Patent Application
20070001078
This application is cross-referenced to patent application entitled MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE, Attorney Docket No. CM08456K, filed on even date herewith.
This invention relates in general to mobile communication devices and more particularly to mechanisms for mounting such devices into vehicles.
Mobile communication devices, particularly high power data and radio devices, tend to be heavy and thus require strong, stable mechanisms for mounting these devices into vehicles. A mounting bracket is typically used to receive and retain the mobile device. The mounting bracket is usually affixed to a portion of the vehicle, such as in the trunk, under the dash board or between seats, with the mobile device being installed and retained within the bracket. Installation and removal of the mobile device to and from the bracket can be cumbersome and awkward due to the weight of the device as well as height and width clearance limitations within the vehicle. Separate alignment piece parts may also be needed, requiring an installer to use both hands to align the mobile communication device within the bracket thereby increasing parts count, assembly complexity and cost.
Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting apparatus that facilitates installation and removal of a mobile communication device, particularly in the vehicular environment.
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
The present invention may be embodied in several forms and manners. The description provided below and the drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be embodied in other forms and manners not shown below. The invention shall have the full scope of the claims and shall not be limited by the embodiments shown below. It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first, second, top and bottom, front and rear and the like are used solely for distinguishing one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or actions.
Briefly, there is provided herein an apparatus for mounting a mobile communication device, such as to a vehicle. The mounting apparatus of the present invention includes first and second rails extending from the mobile communication device and a bracket having a bottom surface with side surfaces. The side surfaces of the bracket provide a track upon which to slide the rails during engagement and disengagement of the mobile communication device. The mounting apparatus of the present invention engages the mobile communication device using two possible mounting options: a drop in mounting option and a slide-in mounting option.
Referring to
If desired, pads 124 may be integrated as part of the housing 106 around screw holes 126, for the purposes of focusing signs of wear to predetermined areas. The rails 120, 122 thus minimize signs of wear in addition to providing alignment and mounting capability.
In accordance with the present invention, bracket 104 comprises a unitarily formed piece of metal having a bottom surface 130 and a plurality of side surfaces 134 extending upward and substantially perpendicular therefrom. For the purposes of this application, four side surfaces are shown, two on each side of the bracket 104, however, additional side surfaces could be used as well. In accordance with the present invention, side surfaces 134 provide tracks upon which to mount the mobile communication device 102 using two possible mounting options, as will be discussed in conjunction with
In accordance with the present invention, side surfaces 134 include an engagement portion having a predetermined shape with which to slide and engage/disengage the mobile communication device 102. The shape of the engagement portion is preferably formed of a curved up ramp 136, a top flat section 138 and a curved down ramp 140. The bracket's plurality of side surfaces 134 will also be referred to as first side panels 142 and second side panels 144. In accordance with the present invention, the rails 120, 122 of mobile communication device 102 include contoured portions which align and co-locate with the geometry of the engagement portions of the bracket 104.
Referring now to
In accordance with the present invention, the drop down option 202 allows the mobile communication device 102 to be vertically deposited within the bracket 104 such that the first and second rails 120, 122 come to rest upon each flat top section 138 of the plurality of side surfaces 134. The first side panels 142 become thus become engaged by second contour portions 148. The completed engagement of first mounting option 202 is shown in view 206.
In accordance with the present invention, the second mounting option 204 allows the rails 120, 122 of mobile communication device 102 to be slid horizontally along surfaces 138 of bracket 104. Upon insertion of the mobile communication device 102 into bracket 104, rails 120, 122 slide over the flat top sections 138 of the first side panels 142. As the rails 120, 122 slide toward the second side panels 144, the contoured portions of the rails begin engagement with the engagement portions of the first side panels 142. To achieve engagement, the first contour portion 146 slides up over the up ramp 136, across the flat top section 138 and down the down ramp 140. The second contoured portions 148 thus engage and retain the first side panels 142, as seen in view 206.
Both mounting options 202, 204 produce completed assembly 206 shown in
Removal of the mobile communication device 102 from bracket 104 is achieved by grabbing the front portion of the device and pulling it upwards to disengage the first side panels 142 from the first contoured portions 146 of the bracket. The device can then be lifted straight out or pulled out horizontally.
Accordingly, there has been provided a mounting apparatus that simplifies mounting a mobile communication device. By integrating the rails 120, 122 as part of the housing 106, the need for any separate alignment pieces has been eliminated thereby reducing assembly complexity and tooling costs. The use of integrated pads around the screw holes, if desired, focuses any signs of wear marks to predetermined areas under the rails and as such the wear marks are far less visible to users. The ability to use two mounting options facilitates placement of the device within a vehicle, even in vehicles having tight height and width constraints. The mounting apparatus of the present invention allows an installer to install and remove the mobile communication device to and from the bracket using one hand further facilitating installation and removal of the system.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
