Break-away panel structure for radio in-dash installation kit

• US 4,868,715 A
• Filed: 05/31/1988
• Issued: 09/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scosche Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Scosche Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Alves, Roger J., Nimpoeno, Roy, Putman, Rob R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Gregory D.
• Application Number:
  US07/200,584
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 248/27.1, 248/27.3, 248/57, 248/244, 248/258, 248/260, 248/231.3, 248/310.4, 248/311.2, 248/DIG. 6, 312/242, 312/245, 312/7.1, 455/345, 455/346, 361/346, 361/380, 361/422, 361/429
• US Class Current: 361/814
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

An in-dash radio installation kit for installing a radio or radios to a vehicle dash, comprises a frame having a main front panel, a forwardly facing break-away wall or walls integral with the a front sub-panel overlying the break-away wall or walls, and the main front panel defining a generally rectangular lower through opening located below the break-away wall or walls, and an auxiliary frame extending in registration with the lower through opening.

Claims

1. In an in-dash radio installation kit, for installing a radio to a vehicle dash, the improvement comprising:

(a) a plastic frame having wall means comprising walls including end walls and a main front panel interconnecting the end walls,

(b) forwardly facing break-away wall means integral with the frame and associated with the main front panel, said break-away means forming forward through openings to pass shaft tuning means of a first radio having a chassis, the break-away means adapted to be broken away from the frame to provide a relatively large opening for alternate reception of a second radio chassis,

(c) and means carried by the frame for attaching the frame to the vehicle dash,

(d) a front sub-panel overlying said break-away walls means, said front sub-panel having a front face substantially flush with the front face of the main front panel, the sub-panel also forming forward through openings in shaft passing registration with the through openings in the break-away means, the sub-panel rearwardly interfitting the frame,

(e) said main front panel defining a generally rectangular lower through opening located below said break-away wall means, and including an auxiliary frame extending in registration with said lower through opening.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the main front panel has a front face, and said break-away wall means comprises thin walls generally parallel to said front face but offset relative to a plane defined by said front face.

3. The improvement of claim 2 including said auxiliary frame which is defined by one of the following:

(a) a radio equalizer chassis

(b) a molded plastic pocket

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the end walls have thickness less than 1/16 inch.

5. The improvement of claim 2 including said first radio at least partly receive by the frame, the shaft tuning means comprising two shafts passing through the openings in said break-away wall means.

8. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the break-away means comprise two thin sub-panels with certain relieved edge portions proximate the frame wall means and other edge portions integral with the frame wall means.

9. The improvement of claim 8 wherein said relieved edge portions define linearly elongated notches in each thin sub-panel which is generally rectangular.

6. In an in-dash radio installation kit, for installing a radio to a vehicle dash, the improvement comprising:

(a) a plastic frame having wall means comprising walls including end walls and a main front panel interconnecting the end walls,

(b) forwardly facing break-away walls means integral with the frame and associated with the main front panel, said break-away means forming forward through openings to pass shaft tuning means of a first radio having a chassis, the break-away means adapted to be broken away from the frame to provide a relatively large opening for alternate reception of a second radio chassis,

(c) and means carried by the frame for attaching the frame to the vehicle dash,

(d) a front sub-panel overlying said break-away wall means, said front sub-panel having a front face substantially flush with the front face of the main front panel, the sub-panel also forming forward through openings in shaft passing registration with the through openings in the break-away means, the sub-panel rearwardly interfitting the frame,

(e) and wherein said main front panel defines a step shoulder below the sub-panel, said main front panel defining a generally rectangular through opening for registration with an auxiliary frame, said rectangular through opening located below said step shoulder.

7. The improvement of claim 6 including said auxiliary frame which is defined by one of the following:

(a) a radio equalizer chasis

(b) a storage compartment