Accessory mounting device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11833976-B2
Application number	US-202117470051-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 9, 2021
Priority date	Jan 21, 2021
Publication date	Dec 5, 2023
Grant date	Dec 5, 2023

Abstract

A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a support structure coupled to the instrument panel, and a retainer. The support structure defines a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end. The portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver. The retainer includes a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and having at least one wing. The retainer also includes a head portion coupled to the barrel portion. The retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
an instrument panel;
a support structure coupled to the instrument panel and defining a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end, wherein the portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver; and
a retainer, comprising:
a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface that has at least one wing; and
a head portion coupled to the barrel portion, wherein the retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the head portion is positioned nearer to the lower end of the receiver than the upper end of the receiver.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes a plurality of ribs that protrude into the receiver, and the exterior surface of the barrel portion includes a plurality of wings that are configured for engagement with the plurality of ribs to maintain the retainer within the receiver, wherein the plurality of wings are configured to flex to allow for insertion of the barrel portion into the receiver.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the hollow defined by the interior surface of the barrel portion includes an open top end proximate to the head portion and an open bottom end distal from the head portion.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the threaded interior surface corresponds with a threaded member having a major diameter of 0.25 inches.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further comprises:
a raised portion through which the receiver extends; and
a first recessed portion adjacent to the raised portion.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , further comprising:
an accessory mounting track having a protruding member that is received within the first recessed portion of the support structure.

8. An assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a support structure coupled to an instrument panel of the vehicle and defining a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end, the support structure comprising:
a raised portion through which the receiver extends;
a first recessed portion adjacent to the raised portion; and
a second recessed portion adjacent to the raised portion, wherein the raised portion is positioned between the first and second recessed portions, such that the first and second recessed portions are in a spaced relationship; and

a retainer, comprising:
a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface; and
a head portion coupled to the barrel portion, wherein the retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the exterior surface of the barrel portion is engaged with the support structure, wherein the head portion is positioned nearer to the lower end of the receiver than the upper end of the receiver.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver, and the exterior surface of the barrel portion includes at least one wing configured for engagement with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver, wherein the at least one wing is configured to flex due to contact with the at least one rib as the barrel portion is inserted into the receiver.

10. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the hollow defined by the interior surface of the barrel portion includes an open top end proximate to the head portion and an open bottom end distal from the head portion.

11. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the threaded interior surface corresponds with a threaded member having a major diameter of 0.25 inches.

12. The assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
an accessory mounting track having first and second protruding members, wherein the first protruding member is received within the first recessed portion and the second protruding member is received within the second recessed portion.

13. An assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a support structure coupled to the vehicle and defining a receiver that extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver; and
a retainer that includes a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface that has at least one wing, wherein the retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.

14. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the retainer further comprises:
a head portion coupled to the barrel portion and positioned outside of the receiver defined by the support structure.

15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first end is a lower end and the second end is an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end, and the head portion is positioned nearer to the lower end of the receiver than the upper end of the receiver.

16. The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the hollow defined by the interior surface of the barrel portion includes an open top end proximate to the head portion and an open bottom end distal from the head portion.

17. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the threaded interior surface corresponds with a threaded member having a major diameter of 0.25 inches.

18. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the support structure further comprises:
a raised portion through which the receiver extends;
a first recessed portion adjacent to the raised portion; and
a second recessed portion adjacent to the raised portion, wherein the raised portion is positioned between the first and second recessed portions, such that the first and second recessed portions are in a spaced relationship.

19. The assembly of claim 18 , further comprising:
an accessory mounting track having first and second protruding members, wherein the first protruding member is received within the first recessed portion and the second protruding member is received within the second recessed portion.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Roupe Keith Daniel
• Day James
• Wraith Paul Jonathan Alexander
• Gelardi Robert J
• Olsson Ryan A
• Mangan William James
• Pfeiffer John Jeffrey
• Adams-Campos Mario Alejandro

Classifications

• B60R11/02 Primary

  for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof · CPC title

• B60R2011/0005

  Dashboard · CPC title

• B60R2011/0059

  using clips, clamps, straps or the like · CPC title

• B60R2011/0071

  using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like · CPC title

• B60R2011/0084

  with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position · CPC title