Vehicle Accessory Bracket Assembly With Fastener-Less Frame Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle accessory mounting systems often require fasteners, which can be cumbersome and limit flexibility in mounting various accessories, especially for lightweight or recreational vehicles like golf carts.
Innovation Solution
A bracket assembly with a fastener-less connection system, utilizing a clamp and lateral supports that interface with the vehicle frame, allowing for secure mounting of accessories such as wireless chargers, steps, and other accessories without the need for bolts or screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners (bolts or screws) are used to mount accessories, then the mounting connection is secure and reliable, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fastener system (bolts, screws, nuts) with a clamp-based mechanical system that uses friction and geometric interlocking. The clamp engages with the vehicle frame members to provide secure mounting without requiring separate fasteners, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly with clamp is designed to accommodate multiple types of accessories and can be installed on different vehicle frames (golf carts, ATVs, UTVs) using the same basic mechanism. The universal design allows a single mounting system to serve multiple functions and applications, reducing the need for accessory-specific fastening solutions.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional fastener-based mounting systems are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability to mount different types of accessories is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly is divided into separate modular components: the clamp, lateral supports, and accessory mounting interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, while the combination of components provides versatile adaptability for mounting different accessory types and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities along the vehicle frame members, allowing the mounting location and orientation to be dynamically adjusted based on the specific accessory requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the same basic structure to accommodate various accessory sizes, shapes, and mounting preferences without requiring multiple specialized brackets.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fasteners are used for accessory mounting, then the connection is rigid and stable, but the ability to quickly install and remove accessories is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is pre-configured with engagement features that align with the vehicle frame members, and the bracket assembly is designed with pre-positioned lateral supports and mounting interfaces. This preliminary configuration allows the accessory to be quickly secured by simply tightening the clamp mechanism, eliminating the time-consuming process of aligning and fastening multiple separate fasteners while maintaining stable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket assembly for coupling an accessory to a frame of a vehicle includes a first support configured to couple to a first portion of the frame; a second support coupled to the first support at a first end of the second support; a third support coupled to the first support at a first end of the third support and laterally spaced from the second support defining an opening therebetween; a fourth support coupled to a second end of the second support and a second end of the third support; and a fifth support coupled to the fourth support. The fourth support and the fifth support are configured to interface with a second portion of the frame with a fastener-less connection.