Mobile electronic device (MED) mounting and positioning bracket assembly

• US 8,550,410 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William A. Fraser
• Original Assignee: William A. Fraser
• Inventors: Fraser, William A
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDUFFIE, MICHAEL D
• Application Number:
  US13/628,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20130020363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 248/27.1, 248/205.1, 248/213.2, 248/220.21, 248/231.9, 248/300, 248/309.1, 248/314, 248/200, 116/62.1, 116/62.4, 116/305, 734/31
• US Class Current: 248/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports

Abstract

A novel bracket assembly enables secure retrofit mounting and positioning of a mobile electronic device (MED) such as smart phone, portable GPS navigation appliance, iPod/MP3 player, or satellite radio to an ideal, driver-convenient locale. The vehicle-specific bracket system design provides for easy driver-line-of-sight device-interaction without causing interference with vehicle operation, windshield visibility, ventilation, or switch controls.

Claims

1. A non-invasive, secure, stable attachment device for mounting a mobile electronic device (MED) to a dashboard of a vehicle without requiring surface marring adhesives or drilling of holes, said device comprising:

a) a bracket assembly securing two-end, mechanical anchoring of a MED mounting platform to the dashboard,

b) a first fastening mechanism for one end of the bracket assembly which uses pressure and friction achieved by sandwiching the bracket assembly between a face of an instrument housing panel of the vehicle and a lip of a circumferential ribbed rubber boot used in press fitting and holding at least one cylindrical vehicle instrument securely in a circular opening in the vehicle'"'"'s instrument housing panel,

c) a second fastening mechanism for the opposite end of the bracket assembly, which mechanically attaches a bracing support arm connecting the bracket assembly to the dashboard and/or dashboard frame using at least one pre-existing vehicle bolt, and

d) a MED mounting platform configured with a hole or pattern of holes to accept various adaptor plates and connector mechanisms to attach to MEDs and/or device holders/cradles.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first fastening mechanism is an annular ring of the bracket assembly.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the annular ring of the bracket assembly is fit to a clock, or a fuel level and/or oil level gauge of the vehicle.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the MED mounting platform is fitted with a spacer wedge increasing platform canting relative to a major horizontal axis of the dashboard.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly is removable from the vehicle without evidence of prior installation.

6. The device of claim 1 with a MED mounting mechanism configured to couple and/or remove a portable MED.

7. A bracket assembly for mounting, positioning, and supporting a mobile electronic device (MED) in a vehicle, the bracket assembly comprising:

a) an annular ring for securing the bracket assembly to an instrument of an instrument housing panel of the vehicle, wherein the instrument is fitted with a ribbed rubber boot that surrounds its circumference,

b) a plate contiguous and connected to the annular ring that conforms to design contours and configuration of a dashboard of the vehicle,

c) a cantilevered extension contiguous and connected to the plate for sideward positioning of MED placement,

d) a MED mounting platform contiguous and connected to the cantilevered extension, and

e) a support arm connecting the bracket assembly to the dashboard or dashboard frame of the vehicle to brace the MED mounting platform, reinforce bracket stability, constrain bracket movement, and dampen vibration of the mounted MED.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the instrument housing panel comprises at least one circular opening to accommodate a cylindrical vehicle instrument.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the annular ring of the bracket assembly concentrically fits the circumference of at least one cylindrical vehicle instrument and sits behind a protruding rim of said instrument and is held securely to the face of the instrument housing panel by pressure and friction created when the cylindrical vehicle instrument is pressed into a circular opening in the instrument housing panel.

10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the annular ring of the bracket assembly is fit to a clock, a fuel level gauge, or an oil level gauge.

11. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the MED mounting platform is configured with a hole or pattern of holes to accept adaptor connectors for attaching various MEDs and/or MED docking holders/cradles.

12. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the MED mounting platform is fitted with a spacer wedge to increase platform canting relative to a major horizontal axis of the dashboard.

13. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the bracket support arm or brace is mechanically attached to the vehicle dashboard or dashboard frame using a bolt, screw, or rivet, or double-sided tape.

14. The assembly of claim 7 which wires the MED to the electronic systems of the vehicle for powering the MED and/or sound interaction using an integrated audio component of the vehicle.

15. The bracket assembly of claim 7 wherein the annular ring is an anchoring point for the bracket assembly and the support arm connects and anchors the bracket assembly to the dashboard or a dashboard frame of the vehicle.

16. In a bracket assembly used to mount a mobile electronic device (MED) in a vehicle, the bracket assembly comprising an annular ring integral to and securing the bracket assembly to an instrument housing panel of the vehicle, the improvement comprising:

a) a plate contiguous and connected to the annular ring that conforms to a dashboard design contour and configuration of the vehicle,

b) a cantilevered extension contiguous and connected to the plate for generally sideward positioning or placement of the MED,

c) a MED mounting platform contiguous and connected to the cantilevered extension,

d) wherein the annular ring is an anchoring point for the bracket assembly which uses pressure and friction achieved by sandwiching the bracket assembly a face of an instrument housing panel of the vehicle and a lip of a circumferential ribbed rubber boot used in press fitting and holding at least one cylindrical vehicle instrument securely in a circular opening in the vehicle'"'"'s instrument housing panel, and

e) optionally, a support arm connecting and anchoring the bracket assembly to the dashboard or a dashboard frame of the vehicle.

17. In a bracket assembly used to mount a mobile electronic device (MED) in a vehicle, the bracket assembly comprising an annular ring integral to and securing the bracket assembly to an instrument housing panel of the vehicle, the improvement comprising

attaching a plate to the annular ring, wherein the annular ring and the plate conforms to a dashboard design contour and configuration of the vehicle, wherein the plate projects outward from a plane of the annular ring at acute or oblique angles up to about 30 degrees from perpendicular to the plane, and wherein the annular ring is an anchoring point for the bracket assembly which uses pressure and friction achieved by sandwiching the bracket assembly between a face of the instrument housing panel of the vehicle, and a lip of a circumferential ribbed rubber boot used in press fitting and holding at least one cylindrical vehicle instrument securely in a circular opening in the vehicle'"'"'s instrument housing panel.

18. The bracket assembly of claim 17 further comprising a cantilevered extension contiguous and connected to the plate for generally sideward positioning or placement of the MED.

19. The bracket assembly of claim 17 further comprising sizing the annular ring such that the annular ring has an inner diameter less than and within 0.5 to about 1.25 percent of an outer diameter of the instrument.

20. The bracket assembly of claim 19 further comprising a cantilevered extension contiguous and connected to the plate for generally sideward positioning or placement of the MED.