Engineering:Cell Phone Seat

From HandWiki

Cell Phone Seat is an American automotive accessory designed to hold mobile phones in a vehicle’s cup holder. It is manufactured by Cell Phone Seat LLC, founded by Scott J. McIntosh.[1] The device functions as a hands-free phone mount and was listed by the Detroit Free Press as compatible with Michigan’s distracted driving law.

History

Cell Phone Seat LLC was founded in 2021 following the development of a 3D prototype mobile phone holder that fits into a car’s cup holder.[2] The product was developed as an alternative to mounts that can obstruct a driver’s view or vehicle controls.

Initially manufactured in China, production was later relocated to Detroit, Michigan.[3] In 2023, the product gained attention on TikTok Shop, generating over $10,000 in sales the day after Cyber Monday and receiving over 50 million views.[4][5]

Counterfeit versions appeared on online marketplaces, prompting the company to pursue legal actions to protect its intellectual property.[6] The company has also been cited as an example of a small American manufacturer that benefited from United States tariff policies, reporting increased sales after tariffs on imported goods made domestic production more competitive.[6]

By 2024, Cell Phone Seat sold products through online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer channels, supported by affiliate marketing and online advertising.[7]

Products and design

The Cell Phone Seat is a molded plastic holder designed to fit automotive cup holders approximately three to four inches in diameter. It accommodates various smartphone models in both vertical and horizontal orientations and allows charging while mounted.[8] Some models include adjustable components or foam inserts to fit different cup holder sizes.[8][9]

The design positions the phone below the driver’s line of sight and away from air vents and dashboards. Technology publications have noted its stability and functionality for hands-free use in standard cup holders.[1][8][10][9]

Intellectual property

Cell Phone Seat LLC holds patents and trademarks in the United States, Canada, and China. The company holds a U.S. utility patent for a “Retainer for a mobile device”[11][12] and two U.S. design patents.[13][14]. It also holds the trademarks “Cell Phone Seat” and “Be Hands-Free”.[15][16][17]

The company has enforced these intellectual property rights in response to counterfeit products appearing on e-commerce platforms.[2]

Reception

The product has been mentioned in media coverage regarding hands-free driving compliance. The Detroit Free Press listed it among phone mounts suitable for use under Michigan’s distracted driving law, which prohibits handheld phone use while driving.[18]

Technology publications have evaluated the product as a stable and practical solution for securing smartphones in vehicles, compatible with standard cup holders.[2][19]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Staff, Authority Magazine Editorial (2024-06-18). "Scott McIntosh Of Cell Phone Seat: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A CEO" (in en). https://medium.com/authority-magazine/scott-mcintosh-of-cell-phone-seat-five-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-before-i-became-a-ceo-1911e52b2ebc. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 How Cell Phone Seat Survived Counterfeits - Bold Inventor. 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via boldinventor.buzzsprout.com.
  3. ↑ Smith, Allison (2025-05-07). "‘Made in USA’ is trending on Amazon, and sellers are leaning in" (in en). https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/made-in-usa-is-trending-on-amazon-and-sellers-are-leaning-in/. 
  4. ↑ "TikTok Shop Wants to Beat Amazon at Its Own Game". December 13, 2023. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tiktok-shop-wants-beat-amazon-000011101.html. 
  5. ↑ Smith, Allison (2025-01-17). "As a TikTok ban looms, sellers brace for the end" (in en). https://www.modernretail.co/technology/as-a-tiktok-ban-looms-sellers-brace-for-the-end/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 TTC (2025-04-29). "A Level Playing Field: How Trump’s Tariffs Are Saving A Tennessee Small Business" (in en-US). https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/a-level-playing-field-how-trumps-tariffs-are-saving-a-tennessee-small-business/. 
  7. ↑ Smith, Allison (2024-04-29). "Brands on TikTok Shop face increased fees & an uncertain future" (in en). https://www.modernretail.co/technology/brands-on-tiktok-shop-face-increased-fees-an-uncertain-future/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Cell Phone Seat review - a phone holder for your vehicle's cup holder - The Gadgeteer" (in en-US). September 12, 2021. https://the-gadgeteer.com/2021/09/12/cell-phone-seat-review-its-a-phone-holder-for-your-vehicle-cup-holder/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Guest (2021-09-17). "Cell Phone Seat - Review" (in en-US). https://gadgetnutz.com/2021/09/17/cell-phone-seat-review/. 
  10. ↑ Cell Phone Seat (2023-07-14). Cell Phone Seat - As Seen On TV - Motorhead Garage Reviews Cell Phone Seat. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via YouTube.
  11. ↑ "Retainer for a mobile device and method of use thereof". National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/patent/US-11938867-B1. 
  12. ↑ "U.S. Patent for Retainer for a mobile device and method of use thereof (Patent # 11,938,867 issued March 26, 2024)". https://patents.justia.com/patent/11938867. 
  13. ↑ "U.S. Patent for Cup holder insert with cell phone retainer (Patent # D 970,494 issued November 22, 2022)". https://patents.justia.com/patent/D970494. 
  14. ↑ "U.S. Patent for Cup holder insert with cell phone retainer (Patent # D 1,005,280 issued November 21, 2023)". https://patents.justia.com/patent/D1005280. 
  15. ↑ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR): Cell Phone Seat". United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88800760&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch. 
  16. ↑ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval: Cell Phone Seat". https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=97243144&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch. 
  17. ↑ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval for Cell Phone Seat". United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=97354946&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch. 
  18. ↑ "Michigan's new cellphone laws are now in effect. Here's how to drive distraction-free.". Detroit Free Press. June 30, 2023. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/30/michigan-hands-free-law-cellphone-distracted-driving/70364051007/. 
  19. ↑ Trenton, John (2025-04-10). "INTERVIEW: Cell Phone Seat Inventor, Scott McIntosh" (in en-US). https://www.tomorrowsworldtoday.com/consumer-products/interview-cell-phone-seat-inventor-scott-mcintosh/. 




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