Bracket interconnection structure for auxiliary component

• US 6,568,951 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Sawayanagi, Masahiro, Takahashi, Goro, Yoneyama, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US10/024,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20020081898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 439/357, 439/350-356, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/357
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0221 self mounting, i.e. no tools or screws required

Abstract

A first bracket has a first connector and a plurality of engagement members. The engagement members guide engagement protrusions mentioned later inside to engage with them. A second bracket has a second connector and a plurality of engagement protrusions to be fitted into the engagement members and having a height greater than that of the second connector. The second bracket supports an auxiliary component. During interconnection of the brackets, the engagement protrusions are inserted into the engagement members before the connectors are fitted to one another. The guiding and engagement of the engagement protrusions into and with the engagement members lead to fitting of the connectors to one another and interconnection of the brackets, resulting in the auxiliary component fixed to the first bracket.

Claims

1. A bracket interconnection structure for an auxiliary component, comprising:

a first bracket comprising;

a first connector including a first connection terminal; and

a plurality of engagement members formed separately from the first connection terminal; and

a second bracket supporting the auxiliary component, comprising;

a second connector including a second connection terminal; and

a plurality of engagement protrusions formed separately from and spaced from the second connection terminal and configured to be fitted into the engagement members, the engagement protrusions being greater in height than the second connector,

wherein the engagement protrusions are guided into the engagement members to be engaged so as to fit the second connector and the first connector together, connecting the second bracket to the first bracket, whereby the auxiliary component is fixed to the first bracket; and

the engagement members have locking arms, and the engagement protrusions have grooves configured to be engaged with the locking arms when the engagement members and the engagement protrusions are engaged.

2. A bracket interconnection structure for an auxiliary component according to claim 1, wherein:

the engagement protrusions have upper portions formed in a circular cone shape or a quadrangular prism shape, and the engagement members are in a tubular shape.

3. A bracket interconnection structure for an auxiliary component according to claim 1, wherein:

the first bracket further comprises a cover attached to the first connector via a hinge, and the cover, by being turned on the hinge, is configured to be put over the first connector to retain the first connection terminal inside the first connector.

4. A bracket interconnection structure for an auxiliary component according to claim 1, wherein:

the second connector further includes an upper member having a connector hood and a lower member attached to the upper member via a hinge, and the lower member, by being turned on the hinge, is configured to cover the upper member to fix the second connection terminal inside the connector hood.

5. A bracket interconnection structure for an auxiliary component according to claim 1, wherein:

the second bracket further comprises a connector fixing section including slots, and the second connector includes rails configured to be slid into the slots to fix the second connector to the connector fixing section.