Navigational device for installation in a vehicle and a method for doing same

• US 7,440,845 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Minelli, Jeffrey D., Laverick, David J., Schoenfish, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US10/790,382
• Time in Patent Office: 1,695 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/209, 701/1, 701/49, 348/837, 296/37.7, 296/24.34, 296/24.1, 296/37.8, 296/26.01, 296/26.02, 296/26.03, 296/26.06, 296/166, 296/24.3, 296/26.14, 296/185.1, 296/107.06
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/771 on the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/771 on the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2304/076 by add-on parts, e.g. retrofit
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/265 constructional aspects of navigation devices, e.g. housings, mountings, displays G01C21/3688 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64

Abstract

A navigation assembly (5l) for mounting a navigational device (10l) in an open port (12l) of a vehicle resulting from removal of a non-navigational component is provided. The navigation assembly (5l) broadly comprises a mounting assembly (218l) and the navigational device (10l). The mounting assembly (218l) is mounted within the open port (12l), and the navigational device (10l) is fixedly or removably attached to the mounting assembly (218l), such that the navigational device (10l) may be linearly raised or lowered between two viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other. The navigational device (10l) is operable to pivot left and right within the open port (12l). Additionally, a navigation assembly (5m) broadly comprising a mounting assembly (218m) and a navigational device (10m) for raising and lowering the navigational device (10m) among three viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other is provided.

Claims

1. A navigation assembly sized and configured to fit within an open port of a vehicle resulting from removal of a non-navigation component, the navigation assembly comprising:

a navigational device including—

a navigation component,

a processor coupled with the navigation component for calculating a location of the navigational device,

a memory coupled with the processor for storing cartographic data,

a display, and

a portable housing for housing the navigation component, the processor, the memory, and the display; and

a mounting assembly for mounting the housing within the open port and configured such that the housing may be linearly raised and lowered between at least two linear viewing positions, wherein in a first, raised position, about one-thirds to three fourths of the housing is positioned within the open port, and in a second, lowered position, about none to one-half of the housing is positioned within the open port, and further such that the housing may be pivoted left and right relative to the open port.

2. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-navigational component was removed from an overhead console of the vehicle.

3. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the non-navigational component was originally installed in the vehicle during manufacture of the vehicle.

4. A navigation assembly comprising:

a navigational device including—

a navigation component,

a processor coupled with the navigation component for calculating a location of the navigational device,

a memory coupled with the processor for storing cartographic data,

a display; and

a portable housing for housing the navigation component, the processor, the memory, and the display; and

a mounting assembly mounted in an open port of a vehicle resulting from removal of a non-navigational component, the mounting assembly including a support plate riding up and down a generally linear stem to generally linearly raise and lower the housing among three generally linear viewing positions, such that in a first, stowed position, substantially all of the housing is within the open port, in a second, intermediate position, only a portion of the housing is within the open port, and in a third position, substantially none of the housing is within the open port.

5. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the navigational device is operable to pivot left and right about a generally transverse axis.

6. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the non-navigational component was removed from an overhead console of the vehicle.

7. The navigation assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the navigational device may be rotated about the generally transverse axis when the navigational device is in either the intermediate or third position.