Flexible mounting device for video/map display

• US 7,568,670 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CSR Technology Holdings Inc. (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SiRF Technology Holdings Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wang, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez; Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US11/383,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20070262216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 248/205.3, 248/205.4, 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/206.2, 248/309.1, 248/309.3, 248/309.4, 248/921, 248/467, 248/104, 248/206.5
• US Class Current: 248/205.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/007 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted

Abstract

Flexible mounting devices for navigational/entertainment displays, especially for in-vehicle use, are described herein. In an embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible gooseneck, a magnetic base magnetically attached to a front end of the gooseneck for holding a display, and a windshield suction attached to a back end of the gooseneck for providing windshield support from the rear by suctioning to the windshield of a vehicle. In another embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible neck, which may be firmly attached to the dashboard of a vehicle with a sticky gel pad. The mounting device also comprises a counter weight attached to a back end of the flexible neck. The display is fixed to a front end of the flexible neck such that the display protrudes beyond the dashboard. The counter weight at the back end of the flexible neck counter balances the weight of the display at the front end, and thereby helps to provide a stable support.

Claims

1. A mounting device comprising:

a flexible length of material that can be bent in different directions;

a display or display holder attachable to one end of the flexible material;

a support attached to the other end of the flexible material;

interlocking blocks attached to the flexible material; and

grooves on the back of the display that cooperate with the interlocking blocks for adjusting a mounting height of the display and quickly aligning the display.

2. A mounting device comprising:

a flexible length of material that can be bent in different directions;

a cylindrical or spherical head attached to one end of the flexible material;

a display or display holder magnetically attachable to the head; and

a support attached to the other end of the flexible material, wherein the support comprises a weighted block.

3. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein the weighted block can support the weight of the display without any base support.

4. A mounting device comprising:

a flexible length of material that can be bent in different directions, wherein the flexible material comprises a weighted metal neck with a sticky gel pad thereon;

a cylindrical or spherical head attached to one end of the flexible material;

a display or display holder magnetically attachable to the head; and

a support attached to the other end of the flexible material.

5. A method of mounting and adjusting an angle of a display using a mounting device, wherein the mounting device includes a flexible neck and a support attached to one end of the flexible neck, wherein the support is a weighted block, and wherein the mounting device further includes a cylindrical or spherical head attached to the other end of the flexible neck, the method comprising:

attaching the support to a surface;

magnetically attaching the display to the head at the other end of the flexible neck; and

adjusting the angle of the display by bending the flexible neck.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the surface is the dashboard of a vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising fixing at least a portion of the flexible neck on the dashboard of the vehicle such that the display extends beyond the dashboard.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising fixing the flexible neck to the dashboard with a sticky gel pad material.

9. A method of mounting and adjusting an angle of a display using a mounting;

device, wherein the mounting device includes a flexible neck and a support attached to one end of the flexible neck and a magnetic base magnetically attached to the other end of the flexible neck, wherein the display has grooves and the magnetic base has interlocking blocks, comprising;

attaching the support to a surface;

fixing the display to the magnetic base;

aligning the display on the magnetic base by fitting at least one of the interlocking blocks into at least one of the grooves of the display; and

adjusting the angle of the display by bending the flexible neck.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising adjusting a mounting height of the display by fitting at least one of the interlocking blocks into at least one of the grooves corresponding to a desired mounting height.