Abstract:
This invention is a scalable docking and equipment enclosure system that provides secure mechanical and electrical connectivity for mobile digital electronics equipment. The system provides for protection of connectors when the equipment unit is separated from the docking unit, proper alignment of equipment within the docking unit, protection against forceful insertion and damage of equipment, and secures mechanical latching of the equipment unit within the docking unit once the equipment unit is fully inserted.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/703,258 which was filed Nov. 7, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Equipment docking units and means for the attachment of devices that are placed within equipment mounting positions within an equipment rack are well known in the art. So, too are means and methods for the guidance of equipment when being placed into the docking unit and means for the secure electrical connection of such equipment and strain relief on any such electrical connections. This can be seen to be true in granted patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,278, which recites a latching mechanism for secure electrical connection of a device into a rack, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,392,892 which recites a simple latching pin for a locking handle to secure equipment into an equipment rack.  
         [0003]     However, equipment docking units and the pieces of equipment that are intended to be used within such docking units are considered a conjoined unit when docking designs are implemented. No real thought is given to the equipment as a separate unit that will be removed and reinserted repeatedly, or how the equipment connections are protected in a rugged environment separate from the protection of the equipment dock itself. Protection against environmental intrusions, such as dirt or other detritus, and against impacts that will harm connector pins when the equipment unit is separated from the docking enclosure are not considered.  
         [0004]     Another aspect of a secure docking and equipment mounting system is a docking enclosure capable of accepting a properly configured equipment unit. Existing docking enclosures do not provide a means or mechanism to accommodate an equipment unit that is configured to protect connectors attached to the equipment unit. Such existing systems also do not protect against incorrect orientation of the equipment unit when it is inserted into the docking unit, or secure electrical contact between the connector mounted within the equipment unit and a receptive connector mounted in the back wall of the equipment docking unit.  
         [0005]     In addition, such docking and latching systems as exist in the prior art consider the system as a fixed solution, mounted to an unmoving and unmovable platform. No consideration has been given to the requirements of equipment that must be reliably inserted and removed from a docking unit that is installed within a mobile platform.  
         [0006]     Although systems do exist with latches designed to guide an equipment unit in place as it is inserted into an equipment docking unit, no current system provides a means to lock an equipment unit in place within a docking unit and spring loaded pins to releasably secure an equipment unit handle against being accidentally dislodged from either horizontal or vertical orientations.  
         [0007]     The instant invention presents means for proper insertion orientation and protection of equipment connectors in a rugged environment, yet still providing for repeated, secure orientation, insertion, and removal to and from an equipment docking enclosure, as well as secure mechanical and electrical connectivity for connectors within the equipment unit. The instant invention thus provides a novel, non-obvious, scalable solution for vehicle-based equipment docking systems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The instant invention is a docking and equipment latching system that provides a user with the ability to securely insert an appropriately equipped equipment case into a properly configured equipment docking unit secure in the knowledge that the equipment unit will be aligned correctly by the equipment docking unit and be held securely until a user action occurs to unlock and detach said equipment unit from the docking unit. In keeping with proper insertion orientation, the instant invention also prevents forceful insertion of the equipment unit into the docking unit, even if properly oriented, thus protecting against damage to the equipment unit and the connectors from overly zealous users. In addition, the instant invention provides a movable connector cover that provides protection for the electrical connector on the back side of an appropriately configured equipment unit. This cover is caused to slide up out of the way by two side-mounted equipment rails when an equipment unit is inserted into an equipment docking unit, thus revealing the connector and completing the mechanical and electrical connections between the equipment unit and the equipment docking unit. The electrical connector mounted within the equipment unit is also spring mounted to provide for alignment and protection against bumps and jostling.  
         [0009]     The invention accomplishes the first task through a locking handle with an integral spindle and rotating cams. When open and unlocked, the locking handle is configured such that the rotating cams are in a horizontal position in line with an equipment slide mounted on the side of the equipment unit when the equipment unit is mechanically disconnected from the equipment docking unit. When the equipment unit is inserted fully into the equipment docking unit, the handle may be swiveled from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, the cams swiveling to a vertical orientation in concert with the handle. A slot in each cam accommodates a pin connected to the sides of the equipment docking unit such that the pin travels along the cam slots to assist in the secure insertion of the equipment unit in the equipment docking unit, the cams being engaged only when the handle is physically moved from a locked, horizontal position. When the handle and cam reach the limit of rotational movement, the handle is fully in a vertical orientation and spring loaded cam pins, located between the exterior case of the equipment unit and the sides of the cams adjacent to the equipment unit casing, slips into a small indentation in the side of the equipment unit casing causing the cam and handle to lock into position. In addition, the spring mounted connector is fully aligned and in mechanical and electrical connection with the receptacle connector within the equipment docking unit. The position lock is maintained against accidental jarring or other incidental movement. A user must pull up on the handle with sufficient force to dislodge the spring loaded spindle from the indentation in the equipment unit, allowing the handle to be rotated from the vertical orientation to the horizontal orientation, unlocking the equipment unit and freeing the equipment unit for removal from the equipment docking unit. When the handle is fully rotated to the horizontal orientation, the cam pins snap into another set of locking depressions in the sides of the equipment unit enclosure securely locking the handle into a horizontal orientation.  
         [0010]     This invention also provides for an innovative means for vertically moving a protective plate from a position in which the plate forms a protective cover for electrical contacts when an equipment unit is separate from the equipment docking unit, to a position that reveals the electrical connector when the equipment unit is inserted into an equipment docking unit. This protective cover plate is spring mounted such that it covers all electrical connectors on the back of the equipment unit when the equipment unit is removed from the equipment docking unit. The cover plate thus affords protection from the environment for any and all electrical connectors when the equipment unit is not inserted into, and electrically connected to, the equipment docking unit. As the equipment unit is inserted into an appropriate slot in the equipment docking unit, a chamfer in the guidance rail of the equipment docking unit raises the protective cover. The cover is raised when the equipment unit is inserted into the equipment docking such that all electrical connectors are free to establish firm electrical connectivity with the equipment docking unit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1 : interior and exterior surface of left cam.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2 : connector cover detail.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3 : cam pin detail.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4 : Equipment docking unit and connector.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4 : equipment unit docking guide rail.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     In the instant invention, an equipment device housing is installed in a docking unit  401  to serve as a mounting platform for a detachable digital video recorder device. The digital video recorder device is contained within said housing which is designed for rugged resistance against environmental hazards such as dirt and particulate matter, and for resistance to impacts, such as those from rough handling or falling on hard surfaces. Together, the equipment docking unit  401  and the detachable digital video recorder device installed within an equipment device housing form the docking mechanical system.  
         [0018]     The docking mechanical system also features a latching handle and vertically raisable connector cover  200  for use in securing the digital video recorder device against un-desirable electrical contact disconnect and ruggedized protection for all electrical connectors that would otherwise be exposed to accidental impacts when the detachable digital video recorder device is disconnected from the equipment docking enclosure  401 .  
         [0019]     The digital video recorder device is installed in the field within an equipment docking unit  401  that is secured within a mobile platform, such as a police vehicle, bus, or train. While within the vehicle, the digital video recording device continually records an integrated data stream containing video, audio, and metadata. When the memory installed within the digital video recorder is full, or when the vehicle returns to a central location such as a garage or police station, the operator may take the opportunity to remove the digital video recorder device from the vehicle and place said device into an equipment docking enclosure  401  maintained within the garage or police station. Once inserted, a server electrically connected to the equipment docking unit downloads the contents of the memory within the digital video recording device.  
         [0020]     The instant invention assists in the secure and consistent download of the memory contents of the digital video recorder device by ensuring the integrity of the electrical connectors located on the back surface of the digital video recorder device through the use of a connector cover  200 , providing a secure mechanical and electrical connection between the digital video recorder device and the equipment docking unit  401 , and protecting against accidental electrical disconnect or removal of the digital video recording device during download activities. On the interior side walls of the equipment docking unit are mounted guidance side rails  500 . Each guide rail contains a slot  530  into which guidance rails fastened to the exterior side walls of an equipment unit are inserted. The front portion of each side rail  515  is installed such that the guidance rails may be inserted while the connector cover  200  is in a full coverage position over the electrical connectors in the back side of the equipment unit. The guide rails are tapered  520  from near the front of the guide rail  515  to the back of the guide rail  525 . The taper  520  is sufficient to cause the electrical connector cover  200  to move from fully closed to fully open as the equipment unit slides into the equipment docking unit  401 , such that as the equipment unit is fully inserted into the equipment docking unit  401  the electrical connectors on the back of the equipment unit are fully exposed and capable of completing mechanical and electrical contact with the receptacle connector  403  in the back wall of the equipment docking unit  401 .  
         [0021]     With the electrical connectors in mechanical and electrical contact with the equipment docking unit  401 , a server may now establish communication over the electric communication pathway and initiate the download of the integrated data stream files stored within the equipment unit.  
         [0022]     Ensuring the integrity of the electrical connectors installed in the back wall of the equipment unit is accomplished through the use of the electrical connector cover  200 . The electrical connector cover  200  spans the width of the equipment unit with flanges ( 201 ,  202 ) that extend beyond each of the side walls of the equipment unit. The electrical connector cover  200  is raisably secured to the back of the equipment unit through two slots ( 210 ,  212 ), one in the left quarter of the electrical connector cover  200  and the second in the right quarter of the electrical connector cover  200 . Springs are connected to the raisable connector cover to maintain the cover in tension when the equipment unit is fully inserted within the docking unit  401 . The flanges ( 201 ,  202 ) are configured such that they rest upon the top of the equipment docking unit guide rails  500 . As the equipment unit slides into the equipment docking unit  401 , the flanges ( 201 ,  202 ) slide along the top of the tapered guide rails  500  causing the electrical connector cover  200  to be raised above the level of the electrical connector, exposing the electrical connector for insertion into the receptacle  403  in the back wall of the equipment docking unit  401 . When the equipment unit is removed from the equipment docking unit  401 , the electrical connector cover  200  once again slides along the guide rails  500 , this time from the high point of the guide rail taper  525  down to the lower position of the front of the guide rails  515 . When the equipment unit is removed from the docking unit  401  and the connector cover plate  200  is no longer held in a vertical raised position by the guide rails  500 , the springs pull the connector cover  200  back down to a fully covered position over the connector.  
         [0023]     The invention also protects against the accidental disconnection or dislodgement of the equipment unit during download and other activities while the equipment unit is installed within the equipment docking unit  401 . This is accomplished through the use of a locking cam  100  and spring loaded pins  412  mounted on the each side of the equipment unit. The two cams have arcuate grooves  130  and are attached to the handle such that the cam  100  swivels through a 90 degree arc when the handle is pressed down from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. As the cam  100  moves through the arc, cam pins  412  that are an integral portion of each side of the equipment docking unit  401  are positioned such that they traverse the arcuate groove  130  in the front surface of each cam  100 . When the handle is placed in its fully vertical orientation, the cam pins  412  rests against the end of the cam grooves  130 . When the handle is placed in its fully vertical orientation, two spring loaded pins  134 , installed within each cam  100  and located between the surface facing the equipment unit and the side surface of the equipment unit, slip into depressions in the sides of the equipment unit placed such that the depressions and spring loaded pins  134  are aligned only when the handle is in a fully vertical or horizontal orientation. When the spring loaded pins  134  slip into the depressions in the sides of the equipment unit, the handle is held in place by the tension of the spring. Moving the handle from the vertical orientation once the spring loaded pins  134  rest within the depression in the equipment unit case requires a positive force on the handle to force the spring loaded pins  134  out of the depression and permit the movement of the handle from the full vertical orientation and back to a horizontal orientation. Similarly, the handle is locked into the horizontal orientation by two depressions located such that the spring loaded pins  134  slip into a second set of depressions when the handle is in the full horizontal orientation. Thus, simply jarring the handle or jostling the equipment unit, once the handle is in its fully vertical or fully horizontal orientation, will not unlock the handle or disrupt the connectivity between the electrical connectors of the equipment unit and the socket connectors in the equipment docking unit  401 .  
         [0024]     Through the use of the unique innovations described above, this invention provides for a secure, rugged system that is detachable and may be used within both mobile and stationary platforms without fear of damage to the equipment or loss of critical data due to unforeseen actions or activity.  
         [0025]     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.