Accessory mounting bracket

Abstract

A bracket system and method for bracketing accessories is disclosed that does not mar the exterior of the structure to which an accessory is to be attached. In one embodiment an accessory mounting system is disclosed having a first and second bracket, each bracket having an accessory attaching end and an opposite end adapted for engaging a corresponding joint defined by two abutting structures. Accessories are mounted according to this system when the brackets are placed within their corresponding joints without the aid of screws or like attachment mechanisms and an accessory is attached therebetween resulting in the brackets becoming press-fit in place. Methods for creating and utilizing this invention are also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An accessory mounting system, comprising: 
 a first bracket defining an accessory attaching end and an opposite end adapted for engaging a first joint created by first abutting structures;    a second bracket defining an accessory attaching end and an opposite end adapted for engaging a second joint created by second abutting structures;    wherein a portion of said first bracket between said attaching end and said opposite end thereof forms a press-fit with said abutting structures defining said first joint and a portion of said second bracket between said attaching end and said opposite end thereof forms a press-fit with said abutting structures defining said second joint when accessory attaching ends of said first and said second brackets are attached to an accessory to thereby fixedly position said accessory at a desired position relative to said abutting structures.    
     
     
         2 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  wherein said portion of said first bracket between said attaching end and said opposite end thereof, and said portion of said second bracket between said attaching end and said opposite end thereof each define a knurled surface.  
     
     
         3 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  wherein said first abutting structures and said second abutting structures define a common joint, said first and second bracket opposite ends adapted for engaging said joint.  
     
     
         4 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  further including means for attaching said accessory to said accessory attaching ends of said first and second brackets  
     
     
         5 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  wherein said opposite end of first bracket and said opposite end of second bracket are each configured to engage at least one of said first or second abutting structures.  
     
     
         6 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 4  wherein said means for attaching said accessory to said accessory attaching ends of said first and second brackets includes a pair of screw devices.  
     
     
         7 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  wherein said opposite end of said first bracket and said opposite end of said second bracket are each configured for their attachment to either of said first or second abutting structures.  
     
     
         8 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second abutting structures are defined by a motor vehicle dashboard.  
     
     
         9 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 1  wherein a first distance between said attaching ends of said first and second brackets when said opposite ends of said first bracket engaged with first abutting structures and said second bracket is engaged with second abutting structure is not equal to a second distance between accessory attaching points on said accessory configured to receive said attaching ends of said first and second brackets; and 
 wherein said first bracket portion and said second bracket portion form a press-fit with said abutting structures when said attaching ends of said first and second brackets are attached to corresponding ones of accessory attachment points.  
 
     
     
         10 . An accessory mounting system comprising: 
 a first pair of abutting structures defining a first joint therebetween;    a second pair of abutting structures defining a second joint therebetween;    a first bracket defining a joint engaging end and an opposite end adapted for engaging an accessory;    a second bracket defining a joint engaging end and an opposite end adapted for engaging said accessory;    wherein said joint engaging end of said first bracket is configured to extend through said first joint and engage at least one of said first pair of abutting structures and said joint engaging end of said second bracket is configured to extend through said second joint and engage at least one of said second pair of abutting structures.    
     
     
         11 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said first pair of abutting structures is a first removable structure and at least one of said second pair of abutting structures is a second removable structure.  
     
     
         12 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 12  wherein said first and second removable structure forms a common removable structure.  
     
     
         13 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 11  wherein upon attachment of said accessory said first opposite end is press-fit to said edge of said first removable structure and second opposite end is press-fit to said edge of said second removable structure, a portion of said first bracket between said opposite end and accessory end is press-fit to at least one of said first abutting structures of said first joint and a portion of said second bracket between said opposite end and accessory end is press-fit to at least one of said second abutting structures of said of said second joint.  
     
     
         14 . The accessory mounting system of  claim 11  wherein said first and said second opposite ends have means for hooking said edge of said first and second removable structures.  
     
     
         15 . A method for bracketing accessories comprising: 
 providing a first bracket defining an accessory attaching end and an opposite end adapted for engaging a first joint created by first abutting structures;    providing a second bracket defining an accessory attaching end and an opposite end adapted for engaging a second joint created by second abutting structures;    inserting said opposite end of said first bracket within said first joint;    inserting said opposite end of said second bracket within said second joint;    attaching said accessory attaching end of said first bracket to an accessory; and    attaching said accessory attaching end of said second bracket to said accessory, said opposite end thereof forming a press-fit with at least one of said first abutting structures defining said first joint and a portion of said second bracket between said attaching end and said opposite end thereof forming a press-fit with at least one of said second abutting structures defining said second joint to thereby fixedly position said accessory at a desired position relative to said abutting structures.