Patent Publication Number: US-10330251-B2

Title: Finger grip mounting apparatus

Description:
This application claims priority benefit of copending parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/711,418 filed in the name of Jeffrey D. Carnevali the sole inventor of the present invention on February 26, 2007, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF SEARCH 
     The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus for an electronic device, and in particular to mounting apparatuses for securely releasably cradling a pocket-sized cellular telephone, personal computer and other mobile electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DEVICE 
     Device holding apparatus are generally well-known and commonly used to mount and securely cradle hand-held pocket-sized personal computers, commonly referred to as “pocket PCs,” and other mobile electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, mobile global positioning system (GPS) receivers, Personal Digital Accessories (PDAs) and other mobile electronic devices of this type. 
     One example of such mounting platforms is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,959, entitled M OUNTING  B RACKET FOR AN  E LECTRONIC  D EVICE , issued Aug. 6, 2002, to Kalis, et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, which includes a cradle adapted for being releasably secured to the electronic device and also includes a support adapted for being mounted to a surface. The cradle is adapted to move along its longitudinal axis relative to an electrical connector that is slidably connected to the cradle. A user can fix the position of the cradle relative to the mounting surface by means of a pin and locking mechanism on the back of the cradle to the support. 
     Other mounting platforms are also currently known. However, current mounting platforms are inefficient for effectively securely releasably cradling a pocket-sized cellular telephone, personal computers or other mobile electronic device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
     The present device holding and cradling apparatus overcomes limitations of the prior art by providing a flexible portable device mounting apparatus provided by a frame that is structured for being coupled to an external mounting device, the frame having a mounting surface and a plurality of first and second passages provided adjacent to each of opposing side edges thereof; a plurality of substantially resiliently flexible clamps each having a leg portion, a finger portion extended from the leg portion, and a substantially resiliently flexible urging portion coupled between the leg portion and the finger portion; and coupling means operating between different ones of the first and second passages of the frame and the leg portion of each of different ones of the clamps for coupling the leg portion relative to the mounting surface. 
     According to one aspect of the mount apparatus, one or more of the first and second passages further includes a slot formed through the frame substantially crosswise of the mounting surface. 
     According to another aspect of the mount apparatus, one or more of the first and second passages further includes a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of one of the clamps. 
     According to another aspect of the mount apparatus, the finger portion of one or more of the clamps further includes an operational clamping surface inclined toward the respective leg portion thereof. 
     According to another aspect of the mount apparatus, the urging portion of one or more of the clamps further includes a substantially resiliently flexible curved elbow portion positioned outwardly of a space between the inclined operational clamping surface and the respective leg portion thereof. 
     According to another aspect of the mount apparatus, the mount apparatus further includes third and fourth passages provided adjacent to each of opposing end edges of the frame. 
     According to another aspect of the mount apparatus, the mount apparatus further includes end caps each having a leg portion and a foot portion oriented substantially upright of the leg portion; and coupling means operating between one of the third and fourth passages of the frame and the leg portion of one of the end caps for movably coupling the leg portion thereof relative to the respective opposing end edge of the frame. According to another aspect of the mount apparatus, one or more of the third and fourth passages further includes a slot formed through the frame substantially lengthwise of the mounting surface, and a keyway recessed into the mounting surface around the slot and sized to slidingly receive therein the leg portion of one of the end caps. 
     Other aspects and objects, features, and advantages of the suction cup holding device will be apparent in the written description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this suction cup holding device will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the device of the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a novel flexible and optionally resizable portable device mounting apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the novel mounting apparatus having the portable device removed for clarity and showing several optional substantially parallel keyways being recessed into a mounting surface of a frame portion of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the novel mounting apparatus having a pair of movable end stops removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view illustrating the novel mounting apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is another cross-section view that illustrates the novel mounting apparatus; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the novel mounting apparatus holding portable devices of different sizes, wherein  FIG. 6  illustrates the mounting apparatus having resilient clamps spread wide for holding a large sized portable device, and  FIG. 7  illustrates the mounting apparatus having resilient clamps moved close for holding a small sized portable device; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the novel mounting apparatus having an alternative pair of resilient clamps that are movable in keyways for adjusting the distance there between; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the novel mounting apparatus having the alternative resilient clamps holding a small sized portable device; and 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the novel mounting apparatus having an alternative frame in which the optional keyways are eliminated, wherein  FIG. 10  illustrates the mounting apparatus having resilient clamps spread wide for holding a large sized portable device, and  FIG. 11  illustrates the mounting apparatus having resilient clamps moved close for holding a small sized portable device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements. 
     The terms “up” and “down” and derivatives are used solely for clarity in describing the suction cup holding device and relate to the relative orientation of the individual components shown in the Figures and the assembly relative to a surface to which it is attached. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the device of the present invention embodied by example and without limitation as a novel flexible and optionally resizable portable device mounting apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a substantially rigid frame  12  adapted for being coupled to an external mounting surface, either directly or through an external mounting device  14 . Here, by example and without limitation, the external mounting device  14  is an interlockable ball-and-socket joint mechanism  16  of the type disclosed by Jeffrey D. Carnevali, the inventor of the present mounting apparatus  10 , in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885, entitled “Universally Positionable Mounting Device,” issued Dec. 8, 1998, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the interlockable ball-and-socket joint mechanism  16  is disclosed here by example and without limitation as the interlockable ball-and-socket joint mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,476, entitled “Positively-Positionable Mounting Apparatus,” issued to Jeffrey D. Carnevali, the inventor of the present mounting apparatus  10 , on May 13, 2003, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the interlockable ball-and-socket joint  16  is formed by example and without limitation of a split arm assembly  18  with a pair of ball-end mounts or “couplers”  20  each provided with a substantially smooth, part-spherical head  22  of a pressure deformable, resilient elastomeric material, which renders the part-spherical head  22  relatively resiliently radially compressible. Each resiliently deformable part-spherical head  22  is extended on a reduced diameter stem or “neck”  24  relatively upstanding on a mounting flange  26 , which is illustrated here by example and without limitation as having a pair of off-set mounting holes  28  for a pipe clamp  30 . The mounting flange  26  is optionally disc-shaped and formed with a quantity of the mounting holes  28  for mounting on the external mounting surface by mechanical fasteners such as screws or other fasteners. Alternatively, the mounting apparatus  10  is mounted using an adhesive bond such as a resilient adhesive pad, commonly known as a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), applied between the mounting flange  26  and the external mounting surface. Other mounting devices, such as suction cups and clamps, are also contemplated and are considered equivalent structures and are substituted without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. 
     By example and without limitation, the split arm assembly  18  is formed of a pair of elongated, relatively rigid arm sections  32  and  34  and a clamping mechanism  36 . The respective arm sections  32 ,  34  form pairs of operatively opposing sockets adjacent to opposite ends of the ball-and-socket joint mechanism  16 , the operatively opposing sockets each having part-spherical surfaces at the inner peripheries thereof that cooperate with the part-spherical head  22  of the coupler  20  to rotate and pivot the mounting apparatus  10  in a desired rotational and pivotal orientation. The clamping mechanism  36  is then operated for squeezing together the pair of arm sections  32  and  34  about the resiliently deformable part-spherical head  22  of the coupler  20  for interlocking the mounting apparatus  10  in the desired rotational and pivotal orientation. 
     The frame  14  has a substantially planar mounting surface  38  for resting a portable device P such as a cellular phone (shown) in such manner as to avoid either visual or manual obstruction of a display screen S or keypad K. The frame  14  is, by example and without limitation, generally rectangular in shape having substantially parallel lengthwise opposite side edge surfaces  40  and  42  spaced apart by substantially parallel and spaced apart widthwise opposite end edge surfaces  44  and  46 . However, other generally square, round or oblong shapes are also contemplated and are considered equivalent structures and are substituted therefore without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. By example and without limitation, a quantity of optional substantially parallel keyways  48  are oriented substantially crosswise of the frame  14  and recessed into the mounting surface  38 . The keyways  48  are substantially evenly spaced lengthwise of the frame  14  and intersect opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38 . One or more of the keyways  48  are structured to retain a resiliently flexible clamp  50  each structured to resiliently compress the cellular phone (shown) or other portable device P toward the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . The resilient clamps  50  are optionally movable in the keyways  48 , as indicated by arrows a 3 , for adjusting the spacing there between. 
     The mounting apparatus  10  may optionally include opposing movable end stops  52  for adjustably fixing a length of the frame  14  and positioning the cellular phone (shown) or other portable device P between the resilient clamps  50 , as indicated by arrows a 5 . By example and without limitation, the frame  14  is formed with an optional pair of substantially parallel keyways  54  recessed into the mounting surface  38  oriented substantially lengthwise of the frame  14  and intersecting opposite end edge surfaces  44  and  46  of the mounting surface  38 . When present, the lengthwise keyways  54  are structured to retain the movable end stops  52  for adjusting the position of the cellular phone (shown) or other portable device P relative to the resilient clamps  50 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the novel mounting apparatus  10  having the portable device P removed for clarity. Several of the optional substantially parallel keyways  48  are recessed into the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . Here, three keyways  48  are substantially evenly spaced lengthwise of the frame  14  and intersect the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38 . Furthermore, when present the keyways  48  are optionally oriented substantially perpendicular to the edge surfaces  40  and  42  when the frame is generally square or rectangular in shape. More or fewer optional keyways  48  are also contemplated and are considered equivalent structures and are substituted therefore without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. 
     The resilient clamps  50  are optionally movable in the keyways  48 , when present, for adjusting the distance there between. By example and without limitation, when present one or more of the keyways  48  is optionally formed with a slot  56  lengthwise thereof and extending through the frame  14 . Otherwise, the slots  56  are instead formed through the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . Each slot  56  is formed to accept a fastener  58  there through for fixing the respective resilient clamp  50  in position relative to the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . 
     The end stops  52  are shown here by example and without limitation as being optionally movable in the keyways  54 , when present, for adjusting the distance there between. By example and without limitation, when present one or more of the keyways  54  is optionally formed with a slot  60  lengthwise thereof and extending through the frame  14 . Otherwise, the slots  27  are instead formed through the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . Each slot  60  is formed to accept a fastener  62  (one removed for clarity) there through for fixing the respective movable end stops  52  in position relative to the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14  and, by extension, the resilient clamps  50 . The opposing end stops  52  thus effectively increase or decrease the effective length of the frame  14 . 
     By example and without limitation, each of the end stops  52  is formed with a substantially upright foot portion  64  with a leg portion  66  extended crosswise thereto. The leg portion  66  is sized to slide in the optional lengthwise keyways  54 , when present, and recessed into the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . Furthermore, the leg portion  66  of each end stop  52  is structured to be secured in the optional lengthwise keyways  54 , when present, in a fixed position relative to the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . For example, the leg portion  66  is formed there through with a passage  68  for passing the fastener  62  through into the slot  60 . As illustrated here by example and without limitation, each passage  68  includes a clearance hole  70  sized to admit the fastener  62  there through, and a recess  72 , such as a countersink or counter bore, sized to recess the fastener  62  into the end stop&#39;s leg portion  66 . 
     Optionally, the clearance hole  70  is a slot (shown) formed lengthwise of the leg portion  66 , and the recess  72  is a keyway such that the effective lengthwise range of motion of the end stop  52  is a combination of the lengths of the slot  60  through the frame  14  and the slot  70  through the leg portion  66  of the end stop  52 . 
     The frame  14  is also formed with a plurality of mounting holes  74  for mounting the novel mounting apparatus  10  to an external surface. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the novel mounting apparatus  10  having the movable end stops  52  removed for clarity. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the novel mounting apparatus  10  having the portable device P removed for clarity. Here, the optional keyways  48  are recessed into the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14  and intersect the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38 . The resilient clamps  50  are illustrated here as being movable in the keyways  48  for adjusting the distance there between. The optional slots  56 , when present, are formed lengthwise of the keyway  48 , when present, and extend through the frame  14 . Otherwise, the slots  56  are instead formed through the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 , and the resilient clamps  50  are movable directly on the mounting surface  38 . The slot  56  is formed to accept one of the fasteners  58  there through for fixing the respective resilient clamp  50  in position relative to the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . 
     The resilient clamps  50  are illustrated here by example and without limitation as being substantially flexible finger clamps each being formed with a substantially rigid leg portion  76  and a substantially “spatulate” finger portion  78  extended therefrom and substantially aligned therewith in a open V-shape with the finger portion  78  slightly inclined from an upright orientation toward the leg portion  76 . A resilient urging portion  80  is coupled between adjacent inner end portions  82  and  84  of the leg portion  76  and finger portion  78 , respectively. 
     The leg portion  76  is sized to slide in the optional lengthwise keyways  48 , when present, and recessed into the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . Furthermore, the leg portion  76  of each resilient clamp  50  is structured to be secured in the optional lengthwise keyways  48 , when present, in a fixed-position relative to the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . For example, the leg portion  76  is formed there through with a passage  86  adjacent to an outer end  88  thereof for passing the fastener  58  through into the slot  56 . As illustrated here by example and without limitation, each passage  86  includes a clearance hole  90  sized to admit the fastener  58  there through, and a recess  92 , such as a countersink or counter bore (shown) sized to recess the fastener  58  into the clamp&#39;s leg portion  76 . 
     Each resilient clamp  50  is further formed with the substantially “spatulate” finger portion  78  extended from the leg portion  76  and substantially aligned therewith. By example and without limitation, the resilient urging portion  80  is coupled between a curved knee portion  94  positioned adjacent to the inner end portion  82  of the leg portion  76  and the inner end portion  84  of the finger portion  78 , whereby the resilient urging portion  80  urges the finger portion  78  generally toward the respective leg portion  76  as indicated by arrows a 7 . 
     Accordingly, when inserted between the opposing finger portions  78  of the resilient clamps  50  on opposite sides  40  and  42  of the frame  14 , the cellular phone or other portable device P is resiliently urged toward the opposing finger portions  78  and against the mounting surface  38  by the respective resilient urging portions  80  of opposing clamps  50 . After the spatulate finger portions  78  have been bent away from one another and from the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38  for inserting the device P there between, the respective resilient urging portions  80  cause the respective spatulate finger portions  78  to substantially automatically tend to resiliently return to its original configuration. This substantially automatic tendency of the respective finger portions  78  to each resiliently return to its original configuration effectively urges the device P simultaneously inwardly toward spatulate finger portions  78  of opposing resilient clamps  50  and downwardly toward the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 , as indicated by arrows a 7 . 
     As illustrated here by example and without limitation, the resilient urging portion  80  of the resilient clamp  50  is embodied as a substantially resiliently flexible curved elbow portion  96 . For example, the leg portion  76  includes the curved knee portion  94  positioned adjacent to the second inner end  82  thereof and curved outwardly away from a smaller volume  98  enclosed by the V-shape formed between the leg portion  76  and finger portion  78 . The finger portion  78  includes a curved wrist portion  100  positioned at its inner end  84  and extended outwardly away from the smaller volume  98  enclosed by the V-shape of the leg  76  and finger  78 . 
     The substantially flexible curved elbow portion  96  of the resilient urging portion  80  is, for example, positioned outside the smaller volume  98  enclosed by the V-shape of the leg  76  and finger  78  and coupled between the outwardly curved knee portion  94  of the leg portion  76  and the outwardly curved wrist portion  100  of the finger portion  78 . 
     Here, by example and without limitation, the resilient urging portion  80  of each resilient clamp  50  further includes relatively long arm sections  102  and  104  extended between the elbow portion  96  and the knee  94  and wrist  100  portions, respectively. As illustrated here by example and without limitation, the elbow portion  96  is formed with sufficient curvature to direct an inclined operational clamping surface  106  of the spatulate finger portion  78  facing the leg portion  76  are generally inclined toward the respective leg portion  76  as indicated by arrows a 7 . Accordingly, when the resilient clamps  50  are installed on the frame  14  with their respective leg portions  76  fitted into the different keyways  48 , the clamping surface  106  of each respective spatulate finger portion  78  is directed generally toward the frame  14 , as indicated by arrows a 7 , such that the clamping surfaces  106  are generally inclined toward the mounting surface  38 . 
     The elbow portion  96  and the two relatively long arm sections  102  and  104  of the resilient urging portion  80  are substantially resiliently flexible or “springy” along a first direction  108  substantially aligned with the leg portion  76 , while being substantially rigid or stiff along a second direction  110  substantially crosswise of the leg portion  76 . The elbow portion  96  cooperates with the two relatively long arm sections  102  and  104  in a resilient bending motion, as indicated by arrow a 9 , substantially opposite the first arrow a 7 . Accordingly, opposing finger portions  78  of the resilient clamps  50  on opposite sides  40  and  42  of the frame  14  are resiliently bendable away from one another and from the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38  for inserting the cellular phone (shown) or other portable device P between the opposing finger portions  78  of the resilient clamps  50  and against the mounting surface  38 . The resiliently bendable feature of the elbow portion  96  and the two relatively long arm sections  102  and  104  of the resilient urging portion  80  cause each of the spatulate finger portions  78 , after being bent away from one another and from the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38 , to substantially automatically tend to return to its original configuration with its operational clamping surface  106  generally inclined toward the frame  14  and the mounting surface  38 , as indicated by arrows a 7 . 
     The operational clamping surfaces  106  are optionally equipped with a relatively high coefficient of friction that operates in combination with the pressure applied by the inclined clamping surfaces  106  of the clamp members  50  to limit slippage of the device P relative to the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38 . Here, by example and without limitation, the relatively high coefficient of friction is provided by a sleeve  112  fitted over the spatulate finger portions  78  of one or more of the resilient clamps  50 . For example, the sleeve  112  is optionally formed of a high surface friction material, such as a Vinyl or a low durometer polyvinylchloride (PVC) material or another suitable plastic material, which operates as a traction enhancing mechanism. By example and without limitation, the spatulate-finger portions  78  are optionally formed with a bulb  114  adjacent to an outer tip  116  thereof that is slightly over-sized relative to the sleeve  112 . The bulb  114  thus spreads the sleeve  112 , which operates to hold it in place on the finger portion  78 . 
       FIG. 5  is another view that illustrates the novel mounting apparatus  10  having the portable device P removed for clarity. Here, the optional keyways  48  are illustrated as recessed into the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14  and intersecting the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38 . The resilient clamps  50  are thus movable in the keyways  48 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the novel mounting apparatus  10  having the portable device P inserted therein.  FIG. 6  illustrates the mounting apparatus  10  having the resilient clamps  50  spread wide for holding a large sized device P. By example and without limitation, the leg portions  76  of the resilient clamps  50  are moved in the keyways  48  outward toward the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38  for maximizing the space there between. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the mounting apparatus  10  having the resilient clamps  50  moved close for holding a small sized device P. By example and without limitation, the leg portions  76  of the resilient clamps  50  are moved in the keyways  48  inward away from the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38  for minimizing the space there between. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the novel mounting apparatus  10  having an alternative pair of resilient clamps  120  that are movable in the keyways  48  for adjusting the distance there between. The alternative resilient clamps  120  are illustrated here by example and without limitation as being substantially flexible finger clamps each being formed with a substantially rigid leg portion  122  and a substantially “spatulate” finger portion  124  extended therefrom and substantially aligned therewith in a open V-shape with the finger portion  124  slightly inclined from an upright orientation toward the leg portion  122 . A resilient urging portion  126  is coupled between adjacent inner end portions  128  and  130  of the leg portion  122  and finger portion  124 , respectively. 
     The leg portion  122  is sized to slide in the optional lengthwise keyways  48 , when present, and recessed into the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . Furthermore, the leg portion  122  of each resilient clamp  120  is structured to be secured in the optional lengthwise keyways  48 , when present, in a fixed position relative to the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 . For example, the leg portion  122  is formed there through with a passage  132  adjacent to a outer end  134  thereof for passing the fastener  58  through into the slot  56 . As illustrated here by example and without limitation, each passage  132  includes a clearance hole  136  sized to admit the fastener  58  there through, and a recess  138 , such as a countersink or counter bore (shown) sized to recess the fastener  58  into the clamp&#39;s leg portion  122 . 
     Each alternative resilient clamp  120  is further formed with the substantially “spatulate” finger portion  124  extended from the leg portion  122  and substantially aligned therewith. By example and without limitation, the resilient urging portion  126  is coupled between the inner end portion  128  of the leg portion  122  and the inner end portion  130  of the finger portion  124 , and urges the finger portion  124  generally toward the respective leg portion  122  as indicated by arrows a 13 . 
     Accordingly, when inserted between the opposing finger portions  124  of the alternative resilient clamps  120  on opposite sides  40  and  42  of the frame  14 , the cellular phone or other portable device P is resiliently urged toward the opposing finger portions  124  and against the mounting surface  38  by the respective resilient urging portions  126  of opposing alternative clamps  120 . After the spatulate finger portions  124  have been bent away from one another and from the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38  for inserting the device P there between, the respective resilient urging portions  126  cause the respective spatulate finger portions  124  to substantially automatically tend to resiliently return to its original configuration. This substantially automatic tendency of the respective finger portions  124  to each resiliently return to its original configuration effectively urges the device P simultaneously inwardly toward spatulate finger portions  124  of opposing alternative resilient clamps  120  and downwardly toward the mounting surface  38  of the frame  14 , as indicated by arrows a 13 . 
     As illustrated here by example and without limitation, the resilient urging portion  126  of the resilient clamp  120  is embodied as a substantially flexible curved elbow portion  140 . For example, the curved elbow portion  140  of the resilient urging portion  126  causes the leg portion  122  and finger portion  124  to form a smaller V-shaped volume  142  there between. The resilient clamp  120  includes a curved wrist portion  144  positioned between the inner end  130  of finger portion  124  and extended outwardly away from the smaller volume  142  enclosed by the V-shape of the leg portion  122  and finger portion  124 . 
     The substantially flexible curved elbow portion  140  of the resilient urging portion  126  is, for example, positioned outside the smaller volume  142  enclosed by the V-shape of the leg  122  and finger  124  and coupled between the leg portion  122  and the outwardly curved wrist portion  144  of the finger portion  124 . 
     As illustrated here by example and without limitation, the elbow portion  140  is formed with sufficient curvature to direct an inclined operational clamping surface  146  of the spatulate finger portion  124  facing the leg portion  122  are generally inclined toward the respective leg portion  122  as indicated by arrows a 13 . Accordingly, when the alternative resilient clamps  120  are installed on the frame  14  with their respective leg portions  122  fitted into the different keyways  48 , the clamping surface  146  of each respective spatulate finger portion  124  is directed generally toward the frame  14 , as indicated by arrows a 13 , such that the clamping surfaces  146  are generally inclined toward the mounting surface  38 . 
     The elbow portion  140  and the two relatively long arm sections a 53  and a 77  of the resilient urging portion  126  are substantially resiliently flexible or “springy” in a first direction  148  substantially aligned with the leg portion  122 , while being substantially rigid or stiff in a second direction  150  substantially crosswise of the leg portion  122 . The elbow portion  140  cooperates with the curved wrist portion  144  in a resilient bending motion, as indicated by arrow a 15 , substantially opposite the first direction  148 . Accordingly, opposing finger portions  124  of the alternative resilient clamps  50  on opposite sides  40  and  42  of the frame  14  are resiliently bendable away from one another and from the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38  for inserting the cellular phone (shown) or other portable device P between the opposing finger portions  124  of the resilient clamps  120  and against the mounting surface  38 . The resiliently bendable feature of the elbow portion  140  of the resilient urging portion  80  and the wrist portion  144  cause each of the spatulate finger portions  124 , after being bent away from one another and from the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38 , to substantially automatically tend to return to its original configuration with its operational clamping surface  146  generally inclined toward the frame  14  and the mounting surface  38 , as indicated by arrows a 13 . 
     The operational clamping surfaces  146  are optionally equipped with a relatively high coefficient of friction that operates in combination with the pressure applied by the inclined clamping surfaces  146  of the clamp members  120  to limit slippage of the device P relative to the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38 . For example, the relatively high coefficient of friction is provided by the sleeve  112  fitted over the spatulate finger portions  124  of one or more of the alternative resilient clamps  120 . By example and without limitation, the spatulate finger portions  124  are optionally formed with a bulb  152  adjacent to an outer tip  154  thereof that is slightly over-sized relative to the sleeve  112 . The bulb  152  thus spreads the sleeve  112 , which operates to hold it in place on the finger portion  124 . 
     As illustrated here, the mounting apparatus  10  having the alternative resilient clamps  50  moved close for holding a small sized device P. By example and without limitation, the leg portions  122  of the alternative resilient clamps  120  are moved in the keyways  48  inward away from the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38  for minimizing the space there between. Elimination of the curved knee portion  94  positioned adjacent to the inner end portion  82  of the leg portion  76  permits the finger portions  124  of the alternative resilient clamp  120  to be moved more nearly to the center of the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38  than the clamp  50  for minimizing the space between opposing finger portions  124 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the mounting apparatus  10  having the alternative resilient clamps  120  moved close for holding a small sized device P. By example and without limitation, the leg portions  122  of the alternative resilient clamps  120  are moved in the keyways  48  inward away from the opposite edge surfaces  40  and  42  of the mounting surface  38  for minimizing the space there between. The opposing movable end stops  52  are removed for clarity. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the mounting apparatus  10  having an alternative frame  160  in which the optional keyways  48  and keyways  54  are eliminated. Here, the slots  56  and  27  for fasteners  58  and  62 , respectively, are formed instead through the mounting surface  38 . The resilient clamps  50  (or alternative resilient clamps  120 ) are mounted directly on the frame&#39;s mounting surface  38  and are movable thereon for maximizing or minimizing the space between the opposing finger portions  78  (or  124 ). The portable device P is spaced above the mounting surface  38  and instead rests directly on the leg portions  76  (or  122 ) resilient clamps  50  (or alternative resilient clamps  120 ). 
     While one embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the suction cup holding device.