Accessory adapter bracket

An accessory adapter capable of attaching to a cargo accessory management system is shown and described. The accessory adapter may include a body member and a clamping member attached to the body member, where a portion of the cargo accessory management system is capable of being wedgingly secured between the clamping member and body member. The accessory adapter may also include an accessory adapter body selectively attached to the body member, where the accessory adapter body is capable of securing an accessory to the cargo accessory management system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an accessory adapter bracket and, more particularly, to an accessory adapter bracket capable of being secured to a cargo management system.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles are available in many different shapes and sizes. Vehicles, regardless of their shape or size have a limit on the amount of cargo space available within the vehicle. In order to expand upon this limited cargo space, cargo management systems have been developed to help create additional cargo capacity for a vehicle. These cargo management systems are typically capable of carrying additional items in a predetermined manner, relieving vehicles of some of their cargo restraints.

Many of the available cargo management systems attach to the exterior of the vehicle and carry items outside of the vehicle. For example, there are cargo management systems that attach to roofs of vehicles, on luggage racks, in the load bed of a vehicle, and the like—each of which may carry items on the exterior of the vehicle.

Most cargo management systems have a single specified use associated with them. For example, cargo baskets that attach to a roof of a vehicle are typically only used to carry and store items within the basket. Typically, the cargo baskets are not used for and are not capable of being used for any other purpose. This may result in having to remove the cargo basket whenever a different item is to be transported that is either not intended to be transported in a cargo basket or otherwise does not fit. Moreover, this may limit the amount of functional usage of the cargo basket. Similarly, other cargo management systems typically are designed for a single use and require removal whenever the attached cargo management system is incapable of meeting the needed or desired use.

However, installing and uninstalling cargo management systems from vehicles can often be time consuming and difficult. Moreover, finding a location to store the cargo management system when not in use can likewise be difficult. Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can be used with an existing cargo management system to expand upon its capable usages so that it can be used to transport many different items, not just those for which it is initially intended. Moreover, there is a need for a system that is relatively easy to attach to an appropriate cargo management system and will generally not interfere with the intended use of the cargo management system.

SUMMARY

An accessory adapter capable of attaching to a cargo accessory management system is shown and described. The accessory adapter may include a body member and a clamping member attached to the body member, where a portion of the cargo accessory management system is capable of being wedgingly secured between the clamping member and body member. The accessory adapter may also include an accessory adapter body selectively attached to the body member, where the accessory adapter body is capable of securing an accessory to the cargo accessory management system.

An accessory adapter capable of attaching to a cargo accessory management system capable of attaching to a vehicle may include a first clamping member and a second clamping member selectively attachable to the first clamping member, where the cargo accessory management system is capable of being secured between the first and second clamping members. The accessory adapter may also include an accessory member selectively attachable to the first clamping member, where the accessory member is capable of securing an accessory.

An accessory adapter capable of being selectively attached to a cargo management system may include a body having first and second attachment members and a clamping device having a third attachment member, where the third attachment member is capable of selectively attaching to the first attachment member. The accessory adapter may also include an accessory holding device having a fourth attachment member, where the fourth attachment member is capable of selectively attaching to the second attachment member, and where the accessory holding device is capable of holding an accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A cargo management system, such as for example a cargo basket20shown in the drawings, may be capable of being attached to a vehicle24in any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example, the basket20may be capable of attaching to a rear mounted hitch mounting system26of a vehicle24, as is shown inFIG. 1. The cargo basket20may be capable of attaching to the vehicle24in any manner and should not be limited by such. While the basket20is shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present teachings are not limited to cargo baskets, but may apply to any kind of cargo management system, including, without limitation those cargo management systems that may be capable of attaching to a vehicle. By way of non-limiting examples, the cargo management system may include a roof rail, other cargo baskets (such as roof mounted cargo baskets), platforms, load bed rails and the like. Moreover, while the cargo basket20is shown as being capable of attaching to the rear mounted hitch mounting system26of the vehicle24, it is not limited to such and may attach to any appropriate portion of a vehicle, such as for example, the trunk, roof, load bed, or the like.

By way of a non-limiting example, the cargo basket20may include rails30. The rails30may be assembled from separate rail components, integrally formed from a single rail, or a combination thereof. The rails30may have any appropriate cross sectional shape, such as by way of a non-limiting example being generally circular, oval, square, rectangular and the like. The cargo basket20may further include a storage compartment34. The storage compartment34may be capable of holding and transporting any appropriately sized and shaped items there within and may be of any appropriate shape and size.

At least one accessory adapter bracket40may be selectively attached to the rails30at any appropriate position on the rails30. While the drawings show one such accessory adapter bracket40being used, any number of accessory adapter brackets40may be used depending upon the desired use thereof. The accessory adapter brackets40may allow accessories or other items to be mounted to the cargo basket20, including, without limitation to the rails30thereof. The accessory adapter brackets40may act as an attachment point on any appropriate position on the rails30of the cargo basket20while generally preventing the item it may be carrying from blocking useable cargo space within the storage compartment34of the cargo basket20. By way of a non-limiting example, the accessory adapter brackets40may be capable of securing and carrying a bicycle41to the cargo basket20while leaving a substantial portion of the storage compartment34of the cargo basket20accessible to a user. The accessory adapter bracket40may also secure thereto an item that may further utilize the cargo management system, such as the cargo basket20, in an appropriate manner to generally carry and hold the item secured to the accessory adapter bracket40.

The accessory adapter bracket40may include a clamping feature44that may be capable of selectively attaching the accessory adapter bracket40to the appropriate rail30in any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example, the clamping feature44may include a main body48and a clamping body52. The accessory adapter bracket40may also include an accessory adapter body56that may be selectively attachable to the clamping feature44. By way of a non-limiting example, the accessory adapter body56may be selectively attachable to the main body48of the clamping feature44. The accessory adapter body56may be capable of securing an item to the cargo management system, such as the cargo basket20, such as by way of a non-limiting example, securing the bicycle41to the cargo basket20, as further described below. Alternatively, the accessory adapter body56may be selectively attachable to the clamping body52, may be selectively attachable to both the main body48and the clamping body52, or may be capable of selectively attaching to both of the main body48and the clamping body52.

The main body48may be selectively attached to the clamping body52in any appropriate manner and the accessory adapter body56may be selectively attached to the main body48(or the clamping body52, or both, as applicable) in any appropriate manner. The accessory adapter bracket40may further include a first fastener60that may selectively attach the main body48with the accessory adapter56. The accessory adapter bracket40may also include a second fastener64that may selectively attach the clamp body52with the main body48. In other embodiments, the main body48may be integrally formed with the clamping body52such that they are either attached, such as through welding, fastening or the like, or may be formed as a single component.

Attaching the main body48with the clamping body52may wedgingly engage the rail30between such to selectively attach the accessory adapter bracket40to the cargo basket20. By way of a non-limiting example, attaching the main body48with the clamping body52may create a channel68. The channel68may be shaped and sized to fit over and wedgingly engage the rail30to secure the accessory adapter bracket40to the cargo basket20at any appropriate location on the cargo basket20. By way of a non-limiting example, the main body48may include a curved portion70; likewise, the clamping body52may include a curved portion74. The curved portion74of the clamping body52may be of substantially the same size and shape as that of the curved portion70of the main body44. In the alternative, only one curved portion70or74may be included and the other one excluded. In yet another alternative, the curved portions70,74may be of a different shape and size.

The curved portions70,74may, when the main body48and clamping body52may be attached, be immediately adjacent one another and may form the channel68. The curved portions70,74may be generally aligned with one another such that the rails30may wedgingly fit within the channel68. The channel68may be of a shape and size to wedgingly engage rails30of any shape and size not just the generally circular cross-sectional rails30shown.

The main body48may further include an aperture80through which the second fastener64may pass. The main body48may further include a first generally T-shaped channel or female member84and a second generally T-shaped channel or female member88. While T-shaped channels84,88are shown and described, the channels may be of any appropriate shape and size and are not limited to that described. By way of a non-limiting example, the female members84,88may be of a generally dovetail shape, rectangular shape, V-shape, L-shape and the like. Further, the main body48may include a second aperture92through which the first fastener60may pass.

The clamping body52may include an aperture96through which the second fastener64may pass. The clamping body52also may include a generally T-shaped male member100that may be shaped and sized to engagingly mate with the first generally T-shaped channel84of the main body48. By way of a non-limiting example, the generally T-shaped male member100may slidably engage with the first generally T-shaped channel84of the main body48. While the generally T-shaped male member100and the first generally T-shaped channel84may be shaped and sized as mating T-shaped members, the present teachings are not limited to such and can be of any appropriate shape and size, not just that shown. By way of a non-limiting example, the mating members84,100may be a female dovetail and male dovetail, respectively, or any kind of member that engages a mating member, including, without limitation slidably engaging members, snap-fit engaging members, or any kind of mating members.

Once the generally T-shaped male member100and the generally T-shaped channel84are matingly engaged with one another, the second fastener64may pass through the aperture80of the main body48and into the aperture96of the clamping body52. A nut104may be secured to the second fastener64, which may selectively secure the main body48with the clamping body52to generally secure the adapter bracket40to the rails30. In these embodiments, the rails30may wedgingly fit within the channel68, selectively securing the accessory adapter bracket40with the cargo basket20.

The accessory adapter body56may include a generally T-shaped male member108, an aperture112and an accessory mounting portion116. The generally T-shaped male member108may matingly engage with the second generally T-shaped channel88of the main body48. While the generally T-shaped male and female members108,88are shown and described, any appropriately shaped and sized mating members may be used. By way of a non-limiting example, the mating members88,108may be a female and male dovetail member, respectively, or any kind of member that engages a mating member, including, without limitation slidably engaging members, snap-fit engaging members, or any kind of mating members.

Once the generally T-shaped male member108and the generally T-shaped channel88may be matingly engaged with one another, the fastener60may pass through the aperture92of the main body48and into the aperture112of the accessory adapter body56. A nut120, which may be shaped as a winged nut to assist with holding such, may be secured to the fastener60securing the main body48with the accessory adapter body56and securing the accessory mounting portion116to the cargo basket20. While the nut120is shown and described as a wing nut, the present teachings are not limited to such and the nut may be of any appropriate shape, size and kind.

The accessory mounting portion116may be of any appropriate shape and size to generally secure and carry any appropriate accessory. As shown in the drawings, the accessory mounting portion116may be capable of holding and securing the bicycle41, but should not be limited to such. The accessory mounting portion116may be of any appropriate shape and size, including, without limitation, generally rectangular, square, diamond, frustoconical, conical, and the like. Moreover, by way of a non-limiting example, the accessory mounting portion116may be capable of generally securing and carrying accessories such as kayaks, skis, canoes, luggage, strollers, coolers, and the like.

The accessory adapter bracket40may be capable of selectively securing the bicycle41to the cargo basket20. To attach the accessory adapter bracket40to the cargo basket20, a wrench may be used to loosen the fastener64. Once loosened, clamping body52may be at least partially disengaged from the main body48by at least partially slidably disengaging the male member100from the female member84. The accessory adapter bracket40may then be placed onto the rail30of the cargo basket20. Once appropriately positioned, the wrench may be used to tighten the fastener64selectively securing the accessory adapter bracket40to the rail30of the basket20. The accessory adapter bracket40may be capable of selectively securing to the rail30of the basket20any an appropriate angle to account for the type and number of bicycles being attached to the basket20.

Upon selective attachment of the main body48and clamping body52or prior to such selective attachment, the accessory adapter body56may be selectively attached to the attached main body48and clamping body52as appropriate. Additionally, the accessory adapter body56may be removed from the attached the main body48and clamping body52, while they remain attached to the cargo basket20. This may further allow for modularity for the accessory adapter bracket40.

Additional embodiments of an accessory adapter bracket according the present teachings are described below. In the descriptions, all of the details and components may not be fully described or shown. Rather, the features or components are described and, in some instances, differences with the above-described embodiments may be pointed out. Moreover, it should be appreciated that these additional embodiments may include elements or components utilized in the above-described embodiments although not shown or described. Thus, the descriptions of these additional embodiments are merely exemplary and not all-inclusive nor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the features, components, elements and functionalities of the various embodiments may be combined or altered to achieve a accessory adapter assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

In other embodiments, an accessory adapter body256of an accessory adapter bracket240may utilize an accessory mounting portion316of a different design that may be selectively attached to the main body248and clamping body252as previously described. This may allow any appropriate kind of accessory mounting portion to be attached to the main body48and clamping body52forming the appropriate accessory adapter bracket to hold the appropriate item to the appropriate cargo management system, such as the cargo basket20shown. In some embodiments, the accessory adapter bracket240may include the accessory adapter body256having the accessory mounting portion316shown as the bicycle holder. In these embodiments, this accessory adapter body256and accessory mounting portion316may be capable of being removed from the main body248and clamping body252and replaced with the accessory adapter body256and accessory mounting portion116set forth above. In addition, the accessory adapter body256having the accessory mounting portion316may be replaced with another accessory adapter body having a different accessory mounting portion capable of securing a different item to the cargo basket20or other cargo accessory management system. This may create modularity for the accessory adapter bracket40and240.

In some embodiments, the accessory mounting portion316may include a skewer clamp lever351that may be selectively secured with the adapter body256. In these embodiments, the skewer clamp lever351may include a nut354on one end thereof, a handle357on an opposite side thereof, and a body portion360between such. The handle357may be capable of biasing from on open position to a closed position. In the open position, the handle357may be capable of being rotated and the nut354and handle357may be selectively repositioned relative to the body portion360away from each. This may allow a fork365of the bicycle41being capable of being positioned between the nut354and the handle357. The handle357may then be rotated in the opposite direction such that the nut354and handle357may be selectively positioned toward each other and may generally tighten the fork365of the bicycle41to the accessory mounting portion316.

In some embodiments, the accessory adapter bracket240may include a rear tire bracket401and strap assembly407. The rear tire bracket401and strap assembly407may be utilized to assist with selectively securing the bicycle41to the cargo basket20. In these embodiments, the rear tire bracket401and strap assembly407may be attached to the cargo basket20in any appropriate manner. In some embodiments, the rear tire bracket401may include a top bracket411and a bottom bracket413, whereby the top bracket411and bottom bracket413may be selectively attached to one another.

In these embodiments, a distance between a front wheel axle of the bicycle41to a rear wheel axle of the bicycle41may be measured and noted. Next, the rear tire bracket401and strap assembly407may be positioned in the cargo basket20an appropriate distance based upon this measured distance. The top bracket411may be positioned on a top surface415of the cargo basket20and the bottom bracket413may be positioned on a bottom surface417of the cargo basket20immediately below the top bracket411. The top bracket411and bottom bracket413may be selectively secured to one another with the cargo basket20positioned between them by utilizing fasteners422. Further, the top bracket411may include a strap aperture425, which may be shaped and sized to accept therethrough at least a portion of the strap assembly407. In these embodiments, the strap assembly407may include an aperture427, or a looped end that may similarly be shaped and sized to accept the remainder of the strap assembly407. The strap assembly407may be capable of being inserted through the strap aperture425and then through the loop427, which may selectively secure the strap assembly to the top bracket411and may selectively secure the rear tire of the bicycle41to the cargo basket20. In other embodiments, the strap assembly407may not be utilized, but instead a bungee cord, or other securing device may be utilized.

Still further, a plurality of accessory adapter brackets240may be attached to the cargo basket such that a plurality of bicycles41may be attached to the cargo baskets, such as shown inFIG. 10. As shown three accessory adapter brackets240may be utilized such that three bicycles may be attached to the cargo basket20. While three such accessory adapter brackets240and bicycles41are shown any number of such may be used without departing from the present teachings.

In other embodiments, an example of which is shown inFIG. 11, an accessory adapter bracket440may include a main body448that may be selectively attached to a clamping body452in any appropriate manner. The accessory adapter bracket440may also include an accessory adapter body456that may be selectively attached to the main body448(or the clamping body452, or both, as applicable) in any appropriate manner. The accessory adapter bracket440may further include a first fastener460that may selectively attach the main body448with the accessory adapter456. The accessory adapter bracket440may also include a second fastener464that may selectively attach the clamp body452with the main body448.

The main body48may further include a first male member484and a second male member488—the male members484,488may be of any appropriate shape and are not limited that shown. By way of a non-limiting example, the male members484,488may be of a generally male dovetail shape, a T-shape, a V-shape, a rectangular shape with slots, or any other appropriate shape.

The clamping body452may include a female member500, which may include a generally T-shaped channel that may be shaped and sized to engagingly mate with the first male member484of the main body448. By way of a non-limiting example, the first generally T-shaped male member484may slidably engage with the generally T-shaped female member500of the clamping body452. While the generally T-shaped female member500and the first generally T-shaped male member484may be shaped and sized as mating T-shaped members, the present teachings are not limited to such and can be of any appropriate shape and size, not just that shown. By way of a non-limiting example, the mating members484,500may be a male dovetail and female dovetail, respectively, or any kind of member that engages a mating member, including, without limitation slidably engaging members, snap-fit engaging members, or any kind of mating members.

Once the first generally T-shaped male member484and the generally T-shaped channel500are matingly engaged with one another, a second fastener464may pass through the aperture of the main body448and into the aperture496of the clamping body452.

The accessory adapter body456may include a generally T-shaped female member508, an aperture512and an accessory mounting portion516. The generally T-shaped female member508may matingly engage with the second generally T-shaped male member488of the main body448. While the generally T-shaped female and male members508,488are shown and described, any appropriately shaped and sized mating members may be used. By way of a non-limiting example, the mating members508,488may be a female and male dovetail member, respectively, or any kind of member that engages a mating member, including, without limitation slidably engaging members, snap-fit engaging members, or any kind of mating members.

Once the generally T-shaped female member508and the generally T-shaped male member488may be matingly engaged with one another, the fastener460may pass through the main body448and into the aperture512of the accessory adapter body456. A nut520, which may be shaped as a winged nut to assist with holding such, may be secured to the fastener460securing the main body448with the accessory adapter body456and securing the accessory mounting portion516to the cargo basket20.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. 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.