Apparatus for holding a portable device

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for supporting a portable computer appliance. The invention may comprise rotating a computer appliance to convert between mouse-based use and a touch-based use, or other orientations and applications. The apparatus may be attached to a microphone stand or similar mechanism to aid viewing the computer appliance. To assist coordination with public performances, the apparatus may hold and support a computer appliance to display notes, music, video, or other expressions for assisting a performer, such as for public speeches, concerts, plays, stand-up comedy, and the like.

1 . A device supporter, comprising:
 a body, including a pair of coupling members and a cradling member, each of the coupling members extending from the body, the coupling members configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring clip relationship; and   an engaging member, configured for releasable engagement with a stand, the engaging member extending substantially orthogonally in relation to the coupling members;   wherein the cradling member is integrally situated distally from the coupling members.   
     
     
         2 . The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a plurality of corners and each of the coupling members is situated proximate to one of the corners. 
     
     
         3 . The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a D-shaped aperture situated between the engaging member and the cradling member. 
     
     
         4 . The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling members comprise gripping members extending distally from the body for gripping an exterior surface of the portable device. 
     
     
         5 . The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the cradling member engages the portable device in a releasable sliding combination. 
     
     
         6 . The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the cradling member is configured to cradle the portable device in a spring clip relationship. 
     
     
         7 . The device supporter of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling members are configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring clip relationship. 
     
     
         8 . A device supporter, comprising:
 a generally rectangular holder base adapted to hold a portable device, the holder base including a pair of coupling members at respective corners of the holder base, and a cradling member;   wherein the coupling members extend outward and forward to bend over and form an edge that holds a respective corner of the portable device and   an engaging member, configured for releasable engagement with a stand, the engaging member extending substantially orthogonally in relation to the coupling members;   wherein the cradling member is situated distally from the coupling members.   
     
     
         9 . The device supporter of  claim 8 , further comprising an attachment apparatus engaged with the engaging member. 
     
     
         10 . The device supporter of  claim 9 , further comprising an attachment adapter situated between the attachment apparatus and the engaging member. 
     
     
         11 . The device supporter of  claim 8 , wherein the holder base includes a D-shaped aperture situated between the engaging member and the cradling member. 
     
     
         12 . The device supporter of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling members comprise gripping members extending distally from the body for gripping an exterior surface of the portable device. 
     
     
         13 . The device supporter of  claim 8 , wherein the cradling member engages the portable device in a releasable sliding combination. 
     
     
         14 . The device supporter of  claim 8 , wherein the cradling member is configured to cradle the portable device in a spring clip relationship. 
     
     
         15 . The device supporter of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling members are configured to couple a portable device to the body in a spring clip relationship.