Detachable apparatus for automotive audio equipment

• US 5,381,684 A
• Filed: 02/24/1993
• Issued: 01/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kawamura, Masateru
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US08/021,677
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 70/58, 70/DIG. 57, 248/27.3, 248/544, 248/553, 455/345, 455/346, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 312/7.1, 312/204, 200/43.22, 361/814, 361/753, 361/627, 361/212, 361/220, 174/51, 174/35 R
• US Class Current: 70/58
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/00 Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

Automotive equipment such as a car stereo includes a lock member having an engagement portion. The engagement portion of the lock member is engaged with an engaged portion provided in an accommodation portion in which the automotive equipment body is accommodated to thereby lock the automotive equipment body. The automotive equipment body is released from being locked by a lock releasing operation executed when a lock releasing key is inserted into a lock releasing aperture formed on a front surface panel frame provided in the automotive equipment body.

Claims

1. A detachable apparatus for automotive equipment comprising:

an equipment body having a frame body and a front surface panel frame;

an accommodation portion in which said equipment body is accommodated with a substantially precise positioning;

a lock member formed of an operation portion attached to an inside of said frame body, said operation portion being deformable with resiliency, and an engagement portion projecting to an outside of said frame body and being engaged with an engaged portion formed on an inner wall portion of said accommodation portion;

a lock releasing aperture bored through said front surface panel frame in association with said operation portion;

a lock releasing key removably inserted into said lock releasing aperture and urged against said operation portion for moving said lock member in a downward direction and thereby disengaging said engagement portion of said lock member from said engaged portion of said accommodation portion; and

a front panel removably attached to a front surface of said front surface panel frame, wherein said lock releasing aperture is closed by said front panel under a condition that said front panel is attached to said front surface panel frame.

2. The detachable apparatus for automotive equipment according to claim 1 wherein said operation portion of said lock member comprises an inclined surface, said inclined surface being positioned so as to make contact with said lock releasing key when said lock releasing key is inserted into said lock releasing aperture.

3. A detachable apparatus for automotive equipment comprising:

an equipment body having a frame body and a front surface panel frame;

an accommodation portion in which said equipment body is accommodated with a substantially precise positioning;

a lock member formed of an operation portion attached to an inside of said frame body, said operation portion being deformable with resiliency, and an engagement portion projecting to an outside of said frame body and being engaged with an engaged portion formed on an inner wall portion of said accommodation portion;

a lock releasing aperture bored through said front surface panel frame in association with said operation portion;

a lock releasing key removably inserted into said lock releasing aperture and urged against said operation portion for moving said lock member in a downward direction and thereby disengaging said engagement portion of said lock member from said engaged portion of said accommodation portion; and

a front panel removably attached to a front surface of said front surface panel frame for contact with said equipment body, wherein said front panel includes a front panel portion and a back panel portion, said back panel portion incorporating therein an electronic element, a support member of said electronic element, and a ground terminal which resiliently makes contact with said support member, whereby charges around said electronic element are grounded through said ground terminal to said frame body.

4. The detachable apparatus for automotive equipment according to claim 3 wherein said lock member has a contact portion extending through a front portion of said front surface panel frame and said ground terminal is grounded through contact with said contact portion of said lock member under a condition that said front panel is attached to said front surface panel frame.