Releasable mount for an electric device

• US 6,370,037 B1
• Filed: 09/16/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Schoenfish, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, HUNG S
• Application Number:
  US09/397,567
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 361/807, 361/801, 361/815, 361/823, 361/825, 361/802, 361/809, 361/728, 361/694, 439/558, 439/350, 439/353, 439/358, 439/35, 439/373, 248/671, 248/672, 248/917, 248/918, 248/27.1, 248/27.3, 312/7.2, 312/242, 312/223.1, 312/223.3, 174/52.1
• US Class Current: 361/807
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to the dashboad of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending from said plate. The outwardly biased arm engages the cradle when the mount is secured to the cradle. The arm is deflected inwardly to allow the electronic device to be quickly and easily removed from the dashboard of the vehicle in a single motion.

Claims

1. A device for releasably mounting an electronic device to a surface, comprising:

a mount coupled with the electronic device, said mount having a plate with opposing ends and a pair of latch arms extending generally outwardly from said plate at said ends, each of said latch arms having an outer face, said face having a notch positioned across the width of said face, each of said latch arms biased outwardly when deflected in the direction of said plate;

a cradle, for coupling with the surface, having a pair of opposing side walls, said opposing side walls having a pair of receiving slots corresponding to said latch arms of said mount,

wherein said notches of said latch arms receive a portion of said sidewalls when said latch arms are placed within said slots so that said mount is releasably secured in said cradle.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said side walls further comprise a flange at the terminal end of the walls wherein said notches of said latch arms receive a portion of said flange when said latch arms are placed within said slots so that said mount is releasably secured in said cradle.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein each of said latch arms has a stem and a head, said stem extending from said base to said notch, said head formed on the said arm opposite said stem.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said head includes a grasping surface.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said grasping surface is generally inwardly concave.

6. The device according to claim 3 wherein the stem has a tapered cross section.

7. The device according to claim 2 wherein said flange is substantially coplanar with the surface.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said latch arms has a generally rectangular cross section and each said slot has a generally rectangular cross section.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said mount is formed integrally with the electronic device.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said mount is coupled with the electronic device by at least two screws.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein such said slot extends into flange wherein each said notch receives a portion of said flange inwardly from said side wall.