Accessory Rail and Soft Top Mount for Damage-Free RV Accessory Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational sport vehicles with side-by-side seating face challenges in attaching accessories without damaging the vehicle, as existing methods often result in rust, weight addition, and permanent alterations, while requiring flexibility in positioning and types of accessories.
Innovation Solution
A tubular framework with a removably attached accessory rail that provides a secure anchor for the soft top and allows for variable positioning of accessories, using divergent interface projections and T-shaped slots for minimal material use and easy attachment of accessories like sun visors, cameras, and electronic devices, without causing surface damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are attached using existing methods, then accessories can be mounted on the vehicle, but the vehicle surface is damaged causing rust and permanent alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an accessory rail as an intermediary component that attaches to the vehicle's overhead framework without damaging the vehicle surface. The rail provides mounting points for accessories through threaded holes in its body, while its contact surfaces with the vehicle are designed to be non-marring, thus mediating between the need for accessory attachment and the need to preserve vehicle surface integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory mounting system is segmented into separate functional components: the accessory rail itself, the mounting brackets that attach to the vehicle framework, and the accessory attachment mechanisms. This segmentation allows the mounting hardware to be concentrated on the rail rather than directly on the vehicle surface, preventing damage while maintaining versatility
2Strength
If permanent attachment methods are used, then accessories are securely attached, but the vehicle undergoes permanent alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory rail serves as a removable intermediary that provides secure attachment points for accessories through its threaded mounting holes. The rail itself can be removed from the vehicle without leaving permanent alterations, while still providing the security of threaded fastening for accessories during use
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets and accessory rail are designed to be removable and recoverable from the vehicle. After use, these components can be detached and removed, leaving no permanent alterations to the vehicle, while having provided secure accessory attachment during the attachment period
3Strength
If fixed attachment points are used, then accessories are securely mounted, but positioning flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory rail incorporates multiple threaded mounting holes positioned at different locations along its length, allowing the attachment points to be dynamically selected and repositioned. Accessories can be mounted at various positions along the rail depending on the specific application, providing both secure threaded attachment and positioning flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory rail serves multiple functions: it provides secure threaded mounting points for various accessories, allows positioning of accessories at different locations along its length, and can be removed and reinstalled on different vehicles or at different positions. This multi-functionality addresses both the need for secure mounting and positioning versatility
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mounting hardware is used, then accessories can be attached, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory rail provides multiple mounting points and universal accessory attachment capability through its threaded holes, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware for each accessory. This consolidation reduces the total weight of mounting equipment while maintaining versatile accessory attachment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets and accessory rail are designed to be integrated components that attach to the existing vehicle framework. By merging the mounting function into a single rail structure rather than requiring separate heavy mounting hardware for each accessory, the overall weight addition to the vehicle is minimized
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational vehicle with side by side seating has or can receive an overhead tubular framework with an accessory rail removably attached to an overhead cross member of the tubular framework. The accessory rail providing an anchor for a forward edge of a soft top with the soft top wrapping around the overhead cross member and extending rearwardly and being supported by and secured to the tubular framework. The soft top covering the side by side seating region. The accessory rail having three functional portions positioned circumferentially about an axis of the rail. A first functional portion providing the fixed anchor for the forward edge of the soft top, another functional portion providing interface and attachment features for connecting the rail to the overhead cross member, and another functional portion providing accessory mounting with variable positioning and attachment of an array of accessories above and forward of the side by side seating region.