Vehicle Step Mounting Bracket for No-Drill Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steps require complex mounting systems that necessitate physical modifications to the vehicle, compromising safety and aesthetics, making them difficult to install and unsuitable for individuals with mobility issues.
Innovation Solution
An attachment system comprising a step, a mounting bracket, and a brace that connects to a vehicle's tubular portions and existing threaded holes without drilling, using hooks and adjustable fasteners for easy installation, maintaining structural integrity and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex mounting systems are used to attach steps to vehicles, then the steps can be securely installed, but the installation process requires drilling holes, cutting sections, and removing factory components which compromises vehicle structural integrity and aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting bracket system that connects the step to the vehicle's existing tubular rocker panel structure without requiring drilling or cutting. The bracket uses clamp-like structures that grip the existing tubular members, providing secure attachment while preserving the vehicle's original structure and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the mounting function from the vehicle's primary structural components by utilizing existing tubular rocker panels as attachment points. This allows the step to be mounted independently without modifying critical structural elements of the vehicle chassis.
2Strength
If complex mounting systems with drilling and cutting are used, then steps can be securely attached, but the installation becomes time and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are pre-configured with clamp structures and adjustment mechanisms that allow for quick installation. The brackets are designed beforehand to fit standard tubular dimensions, eliminating the need for on-site drilling, cutting, or custom fabrication during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The step assembly is divided into modular components (step platform, mounting brackets, fasteners) that can be independently prepared and then quickly assembled to the vehicle. This segmentation allows for tool-free or minimal-tool installation by simply clamping the pre-fabricated brackets to the tubular rocker panels.
3Ease of manufacture
If factory bolt-on components are removed to install steps, then mounting is possible, but the vehicle's aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket serves as an intermediary that bridges the step and the vehicle's existing tubular structure without requiring removal of factory components. The bracket's design allows it to blend with or be concealed by the vehicle's existing rock rail or tubular structures, maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed to be localized to specific non-critical tubular portions of the vehicle body, allowing the majority of the vehicle's aesthetic surfaces to remain untouched. The brackets can be positioned in areas where they are least visible or can be concealed behind trim components.
4Strength
If drilling holes into the vehicle chassis is required for step installation, then secure mounting is achieved, but vehicle safety is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mounting function from the vehicle's primary safety-critical structural components by utilizing existing tubular rocker panels and rock rails as attachment points. This ensures that critical structural integrity and safety elements remain unmodified.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary that transfers loads from the step to the vehicle's existing tubular structure through clamping forces rather than drilled connections. This avoids creating stress concentration points that could compromise vehicle safety while still providing secure step attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment system for connecting a step to a vehicle includes the step, a mounting bracket, and a brace. The mounting bracket being connected to a step upper surface and/or a step lower surface along at least a portion of a step interior edge and including a central plate, a first hook attached to and extending from a central plate first end, and a second hook attached to and extending from a central plate second end. The brace being attached to and extending from the central plate between the central plate first end and the central plate second end and including a first member and a second member. The second member being disposed within a slot in a second longitudinal plate of the first member. The first hook and the second hook each independently being configured to connect to a tubular portion of the vehicle while the brace is configured to connect to a threaded hole in the vehicle by passing a brace fastener through a first plate attachment hole and into the threaded hole.