# US 11,305,703 B2 · Gadget holder

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- Number: US 11,305,703 B2
- Document ID: US11305703B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/875,705
- Filed: 2020-05-15
- Published: 2021-11-18
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2020-05-15
- Applicants: Robert Higaki
- Inventors: Robert Higaki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305703B2

## CPC

- B60R 11/00: Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- F16M 11/04: Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
- B60R 2011/0005: {Dashboard}
- B60R 2011/0068: {using suction cups}
- B60R 2011/0071: {using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS

## Abstract

An apparatus for mounting a device to a dashboard of a vehicle has a planar element having a first height, a first width, a front planar surface and a back planar surface, and a mounting element having a second height smaller than the first height, a second width smaller than the first width, and a length, the mounting element joined to the back planar surface of the planar element such that the length of the mounting element extends orthogonally to the back planar surface. The mounting element is adapted to fit into an existing opening in the dashboard of the vehicle, such that the planar element is supported and presented with the front planar surface upright.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for mounting a device to a dashboard of a vehicle, comprising:
a planar element having a first height, a first width, a front planar surface and a back planar surface; and
a mounting element having a second height smaller than the first height, a second width smaller than the first width, and a length, the mounting element joined to the back planar surface of the planar element such that the length of the mounting element extends orthogonally to the back planar surface;
wherein the mounting element is adapted to fit into an existing opening in the dashboard of the vehicle, such that the planar element is supported and presented with the front planar surface upright.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting element is joined to the planar element by screw fasteners.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the planar element further comprises a clipboard spring clip at an upper region of the planar element, adapting the apparatus to be used as a suspended clip board.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting element is fabricated from a compressible material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the compressible material is one of rubber, synthetic rubber, cork, or a compressible polymer.

### Claim 6

A method for mounting a mobile device in a vehicle having a dashboard, comprising steps of:
joining a planar element having a first height, a first width, a front planar surface and a back planar surface to a mounting element having a second height smaller than the first height, a second width smaller than the first width, and a length, to the back planar surface of the planar element such that the length of the mounting element extends orthogonally to the back planar surface; and
inserting the mounting element into an existing opening in the dashboard of the vehicle, such that the planar element is supported and presented with the front planar surface upright.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 comprising joining the mounting element is joined to the planar element by screw fasteners.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 comprising joining a clipboard spring clip an upper region of the planar element, adapting the planar element to be used as a suspended clip board.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 further comprising:
securing a mounting device for a mobile device to the front planar surface by a suction cup attached to the mounting device; and
securing the mobile device in the mounting device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein the mobile device is one of a cellular telephone, a pad device, or a Global positioning System (GPS) device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 comprising fabricating the mounting element from a compressible material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 wherein the compressible material is one of rubber, synthetic rubber, cork, or a compressible polymer.