Running Board Bracket

• US 20140327222A1
• Filed: 11/14/2012
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABC Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Salflex Polymers Limited
• Inventors: Iorgovan, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,174,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/163
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02

Abstract

A bracket for mounting a running board to a vehicle. The bracket comprising a main body comprising a support surface, an interlock structure and a mount element. The support surface provides a surface for supporting the running board. The interlock structure provides a mechanical engagement with a lower flange of the vehicle. The mount element cooperates with a fastener for fastening the bracket to a structural panel of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A bracket for mounting a running board to a vehicle, the bracket comprising,

a main body comprising a support surface, an interlock structure and a mount element;

wherein said support surface provides a surface for supporting said running board;

wherein said interlock structure provides a mechanical engagement with a lower flange of said vehicle; and

wherein said mount element cooperates with a fastener for fastening said bracket to a structural panel of said vehicle.

2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said interlock structure is generally a T-shaped extension having a pair of engagement wings on opposing sides of a central stem, said T-shaped member being configured to mechanically lock with a corresponding interlock aperture on said lower flange.

3. The bracket of claim 2, wherein said bracket is pivotable about said interlock structure to facilitate insertion of said T-shaped member through said interlock aperture on said lower flange.

4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said main body is L-shaped, and wherein said support surface forms a first portion of said L-shaped main body, an extension arm forms a second portion of said L-shaped main body, and said interlock structure is located generally in the region of a transition portion between said first and second portions of said L-shaped main body.

5. The bracket of claim 4, wherein said mount element is provided on said extension arm.

6. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said support surface is provided with at least one aperture through which suitable fasteners are used to fasten the running board to said bracket.

7. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said mount element is provided with at least one aperture for cooperating with said fasteners to fasten said bracket to said vehicle.

8. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a support wall adjacent said support surface to provide additional support to a running board affixed thereto.

9. A running board assembly for use on a motor vehicle, said running board assembly comprising,

a running board;

at least one bracket mounted to said running board, said bracket configured for mounting said running board to said vehicle, said bracket comprising,

a main body comprising a support surface, an interlock structure and a mount element;

wherein said support surface provides a surface for supporting said running board;

wherein said interlock structure provides a mechanical engagement with a lower flange of said vehicle; and

wherein said mount element is configured to enable fastening of said bracket to a structural panel of said vehicle.

10. The bracket of claim 9, wherein said interlock structure is generally a T-shaped extension having a pair of engagement wings on opposing sides of a central stem, said T-shaped member being configured to mechanically lock with a corresponding interlock aperture on said lower flange.

11. The bracket of claim 10, wherein said bracket is pivotable about said interlock structure to facilitate insertion of said T-shaped member through said interlock aperture on said lower flange.

12. The bracket of claim 9, wherein said main body is L-shaped, and wherein said support surface forms a first portion of said L-shaped main body, an extension arm forms a second portion of said L-shaped main body, and said interlock structure is located generally in the region of a transition portion between said first and second portions of said L-shaped main body.

13. The bracket of claim 9, wherein said running board is made of a thermoplastic material.

14. A bracket for mounting a running board to a vehicle, the bracket comprising,

a main body comprising a support surface, an interlock structure and a mount element;

wherein said support surface provides a surface for supporting said running board;

wherein said interlock structure provides a mechanical engagement with a lower flange of said vehicle; and

wherein said mount element is configured to enable fastening of said bracket to a structural panel of said vehicle.

15. The bracket of claim 14, wherein said mount element of said bracket is fastened to said structural panel of said vehicle using metallurgic bonding.