GB2168661A - A roof rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle 1 has roof rack 2 comprising cross-pieces 3 supported by brackets 4 which connect with or are removably gripped or clipped to a gutter 5 of a roof 6 of the vehicle. The free ends of each cross-piece 3 may have a rigid elongate support member 7 which at the opposite end is secured to a bracket 10 which has parts 11 and 12, the latter of which is bolted or otherwise secured to the chassis. The members 7 transfer load from the roof to the chassis. The roof rack can be sold as a set of parts <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A roof rack The invention relates to a roof rack.

According to one apsect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for providing a roof rack for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of bracket, and tranverse, in use, members for connection with the brackets when the brackets are mounted to a gutter of a roof of a vehicle.

The brackets may each comprise two parts, one of which is adapted for mounting in a gutter and for supporting transverse members, and the other of which is adapted for mounting. in a gutter and for supporting the tranverse members, and the other of which is adapted for mounting under the gutter and to the one part.

The one part may be adapted to be mounted to the other part by a stud projecting through a hole.

The stud may be threaded and may be carried by the one part and the hole may be in the together part, a nut being screwed in use onto the stud to secure the two parts together.

The one part may have a plate or flange extending at an angle therefrom for supporting a transverse members.

The angle may be 1060.

The other part may be adapted for mounting under the gutter by an upturned lip.

The plate or flange may be supported by struts extending between it and the plate or part.

There may be means for connecting the roof rack with the chassis of the vehicle whereby to transfer load from the roof to the chassis.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a roof rack constructed from a set of parts as hereinbefore defined.

A set of parts embodying the invention is hereinafter described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is shcematic perspective view of a roof rack according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the bracket 'Detail 1' of Figure 1; Figures 4-6 are respective front elevational, side elevational and plan views of a part of the bracket of Figure 2 and; Figures 7-9 are views similar to Figures 4-6 of a second part of the bracket is Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings a vehicle 1 has a roof rack 2 comprising cross-pieces 3 and support brackets 4 which connect with or are removably clipped or gripped on a gutter or other suitable part 5 of a roof 6 of vehicle.

The free end of each cross-piece 3 has a connector in the form of a projecting lug or spigot (not shown) which engages in the ends of the means 7 for connecting the roof rack 2 with the chassis of the vehicle 1. The means 7 comprises elongate members which at the opposite end receive the spigot 8 of a fixing 9 secured to a bracket 10 which is of generally Z-shape with upright 11 being behind or inboard of a body panel of the vehicle in use and a flange 12 being secured as by being bolted to the chassis of the vehicle. The load on the roof rack 2 is then transferred to the chassis from the gutter via the elongate members 7 so distributing the load and effectively removing that load from the roof 6 of the vehicle 1.

The bracket 4 comprsises two parts 13 and 23.

The part 13 (Figures 7-9) comprises a plate 14 of generally truncated trangular shape in elevation which tapers from one end 15 which in use rests in the gutter 5 of the roof 6 of the vehicle 1 and which has extending from the other end 16 a flange or plate 17 which is in use adapted to be secured to the crosspieces 13. The flange or plate is angled, in the embodiment, shown at 106 to the plane of the plate 14 and is supported at each side by parallel struts 18 welded between the edges of the flange or plate 17 and plate 14.

The part 14 is generally flat, though it has inturned flanges 19 at each side and impressed grooves 20, for strengthening the plate 14. There is also secured to it as by welding a bracket 21 of generally channel shape, for bearing on the roof of the vehicle.

The part 14 is shown in the Figures in solid lines for application to a high roof vehicle. The dashed lines show the shape, and position of the bracket 21, for a low roof version. There is also a threaded stud 22 projecting from the plate in a direction opposite the direction of projection of the plate or flange 1 7.

The.part 23 is also a generally truncated trangular plate 24, which has an upturned lip 25, angled at 3 to the plane at 90" to the plane of the plate 24, for engaging under the gutter 5 in use. The part 23 also has a lug 26 which engages in a hole 27 in the part 13 in use and an elongate through hole 28 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate 24, through which the threaded stud 22 can project. In use to assemble the roof rack, the required cross-pieces 3 and four brackets 4 are selected for the size of roof to which the rack is to be mounted. The brackets 4 are located at appropriate positions in the gutter 5, two fore and two aft, with the resepective one ends 15 in the gutter with the plates or flanges 17 extending over the roof of the vehicle.The parts 23 are mounted on the parts 13 with the respective lugs 26 located in the respective holes 27 and the threaded stud 22 projecting through the elongate holes 28, so that adjustment vertically can be made to accommodate different roof heights or variations. The lip 25 is engaged under and grips the gutter in use. The rack which can be a ladder rack, tube rack, luggage rack or the like is supported on the crosspieces 3 by D-bolts and bars, or the like, the cross-pieces 23 themselves being secured to the plates 17 by bars, nuts and bolts, the bolts passing through holes 29 in the flanges or plates 17 and the bars. When the rack is properly positioned, nuts are screwed onto the studs to lock the parts 13 and 14 together and to the gutter (the lip 25 grips it on tightening the nut in each bracket), so providing a strong, yet light and rigid construction.

The angle of the brackets 4 as provided by the part 13 provides strength when cornering under load.

It will be understood that the roof rack can readily be dismantled by undoing the various nuts and bolts and separating the various components for storage.

Use of the members 7, which act as side braces, form a mount for climbing rungs, ladders or side carriers such as racks for carrying glass.

It will be understood that the roof rack shown and described herein can be put up and sold as a set of parts.

Claims (12)

1. A set of parts for providing a roof rack for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of brackets, and transverse, in use, members for connection with the brackets when the brackets are mounted to a gutter of a roof of a vehicle.

2. A set of parts according to Claim 1, the brackets each comprising two parts, one of which is adapted for mounting in a gutter and for supporting the transverse members, and the other of which is adapted for mounting under the gutter and to the one part.

3. A set of parts according to Claim 2, the one part being adapted to be mounted to the other part by a stud projecting through a hole.

4. A set of parts according to Claim 3, the stud being threaded and being carried by the one part and the hole being in the other part, a nut being screwed in use onto the stud to secure the two parts together.

5. A set of parts according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, the one part having a plate or a flange extending at an angle therefrom for supporting a transverse members.

6. A set of parts according to Claim 5, the angle being 106 .

7. A set of parts according to any of Claims 2-6, the other part being adapted for mounting under the gutter by an upturned lip.

8. A set of parts according to any of Claims 5-7, the plate or flange being supported by stuts extending between it and the plate or part.

9. A set of parts according to any preceding claim, including means for connecting the roof rack with the chassis of the vechicle whereby to transfer load from the roof the chassis in use.

10. A set of parts according to Claim 9, the means including a bracket for connection with the chassis, a device for connecting with the transverse members, and rigid elongate members extending between the spigot and the device for connecting same and transferring load.

11. A set of parts, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A roof rack constructed from a set of part according to any preceding claim.