APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HOLDING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
- a clamp configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle;
one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the neck of the center rear view mirror before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the neck of the center rear view mirror firmly;
a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and
a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method are disclosed for holding a portable electronic device such as a navigation system unit, a multimedia/music player, a cellular phone, and a satellite radio. In one embodiment of the invention, a clamp enables a firm and removable attachment of a novel portable electronic device holder to a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, a C-clamp with a turning screw is used instead. A vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp is typically extendable and retractable to allow a user to adjust the novel portable electronic device holder to a comfortable length. The design of the novel portable electronic device holder does not require a use of an air suction cup or adhesive materials for a base piece attachment to a vehicle'"'"'s dashboard which provides several advantages over conventional designs.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
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a clamp configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle; one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the neck of the center rear view mirror before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the neck of the center rear view mirror firmly; a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable electronic device holder comprising:
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a clamp configured to latch onto an appropriate location and/or an appropriate material, such as a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle; one or more grips on the clamp, wherein the one or more grips can be squeezed to create an opening to position the clamp on the appropriate location and/or the appropriate material before the opening is closed sufficiently to hold the clamp and the appropriate location and/or the appropriate material firmly; a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
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a C-clamp with a turning screw configured to latch onto a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle if the turning screw is sufficiently turned to tighten an opening of the C-clamp with an appropriate location and/or an appropriate material, such as a neck of a center rear view mirror in a vehicle; a vertical bar or a non-straight-line-shaped extension operatively attached to the C-clamp, wherein the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension may optionally comprise one or more segments and may optionally be extendable or retractable; and a device latch operatively attached to the vertical bar or the non-straight-line-shaped extension, wherein the device latch is configured to dock the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification