Universally adjustable mounting bracket

A bracket structure retains a radar detector at an interior surface of a vehicle, wherein the bracket provides a universal adjustment between the mounting plate attached to the interior surface and the supporting structure which carries the radar detector. A flexible arm on the bracket may be formed of a wire or other material which does not cold work during deformation to thereby provide an infinite number of adjustment positions for the radar detector. The supporting structure comprises a pair of legs which slidingly engage one another to accommodate radar detectors of various widths.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
a) Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a universally adjustable windshield 
mountable bracket for radar detectors, frequency scanners, laser signal 
receivers, and the like. 
b) Brief Description of the Prior Art 
A radar detector is a popular item as an accessory in motor vehicles. It is 
an item of significant value that should be concealed while a vehicle is 
parked in a public area. 
In order to keep such a device from public view, costly remote mounted 
detectors with dashboard and under-dashboard controls have been provided 
but these controls obstruct free movement of the body in under the 
dashboard area or project outwardly from the dash in an obstructing 
manner. 
Brackets to hold detectors are generally windshield mounted or clipped onto 
the windshield visor and either have a nonadjustable angular relationship 
between the bracket mount and the support portion of the bracket or have a 
linear hinge with a limited adjustment to hold the detector. 
The above and other disadvantages are overcome by the bracket structure of 
the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a substantial 
improvement in a bracket structure to retain a radar detector. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a bracket which provides 
a universal adjustment between the mounting plate attached to a windshield 
and the supporting plate or retainer which carries the radar detector. 
A flexible arm on the bracket is formed of a wire or other material which 
is flexible but does not cold work during deformation to thereby provide 
an infinite number of adjustment positions for the radar detector without 
breaking. 
The instant bracket provides further improvement by permitting adjustment 
in any desired direction. 
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth 
in the following description made in connection with the accompanying 
drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts 
throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a windshield 1 of an automotive 
vehicle is shown and mounted thereto in operating position is a bracket 10 
which exemplifies the instant invention. 
The bracket 10 has two separate operating parts, a windshield mount or 
mounting plate structure 20 and a radar detector supporting plate 
structure or retainer 30 and these two parts are operatively connected by 
a universally flexible arm 40. 
The mounting plate structure 20 comprises flat plate member 22 having a 
substantially tri-pod shape in plan. The mounting plate structure 20 
comprises a main suction cup 24 and a secondary or two suction cup 26; 
these two suction cups 24, 26 are substantially aligned along the vertical 
axis. The plate member 22 has two wings or arms 27 which project away on 
opposite directions of the suction cups 24, 26. Mounted on an end of each 
arm 27 is a stabilizing bumper 28. The bumpers 28 are preferably made of 
rubber and serve to stabilize the mounting plate 20 against the surface of 
the window 1. 
The suction cups 24, 26 are secured to the plate member 22 for 
self-adjustment therewith and in the preferred embodiment the suction cups 
24, 26 snap-fit into an aperture provided on the plate member 22. 
The supporting plate structure or retainer 30 is substantially claw-like in 
shape comprising first and second L-shaped legs 32, 34. The flexible arm 
40 is fixedly mounted on the second L-shaped leg 34, and the first 
L-shaped leg 32 slidingly engages the second L-shaped leg 34 to thereby 
accommodate radar detectors of various widths (see width `W` in FIG. 2). 
FIG. 1 illustrates the slots or channels 35a, 35b which enable the 
L-shaped legs 32, 34 to engage on another in a sliding manner. 
The relative position of the L-shaped legs 32, 34 is maintained by button 
head screws 36 which pass through a slots 34' in the second L-shaped leg 
34 and threadingly engage a nut or insert 32' embedded in the first 
L-shaped leg 32 (see FIGS. 3-5). The button head screws 36 are tightened 
to lock the first leg 32 relative to the second leg 34 at a set width 'W'. 
Operatively connecting the mounting plate 20 and the support member 30 is a 
flexible arm 40. The flexible arm 40 comprises a wire 42 which does not 
cold work during deformation and a corrugated sheath 44 which overlies and 
protects the wire 42. The flexible arm 40 is capable of bending in any 
direction. Further, the wire 42 is formed to resist breakage because it 
does not cold work during deformation; such articles are known in the art 
of metallurgy and provide a novel advantage when applied to this 
invention. An example of a non-cold working metal is common tin and silver 
silder. 
Referring to FIG. 2, the radar detector is shown in mounted position as 
held by the flanges 38 of the L-shaped legs 32, 34. The radar detector is 
readily inserted into or removed from its operating position. In a 
preferred embodiment, the L-shaped legs 32, 34 and the flanges 38 provided 
thereon have a rubber pad 50 along an engaging surface for increasing a 
frictional resistance between the bracket and the radar detector, and for 
lessening an impact force therebetween. The tangs 38a of flanges 38 are 
designed for mounting the device from sides with the device being held and 
supported by tangs 38a (see FIG. 3). Moreover, the webs 37 are designed to 
prevent protrusion of the device. 
The bracket of this invention having suction cups, stabilizing bumpers and 
a bendable neck is very easily mounted onto a windshield and the suction 
cups have a loose fitting connection to accommodate the curvature of a 
windshield. 
When the vehicle having this bracket therein is parked in a public area, 
the bracket is easily removed for storage in a hidden location. Moreover, 
the flexible neck connecting the mounting plate 20 to the support plate 30 
provides a stable universal adjustment of the radar detector, thereby 
improving and increasing the number of useable and convenient locations 
for the radar detector. 
While the foregoing invention has been shown and described with respect to 
a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those possessing skill in 
the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.