Abstract:
A cooling mount for portable electronic devices is provided that includes a cooling unit for preventing portable electronic devices housing the cooling mount from reaching critical temperatures during operation to avoid undesired shut down of the electronic device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/078,085, filed on Nov. 11, 2014, titled PORTABLE TABLET COOLING DEVICE, which application is incorporated by reference in this application in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a cooling mount for portable electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable electronic devices, including tablets, such as iPADs, iPAD Airs and iPAD minis; smart phones, such as iPhones and Android phones; cell phones; and personal computers are typically powered by a battery, so that users may carry them about and use them as needed, including when operating a vehicle, such as an aircraft, boat or car. Frequently, these devices provide navigation information to users, and for many, such a device has become a required navigational item. When used to guide the operation of land, water and aircraft, it can become problematic if the device is exposed to extreme heat or direct sunlight. The screen of the device, being almost completely black, can get extremely hot if left in direct sun. As a protective measure, the device will shut itself down upon reaching a critical temperature and stay shut down until it cools off. The primary reason for this is to protect the tablet&#39;s internal battery. If the device is the primary source for navigation, it can become problematic and/or dangerous to the user if the device shuts down during use. Currently, the user&#39;s only option is to get the device to a cooler environment and lower its internal temperature, usually by removing it from direct sunlight. Once the device&#39;s internal temperature lowers, it may automatically switch back on, but in the interim there is nothing else for the user to do except to keep the device out of the sun. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The current invention relates to a cooling mount for portable electronic devices, including, but not limited to, tablets, such as iPADs, iPAD Airs and iPAD minis; smart phones, such as iPhones and Android phones; cell phones; and personal computers that will not only extend product life, but also prevent critical temperature shutdowns and general overheating of the device, which can make user contact uncomfortable or even dangerous. As illustrated and explained further below, the present invention is a cooling mount that provides forced air across the rear of the portable electronic device using fans and either internal battery power or external power. 
     In one implementation, the invention consists of a polygonal housing made of a rigid material having a front face in the general shape of a portable electronic device for mounting the electronic device on the cooling mount. The housing has a back portion and four sidewalls. The back portion contains two battery housings, a circuit board and electric fans. The cooling mount is constructed so that the portable electronic device, when engaged within the cooling mount, is held away from the back, permitting air flow from the fans to circulate across the back of the electronic device to lower its internal temperature. 
     Optionally, the invention can include a device for fastening the cooling mount to objects. For example, the cooling mount may include a strap for attaching the mount to a user&#39;s leg or to clamp for attaching the cooling mount to various objects within a cabin or cockpit, on a dash board or on objects in the area immediately surrounding the user. 
     The invention may also optionally include a probe with a temperature-sensitive head that mounts onto the back of a portable electronic device when it is engaged within the cooling mount. The temperature-sensitive probe can detect with the when the ambient temperature or the temperature of the portable electronic device reaches a certain predetermined level and initiate cooling of the device. 
     Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of an implementation of a cooling mount of the present invention as is appears engaged with a tablet. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  with the tablet removed. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective elevation view of the bottom left side of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up top perspective view the bottom left corner of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective exploded view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  showing one example of a mounting mechanism that may be attached to the back of the cooling mount. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of one example of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  having a mounting mechanism attached to the rear of the cooling mount. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective elevation view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  showing an example of an external power supply mounted onto a mounting mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective exploded view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  showing an example of another mounting mechanism that may be attached to the back of the cooling mount. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  showing the mounting mechanism of  FIG. 10  attached to the back of the cooling mount. 
         FIG. 12  is rear perspective exploded view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  having a temperature sensing device for measuring the temperature of the portable electronic device engaged by the cooling mount. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 , the current invention relates to a cooling mount  100  for portable electronic devices  102  that will not only extend product life, but also prevent critical temperature shutdowns and general overheating of the devices  102 . As illustrated and explained further below, the cooling mount  100  of the present invention houses a portable electronic device  102  in a manner that allows for air flow across the rear of the device  102  to cool the electronic device during use. In one example implementation, fans, powered by internal and/or external power sources, may be used in the cooling mount to produce airflow across the back of the device. As further illustrated below, the cooling mount may include a mechanism for fastening the cooling mount to a person or object, may include an external power source for use as primary or back-up power supply and may also include a temperature probe for monitoring the temperature of the electronic device and/or air surrounding the device and initiating air flow when predetermined temperatures are detected. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of an implementation of a cooling mount  100  of the present invention as it appears engaged with a portable electronic device  102 , which in this example, is a tablet. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cooling mount  100  includes a generally polygonal shaped housing  104  made of a general rigid material having a front face of the general shape of a portable electronic device  102 . Although the portable electronic device  102  in  FIG. 1  is a tablet, such as an iPAD, the present invention can be designed of varying sizes and shapes to engage other types and sizes of portable electronic devices  102 , such smart phones and personal computers. Further the cooling mount  100  may include adapters (not shown) for accommodating various types of the devices without modifying the overall design. 
     While the  FIG. 1  shows the cooling mount  100  and portable electronic device  102  in a portrait orientation, the position of cooling mount  100  may easily be changed to a landscape orientation or other orientation, depending on the orientation of the electronic device. Further, although the housing  104  is illustrated as a rectangular polygonal shape, the cooling mount  100  is not so limited in shape and may be designed of any shaping having a front face for mounting the electronic device  102 . 
     The portable electronic device  102  is mounted on the front face of the cooling mount  100 . The front face of the cooling mount  100  includes a general raised perimeter  106  having a retaining device  108 ,  110  for receiving the retaining the portable electronic device  102  on the front face of the cooling mount  100 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the device  102  may be retained along various points around its perimeter by raised  106 , channeled  108  or clipping  110  mechanisms that are positioned along the housing  104  sidewalls securing, hooking and/or clipping the device to the front of the cooling mount  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  with the tablet  102  removed. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the cooling mount  100  provides a user with the ability to lower the internal and external temperatures of the device  102  through of a cooling unit  105 , which in this is example, is a series of fans  112  that blow across thermodynamically designed airflow paths  109  through ports  136 . In this example, the fans  112  are powered by an internal power source  114 , which in this example, are batteries within battery housing. An electronic circuit board  116  may also be provided to further control the operation of the fans  112  and optionally provide external power to the fans  112  from an external power source (not shown). Optionally, and as further described below, the electronic circuit board  116  may be in communication with a temperature sensing device  160  for determining when to turn on and/or off the cooling unit  105  and control other functions and features of the mount  100  (e.g., power low light indicator). 
     As illustrated, in this example, the cooling mount  100  includes generally inwardly angled side walls  120  that converge toward a recessed compartment  118  for housing the cooling unit  105 , power supply (i.e. batteries) located within the battery housings  114  and circuit board  116 . To allow for cooling unit  105  in the cooling mount  100  to blow air across the airflow paths  109 , the portable electronic device  102 , when engaged with the cooling mount  100 , rests above the fans  112 , power supply (i.e. batteries) located within the battery housings  114  and circuit board  116 . Accordingly, the cooling unit  105  is positioned in the recessed compartment  118  at the rear of the cooling mount  100  to maintain a predetermined amount of air space between the back of the electronic device  102  and recessed compartment  118 . 
     By having the sides walls  120  angle downwardly and inward toward the recessed compartment  118 , the portable electronic device is maintain on the front face of the cooling mount  100 , resting against the perimeter edges of the side walls  102  and engaged by raised  106 , channeled  108  or clipping  110  mechanisms. Breaks in the sidewalls  120  and the raised  106 , channeled  108  or clipping  110  mechanisms allow the portable electronic device  102  to be slid easily into the cooling mount  100  and further permits access to such things as the external power port, on/off switch, microphone, speakers, volume controls and/or other buttons on the top and sides of portable electronic device. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  and best illustrates the cooling unit  105  and component parts housed in the recessed compartment  118 . Shown from the front are the exposed fans  112 , battery housings  114  and circuit board  116 . When the portable electronic device  102  is removed, unhinged or unhooked from the invention, access to the internal power source (i.e. batteries) located within the battery housings  114  becomes readily available. This facilitates the quick and easy changing of batteries when power is low during operation.  FIG. 3  also illustrates an external power cord  122  that may be used to connect the mount  100  to an external power source, which as illustrated in connection with  FIG. 9  below, may be an external battery. Additionally,  FIG. 3  illustrates one example of a mounting mechanism  115  that may be connected to the back of the cooling mount  100 , as will be further described in connection with  FIG. 10  below, for mounting the cooling mount  100  to an object. In this example, the mounting mechanism  115  consisting of a ball pivot mechanism  124 , a clamping device  126  into which the ball pivot fits and a nut adjustment assembly  128 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective elevation view of the bottom left side of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an external power connection port  130  in the cooling mount housing  104  which may be connected to an external power source in lieu of battery power and a power switch  132  that provides a means for selecting power input source (either internal or external, e.g., USB or internal batteries). External power can be applied to the invention, for example, through a USB or micro USB connector  122  (i.e., power switch-over is initiated by a slide switch). Extended shrouding can protect the micro USB power connector. 
       FIG. 4  further shows a battery indicator light  134  that in a specific implementation emits a green light if the internal batteries are in a high power condition, a yellow light if the batteries are in a low power condition and a red color if the batteries need to be replaced. However, in other implementations, the indicator can emit any color or wavelength of visible light as desired.  FIG. 4  also illustrates a battery test button  180  for the invention that if pushed allows a user to test the strength of the internal batteries. While these components are illustrated as positioned on the bottom left side of the cooling mount  100 , those skilled in the art will recognize that these features may be located at various locations along the mount  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is a close-up top perspective view the bottom left corner of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  showing the circuit board  116 , the recessed compartment  118  and the side walls  120  and raised  106  and channeled  108  mechanism within or upon which the portable electronic device  102  rests. 
       FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  illustrating the ventilation holes  138  for the fans  112  and one example of a mounting mechanism  115  attached to the cooling mount  100 .  FIG. 6  best illustrates the recessed compartment  118  of the portable cooling mount  100  which houses the fans  112 , battery housings  114  and circuit board  116  outward and away from the back of the electronic device  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the recessed compartment  118  includes angled panels for mounting the fans  112  at an inward angle to blow across the cooling mount  100  and the back of the electronic device  100 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the opposing and angled nature of the series of fans  112  directing air flow across the back of the portable electronic device  102  when inserted into the cooling mount  100 . The air from the fans  112  is vented out of holes or ports  136  on the backing of the cooling mount. The ports  136 , as illustrated may be positioned on an angled panel opposing the panel for mounting the fans  112 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 6  is one example of a mounting mechanism  115  for the invention, which in this case is a mounting plate  140  that is affixed to the back of the housing  104  of the cooling mount  100  by fasteners  144   a  through holes  146  in the mounting plate  140 . 
       FIG. 7  is a rear perspective exploded view of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  showing one example of a mounting mechanism  115  that may be attached to the back of the cooling mount  100 . While various mounting mechanisms  115  may be used to mount the cooling mount  100 , in this example, the mounting mechanism  115  is a leg strap  148  for mounting the cool mount  100  to a user&#39;s leg. The mounting mechanism  115  includes a mounting plate  140 , a leg strap  148  that passes through slots  142  in the mounting plate  140  and fasteners  144   a  and  144   b  that pass through holes  146  in the plate  140  for mounting the plate  140  to corresponding holes  150  on the back of the cooling mount  100 . The strap  148  may be, for example, an adjustable strap for attaching the cooling mount  100  and portable electronic device  102  directly to a part of the user, such as the user&#39;s leg, or, alternative, a large and stable object. The strap  148  may be adjustable and secured by means of Velcro or other fastening device to adjust the position and size of the strap  148  around the object to which it is mounted. 
       FIG. 8  shows the mounting mechanism  115  of  FIG. 7  affixed to the back of the housing  104  of the cooling mount  100 . In operation, as explained above, the strap  148  attaches the cooling mount  100  and portable electronic device  102  directly to the user (i.e., the user&#39;s leg) or to another object. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective elevation view of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  showing an example of an external power supply  152  mounted onto the leg strap  148  of a mounting mechanism  115 . Optionally, an external power source, such as battery pack  152 , may be utilized to power the cooling mount  100  or, alternative, provide external power for the portable electronic device  102 . In this example, the mounting mechanisms  115  for mounting the cooling mount  100  may include an additional feature for holding and supporting an external power supply  152 . The external power device may also be mounted onto the back of the portable tablet cooling device (not shown) or at another location on the mounting mechanism  115 , such as the mounting plate  140 . In use, the internal power source, such as the batteries pack, may also be charged periodically through the power port using an external power supply or the back-up battery pack. 
       FIG. 10  is a rear perspective exploded view of the cooling mount  100  of  FIG. 1  showing another example of a mounting mechanism  115  that may be attached to the back of the cooling mount  100 . In this example, the mounting mechanism  115  includes a ball pivot mechanism  124 , which can be affixed to the back of the cooling mount housing  104  using fasteners  144   a  and  144   b  that pass through holes  154  in the ball joint assembly  124  that engage holes  150  on the back of the housing  104 . The ball joint may then snap into a clamping device  126  with a nut adjustment assembly  128  that permits the user to clamp the cooling mount  100  and engaged portable electronic device  102  onto an object within the cabin, cockpit or immediate area surrounding the user (e.g., dashboard) operating a land, air or water vehicle positioned within the reach or vicinity of the user. The ball joint  124  permits the cooling mount  100  and device  102  to be repositioned easily by allowing for a pivotal mount. 
       FIG. 11  shows the mounting mechanism of  FIG. 10 , mounted on the rear of the cooling mount housing  104  with fasteners  144   a , with its ball joint snapped into the clamping device  126 . In this example, the ball joint assembly  140  is mounting to the mounting plate  140  rather than directly to the back of the cooling mount  100 . In this manner, the ball joint assembly  140  can be removed to provide access to the leg mount device without requiring the mounting plate of the leg mount to be secured to the cooling mount  100 , facilitating easier interchangeability between mounts. 
       FIG. 12  is rear perspective exploded view of the cooling mount of  FIG. 1  having a temperature sensing device  160  for measuring the temperature of the portable electronic device  102  engaged by the cooling mount  100 . In this example, a temperature sensing device  160  includes a probe  158  that may be positioned on the back of the portable electronic device  102  for monitoring the temperature of the portable electronic device  102 . The temperature sensor or probe  158  may be in electronic communication with cooling unit  105  and may control the operation of the cooling unit  105  based upon measure temperatures of the electronic device  102  and/or the ambient air surrounding the device  102 . Controls may trigger the operation of the cooling unit  105  from an on to an off state depending upon the detected temperatures. Optionally, an in other implementations, applications on the electronic device  102  may be also be able to measure the internal and/or external temperature of the device  102  and communicate such temperature information to the cooling mount  100 . 
     Other features may also be optionally implemented into the cooling mount  100  without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, other cooling units or mechanism for cooling the portable electronic device, such as induction cooling, may be used in addition to or in lieu of fans. Depending upon the type of cooling unit, contact may be desired between the electronic device  102  and the cooling unit  105 . Further, the cooling mount  100  may include WiFi access, Bluetooth and other hardware and software to facilitate communications between the cooling mount  100  and the portable electronic device  102  and the cooling mount  100  and an internal or external network. Bluetooth, WiFi, radio and or other wired or wireless communications may be established between the portable electronic device  102  and the cooling mount  100  to increase functionality by placing the cooling mount  100  in signal communication with the portable electronic device  102 . For example, speakers or other accessories may be included in the cooling mount  100  that are accessible through communication between the portable electronic device  102  and the cooling mount  102 . 
     It will be understood that the term “in signal communication” as used herein means that two or more systems, devices, components, modules, or sub-modules are capable of communicating with each other via signals that travel over some type of signal path. The signals may be communication, power, data, or energy signals, which may communicate information, power, or energy from a first system, device, component, module, or sub-module to a second system, device, component, module, or sub-module along a signal path between the first and second system, device, component, module, or sub-module. The signal paths may include physical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrochemical, optical, wired, or wireless connections. The signal paths may also include additional systems, devices, components, modules, or sub-modules between the first and second system, device, component, module, or sub-module. 
     More generally, terms such as “communicate” and “in . . . communication with” (for example, a first component “communicates with” or “is in communication with” a second component) are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to communicate with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components. For purposes of this application, the hardware and/or software necessary to establish signal communication between two components shall be “communications components.” 
     The foregoing description of an implementation has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.