Lockable radiotelephone cradle

• US 6,002,921 A
• Filed: 11/17/1997
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Phillips, John Charles, Pfahlert, Diane Elaine
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Craver, Charles R
• Application Number:
  US08/972,090
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/90, 455/575, 455/419, 455/420, 379/445, 379/446, 379/454-5, 379/426, 320/115 D, 320/107, 340/425.5-490, 224/929, 224/567-571, 248/689, 248/551, 248/593-595
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• 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 2011/0098 using electric or electronic means, e.g. alarms, codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

A lockable cradle removably supports a device, such as a radiotelephone. The cradle is configured to be locked and unlocked only upon receipt of authorized locking and unlocking signals. A signal receiver is associated with the cradle for receiving locking signals to lock the cradle to prevent removal of the device from the cradle, and for receiving unlocking signals to unlock the cradle to allow removal of the device from the cradle. A signal generator in communication with the signal receiver generates locking and unlocking signals. The signal generator may generate signals responsive to user input or responsive to input from systems external to the device, such as vehicle security and ignition systems.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting an electronic device, comprising:

a cradle;

cradle securing means for removably securing said electronic device within said cradle;

signal receiving means for receiving a locking signal to lock said cradle securing means to prevent removal of said electronic device from said cradle and for receiving an unlocking signal to unlock said cradle securing means to allow removal of said electronic device from said cradle;

locking means, responsive to said signal receiving means, for locking said cradle securing means upon receipt of a locking signal and for unlocking said cradle securing means upon receipt of an unlocking signal;

electronic signal generating means in said electronic device in communication with said signal receiving means for generating locking and unlocking signals; and

means for rendering said electronic device inoperable if said electronic device is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle security system.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle ignition system.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for generating an alarm if said electronic device is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

6. An apparatus for supporting an electronic device, comprising:

a cradle;

a pair of opposing arms pivotally connected to said cradle for removably securing said electronic device within said cradle, said pair of opposing arms configured to move in unison between a first position for receiving an electronic device within said cradle and a second position for securing said electronic device within said cradle, wherein each arm of said pair of arms has a member extending therefrom with an aperture formed therein, and wherein said members are configured such that said respective apertures align coaxially when said pair of arms are in said second position;

signal receiving means for receiving a locking signal to lock said cradle securing means to prevent removal of said electronic device from said cradle and for receiving an unlocking signal to unlock said cradle securing means to allow removal of said electronic device from said cradle; and

locking means, responsive to said signal receiving means, for locking said pair of arms in said second position upon receipt of a locking signal and for unlocking said pair of arms, and thereby allowing said pair of arms to move to said first position, upon receipt of an unlocking signal, said locking means comprising;

a pin configured to be removably inserted through said coaxially aligned apertures when said pair of arms are in said second position; and

an actuator for removably inserting said pin through said coaxially aligned apertures in response to said signal receiving means receiving a locking signal, and for removing said pin from said coaxially aligned apertures in response to said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each arm of said pair of arms has a portion configured to engage a recessed portion of said electronics device when said pair of arms are in said second position to thereby secure said electronics device within said cradle.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising signal generating means in communication with said signal receiving means for generating locking and unlocking signals.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals via said electronics device.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle security system.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle ignition system.

12. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for rendering said electronics device inoperable if said electronics device is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

13. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for generating an alarm if said electronics device is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

14. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said electronics device is a radiotelephone.

15. An apparatus for supporting a radiotelephone, comprising:

a cradle;

cradle securing means for removably securing said radiotelephone within said cradle;

signal receiving means for receiving signals to lock said cradle securing means to prevent removal of said radiotelephone from said cradle and for receiving signals to unlock said cradle securing means to allow removal of said radiotelephone from said cradle;

locking means, responsive to said signal receiving means, for locking said cradle securing means upon receipt of locking signals and for unlocking said cradle securing means upon receipt of unlocking signals;

signal generating means in communication with said signal receiving means for generating locking and unlocking signals via said radiotelephone; and

means for rendering said radiotelephone inoperable if said radiotelephone is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle security system.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle ignition system.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising means for rendering said radiotelephone inoperable if said radiotelephone is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

19. An apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising means for generating an alarm if said radiotelephone is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

20. An apparatus for supporting an electronic device, comprising:

a cradle;

a pair of opposing arms pivotally connected to said cradle for removably securing said electronic device within said cradle, said pair of opposing arms configured to move in unison between a first position for receiving an electronic device within said cradle and a second position for securing said electronic device within said cradle;

signal receiving means for receiving a locking signal to lock said cradle securing means to prevent removal of said electronic device from said cradle and for receiving an unlocking signal to unlock said cradle securing means to allow removal of said electronic device from said cradle;

locking means, responsive to said signal receiving means, for locking said pair of arms in said second position upon receipt of a locking signal and for unlocking said pair of arms, and thereby allowing said pair of arms to move to said first position, upon receipt of an unlocking signal; and

means for rendering said electronic device inoperable if said electronic device is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein each arm of said pair of arms has a member extending therefrom with an aperture formed therein, and wherein said members are configured such that said respective apertures align coaxially when said pair of arms are in said second position.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said locking means comprises:

a pin configured to be removably inserted through said coaxially aligned apertures when said pair of arms are in said second position; and

an actuator for removably inserting said pin through said coaxially aligned apertures in response to said signal receiving means receiving a locking signal, and for removing said pin from said coaxially aligned apertures in response to said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein each arm of said pair of arms has a portion configured to engage a recessed portion of said electronic device when said pair of arms are in said second position to thereby secure said electronic device within said cradle.

24. An apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising signal generating means in communication with said signal receiving means for generating locking and unlocking signals.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals via said electronic device.

26. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle security system.

27. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for generating locking and unlocking signals from a vehicle ignition system.

28. An apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising means for generating an alarm if said electronic device is removed from said cradle without said signal receiving means receiving an unlocking signal.

29. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.