioned adjacent the palm of the hand opposite the first connector.
14. An apparatus for supporting an interactive or input device, comprising: a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body; a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the first and second ends of the second mounting member are prevented from moving relative to the first mounting member; and a device support coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the device support does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the device support and the first mounting member is retained, wherein the device support comprises a first support arm extending from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, and a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving the interactive or input device and for supporting the interactive or input device with an orientation that is transverse to the first support arm.
18. An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a user's hand, comprising: a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body; a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member upon assembly and during use of the apparatus; and a device support coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the device support does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the device support and the first mounting member is retained, wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the hand-operated input device, wherein the bodies of the first and second support members comprise a stiff inner core formed of plastic or metal and an outer contact surface layer covering the stiff inner core formed of a soft plastic or a rubber, wherein the device support comprises a first support arm extending from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member and a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving the hand-operated input device, and wherein, when the apparatus is worn on a hand, the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the semi-circular shaped body of the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point.