Bracket for supporting a radar detector or like device

• US 4,648,572 A
• Filed: 09/17/1985
• Issued: 03/10/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mr. Bracket, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Detroit Bracket Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Sokol, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US06/776,793
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.2, 248/206.3, 248/206.4, 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/205.8, 248/206.1, 248/205.2
• US Class Current: 248/206.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

A bracket for supporting a radar detector or like device on the windshield of a motor vehicle such that the device is readily accessible to the user. The bracket generally includes a substantially planar support which has first and second portions disposed at an acute angle to one another. Secured to the second portion of the support are two main suction cups and one secondary suction cup which may be adjusted according to the slope of the vehicle windshield. The radar detector or like device is secured to the first portion of the support which is maintained in a horizontal position upon mounting the bracket.

Claims

1. A bracket for supporting a radar detector or like device within a motor vehicle having a windshield, said bracket comprising:

a substantially planar mounting portion;

a substantially planar support portion extending at an acute angle from said mounting portion;

means for detachably securing said bracket to said windshield so that said support portion is oriented in a substantially horizontal position, said securing means comprising at least two suction cups disposed on said mounting portion to engage said windshield;

means for adjusting the orientation of said bracket with respect to the windshield, said means for adjusting comprising a selectively adjustable spacer disposed between said windshield and said mounting portion at a location vertically spaced from said at least two suction cups, wherein adjusting said spacer alters the angular relationship between the windshield and the mounting portion, thereby altering the orientation of said bracket to achieve a horizontal orientation of said support portion; and

means for removably mounting said radar detector or like device to the support portion of said bracket.

2. The bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting further comprises at least one secondary suction cup having a base, said adjustable spacer being disposed intermediate said mounting portion and said secondary suction cup.

3. The bracket as defined in claim 2 wherein said adjustable spacer comprises an outwardly threaded bolt retained by and extending perpendiculary from said mounting portion and a correspondingly inwardly threaded bore formed in the base of said secondary suction cup.

4. The bracket as defined in claim 3 wherein said secondary suction cup is adjusted by rotating said secondary suction cup relative to said threaded bolt such that said threaded bolt extends into said threaded bore of said secondary suction cup.

5. The bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises hook and pile strips attached to the underside of said support portion and wherein the radar detector or like device is provided with matching hook and pile strips such that the device may be removably secured to said support portion of said bracket.

6. The bracket as defined in claim 4 wherein said secondary suction cup is adjusted in accordance with the slope of the motor vehicle windshield thereby maintaining said support portion in a substantially horizontal position.

7. The bracket as defined in claim 2 wherein said secondary suction cup is disposed substantially between said primary suction cups.

8. The bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting and support portions of said bracket are integrally formed.

9. The bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said primary suction cups are made of a resilient rubber material.

10. The bracket as defined in claim 2 wherein said secondary suction cups are made of a resilient rubber material.

11. In combination

a radar detector and a bracket for mounting the radar detector to the windshield of an automobile of the like, said windshield lying in an acute angle with respect to a vertical plane, said bracket comprising a substantially planar mounting portion;

a substantially planar support portion extending at an acute angle from said mounting portion; and

means for detachably securing said bracket to said windshield so that said support portion is oriented in a substantially horizontal position, said securing means comprising at least two suction cups disposed on said mounting portion to engage said windshield;

said bracket further comprising spacing means mounted on said mounting portion and engaging said windshield to space said bracket from said windshield, said spacing means being disposed at a point offset from a line connecting the center of said suction cups, said spacing means being positioned closer to said support portion than said suction cups so that said spacing means maintains said support portion in a substantially horizontal plane,

wherein said support portion and said mounting portion each lie in planes which intersect at an acute angle substantially equal to the angle of the windshield,

means for mounting said radar detector to said support portion of said bracket so that said radar detector depends from said support portion.

12. The combination as defined in claim 11 and in which said spacing means comprises a third suction cup.