Bistable Spring Stand And Housing For A Handheld Device

Abstract

An accessory for supporting a handheld electronic device includes a bistable spring to position and support the handheld device. The accessory includes a housing coupled to the handheld device and a bistable spring moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the bistable spring is substantially flat and in the second position the bistable spring defines a longitudinal curve away from the housing. The curvature of the bistable spring in the second position can support the handheld device on a surface e.g. table and in a slot such as CD player or air vent in a vehicle. The longitudinal curve of the bistable spring easily deflects to a reduced curvature to be received in and retained with a slot and consistently actuates to same radius in the second position providing proper viewing angle of screen for handheld device.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/169,235 filed on Jun. 1, 2015, titled Bistable Spring Stand And Housing For A Handheld Device, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to handheld devices, for example smart phones, cell phones, electronic music players, data storage devices, and tablets, and more particularly to accessories for handheld devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many handheld devices are held in an upright position in a vehicle with bulky and expensive mounting devices that remain fixed in place when the handheld device is removed. Some prior art handheld devices include a case for the handheld device with an integral extendable stand or `kick stand` on the side opposite the screen. This extendable stand is used to position the handheld device upright on a table or to hold between fingers. However, in a vehicle this extendable stand does not securely hold the handheld device in an upright position, with the screen at the proper viewing angle for the driver to use the handheld device for tasks such as navigation or receiving a call. This extendable stand is more straight than curved, which does not retain the handheld device securely within a slot, e.g. vent or CD player slot in a vehicle, especially when driving a vehicle down a bumpy or windy road. For some users there is a need to releasably mount a handheld device in a vehicle without requiring a bulky and expensive mounting device.

[0004] The vehicle mounting device industry for handheld devices can reduce safety concerns related to not retaining these devices while a vehicle is in operation. If these devices are not retained a driver may become distracted from driving if, for example, the device falls or moves causing the driver to focus on finding or adjusting the device, than safely driving the vehicle. If the handheld device was securely retained while the driver operates a vehicle, the driver's focus could be more on driving, thus providing a safer driving environment.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention may comprise one or more of the features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

[0006] An accessory for supporting a handheld electronic device includes a bistable spring to position and support the handheld device. The accessory includes a housing coupled to the handheld device and a bistable spring moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the bistable spring is substantially flat and in the second position the bistable spring defines a longitudinal curve away from the housing. The curvature of the bistable spring in the second position can support the handheld device on a surface e.g. table and in a slot e.g. CD player or air vent in a vehicle. The longitudinal curve of the bistable spring easily deflects at a distal end to a reduced curvature to be received in a slot and consistently actuates to same radius in the second position providing proper viewing angle for the screen of the handheld device.

[0007] An illustrative embodiment of an accessory for supporting a handheld device on at least one of a surface and a slot according to the present disclosure comprises a housing having a first side and a second side, the first side of the housing coupled to the handheld device and the housing defining a curved mounting surface. A bistable spring having a first edge and a second edge, a first end and a second end, a first notch defined along the first edge and a second notch defined along the second edge, and a cross-section of the bistable spring between the first and second edges reduced between the first and second notches. The bistable spring moveable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the bistable spring is substantially flat between the first and second end and defining a lateral curve between the first and second edge, in the second position the bistable spring defining a longitudinal curve outward from the housing and is substantially flat between the first and second edge. The first end of the bistable spring coupled to the curved mounting surface such that the first end defines the lateral curve when the bistable spring is in the first and the second position. The curvature of the bistable spring structure in the second position can support the handheld device on at least a surface or from an air vent or CD player slot in a vehicle. The longitudinal curve radius of the bistable spring in the second position is set during the manufacturing process with a curve setting machine so that the bistable spring consistently actuates to the desired curve radius to securely hold the handheld device in an air vent or CD player slot in a vehicle.

[0008] Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an accessory having a housing and a bistable spring in first position according to the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 with the bistable spring in a second position;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 with the bistable spring in the first position;

[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a side perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 with the bistable spring in the second position;

[0014] FIG. 4C illustrates a side perspective view of a prior art accessory with the bistable spring;

[0015] FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view of a first and a second notch of the bistable spring of the accessory of FIG. 1 with a plastic cover mostly removed;

[0016] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom end perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in the second position and resting in a horizontal orientation on a flat surface;

[0017] FIG. 6B illustrates a front perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in the second position and resting in a horizontal orientation on a flat surface;

[0018] FIG. 7A illustrates a front perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in the second position and resting in a vertical orientation on a flat surface;

[0019] FIG. 7B illustrates a side perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in the second position and resting in a vertical orientation on a flat surface;

[0020] FIG. 8A illustrates a front perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in a second position and mounted to a vehicle air vent slot;

[0021] FIG. 8B illustrates a side perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in a second position and mounted to a vehicle air vent slot;

[0022] FIG. 9A illustrates a front perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in a second position and mounted to a vehicle CD player slot;

[0023] FIG. 9B illustrates a side perspective view of the accessory of FIG. 1 attached to a handheld device with the bistable spring in a second position and mounted to a vehicle CD player slot; and

[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory of FIG. 1 taken along section line 10-10 shown in FIG. 4A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principals of the invention, reference will now be made to one or more illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, a first illustrative embodiment of an accessory 10 for a handheld device 12 according to the present invention is illustrated. The accessory 10 includes a housing 20 and a bistable spring 22. The housing 20 includes a first side 24 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a second side 26 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The bistable spring 22 is coupled to the housing 20 and includes a retracted first position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and an extended second position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A). The bistable spring 22 is stable in each position, but can be mechanically actuated between the positions. The bistable spring 22 is substantially flat along its length between first end 40 and second end 42 in the first position (shown in FIG. 3) and has a curvature translating the second end 42 through more than 90 degrees, or alternatively more than 110 degrees, in the second position as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B as angle 52.

[0027] The longitudinal curvature of bistable spring 22 in the second position can support a handheld device on a surface 14 (FIG. 6A) or from a slot 16 (FIGS. 8B and 9B) in an elevated position for easily using and viewing. The bistable spring 22 consistently actuates to the same radius and longitudinal curvature in the second position. The bistable spring 22 has a resilient cover 44 (shown with end portion intact in FIGS. 5A and 5B) with a stiffness that is overcome by moving the spring between the first and second positions. The cover 44 also resists the longitudinal curvature and thus limits the radius of the longitudinal curvature of the bistable spring 22 in the second position. The resilient cover defines recesses 45 (FIGS. 1 and 3) extending longitudinally along each side of the bistable spring to reduce the stiffness and resistance to flexing of the lateral curve between the first edge 36 and the second edge 38 of the bistable spring 22 that occurs in translating between the laterally curved first position and the substantially laterally flat second position. Referring to FIG. 10, the lateral curve of the bistable spring 22 in the first position is convex along the entire length away from the second surface 26 of housing 20. The lateral curve of the bistable spring 22 in the second position flattens along the entire length toward second surface 26 of housing 20, thereby enabling a distal second end 42 portion of the length to more easily be flexed from being longitudinally curved to more flat to be received in an opening, as will be discussed further below.

[0028] The bistable spring 22 includes a first notch 32 along the first edge 36, a second notch 34 along the second edge 38, a first end 40 and a second end 42 (shown in FIG. 5). The cross-section between the first notch 32 and the second notch 34 is reduces to ease the bistable spring 22 movement between first position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and second position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), and to decrease a radius R1 of the curvature nearest end 40, as shown in FIG. 4B. The first notch 32 and the second notch 34 (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) also reduce resistance to flexing of the bistable spring 22 in the second position so that the second end 42 is more easily flexed to a desired position relative to the second side 26 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) of the housing 20 as the second end 42 is inserted into an opening, e.g., a slot as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B. The second end 42 of the bistable spring 22 in the second position can be located above and between the first end 40 and the second end 42 of the bistable spring 22 in the first position, and in particular, past a midpoint between ends 40 and 42 so that in the second position the end 42 is closer to the end 40 than end 42 in the first position. Additionally, the second end 42 in the second position rotates to a location above a point near to but just short of a midpoint between the ends of housing 20. The second end 42 of the bistable spring 22 in the second position is about perpendicular to the bistable spring 22 in the first position. The bistable spring 22 moves from the first position into the second position when pressure is applied in the area between the first notch 32 and the second notch 34 and the bistable spring 22 returns to the first position when pressure applied to the second end 42 toward the housing 20.

[0029] The first end 40 of the bistable spring 22 is attached to a curved mounting surface 28 of housing 20 (shown in FIG. 2) such that the first end 40 defines a lateral curve adjacent end 40 (see FIG. 10) between edges 36 and 38 when the bistable spring 22 is in either of the first and second positions. The material, constructions, and first and second positions of bistable spring 22 can be the same or similar to spring steel or roll-up metal tape measures or plastic and metal slap bracelets. In an illustrative embodiment, the bistable spring 22 has a width 57 of approximately 25 millimeters between the first edge 36 and the second edge 38, a length 56 of approximately 75.4 millimeters between the first edge 40 and the second edge 42, and a distance 58 of approximately 21.57 millimeters between a center of the notches 32, 34 and the first edge 40. The material width remaining between notches 32 and 34 is about 20 mm. The bistable spring 22 material may be 1095 or 1075 spring steel, and may have a thickness of 0.2 millimeters. The lateral displacement 50 of the second end 42 of the bistable spring 22 in the extended second position from where the second end of the bistable spring 22 was located in the first position is between approximately 41 to 45 millimeters, as shown in FIG. 4A. The vertical displacement 51 of the second end 42 in the extended second position from where the second end was located in the first position is about 37 to 41 millimeters. An angle 52 between a tangent line to the second end 42 and a top of the curved mounting surface 28 the retracted first position for second end 42 of housing 20 may be greater than 90 degrees, for example, between about 110 to 140 degrees, or alternatively, between about 120 to 130 degrees, or alternatively in the embodiment shown, about 125 degrees while bistable spring 22 is in the extended second position, as shown in FIG. 4B. The radius R2 near end 42 and measured between the first end 40 and the second end 42 of bistable spring 22 in the second position is about 52 millimeters. The radius R1 of the curved bistable spring 22 near end 40 in the second position is about 17 millimeters. Subsequent to assembly of the accessory 10, the bistable spring 22 may be processed in a curve setting machine (not shown). The curve setting machine sets the curve radii R1 and R2 of the bistable spring 22 in the extended second position. Setting the curve of the bistable spring 22 with the curve setting machine to pretension or otherwise enable the bistable spring 22 to consistently actuate to the same radius, longitudinal curvature, and displacement in the second position. The notches 32 and 34 of the bistable spring 22 aid the curve setter in setting the desired curve radius, to consistently actuate the bistable spring 22 to the same radius, curvature, and displacement in the second position.

[0030] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrates the accessory 10 attached to handheld device 12 with bistable spring 22 in second position, resting in a horizontal position on a surface 14. FIG. 7A and 7B illustrates a housing 20 attached to handheld device 12 with bistable spring 22 in second position, resting in an elevated position on a surface 14. FIG. 8A and 8B illustrate the accessory 10 attached to a handheld device with bistable spring 22 in second position, extending from a slot 16 formed by a vehicle's air vent 17. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the accessory 10 attached to handheld device 12 with bistable spring 22 in second position, extending from a slot 16 of a vehicle's CD player 18. Advantageously, the distal second end 42 of the bistable spring 22 is easily flattened enough to be received between the two surfaces forming the opening of the slot 16. Upon entry of the second end 42 within the slot 16, flexing of the second end 42 to its longitudinally curved second position aids retention of the accessory 10 by the slot 16 in that the longitudinal curve will cause bistable spring 22 to be in contact with both upper and lower opening surfaces of vent 17 or CD player 18 forming the slot 16. In contrast, prior art accessories 100 with extendable stands (FIG. 4C) lack a sufficient longitudinal curve (straight or large radius) and are not well retained within slot 16, or have too much of a longitudinal curve (small radius) and/or resist flexing to a straightened longitudinal curve at a distal end such that it is difficult or not possible to insert the distal end within a slot 16. For example, typical prior art accessories 100 provides an angle 152 of rotation, less than about 90 degrees.

[0031] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims and summary are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. An accessory for supporting a handheld device by at least one of a surface and a slot, comprising: a housing having a first side and a second side, the first side of the housing coupled to the handheld device, and the housing defining a mounting surface; and a bistable spring having a first edge and a second edge, a first end and a second end, and a first notch defined along the first edge and a second notch defined along the second edge, a cross-section of the bistable spring between the first and second edge reduced between the first and second notches, and the first end coupled to the mounting surface; and wherein the bistable spring is moveable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the bistable spring is substantially flat between the first and second end and defines a lateral curve between the first and second edge, and in the second position the bistable spring defines a longitudinal curve outward from the housing.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the bistable spring rotates through greater than 90 degrees in moving from the first position to the second position.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the bistable spring rotates through between 110 degrees to 140 degrees in moving from the first position to the second position.

4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the bistable spring rotates through about 125 degrees in moving from the first position to the second position.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bistable spring is pretensioned to repeatedly actuate to a consistent second position.

6. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bistable spring defines in the second position a radius of longitudinal curvature nearest the second end that retains the second end between opposite members defining the slot.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface of the housing is curved to retain the lateral curve of the bistable spring adjacent the first end.

8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bistable spring is substantially flat between the first edge and the second edge in the second position.

9. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the bistable spring in the second position is located laterally beyond the midpoint defined by the first and second ends in the first position.

10. An accessory for supporting a handheld device, comprising: a housing having a first side and a second side, the first side of the housing coupled to the handheld device, and the housing defining a mounting surface; and a bistable spring having a first edge and a second edge, and a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the mounting surface of the housing; and wherein: the second end of the bistable spring is moveable between a first position in which the bistable spring is longitudinally straight and a second position in which the bistable spring is longitudinally curved away from the housing; and in translating from the first position to the second position the second end rotates through greater than 90 degrees.

11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the second end rotates through greater than 120 degrees.

12. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the second end rotates through between about 110 to 140 degrees.

13. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the bistable spring is pretensioned to repeatedly return the second end between consistent locations in the first position and in the second position of the bistable spring.

14. The accessory of claim 13, wherein the first and second edges of the bistable spring each define at least one notch.

15. The accessory of claim 14, wherein the at least one notch is located closer to the first end than to the second end.

16. The accessory of claim 10, further comprising a flexible plastic cover encapsulating the bistable spring.

17. An accessory for supporting a handheld device, comprising: a housing having a first side and a second side, the first side of the housing coupled to the handheld device, and the housing defining a mounting surface; and a bistable spring having a first edge and a second edge, and a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the mounting surface of the housing, and the first and second edge each defining at least one notch; and wherein the bistable spring is moveable between and stable in each of a first position in which the bistable spring is longitudinally straight and a second position in which the bistable spring is longitudinally curved away from the housing such that the second end translates through a rotation of at least 110 degrees.

18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein in the second position the second end of the bistable spring is located beyond the midpoint defined between the first end and the second end in the first position such that in the second position the second end is closer to the first end than it is to its own location in the first position.

19. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the bistable spring is pretensioned to repeatedly move the second end between consistent locations in the first and in the second positions.

20. The accessory of claim 20, further comprising a plastic cover encapsulating the bistable spring.