BACKGROUND

As the years go by, people in general are getting more and more attached to any and all of their personal, portable electronic devices, e.g., smartphones, cellular phones, radios, CD players, MP3 players, video recorders, DVD players, tablet computers, laptop computers, etc. However, in many situations, people have issues holding onto their portable electronic devices or otherwise have trouble maintaining physical control and positioning of their portable electronic devices. Additionally, in other situations, people want to have ready access to their portable electronic devices without actually holding the devices. For example, people may want to have easy access to their portable electronic devices while performing various activities, but without actually having to hold the devices in their hands. Accordingly, it is desired to provide a means by which a user can more securely retain their portable electronic devices, e.g., in their hands and/or on a nearby surface. Additionally, it is further desired that the device can subsequently be removed from the surface without damaging or otherwise marring the device or the surface.

Additionally, many people, especially seniors and those with disabilities, can have difficulty holding onto and/or effectively maintaining control of various objects, and/or inhibiting slipping when coming in contact with any surface with one's hands or feet. Accordingly, it is further desired to provide a friction pad with enhanced anti-slip properties that a person can use in any situation when improved gripping with hands or feet is desired.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward a friction pad for inhibiting movement of a device relative to an engagement surface, the device including an outer surface. In various embodiments, the friction pad includes a pad body and an adhesive material. The pad body has a first body surface and an opposed second body surface. The first body surface is configured to be coupled to the outer surface of the device. The second body surface is configured to engage the engagement surface. The pad body is formed at least in part from a body material including high-density polyethylene. The second body surface of the pad body has a static coefficient of friction of at least approximately 1.0. The second body surface includes a plurality of spaced apart surface features, each of the plurality of surface features having a feature height of between approximately 0.15 millimeters and 1.00 millimeters. The adhesive material is positioned on the first body surface such that the first body surface is configured to be fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the device.

In some embodiments, the adhesive material is modified solvent acrylic.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, the second body surface is an embossed surface.

Further, in some embodiments, the body material has a shore hardness of between approximately 55 and 85. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the body material has a density of between approximately 0.75 and 1.20 g/cm3.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the feature height of each of the plurality of surface features is at least approximately 0.5 millimeters.

Further, in certain applications, the engagement surface can be one of a desktop, a tabletop, a countertop, a hand of a user, a leg of the user, and a foot of the user.

The present invention is further directed toward a friction pad for inhibiting movement of a portable electronic device relative to an engagement surface, the portable electronic device including an outer surface, the friction pad including a pad body having a first body surface and an opposed second body surface, the first body surface being configured to be coupled to the outer surface of the portable electronic device, and the second body surface being configured to engage the engagement surface, the second body surface of the pad body having a static coefficient of friction of at least approximately 1.0, and the second body surface including a plurality of spaced apart surface features, each of the plurality of surface features having a feature height of between approximately 0.15 millimeters and 1.00 millimeters; and an adhesive material on the first body surface such that the first body surface is configured to be fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the portable electronic device.

Additionally, the present invention is also directed toward a friction pad for inhibiting movement of an object relative to an engagement surface, the friction pad including a pad body having a first body surface and an opposed second body surface, the first body surface being configured to be coupled to the object, and the second body surface being configured to engage the engagement surface, the pad body being formed at least in part from a body material including high-density polyethylene, each of the first body surface and the second body surface of the pad body having a static coefficient of friction of at least approximately 1.0, and each of the first body surface and the second body surface including a plurality of spaced apart surface features, each of the plurality of surface features having a feature height of between approximately 0.15 millimeters and 1.00 millimeters.

