APPARATUS FOR SECURING A DEVICE IN A VIEWABLE LOCATION

• US 20130026309A1
• Filed: 10/08/2012
• Published: 01/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paul Freudenberg, Roger Ball
• Original Assignee: Paul Freudenberg, Roger Ball
• Inventors: Ball, Roger, Freudenberg, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/646,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20130026309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/122.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a device, such as a portable video player, in a viewable location. This and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing such an apparatus comprising a mast of selectable length, which has a clamp secured to an upper end of the mast in a selectable orientation. A pair of generally opposing jaws are carried by the clamp to engage at least two edges of the device, the jaws being coupled together for extension and retraction. A plurality of legs extend downwardly from a lower end of the mast, the legs being coupled to the mast for selective movement between a folded position and a deployed position. A flexible joint couples the clamp and mast to permit selective orientation of the clamp and device relative to the mast.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a device in a viewable location, the apparatus comprising:

a mast of selectable length;

a clamp secured to an upper end of the mast in a selectable orientation;

a pair of generally opposing jaws carried by the clamp to engage at least two edges of the device, the jaws being coupled together for extension and retraction;

a plurality of legs extending downwardly from a lower end of the mast, the leg coupled to the mast for selective movement between a folded position and a deployed position; and

a flexible joint between the clamp and mast to permit selective orientation of the clamp and device relative to the mast.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the legs further comprise:

three legs secured to the mast at their upper ends to form a collapsible tripod; and

a locking ring slidably received over the mast and configured to releasably lock the legs in a deployed position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jaws are coupled together by a rack and pinion arrangement, wherein movement of one jaw causes an equal and opposing movement by the other jaw.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mast further comprises:

a generally cylindrical upper mast section telescopically and slidingly received within a tubular lower mast section; and

a lock ring carried between the upper and lower mast sections for selectively securing the upper and lower sections against relative movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a portrait keyhole formed in the clamp, the portrait keyhole cooperating with the flexible joint to maintain the clamp in a portrait orientation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a landscape keyhole formed in the clamp, the landscape keyhole cooperating with the flexible joint to maintain the clamp in a landscape orientation.