Multi-position articulating mounting apparatus for an electronic device

• US 6,464,185 B1
• Filed: 12/01/1999
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Minelli, Jeffrey D., Schoenfish, Brian, Langner, Dale R., Whiteside, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morrison, Naschica S.
• Application Number:
  US09/452,409
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 248/183.1, 248/183.2, 248/183.3, 248/186.2, 248/187.1, 248/415, 248/920, 248/923, 248/284.1, 248/291.1, 248/292.12, 248/176.3
• US Class Current: 248/183.1
• 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. In an alternate embodiment, a suction cup mount is utilized.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface, the device having a securing platform coupled therewith, said apparatus comprising:

a base having an upper section and a lower section, said lower section adapted to be coupled with the surface and said upper section having a cradle adapted to releasably secure the electronic device;

a locking arm positioned within said upper section at a location distal from said cradle, said locking arm movable between a raised position wherein the device is secured to said base and a depressed position wherein the device is removable from said base; and

a locking tab coupled with said lower section of said base, said locking tab adapted to be moved between a first position wherein said locking arm may be positioned in both said raised position and said depressed position and a second position wherein said locking arm is prevented from being positioned in said depressed position.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking tab is coupled with a rotatable key section having a solid perimeter portion, said perimeter portion having a slot therein which is adapted to receive a portion of said locking arm when said key section is positioned such that said slot is aligned with said locking arm.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said rotatable key section and said locking tab are integrally formed.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein when said slot is aligned with said locking arm, said locking tab is in said first position.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein when said slot is not aligned with said locking arm, said locking arm is biased in said raised position.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

at least one depression in said solid perimeter portion of said rotatable key section; and

at least one detent located external to said rotatable key section and adapted to engage said depression, wherein when said detent and said depression are engaged, said key section is prevented from rotating.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said locking arm includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said upper surface of said locking arm includes a depressed portion thereon for aiding a user in depressing said arm into said lowered position when said locking tab is in said first position.

8. An apparatus for removably mounting a global positioning satellite device to a surface, wherein the device includes a platform coupled thereto, the platform having a lower ratchet surface, said apparatus comprising:

a base having an upper section and a lower section, said lower section adapted to be coupled to the surface and said upper section having a receiving slot for said platform, said slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage said platform and an open end adapted to allow said platform 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 platform within said slot, wherein said platform is adapted to be placed within said slot and held within said slot by said retaining ridge of said locking arm.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said locking arm has an upper pawl surface located to engage the lower ratchet surface of the platform when said plat form is located within said slot, the ratchet surface and pawl surface providing a mechanism to hold the device in a desired position.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a biasing mechanism to bias said locking arm upwardly so that said retaining ridge engages the platform and so that said pawl surface engages the ratchet surface.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising a locking tab coupled with said lower section of said base, said locking tab being rotable between a first position wherein disengagement of said pawl surface and the ratchet surface is prevented and a second position wherein disengagement of said pawl surface and the ratchet surface is permitted.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said locking tab is coupled with a rotatable key section having a solid perimeter portion and an open perimeter portion, said open perimeter portion begin adapted to receive a portion of said locking arm when aid key section is positioned such that said open portion is aligned with said locking arm.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said rotatable key section and said locking tab are integrally formed.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein when said open portion is aligned with said locking arm, said locking tab is in said second position.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein when said slot is not aligned with said locking arm, said locking arm is biased in said first position.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

at least one depression in said solid perimeter portion of said rotable key section; and

at least one detent located external to said rotable key section and adapted to engage said depression, wherein when said detent and said depression are engaged, said key section is prevented from rotating.