Suspended mounting anchor

A suspended mounting anchor can include an anchor body configured to be disposed on a first surface of a B-pillar and a clamp member configured to be disposed on a second, opposing surface of the B-pillar. The anchor body can include one or more bosses extending from a surface of the anchor, each boss having an inner bore including a threaded portion. The clamp member can be coupled to the anchor body such that a wall of the B-pillar is disposed between the anchor body and the clamp member.

BACKGROUND

Partitions for passenger vehicles typically are used to separate the interior space of a vehicle into separated areas for different uses. According to one common type of partition used in law enforcement vehicles, the rear occupant area (typically suited for two passengers) is separated from the front occupant area (typically suited for a driver and a passenger) by a partition. This type of partition separates one or two law enforcement officers seated in the front seat area from one, two or sometimes three rear seat occupants, such as suspects, prisoners, and other individuals, thereby reducing the risks of injury to the law enforcement officers from the rear seat occupants, as well as restricting the ability of the rear seat occupants to escape from the vehicle.

Such partitions can be mounted to the existing frame of the vehicle using one or more mounting anchors. Existing mounting anchors typically require drilling into the frame of the vehicle, which can result in longer and more costly installation times, as well as potentially compromising the integrity of the vehicle and/or partition if done incorrectly. Some conventional mounting approaches require attachments to the floor of the vehicle (posing obstructions to occupants) and/or the ceiling of the vehicle (detracting from its appearance if the partition is later removed). Accordingly, a need exists for improved anchors for mounting partitions to vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are embodiments of a suspended mounting assembly comprising one or more suspended mounting anchors for use mounting a partition to a vehicle. Though some of the below embodiments are described with respect to vehicles having a particular combination of features, the described anchors can be used with any type of vehicle.

The described anchors can be used in combination with one or more partition assemblies, such as partitions that separate the front occupant area from the rear occupant area and/or partitions that separate a portion of the rear occupant area from another portion of the rear occupant area. Additional details of such partitions can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,388 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/143,917, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIG. 1illustrates a suspended mounting assembly100configured to couple a partition assembly to a vehicle, for example, at the B-pillar200(seeFIG. 18). Generally, the B-pillar is a closed steel structure that is welded to the floor and roof of the vehicle to provide structural support for the roof. The illustrated assembly100includes two suspended mounting anchors102, a driver side mounting anchor102a(also referred to as a right-side mounting anchor, i.e., when viewing the vehicle head-on) and a passenger side mounting anchor102b(also referred to as a left-side mounting anchor, i.e., when viewing the vehicle head-on). As shown inFIG. 1, the right side mounting anchor102aand the left side mounting anchor102bcan be mirror images of one another. The mounting anchors102are referred to as “suspended” because they do not extend to a floor and/or a roof of the vehicle, or otherwise require attachments to the floor and/or the roof to function, which advantageously allows the partition assembly to be mounted such that there is additional floor space in the rear occupant area and advantageously prevents or mitigates damage to the roof and/or the floor of the vehicle (which may affect the structural integrity of the vehicle and/or detract from its appearance if the partition is later removed).

Each mounting anchor102can generally comprise a body portion104and one or more nut plates/clamp members/brackets106. The mounting anchor assembly100can be coupled to a vehicle such that a portion of the B-pillar200(e.g., the wall of the B-pillar200nearest the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) is sandwiched between the body portion104and the brackets106to secure the mounting anchor assembly100in place.

Each body portion104can include one or more bosses108extending from the body portion104. The bosses108can be used to couple a portion of a partition assembly (e.g., a mounting bracket110, shown inFIG. 28) to the B-pillar200, thereby anchoring the partition assembly to the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, each body portion104can comprise three bosses108, however, in other embodiments, each body portion104can have a greater or fewer number of bosses108. In the illustrated embodiment, the bosses108are disposed in a substantially triangular shape, with two bosses108disposed adjacent one another and adjacent a first end portion112(e.g., nearer the ceiling of the vehicle when the mounting anchor102is installed) and an additional boss108disposed adjacent the second end portion114(e.g., nearer the floor of the vehicle when the mounting anchor102is installed). In other embodiments, the bosses108can be disposed in any shape or pattern. In some embodiments, the bosses108can be formed integrally with the body portion104. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, each boss108can be formed separately from the body portion and can extend through an opening111in the body104. The bosses108can be permanently or removably coupled to the body portion104(e.g., by welding, adhesives, mechanical means such as screws, bolts, clamps, etc.) Each boss108can comprise a threaded internal bore109(FIG. 13) configured to receive a fastener, such as a correspondingly threaded bolt.

Referring toFIGS. 2-5, the body portion104of each anchor102a,102bcan further comprise an opening120extending through a thickness of the body portion104. The opening120can be sized such that a bracket106can pass through the opening120, for example, during installation of the mounting anchor assembly100(see e.g.,FIGS. 22-23). In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, the opening120is an elongated opening having a first, rounded end122and a second, rectangular end with rounded corners124. In other embodiments, the opening120can have any of various shapes sized to allow the bracket106to pass through the opening. The opening120can be disposed in the body portion104such that when the anchor102is installed, the opening120aligns with a corresponding opening202(seeFIG. 18) in the B-pillar200, e.g., as shown inFIG. 23.

Referring toFIGS. 2-5, each body portion104can further comprise one or more cutouts126and one or more steps or ridges130.FIGS. 2 and 4show the mounting anchors102a,102bin a flattened configuration with the changes in elevation for the ridges130and the flanges128shown by dotted lines127. The cutouts126and ridges130can be arranged and sized such that at least a portion of the body portion104can correspond with and be disposed within a recess204(FIG. 18) in the B-pillar200. By configuring the body portion104to have one or more areas that fit against areas of the B-pillar, the resulting connection between the body portion104and the B-pillar is more secure and resistant to rotation, such as in response to forces experienced in a collision or efforts to tamper with the partition. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the body portion104can further comprise one or more flanges or ears128configured to extend around the edge portions206(FIG. 18) of the B-pillar200.

In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting anchor102has two ridges130extending the length of the mounting anchor and four flanges128that extend outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the mounting anchors are coupled to the B-pillar (see e.g.,FIG. 27). However, in other embodiments, the mounting anchors102can have a greater or lesser number of ridges and/or flanges as required by the geometry of the portion of the vehicle to which the mounting anchor is to be mounted. As best seen inFIGS. 11, 13, and 17the ridges130can define a central depression151extending along the length of the mounting anchor102. The central depression151can be sized and shaped to sit within the corresponding recess204of the B-pillar

As mentioned, the edge portions of each mounting anchor can comprise a variety of cutouts126configured to allow the mounting anchor102to be disposed around the pre-existing shape of the B-pillar. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first side edge141, the bottom edge143, and the second side edge145can each comprise a cutout126. However, in other embodiments, the mounting anchor102can have any of various cutouts disposed on any of various edges in order to conform to the shape of the B-pillar and/or the portion of the vehicle on which the mounting anchor is mounted.

Each anchor102can further comprise one or more bracket openings129positioned such that a fastener116(seeFIG. 1), such as a bolt or screw, can pass through the opening129, through the B-pillar200(FIG. 18), and couple the bracket106. Each fastener116can further comprise a washer118(FIG. 1).

Referring toFIGS. 6-9, each bracket106can generally comprise an L-shaped body portion132including a first wall131and a second wall133, a guide member134, and a fastener opening137surrounded by a receiving member136. The body portion132can be sized such that the bracket106can pass through the opening120in the anchor102. The guide member134can be a bendable and/or adjustable member configured to allow a user to position the bracket106within the B-pillar200during installation of the mounting assembly100(e.g., by gripping the guide member). The guide member134can also be used to hang the bracket106, for example, by setting the bent guide member134on a surface. Once the mounting assembly100is installed, the guide member134can be bent out of the way, for example, by bending the guide member134such that it sits within the B-pillar, such as shown inFIG. 26. The fastener opening137can extend through a thickness of the body portion132and can comprise receiving member136, such as a threaded nut, configured to couple a fastener extending through the fastener opening137.

FIGS. 10-13illustrate additional views of the driver side suspended mounting anchor102a, andFIGS. 14-17illustrate additional views of the passenger side suspended mounting anchor102b.

Referring toFIGS. 18-27, the mounting assembly100can be mounted to the B-pillar200of a vehicle in the following exemplary manner. The mounting assembly100can advantageously be coupled to the B-pillar using the existing B-pillar structures (e.g., a first opening202, a recess204, and a second opening208) and without having to drill any additional openings. Referring toFIG. 18, as mentioned previously, an exemplary B-pillar can comprise an opening202extending through an inner wall of the B-pillar, a recess204, and edge portions206. The B-pillar200can further comprise an additional opening208disposed nearer the ceiling of the vehicle than opening202.

Referring toFIG. 19, a first bracket106acan be passed through the opening208with the guide member134bent at an approximately 90-degree angle relative to the first wall131. For example, a user can grip the bracket106ausing the guide member134to insert the body portion132through the opening208As shown inFIG. 20, the guide member134can be used to hang the bracket106from the opening208such that the bracket106remains accessible. As shown inFIG. 21, an anchor102can then be disposed against the B-pillar200such that a portion of the body portion104(e.g., the central depression151) is disposed within the recess204, such that the flanges128extend around the edge portions206of the B-pillar200, and such that the opening120aligns with at least a portion of the opening202.

As shown inFIG. 22, using the guide member134, a user can position the first bracket106asuch that the opening129(FIG. 3) in the anchor102is aligned with the fastener opening136(FIG. 6). A fastener116(see e.g.,FIG. 1) can extend through the anchor102and into the bracket106ato couple a first end portion112of the anchor to the B-pillar200.

Referring toFIG. 23, a second bracket106bcan be passed through the opening120in the anchor102and through the opening202in the B-pillar200. A user can use the guide member134to align the fastener opening136with the opening129in the second end114of the body portion104. As shown inFIG. 24, a fastener116(e.g., a screw or a nut) can extend through the anchor102and into the bracket106to couple to the second end portion114of the anchor102to the B-pillar.

As shown inFIGS. 25-26, once the first and/or second end portions112,114of the anchor102are coupled to the B-pillar, the guide portion134of each bracket106can be bent or otherwise deformed such that they no longer extend at a substantially 90-degree angle relative to the first wall131of the bracket106. For example, the guide member134of the first bracket106acan be bent sideways such that is substantially flat against the inner wall of the B-pillar, and the guide member134of the second bracket106bcan be bent back into the opening120. In other embodiments, both guide members134can be bent sideways or both guide members134can be bent back into the opening.

As shown inFIG. 27, the anchor102can be coupled to the B-pillar200such that the seatbelt assembly210is undisturbed. The seatbelt212can be disposed within the recessed portion of the body portion104, and the upper bosses108(e.g., disposed on the first end portion112of the anchor102) can be disposed on either side of the seatbelt212. The lower boss108can be disposed to one side of the seatbelt212, for example, toward the rear occupant area or toward the front occupant area.

Once the anchor102has been coupled to the B-pillar, a portion of a partition assembly, such as a mounting bracket110, can be mounted the anchor102, as shown inFIG. 28. Once or more fasteners (not shown) such as bolts or screws can extend through the mounting bracket110and into the bosses108, thereby securing the mounting bracket and thus the partition assembly to the B-pillar.

FIGS. 29-32illustrate another embodiment of a mounting assembly300. Mounting assembly300can include generally a mounting anchor302, a nut plate/bracket/clamp member304, and a mounting bracket306(e.g., a mounting bracket of a partition assembly). Though only one mounting anchor302, clamp member304, and mounting bracket306are shown, it should be recognized that mounting assembly300can comprise any number of mounting anchors306, clamp members304, and/or mounting brackets306. For example, mounting assembly300can comprise a driver side mounting anchor, clamp member and mounting bracket, and a passenger side mounting anchor, clamp member, and mounting bracket.

As shown inFIG. 29, the mounting bracket306can be coupled to the mounting anchor302via one or more bosses308extending from the mounting anchor302. One or more fasteners (not shown) such as bolts or screws, can extend through the mounting bracket306and into the bosses308, coupling the mounting bracket306to the anchor302.

Referring toFIGS. 33-34, the nut plate/bracket/clamp member304can comprise an elongated member including a first end portion310and a second end portion312. Each end portion310,312can comprise a respective fastener opening314configured to receive a fastener. The fastener opening314can be surrounded by a nut315having a threaded internal bore. The first end portion310can comprise a triangular opening316.

Referring toFIGS. 35-36, the anchor302can comprise a body portion318and an extension portion320, and can have a first end portion319and a second end portion321. In the illustrated embodiment, the body portion318has a shape substantially like a right-triangle with a curved hypotenuse, however, in other embodiments, the body portion318can have any of various shapes. The extension portion320can be disposed adjacent the body portion318and a portion of the extension portion320can extend past the body portion318toward the ceiling of the vehicle when the anchor is installed on a B-pillar400(see e.g.,FIG. 42). As best seen inFIG. 39, the extension portion320can be disposed at an angle relative to the base portion. When disposed on the B-pillar400, such as shown inFIG. 42, the body portion318can sit within the recess404of the B-pillar400, and the extension portion320can extend along an edge of the recess404.

The anchor302can further comprise one or more ears or projections322. The projections322can have a curved C-shape in cross-section (see e.g.,FIG. 39) and can be configured to extend around edge portions402(FIG. 42) of the B-pillar400. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor302can comprise four projections322. However, in other embodiments, the anchor302can have any number of projections. As shown inFIG. 35, in the illustrated embodiment, the anchor302can comprise three projections322disposed axially along a length of the anchor302. One or more of the projections322can comprise a boss308extending from the projection. For example, the two projections322disposed nearer the first end319can each comprise a boss308extending from the ear322and the body portion318can comprise an additional projection322including an additional boss308. The bosses308can extend inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the anchor is installed on the B-pillar. Each boss308can comprise an internal bore309(e.g., a threaded internal bore) configured to receive a fastener, such as a correspondingly threaded bolt.

The first end319of the anchor302can further comprise a flange324. The flange324and the body portion318can each comprise an opening326configured to allow the anchor302to be coupled to the clamp member304.

As shown inFIGS. 37-38, the openings326in the anchor302can be aligned with the fastener openings314in the clamp member304. The mounting anchor assembly300can be coupled to a vehicle such that a portion of the B-pillar400(e.g., the wall nearest the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle) is sandwiched between the anchor302and the clamp member304. Fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts) can extend through openings326and314to couple the mounting anchor assembly300to the B-pillar.

A partition assembly can be coupled to the anchor302via mounting bracket306. As shown inFIGS. 40-41, the mounting bracket306can be an elongated member having an L-shape in cross-section including a first side328and a second side330. The second side330can include first and second protrusions332,334, each comprising an opening336. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion332can be separated from the second side330by a gap333.

The mounting bracket306can comprise an additional opening336extending through the second side wall330. When the anchor302is mounted to the B-pillar400, such as shown inFIG. 42, the mounting bracket306can be aligned with the anchor302such that each opening336aligns with a respective boss308of the anchor302, as shown inFIG. 29. A respective fastener, such as a bolt or screw, can extend through each opening336and into the inner bore309of a respective boss308, thereby coupling the mounting bracket306(and thus a partition assembly couplable to the mounting bracket) to the B-pillar400via the anchor302.

Referring toFIG. 42, an exemplary B-pillar400can comprise edge portions402, a recess404extending along a longitudinal axis of the B-pillar, and an opening406. Mounting assembly300can be mounted to the B-pillar400in the following exemplary manner. The clamp member304can be passed through the opening406and can be disposed on an opposing surface of the B-pillar (e.g., the surface facing the outside of the vehicle). The anchor302can be disposed on an inner surface of the B-pillar (e.g., the surface facing the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle) such that the body portion318is disposed within the recess404and such that the extension portion320extends along a wall of the recess404. The projections322can be disposed such that they extend over the edge portions402. The anchor302can then be coupled to the clamp member304using one or more fasteners338(e.g., bolts or screws) with the inner wall of the B-pillar400sandwiched between them. Once the anchor302is coupled to the B-pillar400, the mounting bracket306can be coupled to the anchor302via one or more fasteners extending through the mounting bracket306and into the bosses308.

General Considerations

All features described herein are independent of one another and, except where structurally impossible, can be used in combination with any other feature described herein. For example, a clamp member304as shown inFIG. 33can be used in combination with mounting anchor102described herein. In another embodiment, clamp member(s)106as shown inFIG. 6can be used in combination with the mounting anchor302shown inFIGS. 35-36.