System and method for mounting units for an avionic display

• US 7,473,931 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Klein, Jared S., Wheaton, Sheldon T., Beseth, Jeffrey L., Rolston, Walter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang; Phuc T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Thanh Y
• Application Number:
  US10/086,483
• Time in Patent Office: 2,504 Days
• Field of Search: 361/807, 361/810, 361/724, 361/727, 361/681, 361/683, 361/684, 361/685, 361/752, 361/756, 361/759, 361801-803, 361728-732, 361796-797, 361/753, 257/84, 257/98, 257/59, 257/80, 257/81, 257/99, 257/88, 257/678
• US Class Current: 257/81
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49904 Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly

Abstract

An improved device and method for mounting an avionic system is shown. The design provides varying locations of key components, which allows a single mounting system to be used with several varieties and configurations of aircraft within the crowded confines of an instrument panel. Ranges of flexibility with this system include the ability to arrange modules horizontally, and the ability to locate the display unit vertically. The multi-dimensional mounting flexibility of the mounting system shown allows electronic modules to be mounted in close proximity to a display unit, which greatly increases accessibility of the modules over prior configurations where modules were housed in the nose of the aircraft, the rear of the aircraft, or other remote locations. Installation, repair, and replacement are all greatly simplified with this configuration.

Claims

1. An avionic instrument mounting system, comprising:

a first mounting frame adapted for mounting to an avionic mounting surface, the first mounting frame presenting a first mounting surface aligned in a first plane and a second mounting surface aligned in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane;

wherein the first mounting surface includes a first pair of substantially parallel flanges and the second mounting surface includes a second pair of substantially parallel flanges aligned at approximately ninety degrees to the first pair of flanges;

a display unit located directly in front of the first mounting frame, the display unit having a vertical range of mounting locations with along the first mounting frame;

a second mounting frame operable to be at least partially inserted within the first mounting frame to secure an electronic module at least partially within the first mounting frame such that the secured electronic module is at least partially covered by the display unit; and

wherein a cross-section of the second mounting frame includes a long axis and a short axis, and wherein the second mounting frame is coupled to the first mounting frame with the long axis oriented vertically along one of a plurality of horizontally mounting locations.

2. An avionic instrument mounting system, comprising:

a first mounting frame adapted for mounting to an avionic mounting surface, the first mounting frame presenting a first mounting surface aligned in a first plane and a second mounting surface aligned in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane;

wherein the first mounting surface includes a first pair of substantially parallel flanges and the second mounting surface includes a second pair of substantially parallel flanges aligned at approximately ninety degrees to the first pair of flanges;

a display unit located directly in front of the first mounting frame, the display unit having a vertical range of mounting locations with along the first mounting frame; and

a second mounting frame operable to be at least partially inserted within the first mounting frame to secure an electronic module at least partially within the first mounting frame such that the secured electronic module is at least partially covered by the display unit.

3. The avionic instrument mounting system of claim 2, wherein the first mounting frame provides a horizontal range of mounting locations along which the second mounting frame may be coupled thereto.

4. The avionic instrument mounting system of claim 2, further including a third mounting frame operable to be at least partially inserted within the first mounting frame to secure a second electronic module at least partially within the first mounting frame such that the secured second electronic module is at least partially covered by the display unit.

5. The avionic instrument mounting system of claim 4, wherein the second mounting frame and third mounting frame includes a connector operable to be electrically connected with the display unit to enable communication between the display unit and each of the secured electronic modules.

6. The avionic instrument mounting system of claim 2, wherein the second mounting frame is operable to be removably coupled with the electronic module.

7. The avionic instrument mounting system of claim 2, wherein the second mounting frame is operable to secure the electronic module such that it is fully covered by the display unit.