Adjustable accessory mounting system for automobile motor

Abstract

Disclosed is an adjustable accessory mounting bracket for mounting an accessory to an engine including a main body and accessory mounting portion that is movably attached thereto. The accessory mounting portion is configured to removably support an engine accessory, such as an air conditioning compressor or an alternator. The accessory mounting portion is slidably attached to the main body in such a manner that the position of the accessory mounting portion relative to the main body is adjustable in a predetermined direction. The accessory mounting bracket also includes at least one mounting aperture that may be aligned with an existing aperture on an engine for mounting the bracket to the engine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for mounting an accessory to an engine, comprising: 
 a main body configured to be attached to the engine, the main body including a first mounting aperture that is configured to be aligned with a preexisting hole in the engine;    an attachment portion mounted to the main body so as to be adjustable in a first direction relative to the main body, the attachment portion configured to be attached to the accessory;    wherein the first direction intersects a plane of rotation of a drive pulley of the engine when the main body is attached to the engine so that the attachment portion may be moved so as to align the accessory with the plane of rotation of the pulley when the main body is attached to the engine.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 2 , additionally comprising an attachment body attached to the main body, the attachment body including at least one mounting aperture that may be aligned with a pre-existing hole on the engine when the first mounting aperture on the main body is aligned with a pre-existing hole on the engine.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is sidably adjustable in the first direction relative to the main body.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the main body includes an elongated channel having a cross-sectional shape, and wherein the attachment portion includes an elongated rail configured to slidably mate with the elongated channel on the main body.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the elongated rail substantially conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the elongated channel.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , additionally comprising an attachment mechanism that interconnects the main body and the attachment portion so as permit the main body to slidably move relative to the attachment portion.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , additionally comprising a key mounted within a shaft in the main body so as to be slidable in the first direction, and a fastening device coupled to the attachment portion, the fastening device being configured to mate with the key to thereby slidably secure the attachment portion to the main body.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the key includes an aperture sized to receive the fastening device, and wherein the attachment portion includes a shaft sized to receive the fastening device so that the fastening device is positionable within the aperture in the key when the shaft in the attachment portion is aligned with the aperture in the key, and wherein the fastening device is configured to be secured within the aperture in the key to thereby fix the position of the attachment portion along the first direction.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  Claim 1 , wherein the first direction is normal to the plane of rotation of the drive pulley of the engine.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  Claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion includes a pair of arms defining a space therebetween, and wherein the space is sized to receive the accessory.