Combined storage and docking unit for a portable electronic device
First Claim
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1. A combined storage and docking unit for a portable electronic device comprising:
- a storage box for attachment to an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, the storage box having a pair of apertures;
a lid hingedly connected to the storage box by a pair of depending arms fixedly attached to the lid, wherein the pair of arms extend through the apertures and below the floor of the storage box;
an electrical connector attached to the storage box for selectively connecting the portable electronic device to one or more electrical circuits of the motor vehicle;
a lid opening spring connected to the lid to bias the lid towards an open position; and
a user operable locking mechanism to hold the lid in a desired position against action of the lid opening spring, wherein the user operable locking mechanism is operable to allow free movement of the lid when released and prevent movement of the lid in either direction when engaged and is selectively engageable to hold the lid in a position in which the portable electronic device is clamped between the lid and the storage box in a display position in which the electronic device is visible to a user of the motor vehicle.
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Abstract
A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The combined storage and docking unit is of a simple construction and allows portable electronic devices of differing size and shape to be accommodated.
84 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A combined storage and docking unit for a portable electronic device comprising:
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a storage box for attachment to an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, the storage box having a pair of apertures; a lid hingedly connected to the storage box by a pair of depending arms fixedly attached to the lid, wherein the pair of arms extend through the apertures and below the floor of the storage box; an electrical connector attached to the storage box for selectively connecting the portable electronic device to one or more electrical circuits of the motor vehicle; a lid opening spring connected to the lid to bias the lid towards an open position; and a user operable locking mechanism to hold the lid in a desired position against action of the lid opening spring, wherein the user operable locking mechanism is operable to allow free movement of the lid when released and prevent movement of the lid in either direction when engaged and is selectively engageable to hold the lid in a position in which the portable electronic device is clamped between the lid and the storage box in a display position in which the electronic device is visible to a user of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable electronic device docking unit comprising:
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a storage box for attachment to a vehicle; a lid hingedly connected to the storage box; a torsion spring operative to bias the lid to an open position and coupled to a cross shaft disposed beneath the storage box; and a user operable locking mechanism including a brake unit to hold the lid in a desired position against action of the spring and to selectively clamp a portable electronic device between the lid and the storage box. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A portable electronic device docking unit comprising:
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a storage box for attachment to a vehicle; a lid hingedly connected to the storage box; a spring operative to bias the lid to an open position; and a brake unit having an input arm connected to a button via a linkage having first and second link rods and a bell crank. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification