Cellular phone holder with charger mounted to vehicle dashboard

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.

RELATED DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

A Disclosure Document No. 479497 was filed in the Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 5, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a vehicle mounting device and, in particular, a mounting device located on or in a vehicle dashboard for holding and powering a cell phone.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As the number of technology innovations increase, more devices are developed specifically for use in vehicles or sufficiently compact to be used in the vehicle. The devices may be placed on vehicle dashboards and powered, either directly or indirectly, via the vehicle cigarette lighter. A likelihood exists that vehicle manufacturers may add a second cigarette lighter on top of the dashboard to accommodate these devices without eliminating the cigarette lighter function. Further, cell phones are being developed with video cameras built in for conveying image data over the cell phone audio channel. Although conceptually there is a need for a built-in accessory or an add-on accessory platform that bolts onto the dashboard to support and power these cellphones, a power connection is still required. Direct wiring to the cigarette lighter would leave dangling wires, marring the appearance of the vehicle interior. U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,234 to Chang discloses a charger for a mobile phone wherein the charger case, in one embodiment, couples the phone to the vehicle lighter socket. The charger is a separate unit and not attached to the vehicle itself.

What is thus desired is to provide a mounting device associated with the vehicle dashboard for holding and powering electronic devices that are capable of use within a vehicle, and, in particular, to hold and power cell phones.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides an accessory platform, or mounting, either bolted onto the exterior of a vehicle dashboard or built into the vehicle dashboard either as an after market accessory or offered as an option in a vehicle being purchased to hold and power cell phones.

The video camera portion of a cell phone having this feature is positioned to view, or scan, through the windshield or towards the back of the vehicle and its interior.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1,2A and2B, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In particular, a holder10with charger11is shown positioned on the top of a vehicle dashboard12. A cell phone14having a video camera16is shown positioned in holder10(the holder of the present invention can be used with conventional cell phones not incorporating a video camera). As illustrated, a cigarette lighter plug18is positioned within dashboard12, holder10being positioned such that power unit23associated with holder10can be inserted into the lighter plug18. It should be noted that cell phone14may either be charged or have its own power source, thus not requiring the use of the holder power unit. A ball joint interface22to plug18allows the holder10, and thus video camera16, to be adjusted to provide various angles of view (alternate techniques are available for providing two axis of rotation). Ball joint interface22comprises a male ball retainer having a ball element25and a female retainer portion27. A receptacle jack (not shown) is built into dashboard12. Holder10is attached via ball joint22to the cigarette lighter plug18and power is conveyed via positive and negative contacts formed as part of the conventional cigarette lighter outlet.

FIG. 3illustrates a second embodiment of the invention wherein the holder10is mounted to the inside cover30of a compartment, or housing,32formed on the top of vehicle dashboard12via a ball type swivel device34and shown in the open position. A door handle36enables the door30to be open or closed; hinge38connects cover30to compartment32; and angle adjuster40enables the cover to be fixedly closed and full opened (shown) positions.

FIG. 5illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention wherein holder10is mounted within a compartment, or housing,42formed in dashboard12. The compartment42is accessible by a user from the front of the dashboard12.

FIG. 6illustrates a fourth embodiment wherein the cell phone14is mounted on holder10within compartment, or housing,44formed in dashboard12. A sliding door46with handle48encloses compartment44to provide a pleasing appearance when cell phone14is not in use. Note that in this version the video camera16can only view the interior of the vehicle.

FIG. 7is a perspective view showing the holder/charger10shown inFIG. 1positioned on the top of dashboard12in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8is the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In particular, holder/charger10is mounted, via ball type angle adjuster62, to a raised dashboard component64via a ball-joint66towards the front of dashboard12. The dashed lines show an optimal dashboard extension which raises the height of dashboard12enabling the video camera16to be better positioned to view the interior of the vehicle.

Note that the cell phone may be hung from the vehicle rear view mirror or on the windshield; means to stabilize and dampen the swinging effects that would occur can be provided. Power connections are supplied at the rear view mirror, sun visor or the windshield.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.