Patent Publication Number: US-2013233986-A1

Title: Apparatus for supporting mobile phones,
electronic tablets and cameras

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Claims for priority to the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/749,826, titled “APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MOBILE PHONES, ELECTRONIC TABLETS AND CAMERAS,” filed on Jan. 7, 2013 (“the &#39;826 Provisional Application”) and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/643,797, titled “APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MOBILE PHONES AND CAMERAS,” filed on May 7, 2012 (“the &#39;797 Provisional Application”) are hereby made pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e). The entire disclosures of the &#39;826 Provisional Application and the &#39;797 Provisional Application are, by this reference, hereby incorporated herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to apparatuses for supporting and/or stabilizing portable electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, electronic tablets and cameras for taking still photos and video. This disclosure also relates to methods for stabilizing portable electronic devices during filming. 
     BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
     Existing devices for holding mobile phones or thin profile cameras in a stable and steady position during picture shooting have not been adequate. Conventionally, tripods have been used to hold conventional still and video cameras steady; a fastener on the tripod is typically secured to a universal receptacle in a body of the camera. The universal receptacles with which conventional tripods typically mate are, however, too large for use with state-of-the-art mobile telephones and thin profile cameras. 
     Attachments for supporting and stabilizing mobile phones have typically been inflexible, and their use has been limited to specific types of mobile phones. For example, two devices currently on the market can only be used with the IPHONE4® available from Apple, Inc. They are not compatible with other mobile phones. 
     Moreover, some current stabilizing attachments for mobile phones will not work if a protective case is in place over the mobile phone. When such a stabilizing attachment is used, removal of a protective case is undesirably required. 
     SUMMARY 
     An accessory that may be used to support and stabilize mobile phones, electronic tablets, cameras and other portable electronic devices is disclosed. Such an accessory is referred to herein as a “stabilizing attachment” and as a “mount.” A stabilizing attachment that incorporates teachings of this disclosure may be adjusted to enable its use with a variety of different types of portable electronic devices, and with portable electronic devices of a plurality of different sizes and configurations. 
     A stabilizing attachment may be configured to eliminate, minimize or compensate for shaking, vibration and other undesirable movements of a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera (e.g., a thin profile camera that lacks a standard tripod mount, etc.) or other portable electronic device during filming. In some embodiments, the stabilizing attachment may enable smooth, uninterrupted movement of a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device relative to a subject while filming the subject; e.g., while shooting video. 
     Moreover, a stabilizing attachment may provide a support for electronic display devices, such as a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other such device to enable hands-free support of such a device while viewing electronic displays provided by the device. As used herein, “electronic tablet” may include any electronic display device, including, without limitation, electronic devices marketed under the following trademarks: IPAD®, IPAD® mini, KINDLE® and NOOK®. 
     A stabilizing attachment may be configured to be supported by a surface (e.g., a tabletop, the ground, etc.), or it may be secured to and support by another object, such as a tripod, a monopod, glass (e.g., a window, a windshield, etc.), a mounting device (which may, in turn be secured to another object, such as a helmet, a surfboard, a snowboard, a skateboard, or the like), a dolly, a counterbalance or any other object that may be useful for supporting, carrying or transporting a camera during filming. 
     In a specific embodiment, a stabilizing attachment for use with a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or another portable electronic device may include: an engagement element and an adjustment element. The engagement element may be configured to hold the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device, and may include a first member and a second member that are substantially parallel to one another, and that are configured to engage opposite sides, or edges, or the portable electronic device. The adjustment element may enable adjustment of a distance between the first member and the second member of the engagement element and may hold the first member and second member of the engagement element securely against corresponding sides of a portable electronic device. Thus, the adjustment element may enable the stabilizing attachment to accommodate different sizes of mobile phones, electronic tablets, cameras or other portable electronic devices. 
     Methods for stabilizing portable electronic devices and methods for stabilized filming using portable electronic devices are also disclosed. 
     Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the disclosure subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are views of an embodiment of a stabilizing attachment configured for use with a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or another portable electronic device; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are component views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are views of another embodiment of a stabilizing attachment configured for use with a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or another portable electronic device; 
         FIGS. 8-11  are views of another embodiment of a stabilizing attachment configured for use with a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or another portable electronic device; 
         FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the stabilizing attachment secured to a mobile phone; 
         FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , depicting an embodiment of a process for securing a mobile phone to the stabilizing attachment; 
         FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , in which the stabilizing attachment is, in turn, secured to a tripod; 
         FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  23  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , in which the stabilizing attachment is secured to a glass stabilization device; 
         FIGS. 24 and 25  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , in which the stabilizing attachment is secured to a monopod device; 
         FIGS. 26 ,  27  and  28  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , in which the stabilizing attachment is secured to a dolly; 
         FIGS. 29 ,  30  and  31  are views of an embodiment of a counter-balance stabilizing attachment; 
         FIGS. 32 and 33  are views of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment shown in  FIGS. 29-31 , showing a mobile phone secured to the stabilizing attachment; and 
         FIG. 34  is a view showing the mount embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-9  attached to a tripod and holding a portable electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of stabilizing attachments for positioning a cellular telephone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device on a stable apparatus are disclosed. A stabilizing attachment may be configured to enable the production of still photos and/or videos that are stabilized. A stabilizing attachment may provide for hands-free support of a portable electronic device while enabling an individual to view a display provided by the portable electronic device. A stabilizing attachment may include a spring-loaded mechanism, so that the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device can be easily secured onto the stabilizing attachment and removed from the stabilizing attachment. The spring-loaded mechanism enables different sizes of mobile phones, electronic tablets, cameras or other portable electronic devices to be attached to the stabilizing attachment and still be clamped firmly in place by tension in the spring. 
     The stabilizing attachment may include a connector, or a “support coupling element,” that enables the stabilizing attachment to be secured to and, optionally, supported by a variety of other apparatuses, which are collectively referred to herein as “supports.” As a non-limiting example, the coupling element of the stabilizing attachment may comprise a standard tripod receptacle, which may be configured and threaded to receive and retain a complementary element of a tripod, enabling the stabilizing attachment to be positioned on a tripod of any size and/or shape, as well as on a variety of other supports, such as a window mount, a monopod or the like. The support coupling element can also be fastened to a counter-balance unit that compensates for any vibration, shaking or other unwanted movement in shooting video images. 
     The use of a spring loaded mechanism, such as a clamp or other engagement member, in the manner recited by the appended claims is a novel approach to securing a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or any other portable electronic device to a support, such as a tripod. Moreover, by having a standard support coupling element, such as a tripod thread, on the stabilizing attachment, the stabilizing attachment can be mounted to a variety of different types of tripods or other supports and, thus, adapt a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or another portable electronic device for stabilized support and mounting to such supports. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a frontal view of an embodiment of a stabilizing attachment  100  is shown. Stabilizing attachment  100  includes an engagement member  102 , which, as illustrated, may include a base  104 —an embodiment of a “second member” of engagement element  102 —and two parallel side arms  106  and  108 , each of which is also referred to herein as an “elongated element,” extending transversely from base  104  (e.g., at right angles with base  104 , etc.). An attachment piece  110 , which is an embodiment of a “first member” of engagement element  102 , is connected to the tops of arms  106  and  108 . A tab  112  may protrude from an opposite side of attachment piece  110  from the side of attachment piece  110  that faces base  104 . Tab  112  may enable an individual to pull attachment piece  110  away from base  104 . 
     Looking now at  FIG. 2 , a side view of stabilizing attachment  100  is shown. It can be seen that base  104  extends transversely from (e.g., at a right angle from (outside of), etc.) arms  106  ( FIG. 1) and 108  to provide a surface  114  on which one side, or edge, of the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device may rest. Attachment piece  110  includes a support member  116  oriented substantially parallel with base  104  to support an opposite side of a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device. In addition, support member  116  may include a cushion  118 , which may comprise a compressible, resilient element that communicates with the surface(s) of attachment piece  110  that face(s) base  104 . Such placement of cushion  118  may protect the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device, and may help hold the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device securely in place. In a specific embodiment (depicted by  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), cushion  118  may comprise a lower portion of tab  112 , which may be configured to fit into a slot (not seen here) of support member  116 . 
       FIG. 3B  provides a perspective view of stabilizing attachment  100 .  FIG. 3A  provides a perspective view of a larger size mount  101  that may be used for larger mobile phones, such as a smart phone, a tablet phone or even a small electronic tablet. 
     With collective reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3B , base  104 , attachment piece  110 , each arm  106 ,  108  and other features of stabilizing attachment  100  may be configured in a manner that enables stabilizing attachment  100  to receive a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device in a manner without obstructing a view through a camera lens associated with a surface of the portable electronic device that faces the side of stabilizing attachment  100  on which each arm  106 ,  108  is located. In the embodiment depicted by  FIGS. 1 through 3B , arms  106  and  108  may be spaced apart from one another in a manner that provides for an obstruction-free view from a camera lens of a portable electronic device. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a dismantled stabilizing attachment  100  is shown. Engagement element  102  is shown with its components separated from one another. In the depicted embodiment, each arm  106  and  108  is seen to be hollow, with cylindrical openings  107  and  109 , respectively. Two springs  122  and  124  (e.g., coiled compression springs, etc.) are shown, as well as two spring retention elements  126  and  128 . Attachment piece  110  is seen to have two legs  132  and  134  that extend transversely from (e.g., at right angles to, etc.) support member  116 . Each leg  132 ,  134  may also be referred to herein as an “extendable element.” In the specific, but non-limiting embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each leg  132  and  134  may have threaded ends  136  and  138  that are configured to be received by complementarily threaded receptacles of spring retention elements  126  and  128 . Support member  116  on attachment piece  110  may be shaped to provide a slot  120 , in which to insert a portion of tab  112 . 
     In one embodiment, engagement element  102  comprises an integral piece of plastic, attachment piece  110  is made of formed metal and tab  112  is made of flexible rubber. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , to assemble stabilizing attachment  100 , legs  132  and  134  of attachment piece  110  are introduced into cylindrical openings  107  and  109  of arms  106  and  109  from the tops of arms  106  and  108 , respectively. With legs  132  and  134  in cylindrical openings  107  and  109  of their respective arms  106  and  108 , springs  122  and  124  are slid onto legs  132  and  134  of attachment piece  110 . The upper end of each arm  106 ,  108  (and the upper ends of cylindrical openings  107  and  109 ) may be configured to retain the corresponding end of each spring  122 ,  124  in its respective cylindrical opening  107 ,  109  and arm  106 ,  108 . Spring retention elements  126  and  128 , which are configured to abut against the ends of springs  122  and  124  that are located closest to base  104  to hold springs  122  and  124  in place on legs  132  and  134  and within arms  106  and  108 , respectively, are inserted into ends  111  and  113  of cylindrical openings  107  and  109  that open to a surface of base  104 , as seen in  FIG. 5 , and screwed onto the threaded ends  136  and  138  of legs  132  and  134 , respectively. Together, springs  122  and  124 , legs  132  and  134 , spring retention elements  126  and  128 , arms  106  and  108  and any other members of engagement element  102  or of stabilizing attachment  100  that enable adjustment of the length of each arm  106 ,  108  and, thus, adjustment of the distance that base  104  and attachment piece  110  are spaced apart from one another form an “adjustment element” that works in conjunction with engagement element  102  of stabilizing attachment  100 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , one can also see a support coupling element  130 , which comprises a threaded opening in the center bottom of base  104  in the depicted embodiment. The threaded opening may be sized to fit any standard mount connector of most standard supports, such as a standard ¼″ tripod thread. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a front view of another embodiment of stabilizing attachment  150  in which one vertical arm  152  is centered on stabilizing attachment  150  and extends from a base  154  to an attachment unit  156 . Arm  152  may have one or more internal hollow cylinders (not shown), similar to cylindrical opening  107  of arm  106  of engagement member  102  of the embodiment of stabilizing attachment  100  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , to provide for one or more legs (not shown) similar to leg  132  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and a biasing member, such as spring therein (not shown), similar to spring  122  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), so as to bias attachment piece  156  towards base  154 , similar to the biasing effect of springs  122  and  124  in stabilizing attachment  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . A tab (not shown) may be provided similar to tab  112  of stabilizing attachment  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . A support member  158  is shown similar to support member  116  of stabilizing attachment  100 , shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . Accordingly, stabilizing attachment  150  functions to stabilize and/or support a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device in a manner similar to stabilizing attachment  100 . 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11  show another embodiment of stabilizing attachment  160 , which may be used for mounting mobile phones, electronic tablets, cameras or other portable electronic devices. As seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , stabilizing attachment  160  has an upper clamping unit  162 , or “attachment unit” or “first member,” and a lower clamping unit  164 , or “base” or “second member,” connected by a biasing member  166 . Upper clamping unit  162  may include two parallel fingers  168  and  169  that are disposed to extend outward to be able to engage one side of an electronic device (not shown). Likewise, lower clamping unit  164  may include two parallel fingers  170  and  171  that extend outward so as to enable engagement of another side of an electronic device. 
       FIG. 10  shows a back view of stabilizing attachment  160  in which it can be seen that upper clamping unit  162 , lower clamping unit  164  and biasing member  166  may be preassembled for ease in using stabilizing attachment  160 . A threaded aperture  176  may be provided in the back  172  of biasing member  166  for mounting stabilizing attachment  160  on a tripod (not shown) or other support. In one embodiment, stabilizing attachment  160  may be composed of an integral molded plastic piece, with rubber tips attached to fingers  168  through  171  ( FIG. 8 ). A rubber coating may also be applied to a front  167  ( FIG. 9 ) of biasing member  166  to protect the portable electronic device that will be supported by stabilizing attachment  160 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , upper clamping member  162  may be disposed for insertion into a hollow column (not shown) of lower clamping member  164 . One or more biasing members (not shown), such as one or more springs, similar to springs  122  and  124  in stabilizing attachment  100  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) connect upper clamping member  162  and lower clamping member  164 . In some embodiments, upper clamping member  162  and lower clamping member  164  may be pulled far enough away from each other to accommodate a portable electronic device having a dimension (e.g., a height, etc.) of about 8¼ inches. Of course, embodiments in which upper clamping member  162  and lower clamping member  164  are configured to be spaced different (smaller or larger) maximum distances apart from each other are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, stabilizing attachment  160  may function as a stabilizing or supporting device for a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device in a manner similar to the embodiment of stabilizing attachment  100  depicted by  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
       FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  show front, side and perspective views of a mobile phone  190  attached to the embodiment of stabilizing attachment  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . Although a mobile phone  190  is illustrated by these and other figures, it should be understood that stabilizing attachment  100  and other embodiments of stabilizing attachments that fall within the scopes of the claims can be used with a variety of other embodiments of portable electronic devices. In  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 , it can be seen that attachment piece  110 , which is spring-loaded, can be raised upward by means of pulling tab  112  or other similar means, so that the mobile phone  190  will fit between support member  116  and a surface  114  of base  104 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . There is a downward tension on attachment piece  110  exerted by springs  122  and  124  ( FIG. 4 ) that causes mobile phone  190  to be firmly held in place, regardless of its size. 
     The use of a spring-loaded mechanism enables a stabilizing attachment (e.g., stabilizing attachment  100 , etc.) to accommodate mobile phones, electronic tablets, cameras and other portable electronic devices of different shapes and/or sizes. The depicted embodiments of stabilizing attachments  100 ,  150  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ),  160  ( FIGS. 8 through 11 ) are dimensioned to enable mounting of a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device with a protective case. Typically, mobile phones, cameras or other portable electronic devices not wider than 2.75 inches can be positioned on stabilizing attachment  100 . However, it should be understood that size is not an important variable, and stabilizing attachment  100  can be made larger to accommodate larger portable electronic devices. 
       FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17  show the steps in loading a mobile phone  190 , electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device into a stabilizing attachment, such as stabilizing attachment  100 . As seen in  FIG. 15 , mobile phone  190  is positioned at the front part of stabilizing attachment  100 . In  FIG. 16 , mobile phone  190  is placed so that one side  192  of mobile phone  190  is in contact with the bottom of tab  112  that rests in a slot  120  ( FIG. 4 ) in support member  116  of attachment piece  110 . Pressure is exerted against attachment piece  110  causing it to move upward while increasing the tension on the springs (not shown here). As seen in  FIG. 17 , when attachment piece  110  has been moved upward sufficiently, then the other side  194  of mobile phone  190  may be moved into contact with surface  114  of base  104 . Then mobile phone  190  is disposed completely within the opening formed between arms  106  and  108  (not seen here), attachment piece  110  and surface  114 . 
     The pressure on mobile phone  190  and attachment piece  110  is then released, causing the springs connected to attachment piece  110  to pull attachment piece  110  firmly against side  192  of mobile phone  190 . Mobile phone  190  may be released from stabilizing attachment  100  by again pulling up on tab  112  to remove the pressure being exerted by attachment piece  110  on mobile phone  190 . Mobile phone  190  may then be removed from stabilizing attachment  100 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , stabilizing attachment  100  may be fastened to a mini-tripod  200 . Tripod  200  may have flexible legs  210  to conform to any surface, such as a chair back  212 , so as to stabilize stabilizing attachment  100  and any mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device attached thereto. As mentioned above, stabilizing attachment  100  may be attached to tripod  200  by means of support coupling element  130 .  FIG. 20  shows stabilizing attachment  100  fastened to a full size tripod  202 . 
     Next, looking at  FIGS. 21 through 23 , a glass stabilization unit  250  is shown to which stabilizing attachment  100  may be attached. In this embodiment, a suction member  252 , such as a rubber piece, is pressed against glass or another smooth surface, such as an automobile windshield  254 , to form a vacuum that holds stabilization unit  250  in place. Stabilizing attachment  100  is attached to an extension member  256  stemming from suction member  252  to enable stabilizing attachment  100  and the attached mobile phone  190 , electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device to be positioned as desired to shoot single takes or videos through automobile windshield  254 . 
       FIGS. 22 and 23  show that extension member  256  may be adjusted to shoot out automobile windshield  254  with mobile phone  190  disposed vertically or horizontally. Several other adjustments are provided on extension member  256  to place mobile phone  190  in whatever position may be desired. 
     In  FIGS. 24 and 25 , a short monopod  270  and a long monopod  272  are shown, each with stabilizing attachment  100  and a mobile phone  190 , electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device attached thereto. Typically either monopod has several telescoping sections to adjust its height or length. The use of monopods allows simple one-point stabilization for taking shots or video while frequently moving to different places and possibly rough terrain. 
       FIGS. 26-28  show a mobile unit, or dolly  280 , with a flexible stem  282  protruding therefrom, as well as a stabilizing attachment  100  secured to flexible stem  282 . A mobile phone  190 , electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device may be attached to stabilizing attachment  100  and, thus, to dolly  280 . Flexible stem  282  can be adjusted to hold mobile phone  190  in different positions. 
     Dolly  280  has a plurality of wheels  284  (four in the depicted embodiment) that enable it to use a flat surface for stability, while traversing the surface to take video or single shots on the same plane. Wheels  284  may be turned to move in different directions. Dolly  280  may be manually operated or driven by a remote-controlled motor. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , a counter-balance attachment  300  is shown for stabilizing a stabilizing attachment and any mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device attached thereto against small hand movements to enable smooth videotaping. A curved bracket  302  includes an attachment section  304  to which a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device may be attached and a balance section  306  carrying a weight  308  to counter-balance the weight of the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device. Weight  308  is connected to balance section  306  by an adjustable bracket  310  that enables weight  308  to be extended further, thereby increasing leverage and counterbalancing effect. 
     At the distal end of attachment section  304  is a brace  312  having a grip  314  attached thereto by a pivotable gimbal  316  that tends to isolate small hand motions on grip  314  from attachment section  304 . The combination of the counter-balance weight  308  and pivotable gimbal  316  tend to smooth out any movement of the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device. This action is especially useful when the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device is rapidly moved in various directions during fast action filming. 
       FIG. 31  shows the adjustable bracket  310  in more detail. A tension screw  320  attaches bracket  310  to counter-balance attachment  300  ( FIGS. 29 ,  30 ,  32  and  33 ). Screw  320  may be loosened and the amount of extension of bracket  310  from balance section  306  may be adjusted to change the amount of leverage and counter-balance action. Weight  308  may be comprised of several smaller weights, such as weights  322  and  323  that can be screwed in main weight  324  to adjust the amount of weight being applied. 
       FIGS. 32 and 33  show the counter-balance attachment  300  with a stabilizing attachment  100  attached thereto and a mobile phone  190 , electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device attached to stabilizing attachment  100 . The apparatus may be manipulated by holding grip  314 . As best seen in  FIG. 32 , bracket  310  may be pivoted around screw  320  at any angle up to at least 90 degrees from parallel with balance section  306 . This adjustment enables the counter-balance action to compensate for off-center balance problems with respect to the mobile phone  190 , electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device, as seen in  FIG. 32 . 
     As seen above, a stabilizing attachment may be configured to position a mobile telephone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device on a stable support to produce still photos and videos that are stabilized. The mount includes an engagement element, which may comprise a spring-loaded mechanism so that the mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device can be easily secured onto the stabilizing attachment and removed from the stabilizing attachment. The spring-loaded mechanism enables different sizes of mobile phones, electronic tablets, cameras or other portable electronic devices to be attached to the mount and still be clamped in firmly by the tension from the spring. 
     In addition, several embodiments of supports to which the stabilizing attachment can be secured are disclosed. A mini-tripod may be used having flexible legs that can grip nearly any surface or member. A glass mount may be attached to any stable glass piece, such as a windshield, so that a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device can be mounted on a stabilizing attachment, which is in turn attached and manipulated by the glass mount. A monopod may be attached to a stabilizing attachment so that a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device may be stabilized in almost any terrain. Further, a stabilizing attachment may be mounted on a mechanical dolly to support a mobile phone in any desired position as the dolly is moved to provide action for the photos or video. A unique counter-balance apparatus on which the stabilizing attachment and a mobile phone, electronic tablet, camera or other portable electronic device that has been mounted to the stabilizing attachment may include a gimbal and a counter-weight to smooth out or eliminate unwanted hand motions during action takes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 34  stabilizing attachment  160  is shown connected to a tripod device  400  by a swivel member (not shown) so that an electronic display device  402 , such as an IPAD® or other electronic tablet, may be supported for viewing. 
     Although the foregoing description sets forth many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scopes of any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may also lie within the scopes of the appended claims. All additions to, deletions from and modifications of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.