GB2519931A

GB2519931A - A Holder

Info

Publication number: GB2519931A
Application number: GB1313388.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillip Barnfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-26
Filing date: 2013-07-26
Publication date: 2015-05-13
Also published as: GB201313388D0

Abstract

A holder for an electronic device (e.g. smartphone, cellphone or camera), the holder comprises: a body with a lowermost and an uppermost face in use; said body arranged with an interface area 11 for a surface or object (e.g. drinks container such as a can or bottle), and an electronic device or signs / notices interaction region 1; wherein said area is arranged on the lowermost face and said region arranged on the uppermost face, and both comprise resiliently deformable material 10. The holder operates in a similar manner to a tripod by elevating and/or supporting the device on a surface or object. The holder may be used to support the smartphone, cellphone or camera device and be arranged according to the surface or object, wherein for example the device may be supported on the body and the body mounted on a drinks container such as a can or bottle. The lowermost face may include attachment means (e.g. hook and loops).

Description

A HOLDER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a holder, more particularly but not exclusively a holder for an electronic device, in particular but not exclusively a stand that can be located atop an object in use so as to support a device in an elevated position.

Background

A number of devices benefit from being positioned at a particular height in order to achieve optimal use. For example a device with a screen such as a smartphone, celiphone or camera may be positioned at eye level in order to view the screen or to take a picture. Sometimes the user may not want to hold the device at this position and therefore it must be supported in another way such as on a surface. Often the desired position is not achievable on commonplace objects such as tables and shelves as these are typically too low or too high, therefore the optimal viewing angle is not achieved. The device may have a specific stand on which it may be used but the stand may be limited to certain dimensions and therefore not suitable in all n... 20 situations. Additionally a specific stand may be bulky or heavy to carry and therefore it may be undesirable to carry this extra piece of equipment. *a.. * . *

Prior Art *. * * . * * **

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Japanese patent application JP 3 116 090 (MAKABE) discloses a digital camera and the camera equipped portable telephone without taking the cover of the pet bottle, in the camera stand which utilizes the pet bottle of the drinking water and the like, it unifies and, it offers the camera stand auxiliary tool which can utilize the automatic shutter function of the camera. SOLUTION: The camera private screw hole has been attached to the digital camera, but the tripod and this time using the auxiliary tool of the camera stand of invention in that screw hole, it is possible to install the camera itself, but, the private screw hole which is locked in the tripod has not been attached to the camera equipped portable telephone. Then, the holder which can install the camera equipped portable tetephone easily in lengthwise and cross direction it was attached, camera stand auxiliary tool for the pet bottle is offered.

Chinese utility model CN 201 259 604 (XIN) relates to a camera bracket, in particular to a bottle cap type portable camera bracket which is convenient in use, and is combined with a beverage bottle. The bottle cap type portable camera bracket is characterized in that one end of the bracket is a fixed bottle cap provided with an internal thread and matched with the beverage bottle mouth, the other end is a fixed bracket provided with an external thread and matched with the camera. The bottle cap type portable camera bracket has the beneficial effects that the camera bracket is convenient in carrying, practical and convenient, and has low price, is stable and reliable.

German patent application DE 102 006 040 273 (HUGO) discloses a holder that has a holding part with a receiving opening holding a mobile telephone in an insertable-and frictional coherent manner, where the holding part is made of a high elastic material e.g. plastic, and foam material. The holding part is enclosed by an outer casing made of a harder plastic or sheet metal. The holding part and the outer casing are manufactured in two-component injection moulding method. The holding part is insertable in a vehicle-sided cup or bottle holder. Broadsides are arranged under a pointed angle to a central longitudinal axis of the holding part.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a holder for an electronic device, in which the holder comprises: a body with a lowermost and an uppermost face in use; said body arranged with an interface area for a surface or object, and an electronic device interaction region; wherein said area is arranged on the lowermost face and said region arranged on the uppermost face, and both comprise resiliently deformable material.

In this way the holder operates in a similar manner to a tripod by elevating andlor supporting the device on a surface or object.

In preferred embodiments the holder is provided in or as a single unitary piece. In other embodiments a central core may be provided with area and region adhered to, bonded with or otherwise superficially superimposed.

Preferably the faces may be disposed in a plurality of orientations wherein uppermost and lowermost are arranged relatively. Typically the faces are substantially opposed, wherein the holder is arranged to be placed superior to or on a planar and/or largely horizontal surface.

In some further embodiments the surface is angled, superior or multi-angled, for example wherein the area comprises adhesive, hook and loop portions such as Velcro (RTM) and/or bipartite construction, for example wherein a first area portion is fastened in use to the surface and a second portion is included or permanently attached to the holder.

Preferably the lowermost face may include hook or hoop material such as Velcro (RTM) so that the lowermost face is capable attachment to any surface with corresponding hooks/loops. For example the lowermost face may include a disc of Velcro (RTM) that can attach to a corresponding second disc mounted on the r*. 20 surface. In this way the interface area may comprise the hook and loop material, wherein in some embodiments the interface area is split between the holder and the surface or object. In yet further embodiments the interface area may include adhesive material in addition or the alternative. * * S * ..

In preferred embodiments however the area and region are arranged to temporarily secure the holder to said device and surface, by properties of deformation alone.

In preferred embodiments the area is arranged to interface with a container, typically such as a drinks container, like a bottle or can, wherein the area comprises either or both of a grip over an outer form of a container such as a bottle lid, or thread of bottle, a brace against an inner form of a container such as a lip of a drinks can or food container.

In preferred embodiments the area comprises a plurality of object or surface interface options. Additionally or in the alternative the region preferably provides a plurality of options for receipt of various devices, for example wherein the region comprises slots in resiliently deformable material that are liable to deform and reform over the device after insertion, and consequently grip the device.

Typical embodiments thereby provide a holder for supporting the device comprising: a resiliently deformable body with plural recesses for receiving devices and recesses additionally also enabling the body to be mounted on an object.

In this way the holder may be used to support the device and be arranged according to the surface or object, wherein for example the device may be supported on the body and the body mounted on a drinks container such as a can or bottle, or viceversa. Therefore the device may be arranged at an elevated position so as to be visible to a user without requirement to be held or otherwise manually maintained, for example enabling a photograph to be taken, a video to be watched, music to be played by the device or browsing to be carried out easily on the device when in situ.

It may be envisaged that the device may comprise various types of electronic device for example mobile telephones, cameras, tablet computers, satellite navigation screens or digital picture frames. Furthermore the holder may be equally applicable on..

* for use with non electrical devices, for example for signs/notices, books or business cards. * ..*

In preferred embodiments the holder is formed from a resiliently deformable material * ...

: such as a cellular structure that is capable of multidirectional flexure and/or *0* compression by a user in order to locate the device onto or into the body and simultaneously locate the body on a surface of an object, whilst depth of the body also provides some structural support, as well as spacing apart the device from the surface in a manner that allows some flexure in the body without excessive weight.

Preferably the material is soft so as to not scratch or damage the devices, surfaces or objects in use. Ideally the body is formed from a cellular structure such as foam.

Typically the body may be provided iii various colours or colour combinations. It may be envisaged that the body may include a pattern, text or image so as to appeal to different users or for advertising purposes. For example the body may display text or images such as a logo or be in the particular colours of a team or company.

It may be envisaged that the body may include more than one density of foam so as to maintain form of the body in use, for example to prevent or limit excessive flexing of the body that may cause devices to become unstable or the body to be unstable on the object. For example the body may include a denser core or denser portions around the recesses so as secure the body in use.

Advantageously a body, region and area formed in a unitary manner allows the device to be arranged in a plurality of relationships, wherein adjustment may be made to the arrangement of the area, region or wider body in relation to the surface, device or object, in order to better position the device in use.

In preferred embodiments the device includes at least one recess located on opposing faces of the body so as to be able to accept devices and objects. In this way at least one face is provided for accepting the devices and a second opposite 1 5 face is provided for accepting the object. In some further embodiments recesses allowing use as both area and region may be available on one face and in yet further embodiments a plurality of said faces may be available on the holder, spaced apart * . from one another by a core.

S..... * .

In use the device with a device is elevated from a surface on which the object is positioned. This may serve to provide a better viewing angle of the device and advantageously distances the device from an undesirable surface such as sand on a beach which may scratch the device. S* * * S S * ..

In a preferred embodiment the body is a disc with an upper face for accepting the device and a lower face for receiving the object. In this way the body can be readily fitted on a bottle or a can wherein the body may be dimensioned for standard bottles and cans. Therefore the holder does not extend substantially beyond the dimensions of the bottle or can and is less likely to be accidently knocked during use and is less likely to unbalance the object.

In some embodiments the disc has a circumference that includes a flat section so as to allow the disc to also be arranged perpendicular to a surface and therefore the device to be optionally held in a different orientation.

It may be envisaged that the body may be provided in any shape or size suitable for securing the device and mounting on the object. For example the body may be dimensioned to represent a heart, a square, a logo or a silhouette of an item or character.

Typically the size of the holder may correspond to the device and/or object. For example the holder for supporting a tablet computer may be larger than the holder for supporting a smartphone or cellphone.

In some embodiments the body may include more than two flat faces with recesses so that the body can be arranged in multiple orientations on the object. For example the body may be cuboid and include at least one recess on each face. In this way plural recesses to accommodate different objects and/or devices may be provided on each face therefore being suitable for various uses.

Preferably the region comprises a recessed channel into which devices may be slotted. Ideally the channel may have a triangular or tapered cross-sectional profile, for example so as to have a narrower opening, in order to securely grip the device in use wherein the opening typically deforms around the device. * .

In some embodiments the recessed channel may have a stepped, square, rectangular or arcuate cross-sectional profile. * . * * *

Typically the channel may have a base that includes raised and lowered portions, for examples grooves, ridges or ripples so as to aid with gripping and holding the device(s) in position.

The channel may segment or traverse a whole face of the body so as to allow for devices that may be wider than the body to be held by the holder.

Preferably the area for accepting or interfacing with the objects may include more than one recessed portion so as to be capable of being accepted on different objects.

In preferred embodiments the area may include an annular groove or depression for locating around the can and a second substantially circular and central recess to enable the second face to be accepted on a bottle lid. Therefore providing two recesses on one face.

In some embodiments the groove, depression or circular recess may be advantageously lined with deformable teeth so as to aid with gripping and being secured upon the object. In this way the circular recess in particular is rendered more capable of receiving various shaped or non-uniform shaped objects, for example being suitable for bottle tops of different sizes Advantageously the area fits in use over a bottle lid so as to be hygienic rather than fitting over the bottle opening through which drink may later be consumed.

In some embodiments the body may comprise sections removable to alter the recess and area dimensions relative to the object.

In other embodiments the area may have object recesses specifically dimensioned :.. for particular devices and objects. For example the object recess(es) may include Iacunae adapted for a ring pull so as to be capable of being mounted on an open or closed drinks can. S. * .

S

Furthermore cutaways may be provided at or on the region to allow the user to be able to operate the device in situ. For example to allow the user to select a menu button on their smartphone. *. A A * S * *r

In some embodiments the body or region may include at least one stay or brace for supporting the device, for example to stop the device from toppling over in use. It may be envisaged that said stay may comprise a projection that extends from the region.

In some embodiments the stay may be displaceable and stowed within the body, and only retracted, or removed and positioned when required for use. For example the stay may comprise a triangular portion located in a slot that can be slid out and arranged to support the device. In this way the stay remains hidden until use and therefore does interfere with transport or storage of the holder.

Typically the stay may be formed from the same material as the body. In some further embodiments the stay may be formed from a rigid material such as synthetic plastic or carbon.

In other embodiments the body may be accepted onto a base so as to enable the holder to be fixed or secured to a surface. For example the base may be mounted on a dashboard such as a vehicle dashboard and the body may be accepted onto the base such as by means of the recess or by mating or interlocking parts. In this way the holder may be fixed to a particular surface and a series of parts may be utilised 1 0 with one holder, so as to accommodate different surfaces or objects.

In preferred embodiments the holder may be provided shrink-wrapped in a synthetic plastic so as to be readily stored and transported.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the holder from the area, * . .. 20 Figure 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, from above showing the region.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures the holder is formed of a unitary body 10, with an interface area 11 for a plurality of surfaces or objects and an interaction region suitable for gripping a planar electronic device such as a cellphone, smartphone or digital camera.

The region 1 comprises two sloped sides 2 and a grip base 7 with raised and lowered portions, wherein the formation of the region 1 is active with resiliently deformation to deform over and onto the device.

Typically the entire body 10 is resiliently deformable.

The area comprises a rim ring 4 disposed to deform and grip over a can rim, a bottle top lacuna 3, with plural deformable ribs 8 to aid in gripping the top, and a separate shaping 5 for placement over a ring pull.

Preferably the region 1 may be at least 5mm wide at its widest point, and ideally at least 8mm deep so as to accommodate standard smartphones. *. ** * * . * .

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing : ... 20 from the scope of invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, * materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A holder for an electronic device, in which the holder comprises: a body with a lowermost and an uppermost face in use; said body arranged with an interface area for a surface or object, and an electronic device interaction region; wherein said area is arranged on the lowermost face and said region arranged on the uppermost face, and both comprise resiliently deformable material.
2. A holder according to claim I wherein the device is a single unitary piece formed of resiliently deformable material.
3. A holder according to claim I or 2 wherein the device is arranged to provide grip over an outer form of a container.
4. A holder according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the device is arranged to provide a brace against an inner form of a container. * * * * *

* : *
5. A holder according to any of the preceding claim wherein the area comprises a recess arranged for acceptance of a ring-pull.
6. A holder according to any of the preceding claims comprising multiple lowermost or uppermost faces in use. * * * ** *

*", 25
7. A holder according to any preceding claim including wherein the lowermost face includes attachment means.
8. A holder according to claim 7 wherein the attachment means comprises hook and loops.
9. A holder with reference to the figures and substantially as described herein.