Abstract:
A hands free media platform apparatus is disclosed. The media platform may include a collar, a pair or arms projecting from the collar, and a platform coupled to the arms. The platform is adapted to hold media so that the media is viewable by a user wearing the apparatus without the media being hand held. The apparatus may include adjustable elements providing customized viewing angles of media carried on the platform.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/384,654, filed, Sep. 20, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to media accessories, and more particularly, to a hands free media platform. 
         [0003]    Individuals may at times require extended viewing of an object. For example, a person viewing a handheld electronic device such as a smart phone or electronic tablet may need to hold the device for several minutes. The device may begin to feel heavy after a while causing fatigue and strain on the person&#39;s hands. Even non-electronic media may be cumbersome to hold during extended periods. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus that allows a user to carry a media device without using one&#39;s hands. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a hands free media platform apparatus comprises a collar; a pair of telescoping arms attached to the collar; and a platform coupled to the pair of telescoping arms. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a hands free media platform apparatus comprises a collar; a pair of arms projecting downward from ends of the collar; and a platform coupled to the pair or arms wherein the platform is disposed to pivot on the arms to face a user wearing the apparatus. 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hands free media platform shown in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1  in a partially extended position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1  in a partially extended position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1  illustrating range of motion of multiple component; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1  illustrated in a folded configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1  shown in use and illustrated in a folded configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1  with a lanyard attached according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a cross section view of the hands free media platform taken along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an exemplary platform used in the hands free media platform of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0018]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a media platform apparatus that allows a user to carry and view media without the use of hands. Aspects of the apparatus disclosed provide adjustability to the viewing angle of media held on the apparatus. Other aspects provide a lightweight feel to mitigate fatigue. Still yet, other aspects provide adaptability to various sized media being carried on the apparatus. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a hands free media platform apparatus  10  (also referred to generally as the apparatus  10 ) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  includes a collar  16 , a pair of arms  18 , and a platform  34 . Aspects of the apparatus  10  may be configured to provide comfortable viewing of a media device  54  from the platform  34 . For sake of illustration, no one particular media device is shown, however approximate positioning of the media device  54  (unclamped) on the platform  34  is shown by way of dashed lines. 
         [0020]    The collar  16  and the arms  18  may be made of lightweight rigid material, for example, plastic or titanium. The collar  16  and arms  18  may be hollow. The collar  16  may be rounded and adapted to fit comfortably around a neck  50  of a user  12 . Ends of the collar  16  may be coupled to the arms  18 . In one exemplary embodiment, the arms  18  may project downwardly from the collar ends at a range of angles from approximately 0 degrees to 180 degrees from a plane of the collar  16 . 
         [0021]    The arms  18  may position the platform  34  in front of a user&#39;s chest  52 . The arms  18  may be telescopic. In exemplary embodiments including the telescopic feature, each of the arms  18  may include an upper arm portion  44  and a lower arm portion  22 . The lower arm portion  22  may telescope adjustably from the upper arm portion  44  via an adjuster  20 , which may be a tension knob. The lower arm portion  22  may be pivotable to provide an improved viewing angle of the media device  54 . The lower arm portion  22  may include a first segment  28  and a second segment  32 . A pivot  24  on the lower arm portion  22  may be positioned intermediately of the upper arm portion  44  and the first segment  28 . Another pivot  30  may be positioned at a junction of the first segment  28  and the second segment  32 . A lanyard clip  26  may be attached to the first segment  28  for attachment of a lanyard  42 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-9 , still further convenience may be provided by adjustability of the platform  34 . The platform  34  may be rotationally adjustable about a pivot  33  connecting the second segment  32  to the platform  34 . The platform  34  may be configured to rotate in a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees around the pivot  33 . The platform  34  may also include a clamp  36  that is configured to slide inward and outward to accommodate a tight fit around a perimeter of the media device  54 . A cushion pad  46 , such as rubber may protect the media device  54  from the clamp  36  and provide traction so to prevent the media device  54  from slipping off the platform  34 . The breadth of detention by the clamp  36  may be controlled by a wing nut  38  and screw  40  combination that lock the screw  40  into place along the length of a slot  48  disposed on the clamp  36 . 
         [0023]    In an exemplary operation, the user  12  may slide the collar  16  around the neck  50 . The lightweight collar  16  and arms  18  may provide extended use by mitigating weight and strain on the neck  50 . The media device  54  may be clamped into position on the platform  34 . The user  12  may adjust the length of the arms  18  and pivot, for example, the lower arm portion  22  until the media device  54  is at a desirable viewing distance. The platform  34  may then be rotated about pivot  33  until the user  12  is comfortable with a viewing angle of the media device  54 . Thus, the user  12  may enjoy viewing of the media device  54  for extended periods with the weight of the media device  54  supported by the neck  50 . The lanyard  42  may carry the apparatus  10  when it is not in use. Referring to  FIG. 6 , upon completion of viewing, the platform  34 , while holding the media device  54 , may be rotated and folded inward until the media device  54  faces the user  12 . 
         [0024]    While the foregoing was shown with a platform  34  configured to hold a media device in a substantially parallel orientation to the user  12  body, it will be understood that other embodiments may configure the platform  34  to swivel axially and orient the media device  54  into a substantially perpendicular orientation to the user  12  body. 
         [0025]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.