Secure universal mounting apparatus

• US 20060285306A1
• Filed: 05/24/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/758
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings

Abstract

A universal mounting apparatus formed of a device cradle that is configured with a base plate having a device mounting surface with an integral stop structure adjacent to a first end thereof and projected thereabove, and a linear drive channel arranged along a first axis thereof. The universal mounting apparatus including a clamping mechanism having a linear drive shaft structured to slidingly engage the linear drive channel with a movable clamp structure projected above the device mounting surface adjacent to a second end of the base plate, the movable clamp structure has clamping surfaces inclined toward the device mounting surface and the integral stop structure projected thereabove. A spring is coupled for biasing the movable clamp structure toward the integral stop structure along the first axis.

Claims

1. :

A universal mounting apparatus for a mobile electronics device, the apparatus comprising;

a substantially rigid cradle comprising a base plate and a stop structure arranged along a first axis of the base plate, the stop structure including one or more relatively stationary clamping surfaces that are projected above a device mounting surface of the base plate and includes clearance therethrough that is substantially aligned with the first axis of the base plate;

an expandable clamping mechanism comprising;

a movable clamp structure that is arranged for elastic motion substantially along the first axis of the base plate of the rigid cradle, the movable clamp structure includes one or more movable clamping surfaces that are projected above and angularly inclined toward the device mounting surface of the base plate, and

an elastic biasing member between the movable clamp structure and the base plate of the rigid cradle for elastically biasing the one or more movable clamping surfaces toward the stationary clamping surfaces substantially along the first axis of the base plate; and

a plurality of substantially upright posts arranged between the one or more movable and stationary clamping surfaces.

2. :

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cradle further comprises mechanical connector structure formed thereon for mounting to an external support structure.

3. :

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein;

the base plate of the rigid cradle further comprises a drive channel arranged substantially along the first axis of the base plate;

the expandable clamping mechanism further comprises a substantially rigid drive shaft having the movable clamp structure arranged adjacent to a first end thereof and being sized to slidingly engage the drive channel for relative motion substantially along the first axis of the base plate; and

the expandable clamping mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism structured for constraining the biasing member relative to the base plate opposite from the stop structure.

4. :

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more movable clamping surfaces of the movable clamp structure form angles in the range of about 60 degrees to 90 degrees with the device mounting surface of the base plate.

5. :

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the one or more stationary clamping surfaces of the stop structure are further angularly inclined toward the device mounting surface of the base plate.

6. :

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the one or more stationary clamping surfaces of the stop structure form angles in the range of about 60 degrees to 90 degrees with the device mounting surface of the base plate.

7. :

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the stop structure further comprises a plurality of the one or more stationary clamping surfaces spaced apart across the first axis of base plate and having the clearance formed therebetween.

8. :

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop structure further comprises a housing structure projected above a device mounting surface of the base plate, the housing structure having the one or more relatively stationary clamping surfaces formed thereon with the clearance formed therethrough.

9. :

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the one or more relatively stationary clamping surfaces formed on the housing structure are arranged substantially upright relative to the device mounting surface of the base plate.

10. :

The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising;

a printed wiring board having an electrical input/output interface connector mounted thereon; and

an adjustable height spacer structure arranged for securing the printed wiring board within the housing structure with the electrical input/output interface connector projected along the first axis of the base plate and inward of the one or more relatively stationary clamping surfaces through the clearance, the adjustable height spacer structure being structured for adjusting a position of the printed wiring board within the housing structure relative to the device mounting surface of the base plate.

11. :

A universal mounting apparatus for a mobile electronics device, the apparatus comprising;

a substantially rigid device cradle comprising a base plate having a substantially planar device mounting surface with an integral stop structure adjacent to a first end thereof and projected thereabove, and an integral linear drive channel arranged along a first axis thereof;

a clamping mechanism having a substantially rigid linear drive shaft structured to slidingly engage the linear drive channel of the rigid cradle with a movable clamp structure projected above the device mounting surface of the base plate adjacent to a second end thereof, the movable clamp structure having one or more clamping surfaces angularly inclined toward the device mounting surface of the base plate and toward the integral stop structure projected thereabove,

a spring coupled for biasing the movable clamp structure toward the integral stop structure of the base plate along the first axis thereof, and

a plurality of substantially upright posts coupled to the base plate spaced apart on opposite sides of the first axis thereof between the first and second end thereof.

12. :

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one or more of the plurality of upright posts is further adjustable relative to the first axis of the base plate.

13. :

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein one or more of the plurality of upright posts is further repositionable along the first axis of the base plate.

14. :

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein one or more of the angularly inclined clamping surfaces form an angle in the range of about 45 degrees to about 75 degrees with the device mounting surface of the base plate.

15. :

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the integral stop structure further comprises one or more clamping surfaces angularly inclined toward the device mounting surface of the base plate and toward the second end of the base plate.

16. :

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the device cradle further comprises an integral housing structure formed with the integral stop structure adjacent to the first end of the device mounting surface and projected thereabove, the housing structure further comprising a ceiling surface spaced away from the device mounting surface of the base plate; and

further comprising;

a printed wiring board having an electrical input/output interface connector mounted thereon; and

an adjustable height spacer structure arranged for securing the printed wiring board within the housing structure in an adjustable offset position relative to the ceiling surface thereof with the electrical input/output interface connector substantially aligned along the first axis of the base plate and projected toward the second end of the base plate.

17. :

A universal mounting apparatus for a mobile electronics device, the apparatus comprising;

a substantially rigid base plate having a substantially planar device mounting surface and an integral linear drive channel extended along a first axis of the base plate;

a substantially rigid housing structure integrally formed adjacent one end of the base plate, one surface of the housing being formed with one or more substantially planar clamping surfaces projected above the device mounting surface and a clearance passage positioned above the device mounting surface and substantially aligned with the first axis of the base plate;

a printed wiring board having an interior interface connector and an exterior interface connector mounted thereon;

an adjustable height spacer structure securing the printed wiring board within the housing with the interior interface connector projected through the clearance passage above the device mounting surface and substantially aligned with the first axis of the base plate;

a plurality of substantially upright fence posts arranged along the first axis of the base plate on opposite sides of the device mounting surface; and

a spring-loaded clamping mechanism coupled to the base plate, the clamping mechanism comprising;

a movable clamp structure formed of a substantially rigid drive shaft that is structured to slide within the drive channel relative to the device mounting surface of the base plate and a clamp structure formed adjacent to a head end of the drive shaft and having an integral jaw structure projected above the drive shaft, and

a spring constrained between the drive shaft and the drive channel for urging the clamp structure toward the clamping surfaces of the rigid housing structure.

18. :

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fence posts are further adjustable relative to the first axis of the base plate.

19. :

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the integral jaw structure of the movable clamp structure further comprises a plurality of clamping surfaces projected above the drive shaft and inclined theretoward.

20. :

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein one or more of the plurality of inclined clamping surfaces form an angle in the range of about 45 degrees to about 75 degrees with the drive shaft.