Mounting structure for a vehicle accessory such as a CB radio or the like

The present invention relates to a mounting structure adapted to conform and be supported about the raised floor portion of a vehicle generally found about the front floorboard area of a motor vehicle generally centrally located between the sides of the vehicle. Such a raised floor portion of a vehicle is generally of an inverted U-shape and often overlies the vehicle transmission or a portion of the main drive train thereof. The mounting structure of the present invention comprises a generally arcuate shaped base support structure that is at least partially flexible and includes an adjustment screw for confining or tightening the base support structure about the raised floorboard portion of the vehicle in a tightly held fashion such that the mounting structure is supported in a firm and upright posture about the raised floorboard portion of the vehicle simply by a gripping action. Extending upwardly from said base support structure is an accessory support means that is adapted to receive and support a vertical shaft extending from a flat bracket that in turn supports the particular accessory such as a CB radio, AM-FM radio, tape or cassette player or the like. The interconnecting structure generally carried by the accessory may be readily received and held within the accessory support means such that the same may be held and supported thereby. But yet the accessory and associated attaching or connecting structure can be readily and quickly removed from said mounting structure when the vehicle is left unattended in order to prevent theft of the accessory.

The present invention relates to a mounting structure, and more 
particularly to a vehicle floorboard mounting structure for supporting a 
vehicle accessory or option such as a CB radio, AM-FM radio, tape player 
or the like, wherein said mounting structure is particularly adapted to 
enable said accessory or option to be quickly disconnected or uncoupled 
from said mounting structure. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Theft of radios and tape recorders and players from vehicles has long posed 
a problem to many vehicle owners. Such thefts continue to increase, and 
the problems has been even more pronounced and of more concern of late 
with the growing popularity of the CB radio among vehicle owners. The 
magnitude of the problem is illustrated by recent information suggesting 
that many insurance Companies that insure against theft from vehicles of 
such accessory are considering dropping such protection from their 
insurance policies. 
One of the most practical and effective approaches to eliminating theft of 
such accessories or options from vehicles is to remove the particular 
accessory or option from its normal operating position within the vehicle 
when the same is left unattended. Once removed, the accessory or option 
may be locked in the vehicle trunk, or simply removed totally from the 
vehicle while the same is left unattended. To accommodate removal of such 
accessories, it is known to provide a mounting structure for the dashboard 
of a vehicle wherein a particular accessory such as a AM-FM radio or 
recorder can be readily mounted and dismounted from the mounting 
structure. In providing for such a mounting structure, it is important 
that such be readily adaptable to a particular vehicle involved, that the 
mounting structure enable the accessory to be quickly and conveniently 
mounted and dismounted without involving significant time and trouble, and 
also that the main mounting structure provide a strong and sturdy support 
for the accessory while in operation in the vehicle. 
As stated above, such mounting structures have been provided for vehicle 
dashboards and generaly such allows an accessory such as a radio or tape 
player to be readily removed therefrom. But a close study of the design of 
such quick mount and dismount dashboard mounting structures reveals that 
in many instances the mounting structure itself has been difficult to 
mount to the vehicle's dashboard, and this particular problem is in some 
cases complicated further by the fact that the particular mounting 
structure is adapted to mount only to a limited member of dashboard 
designs. In addition, it has been found that many such mounting structures 
for radios, tape players or the like that provide for routine mounting and 
dismounting involve tedious and cumbersome work to remove the particular 
accessory from the mounting structure involved. Moreover, in certain 
cases, it is found that once the accessory is secured within the mounting 
structure it is in a place that is awkward or undesirable and difficult to 
reach to adjust the controls in accordance with the desired performance of 
the accessory. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention presents a mounting structure adapted to be tightened 
around and secured about a raised floorboard portion of a vehicle wherein 
the mounting structure includes means for receiving and firmly holding an 
interconnecting attaching structure secured to and extending from an 
accessory such as a CB radio or the like. The mounting structure of the 
present invention includes a generally arcuate shaped base support 
structure that is particularly shaped to generally conform to the shape of 
a raised floorboard portion of a vehicle that generally overlies the 
vehicle transmission or a portion of the drive train thereof. The span or 
width between the generally arcuate shaped base can be varied by 
adjustment means provided with the mounting structure that enables the 
base structure to be placed over a raised floorboard portion within the 
vehicle after which the adjustment means is operative to generally close 
the outwardly extending arcuate shaped portions of the base which are 
provided with inwardly projecting spike means that engage and penetrate 
into carpet like material covering the raised floorboard portion. Thus, by 
closing the base support structure about the raised floorboard of the 
vehicle it is appreciated that the mounting structure of the present 
invention can be tightened to a degree where the same is firmly held in an 
upright position above the raised floorboard of the vehicle. 
Extending upwardly from the base of the mounting structure is an accessory 
support means that extends a certain distance above the generally central 
area of the raised floorboard portion of the vehicle where the same is 
adapted to receive and firmly hold an interconnecting attaching structure 
extending from the particular accessory to be supported. Once placed in 
the accessory support means extending upwardly from the base structure of 
the mounting structure, the accessory can be readily and quickly removed 
from a stationary support position by appropriately actuating a release 
mechanism or structure associated with said accessory support means that 
allows the accessory and associated attaching structure to be removed 
therefrom. Consequently, it is seen that the mounting structure of the 
present invention enables one to provide for the normal stationary support 
of an accessory such as a CB radio or AM-FM radio or the like, while at 
the same time when the vehicle is to be left unattended the same accessory 
can be conveniently, quickly, and readily removed from the vehicle and 
stored in the trunk of the vehicle or taken completely from the vehicle to 
eliminate the possibility of the same being stolen from the vehicle during 
an unattended period. 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mounting 
structure adapted to be mounted interiorly of a vehicle and to normally 
support an accessory such as a CB or AM-FM radio or the like therein, 
wherein said mounting structure is provided with means for allowing said 
accessory to be quickly and easily mounted to the mounting structure and 
also to be quickly and easily dismounted from the same, thereby permitting 
the accessory to be conveniently removed from the vehicle when left 
unattended. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a quick accessory 
detachable mounting structure for a vehicle wherein the mounting structure 
itself adapts easily and conveniently to various makes and models of 
vehicles. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick accessory 
detachable mounting structure for a vehicle of a relatively simple and 
inexpensive design that may be installed in a vehicle with a minimum of 
effort. 
Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of 
a quick accessory detachable mounting structure for a vehicle wherein said 
mounting structure is designed to support said accessory in an easily 
accessible and desirable position. 
A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle 
floorboard supported mounting structure of the type described above 
wherein said mounting structure is supported above a raised or elevated 
portion of the floor about the front seat area of the vehicle generally 
midway between the side extremities of the vehicle. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle floorboard 
support mounting structure that is adapted to be secured about a raised or 
elevated portion of the floorboard by an adjustment mechanism that 
generally closes a base support portion of the mounting structure about 
the raised or elevated portion of the floorboard so as to tighten the same 
thereagainst whereby the mounting structure is securedly held. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 
from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings 
which are merely illustrative of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With further reference to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, the accessory 
mounting structure of the present invention is shown therein and indicated 
generally by the numeral 10. In the preferred embodiment shown herein, 
mounting structure 10 is particularly adapted to extend over and to be 
secured to the raised or elevated floorboard portion of a vehicle that 
generally lies in the vicinity of the front seat area generally midway 
between the side extremities of the particular vehicle. Such a raised or 
elevated floorboard portion generally overlies the vehicle transmission or 
a portion of the power train thereof and is very common in various makes 
and models of both domestic and foreign automobiles being produced today. 
Now with reference to the detailed structure of the mounting structure 10, 
it is seen that the same includes a base support structure indicated 
generally by the numeral 12 that extends in a generally arcuate fashion 
when secured within the vehicle over the raised or elevated floorboard 
portion of the vehicle. Base support structure 12 includes a pair of 
arcuate shaped segments 14 and 16, each segment being disposed about 
respective sides of the mounting structure 10 and extending in a generally 
arcuate fashion from a lowerouter portion point (14a or 16a) to an inner 
upper area indicated by the numerals 14b and 16b. Fixed to the respective 
arcuate shaped segments 14 and 16 are a series of spaced apart spikes or 
cleats 18 that extend inwardly from the inner sides of the respective 
segments 14 and 16 where the spikes, when the mounting structure is 
supported about the raised or elevated floorboard portion, engage and 
penetrate through carpet or floor covering material 22 that generally 
overlies the floorboard of the vehicle referred to by numeral 20. 
Extending upwardly above the generally central area of said raised or 
elevated vehicle floorboard portion is an accessory support means 
indicated generally by the numeral 24. Viewing accessory support means 24 
in detail, it is seen that the same includes sides 26 and 28 that extend 
generally upwardly from the upper inner portions 14b and 16b of the 
respective arcuate shaped base support segments 14 and 16. Extending 
transversely across sides 26 and 28 of accessory support means 24 is a 
transverse member 30 that includes a receiving sleeve 38 that is hollow 
and generally disposed vertically between sides 26 and 28. Threadedly 
secured within receiving sleeve 38 is a tightening screw or holding member 
40 that is adapted to be screwed inwardly and outwardly generally 
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiving sleeve 38. 
Extending transversely between sides 26 and 28 of accessory support means 
24, just below the lower terminal end of the receiving sleeve 38, as 
viewed in FIG. 2, is an adjustment means, indicated generally by the 
numeral 32, that is adapted to vary the span or general distance extending 
between certain portions of the arcuate shaped base support segments 14 
and 16. Viewing the adjustment means 32 in more detail, it is seen that 
the same includes a transverse screw 34 that extends through appropriate 
openings formed within sides 26 and 28, and wherein screw 34 is provided 
with a wing nut 36 opposite the head thereof. 
The mounting structure 10 of the present invention is particularly adapted 
to support what is referred to herein as an accessory, indicated generally 
by the numeral 42, such an accessory being a CB radio, AM-FM radio, tape 
or cassette recorder and/or player, or the like. It will be appreciated by 
those skilled in the art that any such accessory could be adapted to be 
utilized and supported by the support structure 10 of the present 
invention. In the case of the present disclosure, to illustrate this, the 
accessory 42 is in the form of a CB radio in which the CB radio is 
provided with an interconnecting attaching means that is adapted to be 
compatible with the mounting structure 10 of the present invention just 
described. Referring now to the interconnecting attaching means, it is 
seen that a horizontal bar or plate 44 is secured directly to the 
accessory 42 or to a plate disposed thereunder that in turn supports the 
accessory. Secured to the horizontal bar or plate 44 and depending 
generally downwardly therefrom is a securing shaft 46 that is adapted to 
be received within receiving sleeve 38 of the mounting structure 10. 
It will be appreciated that the accessory 42 can be mounted to the mounting 
structure 10 by simply placing the shaft 46 within the receiving sleeve 38 
where the accessory 42 is supported about the accessory support means 24. 
To firmly hold the accessory 42 about the mounting structure 10, the 
tightening screw or holding member 40 is tightened against the shaft 46 to 
stabilize the same and to generally prevent the shaft 46 from rotating 
within the receiving sleeve 38. Therefore, it is appreciated that the 
accessory 42 can be supported in a very stable position above the mounting 
structure 10 for normal operation within the vehicle. 
One principal feature of the mounting structure 10 of the present invention 
is that the accessory 10 can be readily and conveniently removed from the 
mounting structure when the vehicle is left unattended. This is simply 
accomplished by appropriately unloosening the tightening screw or holding 
member 40 from the receiving sleeve 38, after which the accessory 42 can 
be pulled without any resistance or obstruction from the mounting 
structure 10. 
As shown in the drawings, it is seen that the basic structure of the 
mounting structure 10 can be bent and constructed of a single piece of a 
suitable type of material such as a light to medium weight of metal or 
steel. In the case of the embodiment shown, it is appreciated that the 
structure 10 is particularly adapted to fit around a raised or elevated 
vehicle floorboard. To give the mounting structure 10 this capacity, it is 
seen that with the form of construction shown in the drawings that it is 
desirable for the basic structure thereof to be at least partially 
flexible in order that the span or distance between respective portions of 
the arcuate shaped base segments 14 and 16 can be adjusted by tightening 
the wing nut 36 that is threadedly disposed about one end of adjusting 
screw 34. With respect to FIG. 2, it is seen that before placing the 
mounting structure over the raised vehicle floorboard ridge 20, that the 
adjusting means 32 is so positioned that the span or area between the 
arcuate base segments 14 and 16 is such that the structure can be placed 
directly over the vehicle floorboard ridge. Afterwards by tightening nut 
36 the segments 14 and 16 can be closed to fit tightly about the 
floorboard 20. 
Although the basic structure of the mounting structure 10 is shown to be 
one continuous member particularly shaped to give rise to the arcuate 
shaped segments 14 and 16, the sides 26 and 28 of the accessory support 
means, and the transverse top member 30 thereof, it will be appreciated by 
those skilled in the art that this same basic structure could be provided 
for by as many as two or more sub-assemblies bolted or secured together by 
other appropriate means. In addition, although it has been mentioned 
hereinbefore that the construction material of the preferred embodiment 
would be preferably some form of metal or steel, it will be appreciated by 
those skilled in the art that the advantages of the mounting structure 10 
of the present invention could also be gained by using other such 
materials such as a plastic or the like. 
From the foregoing specification, it is seen that the mounting structure 10 
of the present invention is particularly designed to be readily adaptable 
to the interior raised floorboard portion of a vehicle, and is generally 
lightweight in the construction and would be inexpensive to manufacture 
but yet sturdy and strong in order to give sufficient support to an 
appropriate accessory 42. Of prime importance is the fact that the 
mounting structure 10 of the present invention enables the accessory 42 to 
be quickly and conveniently mounted and dismounted from the mounting 
structure 10. This is particularly important in view of the current 
problem relating to theft of such accessories from vehicles left 
unattended. To eliminate such theft, one can readily dismount the 
accessory 42 from the mounting structure 10 in accordance with the 
procedure already discussed herein, and the accessory 42 can be removed 
from the mounting structure 10 and placed in the vehicle's trunk or even 
completely removed from the vehicle all together. 
The terms "upper", "lower", "forward", "rearward", etc., have been used 
herein merely for the convenience of the foregoing specification and in 
the appended claims to describe the mounting structure for a vehicle 
accessory such as a CB radio or the like and its parts as oriented in the 
drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no way 
limiting to the invention since the mounting structure for a vehicle 
accessory such as a CB radio or the like may obviously be disposed in many 
different positions when in actual use. 
The present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways 
than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and 
essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, 
therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not 
restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency 
range are intended to be embraced herein.