GB2609946A

GB2609946A - Recovery hook mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2609946A
Application number: GB2111829.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Grau Grau Millera; Stephen Rowley Mark
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-18
Filing date: 2021-08-18
Publication date: 2023-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2041-08-18
Also published as: GB202111829D0; GB2609946B

Abstract

An assembly 1, suitable for mounting a tow hook (3, Fig. 8) on a vehicle (5, Fig. 1), having a crush can back plate 23-1 with a through hole; and a tow hook mount 31 with first 33 and second 35 sections. The first section 33 has a surface (33A, Fig. 5) for abutting a longitudinal beam (13-1, Fig. 5) of the vehicle (5, Fig. 1); and an aperture (37, Fig. 5) for receiving a fastener (39B, Fig. 5) for mounting the first section 33 to the beam (13-1, Fig. 5) in a first plane. The second section 35, which is fastened to the crush can back plate 23-1, has a projection (41, Fig. 9) that passes through the through hole in the crush can back plate 23-1 to hold the mount 31 in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. The projection (41, Fi. 9) has a threaded section (43, Fig. 7) for engaging with a complementary thread on the tow hook (3, Fig. 8).

Description

RECOVERY HOOK MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a recovery hook mounting assembly. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a recovery hook mounting assembly for mounting a recovery hook to a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a recovery hook mounting assembly and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a recovery hook mounting assembly on a vehicle to enable a recovery hook to be fastened to the vehicle body to facilitate recovery of the vehicle. The recovery hook mounting assembly comprises a recovery hook mount which may be a forged member which is fastened to the body structure. It would be desirable to reduce the mass of the recovery hook mount.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a recovery hook mounting assembly and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising a recovery hook mounting assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a bumper assembly comprising the recovery hook mounting assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of a bumper assembly comprising the recovery hook mounting assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a recovery hook mount in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the recovery hook mount shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the bumper assembly and a recovery hook in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the recovery hook mounting assembly mounted to the vehicle; Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the recovery hook mounting assembly shown in Figure 7 with the recovery hook fastened to the recovery hook mount; and Figure 9 shows a sectional view of a recovery hook mount in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A recovery hook mounting assembly 1 for mounting a recovery hook 3 on a vehicle 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures. The vehicle 5 is an automobile in the present embodiment. It will be understood that the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 according to the present invention may be employed in other types of road vehicle.

The vehicle 5 is described herein with reference to a reference frame comprising a longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y and a vertical axis Z. A schematic representation of the vehicle 5 is shown in Figure 1. The vehicle 5 comprises a body 7 which forms a cabin 9 for vehicle occupants. The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 in the present embodiment is mounted at a rear of the vehicle 5. Alternatively, or in addition, the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 may be mounted at a front of the vehicle 5. The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 is mounted to a body structure 11. The body structure 11 is a rear body structure in the present embodiment. The body structure 11 is a structural assembly forming a lower portion of the body 7. The body structure 11 typically supports a suspension system (not shown) for supporting the wheels of the vehicle 5. The body structure 11 comprises first and second longitudinal beams 13-1, 13-2 (shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8) disposed on respective first and second sides of the vehicle 5. The first and second longitudinal beams 13-1, 13-2 each comprise a box section having a central longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle 5.

A bumper assembly 15 is mounted to the body structure 11. The bumper assembly 15 is a rear bumper assembly in the present embodiment but could be a front bumper assembly. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bumper assembly 15 comprises a transverse bumper beam 17 and first and second crush can assemblies 19-1, 19-2. A transverse bumper beam is sometimes called a bumper armature and is a structural component for the management and distribution of crash forces occurring during a collision. The transverse bumper beam 17 extends in a transverse direction partway across the width of the vehicle 5. The transverse bumper beam 17 is a rigid member and may be formed from a metal, such as steel or aluminium. An external bumper (not shown) is mounted using the rear end of the body structure and sometimes also the transverse bumper beam 17. The external bumper may be moulded from a plastic material. The transverse bumper beam 17 is mounted to the first and second crush can assemblies 19-1, 19-2. The transverse bumper beam 17 is mounted to a distal end of each of the first and second crush can assemblies 19-1, 19-2 (i.e. the end of each of the first and second crush can assemblies 19-1, 19-2 disposed distal from the body structure 11). The first and second crush can assemblies 19-1, 19-2 are disposed at opposing ends of the bumper assembly 15. The first and second crush can assemblies 19-1, 19-2 are deformable in a longitudinal direction to absorb collision energy. The first crush can assembly 19-1 comprises a first crush can 21-1 and a first crush can back plate 23-1. The second crush can assembly 19-2 comprises a second crush can 21-2 and a second crush can back plate 23-2. The first and second crush can back plates 23-1, 23-2 are mounted to the body structure 11 to mount the bumper assembly 15 to the vehicle 5. In the present embodiment, the first and second crush can back plates 23-1, 23-2 are mounted to the first and second longitudinal beams 13-1, 13-2 respectively. The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 reinforces the joint between first crush can back plate 23-1 and first crush can 21-1 to the first longitudinal beam 13-1. The second crush can back plate 23-2 incorporates a mounting bracket 25 which is fastened to the second longitudinal beam 13-2. The mounting bracket 25 is formed integrally with the second crush can back plate 23-2 in the present embodiment. A first through hole 29 (shown in Figure 7) is formed in the first crush can back plate 23-1 for locating the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 in a first plane. In a variant, the first and second crush can back plates 23-1, 23-2 may be a single member extending in a transverse direction.

The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 in the present embodiment is incorporated into the bumper assembly 15. As described herein, the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 is fastened to the first crush can assembly 19-1. The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 comprises a recovery hook mount 31, as shown in Figure 4. The recovery hook mount 31 is a bracket or other support member for mounting the recovery hook 3. The recovery hook mount 31 comprises a first section 33 for mounting to the first longitudinal beam 13-1 of the vehicle 5; and a second section 35 for mounting to the first crush can back plate 23-1. The recovery hook mount 31 is formed of a metal, preferably aluminium or steel. The recovery hook mount 31 is fastened to a first side of the crush can back plate 23-1; and the first crush can 21-1 is fastened to a second side of the first crush can back plate 23-1. The first and second sides of the first crush can back plate 23-1 are opposite to each other.

The first section 3 of the recovery hook mount 31 has a first abutment surface 33A for engaging the first longitudinal beam 13-1. At least one first aperture 37 is formed in the first section 33, the or each first aperture 37 being configured to receive a first mechanical fastener 39-n for fastening the recovery hook mount 31 to the first longitudinal beam 13-1 to secure the recovery hook mount 31 in a first plane. The first plane in the present embodiment is a substantially horizontal (XY) plane. The at least one first mechanical fastener 39-n is operative also to mount the bumper assembly 15 to the first longitudinal beam 13-1. In the present embodiment, two of the first mechanical fasteners 39-n are provided to fasten the recovery hook mount 31 to the first longitudinal beam 13-1. A single first mechanical fastener 39, or more than two first mechanical fasteners 39-n may be provided.

The second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 31 has a second abutment surface 35A for engaging the first crush can back plate 23-1. The second section 35 is fastened to the first crush can back plate 23-1. In the present embodiment the second section 35 is welded to the first crush can back plate 23-1. Other types of fastener may be used to fasten the second section 35 to the first crush can back plate 23-1. The second section 35 comprises a projection 41 (shown in Figure 7) which extends through the first through hole 29 formed in the first crush can back plate 23-1 to locate the recovery hook mount 31 in a second plane. The second plane is at least substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The second plane in the present embodiment is a substantially vertical, transverse (YZ) plane. The projection 41 forms a threaded bush for mounting the recovery hook 3. The projection 41 comprises a threaded section 43 for cooperating with a complementary thread on the recovery hook 3 to fasten the recovery hook 3 to the recovery hook mount 31. The threaded section 43 comprises a female thread formed in an aperture 42 formed in the projection 4. The threaded section 43 is suitable for cooperating with a male thread formed on an exterior of the recovery hook 3. The projection 41 projects beyond the second abutment surface 35A and extends through the first through hole 29 formed in the first crush can back plate 23-1.

The projection 41 in the present embodiment is in the form of a cylindrical body. The projection 41 may have different shapes and cross-sectional profiles.

The first and second abutment surfaces 33A, 35A are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. In the present embodiment, the first section 33 comprises or consists of a first plate 45 and the second section 35 comprises or consists of a second plate 47. The first and second plates 45, 47 are formed from a single piece of material and have a unitary structure. The recovery hook mount 31 may be formed from a single piece of metal, for example a sheet member or a plate. An oblique corner section 49 is disposed between the first and second plates 45, 47. The oblique corner section 49 is formed integrally with at least one of the first and second plates 45, 47. One or more reinforcement rib 51 may be formed in the oblique corner section 49. In the present embodiment, two reinforcement ribs 51 are formed in the oblique corner section 49.

In the present embodiment, the projection 41 is formed by an insert 53 which is fastened to the second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 31. The insert 53 comprises a body 55; and a locating flange 57 for engaging the second section 35. The threaded section 43 is formed in the body 55 of the insert 53. The body 55 is a cylindrical body in the present embodiment, but other shapes could be employed. The locating flange 57 is an annular flange extending around the body 55 and configured to engage an outer surface of the second section 35. The insert 53 is fastened to the second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 31. In the present embodiment, the locating flange 57 is welded to the second section 35. In a variant, the projection 41 may be formed integrally with the second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 31.

The recovery hook mount 31 comprises a first flange 61 and a second flange 63. The first and second flanges 61, 63 are suitable for reinforcing at least one of the first section 33 and the second section 35. The first flange 61 is formed on a first edge 65 of the recovery hook mount 31; and the second flange 63 is formed on a second edge 67 of the recovery hook mount 31. The first and second edges 65, 67 are opposing edges of the recovery hook mount 31. The first flange 61 extends at least partway along the first edge 65 of the first plate 45; and the second flange extends at least partway along the second edge 67 of the first plate 45. Alternatively, or in addition, the first flange 61 extends at least partway along the first edge 65 of the second plate 47; and the second flange 63 extends at least partway along the second edge 67 of the second plate 47. The first flange 61 in the present embodiment is a continuous flange extending at least partway along the first side 65 of the first and second plates 45, 47. The second flange 63 is a continuous flange extending at least partway along the second side 67 of the first and second plates 45, 47. The first flange 61 extends along the first edge 65 of the oblique corner section 49; and the second flange 63 extends along the second edge 67 of the oblique corner section 49.

The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 is fastened to the first crush can back plate 23-1 before the bumper assembly 15 is mounted to the body 7. The second abutment surface 35A engages the first crush can back plate 23-1. In the present embodiment, the second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 31 is welded to the first crush can back plate 23-1. The projection 41 provided on the second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 31 extends projects out of the through hole formed in the first crush can back plate 23-1. The bumper assembly 31 and the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 are mounted to the first and second longitudinal beams 13-1, 13-2 of the body structure 11. The first abutment surface 33A engages the first longitudinal beam 13-1. The recovery hook mount 31 is fastened to the first longitudinal beam 13-1 using a pair of the first mechanical fasteners 39. The mounting bracket 25 provided on the second crush can back plate 23-2 is fastened to the second longitudinal beam 13-2. The bumper assembly 31 is thereby mounted to the body structure 11. The projection 41 is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle 5. The cooperating threads formed on the recovery hook 3 and the projection 41 enable the recovery hook 3 to be fastened to the body structure 11. The recovery hook 3 extends through the hollow central portion of the first crush can 21-1.

At least in certain embodiments, the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 may improve the crushable length of the first crush can 21-1 and/or the first longitudinal beam 13-1. The ability of the body structure to absorb collision may be improved over prior art arrangements. 25 Each first mechanical fastener 39-n comprises a nut 39A and a bolt 39B having complementary threads. As shown in Figure 5, the nut 39A comprises a central aperture 69 having a threaded portion 69A and an unthreaded portion 69B. The bolt 39B comprises a bolt head 71A, an unthreaded shank 71B and a threaded portion 71C. The unthreaded portion 69B is located proximal to the first section 33 of the recovery hook mount 31. The unthreaded portion 69B of the nut 39A does not engage the threaded portion 71C of the bolt 39B. In particular, the diameter of the unthreaded portion 69B formed in the nut 39A is greater than the external diameter of the threads formed on the threaded portion 69A of the bolt 39B. This arrangement increases the length of the shank 71B of the bolt 39A. At least in certain embodiments, this may enable increased elastic deformation of the bolt 39B which increases the clamping force applied by the first mechanical fastener 39. This arrangement removes or reduces the need for spacers, such as one or more washer, between the first section 33 and the nut 39A. In the present embodiment the nut 39A comprises a collar 73 for engaging the first section 33 of the recovery hook mount 31. The collar 73 is disposed around an exterior of the unthreaded portion of the nut 39A. The collar 73 engages the first section (33) first section (33) 33 of the recovery hook mount 31.

A further embodiment of the recovery hook mounting assembly 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 9. Like reference numerals are used for like components.

The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 in this embodiment comprises a recovery hook mount 31 formed in a body member 75 having a unitary composition. The first and second abutment surfaces 33A, 35A are formed integrally in the body member 75. A corner aperture 51 is disposed at the interface between the first and second sections 33,35. The forming of the body member 75 may comprise one or more of the following processes: extrusion, machining, casting and forging. The projection 41 is formed integrally with the body member 75. A second aperture 42 extends through the second section 35 of the body member 75. The second aperture 42 extends through the second section 35 of the recovery hook mount 32. The recovery hook 3 comprises complementary threads for fastening the recovery hook 3 to the body member 75.

The nut 39A is integrated into the body member 75. In particular, an aperture 69 having a threaded portion 69A and an unthreaded portion 693 is formed in the body member 75. The bolt 39B comprises a bolt head 71A, an unthreaded shank 71B and a threaded portion 710. The unthreaded portion 69B is located proximal to the first section 33 of the recovery hook mount 31. The unthreaded portion 693 of the aperture 69 does not engage the threaded portion 710 of the bolt 39B.

It will be understood that the recovery hook mounting assembly 31 described herein can be installed on a vehicle 5, such as an automobile. The recovery hook mounting assembly 1 may be fastened to a first longitudinal beam 13-1 disposed on a first side of the vehicle 5.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A recovery hook mounting assembly for mounting a recovery hook on a vehicle, the recovery hook mounting assembly comprising: a crush can back plate for supporting a crush can, the crush can back plate having a through hole; and a recovery hook mount, the recovery hook mount comprising: a first section for mounting to a longitudinal beam of the vehicle, the first section having a first abutment surface for engaging the longitudinal beam, wherein at least one first aperture is formed in the first section, the or each first aperture being configured to receive a first mechanical fastener for fastening the recovery hook mount to the longitudinal beam to secure the recovery hook mount in a first plane; and a second section having a second abutment surface engaging the crush can back plate, wherein the second section is fastened to the crush can back plate, the second section comprising a projection extending through the through hole formed in the crush can back plate to locate the recovery hook mount in a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane; wherein the projection comprises a threaded section for cooperating with a complementary thread on the recovery hook to fasten the recovery hook to the recovery hook mount.
2. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second abutment surfaces are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other.
3. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first section comprises a first plate and the second section comprises a second plate.
4. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 comprising an oblique corner section disposed between the first and second sections.
5. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein one or more reinforcement rib is formed in the oblique corner section.
6. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection is formed by a cylindrical body fastened to the second section.
7. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cylindrical body comprises an annular flange for engaging the second section.
8. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a first flange formed on a first edge of the recovery hook mount; and a second flange formed on a second edge of the recovery hook mount; wherein the first and second edges are opposing edges of the recovery hook mount.
9. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first flange extends at least partway along the first edge of the first section; and the second flange extends at least partway along the second edge of the first section.
10. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first flange extends at least partway along the first edge of the second section; and the second flange extends at least partway along the second edge of the second section.
11. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claims 9 and 10, wherein the first flange is a continuous flange extending at least partway along the first side of the first and second sections; and the second flange is a continuous flange extending at least partway along the second side of the first and second sections.
12. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4, wherein the first flange extends along the first edge of the oblique corner section, and the second flange extends along the second edge of the oblique corner section.
13. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second sections are formed from a single piece of material and have a unitary structure.
14. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first section and the second section are formed in a body member having a unitary composition, the first and second abutment surfaces being formed in the body member.
15. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the projection is formed integrally with the body member.
16. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 15 comprising a corner aperture disposed at the interface between the first and second sections.
17. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the body member is formed by extrusion.
18. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second aperture extends through the second section of the recovery hook mount.
19. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each first mechanical fastener comprises a nut and a bolt having complementary threads.
20. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the nut comprises a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, the diameter of the unthreaded portion of the aperture being greater than the external diameter of the bolt, wherein the unthreaded portion of the nut is located proximal to the first section of the recovery hook mount.
21. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the nut comprises a collar for engaging the first section of the recovery hook mount, the collar being disposed around an exterior of the unthreaded portion of the nut.
22. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the recovery hook mount is made of metal, preferably aluminium or steel.
23. A recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a crush can is fastened to the crush can back plate, the recovery hook mount being fastened to a first side of the crush can back plate and the crush can being fastened to a second side of the crush can back plate, the first and second sides being opposite to each other.
24. A vehicle comprising a recovery hook mounting assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24, wherein the recovery hook mounting assembly is fastened to a first longitudinal beam disposed on a first side of the vehicle.