US20060226186A1

US20060226186A1 - Portable device

Info

Publication number: US20060226186A1
Application number: US10/531,395
Authority: US
Inventors: Kurt Högnelid; Fredrik Wetterhall
Original assignee: Perific AB
Current assignee: Perific AB
Priority date: 2002-10-15
Filing date: 2003-09-16
Publication date: 2006-10-12
Also published as: WO2004036489A1; SE0203048D0; AU2003263708A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible fitting solution for a portable device for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit, which includes a holding member designed to be attached to a hand of a user of the device so as to retain the device in a predetermined manner on the hand. The holding member comprises at least one elongated portion and at least one curved portion connected thereto. A side of the holding member that faces the user's hand when the device is attached to the hand includes a padding module. The padding module, in turn, includes at least one pad cushion adapted to fit the device to the user's hand. The padding module is removably fastened to the holding member by means of a set of fastening members, which secure the padding module in a fastened position. By selecting an appropriate padding module, each user of the device may obtain a good fit of the device onto his/her hand.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in International Application No. PCT/SE2003/001450 filed on Sep. 16, 2003 and Swedish Patent Application No. 0203048.4 filed on Oct. 15, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fitting of wearable devices, which communicate with units that are physically separated from the device. More particularly the invention relates to a portable device for sending control signals to a peripheral unit, the device being attachable to a user's hand. The present invention also resides in a padding module that can be attached to the portable device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The trend in both telecommunication and data processing is towards mobility, decreased device sizes and application specific interfaces. Moreover, our manners of interacting with computers and various communication tools is becoming less orthodox. For example, it cannot be presupposed that the user predominantly sits at a desk when operating his/her computer. Together, these circumstances place an increased demand for user-friendly and flexible data input arrangements.
One way of accomplishing such an arrangement is to provide a portable device for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit, where the portable device is attachable to a user's hand and communicates with the peripheral unit (by wire or wirelessly). The user is thereby free to move in relation the peripheral unit, such as a computer, while at the same time, he/she maintains the ability to interact with this unit. Moreover, such an arrangement increases the user's chances of finding a comfortable and ergonomically appropriate working posture. A portable device of this kind preferably includes a holding member, which is designed to be attached to a hand of a user of the device so as to retain the device in a predetermined manner on the hand. The holding member may thereby include a U-shaped portion that has two elongated portions and a curved portion connecting these portions.
However, people's hands vary significantly with respect to size and shape. This, in turn, results in that a particular portable device, having a certain shape and dimensions, that is adapted to be attached to a user's hand may be positioned (or fitted) onto different parts of the hand depending on the characteristics of the hand in question. Additionally, when the device is attached to a user's hand, various input members (such as buttons and pointing controls) on the device may be more or less easy to reach, either by the hand onto which the device is attached or the user's opposite hand, depending on the characteristics of the hand. The clamping force by which the device is affixed to the user's hand may also vary considerably depending on the thickness of the hand and the stiffness of any resilient members between the hand and the rigid body of the portable device. Finally, even though two users may have very similar hands with respect to shape and size their preferences as to what represents a comfortable fit of the portable device onto their hands may show large variations.
One way of handling the above discrepancies would, of course, be to have the portable device tailor-made for each user. However, this is barely realistic due to the design and manufacture costs associated therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution which is attractive both from an ergonomic and a commercial point-of-view, and thus to offer a flexible fitting of a general portable device onto a specific user's hand.
According to one aspect of the invention the object is achieved by a portable device for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit, which includes a holding member designed to be attached to a hand of a user of the device so as to retain the device in a predetermined manner on the hand. The holding member includes at least one curved portion and at least one elongated portion connected to the at least one curved portion, such that the portions are adapted to grip a part of the user's hand. A side of the holding member that faces the user's hand when the device is attached to the hand contains a padding module. This module includes at least one pad cushion, which is adapted to fit the device to the user's hand. Moreover, the padding module is removably fastened to the holding member by means of a set of fastening members that secure the padding module in a fastened position.
This is advantageous because thereby the user may select a particular padding module having such characteristics that when it is fastened onto the portable device it results in a good fitting of the device onto the user's hand. Moreover, when after a longer period of use, the padding module becomes worn or dirty it may easily be replaced or cleaned and returned.
According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the holding member includes a U-shaped portion having first and second elongated portions and a curved portion connecting the first and second elongated portions. This is advantageous because the holding member may thereby easily be fitted onto the user's hand, for instance between the thumb and the index finger, and stay there without interfering much with any operations performed by the user's hand.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the holding member includes a C-shaped portion having a relatively long elongated portion, first and second relatively short elongated portions and first and second curved portions. The curved portions each connect a respective relatively short elongated portion to the relatively long elongated portion. A device with such a holding member will interfere even less with the user's hand operations. However, a supplementary strap is normally also required to maintain a secure attachment of the device to the hand.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the holding member includes an enfolded portion having first and second elongated portions and two curved portions interconnecting the first and second elongated portions. This shape of the holding member is advantageous because a secure attachment to the hand may thereby be accomplished without any straps or the like.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the set of fastening members includes at least one protruding lip, which is adapted to hold the padding module in the fastened position. An advantage attained thereby is that the design facilitates a change of padding modules. Namely, it is both easy to snap in a new module behind the protruding lips, and to remove an already fastened module from the device by shifting it laterally or simply unsnapping it.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the set of fastening members includes at least one groove, which is adapted to clamp the padding module into the fastened position. This design is desirable because the padding module thereby becomes very securely fastened to the portable device.
According to yet a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the holding member contains a first recess whose shape is adapted to receive the padding module. Preferably, the padding module is also made of an elastic material and has such form in relation to the holding member that the padding module, when being fitted into position against at least one of the at least one elongated portion and the at least one curved portion, exerts a flexing force on the portable device that fixates the padding module is into the fastened position in the first recess. This is advantageous because thereby changing padding modules becomes easy, at the same time as the padding module is very securely fastened to the portable device.
According to yet a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the padding module includes a carrier, which in turn includes the at least one pad cushion. This is desirable, since thereby a plurality of pad cushions may be attached, removed or changed in a joint operation.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the padding module includes at least one protruding member which extends essentially perpendicular from the carrier. The holding member also includes at least one second recess, which is adapted to the shape and position of the at least one protruding member, such that the at least one second recess may receive the at least one protruding member and thus fixate the padding module into the fastened position. This design is desirable, because it accomplishes an even more secure fastening of the padding module to the portable device.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the padding module comprises at least two carrier sub-modules, which each includes one or more pad cushions. This is advantageous, since it allows sub-modules with mutually different characteristics, such as size and hardness, to be combined into a configuration that better suits a particular user's requirements. Moreover, the sub-modules may be individually replaced and/or washed when necessary.
According to another aspect of the invention the object is achieved by a padding module, which is adapted to be attached to a portable device for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit as described initially. The padding module is adapted to cooperate with a set of fastening members on the portable device and thus be secured in a removably fastened position on a side of the holding member that faces the user's hand when the device is attached to the hand. Moreover, the padding module contains at least one pad cushion, which is adapted to fit the portable device to the user's hand. A separate padding module of this kind is advantageous because thereby the user may select a padding module having such characteristics that, when it is fastened onto the portable device, the device fits well onto the user's hand. Moreover, when after a longer period of use, the padding module becomes worn or dirty it may easily be replaced or cleaned and returned.
According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the padding module contains a carrier, which in turn includes the at least one pad cushion. This is desirable, since thereby a plurality of pad cushions may be attached, removed or changed in a joint operation.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the carrier is made of an elastic material and has such form in relation to the holding member that, when it is fitted into position against at least one of the at least one elongated portion and the at least one curved portion, it exerts a flexing force on the device, which fixates it into the fastened position. This results in that the padding module is very securely fastened to the portable device, at the same time as changing padding modules is alleviated. The design is therefore desirable.
According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the carrier includes at least one protruding member (e.g. fluke- or barb shaped), which extends essentially perpendicular and is adapted to be received by at least one recess in the holding member of the portable device, such that the padding module may be fixated into a fastened position on the device. This type of attachment accomplishes a very secure fastening of the padding module to the portable device and is thus desirable.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the padding module comprises at least two carrier sub-modules, which each includes a pad cushion. These sub-modules may be combined, such that a resulting padding module includes pad cushions with mutually different characteristics (e.g. with respect to size and hardness). Thereby, a particular user's fitting requirements may be better met than with a single uniform padding module. Moreover, the sub-modules may be individually replaced and/or washed when necessary. Hence, the invention offers an excellent tool for customizing and tailoring general hand-worn portable devices to an optimal fit for each user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means of preferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 depicts a side elevation view of a portable device having a holding member according to a first embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 2 shows a padding module according to a first embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 3 shows a padding module according to a second embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 4 demonstrates a set of fastening members for the padding module according to a second embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 5 demonstrates a set of fastening members for the padding module according to a third embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 6 demonstrates a set of fastening members for the padding module according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 7 demonstrates a set of fastening members for the padding module according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a portable device having a holding member according to a second embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a portable device having a holding member according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a side elevation view of a portable device 100 for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 100 contains a plurality of input members adapted to receive such control signals. For example, a first input member in the form of a mouse ball 181 may be used to enter positioning commands to control a cursor on a computer screen. Second and third input members in the form buttons 182 and 183 may be used to generate various selection and activation commands.
Additionally, the device 100 includes a holding member designed to be attached to a hand of a user of the device so as to retain the device 100 in a fixed manner on the hand, predominantly by means of a clamping force exerted to the hand. The holding member contains a U-shaped portion, which has a first elongated portion 110 and a second elongated portion 120. A curved portion 130 of the U-shaped portion connects the first and the second elongated portions 110; 120.
A padding module 200 is mounted onto a side of the U-shaped portion that is intended to face the user's hand when the device is attached to the hand. The padding module 200 contains a carrier 140, which in turn includes at least one pad cushion 141, 142, 143 a, 143 b and 143 c respectively that is adapted to fit the device 100 to the user's hand. For instance, the device 100 may be attached to a user's first hand such that a first larger pad cushion 141 contacts the outside of this hand, whereas a second larger pad cushion 142 contacts the palm. A set of smaller pad cushions 143 a, 143 b and 143 c then contacts one side of the first hand, preferably in the area between the thumb and the index finger. Such positioning of the device 100 enables the user to conveniently reach the mouse ball 181 as well as the buttons 182 and 183 with his/her second hand, while the first hand rests comfortably in the second hand (such that the outside of the first hand contacts the palm of the second hand).
The padding module 200 is removably fastened to the holding member by means of a set of fastening members. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention where fastening members in the form of a pair of protruding lips 150 secure the padding module 200 in a fastened position. However, according to other embodiments of the invention, the padding module 200 may be fastened by alternative means, which will be discussed below with reference to FIGS. 4-7.
FIG. 2 shows a padding module 200 according to a first embodiment of the invention when not being fastened to the portable device 100. The carrier 140 here shows an essentially straight profile. The carrier 140 is preferably made of a flexible material (e.g. polymer or metal), and given that this material is also elastic, the carrier 140 will produce a flexing force towards the holding member when it is fitted into position between the elongated portions 110 and 120. According to the invention, other profile shapes are likewise feasible, such as a profile which is adapted to the general U-form of the holding member (and therefore need not be flexible). Alternatively, the profile may have a slightly inverted U-form (so as to accomplish an increased flexing force towards the holding member). Further details pertaining to these features will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 5.
Nevertheless, the padding module 200 is adapted to be removably fastened to a portable device 100 as described above by means of a set of fastening members. The carrier 140 includes one or more pad cushions. FIG. 2 shows a carrier 140 with two relatively large pad cushions 141 and 142 respectively, and three relatively small pad cushions 143 a, 143 b and 143 c. Preferably, although not necessarily, all the pad cushions 141, 142 143 a, 143 b; 143 c on the carrier 140 have equal characteristics with respect to the pad material, its hardness and the pad cover material. The pad cushions may for example be made of TD 211 (from Fagerdala Industri AB, Sweden), tempur® or similar material. Either the pad cushions are covered by an elastic, comfortable and washable fabric, or the pad cushion material itself is correspondingly adapted to be in direct contact with human skin.
FIG. 3 shows a padding module 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Here, the module 200 includes three carrier sub-modules 140 a, 140 b and 140 c respectively, which each includes at least one pad cushion 141; 143 a, 143 b, 143 c; 142. The individual sub-modules 140 a, 140 b and 140 c may be interconnected or hooked together via particular interlocking means. Preferably, at least one of the sub-modules, is provided with one or more protruding members which extend from the module's general edge. Any sub-modules that are potential neighbors to this sub-module include at least one corresponding recess which is adapted to receive the protruding member(s), such that the sub-modules thus may be interconnected and joined into a combined padding module 200. Preferably, the protruding members are fluke- or barb shaped, for instance as the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle. FIG. 3 shows an example where a first and a third sub-module 140 a and 140 c are provided with a respective jig-saw-puzzle shaped protruding member and a second sub-module 140 b has a two corresponding recesses which are adapted to receive these members.
FIG. 4 shows the side of the elongated portion 110 of the portable device's 100 holding member, which is intended to face the user's hand when the device 100 is attached to the hand, where fastening members secure the padding module 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Here, the fastening members are constituted by a pair of grooves 450 which are parallel to the carrier's 140 edge and are adapted to clamp the padding module 200 into the fastened position inside the holding member. The grooves 450 are positioned such that the carrier 140 may slide pass them without the pad cushions 141 or 143 a contacting the grooves 450. Provided that the carrier 140 is made of a sufficiently flexible material, it may alternatively be bent and snapped into position behind the edges of the grooves 450 without performing a sliding movement. Naturally, the grooves 450 in FIG. 4 may be combined with a pair of protruding lips 150 (as shown in FIG. 1) that also secure end parts of the carrier 200 to the device 100.
FIG. 5 illustrates, by means of a sectional view of the holding member's elongated portion 110, a fastening means for the padding module 200 according to a third embodiment of the invention. As already mentioned above, the carrier 140 may be made of an elastic material, i.e. material that regains an original form after having been deformed by means of an external force. Thus, an elastic carrier 140 having an original form which is less bent than what is given by the general U-form of the holding member, will also produce a flexing force towards the holding member when it is fitted into position between the elongated portions 110 and 120. Generally, the stiffer the material and the less the carrier's 140 profile coincides with the holding member's form, the stronger this force will be. FIG. 5 shows the elongated portion 110 of a holding member, which includes a first recess 550 whose shape is adapted to receive the padding module 200, such that the carrier 140 rests against at least one edge of the recess 550. Preferably the carrier 140 rests against all the recess edges. Moreover, the carrier 140 is made of an elastic material and has such form in relation to U-shaped portion that it, when being fitted into position between the first and second elongated portions 110 and 120 respectively, exerts a flexing force F_ton the device 100. This force F_tis at least strong enough to fixate the padding module 200 into the fastened position. Preferably however, the force F_tis weak enough to allow the padding module 200 to be easily be removed by hand.
FIG. 6 shows the side of the elongated portion 110 of the portable device's 100 holding member, which is intended to face the user's hand when the device 100 is attached to the hand, where a fastening member secure the padding module 200 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The fastening member is constituted by a protruding member 650 which extends essentially perpendicular from the carrier's 140 general edge and lies in level with the surface that faces the user's hand. The holding member comprises a corresponding second recess 165, which is adapted to the shape and position of the protruding member 650 such that the second recess 165 may receive the protruding member 650 and thus fixate the padding module 200 into the fastened position against the device 100. Preferably, the holding member is provided with at least one protruding member-second recess pair per elongated portion 110 and 120. Of course, any number of such pairs larger than one is also conceivable. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protruding member 650 is fluke- or barb shaped, for instance like the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle.
FIG. 7 illustrates, by means of a sectional view of the holding member's elongated portion 110, a fastening means for the padding module 200 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The padding module's 200 carrier's 140 general edge here includes a protruding member 750 which extends essentially perpendicular from the carrier 140. The protruding member 750 is also essentially perpendicular to the surface that faces the user's hand and extends away from this surface. The holding member includes a corresponding second recess 175, which is adapted to the shape and position of the protruding member 750 such that the second recess 175 may receive the protruding member 750 and thus fixate the padding module 200 into the fastened position against the device 100. Preferably, the holding member is provided with at least one protruding member-second recess pair per elongated portion 110 and 120. Naturally, any number of such pairs larger than one is likewise conceivable. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protruding member 750 is fluke- or barb shaped, for instance like the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle.
According to the invention, the fastening members 150, 450, 550, 650 and 750 described above and individually illustrated in the FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively may be combined in any combination and thus accomplish an enhanced fastening of the padding module 200 to the portable device 100. Moreover, the fastening members 150, 450, 550, 650 and 750 may also be combined in part, such that for example the first elongated portion 110 includes a first type of fastening member (say a protruding lip 150) and second elongated portion 120 includes a second type of fastening member (say a pair of grooves 450). Furthermore, in addition to the illustrated fastening members, the padding module 200 may be fastened to the device 100 by means of alternative or complementary fasteners represented by magnet- or Velcro™ members. Alternatively, the set of fastening members may include one or more areas on the padding module and the holding member respectively that are covered with a self-adhesive layer, which is adapted to accomplish a non-permanent attachment of the padding module to the holding member, i.e. a gluey equivalent to Velcro™.
According to alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), the carrier forms an integrated part of the holding member, such that each pad cushion may be individually fastened directly onto the holding member.
FIG. 8 shows a portable device 100 having a C-shaped holding member which is adapted to be attached to the back of a user's hand, such that a relatively long elongated portion 110 of the device 100 is parallel with the back of the hand and first and second relatively short elongated portions 810 and 820 grasp around a respective side of the hand. First and second curved portions 831 and 832 each connect a respective of the first and second relatively short elongated portions 810 and 820 to the relatively long elongated portion 110, such that a smooth transition is accomplished between the elongated portions. When the device 100 is attached to the user's hand like this, a button 882 faces away from the back of the hand and is thereby accessible by the user's opposite hand.
The device 100 may also include a positioning input member in the form of a touch pad 881 which, when the device 100 is attached to the hand, is positioned in proximity of the root of the index finger. A padding module 200 containing a carrier 140, which in turn carries two pad cushions 141 and 142 respectively, is removably fastened to the side of the holding member that faces towards the user's hand when the device 100 is attached to the hand. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a strap (not shown) between the portions 810 and 820 is included to achieve a more secure attachment of the device 100 to the user's hand.
FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a portable device 100 having a holding member in the form of an enfolded portion which is adapted to be attached to the a user's hand, such that the holding member completely embraces the hand. The holding member here has a first and a second elongated portion 110 and 120. Two curved portions 931 and 932 respectively interconnect the portions 110 and 120 to form a closed holding member. Preferably, the holding member is provided with a pivot means 950 to allow the portions 110 and 120 to be separated from each other and thus simplify insertion of a hand there between. A locking mechanism is also desirable to link up the portions 110 and 120 when the hand is in place.
The FIG. 9 shows a padding module 200 being attached on the inside of the elongated portion 120. The illustrated padding module 200 contains one pad cushion 142, which is attached to the holding member via a carrier 140. However, any larger number of pad cushions is conceivable, as well, as a variation of their particular locations on the inside of the holding member. The device 100 may be provided with various kinds of input members for generating control signals to a peripheral unit. For instance, it may include a micro joystick 981 and a set of buttons 982, 983 and 983.
The term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components. However, the term does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof.
The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in the figures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A portable device for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit comprising:

a holding member designed to be attached to a hand of a user of the device so as to retain the device in a predetermined manner on the hand, wherein the holding member comprises at least one curved portion and at least one elongated portion connected to the at least one curved portion such that the portions are adapted to grip a part of the user's hand, wherein a side of the holding member that faces the user's hand when the device is attached to the hand comprises a padding module, the padding module comprising at least one pad cushion adapted to fit the device to the user's hand, wherein the padding module is removably fastened to the holding member, and the device comprises a set of fastening members for securing the padding module in a fastened position.

22. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a U-shaped portion having first and second elongated portions and a curved portion connecting the first and second elongated portions.

23. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a C-shaped portion having a relatively long elongated portion, first and second relatively short elongated portions and first and second curved portions each respectively connecting the first and second relatively short elongated portions to the relatively long elongated portion.

24. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises an enfolded portion having first and second elongated portions and two curved portions interconnecting the first and second elongated portions.

25. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the set of fastening members comprises at least one protruding lip adapted to hold the padding module in the fastened position.

26. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the set of fastening members comprises at least one groove adapted to clamp the padding module into the fastened position.

27. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a first recess whose shape is adapted to receive the padding module.

28. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the padding module comprises a carrier, which in turn includes the at least one pad cushion.

29. A portable device according to claim 28, wherein the carrier is made of an elastic material and has such form in relation to the holding member that the padding module when being fitted into position against at least one of the at least one elongated portion and the at least one curved portion exerts a flexing force (F_t) on the device, said force (F_t) fixating the padding module into the fastened position in the first recess.

30. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the padding module comprises at least one protruding member extending essentially perpendicular from the carrier, and the holding member comprises at least one second recess adapted to the shape and position of the at least one protruding member such that the at least one second recess may receive the at least one protruding member and thus fixate the padding module into the fastened position.

31. A portable device according to claim 30, wherein the at least one protruding member is fluke- or barb shaped.

32. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the padding module comprises at least two carrier sub-modules, which each include one or more pad cushions.

33. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the set of fastening members includes hook and loop fasteners adapted to secure the padding module in a fastened position.

34. A padding module adapted to be attached to a portable device for inputting control signals to a peripheral unit, wherein the device comprises at least one curved portion and at least one elongated portion connected to the at least one curved portion such that the portions are adapted to grip a part of the user's hand, wherein the padding module is adapted to cooperate with a set of fastening members on the portable device thus securing the padding module in a removably fastened position on a side of the holding member that faces the user's hand when the device is attached to the hand, and wherein the padding module includes at least one pad cushion adapted to fit the device to the user's hand.

35. A padding module according to claim 34, further comprising a carrier, which in turn includes the at least one pad cushion.

36. A padding module according to claim 35, wherein the carrier is made of an elastic material and has such form in relation to the holding member that it when being fitted into position against at least one of the at least one elongated portion and the at least one curved portion exerts a flexing force (F_t) on the device, said force (F_t) fixating the padding module into the fastened position.

37. A padding module according to claim 35, wherein the carrier comprises at least one protruding member which extends essentially 20 perpendicular and is adapted to be received by at least one recess in the holding member of the portable device and thus fixate the padding module into the fastened position on the device.

38. A padding module according to claim 37, wherein the at least one protruding member is fluke- or barb shaped.

39. A padding module according to claim 35, wherein the carrier comprises at least two carrier sub-modules, which each includes at least one pad cushion.

40. A padding module according to claims 34, wherein the padding module is adapted to cooperate with hook and loop fasteners positioned on the portable device so as to secure the padding module in a fastened position on the portable device.