GB2572639A

GB2572639A - A mount apparatus for a portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2572639A
Application number: GB1805775.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Salam Thiam Abdoulaye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-06
Filing date: 2018-04-06
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Also published as: GB201805775D0

Abstract

A modular mount apparatus for a portable electronic device 2, the apparatus comprising an elongate member 6 with one or more articulated joints 4, the member connecting a clamp 10 mechanism suitable for vehicle head rest securement at a proximal end and a device holder 3 at the distal end, the device holder having displaceable device holding arms. Further the clamp faces Fig 2, item 11) have a rubber finish to deform and provide greater friction and grip.

Description

A MOUNT APPARATUS FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mount apparatus for a portable electronic device, more particularly but not exclusively a mount apparatus for holding a device within a vehicle.

Background

Increasing numbers of users are wedded to their portable electronic devices, for example smartphones or tablets.

Often such users require their device in many different scenarios. For example many users wish to view their devices or have their children use their devices when travelling in a vehicle. The user may wish to screen a film or cartoon.

Holding the device steady for prolonged viewing is difficult in a vehicle, particularly in the rear where there is unlikely to be any stable, flat, convenient surface, particularly when the vehicle is moving.

Prior Art

CN 203 472 705 (FAN) discloses a locating device used for an in-car seat headrest support. The locating device comprises a stretchable rod, two clamping units and a connecting joint unit. The stretchable rod comprises an extension rod capable of linearly moving, and can be lengthened or shortened through the extension rod, the pipe wall of the stretchable rod is provided with a locking assembly which is used for fixing the extension rod after the extension rod is adjusted, the two clamping units are installed at the position of the extension rod and can be clamped on the headrest support, the connecting joint unit is installed at the tail end of the exposed section of the extension rod, and an object to be installed on the connecting joint unit is combined to the connecting joint unit. In this way, the locating device can be fixed to the position of the seat headrest support, various supports or various clamping devices can be combined with the locating device to enable products such as a tablet personal computer and a thin screen to be capable of being installed inside a car, and the locating device is used at back of a single seat or between two seats.

US 8 561 863 (LACOLLA et al) discloses apparatus for securely holding an electronic device while the apparatus is attached to one or more headrest bars of a seat in a vehicle in a manner which allows the user to utilize the electronic device without holding the electronic device, the apparatus comprising: a first attachment arm having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to removably attach to the one or more headrest bars of the seat in the vehicle, the second end configured to pivot about an axis at the second end; a second attachment arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second attachment arm configured to removably attach to the one or more headrest bars of the seat in the vehicle, the second end of the second attachment arm being pivotally attached to the second end of the first attachment arm and configured to pivot about the axis; a neck having a first end and a second end, the first end of the neck attached to the second end of the first attachment arm and to the second end of the second attachment arm, the second end of the neck having a ball-shaped surface; a back support pivotably attached to the second end of the neck, the back support for contacting a non-screen side of the electronic device; a top supporting member adjustably attached to a first side of the back support such that the top supporting member may be slid relative to the back support towards and away from the back support, the top supporting member for pressing against a top edge of the electronic device; and a bottom supporting member adjustably attached to a second side of the back support opposite the first side such that the bottom supporting member may be slid relative to the back support towards and away from the top supporting member, the bottom supporting member for pressing against a bottom edge of the electronic device.

US 2012 0 006 870 (PROCTOR et al) discloses a support structure for an electronic visual display device with a pair of vehicle head rest post clamping members, a first and second extension rod, a first and second joint member and an electronic device support plate. The first extension member is L shaped. One end protrudes into and locks to the headrest post attachment members. The opposite end terminates in a ball shaped member. The second extension rod terminates at each end in a ball shaped members. The support plate has a ball shaped member fixed to its underside. The joint members connect the first and second extension rods to the underside of the support plate. The plate has a clamping member that can retain the visual display device. The joint members clamp on the ball shaped members when joint locking knobs are turned allowing the display to be positioned in a desired location.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a modular mount apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising an elongate member with one or more articulated joint, the member connecting a clamp mechanism at a proximal end and a device holder at the distal end, the device holder having displaceable device holding arms.

The member may comprise a ball joint, or a plurality of ball joints. A plurality of ball joints may be spaced apart along the member. In some embodiments the member comprises a plurality of sections, each joined with a ball and socket joint or other articulation. Such sections may in some embodiments be wholly dismantlable.

In some embodiments the member has a ball joint connection to the securement mechanism. And in some embodiments the member has a ball joint connection to the device holder.

In some embodiments the member comprises a gooseneck, capable of inherent articulation. In some embodiments the member comprises hinges or pivots.

The device holder may comprise a universal device holder, arranged to hold a plurality of different shape and dimension devices, envisaged to be primarily substantially planar. For example the holder may comprise adjustable catches or grips so as to hold an edge of the device in place. For example in some embodiments the device holder may comprise a rear portion, which rear portion may comprise a substantially planar plate, and one or more adjustable or extendable grips. These grips may be extended out from the rear portion so as to grip round the device in use. The grips may be resiliency or elastically mounted from the rear portion and/or may be locked into an adjusted extension.

The holder may comprise a ball joint socket to its rear, or the rear face of the rear portion, or other anchor for the member, such as a hinge.

In some embodiments the device holder may be wholly displaceable from the member. In this way the alps status may be modular, and/or the device holder may be left on the device, and/or may be replaced according to device.

The head rest mechanism is arranged to support the apparatus on or around the head rest and/or seat. On some embodiments, it may be envisaged that the mechanism comprises a permanent or semi-permanent part. In some embodiments the mechanism may be partly or wholly incorporated at manufacture.

The head rest mechanism may comprise one or more clamping members, the member or members arranged to clamp a body in place on or around the head rest, for example wherein the member(s) grip onto or around the stalks of the head rest.

The body of the mechanism may comprise a socket for a ball joint or other anchor for the member.

In some embodiments the mechanism may be wholly displaceable from the member. In this way the device holder and member may be utilisable elsewhere or with reference to other structures.

The body of the mechanism may be advantageously wholly located in use behind the head rest so that the holder is projected behind the seat for travellers or users in the rear of the vehicle, without interference with safety aspects of the head rest. The member or members may be located so as to extend forward to locate onto the head rest stalks.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 show isometric views of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in a first arrangement;

Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a second arrangement;

Figure 3 shows an exploded reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4 shows isometric views of the head rest clamp mechanism as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 show isometric views of the device holder as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figures 6 show isometric views of the device holder as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with arms displaced;

Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the device holder as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric view of the device holder as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

And

Figures 9 show isometric views of a clamp mechanism for use with other parts of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus 99 generally comprising an elongate member 1 with two or more articulated joints comprising balls 5 and sockets 4, the member connecting a vehicle head rest securement clamp mechanism 2 at a proximal end and a device holder 3 at the distal end, the device holder 3 having displaceable device holding arms 8.

The particular embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises an elongate member formed of two sections 6, each section 6 comprising a ball 5 at one end and a socket 4 at the other, a device holder 3 for a mobile telephone or the like, and a head rest securement mechanism 2 comprising a body 15 and two clamps 10.

The clamps 10 are arranged to extend out of the rear face of the body and are adjusted on the front face by screw thread dials 14. Such dials 14 adjust the depth of the clamp face 11 away from the rear face of the body.

The clamp faces 11 have a rubber finish to deform and provide greater friction and grip.

The clamps 10 are arranged to move in slots in the body so as to adjust for different spacing widths of head rest stalks.

The body 15 comprises a socket 12 at one end so as to accept the ball end of a member section or in the pictured embodiment a double-ended ball connector 55.

In the pictured embodiment the member connects to the double ended ball connector 55 using a L section 22.

The device holder 3 comprises a planar front plate 9 and four extending arms 8 with endmost grips 7, wherein a device (not shown) is placed against the plate 9 and the arms 8 are extended sufficiently to grip the device.

The holder 3 comprises two parts tolerance or interference fit together.

The arms comprise serrated arms 8, moved by cogs internal the plate (not shown).

The rear face of the plate 9 comprises a socket 21 for receipt of a ball end of the member, or double-ended or other ball connector as appropriate.

With reference to Figures 9 the clamp mechanism may be utilised on a plurality of structures, as well as a head rest when used horizontally, for example table tops or similar, so as to enable further opportunities of usage.

In the pictured embodiment the clamp mechanism comprises a ball 5 for the articulated joint on a basal C-shaped arm 34 and a clamp pad on a screwthread arm 35 moveable with reference to the basal C-shaped arm 34, driven by a distal dial 33.

In other embodiments the clamp mechanism comprises a ball for the joint at the end of and moveable on a screwthread arm with reference to a basal C-shaped arm, driven by a distal dial.

At the proximal end of the arm part the inner surface comprises a raised and lowered grip surface 36.

Further embodiments of the apparatus may envisage further replaceable modular parts such as the clamp mechanism, or another basal mechanism for securement to other structures.

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 from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A modular mount apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising an elongate member with one or more articulated joint, the member connecting a clamp mechanism at a proximal end and a device holder at the distal end, the device holder having displaceable device holding arms.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the articulated joint comprises a ball and socket joint.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises an elongate body, with slide slots for clamp members.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a connector for the elongate member.

5. A modular mount apparatus for a portable electronic device according to any preceding claim, the apparatus comprising an elongate member with at least two articulated joints, the member connecting a vehicle head rest securement clamp mechanism at a proximal end and a device holder at the distal end, the device holder having displaceable device holding arms.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ball for the articulated joint on a basal C-shaped arm and a clamp pad on a screwthread arm moveable with reference to the basal C-shaped arm, driven by a distal dial.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the C-shaped arm comprises an inner texturized face.