Mounting apparatus for a mobile communication device

Abstract

A mounting apparatus ( 100 ) includes a mobile communication device ( 102 ) having first and second integrated side rails ( 120, 122 ), and a unitarily molded bracket ( 104 ) having side surfaces ( 134 ) extending therefrom. The side surfaces ( 134 ) receive the mobile communication device ( 102 ) in either a vertical drop down mounting option ( 202 ) or a horizontal slide in mounting ( 204 ) option. The mobile communication device ( 102 ) includes first and second side rails ( 120, 122 ) that rest on top of the side surfaces ( 134 ) in the vertical drop down mounting mode ( 202 ). In the horizontal slide in mode ( 204 ), the side rails ( 120, 122 ) slide along flat surfaces ( 138 ) of side surfaces ( 134 ) and become engaged to engagement portions ( 136, 138, 140 ) of the side panels ( 142 ).

1 . A mounting apparatus, including: 
 a mobile communication device having first and second integrated rails extending therefrom,    a bracket having a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom, the plurality of side surfaces providing a track upon which to slide the integrated rails during engagement and disengagement of the mobile communication device, the bracket engaging the mobile communication device using a mounting option selected from a drop in mounting and a slide in mounting.    
   
   
       2 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 screw holes in the mobile communication device, the side surfaces aligning with the screw holes; and    pads integrated about the screw holes, the pads providing an area upon which to focus wear marks occurring between the bracket and the mobile communication device.    
   
   
       3 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second rails conceal wear marks on the pads.  
   
   
       4 . A mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a mobile communication device having a housing with first and second integrated rails extending therefrom, the first and second integrated rails having a contoured portion;    a bracket having a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom, the bracket for receiving the mobile communication device between the plurality of side surfaces, the plurality of side surfaces characterized by an engagement portion; and    wherein the contoured portions of the first and second integrated rails align and co-locate with the engagement portions of the plurality of side surfaces for engaging, retaining and disengaging the mobile communication device and bracket.    
   
   
       5 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the engagement portions of the plurality of side surfaces each have a predetermined shape formed of a curved up ramp, a flat top section and a curved down ramp.  
   
   
       6 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting apparatus provides both a drop in mounting option and a slide in mounting option.  
   
   
       7 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises a unitarily die cast chassis.  
   
   
       8 . A mounting apparatus for a communication device, comprising: 
 a mobile communication device formed of a housing having top, bottom, front, back and first and second side surfaces respectively and having first and second integrated rails extending from the top surface over the first and second side surfaces, the fist and second integrated rails having contoured portions;    a bracket unitarily formed having a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom, each of the plurality of side surfaces having an engagement portion formed of a curved up ramp, a top flat section and a curved down ramp, the bracket for receiving the mobile communication device using either of two mounting options selected from a drop down option and a slide in option;    wherein the drop down option allows the mobile communication device to be vertically deposited within the bracket such that the first and second integrated rails rest upon each flat section of the plurality of side surfaces; and    the second mounting option allows the mobile communication device to be slid along the first and second integrated rails, the contoured portions of the first and second integrated rails sliding up the up ramp, across the flat top section and down the down ramp of the engagement portion of the plurality of side surfaces.    
   
   
       9 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a unitarily formed housing.  
   
   
       10 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a chassis.  
   
   
       11 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the chassis is a unitarily die cast chassis.  
   
   
       12 . A mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a mobile communication device having a housing with rails integrated therein and extending therefrom, the rails including first and second contoured portions; a bracket having a plurality of side surfaces, the plurality of side surfaces providing first side panels and second side panels;    the mobile communication device mounting to the bracket via one of two mounting options: a drop in option and a slide in option;    in the drop in option, the housing being deposited into the bracket between the plurality of side surfaces such that the rails rest upon the top flat sections of the plurality of side surfaces, and the second contoured portions engage the first side panels; and    in the slide in option: the housing being slid horizontally between the first and second side panels, the rails initially sliding over the flat top sections of the first side panels and as the rails slide toward the second side panels, the first contoured portion sliding up over the up ramp, across the flat top section and down the down ramp of the first side panels, the second contoured portion thereby engaging and retaining the first side panels.    
   
   
       13 . A mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a mobile communication device having a unitarily formed housing with side rails extending therefrom, the rails having contoured portions; and    a bracket having side panels providing tracks for the rails, the rails and the tracks guiding the housing into the bracket while the contoured portions of the rails engage the side panels of the bracket.