Vehicle accessory attachment system and attachment method

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/254,317, which was filed on 11 Oct. 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to an attachment system and, more particularly, to an attachment system that is used to secure accessories to a vehicle.

[0003] Vehicles transport various types of cargo. A user can, for example, rely on a vehicle to transport accessories, such as containers and tools, to and from a jobsite. The accessories that need to be transported can vary based on the tasks the user performs at the jobsite.

[0004] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle accessory attachment system, including: a structure having a plurality of apertures; a plurality of feet, each foot within the plurality of feet receivable within one of the apertures in the plurality of apertures; and a locking assembly configured to transition back-and-forth between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking assembly including a biasing device, an extension coupled to one of the structure or the accessory, and at least one opening in the other of the structure or the accessory, when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position, the plurality of feet are slidable relative to the structure, when the locking assembly is in the locked position, the plurality of feet are each received within one of the apertures in the plurality of apertures and shifted toward a side of the aperture to secure an accessory to a vehicle, wherein the biasing device biases the locking assembly toward the locked position where the extension is received within the at least one opening.

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the structure having the plurality of apertures is a baseplate, and the plurality of feet each extend from the accessory, wherein, when the accessory is secured to the vehicle through the baseplate, the plurality of feet extend from a first side of the baseplate, through one of the plurality of apertures, and past an opposite, second side of the baseplate.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein, in the locked position, enlarged collars of the feet capture respective portions of the baseplate to block withdrawal of the plurality of feet from the apertures.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the baseplate is attached directly to a floor of the vehicle such that the plurality of apertures are spaced a distance from the floor, the plurality of feet extending into an open area between the floor and the plurality of apertures.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the vehicle is a pickup truck and the baseplate is attached directly a floor of a cargo bed of the pickup truck.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the baseplate is configured to engage the accessory when the accessory is in a first position, and when the accessory is in a second position that is rotated relative to the first position, wherein the at least one opening includes a first opening and a second opening, the extension of the biasing device received within the first opening when the accessory is in the first position.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the baseplate is disposed along a plane, and a rotation of the accessory from the first position to the second position is rotation about an axis that is normal to the plane.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the baseplate is configured to engage with the accessory in a third position that is different than the first position and the second position, and further configured to engage the accessory in a fourth position that is different than the first position, the second position, and the third position.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein a profile of each aperture within the plurality of apertures is rectangular.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the plurality of apertures are each configured to receive an E-track connector.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, wherein the extension is wedge-shaped.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment system, further including a handle of the biasing device, the handle configured to be actuated by a user to move the locking assembly from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an accessory attachment method, including: receiving a plurality of feet within a plurality of apertures; sliding an accessory relative to baseplate to transition the accessory from a disengaged position where the plurality of feet can be withdrawn from the plurality of apertures to an engaged position where the plurality of feet are blocked from being withdrawn from the plurality of apertures, the accessory engaged with the baseplate to secure the accessory relative to a vehicle when the accessory is in the engaged position, the baseplate secured to the vehicle; and using a biasing device to transition a locking assembly from an unlocked position to a locked position, the locking assembly in the locked position holding the accessory in the engaged position.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, wherein the accessory is configured to engage the baseplate when the accessory is in a first position and when the accessory is in a different, second position where the accessory is rotated relative to the first position.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, wherein the rotation of the accessory from the first position to the second position is a rotation about an axis that is normal to an attachment surface of the baseplate, the accessory interfacing directly with the attachment surface when the accessory is coupled to the baseplate.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, wherein the baseplate is configured to engage the accessory in a third position that is different than the first position and the second position, and further configured to engage the accessory in a fourth position that is different than the first position, the second position, and the third position.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, further including receiving an extension of the locking assembly within a first opening of the baseplate when the accessory is in the first position, and receiving the extension in a second opening of the baseplate when the accessory is in the second position.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, wherein the first opening and the second opening are separate and distinct from the plurality of apertures that receive the plurality of feet.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, wherein the baseplate includes the apertures and the accessory includes the feet.

[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an attachment method, further including capturing part of the baseplate between the plurality of feet and another portion of the accessory when the accessory is in the engaged position.

[0024] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

[0035] This disclosure details a baseplate-based accessory attachment system for a vehicle. The system includes a baseplate that provides an attachment interface for securing accessories to the vehicle. Various types of accessories can be secured to the vehicle through the attachment interface provided by the baseplate. The number and positions of baseplates can be adjusted for particular vehicles or particular needs. The provides a user with a substantially modular attachment system. The attachment system can include at locking assembly used to hold the accessories in a position where the accessories are secured to the vehicle.

[0036] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 includes a passenger compartment 14 and a cargo bed 18 that is aft the passenger compartment 14. The vehicle 10 is a pickup truck. The vehicle 10 could be another type of vehicle in another example, such as a car, van, sport utility vehicle, etc.

[0037] The example vehicle 10 is an electrified vehicle and, in particular, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). In another example, the vehicle 10 could be another type of electrified vehicle, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a conventional vehicle.

[0038] In particular, the example vehicle 10 includes an electrified powertrain capable of applying torque from an electric machine (e.g., an electric motor) to drive a pair of wheels 22. The vehicle 10 can include a traction battery pack, which powers the electric machine and, potentially, other electrical loads of the vehicle 10.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of baseplates 30 are secured to the cargo bed 18. The baseplate 30A is larger than the baseplate 30B. Various accessories 34 can be secured to the vehicle 10 by engaging one or more of the baseplates 30. The accessories 34 can include a lockable storage box that holds tools, a refrigerator, etc. The accessory 34 could be a lidded lockable container. Still other example accessories could include: bicycle or motorcycle racks; ladder tacks; kayak racks; lighting stands, camping equipment, wood cutting equipment (e.g., chop saw), or partitions to separate sections of the cargo bed 18. Substantially any type of accessory having the requisite attachment interface can be secured to the vehicle 10 through the baseplates 30. For purposes of this disclosure, an accessory can be considered any item having this attachment interface.

[0040] With reference now to FIGS. 3-7 and continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the accessories 34 can each engage one or more of the baseplates 30 via an attachment system. In the exemplary embodiment, the attachment system includes a plurality of apertures 42 and a plurality of feet 46.

[0041] In this example, the baseplates 30 provide the apertures 42 and the accessories 34 include the feet 46. This could be rearranged, however, such that some or all of the feet 46 extend from the baseplates 30 and the accessories 34 provide some or all of the apertures 42.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, when the baseplate 30 and the accessories 34 are engaged, the feet 46 are each received within one of the apertures 42 such that the feet 46 each extend from a first side 50 of the baseplate 30, through one of the apertures 42, and past an opposite, second side 54 of the baseplate 30.

[0043] The cargo bed 18 includes a floor 58, a front wall 62, a first side wall assembly 66D, a second side wall assembly 66P, and a tailgate assembly 70. In the exemplary embodiment, the baseplates 30 are attached directly to the floor 58.

[0044] Mechanical fasteners 72, welds, or another attachment could be used to secure peripheral flanges 74 of the baseplates 30 to the floor 58, which attaches the baseplates 30 to the floor.

[0045] With reference now to FIGS. 3-5 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the areas of the baseplate 30 that provide the apertures 42 are raised a distance R (FIG. 5) from the floor 58 when the baseplate 30 is attached to the floor 58. This provides an open area 76 between the floor 58 and the apertures 42. When the baseplate 30 and the accessories 34 are engaged, the feet 46 extend into the open area 76. The distance R and, for that matter, the open area 76, can be sized to facilitate cleaning between the floor 58 and the raised areas of the baseplates 30.

[0046] Although the exemplary embodiment shows the baseplates 30 attached to the floor 58, the baseplates 30 could instead or additionally be attached to other areas of the vehicle 10 including, but not limited to, the front wall 62, the side wall assemblies 66D, 66A, and the tailgate assembly 70.

[0047] In this example, the baseplates 30 a structure that provides the apertures 42 and are a structure that is separate from the floor 58. In another example, the floor 58 provides the apertures 42 and is considered the baseplate 30. Areas of the vehicle 10 other than the floor 58 could include apertures 42 or feet 46 and be considered the baseplate 30. For example, the tops 78 of the side wall assemblies 66P and 66D could include apertures 42 and be considered a baseplate.

[0048] In this example, each baseplate 30 includes at least one group 82 of the apertures 42. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the baseplate 30A includes two groups 82 whereas the baseplate 30B includes one group 82.

[0049] A top or attachment surface 86 of each baseplate 30 is disposed along a plane. Each of the groups 82 of apertures 42 is circumferentially distributed about an axis AB that extends normal to that plane and thus normal to a top or attachment surface 86 of the baseplate 30.

[0050] Each of the groups 82 includes four apertures 42 circumferentially distributed a respective axis AB. The four apertures 42 within each of the groups 82 are each offset ninety degrees about the axis AB from the adjacent apertures 42 within that group 82.

[0051] With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the accessory 34 includes at least one group 88 of feet 46 that are circumferentially distributed about an axis AA that extends normal to a bottom surface 90 of the accessory 34. The accessory 34 includes a single group 88 of the feet 46. Other accessories could include more than one group 88 of feet 46.

[0052] Each of the groups 88 includes four feet 46 circumferentially distributed about the axis AA. The four feet 46 with each of the groups 88 are each offset ninety degrees about the axis AA from the adjacent feet 46 within that group 88. The feet 46 each extend from the accessory 34 to an enlarged collar 92, which gives each foot 46 an outwardly extending hook or lip.

[0053] With reference now to FIGS. 1-8B, in this example, a profile of each of the example apertures 42 is rectangular. Each of the apertures 42 include four corners 98. The apertures 42 are arranged such that one of the corners 98F is a forward corner, one of the corners 98R is a rear corner, one of the corners 98D is a driver side corner, and the other corner is a passenger side corner 98P.

[0054] When the baseplate 30 engages the accessory 34, the feet 46 of one of the groups 88 are each received within respective apertures 42. The baseplates 30 and apertures 42 can be spaced such that the feet 46 in the group 88 of the accessory 34 can engage the four apertures 42 within group 82 on the outboard side of baseplate 30A, the four apertures 42 within the group 82 on the inboard side of baseplate 30A, or the four apertures 42 in the central area of baseplate 30, which are designated as apertures 42A in FIG. 2. In some examples, the accessory 34 could engage two apertures 42 within the baseplate 30A and two other apertures 42 in the baseplate 30B.

[0055] By using different arrangements of baseplates 30 and apertures 42, the cargo bed 18 can be configured to accommodate one or more accessories 34 in a wide variety of locations. The exemplary attachment system provided by the baseplates 30 is modular and can be adapted to particular needs.

[0056] Due to the sizing and spacing of the apertures 42 and feet 46, the baseplate 30 and the accessory 34 are configured to engage each other when the accessory 34 is in a first position or, alternatively, when the accessory 34 is in a second position where the accessory 34 is rotated ninety degrees clockwise about a vertical axis relative to the first position. In this example, the baseplate 30 can additionally engage the accessory 34 when the accessory 34 is in a third position that is rotated ninety degrees clockwise from the second position, and when the accessory 34 is in a fourth position where the accessory 34 is rotated ninety degrees from the third position.

[0057] The rotation and offset of the accessory 34 between the first, second, third, and fourth positions can be a rotation and offset about the axis AA or AB, which are vertical axes in this example. The axes could extend in other non-vertical directions if, for example, the baseplate 30 were used in connection with an inner side of the side wall assemblies 66D and 66P.

[0058] Again, the first, second, third, and fourth positions are all ninety degrees offset from each other. This permits the baseplate 30 to engage the accessory 34 when a given side surface 94 of the accessory 34 is facing forward as shown, facing rearward, facing a driver side, or facing a passenger side. The ability to secure the accessory 34 in a variety of rotational orientations can enhance usability of the accessory 34.

[0059] A method of attaching the accessory 34 to the baseplate 30 can include sliding the accessory 34 over the baseplate 30 until each of the feet 46 can be received within one of the apertures 42. The method then includes sliding the accessory 34 a bit more until the enlarged collars 92 of the feet 46 extend beneath the baseplate 30 and “hook” the accessory 34 to the baseplate 30. Sliding the feet 46 until the enlarged collars 92 at least partially extend beneath the baseplate 30 captures part of the baseplate 30 between the feet 46 and the bottom surface 90 of the accessory 34, which engages the accessory 34 with the baseplate 30. The sliding of the accessory 34 transitions the accessory 34 from a disengaged position where the feet 46 can be withdrawn from the apertures 42, to an engaged position where the feet 46 are blocked from being withdrawn from the apertures 42.

[0060] The accessory 34, the baseplate 30, or both can include a locking system to hold the accessory 34 in this position. In this example, the locking system includes a locking assembly 100 having a biasing device 104, an extension 108, and a handle 112. The locking assembly 100 is configured to transition back-and-forth between a locked position shown in FIG. 8A and the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8B. When the locking assembly 100 is in the locked position, the feet 46 are each received within one of the apertures 42 and are shifted toward one of the corners 98, here the corners 98R, of the apertures 42, to secure the accessory 34 to the vehicle 10. When the locking assembly 100 is in the unlocked position, the feet 46 are slidable relative to the baseplate 30.

[0061] When the locking assembly 100 is in the locked position, the extension 108 is received within one of a plurality of openings 120. The extension 108 is receivable within one of the openings 120 when the feet 46 are pressed into the corners 98 of the apertures 42. The extension 108 being received within one of the openings 120 blocks the accessory 34 from sliding relative to the baseplate 30. If the accessory 34 slides relative to the baseplate 30, the enlarged collars 92 could move into alignment with the aperture 42 and no longer capture portions of the baseplate 30. The openings 120 are each separate and distinct from apertures 42 that receive the feet 46 in this example.

[0062] The biasing device 104 biases the locking assembly 100 toward the locked position where the extension 108 is received within the opening 102. The biasing device 104 can be a coil spring, for example.

[0063] In some examples, the extension 108 can be tapered or wedge-shaped. The biasing device 104 pressing such an extension 108 downward into the opening 102 can drive the example feet 46 horizontally into the corners 98 of the apertures 42.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment, the baseplates 30 include one of the openings 120 between each of the adjacent apertures 42. Thus, one of the openings 120 is available to receive the extension 108 when the accessory 34 is in the first, second, third, or fourth position.

[0065] When the baseplate 30 and the accessory 34 are engaged, locking the accessory 34 to the baseplate 30 while the accessory 34 is moved into the corners 98 can help to align the accessory 34 relative to the baseplate 30. Locking in the accessory 34 with the feet 46 are biased or pressed into the corners 98 helps to ensure that portions of the enlarged collars 92 of the feet 46 are hooked under the baseplate 30 and capture portions of the baseplate 30. This can help to keep the accessory 34 and the baseplate 30 engaged.

[0066] When separating the accessory 34 from the baseplate 30 is desired, a user 124 can grasp and actuate the handle 112. In this example, the user 124 lifts the handle 112 vertically upward in a direction L to actuate the handle 112. The actuating overcomes the biasing force from the biasing device 104 and withdraws the extension 108 from the respective opening 120. The accessory 34 can then slide in a direction S relative to the baseplate 30 to a position where the enlarged collars 92 are unhooked from the baseplate 30 so that the accessory 34 can be lifted and the feet 46 withdrawn from the apertures 42.

[0067] The accessory 34 can then be removed and replaced with a different accessory. The user 124 can, for example, hold tools for a certain type of job within the accessory 34. When the user 124 needs to work on a different second type of job, the user 124 can swap the accessory 34 for another accessory having specialized tools for the second type of job.

[0068] In this example, the locking assembly 100 is part of the accessory 34. In another example, the locking assembly 100 could be part of a structure that is engaged with the accessory 34, such as the baseplate 30.

[0069] In some examples, the accessory 34 can be electrically coupled to the vehicle 10 through the baseplate 30. This could allow the accessories 34 to be powered. For example, the accessory 34 could be a refrigerated container that is powered by the vehicle 10 when the accessory 34 is engaged with the baseplate 30. In another example, the accessory 34 could hold rechargeable tools, which can be recharged when held within the accessory 34 due to the accessory being powered.

[0070] The accessory 34 could also be in communication with the vehicle 10 through the baseplate 30. The accessory 34 could, for example, couple to a communication link or bus when the accessory 34 is engaged with the baseplate 30. The vehicle 10 and user could rely on the communication link to identify what type of accessory 34 is coupled to the baseplate 30, or to help locate the accessory 34 on the vehicle 10.

[0071] In addition to the accessory 34, the apertures 42 can be utilized to connect other types of items to the vehicle 10. For example, the apertures 42 can be sized such that a distance D1 from the forward corner 98F and the rear corner 98R is the same as a distance D2 from the driver side corner 98D to the passenger side corner 98P. The apertures 42 are sized further such that the distances D1 and D2 are suitable for accommodating an E-track connector 110 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0072] The E-track connector 110 can be part of an E-track system that is used to help secure cargo carried within the cargo bed 18. The E-track connector 110 can engage the baseplate 30 to, for example, provide an anchor for a tie down strap 114. The E-track connector can be a tie-down ring, a hook, a socket, etc.

[0073] Building on the modularity of the accessory attachment system, the apertures 42 in the baseplates 30 can be configured to work with other attachment related items. The apertures 42 could, for example, accommodate buckles, or bores for bolt down connections. The areas of the baseplate 30 around the apertures 42 can be reinforced if required.

[0074] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.