iPhone bracket (prototype)

[robvanderveer]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to inform you guys on a new project i'm working on. I got this cool new 3D printer (Vertex K8400) so I decided to engineer myself an iPhone bracket. The bracket will be mounted on the right of the console by using the mounting screws for the kneepad.

First idea:

http://i.imgur.com/js3G17il.png

Revised idea (vertical mounting bracket for extra stability, with some cutaways to save on material). Don't worry about the orange colour, that's just for contrast.

http://i.imgur.com/QOW1SSsl.png

[alexwolf1216]

This looks cool, will it fit the 6 plus or only the 6?

[robvanderveer]

This looks cool, will it fit the 6 plus or only the 6?

This is for a 5s, which i happen to have.

[Elvis]

I'm still looking for a good iPhone car holder, I have a 5S, too.

What I don't like is - most cradles don't automatically charge the phone.
I think it has to have that feature or it is useless. Hope you can install that, too.

Elvis & 6548

[robvanderveer]

I'm still looking for a good iPhone car holder, I have a 5S, too.

What I don't like is - most cradles don't automatically charge the phone.
I think it has to have that feature or it is useless. Hope you can install that, too.

Elvis & 6548

This is just the bracket and holder that i am making. I connect my phone to the ipod connector of the alpine head unit. That takes care of the charging for me

[Justin51982]

I'd be very interested in this....Keep us posted.

[Elvis]

This is just the bracket and holder that i am making. I connect my phone to the ipod connector of the alpine head unit. That takes care of the charging for me


Do you have to plug in the connector extra or do you make it so that the wire is atttached to the craddle
and it plugs in automatically when inserting the iPhone ?

[robvanderveer]

With the current design, you'll have to plug in the lightning cable yourself. I agree that it is not optimal, but i have to work with the limits of the printer (orientation and overhanging structures)

[Elvis]

well...then I would not buy it.

any cheap $5 unit will do the same and the plastic looks better.

[robvanderveer]

well...then I would not buy it.

any cheap $5 unit will do the same and the plastic looks better.

I'm just making this one-off for my personal comfort, and to get some experience with the printer and the 3D software. But I appreciate your feedback.

Anyway, here is the result. It looks better with the phone in, but I forgot to bring my camera.

http://i.imgur.com/PxoLS3Rl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PdxOs6rl.jpg

[ALEXAKOS]

Sorry for the off subject question...
is that iPhone jack connected to a power outlet or with the Alpine system for mp3 music?

[robvanderveer]

Sorry for the off subject question...
is that iPhone jack connected to a power outlet or with the Alpine system for mp3 music?

It is connected to the iPod connector of the Alpine Head unit, using a 30-pin to lightning adapter (the white cable you see).

[TTait]

You could make up just that base plate that attaches to the car, but modify it so that it is compatible with the standard ProClip line of device holders. www.proclipusa.com

These guys make great products - you first select a base adapter that is custom suited to your car (make/model/year). These bases all have a uniform interface to the second half - a holder for your specific phone.

Its a great business model IMO because the products are tailored so well and built nicely - that once you are in - you are in. In 2 years you get a new phone so you replace the holder, then a year later you trade in the car but you have a holder so you get a new base for the new car, and so on.

Any given vehicle may have several base designs - like console mount, dash mount, etc. and any given phone may have multiple options - no charging port, port with USB cable, port with lighter adapter, port with hardwire connection.

There are also generic adjustable holders (if you use a rare phone or an otterbox or?) and generic bases.

They do not however make a base tailored to the Delorean. If you made a base plate that was compatible with their holders - everybody would win. I have considered making a proclip compatible base myself - I was thinking of adding a steel plate inside the center console and use neodymium magnets on the base so it just pulls off (with a good tug) when you want to look stock.

They are not cheap - but they are excellent products. I consider them a safety feature, so now we have them in all the daily drivers at home.

[robvanderveer]

Great thinking, TTait.

I'm pretty sure i'll get sued if i start making and selling my own baseplates based on their system. Or am i being paranoid? Perhaps if i contact them beforehand, saying i got this design for a small audience, they might cooperate.

[TTait]

Their interface between the base and the phone cradle is as simple as a flat plate with 4 holes drilled in it - not something you could cover in a patent. Moreover - If you find 50 owners around the world that want your base plate - Proclip is going to sell all of those folks phone holders - probably every 2 years for the rest of their lives - I'd think they would be fine with it.

[robvanderveer]

Yeah, you are right...

To be honest though, i'm not very charmed with the 4-screws baseplate. Looks kinda bulky to me.

[TTait]

Yeah, you are right...

To be honest though, i'm not very charmed with the 4-screws baseplate. Looks kinda bulky to me.

It's considerably smaller than the phone, so you don't see if from your seat. I think it is partially due to the size of the tilt/swivel mechanism, and the fact that those are designed to hold even a large phone securely without having to be clamped down tight. You can swivel or change the angle on the phone at any time without unlocking, but it does not droop or sag.

It's never bothered me - but what do I know about style? My phone is Android...

[Oliver Holler]

32283
This was a mod I did a few years back. (Many years I guess, since this is an early model iPhone!)
It charges and connects to the stereo for music. I exchanged my solid shifter console for a clock console since it would already have a hole.

[Timebender]

I like Oliver's idea. I have a solid console too, but would like to exchange with someone for a clock console to do this.