CA 2805675

Add-ons module is using multiple plug projections to improve mechanical joint to a cell phone. The coupling is performed by push-pull action. A substantially larger moment is thus resisting separation of the add-on from the cell phone.

A cell phone add-on comprising:
a body having a number of sides, one of the sides having a plurality of projection plugs, said projection plugs separated at a distance from each other, said projection plugs fitting plug ports of a cell phone;
so that the add-on can be mechanically coupled to a cell phone by applying a push force and removed by a pull force.
2. The cell phone ad-on of claim 1, wherein the projection plugs are the audio male plug and the communication male plug.

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell phone. More particularly this invention pertains to an add-on module mechanically coupled to a cell phone.

[0002] Present designs of add-ons to a cell phone are based on a relatively large communication plug to couple an add-on module to the phone body. The add-ons provide extra features to the cell phone such as an additional battery, image projector, cooling propeller, perfume pumper or a medical device. Such modules are plugged only temporarily into the cell phone and a sturdy mechanical joint is not required.
[0003] However, there seem to be a need on the market for cell phone add-ons which would enhance the appeal for cell phone especially in the luxury market. Such modules could be a mechanical/electrical watch, jewelery or a precious materials art object. Unfortunately present designs of the add-ons do not provide a sufficient mechanical coupling since they are based on a singular connection. Newer cell phones such as I-phone5 have even reduced size communication port. Such port is suitable for electrical connection docking station such as Belkin Charge+Synch Dock, but not sturdy enough to join a sizable add-on module.

[0004] Accordingly one object of the present invention is to create improved mechanical coupling between the cell phone and the add-on.
[0005] In order to achieve this objective the communication port, as well as the audio port of the cell phone are employed simultaneously to create a mechanical coupling with the add-on. The coupling is separable by push-pull action and securing of the add-on is provided by the retention mechanism of the cell phone ports. The improved mechanical joint is achieved because the cell phone ports are located at the distance relative to each other. A
substantially larger moment is thus resisting separation of the add-on from the cell phone. Further advantage is that the potentially damaging strain to the port components is thus reduced while using the add-on for an extended time.
[0006] This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all features of the invention. In the following the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0007] Figure 1 shows a perspective elevation of the add-on and of the cell phone in orientation before pushed together.
[0008] Figure 2 shows a perspective elevation of the cell phone and add-on coupled together.

[0009] With reference to Figure 1 there is illustrated a cell phone 1 and an add-on module 2. The add-on is intended to be coupled to the cell phone by pushing in the direction 3. The add-on incorporates two male projections, communication plug 4 and audio plug 5, separated at the distance 6. While pushing the add-on 1 in the direction 3 the two male plugs fit into the corresponding female component at the ports of the cell phone. The cell phone female components are separated at the same distance 6 as the add-on male projections.
[0010] One advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the two port joint coupling resists substantially a separation between the cell phone and the add-on while subjected to the moments 7 and 8 as shown in figure 2.
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