Method and apparatus for mounting radar detector

• US 5,020,754 A
• Filed: 01/22/1990
• Issued: 06/04/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Roche, David E., Davis, Gregg M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin-Shue, Alvin C.
• Application Number:
  US07/467,969
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.3, 248/206.4, 248/205.8, 248/291, 248/205.5-205.7, 248/206.2, 248/206.1, 248/309.1
• US Class Current: 248/206.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/20 Accessories, e.g. wind deflectors, blinds antiglare provisions B60J3/00; wind deflectors associated with roof openings B60J7/22; removable external protective coverings for windows or windscreens B60J11/08 ; aerodynamical spoiler for vehicles B62D35/00; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02

Abstract

Two suction cups are used to stably secure a radar detector or other device to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle, yet the suction cups are readily removed from the windshield by application of a single removal force which is applied to the suction cups, preferably simultaneously. The suction cups are each provided with an apertured protrusion or ear. The apertures of the ears receive a release bar which extends between the two cups and permits a single force to release both cups substantially simultaneously. The release bar includes an operating tab which can be activated by a user'"'"'s thumb or finger(s) while the thumb or finger(s) and palm of one of the user'"'"'s hands extend under the device. In this way, a radar detector or other device can be mounted by grasping it in one hand and forcing it against the windshield and removed from the windshield by the force of the grasping motion of one hand.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle, said apparatus being readily secured to and removed from the interior of said windshield and comprising:

a bracket for receiving and supporting the radar detector or other device;

at least two suction cups secured to said bracket for mounting said bracket to the interior of the windshield, said suction cups each having a release ear projecting outwardly adjacent a rim thereof; and

removal actuator means comprising a release bar movably mounted to said bracket and coupled to the release ears of said suction cups for releasing said suction cups in response to movement of said release bar relative to said bracket, said movement resulting from the application of a single removal force to said release bar.

2. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said single removal force applied to said release bar applies a corresponding force to the release ears of all of said suction cups to substantially simultaneously release all of said suction cups.

3. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said release ears include apertures and said release bar is coupled to the apertures of said ears.

4. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apparatus comprises only two suction cups and said release bar is movably coupled to said bracket via a release bar extension.

5. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein said release bar is pivotally mounted to said bracket via said release bar extension and defines an operating tab for pivotally moving said release bar to transfer a removal force applied to said operating tab to said apertured ears of said two suction cups.

6. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle, said apparatus being readily secured to and removed from the interior of said windshield and comprising:

first and second suction cups including mounting members, said suction cups each having a release ear projecting outwardly adjacent a rim thereof;

a bracket for receiving and supporting the device, said bracket including first and second sockets for receiving the mounting members of said first and second suction cups, respectively; and

removal actuator means comprising a release bar movably mounted to said bracket and coupled to the release ears of said first and second suction cups for releasing said first and second suction cups in response to movement of said release bar relative to said bracket, said movement resulting from application of a single removal force to said release bar.

7. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein said release ears each include an aperture and said release bar is coupled to the apertures of said ears of said first and second suction cups.

8. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar device to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein said release bar extends through the apertures of the ears of said first and second suction cups.

9. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein said release bar includes an extension pivotally supported by said bracket and an operating tab projecting from said extension.

10. Apparatus for mounting a device such as a radar detector to the interior of a windshield of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein said operating tab projects substantially perpendicularly from said extension.