Multi-position articulating mounting apparatus for an electronic device

• US 6,173,933 B1
• Filed: 12/09/1998
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Laverick, David, Whiteside, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US09/208,348
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 248/276.1, 248/278.1, 248/291.1, 248/284.1, 248/292.12, 248/918, 248/920, 248/921, 248/118.3, 248/309.1, 248/310, 248/280.11, 248/282, 248/289.11
• US Class Current: 248/276.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/005 Connection with the vehicle part
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• 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 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface. The apparatus includes a cradle securable to the electronic device and a pivot link, which has a first end and a second end. The first end being pivotally coupled to the cradle. The apparatus also includes a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto. The second end of the pivot link is pivotally coupled to the support. The apparatus has a base which has a lower face that can be coupled to the surface and an upper face. The upper face has a receiving slot for the pedestal, the slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage the pedestal. The slot further has an open end to allow the pedestal to be moved within the slot. The base further includes a releasable locking arm having a retaining ridge located in line with the open end of the slot to selectively hold the pedestal within the slot. The pedestal of the apparatus can be placed within the slot and held within the slot by the retaining ridge of the locking arm. Further, the electronic device can be positioned with respect to the surface by pivoting the cradle and the link, and by rotating the pedestal within the slot.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably mounting a portable, handheld electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface, comprising:

a cradle adapted to be releasably secured to the portable, handheld electronic device;

a pivot link, having a first end and a second end, said second end being pivotally coupled to said cradle;

a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto, said first end of said pivot link being pivotally coupled to said support; and

a base having a lower section adapted to be coupled to the surface, and having an upper section adapted to rotatingly and releasably receive the pedestal of said support;

wherein said upper section has a receiving slot for said pedestal, said slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage said pedestal and an open end adaopted to allow said pedestal to be moved within said slot, said base further including a releasable locking arm having a retaining ridge located in line with said open end of said slot, said arm thereby being adapted to selectively hold said pedestal within said slot; and

wherein said pedestal can be placed within said upper section, and wherein the electronic device can be positioned with respect to the surface by pivoting said cradle and said link with respect to said support, and by rotating said pedestal within said upper section.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pedestal has a lower ratchet surface and said locking arm has an upper pawl surface located to engage said ratchet surface when said pedestal is located within said slot, said ratchet and pawl surface providing a mechanism to hold said support and the electronic device in a desired rotational position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a biasing mechanism to bias said locking arm upwardly so that said retaining ridge engages said pedestal and so that said pawl surface engages said ratchet surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a locking tab held between said lower section and said upper section of said base, said locking tab being rotatable between a first position that prevents disengagement of said pawl surface and said ratchet surface and a second position that allows disengagement of said pawl surface and said ratchet surface.

5. An apparatus for removably mounting a global positioning satellite device to a vehicle surface, comprising:

a cradle adapted to be secured to the global positioning device;

a pivot link, having a first end and a second end, said second end being pivotally coupled to said cradle;

a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto, said first end of said pivot link being pivotally coupled to said support;

a base having a lower section adapted to be coupled to the vehicle surface, and an upper section having a receiving slot for said pedestal, said slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage said pedestal and an open end adapted to allow said pedestal to be moved within said slot; and

a releasable locking arm coupled to said base, said arm having a retaining ridge located in line with said open end of said slot and positioned to selectively hold said pedestal within said slot,

wherein said pedestal is adapted to be placed within said slot and held within said slot by said retaining ridge of said locking arm, and wherein the global positioning device can be positioned with respect to the vehicle surface by pivoting said cradle and said link with respect to said support, and by rotating said pedestal within said slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pedestal has a lower ratchet surface and said locking arm has an upper pawl surface located to engage said ratchet surface when said pedestal is located within said slot, said ratchet surface and pawl surface providing a mechanism to hold said support and the global positioning device in a desired rotational position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a biasing mechanism to bias said locking arm upwardly so that said retaining ridge engages said pedestal and so that said pawl surface engages said ratchet surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a locking tab held between said upper face and said lower face of said base, said locking tab being rotatable between a first position that prevents disengagement of said pawl surface and said ratchet surface and a second position that allows disengagement of said pawl surface and said ratchet surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a locking mechanism operably coupled between said cradle and said pivot link, said locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent pivotal movement of said cradle with respect to said pivot link.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second locking mechanism operably coupled between said pivot link and said support, said second locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent pivotal movement of said pivot link and said support.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said cradle contains a releasable latching mechanism adapted to releasably engage the global positioning device, said mechanism having a moveable catch which protrudes upwardly from said cradle and which is adapted to releasably hold said device within said cradle.

12. An apparatus for removably mounting a portable, handheld electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface, comprising:

an articulating mounting bracket having at least two pivot points and adapted to releasably hold the portable, handheld electronic device, wherein said mounting bracket further comprises a cradle for releasably securing the portable, handheld electronic device, wherein said cradle includes a portion for at least partially surrounding the electronic device; and

a holder for releasably and rotatingly holding said bracket and for coupling said bracket to the surface,

wherein said holder is adapted to be coupled to the surface, and wherein the electronic device can be positioned with respect to the surface by pivoting said bracket about the pivot points and by rotating said bracket within said holding means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bracket further comprises:

a pivot link, having a first end and a second end, said second end being pivotally coupled to said cradle; and

a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto, said first end of said pivot link being pivotally coupled to said support.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a locking mechanism operably coupled between said cradle and said pivot link.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a second locking mechanism operably coupled between said pivot link and said support.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said cradle contains a releasable latching mechanism that releasably engages the electronic device, said mechanism having moveable finger which protrudes upwardly from a surface of said cradle to hold said device within said cradle.

17. A mounting assembly in combination with a portable, handheld electronic device having a back face and a front face, the front face having a display, wherein the back face of the electronic device is adapted to be held in a palm of a hand of a user, said combination comprising:

a cradle for releasably securing the portable, handheld electronic device such that the back face rests against the cradle;

a pivot link, having a first end and a second end, said second end being pivotally coupled to said cradle;

support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto, said first end of said pivot link being pivotally coupled to said support; and

a base having a lower section adapted to be coupled to the surface, and having an upper section adapted to rotatingly and releasably receive the pedestal of said support, wherein said upper section has a receiving slot for said pedestal, said slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage said pedestal and an open end adapted to allow said pedestal to be moved within said slot, said base further including a releasable locking arm having a retaining ridge located in line with said open end of said slot, said arm thereby being adapted to selectively hold said pedestal within said slot, and

wherein said pedestal can be placed within said upper section, and wherein the electronic device can be positioned with respect to the surface by pivoting said cradle and said link with respect to said support, and by rotating said pedestal within said upper section.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein said pedestal has a lower ratchet surface and said locking arm has an upper pawl surface located to engage said ratchet surface when said pedestal is located within said slot, said ratchet and pawl surface providing a mechanism to hold said support and the electronic device in a desired rotational position.

19. The combination of claim 18, further comprising a biasing mechanism to bias said locking arm upwardly so that said retaining ridge engages said pedestal and so that said pawl surface engages said ratchet surface.

20. The combination of claim 19, further comprising a locking tab held between said lower section and said upper section of said base, said locking tab being rotatable between a first position that prevents disengagement of said pawl surface and said ratchet surface and a second position that allows disengagement of said pawl surface and said ratchet surface.

21. An apparatus for removably mounting a portable, handheld electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface, comprising:

a cradle for releasably securing the portable, electronic device;

a pivot link, having a first end and a second end, said second end being pivotally coupled to said cradle;

a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto, said first end of said pivot link being pivotally coupled to said support;

a base having a lower section adapted to be coupled to the surface, and having an upper section adapted to rotatingly and releasably receive the pedestal of said support; and

a locking mechanism operably coupled between said cradle and said pivot link, said locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent pivotal movement of said cradle with respect to said pivot link,

wherein said pedestal can be placed within said upper section, and wherein the electronic device can be positioned with respect to the surface by pivoting said cradle and said link with respect to said support, and by rotating said pedestal within said upper section.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a second locking mechanism operably coupled between said pivot link and said support, said second locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent pivotal movement of said link with respect to said support.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said cradle contains a releasable latching mechanism adapted to releasably engage the electronic device, said mechanism having a moveable release, said release being operable with one hand to release said mechanism from engagement with the device.

24. A mounting assembly in combination with a portable, handheld electronic device having a back face and a front face, the front face having a display, wherein the back face of the electronic device is adapted to be held in a palm of a hand of a user, said combination comprising:

a cradle for releasably securing the portable, handheld electronic device such that the back face rests against the cradle;

a pivot link, having a first end and a second end, said second end being pivotally coupled to said cradle;

a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto, said first end of said pivot link being pivotally coupled to said support;

a base having a lower section adapted to be coupled to the surface, and having an upper section adapted to rotatingly and releasably receive the pedestal of said support; and

a locking mechanism operably coupled between said cradle and said pivot link, said locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent pivotal movement of said cradle with respect to said pivot link,

wherein said pedestal can be placed within said upper section, and wherein the electronic device can be positioned with respect to the surface by pivoting said cradle and said link with respect to said support, and by rotating said pedestal within said upper section.

25. The combination of claim 24, further comprising a second locking mechanism operably coupled between said pivot link and said support, said second locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent pivotal movement of said link with respect to said support.

26. The combination of claim 25, wherein said cradle contains a releasable latching mechanism adapted to releasably engage the electronic device, said mechanism having a moveable release, said release being operable with one hand to release said mechanism from engagement with the device.