GB2436860A

GB2436860A - Accessory attachment for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2436860A
Application number: GB0705010A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tom Rendell
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-07
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-15
Also published as: GB0705010D0; GB2436860B; WO2007115896A1

Abstract

An accessory (e.g a roof rack or roof bars) 30 for attachment to a vehicle comprises a receiving element which retains an attachment mechanism via a mount, the attachment mechanism comprising a shaft 41. The shaft 41 has a first end a second end and is adapted at its first end to engage with the mount such that the shaft 41 is permitted to rotate freely about a longitudinal axis. The shaft 41 is adapted at its second end to removably engage with an anchoring point 27 provided on the vehicle. A handle 50 is mounted on the shaft 41 that allows a user to rotate the shaft 41 about its longitudinal axis.

Description

2436860

MEANS FOR ATTACHING AN ACCESSORY TO A VEHICLE

The invention relates to a means for removably attaching an accessory to the body of a vehicle.

5

It is common to attach a load carrying frame such as a roof bar or roof rack to the external roof portion of a vehicle body. Traditionally, attachment of the roof bar or roof rack has been achieved via hooks, clamps or straps that attach to side portions or edges of the body, or via custom-made roof rails or gutters. The secure 10 attachment of an accessory via these methods is problematic, as it may require components to be attached between the roof portion and the door or boot panels, may be time consuming and may require a number of separate components to be assembled together. Furthermore, the accessory may not thereafter be easily detachable.

15

It is the object of the present invention to overcome such problems by providing a means for the attachment of an accessory to a vehicle that is simple to operate and allows for secure but removable attachment of the accessory.

20 In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an accessory for attachment to a vehicle comprising: a receiving element adapted to retain an attachment mechanism via a mount; and an attachment mechanism comprising a shaft, the shaft having first and second ends and being adapted at its first end to engage with the mount such that the shaft is permitted to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis, and wherein the 25 shaft is adapted at its second end to removably engage with an anchoring point provided on the body of a vehicle; and a handle that is mounted on the shaft that allows a user to rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the shaft proximal to its 30 second end is threaded, the anchoring point comprises a threaded bore, and the handle allows torque to be applied to the shaft, such that engagement between the shaft and the anchoring point is facilitated. Suitably, the mount comprises a bearing, preferably selected from a radial or spherical bearing.

35 Suitably, the accessory is selected from: a load carrying means such as a bar, rack, frame, or container; or a cover, rope, strap, decorative feature, display board or advertising feature, a light or an antenna.

2

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a vehicle fitted with an accessory as described herein.

5 In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an attachment mechanism comprising: a shaft, the shaft having first and second ends and being adapted at its first end to engage with a receiving element of an accessory via a mount such that the shaft is permitted to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis, and wherein the shaft is adapted at its second end to removably engage with an anchoring point provided 10 on the body of a vehicle; and a handle that is mounted on the shaft that allows a user to rotate the shaft about it longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the shaft proximal to its second end is threaded, the anchoring point comprises a threaded bore, and the 15 handle allows torque to be applied to the shaft, such that engagement between the shaft and the anchoring point is facilitated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the handle further comprises at least one indicator adapted to indicate when the attachment mechanism has been attached to 20 the anchoring point with sufficient torque to removably anchor the accessory to the vehicle. Suitably, the indicator is a visual indicator. Preferably, the indicator is disposed on an upper surface of the handle and is selected from a painted, etched, engraved, moulded, stamped or chemically deposited marking, or a suitable material attached to the upper surface by an appropriate adhesive, or an electrically operated 25 indicator such as a light or light-emitting diode.

Suitably, the mount comprises a bearing, preferably selected from a radial or spherical bearing.

30 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a body comprising a roof portion and an accessory bar removably attached thereto in accordance with 35 an embodiment of the present invention;

3

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section through an end of the accessory bar of Figure 1 that is removably attached to the body of a vehicle via an attachment mechanism;

5 Figure 3a shows a longitudinal cross-section through the end of the accessory bar of Figure 2 showing components disposed inside the end of the bar;

Figure 3b shows a transverse cross-section through the end of the accessory

10 bar of Figure 2 showing components disposed inside the end of the bar;

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the attachment mechanism of Figure 2;

15 Figure 5 shows a preferred method of assembly of the accessory bar with the attachment mechanism of Figure 2;

Figure 6 shows a preferred method by which the accessory bar may be removably attached to the body of a vehicle via the attachment mechanism of

20 Figure 2;

Figures 7a and 7b are schematic plan views of an embodiment of the present invention wherein a rotary handle is provided that is adapted to rotate in an eccentric manner with respect to the accessory bar.

25

Shown in Figure 1 is a vehicle 10 of the flatbed pick up type in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 10 comprises a body 20 having a roof portion 25.

30 Apparent from Figure 1 is the presence of a bar 30 comprising a hollow tube having first and second ends 31, 33. The bar 30 is removably attached to the roof portion 25 at the first and second ends 31, 33. Suitably, the bar 30 comprises a roof rack or carrier frame for the carriage of cargo or other items.

35 The first end 31 of the bar 30 is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The end 31 of the bar 30 is removably attached to the roof portion 25 of the vehicle via an attachment

4

mechanism 40. Further components of the end 31 and of the attachment mechanism 40 that are not shown in Figure 2 are shown in detail in Figures 3a to 6.

As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, there is provided inside the hollow tube of the bar 30 5 proximal to the end 31 a first retaining member 35, suitably a first bearing retainer. The first bearing retainer 35 is annular in shape in transverse cross-section and substantially L-shaped in longitudinal cross-section. A plurality of apertures 37 are provided in the first bearing retainer, each comprising a threaded bore with its open end 39 facing the open end 31 of the bar 30. It will be appreciated that a similar first 10 bearing retainer (not shown) is disposed at the second end 33 of the bar 30.

The attachment mechanism 40 is shown in detail in Figure 4. The attachment mechanism 40 comprises a threaded shaft 41, a number of retaining nuts 43, 45, 47, a rotary handle 50 and one or more bearings 60. The threaded shaft 41 has a first 15 end 414 and a second end 416. The rotary handle 50 is formed from a substantially annular or elliptical disc, and has a through-aperture such that the handle 50 may be mounted onto the threaded shaft 41. The handle 50 has a lower surface 51 and an upper surface 53, and is disposed between the retaining nuts 43, 45, which are also mounted onto the threaded shaft 41. The retaining nut 43 abuts the lower surface 51 20 of the handle 50, and is disposed towards the central portion of the length of the threaded shaft 41. The retaining nut 45 abuts the upper surface 53 of the handle 50, towards the first end 414 of the threaded shaft 41. One or more of the bearings 60 are disposed adjacent to the threaded shaft 41, and are mounted between the retaining nut 45 and the retaining nut 47, proximal to the first end 414 of the threaded 25 shaft 41. The threaded shaft 41 is able to rotate upon the bearings 60 around axis A (as shown in Figure 6), which corresponds to the central axis of the shaft.

The attachment mechanism 40 is assembled together with the end 31, 33 of the bar 30 before attachment to the roof portion 25. A preferred method of assembly is 30 shown in Figure 5. The first end 414 of the threaded shaft 41 together with the retaining nuts 45, 47 and one or more of the bearings 60 is inserted into the end 31, 33 of the bar 30. One or more of the bearings 60 abuts the first bearing retainer 35. A second annular retaining member 61, suitably a second bearing retainer, is provided, having a plurality of through-apertures 63. The second bearing retainer 61 abuts the 35 first bearing retainer 35 and one or more of the bearings 60, such that the through-apertures 63 of the second bearing retainer 61 align with the open ends 39 of the apertures 37 in the first bearing retainer 35. Thus, one or more of the bearings 60 are

5

sandwiched between the first bearing retainer 35 and the second bearing retainer 61. Threaded fixings 65 are inserted through the apertures 63 in the second bearing retainer and into the apertures 37 in the first bearing retainer, such that the assembly is fixed into place. Thus, the assembly comprising first bearing retainer 35, second 5 bearing retainer 61 and threaded fixings 65 forms a receiving element 70 for the attachment means 40. Subsequently the handle 50 and then the retaining nut 43 are mounted onto the threaded shaft 41, and positioned adjacent to the end 31, 33 of the tube 30.

10 Typically, assembly of the bar 30 and the attachment mechanism 40 is completed during manufacture before purchase by the end user.

A preferred method for removably attaching the bar 30 to the roof portion 25 via the attachment mechanism 40 is shown in Figure 6. The roof portion 25 comprises at 15 least one threaded receiving aperture 27. The second end 416 of the threaded shaft 41 is inserted into the receiving aperture 27. In order to fix the attachment mechanism 40 and thus the bar 30 into place on the body 20 of the vehicle 10, the user is not required to rotate the bar 30. Rather, the user rotates the handle 50, which in turn revolves the threaded shaft 41. The threaded shaft 41 is able to rotate 20 upon one or more of the bearings 60 about an axis A that runs longitudinally through the shaft 41 at its centre, as shown in Figure 6. When the user operates the handle 50, which is fixed to the shaft 41, the shaft 41 is rotated about axis A while the bar 30 remains stationary. As the shaft 41 is rotated, the second end 416 is screwed into the receiving aperture 27 of the roof portion 25. The thread of the receiving aperture 27 25 and the thread of the shaft 41 form an interlocking interface, such that threading of the shaft 41 into the receiving aperture 27 allows the attachment mechanism 40, and thus the bar 30, to be removably anchored to the body 20 of the vehicle 10.

It will be appreciated that the attachment mechanism 40 can subsequently be 30 removed from the receiving aperture 27, and thus the bar 30 can be removed from the vehicle 10, by operation of the handle 50 in a direction counter to that used for attachment.

Suitably, the lower surface 51 of the handle 50 may comprise a soft or padded layer 35 such that rotation of the handle 50 does not damage the paintwork of the body 20 of the vehicle 10. Preferably, the lower surface 51 is also adapted to reduce the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness to and/or from the attachment

6

mechanism 40 and the accessory 30. Conveniently, lower surface 51 is selected from a polymer foam or rubber washer, or any other suitable material as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The soft or padded layer may be formed separately from the handle 50 and may be attached to the lower surface 51 via an 5 appropriate adhesive.

A cover (not shown) may be provided for each receiving aperture 27 and be adapted to fit the aperture 27, such that the aperture 27 can be temporarily closed when no accessory is attached. The cover may preferably be adapted to form a fluid-tight seal.

10

Each receiving aperture 27 may be disposed in a recess or depression in the body 20 of the vehicle 10, such that when the attachment mechanism 40 is screwed into place the retaining nut 43 is below the surface of the surrounding body 20, and so that the rotary handle 50 is flush with the surface of the surrounding body 20. When 15 the attachment mechanism 40 is not attached, and a cover is in use to temporarily close the aperture, the recess or depression may allow the surface of the cover to lie flush or below flush with the surface of the surrounding body 20. It is an advantage of the invention that by enabling attached components to lie flush or below flush with the surrounding body 20, the aesthetics of the vehicle 10 are not compromised.

20

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b, which schematically illustrate the relative positions of the bar 30, the handle 50 and the shaft 41 when looking down the axis A. The axis A is centred with respect to the threaded bar 41, but is positioned eccentrically with respect to the bar 30, such that 25 axis A does not intersect with the centre point of the circle defined by the perimeter of the end 31, 33 of the bar 30. The rotary handle 50 is mounted upon the threaded shaft 41 such that when the attachment mechanism 40 is rotated about the axis A, parts of the upper surface 53 of the handle 50 will be first exposed and visible (as shown in Figure 7a), and then hidden by the end 31, 33 of the bar 30 during rotation 30 of the handle 50 (as shown in Figure 7b, wherein the attachment mechanism 40 including the rotary handle 50 has been rotated 180° about the axis A from the starting position shown in Figure 7a). One or more indicators 57 may be provided on the upper surface 53 of the handle 50, such that they are accordingly first exposed and then hidden as described above during rotation of the attachment mechanism 35 40. Indicators 57 may suitably be selected from painted, etched, engraved, moulded, stamped or chemically deposited markings on the upper surface 53, or may comprise any suitable material attached to the upper surface using an appropriate adhesive, or

7

may comprise electrically operated indicators selected from lights or light-emitting diodes.

Specifically, the attachment mechanism 40 is adapted such that when the threaded 5 shaft 41 is screwed into the receiving aperture 27 with a sufficient level or torque to secure the accessory 30 to the body 20 of the vehicle 10, rotation of the handle 50 stops at a point where a portion of the upper surface 53 is obscured from view by the end 31, 33 of the bar 30 (as shown in Figure 7b).

10 Suitably, the upper surface 53 of the handle 50 is provided with markings 57 that are hidden when the major part of the upper surface 53 is covered by the end 31, 33 of the bar 30. Thus, a visual signal is provided and it is possible for the user to ascertain when the attachment mechanism 40, and therefore the bar 30, has been attached to the body 20 of the vehicle 10 with a sufficient level or torque. It is a further advantage

15 that over-tightening of the attachment means can also be avoided, as the user will stop operating the handle 50 when the indicator 57 signals that the sufficient level of torque has been obtained. Thus, damage to the body 20 of the vehicle 10 and/or the attachment mechanism 40 caused by over-tightening can be avoided.

20 A number of variations within the inventive concept are possible. For example, the attachment mechanism 40 may be adapted for the removable attachment of any appropriate accessory to the body of a vehicle. Appropriate accessories may include, for example, a roof bar, a roof rack, a container or any other load carrying means, a frame, a hood or cover, a rope or strap, a decorative feature, a display board or

25 advertising feature, a light, an armament, or an antenna or a satellite dish. The attachment means 40 may also be adapted to removably attach an intermediate member, such as a foot or other support structure, to the body 20 of a vehicle 10 to which one or more accessories 30 may then be attached.

30 The attachment mechanism 40 may be adapted to removably attach an accessory to any part of the body of a vehicle, and may be adapted such that the accessory is disposed on either the exterior or the interior of the vehicle. The attachment mechanism 40 may also be adapted to removably attach an accessory to a trailer that is towed by a vehicle.

35

The shaft 41 of the attachment mechanism 40 may be adapted to engage with the receiving aperture 27 of the body of the vehicle 10 by any suitable means as will be

8

appreciated by one skilled in the art. Suitably, at least a portion of the shaft 41 near the second end 416 is adapted to engage with the receiving aperture via complimentary, inter-locking shapes. For example, a threaded (screw-like) or bayonet-type fitting may be used.

5

The receiving aperture 27 may be any suitable anchoring point adapted to removably retain the attachment means 40, and may be disposed in any part the body 20 of the vehicle 10 or in a fixture attached to the body 20.

10 The rotary handle 50 may be adapted to various shapes around its perimeter so long as it is able to rotate with the threaded shaft 41. Suitably, the handle 50 may be adapted so that in use it is easy for the user to rotate it, for example by providing a grip portion and/or providing contoured grooves. The handle 50 may also require a tool, for example a hex head wrench or other shaped tool or key, in order to be

15 rotated by the user, thus allowing only a bearer of the correct tool or key to operate the handle. This would be an advantage in preventing an attachment from being removed by passers-by when attached to the vehicle 10. It will be appreciated that the handle 50 could be cast in one piece with the shaft 41, such that it is not detachable from the shaft 41 and does not require a retaining nut 43.

20

Any part or parts of the attachment mechanism 40 and/or the anchoring point 27 may be coloured. Suitably, the part or parts may be coloured to match a colour of the body 20 of the vehicle 10.

25 The vehicle 10 may be any appropriate vehicle to which it is desired to attach an accessory.

Having described particular embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments in question are exemplary only and that variations

30 and modifications such as will occur to those possessed of the appropriate knowledge and skills may be made without departure from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

An accessory (30) for attachment to a vehicle (10) that comprises:

a receiving element (70) adapted to retain an attachment mechanism (40) via a mount (60); and an attachment mechanism (40) comprising a shaft (41), the shaft (41) having first and second ends (414, 416) and being adapted at its first end (414) to engage with the mount (60) such that the shaft (41) is permitted to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis (A), and wherein the shaft (41) is adapted at its second end (416) to removably engage with an anchoring point (27) provided on the body (20) of a vehicle (10); and a handle (50) that is mounted on the shaft (41) that allows a user to rotate the shaft (41) about its longitudinal axis (A).

An accessory (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the shaft (41) proximal to its second end (416) is threaded and the anchoring point (27) comprises a threaded bore, and wherein the handle (50) allows torque to be applied to the shaft (41), so as to facilitate engagement between the shaft (41) and the anchoring point (27).

An accessory (30) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mount (60) comprises a bearing.

An accessory (30) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bearing is selected from a radial or spherical bearing.

An accessory (30) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the accessory (30) is selected from: a load carrying means such as a bar, rack, frame, or container; or a cover, rope, strap, decorative feature, display board or advertising feature, a light or an antenna.

A vehicle (10) fitted with an accessory (30) as claimed in any preceding claim.

10

7. An attachment mechanism (40) comprising:

a shaft (41), the shaft (41) having first and second ends (414, 416) and 5 being adapted at its first end (414) to engage with a receiving element

(70) of an accessory (30) via a mount (60) such that the shaft (41) is permitted to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis (A), and wherein the shaft (41) is adapted at its second end (416) to removably engage with an anchoring point (27) provided on the body (20) of a vehicle (10); and

10

a handle (50) that is mounted on the shaft (41) that allows a user to rotate the shaft (41) about its longitudinal axis (A).

8. An attachment mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least a 15 portion of the shaft (41) proximal to its second end (416) is threaded and the anchoring point (27) comprises a threaded bore, and wherein the handle (50) allows torque to be applied to the shaft (41), so as to facilitate engagement between the shaft (41) and the anchoring point (27).

20 9. An attachment mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the handle (50) further comprises at least one indicator (57) adapted to indicate when the attachment mechanism (40) has been attached to the anchoring point (27) with sufficient torque to removably anchor the accessory (30) to the vehicle (10).

25

10. An attachment mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the indicator (27) is a visual indicator.

11. An attachment mechanism (40) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the indicator 30 (27) is disposed on an upper surface (53) of the handle (50) and is selected from a painted, etched, engraved, moulded, stamped or chemically deposited marking, or a suitable material attached to the upper surface (53) by an appropriate adhesive, or an electrically operated indicator such as a light or light-emitting diode.

35

12.

An attachment mechanism (40) as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the mount (60) comprises a bearing.

11

13. An attachment mechanism (40) as claimed in claim any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the bearing is selected from a radial or spherical bearing.

5 14. An accessory, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 1, 2 and 6.

15. An attachment mechanism, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 4 to7b.