AU2003100429B4 - Support for mounting a mountable device to a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Gary Haley Lot 42, Redmond West Road REDMOND WA 6327 Gary Haley Griffith Hack, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, 6th Floor, 256 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: SUPPORT FOR MOUNTING A MOUTABLE DEVICE TO A VEHICLE Details of Associated Provisional Applications: PS2803 filed 6 June 2002 The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 SUPPORT FOR MOUNTING A MOUNTABLE DEVICE TO A VEHICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a support for mounting a mountable device to a vehicle and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a support for mounting a spotlight to a vehicle window frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Spotlights, floodlights and searchlights are used by many people, such as farmers, emergency services personnel and security personnel. These people often need to use the spotlight from their vehicle. Frequently the spotlight will be mounted on top of a roof rack of a vehicle or a hand-held spotlight will be used from the vehicle.

However, it is not always necessary to leave the spotlight attached to the roof rack of a vehicle in a semi-permanent or permanent state. A spotlight attached to a roof rack is also difficult for a person to control from inside the vehicle.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide a support for mounting a mountable device (such as, for example, a spotlight) to a vehicle in a manner that can be used by a person still within the vehicle and/or that is more easily removable.

SUMMARY OF THE [NVENTION [0004] According to the present invention there is provided a support for mounting a mountable device to a vehicle, the support comprising at least: a resilient longitudinally compressible elongate member having a first end and a second end; first and second engaging means coupled at spaced apart locations to said elongate member; and a mounting means for removably mounting a mountable device to the support, the mounting means being detachably coupled to said elongate member; whereby said first and second engaging means are arranged so as to be engageable during use with respective spaced parts of a vehicle window such that the resilience of said elongate member urges the first and second engaging means into engagement with said parts.

[0005] Preferably, the first and second engaging means are engagable with the window frame of an opened window of a vehicle. More preferably, the first engaging means is engagable with a slot in the window frame through which the window moves when being opened and closed. More preferably, the second engaging means engages with a slot in the window frame into which the window moves when it is closed.

[0006] Preferably, the first engaging means is an elongate member T-shaped in crosssection whereby, in use, the sides of the T rest on the window frame and the centre projecting portion of the T for being inserted into the slot of the window frame.

Preferably, the first engaging means is pivotally coupled to the first end of the elongate member.

[0007] Preferably, the second engaging means includes a laterally projecting portion with a flange projecting upwardly from the laterally projecting portion, the flange being substantially parallel with the downwardly projecting portion of the first engaging means, the flange engagable with the slot of the window frame.

[0008] Preferably, the elongate member is a telescopically retractable member.

Preferably, the elongate member includes a sleeve adjustably coupled to the telescopically retractable member. Preferably, the position of the sleeve in relation to the telescopically retractable member is telescopically adjustable.

[0009] Preferably, the adjustable coupling between the sleeve and the telescopically retractable member includes a plurality of holes in the sleeve member through which a bolt may be engaged with at least one of the holes so as to fix the position of the sleeve in relation to the telescopically retractable member.

Preferably, the mounting means is in the form of a laterally projecting plate, substantially opposite from the lateral projection of the second engaging means.

Preferably, the plate includes holes for mounting a spotlight thereto.

-4- Preferably, the plate includes a central hole for a spotlight hand controller to pass therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a support in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the support of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the support of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front view of the support of Figure 1, in use, carrying a spotlight; Figure 5 is a side view of the support of Figure 1 engaged with a window frame of a car door; and Figure 6 is a front view of the support of Figure 1 engaged with the car door of Figure and carrying the spotlight of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a support 10 which includes a resilient compressible elongate member 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. The elongate compressible member 12 is comprised of a resiliently compressible gas strut 18 that includes a telescopically retractable portion 20 and a housing portion 22. The telescopically retractable portion 20 has a piston (not visible) internal to the housing portion 22 which is acted upon by a volume of compressed gas within a sealed chamber of the housing portion 22 to resiliently urge the telescopically retractable portion away from the housing portion 22. The elongate member 12 includes a sleeve 24 which slidably receives the housing portion 22 therein. The sleeve 24 includes a plurality of locating holes 26 through which a bolt 56 may be inserted so as to engage with an internal end of the housing portion 22 opposite the first end 14 to limit the position of the internal end. The bolt may be secured with a nut. This provides telescopically adjustable positioning of the gas strut extending out of the sleeve 24.

[0010] At the first end 14, a T-shaped engaging member 28 is pivotally coupled to the elongate member 12. The coupling 30 is a pivoting ball joint. The T-shaped engaging member 28 has a pair of opposed flat sections 32 which rest on the frame of a vehicle window 60 when the support 10 is in use. The T-shaped member 28 also includes a thin downwardly projecting portion or flange 34 that in use is situated within a slot of the window frame through which a window pane travels as it is extended from and retracted into an associated vehicle door 62.

[0011] At the second end 16 of the elongate member 12 is a mounting means 36 is in the form of a mounting plate 36 that projects laterally from the elongate member 12, as shown in Figure 2. The mounting plate 36 includes a plurality of small connecting holes 38 through which may pass bolts or screws to mount a spotlight 40 to the mounting plate 36. The mounting plate 36 also includes a central hole 42 through which may pass a manual control 44 for the spotlight [0012] The mounting plate 36 is removably or detachably attached to the second end 16 of the elongate member 12 by means of a locking bolt 45 that can be tightened and loosened by hand. Locking bolt 45 permits the mounting plate 36 to be located in one of three preferred positions: front (so that it faces the front of the vehicle), centre (as shown in the accompanying drawings) and back (so that it faces towards the rear of the vehicle). A threaded aperture or nut (not visible) is provided in the end of the sleeve 24 to receive the locking bolt 45 in screw-threaded engagement therein. By having the mounting plate 36 removably attached to the support it gives the operator of the spotlight greater freedom in selecting the most appropriate mounting position. It also enables the operator to readily alter the mounting position without having to remove the screws or bolts 52 in the base 54 of the spotlight.

-6- [0013] A second engaging member 46 is demountably coupled to the sleeve 24 at a location spaced from the engaging member 28 via a bolt 47 and nut 49. The bolt 47 can be fixed to the member 46 (for example by a weld) and passed through one of the holes 26 in the sleeve 24 for engaging with the nut 49. It will be appreciated that if the nut 49 is not initially done up tightly the member 46 will be able to pivot downwardly relative to the sleeve 24 to enable receipt in window frames which may be inclined from a vertical plane such as may be the case in many sports sedans and coupes. The second engaging member 46 includes a laterally projecting portion 48 that projects laterally in a direction generally opposite to the mounting plate 36 and having an upwardly projecting elongate flange 50 distal from the sleeve 24. The flange 50 is adapted to be received within a slot at the top of the window frame 60 of the vehicle.

[0014] The method of use and operation of the support 10 will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Referring to Figure 4, a spotlight 40 is mounted to the mounting plate 36 by inserting screws or bolts 52 through holes 38 and then screwing them into a base 54 of the spotlight 40. A manual control handle 44 for pointing the spotlight 40 passes through the hole 42 and extends downwardly. The mounting plate 36 is then attached to the second end of the elongate member 12 using locking bolt [0016] Referring to Figure 5, the elongate member 12 is adjusted by positioning bolt 56 though one of the holes 26 so as to adjust its length to be appropriate for the window frame 60 that it will be mounted in. The window frame 60 is in a car door 62. A base 64 of the window frame 60 includes a slot through which a windowpane moves. The window frame 60 also includes a top portion 66 that includes a slot into which the windowpane is positioned when it is fully closed. In use, the window is wound down so that it is fully retracted within the car door 62. The slot in the base 64 is then able to receive the downward projection 34 of the first T-shaped engaging member 28. The sleeve 24 is then grasped and the pushed down so as to compress the gas in the gas strut.

The distance between the first and second engaging members 28 and 46 is thereby reduced. The support is then moved into a position so that the second engaging member 46 can then engage the top portion 66 of the window frame 60 when the compression is released. The downward pressure on the sleeve 24 may then be relaxed. Due to the resilience of the compressed gas the length of the elongate member 12 will expand to its original position. This will cause the upward projection 50 to be securely retained within the slot of the upper portion 66 of the window frame [0017] As shown in Figure 6, the spotlight 40 is then securely mounted to the window frame 60 using the support 10. The occupant of the vehicle can then merely reach out the window of the vehicle and control the position of the spotlight using the controller 44.

[0018] The spotlight and the support may be easily removed be grasping the sleeve 24, pressing downwardly so as to again retract the retractable portion 20 into the housing portion 22 thereby reducing the length of the elongate member 12, whereby the second engaging member 46 will disengage from the window frame. The support 10 can then be tilted and lifted away from the base of the window frame thereby freeing it from the window.

[0019] It will be clear that the described support has the following advantages: 1. The support provides a means for mounting a device to a vehicle so that it can be readily accessed by an occupant of the vehicle; and 2. The device and support can be quickly and easily engaged with a window frame of a vehicle and just as easily disengaged.

[0020] Modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiment of the support without departing from the basic inventive concepts. Such modifications may include: 1. Using a spring arrangement rather than a gas strut; 2. Adapting the mounting means so as to mount devices other than a spotlight, flood light, search light or other mountable device; and 8 3. The housing of the compressible gas strut or spring or other resilient member may be coupled to the sleeve by a threaded arrangement rather than using a bolt and a plurality of holes.

[0021] Such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description, and the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A support for mounting a mountable device to a vehicle, the support comprising at least: a resilient longitudinally compressible elongate member having a first end and a second end; first and second engaging means coupled at spaced apart locations to said elongate member; and a mounting means for removably mounting a mountable device to the support, the mounting means being detachably coupled to said elongate member; whereby said first and second engaging means are arranged so as to be engageable during use with respective spaced parts of a vehicle window such that the resilience of said elongate member urges the first and second engaging means into engagement with said parts.

2. A support according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a telescopically retractable member adjustably coupled inside a sleeve at one or more positions along the length of the sleeve.

3. A support according to claim 2, wherein said second engaging means is demountably coupled at one of a plurality of locations along said sleeve.

4. A support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when said parts of said vehicle are respective portions of a peripheral slot of a window frame of said vehicle, each of said first engaging means and said second engaging means includes a flange receivable within said respective portions of said slot. A support as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 5 'h day of June 2003 GARY I HALEY By His Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia