Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Joints and connections
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-26
2004-03-09
Patel, Kiran (Department: 3612)
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Joints and connections
C293S117000, C293S116000, C293S102000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06702347
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to motor vehicles, particularly pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicle motor vehicles. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated mounting system for mounting the front bumper, recovery rings and a selectively deployable winch to the frame of the aforementioned type of motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, bumpers are attached to the vehicle frame using a number of bolts and assorted brackets.
Recovery rings have become an essential part of an “off-road” package for motor vehicles. Recovery rings are utilized as anchor points for towing or vehicle recovery in the event the vehicle has become immobilized by an untoward driving incident (for example being stuck in a ditch). In a typical installation, as depicted at
FIG. 1
, the recovery rings
110
are pivotally connected to respective brackets
112
, which are, in turn, mounted to the left and right frame rails
114
L,
114
R of the vehicle frame
114
.
Winches have been developed which are mechanically and electrically interfaced with a motor vehicle, for example to provide extrication from an immobilization caused by an untoward incident. Many experts advise motor vehicles that are used for off-road excursions be equipped with winches to provide self-recovery of the motor vehicle should an untoward event happen. The best location for a winch is the front of the motor vehicle.
As shown at
FIG. 1
, an improvement to motor vehicle winches
120
is the utilization of a trailer hitch attachment
122
therefor which permits the winch to be stowed when not in use and easily deployed when needed. In this regard, the winch has a stinger
124
which is received into the square receptacle
126
of the trailer hitch
122
, and a pin
128
(held by a cotter pin
130
) secures the placement of the stinger in the receptacle. Because winch strength can exceed recommended trailer hitch loads, the hitch utilized for winch purposes is usually more robust than a conventional trailer hitch. To accommodate the high loads that can be generated by winch operation, the trailer hitch is attached to the vehicle frame
114
via a special cross-member
132
which spans the left and right frame rails
114
L,
114
R. The attachment of the winch
120
is via various brackets and reinforcements at a central location of the cross-member
132
, wherein the winch connects to the trailer hitch
122
at a location vertically below the bumper (not shown in
FIG. 1
for clarity).
Problematically, the conventional trailer hitch winch attachment modality involves an excessive amount of weight associated with the cross-member and the bracketry, and a low ground clearance and approach angle—all of which contributing to reduced road performance of a motor vehicle so equipped.
Accordingly, what remains needed is to somehow integrate the bumper, recovery rings and winch mountings of a motor vehicle so as to thereby save weight and improve both the ground clearance and the winch approach angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an integrated mounting system for mounting the bumper, recovery rings and a selectively removable winch to the frame of a motor vehicle, wherein the system saves weight and improves both the ground clearance and the winch approach angle as compared to conventional mounting modalities.
The integrated mounting system according to the present invention includes left and right mounting plates attached transversely to the front ends of the left and right frame rails of the motor vehicle frame wherein each mounting plate has a plate aperture, and left and right mounting brackets, each provided with a bracket aperture. The left and right mounting brackets each have a planar base and a clevis perpendicularly upstanding in relation to the base. Attachment holes are provided in each of the left and right mounting plates and mounting brackets. The front bumper also has a pair of bumper apertures and is also provided with attachment holes.
In operation, the left and right mounting plates are welded to the front end, respectively, of each of the left and right frame rails. Next, the rear surface of the front bumper is placed in abutting relation to the left and right mounting plates. The base of the left and right mounting brackets is placed in respective direct alignment with the left and right mounting plates in abutment of the front surface of the bumper. At this position, the plate, bracket and bumper apertures are aligned at each of the left and right frame rails, respectively. Bolts are now placed through the left and right mounting brackets, bumper and left and right mounting plates and nuts threadingly tightened thereunto, thereby simultaneously attaching to the motor vehicle frame the front bumper and mounts for recovery rings and a winch.
Next a recovery ring is attached to each clevis, using a bolt and nut combination, or a pin and cotter pin combination. In the event a winch is needed, the user removes a selected one of the recovery rings, and then places the stinger of the winch through the aligned bracket and plate apertures, and the bolt or pin of the recovery ring then placed through the clevis and a securement hole of the stinger to thereby hold the winch in place. The user then connects the winch to an electrical connection and thereupon actuates the winch as needed, as for example to recover the motor vehicle for an untoward driving incident. It will be noted that the winch is stabilized relative to the frame rail at which it is located via a slidable, yet snug fit between the stinger with the two aligned and spaced apart plate and bracket apertures. When completed, the winch is removed and again stored; and the recovery ring is then reinstalled.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated mounting system for mounting the bumper, recovery rings and a selectively removable winch to the frame of a motor vehicle.
This and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following specification of preferred embodiments.
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Hollinger R. Donald
Verburgt David W.
General Motors Corporation
Hargitt Laura C.
Patel Kiran
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