Adjustable bracket for accessory attachment on strut

A bracket for attaching an accessory to a strut on a personal utility vehicle includes first and second bracket members. A slot is formed in the first end of the first bracket member and an insert is formed adjacent a first end of the second bracket member. The insert and slot are configured to lockingly connect the first ends of the first and second bracket members together. First and second flanges extending from the second end of the first and second bracket members, respectively are configured to be fastened together and clamp the bracket about an outer perimeter wall of the strut after the insert is engaged with the slot.

TECHNICAL HELD

The present application generally relates to a unique bracket and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an adjustable bracket configured to attach an accessory to a strut on a personal transport vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Personal transport vehicles such as golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles or the like can include struts made from tube members that extend from a base frame to a top or roof of the vehicle. In some embodiments electrical wires may be inserted through the struts at various locations which can prevent drilling and/or attachment of accessories to the struts with threaded fasteners or the like. Some existing systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique bracket system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for attaching an accessory to a strut on a utility vehicle. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1, a portion of a personal utility vehicle10is illustrated in phantom line. Many of the typical features of a utility vehicle10such as a motive source, frame, seats and wheels, etc., which would be known to one skilled in the art are not shown. The utility vehicle10includes one or more struts14extending from a chassis12to connect to a top structure15and/or to other components such as a windshield17. In some forms, the struts14may be hollow so as to permit electrical wires16or the like to be placed therein.

A bracket18is connectable to the struts14so as to releasably hold an accessory20such as a mirror, light or similar components to the strut14. The bracket18is configured to couple with the strut14through a friction clamp fit. In this manner, the hollow struts14need not have holes drilled through sidewalls thereof and thus eliminate the chance for potential damage to electrical wires16positioned therewithin. One or more brackets18can be positioned anywhere along a length of the strut14as desired.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an enlarged portion of the bracket18and accessory feature20is illustrated. The bracket18can be assembled and connected to the strut14by way of attaching a first bracket member22and a second bracket member26to one another after positioning the bracket members22,26around the external walls of the strut14. The first bracket member22includes a first flange24and the second bracket member26includes a second flange28that are releasably attached to one another via one or more fasteners30.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a perspective view of the bracket assembly18and accessory20is illustrated. The first bracket member22includes a first flange24extending from one end thereof and a dovetail coupler40extending from an opposing end. The second bracket member26includes a second flange26extending from one end and a dovetail slot coupler42extending from an opposing end thereof. The dovetail coupler40and the dovetail slot coupler42of the first and second bracket members22,26are lockingly engaged to one another in such a way so as to prevent disassembly of the first and second bracket members22,26when the flanges24,28are coupled together with one or more fasteners30. It should be noted that other mechanical coupling means such as a fir tree coupling design, square coupling or other configurations may be used in place of a dovetail coupler in other embodiments.

The bracket assembly18can be assembled to the strut by placing the first bracket member22around the strut14and subsequently sliding the second bracket member26over the first bracket member22such that the dovetail slot42is engaged with the dovetail coupler40. In other forms, the bracket assembly18can be assembled by first placing the second bracket member26around the strut14, and then attaching the first bracket member22thereto. The dovetail connection prevents the brackets22,26from separating at a first end after the flanges24,28are connected together via fastener(s)30.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, plan views of a flat pattern for the first bracket member22and second bracket member26are illustrated. In some forms, the flat patterns are formed from substantially constant thickness plate material. In other forms, the plate material may have varying thicknesses therethroughout. The plate material may be made from metal, plastic, composite or combinations thereof. It should be noted that the dovetail or the dovetail slot may be formed on either of the bracket members22,26.

Referring specifically toFIG. 4A, the second bracket member26includes at least one through aperture50extending through the second flange28. An extension arm52extends from the second flange28in a longitudinal direction defined by double arrow X. The extension arm52includes a first leg segment54and a second leg segment56with a bend region58formed between the first and second leg segments54,56. The second leg segment56includes the dovetail slot coupler42formed at a distal end of the extension arm52, The dovetail slot coupler42includes a dovetail slot60defined by split forward walls62a,62b, an aft wall64and a pair of converging walls66a,66bextending between the aft wall64and the split forward walls62a,62b. The extension arm52is generally defined by first and second sides70,72that can include a width73that is smaller than a width75of the second flange28. In one form, the first and second sides70,72of the extension arm52can be substantially parallel, however in other forms the first and second sides may not be parallel. A pair of shoulders74,76extends outward from the side walls70,72of the extension arm52to form a portion of the second flange28. First and second side walls78,80extend from the shoulders74,76to an end wall82to define the second flange28.

Referring now toFIG. 4B, the first bracket member22includes at least one through aperture100extending through the first flange24. In the disclosed embodiment, two through apertures100corresponds to the through apertures50of the second flange28of the second bracket member26. A fastener (not shown) may extend through the apertures50,100and couple the flanges24,28together. An extension arm102extends from the first flange24in a longitudinal direction defined by double arrow X, The extension arm102includes a first, bend region104, a second bend region106and a third bend region108. A first leg segment110is formed between the first and second bend regions104,106, respectively, and a second leg segment112is formed between the second and third bend regions106and108. The dovetail coupler40extends from the third bend region108of the extension arm102. The dovetail coupler40includes a dovetail122defined by a forward wall124with a pair of diverging walls126a,126bprojecting from the third bend region108to the forward wall124of the dovetail122. The extension arm102is further defined by first and second side walls130,132extending away from the first flange24. In one form, the first and second side walls130,132can be substantially parallel and in other forms the first and second side walls may be non-parallel. A first shoulder134extends radially outward from the first side wall130to form a portion of the first flange24. A second shoulder136extends radially outward from the second side wall132of the extension arm102to form another portion of the first flange24. First and second side walls138,140extend from the shoulders134,136respectively, and terminate at an end wall142to define the first flange24. A width150of the extension arm102can be smaller than a width152of the first flange24.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5B, are perspective views of the first and second bracket members22,26after being formed into a final configuration from the flat pattern views ofFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B. The feature callouts are the same as described withFIGS. 4A and 4B. In some forms the leg segments of the first and second bracket members22,26may be substantially flat and linear. In other forms, the leg segments may have curvature to correspond with a shape of the strut14.

Referring now toFIG. 6, the first and second brackets22,26are illustrated such that the dovetail coupler40of the second bracket member26is engaged with the dovetail slot coupler42of the first bracket member22. The first and second bracket members22,26are configured such that when assembled with a strut14(seeFIG. 7), a gap150will form between the first flange24and the second flange28in an unstressed state of the assembly. The gap150is defined such that the first flange24and second flange28will move toward one another when one or more fasteners (seeFIG. 3) are tightened therebetween. The width of the gap150will be reduced and in some forms the flanges will directly engage one another at final assembly. In this manner, a locking force defined in the direction of arrow F acts through the dovetail coupler40and the dovetail slot coupler42to ensure that the dovetail and dovetail slot coupler40,42remain lockingly engaged in the same axial plane. The result of locking the flange together at either end causes a friction press fit between bracket assembly18and the strut14to prevent relative movement therebetween.

FIG. 7illustrates a top view of the bracket assembly18and a cross-sectional view of the strut14in a partially assembled condition. It should be noted that the strut14includes is a substantially square cross-section in the exemplary embodiment, however other cross-sectional shapes may be employed with corresponding changes to segment lengths and bend locations in alternate forms of bracket members22,26. The first bracket member22includes a first flange24with a first bend region104, a first leg segment110extending from the first bend region104to a second bend region106, a second leg segment112positioned between the second bend region106and a third bend region108, and a dovetail122extending from the third bend region108.

The second bracket member26includes a flange28connected to a first leg segment54extending to a first bend region58. A second leg segment56extends from the first bend region58and includes a dovetail slot60at the end thereof. The fastener30can include a washer31and a threaded nut33operable to tighten with the flanges24,28as is conventional. It should be understood that other fastener types can be employed such as clips and springs or the like. In other forms, semi-permanent fixture means such as spot welding or the like can be employed to lock the flanges24,28together. The lock force F is generated between the dovetail coupler40and the dovetail slot coupler42as the fastener30tightens against the flanges24,28. In this manner, the bracket assembly18is held in fixed position with the strut14through a friction press fit.

In one aspect the present disclosure includes a bracket comprising a first bracket member including a first flange extending from a first end and a dovetail slot coupler extending from an opposing second end thereof; a second bracket member including a second flange extending from a first end and a dovetail coupler extending from an opposing second end thereof; and wherein the dovetail coupler and the dovetail slot coupler are configured to lockingly connect the second ends of the first and second bracket members together after the first and second flanges are fastened together.

In refining aspects, the first and second flanges are defined by an elongate width extending between first and second ends and a length extending between first and second sides, the width being greater than the length; the first and second flanges of the first and second bracket members each include a through hole configured to receive a fastener therethrough; each bracket member further comprises an extension arm extending from each of the first and second flanges and wherein one of the dovetail slot coupler and the dovetail coupler is connected to a distal end of one of the extensions arms; the extension arms are further defined by a width that is smaller than a width of the flange; the first and second bracket members are formed from a flat plate having a substantially constant thickness; the plate is formed from one of a metal, a composite, a plastic or combinations thereof; the first and second bracket members include a plurality of leg segments with a bend formed between each pair of adjacent leg segments; each bend is approximately ninety degrees (90°); one of the first and second bracket members include two leg segments and the other of the first and second bracket members include three leg segments; each of the leg segments of the first and second bracket members engage with an outer wall of a strut when the bracket members are fastened together about the strut; one of the bracket members include linear leg segments that engage with two walls of a four sided strut and the other of the bracket members include linear leg segments that engage with three walls of the four sided strut when assembled therewith; a gap is formed between the flanges of the first and second bracket members when connected about a strut prior to fastening the flanges together.

In another aspect the present disclosure includes a method for attaching an accessory to a strut comprising assembling a first bracket member and a second bracket member to outer walls of a strut; connecting a first end of the first and second bracket members together with a locking tongue and groove mechanism; connecting a second end of the first and second bracket members together with a fastener; and wherein the second end of the first and second bracket members are spaced apart from one another after the first and second bracket members are assembled with the strut and prior to connecting the second ends together.

In refining aspects, forming one of the first and second bracket members with three leg segments and a curved portion disposed between each adjacent pair of leg segments; and forming the other of the first and second bracket members with two leg segments and a curved portion disposed between the two leg segments; forming one of the first and second bracket members with at least one arcuate segment; and wherein the strut includes a curved wall portion substantially corresponding with the arcuate segment of the bracket member; coupling the first and second bracket members to the strut at desired location with a friction clamp load generated by drawing the second ends of the bracket members together with a fastener and locking the first ends together with the tongue and groove mechanism.

In another aspect the present disclosure includes a personal utility vehicle comprising a chassis having a strut extending therefrom; a bracket connectable to the strut, the bracket comprising first and second bracket members, each bracket member having first and second ends; a slot formed in the first end of the first bracket member; an insert extending from a first end of the second bracket member, the insert configured to engage within the slot of the first bracket member to lock the first ends of the first and second bracket members together; a first flange extending from the second end of the first bracket member; a second flange extending from the second end of the second bracket member, the first and second flanges configured to be fastened together and clamp the bracket about an outer perimeter wall of the strut after the insert is engaged with the slot; and an accessory attached to the bracket.

In refining aspects, the strut includes an internal hollow portion; one or more conducting wires positioned within the hollow portion of the strut; the strut is a four sided structure; the insert and slot form a fixed joint adjacent one side of the strut and the first and second flanges are connected on another side of the strut; the accessory includes a mirror and/or a light; the bracket is clamped to the strut at any one of a plurality of locations along a length thereof; the insert and slot are formed as male and female portions of a dovetail joint; the first and second flanges include corresponding through holes configured to receive a fastener for clamping the first and second flanges together; the insert is prevented from disengagement from the slot after the bracket is positioned about the strut and the first and second flanges are fastened together.