Patent ID: 8202114

Claim:
A cradle for receiving a portable electronic device installed in the cradle, the cradle comprising: a housing; a top clamp slidably installed in the housing for permitting the top clamp to move up and down in the housing, the top clamp securing a top of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the cradle, and the portable electronic device making contact with the housing at two or more points for securing the portable electronic device within the cradle, the top clamp comprising at least one leg slidably installed in the housing for moving the top clamp up and down with respect to the housing; and a height-adjust release button installed on the housing for permitting the top clamp to be raised when the height-adjust release button is actuated, wherein adjustment of the height of the top clamp is controlled by a ratchet, the ratchet comprising a set of teeth fixed to the leg and a spring-loaded pawl engaging with the set of teeth such that the leg of the top clamp is permitted to be lowered and is prevented from being raised when the spring-loaded pawl engages the set of teeth.