US20230219010A1

US20230219010A1 - Body mounting system for a model vehicle

Info

Publication number: US20230219010A1
Application number: US18/095,812
Authority: US
Inventors: Casey Christen Jens Christensen; Jory Sprowl; Otto Karl Allmendinger; Kent Poteet
Original assignee: Traxxas LP
Current assignee: Traxxas LP
Priority date: 2022-01-11
Filing date: 2023-01-11
Publication date: 2023-07-13

Abstract

A body mounting assembly, system, and method are provided. The body mounting assembly includes a tongue assembly and a tongue retainer assembly. The body mounting assembly also includes a latch assembly and a latch retainer assembly. The latch assembly is releasably engaged to the latch retainer assembly when a latch engagement surface and a latch retainer engagement surface are interlock together. The latch engagement surface and the latch retainer engagement surface comprise negative engagement angles. A body mount includes one of the latch assembly or the latch retainer assembly and a chassis mount includes the other. The tongue assembly is releasably coupled to the tongue retainer assembly when a tongue member is inserted into a tongue retainer aperture. A second body mount includes one of the tongue assembly or the tongue retainer assembly and a second chassis mount includes the other.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of a related U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/298,425 filed Jan. 11, 2022, entitled “BODY MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A MODEL VEHICLE,” to Casey Christen Jens CHRISTENSEN et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
Radio-Controlled or RC model vehicles are a popular hobby for a growing segment of the population. As the hobby has grown and expanded, the electronics have become more sophisticated and propulsion systems have expanded to include both electronically powered RC vehicles and combustible fuel (i.e., nitro) powered RC vehicles.
Furthermore, various factors in the RC vehicle industry have increased dramatically to provide a more realistic operational environment. For example, these factors include, but are not limited to, the ease of operation, the increased run time of RC model vehicles, battery power removing the need and risk involved in handling and storage of fuel, and other features and abilities of the RC model vehicles not specifically stated. However, one area in the ease of operation that may not have been subjected to a similar increased level of development, is the removal and attachment of a model vehicle body to a model vehicle chassis.
Traditional methods of removal and attachment of a model vehicle body have involved aligning in 3D a series of holes in a model vehicle body with a corresponding series of mounting posts attached to a model vehicle chassis. The mounting posts are extended through the holes from the interior of the model vehicle body. Small metal clips are then inserted through holes in a protruding portion of the mounting post to secure the model vehicle body to the model vehicle chassis.
This process takes time. In addition, a user has to be on guard against losing or misplacing any of the clips, oftentimes in a rugged outdoor environment. Since the model vehicle body must be removed every time in order to activate the RC model vehicle or whenever there is a need to change or charge the batteries (such as with electrical propulsion systems), valuable RC vehicle run time is wasted trying to complete this required and complex procedure.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with one embodiment, a body mounting assembly is provided including a tongue assembly comprising a tongue member and a tongue retainer assembly comprising a tongue retainer aperture. The body mounting assembly further includes a latch assembly comprising a latch member including a latch engagement surface and a retainer assembly including a retainer engagement surface.
The latch assembly is releasably coupled to the retainer assembly when the latch engagement surface interlocks together with the retainer engagement surface. The latch engagement surface and the retainer engagement surface comprise negative engagement angles. The negative engagement angles increase the engagement between the latch member and the retainer assembly when there is an attempt to remove the model vehicle body without first disengaging the latch member from the retainer assembly.
A body mount is configured to be coupled to the model vehicle body and comprises one of a latch assembly or a retainer assembly. A chassis mount is configured to be coupled to the model vehicle chassis and comprises a corresponding one of the retainer assembly or the latch assembly relative to the body mount.
In addition, the tongue assembly releasably couples with the tongue retainer assembly when the tongue member is inserted into the tongue retainer aperture. A second body mount is configured to be coupled to the model vehicle body and comprises one of the tongue assembly or the tongue retainer assembly. A second chassis mount is configured to be coupled to the model vehicle chassis and comprises a corresponding one of the tongue retainer assembly or the tongue assembly relative to second body mount.
Other or alternative features will become apparent from the following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein. The drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic assembly view of model vehicle showing a separated model vehicle body and a model vehicle chassis incorporating a body mounting assembly from an upper front perspective, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly view of the model vehicle of FIG. 1 showing an assembled model vehicle body together with a model vehicle incorporating a body mounting assembly from an upper rear perspective, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic assembly view of the model vehicle of FIG. 1 showing an assembled model vehicle body together with a model vehicle incorporating a body mounting assembly from a lower front perspective, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 4 is the schematic assembly view of the model vehicle shown in FIG. 3 along with enlarged portions of a front body mounting assembly and a rear body mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic assembly view of the model vehicle body shown in FIG. 1 from a lower front perspective, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly view of the model vehicle chassis shown in FIG. 1 from an upper rear perspective, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly view of an enlarged portion of one of the body mounting assemblies of the model vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a partially assembled configuration, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a sectional assembly view of an enlarged portion one of the body mounting assemblies of the model vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a fully assembled configuration, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic assembly view of an enlarged portion of one of the body mounting assemblies of the model vehicle shown in FIG. 1 just prior to assembly, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a sectional assembly view of an enlarged portion of one of the body mounting assemblies of the model vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a fully assembled configuration, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; and

FIGS. 11A-C are schematic assembly views of the model vehicle shown in FIG. 1 shown in a disengaged configuration, a partially engaged configuration, and a fully engaged configuration, according to embodiments of the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following specification, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure embodiments of the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.
Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one aspect,” “an aspect,” or “some aspects” means that a particular feature, structure, method, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, methods, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The words “including,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having” shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”
Moreover, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
Radio Controlled (RC) model vehicles usually comprise a scale version of a model vehicle body coupled to a model vehicle chassis. The model vehicle chassis contains the electronics and servos required for operating an RC model vehicle. The propulsion systems could be a combustion engine (e.g., nitro powered engine) or electric motor (e.g., dc battery powered motor). In most cases, the model vehicle body must be removed in order to activate and deactivate the Electronic Speed Control (ESC), or in the case of electric propulsion, to charge, replace, or connect a battery pack. Conversely, during operation, the model vehicle body must remain securely coupled to the model vehicle chassis while the vehicle is run under a variety of conditions and circumstances.
Previous versions of RC model vehicles would typically include mounting posts, coupled to a model vehicle chassis, with protruding features located at the top of each of the posts extending through the model vehicle body. Each of the protruding features may include holes to attach individual clips, for example. The model vehicle body is lowered onto the model vehicle chassis, allowing the protruding features to extend above an exterior surface of the model vehicle body. The model vehicle body rests upon body support pads coupled to the mounting posts. Then a number of small clips are inserted through the holes in the protruding features to secure the model vehicle in place between the clips and the body support pads.
When the model vehicle body is removed from the model vehicle chassis, sometimes at a track or in the field, a few of the many clips may be lost or misplaced. This results in frustration and an inability to fully secure the model vehicle body afterwards, unless a supply of spare clips is maintained. In addition, inserting and removing each of the clips into the holes at the top of the mounting posts requires precision and time. The precision is primarily needed for inserting clips into the holes, but time is required for both the insertion and removal of clips from each of the mounting posts. Accordingly, the entire process for removing and replacing the model vehicle body takes a relatively long time to perform and comes with the risk of losing one or more of the many clips needed to fully secure the model vehicle body.
Referring generally to FIGS. 1 thru 6, these figures show an embodiment of a model vehicle body mounting assembly 100 incorporated into a semi-transparent model vehicle body 200 and a model vehicle chassis 300. In this illustrative embodiment, the model vehicle body 200 is coupled to the model vehicle chassis 300 via a body mounting assembly 100 comprising a first body mounting sub-assembly 800 and a second body mounting sub-assembly 900. The first body mounting sub-assembly 800 comprises a first body mount 600 coupled to the model vehicle body 200 and a corresponding first chassis mount 400 coupled to the model vehicle chassis 300. The second body mounting sub-assembly 900 similarly comprises a second body mount 700 coupled to the model vehicle body 200 and a corresponding second chassis mount 500 coupled to the model vehicle chassis 300.
In this exemplary embodiment, the two body mounting sub-assemblies 800, 900 may be mounted longitudinally along a center axis of the model vehicle body 200 and model vehicle chassis 300, or transversely across the model vehicle body and chassis 200,300, from side to side or left to right. While two body mounting sub-assemblies 800, 900 are shown in these illustrative examples, there could be other quantities of body mounting sub-assemblies 800, 900 such as three or more in other embodiments determined at least in part by a specific application. Further, the body mounting sub-assembly 800 may be reversed in mounting locations with the body mounting sub-assembly 900, and the individual components of each of the body mounting sub-assemblies 800, 900 may be switched from the model vehicle chassis 300 to the model vehicle body 200 and vice versa.
Looking at FIG. 7 , this generally representative example shows an enlarged schematic portion of an assembly view of the first body mounting sub-assembly 800. The figure shows the first body mounting sub-assembly 800's first body mount 600 and first chassis mount 400 in a partially assembled condition. In this particular application, the first body mounting sub-assembly 800 comprises a tongue assembly located in the first body mount 600 and a tongue retainer assembly located in the first chassis mount 400, which will be described in more detail as exemplary embodiments of a body mount 600 and/or a chassis mount 400. However, the tongue assembly and the tongue retainer assembly may be reversed in locations.
Turning to FIG. 8 , this exemplary illustration shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the first body mounting sub-assembly 800 of FIG. 7 in a fully assembled condition. In this case, the first body mount 600 and the first chassis mount 400 are shown fully interlocked together, securing the model vehicle body 200 to the model vehicle chassis 300. However, portions of the model vehicle body 200 and the model vehicle chassis 300 are not shown in order to aid in clarifying and simplifying the description (refer to FIGS. 1-6 for the model vehicle body 200 and the model vehicle chassis 300 in various states of assembled and unassembled states and views).
The first chassis mount 400 includes a tongue retainer assembly 410 configured for accepting and locking with a corresponding structure of the first body mount 600. The tongue retainer assembly 410 includes a tongue retainer aperture 420 presented in previous figures as having an approximate parallelogram shape. In other embodiments, the tongue retainer aperture 420 may be configured with a number of continuous and discontinuous geometries and structures, depending on the corresponding tongue member configuration and the requirements of an application. For example, various polygonal and arcuate configurations may be used, such as triangular, circular, elliptical, or other shapes using a combination of geometric forms and surfaces.
The tongue retainer engagement surface 430 defines and extends beyond the tongue retainer aperture 420. The tongue retainer engagement surface 430 is configured to facilitate the assembly and positioning of the model vehicle body 200 relative to the model vehicle chassis 300. Due to the generally polygonal rectangular shape of the tongue retainer engagement surface 430, two edges of the tongue retainer engagement surface 430 are visible in this exemplary embodiment.
The tongue retainer engagement surface 430 expands around the entry location to help guide the tongue member 620 into engagement with the tongue retainer aperture 420. The tongue retainer engagement surface 430 may comprise one or more tongue retainer lead-in ramps 435A, 435B. The tongue retainer lead-in ramps 435A, 435B may comprise multiple different angles and configurations relative to the tongue retainer aperture 420 in order to more securely couple with the tongue member 610 as the two are fully assembled together. In general, a cross-sectional area of the tongue retainer engagement surface 430 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the tongue retainer aperture 420.
In some cases, the tongue retainer engagement surface 430 may comprise tongue retainer lead-in ramps 435A, 435B provided about the entire circumference. While in other embodiments, the tongue retainer engagement surface 430 may comprise a tongue retainer lead-in ramp 435A, 435B only about some portions of the circumference. In still other embodiments, such as when using a cylindrical tongue member 620, the tongue retainer engagement lead-in ramps 435A may be conical and continuous about the tongue retainer engagement surface 430.
Use of tongue retainer lead-in ramps 435A, 435B may allow for a wider discrepancy in the initial positions of the body mount 600 relative to the chassis mount 400 just prior to assembly. Accordingly, while coupling the body mount 600 (in this exemplary embodiment) to a final, secure location with the chassis mount 400, the model vehicle body 200 will be guided into positioned with the model vehicle chassis 300 via the tongue retainer engagement surfaces 435A, 435B. The tongue retainer assembly 410 may be coupled to rest of the model vehicle chassis 300 via the chassis coupling member 440.
The first body mount 600 may be coupled to the rest of the model vehicle body 200 via a body coupling member 640, and is illustrated as comprising a first tongue assembly 610. Alternatively, the first body mount 600 may comprise a tongue retainer assembly 410 and the first chassis mount 400 may comprise a corresponding tongue assembly 610. While in still other embodiments, the first body mount 600 may comprise a tongue assembly 610 and/or a tongue retainer assembly 410, just as long as the first chassis mount 400 has a corresponding set of mating components. Further, the tongue assembly 610's tongue member 620 is shown in the figure as extending from the front of the body towards the rear, while extensions in the opposite direction or another direction as appropriate may also be used.
FIG. 9 shows the second body mounting sub-assembly 900 comprising a second body mount 700 and a second chassis mount 500. The second body mount 700 comprises one or more latch assemblies 710, while the second chassis mount 500 comprises a corresponding number of latch retainer assemblies 510. As with the previous body mounting sub-assembly 800, the latch assemblies 710 and the latch retainer assemblies 510 may be in alternate locations. For example, the second body mount 700 may comprise a latch retainer assembly 510 and the second chassis mount 500 may comprise a latch assembly 710.
In addition, there may be mixtures or combinations of latch assemblies 710 and latch retainer assemblies 510 in both of the second body mount 700 and the second chassis mount 500. While in other embodiments there may also be multiple numbers of latch assemblies 710 and latch retainer assemblies 510 in both of the second body mount 700 and the second chassis mount 500. Depending upon the set of latch assemblies 710 and/or latch retainer assemblies 510 in a body mount 700, a corresponding set of mating latch assemblies 710 and/or latch retainer assemblies 510 may be in the mating chassis mount 500.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the second chassis mount 500 includes a latch retainer assembly 510 configured for accepting and releasably locking with a corresponding structure of the second body mount 700. The latch retainer assembly 510 includes a latch retainer aperture 520 and a latch retainer engagement surface 530. The latch retainer engagement surface 530 is provided on a first side of the latch retainer aperture 540. In addition to the latch retainer engagement surface 530, the first side of the latch retainer aperture 540 may also include a latch retainer lead-in ramp 535. The latch retainer lead-in ramp 535 is angled downward to the right into the latch retainer aperture 520. The latch retainer lead-in ramp 535 is configured to facilitate alignment and assembly of the second body mount 700 and the second chassis mount 500.
The latch retainer engagement surface 530 also extends into the latch retainer aperture 510 and is angled downward and to the right, as seen in the figure. While the latch retainer lead-in ramp 535 is configured to facilitate alignment and assembly between the second body mount 700 and the second chassis mount 500, the latch retainer engagement surface 530 is also configured to securely interlock with a corresponding feature provided in the second body mount 700. Securely interlocking the second body mount 700 to the second chassis mount 500 inhibits or prevents inadvertent or unintentional separation of the model vehicle body 200 from the model vehicle chassis 300, and will be explained later in more detail.
The latch retainer aperture 520 further includes a second side of the latch retainer aperture 550, opposite to the first side of the latch retainer aperture 540. The latch retainer aperture 520 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as a substantially rectangular parallelogram so there are two additional sides to the latch retainer aperture 520. The substantially rectangular parallelogram latch retainer aperture 520 is configured to accept a correspondingly configured latch assembly 710. While a rectangular parallelogram is used in this illustrative example, other embodiments may use other configurations or geometric shapes as appropriate for a specific application. For example, a triangular, circular, or other geometric shape may also be used instead of a rectangular parallelogram for the latch retainer aperture 520. Whatever shape is used in an embodiment should accommodate and correspond to the overall outer boundary of the associated component in second body mount 700.
Still referring generally to FIGS. 9 and 10 , this figure illustrates the second body mount 700 may comprise a latch assembly 710. In still other embodiments, the second body mount 700 may comprise combinations of the latch assembly 710 and/or the latch retainer assembly 510. As with the latch retainer assembly 510, combinations and/or multiples of latch assembly 710's and latch retainer assembly 510's may be used on either the second body mount 700 or the second chassis mount 500. A set of corresponding mating components may be used on the other second body mount 700 or the second chassis mount 500 to match the combined set that is used on the of the second body mount 700 or the second chassis mount 500.
The latch assembly 710 may include a latch member 720 comprising a latch engagement surface 730. In addition, the latch member 720 may comprise a latch release 740 and a latch support 750. In embodiments in which a latch assembly 710 is included in the second body mount 700, a latch assembly connecting member 760 may be used to connect one latch assembly 710 to another latch assembly. In some embodiments, the latch assembly connecting member 760 may transversely or longitudinally span across the model vehicle 200.
The latch member 720 is illustrated in this exemplary figure as a resilient U shaped cantilever snap fit latch. However, other latch designs can be used such as cantilever snap fit latches and L shaped cantilever snap fit latches, for example. Further, the U shaped cantilever snap fit latch member 720 uses a latch engagement surface 730 that is an angled protrusion configured to interlock with a corresponding latch retainer engagement surface 530 that is also an angled protrusion in the second chassis mount 500. Both of the engagement surfaces (530, 730) are shown at a negative angle (i.e., a negative return angle) to increase the retention ability of the interlocking features.
In most cases of snap fit latch design, the engagement surface 730 is either perpendicular (i.e., a zero return angle) or at a positive angle (i.e., a positive return angle) to the rest of the latch member 720. With either a perpendicular angle or a positive angle for the engagement surface 730, the application of an increasing vertical separation force between the model vehicle body 200 and the model vehicle chassis 300 may continue until a point at which the latch member 720 slides over the corresponding interlocking feature. Generally, the latch assembly 710 and corresponding latch retainer assembly 510 are disengaged without failure of either of the components.
Using a negative engagement angle as shown for the latch member 720, athe application of an increasing vertical separation force between the model vehicle body 200 and the model vehicle chassis 300 may result in the failure of one or both of the components in a latch assembly 710 and/or a latch retainer assembly 510. While a typical snap fit interlocking latch may be disengaged through the application of a separation force, snap fit interlocking latches of this disclosure with negative engagement angles are separated at a higher level of separation force and with the possibility of physical failure or deformation of one or more of the latch assembly 710 and/or the latch retainer assembly 510.
Instead, snap fit interlocking latches of this disclosure are configured to be physically disengaged prior to application of a separation force. Application of a separation force between the model vehicle body 200 and the model vehicle chassis 300 while engaged would draw the latch engagement surface 730 and the latch retainer engagement surface 530 into a tighter interlocking position typically until a failure or some form of potentially deformative action occurred outside of normal operation (i.e., the latch member 720 physically bending back upon itself for example).
In order to facilitate disengagement of the latch assembly 710 from the latch retainer assembly 510, the latch assembly 710 further includes a latch release 740. Moving the latch release member 740 prior to the application of a vertical separation force provides a way to disengage the model vehicle body 200 from the model vehicle chassis 300 without damage to either the latch assembly 710 or the latch retainer assembly 510.
The slanted surface of the latch release 740 may further be at a positive angle (i.e., a positive lead angle) in order to facilitate assembly. As the latch assembly 710 is inserted into the latch retainer assembly 510, the latch release member 740 may slide against the latch retainer lead-in ramp 535, also shown at a positive angle (i.e., a positive lead angle). Accordingly, the latch member 720 initially moves toward the left of the illustration during the initial installation within the latch retainer assembly 510
A latch support 750 abuts the second side of the latch retainer aperture 550, guiding the rest of the latch assembly 710 into position for assembly. As the latch support 750 is inhibited from moving further to the left and as the latch release member 740 slides against the latch retainer lead-in ramp 535, the latch member 720 resiliently bends to the left as well. When the trailing edge of the latch release member 740 passes the trailing edge of the latch retainer lead-in ramp 535, the latch member 720 resiliently moves towards the right, interlocking together the latch engagement surface 730 and the opposing latch retainer engagement surface 530.
In order to disengage the latch engagement surface 730 and the latch retainer engagement surface 530, the latch release member 740 is operated or moved closer to the latch support 750 (i.e., to the left in this illustration), away from the latch retainer engagement surface 530. At this point a separation force may move the latch assembly 710 away from the latch retainer assembly 510 relative to one another.
This allows the latch engagement surface 730 to vertically clear the latch retainer engagement surface 530. When clear, the model vehicle body 200 can be moved vertically to separate from the model vehicle chassis 300. In some cases, the latch release member 740 is initially operated to clear the latch engagement surface 730 and operated or moved vertically to disengage the latch assembly 710 from the latch retainer assembly 510, allowing the second body mount 700 to disengage from the second chassis mount 400.
Operating the latch release member 740 involves opposing the resilient bias produced by the latch member 720. The resilient bias is in the direction of the latch retainer engagement surface 530 during assembly. The bias helps to position the latch engagement surface 730 in a position to lock with the latch retainer engagement surface 530. In addition, the bias may function to keep the latch engagement member 730 interlocked and engaged with the latch retainer engagement member 530 during operation of the model vehicle.
In some embodiments in the assembled position shown in FIG. 10 , the resilient bias may be zero. However, during assembly when the release surface 740 is moved to the left due to the latch retainer lead-in ramp 535 as the latch member 720 is inserted into the latch retainer aperture 520, the resilient bias is built up in the direction of the latch retainer engagement surface 530. While in other embodiments, a residual resilient bias directed to the right during engagement will keep the portion of the latch member 720 firmly against the right side of the latch retainer aperture 520 during normal operation.
Turning generally to FIG. 11A-11C, still another illustrative embodiment includes a method for securing a model vehicle body 200 to a model vehicle chassis 300. This method involves providing a latch assembly 710 that includes a latch member 720. The latch member 720 further includes a latch engagement surface 730. Also, the method includes providing a latch retainer assembly 510 that includes a latch retainer aperture 520. The latch retainer aperture 520 includes a latch retainer engagement surface 530. The method still further includes providing a tongue assembly 610 comprising a tongue member 620 and a tongue retainer assembly 410 comprising a tongue retainer aperture 420.
The method may include aligning the tongue member 620 and the tongue retainer aperture 420 and inserting the tongue member 620 fully into the tongue retainer aperture 420 while the body is at a slight angle (see FIG. 11B). Once fully inserted, then aligning the latch member 720 with the latch retainer aperture 520, and rotating the model vehicle body 200 relative to the model vehicle chassis 300. The method continues with engaging the latch assembly 710 with the latch retainer assembly 510 until the latch member engagement surface 730 interlocks with the latch retainer engagement surface 530 (see FIG. 11C).
The method may further include engaging the latch assembly and the latch retainer assembly, interlocking the latch engagement surface and the latch retainer engagement surface. Wherein a body mount coupled to a model vehicle body comprises one of the latch assembly 710 or the latch retainer assembly 520. Also, wherein a chassis mount coupled to a model vehicle chassis comprises a corresponding other of the latch retainer assembly 510 or the latch assembly 710 corresponding to the body mount. Still further, wherein the latch engagement surface 730 and the latch retainer engagement surface 530 comprise negative engagement angles.
Some embodiments of the method may further include providing a latch release member on the latch member and moving the latch release member in a horizontal direction to decouple the latch assembly and the latch retainer assembly from engagement after assembly.
Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The term “or” when used with a list of at least two elements is intended to mean any element or combination of elements.
Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features
In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A body mounting assembly comprising:

a tongue assembly comprising:

a tongue member:

a tongue retainer assembly comprising:

a tongue retainer aperture;

a latch assembly comprising:

a latch member comprising:

a latch engagement surface;

a latch retainer assembly comprising:

a latch retainer engagement surface;

wherein the latch assembly is releasably coupled to the retainer assembly when the latch engagement surface and the latch retainer engagement surface interlock together;

wherein the latch engagement surface and the latch retainer engagement surface comprise negative engagement angles;

wherein a first body mount configured to be coupled to a model vehicle body comprises one of the latch assembly or the latch retainer assembly;

wherein a first chassis mount configured to be coupled to the model vehicle chassis comprises a corresponding one of the latch retainer assembly or the latch assembly corresponding to the first body mount;

wherein the tongue assembly is releasably coupled to the tongue retainer assembly when the tongue member is inserted into the tongue retainer aperture;

wherein a second body mount configured to be coupled to the model vehicle body comprises one of the tongue assembly or the tongue retainer assembly; and

wherein a second chassis mount configured to be coupled to the model vehicle chassis comprises a corresponding one of the tongue retainer assembly or the tongue assembly corresponding to second body mount.

2. The body mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the latch member further comprises:

a latch release member;

wherein the latch assembly is released from the latch retainer assembly via operation of the latch release member.

3. The body mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the latch retainer assembly further comprises:

a latch retainer aperture configured to accommodate at least a portion of the latch member;

wherein the latch retainer engagement surface is provided on a first side of the latch retainer aperture.

4. The body mounting assembly according to claim 3, wherein operation of the latch release member comprises application of a horizontal force directed against the latch release member in a horizontal direction.

5. The body mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first body mount is provided proximate to a first body wheel well and the first chassis mount is provided proximate to a first chassis wheel well corresponding to the first body wheel well.

6. The body mounting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second latch assembly comprising:

a second latch member comprising:

a second latch engagement surface;

a second latch retainer assembly comprising:

a second latch retainer engagement surface;

wherein the second latch assembly is releasably coupled to the second latch retainer assembly via the second latch engagement surface interlocking with the second latch retainer engagement surface;

wherein the second latch engagement surface and the second latch retainer engagement surface comprise negative engagement angles;

wherein the first body mount further comprises one of the second latch assembly or the second latch retainer assembly;

wherein the first chassis mount further comprises a corresponding one of the second latch retainer assembly or the second latch assembly corresponding to the body mount.

7. The body mounting assembly according to claim 6, wherein the one of the latch assembly or the latch retainer assembly of the first body mount is rigidly coupled to the one of the second latch assembly or the second latch retainer assembly of the first body mount via a latch assembly connecting member.

8. The body mounting assembly according to claim 6, wherein the one of the latch assembly or the latch retainer assembly of the first body mount is configured to be provided proximate to a first body wheel well in the model vehicle body and the corresponding one of the latch retainer assembly or the latch assembly of the first chassis mount is configured to be provided proximate to a first chassis wheel well in the model vehicle chassis corresponding to the first body wheel well; and

wherein the one of the second latch assembly or the second latch retainer assembly of the first body mount is configured to be provided proximate to a second body wheel well in the model vehicle body and the corresponding one of the second latch retainer assembly or the second latch assembly of the first chassis mount is configured to be provided proximate to a second chassis wheel well provided in the model vehicle chassis corresponding to the first body wheel well.

9. The body mounting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first and the second body wheel wells and the first and the second chassis wheel wells are provided on a first model vehicle side.

10. The body mounting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first model vehicle side is a front of the model vehicle.

11. The body mounting assembly according to claim 4, wherein a bias of the first latch member is in a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction and towards engaging the latch engagement surface and the latch retainer engagement surface.

12. The body mounting assembly according to claim 4, wherein the latch assembly further comprises a latch support; and

wherein the latch support abuts a second side of the latch retainer aperture opposite the first side of the latch retainer aperture.