US 2011/0031364 A1 · HINGED CLAMP BRACKET

Abstract

A clam-shell bracket for defining a mounting flange on a structural member, such as a hydroformed vehicle cross-member or frame rail, includes a lower body featuring an integrated locating feature with which to preposition the bracket on the structural member, and permanently-attached male threaded fasteners with which to thereafter secure the bracket to the structural member. The bracket further includes a hinged upper body having slotted bolt holes through which the lower body's fasteners may freely pass as the upper body is pivoted into the assembled position, thereby reducing the time required for bracket installation. The use of fasteners on the both the hinged end and opposite end of the lower clamp body provides an improved clamping force about the structural member, while the improved clamping force cooperates with the mating locating features of the bracket and the structural member to improve the lateral applied load transfer therebetween.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A hinged clamp bracket for a structural member comprises a lower body comprising:

a lower clamp body having a hinge end and a second end generally opposite to the hinge end;
an upper clamp body having a hinge end and a second end generally opposite to the hinge end, the hinge end of the upper clamp body being pivotally coupled to the hinge end of the lower clamp body for relative rotation about a hinge axis;
a first fastener adapted to secure the respective second ends of the upper and lower clamp bodies together, to thereby clamp the bracket about the structural member;
and
a second fastener on the lower clamp body proximate to the hinge end of the lower clamp body, the first fastener being adapted to secure the hinge end of the lower clamp body to the hinge end of the upper clamp body.

2 more elements

A hinged clamp bracket for defining an attachment point on a hydroformed structural member adapted to pivotally mount a component to the structural member, wherein the structural member includes a locating recess defined in a surface thereof, the bracket comprising:

a lower clamp body having a hinge end and a second end generally opposite to the hinge end, and an upper surface intermediate the hinged and second ends, the upper surface including a raised feature complementary to the locating recess of the structural member, the lower clamp body further including a pair of generally-parallel-spaced flanges, each flange including an aperture defining a pivot axis for mounting the component;
an upper clamp body having a hinge end and a second end generally opposite to the hinge end, the hinge end of the upper clamp body being pivotally coupled to the hinge end of the lower clamp body for relative rotation about a hinge axis;
a first fastener permanently attached to the lower clamp body proximate to the second end thereof for securing the respective second ends of the upper and lower clamp bodies together, to thereby clamp the bracket about the structural member;
and
a second fastener permanently attached to the lower clamp body proximate to the hinge end thereof for securing the hinge end of the lower clamp body to the hinge end of the upper clamp body.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hinged clamp bracket

Life of this patent

Hinged clamp bracket

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19