AU2001249781A1 - Multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle - Google Patents

Multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number
AU2001249781A1
AU2001249781A1 AU2001249781A AU4978101A AU2001249781A1 AU 2001249781 A1 AU2001249781 A1 AU 2001249781A1 AU 2001249781 A AU2001249781 A AU 2001249781A AU 4978101 A AU4978101 A AU 4978101A AU 2001249781 A1 AU2001249781 A1 AU 2001249781A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
accessory
assembly
ports
vehicle
plane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
AU2001249781A
Inventor
Thomas W. Lindenmann
Richard W. Mccoy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cequent Towing Products Inc
Original Assignee
Reese Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reese Products Inc filed Critical Reese Products Inc
Publication of AU2001249781A1 publication Critical patent/AU2001249781A1/en
Assigned to CEQUENT TOWING, INC. reassignment CEQUENT TOWING, INC. Request for Assignment Assignors: REESE PRODUCTS, INC.
Assigned to CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC. reassignment CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC. Request for Assignment Assignors: REESE PRODUCTS, INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/58Auxiliary devices
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/48Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
    • B60D1/485Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting mounted by means of transversal members attached to the frame of a vehicle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R9/00Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
    • B60R9/06Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like at vehicle front or rear
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/06Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for tools or spare parts

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)

Description

MULTIPLE ACCESSORY PORT ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/243,486 filed October 26, 2000.
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the vehicle accessory field and, more particularly, to a multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle incorporating at least two accessory ports for receiving and holding any number of recreational and utilitarian accessories such as a bike rack, ski rack, cargo carrier or the like.
Background of the Invention
Vehicle accessories such as a bike rack, a ski rack, a snow board rack, a folding table, a work bench and a cargo carrier that may be conveniently secured to a vehicle when desired are increasing in popularity. Generally, these devices are secured directly to the vehicle bumper or through a trailer hitch receiver assembly carried by the vehicle. An example of the latter arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/194,502 filed April 3, 2000, entitled "Trailer Hitch Assembly With Towing Accessory Ports". The full disclosure of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/194,502 is incorporated herein by reference. The direct mounting of a towing accessory to a vehicle bumper is no longer possible in many instances due to the bumper design on many of today's vehicles. Even when possible, many consumers decide against such a mounting arrangement as it commonly results in unsightly and, thus, undesirable damage to the bumper. As a consequence, most consumers install a trailer hitch receiver assembly on their vehicle if they are going to utilize accessories of the nature discussed and then mount those accessories to their vehicle through that hitch receiver assembly.
Of course, many smaller vehicles in the market today are of insufficient size and power to support trailer towing. As such, trailer hitch receiver assemblies are not available for these vehicles. Thus, to date, no mounting arrangement of this nature is available for securing accessories of the nature described to these smaller vehicles even though these vehicles are large enough and powerful enough to transport these accessories and the equipment or materials they hold. A need is therefore identified for a multiple accessory port assembly for securing to smaller vehicles. Such a device also has useful application on larger vehicles where the owner desires the convenience of an easy and aesthetically pleasing way to secure various accessories to a vehicle yet has no interest in trailer towing capability. Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, a multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a frame member, a mounting bracket carried on each end of the frame member for securing the frame member to the vehicle, and at least two accessory ports for receiving and holding one or more recreational and utilitarian accessories. Each of the accessory ports projects rearwardly from the frame member a distance D and includes a circular opening for receiving and holding at least one recreational and/or utilitarian accessory. Such a recreational and utilitarian accessory may include but is not limited to a bike rack, a ski rack or a cargo carrier.
More specifically describing the invention, each accessory port has a longitudinal axis extending in a plane A, the plane A defining an included angle of approximately 10-30° and more specifically 20° with the horizontal. As will be described in greater detail below, the relative orientation of the accessory ports with respect to the frame member and the vehicle to which the assembly is mounted insures ease of accessory alignment and mounting for the benefit and satisfaction of the user.
The present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration 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 Drawing
The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the multiple accessory port assembly of the present invention; Figure la is a side elevational view of the assembly of Figure 1;
Figure lb is a rear elevational view of the assembly of Figures 1 and la;
Figures 2a and 2b are respective perspective and side elevational views showing the connection of a cargo/carrier platform in the accessory ports of the assembly; and
Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing how both the accessory ports project upwardly and rearwardly under the bumper of a towing vehicle to which the assembly is connected.
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 Figures 1, 1a and lb showing a multiple accessory port assembly 10 of the present invention. The assembly 10 includes a central frame member or cross member 12. The cross member 12 may be formed with a round cross section as shown in the drawing figures, a square cross section, an elliptical cross section or any other appropriate shape providing the necessary strength to function as a trailer hitch assembly.
Vehicle mounting brackets 14 are mounted adjacent the distal ends of the cross member 12. More specifically, each mounting bracket 14 includes a notch 16 sized and shaped to receive the associated end of the cross member 12. The brackets 14 are welded to the cross member 12 in order to complete the connection. The mounting brackets 14 each include a mounting flange 18 and an upwardly projecting mounting lug 19, both with apertures 20. Nut and bolt fasteners (not shown) are extended through these apertures 20 and cooperating apertures drilled in the frame F of the towing vehicle in order to mount the trailer hitch assembly 10 thereto. Of course, the arrangement of the mounting flanges 32 and/or mounting lugs 34 will vary from hitch assembly to hitch assembly in order to correspond to the frame of the vehicle to which the hitch assembly is to be mounted. As such, the arrangement and orientation of the flanges 32 and lugs 34 shown in the drawing figures are to be considered illustrative in nature rather than restrictive.
As also shown, the assembly 10 includes a pair of accessory ports 22 carried on the cross member 12. Each of the accessory ports 22 is formed from a steel tube that is welded to the cross member 12 so that the accessory ports are positioned between (i.e. inboard) the mounting brackets 14. Each accessory port 22 includes a circular opening 24 and cooperating aligned apertures 26 in the sidewall thereof to allow secure connection of an accessory by means of a connecting pin and pin clip of a type well known in the art.
Each of the accessory ports 22 is oriented with respect to the cross 5 member 12 and the vehicle upon which the assembly 10 is mounted so as to be readily accessible by the vehicle operator. More specifically, as shown in Figure la, each accessory port 22 has a longitudinal axis extending in a plane A. The plane A defines an included angle of approximately 10-30° and more specifically 20° with the horizontal.
10 The manner in which the structural arrangement of the accessory ports 22 benefits the user when attempting to attach a recreational and utilitarian accessory will now be more completely explained with references to Figures 2a and 2b and 3. As shown in Figure 3, when the assembly 10 is mounted to the Frame F of a towing vehicle, the cross member 12 is
15 positioned directly under the bumper B of the vehicle. Both of the accessory ports 22 project rearwardly from the cross member 12 a distance D so as to extend to or beyond the rearmost edge of the bumper B. Additionally, the accessory ports 22 project upwardly at a angle of about 20° with respect to the horizontal. Thus, the circular openings 24 of the
20 accessory ports 22 are both readily visible and accessible.
Due to this fact, it is relatively easy for the user to engage the openings 24 of the accessory ports 22 with the mounting posts P of a recreational and utilitarian accessory such as a cargo carrier platform C (see Figures 2a and 2b). At this point, the circular shape of the accessory ports
25 22 and cooperating mounting posts P further insure ease of connection. Specifically, since the posts P and ports 22 are both round, they present continuous, uninterrupted mating sidewalls. Accordingly, it is not necessary to index the posts P in any way to insure proper geometry for mating; simple alignment is all that is necessary. Additionally, the post P may be flexed slightly in virtually any direction during mating as an additional aid when making the connection. As an added advantage, the lower projecting lip of the ports 22 provides a platform for supporting the majority of the weight of the accessory thereby easing manipulation thereof during attachment/connection. Once properly aligned, the posts P slide readily into the ports 22.
When fully seated, cross apertures (not shown) in the posts P are in alignment with the apertures 26. A connecting pin (not shown) is then positioned in these apertures and a pin clip (not shown) is used to secure the pin in position. The resulting two point connection through the ports 22 dramatically increases the stability of the connection between the accessory and the vehicle. This increased stability allows for a broad array of accessory opportunities. Of course, the recreational and utilitarian accessory C may be easily removed by removing the pin clips and connecting pins and pulling the posts P from the ports 22. In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts of the present invention. Accessories are mounted to the vehicle through the assembly 10 that is secured directly to the vehicle frame. Thus, accessory mounting does no harm to the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle including the bumper and its finish. Direct mounting to the frame also serves to provide maximum rigidity and support. This in combination with the multipoint mounting through two or more ports significantly enhances product performance and allows the apparatus 10 to stabily support a wide range of different accessories. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and 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, while the ports 22 are shown projecting from the sidewall of the cross member 12, they could be welded or otherwise connected to the cross member along the underside or top side. Ports 22 of a different shape besides circular could also be provided (e.g., elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal). More than two ports 22 could also be provided to allow additional mounting points for extra stability or to provide the ability to receive and hold more than one accessory.
The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art 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.

Claims (7)

In the Claims
1. A multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a frame member; a pair of mounting brackets carried on said frame member; a pair of accessory ports carried on said frame member, each of said pair of ports projecting rearwardly from said frame member a distance D and including an opening for receiving a recreational and utilitarian accessory.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said openings in said pair of accessory ports are circular.
3. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein each of said accessory ports has a longitudinal axis extending in a plane A, said plane A defining an included angle of approximately 10-30° with a horizontal plane.
4. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein each of said accessory ports has a longitudinal axis extending in a plane A, said plane A defining an included angle of approximately 20° with a horizontal plane.
5. The assembly of Claim 1, wherein said accessory ports are carried on said frame member inboard said pair of mounting brackets.
6. The assembly of Claim 2, wherein each of said accessory ports has a longitudinal axis extending in a plane A, said plane A defining an included angle of approximately 10-30° with a horizontal plane.
7. The assembly of Claim 2, wherein each of said accessory ports has a longitudinal axis extending in a plane A, said plane A defining an included angle of approximately 20° with a horizontal plane.
AU2001249781A 2000-04-03 2001-04-02 Multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle Abandoned AU2001249781A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19450200P 2000-04-03 2000-04-03
US60194502 2000-04-03
US24348600P 2000-10-26 2000-10-26
US60243486 2000-10-26
PCT/US2001/010633 WO2001074622A1 (en) 2000-04-03 2001-04-02 Multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2001249781A1 true AU2001249781A1 (en) 2001-10-15

Family

ID=26890089

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2001249781A Abandoned AU2001249781A1 (en) 2000-04-03 2001-04-02 Multiple accessory port assembly for a vehicle

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6817503B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1286860A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2004508233A (en)
KR (1) KR20020097213A (en)
AU (1) AU2001249781A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2402706A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001074622A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080105802A1 (en) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-08 Kirtland Ralph P Universal quick detach multi-position accessory mount for vehicles or the like
US20100096872A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Gregory Ralph Brogdon Cargo system for cargo area of vehicle
KR200457851Y1 (en) * 2009-03-04 2012-01-05 박봉재 A magnetic bonding tile
US20110226830A1 (en) * 2010-03-22 2011-09-22 Westin Automotive Products Winch tray mounting system for vehicles
US9688212B2 (en) * 2015-04-04 2017-06-27 Poly A. Endrasik Modular trailer-hitch utility system
US11377151B2 (en) * 2019-12-02 2022-07-05 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Standard accessory mounting points for trucks and SUVs

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2468579A (en) * 1947-04-21 1949-04-26 Vuori Hans Extensible load-supporting means for trucks
US2672265A (en) * 1951-05-15 1954-03-16 William C Milstead Rack for attachment to vehicles
US3463513A (en) * 1967-01-17 1969-08-26 Charles A Burton Trailer hitch construction
US3768837A (en) * 1971-03-01 1973-10-30 Reese Products Tow bar constituting a part of a hitch assembly adapted for securement to a vehicle frame
US4204702A (en) 1976-02-02 1980-05-27 Oltrogge Victor C Universal quick detach accessory mount for vehicles or the like
US4159833A (en) 1978-01-23 1979-07-03 M & W Gear Company Wide range bumper mounted hitch with shock absorber attachment for tow vehicle
US4326730A (en) 1978-05-17 1982-04-27 Dan Tomen Quick transfer tow bar
US4348035A (en) * 1980-02-22 1982-09-07 Francois Wasservogel Towing attachments for attaching trailers to vehicles
US4915276A (en) * 1988-09-22 1990-04-10 Ermin Devito Mounting assembly for a carrier accessory for vans and automobiles
US4971237A (en) * 1988-12-20 1990-11-20 Davis Darrel B Rotatable spare tire holding apparatus
US4950010A (en) 1989-06-19 1990-08-21 Denny Gerald L Vehicle frame-mountable accessory receiver apparatus and method for manufacture
US5096102A (en) * 1990-05-18 1992-03-17 Tolson Carl J Article carrier mounted to license plate receiver of a motor vehicle
US5215234A (en) * 1991-09-23 1993-06-01 Pasley Ralph J Utility rack for vehicles
USD343151S (en) * 1992-07-06 1994-01-11 Eckhart Richard A Hitch mounted ski rack
US5620198A (en) 1993-02-26 1997-04-15 Reese Products, Inc. Collar for trailer hitch receiver
US5699985A (en) 1993-09-22 1997-12-23 Vogel; Robert D. Portable motorcycle carrier
US5476279A (en) 1993-12-06 1995-12-19 Klemetsen; Darrel Trailer hitch
US5497927A (en) 1994-10-28 1996-03-12 Peterson; Douglas C. Bicycle rack
US6428031B1 (en) * 1999-10-28 2002-08-06 Reese Products, Inc. Trailer hitch assembly with multiple receivers
CA2357945A1 (en) * 2000-10-26 2002-04-26 Reese Products, Inc. Receiver assembly with brush bar

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20020097213A (en) 2002-12-31
EP1286860A1 (en) 2003-03-05
US20030010800A1 (en) 2003-01-16
JP2004508233A (en) 2004-03-18
US6817503B2 (en) 2004-11-16
WO2001074622A1 (en) 2001-10-11
CA2402706A1 (en) 2001-10-11
EP1286860A4 (en) 2003-06-25

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