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

• US 7,623,958 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2003
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Laverick, David J., Schoenfish, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bolda; Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diacou; Ari M
• Application Number:
  US10/663,044
• Time in Patent Office: 2,264 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-215, 296/24.3, 296/24.34, 296/37.1, 296/37.8, 296/37.12, 296/37.13, 224/483, 224/275, 224542-544, 224584-585, 361/679, 361/681, 361/686, 455344-346, 455/348, 455/350
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers

Abstract

A navigation assembly (177i) comprising a carrying case (178i), a cradle (179i), a navigational device (10i), and a speaker (57i) is provided. The carrying case (178i) is sized and configured to fit within a tray (14i) of a vehicle, wherein the tray (14i) was formed during manufacture of the vehicle and designed to hold miscellaneous articles. The cradle (179i) is pivotably mounted within the case (178i) and is sized and configured to receive the navigational device (10i). The cradle (179i) and navigational device (10i) are operable to pivot from a flat, nested position within the case (178i) upwards to a viewing position approximately perpendicular to the flat, nested position. A navigation assembly (177j) comprising a cradle (179j), a navigational device (10j), and a lid (184j) is also provided. The cradle (179j) is pivotably mounted within a tray (14j) of a vehicle, where the tray (14j) was formed during manufacture of the vehicle and designed to hold miscellaneous articles. The navigational device (10j) is sized and configured to mount within the cradle (179j). The lid (184j) is hingedly secured to the tray (14j) and is operable to enclose the navigational device (10j) and cradle (179j).

Claims

1. A navigation assembly for use in a vehicle comprising:

a navigational device; and

a carrying case configured to substantially enclose all sides of the navigational device, wherein the case includes;

one or more electrical connections configured to electrically couple with the navigation device,

a second one or more electrical connections disposed on an exterior of the carrying case for connecting to a dashboard,

a third one or more electrical connections disposed on an interior of the carrying case between the navigation device and the second one or more electrical connections,

a speaker coupled with at least one of the electrical connections and operable to generate sound corresponding to signals provided by the navigation device through one or more of the electrical connections, and

a base and a hinged lid, such that the lid encloses the base and the speaker when the case is closed.

2. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second one or more of the electrical connections are configured for connecting the navigational device to a power source supplied by the vehicle.

3. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case may easily and quickly be removed from the tray.

4. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigational device and speaker are both positioned within the base of the case.

5. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 4, further including a hinged cradle operable to mount within the case and sized and configured to receive the navigational device.

6. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cradle includes first and second axes of rotation, such that the navigational device, when mounted in the cradle, may be positioned in a variety of viewing angles.

7. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cradle is operable to pivot from a folded, nested position that is substantially flat within the case to an upwards, viewing position approximately perpendicular to the base of the case.

8. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the navigational device may easily and quickly be mounted in and removed from the cradle.

9. The navigational assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigational device and speaker are both positioned within the lid of the case, such that when the case is open, the navigational device is in a viewing position.

10. The navigational assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigational device is a global positioning satellite device including—

a navigation component,

a processor coupled with the navigation component,

a memory coupled with the processor,

a display,

an input, and

a housing for housing the navigation component, the processor, and the memory.

11. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying case includes a base and a hinged lid, such that when the navigational device is pivoted to a flat, nesting position within the case, the lid is operable to enclose the navigational device, and when the navigational device is pivoted upwards in a viewing position, the lid is operable to pivot upwards and rest generally against a top of the navigational device.

12. A navigation assembly for use in a vehicle comprising:

a navigational device; and

a carrying case sized and configured to conform to a tray recessed downwardly within a top surface of a dashboard running along a windshield of the vehicle, wherein the carrying case is configured to substantially and removably enclose all sides of the navigational device and is adapted to be removed from the tray with the navigational device substantially enclosed therein,

the carrying case further including;

one or more electrical connections configured to electrically couple with the navigation device, and

a speaker coupled with at least one of the electrical connections and operable to generate sound corresponding to signals provided by the navigation device through one or more of the electrical connections.

13. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tray is positioned on a dashboard of the vehicle.

14. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein one or more of the electrical connections are configured for connecting the navigational device to a power source supplied by the vehicle.

15. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the carrying case includes a base and a hinged lid, such that the lid encloses the base when the case is closed.

16. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the case may easily and quickly be removed from the tray.

17. The navigational assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the navigational device and speaker are both positioned within a lid of the case, such that when the case is open, the navigational device is in a viewing position.

18. The navigational assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the navigational device is a global positioning satellite device including—

a navigation component,

a processor coupled with the navigation component,

a memory coupled with the processor,

a display,

an input, and

a housing for housing the navigation component, the processor, and the memory.

19. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the carrying case includes a base and a hinged lid, such that when the navigational device is pivoted to a flat, nesting position within the case, the lid is operable to enclose the navigational device, and when the navigational device is pivoted upwards in a viewing position, the lid is operable to pivot upwards and rest generally against a top of the navigational device.

20. A navigation assembly for use in a vehicle comprising:

a navigational device; and

a carrying case configured to substantially enclose all sides of the navigational device, the case being sized and configured to fit within a tray on a dashboard of the vehicle such that the case does not move within the tray and is held firmly in place by gravity and the close conformity of the case to the tray,

the carrying case further including;

one or more electrical connections configured to electrically couple with the navigation device,

a speaker coupled with at least one of the electrical connections and operable to generate sound corresponding to signals provided by the navigation device through one or more of the electrical connections, and

a base and a hinged lid, such that when the navigational device is pivoted to a flat, nesting position within the case, the lid is operable to enclose the navigational device, and when the navigational device is pivoted upwards in a viewing position, the lid is operable to pivot upwards and rest generally against a top of the navigational device.

21. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the tray recessed downwardly within a top surface of a dashboard running along a windshield of the vehicle.

22. The navigational assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the navigational device and speaker are both positioned within a lid of the case, such that when the case is open, the navigational device is in a viewing position.

23. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the carrying case includes a base and a hinged lid, such that the lid encloses the base when the case is closed.

24. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the case may easily and quickly be removed from the tray.