Luggage ring assembly

Abstract

The present application relates to a luggage loop assembly adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis. The luggage loop assembly includes a luggage loop and an engagement member connected to the luggage loop. The engagement member includes a nose portion adapted to be inserted through the non-circular aperture but not to rotate within the aperture, and a waist portion adapted to rotate within the non-circular aperture. In use, once the nose passes through the non-circular aperture, rotation of the luggage loop assembly within the non-circular aperture around the waist places the nose in an orientation that prevents withdrawal of the nose through the non-circular aperture.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Known luggage loops are fastened to a structure (such as a vehicle chassis) via screws and nuts, thereby allowing additional components (such as vehicle panels) to be fastened. Known luggage loops may also require welding operations for assembly, such as welding a locknut to a white body. The luggage loop must then be screwed onto the locknut via a screw. An operator must use tools to attach the luggage loop. This complicates manufacturing and is time-consuming.

[0003] In addition, the arrangement of the luggage loops is inflexible. The luggage loops can only be arranged at the positions of the welded locknuts. Repositioning or adding luggage loops is difficult and requires additional locknuts to be welded thereon. This is undesirable, expensive, and requires the services of trained professionals. It is unlikely that an end user will be able to perform the steps required to move, remove, replace, or add luggage loops after the white body has been manufactured. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present disclosure, a luggage loop assembly suitable for attachment to a vehicle chassis is provided. The luggage loop assembly includes: a luggage loop; an engagement member connected to the luggage loop; wherein the engagement member includes a nose portion adapted to be inserted through a non-circular aperture without rotating therein; a waist portion adapted to rotate within the non-circular aperture; wherein, in use, once the nose portion has passed through the non-circular aperture, the luggage loop assembly rotates within the non-circular aperture about the waist portion to orient the nose portion in an orientation that prevents the nose portion from retracting through the non-circular aperture. The idea here is that the luggage loop assembly can pass through the non-circular aperture in a certain orientation. Then the luggage loop assembly is rotated by a certain amount, after which the elements of the luggage loop assembly are arranged relative to the non-circular aperture such that these elements are not aligned with the non-circular aperture and can no longer retract through the non-circular aperture. The nose portion is an example of such an element. Thus, the installation is simple and only requires aligning and twisting the luggage loop assembly relative to the non-circular aperture. The non-circular aperture can be provided at any desired location to allow installation of the luggage loop assembly, or a third party can add additional non-circular apertures at a later date. The waist portion is provided to allow the luggage loop assembly to rotate within the non-circular aperture once it is properly positioned within the non-circular aperture. The waist portion can rotate a full 360° or partially within the aperture, as long as the shape of the waist portion allows sufficient manipulation / translation / or rotation of the luggage loop assembly to position an element of the luggage loop assembly (such as the nose portion) in a position where the luggage loop assembly cannot be retracted through the non-circular aperture without first performing the reverse of the manipulation / translation / rotation initially performed to position the luggage loop assembly within the non-circular aperture. In other words, the rotation is a yaw motion relative to the insertion direction of the luggage loop assembly relative to the non-circular aperture.

[0005] Preferably, the nose portion includes a cross-section that substantially depicts the shape of a non-circular aperture. The depiction of the shape of the non-circular aperture may correspond to the peripheral shape or cross-section of the non-circular aperture, but is slightly smaller to allow the nose portion to pass through the non-circular aperture in one orientation. Once through the aperture, rotation of the nose portion then causes the shape of the nose portion to not align with the shape of the non-circular aperture, such that the feature that allowed the nose portion to pass through the non-circular aperture snarls, interferes with, or otherwise tangles with the same feature of the non-circular aperture. This is exemplary, and the nose portion and / or the non-circular aperture may be provided with additional or different features that exhibit the same function (i.e., ensuring that the features of the nose portion snarl / interfere / tangle with the non-circular aperture). The features engaged between the nose portion and the non-circular aperture may be the same (i.e., the relevant feature of the non-circular aperture depicted by the nose portion may be the feature that snarls / tangles / interferes with the depicted feature of the non-circular aperture) or different (i.e., the feature of the nose portion - that is not or is different from the feature of the non-circular aperture depicted by the nose portion - may be the feature that snarls / tangles / interferes with the depicted feature of the non-circular aperture). The nose portion need not include a cross-section that depicts the cross-section of the non-circular aperture, but the nose portion should be shaped such that it can perform its function, the nose portion will be inserted in a direction aligned with the non-circular aperture and then rotated about an axis parallel to the insertion direction, and then, the features of the nose portion are arranged relative to the non-circular aperture such that when a force is applied in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, the nose portion does not withdraw through the non-circular aperture.

[0006] Suitably, the nose portion includes a abutment surface arranged to prevent withdrawal of the nose portion through the non-circular aperture. The abutment surface provides a protrusion that prevents withdrawal of the nose portion through the non-circular aperture, and such a feature enables the luggage loop assembly to withstand a predetermined luggage load such that the luggage load is borne on the luggage loop assembly without the nose portion being torn out of the non-circular aperture.

[0007] Preferably, the luggage loop assembly is required to rotate 30° or more about the waist within the non-circular aperture to orient the nose portion such that it is prevented from withdrawing through the non-circular aperture. The minimum amount of rotation to lock the luggage loop assembly in place facilitates a reliable installation process. There may be reference features to indicate to the installer that sufficient manipulation / translation / rotation of the luggage loop assembly has occurred and that the luggage loop assembly has been successfully installed. Suitable reference features include visual / topological position markers or audible position noises (e.g., a click).

[0008] Suitably, the engagement member further includes a stop surface that is arranged to allow the waist portion to be positioned within the non-circular aperture but prevent the waist portion from passing through the non-circular aperture. The stop surface prevents the luggage loop assembly from being inserted too far into the non-circular aperture, which makes installation easier as the luggage loop assembly cannot be misaligned within the non-circular aperture. The stop surface can be arranged to oppose one or more abutment surfaces as described above. The stop surface and the abutment surface can work together to prevent the luggage loop assembly from being torn out of the non-circular aperture due to the applied luggage load.

[0009] Preferably, the engagement member further includes at least one tensioning arm that is arranged to apply tension to the luggage loop assembly in use, and optionally wherein the applied tension biases the nose portion towards the non-circular aperture. The tensioning arm ensures that the luggage loop assembly will not move within, around, or relative to the non-circular aperture unless the movement is intentionally caused by the user. Additionally, the luggage loop assembly can be manufactured to be used with a wide variety of substrates having different manufacturing material thickness tolerances (i.e., how consistent the material thickness is) and / or material thicknesses (i.e., the rated average thickness of the material that varies in thickness consistency at any given point in the material). The tensioning arm holds the luggage loop assembly against the substrate and absorbs any looseness or play between the luggage loop assembly and the substrate. Thus, a single luggage loop assembly can be adapted to be used with various substrates each having different characteristics / sizes.

[0010] Suitably, the engagement member includes a rotary lock to lock the position of the waist portion within the non-circular aperture. The rotary lock can be arranged to engage a feature of the non-circular aperture when the luggage loop assembly is rotated by a predetermined amount, such as the amount of rotation required to position the nose portion such that the nose portion will not withdraw through the non-circular aperture. Once engaged, the engagement member prohibits unintentional rotation of the nose portion relative to the non-circular aperture. The engagement member can engage reversibly or irreversibly.

[0011] Suitably, the rotary lock is an elastic member adjacent to the waist portion such that the elastic member is deflected away from the waist portion to capture a feature of the non-circular aperture and jam, entangle, or otherwise interfere with the feature of the non-circular aperture.

[0012] Suitably, the rotary lock is arranged to interfere with a vertex of the non-circular aperture. The vertex can be specifically provided to cooperate with the elastic member or can be an existing feature, such as a feature intended to be described by a portion of the nose. The vertex should provide a notch or capture structure from which the elastic member cannot inadvertently disengage once it is therein.

[0013] Suitably, the engagement member is formed by stamping or pressing. This enables the luggage loop assembly to be manufactured in a minimum number of steps and without the need for welding, adhesives, or manually operated fasteners. The luggage loop assembly can be formed from two separate pieces, namely the luggage loop and the engagement member. The engagement member is formed from a single piece of material.

[0014] Preferably, the luggage loop is rotatable relative to the engagement member so as to allow the luggage loop to be oriented in a position suitable for the user's needs relative to the engagement member (and thus the substrate to which the engagement member is attached). The luggage loop can be arranged to move relative to the engagement member in one or more of pitch, yaw, and roll. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 The luggage loop before installation is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 The luggage loop after being installed with a suitable plate structure (e.g., an automotive chassis) is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 3 Schematic diagrams of the various steps during installation (e.g., on a vehicle chassis) are illustrated, having the following steps: (1) associating the luggage loop with a suitable aperture in the chassis or structure, (2) inserting the luggage loop through the suitable aperture in the chassis or structure, (3) rotating the luggage loop within the aperture, and (4) engaging a clip or lock to hold the luggage loop in place. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and are not restrictive. The words "right", "left", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "upward", "down", and "downward" denote the directions referred to in the drawings and are relative to the components described during assembly and installation. The words "inner", "inward", "outer", and "outward" respectively refer to the directions towards and away from the specified center line or geometric center (e.g., the central axis) of the described element, and the specific meaning is obvious from the context of the specification.

[0020] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected", "attached", "coupled", and "mounted" are intended to include both a direct connection between two components without any other components intervening therebetween, and an indirect connection between the components with one or more other components intervening therebetween. The terms include the specifically mentioned words above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0021] Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first", "second", and "third" merely indicates different instances of like objects being referred to and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given order in terms of time, space, rank, or in any other way.

[0022] Like reference numerals are always used to depict like features.

[0023] The illustrated exemplary embodiments relate to luggage loops, and more particularly to luggage loops that are mounted to a structure (such as a vehicle chassis) via concealed fasteners, thereby providing better ease of use during installation.

[0024] Figure 1 A luggage loop assembly 102 having a compact ergonomic design is shown. The luggage loop assembly 102 is intended to be ready for manual (by hand, without tools) assembly. The luggage loop assembly 102 has a luggage loop 104 to which luggage can be attached, hung, or secured. The luggage loop 104 can be a solid metal loop, but any material can be used as long as the dimensions of the material are suitable to allow the luggage loop assembly 102 to perform its function (to provide a fixed point for the luggage). The "luggage" can vary depending on the vehicle and its location within the vehicle. Luggage in a car can be a lightweight suitcase or shopping bag, while "luggage" in an aircraft or a truck can be a heavy-duty box. The assembly steps are intuitive and facilitate easy assembly / dismantling. It includes an anti-rotation system in the form of a mating member 106 that provides a locking feature that prevents the luggage loop from rotating backwards to a position where it can come out of the aperture. The degree of rotation required to assemble the loop can be very small, such as 1 / 8 th turns to perform the assembly. This rotation is typically in a yaw direction with respect to an axis described by the insertion direction of the mating member 106 into the non-circular aperture.

[0025] A nose 108 is provided for insertion into the non-circular aperture. The nose 108 of the luggage loop assembly is arranged with respect to the non-circular aperture such that when inserted into the non-circular aperture and rotated, the nose 108 is offset from the non-circular aperture and does not withdraw through the non-circular aperture again. The non-circular aperture can be, for example, square (although any non-circular aperture will also work), and the shape of the nose can have a cross-section that depicts a square, but slightly smaller such that it can pass through the aforementioned square. When rotated, the vertices of the square cross-section depicted by the nose are then arranged to align with the sides of the non-circular aperture of square shape. Since the distance between the diagonal vertices of a square is greater than the distance between the parallel walls of the non-circular aperture of square shape, the vertices of the square cross-section depicted by the nose block, kink, or otherwise interfere with the non-circular aperture, thereby preventing the nose 108 from withdrawing through the non-circular aperture of square shape.

[0026] A waist 110 is provided to allow the engagement member 106 to rotate in the yaw direction within the non-circular orifice. The waist 110 allows the luggage loop assembly to rotate within the non-circular orifice once properly positioned within the non-circular orifice. The waist may rotate a full 360° or partially within the orifice, provided the shape of the waist allows sufficient manipulation / translation / or rotation of the luggage loop assembly to position the nose 108 of the luggage loop assembly in a position where the luggage loop assembly cannot be withdrawn through the non-circular orifice without first performing the reverse of the manipulation / translation / rotation initially performed to position the luggage loop assembly within the non-circular orifice.

[0027] The engagement member 106 may also be provided with an abutment surface 112 and / or a stop surface 114, which are arranged to contact the non-circular orifice and prevent the engagement member 106 from passing through the non-circular orifice. The abutment surface 112 is arranged to cause the engagement member 106 to engage only when the nose is inserted and rotated into an interference fit with the non-circular orifice. The stop surface 114 may contact the non-circular orifice and prevent the waist 110 from passing through the non-circular orifice before the nose 108 is rotated into an interference fit within the non-circular orifice. The abutment surface 112 is arranged to pass through the non-circular orifice before the stop surface 114 contacts the substrate in which the non-circular orifice is formed.

[0028] One or more tension arms 116 are provided, which apply tension to the luggage loop assembly and the substrate in which the non-circular orifice is formed. Optionally, the applied tension biases the nose 108 towards the non-circular orifice. The tension arms 116 ensure that the luggage loop assembly will not move within, around, or relative to the non-circular orifice unless the movement is intentionally caused by the user. Additionally, the luggage loop assembly may be manufactured to be used with a wide variety of substrates having different manufacturing material thickness tolerances and / or material thicknesses. The tension arms 116 may take the form of spring-like resilient members integrally formed with the engagement member 106.

[0029] Similarly, a rotation lock 118 may be provided to prevent the engagement member 106 from rotating in the yaw direction once it is in its final position within the non-circular orifice. The rotation lock 118 is arranged to interfere with the apex of the non-circular orifice. The apex may be specifically provided to cooperate with the resilient member or may be an existing feature, such as a feature intended to be described by a portion of the nose. The apex should provide a notch or capture structure in which the resilient member cannot inadvertently escape once it is therein.

[0030] No nuts need to be welded onto the white body to assemble the luggage loop. No screws or other separate fasteners are required to assemble the luggage loop. No special manufacturing processes or welding are needed to assemble the luggage loop. The only preparation for receiving the luggage loop is to form a square aperture (or any other suitable shape for receiving the luggage loop) in the substrate.

[0031] The luggage loops disclosed herein are lightweight, for example, approximately 44 g each. This represents a 45% weight reduction compared to prior art luggage loops used in similar applications.

[0032] Figure 2 A luggage loop assembly 102 is shown Figure 1 that is assembled within a non-circular aperture formed in a vehicle chassis 202 and rotated into a locked position. A tension arm 116 acts on the vehicle chassis 202 to prevent movement of the luggage loop relative to the substrate. A rotary lock 118 is shown engaging a vertex 204 of the non-circular aperture, thereby preventing movement of the engagement member 106 in the yaw direction.

[0033] Figure 3 (a), (b), and (c) show a series of illustrations of the luggage loop assembly 102 mounted on the vehicle chassis 202. The vehicle chassis 202 has a substantially flat structure with a first non-circular aperture 302 that is adapted to receive and push through a gripping member of the luggage loop assembly. Once pushed through the aperture, the luggage loop is rotated a limited amount until a locking feature (rotary lock 118) engages, preventing further rotation (forward or reverse) and locking the luggage loop in place. This can be performed without tools (i.e., by hand). The assembly process can be reversible (e.g., by manually disengaging the locking feature and then performing the opposite assembly process).

[0034] Thus, the luggage loop assembly provides better ease of assembly and does not require tools or additional fixtures.

[0035] Furthermore, due to reduced screw or bolt size and fewer components, the luggage loop assembly can provide minimal weight.

[0036] To provide the luggage loop assembly, no welding is required, only an aperture (such as square) of a suitable shape adapted to receive a fastening plate.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above detailed examples have been described by way of example only and without any limiting sense, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.

[0038] In the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprising" and "including" and their variants mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, wholes or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular encompasses the plural. In particular, in the case of using an indefinite article, unless the context requires otherwise, this specification should be understood as considering both the plural and the singular forms.

[0039] Features, wholes, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention should 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 appended claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A luggage ring assembly (102), the luggage ring assembly (102) being adapted to be attached to a vehicle chassis (202), the luggage ring assembly comprising: Luggage ring (104); an engagement member (106) connected to the luggage ring; Wherein, the joining member comprises: a nose (108) adapted to be inserted through the non-circular orifice (302) but not to rotate within the non-circular orifice; a waist (110) adapted to rotate within the non-circular aperture; wherein, in use, once the nose passes through the non-circular aperture, the luggage ring assembly is rotated about the waist within the non-circular aperture to arrange the nose in an orientation that prevents withdrawal of the nose through the non-circular aperture.

2. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The nose includes a cross-section that substantially depicts the shape of the non-circular orifice.

3. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The nose includes an abutment surface (112) arranged to prevent withdrawal of the nose through the non-circular aperture.

4. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Rotation of the luggage ring assembly about the waist through an angle of 30° or more within the non-circular aperture is required to place the nose in an orientation that prevents withdrawal of the nose through the non-circular aperture.

5. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The engagement member further includes a stop surface (114) arranged to allow the waist to be positioned within the non-circular aperture but to prevent the waist from passing through the non-circular aperture.

6. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The engagement member further comprises at least one tensioning arm (116) arranged to apply tension to the luggage ring assembly in use, and optionally wherein the applied tension urges the nose towards the non-circular aperture.

7. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The engagement member includes a rotation lock (118) to lock the position of the waist within the non-circular aperture.

8. The luggage ring assembly of claim 7, wherein: The rotation lock is an elastic member adjacent to the waist.

9. The luggage ring assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The rotation lock is arranged to interfere with an apex (204) of the non-circular aperture.

10. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein: The engaging member is formed by stamping or pressing.

11. The luggage ring assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The luggage ring is rotatable relative to the engagement member.

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