WO1999038726A1

WO1999038726A1 - A securing device

Info

Publication number: WO1999038726A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Perry John Underwood
Original assignee: Perry John Underwood
Priority date: 1998-02-02
Filing date: 1999-02-02
Publication date: 1999-08-05
Also published as: AUPP159898A0

Abstract

A device for securing a load to a surface of a vehicle comprises a housing (10) carrying means (18) for holding the load and containing at least one permanent magnet (38) producing magnetic flux for fixedly securing the housing in a desired position on the surface. The device further has a resilient rubberised base cover for contact with the surface to inhibit damage of same and screw means (26, 28) enabling the movement of the magnet (38) relative to the housing. Movement of the magnet towards the base cover increases the magnetic flux at the base to clamp the device to the vehicle. Subsequent screwing of the magnet away from the base decreases the intensity of the magnetic flux to allow removal of the device from the surface.

Description

- 1 -

A SECURING DEVICE

Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to a device for enabling a load to be quickly and easily secured to a roof of a vehicle so that the load can be transported to a desired designation on the vehicle. The device is secured to the roof with the use of a magnetic field and so can be positioned substantially anywhere on the roof deemed appropriate. Background Of The Invention

A variety of magnetic latches are conventionally known and find domestic applications such as latches for draws and cupboard doors. Other magnetic latch type arrangements have also been developed such as is described in Australian Patent No. 596056 which relates to a magnetic latch assembly suitable for use with a windsurfer support harness.

The device disclosed in that patent comprises a support body for attachment of straps of the harness and which has mounted therein a permanent magnet that contacts a metal disk carried on an attachment plate to thereby secure the attachment plate to the support body. The attachment plate has a hook for connection of the device to a tether hanging from the wishbone of the windsurfer board. When the harness is worn by the user and the device is secured to the tether, the user is able to lean backward relative to the board to counter the pull of the sail in use. The magnet is able to be withdrawn from the attachment plate relative to the support body to effect the release of the attachment plate and hence allow the user to free him or herself from the windsurfer. Magnetic coupling devices are also known in industry and electromagnets in particular are used for effecting the coupling of electrical contacts in control systems. Magnets also find use in lifting applications and electromagnets are commonly used with overhead cranes for lifting of steel billets and other steel materials. A permanent magnet lifting device is disclosed in Australian Patent No.

533874. That device comprises a pair of ferrite magnets each being held above a - 2 - fixed pole piece, respectively. A moveable pole piece is arranged between the permanent magnets for being raised or lowered between the magnet and fixed pole pieces to effect clamping of the device to sheet metal to be lifted or alternatively, the release of the device from the sheet metal. When in the lowered position, the moveable pole piece is pressed against a metal insert of a low retentivity in a plate covering the base of the device and which is formed from a non-ferrous metal. For efficiency, the gap between the movable pole piece and the magnets must be kept to a close tolerance.

When fixing a load to a roof of a vehicle roof racks are commonly used. Such roof racks may either be of the rigid type having clamps for being clamped to gutters formed along side regions of the roof to fixedly hold the rack in position, or of the soft type comprising brackets for being hooked around opposite sides of the roof and straps between which the load is positioned prior to the straps being tensioned to thereby secure the load. However, there is least a risk of damage to the roof with the use of the clamps of the rigid type roof racks. The positioning of both types of racks can also be time consuming and in many instances, users tend to leave rigid roof racks in position for some time after use as they are bothersome to remove. Indeed, modern vehicles may not be provided with roof gutters and accordingly, various roof rack designs are required for different vehicles. Summary Of The Invention

In one broad form, the invention relates to a device for use in securing a load to a surface of a vehicle to enable transporting of the load on the vehicle. The device comprises: a housing for holding the load on the surface; at least one permanent magnet producing magnetic flux for fixedly holding the housing in a desired position on the surface, and being held within the housing; a base cover for contact with the roof to inhibit damage of same when placed thereon and for inhibiting entry of detritus into the housing; and - 3 - moveable means for enabling the density of the magnetic flux at the base cover to be altered.

The moveable means is moveable relative to the housing to cause the density of the magnetic flux at the base cover to be increased such that the housing is thereby held in the desired position when placed on the surface of the vehicle on the base cover. Movement of the moveable means in an opposite direction decreases the intensity of the magnetic flux to allow the removal of the device from the surface. The surface will usually be the exterior of the vehicle's roof. The moveable means will generally comprise a backing plate located within the housing and which carries the magnet or magnets on an underside thereof, the backing plate being moveable from a first position whereby each magnet is distanced from the base cover, to a second position where each magnet is arranged immediately adjacent to the base cover. Typically, each magnet will be held directly against the base cover when the device is held in position by the magnetic flux. The backing plate may be formed from a material able to be flexed when in the second position to allow one or more of the magnets to be tilted from their usual orientation so as to lie substantially flushly with respect to the surface of the vehicle, and which is capable of substantially returning the titled magnet or magnets to their usual orientation when withdrawn away from the base cover. Preferably, the backing plate is formed from a magnetic material and most preferably, a spring steel.

The moveable means may also comprise one or more rotatable members received by and being rotatable relative to the housing for causing the backing plate to be moved between the first and second positions.

Preferably, each magnet is bonded to support means formed from a magnetic material such as mild steel, said support means being fixed to one side of the backing plate. Usually, the support means will be adapted to direct the_, magnetic flux in a direction toward the base cover and hence the roof, and thereby assist in the holding of the device to the surface. . 4 .

The device may also comprise securing means for enabling the load to be secured to the housing. The securing means can be a bracket secured to or otherwise mounted on or connected to the housing. Alternatively, the securing means may be formed to receive an end region of a tether allowing the tether to be tensioned and so facilitate the securing of the load to the surface. In yet another form, the securing means may be a bar connected at one end to the device and at an opposite end to a substantially identical device.

By using magnetism to hold the device in position, the device can be located at any one of a number of positions over the surface. Moreover, the securing of the device to the surface can be achieved relatively quickly and the device can just as easily be moved from the surface when not required.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to the skilled addressee from the following description of a number of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Preferred Embodiments Of The Present Invention

Figure 1 is a side view of a securing device embodied by the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the securing device shown in fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the securing device shown in fig.l;

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional side view of another securing device embodied by the present invention;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the securing device shown in fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a motor vehicle having a plurality of securing devices as shown in fig. 4 held on its roof;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a further securing device embodied by the present invention;

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the securing device shown in fig. 7

Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another securing device embodied by the present invention; Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a still further securing device;

Figure 11 is a plan view of a motor vehicle having securing devices as shown in fig. 10 held on its roof; Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a still further securing device embodied by the present invention;

Figure 13 is a partial longitudinal view of a securing device similar to that shown in fig. 12;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a motor vehicle having securing devices as shown in fig. 12 secured to its roof; and

Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another securing device embodied by the present invention; and

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating moveable means of the device shown in fig. 14. Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments Of The Present Invention

The securing device shown in fig. 1 has an outer housing 10 formed from a substantially non-magnetic material and moveable means in the form of a bolt 12 extending into the housing and having an enlarged head 14. A base cover 16 is formed from a resilient rubberised material for reducing sliding of the device when placed on the surface of a vehicle and seals the interior of the housing to inhibit the entry of detritus into the housing from the environment. Securing means in the form of a bracket 18 with a slot 20 for reception of an end region of a tether such as a strap or rope is held in position on the housing by spigot 22 which receives threaded shaft 24 of bolt 12. As indicated in fig. 2, the housing 10 is cylindrical in form and the bolt is located substantially centrally on the housing. The slot 20 provided in bracket 18 is spaced clear of the head 14 of bolt 12 to allow it to readily receive the tether in the use.

The view of the device illustrated in fig. 3 shows the male thread 26 of the bolt 24 engaging a female thread 28 defined in bore 30 of spigot 22. The spigot in turn has a male thread 32 engaging a female thread defined in aperture 36 extending through the housing 10, and is tightened or otherwise fixed in position so as to remain stationary upon rotation of the bolt. A permanent rare- earth magnet 38 is secured on end 40 of the shaft 24 of the bolt by a washer 42 held in position by circlip 44 seated within a groove 46 defined in the bolt. In use, the device is placed on the roof of a vehicle such as a motor car on its base cover 16, and bolt 12 rotated with respect to housing 10 to cause the magnet 38 to move towards the base cover 16. The lowering of the magnet increases the density of magnetic flux produced by the magnet at the surface of the roof to an extent such that when substantially fully lowered and pressed against the base cover 16, the magnet fixedly holds the device on the roof. The base cover 16 also acts to inhibit scratching and damage in general to the roofs paint surface when the magnet is in the lowered position.

In order to remove the device from the vehicle it is simply a matter of withdrawing the magnet 38 by rotating the head 14 of bolt 12 in an opposite direction to decease the density of the magnetic flux at roofs surface and so release the hold on the roof exerted by the magnet.

Fig. 3 also shows that a number of grooves 48 are formed in the outer surface of base cover 16 to inhibit movement of the device across the surface of the roof while the device is being positioned thereon. The device illustrated in fig. 4 is provided with an even number of permanent magnets 38 arranged in a circular configuration around bolt 12. Each respective magnet is surrounded by a bed of flexible polyurethane 52. The magnets are bonded to the bed 52 which in turn is bonded to a spring steel backing plate 54. The backing plate will generally have a thickness of about 2mm or greater.

The upper face 38a of each magnet is in direct contact with backing plate 54 forming a magnetic circuit with the backing plate. This assists in maintaining the magnets in fixed positions relative to one another by virtue of the attraction of the magnets to the backing plate. Generally, however, the upper 38a and lower faces 38b of the magnets will be coated with a thin film of polyurethane or suitable epoxy bonding agent to inhibit corrosion. For reasons not entirely - 7 - understood, tests have indicated that an enhanced hold may be achieved on the roof of the vehicle when the thin film is present between the magnets and the backing plate. The vehicle's roof completes the magnetic circuit when the device is placed thereon and the magnets are lowered into contact with the base cover 16 of the device.

The magnets are arranged such that magnetic poles of the magnets face the backing plate 54, wherein the poles of consecutive magnets are opposite to one another to intensify the magnetic field available for securing the device to the vehicle's roof. That is, the orientation of magnetic poles of the magnets are opposite from magnet to magnet with progression around the bolt 12.

As more clearly indicated in fig. 5, the provision of slits 58 in the backing plate 54 enables fingers 56 of the plate to flex substantially independently of one another. Accordingly, the magnets can be tilted relative to the shaft 24 of bolt 12 to accommodate some curvature or unevenness of the surface of the vehicles roof. This ensures that the lower face 38b of each magnet is able to be orientated relatively flushly with respect to the roof surface under each respective magnet to maximise the hold exerted by the magnets. When the magnets are withdrawn into the interior of the housing away from the base cover upon rotation of bolt 12, the spring action of backing plate 54 acts to return the magnets and polyurethane sheet 52 to substantially horizontal resting positions relative to the bolt's shaft.

The device of fig. 4 also differs from that of fig. 3 in that the magnets 38 are able to be raised or lowered relative to the bolt with rotation thereof by virtue of the threaded engagement of a nut 60 fixed to backing plate 54 and encased in polyurethane bed 52, with the male thread 26 of the bolt. Rotation of the magnets about bolt 12 is inhibited by the reception of guides 62 of the housing 10 in guide grooves 64 defined in the backing plate 54 and the polyurethane bed. As can be seen, in this instance the bolt is not threadably engaged with spigot 22 and is secured against upward or downward movement through the spigot by circlips 66 received in corresponding grooves defined in the bolt. Accordingly, the bolt is restrained against axial movement when it is rotated in contrast to that - 8 - of fig. 3 which moves axially relative to the housing when rotated. The shaft of the bolt 12 of the fig. 4 device is also provided with a foot 68 in contact with the base cover 16 for limiting movement of the nut 60 along the bolt.

A number of devices of the type shown in fig. 4 holding a net in position on a vehicle's roof is illustrated in fig. 6. Corner tethers of the net 65 are tied to brackets 18 of the devices and the net overlies a load received in a tray (not shown).

The device shown in fig. 7 has an elongate housing 10 and number of linearly arranged and spaced apart magnets 38. This embodiment again has a polyurethane bed 52 in which the magnets are located and to which the magnets are bonded as well as a backing plate 54, and so operates in the same manner as the device of fig. 4 except that the backing plate 54 is in the form of a strip as is more clearly shown in fig. 8, and that in order to raise or lower the magnets within housing 10 two bolts 12 are provided. The magnets are also arranged such that magnetic poles of the magnets are orientated toward the backing plate alternately therealong. A bracket for enabling the load to be secured to a vehicle roof in use is not shown.

The device shown in fig. 9 is provided with a bracket 70 for receiving and tightly holding fishing rods within respective spaces 72. The bracket 70 has a top member 74 swingable about hinge 76 to enable the fishing rods to be laid across the device each within one of spaces 70, respectively. The bracket is also provided with a latch indicated by the numeral 78 for enabling the top member 74 of the bracket to be locked against bottom bracket member 80 in a closed position. In this instance, the magnets 38 are arranged in a substantially linear manner along the backing plate 54 which is pivotable about pivot pin 82 to which one end of the backing plate is secured upon rotation of bolt 12. Nevertheless, the backing plate 54 and polyurethane bed 52 are still able to flex to accommodate some curvature or unevenness in the surface of the roof of the vehicle to allow maximum hold on the roof to be exerted by the magnets. The bolt 12 of the fig. 9 device is also provided with a key operated lock assembly indicated by numeral 83 for inhibiting unauthorised use of the securing device. The lock assembly may be any conventionally known assembly of the type having a swingable tab or the such like for engagement with plunger switch 84. When unlocked, inward movement of the plunger 86 is inhibited. When locked, locked, the plunger 86 is free to be pressed into the switch with raising of the magnets by rotation of the bolt 12. When this occurs, an electrical circuit including battery 88 and alarm 90 is closed causing the alarm to sound. Generally, openings will be provided in the housing for escape of the sound. The sounding of the alarm may be stopped by opposite rotation of the bolt allowing plunger 86 to move outwardly from the switch under the action of a spring force. As will be appreciated, the arrangement is such that only minimal raising of the magnets from the base cover 16 is needed for the alarm to be activated. Generally, the magnets will still exert a substantial hold on the roof of the vehicle on the sounding of the siren so that significant force is needed to lift the securing device from the roof of the vehicle at that point. The device shown in fig. 10 is connected to a bracket 92 of one end of a roof rack 96. A corresponding device is connected to another bracket 92 provided at an opposite end of the roof rack. A pair of spaced apart such roof racks 96 are shown secured to the roof of a motor vehicle 98 by the respective securing devices in fig. 11. The load is able to be secured to the roof racks 96 in any conventionally known manner.

Yet another form of roof rack is shown in fig. 12. In this instance, the roof rack is not provided with a support bar 100 as in the fig. 11 roof rack. Rather, the securing device itself acts as the support bar on which the load is placed in use. As is generally indicated in the figure, each end 102 of the backing plate sections 54 is wrapped around a pivot pin 104 to thereby form a hinge. The pivot pin 104 is fixed in position relative to housing 10. An opposite end 106 of each backing plate section rests on a cam surface 110 of an inner end 112 of a stiff curved arm 114 formed from a substantially non-magnetic material and which protrudes a distance under the backing plate. Each arm 114 is rotatable about respective pivot pins 116 from an open position indicated in solid outline whereby the load is able to be placed on the housing, to a securing - 10 - position indicated in phantom outline whereby the arms fixedly hold the load in position on the housing 10 of the securing device.

The backing plate sections 54 are received in recesses of cams 118 carried on the sides of inner ends 112 of the arms and which rotatably receive pivot pins 116. Upon movement of the arms 114 from the open positions to the securing positions, the backing plate sections pivot about pivot pin 104 as magnets 38 move downwardly as a result of the attraction of the magnets to the roof of the vehicle to positions whereby they press against the base cover 16. The cams 118 do not act on the backing plates to press the magnets against the base cover but act in concert with the cam surfaces 110 of the arms to raise the magnets from the base cover with rotation of the arms from the securing positions to the open positions. Accordingly, the recesses of the cams 118 are wider than the thickness of the backing plate 54. Inadvertent rotation of the arms under the attraction of the magnets for the roof of a vehicle when the device is placed is thereon may be inhibited by friction contact of the arms with pivot pins 116 and any suitable spring arrangement for restraining such movement.

As will be understood, the magnets are consecutively lifted from their hold on the roof of the vehicle in a direction from each arm 114 toward pivot pin 104 such that the strength with which the device is held in position in use by the magnets is proportionately decreased with continued rotation of the arms. To allow movement of the arms, upright slots 120 are formed in ends of the housing through which the arms protrude.

A modification of that device is illustrated in fig. 13. In this instance, a cam 118 is not associated with each arm and the raising of the magnets away from the base cover is achieved solely by the arrangement of cam surfaces 110 of the arms under backing plate sections 54 and interaction thereof with same. In addition, rather than the arms protruding through slots located at each end of the device, the slots are formed in the upper wall of the housing 10. Although not shown, key operated lock assembly 83 may also be provided on or in association with each arm and which are mechanically coupled with plunger switches 84 for inhibiting theft of the device from the roof of the vehicle may - 11 - also be provided. The arms may also be provided with close fitting boots that are secured over slots 120 of the housing to inhibit the entry of water and detritus into the housing. The arms may also have brackets or slots provided on their outer end regions for a strap to be tied or received by them for being tensioned over load carried on the housing 10.

A surfboard secured on a vehicle's roof by a pair of devices of the type shown in fig. 12 is illustrated in fig. 14. Rather than being orientated along the length of the roof as are the devices illustrated in fig. 10, the present devices are arranged in a transverse direction across the roof. Yet another device is shown in fig. 15. This embodiment is similar to that shown in fig. 9 except that support means 122 in the form of an elongate mild steel casing to which the magnets are bonded and from which they protrude, is provided. The casing is bonded to the backing plate 54 by a thin film of a suitable bonding agent such as epoxy resin and the magnets are again embedded in polyurethane with which the casing is filled.

As is more clearly shown in fig. 16, the opposite side walls of the support are slit 128 between adjacent magnets to facilitate flexing of the casing when the magnets are lowered so as to be in contact with the base cover 16 and thereby allow tilting of the magnets from their usual position to accommodate some curvature or unevenness in the roof surface. The spring steel backing strip 54 acts to assist the return of both the casing and magnets to their usual position following the lifting of the magnets from the base cover 16.

As mild steel has a lower reluctance to magnetic flux then spring steel with a higher carbon content as used in devices described herein, the presence of the casing has been found to enhance the strength with which the device is able to be held on the vehicles roof by the magnetic flux produced by the magnets. In this regard, the orientation of the opposing side and end walls of the casing generally indicated by the numerals 124 and 126 direct magnetic flux in the direction of the base cover to maximise bonding of the device to the vehicle in use. Rather than all the magnets being arranged in a single casing, each magnet may be located within individual casings, one to each, respectively. - 12 -

The particular device shown is also provided with a switch 128 for indicating lifting or movement of the device relative to the roof and which is connected to alarm 90 to effect operation of same should such lifting occur. The switch may be a suitable conventionally known movement sensitive switch, optic switch, or Hall effect switch for detecting a change in magnetic field as would occur with lifting of the device from the roof. A solar cell 130 may also be situated exterior of the housing 10 for providing a power source to the switch and/or for recharging battery 88, as indicated. Such electric circuits are conventionally known and so will not be further described. The strength required of the rare earth magnets required in devices in accordance with the invention can be readily determined by trial and experimentation Rare earth magnets of the neodymium iron boron type are particularly preferred.

In the embodiments shown, the housing 10 generally has a constant cross section in the upright direction. In other forms, the housing 10 may have an external diameter at a lower region of the housing that is less than that at an upper region of the housing so that a tether such as a strap or rope for securing the load on the roof is retrained around the reduced diameter region against sliding up and off the device when the tether is tensioned around the housing in use. Auxilliary electromagnets selectively connectable to a vehicles battery by any suitable means may also be provided within the housing of devices of the invention for supplementing the holding provided by the or each permanent magnet.

In related devices, the or each magnet may be maintained in a fixed position within housing 10 and one or more pole pieces formed from suitable material for carrying magnetic flux are able to be moved relative to the housing to increase the intensity of the magnetic field at base cover 16 to cause such devices to be held on the roof. The pole pieces may also have tiltable feet to allow for curvature or uneveness in the surface of the vehicle's roof as is generally described above. - 13 -

Accordingly, although the present invention has been described hereinbefore with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, the skilled addressee will understand that numerous variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

- 14 -The Claims Defining The Invention Are As Follows:

1. A device for use in securing a load to a surface of a vehicle to allow transporting of the load on the vehicle, comprising: a housing for holding the load on the surface; at least one permanent magnet producing magnetic flux for fixedly holding the housing in a desired position on the surface, and being held within the housing; a base cover for contact with the surface to inhibit damage of same when placed thereon and for inhibiting entry of detritus into the housing; and moveable means for enabling the density of the magnetic flux at the base cover to be altered; wherein the moveable means is moveable relative to the housing to cause the density of the magnetic flux at the base cover to be increased such that the housing is thereby held in the desired position when placed on the surface of the vehicle on the base cover, and to subsequently decrease the intensity of the magnetic flux to allow the removal of the device from the surface.

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising securing means for enabling securing of the load to the housing.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the moveable means comprises at least one rotatable member received by and being rotatable relative to the housing to cause the or each said magnet to be moved toward the base cover to thereby increase the density of the magnetic flux at the base cover, or to be moved away from the base cover to decrease the density of the magnetic flux.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the moveable means comprises a backing plate located within the housing and carrying the at least one magnet, the backing plate being moveable from a first position where the or each said magnet is distanced from the base cover, to a second position where the or each said magnet is arranged immediately adjacent to the base cover.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein one or more of the magnets are capable of being tilted from a usual orientation when the backing plate is moved - 15 - to the second position to thereby lie substantially flushly relative to the surface of the vehicle, and wherein the backing plate is capable of being flexed upon the tilting of the magnet or magnets and is formed from a resilient material for returning the titled said magnet or magnets substantially to their usual orientation when withdrawn from the base cover.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the backing plate is formed from a magnetic material.

7. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the moveable means further comprises at least one rotatable member received by and being rotatable relative to the housing for causing the backing plate to be moved between the first position and second positions.

8. A device according to claim 7 having a pair of rotatable members spaced apart from each other across the housing, and wherein the backing plate extends from one of the rotatable members to the other.

9. A device according to claim 4 having a plurality of magnets spaced apart from each other along the backing plate.

10. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 having a plurality of said magnets and wherein the magnets are arranged around a said rotatable member.

11. A device according to claim 9 wherein the backing strip is pivotable at one end about a pivot located within the housing.

12. A device according to claim 9 wherein the backing plate comprises a pair of plate sections arranged end to end with respect to each other and which are secured to a pivot located therebetween, and wherein the plate sections are pivotable about the pivot.

13. A device accordingly to claim 10 wherein the backing plate has a number of fingers each carrying a said magnet respectively and each finger is capable of being flexed relative to each other said finger, and wherein the backing plate acts to return each finger to a resting position following being flexed.

14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the or each said magnet is bonded to support means formed from a magnetic material and fixed to one side of the backing plate. - 16 -

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the support means is formed to direct the magnetic flux in a direction toward the base cover.

16. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the or each magnet is embedded in and bonded to a resilient material for inhibiting the or each said magnet from becoming displaced within the housing.

17. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the securing means is a bracket secured to the housing.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein the bracket is adapted for clamping the load to the housing or for enabling the load to be otherwise secured to the housing.

19. A device according to claim 17 wherein the securing means comprises at least one arm extending from the housing and which is pivotable relative to the housing from an open position whereby the load is able to be placed on the housing, to a securing position whereby the arm lies over the load and thereby secures the load to the housing. .

20. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the securing means comprises a pair of arms extending from the housing and which are pivotable relative to the housing from open positions whereby the load is able to be placed on the housing, to securing positions whereby the arms lie over the load and thereby secure the load to the housing, and wherein the backing plate is to moveable between the first and second positions when the arms are pivoted between the open positions and the securing positions.

21. A device for use in securing a load to a surface of a vehicle and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings.