Electronic device holder
View Patent ↗An apparatus that can secure an electronic device and be inserted into a conventional cup holder is described. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. The electronic device being held can be a variety of devices that include a digital music player. One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which connecting cable can be wound. Adapting sleeves that fit around the base of the apparatus can be used to adapt electronic device holder to cup holders of different sizes and shapes.
1. An electronic device holder suitable for securely holding an electronic device and for managing at least a portion of a cable used to connect an electronic device to an external electrical system comprising:
a pocket component having a pocket suitable for receiving an electronic device and a spool extending from the pocket component about which the cable can be wound; and
a base component having a cup shape, an interior chamber suitable for receiving the spool, and a first cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber, wherein the base component is configured to be attached to the pocket component and wherein the base component is suitable to be securely inserted into a cup holder.
2. An electronic device holder as recited in claim 1 wherein the spool of the pocket component rotates about its longitudinal axis and a latch extends from the spool, the latch serving to secure a portion of the cable so that the cable can be wound about the spool by rotating the spool.
3. An electronic device holder as recited in claim 2 wherein the base component has a bottom surface that has an opening, whereby the spool extends through the opening when the pocket component is attached to the base component such that the spool can be manually rotated.
4. An electronic device holder as recited in claim 1 wherein the pocket component contains a second cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber and wherein the spool has a latch configured to secure a portion of the cable.
5. An electronic device holder as recited in claim 4 wherein the pocket component is rotatably secured to the base component such that the cable can be wound about the spool by rotating the pocket component with respect to the base component.
6. An electronic device holding system comprising:
a cup holder;
an electronic device holder that includes
a pocket component having a pocket suitable for receiving an electronic device; and
a base component having cup shape configured to be attached to the pocket component wherein the base component is securely inserted into the cup holder and having an interior chamber suitable for storing a cable and a cable slot that allows the cable to be inserted into the interior chamber.
7. An electronic device holding system as recited in claim 6 further comprising:
a cable that extends from the electronic device and into the interior chamber of the base component through the cable slot.