Abstract:
A universal belt clip for mobile devices. The belt clip includes two sets of hooks engaged on a top and a bottom edge of a mobile device. A body of the belt clip is extensible and selectively positionable to provide a tension force between the sets of clips and to retain the belt clip in engagement with the mobile device. The hooks are configured to receive mobile devices and cases thereon in a variety of thicknesses and the extensibility of the body is configured for adaptation to mobile devices of varied lengths. The hooks are pivotably coupled to the body to ease installation on the mobile device and to automatically adapt to a particular mobile device or case configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/840,293, filed Jun. 27, 2013, and titled UNIVERSAL CELL PHONE HOLDER, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Cases and holders for cell phones and other mobile devices are well known in the art. Nearly every such device has a corresponding holder that provides the user with benefits like protection from the elements and impacts such as that from dropping the phone. Holders may also include clips, clasps, or similar features that allow a user to easily carry the phone on their belt or attached to the side of a purse or bag. Cell phone and mobile device holders may also have aesthetically pleasing features. 
     Traditional cases and holders are extremely useful, yet they also have their deficiencies. One significant deficiency is that each different cell phone or mobile device requires a unique holder configured or adapted to cooperate with the particular dimensions, exterior shape, and arrangement of components on the particular device. Accordingly, users must purchase a new case or holder each time they change or upgrade their mobile device and for each such device that they own or use. This is an added expense and results in a collection of unuseable and/or unwanted cases and holders as each mobile device is replaced with a newer/different version. 
     There is a need in the art for a holder for mobile devices that is adaptable to a variety of different mobile devices. Such a holder that is adaptable to mobile devices of varied dimensions and surface configurations would be beneficial. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed-Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. In brief, this disclosure describes, among other things, a mobile device holder designed to hold mobile devices of different lengths and thicknesses. 
     The mobile device holder can accommodate mobile devices with or without cases or skin coverings of a variety of sizes and dimensions. The holder incorporates hooks disposed to engage the top and bottom ends of the mobile device. The hooks are attached to a body via one or pivotable couplings. The hooks can be coated with various materials to provide an attractive appearance, frictional properties, and protection of the cell phone from abrasion or scratching by the hooks. 
     The body is expandable to accommodate mobile devices of varied lengths and is secured at a desired length by a ratcheting mechanism or similar means. The body also incorporates a belt clip for securing the holder to a user&#39;s belt, clothing, or the like. The body can be coated on surfaces that contact a mobile device disposed therein with a rubber, plastic, or similar material that decreases movement of the phone relative to the mobile device holder. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile device holder coupled to a mobile device depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the mobile device holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front side view of the mobile device and mobile device holder of  FIG. 1  depicting hooks of the mobile device holder extending around a top and a bottom end of the mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is partially exploded view of the mobile device holder of  FIG. 1  depicted with a portion of a belt clip partially removed; and 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational end-view of a body of the mobile device holder of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein denote deviations from the exact value by +/−10%, preferably by +/−5% and/or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant to the function. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , embodiments of the invention provide a mobile device holder  10  that is adaptable to hold a mobile device  12 , such as a cell phone, smart phone, digital music player, personal data assistant, tablet computer, GPS unit, and the like, of varied lengths and/or thicknesses. For example, the holder  10  can be configured to couple to a mobile device  34  such as a cell phone or smart phone having a longitudinal dimension between approximately 115 mm and approximately 155 mm; such dimensions encompass a vast majority of currently available cell phones and smart phones. The holder  10  might also be configured to couple to somewhat larger mobile devices  34  such as tablet computers having dimensions between approximately 150 mm and approximately 300 mm. The holder  10  includes a body  14  with a pair of upper hooks  16  and a pair of lower hooks  18  extending from an upper end  20  and a lower end  22  thereof, respectively. 
     The body  10  comprises a base member  24  and a slide member  26 . The base member  24  has a generally rectangular cuboidal form formed at least in part by an inner wall  28  and a pair of sidewalls  30 . The sidewalls  30  are coupled to the inner wall  28  along opposite edges thereof. Each sidewall  30  includes a flange  32  that is spaced apart from the inner wall  28  and extends toward the opposite sidewall  30  to form a slot  34  or channel between the flanges  32  and the inner wall  28  that extends into the base member  24  from the lower end  22  thereof. The slot  34  is configured to slideably receive the slide member  26  therein such that the slide member  26  is slideable longitudinally relative to the base member  24  as described more fully below. 
     The base member  24  may include a pad  36  disposed on a contact surface  38  of the base member  24 , e.g. on a surface of the inner wall  28  nearest the mobile device  12  to which the holder  10  is coupled. The pad  36  comprises one or more materials configured to increase frictional engagement between the contact surface  38  and the mobile device  12 . The pad  36  may also aid to prevent or resist scratching or abrasion of the mobile device  12 . For example, the pad  36  may comprise one or more of foam rubber, rubber, plastic, nylon, or the like. 
     A ratcheting stud  40  is disposed in one of the sidewalls  30  to extend at least partially through the sidewall  30  and into the slot  34 . A first end of the stud  40  extends externally to the base member  24  a distance sufficient to form a tab  42  that can be grasped by a user. The tab  42  is preferably configured for grasping by hand but may be graspable or engageable by one or more common or specialty tools. An opposite second end of the stud  40  extends at least partially into the slot  34 . The second end is provided with one or more teeth  44 , ridges, or similar features that are configured to engage mating teeth or engagement features of a rack  46  disposed along an edge of the slide member  26 , as described more fully below. The ratcheting stud  40  is biased to extend into the slot  34  by one or more leaf or coil springs  47  or similar biasing element disposed interior to the sidewall  30 . 
     The base member  24  provides a clip flange  48  that depends from an upper end and extends toward a lower end of the base member  24  to at least partially overlie an outer surface  50  of the base member  24 . Alternatively, in some embodiments the clip flange  48  depends from one sidewall  30  and extends toward the other sidewall  30  to thereby provide a horizontal orientation to the holder  10 . The clip flange  48  is preferably spaced apart from the outer surface  50  of the base member  24  to allow insertion of an article, such as a belt, waist band, or the like therebetween. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the clip flange  48  extends into contact with the outer surface  50 . The clip flange  48  is substantially resilient to enable flexure thereof without causing permanent deformation when an article is disposed between the clip flange  48  and the outer surface  50  of the base member  24 . One or more undulations  52 , ribs, surface features, textures, coatings, or the like can be provided in the clip flange  48  or on an underside  35  thereof to increase friction between the clip flange  48  and an article disposed between the clip flange  48  and the base member  24 . In another embodiment, the clip flange  48  is removeably coupled to the base member  24 . 
     The slide member  26  is a plate or similar element that is dimensioned to fit within the slot  34 , e.g. the slide member  26  has a width that is just less that the distance between the sidewalls  30  and a thickness just less than the distance between the inner wall  28  and the flanges  32  of the sidewalls  30 . An edge of the slide member  26  adjacent to the sidewall  30  through which the ratcheting stud  40  extends includes the rack  46  disposed therealong. The teeth or features of the rack  46  are configured to displace the ratcheting stud  40  outwardly from the base member  24  and to slide thereby as the slide member  26  is moved into the slot  34  in a first direction but to engage the teeth  44  on the stud  40  when moved in an opposite second direction to prevent or resist withdrawal of the slide member  26  from the slot  34 . The ratcheting stud  40  can be withdrawn from the slot  34  by pulling on the tab  42  to disengage the teeth  44  on the stud  40  from the rack  46  on the slide member  26  to enable sliding movement of the slide member  26  relative to the base member  24 . When released, the bias on the stud  40  again moves the stud  40  toward the slide member  26  to reengage the teeth  44  with the rack  46 . It is understood that a variety of configurations of ratcheting engagements may be employed in embodiments of the invention—such configurations are within the scope of embodiments described herein. 
     The upper and lower hooks  16 ,  18  are provided in pairs that are joined together by one or more transverse support members  54  that maintain their spacing and relative orientations. In some embodiments, the hooks  16 ,  18  can be independent from one another. As depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , the upper hooks  16  are preferably constructed from opposite ends of a single rod-like member  56 . The transverse support member  54  is provided by a generally linear central portion  58  of the member  56 , and the hooks  16  are formed from end portions of the member  56  that are bent to extend generally perpendicularly to transverse support member  54  and further formed to follow a generally arcuate or hooked path. The lower hooks  18  are similarly formed, but the transverse support member  54  therebetween and/or the hooks  18  may have different dimensions than those of the upper hooks  16 . Although a preferable configuration of the hooks  16 ,  18  and the transverse support member  54  is described herein, one of skill in the art will recognize a variety of other configurations that can be employed to provide the functions described herein without departing from the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
     The hooks  16 ,  18  can have any desired profile that includes a distance between a point  60  and shank  62  thereof that is sufficient to receive at least a desired maximum thickness of the mobile device  12  and/or protective case or skin thereon, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . The hooks  16 ,  18  are preferably configured to receive an edge of a mobile device  12  or an edge of a case disposed on the mobile device  34  that is between about 4 mm and about 17 mm, or more preferably between about 7 mm and about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the hooks  16 ,  18  are configured to cause at least a portion of the shank thereof to be pressed against a backside of the mobile device  12  when a tension force is applied between the upper hooks  16  and the lower hooks  18 . The contact between the shank  62  of the hooks  16 ,  18  and the mobile device  12  may provide additional stabilization of the hooks  16 ,  18  on the mobile device  12 . 
     The hooks  16 ,  18  can be constructed of any desired materials or combinations thereof. The hooks  16 ,  18  may be at least partially resilient to allow some flexure thereof without resulting in permanent bending. The hooks  16 ,  18  might be made from one or more of aluminum, steel, spring steel, plastic, nylon, or the like and can include a coating  64  comprised of softer, frictional materials like rubbers, plastics, or the like. 
     The spacing and orientation of the hooks  16  with respect to one another is configured to avoid obstruction of components  66  like cameras, sensors, lights, microphones, data ports, charging ports, hard buttons, and the like that may be provided on the mobile device  12 . This configuration can be specific to a particular mobile device  12  but preferably is suitable for use with a variety of different mobile devices  12 . The body  14  may also include one or more features or cutouts that are configured to avoid obstruction of such items. 
     The pairs of upper and lower hooks  16 ,  18  are pivotably coupled to the base member  24  and the slide member  26  respectively. The base member  24  includes a projection  68  extending from the upper end  20  thereof that forms a first transverse passageway  70  in which the transverse support member  54  between the upper hooks  16  is captured. The transverse support member  54  is freely pivotable about an axis extending parallel to the passageway  70  to allow pivoting of the upper hooks  16  relative to the base member  24 . The slide member  26  similarly includes a coupling block  72  disposed at a lower end thereof that forms a second transverse passageway  74 . The transverse support member  54  between the lower hooks  18  is disposed in and is freely pivotable within the second transverse passageway  74 . 
     In another embodiment, the hooks  16 ,  18  are secured to the base member  24  and the slide member  26  by one or more flexible, non-extensible cables (not shown). The cables comprise any wire, cable, thread, or similar component and may be coated with one or more materials. For example, the wires can comprise stainless steel braided cables. The hooks  16 ,  18  can be coupled directly to the cables such as by welding or can employ one or more fasteners. Opposite ends of the cables are similarly coupled to the base member  24  and slide member  26 , respectively. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , operation of the holder  10  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the holder  10  not coupled to the mobile device  12 . The tab  42  is grasped and pulled away from the base member  24  to withdraw the teeth  44  on the ratcheting stud  40  from engagement with the rack  46  on the slide member  26 . The slide member  26  can thus be moved relative to the base member  24  to expand the body  14  and the distance between the upper hooks  16  and the lower hooks  18 . 
     An upper end of the mobile device  12  is inserted into the upper hooks  16 , e.g. between the points  60  and the shanks  62  thereof. The pivotable coupling of the hooks  16  relative to the base member  24  may provide flexibility between the hooks  16  and the body  14  to ease engagement of the mobile device  12  with the hooks  16 . The ability of the hooks  16  to pivot relative to the base member  24  also aids adaptation of the holder  10  to mobile devices  12  of varied thicknesses or to cases thereon having a variety of thicknesses. The hooks  16  are enabled to automatically pivot to an orientation relative to the base member  24  that is most suitable for coupling to the particular mobile device  12 . 
     The lower hooks  18  are similarly engaged with a lower end of the mobile device  12  and the slide member  26  is inserted into the slot  34 . A force is applied to the slide member  26  to slideably move the slide member  26  into the slot  34  and toward the upper end  20  of the base member  24 . The teeth of the rack  46  on the slide member  26  contact the teeth  44  on the ratcheting stud  40  and displace the stud  40  outwardly from the slot  34  to allow the slide member  26  to slide thereby and into the slot  34 . The movement of the slide member  26  into the slot  34  continues until a desired tension force is formed between the upper hooks  16  and the lower hooks  18 . The tension force is preferably sufficient to maintain the holder  10  in engagement with the mobile device  12 . Upon release of the applied force, the teeth  44  engage the teeth of the rack  46  to prevent or substantially resist withdrawal of the slide member  26  from the slot  34  and to retain the tension force generated between the upper and lower hooks  16 ,  18 . 
     As the tension force is applied, the upper and the lower hooks  16 ,  18  may at least partially pivot about their respective couplings to automatically adapt to the shape of the edges of the mobile device  12  or a case disposed thereon. For example, a mobile device  12  or case that has edges that are generally square may cause the hooks  16 ,  18  to take a more linear alignment in which the shanks  62  are parallel or nearly parallel to the plane of the base member  24 . On a mobile device  12  or case with a sharp or thinner edge or an edge that is rounded toward a front of the mobile device  12 , the hooks  16 ,  18  may take a more rearwardly pivoted orientation in which the shanks  62  of the hooks  16 ,  18  lean rearwardly away from the mobile device  12 . 
     In the installed condition, the pad  36  on the inner wall  28  of the base member  24  is pressed into contact with a surface of the mobile device  12 . The pad  36  may be at least partially compressed against the surface of the mobile device  12 . Thereby, the pad  36  provides additional friction between the holder  10  and the mobile device  12  to resist movement of the holder  10  relative to the mobile device  12 . And the pad  36  prevents or resists damaging the surface of the mobile device  12  by the holder  10  during handling and use by a user. 
     The holder  10  with cell phone  12  engaged therein can be placed on a user&#39;s belt, clothing, or other article using the clip flange  48 . The holder  10  can be removed from the mobile device  12  by withdrawing the ratcheting stud  40  from the slot  34  via the tab  42 . Such withdrawal disengages the teeth  44  on the stud  40  from the rack  46  on the slide member  46  and allows the slide member  26  to move relative to the base member  24 . 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Identification of structures as being configured to perform a particular function in this disclosure and in the claims below is intended to demarcate those structures as including a plurality of possible arrangements or designs within the scope of this disclosure and readily identifiable by one of skill in the art to perform the particular function in a similar way without specifically listing all such arrangements or designs. Certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.