Self-centering mechanism, a clamping device for an electronic device and means for their integration
AssigneeCarson Optical, Inc.
InventorMichelle Hyers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention comprises a self-centering mechanism for retaining an object, a clamping device for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case, and means to integrate the devices in an adapter form. The structure of the self-centering mechanism allows for a compact device that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped objects. The clamping device allows for means to retain an electronic device or an electronic device in a case that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped electronic device. The self-centering mechanism and clamping device can also be integrated into the form of an adapter for various applications.
Claims23
A self-centering mechanism to retain an object having a center, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises:
- a main body having a fixed alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, wherein the fixed alignment axis is parallel to at least one of the first pivot, second pivot axis, or third pivot axis, and at least the first pivot, second axis and third axis are all mutually parallel,
- a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one first arm tangential member and at least one end,
- a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one second arm tangential member and at least one end,
- a third arm rotatable about the third pivot axis, and having at least one third arm tangential member and at least one end,
- wherein the geometry of at least the first of the first arm tangential member, second arm tangential member and third arm tangential member are such that at least the first end of each of at least the first, second, and third arm move in a self-centering manner about the fixed alignment axis to retain and align an object.
A clamping device for individually retaining least one of an electronic device and an electronic device in a case, having at least a first, second and third side and a fourth side containing the screen of the electronic device, wherein the clamping device comprises:
- a main body having a first surface against which the electronic device is retained, a first axis and a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is at least approximately perpendicular to the first surface of the main body and the fourth side of the electronic device,
- a first holder member being rotatable about the pivot axis and having a first end,
- a bias member preferentially rotating the first end of the first holder towards the first axis,
- a second holder member having a first surface,
- wherein a retained state occurs when the electronic device is held in the clamping device, such that in the retained state:
- a) the third side of the electronic device is in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body,
- b) the first end of the first holder portion is in at least partial contact with the first side of the electronic device,
- c) the first surface of the second holder portion is in at least partial contact with the second side of the electronic device, and
- d) the electronic device is retained due to the clamping force of the bias member that occurs between the first end of the first holder and the first surface of the second holder portion.
A self-centering method to retain an object having a center, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises:
- a main body having a fixed alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, wherein the fixed alignment axis is parallel to at least one of the first pivot, second pivot axis, or third pivot axis, and at least the first pivot, second axis and third axis are all mutually parallel, a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one first arm tangential member and at least one end, a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one second arm tangential member and at least one end, a third arm rotatable about the third pivot axis, and having at least one third arm tangential member and at least one end, wherein the geometry of at least the first of the first arm tangential member, second arm tangential member and third arm tangential member are such that at least the first end of each of at least the first, second, and third arm move in a self-centering manner about the fixed alignment axis to retain and align an object, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- pressing the first and second arms in conjunction, such that pressing both the first and second arms causes at least the first end of each of at least the first, second and third arms to rotate away from the alignment axis in a self-centering manner,
- inserting the object into the self-centering mechanism,
- releasing both the first and second arms, such that at least the first end of each of at least the first, second and third arms to rotate towards the alignment axis in a self-centering manner, to releasably retain and align the object.
A clamping method for individually retaining at least one of an electronic device and an electronic device in a case, wherein the method utilizes a clamping device for individually retaining least one of an electronic device and an electronic device in a case, having at least a first side, second side and third side and a fourth side containing the screen of the electronic device, wherein the clamping device comprises:
- a main body having a first surface against which the electronic device is retained, a first axis and a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is at least approximately perpendicular to the first surface of the main body and the fourth side of the electronic device, a first holder member being rotatable about the pivot axis and having a first end, a bias member preferentially rotating the first end of the first holder towards the first axis, a second holder member having a first surface, wherein a retained state occurs when the electronic device is held in the clamping device, such that in the retained state:
- a) the third side of the electronic device is in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body, b) the first end of the first holder portion is in at least partial contact with the first side of the electronic device, c) the first surface of the second holder portion is in at least partial contact with the second side of the electronic device, d) the electronic device is retained due to the clamping force of the bias member that occurs between the first end of the first holder and the first surface of the second holder portion, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- retracting the first holder member such that the first holder member rotates away from the first axis of the main body,
- placing the third side of the electronic device in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body,
- releasing the first holder member such that it can rotate about a pivot axis approximately perpendicular to the fourth side of the electronic device, and in a direction towards the first axis of the main body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.