Ball mounted mounting device

Abstract

An adaptable mounting apparatus for hand-held electronic device(s) includes at least one mounting fixture connected by a positionable support arm; wherein the support arm is capable of clamping or locking either end to a spherical ball-mounting fixture and the support arm is in a non-axial alignment between the mounting fixtures.

1 . An adaptable mounting apparatus for hand-held electronics comprising: 
 at least one mounting fixture connected by a positionable support arm; wherein the support arm is capable of clamping or locking either end to a spherical ball-mounting fixture and the support arm is in a non-axial alignment between the mounting fixtures.    
   
   
       2 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball mounting fixture is in a non-axial alignment at one or both ends to further enhance positionability.  
   
   
       3 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cam-over-center, locking mechanism having mating face capable of engaging a spherical mounting surface.  
   
   
       4 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spherical shaped clamp at one end that also grips the arm body along a hexagonal surface, with at least one of the clamping members having an internal contour to allow half-positioning on the six sides.  
   
   
       5 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rubber pad secured within a clearance allowance in the gripping area of each support arm clamp, wherein said rubber pad is a vibration buffer between the mounting fixture ball and the mating support arm clamping surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a suction mount at one or both ends of the support arm.  
   
   
       7 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a friction mount at one or both ends of the support arm.  
   
   
       8 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a multi-conforming mount at one or both ends of the support arm to work in cooperation with a bolt-on flange.  
   
   
       9 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said suction mount further comprises: 
 a housing including a spherical clamping surface;    a flange sleeve capable of sliding over a cylindrical surface of the housing;    a cam capable of operating against the flange and rotating around the axis of the cylindrical portion of the flange and housing; and    a suction cup which has an integral center shaft and cross mounting hole which nests in a recess in the bottom of the housing and is retained by an assembly pin.    
   
   
       10 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said friction mount further comprises: 
 a housing including a spherical clamping surface;    an upper mounting flange with a conical surface and having an anchoring boss with a cross hole for an assembly pin, wherein the anchoring boss mates with a recess in the housing and is retained in place by an assembly pin;    a lower mounting flange being provided with a conical surface opposing the upper mounting flange;    a friction ring of elastic material riding between the upper and lower mounting flanges and capable of being expanded as the flanges are drawn together; and    a bolt retained by lower mounting flange and threads into the upper mounting flange to expand the friction ring, wherein the friction mount is capable of mounting in a cup-holder recess commonly found in vehicles, and is fixed by frictional pressure radially exerted against the inside walls of the pocket.    
   
   
       11 . The adaptable mounting apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the multi-conforming mount further comprises: 
 a bolt-on ball mounting fixture,    a bendable contour sheet with forming memory and retention holes; and    one or more retention screws for attaching the contour sheet to the ball mounting fixture.    
   
   
       12 . A method of adaptably mounting a hand-held electronics device, comprising mounting said hand-held electronics device within the adjustable jaws of the mounting apparatus of  claim 1.