阅读说明：本技术 安装架组件 (Mounting rack assembly ) 是由 罗伯特·格兰特 格莱汉姆·兰伯特 塞里·希尔 于 2020-01-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于将设备安装到表面上的安装架组件,该安装架组件包括：凹窝组件；安装元件,该安装元件包括安装球,该安装球可被凹窝组件接纳,以将安装元件枢转地耦合至凹窝组件,从而相对于凹窝组件定位安装元件；其中该凹窝组件包括：配置为限定用于接纳并接合安装球的凹窝的弹性构件,该弹性构件配置为允许安装球克服弹性偏压被推入凹窝；用于将弹性构件偏压到凹窝中的偏压元件；以及阻止弹性构件的端部偏离凹窝的保持元件。(The present invention relates to a mount assembly for mounting equipment to a surface, the mount assembly comprising: a dimple assembly; a mounting element including a mounting ball receivable by the sump assembly to pivotally couple the mounting element to the sump assembly to position the mounting element relative to the sump assembly; wherein the sump assembly comprises: a resilient member configured to define a socket for receiving and engaging the mounting ball, the resilient member being configured to allow the mounting ball to be pushed into the socket against a resilient bias; a biasing element for biasing the resilient member into the recess; and a retaining element that prevents the end of the resilient member from deviating from the recess.)

1. A mounting bracket assembly for mounting equipment to a surface, comprising:

a dimple assembly;

a mounting element including a mounting ball receivable by the sump assembly to pivotally couple the mounting element to the sump assembly to position the mounting element relative to the sump assembly;

wherein the sump assembly comprises:

a resilient member configured to define a socket for receiving and engaging the mounting ball, the resilient member being configured to allow the mounting ball to be pushed into the socket against a resilient bias;

a biasing element for biasing the resilient member into the recess; and

a retaining element that prevents the end of the resilient member from deviating from the recess.

2. The mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining element comprises a shroud configured to form a portion of a housing of the nest assembly, the shroud comprising an aperture into which an end of the resilient member is extendable, the aperture defining a limit at which the end of the resilient member is deflectable.

3. The mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting element is receivable in the socket assembly through the aperture of the shroud.

4. The mount assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the shroud is coupleable to a remainder of a housing of the sump assembly by at least one coupling element.

5. The mounting bracket assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one coupling element is in a position accessible from an interior of the remainder of the housing.

6. The mount assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting element comprises an arm, the mounting ball being provided at an end of the arm.

7. The mount assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting element is configured to be removably coupleable to an appliance.

8. The mounting bracket assembly of claim 7 wherein the mounting elements include equipment engaging elements at opposite ends thereof.

9. A mounting bracket assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the socket assembly is configured to be removably mountable to the surface.

10. The mounting bracket assembly of any preceding claim wherein the socket assembly comprises an engaging element and/or an adhesive element configured to attach the socket assembly to the surface.

11. The mounting bracket assembly of any preceding claim wherein the nest assembly comprises a first electronic circuit and the mounting element comprises a second electronic circuit, and wherein the first and second electronic circuits are electronically coupled via an electronic connection between the nest assembly and the mounting element.

12. The mount assembly of claim 11, wherein the mounting ball includes a hole to define a channel for the electronic connection.

13. The mount assembly of claim 12 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 6, wherein the arm comprises a bore in communication with a bore through the mounting ball to define a passage for the electrical connection.

14. The mount assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the mounting element is rotatable relative to the socket assembly to position the mounting element relative to the socket assembly.

15. The mount assembly of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the mounting element comprises a movement limiter on the mounting ball, the movement limiter preventing rotational and/or pivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the sump assembly.

16. The mounting bracket assembly of any preceding claim wherein the resilient member is formed of a material having sufficient resilience to bias the mounting ball to create sufficient friction between the resilient member and the mounting ball to prevent the mounting element from moving relative to the socket assembly in the absence of user-applied force.

17. A mounting bracket assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient member is curved to conform to the shape of the outer surface of the mounting ball and engages the mounting ball at and/or above its equator to retain the mounting ball within the pocket.

18. A mounting bracket assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the biasing element comprises a resilient biasing member.

19. The mounting bracket assembly of claim 18 wherein the resilient biasing member comprises a coil spring positioned about the resilient member.

20. A mounting bracket assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient member comprises a circular flange.

21. The mounting bracket assembly of any of claims 1-19 wherein the resilient member comprises a plurality of arcuate segments.

22. A sump assembly for a mount assembly as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a sump assembly as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A mounting element for a mounting bracket assembly as defined in any of claims 1 to 21, comprising a mounting bracket assembly as defined in any of claims 1 to 21.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mounting bracket assembly for mounting equipment to a surface. The present invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a mounting bracket assembly for mounting accessories in a vehicle.

Background

The use and popularity of camera systems for vehicles, such as in-vehicle camera systems, event recorders, in-vehicle systems, and the like, are increasing. Such camera systems are sometimes referred to as "dashboard cameras" because they are typically mounted on the vehicle dashboard. They are often installed into vehicles after the entire vehicle is manufactured, as an "after-market" retrofit or personalized accessory to the vehicle by the user, and as a means of capturing images of the interior and/or surrounding areas of the vehicle. Images captured by such systems may be used as evidence in the event of an accident, damage, or the like. Such camera systems are typically configured to continuously record video segments of a scene viewed through the windshield of a vehicle in which the system is installed. Such a camera system may be attached to the inside of the windshield of the vehicle or to the top of the dashboard of the vehicle.

Some known camera systems may operate to capture an image, a series of images, and/or record a video clip at vehicle start-up, in response to user input, and/or automatically in response to detection of vehicle motion.

Typically, the camera is mounted to the vehicle or the superstructure of the window using an adhesive or suction attachment coupled to the camera by an arm so that the field of view of the camera is not obstructed by the adhesive or suction attachment or the superstructure of the vehicle.

In a typical mount assembly, the arm may be movably attached to one or both of the accessory or the camera head. Such an attachment may comprise a ball and socket joint, wherein the socket may be tightened around the ball by a screw and nut arrangement or some other mechanism. The mechanism may be used to prevent movement of the arm, thereby maintaining its orientation relative to the surface to which the mount assembly is attached, and thus the orientation of the camera.

A typical mounting bracket assembly as described above may be constructed of a plastic material. Such materials may degrade over time through repeated heating-cooling cycles, such as those experienced in an in-vehicle environment. This may lead to a weakening of the stiffness of the interface between the ball joint and the fastening means over time, which may lead to a change in the position of the arm relative to the accessory over time, for example deviating from the operating position set by the user. Such changes may need to be corrected by the user by repositioning the arm relative to the attachment and by tightening the screw and nut arrangement.

Typical mounting assemblies as described above may not be suitable for use with ball joints that include through passages that provide conduits for routing, such as cabling for coupling electronic circuitry in an accessory to electronic circuitry in a device coupling element of the assembly. Excessive rotational and/or pivotal movement of the arm relative to the accessory away from the factory designed operating position range may be undesirable because excessive rotational and/or pivotal movement of the arm relative to the accessory may result in cable damage.

Typical mounting assemblies as described above may not be suitable for use in an in-vehicle environment where the assembly may experience vibrations, acceleration forces, and deceleration forces. This combination of vibration, acceleration and deceleration forces may cause the thread and nut arrangement to loosen until the nut is completely disengaged from the thread in a potential scenario. This can be dangerous as in some cases the arm may become detached from the accessory, which can cause the arm (and any accessory attached thereto) to become detached from the accessory and pass through the car.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a mount assembly for mounting equipment to a surface, the mount assembly comprising: a dimple assembly; a mounting element including a mounting ball receivable by the sump assembly to pivotally couple the mounting element to the sump assembly to position the mounting element relative to the sump assembly; wherein the sump assembly comprises: a resilient member configured to define a socket for receiving and engaging the mounting ball, the resilient member being configured to allow the mounting ball to be pushed into the socket against a resilient bias; a biasing element for biasing the resilient member into the recess; and a retaining element that prevents the end of the resilient member from deviating from the recess.

The inclusion of a retaining element to prevent the end of the resilient member from deflecting away from (i.e. coming out of) the socket allows the integrity of the socket defined by the configuration of the resilient member to be maintained and provides the necessary support for the socket wall while the mounting ball is received within the socket. The retaining element ensures that the mounting ball remains contained within the socket during operation, preventing disengagement of the ball and disassembly of the mounting bracket assembly, for example when it is subjected to high acceleration forces.

In the typical environment in which the mount assembly is located, the biasing element may maintain a consistent coefficient of friction between the socket wall (i.e., defined by the resilient member) and the mounting ball during thermal cycling experienced by the mount assembly. The respective materials of the resilient member and the mounting ball may be different and thus may have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and/or the shape and configuration of the resilient member may be different from the shape and configuration of the mounting ball and thus may have different coefficients of thermal expansion. In both cases, the presence of the biasing element may inhibit any variation in the "tightness" of the assembly caused by potentially different degrees of expansion/contraction of the resilient member and the mounting ball under different temperature conditions.

Optionally, the retaining element may comprise a shroud configured to form part of the housing of the sump assembly, the shroud comprising an aperture into which an end of the resilient member may extend, the aperture defining the limit at which the end of the resilient member is deflectable. This ensures that the configuration of the recess is fixed when the resilient member is engaged with the retaining element. If the mounting ball has been received in the socket defined by the resilient member and the retaining element has been engaged, the resilient member can no longer flex to increase the diameter of the socket and the mounting ball is therefore trapped within the socket.

Optionally, the mounting element may be received in the socket assembly through an aperture of the shroud. The shroud may engage the socket assembly by fitting around a mounting element behind the mounting ball, acting as a collar which closes when attached to the socket assembly and prevents the mounting ball from disengaging from the socket. This may be useful in certain situations, for example when the device is a tachograph and the surface is the windscreen of a vehicle. During a crash event (e.g., the impact of a crash) where the assembly may be subjected to high acceleration forces, it is important that the two components cannot be separated to maintain a continuous shot of the event and avoid unnecessary injury to any occupants of the vehicle due to separation of the components from the mount assembly. The arrangement of the mounting bracket assembly described herein can reduce the likelihood of a separation event as described above.

Optionally, the shroud may be coupled to the remainder of the housing of the sump assembly by at least one coupling element. To ensure that the shroud is securely coupled to the sump assembly, different coupling mechanisms may be used, such as screws, clips, latches, or any other fastening means. This ensures that the connection between the shield and the socket assembly is sufficient to maintain the position of the shield so that it can provide the necessary restraint to prevent the end of the resilient member from disengaging the socket, thereby securing the mounting ball in place.

Optionally, the at least one coupling element may be in a position accessible from inside the rest of the housing. This can make the means for separating the shield from the remainder of the sump assembly housing relatively inaccessible, which may help prevent accidental removal of the shield from the remainder of the sump assembly housing.

Alternatively, the mounting element may comprise an arm, the mounting ball being provided at an end of the arm. The shield may be fitted over the arm as a collar. After the mounting ball is inserted into the socket, the shroud may be secured to the socket assembly, thereby securing the mounting ball in place and preventing its removal.

Optionally, the mounting element may be configured to be removably coupled to the device and may include device engagement elements at opposite ends of the mounting ball.

Optionally, the dimple assembly may be configured to be removably mounted to the surface. Thus, the mounting bracket assembly may enable the device to be mounted to a surface, for example a vehicle drive recorder mounted to a windscreen of a vehicle, wherein the orientation of the device may be changed by a user, but wherein the device is securely held on the windscreen by the mounting bracket assembly, and wherein separation of the component parts may be prevented.

Alternatively, the dimple assembly can include a first electronic circuit and the mounting element can include a second electronic circuit, further wherein the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit can be electronically coupled through an electronic connection between the dimple assembly and the mounting element.

Optionally, the mounting ball may include a hole for defining a passage therethrough for electronic connection, and/or the arm may include a hole communicating with the hole through the mounting ball to define a passage therethrough for electronic connection. This ensures that any wires, cables and leads that make up the electrical connection are protected from over-extension, frictional damage, twisting and general exposure as these components are located within the arm and mounting ball.

Optionally, the dimple assembly may be configured to be removably mounted to the surface. This may allow the mounting device to be used on a variety of different surfaces, allowing the mounting of a given device to occur in a variety of different locations.

Drawings

One or more embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric projection of a mount assembly of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the mount assembly including a dimple assembly and a mounting element in a first position;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric projection of a mount assembly of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the mount assembly including a dimple assembly and a mounting element in a second position;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric projection of a dimple assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric projection of a first portion of a dimple assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an isometric projection of a second portion of a sump assembly of one or more embodiments of the present invention, when viewed from a first position;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric projection of a second portion of a sump assembly of one or more embodiments of the present invention when viewed from a second position;

FIG. 7 shows an isometric projection of a mounting member of one or more embodiments of the present invention when viewed from a first position;

FIG. 8 shows an isometric projection of a mounting member of one or more embodiments of the present invention when viewed from a second position; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a mounting bracket assembly of one or more embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric projection of a mount assembly 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the mount assembly 10 including a dimple assembly 12 and a mounting element 14 in a first position; the mounting member 14 is pivotally coupled to the socket assembly 12 by a ball joint. In the illustrated example of one or more embodiments of the invention, the socket is located within the socket assembly and the ball is located on the mounting element.

In one or more embodiments, the mount assembly 10 may be used to removably couple an accessory to a surface of a vehicle on which it is located. For example, a tachograph, GPS device, satellite navigation system, or the like may be removably coupled to the windshield, rear windshield, or side doors and windows of the vehicle.

In the example shown, an accessory (not shown) may be mounted at a free end of the mounting element 14, and the dimple assembly 12 is configured to be removably mounted to a surface, thereby providing a mounting bracket for mounting the accessory to a surface of a vehicle. The sump assembly 12 may be mounted to a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, by a surface attachment element 13. The attachment element 13 may compriseAn adhesive pad, suction cup, or any other material/device that holds the mounting bracket assembly 10 in place on a surface.

Fig. 2 is an isometric projection of a mount assembly 10 of one or more embodiments of the invention, the mount assembly 10 including a dimple assembly 12 and an equipment mounting element 14 in a second position. In FIG. 2, the sump assembly 12 and the mounting element 14 are in a second position relative to each other. Obviously, the second position is different from the first position of fig. 1. Ball joints have been used to rotate the mounting member 14 about the y-axis in the direction P. The nature of the ball joint imparts motion in the P, R and Y directions, i.e., motion about the Y, x, and z axes, respectively (see fig. 1 and 2). In certain technical fields, rotational/pivotal movements about the x, y and z axes are referred to as roll (x axis), pitch (y axis) and yaw (z axis).

Figure 3 shows an isometric projection of the dimple assembly 12 of one embodiment of the present invention. The sump assembly 12 includes: a plurality of resilient members 15 arranged to define a recess 16; a shroud portion 18 configured to form an upper portion of the sump assembly housing; and a base portion 20 configured to form a lower portion (remaining portion) of the sump assembly housing. The shield portion 18 may be coupled to the base portion 20.

The base portion 20 includes an aperture 24 for providing access to an electrical connection port (not shown) configured to provide connection to electronic circuitry contained within the base portion 20. For example, the aperture 24 provides space to receive a USB connector to couple an external device to electronic circuitry (e.g., including GPS circuitry) within the base portion 20 of the dimple assembly 12.

At least one surface interface member 17 is disposed within the pocket 16. The at least one surface interface member 17 is configured to provide a frictional interface between the outer surface of a mounting ball receivable within the socket 16 and the inner wall of the socket 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the at least one surface interface member 17 comprises a silicon pad and provides additional frictional contact with the mounting ball of the mounting element. The characteristics of the at least one surface interface member 17 are such that it provides a soft friction surface conforming to the shape of the mounting ball, thereby reducing wear on the outer surface of the ball mounting formation and increasing the resistance of the mounting ball to movement relative to the socket.

The at least one surface interface member 17 may be located inside the one or more resilient members 15 defining the recess 16 or at the bottom of the recess 16.

Fig. 4 is a schematic isometric projection of the base portion 20 of the dimple assembly. In this example, the shroud (not shown) has been removed to expose the internal elements of the base portion 20 of the dimple assembly 12. The base portion 20 comprises a plurality of resilient members 15 comprising four arcuate flanges arranged such that their free ends define a circular mounting for the recess 16. A plurality of resilient members extend from the surface 26 and define a space therebetween that defines the recess 16. The dimples 16 are configured to receive the mounting balls of the mounting element 14. The arcuate form of the plurality of resilient members 15 and their position relative to each other are such that the space between them is complementary to the shape of the mounting ball received therein. The resilience of the plurality of resilient members 15 acts to force the ends of the plurality of resilient members 15 inwardly into the space of the recess 16 and to resist deformation of the members 15 and deflection of the ends thereof outwardly away from the space of the recess 16. This configuration forces the mounting ball located within the socket 16 into the socket 16 to maintain the mounting ball in engagement with the socket 16 and resist removal of the mounting ball from the socket 16.

The channels 28, 29 define a space between each pair of adjacent resilient members of the plurality of resilient members 15. A first set of these channels 28 may be used to receive one or more formations on the mounting ball surface of the mounting element, wherein the interaction of the formations with the walls of the channels 28 may limit movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly.

The base portion 20 further comprises a biasing element 30 arranged to exert an inward force on the plurality of resilient members 15. In the example shown in fig. 4, the biasing element 30 comprises a coil spring arranged as a sleeve surrounding the plurality of resilient members 15 to encircle the plurality of resilient members 15. The biasing element 30 provides a force that resists outward movement of the plurality of resilient members 15. That is, it provides an inward biasing force so that the plurality of resilient members 15 are biased inward toward the space within the recess 16. Furthermore, in the typical environment in which the mount assembly is located, the biasing element 30 may maintain a consistent coefficient of friction between the wall of the dimple 16 (i.e., the plurality of resilient members 15) and the mounting ball during thermal cycling experienced by the mount assembly. The respective materials of the plurality of resilient members 15 and the mounting ball may be different and thus may have different thermal expansion coefficients, and/or the shape and configuration of the plurality of resilient members 15 may be different from the shape and configuration of the mounting ball and thus may have different thermal expansion coefficients. In both cases, the presence of the biasing element 30 may inhibit any variation in the "tightness" of the assembly caused by potentially different degrees of expansion/contraction of the plurality of resilient members 15 and the mounting ball under different temperature conditions.

At the bottom of the recess 16 is a hole 32 which extends through the surface 26 to the opposite side of the surface (not shown). This is to allow an electrical connection (e.g. a wire or cable) to pass between the recess 16 and the opposite side of the base portion 20.

The base portion 20 also includes an aperture 34 extending through the surface 26 to an opposite side of the surface (not shown). Such holes 34 provide apertures through which the fixation elements may pass and be received in corresponding receiving channels within the shroud portion 18. This arrangement serves to secure the shroud portion 18 to the base portion 20. For example, screws, bolts or other fixing elements may be used for this purpose.

Fig. 5 shows an example of the shield 18. Fig. 5 shows the shield portion 18 oriented such that its outer surface is exposed. As previously described, the shroud portion 18 may be removably coupled to the base portion 20 by arranging the securing elements through the apertures 34 of the base portion 20 so as to be received in corresponding receiving channels within the shroud portion 18. One of the receiving channels 36 is shown in fig. 5.

The shroud portion 18 includes an aperture 38 extending through the shroud portion 18. The orifice 38 includes two segments having different perimeters. The first segment 40 has a perimeter that is greater than a perimeter defined by the outer edges of each distal end of the plurality of resilient members 15. When the shield portion 18 is coupled to the base portion 20, the aperture 38 is in a position concentric with a circle defined by an outer edge of each distal end of the plurality of resilient members 15. The first section 40 of the aperture 18 may act as a retaining element to limit the deflection of the ends of the plurality of resilient members outwardly (i.e., in a direction away from) the recess.

The second section of the aperture (not shown in fig. 5, see 44 in fig. 6) has a perimeter that is larger than the perimeter of the first section 40 and is of sufficient size to receive the biasing element 30 in a press-fit manner. That is, the perimeter of the second section of the aperture 38 is large enough to surround the biasing element 30.

The difference in perimeter between the first segment 40 and the second segment (not shown in fig. 5, see 44 in fig. 6) is such that the interface between the two segments forms a lip (not shown in fig. 5, see 42 in fig. 6) that can provide a stop surface to prevent removal of the biasing element 30 from the sump assembly (when the shroud portion 18 and base portion 20 of the sump assembly are in an assembled state).

The biasing element and retaining element in combination may serve to reduce the likelihood of the mounting ball disengaging or disengaging from the socket when excessive force is applied to the mounting bracket assembly.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic isometric projection of the shield portion 18, which is oriented so that its inner surface is exposed. Fig. 6 shows four fixation element receiving channels 36 that correspond with the holes 34 of the base portion 20. The lip 42 formed by the interface between the first segment 40 and the second segment 44 is now visible when viewed in this orientation. Due to the lip 42, the biasing element cannot pass through the aperture 38.

As described above, the walls defining the apertures 38 of the first section 40 provide a retaining element that can be used to resist movement of the ends of the plurality of resilient members 15. Thus, the retaining element in combination with the biasing element 30 increases the inward bias of the resilient member 15 in a direction inwardly into the socket, thereby increasing the force exerted on the mounting ball in the socket 16. This provides a system that allows pivotal movement of the mounting element 14 relative to the sump assembly 12, but which provides resistance to movement of the mounting element relative to the sump assembly in the absence of user-applied force. This may allow a user to set the position of the mounting element 14 relative to the sump assembly 12 without using additional elements to set the position (e.g., tightening a nut). The biasing element and the retaining element may provide sufficient resistance to relative movement between the mounting element and the sump assembly such that an accessory coupled to the mounting bracket assembly does not move after being set by a user when the mounting bracket assembly is subjected to vibration and/or acceleration forces (e.g., when the vehicle is in motion). In addition, the mounting ball is prevented from separating or disengaging from the socket assembly in the event of excessive force being applied.

Fig. 7 is a schematic isometric view of the mounting element 14 when viewed from a first position. The mounting element 14 includes a mounting ball 46 disposed at the end of an arm 48. The mounting element 14 includes device engaging elements 50 disposed at opposite ends of the arms 48. The diameter of mounting ball 46 is sized to allow mounting ball 46 to engage socket 16 of socket assembly 12 by a press fit, which, as noted above, provides a frictional engagement between mounting ball 46 and socket 16. Further, the device-engaging element 50 may serve as an electromechanical coupler between electronic circuitry housed in the mounting bracket assembly 10 and electronic circuitry of an accessory coupled to the device-engaging element 50.

A bore 52 through the mounting ball 46 and arm 48 provides a passage for electrical connection between the mounting element 14 and the socket assembly 12. This may be accomplished by using wires or cables passing therethrough. This may provide an electrical connection between a first electronic circuit (e.g., a GPS module) contained within the sump assembly 12 and a second electronic circuit located within the device engaging element 50 of the mounting element 14, as described below.

Mounting ball 46 includes at least one feature extending from a surface thereof. In the example shown, the at least one formation includes two vanes 54 extending radially from the surface of the mounting ball 46. When the mounting ball 46 is located within the socket 16 of the socket assembly 12, the vanes 54 occupy the channels 28 between the resilient members 15.

The interaction of the vanes 54 with the walls of the passage 28 may limit the movement of the mounting element relative to the dimple assembly. Thus, the interaction of the blades 54 with the walls of the channel 28 may serve to dampen pivotal movement in the Y-direction (see fig. 1 and 2, i.e., about the yaw axis) to a lesser amount and rotational movement in the R-direction (see fig. 1 and 2, i.e., about the roll axis) to a lesser amount, while permitting pivotal movement in the P-direction (see fig. 1 and 2, i.e., about the pitch axis) to be greater than that permitted in the Y-and R-directions. That is, the blades 54 are configured to interact to inhibit rotational and pivotal movement of the mounting element 14 relative to the dimple assembly 12 about the yaw axis.

As the mounting element 14 pivots in the ± R direction, the sides of the vane 54 engage the walls of the channel, preventing any further movement in that direction. However, as noted above, movement of the mounting member 14 in the P direction is permitted over a much greater range of relative movement, as the vane 54 moves through the channel 28 until the end 56 of the vane 54 engages the bottom of the channel 28.

Fig. 8 is a schematic isometric view of the mounting element 14 when viewed from the second position. In fig. 8, the holes 52 are more clearly visible.

As mentioned above, the sump assembly 12 may include electronic circuitry, such as a GPS module. A schematic cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket assembly 10 is shown in fig. 9, which will be described below.

The first electronic circuit 58 within the socket assembly 12 may be electrically coupled to a second electronic circuit 60 located within the mounting member 14. Data from the first electronic circuit 58 (e.g., data from a GPS module) may be transmitted to the second electronic circuit 60 of the mounting member 14 via an electrical connection 62. An electrical connection 62 passes from the first electronic circuit 58 to the second electronic circuit 60 through the aperture 52. The aperture 52 provides a conduit from the sump assembly 12 to the mounting element 14.

Furthermore, the electromechanical coupling between the accessory and the mounting element 14 may be used to transmit data from the second electronic circuit 60 to the accessory coupled to the mounting element 14.

The provision of a GPS module in the sump assembly 12 may enable the GPS module to be placed closer to the exterior of the vehicle in which it is located. For example, if the device is a tachograph to be mounted to the windscreen of a vehicle, the GPS module contained within the socket assembly 12 of the mount assembly 10 is closer to the windscreen, which can improve the line of sight connection between the GPS module and the remote device. To this end, the mount assembly 10 with the GPS module 58 located within the sump assembly 12 as described above may provide more accurate measurements from the GPS module 58.

In one or more of the above embodiments of the invention, the dimple 16 of the dimple assembly 12 is described as comprising a plurality of resilient members 15. In the embodiment shown, there are four resilient members. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other arrangements having more or fewer resilient members may be employed to define the recess 16. In an alternative arrangement, the recess 16 may be defined by a single resilient member, which may comprise a circular flange.

In one or more of the above embodiments of the invention, the biasing element 30 comprises a coil spring. In alternative arrangements, the biasing element may comprise any other arrangement or means that provides resistance to outward movement of the plurality of resilient members 15, i.e. any other arrangement or means that provides a compressive force acting inwardly on the plurality of resilient members 15.

Any reference herein to an orientation (e.g., top, bottom, upper, lower, front, back) is for the purpose of describing the relative spatial arrangement of the construction of the device and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, "or" means an inclusive rather than exclusive or. For example, any one of the following satisfies condition a or B: a is true (or present), B is false (or not present), a is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both a and B are true (or present).

In addition, the terms "a" or "an" are used to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular materials disclosed herein. Other materials suitable for performing the functions described herein may also be used in embodiments of the present invention.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigates any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with regard to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the claims.