Abstract:
The objective of the invention is the handsfree, comfortable viewing of iPhones or video iPods in virtually any location. The invention is a portable, flexible, soft aluminum rod that is adjustable to one&#39;s personal preferences, with two clamps, one at either end. One clamp is an adjustable holder that grips a video media player device and the other clamp is an anchor which can be attached to any solid surface or object.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/970,019 filed Sep. 5, 2007 entitled PORTABLE GOOSENECK VIDEO IPOD HOLDER, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims any and all benefits to which it is entitled therefrom. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a portable, temporary holding device for portable video media devices such as the iPhone®, and more particularly to a flexible shaft with a top and bottom clamp that holds iPhone or iPod® media players in a secure, steady and adjustable position for easy hands free video viewing and usage. (iPod and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation.) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Media players such as the iPod® and the iPhone® are becoming increasingly popular in today&#39;s market with thousands of videos easily downloadable through the internet for rent or purchase. (iPod and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation.) With iPod and iPhone owners usually holding their media player with their own hands for lengthy periods of time to view these videos, there is a need for a portable device holder that allows users to view video hands free, closer to one&#39;s face, and at the optimum viewing angle. The invention has several key features that specifically address those needs, two of which are unique. 
         [0004]    First, there is no other portable holding device that can be mounted securely either upright or hanging down from any solid surface including uneven and round surfaces, such as an edged table ending, a round pole, or upside down from a car visor. The invention can be quickly, easily, and securely mounted as well as removed without any marks to one&#39;s video media player or the base surface. Although the invention is specifically designed to securely hold and view videos on one&#39;s iPod or iPhone, it can also hold many other media players and cell phones including but not limited to many Zune™ media players, PSP™, Treo® phones, BlackBerry® phones, etc. (Zune is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, PSP is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Treo is a registered trademark of Palm Inc., and Blackberry is a registered trademark of Research In Motion Limited) 
         [0005]    The second unique feature of the invention is that it brings a media player up to eight full inches closer to one&#39;s face, giving the effect of a visibly larger screen surface, and it also positions the media player at the best viewing angle thanks to a ball and socket joint, thus providing a much improved overall viewing experience to the user. It is key to understand that with the exception of a user&#39;s own arm, no other portable device holder brings a media player similarly close to a user&#39;s face. 
         [0006]    The other key features that make the invention of special value to users include the fact that the device is portable and hands free. When not in use, the shaft of the invention can be bent conveniently in such way as to take up a limited amount of space, thus making it convenient for travel. Although traditional device holders are also hands free, what makes this invention different is that it securely fastens to a variety of surfaces, either stable or unstable. For instance it can be attached to a tray table on a plane flying through turbulence, the rounded side of a hospital bed, the handles of a treadmill, the bars of a wheelchair, etc. 
         [0007]    Traditionally there are holders which allow users to insert media players. Their primary function is to either electrically charge the media player, or to provide a speaker base for listening to music. Although some can be installed inside a moving vehicle, there are no dedicated portable media player holders that allow either an iPod or an iPhone to be positioned hands free at a specific viewing angle and none position the media player much closer to one&#39;s face. 
         [0008]    There are a variety of different holders for electronic devices that have been created over the past years such as the following listing: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent/Publication No. 
                 Title: 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. 
                 20070045495A1 
                 Mobile Device Clamp Holder With Damped 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Release Mechanism 
               
               
                 2. 
                 20060126824A1 
                 Electronic Device Holder 
               
               
                 3. 
                 20060126824A1 
                 Portable Electronic Device Clamp 
               
               
                 4. 
                 20040254002A1 
                 Clamping Device for Mobile Phones 
               
               
                 5. 
                 20020113185A1 
                 Holder For A Portable Electronic Device 
               
               
                 6. 
                 6366672 
                 Mobile Phone Holder 
               
               
                 7. 
                 6360083 
                 Clamping/Holding Device 
               
               
                 8. 
                 6085113 
                 Hand-free Holding Device For A Mobile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Telephone Set II 
               
               
                 9. 
                 5903645 
                 Clamping Device For Mobile Phones 
               
               
                 10. 
                 5836563 
                 Mobile Phone Holder 
               
               
                 11. 
                 5825874 
                 Mobile Telephone Holder 
               
               
                 12. 
                 5703946 
                 Mobile Phone Holder 
               
               
                 13. 
                 5697071 
                 Mobile Phone Holder Structure 
               
               
                 14. 
                 5555302 
                 Mobile telephone Holder 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,672 issued Apr. 4, 2002, entitled, MOBILE PHONE HOLDER, describes a clamping mechanism for mobile phones which attaches to power outlets found inside vehicles. However, the invention only allows for certain limited horizontal and vertical movement, whereas, the present invention allows for drastically better positioning of a media player. The prior art is designed specifically to attach to the power outlet of a vehicle, and has no means of securing to other surfaces, such as a lamp, a bedpost, a pole, an airplane tray table, etc. found in present invention. 
         [0010]    U.S. Publication No. 20060126824A1 published Sep. 28, 2006, entitled, ELECTRONIC DEVICE HOLDER, describes a clamping mechanism for an electronic device which allows for easy access to the controls of an electronic device. The prior art also includes a flexible arm to support the device and allows the prior art to stand on a flat surface. The prior art, however, does not allow it to be affixed to non-flat surfaces. The present invention, uses a bottom clamp specifically designed to firmly attach to a variety of different objects or surfaces rather than be confined to flat surfaces like the prior art. In addition securely clamping onto surfaces also provides further stability of the holder itself as compared to a stand resting on a flat surface. 
         [0011]    U.S. Publication No. 20070045495A1 published Mar. 1, 2007, entitled, MOBILE DEVICE CLAMP HOLDER WITH DAMPED RELEASE MECHANISM, describes a clamping mechanism for a portable electronic device where at least the first clamping jaw being displaceable toward the second clamping jaw to clamp the mobile electronic device. However, that invention does not include an elongated flexible shaft which allows for optimum positioning of the mobile device. The prior art also does not include a method for securing a clamp to a solid surface, such as a lamp, a bedpost, a pole, an airplane tray table, etc. as found in the present invention. 
       ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is a holding device that allows for hands free viewing of several portable media players. 
         [0013]    One object and advantage of the present invention is its portability providing the user with a hands free, comfortable viewing experience of an iPod or iPhone at virtually any time and in any place. 
         [0014]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide the user with a much improved viewing experience as the device adjusts an iPhone both horizontally and vertically with a ball and socket joint behind the back of a top clamp and positions such player up to eight full inches closer to one&#39;s face thanks to a flexible soft aluminum shaft. 
         [0015]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is its ability to attach quickly, easily and securely to a variety of solid surfaces of different shapes such as a bed post, an airplane tray table, a vehicle&#39;s visors, etc. 
         [0016]    Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is its ability to hold many different types of portable media playing devices and even some cell phones. 
         [0017]    Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is that it has non-slipping surfaces on both top and bottom clamps to firmly and safely grip the media player device as well as the base surface itself to prevent scratching and movement when in use. 
         [0018]    Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is its portable size and foldable structure that makes for easy travel inside someone&#39;s pocket, handbag, backpack, briefcase or luggage when traveling. 
         [0019]    Further details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following descriptions, and will be included and incorporated herein. 
         [0020]    The present invention relates to a portable extended flexible shaft with two unique clamps at each end; the top clamp is designed to securely grip an iPhone or video iPod and the bottom clamp is designed for a solid surface base. The flexible shaft can be adjusted to obtain a preferred viewing angle and distance to watch video on a device&#39;s screen. The present invention consists essentially of the following components: One covered flexible soft aluminum shaft; Two unique clamps, one on each end. Each clamp is lined with a non-slip surface material to protect the media player as well as the mounting surface itself. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side section view of an embodiment of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of an embodiment of adjustable top device clamp portion  300  of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of an embodiment of anchor clip portion  400  of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a representative illustration showing a method of use of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a representative isometric view of an alternative embodiment of telescoping extender  500  of the portable video media device holder  100 ′ of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein. 
         [0028]    It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a representative isometric view of an embodiment of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention consists essentially of adjustable device clamp portion  300 , flexible shaft  200  and anchor clip portion  400 . In one embodiment, the flexible shaft  200  is an elongated tube like structure that allows somewhat elastic, temporary bending with reasonably minimum effort. To achieve this essential property, the flexible shaft  200  is made of flexible but strong materials such as aluminum wire with a protective cover. In one alternative embodiment, flexible shaft  200  has a personalized tubular protective cover  212  (not shown) which can be optionally installed to encase flexible shaft  200  partly or entirely to increase appeal and add extra protection for flexible shaft  200 . In combination with ball joint  308 , flexible shaft  200  allows for freedom of positioning of the iPhone device  90  to optimize viewing distance and angle for one viewer or more. Moreover, flexible shaft  200  enables folding of the present invention  100  into a more compact state or configuration for storage or travel purposes. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the elongated flexible shaft  200  has two ends, namely, proximal end  201  and distal end  203 . In one embodiment, proximal end  201  is coupled to the adjustable clamp portion  300  by ball joint  308 . The purpose of adjustable clamp portion  300  is to hold the iPhone  90  which can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Due to the combination of ball joint  308  and flexible shaft  200 , user  70  can easily adjust viewing distance D and angle β (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , distal end  203  of the flexible shaft  200  is coupled firmly at housing  405  on anchor clip portion  400  by mechanical means. The distal end  203  of the elongated flexible shaft  200  is rigidly coupled to anchor clip  400  which further comprises top clamping jaw  402  and bottom clamping jaw  404 . In one embodiment, the key function of anchor clamp  400  is to secure a temporary but stable position of the entire portable video media device holder  100  on any solid surface so as to allow viewing of the iPhone device  90  virtually anywhere. As best shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3B , anchor clip  400  can take the form of, but not limited to, a spring clip. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a side section view of an embodiment of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the coupling between the ball joint  308  allows a 360 degree movement and elongated flexible shaft  200  allows for additional positioning freedom by allowing the iPhone device  90 , when clamped into place, to be tilted both upwards and downwards. The ball joint  308  also allows for side to side tilting α of the iPhone device. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , adjustable clamp  300  is a spring operated clamp which enables firm grip on small apparatus and articles such as iPhones®, iPods®, PSP®, Zune®, and many other portable media players of similar consumer electronics-size and shape. In one embodiment, adjustable clamp  300  consists mainly of rigid clamping jaw  306 , adjustable clamping jaw  304  and one spring  312  which nested inside housing  315  of rigid clamping jaw  306 . In one embodiment, both clamping jaws  304  and  306  have a curved inside edge which when used together will secure the gripping position of iPhone device  90 . As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3A , curved inside edge of jaw ends  304  and  306  both have a gripping pad  318   a  and  318   b  affixed. The gripping pads  318   a  and  318   b,  are made of materials that are soft, non-slippery, with high scratch resistance such as silicon rubber, plastic, leather etc., which act to firmly grip the video media player device  90  while also preventing scratches to the edges of the iPhone device  90  to be gripped. In one embodiment, spring  312  is compressed by default so that when adjustable clamping jaw  304  is pulled in direction A to open up the entire adjustable clamp  300 , it provides a constant pull in direction B so as to provide a firm grip of the iPhone  90 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , flexible shaft  200  is wrapped completely by tubular protective coating  202  to provide additional protection and support to flexible shaft  200 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of an embodiment of adjustable device clamp portion  300  of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , rigid clamping jaw  306  takes an L-shape having a hollow jaw body housing  315  attached integrally to a horizontal jaw end  326   b  at the closing end. In one embodiment, adjustable clamping jaw  304  also takes an L-shape which consists of a solid jaw body  320  and a horizontal jaw end  326   a  attached integrally at its end. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of jaw body  320  of adjustable clamping jaw  304  should be corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of jaw body housing  315  of rigid clamping jaw  306  so that jaw body  320  can be inserted inside jaw body housing  315 . In one embodiment, jaw body  320  has spring groove  350  running through its entire length to accommodate spring  312 . As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3A , jaw ends  326  of both rigid clamping jaw  306  and adjustable clamping jaw  304  have a curved inside surface to secure the gripped position of iPhone  90  (not shown). In one embodiment, gripping pads  318   a  and  318   b  are affixed on the curved inside surfaces of jaw ends  326   a  and  326   b.  The gripping pads  318   a  and  318   b,  are made of materials that are soft, non-slippery, with high scratch resistance such as silicon rubber, plastic, leather etc., which acts to firmly grip the iPhone  90  (not shown) while also preventing scratches to the surfaces of the iPhone  90  (not shown). Jaw body  320  of adjustable clamping jaw  304  is inserted inside jaw body housing  315  of rigid clamping jaw  306 , it should be able to slide freely. During assembly, spring  312  is placed in spring groove  350  and the entire jaw body  320  is inserted inside jaw body housing  315 . In one embodiment, rigid clamping jaw  306  and adjustable clamping jaw  304  are held in place by a back plate  314 . In one embodiment, back plate  314  is bound by a mechanical coupling means, such as screws, glue, other adhesive or mechanical coupling system, to rigid clamping jaw  306 . A pair of screws  316  fit into the screw holes in the rigid clamping jaw  306 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , back plate  314  has stopper  352  on one end. Stopper  352  is inserted at the top of adjustable clamping jaw  306  on the opposite end of jaw end  326   b  to prevent jaw body  320  and spring  312  from sliding off from jaw body housing  315  entirely. In one embodiment, spring  312  should be slightly compressed so it will provide a constant pull on adjustable clamping jaw  304  towards rigid clamping jaw  306  so as to provide a constant grip on iPhone  90  (not shown). 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , ball joint  308  consists essentially of ball  330  and two symmetrical socket halves  202   a  and  202   b.  Ball  330  is attached integrally at the back of jaw body housing  315  of rigid clamping jaw  306 . Ball joint  308  is coupled mechanically to the proximal end  201  of flexible shaft  200  at one end. The two symmetrical socket halves  202   a  and  202   b  are secured by mechanical means, in this case, a screw  204  binds the two halves  202   a  and  202   b  by locking into a screw hole  206   a  and  206   b  as best shown in  FIG. 3A . In one embodiment, when assembled, two symmetrical socket halves  202   a  and  202   b  will form a socket housing  308  corresponding to ball  330  and together they will function as a regular ball-and-socket joint which allows for 360 degree rotations of the entire adjustable device clamp portion  300 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of an embodiment of anchor clip portion  400  of the portable video media device holder  100  of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3B , anchor clip portion  400  takes the form of a regular spring clip the main function of which is to clip on any solid surface to anchor the entire portable video media device holder  100 . In one embodiment, upper clamping jaw  402  has neck housing  405  located on the top side to house the distal end  203  of the elongated flexible shaft  200  and upper clamping plate  434  attached. Lower jaw  404  has two lower clamping plates  438  and  422  all coupled on a hinge to allow mutual rotational movement. In one embodiment, distal end  203  of flexible shaft  200  can be anchored inside shaft housing  405  by mechanical means such as the locking pin hole  208  on distal end  203  and locking pin  412  system or other means such as adhesives. In one embodiment, upper clamping jaw  402  and lower jaw  404  are coupled together by bolt  414  which fits in the bolt hole  416  of upper clamping jaw  402  and bolt hole  418  of lower jaw  404 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the top surfaces of both upper clamping jaw  402  and lower clamping jaw  404  can be lined by non-slip pads  444   a  and  444   b  to avoid slipping of user&#39;s fingers while applying force on anchor clip portion  400 . In one embodiment, bolt  414  is wrapped by spring coil  432  which provides constant resistance when upper jaw  402  and lower jaw  404  are opened. In so doing, when force is exerted on the end of the upper jaw  402  and lower jaw  404 , the entire anchor clip portion  400  will open and allows the anchor clamp  400  to clip onto a surface such as a table. When the force is released, anchor clamp portion  400  will close on the intended surface to grip by the top clamping jaw  402  and clamping plate  422 . The underside of upper clamping plate  402  and lower clamping plate  422  are both lined with gripping pads  434  and  438  which could be made of any non-slip material for gripping purposes. Since bottom clamping plate  422  is coupled to its respective clamping jaw  404  with gripping pad  438  by hinges, when anchor clip portion  400  is closed by spring coil  432 , mutual rotational movement will happen at all connecting hinges such that gripping pads  438  and  434  are both in the closest contact with the gripping surface (not shown). Since lower jaw  404  has clamping plate  422  with gripping pad  438  attached by a hinge, it will allow anchor clip portion  400  to grip on most surfaces including round, irregular shapes etc. Thus, the present invention  100  can be used to clamp to round and/or circular tubing such as used on chair legs, bed posts, table legs, etc. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a representative illustration showing a method of use of the portable video media device holder  100 . The illustration shows how the anchor clip portion  400  can be attached to surfaces such as a table  80 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , adjustable clamp  300  holds iPhone  90  securely so as to allow for user  70  to enjoy hands free viewing. User  70  can easily adjust viewing distance D and angle B by adjusting the curvature of flexible shaft  200 , ball joint  308  and even clipping on a different surface and/or combination thereof. Moreover, adjustable clamp  300  can hold on to a variety of objects such a cell phone, a calculator, a light, video iPods, or any item that can be supported by the holding strength of the flexible shaft  200 . With the degree of freedom offered by the present invention  100 , user  70  can truly enjoy hands free, close to one&#39;s face, comfortable viewing of iPhone in virtually any location. 
         [0039]    Anchor clamp portion  400  allows user  70  to attach portable video media device holder  100  to a wide variety of surfaces or objects to allow ease of use. Besides the table  80  in the illustration in  FIG. 4 , the portable video media device holder  100  also allows users to attach their iPhone device  90  to surfaces and objects such as but not limited to flat screen computer monitors, bed posts, lamps, airplane tray tables, train and bus poles, treadmill handles, desks, car visors, etc. The portable video media device holder  100  also allows for a variety of uses outdoors, such as to attach to poles or surfaces on boats, branches of trees when camping or picnicking, to the frame of user&#39;s backpack when hiking, to bicycle handlebars, helmets, etc. The portable video media device holder  100  can be attached to any surface which can fit in between the jaws of the anchor clamp  400 . 
         [0040]    With the bendable flexible shaft  200 , the present invention  100  is flexible enough to be folded and reduced in size and made portable for traveling. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a representative isometric view of an alternative embodiment of telescoping extender  500  of the portable video media device holder  100 ′ of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a telescope extender  500  replaces the flexible shaft portion. In one embodiment, the telescope extender  500  is coupled rigidly on anchor clamp portion  400  at one end and a tilt-able version of adjustable clamp  300  at the other end. The telescoping extender portion  500  enhances the portability of the portable video media device holder  100 ′ as it can be shortened easily. 
         [0042]    It will be understood that telescoping extender portion  500  can include flexible, elastic components. Thus, the telescoping extender portion  500  can also have twisting, bending and curvature degrees of freedom. Providing the present invention  100 ′ with a telescoping extender portion  500  enhances functionality and interoperability with a range of media device players  90 . 
         [0043]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0044]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.