US 11,807,056 B2
Break-away tow hook
Jorge Guillermo Barrios Albert, Farmington Hills, MI (US); Robert J. Briggs, Plymouth, MI (US); Mohammed Nomaan Khan, Farmington Hills, MI (US); Vilaskumar Waghmare, Novi, MI (US); David Bauch, South Lyon, MI (US); Randy R. Frank, Silverado, CA (US); and Gavin Goodchild, Ontario (CA)
Assigned to Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed by Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/232,310.
Prior Publication US 2022/0332157 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. B60D 1/54 (2006.01); B60D 1/56 (2006.01); B60D 1/24 (2006.01)
CPC B60D 1/54 (2013.01) [B60D 1/565 (2013.01); B60D 1/243 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a tow hook configured to extend in a first direction from a surface of a vehicle and to receive a towing line;
a mount configured to secure the tow hook to the surface wherein the mount is configured to:
maintain a position of the tow hook relative to the surface in response to a pulling force being applied to the tow hook in a first direction away from the vehicle; and
enable the tow hook to move relative to the surface in response to the tow hook incurring a force in a second direction, wherein the second direction is at least partially toward the surface of the vehicle;
wherein the tow hook includes a plurality of base portions extending generally in the first direction and a transverse portion extending across the plurality of base portions;
wherein the mount is configured to engage the plurality of base portions; and
one or more connectors disposed through the base portions and the mount.