Cellular phone holder with charger mounted to vehicle dashboard

• US 7,062,300 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ki I.L. Kim
• Original Assignee: Ki I.L. Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Ki Il
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, TUAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/708,948
• Time in Patent Office: 2,042 Days
• Field of Search: 4555691-5692, 455572-573, 455/575.1, 455/575.9, 455 901- 903, 455/9, 379/420.04, 379/449, 379/446, 379454-455
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0054 using cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

In a vehicle, means of mounting a cell phone on the vehicle dashboard with minimal wiring and external connections, using manufacturer power connections made available on the dashboard. The mounting means is either an after market accessory addition to the vehicle or a option available at the time of purchase to render easy and convenient mounting of the cell phone without loose wires and providing proper positioning of a video camera built into the cell phone. The cell phone is positioned for viewing either through the windshield or backward onto the occupants enabling monitoring accidents between vehicles, the result of an accident on the occupants of the vehicle or for security monitoring of the trespassers within the vehicle. This is accomplished by mounting the camera at the dashboard. Another advantage is to improve the power output of the cell phone by positioning the antenna (part of the hand held cell phone device) near the windshield.

Claims

1. A cell phone holding and charging device for a vehicle dashboard having an upper surface, comprising;

a holder having a shape for receiving and supporting a cell phone in a manner leaving the control and display functions of the cell phone visible and accessible,

said holder having an electrical connector for operably receiving a charger connector of the cell phone when the cell phone is received and supported in said holder,

a support provided at the upper surface of the vehicle dashboard,

said support having a connecting joint supporting said holder above the upper surface of the dashboard for adjustable movement of said holder about at least a vertical axis and an axis lateral to the vehicle for allowing adjustment of the cell phone to face various areas of the interior of the vehicle, and

said support including an electrical connection to said electrical connector of said holder for supplying charging and operating current to the cell phone when the cell phone is received and supported in said holder.

2. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said electrical connection of said support is connected to the battery of the vehicle.

3. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said support includes a cigarette lighter socket mounted in the upper surface of the dashboard and a cigarette lighter plug for fitting into said cigarette lighter socket, and said connecting joint is provided on said cigarette lighter plug.

4. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said support includes a compartment below the upper surface of the dashboard and a cover on said compartment, said cover being operable to an open and generally vertical position extending above the upper surface of the dashboard, and said connecting joint is provided on an inner side of said cover whereby said holder is received in said compartment in the closed position of said cover.

5. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said support includes a raised portion on the upper surface of the dashboard, said connecting joint mounted to said raised portion and extending rearwardly to connect to and support said holder.

6. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said connecting joint includes a ball joint connector.

7. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said holder is supported by said support to hold the cell phone in a generally vertical position.

8. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 1, wherein said holder supports said cell phone in a manner for allowing the vehicle driver to view the cell phone display screen.

9. A cell phone holding and charging device for a vehicle dashboard having an upper surface, comprising;

a holder having a shape for receiving and supporting a cell phone in a manner leaving the control and display functions of the cell phone visible and accessible,

said holder having an electrical connector for operably receiving a charger connector of the cell phone when the cell phone is received and supported in said holder,

a support provided on and extending upwardly from the upper surface of the vehicle dashboard,

said support having a connecting joint extending rearwardly of said support and connected to said holder for supporting said holder above the upper surface of the dashboard for adjustable movement of said holder for the cell phone to face at least plural passenger areas of the interior of the vehicle, and

said support including an electrical connection to said electrical connector of said holder for supplying charging and operating current to the cell phone when the cell phone is received and supported in said holder.

10. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said support electrical connection of said support is connected to the battery of the vehicle.

11. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said support is at least as wide as said holder.

12. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said support is at least as high as said holder.

13. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 12, wherein said support includes upper and side surfaces that are inclined to the upper surface of the dashboard.

14. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said support is provided as an integral portion of the vehicle dashboard.

15. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said support is provided as a separate component mounted on the upper surface of the dashboard.

16. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said connecting joint provides adjustable movement of said holder about at least a vertical axis and an axis lateral to the vehicle.

17. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 9, wherein said connecting joint includes a ball joint connector.

18. A cell phone holding and charging device for a vehicle having a dashboard with an upper surface extending laterally of the vehicle, comprising:

a support provided on the upper surface toward the lateral middle of the vehicle dashboard, said support extending upwardly from the plane of the upper surface;

a holder having a shape for receiving and supporting a cell phone in a manner that allows visible and physical access to the operating control and display functions of the cell phone, said holder having an electrical connector for operably connecting to a charger connection jack of the cell phone when the cell phone is received and supported in said holder;

a connecting joint extending rearwardly from said support and connected to said holder for supporting said holder and cell phone above the upper surface of the dashboard, said connecting joint being adjustable for allowing pivotal movement about at least a vertical axis and an axis lateral to the vehicle for adjustably facing said cell phone toward at least each front seat in the vehicle; and

an electrical connection permanently provided between said electrical connector in said holder and the battery of the vehicle through said support for supplying electrical current to the cell phone for operating and charging the cell phone when the cell phone is received and supported in said holder.

19. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 18, wherein said support is at least as wide as said holder.

20. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 18, wherein said support is at least as high as said holder.

21. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 20, wherein said support includes upper and side surfaces that are inclined to the upper surface of the dashboard.

22. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 18, wherein said support is provided as an integral portion of the vehicle dashboard.

23. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 18, wherein said support is provided as a separate component mounted on the upper surface of the dashboard.

24. The cell phone holding and charging device of claim 18, wherein said connecting joint includes a ball joint connector.