Cell phone holder for the car
Abstract
A holder for holding a portable mobile device inside a car in a manner which provides safety and utility to the user. The holder includes reversible attaching means for mounting a portable mobile device to a car's sun visor. The attaching means consist of shaped segments of Velcro fastener attached to the visor and to the back of the portable mobile device, allowing for any chosen mounting orientation (including portrait or landscape positions). CA2888329A1 Canada Download PDF Find Prior Art SimilarOther languagesFrenchInventorRicky A. KarpiukWorldwide applications 2015 CA Application CA2888329A events 2015-04-20 Application filed by Ricky A. Karpiuk 2015-04-20 Priority to CA2888329A 2016-10-20 Publication of CA2888329A1 2020-04-07 Application status is AbandonedInfoLegal events Similar documents Priority and Related ApplicationsExternal linksEspacenetGlobal DossierCIPODiscuss
Description CELL PHONE HOLDER FOR THE CAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to holders for portable mobile devices and in particular to holders for cellphones and portable smartphones for mounting to the sun visor of a motor vehicle. 2. Description of the Related Art Various in-car holders and mounts for portable devices are known in the art, but the currently available devices mounts have numerous drawbacks. For example, suction cup mounts are typically large, bulky and require a large mounting surface such as a windshield. Device mounts often fail to properly and consistently attach to the mounting surface inside the car. Vent-mounted holders are flimsy and block the flow of air. Some existing mounts make it difficult for a user to place and remove the device from the holder. Current device mounts also fail to effectively accommodate a broad range of devices or mounting surfaces. Some state and provincial laws prohibit objects mounted to the windshield to prevent obstruction of the driver's view. Due to the deficiencies in the currently available car mounts, people still choose to hold their devices in hand when driving, thus violating hands-free driving laws adopted by many jurisdictions. This specification is directed to an improved and inexpensive portable device holder that is secure and easy to use and that alleviates the drawbacks of other current in-car phone-holders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a self-adhesive segment of Velcro applied to the back of a typical cellphone, and a mating self-adhesive Velcro segment applied to the desired in-car mounting surface, preferably to the sun visor present in almost all cars today. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing how a self-adhesive segment of Velcro 1 is to be attached to the back of device 2; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in use, showing the device affixed to a car's sun visor 3; Fig. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment the present invention, showing device 2 with the Velcro segment 1 affixed to its back; Fig. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment the present invention, showing device 2 (with the Velcro segment 1 affixed to its back) positioned to be attached to a car's sun visor 3, to which a mating segment of Velcro 4 is already affixed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the invention in more detail, a preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a kit which includes two mating segments of Velcro fastener, each with industrial strength self-adhesive backing. The kit also contains instructions for the user as to how to apply one such Velcro segment to the back of the user's cellphone; the remaining Velcro segment is to be applied to the desired mounting surface inside the car, preferably to the sun visor, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing how a self-adhesive segment of Velcro 1 is to be attached to the back of device 2. In other alternative embodiments of this invention, the Velcro segment 1 is not glued directly to the back of the phone, but it is rather glued to the back of a holding case, in which the phone is inserted by the user. Such case can optionally be included in the kit, or the user can acquire such case separately. Any type of existing cellphone holding cases, soft-cases, hard-cases, pouches, back-plates and skins can be used according to this invention, preferably of those types which do not cover the screen of the cellphone, allowing touch-screen operations to be performed by the user while the cellphone is in the holder. In further alternative embodiments of this invention, the kit may contain a custom form-fitting phone-case in which the back of the case is actually made of Velcro, or which has a Velcro-like portion embedded or molded within the backing of the case. In further alternative embodiments of this invention, separate glue strips or glue may be provided to secure the non-adhesive-backed Velcro segments to the phone and to the mounting surface. In a preferred embodiment, the holder is affixed to the sun visor (which is part number 3 in Figures 2 and 4 included herein), but in other embodiments, one of the mating segments of Velcro (provided in the kit) can be affixed to any in-car surface that is capable of securely supporting a cellphone or similar portable device, such as: dashboard, ceiling, cabin liner, windshield, steering wheel, steering column, map light fixture, rear-view mirror, radio face plate, door, A-pillar, shifting console, cup-holders, vent, speaker grille, seat-belt, etc. In other further preferred embodiments, at least one of the mating segments of Velcro (provided in the kit) is pre-cut to resemble decorative silhouettes and shapes, such as: rabbit, dog, cat, flower, leaf, turtle, heart, apple, fruits, Disney characters, cars, trucks, religious symbols, etc., to provide enhanced visual appeal when the phone is not in the holder. Operation of the preferred embodiment As seen in the drawings, the user attaches one segment of Velcro 1 to the back of his/her cellphone 2 (or to the back of a phone-case, if such optional embodiment is provided), operation shown in Figure 1 and the finished configuration is shown in Figure 3 (side view). The user also attaches the other Velcro segment (shown as part 4 in Figure 4) to the sun visor 3. As shown in Figure 4, secure mounting of the phone is achieved simply by pushing the Velcro-ed back of the phone against the Velcro-ed area of the sun visor 3, so that the two Velcro segments end up mating securely. When so mounted on the sun visor, a smartphone is ideally placed for hands- 3 free talking, viewing of GPS and navigation information on the screen, voice commands, listening to voice messages, streaming radio and music, etc. When the user desires to leave the car and/or remove the phone from the holder, a firm gradual tug is sufficient to remove the phone from its holder, by disengaging the two Velcro segments from their mating engagement. In a preferred embodiment, the Velcro segments have industrial strength self-adhesive backing, t ensure a long service life and repeated dis-mounts without coming detached from the position where they were first applied. Nonetheless, this invention envisions that the users should be able to remove, if they so wish, the Velcro segments from both the cellphone and from the sun visor. A scraping implement, together with a firm and gradual peeling motion, can help with the removal of the Velcro segments from both the cellphone and from the sun visor. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. For example, Velcro and hook-and-loop like means of attachment are described above, but those of ordinary skill will understand that any similar removable fastening methods may be equally used by other embodiments of this invention. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.