Automobile radio security system

• US 5,143,343 A
• Filed: 01/09/1990
• Issued: 09/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel P. Katz
• Original Assignee: Daniel P. Katz
• Inventors: Katz, Daniel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US07/462,267
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 248/27.1, 248/27.3, 248/551, 248/553, 361/422, 70/57, 70/58, 70/258, 312/7.1, 312/245
• US Class Current: 248/551
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/81 Fastening of instruments, e.g. to dashboard
• 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 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles

Abstract

An automobile radio security system for protecting car radios and similar equipment using a locked chamber linked to the car using a mounting device located in a clear area on the fire wall. The device can be modified during production and installation to accommodate car telephones and any other related instruments.

Claims

1. A secure mounting enclosure for an electronic device, adapted to be fixed in place by attachment to a structural member of a vehicle or similar structure, and to provide a completely surrounding enclosure for said device, said enclosure having a wall capable of being opened to provide access to said device and;

wherein said enclosure is secured to said structural member by at least a mating pair of male and female locking elements, one of said elements being securely affixed to said structural member, and the other of said elements being securely affixed to said enclosure.

2. The mounting enclosure of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is secured to a vehicle fire wall, or floor board.

3. The mounting enclosure of claim 2 wherein said wall is moveable to permit access to the interior of said enclosure.

4. The mounting enclosure of claim 3 wherein said wall is secured by a lock mechanism.

5. The mounting enclosure of claim 2 wherein at least one wall of said enclosure protrudes through a cosmetic panel member of said vehicle.

6. The mounting enclosure of claim 5 wherein said enclosure is stabilized to said cosmetic panel by an X-bar.

7. The mounting enclosure of claim 1 wherein one of said locking elements comprises at least a pair of opposed locking lugs, said lugs being biased toward the other locking element, and said other locking element comprises lug receiving indentations, said indentations adapted to engage said biased lugs.

8. The mounting enclosure of claim 7 wherein said indentations comprises bores adapted to receive said lugs.

9. The mounting enclosure of claim 7 wherein said indentations comprise one or more grooves adapted to receive said lugs.

10. The mounting enclosure of claim 7 wherein said lugs protrude outwardly from said mail locking element, and said indentation is located within the interior of said female element.

11. The mounting enclosure of claim 7 wherein said lugs protrude inwardly from said female locking element, and said indentation is located on the exterior of said male element.

12. The mounting enclosure of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is comprised of a material capable of withstanding physical attack.

13. The mounting enclosure of claim 12 wherein said material is metal.

14. The mounting enclosure of claim 12 wherein said material is sheet steel.

15. The mounting enclosure of claim 12 wherein said material is a composite.

16. The mounting enclosure of claim 1 wherein said enclosure further comprises access ports, said ports being environmentally sealed.

17. The mounting enclosure of claim 1 further comprising an internal moveable carriage for attachment of said device.

18. The mounting enclosure of claim 17 wherein said carriage moves from a first position entirely within said enclosure to a second position partially within said enclosure in response to operation of said access wall.

19. A secure mounting enclosure for an electronic device, adapted to be fixed in place by attachment to a structural member of a vehicle or similar structure, wherein said enclosure is secured to said structural member by at least a mating pair of male and female locking elements, one of said elements being securely affixed to said structural member, and the other of said elements being securely affixed to said enclosure, wherein said male locking element comprises at least one annular groove, and said female locking element comprises at least one annular groove, said annular grooves being co-located when said locking members are assembled, and being capable of receiving a locking clip which expands to occupy the annular space formed by said co-located annular grooves and to provide a completely surrounding enclosure for said device, said enclosure having a wall capable of being opened to provide access to said device.

20. The mounting enclosure of claim 19 wherein said male locking element comprises at least one annular groove, and said female locking element comprises at least one annular groove, said annular grooves being co-located when said locking members are assembled, and being capable of receiving a locking clip which expands to occupy the annular space formed by said co-located annular grooves.

21. The mounting enclosure of claim 19 wherein said locking clip is of sufficient width to at least partially occupy both of said co-located annular grooves.

22. The mounting enclosure of claim 19 wherein said locking clip is of an irregular shape adapted to at least partially occupy both of said co-located annular grooves.

23. The mounting enclosure of claim 19 wherein said locking clip is resiliently deformable to permit assembly of said male and female members.

24. The mounting enclosure of claim 20 wherein said locking element comprises at least three members, being a base attached to said structural member, an intermediate member attached to said base, and said enclosure attached to said intermediate member, wherein the connection between said base member and said intermediate member comprises an angularly opposed pair of fasteners, and the connection between said enclosure and said intermediate member is by an angularly opposed pair of fastners which is displaced angularly from said base to intermediate connection.