Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A bracket (100) for a vehicle (10), comprising:
a first mounting portion (102) comprising a plurality of first mounting holes (110) configured for mounting the bracket (100);
a second mounting portion (104) opposite the first mounting portion (102), the second mounting portion (104) comprising a first member (120) and a second member (130) disposed at transverse ends of the bracket (100) and projecting in a vehicle front-rear direction; and
at least one reinforcing insert (108) disposed on the second mounting portion (104).

2. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first mounting holes (110) is configured for mounting the bracket (100) on a rear end (20A) of a pair of seat rails (20) of the vehicle (10).

3. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member (120) and the second member (130) have a second mounting hole (140) configured for connecting with a first vehicle component (30).

4. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second mounting portion comprises a third member (160) having third mounting holes (150).
5. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing insert (108) comprises a top slot (108A) that is configured to be inline with the first mounting hole (110) for connecting with the seat rails (20) of the vehicle (10).

6. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reinforcing insert (108) comprises a bottom slot (108B) that is configured to be inline with the third mounting hole (150) for connecting with a second vehicle component (40).

7. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first mounting holes (110) are disposed substantially vertically above each of the third mounting holes (150).

8. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (100) is made of a resin material.

9. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 4 comprising a webbed portion (170) positioned between the plurality of first mounting holes (110) or the plurality of the third mounting holes (150).

10. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing insert (108) is configured to be attached to a mounting flange (22) on the rear end (20A) of the pair of seat rails (20).

11. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second mounting holes (140) and the third mounting holes (150) are provided towards a lower edge (103) of the bracket (100).

12. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 3 or 6 comprising a notch (106) at an upper edge (105) of the bracket (100) for accommodating wiring harness for the first vehicle component (30) and/or the second vehicle component (40).

13. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing inserts (108) are molded to the second mounting portion (104) of the bracket (100).

14. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing inserts (108) are made of a metal.

15. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the third member (160) is disposed inward from the transverse ends of the bracket (100) and is provided with alignment holes (150A), at least one alignment hole (150A) is disposed above each of the third mounting holes (150) and is configured to receive an alignment member (40A) of the second vehicle component (40).

16. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second mounting hole (140) is configured for connecting with the first vehicle component (30), the first vehicle component (30) being a taillight assembly of the vehicle (10).

17. The bracket (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bottom slot (108B) inline with the third mounting hole (150) is configured for connecting with the second vehicle component (40), the second vehicle component (40) being a fender for covering a rear wheel of the vehicle (10).

, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a bracket for a vehicle. More particularly, it relates to a bracket for mounting rear components of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In the existing motor vehicles, the rear components such as, but not limited to, a rear lamp is mounted to the frame of the vehicle through a mounting member. The mounting member is extended from the frame and includes a bracket member from a top portion having a plurality of mountings for connecting the rear lamp with the frame of the vehicle. Further, a rear fender member of the vehicle covering a rear wheel is disposed below the rear lamp and extends downwardly in a vehicle rear direction. Thus, the rear fender is also mounted to the frame of the vehicle commonly with the rear lamp by the plurality of mountings. Thus, in the existing design for mounting the rear lamp to the vehicle, the rear lamp includes an overhanging mounting portion to get attached with the frame. Also, the rear fender is sandwiched between a mounting flange of the rear lamp and the mounting member extended from the frame.
[003] In the mounting arrangement as discussed above, the rear lamp connected to the frame leads to direct connection of a metal part of the bracket member to a plastic part of the rear lamp and the rear fender. The plastic parts of the rear lamp and the rear fender are prone to limitations like, vibration, mounting failure, structure failure or breakage in the part.
[004] Since the existing bracket member used for connecting the rear lamp and the fender involves vibration, it impacts the legibility of a number plate connected to the fender. Additionally, the bracket member involves problems of directly transferring most of the load received from the frame to the rear lamp without damping; for example, when the vehicle is moving on a road having bump or ditch. This may further result in breakage or failure of the rear lamp, thereby leading to reduced usage life of the rear lamp than it is intended. Further, as the bracket member is wholly a metal component, it would contribute to increasing the overall weight of the vehicle and may affect the fuel efficiency. Also, the bracket member in the existing designs having a complex design which may be difficult in manufacturing, thereby increasing manufacturing time and cost.
[005] In another known mounting arrangement, the mounting configuration has a metallic sub-frame on which the rear lamp along with the rear fender is connected. This leads to increase in the weight of the overall vehicle.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a bracket for mounting rear components of a motor vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In an aspect, the present invention is directed to a bracket for a vehicle. The bracket includes a first mounting portion having a plurality of first mounting holes configured for mounting the bracket. The bracket further includes a second mounting portion opposite the first mounting portion. The second mounting portion includes a first member and a second member disposed at transverse ends of the bracket and projecting in a vehicle front-rear direction. The bracket further includes at least one reinforcing insert disposed on the second mounting portion.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of first mounting holes is configured for mounting the bracket on a rear end of a pair of seat rails of the vehicle.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first member and the second member have a second mounting hole configured for connecting with a first vehicle component.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second mounting portion includes a third member having third mounting holes.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing insert includes a top slot that is configured to be inline with the first mounting hole for connecting with the seat rails of the vehicle, and a bottom slot that is configured to be inline with the third mounting hole for connecting with a second vehicle component.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, each of the first mounting holes are disposed substantially vertically above each of the third mounting holes.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket is made of a resin material.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, a webbed portion is positioned between the plurality of first mounting holes or the plurality of the third mounting holes.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing insert is configured to be attached to a mounting flange on the rear end of the pair of seat rails.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second mounting holes and the third mounting holes are provided towards a lower edge of the bracket.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a notch at an upper edge of the bracket is provided for accommodating wiring harness for the first vehicle component and/or the second vehicle component.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing inserts are molded to the second mounting portion of the bracket and are made of a metal.
[019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third member is disposed inward from the transverse ends of the bracket and is provided with alignment holes. At least one alignment hole is disposed above each of the third mounting holes and is configured to receive an alignment member of the second vehicle component.
[020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second mounting hole is configured for connecting with the first vehicle component. The first vehicle component is a taillight assembly of the vehicle.
[021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom slot inline with the third mounting hole is configured for connecting with the second vehicle component. The second vehicle component is a fender for covering a rear wheel of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[022] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rear portion of the motor vehicle having a bracket for mounting rear components of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the rear portion of the motor vehicle having the bracket shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the bracket shown in Figures 1 and 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the bracket shown in Figures 1 – 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the bracket shown in Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[023] The present invention relates to a bracket for a motor vehicle. More particularly, it relates to a bracket for mounting rear components of the motor vehicle. The rear components may include, but not limited to, a tail-lamp and a fender covering a rear wheel of the motor vehicle.
[024] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rear portion of a motor vehicle 10 having a bracket 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment the bracket 100 is adapted for mounting one or more rear components of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the motor vehicle 10 is a two wheeled vehicle driven by an IC engine (not shown) or by an electric source (not shown) of an electric vehicle. The bracket 100 as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is made of a polymer material including, but not limited to, a resin material. Thus, the overall weight of the bracket 100 is reduced. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bracket 100 can be made by a process, including, but not limited to, a molding process. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 100 has an approximately C-shaped cross section with an opening toward a vehicle front direction.
[025] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1, the bracket 100 is adapted to connect with a rear end 20A of a pair of seat rails 20 of the vehicle 10. The plurality of seat rails 20 extend in a vehicle front-rear direction. In the illustrated embodiment, two seat rails 20 of the vehicle 10 are substantially parallel to each other, and they are disposed below a seat assembly (not shown) of the vehicle 10.
[026] The bracket 100 is further configured for connecting with a first vehicle component 30 and a second vehicle component 40 using one or more fastener members known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle component 30 includes, but not limited to, a taillight assembly of the vehicle 10 and the second vehicle component 40 includes, but not limited to, a fender covering a rear wheel (not shown) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, both the first vehicle component 30 and the second vehicle component 40 are made of a plastic material.
[027] Referring to Figures 3 - 5, the bracket 100 includes a first mounting portion 102 having a plurality of first mounting holes 110. The plurality of first mounting holes 110 is configured for mounting the bracket 100 with the rear end 20A of the pair of seat rails 20 of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3, the bracket 100 is included with two first mounting holes 110, which are configured to connect with the pair of seat rails 20. The plurality of first mounting holes 110 are through holes configured on the bracket 100.
[028] The second mounting portion 104 of the bracket 100 is provided opposite the first mounting portion 102. The second mounting portion 104 includes a first member 120 and a second member 130 disposed at transverse ends of the bracket 100. The first member 120 and the second member 130 are configured such that they project in a vehicle front-rear direction. In an embodiment, the first member 120 and the second member 130 have a second mounting hole 140 configured for connecting with the first vehicle component 30.
[029] As illustrated in Figure 3, the second mounting portion 104 further includes a third member 160 having third mounting holes 150. In an embodiment, each of the first mounting holes 110 are disposed substantially vertically above each of the third mounting holes 150 of the third member 160. In another embodiment, the second mounting holes 140 and the third mounting holes 150 are provided towards a lower edge 103 of the bracket 100.
[030] In an embodiment, the third member 160 is disposed inward from the transverse ends of the bracket 100 and is provided with one or more alignment holes 150A (shown in Figure 3). In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, at least one alignment hole 150A is disposed above each of the third mounting hole 150 and is configured to receive an alignment member 40A (shown in Figure 2) of the second vehicle component 40. The alignment holes 150A in the bracket 100 helps in faster assembly of the bracket and the second vehicle component 40 (fender).
[031] The bracket 100 further includes at least one reinforcing insert 108 disposed on the second mounting portion 104. In an embodiment, the reinforcing insert 108 is made of a metal and they are molded to the second mounting portion 104 of the bracket 100. In the illustrated embodiment as shown in Figure 4, each of the reinforcing insert 108 includes a top slot 108A that is configured to be inline with the first mounting hole 110 for connecting with the seat rails 20 of the vehicle 10. Further, each of the reinforcing insert 108 includes a bottom slot 108B that is configured to be inline with the third mounting hole 150 for connecting with the second vehicle component 40, i.e., the fender covering the rear wheel of the vehicle 10. In the preferred embodiment, the bracket 100 includes two reinforcing inserts 108. The reinforcing inserts 108 are configured to be attached to each of a mounting flange 22 (shown in Figure 2) on the rear end 20A of the pair of seat rails 20.
[032] In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 100 is provided with a webbed portion 170 (clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4). The webbed portion 170 is positioned between the plurality of first mounting holes 110 or the plurality of the third mounting holes 150. The webbed portion 170 provides a required stability in the bracket 100 and thus the bracket 100 becomes structurally stable to withstand the load of the attaching components.
[033] In another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 100 is provided with a notch 106 at an upper edge 105 (shown in Figures 4 and 5) of the bracket 100. The notch 106 facilitates in accommodating wiring harness for the first vehicle component 30 and/or the second vehicle component 40.
[034] Advantageously, the resin bracket as disclosed in the present invention has brought down the complexity in design by easing out manufacturing. It also reduces the weight of the component greatly as the resin material is less dense than the metal. Owing to moulding of the reinforcing insert with the bracket, the structural and strength requirements in the bracket are ensured for mounting the rear / tail lamp and the rear fender of the vehicle. This also reduces the deflection in the rear lamp, as well as controlling the over-all weight. Also, the vibration is dampened at the rear fender and this in turn improves legibility of number plate of the vehicle.
[035] The bracket configuration in the present invention reduces the overhang portion of the rear lamp to get attached with the bracket. Since the bracket provides a separate mounting provision for mounting the fender, it improves structural stability.
[036] The bracket in the present invention eliminates direct transfer of load from frame to the rear lamp as the resin bracket function as the dampening member. As the webbed portion is provided in the bracket, the load distribution by the webbed portion along with the components mounted improves load bearing capacity of the rear lamp.
[037] The bracket in the present invention is easy to assemble with the rear fender as the bracket involves at least one alignment hole which is disposed above each of the third mounting holes and is configured to receive an alignment member of the second vehicle component (fender). Thus, the alignment holes act as a locator for mounting the rear fender with the bracket of the vehicle. The bracket in the present invention includes a notch which improves wiring harness routing in the vehicle.
[038] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.