CROSSBAR HOLDER

Abstract

A mounting structure includes a vehicle body structure, a bracket body attachable to the vehicle body structure and having an inboard side and an outboard side, and at least one passage extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inboard side to the outboard side. At least one insert is received in the at least one passage. The at least one insert extends from a head portion on the outboard side to an end portion on the inboard side. At least one attachment member is attachable to the end portion to attach the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGYThis disclosure generally relates to a mounting structure that secures a cross bar to a vehicle body structure along opposing edges of a glass panel.GENERAL STATE OF THE ARTVehicles carry various types of cargo. A cross bar may be mounted on a vehicle to support larger items, e.g., travel storage boxes, kajaks, bicycles, etc., for transport purposes. Vehicles may also include glass panels that extend over a substantial portion of a top of the vehicle. Providing quick and secure mounting of cross bars relative to such panels may present a challenge.SUMMARYAn attachment structure according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle body structure; a bracket body attachable to the vehicle body structure and having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; at least one passage extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inward facing side to the outward facing side; at least one insert accommodated in the at least one passage, the at least one insert extending from a head portion on the outward facing side to an end portion on the inward facing side; and at least one attachment member attachable to the end portion to attach the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing attachment structure, the at least one attachment structure comprises a nut.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing attachment structures, the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein the at least one insert comprises a first insert received in the first aperture and a second insert received in the second aperture, and wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a first attachment member attached to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member attached to the end portion of the second insert.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing attachment structures, the retainer body includes a recessed area spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side, the at least one passage being within the recessed area.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing attachment structures, a cover encloses the recessed area, the cover being selectively removable to access the at least one insert.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing attachment structures, the at least one insert includes an interior passage open to both the head portion and the end portion, and wherein the interior passage is configured to receive a fastener to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing attachment structures, the vehicle body structure extends along an edge of a glass panel, and wherein the one edge of the glass panel includes an open notched region in which the bracket body is located, and wherein the vehicle body structure has at least one opening aligned with the at least one aperture, and wherein the end portion is inserted through the at least one opening to secure the bracket body to the vehicle body structure within the open notched region.An assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle body structure; a glass plate supported by the vehicle body structure; a first attachment structure positioned adjacent to an edge of the glass plate; a second attachment structure positioned adjacent to an opposite edge of the glass plate; and wherein the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure each include: a bracket body having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; at least one passage extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inward facing side to the outward facing side; at least one insert received in the at least one passage, the at least one insert extending from a head portion on the outward side to an end portion on the inward side, and the at least one insert comprising an interior passage open to both the head portion and the end portion, the interior passage configured to receive a fastener; a vehicle body structure having at least one opening aligned with the at least one passage, the end portion inserted through the at least one opening; and at least one attachment member attachable to the end portion for attaching the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein the at least one insert comprises a first insert received in the first aperture and a second insert received in the second aperture, and wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a first attachment member attached to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member attached to the end portion of the second insert.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the first passage and the second passage are the only passages in the bracket body.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the first attachment member and the second attachment member each comprise a nut.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the retainer body includes a recessed area spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side, the first passage and the second passage being within the recessed area.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, a cover encloses the recessed area, the cover being selectively removable to access the first insert and the second insert.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the internal passage comprises a threaded surface, and wherein the fastener comprises a first fastener threaded into the internal passage of the first insert and a second fastener threaded into the internal passage of the second insert to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, each edge of the glass plate includes an open notched region in which the bracket body is located.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, a crossbar body extends across the glass plate between a first end attached to the first attachment structure and a second end attached to the second attachment structure.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, a seal is positioned between an outer perimeter of the bracket body and the vehicle body structure at each of the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure.A method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things,: providing a bracket body having a first passage and a second passage, the bracket body having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; installing a first insert in the first passage and a second insert in the second passage, each of the first insert and the second insert extending from a head portion on the outward facing side to an end portion on the inward facing side, and each of the first insert and the second insert including an internal passage open to both the head portion and the end portion; and fixing a first attachment member to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member to the end portion of the second insert to fix the bracket body to a vehicle body structure along an edge of a glass plate.In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the bracket body comprises a first bracket body and the method includes: fixing the first bracket body to the vehicle body structure along the one edge of a glass plate; fixing a second bracket body to the vehicle body structure along an opposite edge of the glass plate; attaching an end of the cross bar body to the first bracket body; and attaching an opposite end of the cross bar body to the second bracket body.In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes: installing a cover over the first aperture and the second aperture; selectively removing the cover to access the first aperture and the second aperture; and installing a first fastener in the interior passage of the first insert and installing a second fastener in the interior passage of the second insert when the cover is removed to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and drawings, which include any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be considered independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with an embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures attached to the detailed description may be briefly described as follows: FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a top of a vehicle that includes a glass panel and that includes cross bars. FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of an end of a cross bar body attached to a vehicle body structure. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a mounting structure used to attach each end of the cross bar body to the vehicle body structure. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the attachment structure attached to the vehicle body structure. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the mounting structure of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, further showing an end of the cross bar body attached to the attachment structure. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a bracket body of the mounting structure. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a lid seal that fits within a recessed area of the retainer body. FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a cover that fits over the bracket body. FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the inserts. FIG. 6E is a perspective view of a cover enclosing the recessed portion.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThis disclosure describes in detail a mounting structure for mounting a cross bar to a vehicle body structure along opposite edges of a glass panel, the mounting structure including a bracket assembly having unitary inserts for fasteners.Referring to FIG. 1, an upper side 10 of a vehicle 12 is shown including one or more cross bars 14 extending across the upper side 10 of the vehicle 12. Each cross bar 14 includes an elongated cross bar body 16 extending between a first end 18 and a second end 20. The cross bar bodies 16 are supported relative to a glass panel 22 that includes a substantial portion of the top 10 of the vehicle 12.A vehicle body structure 24 extends around a perimeter of the glass panel 22. In one example, the vehicle body structure 24 includes a rigid frame or rail member used to support the glass panel 22. The present disclosure provides an attachment structure 26 (FIG. 2 ) that is used to attach each of the first end 18 and the second end 20 of the cross bar body 16 to the vehicle body structure 24. Thus, a first attachment structure 26 is positioned adjacent to an edge of the glass plate 22, and a second attachment structure 26 is positioned adjacent to an opposite edge of the glass plate 22.Each attachment structure 26 includes a bracket body 30 having an outwardly facing side 32 (FIG. 2 ) and an inwardly facing side 34 (FIG. 3 ). In one example, the bracket body 30 includes a die casting bracket having one or more attachment points for each end of the cross bar body, wherein the attachment structure can withstand a load of 100-150 pounds. In addition, all of the load passes through the support bodies and no part of the load is transmitted to the glass plate. Further, a unitary mounting strategy is provided wherein preinstalled inserts in the retainer body receive common fasteners at each end.In one example, the bracket body 30 includes one or more apertures 36 extending through a thickness of the bracket body 30 from the inboard side 34 to the outboard side 32. In the example shown, there are only two passages 36 for each support body 30, an insert 38 is received in each passage 36, and a mounting member 40 is attached to each insert 38. Thus, in the example shown in FIGS. 3-5, there is a first passage 36 athat receives a first insert 38 aand a second passage 36 bthat receives a second insert 38 b. A first attachment member 40a is fixed to the first insert 38a and a second attachment member 40b is fixed to the second insert 38b.In one example, each insert 38 extends from a head portion 42 on the outward side 32 to an end portion 44 on the inward side 34. In one example, the inserts 38 are made of a stainless steel material. In one example, the internal passage 46 is configured to receive a fastener 48 (FIG. 5 ). In one example, the internal passage 46 is a threaded passage and the fastener 48 comprises a threaded fastener.The vehicle body structure 24 includes openings 50 aligned with the apertures 36. In one example, the end portions 44 are inserted through the respective openings 50, and the attachment members 40 are attached to the end portions 44 to attach the bracket body 30 to the vehicle body structure 24. In one example, the first attachment member 40 and the second attachment member 40 each include a nut. Thus, the attachment members 40 are accessible only from inside the vehicle interior, which prevents outsideers from loosening the brackets.In one example, the retainer bodies 30 include a recessed area 52 spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side 32. The recessed portion 52 includes a flat planar surface that is generally spaced from and parallel to a flat planar surface of the outwardly facing side 32. In one example, the first and second passages 36 are located within the recessed region 52.A cover 54 may be used to enclose the recessed area 52. Additionally, caps 56 (FIG. 2 ) may be placed over the inserts 38 to cover the open interior passages 46. The cover 54 and the caps 56 are selectively removable to access the first and second inserts 38.In one example, each edge of the glass plate 22 includes an open notched region 58 in which the bracket body 30 is located, as shown in FIG. 3. In one example, the retainer body 30 has an outer perimeter 60 that is contoured to match the profile of the open notched region 58, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, FIGS. 3-5 show a configuration in which a seal 62 is positioned between the outer periphery 60 of the bracket body 30 and the vehicle body structure 24 at each of the attachment structures 26. The cross bar body 16 extends across the glass plate 22, with the first end 18 attached to the first attachment structure 26 and the second end 20 attached to the second attachment structure 26.FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a bracket body of the mounting structure. As discussed above, the bracket body 30 has an outer perimeter 60 that is contoured to conform to the profile of the open notched region 58 in the glass plate 22. In one example, the contour includes a curved portion 64 on one side, a straight portion 66 on an opposite side, and a pair of short straight edges 68 extending between the curved portion 64 and the straight portion 66. The recessed portion 52 is generally located in a central portion of the bracket body 30 on the outward side 32.FIG. 6B shows a lid seal 70 that fits within the recessed area 52 of the retainer body 30 around each passage 36. FIG. 6C shows a cover 72 that fits over the bracket body 30 and the lid seal 70.FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the inserts 38. in one example, the head portion 42 includes a maximum outermost dimension of the insert 38 and the end portion 44 includes a minimum outermost dimension. In one example, the head portion 42 includes a flange portion 74 having the maximum outermost dimension, a collar portion 76 just below the flange portion 74, and a polygonal portion 78 just above the flange portion 74. the collar portion 76 merges with a main body portion 80 of the insert 38 which then merges with the end portion 44FIG. 6E is a perspective view of the cover 54 enclosing the recessed portion 52. Resilient clips or tabs 86 may be used to secure the cover 54 in place. As discussed above, the cover 54 is selectively removable to access the inserts 38 such that the fasteners 48 may be installed through an end body portion 82 (FIG. 5 ) of the cross bar body 16. The end body portion 82 includes a flange with apertures 84 aligned with the interior passages 46 of the inserts 38 such that the fasteners 48 can be installed to secure the end body portion 82 to the bracket body 30.The present disclosure provides a crossbar holder structure that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance in glass panel configurations, and that is also easy to install and does not conduct loads through the panel. Further, the cross bar holder structure provides a sealed interface so that water does not enter the vehicle.The foregoing description is exemplary and not limiting in nature. Variations and modifications of the disclosed examples may occur to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the gist of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection afforded by this disclosure may be determined only by studying the following claims.According to the present invention, there is provided an attachment structure including: a vehicle body structure; a bracket body attachable to the vehicle body structure and having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; at least one passage extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inward facing side to the outward facing side; at least one insert accommodated in the at least one passage, the at least one insert extending from a head portion on the outward facing side to an end portion on the inward facing side; and at least one attachment member attachable to the end portion to attach the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.According to an embodiment, the at least one attachment element comprises a nut.According to an embodiment, the at least one passage comprises a first passage and a second passage, and wherein the at least one insert comprises a first insert accommodated in the first passage and a second insert accommodated in the second passage, and wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a first attachment member fixed to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member fixed to the end portion of the second insert.According to an embodiment, the retainer body includes a recessed area spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side, the at least one passage being located within the recessed area.According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a cover enclosing the recessed portion, the cover being selectively removable to access the at least one insert.According to an embodiment, the at least one insert includes an interior passage open to both the head portion and the end portion, and wherein the interior passage is configured to receive a fastener to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.According to an embodiment, the vehicle body structure extends along an edge of a glass panel, and wherein the one edge of the glass panel includes an open notched region in which the bracket body is located, and wherein the vehicle body structure has at least one opening aligned with the at least one aperture, and wherein the end portion is inserted through the at least one opening to secure the bracket body to the vehicle body structure within the open notched region.According to an embodiment, there is provided an assembly comprising: a vehicle body structure; a glass plate supported by the vehicle body structure; a first attachment structure positioned adjacent to an edge of the glass plate; a second attachment structure positioned adjacent to an opposite edge of the glass plate; and wherein the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure each comprise: a bracket body having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; at least one aperture extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inward facing side to the outward facing side; at least one insert received in the at least one passage, the at least one insert extending from a head portion on the outward side to an end portion on the inward side, and the at least one insert comprising an interior passage open to both the head portion and the end portion, the interior passage configured to receive a fastener; a vehicle body structure having at least one opening aligned with the at least one passage, the end portion inserted through the at least one opening; and at least one attachment member attachable to the end portion for attaching the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.According to an embodiment, the at least one passage comprises a first passage and a second passage, and wherein the at least one insert comprises a first insert accommodated in the first passage and a second insert accommodated in the second passage, and wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a first attachment member fixed to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member fixed to the end portion of the second insert.According to an embodiment, the first passage and the second passage are the only passages in the holder body.According to an embodiment, the first attachment element and the second attachment element each comprise a nut.According to an embodiment, the bracket body includes a recessed portion spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side, wherein the first passage and the second passage are located within the recessed portion.According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a cover enclosing the recessed portion, the cover being selectively removable to access the first insert and the second insert.According to an embodiment, the internal passage includes a threaded surface, and wherein the fastener includes a first fastener threaded into the internal passage of the first insert and a second fastener threaded into the internal passage of the second insert to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.According to one embodiment, each edge of the glass plate includes an open notched area in which the bracket body is located.According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a cross bar body extending across the glass plate between a first end attached to the first attachment structure and a second end attached to the second attachment structure.According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a gasket positioned between an outer periphery of the bracket body and the vehicle body structure at each of the first mounting structure and the second mounting structure.According to the present invention, a method includes: providing a bracket body having a first passage and a second passage, the bracket body having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; installing a first insert in the first passage and a second insert in the second passage, each of the first insert and the second insert extending from a head portion on the outward facing side to an end portion on the inward facing side, and each of the first insert and the second insert including an internal passage open to both the head portion and the end portion; and attaching a first attachment member to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member to the end portion of the second insert to fix the bracket body to a vehicle body structure along an edge of a glass panel.In one aspect of the invention, the bracket body comprises a first bracket body and includes: fixing the first bracket body to the vehicle body structure along the one edge of a glass plate; fixing a second bracket body to the vehicle body structure along an opposite edge of the glass plate; attaching an end of the cross bar body to the first bracket body; and attaching an opposite end of the cross bar body to the second bracket body.In one aspect of the invention, the method includes: installing a cover over the first passage and the second passage; selectively removing the cover to access the first passage and the second passage; and installing a first fastener in the interior passage of the first insert and installing a second fastener in the interior passage of the second insert when the cover is removed to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.

Claims

An attachment structure, comprising: a vehicle body structure; a bracket body attachable to the vehicle body structure and having an inward facing side and an outward facing side; at least one passage extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inward facing side to the outward facing side; at least one insert received in the at least one passage, the at least one insert extending from a head portion on the outward facing side to an end portion on the inward facing side; and at least one attachment member attachable to the end portion to attach the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.The attachment structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a nut.The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one passage comprises a first passage and a second passage, and wherein the at least one insert comprises a first insert received in the first passage and a second insert received in the second passage, and wherein the at least one mounting member comprises a first mounting member attached to the end portion of the first insert and a second mounting member attached to the end portion of the second insert.The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the retainer body includes a recessed area spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side, wherein the at least one passage is within the recessed area, and optionally wherein a cover encloses the recessed area, wherein the cover is selectively removable to access the at least one insert.The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one insert comprises an internal passage open to both the head portion and the end portion, and wherein the internal passage is configured to receive a fastener to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the vehicle body structure extends along an edge of a glass panel, and wherein the one edge of the glass panel includes an open notched region in which the bracket body is located, and wherein the vehicle body structure has at least one opening aligned with the at least one aperture, and wherein the end portion is inserted through the at least one opening to secure the bracket body to the vehicle body structure within the open notched region.An assembly comprising: a vehicle body structure; a glass plate supported by the vehicle body structure; a first attachment structure positioned adjacent to an edge of the glass plate; a second attachment structure positioned adjacent to an opposite edge of the glass plate; and wherein the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure each comprise: a bracket body having an inboard side and an outboard side; at least one aperture extending through a thickness of the bracket body from the inboard side to the outboard side; at least one insert received in the at least one passage, the at least one insert extending from a head portion on the outward side to an end portion on the inward side, and the at least one insert comprising an interior passage open to both the head portion and the end portion, the interior passage configured to receive a fastener; a vehicle body structure having at least one opening aligned with the at least one passage, the end portion inserted through the at least one opening; and at least one attachment member attachable to the end portion for attaching the bracket body to the vehicle body structure.The assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein the at least one insert comprises a first insert received in the first aperture and a second insert received in the second aperture, and wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a first attachment member attached to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member attached to the end portion of the second insert, and wherein optionally: the first aperture and the second aperture are the only apertures in the retainer body; the first attachment member and the second attachment member each comprise a nut; or the retainer body comprises a recessed area spaced inwardly from the outwardly facing side, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are within the recessed area.The assembly of claim 8, wherein the retainer body includes the recessed area and includes a cover enclosing the recessed area, the cover being selectively removable to access the first insert and the second insert.The assembly of claim 8, wherein the internal passage comprises a threaded surface and wherein the fastener comprises a first fastener threaded into the internal passage of the first insert and a second fastener threaded into the internal passage of the second insert to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.The assembly of claim 7, wherein each edge of the glass panel includes an open notched region within which the bracket body is located, and including a seal positioned between an outer perimeter of the bracket body and the vehicle body structure at each of the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure.The assembly of claim 11, including a cross bar body extending across the glass plate between a first end attached to the first attachment structure and a second end attached to the second attachment structure.A method comprising: providing a bracket body having a first passage and a second passage, the bracket body having an inboard side and an outboard side; installing a first insert in the first passage and a second insert in the second passage, each of the first insert and the second insert extending from a head portion on the outboard side to an end portion on the inboard side, and each of the first insert and the second insert comprising an internal passage open to both the head portion and the end portion; and securing a first attachment member to the end portion of the first insert and a second attachment member to the end portion of the second insert to fix the bracket body to a vehicle body structure along an edge of a glass panel.The method of claim 13, wherein the bracket body comprises a first bracket body and including: fixing the first bracket body to the vehicle body structure along the one edge of a glass plate; fixing a second bracket body to the vehicle body structure along an opposite edge of the glass plate; attaching an end of the cross bar body to the first bracket body; and attaching an opposite end of the cross bar body to the second bracket body.The method of claim 13, including: installing a cover over the first aperture and the second aperture; selectively removing the cover to access the first aperture and the second aperture; and installing a first fastener in the interior passage of the first insert and installing a second fastener in the interior passage of the second insert when the cover is removed to secure a cross bar body to the vehicle body structure.

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