Electronic device holder

Abstract

A holder for an electronic device includes a head with elastically flexible portions configured to removably receive the electronic device with a snap-fit interlock, a neck for supporting the head relative to a surface, and a ball and socket connector coupling the neck to the head, the ball and socket connector configured to allow adjustment of the yaw, the pitch, and the roll of the electronic device with respect to the neck when the electronic device is coupled to the head.

1 ) A holder for an electronic device comprising:
 a head configured to removably receive and securely hold the electronic device;   a neck for supporting the head relative to a surface; and   a connector coupling the neck to the head, the connector configured to allow adjustment of the electronic device with respect to the neck about at least two spherical axes of freedom when the electronic device is coupled to the head, the spherical axes of freedom including yaw, pitch, and roll axes.   
     
     
         2 ) The holder of  claim 1  coupled to the electronic device. 
     
     
         3 ) A holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising a base configured to make the holder a hands-free freestanding structure that is able to support the entire weight of the holder and the weight of the electronic device coupled to the holder, the neck including a first end coupled to the connector and a second end coupled to the base. 
     
     
         4 ) A holder according to  claim 3 , wherein the base includes a V-shaped planar platform. 
     
     
         5 ) A holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a ball and socket connector coupling the neck to the head, the ball and socket connector configured to allow adjustment of the yaw, the pitch, and the roll of the electronic device with respect to the neck. 
     
     
         6 ) A holder according to  claim 5 , wherein the ball and socket connector includes a threaded nut for locking the head at a desired position when the yaw, the pitch, and the roll of the electronic device have been set. 
     
     
         7 ) A holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck includes flexible gooseneck tubing for providing additional adjustment to the electronic device coupled to the head. 
     
     
         8 ) A holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a tablet personal computer. 
     
     
         9 ) A holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the head includes elastically flexible portions configured to receive the electronic device with a snap-fit interlock. 
     
     
         10 ) A holder for an electronic device comprising:
 a head configured to removably receive and securely hold the electronic device;   a neck for supporting the head relative to a surface;   a connector coupling the neck to the head, the connector configured to allow adjustment of the electronic device with respect to the neck about at least two spherical axes of freedom when the electronic device is coupled to the head, the spherical axes of freedom including yaw, pitch, and roll axes; and   a rotary joint that allows further adjustment of the electronic device about the roll axis after the device has been initially adjusted along the at least two spherical axes of freedom and locked using the connector.   
     
     
         11 ) A holder according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotary joint provides discrete stops about the roll axis for the head. 
     
     
         12 ) A holder according to  claim 11 , wherein the discrete stops are established by magnetic force. 
     
     
         13 ) A holder according to  claim 10 , wherein the discrete stops are provided at approximately 90-degree intervals. 
     
     
         14 ) A holder according to  claim 10 , wherein the head includes elastically flexible portions configured to removably receive the electronic device with a snap-fit interlock. 
     
     
         15 ) A holder according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotary joint includes end stops for limiting rotation of the head about the roll axis to approximately 180 degrees of travel. 
     
     
         16 ) The holder of  claim 10  coupled to the electronic device. 
     
     
         17 ) A holder according to  claim 10 , wherein the electronic device is a tablet personal computer. 
     
     
         18 ) A holder according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector includes a ball and socket connector coupling the neck to the head, the ball and socket connector configured to allow adjustment of the yaw, the pitch, and the roll of the electronic device with respect to the neck. 
     
     
         19 ) A holder system for an electronic device comprising:
 a converter that is configured to be attached to the electronic device;   a head that is configured to be releasably attachable to the converter, wherein the head includes at least one movable portion that is configured for releasing the head from the converter;   a neck for supporting the head relative to a surface; and   a connector coupling the neck to the head, the connector configured to allow adjustment of the electronic device with respect to the neck about at least one spherical axis of freedom when the electronic device is coupled to the head, the spherical axis of freedom including yaw, pitch, and roll axes.   
     
     
         20 ) The holder system of  claim 19 , wherein the head is configured to be attachable to the converter via magnetic force and the movable portion of the head is configured to break the magnetic force. 
     
     
         21 ) The holder system of  claim 19 , wherein the converter is coupled to the electronic device and the head is coupled to the electronic device via the converter. 
     
     
         22 ) The holder system of  claim 20 , wherein the movable portion is slidable for shearing off the magnetic force. 
     
     
         23 ) The holder system of  claim 20 , wherein the movable portion includes a magnet that interacts with a metallic element of the converter for detaching the head from the converter. 
     
     
         24 ) The holder system of  claim 19 , wherein the movable portion is spring biased to an attachment position and is movable toward a detachment position against the bias of the spring. 
     
     
         25 ) The holder system of  claim 19 , wherein the connector includes a ball and socket connector coupling the neck to the head, the ball and socket connector configured to allow adjustment of the yaw, the pitch, and the roll of the electronic device with respect to the neck. 
     
     
         26 ) The holder system of  claim 25 , wherein the holder includes a rotary joint that allows further adjustment of the roll of the electronic device without disturbing the yaw and the pitch of the electronic device after the yaw, the pitch, and the roll of the electronic device have been initially adjusted and locked using the ball and socket connector. 
     
     
         27 ) The holder system of  claim 19 , wherein the converter is configured to be attached to the electronic device via adhesive. 
     
     
         28 ) A holder system according to  claim 19 , wherein the electronic device is a tablet personal computer.