Separable ball and socket assembly for electronic device mounts

• US 7,475,858 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2007
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Langner, Dale R., Kalis, Robert M., Skelton, Paul E., Waite, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez; Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US11/868,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20080023606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 248/288.31, 248/205.5, 248/206.2, 248/205.7, 248/205.8, 248/205.9, 248/205.6, 248/481, 248/483, 248/484, 248/685, 248/181.1, 248/917, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 403/133, 403/135, 403/144
• US Class Current: 248/288.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/0657 the socket member being mainly made of plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/069 with at least one separate part to retain the ball member in the socket; Quick-release systems
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• 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: Y10T 403/32721 Elastomeric seat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32737 including liner, shim, or discrete seat

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface. The mounting assembly generally includes a base including a mounting ball and a socket assembly operable to frictionally engage the ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. The base may be removably coupled with the surface and the socket assembly may be removably coupled with the electronic device. Such a configuration enables the electronic device to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base to the surface, then attaching the socket assembly to the base and positioning the socket assembly in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device to the socket assembly.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface, the mounting assembly comprising:

a base including a platform having a suction device, an arm extending from the platform, a mounting ball positioned on an end of the arm distal from the platform, and a lever operable to bias the suction device for facilitating coupling of the platform to the surface; and

a socket assembly for receiving and frictionally engaging the ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base, the socket assembly including a clip having a substantially flat portion extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the socket assembly;

wherein the socket assembly is operable to removably couple with the electronic device for mounting the electronic device to the surface and the substantially flat portion is operable to at least partially support a bottom portion of the electronic device.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket assembly is operable to rotate with respect to the base to position the electronic device when the socket assembly is removably coupled to the base.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm is operable to rotate with respect to the platform.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket assembly includes a seat formed of a flexible, friction-producing material for being biased against the ball to produce friction for preventing the socket assembly from moving relative to the base in the absence of a user-applied force.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein the seat includes a plurality of arms for substantially surrounding the ball when the socket assembly is removably coupled to the base.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the arms are curved to substantially conform to an outer surface to the ball and to engage a hemisphere of the ball to retain the ball in the seat.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the arms frictionally engage the ball to produce friction between the arms and the ball for preventing the socket assembly from moving relative to the base in the absence of user-applied force.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the cage is smaller in diameter than the ball when the arms are in a relaxed state.

9. A mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface, the mounting assembly comprising:

a base including a circular platform having a suction device for coupling the platform to the surface, a lever coupled with the platform and operable to bias the suction device thereby facilitating coupling the platform to the surface, an arm extending from the platform and operable to rotate with respect to the platform, and a mounting ball positioned on an end of the arm distal from the platform; and

a socket assembly including an arcuate clip operable for being removably coupled with the electronic device and a seat coupled with the clip, the clip having a substantially flat portion extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the socket assembly, the seat having a plurality of curved and interconnected arms for contacting an outer surface of the ball so that the arms substantially conform to the outer surface of the ball when the mounting ball is received in the arms for removably and rotatably coupling the socket assembly to the base and for frictionally resisting rotation of the ball relative to the seat.

10. The mounting assembly of claim 9, wherein the socket assembly further includes a spring element, the spring element for substantially encircling the curved arms, allowing the curved arms to flex outward to receive the ball, and biasing the curved arms inwardly to contact the ball when the ball is seated within the seat.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein the spring element comprises a spring ring.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 9, wherein the curved arms are flexible and form a cage smaller in diameter than the ball when the curved arms are in a relaxed state.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 9, wherein the arms are operable to frictionally engage the ball for preventing the socket assembly from moving relative to the base in the absence of user-applied force.