Hands-free device holder for securing hand-held portable electronic device with a screen

• US 7,861,985 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nicolette A. Galvin
• Original Assignee: Nicolette A. Galvin
• Inventors: Galvin, Nicolette A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mckinnon; Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): EPPS, TODD MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/284,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20100078536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 248/160, 248/122.1, 248/176.3, 248/407, 248/408, 248/409, 248/222.11, 248/222.12, 248/121, 248/128, 248/276.1, 248/309.1, 248/316.4, 248/176.1, 379/454, 379/455, 379/446, 379/486, 455/575.1, 455/569, 455/90
• US Class Current: 248/160
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0091 the article being mounted on a flexible shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use

Abstract

A hands-free electronic device holder for holding handheld electronic devices with a screen at or below the user'"'"'s eye level at a typical distance of 20 to 30 cm is provided. The handheld electronic device is selected from MP3 players, video players, cell phones, PDAs, GPS units or other screen containing devices that display images or interacts with the user via software generated buttons. The hands-free device holder has a flexible adjustable gooseneck, the proximal end of which carries a tab having two spring pins that securely engage with a pocket member. A securement attachment means secures the pocket member to the backside of the handheld electronic device, and two lateral slots receive the pins. The distal end of the flexible adjustable gooseneck connects to a spring clip similar to a clothes line pin, which attaches the hands-free electronic device holder to an airline dining tray or a worktable.

Claims

1. A hands-free electronic device holder, comprising:

a. a pocket member with two lateral slots attached to the backside of a handheld electronic device by device securing means;

b. a flexible gooseneck having a proximal end and a distal end;

c. said proximal end of said flexible gooseneck having a tab with two spring loaded pins on either side for engaging with lateral slots of said pocket member, creating a buckle attachment in the form of a universal belt coupler configuration;

d. said distal end of said flexible gooseneck having a spring loaded securing clip in a configuration resembling a cloth line clip;

whereby the position of the handheld electronic device screen is adjusted to be at or below the eye level of the user by adjusting the flexible gooseneck, and the overall weight of the device in combination with the buckle attachment is insufficient to overcome the spring force of said distal end clip securing the device, providing hands-free operation of the handheld electronic device.

2. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the device securing means of the pocket member is a tight-fitting encasement attachment.

3. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the device securing means of the pocket member is a belt attachment.

4. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the device securing means of the pocket member is a double-taped attachment.

5. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is a MP3 player including an Ipod.

6. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is a multifunctional cell phone, including an Iphone.

7. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device is a PDA including a Blackberry.

8. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1 wherein said flexible gooseneck comprises a plurality of flexible jointed spines.

9. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein said flexible gooseneck has a coating of rubber encasement.

10. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein said tab is attached to said flexible gooseneck by a screwed connection.

11. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein said flexible gooseneck has a coating of rubber encasement.

12. The hands-free electronic device holder as recited by claim 1, wherein the distance between the screen of said handheld electronic device and a user'"'"'s eyes is in the range of 20 to 30 centimeters.