Abstract:
A device holder assembly includes: a device holder holding a mobile electronics device; a stowage mechanism performing a stowage movement to transition the device holder between a stowed position and a device holding position; and a blocking mechanism which blocks the stowage movement from transitioning the device holder to the device holding position when the mobile electronics device is held by the device holder.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a device holder assembly for use in a vehicle, and in particular, a device holder assembly for holding a mobile electronics device such as a telephone or smartphone in a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Increasingly, mobile electronics devices such as telephones, e.g., smartphones, navigation systems, entertainment devices, tablet computers, e-book readers, and the like are being used in vehicles as an alternative to electronics components permanently built into the vehicle. For the user, this has the advantage that is possible to use his or her own electronics device both inside and outside the vehicle, and to easily exchange the electronics device for another, e.g. for a technologically improved model, without requiring complicated retrofitting procedures. 
         [0003]    When using mobile electronics devices in a vehicle, different types of device holders that are able to hold the device at a fixed position inside the vehicle are known. In order to prevent theft of an electronics device from a parked vehicle, however, it has been suggested to stow away not only the electronics device when leaving the vehicle but also the device holder in order not to give an indication that the electronics device may still be present inside the vehicle, e.g. in a glove compartment. 
         [0004]    For example, a conventional device holder assembly is formed as part of a compartment formed in an automobile dashboard. The compartment has an upward-facing opening. The device holder can be swiveled between an out-of-use position wherein the device holder is contained within the compartment, which is closable by a roller shutter, and a use position wherein the device holder is swiveled out of the compartment. After a user has swiveled the device holder into the use position, the roller shutter is closed partially to mechanically support the device holder from the backside. Before swiveling the device holder back to the out-of-use position, the roller shutter is to be opened again to expose the compartment opening. 
         [0005]    However, it is desirable to render the process of changing a device holder between a use position and an out-of-use position where the device holder can be stowed away more conveniently. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The above shortcoming in the related art is solved by a device holder assembly, by a dashboard, by a vehicle, and by a method of holding a mobile electronics device in a vehicle, as is presently described and claimed herein. 
         [0007]    According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a device holder assembly for use in a vehicle includes: a device holder holding a mobile electronics device; a stowage mechanism performing a stowage movement to transition the device holder between a stowed position and a device holding position; and a blocking mechanism which blocks the stowage movement from transitioning the device holder to the device holding position when the mobile electronics device is held by the device holder. 
         [0008]    The device holder assembly provides both a device holding position wherein the device holder is enabled to hold a mobile electronics device and a stowed position. If a user wishes to use the device holder to hold a mobile electronics device when the device holder is in the stowed position, it is sufficient to perform two actions, namely the stowage movement of the device holder from the stowed position (i.e., out-of-use position) to the device holding position (I.e., use position) and the action of placing the mobile electronics device in the device holder. Because the blocking mechanism blocks the stowage movement from the device holding position when the mobile electronics device is held by the device holder, it is not necessary for the user to perform a third action such as separately supporting the device holder from behind in order to prevent the device holder from leaving the device holding position during use. Consequently, the user is enabled to conveniently handle device holder assembly even if, for example, there are frequent changes between the stowed position and the device holding position of the device holder. 
         [0009]    The stowage mechanism may include a first guide rail to guide movement of the device holder during the stowage movement. This enables the user to perform the stowage movement of the device particularly smoothly and swiftly. Because the device holder is guided by the first rail, the device holder can be conveniently moved along even complex paths during the stowage movement, thus enabling it to be stowed away space-efficiently even in cramped conditions. 
         [0010]    The stowage mechanism may further include a stage that is pivotably connected with the device holder and a second guide rail to guide movement of the stage during the stowage movement. This enables to perform even more complex stowage movements such as combinations of translation and rotation smoothly, swiftly and conveniently. 
         [0011]    A connection point at which the stage is pivotably connected with the device holder includes an oblong hole. For example, the oblong hole may be formed on the side of the stage, with a pin of, for example, cylindrical shape being formed on the side of the device holder, or vice versa, such that the pin is able to both rotate within the oblong hole and slide along the same. This enables to finely adjust the position device holder when in the device holding position, e.g., by performing an adjustment swivel movement. 
         [0012]    The device holder may further include a first holding element that is slidable in a first direction to receive the mobile electronics device. In this way, the device holder is enabled to accommodate mobile electronics devices of different shapes and sizes, in particular different lengths in the first direction. 
         [0013]    The device holder assembly may further include an elastic element, e.g., a helical spring, and a blocking element of the blocking mechanism. The elastic element may extend from the first holding element to the blocking element, and the blocking element may be configured to block the stowage movement when pulled in the first direction. By enabling the elastic element to follow a straight path, the blocking mechanism can be activated in a particularly simple and mechanically reliable way. 
         [0014]    The blocking mechanism may further include an engagement element, and the blocking element may be further configured to block the stowage movement by engaging the engagement element when pulled in the first direction. This enables a particularly simple realization of the blocking mechanism, e.g., by providing the engagement element simply as a statically fixed element. 
         [0015]    The engagement element may be configured to engage a guided element of the device holder to perform an adjustment swivel movement that moves the device holder around the guided element. For example, the engagement element may be provided as a pivoting member that engages the guided element when being engaged by the blocking element. In this way, the adjustment swivel movement is enabled simultaneously with blocking the stowage movement in a mechanically simple way. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a dashboard for a vehicle may include the device holder assembly as described above. Similarly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include the device holder assembly as described above. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of holding a mobile electronics device in a device holder in a vehicle includes: performing a stowage movement to transition the device holder between a stowed position and a device holding position; holding a mobile electronics device in the device holder; and activating a blocking mechanism which blocks the stowage movement from transitioning the device holder to the device holding position when the mobile electronics device is held in the device holder. 
         [0018]    The method may further include guiding movement of the device holder during the stowage movement using a first guide rail, which enables a particularly smooth movement. 
         [0019]    The stowage movement may be blocked by blocking a guided element of the device holder using the first guide rail. The guided element, being already restricted to movement along the rail, can be blocked in a particularly simple way. The guided element of the device holder may be blocked within the first guide rail at an end position thereof. In this case, simply blocking the movement of the guided element in a single direction only suffices to completely and stably immobilize the guided element. 
         [0020]    The method may further include performing an adjustment swivel movement that moves the device holder. In this way, for instance, an angular position of a display of the mobile electronics device can be adjusted for best viewing. The adjustment swivel movement may move the device holder around the guided element of the device holder. In this way, the adjustment swivel movement can be enabled simultaneously with blocking the stowage movement in a mechanically simple way by engaging the guided element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a device holder assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a dashboard of a vehicle according to embodiments, with a device holder in a stowed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the device holder assembly of  FIG. 1  with the device holder in a device holding position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the device holder assembly of  FIG. 1  in the same state as in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the device holder assembly of  FIG. 1 , the device holder being extended for receiving a mobile electronics device; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the device holder assembly of  FIG. 1  with the device holder holding a mobile electronics device; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of a stowage mechanism of the device holder assembly of  FIG. 1 , for explaining a step of performing a stowage movement in a method of holding a mobile electronics device according to an embodiment; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side view of the stowage mechanism of the device holder assembly of  FIG. 1 , for explaining further steps of the method of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Unless indicated otherwise, like reference numbers throughout the figures indicate like elements. It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
         [0030]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0031]    It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles. 
         [0032]    Referring now to the presently disclosed embodiments,  FIG. 1  illustrates, in a side view, a device holder assembly  100  for holding a mobile electronics device such as a smartphone inside an automobile or other vehicle (not shown). The device holder assembly  100  is mounted in a vehicle dashboard  140  of which merely a part of an outer contour is indicated, by dashed lines, in the vicinity of the device holder assembly  100 . In the following, it shall be assumed that the dashboard  140  and device holder assembly  100  are oriented within the vehicle such that the front of the vehicle is located to the left of  FIG. 1 . Without prejudice to the orientation of mounting in the vehicle, the corresponding direction will be herein referred to as “front”, and the opposite direction referred to as “rear”. 
         [0033]    In the following, the overall structure of the device holder assembly  100  shall be explained by making reference to  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The device holder assembly  100  comprises a base  142  including two mirror-symmetrical, boomerang-shaped side plates  144 , which at the outer edge of one of the boomerang arms are connected by a flat bridge plate  146  that extends in a plane perpendicular to the drawing plane of  FIG. 1 , thus forming a general U-shape. At the outer edge of the other boomerang arm, where the side plates  144  form respective brackets  148  that protrude away from the bridge plate  146  at an angle of about 45°, the brackets  148  bear a tray  131 . The device holder assembly  100  is installed in an opening in the dashboard  140  that corresponds in shape to the shape of the tray  131 , in such a way that the edges of the tray  131  lie flush with the dashboard  140  surface while the base  142  is hidden from view in the dashboard  140  interior. 
         [0034]    In each of the side plates  144 , on the inner sides of the boomerang arms connected by the bridge plate  146 , a first guide rail  110  and a second guide rail  120  are formed as grooves of rectangular-profile. The shape of the guide rails  110 ,  120  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  wherein the contour of the base  142  and the tray  131  have been omitted for clarity. While in each side plate  144  the first guide rail  110  extends first in a straight line from the center of the boomerang arm upwardly along the inner edge thereof to then bend in a curve toward the elbow of the boomerang shape, the second guide rail  120  extends in one straight line from the lower end to the upper end of the boomerang arm along the outer edge thereof, i.e., along the flat bridge plate  146 . 
         [0035]    Between the side plates  144 , a sliding stage  122  is inserted that on each side comprises respective oblong guided elements  139  that are slidingly fitted into the second guide rails  120 . The stage  122  comprises a stage bridge plate (not shown), which extends along the bridge plate  146  of the base  142  and in U-shaped fashion connects to two stage side plates, which extend along the inner sides of the side plates  144  of the base  142 . The outline of the stage  122  side plates is depicted as outline of the stage  122  in  FIG. 7 . At the lower end, each of the stage  122  side plates is of rectangular outline shape. At the upper end, each of the stage  122  side plates comprises a fan-shaped head  150  at the top of which a horizontally extending oblong hole  102  is formed. The lower edge  154  of each fan-shaped head  150  has the form of a circular segment, which is concentric with the oblong hole  102  and ends in a stopping protrusion  152 . 
         [0036]    Between the stage  122  side plates, a generally rectangular lower frame  114  of a device holder  112  is inserted. At a lower end of two opposing edges of the lower frame  114 , respective cylindrical guided elements  138  are formed, which are inserted into respective ones of the first guide rails  110  in the base  142  side plates  144 . Upwardly spaced from the cylindrical guided elements  138  by a distance that corresponds to the radius of the lower edge  154  of the fan-shaped head  150  of the stage  122 , there is formed a cylindrical pin  103 . The lower frame  114  of the device holder  112  is inserted into the stage  122  and the base  142  in such a way that the cylindrical pins  103  are located within the oblong holes  102  of the stage  122  and the cylindrical guided elements  138  are in contact with the lower edges  154  of the respective fan-shaped heads  150 . 
         [0037]    In accordance with the stowage mechanism  106  as given by the configuration described above, the lower frame  114  of the device holder  112  is enabled to perform a stowage movement  800  between a stowed position  802  and a device holding position  804 . In order to make it possible to understand the path of the stage  122  and the lower frame  114  of the device holder  112  during the stowage movement  800 ,  FIG. 6  depicts the stage  122  and the lower frame  114  of the device holder  112  once each at the stowed position  802  and at the device holding position  804 , the respective positions  802 ,  804  being indicated in parentheses. Furthermore, the trajectories of the oblong guided elements  139 , the cylindrical guided element  138 , and the upper edge of the lower frame  114  of the device holder  112  during the stowage movement are each indicated by dashed lines. 
         [0038]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the stowage movement  800  can be a combination of a translational and a rotational movement. In the stowed position  802  the lower frame  114  of the device holder  112  is entirely confined within the base  142 . In the device holding position  804 , it is vertically located outside the base  142  with the cylindrical guided element  138  located at the upper end position  806  of the first guide rail  110 . 
         [0039]    Below the upper end  806  of the first guide rail  110 , anchor-shaped engagement elements  136  are pivotally  137  supported on each side plate  144  in such a way, that in a rest position as shown in  FIG. 6  the engagement elements  136  do not interfere with the stowage movement  800 . The engagement elements  136  may be biased by springs (not shown) to return into the rest position or configured to assume the rest position under the influence of gravity. Furthermore, the engagement elements  136  are configured to block the cylindrical guided elements  138  from leaving the upper end position  806  of the first guide rail if forced upwards from below when the device holder  112  is in the device holding position  804 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0040]    The device holder  112  comprises, in addition to the lower frame  114 , a middle frame  116  and an upper frame  118 , which are of a successively narrower rectangular shape and telescopically fit into each other as is shown in  FIG. 4  (i.e., collapsed state) and  FIG. 5  (i.e., extended state). At the top end, the device holder  112  is equipped with a first holding element  130  that in the device holding position  804  horizontally extends from the upper frame  118  rearwards, towards the side of the tray  131 . 
         [0041]    Furthermore, the device holder  112  comprises a blocking element  109  that is mounted to the rear side of the bottom end of the lower frame  114  in such a way as to be vertically slidable along the lower frame  114  when the device holder  112  is in the device holding position. The blocking element  109  is configured to engage both engagement elements  136  from below when moved upwards while the device holder  112  is in the device holding position  804 . The blocking element  109  is secured to the lower frame  114  such as to be stopped, when moving downward, at a rest position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , thereby never falling off the lower frame  114 . The blocking element  109  may be biased by a spring (not shown) to return into the rest position or configured to assume the rest position under the influence of gravity. 
         [0042]    Confined below a cladding of the device holder  112 , a helical spring, rubber band or other longitudinally elastic element  134  connects the first holding element  130  of the device holder  112  to the blocking element  109 . This elastic element  134  forms a part of the device holder  112  in that it pulls the first holding element  130  toward the tray  131  when, in the device holding position  804  of the device holder  112 , the upper frame  118  of the device holder  112  is pulled in upward direction  810  manually. After placing a mobile electronics device  104  between the first holding element  130  and the tray  131  and manually releasing the upper frame  118  of the device holder  112 , the device holder  112  is telescopically contracted under the action of the elastic element  134  until the distance between the lower surface of the first holding element  130  and the upper surface of the tray  131  corresponds to the height of the mobile electronics device  104 , and the mobile electronics device  104  is held by clamping between the first holding element  130  and the tray  131 , which may therefore be regarded as a second holding element. 
         [0043]    However, the elastic element  134  also forms part of a blocking mechanism  108  that additionally includes the blocking element  109  and the engagement elements  136 . As is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the blocking element  109  is pulled upward  810  via the elastic element  134  as soon as the upper frame  118  of the device holder  112  is pulled upward  810  by manual action. Thereby, the blocking element  109  engages the anchor-shaped engagement elements  136  from below, which due to a step on the lower side of the engagement elements  136  serves to prevent the device holder  112  from accidentally leaving the device holding position  804 . Moreover, the blocking mechanism  108  will continue to block a stowage movement  800  away from the device holding position  804 , thereby mechanically supporting the mobile electronics device  104  while being held in the device holder assembly  100 . 
         [0044]    Additionally, due to a further step on the upper side of the anchor-shaped engagement elements  136 , the cylindrical guided elements  138  are confined to the end positions  806  of the first guide rails  110 . In cooperation with the oblong holes  102  and the cylindrical pins  103  located therein, this enables an adjustment swivel movement  820  of the device holder  112  over a limited angular range around the cylindrical guided elements  138 . 
         [0045]    While the contents of the present disclosure have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.