GB2359524A

GB2359524A - Motor vehicle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2359524A
Application number: GB0004472A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Grinnell; Malcolm Arthur Howard
Original assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd; Land Rover Group Ltd
Current assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd; Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-26
Filing date: 2000-02-26
Publication date: 2001-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-26
Also published as: GB0004472D0; GB2359524B

Abstract

For motor vehicles having a spare wheel mounted on a rear door of the vehicle such that a rear face of the spare wheel extends rearwardly beyond a rear bumper, it is a problem that impacts to the rear of the vehicle are first absorbed by the spare wheel and not the rear bumper assembly. A motor vehicle assembly is described in which a framework assembly 12 is mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The framework assembly 12 extends about the spare wheel 10 and includes a portion 14,24,34 extending below a lower edge 8 of the door 6 and directed toward the bumper assembly 2. This assembly has as an advantage that obstructions to the rear of the vehicle will be impacted by the framework assembly 12, which is adapted to direct the impact energy into the bumper assembly 2.

Description

2359524 Motor Vehicle Assembly The present invention relates to a motor

vehicle assembly and in particular to an apparatus for use with a motor vehicle spare wheel which is retained externally on a vertical rear door of a motor vehicle by a spare wheel mounting means. Such spare wheel mounting assemblies may typically be found on sports utility vehicles where the adoption of third row seating has in many cases effectively eliminated storage space for a spare wheel from within such motor vehicles.

The location of spare wheel mounting assemblies in such a location presents a number of difficulties. In particular, in the event of a rear impact, whether by contact with another motor vehicle in an accident or as a result of a misjudged reversing manoeuvre, the spare wheel or the spare wheel mounting means is often a first point of impact. It is clear that damage to either the spare wheel or the spare wheel mounting means is undesirable.

One solution to this problem is to increase the dimensions of the rear bumper, such that an impact surface of the rear bumper extends beyond a rearmost surface of the spare tyre. However, this makes the vehicle length unnecessarily long and the bumper encroaches into the vehicle departureangle, thereby reducing its functionality.

Accordingly there is a need for a means of alleviating the damage caused by impacts with a motor vehicle having a spare wheel mounted to the rear of the vehicle such that a rear face of the spare wheel extends rearwardly beyond a rear bumper.

According to a first aspect of the invention a motor vehicle assembly has a rear bumper assembly and a rear door assembly, the rear door assembly comprising a door mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, the door having a lower edge, a spare wheel and a framework assembly mounted thereon, the framework assembly extending about the spare wheel and including a portion extending below the lower edge of the door and directed toward the bumper assembly.

This assembly has as an advantage that obstructions to the rear of the vehicle will be impacted by the framework assembly, which is adapted to direct the impact energy into the bumper assembly.

Preferably, the framework assembly may comprise a plurality of tubular members.

Alternatively the framework assembly may comprise a plurality of planar members.

Preferably, the framework assembly secures the spare wheel to the door.

Preferably, the framework assembly further comprises a means to mount a vehicle license plate.

Preferably, the framework assembly comprises a base member having a first end and a second end, a first arm having a first end connected to the first end of the base member and a second end remote therefrom, a second arm having a first end connected to the second end of the base member and a second end remote therefrom, the second ends of the first and second arms diverging from one another, the first and second arms having lateral portions at their respective second ends to secure the framework assembly to the door and the base portion having a further lateral portion directed towards the bumper assembly.

More preferably, the first arm or the second arm or both are provided with supplemental lateral portions to secure the framework assembly to the door. A number of joining members may extend between the first and second arms.

Alternatively the framework assembly may comprise a first member secured to the door, a first generally T' shaped member connected at an open end to the first member, and a second first generally T' shaped member connected normally to the first generally T' shaped member, the second generally T' shaped member being provided in side section with a curved portion at a closed end, the curved portion being directed towards the bumper assembly.

Alternatively, the framework assembly may comprise a first planar member extending vertically beyond the spare wheel, the first planar member having a base edge and first and second side edges, the side edges are each provided with lateral portions to secure the framework to the door and the base edge is provided with a lateral portion being directed towards the bumper assembly. Preferably, the lateral portion of the base edge comprise a box section.

Preferably the bumper assembly is provided with a recess to receive that portion of the framework assembly directed towards the bumper assembly.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, widi reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a rear view of a first embodiment of a motor vehicle assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a somewhat schematic side section through Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a rear view of a second embodiment of a motor vehicle assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a somewhat schematic side section through Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a rear view of a third embodiment of a motor vehicle assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 shows a somewhat schematic side section through Figure 5.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a motor vehicle assembly in accordance with the present invention. A motor vehicle 1 is shown having a rear bumper assembly 2 and a rear door assembly 4. The rear bumper assembly 2 is adapted to absorb impacts in a known manner.

The rear door assembly comprises a door 6 adapted to rotate about a vertical edge, a spare wheel 10 and a framework assembly 12. The door 6 is mounted for rotation on the vehicle by means of hinges (not shown) disposed between the door 6 and the vehicle. The door 6 has a lower edge 8. The framework assembly 12 is secured to the door 6 and serves as a support or storage structure for the spare wheel 10. The spare wheel 10 is removeably located between the door 6 and the framework assembly 12. That is the spare wheel 10 may be removeably secured to the door 6 and be protected by the framework assembly 12, the spare wheel 10 may be removeably secured to the framework assembly 12, or the spare wheel 10 may simply rest between the door 6 and the framework assembly 12.

The framework assembly of Figures 1 and 2 conveniently comprises a plurality of tubular elements. The tubular elements may conveniently be formed from sections of metal tubing. 1hese may be welded or otherwise secured together to form the framework assembly 12.

The framework assembly of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a base member 40 having a first end 42 and a second end 44. A first arm 46 having a first end 48 is connected to the first end 42 of the base member 40. The first arm has a second end remote from the first end 48. A second arm 52 has a first end 54 connected to the second end 44 of the base member 40 and a second end 56 remote. therefrom. The second ends 50,56 of the first and second arms 46,52 diverge from one another. The first and second arms 46,52 have lateral portions 58 at their respe ctive second ends 50,56 by which the framework is secured to the door 6. The base portion 40 has a further lateral portion 14 directed towards the bumper assembly 2.

In use, obstructions to the rear of the vehicle will be impacted by the framework assembly 12, such that impact energy is directed through the lateral portion 14 into the bumper assembly 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second arm is provided with a supplemental lateral portions 60 to secure the framework assembly 12 to the door 6. A joining member 62 is shown extending between the first and second arms 46,52.

A motor vehicle licence or registration plate (not shown) may be fastened or otherwise secured to the framework assembly, for example in the region of the base member 40.

A further embodiment of the framework assembly is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Other components of the vehicle assembly remain essentially unchanged and are referred to using 5 like reference numerals.

The framework assembly 12 comprises a first member 78 secured to the door, a first generally T' shaped member 70 connected at an open end to the first member 78, and a second generally T' shaped member 80 connected normally to the first generally 'U' shaped member.

The first generally T' shaped member 70 comprises a first limb 72 and a second limb 74 joined to one another by a curved intermediate portion 76. The first generally T' shaped member 70 is conveniently adapted to rotate about the first member 78 to provide access to the spare wheel 10. The spare wheel 10 may be secured to the door 6 in a known manner. Alternatively, means (not shown) may be provided on the first generally T' shaped 15 member 70 to releasably secure the spare wheel 10 thereto.

The second generally 'U' shaped member 80 comprises a first limb 82 and a second limb 84 joined to one another by a curved intermediate portion 24. The curved portion 24 is, in use, directed towards the bumper assembly 2. The bumper assembly is conveniently provided with a complementary recess 16 to receive the curved portion 24.

The first and second generally V shaped members 70,80 are conveniently secured together across one another. This may be achieved by welding the tubes together, or by any other convenient method.

As shown in Figure 4, a cover 86 may.be fastened or otherwise secured to the second generally 'U' shaped member 80 of the framework assembly 12. The cover 86 may comprise a stamped. metal sheet, a moulded plastics sheet or other suitable material. The cover 86 of the illustrated embodiment is provided with an overturned portion 88 to cover an upper portion of the framework assembly 12. The cover also includes a lower portion 89 extending over the curved portion 24. The cover 86 may be used, for example, to affix or otherwise display a motor vehicle licence or registration plate.

In use, obstructions to the rear of the vehicle, such as a post 20, will be impacted by the framework assembly 12, such that impact energy is directed through the lateral portion 24 into the bumper assembly 12.

A further embodiment of a framework assembly 12 is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Again, other components of the vehicle assembly remain essentially unchanged and are referred to using like reference numerals.

The framework assembly 12 comprises a first planar member 90 extending vertically beyond the spare wheel 10. The first planar member 90 has a base edge 92 and first and second side edges 94,96. lle side edges 94,96 are each provided with lateral portions 98 to secure the framework assembly 12 to the door 6. The base edge 92 is provided with a lateral portion 34 directed towards the bumper assembly 12.

As can be seen from Figure 6, the lateral portion 34 of the base edge 92 comprises a box section 100. The first planar member 90 may be used, for example, to affix or otherwise display a motor vehicle licence or registration plate 104.

In use, obstructions to the rear of the vehicle, such as post 20, will be impacted by the framework assembly 12, such that impact energy is directed through the lateral portion 34 into the bumper assembly 12.

7-

Claims

1. A motor vehicle assembly having a rear bumper assembly and a rear door assembly, the rear door assembly comprising a door mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, the door having a lower edge, a spare wheel and a framework assembly mounted thereon, the framework assembly extending about the spare wheel and including a portion extending below the lower edge of the door and directed toward the bumper assembly.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

A motor vehicle assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the framework assembly comprises a plurality of tubular members.

A motor vehicle assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the framework assembly comprises a plurality of planar members.

A motor vehicle assembly according to any previous claim, characterised in that the framework assembly secures the spare wheel to the door.

A motor vehicle assembly according to any previous claim, characterised in that the framework assembly further comprises a means to mount a vehicle license plate.

A motor vehicle assembly according to any previous claim, characterised in that the framework assembly comprises a base member having a first end and a second end, a first arm having a first end connected to the first end of the base member and a second end remote therefrom, a second arm having a first end connected to the second end of the base member and a second end remote therefrom, the second ends of the first and second arms diverging from one another, the first and. second arms having lateral portions at their respective second ends to secure the framework to the door and the base portion having a farther lateral portion directed towards the bumper assembly.

7.

A motor vehicle assembly according to claim 6, in which the first arm or the second arm or both are provided with supplemental lateral portions to secure the framework assembly to the door.

8. A motor vehicle assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, in a number of joining members extend between the first and second arms.

9. A motor vehicle assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the framework assembly comprises a first member secured to the door, a first generally T' shaped member connected at an open end to the first member, and a second first generally U shaped member connected normally to the first generally 'U' shaped member, the second generally T' shaped member being provided in side section with a curved portion at a closed end, the curved portion being directed towards the bumper assembly.

10. A motor vehicle assembly according o any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the framework assembly comprises a first planar member extending vertically beyond the spare wheel, the first planar member having a base edge and first and second side edges, the side edges are each provided with lateral portions to secure the framework assembly to the door and the base edge is provided with a lateral portion being directed towards the bumper assembly.

A motor vehicle assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the lateral portion of the base edge comprises a box section.

12 A motor vehicle assembly according to any previous claim, characterised in that the bumper assembly is provided with a recess to receive that portion'of the framework assembly directed towards the bumper assembly.

13. A motor vehicle assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, Figures 3 and 4, or Figures 5 and 6.