Portable device support
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for mounting a portable device, comprising:
- a base;
a first gripper arm coupled to said base, said first gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position;
a first return spring coupled to said base and to said first gripper arm, said first return spring being effective to exert a spring force on said first gripper arm in a direction toward said gripping position;
a second gripper arm coupled to said base, said second gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position;
a second return spring coupled to said base and to said second gripper arm, said second return spring being effective to exert a spring force on said second gripper arm in a direction toward said gripping position;
said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction away from one another and toward said extended position to receive a portable device between them, said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction toward one another to said gripping position in response to said spring force exerted by respective first and second return springs in order to retain the portable device between them.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting cellular telephones and similar portable devices to vehicle mounts is provided in which the portable devices may be manipulated to different angular orientations relative to the vehicle without altering the connection of the vehicle mount thereto, and wherein the support is easily laterally adjustable to accommodate portable devices of different size.
25 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for mounting a portable device, comprising:
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a base; a first gripper arm coupled to said base, said first gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position; a first return spring coupled to said base and to said first gripper arm, said first return spring being effective to exert a spring force on said first gripper arm in a direction toward said gripping position; a second gripper arm coupled to said base, said second gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position; a second return spring coupled to said base and to said second gripper arm, said second return spring being effective to exert a spring force on said second gripper arm in a direction toward said gripping position; said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction away from one another and toward said extended position to receive a portable device between them, said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction toward one another to said gripping position in response to said spring force exerted by respective first and second return springs in order to retain the portable device between them. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for mounting a portable device, comprising:
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a base having an extension including a wall defining a hollow interior and having external threads; a locking ring having internal threads which mate with said external threads of said extension, said locking ring being movable along said extension, said wall of said extension being urged inwardly in the course of movement of said locking ring along said extension; a cup located within said interior of said extension; a first gripper arm coupled to said base, said first gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position; a first return spring coupled to said base and to said first gripper arm, said first return spring being effective to bias said first gripper arm toward said gripping position; a second gripper arm coupled to said base, said second gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position; a second return spring coupled to said base and to said second gripper arm, said second return spring being effective to bias said second gripper arm toward said gripping position; said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction away from one another and toward said extended position to receive a portable device between them, said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction toward one another by operation of respective first and second return springs to said gripping position to retain the portable device between them. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. Apparatus for mounting a portable device to a vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle mount capable of being connected to a vehicle, said vehicle mount having a coupler; a gripping device, comprising; (i) a base having an extension which connects to said coupler of said vehicle mounting element; (ii) a first gripper arm coupled to said base, said first gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position; (iii) a first return spring coupled to said base and to said first gripper arm, said first return spring being effective to exert a spring force on said first gripper arm in a direction toward said gripping position; (iv) a second gripper arm coupled to said base, said second gripper arm being movable relative to said base between an extended position and a gripping position; (v) a second return spring coupled to said base and to said second gripper arm, said second return spring being effective to exert a spring force on said second gripper arm in a direction toward said gripping position; (vi) said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction away from one another and toward said extended position to receive a portable device between them, said first and second gripper arms each being movable in a direction toward one another to said gripping position in response to said spring force exerted by respective first and second return springs in order to retain the portable device between them. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification