Magnetic holder for cell phones and the like

• US 6,888,940 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RED Apple, LLC
• Original Assignee: Daniel Deppen
• Inventors: Deppen, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jack
• Application Number:
  US09/547,961
• Time in Patent Office: 1,847 Days
• Field of Search: 379/446, 379/454, 379/455, 248/206.5, 248/309.4
• US Class Current: 379/446
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0008 Ventilation grilles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0021 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0054 using cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/007 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A magnetic holder for cell phones includes a cup formed of a ferromagnetic material or the like within which a magnet is supported. The rear surface of the cup includes a double-sided adhesive pad to provide attachment of the cup to a vehicle dashboard surface or the like. The cup concentrates the force of the magnet along the frontal edges thereof. A friction ring encircles the frontal edges of the cup to provide enhanced retention of a cell phone secured to the cup by magnetic attraction between the internal magnet and the cell phone battery or other metallic portion thereof. Alternate embodiments are shown which provide different shapes of cup and magnet and which provide differing attachments such as suction cups or belt clips for retaining the magnetic holder. In a further alternate embodiment, the packaging provided for the cup holder is constructed to facilitate the multiple display of the a plurality of cup holders and packages in typical point of sale environment.

Claims

1. A magnetic cell phone holder constructed for use in combination with a cell phone, said magnetic cell phone holder comprising:

a cup formed of a metal material and having a rear surface, an interior cavity and an open edge facing said cell phone;

a magnet having one side facing said cell phone received within said interior cavity producing magnetic flux;

a non-magnetic friction element received upon said open edge and supported by said cup; and

attachment means joined to said cup for securing said cup upon a selected surface,

said magnet, said cup and said friction element cooperating to hold a cell phone by a combination of magnetic attraction and friction,

said cup enclosing said magnet on all sides except said one side facing said cell phone operative to concentrate said magnetic flux about said open edge.

2. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 1 wherein said friction element includes a ring formed of a high friction material and defining an aperture therein.

3. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 2 wherein said attachment means includes an adhesive pad secured to said rear surface of said cup.

4. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 3 wherein said friction means includes a cap formed of a resilient material enclosing said edge of said cup.

5. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 4 wherein said cap defines an aperture.

6. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 5 wherein said cup, said magnet and said cap define generally circular shapes.

7. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 5 wherein said cup, said magnet and said cap define generally rectangular shapes.

8. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes a suction cup having a base attached to said rear surface of said cup.

9. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes a spring clip attached to said rear surface of said cup.

10. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes:

a door bracket having a recess formed therein for receiving said cup, said adhesive pad, said magnet and at least a portion of said friction element;

a plate extending horizontally from said bracket; and

a downwardly extending tab,

said plate and said tab cooperating to secure said door bracket to a vehicle door.

11. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 1 in combination with a package, said package including:

a generally planar member having a hanging aperture and blister aperture;

a front blister secured to said planar member having a front blister recess receiving said magnetic cell phone holder;

a rear blister secured to said planar member having a rear blister recess extending into said front blister recess to captivate said magnetic cell phone holder within said front blister recess.

12. The magnetic cell phone holder and package set forth in claim 11 wherein said generally planar member includes a pair of planar sheet layers each defining a hanging aperture and a blister aperture and wherein said front blister and said rear blister each define extending flanges secured between said planar sheet layers.

17. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 1 further including a ferromagnetic plate and means for attaching said ferromagnetic plate to a cell phone.

13. A magnetic cell phone holder constructed for use within a vehicle interior having a vehicle surface and in combination with a cell phone, said magnetic cell phone holder comprising:

a cup formed of ferromagnetic material and having a rear surface, an interior cavity and an open edge facing said cell phone;

a magnet received within said interior cavity producing magnetic flux;

a layer of sealing material received upon magnet within said cup; and

attachment means joined to said cup for securing said cup upon a vehicle surface,

said magnet, said cup and said sealing material cooperating to hold a cell phone by a combination of magnetic attraction and friction, and

said cup providing a confining and directing effect upon said magnetic flux to concentrate said magnetic flux generally along said open edge to increase the attractive force upon said cell phone.

14. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 13 wherein said vehicle surface defines a recess for receiving and supporting said cup, said magnet, said attachment means and said sealing material.

15. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 14 wherein said vehicle surface includes a portion of a vehicle dashboard.

16. The magnetic cell phone holder set forth in claim 13 further including a ferromagnetic plate and means for attaching said ferromagnetic plate to a cell phone.