WO1992019471A1

WO1992019471A1 - Luggage rack

Info

Publication number: WO1992019471A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/000725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Ernest Waite
Original assignee: Raymond Ernest Waite
Priority date: 1991-04-26
Filing date: 1992-04-21
Publication date: 1992-11-12
Also published as: AU1547592A

Abstract

There is disclosed a luggage rack adapted to be located by simple positioning over the upper part of a vertically mounted spare wheel on the rear door (D) of a motor vehicle. It comprises a frame (10) which engages surfaces of the wheel and a shelf (12) extending rearwardly therefrom. The shelf may be hingedly connected for stowage vertically against the face of the wheel.

Description

LUGGAGE RACK

This invention concerns a luggage rack for attachment to the spare wheel of a vehicle of the kind (hereinafter termed of the kind referred to) whose spare wheel is mounted vertically on a rear door thereof .

According to the present invention there is provided a luggage rack for attachment to the spare wheel of a vehicle of the kind referred to comprising means for securely embracing the wheel to clamp a shelf thereto.

The means for securely embracing the wheel may comprise a rectangular frame adapted to fit over the upper part of the wheel and engage same at a position above the horizontal di'ameter of the wheel with all four frame members in contact with surfaces of the tyre of the wheel, a vertical member depending from said frame and adapted to engage the outwardly directed face of the wheel, and shelf means extending- outwardly from said frame.

Both the length and width of the rectangular frame may be adjustable. The shelf means may be hingedly connected with the rectangular frame for movement between a horizontal plane and a depending vertical plane.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of luggage rack embodying same,

Of the drawing :-

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the rack; and

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the rack.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the luggage rack comprises a first U-shaped tubular frame member 10 whose opposed limbs 10a. and 10b at the ends of their connecting part 10c. are telescopically received within sockets 11a, and lib hingedly connected to the opposed limbs 12a. and 12b of a second U-shaped tubular frame member 12 having a connecting part 12c_. extending between the limbs 12a. and 12b_..

The sockets 11a. and lib. may be secured to the limbs 10a. and 10b. by screws 13. The sockets 11a. and lib. are connected by a tubular bar 14 which slidably mounts tubular members 15a_ and 15b. carrying tubular sockets 16a. and 16b. telescopically receiving tubular pieces 17a. and 17b. extending rearwardly from the connecting part 10c. and slidable therealong. Screws 18 enable securement of the members 15a. and 15b. at desired positions along the bar 14.

It will immediately be understood that the pieces 17a. and 17b_ (together with sockets 16a. and 16b.) and parts of connecting member 10c. and bar 14 form a rectangular frame 20 whose length L and width W can be adjusted.

In use the size of the frame 20 is adjusted so that it may be fitted over the upper part of the tyre of a spare wheel mounted vertically on the rear door D of a vehicle, to come to rest thereagainst above the horizontal diameter of the wheel and with all four sides of the frame 20 in engagement with surfaces of the tyre of the wheel.

The frame 20 can be adjusted to any lateral position between the limbs of the U-shaped member 10 as desired. The frame 20 is stabilised by a tubular rod 21 depending vertically from the bar 14 and engaging the outwardly directed face of the wheel.

The U-shaped frame member 12 which has one or more bars 22 extending between its limbs 12a. and 12b forms a shelf for stowage of baggage. It is held in place by a strut 23 pivotally connected to a bar 22 and a tubular piece 24 slidabie on rod 21 and securable thereto by a screw 25. The shelf may thus be stowed in a vertical disposition adjacent the side of the spare wheel when not required for use, and indeed the entire rack may be removed when not required, for storage, by a simple lifting operation.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Thus, for example the wheel embracing means may comprise a strap capable of being firmly tightened by a ratchet mechanism.

Claims

- _) -CLAIMS

1. A luggage rack for attachment to the spare wheel of a vehicle of the kind referred to comprising means for securely embracing the wheel to clamp a shelf thereto.

2. A luggage rack according to claim 1, wherein said means for securely embracing the wheel comprises a rectangular frame adapted to fit over the upper part of the wheel and engage same at a position above the horizontal diameter of the wheel with all four frame members in contact with surfaces of the tyre of the wheel, a vertical member depending from said frame and adapted to engage the outwradly directed face of the wheel, and shelf means extending outwardly from said frame.

3. A luggage rack according to claim 2, wherein both the length and width of the rectangular frame are adjustable.

4. A luggage rack according to claim 2, wherein the shelf means is hingedly connected with the rectangular frame for movement between a horizontal plane and a depending vertical plane. -o -

5. A luggage rack substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the figures of the accompanying drawing.