Vehicle mounting system for mobile computing devices

Abstract

A mounting system includes a cradle disposed in a headrest in a vehicle, and a primary adapter. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive the primary adapter. The primary adapter includes first to fourth lips forming a recess in the primary adapter. The recess is shaped and dimensioned to receive a first computing device or a secondary adapter. The first computing device, or a bezel of the secondary adapter, is substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest upon mounting the first computing device or the secondary adapter to the primary adapter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting system, comprising:
 a cradle disposed in a headrest in a vehicle, shaped and dimensioned to removably receive a primary adapter; and   the primary adapter comprising a first primary lip, a second primary lip opposing the first primary lip, a third primary lip, and a fourth primary lip opposing the third primary lip, wherein the first to fourth primary lips extend outward from an inner surface of the primary adapter and form a primary recess in the primary adapter,   wherein the primary recess is shaped and dimensioned to directly receive one of a first computing device and a secondary adapter, and the first computing device or a bezel of the secondary adapter i.s substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest upon mounting the first computing device or the secondary adapter to the primary adapter,   wherein the secondary adapter comprises a first secondary lip, a second secondary lip opposing the first secondary lip, a third secondary lip, and a fourth secondary lip opposing the third secondary lip, wherein the first to fourth secondary lips extend outward from an inner surface of the secondary adapter and form a secondary recess in the secondary adapter, and the inner surface of the secondary adapter does not comprise a through hole,   wherein the secondary recess is shaped and dimensioned to directly receive a second computing device having a smaller size than the first computing device,   wherein the cradle, the primary adapter, the secondary adapter, the first computing device, and the second computing device are separable from one another.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a notch disposed on at least one of the first to fourth primary lips near the inner surface of the primary adapter, wherein the notch is shaped and dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of first to fourth edges of the secondary adapter, and a corresponding one of first to fourth edges of the first computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a recess formed in the cradle, wherein the recess formed in the cradle is defined by a distance between a front surface of the cradle and a portion of the headrest furthest from the front surface of the cradle, and the recess formed in the primary adapter is disposed within the recess formed in the cradle upon mounting the primary adapter to the cradle.   
     
     
         4 . The mounting system of  claim 3 , wherein the second computing device is substantially flush with the bezel of the secondary adapter upon mounting the second computing device to the secondary adapter, 
     
     
         5 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary recess formed in the secondary adapter is disposed within the primary recess formed in the primary adapter upon mounting the secondary adapter to the primary adapter. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the primary recess formed in the primary adapter is defined by a distance between the inner surface of the primary adapter and a portion of each of the first to fourth primary lips furthest from the inner surface, and the depth is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.6 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the primary adapter does not comprise a through hole. 
     
     
         8 . A mounting system, comprising:
 a cradle disposed in a vehicle headrest and having a primary adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive a first computing device,   wherein a bezel of the primary adapter is substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest,   wherein upon mounting the first computing device to the primary adapter, a front surface of the first computing device is substantially flush with the bezel of the primary adapter,   wherein the primary adapter comprises a plurality of lips extending outward from an inner surface of the primary adapter and forming a primary recess in the primary adapter; and   a connection port that rnatingly receives an electrical connector of the first computing device, wherein the connection port is disposed on one of the lips.   
     
     
         9 . The mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein
 the cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive a secondary adapter directly into the primary adapter when the first computing device is not mounted in the primary adapter, wherein the secondary adapter is shaped and dimensioned to receive a second computing device having a smaller size than the first computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The mounting system of  claim 9 , wherein
 upon mounting the secondary adapter to the primary adapter, a bezel of the secondary adapter is substantially flush with the bezel of the primary adapter, and   upon mounting the second computing device to the secondary adapter, a front surface of the second computing device is substantially flush with the bezel of the secondary adapter.   
     
     
         11 . The mounting system of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary adapter does not comprise a through hole. 
     
     
         12 . The mounting system of  claim 9 , wherein the cradle, the secondary adapter, the first computing, device, and the second computing device are separable from each other. 
     
     
         13 . The mounting system of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface of the primary adapter does not comprise a through hole. 
     
     
         14 . A mounting system, comprising:
 a cradle disposed in a vehicle headrest, wherein the cradle comprises an opening at an upper portion;   a primary adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive a first computing device, wherein the cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive the primary adapter,   wherein the primary adapter comprises an upper wall at a top portion that fits into the opening of the cradle, and the primary adapter is selectively removable from the cradle in response to a force being applied to the upper wall in a direction away from the cradle,   wherein upon mounting the primary adapter in the cradle, a bezel of the primary adapter is substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest,   wherein upon mounting the first computing device in the primary adapter, a front surface of the first computing device is substantially flush with the bezel of the primary adapter,   wherein the primary adapter comprises a plurality of lips extending outward from an inner surface of the primary adapter and forming a primary recess in the primary adapter.   
     
     
         15 . The mounting system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a connection port that matingly receives an electrical connector of the first computing device, wherein the connection port is disposed on one of the lips.   
     
     
         16 . The mounting system of  claim 14 , wherein
 the cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive a secondary adapter directly into the primary adapter when the first computing device is not mounted in the primary adapter, wherein the secondary adapter is shaped and dimensioned to receive a second computing device having a smaller size than the first computing device.   
     
     
         17 . The mounting system of  claim 16 , wherein
 upon mounting the secondary adapter to the primary adapter, a bezel of the secondary adapter is substantially flush with the bezel of the primary adapter, and   upon mounting the second computing device to the secondary adapter, a front surface of the second computing device is substantially flush with the bezel of the secondary adapter.   
     
     
         18 . The mounting system of  claim 17 , wherein the secondary adapter does not comprise a through hole. 
     
     
         19 . The mounting system of  claim 16 , wherein the cradle, the secondary adapter, the first computing device, and the second computing device are separable from each. other. 
     
     
         20 . The mounting system of  claim 14 , wherein the inner surface of the primary adapter does not comprise a. through hole.