Abstract:
An instrument mounting assembly ( 100 ) for mounting an instrument ( 102 ) to a vehicle ( 200 ) is provided. The assembly includes a carrier ( 114 ) coupled to the vehicle ( 200 ) and a support ( 108 ) coupled to the carrier, the support adapted to support an instrument ( 102 ). The assembly includes a first track ( 132  or  156 ) disposed on the carrier and a first follower ( 130  or  134 ) disposed on the support for interfacing with the first track. The assembly further includes a second track ( 132  or  156 ) disposed on the support and a second follower ( 130  or  134 ) disposed on the carrier for interfacing with the second track. The support may be transitioned between stowed and extended positions, wherein the first and second followers interface with the first and second tracks causing the support to be both linearly displaced and rotated while the support is transitioned between the positions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/542,375, entitled Instrument Mounting Assembly, filed Feb. 6, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference and priority from the filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to instrument mounting assemblies for mounting instruments in vehicles, and more particularly to instrument mounting assemblies for selectively positioning an instrument between a stowed position and an extended position within a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to assemblies used for mounting instruments in a vehicle, and more specifically to assemblies for mounting Citizen Band (CB) radios in a vehicle. Previous to the present invention, CB radios were mounted in one of two ways. In the first way, the CB radio is permanently flush mounted in the dash or header (the area above the windshield but below the roof) like a car radio. When mounted in this manner, the CB radio is not easily changed out. However, these permanent flush mount systems are aesthetically pleasing and place the CB radio in an out of the way protected environment. The other mounting method is to mount the CB radio in an exposed manner with brackets upon the dash or header. This mounting method is not aesthetically pleasing and places the CB radio in an exposed position, and therefore the CB radio can be easily damaged. 
   However, this latter system allows drivers easy access to the CB radio. This is especially advantageous to drivers who wish to change out or access the CB radio frequently. Heavy duty Class 8 trucks are often operated by several drivers in shifts. Typically, each driver likes to use his or her own CB radio when operating the truck. Thus, since easy access to the radio is important, they sacrifice the aesthetics and the protection of flush mounted CB radios and use the bracket mounting system. This permits the drivers to easily swap out the CB radio at an end of each shift. Thus, there exists a need for an instrument mounting assembly which provides the aesthetics and protection afforded by a flush mounted system while also providing easy access to the CB radio to facilitate the removal of the CB radio and installation of another CB radio. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention for mounting an instrument to a vehicle is described below. The instrument mounting assembly includes a carrier adapted to be coupled to the vehicle and a support coupled to the carrier, the support adapted to support an instrument. The instrument mounting assembly further includes a first track disposed on the carrier, a first follower disposed on the support for interfacing with the first track, a second track disposed on the support, and a second follower disposed on the carrier for interfacing with the second track. The support is movable relative to the carrier so that the support may be transitioned from a stowed position to an extended position, wherein the first and second followers interface with the first and second tracks causing the support to be both linearly displaced and rotated while the support is transitioned from the stowed to the extended position. 
   An alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention is provided for adjustably mounting an electronic device relative to a panel of a vehicle, the electronic device having a front face and a back surface, is described below. The instrument mounting assembly includes a support for supporting the electronic device and a guide assembly. The guide assembly is used for guiding the movement of the support between a stowed position, in which an electronic device coupled to the support is configured such that the front face of the electronic device is substantially flush with the panel, and an extended position. In the extended position, the support is moved outward from the panel and rotated such that when the electronic device is attached to the support, the front face of the electronic device is spaced a selected distance outward of the panel and the electronic device is oriented at a predetermined inclination relative to the electronic device when in the stowed position to provide a user with access to the electronic device. 
   In addition, an alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention for mounting an electronic device to a vehicle is described below. The electronic device has a front face. The instrument mounting assembly includes a support for supporting the electronic device, the support having a front portion. The instrument mounting assembly further includes a coupling assembly for movably coupling the support to the vehicle such that the support may be selectively moved between a stowed position and an extended position. The coupling assembly includes a rear guide assembly for guiding a rear portion of the support in a first path and a front guide assembly for guiding a second portion of the support in a second path. When the support is transitioned from the stowed to the extended position, the front portion of the support moves in a predetermined path resulting from the movement of the rear and second portions of the support along the first and second paths. The predetermined path has at least an arcuate portion such that the support is rotated when transitioned to the extended position. 
   A further alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention for removably mounting an electronic device to a vehicle having an instrument panel is described below. The instrument mounting assembly includes a support for supporting the electronic device and a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly is used for movably coupling the support to the vehicle such that the support may be selectively moved to place the electronic device between a stored position in which the electronic device is disposed substantially behind the instrument panel and an extended position. In the extended position, the coupling assembly holds the support a selected distance outward of the instrument panel and inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the stowed position such that a user may manually access the electronic device to disconnect any cable assemblies coupled thereto while the electronic device is supported by the support. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention for mounting an instrument within a vehicle, the instrument mounting assembly including a carrier supporting a support tray to which the instrument is affixed, the instrument mounting assembly adapted to position the instrument between a stowed position as shown in solid lines and an extended position as shown in phantom; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the carrier depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the support tray depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the support tray depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top planar view of the support tray depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom detail view of the instrument mounting assembly depicted in  FIG. 1  showing the support tray in cross-section and a release assembly in a locked position; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom detail view of the instrument mounting assembly depicted in  FIG. 1  showing the support tray in cross-section and a release assembly in a release position; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the instrument mounting assembly depicted in  FIG. 1  with the support tray shown in the stowed position; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the instrument mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  with the support tray shown in the extended position; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the instrument mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing the motion of the support tray as the support tray is transitioned from the stowed position to the extended position; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the instrument mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the instrument removed and replaced with a storage bin and rubber mat, thereby showing the instrument mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  configured in a storage mode; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the instrument mounting assembly depicted in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a release assembly suitable for use with the instrument mounting assembly depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is an alternate perspective view of the release assembly of  FIG. 14 ; and 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly formed in accordance with the present invention for mounting an instrument within a vehicle, the instrument mounting assembly including a carrier supporting a support tray to which the instrument is affixed, the instrument mounting assembly shown in an extended position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to enclosed  FIGS. 1–10 , one embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly  100  for mounting instruments, such as electronic devices, one suitable example being a Citizen Band (CB) radio, in a vehicle  200  is disclosed. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the instrument mounting assembly  100  permits a CB radio  102  to be positioned between a stowed position shown in solid lines and an extended position shown in phantom lines. The stowed position is a flush mount or recessed position, wherein the CB radio  102  held by the instrument mounting assembly  100  is disposed substantially within/behind/below a dash  202  or header  204  such that a front face  106  of the CB radio  102  is substantially flush with an outer surface  206  of the dash  202  or header  204 . The extended position is wherein a support tray  108  supporting the CB radio  102  is moved outward from the outer surface  206  of the dash  202  or header  204 . 
   In the extended position, a user has full access to the CB radio  102  to remove/install/adjust/repair the unit while the unit is supported by the instrument mounting assembly  100 . Further, the user has access to a restraining strap  112  used in retaining the CB radio  102  to the support tray  108 . Once the restraining strap  112  is released, the user can pull forward the CB radio  102  to gain full access to the back of the CB radio  102  to uncouple the vehicle&#39;s cabling from the CB radio  102  while the CB radio  102  rests upon the support tray  108 . 
   The CB radio  102  may be moved between the two positions with all of the electrical cabling (i.e. power cable, ground cable, antenna cable, speaker cables, etc.) still connected. Since the user has full access to the CB radio  102  when in the extended position, a first driver can uncouple the electrical cabling from the CB radio  102  and remove the CB radio  102  from the support tray  108 . The second driver can then couple their CB radio to the support tray  108  and connect the vehicle electrical cabling to their CB radio, then place their CB radio in the stowed position for use. This permits nearly any CB radio  102  to be easily switched out (i.e. swapped) with any other CB radio (even though the CB radios are made by different manufactures or are different models of the same manufacturer). 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the structure of the instrument mounting assembly  100  will now be described. The main components of the instrument mounting assembly  100  are a carrier  114  and the support tray  108 . This detailed description will first focus upon the structure of the carrier  114 . Generally described, the carrier  114  is an interface member, facilitating the coupling of the support tray  108  to the vehicle in such a manner as to permit the support tray  108  to move between the stowed and extended positions. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2  and directing our attention to the specific structure of the illustrated carrier  114 , the carrier  114  includes two parallel and vertically oriented sidewalls  116 . The sidewalls  116  are interconnected by a horizontally oriented top wall  118 . The top wall  118  is oriented perpendicular to the two sidewalls  116 . The top wall  118  includes several mounting structures  120  and mounting apertures  122  to facilitate the coupling of the carrier  114  to the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier  114  is mounted to the vehicle such that the carrier  114  is substantially disposed behind the outer surface  206  of the dash  202  or header  204 , or upon the interior surface of the roof  208  or under the dash  202  of the vehicle (See  FIG. 1  for reference numerals greater than 200). The top wall  118  further includes a strengthening trough  123  which serves to increase the rigidity of the carrier  114 . The aft portion of the top wall  118  has been removed, creating a clearance cutout  125  which permits the top, rear edge of the CB radio to pass above the height of the top wall  118  by passing through the clearance cutout  125  as the CB radio is inclined in transition from the stowed position to the extended position. Of note, for this detailed description, the terms left, right, fore, aft, forward, and rearward are used in relation to the orientation of the CB radio, such that forward means toward the face  106  of the CB radio  102  and aft means away from the face  106  of the CB radio  102  (See  FIG. 1 ). 
   Each sidewall  116  includes an aperture or locking socket  124 . Although the locking socket may take many forms, the locking socket  124  of the illustrated embodiment is square in shape. The locking socket  124  is located on the lower, front corner of the sidewall  116 . The locking socket  124  is sized and positioned to receive a locking plunger  126  (See  FIG. 9 ) when the CB radio is disposed in the stowed position, thereby locking the instrument mounting assembly  100  in the stowed position, as will be described in further detail below. 
   Each sidewall  116  further includes a roller mounting aperture  128 . The roller mounting aperture  128  permits the coupling of a bushing, post, or roller  130  to the sidewall  116 . Each sidewall  116  further yet includes a guidance track  132 . The guidance track  132  of the illustrated embodiment is substantially horizontally oriented. Further, the guidance track  132  is linear, although other orientations and shapes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The guidance track  132  is sized and configured to guide a roller  134  (See  FIG. 3 ) therewithin, as will be described in further detail below. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , this detailed description will now focus upon the support tray  108 . The support tray  108  includes a front wall  136 , a rear wall  138 , two side walls  140 , and a bottom panel  141 . The front wall  136  is inclined slightly relative to a vertical plane. The front wall  136  includes a clearance cutout  142  which permits the controls  144  of the CB radio  102  to extend therethrough so as to be accessible to a user (See  FIG. 9 ). Mounted to the front wall  136  is a CB radio microphone hanger  146  for supporting the microphone when not in use. 
   The back wall  138  is a substantially vertically oriented member. The back wall  138  includes a clearance cutout  150  which permits vehicle cabling (not shown), which typically consists of antenna and power cables, to extend therethrough for coupling to appropriate connectors disposed on the back end of the CB radio. 
   The side walls  140  are oriented substantially perpendicular to the back wall  138  and in a substantially vertical orientation. The side walls  140  each include a post, bushing or roller  134  mounted thereto. Each roller  134  is sized and positioned to cooperatively roll within one of the guidance tracks  132  disposed on one of the side walls  116  of the carrier  114  (See  FIG. 2 ). Coupled to each of the side walls  140  is one of the locking plungers  126 . The locking plungers  126  are preferably mounted to the side walls  140  such that the locking plungers  126  are biased to an outward locking position, wherein a distal end of the locking plunger  126  may interlock with the locking sockets  124  of the side walls  116  of the carrier  114  (See  FIG. 2 ) to lock the support tray  108  in the stowed position. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, each of the locking plungers  126  are coupled to a cantilever spring  127  to bias the locking plungers  126  outward. Moreover, one end of the cantilever spring  127  is coupled to the side wall  140  by fasteners, such as a pair of rivets  125 . A locking plunger  126  is then coupled to the free end of the cantilever spring  127 . The cantilever springs  127  are configured to normally bias the locking plungers  126  outward toward the locking sockets  124  disposed in the side walls  116  of the carrier  114  (See  FIG. 2 ). 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 4–7 , the instrument mounting assembly includes a release assembly  169 , for selectively disengaging the locking plungers  126  from the locking sockets  124  (See  FIG. 2 ). The release assembly  169  includes a slide assembly  170 . The slide assembly  170  is slidingly coupled to the support tray  108  and is actuatable from a normally retracted position shown in  FIG. 6  to a release position shown in  FIG. 7 . The slide assembly  170  is coupled to the support tray  108  by two fasteners  175  which slide within two slots  178  in the slide assembly  170 , thereby restricting the movement of the slide assembly to linear motion in the direction of the slots  178 . 
   The slide assembly  170  is biased into the retracted position by a pair of springs  172 . The springs  172  are each encased in a sheath  173 . A user may reach under the instrument mounting assembly  100  and into a recess  174  to access an exposed portion or handle  176  of the slide assembly  170  disposed in proximity to the recess  174 . By pulling forward on the handle  176 , the spring  172  bias is overcome and the slide assembly  170  is slid forward, guided by the pair of slots  178  in the slide assembly  170 . When slid forward to the release position, an engagement wedge  180  disposed on each side of the slide assembly  170  engages the locking plungers  126 , moving the locking plungers  126  inward into the release position such that the locking plungers  126  no longer engage the locking sockets  124  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The support tray  108  and attached CB radio may then be slid and rotated forward into the extended position. 
   Of note, the distal ends  151  of the locking plungers  126  are inclined relative to the planar surfaces of the side walls  140 . This permits the front edge of the side walls  116  of the carrier  114  to contact and push in the locking plungers  126  as the support tray  108  is transitioned from the extended position to the stowed position. Once in the stowed position, the locking plungers  126  spring outward into the locking sockets  124 , thereby locking the support tray  108  in the stowed position. The forward vertical surface  152  of the locking plungers  126  engage the locking socket  124  to thereby impede the support tray  108  from transitioning back to the extended position until the locking plungers  126  are depressed inward. Once the locking plungers  126  are depressed inward through use of the release assembly  169 , the distal ends of the locking plungers  126  are removed from the locking sockets  124 , thereby permitting the support tray  108  to be freely transitioned to the extended position. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each sidewall  140  further includes a guidance track  156 . The guidance track  156  is sized and configured to receive the post, bushing, or roller  130  coupled to the side wall  116  of the carrier. The guidance track  156  is preferably curvilinear in shape so as to selectively incline the support tray  108  as the support tray is transitioned from the stowed position to the extended position, although it should be apparent that other shapes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, including arcuate and linear shapes. The inclining of the support tray  108  in the stowed position enhances user access to the CB radio and restraining strap, making repair/removal/maintenance easier. In the illustrated embodiment, the support tray  108  is angularly displaced approximately 35 degrees downward when transitioned from the stowed position to the extended position, however, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that other angular displacements are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, including angular displacements less than or greater than 35 degrees. 
   The ends of the guidance track  156  are preferably linear in shape, with an arcuate section connecting the linear end sections. This permits linear movement of the support tray  108  when the support tray  108  is initially moved outward from the stowed position. Preferably the average inclination of the guidance track  156  is inclined relative to the average inclination of the guidance track  130  disposed on the carrier  114  (See  FIG. 2 ). This causes the support tray  108  to be rotated as the support tray  108  is transitioned between the stowed and extended positions. 
   The bottom panel  141  is a substantially planar member adapted to support and secure the CB radio to the instrument mounting assembly  100 . The bottom panel  141  includes a plurality of rubber mounts  158  for supporting and impeding the movement of various models of CB radios held within the support tray  108 . Restraining strap mounting posts  162  are disposed adjacent each side wall  140  to permit the restraining strap  112  (See  FIG. 9 ) to be fastened thereto. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a pop-out  164  or drill-out portion of the bottom panel  141  is disposed adjacent the right side wall  140 . The pop-out  164  may be drilled or popped out to permit the passage of a microphone cable therethrough, thereby permitting CB radios having side mount microphones to be easily mounted to the instrument mounting assembly. 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , the bottom panel  141  includes a support surface  166 . The support surface  166  is the surface which supports the CB radio when set within the support tray  108 , and is mostly defined by the top surfaces of the rubber mounts  158 . In this embodiment, the support surface  166  is inclined relative to a horizontal plane so as to be slightly inclined when the support tray  108  is in the stowed position. Thus, when in the stowed position, the CB radio  102  is inclined downward toward the driver for improved physical and visual access of the CB radio. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , with regard to construction materials for the instrument mounting assembly  100 , any suitable rigid or semi-rigid materials may be used, a few examples being metal for the carrier  114  and injection molding materials for the support tray  108 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8–10 , in light of the above description of the components of the instrument mounting assembly  100 , the operation of the instrument mounting assembly  100  will now be discussed. In  FIG. 8 , the instrument mounting assembly  100  is depicted in the stowed position. The front face  106  of the CB radio  102  is oriented substantially flush with the outer surface  206  of the header or dash. The CB radio  102  is thus disposed in a protected environment, i.e. protected from spills and debris contamination. Further, the CB radio  102  is in an aesthetically pleasing position, being partially hidden from view, presenting a clean, uncluttered appearance. 
   If a user wishes to transition the CB radio  102  to the extended position, such as to commence a repair, adjustment, or replacement of the unit, the locking plungers  126  are depressed inward through use of the release assembly  169 . This frees the support tray  108  to move forward. The movement of the support tray  108  in the forward direction is guided by the post, bushing, or roller&#39;s  134  movement within guidance track  132  and by the post, bushing or roller&#39;s  130  movement within guidance track  156 . Inasmuch as guidance track  156  is non-linear in shape, and more specifically downward sloping, the front end of the support tray  108  dips down during extension, thereby inclining the CB radio approximately 35 degrees as the CB radio  102  transitions to the extended position to improve user visual and physical access to the CB radio. To remove the CB radio  102 , the user removes restraining strap  112  and pulls the CB radio forward, thereby exposing the electrical connectors at the rear of the CB radio. The user then uncouples the vehicle cabling coupled to the connectors and removes the CB radio. 
   A new CB radio, such as owned by the second shift driver, may now be installed. Of note, the support tray  108  supports the CB radio during the uncoupling and coupling of the electrical connectors to the vehicle cabling, thereby facilitating installation and removal. Once the new CB radio  102  is installed, the support tray  108  is pushed in an aft direction, transitioning the support tray  108  and CB radio  102  from the extended position into the stowed position. Once in the stowed position, the locking plungers  126  spring outward, engaging the locking sockets  124 , thereby locking the support tray  108  in the stowed position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , the motion of the support tray  108  as the support tray  108  is transitioned from the stowed position to the extended position will be described in greater detail. Moreover, the motion of the support tray  108  is determined by a combination of the movements defined by the guidance tracks  132  and  156 . Guidance track  132  is substantially linear in shape and guides the aft part of the support tray  108  in a substantially linear and substantially horizontal path. Guidance track  156  is curvilinear, having linear beginning and ending sections with an arcuate section transitioning between the end sections. The end sections of guidance track  156  are disposed at different heights from one another. Guidance track  156  guides the support tray  108  through its rotation during transitioning between the stowed and extended positions. 
   The combined influence of driving separate portions of the support tray  108  along the paths defined by the guidance tracks  132  and  156  results in a top edge of the front wall  136  of the support tray  108  scribing the path depicted by phantom line  182 . The motion scribed by the top edge is initially linear, subsequently transitioning to an arcuate path as the support tray  108  is rotated downward to an angle  188  of approximately 35 degrees from the stowed position. In the extended position, limits stops  184  and  186  disposed on the support tray  108  and carrier  114 , respectively, engage one another to impede further rotation of the support tray  108 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , an alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly  300  formed in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The instrument mounting assembly  300  of  FIG. 11  is identical in construction and operation to the instrument mounting assembly  100  of  FIGS. 1–10 , with a few exceptions. In general, the instrument mounting assembly  300  is adapted for use as a stowage container, and not for use in the stowing of an instrument. More specifically, the instrument mounting assembly  300  is adapted to receive a stowage bin  302 . The stowage bin  302  is suitably shaped and configured to fit within the support tray  308  of the instrument mounting assembly  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, the stowage bin  302  is mounted to the support tray  308  via a fastener extending through a mounting hole  304  in the stowage bin  302  and engaging a stowage tray mounting post  306 . A layer of material having a high coefficient of friction, such as a rubber mat  310 , may be laid within the stowage bin  302  to impede the movement of articles stored in the stowage bin  302 . 
   As stated above, the construction and operational features of the depicted alternate embodiment are identical to those described above for the embodiment illustrated and described with regard to  FIGS. 1–10 , and therefore will not be repeated herein for the sake of brevity. It is intended that a user may transition the instrument tray assembly  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1–10  to the instrument tray assembly  300  depicted in  FIG. 11  by simply removing the restraining strap  112  and installing the storage bin  302  and optionally, installing the rubber mat  310 . Thus, if a user does not utilize a CB radio, the instrument tray assembly  100  can be easily converted to the storage assembly depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
     FIGS. 12–15  illustrate an alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly  400  formed in accordance with the present invention. The instrument mounting assembly  400  is substantially similar to the above described embodiments, with a few exceptions. In lieu of the rubber mounts  158  (see  FIG. 3 ) used in the above described embodiments for impeding the sliding movement of an instrument housed within the instrument mounting assembly, this embodiment uses a material having a high coefficient of friction, such as a rubber mat  402 , laid on the bottom of the support tray  408 , in lieu of the rubber mounts. 
   Further, this embodiment utilizes an alternately designed release assembly  404 . The release assembly  404  utilizes a locking plunger  406  and a locking socket  410 , similar in function and construction to the components bearing the same names in the previous embodiments. However, the manner of actuating the locking plunger  406  between a locked and unlocked position is different. In this embodiment, an elongate cantilever spring  412  is used. One end  414  of the cantilever spring  412  is anchored to the support tray  408  at a selected mounting location  416 . Coupled to the mid portion of the cantilever spring  412  is the locking plunger  406 . The cantilever spring  412  acts to normally bias the locking plunger  406  outward to thereby engage the locking socket  410  when the instrument mounting assembly  400  is in the stowed position. 
   Coupled to the opposing free end  418  of the cantilever spring  412  is an end piece  420 . The end piece  420  is designed to permit a user to engage the free end  418  of the spring  412  and overcome the bias of the cantilever spring  412 , to thereby disengage the locking plunger  406  from the locking socket  410 . After the locking plunger  406  is disengaged from the locking socket  410 , the instrument mounting assembly  400  may be transitioned into the extended position. 
   Also changed in this embodiment is the inclination of a support surface  422  of the support tray  408 . The support surface  422  is the surface which supports the instrument when set within the support tray  408 . In this embodiment, the support surface  422  is substantially horizontal and coplanar with the top wall  424  of the carrier  426 . In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1–11 , the support surface  166  was inclined relative to the horizontal and to the top wall  118  such that the CB radio  102  disposed in the support tray  108  is actually inclined downward when in the stowed position. 
     FIG. 16  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an instrument mounting assembly  500  formed in accordance with the present invention. The instrument mounting assembly  500  is substantially similar to the above described embodiments, with a few exceptions. For instance, the locking socket  524  is now located on the support tray  508  and the locking plunger  526  is located on the carrier  514 . In the previous embodiments, the locking socket was located on the carrier and the locking plunger was located on the support tray. Further, the embodiment of  FIG. 16  is illustrated with the cable assembly  513  described in relation to the above embodiments but previously omitted from the drawings for purposes of clarity. 
   Also changed in this embodiment is the location of the microphone hanger  428 , which is disposed on the underside of the bottom panel  430  of the support tray  408 . Further, this embodiment utilizes a front plate  432  which may be selectively coupled to the support tray  408  to block a front opening  434  in the front wall  436 , thus permitting the support tray  408  to be converted to a storage bin when a CB radio is not used. 
   While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.