Abstract:
A locking system for use in adjusting a mounting assembly includes a lock plate and a lock shaft mount. A lock shaft component is rotatably received within an opening of the lock of the lock plate and rotatably supported by the lock shaft mount. With the locking system in a locked configuration, the lock shaft component engages the lock plate which locks the positions of the lock plate relative to the position of the lock shaft mount. With the locking system in an unlocked configuration, the lock shaft component disengages the lock plate such that the lock plate moves along a length of the lock shaft component toward and away from the lock shaft mount.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/267,622, filed Dec. 8, 2009, entitled “Key Threaded Sliding Cam Lock,” the details of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally directed to adjustable mounting assemblies having movable components that can be locked in a position. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various types of vehicle mounts are used to mount equipment in vehicles. Some examples include desks, modular consoles, radio mounts, etc. Mounts for equipment used by operators who often travel and/or work from their vehicles may be particularly useful to those operators. It is not uncommon, for example, for police officers to utilize a laptop computer in their vehicles. However, it can be cumbersome and distracting to utilize the computer in the operator&#39;s lap in the vehicle. Thus, mounting systems for equipment used in vehicles and other locations are desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a mounting assembly for mounting equipment thereon includes an adjustable mounting tray having an upper support surface for supporting equipment thereon. The adjustable mounting tray comprising a first tray component and a second tray component where at least one of the first and second tray components is moveable relative to the other of the first and second tray components to adjust a dimension of the adjustable mounting tray. A locking system includes a lock plate mounted to the first tray component. A lock shaft component is rotatably received within an opening of the lock plate. With the locking system in a locked configuration, the lock shaft component engages the lock plate which locks the positions of the first and second tray component relative to each other. With the locking system in an unlocked configuration, the lock shaft component disengages the lock plate such that the lock plate moves along a length of the lock shaft component to move at least one of the first and second tray components relative to the other of the first and second tray components. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a locking system for use in adjusting a mounting assembly includes a lock plate and a lock shaft mount. A lock shaft component is rotatably received within an opening of the lock plate and rotatably supported by the lock shaft mount. With the locking system in a locked configuration, the lock shaft component engages the lock plate which locks the positions of the of the lock plate relative to the position of the lock shaft mount. With the locking system in an unlocked configuration, the lock shaft component disengages the lock plate such that the lock plate moves along a length of the lock shaft component toward and away from the lock shaft mount. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a method of mounting equipment to a support structure comprising: adjusting a dimension of an adjustable mounting tray having an upper support surface for supporting equipment thereon, the adjustable mounting tray comprising a first tray component and a second tray component where at least one of the first and second tray components is moveable relative to the other of the first and second tray components to adjust the dimension of the adjustable mounting tray; locking the positions of the first and second tray components relative to each other at any one of a plurality of incremental positions using a locking system that comprises: a lock plate mounted to the first tray component; a lock shaft component rotatably received within an opening of the lock plate; wherein, with the locking system in a locked configuration, the lock shaft component engaging the lock plate which locks the positions of the first and second tray component relative to each other; wherein, with the locking system in an unlocked configuration, the lock shaft component disengaging the lock plate such that the lock plate moves along a length of the lock shaft component to move at least one of the first and second tray components relative to the other of the first and second tray components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the drawings enclosed herewith. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting assembly that is mounting a laptop computer according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  in isolation; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is bottom view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cam lock component for use with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lock shaft component for use with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a lock plate for use with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the lock plate of  FIG. 6  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates the locking system for use with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  in a locked configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates the locking system for use with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  in an unlocked configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates operation of the locking system for use with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2  in an unlocked configuration with the lock plate of  FIG. 6  movable along a length of the lock shaft component of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a section view illustrating operation of the locking system in a locked configuration; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a section view of the locking system in an unlocked configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features of the drawings and invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Embodiments described herein generally relate to mounting assemblies for securely mounting equipment, for example, within a vehicle or other location such as within a room such as an office. As one example, the mounting assemblies may be useful for mounting a laptop computer or other computing device such as a tablet computer or e-reader within a vehicle. The mounting assemblies are adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of equipment sizes and for ease of equipment mounting. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mounting assembly  10  is illustrated securing a laptop computer  12  thereon ( FIG. 1 ). The mounting assembly  10  includes an adjustable mounting tray  14  having an upper mounting surface  13  including a first tray component  16  and a second tray component  18 . One or both of the tray components  16  and  18  may be moved relative to each other in the widthwise direction represented by arrow  20  to widen or shorten the width of the mounting tray  14 . Hook-like mounting fingers  22  and  24  with overhanging portions  23  that overhang the upper mounting surface  13  are mounted to the tray component  18  for movement therewith and hook-like mounting fingers  26  and  28  with overhanging portions  23  are mounted to the tray component  16  for movement therewith. Adjustment of the sliding components  16  and/or  18  can bring the mounting fingers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  into and out of engagement with the laptop computer  12  for locking and unlocking the laptop computer  12  to the mounting assembly  10 . 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the positions of the mounting fingers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  may be adjustable along the length of the mounting assembly  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, fasteners  30  may be provided which can be used to slide the mounting fingers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  along slots  34 . Loosening the fasteners  30  allows for adjustment of the mounting fingers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  and tightening of the fasteners  30  can be used to lock the mounting fingers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  in place. In some embodiments, the height of the mounting fingers  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  may also be adjustable, for example, to accommodate equipment of different thicknesses. 
         [0024]    A locking system, generally referred to as element  40  is used to lock the positions of the tray components  16  and  18  of the mounting tray  14  relative to each other. The locking system  40  has an unlocked configuration that allows one or both of the tray components  16  and  18  to move relative to the other and a locked configuration that prevents relative movement of the tray components  16  and  18 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a bottom side  42  of the mounting assembly  10  is shown highlighting the locking system  40 . The locking system  40  includes a cam lock component  44  that is connected (e.g., threadably) to a lock shaft component  46  that is fed through an opening  48  in the mounting tray  14 . The lock shaft component  46  is rotatably received within an opening  50  of a lock plate  52  that is mounted to the tray component  16  of the mounting tray  14 . The opening  50  may have a diameter that is greater than a major diameter of the lock shaft component  46  such that the lock shaft component is slidable through the opening  50 . A lock shaft mount  54  rotatably mounts an end of the lock shaft component  46 . The lock shaft mount  54  is mounted to the tray component  18  through a slot  56 . Guide pins  58  may be provided to guide the sliding components  16  and  18  while they are being adjusted. The guide pins  58  may be mounted to the tray component  18  and slidably received within a slot  60 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4-7 , the cam lock component  44 , the lock shaft component  46  and the lock plate  52 , respectively, are shown in isolation. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the cam lock component  44  may be a bulkhead style nut that attaches the cam lock to the sliding component  18 . Wings  62  and  64  may be provided for providing leverage for an operator&#39;s thumb and forefinger in operating the locking system  40 . In some embodiments, the cam lock component  44  may include a security feature such as a lock and key that prevents rotation of the cam lock component  44  and placement of the locking system  10  in the unlocked configuration. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lock shaft component  46  may be a threaded shaft with a milled flat, non-threaded surface  66  on one or more sides. Once milled, the remaining threads  45  may be deburred and cleaned. In some embodiments, the milled flat surface  66  may extend over all or some of the length of the lock shaft component  46 . The milled flat surface  66  may be further from the major diameter of the threads  45  than the depth of the threads so that a smooth flat surface is created. In other words, the milled flat surface  66  may be formed within the minor diameter of the lock shaft component  46 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lock plate  52  includes a mounting portion  68  for mounting the lock plate to the sliding component  16  and a support portion  70  including the opening  50  for slidably receiving the lock shaft component  46 . Opening  50  overlaps or intersects with opening  72  forming a figure eight like shape. The diameters of the openings  50  and  72  may be about the same or different sizes. The overlap of these openings  50  and  72  may be larger than the thread depth of the lock shaft component  46  or a threaded locking rod  74 . The threaded locking rod  74  may have the same thread size and pitch of the lock shaft component  46 . The threaded locking rod  74  may be shorter than the lock shaft component  46  and may be inserted into the opening  72  and locked in place, for example, using an adhesive or weld bead. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate operation of the locking system  40 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the locking system  40  is illustrated in the locked configuration with the flat surface  66  rotated out of alignment (e.g., at least about  90  degrees) with the threaded locking rod  74  and with the threads  45  of the lock shaft component  46  engaged with the threads  75  of the threaded locking rod  74  (see also  FIG. 11 ). In this locked configuration, the lock plate  52  can no longer slide along the length of the lock shaft component  46 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the locking system  40  is illustrated in the unlocked configuration with the flat surface  66  rotated into alignment or facing the threaded locking rod  74  (see also  FIG. 12 ). In this unlocked configuration, the threads  75  of the threaded locking rod  74  are no longer engaged with the threads  45  of the lock shaft component  46  and the lock plate  52  can freely slide along the length of the lock shaft component  46  as shown by  FIG. 10 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  may also be used to illustrate another embodiment not including the lock shaft mount  54 . In this embodiment, the lock plate  52  may be mounted to the sliding component  16  and the cam lock component  44  may be connected to the sliding component  18  in a fashion similar to that depicted by  FIG. 3 . The lock shaft mount  54  may instead be a stop, such as a nut that is used to limit movement of the lock plate  52  along the length of the lock shaft component  46 . 
         [0031]    The above-described mounting assembly  10  including the locking system  40  allows for an adjustable mounting system that can be used to mount a variety of devices to a support structure, such as laptops, handheld computing devices, e-readers, tablet PCs, medical equipment, etc. The support structure may be within a vehicle, such as a plane or automobile, or the support structure may be within a building or other structure, such as a house, school, hospital or other business. The mounting assembly  10  may include any suitable mounting structure for mounting to the support structure such as straps, fasteners, brackets, clips, etc. The locking system  40  allows for high strength locking of the tray components  16  and  18  of the mounting tray  14  at multiple incremental positions at any point along the length of the lock shaft component  46  as opposed to only a few set locked positions. 
         [0032]    It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “generally,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structures or functions. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment. 
         [0033]    For the purposes of describing and defining the various embodiments it is additionally noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
         [0034]    All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. 
         [0035]    While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.