CUSTOMIZABLE COMPACT DISPOSABLE SMARTPHONE VEHICLE MOUNT FOR ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY, VIEWING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND SAFETY
A customizable, compact, and disposable smartphone tab is disclosed that can detachably attach to the backside of a mobile phone device or its protective case, allowing a mobile phone device to mate with a phone tab mount, while not obstructing the mobile phone's camera lens, flash, speakers, and microphone which require unobstructed exposure to its surrounding environment. In one embodiment, the phone tab has a plurality of removable adhesive sections allowing for a customized unobstructed fit on the backside of a smartphone device. The phone tab works cooperatively with a phone tab mount to securely hold a smartphone in place inside of a vehicle for easy access, viewing, and communications, while providing a safer user experience.
This application derives priority from the provisional patent application 62/052,107, filed Sep. 18, 2014, entitled “Devices for Enhancing Accessibility, Viewing, Communications, and Safety on Conveyances in Relation to Mounting a Mobile Smartphone Device”, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to car mounts for mobile computing devices, and particularly to smartphone car mounts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe popularity and usage of mobile devices and more specifically smartphone devices has grown rapidly over the past decade. Mobile phones were first introduced as a luxury item for the few people able to afford them, but have since grown into a mass-produced mobile smartphone device that has become more affordable and readily available to nearly anyone.
Initially, the sole purpose of a mobile cell phone was to conduct a phone call, but it has significantly evolved over time to become a feature-rich mobile smartphone device capable of performing a myriad of technological operations. Today's smartphone devices possess advance technology and significant memory capacity allowing them to function with increased processing speed and function as a mini-computer with a variety of software applications.
Some of these applications include operation not only as a mobile phone and texting device, but also as an emailing device, Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation, internet browser, digital spreadsheet, word processor, audio player, video player, gaming device, calculator, digital camera, and various other innovative mobile applications frequently being developed.
As the value-added features of mobile smartphone devices have progressively evolved, the importance of having a smartphone close at hand for convenient access has increased.
Depending on the user need, smartphone applications are becoming vital for important functional operations, especially as smartphone features continue to advance. This is particularly true as smartphones are now needed more often inside of a vehicle. For some operations, they must be in close proximity to the user, be safely accessible, and have unobstructed viewing. For example, when using the Global Positioning System (GPS) feature of a smartphone inside a vehicle, users require direct, unobstructed viewing of the smartphone screen for visual guidance and the ability to clearly hear its turn-by-turn audio instructions to safely arrive at their desired destination. Without a safe way to secure the smartphone device in a vehicle, drivers tend to often dangerously hold the mobile phone in their hand during use, or alternatively, attempt to unsuccessfully secure it in a location that nevertheless allows the mobile phone to slide around freely. This can cause a dangerous situation as drivers may divert their attention from the road ahead attempting to locate the phone, sometimes causing unpredictable car motions in an attempt to recover it.
To help avoid a situation such as this, it is helpful to mount the mobile device in a secure location with easy and safe access, and also with unobstructed viewing.
Additionally, as a safety concern, many regulatory bodies are requiring hands-free use of mobile phones in a car, which is especially important if a user is using their smartphone to converse with someone. Having the phone mounted in a secure dose-proximity location allows the user to speak and hear more clearly with the other party when using the speakerphone option available on nearly all mobile phones. Having a mobile phone mounted in dose proximity to the user would also enable the user to more easily use the speakerphone feature or a corded earpiece and microphone without significant cord length limitations, allowing hand-free use. A secure and dose proximity mounting of the phone also allows the user to visually screen callers before answering, and to easily accept calls or disconnect calls as needed.
There are various phone car mounts on the market that can hold a mobile device inside a vehicle. However, most car phone mounts are either too bulky, or do not effectively secure a phone, or require significant surface space to mount, or are difficult to install, or do not easily release the phone, or are difficult to latch or unlatch a phone with one hand, or are mounted in a far-reaching window position, or are mounted in an awkward viewing position, or are costly to purchase for temporary use, or a combination thereof.
Additionally, most vehicle consoles today are tightly fitted with various knobs, displays, switches, and other protruding or depressed compartments, leaving little for mounting additional accessories, such as a phone car mount. This is especially true for most phone mount bases, as they typically have a medium to large size base needing significant vehicle console surface area to secure it.
Due to these issues, it is difficult and cumbersome for business travelers and vacationers, especially airline travelers attempting to minimize packing space, to use the phone car mounts that are currently available. Vacationers and business travelers frequently use rented or borrowed vehicles for their short-term transportation needs. Most car rental usually offer a GPS navigation option as a separately priced premium upgrade for an additional daily rate. But this GPS upgrade option is often expensive, and is no longer needed by vehicle renters who already possess a smart phone with a GPS application. However, to use their smartphone with the GPS application, they must entirely remove their existing phone car mount from their normal vehicle, pack the phone car mount, re-install the phone car mount in the rental car, and then remember to remove it so it can be packed for the return trip. Since some phone car mounts are very difficult to un-install, such as vent mounts and some suction mounts, many become frustrated and give up. Others that succeed in removing and packing the car mount, will forget to remove the car mount from the rental car, resulting in the need to purchase another phone car mount.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is a disposable smartphone car mount that is extremely slim, compact, removable, and customizable that easily slides into a pocket or purse, making it ideal for use by travelers. The car mount of the invention can also be advantageously used in other vehicles, such as trucks, vans, RVs, for example.
The invention provides a slim, compact, disposable, and customizable phone tab with an adhesive front surface that attaches to a back surface of a phone device or its protective case, thereby allowing the smartphone to be secured in a desired position by further attaching onto a phone tab mount through an attachment area provided at the head area of the disposable phone tab. The phone tab accommodates unobstructed use of the mobile phone's camera lens, flash, speakers, and other ancillary apparatuses requiring direct exposure to its surrounding environment. The disposable phone tab can also be utilized by other mobile devices needing to be secured in such a desired position. The phone tab of the present invention includes perforations at sectional areas so as to enable the user to detach removable sections of the phone tab easily so as to customize the shape of the phone tab so as to adapt the phone tab to avoid obstructing portions of the phone, such as a camera lens, a microphone, a speaker, for example.
The invention also provides a phone tab that works in conjunction with a phone tab mount to securely hold a smartphone with a phone tab attached thereto for easy access, viewing, safety, and communications use. The phone tab adhesively attaches onto the back surface of a smartphone device. The phone tab has a phone tab mount attachment area, such as an extended protrusion called a phone tab head, the phone tab head supportably mating with a phone tab mount. The phone tab mount is secured onto a location within the vehicle desired by the user, preferably on a vehicle console area, such as its heating and cooling air vents or open console surface area. The phone tab and phone tab mount mate, thereby allowing the phone device to be conveniently secured in place. The phone tab allows for easy one-handed attachment of the phone with the phone tab to the phone tab mount, and detachment of the phone and phone tab from the phone tab mount.
A general aspect of the invention is a detachable customizable smartphone vehicle mount for enhancing accessibility, viewing, communications, and safety. This vehicle mount includes: a phone tab including: a phone tab head, and a plurality of removable adhesive sections capable of attachment to a back of a smartphone, each removable adhesive section being removable from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstruction of a portion of the smartphone; and a phone tab mount capable of attachment to an interior portion of a vehicle, the phone tab mount having a phone tab head receiver for supportably mating with the phone tab head of the phone tab.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab is disposable.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab includes an adhesive front surface area, made of using pressure sensitive or acrylic adhesive, for adhesively attaching the phone tab to a back surface of a smart phone or a back surface of a smart phone case.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab head and each removable adhesive section are shaped and sized so as to be usable with uniquely sized and positioned components on the backside of a smartphone.
In an embodiment of the present invention, each removable adhesive section is detachably attached to the phone tab head via a perforation for facilitating removal of the removable adhesive sections from the phone tab so as to avoid obstructing components on the backside of the smartphone.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab is made using polymer materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), a metal alloy, or a combination there of.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab mount is made using polymer materials such as polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), synthetic rubber, metal alloy, or a combination there of.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab mount includes a clip on its backside for clipping onto a portion of a vehicle's heating and cooling vent.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of removable adhesive sections includes an adhesive for providing detachable attachment of the phone tab to the smartphone or to the smartphone case.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab mount includes an adhesive on its backside for providing detachable attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle.
Another general aspect of the invention is a smartphone phone tab for removable attachment to a smart phone, and for use with a smartphone tab mount for enhancing accessibility, viewing, communications, and safety. The smartphone tab includes: a phone tab head; and a plurality of removable adhesive sections capable of attachment to a smartphone, each removable adhesive section being removable from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstructing components on the backside of the smartphone.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the phone tab and the phone tab mount are disposable.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the smartphone tab includes an adhesive front surface area for adhesively attaching the smartphone tab to a back surface of a smart phone or to a back surface of a smart phone case.
In an embodiment of the present invention, each removable adhesive section is attached to the phone tab head by a perforation for facilitating removal of the removable adhesive section from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstructing components on the backside of the smartphone.
In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of removable adhesive sections includes an adhesive that is detachable for providing detachable attachment of the phone tab to the back of the smartphone or to the back of the smartphone case.
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
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Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.
Claims
1. A mobile phone tab for removable attachment to a smartphone, and for use with a phone tab mount for enhancing accessibility, viewing, communications, and safety. The phone tab comprising:
- a phone tab head; and
- a plurality of removable adhesive sections capable of attachment to a smartphone, each removable adhesive section being removable from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstruction of a portion of the smartphone.
2. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein the phone tab is disposable.
3. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein the phone tab includes an adhesive front surface area for adhesively attaching the phone tab to a back surface of a smartphone or to a back surface of a smartphone case.
4. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein the phone tab head and the plurality of removable adhesive sections of the smartphone tab are shaped and sized so as to be usable with uniquely sized and positioned components on the backside of the smartphone.
5. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein each removable adhesive section is attached to the phone tab head by a perforation for facilitating removal of the removable adhesive section from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstructing components on the backside of the smartphone.
6. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein the phone tab is made using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP metal alloy, or a combination there of.
8. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of removable adhesive sections includes an adhesive that is detachable for providing detachable attachment of the phone tab to the back of the smartphone or to the back of the smartphone case.
9. The mobile phone tab of claim 1, wherein the adhesive on the phone tab is made of using pressure sensitive adhesive or acrylic adhesive.
10. A detachable customizable smartphone vehicle mount for enhancing accessibility, viewing, communications, and safety, the vehicle mount comprising:
- a phone tab including: a phone tab head, and a plurality of removable adhesive sections capable of attachment to a back of a smartphone, each removable adhesive section being removable from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstruction of various component configurations on the backside of a smartphone; and
- a phone tab mount capable of attachment to an interior portion of a vehicle, the phone tab mount having a phone tab head receiver for supportably mating with the phone tab head of the phone tab.
11. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab and the phone tab mount are disposable.
12. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab includes an adhesive front surface area for adhesively attaching the phone tab to a back surface of a smartphone or a back surface of a smartphone case.
13. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab includes a phone tab head with each detachable adhesive section being shaped and sized so as to be usable with uniquely sized and positioned components on the backside of a smartphone.
14. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein on the phone tab each removable adhesive section is detachably attached to the phone tab head via a perforation for facilitating removal of the removable adhesive sections from the phone tab head so as to avoid obstructing components on the backside of the smartphone.
15. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab is made using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), metal alloy, or a combination there of.
16. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab mount is made using polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HOPE), nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), synthetic rubber, metal alloy, or a combination there of.
17. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab mount includes a clip for clipping onto a portion of a vent.
18. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the plurality of removable adhesive sections on the phone tab includes an adhesive that is detachable for providing removable attachment of the phone tab to the smartphone or to the smartphone case.
19. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the phone tab mount includes an adhesive that is detachable for providing removable attachment of the phone tab mount to an interior portion of the vehicle.
20. The vehicle mount of claim 10, wherein the adhesive on the phone tab and the phone tab mount are made using a pressure sensitive adhesive or acrylic adhesive.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 13, 2015
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2016
Inventor: Shelby Mathew (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Application Number: 14/852,569