Accessory mounting system for vehicles

An accessory mounting system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first bracket configured for releasable connection to a utility track in the vehicle;
• a second bracket movably connected to the first bracket and configured to support an accessory, wherein the first bracket includes a series of arms that are articulable to move the accessory mounting system between a collapsed configuration, in which each of the arms extends in generally parallel relation to the first bracket, and an expanded configuration, in which at least one of the arms extends transversely in relation to the first bracket;
• and
• a locking mechanism repositionable between a locked configuration, in which the locking mechanism is configured to maintain the collapsed configuration of the accessory mounting system such that the accessory mounting system is secured to the vehicle, and an unlocked configuration, in which the locking mechanism is configured to permit movement of the accessory mounting system into the expanded configuration such that the accessory mounting system is removable from the vehicle.

An accessory mounting system for a vehicle, comprising:

• an outer bracket;
• an inner bracket movably connected to the outer bracket such that the accessory mounting system is reconfigurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• a pivot member configured to pivotally connect the inner bracket to an accessory to facilitate repositioning of the accessory;
• at least one fastener configured to releasably connect the outer bracket to the vehicle, the at least one fastener being positioned between the inner and outer brackets such that the at least one fastener is inaccessible when the accessory mounting system is in the collapsed configuration;
• and
• a locking mechanism secured to the outer bracket, the locking mechanism being engageable with the inner bracket to maintain the collapsed configuration of the accessory mounting system and disengageable from the inner bracket to permit movement of the accessory mounting system into the expanded configuration.