Vehicle door pillar mounting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device (1a) for mounting on a door pillar (2a) of a vehicle body structure (3) that at least partially delimits a side opening (4). One end (5a) of a long, rope-type locking element (6) is intended to be hooked onto the fastening device (1a) to prevent access to the side opening (4). The fastening device comprises a support (7) having a base (8) with fastening means (9a, 9b) for attaching the base (8) to the door pillar (2a) and a tab (12) connected to the support (7). The tab (12) includes a fastening end (10) connected to a hooking means (11) for receiving the end (5a) of the long, rope-type locking element (6). Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing device for vehicle door pillar

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of vehicle body structures.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a fixing device intended to be mounted on a door pillar of a body structure of a vehicle delimiting at least in part a lateral opening.

[0003] Vehicles conventionally comprise a chassis in which two side openings are provided, each of which is delimited by two door pillars. Each side opening is intended to allow the passage of a driver or a passenger entering or exiting the vehicle and is generally closed by a pivoting door.

[0004] However, there are vehicles whose design is simplified and includes an elongated closing element, such as a rope or a chain, to prevent access through the side opening.

[0005] The elongated closing element is removably attached on either side of the side opening and extends through the side opening. The elongated closing element comprises two ends which can be hooked onto the two door jambs respectively and which can be unhooked from the door jambs.

[0006] There is a need for fixing devices mounted on door jambs for hooking the ends of the elongated closing element which are simple and ergonomic.

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a fixing device allowing the attachment of an elongated closure element of the rope type, which is simple and ergonomic.

[0008] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a fixing device intended to be mounted on a door pillar of a body structure of a vehicle delimiting at least in part a lateral opening. One end of an elongated rope-type closing element is intended to be attached to the fixing device to prevent access to the lateral opening.

[0009] According to the invention, the fixing device comprises a support comprising a base provided with fixing means for fixing the base to the door jamb and a tab connected to the support. The tab comprises a fixing end connected to a hooking means intended to receive the end of the elongated closing element.

[0010] The invention thus provides a fixing device for hanging a long, rope-type closure element, which is simple and ergonomic.

[0011] The fixing device makes it possible to do away with doors and to simplify the vehicle, as well as the vehicle manufacturing process.

[0012] According to one variant, the support has a general U-shape.

[0013] This shape simplifies assembly and optimizes ergonomics.

[0014] According to a variant, the tab comprises a curved portion connected to the base and a straight portion extending the curved portion. The straight portion is positioned opposite the base and comprises the fixing end.

[0015] This configuration makes it possible to provide a simple part by a simple manufacturing process comprising a folding step.

[0016] According to a variant, the fixing means comprise two first nuts welded to the base.

[0017] The use of nuts simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0018] According to a variant, the attachment means comprises a ring connected to a threaded rod screwed to a second nut welded onto the fixing end of the tab.

[0019] The ring provides a simple and ergonomic means of mounting.

[0020] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one fixing device as defined previously.

[0021] According to a variant, the elongated closure element comprises a rope comprising a hooking element at each of the ends. Each hooking element is configured to hook onto the hooking means of the fixing device.

[0022] According to one variant, the attachment element is a hook.

[0023] The rope and hooks provide a simple and inexpensive means of closure that is easy to attach and detach from the fastening devices.

[0024] According to a variant, the vehicle comprises two fastening devices including a first fastening device mounted on a first door pillar and a second fastening device mounted on a second door pillar, positioned opposite the first door pillar. A first end of the elongate closure element is capable of being hooked to the first fastening device and detached from the first fastening device. A second end of the elongate closure element is capable of being hooked to the second fastening device and detached from the second fastening device. The elongate closure element extends through the lateral opening from the first fastening device to the second fastening device.

[0025] The use of two fixing devices allows the rope to be easily and completely unhooked from both ends.

[0026] According to a variant, the fixing device is fixed to a plate of the door jamb. The elongated closing element extends transversely relative to the plate and at the base of the leg when it is hooked to the two fixing devices.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a transparent view of a vehicle chassis comprising two fixing devices each mounted on a door upright of the frame and on which an elongated closing element is attached;

[0029] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a detailed transparent view of one of the fixing devices mounted on one of the door uprights of the frame;

[0030] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a transparent view of the fixing device of [Fig.2],

[0031] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0032] [Fig.l] illustrates a chassis 3 of a vehicle comprising two side openings 4 each partially delimited by two door pillars 2a, 2b. The side openings 4 are positioned on each side of the chassis 3 of the vehicle and are intended to allow the passage of a driver or a passenger entering or leaving the vehicle.

[0033] The frame 3 comprises two fixing devices 1a, 1b, including a first fixing device 1a mounted on a first door post 2a and a second fixing device 1b mounted on a second door post 2b, positioned opposite the first door post 2a. The first fixing device 1a and the second fixing device 1b are also mounted opposite each other.

[0034] A first end 5a of the elongate closure element 6 is capable of being hooked to the first fixing device 1a and of being detached from the first fixing device 1a. A second end 5b of the elongate closure element 6 is capable of being hooked to the second fixing device 1b and of being detached from the second fixing device 1b.

[0035] The elongate closure element 6 extends through the lateral opening 4, from the first fastening device 1a to the second fastening device 1b. The elongate closure element 6 is removably attached to the fastening devices 1a, 1b. The elongate closure element 6 extends transversely relative to the two fastening devices 1a, 1b when it is attached to the latter.

[0036] The elongated closing element 6 comprises a rope 18 having a hooking element 19 at each of its ends 5a, 5b. The hooking element 19 is configured to hook onto the hooking means 11 of the fixing device 1a, 1b.

[0037] The attachment element 19 may be a hook or a carabiner, for example.

[0038] Alternatively, the elongated closing element 6 may comprise a chain or a metal cable.

[0039] According to the invention and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each device of fixing 1a, 1b comprises a support 7 comprising a base 8 provided with fixing means 9a, 9b for fixing the base 8 to the door jamb 2a, 2b and a tab 12 connected to the support 7. The support 7 is made of metal.

[0040] The tab 12 comprises a fixing end 10 connected to a hooking means 11 intended to receive the end 5a, 5b of the elongated closing element 6.

[0041] The leg 12 comprises a curved portion 13 connected to the base 8 and a straight portion 14 extending the curved portion 13. The straight portion 14 is positioned opposite the base 8 and comprising the fixing end 10.

[0042] The base 8 and the rectilinear part 14 are substantially parallel.

[0043] This U-shape is obtained by folding the support 7 which is initially flat. The fixing end 10 is brought towards the base 8 and opposite the base 8.

[0044] The curved part 13 comprises two recesses 23, 24, a first recess 23 connecting the base 8 to the curved part 13 and a second recess 24 connecting the curved part 13 to the straight part 14.

[0045] The fixing means 9a, 9b comprise a first nut 9a and a second nut 9b welded to the base 8.

[0046] The first and second nuts 9a, 9b each comprise a first orifice 25 aligned with a second orifice 26 formed in the base 8.

[0047] The fixing device 1a, 1b is fixed to a plate 22 of the door jamb 2a, 2b by means of the fixing means 9a, 9b. The plate 22 extends parallel to the door jamb 2a, 2b. The elongate closing element 6 extends transversely to the plate 22 and to the base 8 of the tab 12 when it is attached to the two fixing devices 1a, 1b.

[0048] Two screws 27 are inserted into two holes in the plate 22 and then screwed respectively into the first and second nuts 9a, 9b to fix the fixing device 1a, 1b on the plate 22. The heads of the screws 27 come into abutment against the plate 22 which is clamped between the heads of the screws 27 and the fixing device 1a, 1b.

[0049] The tab 12 projects from the base 8 towards the opening 4. The tab 12 extends parallel to the base 8, towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0050] A recess 28 is provided in the plate 22, between the first and second nuts 9a, 9b, to facilitate the passage of the tab 12.

[0051] The fixing end 10 has a width greater than the width of the rectilinear part 14.

[0052] A third nut 17 is welded onto the fixing end 10 of the lug 12. The third nut 17 is aligned with an orifice 29 formed in the fixing end 10.

[0053] The attachment means 11 comprises a ring 15 connected to a threaded rod 16 which is inserted into the orifice 29 of the fixing end 10 and then screwed to the third nut 17. The attachment means 11 projects from the fixing end 10 towards the opening 4 in a direction perpendicular to the fixing end 10.

[0054] The hook forming the attachment element 19 of the elongate closing element 6 is thus introduced into the ring 15 to fix the end 5a, 5b of the elongate closing element 6 to the fixing device 1a, 1b.

[0055] The vehicle comprises door trims or frames (not shown) each positioned between each door pillar 2a, 2b (or each support 7) and each ring 15, to mask, among other things, the supports 7.

[0056] An orifice is provided in each trim for the passage of the threaded rod 16.

[0057] The vehicle comprises two openings 4 opposite each other and therefore four dis fixation positives la, 1b.

[0058] According to a possible assembly process, the four fixing devices 1a, 1b are fixed to four respective plates 22, themselves fixed to four door uprights 2a, 2b. The trims are then fixed to the body structure 3 so as to cover the fixing devices 1a, 1b.

[0059] Each threaded rod 16 of the attachment means 11 is inserted through an orifice of one of the hubcaps, then screwed into the third nuts 17 of the fixing ends 10 of the respective fixing devices 1a, 1b.

[0060] The two ends 5a, 5b of the elongated closing element 6 are then attached to the two fixing devices 1a, 1b to prevent access to the lateral opening 4.

Claims

Claims

1. Fastening device (1a, 1b) intended to be mounted on a door pillar (2a, 2b) of a body structure (3) of a vehicle delimiting at least in part a lateral opening (4), one end (5a, 5b) of an elongated closure element (6) of the rope type being intended to be hooked to the fastening device (1a, 1b) to prevent access to the lateral opening (4), characterized in that it comprises a support (7) comprising a base (8) provided with fastening means (9a, 9b) for fixing the base (8) to the door pillar (2a, 2b) and a tab (12) connected to the support (7), the tab (12) comprising a fastening end (10) connected to a hooking means (11) intended to receive the end (5a, 5b) of the elongated closure element (6).

2. Fixing device (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (7) has a general U shape.

3. Fixing device (la, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the tab (12) comprises a curved part (13) connected to the base (8) and a rectilinear part (14) extending the curved part (13), the rectilinear part (14) being positioned opposite the base (8) and comprising the fixing end (10).

4. Fixing device (la, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing means (9a, 9b) comprise a first nut (9a) and a second nut (9b) welded to the base (8).

5. Fixing device (la, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the attachment means (11) comprises a ring (15) connected to a threaded rod (16) screwed to a third nut (17) welded onto the fixing end (10) of the tab (12).

6. Vehicle comprising a body structure (3) comprising two door uprights (2a, 2b) delimiting at least in part a lateral opening (4), characterized in that it comprises at least one fixing device (la, 1b) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the elongated closing element (6) comprises a rope (18) comprising a hooking element (19) at each of the ends (5a, 5b), each hooking element (19) being configured to hook onto the hooking means (11) of the fixing device (1a, 1b).

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized

9.

10. in that the hooking element (19) is a hook. Vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two fixing devices (1a, 1b) including a first fixing device (1a) mounted on a first door post (2a) and a second fixing device (1b) mounted on a second door post (2b), positioned opposite the first door post (2a), a first end (5a) of the elongated closing element (6) being capable of being hooked to the first fixing device (1a) and detached from the first fixing device (1a), a second end (5b) of the elongated closing element (6) being capable of being hooked to the second fixing device (1b) and detached from the second fixing device (1b), the elongated closing element (6) extending through the lateral opening (4) from the first fixing device (1a) to the second fixing device (1b).Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the fixing device (1a, 1b) is fixed to a plate (22) of the door pillar (2a, 2b), the elongated closing element (6) extending transversely relative to the plate (22) and to the base (8) of the tab (12) when it is attached to the two fixing devices (1a, 1b).

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