Method and apparatus for mounting an accessory on an appliance

• US 5,850,998 A
• Filed: 04/02/1996
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Parsey, Timothy J., Swan, Elizabeth B., Coster, Daniel J., O'Brien, John J., Hoenig, David V., Pierce, Susanne M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US08/627,835
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 248/442.2, 248/243, 248/223.21, 248/297.21, 248/918
• US Class Current: 248/223.21
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0094 Copyholder for VDU screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An integrated mounting solution provides a plurality of mounting connections in close proximity to the appliance, and one or more appliances with a compatible, mating mounting connection. In a preferred form, the mounting connections are integrated with the appliance and may take the form of a series of hole, or perhaps projections. In a particularly preferred form, the mounting connections are a series of holes arranged vertically and positioned in a recess designed into the appliance so that the mounting connections are not a prominent aspect of the visual impact of the appliance, yet are readily available for securing an accessory.

Claims

1. A mounting mechanism system comprising:

an appliance,

a first connection component having a channel wedge portion for use in conjunction with said appliance,

an accessory,

a second connection component connected to said accessory, said second connection component having a raised wedge portion suitable for securable connection to said first connection component such that said accessory is securably connected for use in conjunction with said appliance,

wherein said first connection component comprises a plurality of slots arranged in a line regularly spaced,

wherein said second connection component comprises a hook to fit in a first slot of said plurality of slots.

2. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said second connection component further comprises a second hook to fit in a second slot of said plurality of slots.

3. A mounting mechanism for using an accessory with an appliance, said mounting mechanism comprising:

a first connection component having a plurality of mounting positions, each mounting position includes a channel wedge portion for use in conjunction with said appliance, and

a second connection component connected to said accessory having a raised wedge portion suitable for securable connection to said first connection component at a channel wedge portion of a selected mounting position such that said accessory is securably connected for use in conjunction with said appliance,

wherein said first connection component comprises a plurality of slots,

wherein said second connection includes a first raised wedge portion having a first hook to fit in a first slot of said plurality of slots for securing a connection with a first channel wedge portion of the plurality of mounting positions.

4. The mounting mechanism of claim 3, wherein said second connection includes a second raised wedge portion having a second hook to fit in a second slot of said plurality of slots for securing a connection with a second channel wedge portion of the plurality of mounting positions.