Accessory attachment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12479371-B2
Application number	US-202418621332-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2024
Priority date	Feb 15, 2022
Publication date	Nov 25, 2025
Grant date	Nov 25, 2025

Abstract

An attachment system includes a connector that is removably securable to a vehicle body or a mounting bracket that is securable to a vehicle body. The connector includes a housing and a connecting pin extending from a surface of the housing. The connecting pin is receivable in the mounting bracket or the vehicle body in a first position, and the connecting pin is moveable to a second position such that a portion of the mounting bracket or vehicle body is located intermediate a portion of the connecting pin and the housing. The connector further includes a locking pin moveable from a locking position to a release position. The locking pin is engaged with the mounting bracket or the vehicle body in the locking position, thereby inhibiting movement of the connecting pin from the second position. The locking pin is disengaged from the mounting bracket or the vehicle body when in the release position, thereby allowing removal of the connecting pin from the vehicle body or the mounting bracket.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A fuel tank assembly for a vehicle, the fuel tank assembly comprising:
a fuel tank including:
a mounting surface located on the fuel tank, and
a fuel inlet port disposed on the fuel tank;
a connector removably securing the fuel tank to a frame of a vehicle; and a mounting plate secured to the mounting surface of the fuel tank, the mounting plate including a first mounting bracket having one or more apertures, wherein an accessory is removably securable to the mounting plate, wherein the mounting surface on the fuel tank includes a recess to partially receive the mounting plate therein.

2 . The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein a connecting pin of the accessory is received within the one or more apertures of the first mounting bracket to removable secure the accessory to the mounting plate.

3 . The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate includes:
a second mounting bracket having one or more second apertures, a base member having one or more attachment points configured to secure the mounting plate to the mounting surface, and a handle disposed between the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket.

4 . The fuel tank assembly of claim 3 , wherein the mounting surface includes:
a channel aligned with the handle of the mounting plate, and wherein the fuel inlet port is positioned on the recess of the mounting surface.

5 . The fuel tank assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket form a mounting plane therebetween, wherein the handle, the base member, and the mounting surface are positioned entirely below the mounting plane.

6 . The fuel tank assembly of claim 5 , wherein the mounting plane is approximately parallel to a ground plane of the vehicle.

7 . The fuel tank assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector is disposed on a bottom surface of the fuel tank, wherein the bottom surface of the fuel tank is approximately parallel to the mounting surface of the fuel tank.

8 . A stackable fuel tank system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a fuel tank including:
a fuel inlet port,
a mounting surface disposed on the fuel tank, and
a bottom surface;
a connector secured to the bottom surface of the fuel tank, wherein the connector is securable to a frame of a vehicle; a mounting plate secured to the mounting surface of the fuel tank, the mounting plate including a mounting bracket having one or more apertures; and an accessory stackable on the fuel tank and removably secured to the fuel tank, wherein the fuel inlet port is positioned on the mounting surface and entirely below the mounting plate.

9 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a bracket secured to the frame of the vehicle, the bracket including a bracket aperture, wherein the connector includes:
a locking pin vertically movable from a locking position to a release position, and a pin configured to extend into the bracket aperture in the locking position.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the mounting plate includes:
a base member having one or more attachment points configured to secure the mounting plate to the mounting surface, and a handle.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the mounting surface includes a channel positioned underneath the handle to provide access to grip the handle.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the fuel inlet port is positioned in the channel and positioned lower than an underside of the handle.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the accessory includes a second connector including:
a second locking pin vertically movable from a second locking position to a second release position, and a second pin configured to extend into the aperture of the mounting bracket in the second locking position.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the accessory is removably securable to the fuel tank via the second pin matingly coupled with the aperture of the mounting bracket.

15 . An accessory system removably securable to a vehicle, the accessory system comprising:
a mounting plate securable to a vehicle, the mounting plate including a mounting bracket having an aperture; and a connector secured to a first surface an accessory, the connector including:
a locking pin vertically movable from a locking position to a release position, and,
a connecting pin configured to extend into the aperture in the locking position.

16 . The accessory system of claim 15 , wherein the mounting plate is positioned on a fuel tank removably securable to a frame of the vehicle.

17 . The accessory system of claim 15 , wherein the locking pin is received within the aperture with the connecting pin when in the locking position.

18 . The accessory system of claim 17 , wherein the locking pin inhibits lateral movement of the connecting pin when in the locking position.

19 . The accessory system of claim 18 , wherein the locking pin is removed from the aperture when in the release position thereby allowing lateral movement of the connecting pin within the aperture.

Assignees

• Arctic Cat Inc

Inventors

• Moldaschel Marcus
• Vigen David
• Efta Dayne

Classifications

• B62M27/02

  power driven · CPC title

• B62M2027/028

  Snow mobiles characterised by chassis or bodywork · CPC title

• B62J7/08

  Equipment for securing luggage on carriers · CPC title

• B62J9/27

  characterised by mounting arrangements, e.g. quick release arrangements · CPC title

• B60R9/06 Primary

  at vehicle front or rear {(rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041)} · CPC title