MOUNT FOR PORTABLE DEVICE

Abstract

A portable electronic device case mounting apparatus includes a housing having an internal cavity and a front side having an aperture therethrough to the internal cavity. A first hook and a second hook protrude from within the housing outward through the aperture. A bias contained within the housing urges the first and second hooks in a direction away from one another to an expanded configuration. A lever extends external the housing and communicatively coupled to the first and second hooks, wherein upon depression of the lever the first and second hooks contract toward one another from the expanded configuration to a contracted configuration thereby overcoming the urging force of the bias.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/151,204 filed Apr. 22, 2015, and entitled “MOUNT FOR PORTABLE DEVICE” which is entirely incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mount. In particular, the disclosure relates to a mount for portable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

With the ever increasing popularity of portable electronic devices, a demand for effective mounts has developed. Several kinds of mounts are currently available. For example, many mounts employ grips that hold the external edges of the portable device. Additionally, many commercial mounts do not provide a secure and simple way to couple to and detach from the portable electronic device. Many mounts require two hands to hold and maneuver both the portable electronic device and the mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary mount without a rear side of a housing;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary mount in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary mount in a contracted configuration;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system, where the mount is coupled to the portable electronic device case;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system, where the mount is coupled to the portable electronic device case and in a contracted configuration;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary mount;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary mount, with a hinge attached to the rear of a housing;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an exemplary mount, with a coupling base attached to the rear of the a housing;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system, in which the mount has a bicycle mount attached to the rear of the housing;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system, in which the mount has an arm band attached to the rear of the housing; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an exemplary portable electronic device case and mounting system, in which the mount has a vent mount attached to the rear of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant function being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the implementations described herein. It will be understood that descriptions and characterizations of embodiments set forth in this disclosure are not to be considered as mutually exclusive, unless otherwise noted.

The following definitions are used in this disclosure: The term “depress” is defined to be pushing or pulling in a given direction. The direction can be any direction. The direction can be linear or nonlinear. The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; “comprising” specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group, series and the like.

A mount can couple to and securely support many different kinds of portable electronic devices, such as a mobile telephone, reading device, music device, viewing devices, navigation device or other portable electronic devices. Examples of such devices are iPhone, Nook, iPod, iPad, Droid, and GPS navigation systems. The nature of the mount and its design enable specific embodiments to be adapted to easily couple to and be detached from any such portable electronic device or case therefor. As such, the mount can be coupled and secured to a case or shield (or the like) for a portable electronic device. Conveniently, the mount may also be removed using only one hand. One example of such a mount 10 is shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mount 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 includes a front side 12 and a rear side 14 (shown in FIG. 8 discussed below), forming an internal cavity 13. The front side 12 of the housing 11 has an aperture 50 therethrough to the internal cavity 13. The aperture 50 can be any suitable shape or size, for example circular or rectangular. The mount 10 includes a first frame 30 and a second frame 40. The first frame 30 and the second frame 40 are contained in the internal cavity 13 of the housing 11. The first frame 30 can be attached to a first hook 38 (shown in FIG. 2 discussed below), and the second frame 40 can be attached to a second hook 48 (shown in FIG. 2), which will be described in further detail below. The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 move in the same direction as the first frame 30 and the second frame 40, respectively. For example, when the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 move toward each other, the first hook 38 and the second hook 40 move toward each other to a contracted configuration. Further, when the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 move away from each other, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 move away from each other to an expanded configuration. In other examples, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can move in different directions from the first frame 30 and the second frame 40.

The first frame 30 includes a lever 32 which is communicatively coupled with a lever 32. The lever 32 can be a button, a switch, a lever, or any suitable mechanism to move the first frame 30 and the second frame 40. While in the illustrated embodiment the lever 32 is communicatively coupled to the first frame 30, the lever 32 may be alternatively attached to the second frame 40. In yet other examples, each of the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 can be attached to a lever 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the lever 32 extends out of the housing 11 from the internal cavity 13 such that the lever 32 can be depressed and released. Upon depression of the lever 32 the lever 32 the first frame 30 moves in the same direction as the lever 32. In other examples, the lever 32 can be configured such that the lever 32 can be depressed in a direction that is not aligned with the movement of the first frame 30. For example, when the lever 32 is depressed, the lever 32 can move along a side of the housing 11 causing the first frame 30 to move toward the second frame 40. The lever 32 can be actuated in ways other than depression, for example a pulling or lateral motion, which may require additional or other elements for transmitting motion to the first frame 30 and second frame 40.

The mount 10 also includes at least one bias 18 contained within the housing 11, which is a coiled spring in the exemplary embodiment. The bias 18 can be a coiled spring as illustrated, or an elastic band, or any suitable bias to urge the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 in a direction. In the embodiment shown, the bias 18, which is a coiled spring, can be configured to expand against abutting surfaces to urge the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 in a direction away from one another. Alternatively, the bias 18 can urge the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 in a direction towards one another. In the shown embodiment, the bias 18 is in an expanded state and the first frame 30 and second frame 40 are in an expanded configuration. The first and second hooks 38, 48, as they are attached to the first and second frames 30, 40, are also in an expanded configuration. Upon actuation by depression of the lever 32, the strength of the bias 18 is overcome and the first and second frames 30, 40 are moved toward one another to a contracted configuration. The frames 30, 40 are closer to one another in the contracted configuration than in the expanded configuration. Upon release of the lever 32, the bias can urge the first frame 30 and the second frame 40 in a direction such that the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 move toward the expanded configuration.

The mount 10 includes at least one gear 16, which as shown is a spur gear having a plurality of teeth on its outer surface. The gear 16 can be a spur gear, a helical gear, or any suitable gear to move the second frame 40 in an opposite direction as the first gear 30. The first frame 30 and the second frame 40 each include teeth 36, 46 for engagement with the teeth of the gear 16 forming a rack and pinion interconnection. As such, when the lever 32 is depressed, the first frame 30 can move toward the second frame 40. By the communicative interconnection of the gear 16, the second frame 40 can also move toward the first frame 30, thereby contracting the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 toward one another.

The mount 10 can also include a magnetic element 60. The magnetic element 60 can be contained in the internal cavity 13 of the housing 11 and can be any suitable shape or size that fits within the housing 11. The magnetic element 60 can be a magnet. The magnetic element 60 can be any suitable magnetic material that magnetically interacts with magnetizable elements such as ferromagnetic materials or other magnets.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mount 10, where the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are in an expanded configuration 200. A centerpiece 70 can extend through the aperture 50 from the internal cavity 13 of the housing 11 between the first hook 38 and the second hook 48. In other examples, the mount 10 does not include a centerpiece 70. The centerpiece 70 can be ovoid, circular, or any suitable shape.

The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can be crescent-shaped. In other examples, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can be semi-circular. In yet other examples, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can be any suitable shape. The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can be mirror images of each other. In other examples, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can each be different shapes.

The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can have external sloping surfaces 39, 49, such that the outer edges of the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are thinner than the inner edges. The external sloping surfaces 39, 49 can be steps. In other examples, the external sloping surfaces 39, 49 can be ramps. In yet other examples, the external sloping surfaces 39, 49 can continuously decline from the inner area of the first hook 38 and the second 48 to the external area of the first hook 38 and the second hook 48. Additionally or alternatively, the external sloping surfaces 39, 49 can include one or more discontinuities.

The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 extend beyond the front side 12 of the housing 11 a distance such that there is a space (not shown) between both the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 and the front side 12 of the housing 11. The space can be any suitable size equal to or greater than the thickness of a backing of a case for a portable electronic device and sized to provide a snug fit upon attachment.

When the lever 34 is depressed, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 contract toward one another to the contracted configuration 202 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 contract, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can approach the centerpiece 70. In other examples, if the mount 10 does not include a centerpiece 70, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can approach one another. The mount 10 can also include a stopper strip 72. The stopper strip 72 can be along the outer edge of the aperture 50. The stopper strip 72 can abut the case 100 of the portable electronic device and prevent the case 100 from rotating more than a desired amount, or rotating such that the portable electronic device would have an undesirable orientation, while coupled to the mount 10. The stopper strip 72 can be any suitable shape and size to prevent the case 100 from rotating more than the desired amount or in the desired direction. In other examples, the mount 10 does not include a stopper strip 70.

The mount 10 can be coupled to a case 100 for a portable electronic device as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 illustrates the case 100 for a portable electronic device (not shown). The case 100 includes a backing 108. The backing 108 can be generally planar. In other examples, the backing 108 can be any suitable shape that corresponds to the shape of the portable electronic device. The backing 108 have an edge 106 forming sidewalls to receive the portable electronic device therewithin. The backing 108 can be made of plastic, silicon, polymeric material, metal, or any suitable material to receive a portable electronic device.

The backing 108 also includes a backing aperture 102. The backing aperture 102 is sized to receive the first hook 38 and the second hook 48. The size and shape of the backing aperture 102 can be the size and shape of the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 in the contracted configuration such that the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can be inserted through the backing aperture 102 while in the contracted configuration. The backing 108 can have receiving surfaces 104 proximate the edge of the backing aperture 102 that correspond to the first hook 38 and the second hook 48. The receiving surfaces 104 can be configured to receive the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 when inserted through the backing aperture 102 and in the expanded configuration 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are in the expanded configuration 200. The case 100 can be pressed against the first hook 38 and second hook 48. Upon contact, the external sloping surfaces 39, 49 of the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can engage the edges of the backing aperture 102. The external sloping surfaces 39, 49 can be shaped such that upon engagement of the edges of the backing aperture 102 with the external sloping surfaces 39, 49, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can contract toward one another to the contracted configuration. When the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are in the contracted configuration, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can be inserted through the backing aperture 102. In other examples, the lever 32 can be depressed causing the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 to contract toward one another to the contracted configuration and inserted through the backing aperture 102.

When the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are inserted through the backing aperture 102, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 move away from one another to the expanded configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 have flanged portions 37, 47 which, when the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are inserted through the backing aperture 102 and in the expanded configuration 200, catch and engage the receiving surfaces 104 and resistively secure the mount 10 to the case 100.

To detach the mount 10 from the case 100, the lever 32 is depressed, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the lever 32 is depressed, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 contract toward one another to the contracted configuration 202. When the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 are in the contracted configuration 202, the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can pass through the backing aperture 102. As such, the mount 10 can be detached from the case 100 as illustrated in FIG. 7. When the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 pass through the backing aperture 102, the lever 32 can be released such that the first hook 38 and the second hook 48 move away from one another to the expanded configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates the rear side 14 of the housing 11 for the mount 10. The rear side 14 of the housing 11 can be coupled to the front side 12 (shown in FIG. 2) of the housing 11. The rear side 14 can be coupled to the front side 12 by screws, pins, clips, or any suitable fastener to couple the rear side 14 to the front side 12. The rear side 14 can include a mounting device 80. The mounting device 80 can include a hinge 82 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The hinge 82 can be configured such that the mount 10 can rotate when mounted. In other examples, the hinge 82 can be configured such that the mount 10 can tilt when coupled to a mounting base 84 (shown in FIG. 10). In yet other examples, the hinge 82 is not included in the mounting device 80.

FIG. 10 illustrates a mounting base 84 coupled to the mounting device 80. The mounting base 84 can be configured to couple to the hinge 82 such that the mount 10 can rotate and/or tilt when coupled to the mounting base 84. The mounting base 84 can be an arm band, a wall mount, a bicycle mount, an automobile vent mount, or any suitable mounting apparatus. In other examples, the mounting base 84 can be configured to couple to a mounting apparatus, for example an arm band, a wall mount, a bicycle mount, or an automobile vent mount.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the mount 10 and the case 100. The mount 10 can include the magnetic element 60 as described earlier. The case 100 includes a magnetizable element 106 that corresponds to and magnetically interacts with the magnetic element 60 of the mount 10. The magnetizable element 106 can be any ferromagnetic material such that when the magnetic element 60 interacts with the magnetizable element 106, the mount 10 is coupled to the case 100. In other examples, the magnetizable element 106 can be a magnet. The first hook 38 and the second hook 48 can each be substantially semicircles, and the mount 10 does not include a centerpiece. The mounting base 84 as illustrated in FIG. 11 is a bicycle mount. However, mounting base 84 can be an arm band as illustrated in FIG. 12, a vent mount as illustrated in FIG. 13, or any suitable mounting apparatus.

• Statements of the disclosure include:

Statement 1: A portable electronic device case mounting apparatus including: a housing having an internal cavity and a front side having an aperture therethrough to the internal cavity; a first hook and a second hook protruding from within the housing outward through the aperture; a bias contained within the housing urging the first and second hooks in a direction away from one another to an expanded configuration; and a lever extending external the housing and communicatively coupled to the first and second hooks, wherein upon depression of the lever the first and second hooks contract toward one another from the expanded configuration to a contracted configuration thereby overcoming the urging force of the bias.

Statement 2: The mounting apparatus of Statement 1, wherein the first and second hooks each have an external sloping surface, the external sloping surfaces are shaped such that upon engagement of a surface with the external sloping surfaces, the first and second hooks are contracted toward one another to a contracted configuration.

Statement 3: The mounting apparatus of Statement 1 or Statement 2, wherein a rear side of the housing includes a mounting device couplable to at least one of an armband, a bicycle mount, a wall mount, or an automobile vent mount.

Statement 4: The mounting apparatus of any of the preceding Statements, wherein the housing further includes a magnetic element.

Statement 5: The mounting apparatus of any of the preceding Statements, further including a portable electronic device case, the case having a generally planar backing with an edge forming sidewalls to receive a portable electronic device therewithin, the backing having a backing aperture sized to receive the first and second hooks.

Statement 6: The mounting apparatus of Statement 5, wherein the backing has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the backing aperture for the first hook and the second hook.

Statement 7: The mounting apparatus of Statement 5 or Statement 6, wherein the first and second hooks have flanged portions which in the expanded configuration catch and engage the receiving surfaces and resistively secure the housing to the casing.

Statement 8: The mounting apparatus of any of Statements 5-7, wherein the backing aperture is sized to permit removal of the first and second hooks when the first and second hooks are in a contracted configuration.

Statement 9: The mounting apparatus of any of Statements 5-8, wherein the first and second hooks have an external sloping surface, and the external sloping surfaces are shaped such that upon engagement of edges of the backing aperture with the external sloping surfaces, the first and second hooks are contracted toward one another to a contracted configuration and are inserted within the backing aperture.

Statement 10: The mounting apparatus of any of Statements 5-9, wherein the backing comprises a magnetizable element.

Statement 11: The mounting apparatus of any of the preceding Statements, wherein the first hook is attached to and moves together with a first frame component contained within the housing, and the second hook is attached to and moves together with a second frame component contained within the housing.

Statement 12: The mounting apparatus of Statement 11, wherein the first and second frames are communicatively interconnected by a spur gear, wherein movement of one of the first or second frames transfers movement to the other frame in a reverse direction.

Statement 13: The mounting apparatus of Statement 11 or Statement 12, wherein the first and second frames each include teeth for engagement with teeth of the spur gear forming a rack and pinion interconnection.

Statement 14: The mounting apparatus of Statement 11 or Statement 12, wherein the lever is attached to the first frame, and whereupon depression of the lever the first frame moves toward the second frame and by the communicative interconnection of the spur gear the second frame moves toward the first frame, thereby the first and second hooks contract toward one another.

Statement 15: A portable electronic device case and mounting system including: a case for a portable electronic device, the case having a generally planar backing with an edge forming sidewalls to receive a portable electronic device therewithin; and a mounting apparatus including: a housing having an internal cavity and a front side having an aperture; a first hook and a second hook protruding from within the housing outward through the aperture; a bias contained within the housing urging the first and second hooks in a direction away from one another in an expanded configuration; and a lever extending from within the housing to a distance external the housing and communicatively coupled to the first and second hooks, wherein upon depression of the lever the first and second hooks contract toward one another to a contracted configuration, wherein the backing includes a backing aperture sized to receive the first and second hooks which are insertable therein when in a contracted configuration.

Statement 16: The system of Statement 15, wherein the first and second hooks each have an external sloping surface, the external sloping surfaces are shaped such that upon engagement of edges of the backing aperture with the external sloping surfaces, the first and second hooks are contracted toward one another to the contracted configuration.

Statement 17: The system of Statement 15 or Statement 16, wherein the backing has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the aperture for the first hook and the second hook.

Statement 18: The system of Statement 17, wherein the first and second hooks have flanged portions which in the expanded configuration catch and engage the receiving surfaces and resistively secure the mounting apparatus to the case.

Statement 19: The system of any one of Statements 15-18, wherein the backing has a magnetizable element, and the housing has a magnet element, the magnetizable element and the magnetic element magnetically interacting upon insertion of the first and second hooks within the backing aperture.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Various modifications and changes can be made to the principles and embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure and without departing from the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device case mounting apparatus comprising:

a housing having an internal cavity and a front side having an aperture therethrough to the internal cavity;

a first hook and a second hook protruding from within the housing outward through the aperture;

a bias contained within the housing urging the first and second hooks in a direction away from one another to an expanded configuration; and

a lever extending from the housing, the lever communicatively coupled to the first and second hooks, wherein upon depression of the lever the first and second hooks contract toward one another from the expanded configuration to a contracted configuration thereby overcoming the urging force of the bias.

2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second hooks each have an external sloping surface, the external sloping surfaces are shaped such that upon engagement of a surface with the external sloping surfaces, the first and second hooks are contracted toward one another to a contracted configuration.

3. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein a rear side of the housing comprises a mounting device couplable to at least one of an armband, a bicycle mount, a wall mount, or an automobile vent mount.

4. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a magnetic element.

5. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a portable electronic device case, the case having a generally planar backing with an edge forming sidewalls to receive a portable electronic device therewithin, the backing having a backing aperture sized to receive the first and second hooks.

6. The mounting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the backing has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the backing aperture for the first hook and the second hook.

7. The mounting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first and second hooks have flanged portions which in the expanded configuration catch and engage the receiving surfaces and resistively secure the housing to the casing.

8. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the backing aperture is sized to permit removal of the first and second hooks when the first and second hooks are in a contracted configuration.

9. The mounting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second hooks have an external sloping surface, and the external sloping surfaces are shaped such that upon engagement of edges of the backing aperture with the external sloping surfaces, the first and second hooks are contracted toward one another to a contracted configuration and are inserted within the backing aperture.

10. The mounting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the backing comprises a magnetizable element.

11. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first hook is attached to and moves together with a first frame component contained within the housing, and the second hook is attached to and moves together with a second frame component contained within the housing.

12. The mounting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second frames are communicatively interconnected by a spur gear, wherein movement of one of the first or second frames transfers movement to the other frame in a reverse direction.

13. The mounting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second frames each comprise teeth for engagement with teeth of the spur gear forming a rack and pinion interconnection.

14. The mounting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lever is attached to the first frame, and

whereupon depression of the lever the first frame moves toward the second frame and by the communicative interconnection of the spur gear the second frame moves toward the first frame, thereby the first and second hooks contract toward one another.

15. A portable electronic device case and mounting system comprising:

a case for a portable electronic device, the case having a generally planar backing with an edge forming sidewalls to receive a portable electronic device therewithin; and

a mounting apparatus comprising: a housing having an internal cavity and a front side having an aperture; a first hook and a second hook protruding from within the housing outward through the aperture; a bias contained within the housing urging the first and second hooks in a direction away from one another in an expanded configuration; and a lever extending from within the housing to a distance external the housing and communicatively coupled to the first and second hooks, wherein upon depression of the lever the first and second hooks contract toward one another to a contracted configuration,

wherein the backing comprises a backing aperture sized to receive the first and second hooks which are insertable therein when in a contracted configuration.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second hooks each have an external sloping surface, the external sloping surfaces are shaped such that upon engagement of edges of the backing aperture with the external sloping surfaces, the first and second hooks are contracted toward one another to the contracted configuration.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the backing has receiving surfaces proximate the edge of the aperture for the first hook and the second hook.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first and second hooks have flanged portions which in the expanded configuration catch and engage the receiving surfaces and resistively secure the mounting apparatus to the case.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the backing has a magnetizable element, and the housing has a magnetic element, the magnetizable element and the magnetic element magnetically interacting upon insertion of the first and second hooks within the backing aperture.