GB2043004A - Load support means - Google Patents

Abstract

A load support means for a passenger vehicle comprises two main strut members (2), each member being provided with a hook portion (4) at one end thereof adapted to engage a top edge of a movable window (16), a load-engaging portion (8) at an opposite end of the member, and means (12) on or adjacent said load- engaging portion provides adhesion between said load-engaging portion and the body work (14) of the vehicle in a region below said window (16). The strut members (2) are separate or linked by a cross-member for additional stability. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Load support means The invention relates to load support means. In particular, it relates to load support means removably attachable to a passenger vehicle, thereby rendering the vehicle suitable for occasional use as a load-carrying vehicle.

It is well known to provide roof racks for temporary attachment to cars or other passenger vehicles to enable the vehicles to carry loads.

However, the attachment of a roof rack often causes damage to a car roof or its guttering and moreover renders the car relatively unstable especially in windy weather and/or at high speed.

The invention therefore provides a load support means for a car or similar passenger vehicle comprising two m6in strut members, each member being provided with a hook portion at one end thereof adapted to engage a top edge of a movable window of said vehicle, a load-engaging portion at an opposite end of the member, and means on or adjacent said load-engaging portion adapted to provide adhesion between said load engaging portion and the body work of the vehicle in a region below said window.

Advantageously, the hook portion is at least partially clad with rubber, felt or similar synthetic material to avoid damage to the top edge of the window. Conveniently the adhesion providing means are suction pads. In one example of the invention the strut portions are held in spacedapart parallel relationship by means of at least one cross-piece. In another example to be described below, the strut portions are separate and are individually positioned in a spaced-apart relationship one on each of the two near-side doors of a car.

This example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of one of the strut members; and Figure 2 is a view of a car provided with two strut members.

A main strut member 2 formed of aluminium strip is provided at its upper end, as viewed in the Figures, with a hook portion 4 having a rubber lining 6. At a lower end of the member 2 is an outwardly projecting load-engaging portion 8 provided with a rubber ferruie or tip-piece 10 for safety.

A suction pad 1 2 is inserted in a hole 1 5 provided adjacent the load-engaging portion 8 of the member 2, the pad being removably affixed to a side panel 14 of a car, in the present example comprising a door panel of a car. The strut member is provided with extra alternative holes 1 5 into which the pad 12 may be secured as necessary for differing sizes of car panels. The side or door panel 14 is provided with a movable window 1 6 which is adjusted to leave a small gap 1 8 into which is received the hook portion 4.

Figure 2 shows the two strut members positioned side by side on the two near-side doors of a car 20. A plank 22 is supported in the loadengaging portions 8 and, if necessary, secured against accidental movement by means of rope (not shown).

It will be understood that a cross-piece may be provided to link the struts 2 if desired or the struts and a cross-piece may be formed as an entity, if additional stability is thought to be required.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on January 31, 1980.

New or amended claims:

CLAIMS 1. A load support means for a car or similar passenger vehicle comprising two main strut members, each member being provided with a hook portion at one end thereof adapted to engage a top edge of a movable window of said vehicle, a load-engaging portion at an opposite end of the member, and means on or adjacent said load-engaging portion adapted to provide adhesion between said load-engaging portion and the body work of the vehicle in a region below said window.

2. A load support means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hook portion is at least partially clad with protective material to avoid damage to the top edge of the window.

3. A load support means as claimed in either one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesion-providing means comprise suction pads.

4. A load support means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strut members are held in spaced-apart parallel relationship by means of at least one cross member which links the strut portions.

5. A load support means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the strut members are provided with a plurality of apertures providing alternative locations for the suction pads which form the adhesion-providing means.

6. A load support means for a car or similar passenger vehicle, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Load support means The invention relates to load support means. In particular, it relates to load support means removably attachable to a passenger vehicle, thereby rendering the vehicle suitable for occasional use as a load-carrying vehicle. It is well known to provide roof racks for temporary attachment to cars or other passenger vehicles to enable the vehicles to carry loads. However, the attachment of a roof rack often causes damage to a car roof or its guttering and moreover renders the car relatively unstable especially in windy weather and/or at high speed. The invention therefore provides a load support means for a car or similar passenger vehicle comprising two m6in strut members, each member being provided with a hook portion at one end thereof adapted to engage a top edge of a movable window of said vehicle, a load-engaging portion at an opposite end of the member, and means on or adjacent said load-engaging portion adapted to provide adhesion between said load engaging portion and the body work of the vehicle in a region below said window. Advantageously, the hook portion is at least partially clad with rubber, felt or similar synthetic material to avoid damage to the top edge of the window. Conveniently the adhesion providing means are suction pads. In one example of the invention the strut portions are held in spacedapart parallel relationship by means of at least one cross-piece. In another example to be described below, the strut portions are separate and are individually positioned in a spaced-apart relationship one on each of the two near-side doors of a car. This example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of one of the strut members; and Figure 2 is a view of a car provided with two strut members. A main strut member 2 formed of aluminium strip is provided at its upper end, as viewed in the Figures, with a hook portion 4 having a rubber lining 6. At a lower end of the member 2 is an outwardly projecting load-engaging portion 8 provided with a rubber ferruie or tip-piece 10 for safety. A suction pad 1 2 is inserted in a hole 1 5 provided adjacent the load-engaging portion 8 of the member 2, the pad being removably affixed to a side panel 14 of a car, in the present example comprising a door panel of a car. The strut member is provided with extra alternative holes 1 5 into which the pad 12 may be secured as necessary for differing sizes of car panels. The side or door panel 14 is provided with a movable window 1 6 which is adjusted to leave a small gap 1 8 into which is received the hook portion 4. Figure 2 shows the two strut members positioned side by side on the two near-side doors of a car 20. A plank 22 is supported in the loadengaging portions 8 and, if necessary, secured against accidental movement by means of rope (not shown). It will be understood that a cross-piece may be provided to link the struts 2 if desired or the struts and a cross-piece may be formed as an entity, if additional stability is thought to be required. New claims or amendments to claims filed on January 31, 1980. New or amended claims: CLAIMS

1. A load support means for a car or similar passenger vehicle comprising two main strut members, each member being provided with a hook portion at one end thereof adapted to engage a top edge of a movable window of said vehicle, a load-engaging portion at an opposite end of the member, and means on or adjacent said load-engaging portion adapted to provide adhesion between said load-engaging portion and the body work of the vehicle in a region below said window.

2. A load support means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hook portion is at least partially clad with protective material to avoid damage to the top edge of the window.

3. A load support means as claimed in either one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesion-providing means comprise suction pads.

4. A load support means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strut members are held in spaced-apart parallel relationship by means of at least one cross member which links the strut portions.

5. A load support means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the strut members are provided with a plurality of apertures providing alternative locations for the suction pads which form the adhesion-providing means.

6. A load support means for a car or similar passenger vehicle, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.