Patent Publication Number: US-2020291674-A1

Title: Mounting system for mounting an electronic device on a vehicle

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a mounting system for mounting a removable electronic device on a vehicle. 
     RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/819,066, filed Mar. 15, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Location-determining receivers, sensors and other removable electronic devices are commonly mounted on agricultural vehicles to provide position data, attitude data and/or motion data to a variety of precision agriculture applications. For example, a removable electronic device may comprise a location-determining receiver, such as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver or global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Under certain prior art, the removable electronic device can be disconnected or removed from the vehicle by operation of a latch without security measures or theft deterrence. For instance, the latch without security measures may allow the owner of the vehicle or any unauthorized third party (e.g., an interloper or thief) to remove the electronic device from the vehicle. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved mounting system for mounting a removable electronic device on a vehicle with greater security to prevent or discourage theft or unwanted removal of the removable electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a mounting system comprises a mounting bracket attachable to a vehicle. The mounting bracket has an engaging member and a keeper. A retainer is attached to a removable electronic device. The retainer is capable of engaging and rotating around said engaging member. A latch is connected to the removable electronic device. The latch comprises a rotor capable of engaging the keeper and securing the removable electronic device to the mounting bracket after the retainer has engaged the engaging member. A handle (e.g., lever) is arranged for controlling the latch to engage or disengage the keeper. A panel or cover can cover the handle. The cover has one or more retainers (e.g., interlocking retainers) associated with a first end that connect the cover to the housing at or near the first end. An opening is associated with a second end opposite the first end. A rotatable lock is secured in the opening, where in a locked state the rotatable lock has a lock latch that engages a lock recess in the lock recess or lock keep to secure the panel to prevent or discourage access (e.g., unauthorized access) to the handle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is cross-section of one embodiment of the mounting system for securing a removable electronic device, as viewed along reference line  1 - 1  in  FIG. 6 , where the mounting bracket is shown attached to the removable electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded cross-section of the mounting system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view the mounting system, of  FIG. 1 , for securing the electronic device, as viewed from below. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the mounting system, of  FIG. 1 , for securing the electronic device, as viewed from above. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the cover and lock assembly that is removed from the housing of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cover and lock assembly installed or secured to the housing of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded cross-section of the cover and lock assembly that is secured to the housing of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , such as where the lock assembly is in a locked state. 
         FIG. 8A  is one embodiment of an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounting system of  FIG. 1  that shows the handle within an enclosed volume of the cover. 
         FIG. 8B  shows a similar view to  FIG. 8A  except the frame is cutaway to reveal an interior of the latch assembly. 
         FIG. 8C  shows an alternate embodiment of the  FIG. 8B  with respect to the interior of the latch assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded top perspective view of the cover and the lock assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the cover and the lock assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers in any set of drawings indicates like elements or like features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8B , inclusive,  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , a mounting system  11  comprises a mounting bracket  12  that is attachable to a vehicle, such as a roof of a vehicle. The mounting bracket  12  has an engaging member  18  and a keeper  16 . A retainer  14  is attached to a removable electronic device. The retainer  14  is capable of engaging and rotating (at least partially) around the engaging member  18 . A latch  15  is connected to the removable electronic device. The latch  15  comprises a rotor  17  capable of engaging the keeper  16  and securing the removable electronic device to the mounting bracket  12  if the retainer  14  has engaged the engaging member  18 . A handle  26  (e.g., lever) is arranged for controlling the latch  15  (or a rotor  17  of the latch  15 ) to engage or disengage the keeper  16 . A user can operate the handle  26  to engage (e.g., attach) the removable electronic device  22  to the mounting bracket  12  by the controllable latch  15  engaging the keeper  16 . Conversely, if the cover  46  is not closed and locked to the housing of the removable electronic device  22 , a user can operate the handle  26  to engage (e.g., detach) the removable electronic device  22  to the mounting bracket  12  by the controllable latch engaging the keeper  16 . 
     In one embodiment, the handle  26  is positioned downward from the latch  15  of the removable electronic device  22 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the handle is positioned in a recess  44  (e.g., indentation) of the removable electronic device  22 , or in a recess  44  in which the latch  15  resides. 
     In one embodiment, a panel or cover  46  can cover the handle  26  (e.g., and a recess  44  about the handle  26  or in which the handle  26  can reside when the removable electronic device  22  is attached to the mounting bracket  12 ). The cover  46  has one or more retainers  14  associated with a first end  52 , where the retainers  14  may interlock or mate with respective recesses in the housing. In one configuration, the cover  46  terminates in one or more retainers  14  associated with the first end  52 , such that the retainers  14  are substantially hidden from view when the cover  46  is installed on the housing in a closed state or locked state. 
     In one embodiment, an opening  50  is associated with a second end  54  opposite the first end  52  of the cover  46 . For example, the opening  50  is generally oblong, oval or semicircular with one or two rectilinear sides  51  (e.g., flats) to prevent rotation of the outer body of the rotatable lock  56 , while allowing its inner cylinder to rotate; hence, lock or unlock the rotatable lock  56  by insertion and application of torque to a key  40 . A rotatable lock  56  is secured in the opening  50  by a fastener  53 , where in a locked state the rotatable lock  56  has a lock latch  60  that engages a lock recess  62  or other lock keep in the housing (e.g., around the recess  44  in which the latch is mounted) to secure the cover  46  panel to prevent or discourage access to the handle  26 . For example, the fastener  53  may comprise a nut that engages threads on the shaft or rounded portion of the shaft of the rotatable lock  56  or a retention ring that engages a slot or step in the shaft of the rotatable lock  56 . Hence, if unauthorized users are prevented or discouraged from access to the handle  26  to release the latch  15  from engaging the keeper  16 , the removable electronic device  22  can remain attached or connected to its mounting bracket  12  via the latch  15  engaging keeper  16 , at least until the authorized user unlocks the rotatable lock  56  (e.g., by inserting and rotating key  40 ) and removes the cover  46  from the housing (e.g., housing interface, seating interface or rim that the cover  46  adjoins, contacts or mates with) of the removable electronic device  22 . 
     In one embodiment, the retainers  48  comprise snap-fit arms  64  that engage corresponding snap-fit recesses  66  in a housing  68  of the electronic device near or about the housing  68  recess  44 . The snap-fit arms  64  or retainers  48  may be separated from a wall of the cover by openings or slits  49  (e.g., to support bending or elastic deformation of the snap-fit arms  64  for engagement or disengagement of the corresponding snap-fit recesses  66 . Further, when the snap-fit arms  64  of the cover  46  engage corresponding snap-fit recesses  66  of the housing or when the snap-fit arms  64  and corresponding snap-fit recesses  66  are in a locked state or interlocking state, the snap-fit arms  64  and corresponding snap-fit recesses  66  are substantially hidden (e.g., except at possible seam between the cover  46  and housing) from a user&#39;s view by the cover  46  and housing. In one configuration, each of the snap-fit arms  64  terminate in a snap-fit protrusion  70 . In the locked state, the rotatable lock  56  binds, secures or locks the snap-fit protrusion  70  in a static or fixed position with respect to its corresponding snap-fit recess  44 , where the snap-fit protrusion  70 , the snap-fit recess  44 , or both may be configured with some elastic deformation to support attachment and/or detachment (e.g., removal) of the cover  46  to or from the housing of the removable electronic device  22 . 
     In one configuration, the one or more retainers  48  comprise snap-fit arms  64  that engage corresponding snap-fit recesses  66  in the housing  68  of the electronic device, wherein the rotatable lock  56  simultaneously secures the first end  52  and the second end  54  to the housing  68  to prevent movement between the housing  68  and the cover  46 . 
     The cover  46  has a storage volume  74  or a pocket for storing the handle. As illustrated, the storage volume  74  has a generally polygonal cross section  76  that tapers downward and inward toward a bottom  78  of the storage volume  74 . Further, downward tapering walls  80  of the storage volume  74  are substantially curved or arced. 
     In alternate embodiments, the cover  46  or storage volume  74  in the cover  46  may have other geometric shapes. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A  in a locked state, the rotatable lock  56  has a lock latch  60  that engages a lock recess  62  or other lock keep in the recess  44  to secure the cover  46  (e.g., panel) to prevent access to the handle  26 ; hence, prevent an unauthorized person from releasing the latch  15 , or its rotor  17 , to remove the removable electronic device  22  from the mounting bracket  12 , or the vehicle on which the mounting bracket  12  is attached. Conversely, in an open state the rotatable lock  56  has a lock latch  60  that does not engage a lock recess  62  or other lock keep in the housing  68  recess  44  to secure the cover  46  (e.g., panel) to prevent access to the handle  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8B  in one embodiment, the rotor  17  of the latch  15  can rotate with respect to frame  82  (e.g., hollow frame  82 ); the rotor  17  is secured to the frame  82  via a primary shaft  34  (e.g., stationary rotor shaft, hollow rotor shaft or tubular rotor shaft); the handle  26  comprises a lever that terminates in a grip  86  or key  40  at an outer end  90 . The pawl  19  or hub (e.g. with projection or lobe) is rotatable with respect to the frame  82  at an interface end  88  via a secondary shaft  36  (e.g., stationary handle shaft, hollow or tubular handle shaft). As illustrated the frame  82  may have a frame slot  58  for accepting the keeper  16 , where the frame slot  58  is coextensive with corresponding rotor slot  59  in the rotor  17 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the handle may comprise a rotatable knob or another device with a radial dimension selected to provide leverage for the torsional force applied to lock or release the latch  15  or by rotation of rotor  17 . 
     The alternate latch  115  of  FIG. 8C  is similar to the latch  15  of  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B , except that the latch  115  replaces rotor  17  and pawl  19  with rotor  117  and pawl  119 , respectively. Like reference numbers in  FIG. 8A  through  FIG. 8C  indicate like elements or like features. The latch  115  may replace the latch  15  in other embodiments set forth in this document. 
     In the alternate embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8C , the rotor  117  has rotor teeth  92  and the pawl  19  (e.g., hub with projection or lobe) of the handle  26  has interface teeth  94  that engage the rotor teeth  92  to rotate the rotor  117  (of latch  115 ) to an open state or its closed sate. For example, the user can move or rotate the handle  26  or its grip  86  to rotate the rotor ( 17 ,  117 ), of latch ( 15 ,  115 ), to a closed state when the handle  26  or its grip  86  is moved or pushed (leftward in  FIG. 8B  or in  FIG. 8C .) The latch ( 15 ,  115 ) is biased in the closed state by a resilient member such as a spring ( 30 ,  32 ), where to rotate the rotor  117  (of latch  115 ) to an open state the handle  26  or its grip  86  is moved or pulled (e.g., rightward in  FIG. 8B  or in  FIG. 8C ) with a force to overcome or oppose the biasing of the resilient member or spring ( 30 ,  32 ). 
     Mounting Bracket 
     The mounting bracket  12  comprises an engaging member  18  and a keeper  16 . As shown, the engaging member  18  is generally parallel to the keeper  16 , although in an alternative embodiment the engaging member  18  or the keeper  16  may be curved; hence, the engaging member  18  and the keeper  16  may exist in a non-parallel configuration. The engaging member  18  and keeper  16  are generally cylindrical or each has an interface or portion with a generally cylindrical cross section. The engaging member  18  and the keeper  16  may be connected by a first side  21  that is generally perpendicular to the engaging member  18  and the keeper  16 . Likewise, the engaging member  18  and the keeper  16  may be connected by a second side  23  that is generally perpendicular to the engaging member  18  and the keeper  16 . As shown, the first side  21  and the second side  23  are generally parallel to each other, although in an alternative embodiment the first side  21  and the second side  23  may be curved; hence, the first side  21  and the second side  23  may exist in a non-parallel configuration. 
     In one embodiment, a flange  25  is included in at least part of the spatial area bounded by the engaging member  18 , keeper  16 , first side  21 , and second side  23 . In one embodiment, the flange  25  includes mounting holes  20  for attaching the mounting bracket  12  to the vehicle. The mounting bracket  12  may be composed of plastic, metal, alloy, polymer, composite material, fiber-reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced polymer or any other suitable material. 
     In one embodiment, mounting bracket  12  is symmetrical such that the engaging member  18  and the keeper  16  have substantially similar cross-sectional dimensions or configurations. 
     Retainer 
     In one embodiment, the retainer  14  is an integral part of the structure of the removable electronic device  22 . In this embodiment, the retainer  14  comprises a molded tab extending from the removable electronic device  22 , and a recess is formed between the retainer  14  and a surface (e.g. outer surface) of the removable electronic device  22 . Installation of the removable electronic device  22  on the vehicle may involve inserting the retainer  14  under or partially around the engaging member  18 . The combination of the retainer  14  and the engaging member  18  forms a hinge or rotational axis in which the retainer  14  at least partially encircles the engaging member  18 . The engaging member  18  forms a rotational axis about which the retainer  14  and the removable electronic device  22  can rotate. Rotation of the retainer  14  about the engaging member  18  allows the latch  15  to engage the keeper  16 . 
     In another embodiment, the retainer  14  comprises a bracket that is separate from the removable electronic device  22 . The bracket is secured to the removable electronic device  22  by fasteners, adhesives, connectors, or otherwise. Use of a separate bracket allows an existing removable electronic device  22  to be adapted to use the mounting system  11 . As in the embodiment in which the retainer  14  is an integral part of the structure of the removable electronic device  22 , a recess is formed between the retainer  14  and a surface of the removable electronic device  22 . Installation of the removable electronic device  22  on the vehicle may involve inserting the retainer  14  under or partially around the engaging member  18 . The combination of the retainer  14  and the engaging member  18  forms a hinge or rotational axis in which the retainer  14  at least partially encircles the engaging member  18 . The engaging member  18  forms a rotational axis about which the retainer  14  and the removable electronic device  22  can rotate. Rotation of the retainer  14  about the engaging member  18  allows the latch  15  to engage the keeper  16 . 
     In one embodiment, the retainer  14  may comprise an uninterrupted tab whose length is approximately equal to the length of the engaging member  18 . Further, the retainer  14  is of sufficient length to prevent lateral torsional movement of the removable electronic device  22  once the retainer  14  has engaged the engaging member  18  and the latch  15  has engaged the keeper  16 . 
     In another embodiment, retainer  14  has a length that is less than the length of the engaging member  18 . In this embodiment, the length of the retainer  14  is sufficient to prevent lateral torsional movement of the removable electronic device  22  once the retainer  14  has engaged the engaging member  18  and the latch  15  has engaged the keeper  16 . For example, a retainer  14  whose length is at least half of the length of the engaging member  18  is sufficient to prevent lateral torsional movement of the removable electronic device  22 . 
     Latch 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8B  in one embodiment, the latch  15  (e.g., rotary latch) comprises a rotor  17 , rotor spring  32 , pawl  19 , pawl spring  30 , and handle  26  (e.g., lever). The rotor  17  and rotor spring  32  are pivotally mounted to the removable electronic device  22  about a primary shaft  34  (e.g., hollow stationary shaft) associated with the removable electronic device  22 . The pawl  19  and pawl spring  30  are similarly pivotally mounted to the removable electronic device  22  about a secondary shaft  36  (e.g., hollow stationary shaft) associated with the removable electronic device  22 . The rotor  17  is spring loaded by rotor spring  32  toward an open position. When the rotor  17  engages the keeper  16 , the rotor  17  rotates to partially encircle the keeper  16 . The pawl  19  also engages the rotor  17 , holding the rotor  17  in a closed position. The pawl  19  is spring loaded by pawl spring  30  toward a direction that presses the pawl  19  against a notch  55  in the rotor  17 , holding the rotor  17  in the closed position. A handle  26  is attached to the pawl  19 . To release the pawl  19 , the biasing force of the pawl spring  30  and the rotor spring  32  must be overcome by application of force by a user. 
     In another embodiment, a manual latch is used. As shown, a single latch  15  engages the keeper  16 , securing the removable electronic device  22  to the mounting bracket  12 . Alternatively, two or more latches  15  may be used (e.g., simultaneously and in parallel), with each latch  15  engaging the keeper  16 . Use of two or more latches  15  provides additional stability for the removable electronic device  22 , and provides redundancy to ensure that the removable electronic device  22  remains securely attached to the mounting bracket  12 . 
     To allow removal of the removable electronic device  22 , the handle  26  must be accessible to an operator. In one embodiment, the handle  26  is situated inside an indentation or recess  44 . In addition to providing access to the handle  26 , the indentation or recess  44  supports the storage, stowage or movement of a handle  26  in the recess  44  and within the storage volume  74  or pocket, along with a gap for placement of the operator&#39;s finger or hand. 
     Assembly 
     To attach the removable electronic device  22  to the vehicle, the mounting bracket  12  is attached to the vehicle. The mounting bracket  12  is attached to the vehicle using screws, rivets, bolts, adhesive, or other attachment means. Once the mounting bracket  12  is attached to the vehicle, the removable electronic device  22  can be installed on the vehicle and removed repeatedly without removing or reinstalling the mounting bracket  12 . 
     During assembly, the latch  15  is in a first position (e.g. an open state). The retainer  14  is inserted into the engaging member  18 , forming a hinge or rotational axis about which the retainer  14  and the removable electronic device  22  can rotate. The removable electronic device  22  is rotated about the engaging member  18 . As the removable electronic device  22  is rotated about the engaging member  18 , the rotor  17  of the latch  15  approaches the keeper  16 . When the latch  15  engages the keeper  16 , the latch  15  rotates into a second position (e.g. a closed or locked state) and closes around the keeper  16 . The lever  26  (e.g., release lever) holds the pawl  19  in a position such that the rotor  17  is held in the closed position encircling the keeper  16 . The pawl  19  is held in such position and the removable electronic device  22  thus remains securely fastened to the vehicle as long as the lever  26  is not triggered. Once the latch  15  has engaged the keeper  16 , the isolator may expand, exerting pressure on the removable electronic device  22 , and preventing vibration or other movement of the removable electronic device  22 . When the latch  15  is in the closed or locked state, the removable electronic device  22  is securely attached to the vehicle. Rotation of the retainer  14  and the removable electronic device  22  about the engaging member  18  is prevented. 
     The cover  46  may be placed over the recess  44  to cover and protect the lever  26  from being triggered or released by any unauthorized party (e.g., an interloper or thief) who is not authorized to remove the removable electronic device from the mounting bracket  12  or the vehicle to which the mounting bracket  12  is attached. For example, snap-fit arms  64  with snap-fit protrusions  70  engage corresponding snap-fit recesses  66  at a first end  52  of the cover  46 . Meanwhile, at a second end  54  of the cover  46 , which is opposite the first end, a rotatable lock  56  extends through an opening  50  in the cover  46  and can lock the cover  46  to the remainder of the housing, where the lock  56  is lockable by a lock latch  60  that rotates to engage or disengage a corresponding lock recess  62  or other lock keep in the housing of the electronic device  22 . The user can insert a key  40  to rotate the rotatable lock  56  to engage or disengage the respective lock latch  60  in the lock recess  62  or other lock keep to lock or unlock the cover  46 ; hence, prevent or provide access of a user to the lever (e.g., connect) to assemble or disassemble (e.g., disconnect), the removable electronic device  22  from the mounting bracket  12  on the vehicle. 
     During disassembly, the lever  26  is triggered by a user. Triggering of the lever  26  allows the pawl  19  to rotate, thus allowing the rotor  17  to rotate into the open position and allowing the removable electronic device  22  to be removed from the mounting bracket  12  by removing the retainer  14  from the engaging member  18 . 
     Accordingly, the mounting system  12  facilitates securely, but removably, attaching a removable electronic device  22  to a vehicle using simple, one-handed installation and removal of the device  22  without the use of tools or small hardware pieces. The mounting system  11  requires no magnet (for mounting) which could interfere with sensitive electronic equipment and which would require a ferrous structure on the vehicle. The mounting system  11  may be used advantageously in conjunction with metal alloy, plastic, polymeric or composite body panels or portions of a vehicle. A removable electronic device  22  installed using the mounting system  11  may be removed from the vehicle with one hand and without the use of tools or separate hardware. Once the mounting bracket  12  is installed, the mounting system  11  enables consistent placement of the removable electronic device  22  each time the removable electronic device  22  is installed on the vehicle, which enables consistent location information to be provided to precision farming software for every installation when the removable electronic device  22  is a location-determining receiver. 
     In another embodiment, an alternate retainer comprises two or more discrete hinge members rather than one continuous tab, where the alternate retainer replaces retainer  14 . The discrete hinge members comprise tabs that are separated by sufficient space to prevent lateral torsional movement of the removable electronic device  22  once the alternate retainer has engaged the engaging member  18  and the latch  15  has engaged the keeper  16 . For example, placing the discrete hinge members such that the length defined by the outer ends of the hinge members is approximately equal to or greater than approximately one-half of the length of the engaging member is sufficient to prevent lateral torsional movement of the removable electronic device  22 . 
     In an alternate configuration, an alternate keeper and alternate engaging member may each comprise one or more alternate interface members (e.g., radial bushings) that are generally cylindrical and are associated (e.g., secured or rotationally connected) with the alternate keeper and the engaging member, where the alternate keeper replaces keeper  16  and where the alternate engaging member replaces engaging member  18 . 
     Having described one or more preferred embodiments, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.