US20100264176A1

US20100264176A1 - Remote control locator

Info

Publication number: US20100264176A1
Application number: US12/386,305
Authority: US
Inventors: Jill Bonnie Snell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-16
Filing date: 2009-04-16
Publication date: 2010-10-21

Abstract

A remote control locator kit for use by a user to locate a remote control includes the following: an association element adapted to physically associate with the remote control; and a connection element adapted to physically connect to the association element and to physically associate with at least one of the user and a physical object. Reference to the at least one of the user and a physical object allows the user to locate the remote control.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to remote controls, and more specifically, to a remote control locator kit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Remote controls are used to wirelessly operate devices. Remote controls can be misplaced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a remote control locator kit.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be embodied in a remote control locator kit for use by a user to locate a remote control, comprising the following:
an association element adapted to physically associate with a remote control; and a connection element adapted to physically connect to said association element and to physically associate with at least one of the user and a physical object; where reference to the at least one of the user and a physical object allows the user to locate the remote control.
In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the association element can be adapted to physically attach to the remote control.
In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, the association element can be a pouch adapted to encapsulate at least a portion of the remote control. Optionally, the connection element can include a loop adapted to be physically associated with the at least one of a person and a physical object.
In a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, the connection element can include a housing having a retractable element physically connected to said association element.
In yet another exemplary aspect of the present invention, the connection element can include a housing having a retractable element physically associated with the at least one of a person and a physical object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not in limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates an exemplary association element in the form of a band associated with an exemplary remote control by being wrapped around the remote control.

FIG. 1 b illustrates an exemplary association element in the form of a latch associated with an exemplary remote control by being mounted to remote control.

FIG. 1 c illustrates an exemplary association element in the form of a pouch associated with an exemplary remote control by encapsulating the remote control.

FIG. 1 d illustrates an exemplary association element in the form of a pouch associated with an exemplary remote control by encapsulating the remote control, and having an exemplary connection element forming a loop, such that the pouch can be worn by a user.

FIG. 2 a illustrates that an exemplary connection element can be physically associated with a user.

FIG. 2 b illustrates that an exemplary connection element can be physically associated with an object, such as a chair.

FIG. 2 c illustrates an exemplary connection element that can include a housing having a retractable element physically connected to the association element and physically associated with a user.

FIG. 2 d illustrates an exemplary connection element that can include a housing having a retractable element physically connected to the association element and physically associated with a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. It should be kept in mind that the following described embodiments are only presented by way of example and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concept to any particular physical configuration, shape, size, or order. Therefore, it should be understood that any description herein directed to any particular sized or shaped pole or pole of particular material is merely for illustrative purposes, and is not to be construed as limiting the present invention to any particular size, shape, or material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be embodied in a remote control locator kit for use by a user to locate a remote control, comprising the following: an association element adapted to physically associate with a remote control; and a connection element adapted to physically connect with said association element and to physically associate with at least one of the user and a physical object; where reference to the at least one of the user and a physical object allows the user to locate the remote control.
According to the present invention, an association element can be adapted to physically associate with a remote control. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, an association element can include any form of physical association with a remote control, such that reference to the association element will allow a user to locate a remote control associated therewith. For example, and not in limitation, an association element can include a hook, an eye, a band, a pouch, or one or both of a pair of connecting mechanisms, such as a hook-catch, magnet-metal component, respective VELCRO elements, glue-glued elements, or any other type of connecting elements that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 a, an association element 110 a can be a band of material that can be fit around a portion of a remote control 100 a. FIG. 1 b illustrates that an association element 110 b can be an eye that can be mounted to a remote control 100 b. FIG. 1 c illustrates that an association element 110 c can be a pouch in which a remote control 100 c can be held. FIG. 1 d illustrates that a connection element 130 d (discussed further infra) can formed as a loop that can be worn around a part of a user's body, such as a wrist or neck, for example and not in limitation.
According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a connection element can be physically connected to the association element and physically associated with at least one of a user and a physical object.
According to the present invention, a connection element can be embodied by a form of string or wire, for example and not in limitation. A connection element can be physically connected to the association element in any manner that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Further, such a manner can be complementary to the form of the association element. For example, and not in limitation, a connection element can be physically connected to an association element by being tied, glued, held, magnet, screwed, etc. to the association element.
According to the present invention, a connection element can be physically associated with a user or a physical object, such as a chair, bed, wall, piece of furniture, floor, etc., for example and not in limitation. As illustrated in FIG. 2 a, an exemplary connection element 230 a can be physically associated with a user 240 a. Referring to FIG. 1 d, for example, and not in limitation, physical association with a user can include a user wearing the association element 110 d and remote control via the connection element 130 d, which can take on the form of a loop that can fit around a user's neck or wrist, for example and not in limitation. Alternatively, a connection element can attach to a user's belt, belt buckle, waist, etc., for example and not in limitation.
According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a connection element can include a housing having a retractable element for winding the connection element within the housing rendering the overall length of the connection element short, while concurrently allowing the retractable element to be unwound to render the overall length of the connection element longer to improve the usability of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 c and 2 d, an exemplary connection element 230 c, 230 d that includes a housing 260 c, 260 d can have the retractable element physically connected to the association element and physically associated with a user or physical object 240, 250, respectively.
As can be seen, reference by a user to the at least one of the user and a physical object allows the user to conveniently locate the remote control via the connection element and association element.
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects taken together with the drawings.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative and enabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.
Therefore, it will be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A remote control locator kit for use by a user to locate a remote control, comprising:

an association element adapted to physically associate with the remote control; and

a connection element adapted to physically connect to said association element and to physically associate with at least one of the user and a physical object;

wherein reference to the at least one of the user and a physical object allows the user to locate the remote control.

2. The remote control locator kit of claim 1, wherein said association element is adapted to physically attach to the remote control.

3. The remote control locator kit of claim 1, wherein said association element is a pouch adapted to encapsulate at least a portion of the remote control.

4. The remote control locator kit of claim 3, wherein said connection element includes a loop adapted to be physically associated with the at least one of a person and a physical object.

5. The remote control locator kit of claim 1, wherein said connection element includes a housing having a retractable element physically connected to said association element.

6. The remote control locator kit of claim 1, wherein said connection element includes a housing having a retractable element physically associated with the at least one of a person and a physical object.