Deployment system and method for user interface devices
First Claim
1. A deployment system, comprising:
- a device mounting assembly for receiving a selected user interface device;
a main rotating joint system coupling said device mounting assembly with an installation location and having a progressive clutch system that includes;
a plurality of first clutch system members each having a first contact surface; and
a plurality of second clutch system members each having a second contact surface and being rotatable relative to a respective first clutch system member about a common axis, an engagement between respective pairs of said first contact surfaces and said second contact surfaces progressively increasing as said first clutch system members rotate relative to said second clutch system members in a first rotational direction from a stowed position toward a fully-deployed position; and
a communication cable assembly with a communication cable having a predetermined dimension and being terminated by a system communication connector for communicating with a selected content system and a device communication connector, said device communication connector being disposed at said device mounting assembly and enabling the user interface device received by said device mounting assembly to communicate with the selected content system via said communication cable assembly,wherein said main rotating joint system forms an internal channel with a preselected dimension that is greater than the predetermined dimension of said communication cable and that enables said communication cable to float within said main rotating joint system such that any twisting of said communication cable due to transitions between the stowed position and the fully-deployed position can be distributed along a length of said communication cable, andwherein a first high contact surface extends at a first predetermined distance from a selected first contact surface, said first high contact surface for engaging a second high contact surface extending at a second predetermined distance from a selected second contact surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A deployment system for user interface devices with enhanced interface capabilities and methods for manufacturing and using same. The deployment system includes a main rotating joint system and a device mounting assembly that are coupled via an extension support system. The main rotating joint system enables the deployment system to be installed at any suitable installation location, such as an armrest; whereas, the device mounting assembly is configured to receive a selected user interface device. Advantageously, the deployment system provides an enlarged internal channel for accommodating larger communication cables and a progressive clutch system for supporting the increased weight of the user interface devices. The deployment system thereby can maintain near-constant tension during deployment of the user interface devices, inhibiting drop injuries to users and damage to the user interface devices.
483 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A deployment system, comprising:
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a device mounting assembly for receiving a selected user interface device; a main rotating joint system coupling said device mounting assembly with an installation location and having a progressive clutch system that includes; a plurality of first clutch system members each having a first contact surface; and a plurality of second clutch system members each having a second contact surface and being rotatable relative to a respective first clutch system member about a common axis, an engagement between respective pairs of said first contact surfaces and said second contact surfaces progressively increasing as said first clutch system members rotate relative to said second clutch system members in a first rotational direction from a stowed position toward a fully-deployed position; and a communication cable assembly with a communication cable having a predetermined dimension and being terminated by a system communication connector for communicating with a selected content system and a device communication connector, said device communication connector being disposed at said device mounting assembly and enabling the user interface device received by said device mounting assembly to communicate with the selected content system via said communication cable assembly, wherein said main rotating joint system forms an internal channel with a preselected dimension that is greater than the predetermined dimension of said communication cable and that enables said communication cable to float within said main rotating joint system such that any twisting of said communication cable due to transitions between the stowed position and the fully-deployed position can be distributed along a length of said communication cable, and wherein a first high contact surface extends at a first predetermined distance from a selected first contact surface, said first high contact surface for engaging a second high contact surface extending at a second predetermined distance from a selected second contact surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing a deployment system, comprising:
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providing a main rotating joint system forming an internal channel with a preselected dimension and having a progressive clutch system that includes; a plurality of first clutch system members each having a first contact surface; and a plurality of second clutch system members each having a second contact surface and being rotatable relative to a respective first clutch system member about a common axis, an engagement between respective pairs of said first contact surfaces and said second contact surfaces progressively increasing as said first clutch system members rotate relative to said second clutch system members in a first rotational direction from a stowed position toward a fully-deployed position; coupling a device mounting assembly with said main rotating joint system; providing a communication cable assembly with a communication cable having a predetermined dimension and being terminated by a system communication connector for communicating with a selected content system and a device communication connector, the predetermined dimension of said communication cable being less than the preselected dimension of the internal channel; disposing said communication cable assembly within the internal channel such that said device communication connector is disposed at said device mounting assembly and enables a selected user interface device received by said device mounting assembly to communicate with the selected content system via said communication cable assembly; and coupling said device mounting assembly with an installation location, wherein said main rotating joint system enables said communication cable to float within said main rotating joint system such that any twisting of said communication cable due to transitions between the stowed position and the fully-deployed position can be distributed along a length of said communication cable, and wherein a first high contact surface extends at a first predetermined distance from a selected first contact surface, said first high contact surface for engaging a second high contact surface extending at a second predetermined distance from a selected second contact surface.
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18. A deployment system, comprising:
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a device mounting assembly for receiving a selected user interface device; and a main rotating joint system coupling said device mounting assembly with an installation location and including a progressive clutch system, said progressive clutch system comprising; an auxiliary main clutch disk system having a first contact surface; and a main clutch pivot house system being rotatable relative to said auxiliary main clutch disk system about a common axis and having a second contact surface, wherein said first contact surface progressively engages said second contact surface as said auxiliary main clutch disk system rotates relative to said main clutch pivot house system, and wherein a first high contact surface extends at a first predetermined distance from a selected first contact surface, said first high contact surface for engaging a second high contact surface extending at a second predetermined distance from a selected second contact surface. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification