Frame for Aiding in Screen Protector Application

Abstract

A system and method for applying a screen protector to a handheld electronic device may provide a frame to surround the device and secure a screen protector over the device prior to final installation. The frame may provide supports to interface with screen protector cutouts to ensure a uniform fit. For rigid protectors, sets of small teeth may secure the protector to the frame and provide audible confirmation of proper mounting and eventual installation. When fitted over a device, a user may then push the screen protector downward for a perfect mounting of the protector to the device every time.

Claims

1. A system for applying a screen protector to a given device, the system comprising: a. a screen protector designed to fit and comport with the given device; b. a frame designed to entirely encompass the given device while also containing and holding the entire screen protector above a screen surface of the device; and c. a means of releasing the screen protector, from its initial position over the device to a final position on the device; wherein the frame always positions a new screen protector and a new device in the same relative positions such that each new screen protector is always positioned at the same relative location on the screen surface of the new device.

2. The system of claim 1, the screen protector having at least one hole and the frame having at least one block to comport with said at least one hole, the at least one hole comporting with at least one feature on the device.

3. The system of claim 2, the frame having at least one projection from which the at least one block originates, the at least one projection extending over a top surface of the screen protector when it is installed in the frame.

4. The system of claim 3, the at least one projection indicating a starting point to apply pressure to the screen protector so as to release the screen protector and install it upon the given device.

5. The system of claim 3, the frame comprising a plurality of clip teeth which suspend the screen protector above the device, wherein pressure from above the frame and screen protector release the screen protector from the plurality of clip teeth.

6. The system of claim 2, the frame comprising a plurality of clip teeth which suspend the screen protector above the device, wherein pressure from above the frame and screen protector release the screen protector from the plurality of clip teeth.

7. The system of claim 1, the frame comprising a plurality of clip teeth which suspend the screen protector above the device, wherein pressure from above the frame and screen protector release the screen protector from the plurality of clip teeth.

8. A method of applying a rigid screen protector to a device, the method comprising: a. placing the screen protector into a provided frame, said frame totally encompassing the screen protector; b. placing a given device into the provided frame, said frame totally encompassing the given device and also holding the screen protector over a surface of the given device; c. applying pressure to the screen protector to release the screen protector from the frame in a manner to drop it precisely on the top surface of the given device.

9. The method of claim 8, the frame utilizing clips to secure the screen protector over the surface of the given device, said clips and screen protector interacting to provide an audible sound when the screen protector is properly installed in the frame and when the screen protector is properly released from the same.

10. The method of claim 8, the frame providing an indication of a starting point at which to initially apply pressure to the screen protector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the system and a compatible phone.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an alternate exploded view of the system and phone of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the system assembled and a compatible phone.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a close-up of the system of FIG. 3, taken in circle A.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an alternate perspective view of the system assembled and a compatible phone.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a close-up of the system of FIG. 5, taken in circle B.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system positioned over the compatible phone.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the system and phone of FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the system and phone of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIGS. 10-18 are perspective views depicting steps in the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the screen protector application system and method is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1-9, the system has two basic components, a frame 10 and a screen protector 20. Screen protector 20 is designed to fit on a given device, such as phone 30, tablet, music player or other device, and has appropriate cut-outs (notches or holes) 22,24 to fit around device components such as microphones, cameras, speakers, sensors, or buttons 32. Ideally, the screen protector 20 also has some rigidity. Frame 10 is also constructed to comport with the device structures and general shape as it must fit over the device 30 for installation of the screen protector 20, as is shown in FIGS. 7-9.

[0024] The frame has many useful features to assist in the precise installation of a screen protector 20 onto a device 30. It should be noted that the screen protector 20 and frame 10 are made to ensure a consistent fit between the frame 10 and each new screen protector 20. Likewise, when the frame is installed over a device 30, the device 30 is held in the same orientation as any other similar device held by the frame 10. This uniformity allows positioning of the screen protector 20 to also be uniform in relation to the device 30 in each application. Therefore, it is easily appreciated that the screen protector 20 and frame 10 may be designed to precisely position the screen protector 20 over the device and minimize human error in application. It is also readily appreciated that different frames will be needed for different devices, just as there are currently different screen protectors cut, shaped and sized for different devices. These differences would even encompass curved protectors for current edge phones. Accordingly, the depicted frame 10, protector 20, and device 30 should all be considered exemplary and only showing one singular embodiment of the invention and that any shape of protector and frame may be made for any electronic device for which a screen protector may be useful.

[0025] The uniform fit of the frame 10 and screen protector 20 is achieved by geometrically controlling the fit of the screen protector 20 and device 30 to the frame 10. One method is to provide blocks, such as the two depicted blocks 12, 14 in the frame 10 which comport with cutouts 22, 24 of the screen protector 20 (FIGS. 3-6), which as stated before comport with features of the device 30. Frame 10 may also present a plurality of clip teeth 16 which secure the screen protector 20 in the frame and, when either the screen protector 20 is properly mounted therein or then installed on the device 30, the interaction of the screen protector 20 with the clip teeth 16 provides an audible click to signal completed stages of application. The screen protector 20 may be held against a rim 17 of the frame 30. Such a rim 17 may present projections 11, 13 which may extend over the front surface of the screen protector 20 and may support the blocks 12, 14. Other projections, such as side projections 15, may be provided for additional support of a screen protector 20. Other features, such as storage loop 18, may be provided.

[0026] Installation of the screen protector is accomplished by first mounting the screen protector 20 in the frame (FIGS. 10-12). The protector is aligned within the frame 10 and pressed into position. An audible click 40 indicates successful mounting (FIG. 12). Ideally, each protector 20 is provided with a release liner 26 and pull tab 28 (FIG. 13). The release liner 26 covers the screen protector's adhesive until it is ready for installation. When mounted in the frame 10, the pull tab 28 is drawn to remove the release liner 26 and expose the adhesive. Then the frame is positioned over the device 30 (FIG. 14). Since both protector 20 and device 30 may only fit in the frame 10 at pre-appointed orientations, the protector 20 and device 30 will always have the same spacial relationship with each other. It should be noted that one of the illustrated projections 11 is divided into two branches. This projection 11 and its branches may then indicate and provide a starting point for the user to place a finger or other useful tool at the projection 11 for final installation (FIG. 15). If constructed with a block 12, the user would then be placing instant force about where the first cutout in the screen protector 20. The user then draws the finger upwards (FIG. 16), in this case towards the opposite projection 13, until the screen protector drops onto the device with another audible click (FIG. 17). Use of the longitudinal direction is sensible in that there is greater allowed flex in the protector 20 with the longer distance; but, it should be readily appreciated that the direction of motion is generally arbitrary. Directional indicia may also be applied to the frame 10 and the projections 11, 13 may provide an instinctual indicator of direction. The frame 10 may then be removed (FIG. 18) leaving the screen protector 20 on the device 30. At that time, any further treatment, such as more thoroughly applying pressure and removing air bubbles, may be instituted.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.