Apparatus for Mounting an Audio Player

• US 20130201609A1
• Filed: 03/06/2012
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zane Carter
• Original Assignee: Zane Carter
• Inventors: Carter, Zane
• Granted Patent: US 8,611,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0508 Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

Disclosed is a mounting dock with an integral jack for digital audio players, preferably that incorporate a built-in clip, including, but not limited to the iPod Shuffle® and iPod Nano® manufactured by Apple, Inc. The dock includes a tapered and beveled mounting stem that inserts into the audio player'"'"'s clip and a jack that inserts into and provides electrical connection with the audio player'"'"'s audio port. The stem and jack are positioned and aligned so as to enable simultaneous mounting and electrical connection with the audio player, thereby effecting connection with a desired output device, such as earphones, with one hand in a single motion.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mounting an audio player having an attached clip and a data port comprising:

a base;

a stem extending from said base and configured to be received in the clip; and

a data jack extending from said base configured to be received in the data port;

wherein said stem and said data jack are mutually exclusive.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base, said stem and said data jack are configured so that, when the audio player is disposed on said base, said base positions the audio player relative to said stem and/or said data jack for engagement therewith.

3. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base is beveled.

4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stem is tapered and/or beveled sufficiently to open the clip when urged therein.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base and said stem are configured to urge reception of an object therebetween.

7. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stem and said data jack are aligned so as to promote engagement with the audio player along a direction.

8. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a data port on said base configured to enable communication with said data jack.

9. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical or auditory output operably connected with said data jack.

10. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or both of said stem and said data jack are configured to engage with the audio player, defining an engagement selected from:

contact, interference fit, snap fit and combinations thereof.

11. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for mounting said base to a surface.

12. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is mounted on or integral with a hat or an automobile.

6. (canceled)

13. Apparatus for mounting an audio player having an attached clip and a data port comprising:

a stem configured to be received in the clip along a direction; and

a coupler fixed relative to said stem and configured to engage the data port;

wherein said stem and said coupler are mutually exclusive.

14. Apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for effecting data communication with the audio player.

15. Apparatus of claim 13, wherein said coupler is configured to effect data communication with the audio player.

16. Apparatus of claim 13, wherein said coupler is configured to promote reception by the audio player.

18. Apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an electrical or auditory output operably connected with said coupler.

19. Apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for mounting said apparatus to a surface.

20. Apparatus of claim 13, wherein said apparatus is mounted on or integral with a hat or an automobile.

17. (canceled)

21. (canceled)