GB2354749A - Motor vehicle accessory fixing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor vehicle body has a plurality of fixing points (10,12) provided on either its internal or external surface so as to allow the vehicle user to attach items to and detach items from the vehicle body. The fixing points can be covered when not in use by means of a cover (see figure 3) which can lockingly engage with the fixing point, and along with the many possible accessories may be removed by means of a specially shaped screwdriver like tool (see figure 8). The fixing points may take the form of a recess or socket having a screw thread (see figure 2) or other like attachment means. The fixing point may also be provided with an electrical connection and may form part of a decorative styling feature on the vehicle body.

Description

2354749 Fixing System This invention relates to a fixing system for fixing

accessories to external surfaces of a motor vehicle body.

It is known to attach items, particularly roof racks or roof carriers to a vehicle body. It has been known to secure roof racks or roof carriers to convenient fixing points on the roof, f or example, roof gutters or accessible edges of roof or boot lid panels.

More recently vehicles have been provided with purpose built roof rack securing systems, for example, in the form of roof rails or weld nuts concealed in the door f rame shut face.

The present invention is intended to make it possible f or vehicle users to have greater flexibility in the nature and position of items which they can secure to the exterior of their vehicles without damaging the vehicle body and without the need for anything other than simple tools.

According to the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle having a body and, on the external surface of the body, a plurality of fixing points which allow the vehicle user to attach items to and to detach items f rom the vehicle body, the f ixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be f ixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the f ixing point.

The covers themselves can be decorative and can form part of a styling feature.

The receiving means may comprise an internal thread into which either an item can be screwed or a f ixing point cover can be screwed. However the invention is not restricted to threads and other rotational f ixing means 5 such as, for example, bayonet fixings could be used. Still further, f ixing means which do not rely on rotation as the method of at t aching/det aching can be used, f or example fixing means which rely upon the insertion of pins into specially positioned holes to displace springs which then allow removal of an item from the fixing point. Since the attachment of items is something that the user should be able to do without any complication, it is preferable if a positive fixing can be achieved without access to the back of the panel in which the fixing point is located. Attachment if items should also not require the use of specialist tools, or if any specialist tools are required, they should be low cost so that they can be supplied to the user along with the item.

The fixing points are preferably painted body colour and are inserted in the body before the vehicle is assembled.

Each fixing point cover may include a seal so that when the cover is in place, the cover f orms a seal with the vehicle bodywork surrounding the f ixing point.

The f ixing point cover and the items to be attached to the f ixing points may have a formation f or engaging with a non-standard screwdriving tool. A specially adapted screwdriving tool may be supplied to the vehicle owner but the majority of members of the public will not have access to such a tool and will therefore be unable to remove either the covers or the items from the vehicle. As an added security, a locking mechanism may also be provided to further restrict the ability of thieves to remove items or covers.

The invention also extends to a motor vehicle having a body with a roof and, mounted on the external surface of the roof, a set of fixing points which allow the vehicle user to attach items to and to detach items f rom the vehicle body, the fixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be fixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the fixing point.

Still further the invention provides a motor vehicle body with a roof and roof pillars and, mounted on the external surface of the roof pillars a set of fixing points which allow the vehicle user to attach items to and to detach items from the vehicle body, the fixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be fixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the fixing point.

The fixing points may be formed from a threaded socket which, when no item and no fixing point cover is inserted lies flush or below flush with the surrounding surface of the vehicle body.

The vehicle may also have internal fixing points of the same f orm as those set out above in relation to the exterior surf ace of the body.

An electrical connection may be provided to the fixing point such that when an item is received in the f ixing point, it makes contact with the electrical connection to provide electrical power to the item.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a vehicle body with six possible locations for fixing points in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a detail of a part of a vehicle body at one fixing point; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fixing point cover; Figures 4 and 5 are respectively plan and elevational views of the cover of Figure 3; Figures 6 and 7 are two alternative item fixing members; and Figure 8 shows a tool for attaching and detaching the fixing point covers and the item screws.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle body with four fixing points 10 on the roof and two f ixing points 12 on the C pillars. All of the f ixing points are likely to be identical so that they can all accept any item f rom, a range of items, but it is within the scope of the invention f or, for example, the f ixing points 10 on the roof to be of a different size from, for example, the fixing points 12 on the C pillars.

Figure 2 shows one fixing point where a threaded socket 14 is secured in a depression 16 in a body panel 18. The socket is f itted in the depression 16 so that its top surf ace is f lush with the bodywork 18. A thread 20 is provided on the inner surface of the socket 14.

Figure 3 shows a cosmetic cover or cap 22 f or the fixing point. The cap has a head 24 and a shank 26, with the shank 26 having a thread which will engage with the thread in the socket. When the cap 22 is screwed into the socket, the head will overlap the surrounding bodywork 18 to conceal the socket 14 and, as shown in Figure 5, a seal 28 on the underside of the cap will form a seal against the surface of the bodywork. In the head 24 of the cap there are two off-centre holes 30. A tool 32 (Figure 8) has two pegs 34 whose spacing corresponds to the spacing between the holes 30. The cap can be screwed in or screwed out of the socket 20 by engaging the pins 34 in the holes 30 and using the tool to turn the cap.

The item to be fixed to the vehicle bodywork can be secured by various different types of fastenings, in accordance with the nature of the sockets 20 fixed in the body. Some items may have integral or captive fasteners which engage in the sockets; others may require the use of fasteners such as those shown in Figures 6 and 7. The fastener 36 of Figure 6 has an external lock ring 38 to give it stability when tightened against a flange of an item being fastened to the body. The fastener 40 of Figure 7 has an internal lock ring 42 which will fit within a socket in the f ixing point 10 or 12 to provide a neat finish. 30 There follows a list of items which could be fastened to a Tehicle body by means of this invention: bike rack 35 boot bags canoe rack 6 fishing rod holder foldaway pushchair foldaway shopping trolley roof storage ski rack ladder rack surf board holder collapsible stowage box roof bags roof light pack:services wind guards for door The invention can also be used in the interior of the vehicle, where an even wider range of items can be attached to the vehicle body. There follows a list of possible interior items which can be attached to the body using the invention.

armrest can cooler ashtray insert safety seat CD player mounting child mirror coin tray cigarette packet stowage clothing box brief case holder bottle holder fuse box bulb & spares shopping hooks computer game socket load retainers tax disc holder sunglasses clip phone socket power outlet The lists given above are not intended to be exhaustive, and many other items which users might want to secure inside their vehicles could be offered for use with this f ixing method. The items will however be designed with suitable fixing points (spacing, size) for mating with the fixing points provided internally or externally on the vehicle body.

Although the accompanying drawings show threaded fasteners, many other quick release fastenings can be used. It is generally important that the fastenings should be secure but should require a special tool to enable them to be removed, rather than a conventional screwdriver or spanner. Some such methods may rely upon the insertion of pins into specially positioned holes to displace springs which then allow removal.

It is intended that the fixing points should be visible to advertise the ease of adding accessories to the vehicle. The fixing point covers can be designed then to blend in with or stand out f rom the vehicle design and may carry, for example, the vehicle manufacturers' trade mark.

The socket 20 in the metal panel could be a conventional weld nut, a f langed f orm captive f astener,:I 13uf pierced nut, a conventional pierced nut or a blind f langed nut or any other attachment device to suit the application and the sealing and forces involved.

Claims (16)

Claims

1 A motor vehicle having a body and, on the external surface of the body, a plurality of fixing points which allow the vehicle user to attach items to and to detach items from the vehicle body, the fixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be fixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the fixing point.

2. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the covers are decorative and form part of a styling feature.

3. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the fixing points are such that items can be positively secured to the fixing points with access to the points from only one side.

4. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the receiving means comprise an internal thread into which either an item can be screwed or a f ixing point cover can be screwed.

5. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the receiving means comprises a non-rotational attachment mechanism.

6. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing points are painted body colour and are inserted in the body before the vehicle is assembled.

7. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each fixing point cover includes a seal so that when the cover is in place, the cover f orms a seal with the vehicle bodywork surrounding the f ixing point.

B. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing point covers and the items to be attached to the fixing points have a formation for engaging with a non-standard screwdriving tool.

9. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to lock an item to a fixing point.

10. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to lock fixing point covers to fixing points.

11. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when no item and no fixing point cover is inserted in a fixing point, the fixing point lies flush or below flush with the surrounding surface of the vehicle body.

12. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of fixing points are provided in the interior of the vehicle body which allow the vehicle user to attach interior items to and to detach interior items from the vehicle body, the fixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be fixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the fixing point.

13. A motor vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an electrical connection is provided to the fixing point such that when an item is received in the f ixing point, it makes contact with the electrical connection to provide electrical power to the item.

14. A motor vehicle having a body with a roof and, mounted on the external surf ace of the roof, a set of fixing points which allow the vehicle user to attach items to and to detach items from the vehicle body, the fixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be fixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the fixing point.

15. A motor vehicle body with a roof and roof pillars and, mounted on the external surface of the roof pillars a set of fixing points which allow the vehicle user to attach items to and to detach items from the vehicle body, the fixing points having means for receiving and positively securing items to be fixed, and fixing point covers adapted to engage with the receiving means when no item is attached to the fixing point.

16. A motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.