Latch mechanism for mounting bracket assembly

• US 3,993,278 A
• Filed: 03/12/1975
• Issued: 11/23/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Race, William James
• Primary Examiner(s): Nunberg, Casmir A.
• Application Number:
  US05/557,733
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 70/57, 70/58, 70/230, 70/258, 312/223, 312/319, 312/333, 312/246, 248/203, 248/318
• US Class Current: 248/551
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A first bracket is adapted to be fixed to a support member such as the underside of a dashboard and a second bracket is adapted to be fixed to an accessory unit, such as a tape player or radio, which is to be mounted to the support member. One bracket slideably receives and supports the other bracket. A bar is slideably mounted transverse the longitudinal axis of one bracket and is biased in one direction such that when the brackets are in the fully mounted position, openings in the side walls of the brackets are aligned and a spring biasing member drives a tab portion on the bar into interlocking engagement within the aligned openings. Electrical quick disconnect means provide power and the other necessary electrical connections. Thumb operated delatch means is provided for quick removal of the accessory unit.

Claims

1. Bracket assembly for removably attaching an electrically powered accessory to a support member comprising

a first bracket member adapted to be fixed to the support member,

a second bracket member adapted to be fixed to the accessory,

means for slidably supporting one of the first and second brackets upon the other of the brackets for mounting the accessory to the support member,

means for removably interlocking the first and second bracket members, and

electrical interconnection means adapted for interconnection when the first and second bracket members are interlocked for providing electrical power to the accessory

wherein the improvement comprises

a bar mounted to one of the first and second brackets and slidable between first and second positions,

biasing means urging the bar to the first position,

a latch including an opening in the other of the first and second brackets,

the bar having a tab portion extending laterally therefrom, the tab having a cammed edge for cooperation with a fixed portion of the other of the first and second brackets which forces the bar to the second position against the action of the biasing means as the one of the first and second brackets is moved into mounting relation on the other of said brackets, the biasing means moving the bar to the first position fixedly interlocking the brackets when said brackets reach a fully mounted relation, and

means for moving the bar to the second position for disengaging the bar from the latch to remove the accessory when desired.

2. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first bracket is the upper bracket and is U-shaped having the central portion adapted for connection to the support member, the side portions of the bracket forming integral flanges depending from the connecting portion, the side portions each formed with a notch extending the length thereof providing a support channel for the lower bracket, a first opening in one of the depending flanges,

the second bracket is the lower bracket and is U-shaped having the central portion adapted for connection to the accessory, the side portions forming integral upstanding side walls, each side wall having an inturned flange portion, the lower bracket dimensioned for slideably receiving the depending flanges of the upper bracket, the inturned flanges of the lower bracket being received in the notched channels of the upper bracket and supported thereon, and a second opening in one of the side walls of the lower bracket, the first and second openings being in alignment when the upper and lower brackets are in a fully mounted relation.

3. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the disengaging means comprises a tab on the bar extending forwardly and adapted for receipt of a button, and a button mounted on the second tab.

4. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first bracket is the upper bracket, the second bracket is the lower bracket, further comprising the upper bracket having a forward edge, a wall portion on the lower bracket extending transversely thereof forming a shoulder for abutment against the forward edge of the upper bracket to limit movement of the lower bracket relative to the upper bracket, the latch including first and second openings in the brackets, the openings being aligned when the shoulder is abutting the forward edge, the bar mounted to the lower bracket, the laterally extending tab of the bar extending through the first and second openings locking the upper and lower brackets together, an opening in the transverse wall, and the forwardly extending disengaging tab extending through the opening.

6. Bracket assembly for removably attaching an electrically powered accessory to a support member comprising

a first upper bracket member adapted to be fixed to the support member and having a forward edge,

a second lower bracket member adapted to be fixed to the accessory and having a wall portion extending transversely thereof forming a shoulder for abutment against the forward edge of the upper bracket to limit movement of the lower bracket relative to the upper bracket, an opening in the transverse wall,

means for slidably supporting one of the first and second brackets upon the other of the brackets for mounting the accessory to the support member,

means for removably interlocking the first and second bracket members,

electrical interconnection means adapted for interconnection when the first and second bracket members are interlocked for providing electrical power to the accessory,

a bar mounted on the lower bracket and slidable between first and second positions,

biasing means urging the bar to the first position,

a latch including at least one opening in the upper bracket,

the bar mounted on the lower bracket and having a laterally extending tab portion with a cammed edge formed for cooperation with a fixed portion of the upper bracket which forces the latch to the second position against the action of the biasing means as the bottom bracket is moved into mounting relation upon the upper bracket, the biasing means moving the bar to the first position so that the tab portion extends through the latch opening to fixedly interlock the brackets when the lower bracket is supported upon the upper bracket in a fully mounted relation, and

tab means extending forwardly through the transverse wall opening for moving the bar to the second position for disengaging the bar from the latch to remove the accessory when desired.

5. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the biasing means is a spring having one end connected to the bar and the other end connected to a tab on the lower bracket, the bar having a slotted opening therein, and the latter tab extending through the slotted opening of the bar.

7. Bracket assembly for removably attaching an electrically powered accessory to a support member comprising

a first upper bracket member adapted to be fixed to the support member and having a forward edge,

a second lower bracket member adapted to be fixed to the accessory and having a wall portion extending transversely thereof forming a shoulder for abutment against the forward edge of the upper bracket to limit movement of the lower bracket relative to the upper bracket, an opening in the transverse wall,

means for slidably supporting one of the first and second brackets upon the other of the brackets for mounting the accessory to the support member,

means for removably interlocking the first and second bracket members,

electrical interconnection means adapted for interconnection when the first and second bracket members are interlocked for providing electrical power to the accessory,

a bar mounted to one of the first and second brackets and slidable between first and second positions,

biasing means urging the bar to the first position,

a latch including at least one opening in the other of the first and second brackets,

the bar having a laterally extending tab portion extending through the latch opening under the action of the biasing means fixedly interlocking the brackets when one of the brackets is supported upon the other in a fully mounted relation,

a resilient lining on the shoulder which is compressed by the forward edge of the upper bracket, the laterally extending tab of the bar being held in tight frictional engagement with the other bracket adjacent the latch opening, and

tab means extending forwardly through the transverse wall opening for moving the bar to the second position for disengaging the bar from the latch to remove the accessory when desired.