Abstract:
A tablet mount assembly for mounting an electronic device (e.g., an Apple® iPad®) in the cockpit of an aircraft, and more specifically on the steering control of the aircraft. The tablet mount includes a receiving piece and a pivot mount assembly that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is rotatable with respect to the lower portion. The upper portion includes a slot for connecting to the receiving piece, and the lower portion includes a securing mechanism and a positioning flange. The upper portion of the assembly is rotatable with respect to the lower portion, thereby allowing the electronic device to be mounted to be rotated from a portrait to a landscape orientation without removing the same from the mount. An indexing position system may be integrated between the lower and upper portions of the mount assembly and provides predetermined rotation increments for the device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/473,787 filed on May 8, 2009, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to mounting assemblies. More particularly, it relates to a pivotable/rotatable mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device within the cockpit of an aircraft, and more specifically to the steering control (yoke) of an aircraft. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    To date the use of maps and other navigation documents in an aviation or boating environment results in difficulties to read the same and simultaneously maintain proper operation of vehicles and respective operating systems. Currently there are systems in place that are essentially clip boards mounted to the steering wheels or other operation controls in an effort to hold the navigation documents in front of the operator of the respective vehicles. 
         [0006]    With the age of technology, attempts have been made to provide the navigation documents in electronic form to the various vehicle operators. One example of such electronic forms in an aviation environment is referred to as an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). The EFB is an electronic device that has a memory for storing navigation documents, and a display screen for selectively displaying the stored navigation documents in response to the user&#39;s input. The EFB device is bulky and very heavy, and cannot be simply secured to the steering controls (i.e., yoke) of an airplane. In addition, the EFB is generally rectangular in shape and can be used in both a portrait and landscape orientation. Thus there are many instances during the use of the EFB where the display can change from portrait to landscape orientation. 
         [0007]    Current mounting capabilities of the EFB do not allow for the rotation of the same without dismounting it first. As such, when the instance occurs where the display changes from a portrait to a landscape orientation during operation, the pilot is forced to remove the EFB from its mount and/or review the same with the incorrect orientation. 
         [0008]    In addition to special-purpose EFB devices, tablet computers are becoming popular for use in cockpits. One such tablet computer is the Apple® iPad®. The touch-screen interfaces available on many tablet computers are particularly effective for pilots. However, due to the wide variety of form factors available in tablet computers available from different manufacturers, there are additional challenges involved in mounting a stock tablet computer. 
         [0009]    Thus, it becomes apparent that there is need for a device that can enable the mounting of an EFB device or tablet computer to the steering controls (e.g., yoke) of an aircraft so as to enable the operator (pilot) to quickly and easily rotate the same from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation (i.e., 90 degrees) without interfering with their ability to operate the aircraft and without requiring the removal of the EFB from its mount. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This and other aspects are achieved in accordance with the present invention, wherein an aircraft tablet mount assembly for mounting a tablet computer to the steering control of an aircraft is shown having a receiving piece configured to receive an electronic device and having one or more tension elements configured to secure the electronic device and a pivot mount assembly configured to mount the tablet mount assembly to the steering control of the aircraft, comprising. The pivot mount assembly includes an upper portion having a top surface including a receiving slot configured to receive and secure the receiving piece, a lower portion connected to the upper portion such that the upper portion is rotatable with respect to the lower portion, the lower portion having positioning flange on an underside thereof and a securing mechanism disposed along a lower edge of the lower portion, and a mounting receiver mounted on the steering control of the aircraft and configured to receive said positioning flange and said securing mechanism of said lower portion. 
         [0011]    According to a preferred implementation the receiving piece further includes a support piece having one or more tabs configured to overhang a receiving plane of the support piece and a locking piece having one or more tabs configured to overhang a receiving plane of the support piece. The tension element includes one or more springs connecting said support piece and said locking piece configured to provide a force that draws the support piece and the locking piece together. 
         [0012]    Other aspects and features of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the present principles, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar components throughout the views: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1   a  is top perspective view of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   b  is a bottom perspective view of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   c  is a top perspective view of the pivot mount assembly of  FIG. 1   a  shown rotated 90 degrees; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1   d  is a top perspective view of the pivot mount assembly of  FIG. 1   a  shown rotated 180 degrees; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2   a  is a top exploded view of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2   b  is a bottom exploded view of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the upper portion of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   a  is a bottom perspective view of the upper portion of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4   b  is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the pivot mount assembly taken along lines B-B of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0023]      FIG. 4   c  is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the pivot mount assembly taken along lines C-C of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0024]      FIG. 4   d  is an enlarged view of the circled detailed portion shown in  FIG. 4   c;    
           [0025]      FIG. 5   a  is a bottom perspective view of the lower portion of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   b  is a plan view of the lower portion of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5   c  is a side view of the lower portion of the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6   a  is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the pivot mount assembly taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5   b;    
           [0029]      FIG. 6   b  is an enlarged view of the circled detailed portion shown in  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the pivot mount assembly taken along lines VII-VII of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0031]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show the connection the pivot mount assembly to a receiver according to an implementation of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the pivot mount assembly connected to the center of the yoke of an airplane controller; and 
           [0033]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show an electronic flight bag (EFB) connected to the pivot mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a top exploded view of the tablet mount assembly according to an implementation of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is bottom view of the tablet computer in a tablet mount assembly connected to a pivot mount assembly. 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a tablet computer in a tablet mount assembly connected to a pivot mount assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , there is shown the pivot mount assembly  10  according to a preferred implementation of the invention. Pivot mount assembly  10  is preferably made up of an upper portion  12  and a lower portion  20 . The upper portion  12  includes and upper surface  14  having a receiver/mounting slot  16  for receiving a device to be pivotally mounted. Within the receiver/mounting slot  16  is one or more holes or indents  18  which assist in the securing of the device to be pivotally mounted. In this respect, the device to be mounted would preferably include a locking mechanism that would engage the one or more holes  18  in the slot  16 . Alternatively, the device to be mounted can include the holes and the holes  18  in slot  16  would be replaced with a mechanism that engages the holes in the device to secure the same therein. 
         [0038]    According to the preferred implementation, the lower portion  20  includes a position flange  24  and a locking flange  22  having a locking groove  26 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 1   c  shows the pivot mount assembly  10  with the upper portion  12  rotated 90 degrees with respect to the lower portion  20 .  FIG. 1   d  shows the pivot mount assembly  10  with the upper portion  12  rotated 180 degrees with respect to the lower portion  20 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show the connection interface between the upper portion  12  and the lower portion  20  according to a preferred implementation of the invention. Lower portion  20  includes a central hole or aperture  40  for receiving a shoulder screw  50  wherein the shoulder portion  56  resides within hole  40  and the threaded portion  58  engages the central hole/aperture  30  in the upper portion  12  (See  FIG. 7 ). In this manner, the shoulder  56  allows the upper portion  20  to rotate with respect to lower portion  20 , while maintaining a secure connection between the two portions. In addition, lower portion  20  includes set holes  42 - 42   d  that receive set screws  52 . Set screws  52  are unique in that they include a spring loaded ball bearing  54 . 
         [0041]    The upper portion  12  includes one or more detents  32   a - 32   d  that are positioned such that the bearings  54  of the corresponding set screw can be received into the detent and thereby provide an indexed rotatable movement of the upper portion  12  with respect to the lower portion  20 .  FIG. 7  shows a cross section view where the ball bearings  54  of the set screws  52  are shown in the corresponding detents  32   a  and  32   c  when the pivot mount assembly is fully assembled. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the number of detents  32  can be changed depending on the desired application. As shown with four detents in the current configuration, the upper portion is indexed to 90 degree rotations. Additional detents can be added to increase the indexed rotation options. Alternatively, detents  34  can be removed, and the friction between the ball bearings  52  of the set screws  50  can be used to provide an infinite angular rotation options. Detents  32 , as used herein, can be replaced with other analogous structures, such as indentations, notches, etc. In addition, those of skill in the art will recognize that the location of the set screws and detents can be switched (i.e., between the upper and lower portions) without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the upper portion  12  according to a preferred embodiment where the receiving/mounting slot  16  is shown in a tapered configuration from one end to the other, and also as having side walls with an angular configuration, such that the slot walls have an angle α which, in this example can be 60 degrees. As a result of the tapered configuration of the slot  16 , the device to be mounted in the receiving/mounting slot  16  can be inserted only from one direction A as shown. According to a preferred implementation, the angular configuration of the side walls operate retain the device to be mounted (by preventing the same from being lifted out of the slot  16  in a transverse manner), and the holes (or detents)  18  can preferably be used as part of a locking or securing mechanism for securing the pivot mount assembly to the device to be mounted. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  shows the upper portion  12  and various cross sections according to the preferred implementation of the invention. These views show the configuration of the upper portion  12  and detents  32  that work in conjunction with the set screws  52 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5   a - 5   c  show the lower portion  20  according to the preferred implementation of the invention. The lower portion  20  preferably includes the position flange  24  on one side of the underside of thereof and a securing flange  22  on the opposing side. The securing flange preferably includes a securing groove  26  that can extend across the width of the corresponding side of the lower portion. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  shows a cross section view of the lower portion  20  where the angular configuration of the position flange  24  is more clearly shown. The angular outer face  28  of the flange  24  preferably has an angle β that assists in the positioning of the same into a mounting receiver. The angle β can be, for example, 60 degrees. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show an example of the mounting of the lower portion into a mounting receiver  80  according the preferred embodiment. In this example, the mounting receiver  80  preferably includes a slot  82  configured to receive the position flange  24  as shown in  FIG. 8   a  where angular face  26  of the flange  24  corresponds to the angular wall  84  within the slot  82 . Once flange  24  is positioned within slot  82 , the locking flange  22  is pivoted downward into the mounting receiver  80  such that groove  26  is aligned with a securing screw hole  86  such that securing screw  88  can be inserted therein.  FIG. 8   b  shows lower portion  20  secured into the mounting receiver  80 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that mounting receiver  80  is shown here as an example and that such receiver shall have the appropriate accommodations so as to not interfere with the shoulder screw  50  or set screws  52  on the underside of lower portion  20 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the preferred application of the pivot mount assembly  10  in an aviation environment. As shown, the pivot mount assembly  10  is mounted to the center of the yoke  90  of a GULFSTREAM® G4 jet using a mounting receiver  80  as described above (GULFSTREAM is a registered trademark of the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation). Although shown in the preferred implementation for a GULSTREAM jet, those of skill in the art will recognize that the pivot mount assembly of the present invention can be utilized in other aircrafts, such as, for example, commercial and cargo aircrafts and other manufacturer&#39;s private jets.  FIG. 9  shows the pivot mount assembly  10  in a first position, and  FIG. 10  shows the pivot mount assembly in a second position rotated 90 degrees from the first position. 
         [0048]    In accordance with the preferred implementation of the invention, the receiving/mounting slot  16  of the pivot mount assembly  10  is configured to receive an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) device.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show an EFB  100  mounted to the pivot mount assembly of the invention in a first (portrait) position and a second 90 degree rotated (landscape) position, respectively. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a tablet mount assembly  1300  for a tablet computer  1302  is shown. The tablet mount assembly  1300  is formed from a support piece  1306  and a locking piece  1308 . The support piece  1306  and the locking piece  1308  form a receiving plane of the tablet mount assembly  1300  and each of said pieces has two locking tabs  1304 . The tablet computer  1302  is placed on the support piece  1306  and the locking piece  1308 , fitting underneath the locking tabs  1304 . The support piece  1306  and locking piece  1308  are then brought together, such that the locking tabs  1304  cover the corners of the tablet computer  1302 , holding it in place. Tablet mount assembly  1300  may be attached to pivot mount assembly  10  as shown above in  FIGS. 10-12 . The locking tabs  1304  may further be made adjustable, allowing for accommodation of tablets of differing thickness. The locking tabs  1304  may further have lining to prevent scratching or damage to the tablet computer  1302  during insertion, removal, and operation. Said lining may comprise, for example, a padded lining or a lining made of a slippery material such as Teflon®. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , the tablet mount assembly  1300  is shown from below. The locking piece  1308  and the support piece  1306  are held together by locking springs  1404 , which hold with sufficient force to keep the tablet computer  1302  firmly in place while allowing for manual removal. Although springs are shown and described herein for the purpose of illustration, it is intended that any suitable tension element may be used. To facilitate insertion and removal of tablet computer  1302 , one or more finger openings  1402  are provided in the bottom of the support piece  1306  and the locking piece  1308 . Finger openings  1402  are sized to allow for use by a variety of hand sizes and may have a raised ridge of plastic around their edges to facilitate grip. Finger openings may also be placed with particular tablet computer configurations in mind, allowing room for tablet components that break the plane of the tablet mount assembly. By disposing the openings in the tablet mount assembly  1300  with rotational symmetry, tablet computers  1302  having such components may be placed in the tablet mount assembly  1300  in any orientation. 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a side-on view of the tablet mount assembly  1300  is shown, illustrating the operation of the locking springs  1404 . The pivot mount assembly  10  may be an assembly such as that shown above in  FIGS. 1-8 , but this is only one exemplary embodiment. Other embodiments, such as the pivot mount assembly shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , may provide additional features such as positioning along one or more axes. 
         [0052]    While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present principles, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or implementation of the present principles may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested faun or implementation as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.