U.S. patent application number 11/412513 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for method of fabricating a fixture mounting via product encapsulation.
Invention is credited to Michael A. Giordano.
Application Number | 20060255698 11/412513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37418470 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060255698 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giordano; Michael A. |
November 16, 2006 |
Method of fabricating a fixture mounting via product
encapsulation
Abstract
An assembly for mounting an irregularly shaped fixture to the
interior of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a multi-part
shell produced by employing the irregularly shaped fixture to
create a replica of the fixture's external size, shape and
topography. An anchor assembly is appended to an external surface
of the multi-part shell for retaining the multi-part shell to a
surface of the vehicle. The fixture can be removably housed within
the multi-part shell for use by an operator of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Giordano; Michael A.;
(Rohnert Park, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dergosits & Noah LLP
Suite 1450
Four Embarcadero Center
San Francisco
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
37418470 |
Appl. No.: |
11/412513 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60676418 |
Apr 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/210 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/210 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Claims
1. An assembly for mounting an irregularly shaped fixture to the
interior of a vehicle, said assembly comprising a multi-part shell
produced by employing said irregularly shaped fixture to create a
replica of the fixture's external size, shape and topography, said
assembly fixture comprising an anchor assembly for attaching said
multi-part shell to a surface of said vehicle said multi-part shell
removably housing said fixture therein for accessing it by an
operator of said vehicle.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said multi-part shell comprises
a top portion and bottom portion, said top and bottom portions
being selectively detachable from one another to introduce and
remove said fixture from the interior of said multi-part shell.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said top portion of said
multi-part shell is provided with open regions to enable a user to
access functions of said fixture.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said anchor assembly is appended
to an outer surface of said bottom portion of said multi-part
shell.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said multi-part shell comprises
a plastic color coordinated to the interior of said vehicle.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said multi-part shell further
comprises a port configured therein for supplying power to said
fixture.
7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said anchor assembly is
removably appended to said bottom portion of said multi-part
shell.
8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said multi-part shell is sized
to provide internal space for both said fixture and a layer of
cushioning material.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said multi-part shell further
comprises one or more ports to allow access to sensors or other
vital components of said fixture.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent
Application No. 60/676,418 filed Apr. 29, 2005, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an assembly for mounting an
irregularly shaped fixture to the interior of a vehicle. The
irregularly shaped fixture is used to create a multi-part shell
which conforms precisely to its external size, shape and
topography. This invention is capable of mounting after market
products, especially those of irregular shape, to a vehicle's
interior and which can provide an integrated color-coordinated
mount of the fixture as an aesthetically pleasing adjunct to the
vehicle's interior.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Current mounting methods for irregularly shaped products can
only utilize the minimal contact surface area that exists between
the product and that portion of the mount that contacts the
product, frequently making the mount unsecure. Current mounting
methods also do not assimilate a product's incompatible color
scheme and/or texture to that of the vehicle's interior. Current
mounting methods also do not protect the aftermarket product, thus
making it susceptible to being damaged in every day use.
[0004] In addition, fixtures mounted in the vehicle are either
permanently affixed to the vehicle making their replacement or
removal for repair difficult, or they are temporarily affixed by,
for example, suction cups, which often result in an unsecured
mount.
[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
assembly for mounting an irregularly shaped fixture to the interior
of a vehicle in a fashion which is much more convenient and
aesthetically pleasing than prior art alternatives.
[0006] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide an assembly for mounting an irregularly shaped fixture
within a multi-part shell, the shell providing support for the
fixture in a predetermined location enabling one to selectively
remove the fixture as needed for replacement and repair.
[0007] These and further objects will be more readily apparent when
considering the following disclosure and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to an assembly for
mounting an irregularly shaped fixture to the interior of a
vehicle, said assembly comprising a multi-part shell produced by
employing said irregularly shaped fixture to create a replica of
the fixture's external size, shape and topography. An anchor
assembly is appended to an external surface of said multi-part
shell for retaining said multi-part shell to a surface of said
vehicle and removably housing said fixture within said multi-part
shell for use by an operator of said vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view illustrating a primary
shell, positioned atop a fixture which, in turn, is positioned atop
a spacer, and placed atop a platen of a vacuum forming machine.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exposed isometric view of a vehicle support
surface area, an anchor assembly, and encapsulated assembly.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of a vehicle support
surface area, an anchor assembly, and encapsulated assembly.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of a mounted fixture with
emphasis on the universal mounting point.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the mounted fixture of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] As noted previously, there is currently no available means
to releaseably encapsulate a fixture of irregular shape to the
interior of a vehicle, and yet provide a secure encapsulation that
enables a user to selectively remove the fixture(s) as needed.
Further, there does not currently exist a means of releaseably
mounting a fixture, regardless of its original color and texture
that will aesthetically compliment the color and texture scheme of
said interior. Although the present invention can be used with
virtually any aftermarket fixture in virtually any vehicle with
vacuum forming as one of many available manufacturing processes,
the appended drawings have been created with the fixture being the
Edge Juice Attitude Monitor. A vacuum forming method is disclosed
in detail as an example of how one would create the assembly of the
present invention. However, there are many other methods of
producing the claimed assembly and the present invention is not to
be limited to a single fabrication method.
[0015] The present invention, as noted previously, is directed to
an assembly for mounting an irregularly shaped fixture to the
interior of a vehicle. The assembly comprises a multi-part shell
produced by employing the irregularly shaped fixture to create a
replica of the fixture's external size, shape and topography. An
anchor assembly is appended to an external surface of the
multi-part shell for retaining the multi-part shell to a surface of
the vehicle and removably housing the fixture within the multi-part
shell for use by an operator of the vehicle. Most commonly, the
multi-part shell comprises a top portion and bottom portion, the
top and bottom portions being selectively detachable from one
another to introduce and remove the fixture from the interior of
the multi-part shell. The two portions can be sized during
fabrication such that they snuggly fit together frictionally. As
the fixture is employed as a template for producing the multi-part
shell, usually the top portion of it is provided with open regions
to enable a user to access functions of the fixture. Preferably,
the anchor assembly be it appended to the stem of a rear view
mirror or as a swing arm from the dashboard or any of the
structural components of the interior is appended to an outer
surface of the multi-part shell, usually its bottom portion. In
fabrication, this shell is generally composed of a plastic color
coordinated to the interior of the vehicle to provide an
exceedingly well received aesthetic appearance. The shell can be
provided with a port configured therein for supplying power to the
fixture noting further that the shell can be sized, during
fabrication, to be larger than the fixture to enable spacers and
cushioning layers to be embedded therein as needed.
[0016] As an example of a typical fabrication method, reference is
first made to FIG. 1. Fixture 2 is placed upon spacer 7 which is in
turn placed upon platen 8 of a suitable vacuum forming machine, the
operation which is well known to those skilled in this art. Noting
that it is often times desirable to place a cushioning material
and/or spacer material beneath a fixture when installed in a
vehicle, spacer 7 is placed below fixture 2 during vacuum forming
so that the sidewalls of the primary shell 1, are made to extend a
distance beyond the sidewalls of fixture 2.
[0017] Turning to the illustrated method, a suitable shell material
is placed over fixture 2 and spacer 7 through the application of
heat and vacuum. In doing so, a primary shell 1 is created about
the top and sides of fixture 2 and the sides of spacer 7. The
primary shell 1 is a convex impression of fixture 2 and spacer 7. A
mold is created from the interior of the primary shell 1. Said mold
is employed as a template to create multiple shells.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2 a shell 1A has been produced from the
mold and area 1B may be removed to provide access to viewable
display(s), control button(s), etc. The encapsulated assembly
consists of one or more fixtures 2, one or more shells 1A, one or
more bases 4, suitable cushioning and/or spacing material 3 and,
referring to FIG. 3, one or more universal mounting points 4A. The
anchor assembly consists of one or more universal mounting points
5A, one or more linkages 5B and one or more anchor points 5C.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 4 in the present illustration, a basic
U-shaped metal rod is employed as an anchor assembly where one leg
is securely appended at one or more anchor points 5C to vehicle
surface 6. The other leg of the U-shaped rod is the universal
mounting point 5A of said anchor assembly and is designed to
integrate with the universal mounting point 4A of the encapsulated
assembly securing both the encapsulated assembly and the anchor
assembly with one another.
[0020] Referring back to FIG. 2, it has been determined that it is
often advantageous to include cushioning material 3 upon base 4.
Often times this cushioning material 3 is resilient and provides a
snug fit of fixture 2 within shell 1A. In operation, fixture 2 can
be inserted within shell 1A with or without cushioning and/or
spacing material 3 and is releaseably fit over receiving portion of
base 4B, thus creating the encapsulated assembly. Shell material
may be made to aesthetically compliment the interior of the
vehicle. Due to the releaseable fit between shell 1A and receiving
portion of base 4B, fixture 2 will remain in place. However, when
fixture 2 requires replacement or repair a user need only release
shell 1A from base 4 providing access to fixture 2 as needed.
[0021] The present invention can also provide for support of a
fixture requiring one or more external and/or electrical
connections. Although the installation of said connections is not
illustrated, anyone skilled in this art would readily appreciate
the various ways that said connections may be concealed during
installation.
[0022] Further, although the present figures show but one example
of an anchor assembly, those skilled in this art could easily
appreciate the application of various alternative ways of appending
an encapsulated assembly to a vehicle's interior. These would
include anchor assemblies which may be repositioned (swivel, pivot,
etc.) or fixed in place.
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