Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ADJUSTABLE MOBILE DEVICE HANGER
Technical Field
The present invention relates to apparatus for holding or hanging mobile
devices such as cell
phones and pads to accommodate varying situations and needs.
Background Art
The myriad of designs of electronic device holders and hangers encompassed by
the crowded
prior art were devised and utilized to mostly lie on a flat stable surface
such as a table or a
stand, exposing them to hazards such as youngsters, pets and accidents, or to
be used in
vehicles as stationary attachments, or to have limited functionality due to
device size
limitations, holding or hanging methods.
Disclosure of the claimed invention
An objective of the present invention is to address the need for a portable,
easily adjustable,
secure grip hanger that can accommodate varying device sizes from cell phones
to tablets in a
manner that allows the user to hang their device on a variety of objects,
structures and
surfaces at different vertical and horizontal gradients, indoors or outdoors,
and for a multitude
of situations and tasks.
This need may be amplified in a kitchen setting where a cook may be following
a recipe on
their cell phone or tablet and needing all their kitchen counter space while
prepping a meal.
This invention allows a cook to view their device from a comfortable left,
right or center
angle and with a vertical pivot appropriate to their height and will allow
them to move the
hanger to different areas of a kitchen if they need to, by simply picking it
up from one cabinet
handle and placing it on another.
This invention also addresses the need for a safe and secure outdoor use
hanger for someone
working on their vehicle and viewing a how-to video on their mobile device can
also utilize
this invention by hanging their toted device from the vehicle hood with ease
and viewing it
comfortably without endangering their device by placing it on the vehicle or
engine. A trip to
the beach, camping, biking, boating or viewing GPS in a vehicle are some other
areas of use
for this invention as well as night time use of the flash light function in a
mobile device
where the hands free versatility of this invention allows superior aim and
focus.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable mobile
device
hanger.
FIG 2 shows an embodiment of an adjustable device hanger disposed in a fully
extended
position with the hook pivoted to face forward and a large tablet securely
held in place.
FIG 3A shows a hook body of an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device
hanger wherein
the base of the hook has a rectangular opening at the bottom allowing the top
portion of a
friction hinge to be inserted and embedded in the hook, as well as circular
openings on the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-15
50 side of the base of the hook that function as the entry point for pegs
to anchor the
aforementioned friction hinge to the base of the hook base.
FIG 3B shows the assembled body of components comprising the friction hinge
embedded in
the cylindrical shaped body made up of the two sections illustrated in FIG 3E
and FIG 3F.
FIG 3C shows a top view of a rectangular housing box with a central concave
area that
55 houses the freely rotatable cylindrical platform that has the friction
hinge embedded in it.
FIG 3D shows a front perspective of a friction hinge with a constant torque
profile.
FIG 3E shows section 1 of a freely rotatable cylindrical platform with
horizontal protruding
pegs designed to fit through the bottom part of a friction hinge and
horizontally embed inside
section 2 of a freely rotatable cylindrical platform
60 FIG 3F shows section 2 of a freely rotatable cylindrical platform
wherein the top flat surface
has a rectangular opening designed to accommodate the bottom part of a
friction hinge and
where the inside vertical flat wall of this section 2 has a corresponding
number of holes to
accommodate the protruding pegs of section 1 of a freely rotatable cylindrical
platform.
FIG 4A shows an interior perspective view of an upper body of an embodiment of
the
65 adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 4B shows an exterior perspective view of an upper body of an embodiment of
the
adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 4C shows an exterior perspective view of an upper body rear cover of an
embodiment of
the adjustable mobile device hanger with a multi-angled surface.
70 FIG 4D shows an interior perspective view of an upper body rear cover of
an embodiment of
the adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 4E shows a top rear perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable
mobile device
hanger illustrating a tri-angled back rest design to facilitate the hanging of
the unit at different
horizontal angles on a vertical surface affording the user the best view.
75 FIG 5A shows a front view of the inside of a middle body of an
embodiment of the adjustable
mobile device hanger.
FIG 5B shows an inside perspective view of a middle body of an embodiment of
the
adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 5C shows an inside front view of a back cover of a middle body of an
embodiment of the
80 adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 5D shows an exterior front view of a back cover of a middle body of an
embodiment of
the adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 6A shows an inside perspective view of a bottom body of an embodiment of
the
adjustable mobile device hanger.
85 FIG 6B shows a front exterior perspective view of a bottom body of an
embodiment of the
adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 6C shows an inside perspective view of a cover of a bottom body of an
embodiment of
the adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 6D shows an exterior front view of a cover of a bottom body of an
embodiment of the
90 adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 6E shows a front view of an extension spring with cross center loop ends
that is a
component of an embodiment of the adjustable mobile device hanger.
FIG 7A shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable mobile
device
hanger with a friction hinge and a hook pivoted at an angle towards the back
of the hanger.
95 FIG 7B shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable
mobile device
hanger with a friction hinge and a hook pivoted at an angle towards the front
of the hanger.
FIG 7C shows a side view of an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device
hanger
displaying a range of pivoting capability of a friction hinge and the attached
hook that
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-15
enables the hanger to be adjusted to an optimum viewing angle when hanging on
a vertical
100 surface.
FIG 7D shows an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device hanger utilized on a
horizontal
support illustrating the hanger's ability to rotate 360 degrees around a
vertical axis embodied
by the hook base.
FIG 7E shows a top view of a hanger suspended from a cabinet handle and
utilizing the
105 multi-angled back system to remain stationary at that angle until moved
again.
FIG 8A illustrates a view of an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device
hanger utilized in
a kitchen setting and hanging from a cabinet handle.
FIG 8B shows a view of an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device hanger in
a stationary
pivoted orientation while hanging on a vertical surface such as a cabinet
door. The viewing
110 angle is illustrated to show the advantage of the pivoting feature to a
user.
FIG 8C illustrates the use of an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device
hanger in an
outdoor setting such as a beach or a camp ground where no safe flat surfaces
may be feasible.
FIG 8D illustrates an embodiment of an adjustable mobile device hanger
utilized on a rear-
view mirror in a vehicle without blocking a vent.
115 FIG 9 is an illustration of components of an Adjustable Mobile Device
Hanger according to
some embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
120 The following detailed description of the invention provides example
embodiments of the
Adjustable Mobile Device Hanger and is not intended to limit the invention or
the application
and uses of the invention.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG 1, apparatus 10 is made up of 5 separate
bodies that are
connected to one another by varying means for varying functions facilitating
the most
125 advantageous use of the invention. The five bodies comprise a hook 12,
an upper body 11
which contains a rectangular housing body 52, a middle body 30 and a bottom
body 60.
Starting at the very top is hook 12 which is comprised of an upper hooking
section that can
take any round or oval shape without detracting or departing from the spirit
and scope of this
invention disclosure. Hook 12 is made of rigid material that can withstand the
weight of
130 hanger 10 and the securely toted mobile device including very large
tablets.
The vertical section of hook 12 is its base 13 which is slightly upwardly
tapered FIG 3A,
while the bottom of base 13 is slightly broader in diameter to facilitate the
insertion of an
upper part 71 of friction hinge 70 FIG 3D. The bottom part of base 13 of hook
12 comprise a
rectangular opening 51 that stretches inwardly upwards the length of the said
base 13 to allow
135 the insertion and embedding of the upper section 71 of friction hinge
70. Two identical holes
50 located on one side of hook base 13, line up perfectly with corresponding
holes 72 of
upper section 71 of friction hinge 70 when inserted. Two pegs (not shown) will
permanently
and securely embed the upper section 71 of hinge 70 in hook 12.
Friction hinge 70 is a constant torque friction hinge that holds its position
throughout its full
140 range of motion and while holding a mobile device in its grips. It is a
durable and reliable
piece of hardware that does not need further tightening or adjustment once
moved to a certain
angle or position. It will hold that position indefinitely until moved again.
Friction hinge 70
has an upper 71, a middle 73 and a lower 74 section. It also has identical
round holes in its
upper and lower sections.
145 While upper hinge section 71 embeds in hook base 13, middle section 73
of friction hinge 70
is comprised of two cylinder-shaped counter- rotating parts held together by a
central friction
pin wherein lower hinge section 74 extends downward from its corresponding
cylinder part
and embeds in section 80 of the cylindrical rotating body 46 FIG 3B.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-15
Bottom hinge part 74 is embedded in the larger section 80 FIG 3F of the
cylindrical body 46
150 by way of insertion in rectangular opening 81 located on the top
surface of section 80. The
protruding pegs 78 FIG 3E of cylindrical section 76 are inserted through holes
83 of section
80, and through holes 75 of bottom hinge part 74 to ensure a permanent and
secure bond. FIG
3B shows hinge body 70 permanently embedded in cylindrical body 46.
Cylindrical body 46 is comprised of sections 76 and 80. The two sections when
permanently
155 joined FIG 3B form a cylinder-shaped body that rests on the bottom wall
of top section 48
FIG 4A of upper body 11 with a smooth circular outside surface that slidably
rotates in place
and provides a stable and secure base for embedded hinge 70. Cylindrical body
46 smoothly
rotates around a longitudinal axis defined by friction hinge 70 while filmly
enclosed in
concave area 53 FIG 3C that is centrally located inside housing body 52 as
illustrated in FIG
160 3C. Adjusting the shape or design of cylindrical body 46 to improve
functionality should not
detract or depart from the spirit and scope of this invention disclosure.
Turning now to FIG 3C and FIG 4A, housing body 52 is installed in top section
48 of upper
body 11. Housing body 52 is comprised of a main rectangular body with a full
front wall 55,
two side walls, a bottom wall and a back wall with a round indent extending to
and joined
165 with front wall 55. Central concave indent 53 and inside facing concave
wall of wedge 54
complete the round enclosure needed for the rotating stability of cylindrical
body 46. The
outside straight wall of wedge 54 provide a stable middle continuation of the
rear outside
wall of body 52.
As housing body 52 is firmly and permanently installed in the top section 48
of upper body
170 11, concave indent 53 is strategically and centrally positioned beneath
circular opening 15
FIG 4A located in the top wall of upper body 11 in order to facilitate the
protrusion of upper
section 71 of friction hinge 70. Cylindrical body 46 is then positioned
vertically in concave
indent 53 with hinge 70 embedded in it and protruding upwards from circular
opening 15 in
upper body 11 in order to be embedded in hook base 13. Wedge 54 is then
permanently
175 inserted in housing body 52 completing the smooth circular enclosure
for cylindrical body 46.
Smooth and stable full longitudinal rotation about Y Axis defined by hinge 70
as well as
latitudinal axis 10 pivoting about X Axis defined by the pin in center section
73 of friction
hinge 70, of entire apparatus 10 is now possible.
Upper body 11 is comprised of several sections all integrally connected to
adjoining walls or
180 surfaces. Top flat surface 14 FIG 1 extends the width of apparatus 10
and encompasses
circular opening 15 from which top section 71 of hinge 70 protrudes to connect
to hook base
13. Flat surface 14 is integrally connected to two side walls 19 and 20 as
well as front sloped
surface 16. Sloped surface 16 is integrally connected to and encompasses
concave area 17
located underneath. Concave area 17 comprises side edges 19 and 20 as well as
mid-
185 structural ribs 29 all integrally connected to each other as well as
front area 18 which is
integrally connected to bottom wall 21 which is integrally connected to bottom
legs 24 and
25 FIG 4B.
FIG 4A shows the inside structure of upper body 11 and is comprised of top
section 48 where
housing box 52 is ensconced. Top section 48 has a front wall integrally
connected to the top,
190 bottom and side walls. The bottom wall is integrally connected to mid-
section structural ribs
which are integrally connected to the bottom section of upper body 11. The
bottom section is
comprised of a small rectangular area with a front wall integrally connected
to two side walls
as well as top and bottom walls. Fixed pegs 28 protrude from the front wall.
Bottom legs 24
and 25 protrude from bottom wall 21 and are integrally connected to it. Upper
body snaps 27
195 are strategically placed on inside walls to securely connect with
matching snaps on upper
body back cover 40. Snaps are used in this embodiment to securely fasten the
back cover 40
to the upper body 11, other fasteners such as screws can be used in other
embodiments of this
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-15
invention without detracting or departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention
disclosure.
200 Frontal section of upper body 11 comprise a front downwardly sloped
surface 16 FIG 1
extending forward and downward from top flat surface 14 and encompassing
concave area 17
within it. Bottom center of sloped surface 16 is an arc 22 designed to support
mobile device
rear -facing camera's unobstructed views. Concave area 17 extends the full
width of
apparatus 10 and includes mid-section structural ribs 29 FIG 4B. Concave area
17 is fully
205 coated and lined with soft rubber-like material (not shown) to enhance
and cushion the secure
gripping action of upper body 11. Front wall 18 FIG 1 located below gripping
concave 17 in
upper body 11 is integrally connected to bottom wall 21 and furnishes a stable
vertical
support for a mobile device.
Upper body 11 is slidably attached to middle body 30 by two slidable legs 24
and 25 FIG 2.
210 Slidable legs 24 and 25 are U-shaped FIG 4A, each with a front facing
wall integrally
connected to two side walls and extending downwards from bottom wall 21 of
upper body 11
to stably slide inside their corresponding channel 91 in middle body 30 FIG
5A. Slidable legs
24 and 25 are rigid, sturdy and encompass an extension spring 106 FIG 6E each.
These
extension springs 106 exert a counter force when stretched by the pulling of
upper body 11
215 away from middle body 30. Extension springs 106 with cross center loop
ends 107 is tautly
suspended inside U-channel ducts 26 of slidable legs 24 and 25 with top ends
107 affixed to
fixed pegs 28 in the lower section of upper body 11 whereas the bottom ends
107 is affixed to
corresponding, laterally lined middle body fixed pegs 98 each located at the
end of channels
91.
220 Back cover 40 for upper body 11 is fully illustrated in FIG 4C and FIG
4D, and comprise
outside angled surfaces 41, 42 and 43 designed to allow hanger 10 to face
left, right or
straight when hung on a support against a vertical surface. Rotatable cylinder
46 facilitates
the rotating action while the angled back cover design 40 allows the user to
comfortably view
the device screen from different angles and positions and not just from a
frontal position. FIG
225 4D shows the inside structure of back cover 40 comprising a flat wall
with protruding snaps
44, peg caps for peg support 45 and rectangular indents to support the outside
angular
surface. Peg caps for peg support 45 are designed to cap fixed pegs 28 in
order to alleviate
extension spring 106 force when apparatus 10 is in use. Back cover 40 is
designed to securely
attach to upper body 11 by means of snaps in this embodiment example
protecting the inside
230 components and providing a choice of viewing angles as illustrated in
FIG 7E.
Turning now to FIG 5A to FIG 5D which illustrate middle body 30 and its cover
100. Middle
body 30 is comprised of front outside wall 31 integrally connected to outside
side walls 33
and 34 and bottom outside wall 35. Inside of middle body 30 is comprised of
base wall 99
integrally connected to side walls 93, inside walls 97, partial walls with
snaps 96, fixed pegs
235 98, top wall 95 and bottom walls 94. Side walls 93 comprise a narrow
groove where the
outside walls 103 of middle cover 100 securely and permanently fit when cover
100 is
attached. Inside walls 97 spanning the length of middle body 30 are integrally
connected to
bottom wall 94 and top wall 95. Top wall 95 and bottom wall 94 span the width
of middle
body 30 and incorporate
240 two openings each to accommodate slidable legs 24 and 25 from the top
into channels 91,
and slidable legs 69 and 84 from the bottom into channels 92.
Interior walls 97 form and constitute top channels 91 and bottom channels 92
that are
precisely designed to slidably contain upper slidable legs 24 and 25 of upper
body 11, as well
as bottom slidable legs 69 and 84 of bottom body 60. Top channels 91 start at
the openings in
245 top wall 95 and are U-shaped by walls 97 and base wall 99. They
terminate at bottom wall 94
with fixed pegs 98 located midpoint widthwise of channels 91 and adjacent to
wall 94. Pegs
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-15
98 provide middle body 30 anchor points for extension springs 106 enclosed in
each of upper
slidable legs 24 and 25.
Bottom channels 92 start at the openings in bottom wall 94 and are U-shaped by
walls 97 and
250 base wall 99. They terminate at top wall 95 with fixed pegs 98 located
midpoint widthwise of
channels 92 and adjacent to top wall 95. Pegs 98 provide middle body 30 an
anchor point for
extension springs 106 enclosed in each of lower slidable legs 69 and 84.
Partial walls with snaps 96 are strategically placed throughout middle body 30
to ensure
ultimate secure adherence of middle body 30 to middle cover 100. In this
embodiment
255 example, snaps are used to secure component connections of apparatus
10. Other fasteners
such as screws may also be used in other embodiments without detracting or
departing from
the spirit and scope of this invention disclosure.
Top channels 91 and bottom channels 92 are strategically placed in this
invention to support
the implementation of two slidably attached bodies. Considering there are four
channels in
260 mid body 30, each channel can be identified by its relative position
from left to right when
middle body 30 is held vertically. Looking at the FIG 5A, channels 91
commencing from the
top left occupy positions one and three leaving positions two and four to be
occupied by
bottom channels 92. When middle body 30 is turned upside down placing bottom
wall 94 on
top, channels 92 will occupy positions one and three while channels 91 will
occupy positions
265 two and four. This design of channel positions provides balance and
stability when upper
body 11 and bottom body 60 are stretched away from middle body 30.
Looking now at FIG 5C, middle body cover 100 is comprised of a flat base wall
105
integrally connected to side walls 103, snap sections 102, peg covers 101,
slidable leg blocks
104 and stabilizers 49. Side walls 103 are designed to fit inside middle body
side grooves 93
270 for stability and strength when cover 100 is attached on middle body
30. Snap sections 102
mirror the locations of snap sections 96 on middle body 30 and provide a
balanced and stable
connection between the two components. Peg caps 101 are precisely located to
correspond to
fixed peg 98 locations on middle body 30 to alleviate some of the force
exerted on pegs 98 by
extension springs 106 while apparatus 10 is in use. Peg caps 101 enclose the
top portion of
275 pegs 98 preventing bending or breakage.
There are four slidable leg blocks 104 designed to prevent slidable legs 24,
25, 69 and 84
from sliding out of their corresponding channels while force is being exerted
to pull upper
body 11 and bottom body 60 away from middle body 30. Blocks 104 are positioned
over the
open ends of slidable channels 24, 25, 69 and 84 and protrude slightly
downwards where they
280 encounter and block the unintended egress of the corresponding leg if
pulled excessively.
Two stabilizers 49 located at opposite top and bottom ends of middle cover 100
are designed
to fit against the inside of walls 94 and 95 to aid in proper placement and
increased stability.
FIG 6A to FIG 6D show bottom body 60 of apparatus 10 while FIG 6E shows
extension
spring 106. Bottom body 60 comprises bottom wall 65 integrally connected to
side walls 63
285 and 64 integrally connected to front wall 62 integrally connected to
concave gripping area 67
integrally connected to top wall 61 integrally connected to slidable legs 69
and 84. Bottom
wall 65 is flat and extends forward in two side sections 66 to encompass
concave areas 67
that form the bottom gripping section of apparatus 10. Front Middle area 68 is
left open to
support electric charging when a device is deployed. Concave areas 67 on
either front side of
290 bottom body 60 and separated by wall 68 may comprise three structural
ribs each including
side walls 63 and 64 on the outside, a structural middle rib and another
inside rib 67. Concave
area 67 may be coated with a soft rubbery surface (not shown) or something
similar to
enhance grip and cushion action. Smooth rubber surface 23 FIG 6B may also be
applied to
Front wall 62 to improve stability.
295 Slidable legs 69 and 84 extend upwards from top wall 61 in a U-shape
comprising bottom
wall and two side walls. Duct areas 85 enclose extension springs 106
connecting bottom body
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-15
60 to middle body 30 tautly. The interior of bottom body 60 comprise a bottom
section where
extensions 66 and concave areas 67 originate. Further up fixed pegs 87 are in
line with their
corresponding slidable legs 69 and 84 where extension springs 106 deploy.
Several snaps 86
300 are strategically placed to firmly adhere to bottom cover 88 when
attached. Top wall 61 with
two openings for slidable legs 69 and 84 along with side walls 63 and 64, and
bottom wall 65
form a rectangle where bottom cover 88 adheres.
Extension springs 106 with cross center loop ends 107 is tautly suspended
inside the U-
channel ducts 85 of slidable legs 69 and 84 with bottom ends 107 affixed to
fixed pegs 87 in
305 the upper section of bottom body 60 whereas the top ends 107 is affixed
to corresponding,
laterally lined middle body pegs 98 each located at the end of channels 92.
Turning now to FIG 6C, bottom cover 88 comprise a flat base wall integrally
connected to
snap sections 89, stabilizers 90 and peg caps 113. Snap sections 89 are
precisely placed to
engage bottom body corresponding snaps 86 and lock cover 88 in place. Two
stabilizers 90
310 designed to fit against inside of walls 61 and 65 in bottom body 60 for
increased accuracy
and stability. Two peg caps 113 are precisely placed to engage top section of
pegs 87 of
bottom body 60 to alleviate force of extension springs and enhance stability.
A mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet may be disposed within this
apparatus by
holding the hook 12 by hand or hanging it on any stable protruding object such
as a cabinet
315 handle or knob, a nail or screw, a rod or tree branch, rearview mirror,
umbrella stand etc.
Hook 12 can also rotate to hang on a narrow, horizontal, extended surface such
as a laptop
upper screen edge, a cavity under a vehicle hood or inside a camping tent, or
the inside edge
of a pocket. By simply pressing the bottom intended edge of a mobile device
against bottom
gripping section 67 and applying gentle downward pressure to expand the
gripping gap until
320 the top edge of the mobile device can be placed within the upper
gripping area 17. Once the
mobile device is securely braced, any pivoting, rotating or angling can be
applied to enhance
viewing position or angle. Removing the device is accomplished by reversing
the above
procedure by applying gentle downward pressure to release the top end of the
device from the
upper grip 17 and pulling the device out.
325 The usefulness of this invention has been demonstrated by a preferred
example embodiment
illustrated above. Other embodiments of this invention may include variations
in size,
materials, shape, form and the method of constructing a fully enclosed
rotatable, pivoting
platform utilizing a single hook and double extensions, are still deemed
readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the
330 drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be
encompassed by the present
invention.
Therefore, modifications and variations can be made to this embodiment without
departing or
detracting from the spirit and novel concept of this invention disclosure. The
appended claims
are intended to cover all such variations and modifications that fall within
the spirit and scope
335 of this invention disclosure.
340
345
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