Apparatus for protecting and preventing theft of in-dashboard mounted radios and the like

• US 4,248,069 A
• Filed: 11/01/1978
• Issued: 02/03/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rebel Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fred H. Burbank
• Inventors: Burbank, Fred H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lyddane, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/956,594
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 70/159-164, 70/166-169, 70/258, 455/90, 455/345, 455/347-345
• US Class Current: 70/160
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5549 Cover-carried lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5982 Accessories

Abstract

Apparatus for protecting and preventing theft of in-dashboard mounted vehicle radios and the like is shown wherein the locking apparatus is attached by means of the very same threaded shafts which are utilized as the primary mounting means of the radio instrument itself. The threaded mounting shafts of the radio instrument secure a backing plate to the face of the dashboard and a cover is removably connected to the back plate in such a manner that it may be locked over the mounting shafts as well as the operable portions of the instrument.

Claims

1. Apparatus for protecting and preventing theft of a radio instrument and the like adapted to be mounted in a dashboard;

said dashboard having a relatively accessible front side and a relatively inaccessible back side, the combination comprising;

an instrument to be protected including a body adapted to be positioned in back of the dashboard, a nose portion adapted to be visable from the front of the dashboard, a pair of hollow threaded shafts adapted to also extend through said dashboard, a pair of instrument control shafts extending through said hollow threaded shafts, a pair of nuts carried by said hollow threaded shafts on the front side of said dashboard for releasably drawing said body tightly against the back side of said dashboard, and control knobs attached to said control shafts; and

protection means including a back plate defining an opening corresponding in size and position to said nose piece and a pair of apertures corresponding in size and position to said pair of hollow threaded shafts, said back plate being adapted to be secured between the front of said dashboard and said nuts whereby said back plate is retained in position by the same threaded hollow shafts and nuts as retain said instrument in position, cover means attached to said back plate for selectively enclosing and exposing said nose portion, said nuts, and said control knobs and means for locking cover means to said back plate in its position enclosing said nose portion, said nuts and said control knobs.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover means is removably attached to said back plate.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover means is hingedly attached to said back plate.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover means is removably and hingedly attached to said back plate.