Running board mounting bracket

• US 6,536,790 B1
• Filed: 05/21/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Decoma International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Decoma International Corporation
• Inventors: Ojanen, Lassi M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHRIVER II, JAMES A
• Application Number:
  US09/787,828
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/762, 280/770, 280/164.1, 280/169, 293/128, 182/92, 182/112, 182/127, 403/292, 403/293, 403/300, 248/214, 248/66, 248/148, 248/188.8, 248/503
• 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 running board mounting bracket has a structural body having a distal end and a support end. A mounting flange extends from the structural body at the support end and is canted relative to the longitudinal extent of the structural body. The mounting flange has bores for mounting the bracket to an inboard surface of a vehicle frame. A web extends between the mounting flange and the distal end redirecting bending forces from the interface between the mounting flange and the structural body and transferring the bending forces from the structural body to the mounting flange in a compressive manner. The web has a rib extending along the web forming an I-beam relation with the structural body.

Claims

1. A running board mounting bracket comprising:

a structural body extending longitudinally between a distal end and a support end,

a mounting flange extending from said structural body at said support end, said mounting flange canted relative to the longitudinal extent of said structural body, said mounting flange having bores for mounting said bracket to a vehicle frame,

a web extending between said mounting flange and said distal end redirecting bending forces from the interface between said mounting flange and said structural body and transferring said bending forces from said structural body to said mounting flange in a compressive mariner, said web including a rib extending generally orthogonal and longitudinal to said structural body between said mounting flange and said distal end and a panel extending generally perpendicular to said rib and longitudinal to said structural body between said mounting flange and said distal end forming an I-beam structural relation therebetween.

2. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, further including an annular ring extending from said structural body at said distal end and said web engages and extends between said annular ring and said mounting flange.

3. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rib extends from said flange to said annular ring, said rib, web and structural body forming an I-beam relation therebetween.

4. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bracket is made of a plastic.

5. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein said web has a plurality of ribs extending orthogonal and longitudinal to said structural body from said flange to said annular ring, said ribs, web and structural body forming an I-beam relation therebetween.

6. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bracket is made of a plastic.

7. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein said structural body is hollow having at least one open end.

8. A running board bracket as claimed in claim 7 wherein said structural body is configured to receive an arm of a running board in a complementary fit.

9. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2 wherein said web has a first rib extending orthogonal and longitudinal to said structural body from said flange to said annular ring, a second rib spaced from said first rib and extending orthogonal and longitudinal to said structural body from said flange to said annular ring, a first panel extending generally perpendicular to and between said first and second ribs, and a second panel extending generally perpendicular to and between said structural body and said second rib.

10. A running board mounting bracket comprising:

an annular ring having an opening therethrough configured to receive an arm of a running board in a complementary fit;

a mounting flange spaced from said annular ring and canted relative to the longitudinal extent thereof, said mounting flange having an opening therethrough configured to receive the arm of the running board in a complementary fit and bores for mounting said bracket to a vehicle frame; and

a web extending between said mounting flange and said annular ring, said web including a rib extending generally orthogonal and longitudinal between said mounting flange and said annular ring and a panel extending generally perpendicular to said rib and longitudinal between said mounting flange and said annular ring forming an I-beam structural relation therebetween for transferring bending forces from the arm to said mounting flange in a compressive manner.

11. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 10, further including a hollow structural body extending longitudinally between a distal end attached to said annular ring and a support end attached to said mounting flange and configured to receive the arm of the running board therethrough.

12. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 11, wherein said panel extending longitudinally between said support end and said distal end and between said structural body to said rib whereby said web redirects bending forces from the interface between said mounting flange and said structural body and transfers said bending forces from said structural body to said mounting flange in a compressive manner.

13. A running board mounting bracket as claimed in claim 12 wherein said web has a first rib extending orthogonal and longitudinal to said structural body from said flange to said annular ring, a second rib spaced from said first rib and extending orthogonal and longitudinal to said structural body from said flange to said annular ring, a first panel extending generally perpendicular to and between said first and second ribs, and a second panel extending generally perpendicular to and between said structural body and said second rib.