Device stowing mechanism

A stowing mechanism for a device, comprising:

• an actuator;
• a first jack mechanism;
• a compartment formed between the jack mechanism and another structure for receiving the device;
• a pressure plate attached to the first jack mechanism for securing the device;
• wherein the actuator is selectively movable to actuate the first jack mechanism and thereby move the pressure plate between a secured position securing the device and an unsecured position allowing the device to be inserted into and removed from the compartment;
• the pressure plate engaging the device and exerting a securing pressure on the device at the secured position;
• a drive spring attached between the actuator and the pressure plate to act as a buffer between movement of the actuator and movement of the pressure plate to accommodate devices of varying widths.

A stowing mechanism for a device comprising:

• a housing;
• an actuator;
• a first jack mechanism;
• a second jack mechanism;
• a compartment formed between a portion of the housing and the jack mechanism for receiving the device;
• a pressure plate attached at opposite ends to the first and second jack mechanisms for securing the device;
• wherein the actuator is selectively movable to actuate the first and second jack mechanisms and thereby move the pressure plate between a secured position securing the device and an unsecured position allowing the device to be inserted into and removed from the compartment;
• the pressure plate engaging the device and exerting a securing pressure on the device at the secured position, the pressure plate being disengaged from the device in the unsecured position;
• first and second drive springs attached between the actuator and the first and second jack mechanisms, respectively, to act as buffers between movement of the actuator and movement of the pressure plate to accommodate devices of varying widths;
• first and second sliding carriages;
• wherein each jack mechanism comprises a first linkage arm and a second linkage arm;
• wherein each of the first linkage arms and the second linkage arms has a first end and a second end;
• wherein the first end of each linkage arm of the first jack mechanism is pivotally attached at separated points to the pressure plate and the first end of each linkage arm of the second jack mechanism is also pivotally attached at separated points to the pressure plate corresponding to the separated points of the first jack mechanism to allow pivoting of the pressure plate with respect to the first and second linkage arms to better engage an irregularly shaped device;
• wherein the second ends of the second linkage arms are pivotally attached to a stationary structure;
• wherein the second ends of the first linkage arms are pivotally attached to the sliding carriage;
• wherein each drive spring is a gas spring and is attached between the respective sliding carriage and the actuator such that further movement of the actuator of the actuator after the pressure plate is in engagement with the device causes compression of the drive springs between the actuator and the sliding carriages;
• first and second driving carriages;
• first and second slide rails, with the first and second sliding carriages and the first and second driving carriages respectively slideably mounted on the first and second slide rails;
• first and second operating linkages attaching the actuator to the first and second driving carriages respectively such that pivotal movement of the actuator causes movement of the driving carriages along the slide rails;
• wherein each drive spring is connected between the respective driving carriage and the sliding carriage such that movement of the driving carriage along the slide rail causes movement of the sliding carriage along the slide rail;
• wherein each operating linkage includes:
• a pivot arm pivotally attached to the housing at a central portion and having a first extending link and a second extending link each extending away from the central portion at an angle with respect to one another;
• a first connecting member pivotally attached between the actuator and the first extending link at a point spaced away from the central portion of the pivot arm;
• a second connecting member pivotally attached between the respective driving carriage and the second extending link at a point spaced away from the central portion of the pivot arm;
• the second connecting member being generally L-shaped so that as the pivot arm is moved by the actuator toward the closed position, the pivotal attachment between the second connecting member and the pivot arm crosses over a center of compression of the drive spring such that once over center, the respective drive spring exerts a closing pressure on the actuator;
• wherein the respective drive springs allow different movements of the first and second jack mechanisms to allow pivoting of the pressure plate between the opposite ends of the pressure plate to accommodate irregularly shaped devices;
• a second spring positioned between the second linkage arm and the stationary structure to bias the pressure plate toward the unsecured position;
• a cover pivotally attached to the housing;
• wherein the cover serves as at least a portion of the actuator for the first and second jack mechanisms;
• wherein pivotally closing and opening of the cover actuates the first and second jack mechanisms, thereby selectively moving the pressure plate transversely with respect to the compartment between the secured position and the unsecured position.