Abstract:
A flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod, supporting an electronic device, such as a personal video player. The flexible tripod may include ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. The flexible support apparatus allows the user to view the device in a variety of locations with enhanced ease, comfort, and allows for a variety of viewing angles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/637,611 to Bevirt et al., which is a is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,994 to Bevirt, filed Jan. 3, 2006, which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod, adapted to support an electronic item such as a video player. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Typical tripod assemblies consist of three rigid legs which are splayed out to form a support structure for devices such as cameras. The legs are usually rigid and adapted to provide support off of the ground or other flat surface. Some tripods have some adjustment to leg length which may allow for some deviation from flatness in the surface upon which they are mounted. 
         [0006]    Such tripods are limited in the manner in which they support devices such as cameras. What is called for is a mounting apparatus that may function as a tripod and also as a grip mount for the mounting to vertical members. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed towards a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod, supporting an electronic device, such as a personal video player. The flexible tripod may include ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. The flexible support apparatus allows the user to view the device in a variety of locations with enhanced ease, comfort, and allows for a variety of viewing or use angles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A-E  illustrate an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A-D  illustrate an electronic device mounted to a flexible tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate a device mount according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate an electronic device mounted into a device mount according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate a flexible support structure according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device mounted in a mount attached to a flexible tripod  20 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device with an integral clip mounted onto a flexible tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a flexible leg according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an end view of a flexible leg according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a flexible leg according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 11 and 11A  are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 13 and 13A  are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a picture of a flexible tripod holding a video player according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a picture of a flexible tripod holding a video player according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1A-E  illustrate an electronic device  10  according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the electronic device is a video player. The electronic device may also be a GPS device, a remote monitor, or other device. The electronic device may have a screen  12  and control features  11 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the electronic device  10  has a mounting clip  13  mounted to its back surface  16 . The mounting clip  13  is adapted to clip into a support structure such as a tripod, or a flexible tripod. The clip  13  may have a recess  14  on its bottom surface adapted to receive a tab from its mating interface. The clip  13  may have rails  15  around some of its bottom edges adapted to mate into the receiver of the support structure. In some embodiments, the clip may be mounted to a different surface or edge of the electronic device  10 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A-D  illustrate an electronic device  10  mounted to a flexible tripod  20  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The electronic device  10  may be attached to the interconnect portion  21  of the tripod. A release button  23  may release the mounting clip from the receiver of the interconnect portion. In some embodiments, the receiver is adapted to receive the clip and to latch a tab into the recess  14  such that although the device  10  may be easily inserted into the receiver, the tab must be pushed to allow for easy removal of the device  10  from the tripod  20 . 
         [0026]    The use of a flexible support, such as a flexible tripod, gives the distinct advantage of allowing the user to position an electronic device, such as a personal video player, in a convenient position for viewing. For example, the tripod may be placed upon a table, or an airplane seat&#39;s foldout tray, for viewing and use. The flexible legs may be used to attach and hang the device in a position where heretofore no such viewing was possible. In the case of other electronic devices, for example a baby monitor, the flexible legs of the tripod may be wrapped around the vertical ribs of a baby&#39;s crib, for example. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate a device mount  30  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The device mount  30  is adapted to receive and hold an electronic device, or other device, and to allow for easy attachment and removal to a support structure, such as a flexible tripod. The device mount  30  may have a frame consisting of two side rails  31 ,  32  and a center rail  33 . The rails may have a channel  35  with somewhat flexible yet rigid walls such that a device, such as a personal video player, may be inserted therein and be restrained within the mount to allow for attachment of the mounted device to a support structure such as a flexible tripod.  FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate an electronic device mounted into a device mount  30  according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the device mount  30  may be adapted for a particular device. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate a flexible support structure according to some embodiments of the present invention. The tripod may have a plurality of flexible legs  22 . The receiver  31  is adapted to receive a clip, which may be part of an electronic device, or may be from a mount, or other piece of apparatus. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device  10  mounted in a mount  30  attached to a flexible tripod  20 . An apparatus such as this affords the user the convenience of using a flexible tripod as a support stand for watching video on a personal player, for example, and the use of the device mount allows the user to custom tailor their system using a mount that is designed for the player being viewed.  FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate an apparatus assembled from an electronic device with an integral clip mounted onto a flexible tripod according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  illustrate a plurality of ball and socket joint connectors  101  according to some embodiments of the present invention. A connector  101  has a first end portion  102  and a second end portion  103 . A socket engaging end surface  104  is present at the first end  102 . The first end portion  102  is substantially hollowed out. At the end of the chain of connectors, a gripping pod  207  may be present. 
         [0031]    The second end portion  103  has a body  106  with an internal socket receiving cavity  107 . The inner surface  110  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  107  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  104  of another connector  101 , or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  105  separates the first end portion  102  from the second end portion  103 . A stop nub  108  acts as a mechanical stop to prevent over angulation and possible unintentional separation of a ball and socket joint connector pair. 
         [0032]    As seen in  FIGS. 11 and 11A , the connector  101  has a primary axis  111  in some embodiments. The connector  101  may be symmetric around the primary axis  111  in some embodiments. The end surface planes of the first and second end portions of the connector may be perpendicular to the primary axis  111  in some embodiments. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, as seen in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  13 A, a connector  120  includes a gripping portion  122 . The connector  120  has a first end portion  125  and a second end portion  123 . A socket engaging end surface  124  is present at the first end  125 . The first end portion  125  is substantially hollowed out. 
         [0034]    The second end  123  has a body  121  with an internal socket receiving cavity  130 . The inner surface  129  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  130  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  124  of another connector, or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  128  separates the first end portion  125  from the second end portion  123 . A gripping portion  122  allows the connector to grip surfaces more readily. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is co-molded into the connector body. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is a rubberized compound. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is a circumferential ring molded into the outer surface of the connector. The gripping portion may provide a higher friction interface when the connector is set upon or wrapped around an object. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the use of a flexible tripod used to hold and position a video player in a position that allows a user to view the device. 
         [0036]    As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general invention.