Patent Application
20200108765
The present invention relates to spacers for spacing apart vehicle components a selected distance from each other. In particular, the present invention relates to a spacer component operable with one object to be spaced apart from another object.
The invention may be useful for spacing apart objects wherein each component operates with a respective spacer component, two or more like spacer components interoperable as a spacer system.
The subject matter and disclosures therein of WO 2018211449 are incorporated by cross-reference.
There are many different body designs and shapes for motor vehicles as well as vehicles towed by motor vehicles such as box trailers, boat trailers and caravans. A vast number of components are used in the construction of such vehicles.
There is also a significant aftermarket business in modifying or converting passenger or commercial vehicles for custom purposes. Vehicles can be modified to facilitate their use for specific roles or purposes such as mining, farming or the transport of people or goods. Vehicles can be modified to better suit the needs of specific trades such as glaziers who may require the replacement of the rear tray of a pickup truck with glass racks or carriers, or more general purposes such as the fitting of ladder or lumber racks
Modifying vehicles is not limited to powered vehicles, for example general purpose boat trailers may need to be customised or modified to fit the body shape of various boats. A wide range of general purpose or custom-built vehicles can be towed by motor vehicles, tractors and used in primary production.
Vehicle safety standards and other regulations can limit the type and nature of the modifications made to vehicles. It is often preferred to use the existing fixture or attachment points on the vehicle chassis as well as those approved for use in service body. Attachment or fitting kits are used to connect the service body to the rest of the vehicle.
In Australia there can be a wide range of service bodies fitted behind the cabin of a pickup truck, coupe utility vehicles (ute), or other light truck. The vehicle may be sold with the driver's cabin and an exposed rear chassis, or it may be fitted with a rear traydeck or tub, which may need to be removed in order to access the chassis to modify the existing structure or fit the necessary service body. It can be expensive to make such modifications as custom service bodies and custom parts and fitting kits may be required for each brand, model, style and build year of the vehicle.
Part of the problem is the need for a business to retain a large inventory of fitting kits just to cover popular makes and models of vehicles. The fitting kit can contain various spacers, brackets and mountings suitable for use with a specific type, brand and year of the vehicle and also a specific service body. Without a fitting kit, the business needs to in a large of inventory of parts and fittings in order to build a custom fitted kit for use with the vehicle. The parts and fittings themselves may need to be modified and customised in order to be suitable for use with a specific vehicle modification project.
The use of parts and fittings can be regulated for vehicle safety purposes. The parts, brackets and components of a fitting kit each may need to be reviewed and certified suitable for use by various engineering and compliance standards. In addition, various Government and road transport authorities may need to inspect and approve of the modifications made the vehicle, including the components used therein.
Presently, spacing of objects is often achieved using fixed height or length spacers. However, such spacers may not be suitable for all applications as the spacing distance required may not match spacing achievable with the fixed height or length spacer. This may be inconvenient as a number of different fixed spacers will be required.
In one example application, spacers of different heights may be required when fitting a deck or other service body to a utility vehicle to provide leveled rails for attaching the deck. Different vehicles have different shaped chassis so that a large number of different spacers would be required.
Some spacers are adjustable and may include a screw and thread means for providing a changeable height spacer for spacing different distances. However, these sorts of adjustable spacers often require a further component or complex design to lock the screw and thread when the adjustment is made to a desired height. Other adjustable length spacers use a pin with multiple apertures, wherein the pin is placed through a selected pair (or two pairs) of apertures which are aligned. The pin and aperture type spacers can be inconvenient as the pin is often a separate and loose component which may be misplaced.
A spacer alone may not be sufficient. The location of the mount points on the chassis is unlikely to match the location of the mounting points on the service body, unless the service body was specifically designed to be used with the vehicle. It can be necessary to include a substructure providing a mounting for fastening to the service body. The substructure can be a cross beam fastened to two nearby spacers, or a frame fastened to and on top of all of the spacers.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle spacer component, operable with another like spacer component as an adjustable spacer, the spacer component including:
In another aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable vehicle spacer including two spacer components, each spacer component including:
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle spacer system including at least one adjustable spacer and at least two objects to be spaced apart, each adjustable spacer including:
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for adjustably spacing, the method including:
In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for spacing two objects apart from each other, the method including:
A variable distance spacer for use in vehicle assembly which includes two spacer components, each spacer component including a base and at least one arm connected to the base, the arm including a plurality of substantially parallel rails depending therefrom, the plurality of rails evenly offset from each other along the arm; wherein the rails on the arm of one spacer component are configured to slidably engage between two adjacent rails on the arm of the other spacer component along a slide axis; and, when slidably engaged, the spacer components are substantially prevented from moving relative to each other except along the slide axis; and wherein the distance between the bases of the two spacer components can be changed by varying which rails are slidably engaged.
A spacer component capable of being operable with another like spacer component to provide a variable distance spacer as above, the spacer component including a base and at least one arm connected to the base, the arm including a plurality of substantially parallel rails depending therefrom, the plurality of rails evenly offset from each other along the arm; and when operated with another like spacer component, the rails on the arm of the spacer component are configured to slidably engage between two adjacent rails on the arm of the other spacer component along a slide axis; and when slidably engaged, the spacer components are substantially prevented from moving relative to each other except along the slide axis; and wherein the distance between the bases of the two spacer components can be changed by varying which rails are slidably engaged.
In embodiments, the or each spacer component includes two or more arms. In various such embodiments, the two or more arms are substantially parallel with each other. In such embodiments, the rails on each arm may depend from a same facing side of each arm.
In other embodiments, the or each spacer component includes a base, wherein the or each arm depends substantially perpendicular from the base.
In further embodiments, each rail has a substantially L-shape cross-section. In such embodiments, each extent of the L-shape cross-section may be of substantially equal width.
In other embodiments, each rail has a “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section, wherein a first part of the rail (a first extent of the rail) depending from its respective arm has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and wherein a second part of the rail (a second extent of the rail) depending from the first part of the rail and substantially orthogonal with respect to the first part of the rail has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. In some such embodiments, the trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of the second part of the rail is oriented such that the wider part of the trapezoidal shape depends from the first part of the rail, and the narrower part of the trapezoidal shape projects away from the first part of the rail.
In some other embodiments, the or each arm is substantially planar. In such embodiments, the rails of the arm extend along a side of the arm.
In embodiments, the rails on the or each arm are offset from each other to form a gap between adjacent rails, such that, when the spacer component is operated with another like spacer component, the rails of one spacer component are accommodated snugly between the rails of the other spacer component.
In other embodiments, the base includes a channel adjacent the or each arm and at a side of the or each arm from which the rails depend, the channel shaped, such that, when the spacer component is operated with another like spacer component, the channel snugly accommodates at least a part of a rail from the other spacer component being distal most from the base of the other spacer component.
In various embodiments, the base, on an opposite side from which the or each arm depends, is configured for connecting the spacer component to an object. As such, when connected to the object and when operated with another like spacer component connected to another object, the objects can be spaced apart from each other at one length selected from the two or more selectable spacing lengths. In some embodiments, the configuration for connecting includes a clamp. In other such embodiments, the configuration for connecting includes a threaded joiner operable with apertures through which a part of each threaded joiner can protrude to be threadedly secured.
In some embodiments, the or each arm includes seven (7) rails.
In other embodiments, one spacer component has a first number of rails on the or each arm, and is operable with another spacer component having a second number of rails on each arm different from the first number of rails.
In yet other embodiments, the spacer component, the adjustable spacer, the spacer system and methods for operating same include means for retaining spacer components together when slidably engaged with each other. In one such embodiment, the means for retaining includes one or more grub screws. In one example embodiment, each grub screw may be fastened through a threaded aperture in the arm of one spacer component to frictionally engage with a part of a rail of the other spacer component. In another such embodiment, the spacer components can be adhered together. In an example implementation, adhesive can be applied to rails on the arms of one or both spacer components, the spacer components can be slidably engaged, and the adhesive allowed to set or cure to join the spacer components together.
The spacer can provide various benefits over the known systems. It is expected that a business would only require this spacer for use in fitting kits for many different makes, models and years of vehicles. The parts fitter may stock spacer components of various desired width or desired widths could be cut from a longer section. This reduces the inventory required to be retained by the fitter. It may also reduce the cost of the spacer as it may not be necessary to obtain separate engineering or standards approvals for the spacer component when used on other makes and model and years of vehicles. It may be that only the instructions need to be changed in order to be suitable for use on a different make or model of vehicle.
The two spacer components which together form the spacer be identical or different. Identical spacer components may require the rails to be on the same facing side of each arm. The spacer component may be extruded, such as extruded aluminium, and lengths of an extrusion could be cut as required. This arrangement may provide cost savings with inventory.
Alternatively, the spacer components may be different. The first spacer component may have rails on the opposed inner faces of U shaped member and the second may have rails on the opposed outer faces of a different U shaped member, the two spacers components being appropriately sized to allow the second component to fit within the first. This arrangement may offer other advantages.
In addition one spacer component may have only 2 or 3 rails whereas the other may have 7 or more. This arrangement can provide for the selection of multiple spacings and allow for the use of a simpler die or mould when forming one of the components.
Ordinarily the spacers would be used to space out height. In this context the length or width of a spacer component may be set by the frame or chassis to which it is to be attached. The dimensions of the other spacer component can be comparable to the first spacer component but it is not required to be the same. The other spacer component can also act as a bearer and may be used to connect to a further spacer component, typically across the chassis of the vehicle. Alternatively, the spacer component can protrude outward from first spacer component. The other spacer component could then function as both as a height spacer component and a framing member or bearer for connecting a service body to the chassis.
Further preferred embodiments of the invention may be set out in the claims and are incorporated by cross-reference.
At least one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following, non-limiting illustrations representing the at least one embodiment of the present invention, in which:
In the embodiment shown in
The arms 12, 18 are separated to form a space 38 therebetween.
Each arm 12, 18 of the spacer component 10 has seven (7) L-shape cross-section rails depending from their respective arm. The rails 14 depending from arm 12 depend inwardly to space 38, and the rails 20 depending from arm 18 depend outwardly from the spacer component. The rails are substantially evenly offset from each other along their respective arm.
Between the lower-most to the upper-most rails 14 (as depicted in
The spacer component 10 includes channel 26 in the base 24, located adjacent arm 12, on the side of the arm from which the rails 14 depend. Similarly, channel 28 is located adjacent arm 18, on the side of the arm from which the rails 20 depend. There is a space formed between the proximal-most rail to the base 24 on each arm 12, 18 and the channels 26 and 28. Each space formed between channel and rail has an L-shape cross-section. These spaces are configured to slidably accommodate rails on a like spacer component, which are distal-most on each respective arm from the base of the like spacer component. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the distal-most arms are slid into the respective channel spaces only when the selected spacing length of the spacer components operating together is the shortest spacing length, given the respective bases of each of the spacer components are closest together in such configuration.
The base 24 of the spacer component 10 has a flat area (not shown in
It will be understood by the skilled reader that there are various means for connecting a spacer component to an object, including adhering, welding, threaded fixers (for example, screws, or nut and bolts), clamping, and any other suitable means.
It will be readily recognised that spacer component 50 (being like spacer component 10) includes two arms 52 and 58. Arm 52 including L-shape cross-section rails 54 depending therefrom and evenly offset from each other along arm 52 so as to form L-shape cross-section spaces 56 therebetween. Similarly, arm 58 includes L-shape cross-section rails 60 depending therefrom and evenly offset from each other along arm 58 so as to form L-shape cross-section spaces 62 therebetween. As will be shown in later Figures, the rails 16 on arm 12 of the first spacer component 10 are accommodated in spaces 62 on arm 58 of the second spacer component 50. Similarly, the rails 20 on arm 18 of the first spacer component 10 are accommodated in spaces 56 on arm 52 of the second spacer component 50. Also, the rails 54 on arm 52 of the second spacer component 50 are accommodated in spaces 22 on arm 18 of the first spacer component 10, and the rails 60 on arm 58 of the second spacer component 50 are accommodated in spaces 16 on arm 12 of the first spacer component 10.
The second spacer component 50 is also depicted with channels 66 and 68, each of which serve a similar (if reciprocal) purpose, as described above, to channels 26 and 28 of the first spacer component 10.
It will be recognised by the skilled reader that the first selected spacing length “A” demonstrated in
In
However, in another example use, the wide spacer component 110 could be used with one or more narrower spacer components as shown in
Each arm 212, 218 of the spacer component 200 has seven (7) rails, each rail depending from their respective arm. The rails 214 depending from arm 212 depend inwardly to space 238, and the rails 220 depending from arm 218 depend outwardly from the spacer component 200. The rails are substantially evenly offset from each other along their respective arm. The rails 214, 220 each have a “thick-to-thin” L-shaped cross-section with a first part of each rail depending from its respective arm having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and a second part of each rail depending from the first part of each rail having a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
Between the lower-most to the upper-most rails 214 (as depicted in
The “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section of the rails 214, 220 of spacer component 200, with the second part of each rail having a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and the complementary spaces 216, 222 forming “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section channels, may provide an advantage with easier sliding when two like spacer components are joined together to form a spacer (as depicted in
The spacer component 200 includes channel 226 in the base 224, located adjacent arm 212, on the side of the arm 212 from which the rails 214 depend. Similarly, channel 228 is located adjacent arm 218, on the side of the arm 218 from which the rails 220 depend. There is a space formed between the proximal-most rail to the base 224 on each arm 212, 218 and the channels 226 and 228. Each space formed between channel and rail has a “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section with the second part of each channel having a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. These spaces are configured to slidably accommodate rails on a like spacer component, which are distal-most on each respective arm from the base of the like spacer component. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the distal-most arms are slid into the respective channel spaces only when the selected spacing length of the spacer components operating together is the shortest spacing length, given the respective bases of each of the spacer components are closest together in such configuration.
The base 224 of the spacer component 200 has a flat area with railings 234 and 236 on each side thereof. The base also includes two channels 230 and 232. The channels 230, 232 provide the base with some flexibility for accommodating an object, and the railings may be configured to assist with clamping a suitably-shaped object.
Spacer component 250 (being like spacer component 200) includes two arms 252 and 258. Arm 252 including “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section rails 254 depending therefrom and evenly offset from each other along arm 252 so as to form “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section spaces 256 therebetween. Similarly, arm 258 includes “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section rails 260 depending therefrom and evenly offset from each other along arm 258 so as to form “thick-to-thin” L-shape cross-section spaces 262 therebetween. The rails 216 on arm 212 of the first spacer component 200 are accommodated in spaces 262 on arm 258 of the second spacer component 250. Similarly, the rails 220 on arm 218 of the first spacer component 200 are accommodated in spaces 256 on arm 252 of the second spacer component 250. Also, the rails 254 on arm 252 of the second spacer component 250 are accommodated in spaces 222 on arm 218 of the first spacer component 200, and the rails 260 on arm 258 of the second spacer component 250 are accommodated in spaces 216 on arm 212 of the first spacer component 200.
The second spacer component 250 is also depicted with channels 266 and 268, each of which serve a similar (if reciprocal) purpose, as described above, to channels 226 and 228 of the first spacer component 200.
The configuration for producing the first selected spacer length “B” in
In other embodiments, spacer components may have more than seven (7) rails. In yet other embodiments, spacer components may have less than seven (7) rails. In some example circumstances, spacer components with a different number of rails on respective arms can be used.
In some embodiments, rather than having a base, as depicted in
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018900171 | Jan 2018 | AU | national |
| 2018900179 | Jan 2018 | AU | national |
| PCT/IB2018/053476 | May 2018 | IB | international |
Continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU2019/050035 filed on Jan. 21, 2019. Priority is claimed from Australian Application No. 2018900171 and 2018900179 both filed on Jan. 19, 2018, and from International Application No. PCT/IB2018/053476 filed on May 17, 2018, all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/AU2019/050035 | Jan 2019 | US |
| Child | 16706481 | US |
