CA1305687C - Luggage rack with suspended cross rail - Google Patents
Luggage rack with suspended cross railInfo
- Publication number
- CA1305687C CA1305687C CA000544730A CA544730A CA1305687C CA 1305687 C CA1305687 C CA 1305687C CA 000544730 A CA000544730 A CA 000544730A CA 544730 A CA544730 A CA 544730A CA 1305687 C CA1305687 C CA 1305687C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cross rail
- coupling
- rail
- cross
- vehicle
- 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 - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/04—Carriers associated with vehicle roof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/04—Carriers associated with vehicle roof
- B60R9/045—Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A cross rail for forming a load-bearing rack of a luggage carrier. The cross rail includes couplings mounted to the ends of the cross rail to secure the rail to the frame of the luggage carrier. Each coupling includes an inwardly extending portion which is received within the end of the cross rail, a lower U-shaped edge, and a straight upper edge. The lower edge of the coupling aligns with the cross rail so as to minimize turbulence and wind resistance. Similarly, the upper edge of the coupling aligns with the top of the side rail to minimize resistance. The coupling is secured to the cross rail and to the side rail by screws.
A cross rail for forming a load-bearing rack of a luggage carrier. The cross rail includes couplings mounted to the ends of the cross rail to secure the rail to the frame of the luggage carrier. Each coupling includes an inwardly extending portion which is received within the end of the cross rail, a lower U-shaped edge, and a straight upper edge. The lower edge of the coupling aligns with the cross rail so as to minimize turbulence and wind resistance. Similarly, the upper edge of the coupling aligns with the top of the side rail to minimize resistance. The coupling is secured to the cross rail and to the side rail by screws.
Description
LUGGAGE RACK WITH
SUSPENDED CROSS RAII, ackground of the Invention I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a cross rail for a luggage rack adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of an automotive vehicle and, in particular, to a fixedly mounted cross rail which forms a suspended load-bearing 5 rack of a luggage carrier.
II. Description of the Prior Art Luggage racks m~unted to the exterior surface of automotive vehicles have long been utilized to transport luggage exteriorly of the vehicle. The simplest form of luggage carrier is formed by a series oE parallel slats mounted flush with th0 top of the vehicle. These slats are designed to provide extra support while preventing damage to the roof top. However, these racks lacked means for constraining the baggage which oftentimes resulted in lost luggage as it slid off of the rack.
In order to overcome this disadvantage, an elevated frame was added which prevented the baggage from sliding off of the carrier due to changes in momentum. This frame generally extends about the peripheral edge of the slats which support the luggage and is supported above the vehicle surface by stanchions mounted to the roof top.
Although providing support and constraint of a majority of articles, it was found that heavier packages tended to cause the support slats and the roof top to bow under their weight. However, because of vehicle weight and ~ ' ~l3~S~
aerodynamic re~uirements, support racks manufactured rom heavier materials were undesirable.
As a result, elevated racks were developed which dld not depend on the support of the vehicle top. Moreover, since these luggage carriers could be assembled prior to mounting, manufacturing and assembly costs were reduced. However, these past known elevated racks either lacked the necessary peripheral constrainment or employed bulky connecting assemblies for the cross rails. Since the ultimate goal of any vehicle design is to eliminate drag by making the vehicle as aerodynamic as possible, these connecting assemblies defeat this goal by adding wind resistance at a crucial position of the vehicle construction.
Summarv of the Present Invention The present invention is an improved cross rail assembly for a luggage carrier which overcomes the disadvantages of the previously known luggage rack assemblies.
The invention relates to an improvement in a luggage carrier adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle and having a substantially rectangular frame supported in a plane in spacial relationship above the vehicle surface, the frame including two side rails and at least one cross rail means formlng a load-bearing rack suspended from said frame, the improvement wherein said cross rail means compromise:
an elongated cross rail member having opposing ends and upper and lower surfaces; and means for fixedly attaching the ends oE said cross rail member to said side rails in suspended relation between the plane formed by said Erame and the vehicle surface.
The cross rail according to the present invention is designed to be utilized in forming a Eixed load-bearing rack suspended from the peripheral frame of the luggage carrier. The peripheral frame of the carrier is adapted to be mounted to a surface of a vehicle and elevated in spaced relation to the vehicle surface. The rail of the present invention includes an elongated cross rail member having a substantially oval cross-section with upper and lower surfaces. A coupling for fixedly attaching the cross rail to the said side rails of the frame is mounted to each end of the cross rail member. The coupling has a substantially planar body with a U-shaped bottom edge and a rectilinear top edge. Disposed proximate the bottom - 2a -,.~
edge of the coupling is an inwardly extending portion which is fixedly recaived within the hollow end of the cross rail member.
The configuration of the coupling and the placement of the inwardly extending portion are designed to reduce wind resistance caused by the coupling between ~he side rails of the frame and the suspend~d cross rail. Thus, upon connection of the cross rail member to the coupling, the U-shaped lower edge of the coupling aligns with the lower suface of the rail member. Similarly, upon con-nection of the cross rail to the side rails, the upper edge of the coupling aligns with the upper edge of the side rail. In addition, a throughbore is provided proximate the upper edge of the coupling which receives the mounting screw for fixedly attaching the cross rail to the frame.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present inv ntion when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which lik~
reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective of a luggage carrier mounted to a vehicle surface and embodying the present invention;
~P~ '7 ~IGURE 2 is an exploded perspective of the present invention priox to assembly; and FIGURE 3 ls a cross-sectional view of the present invention.
Detailed DescriPtion of a_Preferred Embodiment of th~ Present Invention .
Referring first to Fig. 1, a luggage carrier 10 embodying the present invention is thereshown mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle 12 for supporting and transporting luggage or similar cargo. In the preferred embodiment, the luggage carrier 10 is shown mounted to the rooftop of the vehicle 12 although similar principles may be adapted for rear deck mounted luggage racks. The luggage carrier 10 generally compris~s a substantially rectangular frame 1~ which is supported in spacial rela-tionship to the vehicle surface 12 by a plurality of lS support stanchions 16. The frame 14 includes at least two side rails 18 which extend longitudinally between the stanchions 16. Additional rails 20 may also be secured to the stanchions 16 to form the rectangular frame 14 although these rails 20 may be replaced by the cross rails ~2 of the present invention. As is shown in Fig. 1, the suspended cross rails 22 embodying the present invention are detachably secured to the side rails 18 of the frame 14.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the cross rail 22 comprises an elongated cross rail member 24 having identical opposing ends 26. For claarness of understand-ingr the present invention will be desoribed in conjunction with only one end 26 of the cross rail member 24 although it is to be understood that both ends of each of the cross rails 22 are identically assembled. The cross rail member 24 has a substantially oval cross-section with an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the end 26 of the crDss rail member 24 is hollow in order to receive the attachin~
means as will be subsequently described. However, the cross rail member 24 may have a tubular construction in order to reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, the cross rail member 24 may have any cross sectional configuration although the oval configuration provides the maximum load-bearing strength while minimiæing wind resistance.
The cross rail 22 also includes means 32 for fixedly attaching the ends 26 of the cross rail member 24 to the side rails 18. This attaching means 32 secures the cross rail 22 in a suspended relation from the sidP rails 18 between the plane formPd by the frame 14 of the luggage carrier lO and the vehicle surface 12 and includes a coupling 34. The coupling 34 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section with an inwardly extending portion 36 which is received within the hollow end 26 of the cross rail member 24. The inwardly extending portion 36 has an oval configuration which closely conforms with -the shape of the cross rail member 24 to provide secure attachment~ In addition, a bolt or screw 38 is utilized to fixedly secure the coupling 34 to the cross rail member 24. This screw cooperates with an aperture 40 formed in the wall of the cross rail memker 24 and a bore 42 in the inwardly extend-ing portion 36 of the coupling 34 to attach the coupling34 to the cross rail member 24.
Referring still to Figs. 2 and 3, the coupling 34 has a substantially U-shaped bottom edge 44 which closely conforms to the configuration of the lower surface 30 of the cross rail member 24. Moreover, although the inwardly extending portion 36 is disposed proximate this lower edge 44 of the coupling 34, a peripheral shoulder 46 is provided between the portion 36 and the bottom edge 44 of the coupling 34. As a result of the similar 3. 3~ '7 configurations and the shoulder 46, connection of the coupling 34 to the cross rail member 24 cause~ the lower surface 30 of tha cross rail member 24 to align with the bottom edge 44 of the coupling 34 as shown in Fig. 3.
5 Thi5 flush alignment substantially reduces the wind resistance which can result from securing the cross rail 22 to the side rails 18 of the prior known luggage carriers.
Upon assembly o* the ~ross rails 22, the assembly is readily secured to the side rails 18 in a spaced parallel arrangement to form a load~bearing surface which is suspended from the frame 14 between the surface 12 of the vehicle and the frame 14. The coupling 34 includes a ~hroughbore 4B which receives a mounting screw 50. Upon insertion of the screw 50 within the bore 48, the coupling 34 and therefore the cross rail 22 is attached to the side rail 18. In the preferred embodiment, the side rails 18 are provided with pre-formed apertures 52 at the intended mounting positions of the rail 22. The coupling 34 is secured to the side rail 18 by insert:ing the screw 50 into the aperture 52.
As is best shown in Fig. 2, the coupliny 34 includes a substantially rectilinear upper edge 54 which aligns with the upper edge 56 of the rail :18 upon attachme.nt of the cross rail 22. The throughbore 48 of the coupling and the aperture 52 of the side rail 18 are positioned to ensure alignment of these edges. Thus, exposed edges which reduce the aerodynamic design of the carrier lO are eliminated thereby advancing the objective of providing a surface mounted luggage carrier lO which minimizes additional wind resistance.
Thus, the present invention provides a suspended load-bearing surface which is suspended below the peripheral frame of the luggage carrier in order to 3 ;31~5~
constrain the cargo disposed therein. In addition, the position and number of cross rails may be varied to form load-bearing surfaces of varying strength and size.
Finally, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a plurality of cross rails extending between the lonyitudinal side rails of the frameO it should be understood that the rails 22 may be disposed in a longitudinal alignment to form the load-b~aring ~urface.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
I claim:
SUSPENDED CROSS RAII, ackground of the Invention I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a cross rail for a luggage rack adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of an automotive vehicle and, in particular, to a fixedly mounted cross rail which forms a suspended load-bearing 5 rack of a luggage carrier.
II. Description of the Prior Art Luggage racks m~unted to the exterior surface of automotive vehicles have long been utilized to transport luggage exteriorly of the vehicle. The simplest form of luggage carrier is formed by a series oE parallel slats mounted flush with th0 top of the vehicle. These slats are designed to provide extra support while preventing damage to the roof top. However, these racks lacked means for constraining the baggage which oftentimes resulted in lost luggage as it slid off of the rack.
In order to overcome this disadvantage, an elevated frame was added which prevented the baggage from sliding off of the carrier due to changes in momentum. This frame generally extends about the peripheral edge of the slats which support the luggage and is supported above the vehicle surface by stanchions mounted to the roof top.
Although providing support and constraint of a majority of articles, it was found that heavier packages tended to cause the support slats and the roof top to bow under their weight. However, because of vehicle weight and ~ ' ~l3~S~
aerodynamic re~uirements, support racks manufactured rom heavier materials were undesirable.
As a result, elevated racks were developed which dld not depend on the support of the vehicle top. Moreover, since these luggage carriers could be assembled prior to mounting, manufacturing and assembly costs were reduced. However, these past known elevated racks either lacked the necessary peripheral constrainment or employed bulky connecting assemblies for the cross rails. Since the ultimate goal of any vehicle design is to eliminate drag by making the vehicle as aerodynamic as possible, these connecting assemblies defeat this goal by adding wind resistance at a crucial position of the vehicle construction.
Summarv of the Present Invention The present invention is an improved cross rail assembly for a luggage carrier which overcomes the disadvantages of the previously known luggage rack assemblies.
The invention relates to an improvement in a luggage carrier adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle and having a substantially rectangular frame supported in a plane in spacial relationship above the vehicle surface, the frame including two side rails and at least one cross rail means formlng a load-bearing rack suspended from said frame, the improvement wherein said cross rail means compromise:
an elongated cross rail member having opposing ends and upper and lower surfaces; and means for fixedly attaching the ends oE said cross rail member to said side rails in suspended relation between the plane formed by said Erame and the vehicle surface.
The cross rail according to the present invention is designed to be utilized in forming a Eixed load-bearing rack suspended from the peripheral frame of the luggage carrier. The peripheral frame of the carrier is adapted to be mounted to a surface of a vehicle and elevated in spaced relation to the vehicle surface. The rail of the present invention includes an elongated cross rail member having a substantially oval cross-section with upper and lower surfaces. A coupling for fixedly attaching the cross rail to the said side rails of the frame is mounted to each end of the cross rail member. The coupling has a substantially planar body with a U-shaped bottom edge and a rectilinear top edge. Disposed proximate the bottom - 2a -,.~
edge of the coupling is an inwardly extending portion which is fixedly recaived within the hollow end of the cross rail member.
The configuration of the coupling and the placement of the inwardly extending portion are designed to reduce wind resistance caused by the coupling between ~he side rails of the frame and the suspend~d cross rail. Thus, upon connection of the cross rail member to the coupling, the U-shaped lower edge of the coupling aligns with the lower suface of the rail member. Similarly, upon con-nection of the cross rail to the side rails, the upper edge of the coupling aligns with the upper edge of the side rail. In addition, a throughbore is provided proximate the upper edge of the coupling which receives the mounting screw for fixedly attaching the cross rail to the frame.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present inv ntion when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which lik~
reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective of a luggage carrier mounted to a vehicle surface and embodying the present invention;
~P~ '7 ~IGURE 2 is an exploded perspective of the present invention priox to assembly; and FIGURE 3 ls a cross-sectional view of the present invention.
Detailed DescriPtion of a_Preferred Embodiment of th~ Present Invention .
Referring first to Fig. 1, a luggage carrier 10 embodying the present invention is thereshown mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle 12 for supporting and transporting luggage or similar cargo. In the preferred embodiment, the luggage carrier 10 is shown mounted to the rooftop of the vehicle 12 although similar principles may be adapted for rear deck mounted luggage racks. The luggage carrier 10 generally compris~s a substantially rectangular frame 1~ which is supported in spacial rela-tionship to the vehicle surface 12 by a plurality of lS support stanchions 16. The frame 14 includes at least two side rails 18 which extend longitudinally between the stanchions 16. Additional rails 20 may also be secured to the stanchions 16 to form the rectangular frame 14 although these rails 20 may be replaced by the cross rails ~2 of the present invention. As is shown in Fig. 1, the suspended cross rails 22 embodying the present invention are detachably secured to the side rails 18 of the frame 14.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the cross rail 22 comprises an elongated cross rail member 24 having identical opposing ends 26. For claarness of understand-ingr the present invention will be desoribed in conjunction with only one end 26 of the cross rail member 24 although it is to be understood that both ends of each of the cross rails 22 are identically assembled. The cross rail member 24 has a substantially oval cross-section with an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the end 26 of the crDss rail member 24 is hollow in order to receive the attachin~
means as will be subsequently described. However, the cross rail member 24 may have a tubular construction in order to reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, the cross rail member 24 may have any cross sectional configuration although the oval configuration provides the maximum load-bearing strength while minimiæing wind resistance.
The cross rail 22 also includes means 32 for fixedly attaching the ends 26 of the cross rail member 24 to the side rails 18. This attaching means 32 secures the cross rail 22 in a suspended relation from the sidP rails 18 between the plane formPd by the frame 14 of the luggage carrier lO and the vehicle surface 12 and includes a coupling 34. The coupling 34 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section with an inwardly extending portion 36 which is received within the hollow end 26 of the cross rail member 24. The inwardly extending portion 36 has an oval configuration which closely conforms with -the shape of the cross rail member 24 to provide secure attachment~ In addition, a bolt or screw 38 is utilized to fixedly secure the coupling 34 to the cross rail member 24. This screw cooperates with an aperture 40 formed in the wall of the cross rail memker 24 and a bore 42 in the inwardly extend-ing portion 36 of the coupling 34 to attach the coupling34 to the cross rail member 24.
Referring still to Figs. 2 and 3, the coupling 34 has a substantially U-shaped bottom edge 44 which closely conforms to the configuration of the lower surface 30 of the cross rail member 24. Moreover, although the inwardly extending portion 36 is disposed proximate this lower edge 44 of the coupling 34, a peripheral shoulder 46 is provided between the portion 36 and the bottom edge 44 of the coupling 34. As a result of the similar 3. 3~ '7 configurations and the shoulder 46, connection of the coupling 34 to the cross rail member 24 cause~ the lower surface 30 of tha cross rail member 24 to align with the bottom edge 44 of the coupling 34 as shown in Fig. 3.
5 Thi5 flush alignment substantially reduces the wind resistance which can result from securing the cross rail 22 to the side rails 18 of the prior known luggage carriers.
Upon assembly o* the ~ross rails 22, the assembly is readily secured to the side rails 18 in a spaced parallel arrangement to form a load~bearing surface which is suspended from the frame 14 between the surface 12 of the vehicle and the frame 14. The coupling 34 includes a ~hroughbore 4B which receives a mounting screw 50. Upon insertion of the screw 50 within the bore 48, the coupling 34 and therefore the cross rail 22 is attached to the side rail 18. In the preferred embodiment, the side rails 18 are provided with pre-formed apertures 52 at the intended mounting positions of the rail 22. The coupling 34 is secured to the side rail 18 by insert:ing the screw 50 into the aperture 52.
As is best shown in Fig. 2, the coupliny 34 includes a substantially rectilinear upper edge 54 which aligns with the upper edge 56 of the rail :18 upon attachme.nt of the cross rail 22. The throughbore 48 of the coupling and the aperture 52 of the side rail 18 are positioned to ensure alignment of these edges. Thus, exposed edges which reduce the aerodynamic design of the carrier lO are eliminated thereby advancing the objective of providing a surface mounted luggage carrier lO which minimizes additional wind resistance.
Thus, the present invention provides a suspended load-bearing surface which is suspended below the peripheral frame of the luggage carrier in order to 3 ;31~5~
constrain the cargo disposed therein. In addition, the position and number of cross rails may be varied to form load-bearing surfaces of varying strength and size.
Finally, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a plurality of cross rails extending between the lonyitudinal side rails of the frameO it should be understood that the rails 22 may be disposed in a longitudinal alignment to form the load-b~aring ~urface.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
I claim:
Claims (10)
1. In a luggage carrier adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle and having a substantially rectangular frame supported in a plane in spacial relationship above the vehicle surface, the frame including two side rails and at least one cross rail means forming a load-bearing rack suspended from said frame, the improvement wherein said cross rail means comprises:
an elongated cross rail member having opposing ends and upper and lower surfaces; and means for fixedly attaching the ends of said cross rail member to said side rails in suspended relation between the plane formed by said frame and the vehicle surface.
an elongated cross rail member having opposing ends and upper and lower surfaces; and means for fixedly attaching the ends of said cross rail member to said side rails in suspended relation between the plane formed by said frame and the vehicle surface.
2. The cross rail as defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means includes a coupling having an inwardly extending portion fixedly secured within the end of said cross rail member, and means for securing said coupling to said side rail.
3. The cross rail as defined in claim 2 wherein the lower surface of said cross rail member has a substantially U-shaped configuration and said coupling has a substantially U shaped bottom edge which closely conforms to the configuration of said lower surface of said cross rail member.
4. The cross rail as defined in claim 3 wherein said inwardly extending portion is proximate said bottom edge of said coupling such that said bottom edge of said coupling aligns with said lower surface of said cross rail member when said coupling is secured to said cross rail member.
5. The cross rail as defined in claim 2 wherein said coupling has a substantially rectilinear upper edge, said upper edge aligning with the top of said side rail when said coupling is secured to said side rail.
6. The cross rail as defined in claim 5 wherein said coupling includes a throughbore and said securing means comprises screw means which extend through said through-bore into said side rail to fixedly secure said cross rail to said side rail.
7. A cross rail for forming a load-bearing rack of a luggage carrier adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle, the luggage carrier including a substantially rectangular frame supported in a plane in spacial relationship to the vehicle surface and having two side rails, said cross rail comprising:
an elongated cross rail member having upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface having a substantially U-shaped configuration; and means for fixedly attaching the ends of said cross rail member to said side rails in suspended relation between the plane formed by said frame and the vehicle surface;
said attaching means comprising a coupling having an inwardly extending portion fixedly secured within the end of said cross rail member and means for securing said coupling to said side rail, said coupling having a substantially U-shaped bottom edge which closely conforms to the configuration of said lower surface of said cross rail member and a substantially rectilinear upper edge;
wherein said bottom edge of said coupling aligns with said lower surface of said cross rail member when said coupling is secured to said cross rail member and wherein said upper edge aligns with the top of said side rail when said coupling is secured to said side rail.
an elongated cross rail member having upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface having a substantially U-shaped configuration; and means for fixedly attaching the ends of said cross rail member to said side rails in suspended relation between the plane formed by said frame and the vehicle surface;
said attaching means comprising a coupling having an inwardly extending portion fixedly secured within the end of said cross rail member and means for securing said coupling to said side rail, said coupling having a substantially U-shaped bottom edge which closely conforms to the configuration of said lower surface of said cross rail member and a substantially rectilinear upper edge;
wherein said bottom edge of said coupling aligns with said lower surface of said cross rail member when said coupling is secured to said cross rail member and wherein said upper edge aligns with the top of said side rail when said coupling is secured to said side rail.
8. The cross rail as defined in claim 7 wherein said coupling includes a throughbore and said securing means comprises screw means which extends through said through-bore into said side rail to fixedly secure said cross rail to said side rail.
9. A luggage carrier adapted to be mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle, the carrier including a frame having a pair of side rails and supported in a plane in spacial relationship to the vehicle surface, at least one cross rail having upper and lower, substantially U-shaped surfaces extending between said side rails and forming a load-bearing rack, and means for fixedly attaching the ends of said cross rail in suspended relation between the plane formed by said frame and the vehicle surfaces, each said attaching means comprising:
a coupling having a substantially U-shaped bottom edge which closely conforms to the configuration of said lower surface of said cross rail, a substantially recti-linear top edge, and an inwardly extending portion proximate said bottom edge;
said inwardly extending portion fixedly received within the end of said cross rail such that said bottom edge of said coupling aligns with said lower surface of said cross rail; and said upper edge aligning with the top of said side rail when said coupling is secured to said side rail.
a coupling having a substantially U-shaped bottom edge which closely conforms to the configuration of said lower surface of said cross rail, a substantially recti-linear top edge, and an inwardly extending portion proximate said bottom edge;
said inwardly extending portion fixedly received within the end of said cross rail such that said bottom edge of said coupling aligns with said lower surface of said cross rail; and said upper edge aligning with the top of said side rail when said coupling is secured to said side rail.
10. The attaching means as defined in claim 9 wherein said coupling includes a throughbore for receiving screw means to fixedly secure said cross rail to said side rail.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89779686A | 1986-08-19 | 1986-08-19 | |
| US897,796 | 1986-08-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1305687C true CA1305687C (en) | 1992-07-28 |
Family
ID=25408430
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000544730A Expired - Fee Related CA1305687C (en) | 1986-08-19 | 1987-08-18 | Luggage rack with suspended cross rail |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6349564A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR880002701A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1003848B (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1305687C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3727475C2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2194204B (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10255874A1 (en) * | 2002-11-29 | 2004-06-09 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Luggage rack to be attached to holding rails located on top of boot, comprising spring supported joint elements |
| NZ561809A (en) | 2007-09-21 | 2009-11-27 | Hubco Automotive Ltd | Resilient infill |
| NZ561811A (en) | 2007-09-21 | 2010-06-25 | Hubco Automotive Ltd | Extendable roof rack |
| JP4683061B2 (en) * | 2008-03-21 | 2011-05-11 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Roof rack mounting structure and roof rack mounting method |
| SE1230115A1 (en) * | 2012-02-04 | 2013-08-05 | Henrik Sverkersson | Adjustable roof railing with recessed support |
| EP2844523B1 (en) | 2012-04-30 | 2017-04-26 | Yakima Australia Pty Limited | Retention dock |
| WO2015171638A1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2015-11-12 | Salflex Polymers Limited | Blow molded roof rail with anchor plate |
| US10040403B2 (en) | 2015-06-09 | 2018-08-07 | Yakima Products, Inc. | Crossbar clamp actuator |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB501724A (en) * | 1938-10-17 | 1939-03-03 | Frederick William Plaxton | Improvements in and relating to luggage and like compartments of motor road vehicles |
| GB858838A (en) * | 1958-10-30 | 1961-01-18 | George Kenneth Murray | Improvements in or relating to vehicle luggage racks or carriers |
| GB956469A (en) * | 1960-10-14 | 1964-04-29 | Denis James Battersby | Luggage racks for cars |
| US3253755A (en) * | 1964-06-22 | 1966-05-31 | John A Bott | Luggage rack |
| US4175682A (en) * | 1977-06-16 | 1979-11-27 | Bott John Anthony | Luggage rack |
| JPS5612134U (en) * | 1979-07-10 | 1981-02-02 | ||
| WO1986001471A1 (en) * | 1984-08-24 | 1986-03-13 | Southern Cross Technology Corp. | Rack arrangement |
-
1987
- 1987-04-30 GB GB8713333A patent/GB2194204B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-05-11 JP JP62114382A patent/JPS6349564A/en active Granted
- 1987-06-18 CN CN87104266.5A patent/CN1003848B/en not_active Expired
- 1987-08-18 DE DE3727475A patent/DE3727475C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-08-18 CA CA000544730A patent/CA1305687C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-08-18 KR KR870009026A patent/KR880002701A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2194204A (en) | 1988-03-02 |
| KR880002701A (en) | 1988-05-10 |
| JPS6349564A (en) | 1988-03-02 |
| DE3727475A1 (en) | 1988-03-10 |
| GB8713333D0 (en) | 1987-07-15 |
| CN1003848B (en) | 1989-04-12 |
| DE3727475C2 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
| JPH0579539B2 (en) | 1993-11-02 |
| CN87104266A (en) | 1988-03-23 |
| GB2194204B (en) | 1990-06-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |