DEVICE FOR HOLDING AN ITEM DURING TRAVEL, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

A device for holding an item during travel via an airplane, train or bus, includes a body, a first coupler and a second coupler. The body has a first section, a second section that is moveable relative to the first section toward a first position and toward a second position, and a third section that is moveable relative to the first section toward a first position and toward a second position. The first coupler couples the body's first section with the body's second section and holds the second section in the first position and in the second position. The second coupler couples the body's first section with the body's third section and holds the third section in the first position and in the second position.

BACKGROUND

Travelers in vehicles such as trains, planes and buses, often use their phones and/or tablets to view and/or listen to content for entertainment or work. Unfortunately, after a while, holding such a device with their hand gets burdensome. A traveler's hand and/or arm can quickly tire from holding the phone and/or tablet in a specific, if not awkward, position. Thus, there is a need for a device that a traveler can use, without their hands, to hold their phone and/or tablet while they consume content displayed by the phone and/or tablet.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a device for holding an item during travel via an airplane, train or bus, includes a body, a first coupler and a second coupler. The body has a first section, a second section that is moveable relative to the first section toward a first position and toward a second position, and a third section that is moveable relative to the first section toward a first position and toward a second position. The first coupler couples the body's first section with the body's second section and holds the second section in the first position and in the second position. When the second section is in the first position, the second section positions the device's body to hold, without the help of a person's hands, an item for use during travel. When the second section is in the second position, the first and second sections, combined, form a configuration in which the device's body is stored for future use. The second coupler couples the body's first section with the body's third section and holds the third section in the first position and in the second position. When the third section is in the first position, the third section holds, without the help of a person's hands, the item for use during travel. When the third section is in the second position, the first and third sections, combined, form a configuration in which the device's body is stored for future use.

With the second and third sections held in their respective first positions, the device is configured to hold, without the help of the traveler, an item oriented relative to the traveler at a location near the traveler to allow the traveler to access the item. The item may include a cup for holding a beverage and/or a phone, a tablet or other apparatus for visually and/or aurally displaying content, such as a movie, a game, a book, one or more documents for work, and/or music. By freeing the traveler from having to hold the item himself/herself, the traveler can avoid the burdensome task of holding the item in a specific position for a long period and thus avoid tiring his/her hand, wrist and/or arm. In addition, the traveler is free to use his/her hand for other tasks. With the second and third sections held in their respective second positions, the device is configured to be easily and efficiently stored while not in use.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for holding an item during travel via an airplane, train or bus, includes moving a second section of a body of a device relative to a first section of the device's body, toward a first position in which the second section positions the device's body to hold, without the help of a person's hands, an item for use during travel. The method also includes moving a third section of the device's body relative to the body's first section, toward a first position, in which the third section holds, without the help of a person's hands, the item for use during travel. The method also includes positioning the device's body to hold, without the help of the person's hands, the item for use during travel; and holding, with the third section of the device's body and without the help of a person's hands, the item for use during travel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Each ofFIGS. 1 and 2shows a view of a device20being used to hold, without one's hands, an item22for use while traveling, each according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 1shows the device20in a configuration in which it holds the item22while sitting on top of a surface, such as a tray-table24of an airplane's seat.FIG. 2shows the device20in a different configuration in which it holds the item22while hanging from an edge of the tray-table24when the tray-table24is in a stowed position. The device20may be used while one travels via an airplane as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2or while one travels via a train, bus or even a car by attaching the device20to a car's head rests. In addition, the device20may be used in any circumstance in which one would want to read, watch or listen to content displayed by the item22while using one's hands for another task, such as while eating breakfast in bed or knitting outside in a park.

The device20includes a body25that has a first section26, a second section28, and a third section30. The device20also includes a first coupler32that couples the second section28with the first section26. The first coupler32allows the second section28to move relative to the first section26and holds the second section28in a first position (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) in which the second section28positions the device's body25to hold, without the help of a person's hands, an item22for use during travel. The device20also includes a second coupler34that couples the third section30with the first section26. The second coupler34allows the third section30to move relative to the first section26and holds the third section30in a first position (also shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) in which the third section30holds, without the help of a person's hands, the item22for use during travel. Each of the first and second couplers32and34, respectively, also holds its respective one of the second and third sections28and30, respectively, in a second position in which the device's body25forms a configuration in which the device's body25is stored for future use.

With the second and third sections28and30, respectively, held in their respective first positions, the device20is configured to hold, without the help of one's hands, the item22near and oriented relative to one to allow one to access the item22. The item22may include a phone, a tablet or other apparatus for visually and/or aurally displaying content, such as a movie, a game, a book, one or more documents for work, and/or music. By freeing one from having to hold the item22himself/herself, one can avoid the burdensome task of holding the item in a specific position for a long period and thus avoid tiring his/her hand, wrist and/or arm. In addition, one is free to use his/her hand for other tasks. With the second and third sections28and30, respectively, held in their respective second positions, the device20may be easily and efficiently stored while not in use.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the first positions of the second and third sections28and30, respectively, may be any desired position relative to the first section26that allows the sections26,28and30of the body25to function as expressed above. For example, in this and other embodiments the first position of the second section28may have the second section28extending substantially straight from the first section26at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first section26(shown inFIG. 1). And, in other embodiments the first position of the second section28may have the second section28extending substantially straight from the first section at an angle of about 50 degrees relative to the first section26(shown inFIG. 2), forming a chevron with the first section26. The location of the second section28in the first position depends largely on where the device20is to hold the item22and how the device's third section30is to hold the item22. In still other embodiments, the first position of the second section28may have the second section28extending in an arc from the first section26to form a hook so that the second section28can wrap partially around a bar to allow the device20to hang vertically. Similarly, in this and other embodiments the first position of the third section30may have the third section30extending substantially straight from the first section26at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first section26(shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). This allows the item22to rest against the third section30and the first section26while the device20holds the item22such that gravity keeps the item22against the first and third sections26and30, respectively. In other embodiments, the first position of the third section30may have the third section30also extending in an arc such that the third section30can cup the item22to hold it when the first section26hangs beyond vertical.

Similarly, the second positions of the second and third sections28and30, respectively, may be any desired position relative to the first section26that allows the sections of the body25to be configured for easily and efficiently storing the device20while not in use. For example, in this and other embodiments the second position of the second section28may have the second section28extending substantially straight from the first section26at an angle of about 0 degrees relative to the first section26; and the second position of the third section30may also have the third section30extending substantially straight from the first section26at an angle of about 0 degrees relative to the first section26. In such a configuration, the body25of the device20forms a substantially flat sheet whose area is the summation of the individual areas of each of the sections26,28and30. In other embodiments the second position of the second and third sections28and30, respectively, may have each of the sections28and30extending substantially straight from the first section at an angle of about 180 degrees relative to the first section26. In this configuration, the second and third sections28and30, respectively, may be folded over and against the first section26and result in body25forming a substantially flat sheet having less area but thicker than the embodiment discussed earlier.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the first and second positions of the second and third sections28and30, respectively, may include the second and third section28and30extending from the first section26in a direction that is not substantially straight, such as an arc or series of substantially straight directions that changes like a zig-zag pattern or a “Z” pattern.

FIG. 3shows a perspective, partial-cutaway view of the device20shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. Each of the couplers32and34couple a respective one of the second and third sections28and30, respectively, with the first section26and hold their respective sections28and30in the first and second positions. And, as discussed in greater detail in conjunction withFIGS. 4 and 5, in this and other embodiments the device's body25includes a coating40that surrounds the first, second and third sections26,28and30.

The coupler32may be configured as desired to perform the functions discussed elsewhere in this application. For example, in this and other embodiments the coupler32lies between the first and second sections26and28, respectively, and is a unique portion of a sheet of aluminum that the first and second sections26and28, respectively, include. Because the coupler32is aluminum the coupler32is plastically deformable so that it can hold the second section28in the first and second positions. Moreover, because the coupler32is a unique portion of the sheet of aluminum that the first and second sections26and28, respectively, include, the location of the coupler32between the first and second sections26and28, respectively, may be anywhere between the sections26and28. For example, in one embodiment the distance between the coupler32and the edge of the second section28that is farthest away from the coupler32may be one inch, and in another embodiment the distance may be six inches. That is, in this embodiment of the device20, because the coupler32is a unique portion of the aluminum sheet that extends into the first and second sections26and28, respectively, the location of the coupler32between the sections26and28may be changed to allow the device20to be configured into many different shapes. This flexibility allows one to use the device20in a variety of different situations that otherwise would make it difficult for one to position the second section28so that the device20can hold an item22near and oriented such that one can access the item22.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, as shown and discussed in greater detail in conjunction withFIG. 6, the coupler32may not be a unique portion of a sheet of material that extends into the first and second sections26and28, respectively. Rather, the coupler32may include a hinge that allows the second section28to pivot relative to the first section26. For another example, although the coupler32is discussed as holding the second section28in a first and a second position, the coupler32may hold the second section28in three or more different positions, such as a third, a fourth and a fifth position.

Similar to the coupler32, the coupler34may be configured as desired to perform the functions discussed elsewhere in this application. For example, in this and other embodiments the coupler34lies between the first and third sections26and30, respectively, and is a unique portion of a sheet of aluminum that the first and third sections26and30, respectively, include. Because the coupler34is aluminum the coupler34is also plastically deformable so that it can hold the third section30in the first and second positions. Moreover, because the coupler34is a unique portion of the sheet of aluminum that the first and third sections26and30, respectively, include, the location of the coupler34between the first and third sections26and30, respectively, may be anywhere between the sections26and30. For example, in one embodiment the distance between the coupler34and the edge of the third section30that is farthest away from the coupler34may be one inch, and in another embodiment the distance may be six inches. That is, in this embodiment of the device20, because the coupler34is a unique portion of the aluminum sheet that extends into the first and third sections26and30, respectively, the location of the coupler34between the sections26and30may be changed to allow the device20to be configured into many different shapes. This flexibility allows one to use the device20in a variety of different situations that otherwise would make it difficult for one to position the third section30so that the device20can hold an item22near and oriented such that one can access the item22.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, as shown and discussed in greater detail in conjunction withFIG. 6, the coupler34may not be a unique portion of a sheet of material that extends into the first and third sections26and30, respectively. Rather, the coupler34may include a hinge that allows the third section30to pivot relative to the first section26. For another example, although the coupler34is discussed holding the third section30in a first and a second position, the coupler34may hold the third section30in three or more different positions, such as a third, a fourth and a fifth position.

Still referring toFIG. 3, the shape and size of the device20may be any desired shape and size. For example, in this and other embodiments the device20is rectangular with the length of the body25in the longitudinal direction (with the sections26,28and30arranged in series) about nine inches and the length of the body25in the transverse direction (with the sections26,28and30arranged in parallel) about four inches. In addition, the thickness of the body25is about 4 millimeters. In this configuration, the device20is large enough to hold a small to medium sized cell phone in any orientation while remaining small and sleek when the second and third sections28and30, respectively, are in their respective second positions to easily and efficiently store the device20.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the device20may be larger. In such a configuration the device20may be rectangular with the length of the body25in the longitudinal direction about twelve inches, the length of the body25in the transverse direction about seven inches, and the thickness of the body25about six millimeters. For another example, the device20may be rectangular but smaller in size than the size discussed in the preceding paragraph, or larger in size than the size previously discussed in this paragraph. For yet another example, the device20may be circular or oval, and may be smaller or larger than the size discussed in the preceding paragraph. For another example, the device20may have a shape that is not a basic geometric shape, but rather a complex shape such as one that includes one or more curves found on a French curve. For another example, the device20may have a shape that is designed to mimic the emblem or logo of a sports team or any other well know logo like the Nike swoosh.

Each ofFIGS. 4 and 5shows a cross-sectional view of the device20shown inFIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4shows a cross-section along a longitudinal direction of the device20, andFIG. 5shows a cross-section along a transverse direction of the device.

The body25may be configured as desired to allow the sections26,28and30to form a configuration in which the third section30holds an item (22inFIGS. 1 and 2) and the second section28positions the body25to hold, without the help of a person's hands, the item for use during travel. For example, in this and other embodiments the body25includes a sheet42of aluminum that is about 0.5 millimeters thick surrounded by a coating40. The coating40is irradiated, crosslinked polyethylene foam (IXPE foam) that is about three millimeters thick. In addition, the coating40includes text and/or a graphic design that describes how to use the device20. The coating40protects the aluminum sheet42from the ambient environment in which the aluminum sheet42could be inadvertently scratched and/or exposed to liquids and/or gasses that include chemicals that could damage the aluminum sheet42. The coating40also increases the coefficient of friction or stickiness of the contact between the item and coating40when the third section30holds the item.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the aluminum sheet42may not be surrounded by a coating40, but rather partially surrounded by a coating or the coating may be omitted entirely. For another example, the body25may include an aluminum sheet whose thickness is less than or greater than 0.5 millimeters. For another example, the body25may not include an aluminum sheet but rather a sheet of another metal, such as copper, brass, and/or steel. In addition, the body25may include any alloy of any of the metals. The body25could also include a plastically deformable material that is not metallic, such as a plastic polymer. For yet another example, the body25may include a coating40that is thinner or thicker than three millimeters. The body25may also include a coating40that is cotton, thread, mesh fabric, Neoprene foam, Lycra, Nylon, Spandex, Polyurethane foam, Polyethylene foam, Polystyrene foam, and/or leather.

FIG. 6shows a side view of a section of a device50, according to another embodiment of the invention. The device50is similar to the device20shown inFIGS. 1-5except the device50includes a coupler52that does not plastically deform to allow the second section54to move relative to the first section56toward a first position (shown) and a second position (not shown), and to hold the second section54in the first and second positions. Like the device20, the device50also includes a second coupler (not shown) that couples the first section56with a third section (not shown) of the device50. And, although the subject of the discussion below is the coupler52that couples the first section56with the second section54, the discussion below also applies to the second coupler of the device50.

In this and other embodiments, the coupler52is a hinge that allows the second section54to pivot in the direction of the arrows58aand58b. To hold the second section54in the first and second positions, the hinge includes two friction plates (not shown) that contact each other when the second section54is in the first position and in the second position. One of the friction plates is fixed to the first section56, and the other friction plate is fixed to the second section54. When one moves the second section54in either direction indicated by the arrows58aand58b, the friction plate fixed to the second section54rotates relative to the friction plate fixed to the first section56. Then, when the second section54is either in the first or second position, the friction generated by the contact between the two friction plates holds the second section54in the position.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the coupler52may include two cogs (in lieu of friction plates that engage each other to hold the second section54in a position relative to the first section56.

FIG. 7shows a perspective view of a portion of a device60, according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The device60is similar to the device20shown inFIGS. 1-5except the third section62of the device60includes a cupholder64.

In this and other embodiments, the cupholder64includes a hole through the third section62that has four tabs66extending in toward the center of the hole. The tabs66are plastically deformable so that one can use the cupholder64for a variety of different sized cups. When the tabs66extend straight in toward the center of the hole (as shown), the cupholder64is configured to hold a small cup, such as one that holds coffee. When one or more of the tabs66are plastically deformed toward a surface of the third section62, the cupholder64is configured to hold a larger cup. In this and other embodiments, the third section62includes a material that provides adequate support for the weight of the cup and liquid that the cup would hold. The material can do this by either being thicker than the material used in the device20ofFIGS. 1-5, or having a greater modulus of elasticity (degree of stiffness).

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the third section62may include two or more cupholders64. For another example, the cupholder64may be configured to hold a single size or narrow range of cup sizes by making the tabs66not plastically deformable or omitting the tabs66altogether. For another example, the cupholder64may include a mesh bag to hold a cup. For yet another example, the cupholder64may include a strap that holds a cup, can and/or bottle to the third section62and whose length is adjustable so that the cupholder64can hold short cups, cans and/or bottles as well as tall cups, cans and/or bottles.

FIG. 8shows a side view of a portion of a device70, according to still another embodiment of the invention. The device70is similar to the device20shown inFIGS. 1-5except the device70includes a fourth section72that extends from a third section74of the device70. In this and other embodiments the fourth section74is plastically deformable so that it can be configured as desired to hold an additional item (not shown) or a component (not shown) of an item (not shown) held by the third section74, such as headphones or glasses. In other embodiments, the fourth section72is not plastically deformable and may be configured to hold a specific item or component of an item.

FIG. 9shows a plan view of a portion of a device80, according to another embodiment of the invention. The device80is similar to the device20shown inFIGS. 1-5except the device80includes a pocket82. In this and other embodiments, the pocket82is located on the first section84and specifically configured to hold a battery86for powering the item (not shown) held by the device80. In other embodiments, the pocket82may be located on the third or second sections (not shown) of the device80and may be configured to hold other things such as business cards, credit cards and/or identification cards. In yet other embodiments, the battery may be integrated into the device80, that is, not disposed or held in a pocket82of the device but embedded in the body of the device80.

FIG. 10also shows a plan view of a portion of a device90, according yet another embodiment of the invention. The device90is similar to the device20shown inFIGS. 1-5except the device90includes a transmitter92and receiver94to transmit and receive signals to another receiver and from another transmitter located in the item (not shown) held by the device90and/or any other item within range of the transmitter92and receiver94. The transmitter92and receiver94may be configured to send and receive any desired communication signals, such as high-frequency Bluetooth signals, lower frequency wireless signals, radio signals, and/or infrared light. The transmitter92and receiver94may be configured to help the item held by the device90communicate with another item and/or device to help the item held by the device90receive content to be displayed. The transmitter92and receiver94may also be configured to cast content to other items. In this and other embodiments, the transmitter92and receiver94are imbedded in the body of the device90. But in other embodiments the transmitter92and receiver94may be held in a pocket similar to the pocket shown and discussed in conjunction withFIG. 9.