The present invention relates to a carrier for a radiotelephone.
Over recent years, the size of a cellular telephones has decreased to the point where they may be said to bexe2x80x98hand-heldxe2x80x99 orxe2x80x98palm-heldxe2x80x99.
It is known to provide these cellular telephones with a cord for carrying the telephone. The cord is threaded through holes in the housing of the telephone and then its ends joined to form an endless loop. The user is able to conveniently carry the telephone by the cord when it is not in use. Also, when using the telephone, the user may pass his hand through the loop of the cord such that it encircles his wrist. Should the telephone then slip or be knocked from the user""s hand, the cord provides an auxiliary means of support and prevents drop damage to the telephone. Japanese patent specification JP 9-298370 shows an example of this approach.
The present invention is concerned with enabling the user to conveniently carry a radiotelephone in different ways according to the situation.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a carrier for a handportable radiotelephone comprising handstrap means connectable to first and second ends of a radiotelephone and hanging means by which the carrier is releasably hangable, in a handsfree manner, from the user""s accoutrements.
The carrier of the present invention can provide a suitable radiotelephone with dual mode support. A first hand-carry mode, where the handstrap means provides auxiliary support to the telephone when the user holds the telephone in his hand in the normal way during a call. And, a second handsfree mode, where the hanging means is attached to the user""s accoutrements when the phone is in an on-hook condition, for example. The user""s accoutrements may include the user""s belt, belt loop, bag or the like.
Preferably, the hanging means includes a hanging assembly, which can be removed from the carrier. The hanging assembly may comprise a connector comprising a first portion connected to the handstrap means and a second portion connected to an accoutrement-connection means. Preferably, the hanging means, or just the second portion of the connector and the accoutrement-connection means can be removed, whereby the carrier is reduced to a single mode configurationxe2x80x94with hand-carry capability only.
In another aspect of the invention, the present invention may provide a radiotelephone comprising a housing having first and second carrier attachment means disposed at first and second ends of the housing and a carrier, the carrier comprising handstrap means connected to the first and second carrier attachment means and hanging means by which the radiotelephone is releasably hangable, in a handsfree manner, from t he user""s accoutrements.