GB2438662A

GB2438662A - Adjustable holder for an electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2438662A
Application number: GB0610832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leland Wang; Chun-Chen Lin; Fu-Ching Wang
Original assignee: Northstar Systems Corp
Current assignee: Northstar Systems Corp
Priority date: 2006-06-01
Filing date: 2006-06-01
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Also published as: GB0610832D0

Abstract

A stand for an electronic device comprises a rack 212 on each of two opposed clamping portions 2 coupled to a common pinion (4, figure 2) and means 63 for engaging with the mechanism to lock the clamping portions in position. The mount may further comprise one or more springs 3 located between the clamping elements to bias the clamping elements towards a spaced apart position and the means for engaging may comprise an impeding element 631 coupled to the pinion via a turning wheel 5. The pinion and turning wheel may share a common pivot 41. The electronic device may be a mobile telephone, a GPS device or a PDA.

Description

Holder for Electronic Apparatus The present invention relates to a

holder, and particularly relates to an adjustable holder adapted for holding electronic apparatus, such as a GPS, a PDA or a cell phone, inside a vehicle.

Electronic devices, such as a GPS, a PDA, or a cell phone can be installed in a vehicle via a holder. Referring to Fig. 1, a known holding seat 9 includes two seat bodies 91, 92, a fixed seat 93, and two holding 0 bodies 94 disposed on both sides of the two seat bodies 91, 92. The two holding bodies 94 can be two support bodies for adjusting an electronic device's position and fixing the electronic device. The fixed seat 93 is disposed on a bottom side of the seat body 92, and is inserted into a cigarette-lighter's socket of a vehicle or fixed in the vehicle. Two compression springs 95 are disposed between two seat bodies 91, 92.

The holding body 94 is slid along a sliding groove 921, and each holding body 94 has a lateral holding portion 941 projecting outside the corresponding seat body 91 or 92. Moreover, each holding body 94 has a one-way ratchet wheel arrangement 942 formed on a front and a rear side thereof. A flexible retaining seat 96 contacts the ratchet wheel, and the flexible retaining seat 96 has a stop 961 projecting therefrom for insertion into the ratchet wheel of the holding body 94. Hence the holding body 94 can only be moved inwardly and then positioned.

Furthermore, the flexible retaining seat 96 has an oblique edge groove 962 formed on a rear side thereof. A pressing rod 97 is inserted into the oblique edge groove 962, and has an oblique concave groove 971 for pushing the flexible retaining seat 96 to move inwardly and outwardly.

The stop 961 is inserted into the ratchet wheel 942 of the holding body 94. Hence the two holding bodies 94 can only be moved inwardly until both holding bodies 94 clamp the electronic device. Moreover, a user can press the pressing rod 97 to spring out the two holding bodies 94 via two compression springs 95 for releasing the electronic device.

However, both ratchet wheel arrangements 942 need to be formed on the two sides of each holding body 94. Moreover, the track of the ratchet wheel arrangement 942 needs to extend the full displacement distance of the holding body 94. Hence, the known holding seat's overall structure is complex, and the cost of manufacturing the holder is increased.

The holder of the present invention is defined in the independent claims.

In one embodiment the holder includes a pinion and a turning wheel that are coaxial. Hence, when both holding elements are moved outwardly and inwardly to drive the pinion, the turning wheel can be driven to rotate synchronously. Moreover, an impeding element limits both holding elements from moving inward only for holding an electronic device. Furthermore, when a release button is pressed, both holding elements can be sprung out for releasing the electronic device.

The above embodiment does not require two one-way ratchet wheels on both sides of the holding elements. Hence, the entire structure is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is considerably less than that of

the prior art.

One embodiment of the invention is a holder comprising a seat body, two holding elements, at least one spring, a pinion, a turning wheel, an impeding element, and a release button. The seat body has a front casing and a rear casing. Each holding element has a holding body and a lateral holding element connected with the holding body. Each holding body has a rack, and the two holding bodies of the two holding elements are disposed between the front casing and the rear casing. The at least one spring is disposed between the seat body and one of the two holding elements. The pinion and the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat body together, wherein the pinion is engaged with the two racks of the two holding bodies, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed therearound. The impeding element is pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface that contacts the contact surface of the turning wheel. The release button is movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the impeding element.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective, exposed view of a holder of the prior art; Fig. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a holder according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is one perspective, assembled view of a holder according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is another perspective, assembled view of a holder according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a holder according to the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective, assembled view of a holder in use according to the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 2-5, the illustrated holder comprises: a seat body 1, two holding elements 2, two springs 3, a pinion 4, a turning wheel 5, an impeding element 6 and a release button 7. The seat body 1 has a front casing 11 and a rear casing 12. The front casing 11 and the rear casing 12 are locked or retained together via screws 13 to form a hollow casing. The rear casing 12 has a plurality of circular through holes 121 formed thereon and rectangular holes 122, both of the rectangular holes 122 communicate with both sides of each through hole 121, and the rectangular hole 122 has a width smaller than that of the through hole 121 for retaining a support board 14. The support board 14 of the seat body 1 has a plurality of protrusions 141 projecting from one surface thereof and corresponding to the through holes 121. Each of protrusions 141 has two retaining portions 142 projecting from both sides thereof, and there is a predetermined distance from a surface of each retaining portion 142 to a surface of the support board 14. The protrusions 141 of the support board 14 can be inserted into the corresponding through holes 121 of the rear casing 12, and the protrusions 141 are moved toward the corresponding rectangular holes 122 for seating the retaining portions 142 on an inner face of the rear casing 12. Hence the support board 14 can be retained on a rear side of the seat body 1. Moreover, an opposite surface of the support board 14 is mounted on a sucker device 8 via a connecting rod 81 of the sucker device 8 (as shown in Fig. 6).

Hence the holder can be positioned on any suitable surface by the sucker device 8. The seat body further comprises two support elements retained on one side of the front casing 11 for supporting a bottom edge of an electronic device.

Both of the two holding elements 2 have a holding body 21 and a lateral holding element 22 connected with the holding body 21 via a fastening arrangement or adhesive. Each holding element 2 has a flexible spacer 23 attached on an inner face of each lateral holding element 22. Each holding body 21 has a rectangular hole 211 and a rack 212 disposed on one side of the rectangular hole 211. Hence the two racks 212 are respectively disposed on a top side of one of the rectangular holes 211 and a bottom side of the other rectangular hole 211 for engaging with the pinion 4 to form an impeding mechanism.

The two holding bodies 21 of the two holding elements 2 are disposed between the front casing 11 and the rear casing 12. Furthermore, one of the holding bodies 21 i as a receiving space 213 formed thereover, and the other holding body 21 is received in the receiving space 213 for stacking both holding bodies 21. The two holding bodies 21 can be moved oppositely with respect to each other. Hence the two holding bodies 21 can move inwardly for holding the electronic device, or outwardly for releasing the electronic device.

The two springs 3 are compression springs. One spring 3 contacts the seat body I and bears against one projection 214 of the holding body 21. The other spring 3 contacts the seat body 1 and bears against the other projection 214 of the holding body 21. Hence the two springs 3 are disposed between the sat body 1 and one of the two holding elements 2. Hence, the two springs 2 bias the two holding elements 2 outwardly.

The pinion 4 and the turning wheel 5 are pivoted in the seat body 1 together by a shaft element 41 (such as a screw) that passes through the pinion 4 and the turning wheel 5. The pinion 4 is engaged with the two racks 212 of the two holding bodies 21. The pinion 4 mates with the two racks 212 to form an impeding mechanism. Hence, the two racks 212 can be moved together, either inward or outward, at the same time. The turning wheel 5 is a clfcular wheel body and has a contact surface 51 formed therearound for contacting the impeding element 6.

The impeding element 6 has a pivoting portion 61 formed on one side thereof, and a pivot 62 for pivoting the pivoting portion 61 of the impeding element 6 in the front casing 11 of the seat body 1. Hence the impeding element 6 can be swung via the pivot 62 as an axle center. The impeding element 6 has an impeding surface 63 with a cambered surface. The impeding surface 63 contacts the contact surface 51 of the turning wheel 5. The impeding surface 63 has a first side 631 and a second side 632, and one distance between the first side 631 and an axle center of the impedh element 6 is longer than another distance between the second side 632 and the axle center of the impeding element 6. The impeding surface 63 further comprises a plurality of one-way teeth 633 formed between the first side 631 and the second side 632.

Hence, the impeding surface 63 has a one-way moving function. For example, referring to Fig. 5, when the turning wheel 5 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the impeding surface 63 stops the movement.

When the turning wheel 5 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the impeding surface 63 allows the movement. Hence, the two holding elements 2 can only be moved inwardly for driving the turning wheel 5 to rotate in a clockwise direction and locking the electronic device. The impeding element 6 has an impeding post 64 projecting from one face thereof.

The release button 7 is movably disposed in a sliding groove 111 of the front casing 11. The release button 7 has a button portion 71 and an impeding arm 72 connected to one side of the button portion 71. The button portion 71 projects outside the seat body 1 for pressing the button portion 71. The impeding arm 72 has an impeding hole 721, and the impeding post 64 of the impeding element 6 is inserted into the io impeding hole 721 of the impeding arm 72 for connecting the release button 7 with the impeding element 6. When the release button 7 is pressed, the impeding element 6 can be rotated anti-clockwise for the impeding surface 63 of the impeding element 6 to separate from the contact surface 51 of the turning wheel 5. At the same time the impeding element 6 loses its impeding function. Hence the two holding elements 2 can be sprung out via the two springs 3 for releasing the elecfronic device.

In conclusion, it will be noted that the pinion 4 and the turning wheel 5 are coaxial. Hence, when the two holding elements 2 are moved outwardly and inwardiy to drive the pinion 4, the turning wheel 5 can be driven to synchronously rotate. Moreover, the impeding element 6 limits the two holding elements 2 to move inwardly only for holding the electronic device. Furthermore, when the release button 7 is pressed, the two holding elements 2 are sprung out for releasing the electronic device.

Moreover, the two holding elements 2 can be moved outwardly and inwardly for holding different electronic devices of different size.

For example, when the two holding elements 2 are moved outwardly to a larger distance, the two holding elements 2 can clamp a larger electronic device. Hence the present holder is very convenient for users.

Furthermore, the two one-way ratchet wheels formed on both sides of the holding elements 2 are not required. Hence, the holder's whole structure is simple, and the manufacturing cost for the holder is reduced. In addition, each of protrusions 141 has two retaining portions 142 projected from both sides thereof for providing a retaining effect.

Hence, between the support board 14 and the seat body 1 there is a good, firm connection formed, and users do not have to worry about the holder losing its grip and sliding off.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A holder for electronic apparatus, the holder comprising: a

seat body having a front casing and a rear casing; two holding elements, wherein each holding element has a holding body and a lateral holding element connected with the holding body, each holding body has a rack, and the two holding bodies of the two holding elements are disposed between the front casing and the rear casing; at least one spring disposed between the seat body and one of the two holding elements; a pinion and a turning wheel pivoted in the seat body together, wherein the pinion is engaged with the two racks of the two holding bodies, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed is therearound; an impeding ele. ient pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface contacting the contact surface of the turning wheel; and a release button movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the impeding element.

2. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear casing has a plurality of through holes and rectangular holes, each two of the rectangular holes communicated with two sides of each through hole, and the rectangular hole has a smaller width than that of the through hole; wherein the seat body further comprises a support board that has a plurality of protrusio's projected from one surface thereof, each of the protrusions has two retaining portions projecting from two sides thereof, the protrusions of the support board are inserted into the corresponding through holes of the rear casing, and the protrusions are moved toward the corresponding rectangular holes for retaining the retaining portions on an inner face of the rear casing; wherein an opposite surface of the support board is connected to a sucker device via a connecting rod of the sucker device.

3. The holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each holding element has a flexible pacer attached on an inner face of each lateral holding element. I0

4. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each holding body has a cut-out, and the two racks are disposed on opposite sides of the respective cut-outs.

5. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the holding bodies has a receiving space formed thereover, and the other holding body is received in the receiving space for stacking the two holding bodies.

6. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one spring is a compression spring.

7. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spring contacts the seat body and a projection of one of the holding elements.

8. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pinion and the turning wheel are rotatably mounted on the seat body together by a shaft element passing through the pinion and the turning wheel.

9. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the impeding element has a pivoting portion formed on one side thereof, and a pivot for pivoting the pivoting portion of the impeding element in the seat body.

10. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the impeding surface of the impeding element is a cambered surface.

11. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the impeding surface has a first side and a second side, one distance between the first side ind an axle center of the impeding element is longer than an other distance between the second side and the axle center of the impeding element, and the impeding surface further comprises a plurality of one-way teeth formed between the first side and the second side.

12. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the impeding element has an impeding post projected from one face thereof, the release button has an impeding arm and the impeding arm has an impeding hole, and the impeding post of the impeding element is inserted into the impeding hole of the impeding arm.

13. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the release button is movably disposed in a sliding groove of the front casing.

14. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the release button has a button portion projecting outside the seat body.

15. An adjustable holder for holding electronic apparatus, the holder including a rack and pinion mechanism coupled to opposed clamping portions of the holder, the rack and pinion mechanism including two racks engaging a common pinion and the holder having means for releasably engaging the rack and pinion mechanism to set the spacing of the opposed clamping portions.

16. An adjustable holder according to claim 15 wherein the opposed clamping portions are biased apart and the releasably engaging means is biased into frictional engagement with a rotary member carried by the pinion.

17. An adjustable holder substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Fig ires 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An adjustable holder for holding electronic apparatus, comprising: a seat body having opposed casing portions; a rack and pinion mechanism coupled to opposed clamping elements of the holder, the rack and pinion mechanism including two racks engaging a common pinion and the holder having means for releasably engaging the rack and pinion mechanism to set the spacing of the opposed clamping elements; and at least one spring disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping elements; wherein the opposed clamping elements are biased apart, the releasably engaging means comprises a pivoted impeding element releasably biased into rolling engagement with a rotary member carried by the pinion, the pivoted impeding element and rotary member having a carnming engagement such that when the clamping elements are moved apart, the rotary member rolls over then jams against a convex engaging surface of the impeding element to lock the rack and pinion mechanism and clamping elements in position until the impeding 2o element is released by pressing a release button which is pivoted in the C C) * seat body and coupled to the impeding element; and wherein the convex engaging surface has teeth formed thereon and inclined towards the nip of the rotary member and impeding element to enhance the locking of the rack and pinion mechanism and clamping elements.

2. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said casing portions is fastened to one surface of a support board, the opposite surface of the support board being connected to a sucker device via a connecting rod of the sucker device.

3. The holder as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the at least one spring is a compression spring.

4. The holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spring contacts the seat body and a projection of one of the clamping elements.

5. The holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the impeding element has a post projecting from one face thereof, into a hole formed in an arm portion of the release button is inserted into the impeding hole of the impeding arm.

6. The holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the release button is movably disposed in a sliding groove of a casing portion. * 0 * 0**e

(1* 7. The holder as claimed in of claims 1 to 6, wherein the release button has a button portion projecting outside the seat body.

8. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each clamping element has a flexible spacer attached on an inner face thereof.

9. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each clamping element has a cut-out, and two racks are formed on opposite sides of the respective cut-outs.

10. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the clamping elements is slidably received in the interior of the other clamping elements.

11. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pinion and the rotary member are rotatably mounted on the seat body together by a shaft passing through the pinion and the rotary member.

12. The holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engaging surface of the impeding element is a camming surface.

13. An adjustable holder substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

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