Built-in appliance intended for a motor vehicle

• US 6,407,467 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Scheuer, Wilfried, Lauth, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rajnikant B.
• Application Number:
  US09/562,232
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/66, 361/640, 361/679, 361/733, 361/351, 361/747, 455/349, 455/348, 455/345
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/084 with removable front panel

Abstract

A built-in appliance for a motor vehicle car radio comprising an operating front that is connected releasably to the built-in appliance by a catch connection. The operating front is preferably designed as a switching rocker and thus, when an operating element of the operating front is actuated by pressing, makes it possible for the actuating force to be transmitted to a switching point arranged on the built-in appliance. There is therefore no need for electric contacting of the operating front, so that possible damage to the operating front is largely ruled out because electric contact points are dispensed with.

Claims

1. A built-in appliance for a motor vehicle comprising an operating front capable of being removed for protection against unauthorized operation, wherein the operating front is mounted movably to the built-in appliance for transmitting a mechanical actuating force to a switching point arranged on the built-in appliance.

2. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front is designed as a switching rocker.

3. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front is designed for transmitting the mechanical actuating force to a tappet connected to the switching point.

4. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front has a receptacle designed for the positive insertion of the tappet.

5. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front ha s a coding.

6. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front is capable of being illuminated.

7. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front has a light input point, connected to a light guide, for illumination by means of a light source arranged on the built-in appliance.

8. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front is fixed in its position by a manually actuable catch connection.

9. The built-in appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating front further comprises at least one recess and the built-in appliance further comprises at least one projection that is engageable with the recess.

10. An appliance for a vehicle, comprising:

a first portion of said appliance, wherein said first portion is fixedly attached to said vehicle;

a second portion of said appliance mounted movably to said first portion, wherein said second portion actuates a switching point on said first portion and said second portion is capable of being removed from said first portion of said appliance.

11. The appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein said operating front is movably mounted in the configuration of a rocker switch.

12. The appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second portion further comprises a coding and said first portion further comprises a coding sensor.

13. The appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second portion contains a light source.

14. The appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein said light source is at least one LED.

15. The appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first portion contains a light source that illuminates at least one area of said second portion.

16. The appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second portion actuates a tappet connected to said switching point.

17. An appliance for a vehicle, comprising:

a first portion of said appliance, wherein said first portion is fixedly attached to said vehicle;

a second portion of said appliance mounted movably to said first portion, wherein said second portion actuates a switching point on said first portion, wherein said second portion is in the configuration of a rocker switch and wherein said second portion is capable of being removed from said first portion of said appliance.

18. The appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second portion actuates said switching point through a tappet connected to said switching point, and wherein said second portion contains a receptacle that allows for the positive insertion of said tappet.

19. The appliance as claimed in claim 18, wherein said second portion further comprises a coding and said first portion comprises a coding sensor, and wherein said second portion contains a light source.