GB2440928A

GB2440928A - Load-carrying device for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2440928A
Application number: GB0616569A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Michael Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-19
Filing date: 2006-08-19
Publication date: 2008-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-19
Also published as: GB0616569D0; GB2440928B; WO2008023153A3; WO2008023153A2

Abstract

A load-carrying device for a vehicle, comprising a support means 14 adapted to be secured to the vehicle to overlie at least part of a roof 12 thereof; and a load-carrying structure 26-42 adapted to be slidingly engaged with the support means 14 in track formations and secured in a load-carrying position relative thereto.

Description

Ref: Al 1594GB Title: Load-Carrying Device for Vehicles

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a load-carrying device for vehicles.

The device according to the invention is generally of the type which is commonly known as a "roof rack". As such naming implies, it is fitted to a vehicle such as a passenger car, van, 4 x 4 vehicle, SUV, or possibly even certain types of trailer or semi-trailer, so as to extend over at least part of the roof of the vehicle and provide for the carrying of a load thereon in addition to that which can be accommodated within the vehicle. Known roof racks may simply provide a supporting structure on which any desired load can be placed and held by the use of securing ropes, straps or the like, or may be specifically adapted to carry particular loads. For example, items such as cycles, kayaks or ladders, may be held to special-purpose fixing elements which themselves may either be permanently fixed or temporarily attached to a roof rack, in the latter case being removable and possibly replaceable by other devices is the roof rack it to be used for something else.

Generally, however, each roof rack is of fairly limited utility, in the sense of being able to take only certain types of load and or loads only up to a certain size or weight. While this may be acceptable in the case of a rack intended for occasional use on a small vehicle, greater versatility may be required in the case of persons using larger vehicles (such as 4 x 4 vehicles or light commercial vehicles) or who have a requirement for carrying larger and/or specific types of loads, either for working reasons or because of leisure activities. Whilst a small roof rack is easily fitted to and removed from a vehicle, a rack of larger size, possibly adapted to carrying specific loads, is not readily removed from and fitted to a vehicle, being heavy and bulky.

It is broadly the object of the present invention to address such problems associated with known roof racks.

According to one aspect of the present invention, I provide a load-carrying device for a vehicle, comprising a support means adapted to be secured to the vehicle to overlie at least a part of a roof thereof; and a load-carrying structure adapted to be engaged with the support means and secured in a load-carrying position relative thereto.

The load-carrying structure may be engaged with the support means by effecting at least a component of sliding movement of the load-carrying structure relative to the support means.

The support means may include elongate members spaced laterally of the vehicle and extending longitudinally thereof, with which members laterally spaced formations of the load-carrying structure engage and are movable lengthwise thereof to bring the load-carrying structure to a required position relative to the support means.

In a load-carrying device in accordance with the invention, the support means and the load-carrying structure each constitute a part of the device which can be expected to be lighter, and probably less bulky, than a conventional roof rack of similar or even less load-carrying capacity. A device in accordance with the invention can be installed on a vehicle firstly by fitting the support means in place on the vehicle (by use of fixing devices able to be secured in engagement with appropriate parts of the roof structure of the vehicle, e.g. with door frame parts or appropriate fixing formations of the roof structure if the vehicle is provided with such fixing formations), after which the load-carrying structure can be engaged with the support means. The engagement of the load-carrying structure with the support means by at least a component of sliding movement relative to the latter makes such engagement relatively easy to achieve, even if it is being done by an unassisted person.

Furthermore, the support means may remain secured to the vehicle and be used with different load-carrying structures according to different requirements for what is being carried. For example, a person who uses a vehicle for work purposes to carry work-related items or other equipment, utilising a load-carrying structure specifically adapted for carrying such items, is able at other times to remove the "work" load-carrying structure and replace it with an alternative load-carrying structure adapted to carry something for leisure purposes. As one or more water craft or other items for aquatic sports, for example, are bulky, the load-carrying structure for "leisure" use may be larger than that for "work" use.

The load-carrying structure may comprise elongate members extending longitudinally of the vehicle, connected to one another by means extending laterally of the vehicle, e.g. a plurality of members extending transversely between the two longitudinally-extending members. The longitudinally-extending members may be provided with respective engagement formations engagable with the elongate members of the support means.

The engagement formations of the load-carrying structure may be or include formations, e.g. generally U-shaped or C-shaped, which fit over the elongate members of the support means to guide the load-carrying structure for movement lengthwise of the vehicle relative to the support means. At least some of the engagement formations of the load-carrying structure may be adapted to co-operate with complementary formations on the support means to effect securement of the load-carrying structure in relation to the support means. For example, the engagement formations may comprise recesses, e.g. slots, into which projections such as pins extending from appropriate parts of the support means, e.g. the elongate members thereof, are engagable.

Such engagement may take place on sliding movement of the load-carrying structure relative to the support means in one direction, e.g. forwardly of the vehicle, in the course of fitting the load-carrying structure to the support means, after which the engagement of a locking device or devices between the support means and load-carrying structure secures the load-carrying structure in position.

The load-carrying structure may be securable in a selected one of a number of positions relative to the support means e.g. by providing suitable complementary formations at spaced intervals on the respective parts.

The load-carrying structure may be so dimensioned as to extend longitudinally of the vehicle beyond the front and/or rear ends of the support means. In the case where the load-carrying structure extends a significant distance beyond the support means, the load-carrying structure may be provided with, or adapted for connection of, further support means engagable with appropriate parts of a vehicle.

For example, one or more additional support struts may be arranged to extend between the front region of the load-carrying structure and the vehicle structure in the region thereof, for example, a front bumper of the vehicle.

The load-carrying structure may be of a fixed size, or itself may be adapted to have its size adjusted. For example, the load-carrying structure may comprise a main portion and an additional portion able to be extended from the main portion by relative sliding therebetween, suitable relatively movable parts being provided. An example of a construction to give effect to this is described hereafter.

According to another aspect of the invention, I provide a load-carrying system for vehicles, comprising a support means adapted to be secured to a vehicle to overlie at least part of a roof thereof, and a range of load-carrying structures each of which, as selected, is adapted to be engaged with the support means and secured in a load-carrying position relative thereto.

The features of the support means and one or more of the load-carrying structures in the range thereof may be in accordance with the corresponding features of such elements according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figures 1A and lB show side and rear elevations of a support means in accordance with invention, in position on a vehicle.

Figure 2A shows a side elevation of the vehicle with a load-carrying structure fitted to the support means and, in figures 2B, 2C, 20, 2E and 2F, a plan, side elevation and longitudinal section, front or rear elevation and transverse section, respectively, of the load-carrying structure.

Figures 3A to 3E show respectively a plan, side elevation, longitudinal section, front or rear elevation, and transverse section, of a further load-carrying structure.

Figures 4A to 4E shows views as figure 3 for a further embodiment of load-carrying structure, while figure 4f shows the structure fitted to a vehicle.

Figures 5A to 5C show in plan, side elevation and longitudinal section, an adjustable load-carrying structure.

Figure 6A to 6C show, in views corresponding to the views of figure 5, the load-carrying structure of figure 5 in a partially extended configuration.

Figures 7A to 7C show, in views corresponding to those of figures 5 and 6, the load-carrying structure in a fully extended condition.

Figures 8A and 8B are diagrammatic perspective views, from underneath and one end, of a load-carrying structure in controlled and extended configurations.

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of a load-carrying structure with a support means in accordance with the invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective illustration of a support means of further embodiment of the invention.

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively a side elevation and front view of part of a load-carrying structure of the further embodiment.

Figure 13 is an elevation of a rear part of the support means, showing a first stage of engagement of a load-carrying structure therewith.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the rear part of the support means.

Figure 15 and 16 show stages of engagement of the load-carrying structure, subsequent to that of figure 13.

Referring firstly to figure 1 of the drawings, figures 1A and lB show diagrammatically the outline of the body of a vehicle of the 4 x 4 type. It comprises a passenger/load-carrying part 10 and an engine compartment 11.

The roof of the passenger/load-carrying compartment is indicated at 12. To this part of the vehicle there is secured at support means indicated generally at 14 and comprising two elongate members 16, 18, extending longitudinally of the vehicle, adjacent or slightly inwardly of the sides of the roof and spaced above the uppermost part of the roof. They are secured to the vehicle each by a number of longitudinally-spaced fixing devices as shown at 20 to 23 for the member 18, connected to the member and extending downwardly to be secured to the vehicle where the roof 12 connects to the sides of the passenger/loading carrying compartment 10 of the vehicle. In many vehicles there is a "gutter" formation extending outwardly at such point of connection of the roof to the rest of the vehicle structure, but if there is no such formation the fixing device may engage with any other appropriate part of the vehicle structure. The longitudinally-extending members 16, 18 of the support means are connected to one another by a number of transversely-extending members as indicated at 24 in figure 1 B. Referring now to figures 2A to 2F of the drawings, these illustrate a load-carrying structure secured to the support means of figure 1. Figure 2A shows the structure secured to the support means, while 2B to 2F show the load-carrying structure alone.

The load-carrying structure comprises a number of spaced parallel longitudinally extending members of which the outermost ones are indicated at 26, 28 and spaced ones therebetween at 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.

These members are connected by a number of transversely extending members with the forwardmost and rearmost ones being indicated at 38, 40 and spaced intermediate ones at 42. The members are of any appropriate cross sectional shape, of metal, (e.g. steel), and secured to each other by any appropriate method, e.g. by welding, riveting, screws etc. The outermost longitudinally extending members 26, 28 are each provided with two engagement formations, namely a front and a rear engagement formation 46, 48 on the member 26 and a front and rear engagement formation 50, 52 on the member 28. The formations 46, 48, 50, 52 may be generally C-, L-or U-shaped elements as described hereafter, having portions which fit over the right-hand and left-hand longitudinally extending member 18 of the support means fixed to the vehicle and guide the load-carrying structure for sliding movement lengthwise of the support means, together with the formations 50, 52 engaging the corresponding elongate member of the support means at the opposite side of the vehicle. The arrangement is such that, when the load-carrying structure is to be fitted to a support means already secured to a vehicle, the front end of the load-carrying structure can be lifted and its formations 46, 50 engaged with the corresponding elongate members of the support means. Then, the rear part of the load-carrying structure can be lifted and the structure moved forwards with its formations 46, 50 sliding along the corresponding elongate members of the support means, until the formations 48, 52 of the load-carrying structure can be engaged with the rear parts of the elongate members of the support means. Suitable means is provided for securing the load-carrying structure in a required position (or a selected one of a number of possible positions) relative to the support means; in one embodiment described hereafter co-operating pins and slots on the elongate members of the support means and the engaging formations of the load-carrying structure may be provided.

Referring now to figures 3A to 3E of the drawings, these illustrate, in views corresponding to figures 2B to 2F, a further embodiment of load-carrying structure in accordance with the invention. This is similar to the load-carrying structure of figure 2, differing firstly in that it is substantially longer.

Corresponding reference numerals, with the addition of 100, are used in relation to figure 3 as compared with figure 2. Thus, the figure 3 embodiment has longer outermost longitudinally extending members 126, 128 and the intermediate members 130 to 137 are correspondingly longer. There are more of the intermediate transversely extending members 142 between the forwardmost such member 138 and the rearmost such member 140. The spacing between engagement formations 146, 148 on member 126, and the formations 150, 152 on member 128, is the same as the spacing of the formations 46, 48, 50, 52 in the figure 2 embodiment, so that this embodiment of load-carrying structure is still engagable with a support means as shown in figure 1.

For supporting the part of the load-carrying structure which extends beyond the support means attached to a vehicle, each of the members 126, 128 is provided with an additional support strut 160, 162 respectively. These support struts may be pivotably mounted on the members 126, 128, and their ends remote from the members 126, 128 may be provided with engagement means such as load-spreading pads of any suitable form, which can engage the vehicle structure.

Referring now to figures 4A to 4E, these show a further embodiment of load-carrying structure which is generally similar to that of figure 3 but of even greater length. Corresponding reference numerals to those of figure 3 are used, with the addition of a further 100, and it will be noted that the spacings between the engagement formations 246, 248, 250, 252 on the outermost elongate members 226, 228 is the same as that of the engagement formations in the embodiments of figures 2 and 3. There are support struts 260, 262 corresponding to the struts 160, 162 and yet further support struts 264 at the forwardmost end of the members 226, 228. As for the support struts 160, 162, the struts 264 may be detachable from, or pivotally fixed to, the members 226, 228 so that they can be deployed as required.

Figure 4F shows the load-carrying structure of figures 4A to 4E in position on a vehicle. It will be noted that the load-carrying structure extends substantially to the front of the vehicle. The engagement of the support struts 260 with the vehicle in the region of the front bulkhead thereof is illustrated, whilst the further support struts 264 extend downwardly to engage, in any suitable manner, the front bumper 266 or other suitable part of the vehicle. Thus the load-carrying structure is able to support loads on its entire length.

Referring now to figures 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, these show a load-carrying structure which is adjustable in length. Again, corresponding reference numerals are used where parts correspond to those appearing in the preceding figure, but with the addition of yet a further 100.

The load-carrying structure comprises spaced parallel longitudinally extending members including main outermost such members 326, 328. These are the same length as the members 26, 28; 126, 128; 226, 228 and are provided with the engagement formation 346, 348, 350, 352. Between the members 326, 328 there are further longitudinally extending members 330 to 335. There are further longitudinally extending members 338, 339 immediately adjacent the members 326, 328 respectively. There is a transverse member 340 at the rear of the assembly, and further spaced transverse members 342.

At the front end of the load-carrying structure, there are further longitudinally extending members 325, 327 telescopically assembled with the members 326, 328, and further intermediate longitudinally extending members 344, 345, 346, 347, 356, 357 and 358 therebetween, such members lying between the intermediate members 330 to 335. The further intermediate members are movable lengthwise relative to the first said intermediate members, there being suitable sliding formations or the like interconnecting them. A front transverse member connects the further intermediate members and the members 325, 327, and there are further transverse members connecting the outermost and intermediate further longitudinally members.

The connection between the outermost longitudinally extending members of the load-carrying structure and the intermediate such members is such that the front part of the structure is able slidingly to extend relative to the rear main part of such structure, successive stages of such extension being shown in figures 5, 6 and 7. The transversely extending members may be movable relative to the longitudinally extending members such that they are able to move closer to one another successively as the structure is decreased in length, and move away from one another so as to be uniformly spaced when the structure is extended to its maximum length. Support struts are provided, connected to the members 325, 327 or connectable relative thereto, so as to be deployed as shown in figure 6 or figure 7 according to the state of extension of the structure.

Figures 8A and 8B show a load-carrying structure in contracted and extended configurations, respectively. The structure differs in detail from that of figures 5 to 7, but as for that embodiment comprises main, outermost, longitudinally extending members 326, 328 with which further longitudinally extending members 325, 327 are telescopically assembled. These figures also show in more detail formations 350, 352 which are engageable over the elongate side members of the support means fixed to the vehicle, providing for sliding movement of the load-carrying structure as a whole relative to the support means and thus relative to the vehicle. The formations 350, 352 have, in wall portions 350a, 352a spaced from the member 328, forwardly facing open ended slots 350b, 352p respectively. These formations are engageable, on forward movement of the member 328 relative to the longitudinally extending elongate members of the support means with pins or other protuberances extending from these members of the support means. When such pins or other protuberances are engaged in the slots, the load-carrying structure is unable to be lifted off the support means. A suitable locking means would be provided, e.g. a catch or catches, or one or more removable and replaceable locking elements, operative between the support means and the load-carrying structure to prevent rearward movement of the latter relative to the former and thus to prevent disengagement thereof. Elongate locating strips 326a, 328a are provided, extending laterally outwardly adjacent the bottom edge of the members 326, 328, to engage beneath the elongate side members of the support means, further to increase security against disengagement of the load-carrying structure from the support means.

Referring now to figure 9 of the drawings, this shows diagrammatically, in perspective view, a support means in accordance with the invention and part of a load-carrying structure engaged therewith. A support means having elongate members 16, 18 is shown, together with transversely extending members 24 and fixing devices 20 to 23. The fixing devices are joined to one another by members 20a, 20 extending longitudinally of the vehicle, and which would rest against a "gutter" formation of the vehicle as above described.

Elongate longitudinally extending members 26, 28 of a load-carrying structure are shown, but no further details of the load-carrying structure, apart from engagement formations 46, 50 and 52 which are clearly visible, these formations being provided by generally L-or U-shaped elements which are connected to the members 26, 28 and reach over the respective members 16, 18 so that the load-carrying structure is guided for sliding movement relative to the support means. The engagement of slots, as shown at 52a for the engagement formation 52, with pins as shown at 52 extending from the member 16, is clearly visible.

Referring now to figures 10 onwards of the drawings, these illustrate the mode of co-operation between the support means and load-carrying structure of a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 shows a support means comprising two spaced parallel elongate members 416, 418 which are each of generally C-shape in transverse cross-section, having spaced parallel limbs joined at corresponding ends by a web to define a channel of generally rectangular cross-section. The channels of the members face one another across the vehicle. Also illustrated in figure 10 are transverse members 424 and support members 420 to 423.

The load-carrying structure which engages with such a support means comprises spaced parallel longitudinally extending members and transverse members therebetween generally as any of the embodiments described above. One of the longitudinally extending members is shown in figure 10, engaged within the channel afforded by the elongate member 418. The member 426 is of square or rectangular box section, and at its forwardmost end, as shown in figures 11 and 12, its transversely opposed walls are formed with inclined end surfaces as indicated at 401. At the forwardmost extent of the wall surfaces 401, a retaining pin 402 is pivotally mounted for movement about a transverse axis, between an extended position shown in figures 11 and 12 in which it protrudes downwardly at an inclination to the member 426 and a retracted position in which it lies in a slot 403 provided in the bottom wall of the member. In the end view shown in figure 12, it will be seen that the pin 402 is flanked by two support rollers 404 which are rotatable about the same axis as that about which the pin is angularly movable. A further guide roller 405 is provided at the top of the member 426 where the inclined end surfaces 401 reach the top wall thereof; the rollers 404, 405 extend respectively, slightly beneath and above the top and bottom surfaces of the member 426.

Figures 13 and 14 respectively show, in inside and plan view, the rearmost end of the member 418. It has a guide assembly comprising laterally spaced plates connected to the side walls of the member 418 and extending rearwardly from the ends thereof, and between the plates 406 a guide roller 407 is supported for rotation at about a transverse spindle. The roller 407 is spaced from the rearmost edge of the bottom wall of the member 418, leaving an opening 408.

This arrangement facilitates fitting of the load-carrying structure to the support means of the invention. If the support means is to be fitted to a vehicle, the load-carrying structure is engaged with the support means firstly by lifting the front end of the structure so that the front ends of its longitudinally extending members can be presented to the rear ends of the elongate members of the support means. Particularly, the free end portions of the longitudinally extending members as 426 can be placed into the space between the plates 406 at the rearmost ends of the members 416, 418 until the locating pins as 402 are able to pivot downwardly from the member 426 and engage behind the rollers 407, as shown in figure 13. This is a secure position in that disengagement of the pin 402 from its position in which it protrudes downwardly into the space 408 is difficult or impossible unless positive action is taken, i.e. it is not likely to happen accidentally.

The next stage of fitting of the load-carrying structure to the support means is shown in figure 15, wherein the rearmost end of the load-carrying structure is lifted and the members 426 moved further forwards into the region between the plates 406. When the members 426 are in alignment with the members as 418, the load-carrying structure can be slid forwardly into the channel section members 418, as shown in figure 16. It will be noted that engagement with the rearmost edge of the bottom wall of the member 418 causes the pin 402 to be retracted into its receiving slot 403. The load-carrying structure can then be moved forwardly with its members as 426 within the members 418, such movement being facilitated by the rollers 404, 405, 407. A further guide roller 409 may be provided on the top surface of each of the members as 426.

Thus the embodiment of figures 10 to 16 provides for simple engagement of the load-carrying structure with the support means; the provision of the guide rollers in this embodiment can make the fitting of the load-carrying structure much easier particularly in the case of large and/or heavy load-carrying structures.

When the load-carrying structure has reached the position relative to the support means shown in figure 10, the locating pins as 402, which preferably are spring biased to their extended positions, engage with suitable formations such as slots at the forwardmost ends of the members 416, thereby preventing rearward movement of the load- carrying structure. A further catch or locking device or devices, or an abutment or abutments would prevent further forward movement of the load-carrying structure relative to the support means.

When the load-carrying structure is to be removed from the support means, any locking devices operative therebetween would have to be disengaged or removed, after which the locating pins 402 would be moved to their retracted positions. Thereafter, removable of the load-carrying structure is the reverse of the assembly procedure described above.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following

claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A load-carrying device for a vehicle, comprising a support

means adapted to be secured to the vehicle to overlie at least part of a roof thereof; and a load-carrying structure adapted to be engaged with the support means and secured in a load-carrying position relative thereto.

2. A load-carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the load-carrying structure is engaged with the support means by effecting at least a component of sliding movement of the load-carrying structure relative to the support means.

3. A load-carrying device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support means includes elongate members spaced laterally of the vehicle and extending longitudinally thereof, with which laterally spaced formations of the load-carrying structure engage and are moveable lengthwise thereof to bring the load-carrying structure to a required load-carrying position relative to the support means.

4. A load-carrying device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load-carrying structure comprises elongate members extending longitudinally of the vehicle, connected to one another by means extending laterally of the vehicle.

5. A load-carrying device according to claim 4 wherein the means extending laterally of the vehicle comprises a plurality of members extending transversely between the longitudinally extending members.

6. A load-carrying device according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the longitudinally extending members are provided with respective engagement formations engagable with the elongate members of the support means.

7. A load-carrying device according to claim 6 wherein the engagement formations of the load-carrying structure are or include formations which fit over the elongate members of the support means, to guide the load-carrying structure for movement lengthwise of the vehicle relative to the support means.

8 A load-carrying device according to èlaim 7 wherein at least some of the engagement formations of the load-carrying structure are adapted to cooperate with complementary formations on the support means to effect securement of the load-carrying structure in relation to the support means.

9. A load-carrying device according to claim 8 wherein the engagement formations comprise recesses into which projections extending from the support means are engagable.

10. A load-carrying device according to claim 9 wherein said engagement takes place on sliding movement of the load-carrying structure relative to the support means in one direction, in the course of fitting the load-carrying structure to the support means.

11. A load-carrying device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the longitudinally extending members of the load-carrying structure engage within track formations provided on or in association with the elongate members of the support means.

12. A load-carrying device according to claim 11 wherein the elongate members have engagement with the track formations by way of rolling bearing elements.

13, A load-carrying device according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the load-carrying structure comprises retaining means engagable with the support means to retain the structure in a desired position relative to the support means.

14. A load-carrying device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load-carrying structure is securable in a selected one of a number of positions relative to the support means.

15. A load-carrying device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load-carrying structure is dimensions so as to extend longitudinally of the vehicle beyond front and/or rear ends of the support means.

16. A load-carrying device according to claim 15 wherein there is provided further support means engagable with an appropriate part or parts of a vehicle.

17. A load-carrying device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the load-carrying structure is adapted to be adjusted in respect of its size.

18. A load-carrying device according to claim 17 wherein the load-carrying structure comprises a main portion and an additional portion able to be extended from the main portion by relative sliding therebetween.

19. A load-carrying system for vehicles, comprising a support means adapted to be secured to a vehicle to overlie at least part of a roof thereof, and a range of load-carrying structures each of which, as selected, is adapted to be engaged with the support means and secured in a load-carrying position relative thereto.

20. A load-carrying system according to claim 19, wherein the features of the support means and of one or more of the load-carrying structures in the range thereof are as claimed in any one of claim 2 to 18.

21. A load-carrying device or system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel combination feature or combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.