Abstract:
A caddy is adapted to clamp to a cylindrical shopping cart handle. Affixed to an upper portion of the clamp is an enclosure composed of a durable, transparent material configured to comprise two (2) planar panels with an intervening space. Openings at either side of the enclosure permit the insertion of appropriately sized pieces of paper, or paper stock, bearing certain indicia. Attached at an upper surface of the enclosure is a turntable adapted to accommodate a pedestal suitable for the placement of a portable electronic device device, such as a mobile telephone. The pedestal is further provided with additional, adjustable brackets capable of restraining mobile electronic devices of various sizes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/160,077, filed May 12, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a holder for a portable electronic device capable of clamping onto a tubular element. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable electronic devices continue to shrink in size while expanding in power and capabilities. Smart phones and tablet computers not only provide phone service, email and internet access, but also serve as a device for organizing information, compiling shopping lists, comparing shopping prices, viewing nutritional information, displaying coupons, and the like. As such, such devices are referred to by many while grocery shopping, or other store locations where shopping carts are used. 
     Many find it difficult to hold the portable electronic device while also trying to push the cart. It is especially difficult when the cart is full. Some people may even drop their portable electronic device, thus causing costly damage. If one should constantly put the device back in their pocket or purse, only to pull it out again in a few seconds, they waste valuable time in the process. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a portable electronic device can be easily accessed while using a shopping cart. The use of the holder allows users of shopping carts the ability to safely and easily utilize portable electronic devices while shopping to help make the shopping experience easier and simpler. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a holder comprising a cradle having a first face, a second face, a tray, a trough, and a sill. The cradle also comprises a first stabilizer which is located on a first side, a second stabilizer which is located on a second side, and a top stabilizer which is located on a top side. The holder also comprises a first rod adjustment mount which is on the second face, having a first end and a second end, and a second rod adjustment mount on the second face which has a first end and a second end. The holder further comprises a pair of first support rods, each of which is slidably disposed within the first ends of the first rod adjustment mount and second rod adjustment mount, and a pair of second support rods, each of which are slidably disposed within the second ends of the first rod adjustment mount and the second rod adjustment mount. Each first support rod is in mechanical communication with the first stabilizer. Each second support rod is in mechanical communication with the second stabilizer. 
     The holder also comprises a third and final rod adjustment mount which is on the second face and has a first end and a second end, and a third support rod which is slidably disposed with the third rod adjustment mount. The third support rod is in mechanical communication with the top stabilizer. The holder further comprises a swivel stand which is secured subjacent to the cradle, an enclosure rotationally secured and subjacent to the swivel stand and a clamp which is secured subjacent to the enclosure. The trough is capable of supporting a bottom portion of a portable electronic device while the sill is capable of restricting forward movement of the portable electronic device. The first stabilizer is also adjustable to adaptably secure to a first side of the portable electronic device while the second stabilizer is adjustable to adaptably secure to a second side of the portable electronic device. The top stabilizer is also adjustable and designed to adaptably secure to an upper side of the portable electronic device. The clamp is capable of removable attachment onto a support structure. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp is integrally molded with the enclosure. 
     The first stabilizer may also comprise at least one (1) first rod housing which is disposed adjacent to each end of a rear face of the first stabilizer. Each first rod housing is configured to receive and retain a first end of each pair of the first support rods while the second end of each the pair of the first support rods is fit with a first rod clamp being within the first ends of the first and second rod adjustment mounts. The second stabilizer may also comprise at least one (1) second rod housing which is disposed adjacent to each end of a rear face of the second stabilizer. Each second rod housing is configured to receive and retain a first end of each of the pair of second support rods while the second end of each the pair of the second support rods is fit with a second rod clamp within the second ends of the first and second rod adjustment mounts. The top stabilizer also comprises a third rod housing which is disposed centrally adjacent to a rear face of the top stabilizer. The third rod housing is configured to receive and retain a first end of the third support rod while a second end of the third support rod is fit with a third rod clamp within the first end of the third rod adjustment mount. The first stabilizer, second stabilizer and top stabilizer may comprise a plurality of pads upon each respective inner face. 
     The swivel stand may comprise of a circular disc base, a groove disposed about a periphery of the base, a circular disc rotator with a downwardly projecting annular apron and a lip disposed about an interior periphery of the apron. The rotator attaches to the base while the lip slidingly resides within the groove. The enclosure may comprise translucent material and may be capable of receiving a strip which bears indicia. 
     The clamp may further comprise a first half which has a first flange and a first fastening hinge and a second half which comprises a second flange and a second fastening hinge. The first and second fastening hinges may correspondingly engage each other to attach the first half to the second half. The first flange may be capable of securing to the second flange while the enclosure may be mounted to an upper portion of the first half. The first flange and the second flange may have a plurality of fastener apertures which when the plurality of apertures are aligned an individual fastener may be secured within, thereby securing the clamp to the support structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a shopping cart handle clamp  20  and portable electronic device holder  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a second face  18  of a cradle  120  of the shopping cart handle clamp  20  and portable electronic device holder  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a handle clamp  20  of the portable electronic device holder  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an isolated view of an enclosure  65  of the portable electronic device holder  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view along line A-A as seen in  FIG. 1  cut through a swivel stand  90  of the portable electronic device holder  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an isolated view of a rod adjustment mount  145  of portable electronic device holder  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable electronic device holder 
               14  first face 
               18  second face 
               20  handle clamp 
               25  clamp first half 
               30  flange first leg 
               31  first fastener aperture 
               35  clamp aperture 
               40  clamp second half 
               41  second fastener aperture 
               45  flange second leg 
               50  clamp hinge 
               55  clamp flange 
               60  clamp retainer 
               65  enclosure 
               70  enclosure first face 
               71  enclosure second face 
               75  display cavity 
               80  media strip 
               85  indicia 
               90  swivel stand 
               95  base 
               100  groove 
               105  rotator 
               110  apron 
               115  lip 
               120  cradle 
               125  tray 
               130  sill 
               135  reveal 
               140  trough 
               145  first rod adjustment mount 
               146  second rod adjustment mount 
               147  third rod adjustment mount 
               150  rod clamp 
               155  first stabilizer 
               160  first rod housing 
               161  second rod housing 
               162  third rod housing 
               165  first support rod 
               166  second support rod 
               170  second stabilizer 
               175  stabilizer inner face 
               180  pad 
               185  top stabilizer 
               190  third support rod 
               200  shopping cart 
               210  cart handle 
               220  portable electronic device 
               230  third fastener aperture 
               235  fourth fastener aperture 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within a preferred embodiment  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a shopping cart advertising clamp and portable electronic device holder (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which provides a cradle  120 , having adjustable retention stabilizers  155 ,  170 ,  185  to hold a portable electronic device  220 , such as a mobile telephone or tablet computer, attached to a handle clamp  20  adapted to be adjustably affixed to a cart handle  210  portion of a shopping cart  200 . The device  10  includes an enclosure  65  into which a media strip  80 , bearing certain indicia  85 , can be removably inserted for display. The cradle  120  is mounted to the enclosure  65  via a rotatable swivel stand  90  configured to allow a rotary motion of at least one hundred eighty degrees (180°) along one (1) plane. In the ensuing discussion, the first face  14  of the cradle  120  will be that portion into which the portable electronic device  200  is inserted and retained regardless of the relative position of that cradle  120  to the handle clamp  20 . The second face  18  will refer to that side opposite from the projection of a sill  130  from a tray  125 . It is envisioned that a merchant would attach the device  10  to the cart handle  210  of shopping carts  200  utilized in their places of business and permit the complimentary use of the devices  10  by customers doing business with the merchant for the purpose of supporting the customer&#39;s personal electronic device  220  serving as a tool to assist the shopping. Indicia  85  of a sales promotion nature may be placed on the media strip  80  and inserted into the display cavity  75  of the enclosure  65  to prompt an increase in revenue. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of a first face  14 , and  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of a second face  18 , of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  includes a handle clamp  20 , an enclosure  65  having an enclosure first face  70  and an enclosure second face  71 , a swivel stand  90 , and a cradle  120  with adjustable retention stabilizers  155 ,  170 ,  185 . The enclosure  65  is attached to an upper portion of the handle clamp  20  and is oriented in a vertical plane. The enclosure  65  may be formed with a clamp first half  25  or attached thereto in a subsequent procedure involving a mastic or some thermoforming process. The swivel stand  90  is likewise attached to an upper surface of the enclosure  65 . Other methods, such as threaded fasteners, or the like, may be utilized to attach the swivel stand  90  to the enclosure  65 . The cradle  120  is attached to an upper surface of the swivel stand  90  by the use of any of the previously mentioned methods. 
     The tray  125  is configured to be planar along a first face  14  for the disposition of the portable electronic device  220 . The tray  125  is composed of a rigid thermoplastic material formed in an injection molding process and as such may be presented in a wide variety of colors and surface texture patterns to suit the taste of a user. It is understood that other materials, such as die cast metals, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . Disposed along a lower edge of the tray  125  and projecting perpendicularly therefrom is a sill  130  formed as an integral part of the tray  125 . The sill  130  is of a sufficient depth to accommodate one (1) of a variety of portable electronic devices  220  supported thereon. Attached to the sill  130 , and projecting therefrom at an obtuse angle is a reveal  135 . The reveal  135  is configured to be of an appropriate height to retain a lower end of a portable electronic device  220  on the sill  130 . The space defined by the first face  14  of the tray  125 , the upper surface of the sill  130 , and a rear face of the reveal  135  is a trough  140 . The trough  140  is configured to be a convergent space from top to bottom. It is this trough  140  which actually accepts a lower end of the portable electronic device  220  for retention. 
     A first rod adjustment mount  145  and a second rod adjustment mount  146  are disposed, preferably in a horizontal and parallel location, on a second face  18  of the tray  125  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . These rod adjustment mounts  145 ,  146  accommodate the insertion of a pair of cylindrical first support rods  165  of a first stabilizer  155  and a pair of cylindrical second support rods  166  of a second stabilizer  170 . Similarly, a third rod adjustment mount  147  is disposed vertically adjacent an upper edge of the second face  18  of the tray  125  to accommodate the insertion of a cylindrical third support rod  190 . The first and second rod adjustment mounts  145 ,  146  are each provided with a rod clamp  150  which is a friction device intended to secure the relative positions of the first support rods  165  and the second support rods  166 . Similarly, the third rod adjustment mount  147  is provided with a rod clamp  150  which is a friction device intended to secure the relative position of the third support rod  190 . It is envisioned that the rod clamps  150 , as more clearly depicted in  FIG. 6 , would be comprised of a thermoplastic material, so as to obviate scoring of the support rods  165 ,  166 , and  190 , having an internal diameter appropriately sized to result in a slight interference fit with the diameter of the support rods  165 ,  166 , and  190 . 
     The first stabilizer  155  is a generally rectangular polyhedron with at least two (2) first rod housings  160  disposed along a rear face thereof. The first rod housings  160  are configured to receive and retain a first support rod  165  within a cylindrical cavity (not shown) therein. Similarly, the second stabilizer  170  is a generally rectangular polyhedron with at least two (2) second rod housings  161  disposed along a rear face thereof. The second second rod housings  161  are likewise configured to receive and retain a second support rod  166  within a cylindrical cavity (also not shown) therein. The first and second support rods  165 ,  166  are each composed of a rigid thermoplastic, or metallic, cylinder. The first stabilizer  155  and the second stabilizer  170  are preferably composed of a rigid thermoplastic and formed in an injection molding process. Disposed along a stabilizer inner face  175  of each stabilizer  155 ,  170  is at least one (1) pad  180 . The pad  180  is composed of rubber, or a rubber-like material, intended to present a resilient, high-friction surface for the retention of the portable electronic device  220 . The first stabilizer  155  is intended to be attached to a lateral side of the tray  125  by the insertion of the first support rods  165  into the appropriate first sides of the first rod adjustment mount  145  and second rod adjustment mount  146 . The second stabilizer  170  is attached in a similar manner to the opposite lateral side of the tray  125  by the insertion of the second horizontal support rods  166  retained within the second rod housings  161  of the second stabilizer  170  into the second sides of the first rod adjustment mount  145  and second rod adjustment mount  146 . 
     A top stabilizer  185  is configured to be a rigid thermoplastic rectangular polyhedron with preferably one (1) third rod housing  162  disposed along a second face  18  in a manner similar to the first stabilizer  155  and the second stabilizer  170 . The third rod housing  162  of the top stabilizer  185  will receive and retain a third support rod  190 . The top stabilizer  185  is attached to an upper end of the tray  125  by the insertion of the third support rod  190  retained within the third rod housing  162  into the third rod adjustment mount  145 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the handle clamp  20  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The handle clamp includes the clamp first half  25  and a clamp second half  40  composed of a rigid thermoplastic formed in an injection-molding process and configured to be an open-ended, hollow cylinder capable of being assembled to encircle a cart handle  210  so as to retain the device  10  on a shopping cart  200 . The clamp first half  25  is provided with a flange first leg  30 . The flange first leg  30  is configured to be a rectangular piece of the same constituent material as the clamp first half  25  projecting radially from the perimeter of the clamp first half  25 . A plurality of clamp apertures  35  are disposed in the opposing side of the clamp first half  25 . The clamp second half  40  is provided with a flange second leg  45  configured similarly to the flange first leg  30 . A plurality of clamp hinges  50 , shaped somewhat like a hook, are disposed along a side of the clamp second half  40  opposite from the flange second leg  45 . The clamp hinges  50  are inserted into the clamp apertures  35  and the clamp first half  25  and the clamp second half  40  are closed around the cart handle  210 . The flange first leg  30  and the flange second leg  45  are placed together at a circumferential location around the cart handle  210  to form a clamp flange  55 . A clamp retainer  60 , configured to be a threaded fastener, is then inserted into a first fastener aperture  31  aligned with a second fastener aperture  41  and tightened to secure the handle clamp  20  to the cart handle  210 . The first fastener aperture  31  is larger than the second fastener aperture  41 , thereby allowing the head of the clamp retainer  60  to be countersunk within the first fastener aperture  31 . The second fastener aperture  41  is threaded in a complimentary fashion to the clamp fastener  60 . While the preferred embodiment is depicted with a clamp flange  50  disposed along the full length of the handle clamp  20 , and a single, centrally-located clamp retainer  60 , other embodiments can easily be envisioned to have other presentations without limiting the scope of the device  10 . Also, a third fastener aperture  130  on the flange first leg  30  adjacent to the first fastener aperture  31 , when aligned with a fourth fastener aperture  135  on the flange second leg  45  adjacent to the second fastener aperture  41 , can permit the routing of a hasp of a padlock or other similar securing means. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an isolated view of the enclosure  65  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The enclosure  65  is configured to be a rectangular polyhedron composed of a translucent thermoplastic. A display cavity  75 , configured to be an open-ended hollow space, is disposed between an enclosure first face  70  and an enclosure second face  71 . A media strip  80 , configured to be a paper, or a rigid polymer, can be slidingly inserted into the display cavity  75  so as to be clearly observed from multiple vantage points around the shopping cart  200 . The display cavity  75  is accessible via two (2) openings on either enclosure sidewall. Certain indicia  85 , carrying images, symbols, or messages, particularly intended to improve sales, may be disposed on the media strip  80 . It is understood that the suggested indicia  85  is a limited example of the possibilities which may be presented and should not be seen as a limitation of the scope of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a section view along line A-A as seen in  FIG. 1  cut through the swivel stand  90  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The swivel stand  90  can be seen to include a base  95  and a rotator  105 . The base  95  is a circular disc of a thermoplastic material attached to the upper surface of the enclosure  65  having a planar upper surface perpendicular to the vertical axis of the enclosure  65 . A groove  100  is disposed around the periphery of the base  95 . The rotator  105  is configured to be a circular disc with a projecting annular apron  10 . Disposed along the inside diameter of the apron  100  is a spherical lip  115 . The lip  115  is configured to be slidingly retained within the groove  100  so that the rotator  105  can be rotationally displaced relative to the base  95 . The cradle  120  is attached, as previously discussed, to the upper face of the rotator  105 . The apron  110  of the rotator  105  is placed over the base  95  and pressed so as to force the lip  115  into engagement with the groove  100 . 
     In accordance with the invention, the illustrated embodiment can be utilized by an enabled individual in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed by others as indicated in  FIG. 1  and prepared for an end user by the installation of the media strip  80 , bearing the preferred indicia  85  into the display cavity  75 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the operational steps may be performed in alternative order and as such any operational description of use should not be viewed as a limiting factor. Depending on the model and capabilities of the particular portable electronic device  220  utilized, as well as the degree of operational experience accumulated by the user, other tasks, beyond those listed herein, may be achievable. An acceptable level of use may be achieved according to the following steps: acquiring a model of the device  10  having a desired size and style to suit the taste of a user; placing the portable electronic device  220  into the apparatus  10  as previously discussed; adjusting the first stabilizer  155 , the second stabilizer  170 , and the top stabilizer  185  so as to move the pads  180  located on the stabilizers  155 ,  170 , and  185  into contact with the portable electronic device  220  for a secure in the device  10 ; energizing the portable electronic device  220  in the normal manner and utilizing the portable electronic device  220  in a beneficial manner to assist the user in the shopping endeavor. The portable electronic device  220  may be accessed by an occupant of the cart seat by rotating the cradle  120  about the swivel stand  90 . In use, a portable electronic device  220 , such as a smart phone, is inserted into the trough  140  and placed upon the sill  130  with a rear face of the portable electronic device  220  in contact and supported in part by the vertical first face  14  of the tray  125 . The first stabilizer  155  and the second stabilizer  170  are adjusted in turn to fit snugly against the vertical side edges of the portable electronic device  220 . The top stabilizer  185  is then adjusted to fit snugly against the upper edge of the portable electronic device  220 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.