Multiplane bracket

• US 6,010,102 A
• Filed: 07/24/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: Highway Master Communications Inc.
• Inventors: Dillion, James L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/899,833
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.3, 248/206.2, 248/206.4, 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/309.3, 248/206.1, 248/207, 248/220.1, 248/288.31, 248/289.11 , 248/441.1, 248/479
• US Class Current: 248/206.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A mounting system (10) for restraining device (16) within the dashboard and windshield area of a vehicle is provided. Mounting system (10) may include multiplane bracket (20), first support system (40) connected to multiplane bracket (20), second support system (42) connected to multiplane bracket (20), and coupling system (44) connecting device (16) to multiplane bracket (20). Multiplane bracket (20) includes first plane member (24) connected to second plane member (22) by link member (26). First plane member (24) is typically associated with the windshield of the vehicle and second plane member (22) is typically associated with the dashboard of the vehicle. Mounting system (10) provides a contact point to react the load from device (16) at both the windshield and the dashboard, thereby allowing mounting system (10) to restrain heavy devices (16).

Claims

1. A multiplane bracket for restraining a device within a vehicle having a dashboard and a windshield, the multiplane bracket comprising:

a first plane member adapted to be substantially coplanar with the windshield;

a second plane member adapted to be substantially coplanar with the dashboard;

an inner surface defined by the first plane member and the second plane member, the inner surface adapted to attach to a coupling system for the device; and

an outer surface defined by the first plane member and the second plane member, and opposite the inner surface, the outer surface adapted to couple to the windshield and the dashboard of the vehicle to restrain the device within the vehicle.

2. The multiplane bracket of claim 1, further comprising a link member disposed between the first plane member and the second plane member, the link member having an inner surface and an outer surface.

3. The multiplane bracket of claim 1, further comprising:

a first length associated with the first plane member;

a second length associated with the second plane member; and

the first length greater than the second length.

4. The multiplane bracket of claim 1, further comprising:

a first plane associated with the first plane member;

a second plane associated with the second plane member; and

the intersection of the first plane and the second plane forming an angle, wherein the angle is in the range of 40 to 80 degrees.

5. The multiplane bracket of claim 4, wherein the angle is approximately 60 degrees.

6. A mounting system to restrain a device within a vehicle having a dashboard and a windshield, the mounting system comprising:

a multiplane bracket comprising;

a first plane member adapted to be substantially coplanar with the dashboard;

a second plane member adapted to be substantially coplanar with the windshield;

a link member connecting the first plane member to the second plane member;

an inner surface defined by the first plane member, the second plane member, and the link member; and

an outer surface defined by the first plane member, the second plane member, and the link member, and opposite the inner surface;

a first support system connected to the outer surface of the first plane member and adapted to contact the dashboard of the vehicle; and

a second support system connected to the outer surface of the second plane member and adapted to contact the windshield of the vehicle; and

wherein the inner surface of the multiplane bracket is adapted to attach to a coupling system for the device to restrain the device within the vehicle.

7. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the first support system comprises a pad.

8. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the first support system comprises a first attachment system.

9. The mounting system of claim 8, wherein the first attachment system comprises at least one suction device.

10. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the second support system comprises a pad.

11. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the second support system comprises a second attachment system.

12. The mounting system of claim 11, wherein the second attachment system comprises at least one suction device.

13. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the coupling system comprises in part a ball joint.

14. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the mounting system operates to reduce a vibration between the vehicle and the device.

15. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the coupling system is connected to the inner surface of the second plane member.

16. The mounting system of claim 6, further comprising:

a first plane associated with the first plane member;

a second plane associated with the second plane member; and

the first plane and the second plane intersecting at an angle between 40 and 80 degrees.

17. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the coupling system is connected to the inner surface of the first plane member.

18. A mounting system for restraining a device within a vehicle having a dashboard and a windshield, the mounting system comprising:

a multiplane bracket having a first portion adapted to be substantially coplanar with the dashboard and a second portion adapted to be substantially coplanar with the windshield, the multiplane bracket adapted to couple to the windshield and the dashboard of the vehicle and to attach to a coupling system for the device to restrain the device within the vehicle.

19. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein the multiplane bracket comprises:

a first plane member;

a second plane member;

a link member connecting the first plane member to the second plane member;

an inner surface defined in part by the first plane member, the second plane member, and the link member;

an outer surface defined in part by the first plane member, the second plane member, and the link member, and opposite the inner surface; and

wherein the inner surface of the multiplane bracket is adapted to attach to a coupling system for the device.

20. The mounting system of claim 19, further comprising a coupling system, the coupling system comprising:

a plate connected to the inner surface of the multiplane bracket;

a ball socket connected to the plate; and

an extension member coupled to the ball socket and adapted to couple to the device.

21. The mounting system of claim 20, wherein the device is a communications system.

22. The mounting system of claim 19, further comprising:

a microphone bracket; and

a microphone connected to the microphone bracket.

23. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein the mounting system reduces a vibration between the vehicle and the device.