TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to a fire extinguisher installing support structure. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a 5 bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the 10 information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Fire extinguishers are used in automotive vehicles in case of any fire accident in the vehicle. These extinguishers are generally securely mounted on a 15 bracket. The bracket is fixed rigidly to the vehicle floor via fasteners or spot welding. The structure of the bracket is hat-shaped with the mounting surface close to the vehicle floor as required in vehicles in which height of floor cross members is less. However, in present scenario, new vehicle designs or layouts are being introduced in the market in which height of floor cross members is 20 considerably increased. New vehicle designs or layouts include sports utility vehicle (SUV) or compact SUV. Due to this increase in the height of the floor cross members, the bracket is required to be at a considerable height from the vehicle floor to mount the fire extinguisher.
[0004] However, increasing the height of the existing bracket from the vehicle 25 floor introduces various problems with it. For instance, as the height of the existing bracket increases, stress induced in the bracket also increases. Further, due to vertical overhang, during movement of the vehicle, high moments are
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induced around spot welding locations and end edges of the existing bracket. These problems have negative effects on the existing bracket. The bracket may break, vibrate or cause damage to the floor of the vehicle.
[0005] Therefore, increasing the height of the existing bracket from the vehicle floor is not an appropriate solution and there is a need to provide an 5 alternate bracket design which overcomes above problems.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow. 10
[0007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle having an improved or modified structure.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle having adequate strength in vertical, longitudinal 15 and lateral directions.
SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle. The concepts are further described 20 below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0010] The present disclosure relates to a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle. The bracket comprises a mounting body having a top 25 mounting surface and two parallel lateral surfaces connected on both sides of the top mounting surface, wherein the mounting body is being a box type middle
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section having two bulkhead shaped mounting areas having a flat mounting face on the top mounting surface and a ridge shape on the lateral surfaces; an inclined region formed from the mounting face to each longitudinal ends of the bracket; and diverging flange provided at the longitudinal ends of the bracket.
[0011] In an aspect, the lateral surfaces extend to form supporting flanges 5 which are spot welded or fastened with a floor panel of the vehicle.
[0012] In an aspect, the mounting faces of the mounting body are for mounting the fire extinguisher.
[0013] In an aspect, the bracket includes diverging fillets formed on ends connecting the top mounting surface with the lateral surfaces, from the mounting 10 body to the diverging flange.
[0014] In an aspect, cross-sectional heights of the flat mounting face, the inclined region and the diverging flange are different to each other.
[0015] In an aspect, the cross-sectional height of the flat mounting face is more than the cross-sectional heights of the inclined region and the diverging 15 flange.
[0016] In an aspect, the cross-sectional height of the diverging flange is less than the cross-sectional height of the mounting face but greater than the cross-sectional height of the lower end of inclined region.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, 25 and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
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[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the existing fire extinguisher mounting bracket;
[0019] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate different views of a fire extinguisher mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional views of mounting face, lower end of 5 inclined region and diverging flange as seen from longitudinal end of the fire extinguisher mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 10
[0021] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the 15 contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0022] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of 20 the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As 25 used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or
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“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0024] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the 5 functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific 10 terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly 15 formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0026] Embodiments and/or implementations described herein relate to the structure of fire extinguishing mounting bracket. In the description hereinafter, the fire extinguishing mounting bracket may also be interchangeably referred to as “bracket” for the sake of brevity and clarity. In FIG. 1, a structure of the existing 20 fire extinguisher mounting bracket 100 is shown. The bracket 100 is a hat-shaped bracket. The bracket 100 includes a mounting surface 102 and two lateral surfaces 104 connected to the mounting surface 102. The mounting surface 102 is flat and have mounting areas 102-A, 102-B. On these mounting areas 102-A, 102-B, a fire extinguisher is mounted. Further, the lateral surfaces 104 have flanges 106 which 25 are spot welded with the floor of the vehicle.
[0027] In an aspect, the existing bracket 100 is mounted close to the floor. The existing bracket 100 is designed in such a way that if height of the bracket is
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increased for vehicles having more height of cross members, it is unable to provide adequate stiffness and strength.
[0028] To this, various embodiments and/or implementations of the present disclosure provides a bracket 200 which is suitable for vehicles having more height of cross members. Exemplary different views of the bracket 200 are shown 5 in FIGS. 2A-2C in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] The bracket 200 includes a mounting body 202 having a top mounting surface 202-TS and two parallel lateral surfaces 202-LS connected on both sides of the top mounting surface 202-TS. In an aspect, the mounting body 202 is a box type middle section having two bulkhead shaped mounting areas having a flat 10 mounting face 202-MF1, 202-MF2 on the top mounting surface 202-TS and ridge shape support 202-RS1, 202-RS-2, in the region of mounting face 202-MF1, 202-MF2, on the lateral surfaces 202-LS. Such improved shape of the mounting areas increases the strength of the mounting location of a fire extinguisher bracket, which in turn increases the durability of the bracket 200. 15
[0030] Further, the bracket 200 includes an inclined region 204A, 204B formed from the mounting face 202-MF1, 202-MF2 to diverging flange 206A, 206B at each inverted U-shaped longitudinal ends of the bracket 200. The reduced cross-section region 204A, 204-B along with the flange 206A, 206B enhances lateral and torsional stiffness of the bracket 200 and reduces bending or deflection 20 of the bracket 200. The bracket 200 also includes diverging fillets 208A, 208B formed on ends connecting the top mounting surface 202-TS with the lateral surfaces 202-LS, from the mounting body 202 to the diverging flanges 206A, 206B. The diverging fillets 208A, 208B and the diverging flanges 206A, 206B increases the longitudinal and lateral stiffness of the bracket 200. 25
[0031] In an aspect, the lateral surfaces 202-LS extend to form supporting flanges 210 which are spot welded or fastened with a floor panel of the vehicle. In another aspect, the supporting flanges 210 may carry the ridge shape in the region
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of the ridge shape support 202-RS1, 202-RS2 so as to strengthen the support of the bracket 200 on the floor of the vehicle.
[0032] In another aspect, the mounting faces 202-MF1, 202-MF2 of the mounting body 202 are for mounting the fire extinguisher.
[0033] Further, FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional views of mounting face, 5 lower end of inclined region and diverging flange as seen from longitudinal end of the fire extinguisher mounting bracket 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen, in the proposed bracket 200, the cross-section of mounting face 202-MF1, 202-MF2 has the maximum height. Further, the cross-section of lower end of the inclined region 204A, 204B has the least 10 height and the cross-sectional height of the diverging flange 206A, 206B is less than the cross-sectional height of the mounting face 202-MF1, 202-MF2 but greater than the cross-sectional height of the lower end of inclined region 204A, 204B. Different cross-sectional heights of the different portions of the bracket 200 provide adequate strength in vertical, longitudinal, and lateral directions when the 15 fire extinguisher is mounted at a considerable height from the floor of the vehicle.
[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or 20 applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0035] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, 25 encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
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[0036] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill 5 in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0037] The present invention disclosure provides a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle which will provide adequate strength in vertical, lateral 10 and longitudinal directions when the fire extinguisher is mounted at a considerable vertical distance from the floor.
[0038] The present disclosure provides a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle which will help to absorb the vibrations at the mounting location during the vehicle’s mobility. 15
[0039] The present disclosure provides a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle which is compact in size and simpler to attach with the vehicle floor.
[0040] The present disclosure provides a bracket for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle which requires less spot welding or fastening means to 20 be attached with the vehicle floor panel. Thus reducing the cost of installation.

We claim:

1. A bracket (200) for mounting a fire extinguisher in a vehicle, the bracket (200) comprising:
a mounting body (202) having a top mounting surface (202-TS) and two parallel lateral surfaces (202-LS) connected on both sides of the top 5 mounting surface (202-TS), wherein the mounting body (202) is being a box type middle section having two bulkhead shaped mounting areas having a flat mounting face (202-MF1, 202-MF2) on the top mounting surface (202-TS) and a ridge shape (202-RS1, 202-RS2) on the lateral surfaces (202-LS);
an inclined region (204A, 204B) formed from the mounting face (202-10 MF1, 202-MF2) to each longitudinal ends of the bracket (200); and
diverging flange (206A, 206B) provided at the longitudinal ends of the bracket (200).
2. The bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral surfaces (202-LS) extend to form supporting flanges (210) which are spot welded or 15 fastened with a floor panel of the vehicle.
3. The bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting faces (202-MF1, 202-MF2) of the mounting body (202) are for mounting the fire extinguisher.
4. The bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising diverging fillets (208A, 20 208B) formed on ends connecting the top mounting surface (202-TS) with the lateral surfaces (202-LS), from the mounting body (202) to the diverging flange (206A, 206B).
5. The bracket (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein cross-sectional heights of the flat mounting face (202-MF1, 202-MF2), the inclined region (204A, 25 204B) and the diverging flange (206A, 206B) are different to each other.
6. The bracket (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional height of the flat mounting face (202-MF1, 202-MF2) is more than the cross-sectional heights of the inclined region (204A, 204B) and the diverging flange (206A, 206B). 30
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7. The bracket (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional height of the diverging flange (206A, 206B) is less than the cross-sectional height of the mounting face (202-MF1, 202-MF2) but greater than the cross-sectional height of the lower end of inclined region (204A, 204B).