Mounting bracket for an electronic device

• US 6,427,959 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Kalis, Robert M., Lammers-Meis, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Korie
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEINHOLD, INGRID M
• Application Number:
  US09/723,166
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 248/288.11, 248/286.1, 248/287.1, 248/292.12, 248/222.41, 248/225.11, 403/97, 403/59, 403/83, 403/104, 403/110, 379/446, 379/455, 379/435, 379/454
• US Class Current: 248/288.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

The present invention comprises an apparatus for positioning an electronic device with respect to a surface. The apparatus includes a cradle adapted to be releasably secured to the electronic device having a front and back side. The apparatus also includes a support adapted to be mounted to a surface. The apparatus has a connector that has a first and second end. The first end of the connector is slidably connected to the cradle wherein the cradle is adapted to move along its longitudinal axis. A pin pivotally couples the second end of the connector to the support. A user can selectively adjust the longitudinal and pivotal position of the cradle by grasping a handle located on the end of the pin and moving the cradle to a desired position. A user can fix the position of the cradle by turning the handle located on the pin thereby engaging the locking mechanism located on the connector and support.

Claims

1. An apparatus is provided for positioning an electronic device with respect to a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a cradle for holding the electronic device, said cradle having a front side and back side;

a support adapted to be mounted to said surface;

a connector having a first end and second end, wherein said first end of said connector is slidably coupled with said cradle, and said second end of said connector is coupled to said support;

a second end of said connector is pivotally connected to said support;

said connector pivoted and releasably secured to a desired location;

said connector further comprising a pin removably and adjustably coupling said support to said connector wherein said pin is adapted to allow said connector and said cradle to rotate about the axis of said pin; and

a locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent said cradle and said connector from sliding relative to each other, and prevent said connector from pivoting about the axis of said pin.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first end of said connector is slidably coupled to said cradle by a tracking mechanism located on said cradle and said connector.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said tracking mechanism includes a plurality of teeth located along longitudinal peripheral edges of said cradle, and said connector having a structure for mating with the said plurality of teeth located on said cradle.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a plurality of detents on said connector and a set of matching detents on said support.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said pin includes threads, wherein said threads urge the engagement of said detents on said connector and said detents on said support.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a handle coupled to said pin, wherein a user can use said handle to selectively engage said locking mechanism.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first end of said connector comprises first and second side members that extend outwardly beyond the front side of said cradle and then toward each other in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle with at least one tooth on each of a pair of peripheral ends of said side members to slidably couple with said cradle.

8. An apparatus for positioning an electronic device with respect to a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a cradle adapted to be releasably secured to the electronic device, said cradle having a front side and back side;

said support adapted to be mounted to a surface;

a connector made of flexible material having a first end and second end, wherein said first end of said connector is slidably coupled with said cradle by a tracking mechanism located on said cradle and said connector, wherein said tracking mechanism includes a plurality of teeth located along longitudinal peripheral edges of said cradle, and said connector having a structure for mating with said teeth located on said cradle, and said second end of said connector is pivotally coupled to said support, wherein said connector can be pivoted and releasably secured to a desired location, wherein said first end of said connector comprises first and second side members that extend outwardly beyond the front side of said cradle and then toward each other in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle wherein at least one tooth on each of a pair of peripheral ends of said side members slidably couples with said cradle, wherein said second end of said connector includes a split channel that extends in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle and includes detents around the radial ends of said split channel, wherein said first and second side members are coupled to each end of said split channel, opposite said radial ends wherein said connector includes first and second bracing members that extend from said first and second side members, in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle, and along the back side of said cradle so that said first and second bracing members and said first and second side members allow said cradle to slide along the longitudinal axis of said cradle, wherein said connector includes an arching member that flexibly maintains the positioning of said split channel, said first and second bracing members, and said first and second side members;

a pin removably and adjustably coupling said support to said connector wherein said pin is adapted to allow said connector and said cradle to rotate about the axis of said pin, and wherein said pin includes threads;

a locking mechanism including a plurality of detents on said connector and a set of matching detents on said support, wherein said threads urge the engagement of said detents on said connector and said detents on said support, and said locking mechanism adapted to selectively prevent said cradle and said connector from sliding relative to each other and prevent said connector from pivoting about the axis of said pin;

a handle coupled to said pin, wherein a user grasps said handle to selectively engage said locking mechanism;

wherein said support includes a first and second set of attaching members that can be placed outside each of said radial ends of said channel and having matching detents that can be selectively engaged with the detents located on both of said radial ends of said channel;

wherein said pin is inserted through said first attaching member of said support, through sad split channel, and through said second attaching member of said support allowing said connector to rotate about the axis of said pin;

wherein said pin can selectively maintain a secure position by fastening said pin in a position which urges said detents on said split channel and said detents on said first and second attaching members on said connector, thereby preventing pivotal rotation about the axis of said pin, and moving said bracing member and said side members closer together preventing said connector and said cradle from moving relative to each other; and

wherein said pin can selectively release a secure connection, between said connector, said support, and said cradle thereby permitting said connector to pivot about the axis of said pin and permitting said cradle and said connector to move relative to each other.

9. An apparatus is provided for positioning an electronic device with respect to a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a cradle for holding the electronic device, said cradle having a front side and back side;

said support adapted to be mounted to a surface;

a connector having a first end and second end, wherein said first end of said connector is slidably coupled with said cradle, and said second end of said connector is coupled to said support;

said connector is made of a flexible material;

wherein said first end of said connector comprises first and second side members that extend outwardly beyond the front side of said cradle and then toward each other in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle with at least one tooth on each of a pair of peripheral ends of said side members to slidably couple with said cradle;

wherein said second end of said connector includes a split channel that extends in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle;

wherein said split channel includes detents around radial ends of said split channel; and

wherein said first and second side members are coupled to each end of said split channel opposite said radial ends.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said connector includes first and second bracing members that extend from said first and second side members, in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle, and along the back side of said cradle so that said first and second bracing members and said first and second side members allow said cradle to slide along longitudinal axis of said cradle.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said connector includes an arching member that flexibly maintains the positioning of said split channel, said first and second bracing members, and said first and second side members.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said support includes first and second attaching members that can be placed outside each end of said channel and having matching detents that can be selectively engaged with the detents located on both ends of said channel.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising a pin adapted to selectively engage said second end of said connector with said support, whereby said pin is inserted through said first attaching member of said support, through said split channel, and through said second attaching member of said support allowing said connector to rotate about the axis of said pin.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said pin can selectively maintain a secure position by fastening said pin in a position that engages matching detents on said split channel and detents on said first and second attaching members on said connector, thereby preventing pivotal rotation about the axis of said pin, and moving said bracing members and said side members closer together preventing said connector and said cradle from moving relative to each other.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said pin can selectively release a secure connection, between said connector, said support, and said cradle thereby permitting said connector to pivot about the axis of said pin and permitting said cradle and said connector to move relative to each other.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said connector includes first and second bracing members that extend from said first and second side members, in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of said cradle, and along the back side of said cradle so that said first and second bracing members and said first and second side members allow said cradle to slide along longitudinal axis of said cradle.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said connector includes an arching member that flexibly maintains the positioning of said split channel, said first and second bracing members, and said first and second side members.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said support includes first and second attaching members that can be placed outside each of said radial ends of said channel and having matching detents that can be selectively engaged with the detents located on both of said radial ends of said channel.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising a pin adapted to selectively engage said second end of said connector with said support, whereby said pin is inserted through said first attaching member of said support, through said split channel, and through said second attaching member of said support allowing said connector to rotate about the axis of said pin.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said pin can selectively maintain a secure position by fastening said pin in a position which urges said matching detents on said split channel and said detents on said first and second attaching members on said connector into engagement, thereby preventing pivotal rotation about the axis of said pin, and moving said bracing members and said side members closer together preventing said connector and said cradle from moving relative to each other.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein said pin can selectively release a secure connection, between said connector, said support, and said cradle thereby permitting said connector to pivot about the axis of said pin and permitting said cradle and said connector to move relative to each other.