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One
mount doesn't fit all applications, computers or vehicles. That's
why TransCOR both fabricates and uses leading manufacturers' vehicle
mounting systems to creatively solve the many challenges in mounting
computers in vehicles. Some configurations are completely custom
solutions.
Whether a service van, utility truck, police cruiser, fire engine,
airplane or ship, TransCOR pursues excellence in accommodating clients'
requirements while maintaining the highest safety standards and
airbag compliance.
We see almost infinite possibilities in how a vehicle mounting system
can be designed and implemented. Given the variety of different
vehicles and different applications for which our mounting systems
are deployed, listening to the customer is paramount. There are
usually several alternatives that can be considered. Just some of
the considerations we look at include:
SAFETY - our first
requirement is to protect the driver from injury due to a swinging
armature or inadequately secured device. This means that all of
our mounts must have a method for securing components; accordingly,
the user is also responsible for ensuring that all components are
secure prior to driving the vehicle. Similarly, airbag compliance
demands that the computer mount to be secured in a position while
driving that is out of the airbag deployment zone; for safety's
sake, this sometimes requires some compromise in positioning the
mount. Floor-based Pedestal Mounts are among the safest because
they are usually secured through the vehicle floor with back plates,
bars or heavy-duty fender washers using aviation Grade 8 bolts and
nuts. This type of installation will allow you to pick up the vehicle
by the mounting system.
Air Bag Safety
We strongly recommend the use of NHTSA approved passenger side Air
Bag On-Off Switches when no passenger is riding in the vehicle.
The passenger side airbag should be turned off when there is no
passenger. If there is a passenger, the airbag should be activated.
From a conservative position, we believe that all public safety
vehicles should have a passenger side airbag switch because of the
various types of gear that can become projectiles in the event of
a collision. Consider the miscellaneous equipment inside of vehicles
including cell phones, microphones, radar, GPS repeaters and video
cameras. In addition, a computer mount may be initially installed
out of the airbag deployment zone, but can be readjusted by the
user to go back inside the airbag zone.
Further, passenger side airbag deployment has a great deal of variability;
1/3 of airbags deploy up and break the windshield -- certainly creating
a hazardous condition considering how many video and radar units
are installed on the dash of law enforcement vehicles. The best
way to avoid a projectile being hurled by a passenger side airbag
is to install and use an airbag on-off switch.
ENGINE ACCESS - easy
access to the engine cover or "dog house" in service vans
is somewhat dependent on where a floor-based mount is positioned.
The further forward the mount is positioned, the more problematic
is the access issue. However, one approach to solving this is with
a Quick Release Base to accommodate opening the engine cowl when
a Pedestal Mount is used. When using a File Cabinet/ Utility Box
Mount, four bolts can be easily removed to gain access to the engine.
Mounts that are located away from the cowl do not usually present
any engine access challenges. |
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FLEXIBILITY
and ADJUSTMENT "On the Fly" - the best
mount systems that we work with allow the user to adjust the computer
in various planes, as needed. We believe the most critical real-time
adjustment of the computer is via a Tilt/Swivel mechanism. Our preferred
Tilt/Swivel also has a slide mechanism. Other adjustments such as
for computer height and proximity to the user may be accommodated
via Adjustable Swing Arm or Slide mechanisms. Height adjustments
are infrequent; they are nice to have, but usually they're set once
and don't normally require "On the Fly" adjustments. Typically,
the more economical mounting systems have less real-time "On
the Fly" adjustment capabilities.
SECURITY - the name
of the game is to provide deterrents to theft; there is little that
can stop a determined thief. All the Vehicle Cradles and Vehicle
Docking Systems that TransCOR supplies have key-locking mechanism
options to secure the computer. TransCOR has also added key-locking
systems to Quick Release Base mounts as well. |
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File
Cabinet/Utility Box Mount - positioned between the driver's
and passenger's bucket seats, it is currently our most popular mounting
system with users. The system is appropriate for full-size Chevy,
Ford, Dodge and GMC service vans but may not fit in smaller minivans
such as the Voyager. The features of this very sturdy system include
a filing and lockable storage area, a clipboard writing service
and areas to mount the mobile computer, radio modem and other electronics.
A variety of Vehicle Cradle/Docking Units, Tilt/Swivels and Adjustable
Swing Arm extensions can be accommodated with this mount.
Pedestal Mounts - a wide variety of pedestal mounts
are available through TransCOR. Ranging from the super-sturdy gusseted
DS-52 to Erector-Set style stanchions that can be custom fit to
rotate 270º, the pedestal mount is the most rugged solution for
many service vans and large trucks.
Hump Mounts - are often used in Sports Utility
Vehicles, mini-vans and sedans, including police cruisers. As their
name suggests, they hug the transmission hump and provide a firm
location to mount computers and peripherals.
Console Mount Systems - are often installed on
top of a Hump Mount and are typically used in police cruisers. These
"Command Centers" often cluster together the computer,
radio modem, voice radios, siren and light controls.
Seatbelt Mount - our custom seatbelt mount tucks
under the back of a seat and is secured by the vehicle's seat belt.
At first, we often used the Seatbelt Mount in sedans for supervisors
who wanted to be able to remove the computer and mount and store
it in the car trunk when not in use. We've now fashioned an adjustable
Extended Seatbelt Mount that is actually used in very large trucks
with bench seats; this new design provides a table and work surface
for the computer user.
Peripheral Mounts - such as our Printer Mount,
Keyboard Mount and CD-ROM Rack are designed for specific devices
being used in the vehicle. And, if our customers need a special
application mount and we can't find it, we'll build it!
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