Patent Publication Number: US-2016236626-A1

Title: System and Method for Mounting a Cell Phone or Similar Item in a Vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to systems and methods used to mount cell phones and other handheld electronic devices in a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods that retain the cell phone or similar device in a fixed position using a magnetic connection. 
     2. Prior Art Description 
     Many people use cell phones or other handheld electronic devices as they drive. For instance, many people utilize their cell phone as a GPS guidance system. Still other people use their cell phones as MP3 music players. Many people simply use their cell phones as phones. Regardless of its intended use, a driver of a vehicle often has need to mount his/her cell phone within the confines of the car in a position that can be readily seen and accessed by the driver. 
     The prior art is replete with mounting devices that are intended to hold a handheld electronic device in a vehicle. Many of these mounts include a base that is adhesively mounted to the dashboard of the vehicle. The mount is adapted to receive a cell phone or similar device with a clamp or magnet. Such prior art is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,807 to Tarulli, entitled Universal Magnet Stand For Cell Phones. 
     The primary problem with such prior art mounting systems is that the base of the mounting system is stuck to the surface of the vehicle dashboard with adhesive. This can cause damage to the dashboard of the vehicle. Furthermore, it prevents the mounting system from being easily removed from one vehicle and placed into another. 
     Other prior art system utilize suction cup mounts that attach directly to the glass of the windshield in a vehicle. Such mounts inevitably lose suction and disconnect from the windshield. This often happens while the vehicle is in motion and the driver must concentrate on driving. The fall from the windshield can damage the electronic device that was supported. Furthermore, the fall of the electronic device can distract the driver and/or create an obstacle at the driver&#39;s feet. In either case, a driving hazard is created. Furthermore, suction cup mounts leave telltale rings on the windshield that inform thieves of the potential presence of a valuable GPS or cell phone inside the vehicle. 
     Mounting systems also exist that can attach various items to the rearview mirror of a vehicle. Such prior art is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 7,695,148 to Davis, entitled Rear View Mirror GPS Holder and U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,188 to Keller, entitled Device For Connecting A Placecard To The Rearview Mirror Of A Motor Vehicle And Method Of Use. The problem with such systems is that they are not designed to hold relatively heavy objects, such as a modern smart phone. Furthermore, such prior art mounting systems hold phones in pockets or trays where the screen of the cell phone is partially obscured and the controls of the phone are difficult to access while driving. 
     A need therefore exists for a system and method of mounting a cell phone or other handheld electronic device to a rearview mirror in a manner that avoids the inherent problems of the prior art. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a mounting system that is used to mount a handheld electronic device, such as a smart phone, to the rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle or similar mounting point. A hanger is provided. The hanger has a mounting structure that engages the rearview mirror assembly and enables the hanger to hang suspended under the rearview mirror assembly. The hanger supports at least one magnet. 
     A metal plate is affixed to the handheld electronic device or to any protective case that surrounds the handheld electronic device. When the handheld electronic device is brought into close proximity of the hanger, the magnet attracts to the metal plate and creates a magnetic connection. The magnetic connection attaches the handheld electronic device to the hanger under the rearview mirror assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of mounting system shown in conjunction with a rearview mirror assembly and a handheld electronic device; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Although the present invention mounting system can be embodied in many ways, only a few embodiments are illustrated. The embodiments are selected for the purposes of description and explanation and present the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , a mounting system  10  is shown that is used to mount a handheld electronic device  12  to a rearview mirror assembly  14  in a vehicle. In the shown embodiment, the handheld electronic device  12  is configured as a cell phone. However, the handheld electronic device  12  can be a GPS unit, a small tablet computer, an MP3 player or the like. Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, the handheld electronic display  12  is held in a protective case  16  that covers the back and sides of the handheld electronic device  12 . The use of a protective case  16  is not required, as will later be explained. The protective case  16  is shown merely because many people carry their cell phones in such protective cases. 
     A ferro-magnetic plate  20 , such as a section of steel sheet metal, is provided. The plate  20  preferably has rounded edges, so as not to scratch or cut any object it rubs against. The plate  20  is interposed between the handheld electronic device  12  and its protective case  16 . Depending upon the snugness of the protective case  16 , or lack thereof, the plate  20  can be set into a fixed position with adhesive. If a person does not use a protective case  16  on his/her handheld electronic device  12 , the plate  20  can be adhesively affixed to the back of the handheld electronic device  12 . Similarly, if a person uses a protective case  16  with tolerances that prevent the plate  20  from being placed under the protective case  16 , then the plate  20  can be adhesively affixed to the exterior of the protective case  16 . It will further be understood that specialized protective cases can be made where the plate  20  is integrated into the structure of the protective case  16 . 
     A hanger  22  is provided. The hanger  22  has a top first end  24  and a bottom second end  26 . A mounting structure  28  is formed in the hanger  22 , proximate its first end  24 . The mounting structure  28  enables the hanger  22  to engage the rearview mirror assembly  14  within a vehicle. Once engaged with the rearview mirror assembly  14 , the hanger  22  hangs from the rearview mirror assembly  14  so that the second end  26  of the hanger  22  is suspended below the rearview mirror assembly  14 . 
     A magnet  30  is anchored to the hanger  22  proximate the second end  26  of the hanger  22 . The magnet  30  is strong enough to attach and retain the plate  20  that is inside the protective case  16  of the handheld electronic device  12 . Accordingly, when the handheld electronic device  12  is brought into close proximity of the hanger  22 , the magnet  30  on the hanger  22  attracts the plate  20  behind or inside the protective case  16 . This attaches the handheld electronic device  12  to the hanger  22 . The magnetic attachment is strong enough to support the full weight of the handheld electronic device  12 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 2 , the handheld electronic device  12  is suspended from the rearview mirror assembly  14  by the hanger  22 . The handheld electronic device  12  is attached to the hanger  22  only by a magnetic connection. As such, the handheld electronic device  12  can be easily detached from the hanger  22  by merely pulling or sliding the handheld electronic device  12  away from the hanger  22 . Once detached, the handheld electronic device  12  can be readily reattached to the hanger  22  by simply bringing it into close contact with the hanger  22 . Once close to the hanger  22 , the magnet  30  will automatically attach to the protective case  16  of the handheld electronic device  12  atop the ferro-magnetic plate  20 . 
     Many vehicles have a rearview mirror assembly  14  that is mounted high on the windshield so as not to be an impediment to viewing the road. The hanger  22  is elongated so as to support the handheld electronic device  12  below the primary line of sight. Furthermore, a window  32  is formed through the hanger  22 . The window greatly reduces the area of the windshield that is obstructed by the hanger  22 . As such, the driver can see through the window  32  and observe the road behind the hanger  22 . 
     The hanger  22  is preferably made of plastic or cut from laminations of plastic. As such, the hanger  22  is lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive to produce. The mounting structure  28  at the first end  24  of the hanger  22  can have many forms. In the shown embodiment, the mounting structure  28  has two hook elements  34  that pass over the rearview mirror assembly  14  on either side of the support neck  36  for the rearview mirror assembly  14 . The use of two hook elements  34  in such a configuration helps inhibit the hanger  22  from swaying in the vehicle as the vehicle moves and turns. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment of the mounting system  40  is shown. In this embodiment, the hanger  41  is provided with a hangtag loop  42  at its first end. The hangtag loop  42  passes around the support neck of the rearview mirror assembly. The hangtag loop  42  can have flat edges  44  to inhibit the swaying of the hanger  41 . A plurality of smaller magnets  48  are anchored to the hanger  41  at various points. 
     Ferro-magnetic plates  45  are provided that have peel-away adhesive backings  47 . The plates  45  are attached to the rear of the handheld electronic device  12  or any protective case that covers the handheld electronic device  12 . The handheld electronic device  12  is placed against the hanger  41 , where it is engaged by the magnets  48 . Since multiple magnets  48  are being used, smaller, less expensive magnets  48  can be used. Likewise, smaller metal plates  45  can be affixed to the handheld electronic device  12  or any protective case  16  that shields the handheld electronic device  12 . This will avoid any problems that may be caused in signal reception by a larger metal plate. The smaller metal plates  45  also provide more versatility to mount around features of the handheld electronic device, such as rearwardly facing camera lenses. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the mounting system  50  is shown. This embodiment is the smallest and the least expensive to manufacture. In this embodiment, the hanger  51  is provided with a hangtag loop  52  at its first end. The hangtag loop  52  passes around the support neck of the rearview mirror assembly. The hangtag loop  52  can have flat edges  54  to inhibit the swaying of the hanger  51 . In this embodiment, the bottom second end  55  of the hanger  51  is curved. This forms a small protruding ledge  56 . A small magnet  58  is anchored to the hanger  51  at some point above the ledge  56 . 
     A ferro-magnetic plate  59  is provided with a peel-away adhesive backing  57 . The plate  59  is attached to the handheld electronic device  12 . The handheld electronic device  12  is placed against the hanger  51  and rests upon the small protruding ledge  56 . The small protruding ledge  56  supports most of the weight of the handheld electronic device  12 . Accordingly, the magnet  58  need only be strong enough to prevent the handheld electronic device  12  from falling away from the hanger  51 . The magnet  58  need not be strong enough to support the full weight of the handheld electronic device  12 . Consequently, a small, inexpensive magnet  58  can be used. Likewise, a smaller metal plate  59  can be affixed to the handheld electronic device  12  or any protective case that shields the handheld electronic device  12 . 
     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. Furthermore, features from the different embodiments can be mixed and matched in other embodiments. For instance, the curved ledge in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  can be added to the embodiments of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.