Multi-positional mount for personal electronic devices with a magnetic interface

• US 10,066,779 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2017
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Inventors: Vogel, Frank, Turner, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Millner, Monica E
• Application Number:
  US15/689,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20170356591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 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
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket

Abstract

A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.

Claims

1. A stand assembly for holding a device comprising:

a first section shaped on one end with a curved surface, the entirety of said curved surface of said first section constructed of a first magnetic material; and

a second section having a front surface, said second section having a second magnetic material holding the first and second sections together, the second magnetic material of the second section holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape surrounding a portion of the curved surface when the first and second sections are together, wherein the front surface having an indentation defined by said ring shape, said indentation receiving said curved end of said first section and encompassing a portion, but less than the whole diameter, of said curved surface of said first section, said second section having the second magnetic material configured to securely attach to the first section through magnetic interaction of the curved surface of the first section with the indentation on the front surface of the second section the second magnetic material having the ring shape opposite the curved surface of the first section and protruding from the front surface of the second section.

2. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the second magnetic material directly interfaces with the curved surface.

3. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the second magnetic material contacts the curved surface.

4. The stand assembly of claimed 1, wherein the second magnetic material is a permanent magnet.

5. A stand assembly for holding a device comprising:

a first section shaped on one end with a curved surface, the entirety of said curved surface of said first section constructed of a first magnetic material; and

a second section having a front surface, and an opposing flat rear surface, said second section having a ring shape and surrounding, in a radial fashion, at least a portion of the curved surface when the first and second sections are together, wherein the front surface having an indentation defined by the ring shape, said indentation receiving said curved end of said first section and encompassing a portion, but less than the whole diameter, of said curved surface of said first section, said second section having the second magnetic material configured to securely attach to the first section through magnetic interaction of the curved surface of the first section with the indentation and the ring shape that protrudes from the front surface of the second section , wherein the second magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together with the ring shape, the second magnetic material having the ring shape opposite the curved surface of the first section.

6. The stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the second magnetic material contacts the curved surface.

7. The stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the second magnetic material directly interfaces with the curved surface.

8. A stand assembly for holding a device comprising:

a first section shaped on one end with a curved surface, the entirety of said curved surface of said first section constructed of a first magnetic material; and

a second section having a front surface, the front surface having an indentation, said indentation receiving said curved end of said first section and encompassing a portion, but less than the whole diameter, of said curved surface of said first section, said second section having a second magnetic material configured to securely attach to the first section through magnetic interaction of the curved surface of the first section with the indentation on the front surface of the second section, wherein the second magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape surrounding, in a radial fashion, at least a portion of the curved surface when the first and second sections are together, the second magnetic material having the ring shape opposite the curved surface of the first section and protruding from the front surface of the second section.

9. The stand assembly of claim 8, wherein the second magnetic material contacts the curved surface.

10. The stand assembly of claim 8, wherein the second magnetic material directly interfaces with the curved surface.

11. A stand assembly for holding a device comprising:

a first section having a curved end; and

a second section with a generally curved shape and constructed of a second magnetic material, the second section including a front surface having an indentation to accept the curved end of the first section and a back surface that is attachable an object selected from the group consisting of a surface of the device and a protective cover of the device, the first and second sections securely attached through magnetic interaction of the curved end of the first section, the entirety of which curved end is composed of a first magnetic material, and the indentation on the front surface of the second section, wherein the second magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape that surrounds the curved surface when the first and second sections are together the second magnetic material having the ring shape that defines the indentation and is opposite the curved surface of the first section and protruding from the front surface of the second section.

12. The stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the second magnetic material directly interfaces with the curved surface.

13. The stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the second magnetic material contacts the curved surface.

14. The stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the second magnetic material is a permanent magnet.