GB2249579A

GB2249579A - Lockable cover assembly for vehicle audio equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2249579A
Application number: GB9114485A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Kevin Mcmahon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-06
Filing date: 1991-07-04
Publication date: 1992-05-13
Also published as: GB9114485D0; GB9024132D0

Abstract

A cage (10) fits into an aperture in a vehicle dashboard to surround the front region of audio equipment which is subsequently fitted therein. A cover or lid (14), which fits over the front of the equipment, to conceal it, is lockable to the cage (10) by a key actuated mechanism comprising a pair of locking members (16) which are displaceable laterally, mutally apart or towards each other under the influence of a rotatable element (20). Engagement means, such as lugs (35), on these members (16) interlock with engagement portions, such as apertures (27), at respective ends, preferably at each corner, of the cage (10). To retain the cage (10) an auxiliary frame (12) may be used which has tabs (13) which are deformable so as to engage behind a relevant portion of the vehicle housing. A two part frame, with tabs formed only on one part, is particularly advantageous and may be used as part of other lockable cover assemblies. <IMAGE>

Description

LOCKABLE COVER ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE AUDIO EQUIPMENT This invention relates to a lockable cover assembly for mounting in a vehicle so as to protect audio equipment, such as a radio or cassette player, installed therein and reduce the likelihood of its theft.

Theft of audio equipment from vehicles is increasingly common. Covers or lids for fitting over the exposed front of such audio equipment, as mounted in the vehicle dashboard or elsewhere, have been proposed, but hitherto have not proved to be effective or commercially successful.

In one known commercial arrangement a cage or frame is provided around the audio equipment for engagement by the lid, but this cage or frame projects too far from the surrounding fascia to be convenient for the user.

More importantly, locking by a projectable bolt occurs at only one position, centrally at the top or bottom of the transversely elongate lid, with fixed lugs engageable into recesses at an opposing location, so that prising off of the lid is not too difficult for a thief. It is appreciated that theft can never be totally prevented if a thief is determined, but the level of difficulty of break-in in this case is unlikely to be sufficient to deter potential thieves.

In another known proposal, set out in GB 2104953, a lid is securable to the front panel of the audio equipment itself. This may not effectively prevent insertion of a tool between the equipment and its housing for prising out and theft of the equipment. Moreover, it means that the front panel of the equipment itself requires special adaptations, which makes its application to existing equipment problematic or impractical.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved audio cover arrangement, whereby unauthorized removal (theft) of the audio equipment and/or the cover, when the cover is locked thereover, are more difficult than hitherto.

According to a first aspect of the invention a lockable cover assembly for vehicle audio equipment comprises a cage for fitting around the front region of the equipment between said equipment and its vehicle housing, said cage having means whereby it is retained relative to said housing and having at or adjacent to each end respective cover engagement portions, and a cover provided with a key actuated locking mechanism including a pair of locking members which are displaceable laterally, mutually apart or mutually towards each other, under the influence of a rotatable element interposed therebetween, between a relatively widely spaced locking position and a closely spaced unlocked position, said locking members in their locking position being engageable with the cover engagement portions of the cage when the cover is fitted onto the cage.

Conveniently, the locking means are provided with specific engagement means, in the form of projections, lugs or fingers, for engagement with the cage, whilst the cover engagement portions of the latter comprise corresponding apertures, recesses, slots or hooked portions for reception of such engagement means. The arrangement could, however, be reversed with projections on the cage and corresponding reception means on the locking members.

Advantageously, the cage is provided with two spaced apart cover engagement portions at or adjacent to each end, with corresponding numbers of locking members or locking member engagement means for engagement therewith. Such an arrangement results in locking of the cover at several spaced positions around its periphery, providing greater security against it being prised off by a thief or vandal.

In this respect the cage is preferably substantially rectangular and provided with cover engagement portions at or adjacent each corner thereof.

The locking members may take the form of webs or gates which are slidably retained at the rear side of the cover.

In certain practical embodiments the cover assembly may additionally comprise an auxiliary frame adapted for installation in the vehicle housing for the audio equipment for engagement by the retention means of the cage, which retention means then generally takes the form of an inturned lip. In this respect, for secure installation, the frame is advantageously provided with a plurality of readily deformable tabs which can be folded behind any suitable portion of the equipment housing of the vehicle. The tabs may be formed with one or more recesses, notches or cut away portions to facilitate bending.

For added strength the frame may be bent so that in cross-section it is substantially right-angled.

Alternatively, also for added strength, certain preferred embodiments of such an auxiliary frame may comprise two parts connected together in overlying relationship, each of the tabs being carried by only one of the parts. In this respect, the first part maybe a simple frame, generally rectangular, and the second part of similar shape but carrying the tabs. In this way it is possible to achieve a frame of adequate rigidity and strength for the purpose, with tabs which are sufficiently thin to be readily deformable.

The two parts may be connected together only at spaced locations, e.g. by spot welding. The unconnected intermediate sections may then serve a useful purpose by acting in resilient, spring-like manner and ensuring a reliable friction fit relative to the cage, irrespective of variation in the space available for the frame, hence obviating any tendency for the frame to vibrate or rattle in the installed assembly.

The aforesaid type of two-part frame may also usefully be employed as part of a lockable cover assembly for audio equipment which does not have a locking mechanism as specified hereinbefore.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the invention, a lockable cover assembly may be provided which comprises a cage for fitting around the front region of the equipment between said equipment and its vehicle housing, a cover for fitting over the front of the equipment, said cover having a locking mechanism whereby it is lockably engageable with the cage, and an auxiliary frame which is adapted for engagement with the cage and has a plurality of deformable tabs for folding behind any suitable portion of the vehicle housing so as to locate and retain the cage in the housing, this auxiliary frame consisting of at least two parts connected together in overlying relationship with each of the tabs being carried by only one of the parts.

Specific practical examples of lockable cover assemblies embodying respective aspects of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment in accordance with the first aspect; Fig. 2a is a perspective exploded view of a two part frame which may be used in place of the frame in the Fig. 1 embodiment; Fig. 2b is a similar view showing the two parts connected together; Fig. 2c is a fragmentary view showing how the tabs are folded in use of the frame of Figs. 2" and 2b; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another modified frame which may be used in place of the frame in the Fig. 1 embodiment.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a cage 10, an auxiliary fixing frame 12, and a cover or lid 14. The cover or lid 14 is provided with a pair of locking members in the form of gates 16, which are retained for sliding in co-planar relationship by respective plates 18 and are operatively interlinked by a rotary locking plate 20 which is centrally located therebetween.

Starting at the rear of this assembly, when the components are considered in the order in which they are installed into a vehicle and as eventually viewed from the dashboard fascia, the fixing frame 12 consists of a single rectangle of thin metal strip, e.g. mild steel, the major surfaces of which lie in the plane of the rectangle. Extending rearwardly from this rectangular strip are four tabs 13, arranged in this case as two aligned pairs, two spaced apart along one elongate side and two at the opposing side, which in use are most likely to be the top and bottom sides of the frame 12.

The tabs 13 are each connected to the rectangular strip only at a central region and have lateral wings at each side. The tabs 13, and in particular their wings, are readily deformable. The rectangular strip and the tabs 13 may be cut out in one piece from sheet steel with the tabs projecting inwardly and subsequently bent back at right angles to form the fixing frame configuration, as shown.

The cage 10 is of rectangular, box section form, having side walls 21 to 24 disposed perpendicular to the plane of the rectangle. The rectangular dimensions of the cage 10 are similar to the frame 12 and are chosen, together with the wall thickness of the side walls 21 to 24 so that the cage 10 will fit snugly into an aperture or housing provided in a vehicle dashboard fascia for reception of audio equipment, yet will not impede subsequent insertion of the equipment therein. The upper and lower walls 21 and 23 of the cage 10 are wider than the side walls 22, 24 and extend further to the rear side of the cage 10. Along their rear edges these walls 21, 23 are formed with respective inturned lips 25 and at the ends they are obliquely cut, as indicated at 26.Small rectangular apertures 27, constituting cover engagement portions are provided at the top and bottom of both of the side walls, 22, 24.

For installation, the rectangular portion of the fixing frame 12 can conveniently be inserted from one end and slid into engagement behind the lips 25 of the cage 10.

The fixing frame and cage together can then be inserted into the vehicle aperture or housing and secured there by deformation of the tabs 13 to engage behind parts of the dashboard fascia panelling.

If necessary, however, the cage 10 could be installed by its lips 25 making a snap fit with the frame 12, or, in cases where the frame 12 is not used, with any other appropriate frame or surrounding housing portions. In this respect, certain models of vehicles are already provided with appropriate means for cage retention so that the auxiliary frame 12, as illustrated, is not required.

After the cage 10 is installed, the relevant audio equipment is installed, or re-installed as the case may be, so that the cage walls 21 to 24 surround the front margins of that equipment and substantially fill the gap between the vehicle housing means and that equipment.

The front edge of the cage 10 should project forwardly of the audio equipment only to a small extent, sufficient to expose the apertures 27 and thus allow attachment of the cover 14, as will now be described.

The cover or lid 14 is also of steel and of rectangular form. It either corresponds, in its rectangular dimensions, to those of cage 10, or is only slightly larger so that when the cover 14 is locked onto the cage 10 the front of the audio equipment encircled by the cage is completely enclosed and inaccessible. The cover 14 is provided with a rim 28 which may be between 0.5 and 1.5cm deep and with a central key barrel 30. At the rear of the cover, as mentioned, the gates 16 are retained for limited lateral sliding movement by respective plates 18 which may be welded to the rim 28, at top and bottom, rearwardly of the gates 16.

The gates 16 are of channel section form and apertured.

They are of substantially identical shape, having at their mutually facing edges oppositely directed curved surfaces 31, 32 terminating in projections 33, 34 which provide stop means, and having at their opposing remote ends projecting engagement lugs 35 at top and bottom.

The locking plate 20, which lies between the plates 18, to the rear of the gates 16 is connected to the rotatable portion of key barrel 30 for rotation therewith through an angle of between 90" and 1800.

This plate 20 carries respective forwardly projecting pegs 29 which contact the curved surfaces 31, 32 or the projections 33, 34 of the gates 16 to move them mutually apart to their locking position or draw them mutually towards each other to their unlocked position.

In this respect, clockwise rotation of the plate 20 from the illustrated position will move the pegs 29 along the curved surfaces 31, 33 to abut the inner edges of the projections 33, 34 and thereafter to draw the gates 16 towards each other. Upon subsequent counterclockwise rotation the gates 16 will be moved apart to a maximum distance equal to the fixed spacing apart of the pegs 29, as the pegs 29 bear again the curved surfaces 31, 32 and return to horizontal alignment.

In use, the cover 14 is intended to be secured over the front of the audio equipment when the vehicle is to be left unattended. The cover 14 is simply held in position and the key turned to move the gates 16 apart to their locking position where the four lugs 35 engage securely into the four apertures 27 of the surrounding cage 10.

Fig. 3 shows a modified frame 42, which may be used in place of the frame 12 in Fig. 1. For added strength it is angled, being substantially right-angled in crosssection except in the regions from which tabs 43 project. These tabs are also of modified shape compared to tabs 13 in Fig. 1 in that each is formed with a central recess 46 opposite the neck which joins each tab 43 to the rectangular frame. It is however, used in exactly the same way as the frame 12.

Figs. 2a to 2c illustrate an alternative, laminated or two-part auxiliary frame 52 which also may advantageously be employed in place of the frame 12 in Fig. 1. This frame 52 consists of two parts 53, 54, conveniently cut from thin sheets of mild steel, thinner than that used for the frame 12, and considerably less than lmm in thickness. The first part 53 is a simple rectangle, whilst the second part 54 carries four tabs 55, arranged as two aligned pairs, two spaced along one elongate side and two along the opposing elongate side.

Each of these tabs 55 is joined centrally to the rectangular portion and is formed with a central recess 56, thereby defining respective side portions or wings, which are readily deformable. The two frame parts 53, 54 are connected by spot welds (indicated by arrows 57) at intervals, their respective rectangular forms overlying each other. In this respect, as shown, the weld points 57 may conveniently be at the frame corners and midway along the elongate sides. In the intervals between the weld points, the two parts 53, 54 tend to spring slightly apart.

With a laminated frame of this type, the problem of providing sufficiently thin tabs 55 which can be especially easily deformed, as shown in Fig. 2C, whilst also providing a rectangular frame of adequate strength, is resolved, as the latter is double thickness, i.e.

formed of the two connected parts 53, 54, whilst the tabs 55 are of single thickness sheet metal. The spaced connection of the two parts is also advantageous in ensuring a good friction fit relative to the cage and obviating any tendency to rattle.

Although the laminated frame 52 may be used in place of the frame 12 for fitting to a cage 10, it may also be used with other forms of cages and covers in lockable cover assemblies for vehicle audio equipment.

The foregoing illustrated embodiments are, of course, only examples and variations are possible within the scope of the invention. In particular, the tabs used in the one piece frame of the Fig. 1 embodiment could be provided with one or more recesses, notches or cut any portions to facilitate bending.

In the case of a two part frame, as in Fig. 2, the tabs need not all be formed on the same part. For example, two could be formed on one part and two on the other so that each part is effectively identical in shape prior to connection. This would mean that multiple sets of only one shape need be produced.

Claims

1. A lockable cover assembly for vehicle audio equipment comprising a cage for fitting around the front region of the equipment between said equipment and its vehicle housing, said cage having means whereby it is retained relative to said housing and having at or adjacent to each end respective cover engagement portions, and a cover provided with a key actuated locking mechanism including a pair of locking members which are displaceable laterally, mutually apart or mutually towards each other, under the influence of a rotatable element interposed therebetween, between a relatively widely spaced locking position and a closely spaced unlocked position, said locking members in their locking position being engageable with the cover engagement portions of the cage when the cover is fitted onto the cage.

2. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking means are provided with specific engagement means, in the form of projections, lugs or fingers, for engagement with the cage, whilst the cover engagement portions of the latter comprise corresponding apertures, recesses, slots or hooked portions for reception of such engagement means.

3. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the cage is provided with two spaced apart cover engagement portions at or adjacent to each end, with corresponding numbers of locking members or locking member engagement means for engagement therewith.

4. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the cage is substantially rectangular and provided with engagement portions at or adjacent each corner thereof.

5. A cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking members take the form of webs or gates which are slidably retained at the rear side of the cover.

6. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the locking members are apertured.

7. A cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking members are of identical shape.

8. A cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking members have, at their mutually facing edges oppositely directed curved surfaces terminating in projections, the curved surfaces being contactable by the rotatable element to move the locking members to their locking position and the projections being engageable by the rotatable element to move the locking members to their unlocked position.

9. A cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim and additionally comprising an auxiliary frame which is adapted for installation in the vehicle housing for the audio equipment and which provides means for engagement by the retention means of the cage.

10. A cover assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retention means of the cage takes the form of an inturned lip.

11. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the auxiliary frame is provided with a plurality of deformable tabs for folding behind any suitable portion of the equipment housing of the vehicle.

12. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tabs are formed with one or more recesses, notches or cutaway portions.

13. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein the tabs are connected centrally to the frame and have deformable wings at each side.

14. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein the auxiliary frame, including the tabs, is cut in one piece from sheet steel.

15. A cover assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14 wherein the auxiliary frame, in cross-section, is bent substantially in a right angle.

16. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein the auxiliary frame comprises two parts connected together in overlying relationship, each of the tabs being carried by only one of the parts.

17. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the two parts of the frame are connected together only at spaced intervals.

18. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the two parts of the frame are of metal and are connected together by spot welding.

19. A lockable cover assembly for vehicle audio equipment comprising a cage for fitting around the front region of the equipment between said equipment and its vehicle housing, a cover for fitting over the front of the equipment, said cover having a locking mechanism whereby it is lockably engageable with the cage, and an auxiliary frame which is adapted for engagement with the cage and has a plurality of deformable tabs for folding behind any suitable portion of the vehicle housing so as to locate and retain the cage in the housing, this auxiliary frame consisting of at least two parts connected together in overlying relationship with each of the tabs being carried by only one of the parts.

20. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the tabs are formed with one or more recesses, notches or cutaway portions.

21. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the tabs are connected centrally to their respective frame parts and have deformable wings at each side.

22. A cover assembly as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein the two parts of the frame are connected together only at spaced intervals.

23. A cover assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the two parts of the frame are of metal and are connected together by spot welding.

24. An auxiliary frame adapted for engagement with a cage which fits around the front region of vehicle audio equipment between said equipment and its vehicle housing, said frame having a plurality of deformable tabs for folding behind any suitable portion of the vehicle housing so as to locate and retain the cage in the housing, consisting of at least two parts connected together in overlying relationship with each of the tabs being carried by only one the parts.

25. An auxiliary frame as claimed in claim 24 wherein the tabs are formed with one or more recesses, notches or cutaway portions.

26. An auxiliary frame as claimed in claim 24 or 25 wherein the tabs are connected centrally to their respective frame parts and have deformable wings at each side.

27. An auxiliary frame as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26 wherein the two parts of the frame are connected together only at spaced intervals.

28. An auxiliary frame as claimed in claim 27 wherein the two parts of the frame are of metal and are connected together by spot welding.

29. A lockable cover assembly for vehicle audio equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, or as modified in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, or Fig. 3 thereof.

30. An auxiliary frame adapted for engagement with a cage what fits around the front region of vehicle audio equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.