Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A DEVICE FOR HOLDING AN ITEM DURING TRAVEL, AND RELATED SYSTEMS
AND METHODS
BACKGROUND
[1] Travelers in vehicles such as trains, planes and buses, often use their
phones
and/or tablets to view and/or listen to content for entertainment or work.
Unfortunately,
after a while, holding such a device with their hand gets burdensome. A
traveler's hand
and/or arm can quickly tire from holding the phone and/or tablet in a
specific, if not
awkward, position. Thus, there is a need for a device that a traveler can use,
without
their hands, to hold their phone and/or tablet while they consume content
displayed by
the phone and/or tablet.
SUMMARY
[2] In one aspect of the invention, a device for holding an item during
travel via an
airplane, train or bus, includes a body, a first coupler and a second coupler.
The body
has a first section, a second section that is moveable relative to the first
section toward
a first position and toward a second position, and a third section that is
moveable
relative to the first section toward a first position and toward a second
position. The first
coupler couples the body's first section with the body's second section and
holds the
second section in the first position and in the second position. When the
second section
is in the first position, the second section positions the device's body to
hold, without the
help of a person's hands, an item for use during travel. When the second
section is in
the second position, the first and second sections, combined, form a
configuration in
which the device's body is stored for future use. The second coupler couples
the body's
first section with the body's third section and holds the third section in the
first position
and in the second position. Men the third section is in the first position,
the third
section holds, without the help of a person's hands, the item for use during
travel.
When the third section is in the second position, the first and third
sections, combined,
form a configuration in which the device's body is stored for future use.
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[3] With the second and third sections held in their respective first
positions, the
device is configured to hold, without the help of the traveler, an item
oriented relative to
the traveler at a location near the traveler to allow the traveler to access
the item. The
item may include a cup for holding a beverage and/or a phone, a tablet or
other
apparatus for visually and/or aurally displaying content, such as a movie, a
game, a
book, one or more documents for work, and/or music. By freeing the traveler
from
having to hold the item himself/herself, the traveler can avoid the burdensome
task of
holding the item in a specific position for a long period and thus avoid
tiring his/her
hand, wrist and/or arm. In addition, the traveler is free to use his/her hand
for other
tasks. With the second and third sections held in their respective second
positions, the
device is configured to be easily and efficiently stored while not in use.
[4] In another aspect of the invention, a method for holding an item during
travel via
an airplane, train or bus, includes moving a second section of a body of a
device
relative to a first section of the device's body, toward a first position in
which the second
section positions the device's body to hold, without the help of a person's
hands, an
item for use during travel. The method also includes moving a third section of
the
device's body relative to the body's first section, toward a first position,
in which the third
section holds, without the help of a person's hands, the item for use during
travel. The
method also includes positioning the device's body to hold, without the help
of the
person's hands, the item for use during travel; and holding, with the third
section of the
device's body and without the help of a person's hands, the item for use
during travel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[5] FIG. 1 shows a view of a device being used to hold, without one's
hands, an item
for use while traveling, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[6] FIG. 2 shows the device shown in FIG. 1 in a different configuration
being used
to hold an item, according to an embodiment of the invention.
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[7] FIG. 3 shows a perspective, partial-cutaway view of the device shown in
FIGS. 1
and 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[8] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 3,
according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[9] FIG. 5 shows a different cross-sectional view of the device shown in
FIG. 3,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[10] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a component of the device, according to
another
embodiment of the invention.
[11] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of the device, according to
yet
another embodiment of the invention.
[12] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a portion of the device, according to still
another
embodiment of the invention.
[13] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a portion of the device, according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[14] FIG. 10 also shows a plan view of a portion of the device, according yet
another
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[15] Each of FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a view of a device 20 being used to hold,
without
one's hands, an item 22 for use while traveling, each according to an
embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 1 shows the device 20 in a configuration in which it holds the
item 22
while sitting on top of a surface, such as a tray-table 24 of an airplane's
seat. FIG. 2
shows the device 20 in a different configuration in which it holds the item 22
while
hanging from an edge of the tray-table 24 when the tray-table 24 is in a
stowed position.
The device 20 may be used while one travels via an airplane as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2
or while one travels via a train, bus or even a car by attaching the device 20
to a car's
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head rests. In addition, the device 20 may be used in any circumstance in
which one
would want to read, watch or listen to content displayed by the item 22 while
using one's
hands for another task, such as while eating breakfast in bed or knitting
outside in a
park.
[16] The device 20 includes a body 25 that has a first section 26, a second
section
28, and a third section 30. The device 20 also includes a first coupler 32
that couples
the second section 28 with the first section 26. The first coupler 32 allows
the second
section 28 to move relative to the first section 26 and holds the second
section 28 in a
first position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the second section 28
positions the
device's body 25 to hold, without the help of a person's hands, an item 22 for
use during
travel. The device 20 also includes a second coupler 34 that couples the third
section
30 with the first section 26. The second coupler 34 allows the third section
30 to move
relative to the first section 26 and holds the third section 30 in a first
position (also
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the third section 30 holds, without the help
of a
person's hands, the item 22 for use during travel. Each of the first and
second couplers
32 and 34, respectively, also holds its respective one of the second and third
sections
28 and 30, respectively, in a second position in which the device's body 25
forms a
configuration in which the device's body 25 is stored for future use.
[17] With the second and third sections 28 and 30, respectively, held in their
respective first positions, the device 20 is configured to hold, without the
help of one's
hands, the item 22 near and oriented relative to one to allow one to access
the item 22.
The item 22 may include a phone, a tablet or other apparatus for visually
and/or aurally
displaying content, such as a movie, a game, a book, one or more documents for
work,
and/or music. By freeing one from having to hold the item 22 himself/herself,
one can
avoid the burdensome task of holding the item in a specific position for a
long period
and thus avoid tiring his/her hand, wrist and/or arm. In addition, one is free
to use
his/her hand for other tasks. With the second and third sections 28 and 30,
respectively, held in their respective second positions, the device 20 may be
easily and
efficiently stored while not in use.
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[18] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first positions of the second and
third sections
28 and 30, respectively, may be any desired position relative to the first
section 26 that
allows the sections 26, 28 and 30 of the body 25 to function as expressed
above. For
example, in this and other embodiments the first position of the second
section 28 may
have the second section 28 extending substantially straight from the first
section 26 at
an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first section 26 (shown in FIG.
1). And, in
other embodiments the first position of the second section 28 may have the
second
section 28 extending substantially straight from the first section at an angle
of about 50
degrees relative to the first section 26 (shown in FIG. 2), forming a chevron
with the first
section 26. The location of the second section 28 in the first position
depends largely
on where the device 20 is to hold the item 22 and how the device's third
section 30 is to
hold the item 22. In still other embodiments, the first position of the second
section 28
may have the second section 28 extending in an arc from the first section 26
to form a
hook so that the second section 28 can wrap partially around a bar to allow
the device
20 to hang vertically. Similarly, in this and other embodiments the first
position of the
third section 30 may have the third section 30 extending substantially
straight from the
first section 26 at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first section
26 (shown in
FIGS. *1 and 2). This allows the item 22 to rest against the third section 30
and the first
section 26 while the device 20 holds the item 22 such that gravity keeps the
item 22
against the first and third sections 26 and 30, respectively. In other
embodiments, the
first position of the third section 30 may have the third section 30 also
extending in an
arc such that the third section 30 can cup the item 22 to hold it when the
first section 26
hangs beyond vertical.
[19] Similarly, the second positions of the second and third sections 28 and
30,
respectively, may be any desired position relative to the first section 26
that allows the
sections of the body 25 to be configured for easily and efficiently storing
the device 20
while not in use. For example, in this and other embodiments the second
position of the
second section 28 may have the second section 28 extending substantially
straight from
the first section 26 at an angle of about 0 degrees relative to the first
section 26; and the
second position of the third section 30 may also have the third section 30
extending
substantially straight from the first section 26 at an angle of about 0
degrees relative to
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the first section 26. In such a configuration, the body 25 of the device 20
forms a
substantially flat sheet whose area is the summation of the individual areas
of each of
the sections 26, 28 and 30. In other embodiments the second position of the
second
and third sections 28 and 30, respectively, may have each of the sections 28
and 30
extending substantially straight from the first section at an angle of about
180 degrees
relative to the first section 26. In this configuration, the second and third
sections 28
and 30, respectively, may be folded over and against the first section 26 and
result in
body 25 forming a substantially flat sheet having less area but thicker than
the
embodiment discussed earlier.
[20] Other embodiments are possible. For example, the first and second
positions of
the second and third sections 28 and 30, respectively, may include the second
and third
section 28 and 30 extending from the first section 26 in a direction that is
not
substantially straight, such as an arc or series of substantially straight
directions that
changes like a zig-zag pattern or a "Z" pattern.
[21] FIG. 3 shows a perspective, partial-cutaway view of the device 20 shown
in
FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. Each of the
couplers 32
and 34 couple a respective one of the second and third sections 28 and 30,
respectively, with the first section 26 and hold their respective sections 28
and 30 in the
first and second positions. And, as discussed in greater detail in conjunction
with FIGS.
4 and 5, in this and other embodiments the device's body 25 includes a coating
40 that
surrounds the first, second and third sections 26, 28 and 30.
[22] The coupler 32 may be configured as desired to perform the functions
discussed
elsewhere in this application. For example, in this and other embodiments the
coupler
32 lies between the first and second sections 26 and 28, respectively, and is
a unique
portion of a sheet of aluminum that the first and second sections 26 and 28,
respectively, include. Because the coupler 32 is aluminum the coupler 32 is
plastically
deformable so that it can hold the second section 28 in the first and second
positions.
Moreover, because the coupler 32 is a unique portion of the sheet of aluminum
that the
first and second sections 26 and 28, respectively, include, the location of
the coupler 32
between the first and second sections 26 and 28, respectively, may be anywhere
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between the sections 26 and 28. For example, in one embodiment the distance
between the coupler 32 and the edge of the second section 28 that is farthest
away
from the coupler 32 may be one inch, and in another embodiment the distance
may be
six inches. That is, in this embodiment of the device 20, because the coupler
32 is a
unique portion of the aluminum sheet that extends into the first and second
sections 26
and 28, respectively, the location of the coupler 32 between the sections 26
and 28 may
be changed to allow the device 20 to be configured into many different shapes.
This
flexibility allows one to use the device 20 in a variety of different
situations that
otherwise would make it difficult for one to position the second section 28 so
that the
device 20 can hold an item 22 near and oriented such that one can access the
item 22.
[23] Other embodiments are possible. For example, as shown and discussed in
greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 6, the coupler 32 may not be a unique
portion of a
sheet of material that extends into the first and second sections 26 and 28,
respectively.
Rather, the coupler 32 may include a hinge that allows the second section 28
to pivot
relative to the first section 26. For another example, although the coupler 32
is
discussed as holding the second section 28 in a first and a second position,
the coupler
32 may hold the second section 28 in three or more different positions, such
as a third,
a fourth and a fifth position.
[24] Similar to the coupler 32, the coupler 34 may be configured as desired to
perform
the functions discussed elsewhere in this application. For example, in this
and other
embodiments the coupler 34 lies between the first and third sections 26 and
30,
respectively, and is a unique portion of a sheet of aluminum that the first
and third
sections 26 and 30, respectively, include. Because the coupler 34 is aluminum
the
coupler 34 is also plastically deform able so that it can hold the third
section 30 in the
first and second positions. Moreover, because the coupler 34 is a unique
portion of the
sheet of aluminum that the first and third sections 26 and 30, respectively,
include, the
location of the coupler 34 between the first and third sections 26 and 30,
respectively,
may be anywhere between the sections 26 and 30. For example, in one embodiment
the distance between the coupler 34 and the edge of the third section 30 that
is farthest
away from the coupler 34 may be one inch, and in another embodiment the
distance
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may be six inches. That is, in this embodiment of the device 20, because the
coupler
34 is a unique portion of the aluminum sheet that extends into the first and
third sections
26 and 30, respectively, the location of the coupler 34 between the sections
26 and 30
may be changed to allow the device 20 to be configured into many different
shapes.
This flexibility allows one to use the device 20 in a variety of different
situations that
otherwise would make it difficult for one to position the third section 30 so
that the
device 20 can hold an item 22 near and oriented such that one can access the
item 22.
[25] Other embodiments are possible. For example, as shown and discussed in
greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 6, the coupler 34 may not be a unique
portion of a
sheet of material that extends into the first and third sections 26 and 30,
respectively.
Rather, the coupler 34 may include a hinge that allows the third section 30 to
pivot
relative to the first section 26. For another example, although the coupler 34
is
discussed holding the third section 30 in a first and a second position, the
coupler 34
may hold the third section 30 in three or more different positions, such as a
third, a
fourth and a fifth position.
[26] Still referring to FIG. 3, the shape and size of the device 20 may be any
desired
shape and size. For example, in this and other embodiments the device 20 is
rectangular with the length of the body 25 in the longitudinal direction (with
the sections
26, 28 and 30 arranged in series) about nine inches and the length of the body
25 in the
transverse direction (with the sections 26, 28 and 30 arranged in parallel)
about four
inches. In addition, the thickness of the body 25 is about 4 millimeters. In
this
configuration, the device 20 is large enough to hold a small to medium sized
cell phone
in any orientation while remaining small and sleek when the second and third
sections
28 and 30, respectively, are in their respective second positions to easily
and efficiently
store the device 20.
[27] Other embodiments are possible. For example, the device 20 may be larger.
In
such a configuration the device 20 may be rectangular with the length of the
body 25 in
the longitudinal direction about twelve inches, the length of the body 25 in
the
transverse direction about seven inches, and the thickness of the body 25
about six
millimeters. For another example, the device 20 may be rectangular but smaller
in size
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than the size discussed in the preceding paragraph, or larger in size than the
size
previously discussed in this paragraph. For yet another example, the device 20
may be
circular or oval, and may be smaller or larger than the size discussed in the
preceding
paragraph. For another example, the device 20 may have a shape that is not a
basic
geometric shape, but rather a complex shape such as one that includes one or
more
curves found on a French curve. For another example, the device 20 may have a
shape that is designed to mimic the emblem or logo of a sports team or any
other well
know logo like the Nike swoosh.
[28] Each of FIGS. 4 and 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 20 shown
in
FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a cross-
section
along a longitudinal direction of the device 20, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-
section along a
transverse direction of the device.
[29] The body 25 may be configured as desired to allow the sections 26, 28 and
30 to
form a configuration in which the third section 30 holds an item (22 in FIGS.
I and 2)
and the second section 28 positions the body 25 to hold, without the help of a
person's
hands, the item for use during travel. For example, in this and other
embodiments the
body 25 includes a sheet 42 of aluminum that is about 0.5 millimeters thick
surrounded
by a coating 40. The coating 40 is irradiated, crosslinked polyethylene foam
(IXPE
foam) that is about three millimeters thick. In addition, the coating 40
includes text
and/or a graphic design that describes how to use the device 20. The coating
40
protects the aluminum sheet 42 from the ambient environment in which the
aluminum
sheet 42 could be inadvertently scratched and/or exposed to liquids and/or
gasses that
include chemicals that could damage the aluminum sheet 42. The coating 40 also
increases the coefficient of friction or stickiness of the contact between the
item and
coating 40 when the third section 30 holds the item.
[30] Other embodiments are possible. For example, the aluminum sheet 42 may
not
be surrounded by a coating 40, but rather partially surrounded by a coating or
the
coating may be omitted entirely. For another example, the body 25 may include
an
aluminum sheet whose thickness is less than or greater than 0.5 millimeters,
For
another example, the body 25 may not include an aluminum sheet but rather a
sheet of
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another metal, such as copper, brass, and/or steel. In addition, the body 25
may
include any alloy of any of the metals. The body 25 could also include a
plastically
deformable material that is not metallic, such as a plastic polymer. For yet
another
example, the body 25 may include a coating 40 that is thinner or thicker than
three
millimeters. The body 25 may also include a coating 40 that is cotton, thread,
mesh
fabric, Neoprene foam, Lycra, Nylon, Spandex, Polyurethane foam, Polyethylene
foam,
Polystyrene foam, and/or leather.
[31] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a section of a device 50, according to
another
embodiment of the invention. The device 50 is similar to the device 20 shown
in FIGS.
1 ¨5 except the device 50 includes a coupler 52 that does not plastically
deform to
allow the second section 54 to move relative to the first section 56 toward a
first position
(shown) and a second position (not shown), and to hold the second section 54
in the
first and second positions. Like the device 20, the device 50 also includes a
second
coupler (not shown) that couples the first section 56 with a third section
(not shown) of
the device 50. And, although the subject of the discussion below is the
coupler 52 that
couples the first section 56 with the second section 54, the discussion below
also
applies to the second coupler of the device 50.
[32] In this and other embodiments, the coupler 52 is a hinge that allows the
second
section 54 to pivot in the direction of the arrows 58a and 58b. To hold the
second
section 54 in the first and second positions, the hinge includes two friction
plates (not
shown) that contact each other when the second section 54 is in the first
position and in
the second position. One of the friction plates is fixed to the first section
56, and the
other friction plate is fixed to the second section 54. When one moves the
second
section 54 in either direction indicated by the arrows 58a and 58h, the
friction plate fixed
to the second section 54 rotates relative to the friction plate fixed to the
first section 56.
Then, when the second section 54 is either in the first or second position,
the friction
generated by the contact between the two friction plates holds the second
section 54 in
the position.
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[33] Other embodiments are possible. For example, the coupler 52 may include
two
cogs (in lieu of friction plates that engage each other to hold the second
section 54 in a
position relative to the first section 56.
[34] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of a device 60, according to
yet
another embodiment of the invention. The device 60 is similar to the device 20
shown
in FIGS. 1 ¨5 except the third section 62 of the device 60 includes a
cupholder 64.
[35] In this and other embodiments, the cupholder 64 includes a hole through
the third
section 62 that has four tabs 66 extending in toward the center of the hole.
The tabs 66
are plastically deformable so that one can use the cupholder 64 for a variety
of different
sized cups. When the tabs 66 extend straight in toward the center of the hole
(as
shown), the cupholder 64 is configured to hold a small cup, such as one that
holds
coffee. When one or more of the tabs 66 are plastically deformed toward a
surface of
the third section 62, the cupholder 64 is configured to hold a larger cup. In
this and
other embodiments, the third section 62 includes a material that provides
adequate
support for the weight of the cup and liquid that the cup would hold. The
material can
do this by either being thicker than the material used in the device 20 of
FIGS. 1 ¨5, or
having a greater modulus of elasticity (degree of stiffness).
[36] Other embodiments are possible. For example, the third section 62 may
include
two or more cupholders 64. For another example, the cupholder 64 may be
configured
to hold a single size or narrow range of cup sizes by making the tabs 66 not
plastically
deformable or omitting the tabs 66 altogether. For another example, the
cupholder 64
may include a mesh bag to hold a cup. For yet another example, the cupholder
64 may
include a strap that holds a cup, can and/or bottle to the third section 62
and whose
length is adjustable so that the cupholder 64 can hold short cups, cans and/or
bottles as
well as tall cups, cans and/or bottles.
[37] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a portion of a device 70, according to still
another
embodiment of the invention. The device 70 is similar to the device 20 shown
in FIGS.
1 ¨5 except the device 70 includes a fourth section 72 that extends from a
third section
74 of the device 70. In this and other embodiments the fourth section 74 is
plastically
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deformable so that it can be configured as desired to hold an additional item
(not
shown) or a component (not shown) of an item (not shown) held by the third
section 74,
such as headphones or glasses. In other embodiments, the fourth section 72 is
not
plastically deformable and may be configured to hold a specific item or
component of an
item.
[38] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a portion of a device 80, according to
another
embodiment of the invention. The device 80 is similar to the device 20 shown
in FIGS.
1 ¨5 except the device 80 includes a pocket 82. In this and other embodiments,
the
pocket 82 is located on the first section 84 and specifically configured to
hold a battery
86 for powering the item (not shown) held by the device 80. In other
embodiments, the
pocket 82 may be located on the third or second sections (not shown) of the
device 80
and may be configured to hold other things such as business cards, credit
cards and/or
identification cards. In yet other embodiments, the battery may be integrated
into the
device 80, that is, not disposed or held in a pocket 82 of the device but
embedded in the
body of the device 80.
[39] FIG. 10 also shows a plan view of a portion of a device 90, according yet
another
embodiment of the invention. The device 90 is similar to the device 20 shown
in FIGS.
1 ¨5 except the device 90 includes a transmitter 92 and receiver 94 to
transmit and
receive signals to another receiver and from another transmitter located in
the item (not
shown) held by the device 90 and/or any other item within range of the
transmitter 92
and receiver 94. The transmitter 92 and receiver 94 may be configured to send
and
receive any desired communication signals, such as high-frequency Bluetooth
signals,
lower frequency wireless signals, radio signals, and/or infrared light. The
transmitter 92
and receiver 94 may be configured to help the item held by the device 90
communicate
with another item and/or device to help the item held by the device 90 receive
content to
be displayed. The transmitter 92 and receiver 94 may also be configured to
cast
content to other items. In this and other embodiments, the transmitter 92 and
receiver
94 are imbedded in the body of the device 90. But in other embodiments the
transmitter
92 and receiver 94 may be held in a pocket similar to the pocket shown and
discussed
in conjunction with FIG. 9.
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[40] The preceding discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the
art to
make and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be
readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be
applied to
other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope
of the
present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited
to the
embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and features disclosed herein.
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