Multi-position articulating mounting apparatus for an electronic device

• US 6,663,064 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Schoenfish, Brian, Langner, Dale R., Minelli, Jeffrey D., Whiteside, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORRISON, NASCHICA SANDERS
• Application Number:
  US09/840,949
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 248/183.1, 248/183.2, 248/183.3, 248/186.2, 248/187.1, 248/284.1, 248/291.1, 248/292.12, 248/415, 248/920, 248/923, 248/205.5, 248/206.2, 248/205.8, 248/205.7, 248/467, 248/537, 248/309.3, 248/362, 248/363
• US Class Current: 248/205.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• 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: 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

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, said apparatus comprising:

a holder for holding said electronic device;

a mount, said mount having a suction cup and a movable cap positioned over said suction cup, wherein a sufficient downward pressure on said cap vacuum mounts said suction cup to said surface, said cap having a peripheral wall and an underside surface with a recess formed therein, said mount further including a biasing element seated within said recess of said cap for biasing said cap upwardly, wherein said biasing element is a spring and is fully hidden from view by said peripheral wall;

a housing for covering at least a portion of said suction cup, wherein said cap is located above said housing; and

a plunger having a base attached with said suction cup and a post extending upwardly from said base and said suction cup, wherein said post extends through an opening in said housing and attaches with said cap,

wherein upward movement of said suction cup causes corresponding upward movement of said cap, and wherein said peripheral wall of said cap is provided with a distinguishing marking, wherein said peripheral wall is concealed by said housing when said cap is pressed downwardly and said suction cup is mounted to surface, and wherein said peripheral wall is visible above said housing when said suction cup raises from a fully mounted position.

2. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a holder for holding said electronic device;

a mount, connected to said holder, said mount having a suction cup, a housing, and a movable cap, wherein said movable cap is operably connected with said suction cup, is positioned over said housing and has a peripheral wall and an underside surface with a recess formed therein, wherein pressing said cap downwardly correspondingly forces said suction cup into a vacuum mount to said surface; and

at least one biasing element seated in said recess of said cap, fully hidden from view by said peripheral wall, and contacting said housing for biasing said cap upwardly, wherein said at least one biasing element compresses when said cap is pressed downwardly, and wherein said biasing of said cap upwardly assists in retaining said vacuum mount,

wherein said element is a spring, wherein said peripheral wall of said cap is concealed by said housing when said suction cup is fully mounted onto said surface, and wherein said peripheral wall is visibly revealed when said suction cup loses its vacuum mount.

3. An apparatus for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a holder for holding said electronic device;

a mount, connected to said holder, said mount having a suction cup, a housing, and a movable cap, wherein said movable cap is operably connected with said suction cup, is positioned over said housing and has a peripheral wall and an underside surface with a recess formed therein, wherein pressing said cap downwardly correspondingly forces said suction cup into a vacuum mount to said surface; and

at least one biasing element seated in said recess of said cap, fully hidden from view by said peripheral wall, and contacting said housing for biasing said cap upwardly, wherein said at least one biasing element compresses when said cap is pressed downwardly, and wherein said biasing of said cap upwardly assists in retaining said vacuum mount,

wherein said element is a spring, wherein said peripheral wall of said cap is concealed by said housing when said suction cup is fully mounted onto said surface, and wherein said peripheral wall is visibly revealed when said suction cup loses its vacuum mount, and wherein as said suction cup loses its vacuum mount, said suction cup moves upwardly causing corresponding upward movement of said cap, thereby revealing said peripheral wall.

4. A mounting base for connecting to a holder of an electronic device, said mounting base comprising:

a suction cup;

a housing; and

a cap positioned above said housing, wherein said suction cup is positioned below said housing, but said cap is operably connected to said suction cup such that downward pressure on said cap moves said suction cup into a vacuum mount on a surface, said cap having an underside surface with a recess formed therein, said mount further including a biasing element seated within said recess for biasing said cap upwardly,

wherein said housing has a recessed area at a top portion thereof, and wherein said cap has a top portion and a downwardly depending portion, said downwardly depending portion adapted to be received within said recessed area of said housing, such that said downwardly depending portion of said cap is concealed by said housing when said cap is placed in a fully downward position, and wherein biasing element is fully hidden from view by said downwardly depending portion.

5. A mounting base for connecting to a holder of an electronic device, said mounting base comprising:

a suction cup;

a housing; and

a cap positioned above said housing, wherein said suction cup is positioned below said housing, but said cap is operably connected to said suction cup such that downward pressure on said cap moves said suction cup into a vacuum mount on a surface, said cap having an underside surface with a recess formed therein, said mount further including a biasing element seated within said recess for biasing said cap upwardly,

wherein said housing has a recessed area at a top portion thereof, and wherein said cap has a top portion and a downwardly depending portion, said downwardly depending portion adapted to be received within said recessed area of said housing, such that said downwardly depending portion of said cap is concealed by said housing when said cap is placed in a fully downward position, and wherein said downwardly depending portion is revealed above said housing when said cap rises upwardly and when said suction cup loses a vacuum grip with a surface, and wherein said biasing element is fully hidden from view by said downwardly depending portion.

6. A mounting base for connecting to a holder of an electronic device, said mounting base comprising:

a suction cup;

a housing;

a cradle adapted to be secured to the electronic device;

an articulating, moveable linkage having at least two pivot points and connected between said cradle and said housing, said housing having a pair of arms pivotally connected to said linkage; and

a cap positioned above said housing, wherein said suction cup is positioned below said housing, but said cap is operably connected to said suction cup such that downward pressure on-said cap moves said suction cup into a vacuum mount on a surface, said cap having an underside surface with a recess formed therein, said mount further including a biasing element seated within said recess for biasing said cap upwardly,

wherein said housing has a recessed area at a top portion thereof, and wherein said cap has a top portion and a downwardly depending portion, said downwardly depending portion adapted to be received within said recessed area of said housing, such that said downwardly depending portion of said cap is concealed by said housing when said cap is placed in a fully downward position, and wherein said biasing element is fully hidden from view by said downwardly depending portion.

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

a holder for holding said electronic device; and

a mount, connected to said holder and including

a suction cup,

a housing,

a movable cap operably connected with said suction cup and positioned over said housing, said cap having an underside surface with a recess formed therein, wherein pressing said cap downwardly correspondingly forces said suction cup into a vacuum mount to said surface, wherein said cap has a peripheral wall with a distinguishing marking, wherein said peripheral wall is concealed by said housing when said cap is pressed downwardly and said suction cup is mounted to a surface, and wherein said peripheral wall is visible above said housing when said suction cup raises from a fully mounted position, and

a biasing element seated within said recess of said cap and contacting said housing for biasing said cap upwardly, said biasing element being hidden from view by said peripheral wall so as not to block viewing of said distinguishing marking on said peripheral wall.