The invention relates to a belt clip, an accessory arranged to engage with the belt clip, and system comprising a belt clip and an accessory. BACKGROUND ART

Today, many accessories such as mobile phones, tools or tool cases can be attached to various forms of belt clips. One problem that may arise from the use of available belt clips is that the accessory is firmly attached to the belt clip, leading to that the accessory and belt clip can damage or destroy clothing that the belt clip is attached to. Another problem that may arise is that accessories that are not firmly attached to the belt clip may be separated from the belt clip and fall down if the wearer brushes against or bumps into an object, leading to damage to the accessory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is thus a need for an improved belt clip arrangement. An objective of the invention is to provide a belt clip arrangement which addresses the above problems.

The invention relates to a belt clip, an accessory arranged to engage with the belt clip and an arrangement comprising a belt clip and an accessory.

The belt clip comprises a belt clip body and belt clip attachment for attaching the belt clip to a clothing item such as a belt, a pocket or a waist line of trousers. The belt clip comprises a compartment arranged at a first end of the belt clip body. The compartment is covered by a rotatable hinged lid, wherein the compartment extends across the belt clip body between a first and second end of the lid. The compartment and the lid, when the lid is closed over the compartment, form a chamber having an essentially circular cross section. The rotational axis of the hinged lid and the axis of the chamber of the belt clip are essentially coaxial.

The belt clip body may comprise at least one compartment opening leading into the compartment. The lid may be arranged to be closed by means of a spring, wherein the spring is biased towards closing the lid. This ensures that the lid is always closed, keeping the compartment free from debris when an accessory is not engaged to the belt clip. It further ensures that there is a minimum amount of force needed to rotate the lid to an open position making it harder to accidentally open the lid by brushing against it. The spring is preferably a torsion spring connected to the lid and the belt clip body.

The lid may comprise a lip extending forward a vertical extension of the belt clip body. Including a lip on the lid simplifies opening of the lid as there is a point of contact which can be used to pivot the lid open. The belt clip may comprise a pair of item openings located at the bottom of the belt clip. Item openings in the belt clip allows for a user to attach various items to the belt clip to ensure that these items are always reachable when needed and also to ensure that whenever the belt clip is worn these items will not be forgotten. Examples of items are ID card holders or key card holders. The openings are in one example located at the bottom of the belt clip. A hinge of the rotatable lid may comprise at least a first groove arranged to engage with a flexible arm, wherein upon engagement of the first groove and the arm, the lid is held in a first position. The hinge of the rotatable lid may further comprise also a second groove arranged to engage with the flexible arm, wherein upon engagement of the second groove and the arm the lid is held in a second position. A hinge having one or more grooves arranged to engage a flexible arm allows for the lid to more securely stay in one or more predetermined positions. This leads to that the lid for instance does not accidentally leave a closed or open position. A minimum amount of force is necessary to force the flexible arm out of the groove in order to rotate the lid. First and second grooves may be present on one hinge of the lid or both.

The belt clip may comprise a magnet placed inside the belt clip. The magnet can interact with metallic parts of an accessory in order to ensure that the accessory remains still when inserted into the belt clip. One or more magnets can be installed at opposite ends of the belt clip or along the length of the compartment to interact with metallic parts of the accessory. The magnet or magnets could also be installed in the lid. The invention further relates to an accessory for engaging with a belt clip according to the above description. The accessory comprises an attachment means comprising a first attachment portion having an essentially circular cross section. The first attachment portion is arranged to engage with the chamber of the belt clip. When the first attachment portion is placed in the chamber of the belt clip, the axis of the first attachment means and the axis of the compartment and the rotational axis of the hinged lid are essentially coaxial.

One advantage of having a belt clip and an accessory arranged to engage with the belt clip is that by ensuring that firstly, the rotational axis of the hinged lid and the axis of the chamber of the belt clip are essentially coaxial, and the axes of the chamber and the first attachment portion of the accessory are essentially coaxial, the lid of the belt clip cannot be opened by pushing on the accessory. By pushing is meant applying a linear force on the accessory in any direction along the x-, y- or z-axis. The first attachment portion of the accessory is held in place in the chamber by that the axes are coaxial. The rotatable lid is openable only by rotating the lid itself or by rotating the accessory. This ensures that the accessory does not separate from the belt clip if the user accidentally bumps into an object. At the same time this function ensures that the accessory separates from the belt clip if the accessory gets stuck while the user is moving. This provides the arrangement with a safety feature that reduces the risk of injury to a user.

The attachment means may further comprise at least one second attachment portion attached to the first attachment portion and to the accessory. The second attachment portion is arranged to fit in the at least one opening of the belt clip upon engaging the accessory to the belt clip. The second attachment portion is arranged to fit in the compartment openings of the belt clip upon engaging the accessory to the belt clip. Thus, when rotating the accessory in an upwards arc the second attachment portion exert a force on the lid, causing the lid to rotate open.

The first attachment portion of the accessory may comprise at least one attachment portion end comprising a metallic cladding covering at least a part of the outer surface of the attachment portion end or comprising a metallic part constituting at least part of the cross section of the attachment portion end. By having at least a part of the attachment portion comprising a magnetic metal, the attachment portion ends can interact with magnets in a belt clip according to the above description in order to ensure that the first attachment portion remains still within the chamber of the belt clip if the attachment portion is slightly smaller than the chamber.

The invention further relates to a system comprising a belt clip and an accessory arranged to engage with the belt clip. The belt clip comprises a belt clip body and a compartment arranged at a first end of the belt clip. The compartment is covered by a rotatable hinged lid, wherein the compartment extends between a first and second end of the lid. The compartment and lid, when closed over the compartment, form a chamber having an essentially circular cross section. The rotational axis of the hinged lid and the axis of the chamber of the belt clip are essentially coaxial. The accessory comprises an attachment means comprising a first attachment portion having an essentially circular cross section. The first attachment portion is arranged to engage with the compartment of the belt clip, and wherein, when the first attachment portion is placed in the chamber of the belt clip, the axis of the first attachment means and the axis of the chamber and the rotational axis of the hinged lid are essentially coaxial.

The fact that the axes of the compartment, the lid and the first attachment portion of the accessory are essentially coaxial ensures that the lid cannot be opened by pushing on the attachment means and also that the hinged lid is openable only by rotating the lid itself or by rotating the attachment means. By pushing on the accessory is meant applying a linear force on the accessory in any direction along the x-, y- or z-axis. The first attachment portion of the accessory is held firmly in place in the chamber by that the axes are coaxial preventing a torque to be exerted on the lid by the first attachment portion. The rotatable lid is openable only by rotating the lid itself or by rotating the accessory itself. Thus, the accessory does not separate from the belt clip if the user accidentally bumps into an object. At the same time this function ensures that the accessory separates from the belt clip if the accessory gets stuck while the user is moving. This provides the arrangement with a safety feature that reduces the risk of injury to a user.

The belt clip body comprises at least one compartment opening leading into the compartment and the attachment means of the accessory further comprises at least one second attachment portion attached to the first attachment portion and to the accessory, wherein the second attachment portion is arranged to fit in the at least one opening of the belt clip upon engaging the accessory to the belt clip. When rotating the accessory, the second attachment portion exerts a force on the lid, causing the lid to rotate open. The second attachment portion is arranged to fit in the at least one opening of the belt clip upon engaging the accessory to the belt clip. The second attachment portion is arranged to fit in the compartment openings of the belt clip upon engaging the accessory to the belt clip. Thus, when rotating the accessory in an upwards arc the second attachment portion exert a force on the lid, causing the lid to rotate open.

The accessory may be one of a tool holder, tool bit holder or a phone case. The belt clip arrangement can be used for a multitude of accessories as long as there is room for the first attachment means on the accessory or on an accessory case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a belt clip according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view of a belt clip according to the invention. Figures 3a-3d show cross sectional views of the belt clip according to a first and a second example of the belt clip.

Figure 4 show perspective views of an accessory according to a first alternative of the invention.

Figures 5a-5d show a first system of a belt clip and accessory in a cross sectional view, Figures 5e-5h show a second system of a belt clip and accessory in a cross sectional view.

Figures 6a-6c show the function of the arrangement according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an accessory according to a second alternative of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a belt clip according to a second example of the belt clip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a belt clip 1 according to the invention. The belt clip 1 has an extension along an x-axis, along a y-axis being perpendicular to the x-axis, and along a z-axis being perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis. The belt clip 1 in the example of figure 1 is oriented in the way it is intended to be when worn by a user when standing in an upright position. The x-axis is in the example of figure 1 directed along the horizontal direction of the belt clip 1, i.e. from one side of the belt clip 1 to the other or left to right. The y-axis is directed along a vertical direction of the belt clip 1, i.e. along the height of the belt clip 1 or top to bottom. The z-axis is directed along the direction of depth of the belt clip 1 or front to rear. Any other orientation of a coordinate system or a different coordinate system can be used to describe the positional relationship of the various parts of the belt clip 1.

The belt clip 1 comprises a compartment 2 arranged at an upper end 3 of a belt clip body 4 along the y-axis of the belt clip 1. In this first example the compartment 2 is arranged at the upper end of the belt clip body 4, it is possible for the compartment to be located along the length of the belt clip body 4 in case a different design of the belt clip 1 is desired. The belt clip 1 further comprises a belt clip attachment 5 for attaching the belt clip 1 to for instance a belt or pocket of a piece of clothing. The belt clip body 4 and belt clip attachment 5 can be made in one or more pieces. The belt clip body 4 and belt clip attachment 5 can be made of plastic or metal. The compartment 2 is covered by a rotatable lid 6 in this example comprising hinges 7, 8 rotatably arranged on either side of the compartment 2. The hinges 7, 8 are arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation 9. The lid 6 may comprise hinges 7, 8 and form an integral part or the hinges 7, 8 can be separate parts attached to the lid 6. The compartment 2 extends across the belt clip 1 between a first end 10 and second end 11 of the belt clip 1 along the x- axis. The compartment 2 is limited in extension by the hinges 7, 8 of the lid 6. The compartment 2 and the lid 6, when the lid 6 is closed over the compartment 2, form a chamber 12 having an essentially circular cross section in the y-z-plane. The axis of rotation 9 of the hinged lid 6 and the first axis 13 of the compartment 2 and thereby of a second axis 13a of the chamber 12 of the belt clip 1 are essentially coaxial.

The belt clip body 4 in a first example comprises one compartment opening 14 leading into the compartment 2. It is possible to have only one compartment opening or two or more compartment openings 14. The compartment opening 14 are arranged to interact with an attachment portion of the accessory. This will be described in more detail below. Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the belt clip 1 according to the invention. The belt clip body 4 further comprises item openings 15 located at a bottom end 16 of the belt clip body 4 along the y-axis. In the present example two item openings 15 are shown. The item openings 15 at the bottom end 16 of the belt clip 1 allow a user to attach various items to the belt clip 1. Figures 3a-3d show cross sectional views of the belt clip 1 according to a first and a second example.

Figure 3a shows the belt clip 1 in a closed position. The lid 6 comprises a lip 17 extending forward a vertical extension of the belt clip body 4 along the y-axis. The lip 17 can be used for simpler opening of the lid 6 by simply running one or more fingers upwards over the belt clip body 4 until the lip 17 is reached and the lid 6 can be pushed open.

The first hinge 7 of the rotatable lid 6 may comprise a first groove 18 arranged to engage with a flexible arm 19, wherein upon engagement of the first groove 18 and the arm 19, the lid 6 is held in a first position. The first hinge 7 of the rotatable lid 6 may further comprise a second groove 20 arranged to engage with the flexible arm 19, wherein upon engagement of the second groove 20, the lid 6 is held in a second position. Figure 3a shows the first position which is a closed position. Chamber 12 is formed by the compartment 2 and the lid 6 closing over the compartment 2. The second axis 13a of the chamber 12 is seen to be essentially coaxial with the axis of rotation 9 of the lid 6 which is the axis of rotation of the hinge.

Figure 3b shows the belt clip 1 in an open position. In figure 3b the second groove 20 of the hinge is engaged with the flexible arm 19. The second position is in this example an open position. One or both hinges 7, 8 of the lid 6 can have first and second grooves 18, 20. Flexible arms 19 can thus be present on both sides of the belt clip 1.

In the second example shown in figures 3c-3d, the lid 6 is arranged to be closed by means of a spring 26 attached at one end of the lid 6. The spring 26 is biased towards closing the lid 6. A second spring 26 can also be arranged at the opposite end of the lid 6 increasing the power exerted on the lid 6 to close it.

Figure 3c shows the belt clip 1 in a closed position. The lid 6 comprises a lip 17 extending forward a vertical extension of the belt clip body 4 along the y-axis. The lip 17 can be used for simpler opening of the lid 6 by simply running one or more fingers upwards over the belt clip body 4 until the lip 17 is reached and the lid 6 can be pushed open.

Figure 3d shows the belt clip 1 in an open position. In figure 3d the spring 26 is compressed and acts to close the lid 6. Figure 4 shows an accessory 21 according to the invention comprising a first example of attachment means 22. The first attachment means 22 comprises a first attachment portion 23 extending essentially along the x-axis having an essentially circular cross section in the y-z- plane. The attachment means 22 is attached to the accessory 21 such that the first attachment portion 23 is separated a distance from a rear surface of the accessory 21. In figure 4 the attachment means is attached to a rear and top surface at a top end of the accessory 21. The attachment means can be placed on other rear surfaces of the accessory 21 along the y-axis or to a top surface of the accessory 21. In one example the attachment means 22 of the accessory 21 comprises a first attachment portion 23 and a second attachment portion 24 attached to the first attachment portion 23 and to the accessory 21. The second attachment portion 24 is arranged to fit in the compartment openings 14 of the belt clip 1 upon engaging the accessory 21 to the belt clip 1.

The first attachment portion 23 comprises attachment portion ends 23a and 23b which may comprise metal cladding covering a part of or the entire jacket surface of the attachment portion ends 23a, 23b. The attachment portion ends 23a, 23b may alternatively be made up of a solid metal part extending over a part of or over the whole of the cross section of the attachment end portion 23a, 23b. The metal is a magnetic metal.

Figures 5a-5d shows cross sectional views of the belt clip 1 and the accessory 21 working as a first system.

Figure 5a shows the belt clip 1 in a closed position. The lid 6 comprises a lip 17 extending forward a vertical extension of the belt clip body 4. A user wanting to open the lip 17 for simpler opening of the lid 6 can run one or more fingers upwards over the belt clip body 4 until the lip 17 is reached and the lid 6 can be pushed open. This is indicated by the arrow.

Alternatively, the first attachment portion 23 of the accessory can be used in a similar way. When the first attachment portion 23 reaches the lip 17, pushing the lid 6 open, the first attachment means 22 easily slides into place in the compartment 2 whereupon the lid 6 can be closed.

Figure 5a further shows the compartment 2 and chamber 12 formed by the lid 6 and compartment 2. Further, the axis of rotation 9 of the hinges 7,8 and the first axis 13 of the compartment 2 and chamber 12 are shown.

Figure 5b shows the belt clip 1 in an open position. In figure 5b the second groove 20 of the hinge is engaged with the flexible arm 19. The lid 6 is thus held in an open position. The first attachment portion 23 of the accessory 21 is ready to be inserted into the compartment 2. The third axis 25 of the first attachment portion 23 is shown. Figure 5c shows the first attachment portion 23 inserted into the compartment 2. The third axis 25 of the first attachment portion 23 is as seen from the figure essentially coaxial with the rotational axis of the hinge and of the second axis of the compartment 2.

Figure 5d shows the lid 6 of the belt clip 1 closed, forming chamber 12 enclosing the first attachment portion 23. The third axis 25 of the first attachment portion 23 and the second axis 13a of the chamber 12 essentially coincide.

Figures 5e-5h shows cross sectional views of the belt clip 1 and the accessory 21 working as a second system.

In the second example the lid 6 is arranged to be closed by means of a spring 26 attached at one end of the lid 6 and to the belt clip 1. The spring is preferably a torsion spring and is biased towards closing the lid 6. Attachment of the spring 26 to the lid 6 and to the belt clip 1 can be made in a number of ways known in the art. A second spring 26 can also be arranged at the opposite end of the lid 6 increasing the power exerted on the lid to close it.

Figure 5e shows the lid in a closed position. Chamber 12 is formed by the compartment 2 and the lid 6 closing over the compartment 2. The second axis 13a of the chamber 12 is seen to be essentially coaxial with the rotational axis of the lid 6 which is the rotational axis of the hinge 7, 8.

Figure 5f shows the accessory 21 being inserted into the compartment 2. The first attachment portion 23 is moved towards the compartment opening 14. The first attachment portion 23 has a slightly larger cross section diameter than the height of the compartment opening, thereby forcing the lid 6 to open. The first attachment portion 23 is thereafter inserted into the compartment 2.

The lid 6 can alternatively be pushed open either by the hand of a user or by sliding the attachment portion upward along the front side of the belt clip 1. When the attachment portion 23 reaches the lip 17 the lid 6 is pushed open and the attachment portion can be inserted into the belt clip 1. In figure 5f the lid 6 is schematically shown in an open position.

Figure 5g shows the first attachment portion 23 ready to be inserted into the compartment 2. The lid 6 is forced open by pushing the first attachment portion 23 into the compartment 2. The lid is biased towards closing by the spring 26.

Figure 5h shows the lid 6 of the belt clip 1 completely closed, forming chamber 12 enclosing the first attachment portion 23. The third axis 25 of the first attachment portion 23 is as seen from the figure essentially coaxial with the rotational axis 9 of the hinge 7, 8 and of the second axis 13a of the compartment 2. In figures 5e-h a clip magnet 27 is shown placed beneath the lid 6 at one end of the belt clip 1, i.e. at the left or right side of the belt clip 1. The clip magnet 27 is arranged to interact with the attachment end portion 23a, 23b when the accessory 21 is inserted into the belt clip 1 of the first attachment portion 23 of the accessory to ensure that the accessory 21 is kept in a more firm position in the chamber 12. The use of the magnet 27 can also ensure that the first attachment portion remains still within the chamber 12 if the attachment portion 23 is slightly smaller than the chamber 12. A second magnet 27 can be installed at the opposite end of the belt clip 1 to interact with the attachment end portion on the opposite side of the first attachment portion 23. The position of the magnet 27 is illustrational; the magnet could also be positioned in the lid 6 or at a different position inside the belt clip 1 as long as the magnet 27 can interact with an attachment portion 23a, 23b.

The spring 26 and the flexible arm 19, the first groove 18 and second groove 20 can be incorporated into the same belt clip.

Figures 6a-6c show the function of the arrangement according to the invention. Figure 6a shows the belt clip 1 inserted into the belt clip 1. A linear force F is exerted upwards on the accessory 21 from below. As explained above the coaxiality of the axes 9, 13 and 25, prevents any force to be transferred from the first attachment portion 23 to the lid 6 such that a torque acts on the lid 6. The accessory 21 stays in the chamber 12. Figure 6b show the accessory 21 experiencing a force directed upwards/forwards causing the accessory 21 to rotate forwards/upwards. The rotation of the accessory 21 causes the second attachment portions 24 to exert a force on lid 6, pushing upward on the lid 6. The lid 6 start to rotate open.

Figure 6c show the accessory 21 separated from the belt clip 1. The above arrangement ensures that the lid 6 of the belt clip 1 cannot be opened by pushing on the attachment means and to that the hinged lid 6 is openable only by rotating the lid 6 itself or by rotating the attachment means. When rotating the accessory 21 the second attachment portions 24 exert a force on the lid 6, causing the lid 6 to rotate open.

The chamber 12 can be formed in many different ways as long as the cross section of the chamber 12, when the lid 6 has closed over the compartment 2 is essentially circular. One example of forming the chamber 12 is by having the compartment 2 having a cross section in the y-z-plane of part of circle, the part of the circle being greater than a semi-circle, and the interior surface of a top part of the lid 6, forming the remainder of the circle. In another example the cross section of the interior surface of the lid 6 comprises the major part of the circle and the cross section of the compartment 2 comprises the complementary part or remainder of the circle needed to form the chamber 12. A third example describing the formation of the chamber 12 is to see the compartment 2, being limited by the hinges 7, 8 of the lid 6, as a truncated cylinder. The cylinder is lying with its end surfaces abutting the hinges 7, 8. The cylinder is truncated along the length of the cylinder along the x-direction. The inner surface of the lid comprises a complementary truncated cylinder which together with the truncated cylinder of the compartment forms a complete cylinder when the lid is closed over the compartment.

Figure 7 shows an accessory 21 according to the invention comprising a second example of attachment means 22. The second attachment means 22 comprises a first attachment portion 23 extending essentially along the x-axis having an essentially circular cross section in the y-z- plane. The attachment means 22 is attached to the accessory 21 such that the first attachment portion 23 is separated a distance from a rear surface of the accessory 21. In figure 7 the attachment means is attached to a rear and top surface at a top end of the accessory 21. The attachment means can be placed on other rear surfaces of the accessory 21 along the y-axis or to a top surface of the accessory 21. In one example the attachment means 22 of the accessory 21 comprises a first attachment portion 23 and second attachment portions 24 attached to the first attachment portion 23 and to the accessory 21. The second attachment portions 24 are arranged to fit in the compartment openings 14 of the belt clip 1 upon engaging the accessory 21 to the belt clip 1. Metallic attachment portion ends 23a and 23b may also be arranged in this second example as described in conjunction with figure 4.

Figure 8 shows a second example of a belt clip according to the invention. The belt clip body 4 in a second example comprises two compartment openings 14 leading into the compartment 2. The compartment opening 14 are arranged to interact with the second attachment portions 24 of the accessory 21 of figure 7.

Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.

As will be realised, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description thereto are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.