TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an automobile accessory. Aspects of the invention relate, but are not limited, to an automobile accessory, an automobile accessory mounting arrangement, and an automobile.

BACKGROUND

It is known for vehicles such as automobiles to comprise a loadspace compartment, typically behind a passenger compartment, within which items may be loaded and transported internally within the vehicle. It is often desirable to be able to transport items externally of the vehicle, for example when an item is to large or bulky to be conveniently transported within the vehicle, to prevent water, dirt, etc. from the item(s) contaminating the interior of the vehicle, or to enable more convenient access to the items from the outside of the vehicle.

Existing solutions for transporting items externally of a vehicle such as an automobile involve either mounting the items on the roof of the vehicle, for example by way of a roof rack or the like, or mounting the items to the rear of the vehicle, for example mounted to a tailgate or on a tow-bar of the vehicle. However, existing solutions may not be convenient for some automobiles. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an automobile accessory comprising first and second attachment means configured to engage with attachment locations provided on an automobile to mount the accessory to the automobile, wherein: the first attachment means comprises a first fixing element configured to engage with a first attachment location on a roof of the automobile, and the second attachment means comprises a second fixing element configured to engage with a second attachment location on a side of the automobile at or above a waistline of the automobile such that the accessory, when mounted to the automobile, is mounted externally on the side of the automobile.

Advantageously, by providing such an accessory comprising attachment means configured to engage with attachment locations provided on an automobile to mount the accessory to the automobile, the accessory is able to be mounted directly to the automobile without the need for additional attachment apparatus such as a mounting rack or the like. Furthermore, by configuring the attachment means such that the accessory is mounted externally on the side of the automobile, as opposed to being mounted on the roof of the vehicle, the accessory is more easily accessible when mounted to the vehicle.

Furthermore, by mounting the accessory above the waistline of the automobile, the accessory is mounted on a part of the vehicle where the side of the vehicle typically angles inwardly (from the waistline), thereby allowing the accessory to be mounted in such a manner that does not significantly increase the width of the vehicle, and preferably such that the accessory does not extend beyond the homologated width of the vehicle (e.g. does not extend wider than the external rear view mirrors or cameras mounted on the side of the vehicle).

Optionally the first attachment location on the roof of the automobile is a roof rail and the first fixing element is configured to engage with the roof rail. The first fixing element may comprise a T-shaped profile configured to be slideably received within a channel of the roof rail. In an embodiment the fixing element comprises a bolt and slider, the slider comprising a threaded bore within which the bolt is received to form the T-shaped profile.

The first attachment means of the accessory optionally comprises an arm configured to extend, in use, over a longitudinal edge of the roof of the automobile, and the first fixing element is configured to attach an end of the arm to the first attachment location on the roof of the automobile. The end of the arm may comprise an engagement feature configured to engage the first fixing element. The engagement feature of the arm may comprise an aperture through which the fixing element is able to pass to engage with the attachment means located on the roof of the automobile. The first fixing element optionally comprises a flange arranged to engage with a surface of the arm adjacent to the aperture to prevent the first fixing element from passing completely through the aperture.

The arm may be shaped to follow an external profile of the side of the automobile and/or may comprise a smooth a-surface. In an embodiment the arm is made from a non-metallic material.

The first attachment means of the accessory optionally comprises a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm being configured to extend, in use, over the longitudinal edge of the roof of the vehicle and be spaced longitudinally with respect to the automobile.

The second attachment means may comprise a flange comprising an aperture through which the second fixing element is able to pass. Optionally the second fixing element is configured to engage with the second attachment location positioned within a waistline reinforcement structural component of the automobile.

In an embodiment the second fixing element comprises a bolt and a seal member having a bore through which the bolt passes, the seal member being compressible to form a seal when the bolt of the second fixing means is fixed to an automobile component.

The accessory optionally comprises a storage container. The storage container may comprise a lockable enclosed storage container.

Optionally, the storage container comprises a body and a lid that define a storage compartment. The lid may be configured to enable access to the storage compartment when the accessory is mounted on an automobile.

A seal means may be provided between the body and the lid such that when the lid is closed water is inhibited from entering the storage box via the opening.

The lid may be coupled along an upper portion of the body of the storage container, for example by way of a hinge. The lid may be configured to open in a vertical upwards direction, and may be configured, when mounted on an automobile, to form a canopy over the storage compartment when in an open condition. A retention mechanism may be provided between the body of the storage container and the lid to retain the lid in an open condition. Such a retention mechanism may comprise an over centre mechanism.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an automobile accessory mounting arrangement; the accessory mounting arrangement comprising: a first attachment location on a roof of the automobile, and a second attachment location on a side of the automobile at or above a waistline of the automobile, wherein the first and second attachment locations are located with respect to one another to enable an accessory to be mounted thereto such that the accessory, when mounted to the automobile, is mounted on a side of the automobile.

The first attachment location is optionally proximal to a side of the roof adjacent the side of the automobile on which the second attachment means is beatable. In an embodiment the first attachment location is arranged to enable attachment of an accessory thereto at multiple locations. The first attachment location may be arranged to enable attachment of an accessory thereto at multiple locations spaced longitudinally with respect to the automobile.

Optionally the first attachment location comprises a roof rail. In an embodiment the roof rail is surface-mountable to a roof panel of the automobile. Optionally the roof rail comprises a channel configured to receive and retain T-shaped fixing elements.

The second attachment location may be within a waistline reinforcement structural component of the automobile.

Optionally the second attachment location is below a glazed panel of the automobile.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an automobile comprising an automobile accessory mounting system and/or an automobile accessory according to any one of the preceding claims. Optionally the side of the automobile on which the second attachment location is located is angled inwardly from a vertical longitudinal plane above a waistline of the automobile.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an automobile and an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an automobile and an automobile accessory mounting arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a portion of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a cross section of a roof rail of an automobile accessory mounting arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a second attachment means of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 shows an exploded perspective view of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 1 1 a and 1 1 b show a schematic view of the operation of an over centre mechanism of an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figures 12a and show a partial perspective representation of an automobile and an automobile accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An automobile accessory and an automobile comprising an automobile accessory mounting arrangement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying figures 1 to 12b.

With reference to figure 1 , there is illustrated a simplified frontal view of an automobile 10 comprising an automobile accessory mounting arrangement 12, and an automobile accessory 14 mounted thereto. The automobile is, in certain embodiments, a car, SUV, or the like. The automobile comprises a roof 16 and sides 18. In a normal forward direction of travel the automobile moves in an x direction as represented by the axes in Figure 1 .

As shown in figure 2 the automobile comprises a first attachment location 20 and a second attachment location 22. In an embodiment the first attachment location comprises a roof rail as conventionally used to carry items such as a roof rack. The roof rail 20 comprises a channel as discussed below. In an embodiment the second attachment location 22 is positioned at the waistline 24 of the automobile. The term waistline is a term of art and generally refers to the portion of the automobile body 26 adjacent to the lower part of the windows 28. The second attachment location 22 comprises a portion of the body in white of the automobile. The body in white is also a term of art and generally refers to the structural body of the automobile 10. Other arrangements for the location of the second attachment location 22 are within the scope of the invention, for example the second attachment location 22 could be positioned on or adjacent to the wheel arches 30. In an embodiment of the invention the first attachment location of the automobile comprises one roof rail and the second attachment location of the automobile comprises two portions of the body in white. Other arrangements may also be useful.

Figure 3 shows an automobile accessory 14 suitable for attachment to an automobile comprising a first and second attachment locations 20, 22 as described above. The automobile accessory comprises a first attachment means 32 and a second attachment means 34. In the embodiment shown the automobile accessory 14 comprises two first attachment means 32 and two second attachment means 34. Other numbers of first and second attachment means 30, 32 may also be useful. It will be understood that where the following description refers to one or more of the first and second attachment means, the description can be applied to any number of first and second attachment means. The automobile accessory shown is a storage box 36. In other embodiments the automobile accessory is a ladder, a wheel or the like.

Figure 4 shows the first attachment means 32 of the automobile accessory 14. The first attachment means comprises an arm 38 having a profile shape 40 which closely follows the shape of the automobile side to roof profile over which the arm extends. The arm has a smooth a-surface 90 which advantageously reduces turbulent air flowing over the arm 38 when the accessory is applied to an automobile and the automobile is travelling in its normal direction.

The arm comprises an engagement feature 42. In an embodiment the engagement feature comprises an aperture 44. A first fixing element 46 is arranged to pass through the aperture and comprises a bolt 48 and a slider 50. In an embodiment the slider has an inverted T shape. The slider 50 is shaped to engage with an internal cross section or channel 52 of the roof rail 20 as shown in figure 5.

Figure 6 shows an automobile accessory 14 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown the accessory comprises a second attachment means 34 which comprises an aperture 54. With reference to figure 7, the second attachment means of the automobile accessory comprises a second fixing element 56 which comprises a bolt 58 and a compressible seal 60. The seal 60 has a bore 62 through which the bolt 58 is arranged to pass.

With reference to figures 1 to 7, to attach the automobile accessory 14 to an automobile 10 as shown in figure 1 , the first fixing element 46 is first located in the roof rail 20. A longitudinally offset opening 64 of the roof rail channel 52 permits entry of the first fixing element 46 into the channel. Once inserted the first fixing element, and thereby the accessory, can be slid longitudinally so that the second attachment means 34 of the automobile accessory 14 aligns with the second attachment location 22 of the automobile 10. On alignment the bolt of the second fixing element can be fixed to the second attachment location or body in white as mentioned above. Fastening of the bolt 58 compresses the compressible seal and advantageously seals the body in white thus preventing water ingress through the any hole created by the bolt 58. Furthermore, fastening of the bolt brings the first attachment means of the accessory into tension thus preventing the first fixing element 46 from leaving the channel 52.

Figure 8 shows an example automobile accessory in the form of a storage box 36. The storage box 36 comprises a backboard 72 and wall section 74. The backboard 72 comprises the aforementioned second attachment means 34 and is fixable to the first attachment means as previously described. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall section is fixed to the backboard using a plurality of fixings 76, for example screws or bolts. Flowever, it is contemplated that the wall section may be fixed to the backboard in any suitable manner, or alternatively may be integrally formed with the backboard. In the example embodiment of figure 8 the wall section 74 comprises a pocket 78, forming a part of a storage compartment 70, which may be used to retain items in the storage box.

Turning to figure 9, the automobile accessory is shown in an expanded form to comprise the wall section 74, and a lid or door 80. The backboard 72 and wall section 74 combine to form a body of the storage box 36 whereby the body and lid 80 (when closed as illustrated in figure 9) define the storage compartment 70 of the storage box 36. The lid 80 is configured to enable access to the storage compartment 70 when the storage box 36 is mounted to the automobile 10 via an opening 71 , which in the illustrated example is defined by the wall section 74.

A seal means 82 is provided between the wall section 74 and the lid 80 so that when the lid is closed water inhibited from entering the storage box 36 via the opening 71 . The lid 80 is coupled to the wall section by a hinge 84 positioned along the upper portion of the wall section and lid. As such the lid hinges to open in a vertical upwards direction. Advantageously this enables the lid to form a canopy over the storage box in adverse weather conditions as is discussed in relation to figure 12 below. An over centre mechanism 86 is provided between the wall section 74 and the lid 80 and is used to hold the lid in the open position.

Figure 10 shows the arms 38, backboard 72, wall section 74, and over centre mechanism 86 assembled together. Figures 1 1 a and 1 1 b show the over centre mechanism 86 when in a position whereby the lid as coupled thereto is closed (figure 1 1 a) and open (figure 1 1 b). A centre line 92 is illustrated between pivot points 94, 96 each coupling the over centre mechanism to the lid 80 and the backboard 74. As shown in figure 1 1 a the lid 80 can freely move in a direction 94 towards an open configuration permitted by the over centre mechanism moving towards the centre line in a direction indicated by the arrow 96. Conversely, in the open configuration (shown in figure 1 1 b) the over centre mechanism 86 is prevented from moving in a direction 98 toward the centre line 92 by a gravitational force 100 acting on the lid. This advantageously keeps the lid in the open position. A lifting force has to be applied in an opposing direction 102 to lift the lid to enable the over centre mechanism to move in the direction 98 towards and over the centre line 92 in order to close the lid. It will be understood that to reach the open condition the lifting force has to be applied in the direction 102 to allow the over centre mechanism to pass over the centre line in a direction opposite to the arrow 98.

Figures 12a and 12b shows a perspective view of an automobile accessory 14 applied to an automobile 10 each as described in the foregoing embodiments. Figure 12a shows the closed condition in which the lid 80 is closed to seal the storage box 36. Figure 12b shows the open condition in which the lid 80 is open to provide access to the inside of the storage box 36 and pocket 78.

Figure 12a additionally shows a lock 104 useable to lock the lid in the closed condition to secure the storage box. In this manner, the storage box 36 provides a lockable enclosed storage container that is can be mounted to the side of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the storage box 36 may be configured to inhibit removal of the accessory 14 when the storage box is in a closed condition, i.e. when the lid 80 is closed. For example, cover parts 59 may be provided to cover the second attachment means 34 such that, in the illustrated embodiment, the bolts 58 are not accessible for removal when the cover parts 59 are in place. The cover parts 59 may be attached and removed when the lid 80 is open. Flowever, when the lid 80 is closed, the lid 80 may be configured to at least partially cover or otherwise inhibit access to the cover parts 59, thereby inhibiting the removal of the cover parts 59 and thus inhibiting access to the bolts 58 of the second attachment means 34.

It will be appreciated that in the foregoing embodiments where reference is made to a first attachment means 32 and a second attachment means 34 of the automobile accessory the description can be applied to embodiments where there are two or more of each first and second attachment means. It is advantageous to have two or more of each first and second attachment means, as shown in the figures, to provide stability to the automobile accessory when fixed to the automobile.

Figure 1 and 12a and 12b show the automobile accessory applied to a left hand side 108 of the automobile 10 based on the standard direction of facing of the automobile. However, the automobile accessory can similarly be applied to the right hand side 1 10 of the automobile and such an embodiment is within the scope of the invention. The sides 18 of the automobile are shown to incline inwards by an angle 1 12. The opening of the lid 80 is configurable to achieve a substantially horizontal open condition based on the angle of the automobile sides 18. Other arrangements may be useful and are within the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.