GB2210006A

GB2210006A - Expandable luggage carrier for a vehicle roof

Info

Publication number: GB2210006A
Application number: GB8802436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Herbert Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-24
Filing date: 1988-02-03
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Also published as: GB8802436D0; GB8722541D0

Abstract

The carrier comprises a base and a top part, the base having hinged flaps 2 on one or two sides and the top part including corresponding gull wing doors 1. The top is attached to the base by an adjustable fastener at each corner which may be set at different heights to accommodate an uneven load. In a second embodiment the top part has a runner (5, Fig 2) around its edge to engage one of two grooves (4) in the base dependent upon the required capacity. <IMAGE>

Description

EXPENDABLE LUGGAGE CARRIER.

DESCRIPTION.

This invention relates to an expandable luggage carrier. It provides a safe, versatile and easily accessible carrier to be used instead of a conventional roof-rack. It will transport all types of luggage including many small articles that can easily be retrieved during a journey without the bother of unstrapping cases. It can also be used to hold shopping when the room in the car is otherwise occupied, and would be ideal for a tradesman to carry tools and materials.

A range of sizes may be needed to fit different makes of car, including one for a sports car with roll-bar, but the basic design provides a useful luggage.capacity of O cu iii. (two large cases) in its normal position and Q38 cu m. (four large cases) in its expanded position.

This invention offers three important features: 1) SAFETY- luggage can be carried without fear of something coming unstrapped and causing an accident.

2) ECONOMY- it has a more streamlined shape than a bulk of luggage strapped on the car thereby reducing wind-resistance and increasing miles per gallon.

3) CONVENIENCE- all sorts of sundry articles that are taken away on holiday can be placed in the carrier instead of packing them in cases or taking up valuable space inside the car. The luggage will not get wet and, as the carrier can be locked, it can be left unattended without worry.

The expandable luggage carrier comprises two parts: a base and a top part; means of securing top part to base to form the container; means by which the capacity of the carrier is increased; and means of securing the carrier to the car roof.

The base of the carrier has a hinged side flap on one or two sides and the top part has corresponding gull-wing doors. To gain access to the carrier the gull-wing doors are raised and the corresponding flaps of the base are lowered.

The basic design for the carrier measures 56tmwide, 9iblong and t ctigh at its lowest position. It is constructed of a lightweight material, such as a modern plastic or fibreglass, and of any colour within production limits. The gull-wing doors are fitted with an anti-theft lock. The base has fittings which attach to the rim of the car roof or to a sports car with roll-bar.

There are two proposed designs for the expandable luggage carrier which will be outlined separately.

Design 1 as shown in Figure 1.

In design 1 the top is attached to the base by four adjustable fasteners on the four corners similar to the hinges of an adjustable suitcase. The top of the carrier can be raised and fixed at any height up to a maximum ofl-BCmAnother advantage of using these fasteners is that the corners of the carrier can be locked at independant heights, so catering for an uneven load.

Design 2 as shown in Figure 2.

In design 2 the top of the carrier slides onto the base by a runner into grooves. The base has a groove at the lower edge and one at the upper edge. The capacity of the carrier can be increased by sliding the top into the upper groove instead of the lower one.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES.

FIGURE 1 shows Design 1 in exploded and closed views.

1= Gull-wing doors 2= Hinged side flaps 3= Front edge of carrier FIGURE 2 shows Design 2 in exploded and closed views.

1= Gull-wing doors 2= Hinged side flaps 3= Front edge of carrier 4= Grooves 5= Runner FIGURE 3 shows exploded views of both designs.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. An expandable luggage carrier comprising a base and a top part, means for securing top to base to form a container, means by which the capacity of the carrier is increased - up to double normal capacity, and means for securing carrier to the roof of the car.

2. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the top part attaches to the base by means of grooves in the base and a corresponding runner in the top part. The grooves are sited on the lower and upper edges of the base to effect normal and expanded capacities.

3. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the top part attaches to the base by means of adjustable fasteners on the four corners, which can be adjusted independantly to accomodate uneven loads.

4. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which has a hinged side flap on one or two sides of the base and a corresponding gull-wing door on one or both sides of the top part.

5. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the or each gull-wing door is fitted with an anti-theft lock.

6. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which is supplied with a set of luggage cases which fit exactly the dimensions of the carrier; two cases for the normal capacity and four cases for the expanded capacity.

7. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which has fittings on the base to attach to the rim of the car roof.

8. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in Claims 1-6 which has fittings on the base to attach to a sports car with roll-bar.

9. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which has further attachments for the securement of extra large items such as ladders and surfboards.

10. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim constrticted of a tough, lightweight, weatherproof material.

11. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim constructed to a streamlined design to reduce wind-resistance.

12. An expandable luggage carrier substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS.

1. An expandable luggage carrier of rigid and compact construction of two designs, comprising a base and a top part and a means of securing top to base to form a container; Means by which the capacity of the carrier is increased heightwise, up to double normal capacity. In one version this expansion is by a predetermined volume, in the other the top can be raised by any amount up to double, and at different heights in all four corners. Means of easy access to container, this being the same in the normal or expanded positions, this means of access not necessitating the removal of the top part. Means of securing carrier to the roof of the car.

3. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the top part attaches to the base by means of ratchet type adjustable fasteners, similar to those found on suitcases, on each of the four corners, to effect the expansion of the carrier to any height up to double and which can be adjusted independantly to accomodate uneven loads.

4. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any precedin Claim which has a hinged side flap on one or both sides of t:c. t base and a corresponding gull-wing door on bone or both sides of the top part. Vhen both side flap and gull-wing door are opened total access to the carrier is achieved. The gullwing door is used for access when smaller items are contain within the base.

6. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which could be supplied with a set of luggage cases which fit exactly the dimensions of the carrier; two cases for the normal capacity and four cases for the expanded capacity.

7. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which has a strengthened base moulded or bolted onto a rigid framework (probably metal) which is attached to the rim of the car roof by conventional roof-rack fittings0 8. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in Claims 1-6 which has fittings on the base to attach to a sports car with roll-bar.

9. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim which has attachments in the base for the securement of long items, such as ladders or surfboards. By rotating the carrier by 90 degrees and lowering the side flap longer items can be slid through the carrier. The gull-wing doors will be opened or closed depending on whether the carrier is in the normal or expanded state.

10. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim constructed of a rigid, lightweight, weatherproof material such as fibreglass or a tough plastic.

11. An expandable luggage carrier as claimed in any preceding Claim constructed to a streamlined design to reduce windresistance.