Housing and vehicular support for portable computer

• US 5,177,665 A
• Filed: 10/01/1991
• Issued: 01/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Progressive Insurance Corp.
• Original Assignee: Progressive Insurance Corp.
• Inventors: Jewel, James C., Frank, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, Gerald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US07/769,962
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 312/208, 312/245, 108/44, 108/50, 108/161, 224/276, 224/42.43, 224/42.44, 248/917, 248/918, 439/502, 439/505, 361/380, 361/390, 361/391, 361/392, 361/393, 361/394, 361/395, 361/399, 361/427, 361/429, 206/305, 206/320
• US Class Current: 361/679.43
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/005 Connection with the vehicle part
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a small portable computer provides both a housing to receive the computer and releasably attach it to a vehicle steering wheel and connections for supplying electrical power to the computer, with that housing also providing a pivotally movable upper lid which may be closed to cover and protect significant portions of the computer and may be opened to provide for access to the computer.

Claims

1. A vehicular computer mounting assembly for supporting on the steering wheel of a vehicle a portable computer having a front portion, a rear portion and side portions extending therebetween, said mounting assembly comprising

a housing to receive a computer, said housing comprising

a lower support for supportably receiving a computer thereupon, said lower support including a front portion, a rear portion and lower support sidewalls extending therebetween, said lower support sidewalls partially surrounding side portions of a computer and tapering from a first height proximal said rear portion of said lower support to a second, lower height proximal said front portion of said lower support, and

an upper lid pivotally connected to said lower support and pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position, said upper lid including a front portion, a rear portion and upper lid sidewalls extending therebetween, said upper lid sidewalls tapering from a first height proximal said rear portion of said upper lid to a second, lower height proximal said front portion of said upper lid whereby, when the upper lid is moved to the closed position, the lower support and the upper lid together form a protective case which is open at the front portion, said protective case partially surrounding a computer received on the lower support, and, when the upper lid is moved to the open position, the upward facing portions of a computer received upon the lower support are exposed to permit operation of the computer, and

means affixed to said housing for releasably attaching said housing to a steering wheel, whereby, when the housing is in the open position and is attached to a vehicle steering wheel, the housing may be used as a support for a computer for operation and use.

2. The vehicular computer mounting assembly of claim 1 further comprising electrical connection means having a single cable for connection to said computer for both providing electrical power to said computer and for conducting data signals between said computer and other electronic apparatus within said vehicle.

3. The vehicular computer mounting assembly of claim 2 wherein said electrical connection means comprises a plurality of connectors connected to said single cable and engaging connectors attached to said computer.

4. The vehicular computer mounting assembly of claim 2 wherein said electrical connection means comprises

a plurality of connectors affixed to said lower support for engagement with corresponding connectors on said computer, and

a single connector affixed to said lower support for connection to said cable for supplying power to said computer and for conducting said data signals between said computer and said other electronic apparatus, and

means interconnecting said single connector with said plurality of connectors, whereby all electrical connections between the computer and other electronic apparatus within the vehicle are carried by that cable and single connector.

5. The vehicular computer mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said releasable attaching means comprise hook means affixed to said upper lid for engaging portions of a steering wheel, whereby the assembly may be hooked onto the steering wheel.

6. The vehicular computer mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper lid, when in said open position, is at an angle with said lower support of not less than 90 degrees.