Patent ID: 6036071
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for attaching a vehicle accessory to a vehicle structure comprising:a first bracket member, attachable to one of a vehicle accessory and a vehicle structure, including a base member having at least two side edges, a width and at least one opening extending therethrough;side protrusion members extending outward from at least one side edge of the base member, the side protrusion members having a thickness and being spaced at predetermined intervals;a second bracket member, attachable to the other of the vehicle accessory and the vehicle structure, including a carriage member having at least one integral post member extending outwardly therefrom;wall regions extending from the carriage member, the wall regions spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the base member which includes the protrusion members;a shaped member positioned on the post member away from the carriage member;a first region associated with the at least one opening of the base member configured to permit passage of the shaped member and the post member therethrough to, in turn, position at least a portion of the base member into overlying abutment with at least a portion of the carriage member;a second region associated with the at least one opening of the base member and configured to permit passage of the post member and to prohibit passage of the shaped member therethrough, the second region configured to permit slidable movement of the post member relative to the carriage member upon extension of the post member through the first region of the opening to, in turn, position the post member from the first region to the second region, after extension of the shaped member through the first region of the opening;the at least one post member interfacing the second region of the at least one opening of the first bracket to, in turn, releasably secure the first bracket member to the second bracket member by maintaining at least a portion of the first bracket member and at least a portion of the second bracket member in overlying abutment;extension members extending inward from at least one of the wall regions of the carriage member, the extension members being spaced a distance away from the carriage member substantially equal to the thickness of the protrusion members, wherein positioning of the post member through the first region of the at least one opening positions the protrusion members in complement to the extension members to, in turn, allow the protrusion members to extend beyond the extension members, thus further facilitating overlying abutment of at least a portion of the base member with at least a portion of the carriage member.