Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/711,767 filed Feb. 24, 2010. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/711,767 is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to form a part of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to mounts for securing portable devices to vehicles, and, more particularly, to a vehicle mount that resists relative rotational movement at the connection between the mount and the vehicle and at the connection between the mount and the portable device while permitting disengagement at one or both of such connections in response to the application of a sufficient force to the mount. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    High fuel prices and traffic congestion have made motorcycles an increasingly common mode of transportation, not only for recreational purposes but for people commuting to and from their place of employment. While production motorcycles may include some amenities found in automobiles and other vehicles, such as a radio, they have no means of providing riders with ready access to items such as radar detectors, toll road transponders, global positioning devices (GPS), cellular telephones, cameras, change holders, garage door openers, personal digital assistants (PDA) and other portable devices. 
         [0004]    This deficiency of production motorcycles has been addressed by aftermarket mounting devices that may be secured to different parts of the vehicle. These include handlebar mounts, control mounts, stem mounts, fairing mounts, mirror mounts and different specialty mounts. In each case, the mount generally comprises a vehicle mounting element designed to attach to a part of the motorcycle such as the handlebars, a lower pivot coupled to the vehicle mounting element, a device mounting plate designed to support a number of different portable devices, an upper pivot coupled to the device mounting plate, and, a shaft extending between the upper and lower pivots. The mount is connected to the motorcycle and a portable device such as a GPS is secured to the device mounting plate, at which time the position of the GPS may be adjusted by manipulation of one or both of the upper and lower pivots to the satisfaction of the rider. This arrangement allows the cyclist ready access to and/or viewing of a given portable device, and reduces potentially dangerous situations wherein the rider must reach into a pocket of his or her clothing, or a storage area of the motorcycle, to access a particular device while riding. 
         [0005]    Most vehicle mount designs employ a threaded connection between the vehicle mounting element and lower pivot, and between the device mounting plate and upper pivot, in order to secure them in a fixed position. Typically, a bolt or other threaded fastener is extended between such elements and tightened down to maintain the portable device in position during use. This arrangement is less than desirable in several respects. Because vehicle mounts of this type are aftermarket items, they are usually installed by the owner of the motorcycle. Although installation is not difficult, it can be done improperly such as by failing to adequately tighten the bolts or other fasteners. Further, threaded connections between the vehicle mounting element and lower pivot, and/or between the device mounting plate and upper pivot, can loosen over time given the vibration and jarring of the motorcycle that takes place when riding. In either case, if such connections become loose the vehicle mount can pivot to an undesirable position and distract the rider potentially leading to injury. 
         [0006]    Another potential problem with threaded connections of the type utilized in conventional aftermarket vehicle mounts involves the performance of the mount in the event of an accident. It has been found that the application of a sufficient force to a vehicle mount, such as resulting from an impact during an accident, can cause the portable device secured to the device mounting plate or the entire mount itself to literally fly off of the location where it is mounted to the motorcycle. A heavier item such as a GPS can effectively become a missile under these circumstances and cause injury to the rider or to others in the vicinity of the accident. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention is directed to a vehicle mount in which a severable pin connection is provided at the location where the mount is coupled to the vehicle and/or where the mount is coupled to a portable device. These pin connections help resist relative movement at such locations under normal operating conditions of the vehicle, but may be severed in response to the application of a sufficient force to the mount, such as during an accident, to resist disengagement of the portable device from the vehicle. 
         [0008]    In one presently preferred embodiment, the vehicle mount of this invention comprises a vehicle mounting element having an anti-rotation pin that seats within a selected one of a number of cavities formed in the facing surface of a lower coupler to which it is connected. The mount also includes a device mounting plate formed with an anti-rotation pin that seats within one of a number of cavities in the facing surface of an upper coupler. Alternatively, the positioning of the anti-rotation pins and cavities may be reversed, i.e. the anti-rotation pins may be formed in the upper and lower couplers while the vehicle mounting element and device mounting plate have cavities or through bores to receive such pins. It is contemplated that the upper and lower couplers may be connected together by a shaft, or they may be directly connected to one another in which case one of the upper and lower couplers is formed with at least one cavity and the other an anti-rotation pin. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a threaded connection is provided between the vehicle mounting element and lower coupler, and between the device mounting plate and upper coupler. Alternatively, the lower coupler may be mounted to the vehicle mounting element by clamping an extension formed in the lower coupler between two clamping sections of the vehicle mounting element. Further, the two couplers may be connected to one another by a threaded fastener. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment of this invention, a second joint connection comprising an extension and two clamping sections is provided between the device mounting plate and the upper coupler. As discussed below, this joint connection may be loosened to allow for rotation of the device mounting plate relative to the remainder of the vehicle mount without disconnecting the device mounting plate from the upper coupler. The position of the device carried by the device mounting plate is thus easily adjusted, as desired. In all of the embodiments, additional resistance to relative rotation of the mount components is provided by connection of the anti-rotation pins within selected cavities. Even if a bolt or other threaded fastener that connects the vehicle mount elements together should loosen to some extent, unwanted rotation of such elements relative to one another is substantially prevented by the anti-rotation pins. 
         [0011]    An important feature of this invention involves its performance in response to the application of a severe force, such as might occur during an accident. In the presently preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation pins are formed of a first material and the structure formed with cavities or through holes is made of a second material. One of the first and second materials is softer than the other. Consequently, in response to the application of a sufficient force to the vehicle mount, shearing occurs at the interface between the anti-rotation pins and the cavity or hole in which they are seated. This permits relative rotation between the upper coupler and the device mounting plate, and/or between the lower coupler and the vehicle mounting element, and/or between the two couplers, which helps to prevent the portable device supported by the mount, or the mount itself, from being dislodged from the motorcycle. The mount essentially “gives way” without coming apart, so that the brunt of the force from the accident or the like causes rotation of the mount components rather than separating them from the vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a handlebar mount according to this invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a disassembled, bottom perspective view of the device mounting plate and upper pivot of the mount shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a disassembled, perspective view of the vehicle mounting element and lower pivot of the mount depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the device mounting plate and upper pivot illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the device mounting plate and upper pivot shown in  FIG. 4 , with such components in a first position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  except with such components in a second position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  with the device mounting plate rotated in a clockwise direction; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a vehicle mounting element for the stem mount illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a stem mount according to this invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  except depicting an anti-rotation pin mounted to the couple and cavities formed in the vehicle mounting element; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an exploded, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the vehicle mount of this invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a disassembled, perspective view of the couplers depicted in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a disassembled, perspective view of the connection between the upper coupler and mounting plate of the mount shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a cross sectional, assembled view of the lower coupler and vehicle mounting element illustrated in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is an exploded, perspective view of a still further embodiment of the vehicle mount of this invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a disassembled, perspective view of the upper and lower couplers depicted in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a disassembled, perspective view of the upper and lower connection between the spacer and the device mounting plate of the mount shown in  FIG. 15 ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional, assembled view of the mount illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  9 , two types of vehicle mounts according to this invention are shown. As discussed above, mounts for supporting portable items such as radar detectors, toll road transponders, GPS devices, cellular telephones, cameras, change holders, garage door openers, PDAs, radios and other devices have been designed for attachment to different locations on motorcycles and other vehicles. For purposes of illustration, a handlebar mount  10  is depicted in  FIG. 1  and a stem mount  12  is shown in  FIG. 9 . It should be understood that the following discussion applies to any type of vehicle mount for motorcycles and other vehicles, and is not intended to be limited to the mounts  10  and  12 . 
         [0032]    Each of the mounts  10  and  12  comprises a device mounting plate  14 , an upper coupler  16 , a lower coupler  18 , a shaft  20  connected between the upper and lower couplers  16 ,  18 , and, a vehicle mounting element  22 . The term “vehicle mounting element” as used herein is meant to broadly refer to any structure that secures the mount  10  or  12  to the motorcycle or other vehicle. In the case of the handlebar mount  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle mounting element  22  comprises an upper clamp section  24  and a lower clamp section  26  which extend around the handlebar of a motorcycle (not shown) and are connected to one another by one or more bolts  28 . The vehicle mounting element  22  of the stem mount  12  comprises a rod  30  having a radially outwardly extending upper end  32  and an outer surface  34  that mounts three o-rings  36 ,  38  and  40 . Additional structure of the vehicle mounting elements  22  is described below. For purposes of the present discussion, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top” and “bottom” refer to the orientation of the mounts  10  and  12  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the handlebar mount  10  is described in more detail. The device mounting plate  14  is generally rectangular-shaped formed with a number of device bores  42  arranged in a pattern that permits coupling to a number of different portable devices of the type noted above. Such devices may include mounting structure such as threaded studs (not shown) extending from the bottom of the device through one or more of the device bores  42  to receive nuts (not shown) for mounting the device onto the plate  14 . Three through bores  44 ,  46  and  48  are formed near one end of the plate  14 , as shown, and have a chamfer  50  at the top surface  52  of the plate  14 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , three anti-rotation pins  54 ,  56  and  58  are connected to the bottom surface  60  of the plate  14  and extend outwardly therefrom. The pins  54 - 58  generally align with respective through bores  44 - 48 . The pins  54 - 58  may be formed of a material having a hardness greater or less than that of the upper coupler  16 , for purposes to become apparent below. 
         [0034]    The upper coupler  16  comprises a body portion  62  having an upper planar surface  64 , an outer surface  66  and a beveled surface  68  extending between the planar surface  64  and outer surface  66 . Two spaced arms  70  and  72  extend downwardly from the body portion  62  to receive the upper end of shaft  20  which is coupled thereto by a bolt  74 . A number of blind holes  78 , each defining a cavity, are formed in the body portion  62 . The blind holes  78  are circumferentially spaced from one another and radially spaced from an internally threaded bore  80  located at the center of the upper planar surface  64 . The blind holes  78  and threaded bore  80  extend from the upper planar surface  64  of the body portion  62  in a downward direction toward the arms  70 ,  72 . 
         [0035]    The device mounting plate  14  and upper coupler  16  are connected to one another by a bolt  82  preferably having a head with a countersunk recess  84  shaped to fit an Allen wrench (not shown). As best seen in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 7 , the device mounting plate  14  and upper coupler  16  are oriented relative to one another such that the planar surface  64  of the upper coupler  16  rests against the bottom surface  60  of the device mounting plate  14 , with the internally threaded bore  80  in the upper pivot placed in alignment with one of the through bores  44 ,  46  or  48  of the device mounting plate  14  and one of the anti-rotation pins  54 ,  56  or  58  seated within one of the blind holes  78 . The bolt  82  is inserted through whichever through bore  44 ,  46  or  48  is placed in alignment with the internally threaded bore  80  in the upper coupler  16 , and then tightened down. The head of the bolt  82  is tapered to fit within the chamfer  50  of the through bores  44 - 48  so that it is flush with the upper surface  52  of the device mounting plate  14 . 
         [0036]    The purpose of providing multiple through bores  46 - 48  in the device mounting plate  14  is to permit variation of its position relative to the upper coupler  16  and the rest of the mount  10  or  12 . Depending upon the configuration of a particular motorcycle or other vehicle, and/or the preferences of the rider, it may be necessary to shift the position of the device mounting plate  14  to avoid an obstruction or to place an item carried on the mount  10  in a more convenient location for the rider. Any one of the through bores  44 ,  46  or  48  may be aligned with the internally threaded bore  80  of the upper coupler  16 , such as the middle bore  46  as shown in  FIG. 5  or the bore  48  as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0037]    In addition to side-to-side adjustment of the position of the device mounting plate  14  relative to the upper coupler  16 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the device mounting plate  14  may be oriented at an angle with respect to the upper coupler  16  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The term “angle” in this context refers to the relationship between the longitudinal axis  84  of the device mounting plate  14  and an axis  86  that bisects the internally threaded bore  80  of the upper coupler  16  in between the two arms  70  and  72 . As viewed in  FIG. 5 , the axes  84  and  86  are essentially coincident with one another. In  FIG. 6 , the device mounting plate  16  has been moved toward one side of the upper coupler  16 , e.g. with the through bore  44  in alignment with the internally threaded bore  80 , but no “angle” is formed between the axes  84  and  86  because they are substantially parallel to one another. In both  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the same blind hole  78  in the upper coupler  16  receives the middle anti-rotation pin  56  ( FIG. 5 ) or the anti-rotation pin  54  ( FIG. 6 ) located on the device mounting plate  14 . The device mounting plate  14  may be turned or oriented at an angle relative to the upper coupler  16  by aligning one of the anti-rotation pins  54 - 58  with a different blind hole  78  such that the axes  84  and  86  form an angle relative to one another. In  FIG. 7 , the middle anti-rotation pin  56  is illustrated as being located within a different blind hole  78  than the one in which it is seated in  FIG. 5 . In any case, the beveled surface  68  provides clearance between the upper coupler  16  and the anti-rotation pins  54 ,  56  or  58  regardless of which one of the pins  54 - 58  is seated within any one of the blind holes  78 . 
         [0038]    A generally similar mounting arrangement is provided between the lower coupler  18  and the vehicle mounting element  22 . Referring to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the lower coupler  18  comprises a body portion  88  having a planar surface  90  and a beveled surface  92 . Two spaced arms  94  and  96  extend downwardly from the body portion  88  to receive the lower end of shaft  20  which is coupled thereto by a bolt  98 . A number of blind holes  100 , each defining a cavity, are formed in the body portion  88 . The blind holes  100  are circumferentially spaced from one another and radially spaced from a through bore  102  that passes through the body portion  88  at the center of the planar surface  90 . The blind holes  100  extend from the planar surface  90  of the body portion  88  in a direction toward the arms  94 ,  96 . 
         [0039]    As noted above, the vehicle mounting element  22  of the handlebar mount  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes upper and lower clamp sections  24  and  26 . Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper clamp section  24  is formed with a planar surface  104  that rests against the planar surface  90  of the lower coupler  18  when the vehicle mounting element  22  and lower coupler  18  are assembled. An internally threaded bore  106  is centered in the upper clamp section  24 , extending from its planar surface  104  toward the lower clamp section  26 , and an anti-rotation pin  108  extends outwardly from the planar surface  104  of upper clamp section  24  in a position radially spaced from the internally threaded bore  106 . When assembled, the through bore  102  in the lower coupler  18  aligns with the internally threaded bore  106  in the upper clamp section  24  and the anti-rotation pin  108  of the upper clamp section  24  seats within one of the blind holes  100  in the lower coupler  18 . Depending upon which blind hole  100  receives the anti-rotation pin  108 , the lower coupler  18  can be positioned at different angles relative to the vehicle mounting element  22 . 
         [0040]    An alternative embodiment of the lower coupler  18  and vehicle mounting element  22  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The structure of lower coupler  18  and vehicle mounting element  22  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 3 , except the position of the anti-rotation pin  108  and blind holes  100  is reversed. Specifically, in  FIG. 10  an anti-rotation pin  109  is mounted on the planar surface  90  of the lower coupler  18  and a number of blind holes  101  are formed in the planar surface  104  of the upper clamp section  24  of the vehicle mounting element  22 . The blind holes  101  are circumferentially spaced from one another and radially spaced from the threaded bore  106  at the center of upper clamp section  24  of vehicle mounting element  22 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , the planar surface  104  of the upper clamp section  24  is wider than that of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3  in order to provide space for the blind holes  101 . When assembled, the anti-rotation pin  109  of the lower coupler  18  is received within one of the blind holes  101  in the vehicle mounting element  22 . 
         [0041]    The same lower coupler  18  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  is employed in the stem mount  12  illustrated in  FIG. 9 , but, as noted above, the vehicle mounting element  22  has a different construction than in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In the presently preferred embodiment, as best seen in  FIG. 8 , the upper end  32  of the rod  30  forming the vehicle mounting element  22  is formed with a planar surface  110  which rests against the planar surface  90  of the lower coupler  18  when assembled. An internally threaded bore  112  is formed in the rod  30 , centered on its planar surface  110 , and an anti-rotation pin  114  extends outwardly from the planar surface  110  of the rod  30  in a position radially spaced from the internally threaded bore  112 . When assembled, the through bore  102  in the lower coupler  18  aligns with the internally threaded bore  112  in the rod  30  and the anti-rotation pin  114  of the rod  30  seats within one of the blind holes  100  in the lower coupler  18 . A bolt  116  is inserted through the through bore  102  in the lower coupler  18  and into the internally threaded bore  112  of the rod  30  to connect the lower coupler  18  to the vehicle mounting element  22 . Depending upon which blind hole  100  receives the anti-rotation pin  114 , the lower coupler  18  can be positioned at different angles relative to the vehicle mounting element  22 . It should be understood that the location of anti-rotation pin  114  and blind holes  100  may be reversed in the lower coupler  18  employed with stem mount  12 , as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . In particular, the anti-rotation pin  114  may be formed on the planar surface  90  or lower coupler  18  and the planar surface  110  of the vehicle mounting element  22  may be formed with blind holes  100 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11-14 , an alternative embodiment of the vehicle mount  120  of this invention is illustrated. The vehicle mount  120  includes a device mounting plate  122 , an upper coupler  124 , a lower coupler  126  and a vehicle mounting element  128 . The device mounting plate  122  is shown as circular in  FIG. 11 , but it could be square, rectangular or another shape, as desired. The device mounting plate  122  is formed with a number of device bores  130 , and three through bores  132 ,  134  and  136  each having a chamfer  138 . In the presently preferred embodiment, a number of through holes  140  are formed in the device mounting plate  122  which are circumferentially spaced from one another and radially spaced from the center through bore  134 . 
         [0043]    The upper coupler  124  has a generally L-shaped body potion  142  formed with a base section  144  and a leg section  146  oriented perpendicularly to one another. The base section  144  has a planar surface  148  formed with a central, internally threaded bore  150  and an anti-rotation pin  152  which is spaced from the bore  150 . The leg section  146  is formed with an internally threaded bore  154 , and an anti-rotation pin  156  extends outwardly from the surface  158  of leg section  146 . The device mounting plate  122  and upper coupler  124  are connected to one another by a bolt  160  which may be inserted into any one of the through bores  132 - 136  and then threaded into the threaded bore  150  in the upper coupler  124 . The anti-rotation pin  152  seats within one of the through holes  140  in the device mounting plate  122 . The positioning of the upper coupler  124  relative to the three through bores  132 - 136 , and rotation of the device mounting plate  122  relative to the upper coupler  124 , is the same as that described above in connection with a discussion of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
         [0044]    As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the mount  120  differs from mounts  10  and  12  in that the shaft  20  is eliminated and the upper and lower couplers  124 ,  126  are directly connected to one another. In the presently preferred embodiment, the lower coupler  126  has a generally L-shaped body portion formed with a base section  162  and a leg section  164  oriented perpendicularly to one another. The base section  162  is formed with a bottom surface  166  which mounts an extension  168  having a circumferential recess  170 . The leg section  164  of lower coupler  126  has a through bore  172  and a planar surface  174  formed with a number of inwardly extending blind holes  176 . 
         [0045]    The upper and lower couplers  124 ,  126  are connected to one another by placing their respective leg sections  146  and  164  together such that the threaded bore  150  in the upper coupler  124  aligns with the through bore  172  in the lower coupler  126  and the anti-rotation pin  156  of the upper coupler  124  extends into one of the blind holes  174  in the lower coupler  126 . A bolt  178  is inserted through the bore  172  in the lower coupler  126  and then into the threaded bore  154  in the upper coupler  124  where it is tightened down. 
         [0046]    The vehicle mounting element  128  of the mount  120  includes an upper portion  175  connected to a lower portion  177  by bolts  179 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the upper portion  175  of mount  120  is formed with a slot  181  defining a first clamping section  180  and a second clamping section  182  that may be partially separated from one another. Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 14 , a through bore  184  is formed in the upper portion  175  of mount  120 , partially in the first clamping section  180  and partially in the second clamping section  182 , which, when the first and second clamping sections  180 ,  182  are moved apart, receives the extension  168  of the lower coupler  126 . The bottom surface  166  of the lower coupler  126  rests atop a planar surface  186 , collectively formed by the first and second clamping sections  180 ,  182 , with the extension  168  seated in the through bore  184 . A cross bore  188  is formed in the upper portion  175  of the vehicle mounting element  128 , comprising an unthreaded portion in the first clamping section  180  and a threaded portion in the second clamping section  182 . A bolt  190  is inserted through the unthreaded portion of cross bore  188  in first clamping section  180  and then into the threaded portion of cross bore  188  in the second clamping section  182 . As seen in  FIG. 14 , the bolt  190  extends within the recess  170  formed in the extension  168  when positioned within the cross bore  188 . The bolt  190  is tightened down to draw the first and second clamping sections  180 ,  182  toward one another to clamp the extension  168  between them in order to secure the lower coupler  126  within the vehicle mounting element  128 . Additionally, the bolt  190  is captured within the recess  170  formed in the extension  168  of the lower coupler  126  when inserted into the cross bore  188  to further secure the lower coupler  126  and vehicle mounting element  128  together. Since the recess  170  extends about the entire circumference of the extension  168 , the lower coupler  126  may be rotated to any position relative to the vehicle mounting element, or vice versa, while retaining alignment between the cross bore  188  and recess  170 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15-18 , a still further embodiment of a mount  200  according to this invention is illustrated. Mount  200  is similar in some respects to the mount  120  depicted in  FIGS. 11-14  and the same reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 15-18  to denote common structure. 
         [0048]    As viewed in  FIGS. 11 and 15 , the vehicle mounting element  128  and lower coupler  126  are the same in both embodiments. The mount  200 , however, includes a different upper coupler  202 , a modified device mounting plate  120  and the addition of a spacer  204 . The upper coupler  202  has a body portion  206  formed with a slot  208  extending along one side thereof defining a first clamping section  210  and a second clamping section  212 . A bore  214  extends into the body portion  206  of the upper coupler  202  and is partially formed in both the first and second clamping sections  210 ,  212 . The body portion  206  is also formed with a cross bore  216  which intersects the bore  214  and is generally perpendicular thereto. The cross bore  216  includes an unthreaded portion formed in the first clamping section  210  and a threaded portion formed in the second clamping section  212  which align with one another in order to receive a threaded fastener such as a bolt  222 . 
         [0049]    The body potion  206  of upper coupler  202  is joined to a leg section  224  having an internally threaded bore  226 , a surface  228  and an anti-rotation pin  230  extending outwardly from the surface  228 . As seen in  FIG. 16 , the upper coupler  202  is connected to the lower couplers  126  by placing their respective leg sections  224  and  164  together such that the threaded bore  226  in the upper coupler  202  aligns with the through bore  172  in the lower coupler  126  and the anti-rotation pin  230  of the upper coupler  202  extends into one of the blind holes  174  in the lower coupler  126 . A bolt  178  is inserted through the bore  172  in the lower coupler  126  and then into the threaded bore  226  in the upper coupler  202  where it is tightened down. 
         [0050]    The spacer  204  comprises a body portion  232  formed with an extension  234  having a circumferentially extending recess  236 . An internally threaded bore  238  extends inwardly from the surface  240  of the body portion  232 , and a cavity  242  is radially spaced from the bore  238 . The device mounting plate  122  depicted in  FIGS. 11 and 13  is modified in the mount  200  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 14-18  by eliminating the through holes  140  and replacing them with a single anti-rotation pin  244  which extends outwardly from the bottom surface  246  of device mounting plate  122 . In order to connect the spacer  204  to the device mounting plate  122 , the anti-rotation pin  244  is inserted into the cavity  242  and then a bolt  160  is extended through the center through bore  134  in the device mounting plate  122  into the internally threaded bore  238  in the spacer  204  where it is tightened down. The spacer  204 , in turn, is connected to the upper coupler  202  by inserting the extension  234  of the spacer  204  into the bore  214  formed in the body portion  206  of the upper coupler  202 . The first and second clamping sections  210 ,  212  in the upper coupler  202  are then urged toward one another by tightening the bolt  222  within the cross bore  216  thus securing the extension  234  of the spacer  204  between them. 
         [0051]    One advantage of the mount  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18  is that adjustment of the position of a device relative to a vehicle (not shown) is made easier by the joint connections between the lower coupler  126  and device mounting element  128 , and between the device mounting plate  122  and upper coupler  202  via the spacer  204 . The bolt  190  which urges the first and second clamping sections  180 ,  182  of the device mounting element  128  toward one another may be loosened within cross bore  188  so that the extension  168  of the lower coupler  126  may be rotated within the bore  184  of the device mounting element  128  to any desired position. Similarly, the bolt  222  which connects the spacer  204  and upper coupler  202  may be loosened to permit rotation of the spacer  204  and device mounting plate  122  relative to the upper coupler  202 . Unlike the embodiment of the mount  120  shown in  FIGS. 11-14 , there is no need to disassemble the spacer  204  or upper coupler  202  from the device mounting plate  122  in order to rotate it from one position to another. Instead, a device carried on the device mounting plate  122  may be positioned, as desired, with a quick loosening and then tightening of the bolt  222 . 
         [0052]    Threaded connections are employed in the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200  of this invention to connect the device mounting plates  14  and  122  to respective upper couplers  16 ,  124  or  202 , to connect the vehicle mounting elements  22  and  128  to respective lower couplers  18  and  126 , and, to connect the upper couplers  124  or  202  and lower coupler  126  to one another. While these threaded connections are generally effective to secure such components together, it has been found that vibration and jarring applied to the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and/or  200  during operation of a motorcycle or other vehicle can loosen such connections over time and cause relative rotation between one or more of the threaded connections discussed above. This potential problem of relative rotation is addressed by the provision of the anti-rotation pins  54 ,  56 ,  58  or  244  located on the device mounting plate  14  or  122 , the anti-rotation pin  108  of vehicle mounting element  22 , the anti-rotation pin  114  on the rod  30 , the anti-rotation pin  109  on the lower coupler  18 , and, the anti-rotation pins  152 ,  156  and  230  on the upper coupler  124  or  202 . These anti-rotation pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  and  244  seat within respective blind holes  78 ,  100 ,  101 ,  176 ,  242  or within through holes  140 , as discussed above, to resist disengagement of the components of the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200  even in the event of loosening of a threaded connection between them. 
         [0053]    Another important feature of the anti-rotation pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  and  244  relates to the performance of the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200  during an accident or other occasion when a severe force is applied to the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  or  200  and/or to the vehicle on which they are mounted. In one presently preferred embodiment, each of the device mounting plates  14  and  122 , the upper couplers  16 ,  124  and  202 , the lower couplers  18  and  126 , and, the vehicle mounting elements  22  and  128  are made of a relatively soft material such as aluminum. The anti-rotation pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  and  244 , on the other hand, may be formed of a material that is harder than aluminum, such as steel, or of material having less hardness than aluminum. For purposes of the present discussion, the term “hardness” refers to the property of a metal which gives it the ability to resist permanent deformation, e.g. being bent, broken or undergoing a change in shape, in response to the application of a load. The greater the hardness of a metal, the more resistant it is to deformation. While the anti-rotation pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  and  244  function to resist rotation of components during normal operation of the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200 , as described above, in response to the application of a severe force to the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120 ,  200  or to the vehicle that carries them, shearing occurs at the point of connection of the anti-rotation pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  or  244  to respective components  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  22 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  204 . If the pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  and  244  are formed of a material having a hardness greater than that of the components  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  22 ,  122 ,  126  and  204 , then shearing occurs in between the blind holes or cavities  78 ,  100 ,  101 ,  124 ,  176  and  242 , or between the through holes  140 . Alternatively, if the hardness of the components  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  22 ,  122 ,  126  and  204  exceeds that of the anti-rotation pins  54 - 58 ,  108 ,  109 ,  114 ,  152 ,  156 ,  230  or  244  then they will shear off in response to the application of a force. In either case, relative rotation between respective device mounting plates  14 ,  122  and upper couplers  16 ,  124 , or  202 , between the vehicle mounting elements  22 ,  128  and the lower couplers  18 ,  126 , or  202 ,  126 , and, between the upper and lower couplers  124 ,  126 , is permitted to the extent that the bolts that connect them together are loosened by such force. In essence, at least some rotation of such components provides “give” in the mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200  so that a portable device carried by the device mounting plates  14  and  122  does not become a projectile during an accident. By allowing some “give” in the components of mounts  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200  during an accident, the force applied to the portable device tends to allow at least a limited rotation of such device rather than causing it to fly off of the mount  10 ,  12 ,  120  and  200  potentially causing injury to the rider or others. 
         [0054]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. 
         [0055]    For example, the upper and lower pivots  16 ,  18  shown in the Figs. are of the type that permit rotation about the axis of the bolts  74  and  98  that mount the shaft  20  to such pivots  16 ,  18 . It should be understood that other types of pivots may be employed, including ball-and-socket type pivots or others that permit motion about multiple axes. Additionally, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 15-18 , a separate spacer  204  is illustrated having an extension  234  which is connected between the device mounting plate  122  and the upper coupler  202 . However, it is contemplated that the extension  234  could be formed on the device mounting plate  122  and the spacer  204  eliminated. Therefore the device mounting plate  122  is considered to “have” an extension either as a result of it being connected to a spacer  204  formed with such extension, or where an extension is integrally formed on or directly connected to the device mounting plate  122  itself. 
         [0056]    Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: b