Mounting assembly

• US 9,256,254 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Ltd (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Ltd (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Appleton, John James
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US14/013,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20140063734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.55, 361/679.56, 248/918
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack

Abstract

There is disclosed a mounting assembly for structurally mounting a peripheral device to a portable computer. The mounting assembly comprises a bracket arranged to be structurally secured to the portable computer and comprising a first coupling; and a second coupling which in use is attached to or part of the peripheral device. The first and second couplings are arranged to be releasably engaged to form a structural connection, such that in use the peripheral device can be structurally mounted to the portable computer. There is also disclosed a portable computing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a peripheral device and a mounting assembly; and a electronic entry control board for mobile telemetry monitoring apparatus comprising a portable computer, a wireless communication unit and a mounting assembly.

Claims

1. An electronic entry control board for a telemetry monitoring apparatus for monitoring rescue personnel, the electronic entry control board comprising:

a portable computer having at least one power and/or communication terminal;

a bracket structurally secured to the portable computer, the bracket comprising;

first and second opposing flanges cooperating with opposed faces of the portable computer such that the bracket is engaged around an edge of the portable computer;

at least one power and/or communication terminal coupled with the at least one corresponding terminal of the portable computer; and

a first coupling; and

a wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with a plurality of portable devices assigned to respective rescue personnel, the wireless communication unit having a second coupling;

wherein the first and second couplings are releasably engaged to form a breakaway structural connection such that the wireless communication unit is detachably structurally mounted to the bracket;

wherein the bracket further comprises at least one power and/or communication terminal for coupling with at least one corresponding terminal of the portable computer when the bracket is secured to the portable computer; and

wherein the the electronic entry control board further comprises a cable coupled to the at least one power and/or communication terminal and configured to be coupled to the wireless communication unit, the cable comprising a connector configured to be detachably attached to the wireless communication unit; and

wherein the connection between the first and second couplings is configured to be weaker than the structural connection between the bracket and the portable computer, such that in use the bracket and wireless communication unit can be disengaged without causing damage to (i) the structural connection and (ii) the power and/or data connection between the bracket and the portable computer.

2. A mounting assembly for structurally mounting a peripheral device to a portable computer, the mounting assembly comprising:

a bracket arranged to be structurally secured to the portable computer and comprising a first coupling; and

a second coupling which in use is attached to or part of the peripheral device;

wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to be releasably engaged with each other to form a structural connection, such that in use the peripheral device can be structurally mounted to the bracket;

wherein the bracket further comprises at least one power and/or communication terminal for coupling with at least one corresponding terminal of the portable computer when the bracket is structurally secured to the portable computer;

wherein the first and second couplings are configured to form a connection which is weaker than a structural connection between the bracket and the portable computer when the bracket is structurally secured to the portable computer, such that in use the bracket and peripheral device can be disengaged without causing damage to (i) the structural connection and (ii) the power and/or data connection between the bracket and the portable computer; and

wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a cable coupled to the at least one power and/or communication terminal and configured to be coupled to the peripheral device, the cable comprising a connector configured to be detachably attached to the peripheral device.

3. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to be releasably engaged to form a breakaway connection.

4. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to be disengaged solely by the application of a disengagement force between the peripheral device and the portable computer.

5. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to be engaged and disengaged multiple times.

6. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to cooperate with one another to form a snap-fit connection.

7. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first or second coupling comprises a detent, and wherein the other comprises a corresponding recess.

8. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of first couplings, and a corresponding number of second couplings.

9. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the bracket is arranged to engage around an edge of the portable computer.

10. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the bracket comprises first and second opposing flanges for cooperating with corresponding opposed faces of the portable computer.

11. A mounting assembly according to claim 10, wherein one of the flanges comprises a protrusion for engaging with a corresponding recess provided in the portable computer.

12. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the bracket comprises at least one power and/or communication terminal for coupling with at least one corresponding terminal of the portable computer when the bracket is secured to the portable computer.

13. A mounting assembly according to claim 12, further comprising a cable coupled to the at least one terminal and arranged to be coupled to the peripheral device, the cable comprising a connector arranged to be detachably attached to the peripheral device.

14. A portable computing apparatus comprising:

a portable computer;

a peripheral device; and

a mounting assembly comprising;

a bracket structurally secured to the portable computer and comprising a first coupling; and

a second coupling attached to or part of the peripheral device;

wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to be releasably engaged with each other to form a structural connection, such that in use the peripheral device can be structurally mounted to the bracket;

wherein the bracket further comprises at least one power and/or communication terminal coupled with at least one corresponding terminal of the portable computer when the bracket is structurally secured to the portable computer;

wherein the first and second couplings are configured to form a connection which is weaker than a structural connection between the bracket and the portable computer, such that in use the bracket and peripheral device can be disengaged without causing damage to (i) the structural connection and (ii) the power and/or data connection between the bracket and the portable computer; and

wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a cable coupled to the at least one power and/or communication terminal and configured to be coupled to the peripheral device, the cable comprising a connector configured to be detachably attached to the peripheral device.

15. An electronic entry control board for a telemetry monitoring apparatus comprising:

a portable computer;

a wireless communication unit; and

a mounting assembly for structurally mounting the wireless communication unit to the portable computer, the mounting assembly comprising;

a bracket structurally secured to the portable computer and comprising a first coupling; and

a second coupling attached to or part of the wireless communication unit;

wherein the first and second couplings are arranged to be releasably engaged with each other to form a structural connection, such that in use the wireless communication unit can be structurally mounted to the bracket; and

wherein the bracket further comprises at least one power and/or communication terminal coupled with at least one corresponding terminal of the portable computer when the bracket is structurally secured to the portable computer;

wherein the first and second couplings are configured to form a connection which is weaker than the structural connection between the bracket and the portable, such that in use the bracket and wireless communication unit can be disengaged without causing damage to (i) the structural connection and (ii) the power and/or data connection between the bracket and the portable computer; and

wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a cable coupled to the at least one power and/or communication terminal and configured to be coupled to the wireless communication unit, the cable comprising a connector configured to be detachably attached to the wireless communication unit.

16. An electronic entry control board according to claim 15, wherein the second coupling is part of an adapter plate detachably secured to the wireless communication unit.