Abstract:
An accessory mounting system for a vehicle and a vehicle having same, provides a receiver adapted for mounting to a vehicle chassis and including a multiplicity of receptacles; an accessory mounting element adapted to be affixed to a vehicle accessory and including a multiplicity of securing members each adapted to penetrate a separate one of said multiplicity of receptacles; a slidable device slidably engaged with said receiver and adapted to engage said multiplicity of securing members within the multiplicity of receptacles to provide attachment of the accessory mounting element to the vehicle chassis; and an actuator operably connected to said slidable device and adapted to engage and disengage said slidable device with said multiplicity of securing members with a single actuation.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    This invention was made in part with U.S. Government support from the US Army under Contract No. W56HZV-05-9-002. The U.S. Government has certain rights in the invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related generally to the field of attaching utility accessories to vehicles. More particularly, the present invention is related to an attachment system using a single actuator for securing a multi-point mount accessory mount to a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Conventional three-point hitches have been used for many years on tractors and other vehicles. Three-point hitches can be removably engaged to numerous implements such as plows, seeders, hay bale movers and various other implements. Typically, three-point hitches utilize a relatively complex connecting structure for receiving and securing the hitch to an implement. Thus, connecting and operating conventional three-point hitches can be unduly time consuming, overly cumbersome, and can require significant amounts of labor. While prior devices may be suitable for one particular purpose, they are not suitable for easily and conveniently receiving and securing the hitch of multiple implements to a three-point hitch. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, an accessory mounting system for a vehicle, comprises: a receiver adapted for mounting to a vehicle chassis and including a multiplicity of receptacles; an accessory mounting element adapted to be affixed to a vehicle accessory and including a multiplicity of securing members each adapted to penetrate a separate one of said multiplicity of receptacles; a slidable device slidably engaged with said receiver and adapted to engage said multiplicity of securing members within the multiplicity of receptacles to provide attachment of the accessory mounting element to the vehicle chassis; and an actuator operably connected to said slidable device and adapted to engage and disengage said slidable device with said multiplicity of securing members with a single actuation. 
         [0005]    The multiplicity of securing members may include a primary securing member and a pair of secondary securing members spaced laterally on either side of the primary securing member, and said slidable device may include a primary bar attached to the actuator and adapted to engage the primary securing member with the single actuation by passing through an opening in the primary securing member when said primary securing member is located in a respective one of said multiplicity of receptacles. The slidable device may further include a pair of secondary bars each adapted to engage a separate one of the pair of secondary securing members with the single actuation by passing through respective openings located therein. The secondary bars may be linked to move with the primary bar. The primary bar may be adapted to slide substantially horizontally at a first vertical height, and further wherein the secondary bars are adapted to slide substantially horizontally at a different second vertical level. 
         [0006]    The actuator may be adapted to secure said slidable device in an engaged position and a disengaged position. The actuator may be adapted to extend through a body member of a vehicle for external actuation of said slidable device from outside of the vehicle. The receiver may forms a recess adapted to hold said accessory mounting element in a body member of a vehicle. The actuator may be mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or a combination thereof. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a ground transportation vehicle having an accessory mounting system, comprising: a receiver mounted to a chassis of the vehicle and including a multiplicity of receptacles; an accessory mounting element adapted to be affixed to a vehicle accessory and including a multiplicity of securing members each adapted to penetrate a separate one of said multiplicity of receptacles; a slidable device slidably engaged with said receiver and adapted to engage said multiplicity of securing members within the multiplicity of receptacles to provide attachment of the accessory mounting element to the vehicle chassis; and an actuator operably connected to said slidable device and adapted to engage and disengage said slidable device with said multiplicity of securing members with a single actuation. 
         [0008]    The vehicle may further comprise: a second receiver mounted to the chassis of the vehicle and including a second multiplicity of receptacles adapted to receive said multiplicity of securing members; a second slidable device slidably engaged with said second receiver and adapted to engage said multiplicity of securing members within the second multiplicity of receptacles to provide attachment of the accessory mounting element to the vehicle chassis; and a second actuator operably connected to said second slidable device and adapted to engage and disengage said second slidable device with said multiplicity of securing members with a single actuation. 
         [0009]    The vehicle may be a tactical military vehicle. The first said receiver and said second receiver may be located at opposing ends of the vehicle to allow said accessory mounting elements to be selectively mounted to either opposing end of the vehicle. 
         [0010]    For a better understanding of the present invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]    The present invention is illustratively shown and described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a pictorial view of a securing mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and located in an open or disengaged position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a pictorial view of the securing mechanism of  FIG. 1A  located in a fully engaged position; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are pictorial views of accessory securing systems constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention and having alternative actuation embodiments of the locking mechanism; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a pictorial view oriented from an overhead position looking down upon an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a three-point accessory mounting element and a aligned for coupling to a receiver; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a pictorial view oriented from underneath the apparatus of  FIG. 3A  looking up, illustrating the three point accessory mounting elements and the receiver aligned for coupling; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention including a receiver integrated into a chassis of a vehicle; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A-C  are closer views of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  showing in phantom an embodiment of the securing mechanism in various operating positions.  FIG. 5A  shows the securing mechanism fully disengaged.  FIG. 5B  shows the securing mechanism partially engaged.  FIG. 5C  shows the securing mechanism fully engaged; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of and accessory mounting element constructed for use with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    The present invention is a single actuation securing mechanism  10  adaptable to any structure including a vehicle.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate securing mechanism  10  of the present invention in a disengaged (or open) position and an engaged (or closed) position, respectively. Securing mechanism  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  separate from a vehicle to better understand the key components and operation of securing mechanism  10 . Locking bar receivers  12  are typically attached to a frame  50  or other structure of the vehicle (See  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B). securing mechanism  10  can include a sliding device  14  and an actuator, for example, a mechanical handle  16 . Sliding device  14  can include several individual complementary components arranged together, grouped, or otherwise interconnected such that longitudinal bars  18 ,  20  are operably connected (discussed in detail below). Longitudinal bars  18 ,  20  move in concert into locking bar receivers  12 , as handle  16  moves transversely in a direction parallel (see arrow A) to the centerline of locking mechanism  10 , thereby disengaging ( FIG. 1A ) or engaging ( FIG. 1B , see arrow B) locking mechanism  10  to a vehicle, for example, without the use of biasing means, such as springs, to overcome forces, such as friction or back pressure of pneumatic pistons. One embodiment of a locking bar receiver  12  can be a substantially cubic block of suitable material having a hole  13  bored there through. Like reference numerals designate like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , handle  16  can be pivotally connected to locking bar  20  such that handle  16  can freely pivot orthogonal (see arrow C) to the center line axis of bar  20 . However, handle  16  is restrained from moving transversely along bar  20 . Handle  16  and bar  20  are operably connected relative to transverse movement. Since bar  20  is operably connected to bars  18 , handle  16  is also operably connected to bars  18 . Therefore, as handle  16  moves transversely, bars  18 ,  20  also move transversely. 
         [0022]    Since handle  16  is freely slidable in the transverse direction, there must be a mechanism to secure it at one or more predetermined transverse locations such that the locking mechanism  10  remains engaged or disengaged during vehicle operation. One embodiment of the securing mechanism can be a locking handle cutout  58   a  in frame  50  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) configured in a “U” shape having end slots  58   b  to provide a transverse stopping function and/or locking function for securing handle  16  in place once locking handle  16  is either fully disengaged ( FIG. 1A ) or engaged ( FIG. 1B ).  FIG. 3B  shows locking mechanism  10  in an engaged position with handle  16  set in an end slot  58 B. 
         [0023]    Another embodiment of sliding device  14  may include an integral handle  16  wherein securing mechanism  10  also includes a latch or other means to restrain handle  16  from moving transversely. A latch (not shown) can be attached to the vehicle  100 . 
         [0024]    Alternative embodiments of handle  16  can be pivotally connected to any component of sliding device  16  depending on the configuration of the vehicle  100  for convenience and ease of actuation by the user. Herein, handle  16  will be described as being pivotally connected to bar  20  for illustration purposes, but it is not intended to limit handle  16  to the described configuration. 
         [0025]    Now returning to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , sliding device  16  preferably includes two co-axial longitudinal bars  18  disposed above and generally parallel to a single longitudinal bar  20 . The set of bars  18 ,  20  are generally perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis (not shown). Co-axial longitudinal bars  18  are operably connected to each other by a general “U” shaped connector  22  attached to one end of each co-axial longitudinal bar  18 . Further, “U” shaped connector  22  includes an extension  24  orthogonally connected at one of its ends  26  to one end of “U” shaped connector  22 . Extension  24  extends downward and generally perpendicular to “U” shaped connector  22 . The other end  28  of extension  24  is connected to single longitudinal bar  20 . Extension  24  can be orthogonally connected to single longitudinal bar  20  by any conventional joining means. An example of a means to join extension  24  to single longitudinal bar  20  is connector  30 . Connector  30  can be a ring sized to frictionally engage single longitudinal bar  20 . Alternative joining means include a lock screw, welding, brazing, or soldering. Extension  24  can be connected to connector  30  by conventional joining means. As discussed above, locking handle  16  is connected to single longitudinal bar  20 . The connection, arrangement, or assembly of co-axial longitudinal bars  18 , single longitudinal bar  20 , and handle  16  into a group or gang by way of the “U” shaped connector  22  provides for simultaneous operation of bars  18 ,  20  with a single actuation of handle  16 . 
         [0026]    Alternative embodiments of securing mechanism  10  can replace the mechanical handle  16  with an electric motor actuation  21  ( FIG. 2A ) or pneumatic/hydraulic actuation  23  ( FIG. 2B ). 
         [0027]    Securing mechanism  10  can be adapted for use with an apparatus system  40 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Apparatus system  40  includes a receiver  42  and an apparatus mount  44 . Receiver  42  can be integrated into and mounted to the front end, rear end, or both ends of vehicle  100  ( FIG. 4 ). Apparatus mount  44  can include an apparatus holder  46  to secure or support an apparatus  48 , such as a winch, to apparatus mount  44 . In operation, apparatus mount  44  is interconnected to receiver  42  by securing mechanism  10  (as described below), thereby operably connecting apparatus  48  to vehicle  100 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , vehicle  100  is illustrated with a receiver  42  integrated into the front end  102  thereof. Vehicle  100  can be any vehicle with receiver  42  being fitted into the front end  102  and/or the rear end (not shown) of vehicle  100 .  FIG. 5A  shows securing mechanism  10  fully disengaged.  FIG. 5B  shows securing mechanism  10  partially engaged.  FIG. 5C  shows securing mechanism  10  fully engaged. Therefore, the description of assembly or attachment of receiver  42  to vehicle  100  will be applicable to either attachment location. 
         [0029]    Now returning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , receiver  42  includes a frame  50  being generally shaded like a plow shovel (but any suitable configuration is acceptable) having a curved upper portion  52  transitioning to a substantially straight back plate  54  with two side plates  56 . Back plate  54  includes a cutout  58   a  configured to receive handle  16  of securing mechanism  10  (discussed in detail above). Cutout  58   a  also acts as a transverse motion guide and handle  16  locking mechanism with notches  58   b  at either end of cutoff  58   a  to transversely receive handle  16 . 
         [0030]    Attached to back side  62  of back plate  54  can be one or more pairs of locking bar receivers  12 . The present embodiment illustrates two pairs of locking bar receivers  12 . However, the present embodiment is not to be limited by the illustration of two pairs of locking bar receivers  12 . Locking bar receivers  12  can be attached to back plate  54  by any conventional attachment means, such as, but not to be limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, adhering, screws, and nuts/bolts. Each block of the pair of locking bar receivers  12  can be positioned longitudinally on opposing sides of holes  58 . Locking bar receivers  12  are oriented such that the hole center lines of each hole  13  are aligned along the same or common axis (see  FIG. 1A ). The common axis is substantially orthogonal with the vehicle&#39;s longitudinal axis. For example, the vehicle&#39;s longitudinal axis can traverse from the front-to-rear of the vehicle at a substantially equal height above the ground or road surface. The vehicle&#39;s latitudinal axis can traverse from the left side-to-right side of the vehicle at a substantially equal height above the ground or road surface. Locking bars  18  also have a longitudinal axis substantially coaxial with the hole common axis of hole  13  facilitating a smooth translation of locking bars  18  through each hole  13 . Locking bars  18 ,  20  are configured slightly smaller outer diameter than hole  13  and hole  59  to facilitate a snug fit while maintaining ease of engagement and disengagement. 
         [0031]    Returning to  FIG. 3B  and a further description of receiver  42 , receiver  64  is generally a rectangular or square shaped socket attached to a horizontal or vertical lower frame member (not shown) of vehicle  100 . Receiver  64  includes two co-axial holes  66  on opposing sides  68  of receiver  64 . Two sleeves  70  are co-axially aligned with holes  66  and attached to the outer surface  68   a  of sides  68 . Sleeves  70  act as guides for bar  20  into holes  66 , and also act as load distributors as bar  20  displaces from side-to-side and up-and-down during vehicle operation and contacts the inner surface (not shown) of sleeves  70  and edges of holes  66 . Alternatively, receiver plate  72  is connected to receiver  64  along its top surface (not shown) to provide a larger area for attachment to vehicle  100 . A further alternative embodiment includes support plates  76  connecting to and extending downward perpendicular from receiver plate  72  to receiver  64 . Support plates  76  provide for additional roll or torsional stability. It is contemplated that the receiver  64  and correspondingly sized and shaped coupler  60  can be any selected size and shape. In the exemplary embodiment, receiver  64  is located on vehicle  100  at an elevation thereon lower than where locking bar receivers  12  are located on vehicle  100 . 
         [0032]    Frame  50  and its subcomponents can be made from any suitable material, such as sheet metal, steel, composite, aluminum, and any other metal or polymer or combination thereof, that can adequately withstand the operational load stresses of securing apparatus mount  44  and apparatus  48  to vehicle  100  during operation. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  depicts apparatus mount  44  with apparatus  48  contained therein. Apparatus mount  44  can include a base  78  having two apparatus mount receivers  82  and a coupler  60  mounted to front surface  80  of base  78  and generally parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis (for example, front to rear orientation) when assembled to vehicle  100 . Coupler  60  is a substantially straight member extending outwardly and orthogonally from front surface  80  of base  78 . Coupler  60  has a tapered end  61  to aid in the insertion of coupler  60  into receiver  64  and a hole  59  there through having a centerline substantially parallel with the centerline of extension holes  84 . In the exemplary embodiment, coupler  60  is located on apparatus mount  44  at an elevation thereon lower than where apparatus mount receivers  82  are located on apparatus mount  44 . Further, coupler  60  and apparatus mount receivers  82  must be oriented with respect to each other similar to their counterparts of receiver  42  (receiver  64  and locking bar receivers  12 , respectively) for appropriate cooperation therewith. Though a pair of apparatus mount receivers  82  are illustrated, it is within the contemplation of the present invention that as few as one apparatus mount receiver is sufficient to cooperate with only one pair of locking bar receivers  12  to interconnect receiver  42  with apparatus mount  44 . 
         [0034]    Apparatus mount receivers  82  can be generally “T” shaped having extensions  86 , which are of a similar configuration as locking bar receivers  12 . Extensions  86  are sized to fit within locking bar receiver  12 . One embodiment of an apparatus mount receiver extensions  86  can be, for example, a substantially cubic block of suitable material having a hole  84  bored there through. Apparatus mount receivers  82  can be attached to front surface  80  of base  78  by any conventional attachment means, such as, but not to be limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, adhering, nuts/bolts, and screws (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). Where two apparatus mount receivers  82  are attached to apparatus mount  44 , apparatus mount receivers  82  are oriented such that the hole center lines of each hole  84  are aligned along the same centerline axis. This hole common centerline axis is substantially the same as the hole common axis of locking bar receiver holes  13  when apparatus mount  44  is assembled to tow receiver  42 . 
         [0035]    In operation, apparatus mount locking bar receivers  82  and coupler  60  are inserted into holes  58  of receiver  42 . Receiver extensions  86  are disposed between locking bar receivers  12  such that holes  84  align with holes  13 . Coupler  60  is inserted into receiver  64  and positioned such that hole  59  of coupler  60  is disposed between and aligned with holes  66  of receiver  64 . Locking mechanism  10  (discussed in detail above) slidably actuates bar  18  to engage the two pairs of locking bar receivers  12  with the apparatus mount locking bar receivers  82 . Simultaneously, bar  20  moves transversely to be received into sleeve  70 , which guides bar  20  through holes  66  of receiver  64 . Bar  20  continues through hole  59  of coupler  60 , opposing holes  66  of receiver  64 , and into opposing sleeve  70 . Therefore, receiver  64  and locking bar receivers  12  are cooperatively engaged with coupler  60  and apparatus mount receivers  82 , respectively, to provide a three point connection of apparatus mount  44  to receiver  42 , and therefore to vehicle  100 . 
         [0036]    One embodiment of the simultaneous operation may include the bars  18 ,  20  entering holes  84 ,  59  at substantially the same time. 
         [0037]    Now returning to  FIG. 6 , apparatus mount  44  further includes an apparatus holder  46 . Apparatus holder  46  can be a recess or cavity  88  sufficiently sized and configured to receive an apparatus  48 . For illustration purpose only, the apparatus shown in the figures and described herein is a winch. However, apparatus mount  44  and recess  88  can be configured to hold any apparatus. One embodiment of recess  88  is semi-circular and is complimentary to the outer surfaces  90  of winch  48 , such as surface protrusions or projections, to assure stability and limit movement of winch  48  during operation and transportation. 
         [0038]    It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.