Abstract:
An accessory mounting system for vehicles or the like including one or more mounting rails, one or more mounting clamps, one optional sliding rail per clamp, and one optional hinged latching mechanism per clamp. The mounting rail is trapezoidal in profile, and may include one or more pieces, and is permanently mounted to the vehicle frame, body, or other component and oriented with the wider of the two parallel faces facing outward from the vehicle&#39;s mounting surface. The mounting clamp assembly utilizes two opposed V-shaped jaws of an equal or slightly more acute angle than that represented by the angle between the wider of the two parallel faces of the mounting rail and one of its two adjoining non-parallel faces such that when the mounting clamp assembly is engaged on the mounting rail, an interference fit occurs causing the mounting rail to nest between the two opposing jaws of the mounting clamp assembly, creating maximum surface area contact between the mounting clamp and the mounting rail in order to generate a very high coefficient of friction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus and processes for removably attaching an accessory mounting adapter to a main structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mounting arrangement for retaining an accessory adapter on a vehicle so that the adapter is capable of accepting substantial loads when attached. The present invention is particularly useful as a universal accessory attachment for motor vehicles such as trucks, automobiles, vans, campers and the like, as well as aircraft such as helicopters and watercraft, wherein the adapter for attaching the accessories can be easily removed, thereby leaving the mounting framework so as not to interfere with the normal functions of the vehicle structure. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Various devices have been developed in the past for the purpose of permitting temporary attachment of accessories to motor vehicles and the like. Link and pin arrangements have been used where the attachment is for a separately wheeled vehicle, such as for obsolete railway car connections, farm vehicles and the like. Such loose attachment configurations are not suitable for supporting the weight of the accessory and, thus, there have been some efforts to develop improvements along these lines. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,402 to Graybill et al. shows an arrangement for attaching a framework to the bumper of a motor vehicle. Such attachments are useful for relatively light loading purposes but the general structural weakness of vehicle bumpers frequently precludes their use for supporting substantial loads. Accordingly, other devices have been developed for the purpose of transferring loads to the substantial vehicle frame members, such as the outboard motor carrier shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,050 to McCharen. Various other arrangements have been developed for attaching accessories to vehicle frames, particularly for trailer hitches and the like. Such devices require relatively permanent attachment to the vehicle frame and cannot be easily removed when not needed. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there have been further efforts to provide a removable carrier attachment for motor vehicles. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,634 to Hobson et al. suggests an arrangement for clamping tubular members to the underframe of an automobile and pinning an outboard motor carrier to the tubular members when needed. Yet another arrangement suggested for attaching a carrier for a motorbike or the like to a vehicle frame is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,333 to Goldstein, whereby the trailer hitch of an existing mount is replaced by a pivotal bicycle or motorbike carrier structure. 
         [0006]    The ubiquitous receiver hitch is currently the most popular method for temporarily attaching accessories to a vehicle. It is evidence of the ever-increasing need for an adapter attachment for a motor vehicle which can be easily changed so as to accommodate one or more of various accessories or accessory functions but can be removed in a manner so as to not impair the normal functions of the vehicle body. The receiver hitch evolved from a system designed to easily accommodate the interchange of different towing connectors into one also used for accessory attachment. In its most common form, it incorporates a square steel bar attached to an accessory that is inserted into a like-sized square steel socket attached to the vehicle. Receiver hitches, while extremely popular, suffer from three significant shortcomings: a) the number and position of accessories which can be attached: b) the load carrying capacity of the receiver bar; and c) rattling caused by the loose slip-fit of the bar into the receiver. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,702 to Oltrogge is directed toward eliminating any accessory rattling by use of a clamp, albeit one secured through the use of tabs on the mounting bar. This device fails to improve upon the receiver hitch&#39;s limitation on the number and position of accessories attached because it specifically addresses a single accessory attachment via welded tabs and slots at a single point on the vehicle, thereby limiting one&#39;s ability to fully benefit from today&#39;s rich and abundant vehicle accessory market. Today there are many smaller accessories available that may be mounted in multiples to many different areas of a vehicle, such as externally mounted spare tires, gas cans, fire extinguishers, heavy duty jacks, and winches, which may be mounted to the front, rear, and sides of a vehicle. 
         [0008]    It should be noted that vehicle bumpers are now large, multi-contoured constructions often fully integrated with the bodywork of the vehicle. Sufficient clearances between bumpers and bodywork rarely exist in the modern world to permit passing the jaws of an accessory adapter clamp over the bumper in order to engage a hidden mounting bar. Therefore, if a clamp jaw utilizing Oltrogge&#39;s method was sufficiently reduced in thickness to pass between the bumper and the bodywork, it would afford insufficient structural rigidity and support. Oltrogge is also limited to only two accessories for concurrent mounting, where one is mounted above the other in predetermined mounting locations. 
         [0009]    The mounting arrangement for the accessory adapter disclosed herein provides improved flexibility in that the mounting rail can be attached to the vehicle frame or body—with load capacity commiserate with mounting location—as well as its ability to accommodate an almost unlimited variety of multiple accessories concurrently mounted to one mounting rail, with accessories positioned horizontally and vertically in an almost infinite variety of positions in relation to the mounting rail, enabling the most efficient use of the space afforded by the mounting rail. Furthermore, the mounting rail can double as the vehicle&#39;s bumper for front and rear mounting applications, and in many cases a decorative cover or the factory supplied bumper could be reattached as an accessory, if desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention is an apparatus and process for securely and removably attaching any of a wide variety of accessories to a main structural member such as a vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, building structure or the like. The invention finds utility in securely but removably attaching vehicle accessories to a motor vehicle in a manner which permits multiple accessories to be mounted in close proximity to each other at many different locations on the vehicle as well as accommodating substantial loading for those locations incorporating attachment to the chassis of the vehicle. A mounting rail is first secured to the vehicle, and accessories are then removably attached through the use of one or more mounting clamps per accessory with or without one optional slider rail per mounting clamp. 
         [0011]    The mounting rail is trapezoidal in profile; may include of one or more pieces; and is permanently mounted to the vehicle frame, body, or other component and oriented with the wider of the two parallel faces facing outward from the vehicle. The mounting clamp utilizes two opposed V-shaped jaws of an equal or slightly more acute angle than that represented by the angle between the wider of the two parallel faces of the mounting rail and one of its two adjoining non-parallel faces such that when the mounting clamp is engaged on the mounting rail, an interference fit occurs causing the mounting rail to nest between the two opposing jaws of the mounting clamp, creating maximum surface area contact between the mounting clamp and the mounting rail in order to generate a very high coefficient of friction. 
         [0012]    The mounting clamp may further be combined with a slider rail, I-shaped in profile, including two opposite, parallel, flat faces, one of which is flanged in order to engage with gripping plates attached to the clamping mechanism, and the other of which is flanged to engage with gripping plates attached to the accessory. The gripping plates are L-shaped and positioned parallel to the slider rails and overlap the flanges so as to create a high coefficient of friction when tightly fastened to either the mounting clamps or the accessory. 
         [0013]    The mounting clamp may further be combined with a hinged latching mechanism to enable the loading of heavier accessories. The hinged mechanism would be opened to facilitate the engagement of the mounting clamp onto the mounting rail by tilting the accessory, eliminating the need to support the full weight of the accessory during the engagement process. This hinged mechanism would be self-latching so that once the mounting clamp is engaged on the mounting rail, the accessory can be tilted up into a raised, horizontal position held elevated above the ground once the hinged mechanism latches closed. 
         [0014]    Although the method for generating the clamping force in the mounting clamp can vary, the two embodiments presented herein involve alternate yet equally desirable methods for achieving that force. A common feature of both embodiments is the movement of the lower jaw in relationship to the upper jaw in order to create an interference fit between the V-shaped portions of both jaws and their respective mating surfaces on the mounting rail in order to generate a high coefficient of friction to prevent movement of an accessory once attached. 
         [0015]    The first embodiment utilizes a rotatable cam sandwiched between the upper, stationary jaw and the lower, movable jaw. When rotated to engage the mounting clamp on the mounting rail, the cam pushes against a push-block, inserted below it into the upper jaw housing, and against a raised lip of the lower jaw positioned above it. As the space between the push-block of the upper jaw and the raised lip of the lower jaw increases, the distance between the V-shaped portions of the respective jaws decreases, thereby creating the clamping force. At top dead center of the cam&#39;s rotation—at its tallest point—one or both of the cam rollers that engage the two pushing surfaces nest in indentations in the center of one or both of the pushing surfaces, thereby limiting the cam&#39;s rotation. The spring action afforded by both the push block and the V-shape of the jaws (each jaw having a slightly more acute angle than the corresponding mating surfaces of the mounting rail) work to hold the cam in the locked position. Matching holes are provided on overlapping areas of the upper and lower jaws that will align when the mounting clamp is fully engaged on the mounting rail, allowing a padlock, bolt or retention pin to further restrict the unlocking of the mounting clamp if a user so chooses. Rotation of the cam is achieved through the use of a removable handle that, when inserted into the cam, allows rotation of the cam in either direction. Because the cam is rotatable through 360 degrees of travel, 90 degrees of rotation in either direction will transition the cam from an engaged state to a released state or back again. 
         [0016]    Because of the compression resulting from the interference fit of the mounting clamp jaws onto the mounting rail, it is often necessary to jar the lower jaw loose even after rotating the cam into the release position. Handle stowage can be integrated into the clamp body itself either internally or through the use of a channel in the accessory mounting face of the mounting clamp. With the accessory bolted to the mounting clamp, this channel provides a slot into which the handle can be inserted for stowage. This handle stowage slot used in combination with a striking surface attached to the lower jaw, allows the action of handle storage to also jar the lower jaw loose. 
         [0017]    A second embodiment of the mounting clamp encompasses subcomponents that interact in such a way as to convert the energy used in setting a clamp-enabled accessory onto the mounting rail into a highly leveraged action which draws the upper and lower jaws together, creating the interference-fit clamping-force similar to that described above. Rather than the rotation of a cam drawing the two jaws together as described in the first embodiment, the movement of the accessory from a tilted position (typically done to engage the mounting clamp upper jaw on top edge of mounting rail) into a horizontal position (the final resting position) draws the lower jaw closer to the upper jaw. The use of a retention pin through aligned holes in the upper jaw, lower jaw, and clamp actuator/accessory mount subcomponents would secure the mounting clamp in position on the mounting rail. 
         [0018]    The two clamp embodiments appeal to separate and distinct applications. The first embodiment would be preferable for tall accessories where the room to tilt the accessory toward the mounting rail is limited, as well as preferable for true off-road and other high-vibration uses due to there being zero slip from accessory to clamp to rail to vehicle. The second embodiment would be preferable for casual users and applications that require more frequent repositioning of accessories, as well as in applications where the use of the cam-rotation bar is problematic. 
         [0019]    Although the method for assembling the mounting rails and attaching them to the vehicle can vary, the functional aspect of the mounting rail is its trapezoidal profile and its size in relation to the mounting clamp. A method for assembling and attaching a mounting rail to a vehicle as described herein involves loosely bolting the U-shaped mounting rail base plate to the vehicle using flange expander plates, sandwiching the mounting rail base plate between the flange expander plates and the vehicle mounting surface. The mounting rail cover, the outside surface of which becomes the clamp mounting surface after final assembly, is then slid over the mounting rail base plate until flush at each end. At this point, the bolts that go through the flange expander plate and the mounting rail base plate are tightened, drawing the flange expander to nest into the base plate, thereby expanding the base plate into the cover and locking the cover in place. 
         [0020]    The mounting rails, when used on the front or rear surfaces of a motor vehicle, and when constructed of sufficiently dense material, can adequately substitute as the vehicle&#39;s bumpers, in many cases exceeding the impact capacity of the original equipment bumpers. The original equipment bumpers can, in many cases, be equipped with mounting clamps and reattached to the mounting rails as an accessory. Mounting rails can also be equipped with non-functional coverings to improve the aesthetic appeal, such as hinged or slotted, step-bumper-like tops, molded end caps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an isometric, exploded view of the mounting clamp accessory adapter of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are isometric views of the mounting clamp accessory adapter of the present invention with clamp assembly closed and open, respectively. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the mounting clamp accessory adapter of the present invention mounted on a mounting rail. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the mounting rail base plate component of the present invention with two-hole flange expander adjacent to vehicle frame rail. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are frontal transparent views of the clamping mechanism of the present invention with clamp assembly closed and open, respectively. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is same view as  FIGS. 5A and 5B  but with a removable cam-rotation bar inserted. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 7A-7D  are isometric views of a four-step mounting rail assembly process for the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are isometric views of the slider rails in use with the mounting clamp of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a reverse-angle isometric view of the present invention in use with two concurrent accessories. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a low-angle isometric view of the present invention in use with a single, large accessory. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  show isometric and profile views, respectively, of a solid mounting rail with a mounting clamp assembly mounted thereon. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show isometric and profile views, respectively, of another solid mounting rail with a mounting clamp assembly mounted thereon. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  show isometric and profile views, respectively, of one embodiment of a stamped mounting rail with a mounting clamp assembly mounted thereon. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are isometric views of another embodiment of a single stamped mounting rail and a plurality of nested stamped mounting rails, respectively. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15C  show a profile view of a plurality of nested stamped mounting rails. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  show isometric and profile views, respectively, of still another embodiment of a stamped mounting rail with a mounting clamp assembly attached thereto. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 17A-17C  show isometric and profile views of an “extruded” solid mounting rail with a plurality of mounting clamp assemblies attached thereto, where  FIG. 17A  is a close-up view of  FIG. 17B  and  FIG. 17C  is a profile view of the mounting rail. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  are front and back views, respectively, of a mounting clamp cover fastened with standard bolts. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  are front and back views, respectively, of a mounting clamp cover fastened with countersunk bolts. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 20A-20G  are isometric views of progressive stages in the construction of the mounting clamp assembly. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 21A-21D  are isometric views of cam-rotation bar stowage and lower jaw release method. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 22A-22E  are isometric views of the second embodiment of a mounting clamp transitioning from fully open to fully closed and locked. 
           [0043]      FIGS. 23A-23D  are side phantom views of the second embodiment of a mounting clamp transitioning from fully open to fully closed. 
           [0044]      FIG. 24A  is a side phantom view of the hinged latching mechanism assembly. 
           [0045]      FIGS. 24B-24E  are isometric views of the hinged latching mechanism assembly in various states. 
           [0046]      FIGS. 25A-25C  are isometric views of a wheeled accessory being outfitted with a hinged latching device and mounting clamp. 
           [0047]      FIGS. 26A and 26B  are isometric views showing a wheeled accessory before and after mounting to sport utility type of vehicle. 
           [0048]      FIGS. 27A-27G  are solid side views of the steps needed to mount a wheeled accessory equipped with a mounting clamp and a hinged latching mechanism to a mounting rail equipped sport utility type of vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    An exemplary utility for the present invention is envisioned in conjunction with motor vehicles and thus exemplary embodiments will be described in association with a sport utility type of vehicle  41 . Such vehicles typically include a major underframe for load bearing purposes as illustrated by beams  42  and  43  in  FIGS. 4 and 7A . The same method that is illustrated here for attaching the mounting base rail of the invention to the rear-most portion of the vehicle frame rails can also be employed (and thus not illustrated) for mounting to other areas of the frame rails as well as mounting to the vehicle body. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of the mounting clamp assembly  28  serving as the accessory adapter of the present invention. Upper jaw cover  2  is welded to upper jaw  13 . A cam assembly  100  is created by assembling disks  3  and  4 , first inserting and fastening pins  6  and  7  in matching open, 180 degree opposed holes in the disks, the length of the pins equal to the combined thickness of the two disks plus the thickness of the cam-rotation bar  33  plus a tolerance to allow for the easy insertion and removal of the bar, with the outer, opposed faces of disks  3  and  4  flush with the opposing ends of pins  6  and  7 . Pins  8  and  9  are then inserted and fastened in the remaining open holes of disks  3  and  4 , with one end of each pin flush with the outer edge of disk  3  and the pins being equal in length to pins  6  and  7  plus the thickness of cam rollers  10  and  11 , respectively. Cam rollers  10  and  11  are then slipped over the protruding ends of pins  8  and  9 , thereby completing the cam assembly  100 . 
         [0051]    Lower jaw  12  is inserted into the space between upper jaw  13  and upper jaw cover  2 , with the V-shaped portion  15  of the lower jaw  12  oriented the same as that of the V-shaped portion  14  of the upper jaw  13  with the nearest surfaces of both jaws  12 ,  13  in contact with each other. Once the lower jaw  12  is slid fully up into the upper jaw  13  and cover assembly, the cam assembly  100  is slid up into the space that exists between the lower jaw  12  and the upper jaw cover  2 , with the cam roller side of the cam assembly  100  against the back of the lower jaw  12 . With the cam assembly  100  rotated so that the cam rollers  10 ,  11  are side by side, and with both the lower jaw  12  and the cam assembly  100  inserted as far as possible into the upper jaw  13  and cover assembly, push-block  1  is inserted through holes  29   a  and  29   b,  with cam-locking notch  18  oriented towards the cam assembly  100 . Cotter pin  5  is then inserted through hole  44 , locking the push-block  1  in place. 
         [0052]    Cam-locking notch  17  on the raised lip of the lower jaw  16  works in conjunction with the cam-locking notch  18  on push-block  1  to lock the cam assembly  100  at top dead center, the point at which the cam rollers  10 ,  11  are one above the other and the point at which the mounting clamp assembly  28  would be fully engaged with the mounting rail  30 . At top dead center, holes  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  align, allowing a padlock, pin, or bolt (not shown) to be inserted through hole pairings  20  and  22  or  21  and  23  (or both, for that matter) as both a means of theft deterrence and prevention of accidental release of the mounting clamp. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are isometric views of the mounting clamp assembly  28  in the closed and open positions, respectively.  FIG. 2A  shows mounting clamp assembly  28  with the lower jaw  12  in the raised, engaged position.  FIG. 2B  shows mounting clamp assembly  28  with the lower jaw  12  in the lowered, disengaged position. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the mounting clamp assembly  28  of the present invention mounted on the mounting rail  30  of the present invention. This view is similar to those shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  except that it shows two mounting clamp assemblies  28 , one closed and one open, on mounting rail  30 , which is itself mounted to mounting rail base plate  31 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a rear mounted mounting rail base plate  31  with two-hole flange expander  32  adjacent to vehicle frame rail  43 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are frontal phantom views of mounting clamp assemblies  28  in the closed (engaged) and open (disengaged) positions, respectively. Mounting clamp assembly  28  in  FIG. 5A  shows that at top dead center—with cam rollers  10  and  11  one above the other—holes  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  align, allowing a padlock, pin, or bolt (not shown) to be inserted through hole pairings  20  and  22  or  21  and  23  (or both, for that matter) as both a means of theft deterrence and prevention of accidental disengagement of the mounting clamp. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is same view as  FIGS. 5A and 5B  but with removable cam-rotation bar  33  inserted. Bar  33  is inserted into the slot formed by disks  3  and  4  ( FIG. 1 ) and pins  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9  ( FIG. 1 ). Bar  33  is shown at opposite ends of the 90 degree of travel required to engage or disengage the clamping mechanism. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 7A-7D  are isometric views showing four steps of a mounting rail assembly process. Mounting rail base plate  31  is loosely bolted to the vehicle using flange expander plates  32  and  45 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . The mounting rail cover  30  is then slid over the mounting rail base plate until flush at each end, as shown in  FIGS. 7B-7D . At this point, the bolts (not shown) are tightened, drawing the flange expanders  32  and  45  to nest into the mounting rail base plate  31 , expanding the mounting rail base plate  31  into the mounting rail cover  30 , locking the cover in place. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are isometric views of the slider rail  34  in use with the mounting clamp assembly  28  engaged on mounting rail cover  30 . Gripping plates  35  and  36  clamp slider rail  34  to mounting clamp  28 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  is a reverse-angle isometric view showing concurrent mounting of two different accessories. Gas can  46  and spare tire  47  are each fastened to slider rails  34 ,  34 , respectively. Upper and lower V-shaped jaws,  14  and  15 , respectively, are also visible from this view. 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  is a low-angle isometric view in use with a single, large accessory, in this case cargo tray  37 . Cargo tray  37  is fastened atop support rails  38  and  39 , which are in turn fastened directly to mounting clamp assemblies  28 ,  28  which are themselves engaged on mounting rail cover  30 , which is covering mounting rail base plate  31 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 12A  is an isometric view of a solid mounting rail  30   f  with mounting clamp assembly  28  attached thereto.  FIG. 12B  is an end-on, profile view of this same solid mounting rail  30   f.  A solid mounting rail  30   f  offers advantages in strength, grip (coefficient of friction between the mounting clamp assembly  28  and said mounting rail  30   f ), and cost of manufacturing, but has disadvantages in weight and cost of shipping. 
         [0063]      FIG. 13A  is an isometric view of an “ornamental” solid mounting rail  30   a  with mounting clamp assembly  28  attached thereto.  FIG. 13B  is an end-on, profile view of this same mounting rail  30   a.  This type of mounting rail offers advantages over the standard solid mounting rail  30   f  in weight and cost of shipping, but provides less grip due to the reduced surface area of the mounting rail face as well as having a higher cost of manufacture. 
         [0064]      FIG. 14A  is an isometric view of a “stamped” mounting rail  30   b  having a large center groove with mounting clamp assembly  28  attached thereto.  FIG. 14B  is a reverse view of this same mounting rail  30   b,  showing the use of optional spacer blocks  1701  and  1702 .  FIG. 14C  is an end-on, profile view of this same mounting rail  30   b  without the spacer blocks  1701  and  1702 . This type of mounting rail  30   b  offers advantages over the standard solid mounting rail  30   f  in weight, cost of manufacture, and cost of shipping, but provides less grip and strength. 
         [0065]      FIG. 15A  is an isometric view of another “stamped” mounting rail  30   c  with mounting clamp assembly  28  attached thereto, this one designed to nest one within another for reduced shipping costs.  FIG. 15B  is an isometric view of this same mounting rail  30   c , nested with five others of similar type.  FIG. 15C  is an end-on, profile view of six of these type of mounting rails  30   c  nested together for shipment. This type of mounting rail offers advantages over the stamped mounting rail  30   b  shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C , primarily in cost of shipping due to the greater number of rails that will fit in a given space, but provides slightly less grip. Strength, weight, and cost of manufacturing are comparable to the stamped mounting rail  30   b  in  FIGS. 14A-14C . 
         [0066]      FIG. 16A  is an isometric view of another “stamped” mounting rail  30   d  with mounting clamp assembly  28  attached thereto, this one being possibly the simplest construction.  FIG. 16B  is an end-on, profile view of this same mounting rail  30   d.  This type of mounting rail  30   d  offers advantages over the stamped mounting rails  30   b,    30   c  shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C  and in  FIGS. 15A-15C  primarily in weight, cost of shipping, and cost of manufacture, but provides significantly less grip and strength. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 17A-17C  are isometric views of an “extruded” solid mounting rail  30   e  with mounting clamps  28   a,    28   b  attached,  FIG. 17A  being a close up of  FIG. 17B .  FIG. 17C  is an end-on, profile view of this same mounting rail  30   e.  One advantage of this type of mounting rail  30   e  is its ability to accommodate different sized mounting clamp assemblies  28   a,    28   b.  This allows the user to attach “light-duty” accessories to a “heavy-duty” mounting rail  30   e.  Full-sized mounting clamp assembly  28   a  clamps over the entire rail  30   e,  while small mounting clamp  28   b  assembly clamps over the upper edge of the mounting rail  30   e  and a lower groove  148  in the face of the mounting rail  30   e,  while small mounting clamp assembly  28   b  clamps over an upper groove  150  in the face of the mounting rail  30   e  and the lower edge of the mounting rail  30   e.    
         [0068]      FIGS. 18A-18B  and  19 A- 19 B are isometric views of the upper mounting clamp cover  2  showing two different methods of fastening accessories/slider rails to the upper mounting clamp cover  2 .  FIGS. 18A and 18B  show front and back views whereby standard bolts  2701 - 2704  are screwed into threaded holes in the upper mounting clamp cover  2 . Bolt  3003  shows how the bolt tip must not protrude past being flush with the inner face  3005  of the upper mounting clamp cover  2  so as not to inhibit the sliding of the cam action. The advantage to using this method is that any length bolt may be used, so long as the end of the bolt does not protrude past flush with the inner face of the mounting clamp cover.  FIGS. 19A and 19B  show front and back views whereby bolts  2901 - 2904  with countersunk heads and flat tops are inserted from the inside out through smooth bore, countersunk holes. Bolt  2904  shows how the bolt head must not protrude past being flush with the inner face  2905  of the upper mounting clamp cover  2  so as not to inhibit the sliding of the cam action. The advantage to using this method is that the risk of damaged threads rendering a bolt hole unusable is eliminated, as well as it providing a stronger attachment of the accessory/slider rail  34 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 20A-20G  show one method of constructing the mounting clamp assembly  28 . In this method, a single piece of stamped material  200  is folded to create the assembly, with one or more keyed tabs and slots interlocking on the accessory mounting face. An optional weld may be applied along this seam.  FIG. 20G  shows the final step of bending the jaw portion of the mounting clamp assembly  28  into place. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 21A-21  D show cam-rotation bar stowage and lower jaw release method. Cam-rotation bar stowage channel  50  can be integrated into clamp cover  2  through the formation of channel  49  in the accessory mounting face of mounting clamp  28 . With accessory mounting plate  48  bolted to mounting clamp  28 , channel  49  provides a slot into which cam-rotation bar  33  can be inserted for stowage.  FIGS. 21B-21D  show channel  49  with accessory mounting plate  48  removed. Cam-rotation bar stowage slot  49  used in combination with striking surface  50  attached to the lower jaw  12 , allows the downward force of cam-rotation bar  33  to jar lower jaw  12  loose. With lower jaw  12  in its lowest-most position, striking surface  50  then serves as a stop to prevent cam-rotation bar  33  from sliding out of the bottom of stowage channel  49 , providing secure stowage for cam-rotation bar  33 . 
         [0071]      FIGS. 22A-22E  are isometric views of the second embodiment of a mounting clamp transitioning from fully open to fully closed and locked.  FIG. 22A  shows clamp assembly  51  in the fully open position and positioned on mounting rail  30   g  in preparation for closing. An accessory (not shown) would be attached to accessory mounting face  53  and act as a lever arm to rotate clamp actuator  54  around clamp actuator pivot pin  57 . As the bottom of clamp actuator  54  pivots inward (toward lower jaw guide pin  59 ), lower jaw pivot pin  58  draws lower jaw assembly  56 , comprised of lower jaw body  56   a  and lower jaw v-shaped interface  56   b,  upward while lower jaw guide slots  60   a  and  60   b  guide the bottom of lower jaw assembly  56  inward and upward, engaging bottom of mounting rail  30   g  with lower jaw v-shaped interface  56   b.  As clamp actuator  54  completes its rotation into a closed state as shown in  FIG. 22D , it draws the upper jaw assembly  55 , comprised of upper jaw body  55   a  and upper jaw v-shaped interface  55   b,  and lower jaw assembly  56  together, creating the interference-fit clamping-force necessary to hold clamp assembly  51  in place on mounting rail  30   g . With clamp actuator  54  in its fully closed position, retention pin  52  is inserted through the now aligned upper jaw retention holes  61   a  and  61   b , clamp actuator retention holes  62   a  and  62   b,  and lower jaw retention holes  63   a  and  63   b.    FIG. 22E  shows clamp assembly  51  closed and locked onto mounting rail  30   g  with retention pin  52  securing clamp assembly  51  in closed state. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 23A-23D  are side phantom views of the second embodiment of a mounting clamp transitioning from fully open to fully closed and match  FIGS. 22A-22D  respectively. 
         [0073]      FIG. 24A  is a side phantom view of hinged latching mechanism assembly  64 . Clamp mounting face  68  attaches to either first clamp embodiment accessory mounting face  2   a  from  FIG. 1  or second clamp embodiment accessory mounting face  53  from  FIG. 22A . Hinged latching mechanism accessory mounting face  66  attaches to the accessory in place of the clamp accessory mounting faces  2   a  and  53 , sandwiching hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  between the accessory and the clamp. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 24B-24E  are isometric views of hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  in various states.  FIG. 24B  is a phantom view of hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  in a closed state, while  FIG. 24C  is the same state but in a solid view.  FIG. 24D  shows hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  half open and  FIG. 24E  shows hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  fully open. When closing hinged latching mechanism assembly  64 , internal mounting body  67  rotates about assembly pivot pin  69 , bringing latch strike plates  71   a  and  71   b  in contact with assembly latch pin  70 , lifting said pin to the top of latch guide slots  73   a  and  73   b  until latch strike plates  71   a  and  71   b  can pass beneath unhindered. Once internal mounting body  67  completes its rotation into a closed state in relationship to external mounting body  65 , latch pin  70  is free to drop down in latch guide slots  73   a  and  73   b  and into the now aligned latch retention notches  72   a  and  72   b,  securing internal mounting body  67  to external mounting body  65  in a closed state. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 25A-25C  are isometric views of a wheeled accessory being outfitted with a hinged latching device and mounting clamp. In  FIG. 25A , portable generator  76  is shown sans any invention components. In  FIG. 25B , portable generator  76  is shown with hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  permanently and directly attached.  FIG. 25C  then shows second clamp embodiment assembly  51  permanently and directly attached to hinged latching mechanism assembly  64 , which is itself permanently and directly attached to portable generator  76 . In this configuration, portable generator  76  is equipped to be mounted to a mounting rail equipped vehicle. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 26A and 26B  are isometric views showing portable generator  76  before and after mounting to sport utility type of vehicle  41 . Portable generator shadow  76   a  and sport utility type of vehicle shadow  41   a  provide a gauge of height change for portable generator  76  after mounting to sport utility type of vehicle  41 .  FIG. 26A  shows portable generator  76  resting on ground  77  with mounting rail  30  completely visible.  FIG. 26B  shows portable generator  76  suspended above ground  77  due to mounting onto sport utility type of vehicle  41 . 
         [0077]      FIGS. 27A-27G  are solid side views of the steps needed to mount a wheeled accessory equipped with a mounting clamp and a hinged latching mechanism to a mounting rail equipped sport utility type of vehicle.  FIG. 27A  shows portable generator  76  resting on ground  77  with hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  and second clamp embodiment assembly  51  permanently attached and both in closed state, positioned to begin procedure to mount portable generator  76  to mounting rail  30  on sport utility type of vehicle  41 .  FIG. 27B  shows both second clamp embodiment assembly  51  and hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  in a semi-open state resting atop ground  77 .  FIG. 27C  shows portable generator  76  rotated back, allowing second clamp embodiment assembly  51  and hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  to relax into fully open states.  FIG. 27D  shows the movement (A) of portable generator  76  toward sport utility type of vehicle  41  followed by forward rotation (B) to engage second clamp embodiment assembly  51  onto mounting rail  30 .  FIG. 27E  shows the relaxed state of hinged latching mechanism assembly  64  and second clamp embodiment assembly  51 . This relaxed state forces second clamp embodiment assembly  51  into a closed state, at which point retention pin  52  (not shown) can be inserted to lock second clamp embodiment assembly  51 .  FIG. 27F  shows portable generator  76  being rotated upward toward fully mounted position.  FIG. 27G  shows portable generator  76  in its fully mounted position. Hinged latching mechanic assembly  64  is now in a fully closed and latched state, supporting portable generator  76  above ground  77  creating clearance gap  78 .