ANTI-THEFT BRACKET DEVICE

• US 3,822,049 A
• Filed: 09/05/1972
• Issued: 07/02/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allan L. Saunders
• Original Assignee: Allan L. Saunders
• Inventors: Saunders, Allan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US05/286,274
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 248/225,203 70/58,258 339/65,66,82 224/42.45R 312/246
• US Class Current: 248/223.41
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5982 Accessories

Abstract

A bracket assembly for removably mounting an accessory, for example a tape player, radio, speaker or the like, to a support member, for example a vehicle dashboard, transmission hump or fire wall. The assembly includes a first bracket member adapted to be fixed relative to the support member and a second bracket member adapted to be fixed relative to the accessory. The accessory is removably mounted on the support member by slidably assembling the two bracket members in interlocked engagement. When thus assembled, the two bracket members are adapted to receive a separate lock, for example a conventional padlock, which prevents separation of the bracket members, thereby also preventing unauthorized removal of the accessory from the support member.

Claims

1. A bracket assembly for removably attaching an electrically powered accessory to a support member, comprising:

a first bracket member adapted to be fixed to the support member, said first bracket member having a first opening extending therethrough and being further provided with one half of a malefemale electrical connector, the other half of the connector being included as an integral part of the accessory;

a second bracket member adapted to be fixed to the accessory, said second bracket member being further adapted for slidable insertion into an operative position in interlocked engagement with said first bracket member, with the halves of said female connector operatively assembled;

tab means on said second bracket member, said tab means being arranged to protrude through said first opening when said first and second bracket members are in interlocked engagement, said tab means having a second opening through which a separate locking means may be inserted to prevent withdrawal of said tab means from said first opening and separation of said second bracket member from said first bracket member.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first bracket member is characterized by a top wall having means for accommodating the attachment thereof directly to the support member, a pair of oppositely disposed laterally spaced parallel side walls extending downwardly from the side edges of said top wall, flanges extending inwardly from the lower edges of said side walls, said flanges cooperating with said top wall and said side walls to define a pair of oppositely disposed guide grooves, and a rear wall depending from the rear edge of said top wall, the said first opening being located in said rear wall.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second bracket member is comprised of a bottom wall having means for accommodating the attachment thereof directly to the accessory, a pair of oppositely disposed laterally spaced parallel side walls extending vertically from the side edges of said bottom wall, said side walls being further provided along the upper edges thereof with laterally extending flanges which are adapted to be slidably received in the guide grooves of said first bracket member when said first and second bracket members are assembled in interlocked engagement, said tab means extending rearwardly from said bottom wall.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further characterized by channel-shaped resilient liner means in said guide grooves.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by a front wall depending downwardly from the front edge of said top wall, there being a space between the side edges of said front wall and said side walls to permit slidable insertion of said second bracket member into interlocked engagement with said first bracket member.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rear ends of said laterally extending flanges are tapered inwardly to facilitate slidable insertion thereof into the guide grooves of said first bracket member.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by means on said first bracket member cooperating with spring means on said second bracket member to releasably and resiliently hold said first and second bracket members in interlocked engagement.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said spring means is comprised of a rEsilient leaf spring protruding downwardly through an opening in the top wall of said first bracket member.

9. A bracket device for removably attaching an accessory to a support member, for example the underside of a vehicle dashboard, said apparatus comprising:

a first bracket member adapted to be fixed to the support member, said first bracket member including a top wall and pair of underlying oppositely disposed laterally spaced parallel guide grooves extending from the front edge of said top wall to the rear edge thereof, front and rear walls depending downwardly from the front and rear edges respectively of said top wall, said rear wall extending across substantially the full width of said top wall to close the rear ends of said guide grooves, the ends of said front wall being spaced from said side walls to expose the front ends of said guide grooves;

a second bracket member adapted to be fixed to the accessory, said second bracket member having laterally extending flanges which are suitably shaped and dimensioned for slidable insertion into the guide grooves of said first bracket member when said first and second bracket members are operatively assembled in interlocked engagement;

a first opening on the back member of said first bracket member;

tab means on said second bracket members, said tab means being positioned to extend through said first opening when said first and second bracket members are operatively assembled in interlocked engagement; and

, a second opening on said tab means, said second opening being located to the rear of said rear wall when said first and second bracket members are operatively assembled in interlocked engagement, said second opening being adapted to receive a separate locking means which will prevent withdrawal of said tab means from said first opening.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further characterized by third opening means in said first bracket member adjacent to the entry ends of said guide grooves, said third opening means being adapted to receive a separate locking device which will prevent slidable withdrawal of said laterally extending flanges from said guide grooves.