Quick mount system for vehicle accessory

Abstract

An accessory mount for a vehicle may include a base (110) having an outer surface(112) and inner surface (114) and a keyhole opening(116) extending through a thickness of the base. The accessory mount further includes a mount (10) configured for selective, releasable connection to the base. The mount may include a foot (12) including a support (14), a first key plate(16) arranged on the support, a second key plate (20) arranged on the support rotationally offset from the first key plate, the second key plate movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the distance between the first key plate and the second key plate is greater in the second position than in the first position. The mount further includes a biasing member (26) urging the second key plate toward the first key plate. The first key plate and the second key plate may be rotationally fixed relative to one another, and the mount may be rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position.

Description

PATENT P1494-WO-PCTTITLE QUICK MOUNT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE ACCESSORYBACKGROUND

[0001] After-market automotive accessories may be added to vehicles to supplement or replace original equipment on the vehicle, particularly for vehicles used in offroad environments (e.g., offroad and sport utility vehicles). Examples of such accessories include trail mirrors, cameras, lights, rails, racks etc. A secure and durable mounting arrangement is useful to withstand the rugged nature of offroad environments. Typically, improving the security and / or durability involves adding complexity to the parts and / or to the installation process.SUMMARY

[0002] The present application relates to an accessory mount which may be quickly installed and securely hold the accessory in an offroad environment.

[0003] According to one aspect, an accessory mount for a vehicle includes a base having a thickness and a keyhole opening extending through the thickness, an outer surface and an inner surface, and a mount configured for selective, releasable connection to the base. The mount includes a foot, a support rotationally fixed on the foot, a first key plate arranged on the support and having a first elongated arm, a second key plate arranged on the support and having a second elongated arm rotationally offset from the first elongated arm, and a biasing member urging the second key plate toward the first key plate along the support. The first key plate and the second key plate are rotationally fixed relative to one another, and the second key plate is movable axially relative to the first key plate.

[0004] According to another aspect, a mount for attaching an accessory to a vehicle includes a foot including a support, a first key plate arranged on the support and having a first elongated arm and a second key plate arranged on the support and having a second elongated arm rotationally offset from the first elongated arm. The second key plate is movable between a first position relative to the first key plate and a second position relative to the first key plate. The distance between the first key plate and the second key plate is greater in the second position than in the first position. The mount also includes a biasing member urging the second key plate toward the first key plate along the support, the biasing member operable between aPATENT P1494-WO-PCTfirst load condition and a second load condition. A spring force of the biasing member is greater in the second load condition than first load condition. The mount further includes a release trigger operably connected to the second plate and operable to move the second key plate to the second position relative to the first key plate. The first key plate and the second key plate are rotationally fixed relative to one another, and the mount is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory mount according to an example herein;

[0006] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the accessory mount of FIG. 1 ;

[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the accessory mount of FIG. 1 connected to a vehicle panel or base;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the accessory mount and vehicle panel or base of FIG. 3;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an accessory mount in a disconnected condition;

[0010] FG. 6 is a diagram showing an accessory mount in a first intermediate condition;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an accessory mount in a second intermediate condition;

[0012] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an accessory mount in a connected or locked condition;

[0013] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an accessory mount having a release trigger;

[0014] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an accessory mount in a first removal condition;

[0015] FIG. 11 is a diagram of an accessory mount in a second removal condition, first part; and

[0016] FIG. 12 is a diagram of an accessory mount in a second removal condition, second part.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONPATENT P1494-WO-PCT

[0017] What has been described and illustrated herein is an example along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, which is intended to be defined by the following claims -- and their equivalents -- in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, according to present embodiments, a mount 10 for attaching an accessory to a vehicle includes a foot 12 including a support 14, a first key plate 16 arranged on the support 14 and having a first elongated arm 18, a second key plate 20 arranged on the support 14 and having a second elongated arm 22 rotationally offset from the first elongated arm 18, the second key plate 20 movable between a first position relative to the first key plate 16 (see FIG. 6) and a second position relative to the first key plate 16 (see FIG. 7), wherein the distance or gap 24 between the first key plate 16 and the second key plate 20 is greater in the second position than in the first position.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the mount 10 also includes a biasing member 26 urging the second key plate 20 toward the first key plate 16 along the support 14, the biasing member 26 is operable between a first load condition (see FIG. 6) and a second load condition (see FIG. 7), wherein a spring force of the biasing member 26 is greater in the second load condition (FIG. 7, where biasing member is compressed) than in the first load condition (FIG. 6, where biasing member is in, or moved toward a substantially uncompressed or extended state).

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 9-12, the mount 10 may further include a release trigger 28 operably connected to the second key plate 20 and operable to move the second key plate 20 to the second position relative to the first key plate 16. In the illustrated example, the release trigger 28 may be finger pull mechanism to which a force may be applied to move the second key plate 20.

[0021] The first key plate 16 and the second key plate 20 are rotationally fixed relative to one another, and the mount 10 is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The amount of rotation, or angle, between the first rotational position and the second rotational position may be equal to or substantially equal to the rotational offset of the second key plate 20 relative to the first key plate 16.PATENT P1494-WO-PCT

[0022] According to some examples, the first key plate 16 may be rotationally fixed relative to support 14 and foot 12 so as to rotate with support 14 and foot 12, and the second key plate 20 may be rotationally fixed relative to support 14 and foot 12 so as to rotate with support 14 and foot 12.

[0023] The first key plate 16 may be axially fixed on support 14 and the second key plate 20 may be configured for movement along support 14 away from the first key plate 16 and against the spring force of biasing member 26.

[0024] The release trigger 28 may be accessible on an opposite side of foot 12 from which first 16 and second key plates 20 are arranged.

[0025] In some examples, an accessory mount 100 for a vehicle includes a vehicle panel or base 110, an outer surface 112, and inner surface 114 spaced apart by a thickness of the of the base 110, and further including a keyhole opening 116 extending through the thickness of the base 110.

[0026] The accessory mount 10 further includes a mount configured for selective, releasable connection to the base, the mount including a foot having a support, a first key plate 16 arranged on the support and having a first elongated arm 18, and a second key plate 20 arranged on the support and having a second elongated arm 22 rotationally offset from the first elongated arm 18, the second key plate 20 movable between a first position relative to the first key plate 16 and a second position relative to the first key plate 16, wherein the distance d1 between the first key plate 16 and the second key plate 20 is greater in the second position than in the first position.

[0027] The mount further includes a biasing member 26 configured to urge the second key plate 20 toward the first key plate 16 along the support, the biasing member 26 operable between a first load condition and a second load condition. A spring force of the biasing member 26 is greater in the second load condition than the first load condition.

[0028] The first key plate 16 and the second key plate 20 may be rotationally fixed relative to one another, and the mount 10 may be rotated between a first rotational position (FIGS. 5-7) and a second rotational position (FIG. 8).

[0029] In the first rotational position, the first key plate 16 may be aligned with the keyhole opening 116 and is configured for receipt in the keyhole opening 116. In the second rotational position, the second key plate 20 may be aligned with the keyhole opening 116 and is configured for receipt in the keyhole opening 116.PATENT P1494-WO-PCT

[0030] The second key plate 20 may be arranged at the first position relative to the first key plate 16 when the first key plate 16 is positioned in the keyhole opening 116. The biasing member 26 may be in the first load condition when the second key plate 20 is in the first position relative to the first key plate 16.

[0031] The second key plate 20 may be in the second position relative to the first key plate 16 when the first key plate 16 is positioned beyond the keyhole opening 116 in an insertion direction with the mount 10 in the first rotational position (see FIGS. 3-5). The biasing member 26 may be in the second load condition when the second key plate 20 is in the second position relative to the first key plate 16. The second key plate 20 may be in the first position relative to the first key plate 16 when the second key plate 20 is positioned in the keyhole opening 116.

[0032] The accessory mount 10 may further include a release trigger 28 operably connected to the second key plate 20, the release trigger 28 operable to move the second key plate 20 to the second position relative to the first key plate 16. The release trigger 28 may be configured to move the second key plate 20 to the second position to remove the second key plate 20 from the keyhole opening 116 with the mount 10 in the second rotatable position. The release trigger 28 may be configured to move the second key plate 20 to the second position relative to the first key plate 16 against the spring force of the biasing member 26. The release trigger 28 may be operable to place the biasing member 26 in the second load condition when moving the second key plate 20 to the second position. In some examples, the release trigger 28 may be a finger pull or rod connected to the second key plate 20 (directly or indirectly) such that a force applied to the release trigger 28 may overcome the spring force of the biasing member 26 to move the second key plate 20 against the spring force of the biasing member 26, and way from the first key plate 16. The release trigger 28 may move with the second key plate 20 back to the first position under the spring force of the biasing member 26 when the force is released from the release trigger 28.

[0033] According to some examples, an accessory mount 10 for a vehicle includes a base 110 having a thickness and a keyhole opening 116 extending through the thickness, an outer surface 112 and an inner surface 114. The accessory mount 10 further includes a mount 10 configured for selective, releasable connection to the base 110, the mount including a foot 12, a support 14 rotationally fixed on the foot 12, a first key plate 16 arranged on the support and having a firstPATENT P1494-WO-PCTelongated arm 18. A second key plate 20 is arranged on the support and has a second elongated arm 22 rotationally offset from the first elongated arm 18. A biasing member 26 is configured to urge the second key plate 20 toward the first key plate 16 along the support. The first key plate 16 and the second key plate 20 are rotationally fixed relative to one another.

[0034] The accessory mount 10 may be configurable in a disconnected condition (FIG. 5), a first intermediate condition (FIG. 6), a second intermediate condition (FIG.7), and a connected condition (FIG. 8). In the disconnected condition, the mount 10 may be freely movable relative to the base 110. In the first intermediate condition, the mount 10 may be rotationally fixed relative to the base 110 and movable in an insertion direction 120 or removal direction 122 relative to the base 110. The insertion direction 120 corresponds to the direction in which the mount 10 is moved toward the base 110 to connect the mount to the base 110, and the removal direction 122 may be a direction opposite to the insertion direction 120, corresponding to a direction in which the mount 10 moved away from the base 110 to remove or disconnect the mount 10 from the base 110. In a non-limiting example, the insertion direction 120 and the removal direction 122 may be axially opposite directions toward and away from the base 110, respectively.

[0035] In the first intermediate condition (FIG. 6), the first key plate 16 may be received in the keyhole opening 116 of the base 110. In this condition, the mount 10 may be held against rotation relative the base 110 in a locking direction 124 (FIG. 8) and an unlocking direction 126 (FIG. 11) by interaction between an outer peripheral wall 30 of the first key plate 16 and an inner peripheral wall 128 of the keyhole opening 116. The second key plate 20 may be positioned adjacent to the outer surface 112 of the base 110 and is in a first position relative to the first key plate 16. The biasing member 26 may be in a first load condition. In addition, the mount 10 may be movable in the insertion direction 120 against a spring force of the biasing member 26.

[0036] The mount 10 may be moveable from the first intermediate condition (FIG. FIG. 6) to the second intermediate condition (FIG. 7) by advancing the mount 10 in the insertion direction 120 relative to the base 110 against the spring force of the biasing member 116. In the second intermediate condition, the mount 10 may be rotatable in the locking direction 124 relative to the base 110 and may be held against movement in the insertion direction 120. The mount 10 may be movable in aPATENT P1494-WO-PCTremoval direction 122 relative to the base 110. Additionally, in the second intermediate condition, the first key plate 16 may be positioned beyond the keyhole opening in the insertion direction 120. The second key plate 20 may be positioned adjacent to and bear against the outer surface 112 of the base 110 under the spring force of the biasing member 26.

[0037] Further, still in the second intermediate condition, the mount 10 may be held against movement in the insertion direction 120 by interaction between the second key plate 20 and the outer surface 112 of the base 110 and interaction between the second key plate 20 and a stop on the mount 10. The outer peripheral wall 30 of the first key plate 16 may be clear of the inner peripheral wall 128 of the keyhole opening 116 such that the first key plate 16 is rotatable relative to the keyhole opening 116 The second key plate 20 may be positioned adjacent to the outer surface 112 of the base 110 and may be in a second position (FIG. 7) relative to the first key plate 16, wherein the second position is a greater distance from the first key plate 16 than the first position (FIGS. 5, 6). The biasing member 26 may be in a second load condition, wherein the spring force of the biasing member 26 in the second load condition is greater than the spring force in the in the first load condition.

[0038] The mount 10 may be movable from the second intermediate condition to the connected condition by rotating the mount 10 in the locking direction. In the connected condition, the mount 10 may be rotationally fixed relative to the base 110 in locking and unlocking directions and held against movement in the insertion and removal directions. The first key plate 16 may be positioned beyond the inner surface 114 in the insertion direction 120, and adjacent to the inner surface 114 of the base 110, and may be configured to interact with the inner surface 114 to hold the mount 10 against movement in the removal direction 122 relative to the base 110. This effect may be realized because the first key plate 16 has been rotated out of alignment with the keyhole opening 116. Additionally, in the connected condition, the second key plate 20 is received in the keyhole opening 116.

[0039] Further, in the connected condition, the mount 10 may be held against rotation in the locking and unlocking directions by interaction between an outer peripheral wall of the second key plate 20 and the inner peripheral wall of the keyhole opening 116. The second key plate 20 may be in the first position relative to the first key plate 16 and the biasing member may be in the first load condition. The mount 10 may be held against further movement in the insertion direction 120PATENT P1494-WO-PCTrelative to the base 110 by interaction between a stop surface of the mount 10 and the outer surface 112 of the base 110. In one embodiment, the stop surface may be formed on, as part of, or otherwise connected to the foot 12 or other component of the mount 10.

[0040] In the disconnected condition, the mount 10 may be arranged at a first insertion position in the insertion direction 120 and a first rotational position. In the first intermediate condition, the mount 10 may be arranged at a second insertion position and the first rotational position, wherein the second insertion position is advanced in the insertion direction 120 relative to the first insertion position. In the second intermediate condition, the mount 10 may be arranged at a third insertion position and the first rotational position, wherein the third insertion position is advanced in the insertion direction 120 relative to the second insertion position. In the connected condition, the mount 10 may be arranged at the third insertion position and a second rotational position, wherein the second rotational position is rotated in the locking direction relative to the first rotational position. The rotational distance from the first rotational position to the second rotational position may correspond or be equal to the rotational offset of the second key plate 20 relative to the first key plate 16.

[0041] The mount 10 is further configurable in a first removal condition and a second removal condition when removing or disconnecting the mount 10 from the base 110. The mount 10 may further include a release trigger operable to move the second key plate 20 in the removal direction 122 against the spring force and out of the keyhole opening. In the first removal condition, the mount 10 is held against movement in the insertion and removal directions relative to the base 110, and is rotatable relative to the base 110 in the unlocking direction, for example, in response to the removal trigger being operated to move the second key plate 20 out of the keyhole opening 116 in the removal direction 122.

[0042] In addition, in the first removal condition, the first key plate 16 may be positioned adjacent to the inner surface 114 and configured to interact with the inner surface 114 to hold the mount 10 against movement in the removal direction 122. The second key plate 20 may be removed from the keyhole opening 116 and positioned beyond the keyhole opening 116 in the removal direction 122, such that the outer peripheral wall of the second key plate 20 is clear of the inner peripheral wall of the second key plate 20. Further, the second key plate 20 may be in thePATENT P1494-WO-PCTsecond position relative to the first key plate 16 and the biasing member 26 may be in the second loaded condition.

[0043] In some examples, the mount 10 may be moveable from the connected condition to the first removal condition by operating the release trigger 28 to move the second key plate 20 in the removal direction 122 against the spring force.

[0044] In some examples, in the second removal condition, the mount 10 may be movable in the removal direction 122 relative to the base 110, and the first key plate 16 may be aligned with the keyhole opening 116. The second key plate 20 may be positioned adjacent to, and may be configured to bear against the outer surface 112 of the base 110 under the spring force of the biasing member 26. The mount 10 may be urged in the removal direction 122 under the spring force of the biasing member 26. The mount 10 may be movable from the first removal condition to the second removal condition by rotating the mount 10 in the unlocking direction such that the first key plate 16 is aligned with the keyhole opening 116.

[0045] In the disconnected condition, the second key plate 20 may be in the first position relative to the first key plate 16 and the biasing member may be in the first load condition. The mount 10 may be movable from the second removal condition to the disconnected condition by moving the mount 10 in the removal direction 122 until the first key plate 16 may be positioned spaced from the outer surface 112 in the removal direction 122, i.e. , when the first key plate 16 is completely removed from the keyhole opening 116.

[0046] According to some examples, in the first removal condition, the mount 10 may be in the third insertion position and the second rotation position. In the second removal condition, the mount 10 may be in the third insertion position and the first rotation position.

[0047] In some embodiments, the second removal condition includes a first part condition in which the first key plate 16 is positioned beyond the inner surface 114 of the base 110 and aligned with the keyhole opening 116 and the second key plate 20 is positioned beyond the outer surface 112 of the base 110 in the removal direction 122, may be rotated relative to the keyhole opening 116 and may be configured to bear against the outer surface 112 of the base 110 under the spring force of the biasing member 26.

[0048] In the first part of the second removal condition, the second key plate 20 may be in the second position relative to the first key plate 16 and the biasingPATENT P1494-WO-PCTmember 26 may be in the second loaded condition. The second removal condition may further include a second part condition in which the first key plate 16 may be arranged in the keyhole opening 116 and the second key plate 20 is adjacent to and positioned beyond the outer surface 112 of the base in the removal direction 122. In the second part, the second key plate 20 may be in the first position relative to the first key plate 16 and the biasing member 26 may be in the first loaded condition. Further, in the second part condition, the mount 10 may be held against rotation in the locking and unlocking directions, by interaction between the outer peripheral wall of the first key plate 16 and the inner peripheral wall of the keyhole opening 116.

[0049] The mount 10 may be movable from second part of the second removal condition to the disconnected condition with further movement of the mount 10 in the removal direction 122. In the first part condition, the mount 10 may be in the third insertion position and first rotational position and in the second part condition, the mount 10 may be in the second insertion position and the first rotational position.

[0050] In various examples, the second key plate 20 may be rotationally offset from the first key plate 16 by up to 90 degrees. In some examples, the second key plate 20 may be rotationally offset from the first key plate 16 by approximately 45 degrees to 90 degrees. In further examples, the second key plate 20 may be rotationally offset from the first key plate 16 by approximately 90 degrees.

[0051] In various examples, the second key plate 20 may have the same shape as the first key plate 16. The first key plate 16 and second key plate 20 may be arranged coaxially on the support. The first key plate 16 may include a pair of first elongated arms. The pair of first elongated arms may extend in opposite directions from one another. The second key plate 20 may include a pair of second elongated arms. The pair of second elongated arms may extend in opposite directions from one another.

[0052] The mount 10 may further include an accessory adapter 40 (FIG. 2) configured for selective connection with an accessory 50. In this manner various accessories fitted with a similar adapter can be secured on the mount 10.Alternatively, or in addition, various accessories may include the mount 10 described in the present examples and thus, can be used interchangeably with other accessories include the same mount, to connect to the base 110. In some examples, a variety of accessories may include, or be compatible with, the mount 10 of the present examples. In this manner, any accessory of such variety may be installed onPATENT P1494-WO-PCTthe vehicle without requiring further specialized or customized fitting to accommodate each accessory. In this manner, for example, in one use of the vehicle, a user may attach a trail mirror using the accessory mount of the present examples. In another use of the vehicle, the user may replace the trail mirror with, for example a camera which includes, or can be secured to the mount of the present examples. Thus, the accessories fitted with, or to, the present mount 10 can be easily and interchangeable installed, removed, replaced, etc. without requiring further modification. Moreover, the same reliable consistent, reliable connection may be provided using the accessory mount of the present examples, with each accessory. In contrast, where current accessories may require individual or specialized mounting, the quality or consistency of the mount may vary, and some accessories may be loosely or poorly attached, and may not be suitable for certain vehicle uses, such as used in relatively rugged environments.

[0053] In various examples, the accessory may be a mirror, such as a trail mirror, a light, a camera, a flag, a speaker, or any other known vehicle accessory, including aftermarket accessories suitable for mounting as described herein.

[0054] In various examples, the support is an axial support. Such a support may include, for example, a rod or rods, a rail or rails, tongue / groove configuration and other suitable arrangements to facilitate mounting and movement of the first and second key plates described in the present examples. The support may be integrally formed with the foot 12 or separately connected. In some examples, the support may be a rod extending through, and / or connected at the axes of the first and second key plates. In other examples, multiple supports, such as rods may be provided. Such supports could be arranged symmetrically with respect to the first and / or second key plates, to provide relatively balances forces. In other examples, the supports, and / or the first and / or second key plates could be arranged eccentrically.

[0055] The present example may further include a method of attaching, connecting, or installing an accessory to a vehicle using the accessory mount described in an of the examples herein. The method may include installing the base on a vehicle and connecting the mount to the base. In one example, connecting the mount 10 to the base 110 may include moving the mount axially toward the base until the first key plate is clear of the keyhole opening 116, and rotating the mount 10 until the second key plate is urged into the keyhole opening 116 under the spring force of the biasing member 26.PATENT P1494-WO-PCT

[0056] Installing the base on the vehicle may include removing an OEM panel from the vehicle and replacing the OEM panel with the base.

[0057] Connecting the mount 10 to the base 110 may include aligning the first key plate with the keyhole opening, advancing the mount 10 in an installation direction such that the first key plate 16 is received in the keyhole opening 116, further advancing the mount 10 in the installation direction such that the first key plate 16 is beyond an inner surface 114 of the base 110 in the installation direction and the second key plate 20 bears against the outer surface 112 of the base 110, and rotating the mount 10 to align the second key plate 20 with the keyhole opening 116, such that the second key plate 20 may be received in the keyhole opening 116 under the spring force of the biasing member 26.

[0058] It will be appreciated that various aspects of any of the present examples may be implemented in, replace, and / or used to together aspects of the other examples herein.

Claims

PATENT P1494-WO-PCTWhat is claimed is:

1. An accessory mount for a vehicle, the accessory mount comprising:a base having a thickness and a keyhole opening extending through the thickness, an outer surface and an inner surface; anda mount configured for selective, releasable connection to the base, the mount comprising:a foot;a support rotationally fixed on the foot;a first key plate arranged on the support and having a first elongated arm;a second key plate arranged on the support and having a second elongated arm rotationally offset from the first elongated arm; anda biasing member urging the second key plate toward the first key plate along the support,wherein the first key plate and the second key plate are rotationally fixed relative to one another, andwherein the second key plate is movable axially relative to the first key plate.

2. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the mount is configurable in a disconnected condition, a first intermediate condition, a second intermediate condition, and a connected condition.

3. The accessory mount of claim 2, wherein in the disconnected condition, the mount is freely movable relative to the base.

4. The accessory mount of claim 3, wherein in the first intermediate condition, the mount is rotationally fixed relative to the base and movable in an insertion or removal direction relative to the base.PATENT P1494-WO-PCT5. The accessory mount of claim 4, wherein in the second intermediate condition, the mount is rotatable relative in a locking direction relative to the base and is held against movement in the insertion direction.

6. The accessory mount of claim 5, wherein in the connected condition, the mount is rotationally fixed relative to the base in locking and unlocking directions and held against movement in the insertion and removal directions.

7. The accessory mount of claim 6, wherein in the disconnected condition, the mount is arranged at a first insertion position and a first rotational position.

8. The accessory mount of claim 2, wherein the mount is further configurable in a first removal condition and a second removal condition.

9. The accessory mount of claim 8, wherein in in the first removal condition, the mount is held against movement in the insertion and removal directions relative to the base, and is rotatable relative to the base in the unlocking direction.

10. The accessory mount of claim 9, wherein in the second removal condition, the mount is movable in the removal direction relative to the base.

11. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the mount further comprises a release trigger operable to move the second key plate in the removal direction against the spring force and out of the keyhole.

12. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the second key plate is rotationally offset from the first key plate by up to 90 degrees.

13. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the second key plate has the same shape as the first key plate.

14. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the first key plate and second key plate are arranged coaxially on the support.PATENT P1494-WO-PCT15. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the first key plate includes a pair of first elongated arms.

16. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the second key plate includes a pair of second elongated arms.

17. The accessory mount of claim 1 , wherein the mount further comprises an accessory adapter configured for selective connection with an accessory.

18. A mount for attaching an accessory to a vehicle, the mount comprising:a foot including a support;a first key plate arranged on the support and having a first elongated arm; a second key plate arranged on the support and having a second elongated arm rotationally offset from the first elongated arm, the second key plate movable between a first position relative to the first key plate and a second position relative to the first key plate, wherein the distance between the first key plate and the second key plate is greater in the second position than in the first position;a biasing member urging the second key plate toward the first key plate along the support, the biasing member operable between a first load condition and a second load condition, wherein a spring force of the biasing member is greater in the second load condition than first load condition; anda release trigger operably connected to the second plate and operable to move the second key plate to the second position relative to the first key plate, wherein the first key plate and the second key plate are rotationally fixed relative to one another, andwherein the mount is rotatable between first rotational position and a second rotational position.

19. The mount of claim 18, wherein the first key plate is axially fixed on the support and the second key plate is configured for movement along the support away from the first key plate against the spring force of the biasing member.

20. The mount of claim 18, wherein the release trigger is accessible on an opposite side of the foot from the first and second key plates are arranged.

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