Abstract: A navigation system integrated into a materials transport vehicle for use by an operator, the system including a plurality of display devices each having a screen; a location determining component operable to determine the current location of the materials transport vehicle; a memory operable to store one or more modules, the memory including vehicle operator transport preferences comprising time periods available for operating the materials transport vehicle and materials transport requirements comprising a materials transport destination; and a processor operable to execute the one or more modules to determine a transport schedule for use by the materials transport vehicle operator, the transport schedule based on the materials transport requirements and the vehicle operator transport preferences, determine a transport route from the current location to the materials transport destination using the transport schedule, and present the transport route on one of the display devices.

Abstract: A mounting device that securely supports an electronic device to a surface such as a vehicle dashboard. The mounting device comprises a flexible base for placement on a mounting surface and a bendable frame attached to or otherwise coupled with the base to permit the base to be shaped to at least partially conform to contours on the mounting surface. The base may be partially formed of a material that provides sufficient friction between its lower surface and the mounting surface to resist unwanted movement. The frame may be formed of aluminum and may include a central portion and a plurality of appendages each independently movable about at least two axes of movement. Each of the appendages may include a connecting link joined to the central portion and a pair of arms extending from the connecting link and movable relative to one another and relative to the central portion.

Abstract: A navigation system integrated into a materials transport vehicle for use by an operator, the system including a plurality of display devices each having a screen; a location determining component operable to determine the current location of the materials transport vehicle; a memory operable to store one or more modules, the memory including vehicle operator transport preferences comprising time periods available for operating the materials transport vehicle and materials transport requirements comprising a materials transport destination; and a processor operable to execute the one or more modules to determine a transport schedule for use by the materials transport vehicle operator, the transport schedule based on the materials transport requirements and the vehicle operator transport preferences, determine a transport route from the current location to the materials transport destination using the transport schedule, and present the transport route on one of the display devices.

Abstract: A friction mount apparatus for supporting an electronic device (10) on a surface (14). The apparatus (10) includes a body (16), anchors (18,20,22), and a receiving member (24). Body (16) includes a recessed surface (30) on the bottom thereof into which a foam layer (36) is secured, wherein the foam layer (36) contacts a mounting surface (14) and resists moving relative to the surface (14). The anchors (18,20,22) are connected to the body (16) via flexible necks (38,40,42) and have bottom surfaces formed of soft material and weighted cores to press the bottom surfaces against the mounting surface to resist movement relative to the mounting surface (14) and thus further stabilize the apparatus (10). The receiving member (24) is secured to a top surface of the body (16) and is adapted to releasably retain an electronic device (12).

Abstract: A navigation assembly (177k) for mounting a conventional, portable navigational device (10k) in a vehicle not originally equipped with navigational capabilities is provided. The navigation assembly (177k) comprises the navigational device (10k) and a mounting assembly (194k). Trim (196k) covering a support pillar (98k) of the vehicle and installed during manufacture of the vehicle is replaced with substantially similar trim (196k) having the mounting assembly (194k) mounted thereto or integrally formed therewith. The mounting assembly (194k) comprises a base (198k), a docking station (200k), and a retractable face plate (202k). The base (198k) of the mounting assembly (194k) is secured to the trim (196k) and includes a cut-out (204k) in which the docking station (200k) may be mounted. The docking station (200k) also includes a cut-out (208k) sized and configured to receive the navigational device (10k).

Abstract: A navigation assembly (177i) comprising a carrying case (178i), a cradle (179i), a navigational device (10i), and a speaker (57i) is provided. The carrying case (178i) is sized and configured to fit within a tray (14i) of a vehicle, wherein the tray (14i) was formed during manufacture of the vehicle and designed to hold miscellaneous articles. The cradle (179i) is pivotably mounted within the case (178i) and is sized and configured to receive the navigational device (10i). The cradle (179i) and navigational device (10i) are operable to pivot from a flat, nested position within the case (178i) upwards to a viewing position approximately perpendicular to the flat, nested position. A navigation assembly (177j) comprising a cradle (179j), a navigational device (10j), and a lid (184j) is also provided. The cradle (179j) is pivotably mounted within a tray (14j) of a vehicle, where the tray (14j) was formed during manufacture of the vehicle and designed to hold miscellaneous articles.

Abstract: A mounting device that securely supports an electronic device to a surface such as a vehicle dashboard. The mounting device comprises a flexible base for placement on a mounting surface and a bendable frame attached to or otherwise coupled with the base to permit the base to be shaped to at least partially conform to contours on the mounting surface. The base may be partially formed of a material that provides sufficient friction between its lower surface and the mounting surface to resist unwanted movement. The frame may be formed of aluminum and may include a central portion and a plurality of appendages each independently movable about at least two axes of movement. Each of the appendages may include a connecting link joined to the central portion and a pair of arms extending from the connecting link and movable relative to one another and relative to the central portion.

Abstract: A navigation assembly (5l) for mounting a navigational device (10l) in an open port (12l) of a vehicle resulting from removal of a non-navigational component is provided. The navigation assembly (5l) broadly comprises a mounting assembly (218l) and the navigational device (10l). The mounting assembly (218l) is mounted within the open port (12l), and the navigational device (10l) is fixedly or removably attached to the mounting assembly (218l), such that the navigational device (10l) may be linearly raised or lowered between two viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other. The navigational device (10l) is operable to pivot left and right within the open port (12l). Additionally, a navigation assembly (5m) broadly comprising a mounting assembly (218m) and a navigational device (10m) for raising and lowering the navigational device (10m) among three viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other is provided.

Abstract: A navigation assembly (5l) for mounting a navigational device (10l) in an open port (12l) of a vehicle resulting from removal of a non-navigational component is provided. The navigation assembly (5l) broadly comprises a mounting assembly (218l) and the navigational device (10l). The mounting assembly (218l) is mounted within the open port (12l), and the navigational device (10l) is fixedly or removably attached to the mounting assembly (218l), such that the navigational device (10l) may be linearly raised or lowered between two viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other. The navigational device (10l) is operable to pivot left and right within the open port (12l). Additionally, a navigation assembly (5m) broadly comprising a mounting assembly (218m) and a navigational device (10m) for raising and lowering the navigational device (10m) among three viewing positions that are in a general linear relationship to each other is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding an electronic device is described which includes first and second brackets slidably joined together with one another and moveable to expand away from, and contract toward, one another along an operating path. The apparatus further includes first and second braces provided on the first and second brackets, respectively, and spaced apart from one another along the operating path and a biasing element biasing the first and second brackets toward one another. The first and second braces are configured to grasp an electronic device therebetween. The apparatus is part of a retaining unit also described which includes the mounting apparatus, a pivoting member, a swiveling member, and a base unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to the dashboard of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending from said plate. The outwardly biased arm engages the cradle when the mount is secured to the cradle. The arm is deflected inwardly to allow the electronic device to be quickly and easily removed from the dashboard of the vehicle in a single motion.