Portable device holding apparatus

• US 9,468,122 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Woodward, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Cunningham, Xanthia C
• Application Number:
  US13/798,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20140268509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• 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 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 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: F21V 21/00 Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00; Hand grips
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack

Abstract

An apparatus for holding a portable device is provided which includes a cradle for holding the portable device. A support member is operatively coupled to the cradle and includes an inserting member. The inserting member may be received by a receiving member coupled to a base member, wherein the base member is mounted to a supporting surface. Once the receiving member receives the inserting member, at least one locking mechanism can releasably couple the support member to the base member for securing the apparatus to the surface.

Claims

1. A portable device holder, comprising:

a cradle for holding a portable device and having an inserting member;

a receiving member that at least partially extends into a supporting surface for receiving the inserting member therein;

a pressable locking mechanism for releasably coupling the inserting member to the receiving member; and

a guarding member that is movable within the receiving member and is biased to a position that blocks entry into the receiving member whenever the receiving member is free of the inserting member.

2. The portable device holder of claim 1, wherein the inserting member is downwardly received by the receiving member.

3. The portable device holder of claim 1, wherein pressing the locking mechanism allows for the inserting member to be inserted into the receiving member, and wherein releasing the locking mechanism locks the inserting member to the receiving member.

4. The portable device holder of claim 1, wherein the guarding member depresses to allow insertion of the inserting member into the receiving member.

5. The portable device holder of claim 1, wherein the guarding member is spring biased.

6. The portable device holder of claim 1, wherein the guarding member is translucent and illuminates when in the biased position.

7. The portable device holder of claim 6, wherein illumination of the guarding member is provided by one or more lighting assemblies disposed inside the receiving member.

8. The portable device holder of claim 1, wherein the supporting surface is provided inside a vehicle.

9. The portable device holder of claim 1, configured to provide electrical power to the portable device when the inserting member is received in the receiving member.

10. A portable device holder comprising:

a cradle for holding a portable device and having;

an inserting member; and

a pressable locking mechanism;

a receiving member coupled to a supporting surface and configured to receive the inserting member therein; and

a guarding member that is movable within the receiving member and is biased to a position that blocks entry into the receiving member whenever the receiving member is free of the inserting member;

wherein pressing the locking mechanism allows for the inserting member to be inserted into the receiving member; and

wherein releasing the locking mechanism locks the inserting member to the receiving member.

11. The portable device holder of claim 10, wherein the inserting member is downwardly received by the receiving member.

12. The portable device holder of claim 10, wherein the receiving member includes a receptacle having an annular depression and the inserting member is configured to be received in at least a portion of the annular depression.

13. The portable device holder of claim 10, wherein the guarding member depresses to allow insertion of the inserting member into the receiving member.

14. The portable device holder of claim 10, wherein the guarding member is spring biased.

15. The portable device holder of claim 10, wherein the guarding member is translucent and illuminates when in the biased position.

16. The portable device holder of claim 15, wherein illumination of the guarding member is provided by one or more lighting assemblies disposed inside the receiving member.

17. The portable device holder of claim 10, wherein the supporting surface is provided inside a vehicle.

18. The portable device holder of claim 10, configured to provide electrical power to the portable device when the inserting member is received in the receiving member.

19. A portable device holder, comprising:

a cradle for holding a portable device and having an inserting member;

a receiving member coupled to a supporting surface for receiving the inserting member;

a locking mechanism for releasably coupling the inserting member to the receiving member; and

a guarding member movable within the receiving member and biased to a position blocking entry into the receiving member whenever the receiving member is free of the inserting member.