Holding device for holding a portable object, and method of manufacturing same

1. A holding device for holding a portable object, the holding device comprising:

a support platform;

a first arm coupled to the support platform;

a second arm coupled to the support platform;

a biasing member located between the first and second arms;

a locking mechanism capable of maintaining the first arm and the second arm in any one of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to each other; and

a release button adjacent to the support platform, the release button capable of releasing the locking mechanism,

wherein:

the biasing member is capable of urging at least a portion of the first arm and at least a portion of the second arm toward each other;

the first arm comprises a first arm axis;

the second arm comprises a second arm axis;

the first arm axis and the second arm axis are substantially perpendicular to the support platform;

the first arm is capable of rotating about the first arm axis; and

the second arm is capable of rotating about the second arm axis.

2. The holding device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first grip coupled to the first arm; and

a second grip coupled to the second arm.

3. The holding device of claim 1 wherein:

the biasing member comprises a spring.

4. The holding device of claim 1 wherein:

the support platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface substantially opposite the upper surface; and

the release button is located at the upper surface of the support platform.

5. The holding device of claim 4 wherein:

the release button protrudes from the support platform.

6. The holding device of claim 4 wherein:

the lower surface of the support platform is coupled to a mounting mechanism.

7. The holding device of claim 1 wherein:

the locking mechanism comprises:

a ratchet; and

a pawl capable of engaging the ratchet.

8. The holding device of claim 7 wherein:

the ratchet is integral with one of the first and second arms.

9. The holding device of claim 7 wherein:

the ratchet comprises a plurality of teeth and a plurality of indentations;

the pawl is capable of engaging at least one of the plurality of indentations; and

the first arm and the second arm are held in a fixed position with respect to each other when the pawl is engaged with one of the plurality of indentations.

10. A holding device for holding a portable object, the holding device comprising:

a support platform;

a first arm coupled to the support platform;

a second arm coupled to the support platform;

a biasing member located between the first and second arms;

a locking mechanism capable of maintaining the first arm and the second arm in any one of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to each other; and

a release button adjacent to the support platform, the release button capable of releasing the locking mechanism,

wherein:

the biasing member is capable of urging at least a portion of the first arm and at least a portion of the second arm toward each other;

the first arm further comprises a first plurality of teeth;

the second arm further comprises a second plurality of teeth; and

the first plurality of teeth interacts with the second plurality of teeth such that a movement of one of the first and second arms causes a movement in the other of the first and second arms.

11. The holding device of claim 1 further comprising:

a pad over the release button.

12. The holding device of claim 1 wherein:

the first grip and the second grip comprise:

a substantially rigid core; and

a flexible material located adjacent to the core.

13. The holding device of claim 12 wherein:

the core is formed from a rigid plastic material; and

the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

14. A holding device for holding a portable object, the holding device comprising:

a support platform having an upper surface for supporting the portable object and a lower surface substantially opposite the upper surface, the upper surface having a release button thereon;

a first lever coupled to the support platform;

a second lever coupled to the support platform;

a first grip coupled to a first portion of the first lever;

a second grip coupled to a first portion of the second lever;

a first handle coupled to a second portion of the first lever;

a second handle coupled to a second portion of the second lever;

a spring coupled between second portions of the first and second levers; and

a locking mechanism capable of maintaining the first lever and the second lever in any one of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to each other,

wherein:

the spring is capable of urging the first grip and the second grip toward each other;

the release button is capable of being activated by the application of a force to the portable object when the portable object is supported by the upper surface and located between the first and second grips;

the release button is capable of releasing the locking mechanism;

the first arm comprises a first axis of rotation located between the first and second portions of the first arm;

the second arm comprises a second axis of rotation located between the first and second portions of the second arm;

the first arm axis and the second arm axis are substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the support platform;

the first arm is capable of rotating about the first arm axis: and

the second arm is capable of rotating about the second arm axis.

15. The holding device of claim 14 wherein:

the release button protrudes from the support platform.

16. The holding device of claim 14 wherein:

the lower surface of the support platform is coupled to a mounting mechanism.

17. The holding device of claim 14 wherein:

the locking mechanism comprises:

a ratchet; and

a pawl capable of engaging the ratchet.

18. The holding device of claim 17 wherein:

the ratchet is integral with one of the first and second arms.

19. The holding device of claim 18 wherein:

the ratchet comprises a plurality of teeth and a plurality of indentations;

the pawl is capable of engaging at least one of the plurality of indentations; and

the first arm and the second arm are held in a fixed position with respect to each other when the pawl is engaged with one of the plurality of indentations.

20. A holding device for holding a portable object, the holding device comprising:

a support platform having an upper surface for supporting the portable object and a lower surface substantially opposite the upper surface, the upper surface having a release button thereon;

a first lever coupled to the support platform;

a second lever coupled to the support platform;

a first grip coupled to a first portion of the first lever;

a second grip coupled to a first portion of the second lever;

a first handle coupled to a second portion of the first lever;

a second handle coupled to a second portion of the second lever;

a spring coupled between second portions of the first and second levers; and

a locking mechanism capable of maintaining the first lever and the second lever in any one of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to each other,

wherein:

the spring is capable of urging the first grip and the second grip toward each other;

the release button is capable of being activated by the application of a force to the portable object when the portable object is supported by the upper surface and located between the first and second grips;

the release button is capable of releasing the locking mechanism;

the locking mechanism comprises;

a ratchet; and

a pawl capable of engaging the ratchet;

the ratchet is integral with one of the first and second arms;

the ratchet comprises a plurality of teeth and a plurality of indentations;

the pawl is capable of engaging at least one of the plurality of indentations;

the first arm and the second arm are held in a fixed position with respect to each other when the pawl is engaged with one of the plurality of indentations;

the first arm further comprises a first plurality of teeth at the second portion of the first arm;

the second arm further comprises a second plurality of teeth at the second portion of the second arm; and

the first plurality of teeth interacts with the second plurality of teeth such that a movement of one of the first and second arms causes a movement in the other of the first and second arms.

21. The holding device of claim 14 further comprising:

a pad over the release button.

22. The holding device of claim 21 wherein:

the first grip and the second grip comprise:

a substantially rigid core; and

a flexible material located adjacent to the core.

23. The holding device of claim 22 wherein:

the core is formed from a rigid plastic material; and

the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

24. A method of manufacturing a holding device for a portable object, the method comprising:

providing a support platform having a first arm and a second arm coupled thereto;

providing a biasing member capable of urging at least a portion of the first arm and at least a portion of the second arm toward each other, the biasing member located between the first arm and the second arm;

providing a locking mechanism capable of maintaining the first arm and the second arm in any one of a plurality of discrete positions with respect to each other;

providing a release button adjacent to the support platform, the release button capable of releasing the locking mechanism;

providing the first arm to be rotatable about a first arm axis; and

providing the second arm to be rotatable about a second arm axis,

wherein:

the first arm axis and the second arm axis are substantially perpendicular to the support platform.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

providing a first grip coupled to the first arm; and

providing a second grip coupled to the second arm.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

providing the locking mechanism to comprise:

a ratchet; and

a pawl capable of engaging the ratchet.