WO2012018405A2

WO2012018405A2 - Mobile device holder for attachment to other apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012018405A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/001404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jemes Fenton
Original assignee: Jemes Fenton
Priority date: 2010-08-02
Filing date: 2011-08-02
Publication date: 2012-02-09
Also published as: WO2012018405A3

Abstract

A device for holding equipment and for attaching to an apparatus. The device includes fingers that hold the equipment and a spring that pulls the fingers together. The device also includes a reel which includes an extendable and retractable length of line which includes a hook for attaching to other apparatus. The device also includes a stand for resting on generally horizontal surfaces. The device is suitable for holding a mobile device or other equipment, for attaching to other apparatus and for resting on generally horizontal surfaces.

Description

MOBILE DEVICE HOLDER FOR ATTACHMENT TO OTHER APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/400,754, filed on August 02, 2010, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to devices for supporting smart phones, tablet computers and other electronic devices, including supporting and attaching a smart phone, a tablet computer or other electronic device to another apparatus to facilitate hands-free viewing of the device. In addition, the invention relates generally to supporting and attaching a smart phone, a tablet computer or other electronic device to another apparatus to provide secure mounting of the device to help prevent damage to the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video consumption on mobile smart phones, tablet computers and other handheld video devices is on the rise. Online services allow consumers to stream video to these devices for viewing in real time. These devices are also capable of

downloading full-length movies and shows to store on the device for later viewing.

Because of this, these smart phones, tablets and other devices are perfect for providing personal entertainment to the user, however, in some circumstances, holding the devices by hand for extended periods of time (to watch an entire movie for instance) may not be desirable or even possible. For instance, watching a movie on a smart phone or tablet computer while walking or running on a treadmill would be very difficult if the viewer was required to hold the device by hand. Setting the smart phone or tablet computer on the magazine rack of the exercise machine in order to view it while exercising may be dangerous as the device may easily fall off the magazine rack and be damaged.

In addition, even if it were possible to hold the smart phone or tablet computer by hand for the duration of the entertainment (while on an airplane for instance), it may become quite tiresome.

Also, allowing children to view entertainment on smart phones or tablet computers may be desired in order to provide entertainment to the child or to provide educational content or games for the child to learn from. On scenario for this may be to allow the child to engage in educational content on the smart phone or tablet computer while sitting in stroller. However, allowing a child to hold or otherwise handle a smart phone or tablet computer may be dangerous as children may be apt to drop or throw the device, potentially causing harm to the child and catastrophic damage to the device.

There is therefore a need for a universal holder for these smart phones, tablet computers and other electronic devices that allows the user to attach the device to a treadmill, to the back of an airplane seat, around a car seat head rest, around the tray of a stroller, or to other apparatus to provide safe and secure mounting of the device, and to facilitate easy hands-free viewing of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention allows a person to attach a mobile device such as a smart phone, a tablet computer and other mobile device, to other apparatus such as an exercise machine, the back of an airplane seat, and an automobile head rest to facilitate hands-free viewing of content on the mobile device. In addition, the current invention also allows a person to securely attach a mobile device to other apparatus such as the tray of a stroller to provide secure mounting of the device and prevent damage to the device. The current invention also allows a person to prop the mobile device upright on a table top for comfortable viewing. The invention generally relates to a universal mobile device holder that includes means to attach said holder and mobile device to such apparatus as stated above.

For the sake of explanation in this specification, the term "mobile device" will be used to refer to any smart phone, tablet computer, personal video player, personal music player, or any other device that displays, transmits, contains or otherwise offers content to be viewed by, listened to or otherwise consumed by the user. While this specification will focus primarily on describing the invention with use in conjunction with such mobile devices, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that the scope of the invention is not limited for use with only such mobile devices, and that the invention may be used with any type of electronic equipment that provides content to be viewed by, listened to or otherwise consumed by the user.

Furthermore, the invention may be used to support devices other than electronic devices. The invention may also be used with apparatus other than exercise equipment, airplane seats, car headrests and stroller trays.

This summary will first concentrate on how the universal holder may attach to the mobile device and how it may hold the mobile device secure. The summary will then describe how the universal holder may facilitate the attachment of these mobile devices to other apparatus.

In one embodiment, the universal mobile device holder may include a body and upper and lower fingers to clamp the universal holder around the edges of a mobile device. A spring component may be attached between the upper and lower finger in order to apply an inward force, thus pulling the upper and lower fingers towards each other and tightening their grip around the edges of the mobile device.

The mobile device may be inserted into the universal holder by inserting one edge of the mobile device into one finger of the universal holder and then elongating the spring component in order to extend the other finger of the universal holder around an opposite side of the mobile device. Once the mobile device is in position between the two fingers of the universal holder, the spring component may apply the necessary forces to the fingers of the universal device to keep the mobile device secure within the universal holder.

In this configuration, the universal may rest against the back side of the mobile device with the fingers gripping two opposite edges of the mobile device. The tips of the fingers may then slightly wrap around the front surface of the mobile device to securely hold the mobile device but it may be preferable that they do not cover up any of the viewing area on the front of the mobile device.

In another embodiment, the overall distance between the upper finger and the lower finger of the universal hold may be adjustable in order to accommodate mobile devices of different dimensions. In this embodiment, the upper portion, lower portion or middle portion of the main body of the universal holder may be extendable in order to lengthen or shorten the overall length of the universal holder. Once positioned to accommodate the desired dimensions of a mobile device, the extendable portion of the body of the universal holder may be locked in place using a latch. In this embodiment, it may be preferable that the universal holder may be adjusted to be a length slightly shorter than the dimension of the mobile device to be inserted into it such that the spring device may be elongated in order to insert the mobile device and therefore may apply the inward forces necessary between the upper and lower fingers of the universal holder to hold the mobile device in place between them.

In another embodiment of this type, it may be preferable that the latch

mechanism that locks the extendable portion of the body in place may also deflect the spring component in order to elongate it so that it may then exert the necessary forces between the extendable portion of the main body and the non-extendable portion of the main body in order to hold the mobile device secure between the two fingers. This embodiment may allow the user to adjust the overall length of the universal holder to be generally the same as the dimension of the mobile device to be inserted into it since the spring mechanism will be elongated by the latch and not by the act of inserting the mobile device. In this embodiment, the user may open the universal holder wide and insert the mobile device into it. The user may then position the length of the universal holder such that the edges of the mobile device may come into contact with the upper and lower fingers of the universal holder. The user may then lock the latch component of the universal holder thus locking the extendable portion of the universal holder in place and elongating the spring component. Once elongated, the spring component may apply the necessary inward forces on the upper and lower fingers to securely hold the mobile device between them.

As described above, the tips of the fingers may wrap around the edges of the mobile device in order to securely grip it.

In one embodiment, the fingers and the finger tips may generally follow the contour of the edges of the mobile device as they wrap around it.

In another embodiment, the fingers and the finger tips may not generally follow the contour of the edges of the mobile device as they wrap around it. Instead, the upper finger may begin at a point above and behind the upper edge of the mobile device and may extend generally linearly at a downward angle until the front tip extends over the front edge of the mobile device. Similarly, the lower finger may be begin at a point below and behind the bottom edge of the mobile device and may extend generally linearly at an upward angle until the front tip extends over the front edge of the mobile device.

This embodiment allows different mobile devices of different widths to be held within the same universal holder. The front edges of different mobile devices with different widths will come into contact with the front inner surfaces of the upper and lower fingers and tips at different points. The front edges of thinner mobile devices will contact the front inner surfaces of the upper and lower fingers and tips at points deeper within the cavity formed by the fingers and the back inner surface of the main body of the universal holder compared to the front edges of thicker mobile devices. However, as long as the front edges of the mobile device come into contact with the inner surfaces of the upper and lower fingers and tips at some point, the upper and lower fingers and tips may be able to adequately grip the mobile device in order to hold it securely within the universal holder.

Another embodiment may include a cushion material placed within the upper and lower fingers in order to protect the edges of the mobile device from damage when inserted into the universal holder. The cushion material may also form itself around the edges of the mobile device and apply additional friction to the mobile device to assist with holding the mobile device securely within the universal holder.

Some mobile devices may be too short and/or too thin to be held securely by the universal holder using the above embodiment. Another embodiment for these shorter and/or thinner mobile devices may include upper and lower fingers and tips that may be configured to hold the mobile device securely in place between the lower surface of the upper tip and the upper surface of the lower tip. In this configuration, the mobile device may not be held by making contact with the upper inner surface of the upper finger and the lower inner surface of the lower finger as described in the embodiment above.

Instead, the upper edge of the mobile device makes contact with the lower surface of the upper tip and lower edge of the mobile device makes contact with the upper surface of the lower tip, and the spring component applies an inward force between the upper and lower tip to hold the mobile device in place between the tips.

The spring mechanism that may be used to apply an inward force between the upper and lower fingers and tips may be comprised of any type of spring metal such as spring steel, or any other type of elastic material such as silicon, and elastic band or other type of material that has spring-like characteristics.

Turning attention to the overall structure of the universal holder, the upper and lower portions of the main body may be connected together and supported by the spring component such that they are held generally parallel and generally in-line with one another, or in a way that they are held loosely and in different orientations with one another.

In another embodiment, the upper portion of the main body and the lower portion of the main body of the universal holder may overlap with one another, may slide inside one another, may be positioned side-by-side with one another, or may be generally positioned with respect to one another in other ways to lend support to the overall structure of the universal holder in order to keep the upper portion of the main body and the lower portion of the main body of the universal holder generally parallel and generally in-line with one another.

In other embodiments, the universal holder may have a number greater or less than two fingers and tips that may be used to grip the mobile device. In addition, the fingers and tips may be configured to grip the corners of the mobile device as well as or instead of the straight edges of the mobile device. The universal holder may utilize different fingers and different tips to grip the mobile device using a combination of gripping locations such as corners and straight edges.

While the embodiments described so far have described how the spring component configured between the upper and lower fingers of the universal holder may be elongated in order to apply and inward force between the upper and lower fingers together to securely hold a mobile device within the universal holder, the components of the universal holder may be configured such that the spring component may be compressed in order to apply a generally outward force that may in turn apply a generally inward force between the upper finger and the lower finger of the universal holder that may be sufficient to hold a mobile device securely within the universal holder between upper finger and lower finger. In this configuration, the upper portion of the main body and the lower portion of the main body may overlap each other and may each include inner lips or edges at the top of the overlapping sections. The spring mechanism may be placed in the overlapping area and may be held at one end by the lip of one overlapping section and at the other end by the lip of the other overlapping section such that when compressed, the spring mechanism may exert an outward force on the two lips of the two overlapping sections. Because of this configuration, this outward force applied to the lips of the overlapping sections may in turn apply an inward force to the upper and lower fingers of the universal holder thus securely holding a mobile device held within it.

In another embodiment, the upper finger and the upper tip, and the lower finger and the lower tip, may be foldable inward to be compact when not in use and folded outward to be deployed when ready to use. That is, the upper and lower fingers may be folded downward and generally towards the main body of the universal holder and to become somewhat or fully flush with the main body of the universal holder and in a more compact state when not in use. The upper and lower fingers may then be folded outward and generally away from the main body of the universal holder to be deployed for use with gripping a mobile device. In addition, other portions of the main body of the universal holder may be folded in order to for the universal holder to become a generally different shape or more compact for easier storage when not in use.

This summary will now turn its attention to how the universal holder may be configured to be attached to other apparatus such as treadmills, the head rests of car seats, the tray tables of airplane seats, the tray tables of strollers and other apparatus.

In one embodiment, the universal holder may include a reel component that may hold a length of line that may be pulled outward from the reel component within the universal holder to be used to attach the universal holder and any mobile device inserted into it to another apparatus. A hook may be located near or at the free end of the length of line to facilitate attaching the length of line and thus the universal holder to another apparatus. The reel component may be generally circular and the length of line may be wrapped around the general circumference of the reel component in order to hold it.

In one embodiment, the reel component may include a coil spring configured to turn the reel component around its center axis in order to automatically retract the length of line when desired. In this configuration, the user may extend the length of line from the universal holder by pulling on it in order to attach the length of line to another apparatus thereby attaching the universal holder and the mobile device within it to the other apparatus. The user may then detach the universal holder from the apparatus and allow the length of line to pulled into and wound around the reel component by the coil spring.

In another embodiment, the reel component may have a locking mechanism to lock the reel component from turning thereby locking the length of line at a particular position.

In one embodiment of this type, the reel component may have square teeth generally located around its circumference. A locking mechanism with a tooth configured to fit between two sequential square teeth on the general circumference of the reel component may be used to insert said tooth between two sequential teeth on the general circumference of the reel component thus blocking the square teeth from moving in either direction thereby locking the reel component in place. The locking mechanism may include a button that the user can push or slide in order to lock the reel component once a desired length of line has been extended from the reel component. The user may then use the button to unlock the reel component to allow the length of line to be retracted onto the reel component by the coil spring.

In another embodiment of this type, the reel component may have generally triangular teeth along its general circumference. In this embodiment, the reel component may be locked from turning in one direction but not in the other. One side of each triangular tooth along the general circumference of the reel component may have an upright angle great enough to allow the tooth from the locking mechanism to block it when the locking mechanism is placed in its locked position with its tooth inserted between two sequential triangular teeth on the general circumference of the reel component. The other side of each triangular tooth however may have a less upright angle such that this side of the triangular tooth does not block the tooth from the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in its locked position. Instead, as the reel component turns, the bottom of the tooth from the locking mechanism that is placed between two sequential triangular teeth around the general circumference of the reel component may generally slide along the less upright side of the triangular tooth and be pushed upward until it reaches the apex of the triangular tooth, and it passes the apex of the triangular tooth it may snap downward to engage the next sequential triangular tooth and the process starts again. The locking mechanism may be held in the generally locked position by a spring such that its tooth is held between two sequential teeth on the reel component. This way, the reel component is able to turn in the direction as described directly above but not in the opposite direction that is blocked by the more upright side of each triangular tooth. The length of line may be wrapped around the general circumference of the reel component such that the act of extending it, by pulling it out for instance, turns the reel component in the direction that it is free to turn. This allows the user to pull the length of line from the reel component to a desired length and when let go, the reel component is locked in position and does not retract. The locking mechanism may have a button that allows the user to disengage the tooth on the locking mechanism from between two sequential teeth in order to allow the reel component to spin freely in both directions thereby allowing the coil spring to turn the reel component to retract the length of line.

In another embodiment, the reel component along with the length of line, the hook and locking mechanism may be detached from the universal body when not needed. This detachable reel assembly may be held in place on the universal body by a snap or latch, and when detached, another attachment mechanism such as a clamp or section of gooseneck may be attached to the universal body using the snap or latch that also held the detachable reel assembly in place.

In another embodiment, the reel component along with length of line and locking mechanism may be detached and pulled away from the body of the universal holder in order to extend the length of line from the reel component. In this embodiment, the other end of the length of line may be attached to the universal holder such that the act of detaching and pulling the reel component away from the universal holder causes the reel component to turn and extend the length of line. The detachable reel component may have a hook attached to it to facilitate connecting the reel component to another apparatus thereby attaching the universal holder to the other apparatus.

This specification will now turn its attention to specifically describing the general methodologies of how the universal holder and a mobile device attached to it may be attached to other apparatus such as treadmills, car head rests, airplane seats, strollers and other apparatus to provide secure mounting of the mobile device in order to help prevent damage to the device and to facilitate hands-free viewing of content that may be presented by the mobile device.

The universal holder 1 may be attached to a treadmill to allow a person engaging with the treadmill to view content on the mobile device attached to the universal holder while exercising. In one embodiment, the universal holder and the mobile device may rest on the front face of the treadmill control console, and a length of line may extend from the reel component within the universal holder over the top of the control console, down the back of the control console and around the neck of the frame that supports the control console. The hook at the end of the length of line may then hook around an exposed portion of the length of line at a point prior to the neck of the frame such that a loop may be formed around the neck of the frame. The length of line may then be pulled tight to tighten the loop around the neck of the frame and the user may adjust the length of line to position the universal holder and the mobile device at a position on the console that is comfortable for viewing. The user may then lock the length of line if a locking mechanism exists.

In another embodiment, the hook may hook directly to a part of the treadmill that has a shape and dimension small enough to allow the hook to be attached securely to it. In this embodiment, the length of line may extend from the universal holder to the top back edge of the control console and the hook may be hooked to the top back edge of the control console. The length of line may then be adjusted such that the universal holder and the mobile device rest in a position on the front face of the treadmill control console that may be comfortably viewable by the user. The user may then lock the length of line if a locking mechanism exists.

In yet another embodiment, the length of line may extend from the universal holder over the top of the control console down the back of the control console, loop around the neck of the frame of the treadmill and then extend back up to the universal holder such that the hook at the end of the length of line may then hook onto upper tip of the upper finger of the universal holder to form a loop. The length of line may then be adjusted to position the universal holder and the mobile device on the face of the console to a comfortably viewable position for the user. The user may then lock the length of line if a locking mechanism exists.

The universal holder may also be attached to the head rest of a car seat to allow a person sitting behind the head rest to view content on the mobile device attached to the universal holder. In one embodiment, the length of line may extend from the reel component within the universal holder and may loop around the neck of the seat's headrest. The hook may then hook around an exposed portion of the length of line prior to the head rest such that a loop is formed around the neck of the head rest. The length of line may then be pulled tight to further tighten the loop around the head rest. The length of line may then be adjusted to position the universal holder and the mobile device to a comfortably viewable position for the user. The user may then lock the length of line if a locking mechanism exists.

In another embodiment, the length of line may extend from the reel component within the universal holder and may loop around the neck of the head rest and the length of line may then extend back to the universal holder such that the hook may then hook onto upper tip of the upper finger of the universal holder to form a loop. The length of line may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to hold the universal holder and the mobile device inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it.

The universal holder may also be attached to the back of an airplane seat to allow a person sitting behind the air plane seat to view content on the mobile device attached to the universal holder. In one embodiment, the length of line may extend from the reel component within the universal holder and may loop around the lock

mechanism of the tray table. The hook may then hook around an exposed portion of the length of line prior to the lock mechanism such that a loop may be formed around the lock mechanism of the tray table. The length of line may then be pulled tight to further tighten the loop around the lock mechanism. The length of line may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists to hold the universal holder and the mobile device inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it.

In another embodiment, the length of line may extend from the reel component within the universal holder and may loop around the lock mechanism of the tray table. The length of line may then extend back to the universal holder such that the hook may hook onto upper tip of the upper finger of the universal holder to form a loop. The length of line may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists to hold the universal holder and the mobile device inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it. In another embodiment, the length of line may extend from the reel component in the universal holder, loop around the body of the tray table on the back of the seat in front of the user with the said tray table in its upright and locked position, and attach to the lower finger of the universal holder to form a loop. The length of line may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists to hold the universal holder and the mobile device inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it.

In another embodiment, the hook may hook directly to a part of the tray table that has a shape and dimension small enough to allow the hook to be attached securely to it. The length of line may extend from the universal holder to the upper back edge of the tray table and the hook may be hooked to the top back edge of the tray table. The length of line may then be adjusted and locked if a locking mechanism exists such that the universal holder and the mobile device rest in a position on the back seat of the airplane seat that may be comfortably viewable by the user.

In another embodiment, the length of line may extend over the top edge of the tray table in its upright and locked position and down the back of the tray table. The hook may then extend out the bottom and, with the tray table in its upright and locked position, act as a wedge or anchor, thus holding the universal holder and mobile device in place. The universal holder and the mobile device attached to it may then hang down from the top edge of the outside of the closed tray table and the length of line may be adjusted to place and locked if a locking mechanism exists such that the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 attached to it to be comfortably viewable by the user.

The universal holder may also be attached around the tray of a stroller to provide safe and secure mounting of the mobile device while a child may be engaging with it. In one embodiment the universal holder and the mobile device inserted into it may be placed on the top of the tray of a stroller allowing a child sitting in the seat of the stroller to engage with the mobile device. The length of line may extend from the reel component in the universal holder, may loop around the stroller tray and attach back onto the lower finger of the universal holder to form the loop. The length of line may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists to tighten the loop of length of line around the tray of the stroller in order to secure the universal holder and the mobile device attached to it to the tray of the stroller such that it cannot be moved from the general top area of the tray 19a of the stroller. In this configuration, the child may engage with the mobile device but may not be able to throw it onto the ground or otherwise drop it.

In addition, the hook that may be positioned at or near the end of the length of line as describe above may also comprise of several different hooks attached together. For instance, the hook may have large hook that is used to hook around an element of the apparatus that has applicable dimensions and an appropriate shape to allow the hook to adequately grip it securely, and a smaller hook that may be located on the inner surface of the larger hook designed to hook onto exposed lengths of line to facilitate the line looping attachment method described above.

Also, other attachment components such as a larger hook, a series of hooks or a suction cup may be connected to the hook at the end of the length of line. In this scenario, these additional attachment components may be preferably designed to securely receive the hook so that when attached to the hook they may be secure.

A universal attachment jack may also be located near or at the end of the length of line that may be configured to receive and attach to a wide variety of other detachable attachment components. The universal attachment jack may have a receiving means such as a threaded bolt that other attachment components such as a larger hook or a suction cup may be configured to screw onto to become generally attached to the length of line.

The universal holder may also include a stand that may extend from the back of the main body of the universal holder at a downward angle. When the universal holder and the mobile device held by the universal holder are placed on the top of a table or other surface with the stand extended, the bottom portion of the body of the universal holder and the bottom portion of the stand come into contact with the table top and the universal holder and mobile device may be propped upright for comfortable viewing. The stand may be retractable into the body of the universal holder for storage when not in use and extendable when needed.

The universal holder may also have multiple stands that may be deployed to prop up the universal holder and the mobile device at different angles for viewing. In one embodiment, the universal holder may have one set of different length stands on each side of its body, left and right. In this configuration, one stand from each set may be deployed at one time to prop up the universal holder at a particular angle. With the universal holder placed on a table top with one stand on either side of its body deployed, the bottom of the right stand, the bottom of the left stand and the bottom of the universal holder make contact with the table top thus forming a tripod. Each set of stands may include a longer stand, a medium length stand and shorter stand that when deployed, prop up the universal holder and the mobile device at a particular angle. The sets of stands may also be configured to fit inside of one another or sit generally flush on one another in order to be compact for storage when not in use.

Furthermore, additional attachment components such as a clamp or length of gooseneck may be attached to the body of the universal holder. The universal holder may include a receiving means and the additional attachment components may include an attachment means that may be attached to the receiving means on the universal holder so that they may be attached. Examples of the receiving means may include a jack or a slot that the additional attachment means may be attached to and detached from.

Another embodiment that provides for the attachment of additional attachment means may include a sheath that the universal holder fits into. A portion of or the entirety of the universal holder may fit into the sheath and the sheath may include the receiving means for additional attachment components to be attached to. That is, the sheath may include a jack or a slot that additional attachment components such as a clamp or a length of goose neck may be attached to and detached from.

Since the user of the universal holder and the mobile device that may be held by the universal holder may also employ headphones to listen to audio on the mobile device, the universal holder may also contain a means to hold all or a portion of the headphone cord. In one embodiment, the headphone cord may be tucked into a slot that is located behind the retractable stand of the universal holder. This may be preferable to hold a portion of the head phone cord at a location generally in the center of the universal holder such that the head phone cord then extends from the center of the universal holder to the user. By extending from the center of the universal holder, any force exerted by the user to the cord may then be exerted to the center of the universal holder and not to the head phone jack on the side of the mobile device. This may prevent the mobile device from tilting to the side if such force is exerted.

The universal holder may also contain all or a general portion of the head phone cord in order to store the head phone cord for when not in use.

In another aspect of the invention, various methods are employed to generate revenue. This includes novel methods in and of themselves, as well as existing methods that are used in novel applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a diagram of the universal holder for smart phones, computer tablets and other electronic devices comprising an upper finger and a lower finger connected together by a spring component.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that depicts a mobile device being inserted into the universal holder. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the front of the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into it.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the back of the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into it.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the back of the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into it with the mobile device in landscape position.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the back of the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into it with the mobile device in portrait position.

FIG. 6A is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an extendable portion of the main body, a locking mechanism, a non-extendable portion of the main body, a spring component, an upper finger and a lower finger.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an extendable portion of the main body containing notch elements, a latch containing a tooth, a non-extendable portion of the main body, a spring component, an upper finger and a lower finger.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, an upper tip, a lower finger, a lower tip, an upper main body and a lower main body connected together by a spring component, and a mobile device inserted into and being held between the upper and lower fingers of the universal holder.

FIG. 7A is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, an upper tip, a lower finger, a lower tip, an upper main body and a lower main body connected together by a spring component, and a mobile device inserted into the universal holder being too thin and too short to be held by the universal holder.

FIG. 7B is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, an upper tip, a lower finger, a lower tip, an upper main body and a lower main body connected together by a spring component, and a mobile device inserted into and being held between upper and lower tips of the universal holder. FIG. 7C is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, an upper tip, a lower finger, a lower tip, an overlapping upper main body with an upward pointing lip and an overlapping lower main body with a downward pointing lip, a compressed spring component positioned against the lips, and a mobile device inserted into and being held between the upper finger and the lower finger of the universal holder.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of the upper portion of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, an upper tip, an upper main body and the upper portion of a mobile device with width W1 inserted into the universal holder.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of the upper portion of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, an upper tip, an upper main body and the upper portion of a mobile device with width W2 inserted into the universal holder.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the upper portion of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, a padding attached to the inside of the upper finger, an upper tip, an upper main body and the upper portion of a mobile device inserted into the universal holder.

FIG. 10A is a diagram of a coiled spring component.

FIG. 10B is a diagram of a zigzag spring component

FIG. 10C is a diagram of a generally square spring component

FIG. 1 1 is a diagram of the universal holder comprising two upper fingers and one lower finger connected together by a spring component.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the universal holder comprising two upper fingers and two lower fingers connected together by a spring component.

FIG. 12A is a diagram of the universal holder comprising one upper finger, one left-side finger, one right-side finger and one lower finger connected together by a spring component.

FIG. 12B is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising of two upper fingers configured to grip the upper two corners of a mobile device, a lower finger configured to grip the lower edge of a mobile device, with the upper and lower fingers attached together by a spring component and with a mobile device in the landscape position inserted into and being held by the universal holder.

FIG. 12C is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising of two upper fingers configured to grip the upper two corners of a mobile device, a lower finger configured to grip the lower edge of a mobile device, with the upper and lower fingers attached together by a spring component and with a mobile device in the portrait position inserted into and being held by the universal holder.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the universal holder comprising a main body, an upper foldable finger and a lower foldable finger.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the universal holder comprising a main body, an upper foldable finger and a lower foldable finger with the fingers in the folded position.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the universal holder comprising an upper finger, a lower finger, an overlapping upper main body and an overlapping lower main body connected together by a spring component, a reel component, a length of line and a hook attached to the end of the length of line.

FIG. 15A is a diagram of a hook comprising a large hook, a smaller hook positioned on the inside curvature of the large hook and a length of line.

FIG. 15B is a diagram of a reel component comprising teeth around its

circumference, a loosely wound coil spring, and a length of line wrapped around its circumference.

FIG. 15C is a diagram of a reel component comprising teeth around its

circumference, a more tightly wound coil spring, and a length of line wrapped around its circumference.

FIG. 15D is a diagram showing the side view of a reel component comprising of a channel running along its circumference and a length of line wrapped within the channel.

FIG. 15E is a diagram of a reel component comprising rectangular teeth around its circumference, a length of line wrapped around its circumference and a locking mechanism with a button and a tooth configured to lock the reel component in place in both directions.

FIG. 15F is a diagram of a reel component comprising triangular teeth around its circumference, a length of line wrapped around its circumference and a locking mechanism with a spring, a button and a tooth configured to lock the reel component in place in one direction but not the other.

FIG. 15G is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a main body and a detachable reel assembly with a mobile device inserted into and being held by the universal holder.

FIG. 15H is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a main body and a detachable clamp attached to the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into and being held by the universal holder.

FIG. 151 is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a main body and a detachable length of gooseneck attached to the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into and being held by the universal holder.

FIG. 15J is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a main body and a detachable reel assembly with a length of line connected to the main body of the universal holder with a mobile device inserted into and being held by the universal holder.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the control console of and exercise machine and attached to the exercise machine using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and looping around the frame of the exercising machine.

FIG. 16A is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the control console of and exercise machine and attached to the exercise machine using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and hooking to the upper back edge of the control console. FIG. 16B is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the control console of and exercise machine and attached to the exercise machine using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder, looping around the frame of the exercising machine and connecting back to the universal holder.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of a car seat and attached to the head rest of the car seat using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and looping around the head rest of the car seat.

FIG. 17A is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of a car seat and attached to the head rest of the car seat using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder, looping around the head rest of the car seat and connecting back to the universal holder.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of an airplane seat and attached to the airplane seat tray table using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder, looping around the airplane seat tray table and connecting back to the universal holder.

FIG. 18A is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of an airplane seat and attached to the airplane seat tray table using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and looping around the locking mechanism of the airplane seat tray table.

FIG. 18B is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of an airplane seat and attached to the airplane seat tray table using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and looping around the locking mechanism of the airplane seat tray table and connecting back to the universal holder. FIG. 19 is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of an airplane seat and attached to the airplane seat tray table using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and hooking to the upper back edge of the airplane seat tray table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the back of an airplane seat and attached to the airplane seat tray table using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and looping around the back of the airplane seat tray table with the hook acting as an anchor at the bottom of the airplane seat tray table.

FIG. 20A is a diagram of a side view of a universal holder and mobile device combination resting on the top surface of a stroller tray table and attached to the stroller tray table using a length of line and a hook extending from the universal holder and looping around the stroller tray table and connecting back to the universal holder.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the upper portion of a universal holder comprising an upper portion of the main body, an upper finger, and upper tip, a length of line extending out of the universal holder with a hook at the end of the length of line positioned just off the upper tip.

FIG. 21 A is a diagram of a universal holder comprising a main body, an upper finger, a lower finger, a length of line extending out of the top of the universal holder with a hook at the end of the length of line connected to the lower finger.

FIG. 21 B is a diagram of a universal holder comprising a main body, an upper finger, an upper tip, a lower finger, a lower tip, a hook attached to the upper tip, and a slot in the lower finger configured to receive the hook.

FIG. 21 C is a diagram of the side view of the lower portion of a universal holder comprising the lower portion of the main body, a lower finger with a slot configured to receive a hook, and a hook hooked into the slot. FIG. 22 is a diagram of a suction cup component comprising a suction cup element and a base that is attached to a hook at the end of a length of line.

FIG. 22A is a diagram of a universal attachment jack connected to the end of a length of line and comprising a receiving means, and an attachment component comprising an attachment means that may be attached to the universal attachment jack.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of the upper portion of a universal holder comprising the upper portion of the main body, and upper finger, an upper tip, a length of line extending out of the upper tip, and a hook attached to the end of the length of line.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a desktop stand extending from the body of the universal holder, and a mobile device inserted into and being propped upright by the universal holder.

FIG. 24A is a diagram of the front of a universal holder comprising two sets of desktop stands, one on each side of the main body of the universal holder, folded up for storage.

FIG. 24B is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising two sets of desktop stands, one on each side of the main body of the universal holder, with the longer legs in each set of stands deployed and a mobile device resting on and being propped upright by the universal holder.

FIG. 24C is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising two sets of desktop stands, one on each side of the main body of the universal holder, with the medium length legs in each set of stands deployed and a mobile device resting on and being propped upright by the universal holder.

FIG. 24D is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising two sets of desktop stands, one on each side of the main body of the universal holder, with the shorter legs in each set of stands deployed and a mobile device resting on and being propped upright by the universal holder. FIG. 24E is a diagram of the side view of a universal holder comprising an upper finger and upper tip folded against the upper portion of the main body, a lower finger, a lower tip, an extended stand, and a mobile device resting on the lower finger and being propped upright by the universal holder.

FIG. 24F is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a main body, a folded stand, a length of line extending out of the top of the universal holder, a mobile device inserted into and being held by the universal holder, and a length of head phone cord tucked into a slot beneath the folded desktop stand.

FIG. 25 is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a desktop stand positioned in the body of the universal holder and folded into the body of the universal holder for storage.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising an attachment component receiving means configured to attach additional attachment components to the universal holder, and a clamp and a length of gooseneck comprising attachment means configured to attach to the receiving means.

FIG. 28 is a diagram of the lower portion of a universal holder comprising the lower portion of the main body, a lower finger and a slot receiving means positioned in the lower portion of the main body and configured to attach to the attachment means of additional attachment components.

FIG. 28A is a diagram of the back of a universal holder comprising a main body and inserted into a sheath that comprises a variety of receiving means configured to attach to the attachment means of additional attachment components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Furthermore, the invention may be used to support devices other than electronic devices. The invention may also be used with apparatus other than exercise

equipment, airplane seats, car headrests and stroller trays.

This specification will first concentrate on how the universal holder may attach to the mobile device and how it may hold the mobile device secure. The specification will then describe how the universal holder may facilitate the attachment of these mobile devices to other apparatus.

One embodiment may include a claw-like design consisting of two or more fingers that clamp the universal holder to the mobile device. This is illustrated in Figures 1 - 6. FIG. 1 shows the universal holder 1 preferably comprising a main body 9 that includes an upper finger 2a with an upper tip 1a, a lower finger 2b with a lower tip 1b, and a spring device 6 that pulls finger 2a and finger 2b inward towards each other in the direction of arrows 7aa in order to hold a mobile device tightly in place between the upper inner cavity formed by the main body 9, the upper finger 2a and the upper tip a, and the lower inner cavity formed by the main body 9, the lower finger 2b and the lower tip 1 b.

FIG. 2 shows the mobile device 4 being inserted into the universal holder 1. The figure shows the bottom portion of the mobile device 4 edges 3 inserted into the inner cavity formed by the lower inner surface 10b of the main body 9, the lower finger 2b and the lower tip 1 b of the universal holder 1. The figure also shows the spring device 6 stretched upward and elongated so that the upper finger 2a and upper tip 1 a extend above the upper portion of the edges 3 of the mobile device 4. This allows the mobile device 4 to be positioned such that when the spring device 6 is allowed to retract inward, the spring device 6 will pull the upper finger 2a and upper tip 1 a downward such that the upper portion of the edges 3 of the mobile device 4 will be inserted into the cavity formed by the upper inner surface 10a of the main body 9, the upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1 a. In this configuration, the spring device may pull the upper finger 2a downward and the lower finger 2b upward such that the mobile device 4 may be held tightly against the body 9 of the universal holder 1.

It may be preferable that the length L1 in FIG. 1 , defined as the distance between the inner surface of the upper finger 2a and the inner surface of the lower finger 2b when the spring mechanism 6 is in its relaxed state and is not elongated, is less than that of the length L2 of the mobile device 4 as shown in FIG. 2 in order to hold the mobile device 4 securely in place within the universal holder 1.

That is, if L1 of FIG. 1 is less than L2 of FIG. 2, the spring mechanism 6 may need to be elongated in order to insert the mobile device 4 as shown in FIG. 2. Because L1 of FIG. 1 is less than L2 of FIG. 2, the spring mechanism 6 may still be elongated even when the mobile device 4 is inserted entirely into the universal holder 1 as shown in FIG. 4. With mobile device 4 inserted into the universal holder 1 and the spring mechanism 6 elongated, the spring mechanism 6 may pull the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b towards each other in the direction of arrows 7bb of FIG. 4, and an appropriate inward force in the direction of the arrows 7bb in FIG. 4 may therefore be applied to the upper edge 3 of the mobile device 4 by the upper finger 2a, and to the lower edge 3 of the mobile device 4 by the lower finger 2b, thus holding the mobile device 4 secure within the universal holder 1.

FIG. 3 shows the front view of a mobile device 4 with the universal holder 1 attached. The main body 9 of the universal holder is shown to be on the back side of the mobile device 4, so that only the upper tip 1a of the finger 2a that wraps around the upper portion of the edge 3 of the mobile device 4 from the back to front and over a very small portion of the front 5 of the mobile device 4, and the lower tip 1 b of the finger 2b that wraps around the lower portion of the edge 3 of the mobile device 4 from the back to front and over a very small portion of the front 5 of the mobile device 4 are mainly seen in this view. It may be preferable that the upper tip 1a and the lower tip 1 b do not cover up any of the viewing area of the front 5 of the mobile device 4.

FIG. 4 shows the back view of a mobile device 4 with the universal holder 1 attached. This view shows the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 , the upper finger 2a, the lower finger 2b and a spring device 6 that connects the upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b together and applies tension between them in the direction of arrow 7bb in order to hold the phone 4 in place between the cavity formed by the upper finger 2a and upper tip 1 a and the cavity formed by the lower finger 2b and the lower tip 1 b. Details of the spring device 6 will be described later in the specification.

FIG. 5 shows the universal holder 1 attached to a mobile device 4 with the mobile device 4 in the landscape position. FIG. 6 shows the universal holder 1 attached to the mobile device 4 with the mobile device 4 in the portrait position.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 6A wherein the overall distance between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 , as depicted as length L3, may be adjusted to fit mobile devices of different dimensions. In this embodiment, the upper portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder may include and extendable portion 9aa that may be extended outward in the direction of arrow 38 and inward in the direction of arrow 39 in order to adjust the overall length of the universal holder 1. Once adjusted, the extendable portion 9aa of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 may be locked in place to the upper portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 using a locking mechanism 6aa which may include a pin that passes through the overlapping sections of the main body 9 and the extendable portion 9aa of the main body 9 of the universal holder in order to lock them together. The locking mechanism 6aa may also include other locking means such as a button or other locking means. When the locking mechanism 6aa is in its unlocked position, the extendable portion 9aa of the main body 9 may not be attached to the main body 9 of the universal holder and therefore may not be attached to the spring mechanism 6 and may be free to be positioned upward or inward to achieve the desired length L3. Once the preferable length L3 is achieved, the locking mechanism 6aa may be placed in its locked position to lock the extendable portion 9aa of the main body 9 in place. Once locked in place, the extendable portion 9aa of the main body 9 may be attached to the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 and therefore may be attached to the spring mechanism 6 and the spring mechanism 6 may apply the inward force between upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b necessary to hold the mobile device 4 (not shown) in place between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b. In this configuration, it may be preferable that the length L3 of the universal holder 1 be adjusted to be slightly shorter than the dimension of the mobile device 6 (not shown) that will be inserted into the universal holder 1 between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b such that when the mobile device 4 is inserted, the spring component 6 may be elongated in order to insert the mobile device and may therefore apply the necessary forces to the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b to hold the mobile device 4 securely within the universal holder. While FIG. 6A shows the upper portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder as being extendable, the lower portion of the main body 9, the middle portion of the main body 9, or any other portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 may also be

extendable.

In another embodiment of this type as show in FIG. 6B, it may be preferable for the latch mechanism 6a, when placed in its locked position, to also deflect or elongate the spring mechanism 6 a small distance in the direction necessary to cause the elongated spring mechanism 6 to exert additional inward force between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b. This may allow the user to adjust the overall length L3 of the universal holder 1 to be generally the same length of the dimension of the mobile device (not shown) to be inserted into the universal holder 1 instead of preferably slightly less in length of the mobile device to be inserted into the universal holder as described in the embodiment of FIG. 6A because the spring component 6 will be elongated by the latch component 6a and not by the act of inserting the mobile device. That is, with the latch component 6a deflecting and elongating the spring component 6 when placed in its locked position, it may not be necessary to elongate the spring component 6 in order to insert the mobile device.6 into the universal holder 1. Instead, with the latch mechanism 6a in its unlocked position, the overall length L3 of the universal holder 1 may be opened up wide to a dimension wider than that of the mobile device to be inserted. The mobile device may then be inserted between the upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b and the length L3 of the universal holder may be adjusted such that the edges of the mobile device come into contact with the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder. The user may then lock the latch mechanism. Once the latch mechanism 6a is locked, the spring mechanism 6 may be elongated and therefore apply an inward force between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b that was not applied while the latch mechanism 6a was in the unlocked position. In this embodiment, when the latch mechanism 6a is placed in the locked position, the latch mechanism 6a may apply a force in the direction of arrow 40 between point 6b and point 6c, the latch arm 6e may separate at point 6d into an upper portion and a lower portion, and the spring mechanism 6 may be elongated and thereby may apply a force between point 6b and 6c. In this scenario, it is assumed that a mobile device (not shown) is inserted between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b and that this mobile device generally holds the length L3 constant. When the latch mechanism 6a is in its locked position, the upper portion of the now separated latch arm 6e may be connected to the extendable portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 in order to apply an inward force to the upper finger 2a. This may be achieved by a tooth 6f and notch 6g design as shown in FIG. 6A or other means. The upper portion of the separated latch arm 6e may contain a downward pointing tooth 6f and the extendable portion of the main body 9 may contain a series of sequential notches 6g. When the latch mechanism is placed in the locked position, the downward pointing tooth 6f on the separated latch arm 6e may be pushed downward and may be placed between two sequential notches 6g on the extendable portion of the main body 9 thus locking the extendable portion of the main body 9 to the separated latch arm 6e. Because the upper portion of the separated latch arm 6e may be attached to the extendable portion of the main body 9, and the elongated spring mechanism 6 may be applying a force between the lower portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 at point 6b and the upper portion of the separated latch arm 6e at point 6c, there may be a force also applied between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b in the direction of arrow 39. This force may hold the mobile device (not shown) in place between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder. While FIG. 6B shows the upper portion of the main body 9 as being extendable, the lower portion of the main body 9, the middle portion of the main body 9 or any other portion of the main body 9 may also be extendable. Also, while FIG. 6B depicted the same latch mechanism 6a as locking the extendable portion of the main body 9 in place and deflecting the spring mechanism 6, this may also be accomplished by two or more separate latch mechanisms.

FIG. 7 shows the side view of the universal holder 1 with a mobile device 4 inserted. The main body 9 of the universal holder 1 and the spring device 6 connecting fingers 2a and 2b are shown to rest against the back of the mobile device 4. Upper finger 2a is shown to wrap around the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 and the upper tip 1a is shown to extend over the front of the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4. Similarly, lower finger 2b is shown to wrap around the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 and the lower tip 1 b is shown to extend over the front of the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4.

In the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the fingers 2a and 2b may wrap around the upper and lower edges 3 respectively of the mobile device 4 and may generally follow the contour of the edges 3 of the mobile device 4, and the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a and lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b may extend slightly over the front face 5 of the mobile device 4.

In another embodiment as depicted in FIG. 7, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, upper finger 2a may wrap around the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4, and lower finger 2b may wrap around the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4, but the fingers 2a and 2b may not follow the general contour of the upper edge 3a and the lower edge 3b respectively of the mobile device 4. Instead, upper finger 2a may begin at a point above the back portion of the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 and extend generally linearly at a downward angle forward until the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a may extend over the front upper portion of edge 3a of the mobile device 4. Similarly, lower finger 2b may begin at a point below the back portion of the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 and extend generally linearly at an upward angle forward until the lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b may extend over the front lower portion of edge 3b of the mobile device 4.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the maximum gap dimension D1 , defined by the distance between the upper inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a and the upper inner back surface 10a of the main body 9, may be wide enough to accommodate the typical width dimensions of the mobile devices 4 on the market. In addition, the maximum gap dimension D2, defined by the distance between the lower inner surface 7b of the lower finger 2b and the lower inner back surface 10b of the main body 9, may also be wide enough to accommodate the typical width dimensions of the mobile devices 4 on the market. Gap dimensions D1 and D2 may or may not be identical in measurement.

This embodiment allows mobile devices 4 of different widths to be held by the same universal holder . Because upper finger 2a may begin at a point above the back portion of the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 and extend generally linearly at a downward angle forward until the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a may extend over the front upper portion of edge 3a of the mobile device 4, different phones 4 of different widths may intersect the inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a at different places and be held within the cavity formed by the upper finger 2a, the upper tip 1a and the upper inner back surface 10a of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1.

Similarly, because lower finger 2b may begin at a point below the back portion of the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 and extend generally linearly at a upward angle forward until the lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b may extend over the front lower portion of edge 3b of the mobile device 4, different phones 4 of different widths may intersect the inner surface 7b of the lower finger 2b at different places and be held within the cavity formed by the lower finger 2b, the lower tip 1 b and the lower inner back surface 10b of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1. To illustrate this, FIG. 8A shows a mobile device of width W1 fitting into and being held by the universal holder 1 , and FIG. 8B shows a mobile device of width W2 also fitting into and being held by the universal holder 1. As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the width W1 has a smaller dimension than the width W2.

In FIG. 8A, the front portion of edge 3a of the mobile device 4 may intersect the inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a at point 7c. In FIG. 8B, the front portion of edge 3a of mobile device 4 may intersect the inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a at point 7d. Comparing the position of point 7c with the position of point 7d shows that point 7c is deeper in the cavity formed by the upper inner back surface 10a of the main body 9, the upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1a in FIG. 8A than point 7d is in FIG. 8B.

However, even though the front portion of edge 3a of the mobile device 4 with width W1 in FIG. 8A may intersect the upper inner surface 7a of upper finger 2a at a different point than the mobile device 4 of width W2 in FIG. 8B, both mobile devices 4 may be held securely in the universal holder 1 between the upper cavity formed by upper inner back surface 10a of the main body 9, the upper inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a and the tip 1 a, and the lower cavity formed by the lower main body inner surface, the lower finger and the lower tip (not shown).

In FIG. 7, as long as the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 makes contact with the upper inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a, and the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 makes contact with the lower inner surface 7b of the lower finger 2b, the mobile device may be held in place regardless of its width dimension.

Accordingly, it is preferable that the maximum width of the gap dimensions D1 and D2 of the universal holder 1 are chosen to be large enough to accommodate the width of any mobile device of interest.

FIG. 9 shows a cushion material 8 attached to the inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a that may come into contact with the front portion of edge 3 of the mobile device 4 when the mobile device 4 is placed into the universal holder 1. This cushion material may help to protect the edge 3 of the mobile device 4 from the inner surface 7a of the finger 2a that may be harder than the cushion. The cushion material is shown in FIG. 9 to be attached to only the inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a, but could also be attached to the upper inner back surface 10a of the main body 9 of the universal holder or anywhere else in the cavity formed by the upper inner back surface 10a, the inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1a in order to protect the edge 3 of the mobile device 4 while it is being held in the universal holder 1.

While FIG. 9 only shows the cushion material attached in the upper portion of the universal holder 1 defined by the upper inner back surface 10a, the upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1 a, it may also be attached in the lower portion of the universal holder 1 (not shown) defined by the lower inner back surface 10b, the lower finger 2b and the lower tip 1 b in order to protect the lower edge 3 of the mobile device 4 while it is held within the universal holder 1.

The cushion material 8 may also help to hold the mobile device 4 in place within the universal holder 1 by forming itself around the upper and lower edges of the mobile device 4 and thus applying additional friction to the upper and lower edges of the mobile device 4 while the mobile device 4 is held within the universal holder 1 .

However, some mobile devices may be too short and/or too thin to be held securely by the universal holder 1 using the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, the upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 may not make physical contact with the upper inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a and the lower inner surface 7b of the lower finger 2b respectively when the mobile device 4 is placed in the universal holder 1 and the back of the mobile device 4 is in physical contact with the inner back surfaces 10a and 10b of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 . In this case, the dimensions of the universal holder 1 may be such that the spring mechanism 6 cannot pull the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b close enough together in order to force the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 to come into physical contact with the upper inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a, and the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 to come into physical contact with the lower inner surface 7b of the lower finger 2b. Because the upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b may not make physical contact with the upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b respectively, the mobile device may not be held in place within the universal holder 1 in this position.

FIG. 7B depicts an embodiment that may address this situation. The types of smaller devices described above may instead be held between the bottom surface 7e of the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a, and the top surface 7f of the lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b as shown in FIG. 7B. In this case, the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 may not be in physical contact with the upper inner surface 7a of the upper finger 2a and the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 may not be in physical contact with the lower inner surface 7b of the lower finger 2b, and the back of the mobile device 4 may not be in contact with the inner back surfaces 10a and 10b of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1. Instead, the upper edge 3a of the mobile device 4 may be in physical contact with the bottom surface 7e of the upper tip 1a of upper finger 2a, and the lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4 may be in physical contact with the upper surface 7f of the lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b.

In this case, the spring mechanism 6 may provide inward tension in the direction of arrows 7 pulling upper tip 1a of upper finger 2a and lower tip 1 b of lower finger 2b towards each other thus applying pressure between the bottom surface 7e of the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a and the upper edge 3a of the mobile device, and the upper surface 7f of the lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b and the lower edge 3b of the mobile device, thus holding the mobile device in place within the universal holder 1.

The lower surface 7e of the upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a and the upper surface 7b of the lower tip 1 b of the lower finger 2b may be rounded as shown in FIG. 7 or flat as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Or, in addition, the surfaces 7e and 7f may be other shapes as well such as concave or convex or other shapes designed to adequately grip the upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b of the mobile device 4.

Using the configuration shown in FIG. 7B allows for the universal holder 1 to also hold smaller devices.

The spring device 6 of FIG. 1 , FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 7, FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and

FIG. 10C will now be described. The spring device 6 may be comprised of any type of spring metal such as spring steel or an elastic material such as silicon that when elongated applies a tension and a force that is in the opposite direction as the force causing the spring mechanism 6 to elongate. That is, when the spring mechanism 6 is pulled apart to elongate it, the spring mechanism 6 applies tension in an attempt to shorten itself back to its original length.

By attaching upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b to the upper and lower ends of the spring mechanism 6 as shown in Figures 1 , 2, 4-6, 7, 7A and 7B, the spring mechanism 6 may be elongated in order to insert a mobile device 4 into the universal holder 1 as described above. Once the mobile device 4 is inserted between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the force applied by the spring mechanism 6 in the direction of the arrows 7bb is strong enough to hold the mobile device 4 in place within the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1.

The spring device 6 may comprise of spring steel that is in the form of a coil as shown in FIG. 10A, a zigzag as shown in FIG. 10B, a square as shown in FIG. 10C or any other shape that would apply the necessary directional force.

The spring device 6 may also be comprised of a different material other than spring metal that has properties similar to spring steel in order to apply the necessary directional force to the upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b to securely hold the mobile device 4 within the universal holder 1. For example, the spring device may comprise of stretchy silicon. In addition, the spring device 6 may comprise of any other spring material or elastic material such as an elastic band.

Turning attention now to the overall structure of the universal holder 1 in FIG. 7, the upper portion of the main body 9 including the upper inner back surface 10a, and the lower portion of the main body 9 including the lower inner back surface 10b of the universal holder 1 may be completely separate and connected to each other only through the spring mechanism 6. This configuration may rely solely on the spring mechanism 6 to give support to the upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 in order to hold the upper and lower portions of the main body 9 generally parallel and generally in-line with each other and in a somewhat straight line. Also, it may not be necessary for the upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 to be generally parallel and generally in-line with each other. The upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 may be held by the spring component 6 such that they are loose and may be at different orientations with each other.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 15 where the upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 may overlap each other in the area L4. In this figure, the upper portion of the main body 9 may slide inside the lower portion of the main body 9 to add support to the main body 9 and to keep the upper portion and the lower portion of the main body 9 generally parallel and generally in-line with each other. The outer walls 10c of the lower portion of the main body 9 may act as guide supports to the portion of the upper portion of the main body 9 that slides into the lower portion of the main body 9. The spring mechanism 6 may still be connected between the upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 in order to apply the necessary force required to hold a mobile device (not shown) in place within the universal holder 1. While FIG. 15 shows the upper portion of the main body 9 sliding inside the lower portion of the main body 9, the opposite configuration may be used instead. That is, the lower portion of the main body 9 may slide inside the upper portion of the main body 9. Or, the upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 may slide side-by-side with each other to also gain the support necessary to keep them parallel and generally in-line with each other. In addition, guide rails, slots or other means may be used as support between the upper portion of the main body 9 and the lower portion of the main body 9 to keep the upper and lower portions of the main body 9 generally parallel and generally in-line with each other.

Turning attention back to the overall universal holder 1 , while Figs. 1 - 7 show the universal holder 1 as having two fingers, an upper finger 2a and a lower finger 2b, the universal holder 1 may also have three fingers, four fingers or more. For example, FIG. 1 1 shows the universal holder 1 having three fingers: upper finger 2a, lower finger 2b and a second upper finger 2c. And FIG. 12 shows the universal holder having four fingers: upper finger 2a, lower finger 2b, an additional upper finger 2c and an additional lower finger 2d.

In addition, while Figs. 1 - 7, FIG. 1 1 and FIG. 12 show the upper fingers 2a, 2c pointing in the opposite direction compared to lower fingers 2b, 2d, and gripping opposite sides of the mobile device, the fingers may also be perpendicular to each other to grab perpendicular sides of the mobile device. For example, FIG. 12A shows the universal holder having four fingers, upper finger 2a, lower finger 2b, a left-facing finger 2e and a right-facing finger 2f. Each finger may grip one of the four main edges 3 of the mobile device 4.

It is clear that any combination of the above described finger configurations can also be used. That is, fingers may grip two edges of the mobile device, three edges of the mobile device or four edges of the mobile device, with one or multiple fingers gripping each side. Also, while the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b in Figs. 1-7 are shown to be generally parallel and generally in-line with each other, they may also be at different angles and offset horizontally or vertically with respect to each other. Similarly, the fingers 2a, 2b and 2c in FIG. 11 , the fingers 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d of FIG. 12, and the fingers 2a, 2b, 2e, and 2f of FIG. 12A may also be at different angles and different vertical and horizontal offsets with respect to each other than shown in the FIG. 11 , FIG. 12 and FIG. 12A.

In addition, while the above description thus far describes the fingers as generally gripping the mobile device along its long straight body edges, the fingers may also be configured to grip the mobile device at the corner positions 25 as shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C.

In an embodiment of this type, FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C show the mobile device 4 inserted into the universal holder 1 in the landscape and portrait positions respectively, with the universal holder 1 having a left upper corner finger 2g gripping the upper left corner 25 of the mobile device 4, a right upper corner finger 2h gripping the upper right corner 25 of the mobile device 4, and a lower finger 2b gripping the lower portion of edge 3 of the mobile device 4. The spring device 6 may connect between all of the fingers as shown and pull them all inward and towards one another in the direction of arrows 7cc. Similar to the embodiments described above, this inward force applied by the spring mechanism 6 to the various fingers of the universal holder 1 in the direction of arrows 7cc may cause the fingers of the universal holder 1 to grip the mobile device 4 securely when the mobile device 4 is inserted into the universal holder 1.

In this embodiment, the spring device may comprise an elastic cord or other means to connect the fingers together and apply the described inward force between the fingers.

While FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C show the fingers of the universal holder 1 gripping two upper corner positions 25 and one lower portion of edge 3 of the mobile device 4, any other combination of upper or lower or right or left corners, upper or lower or right or left portions of edges 3 may also be gripped by fingers of the universal holder 1 in order to securely hold the mobile device 4 in place within the universal holder 1. For instance, the universal holder 1 may have four fingers, each gripping a different corner 25. Or the universal holder 1 may have four fingers each gripping a different side portion of the edge 3 of the mobile device 4. Other combinations of corners 25 and side portions of the edge 3 gripping locations may also be used by the universal holder 1 .

In addition to gripping the mobile device, the edge-gripping fingers and corner- gripping fingers may also be configured to provide protection from damage to the edges and corners of the mobile device.

While the embodiments described so far have described how the spring mechanism 6 may be elongated in order to apply a generally inward force between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 that may be sufficient to hold a mobile device 4 securely within the universal holder 1 between upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b, the components of the universal holder 1 may instead be

configured such that the spring mechanism may be compressed in order to apply a generally outward force that may in turn apply a generally inward force between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 that may be sufficient to hold a mobile device 4 securely within the universal holder between upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b.

In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 7C, the upper portion of the main body 9a may overlap the lower portion of the main body 9b in the area defined as L5, with these overlapping portions generally on top of one another. The bottom portion of the upper portion of the main body 9a may include an upward pointing lip 9c, and the upper portion of the lower portion of the main body 9b may include a downward pointing lip 9d. As shown in FIG. 7C, the overlapping lower portion of the upper main body 9a and the upper portion of the lower portion of the main body 9b, the upward pointing lip 9c and the downward pointing lip 9d may form a cavity 9e where a spring component 6a may be positioned such that when the spring mechanism 6a is compressed, it may exert a force in the direction of arrow 41 on the downward pointing lip 9d and a force in the direction of arrow 42 on the upward pointing lip 9c. A force applied to the downward pointing lip in the direction of arrow 41 may also apply a similar force to the lower finger 2b in the direction of arrow 41 , and a force applied to the upward pointing lip in the direction of arrow 42 may also apply a similar force to the upper finger 2a in the direction of arrow 42, thus pulling the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b towards each other. When a mobile device 4 is inserted between upper finger 2a and lower finger 2b as shown in FIG. 7C, these forces in the direction of arrow 41 and arrow 42 may apply a force between the upper finger 2a and the upper edge 3 of the mobile device 4, and a force between the lower finger 2b and the lower edge 3 of the mobile device 4 respectively that may hold the mobile device 4 securely between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b. It is therefore preferable that the spring component 6a be in a generally compressed state when the mobile device 4 is inserted between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b such that it exerts a force in the direction of 41 on the downward pointing lip and a force in the direction of arrow 42 on the upward pointing lip in order to apply forces to the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b to pull them together to securely hold the mobile device 4 within the universal holder 1.

While FIG. 7C depicts the upper portion of the main body 9a and the lower portion of the main body 9b as being generally on top of one another in the overlapping region L5, the upper portion of the main body 9a and the lower portion of the main body 9b may be side by side, or otherwise orientated with each other in a way to allow a compressed spring component 6a to be positioned in such a way to apply the forces to the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b as described above to hold a mobile device 4 inserted into the universal holder 1 securely in place.

In addition, while FIG. 7C depicts the compressed spring mechanism 6a as being held within a cavity formed by the lower portion of the upper portion of the main body 9a, the upper portion of the lower portion of the main body 9b, the upward pointing lip 9c and the downward pointing lip 9d, the compressed spring mechanism 6a may be held by a different element such as a capped rod or other element that allows it to exert forces in the direction of 41 and 42 to in turn exert inward forces on the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b in order to hold a mobile device inserted into the universal holder 1 between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b securely in place.

Turning attention now to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, a portion of the upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1a, and the lower finger 2b and the lower tip 1 b may be foldable inward in the direction of arrows 26 and outward in the directions of arrows 27 such that a portion of the upper finger 2a and/or the upper tip 1a, and the lower finger 2b and/or the lower tip 1 b may fold inward to be completely or somewhat flush against the inner surfaces 10a and 10b respectively of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 , or otherwise compact when not in use, and then outward again into their deployed position to grip the mobile device when the universal holder 1 is ready to use. This may allow the universal holder 1 to be folded up into a generally smaller and more compact state for storage when not in use.

In addition, other parts of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 may be folded up into a generally smaller and more compact state for storage when not in use. For instance, the upper portion of the main body 9 may be folded downward and the lower portion of the main body 9 may be folded upward in order to for the overall size of the universal holder to be modified to become preferably smaller or more easily stored for when not in use.

Attention will now be turned to how the universal holder may be configured to be attached to other apparatus such as treadmills, the head rests of car seats, the tray tables of airplane seats, the trays of strollers and other apparatus for hands-free viewing of the mobile device. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 15, the universal holder 1 may include a reel component 11 that may hold a length of line 12 that may be pulled outward from the reel component 1 within the universal holder 1 to be used to attach the universal holder

I and any mobile device 4 that may be held by the universal holder 1 to another apparatus. A hook 13 or other attachment component may be located at or near the free end of the length of line 12 to facilitate attaching the universal holder 1 to another apparatus. The reel component 11 may be generally circular and the length of line 12 may be wrapped around the general circumference of the reel component in order to hold it.

While FIG. 15 shows the length of line 12 extending out of the upper portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 , and FIG. 23 shows it extending out of the upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a of the universal holder 1 , the length of line 12 may be extended out from any location on the universal holder 1.

Figures 15A and 15B show a front view of the reel component 1 1 , while FIG. 15C shows a side view of reel component 1.

As shown in FIG. 15C, reel component 11 may contain a channel d running along its general circumference to hold the length of line 12 when the length of line 12 is wrapped around the reel component's general circumference. This channel 11d may help to hold the length of line 12 from slipping off the general circumference of the reel component 1 1 when the length of line 12 is wrapped around it.

As shown in FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C, reel component 1 1 may also include a coil spring 1 1a within its body to automatically turn the reel component 1 1 in the direction necessary to retract the length of line 12 when desired. This allows the reel component

I I to retract the length of line 12 to store it within the body of the universal holder 1 when not in use. To create the necessary force to retract the length of line 12 when necessary, one end of the coil spring 1 1a may be attached to the center axis 1 1 b of the reel component 11 and one end of the coil spring 11a may be attached to an outer location 11 c of the reel component 1 1. When the length of line 12 is less extended out of the reel component 1 1 as shown in FIG. 15B, the coil spring 1 1 a may be coiled less tightly than when the length of line 12 is more fully extended out of the reel component 1 1 as shown in FIG. 15C. That is, with the length of line 12 generally wrapped around the circumference of reel component 1 1 , the act of pulling out the length of line 12 and extending it may turn the reel component 11 around its axis 1 1 b which in turn may tighten the coil of coil spring 1 1 a.

Specifically, in the case of Figures 15A and 15B, the length of line 12 may be assumed to be wrapped around the general circumference of reel component 11 in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, the act of pulling the length of line 2 out and extending it may rotate the reel component 1 1 in a clockwise direction, which may in turn tighten the coil of coil spring 1 1a from what is generally depicted in FIG. 15B to what is generally depicted in FIG. 15C.

The more tightly coiled spring 1 1a of FIG. 15C may then exert a force on the reel component 1 1 in the direction of arrow 28 which may in turn exert a force on the length of line 12 in the direction of 29. If no force opposes it, the force exerted by the coil spring 11a on the reel component 11 in the direction of arrow 28 may cause the reel component 1 1 to turn counterclockwise around its center axis 1 1 b. With the reel component 11 turning counterclockwise, it may in turn pull the length of line 12 inward and cause it to wrap around the general circumference of the reel component 11.

The spring strength of the coil spring 1 1a may be chosen such that the force it exerts on the reel component 11 in the direction of arrow 28, which in turn may result in a force exerted on the length of line 12 in the direction of arrow 29, may be such that this force may be easily overcome by a normal person while pulling on the length of line 12 in order to extend it from the reel component 11. That is, a normal person may easily exert enough force on the length of line 12 by pulling on it to easily turn the reel component 1 1 and tighten the coil of the coil spring 1 1 a in order to unwind the length of line 12 from the reel component 1 1. Then, when the person wants the length of line 12 to be retracted onto the general circumference of the reel component 11 , they may simply lessen the force they are applying to the length of line 12 and allow the coil spring 11 a to turn the reel component 11 in the direction of arrow 28 and wrap the length of line 2 around the reel component's general circumference.

While Figures 15B and 15C depict the reel component 11 having the length of line 12 wrapped around its general circumference in a counterclockwise direction, the components may also be configured such that the length of line 12 may be wrapped in a clockwise direction around the general circumference of the reel component 1 1 and may also be retracted in a similar fashion.

As shown in FIG. 15E and FIG. 15F, the reel component 1 1 may also have a lock component 1 1e that may hold the reel component 1 in place at a particular position such that the length of line 12 may not be extended or retracted. This may be preferable in order to allow the user to adjust the length of line 12 to a particular length for use and then lock it place so that this particular length does not change.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 15E may consist of a reel component 11 with square teeth 1 1 g positioned generally along its circumference. A lock component 1 1e having a downward pointing tooth 1 1f may be positioned to allow the downward pointing tooth 11f to be inserted between two sequential upward pointing square teeth 1 g of the reel component 1 1 to lock the reel component 1 1 in position. The lock component 1 1e may be anchored by a pin or other means at position 1 1 h in a configuration that allows the lock component 11e to rotate up in the direction of arrow 30 and down in the direction of arrow 30a. When the lock button 11 e is rotated downward, by manually pushing downward on the lock button 1 1i for instance, its downward pointing tooth 11f may be inserted between two sequential upward pointing square teeth 11 g on the general circumference of the reel component 1 1 and the reel component 11 may be locked in position. When the lock component 11 e is rotated upward, by manually pushing upward on the lock button 1 1 i for instance, its downward pointing tooth 1 1f may be removed from between two sequential upward pointing square teeth 11g on the circumference of the reel component 1 1 and the reel component 11 may be free to move around its center axis 1 1b. While FIG. 15E depicts the lock component 11e as having one downward pointing tooth 11f, the lock mechanism 1 1e may have multiple downward pointing teeth 1 1f that may be inserted between multiple sets of sequential upward pointing square teeth 1 1 g in order to lock the reel component 1 .

Another embodiment as shown in FIG. 15F may consist of a reel component 11 with upward pointing triangular teeth 1 1j positioned generally along its circumference. A lock component 1 1 e having a downward pointing tooth 11f may be positioned to allow the downward pointing tooth 1 1f to be inserted between two sequential upward pointing triangular teeth 11j of the reel component 1 1 to lock the reel component 11 in position. The lock component 11 e may be anchored by a pin or other means at position 1 1 h in a configuration that allows the lock component 11e to rotate up in the direction of arrow 30b and down in the direction of arrow 30c. When the lock button 1 1e is rotated downward, by manually pushing downward on the lock button 1 1 i for instance or by allowing spring component 1 1 m to exert sufficient force on the lock button 1 1 e to pull it down in the direction of arrow 36, its downward pointing tooth 1 1f may be inserted between two sequential upward pointing triangular teeth 1 1g on the circumference of the reel component 11 to lock the reel component 11 in position. In FIG. 15F, the front surface 1 1 k of the upward pointing triangular tooth 1 1j that may come into contact with the downward pointing tooth 1 1f of the lock component 1 1e when the downward pointing tooth 1 1f is inserted between two sequential upward pointing triangular teeth 1j may have a generally upright slope sufficient to fully engage the downward pointing tooth 1 1f in such a way as to prevent the reel component 1 1 from turning in the direction of arrow 35. Coil spring 11a may exert force on the reel component 11 in the direction of arrow 35 but because of the lock button 11e may be in the locked position, the reel component 1 1 may not move in the direction arrow 35. However, back surface 1 11 of the upward pointing triangular tooth 11j may have a generally less upright slope that may allow the reel component 11 to turn in the direction of arrow 34 if sufficient force is applied to the reel component in that direction. When this happens, the downward pointing tooth 1 1f may not be blocked by the back surface 1 11 of the upward pointing triangular tooth 11j and the bottom surface of the downward pointing tooth 1 1f may slide along the back surface 1 11 of the upward pointing triangular tooth 11j as the reel component 1 1 turns in the direction of arrow 34. As the reel component 1 1 turns in the direction of arrow 34, and as the bottom of the downward pointing tooth 1 1f slides along the back surface 1 11 of the upward pointing triangular tooth 1 1j, the back surface 1 11 of the upward pointing triangular tooth 1 1j may then push upward on the bottom of the downward pointing tooth 1 1f causing the lock component 1 1e to move upward in the direction of arrow 37. If the reel component 11 continues to turn in the direction of arrow 34, the bottom of downward pointing tooth 11f may ultimately reach the top apex of the upward pointing triangular tooth 11j, and when it passes the apex of the upward pointing triangular tooth 1 1j it may then snap downward behind the next sequential upward pointing triangular tooth 11 j and the process begins again.

In FIG. 15F, pulling the length of line 12 outward from the universal holder 1 may cause the reel component 1 1 to turn in the direction of arrow 34 as the length of cord 12 unwinds from the general circumference of the reel component 11. Because the reel component 1 1 may not be locked from moving in the direction of arrow 34 as described above, the user may be able to pull the length of line 12 outward from the universal holder 1 for use.

In FIG. 15F, the length of line 12 is assumed to be wound around the general circumference of the reel component 11 in a clockwise direction. When the length of line 12 is pulled outward from the reel component 1 1 , the reel component 1 1 may be forced to turn in the direction of arrow 34, and the coil spring 1 1a may be wound tight. As shown, the coil spring 11 a of FIG. 15F is wound in the opposite direction as the coil springs 1 1 a shown in FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C. Even though the coil spring 11a in FIG. 15F may be wound tight while the length of line 12 is pulled out from the reel component 1 1 , and being wound tight may exert a force on the reel component 1 1 in the direction of arrow 35, because the downward pointing tooth 11f may be blocked by the generally upright front side 1 1 k of the upward pointing triangular tooth 1 1j, the reel component may be prevented from moving in the direction of the arrow 35 and the length of line 12 may be held at the particular length pulled out by the user. When the lock component 11 e is rotated upward, by manually pushing upward on the lock button 1 1 i for instance, its downward pointing tooth 1 f may be removed from between two sequential upward pointing triangular teeth 11j on the circumference of the reel component 1 1 and the reel component 1 1 may be free to move around its center axis 11 b. If the coil spring 1 1a is wound sufficiently tight, the coil spring 1 1a may exert a force on the reel component 11 in the direction of arrow 35 and because the lock button 1 1e may be in the unlocked position, the reel component 11 may spin in the direction of arrow 35 around it center axis 1 1b and the length of line 12 may be retracted and wrapped around the general circumference of the reel component 1 1. While FIG. 15E depicts the lock component 11e as having one downward pointing tooth 11f, the lock mechanism 11e may have multiple downward pointing teeth 1f that may be inserted between multiple sets of sequential upward pointing triangular teeth 1 1g in order to lock the reel component 1 1.

While the upward pointing teeth 1 1g in FIG. 15E are shown to be triangular, they may also be other shapes that allow a downward pointing tooth 1 1f to be placed between sequential upward pointing teeth 11 g in order to lock the reel component 11 from spinning in one direction but not in the other direction as described above.

While Figures 15F depicts the reel component 11 having the length of line 12 wrapped around its general circumference in a clockwise direction, the components may also be configured such that the length of line 12 may be wrapped in a counterclockwise direction and may be extended, locked and retracted in a similar fashion.

Other means may also be employed to lock the reel component 1 such as a pin placed through a hole in the reel component 1 1 and anchored to the body of the universal holder, or other means.

The use of a lock button may not always be necessary if the spring strength of the coil spring 1 1 a may be strong enough to hold the universal holder 1 and

accompanying mobile device 4 in place when the weight of the universal holder 1 and accompanying mobile device 4 is placed on the length of line 12. However, if the spring strength of the coil spring 1 1a may not strong enough to hold this weight, then the use of a lock button 1 1 e may be preferable.

When not in use, with the length of line 12 fully retracted and wrapped around the general circumference of the reel component 1 1 , the hook 13 at the end of the length of line 12 may hook onto a portion of the universal holder 1for storage in a position such as the tip 1a of the upper finger 2a as shown in FIG. 21 or any other part of the universal holder 1 .

The hook 13 may also be held tight against the body of the universal holder 1 by the tension of the coil spring 11 a for storage.

The reel component 1 1 may be built as part of the upper portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 as shown in FIG. 15, or may be built as part of the lower portion of main body 9, the upper finger 2a, the upper tip 1a, the lower finger 2b, the lower tip 1 b, the spring mechanism 6 or any other part of the universal holder 1.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 15G, the detachable reel assembly 11 n preferably comprising of the reel component 11 , the length of line 12, the hook 13 or other attachment component at the end of the length of line 12, and the lock button 11 e may all be detachable from the universal holder 1 when not needed. A snap 1 1o, latch or other attachment mechanism may be used to attach the detachable reel assembly 1 1 n as described above to the universal holder 1 in such a way that it may be detached and removed when desired. In this embodiment, other attachment components such as a clamp 11 p as shown in FIG. 15H or a gooseneck extension 1 1 q as shown in FIG. 15I or other attachment components may replace the detachable reel assembly 11 n described above on the universal holder 1. That is, the detachable reel assembly 1 1 n described above may be detached and another attachment component such as a clamp 11 p may then be attached to the universal holder 1 using the same snap 1 1 o, latch or other attachment mechanism also used to attach the detachable reel assembly 11 n to the universal holder 1 as described above. The additional attachment components may also be attached to the universal holder 1 using other means and not the same snap 1 1o or other means used to attach the detachable reel assembly 1 1 n as described above to the universal holder 1.

In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 15J, the detachable reel assembly 11 p preferably comprising of the reel component 1 1 , the length of line 12 and the lock button 1 1e may all be detachable from the universal holder 1 and pulled outward to extend the length of line 12. A snap 11o, latch or other attachment mechanism may be used to attach the detachable reel assembly 1 1 p as described above to the universal holder 1 in such a way that it may be detached and removed when desired. In this embodiment, the free end of the length of line 12 is connected to the universal holder 1 and the detachable reel assembly 11 p is disconnected from the body of the universal holder 1 and pulled outward in order to extend the length of line 12 from the reel component (not shown) within the detachable reel assembly 1 1 p. The detachable reel assembly 11 p may also include a hook 11q or other attachment component to be used to connect the detachable reel component 11 p to another apparatus and thus suspend the universal holder 1 from the apparatus. In addition, the detachable reel component 1 1 p may include a lock button (not shown) to lock the length of line 12 extending out from it at a particular length. The operation of this embodiment may be very similar to the operation of the embodiments described in this specification where the reel component 1 1 may not be detachable from the universal holder 1 with the difference being that the reel component may not be a part of the universal holder 1 when the length of line 12 is extended but may be detached and pulled outward to extend the length of line 12.

This specification will now turn its attention to specifically describing the general methodologies of how the universal holder 1 may be attached to other apparatus such as treadmills, car head rests, airplane seats, strollers and other apparatus to provide secure mounting of the mobile device 4 in, order to help prevent damage to the device and to facilitate hands-free viewing of content that may be presented by the mobile device 4.

The universal holder 1 may be attached to a treadmill to allow a person engaging with the treadmill to view content on the mobile 4 device attached to the universal holder 1 while exercising. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 16, the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it may rest on the front face 14 of the treadmill control console 15, and a length of line 12 may extend from the reel component (not shown) within the universal holder 1 over the top of the control console 15, down the back of the control console 15 and around the neck of the frame 16 that supports the control console 15. The hook 13 may then hook around an exposed portion of the length of line 12 at a point 12b prior to the neck of the frame 16 such that a loop 12a may be formed around the neck of the frame 16 in order to secure the length of line 12 around the neck of the frame 16 that supports the control console 15. The length of line 12 may then be pulled tight to further tighten the loop 12a around the neck of the frame that supports the control console. In this configuration, the length of line 12 may be adjusted such that the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 rest in a position on the front face of the treadmill control console 15 that may be comfortably viewable by the user. If a lock button (not shown) exists, the reel component (not shown) may be locked using the lock button to hold the length of line 12 secure thus holding the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 in the desired position. While FIG. 16 depicts the loop 12a formed around the neck of the frame 16 that supports the control console 15, the loop 12a may also be formed around other components of the treadmill such as a crossbar, front handlebars, or other components.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 16A, the hook 13 may hook directly to a part of the treadmill that has a shape and dimension small enough to allow the hook 13 to be attached securely to it. In FIG. 16A, the length of line 12 may extend from the universal holder 1 to the top back edge of the control console 15 and the hook 13 may be hooked to the top back edge of the control console 15. In this configuration, the length of line 12 may be adjusted such that the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 rest in a position on the front face of the treadmill control console 15 that may be comfortably viewable by the user. If a lock button (not shown) exists, the reel component (not shown) may be locked using the lock button to hold the length of line 12 secure thus holding the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 in the desired position. While FIG. 16 depicts the hook 13 hooked onto the top back edge of the control console 15, the hook 13 may also be hooked onto other components of the treadmill such as the bottom back edge of the control console 15 or other component.

In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 16B, the length of line 12 may extend from the universal holder 1 over the top of the control console 15 down the back of the control console 15, loop around the neck of the frame 16 of the treadmill and then extend back up to the universal holder 1 such that the hook 13 at the end of the length of line 12 may then hook onto upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a of the universal holder 1 to form a loop 12c. The length of line 12 may then be adjusted to position the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 on the face of the console to a comfortably viewable position for the user. While FIG. 16B shows the hook 13 attached to the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a, the hook 13 may be attached anywhere on the universal holder 1.

To further clarify this embodiment, FIG. 21 shows the hook 13 just off the front of the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a. The upper tip 1 a may be configured to receive the hook 13, and when the hook 13 is pushed onto the upper tip 1 a in the direction of the arrow 31 the hook 13 may snap into place to be held securely on the upper tip 1a. The resultant of this is shown in FIG. 21 A where the hook 13 is securely attached to the upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a of the universal holder 1.

While the above descriptions of FIG. 16, FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B describe how the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 may be attached to a treadmill, the universal holder 1 may also be attached to any other type of exercise equipment such as an exercise bicycle, an elliptical trainer, a stair master or any other piece of exercise equipment using a similar methodology.

The universal holder 1 may also be attached to the head rest of a car seat to allow a person sitting behind the head rest to view content on the mobile device attached to the universal holder 1. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 17, the length of line 12 may extend from the reel component (not shown) within the universal holder 1 and may loop around the neck 17 of the seat's headrest 18. The hook 13 may then hook around an exposed portion of the length of line 12 prior to the head rest at a point 12d such that a loop 12a is formed around the neck 7 of the head rest 18 as shown in FIG. 17. The length of line 12 may then be pulled tight to further tighten the loop 12a around the head rest 17. The universal holder 1 and mobile device 4 attached to it may then hang down the back of the seat to be viewed by a user sitting in the seat behind the seat to which it may be attached. In this configuration, the length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to hold the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 17A, the length of line 12 may extend from the reel component (not shown) within the universal holder 1 and may loop around the neck 17 of the head rest 18 and the length of line 12 may then extend back to the universal holder 1 such that the hook 13 may then hook onto upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a of the universal holder 1 to form a loop 12c. The length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to hold the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it. While FIG. 17A shows the hook 13 attached to the upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a, the hook 13 may be attached anywhere on the universal holder 1.

The universal holder 1 may also be attached to the back of an airplane seat to allow a person sitting behind the air plane seat to view content on the mobile device attached to the universal holder 1. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 18A, the length of line 12 may extend from the reel component (not shown) within the universal holder 1 and may loop around the lock mechanism 19a of the tray table 19. The hook 13 may then hook around an exposed portion of the length of line 12 prior to the lock

mechanism 19a at a point 12e such that a loop 12a may be formed around the lock mechanism 19a of the tray table 19 as shown in FIG. 18A. The length of line 12 may then be pulled tight to further tighten the loop 12a around the lock mechanism 9a of the tray table 19. The universal holder 1 and mobile device 4 attached to it may then hang down the back of the seat so that it may be viewed by a user sitting in the seat behind the seat to which it is attached. In this configuration, the length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to hold the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 18B, the length of line 12 may extend from the reel component (not shown) within the universal holder 1 and may loop around the lock mechanism 19a of the tray table 19. The length of line 12 may then extend back to the universal holder 1 such that the hook 13 may hook onto upper tip 1a of the upper finger 2a of the universal holder 1 to form a loop 2c. The length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to hold the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it. While FIG. 18B shows the hook 13 attaching to the upper tip 1 a of the upper finger 2a, the hook 13 may be attached anywhere on the universal holder 1.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 18, the length of line 12 may extend from the reel component 1 1 (not shown) in the universal holder 1 , loop around the body of the tray table 19 on the back of the seat in front of the user with the said tray table 19 in its upright and locked position, and attach back onto the universal holder 1 to form a loop 12b. The hook 13 may then attach to the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 to form a loop 12b. The length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to hold the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it at a level that may be comfortable for viewing by the viewer in the seat behind it. While FIG. 18 shows the hook 13 attached to the lower finger 2b, the hook 13 may be attached to any place on the universal holder 1.

To further clarify this embodiment, FIG. 21 B shows the hook 13 attached into a slot 25 that may be designed to securely receive the hook 13 and that may be located on the lower finger 2b. FIG. 21 C shows a close-up profile illustration of the hook 13 attached into the slot 25 of the lower finger 2b. FIG. 21 A shows the slot 25 on the lower finger 2b empty of hook 13.

To attach the universal holder 1 to tray table 19 as described in this embodiment and shown in FIG. 18, the tray table 19 may first be opened and the length of line 12 may be extended around the body of the tray table 19. The tray table 19 may then be closed to its upright and locked position and the vertical position of the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 attached to the universal holder 1 may be positioned to be comfortably viewable by adjusting the length of line 12 that extends from the reel component 1 1. The length of line may then be locked using the lock button (not shown) if one exists.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 19, the hook 13 may hook directly to a part of the tray table 19 that has a shape and dimension small enough to allow the hook 13 to be attached securely to it. In FIG. 19, the length of line 12 may extend from the universal holder 1 to the upper back edge of the tray table 19 and the hook 13 may be hooked to the top back edge of the tray table 19. In this configuration, the length of line 12 may be adjusted such that the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 rest in a position on the back seat of the airplane seat that may be comfortably viewable by the user. If a lock button (not shown) exists, the reel component (not shown) may be locked using the lock button to hold the length of line 12 secure thus holding the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 in the desired position. While FIG. 16 depicts the hook 13 hooked onto the top back edge of the tray table 19, the hook 13 may also be hooked onto other components of the tray table 19 or airplane seat such as the bottom back edge of the tray table 19 or other component.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 20, the length of line 12 may extend over the top edge of the tray table 19 in its upright and locked position and down the back of the tray table 19. The hook 13 may then extend out the bottom and, with the tray table 19 in its upright and locked position, act as a wedge or anchor, thus holding the universal holder 1 and mobile device 4 in place. The universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 attached to it may then hang down from the top edge of the outside of the closed tray table 19 and the length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked if a locking mechanism exists to place the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 attached to it to be comfortably viewable by the user. The universal holder 1 may also be attached around the tray of a stroller to provide safe and secure mounting of the mobile device 4 while a child may be engaging with the mobile device 4. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 20A, the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 inserted into it may be placed on the top of the tray 19a of a stroller allowing a child sitting in the seat of the stroller to engage with the mobile device 4. In this configuration, the length of line 12 may extend from the reel component 1 1 (not shown) in the universal holder 1 , may loop around the stroller tray 19a and attach back onto the universal holder 1 to form a loop 12b. In this

configuration, the hook 13 may attach to the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 to form the loop 12b. The length of line 12 may be adjusted and locked using the lock button if one exists (not shown) to tighten the loop 12b of length of line 12 around the tray 19a of the stroller in order to secure the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 attached to it to the tray 19a of the stroller such that it cannot be moved from the general top area of the tray 19a of the stroller. In this configuration, the child may engage with the mobile device 4 but may not be able to throw it onto the ground or otherwise drop the mobile device 4. While FIG. 20A shows the hook 13 attached to the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 , the hook 13 may be attached to any place on the universal holder 1.

While treadmills, head rests of car seats, and tray tables on airplane seats are described in this specification, this specification is not limited to these apparatus and the universal holder may be attached to many other apparatus not mentioned here such as the knobs on kitchen cabinets for hands-free viewing of the mobile device in the kitchen, and any other apparatus that may be useful to support a mobile device for hands-free viewing.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the hook 13 may also comprise of several different hooks attached together. For instance, the hook 13 may have large hook 13a that is used to hook around an element of the apparatus that has applicable dimensions and an appropriate shape to allow the hook 13a to adequately grip it securely, and a smaller hook 13b that may be located on the inner surface of the larger hook 13a designed to hook onto exposed lengths of line 12 to facilitate the line looping attachment method described above and shown in FIG. 16 for attaching the universal holder 1 to the treadmill by looping the length of line 12 around the neck 16 of the control console 15 and then hooking the hook 13a around a portion of the length of line 12 to form the loop 12a. While FIG. 15A shows the smaller hook 13b located along the inner portion of the larger hook 13a, the smaller hook 13b may be located anywhere on the larger hook 13a. In addition, hook 13 may comprise of multiple larger hooks 13a and multiple smaller hooks 13b and any combination thereof.

While the attachment component at the end of the length of line has been described as a hook, other types of attachment components may also be located at the end of the length of line such as a suction cup, a screw, or other means that may be used to attach the universal holder to other apparatus.

In addition, other attachment components such as a larger hook, as series of hooks or a suction cup may be connected to the hook 13 at the end of the length of line 12. In this scenario, these additional attachment components may be preferably designed to securely receive the hook 13 so that when attached to the hook 13 they may be secure.

One example of this is shown in FIG. 22 where a suction cup component 13a may be attached to the hook 13. In this figure, the suction cup component 13a may have a suction cup element 13b that may be used to attach the suction cup component 13a to smooth surfaces, and a portion of the base 13c that may fit tightly within the gap of the hook 13 so that when attached to hook 13 the entire suction cup component 13a may be secure. In this figure, the hook 13 and the portion of the base 13b of the suction cup component 13a may be snapped together and may be detached by unsnapping them. Other attachment components such as a larger hook, a series of hooks, a strap or series of straps, or other attachment components may also be attached to the hook 13 in a similar configuration.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 22A, a universal attachment jack 13d, that may have a receiving means 13e for other additional attachment components 13f to attach to, may be attached at the end of the length of line 12. In this case, other attachment components 13f may have an attachment means 13g that may be designed to attach to the receiving means 13e on the universal attachment jack 13d such that these additional attachment components 3f may be attached to and detached from the universal attachment jack 13d when desired. FIG. 22A depicts the receiving means 13e on the universal attachment jack 13d as a threaded bolt, and the attachment means 13g on the additional attachment component 13f as a threaded nut. Other examples of the receiving means 13e that may be located on the universal attachment jack 13d include a threaded screw, a snap, a slot, Velcro, or other receiving means. While FIG 22A depicts the additional attachment component 3f as a hook, other additional attachment means 13f such as a suction cup, a multi-pronged hook, or other additional attachment means may also be attached to the universal attachment jack 13d.

As depicted in FIG. 24, the universal holder 1 may also include a stand 20 that may extend from the back of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 at a downward angle. When the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 held by the universal holder 1 are placed on the top of a table or other surface with the stand 20 extended as shown in FIG. 24, a portion of the universal holder 1 may come in contact with the table top or other surface, and a portion of the stand 20 may also come into contact with the table top or other surface, and the universal holder 1 and mobile device 4 may be propped upright. In this configuration, the universal holder 1 may be used as a table top stand in order to prop the mobile device 4 at a generally upright angle such that the screen of them mobile device 4 may be comfortably viewable by the user. The width of the universal holder 1 and the stand 20 are preferably wide enough to lend sufficient lateral support to keep the universal holder 1 and mobile phone 4 from falling over sideways. The stand 20 may be deployed by extending it away from the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 in the direction of arrow 32 for when in use as shown in FIG. 24 and retracted or folded back into the main body 9 or may become generally flush with the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 in the direction of the arrow 33 for storage when not in use. The resultant of retracting or folding the stand 20 back into main body 9 of the universal holder 1 is shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26.

It should be noted that the upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1 a may or may not be deployed and fully extended while the universal holder 1 is being used as a table top stand for the mobile device 4. While FIG. 24 shows the mobile device 4 fully inserted into the universal holder 1 and being held between the deployed upper finger 2a and the deployed lower finger 2b, FIG. 24E shows upper finger 2a and the upper tip 1a folded down and resting generally flush against the inner surface 10a of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1. In FIG. 24E, the lower edge 3 of the mobile device 4 may rest on the lower finger 2b and the back upper portion 3c of the mobile device 4 may rest against the outer side 2aa of the generally folded upper finger 2a. In this case, the mobile device 4 may not be securely gripped between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b because the upper finger 2a may be generally folded down and not deployed. The weight of the mobile device 4 may allow it to rest on the lower finger 2b and be propped upright by the universal holder 1 and the stand 20. This may be preferable if the user is not interested in attaching the universal holder 1 to another apparatus but is only interested in using the universal holder 1 as a desktop stand for their mobile device 4. In this configuration, if the user needs to lift the mobile device to answer a phone call or otherwise physically engage with the mobile device 4, they may simply lift the mobile device 4 off other lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1 without having to detach the mobile device from between the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b. While FIG. 24 shows the stand 20 being extended downward from the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 with the universal holder 1 sitting vertically while resting on its lower portion of the main body 9 or the lower finger 2b, the stand 20 may also extend downward from other areas on the universal holder 1 with the universal holder 1 in other orientations and resting on other portions of itself. The mobile device 4 being held within the universal holder 1 may also come into contact with the top of the table or other surface and may provide additional support and help prop up the universal holder 1. In addition, the stand 20 may adjustably rotate around the point where it connects to the universal holder 1 such that it may be set to extend downward at different orientations with respect to the main body 9, the upper finger 2a and the lower finger 2b of the universal holder 1.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D, the universal holder 1 may have multiple stands. FIG. 24A shows a long stand 20a, a medium length stand 20b and a short stand 20c folded up on either side of the universal holder 1. One set of stands comprising of a long stand 20a, a medium length stand 20b and a short stand 20c may be located on the left side of the universal holder 1 , and one set of stands comprising of a long stand 20a, a medium length stand 20b and a short stand 20c may be located on the right side of the universal holder 1. FIG. 24A also shows that within each set of stands, the long stand 20a, the medium length stand 20b and the short stand 20c may be designed to generally fit on top of each other when not deployed in order to be compact when not in use. However, these stands may be in other positions and configurations with respect to each other.

FIG. 24B shows the two long stands 20a, one on the left side of the universal holder 1 and one on the right side of the universal holder 1 , deployed in order to hold the universal holder 1 at a somewhat steep upright angle when the universal holder 1 is placed on a table top or other surface. Because the medium length stand 20b and the short stand 20c are designed to fit on top of the long stand 20a, these two stands are also deployed along with each long stand 20a but do not come into contact with the table top or other surface as shown in FIG. 24B. The two long stand 20a may be located on either side of the universal holder 1 and may be of equal length such that when both legs of the long stand 20a are deployed and the universal holder is placed on a table top or other surface, the two legs of the long stand 20a along with the bottom portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder may all come into contact with the table top or other surface to form a tripod. The mobile device 4 may be placed on the lower finger 2b of the universal holder land may be propped up for comfortable viewing by the user.

When the user desires to lower the angle of the mobile device 4 being propped upright by the universal holder 1 in this general configuration, the two legs of the long stand 20a may be placed in their un-deployed positions along the side of the universal holder 1 , and the two legs of the medium length stand 20b may be deployed instead. Because the length of the legs of the medium length stand 20b are shorter than the length of the legs of the long stand 20a, the universal holder may be propped up at a less upright angle when the legs of the medium length stand 20b are deployed and the universal holder 1 is placed on a table top or other surface to form a tripod as described above.

When the user desires to lower the angle even further of the mobile device being propped upright by the universal holder 1 , the two legs of the long stand 20a and the two legs of the medium length stand 20b may be placed in their un-deployed positions along the side of the universal holder 1 , and the two legs of the short stand 20c may be deployed instead. Because the length of the legs of the short stand 20b are shorter than the length of the legs of the long stand 20a and the length of the legs of the medium length stand 20a, the universal holder may be propped up at an even less upright angle when the legs of the short stand 20c are deployed and the universal holder 1 is placed on a table top or other surface to form a tripod as described above. This lowest angle may be preferable for typing on a tablet computer while propped up by the universal holder 1.

While the descriptions above describe the universal holder 1 as having three sets of different length stands to prop up the mobile device at three different upright angles, the universal holder may have a higher number or a fewer number of sets of different length stands to prop up the mobile at a different variety of angles.

Further, as depicted in FIG. 27, additional attachment components 23, 24 may be attached to and detached from the main body 9 of the universal holder 1. FIG. 27 shows a clamp 23 and a goose-neck 24 configured that may be attached to the universal holder 1. While a clamp 23 and a goose-neck 24 are depicted in FIG. 27, other attachment components may also be attached directly to the universal holder 1.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 27, the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 may include a receiving means 21 such as a jack or a slot. The attachment components may include an attachable means 22 that may connect to and disconnect from the receiving means 21 on the main body 9 of the universal holder 1. Thus, the attachment components 22, 23 may be attached to the universal holder 1 by connecting their attachment means 22 to the receiving means 21 on the main body 9 of the universal holder 1. This way, the attachable additional components 22, 23 may be attached to the receiving means 21 on the universal holder 1 when desired and detached from the receiving means on the universal holder 1 when not desired.

FIG. 28 shows a close-up view of slot receiving means 21 in the lower portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder. This slot receiving means 21 may be

configured to receive the attachment means 22 of the additional attachment

components. While a slot is shown in FIG. 28 as the receiving means, other types of receiving means such as a jack, screw or bolt/nut or other means may also be used.

These additional attachment components allow the user additional methods of attaching the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 attached to the universal holder 1 to apparatus such as the hand rail of a shopping cart, a baby stroller or other apparatus.

While the above description describes the additional attachment components as being attached to the lower portion of the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 , the additional attachment components may be attached to any portion of the universal holder 1 including the upper finger 2a, the upper tip 1 a, the lower finger 2b, the lower tip 2a, the spring component 6 or any other component of the universal holder 1

Another embodiment that may allow additional attachment components to be attached to the universal holder 1 is shown in FIG. 28A where a portion or the entire universal holder 1 may fit into a sheath 21 a that the additional attachment components may then be attached to. The sheath 21a may hold the universal holder 1 securely when the universal holder 1 is placed inside of it. The sheath 21 a may have receiving means similar to what was described above in relation to FIG. 28 in order to attach additional attachment components to the sheath 21a. For example, the sheath 21 a may have a receiving slot 21 similar to the universal holder 1 in FIG. 28, a set of side-by-side strap slots 21c that may receive a strap, and a screw slot 21 b that may receive the head of a screw for hanging the sheath 21a on the wall. Other types of receiving means such as a bolt/nut or other means may also be designed into the sheath. The sheath 21 a facilitates the attachment of the universal holder 1 to other apparatus using additional attachment components that may be attached to the sheath 21 a when the universal holder 1 is placed within the sheath 21a.

Since the user of the universal holder 1 and the mobile device 4 that may be held by the universal holder 1 may also employ headphones to listen to audio on the mobile device 4, the universal holder 1 may also contain a means to hold all or a portion of the headphone cord 20a as shown in FIG. 24F.

FIG. 24F shows a small portion of the headphone cord 20a tucked under the stand 20 in order to center the portion of the headphone cord 20a that extends from the mobile device 4 and universal holder 1 combination to the user. A small slot may exist under the stand 20 when the stand is generally folded up against the main body 9 of the universal holder 1 that may receive a portion of the headphone cord 20a. This may be preferable so that any force applied to the headphone cord may tend to exert a force to the middle of the universal holder 1 and not to the headphone jack on the side edge 3 of the mobile device 4. Forces exerted to the headphone jack on the side edge 3 of the mobile device 4 may tend to tilt the mobile device and the universal holder 1

combination if the combination is hanging from the length of line 12 extending out the top of the universal holder 1 . This tilting may be avoided by centering the headphone cord 20a within the universal holder 1 and thus centering any force that may be applied to the universal holder 1 by the headphone cord 20a. While FIG. 24F shows the headphone cord 20a centered within the universal holder 1 by tucking it under the stand 20, other means may be used to center the headphone cord such as attaching a small portion of the headphone cord to a latch in the center portion of the universal holder (not shown) or other means.

Another reason it may be preferable for the universal holder to contain all or a portion of the headphone cord 20a is to store the headphone cord when not in use. The headphone cord 20a may be stored within the main body 9 of the universal holder or in other parts of the universal holder 1 when not in use. The headphone cord may also be wrapped around the universal holder 1 for storage purposes.

The invention may be manufactured using injection molding technology or similar. The invention may be molded out of a variety of types of hard plastic such as

Polycarbonate or ABS. The invention may also be machined or molded out of various types of metal such as Aluminum or steel.

A description on various mechanisms to generate revenue through the current invention is now described. One revenue stream may be based on selling the invention to consumers. The invention may be sold through online stores, retail stores, wholesale outlets, catalogues, magazine, phone sales or infomercials. The invention may be sold as a stand-alone product or bundled together with mobile devices such as smart phones or other apparatus such as exercise machines.

Another revenue stream may be based on selling the invention to commercial health clubs so that the health club would then offer the invention to their members for use in the health club. Another revenue stream may be based on selling the invention to hotels so that the hotels would then offer the invention to their clientele for use in the hotel gyms. Another revenue stream may be based on selling the invention to businesses that offer a corporate gym to their employees so that the businesses would then offer the invention to their employees for use in the corporate gym.

Another revenue stream may be based on selling the invention to commercial airlines so that the airline may then offer the invention to their members for use in the plane.

Another revenue stream may be based on selling the invention to mobile device content providers who may then bundle the device with their content for sale to their end consumers.

Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for holding a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: a body;

a first finger and second finger that are coupled to the body and that are configured to grip a mobile device;

a spring that is located in the body, that is coupled to the first and second fingers and that exerts a force pulling the first and second fingers toward each other;

a reel that is located in the body and that includes a line that is extendable from and retractable to the body; and

a hook attached at or near the end of the line that is configured to attach to the body, line or another apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a stand that is mounted to the body and that may be extended from the body to prop up the apparatus and mobile device on a surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the line is long enough to wrap around another apparatus when extended from the body, and the hook is configured to engage the line to hold the apparatus to the other apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring includes a plurality of notches and teeth that engage each other and determine the distance between the first and second fingers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hook is configured to engage the body of the apparatus.