Vehicle accessory port and plug
AssigneeRivian IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsChristian Elder, Eric Griffith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle may include an integrated connector system. The vehicle includes a body having an outer surface and a plurality of attachment ports arranged on the outer surface. The attachments ports include a recess that extends below the surrounding outer surface. Each attachment port is configured to receive and engage with an attachment plug of an accessory. In some embodiments, there are different types of attachment ports, configured to engage with respective types of attachment plugs. Various accessories may be engaged with the attachment ports, allowing a range of items and equipment to be secured to the vehicle.
Claims21
A vehicle system, comprising:
- a vehicle body comprising a front, a back, two sides, and an outer surface;
- a first attachment port arranged on the outer surface proximate to one side of the vehicle body, wherein the first attachment port comprises a first recess and a pin extending between two opposing sides of the first recess;
- a second attachment port arranged on the outer surface proximate to the one side of the vehicle body, wherein the second attachment port comprises a second recess;
- a first accessory comprising a first attachment plug configured to be inserted into the first recess of the first attachment port, wherein a latching mechanism of the first accessory is configured to engage the pin;
- and
- a second accessory comprising a second attachment plug configured to be inserted into the second recess of the second attachment port.
An accessory for mounting to a vehicle, comprising:
- an attachment plug having a bottom configured to be inserted into a port of the vehicle, wherein the attachment plug comprises:
- an exterior shape comprising two opposite sides, wherein a cross section of the exterior shape comprises a longitudinal length greater than a transverse length;
- a recess in the bottom extending between the two opposite sides and arranged to receive a pin of the port, wherein the pin extends between two opposing sides of the port and wherein the recess comprises two opposing interior sides;
- and
- a latching mechanism arranged in one of the two interior sides of the recess and configured to engage the pin of the port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.