Accessory support apparatus for hand held device

• US 6,508,451 B1
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael P. Marshall, Paul R. Blythe
• Original Assignee: Michael P. Marshall, Paul R. Blythe
• Inventors: Blythe, Paul R., Marshall, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHULTERBRANDT, KOFI A
• Application Number:
  US09/922,260
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 248/688, 248/351, 248/469, 248/224.51, 248/223.41, 248/225.11, 403/331
• US Class Current: 248/688
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 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

Abstract

An accessory support apparatus for a hand held electronic device to provide hands free use and stability thereof includes a connector bar and a support member that are attachable by integrally formed coupling members. In a first preferred embodiment the support member is in the form of a support stand that is attachable to the connector bar and includes a leg and a bracket portion and a hinge portion located therebetween to provide for relative movement of the leg with respect to the bracket portion. In a second preferred embodiment, the support member is in the form of a bracket bar that is attachable to a desired surface so that when the connector bar is coupled thereto, the hand held electronic device is maintained in a fixed position on the wall.

Claims

1. An accessory support apparatus for a hand held electronic device to provide hands free use and stability thereof, said support apparatus comprising:

(a) an elongated universal connector bar that includes;

(1) a first generally flat side with means to affix said universal connector bar to said hand held device;

(2) a second generally flat side opposite said first flat side;

(3) an integrally formed and raised first coupling means on said second side; and

(b) a support member that serves to hold said hand held device in a desired position and has an integrally formed and raised second coupling means that mates with said first coupling means to provide a connection between said connector bar and said support member and comprises a wedge-shaped rail member with a blunt end and a curved end.

2. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said first coupling means includes at least one pair of parallel “

L”

shaped tabs that form a track.

3. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first coupling means is formed of more than one pair of parallel tabs aligned along the longitudinal axis of said connector bar each pair comprising a first and second end.

4. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first coupling means includes at said first end of one pair of parallel tabs a limit of movement means.

5. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member is a bracket bar that can be semi-permanently affixed to a surface as desired by a user.

6. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bracket bar includes:

(a) a first generally flat side with means to affix said first flat side to said desired surface;

(b) a second generally flat side opposite said first side including said second coupling means.

7. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

(a) said first coupling means is formed of a pair of parallel “

L”

shaped tabs that form a track and a limit of movement means.

8. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first coupling means is formed of more than one pair of parallel tabs aligned along the longitudinal axis of said connector bar wherein only one of such pairs of tabs includes a limit of movement means.

9. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first coupling means and said second coupling means are slidably engageable with one another.

10. An accessory support apparatus for a hand held electronic device to provide hands free use and stability thereof, said support apparatus comprising:

(a) an elongated universal connector bar that includes;

(1) a first generally flat side with means to affix said universal connector bar to said hand held device;

(2) a second generally flat side opposite said first flat side;

(3) an integrally formed and raised first coupling means on said second side including at least one pair of parallel “

L”

shaped tabs that form a track each said pair aligned along the longitudinal axis of said connector bar and comprising a first and second end; and

(4) said first coupling means further comprising a limit of movement means at said first end of one pair of parallel tabs;

(b) a support member comprising a support stand that is utilized as a strut to hold up one end of said hand held device.

11. An accessory support apparatus for a hand held electronic device to provide hands free use and stability thereof, said support apparatus comprising:

(a) an elongated universal connector bar that includes;

(1) a first generally flat side with means to affix said universal connector bar to said hand held device;

(2) a second generally flat side opposite said first flat side;

(3) an integrally formed and raised first coupling means on said second side including at least one pair of parallel “

L”

shaped tabs that form a track each said pair aligned along the longitudinal axis of said connector bar and comprising a first and second end; and

(4) said first coupling means further comprising a limit of movement means at said first end of one pair of parallel tabs;

(b) a support stand comprising;

(1) a leg portion;

(2) a bracket portion on which is integrally formed said second coupling means; and

(3) a hinge portion located between said leg portion and said bracket portion.

12. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support stand further comprises a lock tab associated with said hinge portion for locking said leg portion in place.

13. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said support stand and said locking tab are made of polypropylene such that when said hinge is opened said locking tab stays in place relative to said leg thereby providing stability to said leg.

14. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said leg portion of said support stand further comprises at least two feet each with a bottom edge which is tapered to prevent slippage.