A support for portable electronic equipment

Abstract

A support for an electronic item, consisting of a back panel 36 having an arm comprising a rigid member 23 attached by a hinge 42 at its proximal end. At the distal end of the arm is a ferromagnetical

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a support for portable electronic equipment, in particular a waterproofing holder; more particularly but not exclusively a holder for a smartphone or similar, when a user is in a bath. Background Many people derive much of their entertainment and / or work life from their portable electronic equipment, such as smartphones or other wirelessly enabled equipment. Many of such devices are not waterproof so a user wishing to use the equipment in a bathroom setting may be risking damage. Prior Art CN 210 490 953 (PENG et al) discloses a waterproof mobile phone support for a bathroom, the device comprises a shell, a sealing cover, a rotating head, a fastening ring, an elastic supporting piece and a fixed seat, wherein the mobile phone is clamped and fixed through a clamping piece; the rotating head on the outer wall of the shell is connected with the fastening ring, so that the shell can rotate in any direction on the fastening ring along with the rotating head. KR 1020 220 119 291 (LEE) discloses an adhesive tape comprising a waterproof coated mobile phone film surface and a waterproof treated rubber mobile phone case surface on a waterproof rotatable mobile phone capable of adhering to a wall, wherein the mobile phone can be used without the risk of wetting with water, through a corresponding rest attached to the wall surface rather than manually holding the mobile phone in a bathroom and using the same. CN 206 790 556 (XU et al) discloses a waterproof cell phone stand for bathroom, including base, box and pole, the box including sealed sliding closure and transparent cover. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a support for portable electronic equipment comprising: a holder for the portable electronic equipment, an arm and a wall securement means; the wall securement means has a back panel, one or more anchor, and a hinge for receiving a proximal end of the arm and the holder is suspended from a distal end of the arm; wherein the holder and the arm each have a ferromagnetic means that enable a magnetic connection between at least part of the holder and at least part of the arm. In this way portable electronic equipment such as a smartphone may be arranged on the support in various configurations by a user when in a bath without fear of loss or damage to the electronic equipment. Ideally the holder is connected to the arm so that the holder can pivot with respect to the arm thereby enabling the item in the holder to be arranged at different positions relative to the arm. In some preferred embodiments the support includes an extension means to enable the holder which holds an item of equipment such as a smartphone to be extended from the arm. Advantageously this enables the electronic equipment to be moved by the user to a desired position, for example to enable the smartphone to be easily viewed whilst still clear of the water. In some embodiments the extension means comprises a coiled cord or a cord on a retractable reel, or a telescopic means, or a length of elastic material allowing the holder and thereby the electronic equipment such as the smartphone to be pulled in many different directions from the arm as required and returned towards the arm, whilst remaining connected to the arm. The extension means also enables the holder to be connected to the arm using the ferromagnetic means without requirement to detach the holder from the arm. In some preferred embodiments of the support the holder is removably attached to a distal end of the arm, or to an extension means that is suspected from the arm. In this way the item of equipment may be arranged in or on a holder that can be connected to and removed from the arm. For example the holder may have or receive a connector such as a clip to allow for clipping or unclipping the holder to the arm or to an extension means connected to the arm. In this way different holders, connectors and / or extension means may be assembled for user preference or for equipment preference. In a preferred embodiment the holder is a waterproof pouch connected to the arm or to the extension means. The item of equipment is received into the waterproof pouch. In some such embodiments of the support the waterproof pouch is transparent at least in part, such that a user can see the item of equipment, for example the user is able to view a smartphone screen and interact with it. It may be envisaged that the pouch allows use of the smartphone touchscreen. In some embodiments the holder is a clamp that fits about an item of equipment so that it is held but not fully enclosed. The clamp may be an alternative to the waterproof pouch holder. It is appreciated that the clamp may be connected directly to the arm, for example by ferromagnetic means or may be suspended from the arm by an extension means in the same way as the waterproof pouch. In some embodiments of the support the anchors comprise at least one suction pad, so as to effectively adhere to a plurality of surfaces, for example glossy or wet surfaces such as tiles which are common in bathroom environments. In some embodiments of the support the back panel is elongate so as to provide at least one anchor at opposing ends of the elongate back panel. Thereby providing a stable structure, that is not prone to dislodging and which also allows for space below or above the arm. In some embodiments of the support the back panel comprises one or more hanging or storage hooks below the hinge, so as to allow for hanging of holder parts and / or towels or similar bath utensils. In some embodiments of the support the ferromagnetic means comprises at least one magnetic pad, which may be used to attach to other parts of the support such as a corresponding ferromagnetic means on the holder or to the back panel or to other structures. For example in some embodiments of the support the ferromagnetic means also enables the arm to lock onto the back panel. In some embodiments of the support the holder comprises a plurality of displaceable parts that a user can selectively added or removed. In some embodiments ferromagnetic means may be used to lock the displaceable parts to the arm. These parts may include but are not limited to clips, hooks, loops, or clamps. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the support according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a support 99 for portable electronic eguipment (not shown), generally comprising a holder 1, an arm 2 and a wall securement means 3, wherein the wall securement means comprises a back panel 36, two anchors 30, and a hinge 69 for receiving the arm, wherein the arm comprises a rigid member 23. In the pictured embodiments the arm 2 and holder 1 share a ferromagnetic means in the form of magnetic pads 22,66 that enable the holder to be removably fixed to the arm, so that the holder is not suspended from the arm, but is held in a fixed position. In particular reference to the Figures the pictured embodiment 99 comprises a stainless steel rectangular back panel 36, extending vertically in use between an upper suction pad anchor 30 and a lower suction pad anchor 30. Associated with the back panel 36 is a wire frame 37, which is trapped in sleeves 37A on the reverse face of each long side of the back panel 36. The wire frame 37 is substantially rectangular and is free between the sleeves 37A, extending across the reverse face of the back panel 36. The suction pads 30 are circular and comprise an upper body with resilient clip slots, for receipt of the wire frame 37, and screw tops 38 to screw on the upper body so as to release. Towards the top end of the back panel 36 on the front face, there is located a vertical hinge barrel 42. The barrel 42 extends laterally so as to provide a slot for a supporting base 41 for the arm, which has a cut out notch 42A for receipt of this base 41 and extends out of the back panel 36. The arm 2 thereby comprises a proximal pin 69 received in sleeve 42, which inserts into through the pin receiving sleeve 42 and the base 41. The receiving sleeve 42 may also comprise a magnet, on one or both faces, so as to provide a ferromagnetic means to hold the arm 2 folded back against the wall on which the support 99 is attached. Alternatively the arm 2 may be arranged in use to provide an endmost ferromagnetic means, for example wherein a pad may be located on the wall independent to the support that engages with the ferromagnetic means of the arm 2. The arm 2 comprises a rectangular elongate stainless steel panel, with a distal end that receives the holder 1. The holder 1 includes an extension means that is a coiled extension cord 21, with a distal clip hanger 12, and the proximal end permanently secured to the rigid member 23 of the arm 2. The support 99 thereby provides a wall-mounted unit allowing bathers to use their smartphone (not shown) without fear of dropping it into the water, wherein they can scroll, browse and use everything as normal, and switch between using the smartphone and washing with ease. The pictured embodiment 99 is shown with a holder 1 that includes a waterproof pouch 10 on the hanger clip 12. The hanger clip 12 has a resilient closure means 14 allowing easy removal and attachment of holder parts such as this pouch 10. The pouch 10 comprises two faces 13 of transparent material allowing touchscreen use, which may be anitmicrobial, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and a top opening and closure means, forming a bipartite plastic bar 14 formed of material such as (ABS) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, with a living hinge connection at one end. The bipartite plastic bar 14 has a loop to receive the hanger clip 12. In the pictured embodiments the support has a second holder 15 for items of equipment. The second holder is a clamp 15 that is shown stored on the back panel 36 but can be moved to the distal end of the arm when in use. This allows the user to choose between the waterproof pouch 10 or a clamp holder 15 depending on whether they desire an extra layer of security from water damage or better access to their touchscreen. Both the clamp holder 15 and the waterproof pouch 10 have ferromagnetic means in the form magnetic pads 66 to enable engagement between the pads 22, 66. In the pictured embodiment such magnetic pads 66 may therefore be used with an embedded magnet 22 on the end of the arm 2, so as to secure the clamp holder 15 or waterproof pouch 10 on the arm’s distal end when not in use and / or when the user is intending to watch video content, for example only. Both the clamp holder 15 and the waterproof pouch 10 have small loops from a top edge, which loops 50 may be used for hanging on clips 31 provided on the back plate 36 when the holder 10 / clamp 15 are not in use. The clamp holder 15 is shown on the pictured embodiment hanging from the loop 34 on a hook 31 extending from the back panel 36 for storage purposes. The clamp holder 15 comprises a moving jaw 33 and a fixed jaw 32, with the moving jaw arranged to move laterally and extending in a sliding movement on two pins, thereby defining an adjustable width receiving space with two elongated substantially rigid and parallel sides to the space, for receiving a smartphone or similar. The moving jaw 33 may be spring biased to return towards the fixed jaw 32. For example spring biasing in the pictured embodiment may be provided by an extension spring 67, which is held in place on the moving jaw by a plug 68. Alternatively part 67 may comprise a threaded rod and part 68 a screw head. The two hooks 31 on the back panel 36 allow for storing the pouch 10 or clamp holder 15 parts when not in use as well as a small towel or other item. Using the hinge 42, 42A, 69 the arm 2 may be folded back against the side of the bath when not required, or when getting in and out of the bath. Using the ferromagnetic means 22, 66 both the pouch 10 and clamp 15 can also be attached directly to the arm via the magnetic pads which allows the user to fix their electronic equipment with a screen such as a smartphone or tablet in position to watch video content in particular hands free and / or in a landscape format. The embodiment 99 is simply and securely mounted to the wall alongside the bath using the two rotate-lock suction cup anchors 39. When the user comes to take a bath, they can choose to place their item of equipment in the pouch 10 or clamp 15, and hook the holder 10,15 to the clip 12 of the suspension cord 21. The user can relax in their bath and easily go between scrolling and using their item of electrical equipment, watching a video, and washing / bathing. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 5 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

04 07 251. A support for portable electronic equipment comprising: a holder for the portable electronic equipment, an arm, an extension means to enable the 5 holder to be extended from the arm and a wall securement means; the wallsecurement means has a back panel, one or more anchor, and a hinge for receiving a proximal end of the arm and the holder is suspended from the arm by the extension means to which the holder is removably attached; wherein the holder and the arm each have a ferromagnetic means that enable a magnetic 10 connection between at least part of the holder and at least part of the arm.

2. A support for portable electronic equipment according to claim 1 wherein the extension means comprises a coiled cord.

153. A support for portable electronic equipment according to claim 1 wherein the extension means is a retractable cord on a reel.

4. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claim 20 wherein the holder connects to the distal end of the arm by a clip.

5. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claim wherein the holder is a clamp for receiving portable electronic equipment.25 6. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claimwherein the holder is a waterproof pouch.

7. A support for portable electronic equipment according to claim 6 wherein the holder is the waterproof pouch and wherein the waterproof pouch is transparent 30 at least in part.

8. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least one suction pad.35 9. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claimwherein the back panel is elongate to provide at least one anchor at opposing ends.

10. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claim wherein the back panel comprises one or more hanging or storage hooks below the hinge.5 11. A support for portable electronic equipment according to any preceding claimwherein the ferromagnetic means is at least one magnetic pad.

12. A support according to any preceding claim wherein the back panel has a ferromagnetic means to enable the arm to magnetically lock to the back panel.1013. A support according to any preceding claim adapted to receive a plurality of displaceable parts such as clips, hooks or clamps.

14. A support according to claim 13 wherein the displaceable parts connect to the15 support by ferromagnetic means.04 07 25202530

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