MOUTING APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20160318455A1
• Filed: 05/23/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ping Zhang
• Original Assignee: Ping Zhang
• Inventors: LAN, Changwen, Zhang, Ping
• Granted Patent: US 9,821,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0008 Ventilation grilles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/007 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/006 the suction cups being activated by the rotation of a cranked lever arm
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• 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 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2007 comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/021 for rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

Described herein is a mounting apparatus, comprising a magnetic component, and a mount; wherein the magnetic component comprises one or more permanent magnet; wherein the mounting apparatus is configured to attach to a surface through a magnetic interaction between the magnetic component and a material that is ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic in the surface; wherein the mount comprises a plurality of clips which are configured to be mounted on an air vent in a vehicle. The mounting apparatus provides mounting of any appropriately sized electronic device in a vehicle, to allow convenient viewing and access to the device. The presently disclosed mounting apparatus also realizes a continuous rotation and continuous movement of the portable electronic device while it is held by the mounting apparatus, therefore facilitating user control of the device.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus, comprising

a magnetic component, and a mount;

wherein the magnetic component comprises one or more permanent magnet;

wherein the mounting apparatus is configured to attach to a surface through a magnetic interaction between the magnetic component and a material that is ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic in the surface;

wherein the mount comprises a plurality of clips which are configured to be mounted on an air vent in a vehicle.

2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clips are arranged to be perpendicular to the magnetic component.

3. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clips are configured to be rotatable relative to the magnetic component while the plurality of clips maintain perpendicular to the magnetic component.

4. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of clips are configured to be rotatable relative to the magnetic component so that an angle between the plurality of clips and the magnetic component is adjustable.

5. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein

each of the plurality of clips has a first end close to the magnetic component and a second end further away from the magnetic component, and a cross sectional area of the second end is smaller than a cross sectional area of the first end.

6. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of clips are made of elastic material such that each second end of the plurality of clips are bendable relative to each other.

7. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clips are four clips comprising a first pair of two clips and a second pair of two clips;

wherein a first inner distance between the two clips in the first pair and a second inner distance between the two clips in the second pair are the same.

8. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein a inter distance between the first pair and the second pair is greater than the first inner distance.

9. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the four clips are arranged to be spaced apart along a circle.

10. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the four clips has a first end close to the magnetic component and a second end further away from the magnetic component, and a cross sectional area of the second end is smaller than a cross sectional area of the first end.

11. The mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cross section of each of the first end has a quadrant shape.

12. The mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein each second end of the four clips are bendable relative to each other.

13. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the four clips is identical to each other.

14. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clips comprises a first part and a second part;

wherein the first part comprises a top plate that joins four inner clips at four side of the top plate;

wherein each inner clip extends from the top plate at an angle close to the top plate.

15. The mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the angle is in a range from 45 degree to 90 degree.

16. The mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second part is configured to form a case for the first part and the second part comprises pockets, a recess, and contacting surfaces;

wherein each pocket is configured to enclose an inner clip of the four inner clips, and the recess comprises a flat surface that is configured to form a support to the top plate in the first part and a vertical sidewall for enclosing the top plate;

wherein the contacting surfaces at each center-facing exterior side of the pockets is configured to form contact with a mounting surface on a car vent.

17. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, comprising a ball joint knob that comprises a stud and a socket;

wherein the ball joint knob is configured for allowing free movement of the plurality of clips in two planes at the same time.

18. The mounting apparatus of claim 17, wherein the stud comprise a the ball part of stud that fits into the socket;

wherein the socket is removably connected to a head of the mounting apparatus through a screwing thread;

wherein an extension on the stud connects to the plurality of clips.