Carrier Having Structure To Facilitate Loading (e.g., Rollers, Tracks, Angled Sides, Etc.) Patents (Class 224/310)
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Patent number: 7137479Abstract: An automatically movable storage apparatus for retaining a ladder on top of an emergency vehicle and facilitating movement thereof to a deployed position extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom selectively to make the ladder available for usage. After usage the ladder will be replaced and the automatic storage apparatus will power the movement of the ladder retained within the ladder retaining frame up to the storage position on top of the emergency vehicle for transport. A pivotally movable carriage is secured to the ladder retaining frame with various drive means thereon to facilitate movement of the frame to the rearwardly extended position and the inclined position and to facilitate locking thereof in the storage position.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Inventors: Michael P. Ziaylek, Cielito B. Agoncillo
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Patent number: 7131561Abstract: A boat rack apparatus for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof rack includes a plurality of conformable support members. Each support member has an expanse that contacts a boat hull. The expanse is supported by a rib arrangement, including a spring rib and a load rib. The spring rib underlies a flexible portion of the expanse. The load rib provides vertical support to the expanse. The support member adapts to different boat hull shapes.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventor: Daniel M. Humes
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Patent number: 7108162Abstract: On a roof rack fixedly connected with the vehicle roof, a so-called loading aid is arranged which, in a loading position, can be swung out inclinedly on the sides of the vehicle, so that bicycles or the like can be placed on this loading aid by corresponding transport fixtures and, after being fitted with the bicycles, the loading aid can be pushed back into a transport position onto the roof.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG, Mont Blan Industri ABInventors: Bernd Stadler, Dan Svenningsson
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Patent number: 7048490Abstract: A roof rack assembly is provided for storage of items above a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof rack assembly includes a frame having front and rear guides extending across the roof. A front rail slidingly engages the front guide, and a rear rail slidingly engages the rear guide. A tray is coupled to the front and rear guides. The tray is movable between a storage position above the roof and a loading position alongside the motor vehicle. A plurality of drop down links extends between the tray and each of the front and rear rails. The plurality of drop down links maintains the tray in a horizontal orientation as the tray moves between the storage and loading positions. A scissor linkage extends between the plurality of drop down links to selectively lock the tray in the loading position.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Decoma International Inc.Inventor: Jack V. Henderson
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Patent number: 7036698Abstract: Systems, including methods and apparatus, to facilitate loading a boat onto a vehicle. The systems include a load assist device mounted on a vehicle load carrier. The load assist device includes a support member that is stored substantially within a crossbar of the load carrier and telescopes outwardly from the crossbar to a deployed position. The support member may be returned to its stored position in the crossbar after the boat has been loaded onto the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventor: Scott R. Allen
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Patent number: 7011239Abstract: A telescoping roof basket assembly (10) for attachment to a roof (12) of a vehicle (14) is provided. The basket assembly (10) includes a pair of rails (18) fixedly coupled to the roof (12) of the vehicle (14). Each rail (18) defines a primary channel (22) and a secondary channel (24). Furthermore, each primary channel (22) has an extension bar (26) slidably positioned therein for telescopically fitting the extension bar (26) to the rail (18). The extension bars (26) are capable of extending rearwardly from the rails (18). Moreover, these extension bars (26) are pivotally coupled to a front end portion of a moveable basket member (30). This moveable basket member (30) has a rear end portion with a pair of tabs (44) extending therefrom. These tabs (44) are intended for insertion into the secondary channels (24) and securing the moveable basket member (30) to the rails (18). The telescoping roof basket assembly (10) is moveable between a roof mounted position and a back end mounted position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventor: Bruce Preston Williams
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Patent number: 6874835Abstract: A rack includes a base section that is securely mounted on the top of a land vehicle and an item-engaging section that is movably mounted on the base section. The item-engaging section moves on rollers between a stored position that is basically congruent with the base section and a deployed position that locates ladders or like items being stored on the vehicle adjacent to the side of the land vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Inventor: Lee A. Silverness
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Patent number: 6854627Abstract: A vehicular utility rack apparatus having at least two frame members mounted on a vehicle to form a frame assembly. The at least two support arms are used for supporting a transported item. The two support arms also having a retainer assembly coupled to form a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly coupled to a rotational shaft for pivoting the carriage assembly. The rotational shaft coupled to an anti-friction assembly capable of reducing the amount of torque required to pivot the support arms from a position above the vehicle to a position adjacent the vehicle side.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: eRack LLCInventors: Bradford Foo, Jose Villarreal
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Patent number: 6827244Abstract: An article carrier is described. The article carrier comprises a pair of side rails, an extendable article carrier, and at least one cross rail. The pair of side rails are affixed to a vehicle roof The extendable article carrier is adjustably positioned between the pair of side rails from a stowed position on a vehicle roof, to an extended position from the vehicle roof, and to a deployed position about a rear hatch. The extendable article carrier includes a first and a second pair of slider rail sections that are intermediately connected by a first pair of hinges, respectively. The extendable article carrier includes a third pair of slider rail sections. The second pair of slider rails and the third pair of slider rail sections are intermediately connected by a second pair of hinges. The first, second, and third pair of slider rail sections slide about a channel that is integrally formed in each of the side rails.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Sportrack LLCInventors: Craig A. Stapleton, Robert G. Cronce, Curt Nordin, Kevin D. Wilson, Terry L. Obermesik
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Publication number: 20040188478Abstract: A telescoping roof basket assembly (10) for attachment to a roof (12) of a vehicle (14) is provided. The basket assembly (10) includes a pair of rails (18) fixedly coupled to the roof (12) of the vehicle (14). Each rail (18) defines a primary channel (22) and a secondary channel (24). Furthermore, each primary channel (22) has an extension bar (26) slidably positioned therein for telescopically fitting the extension bar (26) to the rail (18). The extension bars (26) are capable of extending rearwardly from the rails (18). Moreover, these extension bars (26) are pivotally coupled to a front end portion of a moveable basket member (30). This moveable basket member (30) has a rear end portion with a pair of tabs (44) extending therefrom. These tabs (44) are intended for insertion into the secondary channels (24) and securing the moveable basket member (30) to the rails (11). The telescoping roof basket assembly (10) is moveable between a roof mounted position and a back end mounted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventor: Bruce Preston Williams
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Publication number: 20040173651Abstract: A configurable roof rack apparatus includes storage surfaces movable between a first position that is generally coincident with a roof of a vehicle and a second position that is generally coincident with a side of a vehicle. The roof rack is formed with pivotally movable side rails that can be positioned in an upright position or in an inwardly collapsed position. The front and rear transverse rails are also pivotally positionable in a collapsed position to provide a substantially flat profile on the vehicle roof when the components are moved into the collapsed position and a basket-like structure when the components are moved into an upright position. Trim pieces are provided for interconnection between adjacent front and rear side rails to form the basket-like structure. A retractable trim piece is housed in one of the side rails and can be extended to engage the adjacent side rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: John Kim, Gordon Platto, Bruce Williams
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Patent number: 6783041Abstract: An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading of a bicycle assists an operator in loading a bicycle by fully supporting the weight of the bicycle while the operator positions and secures the bicycle to the bicycle rack for transport.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Ford, Noah Barlow Mass, Noel Ranka, Travis Steven Garland
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Patent number: 6772928Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose activity frame for a vehicle articulating roof rack system including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary top portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, and a rotatable bottom portion operable between a stowed vertical position and an open horizontal position received by the stationary top portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Ford, Noah Barlow Mass, Noel Ranka, Travis Steven Garland
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Patent number: 6766928Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The vehicle article carrier includes a liftgate striker connectable to the liftgate of the vehicle and a bumper striker connectable to the bumper of the vehicle. A first link is pivotally connected to the roof support structure of the motor vehicle and a second link is pivotally coupled to the first link. A locking assembly is coupled to the second link and is operable in a closed position to couple the second link to the bumper striker. In an opened position, the locking assembly releases the bumper striker in response to contact from the liftgate striker to enable the quick and convenient raising of the liftgate without the need to first unlatch the article carrier from the bumper.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: JAC Products Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Gerard J. Kmita, Milton J. Antonick
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Patent number: 6764268Abstract: To reduce the energy needed to unload and reload ladders from and onto the roof of utility vehicles, a ladder rack assembly has been devised which minimizes the movement of the center of gravity of the ladder load when going between a first position atop the vehicle to a second position along a vertical side of the vehicle. To achieve this advantage, the rear and front four-bar linkages are driven by a rotatable drive shaft such that a ladder support member of the front four-bar linkage is at a higher elevation than the ladder support member of the rear four-bar linkage when the two are aligned with the side of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Inventor: Avraham Y. Levi
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Patent number: 6761296Abstract: The present invention provides a convertible ladder and load platform including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary bottom portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, a removable top portion received by the stationary bottom portion, a frame received by the stationary bottom portion, and a plurality of rotatable steps operable between a vertically oriented ladder position and a horizontally oriented load platform position received by the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Ford, Noah Barlow Mass, Noel Ranka, Travis Steven Garland
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Publication number: 20040124221Abstract: On a roof rack fixedly connected with the vehicle roof, a so-called loading aid is arranged which, in a loading position, can be swung out inclinedly on the sides of the vehicle, so that bicycles or the like can be placed on this loading aid by means of corresponding transport fixtures and, after being fitted with the bicycles, the loading aid can be pushed back into a transport position onto the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicants: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Mont Blanc Industri ABInventors: Bernd Stadler, Dan Svenningsson
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Publication number: 20040118884Abstract: An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading of a bicycle assists an operator in loading a bicycle by fully supporting the weight of the bicycle while the operator positions and secures the bicycle to the bicycle rack for transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Michael Ford, Noah Barlow Mass, Noel Ranka, Travis Steven Garland
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Patent number: 6715652Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: JAC Products, Inc.Inventors: Gerard J. Kmita, Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Milton J. Antonick
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Patent number: 6712247Abstract: A roof rack for vehicles to facilitate the transport and unloading of cargo from a roof of a vehicle. The roof rack includes a plate for supporting a load that is mountable to a roof of a vehicle and has a plurality of slots. A plurality of mounting brackets releasably attaches the plate to the vehicle. A pair of actuator assemblies is rotatably couplable to each of the mounting brackets. Each of the actuator assemblies comprises an elongate main member, a plurality of elongate arm members, and a plurality of elongate support members. A lever member for rotatably biasing the actuator assemblies is releasably attachable to a rear end of each of the main members of the actuator assemblies. A plurality of securing members selectively secures the cargo to the top side of the plate. An elongate storage member for storing articles is mounted on the bottom side of the plate. A plurality of extension members facilitates guiding the cargo to a ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Inventor: William H. Fox
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Publication number: 20040052622Abstract: A vehicle has on its top a moveable stowage comprising a longitudinal member 10 on which is Mounted a transmission means 11 driven by a motive force 12 and an attachment means 14 by which the stowed item 15 is attached to and moved on to and off the stowage, the longitudinal member 10, propelled by a second transmission means 18 powered by a second motive force 19, moves on a base member 16 that is pivotally attached to a mounting 17, a third motive force 21 causing the base member 16 to pivot about the mounting 17 the total combined movements transporting the stowed item to and from the access position shown to and from a stowage position on top of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: AS Fire & Rescue Equipment Ltd., a United Kingdom limited corporationInventor: David Chisnall
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Patent number: 6705822Abstract: A loader for mounting an elongated load onto the roof an automobile includes an axle, a pair of wheels mounted on the ends of the axle, an elongated stabilizer bar, a pair of tie-down straps and a pair of vacuum cups. The stabilizer bar is centrally mounted on the axle and the tie-down straps are mounted on the axle between the stabilizer bar and the wheels. During use, the vacuum cups are attached to the rear windshield of an automobile, the end of the stabilizer bar bears against the rear windshield and the tie-down straps are attached to a convenient portion of the automobile. The front portion of the load is placed on the wheels and the back of the load is lifted and the load is rolled onto the roof of the automobile.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Lee S. Oldak
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Publication number: 20040047716Abstract: A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle is provided. The motorized ladder rack comprises a stationary front cradle, a pivotable and extendable rear cradle and a side rail. The rear cradle includes a motorized drive assembly which may be remotely controlled. The front and rear cradles are secured to the vehicle. The front cradle includes a support member, front and side guides removably secured to the support member and a side stop removably secured to the support member. The side rail is secured to the front and rear cradles and extends therebetween. The ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of the motorized drive assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: L&P Property Management CompanyInventors: John H. Hendley, John H. Fischer, Richard J. Renard
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Publication number: 20040026472Abstract: A vehicular utility rack apparatus having at least two frame members mounted on a vehicle to form a frame assembly. The at least two support arms are used for supporting a transported item. The two support arms also having a retainer assembly coupled to form a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly coupled to a rotational shaft for pivoting the carriage assembly. The rotational shaft coupled to an anti-friction assembly capable of reducing the amount of torque required to pivot the support arms from a position above the vehicle to a position adjacent the vehicle side.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Bradford Foo, Jose Villarreal
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Publication number: 20040028511Abstract: A carrier elevates a boat from water where it is floating to above an open box and roof of a pickup truck where it can be transported. The carrier also elevates a light vehicle that travels on land from the ground to above a truck for transport. The carrier has a frame which is mounted on the truck, a carriage adapted to carry the boat or light vehicle and a bed having a track on which the carriage slides. The bed is pivotal from a carrying position to a loading/unloading position. In the carrying position, the bed is above the truck and the track is in a generally horizontal position. In the loading/unloading position, the track is tilted downwardly toward the rear of the truck such that the carriage may slide downwardly on the track toward the rear of the truck to allow a boat or light vehicle to be loaded onto the carriage or discharged from it should the boat or light vehicle already be on the carriage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventor: Louis Richard Eaton
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Patent number: 6688428Abstract: A universal ladder lock and method for locking a ladder to a vehicular rack utilizes a mounting frame that may be secured to existing vehicular racks. Affixed to the mounting frame is a lock housing which slidably and rotatably supports an elongate lock arm. A hook is provided on one end of the elongate lock arm for hooking around a portion of one or more ladders. One or more stop elements are secured to the elongate lock arm for limiting longitudinal movement of the elongate lock arm. The stop housing provides one or more lock member supports which may be utilized to receive a locking pin, or a padlock. The locking pin or padlock prevents movement of the stop element affixing the elongate lock arm in a position with the hook around the ladder to thereby lock the ladder with respect to the vehicular rack.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Inventor: Elmer C. Carroll, Jr.
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Patent number: 6681970Abstract: A deployable roof mounted equipment rack apparatus especially suited for tall vehicles. The device contains a carriage that can be manually deployed from its horizontal position on the vehicle's roof to a near vertical position on either side of the vehicle using rollers guided by a fixed set of roof mounted tracks. The device is designed to accept commercially available equipment mounting hardware to allow attachment of various types of cargo. The carriage latches automatically when stowed on the rooftop tracks. The carriage can be removed from the vehicle once unlatched and readily collapsed to facilitate remote storage.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Inventor: James Michael Byrnes
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Patent number: 6679407Abstract: A moveable stowage for a ladder or other equipment on top of a vehicle comprises a stowage frame and an outer frame secured pivotally at its forward end. The moveable stowage may be releasably secured in the stowed position or held in an access position. The stowage frame is adapted to slide on at least one pivot assembly from a substantially horizontal stowed position to an access position, and the forward end of the stowage frame is pivotally connected to the outer frame in order to slide along the outer frame thus enabling the stowage frame to reach an access position approaching the vertical. Other embodiments are described, which assist in counter balancing the stowage frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: AS Fire & Rescue Equipment LtdInventor: Ian Weeks
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Publication number: 20030218037Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: Gerard J. Kmita, Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Milton J. Antonick, Brett J. Borella
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Publication number: 20030205597Abstract: The present invention provides a convertible ladder and load platform including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary bottom portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, a removable top portion received by the stationary bottom portion, a frame received by the stationary bottom portion, and a plurality of rotatable steps operable between a vertically oriented ladder position and a horizontally oriented load platform position received by the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ford, Noah Barlow Mass, Noel Ranka, Travis Steven Garland
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Publication number: 20030201288Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose activity frame for a vehicle articulating roof rack system including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary top portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, and a rotatable bottom portion operable between a stowed vertical position and an open horizontal position received by the stationary top portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ford, Noah Barlow Mass, Noel Ranka, Travis Steven Garland
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Patent number: 6634529Abstract: A rooftop rack for carrying bicycles, the rack comprising a base which is mounted on the vehicle roof, a pivotable arm connected to the base, the arm being moveable between a first upright storage position and a second outboard position, a first platform for carrying at least one bicycle, a winch mounted on the base, a cable extending from the winch to a distal end of the pivotable arm and to the first platform, the arrangement being such that when the pivotable arm is in the storage position, the platform is retained by the distal end of the pivotable arm while when the pivotable arm is in the second outboard position, the first platform can be released from the pivotable arm. The rack permits loading of the bicycles at ground level from where they can be moved by means of the winch to the stored position on the roof of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Inventors: Gilles Choiniere, Bernard Laplante
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Publication number: 20030175101Abstract: To reduce the energy needed to unload and reload ladders from and onto the roof of utility vehicles, a ladder rack assembly has been devised which minimizes the movement of the center of gravity of the ladder load when going between a first position atop the vehicle to a second position along a vertical side of the vehicle. To achieve this advantage, the rear and front four-bar linkages are driven by a rotatable drive shaft such that a ladder support member of the front four-bar linkage is at a higher elevation than the ladder support member of the rear four-bar linkage when the two are aligned with the side of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventor: Avraham Y. Levi
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Patent number: 6561396Abstract: A cargo carrier system includes at least one cargo carrier for use with a vehicle having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side and roof rack. The carrier includes a base adapted to be coupled to the roof rack and a cargo holder coupled to the base. In one exemplary embodiment, the base is pivotably coupled to the roof rack about an axis extending parallel to the first side. In one exemplary embodiment, the cargo holder is coupled to the base by a first link having a first end pivotably coupled to the base about an axis extending parallel to the first side and a second end pivotably coupled to the holder about an axis extending parallel to the first side. In another exemplary embodiment, the cargo holder is also coupled to the base by a second link having a first end pivotably coupled to the base about an axis extending parallel to the first side and a second end pivotably coupled to the holder about an axis extending parallel to the first side.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.Inventor: Casey A. Ketterhagen
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Publication number: 20030052145Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The vehicle article carrier includes a liftgate striker connectable to the liftgate of the vehicle and a bumper striker connectable to the bumper of the vehicle. A first link is pivotally connected to the roof support structure of the motor vehicle and a second link is pivotally coupled to the first link. A locking assembly is coupled to the second link and is operable in a closed position to couple the second link to the bumper striker. In an opened position, the locking assembly releases the bumper striker in response to contact from the liftgate striker to enable the quick and convenient raising of the liftgate without the need to first unlatch the article carrier from the bumper.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Gerard J. Kmita, Milton J. Antonick
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Patent number: 6523730Abstract: A locking assembly for securing a ladder to the roofrack of a vehicle. The locking assembly comprises a mounting bracket, a movable shaft slidably disposed in a channel defined in the mounting bracket, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a handle, a sheave attached to an end of the handle, and a bias spring connected between the mounting bracket and the handle, the spring biasing the handle so that the sheave extends through an elongated opening in the channel to engage the moveable shaft in order to prevent further sliding movement through the channel. The locking assembly can be adjusted to accommodate any size of ladder.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Inventor: Kent Anderson
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Patent number: 6523731Abstract: A bicycle-carrier device comprises a supporting member to be mounted in cantilever fashion on the back of a motor vehicle, for supporting a bicycle in an upright position and in a vertical plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The supporting member comprises two cradles for supporting the wheels of the bicycle, and an auxiliary arm for clamping the bicycle in position.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Inventor: Fabio Pedrini
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Patent number: 6520393Abstract: A vehicle cargo carrier including a cargo platform for placement of cargo thereon, the platform supported by a lower support base affixed atop a vehicle which allows the platform to be manually drawn laterally outward and then to be pivoted from generally horizontal into a tilt along side the vehicle for easier reach. Low-friction plastic strips mounted on surfaces of the cargo carrier provide low friction sliding of the platform on the support base. Low-friction lateral guidance plastic strips extending into the area of pivot studs maintain lateral alignment when the cargo platform is tilted relative to the support base. The pivot studs on which the platform tilts are intermediately or non-edgewardly positioned of the platform to allow placement of cargo on the cargo platform on each side of the pivotal axis so that the weight of the cargo is distributed to aid the user in tilting the platform back toward horizontal.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Inventor: Alan C. Ferguson
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Patent number: 6516984Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies at upper and lower ends thereof. The pivot assemblies at the lower end of the cargo supporting structure are detachably secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: JAC Products, Inc.Inventors: Gerard J. Kmita, Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Milton J. Antonick, Brett J. Borella
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Patent number: 6513849Abstract: A modular truck rack formed from a plurality of standardized preformed parts which are used along with several other parts that can be made in varying extensions, permits the interchange of the components in every rack, and the replacement of certain others to size up or size down the same rack to fit any size truck of the same type such as a pickup. An easily removable rear bar—no tools required—permits the truck bed of a pickup truck to carry tall upright items such as a refrigerator without the necessity of dismantling the rack other than the removal of the rear bar.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Inventor: Robert O. Carter
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Publication number: 20020185506Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Gerard J. Kmita, Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Milton J. Antonick
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Publication number: 20020179661Abstract: A rooftop rack for carrying bicycles, the rack comprising a base which is mounted on the vehicle roof, a pivotable arm connected to the base, the arm being moveable between a first upright storage position and a second outboard position, a first platform for carrying at least one bicycle, a winch mounted on the base, a cable extending from the winch to a distal end of the pivotable arm and to the first platform, the arrangement being such that when the pivotable arm is in the storage position, the platform is retained by the distal end of the pivotable arm while when the pivotable arm is in the second outboard position, the first platform can be released from the pivotable arm. The rack permits loading of the bicycles at ground level from where they can be moved by means of the winch to the stored position on the roof of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Gilles Choiniere, Bernard Laplante
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Patent number: 6467662Abstract: An article loading roller mechanism is disclosed. The loading roller permits one person to load or unload heavy articles such as ladders, pipes, lumber, canoes or kayaks. The roller is arranged in a fixed position so that the top of the roller is slightly below the top of the rear cross bar of the vehicle rack. The roller can be removably attached to a rear cross bar of a vehicle rack system by a clamping mechanism. The roller may be covered in part by a pliable scratch-resistant material. An article is loaded by placing a first end of the article onto the roller. The second end of the article is lifted, maintained at an angle such that the article does not touch the vehicle rack nor the vehicle, and is pushed toward the front cross bar of the vehicle rack. The roller reduces the loading friction and facilitates loading with a minimum of effort and time. When an article is in place on the vehicle rack front and rear cross bars, additional articles can be loaded in the same manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Inventor: Fernand LaRochelle
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Publication number: 20020125279Abstract: Apparatus and method for transporting a bicycle in a substantially upright orientation. The method includes positioning a bicycle in a carrier so that a wheel of the bicycle is located in a trap space of the carrier. The trap space is configured to maintain the bicycle in a substantially upright orientation when the wheel is located therein and the carrier is in a released configuration. This permits the operator to use both hands to secure the bicycle in the carrier. The wheel of the bicycle, and typically the front wheel, is fixed in the carrier by applying a squeeze force upon the wheel and thereby establishing a securing configuration of the carrier. Preferably, the squeeze force is imposed across a perimeter of the wheel and the actuators for imposing the squeeze force are positioned low enough to be within the typical user's reach, also referred to as the reach zone, when the carrier is mounted on the roof-top of a carrying vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Jeffrey R. Edgerly, William Fortune
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Publication number: 20020125281Abstract: A deployable roof mounted equipment rack apparatus especially suited for tall vehicles. The device contains a carriage that can be manually deployed from its horizontal position on the vehicle's roof to a near vertical position on either side of the vehicle using rollers guided by a fixed set of roof mounted tracks. The device is designed to accept commercially available equipment mounting hardware to allow attachment of various types of cargo. The carriage latches automatically when stowed on the rooftop tracks. The carriage can be removed from the vehicle once unlatched and readily collapsed to facilitate remote storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventor: James Michael Byrnes
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Publication number: 20020125280Abstract: Systems, including methods and apparatus, to facilitate loading a boat onto a vehicle. The systems include a load assist device mounted on a vehicle load carrier. The load assist device includes a support member that is stored substantially within a crossbar of the load carrier and telescopes outwardly from the crossbar to a deployed position. The support member may be returned to its stored position in the crossbar after the boat has been loaded onto the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventor: Scott R. Allen
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Publication number: 20020117523Abstract: A cargo carrier system includes at least one cargo carrier for use with a vehicle having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side and roof rack. The carrier includes a base adapted to be coupled to the roof rack and a cargo holder coupled to the base. In one exemplary embodiment, the base is pivotably coupled to the roof rack about an axis extending parallel to the first side. In one exemplary embodiment, the cargo holder is coupled to the base by a first link having a first end pivotably coupled to the base about an axis extending parallel to the first side and a second end pivotably coupled to the holder about an axis extending parallel to the first side. In another exemplary embodiment, the cargo holder is also coupled to the base by a second link having a first end pivotably coupled to the base about an axis extending parallel to the first side and a second end pivotably coupled to the holder about an axis extending parallel to the first side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: Old Town Canoe CompanyInventor: Casey A. Ketterhagen
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Patent number: 6431421Abstract: A ski rack with easy loading including a fixed support securable to the roof portion of the vehicle. A sliding support is slidably coupled with the fixed support. A ski support is secured to the central housing of the sliding support. A locking member prevents movement of the sliding support with respect to the fixed support.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Inventor: Bret Albert
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Patent number: 6427889Abstract: A rotatable ladder rack assembly for use on motor vehicles incorporates an improved lever mechanism for transferring a ladder load from the roof of the vehicle to a location alongside the vehicle and which allows the ladder rack assembly to be used on hi bay vans. A rotatable coupler is journaled for rotation about the ladder rack's connector rod and includes a slot of a predetermined arc length into which fits a pin passing diametrically through the connector rod. A lever of the first class is designed to pivot about a fulcrum and the shorter lever arm is linked to the rotatable coupler for applying a torque to the connector rod via the pin.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Inventor: Avraham Y. Levi
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Patent number: 6428263Abstract: A sliding and articulating roof rack adapted to be attached to a rack bar of a conventional roof rack that permits easy loading of an article holder attached thereto. A track attached to the rack bar has a sliding member therein permitting an arm to be moved co-axially along the track until extending out over the vehicle. The arm then pivots downward. The arm has an article holder attached thereto. By pivoting the arm downward, an article holder can be easily loaded with articles to be carried on the roof of a vehicle, such as skis or other items. In one embodiment of the present invention, an angularly fixed slide is slid co-axially with a track attached to a rack bar. A movable slide guide or track is then pivoted downward. A slide contained within the movable slide guide or track is then further extended further while in the downward pivoted position. This embodiment greatly facilitates the loading when vehicles are parked close to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Inventor: Thomas Schellens