Bracket device for an outer covering of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bracket device for an outer cover of a motor vehicle, the bracket device comprising: a bracket for receiving the outer cover, having at least one receiving groove with internal teeth extending in the vertical direction; at least one supporting finger-shaped member that can be inserted into the receiving groove, having external teeth on its outer surface and an end surface support area on the lower longitudinal end to support the supporting finger-shaped member on the supporting part of the motor vehicle in the vertical direction; wherein the supporting finger-shaped member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the receiving groove between a release position and a fixed position; wherein in the release position, the external teeth and the internal teeth are not engaged, so that the supporting finger-shaped member can move in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove; wherein in the fixed position, the external teeth and the internal teeth are engaged, so that the movement of the supporting finger-shaped member in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove is blocked. It also relates to a front end assembly for a motor vehicle comprising such a bracket device, by means of which the outer cover can be mounted in the area of ​​the bumper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a bracket device for an outer covering of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a front end assembly for a motor vehicle having such a bracket device. Background Art

[0002] Various outer coverings are usually installed in motor vehicles. When using or installing such outer coverings, it is usually desired that the outer coverings can be arranged and fixed to the surrounding components as accurately as possible. EP2530336B1 shows a device for supporting components. Specifically, a support device for a radiator grille is described, which can be supported and positioned relative to a bumper beam. An adjusting bolt (Verstellbolzen) can be inserted into a receiving element, wherein the adjusting bolt can be opened and thereby fixed by screwing in a fixing screw. On the one hand, the radiator grille can thereby be supported relative to the bumper beam, and on the other hand, the radiator grille should be prevented from settling or sinking relative to the radiator protection grille arranged above it. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution by means of which an outer covering can be positioned and fixed relative to at least one further vehicle component in a particularly simple and precisely fitting manner.

[0004] This object is achieved by a bracket device for an outer covering of a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1. Further possible embodiments of the invention are given in particular in the dependent claims.

[0005] The bracket device for the outer cover of a motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a bracket for receiving the outer cover, the bracket having at least one receiving groove with inner teeth extending in the vertical direction. The outer cover can be, for example, a radiator grille, wherein in this case the bracket is correspondingly designed for receiving the radiator grille. However, the outer cover can also be any other outer cover for a motor vehicle, wherein the bracket is matched to the outer cover according to the geometry and other characteristics of the outer cover, so that the outer cover can be received by means of the bracket.

[0006] The support device comprises at least one supporting finger insertable into a receiving slot, the supporting finger having external teeth on its outer surface and an end face support area on the lower longitudinal end to support the supporting finger on a supporting part of the motor vehicle in a vertical direction. The supporting finger can be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the receiving slot between a release position and a fixed position. In the release position, the external teeth of the supporting finger are not engaged with the internal teeth of the receiving slot, so that the supporting finger can move in the vertical direction relative to the receiving slot in its release position. On the contrary, in the fixed position, the external teeth of the supporting finger are engaged with the internal teeth of the receiving slot, so that the movement of the supporting finger in the vertical direction relative to the receiving slot is blocked or prevented.

[0007] Therefore, in order to mount the outer cover on the rest of the motor vehicle, it is only necessary to first arrange the outer cover on the support. The support finger can be inserted or introduced into the receiving groove in the vertical direction. By rotating the support finger relative to the receiving groove about its longitudinal axis to the release position, the support finger and the receiving groove can be positioned relative to each other so that the outer teeth of the support finger do not mesh with the inner teeth of the receiving groove. Then, in this release position, the support finger can be moved very easily and especially very quickly in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove. The support finger can here be lowered in the receiving groove in the vertical direction until it reaches the support finger so that its end face support area at its lower longitudinal end contacts the support part of the motor vehicle. After this, it is only necessary to simply rotate the support finger from its release position to the fixed position, as a result of which the outer teeth of the support finger come into meshing with the inner teeth of the receiving groove. In this fixed position, any vertical relative movement between the support finger and the receiving groove is no longer possible, and therefore no relative movement relative to the support. Since the outer cover can be fastened on the bracket, once the fixed position of the supporting fingers is occupied, it is no longer possible to adjust or translate the outer cover in the vertical direction relative to the surrounding components of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The bracket is supported on the mentioned supporting part of the motor vehicle by means of supporting fingers arranged in a fixed position. Even in the case of the most diverse loads when driving the motor vehicle, it is possible to ensure in a simple way by means of the bracket device according to the invention that the bracket and therefore the outer cover received by means of the bracket cannot move in the vertical direction towards the surrounding parts of the motor vehicle, such as other outer covers, bumpers and similar parts. At the same time, by means of the bracket device according to the invention, as long as the supporting fingers are arranged in their release position, the supporting fingers can be moved particularly easily and quickly in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove. This leads to a particularly simple and fast installation possibility of the entire bracket device together with the outer cover at the corresponding position of the motor vehicle. Once the end face support area on the lower longitudinal end of the supporting finger has come into contact with the supporting part of the motor vehicle, the supporting finger only needs to be simply rotated around its longitudinal axis and rotated to the extent that the supporting finger has occupied its fixed position. Once this happens, the bracket device together with the outer cover fixed thereto is reliably and permanently locked to prevent its movement or relative movement relative to the surrounding parts of the motor vehicle.

[0009] A possible embodiment of the invention provides that the outer teeth of the support finger are formed on two opposite longitudinal sides and are interrupted by two opposite longitudinal sides without outer teeth, wherein the inner teeth in the receiving groove of the support are formed on two opposite longitudinal sides and are interrupted by two opposite longitudinal sides without inner teeth. If the corresponding longitudinal sides without outer teeth or inner teeth are arranged opposite to each other, the support finger is in its release position. In this release position, the support finger can be moved very easily in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove. If the fixed position of the support finger is to be assumed, it is only necessary to simply mesh the corresponding teeth of the support finger and the receiving groove on the opposite longitudinal sides. By means of this design or arrangement of the corresponding teeth, the support finger can be rotated between its release position and fixed position in a particularly simple manner.

[0010] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the outer teeth and the inner teeth are each configured as helical teeth, so that when the outer teeth slide on each other on the inner teeth, the supporting finger moves in the vertical direction. In other words, the outer teeth and the inner teeth form a kind of circumferential outer thread or inner thread, which are interrupted in the circumferential direction. By means of the mentioned helical teeth of the outer teeth and the inner teeth, it is possible to move the supporting finger in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove in a simple manner by simply meshing the two teeth and rotating the supporting finger about its longitudinal axis. In particular, it is also possible to easily tension the supporting finger supported on the supporting part of the motor vehicle relative to the bracket. As a result, the outer cover mounted on the bracket can be arranged and fixed in a particularly gap-free manner at the desired distance from the surrounding parts of the motor vehicle.

[0011] According to another possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the bracket has a rotary locking element which is designed to hold the supporting finger in a fixed position. That is, if the relevant outer cover is arranged, mounted and fixed in its desired or prescribed arrangement relative to the remaining components of the motor vehicle by means of the bracket device, the supporting finger can be held or fixed in its fixed position in a simple manner by means of the rotary locking element. After the arrangement and installation of the outer cover, it can therefore be ensured in a simple manner that the outer cover can no longer be adjusted relative to other components of the motor vehicle, in particular in the height direction of the motor vehicle. In this way, for example, a predetermined gap size between the outer cover and other skin parts or other components of the motor vehicle can be permanently and reliably maintained.

[0012] Another possible embodiment of the present invention provides that the rotary locking member has a bendable locking arm with a cutout, wherein the supporting finger has at least one radial projection. By rotating the supporting finger from the release position to the fixed position, the radial projection on the supporting finger first bends the locking arm away, wherein when the fixed position is reached, the radial projection of the supporting finger reaches the cutout when the locking arm is retracted. The elastic bending away and elastic retraction of the bendable locking arm can therefore be rotated to the fixed position in a simple manner at first, and then be kept in the fixed position. When the supporting finger is rotated from its release position to the fixed position, the radial projection contacts the bendable locking arm and pushes it away. With the further rotation of the supporting finger, the radial projection subsequently reaches the mentioned cutout of the bendable locking arm, as a result of which the bendable locking arm retracts again in the direction opposite to the previously performed or forced bending direction. The recess on the locking arm can be particularly configured to match the shape and size of the radial projection so that after the bendable locking arm snaps back, there is a form-fit connection between the recess and the radial projection. The support finger can thus be particularly reliably held or fixed in its fixed position.

[0013] According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the supporting finger has two radial projections arranged on opposite sides of the supporting finger. This results in a particularly simple mounting of the supporting finger, since the supporting finger can be inserted into the receiving groove in different positions or rotational positions due to the two radial projections. The supporting finger does not have to be rotated too far from its release position to assume its fixing position, in which the rotation lock prevents the supporting finger from being rotated out of the fixing position.

[0014] A further possible embodiment of the invention provides that the support device has a transport lock which is designed to fix the support finger inserted into the receiving groove on the support. The entire support device can thus be transported as an assembled component without any problems, since the transport lock reliably ensures that the support finger inserted into the receiving groove remains fixed on the support and in particular in the receiving groove.

[0015] According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the transport lock has a snap connection which is designed for fixing the support finger inserted into the receiving groove on the support. The snap connection is in particular designed for fixing the support finger inserted into the receiving groove on the support in a removable manner again. By means of the snap connection, a particularly simple and reliable solution for fixing the support finger inserted into the receiving groove on the support is provided, so that a reliable anti-loss protection for the support finger inserted into the receiving groove is provided by the transport lock. For example, the support finger can have a radial recess or cavity, in which a projection protruding into the receiving groove in the radial direction engages in a form-fitting manner when the recess or cavity has been positioned at the height of the projection. The projection itself can be arranged, for example, on a bendable element which can be part of the support. If the support finger is thus moved far enough into the receiving groove, the radial projection snaps into the recess or cavity, as a result of which, for example, a form-fitting connection between the recess and the projection can be achieved. The support finger inserted into the receiving groove can thereby be fixedly retained on the support in the receiving groove in a very simple and loss-proof manner. Instead of a snap-on connection, other possibilities for realizing the transport lock can also be provided. For example, it is possible that, by rotating the support finger relative to the receiving groove, a hole in the support finger can be positioned in alignment with a button eye of the support, wherein the transport lock can have a locking element, for example in the form of a screw or the like, which can be moved into the hole and the button eye. In this way, the support finger can also be fixed in the receiving groove and thus on the support in a loss-proof manner.

[0016] A further possible embodiment of the invention provides that the support has a further receiving groove extending in the vertical direction with an internal toothing and a further supporting finger insertable into the receiving groove, the further supporting finger having an external toothing on its side surface and an end face support region at the lower longitudinal end for supporting the supporting finger in the vertical direction on a supporting part of the motor vehicle or another supporting part. The further supporting finger is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the further receiving groove between a release position and a fixing position. In the release position, the external and internal teeth of the associated element are again not engaged, so that the further supporting finger is movable in the vertical direction relative to the further receiving groove. In the fixing position, the external and internal teeth of the associated element are again engaged, so that the movement of the further supporting finger in the vertical direction relative to the further receiving groove is blocked. If, for example, the support device is used to accommodate relatively heavy components, it can be advantageous if the support has at least two or more receiving grooves and supporting fingers. As a result, the support can be supported particularly securely relative to the rest of the motor vehicle by means of the support fingers, without the outer covering held by means of the support device being able to sink in the vertical direction.

[0017] The front end assembly for a motor vehicle according to the invention comprises an outer cover, a bumper on which a support part is arranged and a support device according to the invention or a possible embodiment of a support device according to the invention, the support of which is designed to receive the outer cover and the support fingers of which are designed to be supported on the support part in a vertical direction with their end support areas. As already mentioned, the outer cover can be, for example, a radiator grille. However, the outer cover can also be any other component or outer cover.

[0018] Further features of the invention can be derived from the following description of the figures and with the aid of the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the drawings individually can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the figure:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bracket device for an outer cover of a motor vehicle;

[0021] Figure 2 A detailed perspective view of a support device is shown, in which a support finger inserted into a receiving groove of a support of the support device can be seen, the support finger being supported on a support member in a vertical direction;

[0022] Figure 3shows a perspective view of a supporting finger having corresponding external teeth on opposite longitudinal sides;

[0023] Figure 4 A side view of a support finger is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view of a stent of a stent device is shown, wherein the stent has a receiving slot for supporting a finger-like member, the receiving slot having internal teeth at different locations;

[0025] Figure 6 A front view showing a portion of the bracket in the area of ​​the receiving slot;

[0026] Figure 7 shows a further side cross-sectional view of the bracket in the area of ​​the receiving slot, wherein the support finger has been inserted into the receiving slot;

[0027] Figure 8 shows a top view of the support device, in which the bendable rotation lock can be seen, wherein the support finger is in a released position, in which the rotation lock does not prevent the support finger from rotating;

[0028] Fig. 9 A further top view of the support device is shown, in which the rotary locking element is locked with the supporting finger and securely holds the supporting finger in its fixed position.

[0029] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] exist Figure 1 , a perspective view of a support device 10 for an outer covering of a motor vehicle is shown. The outer covering itself is not shown here. The outer covering can be, for example, a radiator grille or another outer covering for a motor vehicle, which can be accommodated by means of the support device 10. The support device 10 comprises a support 12 for accommodating the outer covering. In addition, the support device 10 comprises a supporting finger 14, which can be inserted into the support 12 in a vertical direction. In the region of the lower longitudinal end 16, the supporting finger 14 comprises an end face supporting region, which is not indicated in detail, and which serves to support the supporting finger 14 in the vertical direction on a supporting part 18 of the associated motor vehicle. The supporting part 18 is therefore not part of the support device 10.

[0031] exist Figure 2 The support device 10 is shown in a detailed perspective view. Figure 1In the present case, the support finger 14 is again inserted into the support 12 and specifically into a receiving groove extending in the vertical direction, which is not yet indicated in detail here. The support finger 14 has an external toothing 20 on its side surface, which is not indicated in detail.

[0032] exist Figure 3 , the supporting finger 14 is shown in a perspective view. In the present case, a part of the external toothing 20 can be clearly seen. The external toothing 20 of the supporting finger 14 is formed on two opposite longitudinal sides and is interrupted by two opposite longitudinal sides without external toothing.

[0033] exist Figure 4 1 shows the supporting finger 14 in a side view. In this view, it can be clearly seen that the external toothing 20 is formed on the opposite longitudinal side and is interrupted by the other opposite longitudinal side without external toothing. The longitudinal side with the external toothing 20 forms a corresponding section of the side surface of the supporting finger 14, i.e. a kind of circular arc segment with respect to the cross section of the supporting finger 14. The longitudinal side formed without external toothing 20 is flat in the present case and is therefore not curved.

[0034] The support finger 14 has two radial projections 24 arranged on opposite sides in the region of its upper longitudinal end 22. Furthermore, in the region of its upper longitudinal end 22, the support finger 14 has a recess 26 on the end face, into which a tool can be inserted to rotate the support finger 14 about its longitudinal axis. The recess 26 can have a variety of shapes, depending on the tool with which the support finger 14 is to be rotated.

[0035] exist Figure 5 1 shows a support 12 in a side sectional view. In the present case, the already mentioned receiving groove 28 can be seen, which is now provided with the reference number 28. It can be seen here again that the receiving groove 28 extends in the vertical direction. The receiving groove 28 has internal teeth 30 at different locations. The support finger 14, which is not shown here, can be introduced into the receiving groove 28 from above. The support finger 14 can here be rotated relative to the receiving groove 28 about its longitudinal axis between a release position and a fixed position. In the release position, the area of ​​the support finger 14 with the external teeth 20 and the area of ​​the receiving groove 28 with the internal teeth 30 do not mesh, so that the support finger 14 can move in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove 28. In the fixed position of the support finger 14, the external teeth 20 of the support finger 14 and the internal teeth 30 of the receiving groove 28 mesh, so that a movement of the support finger 14 in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove 28 is blocked or prevented.

[0036] exist Figure 6The support 12 is shown in the front view in the region of the receiving groove 28, which is not indicated in detail here. The support finger 14 is introduced from above into the receiving groove 28 of the support 12. In the present case, the support finger 14 is in the mentioned fixed position, which can be seen from the fact that the region of the support finger 14 with the external toothing 20 is arranged such that it is arranged opposite the region of the support 12 with the internal toothing 30, which is not visible here.

[0037] exist Figure 7 Along the Figure 6 The section BB indicated in FIG. 1 shows the support 12 together with the inserted support finger 14. The support finger 14 inserted into the receiving groove 28 is again in its fixed position, which in the present case can again be clearly seen from the outer teeth 20 of the support finger 14 meshing with the inner teeth 30 of the receiving groove 28. In order to mount an outer cover arranged on the support 12 and not shown here, for example in the form of a radiator grille, the support finger 14 is first arranged in its release position, in which the outer teeth 20 and the inner teeth 30 do not mesh with each other, i.e. the respective teeth 20, 30 are not arranged opposite each other. In this release position, the support finger 14 can be moved very easily in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove 28. Thus, in its release position, the support finger 14 can be moved downward in the vertical direction in the receiving groove 28 at least substantially without resistance and until the end-face support area at the lower longitudinal end 16 of the support finger 14 contacts the support part 18.

[0038] Subsequently, the support finger 14 is rotated about its longitudinal axis and until the support finger 14 has reached its fixed position shown here, in which the outer teeth 20 of the support finger 14 and the inner teeth 30 in the receiving groove 28 are arranged opposite to each other. The outer teeth 20 and the inner teeth 30 can be configured in the form of corresponding helical teeth. In other words, the outer teeth 20 and the inner teeth 30 can each be configured in the form of a threaded section that is interrupted in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the support finger 14 rotates in the receiving groove 28, the corresponding teeth 20, 30 come into meshing at a certain moment, wherein the support finger 14 moves in the vertical direction when the corresponding teeth 20, 30 are meshing with each other by the helical teeth.

[0039] Even before the outer cover is mounted, the support finger 14 can already be inserted into the receiving groove 28. The support device 10 can have a transport locking element 32, which is designed to fix the support finger 14 inserted into the receiving groove 28 on the support 12. In particular, the transport locking element 32 can have a snap connection, which is designed to fix the support finger 14 inserted into the receiving groove 28 on the support 12 and thus in the receiving groove 28.

[0040] The supporting fingers 14 are on their outer teeth 20 (see Figure 3 and 4 ), having a groove-shaped region on the longitudinal side on which the external teeth 20 are grooved. In the upper region, the support 12 has a projection 36 which matches the groove-shaped recess 34 in terms of its shape. The projection 36 is arranged like a tensioned beam. If the support finger 14 is now inserted into the receiving groove 28 and inserted in such a way that one of the groove-shaped recesses 34 faces the projection 36 protruding into the receiving groove 28, then when the support finger 14 is inserted, the projection 36 is first pressed radially outwards for a certain distance. As soon as one of the groove-shaped recesses 34 is arranged at the height of the projection 36, the projection 36 snaps into one of the groove-shaped recesses 34. As a result, the support finger 14 can be held captive on the support 12 and thus in the receiving groove 28.

[0041] exist Figure 8 1 shows the support 12 in a top view in the region of the receiving groove 28. The support finger 14 is inserted again into the receiving groove 28. The support device 10 has a rotary locking element 38, which in the present case is formed directly on the support 12. The rotary locking element 38 comprises a bendable locking arm 40 with a recess 42. By rotating the support finger 14 about its longitudinal axis from its release position to the fixing position, depending on the direction of rotation, one of the two radial projections 24 can first bend the locking arm 40 away, wherein when the fixing position is reached, one of the two radial projections 24 enters the recess 42 when the locking arm 40 is retracted.

[0042] exist Fig. 9 Again with Figure 8 The same top view in FIG. 1 shows the support 12, wherein the support finger 14 has been rotated into its fixed position. Since one of the two radial projections 24 is already arranged opposite the cutout 42 of the locking arm 40, the bendable locking arm 40 is retracted again. The cutout 42 is shaped such that a positive connection can be produced between the cutout 42 and the associated radial projection 24. The support finger 14 can thus be held in its fixed position in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0043] Contrary to the illustration in the figures, the support device 10 can also have additional receiving grooves 28 and associated supporting fingers 14. In particular, the support 12 can have a plurality of such receiving grooves 28 in the transverse direction of the support 12, for example at least two or more, each of which has an internal toothing 30. Corresponding to the number of receiving grooves 28, the support device 10 now has a corresponding number of supporting fingers 14, which can be inserted into the corresponding receiving grooves 28 in the manner already described and can be rotated therein.

[0044] By providing a plurality of support fingers 14 and associated receiving grooves 28, heavy components, and in particular heavy outer coverings, can be reliably held and arranged and fixed relative to other components of the motor vehicle. The support device 10 can belong to a front-end assembly for a vehicle, which, in addition to the outer covering described, can also have, for example, a bumper, on which the support element 18 can be arranged. The support element 18 can also be, for example, an integral component of the bumper. For mounting the front-end assembly, the outer covering is fixed to the support 12 of the support device 10. At least one support finger 14 can be arranged in the at least one receiving groove 28 by means of a transport lock 32 in the manner already described and provided in a manner that is secured against loss. The at least one support finger 14 can be lowered into the receiving groove 28 when arranged in its release position and until it contacts the support element 18 with its end face. Subsequently, the at least one support finger 14 is rotated into its fixed position, as a result of which any relative movement between the support finger 14 and the support 12 is no longer possible. As a result, the relevant outer covering part held by means of the holder 12 can be arranged and retained with a precise fit, for example relative to the aforementioned bumper or other components of the motor vehicle.

[0045] Reference numerals list

[0046] 10 Bracket device

[0047] 12 Bracket

[0048] 14 Support fingers

[0049] 16 Lower longitudinal end of the support finger

[0050] 18 Supporting parts

[0051] 20 External teeth of the support finger

[0052] 22 The upper longitudinal end of the support finger

[0053] 24 Radial protrusions supporting the fingers

[0054] 26 recess

[0055] 28 Bracket receiving slot

[0056] 30 Internal teeth of receiving groove

[0057] 32 Transport lock

[0058] 34 Groove-shaped recess on the support finger

[0059] 36 Protrusions on the support

[0060] 38 Rotation lock

[0061] 40 Bendable locking arm of rotary locking element

[0062] 42 Recess in the bendable locking arm

Claims

1. A bracket device (10) for an outer covering of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a bracket (12) for receiving the outer cover, the bracket having at least one receiving groove (28) extending in the vertical direction and having internal teeth (30); - at least one supporting finger (14) insertable into the receiving groove (28), the supporting finger having external teeth (20) on its side surface and an end surface support region at the lower longitudinal end (16) for supporting the supporting finger (14) in a vertical direction on a supporting part (18) of the motor vehicle; - wherein the supporting finger (14) is rotatable relative to the receiving groove (28) about its longitudinal axis between a release position and a fixed position; - wherein in the release position, the outer teeth (20) and the inner teeth (30) are not engaged, so that the support finger (14) can move in a vertical direction relative to the receiving groove (28); - wherein in the fixed position, the outer teeth (20) and the inner teeth (30) are meshed so that the movement of the supporting finger (14) in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove (28) is prevented, wherein the support (12) has a rotation lock (38) designed to hold the support finger (14) in the fixed position, It is characterized in that The rotary locking element (38) has a bendable locking arm (40) with a recess (42); - the supporting finger (14) has at least one radial protrusion (24); By rotating the supporting finger (14) from the release position to the fixing position, the radial projection (24) first bends the locking arm (40) away and, when the fixing position is reached, reaches the recess (42) while retracting the locking arm (40).

2. The support device (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that - the external teeth (20) of the supporting finger (14) are formed on two opposite longitudinal sides and are interrupted by two opposite longitudinal sides without external teeth (20); The inner teeth (30) in the receiving groove (28) of the support (12) are formed on two opposite longitudinal sides and are interrupted by two opposite longitudinal sides without the inner teeth (30).

3. The support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The outer teeth (20) and the inner teeth (30) are respectively configured as helical teeth, so that when the outer teeth slide on the inner teeth (30) one another, the supporting finger (14) moves in a vertical direction.

4. The support device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The supporting finger (14) has two of the radial protrusions (24) arranged on opposite sides of the supporting finger (14).

5. The support device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The support device (10) has a transport locking member (32) which is designed to fix the support finger (14) inserted into the receiving groove (28) on the support (12).

6. The support device (10) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The transport locking element (32) has a snap connection, which is designed to fix the supporting finger (14) inserted into the receiving groove (28) on the bracket (12).

7. The support device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - the support (12) has a further receiving groove (28) extending in the vertical direction and having the inner toothing (30) and a further supporting finger (14) insertable into the receiving groove (28), the further supporting finger having the outer toothing (20) on its side surface and having an end-face support region at the lower longitudinal end (16) for supporting the supporting finger (14) in the vertical direction on the supporting part (18) or on another supporting part of the motor vehicle; - the further supporting finger is rotatable relative to the further receiving groove (28) about its longitudinal axis between a release position and a fixing position; - in the release position, the outer teeth (20) and the inner teeth (30) are not engaged, so that the further supporting finger (14) can move in a vertical direction relative to the further receiving groove (28); In the fixed position, the outer teeth (20) and the inner teeth (30) mesh so that the movement of the further supporting finger (14) relative to the further receiving groove (28) in the vertical direction is blocked.

8. A front end assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: - outer covering; - a bumper, on which a support element (18) is arranged; - A support device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support is designed to receive an outer cover and the support finger (14) is designed to bear with its end bearing area in a vertical direction on the bearing part (18).

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