# US 2008/0185200 A1 · Adjustable Mounting Bracket and Method For Securing a Part in Place > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185200 A1 - Document ID: US20080185200A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/661,402 - Filed: 2005-08-30 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-30 - Assignees: Behr America, Inc. - Inventors: Brent Streeter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185200A1 ## CPC - F28F 9/002: {with fastening means for other structures} - F28F 2275/16: with toothed elements, e.g. with serrations - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract The invention relates to a mounting bracket (10), in particular for mounting a radiator (100). The bracket (10) comprises a stationary member (20) to be attached to the vehicle and a movable member (30) slideably mounted on the stationary member (20), preferably using guide rails (24a, 24b). The movable member (30) is configured to move from a first position to a second position to thereby secure the radiator (100). A ratchet mechanism (42) including teeth (42a) on the stationary member (10) may be provided to lock the movable member (30). An independent claim is included directed to a method for securing a vehicle component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bracket for securing a vehicle component, comprising: a stationary member configured to be attached to a vehicle; and a movable member slideably mounted on the stationary member, wherein the movable member is configured to move from a first position to a second position to thereby secure and/or stabilize the vehicle component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes at least one fastening portion for attaching the stationary member to a vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1, wherein the stationary member and the moveable member comprise nylon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1, wherein the moveable member is adapted to be moved from the first position toward the second position by applying a force to the moveable member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The bracket of claim 4, wherein the bracket includes a locking mechanism that prevents the moveable member from moving in a direction toward the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The bracket of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a separate, selectively insertable locking member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The bracket of claim 5, wherein the bracket includes a release member for releasing the locking mechanism so that the moveable member can be moved in the direction toward the first position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The bracket of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The bracket of claim 8, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes inclined teeth disposed on the stationary member and a projection disposed on the moveable member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The bracket of claim 9, wherein the projection is configured to slide over the inclined teeth when a force is applied to the moveable member and to snap into a position between adjacent inclined teeth when application of the force is halted. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The bracket of claim 9, wherein the projection is configured to normally be easily moveable with respect to the inclined teeth, and wherein the bracket further comprises a separate locking member to selectively engage the projection with the inclined teeth. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1, wherein the moveable member includes a clamping surface that contacts the vehicle component when the moveable member is in the second position to thereby substantially restrain movement of the vehicle component, and the clamping surface is formed of a polymer or rubber material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1, wherein the stationary member includes first and second guide rails to engage first and second jaws on the moveable member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bracket of claim 1, wherein the vehicle component comprises a radiator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The bracket of claim 14, wherein the moveable member includes an aperture for permitting access to a fluid connection of the radiator when the moveable member is in the second position. ### Claim 16 A method for securing a vehicle component, comprising: providing a bracket that includes a stationary member and a moveable member slideably mounted on the stationary member; attaching the stationary member to a vehicle body in a vicinity of a vehicle component; moving the moveable member toward the vehicle component; discontinuing said movement when the moveable member contacts the vehicle component; and either automatically during the movement or subsequent to the movement, engaging a latching mechanism to substantially restrain movement of the vehicle component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the movement is produced by manually applying force to the moveable member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the bracket includes a locking mechanism configured to permit the moveable member to move only in a direction toward the vehicle component. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A vehicle, comprising: a module containing at least a radiator; and a bracket as defined in claim 1. ### Claim 20 A method for installing an automotive component in a vehicle, comprising: providing a module containing at least a radiator; installing the module in the vehicle; providing a bracket that includes a stationary member and a moveable member slideably mounted on the stationary member; attaching the stationary member to the vehicle so that the moveable member is positioned near a surface of the module; moving the moveable member toward the surface of the module; continuing said movement at least until the moveable member contacts the surface of the module; and activating a latching mechanism, either automatically during said movement or selectively after said movement, to retain the moveable member in contact with the surface of the module. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the step of activating the latching mechanism is automatic. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the step of activating the latching mechanism is performed manually by inserting a locking member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the surface of the module includes a fluid connection and the moveable member includes an aperture for fitting over the connection. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising attaching a hose to the fluid connection of the module.