Abstract:
An adapter for a hood prop includes oppositely extending counterbores in a cylindrical housing separated by a transaxial wall. The adapter is designed to be fitted over a hood stop and to receive the end of a telescoping hood prop.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a support adapter used in combination with a telescopic hood prop device for maintaining the hood of a motor vehicle in an elevated and supported position. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,213, entitled “Hood Prop Device”, incorporated herewith by reference, a telescoping prop used by auto mechanics to support the open hood of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The device is inserted between the underside of a hood, that is attached pivotally to the body of a motor vehicle, and the engine compartment. The telescoping prop thus can be adjusted to accommodate the angle and size of a particular hood that is to be maintained in an open or elevated position. Typically, the hood prop includes rubber or polymeric end caps on the opposite ends of the telescoping prop device. The end caps are designed to frictionally engage the engine compartment at one end and the hood underside at the opposite end in a manner which will preclude slippage of the hood prop when it supports an open hood. There are occasions, however, when such an arrangement is not practical or available or adequately functional. In such instances, it may be necessary, for example, to affix the ends of the hood prop to the vehicle body and the underside of the hood by means of a clamp or some other type of tying device. 
   Thus, there has developed over time a need to insure accurate positioning and holding of a hood prop in an appropriate position within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle so as to support the hood in an open position. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly, the present invention comprises a hood prop support adapter which in combination with a hood prop is useful for maintaining the lower end of the hood prop positioned and engaged securely with the interior of the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. In this regard, the device or adapter of the invention utilizes the projecting hood stop associated with the engine compartment of most motor vehicles. That is, typically a motor vehicle will include a projecting stop or hood support within the engine compartment. The top of the stop or support typically includes a rubber grommet or rubber pad. Then when the hood is lowered to the closed position, the stop will engage the hood and maintain the hood in a fixed position which will not vibrate and will insure that the hood remains in the locked or closed position by placing a biasing force against the hood locking mechanism so as to retain the hood in a closed position until the hood lock is released. 
   The present invention utilizes this hood stop support element which is included with most motor vehicles. More specifically, an adapter is comprised of a generally cylindrical shaped molded plastic or elastomeric element having opposed counterbores axially aligned with one another and separated by a transaxial wall with passages. The opposed counterbores are designed to receive, respectively, the hood stop of the vehicle and the end of a hood prop. The counterbore adapted to receive the hood stop may include a series of transaxial grooves to facilitate placement and retention of the adapter on the hood stop. The opposite end counterbore, adapted to receive the end of the hood prop, is configured to receive the shaped elastomeric cap of the hood prop. An opening in the transaxial wall between the counterbores insures that air trapped in and underneath the cap of the hood prop may exit and thereby insures that the end cap of the hood prop will be completely engaged into the adapter of the invention. Axial ridges or ribs on the outside of the adapter enable gripping and movement of the adapter to facilitate its positioning during use. 
   Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a hood prop support adapter useful, particularly in combination with a telescoping hood prop. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a hood prop adapter which may be used in combination with pre-existing hood prop devices as well as the internal construction including a hood support pad associated with typical motor vehicles. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a hood prop support adapter which is inexpensive, rugged and useful in combination with pre-existing types of hood prop devices. 
   These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation of the adapter of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the adapter of  FIG. 1  as viewed from the right-hand side thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a left-hand side elevation or end view of the adapter of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of the adapter of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  4 - 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the hood prop adapter of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation of a combination of the hood prop adapter of the invention with a typical hood prop of the type referenced in the Background of the Invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view depicting the manner of placement of the adapter of the invention within the engine compartment of a typical motor vehicle and over the hood support device within that engine compartment; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the placement of a hood prop in the adapter of the invention; and 
       FIG. 9  depicts the adapter in combination with a hood prop supporting a hood in an open position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-5  illustrates an adapter  10  of the invention. The remaining figures illustrate the adapter  10  in combination with a typical hood prop  50  support device. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-5  the adapter  10  is comprised of a molded plastic or elastomeric material, for example, a polypropylene plastic material. The adapter  10  is generally cylindrical and symmetric about a longitudinal axis  12 . The adapter  10  is comprised of a first axial counterbore  14  having a first, uniform diameter section  16  and a second, uniform diameter adjoining section  18  of lesser diameter than the diameter of the first section  16 . The adapter  10  further includes a second, uniform diameter counterbore  20  having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the second section  18  of the first counterbore  14 . The junction  19  of section  18  to section  16  forms a transition which cushions the insertion of the end of a hood prop device inserted into the counterbore  14 . The counterbores  14  and  20  are separated by transaxial wall  22  which is spaced radially from the axis  12  adjacent the lateral side of counterbore  20 . The opening  24  permits air flow through the transaxial wall  22 . Because the hood stop  60  is likely to be crowned, as is the end cap of a hood prop, the opening  24  is positioned adjacent the lateral side wall of counterbore  20  so that the opening will not be blocked and thus the hood stop  60  and end of a hood prop will fully extend into the adapter counterbores. Multiple openings  24 ,  26  maybe employed. 
   The external wall  31  associated with and defining counterbore  14  is comprised of a series of axially aligned ribs such as ribs  36  and  38 . In the preferred embodiment six equally spaced ribs are provided as depicted, for example, in  FIG. 2 . The ribs  36 ,  38  extend entirely along the outside surface of wall  31 . 
   Another optional feature of the invention is the inclusion of optional transaxial grooves, such as grooves  40  and  42  within the second counterbore  20 . Approximately 2 to 4 such transaxial grooves are preferred. 
     FIGS. 6-9  illustrate the use of the adapter. The adapter  10  is combined with a hood prop  50  which is a telescoping hood prop device  50  typically of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,213. In use as shown in  FIG. 7  the hood prop  10 , and more particularly the second counterbore  20  thereof, may be fitted over a hood stop  60  in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The optional grooves  40  and  42 , previously described, facilitate gripping and maintaining the adapter  10  on the hood stop  60 . The opening  24  insures that the hood stop  60  and prop  50  fit fully into the adapter. 
   Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the hood prop  10 , and more particularly the end cap thereof, may be inserted into the first counterbore  14  as depicted in  FIG. 8 . The opening  24  insures that the air within the first counterbore  14  will flow out of that counterbore  14  and permit the cap  62  to be fully inserted. 
   Then, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the hood prop  50  will be supportive of a hood  70 . The hood prop  50  will extend upwardly from the adapter  10  to the hood  70  and be maintained in a generally fixed and rigidly supported position which insures the mechanic utilizing the device that the hood  70  will remain elevated as desired. Variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, the invention is only limited by the following claims and equivalents thereof.