Finger grip mounting apparatus

• US 10,330,251 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2016
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duckworth, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US15/361,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20180146562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 248313, 2483161, 24828831, 2482301, 24823161, 2482305, 2483168, 2483165
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/10 using pivoting jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0642 the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• 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: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A flexible portable device holding and cradling apparatus that overcomes limitations of the prior art by providing a flexible portable device mounting apparatus provided by a frame that is structured for being coupled to an external mounting device, the frame having a mounting surface and a plurality of first and second passages provided adjacent to each of opposing side edges thereof; a plurality of substantially resiliently flexible clamps each having a leg portion, a finger portion extended from the leg portion, and a substantially resiliently flexible urging portion coupled between the leg portion and the finger portion; and coupling means operating between different ones of the first and second passages of the frame and the leg portion of each of different ones of the clamps for coupling the leg portion relative to the mounting surface.

Claims

1. A flexible portable device mount apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a frame structured for being coupled to an external mounting device, the frame comprising;

a mounting surface comprising at least one set of first and second passages;

a plurality of substantially resiliently flexible clamps, each comprising a leg portion, a substantially resiliently flexible, U-shaped urging portion, and a finger portion,

wherein said urging portion is positioned between said leg portion and said finger portion,

wherein said leg portion defines a first plane and said finger portion defines a second plane,

wherein said finger portion is inclined toward said first plane such that said first and second planes define an interior angle and a reflex angle, and

wherein said U-shaped urging portion is positioned in said reflex angle; and

a fastener for coupling each said leg portion relative to the mounting surface through one of said first and second passages.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interior angle is acute.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said U-shaped urging portion opens toward said finger portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said U-shaped urging portion is substantially positioned on the side of said first plane that is opposite of said finger portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said U-shaped urging portion opens toward said leg portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said U-shaped urging portion is substantially positioned on the side of said second plane that is opposite of said leg portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said U-shaped urging portion comprises two long arm sections connected through an elbow portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said two long arm sections are substantially parallel.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said finger portion is substantially linear.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said leg portion is substantially linear.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein both said finger portion and said leg portion are substantially linear.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of first and second passages.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more of the first and second passages further comprises a slot formed through the frame substantially crosswise of the mounting surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein one or more of the first and second passages further comprises a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of one of the clamps.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one end stop, wherein said end stop comprises a leg portion and a foot portion;

and a fastener for coupling the leg portion of said end stop relative to the mounting surface through a passage on said mounting surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said passage for said end stop further comprises a slot formed through the frame substantially lengthwise of the mounting surface, and a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of said end stop.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of end stops, wherein each said end stop comprises a leg portion and a foot portion;

and a plurality fasteners for coupling the leg portion of each said end stop relative to the mounting surface through passages on the mounting surface for said end stops.

18. A flexible portable device mount apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a frame structured for being coupled to an external mounting device, the frame comprising;

a mounting surface; and

a plurality of substantially resiliently flexible clamps, each comprising a leg portion, a substantially resiliently flexible, U-shaped urging portion, and a finger portion,

wherein said urging portion is positioned between said leg portion and said finger portion,

wherein said leg portion defines a first plane and said finger portion defines a second plane,

wherein said finger portion is inclined toward said first plane such that said first and second planes define an interior angle and a reflex angle, and

wherein said U-shaped urging portion is positioned in said reflex angle.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said interior angle is acute.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said U-shaped urging portion opens toward said finger portion.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said U-shaped urging portion is substantially positioned on the side of said first plane that is opposite of said finger portion.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said U-shaped urging portion opens toward said leg portion.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said U-shaped urging portion is substantially positioned on the side of said second plane that is opposite of said leg portion.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said U-shaped urging portion comprises two long arm sections connected through an elbow portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said two long arm sections are substantially parallel.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said finger portion is substantially linear.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said leg portion is substantially linear.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein both said finger portion and said leg portion are substantially linear.

29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said mounting surface comprises at least one passage and at least one fastener for coupling the leg portion of a clamp relative to the mounting surface through said passage.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said passage further comprises a slot formed through the frame substantially crosswise of the mounting surface.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said passage further comprises a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of one of the clamps.

32. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said mounting surface comprises a plurality of passages, and a plurality of fasteners, each fastener for coupling a leg portion of one of the clamps relative to the mounting surface through one of said passages.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein each said passage further comprises a slot formed through the frame substantially crosswise of the mounting surface.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein each said passage further comprises a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of one of the clamps.

35. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising at least one end stop, wherein said end stop comprises a leg portion and a foot portion;

and a fastener for coupling the leg portion of said end stop relative to the mounting surface through a passage on said mounting surface.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said passage for said end stop further comprises a slot formed through the frame substantially lengthwise of the mounting surface, and a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of said end stop.