Drop-in speaker mount

Abstract

A mounting structure and methodology for mounting audio speakers in the package shelf of a motor vehicle. The speakers are mounted in a well formed integrally with the package shelf. The well opens at its upper end in the package shelf and defines an annular ledge at its lower end sized to seat the annular flange of the speaker. Resilient spring fingers on the annular wall of the well flex outwardly in response to insertion of the speaker into the well to allow passage of the speaker flange and thereafter, upon seating of the speaker flange on the ledge, flex inwardly to lockingly clamp the speaker flange between the spring fingers and the ledge. A grille structure includes a grille sized to fill the opening in the package shelf and a plurality of fingers extending downwardly from the grille and sized to fit within the well structure. The grille structure is installed with the grille fingers extending downwardly into the well for interlocking engagement with locking tab portions on the spring fingers and for engagement at their lower ends with the upper face of the speaker flange. The grille further includes a plurality of locking fingers which coact with holes in the panel so that, as the fingers of the grille structure interlock with the spring fingers and assume a position in clamping relation to the upper face of the speaker flange, the locking fingers snap into the holes in the panel to lock the grille structure to the panel.