Patent Publication Number: US-2010123062-A1

Title: Mounting and retaining arrangements for handheld devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to, and any other benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/114,562, entitled MOUNTING AND RETAINING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANDHELD DEVICES and filed Nov. 14, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Handheld devices, such as, for example, a remote control console for an entertainment system or component or for a fan, lighting unit, or other fixture, provide portability and convenience of use. In the case of a remote control console, however, the portability and small size of the console can result in the console being misplaced, offsetting the convenience of remote operation of the component or fixture. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application contemplates arrangements for releasably mounting and/or retaining handheld devices, for example, on a wall surface or other structure, which may combine the convenience of a portable control device with the predictability and ease of access of a wall control console. In one such embodiment, a mountable retainer for a handheld device includes a receiver plate and a user operable release latch. The receiver plate is structured to be mounted to a wall surface and includes an inner perimeter wall sized to axially receive the handheld device. The release latch is at least partially disposed on the inner perimeter wall and includes a device retaining member extending laterally inward of the inner perimeter wall for engagement with an outer portion of the handheld device, wherein the release latch is laterally movable from a device engaging position to a device releasing position for removal of the handheld device from the receiver plate. 
     In another embodiment, a mountable retainer for a handheld device further includes a device ejector disposed on the mounting member and positioned to engage an axially inward surface of the handheld device when the handheld device is retained in the mounting member. The device ejector is resiliently biased in an axially outward direction, such that when the handheld device is retained in the mounting member, movement of the release latch to the device releasing position allows the device ejector to bias the handheld device axially outward of the mounting member for user grasping. 
     The present application also contemplates methods for releasably mounting and/or retaining handheld devices, for example, on a wall surface or other structure. In one such method, a mountable retainer for a handheld device is provided. The mountable retainer includes a receiver plate and a user operable release latch, with the receiver plate including an inner perimeter wall sized to axially receive a handheld device. The release latch is at least partially disposed on the inner perimeter wall and includes a device retaining member extending laterally inward of the inner perimeter wall for engagement with an outer portion of the handheld device. The mountable retainer is mounted to a wall of a structure. A handheld device is positioned within the inner peripheral wall of the receiver plate, such that the release latch releasably engages an engageable portion of the handheld device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to exemplify the principles of this invention, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front schematic view of a handheld device and a mountable retainer for receiving the device; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side schematic view of a handheld device and a mountable retainer for receiving the device; 
         FIGS. 2A-2H  are various views of an exemplary embodiment of a handheld device and a mountable retainer for receiving the device, shown with the handheld device secured by the mountable retainer; 
         FIGS. 3A-3G  are various views of the exemplary handheld device of  FIGS. 2A-2H ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a handheld device and a mountable retainer for receiving the device, shown with the handheld device removed from the mountable retainer; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the mountable retainer of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front view of the mountable retainer of  FIG. 4 , shown with the base portion of the retainer disassembled from the receiver portion of the retainer; 
         FIG. 6B  is a rear view of the mountable retainer of  FIG. 4 , shown with the base portion of the retainer disassembled from the receiver portion of the retainer; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side perspective view of the base portion of the mountable retainer of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a lower front perspective view of the base portion of the mountable retainer of  FIG. 4 , shown with the device ejector disassembled from the base portion; and 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the device ejector of the mountable retainer of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     While the present application describes exemplary embodiments including mounting and retaining arrangements for remote control devices, such as, for example, a remote control console for a ceiling fan, it is to be understood that many of the inventive features of the present application may be utilized with other types of handheld devices, such as, for example, other handheld electronic equipment (e.g., cameras, communication devices, video displays, etc.). 
     According to an inventive aspect of the present application, a mountable retainer for a handheld device may include a mounting member structured to be mounted to a wall surface of a room, door, cabinet, or other such structure. The mounting member is structured to axially (i.e., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the wall surface) receive the handheld device for releasable retention of the handheld device on the wall surface. In one embodiment, the mountable retainer includes a user operable (e.g., graspable or manipulable) release latch structured to engage an outer portion of the handheld device. The release latch is movable from a device engaging position to a device releasing position for removal of the handheld device from the mounting member. Other configurations or mechanisms for retaining a device may additionally or alternatively be provided, such as, for example, Velcro® patches, snaps, or other such components. 
       FIG. 1A  schematically illustrates a front view of a mountable retainer  10  for a handheld device  20 . The mountable retainer  10  includes a mounting member  12  sized to axially receive the device  20 . While the mounting member  12  may take many different shapes and forms, in one embodiment, the mounting member  12  includes an inner perimeter wall  13  sized to receive the handheld device  20  therein. The handheld device may include a complementary shaped outer perimeter wall  23 , giving the retained device a flush or continuous appearance within the mountable retainer. 
     To releasably retain the handheld device  20  within the mountable retainer  10 , a release latch, such as exemplary release latch  15 , extends to engage a portion of the handheld device. The exemplary release latch  15  shown is user operable for movement from a device engaging position (as shown in  FIG. 1A ) to a device releasing position (i.e., disengageable from the outer portion of the device) for removal of the device  20  from the mounting member  12 . The release latch  15  may be structured for many different types of user manipulation, including, for example, axial (pulling or pushing), lateral (sliding), or rotational (twisting) movement of the latch, or some combination of these movements. While the exemplary release latch  15  is illustrated as engaging a lower edge of the device  20 , the latch may be located or structured to releasably engage any location or portion of the device, including portions laterally inward from the outer perimeter of the device. Additionally, one or more fixed, laterally inward extending projections  17  may be provided on the inner perimeter wall of the mounting member  12  to facilitate retention of the device  20  prior to its release. 
     According to another inventive aspect of the present application, the mountable retainer may be structured to facilitate withdrawal of the released handheld device by biasing the device axially outward for user grasping. In one embodiment, a device ejecting member or device ejector may be positioned to engage an axially inward or rear surface of the handheld device when the device is retained in the mounting member to bias the device outward when the device is released for withdrawal (e.g., by a release latch, as described above). In one embodiment, a device ejector may be assembled with a base plate of the mounting member for engagement of the rear surface of the retained handheld device. 
       FIG. 1B  schematically illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a mountable retainer  30  (mounted to a wall surface S) and a handheld device  40  secured within the retainer  30 . The mountable retainer  30  includes a mounting member  32  having a base portion  31  and a receiver portion  33  for receiving the device  40 . An exemplary release latch  35  is assembled with the mounting member  32  for releasably engaging a notch  45  (or other engageable portion) of the device  40 . To facilitate withdrawal of the released device  40  from the mounting member  32 , a device ejector  38  is assembled with the base portion  31  for axially outward biased engagement with a rear surface  48  of the device  40 . When the release latch  35  is moved to a device releasing position, the device ejector  38  is biased outward by spring member  39  to force the device  40  axially outward for user grasping. While the device ejector  38  is shown assembled with the base portion  31 , other arrangements may be provided, including, for example, connection of a device ejector with the outer receiving portion, or inclusion of a separate device ejector compressed between the device and the wall surface to which the mounting member is mounted. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1B , the device ejector  38  and the spring member  39  are seated in a recess  36  in the base portion  31 , such that the compressed device ejector  38  is substantially flush with the front surface of the base portion  31  when the device  40  is secured in the mounting member  32 . Further, the device ejector  38  may be movably connected to the base portion  31  (for example, by one or more retaining legs  38   a ) to prevent the device ejector  38  from coming dislodged from the base portion  31  when the device  40  is removed from the mounting member  32 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2H  illustrate various views of an exemplary mountable retainer  100  for use with an exemplary remote control device or transmitter  150 , and  FIGS. 3A-3G  illustrate various views of the transmitter  150 .  FIGS. 4-9  include various views of a mountable retainer and its components. As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A, and  6 B, the mountable retainer  100  includes a base plate  110 , a receiver plate  120 , a release latch  130 , and a device ejector  140 . The receiver plate  120  is attachable to the base plate  110 , for example, by snap fit engagement between base plate tabs  111  that interlock with corresponding recesses  121  in the receiver plate  120 . The base plate  110  and receiver plate  120  include aligned mounting holes  112 ,  122  for mounting the retainer  100  to a wall surface (e.g., using machine screws or other fasteners), although other mounting arrangements may be utilized. In one embodiment, the mounting holes  112 ,  122  may be dimensioned to align with mounting holes in a conventional outlet box, such that the mounted device  150  may functionally and positionally replace a conventional wall switch. The receiver plate  120  includes an inner perimeter wall  123  sized to closely receive an outer perimeter wall  153  of the device  150 . A laterally inward extending projection  124  is disposed on the inner perimeter wall  123  for engagement with a corresponding notch  154  in the device  150 , to facilitate retention of the device  150  prior to its release. 
     The exemplary release latch  130  includes a laterally movable device engaging member  132  having a laterally inward extending projection  136  for engagement with a corresponding notch  156  in the outer perimeter wall  153  of the device  150 . The device engaging member  132  is attached to the base plate  110  by a resilient spring plate  134  (see  FIG. 7 ) that is bent (or otherwise formed) to be biased laterally inward toward engagement with the device  150 . As shown, the release latch  130  may extend into a gap  127  in the inner perimeter wall  123  of the receiver plate  120 , such that a laterally inner surface  137  of the device engaging member  132  is substantially flush with the inner perimeter wall  123 . Laterally inward movement of the device engaging member  132  may be limited, for example, by a wall segment  116  extending axially outward from the base portion  110 , and/or by side flanges  138  received behind the inner perimeter wall  123  on either side of the gap  127 . 
     The exemplary device ejector  140  is a button shaped member sized to be seated or received in a corresponding recess  114  in the base plate  110 , with a spring  145  compressed between the device ejector  140  and the base plate  110  (see  FIG. 8 ). A post  144  may be provided on the rear surface of the device ejector  140  (see  FIG. 9 ), for example, to facilitate centering of the spring  145 . The device ejector  140  includes a pair of laterally extending arms or tabs  141  that are axially received through corresponding notches  118  in the recess  114  for rotational engagement with a circumferential slot  115  in the recess  114 , the slot width being structured for outward biasing of the device ejector  140  beyond a front surface of the base plate  110 . The rear surface of the base plate  110  may include nibs  119  (see  FIG. 6B ) that allow the tabs  141  to snap into a rotationally secured position for secure, movable attachment between the base plate  110  and the device ejector  140 . When the device  150  is retained in the mountable retainer  100 , the rear surface of the device  150  compresses the device ejector  140 , such that the front surface of the device ejector  140  is substantially flush with the front surface of the base plate  110 . When the release latch  130  is moved laterally out of engagement with the device  150  (disengaging the projection  136  from the corresponding notch  156 ), the compressed spring  145  forces the device ejector  140  and the device  150  axially outward, to facilitate user grasping of the device  150 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown, the outer perimeter wall  153  of the device is provided with 180° overall rotational symmetry and substantially similar notches  154 ,  156 , allowing the device  150  to be retained in the mountable retainer in two different orientations (e.g., right-side up, and upside down). 
     While many different materials may be utilized to construct a mountable retainer having one or more of the inventive features described herein, in one embodiment, the base plate, receiver plate, device engaging member, and device ejector are provided in injection molded plastic (e.g., ABS plastic), and the spring and spring plate are provided in a metal material (e.g., spring steel). 
     While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Also, the various features of the lighting products discussed above and claimed below may be considered to be separate building blocks which may provide utility in and of themselves. Thus, it is contemplated that inventive devices and arrangements may be designed based on the teachings herein using virtually any combination or permutation of any one or more of these separate features without necessarily some or all of the other features. Accordingly, it is contemplated that arrangements, devices, and combinations of devices may be claimed using virtually any combination or permutation of any one or more of these features.