Replacement radio receiving apparatus with adapter frame for in dash automotive installations
United States Patent 3922047
Replacement radio receiving apparatus for "aftermarket," in-dash installation is disclosed including a faceplate from which a nosepiece and control elements project. The control elements are mounted in slots in the faceplate whereby the center-to-center distance between the control elements may be adjusted to align them with existing apertures in the instrument panel. A generally rectangular adapter frame is further disclosed for filling the gap between the nosepiece and the edges of an existing cutout in the instrument panel for receiving the nosepiece. Each control element has a knob shaft having a D-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal slot to accommodate various types of original equipment control element knobs.
US Patent References:
/1731199.html
Keeney - October 1929 - 1731199
Combination integral transparent member and escutcheon frame
Stenberg - May 1939 - 2160762
Holder for thermionic valves and the like and means for securing them to apertured supports
Wagstaff - March 1949 - 2464778
Receiver mounting apparatus permitting adjustement of control shaft position
Race - June 1968 - 3390338
RADIO MOUNTING COLLAR
Chiappinelli - March 1974 - 3799483
/1731199.html
Keeney - October 1929 - 1731199
Combination integral transparent member and escutcheon frame
Stenberg - May 1939 - 2160762
Holder for thermionic valves and the like and means for securing them to apertured supports
Wagstaff - March 1949 - 2464778
Receiver mounting apparatus permitting adjustement of control shaft position
Race - June 1968 - 3390338
RADIO MOUNTING COLLAR
Chiappinelli - March 1974 - 3799483
Application Number:
05/449750
Publication Date:
11/25/1975
Filing Date:
03/11/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
J.I.L. Corporation of America, Inc. (Carson, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
312/7.100
International Classes:
B60R11/02; H04B1/08; B60R11/00; H05K5/00
Field of Search:
180/90 248/27 312/7R,242 325/352
Primary Examiner:
Gilliam, Paul R.
Assistant Examiner:
Corbin, David H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Fraser, And Bogucki
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. For use with a replacement radio receiving apparatus adapted to be mounted in an automobile instrument panel having a generally rectangular nosepiece cutout and control element apertures in recessed portions of the instrument panel bilaterally adjacent the cutout, the receiving apparatus having a faceplate and a nosepiece and control elements bilaterally adjacent the nosepiece projecting from the faceplate: a generally rectangular adapter frame for filling a gap defined by the nosepiece and the instrument panel cutout, the adapter frame including top, bottom and side walls having front extremities, a flange directed inwardly from the front extremities of the walls and defining an inner, rectangular opening adapted to receive the nosepiece in a close fit, the flange defining a front surface having an outer rectangular margin dimensioned to engage the portion of the instrument panel around the cutout, the frame further including a lug projecting laterally from each side wall, each lug having a horizontally oriented slot for receiving one of the control elements and permitting lateral adjustment thereof, each lug being attached to the side wall rearward of the front surface of the frame to provide clearance for the recessed portion of the instrument panel.
1. For use with a replacement radio receiving apparatus adapted to be mounted in an automobile instrument panel having a generally rectangular nosepiece cutout and control element apertures in recessed portions of the instrument panel bilaterally adjacent the cutout, the receiving apparatus having a faceplate and a nosepiece and control elements bilaterally adjacent the nosepiece projecting from the faceplate: a generally rectangular adapter frame for filling a gap defined by the nosepiece and the instrument panel cutout, the adapter frame including top, bottom and side walls having front extremities, a flange directed inwardly from the front extremities of the walls and defining an inner, rectangular opening adapted to receive the nosepiece in a close fit, the flange defining a front surface having an outer rectangular margin dimensioned to engage the portion of the instrument panel around the cutout, the frame further including a lug projecting laterally from each side wall, each lug having a horizontally oriented slot for receiving one of the control elements and permitting lateral adjustment thereof, each lug being attached to the side wall rearward of the front surface of the frame to provide clearance for the recessed portion of the instrument panel.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to replacement radio receiving apparatus and specifically to devices for adapting such apparatus to existing tuning means cutouts and control element apertures in automobile instrument panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Original equipment automobile radio receiving apparatus typically comprises an AM push button receiver and replacement thereof with a better quality system providing higher fidelity and a greater variety of programming including, for example, FM, FM stereo and magnetic tape playback, is often desired. It is important, of course, from the standpoint of consumer acceptance that such replacement radio receiving apparatus be adaptable to a great variety of instrument panel configurations and that the visible portions of such apparatus blend in with a wide range of interior designs to present an appearance that is pleasing and resembles as closely as possible the original equipment installation. It has been found that the latter requirement is best met when the area around the tuning dial and push buttons appears as a substantially continuous surface, that is, when the front face of the enclosure or "nosepiece" surrounding the tuning dial and push buttons is in approximately the same plane as the instrument panel. Several problems arise however, in meeting the foregoing requirements. For example, the nosepiece of a given replacement radio receiver apparatus may be significantly smaller than the instrument panel cutout in which case a gap remains around the nosepiece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an adapter frame is provided for filling the gap defined by the instrument panel cutout and the nosepiece. More specifically, the adapter frame has a front surface with an outer margin at least as large, and preferably slightly larger, than the instrument panel cutout. The frame also has an inwardly directed flange defining an inner opening closely conforming to the size and shape of the exterior surface of the nosepiece. The frame also has laterally projecting lugs with openings for receiving the control elements.
Other particular aspects of the invention pertain to structural features of the control elements for preventing rotation and longitudinal movement thereof during installation and adjustment of the distance between control elements. Moreover, the control element knob shafts are adapted in accordance with the invention to receive either of the two most commonly employed knob types.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the detailed description below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a replacement radio apparatus incorporating features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a replacement radio receiving apparatus in accordance with the invention as installed in an automobile instrument panel;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the replacement radio receiving apparatus of FIG. 2 and in which certain elements, including the instrument panel, have been omitted for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a control element for use in connection with the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a portion of the radio receiving apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 showing details of the control element mounting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
By way of definition, the terms "front" and "forward" will be used to describe elements or portions of elements closest to the passenger compartment and the terms "rear" and "rearward" will be used to describe elements or portions of elements positioned away from said compartment. Further, the term "longitudinal" will be used to refer to a direction extending generally normal to the instrument panel and would apply, by way of illustration, to the direction of movement of the station selector push buttons.
Moreover, although the apparatus of the invention will be designated in this description primarily as a "radio receiving" apparatus it will be evident that the invention described and claimed herein is not limited to any particular form of automtoive sound apparatus but may include any one or a combination of AM, FM, FM stereo and/or tape playback capabilities, the latter being provided by either cassettes or 8-track tape cartridges.
Turning now to the drawings, the replacement radio receiving apparatus of the invention is designed for mounting in an instrument panel 10 having a tuning means cutout 12 and a control element aperture 14 adjacent each side of the cutout 12. Typically the portion of the automobile instrument panel carrying the radio receiving apparatus has a flat, vertically disposed front surface. The instrument panels of many vehicles have wells or recesses about the control element apertures 14 as best seen in FIG. 1.
The radio receiving apparatus includes an exterior case 16 housing a chassis carrying appropriate electronic components and having a front face defined by a faceplate 18. Attached to the faceplate 18 is a tuning means enclosure or nosepiece 20 incorporating a tuning dial 22 and from which push button station selectors 24 project. In accordance with one practical example, the nosepiece 20 has an overall width of 105 mm (to accommodate standard tape cartridges 102 mm in width) and thus, in a typical installation, will fit through the existing instrument panel cutout 12 with a substantial amount of clearance.
The faceplate 18 has a horizontal slot 26 along each side of the nosepiece 20 through which a control element 28 extends. Above and below each slot 26 is a horizontal guide slit 30 having a length approximately equal to that of the slot 26. The control element 28 may comprise any one of a number of well known devices for controlling functions such as volume, station selection, tone, balance and power. The control elements illustrated herein each comprise a dual function potentiometer means including a housing 32, terminals 34 projecting from the rear face of the housing, a boss 36 on the front face of the housing 32 and an outer, threaded sleeve 38 extending from the boss 36. The boss 36 has horizontal flats 40 for engaging the upper and lower edges of the slot 26. Each control element 28 is secured to the faceplate 18 by a nut 42 engaging a washer 44.
The control element sleeve 38 has a circumferential groove 46 immediately adjacent the boss for receiving a retainer clip 48. The clip 48 engages the faceplate 18 and along with the front face of the potentiometer housing 32 prevents longitudinal movement of the control element 28. During installation of the radio receiving apparatus, while the control elements 28 are slidably positioned along the horizontal slots 26 to align them with the apertures 14, the flats 40 on the boss 36 prevent rotation of the control elements and thereby maintain the terminals 34 in a predetermined orientation, for example, facing upwardly. The retainer clips 48 prevent the control elements from being pushed inside the chassis, thereby eliminating any possibility of damage to or shorting of the terminals 34.
As best shown in FIG. 5, disposed between the retainer clip 48 and the control element washer 44 is a guide washer 52 for providing an adequate surface area for engagement by the washer 44 and for assisting in the placement of the control element 28 along the length of the slot 26. In the latter connection, the guide washer 52 has upper and lower, rearwardly projecting tabs 54 extending into the guide slits 30. An indicator mark 56, impressed along the upper edge of the guide washer 52 is alignable with any of a series of corresponding marks 58 on the faceplate 18 to set the center-to-center spacing between the control elements 28. The distance between corresponding faceplate marks 58 on opposite sides of the nosepiece 20 are equivalent to the center-to-center control element aperture spacings utilized in various major automobile makes.
In order to enhance the appearance of the replacement installation, the control element knobs from the discarded original equipment radio may be used. To accommodate the two major types of knobs on original equipment units, each control element has a bifurcated knob shaft 62 with an axially extending slot 64 and a D-shaped cross-section. Original equipment knobs, both of the kind having D-shaped shaft apertures and of the kind having a central, recessed clip for frictionally engaging the sides of the shaft slot 64, may therefore be re-used.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an adapter frame 70 is provided for filling the gap between the exterior surface of the nosepiece 20 and the edges of the cutout 12. The frame 70, which may be a molded plastic part, has a generally rectangular configuration defined by side walls 76 and upper and lower walls 72 and 74, respectively. The exterior surface of the frame is shaped and dimensioned so as to be slightly larger than the instrument panel cutout 12. An inwardly directed front flange 78 bordering the frame defines a front surface 80 for bridging the space about the nosepiece 20 and also defines an inner opening 82 dimensioned for a close fit with the exterior surface of the nosepiece 20. Lugs 84 having horizontally oriented slots 86 spaced and dimensioned for alignment with the slots 26 in the faceplate 18, project from the side walls 76. The lugs 84 are positioned sufficiently rearward of the front surface 80 so as to provide ample clearance for the instrument panel recesses about the control element apertures 14. A control element nut 88 behind each lug 84 positions the frame 70 longitudinally so that, in a typical installation, the front face of the nosepiece 20 projects slightly (for example, about 1 mm) from the surface 80 of the frame 70, as best shown in FIG. 3.
Upon installation of the replacement apparatus in the instrument panel 10, the longitudinal position of the apparatus relative to the instrument panel is determined by the control element nuts 90 on opposite sides of the instrument panel. Typically, the apparatus is positioned so that the outer margin of the front surface 80 of the frame 70 just engages the inside surface of the instrument panel about the cutout 12, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The present invention relates generally to replacement radio receiving apparatus and specifically to devices for adapting such apparatus to existing tuning means cutouts and control element apertures in automobile instrument panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Original equipment automobile radio receiving apparatus typically comprises an AM push button receiver and replacement thereof with a better quality system providing higher fidelity and a greater variety of programming including, for example, FM, FM stereo and magnetic tape playback, is often desired. It is important, of course, from the standpoint of consumer acceptance that such replacement radio receiving apparatus be adaptable to a great variety of instrument panel configurations and that the visible portions of such apparatus blend in with a wide range of interior designs to present an appearance that is pleasing and resembles as closely as possible the original equipment installation. It has been found that the latter requirement is best met when the area around the tuning dial and push buttons appears as a substantially continuous surface, that is, when the front face of the enclosure or "nosepiece" surrounding the tuning dial and push buttons is in approximately the same plane as the instrument panel. Several problems arise however, in meeting the foregoing requirements. For example, the nosepiece of a given replacement radio receiver apparatus may be significantly smaller than the instrument panel cutout in which case a gap remains around the nosepiece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an adapter frame is provided for filling the gap defined by the instrument panel cutout and the nosepiece. More specifically, the adapter frame has a front surface with an outer margin at least as large, and preferably slightly larger, than the instrument panel cutout. The frame also has an inwardly directed flange defining an inner opening closely conforming to the size and shape of the exterior surface of the nosepiece. The frame also has laterally projecting lugs with openings for receiving the control elements.
Other particular aspects of the invention pertain to structural features of the control elements for preventing rotation and longitudinal movement thereof during installation and adjustment of the distance between control elements. Moreover, the control element knob shafts are adapted in accordance with the invention to receive either of the two most commonly employed knob types.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the detailed description below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a replacement radio apparatus incorporating features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a replacement radio receiving apparatus in accordance with the invention as installed in an automobile instrument panel;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the replacement radio receiving apparatus of FIG. 2 and in which certain elements, including the instrument panel, have been omitted for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a control element for use in connection with the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a portion of the radio receiving apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 showing details of the control element mounting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
By way of definition, the terms "front" and "forward" will be used to describe elements or portions of elements closest to the passenger compartment and the terms "rear" and "rearward" will be used to describe elements or portions of elements positioned away from said compartment. Further, the term "longitudinal" will be used to refer to a direction extending generally normal to the instrument panel and would apply, by way of illustration, to the direction of movement of the station selector push buttons.
Moreover, although the apparatus of the invention will be designated in this description primarily as a "radio receiving" apparatus it will be evident that the invention described and claimed herein is not limited to any particular form of automtoive sound apparatus but may include any one or a combination of AM, FM, FM stereo and/or tape playback capabilities, the latter being provided by either cassettes or 8-track tape cartridges.
Turning now to the drawings, the replacement radio receiving apparatus of the invention is designed for mounting in an instrument panel 10 having a tuning means cutout 12 and a control element aperture 14 adjacent each side of the cutout 12. Typically the portion of the automobile instrument panel carrying the radio receiving apparatus has a flat, vertically disposed front surface. The instrument panels of many vehicles have wells or recesses about the control element apertures 14 as best seen in FIG. 1.
The radio receiving apparatus includes an exterior case 16 housing a chassis carrying appropriate electronic components and having a front face defined by a faceplate 18. Attached to the faceplate 18 is a tuning means enclosure or nosepiece 20 incorporating a tuning dial 22 and from which push button station selectors 24 project. In accordance with one practical example, the nosepiece 20 has an overall width of 105 mm (to accommodate standard tape cartridges 102 mm in width) and thus, in a typical installation, will fit through the existing instrument panel cutout 12 with a substantial amount of clearance.
The faceplate 18 has a horizontal slot 26 along each side of the nosepiece 20 through which a control element 28 extends. Above and below each slot 26 is a horizontal guide slit 30 having a length approximately equal to that of the slot 26. The control element 28 may comprise any one of a number of well known devices for controlling functions such as volume, station selection, tone, balance and power. The control elements illustrated herein each comprise a dual function potentiometer means including a housing 32, terminals 34 projecting from the rear face of the housing, a boss 36 on the front face of the housing 32 and an outer, threaded sleeve 38 extending from the boss 36. The boss 36 has horizontal flats 40 for engaging the upper and lower edges of the slot 26. Each control element 28 is secured to the faceplate 18 by a nut 42 engaging a washer 44.
The control element sleeve 38 has a circumferential groove 46 immediately adjacent the boss for receiving a retainer clip 48. The clip 48 engages the faceplate 18 and along with the front face of the potentiometer housing 32 prevents longitudinal movement of the control element 28. During installation of the radio receiving apparatus, while the control elements 28 are slidably positioned along the horizontal slots 26 to align them with the apertures 14, the flats 40 on the boss 36 prevent rotation of the control elements and thereby maintain the terminals 34 in a predetermined orientation, for example, facing upwardly. The retainer clips 48 prevent the control elements from being pushed inside the chassis, thereby eliminating any possibility of damage to or shorting of the terminals 34.
As best shown in FIG. 5, disposed between the retainer clip 48 and the control element washer 44 is a guide washer 52 for providing an adequate surface area for engagement by the washer 44 and for assisting in the placement of the control element 28 along the length of the slot 26. In the latter connection, the guide washer 52 has upper and lower, rearwardly projecting tabs 54 extending into the guide slits 30. An indicator mark 56, impressed along the upper edge of the guide washer 52 is alignable with any of a series of corresponding marks 58 on the faceplate 18 to set the center-to-center spacing between the control elements 28. The distance between corresponding faceplate marks 58 on opposite sides of the nosepiece 20 are equivalent to the center-to-center control element aperture spacings utilized in various major automobile makes.
In order to enhance the appearance of the replacement installation, the control element knobs from the discarded original equipment radio may be used. To accommodate the two major types of knobs on original equipment units, each control element has a bifurcated knob shaft 62 with an axially extending slot 64 and a D-shaped cross-section. Original equipment knobs, both of the kind having D-shaped shaft apertures and of the kind having a central, recessed clip for frictionally engaging the sides of the shaft slot 64, may therefore be re-used.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an adapter frame 70 is provided for filling the gap between the exterior surface of the nosepiece 20 and the edges of the cutout 12. The frame 70, which may be a molded plastic part, has a generally rectangular configuration defined by side walls 76 and upper and lower walls 72 and 74, respectively. The exterior surface of the frame is shaped and dimensioned so as to be slightly larger than the instrument panel cutout 12. An inwardly directed front flange 78 bordering the frame defines a front surface 80 for bridging the space about the nosepiece 20 and also defines an inner opening 82 dimensioned for a close fit with the exterior surface of the nosepiece 20. Lugs 84 having horizontally oriented slots 86 spaced and dimensioned for alignment with the slots 26 in the faceplate 18, project from the side walls 76. The lugs 84 are positioned sufficiently rearward of the front surface 80 so as to provide ample clearance for the instrument panel recesses about the control element apertures 14. A control element nut 88 behind each lug 84 positions the frame 70 longitudinally so that, in a typical installation, the front face of the nosepiece 20 projects slightly (for example, about 1 mm) from the surface 80 of the frame 70, as best shown in FIG. 3.
Upon installation of the replacement apparatus in the instrument panel 10, the longitudinal position of the apparatus relative to the instrument panel is determined by the control element nuts 90 on opposite sides of the instrument panel. Typically, the apparatus is positioned so that the outer margin of the front surface 80 of the frame 70 just engages the inside surface of the instrument panel about the cutout 12, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.