# US 11,440,362 B2 · Universal mounting clamps system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,362 B2 - Document ID: US11440362B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/367,534 - Filed: 2021-07-05 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-15 - Applicants: John Wesley Nicholson - Inventors: John Wesley Nicholson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440362B2 ## CPC - B60D 1/58: Auxiliary devices - B60D 1/02: Bolt or shackle-type couplings - B60D 1/52: removably mounted - B62D 65/16: the sub-units or components being exterior fittings, e.g. bumpers, lights, wipers {, exhausts} - F16B 2/065: {using screw-thread elements (F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence)} - B60D 1/48: characterised by the mounting - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - B60R 2011/0059: {using clips, clamps, straps or the like} - B60R 2011/008: {Adjustable or movable supports} - F16B 2/08: using bands - F16L 3/1091: {with two members, the two members being fixed to each other with fastening members on each side} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - 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) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A universal mounting clamps system and method for mounting a variety of accessories upon structures having various square, rectangular, or rounded profiles and various ratios and sizes, such as vehicle trailer hitches or bumpers, beams, posts, tubes, and pipes. In an angled-profile-structure embodiment using an angled mounting-clamp unit, an accessory-mount bracket is placed over a corner of the structure and provides area for mounting accessories. A clamping bracket is placed over the diagonally opposite corner of the structure and is fastened to the accessory-mount bracket using a fastener positioner. In a rounded-profile-structure embodiment, a curved mounting-clamp unit is fastened to the structure through a fastener slot, a positioner leg is held in position against the structure, and an accessory-mount leg is held extended from the structure and provides an area for mounting accessories. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A universal mounting clamps system for mounting of accessories to a structure, using fasteners, the universal mounting clamps system comprising: (i) at least one angled mounting-clamp unit, comprising: (a) an angled accessory-mount bracket having a first leg extending at a right angle to a second leg, adapted to provide area for mounting accessories; (b) a clamping bracket four straight sections extending at right angles to one another in a zigzag pattern, adapted for mounting to said angled accessory-mount bracket using fasteners; and (c) at least one fastener positioner adapted to position fasteners on said angled accessory-mount bracket; and (ii) at least one curved mounting-clamp unit, comprising: (a) an accessory-mount leg adapted to provide area for mounting accessories; (b) a positioning leg at an angle to said accessary-mount leg, adapted to being held to the structure by a fastener; and (c) a fastener slot between said accessory-mount leg and said positioning leg. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said mounting-clamp units are made of steel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with paint. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with epoxy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with bonded powder coating. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with rubberized coating. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said angled accessory-mount bracket has teeth. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said at least one fastener positioner has teeth. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said positioning leg is flat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The universal mounting clamps system of claim 1, where said positioning leg is curved. ### Claim 11 A universal mounting clamps method of mounting of accessories to a tow-bar structure, the universal mounting clamps method comprising: (i) providing a universal mounting clamps system comprising: (a) at least one angled mounting-clamp unit, comprising: (1) an angled accessory-mount bracket having a right angle, adapted to provide area for mounting accessories; (2) a clamping bracket having a right angle, adapted for mounting to said angled accessory-mount bracket using fasteners; and (3) at least one fastener positioner adapted to position fasteners on said angled accessory-mount bracket; (b) at least one curved mounting-clamp unit, comprising: (1) an accessory-mount leg adapted to provide area for mounting accessories; (2) a positioning leg at an angle to said accessary-mount leg, adapted to being held to the structure by a fastener; and (3) a fastener slot between said accessory-mount leg and said positioning leg; (ii) mounting at least one mounting-clamp unit from said universal mounting clamps system upon the structure; and (iii) attaching at least one accessory upon said at least one mounting-clamp unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said mounting-clamp units are made of steel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with paint. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with epoxy. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with bonded powder coating. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said mounting-clamp units are protected with rubberized coating. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said angled accessory-mount bracket has teeth. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said at least one fastener positioner has teeth. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said positioning leg is flat. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The universal mounting clamps method of claim 11, where said positioning leg is curved.