Patent Publication Number: US-2012025036-A1

Title: Holding apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application claiming only subject matter disclosed in prior application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/905,160 filed on Oct. 15, 2010 directed to 35 USC 120. The contents of all of which are incorporated herein their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a holding apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a holding apparatus having adjustable clamps that is adaptable to hold objects of different sizes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the advancement of modern information technology (IT), devices having display screens have become a norm of modern electronic design. Moreover, improvement in display screen technology facilitates the replacement of traditional heavy cathode ray tube (CRT) displays with light weight and small dimension liquid crystal displays (LCD), enabling the wide spread of mobile Electronics having information displaying screens. 
     The display screens may be configured to effectively present visual data to users; the addition of touch panels further improve the market value of the display screens. Users can directly point the screen to input his/her commands to control the devices. 
     Although the miniature size of modern electronic devices may enhance the portability and operational flexibility, there are still occasions preferably require the portable devices being mounted for ease of operation, for example, mounting a mobile phone on a support unit on the dash board in a car while driving. However, mobile electronic devices come in various sizes and shapes. It is practically challenging to provide a support unit capable of being “one holder fits all.” Most traditional holding stands are designed specifically to fit certain type and make of electronic devices, therefore have somewhat restricted adaptability, only suitable for one kind of product; in other words, the traditional stand can not be used to hold the various products due to the size variation. Currently, user emplaces the mobile device on the traditional stand so that he/she can watch the display screen or control the device by hands. 
     The instant disclosure provides an adaptable holding apparatus to address this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One particular aspect of the present invention is to provide a holding apparatus having movable and slidable clamping members adaptable for holding objects of various dimensions. The holding apparatus is particularly suitable for holding the objects of different sizes, such as various portable electronic devices. 
     The holding apparatus comprises a main body, a longitudinal clamping member, and a second and a third clamping members. The main body has a longitudinal positioning pillar and a pair of transverse positioning pillars. The first clamping member has a first guiding-groove and at least a pair of slanted sliding-tracks slidably disposed on and longitudinally slidable with respect to the main body. The first guiding-groove of the first clamping member corresponds to the longitudinal positioning pillar of the main body, and the pair of slanted sliding-tracks are arranged substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal clamping member. The pair of transverse clamping members are substantially symmetrical to each other and slidably disposed on the lateral sides of the main body. Each transverse clamping member has a transverse sliding-track and at least one sliding element. The transverse sliding-track of each transverse clamping member respectively corresponds to the transverse positioning pillars of the main body, and the at least one sliding element of each transverse clamping member is slidably coupled to the slanted sliding-track of the longitudinal clamping member. 
     The slanted tracks on the first clamping member are arranged in such a way that when the transverse clamping members slide toward each other, the sliding members thereof causing the first clamping member to slide downward or upward with respect to the main body. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a holding apparatus which can be assembled with different stands, such as base, suction disks, suspension arms or frames so as to improve the application of the holding apparatus. 
     The present invention has the following characteristics. By sliding the longitudinal clamping member, the second clamping member and the third clamping member are simultaneously driven to move in reversed directions (i.e., toward or away from each other). Therefore, the holding apparatus can be used to hold devices with different dimensions. 
     For further understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description illustrating the embodiments and examples of the present invention. The description is for illustrative purpose only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claim. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the holding apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is another perspective view of the holding apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1C  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of the holding apparatus of the present invention when no object clamped thereon; 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded perspective view of the holding apparatus of the present invention when an object clamped thereon; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the holding apparatus assembled on a supporting base and the angle adjustment of the holding apparatus in one axis; and 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the holding apparatus assembled on a supporting base and the angle adjustment of the holding apparatus in another axis. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides a holding apparatus that is used to hold an object, such as electronic products, including mobile communication devices or electronic books. The holding apparatus is adjustable so that it can be applied to devices of different volumes and sizes. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The holding apparatus  1  comprises a main body  10 , a first clamping member  11 , a second and a third clamping members  12  and  13 . The main body  10  may be a casing constructed by a front cover  101  and a rear cover  102 , and the main body  10  has a receiving room formed between the front cover  101  and the rear cover  102 . The first clamping member  11  and the second and the third clamping members  12 ,  13  are accommodated in the receiving room of the main body  10  and extend out of the main body  10 . In one embodiment, such as shown in  FIG. 2A , the main body  10  has a first positioning pillar  103 , a second positioning pillar  104  and a third positioning pillar  105  thereinside. The positioning pillars  103 ,  104 ,  105  are used to limit the sliding length of the clamping members  11 ,  12 ,  13  and to provide supporting strength for the clamping members  11 ,  12 ,  13 . 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; the first clamping member  11  is movably assembled on the main body  10 . In the instant embodiment, the first clamping member  11  has a first guiding-groove  111  corresponding to the first positioning pillar  103 . The first clamping member  11  can slide in the longitudinal direction by the first guiding-groove  111  and the first positioning pillar  103 . For example, when the first positioning pillar  103  abuts against the lower end of the first guiding-groove  111 , the first clamping member  11  is located at a first position, i.e., an upper position, as shown in  FIG. 2A . Alternatively, when the first positioning pillar  103  abuts against the upper end of the first guiding-groove  111 , the first clamping member  11  is located at a second position, i.e., a lower position, as shown in  FIG. 2B . However, the invention is not restricted by the usage of pillar and track; the similar slidable means can be used for sliding the first clamping member  11  between the first and the second positions. 
     Furthermore, the first clamping member  11  has at least one pair of slanted sliding-track  112  and  113 . In the present embodiment, the first slanted sliding-track  112  and the second slanted sliding-track  113  are used to simultaneously drive the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  when the first clamping member  11  slides between the first and the second positions. In the instant embodiment, the first slanted sliding-track  112  and the second slanted sliding-track  113  are arranged as an inverted “V” shape, but the two slanted sliding-tracks  112 ,  113  are not connected to each other. As shown in  FIG. 1C , the first clamping member  11  has two first slanted sliding-tracks  112  and two second slanted sliding-tracks  113  thereon. 
     The second clamping member  12  is movably assembled on the main body  10 . In the instant embodiment, the second clamping member  12  has a second guiding-groove  121  corresponding to the second positioning pillar  104 . Therefore, the second clamping member  12  can slide in the transversal direction by the second guiding-groove  121  and the second positioning pillar  104 . On the other hand, the second clamping member  12  has at least one first sliding element  122  slidably connected to the first slanted sliding-track  112 . In the embodiment, the second clamping member  12  has two first sliding elements  122  which respectively connected to the first slanted sliding-tracks  112  of the first clamping member  11 . 
     Similar with the second clamping member  12 , the third clamping member  13  is movably assembled on the main body  10 . In the instant embodiment, the third clamping member  13  has a third guiding-groove  131  corresponding to the third positioning pillar  105 . Therefore, the third clamping member  13  can slide in the transversal direction by the third guiding-groove  131  and the third positioning pillar  105 . On the other hand, the third clamping member  13  has at least one second sliding element  132  slidably connected to the second slanted sliding-track  113 . In the embodiment, the third clamping member  13  has two second sliding elements  132  which respectively connected to the second slanted sliding-tracks  113  of the first clamping member  11 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 2A ; while the first clamping member  11  is shown on the first position, the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  are away from each other for forming a releasing position. As shown in  FIG. 2B , when an object is put on the holding apparatus  1 , the first clamping member  11  slides downward due to the weight of the object and then achieves the second position. While the first clamping member  11  is sliding downward, the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  simultaneously move toward each other because of the coordination of the first sliding element  122  and the first slanted sliding-track  112 , and the coordination of the second sliding element  132  and the second slanted sliding-track  113 . In other words, the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  moves toward the main body  10  so that the transversal clamping members  12 ,  13  are located at a clamping position for clamping the inserted object. The width between the transversal clamping members  12 ,  13  at the clamping position is adjusted depending on the width of the inserted object. 
     On the other hand, when a user wants to take the object away from the holding apparatus, the user can force on the first clamping member  11  at the second position so that the first clamping member  11  slides upward. While the first clamping member  11  is sliding upward, the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  simultaneously move away from each other because of the coordination of the first sliding element  122  and the first slanted sliding-track  112 , and the coordination of the second sliding element  132  and the second slanted sliding-track  113 . In other words, the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  moves outward the main body  10  so that the transversal clamping members  12 ,  13  move back to the release position for releasing the inserted object. 
     Therefore, the holding apparatus  1  of the present invention is applied to objects with different sizes. In the instant embodiment, when an object is put on the holding apparatus  1 , the first clamping member  11  slides downward and the transversal clamping members  12 ,  13  move respectively rightward and leftward so as to clamp the object. Alternatively, by forcing on the first clamping member  11  of the holding apparatus  1 , the first clamping member  11  slides upward and the transversal clamping members  12 ,  13  move respectively leftward and rightward so as to release the object. 
     Moreover, the holding apparatus  1  further has a switch  14  (i.e., safety mechanism) disposed on the main body  10  and the switch  14  can be pulled so as to fix or release the movement of the first clamping member  11 . In the instant embodiment, the switch  14  is pivoted on the main body  10 . The main body  10  has a plurality of convex ribs  1022 , and the switch  14  has protrusions  141  corresponding to the convex ribs  1022 . For example, the switch  14  is rotatably pivoted on the pivoting pillar  1021  on the rear cover  102 . The convex ribs  1022  of the rear cover  102  are formed and located at two sides of the pivoting pillar  1021 . The protrusions  141  of the switch  14  preferably have slanted surfaces. When an object is clamped by the first clamping member  11  and the second and third clamping members  12 ,  13 , the switch  14  is pulled so that the protrusions  141  of the switch  14  are climbing on the convex ribs  1022  along the slanted surfaces. Thus, the thickness of the protrusions  141  and the convex ribs  1022  are used to limit the movement of the first clamping member  11 . In other words, the position of the object can be fixed because the position of the first clamping member  11  is limited by pulling the switch  14 . Alternatively, the switch  14  can be released so that the protrusions  141  and the convex ribs  1022  are arranged in a un-function position (i.e., the protrusions  141  are not positioned on the convex ribs  1022 ). Meanwhile, the first clamping member  11  can freely slide downward or upward. In practice, user can pull the switch  14  to lock the position of the first clamping member  11  (also the position of the inserted object). After releasing the switch  14 , the first clamping member  11  can freely slide upward by force so that the user can take the object away from the holding apparatus  1 . 
     For improving the clamping or holding effect, the end of the first clamping member  11  can be formed as a clamping portion  114 , and/or the end of the second clamping member  12  can be formed as a clamping portion  123 , and/or the end of the second transversal clamping member  13  can be formed as a clamping portion  133 . In other words, the ends of first clamping member  11 , the second clamping member  12  and the third clamping member  13  are respectively or selectively formed as a clamping portion. In the embodiment, the clamping portion  114 ,  123 ,  133  can have a plurality of bent arms for clamping the object with enhanced strength. Furthermore, a protection piece  15  is disposed on the bent arms, for example, the bent arms are covered with elastic sheaths of silicon material for preventing the object from scratch. 
     Furthermore, for applying the connector to the object clamped on the holding apparatus  1 , such as power-supply connector, data-transmission connector, or electrical cards, at least one of the ends of the clamping members  11 ,  12 ,  13  has terminal insertion portion. In the embodiment, the end of the second clamping member  12  has a slot  16  formed between the two bent arms to expose the connection socket of the electronic object so that the external connector can be contact the connection socket of the electronic object. However, the position, shape, or amounts of the slot  16  are not restricted thereby. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B; the holding apparatus  1  of the present invention can be coupled to a supporting base  20 . In the embodiment, the supporting base  20  is assembled with the main body  10 , for example, the rear cover  102  of the main body  10 . Moreover, a pivoting member  21  may be connected between the main body  10  and the supporting base  20 . Thus, the object clamped on the holding apparatus  1  can be adjusted in multi directions, for example, the display screen of a clamped electronic device can be adjusted to a comfortable view state for the user (adjustment in two axes are shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B). Please note that the supporting base  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B is an extemporary base, and the supporting base  20  may be a supporting stand, a base with suction disks, a base of suspension arms, or a supporting frame. 
     The present invention has the following characteristics. 
     1. The holding apparatus utilizes the movement of the first clamping member to simultaneously drive the relative slides of the second clamping member and the third clamping member. Thus, the three clamping members can be used to clamp and hold devices of different sizes. 
     2. The holding apparatus can be assembled with different stands so as to be used in various applications for clamping and holding objects. Particularly, it is convenient for users to watch or reading the electronic devices. 
     The description above only illustrates specific embodiments and examples of the present invention. The present invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the present invention, provided they fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following appended claims.