Expandable sockets for use with portable media players

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9970589-B2
Application number	US-201715808076-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2017
Priority date	Aug 17, 2016
Publication date	May 15, 2018
Grant date	May 15, 2018

Abstract

An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case. The expandable socket generally includes a platform, a button spaced from the platform, and a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button. The platform is adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case. The collapsible mechanism includes a plurality of discrete sections movable relative to one another to move the expandable socket between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case;
a button that is spaced from the platform;
a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that move relative to one another as the collapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings are substantially concentrically arranged when the collapsible mechanism is in the collapsed configuration;
a first projection carried by the platform and arranged to extending radially inward to engage a portion of a first one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure the button to the collapsible mechanism; and a second projection carried by the platform and extending radially outward to engage a portion of a second one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure the platform to the collapsible mechanism.

2. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case;
a button that is spaced from the platform;
a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of discrete sections movable relative to one another to move the expandable socket between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
a first projection carried by the button and configured to engage a first portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of discrete sections is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of the first projection; and
a second projection carried by the platform and configured to engage a second portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of discrete sections is disposed radially outward of an inner surface of the second projection.

3. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the collapsible mechanism has an outer diameter that tapers as the collapsible mechanism extends away from the button and toward the platform.

4. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of discrete sections comprises a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings, and wherein the coaxial rings are substantially concentrically arranged when the expandable socket is in the collapsed configuration.

5. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of discrete sections are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis.

6. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the first projection extends axially inward from an inner side of the button along a longitudinal axis.

7. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the first projection has an inner surface that curves radially inward as the projection extends inward, away from the button.

8. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the platform comprises an inwardly extending annular wall that defines the second projection.

9. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the second projection extends axially inward from an inner side of the platform along a longitudinal axis.

10. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the second projection has an outer surface and a detent is formed proximate to an end of the outer surface, the detent configured to engage the second portion of the collapsible mechanism.

11. The expandable socket of claim 2 , wherein the second projection is positioned immediately adjacent an inner side of the button when the extendable socket is in the collapsed configuration.

12. The expandable socket of claim 2 , further comprising a lock configured to releasably secure the expandable socket in the expanded configuration.

13. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
a platform adapted to engage to engage a portion of the portable media player or the protable media player case;
a button that is spaced from the platform;
a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that telescope within one another as the collapsible mechanism moves from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration;
a first projection carried by the button and the configured to engage a first portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of the first projection; and
a second projection carried by the platform and configured to engage a second portion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings is disposed radially outward of an inner surface of the second projection.

14. The expandable socket of claim 13 , wherein the collapsible mechanism has an outer diameter that tapers as the collapsible mechanism extends away from the button and toward the platform.

15. The expandable socket of claim 13 , wherein the first projection extends axially inward from an inner side of the button along a longitudinal axis.

16. The expandable socket of claim 13 , wherein the first projection has an inner surface that curves radially inward as the projection extends inward, away from the button.

17. The expandable socket of claim 13 , wherein the second projection extends axially inward from an inner side of the platform along a longitudinal axis.

18. The expandable socket of claim 13 , wherein the second project has an outer surface and a detent is formed proximate to an end of the the outer surface, the detent configured to engage the second portion of the collapsible mechanism.

19. The expandable socket of claim 13 , wherein the second projection is positioned immediately adjacent an inner side of the button when the extendable socket is in the collapsed configuration.

20. The extendable socket of claim 13 , wherein the collapsible mechanism is movable between the expanded configuration and the collapsible configuration responsive to a user directly applying a force on the button.

21. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case, the expandable socket comprising:
a platform adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case;
a button that is spaced from the platform;
a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings that telescope within one another as the collapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, wherein each of the rings frictionally engages at least one other ring of the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings to releasably lock the collapsible mechanism in the expanded configuration;
a first projection carried by the button and configured to engage a first portion of the collap

Assignees

• Popsockets Llc

Inventors

• Hobbs Molly M
• Barnett David B

Classifications

• F16M11/04

  Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand · CPC title

• H04M1/12

  Adjustable supports, e.g. extensible · CPC title

• F16M13/04 Primary

  for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains {, e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head (apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B)} · CPC title

• F16M13/02

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title

• F16M11/40

  by means of coilable or bendable legs {or spiral shaped legs} · CPC title