GB2506866A

GB2506866A - A holder for a media device

Info

Publication number: GB2506866A
Application number: GB201218088A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Ian Hanman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-09
Filing date: 2012-10-09
Publication date: 2014-04-16
Also published as: GB201218088D0

Abstract

A holder, for a media device such as tablet computer etc, comprises two parts 100, 101 each having an erecting slot 114. When constructing the holder the two body parts 100 and 101 should have the erecting slots 114 aligned with the two body parts 100 and 101 at an opposing angle aligned laterally on the same axis. When a pressing motion is applied to the body parts 100 and 101, they may navigate along a length of the erecting slot 114 until a stabilising projection 108 is seated securely into a stabilising recess 109 on each part 100, 101. To facilitate storage and transportation of the parts 100, 101 they may be held securely together in an interlocked position (fig 2) using raised interlock 106 and recessed interlock 107. Location stops/ re-entrant portions 103, 104 act as a guide to locate a media device base (401, fig 4) or side (402). The holder may be made of plastics, e.g. polyurethane, and may partly comprises rubber.

Description

A Holder

Background to the Invention

The present invention relates to a holder.

Specifically, the present invention relates to a holder for a media device More specifically, the present invention relates to a holder for a portable and/or handheld media device.

Media devices are able to store and transmit media content in a number of different forms. This can include text, audio, still images, animation, video or interactivity content forms. Media devices are commonly manufactured as multimedia devices whereby the medium has multiple content forms which can be recorded, stored, played, displayed and/accessed by information content devices. A known form of multimedia device is that of electronic multimedia devices whereby the user can store and experience multimedia content.

Multimedia devices can include televisions, electronic radios, telecommunication devices, computers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones and multimedia cameras.

More specifically, hand-held and/or portable multimedia devices are widely available which include tablet PCs, I-Pads®, Kindles®, I-Phones and other android or smart phones. In addition, other hand-held or portable media devices can include hand-held games consoles and satellite navigation systems.

Portable and/or hand-held media devices are generally of a size and nature such that they can be used in a user's home, desk or office. As hand-held/portable multimedia devices are substantially planar in dimensions, should a user wish to rest the multimedia device on a surface, the surface is generally required to be flat and lateral, for example the surface of a table or a desk. It is difficult for a multimedia device to stand on a flat horizontal structure or surface so that the user can view the display screen from any angle other than from directly above the multimedia device.

A number of multimedia device holders are known, but they have various disadvantages. Commonly, multimedia device holders are restricted in size and dimensions to only fit a certain specific multimedia device make and/or model and therefore cannot be manipulated to be used for different multimedia devices.

There is a need for a holder to be small, collapsible and easily

transportable.

Known multimedia device holders tend to interfere and obstruct operational buttons, speakers, microphones, and connection points and other operational points of multimedia devices that are generally part of a functioning multimedia device.

Furthermore, known multimedia device holders commonly interfere or obstruct the display screen of multimedia device holders. A number of multimedia device holders comprise moving parts which limit the durability of the multimedia device holder itself.

Moreover, known multimedia device holders are not configurable such that the multimedia device can be placed within the holder in different angles of recline to facilitate better viewing angle of the display.

There is a need for a device holder to allow the media device to be used in either landscape or portrait orientation, this is particularly useful when watching media on the media device or when connecting the media device to a computer, audio or power lead.

There is a need for a multimedia device holder which is configurable for use with a range of multimedia devices, minimises interference with the operation and functionality of a multimedia device, is re-usable and is configurable to support a multimedia device.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a holder for a media device, said holder comprising: The body may comprise of first walls and second walls which define one or more location re-entrant positions. The body may comprise of third and fourth walls which may form a support for a media device. The body may define numerous re-entrant portions in which to engage a media device in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically a first perspective view of a holder for a media device according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates diagrammatically a second perspective view of a holder for a media device of Figure 1 in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically a third view of a holder for a media device of Figure 1 in a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates diagrammatically a fourth view of a holder for a media device of Figure 1 in use with a media device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention will now be described herein with reference to the drawings by way of example only. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to the specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as to not necessarily obscure the description.

Figure 1 illustrates the media device holder in the constructed position 110, body (part 1)100, body (part 2)101, media device location stops (1) 102, media device location stops (2) 103, media device location stops (3) 104, media device supports 105, raised interlocks 106, stabilising feet 113, device location re-entrant position 115.

Figure 2 illustrates the body (part 1)100 and body (part 2)101 in a deconstructed, flattened but interlocked position 112 and with the references as per figure 1. Figure 2 further shows; stabilising projection 108, stabilising recess 109 and erecting slot 114.

Figure 3 illustrates the body (part 1)100 and body (part 2)101 in a deconstructed and separated position 111 and with the references as per figure 2. Figure 3 further shows the recessed interlock 107.

Figure 4 illustrates media device holder in a constructed position 110 and with references as per figure 1. Figure 4 further shows; media device 400, media device base 401, media device side 402 and media device screen 403 installed within the media device holder in the constructed position 110.

With reference to the drawings there is provided a holder in the constructed position 110 for locating and retaining a media device 400. The media device can be any multimedia device which is portable and/or hand-held including telecommunications devices and other multimedia devices which have been described herein above. In one instance, media device holder in the constructed position 110 is configured to retain a media device 400 in the form of a smart phone.

The body (part 1)100 and body (part 2)101 require to be of a strength such as to retain the structural shape of the holder 110 as well as have a durability for repetitive use of the holder (constructed) 110 as well as to protect the media device to be held in use.

One way in which the body (part 1)100 and body (pad 2)101 can be manufactured is by injection moulding according to techniques well known in the art.

Examples of the material for the body (part 1)100 and body (part 2) 101, can be, but are not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polyurethane, a toughened plastic, wood or metal, for example, aluminium, silver, iron or steel.

The holder in the constructed position 110 comprises of the body (part 1)100 and body (part 2)101 inserted into each other using the means of the erecting slot 114 The holder in the constructed position 110 may comprise of 2 parts, the body (part 1)100 and body (part 2)101. Each part may be largely planar with irregular shaped edges. The structure of each body (part 1)100 and (part 2) 101 may have an erecting slot 114, a raised interlock 106 or a recessed interlock 107 and a stabilising recess 109.

The erecting slot 114 may be largely straight with parallel sides. Within the erecting slot there may be two stabilising projections 108. When transforming the holder (separated) 111 to the holder (constructed) 110, the two body parts 100 and 101 should have the erecting slots aligned and may be with the two body parts 100 and 101 at an opposing angle aligned laterally on the same axis. When a pressing motion is applied to the 2 body parts 100 and 101, they may navigate along the length of the erecting slot 114 until the stabilising projection 108 is seated securely into the stabilising recess 109 on each part.

To release the structure and transform the holder from the holder (constructed) 110 to the holder (separated) 111, a reverse pressing force may be applied, this will release the stabilising projection 108 from the stabilising recess 109 and allow the body parts to navigate back in an outward direction along the length of the erecting slot 114 until both body parts 100 and 101 are separated.

Each body (part 1) 100 and (part 2) 101 have two or more raised interlocks 106 or recessed interlocks 107 on each planar face. If the planer face has raised interlocks 106 on one side of the body part, then it may have recessed interlocks 107 on the opposing face of the same body part. Both the raised interlock 106 and recessed interlock 107 are made up of numerous raised and recessed forms, these forms are designed to interlock with the opposing raised interlock 106 or the recessed interlock 107 on the other body (part 1)100 or (part 2)101 to form a fitting mechanical connection.

To facilitate storage and transportation of the body (part 1)100 and the body (part 2)101, the body (part 1)100 and body (part 2)101 may be held securely together in the interlocked position 112 using the raised interlock 106 and the recessed interlock 107. To transform the media device holder (separated) 111 to the media device holder (interlocked) 112, body (part 1) and body (part 2)101, may be aligned together with the raised interlock 106 aligned with the recessed interlock 107 so that the raised portion of the interlock may fit into the recessed portion.

To release the structure and transform the holder (interlocked) 112 to the holder (separated) 111 a reverse pressing force may be applied, this will release the raised interlock 106 from the recessed interlock 107 and allow the body parts to navigate back in an outward direction until both body parts 100 and 101 are separated.

The body (part 1)100 and the body (part 2)101 are designed with a media device support 105 within their structure. This may be formed at a specific angle to facilitate the optimum structural support to the media device (400) when positioned within the media device holder (constructed) 110.

When in use, the media device holder (constructed) 110 may stand on one or more stabilising feet 113. They are of such a shape to provide optimum stability to the holder (constructed) 110 and therefore provide optimum stability to the media device 400 when situated within the holder (constructed) 110.

The media device location stops (1) 102, media device location stops (2) 103 and media device location stops (3) 104 of the body (part 1)100 and the body (part 2)101 can act as a guide to locate a media device base 401 or media device side 402 within the holder in the constructed position 110 when in use.

The profile of the media device holder (constructed) 110 is configured in such a way that when the media device 400 is inserted into the media device holder (constructed) 110, the media device can be displayed at multiple angles of recline depending on whether the media device is sitting on media device location stops (1) 102, media device location stops (2) 103 or media device location stops (3) 104. This difference in viewing angle will help facilitate the user to find the optimum view of the media device display screen 403.

The design of holder (constructed) 110 allows for a media device 400 to be placed in the holder (constructed) 110 in either landscape orientation, sitting with the media device base 401 within the device location re-entrant position 115 in either the media device location stops (1) 102, media device location stops (2) 103 or media device location stops (3) 104 or in portrait orientation, sitting with the media device side 402 within the device location re-entrant position 115 in either the media location stops (1) 102, media location stops (2) 103 or media location stops (3) 104. All of these orientations are with the media device display screen 403 facing in an outward direction away from the holder (constructed) 110 to facilitate ease of viewing.

Claims

Claims 1. Aholderfora media device, said holder comprising: a holding arrangement operable to stand the holder on a flat, level surface during use.
2. A holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body provides a recess to support the media device in use.
3. A holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body provides at least three positions to engage a media device, and a portion to support the media device.
4. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the body structure comprises one or more concave walls engageable with the side or end of a media device in use.
5. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the body structure is configured to prevent interaction of the body structure with an operational button and/or switch and/or speaker of a media device in use.
6. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the body of the structure is configured to be complementary to a media device.
7. A holder as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependant thereon, wherein the body of the structure comprises a first wall and second wall which define the location re-entrant positions.
8. A holder as claimed in claim 7 or any claim dependant thereon, wherein the body of the structure comprises a third wall and fourth wall which define a recline support for a media device.
9. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the body of the structure is shaped to facilitate engagement with a side or an end of a media device.
10. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the body of the structure may be such as to reduce vibrations passing from a surface to a media device when in use.
11. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the geometry of the body structure is such that the media device may be orientated to facilitate an additional angles of recline of the media device.
12.A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims whereby the holder may be deconstructed.
13.A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims whereby the deconstructed holder parts may be connected in an alternative arrangement for easy transportation.
14.A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the body of the structure may partly comprise rubber ora rubberised material.
15. A holder as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 14 wherein the body of the structure is polyurethane.
16. A holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 wherein the body of the structure is polyvinyl chloride (PVC).