Attachment system

Abstract

An attachment system is provided for attaching an external component to a chassis of a vehicle, such as components for performing snow clearance, road measurements, road surface marking assemblies, transport of vehicles or gear, including salvaging work and transport of heavy duty vehicles. The attachment system includes at least an elongated chassis coupler element, a fastening mechanism for fastening the chassis coupler element to the chassis when in a mounted position, a distance element, and a clamping mechanism. The coupler element is shaped to fit inside a hollow space of the distance element, and the clamping mechanism is operable to control an insertion length of the coupler element into the hollow space thereby controlling the clamping of the distance element and the chassis when the attachment device is in a mounted position.

1 . An attachment system for attaching an external component to a chassis of a vehicle, the system comprising:
 at least one attachment device including:
 an elongated chassis coupler element; 
 a fastening mechanism for fastening a first end portion of the chassis coupler element to the chassis when in a mounted position; 
 a distance element; and 
 a clamping mechanism, wherein
 an opposite second end portion of the chassis coupler element is shaped to fit inside a hollow space of the distance element, 
 the clamping mechanism is arranged to engage the second end portion of the chassis coupler element and to be operable to control an insertion length of the second end portion into the hollow space thereby controlling the clamping of the distance element/attachment device and the chassis when the attachment device is in a mounted position, and 
 the fastening mechanism is arranged by the first end portion comprising a threaded portion for connecting to a corresponding threaded portion inside the mounting opening. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of at least a portion of the second end portion and a corresponding cross-section of the hollow space of the distance element are selected to prevent mutual rotation of said chassis coupler element and said distance element about a long axis of the chassis coupler element. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first end portion of the chassis coupler element is shaped to fit in the opening of the chassis, and wherein cross-sections of said portion of the first end portion and the opening of the chassis are selected to prevent rotation of said chassis coupler element about a long axis of the chassis coupler element. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion has a cross-section shape that is differentiated from the cross-section shape of a circle. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection element for interconnecting with the external component which is eccentrically positioned with respect to a long axis of the chassis coupler element. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection element for interconnecting with the external component, wherein said connection element extends from a support plate of the clamping device. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment system comprising two of the at least one attachment device of  claim 1 , and further comprising a horizontally elongated crossbar which is arranged for interconnecting the two attachment devices. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment system of  claim 7 , wherein said connection element extends from a support plate of the clamping device. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for engaging the second end portion of the chassis coupler element is releasably arranged. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support plate, wherein the collar extends from the support plate. 
     
     
         11 . An attachment system for attaching an external component to a chassis of a vehicle, the system comprising:
 at least one attachment device including:
 an elongated chassis coupler element; 
 a fastening mechanism for fastening a first end portion of the 
   chassis coupler element to the chassis when in a mounted position;
 a distance element; and 
 a clamping mechanism, wherein
 an opposite second end portion of the chassis coupler element is shaped to fit inside a hollow space of the distance element, 
 the clamping mechanism is arranged to engage the second end portion of the chassis coupler element and to be operable to control an insertion length of the second end portion into the hollow space thereby controlling the clamping of the distance element/attachment device and the chassis when the attachment device is in a mounted position, and 
 the external component is one of a salvaging device, a snow plough, support element for a crane, a measuring gear, and a road surface marking assembly. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , wherein a cross-section of at least a portion of the second end portion and a corresponding cross-section of the hollow space of the distance element are selected to prevent mutual rotation of said chassis coupler element and said distance element about a long axis of the chassis coupler element. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first end portion of the chassis coupler element is shaped to fit in the opening of the chassis, and wherein cross-sections of said portion of the first end portion and the opening of the chassis are selected to prevent rotation of said chassis coupler element about a long axis of the chassis coupler element. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , further comprising a connection element for interconnecting with the external component which is eccentrically positioned with respect to a long axis of the chassis coupler element. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , further comprising a connection element for interconnecting with the external component said connection element extends from a support plate of the clamping device. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment system comprising two of the at least one attachment device of  claim 1 , and further comprising a horizontally elongated crossbar which is arranged for interconnecting the two attachment devices. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment system of  claim 16  wherein the crossbar is detachably arranged. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , wherein said connection element extends from a support plate of the clamping device. 
     
     
         19 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism for engaging the second end portion of the chassis coupler element is releasably arranged. 
     
     
         20 . The attachment system of  claim 11 , further comprising a support plate, wherein the collar extends from the support plate.