CN217532719U

CN217532719U - Deployable hitch assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN217532719U
Application number: CN202221005103.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·P·杜尔金; R·里特
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2022-04-28
Filing date: 2022-04-28
Publication date: 2022-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-28

Abstract

A deployable hitch assembly for a vehicle is provided. The couple assembly includes: a housing having a front side, a back side having one or more ribs, and an aperture extending inwardly from the back side; and a deployable hook that pivots relative to the housing between a flush retracted storage position within the aperture and an outwardly extended deployed use position. The deployable hook assembly also includes a back plate having one or more slots configured to receive one or more ribs on a back side of the housing, wherein the back plate is configured to engage a back side of a trim component of the vehicle and the housing is configured to engage a front side of the trim component, and wherein the one or more ribs extend through an opening in the trim component.

Description

Deployable hitch assembly for a vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle hitch assemblies, such as clothes hooks, grocery hooks, and cargo attachment hooks or loops, and more particularly to a low profile deployable hitch assembly for a vehicle interior.

Background

Motor vehicles typically include one or more garment hangers, typically in the form of hooks, mounted on trim components in the interior of the passenger compartment to allow garments, hangers and the like to be hung from the hook. In addition, grocery bags may be hung on hooks, and the hooks or loops may be unfolded to allow hanging attachment of other items (such as a separator net). Typically, some hooks are fixed or stationary, while others may retract or extend to allow storage or access to the hook feature. It may be desirable to provide a hook assembly that is low profile and may not interfere with other items being transported within the vehicle.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model provides a prior art's technical problem.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a deployable hook assembly for a vehicle is provided. The deployable hook assembly includes: a housing having a front side and a back side; a deployable hanger that pivots relative to the housing between a retracted storage position and an outwardly extending deployed use position; a back plate (back plate) configured to be connected to a back side of the housing, wherein the back plate and the housing are configured to engage a trim component of the vehicle; one or more ribs on one of a back side of the housing and a front side of the back plate; and one or more slots on the other of the back side of the housing and the front side of the back plate for engaging the one or more ribs.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

-one or more ribs extend through an opening in the trim component, and wherein the back plate and the housing sandwich a portion of the trim component;

-an aperture extending inwardly from the front side of the housing, wherein the deployable hook is located in the aperture in the retracted storage position;

-the hook and the housing have an annular shape;

the hook has a U-shape;

-the hook is pivoted up to 90 degrees between the retracted storage position and the deployed use position;

the housing has a plurality of ribs formed in the back side for engaging a plurality of slots in the front side of the back plate;

-the back plate is configured to slide relative to the housing such that the plurality of ribs engage a plurality of slots extending to an edge of the back plate;

-the one or more ribs each comprise a T-shaped rib;

-the deployable hook is flush with the housing in the retracted storage position; and

the decorative component comprises a decorative panel.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a deployable hook assembly for a vehicle is provided. The deployable hook assembly includes: a housing having a front side, a back side having one or more ribs, and an aperture extending inwardly from the front side; a deployable hanger that pivots relative to the housing between a flush retracted storage position within the aperture and an outwardly extending deployed use position; and a back plate having one or more slots configured to receive the one or more ribs on the back side of the housing, wherein the back plate is configured to engage a back side of a trim component of the vehicle and the housing is configured to engage a front side of the trim component, and wherein the one or more ribs extend through openings in the trim component.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

the hook and the housing have an annular shape;

the hook has a U-shape;

the housing has a plurality of ribs formed in the back side for engaging a plurality of slots in the back plate;

-the back plate is configured to slide relative to the housing such that the plurality of ribs engage a plurality of slots extending to an edge of the back plate; and

-one or more ribs each comprise a T-shaped rib.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle cabin having a hitch assembly disposed at various locations throughout the interior of the vehicle cabin;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hook assembly with the U-shaped deployable hook shown in a retracted storage position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through line III-III of FIG. 2, further illustrating the hook assembly in the retracted storage position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the hook assembly of FIG. 2 with the deployable hook shown in the deployed use position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through line V-V of FIG. 4, further illustrating the hook assembly in the deployed use position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view of the disassembled hook assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hook assembly showing assembly of the back plate to the housing; and

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the hook assembly shown in a fully assembled condition.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some of the diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to illustrate the functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

For purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concept as oriented in FIG. 1. It should be understood, however, that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle hitch assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings denote like elements.

As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in reference to a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if the composition is described as comprising components A, B and/or C, the composition may comprise: only A; only B; only C; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or A, B and C.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded with "comprising", without further restriction, does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

The term "about" as used herein means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other amounts and characteristics are not, nor need they be, exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired: reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, as well as other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Regardless of whether the value or range end point in this specification recites "about," the value or range end point is intended to include both embodiments: one is modified by "about" and one is not modified by "about". It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

The terms "substantially", "substantially" and variations thereof as used herein are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal or approximately equal to the value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean a flat or substantially flat surface. Further, "substantially" is intended to mean that the two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may mean that the values are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

The terms "the", "a", or "an" as used herein mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one" unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Referring now to fig. 1, a compartment interior 14 of a wheeled automobile or motor vehicle 10 is generally shown configured with passenger seats and having one or more low profile deployable hook assemblies, each designated by reference numeral 20. The cabin interior 14 is generally defined by the body 12 and may include various features and trim components 22 within the body 12. The cabin interior 14 is shown with an arrangement of passenger seats 16 and various consoles, controls, and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). The cabin interior 14 is shown with a storage space 18 behind the seat 16. The trim component 22 may be part of or attached to various components in the cabin interior 14 of the vehicle 10, including the seat 16, console, side pillars, headliner, panel, and other surfaces covering the body 12 or visibly exposed in the cabin interior 14 of the vehicle 10.

The one or more deployable hook assemblies 20 may be assembled to the one or more trim components at any of a number of locations in the cabin interior 14 of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated example, a pair of deployable hook assemblies 20 are shown on trim components adjacent the side pillar panel or headliner on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle compartment interior 14, typically in the second row of seats. Additionally, four deployable hook assemblies 20 are shown attached to trim components 22, such as trim panels in the rear cargo storage space 18, with upper and lower pairs of the deployable hook assemblies 20 located on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle 10. According to one example, four deployed hook assemblies 20 in the cargo storage space 18 are connected to the spacer net 28. The divider web 28 may include four connectors 90 at each corner of the divider web 28 that engage and connect to each of the U-shaped hooks on the four vehicle hook assemblies 20.

The deployable hook assembly 20 can be used alone as a hook to hang items such as grocery bags, clothing hooks, and other objects. In one example shown, a grocery bag 24 having straps 26 is suspended from one of the deployable hook assemblies 20 on the side pillar trim panel. The deployable hook assemblies 20 comprise a loop formed by a U-shaped hook and a housing that allows other objects to be connected thereto, such as a divider net 28 that can be connected to and extend between two or more of the deployable hook assemblies 20, such as four hook assemblies shown in the rear storage space 18 for connecting and extending the divider net 28 across the storage space 18 to divide the rear cargo storage space 18 and contain items therein.

Referring to FIG. 2, one of the deployable hook assemblies 20 is shown in a retracted storage position. The deployable hook assembly 20 includes a bezel or housing 30 having a front side 40 and an aperture 82 extending from the front side 40 to the rear side 42. The deployable hook 32 is disposed within the aperture 82 and pivots relative to the housing 30 between a retracted storage position, shown in fig. 2, and an outwardly extending deployed use position, shown in fig. 4. In the retracted storage position, the deployable hook 32 may be substantially flush with the housing 30, which may be substantially flush with the surrounding trim component 22 or extend slightly outward (e.g., 1 mm). Thus, the retracted storage hook 32 does not extend too far (if at all) into the cabin interior 14 such that it is low profile and therefore does not interfere with objects being transported within the cabin interior 14 in the retracted hook position.

As shown in fig. 3, the bezel or housing 30 is disposed within the central opening 80 in the trim component 22 and is assembled to and thereby connected to the backing plate 60. The back plate 60 and the housing 30 sandwich a peripheral portion of the decorative member 22 around the central opening 80 to secure the deployable hook assembly 20 in an installed position. The housing 30 has a rearward projection 44 extending within the central opening 80. The housing 30 also includes an enlarged peripheral portion 45 that is sized to extend larger than the central opening 80 such that the enlarged surface 45 engages the front peripheral portion of the trim component 22. The enlarged portion 45 has a thickness T extending forwardly from the trim component 22 ₁ . The trim part 22 may have a thickness T of, for example, 2mm to 5mm ₂ . The back plate and the rearwardly extending connector elements have a thickness T ₃ . It should be appreciated that the overall thickness of the deployable hook assembly 20 can be less than 10mm, such as 9mm, according to one example. In this example, the thickness T ₁ May be about 1mm, thickness T ₂ May be 5mm, and has a thickness T ₃ May be 3mm. Thus, the hook can be unfoldedThe assembly 20 is low profile on both the front and rear sides of the trim component 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, the deployable hook assembly 20 is shown in the deployed use position, wherein the deployable hook 32 is rotated or pivoted outwardly from the retracted storage position to the deployed use position. The deployable hanger 32 is shown as having a U-shaped member that can pivot between a retracted storage position and a deployed use position, wherein the deployable hanger 32 moves vertically outward by an angle θ to the deployed use position. According to one embodiment, to hang an item vertically due to gravity, the deployable hook 30 may be pivoted outwardly at an angle of about seventy-five degrees (75 °) or less, such as 45 °. According to other embodiments, the deployable hook 32 can be pivoted ninety degrees (90) or less outward relative to the retracted storage position. According to further embodiments, the hook 32 may pivot up to one hundred and eighty degrees (180 °). The hook 32 may be used to hold an item, such as a grocery bag, a garment bag, or a garment hook, when positioned in the deployed use position. In addition, the U-shaped hook 32, together with the housing 30, provides a hook loop or loop that allows one or more items to be attached thereto. For example, the divider web may be extended across the vehicle interior 14 by connecting a web connector to loop portions of two or more hooks 32.

The hanger 32 may also include an upper projection 34 to act as a stop to prevent suspended items from sliding toward the end and falling off the hanger 32 in the deployed use position, particularly during normal vehicle driving conditions. According to various examples, the upper projections 34 may be teeth or ribs. When in the retracted storage position, the upper tab 34 may be received within a cavity 68 in the front surface of the back panel 60.

Referring to FIG. 5, the deployable hook assembly 32 is further illustrated in the deployed use position. The hook 32 pivots about a pair of inwardly oriented pivot pins 36 and 38 that are connected to the housing 30 within outwardly facing

holes

76 and 78. The hanger 32 has an angled end 74 on each arm that can engage a detent slot 76 provided in the back plate 60 when the hanger 32 is in the fully extended use position as shown in fig. 5. The deployable hook 32 can be rotated inward back to a retracted storage position in which the hook 32 is flush and nearly flush with the housing 30, such as within 1mm to 2mm of the trim component surface 22.

Referring to FIG. 6, the various components of the deployable hook assembly 20 are shown disassembled as seen in a rear side view. The deployable hook 32 includes a pair of inwardly projecting

pins

36 and 38 near the base of the arms that are adapted to be received within corresponding

holes

76 and 78 in the inner side walls of the housing 30. The housing 30 has a rear side 42 with various connector features configured to extend through a central opening 80 in the trim component 22 and engage the back plate 60. According to one embodiment, the connector component includes a first T-rib 46 near one side of the housing 30 and a second T-rib 48 near the opposite side of the housing 30. The T-shaped

ribs

46 and 48 each have a T-shaped cross-section and extend substantially parallel to one another to engage corresponding

slots

62 and 64 in the back plate 60. The slot 62 has an open end 62A for slidably engaging the first T-rib 46, and the slot 64 has an open end 64A for slidably engaging the second T-rib 48. The T-shaped

ribs

46 and 48 are adapted to be received within the

respective slots

62 and 64 during the assembly process and to maintain the back plate 60 connected to the housing 30. In addition, the housing 30 has a third T-shaped rib 50 and a fourth T-shaped rib 52 configured to be received within the slot 66 of the back plate 60. The slot 66 also has an open end 66A for slidably receiving the T-shaped

ribs

50 and 52. A pair of

tabs

54 and 56 are provided on the rear side 42 of the housing 30 to engage

slots

70 and 72 in the backplate that form a stop position during assembly of the backplate 60 to the housing 30. Each T-shaped

rib

46, 48, 50 and 52 has an outwardly extending base connected to an orthogonal cross member that captures the rib within the corresponding slot.

The back plate 60 has an overall dimension greater than the central opening 80 in the trim component 22 such that the back plate 60 and the enlarged portion 45 of the housing 30 can sandwich a portion of the trim component 22 extending around the central opening 80 in an assembled state. Thus, the back plate 60 and the housing 30 are secured in place on the trim component 22 in a low profile assembly.

While the deployable hook assembly 20 is shown and described herein as having one or more ribs on the back side of the housing 30 and one or more slots on the front side of the back plate 60, it is understood that one or more ribs can be located on one of the back side of the housing and the front side of the back plate 60 and one or more slots can be located on the other of the back side of the housing 30 and the front side of the back plate 60 for engaging the one or more ribs. Thus, according to another embodiment, one or more ribs may be located on the front side of the back plate 60 and one or more slots may be located on the back side of the housing.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the assembly of the deployable hook assembly 20 is shown. During the assembly process, the housing 30 with the hook 32 is inserted through the central opening 80 in the trim component 22. The back plate 60 is positioned on the back side of the trim component 22 and moved downward so that the

slots

62, 64, and 66 slide downward into engagement with the T-shaped

ribs

46, 48, 50, and 52 until the

slots

70 and 72 engage the

stop tabs

54 and 56, respectively. Thus, the T-shaped

ribs

46, 48, 50, and 52 are captured within the

slots

62, 64, and 66 to hold the back plate 60 in a fixed position.

Although T-shaped retaining

ribs

46, 48, 50, and 52 are shown and described herein according to one embodiment, it should be understood that other shaped ribs (such as L-shaped ribs) may be employed to engage the slots and retain the backplate 60 secured to the housing 30 according to another embodiment. Thus, the vehicle hook assembly 20 is easily assembled to the vehicle trim component and can provide a low profile, substantially flush arrangement when in the retracted storage position. Thus, the vehicle hitch assembly 20 may not be exposed without interfering with movement of objects within the vehicle interior.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

According to the utility model discloses, a deployable couple assembly for vehicle is provided, deployable couple assembly has: a housing having a front side and a back side; a deployable hanger that pivots relative to the housing between a retracted storage position and an outwardly extending deployed use position; a back plate configured to be connected to a back side of the housing, wherein the back plate and the housing are configured to engage a trim component of the vehicle; one or more ribs on one of a back side of the housing and a front side of the back plate; and one or more slots on the other of the back side of the housing and the front side of the back plate for engaging the one or more ribs.

According to an embodiment, the one or more ribs extend through an opening in the trim component, and wherein the back plate and the housing sandwich a portion of the trim component.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features an aperture extending inwardly from the front side of the housing, wherein the deployable hook is located in the aperture in the retracted storage position.

According to an embodiment, the hook and the housing have an annular shape.

According to an embodiment, the hook has a U-shape.

According to an embodiment, the hook pivots up to 90 degrees between the retracted storage position and the deployed use position.

According to an embodiment, the housing has a plurality of ribs formed in the back side for engaging a plurality of slots in the front side of the back plate.

According to an embodiment, the back plate is configured to slide relative to the housing such that the plurality of ribs engage a plurality of slots extending to an edge of the back plate.

According to an embodiment, the one or more ribs each comprise a T-shaped rib.

According to an embodiment, the deployable hook is flush with the housing in the retracted storage position.

According to an embodiment, the decorative component comprises a decorative panel.

According to the utility model discloses, a deployable couple assembly for vehicle is provided, deployable couple assembly has: a housing having a front side, a back side having one or more ribs, and an aperture extending inwardly from the front side; a deployable hanger that pivots relative to the housing between a flush retracted storage position within the aperture and an outwardly extending deployed use position; and a back plate having one or more slots configured to receive the one or more ribs on the back side of the housing, wherein the back plate is configured to engage a back side of a trim component of the vehicle and the housing is configured to engage a front side of the trim component, and wherein the one or more ribs extend through openings in the trim component.

According to an embodiment, the hook and the housing have an annular shape.

According to an embodiment, the hook has a U-shape.

According to an embodiment, the housing has a plurality of ribs formed in the back side for engaging a plurality of slots in the back plate.

According to an embodiment, the one or more ribs each comprise a T-shaped rib.

According to the utility model discloses, a method of assembling deployable couple assembly to the decoration part of vehicle includes: providing a housing having a front side, a back side having one or more ribs, and an aperture extending inwardly from the front side; coupling a deployable hook to the housing, wherein the deployable hook pivots relative to the housing between a retracted storage position within the aperture and an outwardly extending use position; and attaching a back plate having one or more slots to the one or more ribs on the back side of the housing such that the housing and the back plate sandwich a portion of the trim component.

In one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises: extending one or more ribs of the housing through an opening in the trim component; and sliding the backing plate over the backside of the trim panel to engage the one or more T-ribs to hold the hook assembly in the assembled position.

Claims

1. A deployable hitch assembly for a vehicle, the hitch assembly comprising:

a housing having a front side and a back side;

a deployable hook pivotable relative to the housing between a retracted storage position and an outwardly extending deployed use position;

a back plate configured to be connected to the back side of the housing, wherein the back plate and the housing are configured to engage a trim component of the vehicle;

one or more ribs on one of a back side of the housing and a front side of the back plate; and

one or more slots on the other of the back side of the housing and the front side of the back plate to engage the one or more ribs.

2. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein one or more ribs extend through an opening in the trim component, and wherein the back plate and the housing sandwich a portion of the trim component.

3. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an aperture extending inwardly from the front side of the housing, wherein the deployable hook is positioned in the aperture in the retracted storage position.

4. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hook and the housing have an annular shape.

5. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hook has a U-shape.

6. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 5, wherein the hook pivots up to 90 degrees between the retracted storage position and the deployed use position.

7. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the housing has a plurality of ribs formed in the back side for engaging a plurality of slots in the front side of the back plate.

8. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 7, wherein the back plate is configured to slide relative to the housing such that the plurality of ribs engage the plurality of slots extending to an edge of the back plate.

9. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the one or more ribs each comprise a T-shaped rib.

10. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the deployable hook is flush with the housing in the retracted storage position.

11. The deployable hook assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trim component comprises a trim panel.