Jacking point structure

A jacking point structure for an automotive vehicle, includes a bracket fixed to the underside of a trunk compartment at a rear portion of the vehicle, and a hook fixed to the bracket. The bracket has a first wall extending horizontally and a second wall extending vertically. Also, the bracket has a channel portion at its center which functions as a jacking point preferably at the rear end of the first wall. The hook extends horizontally in the backward direction of the vehicle and does not project downwardly. It is preferable that the hook is formed in a U-shape and welded at its legs to the first wall in such a manner that the channel portion of the bracket is held between the legs of the hook.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a jacking point structure for use when a 
rear end of an automotive vehicle is raised by a jack, and more 
particularly relates to a jacking point structure equiped with a jacking 
point and hook for pulling the vehicle body. 
In case of repairs or the like, a garage jack or other jacks are used in 
order to jack up both rear wheels of an automotive vehicle. As a jacking 
point, a variety of suspension parts have been used. 
For instance, in so called "FR" vehicles in which an engine is provided at 
a front portion of the vehicle and the rear wheels thereof are driven, a 
banjo or a casing for a differential gear is used as a jacking point. 
In so called "FF" vehicles wherein an engine is provided at a front portion 
of the vehicle and the front wheels thereof are driven, including 
four-wheel independent suspension means, no proper suspension part can be 
provided as a jacking point. Thus, it is required to provide additionally 
a special jacking point. 
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-39541 shows a conventional 
jacking point structure. A projection is formed on the underside of a rear 
portion of a vehicle body to constitute a jacking point. Further, a hole 
is formed laterally in the projection to constitute a hook for pulling the 
vehicle. 
A hook for pulling the vehicle is welded so as to project downwardly from 
the underside of a rear portion of the vehicle body. In this case, such a 
hook is used also as a jacking point. 
FIGS. 1 to 3 show such a conventional jacking point. A hook 1 for pulling 
an automotive vehicle A is welded to the underside of a rear portion of 
the vehicle as a jacking point. In general, hook 1 is fixed to the rear 
end of a spare tire housing 4 formed at a floor 3 of a trunk compartment 
or room 2 positioned at a rear portion of the vehicle body. 
Hook 1 is formed of a U-shaped bar with a circular section. As shown in 
FIG. 3, one end 5 of the hook 1 is welded to the bottom of spare tire 
housing 4 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body while the 
other end 6 thereof is vertically welded to the back side of the spare 
tire housing. A curved portion of hook 1 which is used as a jacking point 
projects downwardly from the underside of the vehicle body. A jack J 
engages the curved portion of hook 1. 
In such a jacking point structure, however, the width or thickness in a 
lateral direction of the hook 1 is narrow or small so that stability of 
the vehicle when jacked up is low. Since hook 1 projects downwardly, when 
another hook H pulls the hook in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 
3, i.e. backwards, a moment occurs at the welded portions of ends 5, 6 of 
hook 1 so that there is a possibility that the welded portions may be 
broken. 
Also, hook 1 must have an opening sufficient to fixedly receive another 
hook or rope. Thus, hook 1 projects downwardly to a large extent (e.g., 
60-70 mm) from the underside to the vehicle body causing the bottom of the 
hook to easily contact the ground, particularly under rough road 
conditions. If a reinforcing member is added to increase the strength of 
the welded portions between the spare tire housing and hook 1, the hook 
projects downwardly to an extremely large extent. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a jacking point structure 
of an automotive vehicle wherein a jacking point and a hook for pulling 
the vehicle are compactly arranged. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a jacking point 
structure wherein the hook can be prevented from contacting the ground. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a jacking point 
structure facilitating formation of larger trunk compartments. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a jacking point 
structure wherein the strength of a hook for pulling the vehicle can be 
increased. 
Accordingly, a jacking point structure of an automotive vehicle according 
to the present invention includes a bracket fixed to the underside of a 
rear portion of the vehicle. The bracket has a portion functioning as a 
jacking point. Further, a hook for pulling the vehicle is fixed to the 
bracket. Preferably, the hook is formed of a U-shape, having opposite ends 
or legs. The legs of the hook are welded onto opposite sides of the 
bracket. Also, the hook has a curved portion projecting rearwardly of the 
vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to FIG. 4, a bracket 10 is fixed to the underside of a rear 
portion of an automotive vehicle, for instance, a rear portion of a spare 
tire housing 4 of a recessed shape formed in a floor panel 3 of a trunk or 
compartment 2. 
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, bracket 10 may be formed L-shaped in section, 
including a first wall 11 affixed to the bottom of spare tire housing 4 
and a second wall 12 affixed to the back side thereof. Also, bracket 10 
includes a channel portion 13 formed between first wall 11 and second wall 
12. The deepest portion of channel 13 is located at the rear end of first 
wall 11. The deepest portion of channel 13 is also formed so that a small 
space is provided between the channel and spare tire housing 4. Thus, the 
deepest portion of channel 13 constitutes a jacking point 14 for a jack J. 
In other words, jack J engages jacking point 14 at the deepest portion of 
channel portion 13. 
The jacking point 14 of bracket 10 only slightly projects downwardly from 
spare tire housing 4. In another mode of the present invention, the 
jacking point 14 or the deepest portion of the channel portion 13 may be 
set substantially at the same level of the bottom of the spare tire 
housing 4. 
Both legs or ends 16, 17 of a U-shaped hook 15 for pulling the vehicle are 
welded to the underside of first wall 11 so that channel portion 13 is 
between the legs 16, 17. Hook 16 is preferably formed of a bar having a 
circular section as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. A curved portion 18 of hook 15 
projects horizontally rearwardly of the vehicle. 
Hook 15 may be formed of other shapes or members than a bar. For example, 
as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the hook 15 may be formed as a plate-like 
member spot-welded to the underside of bracket 10. 
Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 6, a drain hole 19 formed in the bottom of 
spare tire housing 4 is covered by bracket 10 so that the bracket 
functions as a splash guard. Splash can be prevented from entering through 
drain hole 19 into the trunk compartment. A drain hole 20 formed in 
bracket 10 at the deepest point or jacking point 14 is offset from drain 
hole 19 so that these drain holes do not align. 
FIGS. 4 and 8 show a condition in which jack J is actuated to jack up the 
rear end of the vehicle by elevating jacking point 14. 
According to the present invention, the jacking point may have a wide flat 
portion so that the head of the jack J can stably engage the jacking 
point, assuming safe jacking conditions. 
As hook 15 projects backwardly and not downwardly, the hook is easily 
prevented from contacting the ground. Also, the inner space of the trunk 
compartment can be increased because the trunk floor panel can be set at a 
low level. 
When the vehicle is pulled by having hook J engage another hook H in the 
direction of the arrows in FIGS. 4 and 8, the welded portions of legs 16, 
17 receive shearing force rather than moment. As wellknown, the welded 
portions have a good resistance against shearing force. For such a reason, 
the strength of the welded portions according to the present invention is 
increased as compared with the prior art. 
The jacking point 14 is located in a space between the legs 16, 17 of hook 
15 under the vehicle body. Thus, such a space can be effectively utilized. 
The height of the hook and the bracket in combination can be lower than 
that of the prior art so that repairs or the like of members under the 
rear portion of the vehicle can be easily done. A departure angle can be 
large.