Bag hook

Abstract

A pouch hook is presented that is adapted to be attached to a plate structure without a third-party fixture. The pouch hook includes a hook member and a bump connected to the hook member. The bump includes at least one positioning lip and at least one resilient tongue.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bag hook. In particular, the present invention relates to a bag hook that does not require a third-party fixing device and is easy to attach. Background Art

[0002] For the convenience and practicality of the user, bag hooks are provided in the vehicle. The positions of these bag hooks in the vehicle need to be carefully planned in advance, and the addition of these bag hooks should be considered early in the design of the vehicle.

[0003] Bag hooks typically require pre-provided threaded locknuts or other fasteners at designated locations in the vehicle body-in-white to allow the bag hooks to be fastened to the body-in-white by complementary fasteners (such as threaded bolts or screws). The fasteners provided in the vehicle body need to be appropriately formed or attached, such as via welding. This is time consuming, thereby increasing cost and manufacturing complexity. Likewise, attaching the bag hook using third-party fasteners (bolts, screws, etc.) adds the complexity of requiring the operator to have appropriate tools on hand for attachment as well as the cost of setting up the third-party fasteners.

[0004] This system also hinders the re-securement of additional bag hooks, as the necessary securing means may not be pre-positioned on the vehicle body in white to which the user wishes to retrofit the bag hooks.

[0005] Maintenance and replaceability of bag hooks are also a consideration, as such bag hooks can be prone to breaking or becoming pinched and stuck. Third-party fasteners can be unintuitive, awkward, or require specific tools to operate. This prevents end users from performing minor maintenance or repairs themselves. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first example of the present disclosure, there is provided a bag hook adapted to be attached to a panel structure without the need for third party fixings. The bag hook comprises: a hook member and a projection connected to the hook member, wherein the projection comprises at least one locating lip and at least one resilient tongue. Advantageously, secure assembly of the bag hook to the body in white can be achieved without any additional fixings. The bag hook can be removably attached to allow easy maintenance and replacement without the use of tools by the end user. The bag hook can be retrofitted to the body in white, requiring only the manufacture of suitable apertures to receive the locating lip and the resilient tongue. There is no need to weld fixings to the inaccessible interior of the frame.

[0007] Suitably, the locating lip comprises a free end, and optionally wherein the free end is bent away from the resilient tongue, in such a way that the free end can fit through the slot of the frame and act as a fulcrum about which the bag hook can rotate. The locating lip further acts as an auxiliary fixing relative to the resilient tongue, thereby ensuring that the bag hook resists rotation in an undesired direction.

[0008] Preferably, the resilient tongue comprises an inclined surface adjacent to the steep wall surface, the resilient tongue can provide a snap fit (reversible or permanent) within the aperture of the plate structure. The inclined surface allows easy insertion into the aperture, and the steep wall surface provides a capture structure by which the bag hook cannot be accidentally removed from the aperture.

[0009] Suitably, the hook member is movable relative to the projection, and optionally wherein the hook member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. This allows the end user to reposition the hook member to a desired position, or even stow it when not in use.

[0010] Suitably, the bag hook further comprises a cover plate, and optionally wherein the cover plate is arranged to conceal the projection so that it is not visible to the end user. In this way, a pleasing final appearance can be provided for the bag hook, and in the case of retrofitting, the plate structure is concealed by the cover plate.

[0011] Suitably, the projection is formed from a single piece of material, thereby simplifying manufacture of the bag hook.

[0012] Preferably, the projection is formed of metal and optionally by stamping. Metal ensures that the bag hook can bear the design weight, and being formed by stamping ensures a simple construction process.

[0013] Suitably, at least one locating lip and at least one resilient tongue are arranged to cooperate together to secure the bag hook to the plate structure. The locating lip is spaced from the resilient tongue when arranged in the slot so as to align the resilient tongue with the aperture, thereby ensuring that the bag hook is easily assembled to the plate structure.

[0014] Suitably, at least one locating lip is curved to grip the distal surface of the plate structure via the slot in the plate structure.This ensures that the locating lip has a secure grip of the plate structure, thereby preventing the locating lip from withdrawing through the slot.

[0015] Suitably, at least one resilient tongue is dimensioned to provide a snap fit within an aperture of the plate structure. The resilient tongue may be formed by a resilient strip that can be reversibly deformed to pass through an aperture of a size smaller than that described by a rest shape assumed by the resilient tongue and then spring back to the rest shape.

[0016] Preferably, the bag hook is reversibly attachable to the plate structure to allow replacement or maintenance of the bag hook.

[0017] Suitably, in order to attach the bag hook to the panel structure, at least one locating lip is positioned in the slot of the panel structure before inserting the at least one resilient tongue into the aperture of the panel structure. This ensures that the resilient tongue is properly aligned with the aperture in the panel structure and provides a fulcrum about which the bag hook can be rotated, thereby facilitating installation by hand without the need for additional tools. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a stowed bag hook connected to a suitable panel structure (eg, a vehicle chassis) is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a stowed bag hook is shown that is connected to a suitable panel structure (eg, a vehicle chassis) and clamps onto a cover panel.

[0021] Figure 3 Alternative positions of the bag hook are shown in a partially transparent manner (cover plate), namely (a) the stowed position and (b) the deployed position.

[0022] Figure 4 The process of assembling the bag hook to a suitable substrate is shown in a partially transparent (cover) manner, including (a) and (b) associating the bag hook and the cover with the substrate, (c) inserting the tab into the first hole and rotating the bag hook around the tab, and (d) pushing the elastic member through the second hole to lock the bag hook in the appropriate position on the substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Certain terms are used in the following description for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "lower", and "downward" refer to directions referenced in the drawings and are relative to the components described when assembled and installed. The words "inward", "inwardly", "outwardly", and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., a central axis) of the described elements, respectively, and the specific meaning is apparent from the context of the description.

[0024] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed therebetween, as well as an indirect connection between components with one or more other components interposed therebetween. The terms include the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words of similar meanings.

[0025] Further, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," and "third," etc. merely indicates that different instances of similar objects are referenced and is not intended to imply that the objects so described are necessarily in a given order temporally, spatially, in rank, or in any other manner.

[0026] Like reference numerals are used throughout to depict like features.

[0027] The illustrated exemplary embodiments relate to bag hooks, and in particular to bag hooks that are mounted to a structure (eg, a chassis of a vehicle) via concealed fasteners, thereby providing better ease of use during installation.

[0028] Figure 1 The bag hook 102 is shown connected to a base plate, such as a body-in-white of a chassis, without a cover plate 202. The design is ready for assembly without the need for additional fixtures or tools. The bag hook 102 simply clips into two apertures (named slot 404 and aperture 402 to avoid confusion in this document) provided on the chassis. No tools are required to perform the assembly, which is performed by pushing the bag hook 102 into the apertures by hand. The process is also reversible, allowing the bag hook 102 to be easily removed.

[0029] No welded nuts or other couplings are required on the chassis to fit the bag hook 102, only a pair of holes are required. The bag hook 102 is "fixture-free" and no additional fixings, such as screws or bolts, are required to attach the bag hook 102. Therefore, this saves assembly time.

[0030] The omission of additional fixing devices or coupling elements on the chassis results in a weight saving compared to known bag hooks.

[0031] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The bag hook 102 is connected to the base plate (referred to as the plate structure 108) by a cover plate 202. The cover plate 202 provides a housing for the bag hook 102 to be located when it is arranged in the stowed position and provides a high-quality finish to the interior of the vehicle.

[0032] The cover plate 202 is arranged to be captured between the bag hook 102 and the plate structure 108 when the bag hook 102 is attached to the plate structure 108, without any additional fixing means. The bag hook 102 can be used with or without the cover plate 202. The cover plate 202 can include a recess in which the bag hook 102 is located when arranged in the stowed position, and the bag hook 102 can be substantially flush with the cover plate 202 when in the stowed position. The bag hook 102 can be biased toward the stowed position or the deployed position via, for example, a spring located in a protrusion and supported on the hook member 106.

[0033] Figure 3Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 2 and 3. The bag hook 102 is shown (a) in a stowed position and positioned within a cover panel 202 (shown as transparent) and (b) in a deployed position ready to receive a load (such as a bag or coat) disposed on the hook.

[0034] Figure 4 Shows the Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The process of attaching the bag hooks and cover plate (same as shown previously) to the plate structure 108. Figure 4 (a) and Figure 4 (b) shows how the various parts relate to each other before attachment with a cover plate sandwiched between the base plate and the bag hook. A slot 404 for the locating lip 304 and an aperture 402 for the resilient tongue 306 are provided on the plate structure 108 to receive corresponding features of the bag hook. Figure 4 (c) shows the bag hook partially inserted into the plate structure 108. The locating lip 304 is located in the slot 404 and thereby provides a fulcrum about which the bag hook can be rotated to allow the resilient tongue 306 on the bag hook to be located into the aperture 402 on the base plate, thereby providing a snap fit. Figure 4 (d) shows the bag hook and cover plate (transparently) located on the plate structure 108, with the locating lip 304 and the resilient tongue 306 located in the corresponding slot 404 and aperture 402 of the plate structure 108, and with the hook member 106 in the deployed position. Disassembly can be performed by reversing the assembly process. Alternatively, assembly can be one-way. Ideally, assembly / disassembly is a tool-free process.

[0035] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above detailed examples are described by way of example only without any limiting meaning, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.

[0036] In the description part and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, integral bodies or steps. Throughout the description part and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural, unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, this specification should be understood as contemplating plural as well as singular forms, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0037] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for at least some mutually exclusive combinations of such features and / or steps. The invention is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any of the steps of the method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A bag hook (102) adapted to be attached to a board structure (108) without third-party fixing means, the bag hook comprising: A hook member (106); a projection (104) connected to the hook member; Wherein, the protrusion includes at least one positioning lip (304) and at least one elastic tongue (306).

2. The bag hook according to claim 1, wherein: The locating lip comprises a free end (308), and optionally wherein the free end is bent away from the resilient tongue.

3. The bag hook according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The elastic tongue includes an inclined surface (310) adjacent to a steep wall surface (312).

4. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The hook member is movable relative to the tab, and optionally wherein the hook member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

5. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The bag hook further comprises a cover plate (202), and optionally wherein the cover plate is arranged to conceal the protrusion so that the protrusion is not visible to an end user.

6. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The projection is formed from a single piece of material.

7. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The bumps are formed from metal and are optionally formed by stamping.

8. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The at least one locating lip and the at least one resilient tongue are arranged to cooperate together to secure the bag hook to the panel structure.

9. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The lip is curved to grip the distal surface (302) of the plate structure via a slot (404) in the plate structure.

10. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The at least one resilient tongue is sized to provide a snap fit within an aperture (402) of the plate structure.

11. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The bag hooks are reversibly attachable to the board structure.

12. The bag hook according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: In order to attach the bag hook to a plate structure, the at least one positioning lip needs to be positioned in the slot of the plate structure before inserting the at least one resilient tongue into the aperture of the plate structure.

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