ROTATIONALLY LIMITED CONNECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A rotationally limited connection system that includes a first mount to hold an object or couple with an object, a first ferromagnetic coupling element that includes a material attracted to a magnet or wherein the material includes the magnet, an a first mechanical coupling element. The first mechanical coupling element includes at least one protrusion to limit rotation of the first mount with respect to another object in 90 degrees increments. The first mount is coupled with the first ferromagnetic coupling element and the first mechanical coupling element.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

One or more embodiments of the invention are related to the field of connection systems, such as a connection system used as part of a portable device. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention is related to a rotationally limited connection system used to connect a case to a receiver.

Description of the Related Art

Mounts and cases for items such as mobile phones are known in the art. For example, car mounts for mobile phones exist that allow drivers to use their phones hands-free. Existing solutions for cases and mounts are generally limited in their flexibility. For example, they may not allow users to mount their phones in different orientations. They also generally provide a single solution for a particular use case, such as a car, rather than providing a general-purpose mounting solution that allows attachment of a phone or similar object to any other object such as a car, bicycle, wall, or armband. Finally, existing solutions often do not provide a highly robust connection with multiple coupling elements that resist motion in many directions; in particular, simple mounts often fail when subjected to shear forces such as shocks to the edge of a phone case. In particular, there are no known mounts that enable rotation in predefined rotational increments, and that keep the mount from becoming dislodged through coupling via physical indentations, magnets, and clamps.

For at least the limitations described above there is a need for a rotationally limited connection system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments described in the specification are related to a rotationally limited connection system. One or more embodiments of the system may connect one component to another component in a manner that limits rotation or other motion when the components are connected, and that allows components to be connected in different rotational orientations. The first component may be for example a case that holds a mobile phone, with connection features on the back of the case. The second component may be for example a receiver that couples to the phone case, and that in turn attaches to another item such as a bicycle handlebar, Go-Pro® system, or other item. Coupling may be achieved via one or more coupling mechanisms such as matching protrusions and indentations, magnetic attraction between elements, and clamps or hooks that attach to corresponding holders. Coupling elements may be configured to hold the components against each other, and to resist rotation and shear forces. Protrusions and corresponding indentations may be for example X-shaped, which allows the phone mount (or similar mount) to be rotated in 90-degree increments and to be attached to the corresponding receiver in different orientations.

One or more embodiments may include a first mount that is configured to hold or couple to an object, such as for example a mobile phone. One or more embodiments may also include a second mount that is configured to hold or couple to another object, such as for example a bicycle handlebar or an action camera system such as a Go-Pro® system. The first mount and the second mount may have compatible elements that enable them to be connected together. In one or more embodiments, the first mount and second mount may be connected in different rotational orientations. In various embodiments, the scope of the invention may include either or both of the first mount and the second mount.

The first mount may for example be configured to hold or couple to a phone, a camera, a battery, a speaker, an electrical component that uses or stores electricity, an optical component, a connection component, and a container. The second mount may for example be configured to couple with a moveable object, such as a bicycle or vehicle.

The first mount may have a ferromagnetic coupling element, with a magnet or a material attracted to a magnet. It may also have a mechanical coupling element, with one or more protrusions or indentations, that is configured to mechanically couple with a corresponding compatible element on another component. The mechanical coupling element may be configured to limit rotation of the first mount with respect to the other component in 90-degree increments.

In one or more embodiments, all or part of the ferromagnetic coupling element may be contained in the mechanical coupling element or may be located near the mechanical coupling element.

In one or more embodiments, the second mount may have a ferromagnetic coupling element and a mechanical coupling element configured to couple with the corresponding ferromagnetic coupling element and mechanical coupling element of the first mount. The ferromagnetic coupling element of the second mount may have a magnet or a material that is attracted to a magnet. The mechanical coupling element of the second mount may be configured to limit rotation of the first mount with respect to the second mount in 90-degree increments.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second mounts may have additional mechanical coupling elements. The first mount may for example have an element or elements that are configured to fold towards or away from the first mount, and to attach to the corresponding mechanical coupling element or elements on the second mount.

In one or more embodiments, the additional mechanical coupling element or elements of the first mount may have a narrow portion proximal to the first mount and a wide portion that is distal to said first mount. The additional mechanical coupling element or elements may couple with the corresponding element or elements of the second mount at the narrow portion.

In one or more embodiments, the first mount may also include a bumper. The bumper may have any combination of a force absorbing material, a storage compartment, a flotation device, and a light source. The storage compartment may be configured to hold for example a pen, a stylus, an e-cigarette, or medicine. In one or more embodiments, the bumper may also have controls to control one or more of volume, track, thumbs up, thumbs down, display brightness, power on, power off.

In one or more embodiments, the first mount may be constructed so as not to have a mounting rail. This is a problem for known devices that are difficult to align with a rail to couple two portions together for example.

In one or more embodiments, the first mount or the object contained in or attached to the first mount may have a coil configured to inductively receive or transmit electrical power. The object or the first mount, or both, may store electricity and may receive power from an external source, or transmit power external to the first mount. In one or more embodiments the second mount may have a second coil that is configured to inductively supply electrical power, for example to the first mount or the object in the first mount. In one or more embodiments the first mount may have a galvanic charging port.

In one or more embodiments, the first mount may have another mechanical coupling element configured to daisy chain to an additional mount. For example, a daisy-chain configuration may have a series connection that connects an additional mount, the first mount, and the second mount; the first mount may be coupled to the additional mount and to the second mount. The additional mount may for example be configured to hold one or more of a phone, a second camera, a second battery, and a second speaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a mobile phone case with an integrated mount that is configured to attach to a mating mount on another object, such as a handlebar of a bike for example. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the back of the phone case with the flip-out connectors extended.

FIG. 2 shows the mobile phone case of FIG. 1, as viewed from the back.

FIG. 3 shows the back view of the mobile phone case of FIG. 2 with the flip-out connectors retracted.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the mobile phone case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the mobile phone case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a right side view of the mobile phone case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the mobile phone case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the mobile phone case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows an illustrative embodiment of a mating mount that receives and couples to the mobile phone case of FIG. 1; the mating mount shown in FIG. 9 attaches to a Go-Pro® accessory or a similar device.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the mating mount of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the mating mount of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front side view of the mating mount of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the mating mount of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is another side view of the mating mount of FIG. 9, rotated 45 degrees from the right side view.

FIG. 15 shows the phone case of FIG. 1 coupled to a mating bicycle mount that is attached to a bicycle handle bar.

FIG. 16 shows the phone case of FIG. 1 coupled to a mating mount that is attached to a motorized bike handle bar.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a bicycle mount that mates with a mobile phone case mount, viewed from the top.

FIG. 18 shows a left side view of the bicycle mount of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a front view of the bicycle mount of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 shows a top view of the bicycle mount of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the bicycle mount of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 shows a bottom perspective view of the bicycle mount of FIG. 17, with the handlebar clasp open.

FIG. 23 shows an armband with an illustrative embodiment of the mount.

FIG. 24 shows an illustrative embodiment of a bumper that may for example be integrated into or attached to a mobile phone mount.

FIG. 25 shows an illustrative embodiment of an adhesive mount that may be coupled to the mobile phone case or any other device to provide mounting capabilities.

FIG. 26 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates a daisy-chain system that allows multiple devices or mounts to be attached in series; in this example a phone case is coupled to an external battery, which in turn is coupled to a second mount such as a bicycle mount or a Go-Pro® mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A rotationally limited connection system will now be described. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific features, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention.

One or more embodiments of the invention include a connection system, such as a rotationally limited connection system. In at least one embodiment, the system may be used as part of a mobile phone case, but may additionally be used for the connection of any relatively small and portable device. By way of one or more embodiments, the connection system connects a case to a receiver. Similarly, in at least one embodiment, the system may be used to connect a small device to things, or items, such as a bicycle or motorcycle handlebars, vehicle dashboard or similar, computer monitor, and the like. According to one or more embodiments, the system may be used to connect a small device anywhere that it may be inconvenient to hold a phone or other device, such as when two hands are needed. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the system may be employed as a connection system between a mobile phone case and a vehicle console/dash/handlebar or of the mobile phone case to a Go-Pro® accessory.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, by way of at least one embodiment, the connection system of a cell-phone case is formed as a cross or x-shaped recess in the case, flanked by flip-out connectors hingedly connected to the case, shown here as arc shaped connectors. In one or more embodiments, the connectors flip out and may be snapped, frictionally connected, or otherwise engaged or connected into place on the connector receiver, holding the device in place. In one or more embodiments, such a receiver also includes a cross or x-shaped protrusion that mates with the cross or x-shaped recess in the case. It should be noted however, by way of at least one embodiment, that the mating recess and protrusion may be any shape or configuration, and may be reversed without straying from the scope of this invention. In one or more embodiments, there may be a secure connection between the mating recess and protrusion connection structure so that they are held together without being secured by the flip-out connectors. In at least one embodiment, a magnet may be used, or the connection may be frictional “press fit” between walls of the protrusion and recession, or the connection may be made by a snap-fit, among other options. At least one embodiment may include a magnet connection, wherein a magnet may be positioned in or adjacent to either or both of the recessed or protruding side of the mating recess and protrusion structure.

A bicycle connecting receiver is shown in FIGS. 15-22, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. In these views, by way of at least one embodiment, the protrusion extends from the top to engage with the case. In one or more embodiments, on the sides, areas are formed to receive the flip-out connectors (such as the arch shaped connectors of FIGS. 1-8) over the case. By way of at least one embodiment, these flip-out connectors may use tension to hold the connection together. In at least one embodiment, the case may be connected to the receiver, which is in turn connected to bicycle handlebars, thereby allowing a user to view a phone or other small device while bicycling, for example, for GPS turn-by-turn direction purposes.

FIGS. 9-14 provide views of a receiver of that may be connected to or otherwise engaged with standard Go-Pro® accessories, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. In at least one embodiment, a flange and screw connection system may used on Go-Pro® accessories, wherein the receiver includes a stem which may engage with this system in the form of flanges defining a screw hole aperture. On the opposite side, by way of one or more embodiments, the protrusion extends from the top to engage with the case. On the sides, by way of at least one embodiment, areas are formed to receive the connectors (such as the arch-shaped connectors of FIGS. 1-8) over the case.

While specific embodiments of the connection system have been shown, it should be understood that the mating shape coupled with the hinged connector engagement of the connector may be used to connect any number of structures, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. At least one embodiment of the invention contemplates any connection structure that includes two mating—a protrusion mating with a recession—as well as a hinged connector, such as the arch-shaped one shown in the Figures. While a cellular phone case is given as a specific example herein, it should be understood that the connection system may be used to connect any number of things, by way of at least one embodiment. In one or more embodiments, this may include, but is not limited to, cameras, external batteries, wallets, business card holders, portable electronic devices, and the like. By way of at least one embodiments, these things may be connected to a vehicle, helmet, or other accessory, or may be used to connect to each other (such as a phone case connectable to an external battery pack) using the connection system. In at least one embodiment, the connection system need not be used to connect a phone or other device to a vehicle or other structure. In one or more embodiments, the connection system may also be used to connect two elements together for interactive function. For example, in at least one embodiment, a cell phone case using the connection system may connect to the external battery, wallet, business card holder, an arm band or other accessory, and the like.

It should be understood that, by way of one or more embodiments, the shape of both the mating connection structure as well as the hinged connector may vary without straying from the scope of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that in one or more embodiments, connection between two elements may be made only by the mating connection structure, or only by the hinged connectors.

In one or more embodiments, the flip-out connector may be used as a stand to prop up a device, such as a cell phone, held within a case equipped with the connection system. In at least one embodiment, the flip-out connector may be hingedly connected to a body of the case. In at least one embodiment, the hinged connection may have a sufficient amount of friction such that the flip-out connector may be extended and holds itself in place against a force, such as a force of a weight of the cell phone or other device in the case.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a connection system for a mobile phone. The mount 101 may be configured to hold a mobile phone or to be coupled to mobile phone. It may for example be integrated into or may form a mobile phone case, with elements incorporated into the case to enable connection to another object. One or more embodiments may enable connection of any object to another object using a connection system similar to the system illustrated in FIG. 1 for a mobile phone. The connection system may be modular in that a mount such as mount 101 of FIG. 1 may be coupled to various objects that have compatible connecting components.

FIG. 1 shows a view of the mobile phone mount 101 from the back; the screen of a phone installed into the mount 101 is visible from the front side. The back side of the mount 101 includes features that support connection to compatible components that may be attached to other objects, including for example, without limitation, a bicycle, a motor bike, a vehicle, a wall, a counter, a piece of furniture, an appliance, an article of clothing, an accessory, a camera, a camera accessory, a wallet, a purse, a backpack, a bag, a suitcase, a briefcase, a computer, or a charging system.

FIG. 1 shows three connection features that are integrated into illustrative phone mount 101. One or more embodiments may include only a subset of these features. Magnetic coupling element or elements 102 are integrated into or coupled to one or more portions of the phone mount 101. These magnetic elements may include any ferrous or ferromagnetic materials, for example. The magnetic feature or features 102 may be configured to couple with mating magnetic features on corresponding mounts on other objects, such as those described below with respect to FIGS. 9 through 22. The magnetic features may be for example permanent magnets or materials that are attracted to magnets. Magnets may be of any polarity or polarities that provide attraction to corresponding features on a second mount.

A second connection feature in mount 101 is the X-shaped indentation 103 in the back face of the mount. This indentation 103 is configured to couple with a mating X-shaped part with a corresponding protrusion that fits into the indentation 103. In one or more embodiments, the protruding element may be in the mount 101, and the corresponding indentation may be in the mating component. In one or more embodiments, the mount 101 may have a combination of protrusions and indentations that mate with complementary elements on another component. The mechanical coupling between indentation 103 and the corresponding protrusion in a mating component provides a connection between mount 101 and its receiver. In one or more embodiments the connection may be a press-fit that provides frictional coupling between the elements. In one or more embodiments some or all of the magnetic features 102 may be integrated into the indentation 103. For example, the sides or bottom of the indentation 103 may be magnetic, and the corresponding protrusion on a mating component may be magnetic of opposite polarity or polarities.

The X-shape of the indentation 103 provides several benefits for the connection system. When the indentation 103 is connected to a corresponding X-shaped protrusion on a mating component, the mount 101 cannot rotate freely. In addition, the coupling resists shear forces in all directions, due to the X-shape of the coupling. Finally, the X-shape of the feature 103 allows the phone mount 101 to be rotated 90, 180, or 270 degrees with respect to the mating component before being coupled; this allows the phone to be viewed in a landscape or portrait mode, for example. A user may couple the phone mount to the receiver in one orientation, and then remove the phone mount, rotate the phone mount by any multiple of 90 degrees, and re-attach the phone mount to the receiver.

The X-shape of the feature 103 is illustrative; one or more embodiments may use different geometries for the mechanical coupling elements that provide resistance against rotation and shear forces. For example, in one or more embodiments the X-shaped feature 103 may be a square instead of an X; the square shape also resists rotation and shear and provides for rotation of the mount orientation in any multiple of 90 degrees. More generally, one or more embodiments may incorporate features that are bounded by any regular polygon, which resists rotation but allows any desired angular position of the phone mount with respect to its mating component. For example, an octagonally shaped feature allows the phone mount to be rotated by any multiple of 45 degrees prior to attaching it to the corresponding receiver.

A third connection feature in mount 101 is the pair of C-shaped or arc-shaped hooks or clamps104. These hooks 104 may be configured for example to fit over and latch to corresponding features on a receiver to provide an additional mechanical coupling. This mechanical coupling may for example resist motion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the back face of mount 101, while the X-shaped feature 103 may resist motion along this plane. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hooks 104 are connected to the mount 101 with hinges that allow them to fold flat against the back of the case, or to extend perpendicular to the back of the case as shown in FIG. 1. The back of mount 101 may contain indentations into which the hooks 104 fit when folded down, so that the back of the phone case is flat when the hooks are not extended. The hooks 104 may also latch in their folded out position, to function as a stand for the phone case 101.

FIG. 2 shows a view of mount 101 looking directly from the back of the mount. Ferromagnetic elements 102 may be for example located inside the indentations that hold the C-hooks 104. FIG. 2 also shows that in one or more embodiments the phone mount 101 may contain one or more inductive charging coils 930. The coil or coils 930 may for example transfer power to the phone installed in the mount 101 when the mount is coupled to a component that provides power inductively via mating inductive charging elements. A mating charging element may be for example a battery that couples to the mount 101, a charging station with connections that mate with the mount 101, or a receiver that includes a power transfer capability.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the hooks 104 are shown in their extended position. FIG. 3 shows the same back view of the mount 101 as FIG. 2, but the hooks 104 are folded back into the corresponding indentations so that they lie flat on the back of the mount.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the mount 101. The connection features are not visible from this view because they are all coupled to the back of the mount.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show side views of the mount 101 with the hooks 104 in their extended positions.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the mount 101, with the hooks 104 in their extended positions.

FIG. 8 shows a vent mount with extension legs 820 that fit into a car vent for example. The rings are wider at 811 than at point 810, so the vent mount indent 819 bends legs 820 as the vent mount indent 819 moves over wider portion 811 and moves to the potential well at 810 to lock the ring into place.

In one or more embodiments, the mount to which an object attaches, such as mount 101 for a mobile phone, connects to a corresponding receiver that couples to or holds another object. The receiver is a second mount that interfaces between the object mount 101 and another object, surface, or system. The features of the receiver correspond to the features of the mount for the object. A receiver may couple to or hold any object, enabling attachment of an object such as a mobile phone to any other object. FIGS. 9 through 14 illustrate a receiver that couples to a Go-Pro® or similar camera, and FIGS. 15 through 22 illustrate a receiver that couples to a bicycle or motor bike handle. These receivers are illustrative; one or more embodiments may include or may interface with receivers that couple to or hold any other object, and that allow a mobile phone or other object to be attached to the receiver.

FIG. 9 shows an illustrative embodiment of a receiver 901 that couples to an action camera, e.g., a Go-Pro® or similar camera system. The X-shaped protrusion 903 fits into the corresponding X-shaped indentation 103 in the mobile phone case or similar object mount, providing a mechanical coupling between the first mount (such as mobile phone case 101) and the second mount (receiver) 901. A second ferromagnetic coupling element 902 provides magnetic attraction to the corresponding ferromagnetic feature or features 102 in the object mount 101. Ferromagnetic element or elements 902 may be for example permanent magnets or materials attracted to corresponding magnets or materials 102. Magnetic polarities of elements 902 and 102 may be configured to provide attraction between the two elements; for example, elements that are in contact or proximal when attached may be magnets of opposite polarities. The second ferromagnetic coupling element 902 can be in or on the second mechanical coupling element 903 or next to the second mechanical coupling element 903. In one or more embodiments, a coil 931 may be anywhere on the mount, here shown on the base element, and may be utilized for inductively charging another device coupled to the mount. Hook receivers 904 couple to the corresponding hooks 104 on mount 101, providing a fourth mechanical coupling element on receiver 901. The fourth mechanical coupling element 904 is shown on four sides of this embodiment (only three sides are visible in FIG. 9), so that third mechanical coupling elements 104 may fold down and snap on to fourth mechanical coupling element 904 in different orientations. The two hooks 104 may attach to either pair of opposite hook receivers 904. This allows the mount 901 to be in a fixed orientation, while the phone case 101 may be rotated in 90-degree increments and attached to the mount 901.

FIGS. 10 through 14 show different views of the mount 901. FIG. 10 is a top view and FIG. 11 is a bottom view. FIG. 12 is a front side view; FIG. 13 is a right side view, which is rotated 90 degrees from the view of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is another side view, which is rotated 45 degrees from the view of FIG. 13. In FIGS. 12 and 13, three of the four hook receivers 904 are visible. In FIG. 14, two of the four hook receivers 904 are visible. These four hook receivers have identical or similar shapes to allow the hooks 104 to attach to any opposite pairs of hook receivers. Element 921 shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 provides a coupling to a Go-Pro® or similar action camera system; this element may be modified in one or more embodiments to provide for attachment to any other object or system.

FIGS. 15 through 22 show an illustrative embodiment of a receiver 1701 that mounts for example to a bicycle handlebar or motorized bike handlebar. This receiver 1701 has similar features to the receiver 901 illustrated above for a Go-Pro® system, enabling coupling to a mobile phone mount 101 or similar mount for any other object.

FIG. 15 shows receiver 1701 coupled to a handlebar 1501a of a bicycle, with mobile phone mount 101 coupled to the receiver 1701. FIG. 16 shows receiver 1701 coupled to a handlebar 1501b of a motorized bike, with mobile phone mount 101 attached to the receiver 1701.

FIG. 17 shows the coupling elements of receiver 1701. Ferromagnetic elements 902a provide magnetic coupling to the corresponding elements 102 of mount 101. X-shaped protrusion 903a fits into corresponding X-shaped indentation 103 of mount 101, providing a mechanical coupling that resists rotation and shear forces. Hook receivers 904a couple to the C-shaped hooks 104, providing a mechanical coupling that resists motion perpendicular to the face of the mount 1701. (The hook receivers 904a are on opposite sides of mount 1701, but only one is visible in FIG. 17.) Clamps 1702a and 1702b provide attachment to the handlebar.

FIGS. 18 through 22 show different views of the bicycle mount receiver 1701. FIG. 18 shows a left side view, which shows a profile view of the two hook receivers 904a on opposite sides of mount 1701. In contrast to the Go-Pro® mount 901, mount 1701 has only two hook receivers to provide space for the handlebar to which mount 1701 is attached. FIG. 19 shows a front view; FIG. 20 shows a top view; and FIG. 21 shows a bottom view. FIG. 22 shows a bottom perspective view of the mount 1701, with the handlebar clamps 1702a and 1702b open.

In one or more embodiments, the phone mount 101 may be coupled to a receiver that attaches to or is integrated into an article worn by or carried by a person. FIG. 23 shows an illustrative embodiment with a receiver 2301 integrated into an armband 2302. Receiver 2301 has X-shaped protrusion 903b, and ferromagnetic elements 902b, which couple to X-shaped indentation 102 and ferromagnetic elements 102, respectively. In this illustrative embodiment, no element is provided to attach the C-hooks 104, in order to provide a flat profile of the receiver 2301 against the armband 2302; however, the elements 902b and 903b provide magnetic and mechanical coupling of the phone mount 101 to receiver 2301.

In one or more embodiments, a bumper or other shock absorbing or protective elements may be integrated into or attached to an object mount. FIG. 24 shows an illustrative embodiment of a bumper 2401 that may for example be integrated into or attached to a mobile phone mount such as mount 101. The bumper may be made for example of a force absorbing or shock absorbing material to protect the phone or other object installed into or attached to the mount 101. The bumper may be configured to float, to prevent the mount from sinking when it is in water.

In one or more embodiments, bumper 2401 may contain one or more storage compartments, such as compartment 2402. This compartment may for example have a shape and size that provides a storage area for an object such as a pen, pencil, or stylus. It may be configured to hold any other object or objects, such as for example, without limitation, medicine, pills, keys, lipstick, nail clippers, a nail file, makeup, toothpicks, a knife, a screwdriver, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, a cigarette, an e-cigarette, a document, or a medical alert bracelet.

In one or more embodiments, bumper 2401 may include controls to control features of a device installed in or attached to mount 101. For example, when mount 101 is configured to hold a mobile phone, controls on bumper 2401 may include any or all of controls for volume, track, thumbs up, thumbs down, display brightness, power on, and power off. In one or more embodiments, bumper 2401 may include a light source 2402 or compartment 2403 for storing items, such as a stylus. Charging hole or speaker hole 2010 may also reside in any portion of the bumper.

In one or more embodiments, a receiver may be configured to attach to any surface of any object via for example an adhesive on the back face of the receiver. FIG. 25 shows an illustrative embodiment a receiver 2501 coupled with adhesive material 2502. Receiver 2501 has X-shaped protrusion 903c, and ferromagnetic elements 902c, which couple to X-shaped indentation 102 and ferromagnetic elements 102, respectively. FIG. 26 shows a side view of receiver 2501; the back face 2502 may for example have an adhesive layer covered by a protective sheet that peels off. In one or more embodiments the back face may have other elements in addition to or instead of an adhesive that support attachment to other objects, such as for example, without limitation, suction cups, hooks, magnets, clamps, or studs. In one or more embodiments the receiver 2501 may have through holes that allow the receiver to be attached to an object using screws, bolts, or nails.

One or more embodiments may enable a modular connection system, which allows multiple components to be attached in series by daisy-chaining them together. FIG. 27 shows an illustrative embodiment with three components that may be daisy-chained together. This configuration is illustrative; in one or more embodiments any number of components may be attached together using a similar architecture. The three components that may be coupled in series in the embodiment of FIG. 27 are a phone case, a battery, and a receiver. The phone case may be for example mount 101 of FIG. 1, or a similar mount for a phone or other object. The battery may be coupled to the phone case to provide inductive charging of the phone, via coils similar to coils 930 and 931 described above. The receiver may be a receiver that attaches to a bike, Go-Pro® or another object as described above.

Elements 101d, 2701d, and 901d are conceptual views of the profiles of a phone mount, battery, and receiver, respectively. These views illustrate the modular architecture that supports daisy-chaining: a top element of the stack of components has an indentation or other feature 2710athat couples to a corresponding protrusion or other corresponding feature 2711a on the next element in the stack. Any intermediate element, such as the battery in FIG. 27, has both a protrusion 2711a to couple to the next higher element, and an indentation 2710b to couple to the next lower element. In addition to or instead of protrusions and corresponding indentations, coupling may be performed by compatible magnetic elements, or by other mating mechanical components. The bottom element in a stack, such as receiver 901d, has a protrusion 2711b to couple to the element above it (which is the battery 2701d in FIG. 27). It is apparent that this architecture may be extended to any number of components of any type, as long as all elements in a stack have compatible features to couple to the elements above and below them in the stack.

FIG. 27 shows front and back views of the phone mount, battery, and receiver, focusing here only on the X-shaped protrusions and indentations to simplify the exposition. Other features such as magnetic coupling elements may also be present on the front or back faces of these components. Front face 101e of the phone mount is the top of the stack; therefore, it does not need any coupling elements. Back face 101f of the phone mount has an X-shaped indentation, which couples to an X-shaped protrusion on the front face of battery 2701e. Back face 2701f of the battery has an X-shaped indentation that couples to a corresponding X-shaped protrusion on the front face 901e of the receiver. The back face 901f of the receiver is the bottom of the stack, so it does not require coupling features to the other components; however, it may have features that couple to other objects, such as the bicycle handlebar and Go-Pro® couplings illustrated above.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A rotationally limited connection system comprising: a first mount configured to hold an object or couple with said object;a first ferromagnetic coupling element comprising a material attracted to a magnet or wherein said material comprises said magnet; and,a first mechanical coupling element comprising at least one protrusion configured to limit rotation of said first mount with respect to another object in 90 degree increments;wherein said first mount is coupled with said first ferromagnetic coupling element and said first mechanical coupling element.

2. The connection system of claim 1 wherein said first mechanical coupling element comprises a portion of said first ferromagnetic coupling element, or wherein said first ferromagnetic coupling element is located near said first mechanical coupling element.

3. The connection system of claim 1 wherein said first mount or said object comprises a first coil configured to inductively receive or transmit electrical power to or from said object that stores electricity in a case surrounding said object or said object.

4. The connection system of claim 1 wherein said object comprises one or more of: a phone,a camera,a battery,a speaker,at least one of an electrical component that uses or stores electricity,an optical component,a connection component,a container.

5. The connection system of claim 1 further comprising: a second mount configured to hold said another object or couple with said another object;a second ferromagnetic coupling element comprising said material attracted to said magnet or wherein said material comprises said magnet; and,a second mechanical coupling element comprising at least one second protrusion configured to limit rotation of said first mount with respect to said second mount in said 90 degree increments.

6. The connection system of claim 5 further comprising at least one third mechanical coupling element configured to fold toward and away from said first mount wherein said at least one third mechanical coupling element is further configured to couple with a fourth mechanical coupling element on or near said second mount.

7. The connection system of claim 5 further comprising at least one third mechanical coupling element configured with a narrow portion proximal to said first mount and a wide portion that is distal to said first mount, wherein said at least one third mechanical coupling element is further configured to couple with a fourth mechanical coupling element at said narrow portion and wherein said fourth mechanical coupling element is located on or near said second mount.

8. The connection system of claim 5 wherein said second mount is configured to couple with a moveable object.

9. The connection system of claim 5 wherein said second mount or said another object coupled with said second mount comprises a second coil configured to inductively supply electrical power.

10. The connection system of claim 1 wherein said first mount further comprises a bumper or a bumper with at least one storage compartment or a bumper with a flotation device or a bumper with force absorbing material or a bumper with a light source or any combination thereof.

11. The connection system of claim 10 wherein said at least one storage compartment is configured to hold a pen or stylus or an e-cigarette or medicine.

12. The connection system of claim 10 wherein said bumper further comprises controls to control one or more of volume, track, thumbs up, thumbs down, display brightness, power on, power off

13. The connection system of claim 1, wherein said first mount does not comprise a mounting rail.

14. The connection system of claim 1 wherein said first mount comprises a galvanic charging port.

15. The connection system of claim 1, wherein said first mount further comprises a fourth mechanical coupling element configured to daisy chain to an additional mount.

16. The connection system of claim 15, wherein said additional mount is configured to hold one or more of a phone, a second camera, a second battery, a second speaker.

17. A rotationally limited connection system comprising: a first mount configured to hold an object or couple with said object;a first ferromagnetic coupling element comprising a material attracted to a magnet or wherein said material comprises said magnet; and,a first mechanical coupling element comprising at least one protrusion configured to limit rotation of said first mount with respect to another object in increments greater than 0 degrees, or less than or equal to 90 degrees, wherein said first mount is coupled with said first ferromagnetic coupling element and said first mechanical coupling element;a second mount configured to hold said another object or couple with said another object;a second ferromagnetic coupling element comprising said material attracted to said magnet or wherein said material comprises said magnet;a second mechanical coupling element comprising at least one second protrusion configured to limit rotation of said first mount with respect to said second mount in said increments greater than 0 degrees, or less than or equal to 90 degrees; and,at least one third mechanical coupling element configured to fold toward and away from said first mount wherein said at least one third mechanical coupling element is further configured to couple with a fourth mechanical coupling element on or near said second mount.

18. The connection system of claim 17 further comprising at least one third mechanical coupling element configured with a narrow portion proximal to said first mount and a wide portion that is distal to said first mount, wherein said at least one third mechanical coupling element is further configured to couple with a fourth mechanical coupling element at said narrow portion and wherein said fourth mechanical coupling element is located on or near said second mount.

19. The connection system of claim 17 wherein said first mount or said object comprises a first coil configured to inductively receive or transmit electrical power to or from said object that stores electricity in a case surrounding said object or said object, and wherein said second mount or said another object coupled with said second mount comprises a second coil configured to inductively supply electrical power.

20. A rotationally limited connection system comprising: a first mount configured to hold an object or couple with said object;a first ferromagnetic coupling element comprising a material attracted to a magnet or wherein said material comprises said magnet;a first mechanical coupling element comprising at least one protrusion configured to limit rotation of said first mount with respect to another object in increments greater than 0 degrees, or less than or equal to 90 degrees, wherein said first mount is coupled with said first ferromagnetic coupling element and said first mechanical coupling element, andwherein said first mechanical coupling element comprises a portion of said first ferromagnetic coupling element, or wherein said first ferromagnetic coupling element is located near said first mechanical coupling element;a second mount configured to hold said another object or couple with said another object;a second ferromagnetic coupling element comprising said material attracted to said magnet or wherein said material comprises said magnet;a second mechanical coupling element comprising at least one second protrusion configured to limit rotation of said first mount with respect to said second mount in said increments greater than 0 degrees, or less than or equal to 90 degrees; and,at least one third mechanical coupling element configured to fold toward and away from said first mount wherein said at least one third mechanical coupling element is further configured to couple with a fourth mechanical coupling element on or near said second mount.