CA1272703A - Car rack - Google Patents
Car rackInfo
- Publication number
- CA1272703A CA1272703A CA000517661A CA517661A CA1272703A CA 1272703 A CA1272703 A CA 1272703A CA 000517661 A CA000517661 A CA 000517661A CA 517661 A CA517661 A CA 517661A CA 1272703 A CA1272703 A CA 1272703A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tensioning
- bar
- cable
- car rack
- ratchet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A car rack comprises an elongated support bar adapted to be disposed above the roof or trunk of a vehicle and a pair of support members mounted to said bar and movable towards or away from each other. The support members have gripping means to engage and hold on to selected structures on or adjacent the roof or trunk of the vehicle. Slidable tensioning and release means comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism exert biasing forces on the gripping means holding them in engagement with the selected structures of the roof or trunk of the vehicle.
Description
Field of Invention The present invention relate~ to an adjustable car rack which can be ~ecured to vehicles of various widths.
Prior Art of The Invention Several types of car racks are known in the prior art. Some of them are adjustable like the present one.
For example, U.S Patent No. 4,354,625 describes a car top carrier, wherein a pair of adjustable telescoping 0 8UpportB i8 attached to mounting pads through ca~tings.
The carrier is adjusted to the appropriate width through a knob rotatable lead screw interconnec~ing the two elements.
U.S. Patent No. 4,449,656 discloses a luggage rack compriging two concentrically positioned portions whlch are di~placeable in relation to each other for allowing ad~ustmen~ of the length of the support rod and thus allowing the rack to be adapted to the width of the vehicle. The rack has a locking device for securing the portion~ of the support rod in a desired relative position. The locking device has two complementary securing means which secure the end portions of the rack ln relation to the intermediate portion. Each locking device consist~ of a block positioned in the intermediate portion which can be secured in the desired position by mean~ of a bolt which extends through the block and engage~ the intermediate portion. A Bprin9 iB mounted on the block and a portion of it engages an opening in the intermediate portion of the rod and is pressed to disengage the end portion from the intermediate one.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a car rack which can be easily ad~usted to accommodate vehicles of various widths and which can be ~ecured by simple, single handed actlon.
'J
-` 1272703 Accordingly, there is provided a car rack including an elongated support bar which is adapted to be disposed above the roof or trunk of a vehicle and which extend6 generally laterally thereof. A pair of support members are mounted to the said bar and are movable towards or away from each other. The support members have gripping means associated therewith to engage and hold on to selected structures on or adjacent to the roof or trunk of the vehicle when the gripping means are biased towards each other. The car rack further comprises slideable tensioning and release means comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism, the ratchet being attached to ~he support bar and the pawl to the slideable tensioning means. Such tensioning means exert biasing forces on the gripping means biasing them towards each other such that, in use, the gripping mean~ are held in engagement with the selected structures of the roof or trunk of the vehicle.
A feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention i8 that the ratchet and pawl mechanism is housed ingide the support bar.
A further feature i~ that the slideable tensioning means has a gripping knob or handle secured to it for tensioning the mechanism to 6ecure the rack in place, and that the pawl has a finger-grip extension, oppoeite its ratchet engaging end, which exies through a ~lot in the support bar just ahead of the gripping knob or handle.
Descrip~ion of Drawings The pre~ent invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in con~unction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car rack according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the rack ~27Z703 shown in Figure 1 with a portion cut away to show the interior structure;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the side supports with a portion cut away to show the interior structure;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism and Figure 5 i8 an illustrative view of the cable mechanism; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement for support of the rack.
Detailed Description As shown in Figure 1, a car rack comprises an elongated support bar 1, a pair of support members 2 and a pair of removable covers 3 secured to either end of the support bar.
The support members 2 are mounted on the support bar and are movable towards or away from each other so that the rack can accommodate vehicles of various widths.
Once the support members are in the desired position, they are secured to it by means of a bolt 4. Each support member is comprised of a sleeve 5 which is mounted on the ~upport bar and a leg 6 which extends transversely therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the support member comprises a sléeve and a rubber pad 21.
The support bar is fastened to the vehicle by means of trigger hooks 7 and 7' which are adapted to engage either the lower side of the rain gutter or, if the vehicle does not have a gutter, to engage the channel inside the doors of the vehicle. The hooks are connected to each other by means of a cable 8.
To ensure that the support bar is securely fastened to the vehicle, the rack is provided with a ; 35 locking mechanism 9. The locking mechanism comprises a sleeve 10 which is shaped 80 as to be slidable within the support bar. An elongated toothed element 11 is mounted i.272'703 in the upper edge of the suE~port bar and of the gleeve. A
spring activated pawl 12 is fixed to the inner surface of the sleeve 10. The pawl 12 has an engagement tooth 13 and a relea~e trigger 14. The release trigger 14 protruaes to the outside of the support bar through an opening provided in the sleeve 10 and through an elongated aperture located at the bottom edge of the support bar. A handle 15 i8 releaseably secured to the trigger 14 through mean~ such as a screw. An opening i8 provided in the sleeve 10 to allow for the passage of the handle 15 to the outside of the support bar. A spring 16 mounted on a threaded guide 17 i~ attached to a pulley 18. The spring 16 is located between and retained in posi-tion by two blocks 19 and 19' which are fixed to the sleeve 10. The spring guide 17 is threaded through both block elements 19 and 19'. The cable 8 is attached to hook 7 and runs through the interior of the bar 1. It forms a first loop around the pulley 18 and a second loop around a sheave 20 fixed to the support bar. The cable 8 then runs to the opposite end of the support bar 1 and is attached to hook member 7'.
In operation, a pair of car racks are secured to the top of a motor vehicle. The support members 2 are moved towards or away from each other depending on the width of the vehicle. They are then secured in position by means of the bolt 4. The support bar 1 is then fastened to the vehicle by means of the hooXs 7 and 7' which engage either the lower side of the rain gutter or if the vehicle does not have a rain gutter the channel inside the doors of the vehicle. The handle 15 is then moved towaras hook member 7'. This causes the sleeve 10 to move within the support bar 1 and the ~pring 16 to be compres~ed against block e]ement 19. The cable is pulled as the sleeve 10 i8 moved and the force exercised on the cable 8 cau~es the hooks 7 and 7' to tightly engage the vehicle. During this operation, the release trigger 14 is in a first position 80 that the engagement tooth 13 - . - . .. . . .
- _ 5 _ engages the toothed element 11. The rack ig thus locked in position on the vehicle. To remove the rack from the vehicle, the release trigger 14 i8 depregsed 80 that it iB
in the second position in which the engagement tooth 13 no longer engages the toothed element 11. The handle 15 is then moved toward hook 7 and the tension in the cable 8 is released and the spring 16 resume~ its relaxed state and the hookg 7 and 7' can ~hen be disengaged.
In another embodiment, the rack co~prises an elongated cylindrical support rod and all elements o~ said rack are ~odified accordingly.
.
., .~ . .~ , .
Prior Art of The Invention Several types of car racks are known in the prior art. Some of them are adjustable like the present one.
For example, U.S Patent No. 4,354,625 describes a car top carrier, wherein a pair of adjustable telescoping 0 8UpportB i8 attached to mounting pads through ca~tings.
The carrier is adjusted to the appropriate width through a knob rotatable lead screw interconnec~ing the two elements.
U.S. Patent No. 4,449,656 discloses a luggage rack compriging two concentrically positioned portions whlch are di~placeable in relation to each other for allowing ad~ustmen~ of the length of the support rod and thus allowing the rack to be adapted to the width of the vehicle. The rack has a locking device for securing the portion~ of the support rod in a desired relative position. The locking device has two complementary securing means which secure the end portions of the rack ln relation to the intermediate portion. Each locking device consist~ of a block positioned in the intermediate portion which can be secured in the desired position by mean~ of a bolt which extends through the block and engage~ the intermediate portion. A Bprin9 iB mounted on the block and a portion of it engages an opening in the intermediate portion of the rod and is pressed to disengage the end portion from the intermediate one.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a car rack which can be easily ad~usted to accommodate vehicles of various widths and which can be ~ecured by simple, single handed actlon.
'J
-` 1272703 Accordingly, there is provided a car rack including an elongated support bar which is adapted to be disposed above the roof or trunk of a vehicle and which extend6 generally laterally thereof. A pair of support members are mounted to the said bar and are movable towards or away from each other. The support members have gripping means associated therewith to engage and hold on to selected structures on or adjacent to the roof or trunk of the vehicle when the gripping means are biased towards each other. The car rack further comprises slideable tensioning and release means comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism, the ratchet being attached to ~he support bar and the pawl to the slideable tensioning means. Such tensioning means exert biasing forces on the gripping means biasing them towards each other such that, in use, the gripping mean~ are held in engagement with the selected structures of the roof or trunk of the vehicle.
A feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention i8 that the ratchet and pawl mechanism is housed ingide the support bar.
A further feature i~ that the slideable tensioning means has a gripping knob or handle secured to it for tensioning the mechanism to 6ecure the rack in place, and that the pawl has a finger-grip extension, oppoeite its ratchet engaging end, which exies through a ~lot in the support bar just ahead of the gripping knob or handle.
Descrip~ion of Drawings The pre~ent invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in con~unction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car rack according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the rack ~27Z703 shown in Figure 1 with a portion cut away to show the interior structure;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the side supports with a portion cut away to show the interior structure;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism and Figure 5 i8 an illustrative view of the cable mechanism; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement for support of the rack.
Detailed Description As shown in Figure 1, a car rack comprises an elongated support bar 1, a pair of support members 2 and a pair of removable covers 3 secured to either end of the support bar.
The support members 2 are mounted on the support bar and are movable towards or away from each other so that the rack can accommodate vehicles of various widths.
Once the support members are in the desired position, they are secured to it by means of a bolt 4. Each support member is comprised of a sleeve 5 which is mounted on the ~upport bar and a leg 6 which extends transversely therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the support member comprises a sléeve and a rubber pad 21.
The support bar is fastened to the vehicle by means of trigger hooks 7 and 7' which are adapted to engage either the lower side of the rain gutter or, if the vehicle does not have a gutter, to engage the channel inside the doors of the vehicle. The hooks are connected to each other by means of a cable 8.
To ensure that the support bar is securely fastened to the vehicle, the rack is provided with a ; 35 locking mechanism 9. The locking mechanism comprises a sleeve 10 which is shaped 80 as to be slidable within the support bar. An elongated toothed element 11 is mounted i.272'703 in the upper edge of the suE~port bar and of the gleeve. A
spring activated pawl 12 is fixed to the inner surface of the sleeve 10. The pawl 12 has an engagement tooth 13 and a relea~e trigger 14. The release trigger 14 protruaes to the outside of the support bar through an opening provided in the sleeve 10 and through an elongated aperture located at the bottom edge of the support bar. A handle 15 i8 releaseably secured to the trigger 14 through mean~ such as a screw. An opening i8 provided in the sleeve 10 to allow for the passage of the handle 15 to the outside of the support bar. A spring 16 mounted on a threaded guide 17 i~ attached to a pulley 18. The spring 16 is located between and retained in posi-tion by two blocks 19 and 19' which are fixed to the sleeve 10. The spring guide 17 is threaded through both block elements 19 and 19'. The cable 8 is attached to hook 7 and runs through the interior of the bar 1. It forms a first loop around the pulley 18 and a second loop around a sheave 20 fixed to the support bar. The cable 8 then runs to the opposite end of the support bar 1 and is attached to hook member 7'.
In operation, a pair of car racks are secured to the top of a motor vehicle. The support members 2 are moved towards or away from each other depending on the width of the vehicle. They are then secured in position by means of the bolt 4. The support bar 1 is then fastened to the vehicle by means of the hooXs 7 and 7' which engage either the lower side of the rain gutter or if the vehicle does not have a rain gutter the channel inside the doors of the vehicle. The handle 15 is then moved towaras hook member 7'. This causes the sleeve 10 to move within the support bar 1 and the ~pring 16 to be compres~ed against block e]ement 19. The cable is pulled as the sleeve 10 i8 moved and the force exercised on the cable 8 cau~es the hooks 7 and 7' to tightly engage the vehicle. During this operation, the release trigger 14 is in a first position 80 that the engagement tooth 13 - . - . .. . . .
- _ 5 _ engages the toothed element 11. The rack ig thus locked in position on the vehicle. To remove the rack from the vehicle, the release trigger 14 i8 depregsed 80 that it iB
in the second position in which the engagement tooth 13 no longer engages the toothed element 11. The handle 15 is then moved toward hook 7 and the tension in the cable 8 is released and the spring 16 resume~ its relaxed state and the hookg 7 and 7' can ~hen be disengaged.
In another embodiment, the rack co~prises an elongated cylindrical support rod and all elements o~ said rack are ~odified accordingly.
.
., .~ . .~ , .
Claims (7)
1.A car rack including an elongated support bar adapted to be disposed above the roof or trunk of the vehicle snd to extend generally laterally thereof; a pair of support members mounted adjacent the ends said bar and movable towards or away from each other, said support members having gripping means assoc-iated therewith to engage and hold on to the selected struc-tures on or adjacent to the roof edge or trunk lid edge of the vehicle when the gripping means are biased towards each other;
slidable tensioning and release means on said bar including a ratchet and pawl mechanism, said ratchet and pawl mechanism including an elongated toothed ratchet element attached to said bar a slideable tensioning member slideably mounted on said bar adjacent said ratchet element has been inserted and a toothed gripping pawl attached to said slideable tensioning member,said toothed gripping pawl being engagable with said ratchet element, which in combination with a tensioning cable having opposing ends connected to each said gripping means, a pulley connected to said slideable tensioning member, a pin connected across said bar at an intermediate location thereof, said cable having a first intermediate loop extending around said pin and a second inter-mediate loop extending through said pulley whereby when said tens-ioning member is slid in said bar ,biasing forces are exerted on to the said gripping means biasing; them towards each other such that in use., said gripping means are held in engagement with said selected structures of the roof edge or trunk lid edge of the vehicle and said slidable tensioning member is held in a fixed position by said ratchet and pawl mechanism.
slidable tensioning and release means on said bar including a ratchet and pawl mechanism, said ratchet and pawl mechanism including an elongated toothed ratchet element attached to said bar a slideable tensioning member slideably mounted on said bar adjacent said ratchet element has been inserted and a toothed gripping pawl attached to said slideable tensioning member,said toothed gripping pawl being engagable with said ratchet element, which in combination with a tensioning cable having opposing ends connected to each said gripping means, a pulley connected to said slideable tensioning member, a pin connected across said bar at an intermediate location thereof, said cable having a first intermediate loop extending around said pin and a second inter-mediate loop extending through said pulley whereby when said tens-ioning member is slid in said bar ,biasing forces are exerted on to the said gripping means biasing; them towards each other such that in use., said gripping means are held in engagement with said selected structures of the roof edge or trunk lid edge of the vehicle and said slidable tensioning member is held in a fixed position by said ratchet and pawl mechanism.
2. The car rack of claim 1 wherein the tensioning and release means is slideable within the support bar.
3. The car rack of claim 1 wherein a cable is connected to said gripping means.
4. The car rack of claim 3 wherein the cable is operatively con-nected to the tensioning and release means such that the cable is tensioned by movement of the said tensioning and release means in a selected direction.
5.The car rack of claim 1 wherein the pawls tooth engaging element is movable from a first position such that it engages the toothed rachet element to a second position where it does not engage the toothed ratchet element causing the release of the biasing forces on the gripping elements.
6. The car rack of claim 1 wherein the elongated ratchet element is fixed inside the support bar.
7. The car rack of claim 4 wherein the cable forms a first loop around a pulley fixed to the tensioning and release means and a second loop around a sheave fixed in the support bar.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000517661A CA1272703A (en) | 1986-09-08 | 1986-09-08 | Car rack |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000517661A CA1272703A (en) | 1986-09-08 | 1986-09-08 | Car rack |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1272703A true CA1272703A (en) | 1990-08-14 |
Family
ID=4133871
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000517661A Expired CA1272703A (en) | 1986-09-08 | 1986-09-08 | Car rack |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1272703A (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-09-08 CA CA000517661A patent/CA1272703A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |