Securing apparatus for portable electronic devices

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a portable electronic device includes a base section configured to be supported on a surface, and a main body configured to engage the portable electronic device to secure the portable electronic device to the apparatus. The main body is adjustably attached to the base section so that the main body is movable relative to the base section while the portable electronic device is secured to the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for securing a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
 a base section configured to be supported on a surface; and   a main body configured to engage the portable electronic device to secure the portable electronic device to the apparatus, the main body being adjustably attached to the base section so that the main body is movable relative to the base section while the portable electronic device is secured to the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is movable relative to the base section in at least two degrees of freedom. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two degrees of freedom include longitudinal movement, vertical movement, and pivotal movement. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the base section. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the main body includes a plate defining a slot, wherein the base section includes a collar assembly that connects the main body to the base section, wherein the collar assembly includes a boss that is received in the slot, and wherein the slot has a length that is larger than the boss to allow movement of the plate relative to the collar assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is movable in a vertical direction relative to the base section. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the base section includes a collar assembly that connects the main body to the base section, wherein the collar assembly includes a lock nut and a vertical lock, and wherein the vertical lock selectively disengages the lock nut to allow movement of the main body relative to the base section. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the base section also includes a manual actuator that is operable to disengage the vertical lock from the lock nut. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is pivotable relative to the base section. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the base section includes a collar assembly that connects the main body to the base section, wherein the collar assembly includes a lock nut extending through a hole in the base section, and wherein the lock nut is pivotable through an angle relative to the hole to allow movement of the main body relative to the base section. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a device base, wherein the base section is secured to the device base, and wherein the device base is configured to support a portion of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment system attached to the base section, wherein the attachment system is configured to be secured to an immovable object. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the attachment system includes a cable. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an arm coupled to the main body, wherein the main body and the arm are configured to at least partially enclose the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the arm is a ratchet arm. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for securing a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:
 a base section configured to be supported on a surface, the base section including a collar assembly;   a main body having a first end and a second end, the main body being adjustably attached to the base section by the collar assembly;   a first arm disposed at the first end of the main body, the first arm having a first hook; and   a second arm disposed at the second end of the main body, the second arm having a second hook;   wherein the main body, the first arm, and the second arm are configured to at least partially enclose the portable electronic device to secure the portable electronic device to the apparatus, and wherein the main body is movable in a longitudinal direction, movable in a vertical direction, and pivotable relative to the base section while the portable electronic device is secured to the apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first arm is slidable relative to the main body to a plurality of lateral positions. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a locking system operable to lock the first arm in each of the plurality of lateral positions. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a device base, wherein the base section is secured to the device base, and wherein the device base is configured to support a portion of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment system attached to the base section, wherein the attachment system is configured to be secured to an immovable object.