Visor mounting apparatus for radar detectors

• US 5,014,947 A
• Filed: 06/21/1990
• Issued: 05/14/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Wang
• Original Assignee: Frank Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US07/541,397
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 248/214, 248/206.5, 248/309.4, 439/928, 439/929, 439/534, 439/527, 439/59, 361/427, 361/429, 361/417, 361/418, 361/419, 361/420, 361/393, 224/312
• US Class Current: 248/214
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0035 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/007 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

An apparatus including a support plate with a "U" shaped flange formed with serrated confronting teeth for securement to a visor of an automobile. The support plate includes a plurality of spaced, elongate magnetic plates with conductive strip members orthogonally mounted to opposed lateral elongate edges of each of the strips. Aligned between each of the strips is a first and second recess of dissimilar geometric configurations for complementarily receiving a first and second projection mounted to a top surface of a radar detector receivable within each of the respective recesses. A first and second securement plate is magnetically attachable to each of the conductive strip pairs for selective securement of the detector to the conductive strip pairs, and wherein each of the securment plates are in electrical communication with the radar detector, and wherein each of the first and second conductive plates includes an individual electrical wire for providing efficient and immediate electrical communication of the radar detector to the automotive circuitry. A modification of the securement plate includes a "U" shaped recess to receive a "U" shaped magnetic strip therewithin. A modification of the support plate includes a plurality of straps provided with hook and loop fastener attachment portions for securement about an automotive sun visor.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus for securement to an automotive visor of an automobile for securement of a radar detector thereon, the radar detector including a top surface for securement to the apparatus, and wherein the apparatus comprises,

a planar support plate including a mounting means for mounting the support plate to the visor, the support plate further including a first and second conductive plate in electrical communication with the automobile, and

the first and second conductive plates further including a respective first and second magnetic means for magnetic securement to the top surface of the radar detector, and

a first and second securement plate fixedly mounted to the top surface of the radar detector for respective securement to the respective first and second magnetic means, and

the first securement plate and the second securement plate in electrical communication with the radar detector, whereupon securement of the radar detector to the support plate provides electrical communication of the radar detector to the automobile.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein first and second projections of dissimilar geometric configuration are mounted between the first and second securement plates on the top surface of the radar detector, and further including a first and second recess of dissimilar configuration formed between the first and second conductive plates, wherein the first and second recesses are of a complementary configuration to the second and first projection respectively to receive and properly align the radar detector and the first and second securement plate relative to the first and second magnetic means.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first and second magnetic means each comprises respectively a first and second conductive strip mounted to opposed lateral edges of the first and second magnetic plate, and wherein the first and second conductive strips are each orthogonally aligned relative to the respective first and second magnetic plates, and the respective first and second conductive strips define a first and second pair of conductive strips respectively secured to the respective first and second magnetic plates, and wherein the respective first and second pairs of conductive strips associated with the respective first and second magnetic plates each define a predetermined spacing therebetween equal to a predetermined width defined by each of the respective securement plates, and wherein the securement plates define a predetermined length equal to or greater than a predetermined length defined by the first and second conductive strip pair.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the mounting means comprise a "U" shaped flange, the "U" shaped flange including a serrated surface in confronting relationship to a bottom surface of the support plate.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the mounting means further includes a lateral flexible strap mounted at one edge thereof to a first side of the support plate, and wherein the strap includes a free end, the free end further including a hook and loop fastener patch thereon securable to a hook and loop fastener portion formed on a second side of the support plate opposed from the first side, wherein the strap provides surrounding engagement with the radar detector.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the mounting means includes a first and second flexible strap, the first and second flexible strap secured at one end thereof to a rear edge of the support plate, and the first and second straps include a respective first and second hook and loop fastener patch to a forward end of the first and second flexible strap securable to a respective first and second hook and loop fastener portion mounted to a forward edge of the support plate to surroundingly engage the automotive visor between the first and second straps and the support plate.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and second magnetic means comprise a "U" shaped flange integrally and orthogonally mounted to a perimeter defined by the respective first and second conductive plate, and wherein the "U" shaped flange includes a lower knife edge, and each of the first and second securement plates include a "U" shaped recess positioned in alignment with the "U" shaped flange secured to the respective first and second conductive plate.