Abstract:
The present invention provides a body mount. The body mount that may include at least one clip, at least one plate and a sleeve. The clip may include a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture therethrough. The clip may further include at least one set of inwardly extending prongs. The clip may further include at least one set of outwardly extending prongs. The sleeve may have opposed openings capable of engaging a first clip and a second clip between their respective plates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/062,589, entitled “Body Mount,” filed on Jan. 28, 2008, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally related to fasteners and, more particularly, to body mounts utilized in mounting a vehicle body to a vehicle frame or chassis. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As is known in the art, vehicle bodies are commonly mounted on vehicle frames by the use of a plurality of body mounts. Each body mount typically includes a pair of upper and lower resilient blocks and a pair of upper and lower metal spacer members each having a generally planar flange portion and an integral elongated tubular portion. The resilient blocks are positioned on upper and lower sides of the vehicle frame in alignment with an opening in the frame, the tubular portions of the metal spacer members are respectively inserted in a central opening in a respective resilient block, and the inboard ends of tubular portions are secured together to respectively secure the resilient blocks to upper and lower sides of the vehicle frame. The vehicle body is then placed atop the upper resilient blocks and bolts are passed through respective openings in the vehicle body and threaded into respective body mounts to support the body on the frame. 
         [0004]    Typically, the metal spacer members are complex with intricate features that allow them to be secured together and hold the resilient blocks in place until a bolt is passed through them. As such, these metal spacer members are typically manufactured through a costly deep extrusion process that not only gives the spacer members their general shape but also the aforementioned intricate securing and locking features. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists in the art for a simpler and less complicated body mount that is easier and more cost effective to produce. The body mount of the present invention is designed to provide simpler and more lightweight components thereby reducing complicated manufacturing processes. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a prior art body mount. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a clip of an embodiment of a body mount. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the clip of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the clip of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a section view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a section view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a plate of an embodiment of the body mount. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  a top view of the clip of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a section view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a clip-and-plate subassembly of an embodiment of the body mount. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the subassembly of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the body mount. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of a clip of another embodiment of the body mount. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  illustrates a top view of the clip of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of the clip of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  illustrates a section view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of another clip-and-plate subassembly of another embodiment of the body mount. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  illustrates a side view of the subassembly of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  illustrates another embodiment of the body mount. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    A body mount that may include at least one clip, at least one plate and a sleeve. The clip may include a generally cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end. The clip may also include a central aperture therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. The clip may further include a flange located at the distal end. The plate may have an aperture sized to receive the cylindrical body and engage the flange. The sleeve may have opposed openings capable of engaging a first clip and a second clip between their respective plates. The sleeve may be capable of receiving the cylindrical body of both the first clip and the second clip through the opposed openings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    While the invention is described herein with reference to several embodiments, it should be clear that the invention should not be limited only to the embodiments disclosed or discussed. The description of the embodiments herein is illustrative of the invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as described or claimed. 
         [0028]    As generally described herein, the present invention provides a body mount  10 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2-12 , a first embodiment of a body mount  10  is shown. The body mount  10  may include two clip-plate subassemblies  90  connected and held together by a sleeve  40 . Each clip-plate subassembly  90  may include a clip  20  and a plate  30 . Thus, the body mount  10  may require two clips  20  and two plates  30  to be fully assembled with the sleeve  40 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . When assembled, the clips  20  may be located adjacent to one another. The pair of clips  20  are preferably the same, however, it is to be understood that they may be the same or different clips. 
         [0029]    Since the clips  20  are similar, the following description of the clip  20  will be understood to apply to both clips  20  needed for the body mount  10 . The clip  20  may include a distal end  23  and a proximal end  25 . It is to be understood that the clip  20  may be of any appropriate size, diameter and length, but is preferably of a circular shape. The body mount  10  may also include two plates  30 , where each plate  30  may be disposed about the distal end  23  of the corresponding clip  20 . The body mount  10  may further include a sleeve  40  that may be disposed about the clips  120  and located between the plates  30 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , each clip  20  may have a generally tubular body  22  with a central aperture  29  located through the body  22  from the distal end  23  to the proximal end  25 . The distal end  23  of the clip  20  may include a flange  24 . The clips  20  may include a first set of prongs  26  located adjacent to the flange  24 . The first set of prongs  26  may be of any appropriate size or shape, but are preferably of a generally rectangular shape. The first set of prongs  26  may project outwardly relative to the tubular body  22  and may be angled towards the flange  24 . It will be appreciated, however, that the prongs  26  may be positioned at any appropriate angle. The flange  24  and the first set of prongs  26  may be operable to secure the plate  30  located therebetween, as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0031]    With further reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , the clips  20  may also include a set of intermediate prongs  27 . The intermediate set of prongs  27  may be of any appropriate size or shape, but are also preferably of a generally rectangular shape. The intermediate prongs  27  may project inward relative to the tubular body  22  and into the central aperture  29 . The intermediate prongs  27  may be operable to engage the threads of a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, screw or the like. The clips  20  may hold the fastener within the central aperture  29  until the fastener is later secured and tightened via a corresponding fastener (not shown), such as a nut or the like. 
         [0032]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , the clips  20  may further include a third set of prongs  28 . The third set of prongs  28  may be of any appropriate size or shape, but are preferably of a generally triangular shape. The third set of prongs  28  may be formed on the tubular body  22  and may be located between the intermediate prongs  27  and the proximal end  25  of the clip  20 . The third set of prongs  28  may project outwardly relative to the tubular body  22  and may be angled towards the flange  24 . It will be appreciated, however, that the third set of prongs  28  may be positioned at any suitable angle. The third set of prongs  28  may be operable to engage the interior of the sleeve  40  and may lockingly secure the sleeve  40  about the clips  20 . While the present embodiment illustrates each set of prongs  26 ,  27 ,  28  comprising between two and four prongs each, it will be appreciated that any suitable and appropriate number of prongs per set may be employed. 
         [0033]    The clips  20  may also include a longitudinal split  21 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The longitudinal split  21  may simplify manufacturing by relaxing the tolerances of the diameter of the clips  20  while also allowing the clips  20  to flex as it is being inserted into the sleeve  40  and/or flex while receiving a fastener. The clips  20  may be formed from any durable and resilient sheet material, such as a metal, a polymer, or a composite. However, it will be appreciated that the clips  20  may be formed from any appropriate and suitable material and by any suitable process, including but not limited to stamping, drawing, pressing, extruding, molding, etc. 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , each plate  30  may include a body  32  and a central aperture  34 . The central aperture  34  may be sized to coaxially receive the tubular body  22  of a clip  20 , yet may also be small enough that the first set of prongs  26  may be capable of securing the plate  30  between the prongs  26  and flange  24  of the clip  20  whereby the plate  30  may not be permitted to slide back down the tubular body  22  after the plate  30  has passed the first set of prongs  26 . The plate  30  may be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, polymer, composite, etc. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the sleeve  40  may be of a generally tubular body  42  having a central opening  44 . The ends of the sleeve  40  may be flared, such as at  46 , to accommodate the first set of prongs  26  on each clip  20 . The sleeve  40  may also be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, polymer, composite, etc. 
         [0036]    The body mount  10  may typically be used in cooperation with a pair of resilient blocks (not shown) and a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt or the like, to secure a vehicle body (not shown) to a vehicle frame (not shown). For example, to utilize the body mount  10  in such a manner, a clip  20  and plate  30  subassembly may be assembled as follows, each of which will hereinafter be referred to as a “clip-and-plate subassembly”  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0037]    The body mount  10  preferably includes two clip-and-plate subassemblies  90 . The proximal end  25  of a clip  20  may be introduced to an aperture  34  of a corresponding plate  30 . The plate  30  may be slid from the proximal end  25  of the clip  20  towards the distal end  23  thereof. As the plate  30  passes the third set of prongs  28 , the third set of prongs  28  may be squeezed inwardly thereby allowing the plate  30  to pass. Thereafter, once the plate  30  has cleared the third set of prongs  28 , the third set of prongs  28  may spring outwardly to substantially return to their original position. Likewise, as the plate  30  passes the first set of prongs  26 , the first set of prongs  26  may be squeezed inwardly thereby allowing the plate  30  to pass. Thereafter, once the plate  30  has cleared the first set of prongs  26 , the first set of prongs  26  may spring outwardly to substantially return to their original position and to lockingly secure the plate  30  between the first set of prongs  26  and the flange  24 . 
         [0038]    Next, a sleeve  40  may be coaxially disposed about the tubular body  22  of the first clip-and-plate subassembly  90  by introducing the proximal end  25  of the clip  20  to the central opening  44  of the sleeve  40  and coaxially sliding the sleeve  40  from the proximal end  25  of the clip  20  towards the distal end  23  of the clip  20 . The third set of prongs  28  may engage the interior of the sleeve  40  and permit the sleeve  40  to slide towards the distal end  23  of the clip  20 , but, at the same time, prohibit the sleeve  40  from sliding back towards the proximal end  25  of the clip  20 . The sleeve  40  may also further bias the plate  30  against the flange  24  of the clip  20 . The clip-and-plate subassembly with the sleeve  40  disposed about the tubular body  22  of the clip  20  will hereinafter be referred to as the “clip-plate-sleeve subassembly” (not shown). 
         [0039]    An upper resilient block (not shown), having an aperture (not shown), may then be placed atop an upper face of a vehicle frame (not shown) where the aperture of the upper resilient block may be in coaxial alignment with an opening in the vehicle frame. The aforementioned clip-plate-sleeve subassembly may then be passed through the aperture of the upper resilient block and opening in the vehicle frame such that the plate  30  rests atop the upper resilient block and the clip  20  and sleeve  40  project downwardly through the aperture of the upper resilient block and frame opening. 
         [0040]    A lower resilient block (not shown), having an aperture (not shown), may then placed against the underface of the vehicle frame (not shown) such that the aperture of the lower resilient block is in coaxial alignment with the opening in the frame. A second clip-and-plate subassembly  90  may then be passed through the aperture of the lower resilient block and opening in the vehicle frame such that the plate  30  of the second clip-and-plate subassembly  90  may rest against the outer face of the lower resilient block, and the tubular body  22  of the clip  20  may project upwardly through the aperture of the lower resilient block and frame opening. The clip  20  of the second clip-and-plate subassembly  90  may be inserted into the opening  44  of the sleeve  40  of the clip-plate-sleeve subassembly such that the third set of prongs  28  of the second clip  20  may engage the interior of the sleeve  40 , thereby securing the second clip-plate subassembly  90  to the clip-plate-sleeve subassembly so as to complete the assembly of the body mount  10 . The upper and lower resilient blocks are thus secured to the vehicle frame by the body mount  10 . 
         [0041]    A body of a vehicle (not shown) may then be placed atop the upper resilient block such that an aperture in the vehicle body may be in coaxial alignment with the aperture  50  of the body mount  10 , where the aperture  50  of the body mount  10  is defined by the coaxially aligned apertures  29  of the respective clips  20 . A fastener (not shown), such as a bolt or the like, may then be passed through the aperture  50  of the body mount  10  whereby the respective intermediate prongs  27  of the clips  20  hold the fastener in position until the fastener is later secured and tightened via another corresponding fastener (not shown), such as a nut or the like. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-9  and  13 - 19 , an alternative embodiment of a body mount  110  is shown. The body mount  110  may include two clip-plate subassemblies  190  connected and held together by a sleeve  140 . Each clip-plate subassembly  190  may include a clip  120  and a plate  30 . Thus, the body mount  110  may require two clips  120  and two plates  30  to be fully assembled with the sleeve  140 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . When assembled, the clips  120  may be located adjacent to one another. The pair of clips  120  are preferably the same, however, it is to be understood that they may be the same or different clips. 
         [0043]    Since the clips  120  are similar, the following description of the clip  20  will be understood to apply to both clips  120  needed for the body mount  110 . With reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , the clip  120  may include a distal end  123  and a proximal end  125 . It is to be understood that the clip  120  may be of any appropriate size, diameter and length, but is preferably of a circular shape. The body mount  110  may also include two plates  30 , where each plate  30  may be disposed about the distal end  123  of the corresponding clip  120 . The body mount  110  may further include a sleeve  140  that may be disposed about the clips  120  and located between the plates  30 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , each clip  120  may have a generally tubular body  122  with a central aperture  129  located through the body  122  from the distal end  123  to the proximal end  125 . The distal end  123  of the clip  120  may include a flange  124 . The clips  120  may include a first set of prongs  126  located adjacent to the flange  124 . The first set of prongs  126  may be of any appropriate size or shape, but are preferably of a generally rectangular shape. The first set of prongs  126  may project outwardly relative to the tubular body  122  and may be angled towards the flange  124 . It will be appreciated, however, that the prongs  126  may be positioned at any appropriate angle. The flange  124  and the first set of prongs  126  may be operable to secure a plate  30  located therebetween. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , the clips  120  may also include a set of intermediate prongs  127 . The intermediate set of prongs  127  may be of any appropriate size or shape, but are preferably of a generally triangular shape. The intermediate prongs  27  may project inward relative to the tubular body  122  and into the central aperture  129 . The intermediate prongs  127  may be operable to engage the threads of a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, screw or the like. The clips  120  may hold the fastener within the central aperture  129  until the fastener is later secured and tightened via a corresponding fastener (not shown), such as a nut or the like. 
         [0046]    With further reference to  FIGS. 13-16 , the clips  120  may further include a third set of prongs  128 . The third set of prongs  128  may be of any appropriate size or shape, but are also preferably of a generally triangular shape. The third set of prongs  128  may be formed on the tubular body  122  and may be located between the intermediate prongs  127  and the proximal end  125  of the clip  120 . The third set of prongs  128  may project outwardly relative to the tubular body  122  and may be angled towards the flange  124 . It will be appreciated, however, that the third set of prongs  128  may be positioned at any suitable angle. The third set of prongs  128  may be operable to engage the interior of the sleeve  140  and may lockingly secure the sleeve  140  about the clips  120 . While the present embodiment illustrates each set of prongs  126 ,  127 ,  128  comprising between two and four prongs each, it will be appreciated that any suitable and appropriate number of prongs per set may be employed. 
         [0047]    The clips  120  may also include a longitudinal split  121 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The longitudinal split  121  may simplify manufacturing by relaxing the tolerances of the diameter of the clips  120  while also allowing the clips  120  to flex as it is being inserted into the sleeve  140  and/or flex while receiving a fastener. The clips  120  may be formed from any durable and resilient sheet material, such as a metal, a polymer, or a composite. However, it will be appreciated that the clips  120  may be formed from any appropriate and suitable material and by any suitable process, including but not limited to stamping, drawing, pressing, extruding, molding, etc. 
         [0048]    As discussed above, each plate  30  may include a body  32  and a central aperture  34 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . The central aperture  34  may be sized to coaxially receive the tubular body  122  of a clip  120 , yet may also be small enough that the first set of prongs  126  may be capable of securing the plate  30  between the prongs  126  and flange  124  of the clip  120  whereby the plate  30  may not be permitted to slide back down the tubular body  122  after the plate  30  has passed the first set of prongs  126 . The plate  30  may be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, polymer, composite, etc. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 19 , the sleeve  140  may be of a generally tubular body  142  having a central opening  144 . The ends of the sleeve  140  may be flared, such as at  146 , to accommodate the first set of prongs  126  on each clip  120 . The sleeve  140  may also be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, polymer, composite, etc. 
         [0050]    As also discussed above, the body mount  110  may typically be used in cooperation with a pair of resilient blocks (not shown) and a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt or the like, to secure a vehicle body (not shown) to a vehicle frame (not shown). For example, to utilize the body mount  110  in such a manner, a clip  120  and plate  30  subassembly may be assembled as follows, each of which will hereinafter be referred to as a “clip-and-plate subassembly”  190 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . 
         [0051]    The body mount  110  preferably includes two clip-and-plate subassemblies  190 . The proximal end  125  of a clip  120  may be introduced to an aperture  34  of a corresponding plate  30 . The plate  30  may be slid from the proximal end  125  of the clip  120  towards the distal end  123  thereof. As the plate  30  passes the third set of prongs  128 , the third set of prongs  128  may be squeezed inwardly thereby allowing the plate  30  to pass. Thereafter, once the plate  30  has cleared the third set of prongs  128 , the third set of prongs  128  may spring outwardly to substantially return to their original position. Likewise, as the plate  30  passes the first set of prongs  126 , the first set of prongs  126  may be squeezed inwardly thereby allowing the plate  30  to pass. Thereafter, once the plate  30  has cleared the first set of prongs  126 , the first set of prongs  126  may spring outwardly to substantially return to their original position and to lockingly secure the plate  30  between the first set of prongs  126  and the flange  124 . 
         [0052]    Next, a sleeve  140  may be coaxially disposed about the tubular body  122  of the first clip-and-plate subassembly  190  by introducing the proximal end  125  of the clip  120  to the central opening  144  of the sleeve  140  and coaxially sliding the sleeve  140  from the proximal end  125  of the clip  120  towards the distal end  123  of the clip  120 . The third set of prongs  128  may engage the interior of the sleeve  140  and permit the sleeve  140  to slide towards the distal end  123  of the clip  120 , but, at the same time, prohibit the sleeve  40  from sliding back towards the proximal end  125  of the clip  120 . The sleeve  140  may also further bias the plate  30  against the flange  124  of the clip  120 . The clip-and-plate subassembly with the sleeve  140  disposed about the tubular body  122  of the clip  120  will hereinafter be referred to as the “clip-plate-sleeve subassembly” (not shown). 
         [0053]    An upper resilient block (not shown), having an aperture (not shown), may then be placed atop an upper face of a vehicle frame (not shown) where the aperture of the upper resilient block may be in coaxial alignment with an opening in the vehicle frame. The aforementioned clip-plate-sleeve subassembly may then be passed through the aperture of the upper resilient block and opening in the vehicle frame such that the plate  30  rests atop the upper resilient block and the clip  120  and sleeve  140  project downwardly through the aperture of the upper resilient block and frame opening. 
         [0054]    A lower resilient block (not shown), having an aperture (not shown), may then placed against the underface of the vehicle frame (not shown) such that the aperture of the lower resilient block is in coaxial alignment with the opening in the frame. A second clip-and-plate subassembly  190  may then be passed through the aperture of the lower resilient block and opening in the vehicle frame such that the plate  30  of the second clip-and-plate subassembly  190  may rest against the outer face of the lower resilient block, and the tubular body  122  of the clip  120  may project upwardly through the aperture of the lower resilient block and frame opening. The clip  120  of the second clip-and-plate subassembly  190  may be inserted into the opening  144  of the sleeve  140  of the clip-plate-sleeve subassembly such that the third set of prongs  128  of the second clip  120  may engage the interior of the sleeve  140 , thereby securing the second clip-plate subassembly  190  to the clip-plate-sleeve subassembly so as to complete the assembly of the body mount  110 . The upper and lower resilient blocks are thus secured to the vehicle frame by the body mount  110 . 
         [0055]    A body of a vehicle (not shown) may then be placed atop the upper resilient block such that an aperture in the vehicle body may be in coaxial alignment with the aperture  150  of the body mount  110 , where the aperture  150  of the body mount  110  is defined by the coaxially aligned apertures  129  of the respective clips  120 . A fastener (not shown), such as a bolt or the like, may then be passed through the aperture  150  of the body mount  110  whereby the respective intermediate prongs  127  of the clips  120  hold the fastener in position until the fastener is later secured and tightened via another corresponding fastener (not shown), such as a nut or the like. 
         [0056]    The embodiments of the invention have been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.