Holding device and storage system

Abstract

Holding device (1) for holding a mobile communication device (10) in an operating position (32), comprising a fastening element (40) extending only in an arrangement plane (41) for fixing the holding device (1) to a support structure (30), and comprising a receiving element (50) for receiving and mechanically fixing the mobile communication device (10), wherein the fastening element (40) and the receiving element (50) are mechanically connected to each other by means of a pivoting device (70) which enables a pivoting movement of the receiving element (50) relative to the fastening element (40), such that in a pivoted state (33) a top surface (51) of the receiving element (50) can be arranged at an angle (α) of 70° to 110° to the arrangement plane (41) of the fastening element (40), and in a pivoted state (34) the top surface (51) of the receiving element (50) is parallel to the arrangement plane (41) of the fastening element. (40) may be arranged.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device for holding a mobile communication device in an operating position, and a storage system.

[0002] Mounts for securing mobile devices, such as smartphones, are known in various designs, including mounts on vehicle dashboards, bicycle handlebars, or even on body parts like the upper arms. These mounts can be designed simply to allow for space-saving portability of the mobile device, or to provide the user with optimal visual visibility of screen content and / or input of operating information. Among other designs, some mounts allow a mobile device to be held in a holder in front of the chest or abdomen, enabling the user to view the device's screen content without using their hands.

[0003] A disadvantage of existing mounts, however, is that their design, tailored to their original purpose, limits them to fulfilling only that specific function. While carrying mobile devices in pockets, such as trouser pockets, makes them easy to transport, it makes their use during physical operations, such as police or military deployments, cumbersome and impractical for the operator.

[0004] While carrying a mobile device on a chest mount facilitates availability and usability, it also entails an increased risk of damage to the mobile device and / or injury to the operator during physical use.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a holding device and a storage system that can be adapted to several different usage situations in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0006] This problem is solved by the holding device according to claim 1 and by the storage system according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the holding device are specified in dependent claims 2-9.

[0007] The holding device according to the invention serves to hold a mobile communication device in an operating position and comprises a fastening element extending only in one plane of arrangement for fixing the holding device to a support structure, as well as a receiving element for receiving and mechanically fixing the mobile communication device. The fastening element and the receiving element are mechanically connected to each other by means of a pivoting device, which allows a pivoting movement of the receiving element relative to the fastening element, so that in a pivoted-out state, the upper surface of the receiving element can be arranged at an angle of 70° to 110° to the plane of arrangement of the fastening element, and in a pivoted-in state, the upper surface of the receiving element can be arranged parallel to the plane of arrangement of the fastening element.

[0008] “Extending essentially in one plane” means that the fastening element extends between two closely parallel planes, although it is not excluded that small shape elements extend out of this space bounded by the planes.

[0009] The mechanical fixation of the mobile device causes a blockage of the mobile device along two translational degrees of freedom, and blocks all three rotational degrees of freedom.

[0010] If necessary, the translational degree of freedom perpendicular to the surface of the mobile communication device facing the eyes of the operator carrying the holding device may also be blocked.

[0011] In the swiveled position, the top of the receiving element faces the fastening element and runs in a plane or in a parallel plane with respect to the plane of a screen of the mobile terminal device held in the holding device.

[0012] The holding device allows the receiving element, and thus also a mobile communication device held in the receiving element, to be brought into an operating position in which the top of the mobile communication device can be fully visually perceived by a person carrying the holding device.

[0013] The mobile device can be, for example, a smartphone or feature phone. The mobile device has a screen on one side and allows for user input on the same side, possibly via capacitive touchscreens.

[0014] The receiving element can essentially have the form of a shell, with side walls that enclose the edge of the mobile device. These side walls may extend slightly onto the top of the mobile device to secure it within the receiving element. Elastic properties of the receiving element allow the mobile device to be inserted into and removed from it.

[0015] The fastening element can be arranged to be positioned perpendicular to the supporting structure in its plane of arrangement, so that the top of the receiving element is also positioned perpendicularly when pivoted in, and when pivoted out, the top of the receiving element is positioned at an angle of 70° to 110° to the plane of arrangement of the fastening element.

[0016] This means that, in the swung-out position, the top of the receiving element can be arranged essentially horizontally.

[0017] In the pivoted position, the top of the mounting element, and thus also the screen of a mobile device held in the mounting element, is positioned close to and possibly facing the mounting plane of the mounting element. This results in a minimal overhang for the entire mounting device, preventing it from interfering with the operator's physical activity. In the pivoted position, the top of the mounting element, and thus also the screen of a mobile device held in the mounting element, is positioned essentially horizontally. While this increases the overhang of the mounting device, it also allows the operator carrying the mounting device to see the screen, at least temporarily, from a viewing angle that is essentially parallel to the mounting plane.

[0018] In one embodiment, the fastening element is designed to be positioned perpendicular to the support structure in its plane of arrangement, such that the upper surface of the receiving element is also perpendicular and opposite the fastening element when pivoted in the retracted position, and when pivoted out, the upper surface of the receiving element is positioned at an angle of 70° to 110° to the plane of arrangement of the fastening element. "Opposite" here means that the fastening element and the receiving element overlap in a direction perpendicular to the plane of arrangement. This design thus enables the holding device to be folded closed.

[0019] The swivel mechanism can be configured to limit the swivel range of the mounting element relative to the fastening element to a maximum angle between 70° and 110°. This limitation can be achieved, for example, by a mechanical stop on the fastening element and the mounting element, or within the swivel mechanism itself.

[0020] Furthermore, the swivel mechanism can be equipped with at least one locking device that allows the receiving element to be held in a locking position relative to the mounting element at an angle of less than 70°. In this way, at least one intermediate position between the folded-in position and a fully extended position can also be set, for example, to allow the operator to view screen information on the mobile device's screen while restricting or preventing the visibility of the screen information to another, unauthorized person. If necessary, several such locking positions can be provided.

[0021] The pivoting device can be designed as a hinge, wherein a first hinge part is fixedly connected to the fastening element and a second hinge part is fixedly connected to the receiving element, and both hinge parts are pivotally mounted relative to each other by means of a hinge pin. The hinge pin can be designed as a screw bolt, with which, when a screwing operation is performed, the distance between the hinge parts and / or the compressive stress between the hinge parts along the longitudinal direction of the screw bolt can be adjusted.

[0022] In this way, the friction between the hinge components can be adjusted during a pivoting movement of the receiving element relative to the fastening element, and thus also the force required to pivot the receiving element. This also allows the receiving element to be held in an intermediate position between the open and folded positions, without this position necessarily having to be a detent position. When the hinge components are designed with a detent mechanism, detent elements on the first and second hinge components can be positioned facing each other, so that the fixing effect of the detent mechanism can be influenced by adjusting an axial compressive force. However, it is not precluded that the holding device allows for the adjustment of an axial preload, even if no detent mechanism is provided.

[0023] Furthermore, a locking device can also be implemented by the formation of locking elements that act radially towards each other on a circumferential path, relative to the pivot axis of the hinge.

[0024] The receiving element may have at least one optical opening on a rear wall facing away from the top. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving element may have at least one operating opening and / or a plug-in opening in at least one side wall adjacent to the top. The optical opening may be configured to allow light for a camera of the mobile device to pass through the receiving element, thus enabling camera recordings with the mobile device when it is located in the receiving element. These camera recordings can be made, for example, when the receiving element is in the swiveled position. Alternatively or additionally, the optical opening may be configured to allow a light source of the mobile device to pass through, so that the mobile device's lamp can be used even when the mobile device is received in the receiving element.

[0025] The control opening allows manual operation of the mobile device from one of its sides, such as the manual operation of the power button, camera shutter release, and / or zoom buttons. A generously sized control opening also allows operation of the mobile device while wearing gloves. The connector opening enables the connection of a plug to the mobile device mounted in the holder, thus allowing a cable connection to at least one other external electronic unit.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, a sensor opening may also be present in the receiving element to ensure the full functionality of a lidar in the mobile device.

[0027] Furthermore, the holding device can be equipped with at least one receiving compartment designed to receive a color foil element.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the holding device comprises at least one such colored filter element, which can be arranged in the receiving compartment and which, if required, can be placed in or in front of the optical aperture and thus in front of a lamp of the mobile communication device to enable the output of colored light, for example, for better identification of the respective user. The thickness of one or more colored filter elements and the depth of a receiving compartment can be dimensioned such that one or more colored filter elements are clamped between the receiving element and the mobile communication device. This design and / or an optional, at least partial, rim around the receiving compartment can prevent unintentional movement of a colored filter element within the receiving element.

[0029] Furthermore, the holding device can have at least one locking device with which the receiving element can be fixed to the fastening element in a pivoted position. This fixing of the receiving element to the fastening element can be achieved in addition to any hinge that may be present. The locking device can, for example, comprise an elastic tension member which is attached to one of the two elements, receiving element and fastening element, at two ends, thus forming a loop. The other element of each of the receiving element and fastening element can have a shaped element which can be partially enclosed by the loop in order to pull the receiving element towards the fastening element or to fix it in a restricted position by utilizing the elastic restoring force of the elastic tension member.

[0030] In one embodiment of the closure device, a handle element can be arranged on the elastic tensioning device, which facilitates manual gripping, even with gloves, in order to tension the elastic tensioning device and loop it around the shaped element.

[0031] The fastening element can comprise several plug-in elements extending parallel to each other in the plane of assembly, which are designed to be inserted into support loops of the supporting structure. The parallelism of the plug-in elements means that their longitudinal directions are parallel to each other. Such plug-in elements enable a positive locking connection of the holding device. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening element can also be equipped with a hook-and-loop fastener, or one side of a hook-and-loop fastener, to fix the fastening element to the supporting structure.On the rear wall of the mounting element, which can be vertical when pivoted and point away from the person carrying the device, a hook-and-loop fastener can be provided. This allows for the easy attachment of a symbol, such as a police symbol, to the mounting element. Furthermore, the mounting device can include at least one clamping device that enables the frictional and / or form-fit fixing of a conductor element, such as a cable, to the mounting device. Such a clamping device can be an integral part of either the mounting element or the fastening element.

[0032] Furthermore, the receiving element can be configured to accommodate a battery in addition to the mobile device. The battery can be arranged such that the mobile device can be inductively charged by means of the battery. For this purpose, the receiving element can have a recess in which the battery can be positioned so that it rests against the mobile device. In an alternative embodiment, the battery is arranged in a separate receiving space, which is separated from the mobile device by a partition, but the inductive charging can still occur through this partition.

[0033] The recording space can be designed by a wall surrounding the battery storage, or by individual mechanical supports that only partially cover the battery storage.

[0034] The material of the receiving element and / or the fastening element can be a plastic, and the receiving element and / or the fastening element can be manufactured using an injection molding process or a 3D printing process.

[0035] Furthermore, the holding device may include a protective film which forms the top of the receiving element or can be arranged on the top of the receiving element, which serves to make it more difficult or impossible for unauthorized persons to view the screen content of the mobile device.

[0036] Another aspect of the present invention is a storage system comprising a storage unit and at least one described holding device fixed to it by means of the fastening element, wherein the storage unit has several carrying loops and the fastening element is positively locked to the carrying loops. The storage unit can be a protective vest, or alternatively a chest pouch, a belt holster, a duty belt, a duty bag, a multi-holster, or the like, also referred to as a "MOLLE" (modular lightweight load-carrying system). The storage unit thus forms the supporting structure that carries the holding device.

[0037] The carrying loops can be designed such that, when the storage unit is used as intended, the openings formed by the carrying loops run vertically. If the fastening element comprises several plug-in elements extending parallel to each other in the plane of assembly, these can be inserted vertically into the carrying loops. If the plug-in elements of the fastening element are inserted into the carrying loops from below, individual plug-in elements can be connected to each other above the carrying loops by a locking element, which prevents the plug-in elements of the fastening element from slipping downwards out of the carrying loops. Such a locking element can simultaneously be the elastic tension element used for closure or...

[0038] It serves to fix the receiving element to the mounting element in the swiveled position.

[0039] At least one of the plug-in elements can be designed with a hook structure at its end area in order to block one translational degree of freedom of the plug-in element and thus of the fastening element against an insertion direction on a carrying loop.

[0040] The fastening element can be attached vertically to the storage unit, and a hinge can be arranged at the lower edge of both the fastening element and the receiving element, so that the receiving element can be pivoted from the restricted vertical position into a swiveled, substantially horizontal position.

[0041] In this position, a person carrying the storage system can easily view the screen content of the mobile device and / or enter data on its touchscreen. This allows for easy one-handed operation of the mobile device, which can be particularly helpful for operators in police or military operations.

[0042] The presented holding device and storage system thus provide solutions that allow mobile devices to be stored in a space-saving manner and at the same time be made available for one-handed operation within a very short time.

[0043] The presented holding device and storage system are explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0044] They show: Fig. 1: the fastening element in perspective view; Fig. 2: the recording element in perspective view; Fig. 3: the holding device in perspective view; Fig. 4: a supporting structure in perspective view; Fig. 5: the holding device in a state attached to the supporting structure; Fig. 6: the receiving element in top view; Fig. 7: the holding device in another perspective view; Fig. 8: the holding device with the lighting device switched on; Fig. 9: a clamping device in perspective view; Fig. 10: a receiving element with clamping devices arranged on it; Fig. 11: the receiving element with battery storage in a first embodiment; and Fig. 12: the receiving element with battery storage in a second embodiment.

[0045] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fastening element 40 of the holding device. It is evident that the fastening element 40, with its individual plug-in elements 42, extends only in one plane, namely the arrangement plane 41, and is thus essentially two-dimensional. Only hook structures 43 on the plug-in elements 42 can extend partially out of the arrangement plane 41. A first hinge part 71 is formed or arranged on the body of the fastening element 40, which extends partially out of the arrangement plane 41.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows the receiving element 50 of the holding device in a perspective view. It can be seen that the receiving element 50 essentially has the form of a flat shell, which includes several side walls 55 forming a rectangular shape. A second hinge part 72 is formed or arranged on one side of the receiving element 50, which, in conjunction with the Fig. The first hinge part 71 shown in 1 can form a pivoting device 70 or a hinge.

[0047] The mounting element 50 indicates the arrangement of a mobile communication device 10, whose screen 11 lies in the plane of the upper surface 51 of the mounting element 50. Accordingly, information displayed by the screen 11 can be visually perceived when the mobile communication device 10 is located in the mounting element 50.

[0048] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the holding device 1 with the fastening element 40 and the receiving element 50, which are mechanically connected to each other via the common pivoting device 70 or the hinge formed by the pivoting device 70. The pivoting device 70 can simultaneously form a locking device 75 to hold the receiving element 50 at several defined angles relative to the fastening element 40. The locking device 75 can be located between the two hinge parts 71, 72, see Figure 3. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, by the arrangement of corresponding, cooperating form elements on these two hinge parts 71, 72. The detent action of the detent device 75 can be changed by axial preload by rotating a nut 74 on a hinge pin 73 provided with a corresponding thread.

[0049] The swivel mechanism 70 enables movement of the receiving element 50 relative to the mounting element 40 at an angle α, which can be, for example, 70° to 110°. It can be seen from this that the receiving element 50, with the mobile communication device (not shown here), is positioned in the Fig. 3 operating position 32 shown or can be swivelled into the swiveled-out state 33 shown here, in order to enable a person using the holding device 1 to optimally perceive information displayed on the screen.

[0050] In Fig. Figure 3 also shows that an elastic tensioning element 91 in the form of an elastically stretchable rope passes through two central plug-in elements 42 of the fastening element 40, forming a loop 92. At its ends, the elastic tensioning element 91 has thickenings, such as knots, which prevent it from being pulled out of the plug-in elements 42.

[0051] Fig. Figure 4 shows a support structure 30 in the form of a protective vest or a so-called plate carrier for police and / or military personnel. This support structure 30 has several carrying loops 31, the openings of which run vertically.

[0052] Fig. Figure 5 shows a holding device 1 in the state arranged on a support structure 30, and thus also a storage system according to the present invention. It can be seen that the receiving element 50 has been pivoted into a pivoted position 34 such that it, as well as a mobile communication device arranged therein, is positioned essentially vertically, so that the rear wall 52 of the receiving element 50 runs essentially parallel to the plane of arrangement of the fastening element (not shown here). In this state, optical recognition of the screen content of the mobile communication device is not possible; however, secure and interference-free storage of the mobile communication device is guaranteed in this position, since the receiving element 50 with the mobile communication device is arranged very close to the body and does not project far.

[0053] Furthermore, it can be seen that the elastic tensioning element 91, or rather its loop 92, is wrapped around a shaped element 93 on the receiving element 50, thus ensuring that the receiving element 50 remains permanently in the vertical position shown here. The elastic tensioning element 91 and the shaped element 93 together form a locking device 90 of the holding device 1.

[0054] Fig. Figure 5 further shows that a hook and loop fastener 53 is arranged on the outside of the rear wall 52 of the receiving element 50, to form a hook and loop fastener with a complementary, further hook and loop fastener element not shown here, for example for attaching an official license plate.

[0055] Furthermore, it is from Fig. 5 can be seen that the receiving element 50 has an operating opening 56 in a side wall 55 in order to be able to operate at least one operating button of a mobile terminal device arranged in the receiving element 50.

[0056] In another side wall 55, several plug-in openings 57 are provided to enable external electrical units to be connected to the mobile communication device through this side wall 55.

[0057] The receiving element 50 can have shaped elements that deviate from a simple tray, such as receiving compartments 58 in three corner areas, which serve to hold colored foil elements 59, as they are used in Fig. 6 are indicated to accommodate. In the receiving compartments 58, the color film elements can thus be arranged between a received mobile communication device and the rear wall 52 of the receiving element 50. In one of the corner areas of the receiving element 50, as indicated, among other things, in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, an optical opening 54 is formed in the rear wall 52. This optical opening 54 allows light to pass through the rear wall 52 to a camera of a mobile communication device (not shown here) or from a lighting device of the mobile communication device.

[0058] In the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 7, a colored filter element 59 is located in front of the optical aperture 54, so that light emitted by a lighting device of the mobile communication device is colored accordingly, as shown in Figure 7. Fig. 8 is indicated.

[0059] Fig. Figure 9 shows a clamping device 61 for the form-fit and / or force-fit fixing of another element, such as a cable. The clamping device 61 may have an adhesive 62 by which it is attached to the receiving element 50, as shown in Fig. Figure 10 is shown. The design of the clamping device 61 is not limited to the use of an adhesive 62, but the clamping device 61 can also be designed as an integral part of the receiving element 50.

[0060] In the Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows two different embodiments with regard to the arrangement of a battery storage device 20 on or in the receiving element 50.

[0061] Fig. Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which the battery storage 20 is arranged in a recess 60 provided for this purpose in the shell-shaped receiving element 50, so that when the mobile communication device (not shown here) is positioned in the receiving element 50, the rear wall of the mobile communication device rests against the battery storage 20 and the mobile communication device can be inductively charged by means of the battery storage 20.

[0062] Fig.Figure 12 shows a different embodiment in which the battery storage 20 is fixedly arranged on the rear side of the back wall 52 of the receiving element 50. With a sufficiently thin design or low magnetic permeability of the back wall 52, the mobile device can also be charged inductively in this embodiment using the battery storage 20. Reference symbol list 1 Holding device 10 Mobile phone 11 screen 20 battery storage units 30 Supporting structure 31 Carrying loop 32 operating positions 33 swung-out state 34 swivelled state 40 Fastening element 41 Arrangement level 42 plug-in elements 43 hook structure 50 recording element 51 Top 52 Back panel 53 Velcro elements 54 Optical aperture 55 side wall 56 Operating opening 57 Plug opening 58 Recording compartment 59 Color foil element 60 In-depth study 61 Clamping device 70 Swivel device 71 first hinge part 72 second hinge part 73 hinge pins 74 Mother 75 Locking device 90 Locking device 91 elastic tensile material 92 loop 93 Form element α angle

Claims

Holding device (1) for holding a mobile communication device (10) in an operating position (32), comprising a fastening element (40) extending only in an arrangement plane (41) for fixing the holding device (1) to a support structure (30), and comprising a receiving element (50) for receiving and mechanically fixing the mobile communication device (10), wherein the fastening element (40) and the receiving element (50) are mechanically connected to each other by means of a pivoting device (70) which enables a pivoting movement of the receiving element (50) relative to the fastening element (40), such that in a pivoted state (33) a top surface (51) of the receiving element (50) can be arranged at an angle (α) of 70° to 110° to the arrangement plane (41) of the fastening element (40), and in a pivoted state (34) the top surface (51) of the receiving element (50) is parallel to the arrangement plane (41) of the fastening element. (40) may be arranged. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (40) is arranged to be positioned perpendicularly on the support structure (30) in its arrangement plane (41), such that the top side (51) of the receiving element (50) is also positioned perpendicularly in the pivoted state (34), and in the pivoted state (33) the top side (51) of the receiving element (50) is positioned at an angle of 70° to 110° to the arrangement plane (41) of the fastening element (40). Holding device according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening element (40) is arranged to be positioned perpendicularly on the support structure (30) in its arrangement plane (41), such that the top side (51) of the receiving element (50) is also positioned perpendicularly and opposite the fastening element (40) in the pivoted-in state, and in the pivoted-out state (33) the top side (51) of the receiving element (50) is positioned at an angle of 70° to 110° to the arrangement plane (41) of the fastening element (40). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swivel device (70) is configured to limit the swivel range of the receiving element (50) in relation to the fastening element (40) to a maximum angle in the range of 70° to 110°. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting device (70) is equipped with at least one detent device (75) which makes it possible to hold the receiving element (50) in a detent angle position in relation to the fastening element (40) which is less than 70°. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting device (70) is designed as a hinge, wherein a first hinge part (71) is fixedly connected to the fastening element (40) and a second hinge part (72) is fixedly connected to the receiving element (50) and both hinge parts (71, 72) are pivotally mounted relative to each other by means of a hinge pin (73). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving element (50) has at least one optical opening (54) on a rear wall (52) facing away from the top (51), and / or the receiving element (50) has at least one operating opening (56) and / or a plug-in opening (57) in at least one side wall (55) adjoining the top (51). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (1) has at least one locking device (90) with which the receiving element (50) can be fixed to the fastening element (40) in the pivoted state (34). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element (40) comprises several plug-in elements (42) extending parallel to each other in the arrangement plane (41), which are designed to be inserted into carrying loops (31) of the supporting structure (30). Storage system comprising a storage unit and at least one holding device (1) fixed thereto by means of the fastening element (40) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the storage unit has several carrying loops (31) and the fastening element (40) is positively fixed to the carrying loops (31).

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