U.S. patent application number 11/533054 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for holder of electronic devices.
Invention is credited to Eagle Fan.
Application Number | 20080067088 11/533054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70289141 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067088 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fan; Eagle |
March 20, 2008 |
Holder Of Electronic Devices
Abstract
A holder of electronic devices is provided, including a main
body having a large area, a first covering part, and a second
covering part on two opposite side of the main body, and at least a
connecting element for connecting at least two of the main body,
the first covering part and the second covering part to form a
space with the main body, the first covering part, and the second
covering part. The lower part of the main body includes at least a
protruding stop part so that the electronic device can be held
inside the space.
Inventors: |
Fan; Eagle; (Chu-Pei City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jason Z. Lin;Lin & Associates Intellectual Property, Inc.
P.O. Box 2339
Saratoga
CA
95070-0339
US
|
Family ID: |
70289141 |
Appl. No.: |
11/533054 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/0241 20130101;
B60R 2011/0078 20130101; B60R 2011/0056 20130101; A45C 2011/002
20130101; A45C 11/00 20130101; B60R 2011/0075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A holder of electronic device, comprising: a main body, having a
large-area first surface with at least a protruding stop part on
the lower part of said first surface, a second surface opposite to
said first surface, said second surface having an engaging part; at
least a first covering part, on one side of said main body; at
least a second covering part, on one side of said main body
opposite to said first covering part; and at least a connecting
element, for connecting at least two of said main body, said first
covering part, and said second covering part so as to form a space
with said connected main body, first covering part, and second
covering part, said space able to hold said electronic device.
2. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first covering
part and second covering part are resilient, and can maintain said
space on said main body when connected by said connecting
element.
3. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting
element can be adjusted to change the distance between said main
body, first covering part and second covering part when connecting,
so as to change the size of said space.
4. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first covering
part and second covering part are affixed to said main body.
5. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engaging part can
engage an auxiliary fixed structure.
6. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting
element is a string or belt passing through a plurality of holes on
said first covering part and second covering part, and tied
together to connect said first covering part and second covering
part.
7. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stop part is
affixed to said main body and can be tilted, said stop part has
holes so that said connecting element can pass through and be
stopped from disengaged from said stop part.
8. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of said
first covering parts is the same as the number of said second
covering parts.
9. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of said
first covering parts is different from the number of said second
covering parts.
10. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said
first covering part and second covering part is adjustably attached
to said main body.
11. The holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein the adjustment
method is to have a large-area touch fastener on said second
surface of said main body, and said adjustably attached covering
part has touch fastener.
12. The holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the width of said
touch fastener on said second surface is wider than the width of
the area without touch fastener on said main body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a holder of
electronic devices, and more specifically to a holder for holding
electronic devices of various sizes in place.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The holder of the present invention is for holding
electronic devices, such as mobile phone, PDA, and so on, inside a
vehicle. Conventional holders sued in a vehicle usually include
clippers, for example, with a fixed base having two clippers that
moves laterally with respect to each other. The movement of the
clippers are enabled and controlled by gears, resilient springs,
and connecting parts. Once the electronic device is held by the
clippers, the clippers are locked to hold the device in place. To
release the device from the holder, the user must push the clippers
apart either manually or by pressing a release button that
activates a releasing mechanism. This design has several
disadvantages. The first is that the mechanical structure for
controlling the clipper movement may be noise due to the friction
of the gears and related parts. In addition, it is inconvenient for
the user as the user must re-adjust the clippers every time an
electronic device is placed into the holder or release from the
holder, even though it is the same electronic device. Finally, to
put the electronic device in the holder and to release the
electronic devices from the holder, the user must push the clippers
sufficiently apart in order to accommodate the electronic device.
This may cause further inconvenience as the electronic device may
fall from the far-apart clippers. All the above disadvantages
demands the new design for a holder of electronic device used in a
vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention has been made to overcome the
above-mentioned drawback of conventional clipping holder of
electronic devices. The primary object of the present invention is
to provide a holder of electronic device. The main feature of the
holder is an adjustable space formed with the main body, a first
covering part, a second covering part to hold an electronic device.
A connecting part is used to adjust the distance between the first
covering part and the second covering part in order to adjust the
space to accommodate devices of different sizes.
[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
holder of electronic device with a simple structure that is
convenient to use. By using the covering parts to form a adjustable
space to hold the electronic device, the present invention can be
used for holding the same electronic device without to adjust the
space every time the device is released from the holder. As the
structure is simpler than the clipping holder, the present
invention has a lower manufacturing cost and shows more market
competitiveness.
[0005] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides
a holder of electronic devices, including a main body having a
large area, a first covering part, and a second covering part on
two opposite side of the main body, and at least a connecting
element for connecting at least two of the main body, the first
covering part and the second covering part to form a space with the
main body, the first covering part, and the second covering part.
The lower part of the main body includes at least a protruding stop
part so that the electronic device can be held inside the
space.
[0006] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become better understood
from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein
below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention can be understood in more detail by
reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the
examples and references made to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the second surface
of the main body to match with a fixed structure;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the main body, the first
covering part, and the second covering part;
[0011] FIG. 4 shows the present invention in actual use of holding
a mobile phone;
[0012] FIG. 5A shows the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5B shows the second embodiment of the present invention
of actual holding a mobile phone;
[0014] FIG. 6A shows the third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6B shows the third embodiment of the present invention
of actual use; and
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the schematic view of the structure of the
fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a holder
of electronic device of the present invention. The electronic
device can be a small size mobile phone, PDA, or MP3 player. The
holder includes a main body 1, a covering part 2, a second covering
part 3, and at least a connecting element 4. Main body 1 includes a
first surface 11 having a large area, and a second surface 12 on
the opposite side, as shown in FIG. 2 second surface 12 include an
engaging part 13, and the lower part of first surface 11 includes
at least a stop part 14 for stopping the electronic device placed
on first surface 11 of main body 1 from sliding out. The location
of stop part 14 can be as close to the bottom edge of first surface
as possible. First covering part 2 and second covering part 3 are
on the opposite sides of main body 1, respectively. First covering
part 2 and second covering part 3 are made of resilient and
bendable material, which can restore to the original form.
Connecting element 4 is connected respectively to the top edge of
first covering part 2 and second covering part 3 so that connecting
element 4, first covering part 2, second covering part 3 and first
surface 11 of main body 1 form a space 15 to accommodate the
electronic device. The resilience of first covering part 2 and
second covering part 3 will maintain space 15 from crumbling after
the electronic device is retrieved from space 15, so that the
electronic device can be easily placed into space 15.
[0018] Connecting element 14 is a string in this embodiment;
however, it can also be a belt or other types of connecting
components, such as elastic band, and so on. The top edge of first
covering part 2 and second covering part 3 include a plurality of
holes 21, 31 so that connecting element 4, e.g., the string, can be
used to string through holes 21, 32 and is tied together to connect
first covering part 2 and second covering part 3. By adjusting the
length of the string connecting first covering part 2 and second
covering part 3, the size of space 15 can be adjusted to
accommodate different size electronic devices. In addition, the
shape of space 15 can also be adjusted to accommodate different
shape electronic devices. The resilience of first covering part 2
and second covering part 3 will tighten space 15 slightly so that
electronic device inside space 15 can be held in place.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows engaging part 13 on second surface 12 of main
body 1. Engaging part 13 is for engaging the holder of the present
invention to other auxiliary fixed structure so that the holder can
be fixed to a specific location inside the vehicle, such as on the
dash board, or air-conditioning vent. Therefore, the shape and the
structure of engaging part 13 must match a fixed structure 6 that
is used. In this embodiment, engaging part 13 includes a T-shaped
engaging hole 131, and fixed structure 6 includes a protruding
T-shaped engaging block 61. Engaging block 61 is used to engage
engaging hole 131. However, other types of engaging mechanisms that
are able to engage the holder of the present invention to a fixed
structure can also be used.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which main body 1, first
covering part 2 and second covering part 3 form a large-area
component, but with the thickness and the internal material of
first covering part 2 and second covering part 3 different from
those of main body 1. The material of main body 1 is more rigid,
while the material of first covering part 2 and second covering
part 3 is more resilient and bendable. When connecting element 4
strings through holes 21, 31 and is tightened, the resilience of
first covering part 2 and second covering part 3 allows the
covering parts to fold over main body 1, while main body 1
maintains the original large-area shape. This forms a space 15 to
accommodate the electronic device.
[0021] Some components of the present invention can be further
designed and manufactured to facilitate the convenient use. For
example, it is preferable that first surface 11 of main body 1 is
non-smooth or further includes attachable material so as to
increase the friction and prevent the electronic device from
sliding down. In addition, the edge near where the electronic
device is placed into or retrieved from can be design to include an
outward arc surface so that it is easy for the electronic device to
enter the space. Further more, stop part 14 at the lower part of
main body 1 can be designed as two small separate protruding blocks
so that the plug or socket at the bottom of the electronic device
can be easily attached to a power supply or an earphone. The
position of stop part 14 can also be adjustable, such as sliding
laterally.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in
actual use. When the holder of the present invention is used, an
electronic device 5 (a mobile phone in this embodiment) is placed
inside space 15, and connecting element 4 is tightened to pull
first covering part 2 and second covering part 3 to snuggle onto
electronic device 5 due to the resilience of the material. Stop
part 14 of main body 1 stops electronic device 5 from sliding down
from the holder. After electronic device 5 is retrieved from the
holder, first covering part 2 and second covering part 3 maintain
the shape of space 15 due to the resilient material. When
electronic device 5 is placed inside the holder again, the shape of
space 15 will be adjusted to accommodate the electronic device.
Therefore, the holder can be repeatedly used.
[0023] FIG. 5A shows the second embodiment of the present
invention. The difference is in the stop part 14a. Stop part 14a is
engaged to main body 1, and can be tilted laterally. Stop part 14a
includes a connecting hole 141. The lower part of connecting hole
141 is larger, and the top part forms a mouth 142. The size of
mouth 142 is smaller than connecting element 4 so that when
connecting element passes through connecting hole 141, connecting
element will be stopped at mouth 142. As shown in FIG. 5B, when
electronic device 5 is inside space 15, stop part 14a is pulled and
tilting toward the center. Connecting element 4 is bended around
stop part 14a and electronic device 5 to strengthen the tightness
of connecting element 4 which prevents electronic device 5 from
sliding and prevents connecting element 4 from loosing from stop
part 14a. The stop part of this embodiment further enhances the
ease of use of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6A shows the third embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the structure of connecting element 4a is
different from the previous embodiments. There are two connecting
elements 4a, connected respectively to the top of first covering
part 2 and second covering part 3. Connecting elements 4a can be
made of soft material for wrapping and in the shape of a string or
a belt. In actual use, connecting elements 4a can be tied together,
as in previous embodiment, to form a space with main body 1, first
covering part 2, and second covering part 3. One end of connecting
elements 4a can also pass through a hole 16 on main body 1, and
tied together on second surface 12 of main body 1 for fixation. In
this embodiment, space 15 is formed by main body 1, first covering
part 2, second covering part 3, and two connecting elements 4a.
[0025] In the above embodiments, first covering part 2 and second
covering pat 3 are symmetrically manufactured in both number and
shape. However, first covering part 2 and second part 3 are not
necessarily symmetrical in either number or shape. For example,
there can be two first covering parts 2, and only one second
covering part 3. One connecting element 4 is then used to connect
two first covering parts 2 and a second covering part 3 to form the
space with main body 1. It is also possible that the top of each
first covering part 2 and each second covering part 3 include a
connecting element, and all the connecting elements are connected
together to form the space with main body 1.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, first covering part 2 and second covering part
3 are moveable. Second surface 12 of main body 1 at least include a
large-area touch fastener 17. The front sedge of detachable first
covering part 2a and second covering part 3a also includes
respective a touch fastener 22, 32, and a connecting element 4a. By
changing the position of first covering part 2a and second covering
part 3a on touch fastener 17, the distance between first covering
part 2a and second covering part 3a can be adjusted, thus changing
the size of space 15 to accommodate different-size electronic
devices.
[0027] In summary, the holder of the present invention includes a
main body 1 with a first covering part 2 and a second covering part
on the opposite side, and a connecting element 4 to connect first
covering part 2, second covering part 3, and main body 1 to form a
space 15 on s first surface 11 of main body 1. Space 15 can hold an
electronic device and provides a different way of holding structure
for electronic devices.
[0028] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that
the invention is not limited to the details described thereof.
Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the
foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and
modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *