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US 11,628,774 B2Granted
Vehicle design integrated sand ladders
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsKeith Weston, Derek Bier, Ryan Orourke, Jeffrey John Ley, Ian George Eickholdt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure details motor vehicles equipped with vehicle exterior components. One or more of the vehicle exterior components can be used both for their primary function when attached to the vehicle and for use as sand ladders when removed from the vehicle. In the first configuration, the vehicle exterior components may be configured as running boards, hood vents, grill inserts, bumper inserts, tailgate inserts, and/or door beams, etc.
Claims20
A vehicle assembly, comprising:
- a vehicle exterior component;
- and
- a mounting system configured for removably mounting the vehicle exterior component to a vehicle body,
- wherein the mounting system includes a clamp that includes a clamping leg configured to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position relative to a mounting bracket that is mounted to an underside of the vehicle exterior component,
- wherein, in a first configuration, the vehicle exterior component is configured as a running board,
- wherein, in a second configuration, the vehicle exterior component is configured to be used as a sand ladder.
3 more elements
A vehicle assembly, comprising:
- a vehicle exterior component;
- and
- a mounting system configured for removably mounting the vehicle exterior component to a vehicle body,
- wherein the mounting system includes at least one of a clamp or a latch,
- wherein, in a first configuration, the vehicle exterior component is configured as a running board,
- wherein, in a second configuration, the vehicle exterior component is configured to be used as a sand ladder,
- wherein the mounting system includes the latch, and further wherein the latch is received within a slot of a latch base,
- wherein the latch is movably received within a groove formed through the vehicle exterior component,
- wherein the groove includes a first section having a first width and a second section having a second width that is less than the first width.
6 more elements
A vehicle assembly, comprising:
- a vehicle exterior component, wherein in a first configuration, the vehicle exterior component is configured as a running board, and in a second configuration, the vehicle exterior component is configured to be used as a sand ladder;
- and
- a mounting system configured to removably mount the vehicle exterior component to a vehicle body,
- wherein the mounting system includes a first mounting assembly, a second mounting assembly, and a support rod that connects between the first mounting assembly and the second mounting assembly,
- wherein each of the first mounting assembly and the second mounting assembly includes a latch base secured to a bracket that is mounted to the vehicle body, and a latch that is receivable within a groove formed through the vehicle exterior component.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.