Flexible retention systems for portable electronic devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10426261-B2
Application number	US-201815915962-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2018
Priority date	Mar 9, 2017
Publication date	Oct 1, 2019
Grant date	Oct 1, 2019

Abstract

A retention system for securing a portable electronic device to the work surface can include an elongated member. The elongated member can be adapted to couple with a work surface. The retention system can include a device clip. The device clip can be coupled to the elongated member. The device clip can be slidably engaged with the elongated member. The device clip can be adapted to engage with an edge of the portable electronic device located on the work surface.

First claim

The claimed invention is:

1. A retention system for securing a portable electronic device on a work surface, the system comprising:
an elongated member adapted to couple with the work surface;
a device clip configured to couple with the elongated member wherein the device clip is configured to slidably engage with the elongated member, and wherein the device clip is adapted to engage with an edge of the portable electronic device located on the work surface by receiving the edge of the portable electronic device within a device cavity defined by the device clip; and
a cable clip configured to couple with the elongated member, wherein:
the cable clip is adapted to slidably engage with the elongated member, and
the cable clip defines a slot that extends into a cable cavity, wherein:
the cable cavity is sized and shaped to receive the elongated member,
the cable cavity has a greater dimension than the elongated member, and
when the elongated member is received in the cable cavity, the cable clip and the elongated member define a cable space sized and shaped to receive an electrical cable between the elongated member and the cable clip.

2. The retention system of claim 1 , wherein the device clip is adapted to rotate about, and translate with respect to, the elongated member.

3. The retention system of claim 1 , wherein the device clip includes an arm.

4. The retention system claim 1 , wherein device clip is a first device clip with a first arm, and further comprising:
a second device clip with a second arm, and
wherein the first arm extends toward a center of the retention system and the second arm extends toward the center of the retention system.

5. The retention system of claim 1 , further comprising the portable electronic device.

6. The retention system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the work surface;
a riser coupled to the work surface, wherein the riser is adapted to raise and lower the work surface; and
a wheeled base coupled to the riser, wherein the wheeled base is adapted to allow the riser and work surface to translate with respect to a foundation.

7. The retention system of claim 6 , further comprising a pocket defined in the work surface, and wherein a portion of the retention system is engaged with the pocket.

8. The retention system of claim 7 , wherein the cable clip is positioned between the pocket and the device clip.

9. The retention system of claim 1 , wherein the device clip defines a slot, and the slot is sized and shaped to engage with the elongated member such that the device clip can selectively couple with the elongated member.

10. The retentions system of claim 1 , wherein the device clip is biased against the elongated member such that the device clip maintains its position with respect to the elongated member.

11. The retention system of claim 1 , further comprising a securing feature adapted to fix a position of the device clip with respect to the elongated member.

12. The retention system of claim 1 , further comprising a coupler fixedly attached to the elongated member, wherein the coupler is sized and shaped to engage with a portion of the work surface.

13. A retention system for securing a portable electronic device on a work surface, the system comprising:
at least one fixed member coupled to the work surface and defining a first clip having a first opening and a second clip having a second opening, and wherein the first opening is defined on a first side of the fixed member and the second opening is defined on a second side of the fixed member; and
at least one fork member rotatingly coupled with the first clip and second clip of the fixed member,
wherein the at least one fork member is configured to rotate with respect to the fixed member and the fork is configured to engage with a portion of the portable electronic device located on the work surface to secure the portable electronic device on the work surface.

14. The retention system of claim 13 , further comprising a biasing element adapted to bias the fork member toward the fixed member.

15. The retention system of claim 13 , wherein the fork member is adapted to rotate greater than 90 degrees with respect to the fixed member.

16. The retention system of claim 13 , further comprising the electronic device.

17. The retention system of claim 13 , wherein the fixed member is adapted to be removably affixed to the work surface.

18. A retention system for securing a portable electronic device on a work surface, the system comprising:
a flexible elongated member coupled to the work surface having a first end region, a second end region, and an intermediate region located between the first end region and the second end region;
a first hook fixedly attached to a first end region of the elongated member and defining a first reception region sized and shaped to receive the elongated member, wherein reception of the elongated member within the first reception region attaches the first hook to the elongated member; and
a second hook fixedly attached to a second end region of the elongated member and defining a first reception region sized and shaped to receive the elongated member, wherein reception of the elongated member within the first reception region attaches the hook to the elongated member,
wherein the first and second end regions of the elongated member overlap and the first hook and the second hook couple to the intermediate region of the elongated member, thereby encircling a portion of the portable electronic device.

19. The retention system of claim 18 , wherein the flexible elongated member is configured to form a direct interface with a top surface of the work surface and a bottom surface of the work surface.

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Theis John William
• Mullen Michael John
• Beissel Joshua Jerome
• Asamari Saeb Salih
• Wong Thiem Chan Duong

Classifications

• F16M13/00

  Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} · CPC title

• E05B73/0005

  using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006) · CPC title

• F16M11/041

  Allowing quick release of the apparatus · CPC title

• F16B2/22

  of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material {(F16B2/205 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16M11/42

  with arrangement for propelling the support {stands on wheels} · CPC title