PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7505583-B2
Application Number: US-6939105-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device holder

Abstract:
An apparatus that can secure an electronic device and be inserted into a conventional cup holder is described. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. The electronic device being held can be a variety of devices that include a digital music player. One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which connecting cable can be wound. Adapting sleeves that fit around the base of the apparatus can be used to adapt electronic device holder to cup holders of different sizes and shapes.

Claims:
1. An electronic device holder suitable for securely holding an electronic device and for managing at least a portion of a cable used to connect an electronic device to an external electrical system comprising:
 a pocket component having a pocket suitable for receiving an electronic device and a spool extending from the pocket component about which the cable can be wound; and 
 a base component having a cup shape, an interior chamber suitable for receiving the spool, and a first cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber, wherein the base component is configured to be attached to the pocket component and wherein the base component is suitable to be securely inserted into a cup holder. 
 
     
     
       2. An electronic device holder as recited in  claim 1  wherein the spool of the pocket component rotates about its longitudinal axis and a latch extends from the spool, the latch serving to secure a portion of the cable so that the cable can be wound about the spool by rotating the spool. 
     
     
       3. An electronic device holder as recited in  claim 2  wherein the base component has a bottom surface that has an opening, whereby the spool extends through the opening when the pocket component is attached to the base component such that the spool can be manually rotated. 
     
     
       4. An electronic device holder as recited in  claim 1  wherein the pocket component contains a second cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber and wherein the spool has a latch configured to secure a portion of the cable. 
     
     
       5. An electronic device holder as recited in  claim 4  wherein the pocket component is rotatably secured to the base component such that the cable can be wound about the spool by rotating the pocket component with respect to the base component. 
     
     
       6. An electronic device holding system comprising:
 a cup holder; 
 an electronic device holder that includes 
 a pocket component having a pocket suitable for receiving an electronic device; and 
 a base component having cup shape configured to be attached to the pocket component wherein the base component is securely inserted into the cup holder and having an interior chamber suitable for storing a cable and a cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber. 
 
     
     
       7. An electronic device holding system as recited in  claim 6  further comprising:
 a cable that extends from the electronic device and into the interior chamber of the base component through the cable slot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/162,818, filed Jun. 3, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,099,467, and entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE HOLDER,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic device accessories, and more specifically to cup holder adaptors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Digital music players are becoming more popular as personal entertainment devices. The attractiveness of digital music players is in their capability of storing and playing large amounts of music and their ability to play music without skipping. These attributes make digital music players ideal for use in different environments including automobile environments. However for automobile use, it is desirable to use a mounting device to secure the digital music player within the car. Otherwise, the jostling caused by the car&#39;s movement can damage the digital music player. Also beneficial is a mounting device capable of managing the length of the cable used to connect the player to the car&#39;s audio system. This is especially beneficial when lengthy cables can be messy and cause a hazard in which passengers can get their feet entangled. Specialized mounting devices are required to secure the digital music players since most automobiles do not come with digital device holders. 
     However, specialized mounting devices are difficult to install because special parts are typically required to attach the devices to car interiors. Also, specialized mounting devices usually cannot manage the length of cables. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, an electronic device holder that easily adapts to automobile interiors and which can manage the length of interconnecting cables would be desirable. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus that can secure an electronic device and be inserted into a conventional cup holder so that the cup holder is essentially converted so that it holds an electronic device. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. The electronic device being held can be a variety of devices that include a digital music player. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to an electronic device holder that includes a pocket component having a pocket suitable for receiving an electronic device and a base component having cup shape configured to be attached to the pocket component. The base component is suitable to be securely inserted into a cup holder. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to an electronic device holder suitable for securely holding an electronic device and for managing at least a portion of a cable used to connect an electronic device to an external electrical system. The electronic device holder includes a pocket component having a pocket suitable for receiving an electronic device and a spool extending from the pocket component about which the cable can be wound. The electronic device holder also includes a base component having a cup shape, an interior chamber suitable for receiving the spool, and a first cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber. The base component is attached to the pocket component and the base component is suitable to be securely inserted into a cup holder. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention pertains to an electronic device holding system that includes a cup holder and an electronic device holder. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following specification of the invention and the accompanying figures, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device holder according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of electronic device holder when it is separated into its two component parts. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side plan, cross-sectional view of electronic device holder holding an electronic device where the electronic device holder is inserted into a cup holder. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device holder that has a spool extending from pocket component according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom perspective view of electronic device holder wherein the pocket component has a rotating spool according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side plan view of electronic device holder wherein the pocket component can rotate with respect to the base component to wind a cable into the chamber of the base component. 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate adapting sleeves, which are used to adapt an electronic device holder to cup holders of different shapes and sizes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known operations have not been described in detail so not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus that can secure an electronic device and be inserted into a conventional cup holder so that the cup holder is essentially converted so that it holds an electronic device. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. The electronic device being held can be a variety of devices that include a digital music player. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device holder  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Electronic device holder  100  is made of two components, the pocket component  102  and the base component  104 . These two components  102  and  104  can be attached to each other as shown in  FIG. 1 , or they can be separated from each other as shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of electronic device holder  100  when it is separated into its two component parts. 
     Pocket component  102  contains a pocket  106  that is sized to receive and hold an electronic device. Base component  104  is cup shaped with an empty chamber  108 , which can be used to manage and store a portion of a cable used to connect the electronic device to an external electrical system.  FIG. 3  illustrates a side plan, cross-sectional view of electronic device holder  100  holding an electronic device  120  where the electronic device holder  100  is inserted into a cup holder  122 . Cup holder  122  can be in various environments such as an automobile, airplane, boat, motorcycle, bicycle, etc. Cable  124  is used to connect electronic device  120  to an external electrical system (not shown). As shown, cable  124  is connected to electronic device  120 , extends into and then out of electronic device holder  100  where it can then be plugged into the external electrical system. Cable  124  enters and exits electronic device holder through a slot  110  created in base component  104 . In some embodiments, slot  110  can be created in pocket component  102 , base component  104 , or both pocket and base components. The length of cable  124  can be neatly managed by storing a selected length of cable  124  within electronic device holder  100 . In one embodiment, electronic device  120  is a digital music player that is to be connected to an automobile&#39;s audio system. In other embodiments, electronic device  120  can be a variety of devices that include a memory device or a mobile communications device. 
     Pocket  106  of pocket component  102  can have a variety of sizes and shapes to fit variously shaped electronic devices. In some embodiments, pocket  106  is shaped to conform closely to the shape of an electronic device. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the depth, D, of pocket  106  should be of sufficient depth to securely hold electronic device  120 . As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a low-cut window  112  is formed in the front region of pocket  106 . Depending upon the specific electronic device placed in pocket  106 , window  112  can provide access to control buttons or switches on the front face of electronic device  120 . It is noted that pocket  106  can have a variety of shapes even though pocket  106  is shown to have a two-tiered top surface in the figures throughout the description. 
     Again, base component  104  has a cup shape so that it easily inserts into a cup holder. However in alternative embodiments, base component  104  can have a variety of shapes so that it may insert into variously shaped cup holders or recesses. In other words, base component  104  can be shaped so that electronic device holder  100  can be installed in various cup holders or recesses. For instance, the bottom of base component  104  can have a shape of the interior of an ashtray so that it can be inserted into the ashtray. 
     Contact between base component  104  and cup holder  122  can occur at the outer side surfaces and/or the bottom surface of base component  104 . In some embodiments, base component  104  sits on the bottom surface of cup holder  122  without being tightly restrained by the sidewalls of cup holder  122 . In other embodiments, base component  102  does not touch the bottom surface of cup holder  122  and is secured like a cork in a wine bottle by the cup holder&#39;s sidewalls. In yet other embodiments, base component  102  rests on the bottom surface and is secured like a cork by cup holder  122 . 
     Pocket component  102  fits on top of base component  104  in a manner analogous to which a soft drink lid fits over a paper cup. In alternative embodiments however, pocket component  102  is secured to base component such that pocket component  102  rotates. In this embodiment, a user can rotate pocket component  102  so that the inserted electronic device can face a desired direction. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device holder  400  that has a spool  402  extending from pocket component  404  according to one embodiment of the present invention. A cable used to connect an electronic device to an external electrical system can be neatly managed by winding it around spool  402 . A latch  406  extends from spool  402 , which can be used to clip a cable to spool  402 . Retaining plate  408  is formed at the bottom of spool  402  and is useful for preventing cable that is wound about spool  402  from falling off. Spool  402  fits within chamber  410  of base component  412  when pocket and base components  404  and  412  are placed together. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom perspective view of electronic device holder  500  wherein pocket component  508  has a rotating spool  502  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Retaining plate  504  has a grooved handle  506 , which can be used to rotate spool  502 . Base component  510 , which is shown in dashed lines, has a hole in its bottom surface that allows retaining plate  504  to extend through. By clipping a cable into latch  512 , then placing pocket and base components  508  and  510  together while slipping the cable in slot  514 , a user can wind the cable onto the spool by twisting retaining plate  504 . Again, slot  514  can be formed in base component, pocket component or both base and pocket components  508  and  510 . Normally, a user will wind the cable until an amount of cable in excess of what is needed to connect the electronic device to an external electrical system is collected into electronic device holder  500 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side plan view of electronic device holder  600  wherein pocket component  602  can rotate with respect to base component  604  to wind a cable into the chamber of base component  604 . A non-rotating spool  606  extends from pocket component  602  into the chamber of base component  604 . Pocket component  602  has a hook-shaped slot  608  and base component has a vertical slot  610 , both of which allow a cable to enter electronic device holder  600 . Hook-shaped slot  608  is designed to secure a portion of a cable that extends from an electronic device held within the pocket of pocket component  602 . The cable extends through hook-shaped slot  608 , loops around spool  606  and then exits electric device holder  600  through vertical slot  610 . Then as a user twists base component  604  with respect to pocket component  602 , vertical slot  610  guides and winds the cable about spool  606  in a similar manner to which a fishing reel collects fishing line. Hook-shaped slot  608  can have a variety of shapes that are capable of securing a cable while preventing it from being caught in vertical slot  610  during winding. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate adapting sleeves  700  and  800  respectively, which are used to adapt an electronic device holder  702  to cup holders of different shapes and sizes. Adapting sleeves  700  and  800  have inner cavities  704  and  804 , respectively, that can receive and securely hold electronic device holder  702 . Adapting sleeves  700  and  800  have outer surfaces that are shaped and sized to fit into cup holders that would otherwise be too big to securely hold electronic device holder  702 . These adapting sleeves can have various thicknesses depending upon the size of the cup holder into which an electronic device holder is to be placed. In situations where a cup holder is much larger than an electronic device holder, two or more adapting sleeves can be used. For example, an adapting sleeve can be placed over another adapting sleeve. Note that adapting sleeve  800  has a square outer contour so that electronic device holder  702  can be used with a square cup holder or recess. 
     In some embodiments, a wireless transceiver can be installed within electronic device holder. An electronic device can be plugged into the wireless transceiver so that the device can wirelessly communicate with an external system, such as a car audio system. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alteration, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20050228
Publication Date: 20090317
Grant Date: 20090317
Priority Date: 20020603
Inventors: ROHRBACH MATTHEW
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60R2011/0075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09B15/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09B15/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 34709747