Electronic device holder

An electronic device holder comprises an elongated main body, a handle affixed to the main body, and a U-shaped bracket for holding an electronic device. The bracket is slidably and rotatably engaged with the main body such that the bracket is selectively slidable along at least a portion of a length of the main body and such that the bracket is selectively rotatable at least between a first position that is parallel to the main body and a second position that is perpendicular to the main body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for holding an electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are increasingly used for taking photographs and videos. Such mobile electronic devices can be difficult to hold properly for photographs and videos, especially when it is necessary to hold the mobile electronic device above an obstruction (e.g., people in front of you) when taking photographs and videos.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment of the invention, an electronic device holder comprises an elongated main body, a handle affixed to the main body, and a U-shaped bracket for holding an electronic device. The bracket is slidably and rotatably engaged with the main body such that the bracket is selectively slidable along at least a portion of a length of the main body and such that the bracket is selectively rotatable at least between a first position that is parallel to the main body and a second position that is perpendicular to the main body.

The handle may be affixed to the main body adjacent one end of the main body. The handle may be hingedly affixed to the main body, such that the handle may be selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The holder may further comprise a latch to retain the handle in the open position and/or in the closed position.

The bracket may comprise a lower portion having first and second ends and two arms, each arm being affixed to a respective one of the first and second ends. Each arm may be hingedly affixed to a respective one of the first and second ends. Each arm may be U-shaped with an open side, and the open side of each arm may face the open side of the other arm. The arms may be selectively movable linearly in and out along a longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the bracket. The arms may be biased inward along the longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the bracket.

The bracket may further comprise a projection on a bottom surface of the lower portion, the projection having a female threaded opening defined in a lower surface thereof.

A top elongated open channel may be defined in a top surface of the main body, such that the projection on the bottom surface of the lower portion of the bracket selectively slidably engages with the top channel.

The holder may further comprise a thumbscrew having a body and a male threaded projection from the main body. A side elongated through-channel may be defined in the main body and extend from a first side of the main body to an opposing second side of the main body. The top channel and the side through-channel may be at least partially open to each other. The thumbscrew may be at least partially positioned in the side through-channel such that portions of the thumbscrew body project respectively out of opposing sides of the side through-channel and at least a portion of the male threaded projection projects out of the top channel. The male threaded projection of the thumbscrew may selectively threadedly engage the female threaded opening of the projection of the bracket when the projection of the bracket engages with the top channel. Tightening the threaded engagement between the male threaded projection of the thumbscrew and the female threaded opening of the projection of the bracket may restrict movement of the bracket relative to the main body.

The female threaded opening of the projection of the bracket may be selectively threadedly engageable with a standard male threaded tripod screw adapter.

The bracket may further comprise one or more kickstands selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, such that the one or more kickstands supports the bracket in an upright but angled position when the bracket is removed from the holder and when the one or more kickstands is in the open position.

In addition to the electronic device holder, as described above, other aspects of the present invention are directed to corresponding methods for holding an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device for holding an electronic device. The holder of embodiments of the invention enables a user to easily and steadily hold a generally planar electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, at an extended distance from the user's body.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-7, an electronic device holder10comprises an elongated main body12, a handle affixed to the main body14, and a U-shaped bracket16for holding an electronic device. The bracket16is selectively slidably and rotatably engaged with the main body.FIG. 1shows the holder in a fully closed position, such as for transportation and storage, with the handle14in a closed position and the bracket16in a closed position. When in a closed position, the handle14is folded up against a lower surface of the main body12, as illustrated. When in a closed position, the bracket16is parallel with the main body12and the arms42of the bracket16are folded down against and parallel with the lower portion40of the bracket16. The thumbscrew (described further below) may be tightened to maintain the lower portion40of the bracket16in the position illustrated inFIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the handle14is affixed to the main body12adjacent one end of the main body (this end may be termed the proximal end, as it will be proximal to the user during use). Other positions for the handle on the main body may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle14is hingedly affixed to the main body12, such that the handle may be selectively movable between a closed position (shown inFIG. 1) and an open position (shown inFIG. 2). In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the handle may be fixed and not foldable. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the handle may be removable from the main body. The holder may further comprise a latch to retain the handle in the open position and/or in the closed position. Any suitable latch mechanism may be used to hold the handle in its open and/or closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle14is not held in the closed position by a latch or any other mechanism (although the hinge may be tight to help frictionally retain the handle in the closed position). A latch arm20engages with a latch shelf21formed in the main body12when the handle14is moved to the open position (shown inFIG. 2). The latch arm20is flexible, but inherently biased toward a latched position. A latch release button22pushes the latch arm20away from the latch shelf (or similar mechanism) when the latch release button22is pushed in, allowing the handle14to be folded into the closed position. The latch release button22is biased outward, typically with a spring. The handle14may be generally shaped like a pistol grip, as illustrated, although any suitable shape may be used.

The bracket16comprises a lower portion40having first and second ends52and two arms42. Each arm42is hingedly affixed to a respective one of the first and second ends52. Each arm is generally U-shaped (although other shapes may be used), and the open side of each arm faces the open side of the other arm as seen inFIG. 8. In use, opposing side edges of an electronic device are placed in the U-shaped channels of the arms, and the bottom edge of the electronic device rests on the lower portion40of the bracket, as shown inFIG. 5. One or more cushions46may be positioned within each arm to help retain and protect the electronic device. Any suitable material may be used for the cushions46, and it may be desirable to select a material such that there is a high coefficient of friction between the cushions and the electronic device to help retain the electronic device in the bracket. The bracket16further comprises a projection48on the bottom surface of the lower portion40. The projection48has a female threaded opening50defined in a lower surface thereof. The projection48on the bottom surface of the lower portion40of the bracket16selectively slidably engages with the top channel24, as described further below.

As shown and described, the bracket16is selectively slidable along at least a portion of a length of the main body12. The bracket16is selectively rotatable at least between a first position that is parallel to the main body12and a second position that is perpendicular to the main body12.

A top elongated open channel24is defined in a top surface of the main body12. A side elongated open channel26is defined in the main body, and extends all the way through the main body from one side to the opposite side. The top channel24and the side through-channel26are at least partially open to each other, as seen inFIG. 11.

The holder10further comprises a thumbscrew28having a body (which may be knurled or otherwise contoured to enable a user to more easily grip and rotate the thumbscrew) and a male threaded projection30. The thumbscrew28is at least partially positioned in the side through-channel26such that portions of the thumbscrew body project respectively out of opposing sides of the side through-channel (to enable a user to rotate the thumbscrew) and at least a portion of the male threaded projection30of the thumbscrew projects out of the top channel24(as seen inFIG. 11). The male threaded projection30of the thumbscrew may selectively threadedly engage the female threaded opening50of the projection48of the bracket16when the projection48of the bracket engages with the top channel24. Tightening the threaded engagement between the male threaded projection30of the thumbscrew28and the female threaded opening50of the projection48of the bracket16can restrict movement of the bracket16relative to the main body12.

The herein described steps for changing the holder from a closed position to an open position (or vice versa) do not need to be performed in any particular sequence. When a user desires to use the holder10to hold an electronic device, the user folds the handle14into the open position, shown inFIG. 2, in which position the handle latches. The user moves the bracket16from the closed position (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) to the fully open position (shown inFIG. 4) by (in no particular order) (a) loosening the thumbscrew28(if it is tight), sliding the bracket16distally along the main body12as far as it will go (typically until the body of the thumbscrew hits the distal end of the main body or the male threaded projection30of the thumbscrew hits the distal end of the top channel) (shown inFIG. 3), (b) rotating the bracket16ninety degrees from being parallel to the main body (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) to being perpendicular to the main body, (c) unfolding the bracket arms42from their closed position (shown inFIGS. 1-3) to their open position (shown inFIG. 4), and (d) tightening the thumbscrew28to lock the bracket16into the position shown inFIGS. 3 and 4(the thumbscrew does not affect the arms42). In their closed position, the bracket arms42are folded against and parallel to the lower portion40of the bracket16. In their open position, the bracket arms42are perpendicular to the lower portion40of the bracket16. When these steps have been performed, the holder10will be in the fully open position shown inFIG. 4and ready to receive an electronic device.

While the bracket is described above as being rotated ninety degrees from being parallel to the main body (shown inFIGS. 1-3) to being perpendicular to the main body (shown inFIG. 4), it is possible to secure the bracket in a position that is angled other than ninety degrees to the main body. Although not illustrated, a swivel or tilt mechanism may be used in the attachment of the bracket to the main body, such that the bracket and electronic device can be tilted forward or backward to change the viewing angle.

To accommodate larger electronic devices, the arms42may be selectively movable linearly in and out along a longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the bracket. Thus, the arms may be movable between an inward or medial position (shown inFIG. 4) and an outward or lateral position (shown inFIG. 6). When the arms are in the outward or lateral position, the greater distance between the arms accommodates a larger electronic device, as shown inFIG. 7. Typically (though not necessarily), the arms would be biased inward, toward each other along the longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the bracket, to help retain the electronic device.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to allow the arms to move linearly in and out and to bias the arms as described above. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the first and second ends52(to which the arms42are hingedly affixed) are movable independent of the center section of the lower portion40and are affixed to the elongated rods54that extend into the interior of the center section of the lower portion40, as shown inFIG. 10. The rods54are slidably engaged with the center section of the lower portion40, and are biased inward (medially) via springs56. Thus, the arms are able to be manually moved outward by a user to accommodate a larger electronic device, and are biased inward to hold the arms against the electronic device and to return the arms to the position shown inFIG. 4when no longer held outward.FIG. 7illustrates a larger electronic device being held by the holder10. In alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), a rack and pinion mechanism may be used to allow the arms to move linearly in and out.

The size of the holder, the distance between the arms when the arms are in the fully inward position, and/or the distance the arms are able to move outward may be selected to accommodate two or more common sizes of electronic device. For example, the holder may be configured to hold a seven inch tablet computer when the arms are in the fully inward position and the arms may be able to move outward far enough to accommodate a nine inch tablet computer.

While embodiments of the invention are described herein having bracket arms that are selectively movable linearly in and out along a longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the bracket to accommodate different size electronic devices, alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated) may have a bracket with arms that are not adjustable to accommodate only a single width electronic device.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to allow the arms to move linearly in and out to accommodate different size electronic devices. In alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), the arms may not be biased. Rather, the arms may be frictionally retained in the desired position. In such an embodiment, the arms would be pushed inward by a user against the sides of the electronic device and would maintain that position due to friction inherent in the adjustment mechanism.

By completely unscrewing the thumbscrew28from engagement with the female threaded opening50of the projection48of the bracket16, the bracket16may be removed from the holder10as shown inFIG. 8. The female threaded opening50is sized to be selectively threadedly engageable with a standard male threaded tripod screw adapter. As such, the bracket16may be mounted to a standard tripod if desired.

The bracket may further comprise one or more kickstands58, as shown inFIG. 9. The kickstands may be affixed to the bracket in any suitable manner, but will typically be hingedly affixed. The kickstands are selectively movable between an open position in which each kickstand is folded out and away from the bracket (shown inFIG. 9) and a closed position in which each kickstand is folded in against its corresponding arm42(not shown). The one or more kickstands58support the bracket in an upright but angled position when the bracket is removed from the holder and when the one or more kickstands is in the open position, as shown inFIG. 9.

In alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), a portion of the main body could telescope to enable the user to hold an electronic device further away from his/her body.

In alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), the holder could have Bluetooth-enabled controls (or the like) to enable a user to control one or more functions of the electronic device (e.g., on/off and shutter) via the holder. Such controls may be, for example, on the handle. In alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), the holder could have hardwired controls to enable a user to control one or more functions of the electronic device (e.g., on/off and shutter) via the holder.

The electronic device holder of embodiments of the invention may be constructed of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic (any suitable plastic or combination of plastics), metal (any suitable metal or combination or metals), or combinations thereof.

In addition to the electronic device holder, as described above, other aspects of the present invention are directed to corresponding methods for holding an electronic device. After an electronic device is inserted between the arms of the holder, a user may view content on the device or record content to the device (e.g., video or photographs) several different ways. The holder may be held by the handle with the electronic device extended away from the user (and pointed toward whatever is to be recorded, if recording). In the same configuration (such as inFIG. 5), the holder and electronic device may be set down on a surface, such as a table. The bracket can be removed, as described above, and the bracket and electronic device may be set down on a surface, such as a table, using the kickstands to keep the holder and electronic device upright. The bracket can be removed, as described above, and the bracket and electronic device may be secured to a tripod which may be placed on any suitable surface, such as a floor or table.