Granted Patent B2

US 12,679,463 · App. 17/872,400 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Inventors: Ottoleo Kuter-Arnebeck (Kenosha, WI); Nicholas H. Weir (Kenosha, WI); Nicholas A. Gabbey (Kenosha, WI); Christian P. Greene (Kenosha, WI)

Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated

B62D21/152B60K1/04B62D25/20B60K2001/0455

Abstract

Claims (20)

1 . A reinforcing frame structure adapted to releasably couple to a frame of a vehicle when a battery assembly of the vehicle is removed from the vehicle, the reinforcing frame structure comprising:

first and second longitudinal braces, wherein the first longitudinal brace is adapted to releasably couple to and extend along a first longitudinal side of the frame of the vehicle, and the second longitudinal brace is adapted to releasably couple to and extend along a second longitudinal side of the frame of the vehicle;

first and second transverse braces, wherein the first transverse brace is adapted to releasably couple to and extend along a first transverse side of the frame of the vehicle, and the second transverse brace is adapted to releasably couple to and extend along a second transverse side of the frame of the vehicle; and

a cross brace adapted to couple to each of the first and second longitudinal braces and the first and second transverse braces,

wherein each of the first and second longitudinal braces and the first and second transverse braces includes a fastener receiving aperture adapted to align with a respective battery assembly mounting aperture in the frame of the vehicle and receive a fastener, and the reinforcing frame is not adapted to include batteries and is adapted to provide structural support to the vehicle when the battery assembly is removed from the vehicle.

2 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 1 , further comprising an angle brace adapted to couple to one of the first and second longitudinal braces and one of the first and second transverse braces.

3 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the fastener receiving apertures is an elongated slot.

4 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 3 , wherein the elongated slots extend longitudinally along the respective first and second longitudinal braces and the first and second transverse braces.

5 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 1 , wherein each fastener receiving aperture is multiple separate slots spaced longitudinally along the respective first and second longitudinal braces and the first and second transverse braces.

6 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinal braces and the first and second transverse braces respectively have a square, round, “L”, “U,” “C”, “X”, “Z”, or “T” cross-sectional shape.

7 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 1 , wherein the cross brace includes a longitudinal portion having opposing first and second ends, and the first and second ends are respectively adapted to couple to the first and second transverse braces.

8 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 1 , wherein the cross brace includes a transverse portion having opposing first and second ends, and the first and second ends are respectively adapted to couple to the first and second longitudinal braces.

9 . A reinforcing frame structure adapted to releasably couple to battery assembly mounting apertures of a frame of a vehicle when a battery assembly of the vehicle is removed from the vehicle, the reinforcing frame structure comprising:

a hub; and

first, second, third, and fourth arms each extending outwardly from the hub, and that are adapted to respectively align with and releasably couple to the battery assembly mounting apertures.

10 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 9 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth arms extend outwardly from the hub in a “X” type pattern.

11 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 9 , wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms is pivotally coupled to the hub.

12 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 9 , wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms includes an outer and inner arms, wherein the inner arm is slidable with respect to the outer arm.

13 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 12 , wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms includes a locking mechanism adapted to restrict movement of the inner arm relative to the outer arm.

14 . The reinforcing frame structure of claim 9 , wherein the hub includes respective locking mechanisms adapted to lock positions of the corresponding first, second, third, and fourth arms relative to the hub.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (35)