SCREEN PROTECTOR APPLICATOR AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus to aid in applying a screen protector to the display of a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone. The apparatus in some embodiments is a wedge or ramp that is placed between the display and the screen protector to support a portion of the screen protector above the display. The user may withdraw or move the wedge or ramp and tip the screen protector onto the display. The wedge or ramp may have a plurality of profiles or surfaces on which the screen protector rides as the wedge is moved, the profiles or slope of the surface aiding in controlling the rate at which the screen protector descends onto the display. The apparatus may also include a frame to go about the perimeter of the mobile device to aid in positioning the screen protector. The frame may include alignment aids and absorbent material about the perimeter of the mobile device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a screen protector to a display of a mobile electronic device, the apparatus including a frame and a wedge, the wedge including a surface for supporting an edge of the screen protector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface for supporting an edge of the screen protector includes a plurality of slopes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the surface for supporting an edge of the screen protector having a portion having a first slope, a portion having a second slope, and a portion having a third slope.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wedge is slidably coupled to the frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the surface for supporting an edge of the screen protector includes a plurality of slopes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame includes a perimeter portion, the perimeter portion including an absorbent material.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, the frame further including an alignment tab extending from the frame.

8. An applicator for applying a screen protector to a display of a mobile electronic device, the applicator including first surface in contact with an edge of the screen protector when the applicator is in a first position, the first surface being at a first angle to the display, a second surface in contact with the edge of the screen protector when the applicator is in a second position, the second surface being at a second angle to the display, and a third surface in contact with the edge of the screen protector when the applicator is in a third position, the third surface being at a third angle to display.

9. The applicator of claim 8, the applicator further including a frame for positioning the applicator on the mobile electronic device, the frame including a perimeter portion that goes about at least a portion of a perimeter of the mobile device.

10. The applicator of claim 8, the applicator first surface including a first surface first lateral portion in contact with a first lateral portion of the edge of the screen protector, and a first surface second lateral portion in contact with a second lateral portion of the edge of the screen protector.

11. The applicator of claim 9, wherein the frame includes an absorbent material about at least a portion of the perimeter of the mobile device.

12. The applicator of claim 9, wherein the frame includes an alignment tab extending upward from the frame.

13. An applicator for use in applying a screen protector to the display of a mobile electronic device, the applicator including a wedge and a frame, the wedge including a bearing surface for sliding on the frame and a screen protector bearing surface, the screen protector bearing surface including a first section having a first profile, and a second section having a second profile.

14. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the screen protector bearing surface includes a third section, the third section terminating in an arcuate end.

15. The applicator of claim 14, wherein the third section is longer than the first section.

16. The applicator of claim 14, wherein the frame includes a perimeter portion having an absorbent.

17. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first section of the screen protector bearing surface is in contact with the screen protector when the wedge is in a first position relative to the frame, and the second section of the screen protector bearing surface is in contact with the screen protector when the wedge is in a second position relative to the frame.

18. The applicator of claim 17, wherein the wedge includes a first lateral arm coupled to a first lateral portion of the frame, and a second lateral arm coupled to a second lateral portion of the frame.

19. The applicator of claim 18, further including a first alignment tab extending upward from the first lateral portion of the frame, and a second alignment tab extending upward from the second lateral portion of the frame.

20. The applicator of claim 19, wherein the first alignment tab includes an inner facing surface, the inner facing surface sloping inwards.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame and wedge of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a frame and wedge of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a frame and wedge of the present invention on a cell phone having a display and a suspended screen protector above the display;

[0043] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a wedge showing example profiles;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a frame and wedge of the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a frame and wedge of the present invention, the wedge having lateral portions;

[0046] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0048] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0049] With reference to the Figures, the invention includes a frame 10 and a wedge 100 for applying a screen protector 1 to the display 5 of a mobile electronic device 8. The frame 10 includes a first perimeter portion 11 that goes about at least a portion of the perimeter of a cell phone or mobile electronic device 8. The frame includes a second perimeter portion 12 vertically offset from the first perimeter portion 11. The second perimeter portion 12 may also be horizontally offset from the first perimeter portion. In some embodiments, the second perimeter portion 12 may include an absorbent material adjacent to the display 5 when the frame 10 is mounted on the mobile electronic device 8.

[0050] In some embodiments of the invention, the frame 10 may include alignment tabs 20 extending upward from the frame 10. The alignment tabs 20 preferably extend upwards above the level of the screen protector 1 when the screen protector is positioned within the frame and on the wedge prior to application of the screen protector 1 to the display 5. In some embodiments, the inner facing surface 22 of the alignment tabs 20 slopes inward to improve placement of the screen protector 1 on the display 5. The inner facing surface 22 smoothly transitions to the inner perimeter portion 12 of the frame 10 so that the screen protector 1 does not hang or catch as it descends onto the display 5 or adhesive. In some embodiments, the frame includes gripping portion 19.

[0051] The wedge 100 may be slidable connected to the frame 10, or a non-coupled piece. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the wedge 100 is a non-coupled piece. As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the wedge 100 is slidable coupled to the frame 10.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the wedge 100 includes a gripping portion 110 for gripping by the user. Also included is a bearing surface 120 for slidably bearing on the frame 10. Also included is a screen protector bearing surface 130. The screen protector bearing surface 130 is preferably sloped toward the opening in the frame 10 when the wedge 100 is placed on the frame 10.

[0053] In the most preferred embodiment, the screen protector bearing surface 130 of the wedge 100 includes a plurality of sections each having its own slope, profile, or curvature. As best shown in FIG. 4, the screen protector bearing surface 130 has a first section 131, a second section 132, and a third section 133.

[0054] The first section 131 has a first slope or profile. The second section 132 has a second slope or profile. In the most preferred embodiment, the slope of the second section 132 is greater than the slope of the first section 131. In some embodiments of the invention, the transition between the first section 131 and the second section 132 is curved. In some embodiments of the invention the third section 133 has a slope that is less than the slope of the second section 132. In some embodiments of the invention, the transition between the second section 132 and the third section 133 is curved. The third section 133 preferably terminates in a rounded or arcuate end 134. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the third section 133 is the longest of the sections of the screen protector bearing surface 130.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 3 and the arrows, in use the user grips the wedge 100 by the gripping portion 110 and smoothly slides the wedge 100 horizontally away from the frame 10, as shown by the arrow. The screen protector second end 2 moves down the screen protector bearing surface 130 without being displaced in the direction of the wedge 100, thus reducing the angle of incline of the screen protector 1. When the wedge 100 is fully moved, the second end 2 of the screen protector is no longer supported by the wedge 100, and the screen protector fully descends onto the adhesive and display 5.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 6-9, and alternate embodiment is shown. The alternate embodiment shown is similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-9 but includes a wedge 100 that is slidably coupled to the frame 10. The wedge 100 includes gripping portion 110. The wedge 100 is further divided into lateral portions 115 and 116, rather than being centrally located to support the center of a perimeter edge of the screen protector 1. In the alternate embodiment, the screen protector 1 is supported at or near the lateral perimeter of the edge.

[0057] In some embodiments, the coupled wedge 100 includes lateral arms 117 and 118 including channels that engage with lateral portions 17 and 18 of the frame 10, allowing the wedge 110 to slide with respect to the frame 10 and remain aligned with the frame 10, improving registration of the screen protector 1 with the display 5 as the screen protector 1 descends.

[0058] The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.