CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[001] This application claim the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to

United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/035,115, filed June 5, 2020. The disclosure set forth in the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[002] The present disclosure relates generally to a vibration dampening device for a mount for attaching a handheld electronic device to a bicycle or the like.

BACKGROUND

[003] Numerous mounts have been developed to secure handheld electronic devices to a bicycle, motorcycle or the like. The mounts rigidly and releasably mount the handheld device to the bicycle, motorcycle or the like.

SUMMARY

[004] The present disclosure is directed to a vibration dampening device for a mount including a mount head and a base for mounting a handheld device on a bike. The vibration dampening device comprises a chassis and one or more vibration dampening grommets. The chassis comprises first and second interlocking pieces configured to be disposed between the mount head and the base. The first interlocking piece is configured to engage the mount head and the second interlocking piece is configured to engage the base. The first interlocking piece includes a plurality of brackets, and the second interlocking piece includes a plurality of slots for receiving the brackets. The first and second interlocking pieces are moveable relative to each other. The chassis further comprises a stop for limiting movement of the first and second interlocking pieces relative to each other. The one or more vibration dampening grommets are engaged with the first and second interlocking pieces to provide dampening of vibrations incurred by the mount during movement of the bike. Each of the first and second interlocking pieces may include a plurality of arms. One of the grommets is engaged with one of the arms of the first interlocking piece and one of the arms of the second interlocking piece and another of the grommets is engaged with another of the arms of the first interlocking piece and another of the arms of the second interlocking piece. The arms of the first and second interlocking pieces extend in the same direction. Each of the first and second interlocking pieces may be bowl shaped. Each of said arms of the first and second interlocking pieces includes a portion extending away from the mount head. The stop may comprise a snap tab disposed on each bracket. The first and second interlocking pieces are moveable relative to each other along the brackets.

[005] The first interlocking piece may include one or more spokes and the second interlocking piece may include a floor defining a bore to receive the spoke for limiting the movement of the first and second interlocking pieces relative to each other. The stop and the floor limit movement of the first and second interlocking pieces relative to each other in opposite directions. The brackets may extend parallel to an axis of the chassis and the spokes may extend radially from the axis. Each bracket and a respective spoke may be spaced along a same radial line from the axis. The stop and the floor limiting movement of the first and second interlocking pieces is relative to each other in opposite directions.

[006] The brackets may be circumferentially spaced apart from each other. If there are three brackets and three spokes, for example, the brackets are spaced 120 degrees apart from each other and the spokes may be disposed 120 degrees apart from each other.

[007] The vibration dampening device may also include a retention ring for limiting deflection of the brackets to prevent the brackets from passing entirely through the slots and separation of interlocking pieces. The vibration dampening device may include a plurality of snaps for engaging the retention ring and the protrusion and a plurality of alignment structures for positioning the ring.

[008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the vibration dampening device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a mount including a cellphone mount and a base mount;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a vibration dampening device of FIG. 1 ;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of the vibration dampening device of FIG. 1 ;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the vibration dampening device of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded and top perspective view of the vibration dampening device of FIG. 1 ;

[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded and bottom perspective view of the vibration dampening device of FIG. 1 ;

[0015]

[0016] FIG. 7 is a section view taken along the lines A- A of FIG. 4;

[0017] FIG. 7(a) is an enlarged partial view of detail A of FIG. 6;

[0018] FIG. 7(b) is an enlarged partial view of detail B of FIG. 6;

[0019] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the retention ring of the vibration dampening device of FIG. 1 ; and

[0020] FIG. 8(b) is a top view of the retention ring of the vibration dampening device of FIG. 1.

[0021] Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present disclosure is directed to a vibration dampening device for a mount for attaching a cellular phone or other handheld electronic device to a handle bar or other structure of a bicycle, motorcycle or the like. While the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms, several specific embodiments are discussed herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered only as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated.

[0023] FIGURES l-8(b) illustrate an embodiment of a vibration dampening device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure for a mount for mounting a handheld electronic device to a bicycle, motorcycle or other similar device. The illustrated mount is a commercially-available mount that includes a mount head 16 including a plurality of radially-extending teeth 18 for securing to a handheld device and a base 20 that includes a clamp portion and a plurality of radially-extending teeth 22 for securing the mount to a handlebar of the bicycle, motorcycle or other similar device. The mount may have any other structure or configuration. The mount head 16 and base 20 can be any structure of any other mount and the manner of securing the device to a handheld device can occur in any other suitable manner. The mount head is securable to a handheld device by securing it to the case of the handheld device or directly to the handheld device. The illustrated vibration dampening device 10 is secured to and disposed between the mount head 16 and base 20.

[0024] The illustrated dampening device 10 comprises generally a chassis 30 having interlocking pieces 32 and 34 and three grommets 36 engaged with the first and second interlocking pieces. Interlocking piece 32 is securable to the mount head 16 of the mount in any suitable manner and the interlocking piece 34 is securable to the base 20 of the mount in any suitable manner. The interlocking piece 32 defines a center hole 40 and the interlocking piece 34 defines a center hole 42 contiguous with the center hole 40. The center holes 40 and 42 are configured to receive a fastener 44 to secure the vibration dampening device 10 to the mount. The fastener 44 may be a hex screw or any other suitable fastener. The center holes 40 and 42 define a central axis of the vibration dampening device 10.

[0025] Each of the illustrated first and second interlocking pieces 32 and 34 includes three arms 48 and 50 extending away from the axis. Each of the arms 48 and 50 includes a first portion 52 and 54 that extends away from the central axis and a second portion 55 and 56 that extends at an angle away from the mount head 16 of the mount such that each of the first and second interlocking pieces 32 and 34 have a bowl shape. Each of the arms 48 and 50 defines on its second portion a hole 58 and 60 for receiving and engaging one of the grommets 36.

[0026] The interlocking piece 32 has a top or first side 62 that faces opposite the interlocking piece 34 and includes structure for engaging the mount head 16 of the mount. The illustrated structure for engaging the mount head 16 is in the form of a bore 64 defined by a plurality of radially-extending teeth 66 for engaging the teeth 18 on the mount head 16 such that the mount can be adjusted to a desired position. The illustrated structure for engaging the base 20 is in the form of a circular protrusion 68 that includes a plurality of radially-extending teeth 70 for engaging complementary teeth 22 on the base 20 such that the base can be adjusted to a desired position. The teeth 70 define a circular opening 74 for receiving the complementary teeth 22 on the base 20. The vibration dampening device 10 may also include a retention ring 78 disposed about the circular protrusion 68 for preventing the interlocking pieces 32 and 34 from separating from each other. The retention ring 78 limits the deflection of the brackets 80 so that the brackets cannot deflect and pass entirely through the slots 92 to disengage the interlocking pieces 32 and 34. The illustrated retention ring 78 includes an internal wall 200 with three circumferentially-spaced snaps 202 and three circumferentially-spaced alignment structures 204. The protrusion 68 of the second interlocking piece 34 has three circumferentially-spaced snap tabs 210 for engaging the snaps 202. The alignment structures 204 are disposed to be positioned circumferentially between the brackets 80. The snap tabs 210 are engageable with the snaps 202 when the alignment structures 204 are aligned between the brackets 80.

[0027] The vibration dampening device 10 is secured to the mount by the fastener 44 that extends from the mount head, through the central holes 40 and 42 and to the base 20 of the mount. If desired, a threaded or non-threaded sleeve 72 can be disposed within the central holes 40 and 42 for receiving and engaging the fastener 44.

[0028] The interlocking piece 32 includes three brackets 80 spaced circumferentially approximately 120 degrees apart from each other extending parallel to the axis for engaging the second interlocking piece. The brackets 80 have flexibility and flex inward to engage the interlocking piece 34. Each bracket 80 has an arcuate cross section. The interlocking piece 32 includes a stop in the form of snap tab 82 at the base of each bracket 80 for engaging the interlocking piece 34 and limiting movement of the interlocking pieces relative to each other during movement of the interlocking pieces in opposite directions during vibration. The interlocking piece 32 includes a cylindrical projection 88 extending opposite the first side 62 receiving the sleeve 72, and three rectangular spokes 90 extending radially outward from the cylindrical projection 88 also for engaging the interlocking piece 34. The spokes 90 each have a bottom that extends toward the interlocking piece 34 farther than the cylindrical projection 88. The spokes 90 are disposed and spaced along the same radial line as the brackets and thus are also spaced about 120 degrees apart from each other. The interlocking piece 32, including each of its components, may have any other suitable construction and configuration in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] The interlocking piece 34 defines three slots 92 for receiving the brackets 80 that are also circumferentially spaced about 120 degrees apart. The brackets 80 and slots 92 permit movement of the interlocking pieces 32 and 34 relative to each other during vibration and as the interlocking pieces move away from each other the snap tabs 82 limit the movement of the interlocking pieces relative to each other. The interlocking piece 34 includes a circular wall 100 and a floor 102 that define a bore 106 disposed about the central hole 42. As the interlocking pieces 32 and 34 move toward each other during vibration, the floor 102 engages the spokes 90 to limit the movement of the interlocking pieces towards each other. The circular wall 100 defines grooves 110 for allowing rain water or the like to drain from the bore 106. The interlocking piece 34, including each of its components, may have any other construction and configuration in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] The illustrated grommets 36 may be constructed of silicone or other rubber or rubber-like material. A respective end of each grommet 36 engages a respective arm 48 or 50 of the first or second locking piece 32 or 34 by extending through a hole 112 and 114 defined by each first and second interlocking pieces 32 and 34 and engaging the respective arm. The grommets 36 can be secured or otherwise engaged with the first and second interlocking pieces 32 and 34 in any other suitable manner in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] The interlocking pieces 32 and 34 permit movement relative to each other but also limit the movement. For example, the brackets 80 permit movement of the interlocking pieces 32 and 34 relative to each other in the axial direction during vibration but the snap tabs 82 limit the movement of the interlocking pieces in a separation direction. The floor 102 engages the spokes 90 to limit the movement of the interlocking pieces 32 and 34 in the opposite direction during vibration. The retention ring 78 limits the deflection of the brackets 80 so that the brackets cannot deflect and pass entirely through the slots 92. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking pieces 32 and 34 can move back and forth relative to each other but during use do not separate nor do the arms 48 come in contact with arms 50. The brackets 80 and the slots 92 also limit axial rotation of the first interlocking piece 32 relative to the second interlocking piece 34.

[0032] The illustrated embodiment of the vibration dampening device 10 is intended for use in engaging the mount with complementary radially-extending teeth or any other mount that includes a clamp that can engages the chassis 30 in the same or similar manner. It thus may be securable to different types of mounts. The vibration dampening device 10 may be secured to other mounts of different constructions or configurations in any other suitable manner in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure. The illustrated mount head 16 can be secured to a handheld electronic device with a case having complementary radially-extending teeth or can be secured to a handheld device in any other suitable manner. The vibration dampening device 10 may be modular and thus securable to different mounts.

[0033] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.