Mobile device holder

• US 10,419,054 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Handstands Promo, LLC (Handstands Products Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Handstands Promo, LLC (Handstands Products Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: VanTassell, Brandon D, Fogg, Jason L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun, Eugene
• Application Number:
  US15/912,135
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• 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 mobile device holder comprises a base having an inner side to be affixed to the mobile device. A hub is carried by the base and is rotatable on the base about a rotational axis. A rotational bearing rotatably couples the hub to the base. A ring is carried by the hub and is pivotally coupled to the hub about a pivot axis that is orthogonal to the rotational axis. The ring is rotatable along with the hub on the base. In addition, the ring is pivotable with respect to the hub between at least a retracted position circumscribing the hub, and a deployed position extending at an acute angle with respect to the hub. The hub has an exterior side with indicia thereon.

Claims

1. A mobile device holder, comprising:

a) a base having an inner side configured to be affixed to the mobile device;

b) a hub carried by the base and continuously rotatable on the base about a rotational axis;

c) a rotational bearing with bearings rotatably coupling the hub to the base;

d) a ring carried by the hub and pivotally coupled to the hub about a pivot axis that is orthogonal to the rotational axis, the ring being continuously rotatable along with the hub on the base, the ring pivotable with respect to the hub between at least a retracted position circumscribing the hub, and a deployed position extending at an acute angle with respect to the hub;

e) indicia carried by the hub;

f) a pad positioned on and extending from the hub and having an exterior surface;

g) the exterior surface of the pad extending beyond the ring in the retracted position; and

h) the exterior surface of the pad being tacky.

2. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia identify or distinguish, or both, a business or entity, or product or service, or both.

3. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia is disposed on an exterior side of the hub;

wherein the exterior side has a diameter; and

wherein the indicia extend across the diameter of the exterior side, and substantially from one lateral side to an opposite lateral side.

4. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia is disposed on an exterior side of the hub;

wherein the exterior side has an exterior surface facing outwardly; and

wherein the indicia cover a majority of the exterior surface of the hub.

5. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia is disposed on an exterior side of the hub;

wherein the exterior side has an exterior surface facing outwardly; and

wherein the indicia cover at least 75% of the exterior surface.

6. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia is disposed on an exterior side of the hub;

wherein the exterior side of the hub has a diameter and an exterior surface facing outwardly;

wherein the ring has an exterior surface facing outwardly when the ring is in the retracted position;

wherein the exterior surfaces of the hub and the ring are separated by an annular gap defining a seam;

wherein the indicia extend across the diameter of the ring and across the exterior surfaces of the hub and the ring; and

wherein the indicia is interrupted by the seam.

7. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia is disposed on an exterior side of the hub;

wherein the exterior side of the hub has an exterior surface facing outwardly;

wherein the ring has an exterior surface facing outwardly when the ring is in the retracted position; and

wherein the exterior surfaces of the hub and the ring are flush or coplanar when the ring is in the retracted position.

8. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicia is disposed on the exterior surface of the pad.

9. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pad is translucent or transparent;

and wherein the indicia is disposed between the hub and the pad, and is visible through the pad.

10. The holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a polyurethane layer.

11. The holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) an indentation formed in the hub and circumscribed by am annular lip; and

b) the pad being disposed in the indentation.

12. The holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) a mount configured to be secured to a support surface;

b) a cavity sized and shaped to receive the hub and the ring; and

c) a releasable attachment to releasably secure the hub and the ring in the cavity of the mount.

13. The holder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the releasable attachment comprises a magnet disposed in the mount adjacent to the cavity.

14. The holder in accordance with claim 12, further comprising:

a wireless charging coil carried by the mount and positioned to be disposed adjacent to the mobile device when the hub and the ring are disposed in the cavity of the mount.

15. The holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an attachment pad disposed on the inner side of the base and configured to releasably affix the base to the mobile device;

and wherein the attachment pad comprises a polyurethane pad with a tacky outer surface.

16. The holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a domed or semi-spherical exterior surface extending from the hub and defining the exterior side.

17. The holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) a squat dome affixed to the exterior surface of the hub; and

b) the squat dome having a domed or semi-spherical exterior surface.

18. A promotional system comprising a plurality of holders in accordance with claim 1;

and wherein the indicia comprise a plurality of different indicia disposed on the plurality of holders.

19. A mobile device holder, comprising:

a) a base having an inner side configured to be affixed to the mobile device;

b) a hub carried by the base and continuously rotatable 360 degrees on the base about a rotational axis configured to be perpendicular to the mobile device;

c) a rotational bearing with bearings in an annular space and rotatably coupling the hub to the base;

d) a ring carried by the hub and pivotally coupled to the hub about a pivot axis that is orthogonal to the rotational axis, the ring being continuously rotatable along with the hub on the base, the ring pivotable with respect to the hub between at least a retracted position circumscribing the hub, and a deployed position extending at an acute angle with respect to the hub;

e) a pad positioned on and extending from the hub and having an exterior surface;

f) the exterior surface of the pad extending beyond the ring in the retracted position; and

g) the exterior surface of the pad being tacky.

20. The holder in accordance with claim 19, further comprising indicia carried by the pad or the hub, the indicia identify or distinguish, or both, a business or entity, or product or service, or both.

21. The holder in accordance with claim 19, further comprising:

a) a mount configured to be secured to a support surface;

b) a cavity sized and shaped to receive the hub and the ring; and

c) a releasable attachment to releasably secure the hub and the ring in the cavity of the mount.