Portable object support

Abstract

According to one representative embodiment, an adjustable support apparatus for supporting an object includes a coupling mechanism that has a first portion and a second portion. The apparatus also includes a support base that is movably coupled to the first portion of the coupling mechanism in a ball and socket arrangement to form a first joint. The support base includes an object support surface. The apparatus further includes a clamping mechanism that is movably coupled to the second portion of the coupling mechanism in a ball and socket arrangement to form a second joint. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping portion and an adjustment portion. The adjustment portion is adjustable to secure the clamping portion to a fixed structure. The support base is movable relative to the clamping mechanism via the first and second joints.

1 . An adjustable support apparatus for supporting an object, comprising:
 a coupling mechanism comprising a first portion and a second portion;   a support base movably coupled to the first portion of the coupling mechanism in a ball and socket arrangement to form a first joint, the support base comprising an object support surface; and   a clamping mechanism movably coupled to the second portion of the coupling mechanism in a ball and socket arrangement to form a second joint, the clamping mechanism comprising a clamping portion and an adjustment portion, wherein the adjustment portion is adjustable to secure the clamping portion to a fixed structure;   wherein the support base is movable relative to the clamping mechanism via the first and second joints.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support base is coupled to the first portion of the coupling mechanism via a quick release mechanism. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support base comprises a plurality of apertures extending through the object support surface. 
   
   
       4 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a total area of the plurality of apertures is at least equal to a total area of the object support surface. 
   
   
       5 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping portion comprises first and second opposing gripping surfaces between which the fixed structure is securable. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one object retention mechanism coupled to the support base, the object retention mechanism being configured to at least partially retain an object on the object support surface. 
   
   
       7 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the object support surface defines a height and a width, and wherein the at least one object retention mechanism comprises an elongate retention element traversing the width of the object support surface. 
   
   
       8 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate retention element is positionable in a plurality of positions along the height of the object support surface. 
   
   
       9 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one object retention mechanism comprises an adjustable clamp. 
   
   
       10 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the coupling mechanism is tightenable to the support base and the second portion of the coupling mechanism is tightenable to the clamping mechanism via a single adjustment mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a first arm coupled to a second arm, each of the first and second arms comprising an adjustment end and a clamping end, wherein movement of the adjustment ends of the first and second arms away from each other causes the clamping ends of the first and second arms to move toward each other. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism coupled to the adjustment ends of the first and second arms, wherein the adjustment mechanism is adjustable to move the adjustment ends of the first and second arms toward and away from each other. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable support apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment wheel rotatable in a first direction to move the adjustment ends of the first and second arms toward each other and in a second direction opposite the first direction to move the adjustment ends of the first and second arms away from each other. 
   
   
       14 . A portable object support, comprising:
 a first portion for removably supporting an object; and   a second portion movably coupled to the first portion, the second portion comprising first and second opposing gripping surfaces between which an anchored structure is securable, wherein the first and second opposing gripping surfaces each comprises at least one concave contact surface and at least one planar contact surface.   
   
   
       15 . The portable object support of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second opposing gripping surfaces comprises a concave contact surface intermediate two planar contact surfaces. 
   
   
       16 . The portable object support of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second opposing gripping surface are rotatable relative to each other and the second portion. 
   
   
       17 . The portable object support of  claim 14 , wherein the second portion comprises a grip-enhancing material disposed on each of the first and second opposing gripping surfaces. 
   
   
       18 . The portable object support of  claim 14 , wherein the second portion comprises first and second tightening mechanisms each operable to secure the anchored structure between the first and second opposing gripping surfaces. 
   
   
       19 . The portable object support of  claim 18 , wherein the second portion comprises first and second clamping arms pivotally coupled to each other, each of the first and second clamping arms comprising a clamping end and tightening end, the first and second opposing griping surfaces being coupled to the tightening ends of the first and second clamping arms, wherein the first tightening mechanism is operable to move the clamping ends of the first and second clamping arms relative to each other and the second tightening mechanism comprises at least one fastener fastening the first gripping surface to the second gripping surface. 
   
   
       20 . A support apparatus for removably securing an object to a fixed structure, comprising:
 a clamp comprising a first clamping arm pivotally coupled to a second clamping arm, the clamp further comprising an adjustment mechanism coupled to first ends of the first and second clamping arms and structure gripping surfaces coupled to second ends of the first and second clamping arms opposite the first ends, the adjustment mechanism being adjustable to secure the structure gripping surfaces to a fixed structure, wherein the clamp comprises a first ball and the structure gripping surfaces each comprise a concave surface between two flat surfaces;   an object support comprising a substantially planar support surface and at least one object retaining mechanism configured to removably retain an object on the support surface, wherein the object support comprises a second ball; and   an adjustment linkage comprising a first socket within which the first ball is positionable and a second socket within which the second ball is positionable, wherein the first ball is movable within the first socket to move the adjustment linkage relative to the clamp and the second ball is movable within the second socket to move the object support relative to the adjustment linkage.