Navigational device for installation in a vehicle and a method for doing same

• US 7,363,148 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Minelli, Jeffrey D., Laverick, David J., Schoenfish, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US11/613,703
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 348/837, 725/4, 725/77, 296/37.7, 296/24.34, 296/37.8, 296/26.06, 296/26.11
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/771 on the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2304/076 by add-on parts, e.g. retrofit
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64

Abstract

A navigation assembly (5l) for mounting a navigational device (10l) in an open port (12l) of a vehicle resulting from removal of a non-navigational component is provided. The navigation assembly (5l) broadly comprises a mounting assembly (218l) and the navigational device (10l). The mounting assembly (218l) is mounted within the open port (12l), and the navigational device (10l) is fixedly or removably attached to the mounting assembly (218l), such that the navigational device (10l) may be linearly raised or lowered between two viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other. The navigational device (10l) is operable to pivot left and right within the open port (12l). Additionally, a navigation assembly (5m) broadly comprising a mounting assembly (218m) and a navigational device (10m) for raising and lowering the navigational device (10m) among three viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other is provided.

Claims

1. A method of providing navigational capabilities to a vehicle not originally equipped with such capabilities, the method comprising the steps of:

removing at least one non-navigational component from the vehicle, wherein removal of the non-navigational component creates an open port;

installing a mounting assembly within the open port; and

attaching a navigational device to the mounting assembly, such that the mounting assembly is configured to linearly raise and lower the navigational device between a raised position, wherein at least one-half of the navigational device is positioned within the open port, and a lowered position, wherein more than one-half of the navigational device is positioned outside the open port.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly is operable to pivot the navigational device left and right relative to the open port.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the non-navigational component was originally installed in the vehicle during manufacture of the vehicle.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the non-navigational component is housed in an overhead console of the vehicle.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, the navigational device including a display for displaying navigation and other information.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the navigational device is in the raised position, only a lower portion of the display may be viewed, and when the navigational device is in the lowered position, substantially all of the display may be viewed.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the navigational device is in the raised position, information, such as heading, temperature, and current location, may be displayed on the lower portion of the display.

8. A method of providing navigational capabilities to a vehicle not originally equipped with such capabilities, the method comprising the steps of:

removing at least one non-navigational component from the vehicle, such that removal of the non-navigational component creates an open port;

installing a mounting assembly in the open port; and

attaching a navigational device having a display to the mounting assembly, wherein the navigational device may be rotated about a generally transverse axis and may be raised or lowered among three generally linear viewing positions,

wherein when the navigational device is in a first, stowed position, substantially none of the display may be viewed, when the navigational device is in a second, intermediate position, only a lower portion of the display may be viewed, and when the navigational device is in a third, lowered position, substantially all of the display may be viewed.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the non-navigational component was originally installed in the vehicle during manufacture of the vehicle.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the non-navigational component is housed in an overhead console of the vehicle.

11. A method of providing navigational capabilities to a vehicle not originally equipped with such capabilities, the method comprising the steps of:

removing at least one non-navigational component from the vehicle, wherein removal of the non-navigational component creates an open port;

installing a mounting assembly within the open port; and

attaching a navigational device to the mounting assembly, such that the mounting assembly is configured to linearly raise and lower the navigational device between a raised position, wherein at least one-half of the navigational device is positioned within the open port, and a lowered position, wherein approximately two thirds of the navigational device is positioned outside the open port.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mounting assembly is operable to pivot the navigational device left and right relative to the open port.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the non-navigational component was originally installed in the vehicle during manufacture of the vehicle.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the non-navigational component is housed in an overhead console of the vehicle.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, the navigational device including a display for displaying navigation and other information.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the navigational device is in the raised position, only a lower portion of the display may be viewed, and when the navigational device is in the lowered position, substantially all of the display may be viewed.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein when the navigational device is in the raised position, information, such as heading, temperature, and current location, may be displayed on the lower portion of the display.