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

• US 9,765,921 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2014
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Inventors: Vogel, Frank, Turner, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLNER, MONICA E
• Application Number:
  US14/526,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20150048237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 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 laying stably on a flat surface comprising:

a first section shaped at one end to lay stably on the flat surface and shaped on another end with a curved surface, said curved surface of said first section constructed of a magnetic material; and

a second section having a first surface, said first surface having an indentation, said indentation having a curved shape, 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, the indentation being in a center of the ring shape, wherein the second section includes a first piece of high-friction material, the first piece of high-friction material disposed of in the indentation of said second section and the magnetic material positioned such that the magnetic material of the second section radially surrounds the first piece of high-friction material.

9. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material of the second section is a ring shaped magnet.

12. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first piece of high-friction material is elastomeric.

2. A stand assembly for laying stably on a flat surface comprising:

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

a second section having a first surface, said first surface having an indentation, said indentation having a curved shape complementary to the curved surface of said first section, said second section constructed of 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 has a ring shape, wherein the second section includes a friction producing material, the friction producing material disposed of in the indentation of said second section and the magnetic material positioned such that the magnetic material of the second section radially surrounds the friction producing material.

3. The stand of claim 2, wherein a second end of the first section is shaped to lay stably on the flat surface.

4. The stand of claim 2, wherein the second section has a second surface, and the second surface includes a section to lay stably on the flat surface.

10. The stand assembly of claim 2, wherein the magnetic of the second section material is a ring shaped magnet.

13. The stand assembly of claim 2, wherein the friction producing material is elastomeric.

5. A stand assembly for laying stably on a flat surface comprising:

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

a second section having a first surface, said first surface having an indentation, said indentation having a curved shape, said second section comprised of 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, the magnetic material of the second section including the indentation and the first surface, wherein the second section includes a material creating friction, the material creating friction disposed of in the indentation of said second section and the magnetic material positioned such that the magnetic material of the second section radially surrounds the material creating friction.

6. The stand assembly of claim 5, further comprising a means for attaching the second section to a surface.

7. The stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the magnetic material has a ring shape.

8. The stand assembly of claim 5, wherein a second end of the first section is shaped to lay stably on the flat surface.

11. The stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the magnetic material of the second section is a ring shaped magnet.

14. The stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the material creating friction is elastomeric.