AU2011100020A4 - Slider rack - Google Patents

Description

Page 2 FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a sliding roof rack for motor vehicles and camper trailers. The Slider Rack Storage Rack is a roof rack system that slides off the roof and down the side, or back of a vehicle to allow for easy loading and retrieving of equipment. Slider Rack is unique in that it assists the user with lifting the stored equipment back onto the roof of the vehicle via the aid of a gas shock system. The storage area where equipment is placed can be an enclosed cage, box or a flat bed. BACKGROUND TO INVENTION I designed Slider Rack because on more than one occasion I injured my back while lifting equipment above my head to put it onto the roof of my vehicle. Slider Rack eliminates this problem because the area that is used to store the equipment slides off the vehicle to a waist-high level, therefore reducing the height to which equipment has to be lifted in order to be placed in the storage area, thus reducing the risk of back injuries. Conventional roof racks require one to either climb on the roof of the vehicle or use a ladder to access the storage space, This can be dangerous as falling off the roof or ladder can result in serious injury. The Slider Rack invention eliminates the risk of falling off the roof of a vehicle or ladder while loading or retrieving items from the roof rack, because the storage area of the roof rack slides down off the roof of the vehicle to a safe loading and unloading height. Another problem with conventional roof rack systems is it can be difficult to see which items are securely and safely tied down once placed in the storage area, Slider Rack eliminates this problem because all the stored equipment is at waist height and easily visible. One of the fundamental design aspects of the Slider Rack system is its ability to assist the user in lifting the loaded roof rack. back onto the roof of the vehicle. This is achieved by way of gas shocks.

Pacle 3 Once the storage area is slid back into position on top of the vehicle, a locking system is engaged to prevent the storage area from sliding back off. SPECIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS OF THE SLIDER RACK SYSTEM Figure 1 is a front view of the Slider Rack system while in the locked position on the roof of a vehicle. Figure 2 is of the Slider Rack system in its loading position. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the rectangular hollow section that houses the lifting and roller systems. a Main supporting Frame rollers Figure 2(1) The storage cage of the Slider Rack system is easily slid back onto the top of the vehicle with the aid of rollers. These rollers are mounted on top of the rectangular hollow sections (Figure 2(12). The rollers are made of plastic or other durable material. - Travel lock Figure 2(5) and (13) Once the storage cage is slid back onto the roof of the vehicle the locks (Figure 2(5) is engaged to prevent the cage from sliding back off. This lock must be released before the storage cage can be moved to the loading /unloading position (Figure2). The locks are disengaged by squeezing the lock release handle (Figure 2(7). 9 Storage cage Figure 2(3) The size and shape of this storage cage may vary depending on the vehicle to which it is to be fitted.

Page 4 Gas shocks lock release cable Figure 2(6) This cable is attached to the locking arms (Figure 3)(6). the locking nuts(Figure 3)(5) W hen the cable is pulled it lifts the locking armsoughytheomine n g (Figure 3)( ) thus allowing the lifer plate(Figure 3)(12) to rotate through the hinge nut (Figure 3)(11) thus forcing the extender arms(Figure 2)(10) to rotate upwards and in turn lit the storage cage(Figure 2)(3) to a horizontal position. . Gas shocks lock release andle Figure 2(8) This handle is connected to the release cable (Figure 2)(6) . Pull / push handle Figure 2(14) The pull I push handle has a lock release lever (Figure 2)(7) The handle can be folded up- The handle is used to move the storage basket. * Roller bearings Figure 2(9) There are a number of roller bearings on each side of the storage cage. The roller bearings slide inside the extender arms(Figure 2(10) allowing for the smooth and easy running of the storage cage as it is pulled or pushed onto or off the vehicle. . Extender Arms Figure 2(10) The extender arms assist in lifting the storage cage to a horizontal position. . Lifting plates (Figure 3)(12) The lifting plates are rotated to a 45 degree angle when the storage basket is moved to the loading position (Figure 2). When in the loading position the gas shocks (Figure 3(5) are compressed and the locking arms (Figures 3(6) are engage. The locking arms are disengaged when the release lever (Figure 2(8) is squeezed. Once the locking arms are disengaged the gas shocks force the lifting plate to rotate counter clockwise, thus raising the extender arms (Figure 2(10) and the storage basket.

Page 5 a Supporting Frame Figure 2(11) The supporting frame is used to mount the Slider Rack system to the roof of the vehicle. * Gas shock adjustment mechanisms Figure 3(2) and (1) The adjustment mechanisms are used to adjust the angle of the lifting plates (Figure 3(12) * Gas Shocks Figure 3(9) The gas shocks are used to assist in lifting the storage cage from the loading position to a horizontal position.

Claims (6)

1. The Slider Rack consists of a rectangular or square supporting frame that is attached to the roof of a vehicle with mounting clams. A hollow rectangular section is attached to opposite sides of the supporting frame and a storage basket that sits on top of the rectangular hollow sections.

2. Each rectangular hollow section has rollers mounted on the top, Each rectangular hollow section houses a lifting mechanism. The mechanism costs of one or two gas shocks. One end of the gas shocks is connected to the rectangular hollow section and the other end is connected to a rotating lifting plate, Each rectangular hollow section has a raised edge on the outer side to prevent the storage basket from moving perpendicular to the rollers. Both rectangular hollow sections have a locking mechanism attached to the inner edge.

3. The storage basket has guiding rollers attached along opposing sides. The guiding rollers move inside two opposing guide channels (extender arms). The guide cannels sit on the top of the rollers as described in claim 2.

4. The rotating lifting plate has two rollers attached to its upper section and a looking arm attached at its lower section. The locking arm has a release cable and spring connected to it.

5. The cable attached to the locking mechanism as described in claim 4 is used to release the locking mechanism.

6. The storage basket has a handle attached to one side which can be folded up. The release cable as described in claims 4 and 5 is connected to the handle.