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.
Claims23
A vehicle having an integrated connector system, comprising:
- a vehicle body comprising an outer surface;
- a plurality of attachment ports arranged on the outer surface, wherein each of the plurality of attachment ports comprises:
- a recess that extends below the surrounding outer surface and is configured to accommodate an attachment plug of an accessory, wherein:
- the attachment plug comprises a body comprising a pair of rigid extensions forming a notch therebetween that accommodates a pin such that when the attachment plug is inserted into the port, the pin passes into the notch between the pair of rigid extensions and ends of the pair of rigid extensions come to rest below the outer surface in the recess;
- the recess comprises two opposing sidewalls that comprise corresponding portions that extend below a height of the surrounding outer surface;
- each respective recess comprises a perimeter comprising two parallel sides, each comprising portions of the two opposing side walls, a first curved end that connects first ends of the respective two parallel sides, and a second curved end that connects second ends of the respective two parallel sides;
- and
- the pin extending between the two opposing sidewalls of the recess, wherein the pin comprises a first end attached to a first one of the two opposing sidewalls and a second opposite end attached to a second one of the two opposing sidewalls, and wherein a latching mechanism of the accessory is configured to engage the pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.