GB2312883A

GB2312883A - Vehicle roof container

Info

Publication number: GB2312883A
Application number: GB9703925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Mallinson
Original assignee: M I M GLASSFIBRE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: M I M GLASSFIBRE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1996-02-22
Filing date: 1997-02-25
Publication date: 1997-11-12
Also published as: GB9703925D0

Abstract

A storage container 2 for mounting on a vehicle roof 12 comprises a base 14 having an area 16 upon which goods may be stored, a skirt 18 depending downwardly therefrom preventing air from passing between the roof 12 and the base 14, and a lid closure 20 which comprises a first part 22 which is removably attached to the base and two further parts 24,26 which are hingedly connected to allow access into the container 2. The profile of the skirt 18 and the side walls of the lid 20 preferably match the angle of the side walls (30, Fig 2A) of the vehicle, improving the vehicle aesthetics and aerodynamics. An aperture (32, Fig 2A) may be provided in the skirt 18 and/or side walls (30) of the container to correspond with the position of a vehicle window 8.

Description

Goods Storage Means for Vehicles The invention which is the subject of this patent application relates to a goods storage means for attachment to the roof of a vehicle and particularly, but not exclusively, to a vehicle of the type which are commonly known as All-Terrain Vehicles such as, Land Rovers, Mitsubishi Shoguns, Jeeps, minibuses and the like.

A known problem with all types of conventional road vehicles such as cars and All-Terrain vehicles is that, while the space available for storage of goods is satisfactory for most normal trips, when additional storage space is required for trips such as, for example, holidays or when large numbers of persons are to be carried in the vehicle the space is not available. This problem is particularly prevalent with All- Terrain vehicles and/or mini buses which, have space for a relatively large number of persons to be transported but no additional space is provided for storage of the goods and articles which the persons may require to be carried in the vehicle.

The conventional solution to this problem is to provide a roof rack which can be attached to the roof of the vehicle and typically comprises a frame which is formed from lengths of metal joined together and on which the goods can be placed and tied to the frame for transport. In order to prevent the goods being damaged by inclement weather conditions a tarpaulin can often be placed over the goods and this is also secured to the frame. However, a problem with this type of storage is that, firstly, the goods are frequently still exposed to the weather conditions as the tarpaulin can blow off during the movement of the vehicle; goods can be lost from the goods storage area due to the fact that they are incorrectly tied down or; if the goods are stored on the roof rack and the vehicle is left, there is a distinct possibility that goods can be stolen from the roof rack. Furthermore the aesthetic appearance of roof racks, on what can be expensive vehicles, is not always that which would be desired by the owners of the vehicles and can lead to the roof rack not being used despite the additional storage space provided.

A more recent solution to the problem is the provision of containers for goods which can be mounted on the vehicle roof and these containers are provided with a frame to which the container is connected and said frame, in turn, allows the container to be attached to the roof of the vehicle by connecting the frame members to the same. These containers can be closed to enclose the goods stored therein and thereby reduce the risk of theft therefrom and also prevent the goods from being exposed to the inclement weather conditions however, the aesthetic appearance of the same is still regarded as being a distinct disadvantage of this type of container as they tend to sit proud of the vehicle on the frame and are still relatively small in terms of storage space so that the use of the same is still somewhat limited.

The aim of the current invention is to provide a means for storing goods on a vehicle and wherein the goods storage means can be attached to the vehicle to appear as an integral part thereof and in a manner so as not to damage the visual appearance of the vehicle. and also to ensure that the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle are not greatly retarded. It is known that the provision of roof racks and/or conventional containers on frames do cause reductions in the performance of the vehicle due to the fact that air passes between the frame and the roof of the vehicle and indeed can, in some instances, lift the roof rack off the vehicle if it is not properly secured thereto.

It is a further aim of the invention to provide a goods storage means which does not enable this significant reduction in performance to occur.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a storage means for goods to be stored thereon when fitted to a vehicle, said storage means comprising a base member which includes an area for the storage of goods and, depending downwardly from said area, a skirt around at least part of said area, said skirt and/or base including engagement means which are engageable with matching location means on the vehicle to thereby mount said storage means on the roof of the vehide.

In a preferred embodiment the skirt passes around the periphery of the base member and prevents the passage of air between the roof of the vehicle and the goods storage area. Preferably the skirt is angled to match the angle of the vehicle sides to which it is to be applied and thereby the outer angle of the skirt matches the angle of the walls of the vehicle and, gives the appearance that the storage means, when fitted to the vehicle, is an integral part thereof.

In a preferred embodiment the storage means of the invention is manufactured from GRP plastics material and the area for the storage of goods thereon is a solid area.

Typically the skirt of the container depends downwardly and outwardly from the area of the base for storage of goods such that, when fitted to a vehicle the roof of the vehicle is enclosed within the skirt and slightly below the plane of the area for the storage of goods thereby minimizing the additional vehicle height with the storage means of the invention fitted thereto.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the container further includes a lid closure which is hingedly connected to the base and allows, m an open position, the introduction and removal of goods to be stored within the container and in a closed position to enclose the goods within the container.

Preferably the side walls of the lid lie at a similar angle to the walls of the skirt.

In one embodiment, the lid comprises a plurality of parts, a first part permanently attached to the base and other parts hingedly connected to the first part and/or each other such that only part of the lid closure can be moved between open and closed positions.

In whichever embodiment, if a window or ventilation means is provided on the roof and/or side walls of the vehicle, the storage means of the invention can include apertures therein in their required positions to allow the window and/or ventilation means to still be operable.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein'.- Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation of the goods storage means of the invention from the front in one embodiment; Figure 2A illustrates a plan view of the goods storage means, fitted to a vehicle Figure 2B illustrates a plan view of the goods storage means with no closure means; Figure 2C illustrates an elevation of Figure 2B; Figure 3 illustrates an end view of the goods storage means from the front; and Figure 4 illustrates an end view of the container from the rear.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated a container 2 in one embodiment of the invention fitted to a vehicle body 4. The vehicle body includes side windows 6, roof window 8 and roof 12. The storage means 2 comprises a base part 14 which includes an area 16 upon which goods can be stored and a downwardly depending skirt 18 therefrom. The downwardly depending skirt 18 is shaped and formed of a size such that it can be placed over the roof 12 of the vehicle and a portion of the side walls of the same and the base and/or skirt is also provided with engagement means (not shown) which allow the skirt and hence storage means to be secured to elements of the vehicle. Commonly these elements could be the rain gutters formed on most types of vehicles but obviously the engagement means can be provided for engagement with suitable parts provided on the vehicle. The container 2 with base area 16 is enclosed by a lid closure 20 said lid closure comprising a first part 22 which is secured to the base at one end thereof, in this case at the front of the base, and parts 24 and 26 which are hingedly connected together and to the first part 22. The hingedly connected parts 24 and 26 can be moved between open and closed positions to allow the goods to be introduced and removed from the base of the container.

Referring now to Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 3 and 4 the container is illustrated in further views and it is shown that in this embodiment, the skirt portion 18 is provided around the entire length of the periphery of the base area 16 which is provided for the storage of goods thereon and Figure 4 illustrates goods 28 stored on the base 16.

By providing the skirt 18 and side walls 30 of the lid closure at an angle which continues substantially the angle of the side walls of the vehicle adjacent the roof to the storage means is fitted, so the appearance of the vehicle is maintained and is not damaged by the provision of the storage means.

Furthermore, as the lines of the storage means are substantially a continuation of the lines of the vehicle the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle are not greatly affected and thus the performance of the vehicle can be substantially maintained and this is assisted by the fact that the skirt 18 prevents air from passing between the roof of the vehicle and the base of the storage means. This is most easily achieved by manufacturing the container of the invention from a GRP plastics material as this allows the lines of the vehicle to be continued on the storage means. Furthermore, the storage means has the appearance of being n integral part of the vehicle.

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate the manner in which, if required, apertures 32 can be provided in the skirt 18 and/or side walls 30 of the container such that the apertures are located to allow the side and roof windows of the vehicle to continue to be effective and viewable therethrough. Figure 2B illustrates the manner in which, with the lid closure means 20 removed, the area 16 for storage of goods therein is exposed. If required, and, perhaps if the goods to be stored are higher than the lid closure 20 when fitted, the invention can be used in the embodiment of Figure 2B and 2C.

Thus the storage means of the present invention can be provided, when fitted, as an integral part of the vehicle and acts as an integral part in that the performance of the vehicle and the visual appearance of the vehicle are not unduly affected and yet considerable additional storage space is provided and this represents a significant advantage over conventional storage means.

Furthermore, by careful planning and design of the storage means in relation to use on specific vehicles, the additional height of the vehicle is kept to a minimum. This is achieved primarily by the fact that the shape of the base area 16 upon which the goods are actually stored can be shaped to mirror the slopes and curves of the vehicle roof and thereby, in turn, the shape of the lid closure can be provided such that the required storage space height is provided but the overall height of the vehicle is minimized.

Claims

1. A storage means for goods to be stored thereon when fitted to a vehicle, said storage means comprising a base member which includes an area for the storage of goods and, depending downwardly from said area, a skirt around at least part of said area, said skirt and/or base including engagement means which are engageable with matching location means on the vehicle to thereby mount said storage means on the roof of the vehicle.

2. A storage means according to claim 1 wherein the skirt passes around the periphery of the base member and prevents the passage of air between the roof of the vehicle and the goods storage area

3. A storage means according to claim 2 wherein the skirt is angled to match the angle of the vehicle sides depending from the roof of the same to which it is to be applied to give the appearance that the storage means, when fitted to the vehicle, is an integral part thereof

4. A storage means according to claim 3 wherein the skirt and base enclose the roof of the vehicle and the skirt depends below the plane of the area for the storage of goods thereby minimising additional vehicle height.

5. A storage means according to claim 1 wherein the storage means further includes a lid closure which is hingedly connected to allow, in an open position, the introduction and removal of goods to be stored within the container and in a closed position to enclose the goods within the container.

6. A storage means according to claim 5 wherein the side walls of the lid lie at a similar angle to the walls of the skirt.

7. A storage means according to claim 5 wherein the lid comprises a plurality of parts; at least a first part removably attached to the base and at least one further part hingedly connected to the first part and/or the storage means to enclose the base when in a closed position.

8. A storage means according to claim 7 wherein further parts are hingedly connected to be movable between open and closed positions.

9. A storage means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the storage means includes an aperture or plurality of apertures located to allow window and/or ventilation means of the vehide to be viewable through and/or operable.

10 A storage means according to any preceding claim wherein the storage means of the invention is manufactured from GRP plastics material.

11. A storage means as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.