Mounting device for portable electronic devices

Abstract

A mounting device comprises an adjustable receptable, a first ball head, a second ball head, a telescopic pole, and a tripod. The first and second ball heads comprise a ball in rotatable communication with a casing within which the ball is disposed. The ball of the first ball head comprises a stem projecting out of an opening in the ball casing. The stem of the first ball head is attached to a base of the adjustable receptacle. A top end of the telescopic pole is attached to a base of the ball casing of the first ball head. The ball of the second ball head comprises a stem projecting out of an opening in the ball casing. The stem of the second ball head is in communication with the bottom end of the telescopic pole. The tripod is attached to a base of the casing of the second ball head.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A mounting device for an electronic device, comprising:
 an adjustable receptacle for holding the electronic device;   a first ball head comprising a ball in rotatable communication with a casing within which the ball is disposed, the ball comprising a stem projecting out of an opening in the ball casing, wherein the stem engages a base of the adjustable receptacle;   a telescopic pole, wherein a top end of said telescopic pole is attached to a base of said ball casing of said first ball head;   a second ball head comprising a ball in rotatable communication with a casing within which the ball is disposed, the ball comprising a stem projecting out of an opening in the ball casing, wherein the stem engages a bottom end of the telescopic pole; and   a tripod attached to a base of said ball casing of said second ball head.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable receptacle comprises a screw hole at the base of the adjustable receptacle and a pair of spring-loaded arms projecting perpendicularly from an upper section of the base, wherein the adjustable receptacle further comprises a pair of sliding members, wherein lower portions of the pair of sliding members are configured to slide in and out of the pair of spring-loaded arms, wherein the adjustable receptacle further comprises a first jaw in communication with an upper portions of the pair of sliding members, wherein the first jaw and the pair of sliding members are configured to move a first end of the adjustable receptacle to secure the electronic device and to release the electronic device, and wherein the pair of sliding members use a pair of springs within the pair of spring-loaded arms to slide the first end of the adjustable receptacle into a position such that the first end, with force from the pair of springs, secures the electronic device in the adjustable receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting device of  claim 2 , wherein the first ball head further comprises a support plate rigidly attached to a mid-section of the stem, wherein an upper section of the stem is threaded to mate with the screw hole in the base of the adjustable receptacle, and wherein the support plate is configured to frictionally engage with the base to tighten the support plate and the stem with the base of the adjustable receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting device of  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable receptacle further comprises a pull knob attached on top of the first jaw, wherein the first jaw extends perpendicular to an axis that runs along a length of the adjustable receptacle and away from the upper portions of the pair of sliding members, and wherein the adjustable receptacle further comprises a second jaw extending perpendicular to the axis that runs along the length of the adjustable receptacle and away from a lower portion of the pair of spring-loaded arms, and wherein the electronic device is secured between the first and second jaws. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball casing of the first ball head comprises an internal surface configured to engage an external surface of the ball of the first ball head, and wherein the first ball head further comprises a circumferential groove on an upper section of a wall of the ball casing, wherein the ball is configured to rotate within the ball casing and engage the stem in the circumferential groove, and wherein the ball casing further comprises a friction knob configured to one of progressively tighten and progressively loosen the rotatable movement the ball. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball casing of the second ball head comprises an internal surface configured to engage an external surface of the ball of the second ball head, wherein the second ball head further comprises a circumferential groove on an upper section of a wall of the ball casing, wherein the ball is configured to rotate within the ball casing and engage the stem in the circumferential groove, and wherein the ball casing further comprises a friction knob configured to one of progressively tighten and progressively loosen the rotatable movement of the ball. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting device of  claim 6 , wherein the base of the second ball head further comprises a screw hole configured to receive a screw projecting from an upper portion of the tripod. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the telescopic pole comprises a first pole and a second pole, wherein the first pole is configured to slidably engage with the second pole, wherein an upper end of the second pole comprises a clamp configured to secure the first pole with the second pole. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein legs of the tripod are flexible and semi-rigid.