US Patent 9701256 Mounting clip

A holder device to hold a mobile device with respect to a vent or a surface of a vehicle has a ball-and-socket joint pivotally coupling together a clip to engage the vent or surface, and a clamp to releasably carry the mobile device. The ball-and-socket joint has a ball pivotally disposed in a socket. The ball-and-socket joint has a friction fit or an interference fit between the ball and the socket sufficient to hold a position between the ball and the socket under a weight of the clamp and the mobile device without an applied external force.