Vehicular tape deck locking and lock-state indicating arrangement

US4741185A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Blaupunkt-Werke GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Alfons Weinert · Hildesheim, DE
• Klaus Groger · Bad Salzdetfurth, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 14, 1986
• Grant date: May 3, 1988
• Expiry date: Apr 14, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T70/8027
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

To retain an accessory apparatus including a tape unit, such as a tape deck forming part of an automobile radio, in a vehicle, such as a car or a boat, a dummy cassette (17) is provided, having an externally visible lock (18) which operates a locking bolt (23) which, upon lock operation, deflects from an aligned position with the dummy cassette through a window in the accessory or tape deck housing and through a holding frame (11) or holding strap (30) secured in the vehicle. The windows (27, 27', 27") in the dummy cassette, the accessory apparatus including the tape deck and the frame or strap in the vehicle are in alignment so that the bolt can be passed therethrough, thus preventing removal of the accessory apparatus from the vehicle. Preferably, the lock is so placed that it is visible, so that it will be immediately apparent that the accessory apparatus is locked against removal. An optical indicator, for example a light emitting diode (LED) (32) can also be provided in the dummy cassette, energized from a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery, floatingly connected to the vehicle battery, or the LED can be directly connected to the vehicle battery by suitable terminal c…