초록 ▼

An apparatus for holding an electronic device is described which includes first and second brackets slidably joined together with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path. The apparatus further includes first and second braces provided on

An apparatus for holding an electronic device is described which includes first and second brackets slidably joined together with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path. The apparatus further includes first and second braces provided on the first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another along the operating path and a biasing element biasing the first and second brackets toward one another. The first and second braces are configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween. The apparatus is part of a retaining unit also described which includes the mounting apparatus, a pivoting member, a swiveling member, and a base unit.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spa

1. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first bracket including a laterally aligned channel traversing said retention area, said second bracket telescopically sliding in said channel, wherein said first bracket comprises?an indented area proximate said first brace, andan attachment member protruding from a back surface of said first bracket, said indented area providing an access to a retaining unit which engages said attachment member; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second braces and front surfaces of said first and second brackets define said retention area having an open face and having at least one of exposed top, bottom and side borders.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second bracket snaps into said channel.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second bracket includes a clipping member that snaps into a slot formed in said channel in said first bracket.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said channel in said first bracket comprises a slot formed therein, said slot extending through said first bracket and running between said first and second braces, said second bracket comprising a clipping member extending from a back portion of said second bracket, said clipping member extending through said slot when snapped onto said first bracket.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second bracket comprises:a stop formed within said channel, said stop engaging said biasing element when said second bracket is attached to said first bracket.7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second brackets comprise mounting posts extending from front surfaces.8. A retaining unit comprising a mounting apparatus, a pivoting member pivotably attached to said mounting apparatus, a swiveling member rotatably coupled to said pivoting member, and a base unit pivotably coupled to said swiveling member, said mounting apparatus comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating axis;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first and second braces being staggered relative to one another along opposite sides of said retention area to provide open side areas opposite each of said first and second braces across said retention area, wherein said first brace is attached to said first bracket via a screw inserted from a back side and extending through a front side of said first bracket; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween.9. The retaining unit of claim 8, wherein said first and second braces and front surfaces of said first and second brackets define an open faced retention area having at least one of exposed top, bottom and side borders.10. The retaining unit of claim 8, wherein said first bracket includes a laterally aligned channel, said second bracket being slidable within said channel, said first brace being offset from said channel, said second brace being aligned along a central axis of said channel.11. The retaining unit of claim 8, wherein said second bracket is snapped onto said first bracket in a recessed relationship therebetween to provide a substantially smooth front surface across both of said first and second brackets.12. The retaining unit of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second braces include a post extending outward from a front surface of a corresponding one of said first and second brackets.13. The retaining unit of claim 8, wherein said first bracket comprises a slot formed therein, said slot extending through said first bracket and running between said first and second braces, said second bracket comprising a clipping member extending from a back portion of said second bracket, said dipping member engaging said first bracket when inserted through said slot.14. The retaining unit of claim 8, wherein said first and second brackets comprise mounting posts extending from front surfaces.15. A holder for a portable device, comprising:a base having a front surface defining a retention area configured to receive a device, said retention area having an open front face to facilitate insertion of the portable device, said base includes a laterally aligned channel;an arm movably attached to said base, said arm moving along an axis of motion relative to said base, said axis of motion extending through said retention area, said arm being telescopically slidable within said channel;gripping members comprising a first pair of gripping members fixedly secured on one of said base and arm and comprising a second gripping member provided on another of said base and arm, said first pair of gripping members and said second gripping member being spaced apart from one another in a staggered pattern to define side borders of said retention area; anda single spring member biasing all of said gripping members toward one another along said axis of motion.16. The holder of claim 15, wherein said base is configured to receive the portable device in a vertical alignment, said gripping members engaging opposite side of the portable device.17. The holder of claim 15, wherein said base includes open upper and lower ends to permit the portable device to extend beyond said base.18. The holder of claim 15, wherein said retention area defines an upright axis along which a device is oriented when held in said base, said axis of motion being oriented transverse to said upright axis such that said gripping members engage opposite sides of the portable device.19. The holder of claim 15, wherein said gripping members are arranged in a staggered pattern along opposite sides of said retention area.20. The holder of claim 15, wherein said gripping members are configured to hold at least one of a cellular telephone and a personal digital assistant.21. The holder of claim 15, further comprising means for mounting said base.22. The holder of claim 15, further comprising means for pivotably and rotatably mounting said base to at least one of a dashboard, a window, a table, and a desk.23. The holder of claim 15, further comprising:means for mounting said base to a support structure; andmeans for enabling at least one of pivoted, rotational, and translational motion of said base relative to the support structure.24. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first bracket including a laterally aligned channel traversing said retention area, said second bracket telescopically sliding in said channel, wherein said first bracket comprises?an indented area proximate said first brace, andan attachment member protruding from a back surface of said first bracket, said indented area providing an access to a retaining unit which engages said attachment member; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween, wherein said biasing element includes at least one of a spring, a clamp and an elastic material.25. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first bracket including a laterally aligned channel traversing said retention area, said second bracket telescopically sliding in said channel, wherein said first bracket comprises?an indented area proximate said first brace, andan attachment member protruding from a back surface of said first bracket, said indented area providing an access to a retaining unit which engages said attachment member; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween, wherein said first brace includes a first pair of braces proximate one side of said retention area, said second brace being located proximate an opposite side of said retention area, said first pair of braces and said second brace being arranged in a staggered pattern.26. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first bracket including a laterally aligned channel traversing said retention area, said second bracket telescopically sliding in said channel, wherein said first bracket comprises?an indented area proximate said first brace, andattachment member protruding from a back surface of said first bracket, said indented area providing an access to a retaining unit which engages said attachment member; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween, wherein said first brace includes a first pair of braces attached to one end of said first bracket, said channel being located between said first pair of braces.27. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another along said operating path; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween, said first and second brackets comprising mounting posts extending from front surfaces for mounting said first and second braces, said mounting posts and said first and second braces comprising a keying arrangement to prevent said first and second braces from rotating when mounted on said mounting posts.28. An apparatus for holding an electronic device, comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another along said operating path; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, said first and second braces being configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween, said braces comprising an off-center mounting hole and a spring, said braces providing a lift, turn, and snap back adjustment of said braces.29. A retaining unit comprising a mounting apparatus, a pivoting member pivotably attached to said mounting apparatus, a swiveling member rotatably coupled to said pivoting member, and a base unit pivotably coupled to said swiveling member, said mounting apparatus comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating axis;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first and second braces being staggered relative to one another along opposite sides of said retention area, wherein said first brace is attached to said first bracket via a screw inserted from a back side and extending through a front side of said first bracket; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, wherein said biasing element includes at least one of a spring, a clamp and an elastic material.30. A retaining unit comprising a mounting apparatus, said mounting apparatus comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating axis;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first and second braces being staggered relative to one another along opposite sides of said retention area, wherein said first brace is attached to said first bracket via a screw inserted from a back side and extending through a front side of said first bracket; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, wherein said first bracket comprises:an indented area proximate said first brace; andan attachment member protruding from a back surface of said first bracket, said indented area providing an access to a retaining unit which engages said attachment member.31. A retaining unit comprising a mounting apparatus, a pivoting member pivotably attached to said mounting apparatus, a swiveling member rotatably coupled to said pivoting member, and a base unit pivotably coupled to said swiveling member, said mounting apparatus comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating axis;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first and second braces being staggered relative to one another along opposite sides of said retention area, wherein said first brace is attached to said first bracket via a screw inserted from a back side and extending through a front side of said first bracket; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, wherein said second bracket comprises:a channel formed therein and running lengthwise between said first and second braces; anda stop formed within said channel, said stop engaging said biasing element when said second bracket is attached to said first bracket.32. A retaining unit comprising a mounting apparatus, said mounting apparatus comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating axis;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween, said first and second braces being staggered relative to one another along opposite sides of said retention area; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, wherein said first and second brackets comprise mounting posts extending from front surfaces for mounting said first and second braces, said mounting posts and said first and second braces comprising a keying arrangement to prevent said first and second braces from rotating when mounted on said mounting posts.33. A retaining unit comprising a mounting apparatus, said mounting apparatus comprising:first and second brackets slidably joined with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating axis;first and second braces provided on said first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another to define a retention area therebetween; anda biasing element biasing said first and second brackets toward one another, wherein said braces comprise an off-center mounting hole and a spring, said braces providing a lift, turn, and snap back adjustment of said braces.