Abstract:
An adapter apparatus interfaces an accessory including a portable handheld device and a mounting product for a physically secure and stabilized assembly for stabilized, hands-free functionality. The adapter apparatus is ergonomically designed to enable optimal viewing angles of a portable handheld device as well as facilitate neutral postures of a user through elevation of the portable handheld device to improve head and neck posture of a user thereby increasing comfort and minimizing neck pain of the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/582,923 filed Jan. 4, 2012. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to portable handheld devices and more specifically to accessories for portable handheld devices, particularly lightweight and portable adaptors that enable stabilized, secure, and elevated, hands-free functionality. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable handheld device includes, for example, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, e-readers, or tablet computers to name a few. Portable handheld devices are compact, lightweight, easily transportable, and offer a variety of features and applications, including for example, Internet web browsing, e-mail, media streaming, video conferencing, video recording, image capture, global positioning system (GPS) navigation, video gaming, and document review. 
     Most portable handheld devices have optional accessories to provide additional functionality. Accessories include, for example, protective covers, carrying cases, sleeves, belt clips, holsters, docks and kickstands. Protective covers, carrying cases, and sleeves protect portable handheld devices. Belt clips are typically spring-loaded clips that facilitate fastening of the portable handheld device onto a pocket or belt so that the device can be conveniently carried by a user. Holsters include an integrated combination of a belt clip with a carrying case. Docks are appliances to which a portable handheld devices are connected. Docks may be used to charge the portable handheld device, listen to music, or to easily view the device from a dashboard or windshield. Kickstands support portable handheld devices in either a portrait or landscape mode in a stabilized and secure manner without the use of hands (“hands-free”). 
     Certain features of portable handheld devices such as video recording and image capture utilize a camera for capturing still photographs or recording, reproducing, or broadcasting moving or dynamic visual images including video conferencing. 
     One problem with the capture of still photographs or the recording of dynamic images is known as the “shake effect”, which is caused by even the slightest wavering hand. As a result, the capture of a still photograph results in poor clarity of the image regardless of the number of camera megapixels. With video recording, the shake effect causes jitter in the dynamic images. 
     There are limited accessories available for handheld portable devices that allow a user to use certain features and applications of the device in a stabilized and secure hands-free manner such as to minimize or eliminate shake effect. 
     Another problem is that the use of portable handheld devices is associated with high head and neck flexion postures as compared with desktop computing devices. Head and neck flexion postures are affected by where the device is positioned during use such as on a table or the user&#39;s lap. High head and neck flexion postures are sometimes referred to as “text neck”. Specifically, text neck is a repetitive stress injury, involving the head, neck and shoulders resulting from excessive strain from looking at a portable handheld device in either a forward or downward position. Text neck is known to cause fatigue, headaches, neck pain, back pain, shoulder and arm pain, breathing compromise, and much more. 
     Certain studies suggest that head and neck posture can be improved through accessories designed to allow for optimal viewing angles while facilitating more neutral postures thereby increasing the comfort of the user. Currently available accessories fail to elevate portable handheld devices from a table or user&#39;s lap to an ergonomic eye level in order to reduce the effects of text neck. 
     What is needed is an apparatus that enables stabilized, hands-free functionality for portable handheld devices that can be used with existing products for portable handheld devices such as holsters and belt clips and additionally, an apparatus that is ergonomically designed to minimize neck pain and discomfort. The present invention satisfies these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an adapter apparatus that is ergonomically designed to enable optimal viewing angles of a portable handheld device as well as facilitate neutral postures of a user through elevation of the portable handheld device. Providing optimal viewing angles and elevation of a portable handheld device improves head and neck posture of a user to increase comfort and minimize neck pain of the user, specifically reducing the effects of text neck. Furthermore, the adapter apparatus of the present invention enables stabilized, hands-free functionality for portable handheld devices. 
     The adapter apparatus according to the present invention provides a universal design that can function with portable handheld devices of various sizes, for example, large tablets and small smartphones. The design of the adapter apparatus further encompasses a small form factor to enable portability as well as fit in a user&#39;s pocket. The adapter apparatus may be constructed from a durable material such as nylon, steel, metal, aluminum, and plastic including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, and polypropylene, or any combination thereof. 
     Specifically, the adapter apparatus according to the present invention interfaces an accessory that includes the portable handheld device and a mounting product to provide a physically secure and stabilized assembly for a variety of applications discussed more fully below. In one embodiment of the invention, the accessory is a belt clip accessory or holster accessory. As mentioned above, belt clips are typically spring-loaded clips that facilitate fastening of the portable handheld device onto a pocket or belt and holsters include an integrated combination of a belt clip with a carrying case. Mounting products include, for example, tripods, monopods, suction mounts. 
     The adapter apparatus according to the present invention provides for quick and easy attachment/detachment of portable handheld devices. The adapter apparatus includes a receptacle component configured to attach to a mounting product. In one embodiment, the receptacle component is a ¼-20 female threaded insert designed to engage with a ¼-20 UNC male threaded bolt of a mounting product. 
     The adapter apparatus also includes a cavity component configured to receive a portion of an accessory. In one embodiment, a portion of a belt clip accessory or holster accessory is inserted within the cavity component. The belt clip accessory or holster accessory is engaged with the potable handheld device. 
     It is contemplated that the cavity component may further include a conformable material component which is designed to be impressed by the portion of the accessory, for example, the clip portion of the belt clip or holster. The conformable material may further secure the accessory. 
     It is contemplated that an attachment component may be necessary when utilizing the adapter apparatus of the present invention with a belt clip. Specifically, the attachment component may be anything that fastens the belt clip to a portable handheld device either directly or indirectly, such as through a carrying case. Since a holster includes an integrated combination of a belt clip with a carrying case, the attachment component is not necessary when the adapter apparatus of the present invention is used with a holster accessory. However, it is contemplated that the adapter apparatus may include an attachment component on one or more of the surfaces of the adapter apparatus. 
     There are a variety of contemplated applications for the adapter apparatus of the present invention when assembled with an accessory and a mounting product, for example, insertion to belt clip and attachment of a miniature tripod to enable hands-free video e.g., movie watching in horizontal orientation, video chat in portrait orientation; insertion to belt clip and attachment to standard tripod to enable jitter free video recording and picture capture from a static, stationary or fixed position; and insertion to belt clip and attachment to a handheld stabilizing mount, e.g. steadicam, to enable jitter free video recording and picture capture from an active, moving, or dynamic motion. 
     The scope of the invention is not limited and those of skill in the art will recognize changes, substitutions and other modifications. For example, the adapter apparatus may include an inductive charging mechanism used to charge the portable handheld device when the portable handheld device is either in close proximity to the adapter apparatus or engaged with the adapter apparatus via the accessory such as belt clip or holster. 
     The present invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description below of presently contemplated embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denote like components, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adapter apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an alternate perspective view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a first side view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a second side view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the adapter apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded assembly view including the adapter apparatus, an accessory, and a mounting product according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear assembled view including the adapter apparatus, an accessory, and a mounting product according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a front assembled view including the adapter apparatus, an accessory, and a mounting product according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The adapter apparatus according to the present invention provides for quick and easy attachment/detachment of portable handheld devices. The adapter apparatus attaches to a mounting product and an accessory. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the adapter apparatus  100  comprises a body  101  including a bottom surface  102 , a front surface  104 , a back surface  106 , a first side surface  108 , and a second side surface  110 . 
     The bottom surface  102  includes a receptacle component  200  configured to attach to a mounting product. In one embodiment, the receptacle component  200  is a ¼-20 female threaded insert  202  configured to engage with a standard ¼-20 UNC male threaded bolt of a mounting product. It is contemplated that the receptacle component may be anything that facilitates attachment to a mounting product, including, for example, a quick release plate, hot shoe, magnet, Velcro, or snap fit engagement. Mounting products include for example, tripods, monopods, suction mounts as well as any other mounting product that includes a standard ¼-20 UNC male threaded bolt that engages with a standard ¼-20 female threaded insert to allow for a secure connection. 
     In one embodiment, the front surface  104  is chamfered. For example, the front surface  104  is chamfered at an approximate 45 degree angle, but any angle is contemplated including a 0 degree angle such that the front surface  104  is substantially parallel to the back surface  106 . The adapter apparatus also includes a cavity component  300  configured to receive a portion of an accessory that is engaged with the potable handheld device. 
     The cavity component  300  includes a support face  302  and a perimeter face  304 . In one embodiment, the cavity component  300  is sized and shaped to receive the belt clip accessory or holster accessory. 
     A belt clip accessory or holster accessory includes a clip body with a tongue portion at one end and a hinge portion at the other end. The hinge portion connects the clip body to a back plate of the belt clip accessory or holster accessory. Specifically, the tongue portion of the clip body is received within the cavity component  300  of the adapter apparatus  100 . 
     It is contemplated that the cavity component  300  may further include a conformable material component. The conformable material component may be positioned on the support face  302 , perimeter face  304 , or both. The conformable material is designed to be impressed by the portion of the accessory inserted within the cavity component  300  to further secure the accessory. 
     It is also contemplated that any one of the surfaces—bottom surface  102 , a front surface  104 , a back surface  106 , a first side surface  108 , and a second side surface  110 —may include an inductive charging mechanism  112  used to charge the portable handheld device when the portable handheld device is either in close proximity to the adapter apparatus or engaged with the adapter apparatus. 
     The adapter apparatus  100  further includes a pair of guide post components  400 A,  400 B and a guide platform component  450  to assist engaging the accessory with the adaptor apparatus  100 . Specifically, the guide post components  400 A,  400 B along with the guide platform component  450  steer or lead the clip body of the belt clip accessory or holster accessory such that the tongue portion is received within the cavity component  300 . 
     The guide platform component  450  includes a platform surface  452 . The first guide post component  400 A includes a first border  402 A, a second border  404 A, a third border  406 A, and a fourth border  408 A. The second guide post component  400 B includes a first boundary  402 B, a second boundary  404 B, a third boundary  406 B, and a fourth boundary  408 B. The first border  402 A of the first guide post component  400 A and the first boundary  402 B of the second guide post component  400 B are integrated with the front surface  104  of the body  101  of the adapter apparatus  100 . The second border  404 A of the first guide post component  400 A is integrated with the first side surface  108  of the body  101  of the adapter apparatus  100 . The second boundary  404 B of the second guide post component  400 B is integrated with the second side surface  110  of the body  101  of the adapter apparatus  100 . The third border  406 A of the first guide post component  400 A and the third boundary  406 B of the second guide post component  400 B are integrated with the back surface  106  of the body  101  of the adapter apparatus  100 . A first segment of the fourth border  408 A of the first guide post component  400 A and a first segment of the fourth boundary  408 B of the second guide post component  400 B are joined with the platform surface  452  of the guide platform component  450 . A second segment of the fourth border  408 A is joined between the first border  402 A and the third border  406 A of the first guide post component  400 A. A second segment of the fourth boundary  408 B is joined between the first boundary  402 B and the third boundary  406 B of the second guide post component  400 B. 
       FIGS. 9-11  illustrate an assembly  500  including the adapter apparatus  100  of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the assembly  500 ,  FIG. 10  is a rear view of the assembly  500 , and  FIG. 11  is a front view of the assembly  500 . The assembly  500  interfaces the adapter apparatus  100  with an accessory  700  and a mounting product  600 . 
     The mounting product  600  shown in  FIGS. 9-11  as a tripod, attaches to the adaptor apparatus  100  through the receptacle component  200  on the bottom surface  102 . Specifically, ¼-20 female threaded insert  202  engages with a standard ¼-20 UNC male threaded bolt  602  of the tripod. 
     The accessory  700  as shown in  FIGS. 9-11  include a belt clip  710 , attachment component  720 , carrying case  730 . The accessory  700  also includes the portable handheld device  740 . 
     The belt clip  710  includes a clip body  712  with a tongue portion  714  at one end and a hinge portion  716  at the other end. The hinge portion  716  connects the clip body  712  to a back plate  718  of the belt clip  710 . 
     The clip body  712  is guided to engage with the adapter apparatus  100  by the guide post components  400 A,  400 B and the guide platform component  450  such that the tongue portion  714  is received within the cavity component  300  of the adapter apparatus  100 . Specifically, the tongue portion  714  of the belt clip  710  is retained by the support face  302  and the perimeter face  304  of the cavity  300 . 
     With the embodiment described in reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , an attachment component  720  is necessary. As shown, the attachment component  720  is a double-sided adhesive pad  722 , however, the attachment component  720  may be anything that fastens the belt clip  710  to a portable handheld device  740  either directly or indirectly. In the described embodiment, the attachment component  720  indirectly fastens the belt clip  710  to the portable handheld device  740  through a carrying case  730 . 
     The double-sided adhesive pad  722  is secured to the back plate  718  of the belt clip  710  on one side and secured to the carrying case  730  on the other side. The portable handheld device  740  is positioned within the carrying case  730 . 
     The adapter apparatus  100  in combination with an accessory  700  and a mounting product  600  provides a physically secure and stabilized assembly  500  for a variety of applications, for example, hands-free video, jitter free video recording and picture capture from a static, stationary or fixed position or from an active, moving, or dynamic motion. 
     The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the foregoing description. Those of skill in the art will recognize changes, substitutions and other modifications that will nonetheless come within the scope of the invention and range of the claims.