Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UNIVERSAL ACCESSORY SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 60/378,116 filed May 15, 2002.
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the vehicle accessory
field and, more particularly, to a universal accessory support assembly
as well as to an accessory mounting post for such as support assembly.
Background of the Invention
Today's active lifestyles place some significant demands on both
individuals and their vehicles. Many vehicles must be able to transport
substantial cargo for family road trips. Other vehicles are used to haul
bulky equipment to work, transport household or garden items and/or
carry equipment and supplies for long camping weekends. No matter
what type of vehicle an individual drives, there never seems to be
enough room for everything needed or sufficient hours in a day to
complete multiple trips.
In an effort to address the demands now being placed on
individuals and their vehicles by more active lifestyles, Reese Products,
Inc. developed the Dual Port System equipment for carrying various
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useful accessories on a vehicle. Such accessories include, for example,
bike carriers, open caxgo carriers, closed cargo carriers, motorcycles
Garners, lifts, transformer tables and the like.
The present invention relates to an improvement in the original
Dual Port System equipment. Specifically, the present invention is an
accessory support assembly and a mounting post for an accessory
support assembly that provide enhanced versatility in hauling a wider
range of useful vehicle accessories in a more effective and convenient
manner.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, an improved accessory support assembly is provided.
Such an assembly may be beneficially utilized to secure substantially
any accessory to an accessory receiver assembly carried on a motor
vehicle.
The accessory support assembly includes a mounting post and an
accessory mounting braclcet that is pivotally secured to the mounting
post so that the accessory mounting bracket is selectively displaceable.
Specifically, the mounting braclcet may be displaced into a first position
where the mounting bracket extends in a substantially vertical plane so
as to thereby proj ect upwardly adj acent to the vehicle to which the
assembly is mounted. Alternatively, the accessory mounting bracket
may be displaced into a second position so that the bracket extends in a
substantially horizontal plane. In this second position the bracket
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proj ects outwardly from the vehicle.
More specifically describing the invention, the mounting post
may comprise an elongated sleeve that f1111Ct1o11S to provide half of a
male/female connection between the accessory support assembly and
the accessory receiver assembly. The accessory support assembly may
also include a latch can-ied on the mounting post for securing the
support assembly to the receiver assembly. A pin secures the latch to
the mounting post and allows the latch to pivot with respect thereto.
The latch may include a first sidewall, a second sidewall, an actuator
and a latch element. The actuator and latch element connect the first
and second sidewalls. The pin is received in aligned apertures in the
first and second sidewalk of the latch and the mounting post.
A spring is provided for biasing the latch into a locking position.
The spring includes first and second ends secured to the latch element,
a median portion engaging the mounting post and two intermediate
portions between the median portion and the first and second ends
engaging the pin. The mounting post includes a notch. The latching
element is received in the notch when the latch is in the locking
position.
Still further, a snugger is carried on the mounting post. The
snugger may be adjusted to provide for tight engagement between the
support assembly and the accessory receiver assembly. In the
embodiment illustrated the snugger comprises a bolt/screw and
cooperating jam nut that may be loosened or tightened to snug the
support assembly against the receiver assembly and prevent any
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tendency for the support assembly to rattle on the receiver assembly.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention,
an accessory mounting post is provided for securing an accessory to an
accessory receiver assembly carried on a motor vehicle. The accessory
mounting post may be broadly described as comprising a sleeve-like
body including a notch and a latch pivotally secured to the body. The
latch includes a latch element that is received in the notch when in a
locking position.
In the following description there is shown and described a
preferred embodiment of the invention that is illustrative of one of the
modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the
invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several
details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as
restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention,
and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the
invention. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the universal
accessory support assembly of the present invention along with a
utilitarian accessory and an accessory receiver assembly.
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Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the universal
accessory support assembly of the present invention;
Figure 3a is a detailed, fragmentary perspective view of the
accessory support assembly shown in Figure 1 connected to a post of a
hitch receiver assembly;
Figure 3b is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectional view
showing the details of the connection made in Figure 3a;
Figure 4a is a detailed, fragmentary perspective view of the
accessory support assembly of the present invention connected to a
round tube receiver of a receiver assembly;
Figure 4b is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectional view of the
connection shown in Figure 4a;
Figure Sa is a side elevational view showing the mounting
bracket in the first or raised position; and
Figure Sb is a side elevational view showing the mounting
bracket in the second or lowered position.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred
embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Reference is now made to Figure 1 which is an exploded
perspective view illustrating the accessory support assembly 10 of the
present invention utilized to secure an accessory A such as the open
cargo carrier illustrated to a receiver assembly 12 of the type known in
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the art that is secured to the frame of a motor vehicle.
As best shown in Figure 2, the receiver assembly 12 includes a
cross member 14 of tubular steel or other relatively lightweight, high
strength material. A pair of mounting brackets I6, also formed of steel
or other high strength material, are secured to the cross member by
welding or by appropriate fasteners. Each mounting bracket 16
includes mounting lugs 18 with cooperating apertures 20. The
apertures 20 are aligned with apertures in the frame of the motor
vehicle and the receiver assembly 12 is secured to the motor vehicle
with appropriate fasteners (not shown) received and held in those
aligned apertures.
The receiver assembly 12 also includes a pair of spaced
receivers 20 in the form of projecting bars 22. Each bar 22 includes a
rounded tip 24 and a locking notch 26, the significance of which will
be described in greater detail below. Of course, the receiver assembly
12 may also optionally include a trailer hitch receiver box 28 in order to
allow the towing of a trailer.
As best shown in Figure 2, the articulated accessory support
assembly 10 includes a mounting post 30 that may have a sleeve-like
body. The mounting post 30 includes a first sidewall 32, a second
sidewall 34 opposing the first sidewall, a third sidewall 36 and a fourth
sidewall 38 opposing the third sidewall. Together, the sidewalk 32,
3 4, 3 6 and 3 8 define an internal lumen or tubular opening 40 that may
be rectangular in shape. A notch 42 is formed in the fourth sidewall 38
and extends partially into the first and second sidewalls 32, 34. A
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series of apertures 44 extend through the first and second sidewalls 32,
34.
A latch, generally designated by reference numeral 46, is
pivotally secured to the mounting post 30. The latch 46 includes a first
sidewall 48, a second sidewall 50, a latch element 52 and an actuator
54. As shown, the latch element 52 and actuator 54 connect the first
and second sidewalls 48, 50.
A pin 56 is received in aligned apertures 58 in the first and
second sidewalls 48, 50 and in the mounting post 30. The pin 56,
which pivotally connects the latch 46 to the post 30, may take the form
of a rivet if desired. One or more washers 57 may be provided to
ensure the integrity of the connection.
A spring 62 is provided to bias the latch 46 into a locking
position. The spring 62 includes first and second ends 64 that are
secured to the latch element 52, a median portion 66 that engages the
fourth sidewall 38 of the body 30 and two intermediate portions 68
between the median portion 66 and the two ends 64 that engage the pin
56. As should be appreciated the latch 46 is biased by the spring 62 so
that the latch element 52 passes into and is freely received in the notch
42 in the mounting post 30.
An accessory mounting bracket 70 is pivotally secured to the
mounting post 30. More specifically, a pivot pin 72 (e.g. a rivet) is
engaged in aligned apertures 74 in the mounting bracket 70 and the
first and second sidewalls 32, 34 of the mounting post 30 to provide the
pivotal connection. A pair of nylon washers 73 provide a low friction
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interface to ensure smooth pivoting action while one or more steel
washers 75 reinforce the connection.
As illustrated, the accessory mounting braclcet 70 includes an
accessory mounting flange 78 incorporating a series of spaced apertures
80. An accessory A is mounted to the flange 78 by means of fasteners
82 that engage the accessory A and the apertures 80 in the mounting
flange 78 (see also Figure 1). Cooperating nut and bolt fasteners are
particularly useful for this purpose. As further illustrated, the mounting
bracket 70 also includes a second flange 84 which opposes the
mounting flange 78.
As should be appreciate from viewing drawing Figures Sa and
Sb, the mounting bracket 70 is selectively displaceable with respect to
the mounting post 30 between first and second positions. As illustrated
in Figure Sa, in the first position the mounting bracket 70 extends in a
substantially vertical plane with the end 86 of the mounting flange 78
engaging the third sidewall 36 of the mounting post 30 and acting as a
stop. In the second position illustrated in Figure Sb, the mounting
bracket 70 extends in a substantially horizontal plane with the inner
face of the second flange 84 engaging the fourth sidewall 38 of the
mounting post and acting as a stop.
In use, an articulated accessory support assembly 10 is mounted
on each receiver 20 of the vehicle receiver assembly 12 (see Figures 3a
and 3b). Specifically, the individual depresses the actuator 54 thereby
pivoting the latch 46 so that the latch element 52 is brought into
substantial alignment with the fourth sidewall 38. The open end of the
opening 40 in the mounting post 30 is then positioned over the receiver
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20. The rounded tip 24 aids the user in aligning the opening 40 over
the receiver 20 and seating the mounting post 30 against the stop 23 so
that the notch 42 in the post is aligned with the notch 26 in the receiver.
The actuator 54 is then released and the spring 62 biases the latch 46 to
bring the latch element 52 into engagement with the notch 26. This
serves to lock the accessory support assembly 10 in position on the
receiver assembly 12. Of course, these same steps are repeated to
connect the second accessory support assembly 10 to the other receiver
20.
Following connection of the two accessory support assemblies
10, the mounting brackets 70 are both positioned in the second,
transport position wherein the brackets 70 extend in a substantially
horizontal plane (see Figure Sb). Specifically, the mounting brackets
70 are pushed downwardly until the second flanges 84 engage the
fourth sidewalls 38 of the mounting posts 30. A pin 90 is inserted in
the aligned apertures 86, 88 in the bracket 70 and post, respectively,
and a clip 92 is inserted on the pin 90 to secure the pin in position.
This serves to anchor the mounting brackets 70 in the second,
horizontally extending position.
An accessory A may then be mounted on the brackets 70. As
illustrated in the drawing figures, that accessory A may take the form of
an open cargo carrier. It should be appreciated, however, that
substantially any other type of vehicle accessory may be mounted on
the mounting brackets 70 which provide spaced horizontal supports by
means of the mounting flanges 78 and spaced apertures 80 in those
flanges to allow versatility for mounting different types of accessories.
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More specifically, the accessory A is positioned on the mounting
flanges 78 of the mounting brackets 70 and mounting apertures in the
accessory are aligned with the apertures 80 in those flanges. Fasteners
82 are then utilized to anchor the accessory A to the flanges 78.
As a result of manufacturing tolerances or the use of different
product dimensions by different manufacturers, some slight play may
exist in the connection of the mounting posts 30 on the receivers 20. In
order to eliminate this play and any possible rattle that might result,
each accessory support assembly 10 is also provided with a snugger,
generally designated by reference numeral 94. As illustrated, the
snugger comprises a screw 96 that threadedly engages an aperture 98
provided in the fourth sidewall 38 of the post 30 between the latch
element 52 and the actuator 54. A jam nut I00 is threaded to the screw
96 between the head of the screw and the sidewall 38. When the
mounting post is fully received on the receiver 20 and the latch element
52 is engaged in the notch 26, this screw is tightened until the end of
the screw 102 tightly abuts the edge of the receiver 20 so that the
receiver is held by pressure between the end of the screw 102 and the
inner side of the third sidewall 36. The jam nut 100 is then tightened
against the sidewall 3 8 to prevent the screw 102 from loosening. In
this way any potential for ratting may be eliminated and the accessory
A is then ready for use.
As should be appreciated, when in the second, horizontal
position, the accessory A does project rearwardly from the vehicle.
There may be situations where this rearward projection creates a
clearance problem such as when attempting to park the vehicle in a
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relatively short garage. In such a situation, the accessory may interfere
with, fox example, the closing of the garage door. Advantageously as a
result of the articulated design of the accessory support assembly 10,
the present invention allows the accessory A to be folded upwardly into
a substantially vertical plane along the rear of the vehicle thereby
reducing the distance the accessory projects from the vehicle and
allowing clearance for closing the garage door (see Figure Sa). This is
a distinct advantage as it eliminates the need for the user to completely
remove the accessory from the vehicle.
Specifically, the clips 92 are removed from the pins 90. Next
the pins 90 are removed from the apertures 86, 88. The mounting
brackets 70 are then displaced to the first position so that they extend in
a substantially vertical plane. As a result the accessory A is also
pivoted into a vertical plane so that it extends upwardly adjacent to the
end of the vehicle. This substantially reduces the distance the
accessory proj acts from the end of the vehicle and allows added
clearance. The brackets 70 and accessory A may be anchored in this
upright position by again using the pins 90 and clips 92. Specifically,
each bracket 70 includes a notch 104 that is aligned with the apertures
88 when the brackets 70 are in the raised position. A pin 90 is inserted
in the aligned notch 104 and apertures 88 of each support assembly 10
and the clips 92 are engaged on the pins to hold them in position. As a
result, the mounting brackets are anchored in the upright or storage
position.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
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description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are
possible in light of the above teachings.
For example, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, the mounting
posts may also be received and held in tubular shaped receivers 20.
More particularly, the receiver assembly 120 is equipped with receivers
122 having a tubular configuration defining a circular opening 124. As
should be appreciated, the third and fourth walls 36, 38 of the
mounting posts are arcuate and may, for example, have a radius of
curvature of approximately two inches: that is, slightly less than the
diameter of the opening 124. As a result, after removing the muggers
94 the mounting posts 30 are freely received and slide into the openings
124 of the receivers 122. When the mounting posts are fully seated in
the receivers 122, one of the apertures 44 in the posts are aligned with
cooperating apertures 126 in the sidewall of the receivers 122. A
connecting pin 128 is then inserted through the aligned apertures and a
clip 130 is then inserted in the end of the connecting pin 128. The head
132 of the pin 128 and the clip 130 hold the pin in position so that the
mounting post is positively secured to the receiver 122.
As a result of the two embodiments shown, it should be
appreciated that the accessory support assembly 10 of the present
invention may be mounted to different types of receivers 20, 122
without difficulty. This also increases the versatility of the present
invention.
The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best
illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical
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application to thereby enable one of ordinary shill in the ant to utilize
the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications
as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications
and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to
which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
