GB2045187A - Vehicle reflector stand - Google Patents

Abstract

An external, removable reflector stand is used in motor vehicles with a top mounting point on a part of the vehicle bodywork 1 which is provided in the gap between the bonnet 2 and a fixed part of the bodywork, and a bottom mounting point 6a on an outer edge of a front wheel arch, between which a stressable bow member system 5 for supporting a reflector 14 is disposed. The bow member system 5 has a rigid angle bracket with two arms, situated substantially at right angles to each other. Adjusting elements 4, 6, which can slide in a longitudinal direction within the arms, are provided for connection to the mounting points and one of the adjusting elements 6 is connected to a stressing means 8 for abutting the element 6 against the bottom mounting point 6a. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Reflector This invention relates to a reflector stand.

External, removable reflectors are usually employed if a caravan or the like is to be trailed and is broader than the trailing vehicle. By these means, the driver of the motor vehicle is to be given adequate visibility to the rear despite the width of the trailer. Since this kind of reflector projects to such as extend that its use is not feasible without a trailer, it follows that such a reflector must be removable.

There is a plurality of different holding devices for such reflectors. A known kind has two mounting places, one situated between the engine bonnet or the like and the fixed part of the body-work and the other at the front wheel mudflap or the top bodywork edge of the wheel arch. The two mounting positions are joined to each other by means of a bar which comprises two arms adapted to converge towards a common connecting position relatively close to the reflector. A suitable stressing device for generating a stressing force designed to reduce the angle between the arms of the bar member in order to stress the stand against the bodywork, is disposed between the arms.This design suffers from the disadvantage that the stand must have a plurality of connecting positions, one at the common mounting position of the converging arms and usually two additional connecting positions on the actual stressing device. Such connecting positions are expensive to produce and are often attacked by corrosion so that the utility of the stand is greatly diminished after a relatively short time. Furthermore, the stressing device also means that the design usually comprise a plurality of projecting components, a feature which is detrimental in terms of traffic safety and moreover renders the design substantially more unattractive.

Preferably the invention provides an external, removable reflector stand for motor vehicles with a top mounting point on a part of the vehicle bodywork which extends from in front of the windscreen to above the front wheels, rnore preferably in the gap between the bonnet disposed thereat and a fixed part of the bodywork and a bottom mounting point on an outer edge of a front wheel wheel arch, between which mounting points there is disposed a stressable bow member system for supporting the reflector, wherein the bow member system comprises a rigid angle bracket with two arms, situated substantially at right angles or nearly at right angles to each other and in which adjusting elements, which are slidable each along the longitudinal axis of an arm, are provided for connection to the mounting points and for connection to the means for stressing one of the adjusting elements.

Preferably the invention provides a removable reflector stand which offers important advantages compared with known reflector stands in terms of manufacturing technology, traffic safety and aesthetic appearance. A construction of this kind provides a stand with a rugged and reliable shape, which is well adapted to the shape of the motor vehicle bodywork, and which has only a few movable parts, and which is therefore simple to produce.

The adjusting elements, secured to the bottom retaining position of the reflector stand according to the invention, are stressable. Accordingly, the stressing mechanism is readily accessible and blends more readily with the stand into an integral unit. The term "stressable" referes to a design in which a stressing force, which can be adjusted as desired, is readily producible.

It is advantageous for the bow member, which interconnects the mounting positions of the stand, to be constructed as a tubular element in the interior state of which there are installed slidable adjusting elements which can be connected to the mounting positions. Suitable tubular material can readily be bent into a desired angle and the tube as such provides a good guide for the adjustable element.

In a reflector stand according to the invention it is sufficient if only the one adjustable element, which is connected to the fixed points, is stressable. The other elements can be adjustable and lockable in a desired position, either in steps or they can be continuously adjustable. The stressing part can comprise a threaded screw in the first adjusting element, which is fixedly supported in the bow frame.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 shows, partially in section, a reflector stand according to the invention as seen from the longitudinal orientation of the vehicle; Figure 2 shows a section taken along ll-ll of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a bodywork 1 of the vehicle or more accurately the part of the bodywork which is disposed above a front wheel. Most vehicles have a part which is disposed in front of the windscreen and is openable, in the form of a bonnet over the engine or the space disposed in front of th driver's space, the bonnet being shown in outline in the drawing. A reflector stand is mounted on the bodywork 1 by two mounting parts 3 and 4. The top mounting part 3 comprises an angle iron, covered with plastics or some other protective material, soft material, and bearing partially against the bodywork 1 and partially in the gap between the bodywork 1 and the bonnet 2. The mounting part 3 is fixed to the adjusting part 4 which is slidably disposed in a reflector bow member frame 5, comprising a tube, bent at a right angle.

A bottom mounting 6a comprises a hook which is also covered with plastics or some other soft material. The hook in turn is fixed to an adjusting part 6 which is installed in the bow member frame 5.

The adjusting part 6 is slidable in a vertical direction.

The top part of the adjusting part 6 has a screwthreaded part 7 through which a stressing screw 8 passes. The top end of the stressing screws when subjected to a downward loading, is firmly supported in a tubular part 9, which is welded on to the bow member frame 5. The top end of the stressing screw 8 can have wings 10 or the like, so that it can be readily stressed by manual means.

The adjusting part 4 need not be stressed in the same way as the adjusting part 6, but is provided with a simple locking screw 11, which clamps the adjusting part in a desired position.

A tube 12 is welded on the outside of the bow member frame 5, and an arm 13, which supports the actual reflector, surrounds the tube 12. The arm 13 is slidably disposed in the tube 12, and is readily rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tube 12.

The tube and the arm can be locked together by the screws 15. If desired, a plurality of locking screws can be provided as shown in Figure 1 or in some other suitable manner.

The reflector is mounted, so that initially the adjusting part 4 is set approximately in the correct position and locked with the screw 11. The mounting part 3 is attached thereafter, and the mounting part 6a is held against the wheel arch edge. Thereafter, the stressing screw 8 is tightened until the stand is firmly seated. After mounting the stand, the position of a reflector 14 is adjusted by raising or lowering the arm 13 or by altering the angle.

Finally, the arm 13 is locked with locking screws.

Claims (5)

1. An external, removable reflector stand for motor vehicles with a top mounting point on a part of the vehicle bodywork which extends from in front of the windscreen to above the front wheels more preferably in the gap between the bonnet disposed thereat and a fixed part of the bodywork and a bottom mounting point on an outer edge of a front wheel wheel arch, between which mounting points there is disposed a stressable bow member system for supporting the reflector, wherein the bow member system comprises a rigid angle bracket with two arms, situated substantially at right angles or nearly at right angles to each other and in which adjusting elements, which are slidable each along the longitudinal axis of an arm, are provided for connection to the mounting points and for connection to the means for stressing one of the adjusting elements.

2. A reflector stand according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element, which is to be connected to the bottom fixed point, is stressable.

3. A reflector stand according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a frame of the bow member system com prises principally a tubular element, having disposed in its interior space the slidable adjusting elements.

4. A reflector stand according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting element or elements are provided with a stressing part compris ing a threaded screw in the adjusting element, which is fixed in the bow member frame of the system.

5. A reflector stand substantially as herein de scribed with reference to the accompanying draw ings.