Holder for Electronic Device with Support

• US 20110031287A1
• Filed: 04/12/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zero Chroma, LLC
• Original Assignee: Zero Chroma, LLC
• Inventors: Le Gette, Brian E., Reeb, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/101
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/00 Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters without heads F16M13/00; easels or stands for blackboards or the like A47B97/04; show-stands A47F7/00; for workmen E04G1/32; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; supporting or suspending for lighting devices F21V21/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• 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 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06

Abstract

A protective holder for the iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch™, electronic books, electronic tablet computers and other portable devices having a frontal LCD, OLED, touch screen, or other display that employs a form-fitting backplate with corner frames for cradling the device while leaving the entire frontal aspect unobstructed is disclosed. The holder may include a series of contoured side grippers on each side of the backplate for clamping the device in place without obstructing the LCD screen (or access to it for cleaning or otherwise). The holder may include a fully-adjustable kickstand for upright hands-free viewing of the device at several landscape and portrait angles and the holder may also include a built-in moveable directional sound reflector and noise shield improves audio performance, and a detachable belt clip allows belt wearing. The holder has an extreme slimline folded profile to facilitate pocket insertion, minimize bulk and create an eye-catching aesthetic.

Claims

1. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body; and

a support movably coupled to the body, the support being movable between a retracted position and at least two extended positions relative to the body, the support being engageable with a support surface when the support is in one of its extended positions, a force applied to the support by the support surface being directed so as to cause the support to move from one of its extended positions toward its retracted position throughout the majority of its extension, the support being disposable in a first orientation relative to the body and in a second orientation relative to the body, the body and the portable device being oriented differently relative to the support surface based on the orientation of the support.

2. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body and the support are in a portrait orientation when the support is in its first orientation and in a landscape orientation when the support is in its second orientation.

3. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is disposable within the body when the support is in its retracted position.

4. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first orientation and the second orientation of the support are 90 degrees apart.

5. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first orientation and the second orientation of the support are more than 90 degrees apart.

6. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first position lock corresponding to the first orientation and a second position lock corresponding to the second orientation and being spaced apart from the first position lock, and the support includes a locating member, the locating member being engageable with either of the first position lock or the second position lock so that the support is temporarily maintained in a desired orientation.

7. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first end, an opposite second end, a first side edge, and an opposite second side edge, the body includes an opening formed therein, and the support is movably mounted in the opening, the support having an outer perimeter that is not equidistant from the first and second ends of the body.

8. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is disposable in at least two extended positions while the support is in its first orientation, and the support is disposable in at least two extended positions while the support is in its second orientation.

9. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body can be angled relative to the support surface through at least 70 degrees of movement while remaining in either its first orientation or its second orientation.

10. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is disposable in a third orientation relative to the body, the third orientation of the support being approximately 180 degrees from the first orientation of the support, and the third orientation of the support being approximately 90 degrees from the second orientation of the support.

11. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first edge and a second edge, the body being supported on the support surface by engagement with the support surface by the support and one of the first edge or the second edge, the support in its first orientation supports the body at a first angle relative to the support surface when the support and the first edge engage the support surface, and the support in its first orientation supports the body at a second angle relative to the support surface when the support and the second edge engage the support surface, the first angle being different than the second angle.

12. The support mechanism of claim 11, wherein the support includes an arm having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface contacting the support surface when the support is supported at the first angle, and the outer surface contacting the support surface when the support is supported at the second angle.

13. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body and the portable device are right-side-up when the support is in its first orientation, and the body and the portable device are upside down when the support is in its second orientation.

14. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is removably coupled to the body such that the support can be decoupled from the body when the support is in its first orientation and then coupled to the body to place the support is in its second orientation.

15. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body has an opening formed therein, and the support includes a substantially circular base, the base being rotatably mounted in the opening in the body.

16. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body includes a body portion and a cover movably coupled to the body portion, the cover being placeable in a covering position relative to the body and in a supporting position relative to the body, the support being coupled to the cover.

17. The support mechanism of claim 16, wherein the cover is located in front of the body and a portable device coupled to the body when the cover is in its covering position, and the cover is located in back of the body when the cover is in its supporting position.

18. The support mechanism of claim 16, wherein the support is extendable from the cover when the cover is in its supporting position.

19. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body includes a receptacle that can receive the support.

20. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is removably attachable to the body.

21. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support is fixedly attachable to the body.

22. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the body includes one of a fabric portion or a resilient portion.

23. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein each angle of the support relative to the body is substantially equivalent to the angle of the portable device relative to the support surface at the angle of the support relative to the body.

24. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the number of degrees of the angle between the portable device and the support surface can be any number from 0 to 90 without the number of degrees of the angle between the support and the body changing more than 135 degrees.

25. The support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end is pivotally coupled to the body and the second end being a free end, the free end engaging the support surface.

26. The support mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a band configured to be worn by a person, the band including a receiving member coupled thereto, the receiving member having a receptacle that can receive the support when the support is in an extended position.

27. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body; and

a support movably coupled to the body, the support being movable between a retracted position and a fully extended position, the support including a base, a coupling member, and an arm, the coupling member being coupled to the base at a first joint and to the arm at a second joint, the arm being coupled to the base at a third joint, the arm has an engagement surface that engages the support surface when the arm is in an extended position, the support surface applying a force to the engagement surface when the arm contacts the support surface, the location of the applied force being at a distance greater than the distance between the second joint and the base through the entire range of movement of the arm between the retracted position and the fully extended position.

28. The support mechanism of claim 27, wherein the second joint is closer to the third joint than to the engagement surface of the arm.

29. The support mechanism of claim 27, wherein the support is rotatably mounted to the body.

30. The support mechanism of claim 27, wherein the body has an outer surface and the support has an outer surface, the outer surface of the support being substantially continuous with the outer surface of the body when the support is in its retracted position.

31. The support mechanism of claim 27, wherein the arm has a free end that extends beyond the second joint, and the engagement surface is located on the free end.

32. The support mechanism of claim 27, wherein the force applied to the engagement surface creates a torque about the third joint at a location on the arm, the distance between the location and the third joint being greater than the distance between the third joint and the second joint.

33. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body; and

a support rotatably coupled to the body such that the orientation of the support relative to the body can change to support the body and the portable device in different orientations relative to a support surface, the support being movable between a retracted position and at least two extended positions relative to the body, the support being engageable with the support surface when the support is in any of its extended positions and any of its orientations.

34. The support mechanism of claim 33, wherein a force applied to the support by the support surface is directed so as to cause the support to move from an extended position in which the support is placed toward its retracted position.

35. The support mechanism of claim 33, wherein the support includes a base, a coupler slidably coupled to the base, and an arm pivotally coupled to the base and to the coupler, the arm being engageable with the support surface.

36. The support mechanism of claim 34, wherein the arm includes an engagement surface that engages the support surface, the arm is coupled to the base at a first location and coupled to the coupler at a second location, and the second location is between the engagement surface and the first location.

37. The support mechanism of claim 33, wherein the distance between the second location and the first location is substantially less than the distance between the engagement surface and the first location.

38. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body; and

a support movably coupled to the body, the support being movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body, the support is substantially disposed within the body when the support is in its retracted position, the support being engageable with a support surface when the support is in its extended position, the support being disposable in a first orientation relative to the body and in a second orientation relative to the body, the body and the portable device being oriented differently relative to the support surface based on the orientation of the support.

39. The support mechanism of claim 38, wherein the body and the support are in a portrait orientation when the support is in its first orientation and in a landscape orientation when the support is in its second orientation.

40. The support mechanism of claim 38, wherein the extended position is a first extended position, and the support is disposable in a second extended position different from the first extended position, the angle between the body and the support surface being different when the support is in its first extended position than when the support is in its second extended position.

41. The support mechanism of claim 38, wherein the first orientation and the second orientation of the support are more than 90 degrees apart.

42. The support mechanism of claim 38, wherein the support in its first orientation supports the body at a first angle relative to the support surface when the support and the first edge engage the support surface, and the support in its first orientation supports the body at a second angle relative to the support surface when the support and the second edge engage the support surface, the first angle being different than the second angle.

43. The support mechanism of claim 38, wherein the support in its first orientation supports the body at a first angle relative to the support surface when the support and the first edge engage the support surface, and the support in its first orientation supports the body at a second angle relative to the support surface when the support and the second edge engage the support surface, the first angle being the same as the second angle.

44. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body, the body being placeable on a support surface in a first body orientation and in a second body orientation, the body in its second body orientation being inverted as compared to the body in its first body orientation relative to the support surface; and

a support movably coupled to the body, the support being movable between a retracted position and at least two extended positions relative to the body, the support being engageable with a support surface when the support is in one of its extended positions, the support being disposable in a first support orientation relative to the body and in a second support orientation relative to the body, the body and the portable device being oriented differently relative to the support surface based on whether the support is in its first support orientation or its second support orientation, the support remaining in its particular extended position and its particular support orientation when the body is moved between its first body orientation and its second body orientation.

45. The support mechanism of claim 44, wherein the first support orientation and the second support orientation of the support are 90 degrees apart.

46. The support mechanism of claim 44, wherein the support is disposable in a third support orientation and a fourth support orientation, and each of the first support orientation, the second support orientation, the third support orientation, and the fourth support orientation is 90 degrees apart from one of the other support orientations.

47. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body, the body including a cord management mechanism coupled thereto, the cord management mechanism being configured to have a cord connected to the portable device wrapped therearound; and

a support movably coupled to the body, the support being movable between a retracted position and at least two extended positions relative to the body, the support being engageable with a support surface when the support is in one of its extended positions.

48. The support mechanism of claim 47, wherein the cord management mechanism is movably coupled to the body, the cord management mechanism being placeable in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to the body.

49. The support mechanism of claim 48, wherein the cord management mechanism includes an extendable member that is slidable between the retracted position and the extended position.

50. The support mechanism of claim 48, wherein the cord management mechanism includes an extendable member that is pivotable between the retracted position and the extended position.

51. The support mechanism of claim 48, wherein the body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the cord management mechanism includes a first extendable member coupled to the first end and a second extendable member coupled to the second end.

52. The support mechanism of claim 48, wherein the support includes an engagement arm that is configured to engage the support surface, and the cord management mechanism includes an extendable member that is movably coupled to the engagement arm.

53. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body, the body including a support movably coupled to the body; and

the support being movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body, the support being engageable with a support surface when the support is in its extended position, wherein the support is substantially disposable within the body when the support is in its retracted position, and the support is configured to have a cord wrapped therearound.

54. The support mechanism of claim 53, wherein the support is coupleable to a support structure that is attached to a user.

55. A support mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body, the body including a support movably coupled to the body; and

the support being movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body, the support being engageable with a support surface when the support is in its extended position, wherein the support is substantially disposable within the body when the support is in its retracted position, the support is coupleable to a support structure that is attachable to a user.

56. The support mechanism of claim 55, wherein the support also functions as a cord management mechanism, the support being configured to have a cord wrapped therearound, the support being placeable in at least two extended positions relative to the body.

57. A cord management mechanism for a portable device, comprising:

a body including;

a coupling portion configured to couple a portable device to the body; and

a cord management mechanism movably coupled to the body, the cord management mechanism having at least one extendable member movably coupled to the body, the extendable member being movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the body, the cord management mechanism being configured to have a cord wrapped therearound.