Patent Publication Number: US-11034309-B2

Title: Heavy duty magnet mount

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/805,657, filed Jul. 22, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/027,856, filed on Jul. 23, 2014, hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Disclosed is a magnetic mount for an electronic device, such as a cellular/portable telephone, tablet, book reader, GPS, or the like. 
     Mounts for electronic devices are known. Some mounts use magnets within the mount, and a separate ferromagnetic plate or other element that attaches to an external part of the electronic device, for example, the back of the device. When the device is placed in the vicinity of the mount with the ferromagnetic plate facing the magnet, the magnetic field of the magnet attracts the ferromagnetic plate and the device attached to the ferromagnetic plate is held to the magnet, and therefore to the mount. 
     Alternatively, some mounts for electronic devices use cradles that may include side supports and bottom supports, so that the device may be rested on or in fact clamped or otherwise held to the mount by some combination of support arms or legs. 
     Mounts such as those described above have disadvantages. For example, with the increasing size and weight of electronic devices, cradle style mounts may not have sufficient clamping ability to maintain an electronic device on or in the mount, such as during cornering, acceleration, or deceleration of a vehicle in which the mount is used, or such as on rough roads or other terrain where the vehicle may bounce or lurch. 
     Similarly, a magnet and a ferromagnetic plate alone may not be enough to maintain an electronic device on the mount. Still further, magnetic style mounts place a ferromagnetic plate on an exterior of the device, and to use the device without the mount, the ferromagnetic plate is exposed. Users typically do not wish to have an exposed ferromagnetic plate, which many consider to be distracting or unsightly. Also, many users of electronic devices such as those described use cases or other coverings for their electronic devices, and do not wish to place a ferromagnetic plate on those cases or coverings, either. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a mount for an electronic device includes a ferromagnetic element securable to the electronic device, a mount body. The mount body includes a face plate and at least one leg, the magnet secured in the face plate, and the at least one leg movable from a stored position to a support position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, amount for an electronic device includes a mount body having a housing having a face, a magnet disposed within the housing, and at least one leg extension movable between a stored position and a support position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a mount for an electronic device includes a housing having a front plate and a back plate coupled together, a mount face coupled to the front plate, the mount face having an opening therein, a magnet in the housing, positioned in the opening of the mount face, and an extendible, foldable leg coupled to and extendible from the housing, wherein the leg is extendible substantially parallel to the mount face, and foldable at a distal position to the housing from a first position substantially coplanar with the mount face to a second position substantially perpendicular to the mount face. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of mounting an electronic device to a mount body includes mounting a ferromagnetic element to or within the electronic device to assist in removably retaining the electronic device to a mount body, providing a mount body having a magnet and adjustable legs movable from a stored position to a support position, and removably retaining the electronic device to the mount body using the magnet and ferromagnetic element, and/or the adjustable legs. 
     Other aspects of the present disclosure may be combined with one or more of the preceding aspects, and include magnet being covered by a magnet cover; the magnet, magnet cover, and legs being positioned and/or mounted within a mount body case; the legs being adjustably extendible from the mount body; a ferromagnetic element mountable to the electronic device; the extendible, foldable leg including a pair of leg extensions rotatably mounted to the leg, the pair of leg extensions rotatable between the first position and the second position; and the extendible, foldable leg including a leg body extendible from the housing substantially coplanar to the mount face, and a leg extension rotatably coupled to the leg body, the leg extension rotatable from the first position and the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mount body for an electronic device; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the mount body of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the mount body of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a vent base for the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the vent base of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the vent base of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the vent base of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a mount body such as the mount of  FIG. 1  and its connection to a vent base; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a dash base; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of the dash base of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the dash base of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the dash base of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a mount body such as the mount of  FIG. 1  and its connection to a dash base; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of an electronic device with a ferromagnetic plate and an optional case; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a ferromagnetic plate placement inside a cover of an electronic device; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a mount body and vent base secured to a vent; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a mount body and dash base; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a mount body with legs in their supporting position and extended. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mount for an electronic device with a hidden ferromagnetic element, a magnetic base, and foldable, optional legs for further support. 
     Static magnetic field strength decreases roughly exponentially as a function of distance from a magnet. Magnetic fields are affected by interfering objects and/or material between the magnet and a ferromagnetic element. Because of this, placement of ferromagnetic plates inside electronic devices, such as inside a back cover of a device, or between a device and a case, can severely decrease the effectiveness of magnetic mounts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a mount body  100  for mounting an electronic device thereto is shown. An electronic device can include, by way of example only and not by way of limitation, a portable telephone, such as a cellular or satellite telephone, a tablet, music player, book reader, global positioning satellite (GPS) device, or the like. Mount body  100  has a mount face (or face plate)  102 , legs  104 , a magnet cover  106 , and further comprises a front plate  108  and a back plate  110  that may be removably or permanently fastened together by any number of fasteners or fastening methods, including, by way of example only and not by way of limitation, screws, nuts and bolts, glue, snap-fittings, or the like. Legs  104  in one embodiment are rotatably mounted to front plate  108 , to pivot about an axis identified at line  116 . Legs  104  are shown as a single leg with two leg extensions in  FIG. 4 . It should be understood that legs  104  may comprise a single molded piece with two leg extensions, or alternatively, individually rotatable leg extensions  104 A and  104 B. A socket  118  is formed with or attached to back plate  110 , for receiving a ball of a base (described later herein). 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , an exploded view of a mount body  100  is shown. Legs  104  are shown in  FIG. 4  as extendible from a bottom  122  of front plate  108 . Legs  104  are rotatable from a stored position as shown in  FIG. 1 , where individual legs  104 A and  104 B, in one embodiment formed in a unitary body rotatable together, but in another embodiment individually rotatable, are rotatable to a supporting position as shown in  FIGS. 4, 17, and 18 . In the stored position, individual legs  104 A and  104 B fold flush to front plate  108  into openings  124 A and  124 B, respectively, and are in the stored position substantially coplanar with the face plate  102 . In the support position, the legs extend substantially normal to the face plate  102 . 
     A leg extension assembly (or leg base)  114  allows for the extension of legs  104  as is shown in  FIG. 4 . Leg extension assembly  114  is known in the art and will not be described further herein. 
     Mount body  100  includes a magnet, in one embodiment a rare earth magnet,  112 , which is disposed at least partially in opening  120  of front plate  108 , and secured therein by magnet cover  106  and suitable fasteners and/or guides on one or both of front plate  108  and back plate  110 . Mount face  102  is secured to front plate  108 , such as by tabs  126  that engage corresponding slots  128  in front plate  108 , or by other suitable mechanisms that will be apparent to one of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , a vent base  200  is shown. Vent base  200  comprises, in one embodiment, a ball  202  for engaging a socket such as socket  118  of mount body  100 , at least one clip  204  for removable attachment of the vent base  200  to a vent such as an air vent of a vehicle, and a brace  206  for support of the vent base when the clip  204  is removably attached to a vent. As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , two clips  204  are used, although more or fewer clips  204  may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Ball  202  and clip(s)  204  extend from a vent base body  210 , in one embodiment on opposite sides thereof. A cord management clip  208 , for temporary restraint of a cord such as a cord of an electronic device placed on the mount body  100 , is provided at a top of the vent base body  210 , although other placements of a cord management clip, including on the mount body, are contemplated without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Brace  206  is, in one embodiment, rotatably mounted to vent base body  210  using an axle  212  that snap fits into fastening clips  214  of vent base body  210 . Multiple fastening clips  214  are provided in one embodiment. While the orientation of clips  204  and brace  206  are shown substantially horizontally in  FIGS. 5-8 , it should be understood that the clips  204  and brace  206  may, in other embodiments, be oriented substantially perpendicular to the orientation shown, so as to be mountable in a vent with a different orientation of slats or openings. Further, clips  204  and brace  206  may be oriented perpendicular to one another, and in some embodiments, fastening clips  214  may be provided on one vent base body  210  that are substantially perpendicular to one another, to allow modular orientation of the brace  206 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an assembly of a mount body  100  to a vent base  200 , in which ball  202  of vent base  200  engages socket  118  of mount body  100 , allowing a secure yet movable connection between the mount body  100  and the vent base  200 . A threaded cap  300  engages threads on the socket  118  to more securely mount mount body  100  to vent base  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-13 , a dash base  400  is shown. Dash base  400  may be used to mount to a dashboard of a vehicle, or to another smooth surface such as a window or windshield, or the like. Dash base  400  comprises, in one embodiment a ball  402  for engaging a socket such as socket  118  of mount body  100 , a dash base body  404 , and a suction pad  406 . A suction/vacuum mounting assembly (not shown) allows removable mounting of the dash base  400 . Such an assembly is known in the art, and will not be described further herein, except to note that any suction type mounting system is amenable to use with the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Ball  402  extends in one embodiment on a ball mount extension  410 . Ball mount extension  410  also includes, in one embodiment, a cord management clip  408 , for temporary restraint of a cord such as a cord of an electronic device placed on the mount body  100 . Cord management clip  408  is shown at a bottom of the ball mount extension  410 , although other placements of a cord management clip, including on the mount body, are contemplated without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 14  shows an assembly of a mount body  100  to a dash base  400 , in which ball  402  of dash base  400  engages socket  118  of mount body  100 , allowing a secure yet movable connection between the mount body  100  and the dash base  400 . A threaded cap  300  engages threads on the socket  118  to more securely mount mount body  100  to dash base  400 . 
     An electronic device  500  is shown in perspective in  FIG. 15 , with a ferromagnetic plate  502  secured thereon. The ferromagnetic plate  502  is also shown not secured to the device  500 . A device case  504  is also shown. Device case  504  may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure to cover ferromagnetic plate  502  so that it cannot be seen when a user is using their device  500 . The case  504  being situated between the ferromagnetic plate  502  and a magnet such as magnet  112  of mount body  100 , reduces the amount of magnetic force between the mount body  100  and the ferromagnetic plate  502 . An electronic device  600  is shown in  FIG. 16 . In contrast to the electronic device  500  shown in  FIG. 15 , electronic device  600  has a removable back, and is comprised in part of a back plate  602  and a front plate  604 . When back plate  602  is removed a ferromagnetic plate such as plate  502  may be inserted into an interior of electronic device  600 , such as by securing plate  502  to an inner surface of back plate  604 . The device  600  is re-assembled. The back plate  602  being situated between the ferromagnetic plate  502  and a magnet such as magnet  112  of mount body  100 , reduces the amount of magnetic force between the mount body  100  and the ferromagnetic plate  502 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show, respectively, a mounting process for mounting a device such as device  500  to a mount body  100 , with  FIG. 17  showing a vent base  200  for the mount body  100 , and  FIG. 18  showing a dash base  400  for the mount body  100 . It should be understood that a device such as device  600  is mountable to the mount body in the same way as device  500  is mounted to the mount body. 
     In each of  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a device  500  having a case  504 , and a ferromagnetic plate  502  (not shown) is brought near to mount body  100 , such as along a path like arrow  700 , and the magnet  112  behind magnet cover  106  exerts a magnetic force on ferromagnetic plate  502  to assist in holding the device  500  to the mount body  100 . As the magnet is further away from the ferromagnetic plate, and as there is intervening material (the case, or in device  600 , the back plate  604 ) which attenuates the attraction between the plate  502  and the magnet  112 , large devices or heavy devices may not be held with sufficient magnetic force to the mount body. If the device, such as device  500  or  600 , is too large for support by the magnet and ferromagnetic plate alone, foldable, extendible legs  104  may be moved in such a configuration from their stored position to their supporting position, the movement indicated by arrows  702 , and also may be extended using leg extension assembly  114 . 
     Although only legs  104  are shown, it should be understood that additional supports such as lateral supports may be added to the mount body without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     In combination, embodiments of the present disclosure may include a mount body such as mount body  100 , a ferromagnetic element such as plate  502 , together and/or in with one or more of a vent base and a dash base as described herein. 
     In operation, mounting an electronic device such as a device  500  or  600  to a mount body is accomplished as follows. A ferromagnetic plate such as plate  502  is attached to an electronic device, or is sandwiched between a back of an electronic device and a case for the device, or is inserted into an interior of the electronic device, such as inside a rear cover of the device. The electronic device is brought into proximity with a body mount such as mount body  100 , and a magnet of the mount body attracts the ferromagnetic plate. Legs, such as legs  104  on mount body  100 , may be moved from their stored position to their supporting position, and adjusted with leg extension device to properly place the ferromagnetic plate in the closest proximity to the magnet, or to support the electronic device in a desired position, providing additional support to the electronic device. 
     It should be understood that some electronic devices have metallic or ferromagnetic back covers already. In such devices, a mount body such as mount body  100  may be used without the ferromagnetic plate  502 , providing magnetic force between its magnet and the metallic cover of the device, along with additional support from legs such as legs  104 . Also, a ferromagnetic plate such as plate  502  may be used as well.