Cradle apparatus and method for rotating and linearly displacing an electronic device

A cradle apparatus for attaching an electronic device to a select surface in a desired position, the cradle apparatus comprising:

• a cradle sized and shaped to removably receive an electronic device, the cradle comprising a centralized region and at least one adjustable device-engaging arm extending away from the centralized region, the centralized region comprising an oblong aperture, the oblong aperture defining a cradle displacement zone segment;
• and cradle-to-surface securing means for securing the cradle apparatus to the select surface, the cradle-to-surface securing means being attached to the select surface and being cooperable with the oblong aperture for enabling a user to linearly and rotatably displace the centralized region along the cradle displacement zone segment, the cradle apparatus thus for securing the electronic device to the select surface in a select linear and rotative position, the cradle-to-surface securing means comprising an anchor-cap assembly, the anchor-cap assembly comprising a lower anchor structure, an upper cradle-engagement cap, and spacer-attachment means for attaching the lower anchor structure to the upper cradle-engagement cap in parallel relation to one another, the oblong aperture comprising a cradle-guide flange, the cradle-guide flange extending inwardly intermediate the cradle-engagement cap and the anchor structure for guiding the centralized region when being displaced along the cradle displacement zone segment, the centralized region comprising a device-opposing surface, the cradle-engagement cap comprising an upper cap surface, the cradle-guide flange being parallel to the device-opposing and entire upper cap surfaces for rendering flush the device-opposing and entire upper cap surfaces, the oblong aperture and cradle-to-surface securing means comprising cooperable locking means for selectively locking the centralized region in a select rotative position, the cooperable locking means comprising a series of peripherally spaced male and female structures, the peripherally spaced male and female structures extending radially inwardly relative to a center of the cradle-to-surface securing means when selectively locked, the at least one adjustable device-engaging arm being adjustable for engaging variously sized electronic devices.

A method for displacing an electronic device relative to select surfacing so as to position the electronic device in a select orientation relative to the select surfacing, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an anchor-cap assembly, the anchor-cap assembly comprising a lower anchor structure, an upper cradle-engagement cap, and spacer-attachment means for attaching the lower anchor structure to the upper cradle-engagement cap in parallel relation to one another;
• anchoring the anchor-cap assembly to a select surface;
• cooperatively associating the anchor-cap assembly with a cradle construction, the cradle construction comprising a centralized region, at least one adjustable device-engaging arm extending away from the centralized region, and an oblong aperture, the oblong aperture comprising a cradle-guide flange, the cradle-guide flange extending inwardly intermediate the cradle-engagement cap and the anchor structure for guiding the cradle construction when being displaced, the centralized region comprising a device-opposing surface, the cradle-engagement cap comprising an upper cap surface, the cradle-guide flange being parallel to the device-opposing and entire upper cap surfaces for rendering flush the device-opposing and entire upper cap surfaces, the cooperatively associated anchor-cap assembly and cradle construction enabling both linear and rotatable displacements of the cradle construction relative to the select surface;
• retaining an electronic device via the cradle construction, the electronic device thus being displaceable both linearly and rotatably relative to the select surface via the cradle construction and anchor-cap assembly;
• selectively locking the cradle construction in a select rotative position relative to the select surface via selective locking means, the selective locking means comprising a series of peripherally spaced male and female structures, the peripherally spaced male and female structures extending radially inwardly relative to a center of the anchor-cap assembly when selectively locked;
• and
• adjusting the at least one adjustable device-engaging arm for engaging a selectively sized electronic device.