Mounting system for electronic device

• US 9,019,698 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2013
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jean-Michel Thiers
• Original Assignee: Jean-Michel Thiers
• Inventors: Thiers, Jean-Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US13/905,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20140355200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/158, 345/541, 345/545, 345/501, 345/619, 320/115, 320/106, 320/107, 320/108, 320/109, 320/104, 455/456.3, 455/557, 455/67.12, 455/635, 455/582, 455/418, 455/530, 248/558, 248/309.3, 248/122.1, 248/917, 248/200, 248/922, 248/346.05, 248/550, 248/566, 248/556.1, 248/557, 248/525.1, 248/575.1, 361/679.41, 361/679.02, 361/679.44, 361/679.36, 361/679.39, 361/679.34, 361/679.59, 361/679.58, 361/679.31, 361/679.33, 361/679.04, 361/679.06, 361/679.27
• US Class Current: 361/679.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/19 specially adapted for electric wires
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/22 electronic, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/225 Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/28 characterised by quick release, e.g. snap on connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/922 Angular

Abstract

A mounting system for an electronic device may include a dock interface assembly and a case assembly. The dock interface assembly may include a dock housing having one or more contacts. The case assembly may include an alignment feature and a case printed circuit board having one or more conductive traces corresponding to the contacts. The dock interface assembly and/or the case assembly may have a metallic element configured complementary to one or more magnets provided with a remaining one of the dock interface assembly and the case assembly for magnetic coupling of the case assembly to the dock interface assembly. The dock housing may be configured to be received by the alignment feature such that at least one of the contacts is electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the conductive traces.

Claims

1. A mounting system for an electronic device, comprising:

a dock interface assembly including a dock housing having one or more contacts;

a case assembly including an alignment feature and a case printed circuit board having one or more conductive traces corresponding to the contacts;

one of the dock interface assembly and the case assembly having a metallic element;

a remaining one of the dock interface assembly and the case assembly having one or more magnets arranged complementary to the metallic element for magnetic coupling of the case assembly to the dock interface assembly; and

the dock housing being configured to be received by the alignment feature in a manner such that at least one of the contacts is aligned with and electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the conductive traces.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the case printed circuit board has a connector configured to engage a connector port of the electronic device.

3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device is rotatable relative to the dock interface assembly when the metallic element is magnetically coupled to the dock interface assembly.

4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the contacts are spring-loaded such that the contacts are maintained in contacting relation with the conductive traces.

5. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the contacts are provided in a linear arrangement.

6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the contacts are coupled to a cable for transferring at least one of power and data through the contacts and into the conductive traces of the case printed circuit board for the electronic device.

7. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the alignment feature comprises a circular opening formed in a cover of the case assembly;

the dock housing having a circular outer shape configured to nest within the circular opening; and

the conductive traces having an annular configuration arranged in a manner such that the contacts are maintained in contacting relation with the conductive traces when the electronic device is rotated relative to the dock interface assembly.

8. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the metallic element comprises a metallic ring being sized and configured to circumscribe the conductive traces of the case printed circuit board.

9. The mounting system of claim 8, wherein:

the dock interface assembly includes a magnet holder configured for holding a plurality of magnets in an arrangement complementary to the metallic ring.

10. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein:

the magnet holder is configured to removably retain the magnets in a manner such that the magnets may be reconfigured for changing a magnitude of magnetic coupling to the metallic ring.

11. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein:

the magnet holder includes at least one of a clocking dimple and a clocking protrusion configured to engage a corresponding clocking dimple and clocking protrusion formed in the metallic ring; and

the clocking dimple and clocking protrusion being configured to index the electronic device into a predetermined clocking orientation of the electronic device.

12. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the dock interface assembly includes a metal clamping ring being fixedly coupled to the dock housing; and

the magnets being magnetically coupled to the metal clamping ring.

13. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the contacts protrudes outwardly from a printed circuit board of the dock interface assembly; and

the printed circuit board of the dock interface assembly being coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) cable.

14. The mounting system of claim 13, wherein:

the cable is configured to be coupled to a wall charger.

15. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

the dock housing is coupled to a dock assembly base; and

the dock assembly base including at least one locking hinge for adjusting an orientation of the dock interface assembly relative to the dock assembly base.

16. The mounting system of claim 15, wherein:

the dock housing is coupled to a dock assembly base including a weight for fixedly mounting the dock assembly to a surface.

17. The mounting system of claim 15, wherein:

the dock housing is coupled to a bar clamp configured for removably clamping the dock assembly to a bar.

18. A mounting system for a smart phone, comprising:

a dock interface assembly including a dock housing containing one or more magnets arranged in a circular array, the dock housing containing one or more contacts protruding from the dock housing; and

a case assembly having a cover including an alignment feature configured as a circular opening, a metallic ring disposed within the circular opening, and a case printed circuit board being circumscribed by the metallic ring and having one or more annular conductive traces corresponding to the contacts;

the metallic ring being configured complementary to an arrangement of the magnets for magnetic coupling of the metallic ring to the dock interface assembly;

the dock housing having a circular outer perimeter configured to be received by the alignment feature such that each one of the contacts engages a corresponding one of the conductive traces;

the contacts being configured to be electrically coupled to the conductive traces of the case printed circuit board, the case printed circuit board including a connector configured to engage a connector port of the smart phone; and

the contacts being coupled to a cable transmitting at least one of power and data to the contacts, into the conductive traces, through the connector, and into the smart phone while the smart phone is magnetically coupled to the dock interface assembly and during rotation thereof.

19. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein:

the cable is configured to be coupled to a wall charger.

20. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein:

the dock interface assembly includes a ring-shaped magnet holder configured for holding a plurality of the magnets in a circular array configured complementary to the metallic ring; and

the magnets being removably retained within the magnet holder in a manner such that the magnets may be reconfigured.