Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to the dashboard of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending from said plate. The outwardly biased arm engages the cradle when the mount is secured to the cradle. The arm is deflected inwardly to allow the electronic device to be quickly and easily removed from the dashboard of the vehicle in a single motion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/397,567, filed Sep. 16, 1999, and entitled “Releasable Mount For An Electronic Device”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus for an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for releasably mounting an electronic device in a dashboard, such as the dashboard of an aircraft, marine craft, or land vehicle. 
     Electronic devices are conventionally used in a variety of vehicles. For example, global positioning satellite (GPS) devices are currently used for navigational purposes in automobiles, aircraft, boats and other vehicles. Another example of a commonly used electronic device is a sonar depth sounder. Sonar depth sounders allow a user of a marine craft to profile the bottom of the marine body on which the craft is located and identify the depth and position of wildlife such as fish. In some instances, GPS components may be integrated with the sonar depth sounder device. A number of other commonly used devices include communications devices, such as two-way radios or telephones and entertainment devices, such as televisions and radios. 
     Oftentimes, it is desirable to remove these electronic devices from the vehicles to which the devices are mounted. For instance, some electronic GPS devices allow the user to exchange information between the device and a personal computer. Digital information such as maps may be uploaded from the personal computer to the electronic device. Additionally, information recorded by the electronic device may be transferred, or downloaded, to the personal computer. Generally, it is less burdensome to remove the electronic device from the vehicle than to move the computer into proximity with the device when it is mounted on the vehicle. 
     A number of the other advantages are achieved by having the capability to remove the electronic device from the vehicle. First, the device may be removed to prevent theft of the device. Theft is of particular concern with unguarded boats docked in public marinas. Further, in some cases, a single electronic device may be used with a number of different vehicles by transferring the device from vehicle to vehicle. Also, some electronic devices are hand held and may be advantageously used as personal devices upon removal from the boat. 
     Mounting of these electronic devices in a manner that accommodates removal and transport of the device presents a number of problems. Traditionally, these devices are purchased separately from the vehicle or vessel in which they will be used. The electronic device is often mounted to the dashboard or other surface of the vehicle by utilizing a number of relatively inaccessible components that make removal of the device relatively burdensome. In other instances, an electronic device is mounted on a lift bracket (or pedestal) located externally from the dashboard or desired mounting surface. Mounting on these brackets allows the device to be manipulated along at least one axis. However, the devices are not as firmly secured to the vehicle as the “in dash” mounts. Further, the positioning of the device outside of flush alignment with a surface of the vehicle leaves the device exposed to damage by outside sources. Also, when mounted on a lift bracket or pedestal, the electronic device is placed at a distance from the power sources in the dashboard area of the vehicle and may require the use of a battery. 
     Therefore, a mounting device is needed that can be used to mount a portable electronic device to a surface of a vehicle so that the device can be quickly and easily released from the surface. Further, a releasable mounting device is needed that allows the device to be firmly mounted to the surface. Finally, a mounting apparatus is needed that allows the user to releasably mount the device so that the outer surface of the device is generally flush with the surface to which the device is mounted. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mounting an electronic device so that it is easily and quickly removable. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a mounting apparatus that securely holds the device in flush communication with the dashboard of the vehicle. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting apparatus that allows the electronic device to be removed by deflecting at least one flexible locking arm from its locked position. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide a removable mounting device that allows the electronic device to be used in a variety of different vehicles. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting apparatus that allows the electronic device to be removed from the vehicle and connected to a personal computer for transferring information. 
     This and other objects are achieved by a mounting apparatus including a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending outwardly from the plate. To secure the device to the surface, the arm is placed within a corresponding slot on the sidewall of the cradle. As the mount is slid into the cradle, the locking arm is deflected inwardly until a notch in the distal end of the arm receives a portion of the sidewall, preferably a flange positioned at the terminal end of the sidewall. In this position, the mount is firmly secured to the surface by the outwardly biased arm. To remove the device, the arm is deflected inwardly until the notch is cleared from the portion of the sidewall to which the arm was secured. The device may be easily removed by pulling the mount from the cradle. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front exploded perspective view of the releasable mounting apparatus embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the releasable mounting apparatus with the mount holding the electronic device detached from the cradle; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an electronic device mounted in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side cross sectional view of the present invention taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electronic device interfacing with a processor when the device is removed from the dashboard of the vehicle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting apparatus embodying the principals of this invention is broadly designated in the drawings by reference numeral  10 . Apparatus  10  is used to secure an electronic device  12  on a surface, such as a vehicle dashboard. The electronic device  12  can be, for example, a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, a sonar depth finder, a communication device, a stereo, any combination thereof, and/or another conventional electronics device. Apparatus  10  includes a mount  14  and a cradle  16 . As described below, cradle  16  is permanently coupled with the desired surface. Mount  14  is coupled with the electronic device  12  and is constructed to be releasably held within cradle  16 . 
     Mount  14  has a plate  18 . A pair of locking (or latching) arms  20  are extended outwardly from opposing sides of the plate. The plate and arms of the mount are preferably formed as one piece from molding a thermoplastic material. The plate  18  is generally rectangular and is rounded at the corners. A centrally located window  22  is positioned within the plate and allows a power cord, antenna or similar structure to extend through the mount  14 . Preferably, a plurality of screw receiving apertures  24  are located at various points near the periphery of the plate. In the preferred embodiment, apertures  24  are located near each corner of the plate. However, the apertures may be located in any location that facilitates a firm connection between the mount  14  and the electronic device  12 . As best shown in FIG. 4, a number of screws  26  are placed through the corresponding screw receiving apertures  24  and are secured within holes  28  formed within the rear wall  30  of the electronic device. Alternatively, plate  18  may be secured to the electronic device by any other suitable means such as by other frictional means and/or adhesives. Moreover, the mount  14  may be integrally formed on the electronic device  10 . In this embodiment, the plate  18  could serve as the rear wall of the electronic device and the locking arms would either be integrally formed with the plate or frictionally attached thereto. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the locking arms  20  originate at opposing sides of plate  18  and bend at a slightly obtuse angle with respect to the plate. The bent portion of each arm is preferably curved to facilitate flexibility of the arm. The locking arms  20  extend along a portion of a side wall  32  of the electronic device  12  and a small space is defined between the arms and the device. Each locking arm  20  has a downwardly tapered stem  34  and a head  36 . A notched portion  38  is located between the top of the stem  34  and the base of the head  36 . The notch  40  is located on the outer face  42  of the locking arm  20  at notched portion  38 . The notch  40  is defined by a lower lip  44 , a side wall  46  and an upper lip  48  and opens in the direction opposite electronic device  12 . It should be understood that the notch may taken on any desired configuration (e.g., aperture, indent, etc.). 
     In the preferred embodiment, the head  36  of the locking arms  20  is shaped to define an inwardly concave gripping surface  52 . Alternatively, the head  36  may be formed in the shape of a solid block or any other structure allowing the user to grasp the locking arm  20 . The stem  34  is preferably made from a flexible plastic material that causes the arm to be biased to the undeflected angular position when pressure is applied at the outer face  42  of the locking arm  20 , particularly, when a user depresses the locking arm at the head portion  36  by pushing at the gripping surface  52 . 
     The cradle of mounting apparatus  10  has a base plate  54  having a number of upwardly extending side walls  56 . Each side wall  56  terminates in a flange  58  that is preferably coplanar with the base plate  54 . The base plate  54  and side walls  56  define an area that is sized to receive the electronic device  12  and mount  14 . The side walls  56  extend at generally right angles with respect to the base plate. A pair of slots  66  are formed on opposing side walls  56 . The rectangular slots  66  extend to the height of the side wall and a small distance into a portion of the flange  58 . Each slot  66  is slightly wider than the width of the locking arms  20  of mount  14 . 
     A window  60 , similar to window  22  of mount  14 , is located centrally within base plate  54 , and serves the same purpose as window  22 . A plurality of screw receiving apertures  62  are located about the periphery of the base plate  54 . Strips  64  of shock absorbent material are positioned on the inner surface of base plate  54 . Preferably, the strips are made from polyurethane or a material displaying similar shock absorbent characteristics. Each strip  64  has a uniform thickness that provides a barrier between the inner surface of base plate  54  and the outer surface of plate  18  when the electronic device  12  is mounted as fully described below. 
     Cradle  16  is placed within a window  70  formed within the surface  68  so that the inner surface of flange  58  rests upon the surface. The cradle  16  is permanently fastened to a surface  68  of the vehicle at a pair of brackets  70  located on the interior of the surface. Typically, these brackets are part of the vehicle located inside the vehicle&#39;s dashboard. A plurality of screws (not shown) are placed through the screw receiving aperture  62  of cradle  16  and are received within holes  74  placed at the appropriate locations in the brackets  72 . It will be appreciated that cradle  16  may be secured to or in surface  68  in a variety of other manners. 
     In use, mount  14  is secured to the electronic device  12  by a plurality of screws placed within screw receiving apertures  24  and received by holes  28  formed within the electronic device. The electronic device  12  and mount  14  are then placed within cradle  16 . Cable connections (such as power and antenna connections) extend from the rear of device  12  through windows  22  and  60  to appropriate connections. As the mount  14  is slid within the side walls  56  of cradle  16 , the locking arms  20  deflect inwardly as the tapered stems  34  slidingly contact the flange  58 . In response to this inward deflection, the locking arms  22  are biased outwardly to the undeflected shape. When the notches  40  formed within the locking arms become aligned with the slot  66  formed in flange  58 , the arms deflect outwardly and lock the mount within the cradle. In the locked position, the notches  40  receive a portion of flange  58  to prevent the electronic device from sliding into or out of connection with the cradle. In this position, the plate  18  of the mount  14  is in firm connection with the strips  64  placed on the bottom of base plate  54 . Thus, the frictional fit between the locking arms  20  and the cradle  16  securely hold the electronic device  12  within the surface  68  of the vehicle. The positioning of the arms and the relatively small space required for the cradle and mount allow the device to be secured in flush alignment with the surface of the vehicle. 
     It should also be understood that the present invention may be constructed such that flexible arms  20  have one or more protrusions, rather than notches, thereon. Such protrusions would mate with corresponding recesses in the sidewalls  56  of cradle  16 . In particular, the invention may be varied to permit the mount  14 , and particularly arms  20 , to releasably secure within cradle  16  in other manners. Additionally, while cradle  16  is preferably formed separately from the surface (e.g. dashboard)  68 , cradle  16  could be integrally formed therewith, and in fact could be reduced to mere locking members at the periphery of the opening (e.g. window  70 ) in the surface  68 . 
     To selectively remove the electronic device  12 , the locking arms  20  are deflected inwardly by applying pressure at the gripping portion  52  of the heads  36  of the locking arms. When the arms are deflected so that lower lip  44  of the notch  40  is cleared from the slot  66  formed within flange  58 , the electronic device  12  and mount  14  may be pulled from the cradle  16 , and any electronic cable connections may be released (e.g. unplugged). The device may be quickly and easily mounted and removed in a single motion as opposed to the prior art devices. 
     As demonstrated in FIG. 5, once removed, the electronic device may be interfaced with a personal computer. Additionally, the mount may be used universally to releasably secure one electronic device in a plurality of different vehicles or a plurality of different types of devices in one vehicle. 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects herein above set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.