Pinch weld clamp

A pinch weld clamp includes a clamp body and a channel formed in the body. The channel is configured to engage a flange or pinch weld on a vehicle. One or more set screws extend from an outer wall of the clamp body into the channel to clamp onto the pinch weld. A connecting screw is connected to the clamp body to attach a device, such as a running board, to the vehicle.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for connecting an accessory piece to a vehicle, and specifically for connecting a running board or the like to the pinch weld of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The use of running boards on vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks, and four wheel drive vehicles is a well-established practice. Running boards make it easier for vehicle passengers and drivers to enter and exit some vehicles, especially those with high clearance, as well as making roof access easier. Running boards can help protect the sides of the vehicle from road debris, and they are also used by some to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's exterior.

Commonly, running boards are connected to a vehicle by attaching a connecting piece to the side or underside of the vehicle. For example, the running boards may include a connecting piece, such as a bracket, connecting rod, or the like, that is attached to the running board. The connecting piece may then be connected to the side or underside of the vehicle to position the running board in the desired proximity to the vehicle.

In addition to running boards, other vehicle accessories are sometimes connected to the vehicle body or underside. For example, running lights or the like may be connected in a similar manner as running boards to the vehicle.

Traditionally, running boards are fixed to the frame of a vehicle in one of two manners. First, the running boards may be welded directly to the frame or body of the vehicle. The drawback to this method of attachment, however, is that the welding is permanent and requires skilled labor. Therefore, the running boards are not easily attachable or removable.

The second manner is to bolt the running boards to the body or frame of the vehicle. Typically, this involves drilling into the frame or pinch weld of the vehicle to attach the running boards. However, this attachment method also has drawbacks. Specifically, drilling or boring into the frame or body can weaken the frame and allow for rust and other corrosion to set in.

Ideally, the running boards or other vehicle accessories could be mounted to the vehicle in a safe and reliable fashion without permanently fixing them to the vehicle or damaging the vehicle body or frame.

Accordingly, an improved attachment for connecting running boards and other vehicle accessories to a vehicle is needed in the art.

SUMMARY

A pinch weld clamp is generally presented. The pinch weld clamp includes a clamp body. The clamp body may be a unitary piece. The clamp body includes a channel that bisects the body. The channel is configured to engage a flange on a vehicle. The flange may be a pinch weld or any applicable flange. One or more set screws extend from an outer wall of the clamp body into the channel. The set screws engage the flange to connect the clamp body thereto.

A connecting screw is connected to the clamp body. The connecting screw may be used to connect a device for use with the vehicle. In an embodiment a running board is connected to the clamp body.

In an embodiment, a pinch weld clamp assembly may include two or more pinch weld clamps connected to a pinch weld or flange of a vehicle. The pinch weld clamps may be spaced along the pinch weld. A running board may be connected to each pinch weld clamp. The running boards may be connected to the clamps by an adjustable bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pinch weld clamp10is generally presented. The pinch weld clamp10may be a clamping device, as generally described herein. The pinch weld clamp10is specifically designed to clamp to a desired portion of a vehicle and to interconnect a device, such as a running board, to the vehicle.

The pinch weld clamp10may be specifically designed to clamp to a flange or a pinch weld of a vehicle. The pinch weld is formed on the underside of the vehicle where two pieces of metal are welded together to form the lower chassis. The pinch weld commonly protrudes down from the chassis and extends from behind the front wheel well to before the rear wheel well, directly underneath the doors. The weld forms a ridge or flange that is commonly used for aligning a jack underneath the vehicle.

A pinch weld clamp10is shown inFIGS. 1-6. The pinch weld clamp10may comprise a clamp body that is a single unitary piece formed of any appropriate material, such as any metals, plastics, polymers, or the like. The pinch weld clamp10may be shaped and sized to engage and clamp to a flange, such as the pinch weld of a vehicle, and to connect a device, such as a running board, thereto.

The pinch weld clamp10is generally hyper-rectangular (a three-dimensional rectangle), having a rectangular profile. The pinch weld clamp10may include a top surface12, front surface14, side surfaces16and18, and back surface20. Each surface may be generally flat.

The pinch weld clamp10may include a channel22. The channel22may be any appropriate size and shape and may be configured to engage a flange, such as the pinch weld, as described further below. The channel22may be formed into the top of the pinch weld clamp10such that it bisects the top surface12from one side surface16to the other side surface18. The top surface12may comprise two separate surfaces positioned on either side of the channel22. The channel22may include interior surfaces at its boundaries, including a first inner wall24, a second inner wall26, and a bottom wall28.

The channel22may be formed by any appropriate means. For example, the pinch weld clamp10may be molded or cast such that the channel22is formed into the pinch weld clamp body10. Alternatively, the channel22may be milled, cut, or otherwise shaped into the pinch weld clamp10.

The channel22may extend approximately half way into the pinch weld clamp10from the top surface12. For example, the pinch weld clamp may be approximately 1 inch in height from its base30to the top surface12. The channel22may extend approximately ½ inch into the pinch weld clamp10from the top surface. It will be appreciated, however, that the channel22depth may vary depending on the specific application or flange dimensions.

The channel22width may be sized to specifically engage the pinch weld of a vehicle. For example, the channel22may be approximately 0.375 inches wide. It will be appreciated, however, that the channel22width may vary depending on the specific application or flange dimensions.

The pinch weld clamp10may include one or more set screw holes32. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-6, the pinch weld clamp10may include two set screw holes32, however, it will be appreciated that the pinch weld clamp10may include any appropriate number of set screw holes32. The set screw holes32may be formed in the top portion of the pinch weld clamp10to create openings from the front surface14to the channel22. As best seen inFIG. 3, the two set screw holes32may be symmetrically aligned on either side of the vertical centerline of the front surface14. The set screw holes32may be threaded and configured to receive a screw or other threaded fastener therein.

The set screw holes32may be configured to each receive a set screw34therein. The set screws34may be accessed and tightened from the front surface14, as shown inFIG. 2. The set screws34may extend through the clamp10into the channel22. In an embodiment, the set screw34may have a pointed tip, such as cone point set screws, to engage and clamp to the pinch weld or flange of the vehicle.

The pinch weld clamp may include one or more connecting screw holes36. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-6, the pinch weld clamp10may include a single connecting screw hole36, however, it will be appreciated that the pinch weld clamp10may include any appropriate number of connecting screw holes36. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 5, the pinch weld clamp10may include a single connecting screw hole36positioned near the base30of the clamp and aligned with a vertical centerline of the front surface14and back surface20. The connecting screw hole36may be threaded and configured to receive a screw or other threaded fastener therein. The connecting screw hole36may extend through the entire length of the pinch weld clamp10, as shown inFIG. 5, or may extend through only a portion of the clamp10.

The connecting screw hole36may be configured to each receive a connecting screw38therein. The connecting screw38may be accessed and tightened from the front surface14, as shown inFIG. 2. The connecting screw38may extend into a portion of the pinch weld clamp10or entirely through the pinch weld clamp10.

The connecting screw38may fasten a device to the pinch weld clamp10. In an embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, the connecting screw may connect one or more running boards to the pinch weld clamp10. For example, a mounting bracket40may be connected to the pinch weld clamp10by the connecting screw38. The mounting bracket40may include an opening42configured to receive the connecting screw38therethrough. The opening42may extend along the length of the mounting bracket40to allow the mounting bracket40to slide with respect to the connecting screw38.

The mounting bracket40may be fixed to a device, such as a running board44. As shown inFIG. 6, the mounting bracket40may be connected at one end to the pinch weld clamp10and at the other end to a running board44. The running board44may be welded, fastened, or otherwise connected to the bracket40in any appropriate manner.

In an embodiment, a vehicle may include a plurality of pinch weld clamps10positioned along the pinch weld46or similar flange underneath the vehicle. Each pinch weld clamp10may be appropriately spaced and clamped along the pinch weld46, as illustrated inFIG. 6. The mounting bracket40may be adjusted along the opening42to align a plurality of running boards44connected to the pinch weld clamps10. Each running board44may extend beyond vehicle body to provide a surface for a passenger to step on and support themselves when entering the vehicle.

In use, a pinch weld clamp10may be aligned with the pinch weld46or other flange of a vehicle. The set screw holes32may be aligned with a side of the pinch weld46and the set screws34may be tightened. In an embodiment, the set screws34may be tightened at 10 foot pound of torque. A connecting screw38may be inserted into the connecting screw hole36through an opening42in a mounting bracket40to connect the mounting bracket42to the pinch weld clamp10. The mounting bracket40may be connected at one end to a device, such as a running board44. The height of the running board44may be adjusted by sliding the mounting bracket40with respect to the connecting screw36within the opening42until the desired height is obtained.

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.