WO2022179704A1

WO2022179704A1 - Device mount for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2022179704A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/054865
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mats Barvesten; Tobias Christopher Tilman BERNETH
Original assignee: Spotify Ab
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2021-02-26
Publication date: 2022-09-01

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a media playback device on a surface of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a flexible elongate base member having a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side is configured to connect the apparatus to the media playback device, and the rear side comprises an adhesive configured to attach the apparatus to the surface of the vehicle.

Description

DEVICE MOUNT FOR A VEHICLE

Field

This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a media playback device. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for supporting a media playback device on a surface of a vehicle.

Background

Many people enjoy consuming media content from a media playback device while travelling or during other activities. It is advantageous that such media playback devices are mounted, for example on a dashboard of a vehicle, so that they are easily and safely accessible by a user, for example a driver of the vehicle. Suitable mounting of the device can ensure that a user may easily interact with the device without his or her attention being taken away from important activities such as driving.

However, current mounting arrangements for such media playback devices can be limited in their application, due to the limited number of places on a vehicle to which they can be connected. This can mean that a mounting arrangement may only be able to be connected to a vehicle in one place or in one orientation. This can also mean that mounting arrangements that are suitable for one vehicle may not be suitable for other vehicles, limiting the usability of such devices. Current mounting arrangements further may not provide a secure attachment to a vehicle when the vehicle is in motion, as vibrations that are present when the vehicle is moving may cause the mounting arrangement to become dislodged.

Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus for supporting a media playback device that is versatile in its application and provides a secure attachment throughout its use.

Summary

This apparatus disclosed herein attempts to solve the problems noted above by implementing a mounting device having a flexible base member that may be adhered to a surface of a vehicle, for example a dashboard. The apparatus may be securely attached to the surface of the vehicle regardless of the shape and size of the attachment area on the surface. The flexibility of the base member the apparatus to conform to the contours of the surface and ensures that the entire adhesive surface on the rear side of the base member is in contact with the surface of the vehicle. This provides a more secure connection and allows the footprint of the apparatus to be reduced. An attachment arrangement that allows a detachable connection between the apparatus and a media playback device the media playback device to be mounted and dismounted from the surface of the vehicle such that a separate mounting device is not required for each peripheral device.

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for supporting a media playback device on a surface of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a flexible elongate base member having a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side is configured to connect the apparatus to the media playback device, and the rear side comprises an adhesive configured to attach the apparatus to the surface of the vehicle.

Optionally, the elongate base member is configured to conform to the surface of the vehicle when attached to the surface. Optionally, the elongate base member is configured to conform to a generally concave surface of the vehicle and/or to a generally convex surface of the vehicle. Optionally, the elongate base member is flexible about a transverse axis of the elongate base member. Optionally, the elongate base member is flexible into a continuously curved form.

Optionally, the elongate base member comprises base layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the rear side of the base layer.

Optionally, the front side of the elongate base member is configured to detachably connect the apparatus to the media playback device. Optionally, the front side of the elongate base member comprises an attachment arrangement configured to connect the apparatus to the media playback device. Optionally, the attachment arrangement is connected to the elongate base member by one or more attachment means. Optionally, the one or more attachment means is configured to maintain attachment of the elongate base member to the attachment arrangement during flexing of the elongate base member. Optionally, the one or more attachment means comprises one or more bayonet connectors.

Optionally, the attachment arrangement comprises an attachment plate receiver configured to receive a corresponding attachment plate, wherein the attachment plate is configured to connect to the media playback device. Optionally, the attachment plate is configured to provide a magnetic connection to the media playback device. Optionally, the attachment plate receiver comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged teeth configured to retain the attachment plate when the attachment plate is received in the attachment plate receiver. Optionally, the plurality of circumferentially arranged teeth are configured to interact with a channel of the plate to retain the attachment plate in the attachment plate receiver.

According to another aspect, there is provided a system for supporting a media playback device on a surface of a vehicle, the system comprising the apparatus, and a plate configured to provide a connection to the media playback device. Optionally, the plate comprises a locking mechanism configured to enable retention of the plate in the plate receiver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure shall now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for streaming media content for playback;

FIG. 2A illustrates a mounting device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of the mounting device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates another view of the mounting device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates an attachment plate according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates a locking mechanism according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a magnetic attachment plate according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a base member in a number of configurations;

FIG. 6A illustrates a mounting device installed on a surface in a first configuration;

FIG. 6B illustrates a mounting device installed in a second configuration; and FIG. 6C illustrates a mounting device installed in a third configuration.

Throughout the description and the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Specific Description

Many people enjoy listening to audio content, such as songs, albums, podcasts, audiobooks, and other types of audible content, in vehicles. It is typical for a driver or and passenger to bring a media playback device running audio streaming applications, such as a mobile phone, into a vehicle in order to offer a personalized and flexible music-consuming experience using large catalogues of media content available from a media content server.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for streaming media content for playback that can be used in a vehicle 80. The system 100 includes one or more media playback devices 104 configured to play media content. Examples of the media playback devices 104 include one or more of a personal media streaming appliance (PMSA) system 110, and a mobile computing device 118. The system 100 also includes one or more of a media delivery system 112 and a vehicle media playback system 114. Data communication within the system 100 can occur using one or more of a data communication network 116 and an in-vehicle wireless data communication network 122. The system 100 may be substantially as described in European patent EP3564794, and details of its structure and function will not be discussed here. In brief, the system 100 is operable to generate a media output 124 to play media content in the vehicle 80. The vehicle 80 includes a head unit 82 or a dashboard 84. In many cases, a user U wishes to mount a media playback device 104, for example the PMSA system 110, within the vehicle 80, for example on the dashboard 84. Other examples of media playback devices 104 include smartphones, portable media players, tablets and the like.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a mounting device 200 for supporting a media playback device 104 within the vehicle 80. Specifically, the mounting device 200 is configured to be attached to a surface of the vehicle 80, for example the dashboard 84, and thus provide a secure connection to the vehicle 80 at a suitable position for the mounting of a media playback device 104. A media playback device 104 can be attached to the mounting device 200 such that it is mounted in the vehicle 80 and can be easily seen and interacted with by the user U. The media playback device 104 may be attached directly to the mounting device 200, or may be connected to the mounting device 200 via an intermediate device.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the mounting device 200 comprises an elongate base member 202 and an attachment arrangement 204. The base member 202 is configured to be attached to a surface of the vehicle 80 such as the dashboard 84, although it will be appreciated that the mounting device 200 could be attached to any suitable surface, in a vehicle or otherwise. The attachment arrangement 204 is connected the base member 202 and is configured to connect the mounting device 200 to a peripheral device, such as a media playback device 104 or an intermediate device.

The base member 202 may be generally planar, having a top or front surface 205 and a bottom or rear surface 207. The base member 202 is configured to be attached to a surface of the vehicle 80 by use of an adhesive on a bottom or rear surface 207 of the base member 202. The adhesive may be sufficiently strong to support the mounting device 200 on the surface when a media playback device 104 is attached to the mounting device 200. The adhesive should support this assembly during operation of the vehicle 80, which may subject the mounting device 200 to significant vibrations. Suitable adhesives are available on the market, for example from 3M®. By selecting an adhesive of sufficient strength, the surface area of the bottom surface 207 of the base member 202 can be minimised. As such, the footprint of the mounting device 200 can be reduced, and it can be attached to surfaces where only a small amount of space is available. The mounting device 200 is therefore usable in a variety of different configurations, and in a number of different types of vehicle. It may be intended that the base member 202 be adhered to the surface in a substantially non-removable manner, such that the mounting device 200 is attached to the surface and peripheral devices can be attached to and detached from the mounting device 200 while it is in place.

The base member 202 is also flexible. This allows the base member 202 to deform in a curved manner and conform to the contours of the surface of the vehicle 80 when attached. This ensures the entire surface area of the bottom surface 207 of the base member 202 is in contact with the surface, which provides improved adhesion and therefore a more secure connection of the mounting device 200 to the surface. This allows the surface area of the bottom surface 207 of the base member 202, and the footprint of the mounting device 200, to be further reduced. The flexibility may be in a number of senses. For example, the base member 202 may be flexible about a transverse axis of the base member 202. That is to say, the ends of the elongate base member 202 may bend out of the plane in which the undisturbed base member 202 sits to form a continuously curved shape. Due to this flexibility, the base member 202 may conform to a generally concave surface of the vehicle 80 and/or to a generally convex surface of the vehicle 80. In some embodiments, the base member 202 may be flexible about a longitudinal axis of the base member 202, such that it may be twisted along its length. The flexibility of the base member 202 will be discussed in more detail in relation to FIG. 5.

The base member 202 may be formed of a hard plastic, such as polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide 12 (PA12), glass fibre, silicone or a mix of such materials. In the case that the base member 202 is formed of a hard plastic, it must be sufficiently thin to allow for the flexibility discussed above. For example, the thickness of the base member 202 may be less than 5mm, in particular less than 2mm. In some embodiments, a thin hard plastic may be advantageous over silicone as a primer is not required before an adhesive is added, as in the case of silicone. The base member 202 may have any suitable length, but may typically have a length between 50mm and 100mm, for example 74mm. The base member 202 may have any suitable width, but may typically have a width between 20mm and 30mm, for example 24mm.

As discussed above, an attachment arrangement 204 is configured to connect the mounting device 200 to a peripheral device, such as a media playback device 104 or an intermediate device. The attachment arrangement 204 is connected to the top or front surface 205 of the base member 202. In some embodiments, the attachment arrangement 204 is configured to connect the mounting device 200 detachably to a peripheral device. In this way, the user U can easily switch between different peripheral devices using the same mounting device 200, and need not have a separate mounting device 200 for each peripheral device. This may enable the user U to switch between media playback devices 104 while the mounting device 200 is installed. This increases the versatility of the mounting device 200.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the attachment arrangement 204 comprises an attachment plate 206 configured to connect to a peripheral device, and a corresponding attachment plate receiver 208 connected to the base member 202. The attachment plate 206 is removably received in the attachment plate receiver 208. The attachment plate 206 may be magnetic, and the configuration of a magnetic attachment plate 206 will be described in more detail in relation to FIG. 4. A magnetic attachment plate 206 may connect to a corresponding ferromagnetic portion of a peripheral device, such as a media playback device 104. The use of a magnetic attachment plate 206 allows a peripheral device to be easily detached from the mounting device 200, such that it can be used in another location or stored in a safe place. In other embodiments, the attachment plate receiver 208 may be connected to a peripheral device, and the attachment plate 206 configured to connect to the base member 202.

The attachment plate 206 and the attachment plate receiver 208 may be formed of a hard plastic, such as PC, ABS, PA12, glass fibre, silicone ora mix of such materials. The attachment plate 206 and the attachment plate receiver 208 may have any suitable diameter, but may typically have a diameter between 20mm and 50mm, for example 33mm. The attachment plate 206 may have any suitable thickness, but may typically have a thickness between 5mm and 20mm, for example 12mm. The attachment plate receiver 208 may have any suitable thickness, but may typically have a thickness between 2mm and 10mm, for example 5mm.

Whilst the attachment plate 206 and the attachment plate receiver 208 are shown in FIG. 2A as being circular, it will be appreciated that they may have other complementary shapes that allow the attachment plate 206 to be removably received in the attachment plate receiver 208. In embodiments where the attachment plate 206 and the attachment plate receiver 208 are circular, the attachment plate 206 may be rotatable in the attachment plate receiver 208.

It will be envisaged that many other types of attachment could be used to connect the mounting device 200 to a peripheral device. For example, the connection between the mounting device 200 and a peripheral device may be a ball joint. In one embodiment, the attachment arrangement 204 may be connected to a dock via a ball joint, and the dock magnetically connected to a media playback device 104. In some embodiments, the attachment arrangement 204 may be a flat face with an adhesive part, such that a media playback device 104 can be attached to the mounting device 200 by adhesion. In some embodiments, the attachment arrangement 204 is configured to connect the mounting device 200 permanently to a peripheral device.

FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the mounting device 200 shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the attachment plate receiver 208 is connected to the base member 202 by attachment means 210, 212. The attachment means 210, 212 may allow the connection and position of the attachment plate receiver 208 relative to the base member 202 to be maintained during flexing of the base member 202, as will be explained in relation to FIG.s 6A-C. The attachment means may comprise one or more male connectors 210 disposed on the attachment plate receiver 208 and configured to interact with one or more corresponding female connectors 212 disposed on the front surface 205 of the base layer 202. The male connectors 210 and the female connectors 212 may be male and female parts of a bayonet connector, as known in the art. Alternatively, the male connectors 210 may be disposed on the front surface of the base layer 202, while the female connectors 212 may be disposed on the attachment plate receiver 208. It will be appreciated that any configuration of male or female connectors 210, 212 may be present on the base layer 202 or the attachment plate receiver 208. Whilst FIG. 2B shows four male connectors 210 and corresponding female connectors 212, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of connectors 210, 212 could be provided to achieve a connection between the attachment plate receiver 208 and the base member 202.

FIG. 2B also shows one possible implementation of the base member 202. In this implementation, the base member 202 comprises a base layer 214 and an adhesive layer 216. The adhesive layer 216 is disposed on the rear side of the base layer 214. The adhesive layer 216 and the base layer 214 may each be flexible in order to enable the base member 202 to conform to a surface of a vehicle 80. The adhesive layer 216 may comprise a removable cover (not shown) on an exposed rear side, which can be peeled off when the user U is ready to attach the mounting device to a surface of a vehicle 80. In some implementations, the adhesive layer 216 may be replaced by a number of adhesive patches, each with respective removable covers. It will be readily envisaged that other adhesive arrangements are possible to attach the base member 202 and/or base layer 214 to a surface of a vehicle 80.

FIG. 2C shows the mounting device 200 shown in FIG. 2A with the attachment plate 206 removed. The attachment plate receiver 208 is connected to the base member 202 by the attachment means 210, 212 (not shown). As can be seen in FIG 2C, the attachment plate receiver 208 comprises a number of retaining teeth 218 arranged around the circumference of the attachment plate receiver 208. When the attachment plate 206 is received in the attachment plate receiver 208, the teeth 218 serve to hold the attachment plate 206 in place. Specifically, the teeth 218 interact with a channel of the attachment plate 206 to retain the attachment plate 206 in the attachment plate receiver 208. The channel may be formed in a body of the attachment plate 206, or may be formed by a locking mechanism of the attachment plate 206, as will be discussed in relation to FIG.s 3A-B. In embodiments where the attachment plate 206 is rotatable in the attachment plate receiver 208, the teeth 218 may interact with the locking mechanism to prevent such rotation and hold the attachment plate 206 in a particular orientation. The locking mechanism can similarly be released to remove the attachment plate 206 from the attachment plate receiver 208. This allows the attachment plate 206 to be transferred between similar mounting devices having a suitable attachment plate receiver 208 without the need for each mounting device to have a respective attachment plate 206. It will be readily envisaged that other ways of connecting the attachment plate 206 to the attachment plate receiver 208 may be used to provide a removable connection between them.

FIG. 3A shows a side view of the attachment plate 206. The attachment plate 206 has an upper part 220 and a lower part 222. The upper part 220 and lower part 222 may be formed of two plates arranged such that a lip 224 is formed around the edge of a lower surface 226 of the upper part 220. This allows the lower part 222 to be received in the attachment plate receiver 208 such that the lip 224 sits on top of the attachment plate receiver 208, for example on the teeth 218.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper part 220 has a top surface 228 that connects to a peripheral device. The lower part 222 has a bottom surface 230 that interacts with the attachment plate receiver 208. The upper part 220 has a wedge-shaped cross section. That is to say, the top surface 228 of the upper part 220 is angled with respect to the lower surface 226 of the upper part 220. The top surface 228 of the upper part 220 is also angled with respect to the lower surface 230 of the lower part 222. As shown in FIG.s 2A-C, the attachment plate receiver 208 sits in a plane parallel to that of the base member 202. As such, when the attachment plate 206 is placed in the attachment plate receiver 208, the bottom surface 230 is in plane with the base member 202, while the top surface 228 is at an angle to the base member 202. This, coupled with the rotation discussed above, allows the angle of the peripheral device to be adjusted relative to the base member 202. Specifically, the attachment plate 206 can be rotated in the attachment plate receiver 208 such that the orientation of the slope of the top surface 228 changes. This enables the peripheral device to be angled in different directions. As such, when the mounting device 200 is installed on the dashboard 84 of a vehicle 80, a media playback device 104 can be angled to face the user U regardless of where on the dashboard 84 the mounting device 200 is installed.

In some embodiments, the attachment plate 206 comprises a locking mechanism formed by a button 232 and a latch 234. FIG. 3B shows an isometric view from beneath of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment. The button 232 may be present on the upper part 220 of the attachment plate 206, while the latch 234 may be present on the lower part 222 of the attachment plate 206. The latch 234 is raised from a side surface 238 of the lower part 222 such that a channel 236 is formed between the latch 234 and the lip 224. In some embodiments, the latch 234 may have a T-shape, such that the latch 234 comprises a horizontal member 240 and a vertical member 242. As such, two channels 236 may be formed between the horizontal member 240 of the latch 234 and a lower surface 226 of the upper part 220, either side of the vertical member 242.

The button 232 is actuatable such that the latch 234 may be depressed beneath the side surface 238 to enable the attachment plate 206, in particular the lower part 222, to be inserted into the attachment plate receiver 208. The button 232 may then be released such that the latch 234 is raised from the side surface 238. In this way, the teeth 218 of the attachment plate receiver 208 sit in the channel 236, which holds the attachment plate 206 in the attachment plate receiver 208. In embodiments where the latch 234 has a T-shape, the vertical member 242 of the latch 234 sits between two consecutive teeth 218, which maintains a rotational position of the attachment plate 206 relative to the attachment plate receiver 208. This provides a secure attachment of the attachment plate 206 in the attachment plate receiver 208, and maintains the orientation of the sloped top surface 228 of the attachment plate 206, which ensures that the orientation of a peripheral device with respect to a user U is also maintained.

As discussed above, the attachment plate 206 may be magnetic. An example of the attachment plate 206 is shown in FIG. 4 in an exploded view. The magnetic attachment plate 206 comprises a base structure 402, a magnet layer 404 and a contact layer 406. These elements can be assembled together and received in the attachment plate receiver 208.

The base structure 402 comprises a housing 408 that is configured to retain the locking mechanism 410, comprising the button 232 and the latch 234. The magnet layer 404 comprises a divider 412 and a number of magnets 414. The divider 412 is configured to retain the number of magnets 414. The divider 412 may have a number of recesses formed in its front face or its rear face, wherein each recess is configured to receive a respective magnet 414. The magnets 414 provide a magnetic field for attachment of the attachment plate 206 to a peripheral device, such as a media playback device 104 or an intermediate device. The peripheral device may comprise a corresponding ferromagnetic portion such that a magnetic attachment is made between the attachment plate 206 and the peripheral device. Four magnets 414 are shown in FIG.4, but it will be appreciated that any number and orientation of magnets 414 may be used that achieves the desired attachment between the mounting device 200 and a peripheral device.

The contact layer 406 is attached to the front of the magnet layer 404. This may be achieved by adhesion, or any other suitable means. In use, the contact layer 406 is placed in contact with a peripheral device. In some embodiments, the contact layer 406 is formed of a frictional material such as rubber, to provide a more robust connection to the peripheral device.

By using a magnetic attachment plate 206 such as that shown in Fig. 4, a mounting device 200 can be detachably connected to a peripheral device, such as a media playback device 104. In this way, the user U can easily switch between different media playback devices 104 using the same mounting device 200, and need not have a separate mounting device 200 for each media playback device 104. This may also enable the user U to switch between media playback devices 104 while the mounting device 200 is installed. This provides a versatile mounting device 200. It will be appreciated that the structure and function of the attachment plate 206 may be different from that shown in FIG. 4 whilst still performing the function of detachably connecting the mounting device 200 to a peripheral device.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a base member 202 in a number of configurations. FIG. 5 illustrates the flexibility of the base member 202. The base member 202 is shown in a first configuration 500, where the base member 202 unperturbed and sits in a plane. This may be the natural position of the base member 202. As discussed above, the base member 202 may be flexible about a transverse axis of the base member 202. FIG. 5 also shows the base member 202 in a second configuration 502, where the ends of the base member 202 have been bent upwards and out of the plane in which the base member 202 sits in the first configuration 500. The base member 200 in the second configuration 502 is continuously curved, and can conform to a generally concave surface of a vehicle. FIG. 5 also shows the base member 202 in a third configuration 504, where the ends of the base member 202 have been bent downwards and out of the plane in which the base member 202 sits in the first configuration 500. The base member 200 in the third configuration 504 is continuously curved, and can conform to a generally convex surface of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that in some configurations, only one end of the base member 202 may be bent out of the plane of the first configuration 500, or that the ends of the base member 202 may be bent in opposite directions (for example, one end is bent downwards and out of the plane of the first configuration 500, while the other end is bent upwards and out of the plane of the first configuration 500). This flexibility allows the base member 202 to conform to differently shaped surfaces of a vehicle, and provide a more secure connection of the mounting device 200 to the surface. In some embodiments, the base member 202 may be flexible about a longitudinal axis of the base member 202, such that it may be twisted along its length.

FIG.s 6A-C show the mounting device 200 installed on a surface of a vehicle in a number of different configurations. A first configuration is shown in FIG. 6A. In this configuration, the mounting device 200 is installed on a generally concave surface 602 of a vehicle, such as a dashboard 84. FIG. 6B shows a second configuration, in which the mounting device 200 is installed on a generally convex surface 604 of a vehicle. FIG. 6C shows a third configuration, in which the mounting device 200 is installed on a surface 606 of a vehicle having a wave-like form. The mounting device 200 could also be installed on other suitable surfaces, such as a corner surface of a vehicle.

In each configuration shown in FIG.s 6A-C, the flexibility of the base member 202 allows the mounting device 200 to conform to the shape of the surface. This ensures the entire surface area of the bottom surface of the base member 202 is in contact with the surface, which provides improved adhesion, a more secure connection, and allows the surface area of the bottom surface of the base member 202 to be reduced. This enables the mounting device 200 to be adaptable to surfaces of different shapes and sizes. It will be appreciated that other configurations would be possible where the mounting device conforms to a surface. FIG.s 6A- C also show that the attachment means 210, 212 maintain the connection and position of the attachment arrangement 204 relative to the base member 202 during flexing of the base member 202. This can be achieved due to the fact that the attachment plate receiver 208 is not fixed to the base member at a single point in the centre. Instead, the attachment means 210, 212 are connected to the attachment plate receiver 208 at a number of points towards the edge of the bottom surface of the attachment plate receiver 208. In a preferred embodiment, four male connectors 210 and corresponding female connectors 212 are used. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of connectors 210, 212 could be implemented to provide this functionality.

This mounting devices disclosed herein may be securely attached to a surface of a vehicle, for example a dashboard, regardless of the shape and size of the attachment area on the surface. Flexibility of the base members of such mounting devices allows them to conform to the contours of the surface and ensures that the entire adhesive surface on the rear side of the base member is in contact with the surface of the vehicle. This provides a more secure connection and allows the footprint of the device to be reduced, providing a versatile mounting device. The detachable connection between the apparatus and a peripheral device allows the peripheral device to be mounted and dismounted from the surface such that a separate mounting device is not required for each peripheral device.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus (200) for supporting a media playback device (104) on a surface of a vehicle (80), the apparatus comprising: a flexible elongate base member (202) having a front side (205) and a rear side (207); wherein the front side is configured to connect the apparatus to the media playback device; and the rear side comprises an adhesive configured to attach the apparatus to the surface of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus (200) of claim 1, wherein the elongate base member (202) is configured to conform to the surface of the vehicle (80) when attached to the surface.

3. The apparatus (200) of claim 2, wherein the elongate base member (202) is configured to conform to a generally concave surface of the vehicle (80) and/or to a generally convex surface of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus (200) of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate base member (202) is flexible about a transverse axis of the elongate base member.

5. The apparatus (200) of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate base member (202) is flexible into a continuously curved form.

6. The apparatus (200) of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate base member (202) comprises a base layer (214) and an adhesive layer (216) disposed on the rear side of the base layer.

7. The apparatus (200) of any preceding claim, wherein the front side (205) of the elongate base member (202) is configured to detachably connect the apparatus to the media playback device (104).

8. The apparatus (200) of any preceding claim, wherein the front side (205) of the elongate base member (202) comprises an attachment arrangement (204) configured to connect the apparatus to the media playback device (104).

9. The apparatus (200) of claim 8, wherein the attachment arrangement (204) is connected to the elongate base member (202) by one or more attachment means (210, 212).

10. The apparatus (200) of claim 9, wherein the one or more attachment means (210, 212) is configured to maintain attachment of the elongate base member (202) to the attachment arrangement (204) during flexing of the elongate base member.

11. The apparatus (200) of claim 8 or 10, wherein the one or more attachment means (210, 212) comprises one or more bayonet connectors.

12. The apparatus (200) of any of claims 8 to 11 , wherein the attachment arrangement (204) comprises an attachment plate receiver (208) configured to receive a corresponding attachment plate (206), wherein the attachment plate is configured to connect to the media playback device (104).

13. The apparatus (200) of claim 12, wherein the attachment plate (206) is configured to provide a magnetic connection to the media playback device (104).

14. The apparatus (200) of claim 12 or 13, wherein the attachment plate receiver (208) comprises a plurality of teeth (218) configured to retain the attachment plate when the attachment plate (206) is received in the attachment plate receiver.

15. The apparatus (200) of claim 14, wherein the plurality of teeth (218) is configured to interact with a channel (236) of the attachment plate (206) to retain the attachment plate in the attachment plate receiver (208).

16. A system for supporting a media playback device (104) on a surface of a vehicle (80), the system comprising: the apparatus (200) of any of claims 12 to 16; and an attachment plate (206) configured to provide a connection to the media playback device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the attachment plate (206) comprises a locking mechanism (232, 234) configured to enable retention of the attachment plate in the attachment plate receiver (208).