Abstract:
The present invention relates to secured wireless handsets that discourage or reduce unauthorized removal, loss, or theft of a handset, while allowing the person to communicate hands free. In an embodiment the wireless handset includes a first attachment of a T-nut secured the wireless handset. The T-nut is attached to the cradle by a threaded bolt. A second attachment secures the cradle to a designated communication site such as in a vehicle. In another embodiment, the first attachment includes a security block for obstructing the release mechanisms of a latch on the cradle to secure the wireless handset to the cradle. The secured wireless handsets described are also applicable to non-vehicular communication sites where wireless handset removal from the communication site is a concern.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods to secure wireless handsets especially in vehicles. 
   With rapid declining cost, increasing functions, better performance, and portability, sales of wireless handsets such as the cell phones are widespread. Because of these advantages, law enforcement vehicles, delivery trucks, taxis, and company vehicles are often equipped with wireless handsets. However, the cradles that hold and supply power to the wireless handsets do not prevent easy removal and may encourage the driver to drive with one hand while talking or even no hands while dialing a phone number. Further, vibrations and shaking during transportation may cause the unsecured wireless handsets to fall out of the cradle. 
   It would be desirable if wireless handsets could be inexpensively secured in certain environments to prevent unauthorized removal or use and to encourage hands free communication on the wireless handset while driving a vehicle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods for securing a wireless handset to prevent easy removal of the wireless handset and encourage hands free communication. In an embodiment, the secured wireless handset includes a first attachment using a T-nut assembly to secure the wireless handset to the cradle. A second attachment secures the cradle to a designated communication site. In another embodiment, the first attachment includes a security block for obstructing a release mechanism of a latch on the cradle to secure the wireless handset to the cradle. Although primarily discussed in the context of vehicles, the secured wireless handset is applicable to any designated communication site where wireless handset loss or removal is a concern. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a wireless handset secured to a vehicle dashboard. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a wireless handset in a cradle. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the back of the cradle. 
       FIG. 2C  is an exploded view of the wireless handset, a cradle, and a threaded bolt. 
       FIG. 2D  is an exploded view of the back of the cradle and wireless handset and the threaded bolt. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view showing a T-nut protruding through the battery cover of the wireless handset. 
       FIG. 3B  shows the wireless handset with the battery cover removed to show the battery and the T-nut. 
       FIG. 3C  is a section view of the battery cover wall with a T-nut attached. 
       FIG. 3D  is an exploded view of the T-nut and the battery cover. 
       FIG. 3E  shows the location of the external attachment of a T-nut onto the wireless handset. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a wireless handset with the battery removed. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a T-nut and the back of the battery of the wireless handset. 
       FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of the back of the cradle and wireless handset, and the threaded bolt and T-nut. 
       FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of a secured wireless handset. 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of another secured wireless handset. 
       FIG. 5B  is a perspective view showing the secured wireless handset with a security block. 
       FIG. 5C  is an enlarged view of the security block. 
       FIG. 5D  is an exploded view of the secured wireless handset of  FIG. 5B . 
       FIG. 5E  is an enlarged view of the latch, the lip, and the opening of the cradle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description includes the best mode of carrying out the invention. The detailed description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is determined by reference to the claims. 
   I assign each part, even if structurally identical to another part, a unique reference number wherever that part is shown in the drawing figures. A dashed circle indicates a portion of a figure that is enlarged in another figure. The figure showing the enlarged portion is indicated by a reference number tied to the dashed circle. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a secured wireless handset  10  including a wireless handset  20  in a cradle  30  secured to a communication site such as a vehicle dashboard  14  through cradle installation hardware  12 . The cradle  30  can be electrically connected to a DC outlet to provide power to the wireless handset  20  and/or charge up the battery of the wireless handset  20 . The wireless handset  20  is securely attached to the cradle  30  with a first attachment as will be described to discourage unauthorized removal of the wireless handset  20  and to ensure the wireless handset  20  will not fall out of the cradle  30 . The first attachment encompasses a variety of structures that will secure the wireless handset to the cradle. This does not mean it cannot be broken, but that lawful persons would be deterred from further effort. The secured wireless handset  10  also encourages hands free communication through a speakerphone or a headset (not shown) attached to the wireless handset  20  or cradle  30 . 
     FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a secured wireless handset  10  formed by the wireless handset  20  attached to the cradle  30 . 
     FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the back of the cradle  30  with a threaded bolt  38  through a cradle mount  31  on the back of the cradle  30  and secured to the wireless handset  20 . 
     FIG. 2C  is an exploded view of the secured wireless handset  10 . The cradle  30  includes electrical contacts  34  and a power cord  36 , and is attached to the wireless handset  20  by the threaded bolt  38  into a cradle hole  32 . 
     FIG. 2D  is an exploded view of the back of the secured wireless handset  10 . In the first attachment, the threaded bolt  38  is inserted through the first through hole  39  of the cradle mount  31  on the back of the cradle  30  into the internal threads  26  of the T-nut barrel  25  protruding from the second through hole  29  of the battery cover  22  to form a secured wireless handset  10 . The first through hole  39  of cradle mount  31  defines the location and diameter of the cradle hole  32  shown in  FIG. 2C  and the second through hole  29  in the battery cover  22  of the wireless handset  20 . 
     FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the back of the wireless handset  20  and the T-nut barrel  25  protruding through the second through hole  29  of the battery cover  22 . 
     FIG. 3B  shows the battery cover  22  as removed from the wireless handset  20  to reveal the battery  44  and to show how the T-nut  24  is inserted through the internal surface  23  of the battery cover  22 . This embodiment of the first attachment can be used if sufficient clearance exists between the internal surfaces  23  and  27  for the T-nut  24  and the battery  44 . In another embodiment, the wireless handset  20  has no battery inside and the electrical contacts  34  shown in  FIG. 2C  supply electrical power to the wireless handset  20 . 
     FIG. 3C  is a section view of the battery cover  22  with the T-nut  24  where the T-nut barrel  25  with internal threads  26  is inserted through the second through hole  29  and secured to the internal surface  23  of the battery cover  22  with an adhesive material  28 . The adhesive material  28  can be any suitable material such as a double sided adhesive tape, e.g., Duck Brand Permanent Mounting Tape or an adhesive such as the 3M™ High Strength  90  spray adhesive. 
     FIG. 3D  is an exploded view of the T-nut  24  before insertion in the battery cover  22 . During assembly the T-nut barrel  25  with internal threads  26  is inserted through the second through hole  29  and secured onto the internal surface  23  by the adhesive material  28 . 
     FIG. 3E  shows an alternative embodiment of the first attachment where the T-nut  24  will be attached to the external surface of the battery cover  22 . This embodiment can be used if there is insufficient clearance for the T-nut  24  to be sandwiched between the internal surfaces  23  and  27  along with or without the battery  44  shown in  FIG. 3B . The T-nut  24  is attached to the external surface of the battery cover  22  through a suitable adhesive material  46  such as double-sided adhesive tape including a Duck Brand Permanent Mounting Tape or an adhesive such as the 3M™ High Strength  90  spray adhesive. 
     FIG. 4A  shows a battery  48  as removed from a wireless handset  40 . The battery  48  is part of the battery cover and mounted on the back of the wireless handset  40 .  FIG. 4B  shows a T-nut  24  to be attached to the external surface of the battery  48  through an adhesive material  46  where internal attachment is not possible because it would require drilling a hole through the battery  48 . 
     FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of the back of a secured wireless handset  50 . In this embodiment of the first attachment, the threaded bolt  38  is threaded into the first through hole  39  of the cradle mount  31  on cradle  30  and mates with the internal threads  26  of the T-nut barrel  25 . The T-nut  24  is externally attached on the battery  48  of the wireless handset  40 . The wireless handset  20  shown in  FIG. 3E  may be also used in a similar manner with the T-nut  24  attached to the external surface of the battery cover  22 . 
     FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of a secured wireless handset  50  after the attachment of the wireless handset  40  as shown in  FIG. 4B  or the wireless handset  20  as shown in  FIG. 3E  to the cradle  30 . The secured wireless handset  10  of  FIG. 2A  and secured wireless handset  50  of  FIG. 4D  can be applied to a variety of wireless handsets such as the Motorola V120 cell phone and other cell phones manufactured by Nokia, Siemens, and Samsung. 
     FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of another secured wireless handset  60  made with a wireless handset  64  such as the Motorola V60P mounted onto the cradle  62 . 
     FIG. 5B  shows secured wireless handset  60  with wireless handset  64  secured in the cradle  62 . In this embodiment of the first attachment, security block  66  in an opening  68  depresses a latch  69  with a lip  71  on the top  73  of wireless handset  64 . The security block  66  prevents the latch  69  from moving upward and releasing the wireless handset  64 . Thus, wireless handset  64  cannot be removed from cradle  62 . 
     FIG. 5C  is an enlarged view of the security block  66 , which is any object that fits in opening  68  but preferably is a substantially rectangular shaped rigid block of wood, plastic, or metal. For the Motorola V60P, the security block  66  has one inch length, L, 0.48 inch width, W, and ⅛ inch height H. The security block  66  is shown with a beveled front so as to be flush with the front of the cradle  62 . 
     FIG. 5D  is an exploded view of the secured wireless handset  60 . In assembly, the latch  69 , the release latch button  70 , and the latch engage button  72  all function together through a known mechanism to engage and disengage the latch  69 . When the latch release button  70  is depressed against the cradle  62 , the latch  69  is raised upward in the opening  68  and stays in this unlocked disengaged position while the latch engage button  72  pushes outward. When the wireless handset  64  is mounted in the cradle  62 , the back of the wireless handset  64  presses against the latch engage button  72  and the mechanism triggers the latch  69  to drop and engage the wireless handset  64  so that the lip  71  grips the wireless handset top  73  securely and the latch release button  70  again extends outward. To remove the wireless handset  64  from the cradle  62 , the latch release button  70  is pressed against the cradle  62 , the mechanism raises the latch  69  and the lip  71  disengages the top  73  of the wireless handset  64 . 
   By inserting the security block  66  in the opening  68  after the wireless handset  64  is mounted onto the cradle  62 , the upward movement of the latch  69  is prevented when the latch release button  70  is pressed. The security block  66  may be sized to a tight fit in the latch opening  68  so it can only be removed with a tool such as tweezers to prevent easy removal. The wireless handset power and data port  74  can be electrically connected to the cradle power and data port  76  to receive DC power through a power cord  78  and allow hands free communication. The secured wireless handset  60  is secured to the vehicle dashboard. 
     FIG. 5E  is an enlarged view showing the latch  69  with the lip  71  that moves up and down in the opening  68  to disengage and engage the top  73  of the wireless handset  64 . The secured wireless handsets  10 ,  50  and  60  are illustrative only and can be easily installed with many known cradle vehicle installation hardware or to other communication sites inside vehicles, boats, enclosures where wireless handsets should be secured.