Article holding bracket

• US 5,016,850 A
• Filed: 08/23/1990
• Issued: 05/21/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1990
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Mr. Bracket, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DF&R Corporation
• Inventors: Plahn, Katherine C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US07/571,177
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.3, 248/206.4, 248/206.2, 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/288.3, 248/288.5, 403/90, 403/76, 403/77, 403/141, 403/143
• US Class Current: 248/206.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/20 Accessories, e.g. wind deflectors, blinds antiglare provisions B60J3/00; wind deflectors associated with roof openings B60J7/22; removable external protective coverings for windows or windscreens B60J11/08 ; aerodynamical spoiler for vehicles B62D35/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket

Abstract

A windshield mounted bracket to removably and adjustably hold a radar detector including suction cups for removable windshield attachment, an adjustable strap bracket having flanged bottoms to seat into corresponding grooves in side walls of the detector housing and a rotatably adjustable connecting ball hinge.

Claims

1. A bracket removably mounting a radar detector on the windshield of an automotive vehicle, having in combination

a planar windshield mounting plate member,

means carried by said plate member releasably securing the same to said windshield,

a supporting plate member retaining a radar detector comprising a planar top wall,

spaced inwardly from the rear end of said top wall are a pair of separated transversely aligned slots,

a pair of extensible strap members disposed transversely of said top wall having their respective adjacent end portions overlying said slots,

securing means extending through each of said adjacent ends and the respective slots thereof,

the remote end portions of said strap members respectively extending downwardly depending from the side edges of said top wall,

the lower end portions of said depending strap portions being angled inwardly in facing relationship forming flanges,

said flanges being arranged to be disposed in grooves respectively at each side of a radar detector,

a universally pivotal swivel means connecting said mounting plate member and said supporting plate member in operating relationship,

said swivel means comprises

a bolt secured to said mounting plate member extending downwardly therefrom,

a plate member spaced above said top wall of said supporting plate member,

a plurality of bolts holding said spaced plate members in spaced relation,

said spaced plate members having aligned apertures,

a ball disposed between said spaced plate members and extending into said apertures,

said ball having an upwardly extending internally threaded sleeve,

said bolt being threaded into said sleeve operatively connecting said mounting plate member and said support plate member,

said bolts adjusting the tension upon said ball between said spaced plate members, and

whereby said support plate member is universally rotatable vertically and horizontally relative to said mounting plate member.

2. A bracket removably mounting a radar detector on the windshield of an automotive vehicle, having in combination

a planar windshield mounting plate member,

means carried by said plate member releasably securing the same to said windshield,

a supporting plate member retaining a radar detector comprising a planar top wall,

spaced inwardly from the rear end of said top wall are a pair of separated transversely aligned slots,

a pair of extensible strap members disposed transversely of said top wall having their respective adjacent end portions overlying said slots,

securing means extending through each of said adjacent ends and the respective slots thereof,

the remote end portions of said strap members respectively extending downwardly depending from the side edges of said top wall,

the lower end portions of said depending strap portions being angled inwardly in facing relationship forming flanges,

said flanges being arranged to be disposed in grooves respectively at each side of a radar detector,

a universally pivotal swivel means connecting said mounting plate member and said supporting plate member in operating relationship,

said swivel means comprises

a bolt secured to said mounting plate member extending downwardly therefrom,

a plate member spaced above said top wall of said supporting plate member,

a plurality of bolts holding said spaced plate members in spaced relation,

said spaced plate members having aligned apertures,

a ball disposed between said spaced plate members and extending into said apertures,

said ball having an upwardly extending internally threaded sleeve,

said bolt being threaded into said sleeve operatively connected said mounting plate member and said support plate member,

said bolts adjusting the tension upon said ball between said spaced plate members,

whereby said support plate member is universally rotatable vertically and horizontally relative to said mounting plate member, and

means locking said bolt relative to said mounting plate member to prevent relative movement therebetween.