GB2237983A

GB2237983A - Flexible carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2237983A
Application number: GB8925932A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Richard Hulme; Norman Oultram
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-11-16
Filing date: 1989-11-16
Publication date: 1991-05-22
Also published as: GB8925932D0

Abstract

A carrier suitable for attachment to a vehicle roof rack comprises a flexible, base carrier shell 1 and a flexible, top carrier shell 7, the top carrier shell 7 being arranged to be secured over the base carrier shell 1 to provide an enclosure. Straps 5 provided on the base carrier shell 1, cooperate with buckles 9 on the top carrier shell 7 to secure the top carrier shell 7 to the base carrier shell 1. The straps 5 also secure the carrier to a roof rack. <IMAGE>

Description

A Carrier The present invention relates to a carrier and particularly, but not exclusively, to a carrier suitable for attachment to a roof rack.

In order to increase the carrying capacity of a motor vehicle it is known to attach a roof rack.

Articles are secured to the roof rack by any appropriate means.

A problem with attaching articles to a roof rack is that they are exposed to the environment and so it is necessary to use a cover sheet, such as a tarpaulin. It will be appreciated that use of such cover sheets can be both inconvenient and in-effective, particularly in attempting to prevent the ingression of rain water.

Previously, rigid cases have been manufactured, some with integral roof rack elements, to overcome the aforementioned problems. These rigid cases are expensive, add considerable "dead" weight to the vehicle and present significant storage problems when not in use.

The present invention attempts to obviate or mitigate the above problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a carrier suitable for attachment to a vehicle roof rack, the carrier comprising a base carrier shell and a top carrier shell, the top carrier shell being arranged to be secured over the base carrier shell to provide an enclosure, the top and base carrier shells being flexible.

Preferably, the top carrier shell is secured to the base carrier shell by straps and/or clasps.

Preferably, the top and base carrier shells are collapsible to be substantially flat.

Preferably, the top and base carrier shells are reinforced with rigid support strips.

Alternatively, the top and base carrier shells are hinged together.

Preferably, the carrier is arranged to be secured to a vehicle roof rack by strap members.

Preferably the top and base carrier shells have side walls of substantially the same depth.

Preferably the base carrier shell is so dimensioned that it rests within the top carriers shell.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 illustrates, in perspective, a base carrier shell; Fig. 2 illustrates, in perspective, a top carrier shell; and, Fig. 3 illustrates, in side elevation, a carrier attached to a vehicle roof rack.

In Figure 1 a base carrier shell is shown formed from a flexible and waterproof material such as polyurethane coated nylon. The shape of the base is determined by the roof rack to which it is to be secured thus the shell 1 is usually slightly smaller than the roof rack internal dimensions. In order to provide a practical base shell 1 it is usual for the flexible material to be reinforced. In order to to reinforce the shell 1, pockets 3 are provided. These pockets 3 may be arranged either to accommodate stiff F F rods surly as hardboard strips or may be inflatable usiricl ii appropriate air pump.It will be appreciated hnt reinforcement of the base shell 1 may also be provided to its bottom, although not illustrated in Fig. 1, or support may be given to the base shell 1 bottom by the roof rack. Strap elements 5 are provided to secure the base shell 1 to the roof rack and a top carrier shell.

Figure 2 illustrates, a top carrier shell 7, the top carrier shell 7 is formed from a flexible and waterproof material such as polyurethane coated nylon.

The dimensions and shape of the top carrier shell 7 are such that it fits over the base carrier shell 1 to form an enclosure. Although not shown in Fig. 2 the top carrier shell may be reinforced and it will be appreciated that reinforcement could be easily facilitated. Buckles 9 are arranged to cooperated with the straps 5 of the base carrier shell 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 to secure the top carrier shell 7 to the bottom carrier shell 1. As a safety precaution, a reflective strip 11 is applied to the ends of the top carrier shell 7.

Referring to Fig. 3, the top carrier shell 7 is secured in a nested position with the base carrier shell 1 through straps 5 and buckles 9. The straps 5 also secure the carrier to a roof rack 15. The enclosure formed by the base carrier shell 1 and the top carrier shell 7 is sealed from the environment and so protects any articles enclosed therein. The carrier is resiliently secured to the roof rack 15.

Both the base carrier shell 1 and the top carrier shell 7 are collapsible to be substantially flat and may be rolled up for storage. It will thus be appreciated that the carrier can be easily stored possibly in a boot of a motor vehicle.

It will be appreciated that base carrier shell 1 and top carrier shell 7 may be hinged together.

Furthermore, other securing means may be used to secure the base carrier shell 1 to the top carrier shell 7 such as rope, webbing, elasticated bands or zipper mechanisms.

It is anticipated that an aero-dynamic nose spoiler could be attached to the carrier to improve performance of a vehicle. The base carrier shell 1 may include internal securing means or divider elements to allow small objects to be carried without requiring packing to prevent damage.

It will be understood that with nested base and top carrier shells, the enclosure size can be varied by alteration of the degree of overlap between the carrier shells.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A carrier suitable for attachment to a vehicle roof rack, the carrier comprising a base carrier shell and a top carrier shell, the top carrier shell being arranged to be secured ovr th base base carrier shell to provide an enclosur, th t h e top and base carrier shells being flexible

2. A carrier according to claim claim 1, in which the top carrier shell is secured to the base carrier shell by straps

3. A carrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the top carrier shell is secured to the base carrier shell by clasps.

A F carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the top and base carrier shells are collapsible to be substantiallf flat.

5. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the top and base carrier shells are reinforced with rigid support strips.

6. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the top and base carrier shells are hinged together.

7. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the carrier is arranged to be secured to a vehicle roof rack by strap members.

8. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the top and base carrier shells have side walls of substantially the same depth.

9. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the base carrier shell is so dimensioned that it rests within the top carrier shell.

10. A carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.