Quick release electronics platform

• US 8,091,850 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US12/386,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20090212189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 248/176.1, 248/316.4, 248/346.04, 248/309.1, 248/918, 248/346.07, 248/346.01, 361/807
• US Class Current: 248/346.04
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/02 with sliding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/06 Arrangements for positively actuating jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles

Abstract

A device mounting platform apparatus having a reconfigurable biasing mechanism. The device mounting platform apparatus includes a frame member capable of being mounted in a vehicle and having a device mounting surface facing generally upward. A clamp member is slidably interconnected to the frame member along a first direction. A biasing mechanism is coupled between the frame and clamp members. The biasing mechanism is reconfigurable for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction heading either toward or away from the frame member. The biasing mechanism is thus reconfigurable for either urging the clamp member open or urging it closed.

Claims

1. A molded laptop tray for vehicle applications, comprising:

a frame member comprising a device bearing surface between spaced apart edges thereof, the frame member consisting of a molded material;

a mounting structure for mounting the frame member in a vehicle;

a jaw member interconnected to the frame member positioned adjacent to one of the edges of the frame member oriented substantially crosswise thereof;

a clamp member interconnected to the frame member for motion relative to a different one of the spaced apart edges of the frame member along a first direction oriented substantially crosswise thereof; and

a biasing mechanism coupled between the frame member and clamp member for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member for motion along the first direction, the biasing mechanism being reconfigurable between a first configuration for urging the jaw portion of the clamp member away from the jaw member interconnected to the frame member along a first heading substantially aligned with the first direction, and a second configuration for urging the jaw portion of the clamp member toward the jaw member interconnected to the frame member along a second heading substantially aligned with the first direction.

2. The tray of claim 1 wherein the frame member further comprises the jaw member molded as a unit therewith.

3. The tray of claim 2 wherein the frame member further comprises the clamp member molded therewith, the clamp member further consisting of a molded material.

4. The tray of claim 2 wherein one of the jaw member and the clamp member further consists of a resiliently flexible molded material.

5. The tray of claim 2 wherein the clamp member is further slidably interconnected to the frame member for motion relative to the jaw member thereof along the first direction, and the clamp member further consisting of a molded material.

6. The tray of claim 1 wherein the clamp member further comprises a sled portion consisting of a molded material, the sled portion being structured to slide relative to the frame member substantially along the first direction.

7. A molded laptop tray for vehicle applications, comprising:

a molded frame member comprising a device mounting surface between opposing first and second edges spaced apart along a first direction, the frame member consisting of a molded material, and further being structured for being securely mounted in a vehicle with the device mounting surface having a generally upwardly orientation;

a jaw portion arranged adjacent to the first edge of the frame member;

a clamp member comprising a jaw portion extended substantially crosswise of the second edge of the frame member and being moveably interconnected thereto for motion substantially along the first direction thereof; and

a reconfigurable biasing mechanism coupled between the frame and clamp members, the reconfigurable biasing mechanism being reversible between a first configuration for resiliently urging the jaw portion of the clamp member away from the second edge of the frame member, and a second configuration for resiliently urging the jaw portion toward the second edge of the frame member.

8. The molded tray of claim 7 wherein the jaw portion arranged adjacent to the first edge of the frame member is further molded integrally therewith, and the jaw member consisting of a molded material.

9. The molded tray of claim 8 wherein the clamp member further comprises a resiliently flexible portion thereof interconnected to the second edge of the frame member, whereby the clamp member is further moveable substantially along the first direction by resilient flexion of the resiliently flexible portion thereof.

10. The molded tray of claim 7 wherein the clamp member further comprises a guide arranged substantially along the first direction adjacent to the device mounting surface of the frame member, and

an elongated sled portion having the jaw portion extended substantially crosswise thereof adjacent to a first end thereof, the sled portion being slidably interconnected to the guide of the frame member for motion substantially along the first direction thereof.

11. The molded tray of claim 10 wherein the sled portion of the clamp member further comprises a first reaction portion adjacent to the first end thereof, and a second reaction portion spaced away from the first reaction portion along the sled portion;

and

the reconfigurable biasing mechanism further comprises;

an actuator movable between first and second positions relative to the guide mechanism, the first and second positions being spaced apart along the first direction between the first and second reaction portions, and

a compression spring member, the compression spring member being resiliently compressible between the movable actuator and the first reaction portion of the clamp member when the movable actuator is in the first position, and compressible between the movable actuator and the second reaction portion of the clamp member when the movable actuator is in the second position.

12. A molded laptop tray for vehicle applications, comprising:

a frame member consisting of a molded material, the frame member being molded with a device mounting surface between opposing first and second edges spaced apart along a first direction and means for being fixedly mounted in a vehicle with the device mounting surface having a generally upwardly orientation;

a jaw portion consisting of a molded material, the jaw portion being arranged adjacent to the first edge of the frame member;

a clamp member movable relative to the molded frame member;

means for moving the clamp member relative to the frame member substantially along the first direction thereof; and

a means for biasing the clamp member relative to the frame member, and further comprising means for reconfiguring the biasing means between a first configuration for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction away from the second edge of the frame member, and a second configuration for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction toward the second edge of the frame member.

13. The molded tray of claim 12 wherein the frame member further comprises the jaw portion molded as a single unit integral therewith.

14. The molded tray of claim 13 wherein the clamp member further comprises a resiliently flexible portion thereof that is resiliently flexible substantially along the first direction.

15. The molded tray of claim 13, further comprising means for guiding the clamp member relative to the frame member along the first direction thereof.

16. The molded tray of claim 15 wherein the means for biasing the clamp member further comprises a resiliently compressible biasing member.

17. The molded tray of claim 16 wherein

the reconfigurable biasing mechanism further comprises:

first and second reaction means operable between the frame and clamp members, the resiliently compressible biasing member being positioned between first and second reaction means,

means for actuating the biasing member, the actuating means actuating the biasing member relative to the first reaction means in the first configuration, and the actuating means actuating the biasing member relative to the second reaction means in the second configuration, and

means for repositioning the actuating means between a first position between the first and second reaction means in the first configuration, and a different second position between the first and second reaction means in the second configuration.