Deployable electronic device holder

• US 10,793,081 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2018
• Issued: 10/06/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tena Han, Luis Adrian, Vargas Garcia, Carmen Frida
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell L
• Assistant Examiner(s): McDuffle, Michael
• Application Number:
  US16/176,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20200130602A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 248685, 248 271, 248 273, 24822022, 24822211, 24822213, 24822341, 24822461, 206557, 108 44, 296 3712
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/025 for translational movement

Abstract

A deployable electronic device holder is provided that includes sliding mechanism disposed within a slot in a panel in a vehicle, and a base pivotally coupled to the sliding mechanism and having a cradle configured to support a device. The sliding mechanism slides within the slot and the base pivots about at least one hinge downward to a use position to hold a portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A deployable electronic device holder comprising:

a sliding mechanism disposed within a slot, the sliding mechanism comprising track engagement members engaging a track within the slot; and

a base pivotally coupled to the sliding mechanism via at least one hinge at a first end of the base and having a cradle configured to support a device at a forward end of the base opposite the first end, wherein the sliding mechanism slides within the slot and the base pivots relative to the sliding mechanism to a use position in which the cradle is wholly downward of the sliding mechanism, and wherein the sliding mechanism further slides within the slot to a stowed position retained by a locking mechanism.

2. The device holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge comprises one or more friction hinges configured to position the base at a selected angle relative to the sliding mechanism.

3. The device holder of claim 1, wherein the base pivots downward to the use position.

4. The device holder of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a release mechanism for releasing the sliding mechanism to slide such that the base can extend outward from the slot to pivot to the use position.

5. The device holder of claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a push to release and push to retain mechanism.

6. The device holder of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring and a follower.

7. The device holder of claim 1, wherein the device holder is located on a vehicle.

8. The device holder of claim 7, wherein the slot is located in one of a front console panel and rear console panel of the vehicle.

9. A deployable electronic device holder comprising:

a sliding mechanism disposed within a slot in a panel in a vehicle, the sliding mechanism comprising track engagement members engaging a track with the slot; and

a base pivotally coupled to the sliding mechanism and having a cradle formed at a forward end of the base and configured to support a device, wherein the sliding mechanism slides within the slot and the base pivots downward to a use position about at least one hinge disposed at an end of the base opposite the forward end, and wherein the sliding mechanism further slides within the slot to a stowed position retained by a locking mechanism.

10. The device holder of claim 9, wherein the at least one hinge comprises one or more friction hinges configured to position the base at a selected angle relative to the sliding mechanism.

11. The device holder of claim 9 further comprising an opening provided in the base and configured to receive a cable for connecting to the device.

12. The device holder of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a release mechanism for releasing the sliding mechanism to slide such that the base can extend outward from the slot to pivot to the use position.

13. The device holder of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a push to release and push to retain mechanism.

14. The device holder of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring and a follower.

15. The device holder of claim 9, wherein the panel is one of a front console panel and a rear console panel.

16. The device holder of claim 15, wherein the slot is located in a center stack of the vehicle.