Mobile computing device holder

• US 10,281,083 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2017
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Bacallao, Yurgis Mauro, Caution, Stephen Tyler
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaker, Nidhi
• Application Number:
  US15/602,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20170347780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

A mobile computing device holder that mounts to a wall is described. The mobile computing device holder holds a mobile computing device base, such as a docking station or charger. The mobile computing device base cradles a mobile computing device such as a smart phone or scanning device. The mobile computing device holder includes a wall mount fixture that mounts to the wall and holds the mobile computing device base. A coupling apparatus is coupled to the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device can be tethered to the wall mount fixture. The tether device tethers the mobile computing device and coupling apparatus to the wall mount fixture so the mobile computing device can be used, but cannot be moved more than the length of the tethering device from the wall mount fixture. The mobile computing device is docked in the base when not in use.

Claims

1. A combination mobile computing device holder and mobile computing device, the combination comprising:

a wall mount fixture comprising;

a wall bracket, wherein the wall bracket is coupled to a wall; and

a base bracket, wherein the base bracket is coupled to the wall bracket;

a coupling apparatus, wherein the coupling apparatus is coupled to the mobile computing device,

and wherein the coupling apparatus comprises;

a loop plate, wherein the loop plate comprises a hole through the loop plate; and

a coupler plate perpendicularly coupled to the loop plate, wherein the coupler plate couples to the mobile computing device;

wherein the loop plate extends from the mobile computing device through a seam between a housing and a battery compartment lid of the mobile computing device in response to the coupler plate being coupled to the mobile computing device; and

a tether device coupled to both the wall mount fixture and the coupling apparatus, wherein the tether device couples the coupling apparatus to the wall mount fixture.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base bracket is removeably coupled to the wall bracket.

3. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a mobile computing device base coupled to the base bracket, wherein the mobile computing device is cradled by the mobile computing device base.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the wall bracket comprises:

a spine portion, wherein the spine portion mounts flush to the wall;

a bracket support arm, wherein the bracket support arm supports the base bracket; and

a locking device, wherein the locking device locks the base bracket to the wall bracket.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the mobile computing device base is a mobile computing device charger.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tether device comprises a retractable cord.

7. A wall mount fixture for holding a mobile computing device base, the wall mount fixture comprising:

a wall bracket having a wall bracket longitudinal axis, wherein the wall bracket is configured to be coupled to a wall, and a base bracket having a base bracket longitudinal axis, wherein the base bracket is removeably coupled to the wall bracket, and wherein the wall bracket longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the base bracket longitudinal axis, and wherein the base bracket is configured to hold the mobile computing device base, wherein the wall bracket comprises;

a spine portion configured to mount flush to the wall;

a locking device, wherein the locking device is removeably coupled to the spine portion, and wherein the locking device locks the base bracket to the spine portion, and a bracket support arm extending from the spine portion, wherein the bracket support arm supports the base bracket, wherein the base bracket comprises;

a proximal frame portion, wherein the proximal frame portion is rectangular shaped; and

a distal frame portion coupled to the proximal frame portion, wherein the distal frame portion is rectangular shaped;

wherein the proximal frame portion and the distal frame portion share a common side rail;

wherein the bracket support arm supports the common side rail;

wherein the locking device comprises;

a rigid backbone; and

a first and a second pin extending perpendicularly from the rigid backbone; and

wherein the first and the second pin extend through the proximal frame portion in response to coupling the locking device to the spine portion.