Vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft

A vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft adapted for use in association with a vehicle having a passenger cab with a floor board and at least one accessory item, the apparatus comprising: a gooseneck shaft formed in an elongated generally cylindrical configuration with an upper end and a lower end, the gooseneck shaft being semirigid and flexible to permit maneuvering of the shaft within the cab of a vehicle, upper and lower mounting brackets being coupled to the upper and lower ends of the shaft; a lower semirigid shock absorbing plate being coupled to the upper mounting bracket; a ridged upper mounting plate being coupled to the lower semirigid shock absorbing plate; and a plurality of hook and loop coupling strips, at least one strip being adhesively coupled to the rigid upper mounting plate, each accessory item including at least one strip being adhesively coupled thereto, in an operative orientation an accessory being coupled upon the upper rigid plate with the hook and loop coupling strips being coupled together to retain the accessory upon the upper plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a vehicle accessory holder with a 
gooseneck shaft and more particularly pertains to maneuvering the 
gooseneck shaft of the apparatus to position a vehicle accessory in a 
desired location. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of holders for use in vehicles is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, holders for use in vehicles heretofore devised and utilized 
for the purpose of retaining various items are known to consist basically 
of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, 
notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art 
which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and 
requirements. 
By way of example, the prior art discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,381 to 
Wang et al. a cradle for telephone. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,032 to Jones et al. discloses a universal cup holder 
for use in vehicles. 
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 282,011 to Fackert discloses a gooseneck lamp. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,489 to Wheelock et al. discloses a floor mounted 
container holder assembly for a vehicle. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,525 to Peck discloses a cup holder for vehicles. 
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,992 to Jondelius discloses a mounting bracket for a 
telephone hinge set to be mounted upon a dashboard of a motor vehicle or 
the like. 
In this respect, the vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft 
according to the present invention substantially departs from the 
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so 
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of maneuvering 
the gooseneck shaft of the apparatus to position a vehicle accessory in a 
desired location. 
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a 
new and improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft which can 
be used for maneuvering the gooseneck shaft of the apparatus to position a 
vehicle accessory in a desired location. In this regard, the present 
invention substantially fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
holders for use in vehicles now present in the prior art, the present 
invention provides an improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck 
shaft. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will 
be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and 
improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft and method which 
has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and 
improved vehicle accessory holder with gooseneck shaft adapted for use in 
association with a vehicle having a passenger cab with a floor board and 
at least one accessory item, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a 
gooseneck shaft formed in an elongated generally cylindrical configuration 
with an upper end, a lower end and a central extent therebetween, the 
upper and lower ends of the shaft being solid, the central extent being 
formed as a plurality ofcontinuously formed coils, the gooseneck shaft 
being semirigid and flexible to permit maneuvering of the shaft to various 
locations within the cab of a vehicle; upper and lower mounting brackets 
each including a cylindrical coupling member and a circular shaped base 
member with a plurality of bolt holes, the lower mounting bracket adapted 
to be coupled to the floor board of a vehicle with a plurality of bolts, 
the lower end of the gooseneck shaft being coupled within the lower 
mounting bracket, the upper bracket being coupled to the upper end of the 
gooseneck shaft; a lower semirigid shock absorbing plate formed in a 
planar generally rectangular configuration with a plurality of centrally 
positioned bolt holes, the plate having an upper surface including 
cylindrical bolt supports with internal bolt threads, the bolt supports 
being positioned around the bolt holes, a plurality of bolts coupling the 
lower plate to the upper mounting bracket; a central semirigid shock 
absorbing plate formed in a planar generally rectangular configuration 
with a greater thickness than the lower semirigid plate, the central 
semirigid plate having a plurality of centrally positioned bolt holes 
extending therethrough, the central plate being positioned upon the upper 
surface of the lower plate such that the bolt supports thereof extend 
through the central plate; a rigid upper mounting plate formed in a planer 
generally rectangular configuration with an upper surface and a lower 
surface, a plurality of bolts being positioned through the lower and 
central semirigid plates and being coupled within the lower surface of the 
rigid upper mounting plate, the plates being coupled together to permit 
shock absorption; a plurality of hook and loop coupling strips, at least 
one strip being adhesively coupled to the upper surface of the rigid 
mounting plate, each accessory item including at least one strip being 
adhesively coupled thereto, in an operative orientation an accessory being 
coupled upon the upper rigid mounting plate with the hook and loop 
coupling strips being coupled together to retain the accessory upon the 
upper plate; a cup holder formed in a generally rectangular configuration 
with an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including two 
generally cylindrical shaped recesses extending therein, in an operative 
orientation the cup holder having at least one hook and loop coupling 
strip affixed to the lower surface and couplable to the upper plate of the 
apparatus, the cup holder adapted to hold accessories such as beverage 
cups in an operative orientation; and an electronic device holder formed 
in a generally rectangular configuration with an upper surface and a lower 
surface, the upper surface including a generally rectangular shaped recess 
extending therein, the electronic device holder having a first side edge 
including a semicircular recess positioned therein to permit the passage 
of an electronic device electrical plug therethrough, in an operative 
orientation the electronic device holder including at least one hook and 
loop coupling strip affixed to the lower surface and couplable to the 
upper rigid plate of the apparatus, the electronic device holder adapted 
to securely retain a plurality of different types of electronic vehicle 
accessories. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft which has all of 
the advantages of the prior art holders for use in vehicles and none of 
the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft which may be easily and 
efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft which is of durable and 
reliable constructions. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft which is 
susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and 
labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to 
the consuming public, thereby making such vehicle accessory holder with a 
gooseneck shaft economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft which provides in 
the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages 
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages 
normally associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is maneuvering the gooseneck 
shaft of the apparatus to position a vehicle accessory in a desired 
location. 
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft adapted for use 
in association with a vehicle having a passenger cab with a floor board 
and at least one accessory item, the apparatus comprising: a gooseneck 
shaft formed in an elongated generally cylindrical configuration with an 
upper end and a lower end, the gooseneck shaft being semirigid and 
flexible to permit maneuvering of the shaft within the cab of a vehicle, 
upper and lower mounting brackets being coupled to the upper and lower 
ends of the shaft; a lower semirigid shock absorbing plate being coupled 
to the upper mounting bracket; a ridged upper mounting plate being coupled 
to the lower semirigid shock absorbing plate; and a plurality of hook and 
loop coupling strips, at least one strip being adhesively coupled to the 
rigid upper mounting plate, each accessory item including at least one 
strip being adhesively coupled thereto, in an operative orientation an 
accessory being coupled upon the upper rigid plate with the hook and loop 
coupling strips being coupled together to retain the accessory upon the 
upper plate. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, 
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved vehicle accessory holder 
with a gooseneck shaft embodying the principles and concepts of the 
present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 
will be described. 
The present invention, the vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft 
10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their 
broadest context include a gooseneck shaft 12, upper and lower mounting 
brackets 14, 16, a lower semirigid shock absorbing plate 18, a central 
semirigid shock absorbing plate 20 and a rigid upper mounting plate 22. 
Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to 
each other so as to attain the desired objective. 
The vehicle accessory holder with a gooseneck shaft 12 is adapted for use 
in association with an automotive vehicle having a passenger cab with a 
floor board and at least one accessory item. A sample of the types of 
accessory items the apparatus may be used with include the following: 
portable compact disc holders and players, cassette players, portable 
telephones, portable facsimile machines, radar detectors, cup holders, lap 
top computers, electronic organizers, children's travel games, dictaphones 
and tape recorders. In alternate embodiments the apparatus may utilized 
with other types of vehicles such as trucks, boats recreational vehicles 
and wheelchairs. 
More specifically, the gooseneck shaft 12 is formed in an elongated 
generally cylindrical configuration with an upper end 24, a lower end 26 
and a central extent therebetween. The shaft in about 201/2 inches in 
height and 5/8 inch in diameter. The upper and lower ends of the shaft are 
solid to permit secure coupling within the mounting brackets of the 
apparatus. The central extent is formed as a plurality of contiguously 
formed coils 28 arranged in a looped orientation. The coils seperate 
slightly when the shaft is moved in different directions. The semirigid 
coiled construction of the shaft permits maneuvering of the shaft to 
various locations within the cab of a vehicle. When leaving the vehicle 
unattended the shaft and accessory item are shifted to a concealed 
location such as under the seat of the vehicle. The shaft is maneuvered to 
an easily reachable location when operating the vehicle. Note FIG. 1. 
The upper 14 and lower 16 mounting brackets each include a cylindrical 
coupling member 30 and a circular shaped base member 32 with three bolt 
holes. The lower mounting bracket is adapted to be coupled to the floor 
board of a vehicle with a plurality of bolts 34. In alternate embodiments 
washers, aircraft type nylon nuts and sheet metal screws are utilized to 
secure the apparatus to the floor board of a vehicle. The lower end of the 
gooseneck shaft is coupled within the lower mounting bracket. The upper 
bracket is coupled to the upper end 24 of the gooseneck shaft. Note FIGS. 
1 and 4. 
A lower semirigid shock absorbing plate 18 is formed in a planar generally 
rectangular configuration with three centrally positioned bolt holes. The 
lower, central and upper plates have rounded edges to prevent injury to 
users. The lower plate has an upper surface which includes cylindrical 
bolt supports 36 with internal bolt threads. The bolt supports are 
positioned around the bolt holes. A plurality of bolts 34 couple the lower 
plate to the upper mounting bracket 14. The bolts extend through the bolt 
supports in the coupled orientation to permit coupling within the upper 
rigid plate of the apparatus. Note FIG. 4. 
The central semirigid shock absorbing plate 20 is formed in a planar 
generally rectangular configuration with a greater thickness than the 
lower semirigid plate. The semirigid surface is fabricated of elastomeric 
materials in the preferred embodiment. The central semirigid plate has a 
plurality of centrally positioned bolt holes 38 extending through it. The 
central plate is positioned upon the upper surface of the lower plate such 
that the bolt supports of the lower plate extend through the central 
plate. This configuration serves to loosely couple the lower and central 
shock absorbing plates together so that both plates function independently 
to absorb vibration. Note FIGS. 1-4. 
A rigid upper mounting plate 22 formed in a planar generally rectangular 
configuration with an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of 
bolts are positioned through the lower and central semirigid plates and 
are coupled within the lower surface of the rigid upper mounting plate. 
The rigid surface is fabricated of plastic in the preferred embodiment to 
provide a firm and secure resting surface for an vehicle accessory item. 
Note FIGS. 1 and 2. 
A plurality of hook and loop coupling strips 40 are included with the 
apparatus. VELCRO hook and loop materials are utilized in the preferred 
embodiment. At least one strip is adhesively coupled to the upper surface 
of the rigid mounting plate. Each accessory item includes at least one 
strip coupled to its lower surface. In an operative orientation an 
accessory item is coupled upon the upper rigid mounting plate with the 
hook and loop coupling strips coupled together to retain the accessory 
upon the upper plate. The accessory item is then easily maneuvered 
throughout the cab of the vehicle by the driver or one or more passengers. 
Note FIG. 1. 
A cup holder 42 is formed in a generally rectangular configuration with an 
upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes two 
generally cylindrical shaped recesses 44 extending within it. The cup 
holder has at least two hook and loop coupling strips affixed to its lower 
surface. In an operative orientation the cup holder is coupled to the 
upper plate of the apparatus. The cup holder is adapted to hold 
accessories such as beverage cups in an operative orientation. Note FIG. 
5. 
An electronic device holder 46 is formed in a generally rectangular 
configuration with an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface 
includes a generally rectangular shaped recess 48 extending within it. The 
electronic device holder has a first side edge which includes a 
semicircular notch 50 positioned within it to permit the passage of an 
electronic device electrical plug. In an operative orientation the 
electronic device holder includes adhesive strips affixed to its lower 
surface to couple it to the upper rigid plate of the apparatus. The 
electronic device holder is adapted to securely retain a plurality of 
different types of electronic vehicle accessories. Note FIG. 6. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further 
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.