FR2521931A1 - Vehicle roof rack for carrying skis - incorporates cavity beneath luggage platform into which the skis are introduced - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle roof-rack esp. for carrying skis comprises a luggage platform (4) which supports an e.g. releasable cover (5) and which is secured to the guttering of the vehicle roof. The roof-rack pref. incorporates a longitudinal cavity (6) beneath the luggage platform (4) into which the skis are introduced via a lockable door (15). The skis are pref. forced against the floor (7) of the cavity (6) by a resilient block (14) at one end and by a seal (17) along the bottom of the door (15) at the other end.

Description

"Luggage rack device, in particular ski rack, adaptable on motor vehicles".

 The present invention relates to a luggage carrier device, in particular a ski carrier, capable of being mounted on a motor vehicle.

 Currently, for the transport of skis, a gallery is used which is fixed to the roof or to the roof gutters of the motor vehicle and which carries in its front part and in its rear part U-shaped elements in which the skis are arranged, the skis being generally held by straps or blocking elements. The use of such galleries has many drawbacks. First of all, having regard to the load transported by the gallery, the coefficient of penetration into the air is notably affected. Very unpleasant whistles appear on the march.

The gallery used is a gallery specially and only intended for the transport of skis so that all the other luggage to be transported such as suitcases, tires or others must be placed either in the cabin of the vehicle or in its trunk, thus limiting the quantity of luggage likely to be transported Furthermore, if the quantity of luggage to be transported is too large, one is obliged to have recourse, with all its drawbacks, to a trailer which is attached to the quarry of the vehicle.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks in particular and proposes a luggage carrier device which alone allows the transport of skis and the transport of any luggage.

 The luggage carrier device, in particular ski carrier, according to the present invention, which is provided with means for fixing to the roof or to the side roof gutters of a motor vehicle, comprises a platform capable of receiving on its upper face luggage or the like and further comprises holding means for fixing or holding at least one ski arranged or introduced longitudinally below said platform. Advantageously, the structure of the device according to the present invention as it has just been exposed therefore allows, at the same time, on the one hand, the transport of skis that are available and fixed below the platform and on the other hand the transport of any baggage that can be arranged or fixed on this platform.

 According to the present invention, holding means can advantageously be provided at the front and at the rear for fixing or maintaining said ski in two places and in particular on either side of the binding which it carries.

 It is. particularly advantageous that said ski is arranged horizontally and flat. In this case, the device according to the present invention may advantageously comprise a transverse recess, formed in particular in said platform intended for the reception of the bindings mounted on said ski.

 According to the present invention, the device can advantageously comprise a box delimiting a longitudinal tunnel for receiving said ski, tunnel having at least at one of its front or rear ends an opening through which said ski can be introduced longitudinally below said platform, said platform preferably being formed by the wall forming the ceiling of said tunnel. In this way, the ski can be placed in a largely protected space.

 Said holding means can be used in several ways.

However, according to the present invention, said holding means can advantageously be formed by pressing means making it possible to apply or press said ski against a bearing surface formed by the underside of said platform,
In another variant, said holding means can advantageously be formed by pressing means making it possible to apply or press said ski against a bearing surface formed by the wall forming the floor of said tunnel.

 According to the present invention, said pressing means can be formed by an elastic element extending in the direction of said bearing surface. Although it can be constructed from spring elements, said elastic element can advantageously be formed by an elastic material such as plastic foam or rubber and extend transversely, this elastic element preferably having a bevelled surface. or rounded facilitating the introduction of said ski between said elastic element and said bearing surface.

 In another variant, said pressing means may advantageously comprise a movable transverse bar or board between a withdrawal position remote from said bearing surface for the purpose of introducing said ski between said bar or board and said bearing surface and a advanced position in which it presses or applies said ski against said bearing surface for its maintenance, means being provided for maintaining or fixing said bar or board at least in its advanced position, Preferably, said bar board is provided with a layer or a covering or protective strip of an elastic material such as a foam of plastic or rubber coming to bear on said ski.

The device according to the present invention may advantageously comprise means for moving said bar or board between the above positions, at least in one direction,
In another variant, said holding or pressing means can advantageously be formed by a transverse door for access to said tunnel and capable of closing said opening, the transverse edge of this pressing door, when it is in the closed position, the ski against a surface support formed by the wall of the box forming the floor of said tunnel, means being provided to maintain said door in the closed position.

The transverse end edge of said door can advantageously be provided with a layer or a covering or protective strip of an elastic material such as a foam of plastic material or rubber coming to bear on said ski,
According to the present invention, said bearing surface for said ski can advantageously be provided with a layer or a covering or protective strip made of an elastic material such as a foam of plastic material or rubber against which comes to take support said ski.

 As seen above, said platform can be used as a support for any luggage. In a particularly interesting alternative embodiment, the device according to the present invention may advantageously comprise an upper box delimiting above said platform a baggage or other reception box, this box being preferably made waterproof.

In some cases, you have to transport skis and luggage at the same time In other cases, however, you only have skis to transport. It is therefore particularly advantageous, in cycas, for said upper box to be separable from said platform. Means are then provided for removably assembling said upper box to said platform,
It may also be advantageous for said upper box to be articulated on said platform. In this case, said means provided for moving and holding said crossbar or board can advantageously be formed by this upper box or a part of the latter.

 We have also seen above that the opening of said tunnel can be closed by a door used to hold the ski.

In another variant, this access door to said tunnel can also form an access door to said safe.

 We have also seen above that said bar or board can move between a retracted position and an advanced position and that said access door to said tunnel can be opened or closed. According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to provide a return spring permar.t to move said bar or board to its withdrawal position or respectively said door to its open position.

The present invention will be better understood from the study of ski and luggage rack devices described by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the air drawing which
- Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal section, a first variant of the device according to the present invention
- Figure 2 shows, in longitudinal section, a second alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention;
- Figure 3 shows a cross section along
III-III of the device shown in Figure 2;
FIG. 4 represents, in longitudinal section, a third alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention,
and Figure 5 shows a cross section along
VV of the device shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 represents a ski and bge holder device, generally identified by the reference i, which can be fixed to the roof of a motor vehicle 2,
The device 1 comprises a box generally identified by the reference 3 which comprises a lower part 4 and an upper part 5 which are separable, the upper part 5 having been shown at a distance from the lower part 4.

 The lower part 4 of the box 3 delimits a tunnel 6 which extends longitudinally to the vehicle 2. It comprises a horizontal wall 7 which forms the floor of the tunnel 6, a horizontal wall 8 which forms the ceiling of the tunnel 6 and two side walls and vertical 9 which form the sides of the tunnel 6, the tunnel 6 thus defined being open both at its front end and at its rear end and having a substantially rectangular cross section.

 The lower part 4 of the box 3 is carried by the side roof gutters 2a of the vehicle 2 by means of fixing bars 10, which, in the example shown, pass through the side walls 9 and extend transversely to the tunnel 6 just above the wall forming the ceiling 8 of the tunnel 6. The fixing bars 10 are four in number and are fixed on the one hand to the lateral gutters 2a in a known manner and not shown and on the other hand to the wall forming ceiling 8 as will be seen later in connection with FIG. 3.

 The upper part 5 of the box 3 is in the form of a bowl which can come to bear on the upper peripheral edge of the lower part 4 with its opening facing the wall forming the ceiling 8 and then be fixed in this state by the intermediary of four fastening elements 11 with rings and hooks placed, in the example shown, at the four corners inside the upper part 5. Thus, the upper part 5, when it is assembled to the lower part 4 , delimits, above the lower part 4, a trunk 5a, the bottom of which is formed by the wall forming the ceiling 8 of the tunnel 6. The side walls of the upper part 5 include side doors 12 for accessing the trunk s' opening upwards around hinges 12a and lockable in the closed position by locks 13, preferably with keys. These doors 12 also allow access to the fastening elements 11 for their operation.

 In the front part of the tunnel 6 is provided an element or block 14 which is fixed to the wall forming the ceiling 8 for example by gluing and which extends transversely to the tunnel 6 and substantially up to the wall forming the floor 7. This block 14 is preferably made of a slightly elastic plastic material and has a surface facing the wall forming the floor 7 substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle so as to present a rounded 14a on the side of the interior of the tunnel 6.

 The rear opening of the tunnel 6 can be closed by a door 15 which is articulated on the rear edge of the wall forming the ceiling 8 by means of a hinge 16. This door 15 is, in the closed position, substantially vertical and s extends in the direction of the wall forming the floor 7. The transverse end edge of the door 15 carries a rubber tube 17 which substantially makes the junction between the door 15 and the wall forming the floor 7.

The door 15 is also provided with a locking device 18 such as that shown in Figure 3 and which will be seen later.

 As just described, the device 1 shown in Figure 1 can be used for different purposes.

 First of all, the lower part 4 of the box 3 is suitable for transporting skis. Indeed, it suffices to have in the tunnel 6 and longitudinally to the latter the skis that one has to transport. For this, the door 15 is opened upwards and outwards so as to release the rear opening of the tunnel 6.

The skis and in particular the ski 19 are introduced via their rear end into the tunnel so that it is flat and in abutment on the wall forming the floor 7, taking care that their bindings and in particular the bindings 20 of the ski 19 are turned upwards, the skis and in particular the ski 19 are slid onto the wall forming the floor 7 until their rear part penetrates between the element or transverse block 14 and the wall forming the floor 7 and extends towards the front slightly beyond this transverse element 14 and that their fixings are inside the tunnel 6. When all the skis are introduced, the door 15 is closed and the latter is locked in the closed position. The skis and in particular the ski 19 are pressed on either side of their bindings and in particular of the bindings 20 of the ski 19, against the wall forming the floor 7 thanks to the pressures exerted on the one hand in the front part of the tunnel 6 by the elastic element 14 and on the other hand in the rear part of the tunnel 6 by the door 15 by means of the flange 17.

 If one wishes to transport, in addition to skis, baggage such as suitcases or bags, it suffices to mount the upper part 5 of the box 3 on its lower part 4 and to assemble them by means of the fixing elements. through the side doors 12 of the trunk, the trunk Sa can then be filled with the luggage to be transported by depositing it on the wall 8 which forms a platform, then close and lock the access doors 12 to this trunk by means of the locks 13.

It should also be noted that the ceiling wall 8 of the lower part 4 of the box 3 can be used as a platform for carrying luggage even if the upper part 5 is not mounted, the luggage being able to be maintained on this platform 8 as in the case of a conventional gallery, In a variant, the lower part 4 could have upper edges and rings for fixing straps,
As can be seen in Figure 1, the box 3 has, in particular in its front part, a pointed aerodynamic shape. The front part of the elastic element 14 follows the same shape and occupies substantially the entire front opening of the tunnel 6. Thus, no whistling sound can appear during operation.

It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the upper part 5 of the box 3 has a horizontal upper wall 21 surrounded laterally and at the rear by a boss 22. This wall can advantageously also be used as a tray, in particular for transporting tires. Anchor points for straps could be provided but have not been shown,
The luggage carrier device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and generally identified by the reference 23 has a structure very close to that of the device I shown in FIG. 1.

 It is essentially differentiated by the fact that it comprises a box generally referred to by the reference 24 in a single part, the lower part of which delimits a longitudinal tunnel 25 for receiving skis equivalent to tunnel 6 and the upper part of which delimits a trunk 26 provided with a side door 26a.

 The box 24 comprises a horizontal wall 27 forming the floor of the tunnel 25, a horizontal wall 28 forming the ceiling of the tunnel 25 and the floor of the trunk 26 and an upper and horizontal wall 29 which forms the ceiling of the trunk 26 and on which are placed. two tires 30 and 31 which could be held for example by straps not shown, the plate 29 being, as in the previous example, surrounded at the rear and laterally by a boss 32 advantageously forming a stop for the tires 30 and 31 .

The walls 27, 28 and 29 are equivalent to the walls 7, 8, 21 of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

 As in the previous example, an elastic block or thorn 33 equivalent to block 14 is provided in the front part of the tunnel 25.

 The rear opening of the tunnel 25 can also be closed by a door 34, the lower end edge of which carries a rubber tube 35 and which is capable of pressing the skis onto the wall forming the floor 27 by means of this tube 35 .

 In this example, the door 34, instead of being hinged like the door 15 on the upper edge of the tunnel 25, is, in a different way, hinged largely above the intermediate wall 28 around horizontal hinges 36 of such that this door 34 which opens towards the outside also gives access, from the rear, to the interior of the trunk 26.

 As can be seen in Figure 3, the door 34 carries a latch closure device 37 which comprises two lateral locking arms 38 and 39 whose inner ends are connected to the ends of a butterfly 40 secured to a barrel of keys 41 visible in FIG. 2. The lock closing system 37 is placed in the boot 26.

 In the example shown in FIG. J, the lock closing system 18 which has not been described previously is equivalent to the lock closing device 37 but is placed inside the tunnel 6.

 Equivalent to the device shown in Figure 1, the device shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises four fixing bars 42 which pass through the side walls of the tunnel 25. It can be seen in Figure 3 that the bars 42 are fixed to the wall intermediate 28 and below via bolts 43, the bars 42 or the intermediate wall 28 preferably having oblong transverse holes not visible in the figures to adjust the spacing of the fixing bars 42 for adaptation of the device on different motor vehicles.

 The luggage carrier device shown in Figures 4 and 5 and generally identified by the reference 44 has a structure close to that of the device 1 shown in Figure 1 and has a similar shape. It in fact comprises a box 45 in two parts, a lower part 46 delimiting a longitudinal tunnel 47 for receiving skis between a wall forming a floor 48 and a wall forming a ceiling 49 and an upper part 50 in the form of a bowl open towards the wall forming a ceiling 49 and delimiting a trunk 51. In this example, however, the upper part 50 is articulated on the lower part 46 by means of a transverse hinge 52 situated at the front part of the wall 49.

 The upper part 50 can therefore pivot between a low position in which it is in abutment on the peripheral edge of the wall 49 and delimits the trunk 51 and an inclined position represented in broken lines in which the wall 49 is accessible in view of it. deposit luggage.

 To facilitate the upward opening movement of the upper part 50, a pneumatic cylinder 53 is provided laterally.

 The upper part 50 also carries closing latches 54 and external wrists 55 for lifting.

 As in the previous examples, the front part of the ski receiving tunnel 47 has a block or transverse element 56 made of an elastic material.

 On the other hand, in order to maintain the skis in the rear part of the tunnel 47, there is provided, in this example, a bar 57 which extends transversely to the tunnel 47, As can be seen in FIG. 5, this bar 57 is carried at these ends by two vertical pushers 58 and 59 which cross the wall 49 forming the ceiling of the tunnel 47. Around the pushers 58 and 59 and above the wall 49 are provided compression springs 60 and 61 which bear on the wall 49 and which act on the pushers 48 and 49 upwards in order to bring the transverse bar 57 into the upper part of the tunnel 47. The upper part 50 of the box 45 has, laterally and inside, stops 62 and 63 which are likely to come to press on the upper end of the pushers 58 and 59.

 When the upper part 50 is in the raised position, the springs 60 and 61 hold the bar 57 in a high or withdrawn position allowing the introduction of the skis without hindering the passage of their bindings. When the upper part 50 is lowered, the stops 62 and 63 which it carries come to press on the pushers 58 and 59 so as to move the transverse bar 57 to a low position in which it comes to bear on the skis in view to keep them pressed against the wall 48 forming the floor of the tunnel 47.

 The underside of the transverse bar 57 carries a covering or protective layer 64 of an elastic material coming to bear on the skis.

 Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that four skis have been arranged longitudinally in the tunnel 25 and it is noted that the flange 35 which is provided at the lower end of the door 35 bears on the upper face of the skis. view of their maintenance and in contact with the wall 27 forming the floor of the tunnel 25 between the skis. In this way, the rear end of the tunnel 25 is practically closed. In addition, the flange 25 conforms to different skis' and can press, because of its elasticity, on skis of different thickness. The same comments could be made about the flange 17 and the elastic transverse block 14 of the device shown in FIG. 1, the elastic transverse block 33 of the device visible in FIG. 2 and the transverse block 56 and the covering layer 64 of the transverse bar 57 of the device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

 Furthermore and in general, it can be noted that the mobile elements such as the doors or the articulated elements of the devices which have just been described may advantageously be surrounded by sealing means such as seals in order to form watertight boxes. All locking or closing elements can be provided with keys so that the devices are tamper-proof. In addition, although it is not shown, it is particularly advantageous for the walls forming the floors of the tunnels of the devices described to be perforated in order to allow the evacuation of snow or ice.

 The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. One can indeed design an inverted device in which the skis would be pressed or applied against the wall forming the ceiling of the tunnel and forming a platform to receive any baggage on its upper face. In this case, this platform could then comprise a transverse recess for the reception of the ski bindings, the wall forming the floor of the tunnel can be suppressed or reduced to one or more transverse bars or boards. The means for holding the skis in abutment against the underside of said platform could be those described or equivalent means. Many other variants are also possible without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS i. Luggage carrier device, in particular ski carrier, provided with means for fixing to the roof or to the lateral gutters of the roof of a motor vehicle, comprising a platform capable of receiving luggage or the like on its upper face, characterized by the fact that it comprises holding means for fixing or maintaining at least one ski disposed or introduced longitudinally below said platform  2. Device according to claim, characterized in that holding means are provided at the front and at the rear to fix or hold said ski in two places.  3. Device according to one of claims 3 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a transverse recess intended for the reception of the bindings mounted on said ski.  4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a box delimiting a longitudinal tunnel for receiving said ski, tunnel having at least at one of its front or rear ends an opening through from which said ski can be introduced longitudinally below said platform, said platform being formed by the wall forming the ceiling of said tunnel,  5, - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said holding means are pressing means making it possible to apply or to press the said ski against a bearing surface formed by the underside of the said platform. form.  6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said holding means are pressing means for applying or pressing said ski against a bearing surface formed by the wall forming the floor of said tunnel.  7. Device according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said pressing means are formed by an elastic element extending in the direction of said bearing surface.  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said elastic element is formed by an elastic material such as a united foam of plastic or rubber and extends transversely.  9. Device according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said elastic element has a bevelled or rounded surface facilitating the introduction of said ski between said elastic element and said bearing surface.  10. Device according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said pressing means comprise a bar or transverse board which is movable between a withdrawal position remote from said bearing surface for the introduction of said ski between said bar or board and said bearing surface and an advanced position in which it presses or applies said ski against said bearing surface in order to maintain it, means being provided for holding or fixing said bar or board at least in its advanced position.  1. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said bar or board is provided with a layer or a covering or protective strip of an elastic material such as a foam of plastic material or rubber coming resting on said ski.  12q Device according to one of claims 10 and it, characterized in that it comprises means for moving said bar or board between the above positions, at least in one direction.  13. Device according to one of claims 4 and 6, characterized in that said holding means are formed by a transverse door for access to said tunnel and capable of closing said opening, the transverse end edge of this door pressing , when it is in the closed position, the ski against a bearing surface formed by the wall forming the floor of said tunnel, means being provided for keeping said door in the closed position.  14. Device according to claim 113, characterized in that the transverse end edge of said door is provided with a layer or a covering or protective strip of an elastic material such as a foam of plastic material. or rubber coming to bear on said ski  15. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that said bearing surface is provided with a layer or a covering or protective strip of an elastic material such as a foam. plastic or rubber material against which said ski bears.  16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an upper box delimiting above said platform a baggage reception box or the like.  17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that said upper box is separable from said platform, means being provided for removably assembling said upper box to said flat farm.  18. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that said upper box is articulated on said platform, said means for moving and maintaining said bar or transverse board being formed by this upper box or a part thereof.  19. Device according to claim] 6, characterized in that said access door to said tunnel also forms an access door to said safe.