IP Library Granted Patent US 12,637,014
Granted Patent B2
US 12,637,014 · App. 18/107,276 · Granted May 26, 2026

Inserts for base plate with apertures

Inventors: Matthew B. Rutman (Westland, MI); Stuart C. Salter (White Lake, MI); Michael M. Azzouz (Farmington, MI); Dan Ritz (Windsor, CA); David Brian Glickman (Southfield, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60R9/06B62D65/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,637,014
App. No.
18/107,276
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A base plate for an accessory attachment system includes a plurality of apertures. At least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a mounting foot from an accessory to be mounted on the base plate. The base plate also includes an insert that is mounted in the apertures of the first set of apertures.

Claims (44)

1 . A base plate for an accessory attachment system, comprising:

a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a mounting foot from an accessory to be mounted on the base plate; and

an insert that is mounted in apertures of the first set of apertures, wherein the insert includes a surface that is selectively engageable with the mounting foot during insertion of the mounting foot into one aperture of the first set of apertures.

2 . The base plate of claim 1 , wherein the insert is made from a plastic material.

3 . The base plate of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises an outer peripheral surface that is defined by a polygonal shape.

4 . The base plate of claim 3 , wherein apertures in the first set of apertures have a polygonal shape that matches the polygonal shape of the insert.

5 . The base plate of claim 4 , wherein each polygonal shape comprises a diamond shape.

6 . The base plate of claim 4 , wherein each polygonal shape has at least eight linear segments.

7 . A base plate for an accessory attachment system, comprising:

a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a mounting foot from an accessory to be mounted on the base plate; and

an insert that is mounted in apertures of the first set of apertures; and wherein the insert includes a plurality of hinges configured to be bent around edges of the apertures.

8 . The base plate of claim 7 , wherein the insert comprises a flat upper body portion defined by an outer peripheral surface, and which includes a center opening that aligns with a respective aperture and defines an inner peripheral surface of the respective aperture, and wherein the plurality of hinges are formed about the inner peripheral surface.

9 . The base plate of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of hinges comprise living hinges.

10 . A base plate for an accessory attachment system, comprising:

a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a mounting foot from an accessory to be mounted on the base plate;

an insert that is mounted in apertures of the first set of apertures; and

wherein the first set of apertures comprise mounting foot apertures, and wherein the plurality of apertures include a second set of apertures that comprise power connection apertures through which the accessory can be connected to a power interface through the base plate.

11 . The base plate of claim 1 , wherein the first set of apertures comprise mounting foot apertures, and wherein the plurality of apertures include a second set of apertures that comprise locking apertures through which the accessory can be locked to the base plate.

12 . An assembly comprising:

a base plate for an accessory attachment system, wherein the base plate includes a plurality of apertures;

at least one accessory to be mounted to the base plate, wherein the at least one accessory includes at least one mounting foot, and wherein at least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures comprise mounting foot apertures that are configured to receive the at least one mounting foot; and

an insert that is mounted in each mounting foot aperture, wherein the insert includes at least one surface that is engageable with the at least one mounting foot during insertion of the at least one mounting foot into one mounting foot aperture.

13 . An assembly comprising:

a base plate for an accessory attachment system, wherein the base plate includes a plurality of apertures;

at least one accessory to be mounted to the base plate, wherein the at least one accessory includes at least one mounting foot, and wherein at least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures comprise mounting foot apertures that are configured to receive the at least one mounting foot;

an insert that is mounted in each mounting foot aperture; and

wherein the plurality of apertures include a second set of apertures that comprise locking apertures through which the at least one accessory can be locked to the base plate, and/or wherein the plurality of apertures include a third set of apertures that comprise power connection apertures through which the at least one accessory can be connected to a power interface through the base plate.

14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein inserts are only mounted within mounting foot apertures.

15 . An assembly comprising:

a base plate for an accessory attachment system, wherein the base plate includes a plurality of apertures;

at least one accessory to be mounted to the base plate, wherein the at least one accessory includes at least one mounting foot, and wherein at least a first set of apertures of the plurality of apertures comprise mounting foot apertures that are configured to receive the at least one mounting foot;

an insert that is mounted in each mounting foot aperture; and

wherein each insert is made from a plastic material, and wherein each insert has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface that includes a plurality of living hinges to be bent over edges of a respective mounting foot aperture.

16 . The assembly of claim 12 , wherein the insert comprises an outer peripheral surface that is defined by a polygonal shape, and wherein the mounting foot apertures have a polygonal shape that matches the polygonal shape of the insert.

17 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein each polygonal shape comprises a diamond shape.

18 . A method comprising:

providing a plurality of mounting foot apertures in a base plate for an accessory attachment system;

providing at least one accessory that includes at least one mounting foot;

installing an insert into each of the mounting foot apertures; and

inserting the at least one mounting foot through the insert in one of the mounting foot apertures to mount the at least one accessory to the base plate.

19 . The method of claim 18 , including:

providing a plurality of locking apertures through which the at least one accessory can be locked to the base plate, and/or providing a plurality of power connection apertures through which the at least one accessory can be connected to a power interface through the base plate; and

only mounting inserts within the mounting foot apertures.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the insert has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, and including forming the inner peripheral surface to have a plurality of living hinges and bending the plurality of living hinges around edges that define the mounting foot apertures.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2023
From: RUTMAN, MATTHEW B.; SALTER, STUART C.; AZZOUZ, MICHAEL M.; RITZ, DAN; GLICKMAN, DAVID BRIAN
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 062691/0289 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240262295A1 · Aug 8, 2024
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