Automotive dashboard radio mounting assembly

• US 4,738,420 A
• Filed: 06/04/1986
• Issued: 04/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VOXX Electronics Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ampersand Inc.
• Inventors: Henry, John, Angle, Norman R., Maas, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Talbott, David L.
• Application Number:
  US06/870,486
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 248/27.1, 248/551, 248/544, 248/542, 248/558, 248/DIG. 6, 455/345, 312/7.1
• US Class Current: 248/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted

Abstract

A mounting assembly for installing a radio, or equivalent apparatus, in an automobile dashboard. The dashboard mounting assembly is a box-like structure having a first open end through which a radio or equivalent device may be inserted. At least one of the peripheral walls of the assembly is formed with numerous recesses which indicate locations through which apertures are punched out to define locations at which brackets are secured.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a radio or equivalent accessory in a dashboard cavity of different automobiles comprising:

a frame means defining a receptacle in which said radio or equivalent accessory is received, said frame means having at least a first peripheral exterior surface defining two or more groups of aperture locator means for indicating the location at which an aperture can be punched through;

bracket means mountable to said frame means at a punched out aperture; and

wherein each group of said aperture locator means is selected for a particular one of said automotive dashboard cavities with each aperture locator means of said group being at a specified location to pre-position said bracket means mounted to a punched out aperture at a specified location for mounting said frame means in said particular one of said automotive dashboard cavities.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locator means comprises a substantially circular recess in said surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said substantially circular recess includes an indicia.

4. An apparatus for mounting a radio or equivalent accessory in dashboard cavities of different automobiles comprising:

a frame means defining a receptacle in which said radio or equivalent accessory is received; and

two or more groups of apertures formed through at least a first wall of said frame means to facilitate the mounting of one or more bracket means to said frame means, wherein each group of said apertures is specifically selected for a particular one of said automotive dashboards with each aperture of said aperture group being at a specified location to pre-position said bracket means mounted thereto at a specified location for mounting said frame means in said desired dashboard cavity.

5. An apparatus for mounting a radio in dashboard cavities of different automobiles comprising:

a frame means including a front panel connecting four interconnected peripheral walls which form a substantially open ended box-like structure, said open end positioned opposite said front panel and through which said radio is received into said frame means, said front panel defining at least one opening to receive at least a part of said radio, at least a first peripheral wall having an exterior surface defining two or more groups of aperture locator means for indicating the location at which apertures can be punched through said peripheral wall

mounting bracket means formed to be secured to said peripheral wall at a selected one of said apertures punched through said aperture locator means; and

wherein each group of said aperture locator means is selected for a particular one of said automotive dashboard cavities with each aperture locator means of said group being at a specified location to pre-position said bracket means mounted to a punched out aperture at a specified location for mounting said frame means in said particular one of said automotive dashboard cavities.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said locator means comprises a recess formed in said peripheral wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said locator means possesses an indicia.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said recess is substantially circular and defined by an inwardly extending substantially circular peripheral surface connected to a substantially planar surface recessed in and defining a portion of said peripheral wall of a lesser thickness than the remainder of said peripheral wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said planar surface of said recess possesses an indicia.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein two or more of said other peripheral walls define one or more locator means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locator means possess indicia.

12. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said locator means comprises a recess formed in said peripheral wall, wherein said recess is defined by at least a first peripheral surface connected to an innermost surface, with said peripheral wall along said innermost surface being of a thickness to allow it to be punched through to cause said recess to define a substantially open aperture.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said recess is a substantially circular recess with said peripheral surface being substantially circular.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said innermost surface of said locator means possesses indicia.