MOUNTING RAIL FOR ONE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A mounting rail for a vehicle comprises a housing attached to the vehicle, comprising a first section and a second section, a first channel extending along the first section of the housing between a first end and a second end, the first end defining an opening to the first channel, and a lock located near the opening to the first channel, the lock being arranged in a lock housing and being movable relative to the lock housing between a locked state blocking entry into the opening of the first channel and an unlocked state spaced apart from the opening of the first channel.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section serves to generally illustrate the context of the disclosure. Work by the inventors identified herein, to the extent described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that cannot otherwise be qualified as prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a mounting rail and, more particularly, to a mounting rail for selectively mounting vehicle accessories within a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

[0003] Conventional vehicles typically include permanently mounted vehicle controls and permanently mounted vehicle accessories. For example, entertainment systems such as radios, video displays, and controls for such radios and displays are permanently integrated into the surrounding vehicle structure. In the case of a radio, physical buttons and / or a touchscreen may be integrated into a vehicle instrument panel (IP) and may be located on the IP in a fixed, permanent location to allow a driver and a passenger to access the radio and its controls. Video displays may be similarly integrated into the IP and / or may be integrated into a rear portion of a passenger compartment to allow second-row and / or third-row passengers to view and control these displays.The video displays may be permanently integrated into the IP, a vehicle headliner, and / or vehicle seats to enable vehicle occupants to watch entertainment programs or movies while sitting in the vehicle.

[0004] Other vehicle control devices, such as buttons, switches, and touchscreen displays, may also be integrated into the IP and other vehicle structures to enable a driver or passenger to control the operation of the vehicle and its accessories. For example, a series of buttons, switches, and / or touchscreen displays may be integrated into an IP for use by the driver and passengers in controlling a vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, to control the operation of vehicle accessories such as a sunroof or heated / ventilated seats, or to control vehicle functions such as a parking brake or hood release mechanism.

[0005] Although fixed controls such as buttons, switches, and touchscreen displays enable a vehicle driver and passenger to control a vehicle, vehicle systems, and vehicle accessories, such controls are not customized for the specific driver or passengers. Thus, the location and / or function of such fixed controls may not be optimal for the specific driver and / or passengers. Accordingly, there is a need to provide vehicle controls that are customizable for a driver and / or passenger to enable the driver and / or passenger to customize a vehicle configuration to meet their particular needs. SUMMARY

[0006] A mounting rail for a vehicle is provided, comprising a housing attached to the vehicle and including a first portion and a second portion, a first channel extending along the first portion of the housing between a first end and a second end, the first end defining an opening to the first channel, and a lock located proximate the opening to the first channel, the lock being disposed within a lock housing and movable relative to the lock housing between a locked state blocking entry into the opening of the first channel and an unlocked state spaced from the opening of the first channel.

[0007] The mounting rail may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the lock may extend from an outer surface of the lock housing in the locked state and be recessed from the outer surface of the lock housing in the unlocked state. The lock may be movable between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to a signal received from an external device. The external device may be a mobile phone and / or a tablet.

[0008] A vehicle accessory may be supported by an accessory mount that is selectively received by the first channel when the lock is in the unlocked state, the accessory mount being movable relative to and within the first channel along the length of the housing between a plurality of positions. The mounting rail may include a first electrical connector and the accessory mount may include a second electrical connector, the first electrical connector being selectively coupled to the second electrical connector to form an electrical connection between the mounting rail and the accessory mount to provide power and / or data to the vehicle accessory from the vehicle. According to one configuration, the electrical connection may be a USB connection or a pin connection.

[0009] The vehicle accessory may be a display, a push-button switch, or a toggle switch. Additionally or alternatively, the accessory mount may include a latch assembly, the latch assembly configured to selectively secure a position of the accessory mount relative to the housing.

[0010] A vehicle may contain the mounting rail.

[0011] According to another configuration, an accessory mounting system for a vehicle is provided and includes a mounting rail including a housing defining a first channel having an opening, a lock located proximate the opening to the first channel, the lock disposed within a lock housing and movable relative to the lock housing between a locked state blocking entry into the opening of the first channel and an unlocked state spaced from the opening of the first channel, and a first vehicle accessory mounted to an accessory mount including a post, the post configured to enter the first channel upon opening of the first channel when the lock is in the unlocked state and prevented from entering the first channel upon first opening or being removed from the first channel upon opening.when the lock is in the locked state.

[0012] The accessory mounting system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the first vehicle accessory may be a display, a push-button switch, or a toggle switch. Additionally or alternatively, the accessory mount may include a latch assembly, wherein the latch assembly is configured to selectively secure a position of the accessory mount relative to the housing.

[0013] The lock may extend from an outer surface of the lock housing in the locked state and may be recessed from the outer surface of the lock housing in the unlocked state. The lock may be movable between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to a signal received from an external device.

[0014] According to one configuration, the mounting rail may include a first electrical connector, and the accessory mount may include a second electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is selectively coupled to the second electrical connector to form an electrical connection between the mounting rail and the accessory mount to provide power and / or data to the vehicle accessory from the vehicle. The electrical connection may be a USB connection or a pin connection.

[0015] According to yet another configuration, a vehicle is provided, comprising an instrument panel, a mounting rail including a housing mounted to the instrument panel and defining a first channel having an opening, a lock located proximate the opening to the first channel, the lock disposed in a lock housing and movable relative to the lock housing between a locked state blocking entry into the opening of the first channel and an unlocked state spaced from the opening of the first channel, and a first vehicle accessory mounted to an accessory mount including a post, the post being configured to enter the first channel upon opening of the first channel when the lock is in the unlocked state and is preventedthat it enters the first channel upon first opening or is removed from the first channel upon opening when the lock is in the locked state.

[0016] The vehicle may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the lock may be movable between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to a signal received from an external device, wherein the external device is a mobile phone or a tablet. Additionally or alternatively, the first vehicle accessory may be a display, a push-button switch, or a toggle switch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; they show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a perspective partial view of a passenger compartment of the vehicle from Fig. 1, which shows a mounting rail according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 a perspective partial view of the mounting rail from Fig. 2, showing a vehicle accessory separated from the mounting rail and two vehicle accessories attached to the mounting rail; Fig. 4 a perspective partial view of the mounting rail from Fig. 2, which shows vehicle accessories attached to the mounting rail and a locking mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of a vehicle accessory and the mounting rail of Fig. 2 with the vehicle accessories attached to the mounting rail; Fig. 6 a locking mechanism of the vehicle accessory Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 a cross-sectional view of a vehicle accessory and the mounting rail of Fig. 2, with the vehicle accessories attached to the mounting rail.

[0018] Corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. To provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure, specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0020] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific example configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular articles "a," "an," and "the," as used herein, are intended to include the plural forms as well. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "containing," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless an order of performance is specifically stated, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated.Additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0021] When an element or layer is described as being "on," "engaging," "connected," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaging, connected, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly engaging," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent to" versus "directly adjacent to," etc.) should be interpreted in the same way.As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0022] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections are not intended to be limited by these terms. These terms may be used solely to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Unless clearly indicated by the context, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0023] In this application, including in the definitions below, the term "module" may be replaced with the term "circuit." The term "module" may refer to, be a part of, or include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field-programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) executing code; memory (shared, dedicated, or group) storing code executed by a processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0024] The term "code" as used above may include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and / or objects. The term "shared processor" includes a single processor that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor" includes a processor that executes some or all of the code from one or more modules together with additional processors. The term "shared memory" includes a single memory that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group memory" includes memory that stores some or all of the code from one or more modules together with additional memories. The term "memory" may be a subset of the term "computer-readable medium."The term "computer-readable medium" does not encompass transitory electrical and electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium and can thus be considered a tangible and non-transitory storage medium. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory storage include tangible computer-readable medium including non-volatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

[0025] The devices and methods described in this application may be implemented partially or entirely by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. Furthermore, the computer programs may include and / or rely on stored data.

[0026] A software application (i.e., a software resource) may refer to computer software that causes a computing device to perform a task. According to some examples, a software application may be referred to as an "application," an "app," or a "program." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0027] Non-transitory memory may be physical devices used to store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) on a temporary or permanent basis for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory may be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., which is commonly used for firmware such as boot programs).Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0028] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming language and / or assembly / machine language. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, any non-transitory computer-readable medium, any device and / or apparatus (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, programmable logic devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0029] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuitry, in integrated circuitry, in specially designed ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), in computer hardware, in computer firmware, in computer software, and / or in combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable in a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be a special-purpose or general-purpose processor, coupled to receive data and instructions from and send data and instructions to a memory system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0030] The processes and logic sequences described in this specification may be performed by one or more programmable processors, also referred to as data processing hardware, executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by manipulating input data and generating output. Additionally, the processes and logic sequences may be performed by special-purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable logic array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Processors suitable for executing a computer program include, by way of example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors and any or all processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both.The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes, or is operatively coupled to, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or to receive data from them or send data to them, or both. However, a computer need not include such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and storage devices, including, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.The processor and memory may be supplemented by or integrated with special logic circuitry.

[0031] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor, an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or a touch screen, for displaying information to the user, and optionally, a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or trackball, through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with a user; e.g., feedback provided to the user may include some form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and may receive input from the user in any form, including auditory input, voice input, or tactile input. Furthermore, a computer may interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; e.g., by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.

[0032] Based on Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 is provided that includes a passenger compartment or passenger space 12, an instrument panel (IP) 14, and an accessory mounting system 16. The IP 14 is disposed within the passenger compartment 12 and supports the accessory mounting system 16 relative to a driver seat 18 and a passenger seat 20. As described in detail below, the accessory mounting system 16 is used to secure and position vehicle accessories 22 relative to the IP 14 for use by a driver or passenger seated in the driver seat 18 or the passenger seat 20, respectively.

[0033] The accessory mounting system 16 includes a mounting track 24 and a lock assembly 26 configured to prevent unwanted removal of a vehicle accessory 22 from the mounting track 24. The mounting track 24 may extend from a driver side of the vehicle 10 to a passenger side of the vehicle 10 along an entire length of the IP 14. Alternatively, the mounting track 24 could include individual segments that are aligned or offset from one another along the length of the IP 14. Although the mounting track 24 could include a unitary structure that extends continuously along the length of the IP 14 or could include individual segments that are aligned or offset from one another, the mounting track 24 is described and shown below as having a unitary structure that extends continuously along the length of the IP 14 from the driver side to the passenger side.

[0034] The mounting rail 24 includes a housing 28 that defines a first surface 30, a second surface 32, and a third surface 34 extending between and connecting the first surface 30 and the second surface 32. As shown, the first surface 30 and the second surface 32 are formed at an angle relative to each other and cooperate with the third surface 34 to provide the housing 28 with a symmetrical construction. More specifically, the first surface 30 and the second surface 32 are each formed at an angle (Φ) relative to each other ( Fig. 5) and are formed at the same angle relative to the third surface 34, thereby providing the mounting rail 24 with a symmetrical construction.

[0035] The first surface 30 includes a first channel 36 that runs along a length of the first surface 30. Similarly, the second surface 32 includes a second channel 38 that runs along a length of the second surface 32. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the first channel 36 and the second channel 38 may be vertically aligned with each other.

[0036] The lock assembly 26 is disposed adjacent the mounting rail 24 and includes a housing 40, a first lock 42, and a second lock 44. The housing 40 is fixed relative to the mounting rail 24 and supports the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 relative to the mounting rail 24. More specifically, the first lock 42 is aligned with and selectively blocks an opening to the first channel 36, and the second lock 44 is aligned with and selectively blocks an opening to the second channel 38. Both the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 are movable between a locked or extended state and an unlocked or recessed state. When the locks 42, 44 are in the extended state, the locks 42, 44 extend from the housing 40.When the locks 42, 44 are in the depressed state, the locks 42, 44 are recessed from an outer surface 46 of the housing 40 to allow access to the first channel 36 and the second channel 38, respectively, as described in more detail below.

[0037] The first latch 42 and the second latch 44 may be preloaded to the extended state by a preloading element (not shown). In one configuration, the preloading element is a spring and serves to preload the first latch 42 and the second latch 44 to the extended state to prevent access to the first channel 36 and the second channel 38 and thereby prevent removal of an accessory 22 from the first channel 36 and the second channel 38. The first latch 42 and the second latch 44 may be moved from the extended or locked state to the lowered or unlocked state by sending a signal from a mobile device 48 associated with an owner, passenger, or authorized user of the vehicle 10.More specifically, an owner, a passenger, or an authorized user can send a signal to the first lock 42 and / or the second lock 44 from a mobile device 48, such as a cell phone or tablet, to move the first lock 42 and / or the second lock 44 to the unlocked state. In doing so, the first lock and / or the second lock 44 is recessed from the outer surface 46 of the housing 40 and allows entry into the first channel 36 and / or the second channel 38. As described in more detail below, a vehicle accessory 22 can be inserted into or removed from the first channel 36 and / or the second channel 38 when the first lock 42 and / or the second lock 44 is in the unlocked state, thereby permitting access to the first channel 36 and / or the second channel 38.

[0038] The vehicle accessory 22 may include a display 50 ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), a push button switch 52 ( Fig. 4) and / or a toggle switch 54 ( Fig. 4). The displays 50 are attached to the mounting rail 24 at the first channel 36 and at the second channel 38 and can, as in Fig. 2, may be positioned along a length of the mounting rail 24 adjacent to other displays 50 to provide a somewhat uninterrupted display extending from the driver's side to the passenger's side. The displays 50 may be synchronized with each other so that the displays 50 are extended and cooperate to appear as a single display. Alternatively, one or more of the displays 50 may be used individually to display different content than other displays 50. For example, two displays may cooperate to display instrumentation for the vehicle 10, while another display 50 may be used to display a live feed from a rear, front, and / or side camera (none shown).Although the mounting rail 24 is shown as containing multiple displays 50, the mounting rail 24 may accommodate only a single display 50 or may be free of displays 50 depending on the particular needs of the driver and / or passengers.

[0039] As in Fig. 4, a pair of pushbutton switches 52 are shown mounted at the first channel 36 and the second channel 38 on the mounting rail 24, respectively. More specifically, a first pushbutton switch 52 is mounted at the first channel 36 on the mounting rail 24, and a second pushbutton switch 52b is mounted at the second channel 38 on the mounting rail 24. Accordingly, although the pushbutton switch 52a is vertically aligned with the pushbutton switch 52b, this need not necessarily be the case, as the switches 52a, 52b are individually and independently mounted on the mounting rail 24. Each switch 52a, 52b includes a pushbutton 56 that can be depressed to switch a vehicle accessory in communication with the pushbutton 56 between an ON state and an OFF state. For example, one of the pushbutton switches 52 may be in communication with a winch (not shown).Accordingly, voltage can be applied to the winch to wind a portion of cable (not shown) onto it when the pushbutton switch 52 is depressed. When the pushbutton switch 52 is depressed a second time, the vehicle accessory—in this example, the winch—can be stopped or can remain powered but rotate in an opposite direction to pay out a portion of the cable.

[0040] The toggle switch 54 is mounted on the mounting rail 24 at the first channel 36 and the second channel 38. The toggle switch 54 includes a switch 58 that is movable between a first state by depressing a first end 58a of the switch 58 and a second state by depressing a second end 58b of the switch 58. As with the momentary switch 52, the toggle switch 54 may be in communication with a vehicle accessory. For example, the toggle switch 54 may be in communication with a light bar (not shown) such that the light bar is turned ON when the first end 58a of the toggle switch 54 is depressed, and the light bar is turned OFF when the second end 58b of the toggle switch 54 is depressed.

[0041] Although the vehicle accessories 22 are described and shown as including a display 50, a push button switch 52, and a toggle switch 54, the vehicle accessories 22 could include various other configurations. For example, the vehicle accessories 22 could include a cup holder, a mobile device holder, a rotary dial, a portable speaker, or a fan (none shown). In short, the vehicle accessories 22 could be virtually anything a driver or passenger might need while operating or sitting in the vehicle 10.

[0042] In particular, based on Fig. 4-7, the operation of the accessory mounting system 16 is described in detail. A vehicle accessory 22 may be attached to the mounting rail 24 by first moving the first lock 42 and / or the second lock 44 from the locked state to the unlocked state by sending a signal from a mobile device 48 to the first lock 42 and / or the second lock 44. Although the locks 42, 44 are independently operable to allow the first channel 36 or the second channel 38 to individually accommodate a vehicle accessory 22, the following example will be described with respect to a vehicle accessory 22 that, such as a display 50 or the Fig. 4, is received by both the first channel 36 and the second channel 38.

[0043] When the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 are moved to the unlocked state, the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 are recessed from the outer surface 46 of the housing 40. Thus, an opening in the first channel 36 and the second channel 38 is accessible. At this point, a mounting interface 60 associated with the particular vehicle accessory 22 can be inserted into the lock housing 40 at the recesses created by each lock 42, 44, which are recessed from the outer surface 46 of the housing 40.

[0044] Inserting the mounting interface 60 into the recesses caused by the locks 42, 44 being moved to the recessed or unlocked state aligns the mounting interface 60 with the first channel 36 and the second channel 38 of the mounting rail 24. At this point, the mounting interface 60 and the display 50 can be moved from a location above the depressed locks 42, 44 and into the channels 36, 38. Once the mounting interface 60 is received in the channels 36, 38, the mounting interface 60, along with the display 50, can be moved along the mounting rail 24 until a desired position of the display 50 along the mounting rail 24 is achieved.

[0045] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the mounting interface 60 includes a housing 62 that supports the particular vehicle accessory 22. According to the present example and as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the housing 62 is fixedly attached to a display 50. Accordingly, the display 50 is moved with the housing 62 along the mounting rail 24 when the housing 62 of the mounting interface 60 is moved along the mounting rail 24.

[0046] The mounting interface 60 includes a latch assembly 64 located near a first end 68 of the housing 62 and a connector assembly 66 located near a second end 70 of the housing 62. The latch assembly 64 functions to attach the first end 68 of the housing 62 to the mounting rail 24, while the connector assembly 66 functions to both attach the second end 70 of the housing 62 to the mounting rail 24 and to provide communication between the vehicle accessory 50 and the vehicle 10.

[0047] The latch assembly 64 includes a post 72, a retainer 74, and a cam-operated lever 76. The post 72 extends from the cam-operated lever 76 through the first channel 36 and is attached to the retainer 74 at a distal end thereof. When the post 72 is inserted into the first channel 36, the retainer 74 opposes and contacts a rear surface 78 of the housing 28. When the mounting interface 60 first approaches the mounting rail 24 and the first lock 42 is in the unlocked state, the retainer 74 opposes an outer surface of the first lock 42 and the post 72 is aligned with the first channel 36. Because the first lock 42 is recessed from the outer surface 46 of the housing 40, the retainer 74 can be positioned below the rear surface 78 of the mounting rail 24.Further, there is sufficient clearance between the retainer 78 and the rear surface 78 to allow the retainer 78 to move relative to and along the rear surface 78 as the post 72 moves through the first slot 36 while the cam-actuated lever 76 is in the position shown in . Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 is in the position shown in dashed lines.

[0048] When a desired position of the vehicle accessory 22 along the mounting rail 24 is achieved, a force can be exerted on the cam-operated lever 76 to rotate the lever 76 about an axis A in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 7. Since the cam-operated lever 76 includes a cam surface 80, this rotation effectively causes the post 72 to move in a direction away from the first surface 30 of the mounting rail 24. In doing so, a force is applied to the retainer 74, causing the retainer 74 to move in the same direction as the post 72 until the retainer 74 engages the rear surface 78 of the mounting rail 24. At this point, the mounting rail 24 is effectively clamped between the retainer 74 and the cam-operated lever 76, thereby limiting the movement of the mounting interface 60, and thus the display 50, relative to the mounting rail 24.

[0049] The linkage assembly 66 includes an actuator assembly 82 which is adapted to move from an engaged state ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 7) can be moved to a disengaged state. When the actuator assembly 82 is in the engaged state, the mounting interface 60 is in electrical communication with the vehicle 10 such that the vehicle 10 can provide power and / or data to the mounting interface 60. The power and / or data can be provided to the vehicle accessory 22 due to an electrical connection of the housing 62 of the mounting interface 60 and the vehicle accessory 22. As will be described in more detail below, when the housing 62 is positioned in electrical communication with the vehicle 10 through the actuator assembly 82, power and / or data can be supplied to the display 50 according to the present example via the electrical connection of the housing 62 of the mounting interface 60 and the mounting rail 24.

[0050] In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the actuator assembly 82 is shown including a housing 84, a lever 86, a USB housing 88, and a locking mechanism 90. As will be described, the USB housing 88 is positioned such that the USB housing 88 faces and aligns with a USB port 92 associated with the vehicle 10 when the mounting interface 60 is positioned in one of a number of positions along the mounting rail 24.

[0051] When the mounting interface 60 is moved during operation in the second channel 38 along the mounting rail 24, the locking mechanism 90 moves together with the mounting interface 60. As shown in Fig. 6, the locking mechanism 90 extends through the second channel 38 and includes a recess 94 that moves along with the mounting interface 60 relative to the mounting rail 24. When the locking mechanism 90 detects any one of a number of USB ports 92 of the vehicle 10 (located behind the mounting rail 24 and facing the rear surface 78), the locking mechanism 90 engages a housing 96 of the USB port 92 to properly position the USB housing 88 relative to the USB port 92. More specifically, a portion of the housing 96 is received by the locking mechanism 90 such that the housing 96 is positioned within the recess 94.

[0052] When the USB housing 88 is aligned with the USB port 92 of the vehicle 10 and the housing 96 is received in the recess 94 of the locking mechanism 90, a force can be applied to the lever 86 to rotate the lever 86 relative to the housing 84. In doing so, a force applied to the USB housing 88 causes the USB housing 88 to move in a direction toward the USB port 92 due to a connection between one or more pins 98 of the USB housing 88 and a fork 100 of the lever 86. More specifically, the engagement between the fork 100 of the lever 86 and the pin 98 of the USB housing 88 causes the fork 100 to exert a force on the pin 98 and thereby cause the USB housing 88 to move relative to the housing 84 and in a direction toward the USB port 92 when the lever 86 is moved relative to the Fig. 5 is rotated clockwise.

[0053] When the USB housing 88 is sufficiently moved toward the USB port 92, a USB connector 102 secured for movement with the USB housing 88 is received by the USB port 92 of the vehicle 10, thereby placing the mounting interface 60, and thus the display 50, in electrical communication with the vehicle 10. At this point, the display 50 may receive power and / or data from the vehicle 10 due to the connection between the USB port and the USB connector 102.

[0054] In particular, based on Fig. 7, the mounting interface 60 is shown electrically coupled to the vehicle via pin connectors 104. According to this configuration, the vehicle 10 includes a series of pins 106 that run substantially the entire length of the mounting rail 24 and are used in place of the USB ports 92 described above. According to this configuration, the pin connectors 104 of the mounting interface 60 can engage the series of pins 106 associated with the vehicle 10 at virtually any location along the length of the mounting rail 24. When the pin connectors 104 are engaged with the pins 106 of the vehicle 10, the mounting interface 60, and thus the display 50, are electrically coupled to the vehicle 10 to enable the vehicle 10 to supply power and / or data to the display 50.

[0055] In operation, the mounting interface 60 can be moved along the mounting rail 24 until a desired position of the display 50 along the mounting rail 24 is achieved. At this point, a force can be applied to the lever 86 to move the lever 86 relative to the Fig. 7 to move a terminal pin housing 108 carrying the terminal pin connectors 104 in a direction toward the terminal pins 106 of the vehicle 10. More specifically, rotation of the lever 84 in the clockwise direction relative to the direction shown in Fig. 7, as in the USB housing 88 from Fig. 5, that a fork 100 engages with pin 98 of the terminal pin housing 108, thereby causing the terminal pin housing 108 to move the terminal pin connectors 104 into engagement with the terminal pins 106 of the vehicle 10. At this point, the vehicle 10 can supply power and / or data to the display 50. The position of the mounting interface 60 can be adjusted by rotating the cam-operated lever 76 counterclockwise relative to the Fig. 7 to engage the holder 74 with the rear surface 78.

[0056] Although the vehicle accessories 22 are described and shown as being connected to the vehicle 10 via a USB or pin connection, the vehicle accessories 22 may additionally or alternatively communicate with the vehicle 10 via a wireless connection. For example, the vehicle accessories 22 could communicate with the vehicle 10 via a Bluetooth® connection.

[0057] Once the mounting interface 60 is received by the first channel 36 and the second channel 38, the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 can be returned to the locked state. At this point, the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 again protrude from the outer surface 46 of the housing 40. As a result, the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 block the entrances to the first channel 36 and the second channel, preventing the removal of vehicle accessories 22 from the mounting rail 24 until the first lock 42 and the second lock 44 are returned to the unlocked state.

[0058] As described, the mounting rail 24 for use with a vehicle 10 provides a driver or passenger with the ability to mount vehicle accessories 22 at a number of locations along the mounting rail 24, and further provides the ability to continuously change and move the accessories 22 along the mounting rail 24. Furthermore, the connection of the vehicle accessories 22 to the mounting rail 24 provides power and / or data from the vehicle 10 to the vehicle accessories 22.

[0059] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0060] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are, where applicable, interchangeable and may be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. Furthermore, the configuration may be modified in many ways. Such changes are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Mounting rail for a vehicle, the mounting rail comprising: a housing mounted on the vehicle and including a first portion and a second portion; a first channel extending between a first end and a second end along the first portion of the housing, the first end defining an opening to the first channel; and a lock located proximate the opening to the first channel, the lock being disposed in a lock housing and movable relative to the lock housing between a locked state blocking entrance to the opening of the first channel and an unlocked state spaced from the opening of the first channel. [2] Mounting rail according to claim 1, wherein the lock extends from an outer surface of the lock housing in the locked state and is recessed from the outer surface of the lock housing in the unlocked state. [3] The mounting rail of claim 2, wherein the lock is movable between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to a signal received from an external device. [4] Mounting rail according to claim 3, wherein the external device is a mobile phone and / or a tablet. [5] The mounting rail of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle accessory supported by an accessory bracket that is selectively received by the first channel when the latch is in the unlocked state, the accessory bracket being movable relative to and within the first channel along the length of the housing between a plurality of positions. [6] The mounting rail of claim 5, wherein the mounting rail includes a first electrical connector and the accessory mount includes a second electrical connector, the first electrical connector being selectively coupled to the second electrical connector to form an electrical connection between the mounting rail and the accessory mount to provide power and / or data to the vehicle accessory from the vehicle. [7] Mounting rail according to claim 6, wherein the electrical connection is a USB connection or a pin connection. [8] Mounting rail according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle accessory is a display or a push button switch or a toggle switch. [9] The mounting rail of claim 5, wherein the accessory mount includes a latch assembly, the latch assembly configured to selectively secure a position of the accessory mount relative to the housing. [10] A vehicle incorporating the mounting rail according to claim 1.

Images