US4930696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting means for vehicle audio device
Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-31
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2009-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Mounting means are provided for securing the casing of an audio device to the instrument panel structure of a vehicle. Tabs are provided on the casing to engage a bracket provided as part of the instrument panel structure. This is done by means of slots provided in the bracket. A spring arm is provided on the casing to firmly hold the casing in place after the tabs have been inserted into the slots. The casing is fixedly held in place by means of fastening means which are installed from a position in front of the instrument panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael VanAcker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; B60R11/0211; B60R11/0205; B60R2011/0001; B60R2011/0003; B60R2011/0005; B60R2011/0042; B60R2011/0049; B60R2011/0064; B60R2011/0071; B60R2011/0073; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
348 words
Mounting means for securing a casing of an audio device to an instrument panel structure of a vehicle, the casing having an upper surface, an interior face, and an exterior face, the mounting means including a plate secured to the casing on the upper surface thereof, the plate having a pair of upwardly extending spaced apart tabs positioned adjacent to the interior face of the casing, each tab comprising a first upwardly extending portion and a second portion extending from an upper end of the first portion laterally of the casing, the instrument panel structure including a bracket comprising a first wall extending generally horizontally and having a rearward edge, a second wall angled upwardly and extending from said rearward edge, the bracket including a pair of longitudinally extending slots spaced apart the same distance as the spacing of the tabs, each slot including a first enlarged portion formed in the upwardly angled wall of the bracket to permit passage of an entire tab upon insertion of the casing into the instrument panel structure, each slot including a second narrow portion formed in the horizontally extending wall of the bracket to permit longitudinal passage of the first upwardly extending portion of the tab but not downward passage of the second portion of the tab after the tab has been inserted into the slot, at least one spring arm extending upwardly from the plate which is secured to the casing to make pressure contact with the bracket after the casing has been inserted into the instrumental panel structure to thereby secure the casing firmly in place, the plate which is secured to the casing having an upwardly angled wall portion adjacent the exterior face of the casing, the instrument panel structure having a downwardly angled wall portion positioned to contact the upwardly angled portion of the plate upon insertion of the casing into the instrumental panel structure, and fastening means to fixedly secure the upwardly angled portion of the plate to the downwardly angled wall portion of the instrumental panel structure to thereby fixedly secure the casing in place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
348 words
Mounting means for securing a casing of an audio device to an instrument panel structure of a vehicle, the casing having an upper surface, an interior face, and an exterior face, the mounting means including a plate secured to the casing on the upper surface thereof, the plate having a pair of upwardly extending spaced apart tabs positioned adjacent to the interior face of the casing, each tab comprising a first upwardly extending portion and a second portion extending from an upper end of the first portion laterally of the casing, the instrument panel structure including a bracket comprising a first wall extending generally horizontally and having a rearward edge, a second wall angled upwardly and extending from said rearward edge, the bracket including a pair of longitudinally extending slots spaced apart the same distance as the spacing of the tabs, each slot including a first enlarged portion formed in the upwardly angled wall of the bracket to permit passage of an entire tab upon insertion of the casing into the instrument panel structure, each slot including a second narrow portion formed in the horizontally extending wall of the bracket to permit longitudinal passage of the first upwardly extending portion of the tab but not downward passage of the second portion of the tab after the tab has been inserted into the slot, at least one spring arm extending upwardly from the plate which is secured to the casing to make pressure contact with the bracket after the casing has been inserted into the instrumental panel structure to thereby secure the casing firmly in place, the plate which is secured to the casing having an upwardly angled wall portion adjacent the exterior face of the casing, the instrument panel structure having a downwardly angled wall portion positioned to contact the upwardly angled portion of the plate upon insertion of the casing into the instrumental panel structure, and fastening means to fixedly secure the upwardly angled portion of the plate to the downwardly angled wall portion of the instrumental panel structure to thereby fixedly secure the casing in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Structure as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the spring arm is positioned between the slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Structure as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the spring arm is formed from the material of the plate which is secured to the casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Structure as defined in claim 3, further characterized in that two spring arms are provided.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Structure as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the tabs are formed from the material of the plate which is secured to the casing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |