Mobile Radio-Telephone Handset and Holder

The present invention relates generally to holders for accommodating telephone handsets used with land mobile radios or radio car telephones and, in particular, to a holder with a floating base which will accommodate the insertion and removal of a radio telephone handset through a sliding interlocking joint, the holder capable of being mounted to any surface.

Generally the prior art does not provide for the adequate retention of a radio telephone handset in a holder apparatus due to the various and continual vibrations which frequently occur as a result of the normal operation of the vehicle in which the radio telephone communication unit has been installed.

Similarly, the prior art does not provide a holder for a radio telephone handset which can be mounted to a multiplicity of surfaces within a user environment which dictates the need for versatile mounting approaches, while at the same time providing a holder which will adequately, yet simply, facilitate the securing of the handset when not in use by the operator. The approaches of the prior art are cumbersome in operation and require more physical space to facilitate mounting than is generally available within the user environment.

The known devices provide only for a one-way insertion of the mobile telephone handset and generally maintain the handset in a secure position by using spring-loaded clips or similar spring devices, which provide the holding force to the handset. Over time these parts quickly wear out and require replacement. Additionally, the prior art mounting arrangements, when attached to the available surface, generally work only in a vertical position.

The common disadvantage relating to all of the foregoing devices involves the relatively high cost, mounting complexity, and poor performance of the various types of apparatus which are utilized to secure a radio telephone handset once it is inserted in a holder apparatus in a manner consistent with the requirements of the operator.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved handset holder assembly with a floating base which is used with a radio telephone handset and which will permit the mounting and retention of the handset once inserted into the holder assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a handset and holder which will use an associated handset with a pair of longitudinal parallel grooves in opposing edges to constitute the basis of an interlocking sliding joint when the handset has engaged the holder assembly, the grooves also being a decorative and symmetrical feature of the radio telephone handset.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a holder with a U-shaped base having two guiderails on opposing tips, the guiderails engaging the grooves of the handset, which allows the handset to be moved between the rails from either direction and facilitates the securing of the handset in the holder by allowing the operator to insert either end of the handset into the holder.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a holder having a floating base with a central recessed cavity that is shaped and sized to mate with the receiver end of the handset which will form a firm plug-and-socket joint when the receiver end of the handset rests in a secure position in the cavity of the base member, thereby leaving the handset, once secured, unaffected by vibration.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a holder having a base which forms a snap fit with a retainer such that initial engagement of the handset will enable the leading edge of the handset to act as a cam on the surface of the base when the handset is pushed along the guiderails, causing the floating base to be pushed down and away from said handset, thereby facilitating removal or placement of the handset in the holder.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a holder which will facilitate mounting on any surface at various angles and in limited areas.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a handset holder which is of low cost and is readily and easily manufactured.

In practicing the invention, an improved handset and holder is provided for accommodating a handset with a transmitter end and a larger receiver end, the receiver end having longitudinal parallel grooves about its bottom edge which accommodate a pair of guiderails of an associated retainer, each end of the handset being connected together by a solid bridge member which is suitable for grasping and for performing as a lever during disengagement of the handset from the retainer of the holder. The retainer has a pair of guiderails disposed at its top opposing edges which protrude inwardly to secure the handset about its grooves, thereby forming a sliding interlocking joint when the handset is placed in the holder. A base with a recessed cavity capable of accommodating the receiver end of the handset forms a snap fit with the retainer. When the receiver end of the handset is placed in the cavity of the base, a solid-plug-and-socket joint is created between the base and the handset. A plurality of spacer members and spring members are positioned between the retainer member and the base member, which permits the base to float within the retainer. The holder assembly has a bottom base plate which will facilitate mounting to any surface, regardless of the mounting angle or the curvature of the surface to which the holder is mounted.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the mobile radio telephone handset and holder which has been constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the handset holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the handset holder of FIG. 1, illustrating the recessed cavity and the floating base member, taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2, the holder mounted to a surface.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a mobile radio telephone handset and holder. FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the holder, while FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the holder illustrating the recessed cavity and the floating base member, taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the handset holder 10 is illustrated with an associated mobile radio telephone handset 2, said holder having been constructed in accordance with the present invention. The handset 2 has first and second ends, the first end being a receiver and the second being a transmitter. The holder 10 consists of a base member 6 which forms a snap fit with a U-shaped retainer member 20. The base member 6 has an associated central cavity 4 which is of a shape and depth to connect securely with the receiver end 3 of the associated handset 2 to form a plug-and-socket joint which facilitates an effective retention of the handset 2 when the handset 2 is in the holder 10. The U-shaped retainer member 20 has a pair of elongated guiderails 12 along each side of the U-shaped retainer member 20. The elongated guiderails 12 engage grooves 13 located on the edge of each side of the receiver end 3 of the associated handset 2, forming an interlocking sliding joint which facilitates movement of the handset 2 along the guiderails 12 into and out of the holder 10. Additionally this interlocking sliding joint enables the receiver end 3 of the handset 2 to interconnect quickly with the central cavity 4 of the base member 6, forming the plug-and-socket joint. The grooves 13, besides being functional, add a symmetrical and distinctive three-dimensional design to the associated handset 2. A metallic U-shaped bracket 22 may be placed over the base member 6 to provide extra support to the overall holder 10. Throughout the entire width of each end of the base member 6 there exists a single aperture 8a and 8b which facilitates the positioning of the roll pins 11a and 11b utilized in connecting the holder assembly 10 to a base plate for mounting purposes. The handset 2 has an elongated solid bridge member 1 suitable for grasping and performing as a lever during disengagement of the handset 2 from the U-shaped retainer member 20.

The elongated guiderails 12 run the entire length of the top portion of the U-shaped retainer member 20. The base member 6, with a central cavity 4, rests within the U-shaped retainer member 20 in such a manner as to allow the base member 6 to float freely within the U-shaped retainer member 20 through the use of compression springs 18 and spacer members 26 which are positioned between the U-shaped retainer member 20 and the base member 6. The compression springs 16 provide a continuous force which acts against the floating base member 6 and keeps the floating base member in firm contact with handset 2 whenever the handset is inserted in the U-shaped retainer member 20. If the handset 2 is removed from the U-shaped retainer, the U-shaped retainer allows the floating base member to travel within the retainer to the extent allowed by the compression springs 18. When the handset 2 is reinserted, the floating base member cooperates with the compression springs 18 to firmly engage the handset with the elongated guiderails 12. The base member 6 and U-shaped retainer member 20 are held together by a snap fit joint.

The enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the handset holder 10 in FIG. 3 along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 illustrates the central recessed cavity 4 of said base member 6, said holder 10 being mounted to a surface 14. A plurality of compression springs 18 are positioned between the U-shaped retainer member 20 and the base member 6. The compression springs 18 may take the form of spring washers or the like common in the trade. An additional shim 29 may be present to provide a solid platform for the compression springs 18 to be placed upon.

The spring washers 18 position the base member 6 in a floating manner so that the insertion or removal of the handset 2 will require deflection of the base member 6 at either end, such deflection being a result of the handset 2 acting as a lever on the base member 6. Roll pins 11a and 11b, positioned within apertures 8a and 8b respectively, allows the holder to be affixed to base plate members 9a and 9b, which provide a flexible mounting arrangement suitable for flat or curved surfaces. The base plate members 9a and 9b are affixed to the surface 14 by conventional means inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The base member 6 may contain a independent stop member 28 of any length, which is utilized in positioning the spring washers 18 and which prevents the deflection of the base member 6 beyond the stopping point. The handset holder 10 once mounted is operational for retaining and securing the handset 2 within the holder 10.

Thus, there has been provided, according to the invention, an improved and simple handset holder and mounting arrangement allowing the securing of a handset which is slid between the guiderails from either direction and with either end of the handset entering first. Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of the specific embodiments of the invention, various modifications and improvements thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art within the scope or spirit of the invention and we intend in the following claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the following claims: