US20210178978A1 - Apparatus for tying a board to a vehicle roof - Google Patents
Apparatus for tying a board to a vehicle roof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210178978A1 US20210178978A1 US16/751,106 US202016751106A US2021178978A1 US 20210178978 A1 US20210178978 A1 US 20210178978A1 US 202016751106 A US202016751106 A US 202016751106A US 2021178978 A1 US2021178978 A1 US 2021178978A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pads
- flexible connector
- strap
- soft
- vehicle roof
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
- B63B32/80—Arrangements specially adapted for stowing or transporting water sports boards
- B63B32/87—Arrangements specially adapted for stowing or transporting water sports boards for carrying, e.g. board bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/04—Carriers associated with vehicle roof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/04—Carriers associated with vehicle roof
- B60R9/048—Carriers characterised by article-gripping, -covering,-retaining, or -locking means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/04—Carriers associated with vehicle roof
- B60R9/058—Carriers associated with vehicle roof characterised by releasable attaching means between carrier and roof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/08—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/40—Engine management systems
Definitions
- a vehicle can be equipped with a roof rack to carry a sports board such as a surfboard, a paddleboard, a snowboard, a grass board and sand board, particular a large sports board such as a surfboard and a paddleboard.
- a sports board such as a surfboard, a paddleboard, a snowboard, a grass board and sand board, particular a large sports board such as a surfboard and a paddleboard.
- the present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
- the tying apparatus includes a padding assembly and a binding assembly.
- the padding assembly is located on a vehicle roof
- the binding assembly is operable to tie an object supported on the padding assembly to the vehicle roof.
- the tying apparatus includes soft skins respectively connected to upper and lower faces of the padding assembly.
- the tying apparatus includes a magnetic attraction device connected to the padding assembly.
- the magnetic attraction device is operable to provide magnetic attraction to keep the padding assembly in position on the vehicle roof.
- the padding assembly includes two pads and a flexible connector connected the pads.
- the flexible connector is made in one piece with the pads.
- the pads are formed on an upper face of the flexible connector and separated from each other by a gap.
- the flexible connector is not made in one piece with the pads.
- the pads are connected to an upper face of the flexible connector and separated from each other by a gap.
- the tying apparatus includes two upper soft skins and a lower soft skin.
- Each of the upper soft skins is connected to an upper face of a corresponding one of the pads.
- the lower soft skin is connected to a lower face of the flexible connector.
- the binding assembly includes a strap, a buckle and a handle.
- the strap is operable to form a loop.
- the buckle is operable to keep the strap in the form of the loop.
- the handle is operable to maneuver the buckle.
- the binding assembly includes two soft pads connected to a middle section of the strap. An end of one of the soft pads is separated from an end of the remaining one of the soft pads by a gap.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a top view of a vehicle carrying a sports board on the tying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the vehicle, the sports board and the tying apparatus shown in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a skid-proof padding assembly of a tying apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a skid-proof padding assembly of a tying apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the skid-proof padding shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a buckle and a strap of the tying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial view of the strap of the tying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .
- a tying apparatus includes a padding assembly 1 and a binding assembly 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the typing apparatus is used to tie an object 40 to a vehicle roof 30 .
- the object 40 can be but not limited to a sports board such as a surfboard, paddleboard used in stand up paddle (“SUP”), a ski, a snow led, a snow board, a grass board and sand board.
- SUP stand up paddle
- the padding assemblies 1 of the tying apparatuses are located on a vehicle roof 30 .
- An object 40 is located on the padding assemblies 1 of the tying apparatuses.
- the binding assembly 2 of each of the typing apparatuses is wound around the vehicle roof 30 and the object 40 .
- the padding assembly 1 of each of the tying apparatuses is located between the vehicle roof 30 and the object 40 to prevent the object 40 from rubbing against the vehicle roof 30 .
- the binding assembly 2 of each of the tying apparatuses tightly ties the object 40 to the vehicle roof 30 to firmly keep the object 40 on the vehicle roof 30 during transportation.
- the tying apparatus further includes a magnetic attraction device supported on the padding assembly 1 .
- the magnetic attraction device is used to firmly keep the padding assembly 1 on vehicle roof 30 by magnetic attraction.
- the magnetic attraction device includes two magnets 111 .
- the magnetic attraction device can include one magnet 111 or any other amount of magnets 111 .
- the magnets 111 are preferably neodymium magnet.
- the magnetic attraction device can include magnetic powder spread in the padding assembly 1 , or flexible magnetic strips connected to a lower face of the padding assembly 1 . No matter what, the magnetic attraction device provides magnetic attraction to firmly keep the padding assembly 1 on the vehicle roof 30 .
- the padding assembly 1 includes two pads 11 connected to a flexible connector 12 .
- the flexible connector 12 can be bent or curved in compliance with the vehicle roof 30 so that the lower face of the padding assembly 1 is in contact with the vehicle roof 30 as tight as possible to maximize the friction between the padding assembly 1 and the vehicle roof 30 , thereby keeping the padding assembly 1 in position relative to the vehicle roof 30 .
- the padding assembly 1 is made of plastics or rubber in one piece.
- the padding assembly 1 is made of a plastic foam material or a rubber foam material.
- the padding assembly 1 can be made of commercially available PE, EVA, PU, PP, PVC, EVA, CR, SBR or NBR.
- PE polyethylene
- EVA PU
- PP polypropylene
- PVC polyvinylene
- EVA EVA
- CR CR
- SBR SBR
- NBR NBR
- the flexible connector 12 is made in one piece with the pads 11 of a same foam material.
- the thickness of the flexible connector 12 is smaller than the thickness of the pads 11 .
- the flexible connector 12 is formed with an upper face 121 and a lower face 122 .
- the pads 11 are formed on the upper face 121 of the flexible connector 12 and separated from each other by a gap 123 .
- two magnets 111 are embedded in the flexible connector 12 near the lower face 122 . Each of the magnets 111 is located below a corresponding one of the pads 11 .
- the breadth (or “width”) of the flexible connector 12 gets larger towards two ends from a middle section of reduced breadth.
- the flexible connector 12 includes two arched edges opposite to each other.
- the padding assembly 1 a includes two soft skins 13 and a soft skin 14 in addition.
- Each of the soft skins 13 is connected to an upper face of a corresponding one of the pads 11 .
- the soft skin 14 is connected to the lower face 122 of the flexible connector 12 so that the magnets 111 are covered by the soft skin 14 .
- the soft skins 13 and 14 are soft skins made of rubber such as chloroprene rubber (“CR” or “neoprene”), foam-like or not.
- the soft skins 13 and 14 can be made of other types of rubber or plastics.
- the flexible connector 12 and the pads 11 are made of PE or PS in one piece.
- the padding assembly 11 b includes two pads 11 b connected to a flexible connector 12 b.
- the pads 11 b and the flexible connector 12 b are made of a foam material, but not in one piece. Particularly, the pads 11 b are formed independent of the flexible connector 12 b before the pads 11 b are connected to an upper face 121 b of the flexible connector 12 b.
- the pads 11 b are separated from each other by a gap.
- Foam skins such as PE foam skins are often left after the manufacturing sports boards. Such left-over foam skins can be connected to the pads 11 b and the flexible connector 12 b, respectively.
- a PE foam skin includes two PE foam layers of different thickness and density.
- each of the pads 11 b includes a thick PE foam layer 112 b and a thin PE foam layer 113 b.
- the density of the thick PE foam layer 112 b is lower than the density of the thin PE foam layer 113 b.
- the flexible connector 12 b includes a thick PE foam layer 123 b and a thin PE foam layer 124 b.
- the density of the thick PE foam layer 123 b is lower than the density of the thin PE foam layer 124 b.
- each of the upper and lower faces of the padding assembly 1 b is covered by one soft skin or two.
- a soft skin 13 is connected to an upper face of each of the pads 11 b.
- a soft skin 14 is connected to the lower face 122 b of the flexible connector 12 b so that the magnets 111 are covered by the soft skin 14 .
- the magnetic attraction device can be replaced with at least one sucker (or “suction pad”), hook-and-loop means, adhesive or any other proper means as long as it can keep the padding assembly in position on the vehicle roof 30 .
- the binding assembly 2 includes a strap 21 and a buckle 22 .
- the strap 21 is long enough to be turned into a loop around the vehicle roof 30 .
- the buckle 22 is used to retain the loop made of the strap 21 .
- the buckle 22 includes a pivotal presser 221 .
- the buckle 22 is connected to a rear end 210 a of the strap 21 .
- the strap 21 includes a front end 210 b that can be moved throughout the buckle 22 before the presser 221 is pivoted down to press the strap 21 .
- the strap 21 cannot be moved in an opposite direction and the front end 210 b of the strap 21 cannot be disengaged from the buckle 22 until the presser 221 is pivoted up (as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 7 ).
- the buckle 22 is shown for example, not for restrictive purposes.
- the buckle 22 can be in another proper form than shown in the drawings.
- the strap 21 can be made of plastics or cloth.
- the strap 21 is formed with a front section 211 near the front end 210 b, a rear section 213 near the rear end 210 a, and a middle section 212 between the front section 211 and the rear section 213 .
- the front section 211 of the strap 21 can be locked by the buckle 22 .
- the binding assembly 2 further includes a handle 23 connected to the buckle 22 .
- the handle 23 is operable by the user to pull the strap 21 . That is, the handle 23 is used to facilitate the pulling of the strap 21 .
- the handle 23 is made of the rear section 211 of the strap 21 near the rear end 210 a.
- the rear end 210 a of the strap 21 is moved throughout the buckle 22 in a direction.
- the rear end 210 a of the strap 21 is moved in an opposite direction so that the rear section 211 of the strap 21 is turned into a loop 231 .
- the rear end 210 a is connected to a region of the rear section 211 of the buckle 22 by sewing for example.
- the belt 2 further includes two soft pads 24 connected to a lower face of the middle section 212 thereof by sewing, adhesion or any other proper means.
- the soft pads 24 are used for skid-proof purposes.
- each of the soft pads 24 is a soft skin made of rubber such as chloroprene rubber (“CR” or neoprene), foam-like or not.
- CR chloroprene rubber
- the soft pads 24 can be made of any other proper types of rubber or plastics.
- the soft pads 24 can be replaced with a single soft pad (not shown). The length of such a single soft pad is identical to the sum of the lengths of the soft pads 24 plus the length of the gap G.
- the binding assembly 2 further includes a ring 25 .
- the middle section 212 of the strap 21 is moved throughout the ring 25 .
- the ring 25 can be provided with a trademark or a decorative pattern.
- the front section 211 of the strap 21 is connected to the middle section 212 by sewing.
- a string of cloth 26 is bent so that it looks like a “V.”
- the V-shaped string of cloth 26 is overlapped with and connected to an end of the middle section 212 by sewing.
- an end of the front section 211 is overlapped with and connected to the V-shaped string of cloth 26 by sewing.
- the sewing firmly connects the front section 211 to the middle section 212 .
- one of the soft pads 24 is overlapped with and connected to the middle section 212 by sewing.
- the end of the front section 211 and the V-shaped string of cloth 26 are sandwiched between the one of the soft pads 24 and the end of the middle section 212 .
- the rear section 213 of the strap 21 is connected to the middle section 212 in a similar manner.
- the tying apparatus can be used to tie the object 40 to the vehicle roof 30 in a convenient and reliable manner.
- binding assembly 2 can be used alone to tie an object, i.e., without the using the padding assembly 1 .
- the padding assembly 1 can be used alone to support an object, i.e., without using the binding assembly 2 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
Abstract
A tying apparatus includes a padding assembly and a binding assembly. The padding assembly is located on a vehicle roof The binding assembly is operable to tie an object supported on the padding assembly to the vehicle roof The binding assembly includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is operable to form a loop. The buckle is operable to keep the strap in the form of the loop.
Description
- The present invention relates to a board and, more particularly, to an apparatus for tying a board such as a surfboard and a paddleboard to a vehicle roof
- A vehicle can be equipped with a roof rack to carry a sports board such as a surfboard, a paddleboard, a snowboard, a grass board and sand board, particular a large sports board such as a surfboard and a paddleboard. However, it is troublesome to firmly place such a sports board on such a roof rack.
- The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
- It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a convenient and reliable tying apparatus.
- To achieve the foregoing objective, the tying apparatus includes a padding assembly and a binding assembly. The padding assembly is located on a vehicle roof The binding assembly is operable to tie an object supported on the padding assembly to the vehicle roof.
- In an aspect, the tying apparatus includes soft skins respectively connected to upper and lower faces of the padding assembly.
- In another aspect, the tying apparatus includes a magnetic attraction device connected to the padding assembly. The magnetic attraction device is operable to provide magnetic attraction to keep the padding assembly in position on the vehicle roof.
- In another aspect, the padding assembly includes two pads and a flexible connector connected the pads.
- In another aspect, the flexible connector is made in one piece with the pads. The pads are formed on an upper face of the flexible connector and separated from each other by a gap.
- In an alternative aspect, the flexible connector is not made in one piece with the pads. The pads are connected to an upper face of the flexible connector and separated from each other by a gap.
- In another aspect, the tying apparatus includes two upper soft skins and a lower soft skin. Each of the upper soft skins is connected to an upper face of a corresponding one of the pads. The lower soft skin is connected to a lower face of the flexible connector.
- In another aspect, the binding assembly includes a strap, a buckle and a handle. The strap is operable to form a loop. The buckle is operable to keep the strap in the form of the loop. The handle is operable to maneuver the buckle.
- In another aspect, the binding assembly includes two soft pads connected to a middle section of the strap. An end of one of the soft pads is separated from an end of the remaining one of the soft pads by a gap.
- Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.
- The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of three embodiments referring to the drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a top view of a vehicle carrying a sports board on the tying apparatus shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the vehicle, the sports board and the tying apparatus shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a skid-proof padding assembly of a tying apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a skid-proof padding assembly of a tying apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the skid-proof padding shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a buckle and a strap of the tying apparatus shown inFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial view of the strap of the tying apparatus shown inFIG. 1 . - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a tying apparatus includes apadding assembly 1 and abinding assembly 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , the typing apparatus is used to tie anobject 40 to avehicle roof 30. Theobject 40 can be but not limited to a sports board such as a surfboard, paddleboard used in stand up paddle (“SUP”), a ski, a snow led, a snow board, a grass board and sand board. - Some of the sports boards such as paddleboards and surfboards are large, and two tying apparatuses are needed to tie a paddleboard or a surfboard to the
vehicle roof 30. In this case, thepadding assemblies 1 of the tying apparatuses are located on avehicle roof 30. Anobject 40 is located on thepadding assemblies 1 of the tying apparatuses. Thebinding assembly 2 of each of the typing apparatuses is wound around thevehicle roof 30 and theobject 40. Thus, thepadding assembly 1 of each of the tying apparatuses is located between thevehicle roof 30 and theobject 40 to prevent theobject 40 from rubbing against thevehicle roof 30. Thebinding assembly 2 of each of the tying apparatuses tightly ties theobject 40 to thevehicle roof 30 to firmly keep theobject 40 on thevehicle roof 30 during transportation. - However, only one tying apparatus is needed to tie a small sports board to the
vehicle roof 30. It is up to a user to use one tying apparatus or more. - The tying apparatus further includes a magnetic attraction device supported on the
padding assembly 1. The magnetic attraction device is used to firmly keep thepadding assembly 1 onvehicle roof 30 by magnetic attraction. Preferably, the magnetic attraction device includes twomagnets 111. However, the magnetic attraction device can include onemagnet 111 or any other amount ofmagnets 111. Themagnets 111 are preferably neodymium magnet. Moreover, the magnetic attraction device can include magnetic powder spread in thepadding assembly 1, or flexible magnetic strips connected to a lower face of thepadding assembly 1. No matter what, the magnetic attraction device provides magnetic attraction to firmly keep thepadding assembly 1 on thevehicle roof 30. - Preferably, referring to
FIG. 1 , thepadding assembly 1 includes twopads 11 connected to aflexible connector 12. Theflexible connector 12 can be bent or curved in compliance with thevehicle roof 30 so that the lower face of thepadding assembly 1 is in contact with thevehicle roof 30 as tight as possible to maximize the friction between thepadding assembly 1 and thevehicle roof 30, thereby keeping thepadding assembly 1 in position relative to thevehicle roof 30. - Preferably, the
padding assembly 1 is made of plastics or rubber in one piece. For example, thepadding assembly 1 is made of a plastic foam material or a rubber foam material. More particularly, thepadding assembly 1 can be made of commercially available PE, EVA, PU, PP, PVC, EVA, CR, SBR or NBR. Thus, thepadding assembly 1 is light in weight, elastic and skid-proof - Preferably, the
flexible connector 12 is made in one piece with thepads 11 of a same foam material. The thickness of theflexible connector 12 is smaller than the thickness of thepads 11. Theflexible connector 12 is formed with anupper face 121 and alower face 122. Thepads 11 are formed on theupper face 121 of theflexible connector 12 and separated from each other by agap 123. Preferably, twomagnets 111 are embedded in theflexible connector 12 near thelower face 122. Each of themagnets 111 is located below a corresponding one of thepads 11. Preferably, the breadth (or “width”) of theflexible connector 12 gets larger towards two ends from a middle section of reduced breadth. Theflexible connector 12 includes two arched edges opposite to each other. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , there is shown a highly skid-proof padding assembly 1 a according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Thepadding assembly 1 a includes twosoft skins 13 and asoft skin 14 in addition. Each of thesoft skins 13 is connected to an upper face of a corresponding one of thepads 11. Thesoft skin 14 is connected to thelower face 122 of theflexible connector 12 so that themagnets 111 are covered by thesoft skin 14. Preferably, thesoft skins soft skins flexible connector 12 and thepads 11 are made of PE or PS in one piece. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown a highly skid-proof padding assembly 1 b according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Thepadding assembly 11 b includes twopads 11 b connected to aflexible connector 12 b. Thepads 11 b and theflexible connector 12 b are made of a foam material, but not in one piece. Particularly, thepads 11 b are formed independent of theflexible connector 12 b before thepads 11 b are connected to anupper face 121 b of theflexible connector 12 b. Thepads 11 b are separated from each other by a gap. Foam skins such as PE foam skins are often left after the manufacturing sports boards. Such left-over foam skins can be connected to thepads 11 b and theflexible connector 12 b, respectively. A PE foam skin includes two PE foam layers of different thickness and density. Referring toFIG. 6 , each of thepads 11 b includes a thickPE foam layer 112 b and a thinPE foam layer 113 b. The density of the thickPE foam layer 112 b is lower than the density of the thinPE foam layer 113 b. Theflexible connector 12 b includes a thickPE foam layer 123 b and a thinPE foam layer 124 b. The density of the thickPE foam layer 123 b is lower than the density of the thinPE foam layer 124 b. Moreover, each of the upper and lower faces of thepadding assembly 1 b is covered by one soft skin or two. In specific, asoft skin 13 is connected to an upper face of each of thepads 11 b. Asoft skin 14 is connected to thelower face 122 b of theflexible connector 12 b so that themagnets 111 are covered by thesoft skin 14. - The magnetic attraction device can be replaced with at least one sucker (or “suction pad”), hook-and-loop means, adhesive or any other proper means as long as it can keep the padding assembly in position on the
vehicle roof 30. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the bindingassembly 2 includes astrap 21 and abuckle 22. Referring toFIG. 3 , thestrap 21 is long enough to be turned into a loop around thevehicle roof 30. Thebuckle 22 is used to retain the loop made of thestrap 21. Referring toFIG. 7 , thebuckle 22 includes apivotal presser 221. Thebuckle 22 is connected to arear end 210 a of thestrap 21. Thestrap 21 includes afront end 210 b that can be moved throughout thebuckle 22 before thepresser 221 is pivoted down to press thestrap 21. Thus, thestrap 21 cannot be moved in an opposite direction and thefront end 210 b of thestrap 21 cannot be disengaged from thebuckle 22 until thepresser 221 is pivoted up (as shown by phantom lines inFIG. 7 ). However, it should be noted that thebuckle 22 is shown for example, not for restrictive purposes. Thebuckle 22 can be in another proper form than shown in the drawings. Thestrap 21 can be made of plastics or cloth. - The
strap 21 is formed with afront section 211 near thefront end 210 b, arear section 213 near therear end 210 a, and amiddle section 212 between thefront section 211 and therear section 213. Thefront section 211 of thestrap 21 can be locked by thebuckle 22. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 7 , the bindingassembly 2 further includes ahandle 23 connected to thebuckle 22. Thehandle 23 is operable by the user to pull thestrap 21. That is, thehandle 23 is used to facilitate the pulling of thestrap 21. In specific, thehandle 23 is made of therear section 211 of thestrap 21 near therear end 210 a. To make thehandle 23, therear end 210 a of thestrap 21 is moved throughout thebuckle 22 in a direction. Then, therear end 210 a of thestrap 21 is moved in an opposite direction so that therear section 211 of thestrap 21 is turned into aloop 231. Finally, therear end 210 a is connected to a region of therear section 211 of thebuckle 22 by sewing for example. - The
belt 2 further includes twosoft pads 24 connected to a lower face of themiddle section 212 thereof by sewing, adhesion or any other proper means. Thesoft pads 24 are used for skid-proof purposes. Preferably, there is a gap G between an end of one of thesoft pads 24 and an end of the remaining one of thesoft pads 24. Preferably, each of thesoft pads 24 is a soft skin made of rubber such as chloroprene rubber (“CR” or neoprene), foam-like or not. However, thesoft pads 24 can be made of any other proper types of rubber or plastics. Moreover, thesoft pads 24 can be replaced with a single soft pad (not shown). The length of such a single soft pad is identical to the sum of the lengths of thesoft pads 24 plus the length of the gap G. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the bindingassembly 2 further includes aring 25. Themiddle section 212 of thestrap 21 is moved throughout thering 25. Thering 25 can be provided with a trademark or a decorative pattern. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , thefront section 211 of thestrap 21 is connected to themiddle section 212 by sewing. In specific, a string ofcloth 26 is bent so that it looks like a “V.” The V-shaped string ofcloth 26 is overlapped with and connected to an end of themiddle section 212 by sewing. Then, an end of thefront section 211 is overlapped with and connected to the V-shaped string ofcloth 26 by sewing. Thus, the sewing firmly connects thefront section 211 to themiddle section 212. Then, one of thesoft pads 24 is overlapped with and connected to themiddle section 212 by sewing. Thus, the end of thefront section 211 and the V-shaped string ofcloth 26 are sandwiched between the one of thesoft pads 24 and the end of themiddle section 212. Therear section 213 of thestrap 21 is connected to themiddle section 212 in a similar manner. - As discussed above, the tying apparatus can be used to tie the
object 40 to thevehicle roof 30 in a convenient and reliable manner. - Furthermore, it should be noted that the binding
assembly 2 can be used alone to tie an object, i.e., without the using thepadding assembly 1. Thepadding assembly 1 can be used alone to support an object, i.e., without using the bindingassembly 2. - The present invention has been described via the illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
Claims (13)
1. A tying apparatus comprising:
a padding assembly located on a top surface of a vehicle roof and including two pads and a flexible connector connecting the pads, the flexible connector having an upper face and a lower face, the pads configured on the upper face of the flexible connector and separated from each other by a distance, wherein the flexible connector is made of foam material and can be bent in accordance with the top surface of the vehicle roof so that the entire lower face of the flexible connector is in contact with the top surface of the vehicle roof; and
a binding assembly for tying an object supported on the padding assembly to the vehicle roof.
2. (canceled)
3. The tying apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising a magnetic attraction device connected to the padding assembly, wherein the magnetic attraction device is operable to provide magnetic attraction to keep the padding assembly in position on the vehicle roof.
4. (canceled)
5. The tying apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible connector is made in one piece with the pads.
6. (canceled)
7. The tying apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising two upper soft skins each of which is connected to an upper face of a corresponding one of the pads and a lower soft skin connected to the lower face of the flexible connector.
8. The tying apparatus according to claim 7 , comprising a magnetic attraction device connected to the padding assembly, and the magnetic attraction device is operable to provide magnetic attraction to keep the padding assembly in position on the vehicle roof.
9. The tying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the binding assembly comprises:
a strap having a middle section, wherein a bottom surface of the middle section faces the padding assembly when the strap is operated to form a loop;
a buckle operable to keep the strap in the form of the loop; and
a handle operable to maneuver the buckle.
10. The tying apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the binding assembly comprises two soft pads connected to the bottom surface of the middle section of the strap, and an end of one of the soft pads is separated from an end of the remaining one of the soft pads by a gap, and
wherein the ends of the soft pads are located between the middle section of the strap and the pads of the padding assembly when the strap is operated to form the loop.
11. The tying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the flexible connector is smaller than a thickness of the pads so that the pads are separated from each other by a gap.
12. The tying apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein each of the pads includes a thick foam layer and a thin foam layer, and
wherein a density of the thick foam layer is lower than a density of the thin foam layer.
13. The tying apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the flexible connector includes a thick foam layer and a thin foam layer,
wherein the density of the thick foam layer of the flexible connector is lower than the density of the thin foam layer of the flexible connector, and
wherein two upper soft skins each of which is connected to an upper face of a corresponding one of the pads and a lower soft skin connected to the lower face of the flexible connector.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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TW108145604 | 2019-12-12 | ||
TW108145604A TWI738148B (en) | 2019-12-12 | 2019-12-12 | Vehicle roof rack |
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US11021110B1 US11021110B1 (en) | 2021-06-01 |
US20210178978A1 true US20210178978A1 (en) | 2021-06-17 |
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US16/751,106 Active US11021110B1 (en) | 2019-12-12 | 2020-01-23 | Apparatus for tying a board to a vehicle roof |
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US (1) | US11021110B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3835195A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN112977269B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2020201529A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3073858C (en) |
TW (1) | TWI738148B (en) |
Family Cites Families (20)
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US4007862A (en) * | 1975-03-13 | 1977-02-15 | Rax Works, Inc. | Car rack for holding surfboards or the like |
US4402442A (en) * | 1981-10-02 | 1983-09-06 | Martino Samuel C | Vehicle top sail and surf board carrier |
GB2118117A (en) * | 1982-03-26 | 1983-10-26 | Andrew Charles Ratcliffe Tyrer | Car roof attachment |
US5067644A (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1991-11-26 | Coleman Robert A | Rack protective device |
US5769291A (en) * | 1996-10-22 | 1998-06-23 | Chasan; Paul E. | Support pad assembly for carrying articles on vehicle roof |
ATE280689T1 (en) * | 1997-02-06 | 2004-11-15 | Fraser Bradley Stewart | LUGGAGE RACK FOR VEHICLES |
TW372511U (en) * | 1997-11-19 | 1999-10-21 | Ji-Liang Liao | Object holder for a compact car |
US6199412B1 (en) * | 1999-05-13 | 2001-03-13 | Sam R. Kennedy | Lockable tie down strap |
US20050199665A1 (en) * | 2004-03-10 | 2005-09-15 | Design Research & Development Corporation | Roof-top carrier |
NZ541114A (en) * | 2005-07-05 | 2008-04-30 | Curve Internat Ltd | Lockdown soft roofrack for securing sports boards to the roof of a vehicle |
US7407353B2 (en) * | 2006-09-19 | 2008-08-05 | Kevin George | Cargo securing strap chafe protector |
TWI316394B (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2009-11-01 | Tzong In Yeh | Buckle and strap assembly |
US7841466B2 (en) * | 2007-06-07 | 2010-11-30 | Done Right, Llc | Surfboard separating device |
US8517237B1 (en) * | 2010-02-11 | 2013-08-27 | Thomas Michael Barber | Vehicle roof rack pads |
US8561864B2 (en) * | 2010-06-05 | 2013-10-22 | Yevgeniy M. Gisin | Magnetic vehicle rack |
US8870249B2 (en) * | 2011-02-24 | 2014-10-28 | Global Consumer Products, Inc. | Vehicle tie-down device for hauling a load |
TWM471187U (en) * | 2013-08-08 | 2014-02-01 | Hui-Yu Chang | Luggage strap binding device |
CN104228695B (en) * | 2014-09-25 | 2017-04-05 | 重庆特飞航空动力科技有限公司 | Knapsack of the microlight-type power surfboard with roof fixed mount |
US10206461B1 (en) * | 2017-04-13 | 2019-02-19 | Kuat Innovations Llc | Latch systems and methods for straps |
TWM576109U (en) * | 2018-12-26 | 2019-04-01 | 吳鳳學校財團法人吳鳳科技大學 | Folding-type roof suitcase |
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- 2019-12-12 TW TW108145604A patent/TWI738148B/en active
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- 2020-01-20 CN CN202010064568.5A patent/CN112977269B/en active Active
- 2020-01-23 US US16/751,106 patent/US11021110B1/en active Active
- 2020-01-29 EP EP20154300.6A patent/EP3835195A1/en active Pending
- 2020-02-27 CA CA3073858A patent/CA3073858C/en active Active
- 2020-03-02 AU AU2020201529A patent/AU2020201529A1/en active Pending
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CN112977269B (en) | 2023-04-07 |
CN112977269A (en) | 2021-06-18 |
AU2020201529A1 (en) | 2021-07-01 |
CA3073858C (en) | 2022-08-23 |
TWI738148B (en) | 2021-09-01 |
CA3073858A1 (en) | 2021-06-12 |
TW202122289A (en) | 2021-06-16 |
EP3835195A1 (en) | 2021-06-16 |
US11021110B1 (en) | 2021-06-01 |
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