US20010032914A1 - Universal bracket mount - Google Patents
Universal bracket mount Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010032914A1 US20010032914A1 US09/738,155 US73815500A US2001032914A1 US 20010032914 A1 US20010032914 A1 US 20010032914A1 US 73815500 A US73815500 A US 73815500A US 2001032914 A1 US2001032914 A1 US 2001032914A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bracket
- mounting
- frame
- mount
- mudflap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
- B62D25/16—Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels
- B62D25/18—Parts or details thereof, e.g. mudguard flaps
- B62D25/188—Mud-guard flaps for utility vehicles
Definitions
- the invention relates to adapters for mounting brackets such as mudflap brackets to a vehicle frame.
- the invention relates to a mudflap bracket adapter that accommodates mudflap brackets with different spaced holes.
- the invention relates to a mudflap bracket adapter that uses a single vehicle frame mounting hole where a conventional two-hole mount is either unavailable or undesirable.
- the invention relates to a mudflap bracket adapter that mounts a mudflap for adjustment with respect to the vehicle frame.
- Mudflap brackets are mounted to a vehicle frame with a pair of threaded bolts or studs through a complementary pair of apertures provided in the frame. It is a common occurrence, however, for these apertures to be obstructed, or not available in the location desired by the installer. The installer must drill holes in the frame at the appropriate location, or find a way around the obstruction.
- Various adapting mounts are known, though these are generally of a single-position or non-adjustable nature.
- the invention relates to a universal mudflap bracket mount for mounting a mudflap bracket to a vehicle frame.
- the bracket mount comprises a frame-mounting block and a bracket-mounting plate.
- the frame-mounting block has two opposing faces and a frame-mounting opening transverse to the surfaces.
- the bracket-mounting plate preferably has parallel opposing faces. At least one of the block faces is spaced inwardly from one of the plate faces to accommodate a bolt head between the face plate and a vehicle frame when the mounting block is mounted to a vehicle frame.
- the bracket-mounting plate also includes mudflap fastener openings for receiving two fasteners of a mudflap bracket. At least one of the mudflap fastener openings is arcuate in shape for adjustment of the angular position of the bracket mount with respect to the mudflap bracket. To this end, the arcuate opening has a radius of curvature with a center in another of the mudflap fastener openings.
- the bracket mount also includes a retainer for selectively retaining the bracket mount in a selected orientation with respect to the vehicle frame about an axis passing through the frame-mounting opening.
- the retainer comprises at least one threaded opening in one of the bracket-mounting plate and the frame-mounting block and a setscrew threaded into the threaded opening.
- the retainer comprises a pair of threaded openings in one of the bracket-mounting plate and the frame mounting block and setscrews threaded into the threaded openings.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a universal bracket mount according to the invention, a mudflap and bracket, and a vehicle frame;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal bracket mount according to the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the universal bracket mount of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the bracket mount of FIGS. 2 and 3.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bracket mount 10 , according to the invention, serving as an interface between a known mudflap bracket 60 , carrying a mudflap 64 , and a vehicle 100 .
- the bracket mount 10 is adapted to receive the mudflap bracket-mounting studs 62 .
- the bracket mount 10 is secured to the vehicle frame 100 by a bolt 104 and nut 106 passed through a vehicle frame aperture 102 .
- the bracket mount 10 comprises a frame mounting block 12 having two opposing parallel planar faces 14 , 16 , and a frame mounting shaft 18 passing through the frame mounting block 12 transverse to the faces 14 , 16 .
- the bracket mount 10 further comprises a bracket mounting section 20 , which comprises a generally planar plate 22 having opposing faces 24 , 26 , the plate faces 24 , 26 being parallel with the faces 14 , 16 of the frame mounting block, and the plate 22 being centered between the faces 14 , 16 of the frame mounting block 12 , in the direction transverse to the faces 14 , 16 , 24 , 26 .
- the plate 22 has a plurality of apertures passing therethrough.
- a circular bracket mounting aperture 30 which passes through the plate 22 , transverse to the faces, 24 , 26 of the plate 22 , provides a reference point, in the form of a center of rotation for two arcuate bracket mounting slots 32 , 34 that also pass through the plate 22 transverse to the faces 24 , 26 .
- the first bracket mounting slot 32 is arcuate in nature having as a center of its radius of curvature the center of the bracket mounting aperture 30 .
- the radius of curvature of the first bracket mounting slot 32 is typically about 1.125 inches, corresponding to a common center-to-center distance between studs 62 used to mount mudflap mounting brackets 60 on a vehicle frame 100 .
- the second bracket mounting slot 34 has a radius of curvature of about 2.5 inches, also a common center to center distance between studs 62 used to mount a mudflap mounting bracket 60 on a vehicle frame 100 .
- the bracket mount 10 can be manufactured using any radius of curvature corresponding to stud separation distances commonly in use in the industry.
- At least one separate, threaded set screw aperture 40 is provided through the plate 22 .
- two set screw apertures 40 are provided and placed proximate to the frame mounting block 12 of the bracket mount 10 .
- the threaded set screw aperture 40 likewise passes through the plate 22 transverse to the plate faces 24 , 26 .
- the bracket mount 10 is secured to a vehicle frame 100 by an installer, the installer passing a fastener 104 through the frame mounting shaft 18 in the frame mounting block 12 , and through a single aperture 102 in the vehicle frame 100 .
- One face 14 , 16 of the block 12 will lay flush against the vehicle frame 100 .
- the plate 22 being thinner than the block 12 , and being centered between the faces 14 , 16 of the block 12 , will be spaced from the vehicle frame surface.
- the installer of the bracket mount 10 can use this space between the plate 22 and the vehicle frame 100 to access a bolt head or a nut 66 used to install a mudflap bracket 60 on the bracket mount 10 .
- a mudflap bracket 60 typically has a pair of spaced threaded studs/bolts 62 that are adapted to mount the mudflap bracket 60 to a vehicle frame.
- the installer will attach the bracket 60 to the mount 10 in much the same fashion.
- the space created between the plate 22 and the vehicle frame 100 allows the installer to access the nuts 66 used with the threaded studs/bolts 62 of the bracket 60 .
- the studs 62 extend through plate 22 , where nuts 66 are threaded thereon, securing bracket 60 to mount 10 .
- the bracket mount 10 is prevented from rotating about the frame mounting shaft 18 by friction between the bracket mount 10 and the vehicle frame, and is further restricted from rotating about the shaft 18 by the insertion of a set screw 42 through the threaded set screw aperture 40 of the bracket mount 10 , the end of the set screw bearing against the vehicle frame so as to provide additional resistance to rotation of the bracket mount 10 .
- bracket mount 10 provides the advantage of enabling the installer to attach the bracket mount 10 to the vehicle frame 100 in any orientation, i.e., having the shaft 18 at a leading or trailing edge of the installation, with either face 14 , 16 abutting vehicle frame 100 .
- the bracket mount 10 is further adapted to be used on the right or left side of a vehicle frame 100 .
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/172,906, filed Dec. 21, 1999.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to adapters for mounting brackets such as mudflap brackets to a vehicle frame. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a mudflap bracket adapter that accommodates mudflap brackets with different spaced holes. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a mudflap bracket adapter that uses a single vehicle frame mounting hole where a conventional two-hole mount is either unavailable or undesirable. In yet another of its aspects, the invention relates to a mudflap bracket adapter that mounts a mudflap for adjustment with respect to the vehicle frame.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Mudflap brackets are mounted to a vehicle frame with a pair of threaded bolts or studs through a complementary pair of apertures provided in the frame. It is a common occurrence, however, for these apertures to be obstructed, or not available in the location desired by the installer. The installer must drill holes in the frame at the appropriate location, or find a way around the obstruction. Various adapting mounts are known, though these are generally of a single-position or non-adjustable nature.
- The invention relates to a universal mudflap bracket mount for mounting a mudflap bracket to a vehicle frame. The bracket mount comprises a frame-mounting block and a bracket-mounting plate. The frame-mounting block has two opposing faces and a frame-mounting opening transverse to the surfaces.
- The bracket-mounting plate preferably has parallel opposing faces. At least one of the block faces is spaced inwardly from one of the plate faces to accommodate a bolt head between the face plate and a vehicle frame when the mounting block is mounted to a vehicle frame. The bracket-mounting plate also includes mudflap fastener openings for receiving two fasteners of a mudflap bracket. At least one of the mudflap fastener openings is arcuate in shape for adjustment of the angular position of the bracket mount with respect to the mudflap bracket. To this end, the arcuate opening has a radius of curvature with a center in another of the mudflap fastener openings.
- In one embodiment, the bracket mount also includes a retainer for selectively retaining the bracket mount in a selected orientation with respect to the vehicle frame about an axis passing through the frame-mounting opening.
- In another embodiment, the retainer comprises at least one threaded opening in one of the bracket-mounting plate and the frame-mounting block and a setscrew threaded into the threaded opening.
- In still another embodiment, the retainer comprises a pair of threaded openings in one of the bracket-mounting plate and the frame mounting block and setscrews threaded into the threaded openings.
- In the drawings:
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a universal bracket mount according to the invention, a mudflap and bracket, and a vehicle frame;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal bracket mount according to the invention;
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the universal bracket mount of FIG. 2; and
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the bracket mount of FIGS. 2 and 3.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a
bracket mount 10, according to the invention, serving as an interface between a knownmudflap bracket 60, carrying amudflap 64, and avehicle 100. Thebracket mount 10 is adapted to receive the mudflap bracket-mounting studs 62. Thebracket mount 10 is secured to thevehicle frame 100 by abolt 104 andnut 106 passed through avehicle frame aperture 102. - Referring to FIGS.1-4, the
bracket mount 10 according to the invention comprises aframe mounting block 12 having two opposing parallelplanar faces frame mounting shaft 18 passing through theframe mounting block 12 transverse to thefaces - The
bracket mount 10 further comprises abracket mounting section 20, which comprises a generallyplanar plate 22 havingopposing faces faces plate 22 being centered between thefaces frame mounting block 12, in the direction transverse to thefaces - The
plate 22 has a plurality of apertures passing therethrough. A circularbracket mounting aperture 30, which passes through theplate 22, transverse to the faces, 24, 26 of theplate 22, provides a reference point, in the form of a center of rotation for two arcuatebracket mounting slots plate 22 transverse to thefaces bracket mounting slot 32 is arcuate in nature having as a center of its radius of curvature the center of thebracket mounting aperture 30. The radius of curvature of the firstbracket mounting slot 32 is typically about 1.125 inches, corresponding to a common center-to-center distance betweenstuds 62 used to mountmudflap mounting brackets 60 on avehicle frame 100. In a like manner, the secondbracket mounting slot 34 has a radius of curvature of about 2.5 inches, also a common center to center distance betweenstuds 62 used to mount amudflap mounting bracket 60 on avehicle frame 100. As would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, thebracket mount 10 can be manufactured using any radius of curvature corresponding to stud separation distances commonly in use in the industry. - At least one separate, threaded
set screw aperture 40 is provided through theplate 22. In the illustrated embodiment, twoset screw apertures 40 are provided and placed proximate to theframe mounting block 12 of thebracket mount 10. The threadedset screw aperture 40 likewise passes through theplate 22 transverse to the plate faces 24, 26. - In operation, the bracket mount10 according to the invention, is secured to a
vehicle frame 100 by an installer, the installer passing afastener 104 through theframe mounting shaft 18 in theframe mounting block 12, and through asingle aperture 102 in thevehicle frame 100. Oneface block 12 will lay flush against thevehicle frame 100. Theplate 22, being thinner than theblock 12, and being centered between thefaces block 12, will be spaced from the vehicle frame surface. The installer of thebracket mount 10 can use this space between theplate 22 and thevehicle frame 100 to access a bolt head or a nut 66 used to install amudflap bracket 60 on thebracket mount 10. Amudflap bracket 60 typically has a pair of spaced threaded studs/bolts 62 that are adapted to mount themudflap bracket 60 to a vehicle frame. In installing themudflap bracket 60 to thebracket mount 10 according to the invention, the installer will attach thebracket 60 to themount 10 in much the same fashion. The space created between theplate 22 and thevehicle frame 100 allows the installer to access the nuts 66 used with the threaded studs/bolts 62 of thebracket 60. Thestuds 62 extend throughplate 22, where nuts 66 are threaded thereon, securingbracket 60 to mount 10. - The
bracket mount 10 is prevented from rotating about theframe mounting shaft 18 by friction between thebracket mount 10 and the vehicle frame, and is further restricted from rotating about theshaft 18 by the insertion of aset screw 42 through the threadedset screw aperture 40 of thebracket mount 10, the end of the set screw bearing against the vehicle frame so as to provide additional resistance to rotation of thebracket mount 10. - The symmetrical nature of the
bracket mount 10 provides the advantage of enabling the installer to attach thebracket mount 10 to thevehicle frame 100 in any orientation, i.e., having theshaft 18 at a leading or trailing edge of the installation, with eitherface abutting vehicle frame 100. Thebracket mount 10 is further adapted to be used on the right or left side of avehicle frame 100. - While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing description and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/738,155 US6435462B2 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2000-12-15 | Universal bracket mount |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17290699P | 1999-12-21 | 1999-12-21 | |
US09/738,155 US6435462B2 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2000-12-15 | Universal bracket mount |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010032914A1 true US20010032914A1 (en) | 2001-10-25 |
US6435462B2 US6435462B2 (en) | 2002-08-20 |
Family
ID=22629693
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/738,155 Expired - Lifetime US6435462B2 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2000-12-15 | Universal bracket mount |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6435462B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2329277C (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6604724B2 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2003-08-12 | Fleet Engineers, Incorporated | Mudflap bracket |
US8789306B1 (en) | 2013-04-24 | 2014-07-29 | Paul D. Mazzoni | Pistol holster bracket kit and method of manufacture |
US8876164B2 (en) | 2012-02-01 | 2014-11-04 | Fleet Engineers, Incorporated | Mud flap bracket assembly |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7003850B2 (en) * | 2003-12-08 | 2006-02-28 | Miner Enterprises, Inc. | Railroad car hatch cover hinge structure and method for connecting a hatch cover to a railcar |
US7360659B1 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2008-04-22 | Unisys Corporation | Space-saving mounting fixture for use with an equipment rack |
US7296523B1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2007-11-20 | Unisys Corporation | Space-saving mounting table for use with an equipment rack |
PT103383B (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2007-09-11 | Polisport Pedro & Paulo Araujo | MOTORCYCLES LOCKING SYSTEM FOR MOTORCYCLES |
US8851434B2 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2014-10-07 | Lc Watersports, Inc. | Cleat-mountable accessory apparatus |
US8814253B1 (en) | 2011-04-21 | 2014-08-26 | Flowbelow, LLC | Aerodynamic quarter fender assembly and construction method |
US8561952B2 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2013-10-22 | Mark Pfeiler | Column attachment |
CA2890183C (en) | 2012-11-01 | 2021-06-29 | FlowBelow Aero, Inc. | Aerodynamic system and adjustable fairings |
USD821277S1 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2018-06-26 | Teraflex, Inc. | Mud flap |
US10654529B2 (en) | 2017-06-24 | 2020-05-19 | FlowBelow Aero, Inc. | Aerodynamic systems and fairings with fairing caps |
WO2019014503A1 (en) | 2017-07-12 | 2019-01-17 | FlowBelow Aero, Inc. | Aerodynamic toolbox assembly |
US10882571B2 (en) | 2017-07-30 | 2021-01-05 | FlowBelow Aero, Inc. | Rotatable aerodynamic fairing system |
US10606011B2 (en) | 2018-06-20 | 2020-03-31 | Panduit Corp. | Universal expandable cable management bracket |
US11072377B2 (en) | 2018-09-04 | 2021-07-27 | Lund, Inc. | Removable fairing |
JP7316813B2 (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2023-07-28 | 株式会社小松製作所 | Work vehicle and mud guard attachment/detachment method |
US11767064B2 (en) | 2021-01-12 | 2023-09-26 | FlowBelow Aero, Inc. | Spring-biased mud flap hanger with improved pivoting motion guidance |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5722922A (en) * | 1980-07-16 | 1982-02-06 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Rotatable seat of vehicle |
DE3315341A1 (en) * | 1983-04-28 | 1984-10-31 | Knut 2000 Hamburg Arenhold | DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A Dirt Collector To The Fender Fold Of A MOTOR VEHICLE |
US5884941A (en) * | 1996-04-08 | 1999-03-23 | Bolin; Louis R. | Mud flap extender |
US5915708A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1999-06-29 | Silva; Ronald J. | Mud flap mount |
US6076842A (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 2000-06-20 | Knoer; Neil | Mud flap support system |
US5833206A (en) * | 1997-03-05 | 1998-11-10 | Ericsson, Inc. | Universal foot for telecommunications switching cabinet |
US5938222A (en) * | 1997-06-05 | 1999-08-17 | Grand General Accessories Manufacturing Inc. | Hanger and bracket apparatus for vehicle mud flaps |
US6000757A (en) * | 1997-08-14 | 1999-12-14 | Track Corp. | Vehicle seat adjuster |
US6045103A (en) * | 1998-07-17 | 2000-04-04 | Lucent Technologies, Inc. | Multiple axis bracket with keyed mount |
-
2000
- 2000-12-15 US US09/738,155 patent/US6435462B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-12-20 CA CA002329277A patent/CA2329277C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6604724B2 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2003-08-12 | Fleet Engineers, Incorporated | Mudflap bracket |
US8876164B2 (en) | 2012-02-01 | 2014-11-04 | Fleet Engineers, Incorporated | Mud flap bracket assembly |
US8789306B1 (en) | 2013-04-24 | 2014-07-29 | Paul D. Mazzoni | Pistol holster bracket kit and method of manufacture |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6435462B2 (en) | 2002-08-20 |
CA2329277A1 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
CA2329277C (en) | 2008-03-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FLEET ENGINEERS, INCORPORATED, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HAWES, TIMOTHY R.;REEL/FRAME:011402/0180 Effective date: 20001208 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
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CC | Certificate of correction | ||
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TRAMEC SLOAN, L.L.C., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FLEET ENGINEERS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:057284/0387 Effective date: 20180601 |