Abstract:
An apparatus for mounting a portable electronic device to a pair of spaced apart posts (e.g., of a vehicle headrest or a suitcase), is also useful as a stand to support a portable electronic device at an angle relative to a horizontal support surface on which the apparatus rests. The apparatus includes a first element configured to be selectively attached to a pair of spaced apart posts by application of an external compressive or expansive force to thereby decrease or increase a distance between portions of the first element until grips of the first element can be aligned with and attached to the spaced apart posts, and then removing the external compressive or expansive force. The apparatus also includes a second element that is attached to the first element and is configured to selectively hold a portable electronic device. The apparatus, when used as a stand, functions like a tripod.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/736,090, filed Jun. 10, 2015 and titled ADJUSTABLE PORTABLE DEVICE HOLDER, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/897,062, filed May 17, 2013 and titled ADJUSTABLE PORTABLE DEVICE HOLDER (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,080,714), which is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Design patent application No. 29/437,793, filed Nov. 20, 2012 and titled DASHBOARD VENT MOUNT FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE (issued as U.S. Patent No. Des. 690,707). Priority is claimed to each of the above listed applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    The present application is directed to adjustable portable device holder systems and methods. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various electronic and other device mounts are known in the art. Available device mounts have many drawbacks. For instance, suction cup mounts are typically large, bulky and require a large mounting surface such as a windshield. Device mounts often fail to properly and consistently attach to the mounting surface. Some device mounting solutions require adhesive to secure the mount to a vehicle dash, wearing off over time and leaving an undesirable residue on the mounting surface. Current device mounts also fail to effectively accommodate a broad range of devices or mounting surfaces. 
         [0004]    Due to the deficiencies in the currently available device mounts, people choose not use electronic device mounts and often violate state and provincial hands-free driving laws. Other state and provincial laws prohibit objects mounted to the windshield to prevent obstruction of the driver&#39;s view. 
         [0005]    This specification is directed to improved portable device holder systems and methods for manufacturing the same. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Adjustable portable device holder systems and methods for manufacturing the same are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, an adjustable portable device holder includes an adjustable clamping element and a rotatable mounting element attached to the adjustable clamping element for removably securing a portable device to the adjustable portable device holder. The adjustable clamping element is capable of being biased into an activated state and unbiased into a deactivated state to secure one of a plurality of different size portable devices to the adjustable portable device holder. The rotatable mounting element, attached to the adjustable clamping element, includes a plurality of mounting arms each spaced a specified distance apart from one another and extending at a specified angle from a bottom surface of the rotatable mounting element. Each pair of the plurality of mounting arms forms a mounting slot therein between. The rotatable mounting element is capable of being rotated to position a first mounting slot in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation and a second mounting slot in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation to engage a first mounting surface in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation or a second mounting surface in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a process for manufacturing an exemplary adjustable portable device holder is disclosed. The process includes providing an adjustable clamping element capable of being biased into an activated state and unbiased into a deactivated state to secure one of a plurality of portable device sizes to the adjustable portable device holder. The process also includes providing a rotatable mounting element comprising a plurality of mounting arms each spaced a specified distance apart from one another and extending at a specified angle from a bottom surface of the rotatable mounting element. Each pair of the plurality of mounting arms form a mounting slot therein between. The rotatable mounting element is capable of being rotated to position a first mounting slot in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation and a second mounting slot in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation to engage a first mounting surface in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation or a second mounting surface in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation. The process also includes attaching the rotatable mounting element to the adjustable clamping element. 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments as disclosed herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the present application are described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting, also referred to as the deactivated state, according to one embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting, also referred to as the activated state, according to one embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting according to one embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an adjustable portable device holder attached to a device and a mounting surface according to one embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of a process for manufacturing an exemplary adjustable portable device holder according to one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the back of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the top of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of left side of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the front of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of the right side of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the bottom of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view, from the front right, of an adjustable portable device holder in a retracted setting; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view, from the back left, of an adjustable portable device holder  FIG. 14  is an elevation view of the back of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of the top of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is an elevation view of left side of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is an elevation view of the front of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the right side of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of the bottom of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is an isometric view, from the front right, of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is an isometric view, from the back left, of an adjustable portable device holder in an expanded setting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. 
         [0031]    The adjustable portable device holders described in this specification can include an adjustable clamping element attached to a rotatable mounting element. The adjustable portable device holder can be used to attach and mount a portable device to a mounting surface. The portable device can be any device that fits into the adjustable clamping element including, but not limited to a smartphone or other phone, a tablet, an e-reader, a powerbank, a speaker, a multimedia player, a flashlight or other light, a television or other display, a laser or radar detector, an air freshener, a fan, a beverage or other device that can fit into the adjustable clamping element. The adjustable portable device holder can be mounted to various mounting surfaces including, but not limited to an automobile air conditioner vent blade, an automobile dashboard, an automobile sun visor, a credit card, the brim of a hat, a counter, a tripod, a bicycle, a backpack, a utensil, a ledge or other surface. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates an adjustable portable device holder  100  in a retracted setting according to one embodiment. The adjustable portable device holder  100  includes an adjustable clamping element  102  attached to a rotatable mounting element  104 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates an adjustable portable device holder  100  in an expanded setting according to one embodiment. The adjustable portable device holder  100  includes an adjustable clamping element  102  attached to a rotatable mounting element  104 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates an adjustable portable device holder  100  in a retracted setting according to one embodiment. The adjustable portable device holder  100  includes an adjustable clamping element  102  attached to a rotatable mounting element  104 . 
         [0035]    The adjustable clamping element  102  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  can be expanded and retracted to attach devices of different sizes to the adjustable portable device holder  100 . A force can be applied to expand or bias the adjustable clamping element  102  into an activated state (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the force can be released to retract the adjustable clamping element  102  into a deactivated state (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). An elastic retracting or biasing element (not shown), such as a compression or torsion spring can be incorporated into the adjustable clamping element  102 . The compression or torsion spring facilitates the expansion and retraction of the adjustable clamping element  102  upon applying or releasing an expansive force on a surface of the adjustable clamping element  102 . 
         [0036]    The adjustable clamping element  102  can also include a gripping material on a surface of the adjustable clamping element  102  to provide a better grip, a better viewing angle or better attachment to a device secured within the adjustable clamping element  102 . The gripping material can be applied to a portion of the adjustable clamping element  102  or the entire adjustable clamping element  102  can be made of the gripping material. The gripping material can be any material that increases the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of the adjustable clamping element  102  and a surface of a device secured within the adjustable clamping element  102 . The gripping material can include, but is not limited to rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, fabric, composite material or other material capable of increasing the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of the adjustable clamping element  102  and a surface of a device secured within the adjustable clamping element  102 . The gripping material and gripping surface can be textured and composed of the same or different material. 
         [0037]    The rotatable mounting element  104  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  can be directly or indirectly attached to the adjustable clamping element  102 . The adjustable clamping element  102  and the rotatable mounting element  104  can be one integral part or component parts that are attached together by any attaching means that allows the rotatable mounting element  104  to rotate. The rotatable mounting element  104  includes a base plate  106  and a plurality of mounting arms  108  extending from the base plate  106 . The base plate  106  and the plurality of mounting arms  108  can be one integral part or component parts that are attached together by any attaching means. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the base plate  106  can be a cylindrically shaped disc or other element that is capable of being rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise. The base plate  106  provides a rotating platform from which mounting arms  108  extend. The mounting arms  108  are spaced a specified distance apart relative to one another on the base plate  106 . The mounting arms  108  also extend from the base plate  106  at a specified angle relative to the base plate  106 . The size of the mounting arms  108 , the distance between the mounting arms  108  and the angle at which the mounting arms  108  extend from the base plate  106  establish and define mounting slots  110 ,  112  between pairs of mounting arms  108 . The rotatable mounting element  104  can include any number of mounting arms  108  and any number of mounting slots  110 ,  112 . 
         [0039]    The mounting arms  108  can also include a gripping material on a surface of the mounting arms  108  to provide a better grip, a better viewing angle or better attachment to a mounting surface secured between the mounting arms  108 . The gripping material can be applied to a portion of mounting arms  108  or the entirety of the mounting arms  108  can be made of the gripping material. The gripping material can be any material that increases the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of mounting arms  108  and a mounting surface secured between the mounting arms  108 . The gripping material can include, but is not limited to rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, fabric, composite material or other material capable of increasing the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of mounting arms  108  and a mounting surface secured between the mounting arms  108 . The gripping material and gripping surface can be textured and composed of the same or different material. 
         [0040]    In one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable mounting element  104  includes four mounting arms and four mounting slots. In another exemplary embodiment, the rotating mounting element  104  includes 6 mounting arms and six mounting slots. 
         [0041]    The mounting arms  108  and mounting slots  110 ,  112 , can engage a mounting surface (not shown) to mount the adjustable portable device holder  100 . The adjustable portable device holder  100  is mounted to a mounting surface by positioning, press fitting or wedging a mounting surface within one or more mounting slots  110 ,  112  to engage two or more mounting arms  108 . The adjustable portable device holder  100  can be mounted to various mounting surfaces including, but not limited to an automobile air conditioner vent blade, an automobile dashboard, an automobile sun visor, a credit card, the brim of a hat, a counter, a tripod, a bicycle, a backpack, a utensil, a ledge or other surface that can be positioned, press fit or wedged within one or more mounting slots  110 ,  112  between two or more mounting arms  108 . 
         [0042]    The rotatable mounting element  104  can include any number of mounting arms  108  forming and defining any number of mounting slots  110 ,  112 . As may be appreciated in at least  FIGS. 1-3, 7, 8, 10, 11 .  15 ,  16 ,  18  and  19 , the size and shape of the mounting slots  110 ,  112  formed between pairs of mounting arms  108  can be controlled by adjusting the size and shape of the paired mounting arms  108 , the distance between the mounting arms  108  and the angle at which the two mounting arms  108  extend from the base plate  106  and converge toward one another. As depicted, each mounting arm  108  and mounting slot  110 ,  112  tapers in a direction away from a bottom surface of the rotatable mounting element  104 . The rotatable mounting element  104  can include one or more different size mounting slots  110 ,  112  to accommodate different size mounting surfaces. For instance in  FIG. 3 , one mounting slot  110  having clearance A can be larger than another mounting slot  112  having clearance B. One or more of the mounting slots  110  formed on the rotatable mounting element  104  can accommodate a larger mounting surface than other mounting slots  112  formed on the rotatable mounting element  104 . 
         [0043]    The rotatable mounting element  104  can be rotated to position the mounting arms  108  and mounting slots  110 ,  112  in a horizontal plane, vertical plane, diagonal plane, circular plane, concave plane, convex plane or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes relative to the force of gravity. The mounting arms  108  and mounting slots  110 ,  112  can be positioned to engage a mounting surface in any engagement plane within the 360 degree rotation of the mounting element  104 . The rotatable mounting element  104  can be rotated to position a relatively larger mounting slot  110  with clearance A in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave or convex plane to engage a relatively larger mounting surface in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave or convex engagement plane. The rotatable mounting element  104  can also be rotated to position a relatively smaller mounting slot  112  with clearance B in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave or convex plane to engage a relatively smaller mounting surface in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave or convex engagement plane. 
         [0044]    The rotatable mounting element is capable of being rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise to engage different size mounting surfaces in a horizontal plane, vertical plane, diagonal plane, circular plane, concave plane, convex plane or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes. A device attached to the adjustable portable device holder  100  via the adjustable clamping element  102  can also be rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise while it is attached to the adjustable portable device holder  100  by rotating the rotatable mounting element  104 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an adjustable portable device holder  200  attached to a device  214  and a mounting surface  216  according to one embodiment. The device  214  is a smart phone and the mounting surface  216  is an automobile air conditioner vent blade. 
         [0046]    Other portable devices can also fit into the adjustable clamping element including, but not limited to a tablet, an e-reader, a powerbank, a speaker, a multimedia player, a flashlight or other light, a television or other display, a laser or radar detector, an air freshener, a fan, a beverage or other device. The adjustable portable device holder  200  can also be mounted to other mounting surfaces including, but not limited to an automobile dashboard, an automobile sun visor, a credit card, the brim of a hat, a counter, a tripod, a bicycle, a backpack, a utensil, a ledge or other surface. 
         [0047]    The adjustable portable device holder  200  includes an adjustable clamping element  202  attached to a rotatable mounting element  204 . The adjustable clamping element  202  can be expanded and retracted to attach different size smartphones to the adjustable portable device holder  200 . A force can be applied to expand or bias the adjustable clamping element  202  into an activated state and the force can be released to retract the adjustable clamping element  202  into a deactivated state to clamp around the smartphone  214 . An elastic retracting or biasing element (not shown), such as a compression or torsion spring can be incorporated into the adjustable clamping element  202  to facilitate the expansion and retraction of the adjustable clamping element  202  and to accommodate different size smartphones. 
         [0048]    The adjustable clamping element  202  can also include a gripping material on a surface of the adjustable clamping element  202  to provide a better grip, a better viewing angle or better attachment to the smart phone  214  or other device secured within the adjustable clamping element  202 . The gripping material can be applied to a portion of the adjustable clamping element  202  or the entire adjustable clamping element  202  can be made of the gripping material. The gripping material can be any material that increases the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of the adjustable clamping element  202  and a surface of a device secured within the adjustable clamping element  202 . The gripping material can include, but is not limited to rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, fabric, composite material or other material capable of increasing the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of the adjustable clamping element  202  and a surface of a device secured within the adjustable clamping element  202 . The gripping material and gripping surface can be textured and composed of the same or different material. 
         [0049]    The rotatable mounting element  204  can be directly or indirectly attached to the adjustable clamping element  202 . The adjustable clamping element  202  and the rotatable mounting element  204  can be one integral part or component parts that are attached together by any attaching means, such as a screw, ratchet, pin, rod or friction or other device that allows the rotatable mounting element  204  to rotate. The rotatable mounting element  204  includes a base plate  206  and a plurality of mounting arms  208  extending from the base plate  206 . The base plate  206  and the plurality of mounting arms  208  can be one integral part or component parts that are attached together by any attaching means. 
         [0050]    The base plate  206  can be a cylindrically shaped disc or other element that is capable of being rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise. The base plate  206  provides a rotating platform from which the mounting arms  208  extend. The mounting arms  208  are spaced a specified distance apart relative to one another on the base plate  206 . The mounting arms  208  also extend from the base plate  206  at a specified angle relative to the base plate  206 . The size of the mounting arms  208 , the distance between the mounting arms  208  and the angle at which the mounting arms  208  extend from the base plate  206  establish and define mounting slots  210 ,  212  between pairs of mounting arms  208 . The rotatable mounting element  204  includes four mounting arms  208  and four mounting slots  210 ,  212 . 
         [0051]    The mounting arms  208  and mounting slots  210 ,  212 , can engage and attach to an air conditioner vent blade  216  to mount the adjustable portable device holder  200 . The adjustable portable device holder  200  is mounted to the air conditioner vent blade  216  by positioning, press fitting or wedging a surface of the air conditioner vent blade  216  within one or more mounting slots  210 ,  212  to engage two or more mounting arms  208 . 
         [0052]    The mounting arms  208  can also include a gripping material on a surface of the mounting arms  208  to provide a better grip, a better viewing angle or better attachment to the air conditioner vent blade  216  secured between mounting arms  208 . The gripping material can be applied to a portion of mounting arms  208  or the entirety of the mounting arms  208  can be made of the gripping material. The gripping material can be any material that increases the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of mounting arms  208  and an air conditioner vent blade  216  secured between the mounting arms  208 . The gripping material can include, but is not limited to rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, fabric, composite material or other material capable of increasing the adhesion, grip or coefficient of friction between the gripping surface of mounting arms  208  and the air conditioner vent blade  216  secured between the mounting arms  208 . The gripping material can be and gripping surface and composed of the same or different material. 
         [0053]    The rotatable mounting element  204  includes two different sizes of mounting slots  210 ,  212  to accommodate different size air conditioner vent blades  216  or other mounting surfaces. Two mounting slots  210  having clearance A are larger than the other two mounting slots  212  having clearance B. 
         [0054]    The rotatable mounting element  204  can be rotated to position the mounting arms  208  and mounting slots  210 ,  212  in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes to engage air conditioner vent blades  216  oriented in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes. The mounting arms  208  and mounting slots  210 ,  212  can be positioned to attach to an air conditioner vent blade in any engagement plane within the 360 degree rotation of the mounting element  204 . The rotatable mounting element  204  can be rotated to position the larger mounting slots  210  with clearance A in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes to engage or attach to larger air conditioner vent blades  216  oriented in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes. The rotatable mounting element  204  can also be rotated to position the smaller mounting slots  212  with clearance B in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes to engage or attach to smaller air conditioner vent blades  216  oriented in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes. 
         [0055]    The rotatable mounting element  204  is capable of being rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise to engage different size mounting surfaces in a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, circular, concave, convex or any plane between vertical and horizontal planes relative to the force of gravity. The smart phone  214  attached to the adjustable portable device holder  200  can be rotated into a portrait orientation (shown in  FIG. 4A ) and a landscape orientation (shown in  FIG. 4B ) by rotating the rotatable mounting element  204 . The smart phone  214  attached to the adjustable portable device holder  200  can be rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise while it is attached to the adjustable portable device holder  200  by rotating the smart phone  214  and adjustable clamping element  202 , while the rotatable mounting element  204  is secured to a mounting surface. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of a process for manufacturing an exemplary adjustable portable device holder according to one embodiment. At step  301 , the process includes providing an adjustable clamping element for removably securing a portable device to the adjustable portable device holder. The adjustable clamping element is capable of being biased into an activated state and unbiased into a deactivated state to secure one of a plurality of different size portable device to the adjustable portable device holder. 
         [0057]    As an example and as depicted in  FIGS. 2, 14, 15, 16 and 19-21 , to manufacture the adjustable portable device holder, two stainless steel rods can be inserted into an expandable arm cavity of a double injection mold. PC/ABS is injected into the cavities of the mold to hold the rods in place and to produce an expandable arm, main body and cover of an adjustable clamping element. The mold is then rotated and injected with TPE to form side grips of the expandable arm and body of the adjustable clamping element. A stainless steel spring is inserted over each rod and held in place by a stainless steel screw affixed to the end of the rods. Grease is added to the lower portion of the spring and rods (near the screw head). The expandable arm is inserted into the body and the springs are lowered and held in place within the body of the adjustable clamping element. The cover is then slid on to the body to hold the adjustable arm in place. 
         [0058]    The adjustable clamping element or a surface thereof can also be formed from rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, or composite material that is rigid, semi-rigid or textured. 
         [0059]    At step  302 , a rotatable mounting element is provided, which can be attached to the adjustable clamping element via screw, ratchet, pin, rod or friction or other attachment means. The rotatable mounting element includes a plurality of mounting arms each spaced a specified distance apart from one another and extending at a specified angle from a bottom surface of the rotatable mounting element. Each pair of the plurality of mounting arms form a mounting slot therein between. The rotatable mounting element is capable of being rotated to position a first mounting slot in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation and a second mounting slot in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation to engage a first mounting surface in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation or a second mounting surface in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation. 
         [0060]    For example, a rotatable mounting element can be formed in whole or part from stainless metal or other metal, alloy or plastic sheet stamped to form a clip or base plate with four arms extending from the base plate, spaced a specified distance apart and bent to a desired angle. If metal or other heat treatable material, the rotatable mounting element can be heat treated to form a rigid structure. The rotatable mounting element or a surface thereof can also be formed from rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, or composite material that is rigid, semi-rigid or textured. 
         [0061]    A zinc-alloy nut or other alloy or material can be formed using a die-cast mold to attach the rotatable mounting element to the adjustable clamping element. Glue is added to the cavity of the nut. The rotatable mounting element is affixed to the main body of the adjustable clamping element via the nut and a second stainless screw. A force gage is used to monitor the rotational force of the rotatable mounting element and the rotatable mounting element is adjusted if screw is too tight or loose. 
         [0062]    TPE is injected into a mold to create a skirt and four socks. The skirt and four socks can also be formed from rubber, polymeric material or other plastic, metal, alloy, or composite material that is rigid, semi-rigid or textured. The skirt is assembled over the mounting arms of the rotatable mounting element. Glue is added to each mounting arm of the rotatable mounting element. A sock is inserted over each mounting arm, which holds the skirt in place. 
         [0063]    Example embodiments have been described hereinabove regarding adjustable portable device holder systems and methods. Various modifications to and departures from the disclosed example embodiments will occur to those having ordinary skill in the art. The subject matter that is intended to be within the spirit of this disclosure is set forth in the following claims.