Electronic device support for vehicles

• US 10,427,619 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smarttray International, LLC
• Original Assignee: Smarttray International, LLC
• Inventors: Pajic, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US15/791,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20180043841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 108 43, 108 44, 108 45, 108 42, 108152, 108 1, 108 8, 108 9, 108 5001, 108 25, 108 26, 297146, 297163, 297170, 297173, 29718804
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/00 Bed-tables; Trays; Reading-racks; Book-rests, i.e. items used in combination with something else
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0605 including tables or desks
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A support comprising a holding assembly for holding portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort. The holding assembly comprises a rotatable front wall and a rotatable back wall that receive one or more portable electronic devices therebetween. The front wall is typically biased to help secure a portable electronic device by applying pressure to the portable electronic device. A slide may be connected to the front wall to aid in rotating the front wall when inserting or removing a portable electronic device. Induction charging may be provided as well.

Claims

1. A support for holding a portable electronic device in a vehicle comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

a first wall rotatably mounted to the body proximate the second end of the body by one or more rotatable mounts;

a second wall adjacent the first wall and rotatably mounted to the body by one or more second rotatable mounts; and

an induction charger;

wherein the first wall and the second wall are independently rotatable.

2. The support of claim 1 further comprising a slide attached to the second wall.

3. The support of claim 1 further comprising a biasing device attached to the second wall.

4. A support for holding a portable electronic device in a vehicle comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

a first wall rotatably mounted to the body proximate the second end of the body by one or more rotatable mounts; and

a second wall adjacent the first wall and rotatably mounted to the body by one or more second rotatable mounts;

wherein the first wall and the second wall are independently rotatable.

5. The support of claim 4 further comprising an induction charger.

6. The support of claim 4 further comprising a slide attached to the second wall.

7. The support of claim 4 further comprising a biasing device attached to the second wall.

8. A method for supporting a portable electronic device in a vehicle comprising:

providing a holding assembly comprising a rotating back wall and a rotating front wall; and

receiving the portable electronic device between the rotating front wall and the rotating back wall, wherein the rotating front wall is biased via one or more biasing devices to apply a pressure to the portable electronic device;

wherein the first wall and the second wall are independently rotatable.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing power via an induction charger at the holding assembly.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising rotating the front wall via a slide attached to the front wall.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising moving the holding assembly to a closed state by rotating the back wall to a closed position, wherein rotation of the back wall to the closed position also rotates the front wall to a closed position.