Positioning grip for a mobile electronic device

• US 9,581,291 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Octa LLC
• Original Assignee: Octa LLC
• Inventors: Trotsky, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Liu, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ijaz, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US13/710,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20130206942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 248/682, 248/688, 248/689, 248/441.1, 248/448, 248/451, 248/126, 248/316.1, 248/316.4, 248/924, 361/679.56, 361/679.57, 361/679.55
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• 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 11/40 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: F16M 2200/028 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An electronic device interface is provided that is selectively interconnectable to a portable electronic device. The interface is preferably interconnected to the portable electronic device via inwardly-biased arms that end in fingers that engage opposing edges or corners of the portable electronic device. The interface may receive a positioning grip that includes a support having at least one selectively deflectable surface.

Claims

1. A device for selectively positioning an electronic device, comprising:

a dock having a top portion and a bottom portion, said top portion and said bottom portion define a partially enclosed volume;

a first arm operatively interconnected to said dock, said first arm having a first position of storage and a second position of use, wherein said first arm is substantially received in said partially enclosed volume in said first position of storage, and said first arm is substantially extended from said partially enclosed volume in said second position of use;

a second arm operatively interconnected to said dock, said second arm having a first position of storage and a second position of use, wherein said second arm is substantially received in said partially enclosed volume in said first position of storage, and said second arm is substantially extended from said partially enclosed volume in said second position of use;

a first finger rotatably interconnected to said first arm, said first finger having a distal end, wherein said distal end of said first finger is positioned inside said partially enclosed volume when said first arm is in said first position of storage, and said distal end of said first finger is positioned outside said partially enclosed volume when said first arm is in said second position of use;

a second finger rotatably interconnect to said second arm, said second finger having a distal end, wherein said distal end of said second finger is positioned inside said partially enclosed volume when said second arm is in said first position of storage, and said distal end of said second finger is positioned outside said partially enclosed volume when said second arm is in said second position of use; and

wherein said dock has a first position of storage wherein said first arm and said second arm are in said first position of storage, and wherein said dock has a second position of use wherein said first arm and said second arm are in said second position of use such that said top portion of said dock is adapted to be engaged onto or adjacent to a back surface of an electronic device, and said first finger and said second finger are configured to selectively interconnect to an edge of an electronic device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

said first finger is rotated toward said first arm when said first arm is in said first position of storage, and said first finger is rotated away from said first arm when said first arm is in said second position of use; and

said second finger is rotated toward said second arm when said second arm is in said first position of storage, and said second finger is rotated away from said second arm when said second arm is in said second position of use.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein:

said first finger is positioned substantially parallel to said first arm when said first arm is in said first position of storage; and

said second finger is positioned substantially parallel to said second arm when said second arm is in said first position of storage.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

said distal end of said first finger is curled; and

said distal end of said second finger is curled.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said first finger and said second finger include a resiliently deflectable material.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a pawl operably interconnected to at least one of said first arm and said second arm, wherein said pawl controls the movement of said fist arm and said second arm to prevent extension of said first arm and said second arm;

a button disposed on said dock, wherein engagement of said button causes said pawl to disengage from said at least one of said first arm and said arm, wherein a spring-loaded gear allows said first arm and said second arm to extend from said dock; and

a lock disposed on said dock, wherein engagement of said lock fixes the position of said first arm and said second arm relative to said dock.