AU733936B2 - Roof rack foot and roof rack - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for service is: JARAM PRODUCTS PTY Jonathon Lloyd McEwen WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Roof Rack Foot and Roof Rack Details of Associated Provisional Application No: P03636 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- !O -2- FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a leg mount and roof rack which incorporates the leg mount. The leg mount and roof rack being particularly, although not exclusively, envisaged for use in situations where a strong, stable and low noise support is needed for mounting goods on the roof of a vehicle.

The present invention more particularly relates to a roof rack of the type having a floor and a surrounding top rail for use in carrying goods upon a vehicle.

These types of roof racks are characterised by being relatively large, having a relatively high frontal area and carrying relatively large loads. Hence, special consideration needs to be given to the design of the leg mounts used to support the roof racks upon the roof of the vehicle so as to be strong and to reduce the amount of noise which they produce.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The design of a roof rack for carrying relatively large loads upon a vehicle is a compromise between: Smaking the leg mounts easy to adjust to suit vehicles of differing widths (so i'ihthat one set of roof racks can be used on vehicles having a range of differing widths); e making the leg mounts strong enough to support the roof rack when carrying 20 a substantial load, yet keeping the frontal area of the roof racks relatively small, so as to maintain a relatively low level of drag and noise; and, making the roof rack strong enough to support the load, yet flexible enough to move with the roof of the vehicle as the vehicle moves over uneven terrain (which causes the roof to twist).

It is known to provide a roof rack with relatively wide leg mounts for engaging with the gutter of the vehicle roof. The wide leg mount has the advantage that it *distributes the force of the weight of the roof rack and its load along the gutter JARAM.DOC 13/1/97 0 -3and thus is better than a relatively narrow leg mount.

In order to accommodate fitting to a variety of vehicles, it is also known to provide the leg mounts with mounting brackets which are round in cross-section and are received in pipes disposed transversely of the roof rack. The leg mounts are slid into and out of the pipes for varying the width of the mounting for the roof racks. However, this type of mounting bracket has the disadvantage that if the frontal area of the roof rack is to be minimised, a relatively small diameter pipe must be utilised. With such an arrangement, the area of contact between the leg mount and the pipe is relatively small which results in a relatively weak connection which is prone to breaking under the force of flexing of the roof racks due to the load which they carry and the flexing and moving of the roof of the vehicle.

Also, such pipes have hitherto been mounted underneath the floor of the roof racks in order to provide sufficient clearance for the brackets to be inserted into the pipes. Using such pipes in this manner has the disadvantage that thefloor of theroof racks is then disposed higher above the roof of the vehicle by the amount of the width of the pipes. This added height leads to an increase in the frontal area of the roof racks and hence an increase in the wind drag and noise caused by the roof racks.

One solution to the problem of weakness of the connection between the leg plate and the bracket of the leg mounts is to use a rectangular or square section :i bracket since there is then a larger area of contact between the curved leg plate and the bracket. However, the square section bracket has the disadvantage that in order to gain the sufficient strength against flexing, it 25 requires a correspondingly larger pipe for being received in and hence the floor of the roof racks become spaced even higher above the roof of the vehicle.

Such increased displacement is undesirable since it leads to a further increase in the frontal area of the roof racks and hence a further increase in the noise produced by the roof racks both of which are undesirable.

JARAM.DOC 1f3/ I/97 0 -4- Another solution to the problem of the weakness of the connection between the leg plate and the bracket is to use a square or rectangular bracket (instead of circular) and to weld a short section of track underneath the transverse members of the roof rack for receiving the brackets so that the position of the brackets can be adjusted for vehicles of varying widths. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the short tracks always protrude from the side of the roof rack which is dangerous because people tend to collide with the short tracks when entering and/or leaving the vehicle. Also, the short tracks tend to increase the amount of noise which the roof racks make. The increase in noise occurs because the ends of the brackets protrude out from the edge of the roof rack which causes wind to swirl in the channel on the underside of the brackets.

In one form a roof rack according to the invention may utilise an open channel non-circular or elongate section transverse member in the construction of the roof rack or in the floor of the roof rack. This can give rise to the following advantages: the ability to adjust the displacement between the pairs of leg mounts without the need for a separate transverse pipe welded onto the bottom of the floor of the roof racks hence the frontal area of the roof racks is reduced; the ability to keep the floor of the roof racks relatively close to the roof of the 20 vehicle which by lowering the frontal area of the roof rack, and in combination with appropriate streamlining, reduces the noise produced by the

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roof rack, since less wind can pass under the roof rack; the ability to use a non-circular bracket in the leg mounts so that the leg mounts are relatively strong; and, *o 25 the ability to make the connection of the roof rack to the roof of the vehicle relatively flexible so that the roof rack can flex with the flexing of the roof as the vehicle moves over uneven terrain.

In order to allow the roof rack to flex with the body and roof of the vehicle as the :Oo :vehicle moves over uneven terrain, it is important that the leg mount and its JARAM.DOC 13/11/97 gutter clamp has a high degree of integrity. In particular, it is important that the clamp has a positive engagement with the gutter, so that any flexing in the vehicle increases the force applied by the clamp, so that the clamp cannot be loosened while the vehicle is in motion, especially over rough terrain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a roof rack which has a positive engagement with the gutter of the vehicle to which it is to be fitted.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a leg mount for a roof rack, for supporting the roof rack upon a gutter of a roof of vehicle, the leg mount including: a leg plate having a lower edge for resting in the gutter; a mounting portion disposed from an upper end of the leg plate, the mounting portion being able to be engaged with a transverse member of the roof rack; and, a clamping mechanism for securing the leg mount to the gutter of the roof of the vehicle; wherein the clamping mechanism includes: a clamp bracket having an upper end which bears against the leg plate and a lower end which bears against an underside of the gutter, the upper end resting against the leg plate at a position in-board of the edge of the gutter; oeoo• a fastener which extends through the leg plate and through the oeo* :.••.clamp bracket intermediate its length, the fastener being located on the inside of coo* the leg plate against at least one protrusion, wherein the fastener comprises at least one threaded stud formed with a lateral portion to abut said at least one e 25 protrusion; and wherein each said at least one threaded stud extends in a general downward inclination from said lateral portion and said at least one protrusion to urge the clamp bracket upwardly and towards the leg plate and the roof.

Each protrusion may be formed by a lug or similar.

Preferably the fastener locates on the leg plate at a position in-board of the gutter edge. With the points of contact on the leg plate of the upper end and the fastener both being in-board of the gutter edge, it is believed that when the clamping mechanism is tightened, the tension between opposed leg mounts, transmitted through the roof rack, is minimised. This results in a decreased tendency for the gutter to be distorted, particularly when the roof/vehicle body undergoes flexing.

Preferably the fastener has a lateral portion which locates on at least one lug on the inside of said leg plate.

The fastener may comprise at least one threaded stud with a lateral portion fixed thereto to abut at said at least one protrusion. The threaded stud passes through an aperture (preferably a vertical slot) in the leg plate, and through an aperture in the clamp bracket, and may be secured using a nut. The lateral portion locates on two lugs located on either side of the aperture in the leg plate.

15 An additional advantage is gained by using a threaded stud, which is that a nylon .o S: insert locking nut (Nylock) may be used to secure the leg mount to the gutter, minimising the risk of the leg mount becoming loose.

As an alternative, the said fastener at least one stud comprises a U-bolt having threaded arms, connected by said lateral portion. The threaded studs each pass through apertures (preferably a vertical slots) in the leg plate, and through apertures in the clamp bracket, and may be secured using a nut. In this arrangement the lateral portion locates a single lug located between the apertures in the leg plate.

t .o The vertical slots allow for a range of angular dispositions to be adopted by the go 25 fastener, depending upon the configuration of the gutter. In effect the fastener can pivot on the lug or lugs.

Preferably the lower end of the clamp bracket protrudes inboard further than the

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qN lower end of the leg mount. This further assists in minimising tension between -7opposed leg mounts, transmitted through the roof rack.

Preferably each said lug is mounted relative to apertures in said leg mount through which the U bolt extends, so that the clamp bracket lower end is urged toward the leg mount lower edge, to clamp the gutter therebetween.

Preferably the lug is located above the center-line of the apertures in said leg plate.

Preferably the leg plate is of unfolded construction. This minimises the risk of the leg plate fracturing due to vibration induced stresses.

In one arrangement, the leg plate may be a flat plate. This is suitable for vehicles having a low roof profile.

In a most preferred arrangement, the leg plate is a curved plate, which has a curvature tending inboard of the gutter. This arrangement accommodates high profile roof lines, and is also believed to cut down on noise from cross-winds, when the vehicle is travelling.

Preferably the mounting portion is able to be slidably engaged with a transverse member of the roof rack for adjusting the distance between two opposed said leg ~mounts in a pair to enable the roof rack to be adjusted for vehicles of differing widths; and fixing means are provided for fixing the bracket to the transverse V member at the required distance between the two opposed said leg mounts in 20 the pair.

Preferably the mounting portion is non-round in cross-section for inhibiting pivoting of the brackets relative to the transverse member and for increasing the *area of contact between each bracket and its corresponding curved leg plate for increasing the load carrying capacity of the leg mount.

l The mounting portion may comprise a bracket.

Preferably said lower edge comprises an elongate substantially straight portion JARAM.DOC 13/11/g7 -8for resting in said gutter.

The straight portion defines a lower edge of said curved leg plate, and has a shape which corresponds with the gutter in which it rests. It will be understood that for most vehicles, this lower edge will either be straight or have a slight concave curvature.

Preferably said leg plate tapers from said lower edge to said mounting portion.

This arrangement improves the aesthetic appearance of the roof rack.

Preferably the taper includes a convex curvature. This is believed to minimise stress points which could lead to fracturing of the leg mount.

In one embodiment of the present invention the transverse members are closed C-shaped in cross-section and a fixing bolt is disposed through the slot in the transverse members for fixing the roof rack leg mounts to the transverse members. This provides an added advantage in that wind noise due to resonances are avoided, which would occur if the transverse members were tubular. By the term "closed C-shaped" what is intended is that the opening between upstanding arms of a channel profile is partly closed by convergent arms extending one from each end of each upstanding arm.

In another embodiment of the invention the transverse members may be formed of an elliptical profile tube with an axial slot extending along the length of one of S 20 the faces thereof. Such an arrangement could be used in a roof rack for carrying skis or surfboards or the like. In such an arrangement edges of the elliptical profile tube would be presented as the leading and trailing edges of the roof rack, thereby minimising wind resistance.

0. 0 Also, in one embodiment of the present invention the brackets are V or U shaped in cross-section for providing clear access to a bolt for fixing the roof *rack leg mounts to the transverse members. This arrangement shields the bolt from the moving airstream when the vehicle is in motion, again leading to noise being minimised.

JARAM.DOC 13/11'97 -9- Typically, the fixing means is a sliding nut which can slide in the slot of the transverse member for allowing adjustment of the position of the leg mounts relative to the frame.

Also in accordance with the invention there is provided a roof rack comprising a pair of leg mounts as hereinbefore described adapted to be joined by a transverse member as hereinbefore described.

Preferably the transverse members includes a sloping leading edge to minimise wind resistance and wind noise.

The trailing edge of the mounting portion may slope in the same manner as the leading edge. In this manner it is not critical when fitting the transverse member, which way around it is orientated.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a roof rack for use in carrying goods on the roof of a vehicle, the roof rack comprising: a frame for supporting the goods, the frame having a plurality of transverse members each with a longitudinally disposed slot forming an open channel which is disposed downwardly towards the roof of the vehicle; a plurality of pairs of leg assemblies as hereinbefore described for supporting the frame upon the roof of the vehicle.

Preferably said transverse members are disposed in the same plane as said 20 frame. In this manner the frontal area of the assembled roof rack will be 9999 minimised, minimising wind resistance of the roof rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in the following description of two exemplary 999 embodiments thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a leg mount of a roof rack in accordance with JARAM.DOC 13/11/97 the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the leg mount of Figure 1, shown attached to a crossbar of a roof rack; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the leg mount and roof rack of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a clamping mechanism of the leg mount of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of a leg mount of a roof rack in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 6 is a front view of the leg mount of Figure 5, shown attached to a crossbar of a roof rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTI N OF THE EXEMPLARY

EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a part of a roof rack 10 including a frame 12 and a leg mount 14. The roof rack 10 has two or mor e pairs of the leg mounts 14 for supporting the frame 12 upon a gutter 16 of a roof 18 of a vehicle. Typically, there are between 2 and 4 of the pairs of leg mounts 14 for roof racks 10 suited to conventional sized motor vehicles such as motor cars and four wheel drive vehicles. The pairs of leg mounts 14 are disposed betw en the gutters 16 on opposite sides of the roof 18.

The frame 12 is typically rectangular when viewed in plan and has a top rail around its perimeter which is rectangular when viewed from the side. The frame 12 also has a floor for supporting goods to be carried upon the roof 18 of the vehicle. The top rail is disposed above the floor and is typically fixed to it by spacing plates which are conveniently welded to the floor and. to the top rail. The 6969 fl oor includes a plurality of crossbars 20 there being one crossbar 20 for each 25 pair of the leg mounts 14. The crossbars 20 are closed C-shaped in crosssection and have a longitudinal slot 22. The crossbars 20 project slightly lower than the remainder of the frame 12, particularly as shown in Figure 3. For example, the crossbars 20 project lower than side bars 24 of the frame 12. This disposition of the crossbars 20 allows access to the interior of the crossbars JARAM-DOC IV11197 -11through the slots 22 for fixing the leg mounts 14 to the frame 12 as described hereinafter whilst maintaining a relatively low profile for the frame 12. It will be appreciated that in the second embodiment, the crossbars 20 may site precisely flush with the remainder of the frame 12, due to the different fastening arrangement, as will be understood.

The leg mounts 14 each comprise a curved leg plate 30, a mounting portion in the form of a bracket 32 and a fixing device 34.

As can be seen in figure 1 the curved leg plate 30 is generally arcuate in profile for curving around the contour of the roof 18 of the vehicle although the curve need not be identical to the curve of the roof 18 of the vehicle. The curved leg plate 30 is also generally wider at its lower edge 40 than at its upper edge 42.

The curved leg plate 30 splays from the upper edge 42 to the lower edge 40 so as to increase the area of contact of the force of the load of the roof rack 10 on the gutter 16. The curved leg plate 30 has two vertically oriented slots 44 i* 15 spaced apart and located adjacent the lower edge The bracket 32 is U-channel shaped in cross-section, with diverging arms *formed by sides 48, particularly as shown in Figure 2. The sides 48 of the *bracket 32 are typically flared to substantially correspond with the flaring of the curved leg plate 30 from the upper end 42 downwardly. The bracket 32 is 20 conveniently welded to the curved leg plate 30 at the upper end 42 and along the sides 48 of the bracket 32. The bracket 32 is intended to be disposed eee substantially horizontally when the roof rack 10 is fixed to the vehicle, as shown in Figure 1. The bracket 32 has a base 50 which is about as wide as the crossbar The fixing device 34 includes a sliding nut 60, and bolt 62 and washers 64, and optionally a packing strip 66. The sliding nut 60 is dimensioned to fit inside the crossbar 20 as shown in Figure 2. The sliding nut has an internally threaded Shole 68 for receiving the bolt 62. The bracket 32 and the packing strip 66 have JARAM.DOC 131197 -12corresponding holes 70 and 72, respectively, for receiving the bolt 62. The packing strip 66 is intended to be located between the crossbar 20 and the bracket 32 for increasing the height of the crossbar 20 above the roof 18 of the vehicle. This is sometimes needed for long vehicles where the roof curves from the front of the vehicle to the back of the vehicle such as in some four wheel drive vehicles.

The position of the leg mount 14 with respect to the crossbar 20 can be adjusted by sliding the sliding nut 60 in the slot 22 and tightening the bolt 62 when the desired position is reached. The bolt 62 clamps the edges of the crossbar between the sliding nut 60 and the bracket 32 for fixing the position of the curved leg plate 30 with respect to the crossbar The roof rack 10 also has a clamping mechanism 80, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, for clamping the leg mounts assemblies 14 to the gutter 16 of the vehicle. The clamping mechanism 80 comprises a U-bolt 90, nuts 92, a clamp bracket 94 and 15 a lug in the form of a rod 96 which is welded to the concave face (inside) of the *leg plate The U-bolt 90 is passed through the slots 44 in the curved leg plate 30 of the leg mount 14 from the inside of the roof rack 10 to the outside. The U-bolt 90 is then passed through corresponding holes in the clamp bracket 94 and the nuts 92 20 are threaded onto the ends of the U-bolt 90. The rod 96 is located on the inside of the curved leg plate 30 for supporting the base of the U-bolt 90 so that it does ooonot tend to fall whilst the nuts 92 are being tightened on the U-bolt 90. The rod 96 is positioned above the centre-line of the slots 44, so as to cause the U-bolt 90 to be disposed downwardly.

The clamp bracket 94 has an edge 98 a base 100, a ledge 102, a cup portion 104 and a lip 106. The edge 98 rests against the side of the curved leg plate and prevents the cup portion 104 and the lip 106 slipping out from their position as described on the gutter 16 whilst being tightened and during travel. The edge JARAM.DOC 13 /11/97 O -13- 98 is substantially oppositethe U-bolt 90 from the rod 96 so that the combined effect of the edge 98 and the rod 96 is to form a hinge. The ledge 102 supports the nuts 92, whilst the cup portion 104 avoids contact between the clamp bracket 94 and the edge of the gutter 16 so that the lip 106 only contacts the gutter 16 proximate the roof 18. The downward disposition of the U bolt arms urges the lip 106 to clamp against the lower edge 40 of the leg plate 30, to secure the roof rack to the gutter. The edge 98 and lip 106 are formed of a plastic moulding which slips over the metal body of the clamp bracket 94. A plastic moulding also slips over the lower edge 40 of the leg plate 30 to protect the inside of the gutter.

In use, the sliding nut 60 of each of the leg mounts 14 is slid in and out of the crossbar 20 so that the curved leg plates 30 seat in the two gutters 16. The bolts 62 are then tightened to clamp the leg mounts 14 to the crossbars 20. The clamp brackets 94 are then located under the gutters 16 and the nuts 92 are tightened to clamp the leg mounts 14 to the gutters 16.

The width of the roof rack 10Ocan be adjusted by loosening the bolts 62 and sliding the sliding nuts 60 in the crossbars 32 and then re-tightening the bolts 62 once the desired distance between the pairs of leg mounts 14 is reached.

The roof rack 10 of the present invention has the advantage that it has a 20 relatively small frontal area, is relatively close to the roof 18 of the vehicle, is relatively strong and flexible. Also, the leg mounts 14 and the roof rack 10 is more aesthetic in appearance.

~The second embodiment of the roof rack is shown in figures 5 and 6. Like numerals indicate like parts. This embodiment is intended for more heavy duty applications. The leg mount 14 of the second embodiment differs in that it includes a reinforcing strut 111 which extends from mid-way along the leg plate to part way along the bracket 32. In addition, instead of the arrangement shown in the first embodiment for securing the leg mounts 14 to the crossbar JARAM.DOC l3/1197 -14the brackets include two apertures which each receive a bolt 113. A piece of threaded bar 115 of length exceeding the width of the slots 22 is threaded onto each bolt 113 and secures the crossbar 20 when the bolts 113 are tightened.

The width of the threaded bar 115 is commensurate with the width of the slots 22 to enable the crossbars 20 to be readily mounted and demounted while the leg mounts 14 are retained in place. This arrangement of fastener does not require any access to the slots 22 from the edge of the roof rack, so the crossbars may site precisely flush with the remainder of the frame 12.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, other forms of clamping mechanism could be used.

*o* *o *o* JARAM.DOC 13/11/97

Claims (17)

1. A leg mount for a roof rack, for supporting the roof rack upon a gutter of a roof of a vehicle,the leg mount including: a leg plate having a lower edge for resting in the gutter; a mounting portion disposed from an upper end of the leg plate, the mounting portion being able to be engaged with a transverse member of the roof rack; and, a clamping mechanism for securing the leg mount to the gutter of the roof of the vehicle; wherein the clamping mechanism includes: a clamp bracket having an upper end which bears against the leg plate and a lower end which bears against an underside of the gutter, the upper end resting against the leg plate at a position in-board of the edge of the gutter; a fastener which extends through the leg plate and through the 15 clamp bracket intermediate its length, the fastener being located on the inside of the leg plate against at least one protrusion, wherein the fastener comprises at least one threaded stud formed with a lateral portion to abut said at least one protrusion; and wherein each said at least one threaded stud extends in a general 20 downward and outward inclination from said lateral portion and said at least one protrusion to urge the clamp bracket upwardly and towards the leg plate and the roof *o

2. A leg mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lateral portion is in the go o form of a transverse bar.

3. A leg mount as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the said fastener comprises a U-bolt having threaded arms, connected by said lateral portion. -16-

4. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said lateral portion locates on the leg plate at a position in-board of the gutter edge. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower end of the clamp bracket protrudes inboard further than the lower end of the leg mount.

6. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each said protrusion is mounted relative to apertures in said leg mount through which any at least one threaded stud extends, so that the clamp bracket lower end is urged toward the leg mount lower edge, to clamp the gutter therebetween.

7. A leg mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a lug located above the center-line of the apertures in said leg plate.

8. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the leg plate is characterised by being of unfolded construction. 15 9. A leg mount as claimed in claim 8 wherein the leg plate is of flat planar .9 9* construction.

10. A leg mount as claimed in claim 8 wherein the leg plate is a curved plate, which has a curvature tending inboard of the gutter. •o••o

11. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting portion is able to be slidably engaged with a transverse member of the roof rack for adjusting the distance between two opposed said leg mounts in a pair to enable the roof rack to be adjusted for vehicles of differing widths; and :o fixing means are provided for fixing the bracket to the transverse member at the required distance between the two opposed said leg mounts in the pair.

12. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting portion is non-round in cross-section for inhibiting pivoting of the -17- brackets relative to the transverse member and for increasing the area of contact between each bracket and its corresponding curved leg plate for increasing the load carrying capacity of the leg mount.

13. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said lower edge comprises an elongate substantially straight portion for resting in said gutter.

14. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said leg plate tapers from said lower edge to said mounting portion. A leg mount as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the brackets are V or U shaped in cross-section for providing clear access to a bolt for fixing the roof rack leg mounts to the transverse members.

16. A roof rack comprising a pair of leg mounts as claimed in any one of the preceding claims joined by said transverse member. "17. A roof rack as claimed in claim 16 wherein said transverse member 15 includes a sloping leading edge to minimise wind resistance and wind noise. a.

18. A roof rack as claimed in claims 16 or 17 wherein the transverse members may be formed of an elliptical profile tube with an axial slot extending along the length of one of the faces thereof. O l a 19. A roof rack for use in carrying goods on the roof of a vehicle, the roof rack comprising: a a frame for supporting the goods, the frame having a plurality of transverse members each with a longitudinally disposed slot forming an open channel which is disposed downwardly towards the roof of the vehicle; a plurality of pairs of leg assemblies as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 for supporting the frame upon the roof of the vehicle. -18- A roof rack as claimed in claim 19 wherein said transverse members are disposed in the same plane as said frame.

21. A roof rack as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein the transverse members are closed C-shaped in cross-section and a fixing bolt is disposed through the slot in the transverse members for fixing the roof rack leg mounts to the transverse members.

22. A roof rack leg mount substantially as herein described with reference to the description of the embodiment.

23. A roof rack incorporating two opposed leg mounts as claimed in claim 16 connected by a transverse member substantially as herein described with reference to the description of the embodiment. Dated this twentythird day of January 2001. JARAM PRODUCTS PTY :o Applicant SWray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant oa... ft