GB2196592A

GB2196592A - Load carrying device

Info

Publication number: GB2196592A
Application number: GB08722033A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evan Charles Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-27
Filing date: 1987-09-18
Publication date: 1988-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-18
Also published as: GB8623307D0; GB8722033D0; GB2196592B

Abstract

The device, which is for mounting on the raisable window 1 of a vehicle, comprises a load-supporting channel member 6 having, integral therewith, a plate member 3 which is positionable flush with the window, and a lip or hook portion 4 projecting from the plate member for engagement with the upper edge 5 of the window. One such device can be provided on a front window and a further device on a rear window, so that an elongate article (such as a fishing rod or length of wood) can be suspended between the two devices. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Carrying device The present invention is concerned with carrying devices and, in particular, devices permitting elongate articles to be carried by motor vehicles.

When it is desired to carry an elongate arti cle (such as a length of wood, a fishing rod, skis or a ladder) using a motor car, if the article is too long to fit inside the vehicle, it must be carried externaily. Normally, the article is carried on a rack on the roof of the vehicle (or, possibly, on the boot lid). Altough such racks are often removable, the removal is always time-consuming and sometimes requires special tools; in addition, the use of such a removable rack involves the risk of damage to the bodywork. The alternative of a permanently attached rack has generally not found favour, because of the resultant increased aerodynamic drag and therefore increased fuel consumption.

It is known to provide load carrying devices for attachment to the side of a vehicle, examples of such devices being described in U.S. Patents 2302300, 2425629 and 4607773, and U.K. Specification 2043004.

The devices described and illustrated in the above-mentioned three U.S. patents are all provided with hook-like elements adapted to engage with the window sill of a vehicle, with the window wound down, a further element being arranged to engage with the vehicle bodywork below the window sill. The device described and illustrated in the above-mentioned U.K. specification is also intended to engage with vehicle bodywork below the window sill; with all these devices, therefore, there is a distinct possibility of accidental damage to the vehicle bodywork.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a device which can be readily fitted to a motor vehicle without the need for special tools, to enable elongate articles to be carried, with reduced risk of damage to the vehicle bodywork.

According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a load carrying device for mounting on a raisable window of a vehicle, which device comprises a load supporting channel member having a lip projecting laterally from one end thereof so as to be engageable with the upper edge of said window when the latter is in fully raised condition, the device having means for engagement with the face of said window, below said upper edge, so as to restrain rotation of the device about an axis parallel to said upper edge.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrying device comprises: an upright plate member positionable flush with the raisable window; a lip projecting laterally from one surface of the plate member so as to be engageable with the upper edge of the window; a first support member projecting laterally from the other surface of the plate member; and a further support member projecting upward from the distal end of the first support member such that the plate member and the support members together constitute the channel member.

The device according to the invention, which is preferably a unitary integral moulding (such as a plastics moulding) can be arranged with the rotation restraining means (which is typically a plate member as described above) placed against the window with the lip engaged on the upper edge thereof; the window can then be raised so that the lip is engaged and retained between the window frame and the upper edge of the window. The channel member then projects from the window so as to enable a load to be supported thereon; preferably a plurality of carrying devices according to the invention are provided so that one can be placed on the window of either the driver or a front seat passenger and another on a window of a rear door, such that an elongate article can be supported between the two devices.

It is particularly preferred for each carrying device according to the invention to be provided with means for securing the article to be carried to the channel member. Such securing means is typically a strip which has two free ends joinable together, the strip being long enough to be attached to the carrying device and pass around the article to be secured. The securing means may be, for example, a rope or strip (such as an elasticated strap); the ends may be joined together by tying, by means of hooks, a buckle, press studs or the like, or by tape having hook and loop type fasteners (such as the material available commercially under the trade mark VEL CRO). The device according to the invention is preferably provided with at least one aperture through which such elongate securing means may be passed.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a device according to the invention when mounted on a vehicle window.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a window 1 having a carrying device 2 mounted thereon. The device 2 comprises a substantially planar plate member 3 which is placed flush with the window 1 and a lip 4 which overlaps the upper edge 5 of window 1; the lip comprises a generally horizontal portion 4a and a generally upright portion 4b which engages with the upper part of the inner face of the window.

Projecting from and integral with the plate member 3 is a channel member 6 comprising a downwardly extending portion 7, a horizontally extending portion 8 and an upwardly extending portion 9. The upwardly extending and downwardly extending portions are, of course, not necessarily vertical and in the illustrated embodiment they depart substantially from the vertical. The horizontal portion 8 is reinforced by an upright rib 10.

Adjacent the plate member 3, in rib 10, is an aperture 11, through which may be passed a rope, strap or the like to secure an article to the carrying device.

Claims

1. A load carrying device for mounting on a raisable window of a vehicle, which device comprises a load supporting channel member having a lip projecting laterally from one end thereof so as to be engageable with the upper edge of said window when the latter is in fully raised condition, the device having means for engagement with the face of said window, below said upper edge, so as to restrain rotation of the device about an axis parallel to said upper edge.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said engagement means comprises an upright plate member positionable flush with said window face.

3. A device according to claim 2, in which said channel member comprises a first support member projecting laterally from said plate member and a further support member projecting upwardly from the distal end of said first support member.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which said lip has a hook member integral therewith for engagement with the upper part of the inner face of said window.

5. A load carrying device according to any of claims 1 to 4, which is a unitary integral moulding.

6. A load carrying device according to any of claims 1 to 5, which has at least one aperture therein for receiving elongate load securing means.

7 A load carrying device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

8. In combination, a load carrying device according to any of claims 1 to 7 and means for securing an article to be carried to said channel member.

9. A combination according to claim 8, in which the securing means comprises an elongate strip with two free ends which are joinable together, which strip is long enough to be attached to the carrying device and pass around said article.

10. A combination according to claim 9, in which said strip is an elasticated strap.