APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HOLDING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are disclosed for holding a portable electronic device such as a navigation system unit, a multimedia/music player, a cellular phone, and a satellite radio. In one embodiment of the invention, a clamp enables a firm and removable attachment of a novel portable electronic device holder to a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, a C-clamp with a turning screw is used instead. A vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp is typically extendable and retractable to allow a user to adjust the novel portable electronic device holder to a comfortable length. The design of the novel portable electronic device holder does not require a use of an air suction cup or adhesive materials for a base piece attachment to a vehicle's dashboard which provides several advantages over conventional designs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a portable electronic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for holding a portable electronic device, especially in a spatially limited environment such as an interior of a vehicle.

Many portable electronic devices in the market today are increasingly becoming essential to a consumer's daily tasks. A portable Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation system, for example, was once a proprietary technology exclusively used in military applications. Rapid advancements in microprocessors' computational power, miniaturized storage capacities, and display technologies in recent years brought GPS applications to the consumer market at affordable prices. Consumers are increasingly becoming dependent on portable GPS navigation systems and other portable electronic devices such as portable MP3 players, palm-top computers, and smart-phones which may be required to be easily attachable and detachable in a spatially limited environment such as a vehicle's windshield or a dashboard.

Although factory-spec in-dash navigation systems are also increasingly becoming popular, the cost of the factory-spec in-dash navigation is typically much higher than a portable GPS navigation system. Equally important, portable GPS navigation systems provide convenient portability of GPS devices to any car or even any trip, which is a feature that no in-dash navigation systems can provide to a user. Therefore, portable GPS navigation system market has been growing rapidly in recent years and many configurations and designs have been produced for both portable GPS navigation systems and their holders which can be attached to vehicle windshields or dashboards.

A variety of portable electronic device holders have been devised to accommodate portable GPS navigation systems and other portable electronic devices for vehicle applications. Some portable electronic device holders use air suction cups to be attached to a windshield. Some other portable electronic device holders use a base piece attached to a dashboard with adhesive materials, wherein a bottom surface of the base piece is typically glued to the dashboard with adhesive materials and a top surface of the base piece typically accommodates a removable attachment surface such as a Velcro strip for easy attachment and removal of a portable electronic device.

Unfortunately, the conventional portable electronic device holders have significant drawbacks for users. For example, an air suction cup-based portable electronic device holder frequently loses its adhesion to a windshield if there is a change in ambient temperature near the windshield. Furthermore, some local, state, and/or national government are beginning to impose regulations on where an air suction cup-based portable electronic device holder can be attached on a windshield. In certain cases, a driver is required to attach a GPS navigation system only to a corner portion of a front windshield, because certain local, state, and/or national governments regard a center windshield attachment of the GPS navigation system as an obstacle to clear windshield visibility. However, these requirements are often inconvenient for drivers and users of a portable GPS navigation system because the portable GPS navigation system can no longer be placed in a driver's or a user's line of sight for a front vehicle windshield. Furthermore, other types of portable electronic device holders which require gluing a portion of a base piece to a dashboard often leaves permanent and unsightly marks to the dashboard, which causes an unnecessary damage to a vehicle's interior and potentially reduces the vehicle's residual value.

Therefore, a portable electronic device holder which does not require either an air suction cup or glue-like adhesive materials may provide significant convenience to device manufacturers and users. Furthermore, a portable electronic device holder which can place a portable electronic device near a driver's line of sight in a vehicle without requiring an air suction cup or glue-like adhesive materials may also provide additional advantages to the driver. Moreover, an apparatus and a method for holding a portable electronic device which is simple to manufacture, inexpensive to produce, and easy to install and remove may be highly beneficial to users and device manufacturers.

SUMMARY

Summary and Abstract summarize some aspects of the present invention. Simplifications or omissions may have been made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the Summary or the Abstract. These simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for holding a portable electronic device is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a clamp configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle; one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the neck of the center rear view mirror before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the neck of the center rear view mirror firmly; a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.

In another embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device holder comprises a clamp configured to latch onto an appropriate location and/or an appropriate material, such as a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle; one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the appropriate location and/or the appropriate material before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the appropriate location and/or the appropriate material firmly; a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.

Yet in another embodiment of the invention, another apparatus for holding a portable electronic device is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a C-clamp with a turning screw configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle if the turning screw is sufficiently turned to tighten an opening of the C-clamp with an appropriate location and/or an appropriate material, such as a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle; a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the C-clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable electronic device holder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a portable electronic device holder attached to a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows another side perspective view of a portable electronic device holder with a navigation system attached, wherein a clamp on a top portion of the portable electronic device holder is attached to a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a frontal perspective view of a portable electronic device holder and a detached navigation system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a portable electronic device holder with a detached device latch from a ball pivot in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a method for attaching a portable electronic device holder to a neck of a center rear view mirror of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

The detailed description is presented largely in terms of description of shapes, configurations, and/or other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble one or more apparatuses and methods for holding a portable electronic device, especially in a vehicle's interior space. These process descriptions and representations are the means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, separate or alternative embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order and do not imply any limitations in the invention.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device holder that does not use an air suction cup or glue-like adhesive materials to provide significant convenience to device manufacturers and users of the portable electronic device holder. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device holder which can place a portable electronic device near a driver's line of sight in a vehicle without requiring an air suction cup or glue-like adhesive materials. A further objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for holding a portable electronic device which is simple to manufacture, inexpensive to produce, and easy to install and remove by its user.

For the purpose of describing the invention, a term “clamp” is defined as a device configured to bind or hold an element firmly. A typical clamp for the purpose of describing this invention has one or more grips which can be squeezed to create an opening to which an element to be bound or held is placed. When a user stops squeezing the one or more grips on a clamp, the opening is closed sufficiently to bind or hold the element in a fixed position.

Furthermore, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “C-clamp” is defined as a “C-shape” or a “G-shape” device with a turning screw on an opening of the device. Turning and/or tightening the turning screw on the C-clamp gradually closes the opening on the C-clamp, thereby enabling the C-clamp to attach to an appropriate material or an appropriate location when the turning screw is turned to sufficiently tighten the opening.

Moreover, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “portable electronic device” is defined as an electronic device which can be easily carried, detached, and/or attached by a user of the electronic device. Examples of the portable electronic device for the purpose of describing this invention include, but are not limited to, a navigation system unit, a multimedia and/or music playing device, a palm-top computer, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) device, and a remote controller for another electronic device.

Furthermore, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “device latch” is defined as one or more pieces which are designed to attach, hold, and/or dock a portable electronic device to a portion of a portable electronic device holder. In one example, a device latch can use a slide docking mechanism to attach, hold, and/or dock a portable electronic device. In another example, a device latch itself can be a type of a clamp or a C-clamp designed to attach, hold, and/or dock a portable electronic device.

In addition, for the purpose of describing the invention, a term “removable” is used to refer to easily detachable, attachable, and changeable characteristics of a device.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable electronic device holder (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable electronic device holder (100) comprises a clamp (101), one or more grips (103), one or more segments (105, 107, 109) to form an extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109), a device latch (111), and a ball pivot holder (113). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp (101) is capable of binding or holding an element (e.g. a neck of a center rear view mirror) firmly. As shown in FIG. 1, the clamp (101) typically has one or more grips (103) which can be squeezed to create an opening to which the element to be bound or held can be placed. When a user stops squeezing the one or more grips (103) on the clamp (101), the opening is closed sufficiently to bind or hold the element and the portable electronic device holder in a fixed position.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a C-clamp with a turning screw can be used instead of the clamp (101) to enable the portable electronic device holder to attach to an appropriate location or an appropriate material firmly (e.g. a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle). In the alternate embodiment of the invention, at least some other parts (e.g. 115, 105, 107, 109, 113, and etc.) comprising the portable electronic device holder in the preferred embodiment of the invention may be operatively used with the C-clamp instead.

In one embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109) comprises a first segment (105), a second segment (107), and a third segment (109) which can be retracted into smaller number of segments or extended from a retracted position, similar to a typical multi-segment radio antenna. The number of segments on the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109) may vary depending on a particular implementation of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of an extendable vertical bar may have only single segment which can still vary the length of the extendable vertical bar without using multiple segments. Yet in another embodiment of the invention, a vertical bar used for the portable electronic device holder may be non-extendable with a fixed length. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp (101) may be attached to a non-straight-line-shaped extension (e.g. a gooseneck, a U-shaped extension, and etc.) instead of a vertical bar (e.g. 105, 107, 109). The non-straight-line shaped extension can be a rigid type or a flexible type. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109) in FIG. 1 can also adjust directions or orientation of the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109) to various positions that a user may desire. Adjustment of directions of orientation of the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109) may be achieved by using a pivoting mechanism (115) between the clamp (101) and the first segment (105) of the extendable vertical bar.

Continuing with FIG. 1, a device latch (111) is typically and operatively attached to a portion of the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109). A primary function of the device latch (111) is to dock a portable electronic device into the device latch (111). Examples of the portable electronic device suitable for docking into the device latch (111) include, but are not limited to, a navigation system unit, a multimedia/music player unit, a cellular phone, a two-way radio or a “walkie-talkie” unit, and a satellite radio receiver unit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device latch (111) is attached to a tip of the extendable vertical bar (105, 107, 109) by a ball pivot holder (113) which can be plastic-molded as part of a ball pivot accommodating the device latch (111) via a ball slot on a backside of the device latch (111).

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view (200) of a portable electronic device holder attached to a neck (201) of a center rear view mirror (213) in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 2, the portable electronic device holder comprises a clamp (203), one or more grips (205), a first segment (207) of an extendable vertical bar, a second segment (209) of the extendable vertical bar, and a device latch (211) operatively attached to the extendable vertical bar.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp (203) is capable of binding or holding the neck (201) of the center rear view mirror (213) firmly. The clamp (203) typically has one or more grips (205) which can be squeezed to create an opening to which the neck (201) of the center rear view mirror (213) can be placed. When a user stops squeezing the one or more grips (205) on the clamp (203), the opening is closed sufficiently to attach the portable electronic device holder firmly on the neck (201) of the center rear view mirror (213). In one embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (207, 209) comprises a first segment (207) and a second segment (209), which can be retracted into smaller number of segments or extended from a retracted position, similar to a typical multi-segment radio antenna. The number of segments on the extendable vertical bar (207, 209) may vary depending on a particular implementation of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of an extendable vertical bar may have only single segment which can still vary the length of the extendable vertical bar without using multiple segments. Yet in another embodiment of the invention, a vertical bar used for the portable electronic device holder may be non-extendable with a fixed length. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp (203) may be attached to a non-straight-line-shaped extension (e.g. a gooseneck, a U-shaped extension, and etc.) instead of a vertical bar (e.g. 207, 209).

Continuing with FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (207, 209) can also adjust its directions or orientation to various positions that a user may desire. Adjustment of directions of orientation of the extendable vertical bar (207, 209) may be achieved by using a pivoting mechanism between the clamp (203) and the first segment (207) of the extendable vertical bar. Furthermore, a device latch (211) is typically and operatively attached to a portion of the extendable vertical bar (207, 209). A primary function of the device latch (211) is to dock a portable electronic device into the device latch (211). Examples of the portable electronic device suitable for docking into the device latch (211) include, but are not limited to, a navigation system unit, a multimedia/music player unit, a cellular phone, a two-way radio or a “walkie-talkie” unit, and a satellite radio receiver unit.

The application of the portable electronic device holder to a neck (201) of a center rear view mirror (213) as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention exhibits several advantages. By using a novel clamp (203) which can be easily attached and detached to the neck (201) of the center rear view mirror (213), a user does not have to attach a portable electronic device holder to a windshield using an air suction cup. By avoiding the usage of an air suction cup, the portable electronic device holder is more reliably attached to a vehicle's interior because air suction cup mechanisms tend to suffer adhesion failures over ambient temperature variations and extended usage of the portable electronic device holder. In addition, the user is able to keep a portable electronic device close to the center of a vehicle's interior, typically within the user's line of sight, without blocking an exterior view through the windshield. The proximity of a portable device docked to the novel portable electronic device holder close to the center of the vehicle's interior also makes user operation of the portable device more reachable and convenient. Therefore, the novel portable electronic device holder in accordance with the present invention can accommodate safer driving while overcoming increasingly-stringent regulations against center front windshield attachments of an air suction cup-based portable electronics holder in many local, state, and/or national governments.

Furthermore, the present invention also exhibits advantages over another type of conventional portable electronic device holder which uses glue-like adhesive materials to fix a base piece of a portable electronic device holder on a dashboard. By avoiding the use of glue-like adhesive materials on the dashboard for the base piece attachment, the novel portable electronic device holder embodied by the present invention does not create unsightly marks to a vehicle's dashboard and accommodates easy re-positioning and re-orientation of the novel portable electronic device holder and any portable electronic device docked to the novel portable electronic device holder.

FIG. 3 shows another side perspective view (300) of a portable electronic device holder with a navigation system unit (311) attached, wherein a clamp (303) on a top portion of the portable electronic device holder is attached to a neck of a center rear view mirror (301) in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 3, the portable electronic device holder comprises a clamp (303), one or more grips (305), a first segment (307) of an extendable vertical bar, a second segment (309) of the extendable vertical bar, and a device latch holding the navigation system unit (311).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp (303) is capable of binding or holding the neck of the center rear view mirror (301) firmly. The clamp (303) typically has one or more grips (305) which can be squeezed to create an opening to which the neck of the center rear view mirror (301) can be placed. When a user stops squeezing the one or more grips (305) on the clamp (303), the opening is closed sufficiently to attach the portable electronic device holder firmly on the neck of the center rear view mirror (301). In one embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (307, 309) comprises a first segment (307) and a second segment (309), which can be retracted into smaller number of segments or extended from a retracted position, similar to a typical multi-segment radio antenna. The number of segments on the extendable vertical bar (307, 309) may vary depending on a particular implementation of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of an extendable vertical bar may have only single segment which can still vary the length of the extendable vertical bar without using multiple segments. Yet in another embodiment of the invention, a vertical bar used for the portable electronic device holder may be non-extendable with a fixed length. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp (303) may be attached to a non-straight-line-shaped extension (e.g. a gooseneck, a U-shaped extension, and etc.) instead of a vertical bar (e.g. 307, 309).

Continuing with FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (307, 309) can also adjust its directions or orientation to various positions that a user may desire. Adjustment of directions of orientation of the extendable vertical bar (307, 309) may be achieved by using a pivoting mechanism between the clamp (303) and the first segment (307) of the extendable vertical bar. In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 3, the navigation system unit (311) is docked into a device latch operatively attached to the extendable vertical bar (307, 309). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device latch is capable of changing its angle and/or orientation, which allows a user to find a desirable angle and/or a desirable orientation for viewing the navigation system unit (311). It should be noted that portable electronic devices other than the navigation system unit (311), such as a multimedia/music player unit, a cellular phone, a two-way radio or a “walkie-talkie” unit, and a satellite radio receiver unit, can potentially be docked into the device latch.

FIG. 4 shows a frontal perspective view (400) of a portable electronic device holder and a detached navigation system (413) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable electronic device holder comprises a clamp (401), one or more grips (403), one or more segments (405, 407) to form an extendable vertical bar (405, 407), a device latch (409), and a ball pivot holder (411). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp (401) is capable of binding or holding an element (e.g. a neck of a center rear view mirror) firmly. The clamp (401) typically has one or more grips (403) which can be squeezed to create an opening to which the element to be bound or held can be placed. When a user stops squeezing the one or more grips (403) on the clamp (401), the opening is closed sufficiently to bind or hold the element and the portable electronic device holder in a fixed position.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a C-clamp with a turning screw can be used instead of the clamp (401) to enable the portable electronic device holder to attach to an appropriate location or an appropriate material firmly (e.g. a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle). In the alternate embodiment of the invention, at least some other parts (e.g. 415, 405, 407, 409, 411, and etc.) comprising the portable electronic device holder in the preferred embodiment of the invention may be operatively used with the C-clamp instead.

In one embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (405, 407) comprises a first segment (405) and a second segment (407), which can be retracted into smaller number of segments or extended from a retracted position, similar to a typical multi-segment radio antenna. The number of segments on the extendable vertical bar (405, 407) may vary depending on a particular implementation of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of an extendable vertical bar may have only single segment which can still vary the length of the extendable vertical bar without using multiple segments. Yet in another embodiment of the invention, a vertical bar used for the portable electronic device holder may be non-extendable with a fixed length. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp (401) may be attached to a non-straight-line-shaped extension (e.g. a gooseneck, a U-shaped extension, and etc.) instead of a vertical bar (e.g. 405, 407). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (405, 407) can also adjust directions or orientation of the extendable vertical bar (405, 407) to various positions that a user may desire. Adjustment of directions of orientation of the extendable vertical bar (405, 407) may be achieved by using a pivoting mechanism (415) between the clamp (401) and the first segment (405) of the extendable vertical bar.

Continuing with FIG. 4, a device latch (409) is typically and operatively attached to a portion of the extendable vertical bar (405, 407). A primary function of the device latch (409) is to dock a portable electronic device such as a navigation system unit (413) into the device latch (409). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device latch (409) is attached to a tip of the extendable vertical bar (405, 407) by a ball pivot holder (411) which can be plastic-molded as part of a ball pivot accommodating the device latch (409) via a ball slot on a backside of the device latch (409). In one embodiment of the invention, the device latch (409) is configured to slide the navigation system unit (413) into a docked position.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view (500) of a portable electronic device holder with a detached device latch (513) from a ball pivot (517) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable electronic device holder comprises a clamp (501), one or more grips (503), one or more segments (505, 507, 509) to form an extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509), a ball pivot (517) with a ball pivot holder (511), and a device latch (513) with a ball slot (515). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamp (501) is capable of binding or holding an element (e.g. a neck of a center rear view mirror) firmly. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamp (501) typically has one or more grips (503) which can be squeezed to create an opening to which the element to be bound or held can be placed. When a user stops squeezing the one or more grips (503) on the clamp (501), the opening is closed sufficiently to bind or hold the element and the portable electronic device holder in a fixed position.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a C-clamp with a turning screw can be used instead of the clamp (501) to enable the portable electronic device holder to attach to an appropriate location or an appropriate material firmly (e.g. a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle). In the alternate embodiment of the invention, at least some other parts (e.g. 519, 505, 507, 509, 511, 517, 515, 513 and etc.) comprising the portable electronic device holder in the preferred embodiment of the invention may be operatively used with the C-clamp instead.

In one embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509) comprises a first segment (505), a second segment (507), and a third segment (509) which can be retracted into smaller number of segments or extended from a retracted position, similar to a typical multi-segment radio antenna. The number of segments on the extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509) may vary depending on a particular implementation of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of an extendable vertical bar may have only single segment which can still vary the length of the extendable vertical bar without using multiple segments. Yet in another embodiment of the invention, a vertical bar used for the portable electronic device holder may be non-extendable with a fixed length. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamp (501) may be attached to a non-straight-line-shaped extension (e.g. a gooseneck, a U-shaped extension, and etc.) instead of a vertical bar (e.g. 505, 507, 509). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509) can also adjust directions or orientation of the extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509) to various positions that a user may desire. Adjustment of directions of orientation of the extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509) may be achieved by using a pivoting mechanism (519) between the clamp (501) and the first segment (505) of the extendable vertical bar.

Continuing with FIG. 5, a ball pivot (517) is configured to snap into a ball slot (515) of a device latch (513). In one embodiment of the invention, the ball pivot (517) is attached to the extendable vertical bar (505, 507, 509) by a plastic-molded ball pivot holder (511). When the ball slot (515) is snapped into the ball pivot (517), the ball slot (515) is able to pivot around the ball pivot (517) to accommodate angle and orientation changes for the device latch (513). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ball pivot (517) and the ball slot (515) require a substantial amount of force by a user to cause a pivoting action, thereby providing a highly stable and stationary angle for the device latch (513) before any substantial amount of force is applied on the ball slot (515).

FIG. 6 shows a method (600) for attaching a portable electronic device holder to a neck of a center rear view mirror of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In STEP 601, a user presses or squeezes one or more grips on a clamp to create an opening on a top portion of a clamp, which is part of a portable electronic device holder. Then, in STEP 602, the user positions the opening to an appropriate location such as a neck of a center rear view mirror before releasing or removing the pressure on the one or more grips on the clamp to make the clamp attach to the appropriate location such as the neck of the center rear view mirror, as shown in STEP 603. Once the portable electronic device holder is firmly attached to the appropriate location such as the neck of the center rear view mirror, the user can position an extendable vertical bar attached to the clamp to a desired length and/or a desired orientation, as shown in STEP 604. Then, the user can position and/or attach a device latch on the portable electronic device holder, as shown in STEP 605. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment of the device latch to a main body of the portable electronic device holder involves a snap-in movement of a ball slot of the device latch to a ball pivot on the main body of the portable electronic device. Lastly, in STEP 606, the user can attach and/or place a portable electronic device to the device latch. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment of the portable electronic device requires a slide-in motion of the portable electronic device to the device latch.

One or more apparatuses and methods for holding a portable electronic device have been disclosed. The present invention exhibits several advantages over conventional portable electronic device holders. By using a novel clamp which can be easily attached and detached to a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle, a user does not have to attach a portable electronic device holder to a windshield using an air suction cup. By avoiding the usage of an air suction cup, the novel portable electronic device holder in accordance with the present invention is more reliably attached to a vehicle's interior because air suction cup mechanisms tend to suffer adhesion failures over ambient temperature variations and extended usage of the portable electronic device holder. In addition, the user is able to keep a portable electronic device close to the center of a vehicle's interior, typically within the user's line of sight, without blocking an exterior view through the windshield. The proximity of a portable device docked to the novel portable electronic device holder close to the center of the vehicle's interior also makes user operation of the portable device more reachable and convenient. Therefore, the novel portable electronic device holder in accordance with the present invention can accommodate safer driving while overcoming increasingly-stringent regulations against center front windshield attachments of an air suction cup-based portable electronics holder in many local, state, and/or national governments.

Furthermore, the present invention also exhibits advantages over another type of conventional portable electronic device holder which uses glue-like adhesive materials to fix a base piece of a portable electronic device holder on a dashboard. By avoiding the use of glue-like adhesive materials on the dashboard for the base piece attachment, the novel portable electronic device holder embodied by the present invention does not create unsightly marks to a vehicle's dashboard and accommodates easy re-positioning and re-orientation of the novel portable electronic device holder and any portable electronic device docked to the novel portable electronic device holder.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a clamp configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle;

one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the neck of the center rear view mirror before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the neck of the center rear view mirror firmly;

a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and

a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ball slot on the device latch configured to snap into a ball pivot operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the ball slot and the ball pivot enables the device latch to change its angle or orientation via a pivoting action.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments for the vertical bar or for the non-straight-line-shaped extension are capable of retracting into each other or extending from each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball pivot is operatively attached to the vertical bar or to the non-straight-line-shaped extension using a plastic-molded ball pivot holder.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more segments of the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension have one or more pivoting mechanisms to accommodate angle and orientation changes for the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device latch is configured to dock a portable electronic device using a sliding mechanism or using a C-clamp-type mechanism which can fit portable electronic devices of various sizes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the portable electronic device is a navigation system unit, a multimedia/music player unit, a cellular phone, a two-way radio or a “walkie-talkie” unit, or a satellite radio receiver unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-straight-line shaped extension is a flexible or rigid gooseneck or a flexible or rigid U-shaped extension bar.

9. A portable electronic device holder comprising:

a clamp configured to latch onto an appropriate location and/or an appropriate material, such as a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle;

one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the appropriate location and/or the appropriate material before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the appropriate location and/or the appropriate material firmly;

a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and

a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.

10. The portable electronic device holder of claim 9, further comprising a ball slot on the device latch configured to snap into a ball pivot operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the ball slot and the ball pivot enables the device latch to change its angle or orientation via a pivoting action.

11. The portable electronic device holder of claim 9, wherein the one or more segments for the vertical bar or for the non-straight-line-shaped extension are capable of retracting into each other or extending from each other.

12. The portable electronic device holder of claim 9, wherein the ball pivot is operatively attached to the vertical bar or to the non-straight-line-shaped extension using a plastic-molded ball pivot holder.

13. The portable electronic device holder of claim 9, wherein the one or more segments of the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension have one or more pivoting mechanisms to accommodate angle and orientation changes for the portable electronic device holder.

14. portable electronic device holder of claim 9, wherein the device latch is configured to dock a portable electronic device using a sliding motion or using a C-clamp-type mechanism which can fit portable electronic devices of various sizes.

15. The portable electronic device holder of claim 14, wherein the portable electronic device is a navigation system unit, a multimedia/music player unit, a cellular phone, a two-way radio or a “walkie-talkie” unit, or a satellite radio receiver unit.

16. The portable electronic device holder of claim 9, wherein the non-straight-line shaped extension is a flexible or rigid gooseneck or a flexible or rigid U-shaped extension bar.

17. An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a C-clamp with a turning screw configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle if the turning screw is sufficiently turned to tighten an opening of the C-clamp with an appropriate location and/or an appropriate material, such as a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle;

a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the C-clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and

a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.

18. The portable electronic device holder of claim 17, further comprising a ball slot on the device latch configured to snap into a ball pivot operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the ball slot and the ball pivot enables the device latch to change its angle or orientation via a pivoting action.

19. The portable electronic device holder of claim 17, wherein the one or more segments for the vertical bar or for the non-straight-line-shaped extension are capable of retracting into each other or extending from each other.

20. The portable electronic device holder of claim 17, wherein the one or more segments of the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension have one or more pivoting mechanisms to accommodate angle and orientation changes for the apparatus.