AU658388B2 - A protector fitting for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

658388 Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: JOHN DEWAR GRICE ROBERT JOHN CROTHERS JOHN DEWAR GRICE 0 Go 0 so 0 00 00a *0 0o *a a got a 0 CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

Invention Title: A PROTECTOR FITTING FOR A MOTOR

VEHICLE

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: This invention relates to a protector fitting for a motor vehicle.

The tailgate of a utility motor vehicle is readily prone to damage which, if the owner of the vehicle wishes to maintain its appearance, usually leads to somewhat expensive repairs. The likelihood of damage arises not only from the tailgate being located in a vulnerable position at the rear of the vehicle but also its generally lightweight construction. Thus even a light contact with some object is often sufficient to result in noticeable damage to at least the paintwork or outer skin of the tailgate or to tailights.

The object of the present invention is to provide a protector fitting which can be mounted with the rear of a motor vehicle, more particularly a utility vehicle, and provide a measure of protection for at least paint, tailights, and/or panel work at the rear of the vehicle.

Broadly in one aspect of the invention there is provided a protector fitting for a motor vehicle comprising a tubular frame which is adapted, in use, to locate across a part of the vehicle to encompass that area of the vehicle to be protected said frame being formed by a primary frame and a secondary frame, a separate at least one elongate member attached to each of the primary and secondary frames 25 each said elongate member having or forming at or near one end an engagement means adapted to be removably engageable with the body of the vehicle at spaced apart locations, "there being adjusting means for causing relative movement of the engagement means to occur such that the engagement 30 means become fixedly engaged with the vehicle at said spaced apart, locations whereby the frame becomes fixedly mounted to the vehicle, said adjusting means comprising a flange or flanged portion at the other end of each said elongate member, said flange or flanged portions being coupled together by mechanical fastening means, said mechanical fastening means being adaptable to cause relative movement between the flanges or flanged portions /S^Th\ to thereby cause said relative movement of the engagement means.

In the following more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an elevation view of the protector fitting in place on a utility vehicle, and Figure 2 is a sectioned side view of the protector fitting on line A-A.

*go *oo o*o *o oo ego• go o* The protector f itting comprises a f rame 10 constructed f rom tubular material which can be mounted to the tailgate T of a utility vehicle V. In the preferred form of the invention the tubular frame 10 can be constructed from 25mm tubing.

In the illustrated form the tubular frame 10 comprises a first frame 11 which extends laterally across the tailgate T and has enlarged and suitably shaped end portions 13 which encompass but leave visible the tail lights L of the vehicle V. in the preferred forri the end portions 1Z generally follow the external contour of the side of the vehicle but do not protrude there beyond *0000, by more than is allowable by regulation.

0 A second frame 12 which is of generally smaller :%see e constrtction extends laterally across the lower portion of the tailgate T. Generally the tailgate will be of 0 0041: "apexed" cross-section thus upper frame 11 and lower frame 12 extend laterally above and below the outermost projecting portion of the tailgate T.

Upper frame 11 includes a pair of parallel cross-members 14 while lower frame 12 likewise has cross-members Preferably a metal plate 16 is located within frame 12 so as to extend between cross-members 15. This plate 16 provides protection in the event that the draw bar of a trailed vehicle, when being removed from or attached to the tow ball B, is inadvertently permitted to move toward the vehicle. This forward movement is absorbed by plate 16 and thereby protects the tailgate from damage.

Cross-members 14 are welded or otherwise joined to a narrow piece of plate 17 and in a like manner crossmembers 15 are fastened to plate 18. Each of these plates 17 and 18 are in turn welded or otherwise fastened to a mounting plate 19 and 20 respectively.

Mounting plate 19 has at its upper end a contoured hooked portion 21 which is so profiled as to fit over the upper periphery of the tailgate T. Likewise the lower end of mounting plate 20 is profiled in a hooked arrangement 22 to hook under the lower peripheral edge of the tailgate T.

Mounting plates 19 and 20 are adapted to be joined at their other ends so that a downward and upward pressure is respectively applied thereto with the result that the hooked portions 21 and 22 are pulled toward each other and become firmly engaged with the upper and lower peripheral edges of the tailgate. To this end mounting plate 19 has an outwardly and downwardly projecting portion 23 while mounting plate 20 has an outwardly projecting portion 24.

A bolt 25 is captured with flange 24 to project upwardly and engage through an opening in the outwardly projecting flanged portion 23. A lockable nut 26 can then be screwed onto bolt 25 so that the flanged portions 23 and 24 are pulled together. This provides the necessary pressure to ensure that hooked portions 21 and 22 are firmly engaged with the respective peripheral edges of the tailgate T and thereby fixedly mount the protector fitting to the tailgate.

The flanged portions 23 and 24 effectively form a housing which not only provides clearance for any rubbing strip/moulding which extends about the "apex" portion of the tailgate T but also prevents bolt cutters or the like from gaining access c the bolt for unauthorised removal of the fitting.

Prefer*.bly a facing is provided on mounting plates 19 and 20 to prevent the engagement of these plates with the tailgate from causing paint damage. The facing can be provided by a thin layer of plastics, rubber or foamed material.

The protector fitting can thus be readily mounted to or removed from the tailgate of the vehicle. The mounting is such that the fitting essentially becomes an integral part of the tailgate so that the tailgate can be readily opened and closed in the normal manner. With the fitting in place the likelihooe of damage to the tailgate is removed as any inadvertent contact of the rear of the vehicle with an object will largely result in contact between that object and some portion of one or both of the frames 11 and 12.

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The fitting can have an aesthetic pleasing appearance and thereby rather than detract from the appearance of S. 00 the vehicle can enhance or blend in with the vehicle.

This can be assisted by suitable paint or other finish which matches the overall paintwork of the vehicle.

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The fitting is open to modification. For example, the fitting could be bolted directly to the tailgate, however, this is a less preferred form of the invention as this will result in holes having to be drilled into the panelwork.

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Claims (2)

1. 4. The fitting according to Claim 3 wherein the 30 primary frame is formed from two substantially parallel :6 members coupled at each of their respective ends by a said to o "shaped portion. The fitting according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the secondary frame includes a protective plate.
2. 6. A protective fitting substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATLD this 25th day of January, 1995 JOHN DEWAR GRICE and ROBERT JOHN CROTHERS By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. a e $0346o t *go *l