Abstract: A resilient bumper assembly for use on such as for example on a ladder carrier or encapsulated cushion for cylinder shaped objects features a base member with an elongated trough formed therein and outriggers disposed at opposite ends of the trough. Each of the outriggers includes a horizontal arm, projecting toward the other outrigger. A hollow tubular resilient member which may be a length of a hose is inserted between the outriggers and held within the trough so that the arms project into opposite ends of the resilient member and retain it against transverse and lateral movement.The assembly is simple, convenient and economical to manufacture and use and can be adapted for use in a variety of applications requiring a bumper arrangement.

Abstract: A lock unit for a roof carrier having a crossbar for securely placing a carried object hereon, and a plurality of stands for placing the crossbar on a vehicle roof, including a pivotal cover rod having a first end for supporting the carried object sandwiched between the pivotal rod and the crossbar and which is pivotally supported on a first side end of the crossbar and a hook-like bent portion is provided at a second end of the pivotal cover rod, a lock member provided at a second side end of the crossbar.

Abstract: An automobile roof carrier (10) includes an elongated carrier bar (12) transversely extending across the roof (18) of an automobile. The carrier bar (12) is supported at each end by a fastening device (14) which is attached to a generally trough-shaped rain gutter (20) on a lateral border of the roof (18). The fastening device (14) includes a supporting leg (22) having an upper portion (24) connected to the carrier bar (12). The supporting leg (22) also has a lower portion (26) connected to the rain gutter trough (20). The lower portion (26) is pivotally connected to the upper portion (24) so that the lower portion has two degrees of pivotal movement relative to the upper portion. An interchangeable article carrier (16) is mounted to the top of the carrier bar (12).

Abstract: A ski rack member made to fit on a car top spanning member is disclosed. The car top spanning member is preferably a slotted bar with a female slot therein. The ski rack member has disposed on the bottom portion thereof a complementary and captured male protuberance for fitting within the female slot of the car top spanning member. The disclosed rack member preferably spans half the width of the car top and encloses three pairs of skis. Each ski rack member pivots in a clam shell disposition with upper and lower confronted members. The confronted members together form a hinge on one side, a lock mechanism on the other side and slots for the skis and poles defined at the confronted surfaces of the upper and lower members. Slots for a plurality--and preferably three--skis and poles are defined with a portion of each slot being defined by the upper rack member and the remaining portion be defined by the lower rack member. The slots for receiving the skis are canted, preferably at thirty-seven degrees (37.degree.

Abstract: A bicycle support device including a channel for receiving the wheels of a bicycle and a bicycle frame engaging structure for supporting a bicycle in a plane generally bisecting the channel with the wheels resting in the channel. A toggle type wheel engaging clamp is mounted on the channel and arranged to engage a bicycle wheel at a location above the channel and is movable to a clamp position in which it draws the wheel in a direction having one component toward the channel to firmly press the wheel in the channel and a second component lengthwise of the channel to aid in retaining the bicycle against movement longitudinally of the channel. The wheel engaging clamp is adjustable along the channel to accommodate different bicycles.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wind deflector for a scissors-type ski rack is disclosed. The wind deflector comprises a parabolic contoured deflector surface attached to a locking member having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration which is clamped by a scissor clamp of the ski rack. The deflector may be inexpensively manufactured, reduces wind noise and improves the appearance of the ski rack.

Abstract: A car rack adapted to be secured on the top of a car for carrying articles. The car rack comprises: a support base having end shoes resting on the top of the car near lateral edges thereof, resiliant means provided inside the support base and adapted to removably but solidly secure the support base on the top of the car, and carrying elements removably connected to the support base for carrying articles.

Abstract: A carrier has a pair of bodies mounted on a vehicle roof in spaced longitudinal relation. Each of the bodies is mounted on the roof by a strap extending through a transverse passage in the body and having a pair of gutter hooks, one fixed on the strap and the other adjustable on the strap, for engaging gutters on opposite sides of the vehicle. The upper wall of each of the bodies has a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal passages to support skis therein. Each of the bodies has a plate disposed thereabove and resting on the skis disposed in the longitudinal passages with the plate having a slot in each end to receive opposite ends of the strap. Ski poles may be supported on the upper surface of each of the plates and retained by the strap when the ends of the strap are clamped to each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automotive ski rack adapted to carry a multiplicity of pairs of skis. The apparatus is characterized by the provision of a frame adapted to be secured to an automobile roof, trunk deck or the like, a first pair of arms shiftable toward and away from the frame for clampingly supporting skis between the frame and said first set of arms, and a second set of arms pivotal toward and away from the first set of arms, whereby additional pairs of skis may be clamped between the sets of arms. The device, in accordance with a modification, is further characterized by the ability to remove the arms of the second pair where only small ski carrying capacity is desired, and by the provision of novel lock mechanism whereby a single locking device is adapted to retain the arms of both pairs in locked condition.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack comprises a rack frame and a releasable clamping device for releasably clamping a ladder thereto. The clamping device includes a clamp arm which is pivoted to a rigid support and operated by a crank mechanism by moving across a dead-center position to clamp the ladder in place. Clamping members are resiliently supported on the clamp arm to engage the ladder and exert a clamping pressure on it.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a rack construction as for carrying skis or the like on the roof or other exterior part of a vehicle. Plural pairs of skis are vertically clamped, back-to-back, by like pairs of relatively movable upstanding post members and a single lockable means carried by the rack is operative to selectively hold or to release a control member for releasing all post pairs in unison. The respective posts of each pair are capable of limited longitudinal displaceability and limited pivotal action, and the lockable actuator is operated to determine whether or not the posts of each pair are to be permitted their pivoted action.

Abstract: Ski holding apparatus is disclosed which comprises a rack for supporting a plurality of skis in a substantially common plane. The rack features pairs of holders arranged across the rack with the holders of each pair spaced apart along the rack so as to support at least one ski, or preferably a pair of skis at two spaced apart locations.The holders are adapted to support the skis in inclined positions in which the mean transverse plane of the skis is arranged at angle of 30.degree. to 60.degree. to said common plane.In this way the skis on the rack require less space. The rack can either be used on vehicle roofs, in ski rooms, or in storage spaces within vehicles. Each holder is conveniently closed by a closure member to retain the skis.Various types of closure are described in which the individual closures for each holder may be either resilient or rigid and may also be supported from a common clamping arm.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a car top ski rack of the type which is clamped to the rain gutters or edges of the vehicle roof by conventional metallic hooks and straps. A single unit is affixed to the vehicle roof and is provided with a plurality of sets of pivotal clamping arms with each set of clamping arms designed for securing a single pair of skis and poles. A single unit mounted transversely of the vehicle securely clamps skis and poles in place thus avoiding the necessity for a second unit spaced longitudinally of the vehicle from the first unit as in conventional ski racks.