Abstract:
A collapsible hands free electronic device holder worn upon the chest of a user and supported by a shoulder harness, the electronic device securely attached and held by the holder at a comfortable viewing height and angle to the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Electronic devices have become ever increasingly popular in today&#39;s digitally social society. Electronic devices, such as phones, video players, and tablet computers are often used by individuals who wish to, among other things, view pictures, videos, or video chat with others. When the device is held for long periods of time, the users arm&#39;s fatigue, and the height of the device is ultimately lowered from a comfortable eye-level to the level of the user&#39;s table or lap, causing excessive flexion of the cervical, and thoracic vertebral bodies, causing joint pain, inflammation and soreness of the back and neck, as well as potential injury to the neck muscles and spinal column. Us of the device without having to hold it would be ideal for prolonged use. Portable electronic devices, however, do not lend themselves to hands-free use, because of the small screen and shape that limits the ability to tilt or raise the screen to a comfortable position. 
         [0002]    Current hand&#39;s free electronic device holders that are aimed at assisting user in holding the device at a comfortable level lack the ability to be collapsed and stored within a self contained package. Other devices require multiple cumbersome steps to don and doff the electronic device holder, or require special garments that in themselves are bulky and award to use. These additional inconvenient steps or garments discourage use of a hands free device. 
         [0003]    A need exists for a portable electronic device hands free holder that enables a user to hold the device at a comfortable height, and deploy and store quickly for rapid, easy and convenient use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The current invention provides a hands-free holder that can quickly be deployed and worn by an individual for viewing of a digital device. The unit consists of a slender elongated chest piece, harness, and a mounting bracket for the electronic device. The elongated chest piece unfolds and extends to attach to and support the bracket and electronic device. The invention includes an electronic device attachment bracket for securing an electronic device to a sliding retractable arm slideably connected to a pivoting swing arm, which in turn is pivotally connected to an elongated chest piece that attaches to a harness worn by the user. When in a compact stored configuration, the sliding arm and pivot arm and retracted within the elongated chest piece. The harness may be detached, or may be simply wrapped around the chest piece. The mounting bracket may be left on the electronic device, or removed and stored with the elongated chest piece and/or harness. When collapsed in the stored position, a locking slide ring slips over the swing arm preventing accidental deployment. The locking slide ring also provides an attachment point for the harness, ensuring it is unlocked and ready for deployment when worn. When deploying, after donning and attaching the elongated chest piece to the harness, the user rotates the swing arm away from the elongated chest piece. The sliding arm then either both automatically and simultaneously extends, or the user manually pulls the sliding arm out extending it to the desired length. The electronic device and mounting bracket are then attached to the sliding arm and adjusted for user viewing. 
         [0005]    The ease of deployment of the device and compact storage makes the device easy to carry and use. Positioning of the electronic device at a comfortable height allows the user to enjoy viewing of the electronic device without the associated arm and neck strain from holding the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an individual viewing a personal electronic device held by the invention, the invention worn by the individual for hands free viewing of the electronic device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the elongated chest piece. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the elongated chest piece. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the elongated chest piece in a deployed position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the elongated chest piece with the sliding arm in a partially deployed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the elongated chest piece with the sliding arm in a retracted position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8A  is a fragmentary side view of the elongated chest piece. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8B  is a front view of the elongated chest piece with the sliding lock mechanism in the unlocked position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of the elongated chest piece. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9B  is a rear view of the elongated chest piece with the sliding lock mechanism in the locked position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention in a closed position with the electronic device and holder detached from the chest piece. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the elongated chest piece of a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of the invention in the open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective rear view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention in the open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention in the open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention in the open position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention with the sliding arm retracted. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention with the sliding arm retracted. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a fragmentary side view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention with the sliding arm and swing arm retracted. 
           [0026]      FIG. 19A  is a front view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention with the sliding arm and swing arm retracted and the sliding mechanism in the unlocked position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19B  is a front view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention with the sliding arm and swing arm retracted and the sliding mechanism in the locked position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19C  is a rear view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention with the sliding arm and swing arm retracted and the sliding mechanism in the locked position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is an exploded front perspective view of a third embodiment of the elongated chest piece of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the mounting portion of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  is a rear perspective view of the mounting portion of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  is an exploded rear perspective view of the mounting portion of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 24A  is a rear view of the mounting portion of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 24B  is a bottom view of the mounting portion of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion of the invention of  FIG. 24A  taken at section line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 26  is a front view of a second embodiment of the mounting portion of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion of the invention of  FIG. 26  taken at section line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    The disclosed invention, shown in  FIG. 1 , allows a user  1  to view an electronic device  11  without the need to physically hold the electronic device  11 . The first embodiment invention  101  has an electronic device attachment portion  201 , a support portion  301  and a shoulder support  401 . The invention  101  allows the electronic device  11  to be held in a position for comfortable viewing by the user  1  allowing a comfortable neutral neck and back posture while freeing the user&#39;s hands. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention  101 . The electronic device attachment  201  of this embodiment secures the electronic device to the support portion  301 . The electronic device attachment  201  is comprised of an upper portion  211  and a lower portion  251 . Rods  241  attached to the upper portion  211  are biased to retract within the lower portion  251  to clamp the electronic device between walls upper vertical wall  215  and lower vertical wall  255 . The electronic device is further retained by upper lip  217  and lower lip  257  and against upper body  213  and lower body  253  of the upper portion  211  and lower portion  251  respectively of the electronic device attachment  201 . 
         [0040]    In this first embodiment  101 , the support portion  301  is detachably secured to the electronic device attachment  201  at the end of a sliding arm  311 . The sliding arm  311  is attached in turn to a swing arm  331  that is supported by a plurality of swing arm supports  321 . While this particular embodiment possesses a plurality of swing arm supports  321 , it should be understood the invention  101  may possess only a single swing arm support  321 . The bottom of the swing arm  331  and one end of the swing arm support  321  are pivotally attached to the bottom of an elongated chest piece  361 . The elongated chest piece  361  is supported by a shoulder support  401 , here in the form of a shoulder harness. In this embodiment the shoulder harness  401  is attached to the elongated chest piece  361  by a sliding lock mechanism  391  having a slide  393 , and a backplate  395 . The sliding lock mechanism  391  is slidably attached to the chest piece  361 , the slide  391  being limited in vertical movement along the elongated chest piece  361  by an upper plate  363  and a lower plate  365 . 
         [0041]    In this embodiment, the shoulder support  401  is a shoulder harness having a right strap  403  and a left strap  405  attaching at the backplate  395 . Here, the straps  403  and  405  meet at a D-ring  407 . The front side end of the strap  403  or  405  is fed through a slot  397  or  399  on the back plate  395  and secured to itself by hook and loop fastener  411 ,  413 . Alternatively, the strap  403  or  405  may be secured by other means, including snaps, buckle or sewing. The rear side end of the strap  403  or  405  is fed through the D-ring  407  and secured to itself by hook and loop fastener  421 ,  423 . Alternatively the strap  403  or  405  may be secured to itself by other means, including snaps, buckle or sewing. Adjustable under arm straps  433  and  435  are fastened to strap  403  and  405  respectively, and aid in securing the harness  401  to the user  1 . The right under arm strap  433  and left underarm strap  435  are removably secured by a right buckle  443  and left buckle  445  respectively to allow donning and doffing of the harness  401 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows the first embodiment of the invention  101  with the electronic device attachment  201  and shoulder support  401  detached from the unit showing only the support portion  301 . The support portion  301  is shown in the extended open position, with the sliding support arm  311  and swing arm  331  fully extended. The sliding lock mechanism  391  is in the unlocked position. The swing arm  331  is supported by swing arm supports  321 . In this embodiment, the swing arm supports  321  are attached to the lower end of the sliding support arm  311 . The sliding support arm  311  is slidably retained by a retaining block  333  attached to the front wall  345  of the swing arm  331 . A guide block  351  possessing a grove or channel  353  provides additional support for the sliding support arm  311  and swing arm  331 . While retaining block  333  and guide block  351 , in the present embodiment, are machined, molded or otherwise formed from the same piece as the front wall  345 , it should be understood that any or all of the components may be machined, molded or otherwise formed separately then joined to form the swing arm.  331 . The swing arm  301  is pivotally connected to an elongated chest piece  361  by a hinge  389 . 
         [0043]    The elongated chest piece  361  connects the swing arm  301  to the shoulder support  401 . In this embodiment, the elongated chest piece  361  provides an enclosure  367  formed by a right side wall  369 , a left side wall  371  and a rear wall  373 . The enclosure  367  contains the swing arm  331 , sliding support arm  311  and swing arm supports  321  when in the closed position. The sliding lock mechanism  391  is slidably attached to the elongated chest piece  361 . The sliding lock mechanism  391  attaches the harness  401  to the support portion  301 . In this embodiment, the sliding lock mechanism  391  is comprised of a slide  393  and a backplate  395 . In this particular embodiment, the slide  393  is provided additional support and guidance from a right guide rod  381  and a left guide rod  383 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention  101 . The wall of aperture  335  in the retaining block  333  linearly guides the sliding support arm  311 . One or more magnets  337  frictionally engage sliding support arm  311  providing resistance of movement of the sliding support arm  311  through the retaining block  333 . The magnets  337  fit within lateral apertures  339 . The magnets  337  are covered by plugs  341  preventing removal of the magnets  337  once the unit  301  is assembled. 
         [0045]    The swing arm  331  is pivotally connected by a hinge  389  to the elongated chest piece  367 . The sliding support arm  311  is pivotally connected to the swing arm support  321  by a pin  315  passing through an aperture  313  in the sliding support arm  311 . A lower aperture  323  in the swing arm support  321  receives a portion of the pin  315 . The upper portion of the swing arm support  321  is pivotally connected to the elongated chest piece  361  by an upper pin  327  passing through an upper aperture  325  in the swing arm support  321  and an aperture  328  in the swing arm support bearing block  329 . The swing arm support bearing block  329  is fastened to the rear wall  373 . In this embodiment the bearing block  329  is fastened to the rear wall  373  by screws  340 . 
         [0046]    In this embodiment, the top plate  363  and bottom plate  365  limit movement of the slide lock mechanism  391 . The bottom plate  365  and top plate  363  possesses a plurality of recesses  366  that receive the ends of the right and left guide rods  381 ,  383 . The top plate  363  and bottom plate  365  are attached to the top and bottom ends of the elongated chest piece  361 . In this embodiment, the top and bottom end plates  363 ,  365  are attached by screws  362 . 
         [0047]    The slide lock mechanism  391  of the current embodiment is comprised of a slide  393  and backplate  395 . In the current embodiment screws  399  secure the backplate  395  to the slide, passing through a spacer  397  positioned between the backplate  395  and slide  393 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows the support portion  301  of the invention  101  fully extended. The sliding support arm  311  is fully extended in the retaining block  333  and the swing arm is fully extended, rotating from the hinge  389  and supported by the swing arm support  321 . Here the sliding lock mechanism  391  is extended upward in the unlocked position. The upper swing arm support hinge pivot can be seen in dotted lines of the elongated chest piece  361 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows the support portion  301  of the invention  101  partially extended. The sliding support arm  311  is partially retracted in the retaining block  333  and the swing arm  331  is partially retracted. The lower portion of the sliding support arm  311  slides along the guide block  351  in the guide block groove  353  towards the hinge  389  joining the swing arm  331  and elongated chest piece  361 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows the sliding support arm  311  nearly fully retracted toward the hinge  389 . As the sliding support arm  311  retracts further, the swing arm  331  swings upward and towards the elongated chest piece  361 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 8A  shows the swing arm  311  fully retracted against the elongated chest piece  361 . The retainer block  333 , guide block  351 , sliding support arm  311  and swing arm support  321  are within the elongated chest piece enclosure  367  and shown as dotted lines. The left guide rod support  383  is shown partially cut away for clarity. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8B  shows a front view of the support portion  301  of the invention  101  showing the right guide rod  381 , right guide rod  383 , slide locking mechanism  391 , swing arm  331 , top plate  363  and bottom plate  365 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 9A  shows the left side of the support portion  301  of the invention  101  with the sliding lock mechanism  391  in the locked position, preventing extension of the swing arm  331  from the elongated chest piece  361 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 9B  shows the rear view of the support portion  301  of the invention  101  with the sliding lock mechanism  391  in the locked position, preventing extension of the swing arm  331  from the elongated chest piece  361 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows the invention  101  in a folded closed position, the shoulder support  401  wrapped around the support portion  301 . The electronic device  11  and electronic device attachment  201  is shown detached from the support portion  301 . The sliding lock mechanism  391  is shown in the unlocked up position. To ensure closure of the swing arm  331 , the sliding lock mechanism  391  may be slid downwards. In the folded position, the invention  101  may be easily carried, slipped inside a pack, purse or pocket, or stored away for later use. The electronic device attachment  201  may remain attached to the electronic device  11 , or removed, at the preference of the user. 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows a second alternative embodiment of the support portion  501  the invention  101 . This second alternative embodiment lacks guide rods  381 ,  383  to guide the sliding lock mechanism  591 , and instead relies upon the outer walls of the support portion  501  to guide the sliding lock mechanism  591 . The slide  593  top plate  593  and bottom plate  595  of this embodiment are narrower than in the first embodiment, reducing the overall width of the unit. 
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows a front perspective view of a third embodiment the support portion  701  and electronic device attachment  601  of the invention  101 . The sliding lock mechanism  791  is shown in the unlocked up position on the elongated chest piece  761  and the swing arm  731  and sliding support arm  711  of this third embodiment are fully extended. In this embodiment, the swing arm support  721  is comprised of a sleeve portion  723  and a plurality of pistons  725 . It should be understood that while the current embodiment shows a plurality of pistons  725 , a single piston my also used. The pistons  725  are biased to extend from the sleeve portion  723  until a maximum predetermined stop position. The swing arm  731  rotates about a pivot  787  at the bottom portion of the elongated chest piece  761 . The swing arm support  721  rotates about the upper swing arm support pivot hinge  729  attached to the elongated chest piece  761 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 13  shows a rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the support portion  701  of the invention  101 . The pistons  725  are pivotally attached to the swing arm  731  by a lower swing arm support pivot hinge  733  attached to the swing arm back  735 . The piston  725  is limited in its extension by a retaining pin  727  that follows a grove  728  in the piston  725 . An electronic device attachment nub  703  is positioned on the end of the sliding support arm  711  for attaching the electronic device attachment portion  601 . The sliding support arm  711  possesses a reinforcing guide rib  713  extending approximately the length of the sliding support arm.  711 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows a front perspective view of the support portion  701  with the sliding support arm  711  and swing arm  731  fully extended. The swing arm support  721  provides support to the swing arm  711  limiting its extension. The swing arm support upper pivot  729  is mounted to the rear wall  773  of the elongated chest piece  761  within the enclosure  767 . The top plate  763  and bottom plate  765  provide a top extended lip  764  and a lower extended lip  766  limiting the amount of travel of the sliding lock mechanism  791 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  and swing arm  731  fully extended. The swing arm support  721  limits the swing arm  731  extension and the pistons  725  are biased to extend from the sleeve portion  723 , helping to keep the swing arm  731  in the extended position. 
         [0061]      FIG. 16  shows a front perspective view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  fully retracted within the swing arm  731  and the swing arm  731  partially retracted within the elongated chest piece  761 . As the swing arm  731 , it pivots about the swing arm pivot  787  and folds into the elongated chest piece enclosure  767 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 17  shows a side view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  fully retracted within the swing arm  731  and the swing arm  731  partially retracted within the elongated chest piece  761 . The swing arm  731  rotates about a lower hinge, shown here as a pin  787  extending through the elongated chest piece  761 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  fully retracted within the swing arm  731  and the swing arm  731  fully retracted within the elongated chest piece  761 . A portion of the side wall of the elongated chest piece  761  has been removed for clarity. Each piston  725  is biased to extend from the sleeve portion  723  of the swing arm support  721 . When closed, the lower swing arm support pivot  733  falls behind the line between the upper swing arm support pivot  729  and the swing arm pivot  789  causing a moment about the swing arm pivot  789  that retains the swing arm  731  in a closed position when closed. 
         [0064]      FIG. 19A  shows a front view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  fully retracted within the swing arm  731  and the swing arm  731  fully retracted within the elongated chest piece  761 . The sliding lock mechanism  791  is in the unlocked, up, position. The sliding lock mechanism  791  may possess a right protrusion  793  and a left protrusion  795  to which a shoulder support may be mounted.  FIG. 19B  shows a front view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  fully retracted within the swing arm  731  and the swing arm  731  fully retracted within the elongated chest piece  761 . The sliding lock mechanism  791  is in the locked, down, position thereby preventing the opening of the swing arm  731 .  FIG. 19C  shows a rear view of the support portion  701  with the sliding arm  711  fully retracted within the swing arm  731  and the swing arm  731  fully retracted within the elongated chest piece  761 . The sliding lock mechanism  791  is in the locked, down, position. 
         [0065]      FIG. 20  shows an exploded front perspective view of the support portion  701  of the third embodiment of the invention. The sliding support arm  711  lies between the swing arm back  735  and swing arm front  737 . A groove  715  in the sliding support arm  711  engages a protrusion on the rear side of the swing arm front  737  to prevent the sliding support arm  711  from falling out of the swing arm  711  when assembled. Shown here, each piston  725  is biased to extend from the swing arm support  721  sleeve portion  723  under pressure from a spring  724 . It should be understood that other means to bias the piston or pistons could be used, including compressed gas. An upper swing arm support pivot hinge  729  is attached the rear wall  773  of the enclosure  767  of the elongated chest piece  761  and pivotally connected to the swing arm support  721 . A bottom plate  765  prevents the sliding lock mechanism  791  from sliding past the lower end of the elongated chest piece  761 . In the present embodiment, the bottom plate  765  is secured by a plurality of screws  766 . A top plate  763  prevents the sliding lock mechanism  791  from sliding past the upper end of the elongated chest piece  761 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 21  shows a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the electronic device attachment  601 . The electronic device attachment  601  possesses an upper portion  611  and a lower portion  651 . Rods  641  are secured to the upper body  613  and are biased to retract into the lower body  653 . The upper portion  611  has an upper body  613 , an upper vertical wall  615  lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the attachment  601  and an upper lip  657  attached to the upper vertical wall  655 . The lower portion  651  has an lower body  653 , an lower vertical wall  655  lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the attachment  601  and an lower lip  657  attached to the lower vertical wall  615 . As the rods  641  retract into the lower body  653  the upper vertical wall  615  and lower vertical wall  655  are drawn toward each other, clamping on the user&#39;s electronic device, securing it in place. 
         [0067]      FIG. 22  shows a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the electronic device attachment  601 . The electronic device attachment  601  possesses an upper portion  611  and a lower portion  651 . The lower body  653  rear wall possesses a recessed groove  681  that accepts the electronic device attachment nub  703  of the support portion of the third embodiment  701 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 23  shows a rear perspective exploded view of the electronic device holder  601 . The rods  641  each have a ridged head  643  that engages on end of a spring  645 . When inserted through the lower spring body aperture  654  and secured within the upper spring body aperture  614 , the spring compresses biasing the upper portion  611  and lower portion  651  toward each other. The rod  641  is secured to the upper portion aperture  614  by any means, including, a threaded connection, adhesive or weld. 
         [0069]      FIG. 24A  is a rear view of the of the electronic device holder  601  showing the recessed groove  681  and undercut portion  683  in dotted lines. 
         [0070]      FIG. 24B  is a bottom view of the electronic device holder  601  showing the recessed groove  681  and undercut portion  683 . The undercut portion  683  engages the electronic device attachment nub  703  to secure the electronic device holder  601  to the sliding support arm  711 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 25  shows a cutaway view of the electronic device holder  601  of  FIG. 24A  taken on line  25 - 25 . The rod is extended from the lower body  653  and the spring  646  is in a compressed state, forced against the spring body aperture ridge  644  and the rod head ridge  643 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 26  shows a rear view of the first embodiment of the electronic device holder  201 . In this embodiment the lower portion  251  possesses a bore  281  that engages the sliding support arm  311  of the first and second embodiment  301   
         [0073]      FIG. 27  is a cutaway view of the electronic device holder  201  of  FIG. 24  taken on line  25 - 25 . The sliding support arm bore  281  possesses a magnet  283  that engages the sliding support arm  311  and aids to retain the electronic device holder  201  on the support portion  301  of the invention  101 .