Handset Holder Patents (Class 379/455)
  • Patent number: 6285758
    Abstract: A mobile phone holder is disclosed. The mobile phone has a disk operatively controlling a first plate and a second plate to move simultaneously to each other or away from each other. With such an arrangement, the mobile phone holder is able to adjust its size to receive all kinds of different mobile phones readily by simply rotating the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Citech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Shen Lu
  • Patent number: 6282289
    Abstract: A cable reel comprises a casing defining a cable exit opening and an access opening; a static electrical connection located externally of the casing; a spool rotatably received within the casing and having a circumferentially extending recess opening radially outwardly of the spool, the spool further having an inner axially extending recess and an axially open notch communicating between the circumferentially extending recess and the inner axially extending recess; a handset cable having a first end and a second end, the handset cable first end being attachable to a handset in use, at least a portion of the handset cable being windable into or out of the spool circumferentially extending recess upon rotation of the spool so as to extend from or retract into the cable exit opening; a ribbon cable having a first end and a second end, the ribbon cable first end being attached to the handset cable second end and the ribbon cable second end being attached to the static electrical connector whereby the ribbon cable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Aerotech IFE Limited
    Inventors: Neil James, Alan Clifford Dowsett
  • Patent number: 6278779
    Abstract: An accessory device for a wireless telephone or handset functions as either a shoulder rest or a stand. The accessory device has a pair of attaching arms with a pair of attaching pins for attaching the device to the rear surface of a handset by inserting the attaching pins into openings on the handset. The attaching arms extend from a body of the device. A sliding arm slides through the body of the device in a continuous action to multiple configurations. When the sliding arm is fully extended to the bottom of the body, the device is in a configuration to operate as a stand. A foot at the bottom of the device provides support to the handset to hold it in a generally upright position. When the sliding arm is extended out the top of the body, the device is in a configuration to operate as a shoulder rest. A user can hold the handset with the attached device between his head and shoulder like a conventional shoulder rest. The device has a locking pin that also extends through the body of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Bryant, William J. Morris
  • Patent number: 6263080
    Abstract: A holding device (1) for the accommodation, for example the clamping accommodation, of a telephone unit (18), in particular a handset of a car telephone or of a mobile telephone, has two side walls (2, 3) that are arranged at a distance from each other for positioning the telephone unit (18), the distance between the side walls (2, 3) being smaller than the width of the telephone unit (18), in order to accommodate the telephone unit (18) between them in a first position in which main faces of the telephone unit (18) are situated opposite the side walls (2, 3), and in order to store the telephone unit (18) in a second position, on longitudinal edges of the side walls (2, 3), in which the main faces of the telephone unit (18) are situated transversely with respect to the side walls (2, 3). The distance between the side walls (2, 3) advantageously corresponds at least approximately to the thickness of the telephone unit (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventors: Wolfgang Klammer, Jurgen Matthies, Reinhard Willsch, Sheldon Phillips, Jonas H. Bourghardt, Dirk Schneider
  • Patent number: 6256387
    Abstract: A device rack, which includes a base frame having an upright annular flange and an upright peripheral wall around the upright annular flange, a rotary disk ratably coupled to the upright annular flange inside the base frame and partially peripherally projecting out of the base frame for rotation by hand, the rotary disk having a spiral groove at a front side, two angled clamping members coupled to the rotary disk and moved relative to each other upon a rotary motion of the rotary disk, the clamping members each having a bottom rod inserted into the spiral groove at the rotary disk, and a platform covered on the base frame over the rotary disk to hold the rotary disk and the clamping members in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 6246765
    Abstract: An improved portable telephone and an improved inside rearview mirror assembly coacting with the portable telephone to provide an improved mobile telephone system. The portable telephone includes a housing of generally rectangular configuration defining a recess in one face of the housing, a microphone mounted in the housing, an arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the housing for movement between a stowed position in which it is positioned in the housing recess and an extended position in which the other end of the arm is positioned in spaced relation to the housing, and a speaker mounted on the other end of the arm. The rearview mirror assembly includes a bracket assembly mounted on top of the rearview mirror and including a holster defining a socket for receipt of the portable telephone. External contacts on the telephone coact with contacts in the socket to establish electrical communication between the telephone and the transceiver of the vehicle when the telephone is inserted into the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventors: Anthony P. Palett, Gil Spear
  • Patent number: 6246766
    Abstract: A portable telephone or cell phone holder fits in a conventional cup holder of an automobile or other vehicle. It has an arcuate sidewall that is less than 360° and is resiliently deformable to be squeezed sown to less than the diameter of the cup holder and then, when released, to grip the inside surface of the cup holder. A tongue extends upwardly and radially inwardly from the sidewall to a distal end to provide a support telephone platform and has a concave slanted surface to accommodate and center a telephone belt clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Energymanager.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean F. Walsh
  • Patent number: 6243463
    Abstract: A phone cradle having a locking module for a vehicle is provided. The locking module includes a base frame having first, second and third compartments, supporters at opposite positions, and a fixing portion extending downwardly. A locker key configured for movement along an axis thereof is placed in the third compartment and wound with a key spring. An ejector cam is movably fixed to the lower surface of the base frame and includes a hinge hole at one end, an erect pressed plate at another end configured to interlock with the locker key, a pressing portion perpendicular to the pressed plate at a third end, and a guide hole for radially moving the ejector cam a limited degree with respect to the hinge hole. A locker is movably fixed to the supporters and operatively associated with the locker key to receive a force via the pressing portion of the ejector cam upon movement of the locker key along the axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Woo Cheon
  • Patent number: 6229891
    Abstract: A universal handsfree set seat on which various types of mobile phones can be placed. The dimension of the rest section of the handsfree set seat is adjustable according to the volume of the mobile phone. The universal handsfree set seat includes a seat body, a clamping mechanism and a twin-head connecting plug for receiving and connecting with various telecommunication peripheral equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: E. Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tonny Chen
  • Patent number: 6229893
    Abstract: A universal hands-free receiver for a mobile telephone includes a base, an adjusting device slidably mounted on the upper portion of the base, an upper holder fixed on the adjusting device to move therewith and having an upper receiving space formed in the bottom thereof, and a lower holder fixed on the lower portion of the base and having a lower receiving space formed on the top thereof opposite to the upper receiving space. In such a manner, the adjusting device is able to move on the base so as to adjust the distance between the upper holder and the lower holder such that the distance between the upper holder and the lower holder is adjustable so as to suit the mobile telephones of different length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: E. Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tonny Chen
  • Patent number: 6219533
    Abstract: A support mechanism is disclosed notably for a portable telephone, which is formed by transport means and positioning means for transporting the receiver clipped onto a piece of garment or a belt and for putting the receiver in an upright position on a piece of furniture. According to the invention, the transport and positioning means include a clip intended to be affixed by a first fixed end at the top of the back face of the receiver and including a tilting member which pivots around a shaft arranged at the second elastically movable end of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Bertrand Richez
  • Patent number: 6216018
    Abstract: A telephone hand-free apparatus comprises a housing; a telephone receiving case installed in the housing, the telephone receiving case being so sized and constructed as to receive therein a portable telephone; a board on which a control circuit is arranged, the board being installed in the housing; an external microphone operatively connected to the control circuit and exposed to the outside of the housing; an external speaker operatively connected to the control circuit and installed in the housing; a connection cable extending from the control circuit, so that when the connection cable is connected to a socket of the portable telephone, the external microphone and the external speaker become operative in place of a microphone and a speaker of the portable telephone; and an electric power source which energizes the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Nakanishi, Yasuhisa Nakahara, Yasuhiro Kobayashi, Yoshihisa Takemori, Koichiro Haga, Kohei Hashimoto, Kazuhiko Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6215870
    Abstract: This invention relates to a phone holder. The phone holder includes a holder main body with an outer box, and a holder connector which is connectable with a mobile phone when the mobile phone is inserted in the holder main body. The position of the holder connector along a direction normal to a connecting direction with the mobile phone is adjusted by bolts and nuts (fixing means). Further, the holder connector is selectively set in the holder main body in a state that a top thereof is oriented upward or downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignees: Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hirai, Masashi Sugimoto, Tetsuji Tanaka, Shigeki Sakai, Yoshito Sakai, Nori Inoue, Yuichiro Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6208734
    Abstract: A holding device (1) according to the invention for a communications unit (33, 36) contains a base element (2), a carrier (7) which is pivotably articulated on the base element (2), which can be pivoted away by means of spring force from the base element (2) and onto which the communications unit (33, 36) can be pushed with its one end against stop means (110), which hold the communications unit (33, 36), and a locking device (27), which is present on the base element (2) in order to lock the other end of the communications unit (33, 36) when the carrier (7) is pivoted towards the base element (2), the locking device (27) pressing the communications unit (33, 36) against the stop means (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventors: Annett Ortscheid, Rainer Weber
  • Patent number: 6205222
    Abstract: Clamping devices are provided with increased clamping force to firmly attach electronic devices to various objects. Clamping devices include a base, such as an electronic device housing, and a clip hinged to the base. The clip is pivotable, relative to the base, along a path of rotation between a closed position and an open position. An extension spring is configured to continuously urge the clip towards the closed position when the clip is positioned between an intermediate point along the path of rotation and the closed position, and to continuously urge the clip towards the open position when the clip is positioned between the intermediate point and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventor: W. Kevin Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6189755
    Abstract: A combination beverage and cellular phone holder adapted for insertion into an existing vehicle beverage holder to convert it to a multi-unit holder and firmly position the cellular phone within the vehicle in a convenient and accessible position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan Nelson Wakefield
  • Patent number: 6185302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a telephone holder, especially a holder (2) installable on a car in which a phone (1) is kept during driving. The holder has an enclosed structure and it comprises a cup-like inner shell part (4), an outer shell part (5) and a locking element (7) fitted in the cavity between the shell parts and movable with respect to the shell parts, a thrust block (12) and locking claw (15) in the locking element being located in a hole (11) formed in the inner shell part. The phone is locked into the holder with a turning movement wherein the phone pushes the thrust block (12) and at the same time a guiding surface (16) in the outer shell part wedges the locking claw (15) into a hollow (17) on the side of the phone. The pushing movement is directed against the end (23) of a double torsion spring (22) in the holder so that the middle part of the spring turns a shaft (18) and thus locks the locking element (7) into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Jouko Rytkönen, Mika Pylvänäinen, Jussi Pitkonen
  • Patent number: 6176401
    Abstract: A holster (1) for a for portable communication device is disclosed. The holster (1) has a housing (2) and a garment attachment clip (4). Movably coupled to the housing (2) is a biased latch (5) comprising a locking member (6) an ejector member (7) and an ejector actuator member (8). The locking member (6) and interior surfaces of (9) of the housing (2) co-act to lock a portable communication device in the housing (2). Further, actuation of the ejector actuator member (8) against the bias of the latch (5) provides for unlocking of a portable communication device and at least partial ejection thereof from the housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Wei Seong Lim
  • Patent number: 6149116
    Abstract: A holder for a mobile telephone is provided, which includes a main body to which a mobile telephone is magnetically attached, and an angle controllable attachment supporting means for attaching the main body to the surface of an object such as a vehicle dashboard. The magnetic attachment means includes a magnet fixed to the main body, and a piece of iron attachable to the back of the mobile telephone and attachable to the magnet by magnetic force. The angle controllable supporting means comprises a pair of independently moveable hinge-connected supports which are also hinge-connected to the bottom of the main body. The main body can be attached to the dashboard of a vehicle without regard to the curvature of the surface of the dashboard, and the mobile telephone can be securely attached magnetically and easily separated from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: D.L. Telecom Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryu Byung Won
  • Patent number: 6141417
    Abstract: A holder for a mobile telephone is disclosed. The holder has a securing mechanism that securely holds a mobile telephone within the holder and allows easy movement of the mobile telephone from and into a secure position within the holder. In an embodiment of the invention, the holder includes a cradle unit that has a securing mechanism including a securing pin flexibly formed on the top end of the cradle unit and a securing pocket formed on the bottom end of the cradle unit. A mobile telephone may be secured in the cradle by placing the bottom portion of the mobile telephone in the securing pocket and moving the mobile telephone into the cradle unit, allowing the securing pin to snap into a securing notch that is formed on the top portion of the mobile telephone. The cradle unit may be formed of a single piece body. The cradle unit may also be formed to encompass the mobile telephone to provide a better tactual grip than is provided by the body of the mobile telephone alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventors: Peter E. Lopez, Morris Humphreys, Ari Leman
  • Patent number: 6130945
    Abstract: A cellular phone case provided with a sound collecting means for collecting the sound from a hearing portion of a cellular phone. The sound collecting means comprises a cover having an sound collecting portion being protrudly formed to surround an ear and a first opening being formed at the bottom of the sound collecting portion, the interior of the sound collection portion being empty, a cushion member positioned in the interior of the sound collecting portion, and a base sheet having a second opening therein being formed substantially coincide with the first opening to encircle the hearing portion of the cellular phone, said base sheet being attached at the bottom of the cover and the edge thereof being attached to the cellular phone case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Hwasung Collection Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gi Seoup Shin
  • Patent number: 6097810
    Abstract: This invention relates to a phone holder. The phone holder includes a holder main body with an outer box. The holder main body is provided with movable members such as side walls which are movable in a direction orthogonal to a direction of inserting a mobile phone. The position of the movable members is adjusted by a position adjuster such as a screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignees: Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd, Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hirai, Masashi Sugimoto, Yuichiro Tsutsumi, Tetsuji Tanaka, Yasuhiro Hiura, Shigeki Sakai, Yoshito Sakai, Nori Inoue
  • Patent number: 6095470
    Abstract: A mounting device for removably attaching a hand-held electronic instrument to a support surface includes a base adapted to be attached to the support surface. The base has a front surface for engaging the hand-held instrument. A pair of locking arms are attached to the base at laterally spaced locations. Each arm extends generally outwardly from the front surface and has a detent and a finger-engaging area associated therewith. The detents are capable of engaging the hand-held instrument to attach the instrument to the base. The arms have a first position wherein the detents engage the instrument. The arms also have a second position wherein the detents are disengaged from the instrument by an operator actuating the finger-engaging areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Garmin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kalis
  • Patent number: 6091368
    Abstract: An accessory (100) for docking a handset (1010) of a SSU and providing a connection to the SSU's antenna (1210) or a different antenna. The accessory (100) includes a first power/data connector (115) and the handset (1010) includes a second power/data connector (1014). The accessory (100) also includes a rotating rotating antenna coupler (130) whereby when the coupler (130) is in a first position, the handset (1010) can be placed in a recess (112) of the accessory (100) and coupled to a first connector (320). When the coupler (130) is rotated to a second position, the handset (1010) moves in a direction perpendicular to the coupler's axis of rotation until the second power/data connector (1014) mates with the first power/data connector (115), thereby locking the handset (1010) in the accessory (100). Once the handset (1010) is locked in the accessory (100), an antenna (1210) can be connected to a second connector (340) in the coupler (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay R. Mitchell, James L. Isbell, Michael S. Horn
  • Patent number: 6084963
    Abstract: A phone holder includes a single outer casing to which a holder connector is fixed and a plurality of types of inner casings selectively mountable into the outer casing. The inner surfaces of the respective inner casings are configured such that the corresponding mobile phones can be substantially closely fitted thereinto, and the positions thereof are set such that phone side connectors of the mobile phone are connectable with the holder connector in inserted states of the mobile phones. A connector provided phone holder can be commonly used for a plurality of types of mobile phones and to stably and easily detachably hold the respective mobile phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignees: Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hirai, Nobuaki Kojima, Masashi Sugimoto, Shigeki Sakai, Yoshito Sakai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Yuichiro Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6081595
    Abstract: A mobile radio terminal is adapted to receive a protective cover and includes guides that cooperate with fixing arrangements on the cover. The guide is accessible to the fixing arrangements via one face of the terminal so that the cover is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel Mobile Phones
    Inventor: Philippe Picaud
  • Patent number: 6073901
    Abstract: A supporting device for supporting objects, particularly for supprting a telephone in a vehicle, comprising a pair of clamping wall structures at least one of which is movable and has restraining means disposed thereon, and a base body supporting the clamping wall structures and including restraining means which coact with the restraining means on the or each movable clamping wall structure so as to exert upon the latter a restraining force larger than the force exerted upon the clamping wall structures by the object clamped therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Herbert Richter
  • Patent number: 6056175
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an installation device for a vehicle is disclosed which in particular is for the releasable mounting of a handheld mobile phone. The installation device is designed with a housing (2) which is opened toward the front and is to be arranged on a receiving shaft of a vehicle part (1), such as an instrument panel, console, or the like, with a carrying part (16) which can be pivoted into, and out of, the housing (2) via a substantially vertically aligned axis of rotation (5), with a bearing plate (7) which is arranged on the carrying part (16) and is intended for the mobile phone (12) when the carrying part (16) has been pivoted out of the housing (2), and with a substantially horizontally aligned pivot axis (11) between the carrying part (16) and a bearing plate (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Becker Group Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Helmut Mieglitz, Alexander Schidan, Charles Roughton
  • Patent number: 6058184
    Abstract: A hands-free adapter for a telephone is disclosed. The hands-free adapter includes a housing, a speaker and a microphone that may be electrically coupled to a telephone. The hands-free adapter couples to a cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle. This provides power to operate the speaker and the microphone. In addition, power is coupled to the telephone for operating the telephone and charging the telephones batteries. The hands-free adapter also includes an articulating cable for positioning the speaker and the microphone near a user. The microphone is disposed within a boom which is pivotally coupled to the housing such that the boom may be moved from a retracted position to a fully extended position. The microphone is automatically activated as it is moved out of the retracted position and is automatically deactivated as it is moved back into the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignees: Sony Corporation of Japan, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Frank
  • Patent number: 6058185
    Abstract: A mobile telephone 16 has an engagement member 21 projecting from the phone housing 17 for the purpose of securing the phone 16 to a belt clip 1. The engagement member 21 is spring mounted within the housing 17 and cooperates with the belt clip 1 to take the phone 16 off-hook when an incoming call is received and the phone 16 is removed from the belt clip 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventor: Seppo M Alanara
  • Patent number: 6047064
    Abstract: A hands free phone system is provided including a phone unit adapted for transmitting and receiving audio signals between a user and free space. An arm-mounted housing is provided for maintaining the phone unit on a user. A head set includes a resilient U-shaped head mount having an end with an earphone for transmitting signals and a microphone for receiving signals. The earphone and microphone are both coupled to a wire which in turn is coupled to the phone unit for communicating audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Dennis K. Lyons
  • Patent number: 6044153
    Abstract: A hand adaptive telephone (10) comprises a glove member (12) adapted to be worn on a person's hand (14) and carries a user interface mechanism including an earpiece transducer (18) and a microphone transducer (20). The earpiece transducer (18) is adapted to be coupled to a receiver (30) and is carried by the glove member (12) at a location on an inside (22) of the person's hand (14) when the glove member (12) is worn on person's hand (14) to permit the person's ear (26) to listen to acoustic signals (25) generated by the earpiece transducer (18) when the person's hand (14) is held against the person's head (16). The microphone transducer (20) is adapted to be coupled to a transmitter (32) and is carried by the glove member (12) at a location on the inside (22) of the person's hand (14) when the glove member (12) is worn on person's hand (14) to permit the person's mouth (28) to speak acoustic signals (23) into the microphone transducer (20) when the person's hand (14) is held against the person's head (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin D. Kaschke
  • Patent number: 6043626
    Abstract: A portable electronic device holder having a housing defining a cradle for holding an electronic device, a battery integrally connected with the housing for powering the electronic device in response to placement of the electronic device within the cradle of the housing, and a connection for interconnecting power circuitry of the electronic device with the battery. The housing further includes a charger for charging the battery incorporated therewithin. The holder may also include an attachment for attaching the housing to a user, such as, for example, a belt clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Snyder, Timothy Banyas
  • Patent number: 6041121
    Abstract: A secure, quick-release mount and method for easily accessing a telephone handset or other device which may be mounted in a difficult to access location such as within the close confines of an automobile compartment or on an elevated equipment shelf. The mount includes a pair of complementary slides for attachment to a telephone handset and a mounting bracket secured to a permanent location, and includes a latch and latching mechanism to assure that the handset remains securely stored and on hook when not in use, the latching mechanism being responsive to applied pressure to readily release the handset and to make it available when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Vinh Hew Diep, Najibullah Naikal
  • Patent number: 6035036
    Abstract: A cradle for use in a motor vehicle for gripping and releasing a portable cellular phone is shown. A motor moves clamping members toward and away from each other so that no manual adjustment is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: United Industrial Trading Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Eisenbraun, Tam Ming Kwong
  • Patent number: 6028930
    Abstract: A portable telephone holder assembly has a radio/recorder equipment and an electric module disposed in the radio/recorder equipment. The radio/recorder equipment has a front plate and at least an electric communication terminal socket. The electric module has a sound source select switch, a pre-amplifier, a power amplifier, a compact disk deck, a tape deck, a radio receiver, an antenna, a loudspeaker, a microphone, and the electric communication terminal socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: E. Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tonny Chen
  • Patent number: 6026162
    Abstract: An improved portable telephone and an improved inside rearview mirror assembly coacting with the portable telephone to provide an improved mobile telephone system. The portable telephone includes a housing of generally rectangular configuration defining a recess in one face of the housing, a microphone mounted in the housing, an arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the housing for movement between a stowed position in which it is positioned in the housing recess and an extended position in which the other end of the arm is positioned in spaced relation to the housing, and a speaker mounted on the other end of the arm. The rearview mirror assembly includes a bracket assembly mounted on top of the rearview mirror and including a holster defining a socket for receipt of the portable telephone. External contacts on the telephone coact with contacts in the socket to establish electrical communication between the telephone and the transceiver of the vehicle when the telephone is inserted into the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: Anthony P. Palett, Gil Spear
  • Patent number: 6009168
    Abstract: A holder (100) for a portable electronic device (600) comprises a mountable housing (102), a latching mechanism (104), and an electrical connector (101). The portable electronic device (600) has a bottom surface (608) defining a slot (800) and a front edge (610) including an electrical connector (624). The mountable housing (102) has a first end (151) and a second end (153). The latching mechanism (104) is movably disposed on the first end (151) and includes a biasing element exerting a force on the latching mechanism (104) in a direction towards the second end (153). The electrical connector (101) is positioned on the second end (153) and includes electrical contacts facing the first end (151). When the portable electronic device (600) is properly inserted within the holder (100), the latching mechanism (104) engages the slot (800) for securing the portable electronic device (600) within the holder (100) and for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between electrical connectors (101, 624).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Snyder, John Francis Hannon, Scott Michael Kouri
  • Patent number: 6002765
    Abstract: A cradle for a telephone is disclosed. The telephone cradle includes a latch bar and a spring mechanism and a latching mechanism. The latch bar pivots so as to capture a telephone when the telephone is inserted into the cradle, thereby securely holding the telephone in the cradle. A user then may release the telephone by pressing on the top surface of the latch bar. As the user presses on the latch bar a latching mechanism is released and the latch bar moves into the released position, thereby moving the telephone so that it is easily grasped by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation of Japan, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Frank
  • Patent number: 5995622
    Abstract: A holder for a telephone handset, in particular for use in cars, which is to provide a hands-free function comprises a stationary holder part and a pivotable holder part which can pivot relative to the former about a holder pivot axis between an open position, in which the pivotable holder part encloses an angle with the stationary holder part, and a closed position, in which the pivotable holder part lies substantially parallel to the stationary holder part. The pivotable holder part has a connector which cooperates with a mating connector of a cordless telephone handset so as to achieve an automatic electrical connection thereof when a cordless telephone handset is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Roussy, Bertrand Richez
  • Patent number: 5988577
    Abstract: An adjustable carrying assembly for a wireless communication device, such as a radiotelephone. The carrying assembly is comprised of a device support member having a first spring coupled thereto for receiving the communication device and a clip mechanism coupled thereto for mounting the carrier assembly on a user's belt or other article of clothing. The clip mechanism comprises a clip support member, a pin, a clip, a second spring and a cap. One end of clip support member includes an opening with a plurality of grooves arranged in a circular array. The device support member is rotatably attached to the clip support member of the clip mechanism such that when the user rotates the device support member with respect to the clip mechanism, first spring moves from one of the plurality of grooves to another of the plurality of grooves and locks into position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: William Charles Phillips, David William Trahan
  • Patent number: 5982884
    Abstract: A cordless telephone is accommodated in a casing having a base and a lid movable relative thereto, between which a storage space for the telephone is formed. The casing is provided with one or several attachments connected to the telephone such as a spare battery, a battery charging device, one or several connectors for electrically connecting the telephone, an answering machine, a modem, a computer, interface means for connection to an external computer, or an audio amplifier with a microphone and a loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Stephanie Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5982885
    Abstract: A portable telephone holder has a base seat, a cover covering the base seat, a left and a right lateral clamp devices disposed at two sides of the cover, a positioning seat disposed on a bottom of the cover, a first and a second coupling sliders disposed between the cover and the base seat, and a left upper, a left lower, a right upper and a right lower rubber sleeves disposed on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Wun-Shing Ho
  • Patent number: 5979724
    Abstract: A universal mounting apparatus to hold personal devices such as cellular telephones, walkie talkies, etc., by attaching onto a vehicle grill vent in the vehicle dashboard. This apparatus is not configured to any particular year or model of automobile or other vehicle, but is adaptable in several different ways so as to provide different attachment configurations. It is attachable without tools to most automobiles by use of two cable tie-like straps. One end of each strap hooks around a rib in the vent grill and the other end extends through a member which is held against a bracket, the feet of which bear against the dashboard immediately surrounding the vent grill. This allows the apparatus to conform to different sizes and shapes of vent grills while maintaining a firm connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Command Audio Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Loewenthal, Jr., Robert B. Brownell, Andrew L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5978684
    Abstract: A device for supporting multiple line configurations in a Fixed Wireless Loop (FWL) application includes a hand-held transceiver supporting wireless communications. The device also includes a cradle disposed on or in the building for receiving the hand-held transceiver and terminating a primary telecommunications line having at least one primary telephone connected thereto. The cradle further terminates a secondary telecommunications line, different from the primary telecommunications line, having at least one secondary telephone connected thereto. Still further, the cradle includes a spring-loaded switch integrally formed therein, wherein when the hand-held transceiver is in the cradle, the switch is biased to break contact between the primary telecommunications line and the secondary telecommunications line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: U S West, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Cook, James R. Corliss, Michael J. Fargano, Douglas A. Malmstrom
  • Patent number: 5974332
    Abstract: A built-in handfree and battery charging system for a vehicle having a speaker, a power source, an antenna and a phone, includes at least one handfree device having a first plate built-in in a body of the vehicle and a second plate being movable into and out of the body for charging the phone, and at least one microphone disposed inside the vehicle for use with the phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignees: Jee Won Industrial Co., Ltd., Byung Soo Park
    Inventor: In Hyun Chung
  • Patent number: 5961016
    Abstract: An apparatus attachable to a vehicle surface for gripping an article including a base member, side panels, at least one finger member, an adjustment member, and an attachment member. The base member includes a top surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. The side panels extend upwardly from each of the first and second side edges. The at least one finger member is slidably attached to at least one of the side panels. The finger member includes an extension region extending at least partially toward the opposing side panel so that the extension region together with the base member and the side panels define an inner region that facilitates retention of an article therein. The adjustment member adjusts the distance between the extension region of the finger member and the top surface base member, to in turn, accommodate articles of varying thicknesses. The attachment means facilitates attachment of the apparatus to a vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Jerome Hartmann, Thomas R. Steinhagen
  • Patent number: 5956399
    Abstract: A receptacle or cradle (11) for receiving a mobile telephone (22) or other electrical or electronic device is disclosed. The receptacle (11) comprises a base unit (12) and a carriage moveable (13) with respect to the base unit (12) for receiving the mobile telephone (22) or other device. The base unit (12) is provided with suitable electrical contact terminals (20) for connection with corresponding electrical contact terminals (21) of the mobile telephone (22). The carriage (13) is restrained from movement in a first receiving position to receive the mobile telephone (22) and the contact terminals (20) of the unit (12) are protected or shielded from damge by virtue of being excluded from making contact with the corresponding contact terminals (21) of the telephone (22) until a predetermined aligment of the telephone (22) relative to the unit (12) is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin James Whitley, Stuart Charles Bowman, Robert Stephen Matchett
  • Patent number: 5947359
    Abstract: A device for holding a portable telephone including a body element suitable for being attached to a desired position in a vehicle compartment, a holder element pivotally hinged to an end of the body element and having a longitudinal telephone holding surface on which a portable telephone is placed, a pair of holding elements attached to the holder element and urged to mutually spaced positions by a first spring exhibiting a first resilient force, so as to be moved toward a position pinching the portable telephone, and a pair of slidable members attached to the body element and urged toward a mutually approached position by a second spring exhibiting a second resilient force stronger than the first resilient force of the first spring, the pair of holding elements and the pair of slidable elements being engaged by engaging projections formed in the holding elements and having inclined side faces acting as an actuator to actuate either the movement of only the holding elements or both of the holding and slidable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Yoshie
  • Patent number: 5940503
    Abstract: An improved portable telephone and an improved inside rearview mirror assembly coacting with the portable telephone to provide an improved mobile telephone system. The portable telephone includes a housing of generally rectangular configuration defining a recess in one face of the housing, a microphone mounted in the housing, an arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the housing for movement between a stowed position in which it is positioned in the housing recess and an extended position in which the other end of the arm is positioned in spaced relation to the housing, and a speaker mounted on the other end of the arm. The rearview mirror assembly includes a bracket assembly mounted on top of the rearview mirror and including a holster defining a socket for receipt of the portable telephone. External contacts on the telephone coact with contacts in the socket to establish electrical communication between the telephone and the transceiver of the vehicle when the telephone is inserted into the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Anthony P. Palett, Gil Spear