Apparatus for housing and deploying a radar detector in an automotive vehicle

• US RE33,112 E
• Filed: 07/08/1988
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissho Iwai American Corporation (Sojitz Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Timothy N. Durham
• Inventors: Durham, Timothy N.
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/216,778
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 296/37.12, 180/167, 224/42.42 R
• US Class Current: 296/37.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like

Abstract

The drawings illustrate an apparatus for housing a radar detector between the roof and an exposed inner surface of automotive vehicle and for deploying the radar detector in operable position during movement of the vehicle, utilizing a switch means for actuating suitable electrically operated means for raising and lowering the radar detector.

Claims

1. Apparatus for housing a radar detector between the roof and ceiling of an automotive vehicle and for deploying the radar detector in operable position comprising:

a support for said radar detector;

means carrying said support for movement from a retracted position between the roof and ceiling to a position below the ceiling wherein said radar detector is in operable position;

electrically operated means moving said means carrying said support from said retracted position to said position below the ceiling and for returning said support to said retracted position; and

switch means actuating said electrically operated means for moving the support from retracted position to said position;

whereby said radar detector may be readily moved and stored out of sight when the automobile vehicle is not in operation and returned to operable position.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch means automatically actuates said electrically operated means responsive to a change in the operating condition of the vehicle.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrically operated means is actuated responsive to opening of a ignition switch.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3 including a remote switch permitting actuation of said electrically operated means responsive to opening of the ignition switch moving said means carrying said support to said retracted position.

5. The structure set forth in claim 1 including Velcro means removably positioning said radar detector upon said support.

6. Apparatus for housing a radar detector in a retracted position within an automotive vehicle remote from a windshield and for deploying same in an operable position opposite the windshield comprising:

a movable support carrying said radar detector;

a compartment within said automotive vehicle remote from said windshield for receiving said support and radar detector in said retracted position;

a frame carried within said compartment,linkage means connected to said frame and to said movable support;

electrically operated means carried by said frame operating said linkage means for moving said support from retracted position within said compartment to operable position opposite the windshield and for returning said support from operable position to said retracted position; and

switch means actuating said electrically operated means

whereby said radar detector may be concealed within said compartment when said vehicle is not in operation and deployed in operable position during operation of the vehicle.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said switch means is automatically actuated responsive to an operating condition of the vehicle, and means operable by the vehicle operator for overriding automatic operation of the switch means. .Iadd.

8. Apparatus for housing an electronic device in a stored, concealed position behind an exposed inner surface of a vehicle and for deploying the electronic device in an operable position, comprising:

a support for the electronic device;

means for carrying the support for movement from the stored position to the operable position;

electrically operated means for moving said means carrying said support from the stored position to the operable position and for returning the support to the stored position; and

switch means for actuating the electrically operated means for moving the support from the stored position to the operable position and back again, the switch means automatically actuating said electrically operated means in response to a change in the operating condition of the vehicle;

whereby said electronic device may be readily moved and stored out of sight when the vehicle is not in operation and returned to operable position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8 wherein said electrically operated means is actuated in response to opening of an ignition switch. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The structure set forth in claim 9 including a remote switch permitting actuation of the electrically operated means in response to opening of the ignition switch moving said means carrying said support to said stored position. .Iaddend.