Abstract:
The present invention will provide a mobile device retention unit which combines the protective quality of a case as well as the utility of an adjustable mount onto a desk and will enhance the quality of the audio produced. Furthermore, the present invention will allow for the integration of the rising popularity of mobile devices into a school or work setting. This is accomplished by creating a case that mounts onto a desk, while allowing for an adjustable angle and easy accessibility.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/655,435, filed on Jun. 4, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a mobile device retention system, and more particularly, to an apparatus for securely retaining a mobile device which can be adjusted easily. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     A mobile device can generally be described as an apparatus capable of accessing and computing data remotely using a wireless connection. Mobile device features include making and receiving phone calls, accessing email, sending and receiving messages, downloading and executing mobile applications, GPS navigation, camera, video, and other means of manipulating data remotely. Current leaders in mobile device software include Apple IOS, Google Android, and Microsoft Windows Phone. 
     Mobile device accessories pertain to hardware or software which can be used with or attached to a device which are not integral to the primary function of the device. The most common accessory to modern mobile devices is a protective case, which can be made from a variety of different materials, depending on the desired utility. The primary function of a case is to protect the user from causing unintentional damage to their mobile device, without limiting its functionality. 
     A desk is a type of furniture, generally resembling but not limited to a table. Generally, the function of a desk is to provide the user with a raised and flat surface upon which to complete tasks. Student desks are a subclass of desks which are specifically designed for work in a classroom setting. These are typically made of wood or metal, and in some cases, the desk can be directly attached to the seat. 
     While mobile device retention units exist in the prior art, they are often limited to in functionality and personalization. Increasing display size, computational power, audio capabilities, and functionality of mobile devices as led to growth in protective cases and retention units. Therefore, a need exists for a mobile device retention system that allows for the protection, utility, and audio enhancement of a mobile device, which can also be used in a workspace, including that of a school setting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will provide a mobile device retention unit which combines the protective quality of a case as well as the utility of an adjustable mount onto a desk and will enhance the quality of the audio produced. Furthermore, the present invention will allow for the integration of the rising popularity of mobile devices into a school or work setting. This is accomplished by creating a case that mounts onto a desk, while allowing for an adjustable angle and easy accessibility. 
     The mobile device retention unit will be ideal for creating a unified classroom experience that uses the power of modern technology, essentially turning a mobile device into a temporary desktop for doing schoolwork. Other embodiments include a non-desk mounting system as well as an acoustic retention system, which removes the limitations of a classroom-only device. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the separated mobile device retention unit; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combined mobile device retention unit; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the combined mobile device retention unit with an angled mounting drawer; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mobile device retention unit with mounting drawers removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mobile device retention unit according to an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the locking panel; 
         FIG. 7  is a top cross-sectional view of the locking panel; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the mobile device retention unit and locking panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
     The present invention discloses a mobile device retention unit  10  comprising a mounting bracket  20  and a retention unit  21 . The mounting bracket  20  will generally have a ‘C’ shape having a lower arm  22  and an elongated upper arm  23 . The gap  24  formed between the lower and upper arms  22 ,  23  of the mounting bracket  20  will be designed to fit onto a desk, and attached using a mounting means  25 . In the preferred embodiment, the mounting means  25  comprises a lower magnet  26  in the lower arm  22  and an upper magnet  27  placed within the desk of opposing polarity. Other methods of attachment can include, but are not limited to, using friction or suction between the mounting bracket  20  and desk and using a magnet to attach the mounting bracket  20  to a table leg. The upper arm  23  further comprises an adjustable means for retaining the retention unit  21  and a series of grooves  28  for adjusting the height and angle of the retention unit  21 . 
     The retention unit  21  comprises a hollow wooden rectangular prism with a generally rectangular base  31 , without a top or front panel. Two mounting drawers  32 ,  33  are adapted to represent the top and front panels, each mounting drawer  32 ,  33  comprising two panels  34  connected in an L shape. The first mounting drawer  32  will slide into position to create the front face of the closed retention unit  21 . The front panel  34  of the first mounting panel  32  will be parallel to and the same size as the back panel  36  of the retention unit  21 . The top panel  37  of the mounting drawer  32  will span the full width of the retention unit  21 , but only half of the depth. A means of securing a mobile device will be included on the first mounting drawer  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the means of securing a mobile device include magnets placed on the back of the mounting panel  34  in the same polarity arrangement. 
     A second mounting drawer  33  comprises the same width and height as the first mounting drawer  32 . The first and second mounting drawers  32 ,  33  are capable of sliding in and out of the retention unit  21  from the open side  38 . The mounting drawers  32 ,  33  can be removed from the device  10  and used within the grooves  28  for an adjustable angle. Alternatively, when placed within the retention unit  21 , the device  10  will resemble a closed box. The front side  35  of the second mounting drawer  33  will have an erasable writing surface  39  for dry-erase or similar markers. The grooves  28  in the mounting bracket  21  will allow for the interchangeability of the drawers  32 ,  33 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket  21  will be 4 inches tall, 3 inches wide, with the upper arm  23  being 6 inches deep and lower arm  22  being 3 inches deep, although other suitable sizes may be used. The arms  22 ,  23  will be made of a rigid and durable material capable of resisting impact and maintaining form, such as wood, ABS plastic, metal, or an alloy. The retention unit  21  in its closed form will be 10 inches tall, 9 inches wide, and 3 inches deep, although alternative sizes may be used to conform to different mobile devices. The drawers  32 ,  33  will each have top panels  37  being 1.5 inches deep and 9 inches wide and front panels  34  being 10 inches tall, 9 inches wide. Except for the front panel  35  of the second mounting drawer  34 , all panels  34  will be made of a durable and rigid material similar to that of the arms  22 ,  23  of the mounting bracket  20 . In an alternative embodiment, sheet metal is used as the preferred material. In yet a further alternative embodiment, no magnets  26 ,  27  are used to retain the device. The front side  35  of the second mounting drawer  33  will have the inward facing side  40  made of this material, and the outward side  41  made of a dry-erase friendly material, such as a white-board  39 . 
     The mounting bracket  20  comprises a plurality of grooves  28  on the upper arm  23 , one nearer to the open front end  29 , and one at the closed back end  30 . The grooves  28  in the front  29  will be designed to comfortably fit the back edge of the top panel  34  of either mounting drawer  32 ,  33 . When the second drawer  33  is inserted, this allows for the whiteboard surface  39  to lie at a minimal angle for writing on the desk. The back grooves  30  will be designed to fit and support the bottom base  31  of the open retention unit  21 . This allows for the mounting bracket  20  to hold the retention unit  21  as a typical HUD for the mobile device. In an alternative embodiment, the grooves  28  are replaced with an alternative means of attachment which allow for easy adjusting the angle. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the mounting bracket  20  will be replaced by a mounting stand  51 , which consists of a ground unit  52  and an elongated shaft  53  with a mounting tip  54 . The ground unit  52  will be a heavy, short, and solid base to provide support for the elongated shaft  53  and attached retention unit  21 . The elongated shaft  53  will be made of a sturdy yet flexible material with its proximal end  55  fixed to the top of the center of the ground unit  52  and its distal end  56  fixed to the rear of the retention unit  21 . 
     In the above alternative embodiment, the ground unit  52  of the mounting stand  51  will be 8 inches wide, 2 inches tall, 12 inches deep, and be made of a solid wood or metal material. The elongated shaft  53  will be 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter, and made of a flexible, yet sturdy, wire metal. The mounting tip  54  will directly latch onto the bottom base  31  of the retention unit  21 , or in alternate embodiments, to the back of the retention unit  21 , and be made of the same material as the retention unit  21 . 
     In a further alternative embodiment, the retention unit  21  can be replaced by an acoustic retention unit  61 . The acoustic retention unit  61  is similar to the original retention unit  21 , with a few differences. The acoustic mounting drawer  62  will not have magnets to attach the mobile device to, but rather have carefully positioned acoustic apertures  64  to accommodate sound reverberations. The second mounting drawer will be excluded entirely, and replaced by a smaller locking panel  63  which descends from the top  65  of the acoustic retention unit  61  to mount and lock the mobile device. Centered on the front face  66  of the locking panel  63  will be a knob  67  for easily locking a mobile device in position. On the bottom panel  68  of the acoustic retention unit  61 , a series of auxiliary apertures  69  are positioned to allow power and auxiliary wires to engage with the mobile device. The top of the acoustic retention unit  61  will be hinged to the back panel of the acoustic retention unit  61 , wherein the top will open, permitting the mobile device to slide within the acoustic retention unit  61  and be secured by the locking panel  63 . The acoustic apertures can also be applied to the first embodiment. 
     The grooves for the original mounting drawer  22 ,  23  will be absent, leaving only the inner drawer grooves  70 , which will be the default location for the acoustic mounting drawer  62 . The locking panel  63  will slide down from the open top of the retention unit along the front face  66  of the acoustic retention unit  61  and come to rest on the top of the mobile device. The locking panel  63  will span the full width of the front panel of the acoustic retention unit  61 , having a 1 inch height and a 0.5 inch depth, and be made of the same materials as the rest of the acoustic retention unit  61 . In an alternative embodiment, the locking panel  63  will further comprise a diamond-shaped knob on opposing ends of the panel, such that when the locking panel is forced downward to secure the mobile device in place, the diamond shape of the knobs within the side grooves will secure the device in position. In other words, this rotational event will cause the device to lock in a secure position, preventing it to shake loose, even when upside-down. Alternatively, the drawer grooves  70  will seat the mobile device (with no mounting drawer  62 ) and the locking panel  63  will secure the mobile device with a knob, using friction. 
     In yet a further alternative embodiment, the locking panel  63  will comprise a hollow elongated rectangular shaft ( FIG. 6 ) having opposing spring-loaded release handles. The handles are attached to opposing rubber supports, wherein a spring or other compression system provides opposing force, causing each rubber support to protrude from either end of the elongated shaft. To release the rubber supports, the handles will be compressed together, preferably with a thumb and index finger, while the locking panel is adjusted. The elongated shaft will be made from a lightweight, sturdy material, such as aluminum, plastic, or sheet metal. A plurality of magnets may be included in the locking arm for use with attracting the sheet metal layer directly beneath a thin sheet of plastic or wood veneer on the top of the surface for additional security. 
     While the above description contains specific details regarding certain elements, sizes, and other teachings, it is understood that embodiments of the invention or any combination of them may be practiced without these specific details. These details should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but merely as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments. In other instances, well known structures, elements, and techniques have not been shown to clearly explain the details of the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.