Vehicle multi-purpose brackets
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAdam Weyrauch, Joseph Prescott Hickey, Michael Kozak, Jeffry Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure details multi-purpose brackets for mounting accessory devices within vehicle cargo spaces. Exemplary multi-purpose brackets include a doubling flange, a first opening formed through the doubling flange, and a second opening formed through another location of the bracket. A first accessory device may be mounted within the first opening, and a second accessory device may be mounted within the second opening. The multi-purpose bracket may be formed in a stamping process that involves folding and clinching the doubling flange to a platform of the bracket.
Claims17
A multi-purpose bracket for a vehicle, comprising:
- a platform extending between a first end and a second end and between a first side and a second side;
- a first opening formed through the platform;
- a doubling flange received against the platform;
- a clinch holding the doubling flange against an undersurface of the platform,
- wherein the first opening extends through both the platform and the doubling flange;
- a first mounting leg that extends from the first side;
- and
- a bent edge positioned at the second side,
- wherein the bent edge integrally connects the doubling flange to the platform.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- a first bracket mounted to the vehicle body and including a doubling flange, a first opening formed through the doubling flange, and a second opening located remotely from the doubling flange;
- a second bracket mounted to the vehicle body at a location that is spaced apart from the first bracket;
- a first accessory device mounted within the first opening;
- and
- a second accessory device mounted within the second opening and bridging a distance between the first bracket and the second bracket,
- wherein the first accessory device is a luggage divider and the second accessory device is a grab handle,
- wherein a first mounting section of the grab handle is received within the second opening of the first bracket and a second mounting section of the grab handle is received within an opening of the second bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.