Patent Description:
It is known within the art to equip a cargo space, at for example a service vehicle, with different kinds of more or less modular systems, like cupboards, shelves, boxes, tool holders, etc. Once the vehicle has been manufactured, a separate step of equipping the vehicle with different kind of interior, tailor made or modular, takes place. This step may also include to provide the cargo space with separate floor, walls, and ceiling, for example made by wood, depending on which type of interior is needed. Other modular systems may include to directly fit for example specially adapted rails etc. to the insides of the cargo space.

The modular systems are as mentioned fixedly fitted to the walls/inside surfaces, to prevent the interior items, like cupboards, shelves etc. from falling or moving inside the cargo space. This is normally done by securing the items to the insides by different kind of brackets and fastening means, either directly to the inside surfaces (walls, ceiling or floor) or to rails which in turn are attached to the insides. Another important issue, related to the securing of the interior items to the cargo space, concerns crash-safety. Since the modular units normally are used to store and transport heavy tools and toolkits, there is a risk connected to severe acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle, for example at a collision of the vehicle. If the modular units are not properly secured inside the cargo space of the vehicle, the units may not only get damaged but may also be a great risk to persons sitting in the cabin, in the event of a crash.

There are a number of attachment systems at the market, which include different kinds of brackets, normally made of metal, and which are anchored to rails or directly to insides of the cargo space of the service vehicle by for example, screws, bolts or other types of securing means. In the event of a crash with the vehicle, the brackets and the securing means must take care of extreme forces. Crash tests and knowledge from real accidents have pointed out that the weakest spot often is where the items/the modular systems are attached to the vehicle, or to the rail system. Brackets or the fastening means are often broken due to severe forces caused by the severe deceleration of the vehicle, for example at a front collision. It is crucial to absorb the crash-energy in different ways, to reduce the risk of broken brackets or fastening means. Of course, to reduce or absorb the crash-energy is also crucial for the interior itself, which will not be subjected to such high forces if the energy is absorbed by the anchoring system.

One solution is presented in <CIT>, which disclose a bracket with a weakened portion, which is designed to stretch in the event of a crash. The weakened portion of the bracket is designed with a number of slits, arranged transverse to the stretch-direction, and which slits provide an absorbing function to the bracket. Another solution is presented in <CIT>, which instead discloses a rail system in which an item secured to the rail system is arranged to move along the rail when subjected to a force above a predefined threshold value and to not move when subjected to forces below that threshold value. This solution is quite complicated with a lot of parts and thereby expensive, and further, the system is quite complicated and time consuming to install. Prior art solutions do not provide a controlled "behavior" in the event of a crash, which means that when a severe deceleration actually occurs, and for example the threshold value is exceeded (like in <CIT>), there is no control over the subsequent "behavior" of for example the bracket/rail system during the deceleration down to zero (i.e. until the crash is over).

Another known solution is presented in <CIT>, which discloses a bracket for anchoring an item to an inner surface of a cargo space of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, which bracket includes a first anchoring portion in a first plane for anchoring against a surface by means of bolts, and a second anchoring portion in a second plane for attachment to an item (a grid) via a slot-like opening. Between these anchoring portions there is an expansion portion which has one wave ridge and one wave valley, both with the same wave height relative to a common axis of symmetry. The solution is designed to stretch in the event of a crash but not in a controlled manner and not such that a varying crash force is taken care of in a secure manner.

Yet another solution is presented in <CIT>, which presents a bracket which includes a first anchoring portion and a second anchoring portion which is angled in relation to the first anchoring portion. Furthermore, there is an expansion portion consisting of a double folding of the bracket material in the same plane, wherein the bracket is designed to stretch in the event of a crash but not in a controlled manner and not such that a varying crash force is taken care of in a secure manner.

To reduce the risks described above in the event of a crash and to take care of crash-energy during the complete crash sequence, it is desirable to provide a solution which is cost effective and easy to install and which further provides a controlled absorption of energy caused by for example a crash with the vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to address at least some of the problems and issues outlined above. It is possible to achieve these objects and others by a bracket as defined in the attached independent claims, which by its design is able to absorb shock-forces/energy-forces in the event of a crash with a vehicle in which items/equipment are anchored by the bracket to an inner surface of the vehicle.

According to an aspect of the invention, an energy-absorbing bracket for anchoring an item to an inner surface of a cargo space of a vehicle, is disclosed. The bracket comprises a first side which faces said inner surface when the bracket is anchored thereto, and a second side opposite the first side and thus faces the cargo space in the mounted position on the inner surface of the vehicle. The inner surface of the vehicle has an extension in a first direction which substantially is a travelling direction of a vehicle. The bracket comprises a first anchoring portion, arranged for attachment with its first side to said inner surface (which first side is the same as the first side of the bracket) wherein the first anchoring portion has a first extension plane in the first direction, thus, the extension plane of the first anchoring portion is to be arranged along the inner surface, which substantially is in the travelling direction of the vehicle. The bracket further comprises a second anchoring portion, which is arranged for attachment to said item, wherein the item may be secured to the inner surface of the vehicle via the first and second anchoring portions. To absorb energy, at least in the travelling direction (the first direction) of the vehicle, the bracket further comprises an expansion portion, which is arranged between, and connecting the first and second anchoring portions. The expansion portion has an extension in the first direction, which by that is an extension along the first extension plane, and the expansion portion is arranged to expand at least in the first direction by being accordion-shaped in the first direction.

By that the expansion portion being accordion-shaped, the energy-absorption is achieved by that the "wave-form" is stretched out if the bracket is subjected to a traction force. Such a form may also be compressed if the bracket is subjected to a compression force. The bracket is however mainly designed to take care of a traction force in the first direction, why the bracket normally is arranged with the second anchoring portion closer to the cabin of the vehicle, and the first anchoring portion "behind" the expansion portion, relating to a mounted position in the cargo space of a vehicle. The second anchoring portion may be flat and arranged in the same first extension plane as the first anchoring portion or have a plane with another angle compared to the first extension plane of the first anchoring portion. By the accordion-shaped design, with a specially adapted expansion portion, the bracket absorbs energy caused by severe deceleration, in a controlled manner. The material of the bracket is preferably steel sheet, and the accordion-shaped expansion portion may be designed to control the absorption during different phases during a collision, by for example the "waves" being of similar or different height, or being of similar width or different width and so on. Even the material thickness may vary over the accordion-shaped expansion portion, to provide "designed" expansion properties. No prior art solutions provide such characteristics.

According to the invention, the accordion-shape of the expansion portion is substantially symmetrically arranged along a symmetry axis, wherein ridges and valleys of the accordion-shaped expansion portion have a peak height relative the central axis and wherein the ridges faces the first side of the bracket and the valleys facing the second side of the bracket. The definition of ridges and valleys are thus related to the mounted position of the bracket to the inner surface of the vehicle, where the ridges face the inner surface and the valleys protrudes away from the inner surface, i.e. inwards towards the cargo space of the vehicle. Such a solution, with a symmetric design, is rather easy to manufacture and provides a controlled behavior of the absorption of energy in the event of a crash or a severe deceleration.

According to the invention, the peak height of the ridges and valleys relative the central axis varies between adjacent ridges and valleys, such as a "wave-height" changes in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion. By the changing "wave-height" the force may be absorbed in a controlled and designed manner.

According to an embodiment, the peak height of the ridges and valleys relative the central axis gradually decreases in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion, such as a first ridge has a peak height which is higher than a peak height of an adjacent first valley and so on, in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion. Such a solution is very effective in absorbing traction energy in a controlled manner. By that the "wave-height" of the accordion-shaped expansion portion decreases from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion, that is in the first direction or forwards, relative the driving direction of the vehicle, the force is absorbed along this direction in chronological order from the "first wave" to "the last wave". Tests has proven that the bracket extends wave by wave (or ridge by valley) from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion, which means that a controlled and dampening function is achieved. By the decreasing height of adjacent ridges and waves, it is harder and harder to straighten the bracket by a traction force, why this dampening function is achieved. This provides the controlled energy-absorbing characteristics which has proven very good to prevent items, anchored by the bracket to inner surfaces like rails or walls, from loosening from their anchored positions inside the vehicle. Thus, the fastening means, the frames of shelves, racks etc. can manage the forces without being broken, which also reduces the risk of injuries to persons inside the cabin of the vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the peak height of the ridges and valleys relative the central axis gradually increases in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion, such as a first ridge has a peak height which is lower than a peak height of an adjacent first valley and so on, in direction in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion. This is an alternative solution with a mirrored design compared to the one described above.

According to an embodiment, the peak height of the ridges and valleys relative the central axis pairwise gradually decreases in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion, such as a first pair of one ridge and one adjacent valley has the same peak height which is higher than an the peak height of an adjacent second pair of one ridge and one adjacent valley, and so on, in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion. This is yet another alternative solution compared to the ones described above. Of course, it is understood that the inventive concept may be achieved by other combinations of different peak height of the ridges and valleys.

According to an embodiment, the peak height of the ridges and valleys relative the central axis pairwise gradually increases in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion, such as a first pair of one ridge and one adjacent valley has the same peak height which is lower than an the peak height of an adjacent second pair of one ridge and one adjacent valley, and so on, in direction from the second anchoring portion towards the first anchoring portion. This is yet another alternative solution compared to the ones described above. Of course, it is understood that the inventive concept may be achieved by other combinations of different peak height of the ridges and valleys.

According to an embodiment, the symmetry axis of the accordion-shaped expansion portion has a first angle relative the first extension plane of the first anchoring portion. Such a solution provides that the accordion-shaped expansion portion may be arranged to not interfere with the first extension plane, for example to be able to fixedly attach the bracket to a flat inner surface. The angle preferably is rather small, since the expansion of the accordion-shaped expansion portion is substantially taking place in the first direction, which substantially is the travelling direction of a vehicle. It is of course also possible, within the inventive concept, to let the first angle be zero or close to zero, since the bracket may flex at the expansion portion, if mounted to a flat surface.

According to an embodiment, the first angle is chosen such as the ridges do not protrude above the first extension plane. The angle thereby depends on the peak height of the highest ridges, and by that the bracket is mountable on a flat inner surface of a vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the second anchoring portion has a second extension plane which coincides with the first extension plane of the first anchoring portion. This means that the bracket is substantially flat in its design, which means that the overall look is flat, except the accordion-shape of the expansion portion.

According to an embodiment, at least a part of a second extension plane of the second anchoring portion has a second angle relative the first extension plane of the first anchoring portion. Such a solution provides an easy way of mounting items to the bracket since the angled bracket protrudes from the inner surface of the vehicle in its mounted position thereon.

According to an embodiment, the second angle between the first extension plane of the first anchoring portion and the second extension plane of the second anchoring portion is larger than <NUM>°.

According to an embodiment, the ridges and valleys of the accordion-shaped expansion portion have a sinus-formed design. This means that each ridge and valley have a radius at the peak and thereby has a smooth design. Such a solution reduces the risk of that the bracket will snap (break) in a sudden severe deceleration resulting in a high peak force.

According to an embodiment, the ridges and valleys of the accordion-shaped expansion portion have a toothed design. This means that each ridge and valley have a sharp-edged peak, which is an alternative design, which in some cases may be convenient and good enough.

According to an embodiment, the ridges and valleys of the accordion-shaped expansion portion have a "square-pulsed design". This means that the accordion-shape looks like a "rectangular pulse", manufactured by bending each ridge and valley of the expansion portion in substantially <NUM>° angles. Of course, it is understood that the inventive concept may be achieved by other forms of the accordion-shape of the expansion portion.

According to an aspect of the invention, a use of a bracket according to any of the preceding claims for anchoring an item to an inner surface of a cargo space of a vehicle, is disclosed.

Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the detailed description below.

Briefly described, an energy-absorbing bracket and use of such bracket, is disclosed. The inventive design provides a solution which absorbs traction force in a controlled manner during a crash-sequence.

<FIG> shows a view of an energy-absorbing bracket <NUM> according to the invention, seen obliquely from above. The bracket <NUM> is used for anchoring an item to an inner surface of a cargo space of a vehicle. The bracket <NUM> comprises a first side 2a which faces the inner surface of the vehicle when the bracket <NUM> is anchored to that surface, and a second side 2b, which is arranged opposite the first side 2a and thus faces the cargo space in the mounted position. The inner surface of the vehicle has an extension in a first direction x, which substantially is a travelling direction of a vehicle. The bracket <NUM> comprises a first anchoring portion <NUM> arranged for attachment to the inner surface with its first side 2a (which in the preferred embodiment is the same as the first side of the bracket), and which anchoring portion <NUM> has a first extension plane A, similar with the first direction x (see <FIG>). The first anchoring portion <NUM> comprises holes <NUM>, which are arranged for fastening means like screws or the like, to be able to fixedly attach the bracket <NUM> to an inner surface of a vehicle or a rail system or the like, which in turn is attached to the inside of the vehicle. The bracket <NUM> further comprises a second anchoring portion <NUM>, which is arranged for anchoring an item such as a shelf, a box, a rail etc. which may be a part of a modular system or interior system for a service vehicle or the like. The second anchoring portion <NUM> comprises holes <NUM>, which are arranged for fastening means like screws or the like, to fixedly attach the item to the bracket <NUM>. Between the first and second anchoring portions <NUM>, <NUM> is an expansion portion <NUM> arranged, which connects the first and second anchoring portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The expansion portion <NUM> has an extension in the first direction x, which by that coincides with the first extension plane A (see <FIG>). The expansion portion <NUM> is arranged to expand at least in the first direction x (along the first extension plane A) by being accordion-shaped. In the preferred embodiment, the second anchoring portion <NUM> has at least a small part arranged in the first extension plane A, which by that has an extension in the first direction, but the main part is bent in an angle relative the first extension plane A to provide an easy mounting of an item to the bracket. This will be further explained below. Of course, the second anchoring portion <NUM> may be straight or have other angles as well.

<FIG> shows a top view of the inventive bracket <NUM> and <FIG> shows a zoomed view of the left part of the bracket <NUM> seen in <FIG>. The first anchoring portion <NUM> has its first extension plane A arranged with the same orientation as the first direction x, and the second anchoring portion <NUM> has a second extension plane B, wherein the main a part of the second extension plane B has a second angle β relative the first extension plane A. This second angle β preferably is slightly larger than <NUM>°, to provide an easy mounting of an item to the bracket <NUM>. A small part of the second anchoring portion <NUM> is arranged in the first extension plane A and is connected to the expansion portion <NUM>.

According to the preferred embodiment, the accordion-shape of the expansion portion <NUM> is substantially symmetrically arranged along a symmetry axis y, such as ridges 5a, 5b,. 5n and valleys 6a, 6b,. 6n of the accordion-shaped expansion portion <NUM> have a peak height h relative the central axis y. The overall design of the expansion portion <NUM> is a waveform, with a number of waves defined in this application as ridges 5a, 5b,. 5n and valleys 6a, 6b,. 6n, wherein the number of waves may vary within the scope of the invention. In the shown embodiment, there are five ridges 5a, 5b,. 5e and five valleys 6a, 6b,. 6e, but it may less or more waves, from a few up to n waves. In the mounted position of the bracket <NUM> to an inner surface of a vehicle, the ridges 5a, 5b,. 5n face the first side 2a of the bracket <NUM> and the valleys 6a, 6b,. 6n face the second side 2b of the bracket <NUM>. The peak height h of the ridges 5a, 5b,. 5n and valleys 6a, 6b,. 6n relative the central axis y gradually decreases in direction from the second anchoring portion <NUM> towards the first anchoring portion <NUM>. This means that a first ridge 5a has a peak height h5a which is higher than a peak height h6a of an adjacent first valley 6a and so on, in direction from the second anchoring portion <NUM> towards the first anchoring portion <NUM>.

Within the inventive concept, the waves may be of equal height, may have a mirrored design compared to <FIG>, have pairwise or other combinations of waves with decreasing or increasing pattern, and so on. But the most preferred embodiment is the one with a decreasing waveform from the second anchoring portion <NUM> towards the first anchoring portion <NUM>. This, such as the expansion portion <NUM> will expand in the first direction x when subjected to a traction force, in a controlled manner, with the first wave 5a, 6a, being the first to expand, and with increasing force, one by one of the following waves being expanded. This gives a dampening function because the "expansion force" must increase more and more to make the bracket <NUM> expand. As told before, this dampening effect also is positive to reduce the risk of that other parts, like fastening means, items like shelves, racks, rails and the like, break due to high force.

In the preferred embodiment, the symmetry axis y of the accordion-shaped expansion portion <NUM> has a first angle α relative the first extension plane A of the first anchoring portion <NUM>. This first angle α is chosen such as the ridges 5a, 5b,. 5n of the expansion portion <NUM> do not protrude above the first extension plane A, to provide an easy mounting to a flat inner side of a vehicle, to which the bracket <NUM> should be mounted.

<FIG> is view of an item <NUM>, i.e. a frame <NUM> of an interior storage shelf, which are to be secured inside the cargo space of for example a work vehicle. The frame <NUM> is seen from a front side (cargo space side), where the second side 2b of the bracket <NUM> faces the cargo space side, and by that faces away from an inner side <NUM> of the vehicle (not shown). The view is seen obliquely from above and the bracket <NUM> is to be anchored to the inner surface <NUM>, by means of the energy-absorbing bracket <NUM>. <FIG> is a zoomed view which shows the inventive bracket <NUM> and its attachment to the frame <NUM> which are to be anchored to the inner surface <NUM> of a vehicle (not shown). The first direction x is as told the travelling direction of the vehicle, and the bracket <NUM> is to be anchored to the inner side <NUM> with the first anchoring portion <NUM> arranged along the inner surface <NUM>. The holes <NUM> of the first anchoring portion <NUM> are arranged for fastening means (not shown), for example screws or the like. The bracket <NUM> is arranged such as the second anchoring portion <NUM> is arranged at the front side of the frame <NUM>, relating to the first direction x (travelling direction). The second anchoring portion <NUM> is fixedly attached to the frame <NUM> by some kind of fastening means.

<FIG> is view of the frame <NUM> of <FIG>, seen from a back view (inner surface side) and obliquely from above, wherein the energy-absorbing bracket <NUM> of may be seen from its backside, with the first side 2a facing the inner side <NUM> of the vehicle (not shown). <FIG> is a zoomed view of <FIG> showing the inventive bracket <NUM> and its attachment to the frame <NUM>.

In the event of a crash or a sudden and severe deceleration, the frame <NUM>, the bracket <NUM> and the fastening means are subjected to a massive force, but due to the inventive bracket <NUM>, the item <NUM> (exemplified by the frame <NUM>) will be allowed to move a short distance in the first direction x by that the expansion portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> will expand the way explained above. The design of the expansion portion <NUM>, with the preferred accordion-shape with different heights of the respective "waves" will dampen the motion with a controlled "response" at different stages (forces) during the deceleration down to zero.

Claim 1:
Energy-absorbing bracket (<NUM>) for anchoring an item to an inner surface of a cargo space of a vehicle, wherein the bracket (<NUM>) comprises a first side (2a) which faces said inner surface when the bracket (<NUM>) is anchored thereto, and a second side (2b) opposite the first side (2a) and thus faces the cargo space in the mounted position, wherein the inner surface of the vehicle having an extension in a first direction (x), which substantially is a travelling direction of a vehicle, the bracket (<NUM>) comprising:
a first anchoring portion (<NUM>) arranged for attachment to said inner surface, wherein the first anchoring portion (<NUM>) has a first extension plane (A) in the first direction (x),
a second anchoring portion (<NUM>) arranged for attachment to said item,
an expansion portion (<NUM>), arranged between and connecting the first and second anchoring portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the expansion portion (<NUM>) has an extension in the first direction (x), wherein the expansion portion (<NUM>) is arranged to expand at least in the first direction (x) by being accordion-shaped in the first direction (x), wherein the accordion-shape of the expansion portion (<NUM>) is substantially symmetrically arranged along a symmetry axis (y), wherein ridges (5a, 5b, ...5n) and valleys (6a, 6b, ...6n) of the accordion-shaped expansion portion (<NUM>) having a peak height (h) relative the symmetry axis (y), wherein the ridges (5a, 5b, ...5n) facing the first side (2a) of the bracket (<NUM>) and the valleys (6a, 6b, ...6n) facing the second side (2b) of the bracket (<NUM>), characterized by that the peak height (h) of the ridges (5a, 5b, ...5n) and valleys (6a, 6b, ...6n) relative the central axis (y) varies between adjacent ridges (5a, 5b, ...5n) and valleys (6a, 6b, ...6n), such as a "wave-height" changes in direction from the second anchoring portion (<NUM>) towards the first anchoring portion (<NUM>).