U.S. patent application number 13/762303 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for quick disconnect support system for portable electronic devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sarah Stern. Invention is credited to Sarah Stern.
Application Number | 20130220877 13/762303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49001676 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130220877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern; Sarah |
August 29, 2013 |
Quick Disconnect Support System For Portable Electronic Devices
Abstract
A quick disconnect system with one or more mounting stations,
and a mounting case for an electronic device that encloses an
electronic device. The mounting stations are attached to locations
such as the back of an automobile seat, a baby stroller, furniture,
etc. The mounting case is moved from one mounting station to
another, as needed, when the user detaches the mounting case from
the first mounting station and then quickly attaches the mounting
case to another mounting station.
Inventors: |
Stern; Sarah; (Boca Raton,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stern; Sarah |
Boca Raton |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49001676 |
Appl. No.: |
13/762303 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61595694 |
Feb 7, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/10 20130101;
F16M 13/00 20130101; F16M 13/02 20130101; B65D 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/736 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A system for moving an electronic device from one location to
another, further comprising: one or more mounting stations, each
mounting station having means for connecting to a mounting case; at
least one mounting case, the mounting case having means to secure
the mounting case to a mounting station; whereby the mounting case
can be rapidly moved from one mounting station to another by
detaching the mounting case from the first mounting station, and
moving it to a second mounting station.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims the benefit of,
the provisional patent application entitled "Quick Disconnect
Support System For Portable Electronic Devices", filed Feb. 7,
2012, bearing U.S. Ser. No. 61/595,694 and naming Sarah Stern, the
named inventor herein, as sole inventor, the contents of which is
specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to mounting/support systems
for electronic devices. In particular, it relates to a quick
disconnect multi-support system with connection means that allow a
mounting case for a portable electronic device to be quickly moved
from one carrier to another, wherein the carrier may be an
automobile, a stroller, baby carriage, a crib, etc.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] A variety of portable electronic devices have been recently
developed, such as tablet computers, video players, etc. One
advantage of these devices is that they can be programmed with
video/entertainment programming. They can be especially useful when
traveling with a young child in that they allow the child to be
entertained while the parent or guardian is taking care of
necessary chores.
[0006] Unfortunately, while a parent may wish to use a tablet
computer or other device to entertain or educate a child as the
parent and child travel from one location to another, there is no
convenient way to do this. Each time the parent moves the child
from one environment to another, the parent must figure out how to
secure the tablet or other device while in route to a new location.
It would be desirable to have a method of moving a tablet computer
or other electronic device from one location to another in a
convenient and rapid manner.
[0007] Currently, there are numerous cases that enclose electronic
devices such as a tablet computer, and provide a secure case for
such electronic devices. However, while the electronic device is
protected, prior art cases do not provide any means of conveniently
and rapidly moving the electronic device from one physical
environment to another.
[0008] While these various prior art devices accomplish their
intended purpose of protecting the enclosed electronic device, they
fail to provide a system whereby a user can easily and conveniently
move an electric device from one secured location to another
secured location while the electronic device remains enclosed in a
protective cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a system with one or more
mounting stations, and a mounting case for an electronic device.
Each mounting station attaches to the mounting case that encloses
an electronic device. The mounting stations are attached to
locations such as the back of an automobile seat, a baby stroller,
etc. As the mounting case is moved from one location, such as a car
seat, to another location, such as a stroller, the mounting case is
detached from the first mounting station and then quickly attached
to another mounting station. A plurality of mounting stations can
be used to facilitate the rapid relocation of the electronic device
to any preselected location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of a preferred
embodiment of a mounting case for an electronic device.
[0011] FIG. 2 is illustrates a rear plan view of a preferred
embodiment of a mounting case for an electronic device.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a mounting case
in a tabletop-viewing configuration.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a mounting case
secured to a mounting station that in turn is secured to the
headrest assembly in a vehicle.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a mounting case
secured to the handle of a child's stroller.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Prior to a detailed discussion of the figures, a general
overview of the invention will be presented. The invention provides
one or more mounting stations that contain attachment points for
securing an electronic device mounting case to one or more
locations.
[0016] Each mounting station is secured to a predetermined location
within a vehicle, on a stroller, etc. Each mounting station further
has quick disconnect mounting locations that are designed to allow
the quick attachment or detachment of a mounting case that secures
an electronic device. The electronic device can be any one of a
variety of devices that provide visual. For example, it can be a
commercially available iPad.TM. or any other tablet computer, it
can be other devices capable of producing video, such as an
iPod.TM., and it can even be used for intelligent phones capable of
video, such as the iPhone.TM. and similar devices. The mounting
station allows the device to be quickly moved from one attachment
point to another.
[0017] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the mounting
case is preferably sized to snugly fit the electronic device that
it is designed to hold. As a result, the mounting case can be
fabricated in a number of sizes to suit particular electronic
devices. In the case of tablet computers, they are now commercially
available in a number of sizes based on the desired screen size,
such as 10 inch, 7 inch, etc. While custom sized mounting cases can
be fabricated to precisely fit a particular electronic device's
design, it is also possible to conveniently use a mounting case
designed for a larger device such as a 10 inch iPad, to mount a
smaller device such as a 7 inch iPad, an iPod or a video-capable
cell phone, or other similar device. This approach allows a single
mounting case size to be used for multiple electronic device
sizes.
[0018] While the principal use of the mounting station and the
mounting case is for them to be used as an
entertainment/educational device for small children, it can also be
used for other purposes. For example, if a device such as a tablet
computer, or video-capable cell phone is supported by the mounting
station, the use of commercially available software such as
Skype.TM. would allow those devices to be used as audio/video
monitoring stations when attached to a crib or other location in a
child's room. If a child is ill, this would allow the parent to
monitor the child without entering the room and disturbing child
while sleeping or resting.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment, mounting stations are attached
to one or more vehicles in the household, and also to one or more
strollers, baby carriages, cribs, furniture, etc. When a parent
travels with a child from one location to another, the parent
quickly attaches the mounting case that holds the electronic device
to a mounting station attached to a vehicle in a location where the
child can watch any programming that is playing on the electronic
device. This provides entertainment to the child and allows the
child to travel more easily and enjoyably.
[0020] Once the vehicle reaches the destination, the parent can
quickly detach the mounting case from the mounting station in the
vehicle, and then quickly attach it to another mounting station
attached to a second device, such as a child's stroller, crib, etc.
wherever installed, the mounting stations provide a convenient
point of attachment to allow very rapid and convenient movement of
an electronic device from one location to another. While it is
possible to move the mounting station with the mounting case, the
low-cost of a mounting station allows multiple mounting stations to
be permanently secured to particular preselected locations.
[0021] Having discussed the features and advantages of the
invention in general, we turn now to a more detailed discussion of
the figures.
[0022] In FIG. 1, a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a
mounting station 1 is illustrated. The mounting case 1 can be made
of any suitable material, such as vinyl, nylon, cordura.TM.,
leather, plastic, fabric, etc. The only requirement is that
material selected should be suitable for its purpose. In this
embodiment, a binding 2 extends around the periphery of the
mounting case 1. The upper portion of the mounting case 1 provides
a viewing window 3 that allows visual access to the video screen of
an electronic device (not shown) stored within. Providing that the
binding 2 is sized to securely retain the electronic device held
within, the viewing window 3 can be an open window without any
material that allows direct viewing of the video screen on the
electronic device. While this will provide the best-quality viewing
environment, if the user intends to use the mounting case 1 to
secure multiple types of devices, each having a different size,
then of course a viewing window 3, which is fabricated from
transparent materials such as vinyl, etc., would have to be
provided. Preferably, the mounting case 1 is secured to a mounting
station 16 (shown below in regard to FIG. 4) and is left
permanently attached.
[0023] Also shown in this figure is aperture 4. The purpose of
aperture 4 is to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the
upper portion of mounting case 1. Once the electronic device is
inserted into the upper portion of mounting case 1, it is secured
via hook and loop material 5.
[0024] The lower portion of FIG. 1 illustrates an optional
convenience pocket 7 that is defined by a pocket opening 8. The
convenience pocket 7 is designed to allow a parent to store small
items. Also shown is a section of hook and loop material 9 that is
used to secure the contents inside of convenience pocket 7. While
hook and loop material 9 is preferred, those skilled in the art
will recognize that any suitable securing device can be used.
[0025] Also shown in this figure is fold line 6. When the mounting
case 1 is moved from one location to another, the mounting case 1
can be folded along fold line 6 to protect the video screen on the
electronic device. In addition, apertures 18, 19 in the binding 2
are shown. Apertures 18, 19 are designed to allow convenient
attachment of headphones, speakers, charging cords, etc., to the
electronic device inside of mounting case 1.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the rear plan view of mounting case 1.
Rear surface 10 is illustrated, along with fold line 6. Also shown
are securing straps 11-13 which are attached to mounting case 1.
Strap 12 is attached to the lower portion of mounting case 1 has a
side release female buckle 15 attached to its loose end. Side
release buckles are well known in the art and are commercially
available for numerous uses. Straps 11, 13 are actually the
proximal and distal ends of a single contiguous strap. Strap 11 is
the proximal end and is secured to the rear of mounting case 1.
Strap 13 is the distal end of the strap. Strap 13 fits through an
aperture in male buckle 14 and attaches to strap 11 via hook and
loop material (shown below in regard to FIG. 4). The hook and loop
material used to secure the distal and proximal ends 11, 13
together provides a user with the ability to adjust the length of
strap 11, 13. It should be noted that male buckle 14 and female
buckle 15 can be reversed in terms of which strap 12 or 11, 13 it
is attached to.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a referred embodiment of the mounting
case 1 in the tabletop-viewing configuration. In this
configuration, the upper and lower portions of the mounting case 1
are folded along the fault line 6. Straps 12 and 13, 11 are secured
together via male and female buckles 14, 15 such that mounting case
1 is securely positioned. The viewing-angle of window 3 can be
adjusted by altering by the relative positions of straps 11, 13. By
adjusting straps 11, 13, the user can select the most comfortable
viewing angle when watching the screen of the electronic device
held within. As a result, the adjustable straps 11-13 allows the
mounting case 1 to be used not only in conjunction with travel use,
but also to conveniently position the device for ordinary desktop
use.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a mounting case 1 secured to mounting
station 16. Mounting station 16 is preferably an inexpensive
adjustable strap that can be conveniently attached to any support.
However, while the preferred embodiment envisions a simple strap is
secured via hook and loop material, those skilled in the art will
recognize that any securing mechanism can be used, and further, a
rigid mounting station 16 can also fabricated. The mounting station
16 can be attached to the headrest of a vehicle seat such that when
mounting case 1 is attached, it hangs behind the vehicle seat to
allow a passenger or child in the vehicle to watch video on the
electronic device. Likewise, the mounting station 16 can be
attached to a stroller, a crib, an item of furniture, or any other
support structure that provides a convenient location.
[0029] In this figure, strap 13 is shown encircling mounting
station 16. The end of strap 13 is secured strap 11 such that
mounting case 1 is secured to mounting station 16. Also shown is
male buckle 14.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a mounting case 1 that is directly
secured to a stroller or carriage handle 17. However, many
strollers or characters may not have suitable handle structures.
Therefore, a mounting station 16 would have to be used in those
environments. Likewise, when the mounting case 1 is secured to
another type of structure, the mounting station 16 would also have
to be used.
[0031] As can be seen from the foregoing, the invention disclosed
herein provides convenience when traveling, and also provides other
advantages that include comfortable positioning of a device on a
tabletop, and use of the device to monitor children and
infants.
[0032] While the invention has been described with respect to a
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made
therein without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of
the invention. For example, the material used to construct the
various components of the system may be anything suitable for its
purposes, the size and shape of the components can vary so long as
they are suitable for use and accomplish the goals of the
invention. Accordingly, the invention herein disclosed is to be
limited only as specified in the following claims.
[0033] I claim:
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