Retrofit automobile radio for older automobiles

A replacement or retrofit radio which can be used to replace a wide range of older automobile radios and fit into an almost unlimited number of dashboard configurations comprises a radio case or enclosure having a display sized to fit into most original automobile dashboard radio display openings. Separate control knob shafts and associated controls are provided electrically connected to the radio via relatively long cables. With separate control knob shafts, there is no limit to where the controls and shafts are placed with respect to the radio case and display. A selected set of brackets can be attached to the radio with the selected set of brackets providing adjustable physical mounting of the control knob shafts to the brackets and physical connection of the control knob shafts to the radio. This allows mounting of the radio in the dashboard of the automobile in the usual manner of tightening nuts onto threaded control knob shaft sleeves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to automobile radio receiver apparatus and particularly to replacement radio receiver apparatus having adjustable means for varying the spacing between the radio enclosure and the control elements so as to be capable of adapting to existing cutouts and control element apertures in automobile dashboards.

2. State of the Art

Radios have been a standard accessory in automobiles for decades and are generally mounted in the automobile dashboard. An automobile radio will generally include a radio case or enclosure having a display extending therefrom or mounted therein to display to a user the radio setting, and will generally also have a pair of control knob shafts extending therefrom for mounting control knobs for controlling and changing the settings of the radio. Usually one knob will control the volume of the radio and a second knob will control the tuning of the radio. Newer automobile radios may also include tape players and/or CD players.

Car radios, particularly car radios from the 1950's through the 1980's, generally have a face plate forming the front of the radio case or enclosure or mounted to the front of the radio case or enclosure, with the radio display and the control knob shafts for the control knobs extending from the face plate. The control knob shafts will generally include threaded control knob shaft sleeves extending from the radio through which the control knob shafts extend. To mount these radios in the dashboard of an automobile, the dashboard will generally provide a display opening to receive the radio display and shaft openings to simultaneously receive the pair of control knob shafts with respective control knob shaft sleeves extending from the radio. The radio is then secured in the dashboard by nuts screwed onto the control knob shaft sleeves from the front of the dashboard to secure the radio face plate and the radio case to the back of the dashboard. Thus, the dashboard is sandwiched between the radio face plate and the nuts tightened onto the threaded control knob shaft sleeves, which securely hold the radio in place in the dashboard. When mounted in the dashboard, the radio display will fit into the display opening in a manner so that it can be seen by a user and the control knob shafts for the control knobs will extend through the shaft openings and sleeves so that control knobs mounted on the shafts are accessible to a user to control the radio thus mounted. A back strap may sometimes also be used to secure and stabilize the back of the radio case or enclosure in position behind the dashboard.

As indicated, automobile radios are generally mounted in automobile dashboards. However, each model of automobile generally has a different dashboard design and usually dashboard designs change from year to year or at least every several years. With each new dashboard design, the size and placement of the radio display and the positioning of the control knobs for the radio are changed. Thus, over the last fifty or more years, hundreds of different dashboards with different display configurations and locations and different control knob shaft placements have been produced. Generally, each of the different dashboard designs with different display configurations and locations and different control knob shaft placements were accompanied by a different radio specifically configured to fit the particular dashboard design. The particular radios in the configurations to fit these many dashboards have long been out of production.

Radios do not last forever, and further, in recent years, there have been many improvements to automobile radios. Many older car drivers and classic car owners wish to replace the original radio in their vehicle with a new radio, either to provide a radio that works if the original radio has stopped working, or to provide a new radio with the additional features of more modern radios. Unfortunately, new original equipment replacement radios are not available for older cars, and further, new after market replacement radios to fit the many old dashboard radio configurations generally are not available.

There have been past attempts to provide replacement radios that provide adjustability of the spacing of the control knob shafts in order to allow the radio to fit a number of different dashboard radio (display opening and shaft opening) configurations. These radios generally have face plates with slots in which the control knob shafts are slidably mounted so their position can be adjusted to the extent allowed by the slots. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,067,654 and 3,906,371 both show radios with face plates with openings for the control knob shafts to pass through that are large enough to allow adjustment of the position of the shafts with respect to the radio case and display in both spacing and height in order to have one radio that can be adjusted to fit into a number of different automobile dashboards. Positioning plates are provided to locate the shafts in an adjusted fixed position in the face plate so as to fit a desired dashboard configuration in a desired car. U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,879 shows portions of the radio case from which the control knob shafts extend that slide in and out to adjust the spacing between the control knob shafts to fit different dashboard shaft opening configurations. However, the range of differences in mounting configurations for radios in the dashboards of older cars is very great and the limited adjustability in spacing and height of the control knob mounting shafts provided by the prior art will only cover a limited number of radio configurations. Thus, although these prior art replacement radios can fit a number of different dashboard arrangements, it is only a limited number of dashboard configurations.

The problem still exists of providing a replacement radio for older automobiles that will fit a wide range of older automobile dashboard arrangements and make replacement radios available for use with most older cars. The availability of replacement radios for older cars is becoming more of a problem as the number of particular older cars in need of such replacement radios becomes more limited. Thus, it is becoming almost impossible for classic and antique car owners to find replacement radios for their cars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a replacement radio which can be used to replace a wide range of older automobile radios and fit into an almost unlimited number of dashboard configurations comprises a radio case having a display sized to fit into most radio display openings. Separate control knob shafts and associated controls are provided electrically connected to the radio via relatively long cables or to be electrically connected to the radio via cables and plugs. With separate control knob shafts, there is no limit to where the controls and shafts are placed with respect to the radio case and display. The radio also includes means for mounting selected sets of brackets to the radio with each selected set of brackets providing adjustable physical mounting of the control knob shafts to the brackets and physical connection of the control knob shafts to the radio. This allows mounting of the radio in the dashboard of the automobile in the usual manner of tightening nuts onto the threaded control knob shaft sleeves. Different sets of mounting brackets can be provided with the radio so a user picks the appropriate set of brackets from the sets of brackets to appropriately position the control knob shafts with respect to the radio for the particular dashboard design configuration to which the radio is being matched. By providing for attachment of brackets to the radio so that different sets of brackets can be selected for attachment to the radio, a range of different sets of brackets can be provided which will then allow a user to select the set of brackets appropriate for widely differing arrangements and spacings of control knob shaft openings. Each different bracket set also has a range of adjustability for adjusting control knob shaft mounting within the control knob shaft arrangement covered by the brackets. Each set of brackets will provide a range of adjustment for the shafts approximately equal to the range of adjustment provided by prior art face plates, with each set of brackets essentially providing a separate adjustable face plate to the radio. This allows the user to provide a much wider range of control knob shaft configurations for the radio than previously available in the prior art. With the separate controls, there is no limit to where the controls and shafts are placed. Further, with separate control knob mounting shafts and associated controls, the controls and shafts can even be mounted completely separately from the radio and be connected to the radio by whatever length cable is needed. In such instances, the radio can be mounted through appropriate brackets directly to the dashboard or to another part of the automobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

An example of a replacement radio of the invention, indicated generally as10,FIGS. 1-3, includes a case or enclosure12having a display14forming the front thereof. The display14includes not only a display window or screen15, but also the edges, i.e., top edge16, opposite side edges17, and bottom edge18around the screen with control buttons20extending from the bottom edge18. The display12is sized so as to fit into the smallest expected size of dashboard display opening for which the radio will be expected to fit. Therefore, although the display14is shown as coextensive with and forming the entire front of case12, the display may be configured to be much smaller in size in relation to the front of case12so will take up only a portion of the front of case12. Since the display14will be sized to fit into the smallest expected dashboard display opening, there will be many dashboard display openings that will be larger than the display14extending from the front of radio case12. Where the display14is smaller than the dashboard display opening into which it is placed, various types of fillers or covers can be used to fill or cover the area between the edges of the display14and the edges of the dashboard display opening into which the display14is inserted. Buttons20extending from the bottom edge18of the display14can be used for various function controls, for example, for switching radio stations or for various CD and/or tape player controls. Replacement radio10can include various functions such as CD and/or tape players that did not exist in the original radio that the replacement radio10is replacing. In addition to buttons20, the display14can also include a sound signal input jack21and a headphone output jack22. The buttons20, input jack21, and output jack22can be located in any desired position in display14, not just along the bottom edge18.

The replacement radio10includes control knob shafts26,FIG. 3, extending from associated control housings28and having a threaded sleeve30around the portion of the control knob shaft26as it extends from the control housing28. Control knobs32fit onto the end of control knob shafts26. Connecting wires, such as ribbon wire or cable34, extends from control housing28to radio case12to electrically connect the controls in control housing28, which are operated by control knob shafts26, to the rest of the radio. The connecting wire34can be permanently connected into the radio within case12, or can be removably connected through plug35on an end of cable34to receiving socket36in radio case12. As can be seen, with the control knob shafts and associated controls completely separate from the case and connected by cable to the radio case, they are free to be moved and positioned as necessary to fit into receiving dashboard shaft openings.

In the embodiment illustrated, replacement radio10also includes means for attaching brackets to the radio case12which brackets will form means for attaching the radio to the dashboard or other part of the automobile into which the radio is to be installed. The brackets shown are L brackets40which are attached to opposite sides42of radio case12by, for example, screws44extending through brackets40and screwed into respective radio sides42. In this case, the screws44and the receiving holes in the brackets40and radio sides42form the means for attaching the brackets to the radio case. One leg46of each L brackets40extends outwardly from the front of radio case12. As shown, the legs46extend from the front of radio case12in opposite directions. These bracket legs can mount the control knob shaft sleeves30which then are used to mount the radio10in the dashboard in usual manner. Bracket legs46include slots48which slidingly receive shaft sleeves30therein so that shaft sleeves30and control knob shafts26can be adjustably positioned at any location along the slots48.

The replacement radio of the invention will usually be mounted in the dashboard of an automobile in substantially the same manner in which the original radio was mounted.FIGS. 4-9show a portion50of an automobile dashboard into which a replacement radio10of the invention has been mounted as a replacement for the original radio. The dashboard50includes a display opening52which receives the replacement radio display14therethrough and shaft openings54,FIG. 5, which receive the control knob shafts26and surrounding sleeves30therethrough. To install the replacement radio, a set of L brackets is selected to be attached to the radio case12that will allow the proper spacing and positioning of the control knob shafts26with respect to the radio display14so that when the radio is positioned behind the dashboard with the display14positioned directly behind the display opening52in the dashboard50, the control knob shafts26will be positioned behind the dashboard in alignment with the dashboard shaft openings54. The selected brackets will be attached to the radio case12. The replacement radio will be moved behind the dashboard50as shown byFIG. 7so that the display14extends into the display opening52. Control knob shafts26and shaft sleeves30are extended through shaft openings54. Before extending shafts26through shaft openings54, nuts56are screwed onto threaded sleeves30,FIGS. 8 and 9, and are positioned on sleeve30so as to adjust the amount of extension of shafts26beyond the front of dashboard50. The shafts26are then inserted through the slots48in bracket legs46and through shaft openings54in dashboard50so that nut56abuts against the back surface of bracket legs46. With the shafts26and sleeves30extending through shaft openings54, washers57are placed on sleeves30in front of dashboard50and nuts58are tightened onto sleeves30to sandwich dashboard50against bracket leg46between nuts56and58. As shown by arrow60,FIG. 9, this mounting allows for mounting of the shafts26on various widths of dashboards50. Because the bracket portion46is sandwiched against the back of dashboard50securely between nuts56and58, and because bracket40is attached to radio case12, radio10is securely attached to the dashboard50. To complete the installation, knobs32are pushed onto the ends of shafts26, and a wiring harness64with end plug65is plugged into socket66in the back of radio case12to connect the radio to a source of power, the battery in the automobile, and to the speakers in the automobile. An antenna can also be connected through wiring harness64, or can be connected separately to the radio.

As indicated, radio display14is made to fit into the smallest dashboard display opening that it is expected the radio will need to fit. Therefore, in many or most installations, the radio display14will be smaller than the dashboard display opening52with which the radio will be used. This situation is shown inFIG. 10, wherein the dashboard display opening52is larger than opening52as shown inFIG. 5, and is therefore larger than radio display14. Because of this, there is a gap70extending between the inside edges of the dashboard opening52and the outer perimeter of radio display14. This gap70is unsightly. Therefore, special filler or face plates can be molded and provided for particular models of automobiles to fit between the radio display14and the edges of the dashboard display opening to disguise this gap and provide a finished look to the radio. For example, a special face plate72, FIG.11, can be formed to have an opening73to closely fit around the replacement radio display14and have a raised portion74which extends in and fills space70. A flat plate portion75of the special face plate72extends to the control knob shaft openings. In this way, the special face plate72is securely held in position around radio display14when the radio is installed in an automobile dashboard.

FIG. 12shows an alternate face plate in the form of a cover plate76which is secured over gap70and over the dashboard around the display opening52to cover and disguise the gap70. Again, the cover plate has an opening to fit closely around the radio display14and is held in place by screws77which can be threaded into tabs78extending from radio case12in space70. Cover plate76covers any gap present between the perimeter edges of radio display14and the inside edges of dashboard display opening52to provide a finished appearance to the radio installation. The cover plate76, as shown, extends beyond the edges of the dashboard display opening52so a single size cover plate76can be used with various automobiles having different size gaps70. Various other forms of cover plates can be supplied and used to give the display a finished appearance.

While the radio of the invention can be made in various sizes, it has been found that a radio with a case size of about four inches by about two and one-eighth inches and a depth of about five inches is satisfactory to fit behind the dashboard of most cars. The portion46of the L bracket extending from the front sides of the radio case12can extend about two inches from the sides of the radio case and can be about the same two and one-eighth inches in height as the height of the radio. The display14can be coextensive with the front of the radio case so can be about two inches wide and about two and one-eighth inches high and the l brackets can be placed so that the display will extend about five millimeters beyond the front of bracket leg extending outwardly from the radio case. Thus, the display will extend about five millimeters into the dashboard display opening. The cables connecting the control knob shafts and associated controls can be about ten inches long.

FIG. 13shows a slightly different embodiment of the radio of the invention where a backstrap80supports and stabilizes the back of the radio case and a different configuration of L bracket is used. Backstrap80is secured to the back of radio case12by nut82threaded onto stud83extending from the back of radio case12. Backstrap80extends upwardly and connects in a connection not shown to the dashboard or to another part of the automobile. L bracket84is attached to radio case12by screws86and relatively long bracket legs88include slots90which extend both horizontally as at91and vertically as at92to provide a variety of adjustments for mounting control knob shaft26.

While the radio has been shown as mounted using L brackets to which the control knob shafts are also attached, various other types of brackets can be used to secure the radio to the dashboard, and brackets can be used without the control knob shafts attached. The control knob shafts can be attached independently to the dashboard. While the radio can be supplied with several different sets of brackets allowing attachment of the radio to the a wide variety of automobile dashboards, where the radio is to be attached to a dashboard of an automobile with openings where existing brackets will not provide a fit, a user can make a custom bracket.