US20070001078A1

US20070001078A1 - Mounting apparatus for a mobile communication device

Info

Publication number: US20070001078A1
Application number: US11/172,197
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Martin; David McClintock
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2005-06-30
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2007-01-04

Abstract

A mounting apparatus (100) includes a mobile communication device (102) having first and second integrated side rails (120, 122), and a unitarily molded bracket (104) having side surfaces (134) extending therefrom. The side surfaces (134) receive the mobile communication device (102) in either a vertical drop down mounting option (202) or a horizontal slide in mounting (204) option. The mobile communication device (102) includes first and second side rails (120, 122) that rest on top of the side surfaces (134) in the vertical drop down mounting mode (202). In the horizontal slide in mode (204), the side rails (120, 122) slide along flat surfaces (138) of side surfaces (134) and become engaged to engagement portions (136, 138, 140) of the side panels (142).

Description

CROSS RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is cross-referenced to patent application entitled MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE, Attorney Docket No. CM08456K, filed on even date herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates in general to mobile communication devices and more particularly to mechanisms for mounting such devices into vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communication devices, particularly high power data and radio devices, tend to be heavy and thus require strong, stable mechanisms for mounting these devices into vehicles. A mounting bracket is typically used to receive and retain the mobile device. The mounting bracket is usually affixed to a portion of the vehicle, such as in the trunk, under the dash board or between seats, with the mobile device being installed and retained within the bracket. Installation and removal of the mobile device to and from the bracket can be cumbersome and awkward due to the weight of the device as well as height and width clearance limitations within the vehicle. Separate alignment piece parts may also be needed, requiring an installer to use both hands to align the mobile communication device within the bracket thereby increasing parts count, assembly complexity and cost.
Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting apparatus that facilitates installation and removal of a mobile communication device, particularly in the vehicular environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 shows a mounting bracket and mobile communication device formed in accordance the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows two mounting options that can be used for mounting the mobile communication device to the bracket in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a completed assembly of the mobile communication device within the bracket in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
The present invention may be embodied in several forms and manners. The description provided below and the drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be embodied in other forms and manners not shown below. The invention shall have the full scope of the claims and shall not be limited by the embodiments shown below. It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first, second, top and bottom, front and rear and the like are used solely for distinguishing one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or actions.
Briefly, there is provided herein an apparatus for mounting a mobile communication device, such as to a vehicle. The mounting apparatus of the present invention includes first and second rails extending from the mobile communication device and a bracket having a bottom surface with side surfaces. The side surfaces of the bracket provide a track upon which to slide the rails during engagement and disengagement of the mobile communication device. The mounting apparatus of the present invention engages the mobile communication device using two possible mounting options: a drop in mounting option and a slide-in mounting option.
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the mounting apparatus of the present invention at various stages of assembly. FIG. 1 shows a mounting bracket and mobile communication device formed in accordance the present invention. FIG. 2 shows two mounting options that can be used for mounting the mobile communication device to the bracket in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a completed assembly of the mobile communication device within the bracket in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, mounting apparatus 100 includes mobile communication device 102 and mounting bracket 104 formed in accordance with the present invention. Mobile communication device 102 comprises a housing 106, shown here as a unitarily die cast chassis, having top, bottom, front, back and first and second side surfaces 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 respectively. In accordance with the present invention, mobile communication device 102 includes first and second rails 120, 122, integrated as part of the housing 106, extending from the top surface 108 over the side surfaces 116, 118. Rails 120, 122 provide integrated alignment and facilitate mounting capability of the housing 106 to bracket 104.
If desired, pads 124 may be integrated as part of the housing 106 around screw holes 126, for the purposes of focusing signs of wear to predetermined areas. The rails 120, 122 thus minimize signs of wear in addition to providing alignment and mounting capability.
In accordance with the present invention, bracket 104 comprises a unitarily formed piece of metal having a bottom surface 130 and a plurality of side surfaces 134 extending upward and substantially perpendicular therefrom. For the purposes of this application, four side surfaces are shown, two on each side of the bracket 104, however, additional side surfaces could be used as well. In accordance with the present invention, side surfaces 134 provide tracks upon which to mount the mobile communication device 102 using two possible mounting options, as will be discussed in conjunction with FIG. 2.
In accordance with the present invention, side surfaces 134 include an engagement portion having a predetermined shape with which to slide and engage/disengage the mobile communication device 102. The shape of the engagement portion is preferably formed of a curved up ramp 136, a top flat section 138 and a curved down ramp 140. The bracket's plurality of side surfaces 134 will also be referred to as first side panels 142 and second side panels 144. In accordance with the present invention, the rails 120, 122 of mobile communication device 102 include contoured portions which align and co-locate with the geometry of the engagement portions of the bracket 104.
Referring now to FIG. 2, two mounting options 202, 204 are shown for mounting mobile communication device 102 to the bracket 104 in accordance with the present invention. Mounting option 202 provides a drop down option, while mounting option 204 provides a slide in option.
In accordance with the present invention, the drop down option 202 allows the mobile communication device 102 to be vertically deposited within the bracket 104 such that the first and second rails 120, 122 come to rest upon each flat top section 138 of the plurality of side surfaces 134. The first side panels 142 become thus become engaged by second contour portions 148. The completed engagement of first mounting option 202 is shown in view 206.
In accordance with the present invention, the second mounting option 204 allows the rails 120, 122 of mobile communication device 102 to be slid horizontally along surfaces 138 of bracket 104. Upon insertion of the mobile communication device 102 into bracket 104, rails 120, 122 slide over the flat top sections 138 of the first side panels 142. As the rails 120, 122 slide toward the second side panels 144, the contoured portions of the rails begin engagement with the engagement portions of the first side panels 142. To achieve engagement, the first contour portion 146 slides up over the up ramp 136, across the flat top section 138 and down the down ramp 140. The second contoured portions 148 thus engage and retain the first side panels 142, as seen in view 206.
Both mounting options 202, 204 produce completed assembly 206 shown in FIG. 2. For either mounting option 202 or 204, the integrated rails 120, 122 guide the housing 102 onto the flat top sections 138 of bracket 104 while the second contoured portions 148 complete the engagement of the housing 106 to the bracket 104. First contoured portions 146 are used in the horizontal mounting option 204 to provide lift (up ramp), alignment (across ramp) and drop (down ramp) such that the second contoured portions 148 (having corresponding geometries to the side panels) co-locate, capture and retain first side panels 142. Both mounting options 202, 204 can be performed by an installer using one hand.
FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the completed mounting apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention. This view shows rail 122 having first and second contoured portions 146, 148 engaged to side panel 142 of the mobile communication device 102. The rail 122 rests on each of the flat top sections 138 of the first and second side panels 142, 144. Thus, while all four of the plurality of side surfaces 134 provide alignment and tracks upon which to slide the mobile communication device 102, only two of the plurality of side surfaces 134 (first side panels 142) are needed for actually retaining the mobile communication device to the bracket 104. Additional side surfaces could be formed as part of the bracket 104 for the purposes of alignment and tracks if desired.
Removal of the mobile communication device 102 from bracket 104 is achieved by grabbing the front portion of the device and pulling it upwards to disengage the first side panels 142 from the first contoured portions 146 of the bracket. The device can then be lifted straight out or pulled out horizontally.
Accordingly, there has been provided a mounting apparatus that simplifies mounting a mobile communication device. By integrating the rails 120, 122 as part of the housing 106, the need for any separate alignment pieces has been eliminated thereby reducing assembly complexity and tooling costs. The use of integrated pads around the screw holes, if desired, focuses any signs of wear marks to predetermined areas under the rails and as such the wear marks are far less visible to users. The ability to use two mounting options facilitates placement of the device within a vehicle, even in vehicles having tight height and width constraints. The mounting apparatus of the present invention allows an installer to install and remove the mobile communication device to and from the bracket using one hand further facilitating installation and removal of the system.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus, including:

a mobile communication device having first and second integrated rails extending therefrom,

a bracket having a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom, the plurality of side surfaces providing a track upon which to slide the integrated rails during engagement and disengagement of the mobile communication device, the bracket engaging the mobile communication device using a mounting option selected from a drop in mounting and a slide in mounting.

2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

screw holes in the mobile communication device, the side surfaces aligning with the screw holes; and

pads integrated about the screw holes, the pads providing an area upon which to focus wear marks occurring between the bracket and the mobile communication device.

3. The mounting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second rails conceal wear marks on the pads.

4. A mounting apparatus, comprising:

a mobile communication device having a housing with first and second integrated rails extending therefrom, the first and second integrated rails having a contoured portion;

a bracket having a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom, the bracket for receiving the mobile communication device between the plurality of side surfaces, the plurality of side surfaces characterized by an engagement portion; and

wherein the contoured portions of the first and second integrated rails align and co-locate with the engagement portions of the plurality of side surfaces for engaging, retaining and disengaging the mobile communication device and bracket.

5. The mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the engagement portions of the plurality of side surfaces each have a predetermined shape formed of a curved up ramp, a flat top section and a curved down ramp.

6. The mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mounting apparatus provides both a drop in mounting option and a slide in mounting option.

7. The mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the housing comprises a unitarily die cast chassis.

8. A mounting apparatus for a communication device, comprising:

a mobile communication device formed of a housing having top, bottom, front, back and first and second side surfaces respectively and having first and second integrated rails extending from the top surface over the first and second side surfaces, the fist and second integrated rails having contoured portions;

a bracket unitarily formed having a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom, each of the plurality of side surfaces having an engagement portion formed of a curved up ramp, a top flat section and a curved down ramp, the bracket for receiving the mobile communication device using either of two mounting options selected from a drop down option and a slide in option;

wherein the drop down option allows the mobile communication device to be vertically deposited within the bracket such that the first and second integrated rails rest upon each flat section of the plurality of side surfaces; and

the second mounting option allows the mobile communication device to be slid along the first and second integrated rails, the contoured portions of the first and second integrated rails sliding up the up ramp, across the flat top section and down the down ramp of the engagement portion of the plurality of side surfaces.

9. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a unitarily formed housing.

10. The mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a chassis.

11. The mounting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the chassis is a unitarily die cast chassis.

12. A mounting apparatus, comprising:

a mobile communication device having a housing with rails integrated therein and extending therefrom, the rails including first and second contoured portions; a bracket having a plurality of side surfaces, the plurality of side surfaces providing first side panels and second side panels;

the mobile communication device mounting to the bracket via one of two mounting options: a drop in option and a slide in option;

in the drop in option, the housing being deposited into the bracket between the plurality of side surfaces such that the rails rest upon the top flat sections of the plurality of side surfaces, and the second contoured portions engage the first side panels; and

in the slide in option: the housing being slid horizontally between the first and second side panels, the rails initially sliding over the flat top sections of the first side panels and as the rails slide toward the second side panels, the first contoured portion sliding up over the up ramp, across the flat top section and down the down ramp of the first side panels, the second contoured portion thereby engaging and retaining the first side panels.

13. A mounting apparatus, comprising:

a mobile communication device having a unitarily formed housing with side rails extending therefrom, the rails having contoured portions; and

a bracket having side panels providing tracks for the rails, the rails and the tracks guiding the housing into the bracket while the contoured portions of the rails engage the side panels of the bracket.