Patent Publication Number: US-10780812-B2

Title: Item holder having a self-adjusting air bladder system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/428,330, filed on Feb. 9, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,315,551, entitled Item Holder Having A Self-Adjusting Air Bladder System, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an item holder for a vehicle interior, and more specifically, to an item holder having a self-adjusting air bladder system adapted to hold an item in a custom friction fit manner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicle occupants are often seeking convenient locations within a vehicle interior to place and retain beverage containers of varying sizes, as well as other smaller personal items, such as pens, notepads, parking slips, cards, phones and other portable electronic devices. In current vehicle interiors, these smaller personal items are usually stored in a cup-holder or shallow open bin in a vehicle interior console where they are insufficiently retained, and thus are subject to moving around, vibrating, and making noise as the vehicle is driven and maneuvered. Further, these items can be ejected from a small storage bin or cup holder having an open top during the maneuvering of the vehicle. For beverage containers of varying sizes, it is difficult to have a receptacle that offers a one-size-fits-all solution. Thus, it is desirable to provide an item holder in a dedicated location for storing and retaining small personal items and various size beverage containers in such a manner that the items are retained securely in-place while maneuvering a vehicle and conveniently located in close proximity to a vehicle occupant for easy retrieval. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention includes an item holder having a receiving well with an upper opening. First and second air bladders are disposed in the receiving well, and each of the air bladders includes an outer casing with an abutment portion and an upper portion. The upper portions of the outer casings are substantially flush with the upper opening of the receiving well when the air bladders are in an inflated condition. Also, the abutment portions abut one another along an abutment seam when the air bladders are in an inflated condition. 
     Another aspect of the present invention includes an item holder having a receiving well. One or more air bladders are disposed along opposed sidewalls of the receiving well. The air bladders inflate to an at-rest position to substantially fill the receiving well. A sensor is disposed along an upper opening of the receiving well for sensing an item being received in the receiving well. The air bladders deflate to a retracted position as the item is received in the receiving well. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention includes an item holder having an elongate receiving well with opposed and spaced-apart first and second sides with a retaining area disposed therebetween. First and second air bladders are disposed on the first and second sides, respectively, wherein the first and second air bladders are configured to inflate to an at-rest position substantially filling an upper opening of the retaining area. The first and second air bladders deflate to a retracted position to allow access to the retaining area. The first and second air bladders are configured to retain an item therebetween within the retaining area when the first and second air bladders are in the retracted position. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a vehicle interior having a center console including multiple item holders; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the multiple item holders of  FIG. 1  in an at-rest position; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the vehicle interior of  FIG. 1  showing the multiple item holders with a beverage container retained therein; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the vehicle interior of  FIG. 1  showing the multiple item holders with a portable electronic device retained therein; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of one of the item holders of  FIG. 2  taken at line VA; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional of one of the item holders of  FIG. 3  taken at line VB with a beverage container retained therein; 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a vehicle interior having a center console including multiple item holders; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of an item holder in an at-rest position; and 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the item holder of  FIG. 7A  with a portable electronic device retained therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the reference numeral  10  generally designates an item holder assembly disposed within a vehicle interior  12  of a vehicle  11 . The vehicle interior  12  includes a driver seat  14  and a passenger seat  16  with a console assembly  20  that is generally centrally disposed between the driver seat  14  and the passenger seat  16 . The item holder assembly  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is centrally disposed on the console assembly  20  and includes first and second item holders  22 ,  24 . The first and second item holders  22 ,  24  may be part of a modular unit, wherein the item holder assembly  10  includes one or more individual item holders. The first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are contemplated to be substantially similar in structure and design, such that the description of one item holder  22  or  24  within this disclosure will implicitly describe features of the other, unless otherwise noted. In  FIG. 1 , the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are shown in at-rest and unoccupied configurations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are shown in unoccupied configurations. In the unoccupied configuration, both the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are not retaining an item therein. This configuration may also be referred to as an at-rest position with respect to an air bladder system  30 A and  30 B included in each item holder  22 ,  24 . Each air bladder system  30 A,  30 B includes a plurality of air bladders which will be described with reference to air bladder system  30 A alone. While air bladder system  30 A is described, it is to be understood that the description of air bladder system  30 A also describes air bladder system  30 B. 
     Each of the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are shown disposed within a trim member  32  having an upper surface  34 . It is contemplated that the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  can be removed from the center console assembly  20  by removing the trim article  32 , or be removing the individual item holders  22 ,  24  themselves. Each of the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  includes a receiving well  40  having an upper opening  42  defined around an upper rim portion  44 . The receiving wells  40  include retaining areas  46  which are configured to retain an item within the receiving wells  40 . The retaining areas  46  are defined by air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the air bladder systems  30 A,  30 B. With specific reference to air bladders system  30 A, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D include outer surfaces  38 A- 38 D which generally define the parameters of the retaining area  46 . With reference to air bladder system  30 B, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D include upper portions  39 A- 39 D of the outer surfaces  38 A- 38 D that are substantially flush with the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40  while the air bladders  36 A- 36 D are in an at-rest position. From the at-rest position shown in  FIG. 2 , the air bladders  36 A- 36 D are configured to deflate to a retracted position ( FIG. 3 ) as an item is received in the retaining area  46  of the receiving well  40 . In the at-rest position, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D provide a clean aesthetic across the center console assembly  20  with the upper portions  39 A- 39 D of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D being substantially flush with the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40 , as well as being substantially flush with the upper surface  34  of trim article  32 . While the air bladder system  30 A,  30 B are identified as having multiple air bladders  36 A- 36 D, it is contemplated that a single air bladder may be used with the present concept, wherein the single air bladder includes a plurality of pockets that may be identified with reference numeral  36 A- 36 D. Thus, the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  may include multiple air bladders or a single air bladder for retaining an item therein. 
     For moving from the inflated condition or at-rest position to the retracted or deflated position, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D must interact with an item as received within the retaining area  46  of the receiving well  40 . One such interaction may include a sensor  50  or  52  shown associated with the first and second item holders  22 ,  24 , respectively. The sensor  50  is shown disposed on the trim article  32  adjacent the first item holder  22  and is contemplated to detect the reception of an item within the receiving well  40  of the first item holder  22 . Sensor  52  is shown disposed on the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40  of the second item holder  24  at the rim portion  44  thereof. Similarly, the sensor  52  is contemplated to detect or sense an item being received or removed from the retaining area  46  of the receiving well  40  of the second item holder  24 . While the sensors  50 ,  52  are shown disposed in the positions illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , it is contemplated that the sensors  50 ,  52  may be disposed on any portion of the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  or any article adjacent thereto, wherein the sensors  50 ,  52  can detect an item being received or removed from the receiving wells  40  of the first and second item holders  22 ,  24 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sensors  50 ,  52  are communicatively coupled to a controller  54  which is further coupled to an inflation system  56 . The sensors  50 ,  52  shown in  FIG. 2  are contemplated to include one of a light sensor or a proximity sensor disposed at or near the rim portion  44  of the item holders  22 ,  24 . As noted above, the sensors  50 ,  52  may also be disposed in any location within or near the item holders  22 ,  24  for properly sensing, or otherwise detecting, an object being received in the receiving wells  40 . It is contemplated that any number of sensors can be used to provide the controller  54  with the necessary signal information to properly control an inflation level of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D using the inflation system  56 . In this embodiment, the inflation system  56  is operably coupled to the controller  54  and further coupled to the air bladders  36 A- 36 D for controlling the inflation levels of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of both item holders  22 ,  24 . Coupling of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D is further described below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     As noted above, the sensors  50 ,  52  may be proximity sensors, which may be in the form of capacitance sensors, ultrasonic transducers, radio frequency transducers, optical transducers, magnetic sensors, infrared sensors, force/pressure sensors, or electromechanical sensors. It is contemplated that the sensors  50 ,  52  may be integrated into or communicatively coupled to the air bladders  36 A- 36 D to sense an amount of deflection of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D as an item is received in the receiving wells  40  of the item holders  22 ,  24 . Thus, the sensors  50 ,  52  are configured to detect the presence of an object received in, or being received in, one of the first and second item holders  22 ,  24 . The object detection information is sent to the controller  54  as an electronic signal for processing. As further noted above, the sensors  50 ,  52  may be light sensors, which may be in the form of spectrophotometers or photo detectors which can provide a variety of information to the controller  54 . As light sensors, the sensors  50 ,  52  may be configured to detect the presence of an object received in, being received in, or being removed from one of the first and second item holders  22 ,  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are shown with an item disposed in the first item holder  22 . The item shown in  FIG. 3  is in the form of a beverage container  60 . Thus, the second item holder  24  is in an at-rest position, wherein the air bladders  36 A- 36 D are inflated to a point at which the air bladders  36 A- 36 D generally fill the receiving well  40 . In the at-rest position, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the second item holder  24  have the upper portions  39 A- 39 D thereof substantially flush with the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40 . In this way, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D substantially fill the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40  in the at-rest position. With the beverage container  60  disposed in the first item holder  22 , the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the first item holder  22  are in a deflated condition or a retracted position as opposed to the inflated condition or at-rest position of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the second item holder  24 . In the retracted position, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the first item holder  22  are partially deflated to redefine the contours of the retaining area  46 , such that the beverage container  60  is positively retained in the receiving well  40  of the first item holder  22  by engagement with the air bladders  36 A- 36 D thereof. It is contemplated that the air bladders  36 A- 36 D provide a customized retaining area  46  for the beverage container  60  and will also provide a customized retaining area  46  for another beverage container that is larger or smaller than the beverage container  60  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this way, the item holders  22 ,  24  of the present concept provide customized support and retention of items stored in the retaining areas  46  thereof, as further described below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the beverage container  60  is contemplated to be sensed or detected by the sensor  50  as entering the receiving well  40  of the first item holder  22 . The sensor  50  is configured to send a signal to the controller  54  which may further send a signal to the inflation system  56  to initiate a deflation sequence of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D from the at-rest position ( FIG. 2 ) to the retracted position ( FIG. 3 ), wherein the first item holder  22  can adequately retain and support the beverage container  60 . It is further contemplated that the beverage container  60  can be used to impart a force on the air bladders  36 A- 36 D to allow for air to expel from an interior cavity of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D through a porous casing or an associated valve assembly, as further described below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5B . When the beverage container  60  is removed from the retaining area  46 , the sensor  50  is contemplated to detect this change and send a signal to the controller  54  which further sends a signal to the inflation system  56  to initiate an inflation sequence of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D to inflate the air bladders  36 A- 36 D to the at-rest position shown in conjunction with the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the second item holder  24  in  FIG. 3 . Further, it is contemplated that the air bladders  36 A- 36 D can inflate to the at-rest position from the retracted position due to a resilient internal material disposed within the air bladders  36 A- 36 D. The self-adjusting capability of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D to resume the at-rest position from the retracted position is further described below with reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B . In this way, the upper portions  39 A- 39 D of the outer casings of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D are substantially flush with the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40  when the air bladders  36 A- 36 D are returned to the at-rest or inflated condition. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the first and second item holders  22 ,  24  are shown with an item disposed in the first item holder  22 . The item shown in  FIG. 4  is in the form of a portable electronic device  62 , such as a mobile phone. The second item holder  24  is in the at-rest position, wherein the air bladders  36 A- 36 D are in an inflated condition. In the inflated condition, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the second item holder  24  are inflated to a point at which the air bladders  36 A- 36 D generally fill the receiving well  40 . In the at-rest position, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the second item holder  24  have the upper portions  39 A- 39 D thereof substantially flush with the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40 . In this way, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D substantially fill the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40  in the at-rest position. With the portable electronic device  62  disposed in the first item holder  22 , the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the first item holder  22  are in a partially deflated condition or a retracted position as opposed to the inflated condition or at-rest position of the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the second item holder  24 . In the retracted position, the air bladders  36 A- 36 D of the first item holder  22  are partially deflated to redefine the contours of the retaining area  46 , such that the portable electronic device  62  is positively retained in the receiving well  40  of the first item holder  22  by engagement with the air bladders  36 A- 36 D thereof. It is contemplated that the air bladders  36 A- 36 D provide a customized retaining area  46  for the portable electronic device  62  and will also provide a customized retaining area  46  for another portable electronic device that is larger or smaller than the portable electronic device  62  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this way, the item holders  22 ,  24  of the present concept provide customized support and retention of items stored in the retaining areas  46  thereof, as further described below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A , the first item holder  22  is shown in the at-rest position, wherein the air bladders  36 B and  36 D are in a fully inflated condition. Given the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5A , one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the other air bladders ( 36 A and  36 C shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the first item holder  22  will have similar components and a similar configurations as the air bladders  36 B and  36 D shown in  FIG. 5A  and described below. In the inflated condition, the air bladders  36 B and  36 D of the first item holder  22  are inflated to a point at which the air bladders  36 B and  36 D (along with air bladders  36 A and  36 C shown in  FIG. 2 ) generally fill the receiving well  40 . In the at-rest position, the air bladders  36 B and  36 D of the first item holder  22  have the upper portions  39 B and  39 D thereof substantially flush with the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40 . In this way, the air bladders  36 B and  36 D (along with air bladders  36 A and  36 C shown in  FIG. 2 ) substantially fill the upper opening  42  of the receiving well  40  in the at-rest position. Further, the upper portions  39 B and  39 D of the air bladders  36 B and  36 D are also substantially flush with the upper surface  34  of trim article  32 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 5A , each of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D includes an outer casing  64  having an outer surface  66 . Thus, the upper portions  39 B,  39 D of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D are defined by the outer surfaces  66  of the outer casing  64 . As further shown in  FIG. 5A , the outer casings  64  generally enclose interior cavities  68  of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D which are configured to fill with air to the at-rest position. As further shown in  FIG. 5A , the air bladders  36 B,  36 D may also include a filler material  69  which may be a foam-like material, such as memory foam, or other like spacer material, such as a 3-D printed elastomeric matrix. The filler material  69  may be used to channel air within the air bladders  36 B,  36 D to a valve assembly  74  which may be in communication with ambient air, or may be in communication with the inflation system  56  shown in  FIG. 2 . The valve assembly  74  is contemplated to provide air into and out of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D, such that the air moves through the valve assembly  74  in the directions as indicated by arrows  76 . Further, it is contemplated that the outer casings  64  may be porous outer casings that allows for exchange of air from the interior cavities  68  of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D to the outside atmosphere under certain pressure conditions. Thus, it is contemplated that with the air bladders  36 B,  36 D in the inflated condition shown in  FIG. 5A , air can be expelled from the air bladders  36 B,  36 D when an item applies pressure to the outer casing  64  when the outer casing  64  is a porous outer casing, such that the air bladders  36 B,  36 D can partially deflate to customize the parameters of the retaining area  46  disposed between the air bladders  36 B,  36 D for retaining the item within the receiving well  40 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , the receiving well  40  includes a sidewall  70  and a bottom wall  72 , wherein the valve assemblies  74  are disposed on the sidewall  70  for communication with the air bladders  36 B,  36 D. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , two valve assemblies  74  are shown, however, any number of valve assemblies can be used with the present concept to provide the inflation and deflation capabilities of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 5A , the outer casings  64  include abutment portions  78  which abut one another along an abutment seam  80  when the air bladders  36 B,  36 D are in the at-rest position, also known as the inflated condition. The abutment portions  78  of the outer casings  64  are configured to contact an item retained in the retaining area  46  to retain the item in the retaining area  46 , as further described below with reference to  FIG. 5B . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 5A , the filler material  69  may fill the entirety of the interior cavity  68  of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D and may also be a resilient material that is operable between expanded and compressed conditions. It is further contemplated that the filler material  69  may be biased to the expanded condition, wherein the air bladders  36 B,  36 D would be fully inflated when the filler material  69  is in the expanded condition. The filler material  69  can move from the expanded condition ( FIG. 5A ) to a compressed condition ( FIG. 5B ) as an item is received in the receiving well  40 . It is contemplated that the sensor  50  can detect an item entering the receiving well  40  to open the valve assemblies  74  via a direct link between the sensor  50  and the valve assemblies  74 , or through the controller  54  ( FIG. 2 ). With the valve assemblies  74  open, the air bladders  36 B,  36 D can expel air through the valve assemblies  74  as the item enters the receiving well  40  and as the filler material  69  moves from the expanded condition to the compressed condition. As the filler material  69  moves from the expanded condition to the compressed condition, air can be channeled out of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D through the valve assembly  74 . The valve assembly  74  can be operable between open and closed positions that could be controlled by a controller, such as controller  54  shown in  FIG. 2 , when an item is detected by the sensor  50 . When an item is removed from the receiving well  40 , the sensor  50  can detect such a movement to send a signal to open the valve assembly  74  to allow air to enter the air bladders  36 D,  36 B to move the air bladders  36 B,  36 D from the retracted position to the at-rest position shown in  FIG. 5A , as the filler material  69  moves from the compressed condition to the expanded condition. In such a system, the air bladders  36 B,  36 D do not need a separate inflation mechanism to inflate to the at-rest position from the retracted position given the internal and outwardly directed forces  69 A acting on the outer casing  64  by the filler material  69  as the filler material  69  resiliently reassumes the expanded condition from the compressed condition. The operation of the filler material  69  to bring about changes in the overall condition of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D is further described below with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , the beverage container  60  is shown inserted into the receiving well  40  of the first item holder  22 . With the beverage container  60  in the received position within the receiving well  40 , within the retaining area  46  thereof, the air bladders  36 B,  36 D have moved from the at-rest position to the retracted position. In this retracted position, the air bladders  36 B,  36 D have partially inflated under a pressure by the beverage container  60  as the beverage container  60  enters the receiving well  40 . Air expelled from the air bladders  36 B,  36 D is contemplated to be directed through the valve assemblies  74  which are contemplated to move to the open position when the sensor  50  detects the entry of the beverage container  60  into the receiving well  40 . As further shown in  FIG. 5B , the filler material  69  is in a compressed condition, wherein the filler material  69  is loaded and ready to move to the expanded position, as biased thereto, when the beverage container  60  is removed from the receiving well  40 . When the beverage container  60  is removed from the receiving well  40 , the sensor  50  will detect such a movement and open the valve assemblies  74  to allow air to enter the interior cavities  68  of the air bladders  36 B,  36 D, such that the air bladders  36 B,  36 D will move from the retracted position to the at-rest position under the outward pressure  69 A exerted by the filler material  69  on the outer casing  64  as the filler material  69  moves to the expanded position. Thus, when the beverage container  60  is removed from the receiving well  40 , the air bladders  36 B,  36 D will resume the at-rest position as shown in  FIG. 5A  without the need for a separate inflation system. In this way, air bladders  36 B,  36 D are said to be self-adjusting. When the filler material  69  is absent or not a resilient filler material, the air bladders  36 B,  36 D can be inflated using an inflation system controlled by a controller, such as the controller  54  and inflation system  56  shown in  FIG. 2 , to fill the air bladders  36 B,  36 D using the valve assemblies  74 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a third item holder  26  is shown having first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B disposed within a receiving well  40 A, wherein the receiving well  40 A includes an upper opening  42 A with a sensor  50 A disposed thereon. The first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B are shown abutting one another along an abutment seam  37 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , an item, in the form of a portable electronic device  62 , is shown received in the retaining area  46  disposed between the first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B. Thus, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B are contemplated to be in a retracted position, wherein an item  62  is retained therebetween. The third item holder  26  is configured such that the receiving well  40 A is an elongate receiving well having opposed sidewalls  70 A,  70 B. The first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B are disposed on the opposed sidewalls  70 A,  70 B, respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7A , the cross sectional view of the third item holder  26  is shown having air bladders  36 A,  36 B disposed on opposed sidewalls  70 A,  70 B of the receiving well  40 A. The opposed sidewalls  70 A,  70 B are further coupled together at bottom wall  72  of the receiving well  40 A. The first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B are shown in the inflated condition or at-rest position, wherein the first and second air bladders  36 A,  36 B abut one another along the abutment seam  37  disposed between the air bladders  36 A,  36 B. The air bladders  36 A,  36 B of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A  are shown in a fully inflated condition, yet the air bladders  36 A,  36 B do not fill the entire receiving well  40 A of the third item holder  26 . Thus, it is contemplated that the air bladders  36 A,  36 B may be configured to substantially fill the receiving well  40 A or may partially fill the receiving well  40 A when they are in the fully inflated condition. For an item holder configured such as item holder  26 , the air bladders  36 A,  36 B need only partially fill the receiving well  40 A in the inflated or at-rest position for holding an item as further described below with reference to  FIG. 7B . In a manner similar to the description above with reference to  FIG. 5A , the air bladders  36 A,  36 B include outer casings  64  having outer surfaces  66 . The outer casings  64  are configured to seal an interior cavity  68  of the air bladders  36 A,  36 B. The air bladders  36 A,  36 B further include a filler material  69  shown in a honeycomb shaped pattern which may be an elastomeric material or other polymeric material that is operable between expanded and compressed conditions. In  FIG. 7A , the material is shown in an expanded condition to which the filler material  69  is contemplated to be biased. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the air bladders  36 A,  36 B are in communication with valve assemblies  74  disposed on the opposed sidewalls  70 A,  70 B of the receiving well  40 A. The filler material  69  is contemplated to move to a compressed condition from the expanded condition shown in  FIG. 7A  when an item is received in the item holder  26 . An item entering the item holder  26  is contemplated to be detected by the sensor  50 A disposed on the upper opening  42 A of the receiving well  40 A. As specifically shown in  FIG. 7A , the sensor  50 A includes a zone of detection Z which is contemplated to detect an item being received in the receiving well  40 A of the item holder  26 . By detecting such an item entering the item holder  26 , the sensor  50 A can cause a signal to be directly sent to the valve assembly  74 , or to a controller, to open the valve assembly  74  to allow air to escape therethrough as the item imparts a force on the air bladders  36 A,  36 B. As an item imparts a force on the air bladders  36 A,  36 B, the filler material  69  will move from the expanded condition ( FIG. 7A ) to the compressed condition ( FIG. 7B ). As the filler material  69  moves to the compressed condition from the expanded condition, air is expelled from the interior cavities  68  of the air bladders  36 A,  36 B through the valve assemblies  74  in the direction as indicated by arrow  76 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7B , an item  62 , in the form of a portable electronic device, is shown received in the item holder  26  and retained between the air bladders  36 A,  36 B, along abutment portions  78  thereof. The pressure of the item  62  entering the receiving wall  40 A has caused the filler material  69  to move from the expanded condition ( FIG. 7A ) to the compressed condition ( FIG. 7B ). With the item  62  properly retained in the item holder  26 , it is contemplated that the valve assembly  74  will move to a closed position to keep the inflation level of the air bladders  36 A,  36 B in a static condition for properly maintaining the retained position of the item  62 . When the item  62  is removed from the item holder  26 , the sensor  50 A will detect this movement and send a signal to open the valve assembly  74 . With the valve assembly  74  open, the filler material  69  can move from the compressed condition ( FIG. 7B ) to the expanded condition ( FIG. 7A ) as the filler material is contemplated to be flexibly resilient and biased to the expanded condition. With the outer casings  64  providing for a sealed interior cavity  68  of the air bladders  36 A,  36 B, the expansion of the filler material  69  to the expanded condition from the compressed condition will draw air into the interior cavities  68  of the air bladders  36 A,  36 B through the open valve assembly  74 . In this way, the air bladders  36 A,  36 B are said to be self-adjusting. Further, it is contemplated that the outer casings  64  are flexible outer casings that may also be flexibly resilient. The outer casings  64  may include a rubberized material that can deflect under the pressure of an item entering a receiving well, and resiliently spring back into the at-rest shape when the item is removed. Such an outer casing may resemble a rubberized material such as that used on a racket ball. 
     Thus, the item holders  22 ,  24  and  26  of the present concept are contemplated to provide aesthetically pleasing configurations with air bladders in an at-rest position being substantially flush with an upper opening of a receiving well of the respective item holders  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The item holders are contemplated to receive any number of items that can fit within the receiving well and properly retain the same using the air bladders of the present concept. When the item is removed, the air bladders are configured to self-inflate to resume a position in which the receiving wells appear substantially full and flush with the upper opening thereof. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.