GB2454680A

GB2454680A - Roof rack

Info

Publication number: GB2454680A
Application number: GB0722333A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Geoffrey Thomas; David Anthony Evans
Original assignee: COOPER AUTOMOTIVE Ltd
Current assignee: COOPER AUTOMOTIVE Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-14
Filing date: 2007-11-14
Publication date: 2009-05-20
Also published as: GB0722333D0

Abstract

A roof rack 10 comprises a load carrying sled 14 movably mounted on sled runners 30, 32 via sled runner engagement means such as rollers or telescopic sliders. The sled 14 is linearly moveable between a closed position (Figure 1), in which it is located on the runners 30, 32, and an open position (Figure 2), in which it is substantially removed from the sled runners 30, 32. It is also pivotable between the open position and a deployed position (as shown) adjacent a side of the vehicle, in which a load may be mounted on or removed from the sled. The sled runners 30, 32, may be part of a frame 12 mountable on a vehicle roof, as well as a support roller 36 and a crash bar 38. The sled 14 may include side members 16, 18, a load mounting gantry 20, load fixing means, a handle 24, and load stops 28. In a further embodiment, the roof rack incorporates two sleds 14, 54 (Figure 6) adjacent to one another in their closed position on the sled runners.

Description

Vehicle roof rack The invention relates to a vehicle roof rack.

Conventional vehicle roof racks are permanently or temporarily secured to the roof of a vehicle and define a load carrying frame onto which a load is mounted and secured.

Mounting a load onto a conventional vehicle roof rack can be difficult, particularly if the load is relatively heavy, since the load must generally be lifted from the ground to above shoulder height in order to place it on the roof rack. This can particularly be a problem for light commercial vehicles, which generally have higher roofs than cars. An untrained or inexperienced person can expose themselves to potential muscular and/or skeletal damage if they try to lift too heavy a load onto a roof rack or lift a load using the incorrect lifting technique.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle roof rack comprising: a sled runner; a first load carrying sled; sled runner engagement means, the sled being movably mounted on the sled runner via the sled runner engagement means, the sled being linearly movable on the sled runner between a closed position in which the sled is located on the sled runner and an open position in which the sled is substantially removed from the sled runner, and the sled further being pivotably movable between the open position and a deployed position, generally adjacent a side of a motor vehicle on which the roof rack is mounted, in which a load may be mounted onto or removed from the sled.

The roof rack enables a load to be mounted onto or removed from the roof rack at a position lower than the height of the roof of a vehicle on which it is mounted, which can ideally be below the shoulder height of a user. A load can therefore be lifted up to or down from vehicle roof height by the user manually pivoting the sled upwardly or downwardly respectively between the deployed position and the open position. The roof rack thereby prevents dangerous lifting of a load directly up to or down from vehicle roof height, as is required with a conventional roof rack, and instead enables a load to be mounted onto or removed from the roof rack at a safe working height, and safely raised to or lowered from the vehicle roof height, thereby reducing a user's exposure to potential muscular or skeletal damage.

Preferably, the vehicle roof rack comprises first and second sled runners, the load carrying sled preferably being movably mounted thereon and therebetween.

The or each sled runner is preferably adapted to be mounted laterally across the roof of a motor vehicle, such that the load carrying sled is linearly moveable laterally over the roof.

The roof rack can therefore be safely loaded and unloaded from the pavement side of a vehicle parked on street. The kerb height of a pavement additionally raising the height of a user, thereby reducing the lifting height between the deployed and open positions.

The or each sled runner may be adapted to extend laterally across part of the width of a vehicle roof or may be adapted to extend laterally across substantially the full width of a vehicle roof.

The roof rack may further comprise a second load carrying sled movably mounted on the or each sled runner, the first sled being linearly movable between a closed position in which it is located on one half of the or each sled runner and an open position in which it is substantially removed from the or each sled runner, and the second sled being linearly movable between a closed position in which it is located on the other half of the or each sled runner and an open position in which it is substantially removed from the or each sled runner, both sleds being pivotably movable between their open positions and deployed positions, generally adjacent the respective sides of a motor vehicle on which the roof rack is mounted.

The or each sled runner preferably comprises an elongate channel member which defines a runner channel adapted to receive the sled runner engagement means. The movement the or each sled between the open and closed positions is thereby retained along a predetermined path.

The or each sled preferably comprises an open frame having elongate side members and a load mounting gantry provided therebetween. The sled runner engagement means are preferably provided on the elongate side members.

The sled runner engagement means may comprise first and second roller members respectively mounted for rotational movement towards the retained ends of the elongate side members of the or each sled. The axes of the roller members preferably extend outwardly from the respective side members. The roller members are preferably mounted on a pivot roller which extends between the side members, each end of the pivot roller extending through and externally outwardly from the respective side member. The pivot roller defines the pivot axis of a sled for movement between the open and deployed positions.

The sled runner engagement means may alternatively comprise first and second telescopic sliders adapted for sliding movement within the respective sled runners. The telescopic sliders may comprise ball bearing telescopic sliders or roller telescopic sliders.

The or each sled preferably further comprises an operating handle by which a user can manually move the sled between the closed and open positions, and between the open and deployed positions.

The or each sled preferably further comprises first and second load stops provided towards the distal ends of the elongate side members and extending generally upwardly therefrom.

The load stops are adapted to engage with a load located on a sled to prevent the load sliding off the sled when it is in the deployed position, to retain the load in position while a user secures the load to the load carrying gantry.

The roof rack preferably further comprises a crash member provided at a position lower than the or each sled runner and adapted to limit the downward pivoting movement of a respective sled. The crash member thereby prevents a sled from crashing against and damaging the side of the vehicle and defines the location of the deployed position adjacent to but spaced from the side of the vehicle.

The sled runners preferably comprise part of a mounting frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle. The mounting frame preferably further comprises vehicle roof mounting members adapted to mount the mounting frame on a vehicle. The mounting frame can thereby be mounted on a vehicle with minimal contact with the vehicle, to minimise potential damage to the vehicle.

The roof rack preferably further comprises a support roller provided between the sled runners at one or both ends, being the ends which in use are located adjacent the edge of the vehicle roof, the or each support roller engaging with and acting to support a sled during movement between the closed and open positions. The support roller also serves to define the location of the pivot axis of a sled, since the sled cannot pivot downwardly with respect to the mounting frame until the other end of the sled has passed the respective support roller.

The crash member may comprise a crash bar provided between the vehicle roof mounting members at one or both ends of the elongate channel members and at a position lower than the elongate channel members. The crash member may alternatively comprise a crash pin or a crash wheel.

The roof rack preferably further comprises locking means provided on a sled runner and adapted to engage with and lock the or each sled in the closed position. The or each sled is thereby prevented from moving during transit of a vehicle.

The roof rack preferably further comprises load fixing means adapted to secure a load to a sled. The load fixing means may comprise one or more mechanical clamps, such as ladder clamps. The load fixing means may alternatively comprise push-fit releasable mechanical fastening means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a roof rack according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the sled in the closed position; Figure 2 shows the roof rack of Figure 1 with the sled in the open position; Figure 3 shows the roof rack of Figure 1 with the sled in the deployed position; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the roof rack of Figure 1 mounted on a car, with the sled in the deployed position; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a roof rack according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the sleds in the closed position; Figure 6 shows the roof rack of Figure 5 with one sled in the open position; Figure 7 shows the roof rack of Figure 5 with one sled in the deployed position; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the roof rack of Figure 5 mounted on a light commercial vehicle, with the sleds in the deployed position; and Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the roof rack of Figure 5 mounted on a light commercial vehicle, with the sleds in the deployed position and ladders mounted on the sleds.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a first embodiment of the invention provides a roof rack 10 comprising first and second sled runners 30, 32, provided within a mounting frame 12, sled runner engagement means in the form of first and second rollers (not visible in the drawings) and a load carrying sled 14.

The load carrying sled 14 comprises first and second elongate side members 16, 18 and an open frame load mounting gantry 20 provided between the side members 16, 18. The first and second rollers are rotatably mounted at either end of a pivot roller 22 which extends between the retained ends 16a, 18a of the side members 16, 18. The rollers extend outwardly with respect to the side members 16, 18.

An operating handle 24 is provided between the elongate side members 16, 18, at their distal ends by which a user can manually move the sled 14 between its closed position (Figure 1) and its open position (Figure 2), and between its open position and its deployed position (Figure 3), as will be described in more detail below. A spaced pair of hand grips 26 are provided on the operating handle, by which a user can securely grip the operating handle 24.

First and second load stops 28 are provided on the elongate side members 16, 18, towards their distal ends, and extend generally upwardly therefrom. The load stops 28 are adapted to engage with a load, to prevent the load sliding off the sled 14 when it is in the deployed position, and help to retain the load in position while a user secures the load to the load carrying gantry 20.

The mounting frame 12 is adapted to be mounted on and extend laterally across part of the width of the roof of a vehicle, as shown in Figure 4. The sled runners 30, 32 comprise a spaced pair of elongate channel members which respectively define first and second runner channels 30a, 32a adapted to receive the first and second rollers.

The arrangement of the rollers and the runner channels 30a, 32a provides for smooth linear movement of the sled 14 across the sled runners 30, 32, between the closed and open positions, and into and out of the mounting frame 12. The movement of the sled 14 between the open and closed positions is thereby retained along a predetermined path.

Vehicle roof mounting feet 34 are provided towards either end of each elongate channel member 30, 32. The feet 34 are adapted to securely mount the roof rack onto the roof of a vehicle, as shown in Figure 4.

A support roller 36 is provided between the elongate channel members 30, 32 at one end, being their ends which in use are located adjacent the edge of the vehicle roof.

The support roller 36 engages with and supports the sled 14 during movement between the closed and open positions. The support roller 36 also defines the location of the pivot axis of the sled 14, since the sled 14 cannot pivot downwardly until the retained ends 16a, 18a of the elongate side members 16, 18 of the sled 14 have travelled past the support roller 36.

A crash bar 38 is provided between the feet 34 at the one ends of the elongate channel members 30, 32. The crash bar 38 is provided at a position lower than the elongate channel members 30, 32. The crash bar 38 limits the range of the downwards pivoting movement of the sled 14 and sets the deployed position of the sled 14, adjacent to but spaced from the side of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 4. The crash bar 38 prevents the sled 14 from crashing against and damaging the side of the vehicle.

Threaded bolt wheel handle locks 40 are provided within the feet 34 at the one ends of the elongate channel members 30, 32 for locking engagement with lock formations 42 provided at the distal ends of the elongate side members 16, 18 of the sled 14. The sled 14 can thereby be fixed to the mounting frame 12, to lock the sled 14 in its closed position, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the locks 40 may be replaced by a self-securing mechanical latch or a key operated mechanical lock.

In use, to place a load on the roof rack 10, the locks 40 are disengaged and a user grips the operating handle 24 and pulls the sled 14 towards himself, moving the sled 14 from the closed position to the open position (Figure 1 to Figure 2). Once the retained ends 16a, 18a of the elongate side member 16, 18 have passed the support roller 36, the user can lower the operating handle 24, causing the sled 14 to pivot downwards from the open position to the deployed position (Figure 2 to Figures 3 & 4). Once the sled 14 engages the crash bar 38 the user can release the operating handle 24 and proceed to secure a load onto the load mounting gantry 20 of the sled 14. For example, if the load is a ladder, the ladder is located on the sled 14, resting on the load stops 28, and the user can secure the ladder onto the gantry 20 using conventional ladder clamps.

When the load is secured on the load mounting gantry 20 the user can raise the load onto the vehicle roof, as follows. The user grips the operating handle 24 and lifts it upwards, causing the sled 14 to pivot upwardly from the deployed position (Figures 3 & 4) to the open position (Figure 2). When the sled 14 has been raised to its maximum height, level with the mounting frame 12, the user will then push the sled 14 towards the vehicle, to the closed position (Figure 1) where it is substantially received within the mounting frame 12. The locks 40 are then re-engaged and the sled 14, carrying the load, is secured in position within the mounting frame 12 and on the vehicle roof.

The load is removed from the roof rack 10 by repeating the process and removing the load from the load mounting gantry 20.

A roof rack 50 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 to 9. The roof rack 50 of this embodiment is substantially the same as the roof rack 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numbers are retained for corresponding features.

In this embodiment the roof rack 50 comprises two sleds 14, 54 both of the same type as the sled 14 of the first embodiment. The sled runners 30, 32, and the mounting frame 52, of this embodiment is adapted to extend across substantially the full width of a vehicle roof, so that each sled 14, 54 may be deployed to a deployed position adjacent a respective side of the vehicle (as shown in Figures 8 & 9).

The sled runners 30, 32 of this embodiment is substantially the same as the mounting frame 12 of the first embodiment but are longer, to accommodate both sleds 14, 54.

The mounting frame 52 is provided with a second support roller 56, a second crash bar 58 and a second set of locks at the other ends of its sled runners 30, 32.

Both sleds 14, 54 are moveable between their closed positions (Figure 5) and their open positions (Figure 6), and are pivotally moveable between their open positions and their deployed positions (Figures 7-9) in the same manner as described above in relation to the first embodiment.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the sled runner engagement means may alternatively comprise telescopic sliders adapted for sliding movement within the respective sled runners, such as ball bearing telescopic sliders or roller telescopic sliders. The crash bar may be replaced by a crash pin or a crash wheel.

The mounting feet may be of a different type to that shown. In particular, the mounting feet may be adapted to mount the roof rack onto the side of a vehicle, or may comprise mechanical clamping feet adapted to be mounted on the top edge of a vehicle door frame. Alternatively, no mounting feet may be provided, the roof rack then being directly mounted, via the sled runners, on a vehicle, vehicle roof mounting points, vehicle roof bars, vehicle roof rails, or vehicle roof rain gutter.

The load mounting gantry may be of a different configuration or may comprise a substantially solid tray-like member. The ladder clamps may be replaced with a different type of mechanical clamp, which will at least in part depend upon the type of load to be carried (for example, a roof box, boat, canoe, skis, bicycles). A push-fit releasable mechanical clamp may be provided on the sled, to allow snap-fit locking of a load onto the sled.

The operating handle may be of a different size or configuration to that shown, for example being mounted on the mounting gantry rather than on the elongate side members. The load stops may be provided at a different location to that shown, load stops may also be provided towards the retained ends of the elongate side members, or may be removed entirely. The lock may alternatively comprise a mechanical latch, preferably a self-securing lock, a key operated mechanical lock or a locking mechanism secured by a key operated lock. The elongate support members and the elongate channel members may be of a different profile to that shown.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle roof rack comprising: a sled runner; a first load carrying sled; sled runner engagement means, the sled being movably mounted on the sled runner via the sled runner engagement means, the sled being linearly movable on the sled runner between a closed position in which the sled is located on the sled runner and an open position in which the sled is substantially removed from the sled runner, and the sled further being pivotably movable between the open position and a deployed position, generally adjacent a side of a motor vehicle on which the roof rack is mounted, in which a load may be mounted onto or removed from the sled.
2. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roof rack comprises first and second sled runners, the load carrying sled being movably mounted thereon and therebetween.
3. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the or each sled runner is adapted to be mounted laterally across the roof of a motor vehicle, such that the load carrying sled is linearly moveable laterally over the roof.
4. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the roof rack further comprises a second load carrying sled movably mounted on the or each sled runner, the first sled being linearly movable between a closed position in which it is located on one half of the or each sled runner and an open position in which it is substantially removed from the or each sled runner, and the second sled being linearly movable between a closed position in which it is located on the other half of the or each sled runner and an open position in which it is substantially removed from the or each sled runner, both sleds being pivotably movable between their open positions and deployed positions, generally adjacent the respective sides of a motor vehicle on which the roof rack is mounted.
5. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each sled runner comprises an elongate channel member which defines a runner channel adapted to receive the sled runner engagement means.
6. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each sled comprises an open frame having elongate side members and a load mounting gantry provided therebetween.
7. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sled runner engagement means comprise first and second roller members respectively mounted for rotational movement towards the retained ends of the elongate side members of the or each sled.
8. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sled runner engagement means comprise first and second telescopic sliders adapted for sliding movement within the respective sled runners.
9. A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the or each sled further comprises first and second load stops provided towards the distal ends of the elongate side members and extending generally upwardly therefrom.
1O.A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the roof rack further comprises a crash member provided at a position lower than the or each sled runner and adapted to limit the downward pivoting movement of a respective sled.
11.A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sled runners comprise part of a mounting frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle.
12.A vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 11, wherein the roof rack further comprises a support roller provided between the sled runners at one or both ends, being the ends which in use are located adjacent the edge of the vehicle roof, the or each support roller engaging with and acting to support a sled during movement between the closed and open positions.
13.A vehicle roof rack as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the roof rack further comprises load fixing means adapted to secure a load to a sled.
14.A vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 13, wherein the load fixing means comprises push-fit releasable mechanical fastening means.
15.A vehicle roof rack substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.