MULTI-POSITIONAL MOUNT FOR PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH A MAGNETIC INTERFACE

• US 20170356591A1
• Filed: 08/29/2017
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Inventors: Vogel, Frank, Turner, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 10,066,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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, said curved surface of said first section constructed of a magnetic material; and

a second section having a front surface, said second section having magnetic material holding the first and second sections together, the magnetic material of the second section surrounding the curved surface when the first and second sections are together, wherein the magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape.

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

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

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

5. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the front surface having an indentation, said indentation capable of receiving said curved end of said first section and being of a size which can encompass a portion, but less than the whole diameter, of said curved surface of said first section, said second section having 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

6. A stand assembly for holding a device comprising:

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

a second section having a front surface, said second section having magnetic material holding the first and second sections together, the magnetic material of the second section surrounding at least a portion of the curved surface when the first and second sections are together.

7. The stand of claim 6, wherein the magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape.

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

9. The stand assembly of claim 6, wherein the magnetic material directly interfaces with the curved surface.

10. The stand assembly of claim 6, wherein the front surface having an indentation, said indentation capable of receiving said curved end of said first section and being of a size which can encompass a portion, but less than the whole diameter, of said curved surface of said first section, said second section having 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

11. A stand assembly for holding a device comprising:

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

a second section having a front surface, the front surface having an indentation, said indentation capable of receiving said curved end of said first section and being of a size which can encompass a portion, but less than the whole diameter, of said curved surface of said first section, said second section having 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.

12. The stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the magnetic material of the second section surrounding at least a portion of the curved surface when the first and second sections are together.

13. The stand of claim 11, wherein the magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape.

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

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

16. 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 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 the a surface of the device and a protective cover of the device, the section including magnetic material, the first and second sections securely attached through magnetic interaction of the curved end of the first section, which is composed of magnetic material, and the indentation on the front surface of the second section.

17. The stand assembly of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material of the second section surrounds the curved surface when the first and second sections are together, wherein the magnetic material of the second section that holds said first and said second sections together has a ring shape.

18. The stand assembly of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material directly interfaces with the curved surface.

19. The stand assembly of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material contacts the curved surface.

20. The stand assembly of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material is a permanent magnet.