Navigational device for mounting on a support pillar of a vehicle and a method for doing same

• US 7,650,230 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2003
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Germin Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Laverick, David J., Schoenfish, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bolda; Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diacou; Ari M
• Application Number:
  US10/663,045
• Time in Patent Office: 2,320 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-214, 296/37.8, 296/37.13, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 340/426.34, 455344-346, 455/348, 455/350, 361/679, 361/681, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 701/200
• 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

Abstract

A navigation assembly (177k) for mounting a conventional, portable navigational device (10k) in a vehicle not originally equipped with navigational capabilities is provided. The navigation assembly (177k) comprises the navigational device (10k) and a mounting assembly (194k). Trim (196k) covering a support pillar (98k) of the vehicle and installed during manufacture of the vehicle is replaced with substantially similar trim (196k) having the mounting assembly (194k) mounted thereto or integrally formed therewith. The mounting assembly (194k) comprises a base (198k), a docking station (200k), and a retractable face plate (202k). The base (198k) of the mounting assembly (194k) is secured to the trim (196k) and includes a cut-out (204k) in which the docking station (200k) may be mounted. The docking station (200k) also includes a cut-out (208k) sized and configured to receive the navigational device (10k). The retractable face plate (202k) covers the cut-out (208k) in the docking station (200k) and is retracted in the rearward position when the navigational device (10k) is mounted in the docking station (200k) and is retracted in the forward position when the navigational device (10k) is not mounted in the docking station (200k).

Claims

1. A navigation assembly for use in a vehicle not originally equipped with navigational capabilities, the navigation assembly comprising:

a portable navigational device; and

a mounting assembly for mounting within the vehicle and sized and configured to removably receive the navigational device, wherein the navigation device remains visible when received within the mounting assembly and is functional as a navigation device both when received within the mounting assembly and when being used independently of the mounting assembly,

the mounting assembly including—

a trim piece secured to the vehicle,

a base secured to the trim,

a docking station sized and configured to mate within the base via a securing mechanism, the docking station configured for removably docking with the navigation device, wherein the docking station is configured to electrically couple with the navigation device and includes a speaker for providing audible navigation instructions generated by the navigation device, and

a retractable face plate mounted within the docking station and configured to retract when the navigation device is received within the docking station and extend when the navigation device is removed from the docking station, thereby covering the void left in the docking station.

2. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigational device is designed to be used independently of the vehicle rather than being particularly sized and configured to fit an existing space within the vehicle.

3. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting assembly is adapted for mounting on a support pillar directly above the vehicle'"'"'s windshield.

4. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, the mounting assembly further including electrical connections for connecting the navigational device to a power source and a data source supplied by the vehicle.

5. The navigation 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.

6. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support pillar runs along and directly above the vehicle'"'"'s windshield.

7. A navigation assembly for use in a vehicle not originally equipped with navigational capabilities, the navigation assembly comprising:

a stand-alone hand-held portable navigational device; and

a mounting assembly for mounting within the vehicle and configured to removably receive the navigational device, such that the navigation device remains visible and fully functional when received within the mounting assembly,

the mounting assembly including—

a base having a securing mechanism,

a docking station sized and configured to mate within the base via the securing mechanism, the docking station configured for removably docking with the navigation device, wherein the docking station is configured to electrically couple with the navigation device and includes a speaker for providing audible navigation instructions generated by the navigation device, and

a retractable face plate mounted within the docking station and configured to retract when the navigation device is received within the docking station and extend when the navigation device is removed from the docking station, thereby covering the void left in the docking station.

8. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the navigational device is designed to be used independently of the vehicle rather than being particularly sized and configured to fit an existing space within the vehicle.

9. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting assembly is configured for mounting to a support pillar directly above the vehicle'"'"'s windshield and which runs along the vehicle'"'"'s windshield.

10. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting assembly includes electrical connections for connecting the navigational device to a power source and a data source supplied by the vehicle.

11. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 7, 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.