Modular apparatus holder with multipurpose intermediate support member for supporting minicomputers, cell phones and similar apparatus

Abstract

In a modular holder for supporting an apparatus or instrument such as a minicomputer or a cell phone, comprising a support member with a support head and an apparatus holder supported thereby, an intermediate function box is releasably mounted with one side thereof by an engagement structure onto the support head and the apparatus holder is releasably mounted onto another side of the intermediate function box and the intermediate function box by an identical engagement structure so that the apparatus holder or an apparatus can be selectively monted directly onto the support head or via the function box.

1 . A modular apparatus holder for supporting minicomputers, cell phones and similar apparatus, comprising a support member ( 2 ) with a support head ( 3 ) an intermediate functional box ( 4 ) releasably mounted with one side thereof by a first engagement structure ( 8 ,  7 ) onto the support head ( 3 ) and an apparatus holder ( 5 ) releasably mounted by a second engagement structure ( 8 ,  7 ) onto another side of the intermediate functional box ( 4 ), the second engagement structure ( 8 ,  7 ) being identical with the first engagement structure, so that the apparatus holder ( 5 ) can be mounted selectively onto the intermediate functional box ( 4 ) or directly onto the support head ( 3 ). 
   
   
       2 . A modular apparatus holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate functional box ( 4 ) includes an electric power supply device for supplying electrical power to an apparatus mounted on said intermediate functional box ( 4 ) by the second engagement structure. 
   
   
       3 . A modular apparatus holder according to  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate functional box  4  includes an electric power input socket ( 13 ) for supplying electric power thereto and an electric power output socket ( 17 ) for supplying electric power to an apparatus supported on the intermediate functional box ( 4 ). 
   
   
       4 . A modular apparatus support device according to  claim 1 , wherein an antenna module ( 6 ) with a USB plug ( 16 ) is removably mounted onto the intermediate functional box ( 4 ) and the intermediate box ( 4 ) includes a USB socket ( 15 ) for receiving a USB plug ( 16 ) of the antenna module ( 6 ). 
   
   
       5 . A modular apparatus support device according to  claim 4 , wherein the antenna module ( 6 ) includes an antenna ( 20 ) which is rotatably and pivotally supported to permit positioning of the antenna for optimum reception. 
   
   
       6 . A modular apparatus support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement structure includes hook-shaped projections in one of the parts to be interconnected and slot-shaped openings in the other part for receiving the hook-shaped projections.