AU2017202730B2 - Hood Latch Support - Google Patents

Abstract

HOOD LATCH SUPPORT 5 The present invention relates in general to a hood latch support for mobile vehicles for reinforcing a hood latching system. The hood latch system has one or more hood latches for retaining in a closed position a pivotable engine compartment hood to a cab, the one or more hood latches having a cab mount assembly securable to a portion of the cab and a hood mount assembly 10 securable to a portion of the hood on a vehicle. The hood latch support system has a striker plate mounted on an underside of the hood and in a position substantially underneath the hood mount assembly of the hood latching system and a spacer manufactured from a durable plastics material and mounted on the cab in a position forward of the cab mount assembly of the hood latching 15 system. The striker plate is shaped so that when the hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer is completely overlaid by the striker plate and when the one or more hood latches are placed in a closed position the striker plate is supported upon the spacer. 1s -12

Description

HOOD LATCH SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to a hood latch support for mobile vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a spacer and striker plate for supporting and reinforcing a hood latch of a forward tilting hood mounting system for releasably securing one body portion, such as a hood, to another body portion, such as a cowl, of a mobile vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art.

Mobile vehicles, such as trucks, heavy-trucks or sometimes referred to as tractors are equipped with hoods that enclose an engine and related induction, exhaust, and cooling system components. Conventional heavy duty trucks have a large, engine-covering hood which tilts about a transverse pivot point located above the bumper to expose the engine for servicing. In order to access the engine or one of the system components, a machine operator must pull forward and downward on a handle or grip located at the top of the hood to cause the hood to pivot forward about the hinge.

The tilt mechanisms for pivoting the engine-hood relative to a vehicle chassis are generally known in the fields of automotive engineering. These tilt mechanisms can range from something as simple as a common hinge up to a tilt mechanism design that incorporates a spring member to assist the opening or closing of a vehicle body panel. Some hoods are provided with shock absorbers that cushion the opening and closing of the hood. The hoods are generally latched by a latching mechanism accessible outside of the cab of the vehicle to secure either side of the hood from unintentionally opening. The latch and latch engagement component are typically mounted to both exterior portions of the hood and cowl or fender extension. A typical latch comprises an elastomeric strap formed or molded with a lateral bore at one end for securing the end to one body portion of the truck-tractor and with a tang or tongue structure adjacent the other (free) end. The free end of the strap is pulled away from the secured end to stretch the strap until the tongue structure can be placed over a receiving element on the other body portion, thereby securing the two body portions together.

Hoods are opened and closed on a daily basis for the required pre-trip checks by drivers. In the case of large trucks, the access to the engine is extremely important in order to provide rapid and easy servicing of the vehicle. The rapidity of the service is extremely important in order to keep the vehicle, which is a large investment, in running, revenue-generating service as large a percentage of time as possible. In order to provide the access required it is necessary that the engine covering members such as the hood are relatively large and heavy. Normally the engine covering or hood of a truck will include not only what is normally termed the hood but also the fenders and related supporting and reinforcing structure all forming part of a pivotable unit. It is thus apparent that the structure to be moved to open the engine cavity is a fairly large structural unit and thus embodies a fair amount of weight.

In use a latching mechanism is provided on either side of the pivoted hood to secure the pivoted hood of the truck to the cowl or fender of the cab. Due to the size of the engine hood there can be a significant amount of vibration induced between the hood and the cab of a truck. The rearward engagement points between the hood and the cab or chassis of the vehicle generate road noises such as knocks, rattles, and squeaks. This is due to relative movement between the hood and the rest of the vehicle during vehicle movement. Tolerance maintenance between the hood mounting components and the vehicle mounting components and the relative hardness at the mounting component interface contribute to this noise generation. Likewise, when under cornering loads or other dynamic loads exerted on the vehicle chassis, the chassis may twist, causing the connection between the hood and cab to move relative to each other.

This is particularly relevant at the connecting point between the fenders of the hood and the cab and in particular the area located directly under the latching mechanism. Such relative movement between the hood and the cab may deform the latching mechanism and can cause the connection between the fenders to also move apart and subsequently cause damage to either the hood or cab.

One way of overcoming the damage to the fenders is to install a rubber spacer and associated striker plate. The rubber spacer is installed in a position on top of and forward of the elastomeric strap portion of the latching mechanism on the cab fender. The striker plate is located on the inside of the hood fender and approximately underneath the receiving element of the latching mechanism on the engine hood fender. When the hood is pivoted towards the closed position the striker plate is designed to be located over the rubber spacer. When the elastomeric strap of the latching mechanism is secured to the receiving element the striker plate is supported on top of the rubber spacer. Problems with this design include the inherent wear of the rubber spacer. Each time the engine hood is opened and closed the rubber spacer is gradually being worn away. This is also caused due to the design of the striker plate being of insufficient size to completely cover the rubber spacer when the engine hood is in the closed position. This is further exacerbated overtime by the vibration and wear of the structure forming the pivotable unit and the chassis of the vehicle.

Clearly it would be advantageous if a hood latch support for mobile vehicles could be devised that helped to at least ameliorate some of the shortcomings described above. In particular, it would be beneficial to provide a spacer and striker plate for supporting and reinforcing a hood latch of a forward tilting hood mounting system for a mobile vehicle that secures the hood to the cab in a manner that accommodates the movement of the cab relative to the hood and chassis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a hood latch support for reinforcing a hood latching system comprising one or more hood latches for retaining in a closed position a pivotable engine compartment hood to a cab, the one or more hood latches comprising a cab mount assembly securable to a portion of the cab and a hood mount assembly securable to a portion of the hood on a vehicle, said hood latch support system comprising: a striker plate mounted on an underside of the hood and in a position substantially underneath the hood mount assembly of the hood latching system, wherein the striker plate is formed in two sections, a first mounting section with at least one aperture adapted to receive a mounting bolt fixed to the underside of the hood, and a spacer engaging section; a spacer manufactured from a durable plastics material and mounted on the cab in a position forward of the cab mount assembly of the hood latching system; and wherein the striker plate is shaped so that when the hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer is completely overlaid by the spacer engaging section of the striker plate and when the one or more hood latches are placed in a closed position the striker plate is supported upon the spacer.

Preferably, the striker plate may have an outer boundary formed of two quadrilateral shapes, a first quadrilateral in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid and a second quadrilateral in the shape of a rectangle, wherein the outer boundary of the striker plate is formed by conjoining a base of the trapezoid to a side of the rectangle.

Alternatively, the striker plate may be a substantially L-shaped plate with a periphery extending around the plate, a top side with an axis passing through the middle of the top side and the plate, at either end of the top side two further sides extend away from the top side at an angle, each further side extending to a point where a rectangular section encloses the bottom of the plate, a tab extending from one of the two sides, and at least one slotted aperture extending longitudinally along the axis passing through the middle of the plate.

Preferably, the striker plate may further comprise at least one slotted aperture extending longitudinally along an axis passing through the centre of the bases of the isosceles trapezoid. The underside of the hood may have at least one threaded stud which passes through the at least one slotted aperture and a fastener device is threaded onto the at least one stud to secure the striker plate to the underside of the hood.

Alternatively, the striker plate may further comprise two slotted apertures extending longitudinally along an axis passing through the centre of the bases of the isosceles trapezoid. The underside of the hood may have two threaded studs which pass through the two slotted apertures and a fastener device is threaded onto the two studs to secure the striker plate to the underside of the hood.

Preferably, the spacer may be a rectangular block with a top and a bottom side and with two mounting apertures drilled through the block from the top side to the bottom side, the top side of the drilled apertures being counterbored to a depth to provide space for a head of a fastener, such that when the spacer is mounted on the cab the head of the fastener will sit flush or below the top side of the spacer.

Preferably, the plastics material of the spacer may be any of a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organics such as an organic polymer that are malleable and can be molded or machined into solid object.

Preferably, the spacer may be manufactured using any one of the following processes: (i) cut and shaped from a sheet or piece of plastics material; or (ii) molded using any known molding process.

Preferably, when the engine compartment hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer may be completely overlaid by the second quadrilateral rectangular shape of the striker plate.

Preferably, the design of the striker plate and the material used for the spacer may be such that as the engine compartment hood is lowered into the closed position the striker plate will rotate into position above the spacer in a way which will reduce the friction exhibited between the striker plate and spacer and therefore reduce the amount of damage or wear on the spacer.

Preferably, the one or more hood latches, the cab mount assembly the hood mount assembly, the striker plate and the spacer may be respectively mounted to either an engine hood fender that radially surround a top side and a front side of front wheels of the vehicle or a fender extension that is mounted to the cab and/or one or more frame structures of the vehicle on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle and that radially surround the front wheels to a rear side of the front wheels.

Preferably, an upper front edge of each fender extension may be positioned such that, when said engine compartment hood is pivoted to a closed position, a rear portion of said fenders of the engine compartment hood is disposed adjacent the upper forward portion of the fender extension and the striker plate is mounted over the spacer.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle, comprising: a chassis; a cab mounted to the chassis; a pivotable hood positioned adjacent the cab; at least one hood latch comprising a cab mount assembly securable to a portion of the cab and a hood mount assembly securable to a portion of the hood; a hood latch support system comprising: a striker plate mounted on an underside of the hood and in a position substantially underneath the hood mount assembly of the hood latching system, wherein the striker plate is formed in two sections, a first mounting section with at least one aperture adapted to receive a mounting bolt fixed to the underside of the hood, and a spacer engaging section; a spacer manufactured from a durable plastics material and mounted on the cab in a position forward of the cab mount assembly of the hood latching system; and wherein the striker plate is shaped so that when the hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer is completely overlaid by the spacer engaging section of the striker plate and when the one or more hood latches are placed in a closed position the striker plate is supported upon the spacer.

Preferably, the hood latching system may further comprise any one or more of the features of the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only. FIG. 1 illustrates the hood latch support with the components mounted to the hood and fender of a truck in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the striker plate of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a three dimensional view of the spacer of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows another three dimensional view of the spacer of FIG. 1 and further showing hidden detail of the internal bores of the spacer; FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the spacer of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the spacer of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 shows the hood latch support when the engine hood is in the closed position and the latching mechanism is secured with the exploded detail showing the striker plate located above the spacer; FIG. 8 illustrates the striker plate in position mounted on the inside of the fender of the engine hood; FIG. 9 illustrates the spacer mounted in position on top of and forward of the elastomeric strap portion of the latching mechanism on the cab fender; FIG. 10 illustrates the location of the striker plate as mounted to the underside of the engine hood fender; FIG. 11 illustrates a mobile vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with an engine-covering hood which tilts about a transverse pivot point showing the movement of the striker plate on the hood in relation to the spacer mounted to the cab fender; and FIG. 12 illustrates a vehicle mounted with the hood latch support in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description, given by way of example only, is described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments.

The present invention provides a hood latch support 20, 30 for reinforcing a hood latching system 14, 15 for a pivoting engine hood 11 for a mobile vehicle such as a truck 10.

The hood 11 is generally latched by a latching mechanism accessible outside of a cab 17 of the vehicle 10. A truck 10 typically has a large, enginecovering hood 11 which tilts about a transverse pivot point located above the bumper to expose the engine which is used for the propulsion of the vehicle 10. The hood 11 is a forward tilting hood 11 that is engaged to the chassis through a hinge or pivoting mechanism. The engine 13 is engaged to the chassis of the vehicle 10 and must be accessed for pre-operational and periodic checks through an open hood 11. The vehicle 10 has a driver and passenger cab 17 engaged to a chassis. In order to retain the pivotable engine compartment hood 11 in a closed position to the cab 17, one or more hood latches 14, 15 are used to secure the hood 11 to the cab 17.

By way of example only, a typical hood latch 14, 15 comprises an elongate elastomeric member generally designated 15 having a handle at one (upper) end, and elongate elastomeric side portions extending from the handle toward the lower end of the elastomeric member 15. The side portions define an elongate opening in the elastomeric member 15 extending from adjacent the handle and terminating in a rounded end between the handle and the lower end of the elastomeric member 15. A tongue is provided in the opening extending from the handle between the side portions toward the rounded end of the opening and the lower end of the elastomeric member 15. The side portions of the elastomeric member 15 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow the tongue to move inwardly and outwardly through the opening of the elastomeric member 15. Preferably, the latch 15 is of one-piece molded construction, and the handle and tongue are integral with the elongate member 15. A transverse cylindrical portion is formed at the lower end of the elastomeric member 15. The cylindrical portion includes a bore or opening, constituting connecting means, coaxial with the cylindrical portion for connecting the elongate member 15 to the cab mount assembly, in this case the fender extension 12 of the cab 17 on the truck 10.

The tongue of the elongate member 15 is formed with a rounded free end adapted to engage hook means comprising a hook member 14 mounted on the hood mount assembly, in this case the fender 16 of the hood 11, to secure the elongate member 15 to the hood 11. The hook member 14 is formed of similar plastic or synthetic resin material with a rounded hook portion complementary to the rounded free end of the tongue for removably receiving and holding the free end of the tongue. It will be understood that the side portions of the elongate member 15 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow the hook member 14 to pass through the elongate opening.

It should also be understood that the above hood latch 14,15 is given by way of example only and is by no way limiting on the type, construction or materials used for the hood latch 14,15.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the hood latch support system 20, 30 comprises a striker plate 21 mounted on an underside 18 of the fender 16 on the hood 11 and positioned substantially underneath the hood mount assembly 14 of the hood latching system. The striker plate 21 is a steel plate which has been laser cut to a specific shape which will be described in further detail below. Other materials and methods of producing the striker plate could easily be envisaged by the person skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

The spacer 31 is manufactured from a durable plastics material and mounted on the top of fender extension 12 of the cab 17 in a position forward of the cab mount assembly or elastomeric member 15 of the hood latching system. The striker plate 21 is shaped so that when the hood 11 is pivoted to the closed position the spacer 31 is completely overlaid by the striker plate 21 and when the hood latches 14, 15 are placed in a closed position the striker plate 21 is supported upon the spacer 31.

The striker plate 21 as shown in FIG. 2 is a flat L-shaped steel plate 22 with an outer boundary 70 extending around the periphery of the striker plate 21. A top side 71 with an axis 27 passing through the middle of the top side 71 and the body of the striker plate 21. At either end of the top side 71, two further sides 72 extend away from the top side 71 at an angle to the top side 71. The two further sides 72 extending to a point where a rectangular section 24 encloses the bottom of the striker plate 21. The top section 23 of the plate 21 formed largely by the top side 71, the two further sides 72 is in the shape of an isosceles trapezium 23. The top section 23 or trapezium section is conjoined with the rectangular section 24 along one of the base sides to form the striker plate 21. A tab section 25 extends from one of the two further sides 72 and/or is formed as an extension of the rectangular section 24. In order to mount the striker plate 21 to the underside 18 of the fender 16, two slotted apertures 26 are formed extending longitudinally along the axis 27 which passes through the middle of the striker plate 21. The rectangular section 24 and the tab section 25 are so designed to enable the spacer 31 to be completely overlaid within the sections 24, 25 of the striker plate 21.

The spacer 31 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is formed as a rectangular block 32 with two spaced apart apertures 33 for receiving a fastener 36 for securing the spacer 31 to the top of fender extension 12 of the cab 17 in a position forward of the cab mount assembly or elastomeric member 15 of the hood latching system. The apertures 33 have a centre hole 35 drilled through the block 32 from a top surface 37 to the bottom surface 38. The top surface 37 of the drilled apertures 33 are counterbored to a depth 34 to provide space for a head of the fastener 36, such that when the spacer 31 is mounted on the fender 12 of the cab 17 the head of the fastener 36 will sit flush or below the top side 37 of the spacer 31. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a top view (FIG. 5) and a bottom view (FIG. 6) of the spacer 31. The spacer 31 is manufactured from a durable plastics material such as any synthetic or semi-synthetic organics. By way of example only such a plastics material could include ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) which is a subset of the thermoplastic polyethylene. The UHMWPE results in a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently available. Another example of a plastics material could also include Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or any organic polymer that is malleable and can be molded or machined into a solid object. The plastics used typically have a low coefficient of friction and wear well under continuous or hard use. Other plastics which could be used include but not only limited to materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low-density grade polyethylene (LDPE).

The spacer 31 described above can be manufactured using any known process such as but not limited only to (i) cut or shaped from a sheet or piece of plastic material, or (ii) molded by any one of the known molding processes. This could include, blow molding, compression molding, extrusion molding, injection molding or any other molding process. FIG. 7 illustrates the pivotal engine hood 11 in the closed positon with the hood latches 14, 15 shown securing the engine hood 11 to the cab 17 of the truck 10. In this position as illustrated by reference numeral 40 and located underneath the fender 16 and above the fender extension 12 are the striker plate 21 and the spacer 31. In this position the striker plate 21 fixed to the underside 18 of the fender 16 is closed down upon the spacer 31 mounted to the top side of the fender extension 12. The spacer 31 is completely contained within the bottom area of the striker plate 21 as designated by the rectangular section 24 and the tab section 25.

The striker plate 21 is mounted on two threaded studs 29 which are fixed to the underside 18 of the fender 16. The studs 29 are typically fibre glassed into the fender panel 16 during construction of the engine hood 11. However other suitable methods of fixing the studs 29 to the panel could be used. The striker plate 21 is placed over the threaded studs 29 with the studs passing through the slotted apertures 26 and secured to the panel by a combination of a steel washer 28 and fastener 41.

The spacer 31 is mounted to the top side of the fender extension 12 by two fasteners 36 placed through apertures 33 and secured to the fender extension 12. FIG. 8 shows the striker plate 21 in place mounted on the underside 18 of the fender 16 of the engine hood 11. FIG. 9 shows the spacer 31 mounted to the top side of fender extension 12 and just forward of the elongate elastomeric member 15 of the latching mechanism. FIG. 10 shows the location of the striker plate 21 (in dashed lines) mounted to the underside 18 of the fender 16. The striker plate 21 is positioned on the underside 18 of the fender 16 and approximately beneath the hook member 14 of the latching mechanism. FIG. 11 illustrates the closing of the engine hood 11 as it moves in the direction of the arrow 60 towards the closed position in which the striker plate 21 would be located above the spacer block 31. In use the hood 11 can be raised to a full-open position. A spring helps to raise the hood 11, and to lower it to the operating position. In the operating position, the hood 11 is secured to the cab-mounted fender or cowl 12 by a hold-down latch mechanism 14, 15 on each side. To open the hood 11 a user will release both hood hold-down latches 14, 15 by pulling the ends outward. Then using the bumper step for leverage, slowly tilts the hood 11 with both hands on the grab handle (not shown). As the hood 11 starts to open the user puts a foot on the ground, and walk backwards and pulls. The hood will stop in the full-open position.

To close the hood 11 the steps are reversed as follows. Firstly, grasp and lift the grab handle to tilt the hood 11 toward the closed position. As the hood goes over center, the user places one foot on the bumper step and slowly lowers the hood 11 with both hands on the grab handle. With the hood 11 in the closed position and making sure that the hood 11 is flush with the cowl or fender extension 12, the user then secures the hood 11 by engaging both hood hold-down latches 14, 15. The upper front edge of each fender extension 12 is positioned such that, when said engine compartment hood 11 is pivoted to a closed position, a rear portion of the fenders 16 of the engine compartment hood 11 is disposed adjacent the upper forward portion of the fender extension 12 and the striker plate 21 is mounted over the spacer 31.

The hood latch support in accordance with the present invention includes a striker plate 21 mounted on the underside 18 of the engine hood fender 16 that radially surrounds a top side and the front side of front wheels of the vehicle 10. The spacer 31 is mounted on fender extension 12 that is mounted to the cab 17 and/or one or more frame structures of the vehicle 10 on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle 10 and that radially surround the front wheels to a rear side of the front wheels. Whilst the hood latch support has only been described and illustrated in relation to one side of the engine hood 11 it is understood that the hood latch support is located on both the driver side and the passenger side of the engine hood 11 and the truck 10. The hood latch support of the present invention is particularly but not exclusively limited to reinforcing a hood latching system mounted on a Western Star 4800 truck as illustrated in FIG. 12.

ADVANTAGES

It will be apparent that the spacer and striker plate for supporting and reinforcing a hood latch mechanism on a forward tilting hood mounting system of the present invention has a number of advantages over the known systems.

Firstly, the replacement of the rubber spacer with a low friction resistant material which wears well under all load conditions means that maintenance and replacement of the spacer is significantly reduced.

This is also improved by the design of the striker plate by ensuring that the spacer is completely housed within the striker plate when the engine hood is in the closed position. This significantly reduces the amount of wear on the spacer and improves and reduces the amount of noise such as knocks, rattles, and squeaks usually associated with the vibration of hood mounting points.

The present invention has proved beneficial by providing a spacer and guide or striker plate for supporting and reinforcing a hood latch of a forward tilting hood mounting system for a mobile vehicle that secures the hood to the cab in a manner that accommodates the movement of the cab relative to the hood and chassis.

VARIATIONS

It will be realised that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

In the specification, the term “striker plate” is intended to include a guide plate or any plate which can provide reinforcing and support for a hood latch of a forward tilting hood mounting system of a mobile vehicle.

Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

Every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

Claims (16)

1. A hood latch support for reinforcing a hood latching system comprising one or more hood latches for retaining in a closed position a pivotable engine compartment hood to a cab, the one or more hood latches comprising a cab mount assembly securable to a portion of the cab and a hood mount assembly securable to a portion of the hood on a vehicle, said hood latch support system comprising: a striker plate mounted on an underside of the hood and in a position substantially underneath the hood mount assembly of the hood latching system, wherein the striker plate is formed in two sections, a first mounting section with at least one aperture adapted to receive a mounting bolt fixed to the underside of the hood, and a spacer engaging section; a spacer manufactured from a durable plastics material and mounted on the cab in a position forward of the cab mount assembly of the hood latching system; and wherein the striker plate is shaped so that when the hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer is completely overlaid by the spacer engaging section of the striker plate and when the one or more hood latches are placed in a closed position the striker plate is supported upon the spacer.

2. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the striker plate has an outer boundary formed by two quadrilateral shapes, a first quadrilateral in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid and a second quadrilateral in the shape of a rectangle, wherein the outer boundary of the striker plate is formed by conjoining a base of the trapezoid to a side of the rectangle.

3. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 1, wherein striker plate is a substantially L-shaped plate with a periphery extending around the plate, a top side with an axis passing through the middle of the top side and the plate, at either end of the top side two further sides extend away from the top side at an angle, each further side extending to a point where a rectangular section encloses the bottom of the plate, a tab extending from one of the two sides, and at least one slotted aperture extending longitudinally along the axis passing through the middle of the plate.

4. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the striker plate further comprises at least one slotted aperture extending longitudinally along an axis passing though the centre of the bases of the isosceles trapezoid.

5. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the underside of the hood has at least one threaded stud which passes through the at least one slotted aperture and a fastener device is threaded onto the at least one stud to secure the striker plate to the underside of the hood.

6. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the striker plate further comprises two slotted apertures extending longitudinally along an axis passing though the centre of the bases of the isosceles trapezoid.

7. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 6, wherein the underside of the hood has two threaded studs which pass through the two slotted apertures and a fastener device is threaded onto the two studs to secure the striker plate to the underside of the hood.

8. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacer is a rectangular block with a top and a bottom side and with two mounting apertures drilled through the block from the top side to the bottom side, the top side of the drilled apertures being counterbored to a depth to provide space for a head of a fastener, such that when the spacer is mounted on the cab the head of the fastener will sit flush or below the top side of the spacer.

9. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plastics material of the spacer is any of a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organics such as an organic polymer that are malleable and can be molded or machined into a solid object.

10. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spacer is manufactured using any one of the following processes: (i) cut and shaped from a sheet or piece of plastics material; or (ii) molded using any known molding process.

11. The hood latch support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the engine compartment hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer is completely overlaid by the second quadrilateral rectangular shape of the striker plate.

12. The hood latch support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the design of the striker plate and the material used for the spacer are such that as the engine compartment hood is lowered into the closed position the striker plate will rotate into position above the spacer in a way which will reduce the friction exhibited between the striker plate and spacer and therefore reduce the amount of damage or wear on the spacer.

13. The hood latch support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more hood latches, the cab mount assembly the hood mount assembly, the striker plate and the spacer are respectively mounted to either an engine hood fender that radially surround a top side and a front side of front wheels of the vehicle or a fender extension that is mounted to the cab and/or one or more frame structures of the vehicle on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle and that radially surround the front wheels to a rear side of the front wheels.

14. The hood latch support as claimed in claim 13, wherein an upper front edge of each fender extension is positioned such that, when said engine compartment hood is pivoted to a closed position, a rear portion of said fenders of the engine compartment hood is disposed adjacent the upper forward portion of the fender extension and the striker plate is mounted over the spacer.

15. A vehicle, comprising: a chassis; a cab mounted to the chassis; a pivotable hood positioned adjacent the cab; at least one hood latch comprising a cab mount assembly securable to a portion of the cab and a hood mount assembly securable to a portion of the hood; a hood latch support system comprising: a striker plate mounted on an underside of the hood and in a position substantially underneath the hood mount assembly of the hood latching system, wherein the striker plate is formed in two sections, a first mounting section with at least one aperture adapted to receive a mounting bolt fixed to the underside of the hood, and a spacer engaging section; a spacer manufactured from a durable plastics material and mounted on the cab in a position forward of the cab mount assembly of the hood latching system; and wherein the striker plate is shaped so that when the hood is pivoted to the closed position the spacer is completely overlaid by the spacer engaging section of the striker plate and when the one or more hood latches are placed in a closed position the striker plate is supported upon the spacer.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hood latch support system further comprises any one or more of the features of claims 2 to 14.