Title: Weighted mounting platform
Abstract: A weighted mounting platform for supporting a hand-held device, the weighted mounting platform having a plurality of flexible legs extending radially from a common central portion, the legs and common central portion being integrally formed of a heavy and malleable material; a lump of the heavy material integrally formed with each leg at an end thereof distal from the common central portion; a coating of elastomeric material formed over substantially the entire surface of the flexible legs, the common central portion and the integrally formed lumps; and an attaching means positioned at the common central portion for attaching a mounting device.
Patent Number: 6,840,487 Issued on 01/11/2005 to Carnevali
| Inventors:
|
Carnevali; Jeffrey D. (3262 - 36 Ave. SW., Seattle, WA 98126)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
011547 |
| Filed:
|
December 5, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
248/346.06; 248/346.2; 248/910 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F16M 013/00 |
| Field of Search: |
248/910,346.2,346.06,346.03,346.01,181.1
312/223.4
379/454,455
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 855149 | May., 1907 | Vaughn et al. | 248/181.
|
| 1509068 | Sep., 1924 | Herron | 248/181.
|
| 2219974 | Oct., 1940 | Bellow | 220/69.
|
| 2806131 | Sep., 1957 | Palmer | 240/1.
|
| 2916184 | Dec., 1959 | Hartley et al. | 220/69.
|
| 3028702 | Apr., 1962 | St. Cyr | 45/68.
|
| 3312436 | Apr., 1967 | Beghetto, Jr. | 248/148.
|
| 4067532 | Jan., 1978 | Viteretto | 248/683.
|
| 4196319 | Apr., 1980 | Gates | 379/454.
|
| 4398643 | Aug., 1983 | Conlon | 248/500.
|
| 4788916 | Dec., 1988 | Saxton | 108/43.
|
| D310677 | Sep., 1990 | Stidham et al. | D16/242.
|
| 4964600 | Oct., 1990 | Lee | 248/146.
|
| 5350147 | Sep., 1994 | Paganus | 248/346.
|
| D397120 | Aug., 1998 | Liou | D14/229.
|
| 5845885 | Dec., 1998 | Carnevali | 248/181.
|
| 6073902 | Jun., 2000 | Hiles | 248/346.
|
| 6220556 | Apr., 2001 | Sohrt et al. | 248/279.
|
| 6254044 | Jul., 2001 | Lee | 248/177.
|
| 6315120 | Nov., 2001 | Tally et al. | 206/373.
|
| 6328271 | Dec., 2001 | Haage et al. | 248/288.
|
| 6371345 | Apr., 2002 | Leyden et al. | 224/553.
|
| 6397046 | May., 2002 | Kfoury | 455/90.
|
| 6439530 | Aug., 2002 | Schoenfish et al. | 248/346.
|
Primary Examiner: King; Anita
Assistant Examiner: Szumny; Jon
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rupnick; Charles J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A weighted mounting platform, comprising:
a web formed of a thin section of malleable material;
one or more substantial lumps of weighted material provided at positions
spaced away from a central portion of the web by respective necked-down
portions formed between the lump of weighted material and the central
portion of the web;
a flexible coating substantially covering the web and the one or more
weighted portions; and
attachment means positioned at the central portion of the web;
wherein the central portion of the web, the one or more substantial lumps
of weighted material and the necked down portions are formed as one piece.
2. The mounting platform of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more solid
lumps of weighted material further comprises a leg formed of the weighted
material and extending radially from the central portion of the web.
3. The mounting platform of claim 1 wherein the malleable material
comprises lead.
4. The mounting platform of claim 1, further comprising a thickened hub
portion contiguous with at least a portion of the central portion of the
web.
5. The mounting platform of claim 4 wherein the hub portion is integral
with the central portion of the web.
6. A weighted mounting platform, comprising:
a web formed of a thin section of malleable material;
one or more legs extending radially from the central portion of the web,
each of the legs being formed of a substantially enlarged solid lump of
weighted material provided at a position spaced away from a central
portion of the web and a necked-down portion of the weighted material
formed between the solid lump of weighted material and the central portion
of the web;
a flexible coating substantially covering the web and the one or more
weighted portions; and
attachment means positioned at the central portion of the web for attaching
an external article;
wherein the central portion of the web, the one or more substantially
enlarged sold lumps of weighted material, and the neck-down portions are
formed as one piece.
7. A device for supporting an article in an upright orientation relative to
a non-planar surface, the device comprising:
a web formed of a plurality of flexible legs extending from a common
center, one or more of the legs having a weight formed of an enlarged
solid lump distal from the common center with a necked-down portion formed
between the weight and the common center;
a sheath of elastomeric material substantially coating the web of flexible
legs and the one or more weights; and
attachment means positioned adjacent to the common center for attaching a
mounting device;
wherein the common center of the web, the one or more weights formed of an
enlarged solid lump, and the necked-down portions are formed as one piece.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the one or more weights are formed
integrally with each of the plurality of flexible legs.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein the flexible legs extend radially from the
common center.
10. The device of claim 7, further comprising a weighted hub portion
positioned at the common center from which the legs extend.
11. The device of claim 7 wherein the attachment means includes a quantity
of fasteners coupling one of a male and a female portion of a
ball-and-socket mounting device.
12. A weighted mounting platform, comprising:
a means for conforming to a non-planar surface, the conforming means
comprising a plurality of lens radially projected from a common center;
a stabilizing means formed of a plurality of lumps of heavy material
substantially enlarged relative to the conforming means and coupled to the
conforming means at different positions spaced away from the common center
for maintaining the conforming means in a substantially constant position
relative to the non-planar surface;
a means for substantially isolating the conforming means and the
stabilizing means from a surrounding environment; and
a supporting coupled for supporting an article in an upright orientation
relative to the non-planar surface;
wherein the common center, the plurality of legs and the plurality of
enlarged lumps of heavy material are formed as one piece.
13. The mounting platform of claim 12 wherein the plurality of legs are
formed integrally with respective lumps of the heavy material.
14. The mounting platform of claim 13 wherein the leg means are formed of a
thickness of a substantially malleable material.
15. The mounting platform of claim 13 wherein the stabilizing means are
integrally formed with the conforming means.
16. The mounting platform of claim 15 wherein the isolating means further
comprises means for gripping the non-planar surface.
17. The mounting platform of claim 12 wherein the isolating means further
comprises a sheath of elastomeric material.
18. A method for manufacturing a device for supporting an article in an
upright orientation relative to a non-planar surface, the method
comprising:
forming a web formed of a thin sheet of malleable material;
fixing a plurality of weighted portions to the web at a plurality of
different positions spaced away from a central portion of the web and
isolated there from by respective necked-down portions formed there
between such that the central portion of the web, the weighted portions
and the necked-down portions are formed as one piece; and
covering substantially all of the web and weighted portions with a flexible
coating.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning attachment means
at the central portion of the web.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein forming a web further comprises forming
a plurality of flexible legs extending from the central portion of the
web.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein fixing the to the web further comprises
forming the weighted portions integrally with the web.
22. A weighted mounting platform for supporting a hand-held device, the
weighted mounting platform comprising:
a plurality of flexible legs extending radially from a common central
portion, the legs and common central portion being integrally formed of a
heavy and malleable material;
a substantially solid and unitary lump of the heavy material integrally
formed with each leg at an end thereof distal from the common central
portion;
a coating of elastomeric material formed over substantially the entire
surface of the flexible legs, the common central portion and the
integrally formed lumps; and
an attaching means positioned at the common central portion for attaching a
mounting device;
wherein the common central portion, the substantially solid and unitary
lumps of heavy material and the flexible legs are formed as one piece.
23. The mounting platform of claim 22, further comprising an intermediary
mounting device coupled by the attaching means to the common central
portion.
24. The mounting platform of claim 23 wherein the mounting device is
structured as one of a male and a female portion of a ball-and-socket
clamping device.
25. The mounting platform of claim 23 wherein the attaching means is a
plurality of fasteners for coupling the intermediary mounting device to
the common central portion.
26. The mounting platform of claim 23 wherein the heavy material comprises
a metallic material including lead.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to mounting platforms for
supporting articles in an upright orientation relative to a non-planar
surface, and in particular to weighted mounting platforms that are
conformable to curving and other non-planar surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Curving and other non-planar surfaces are common in many vehicles such as
automobiles, boats, and airplanes. One example is the dashboard of an
automobile, which typically resembles a series of hills and valleys formed
by interconnected gently and steeply curving surfaces. Another example is
the usually humped console between the bucket seats of an automobile.
Often, the driver and passengers desire to place small articles such as
coffee cups, cellular phone stands, and map holders on the vehicle
dashboard or console. Unfortunately, the curving, non-planar nature of
these and other surfaces is ill suited to the usually regular mounting
surface common to most articles and to the stands and holders provided to
support the less regular items.
Various clamps and brackets are known that are intended to be affixed to a
surface of the vehicle using screws, adhesives, or suction cups. However,
the first two lack portability, while the latter will not adhere to rough,
cushioned, or fabric surfaces common in many automobiles. One solution is
the "bean bag" base, an example of which is described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,964,600 entitled INSULATED CUP HOLDER WITH FLEXIBLE BASE MEMBER. This
solution generally involves a flexible fabric pillow-shaped bag filled
with a heavy granular material such as sand, gravel or lead shot. The
stand, holder, coffee cup or other article is permanently attached to the
bag so that the granular material surrounds it. The granular material
generally conforms itself and the fabric bag to most non-planar surfaces,
and its weight both holds the article upright and keeps it from sliding
when the vehicle accelerates, brakes and turns. While not described here,
many other examples of this very common technology are also known.
Unfortunately, this bean bag technology generally requires the assembly of
many pieces in multiple assembly steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides mounting platform for supporting an article
in an upright orientation relative to a non-planar surface that overcomes
various limitations of the prior art by providing weighted mounting
platform having a web formed of a thin section of malleable material; a
substantially solid weighted portion secured at a position spaced away
from a central portion of the web; a flexible coating substantially
covering the web and weighted portions; and attachment means positioned at
the central portion of the web.
According to one aspect of the invention, the weighted portion of the
mounting platform includes a plurality of legs extending radially from the
central portion of the web. The malleable material is a heavy metallic
substance such as lead. The weighted portion includes a thickened and
enlarged portion of the heavy metallic substance formed integrally each of
the legs. A thickened hub portion is formed contiguous with at least a
portion of the central portion of the web and is integral therewith.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for
manufacturing a device for supporting an article in an upright orientation
relative to a non-planar surface, the method including forming a web
formed of a thin sheet of malleable material; fixing a weighted portion to
the web at a position spaced away from a central portion of the web; and
covering substantially all of the web and weighted portions with a
flexible coating.
The method of the invention may include forming the web by forming a
plurality of flexible legs extending from the central portion of the web.
Fixing the weighted portion to the web may include forming the weighted
portion integrally with the web. The method may also include positioning
attachment means at the central portion of the web.
The invention also provides a weighted mounting platform for supporting a
normally hand-held portable electronic device, the weighted platform
including a plurality of flexible legs extending radially from a common
central portion, the legs and common central portion being integrally
formed of a heavy and malleable material; a lump of the heavy material
integrally formed with each leg at an end thereof distal from the common
central portion; a coating of elastomeric material formed over
substantially the entire surface of the flexible legs, the common central
portion and the integrally formed lumps; and an attaching means positioned
at the common central portion for attaching a mounting device.
According to another aspect of the invention, the heavy material of which
the flexible legs, common central portion and lump formed integrally with
each leg is a metallic material including lead.
According to another aspect of the invention, the weighted mounting
platform may include an intermediary mounting device coupled by the
attaching means to the common central portion. The mounting device may be
structured as one of a male and a female portion of a ball-and-socket
clamping device. The attaching means may be a plurality of fasteners for
coupling the intermediary mounting device to the common central portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this
invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better
understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view that illustrates the invention embodied as a
weighted mounting platform that is conformable to curving and other
non-planar surfaces;
FIG. 2 illustrates still other embodiments of the weighted mounting
platform of the invention wherein the attaching means is a fastener formed
integrally with a central hub;
FIG. 2A illustrates another embodiment of the fastener formed integrally
with the central hub;
FIG. 2B illustrates still another embodiment of the fastener formed
integrally with the central hub,
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the weighted
mounting platform is provided with a coat or sheath of a flexible
elastomeric material and a ball-type universally adjustable mounting
structure;
FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the weighted
mounting platform is provided with a coat or sheath of a flexible
elastomeric material and a socket-type universally adjustable mounting
structure;
FIG. 4 illustrates one means for fixing the integrally formed or assembled
weighted mounting platform of the invention within an injection molding
die for applying the coat or sheath of a flexible elastomeric material
shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 illustrates one application of a mounting device of the invention
for supporting an article in an upright orientation relative to a
non-planar surface using a weighted mounting platform of the invention in
combination with a cradle for securing a portable electronic device and
having a intermediary ball-and-socket clamping device therebetween.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view that illustrates the invention embodied as a
weighted mounting platform 10 that is conformable to curving and other
non-planar surfaces. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the weighted mounting
platform 10 includes a thin sheet of malleable material forming a web 12
having a plurality of legs 14 extending radially from a common disc-shaped
center portion 16. The legs 14 may be necked-down before expanding into
widened portions at their outer ends distal from the central portion 16.
Additional material is provided over the widened portion of each of the
legs 14 in the form of a large solid lump or mass 18 which is both thicker
and wider than the legs 14. A thicker solid plate or hub 20 may be
provided over at least a portion of the central portion 16.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the thin sheet of material
forming the web 12 is a heavy but malleable material such as lead. The
material is optionally another heavy, malleable metal but may also be a
ductile filled-elastomer such as plastic or rubber or another material
that is that is suitably malleable in thin sheets. The hub 20 and the
enlarged masses 18 are also formed of a heavy material such as lead, a
filled-elastomer, or flexible fabric or plastic sacks filled with a heavy
liquid or gel material. Preferably, the hub 20 and the enlarged masses 18
depending from the distal ends of the legs 14 are formed integrally with
the web 12 as in a die casting operation so that the hub 20, web 12 and
enlarged solid masses 18 are a single solid integral structure.
As a result of being formed as thin sheet portions the leg portions 14 and
center portion 16 of the web 12 form a web of malleable material that is
sufficiently flexible to conform to curving and other non-planar surfaces.
The greater volume the enlarged solid masses 18 causes them to be both
heavier and more rigid than the legs 14 from which they depend. The
greater weight of the solid masses 18 act to hold the entire weighted
mounting platform 10 in whatever position it is placed. Thus, when placed
on a curving or non-planar surface such as a automobile dashboard or
console, the legs 14 conform to the hills and valleys, while the weightier
soid masses 18 provide sufficient inertia to maintain the weighted
mounting platform 10 in position against the tendency to slip and slide
when the vehicle accelerates, brakes or turns.
Furthermore, means are provided for attaching a desired article either
directly or through an intermediary mounting device to the central portion
16 of the web 12 or the optional hub 20. For example, the attaching means
is a plurality of apertures 22 provided in a pattern around the center of
the hub 20, and fasteners (shown in subsequent Figures) are passed through
to attach the article or the intermediary mounting device. The apertures
22 may be shaped to orient the fasteners relative to the weighted mounting
platform 10. For example, the apertures 22 may be formed with a square or
hexagonal shape to match the head of a square or hex bolt fastener. The
fasteners couple the article or intermediary mounting device to the hub 20
which supports the attachment in an upright orientation relative to the
non-planar mounting surface.
Alternatively, the attaching means is a single aperture 24 provided at or
near the center of the hub 20. A fastener can be passed through the
aperture 24 to attach the article or the intermediary mounting device.
FIG. 2 illustrates still other embodiments of the invention wherein the
attaching means is a fastener 26 formed integrally with the hub. The
fastener 26 may be a stud such as a threaded stud 26a, as shown in FIG. 2.
Alternatively, the integral fastener 26 is a cylindrical stud 26b, as
shown in FIG. 2A, having a groove 28 fashioned to accept a snap ring (not
shown). According to another alternative embodiment, the integral fastener
26 is a cylindrical stud 26c, as shown in FIG. 2B, having an aperture 30
for accepting a keeper pin (not shown), or another useful integrally
formed fastener. The fastener 26 may be formed of the same material as the
hub 20, or it may be a discrete element about which the hub 20 is formed
during the manufacturing process so that it is embedded in the material of
the hub 20.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the weighted
mounting platform 10 is provided with a coat or sheath 32 of a flexible
elastomeric material. In FIG. 3 the coating 32 is shown covering the hub
20, the enlarged masses 18 and the entire web 12 except a flexible portion
of one of the legs 14. The coating 32 is, for example, a flexible
elastomeric material such as rubber, plastic, urethane, latex, vinyl or
polyvinyl, or another suitable elastomeric material that protects the user
and the mounting surface from contact with the weight material while
permitting the web 12 to conform to a non-planar mounting surface. The
coating 32 also strengthens the thin-sheet web 12 and leg portions 14
against fatigue failure that may result with repeated or excessive
bending. Furthermore, if the thin sheet web 12 and leg 14 portions do
fail, the coating 32 both contains the debris and permits the weighted
platform 10 to continue to function in an approximation of the intended
manner. According to one embodiment, the coating 32 is formed of a low
durometer, rubbery material with a surface having a high coefficient of
friction. Thus, the coating 32 is a pliable material having a low
hardness, for example, in the range of 30 to 40 Shore D and a slightly
viscous "tacky" or "sticky" non-skid surface that tends to resist sliding
when placed in weighted contact with typical vehicle upholstery and cab or
cockpit finish materials such as vinyl, leather, cloth, glass, anodized or
painted aluminum, and fiberglass.
The tendency to resist sliding is optionally reinforced by a shallow
cup-shaped depression 34 formed in the coating 32 on the bottom surface of
the weighted platform 10, as shown in FIG. 4, which is a cross-section
view the distal end of one of the legs 14 including the enlarged mass 18.
In FIG. 4 a skirt 36 extending from the base portion of the coating 32 at
the periphery of the enlarged mass 18 forms the cup-shaped depression 34.
The skirt 36 is formed integrally with the coating 32 and of the same
elastomeric material. The cup-shaped depression 34 is optionally formed on
the bottom surface of the weighted platform 10 opposite the hub portion
20. The cup-shaped depression 34 is optionally provided as a quantity of
smaller depressions 34 in a pattern on the bottom surface of each enlarged
mass 18.
In practice the coating 32, commonly known as an overmold, is applied
during a molding process, for example, an injection molding process.
During such a process the portions to be coated, i.e., the web 12, masses
18 and hub portion 20, are positioned in one side of a heated mold die, a
second side of the die is closed over the portions to be coated, and a
stream of liquid coating material is injected under pressure into the
closed die. Usually, the coating 32 is formed of a thermosetting substance
or a thermoplastic resin that sets-up quickly in the heated die. The die
is opened and the thoroughly coated weighted platform 10 is ejected.
Installation of the web 12, masses 18 and hub 20 portions of the weighted
platform 10 into the die is greatly simplified when these parts are either
integrally formed, as by die casting an integral structure, or otherwise
assembled and fastened or fixed into a single unit. Also, the relative
positions of the parts within the die cavity are better maintained when
formed or assembled into a single, integral unit.
FIG. 4 illustrates one means for fixing the integrally formed or assembled
weighted mounting platform 10 within the injection molding die. Complete
and uniform disposal of the coating 32 over the exterior of the weighted
platform 10 is assured only when the web 12, masses 18 and hub 20 portions
are accurately positioned relative to the interior of the die leaving a
predetermined uniform spacing between the parts of the weighted platform
10 and the interior surfaces of the mold die, and those positions are
maintained during the high pressure introduction of the coating material
into the die cavity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a locating hole 38 is
provided in a surface of the mass 18 at the end of the arm 14. The
locating hole 38 mates with a locating pin (not shown) in the die to
position the mass 18. The weighted platform 10 is positioned relative to
the die when one of the locating holes 38 is provided in at least two of
the masses 18 and mating pins are located in the die. For ease of assembly
into the die one of the locating holes 38 is provided at a substantially
identical position in the surface of each of the masses 18. The depth of
the locating holes 38 relative to the length of the mating locating pin in
the die is sufficient for fixing the spacing between the bottom surface of
the weighted platform 10 and the interior surface of the die so that a
uniform thickness coating 32 is achieved. During the molding process the
liquid coating material is injected under pressure into the die through a
gate (not shown) formed in the die central to the hub portion 20 and
located opposite the upper surface of the weighted platform 10. Thus, the
pressure of the injected liquid serves to force the weighted platform 10
downwardly toward the bottom surface of the die. The locating pins
bottom-out in the locating holes 38 and hold the bottom surface of the
weighted platform 10 spaced away from the bottom interior surface of the
die. This spacing provides the uniform thickness of the coating 32 on the
bottom of the weighted platform 10, and furthermore, provides the uniform
thickness of the coating 32 over the remainder of the weighted platform
10.
The uniformity of the coating 32 is thus a function of the uniformity of
both the depth of the locating holes 38 and the length of the locating
pins in the die. If the weighted platform 10 is cast using multiple
different die casting molds and the coating 32 is applied using multiple
different injection molding dies, the uniformity of both the depth of the
locating holes 38 and the length of the locating pins may be problematic
relative to achieving a uniform thickness of the coating 32. Therefore,
one or a quantity of spacers 40 are projected from the bottom of the
weighted platform 10, for example, from the bottom of each of the masses
18. The spacers 40 are optionally integrally formed in the weighted
platform 10 during the die casting operation and eliminate the need for
uniformity of length among the different locating pins between different
injection mold dies and between different locating pins within a single
die. The lengths of the different projecting spacers 40 is more easily
controlled than the depth of the locating holes 38 due to the nature of
the die casting process. Widely separating a quantity of the spacers 40 in
a pattern such as a circle, rectangle or triangle furthermore eliminates
any tendency of the weighted platform 10 to tip during the overmolding
operation.
Generally, unless otherwise provided for, the die cast surface of the
weighted platform 10 is substantially smooth and may lack sufficient
texture for securely maintaining adhesion between the outer surfaces of
the weighted platform 10 and the overmolded coating 32. Extended use and
multiple expansions and contractions due to uncontrolled temperature
variations may eventually partially or wholly sever the initial adhesion.
Thus, the downwardly projecting spacers 40 further provide a quantity of
anchors for fixing the position of the coating 32 relative to the bottom
surface of the weighted platform 10.
FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate an additional means for anchoring the coating
32. For example, a pattern of apertures through or shallow surface
depressions 42 is provided in the top surface of the weighted platform 10.
In the example illustrated, the anchoring means is a first quantity of
surface depressions 42 provided in the top surface of the hub 20, and a
second quantity of smaller surface depressions 42 provided in the top
surface of the web 12 surrounding the hub 20. During the injection molding
operation the liquid coating material flows over the surface of the
weighted platform 10, entering into and filling the holes or depressions
42. When cured, the plugs of material in the holes or depressions 42 form
hooks that are integral with the coating 32 and anchor it to the weighted
platform 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the coating 32
ideally shows no signs of the underlying anchor material filling the holes
or depressions 42.
FIG. 3 also illustrates the weighted mounting platform 10 of the invention
embodied as a mounting device 44 having the attaching means formed as the
pattern of integral apertures 22. A universally adjustable mounting
structure 46 is secured to the hub 20 by a quantity of fasteners 48
passing through or engaged with some or all of the apertures 22. The
mounting structure 46 is, for example, either the male ball portion 46a,
as illustrated in FIG. 3, or female socket portion 46b of one of many
known adjustable ball-and-socket mounting devices, as illustrated
generally in FIG. 3A. For example, the mounting structure 46a is the
resilient compressible male coupling member of the universally
positionable mounting device shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,845,885 issued to the inventor of the present invention on Dec. 8, 1998,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, and the
mounting structure 46a is the one shown and described therein. A mating
socket portion is provided on the article to be mounted on the weighted
platform 10. Alternatively, the article to be mounted is provided with
another of the male ball portions 46a, and a double-ended clamping device
(not shown) of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885 is
used to provide a secure but adjustable connection between the two male
ball members 46a.
According to an alternative embodiment, the mounting structure 46a is the
male ball-like member of the geodesic coupler shown and described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/855,171 entitled GEODESIC MOUNTING
APPARATUS, filed in the name of the inventor of the present invention on
May 14, 2001, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety,
and the mounting structure 46a is the one shown and described therein. The
article to be mounted is provided with a mating clamping device (not
shown) of the type shown and described in application Ser. No. 09/855,171.
According to another alternative embodiment, the mounting structure 46a is
the male ball member of the substantially stable, load-bearing but
relatively adjustable ball and socket mounting device shown and described
in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/654,245 entitled FLEXIBLE
ELECTRONIC MOUNT APPARATUS, filed in the name of the inventor of the
present invention on Sep. 2, 2000, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety, and the mounting structure 46 is the one shown and
described therein.
Alternatively, the mounting structure 46 is the female socket portion 46b
of a known adjustable ball-and-socket mounting device, while the article
to be mounted on the weighted platform 10 is provided with a mating male
ball portion such as the resilient compressible male ball member 46a
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885. For example, the female socket
portion 46b has two mating jaws 50 and 52. One jaw 50 is secured to the
surface of the hub 20 using the fasteners 48; the other jaw 52 is secured
to the first jaw 50 with another fastener 54. Each of the two mating jaws
50, 52 includes internal part spherical socket surfaces 56 (one shown)
that, when joined together, partly enclose and capture a male ball portion
such as the ball portion 46a shown. The fastener 54 may force together the
two mating jaws 50, 52 such that the internal socket surfaces 56 encompass
a volume that is smaller than the sphere defined by the individual
internal socket surfaces 56. The mating socket halves 50, 52 thus compress
or squeeze the resilient compressible male ball member 46a of the
ball-and-socket mounting structure, and thereby secure the male ball
member 46a and the article to be mounted relative to the weighted platform
10.
According to another alternative embodiment, the female socket portion 46b
is structured to receive the male ball member of the geodesic coupler
shown and described in application Ser. No. 09/855,171. Accordingly, the
internal socket surfaces 56 of two mating halves 50, 52 are formed having
multiple interconnected planar surfaces that on average describe a
spherical volume. The fastener 54 may force together the two mating jaws
50, 5250 that the internal socket surfaces 56 partly enclose and capture a
male geodesic ball portion such as the ball-like portion 46a described in
application Ser. No. 09/855,171.
In another alternative embodiment the female socket portion 46b is
structured to receive the male ball member of the adjustable ball and
socket mounting device described in application Ser. No. 09/654,245. The
female socket portion 46b is thus formed of a resilient material and the
internal socket surface 56 is structured as a cup-shaped cavity having an
entrance opening sized to accept and capture a mating ball member 46a of
the type described in application Ser. No. 09/654,245.
Alternatively, the mounting structure 46 is another suitable structure of
conventional design.
FIG. 5 illustrates one application of the mounting device 44 for supporting
an article in an upright orientation relative to a non-planar surface
using a weighted mounting platform 10 of the invention in combination with
a cradle for securing a portable electronic device and having a
intermediary ball-and-socket clamping device therebetween. In FIG. 5 the
weighted platform 10 is an integral structure formed of a web 12 having
three legs 14 extending radially from a substantially disc-shaped central
portion 16 at substantially regular radial spacings. The web 12 is a thin
sheet such that the three legs 14 are relatively flexible cross-axis to
the plane of the web 12 while being wide enough to achieve relative
stiffness in the plane of the web 12. The legs 14 are thus sufficiently
flexible to conform the web 12 to a curving or other non-planar surface.
Each leg 14 includes an enlarged weighted mass 18 formed integrally
therewith at an expanded area distal from the central portion 16. A
thickened hub portion 20 partly covers the central portion 16 of the web
12 and is formed integrally therewith; the hub 20 being structured with a
pattern of apertures 22 therethrough. Substantially the whole of the
weighted platform 10 is covered with a pliable elastomeric coating 32
having a high coefficient of friction on its outer surface. A female
socket portion 46b of an adjustable ball-and-socket mounting device of the
type described in FIG. 3 is mounted at the center of the top surface of
the hub 20 in an upright orientation relative to the hub 20 using a pair
of the fasteners 48 passing through two of the apertures 22.
A cradle 58 is structured to retain a portable electronic device such as a
hand-held telephone, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, flashlight,
or another normally hand-held instrument. The cradle 58 is further
equipped with a male ball portion 46a that is sized and structured to mate
with the female socket portion 46b of an adjustable ball-and-socket
mounting device. For example, the male ball portion 46a is the resilient
compressible male ball member described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885.
Alternatively, the female socket portion 46b and mating male ball portion
46a are of another known adjustable ball-and-socket mounting device.
In operation, the jaws 50, 52 of the female portion 46b are spread, and the
male ball portion 46a is inserted therebetween. The fastener is engaged
and tightened thereby drawing the jaws 50, 52 together around the male
portion 46a and capturing it securely therebetween. Thereafter, the legs
14 of the weighted mounting platform 10 are pressed to conform the web 12
to a curving or other non-planar surface, and the cradle is oriented
upright relative to the mounting surface. The enlarged weighted lumps 18
at the ends of the legs 14 serve to hold relatively stable the entire
mounting device 44, including the cradle 58 and a device mounted therein.
Thus, a user may conveniently mount a portable or hand-held device on a
generally horizontal but non-planar dashboard or console of a vehicle
using the mounting device 44 of the invention with reasonable assurance
that the device with remain stationary and upright even when the
accelerates, brakes and turns.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
the weighted masses 18 at the ends of the legs 14 may be interconnected by
a portion of the web 12 formed as thin, flexible legs, whereby the
weighted mounting platform 10 is wheel-shaped with interconnected weights
18 at the end of spoke-like legs 14. In another example, either or both
the enlarged masses 18 and the hub portion 20 are extended either on both
the top and bottom surfaces of the thin web portion 12 or on the side
opposite that shown in the Figures.
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