Patent ID: 8760311

Claim:
A cradle latching mechanism, comprising: a housing defining a slot configured to receive a handheld device therein, the housing including first and second slide blocks disposed therein on either side of the slot, each slide block including a pin extending therefrom and movable between a retracted position, wherein the pin is disposed within the housing, and an extended position, wherein the pin extends into the slot to engage the handheld device disposed therein; and a U-shaped member disposed within the housing and including first and second legs interconnected by a base, each leg operably coupled to one of the slide blocks, the U-shaped member movable relative to the housing between an unlocked position, wherein the legs retain the slide blocks in the retracted position to permit insertion of the handheld device into the slot, a locked position, wherein the slide blocks are permitted to move to the extended position to engage the handheld device therein, and an eject position, wherein the legs retain the slide blocks in the retracted position and wherein the base extends into the slot to eject the handheld device at least partially from the slot.