US20050072691A1 - Holder for an electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A holder for an electronic device comprises a single piece including a base and two arms. The arms are deflectable to hold the electronic device under the force created by the deflection of the arms. The holder may also include a fastener for attaching the holder to a personal organizer or other surface, such as a desk or automobile dashboard, for example.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to an electronic device holder. In particular, the present invention relates to a device holder that can accommodate electronic devices of different shapes and sizes and can be used to secure a portable electronic device in a personal organizer or to a surface.
• 2. Related Art
• People today frequently use portable electronic devices (such as personal digital assistants, notebook computers, tablet PCs, cell phones and calculators) and personal organizers in order to increase efficiency, maximize information and increase intelligence.
• One example of such an electronic device is a personal digital assistant, or PDA. PDAs are generally used to store calendars, phone numbers, addresses, to-do lists and other important information. PDAs usually have a handwriting-input area, handwriting recognition ability and wireless communication. They are characterized by their portability. Another type of electronic device is a cell phone or mobile phone. Cell phones use wireless communication to interface with traditional land-based telephone systems. Some cell phones today even incorporate the functionality of a PDA into one device. The users of PDAs, cell phones and other such portable electronic devices often carry them in their pocket, briefcase or purse and desire to protect them with a case or other means to hold the device.
• In addition to the aforementioned electronic devices, people also maintain information in personal organizers such as notebooks, binders and folios. Such organizers are used, for example, to store credit cards, business cards and passports. In addition, personal organizers often contain a pad of paper for writing notes and a calendar for maintaining important dates. It is also common to carry a PDA, cell phone, or other personal electronic device in a personal organizer. Some organizers include a hook and loop fastener patch (known by the trademark VELCRO) in the organizer and a complimentary one that can be adhered to the PDA in order to hold it in the organizer.
• Other holders for PDAs also exist in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,392,882 discloses a holder for protecting a PDA. This holder automatically shuts off the PDA when it is placed in the holder and comes in contact with the bottom of the holder. One disadvantage of this holder is that the bottom flange covers the computer interface on many PDAs, which necessitates the removal of the PDA before it can be connected with a peripheral or battery charger, for example. In addition, the opposing guard borders or sides of the holder of this patent extend over the side edges of the PDA. This may impair access to the face of the PDA and may also require the holder to be custom manufactured for each model of PDA.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,029 (the '029 patent) discloses a portable organizer including an adjustable clamp used for gripping a PDA. Similarly, U.S. Pat. App. No. 2003/0029754 (the '754 patent application) discloses a carrying bag including an adjustable clamp used for gripping a PDA. Both clamps are adjustable to accommodate different sized PDAs. However, both the '029 patent clamp and the '754 patent application clamp have an upper and lower bracket. These brackets cover the computer interface and wireless port on many PDAs. This necessitates removal of the PDA before these functions can be used. Further, both clamps move relative to each other and are adjustable by an elastic member, which may break or lose its memory through use over time, rendering the clamp useless. These clamps also require multiple manufacturing steps and are relatively expensive to make.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,466 discloses an attachment device for securing a PDA to a notebook or automobile surface. While the attachment is made of one piece of flexible material, it includes a plurality of deflectable securement arms with securement tabs. These tabs clamp to the surface of the PDA and extend over the face of the secured electronic device. This may obscure the display face and inhibit full functionality of the PDA. Further, the holder has base tabs that prevent the PDA from being removed from both the top and bottom end of the holder for easy access.
• It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an electronic device holder that is relatively simple in design, requires few manufacturing steps, has no moving mechanical parts and is inexpensive to make.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide an electronic device holder that can maintain an electronic device in a position of easy accessibility and can be accessed using only one hand.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide an electronic device holder such that the device does not need to be removed in order to use all of its features and the device can extend above and below the electronic device holder, such as to enable the movement of a top flap or cover.
• It is a further object of this invention to secure an electronic device without permanently attaching adhesive, hook and loop fastener or mechanical fastener to a surface of the electronic device.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide a single electronic device holder that can accommodate a family of electronic devices of different shapes and sizes, such as personal digital assistants, notebook computers, tablet PCs, cell phones, calculators and the like.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide a personal organizer, such as a notebook, binder, folio, or the like, that includes the electronic device holder of the present invention for securing an electronic device thereto.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide an electronic device holder that can be mounted to a surface, such as a clip board, dashboard, wall, desk or the like, for securing an electronic device thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention provides a holder that can secure an electronic device in a position of accessibility. As referred herein, the term electronic device relates to personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, radios, global positioning satellite receivers, MP3 players, CD players, mini-disc players, notebook computers, hand-held computers, tablet PCs, calculators, bar code scanners and other handheld and/or portable electronic devices. The term electronic device includes electronic devices used for personal, individual and/or commercial use. The holder can accommodate electronic devices of different shapes and sizes without attaching any sort of fastener to a surface of the electronic device.
• An electronic device is secured in the holder in a position of accessibility by the deflection of the holder arms. The user can operate the device without removing it from the holder. The arms are likewise deflectable for the removal of the electronic device, so that the batteries can be recharged or replaced, for example.
• In one embodiment of the invention, the device holder is secured in a personal organizer. The personal organizer may also include a note pad, calendar, writing instrument loop, binder or ring element and holders for other items.
• In another embodiment of the invention, the device holder includes a fastener for attaching the device holder to a surface such as an automobile dashboard. This fastener may be a hook and loop fastener, a mechanical fastener or some other means of fastening the device holder to a surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
• The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
• FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 being used to secure an electronic device.
• FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 interconnected to an interior surface of a personal organizer.
• FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 6 being used to secure an electronic device.
• FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 6 interconnected to an interior surface of a personal organizer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. While a specific configuration is discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
• Referring toFIGS. 1-3, adevice holder2 is generally shown.Device holder2 has abase4, afirst arm26 and asecond arm44 is shown.Base4 has atop surface6, a bottom surface8, afirst side10, asecond side12, athird side14 and afourth side16.First arm26 is connected tobase4 atfirst connection point18, which is located contiguous tofirst side10.Second arm44 is connected tobase4 atsecond connection point20, which is located contiguous tosecond side12.Third side14 andfourth side16 are both relatively obstruction free, meaning that they have no protrusions or arms extending above the surface ofbase4. This allowselectronic device62 to extend above and belowthird side14 andfourth side16.
• Proximal end30 offirst arm26 is connected tobase4 atfirst connection point18.First arm26 is formed in an S-like shape including anoutward curve38,inward curve36 and flange40.Outward curve38 offirst arm26 is located proximate toproximal end30.Outward curve38 curves away fromsecond arm44.Inward curve36 offirst arm26 is located proximate tooutward curve38 and curves towardssecond arm44.Contact edge42 offirst arm26 is located oninward curve36 at its point of closest approach tosecond arm44. Flange40 extends outwards and curves away fromcontact edge42 in such a way that thedistal end32 offirst arm26 is in close proximity tooutward curve38.
• Proximal end48 ofsecond arm44 is connected tobase4 atsecond connection point20.Second arm44 is also formed in an S-like shape and comprises anoutward curve56,inward curve54 andflange58.Outward curve56 ofsecond arm44 is located proximate toproximal end48.Outward curve56 curves away fromfirst arm26.Inward curve54 ofsecond arm44 is located proximate tooutward curve56 and curves towardsfirst arm26.Contact edge60 ofsecond arm44 is located oninward curve54 at its point of closest approach tofirst arm26.Flange58 extends outwards and curves away fromcontact edge60 in such a way that thedistal end50 ofsecond arm44 is in close proximity tooutward curve56.
• Device holder2 is constructed of a material that provides rigidity inbase4 and also provides for elasticity betweenfirst arm26 andsecond arm44. Spring steel would be one example of such a material. In a preferred embodiment,device holder2 is made from 0.014×1″ AISI #1050 annealed high carbon steel. AISI #1050 annealed high carbon steel is a mixture of (by weight): 0.48-0.55% carbon, 0.60-0.90% manganese, 0.040% phosphorus, 0.050% sulfur (maximum) with the balance being iron. The material used indevice holder2 may be made by stamping from a single unit of material.Device holder2 may include a friction increasing surface, covering orcoating24. In a preferred embodiment,device holder2 is coated entirely with a friction increasing black matte finish applied by a powder coating.First arm26 andsecond arm44 are biased towards each by virtue of the elasticity of the material and theiroutward curves38 and56, respectively.First arm26 can be loaded by a force applied to contactedge42, maintain that loaded position for a given period of time, and then return to an unloaded position upon removal of the loading force.Second arm44 can be loaded by a force applied to contactedge60, maintain that loaded position for a given period of time, and then return to an unloaded position upon removal of the loading force. In normal operation of the present invention, this loading and unloading occurs when anelectronic device62 is secured indevice holder2. Integrally formedribs22 provide longitudinal support forbase4. This helps ensure thatbase4 does not flex longitudinally or laterally. In addition,base4 has no curvature that would provide for a biasing between any two points onbase4. Consequently,first connection point18 andsecond connection point20 do not move relative to each other.
• FIG. 4 showsdevice holder2 securing anelectronic device62.Electronic device62 may be a PDA, cell phone, MP3 player or other device.First arm26 andsecond arm44 are biased towards each other and deflect to receive and holdelectronic device62 with a friction fit.First arm26 contacts leftside64 ofelectronic device62 atcontact edge42. Likewise,second arm44 contactsright side66 ofelectronic device62 atcontact edge60.Electronic device62 is secured in place both by the biasing force created by the deflection offirst arm26 andsecond arm44 and by friction forces created by contact between contactingedges42 and60 withleft side64 andright side66, respectively.Third side14 andfourth side16 ofbase4 are relatively obstruction free so that access towireless port70 onupper side68 and access tocomputer interface74 onlower side72 are not obstructed in any way bydevice holder2, and can be accessed even whenelectronic device62 in inserted inholder2.Base4 can include fastener86 for removably securingdevice holder2 to a surface7.
• In use, a user insertselectronic device62 intoholder2 by pushing it against theleft side64 ofelectronic device62 againstcontact edge42. This force loadsfirst arm26 and increases the distance betweencontact edge42 andcontact edge60 so that it exceeds the overall distance betweenleft side64 andright side66. The user then positionselectronic device62 so thatright side66 abutscontact edge60. The user then releases the force so thatfirst arm26 andsecond arm44 gripelectronic device62. Alternatively, the user may loadsecond arm44 and slide the electronic device pastfirst arm26.
• To removeelectronic device62, a user pushes it towards eitherfirst arm26 orsecond arm44. This increases the distance betweencontact edge42 andcontact edge60 so that it exceeds the overall distance betweenleft side64 andright side66. The user can then removeelectronic device62 and thedevice holder2 returns to its original, unstressed state.
• FIG. 5 showsdevice holder2 incorporated into apersonal organizer76 such as a notebook. By notebook, it is meant any type of folio or other carrier for paper, cards, passports, documents, personal electronic devices or other personal items.Device holder2 is connected to aninternal surface78 ofdevice holder2. This connection may be achieved by securingdevice holder2 tointernal surface78 oforganizer78 with a fastener86. Alternatively, layer80 ofinternal surface78 may have slits formed in it thorough whichdevice holder2 can be accessed.Device holder2 can be inserted into afirst opening82 and asecond opening84 of layer80 so thatfirst arm26 andsecond arm44 extend outwardly, away frominternal surface78.Base4 is secured tointernal surface78 by any suitable means such as an adhesive, and covered byinternal layer78.First arm26 andsecond arm44 are visible andbase4 is not visible in this embodiment.Personal organizer76 may optionally include anotebook88 and binder rings90.
• FIGS. 6-10 show an alternate embodiment of the device holder of the present invention.Device holder102 has abase104, afirst arm126 and asecond arm144.Base104 has atop surface106, abottom surface108, afirst side110, asecond side112, athird side114 and afourth side116.First arm126 is connected to base104 atfirst connection point118, which is located contiguous tofirst side110.Second arm144 is connected to base104 atsecond connection point120, which is located contiguous tosecond side112.Third side114 andfourth side116 are both relatively obstruction free, meaning that they have no protrusions or arms extending above the surface ofbase104. This allowselectronic device162 to extend above and belowthird side114 andfourth side116, as shown inFIG. 9.First arm126 is formed in an S-like shape including anoutward curve138,inward curve136 andflange140.Second arm144 is also formed in an S-like shape and comprises an outward curve156,inward curve154 and flange158. As compared to the embodiment inFIG. 1,flanges140 and158 of the embodiment inFIG. 6 only slightly extend outward and curve away fromcontact edges142 and160, respectively.Distal end132 offirst arm126 is in close proximity toinward curve136 anddistal end150 ofsecond arm144 is in close proximity toinward curve154. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, numerous variations of the first and second arms can be utilized by varying the size and shape of the inward and outward curves and flanges, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, various widths of the first and second arms can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,first arm126 andsecond arm144, of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 7-10, are narrower thanfirst arm26 andsecond arm44, of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-5. Depending on the size and shape of the device to be held and the functionality thereof, including the size and location of features along the side walls of the device, narrow or wider arms may be desired.
• Device holder102 is constructed of a material that provides rigidity inbase104 and also provides for elasticity betweenfirst arm126 andsecond arm144. Spring steel is one example of such a material.First arm126 andsecond arm144 are biased towards each by virtue of the elasticity of the material and theiroutward curves138 and156, respectively. As with the embodiment ofFIG. 1,device holder102 ofFIG. 10 can secure various size and shape electronic devices.FIG. 9 showsdevice holder102 securing anelectronic device162.FIG. 10 showsdevice holder102 incorporated into apersonal organizer176 such as a notebook.
• While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. Additionally, all references cited herein, including journal articles or abstracts, published or corresponding U.S. or foreign patent applications, issued U.S. or foreign patents, or any other references, are each entirely incorporated by reference herein, including all data, tables, figures, and text presented in the cited references.
• The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art (including the contents of the references cited herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims (22)

1. An article for holding a device comprising:

a base;

a first arm connected to said base at a first connection point on said base, wherein said first arm extends away from said base and a distal end of said first arm curves in one direction and then curves in a direction opposite thereto; and

a second arm connected to said base, opposite to said first arm, at a second connection point on said base, wherein said second arm extends away from said base and a distal end of said second arm curves in one direction and then curves in a direction opposite thereto;

wherein said first arm and said second arm are biased towards each other and, said first connection point on said base and said second connection point on said base are not moveable relative to each other.

2. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said first arm and said second arm are formed in an S-like shape.

3. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said base includes means for removably securing said article to a surface.

4. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said article is formed from a single unit of material.

5. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said article further comprises a friction increasing surface.

6. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said article is coated with a friction increasing substance.

7. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said article is coated with a scratch resistant substance.

8. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said device is an electronic device.

9. The article ofclaim 1 wherein said base includes reinforcement ribs integrally formed therein disposed longitudinally along said base.

10. A personal organizer comprising:

a notebook;

an article for holding a device connected to said notebook, said article including a base; a first arm connected to said base at a first connection point on said base;

a second arm connected to said base opposite to and biased toward said first arm at a second connection point on said base, wherein said first connection point and said second connection point are not moveable relative to each other.

11. The article ofclaim 10 wherein a distal end of said first arm curves in one direction and then curves in a direction opposite thereto; and

wherein a distal end of said second arm curves in one direction and then curves in a direction opposite thereto.

12. The article ofclaim 11 wherein said first and second arms are formed in an S-like shape.

13. The article ofclaim 10 wherein said article is formed from a single unit of material.

14. The article ofclaim 10 wherein said article further comprises a friction increasing surface.

15. The article ofclaim 10 wherein said article is coated substantially entirely with a friction increasing substance.

16. The article ofclaim 10 wherein said device is an electronic device.

17. The article ofclaim 10 wherein said base includes ribs integrally formed therein disposed longitudinally along said base.

18. An article for holding a device comprising:

a base;

means attached to said base for removably securing said article to a surface;

a first arm connected to said base at a first connection point, wherein a distal end of said first arm curves in one direction and then curves in a direction opposite thereto; and

a second arm, biased toward said first arm and connected to said base, opposite to said first arm, at a second connection point, wherein a distal end of said second arm curves in one direction and then curves in a direction opposite thereto;

wherein said first connection point and said second connection point are not moveable relative to each other.

19. The article ofclaim 18 wherein said first and second arms are formed in an S-like shape.

20. The article ofclaim 18 wherein said article is formed from a single unit of material.

21. The article ofclaim 18 wherein said article further comprises a friction increasing surface.

22. The article ofclaim 18 wherein said article is coated substantially entirely with a friction increasing substance.

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