Utility grip for use with utility vehicle

Abstract

A grip assembly includes a first grip arm, a base member integrally formed with the first grip arm, a second grip arm movably coupled to and independently positionable relative to the first grip arm and a fastener securing the second grip arm relative to the first grip arm.

Claims

1. A grip assembly that couples to a vehicle structure comprising: a first grip arm; a first fastener; a backer plate having a first receiving portion for receiving the vehicle structure, said backer plate comprising a first fastener opening receiving the first fastener therein; a base member integrally formed with the first grip arm, said base member comprising a second receiving portion for receiving the vehicle structure opposite the backer plate, said base member comprising a second fastener receiving hole receiving the first fastener therein; a second grip arm removably coupled to and independently positionable relative to the first grip arm; and a second fastener securing the second grip arm relative to the first grip arm.

2. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the first grip arm comprises a first plurality of inner teeth and the second grip arm comprises a second plurality of inner teeth, said first plurality of inner teeth engaging the second plurality of inner teeth.

3. The grip assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein the first plurality of inner teeth extend outward from the fastener opening and the second plurality of inner teeth extend outward from the fastener opening.

4. The grip assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein the first plurality of inner teeth a disposed around the fastener opening and wherein the second plurality of inner teeth are disposed around the fastener opening.

5. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the first fastener comprises a bolt having a head end adjacent to the second grip arm.

6. The grip assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein when the grip assembly is viewed in a direction of the head end, the second arm is disposed generally left of the first grip arm.

7. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the first fastener comprises a bolt having threads adjacent to the first grip arm.

8. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the base mounts to an object.

9. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the base mounts to an object with at least one fastener.

10. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first plurality of fins disposed on the first grip arm and a second plurality of fins disposed on the second grip arm.

11. The grip assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first plurality of fins disposed on an inside surface of the first grip arm and a second plurality of fins disposed on an inside surface of the second grip arm.

12. A grip assembly comprising: a first grip arm; a base member integrally formed with the first grip arm; a second grip arm removably coupled to and independently positionable relative to the first grip arm; and a fastener securing the second grip arm relative to the first grip arm, wherein the first grip arm comprises a first plurality of inner teeth and the second grip arm comprises a second plurality of inner teeth, said first plurality of inner teeth engaging the second plurality of inner teeth, wherein the first plurality of inner teeth comprises a first conical cross section.

13. A grip assembly that couples to a vehicle structure comprising: a first grip arm having a first plurality of inner teeth thereon, said first plurality of inner teeth disposed around a first fastener opening; a first fastener; a backer plate having a first receiving portion for receiving the vehicle structure, a first fastener opening receiving the first fastener therein; a base member integrally formed with the first grip arm, said base member comprising a second receiving portion for receiving the vehicle structure opposite the backer plate, said base member comprising a second fastener opening receiving the first fastener; a second grip arm removably coupled to and independently positionable relative to the first grip arm, said second grip arm comprising a second plurality of inner teeth engaging the first plurality of inner teeth, said second plurality of inner teeth disposed around a second fastener opening; and a second fastener disposed within the first fastener opening and a second fastener opening and securing the second grip arm relative to the first grip arm by engaging the first plurality of inner teeth and the second plurality of inner teeth.

14. The grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein the first plurality of inner teeth extend outward from the fastener opening and the second plurality of inner teeth extend outward from the fastener opening.

15. The grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein the second fastener comprises a bolt having threads adjacent to the first grip arm.

16. The grip assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein the base mounts to an object.

17. The grip assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising a first plurality of fins disposed on an inside surface of the first grip arm and a second plurality of fins disposed on an inside surface of the second grip arm.

18. A method of positioning a grip assembly comprising: disposing a second grip arm relative to a first grip arm; engaging a first plurality of inner teeth of the first grip arm to a second plurality of inner teeth on a second grip arm, wherein the first plurality of inner teeth comprises a first conical cross section; and removably coupling a second grip arm to the first grip arm using a fastener.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising independently positioning the second grip arm relative to a base member.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising inserting the fastener through the second grip arm and the inserting the fastener through the first grip arm.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected examples and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of gripping devices in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure attached to a rack of a vehicle.

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the one of gripping devices of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 3B is a first side view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 3C is a second side view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 3D is a top view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 3E is a bottom view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 3F is a front view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(10) FIG. 3G is a back view of the gripping device of FIG. 1.

(11) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the gripping device of FIG. 1 with the retainer and backer plate attached thereto.

(12) FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the back view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(13) FIG. 4C is a perspective bottom view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(14) FIG. 4D is a top view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(15) FIG. 4E is a bottom view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(16) FIG. 4F is a front view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(17) FIG. 4G is a back view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(18) FIG. 4H is the right side of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(19) FIG. 4I is the left side view of the gripping device of FIG. 4A.

(20) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the gripping device having a fixed base and intermediate member.

(21) FIGS. 6A-6C are front and exploded views of an example of a gripping device having one fixed arm.

(22) FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a gripping device having a slide-on intermediate member.

(23) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the gripping device having an intermediate member fastened from beneath.

(24) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of a gripping device having a clamp collar for securing the intermediate member.

(25) FIG. 10 is an exploded view of another example of a gripping device having an intermediate member secured to the base using a clip.

(26) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of another example of a gripping device having a threaded retainer collar.

(27) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example of a retaining device having two independently securable arms.

(28) FIG. 13 is an exploded view of another example of a gripping device having arms internally connected to an intermediate device.

(29) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative base.

(30) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative double gripping device in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure.

(31) FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the double gripping device of FIG. 15.

(32) Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(33) Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the following description includes several examples of a snowmobile application, it is understood that the features herein may be applied to any appropriate vehicle, such as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, moped, scooters, etc. The examples disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the examples are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

(34) Referring now to FIG. 1, a pair of grips 10 are secured to a portion of a vehicle 12. The portion of the vehicle 12 may include but is not limited to a rack, roll cage, frame, body panel, body structure or the like. The grips 10 are shown holding an implement such as a shovel 14. As will be further described below, the grip 10 may be mounted in various positions of the vehicle 12 and may have independently movable arms and connections for securing the implement 14 according to the examples set forth below.

(35) Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A-3G, an exploded view as well as different elevational views of one of the grips 10 are illustrated. The grips 10 include a mounting base 210 that has an extension 212 extending in a longitudinal direction as indicated by the arrow 214. The extension 212 includes a plurality of teeth 216 extending therearound. The teeth 216 extend in a longitudinal direction as illustrated in this example.

(36) The mounting base 210 may also include receiving portions 220 and 222. The receiving portions 220, 222 may extend laterally across the mounting base 210. The receiving portions 220, 222 may be used for receiving a structure of the vehicle such as a rack or handlebar.

(37) A backer plate 224 also has a receiving portion 226. The receiving portion 226 receives the opposite surface of the vehicle structure to which the mounting base 210 is mounted. The backer plate 224 includes openings 228 which correspond to openings 230 through the mounting base 210. The openings 228, 230 receive fasteners such as a bolt 232 which is secured to a nut 234 that is positioned adjacent to the backer plate 224. The nuts 234 may, for example, be locknuts.

(38) The extension 212 may include a first flange 240 and a second flange 242. The flanges 240, 242 as well as the teeth 216 are used to engage recesses 244, 246 and 248 within an intermediate member 249. That is, the intermediate member 249 has two portions 250, 252 that enclose extension 212. The two portions 250, 252 may completely surround the extension 212 and may be prevented from rotating by the engagement of the recesses 248 with the teeth 216. Thus, the two portions 250, 252 of intermediate member 249 may be affixed in multiple annular positions about the longitudinal axis 214.

(39) Externally, the two portions 250, 252 of intermediate member 249 may each include tooth portions 254, 256, respectively, that include conical shaped teeth 255, 257, respectively. That is, the teeth 255, 257 have a conical cross section. A channel 258 (only one of which is shown) may extend through the tooth portion 254, 256.

(40) Grip arms 260, 262 are fastenably coupled to the tooth portions 254, 256 of the intermediate member 249. In particular, the grip arms 260, 262 may include respective receiving portions 264, 266 for receiving the respective tooth portions 254, 256. A fastener 270 including a head end 272 and a nut 274 are received through the receiving portions 264, 266, the channel 258 and the portions 250, 252. The position of each grip arm 260, 262 is independently positionable relative to the other respective grip arms 260, 262 and the portions 250, 252, subject to the position of the engagement of the teeth. The grips 260, 262 are also removable from the portions 250, 252 for positioning in the desired position.

(41) The grip arms may include a plurality of fins 280 that may help in securing an implement therebetween. Each grip arm 260, 262 may include a plurality of fins 280. The fins 280 may be positioned within an inner surface 282 of the grip arms 260, 262.

(42) A plurality of projections 284 may be positioned on an outer surface 286 of the grip arms 260, 262.

(43) The grip arms 260, 262 may be formed from metal or a composite material. The structure such as the fins 280 and the projections 284 may be overmolded with a rubber or a plastic material.

(44) In operation, to independently adjust the position of the grip arms 260, 262 relative to the intermediate members 250, 252, the nut 274 of the fastener 270 is loosened. The grip arms 260, 262 may be removed or partially removed from the engagement of the toothed portions 254, 256 in an axial direction defined by the axis of the fastener 270. The grip arms 260, 262 are angularly positioned and placed onto the toothed portions 254, 256.

(45) Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4I, an assembled version of the grip 10 is illustrated. In this example, the arms 260, 262 have not been overmolded to show the rigid structure beneath. The fins 280 and projections 284 are not shown. Rather, nubs 408 are positioned where the fins 280 of FIG. 3 are formed. The grip 10 may be used for holding an implement as described above. To more fully secure the implement within the grip 10, a retaining strap 410 may be used. The retaining strap 410 may have a grip portion 412, a first opening 414 and a second opening 416 defined by a cross member 418. An end member 422 engages the protrusions 284 on the arm 260.

(46) The fasteners 232 are shown coupled to the nuts 234 and to the plate 224. In one example, the backer plate 224 and the mounting base 210 may be square so that the receiving portion 226 may be oriented in either direction to align with the receiving portions 220 or 222.

(47) Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative example of a grip 10′ is set forth. In this example, the intermediate member 250 and 252 of FIGS. 1-4 have been replaced by intermediate members 250′ and 252′ which are integrally formed with the base 210′. In this example, the intermediate members and the base 210′ may be fixed in position during the molding process. The overall outer shape of the portions 250′, 252′ and 210′ may be identical to those set forth above in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

(48) Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, the arm 260″ may be integrally formed with the intermediate member 250″. The base 210″ may also be integrally formed with the intermediate member 250″ and the arm 260″. Although, base 210″ may be separate. In this example, the arm 260″ is fixed relative to the intermediate member 250″ and the base 210″. The arm 262″ moves relative to the intermediate member 252″ and engages teeth 255 of the tooth portion 254. Further, the intermediate member 252″ may also be integrally formed with the intermediate member 250″ and the base 210″. The intermediate member 250″ may rotatably fixed relative to the base 210″. That is, the intermediate member may be positioned at different positions around the longitudinal axis of the grip. The intermediate member 250″ with the arm 262″ and intermediate member 252″ may be two separate pieces, in a similar manner to FIG. 2 except with the integral arm.

(49) As can be seen by contrasting FIGS. 6A and 6B, the arm 262″ may be fastened in various positions relative to the base and to the arm 260″.

(50) Referring now to FIG. 7, another example of a grip 10′″ is set forth. In this example, the portions 250′″ and 252′″ of the intermediate member 249′″ are integrally formed and have a rectangular base 210′″. The base 210′″ has an edge 710 and a thickness 712. The base 210′″ has longitudinally extending walls 720 disposed around three sides of the base 210′″. The walls 720 thus form a “U” shape. The walls 720 include a channel 730 that is used for engaging or receiving the edge 710, which has a reduced thickness 713 from the base 210′″. The height of the channel 730 accommodates the thickness 712 of the edge 710.

(51) Referring now to FIG. 8, another example of a grip 10.sup.iv is illustrated. In this example, the intermediate member 249.sup.iv formed by portions 250.sup.iv and 252.sup.iv may be integrally formed. A base 810 of the intermediate member 249.sup.iv may be received within the walls 812 extending in a longitudinal direction from the base 210.sup.iv. A bolt 820 may secure the portions 250.sup.iv, 252.sup.iv and intermediate member 249.sup.iv to the base 210.sup.iv. The fastener 820 may correspond or be coincident with the vertical axis of the base 210.sup.iv.

(52) Referring now to FIG. 9, another example of a grip 10.sup.v is set forth. In this example, the intermediate member 249.sup.v may be formed by two portions 250.sup.v and 252.sup.v that are integrally formed. The two portions 250.sup.v and 252.sup.v may include a flange 910 that is received within longitudinally extending walls 912. The longitudinally extending walls 912 may have an opening 914 between two wall extension 916 and 918. The wall extensions 916 and 918 extend outward from the wall 912. A clamp collar 920 may be coupled to the base 210.sup.v using a fastener 922. The fastener 922 may be received within the channel 924 of the walls 916, 918. Through the action of the fastener 922, the walls 916, 918 may be squeezed together and thus the opening 916 is reduced so that the portions 250.sup.v, 252.sup.v are secured therein.

(53) Referring now to FIG. 10, another example of a grip 10.sup.vi is set forth. In this example, the intermediate member 249.sup.vi may be formed in the same manner set forth in FIG. 9 and thus will not be described further. In this example, longitudinally extending walls 1010 from the base 210.sup.vi are set forth. The longitudinally extending walls may be uninterrupted in circumference except for two openings 1012, 1014. The openings 1012, 1014 are used to receive a clip 1020. The clip 1020 may include a first extension 1022 and a second extension 1024 that have ends that are received in the respective openings 1012, 1014. When the ends of the extensions 1022, 1024 are inserted within the openings 1012, 1014, the intermediate members 250.sup.v and 252.sup.v are secured therein. That is, the ends of the extensions 1022, 1024 perform an interference fit with the base 910 of the intermediate member formed between the two portions 250.sup.v and 252.sup.v.

(54) Referring now to FIG. 11, another example of a grip 10.sup.vii is set forth. In this example, the intermediate member 1110 may be integrally formed from two portions 252.sup.vii and 250.sup.vii. The intermediate member 1110 includes a flange 1112 that extends in a radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the intermediate member. The flange 1112 is sized to be received within a receiver 1120 formed by longitudinally extending walls 1122. The outside of the walls 1122 may include threads 1124. A top ring 1130 having internal threads 1132 that engage the threads 1124. During assembly, the intermediate member 1110 is placed directly adjacent to the base 210.sup.vii so that the flange 1112 is within the walls 1122. The ring 1130 has an opening 1134 that has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the flange 1112. Therefore, the ring 1130 is used to retain the flange 1112 to the base 210.sup.vii.

(55) Referring now to FIG. 12, another example of a grip 10.sup.viii is set forth. In this example, the intermediate member 1210 includes a first threaded portion 1212 and a second threaded portion 1214. The threaded portions 1212, 1214 are used to receive a threaded fastener 1220, 1222. In this manner, the arms 260 and 262 are independently removable or securable. That is, one of the arms 260, 262 may be removed or moved relative to the intermediate member 1210 without unsecuring the other arm. The threaded portions 1212, 1214 may be integrally formed within the intermediate member 1210 or may be overmolded nuts that receive the respective threads of the fasteners 1220, 1222. The intermediate member 1210 may be secured to the base using one of the methods as described above in FIGS. 7-11. Thus, the bottom portion of the intermediate member 1210 may be formed accordingly. Likewise, the base 210.sup.viii may have a corresponding shape for receiving the intermediate member 1210.

(56) Referring now to FIG. 13, another example of a grip 10.sup.ix is set forth. In this example, intermediate members 1310, 1312 receive the end portions 1314, 1316 of arms 1318, 1320. The arms 1318, 1320 have toothed portions 1322, 1324 that engage toothed portions 1326 and 1328 on inside surfaces of the intermediate members 1310, 1312. The interior portion of the intermediate members 1310, 1312 may include receiving channels 1330, 1332 that receive the extension 1340 of the base 1342. The extension 1340 may have various shapes to allow various types or lack of movement. For example, in the example set forth in FIG. 13, the intermediate members 1310, 1312 may move in various positions. However, should teeth be used on the extension 1340, teeth may also be used within the channels 1330 and 1332 to engage or nest with the teeth in a similar manner to that set forth in FIG. 2. The grip 10.sup.ix may be held together with fastener 270 and nut 274. A washer 275 may be used adjacent to the nut 274.

(57) Referring now to FIG. 14, a base 1410 having a ball 1412 may be used in the various examples set forth above. In this example, the inner channel 1330, 1332 set forth in FIG. 13 may be correspondingly shaped to receive the ball 1412 so that the intermediate members 1310, 1312 pivot relative to the base 1410.

(58) Referring now to FIG. 15, a grip 1510 is illustrated coupled to a portion of a vehicle 1512. As mentioned above, the grip 1510 may be used to hold an implement 1514. However, in this example, the grip 1510 is a double grip. That is, the grip may have two sets of independently movable and positionable arms for securing an implement to the vehicle.

(59) Referring now to FIG. 16, the grip 1510 includes a first pair of arms 1612A and 1612B. The grip also includes a second pair of arms 1614A and 1614B. The arms may be formed in a similar manner to that set forth above. The grip 1510 includes a base 1620 that has an extension 1622 extending in a longitudinal direction. The extension 1622 may include teeth 1624. The teeth 1624 are used for engaging teeth (not shown) in an intermediate member 1630. That is, the underside of the intermediate member 1630 may include teeth used for receiving the teeth 1624. In this example, the intermediate member 1630 includes a cross beam 1632 that is coupled to a first mounting portion 1634A and 1634B. The mounting portion 1634A includes threaded portion 1640 and 1642 that may be conical in shape as described above. The second mounting portion 1634B may include toothed portions 1644 and 1646. Again, the toothed portions 1644, 1646 may be conical in shape. The conical shapes of the two portions 1644, 1646 may be used to receive the receiving portions 1650A, 1650B, 1650C and 1650D, respectively. A pair of fasteners 1652A and 1652B may be used to secure the arms 1612A, 1612B, 1614A and 1614B to the respective mounting portions 1634A, 1634B using nuts 1654A, 1654B. A fastener 1660 may be used to mount the cross beam 1632 to the base 1620. The cross beam 1632 may be positioned in various radial orientations.

(60) The mounting portions 1634A, 1634B are fixed relative to the cross beam 1632. However, the cross beam 1632 may rotate relative to the base 1620 to be positioned in a desired position. The fastener 1660 is used to secure the cross beam 1632 to the base so that the teeth therein engage and thus the cross beam is fixed to the base 1620. A backer plate 1664 is used together with fasteners 1666 and nuts 1668 to secure the backer plate 1664 relative to the base 1620 and thus secure the entire grip to a portion of the vehicle.

(61) Examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that examples may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some examples, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

(62) The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular example are generally not limited to that particular example, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected example, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.