SUPPORT DEVICES FOR A VEHICLE AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20200130762A1
• Filed: 10/31/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Crandall
• Original Assignee: Robert Crandall
• Inventors: Crandall, Robert
• Application Number:
  US16/670,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20200130762A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/42 extending primarily along the sides of, or completely encircling, a vehicle ornamental or guard strips B60R13/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/155 Sub-frames or underguards
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 23/005 with integrated chassis in the whole shell, e.g. meshwork, tubes, or the like B62D33/044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/16 the sub-units or components being exterior fittings, e.g. bumpers, lights, wipers , exhausts

Abstract

A support device having an elongated support member for providing protection to an underside of a vehicle. The vehicle can have one or more pinch welds, such as a vehicle with a unibody chassis. The support device can serve as a rock rail to distribute a point load from an external object, such as a rock or a boulder, to a larger area of the vehicle to minimize high loading forces to a single point. The support device can alternatively be a running board. Brackets can be included for traditional installation or for a blind installation, when using a frame locking bolt with alignment features.

Claims

1. A support device for a vehicle comprising:

a support member defined by a plurality of walls including a support wall, the support member being elongated and including;

a pinch weld channel having a support surface and at least one extended side wall extending from the support surface;

a side channel spaced from the pinch weld channel;

wherein the pinch weld channel is located above, elevation-wise, the support wall and the support wall extends from the support surface at an angle to the support wall; and

wherein the side channel has a recessed groove for receiving a gap filler.

2. The support device of claim 1, wherein the support wall comprises an I-beam cross sectional shape.

3. The support device of claim 1, further a bracket welded to or secured to the support member, the bracket having a mounting flange for mounting the support member to an underside of a vehicle.

4. The support device of claim 2, further comprising two or more brackets welded to the elongated support member or fastened to the elongated support member.

5. The support device of claim 1, further comprising a non-metallic gap filler located in the pinch weld channel.

6. The support device of claim 5, further comprising a non-metallic side gap filler having a head portion and a stem portion, and wherein said stem portion is located in the recessed groove of the side channel.

7. The support device of claim 1, further comprising a rib wall located internally of a body defined by the plurality of walls, said rib wall attached to one of the plurality of walls of the support member.

8. A support device for a vehicle, said support device comprising:

an extruded metallic support member having a body with a length and a top wall having a top wall with a top surface, a top wall first end, and a top wall second end;

a rigid extension extending above the top wall top surface at the top wall first end;

a side channel having a recessed groove located at the top wall second end and spaced from the rigid extension;

a load bearing structure located directly below, elevation-wise, the rigid extension having a surface for transferring a point load on the surface to the rigid extension;

wherein the rigid extension has a terminal end that is located above, elevation-wise, the side channel when the support device is mounted to a side of a vehicle.

9. The support device of claim 8, wherein the load bearing structure comprises an I-beam cross sectional shape.

10. The support device of claim 8, wherein a sloped sidewall is located below, elevation-wise, the side channel.

11. The support device of claim 9, further comprising a bracket coupled to or welded to the support member, said bracket having a flange for attaching the support member to a vehicle.

12. The support device of claim 10, further comprising a step extending laterally from the elongated support member.

13. The support device of claim 8, further comprising an edge guard located at the terminal end of the rigid extension.

14. A support device for a vehicle comprising:

an elongated support member having two ends and a sidewall;

a bracket fastened to or welded to the sidewall of the support member;

a threaded shank of a bolt projecting through an opening of the bracket;

a bolt head welded to a bolt head flange and the threaded shank extending from the bolt head;

a spacer located between the bolt head and the bracket, and

a pin extending from the spacer and through the bolt head flange, said pin being spaced from said threaded shank.

15. The support device of claim 14, wherein the pin is press fitted to a bore in the spacer and extends through an opening in the bolt head flange.

16. The support device of claim 14, wherein the spacer has a body with a first body portion having a first diameter and a second body portion with a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

17. The support device of claim 14, further comprising an adapter bracket having a first mounting section located between the spacer and the bolt head flange.

18. The support device of claim 17, wherein the adapter bracket has a slot formed at the first mounting section.

19. The support device of claim 18, where the first mounting section has a top surface and wherein a bead is located at the top surface adjacent the slot.

20. The support device of claim 19, wherein the adapter flange further comprises a second mounting section spaced from the first mounting section by an intermediate section.