Carrier Attached To Carrier Patents (Class 224/319)
  • Patent number: 5419479
    Abstract: A roof luggage carrier for an automotive vehicle includes a pair of rails running the length of the vehicle and at least one transverse carrier extending between the rails. A clamping device at each end of the carrier clamps the respective rail. The carrier is a hollow section with an open channel on its bottom. The clamping device includes a support jaw held stationary on the carrier and positioned on the side of the rack pipe toward the outer side of the vehicle. A swingable clamping jaw cooperates with the support jaw to clamp the pipe between them. The clamping jaw is positioned on the side of the pipe toward the middle of the vehicle. The clamping jaw is a double arm lever swingable around a pivot pin that is supported on the support jaw. The upper parts of both the support jaw and the clamping jaw extend through the longitudinal opening in the carrier and into the interior of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Happich Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Evels, Harald Brunner, Gerrit Fluss
  • Patent number: 5395019
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a universal equipment mounting device. It includes a portable utility container having a bottom, sides and a top and capable of being locked; a mount adapted for interlocking with the portable utility container, and a latch attached to either of the portable utility container or the mount and adapted to interact with the other of the portable utility container and the mount so as to releasably connect the portable utility container to the mount. The invention is further characterized in that one of the portable utility container and the mount contains a male counterpart of a male-female interlock and the other of the portable utility container and the mount contains a female counterpart of a male-female interlock. The device is adapted such that the portable utility container is slidable onto the mount and is further securable thereto by means of the latch. In preferred embodiments, a plurality of mounts is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: David Christensen
  • Patent number: 5381939
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo carrier structure is disclosed as including a rear supporting bumper having two upright members attached thereto and extending above the supporting bumper to a predetermined height, that is for most types of vehicles, in excess of the roof height of the vehicle. A connecting member is disposed between a first end of each of the upright members that is opposite to where each upright member is attached to the supporting bumper and is attached thereto. A pair of upper support members are included wherein a first end of each is attached to the first end of each of the upright members. A front connecting member is attached to each of the upper support members at a second end of each and is disposed parallel with the connecting member and is separated therefrom by the length of the upper support members. The connecting member, the front connecting member, and the two upper support members define in general a rectangular area that is disposed substantially on the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Clyde A. Tippets
  • Patent number: 5372289
    Abstract: A motor vehicle luggage compartment having a luggage rack element mounted to a bottom portion of the trunk lid. A storage module or piece of luggage is removably mounted to the luggage rack element and the storage module can be immobilized within the luggage rack element. The storage module is slid into and out of the luggage rack when the trunk lid is open but immobilized when the trunk lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault
    Inventor: Augustin Dachicourt
  • Patent number: 5360151
    Abstract: A vehicle-top carrier for bicycles which allows bicycles to be attached alongside the vehicle, then pivoted up to its top. A base is attached to the vehicle. A rack pivots from the base about a generally horizontal axis, between a vehicle-top carrying position and a loading position extending horizontally outward from the vehicle. A bicycle can be attached to the underside of the extended rack and pivoted to the vehicle top for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Richard A. Fine
  • Patent number: 5358162
    Abstract: A pair of rigid supports each have an upper slot and a lower slot. Strap brackets are adjustably mounted in the upper slots and support members are adjustably mounted in the lower slots. Straps extend around luggage and engage the brackets to retain the luggage in place. Stop members depend from the luggage and engage the supports. Spacer means is connected between the supports. Collapsible luggage includes a rigid bottom supporting U-shaped spring wire struts connected to one another by a connecting bar. A cloth shell is stretched over the bottom and the struts. Dividers are provided within the luggage. A rain cover includes overlapping waterproof portions. A one piece molded nose cone has a tapered forward surface to reduce wind resistance and includes a channel in its forward surface for receiving a strap. Flexible straps include a pair of strap portions each having one end connected to a rigid member and the opposite ends of the strap portions are connected to one another by a buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Richard Hill
  • Patent number: 5348207
    Abstract: A new and improved carrier apparatus for mounting on the roof of a vehicle. The apparatus of the invention includes a housing, magnetic mounts for connecting the housing to the vehicle and for supporting the housing in a horizontal orientation, and a drawer for sliding in and out of the housing. A pivoted connection is provided for connecting the drawer to the housing. The pivoted connection is located between the far end of the drawer and the housing and pivots the far end of the drawer with respect to the housing when the drawer is pulled out from the housing. The pivoted connection permits the drawer to hang down vertically from the horizontally oriented housing when the drawer is pulled out completely from the housing. The drawer includes walls which define a storage space. Partitions are located within the storage space for partitioning the storage space into a plurality of storage subspaces. When the drawer is retained in the horizontally oriented housing, the drawer is in the horizontal storage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Sylvester H. Frank
  • Patent number: 5303858
    Abstract: A mounting rack for pickup trucks that have a cargo bed with upstanding lateral side walls where the rack includes a pair of base forming rails adapted to be surmounted on the top fenders of the truck cargo bed, a pair of rigid frames attached centrally to the respective rails in a position upstanding from the side walls or top fenders of the truck cargo bed and at least one cross beam interconnecting the uppermost portions of the said rigid frames. The rack further includes cargo support cradles shaped like "U" shaped bail members carried by each of the rails and projecting laterally from the cargo bed of the truck to support bikes or other additional cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Brent A. Price
  • Patent number: 5288003
    Abstract: A car-top-transportable baggage carrier is particularly suited for use on aerodynamically streamlined cars which have no rain gutters. The carrier is made from a single continuous piece of material so that no seams or joinings in the material are produced in the face of the enclosure or the top and bottom surfaces. Weight distribution paneling within a load bearing floor pad inserted at the bottom of the carrier serve to distribute the weight of articles emplaced within the carrier, yet permit the carrier to be accordion folded for storage when not in use. Straps affixed to the top of the carrier are employed to secure the carrier in position on top of an automobile. The straps are equipped with innovative door head liner hooks which secure the carrier to the interior of the automobile adjacent the top of the car door. Releasable couplings permit rapid removal and replacement of the distal ends of the strapping as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Ron E. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5285941
    Abstract: A car storage system is disclosed which mounts to the ceiling of an automobile to provide storage for small items carried by a vehicle operator such as cassette tapes, compact discs, gloves, sunglasses, nasal tissue, and/or maps. The car storage system is adjustably mountable to the ceiling of an automobile such that any of the above items are easily within reach of a vehicle operator. The car storage system comprises a support member which is adjustable to any ceiling width and is mounted using pivotable flanges secured behind the trim molding normally placed about a vehicle's ceiling. A storage member which comprises a plurality of individual storage compartments is removably connected to the support member in order to provide the storage area for any of the above items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Paul L. Herrera
  • Patent number: 5284282
    Abstract: A device for loading, unloading and carrying a bicycle in an upright position on a motor vehicle roof provided with a pair of transverse carrier rails, comprising a shaped tube having its base pivotally connected to a support fastened to a first carrier rail, adapted to be rotated in a continuous manner from a lowered position for the engagement or disengagement of the bicycle frame, to a raised position for transporting the bicycle. There are further provided means for supporting and securing bicycle front wheel and bicycle frame, that are fastened to the second carrier bar and to the free end of the tube, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Almas s.r.l.
    Inventor: Alessandro Mottino
  • Patent number: 5275320
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roof luggage carrier for motor vehicles with roof railing having transverse girders (2) and a removable clamping assembly (3). The clamping assembly (3) includes supporting jaws (5) that can be inserted in a lower longitudinal slot (11) on the transverse girder (2), and of clamping jaws (6). The clamping assembly (3) is actuated by means of a clamping screw bolt (8) which extends inside the transverse girder (2) in its longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to achieve simple assembly and easy handling. In another preferred embodiment the longitudinal edges of longitudinal slot (11) are provided with longitudinal edges (12, 13) which are surrounded by longitudinal grooves in the supporting jaws (5) and clamping jaws 6, so that widening of the longitudinal slot (11) when tilting stresses occur is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Votex, GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Duemmler
  • Patent number: 5222707
    Abstract: A portable bicycle stand repair capable of being removably attached to a smooth and approximately vertical surface such as the side of a motor vehicle. The portable bicycle repair stand incorporates at least one suction cup capable of being removably and securely attached to a smooth surface such as a sheet metal or glass vehicle surface. The lower end of the bicycle repair stand rests on the surface of the ground. A rotatably attached bicycle frame clamp is used to securely and releasably grip a bicycle frame and allows the bicycle to be rotated into a desired position and locked into place. The portable bicycle stand optionally incorporates height adjusting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: David J. Myers
  • Patent number: 5181639
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for attaching a ski-box to a roof-rack. The apparatus includes at least one longitudinal adjustment rail which is attached to the bottom of the ski-box. The rail includes at least one load carrier clamp which is displaceable along the longitudinal adjustment rail to secure the longitudinal adjustment rail and ski-box attached thereto to a load carrier member of roof-rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: AB Formplast
    Inventor: Klas-Goran Kvanna
  • Patent number: 5149011
    Abstract: A system for correcting the distortion of the plane waves passing through the radome covering an antenna on a missile airframe by nutating the airframe, in both pitch and yaw to quantify the error in accordance with the nutation, and then determining the radome boresight error, and then correcting it in accordance with the solution of certain algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Harvey J. Gratt, Chris E. Geswender
  • Patent number: 5119980
    Abstract: A closure for the two hinged bars of a vehicle roof-mounted ski mount is formed from a rotatable catch or pawl secured to one of the bars and a toothed harpoon extending from the other. Engagement and disengagement of the pawl with the teeth on the harpoon is governed by a manually operated button, the pawl being spring-biased toward engagement with the harpoon. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the pawl and button are part of a removable insert which fits into an end cap on the upper bar of the ski mount, and the spring is a spring clip which holds the insert in place in the end cap while permitting it to rotate to engage or disengage the pawl with the harpoon which is on the lower bar, the spring clip also urging the pawl into engagement with the harpoon as well as immobilizing the harpoon once it has been engaged by the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Grim, Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 5108020
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying skis on a vehicle having a rear mounted wheel assembly. The wheel assembly projects further away from the rear of the vehicle than the skis held by the apparatus project away from the rear of the vehicle so that the wheel assembly will protect the skis against rear end collision impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventors: Jerry T. Patrick, Catherine A. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5067644
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a guard for racks that are used on cars and the like which comprise one or more elongated members comprised of a dense protective material such as styrofoam or foam rubber of a suitable thickness to ensure that the object to be placed on the rack will be protected. Each of the substantially elongated members comprises an upper outer surface with a recessed substantially concave inner surface capable of receiving and covering the horizontal bars of the guard. Attached to each end of the elongated member are attachment means for fastening the elongated member to the rack and which are also used to fasten one or more objects to the rack. Alternatively, objects may be attached to the guard through specifically configured straps for items such as skis, surfboards and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Robert A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5054673
    Abstract: A vehicle ski carrier system carries a plurality of skis oriented in a position inclined from the vertical. The ski carrier system includes hinged lower and upper arms, and ski carrier inserts attached to each arm. The ski carrier inserts have opposed, alternating flat holding members and curvilinear compression members. When the arms are opened, a pair of skis can be placed against a holding member on the lower arm, and when the arms are closed, an opposing holding member on the upper arm closes on the opposite side of the skis and the opposed holding members are then urged tightly together by the compression members. The ski carrier inserts are of a modular construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Rola Roof Racks International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dixon
  • Patent number: 4974766
    Abstract: A vehicle roof top carrier having a base which is secured removably to the roof rack of a vehicle. A hard, aerodynamically shaped cover closes over the base, thereby protecting the contents of the carrier from the elements. The base has a plurality of downwardly opened channels to enable the base to fit over the vehicle roof rack and in close proximity to the vehicle roof. Removable fastening devices, protectably disposed within the carrier, secure elements of the rack within the channels to hold the carrier securely and removably in place over the rack. Thus, when the cover, which can be locked to the base, is in its closed position, the means of attachment of the base to the vehicle roof rack is protected from access by unauthorized persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Sportstore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vince F. DiPalma, L. R. Niguet
  • Patent number: 4955519
    Abstract: The ski case is a slim depth rectangular container designed to store, transport, and act as an overall ski equipment handling device. The case has two relatively asymmetrical major components--the top being the closure component of a ski equipment storage device as well as a sled to enable the transport of skis, boots, poles, and other miscellaneous ski-related material from the vehicle parking lot to the base lodge or elsewhere without the inconvenience and difficulty associated with carrying such items on one's person. The lower half of the case acts as the support and pivot for the top half as well as the mechanism for carrying the ski case on a motor vehicle roof or trunk. The lower half has a quick disconnect male-female dovetail system for easy and rapid removal from the auto roof top. The two components are lined with a velcro attached foam rubber which acts as the frictional support and restraint of the ski case contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Keith E. Forrester
  • Patent number: 4936480
    Abstract: This fisherman's basket is designed to be supported on a bicycle rack of an automobile, so as to store bait, fish, meat and other articles that may be odorous and not desired in the interior of the automobile. Primarily, it consists of a frame with wire mesh openings that provide for ventilation of the interior of the basket. A ventilated cover is also provided that can be locked, and apertures are provided through the frame of the basket for receiving the bicycle support arms of the bicycle rack mounted on the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Mauricio C. Apostolo
  • Patent number: 4930671
    Abstract: A ski-carrier attachment is provided on its lower clamping part with two claws that open in opposite directions. It also has a third claw and plate for securing one of the claws. Mounting the ski-carrier attachment on the carrier bar of an automobile roof carrier is done by placing the ski-carrier attachment on the carrier bar at right angles thereto, so that the carrier bar lies between the two first-mentioned claws. The ski-carrier attachment is then turned through 90.degree. and locked in this position by the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Tittel, Eberhard
  • Patent number: 4887754
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for retaining a bicycle in the manner of a conventional bicycle repair stand, and which can be used in conjunction with a conventional sports rack attached to the roof of a car or van. The apparatus can be attached to the conventional bicycle sports rack which is attached to the roof of a car and therefore utilizes the car and the sports rack as the supporting body framework to hold and support a bicycle in any desired orientation. The apparatus comprises an elongated member whose exterior cross-sectional dimensions are slightly smaller than the interior cross-sectional dimensions of the elongated base of a conventional sports rack attached to the roof of a vehicle, and is fitted into the interior section of the elongated base of the sports rack and retained therein by a press fit. Additional portions attached to the elongated section support a clamping mechanism which can retain a portion of a bicycle such as the horizontal tube of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignees: Answer Products, Inc., Yakima, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Boyer, Steven J. Cole, Roger A. Gauvin, Joe C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4867362
    Abstract: The invention contemplates, as an article of manufacture, an article-retaining adapter unit which, without requiring tooling of any kind is securely and removably attachable to an installed rack bar on an automobile roof. The adapter unit may be one of several different adapter units, each of which is dedicated to a different specific purpose, for example, one adapter unit for carrying skis, and another for carrying a sailboard. In each case, the adapter unit comprises an elongate base bar, equipped with hook structure at one end for skewed inserting engagement to an existing rack bar, the skew being such that once the inserting engagement has been made, the elongate base bar can be manipulated to non-removable retention when brought into close parallel relation with the existing rack bar. And when thus oriented parallel to the existing rack bar, clamp structure at the other end of the base bar is firmly securable to the rack bar, to complete the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: The Shelburne Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Finnegan, Keith L. Prescott
  • Patent number: 4830249
    Abstract: A boat cradle and loading device attached directly to a roof carrier with two laterally positioned parallel horizontal support members the device including two parallel side members aligned along the sides of the vehicle top, to each of which are attached right triangle support boat members which are positioned to form a "V" shaped cradle, one to the front and one to the back for the hull of the boat to rest and the keel of the boat to rest directly on at least one of the horizontal carrier support members with a roller intermediately disposed on the top of one side member positioned such that the keel of the boat may ride on the roller to allow the boat to be pushed onto the top of the cradle device while pushing on the rear of the boat with the keel riding on the roller until the boat center of gravity passes the roller at which time the boat end can be swung around and the boat drops in to the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventors: Paul Mirenda, Kenneth R. Woolcock
  • Patent number: 4817838
    Abstract: A cargo-fastening unit for the roof-carrier is that in a roof-carrier having a horizontal bar being fixed on the roof top of a vehicle and also having a pivotal clamping bar being in parallel to the horizontal bar and being arranged to freely pivot so as to clamp and carry cargo between the bars, the horizontal bar and the clamping bar are respectively sectionalized into two parts at a suitable position to be joined by means of a detachable coupling bar, thereby providing a mechanism of simple construction but being able to change the length of the horizontal bar and the clamping bar in the lateral direction of the cargo as required according to the the width of the cargo so as to keep the cargo from loosening or injuring the cargo or falling off the vehicle due to severe vibrations or impacts applied on to the vehicle in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: PIAA Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kamaya
  • Patent number: 4733809
    Abstract: The present invention involves a removable ski rack for motor vehicles which includes a pair of vehicle mounting devices and a pair of ski holder devices along with a plurality of ski holders. The pair of vehicle mounting devices each includes a first strap which is long enough to cross over the width of a motor vehicle roof with roof fasteners attached to each end of that strap so that both ends can be secured to the vehicle. In addition, this first strap has a first set of VELCRO.RTM.-type filamentary fastening members located on at least a portion of its top. The pair of ski holder mounting devices each includes a second strap which has a second and opposite set of the VELCRO.RTM.-type filamentary type fastening members located on at least a portion of the bottom and situated so as to correspond to the VELCRO.RTM.-type filamentary fastening members that are located on the top of the first strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Mark S. Pursell
  • Patent number: 4728244
    Abstract: A combined car roof rack and two-wheel cart comprising two bars which are adapted to run across the top of the car. Each bar is provided at one end thereof with a rotatable roller which faces into the opening between the bars. On the two rollers, between the bars, there is mounted a rack frame whose two opposing frame elements have a C-form and engage with the rollers. For the frame elements having C-profiles there are provided mountable and dismountable service wheel devices, and for the rack frame there is provided a shaft which is capable of being swung from a position folded in under the rack frame to a position extending from the end of the rack frame near the rollers, which shaft serves as a support leg for the rack frame when this has been drawn out and over the side of the car top and swung down along the one side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Svend Stokkendal
  • Patent number: 4524893
    Abstract: A car top bicycle carrier in which a bicycle is supported in an upright, fully assembled position. There is a generally V-shaped trough into which the bicycle tires are placed and one or more straps for retaining the tires in the trough. A U-shaped stanchion is provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping the upper part of one of the bicycle wheels so as to retain the bicycle in an upright position and against movement longitudinally of the trough. The clamping mechanism can be adapted to bicycles with relatively large wheels and to bicycles with relatively small wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Yakima, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Cole
  • Patent number: 4516709
    Abstract: A vehicle article carrier for the horizontal body surface of an automotive vehicle comprising a cross member adjustably secured by clamping means and an article restraining member adjustably and removably mounted to the cross member and cooperable with the cross member to restrain articles disposed on the carrier. The article restraining member may also have additional article securing elements incorporated into its construction. A lock mechanism may also be readily incorporated into the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Inventor: John A. Bott
  • Patent number: 4501385
    Abstract: A cross rail for a luggage carrier system having a cross-section having a leading edge to diminish wind resistance and a longitudinally extending channel formed by the interior surfaces of the cross rail. The cross rail can be roll formed of two different materials, an outer skin of a more aesthetically pleasing material and an inner section of a relatively less expensive material. The cross rail is substantially hollow and includes a support for maintaining the cross rail from being crushed by normal loads incident to use with a luggage carrier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: John A. Bott
  • Patent number: 4497425
    Abstract: A vehicle roof carrier includes at least one elongated carrier member transversely mounted on the roof of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the carrier member defines a slit longitudinally extending between the opposing ends of the carrier member and has at least one enlarged area in communication with the slit. Plural mounting members each of which define an aerodynamically-sound forward surface are retained in the carrier member by a retaining clip. The retaining clip is generally U-shaped in configuration and includes terminal legs having engagement members which are registrable with the enlarged area. Furthermore, the mounting members define recessed surfaces so that when the retaining clip is positioned in the slit of the carrier member, the horizontal leg of the retaining clip will be seated in the recessed surface of each mounting member to thereby retain them in a predetermined position on the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Inventor: Ulrich Mobius
  • Patent number: 4469260
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting automobile roof top surfboard carriers of the type that has a pair of roof spans in parallel relationship fastened in the rain gutters, into ski carriers. A conversion unit having a metal tube with crimped ends, with several apertures for pin mechanisms in those ends, is bolted to each roof span. The metal tube has a U-bolt fastened at its center. A strip of hot rolled mild steel is slideably attached to each leg of the U-bolt. The strip of steel has a plate depending from one end. There are several apertures for pin mechanisms in the plate. The strip of mild steel has lengthwise shallow bow which is about one and a half inches deep at its maximum depth. Between the plate and the U-bolt aperture, a strip of high density rubber depends from the bow. The operator spreads the skis over the metal tubes of the roof spans and under the bowed strip of steel. He presses down upon the plate. The bows flatten over the skis. They become partially embedded in rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Inventor: Dennis M. Delahanty
  • Patent number: 4438878
    Abstract: An improved ski rack and carrier for transporting skis and ski poles. A vehicle roof rack is secured to the automobile and receives a removable carrier which supports and retains multiple sets of skis and ski poles. The ski carrier has two pairs of pivotal arms which pivot around a central frame member with the skis and ski poles retained between the pivotal members and the central frame member. There is a locking end member which secures the pivotal arms to each other and to the roof rack and is adaptable to lock the ski carrier separate and apart from the roof rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Inventor: Terence M. Heslop
  • Patent number: 4437599
    Abstract: The frame of a bicycle carrier, which is used on an automobile, is adapted to allow the carrying of a collapsed wheelchair. The wheelchair is supported by a bar under the hand grips and by a cable which is looped through the arm rests.In order to prevent having the hand grips jump off their support, two closely positioned parallel bars are used.One bar is a weight supporting bar, the other is a motion-limiting bar. The latter precludes the hand grips from jumping off the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Inventor: Harold G. Jordening
  • Patent number: 4428517
    Abstract: A vehicle luggage carrier is disclosed which includes a plurality of four stanchion members located one at each of the four corners of the luggage carrier; each of the stanchion members comprises upper and lower stanchion parts which may be fabricated of the same or different materials and which are secured to the associated vehicle roof by fastening elements which extend generally vertically downwardly through the stanchion parts into the roof surface. A utility bar may be associated with laterally aligned pairs of stanchion members and be secured to the rack by means of the same fastening elements securing the upper and lower stanchion parts to the vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Inventor: John A. Bott
  • Patent number: 4387840
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided which has improved luggage and rack assembly. Upon a flat surface of the vehicle, such as a trunk lid or roof, is mounted a luggage retainer sub assembly. The sub assembly includes a spaced parallel pair of substantially horizontal rails secured to and running across the upper surface of the vehicle top or trunk lid, and a first end plate disposed between and hinged to one end of the pair of rails and movable between a collapsed storage position between the rails and an operative about vertical luggage support position. The sub assembly also includes a second end plate hinged to the opposite end of the rails, comprising two hinged sections and movable between a collapsed position between the rails and an operative position in which one section is above vertical and the other section is parallel to and above the rails. Thus, a luggage space is defined into which male inserts from the two plates project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Inventor: Harry V. Popeney
  • Patent number: 4383628
    Abstract: A luggage rack which is mounted on the roof of an automotive vehicle and has two longitudinally extending parallel rod-shaped carriers and several traverses separably connected to and extending at right angles to the carriers. Each traverse has an elongated outer section and an elongated inner section which is telescoped into and is movable lengthwise and/or at right angles to the outer section. The sections of each traverse have intersecting sockets in the form of elongated open-ended slots receiving parts of the carriers so that the surface bounding the slots contact the respective carrier parts. Screws which extend through the outer sections and mate with nuts on or in the inner sections bias the sections of each traverse against each other and against the respective parts of the carriers to thereby fixedly hold the traverses in selected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Hiller Vertriebs-GmbH fur Fahrzeugteile
    Inventor: Rolf Hiller
  • Patent number: 4342411
    Abstract: A vehicle luggage carrier is disclosed which includes a plurality of four stanchion members located one at each of the four corners of the luggage carrier; each of the stanchion members comprises upper and lower stanchion parts which may be fabricated of the same or different materials and which are secured to the associated vehicle roof by fastening elements which extend generally vertically downwardly through the stanchion parts into the roof surface. A utility bar may be associated with laterally aligned pairs of stanchion members and be secured to the rack by means of the same fastening elements securing the upper and lower stanchion parts to the vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: John A. Bott
  • Patent number: 4335840
    Abstract: A rooftop carrier has features that allow it to carry fishing rods. The carrier in one embodiment has a wind deflector blade at the rear for deflecting wind down over the rear window of the vehicle to clean the window. The blade is hinged to the carrier and has a lock for locking the blade in the lower position. A number of tubes are mounted to the carrier, each having an open end set forward of the blade. These tubes are adapted to carry fishing rods. The blade prevents access to the grips of the fishing rods when it is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the carrier has an open top, serving also for carrying luggage. The tubes are clipped into the carrier and can be removed. In another embodiment, the carrier has a closed top that may be opened to provide access to the tubes. A rear wall opens for access to the ends of the rods. Holes in the forward end of the housing allow the rods to protrude out of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Inventor: Ben H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4278192
    Abstract: Set out herein are two bracket structures attachable to the roof rack of an automobile, where the bracket structures each include forked brackets conformed to receive both the skiis and the poles between the tines thereof. The brackets are adapted for sliding engagement into slotted clamps which are mounted on the roof rack. When engaged in the clamps, each of the brackets may be secured by a lock for secure transport. When removed from the clamps, each of the brackets forms an integral carrying assembly rendering the manipulation of the skiis and the poles convenient. Each of the brackets, furthermore, is conformed as a fork pivoted by one exterior tine and engaging by the other exterior tine to a base plate. This alignment of the forks can only be made upon the removal of the bracket assembly from the clamps, thus assuring a secure attachment which can only be released upon the release of a lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Frank Sazegar
  • Patent number: 4274569
    Abstract: A luggage case has one or more grooves in its sidewall. First and second mutually spaced mounting apparatus are affixed to the same sidewall. A vehicle mounted rack includes parts of such geometry and dimensions as to enable fitting receipt within the luggage case groove. First retention apparatus has an open groove within which the first luggage case mounting apparatus is slidingly received. Second retention apparatus is located spaced from the first and has a spring-loaded member for resiliently receiving the luggage case second mounting apparatus.The spacing and location of the various parts on the case and rack are such as to enable them to be simultaneously cooperatively engaged. In this manner, the luggage case is secured to the rack and preventing its movement in any direction. A key operated lock insures against theft of the case from the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Winter, John P. Sarbell
  • Patent number: 4274568
    Abstract: A luggage carrier mounted on the exterior surface of an automobile body surface is particularly adapted for the removable attachment thereto of conventional pieces of personal luggage which in turn have been modified so that they may be readily and dependently secured on the carrier but may be easily removed for their customary use as personal pieces of luggage. Further, the construction and arrangement of the luggage are such that personal luggage of different sizes may be accommodated with equal security for all luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Inventor: John A. Bott
  • Patent number: 4261496
    Abstract: An adjustable and removable ski rack for association with an automotive vehicle carrier is adapted to be releasably attached to a bracket slidingly positioned in a carrier track. The ski rack includes a removable key-operated lock for lockingly detachably pivoting an end of the rack to enable insertion or removal of skis. The bracket includes a disc for releasably locking the bracket anywhere along the length of the track. The disc is ratcheted in a preferred embodiment to prevent unintended loosening of the bracket and resultant movement of the bracket along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Four Star Corporation
    Inventors: Ray G. Mareydt, Daniel J. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 4249684
    Abstract: The invention provides an easily transportable, general purpose box which may be carried about by hand and then anchored to rails and locked in place. Once the lid is locked on the box, no one without a key can move the box from the anchor rails. The invention is primarily intended as a portable trunk for mounting on a truck; however, it may be used anytime that a box is to be mounted on a chassis, such as a toolbox mounted on a wheeled dolly, a toolroom shelf, or the like, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Le Roy Dombeck
  • Patent number: 4239137
    Abstract: A carrier and stand device for a boat, such as a canoe, and, in particular, a kayak and characterized by its structural advantages as well as for its versatility for use during any phase of the boat life from production to the user, including transportation, storage and display. This device includes a pair of transverse U-shape frames and connector rods allowing to disconnect the pair of frames and compactly store away the components during non-use. The frames are provided with sets of sockets and projections allowing positive stacking of a plurality of such devices in a number of different ways for convenience in storage and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Pierre Arcouette
  • Patent number: 4225069
    Abstract: An arrangement for the accommodation of winter sport equipment items, such as skis and accessories, e.g., ski poles and ski boots, on carriers secured to the roof of a motor vehicle. Two luggage-like containers disposed adjacent one another are thereby arranged on the carriers, of which one is provided on the inside with mounting supports for skis and is open toward the rear while the other is constructed for receiving ski poles and ski boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Breitschwerdt, Andreas Langenbeck
  • Patent number: 4217999
    Abstract: This invention relates to a skicase for transportation on the top or roof carrier of an automobile and comprises two separate parts, a top part and a bottom part, both with side walls and end walls. The top part surrounds with a rim overlapping and tightly fitted against the upper edge of the walls of the bottom part and has a front end with a nose for selflockingly engagement with the corresponding end of the bottom part, whereas the back end is provided with a lock for securing the two parts to each other. There is alos provided fastening means for securing the bottom part to the top carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Forsman Armerad Plast AB
    Inventor: Hans E. Forsman
  • Patent number: 4183452
    Abstract: The carrier is for supporting a fine harness or pleasure sulky from the tail gate of a horse trailer and comprises a pair of support members each of which may be of the same construction and disposed vertically and spaced from each other along the tail gate. Each support member includes a main support brace having an interlocking bracket disposed therealong and fitting over the top edge of the tail gate to provide the main support for the brace. The bottom end of the support brace is preferably removably secured in a bracket on the bottom of the tail gate. Depending on the type of buggy being carried, one or more U-shaped arcuate wheel holders extend from the support brace for accommodating a wheel of the buggy. The buggy is also preferably strapped into the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Inventor: Walter F. MacDonald, Jr.