Mounting apparatus for an electronic device

• US 6,439,530 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Minelli, Jeffrey D., Schoenfish, Brian G., Langner, Dale R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WUJCIAK, ALFRED J
• Application Number:
  US09/885,421
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 248/346.06, 248/346.01, 248/346.2, 248/104, 248/310, 248/910
• US Class Current: 248/346.06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/005 Connection with the vehicle part
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device on a surface, the surface having a contour. The apparatus comprises a receiving member adapted to be coupled with the electronic device, and a base. The base includes both an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the base is adapted to be coupled with the receiving member and the lower portion of the base is adapted to be coupled with the mounting surface. The base includes a malleable portion which is adapted to conform to the contour of the surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device on a surface, wherein said surface has a contour, said apparatus comprising:

a receiving member adapted to be coupled with the electronic device;

a base, said base having a lower portion adapted to be coupled with the surface and an upper portion adapted to be coupled with said receiving member, wherein said base includes a malleable portion located between said upper and lower portions of said base, said member adapted to conform to the contour of the surface;

a structural portion located between said malleable portion and said lower portion of said base, wherein said structural portion provides support to said base; and

a cover portion located between said malleable portion and said structural portion.

2. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device on a surface, wherein said surface has a contour, said apparatus comprising:

a receiving member adapted to be coupled with the electronic device said receiving member including

a support, said support having an upper face and a lower face, wherein said lower face is adapted to be coupled with said upper surface of said base and wherein said upper face is adapted to be coupled with the electronic device,

a receiving slot formed on said upper face of said support, said slot adapted to receive the electronic device,

a locking arm, said locking arm adapted to retain the electronic device in said receiving slot, and

a release mechanism for selectively actuating said locking arm; and

a base, said base having a lower portion adapted to be coupled with the surface and an upper portion adapted to be coupled with said receiving member, wherein said base includes a malleable portion, said member adapted to conform to the contour of the surface.

3. An apparatus for removably mounting a global positioning satellite device to a vehicle surface, said apparatus adapted to conform to a contour of said surface and to adequately support said device, said apparatus comprising:

receiving means adapted to selectively receive the global positioning satellite device;

a base including an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion adapted to be coupled with said receiving means and said lower portion adapted to engage the surface on which the device is to be mounted, and wherein said base includes a conforming means is located between said upper and lower portions of said base and adapted to conform said base to the contour of the surface;

a structural portion located between said conforming means and said lower portion of said base; and

a cover portion located between said conforming means and said intermediate portion.

4. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device on a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a receiving member adapted to be coupled with the electronic device, wherein said receiving member includes

a receiving slot operable to removably receive at least a portion of the electronic device, and

a releasable locking mechanism operable to releasably retain the at least a portion of the electronic device within the receiving slot; and

a base, said base having a lower portion adapted for resting on and conforming to said surface and an upper portion adapted for coupling with said receiving member, said base including one or more pockets containing a filler material operable to anchor the base to the surface.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein there are at least three pockets evenly spaced about a perimeter of the base.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein there are at least three pockets evenly spaced about a perimeter of the base and protruding radially outward with respect to a center of the base.

7. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device on a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a receiving member adapted to be coupled with the electronic device, wherein said receiving member includes

a receiving slot operable to removably receive at least a portion of the electronic device, and

a releasable locking mechanism operable to releasably retain the at least a portion of the electronic device within the receiving slot; and

a base, said base having a lower portion adapted for resting on and conforming to said surface and an upper portion adapted for coupling with said receiving member, said base including at least three pockets evenly spaced about a perimeter of the base and protruding radially outward with respect to a center of the base and containing a filler material operable to anchor the base to the surface.