Article attachment system

• US 6,789,832 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Norland, Leif A., Fry, David B., Gort, Dale A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/041,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20030127878A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 296/37.12, 296/37.13, 296/37.14, 296/37.15, 296/37.16, 248/323, 248/911, 248/912, 224/547, 224/554, 224/548, 224/281
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 37/00 Other furniture or furnishings

Abstract

An article attachment system is disclosed for a vehicle having one or more receiving members. The system includes a base having an attachment device to couple and uncouple the base with the receiving member. The base is configured to interchangeably receive an article and includes a retention device to selectively retain and release the article. A universal mounting adapter is also disclosed for interchangeably attaching articles to a receiving member and includes a base adapted to couple to the receiving member, a selectively deployable attachment device adapted to engage a portion of the receiving member and couple the base to the receiving member, an article interface to couple an article to the base, and a retention device between the article interface and the base.

Claims

1. A system for attaching articles in a vehicle, comprising:

a base having an attachment device adapted to selectively couple the base to a receiving member within the vehicle and adapted to selectively uncouple the base from the receiving member;

the base comprising a cavity adapted to interchangeably receive an article interface member; and

the base having a retention device cooperating with the cavity adopted to selectively retain the article interface member and to selectively release the article interface member;

so that an article may be attached to the receiving member.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to attach at one or more locations along the receiving member.

3. The attachment system of claim 2, wherein the base is adapted to move in relation to the receiving member.

4. The attachment system of claim 2, wherein the base is adapted to be substantially non-movable in relation to the receiving member.

5. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein the base includes a friction device configured to engage the receiving member to substantially limit movement of the base in relation to the receiving member.

6. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein the base includes a positioning device configured to engage the receiving member to substantially prevent movement of the base in relation to the receiving member.

7. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the article interface member comprises a portion adapted to receive the article.

8. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the retention device includes a spring-biased catch adapted to retain the article.

9. The attachment system of claim 8, wherein the retention device includes a release device having an actuation member in operable engagement with the catch and configured to release the article.

10. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the article interface member is a bracket adapted to interchangeably couple with one of a group of articles.

11. The attachment system of claim 10, wherein the articles are taken from the group consisting of a storage compartment, a hanger, a bracket, a fixture, a support member, a cargo storage shelf, an adaptable consumer product, a commercial-use article, and a business-related article.

12. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises an interlock adapted to prevent uncoupling the base from the receiving member when the article is coupled to the base.

13. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device includes a lever and fulcrum mechanism.

14. The attachment system of claim 1 wherein the attachment device includes a push button.

15. The attachment system of claim 1 wherein the attachment device includes a slide mechanism.

16. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device includes a clasp.

17. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device includes a spring-biased hinge.

18. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device includes a threaded fastener.

19. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device includes a rotatable lever.

20. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the base includes an electrically conductive path adapted to provide a utility interface between the receiving member and the article.

21. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the receiving device member is an elongated track member mountable to one or more of a headliner, floor, cargo door or interior trim component of the vehicle.

22. An article attachment system for a vehicle, comprising:

means for coupling a base to an elongated member in the interior of a vehicle; and

means for coupling an article to the base.

23. The article attachment system of claim 22, wherein the means for coupling the base is accomplished without using tools.

24. The article attachment system of claim 22, further comprising means for preventing sliding motion of the base when the article is coupled to the base.

25. The article attachment system of claim 22, further comprising, means for preventing disengagement of the base from the elongated member when the article is coupled to the base.

26. A kit for attaching articles in a vehicle, the kit comprising:

a base portion adapted to be coupled to at least one elongated member disposed within the vehicle;

an attachment device adapted to couple the base to the at least one elongated member;

a passage within the base portion configured to receive at least a portion of an article; and

a retention device adapted to couple the article to the passage.

27. The kit of claim 26, further comprising an interlock adapted to prevent uncoupling the article from the base when the base is coupled to the at least one elongated member.

28. The kit of claim 26, wherein a portion of the base is electrically conductive.

29. The kit of claim 26, further comprising an article interface device receivable in the passage of the base and adapted to couple to the article.

30. The kit of claim 26, further comprising a positioning device adapted to substantially limit movement of the base relative to the at least one elongated member.

31. The kit of claim 26, wherein the retention device includes a latch adapted to retain the article.

32. The kit of claim 26, wherein the retention device includes a release device adapted to release the article.

33. A method of mounting an article on a vehicle, comprising:

coupling a base to a receiving member disposed on the vehicle by engaging an attachment device with the receiving member;

coupling the article to the base by engaging a retention device on the base; and

providing an interlock to prevent removal of the base from the receiving member when the article is coupled to the base.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of coupling an article interface device to the base.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the article is coupled to the article interface device.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of transmitting utilities through the base to the article.

37. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of limiting the movement of the base relative to the receiving member.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of removing the article from the base by actuating a release device on the retention member.

39. A universal mounting adapter for interchangeably attaching articles to a receiving member, comprising:

a base adapted to couple to the receiving member;

the base having a selectively deployable attachment device adapted to engage a portion of the receiving member and maintain the base operably coupled to the receiving member;

an article interface adapted to couple an article to the base;

a retention device communicating with the article interface and the base; and

an interlock device adapted to maintain the base in a coupled relationship with the receiving member when the article is coupled to the base.

40. The universal mounting adapter of claim 39, wherein the receiving member is an elongated rail coupled to an interior portion of a vehicle.

41. The universal mounting adapter of claim 39, wherein the retention device includes a spring-biased catch member for selectively holding the article to the base and selectively releasing the article from the base.

42. The universal mounting adapter of claim 39, wherein the retention device includes a manual actuator operably engaging the catch member.

43. The universal mounting adapter of claim 39, wherein the articles are taken from the group consisting of a storage compartment, a hanger, a bracket, a fixture, an adaptable consumer product, a commercial-use device, an industrial product, and a business-related article.