MOUNT FOR A SMARTPHONE AND CORRESPONDING MOUNTING PROCEDURE

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of office accessories. More specifically, it relates to a stable and manually adjustable smartphone stand that allows the smartphone to be raised above the table and for the user to remotely observe, via the smartphone, the copying of a person writing. Technological background

[0002] The applicant provides distance learning services using electronic communications. Its vision is to assist students and teachers who have difficulty traveling, enabling distance learning activities with visual and personal monitoring of students' written work by teachers.

[0003] The applicant has a social mission, and the equipment she provides to her students, technically speaking, must be minimal, easy to use, and inexpensive. Based on the observation that smartphones have become commonplace for transmitting moving images, the applicant assumes that students already own them and has designed a complete system to be installed in each student's home, centered around a smartphone.

[0004] This system largely replicates classroom teaching conditions. It allows for interaction and dialogue between the student and teacher, where both can see each other, but most importantly, it allows the teacher to observe the student's work while they write, which is pedagogically essential and distinguishes this type of distance learning solution from current solutions.

[0005] The term "smartphone" has become as common as the device it designates. In French, it could be translated as "miniature electronic tablet." However, "smartphone" is universally understood, unambiguous, and shorter than the French equivalent. This is why we have chosen this term in this application.

[0006] The applicant proposes that the student place their smartphone horizontally above their exam paper, high enough so that the smartphone films the entire paper or at least a significant portion of it. The student then launches a video conferencing application on their smartphone, which simultaneously films and transmits the video and also allows for remote communication via the smartphone's communication system.

[0007] The applicant also envisions the student placing their smartphone in a vertical plane facing the student, and the smartphone then becoming a proper video conferencing tool for face-to-face dialogue.

[0008] The applicant initially considered using existing products as a smartphone stand. She found a product which, more than the others, seemed to correspond to her needs (visible on the internet at https: / / www.fnac.com / mp41373513 / Support-telephone-mobile-Smartphone-pour-scan ner-de-photos at the date of filing of this application) and intended for photographing and digitizing documents placed on a table.The support found consists of a base made of three metal bars arranged like the three sides of a rectangle; a vertical pole rises from the middle of the central bar and is adjustable in tilt at the base to move the smartphone lens above the desired area; the pole is telescopic and is adjusted to the desired height by sliding the upper male part into the lower female part; a clamp fitted to the top of the pole grips the smartphone; it can be disassembled and reassembled so as to present the smartphone in a horizontal or vertical plane.

[0009] However, in practice, the applicant found that this product is unsuitable for its intended use. Having to disassemble and reassemble the clamp to change the smartphone's position during a lesson is inconvenient. The pole tends to collapse when tilted. The smartphone clamp is not securely fixed to its connection with the pole, resulting in instability and making it difficult to position the smartphone as desired.

[0010] The state of the art also includes applications D1 - WO 2014 / 015769 A1, D2 - US 2018 / 0363837 A1 and D3 - US 5 720 465 A1.

[0011] Applications D1 and D2 disclose a smartphone holder with two or more horizontal bars at the base and a vertical leg on top of which the smartphone is placed. However, in the smartphone holder described in D1, the pole is positioned at the end of the horizontal bars, resulting in imbalances. The holder cannot be assembled or disassembled by hand. In D2, the smartphone is placed on a flexible pole, requiring the user to find a balanced position.

[0012] Application D3 discloses a device designed to support books in its main variant. The method of attaching the object, whether a book or a smartphone, is complex. It covers the edges of the smartphone and risks obscuring the camera lens.

[0013] The applicant therefore designed the invention which is the subject of this application to remedy these drawbacks. Summary

[0014] One aim of the invention is to provide a stable device. A key idea of ​​the invention is to provide a base formed by two bars that can be spread apart so that the smartphone rests between them, thus balancing the entire support and smartphone assembly. Another key idea of ​​the invention, contributing to the stability of the entire support and smartphone assembly, is that the leg on top of which the smartphone is placed remains vertical. Another aim of the invention is to allow the smartphone to be positioned in two possible planes, vertical and horizontal, and to rotate within the plane in which it is positioned. A key idea of ​​the invention is to use screw-in elements (for example, a thread passing through a smooth hole and ending in a tapped hole where it is screwed in) as axes of rotation. A further aim of the invention is to provide a device that is easy to use and manually adjustable.Another aim of the invention is to provide an inexpensive device.

[0015] According to a first object, the invention provides a support for a smartphone comprising: a base comprising two horizontally arranged bars, a lower bar and an upper bar having a first end raised by means of a foot and a second end pivotally mounted on the lower bar around an axis; a vertical leg, removably fixed to the middle third of the upper bar, pierced through by a first hole in its upper part, along a horizontal line perpendicular to the upper bar; an upper part comprising: an adapter, pierced with a first threaded hole and connected to the vertical leg by a screw, passing through the first hole and screwed into the first thread, the screw defining an axis of rotation around which the adapter is pivotally mounted on the upper part of the vertical leg; a means for attaching a smartphone, mounted on the adapter

[0016] Depending on the embodiment, such a support may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the adapter is drilled through with a second hole perpendicular to the first tapping which does not reach the second hole and the means for fixing a smartphone is a clamp having a base drilled with a second tapping, mounted on the adapter by a second hand-screwing member passing through the second hole, screwed into the second tapping and determining an axis of rotation around which the clamp is pivotally mounted.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the adapter is a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0019] Thus, the adapter is connected to the neighboring parts via a flat surface which allows for maximum contact area.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the upper part is a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0021] Thus, the connection of the upper part with the neighboring parts is made by a flat surface which allows a maximum contact area.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a seal is placed between the upper part and the adapter.

[0023] Thus, the upper part and the adapter can be tightened without damaging their contact surface.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the lower bar is configured to pass under the upper bar by pivoting around the axis.

[0025] Thus, the bars can be positioned at the angle that provides the best balance. The lower bar can also be moved from one side of the upper bar to the other, creating a setting for left-handed or right-handed use, respectively.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the lower bar has beveled edges along its length

[0027] This allows the person writing to slide their paper over the bottom bar.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the vertical leg comprises a female part fixed removably to the base in the middle third of the upper bar, drilled through at several regularly spaced points with holes of the same diameter, a male part fitting into the female part, having a base in which a notch is cut, a pin configured to pass through any hole in the female part and on which the notch rests.

[0029] Thus, the height of the smartphone becomes adjustable. This allows it to adapt to the focal length of the smartphone's camera and improve image sharpness.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the support material belongs to a group comprising plastic and wood.

[0031] Thus, the material can be chosen according to the desired advantages.

[0032] According to a second object, the invention also provides a method for mounting a smartphone holder according to the invention, comprising the operations of: Arrange a first bar horizontally; arrange a second bar horizontally on the first bar, the second bar being raised by means of a foot at the level of a first end; mount pivoting around an axis a second end of the second bar on the first bar; fix vertically in a removable manner on the middle third of the second bar a vertical leg, the vertical leg being drilled through a first hole in an upper part, a hole which is placed along a horizontal perpendicular to the second bar; connect to the vertical leg an adapter drilled with a first thread, by a screwing element suitable for being screwed by hand, passing through the first hole (5a) and screwed into the first thread, the screwing element determining an axis of rotation; mount the pivoting adapter around said axis of rotation on the upper part of the vertical leg; mount on the adapter a means of fixing the smartphone.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the second object, the adapter is drilled through with a second hole perpendicular to the first tapping which does not reach the second hole, the means for fixing a smartphone is a clamp having a base drilled with a second tapping; and the method includes at the end the operation of mounting said clamp on the adapter by a second screwing member by hand passed through the second hole, screwed into the second tapping and determining an axis of rotation around which the clamp is pivotally mounted.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the second object, the assembly operations are carried out by hand. Brief description of the figures

[0035] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [ Fig.1 ] There [ Fig.1 ] represents an overview of the support in perspective, without the upper part. Fig. 2 ] There [ Fig. 2 ] represents the adapter seen from the side. Fig.3 ] There [ Fig.3 [ ] is a front view of the mount with the smartphone positioned horizontally. Fig. 4 ] There [ Fig. 4 ] is a front view of the mount with the smartphone positioned vertically in landscape orientation. Fig. 5 ] There [ Fig. 5 [ ] is a view of the stand with the smartphone positioned horizontally, in a left-handed configuration. Fig. 6 ] There [ Fig. 6] represents the support according to the invention in separate parts. Description of the implementation methods

[0036] The support according to the invention consists of three parts: a base 0, a vertical leg 5, and an upper part. The [ Fig.1 ] represents an overview of one embodiment of the mounted support, without the upper part. The [ Fig. 6 [ ] represents a method of assembling the support in separate parts and allows all the parts to be distinguished. It is likely in this form that the support will be distributed. The lower bar 1 and the upper bar 2 will be assembled before shipping to avoid the need for the user to use a tool.

[0037] The base 0 is itself formed of two bars, a lower bar 1 and an upper bar 2. The upper bar 2 is supported at one end 2a by a foot 3 and at the other 2b by the lower bar 1. The two bars are connected by a cap screw 4 associated with a bolt, passing through the upper bar 2 towards its end 2b.

[0038] The lower bar 1 pivots around the axis formed by the screw 4 and can thus be positioned on either side of the upper bar 2, allowing the support to be adapted for right-handed users, as on the [ Fig.3 ], or for left-handed people, as on the [ Fig. 5 ]. When it comes to storing the support, the lower bar 1 can be advantageously placed under the upper bar 2.

[0039] The lower bar 1 is beveled along its length on both sides, which allows the paper to slide over when writing on a sheet placed in front of the lower bar 1 (the beveling is not shown on the [ Fig.1 ]).

[0040] The vertical leg 5 is mounted on the upper bar 2, near the middle of the upper bar 2, by means of a dowel. It is easily assembled or disassembled by hand by snapping it into place. The vertical leg 5 has an upper portion 5b, through which passes a hole 5a that follows a horizontal line perpendicular to the upper bar 2.

[0041] In one embodiment shown on the figures 4 , 5 , 6The vertical leg 5 consists of a female part 5c, fixed to the upper bar 2, which is drilled at regular intervals through horizontal holes of the same diameter, and a male part 5e, comprising the upper section 5b and with a notch cut into its base. To assemble the vertical leg 5, a pin 5d is inserted into a hole in the female part, chosen according to the desired height of the vertical leg 5. When the male part is inserted into the female part from above, the notch overlaps the pin. The assembly is then fixed securely and is easy to disassemble. Adjusting the leg's height allows it to be adapted to the focal length of the smartphone camera and improves image sharpness.

[0042] In another embodiment shown on the [ Fig.3The vertical leg 5 is a single piece and therefore of constant height. This embodiment is suitable for smartphones with adjustable camera focal length.

[0043] There [ Fig. 2 Figure 6 represents the adapter, which is the main component of the upper part of the invention. The adapter 6 is positioned against the upper part 5b. It has a threaded hole 6b that is aligned with the hole 5a. The adapter 6 can thus be tightened against the upper part 5b by means of a thumbscrew, easily tightened or loosened by hand, which passes through the hole 5a and is threaded into the hole 6b. A seal 8, preferably made of rubber, is placed between the upper part 5b and the adapter 6.

[0044] In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the upper part 5b and the adapter 6 are rectangular parallelepipeds. Due to their rectangular shape, the upper part 5b, the faces of the seal 8, and the adapter 6 are pressed against each other, presenting a maximum contact surface, which strengthens the clamping connection.

[0045] The adapter is also drilled through and perpendicular to the threaded hole 6b by a hole 6a. The threaded hole 6b does not reach the hole 6a. The hole 6a can be positioned vertically or horizontally by rotating the adapter around the axis formed by the screw connecting the adapter to the upper part 5b.

[0046] A clamp 7 is positioned against a face 6c of the adapter 6 where the hole 6a is located. The clamp 7 is shaped like a vise, designed to grip a smartphone. The clamp 7 has a threaded hole aligned with the hole 6a and is connected to the adapter 6 by a screw that passes through the hole 6a and is screwed into the threaded hole of the clamp 7, making it easy to screw in and out by hand. A gasket, preferably made of rubber, is inserted between the clamp and the adapter 6.

[0047] In the context of distance learning for which the invention is specifically intended, a student has a smartphone and a holder according to the invention. The student clamps their smartphone in the clip 7. They connect their smartphone to a telecommunications network accessible via the smartphone and connect with a teacher via videoconference from their smartphone.

[0048] There [ Fig.3[ ] represents a method of using the invention in a situation where the teacher observes the student's work. The smartphone is then placed in a horizontal plane by a suitable rotation of the adapter 6 around the axis of rotation formed by the screw that connects it to the upper part 5b. The hole 6a is then vertical. The smartphone is positioned above the obtuse angle between the two lower bars 1 and upper bars 2 of the base 0. The smartphone then operates using the camera located on its rear face.

[0049] If the student is right-handed, they will preferably place the lower bar 1 and the smartphone to the right of the upper bar 2, as in the [ Fig.3 ] ; if he is left-handed, he will preferably place them to the left of the top bar 2, as on the [ Fig. 5 The lower bar 1 prevents the stand from tipping under the weight of the smartphone.

[0050] There [ Fig. 4] represents a method of using the invention where the student and teacher communicate face-to-face via the videoconferencing application. The smartphone is then placed in a vertical plane by a suitable rotation of the adapter 6 around the axis of rotation formed by the screw that connects it to the upper part 5b. The smartphone can then be oriented as preferred, with its length in the vertical plane (portrait orientation not shown) or in the horizontal plane (landscape orientation, [ Fig. 4 ]), which is the main use case, by rotating the clamp 7 around its fixing screw with the adapter 6. In this configuration the smartphone will operate with a camera located on the front of the screen (as for "selfies").

[0051] The invention can be implemented in various materials, each with its own advantages. Wood allows the support according to the invention to be manufactured using only a small number of common tools. Plastic allows the support according to the invention to be manufactured in large quantities, with a very low unit cost, provided that molds for the parts are available. The use of other materials is also possible, such as a lightweight metal.

[0052] The support is assembled simply as follows: a first bar (1) is placed horizontally, then a second bar (2) is placed horizontally on top of the first bar, the second bar (2) being raised by means of a foot at the level of one end (2a). A second end (2b) of the second bar is pivotally mounted around an axis (4) on the first bar (1).

[0053] A leg (5) is fixed vertically and removably on the central third of the second bar (2), the leg (5) being pierced through by a first hole (5a) in an upper part (5b), a hole which is placed along a horizontal perpendicular to the second bar (2).

[0054] An adapter (6), which has a first threaded hole (6b), is attached to the leg (5) by a screw suitable for hand tightening. This screw passes through the first hole (5a) and is screwed into the first threaded hole (6b), the screw defining an axis of rotation. The adapter, pivoting around this axis of rotation, is mounted on the upper part (5b) of the vertical leg (5). Finally, a smartphone mounting device (7) is mounted on the adapter.

[0055] In the case where the means of fixing the smartphone is a clamp having a base drilled with a second tapping hole, the clamp is mounted on the adapter (6) by means of a second hand-screwing element passed through the second hole (6a), screwed into the second tapping hole and determining an axis of rotation around which the clamp is pivotally mounted.

[0056] All assembly operations can be carried out by hand.

[0057] The use of the verb "comporter", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0058] In claims, no reference sign in parentheses may be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Support for a smartphone comprising: • a base (0) including two horizontally arranged bars, ∘ a lower bar (1), and ∘ an upper bar (2), provided with: ▪ a first end (2a) elevated using a leg, ▪ a second end (2b) pivotably mounted on the lower bar (1) around an axis (4); • a vertical leg (5), removably attached to the upper bar (2), which includes a central third, the vertical leg (5) being attached in said central third, the vertical leg (5) being pierced through with a first hole (5a) in an upper part (5b), along a horizontal line perpendicular to the upper bar (2); • an upper part comprising: ∘ an adapter (6) pierced with a first thread (6b), said adapter (6) being connected to the vertical leg (5) by a screw element that can be hand-tightened, passing through the first hole (5a) and screwed into the first thread (6b), the screw element defining an axis of rotation around which the adapter is pivotably mounted on the upper part (5b) of the vertical leg (5); ∘ a means (7) for fixing a smartphone, mounted on the adapter (6).

2. Support according to claim 1 wherein: • The adapter (6) is pierced through with a second hole (6a) perpendicular to the first thread (6b) which does not reach the second hole (6a); • The means for fixing a smartphone (7) is a clamp with a base pierced with a second thread, mounted on the adapter (6) by a second screw element that can be hand-tightened, passing through the second hole (6a), screwed into the second thread and defining an axis of rotation around which the clamp is pivotably mounted.

3. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the adapter (6) is a rectangular parallelepiped.

4. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the upper part (5b) is a rectangular parallelepiped.

5. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein a joint (8) is placed between the upper part (5b) and the adapter (6).

6. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lower bar (1) is configured to pass beneath the upper bar (2) by pivoting around the axis (4).

7. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lower bar (1) has a length and beveled edges along its length.

8. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the vertical leg (5) is height adjustable.

9. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the vertical leg (5) comprises: • a female part (5c), removably attached to the base (0) in the central third of the upper bar (2), pierced through at regular intervals with horizontal holes of the same diameter; • a male part (5e), fitting into the female part, having a base with a notch; • a pin (5d) configured to pass through any hole of the female part and on which the notch rests.

10. Support according to any of the preceding claims wherein the material of the support belongs to a group comprising plastic and wood.

11. Method for assembling a smartphone support comprising the steps of: • Placing a first bar (1) horizontally; • Placing a second bar (2) horizontally on the first bar, the second bar (2) being elevated using a leg at a first end (2a); • Pivotably mounting a second end (2b) of the second bar on the first bar (1) around an axis (4); • Vertically attaching, in a removable manner, a vertical leg (5) to the central third of the second bar (2), the vertical leg (5) being pierced through with a first hole (5a) in an upper part (5b), said hole positioned along a horizontal line perpendicular to the second bar (2); • Connecting to the vertical leg (5) an adapter (6) pierced with a first thread (6b), by a screw element that can be hand-tightened, passing through the first hole (5a) and screwed into the first thread (6b), the screw element defining an axis of rotation; • Pivotably mounting the adapter around said axis of rotation on the upper part (5b) of the vertical leg (5); • Mounting a means (7) for fixing the smartphone onto the adapter.

12. Method for assembling a smartphone support according to claim 11 wherein: • The adapter (6) is pierced through with a second hole (6a) perpendicular to the first thread (6b) which does not reach the second hole (6a); • The means for fixing (7) the smartphone is a clamp with a base pierced with a second thread; and including the final step of: • Mounting the said clamp on the adapter (6) by a second screw element that can be hand-tightened, passing through the second hole (6a), screwed into the second thread, and defining an axis of rotation around which the clamp is pivotably mounted.

13. Method for assembling a smartphone support according to claims 11 or 12 wherein the assembly operations are carried out by hand.