Arm Sleeve Carrier

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for carrying an article. In particular, though not exclusively, the invention concerns a device for carrying a mobile telephone or other small object about a user's person.

[0002] Mobile telephones are now used by a large proportion of the general population, with many people carrying their mobile phones with them even during exercises. Conventionally, the user carries the phone either in the hand, in the pocket of a sport suit, in a shoulder bag, or in a specially- designed cover or pouch (into which the phone is designed to snugly fit) which is provided with either a loop-type handle for carrying by hand or a loop for mounting the pouch to the user's belt. These methods of carrying the phone have various disadvantages, including the fact that a phone is easily lost during jogging or other strenuous exercise. If the user places the phone in a pouch he may not hear the phone ringing. Many phone users prefer to see the screen of the phone to check the time, or calls received. If the user's hands are performing other tasks, the user may find it difficult to see the screen and identify the caller.

[0003] Moreover, many persons hold their car or house keys when exercising outdoors. Since many sport garments are tight-fitting the user may find it difficult to retain the keys on the user's person. Some conventional devices provide for the use of a key holder that can be secured around the user's waist by a belt or a strap. Other devices provide for a holder that can be attached by shoe strings to sneakers. However, such devices may interfere with the exercise activities.

[0004] The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with conventional devices and provision of a carrier that can be comfortably worn by a person without a danger of losing the phone or other small articles such as car keys.

[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an arm sleeve carrier that can hold a mobile phone and other such small articles on the user's forearm.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide an arm sleeve carrier for mobile phone that allows the user an easy access to the phone screen.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide an arm sleeve carrier that can hold other small objects on the user's person within interfering with exercise activities.

[0008] These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of an arm sleeve carrier device for carrying an object, such as an electronic device, during indoor or outdoor activities. The carrier is formed as an elastic tubular body configured for fitting about a limb of a person in use of the carrier device. The tubular body carries one or more pocket members disposed to hold the objects while leaving the persons hands free. A longitudinal slit in the upper surface of the main pocket allows the user visual access to at least a part of the object (mobile telephone, GPS, etc.) without taking the sleeve off or removing the device from the pocket.

[0009] The tubular body can be formed from a moisture absorbing flexible stretchable material, while the pocket(s) can be formed from a material that retains its shape while holding the small objects. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular body is formed from a soft jersey fabric, while the pocket covers are formed from neoprene,

[0015] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the arm sleeve carrier according to this invention. The carrier 10 comprises a sleeve portion 12 having an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16. The sleeve portion comprises an elongated tubular member with two opposing ends: a lower open end 18 and an upper open end 19. The carrier 10 is dimensioned to be positioned and to snugly fit on an upper limb 20 of a user. Depending on the desired application, the carrier 10 can be manufactured of different sizes suitable for large or small size persons.

[0016] The sleeve portion can have a length to extend over substantially entire forearm of the user, from a wrist 22 of the user to the elbow 24. In some embodiments, the sleeve portion 12 can extend over the elbow 24 and at least partially, over the upper arm 26. In one aspect of the invention, the sleeve portion 12 is formed from a flexible resilient stretchable elastic material, such as for instance jersey fabric, which will not irritate the skin and be moisture absorbent. Of course any variety of materials can be used for the sleeve portion 12, both natural and synthetic fibers.

[0017] A main pocket member 30 is formed between an outer surface 16 of the sleeve portion 12 and an inner surface 32 of a first pocket cover 34. In one aspect of the invention, the first pocket cover 34 has a generally rectangular configuration. The first pocket cover 34 is fixedly secured to the outer surface 16 of the sleeve portion 12 along three sides designated by numerals 35, 36, and 37. One area 38 of the first pocket cover 34 remains unattached; it defines an upper entry into the main pocket member 30. The main pocket can be attached to the sleeve portion 12 by adhesive, stitching, plastic welding or other suitable means.

[0018] A longitudinal slit 39 is formed in the first pocket cover 34. The slit 39 extends along a centerline of the first pocket cover 34. The edges of the longitudinal slit 39 are slightly open, as shown in FIG. 1 so that the user can see at least a part of the object positioned in the main pocket member 30. In this way the user does not have to take out the object from the main pocket member every time when the user hears a telephone call emanating from a phone 70 positioned in the main pocket member 30 or wishes to check the time. The user can easily see the center part of the object 70 or the screen of the phone inside the main pocket member 30.

[0019] The longitudinal slit 30 has smaller longitudinal dimensions than the first pocket cover 34 so that the objects positioned in the main pocket member do not fall out of the pocket. In one aspect of the invention, the first pocket cover 34 is formed from a resilient flexible material such as for instance neoprene. The main pocket cover retains its shape while preventing the object 70 from falling out of the main pocket member or through the slit 39.

[0020] A second pocket cover 40 is unitary continuously secured in a co-axial relationship to the first pocket cover 34. The second pocket cover is fixedly attached to the outer surface 16 of the sleeve portion 12 and forms an extension of the main pocket member 30. The second pocket cover has substantially the same width as the first pocket cover 34; it is attached to the outer surface 16 of the sleeve portion 12 along the sides 41, 42, and 43.

[0021] One side 45 of the second pocket cover 40 remains unattached and is generally parallel to the side 38 of the first pocket cover 34. The side 45 forms a downwardly open end of the second pocket cover 40. The second pocket cover 40 is formed from the same material as the first pocket cover 34.

[0022] A secondary pocket member 50 is formed inside the main pocket 30. The secondary pocket 50 is defined by the outer surface 16 of the sleeve portion 12 and a secondary pocket cover 52. The secondary pocket member 50 has smaller dimensions than the first pocket member 30 and is designed to hold smaller objects, such as for instance key 56. Similarly to the first pocket member 34, the secondary pocket cover 52 has an upwardly open end 54, which provides access to the interior of the secondary pocket member 50. The upwardly open end 54 of the secondary pocket cover is generally aligned with the upwardly open side or end 38 of the first pocket cover 34. The secondary pocket cover 50 can be formed from the same material as the first pocket cover 34 and the second pocket cover 40. As a result, an object positioned in the secondary pocket member 50 is prevented from displacement.

[0023] An opening 60 is formed in the sleeve portion 12 under the second pocket cover 40. The opening 60 is configured to receive a connector wire 62 therethrough. The connector wire 62 can be an earphone wire for earphones 64 or other electrical connector between the electronic device 70 positioned in the main pocket member 30 and exterior of the carrier 10. The connector wire 62 can be a charging wire connecting the electronic device 70 with a charger, or any other required connector. The connector wire 62 can be extended through an upper open end 19 of the sleeve portion 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] In operation, the user positions the carrier 10 on the upper arm 26 and the forearm 22 by pulling the carrier 10 with the upper end 19 facing the upper arm 26. The sleeve portion 12 frictionally tightly engages the user's arm. The user then positions an electronic device 70 in the main pocket member 30 and extends the earphones connector 64, if being used, through the opening 60 and the upper end 19. The user may also position a small object in the secondary pocket member 50. Alternatively, the user may position the object 70 in the main pocket member 30, connect the earphones 64 and thread the wire through the opening 60 to exterior of the sleeve portion 12. The user then positions the sleeve portion 12 on the upper limb 20.

[0025] The electronic device 70 and the key 56 are safely retained within the carrier without occupying the user's hands. The user can conduct his/her the activities without the danger of the electronic device 70 and/or key 56 falling from the carrier 10. The electronic device 70 can be a mobile telephone, a small radio, a portable media player, a GPS device, a pedometer, a tape recorder, or any other object the user finds necessary to carry. The pockets 30 and 50 can also be used for holding other objects, such as notes, maps, etc.

[0026] The carrier 10 may be made of any type of elastic material that provides a lightweight, skin tight, comfortable feel while supporting the objects placed in the pockets. The carrier may be made from a variety of materials using natural or synthetic fibers and cellular materials. It is envisioned that if desired, the carrier 10 can come in sizes to be worn on the legs.

[0027] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.