Hands Free Electronic Device Holder
A collapsible hands free electronic device holder worn upon the chest of a user and supported by a shoulder harness, the electronic device securely attached and held by the holder at a comfortable viewing height and angle to the user.
Electronic devices have become ever increasingly popular in today's digitally social society. Electronic devices, such as phones, video players, and tablet computers are often used by individuals who wish to, among other things, view pictures, videos, or video chat with others. When the device is held for long periods of time, the users arm's fatigue, and the height of the device is ultimately lowered from a comfortable eye-level to the level of the user's table or lap, causing excessive flexion of the cervical, and thoracic vertebral bodies, causing joint pain, inflammation and soreness of the back and neck, as well as potential injury to the neck muscles and spinal column. Us of the device without having to hold it would be ideal for prolonged use. Portable electronic devices, however, do not lend themselves to hands-free use, because of the small screen and shape that limits the ability to tilt or raise the screen to a comfortable position.
Current hand's free electronic device holders that are aimed at assisting user in holding the device at a comfortable level lack the ability to be collapsed and stored within a self contained package. Other devices require multiple cumbersome steps to don and doff the electronic device holder, or require special garments that in themselves are bulky and award to use. These additional inconvenient steps or garments discourage use of a hands free device.
A need exists for a portable electronic device hands free holder that enables a user to hold the device at a comfortable height, and deploy and store quickly for rapid, easy and convenient use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe current invention provides a hands-free holder that can quickly be deployed and worn by an individual for viewing of a digital device. The unit consists of a slender elongated chest piece, harness, and a mounting bracket for the electronic device. The elongated chest piece unfolds and extends to attach to and support the bracket and electronic device. The invention includes an electronic device attachment bracket for securing an electronic device to a sliding retractable arm slideably connected to a pivoting swing arm, which in turn is pivotally connected to an elongated chest piece that attaches to a harness worn by the user. When in a compact stored configuration, the sliding arm and pivot arm and retracted within the elongated chest piece. The harness may be detached, or may be simply wrapped around the chest piece. The mounting bracket may be left on the electronic device, or removed and stored with the elongated chest piece and/or harness. When collapsed in the stored position, a locking slide ring slips over the swing arm preventing accidental deployment. The locking slide ring also provides an attachment point for the harness, ensuring it is unlocked and ready for deployment when worn. When deploying, after donning and attaching the elongated chest piece to the harness, the user rotates the swing arm away from the elongated chest piece. The sliding arm then either both automatically and simultaneously extends, or the user manually pulls the sliding arm out extending it to the desired length. The electronic device and mounting bracket are then attached to the sliding arm and adjusted for user viewing.
The ease of deployment of the device and compact storage makes the device easy to carry and use. Positioning of the electronic device at a comfortable height allows the user to enjoy viewing of the electronic device without the associated arm and neck strain from holding the device.
The disclosed invention, shown in
In this first embodiment 101, the support portion 301 is detachably secured to the electronic device attachment 201 at the end of a sliding arm 311. The sliding arm 311 is attached in turn to a swing arm 331 that is supported by a plurality of swing arm supports 321. While this particular embodiment possesses a plurality of swing arm supports 321, it should be understood the invention 101 may possess only a single swing arm support 321. The bottom of the swing arm 331 and one end of the swing arm support 321 are pivotally attached to the bottom of an elongated chest piece 361. The elongated chest piece 361 is supported by a shoulder support 401, here in the form of a shoulder harness. In this embodiment the shoulder harness 401 is attached to the elongated chest piece 361 by a sliding lock mechanism 391 having a slide 393, and a backplate 395. The sliding lock mechanism 391 is slidably attached to the chest piece 361, the slide 391 being limited in vertical movement along the elongated chest piece 361 by an upper plate 363 and a lower plate 365.
In this embodiment, the shoulder support 401 is a shoulder harness having a right strap 403 and a left strap 405 attaching at the backplate 395. Here, the straps 403 and 405 meet at a D-ring 407. The front side end of the strap 403 or 405 is fed through a slot 397 or 399 on the back plate 395 and secured to itself by hook and loop fastener 411, 413. Alternatively, the strap 403 or 405 may be secured by other means, including snaps, buckle or sewing. The rear side end of the strap 403 or 405 is fed through the D-ring 407 and secured to itself by hook and loop fastener 421, 423. Alternatively the strap 403 or 405 may be secured to itself by other means, including snaps, buckle or sewing. Adjustable under arm straps 433 and 435 are fastened to strap 403 and 405 respectively, and aid in securing the harness 401 to the user 1. The right under arm strap 433 and left underarm strap 435 are removably secured by a right buckle 443 and left buckle 445 respectively to allow donning and doffing of the harness 401.
The elongated chest piece 361 connects the swing arm 301 to the shoulder support 401. In this embodiment, the elongated chest piece 361 provides an enclosure 367 formed by a right side wall 369, a left side wall 371 and a rear wall 373. The enclosure 367 contains the swing arm 331, sliding support arm 311 and swing arm supports 321 when in the closed position. The sliding lock mechanism 391 is slidably attached to the elongated chest piece 361. The sliding lock mechanism 391 attaches the harness 401 to the support portion 301. In this embodiment, the sliding lock mechanism 391 is comprised of a slide 393 and a backplate 395. In this particular embodiment, the slide 393 is provided additional support and guidance from a right guide rod 381 and a left guide rod 383.
The swing arm 331 is pivotally connected by a hinge 389 to the elongated chest piece 367. The sliding support arm 311 is pivotally connected to the swing arm support 321 by a pin 315 passing through an aperture 313 in the sliding support arm 311. A lower aperture 323 in the swing arm support 321 receives a portion of the pin 315. The upper portion of the swing arm support 321 is pivotally connected to the elongated chest piece 361 by an upper pin 327 passing through an upper aperture 325 in the swing arm support 321 and an aperture 328 in the swing arm support bearing block 329. The swing arm support bearing block 329 is fastened to the rear wall 373. In this embodiment the bearing block 329 is fastened to the rear wall 373 by screws 340.
In this embodiment, the top plate 363 and bottom plate 365 limit movement of the slide lock mechanism 391. The bottom plate 365 and top plate 363 possesses a plurality of recesses 366 that receive the ends of the right and left guide rods 381, 383. The top plate 363 and bottom plate 365 are attached to the top and bottom ends of the elongated chest piece 361. In this embodiment, the top and bottom end plates 363, 365 are attached by screws 362.
The slide lock mechanism 391 of the current embodiment is comprised of a slide 393 and backplate 395. In the current embodiment screws 399 secure the backplate 395 to the slide, passing through a spacer 397 positioned between the backplate 395 and slide 393.
Claims
1. An device support worn by an individual for hands free use of said device, said support comprising:
- an elongated chest piece;
- a harness, wherein said harness secures said elongated chest piece to said individual;
- a swing arm pivotally connected to said chest piece, said swing arm positioned between said digital device and said chest piece;
- a sliding arm, said sliding arm slidably connected to said swing arm, said sliding arm positioned between said digital device and said swing arm;
- wherein said swing arm retracts within said chest piece.
2. The hands-free support of claim 1 further comprising a sliding lock mechanism, said harness connected to said sliding lock mechanism, said sliding lock mechanism slidably connected to said elongated chest piece, wherein said sliding lock mechanism may be slid to a first position to allow opening of said hands-free holder, and slid to a second position to prevent opening of said hands-free holder.
3. The hands-free support of claim 1 further comprising a device holder, said device holder possessing a lower vertical wall and an upper vertical, where said lower vertical wall and said upper vertical wall are biased to clamp the electronic device therebetween.
4. The hands-free support of claim 1 further comprising a swing arm support, a first end of said swing arm support pivotally connected to said sliding arm and a second end of said swing arm support pivotally connected to said elongated chest piece.
5. The hands-free support of claim 4 wherein said sliding arm extends out from said swing arm as said swing arm rotates outward from said elongated chest piece.
6. The hands-free support of claim 1 further comprising a swing arm support, a first end of said swing arm support pivotally connected to said swing arm and a second end of said swing arm support pivotally connected to said elongated chest piece.
7. A hands-free support worn by an individual for viewing of a digital device, said support comprising:
- an elongated chest piece, said elongated chest piece having a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
- a harness, wherein said harness secures said elongated chest piece to said individual;
- a swing arm pivotally connected to said chest piece at a first pivotal connection, said swing arm positioned between said digital device and said chest piece;
- a sliding arm, said sliding arm slidably connected to said swing arm, said sliding arm positioned between said digital device and said swing arm; and
- a swing arm support pivotally connected at a second pivot to said elongated chest piece and connected to said swing arm.
8. The hands free support of claim 7 wherein said swing arm support is connected to said swing arm by pivotally connecting to said sliding arm, said sliding arm slidably connecting to said swing arm.
9. The hands free support of claim 8 wherein said sliding arm moves along an axis that extends along the length of said swing arm, wherein when said swing arm rotates from a closed position against said elongated chest piece to an open position away from said elongated chest piece, said sliding arm retracting toward said first pivotal connection as said swing arm is closed, and extending away from said first pivotal connection as said swing arm is opened.
10. The hands free support of claim 7 wherein said sliding arm is retained in a fixed position by one or more magnets.
11. The hands free support of claim 7 wherein said swing arm support is comprised of a first swing arm support member and a second swing arm support member, said first member pivotally connected to said elongated chest piece at said second pivot, said second member pivotally connected to said swing arm at a third pivot, said first and second members are biased to extend away from one another.
12. The hands free support of claim 11, wherein said swing arm support is comprised of at least one piston.
13. The hands free support of claim 11 wherein said third pivot lays between said elongated chest piece rear wall and an imaginary line drawn between and connecting said first pivot and said second pivot when said swing arm is in a closed position, thereby allowing said swing arm support bias to extend to produce a moment about said second pivot to retain said swing arm in the closed position.
14. The hands-free support of claim 7 further comprising a sliding lock mechanism, said harness connected to said sliding lock mechanism, said sliding lock mechanism slidably connected to said elongated chest piece, wherein said sliding lock mechanism may be slid to a first position to allow opening of said hands-free holder, and slid to a second position to prevent opening of said hands-free holder.
15. The hands-free support of claim 7 further comprising an electronic device holder, said electronic device holder possessing a lower vertical wall and an upper vertical, where said lower vertical wall and said upper vertical wall are biased to clamp the electronic device therebetween, said electronic device holder attached to said sliding arm.
16. A hands-free support worn by an individual for viewing of a digital device, said support comprising:
- an elongated chest piece;
- a harness, wherein said harness secures said elongated chest piece to said individual;
- a swing arm pivotally connected to said chest piece a first pivotal connection, said swing arm positioned between said digital device and said chest piece;
- a sliding arm, said sliding arm slidably connected to said swing arm, said sliding arm positioned between said digital device and said swing arm, said sliding arm moveable along an axis generally parallel to the length of said swing arm;
- a swing arm support, said swing arm support having a first end pivotally connected to said elongated chest piece and a second end pivotally connected to said sliding arm;
- at least one magnet frictionally engaging said sliding arm and retained generally stationary with respect to said swing arm
- whereas when said swing arm is able to pivot from a closed position against said elongated chest piece to an open position away from said elongated chest piece, said sliding arm slides away from said first pivotal connection as said swing arm is opened and said sliding arm retracts toward said first pivotal connection as said swing arm is closed.
17. The hands-free support of claim 16 further comprising a sliding lock mechanism, said harness connected to said sliding lock mechanism, said sliding lock mechanism slidably connected to said elongated chest piece, wherein said sliding lock mechanism may be slid to a first position to allow opening of said hands-free holder, and slid to a second position to prevent opening of said hands-free holder.
18. The hands-free support of claim 16 further comprising an electronic device holder, said electronic device holder possessing a lower vertical wall and an upper vertical, where said lower vertical wall and said upper vertical wall are biased to clamp the electronic device therebetween, said electronic device holder attached to said sliding arm.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 22, 2013
Inventor: Jon M. Harvey (Germantown, TN)
Application Number: 13/400,066
International Classification: A45F 3/14 (20060101);