# US 10,870,453 B2 · Vehicle accessory port and plug > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,453 B2 - Document ID: US10870453B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/190,140 - Filed: 2018-11-13 - Published: 2020-05-14 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-13 - Assignees: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Christian Elder; Eric Griffith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870453B2 ## CPC - B62D 33/0207: {Connections of movable or detachable racks or stanchions to platforms} - B60P 7/0807: {Attachment points} - B60R 9/045: Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible {(transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38)} - B60R 9/048: Carriers characterised by article-gripping {, -covering,}-retaining, or -locking means - B60R 9/052: Carriers comprising elongate members extending only transversely of vehicle (B60R9/08 takes precedence) - B60R 9/058: characterised by releasable attaching means between carrier and roof - B60R 9/06: at vehicle front or rear {(rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041)} - B60R 9/08: specially adapted for sports gear (vehicles specially adapted for carrying aeroplanes, for carrying boats B60P) - B60R 9/12: for skis - B60R 2011/0061: {using key-type connections} - B62D 33/0273: {Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks (B62D33/037 takes precedence)} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the first attachment port comprises a first port shape; the second attachment port comprises a second port shape; and the first port shape and the second port shape are different. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the body comprises one or more structural elements; the first attachment port is mechanically coupled to one of the one or more structural elements; and the second attachment port is mechanically coupled to one of the one or more structural elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first recess comprises: a perimeter arranged substantially in the plane of the surrounding outer surface and comprising a rounded quadrilateral; and a full depth from the surrounding outer surface configured to accept the first attachment plug; wherein the pin is arranged at a depth less than the full depth within the first recess. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein: the first accessory comprises one and only one attachment plug; and the second accessory comprises one and only one attachment plug. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle system of claim 5, wherein: the first accessory comprises a first support structure having a first cradle configured to receive a portion of an object; and the second accessory comprises a second support structure having a second cradle configured to receive a portion of the object. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein: the first cradle comprises a first j-style cradle; and the second cradle comprises a second j-style cradle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein: the object comprises a kayak; the first cradle is configured to receive a first portion of the kayak; the second cradle is configured to receive a second portion of the kayak; and the first cradle and second cradle operate together to support the kayak. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein: when the object is resting on the first cradle and the second cradle, forces are exerted on the first cradle and the second cradle by the object; and the first attachment port and the second attachment provide opposing forces to the first accessory and the second accessory to oppose the forces exerted by the object. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein: the first attachment port is arranged on a roof surface on the one side of the vehicle body; and the second attachment port is arranged on the roof surface on the one side of the vehicle body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein: the vehicle body comprises a truck bed having side rails; the first attachment port is arranged on a top surface of one of the side rails; and the second attachment port is arranged on a top surface of the one side rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The vehicle system of claim 6, wherein: the vehicle body comprises a truck bed surface; the first attachment port is arranged on a side of the truck bed surface; and the second attachment port is arranged on the side of the truck bed surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first attachment port and the second attachment port are structured to support different loads. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein: the first attachment plug comprises a first plug shape; the second attachment plug comprises a second plug shape; and the first plug shape and the second plug shape are different. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicle of claim 14, wherein: the first attachment plug is capable of being inserted into both the first recess of the first attachment port and the second recess of the second attachment port; and the second attachment plug is not capable of being inserted into the first recess of the first attachment port. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle of claim 15, wherein: the first attachment port is structured for light loads; and the second attachment port is structured for heavy loads. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The vehicle of claim 15, wherein: the second attachment plug comprises a protrusion; the second recess of the second attachment port comprises an indentation to accommodate the protrusion of the second attachment plug; and the first recess of the first attachment port is not shaped to accommodate the protrusion of the second attachment plug. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the first accessory comprises a first cantilever structure that is capable of extending away from the vehicle body; and the second accessory comprises a second cantilever structure that is capable of extending away from the vehicle body; wherein: the first cantilever structure and the second cantilever structure are configured to operate together to support a load suspended therefrom. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the load comprises a hammock comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the first cantilever structure, and wherein the second end is coupled to the second cantilever structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the first cantilever structure and the second cantilever structure are capable extending out from a side of the vehicle corresponding to the one side. ### Claim 21 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.