Abstract:
A system for mounting a cell phone in an automobile providing vibration resistant holding, phone battery recharging, rapid disconnect and convenient mounting on an article of clothing such as a belt.

Description:
[0001]    The widespread use of cell phones in automobiles was initially considered dangerous because it tied up one hand of the driver. Some individuals tried to trap the phone between their shoulder and ear and thus retain the use of both hands. This practice distorted their view when making turns however and did not solve the problem. As a result, there have been a large number of devices developed and sold for fixing the cell phone to the front of the instrument panel so that the driver&#39;s hands would be free. Many of these solutions to the problem have been satisfactory but the additions to the cell phone were elaborate and relatively costly. Some phones were not loud enough to be heard from a distance of several feet although the microphones were sensitive enough to pick up the driver&#39;s voice from that distance. Another difficulty lay in the necessity of coupling the phones electrical system with that of the car so that the limited power of the phone battery could be enhanced by that of the generator-storage cell system of the automobile. A possible solution would be for the phone to be charged when not in use by the motorist or passengers.  
           [0002]    An entirely different series of problems occurring when the phone is fixed to the car consists of mechanical vibration when the car is in motion. The grip of the holding means on the body of the telephone must be sufficient to prevent the phone from working loose and falling to a lower position. The relatively thin plastic shells housing many cell phones would be an argument against a large clamping force.  
           [0003]    Many cell phones lose their range when in the interior of automobiles, which represent metal shields surrounding them. Additional shielding occurs when the automobile enters a tunnel or indoor garage. It would also be convenient if the extra antenna would automatically removed when the phone was returned to the owner&#39;s pocket.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The invention relates to a lightweight cradle with flexible arms, which holds a cell phone in two planes. This method of mounting permits firm holding of the phone against vibration but easy release when it is time to remove it. The back of the cradle is coupled mechanically and electrically to a cigarette lighter prong. This coupling permits the telephone to be powered by the car&#39;s electrical system both during operation and when charging. Insertion into the lighter receptacle gives the cradle sufficient mechanical rigidity for this purpose due to built in springs in the prong. When the telephone is seated in the cradle, its antenna circuit is inductively coupled to external means by which increase in sensitivity and range is made possible. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the cradle and the phone to be held and the connection to a cigarette lighter plug.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a side view of the cradle showing the quick disconnect attachment for coupling the cradle to the cigarette lighter plug by means of an extruded button on the back of the cradle.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a clip, which will slip over a belt or similar article of clothing. The clip is formed with a slot in which an extruded button can be placed and rotatably locked said button being integrally attached to a cradle. When a cell phone is placed in the cradle, it can be carried by an individual and readily removed for use by unlocking the button.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    The invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3  which Illustrate a preferred embodiment. In FIG. 1 the cradle  1  which may be of molded plastic or sheet metal is configured to have the flexible fingers  3  and  4  and the protruding extensions  11  and  13 . When the cell phone  9  having the indentations  10  and  10 ′ is pressed into the cradle, extensions  11  and  13  enter and lock into said indentations while flexible fingers  3  and  4  lock over edge  20  of the phone. This four sided locking will hold the cell phone firmly against accidental displacement but permit an easy release when desired.  
         [0009]    The back surface of the cradle is thick enough to house a second antenna  9  (FIG. 2) and an auxiliary microphone, which is sonically coupled through holes  12  (FIG. 1). This permits both sides of a conversation to be amplified and be heard on the car radio.  
         [0010]    The back surface of the cradle also accommodates the electrical plug  2  attached by wire  11  to high gain antenna  10  which can be temporarily cemented on another surface (such as the car windshield) and thus increase the range of the telephone.  
         [0011]    Buttons  21  and  21 ′ on the telephone make contact with electrodes  22  and  23 ′ on the cradle for charging.  
         [0012]    The preferred method for attaching the cigarette lighter prong assembly  25  to the cradle can be seen in the side view of FIG. 2. The fixture  17 , which is cemented to the prong assembly  25 , contains a circular opening to accommodate button  15 . Push button  16  activates a pin in the periphery of said opening. The pin is held in the groove between button  15  and the body of the cradle by spring  27 . Pressure on button  16  releases the pin and allows the cradle to be separated from assembly  25 .  
         [0013]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision for belt mounting of the cell phone and convenient carrying. This is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3. The belt clip is made up of the base  29  and the moveable portion  30  separated by the spring  20 . Pressure in direction A separates the moveable portion  30  from the base to accommodate the belt  19 . The base  29  also incorporates the slots  18  into which the button  15  (which is part of the cradle) can slide. Pin  17  will fit into the space between  15  and the cradle and be held in place. The pin will be released when pressure is applied at B. The cell phone, which is being held in the cradle, will then be available for portable use or can be locked in place in the car assembly as explained previously.  
         [0014]    The present invention provides adequate holding power for the use of a cell phone in an automobile in a “no hands” mode; ease of installation and removal; and convenient conversion to belt mounting. The cradle design requires a minimum of material for production and minimizes molding costs.  
         [0015]    Although the described means for carrying out the invention is a preferred embodiment, the concept may be implemented by other designs without departing from the spirit of the invention.