Dual point vehicle mount for computer terminal

• US 6,113,047 A
• Filed: 12/15/1997
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intermec Technologies Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec Technologies Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wung, Peter, Sharifi, Bahram
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/990,712
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 248/284.1, 248/291.1, 248/299.1, 248/635, 248/659, 248/923, 248/324, 248/917, 248/922, 224/483, 224/282, 224/929
• US Class Current: 248/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

A vibration resistant mounting bracket has a base attachable to a support structure by bolts. Isolator bushings are positioned in the mounting holes in the bracket to isolate the bracket from shocks and vibration. A pair of arms project perpendicularly from the base. Each arm has a round opening and an arcuate opening concentric with the round opening. A first fastener pivotably connects a terminal to each arm of the bracket at a pivot axis defined by the round openings. A second fastener has a shaft extending through the arcuate opening and into a second threaded opening in the terminal. The second fastener may be tightened and loosened to secure the terminal in a pivot position relative to the bracket and release the terminal from the pivot position to change to a different pivot position.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket for mounting a computer terminal on a vehicle, said bracket comprising:

a base attachable to a support structure of a vehicle; and

a pair of arms projecting from opposite end portions of said base;

said arms being spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive a computer terminal therebetween; and

each said arm having a round opening, said openings in said arms being aligned and together defining a pivot axis, and an arcuate opening defining a circular arc concentric with said round opening, said arcuate openings being aligned;

for each said arm, a first fastener extending through said round opening and removably engageable with the terminal to removably and pivotably connect the terminal to the bracket, and a second fastener having a shaft that extends through said arcuate opening and is engageable with the terminal, said second fastener being tightenable to secure said shaft in a desired position along said arc to secure the terminal in a desired orientation relative to the bracket and loosenable to allow adjustment of said orientation and readability of the terminal to an operator of the vehicle; and

a second pair of arms for securing a keyboard portion of the terminal in a pivot position relative to a display portion of the terminal, said arms of said second pair being fixedly securable to one of said portions of the terminal, and each said arm of said second pair having an arcuate opening configured to receive a releasably tightenable fastener for releasably securing said keyboard portion against pivoting relative to said display portion about a hinge axis.

2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein each said first fastener comprises a shoulder screw that is threadedly engageable with the terminal and pivotably engages the corresponding arm projecting from the base of the bracket, and each said second fastener comprises a bolt having a head portion tightenable against the corresponding arm projecting from the base of the bracket to secure the terminal against movement relative to the bracket.

3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a substantially flat plate from which said arms projecting from the base extend substantially perpendicularly, and the bracket includes a plurality of gussets positioned at junctures between said plate and said arms.

4. The bracket of claim 3, in which said plate has at least one mounting hole extending therethrough, and which comprises an isolator bushing positioned in said hole and having opposite flanges for engaging the support structure and a head portion of a bolt fastener extended through said bushing to attach said base to the support structure, said bushing being sufficiently compressible to isolate the terminal from vibrations and lateral dynamic loads.

5. The bracket of claim 1, in which said base has at least one mounting hole extending therethrough, and which comprises an isolator bushing positioned in said hole and having opposite flanges for engaging the support structure and a head portion of a bolt fastener extended through said bushing to attach said base to the support structure, said bushing being sufficiently compressible to isolate the terminal from vibrations and lateral dynamic loads.

6. The bracket of claim 5, wherein said bushing has a main body portion made of an elastomeric material and defining an axial opening for receiving a shaft portion of the bolt fastener therethrough, and a metal sleeve lining an axially center portion of said axial opening;

said axial opening having opposite ends, and said metal sleeve lining having opposite ends spaced axially inwardly from said ends of said axial opening.

7. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said arms projecting from the base are substantially flat and substantially parallel, extend substantially perpendicularly from said base, and have outer end portions that curve to be offset from said base to facilitate connection of each of said arms to either of two opposite sides of the terminal and adjustment of the orientation of the terminal relative to the bracket over a wide range of orientations.

8. The bracket of claim 7, wherein said arc extends along about 125°

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