Accessory mounting system for a vehicle and method for using the same

An accessory mounting fixture for a vehicle, the accessory mounting fixture comprising:

• a fixture body connectable to a vehicle surface and having a shape defining a frontal opening adapted to receive an accessory portion;
• and
• a locking assembly operatively connected to the fixture body and adapted to selectively secure the accessory portion within the frontal opening, the locking assembly comprising:
• a first lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on a first side of the frontal opening, the first lock member being pivotable about a first pivot axis between a closed position, where the first lock member extends across the frontal opening and engages the fixture body on a second side of the frontal opening for confining the accessory portion within the frontal opening, and an open position;
• a second lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on a second side of the frontal opening, the second lock member being pivotable about a second pivot axis between a closed position, where the second lock member engages and at least partially covers the first lock member, and an open position;
• and
• a complementary locking feature configured to prevent pivoting the first lock member from the closed position to the open position, the complementary locking feature comprising:
• a first complementary component coupled to the first lock member;
• and
• a second complementary component coupled to the second lock member, the first and second complementary components having complementing shapes and first and second locking surfaces, respectively, adapted to engage one another upon positioning the first lock member and the second lock member in respective closed positions,
• wherein, upon positioning the first lock member and the second lock member in respective closed positions, the first and second locking surfaces are perpendicular to a projection extending between the second pivot axis and the locking surfaces,
• wherein, upon having the first and second locking surfaces engage each other, applying an opening force to pivot the first lock member in the open position generates a rotational force about the first pivot axis, with effect that the first locking surface generates an axial force on the second locking surface, the axial force being aligned with the projection such that a rotation about the second pivot axis is prevented and the second lock member remains in the closed position.

An accessory mounting fixture for a vehicle, the accessory mounting fixture comprising:

• a fixture body connectable to a vehicle surface and having a shape defining a frontal opening adapted to receive an accessory portion;
• and
• a locking assembly operatively connected to the fixture body and selectively operable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, where, when in the open configuration, an access to the frontal opening is generally unobstructed to enable engagement of the accessory portion within the frontal opening, and, when in the closed configuration, the access to the frontal opening is obstructed and, when the accessory portion is engaged within the frontal opening, the accessory portion is secured therein,
• the locking assembly comprising a locking feature configured to counteract an opening force applied thereto to prevent operation of the locking assembly from the closed configuration to the open configuration.