US20060145039A1 - Universal modular docking platform for portable device - Google Patents
Universal modular docking platform for portable device Download PDFInfo
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- US20060145039A1 US20060145039A1 US11/285,451 US28545105A US2006145039A1 US 20060145039 A1 US20060145039 A1 US 20060145039A1 US 28545105 A US28545105 A US 28545105A US 2006145039 A1 US2006145039 A1 US 2006145039A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- saddle
- platform
- restraining member
- lever
- base
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
- B60R11/0241—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for telephones
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/04—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
An improved mounting platform (300) holds a variety of electronic devices (500, 510, 515) of differing sizes and shapes. A customized saddle assembly (310), designed for a particular electronic device, is affixed to the base (305) of the platform. The device is then inserted into the saddle and held securely in place by the top surface (905) of a cam assembly (315). Buttons (325, 326) and shuttle (925) control the raising and lowering of the cam. When the platform is in use, a spring (910) urges the cam against the back of the device being held. The device is released from the platform by squeezing the buttons together, causing the cam to move away from the device, and sliding the device out of the saddle. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure pad (1600) is used in place of the cam. A variety of electronic connections (335-375) and other accessories such as a loudspeaker (376) and a magnetic-stripe card reader (330) can be included in the platform in order to provide useful interfaces to the device.
Description
- This patent is based on an application that claims priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/631,006, filed Nov. 24, 2004.
- This invention relates to mounting or docking platforms, in particular those used to contain and interact with portable devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, and other hand-held devices.
- Hand-held portable devices are used in a variety of circumstances—at a desk, in one's hand, and in moving vehicles, for example. When used by the driver of a moving vehicle, it is both convenient and much safer for the device to be rigidly mounted on the vehicle's dashboard or console, rather than held in the user's hand. Portable-device docking platforms also provide connections to external power sources and various accessories such as printers and wireless modems. These platforms may also include on-board audio amplifiers, speakers, magnetic card readers, bar-code scanners, and the like, that are not normally part of the device.
- In U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,274 (1996), Braitberg et al. teach a holder and connecting host device for use with cellular telephones. Base assemblies of various designs hold removable pocket adapters of various designs. Each pocket adapter is designed to hold a particular cellular telephone. The pocket adapter is held in place on the base assembly by a clip which mates with a latching assembly. The cellular telephone is held in the pocket adapter by a phone retainer latch 286 which secures the telephone in place in the adapter. Various electrical connections are facilitated between the cellular telephone, the base assembly, and the pocket adapter. Braitberg's holder and pocket adapters are designed for cellular telephone use only, and each separate pocket adapter must contain a custom phone retainer latch for each phone accommodated.
- PDAs and other hand-held electronic devices are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes. Because of this, prior-art mounting platforms designed to hold one device were unsuitable for use with another device of a different size or shape. However some prior-art mounting platforms were able to hold devices comprising a range of sizes. However, these platforms suffered from various deficiencies, such as not securely gripping the device in the platform, not being custom-fit to the device, and being awkward to use. These deficiencies are especially important when the platform is mounted in a moving vehicle. Previous attempts at overcoming these deficiencies resulted in a large number of platform designs, each of which would rapidly become obsolete.
- For example, in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,956 (1999), I teach a mounting platform for holding (docking) and interacting with various electronic devices, such as PDAs of the kind sold by Palm Computing of Mountain View, Calif., USA, and others. The platform secures the device to a convenient location in a vehicle, for example. The location can be the vehicle's windshield, dashboard, cigarette lighter socket, and the like.
- The user interacts with the PDA by pressing the tip of a hand-held stylus against a touch screen at various predetermined locations. In the past, such devices normally required two hands to operate. Prior to my invention, one hand was required to hold the device, while the other hand manipulated the stylus. When my mounting platform is used to hold the device, the PDA can be operated by a single hand. This is especially useful when the device is to be used in a moving vehicle, for example.
- A front view of the platform of my '956 patent in use is shown in
FIG. 1 . APDA 2 with screen 4 and buttons 3 is secured inplatform 6 byfixed tabs 10 andmovable tabs 12. The bottom edge ofPDA 2 is first inserted behind fixedtabs 10. PDA 2 is then rotated towardplatform 6 about an axis lying betweentabs 10 and containing the bottom edge ofPDA 2. The top edge ofPDA 2 engages the lower surface ofmovable tabs 12, springably urgingtabs 12 upward. When PDA 2 is fully seated inplatform 6,tabs 12 move downward thus clampingPDA 2 in place inplatform 6. - To remove
PDA 2 fromplatform 6, the user pushesbutton 13, which liftsmovable tabs 12 upward. This freesPDA 2 to rotate about an axis betweenfixed tabs 10 in a direction away fromplatform 6. PDA 2 is then lifted in a direction away fromplatform 6. -
FIG. 2 showsplatform 6 withoutPDA 2.Spring 14 extends outward from a front mounting surface 8 in order to force PDA 2 (FIG. 1 ) into firm contact withtabs - While this platform provides convenient and secure mounting for
PDA 2, it can accommodate only PDA models with near-identical dimensions. PDAs which are thicker or thinner, or wider or narrower, require individually tailored platforms. This limits application of this platform to specific PDA models for which it is intended. Many PDAs of different sizes and shapes are produced by a number of manufacturers and their sizes and shapes are continually changing. Thus the present platform may not accommodate all models, including future models. - A variety of mounting platforms, also called docks or cradles, are available from distributors such as Seidio, Inc. of Houston, Tex. USA, Arkon Resources, Inc. of Arcadia, CA, USA, National Products Inc., of Seattle, Wash., USA, Brodit AG, of Karlsborg, Sweden, Gomadic Corporation, of Herndon, Va., USA, and others.
- These platforms suffer from one or more deficiencies, such as being designed to securely hold only a limited number of otherwise hand-held devices, being awkward to use, or failing to securely hold the device.
- An improved platform according to one aspect of my invention includes a base, a detachable saddle, a lever, buttons, and a movable restraining member so that when an electronic device is inserted into the saddle, the restraining member is activated by the lever, thereby securing the device to the base. Squeezing the buttons releases the device, allowing it to be removed from the base.
- The present invention may have one or more of the following advantages. In one aspect, one advantage is to provide a mounting platform that improves the ease of access to and use of an electronic device, especially one that facilitates single-handed use of the device. Another advantage of one or more aspects is to reduce the problem of obsolescence by providing a standardized base platform with a replaceable custom saddle that accommodates a variety of individual hand held devices comprising various sizes and shapes. These can include, but are not limited to, PDAs, cell phones, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, and the like. A further advantage of one or more aspects is to provide a clamping feature that is easily operated by one hand, thus reducing the amount of effort required to insert and remove a device from the mounting platform.
- These mounting platforms may be held in a user's hand, attached in vehicles, or otherwise used for holding a PDA for viewing or for interacting with the PDA without the need to hold the PDA in the users hand. Common use of the platform is in the practice of law enforcement, transportation, field service and sales, as well as consumer use for GPS voice navigation, hands-free speakerphone interaction, amplified electronic audio file output, and other uses.
- Other advantages and features of various aspects of the present invention will become apparent by a review of the specification, claims, and appended figures.
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FIG. 1 shows a prior-art mounting platform holding a PDA. -
FIG. 2 shows the platform ofFIG. 1 without a PDA. -
FIG. 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting platform of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the platform ofFIG. 3 . -
FIGS. 5A-5C show various electronic devices mounted in the platform ofFIGS. 3 and 4 . -
FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a base and saddle of the mounting platform. -
FIG. 7 shows an assembled view of the base and saddle ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 shows details of the mating electrical connectors in the saddle of the preferred embodiment and a typical hand-held electronic device. -
FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the locking and release mechanism of the preferred embodiment. -
FIG. 10 shows a top assembly view of the mechanism ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 shows a bottom assembly view of the mechanism ofFIG. 9 . -
FIGS. 12-14 are sequential views showing capture and release of an electronic device with the mechanism ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 15-15 ofFIG. 3 of the platform holding and locking an electronic device. -
FIG. 16 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the mounting platform showing the saddle in place. -
FIG. 17 is the view ofFIG. 16 with the saddle removed. -
FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of the locking and release mechanism of the alternative embodiment. -
FIG. 19 shows a top assembly view of the mechanism ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 20 shows a bottom assembly view of the mechanism ofFIG. 18 . -
FIGS. 21-23 are sequential views showing capture and release of an electronic device with the mechanism ofFIG. 18 .DRAWING FIGURE REFERENCE NUMERALS 2 PDA 3 Buttons 4 Screen 6 Prior-art platform 8 Prior- art mounting surface 10 Prior- art tabs 12 Prior- art tabs 13 Prior- art button 14 Prior- art spring 300 Platform 305 Base 310 Saddle 311 Opening 312 Opening 315 Cam 320 Lever 325 Button 326 Button 330 Magnetic card reader 335 Jack 340 Connector 345 Connector 350 Light 355 Jack 360 Switch 365 Jack 370 Jack 375 Speaker 376 Grill 380 Volume control 500, 505, 510 Device 515 Key 520 Screen 600 Tab 601 Tab 605 Hook 606 Hook 610 Hook 611 Hook 615 Tab 616 Tab 620 Arrow 625 Connector 630 Surface 635 Surface 638 Surface 640 Tab 645 Vertical surface 650 Vertical surface 800 Connector 805 Arrow 900 Pivot 901 Pivot 905 Wedge surface 910 Spring 915 Surface 920 Surface 921 Pin 922 Pin 925 Shuttle 926 Gap 930 Ramp 935 Ramp 940 Ramp 945 Synchronizing link 946 Axis 950 Pin 951 Ramp 955 Pin 960 Slotted hole 965 Slotted hole 970 Spring 975 Stop 976 Pin 977 Pin 980 Stop 981 Post 982 Post 983 Post 984 Post 985 Edge 990 Edge 992 Surface 994 Surface 1200 Top of base 1205 Datum, Bottom of base 1600 Pressure pad 1800 Shuttle 1805 Spring 1810 Surface 1820 Arm 1822 Surface 1824 Surface 1825 Arm 1830 Ramp 1835 Ramp 1840 Pin 1845 Pin 2100 Surface -
FIGS. 3 and 4 show top and bottom views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of a mountingplatform 300 of the present invention. The mounting platform comprises a custom,replaceable saddle assembly 310, and auniversal base 305 having a movable restraining member in the form ofcam 315, acam trigger lever 320, and releasebuttons 325 and 326 (FIG. 4 ).Base 305 is designed to accommodate a variety of configurations ofsaddle 310, as described below. A number of optional handheld device (PDA) interface features are associated withplatform 300. These include amagnetic card reader 330, a PDA battery charging, voltage-converter circuit (not shown), a PDA audio output amplifier circuit (not shown),power input jack 335, aserial port connector 340, a universal serial bus (USB)connector 345, apower indicator light 350, apower output jack 355, aswitch 360, amicrophone jack 365, anaudio input jack 370, aspeaker 375, and avolume control 380. A grill 376 (FIG. 4 ) permits sound fromspeaker 375 to emanate fromplatform 300. These features can be located at other positions and in other orientations onbase 305, if desired. -
Platform 300 is preferably about 14 cm long, 6 cm wide, 4 cm high at its proximal (left) end) and 2 cm high at its distal (right) end, as shown inFIG. 3 .Platform 300,base 305,saddle assembly 310,cam 315,cam trigger lever 320, and releasebuttons - As shown in
FIG. 5A ,saddle 310A holds the sides and bottom of anelectronic device 500 mounted onplatform 300.Saddle 310 is available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (310A inFIG. 5A, 310B inFIG. 5B , and 310C inFIG. 5C ), each of which designed to fit a particular respective electronic device (500, 505, 510), to be held byplatform 300. In general, saddles 310A, 310B, and 310C have a U-shape with parallel legs and a base or bight portion. The lower side ofsaddle 310A (FIG. 5A ) has a concave round shape so as to mate withdevice 520A, which has a rounded bottom.Saddle 310B (FIG. 5B ) has narrow sides to permit access to all ofkeys 515B ofdevice 520B.Saddle 310C (FIG. 5C ) has a square bottom to mate withdevice 520C, which also has a square bottom. - An
opening 311 on the rear or bottom side of saddle 310 (FIG. 3 ) allows acam 315 to project above the inner surface ofsaddle 310.Opening 311 is preferably about 2.5 cm wide and 2.5 cm high. - A
second opening 312 on the front side ofsaddle 310 permits access to all components, view screens (520A, 520B, 520C), and other buttons, keys, and the like (515A, 515B, 515C), on the front side of the device (312A, 312B, 312C, inFIG. 5 ) being held inplatform 300.Saddles devices -
FIG. 6 shows saddle 310 for holding adevice FIG. 5 ), separated frombase 305.FIG. 7 shows another view ofbase 305. Asingle base 305 is suitable for use with a plurality ofsaddles 310 of the same or different sizes and shapes. Althoughsaddles 310 have different sizes and shapes to accommodate the various devices, they all are arranged to mount onbase 305.Surfaces device 500 when it is pushed from behind by cam 315 (FIG. 3 ).Surfaces device 500.Saddles 310 have mountingtabs opening 311.Base 305 hashooks 610 and 611 (FIG. 7 ), andtabs - When it is desired to join a
saddle 310 tobase 305,saddle 310 is first moved into position abovebase 305.Saddle 310 is then lowered towardbase 305 andtabs respective hooks tabs Hooks tabs base 305 assaddle 310 is urged, in the direction shown byarrow 620, into firm contact withbase 305. Oncesaddle 310 is slid to its extreme position onbase 305, flexible locking tab 640 (FIG. 6 ) rotates up andvertical surface 645 oftab 640 rests againstvertical surface 650 ofsaddle 310, blockingsaddle 310 from sliding offbase 305.Saddle 310 is thus securely installed ontobase 305. -
Saddle 310 contains an electrical connector 625 (FIG. 6 ) which connects to a flexible printed-circuit ribbon conductor assembly 630 (FIG. 7 ) inbase 305. The other end ofconnector 625 connects to an electrical connector 800 (FIG. 8 ) generally available at the bottom of the device (500, 505, 510,FIG. 5 ) to be held bysaddle 310. Thus all pertinent electrical connections available at the connector ofdevice base 305 for further use. -
FIG. 8 showsconnector 625 as it is seen from the device side ofsaddle 310, and aconnector 800 at the bottom of a generic electronic device.Connectors saddle 310, as indicated byarrow 805. - FIGS. 9 to 11 show the components of the mechanism that urges
cam 315 to move.FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of ashuttle 925, a synchronizinglink 945,release buttons cam 315.Shuttle 925 and link 945 are preferably made of the same material asrelease buttons Cam 315 comprises awedge surface 905, two symmetrically disposedpivots 900 and 901 (FIG. 11 ), two bearingsurfaces pins Cam 315 rotates about an axis throughpivots Cam 315 is springably urged to rotate clockwise in this view by aspring 910. The bottom end ofspring 910 compressibly rests against a rigid datum or base 1205 (FIGS. 12-14 ) on the interior of the bottom ofbase 305. Two bearingsurfaces cam 315.Surfaces FIGS. 12-14 ) ofbase 305 whencam 315 is free to rotate, thus preventing rotational over travel ofcam 315.Wedge surface 905 is arranged to have a high coefficient of friction to thebottom surface 2100 ofdevice 500 and has a side profile including radii R1 and R2 from the axis defined by the centerline ofpins wedge surface 905 andbottom surface 2100 of device 500 (FIGS. 12-14 ) which has been inserted intoplatform 300 implements capture ofdevice 500, as explained below. -
Cam trigger lever 320 is part ofshuttle 925.Shuttle 925 includes twofrontal ramps flat surfaces shuttle 925, and tworear ramps 940 and 951 (FIG. 10 ). -
Release buttons link 945 is constrained to rotate about an axle (not shown) located on an axis 946 (FIG. 11 ) positioned halfway between the outer edges ofbuttons Pins link 945 are normally positioned in slottedholes buttons Axis 946 is located at the common center line ofcam 315 andshuttle 925. The purpose of synchronizinglink 945 is to facilitate the synchronized movement ofrelease buttons spring 970 springably urgesbuttons Spring 970 slides over and is held in place by posts 981 (shown with dashed lines) and 982 onbuttons posts 983 and 984 (FIG. 11 ) ofbuttons spring 970 provides adequate force to returnbuttons base 305 through which they extend (FIGS. 3 and 4 ), and stops 975 and 980.Stops buttons Buttons pins FIG. 10 . Whenbuttons stops edges shuttle 925. -
FIG. 10 shows a top view of the components ofFIG. 9 in their proper positional relationship whencam 315 is in its “released” position, i.e. urged to its maximum rotational position byspring 910. -
FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the components ofFIGS. 9 and 10 whencam 315 is in its “released” position. -
FIG. 10 showscam 315 in its full-clockwise, raised position.Shuttle 925 and thereforecam trigger lever 320 are at their left-most position in this figure, i.e., farthest fromcam 315. In this position, ramps 940 and 951 are resting againstpins shuttle 925,spring 910 urgescam 315 to remain in its uppermost possible position. In the absence of an inserted device, bearingsurfaces base 305, preventing further rotation ofcam 315. - To prepare
platform 300 for a first insertion of adevice 500, or to release an already-held-in-place device 500, the user squeezesbuttons pins ramps shuttle 925 in the direction ofcam 315. Asshuttle 925 moves towardcam 315,ramps pins cam 325 to rotate counter-clockwise (CCW) against the force exerted byspring 910. Whenbuttons cam 315 has been rotated to its most CCW, lowest profile position, fully loweringwedge surface 905. In the position shown inFIG. 12 , radius RI is directly below lower surface ofdevice 500, creating aclearance gap 926 betweenwedge surface 905 anddevice 500. -
FIGS. 12 through 14 show the operation of the cam, ramp, and release assembly during insertion and removal of adevice 500. Saddle 310 (FIG. 6 ) and various other components have been removed from these three figures for clarity. - Prior to insertion of
device 500, release buttons 325 (not shown in this view) and 326 have been depressed or squeezed together to their closest position. To insert device 500 (FIG. 12 ) it is slid from left to right along theinner surface 638 ofsaddle 310. As described above,shuttle 925 has forcedcam 315 to its lowest profile position with the surface ofcam 315 lying beneath theinner surface 638 ofsaddle 310.Cam 315 is rotationally held in place bypins flat surfaces release buttons spring 970.Pins cam 315 to remain in its cocked position. - As
device 500 is inserted further (FIG. 13 ) and in contact withinside surfaces saddle 310, its right-hand end urgeslever 320 to move to the right, away fromcam 315 and urgespins flat surfaces ramps cam 315 to rotate CCW, urged byspring 910, thus raisingwedge surface 905 towarddevice 500. Ascam 315 is urged to rotate CCW, pins 921 and 922 induce a force onramps lever 320 ofshuttle 925 to its left-most position and away from contact withdevice 500. -
FIG. 14 shows device 500 fully inserted.Cam 315 is at its highest position above theinner surface 638 ofsaddle 310 andwedge surface 905 is in firm contact with the back side ofdevice 500, urged byspring 910.Device 500 is restrained from moving in a direction normal to the top surface ofplatform 300 byinside surfaces saddle 310. Sincewedge surface 905 has a high coefficient of friction, any force introduced to movedevice 500 to the left will causecam 315 to rotate CCW. Since the profile ofwedge surface 905 has an increasing radius as it rotates CCW, the normal forces betweensurface wedge surface 905 anddevice 500 upper and lower surfaces are increased. In this way,device 500 is securely captured inplatform 300. -
Device 500 is removed by squeezingbuttons FIGS. 12 through 14 . -
FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view ofdevice 500 installed inplatform 300 having asaddle 310 and abase 305.Device 500 is securely held in place byinside surfaces saddle 310 andsurface 905 ofcam 315. - Instead of a radiused, rotating cam (315 in
FIG. 9 ),FIGS. 16 and 17 use a movable restraining member comprising aflat pressure pad 1600 to hold an electronic device (not shown) inbase 305′ and saddle 310 ofplatform 300′. As in the preferred embodiment,saddle 310 is designed to accommodate a particular electronic device, such as a PDA (not shown).Saddle 310 is secured inbase 305′ usingvertical surfaces Pad 1600 moves to positions slightly above and below the upper surface ofbase 305′ in order to hold and release an electronic device, as explained below. -
FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of ashuttle 1800,release buttons pressure pad assembly 1600. Themechanism incorporating buttons lever 320, and their operational relationship toshuttle 1800 are the same as described above in connection with the preferred embodiment. -
Pad 1600 is springably urged upward by aspring 1805. The upper surface ofpad 1600 comprises asurface 1810 that presents a high coefficient of friction to the back side of an electronic device 500 (not shown in this view). -
FIG. 19 shows the elements ofFIG. 18 in their assembled condition.Spring 1805 bears against a datum comprising the inner surface of the bottom ofbase 305′ at one end, andpad 1600 at the other end.Shuttle 1800 includes a pair ofarms ramps 1830 and 1835 (FIG. 18 ), respectively and twoflat surfaces shuttle 1800. Squeezingbuttons pins pad 1600 to be lowered, compressingspring 1805. -
FIGS. 21-23 show insertion of an electronic device intosaddle 310. Other components have been removed from this figure for clarity. InFIG. 21 ,buttons device 500. Now,device 500 is to be inserted intosaddle 310 andbase 300. - In
FIG. 21 ,device 500 is first inserted intosaddle 310. It has not yet contactedlever 320.Pad 1600 is at its lowest position beneath theinner surface 638 ofsaddle 310, creating aclearance gap 926′ betweenpad 1600 anddevice 500.Pad 1600 is held in position bypins surfaces arm 1825 ofshuttle 1800. As in the first embodiment, the bottom end ofspring 1805 rests ondatum 1205. - In
FIG. 22 ,device 500 has contactedlever 320 and moved it an intermediate distance to the right.Pin 1840 has begun to ride up the surface oframp 1835. Under the urging ofspring 1805,pad assembly 1600 has moved an intermediate distance toward theback surface 2100 ofdevice 500. - In
FIG. 23 ,device 500 is fully installed inplatform 300′.Pad 1600 rises aboveinner surface 638 ofsaddle 310 and presses againstback side 2100 ofdevice 500.Surfaces saddle 310contstrain device 500 in a direction normal to the top surface ofplatform 300.Top surface 1810 ofpad 1600 presents a high coefficient of friction to backside 2100 ofdevice 500, thereby holding it securely in place inplatform 300. - The above steps are reversed to remove
device 500 fromplatform 300. - Thus it is seen that I have provided an improved universal docking platform for a portable device. A plurality of saddles, each uniquely adapted to the requirements of a particular device, are arranged to mount onto the same platform base with a common clamping means. Instead of a unique platform for each device, only the saddle is changed. In view of the constantly changing sizes and shapes of electronic devices, this results in considerable savings in design, tooling, and manufacturing costs, as well as reducing time to market.
- While the above description contains many specificities, it will be apparent that the inventive system is not limited to these and can be practiced with the use of additional hardware and combinations of the various components described. For example, the platform is not limited to electronic devices but can be used to securely hold any portable device or article that can be accommodated by a custom saddle. The platform can be mounted on a surface or hand-held. Instead of or in addition to a magnetic card reader, an optical card reader, a bar-code reader, and the like can be included. Other features, such as an RFID (radio-frequency identification) circuit, a video camera, a disk drive, an extended power source battery, and an audio recorder can be included. Instead of providing two buttons for releasing the movable restraining element, a single button can be used. Instead of a coil spring, a leaf spring, torsion spring, extension spring, or another energy-storing member can be used. The materials, sizes, and shapes of the components can be varied from those shown and described.
- Accordingly the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples given. Also, while the present system employs elements that are well known to those skilled in the art of mechanical engineering and hardware design, it combines these elements in a novel way, which produces a new result not heretofore discovered.
Claims (23)
1. A platform for holding a portable device, comprising:
a base with a movable restraining member,
a saddle mountable on said base, said saddle having an inside surface and an opening to permit passage of said restraining member through said opening,
said restraining member being movable between a first position beneath said inside surface of said saddle and a second position above said inside surface of said saddle,
a lever having first and second positions, said first position of said lever corresponding to said first position of said restraining member, and said second position of said lever corresponding to said second position of said restraining member, said lever being arranged to urge said restraining member from said first to said second positions when said lever is moved from said first to said second positions, and
a plurality of buttons, which when squeezed together, urge said lever and said restraining member from their said second positions to their said first positions,
whereby when said saddle is mounted on said base and said electronic device is inserted into said saddle, said device urges said lever to move from said first to said second position, in turn urging said restraining member to move from said first to said second position, thereby wedging and securely capturing said device, when inserted into said saddle, between said restraining member and said inside surface of said saddle, and when said buttons are squeezed together, said lever and said restraining members return to their respective said first positions, thereby releasing said device.
2. The platform of claim 1 wherein said restraining member is selected from the group consisting of cams and pressure plates.
3. The platform of claim 1 wherein the surface of said restraining member is overlaid with a high-coefficient-of-friction material.
4. The platform of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of said saddle is coated with a high-coefficient-of-friction material.
5. The platform of claim 1 wherein said saddle arranged to be removably mounted on said base so that any of a plurality of different saddles can be mounted on said base to hold a respective a plurality of sizes and shapes of devices.
6. The platform of claim 1 , further including a plurality of accessories selected from the group consisting of magnetic card readers, power input jacks, serial port connectors, universal serial bus connectors, power indicator lights, power output jacks, switches, microphone jacks, audio input jacks, speakers, and volume controls mounted within said platform.
7. The platform of claim 6 , further including an electrical connector mounted in said saddle for connecting said device to said electrical connector mounted in said platform.
8. The platform of claim 6 , further including an electrical connector mounted in said platform for connecting said accessories to said electrical connector mounted in said saddle.
9. The platform of claim 1 wherein said saddle is generally U-shaped and comprises a base or bight portion and a pair of generally parallel legs.
10. The platform of claim 9 wherein the opening between said legs is smaller on the bottom side than on the top side.
11. The platform of claim 1 wherein said saddle is secured to said platform by fasteners selected from the group consisting of hooks and tabs.
12. A method for holding an electronic device, comprising:
providing a platform having a base with a movable restraining member,
providing a saddle mounted on said base, said saddle having an inside surface and an opening to permit passage of said restraining member through said opening,
said restraining member being movable between a first position beneath said inside surface of said saddle and a second position above said inside surface of said saddle,
providing a lever having first and second positions, said first position of said lever corresponding to said first position of said restraining member, and said second position of said lever corresponding to said second position of said restraining member, said lever being arranged to urge said restraining member from said first to said second positions when said lever is moved from said first to said second positions,
providing a plurality of buttons, which when squeezed together, urge said lever and said restraining member from their said second positions to their said first positions,
inserting said device into said saddle so that said device urges said lever to move from said first to said second position so as to urge said restraining member to move from said first to said second position, thereby wedging and securely capturing said device between said restraining member and said inside surface of said saddle, and
squeezing said buttons together, thereby causing said lever and said restraining members to return to their respective first positions, thereby releasing said device.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said restraining member is selected from the group consisting of cams and pressure plates.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein said saddle arranged to be removably mounted on said base so that any of a plurality of different saddles can be mounted on said base to hold a respective a plurality of sizes and shapes of devices.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein said platform further includes a plurality of accessories selected from the group consisting of magnetic card readers, power input jacks, serial port connectors, universal serial bus connectors, power indicator lights, power output jacks, switches, microphone jacks, audio input jacks, speakers, and volume controls.
16. The platform of claim 15 , further including an electrical connector mounted in said saddle for connecting said device to said electrical connector mounted in said platform.
17. The platform of claim 15 , further including an electrical connector mounted in said platform for connecting said accessories to said electrical connector mounted in said saddle.
18. A platform for holding an electronic device, comprising:
a base with a movable restraining member,
a saddle mountable on said base, said saddle having an inside surface and an opening to permit passage of said restraining member through said opening,
said restraining member being movable between a first position beneath said inside surface of said saddle and a second position above said inside surface of said saddle,
a lever having first and second positions, said first position of said lever corresponding to said first position of said restraining member, and said second position of said lever corresponding to said second position of said restraining member, said lever being arranged to urge said restraining member from said first to said second positions when said lever is moved from said first to said second positions,
means for urging said lever and said restraining member from their said second to their said first positions,
whereby when said saddle is mounted on said base and said electronic device is inserted into said saddle, said device urges said lever to move from said first to said second position so as to urge said restraining member to move from said first to said second position, thereby wedging and securely capturing said device between said restraining member and said inside surface of said saddle, and when said buttons are squeezed together, said lever and said restraining members return to their respective said first positions thereby releasing said device.
19. The platform of claim 18 wherein said restraining member is selected from the group consisting of cams and pressure plates.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said saddle arranged to be removably mounted on said base so that any of a plurality of different saddles can be mounted on said base to hold a respective a plurality of sizes and shapes of devices.
21. The platform of claim 18 , further including a plurality of accessories selected from the group consisting of magnetic card readers, power input jacks, serial port connectors, universal serial bus connectors, power indicator lights, power output jacks, switches, microphone jacks, audio input jacks, speakers, and volume controls.
22. The platform of claim 21 , further including an electrical connector mounted in said saddle for connecting said device to said electrical connector mounted in said platform.
23. The platform of claim 21 , further including an electrical connector mounted in said platform for connecting said accessories to said electrical connector mounted in said saddle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/285,451 US20060145039A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-11-21 | Universal modular docking platform for portable device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US63100604P | 2004-11-24 | 2004-11-24 | |
US11/285,451 US20060145039A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-11-21 | Universal modular docking platform for portable device |
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US20060145039A1 true US20060145039A1 (en) | 2006-07-06 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
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US11/285,451 Abandoned US20060145039A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-11-21 | Universal modular docking platform for portable device |
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US (1) | US20060145039A1 (en) |
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US20180287652A1 (en) * | 2017-02-16 | 2018-10-04 | Datron World Communications, Inc. | Detachment mechanism and indicator for mobile mount portable radio |
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WO2018203957A3 (en) * | 2017-02-16 | 2018-12-06 | Datron World Communications, Inc. | Detachment mechanism and indicator for mobile mount portable radio and method for the same |
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CN112158062A (en) * | 2020-09-29 | 2021-01-01 | 东风汽车集团有限公司 | Battery box locking device and vehicle body connecting structure of battery box |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |