The present invention relates to a bracket for positioning a vehicle accessory, such as a camera or sensor, on a vehicle and locking the same in its proper position.
Mounting of vehicle accessories, such as cameras and sensors, on a vehicle is often cumbersome and time consuming, requiring assembly and fastening of multiple parts. A need exists for a locking mechanism, such as a bracket, for mounting a vehicle accessory that has a simplified compact design and locks the vehicle accessory in proper position without the need for multiple parts or fasteners.
Accordingly, the present invention may provide a locking bracket for a vehicle accessory that comprises a main portion and a secondary portion and the main portion being configured to position the vehicle accessory in an operating position. The main portion comprises opposite first and second faces extending between opposite ends, a spring leaf extending from the first face, first and second ribs extending from the second face, the first and second ribs being spaced from one another and having cooperating geometry to provide force to the spring leaf, at least first and second hinges separated by a distance, the first rib being located between the first and second hinges, and a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the ends, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the vehicle accessory in the operating position.
In certain embodiments, the secondary portion extends from a side of the main portion, the secondary portion being shaped to accept a connection part of the vehicle accessory; a third hinge may be provided on one of the ends of the main portion that is configured for a hinge connection to a vehicle body or a module housing; the third hinge is configured for hinge connection to a vehicle cover component; the main portion and the vehicle cover component are integral; the first and second faces of the main portion are outer and inner faces, respectively; and/or the first and second hinges of the main portion are first and second folds in the main portion.
In other embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a snap at one end of the main portion configured to snap into a cooperating opening on the other end of the main portion; and/or at least one attachment member is provided for mounting the locking bracket to the vehicle.
The present invention may also provide a locking bracket for a vehicle accessory that comprises a main portion and a secondary portion, the main portion being configured to position the vehicle accessory in an operating position. The main portion is a unitary one-piece member that comprises opposite first and second faces extending between opposite ends, a spring leaf extending from the first face, first and second ribs extending from the second face, the first and second ribs being spaced from one another and having cooperating geometry to provide force to the spring leaf, at least first and second hinges separated by a distance, the first rib being located between the first and second hinges, and a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the ends, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the vehicle accessory in the operating position.
In some embodiment, the secondary portion extends from a side of the main portion, the secondary portion being shaped to accept a connection part of the vehicle accessory; the main portion and the secondary portion are integral; a third hinge is provided on one of the ends of the main portion configured for a hinge connection to a vehicle body or a module housing; the third hinge is configured for hinge connection to a vehicle cover component; the first and second faces of the main portion are outer and inner faces, respectively; and/or the first and second hinges of the main portion are first and second folds in the main portion.
In one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a snap at one end of the main portion configured to snap into a cooperating opening on the other end of the main portion. In another embodiment, at least one attachment member is provided for mounting the locking bracket to the vehicle.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing figures:
Referring to the figures, the present invention relates to a locking bracket 100 for a vehicle accessory 10, such as a camera, sensor, or the like, that has a simplified compact design and locks the desired or operating position of the vehicle accessory 10 without the need for any fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the locking bracket 100 is molded as a unitary one-piece member. The locking bracket 100 may attach to a cover component 12 that is mounted to a vehicle body or module housing of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the locking bracket 100 is integral with the cover component 12.
As seen in
Main portion 110 has opposite faces such that when the bracket is folded, one face is an inner face 114 and the other face is an outer face 116. The faces 114 and 116 extend between opposite ends 118 and 120 of main portion 110, as seen in
The geometry of the ribs 122 and 124 may be changed to adjust to any up or down position of the accessory 10, as seen in
For example, a segment of the rib 124, delineated by dashed line 128, may be removed from rib 124 to cooperate with rib 122 when rotating the accessory clockwise to adjust the accessory's position downwardly, as seen in
Main portion 110 has at least first and second hinges 140 and 142 that allow folding of bracket 100 twice. First and second hinges 140 and 142 may be living hinges, for example, incorporated into main portion 110. The hinges 140 and 142 are preferably spaced from one another with the rib 122 being located therebetween, as seen in
To lock the accessory 10 in its proper position, bracket 100 is provided with a locking mechanism on its main portion 110. For example, the locking mechanism may be a cooperating snap 150 and opening 152 located at the ends 118 and 120, respectively, of main potion 110, as best seen in
The secondary portion 112 of bracket 100 extends from a side of main portion 110. Second portion 112 may extend from a side wall 160 of main portion 110, as seen in
One or more additional hinges 170 may be provided on one or both of main and secondary portions 110 and 112, as seen in
To attach the bracket 100 to the vehicle, one or more attachment members may be provided on the bracket 100 that are configured to engage the vehicle. For example, first and second attachment members 172 and 174 may be provided at the ends of main and secondary portions 110 and 112 and can be spaced from hinges 170, as seen in
While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/545,773 filed on Aug. 15, 2017, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2018/000191 | 8/15/2018 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2019/035922 | 2/21/2019 | WO | A |
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62545773 | Aug 2017 | US |