Accessory Mount Receiving Member for Interchangeable Expandable Grips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounts for portable electronic devices are not designed to interchangeably receive multiple expandable accessories without requiring modifications to either the accessories or the mount, limiting their versatility and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A mount with an attachment mechanism, a receiving member, and a connecting member that allows for the removably and interchangeably receipt of different expandable accessories, accommodating various expanded configurations without needing modifications to the accessories or the mount, featuring a U-shaped or arch-shaped profile with sloped surfaces and protrusions to securely engage the accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mount is designed to receive a specific expandable accessory, then the retention reliability is improved, but the adaptability to different accessories deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different accessories

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving member is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of expandable accessories. The body and legs configuration creates a standardized receptacle that can securely hold different accessory types (grips, stands, cases) through a common attachment mechanism, allowing one mount to serve multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving member features localized engagement points through its legs that make contact with specific portions of the accessories. This localized quality approach allows the mount to secure various accessories by engaging their common attachment features while leaving the rest of the accessory structure unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the mount structure is simplified, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to securely retain various accessories deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsecure retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving member is segmented into a body and multiple legs, allowing each component to be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by enabling modular production while the coordinated action of the legs provides secure retention through multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing complex retention mechanisms that actively clamp or fasten accessories, the invention uses an inverted approach where the legs passively engage with the accessory's attachment feature. The accessory essentially inserts itself into the receiving member, reversing the traditional active-retention model and simplifying the mount structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11303743B2Mount for interchangeably receiving various expandable accessories attached to a portable electronic device

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 POPSOCKETS LLC

AI summary

A mount configured to removably and interchangeably receive a plurality of different expandable accessories attached to a portable electronic device. The mount includes an attachment mechanism, a receiving member, and a connecting member having a first end coupled to the attachment mechanism and a second end coupled to the receiving member. The receiving member includes a plurality of legs that are adapted to removably receive a first expandable accessory of the plurality of different expandable accessories and to interchangeably and removably receive a second expandable accessory of the plurality of different expandable accessories, where the second expandable accessory is different from the first expandable accessory.