BlackBerry Key2 to Document Camera

thingiverse

With classes shifting online due to COVID-19 concerns, a professor requested a design for holding a cell phone as a document camera during telecon meetings via Zoom. This design is tailored to the professor's phone with case, specifically a BlackBerry Key2 in a slim Tudia Merge case. Although it may be too specific for widespread use, I'm uploading this solution so others can see a budget-friendly approach that might spark new ideas from designers. The professor was initially using an "octopus helping hands" tool to hold the phone: https://www.amazon.com/Third-Soldering-Workshop-Non-Slip-Aluminum/dp/B079CHJQKH/ or https://www.amazon.com/Crazepony-Soldering-Resistant-Swiveling-Brushless/dp/B06Y4393VM/ To balance the phone, we used a cup of rocks from outside the professor's home. There are two versions of this design: one uses tabs for alligator clips (…_Holder2), while the other features studs that replace the clips (…_Holder3). To use _Holder3, simply remove the alligator clips and insert the studs. We found that three arms are necessary to prevent sagging, especially when using a helping hands tool with relatively new joints. However, if the tool is frequently used, its joints may become looser over time.