Global positioning system (GPS) mount

• US 8,978,948 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duane Tujague
• Original Assignee: Duane Tujague
• Inventors: Tujague, Duane
• Primary Examiner(s): LARSON, JUSTIN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US13/973,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20140054918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 224/483, 224/557, 224/564, 224/929, 224/402, 224/452, 224/545, 224/555, 224/556, 224/565, 224/559, 296/37.12, D12/415
• US Class Current: 224/483
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0068 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device

Abstract

A GPS mount has a bracket with a base piece which has holes spaced so as to match the factory-installed screw holes in a vehicle dash tray. The factory screws are removed and inserted through the base piece hole, then replaced, securely holding the base piece in place. A mount plate is attached to the base piece and elevated above the dash tray. The mount plate has a smooth surface for secure placement of the suction cup of a GPS, cell phone, or other electronic device holder. The GPS mount is especially suited for pickup trucks manufactured by Dodge and/or Ram, for at least the model years 2009-2014.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a suitable mounting surface, within the interior of a vehicle, for the suction cup of a GPS holder comprising a suction cup, comprising:

an elongated base piece having spaced-apart holes therein, said base piece sized and shaped to fit within a dash tray in a vehicle, said spacing between said holes substantially matching the spacing of factory-installed screws in said dash tray; and

a mount plate attached to said base piece and elevated above said base piece, said mount plate sized to permit placement of said suction cup thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a post attached to said base piece and extended upwardly therefrom, said mount plate attached to an upper end of said base piece.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said post is angled toward the rear of said vehicle and a center of said mount plate is positioned rearwardly of a center of said base piece.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base piece and said mount plate are formed from a single piece of sheet material, said sheet material cut and bent to form a desired configuration of said base piece and said mount plate.

5. An apparatus for providing a suitable mounting surface, within the interior of a vehicle comprising a dash tray having spaced apart, factory installed screw holes therein, for the suction cup of a GPS holder comprising a suction cup, comprising:

an elongated base piece having first and second ends, and a foot section at each of said ends, each foot section having a hole therein, a distance between said holes matching a distance between said spaced apart, factory installed screw holes in said dash tray of said vehicle, whereby a screw can be inserted through said holes in said feet and into said factory installed screw holes;

said base piece further comprising a suction cup mount plate comprising an elevated surface dimensioned to permit said suction cup to affix thereto and positioned to clear a lip surface adjacent said dash tray.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said apparatus comprises a post attached to said base piece and extending upwardly, said mount plate attached to an upper end of said post and forming said elevated surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said vehicle comprises a Dodge brand pickup truck.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said vehicle comprises a 2009-2013 year model.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said vehicle comprises a Ram brand pickup truck.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said vehicle comprises a 2014 or later year model.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said post is angled so as to position said mount plate in a position rearward of a center of said base piece.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said base piece and said mount plate are formed from a single piece of sheet material, said sheet material cut and bent to form a desired configuration of said base piece and said mount plate.

13. A vehicle GPS mounting system, comprising:

a vehicle comprising a dash tray, and a pair of spaced apart, factory-installed screw holes and screws disposed within said dash tray;

a bracket fixed in said dash tray, said bracket comprising an elongated base piece with a pair of spaced apart holes therein, a spacing of said spaced apart holes matching the spacing of said factory installed screws, said bracket fixed in said dash tray by screws inserted through said base piece holes and screwed into said factory installed holes; and

an elevated mount plate fixed to said base piece, said mount plate sized to accommodate a suction cup of a GPS holder.

14. The GPS mounting system of claim 13, wherein said mount plate is positioned toward the rear of said vehicle, sufficiently far for said mount plate to fit above said dash tray.

15. The GPS mounting system of claim 13, wherein said base piece and said mount plate are formed from a single piece of sheet material, said sheet material cut and bent to form a desired configuration of said base piece and said mount plate.