Portable electronic device detachable vehicle mounting and vehicle use systems

Abstract

Systems for mounting and using portable electronic devices (PEDs) on vehicles make PEDs easier to secure to, transport on, and protect from the elements while mounted on the vehicle. One embodiment of a mounting system includes a PED cabinet having a hard, weatherproofed outer shell with the PED mounted therein, a harness system which detachably mounts the PED cabinet, and an anchor system which detachably mounts the harness system to the vehicle. The harness system may include a strap which wraps around the top of the PED cabinet to firmly hold the PED cabinet in place on a harness pad part of the harness system. The anchor system may include straps which connect to the motorcycle rearward of a motorcycle's gas tank and additional straps which connect to the motorcycle forward of the motorcycle's gas tank. The PED cabinet may include adjustable speakers mounted thereon. An accessory bar can be mounted to the vehicle. PEDs can be mounted to the accessory bar, and power outlets can be mounted to the accessory bar for powering PEDs on the vehicle.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A mounting system for detachably mounting a portable electronic device (PED) to a vehicle, the mounting system comprising: 
 a PED cabinet comprising: 
 a protective outer shell for holding a PED; and  
 at least one speaker connected to the outer shell wherein the at least one speaker is adjustable to a plurality of positions; and  
   a harness system adapted to detachably secure the PED cabinet to the vehicle.    
     
     
         33 . The mounting system of  claim 32  wherein the protective outer shell comprises a translucent face plate.  
     
     
         34 . The mounting system of  claim 32  wherein the harness system comprises: 
 a harness pad;  
 a strap attached to the harness pad for securing the PED cabinet; and  
 an anchor strap attached to the harness pad and detachably attached to the vehicle.  
 
     
     
         35 . The mounting system of  claim 34  wherein the harness pad is thicker at one end for allowing the PED cabinet to be position tilted upwards.  
     
     
         36 . A mounting system for detachably mounting a portable electronic device (PED) to a vehicle, the mounting system comprising: 
 a PED cabinet comprising: 
 a protective outer shell for holding a PED;  
   a harness pad adapted to detachably mount the PED cabinet to the harness pad; and    an anchor system secured to the vehicle and releasably secured to the harness pad.    
     
     
         37 . The mounting system of  claim 36  wherein the PED cabinet is detachable from the vehicle leaving the harness pad and the anchor system attached to the vehicle.  
     
     
         38 . The mounting system of  claim 36  wherein the PED cabinet and the harness pad are detachable from the vehicle leaving the anchor system attached to the vehicle.  
     
     
         39 . The mounting system of  claim 36  further comprising: 
 a strap secured to the harness pad for securing the PED cabinet.  
 
     
     
         40 . A mounting system for securing a portable electronic device (PED) to a vehicle, the mounting system comprising: 
 a PED cabinet comprising: 
 a protective outer shell for holding a PED; and  
   a harness system comprising: 
 a harness base adapted to be releasably secured to the vehicle, wherein a bottom surface of the outer shell lies on the harness base; and  
 a strap attached to the harness base for securing the outer shell to the vehicle.  
   
     
     
         41 . The mounting system of  claim 40  wherein a mechanism is interposed on the strap to release the strap from securing the outer shell.  
     
     
         42 . A combination of a vehicle and an accessory mounting bar, the combination comprising: 
 a vehicle;    a bar mounted to the vehicle wherein the bar is adapted to support one or more portable electronic devices (PEDs); and    a power outlet attachable to the bar, wherein the power outlet is connected to an electrical power system associated with the vehicle.    
     
     
         43 . The combination of  claim 42  wherein the vehicle comprises a mobile passenger device.  
     
     
         44 . The combination of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 an attaching mechanism for detachably mounting the one or more PEDs to the bar, and  
 a plug for delivering electrical power from the power outlet to the PED.  
 
     
     
         45 . The combination of  claim 42  wherein the power outlet comprises at least two power outlets, and wherein the power outlets are housed in a power outlet housing and the power outlet housing is operably connected to the bar.  
     
     
         46 . The combination of  claim 42  further comprising a battery meter for indicating an amount of charge.  
     
     
         47 . The combination of  claim 42 , wherein the bar further comprises: 
 a first pivot casting mounted on a first end of the bar; and    a second pivot casting mounted on a second end of the bar; wherein each pivot casting rotates with respect to the bar.    
     
     
         48 . A method of utilizing portable electronic devices (PEDs) on a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 attaching an accessory bar to a vehicle;    attaching an outlet to the accessory bar;    electrically connecting the outlet to an electrical system associated with the vehicle; and    electrically connecting a PED to the outlet to provide power to the PED.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising the step of adjusting the length of the accessory bar to an appropriate length.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising the step of mounting the PED to the accessory bar.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising the step of mounting the PED to the vehicle with a harness system.