Foldable mount

• US 4,899,975 A
• Filed: 10/05/1988
• Issued: 02/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Suman, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSON, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/253,490
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 248/544, 248/549, 248/466, 248/475.1, 248/476, 248/479, 248/481, 248/482, 248/483, 248/484, 248/485, 248/486, 248/487, 248/288.3, 248/288.5, 248/324, 350/631, 350/632, 350/639, 403/90
• US Class Current: 248/481
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket

Abstract

A foldable mounting assembly for a vehicle accessory includes a base attached to a vehicle headliner and having a stem extending therefrom for attachment of a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror to an end of the stem opposite the base. A spring-loaded cam cooperatively interconnects the end of the stem to the base such that the stem and accessory attached thereto can be moved from a stored position closely adjacent the headliner for shipment thereof to a lowered locked-in-place use position.

Claims

1. A modular headliner system including a foldable mount for a vehicle accessory mounted to a generally planar headliner for attachment to the roof structure of a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle headliner;

a base member for attachment to said headliner and including means for pivotally receiving a stem;

a stem having one end pivotally mounted to said base and including an opposite end for receiving a vehicle accessory; and

a flat spring and a ball having a flat formed thereon defining locking means cooperatively coupled between said one end of said stem and said base to allow said stem to be pivoted between a position in which said accessory is closely adjacent the headliner for shipment of the modular headliner for locking said stem into a single use position with said opposite end extended away from said headliner.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes said spring flat mounted to said base and engaging said one end of said stem.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said one end of said stem comprises said ball and, said means in said base for pivotally receiving said stem comprises a socket for pivotally receiving said ball end of said stem.

4. A modular headliner system including a foldable mount for a vehicle accessory mounted to a generally planar headliner for attachment to the roof structure of a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle headliner;

a base member for attachment to said headliner and including means for pivotally receiving a stem;

a stem having one end pivotally mounted to said base and including an opposite end for receiving a vehicle accessory; and

camming means cooperatively coupled between said one end of said stem and said base to allow said stem to be pivoted between a position in which said accessory is closely adjacent the headliner for shipment of the modular headliner and a use position in which said stem is locked into a use position with said opposite end extended away from said headliner, wherein said camming means includes spring means mounted to said base and engaging said one end of said stem, and wherein said one end of said stem comprises a ball and, said means in said base for pivotally receiving said stem comprises a socket for pivotally receiving said ball end of said stem, and wherein said ball has a flat formed therein and wherein said spring comprises a flat spring engaging said flat to lock said stem in a lowered use position.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said opposite end of said stem is adapted for receiving a rear view mirror.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said modular assembly further includes an elongated snubber molded on said stem and including a rounded end for engaging the windshield of a vehicle to provide a stable rattle-free mount.

7. A foldable mount for securing a vehicle accessory to a vehicle comprising:

a base member for attachment to the panel and including means for pivotally receiving a mounting stem thereto;

a stem pivotally mounted to said base at one end thereof and including an opposite end for receiving a vehicle accessory; and

a flat spring and a ball having a flat formed thereon defining locking means cooperatively coupled between said one end of said stem and said base to allow said stem to be pivoted between a position in which said accessory is closely adjacent the panel for shipment of the panel and for locking said stem into a single use position with said opposite end extended away from said panel.

8. A foldable mount for securing a vehicle accessory to a vehicle panel comprising:

a base member for attachment to the panel and including means for pivotally receiving a mounting stem thereto;

a stem pivotally mounted to said base at one end thereof and including an opposite end for receiving a vehicle accessory;

locking means cooperatively coupled between said one end of said stem and said base to allow said stem to be pivoted between a position in which said accessory is closely adjacent the panel for shipment of the panel and for locking said stem into a single use position with said opposite end extended away from said panel; and

wherein said one end of said stem includes a flat and wherein said locking means includes flat spring means mounted to said base and engaging said flat of said stem to lock said stem into the use position.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said one and of said stem comprises a ball end said means in said base for pivotally recieving said stem comprises a socket for pivotally receiving said ball end of said stem.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said stem includes an elongated snubber molded on said stem and extending forwardly and including a rounded end for engaging a windshield of a vehicle in which said foldable mount is installed to provide a stable rattle-free mount for said accessory.