US 5,979,724 AGranted

Automobile universal dashboard mounting apparatus

AssigneeCommand Audio Corporation

InventorsWilliam J. Loewenthal, Jr., Robert B. Brownell, Andrew L. Johnston

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A universal mounting apparatus to hold personal devices such as cellular telephones, walkie talkies, etc., by attaching onto a vehicle grill vent in the vehicle dashboard. This apparatus is not configured to any particular year or model of automobile or other vehicle, but is adaptable in several different ways so as to provide different attachment configurations. It is attachable without tools to most automobiles by use of two cable tie-like straps. One end of each strap hooks around a rib in the vent grill and the other end extends through a member which is held against a bracket, the feet of which bear against the dashboard immediately surrounding the vent grill. This allows the apparatus to conform to different sizes and shapes of vent grills while maintaining a firm connection.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus suitable for mounting to a vent grill of a vehicle having a plurality of vent ribs, the apparatus comprising:

a first member having two feet adapted to contact a dashboard of the vehicle adjacent the vent grill;
a second member adapted to at least partly fit inside a cavity defined in the first member, the cavity being defined in a surface of the first member opposing the feet, the second member including one element of a ball and socket, wherein the second member defines two spaced apart slots;
a first hook member and a second hook member, each hook member being flexible and terminating in a hook adapted to hook around one of the vent ribs, wherein each hook member includes an extension portion extending away from the hooks, the extension portion including a plurality of teeth, whereby the extension portion respectively fits into one of the slots and the teeth ratchedly engage the slot so that a length of the extension portion extending from the slot is adjustable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.