VEHICLE LOAD MOUNTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SECURING LOADS

• US 20100301084A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PACCAR Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PACCAR Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Erik, Engstrom, Josh, Schlutt, Jeff, Gross, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 8,596,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/555
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/067 Mounting of tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/06 for tools or spare parts for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/02 at the sides, e.g. on running-board

Abstract

Load mounting systems for vehicles and methods of securing loads are provided. A load mounting system for a vehicle generally includes a support assembly configured for supporting a load, wherein the support assembly has a first end and a second end, the first end being mountable to a frame of a vehicle at one or more support assembly mounting locations along the frame. The system further includes at least one retaining device configured for securing the load on the support assembly, the at least one retaining device being coupleable to the first and second ends of the support assembly, wherein the at least one retaining device is coupleable to the first end of the support assembly at a different location than the support assembly mounting locations along the frame.

Claims

1. A load mounting system for a vehicle, including:

(a) a support assembly configured for supporting a load, wherein the support assembly has a first end and a second end, the first end being mountable to a frame of a vehicle at one or more support assembly mounting locations along the frame; and

(b) at least one retaining device configured for securing the load on the support assembly, the at least one retaining device being coupleable to the first and second ends of the support assembly, wherein the at least one retaining device is coupleable to the first end of the support assembly at a different location than the support assembly mounting locations along the frame.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the support assembly includes first and second attachment members at the respective first and second ends of the support assembly, each of the first and second attachment members extending along at least a portion of the respective first and second ends of the support assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the support assembly is proximate the frame and the second end of the support assembly is distal from the frame.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the support assembly is configured in a design selected from the group consisting of substantially L-shaped, substantially C-shaped, substantially U-shaped, and substantially V-shaped.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the support assembly includes first and second support components.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment members are substantially parallel to the frame of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first attachment member is coupleable to the first end of the support assembly.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second attachment member is coupleable to the second end of the support assembly.

9. A load mounting system for a vehicle, including:

(a) a support component configured for supporting a load, the support component being mountable to a frame of a vehicle in a plurality of locations along the frame;

(b) a first attachment member coupleable to the first and second support components at respective first and second attachment positions, and a second attachment member coupleable to the first and second support components at respective third and fourth attachment positions;

(c) at least one retaining device configured for securing the load on the support brackets, the at least one retaining device being coupleable to the first and second attachment members at locations along the first and second attachment members different from at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth attachment positions.

10. A method of securing a load on a vehicle frame, the method comprising:

(a) attaching a load mounting system to the vehicle frame, the system including;

(i) a support assembly configured for supporting the load, wherein the support assembly has a first end and a second end, the first end being mountable to a frame of a vehicle at one or more support assembly mounting locations along the frame; and

(ii) at least one retaining device configured for securing the load on the support assembly, the at least one retaining device being coupleable to the first and second ends of the support assembly, wherein the at least one retaining device is coupleable to the first end of the support assembly at a different location than the support assembly mounting locations along the frame;

(b) placing a load on the support assembly; and

(c) securing the load on the support assembly by coupling the at least one retaining device to the first and second ends of the support assembly.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the support assembly includes first and second attachment members at the respective first and second ends of the support assembly, each of the first and second attachment members extending along at least a portion of the respective first and second ends of the support assembly.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first end of the support assembly is proximate the frame and the second end of the support assembly is distal from the frame.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the support assembly is configured in a design selected from the group consisting of substantially L-shaped, substantially C-shaped, substantially U-shaped, and substantially V-shaped.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the support assembly includes first and second support components.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second attachment members are substantially parallel to the frame of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first attachment member is coupleable to the first end of the support assembly.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the second attachment member is coupleable to the second end of the support assembly.