System and method for clamping a chassis cover

Abstract

A system is provided for securing a cover having a first surface onto a chassis having a rim, the rim having a second surface. The system comprises a clamping rail and a fastener coupled to the rail. The clamping rail is configured to form a loop that circumferentially engages the first surface and the second surface and, when constricted, produces a first force substantially coplanar with the loop. The fastener is configured to constrict the rail, the rail and the first and second surfaces configured to produce a second force having a component substantially orthogonal to the loop when the rail is constricted.

1 . A system for securing a cover having a first surface onto a chassis having a rim, the rim having a second surface, the system comprising:
 a clamping rail configured to form a loop that circumferentially engages the first surface and the second surface and, when constricted, produces a first force substantially coplanar with the loop; and   a fastener coupled to the rail configured to constrict the rail, the rail and the first and second surfaces configured to produce a second force having a component substantially orthogonal to the loop when the rail is constricted.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a threaded rod coupled to the rail, the threaded rod configured to adjustably constrict the rail. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a lever rotatably coupled to the rail and having a closed position, the lever configured to constrict the rail when the lever is actuated into the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is rotatably coupled to the clamping rail. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping rail is coupled to a backing strap. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is coupled to a backing strap. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping rail further comprises an upper arm that engages the first surface and a lower arm that engages the second surface. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the upper and lower arms have different lengths. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the rim further comprises a corner and the upper and lower arms of the rail are notched proximate to the corner. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rail further comprises corner braces, and wherein the fastener is coupled to the corner braces and is configured to constrict the rail by adjusting the corner braces. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rim and the cover further comprises a groove, and further comprising a seal that engages the groove and seals the chassis when the cover is clamped onto the rim. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rim further comprises a corner and the fastener is configured to conform to the corner. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping rail is further configured to reduce electromagnetic interference passing between the cover and the rim. 
     
     
         14 . A method for clamping a cover having a first surface onto a vehicular chassis body having a rim, the rim having a second surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 circumferentially aligning a clamping loop to the first and second surfaces;   constricting the circumference of the clamping loop to engage the first and second surfaces with a first force substantially coplanar with the loop, the clamping loop and the first and second surfaces being configured to convert at least a portion of the first force to a second force substantially orthogonal to the loop that clamps the cover onto the rim; and   fixing the clamping loop in its circumferentially restricted position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of inserting a seal between the cover and the rim. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the clamping loop further comprises a first end and a second end and the step of fixing the clamping loop further comprises fixing the clamping loop by welding the first and second ends together. 
     
     
         17 . A system for clamping a cover onto a rim of a vehicular chassis, the cover having a first surface residing in a first plane, and the rim having a second surface residing in a second plane, the system comprising:
 a clamping rail circumscribing the first and second surfaces, the clamping rail comprising:
 a first arm configured to engage the first surface and residing in a third plane; and 
 a second arm configured to engage the second surface and residing in a fourth plane, the rail generating a clamping force that clamps the cover to the rim when the rail is constricted and at least one of the first plane and the second plane is different than the third plane and the fourth plane, respectively; and 
   a fastener coupled to the rail configured to constrict the rail.   
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein the chassis further comprises a corner, and the first and second arms are notched proximate to the corner.