Luggage ring assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses a luggage loop assembly. The luggage loop assembly includes a concealable mounting member and a loop member. The mounting member is adapted to be operably engaged with the rear surface of the panel through the at least one aperture. The at least one aperture is adapted to receive the mounting member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a luggage ring assembly, and more particularly to a luggage ring assembly. The present invention relates to a luggage ring having a concealed or hidden attachment device and improved tensile strength. Background Art

[0002] Luggage loops are provided in vehicles to provide convenient attachment points for securing a load within the vehicle.

[0003] Installation of such luggage loop assemblies can be time consuming, often involving multiple separate parts that an operator needs to hold in place and then attach using tools, adhesives, or welding.

[0004] While the utility of luggage loop assemblies is useful to the end user of the vehicle, such luggage loop assemblies are often considered aesthetically pleasing, particularly the mounting features, which provide no functionality to the end user other than a visual distraction. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a luggage ring assembly comprising a concealable mounting member and a ring member, wherein the mounting member is adapted to operably engage with a rear surface of a panel through at least one hole adapted to receive the mounting member. Since the mounting member is concealable, a necessary but visually unattractive mounting member can be hidden from the end vehicle user, but still perform the required function (to secure the ring member to the panel). This is achieved by engaging the mounting member to the rear surface of the panel. The rear surface is the surface of the panel that is not visible to the end user after the panel is installed. The mounting member accesses the rear surface via a hole that is sized to receive the mounting member or a portion thereof. The hole is located in the panel.

[0006] Suitably, the mounting member is formed as a single piece. In this way, an operator does not need to construct or arrange multiple parts relative to each other in space to apply the mounting member to the panel. Likewise, the luggage loop assembly may be provided as a single modular unit to provide the same advantages. The single piece construction also avoids the creation of potential weak joints or other failure points.

[0007] Preferably, the mounting member is formed from a pressed material. By pressing the mounting member out of a material such as sheet metal, the mounting member can be formed in a small number of manufacturing steps.

[0008] Suitably, the ring member is retained by the mounting member.The mounting member may at least partially capture the ring member such that the ring member is retained in a position relatively close to the mounting member and cannot be separated from the mounting member without determined effort from the end user.

[0009] Suitably, the mounting member comprises a curved portion. The curved portion provides a locating feature to assist an operator in inserting the mounting member into the hole. In use, the curved portion is arranged so that the greatest deviation of the curved portion from the main portion of the mounting member is closest to the panel and therefore closest to the hole, thereby allowing the curved portion to be easily captured by the hole. Suitably, the curved portion is curved so that the curved portion protrudes from the back side of the mounting member.

[0010] Suitably, the curved portion is arranged away from the ring member. Arranging the curved portion away from the ring member means that an installation operator can grip the ring member as a handle to guide the installation member into position via the curved portion.

[0011] Preferably, the ring member is held by the mounting member between the opposite ends of the mounting member. This does not mean that the ring member is held by the opposite ends. It means that the ring member is surrounded by the mounting member and a point located between the two opposite ends along the length of the mounting member. The ring member can be equidistant from the opposite ends or arranged closer to the opposite end relative to one end.

[0012] Suitably, the mounting member includes a toe. Once the mounting member is fully inserted into the hole, the toe provides a gripping point to hold the rear surface of the panel. Thus, the mounting member may have at least two independent contact points with the rear surface of the panel via the hole. The toe may be arranged opposite the body of the mounting member so that the toe and the body grip opposite sides of the panel around the hole, thereby providing a secure attachment. The size of the hole may be set so that, after the majority of the mounting member (i.e., the body) is inserted into the hole, there is sufficient slack space to also allow the toe to enter the hole, and then readjust the mounting member so that both the body and the toe engage with the rear surface of the panel.

[0013] Suitably, the mounting member comprises a fixing arranged to receive a complementary fixing to secure the luggage loop assembly to the panel.Any suitable fixing may be used, such as bolts and threaded tubes, rivets and holes, expansion type fixings, etc.

[0014] Preferably, the fixing of the mounting member is a threaded tube arranged to receive a bolt, but any suitable arrangement may be acceptable, such as an alternative mounting member comprising a threaded rod for receiving a nut having a complementary thread.

[0015] Suitably, the fixing is flush with the front face of the mounting member. In this way, the fixing does not interfere with the position of the mounting member against the rear surface of the panel.

[0016] Suitably, the fixing is flush with the back of the mounting member. In this way, the mounting member can be made more compact and avoids the formation of snag points where cables etc. could get caught. Such an arrangement can also be manufactured simply via stamping.

[0017] Suitably, the fixing protrudes from the back and / or front of the mounting member. For example, the fixing may protrude from the front of the mounting member. The front is the face of the mounting member that meets and faces the rear surface of the panel when the mounting member is inserted and fixed in place. Another hole may be provided in the panel, which is sized relative to the above-mentioned hole and is arranged in the panel to receive the protruding fixing. Therefore, the protruding fixing provides a positioning and anti-rotation feature to keep the luggage ring assembly in place on the panel, because the protruding fixing will be captured by the other hole. The luggage ring assembly may have any suitable flush / protruding fixing arrangement, for example, the fixing may be flush with the rear of the mounting member but protruding from the front of the mounting member, conversely, protruding from both the rear of the mounting member and the front of the mounting member, or flush with both the rear of the mounting member and the front of the mounting member.

[0018] Suitably, the rear face comprises a conformable surface such that the width of the mounting member is increased by the conformable surface to accommodate the width of the fixture.

[0019] Preferably, the mounting member includes a tracking surface arranged to urge the luggage loop assembly into a seated position in the hole of the panel. The tracking surface may be a ramp arranged and sized to capture the panel hole into which the mounting member is inserted to locate and control the orientation of the mounting member relative to the panel. This facilitates mounting the luggage loop assembly to the panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 Illustrations of exemplary embodiments of (a) a luggage loop assembly 101 are shown: (a) prior to installation, (b) during bolting installation, and (c) installed in place, i.e., mounted with a suitable panel 104 / panel structure (eg, a vehicle chassis).

[0022] Figure 2A schematic illustration of the various steps during installation on, for example, a vehicle chassis is shown, wherein the steps are: (1) inserting the mounting member 102 through a suitable hole 105 in a panel 104 of the chassis or structure, (2) rotating the mounting member 102 into planar contact engagement with the chassis or structure panel 104, (3) positioning (sliding) the proximal end of the luggage ring assembly 101 below the panel 104 and aligning the threaded member or fixing 106 for fastening, and (4) fastening or securing the luggage ring assembly 101 with a suitable bolt or screw via a threaded member (nut) provided on the mounting member 102.

[0023] Figure 3 Illustrated are detailed perspective views of the luggage ring assembly 101: (a) before bolting and (b) after bolting.

[0024] Figure 4 An alternative luggage loop assembly is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 5 Pictured Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an alternative luggage ring assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The illustrated exemplary embodiments relate to luggage loops, and in particular to luggage loops that are mounted to a structure (eg, a chassis of a vehicle) via a concealed fastener plate, thereby providing improved tensile strength and improved ease of use during installation.

[0027] Figure 1 (a) Figure 1 (b) and Figure 1 (c) shows a series of illustrations of a luggage ring assembly during installation to a substantially flat structure having a first hole adapted to receive and be pushed through a fastener plate of the luggage ring assembly. Once pushed through the first hole and positioned in contact with the rear surface of the panel structure, the threaded member of the fastener plate is axially aligned with a second hole adapted to operably receive a threaded bolt to securely and securely engage the threaded member of the fastener plate of the luggage ring assembly.

[0028] Figure 1(a) shows the luggage loop assembly 101 away from the panel 104. The luggage loop assembly 101 has a loop member 103 that is intended for use by an end user as a securing point for luggage or the like within a vehicle. The loop member 103 is shown as a full loop, but may alternatively be a hook or other appropriately shaped securing member to allow a strap, cord, rubber band, or other connector to be securely fastened to the loop member 103. As such, the loop member 103 is formed of any suitable material rated for the intended loads of the luggage loop assembly 101, such as, but not limited to, metal (including steel, stainless steel, titanium), reinforced polymers, wood, other natural or synthetic materials, and the like.

[0029] The ring member 103 is attached to the mounting member 102. Although the attachment shown is by forming the mounting member 102 around the ring member 103, any other suitable attachment may be used as long as the ring member 103 is sufficiently secured to the mounting member 102 to perform its load-bearing function. Preferably, the attachment allows limited movement of the ring member 103 relative to the mounting member 102 to allow the ring member 103 to be rotated or otherwise moved to a convenient orientation for securing a load to the ring member 103. The mounting member 102 is formed of any suitable material so that the mounting member 102 performs its function of securing the ring member 103 to the panel 104 and withstands the rated load. Suitable materials include metals, such as steel.

[0030] The mounting member 102 includes additional features, such as, but not limited to, a fastener 106 that allows the mounting member 102 to be secured to the panel 104 so that the position of the mounting member 102 relative to the panel 104 can be fixed. The fastener 106 can allow the mounting member 102 to be reversibly attached to the panel 104 for maintenance or replacement. The exemplary fastener 106 is shown as a threaded tube into which a similar threaded bolt can be inserted.

[0031] The mounting member 102 also includes a tracking surface 108 that urges the luggage loop assembly into a seated position in the hole of the panel 104. The tracking surface may be a ramp that is arranged and sized to capture the panel hole into which the mounting member is inserted to position and control the orientation of the mounting member relative to the panel. This facilitates mounting the luggage loop assembly to the panel.

[0032] Figure 1 (b) shows the semi-secured luggage ring assembly 101 inserted into the hole 105 of the panel 104. The front surface 107 of the panel 104 hides the mounting member 102 of the luggage ring assembly 101 from the end user's view.

[0033] A second hole is provided in the front surface 107 , which is aligned with the fixing member 106 , thereby allowing a bolt or other complementary / compatible fixing member to be inserted and secured to the fixing member 106 of the luggage ring assembly 101 .

[0034] This is Figure 1 (c) where the luggage loop assembly 101 is in a fixed position on the panel 104. Although the tracking surface 108 is urged into a predetermined arrangement with the aperture 105 via a ramped surface, this may be achieved by other topologies such as a plurality of lugs or locating features.

[0035] A detailed diagram of the series of installation and tightening steps (1), (2), (3) and (4) is shown in Figure 2 The same reference numerals are used to indicate Figure 1 The same features and avoid unnecessary repetition. Here, the mounting member 102 of the luggage loop assembly 101 is first pushed through the first hole 105 of the panel 104 and rotated behind the panel 104 structure so as to engage the mounting member 102 parallel to and in contact with the rear surface 201 of the panel 104 structure. In this position, the mounting member 102 can be moved rearward (e.g., via a sliding motion) so that the proximal portion of the mounting member 102 engages in contact with the rear surface 201 of the panel structure, thereby fully engaging the panel structure on opposite sides of the first hole 105 (e.g., via the toe 202). In this case, the front face 206 of the mounting member 102 contacts the rear surface 201 of the panel 104. The back face 204 of the mounting member 102 is arranged opposite the front face 206 and does not engage the rear surface 201 of the panel 104.

[0036] Once in place, the threaded member (fixing member 106) of the mounting member 102 is axially aligned with the second hole (bolt hole) in the panel 104, thereby allowing a threaded bolt or other complementary fixing member to pass through the second hole to engage the threaded member and secure the luggage ring assembly 101 in place on the panel 104 structure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the bolt is only used to fix the mounting member 102 in place to prevent lateral movement along the panel structure, and it does not enhance the tensile strength of the luggage ring, which is provided by the contact engagement of the opposite ends of the mounting member 102 with the rear surface 201 of the panel structure.

[0037] Thus, the luggage loop assembly 101 provides improved performance and robustness due to the large retention surface on the back of the panel structure, which reduces the potential forces acting on the screws or bolts during use, thereby allowing smaller screws or bolts to be used.

[0038] Furthermore, the luggage ring assembly provides improved ease of use, allowing for simpler assembly and disassembly. In this particular example, the first hole has a rectangular shape, thus preventing possible rotation of the luggage ring (acting as an anti-rotation system). In addition, the luggage ring assembly of the present invention minimizes the number of parts required for installation, since no nuts need to be welded on the panel structure or potential reinforcing pads (in some cases). Further, the luggage ring assembly can provide minimized weight due to reduced screw or bolt size and fewer parts.

[0039] No welds need to be provided for the luggage ring assembly, only rectangular and circular holes suitable for receiving the fastener plates and aligning with the bolts are required.

[0040] Two further views of the luggage ring assembly 101 are shown in Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 (b), wherein the former view shows the luggage loop assembly itself, and in the latter view the luggage loop assembly 101 is attached to the panel 104. The same reference numerals are used to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0041] Figure 4 and Figure 5 An alternative luggage ring assembly 402 is shown, which has many similar features to the luggage ring assembly 101. These similar features are provided with the same reference numerals and have the same features in order to avoid unnecessary repetition. The luggage ring assembly 402 is mainly different in that it has a differently shaped mounting member 404, which, although similar to the mounting member 102 of the previous figures, instead has a fixing 408 located on the front face 206, 504 of the mounting member 404 (but the fixing is through the mounting member 404). This is to make the mounting member 404 relatively more compact compared to the mounting member 102 of the previous figures. The placement of the fixing 408 on the front face 206, 504 also ensures that the fixing 408 is captured between the front surface 107 of the panel 104 and the mounting member 404 when in place, thus removing potential obstruction points. The back face 502 is arranged opposite to the front face 504, similar to the back face 204 and the front face 206 of the mounting member 102 in the previous figures.

[0042] The mounting member 404 is also provided with a curved portion 406. The curved portion provides a locating feature to assist an operator in inserting the mounting member into the hole 105 of the panel 104. In use, the curved portion is arranged so that the maximum deviation of the curved portion from the main portion of the mounting member is closest to the panel and therefore closest to the hole, thereby allowing the curved portion to be easily captured by the hole. The curved portion can be bent so that the curved portion protrudes from the back of the mounting member.

[0043] The curved portion 406 is arranged away from the ring member 103. Arranging the curved portion away from the ring member means that the installation operator can grasp the ring member as a handle to guide the installation member into position via the curved portion.

[0044] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 4. A cross-sectional view of luggage loop assembly 402 is shown. As such, the curvature of curved portion 406 is visible, wherein curved portion 406 deviates in a direction from back side 502 away from front side 504.

[0045] Furthermore, in this non-limiting example, it can be seen how the fastener 408 is arranged to protrude from the front face 504 of the mounting member 404. The front face 504 is the face of the mounting member 404 that meets and faces the rear face of the panel 104 when the mounting member 404 is inserted and secured in place. Another hole may be provided in the panel 104 that is sized and positioned in the panel relative to the main hole 105 so as to receive the male fastener 408. Thus, the male fastener provides a locating and anti-rotation feature to hold the luggage ring assembly 402 in place on the panel, as the male fastener will be captured by the other hole. The luggage ring assembly may have any suitable flush / male fastener arrangement, for example, the fastener may be flush with the rear face of the mounting member but protrude from the front face of the mounting member, conversely, protrude from both the rear face of the mounting member and the front face of the mounting member, or flush with both the rear face of the mounting member and the front face of the mounting member.

Claims

1. A luggage ring assembly (101, 402), comprising a concealable mounting member (102, 404) and a ring member (103), wherein: The mounting member is adapted to operably engage the rear surface of the panel through at least one aperture (105) adapted to receive the mounting member.

2. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting member is formed as a single piece.

3. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The mounting member is formed from a pressed material.

4. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The ring member is held by the mounting member.

5. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The mounting member includes a curved portion (406).

6. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The bent portion is disposed away from the ring member.

7. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The ring member is retained by the mounting member between opposite ends of the mounting member.

8. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The mounting member includes a toe portion (202).

9. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The mounting member includes a fastener (106) arranged to receive a complementary fastener to secure the luggage loop assembly to a panel.

10. The luggage ring assembly of claim 9, wherein: The fixing member is a threaded tube.

11. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The fixing is flush with the front face of the mounting member.

12. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The fixing piece is flush with the back surface of the mounting member.

13. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The fixing piece protrudes from the back side and / or the front side of the mounting member.

14. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The bent portion is bent such that the bent portion protrudes from a rear surface of the mounting member.

15. The luggage ring assembly of claim 1, wherein: The back surface includes a conformable surface.

16. The luggage ring assembly of claim 1, wherein: The mounting member includes a tracking surface arranged to urge the luggage loop assembly into a seated position in the aperture of the panel.

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