Communications device holder for vehicles

• US 6,473,302 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Korycan, George M., Zancho, William F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/626,522
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/724-727, 361/679, 710/303, 710/304, 307/8.1, 307/10.1, 206/576, 206/320, 206/305, 312/827, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/223.3
• US Class Current: 361/679.43
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0031 Seat belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

To facilitate hands-free operation, a communications device holder (110, 300, 400) includes a tongue (202) that is adapted to mate with and be latched within a seat belt buckle (112) of an unoccupied vehicle passenger position. The communications device holder includes a docking assembly (200) that is adapted to receive and securely hold a communications device (120). The docking assembly includes interfaces for power, speakers, microphones and the like. A flexible member (302) is alternatively attached to the tongue to flexibly configure the position of the device holder. A seat belt buckle (402) is optionally attached to the communications device holder for securing the device holder both with the seat belt buckle for a passenger position and with the seat belt.

Claims

1. A communications device holder comprising:

a docking assembly,

a communications device holder coupled to the docking assembly,

a seat belt buckle tongue rigidly coupled to the docking assembly,

whereby the seat belt buckle tongue is matably engageable with a set belt buckle.

2. The communications device holder of claim 1, wherein the docking assembly further comprises:

a platform portion connected to the seat belt buckle tongue; and

a communications device docking base mounted to the platform portion.

3. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the platform portion is integral with the seat belt buckle tongue.

4. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the platform portion is bolted to the seat belt buckle tongue.

5. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the platform portion is welded to the seat belt buckle tongue.

6. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the platform portion comprises a rigid material.

7. The communications device holder of claim 6 wherein the platform portion comprises one of metal and plastic.

8. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the platform portion includes a flexible member connected to the seat belt buckle tongue and a rigid member mounted to the communications device docking base.

9. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the communications device docking base is adapted to frictionally engage the communications device.

10. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the communications device docking base is adapted to latch the communications device.

11. The communications device holder of claim 2 wherein the communications device docking base includes at least one of a power interface, an antenna connection, a speaker interface, and a microphone interface.

12. The communications device holder of claim 1 further comprising a seat belt buckle connected to the docking assembly, the seat belt buckle being adapted to receive a seat belt tongue.

13. A communications device holder comprising:

a platform,

a seat belt buckle tongue coupled to the platform,

the seat belt buckle tongue having a buckle latch opening sized and configured to accept a seat belt buckle latch; and

a communications device docking station coupled to the platform,

whereby the communications device docking station is removably connectable to a communications device.

14. The communications device holder of claim 13 wherein the platform comprises a rigid material.

15. The communications device holder of claim 14 wherein the platform comprises one of metal and plastic.

16. The communications device holder of claim 13 wherein the communications device docking station includes at least one of a power interface, an antenna connection, a speaker interface, and a microphone interface.

17. The communications device holder of claim 13 further comprising a seat belt buckle connected to the platform, the seat belt buckle being adapted to receive a seat belt tongue.

18. A portable communication device holder comprising:

a communication device holder; and

a seat belt buckle tongue extending from a first end of said communication device holder,

said seat belt buckle tongue removably couplable to a seat belt buckle tongue receiver.

19. The device holder of claim 18, comprising a seat belt buckle tongue receiver extending from an opposite end of said communication device holder, removably couplable to a seat belt buckle tongue.

20. The device holder of claim 18 wherein said first end of said communication device holder is located relative to, and said tongue is extending away from, a bottom of said portable communication device.