Attachment system for holding or carrying items
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsAdam W. Branscum, Boyd Glen Wilson, Gustavo Perez Muñoz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An attachment system for carrying or holding an item such as a tool. The attachment system may include one or more receivers that receive and hold the item. The attachment system may also include an elastic member associated with each receiver, wherein the elastic member may deform or deflect during insertion of the item into the receiver and ultimately secure the item in place.
Claims14
An attachment system configured to carry an item on a utility vehicle comprising:
- at least one receiver, the receiver comprising:
- a body having a peripheral outer edge and inner sidewalls, the inner sidewalls defining a slot that extends from an interior of the body through the outer edge, wherein the slot defines:
- a mouth extending through the outer edge;
- a seat configured to receive the item when the item is carried by the utility vehicle;
- and
- a throat extending between and connecting the mouth and the seat;
- and
- at least one elastic member, the elastic member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled to the body and the elastic member extends across the mouth, and wherein the elastic member is configured to releasably secure the item within the seat.
A utility vehicle comprising:
- a chassis;
- wheels configured to support the chassis in rolling engagement with a ground surface;
- and
- an attachment system configured to carry an item on the vehicle, the attachment system comprising:
- at least one receiver secured to the chassis, the receiver comprising:
- a body having a peripheral outer edge and inner sidewalls, the inner sidewalls defining a slot that extends from an interior of the body through the outer edge, wherein the slot defines:
- a mouth extending through the outer edge;
- a seat configured to receive the item when the item is carried by the vehicle;
- and
- a throat extending between and connecting the mouth and the seat;
- and
- at least one elastic member, the elastic member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled to the body and the elastic member extends across the mouth, and wherein the elastic member is configured to releasably secure the item within the seat.
A method for moving an item from a detached position to a secured position within a receiver, wherein the method comprises:
- inserting the item into a mouth of a slot formed in the receiver;
- advancing the item into a throat of the slot;
- and
- positioning the item within a seat of the slot,
- wherein an elastic member is coupled to the receiver and extends across the mouth and the seat, and wherein the elastic member is configured to elongate as the item moves into the throat of the slot, and contract as the item moves into the seat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.