Universal accessory support assembly

Abstract

An accessory support assembly for securing an accessory to an accessory receiver assembly carried on a motor vehicle includes a mounting post and an accessory mounting bracket pivotally secured to the mounting post. The bracket is displaceable between two different positions. The mounting post is equipped with a spring loaded latch and a snugger screw.

1 . An accessory support assembly, comprising: 
 a mounting post;    an accessory mounting bracket pivotally secured to said mounting post so that said accessory mounting bracket is selectively displaceable between a first position and a second position.    
     
     
         2 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 1 , further including a latch carried on said mounting post for securing said accessory support assembly to an accessory receiver assembly secured to a vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said accessory mounting bracket includes at least one mounting flange including a series of mounting apertures.  
     
     
         4 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting post comprises an elongated sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 4 , further including a latch carried on said mounting post for securing said accessory support assembly to an accessory receiver assembly secured to a vehicle.  
     
     
         6 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 5 , further including a pin for securing said latch to said mounting post.  
     
     
         7 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said latch includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, an actuator and a latch element, said actuator and latch element connecting said first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         8 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said pin is received in aligned apertures in said first sidewall, said second sidewall and said mounting post.  
     
     
         9 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a spring for biasing said latch into a locking position.  
     
     
         10 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said spring includes first and second ends secured to said latch element, a median portion engaging said mounting post and two intermediate portions between said median portion and said first and second ends engaging said pin.  
     
     
         11 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said mounting post includes a notch, said latching element being received in said notch when said latch is in said locking position.  
     
     
         12 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 2 , further including a snugger carried on said mounting post for tightly engaging said accessory support assembly on said accessory receiver assembly.  
     
     
         13 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said snugger comprises a bolt/screw and cooperating jam nut.  
     
     
         14 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting post includes at least one aperture extending through said mounting post.  
     
     
         15 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting post includes at least two, opposed arcuate sidewalls.  
     
     
         16 . An accessory support assembly, comprising: 
 a mounting post;    an accessory mounting bracket; and    a pivot pin engaging said mounting post and said accessory mounting bracket whereby said accessory mounting bracket is pivotally connected to said mounting post for selective displacement between a first position and a second position.    
     
     
         17 . An accessory mounting post for securing an accessory to an accessory receiver assembly carried on a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a sleeve-like body including a notch; and    a latch pivotally secured to) said body, said latch including a latch element received in said notch when in a locking position.    
     
     
         18 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 17 , further including a pin for securing said latch to said body.  
     
     
         19 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said latch also includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and an actuator, said actuator and said latch element connecting said first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         20 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said pin is received in aligned apertures in said first sidewall, said second sidewall and said body.  
     
     
         21 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a spring for biasing said latch into said locking position.  
     
     
         22 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said spring includes first and second ends secured to said latch element, a median portion engaging said mounting post and two intermediate portions between said median portion and said first and second ends engaging said pin.  
     
     
         23 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 22 , further including a snugger carried on said body for tightly engaging said accessory support assembly on said accessory receiver assembly.  
     
     
         24 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said snugger comprises a bolt/screw and cooperating jam nut.  
     
     
         25 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 24 , wherein said body includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing said first sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall opposing said third sidewall.  
     
     
         26 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 25 , wherein said notch is formed at least partially in three of said sidewalls.  
     
     
         27 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 25 , further including at least one aperture extending through said first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         28 . The accessory support assembly of  claim 25 , wherein said third and fourth sidewalls are arcuate.