Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier attached to dashboard
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-29
2002-12-10
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier attached to dashboard
C224S247000, C224S571000, C224S901800, C224S929000, C248S313000, C379S446000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06491194
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to racks, brackets, and holders and the like for temporarily and removably holding various articles therein, and more specifically to a holder which may be removably secured to a convenient point in the interior of a motor vehicle for removably holding a cellular phone therein. The present invention provides a secure place for holding the phone during travel in the motor vehicle, thereby freeing the driver's hands for full control of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile telephones, or more particularly, cellular telephones which operate by automatically selecting appropriate repeater stations depending upon the location of the telephone, have been nearly universally embraced as a convenient means of transportation by many people throughout the U. S. and the world. Cell phones have become popular for discussing business or personal matters in virtually every environment, including during travel in an automobile or other motor vehicle.
However, it is widely recognized that a person using a telephone cannot devote his or her full attention to the telephone conversation or matter, and any other task at hand. This is particularly critical when operating heavy machinery, such as when driving an automobile or other motor vehicle. At such times, it is imperative that nearly all of ones attention be directed to the operation of the machine or vehicle, and that the operator have both hands free to operate the machine or vehicle, rather than having one hand tied up by holding a cell phone. This situation has received sufficient recognition that many jurisdictions are legislating against the use of hand held cell phones by the operator of a motor vehicle, while the vehicle is in motion.
Accordingly, various accessories have been developed to allow the hands free use of cell phones (headsets, etc.). While these devices alleviate the need to hold the telephone close to one's face while conversing on the phone, they do nothing to secure the phone to prevent its movement or temporary dislocation within the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. Many vehicle operators will place their cell phone on the adjacent seat for ease of access while driving, and use a headset for hands free phone operation. Obviously, this is not a workable solution if a passenger is occupying the seat, and in any event does nothing to prevent the phone from sliding from the seat in the event of a sudden maneuver. In fact, many accidents have been caused not solely from the distraction of a cell phone conversation, but from the vehicle driver attempting to retrieve a cell phone which has fallen.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a cell phone holder for motor vehicles, which temporarily and removably secures a single cell phone therein for convenient access by the vehicle operator or another person in the vehicle. The present holder provides access to the keypad of the phone, and securely retains the phone at all times during vehicle operation. The present cell phone holder is well adapted for hands free use of the phone, and may be quickly and easily removed from the vehicle for use in another vehicle, or in the home, office, or other area as desired.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,788 issued on Mar. 25, 1986 to Jennings R. Richardson, titled “Portable Multipurpose Desk Container,” describes a multicompartmented container with multiple lids or covers for different purposes. The Richardson device is relatively complex, and none of the compartments appear suited for placement of a cellular telephone therein, for accessing the keypad of the phone and for extending a headset harness from the phone.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,382 issued on Jul. 11, 1989 to Jerry L. Foultner et al., titled “Dash Mounting Device,” describes a support for removably securing other articles thereto. The device is wedge shaped with a flat top, to provide a generally level upper surface. However, no container is provided, let alone a container sufficiently small to hold a cell phone securely therein and which may be carried in a pocket or the like when removed from the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,260 issued on Oct. 22, 1991 to Joseph J. O'Connell, titled “Mounting Cradle For A Portable Cellular Telephone,” describes a complex device having a gimballed base to adjust the orientation of the cradle and phone therein as desired. The device is secured by threaded fasteners, rather than the quick release materials used with the present phone holder. Moreover, no positive retention of the phone within the device, is provided. Opposed retaining springs are provided to each side of the phone case, but the phone may be pulled (or fall) from between the springs, as no structure extends across the front of the phone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,036 issued on Jul. 14, 1992 to Richard Dunchock, titled “Telephone Supporting Device,” describes an assembly comprising a plate which is adhesively secured to the side of the central console, with another component which removably hooks to the plate. The removable component does not include any form of compartment or container for a cell phone or any other object. The only means of holding a phone or other object thereon, is by adhesively or mechanically affixing the object (or some other holder) to the flat upper surface of the removable component.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,381 issued on Apr. 19, 1994 to Chin Y. Wang et al., titled “Cradle For Telephone,” describes a mechanically complex device having a pair of laterally opposed clamps releasibly secured to the phone by a ratcheting mechanism. No retaining means extends across the front of the phone, and the device is intended for permanent installation, considering the vehicle electrical power outlet therewith in one embodiment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,530 issued on Nov. 28, 1995 to Stephen Chen, titled “Retaining Rack For A Cellular Phone Permitting Handfree Use Of Phone In Driving,” describes a mechanically complex device which hooks within the window slot of a vehicle door. An arm assembly is provided to position the phone so the receiver is adjacent the user's mouth, with a complex audio pickup linkage securing to the hand set speaker to transmit the audio to a more powerful external speaker secured to the window slot bracket. The Chen device is quite cumbersome, and cannot be carried in a pocket or the like, as can the present phone holder. Moreover, the Chen device, as in the case of other devices described above, does not provide any positive retention of a phone therein by arms extending across the front of the holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,271 issued on Jun. 25, 1996 to Richard Dunchock, titled “Reversible Mount For A Telephone,” describes a bracket which secures to one edge of a central console in a vehicle. A plate is hinged to the bracket, with one side of the plate having a mechanical phone attachment bracket thereon, and the opposite side having a panel of hook and loop fabric material thereon. The device of the Dunchock '271 U.S. Patent provides versatility in removably securing a cellular telephone thereto, but the device is semipermanently secured to the vehicle and cannot be readily removed, except by removing the threaded fasteners securing the device in the vehicle. Moreover, the device does not contain or surround the phone for security, as provided by the present cell phone holder invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,469 issued on Jan. 27, 1998 to Alfred E. Gormley et al., titled “Portable Phone Pouch, Mounting And Usage System,” describes a generally rectangular pouch which is closed on five of its six sides, with one openable end for inserting and removing a cell phone therefrom. The Gormley et al. pouch has a flexible clear plastic window therein for actuating the phone's keypad, but the phone cannot be removed from the pouch by accessing it through an open frontal area, as in the case o
Litman Richard C.
Newhouse Nathan J.
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