WO2013102244A1

WO2013102244A1 - Securing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2013102244A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim John Blacker PRICE
Original assignee: Santobin Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-06
Filing date: 2013-01-07
Publication date: 2013-07-11

Abstract

A securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, comprises an elongate container body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein the container body is adapted to accommodate a surfboard therein and is provided with an opening for insertion and removal of said surfboard from the container; and a lockable member for occluding the opening to prevent insertion or removal of a surfboard from the container body; wherein the opening is at an axial end of the container body and/or is transverse to the direction of elongation of the container.

Description

SECURING APPARATUS Field The present disclosure relates to a securing apparatus and especially, but not exclusively, to apparatus for securing and protecting surfboards.

Background Surfboards are often transported to a surfing location on a roof rack of a vehicle. Theft of surfboards which are left on vehicles but not adequately secured is a common problem. Surfboards are relatively large cumbersome objects, and surfers typically do not wish to carry them when temporarily leaving a surfing location. Surfers often experience difficulty in securely storing a surfboard when it is not in use, for example when the surfer temporarily stops surfing to rest or seek refreshment. An inadequately secured surfboard may be stoien from a location where it is left while a surfer is not surfing, such as from a beach or other communal area. Summary

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, comprising:

an elongate container body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein the container body is adapted to accommodate a surfboard therein and is provided with an opening for insertion and removal of said surfboard from the container body;

and a lockable member for occluding the opening to prevent insertion or removal of said surfboard;

wherein the opening is provided substantially at an end of the container body.

In an embodiment the container body comprises a top portion which extends substantially the entire width and length of the container body.

In an embodiment the container body comprises a base portion which extends substantially the entire width and length of the container body. in an embodiment the top portion is substantially fixed, in use, relative to the base portion. in an embodiment at least part of the top portion and at least part of the base portion are manufactured as a single unitary component.

In an embodiment the parts of the top and base portions which are

manufactured as a single unitary component each extend at least half the length of the container body.

In an embodiment substantially all of the container body is manufactured as a single unitary component. In an embodiment the container body is manufactured as a container body front portion which has a closed front end, and an open rear end, and at least one tubular extension portion attached to the rear end of the container body front portion. It should be appreciated that use of the word "tubular" is not intended to imply any that an axial length of a tubular extension portion is substantially greater than any transverse dimension of the tubular extension portion.

In an embodiment the tubular extension portion is manufactured as a single unitary component.

In an embodiment the container body is manufactured by a process comprising rotocasting. In an embodiment the container body front portion is manufactured by a process comprising rotocasting.

!n an embodiment the tubular extension portion is manufactured by a process comprising rotocasting. in an embodiment the container body is made substantially of a plastic. In an embodiment the container body is made substantially of high-density polyethylene. in an embodiment the container body has an axis of elongation and the opening 5 is substantially transverse to the axis of elongation.

In an embodiment the container body is at least 1.7 metres long.

In an embodiment the container body has a rear end region and the opening is 10 provided in the rear end region.

In an embodiment the container body has a front end region adapted to accommodate the front of a surfboard, and a rear end region adapted to accommodate the rear of a surfboard, the height of the front end region being i s less than the height of the rear end region.

In an embodiment the front end region increases in height with distance from the front of the container body.

20 In an embodiment the container body is aerodynamically shaped.

In an embodiment the lockable member is a door which is moveable to allow or prevent insertion or removal of a surfboard. The door may be hinged to the container body.

25

In an embodiment the lockable member is lockable by a locking mechanism which does not require a physical key for locking and/or unlocking thereof.

In an embodiment the lockable member is lockable by a locking mechanism 30 which comprises a combination lock.

In an embodiment the apparatus comprises at least one storage receptacle for receiving and retaining at least one object that is substantially smaller than a surfboard, the at least one storage receptacle being located within the container 35 body at least when the opening is occluded by the lockable member.

At least one storage receptacle may be provided on an interior of the lockable member.

At least one storage receptacle may be a hook for receiving a car key. At least one storage receptacle may be a pocket for receiving surf board wax.

!n an embodiment the container body is provided with an attachment arrangement for attachment to a vehicle roof. In an embodiment the container body is provided with an attachment arrangement for attachment to the top of another similar container body.

!n an embodiment the attachment arrangement comprises at least one aperture in a base portion of the container body.

In an embodiment the attachment arrangement comprises a plurality of apertures in a base portion of the container body.

In an embodiment the attachment arrangement comprises at least one attachment member adapted to extend from an interior of the container body, through an aperture in the base portion of the container body.

In an embodiment the apparatus is configured so that the at least one attachment member operable only from the interior of the container body.

In an embodiment the apparatus comprises one or more members attachable to the top of a vehicle and to the container body in order to attach the container body to the top of the vehicle. In an embodiment the container body and lockable member are configured to substantially successfully resist forceable manual attempts by an adult human male to gain unauthorised access to the interior of the container body when the apparatus is locked. In an embodiment the container is adapted to receive a plurality of surfboards therein. In an embodiment the apparatus comprises a spacing arrangement for spacing apart at least part of a first surfboard from a bottom interior surface of the apparatus.

5 In an embodiment the spacing arrangement provides a storage space at least partly below said first surfboard, such that a second surfboard can be located within the storage space.

In an embodiment the spacing arrangement comprises a mechanism for raising 10 the first surfboard relative to the bottom interior surface of the apparatus.

In an embodiment the mechanism for raising the first surfboard is operable from the exterior of the container. i s In an embodiment the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises an elevation member, at least a first part of which can underlie said first surfboard.

In an embodiment the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises a locking arrangement for locking the first surfboard in a raised position.

20

In an embodiment the locking arrangement for the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises a pin and aperture arrangement.

In an embodiment the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises a bar 25 structure pivotaily attached to at least one wall of the container body.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, comprising:

an elongate container body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein 30 the container body is adapted to accommodate a surfboard therein and is

provided with an opening for insertion and removal of said surfboard from the container body; and

a lockable member for occluding the opening to prevent insertion or removal of a surfboard from the container body;

35 wherein the opening is transverse to the direction of elongation of the container body. in an embodiment the opening is provided at an end of the container body.

It will be appreciated that features set out above as in relation to the

embodiments of the first may also be applicable to the second aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of inserting and securing a surfboard in a container mounted on top of a vehicle, the method comprising: inserting a front end of the surfboard into an opening provided at a rear portion of a surfboard receiving container which is mounted on top of a vehicle; manually applying a force to the surfboard to move the front of the surfboard towards a front part of the interior of the container until a rear portion of the surfboard is substantially within the container; and locking the container so that the surfboard is secured within the container. Locking the container may comprise use of a combination lock.

The method may comprise use of apparatus in accordance with at least one of the first and second aspects. Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, with a secured surfboard indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, with a secured surfboard indicated by broken lines;

Fig.s 3 and 4 are perspective views from above, side and rear, of an embodiment of a securing apparatus for securing a surfboard in the form of a container in a closed configuration;

Fig.s 5 and 6 are perspective views from above, side and rear, of the container of Fig.s 3 and 4 in an open configuration;

Fig.s 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) are perspective views from above and side of containers of different length, illustrating construction of longer containers from a shorter container plus one or more additional modular extension elements;

Fig. 8a is a perspective view from above, side and rear, of an

embodiment of a securing apparatus for securing a surfboard in the form of a plurality of containers adapted to be mounted together on a roof rack of a vehicle;

Fig. 8b is a perspective view from below, side and rear, corresponding to Fig. 8a;

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view of part of a container, illustrating an arrangement for attaching the container to a transverse bar which is, in use, mounted on a standard roof rack (not shown);

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view of part of a container, illustrating an arrangement for attaching the container to an upper part of a similar container;

Fig. 1 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of part of a container, illustrating an arrangement for supporting the container on a suitable roof rack (not shown);

Fig. 12 is a schematic side view, showing some internal detail, of an embodiment of a securing apparatus for securing two surf boards therein; and Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view, showing some internal detail, of the embodiment of Fig. 12.

Detailed description of embodiments

With reference to Fig.s 1 and 2, an embodiment of securing apparatus for securing a surfboard to a vehicle comprises an elongate container, generally designated 1. It will be appreciated that Fig.s 1 and 2 are schematic.

The container 1 is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a surfboard, for exampie surfboard 2, which is shown in Fig.s 1 and 2 to assist clear description of the container, and which is shown in broken lines. Thus the container 1 is slightly longer and wider than a surfboard 2 which is to be accommodated therein. Surfboards vary considerably in length and width, and the container may therefore be dimensioned accordingly. However, a commercial embodiment may conveniently be between approximately 1.7 metres

(approximately 5 feet six inches) and approximately 2.4 metres (approximately 8 feet) in lengths, and approximately 0.6 metres (approximately 2 feet) in width. The container 1 has a first end 10 and a second end 20. The first end 10 is may be regarded as being the "front" end of the container, and the second end may be regarded as being the "rear" end of the container 1 , for ease of description. A door 22 is provided by a moveable rear wall of the container 1 in 5 order to allow a surfboard to be placed into, or removed from, the container 1 by movement substantially in the direction of elongation of the container 1. The door may be attached to the rest of the container by a hinge, in the illustrated embodiment the hinge allows rotation of the door about a vertical axis, but of course other arrangements could be impiementd if desired. The door 22 is 10 lockable in its closed position in order to allow a surfboard to be secured within the container. The door may be lockable by a keyless locking system, and in this embodiment the door is iockabie by a combination lock 23.

The height of the container varies between the first and second ends 10, 20. i s The height is less at a first end region 11 which is towards the first end 10, and greater at a second end region 21 which is towards the second end 20. This assists in accommodating a surfboard within the container, since in use a front part of the surfboard is accommodated in the first, front, end region 11 of the container, and the rear of the surfboard is accommodated in the second, rear,

20 end region 21 of the container. Thus the end region of lesser height

accommodates the relatively flat or shallow front of the surfboard, and the end region 21 of greater height accommodates the rear of the surfboard, which may be considerably deeper than the front, since fins 3 are often provided at the rear of a surfboard. It will be appreciated that it is desirable to avoiding any given

25 region of the container having a substantially greater height than is required for the container to fulfil its intended purpose, since excess height requires use of extra material to form the container (and associated extra cost and weight) and will tend to reduce the stiffness of the container and/or require greater wall thickness.

30

In the embodiment of Fig.s 1 and 2 an intermediate region 30 of the container 1 , between the first and second end regions 11 , 21, has a height greater than the height of (at least most of) the first end region 10 and less than the height of (at least most of) the second end region 21. The intermediate region 30, in use, 35 accommodates a longitudinally central region of the surfboard 2 and allows even a surfboard which is curved front-to-rear to be accommodated in the container 1. The container 1 is adapted to be attached to the top of a vehicle, for example to the top of a car via a suitable roof rack or other attachment system (as wil! be described in more detail hereafter. It will be appreciated that the taper of the container, provided by a lesser height front transitioning along the length of the container to a greater height rear, can provide an aerodynamic shape which is useful when a vehicle upon which the container is mounted is travelling at speed. A more detailed and practicable embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig.s 3 to 10.

With particular reference to Fig.s 3 to 6 the securing apparatus comprises a container 01 which has many similarities to container 1 , and which may be regarded as a more detailed representation of the same apparatus. Thus it will be appreciated that the above description of Fig.s 1 and 2 also applies to Fig.s 3 to 6 mutatis mutandis. Elements and features of the container 101 which are common with or analogous to corresponding elements or features of container 1 will be designated by reference numerals corresponding to those used in Fig.s 1 and 2 but prefixed by the digit "1". Thus the container 101 comprises a first, front, end 10 and a second, rear, end 120. A door 122 is provided by a moveable rear wall of the container 101. The door 122 is lockable in its closed position, preferably by a keyless locking system, and in this embodiment by a combination lock 123.

The height of container 101 is less at a first end region 111 which is towards the first end 110, and greater at a second end region 121 which is towards the second end 120. An intermediate region 130 of the container 101, has a height greater than the height of (at least most of) the first end region 110 and less than the height of (at least most of) the second end region 121.

As illustrated in Fig.s 3 to 6, it will be appreciated that the first end region 1 1 increases gradually in height between the first, front, end 10 and the intermediate region 130. The intermediate region 130 does not vary

substantially in height in the direction of elongation of the container 101. A transitional region 131 is provided between the intermediate region 130 and the second, rear, end region 121. The transitional region 131 provides a pronounced increase in height between the intermediate region 130 and the second, rear, end region 121. The second, rear, end region 121 does not vary substantially in height in the direction of elongation of the container 101. The container 101 has a substantially rectangular transverse cross sectional shape at almost any given point along its axis of elongation, although the corners of the substantially rectangular transverse cross section shape are rounded (i.e. of relatively large radius of curvature).

The container 101 (excluding the door) may be formed as a single piece by rotomoulding using a suitable plastic. Rotomoulding is a moulding process which is known per se and will not be described in detail herein. Rotomoulding is sometimes referred to as rotational moulding, rotocasting or spin casting and, for the avoidance of doubt, these terms should be regarded as being within the scope of the term rotomoulding as used herein. One suitable plastic is high density polyethylene (HDPE), although other plastics may also be suitable. Of course, other embodiments could be made by other manufacturing processes and from other materials. Due to the curved corners and rotomoulding process, the container 101 does not have distinct and separate clearly distinguished walls forming the various surfaces thereof. However, for ease of description the container may be described as having a base wall 140 forming the bottom of the container, first and second side walls 141 , 142, a top wall 143, and a relatively small, curved front wall 144. The wall thickness may be between about 2mm and 5mm, although of course other thickneses are possible. The walls, and especially the base wall 140 and top wall 143 may be provided with structural support ribs, e.g. ribs 145, to enhance strength and rigidity of the container 101. In this embodiment the ribs 145 are formed as indentations into, rather than projections from the top wall 143, and can be used to receive elements such as clamping bars which are used to securely locate and retain the container 01 on the roof of a vehicle, as will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Fig.s 8 and 11.

The top wall 143 may be regarded as inclined from front to rear of the container, corresponding to the different height regions 111 , 30, 31 , 121 , described above. By way of example, in an embodiment, the front wall 144 has a height of approximately 70mm; the first end region 1 1 has a height increasing uniformly from approximately 70mm to approximately 130mm; the intermediate region 130 has a height of approximately 130mm; the intermediate region 130 has a height of approximately 130mm; the transitional region 131 has a height increasing uniformly and rapidly from approximately 130mm to approximately 180mm;and the second, rear, end region 121 has a height of approximately 180mm. Of course the dimensions and shape may be different in 5 different embodiments.

The door 122 effectively provides a movable rear wall, to open or close an opening which is substantially transverse with respect to the direction of elongation of the container 101. Use of a combination Sock 123, or other

10 locking mechanism which does not require a physical key for operation means that a surfer is not required to carry a key to the container when surfing.

Furthermore, a surfer may decide to secure the key to the vehicle within the container so that the key can be kept safe without being carried by the surfer. Loss of keys while surfing is not uncommon, and vehicle keys including

i s electronics should not be immersed in water. Secure storage of vehicle keys while surfing (or, of course, performing other activities remote from the vehicle) is potentially useful. To facilitate storage of vehicle keys in the container, a key hook, 124 is provided so that it is positioned within the container at least when the container is closed and locked. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the key hook 124 is

20 provided on the interior of the door 122, although such a key hook couid be provided elsewhere in the container, preferably at a position that can be conveniently accessed when the container is open. Of course, other forms of receptacle for receiving and retaining a key could be used instead of a key hook. As illustrated in Fig. 6, additiona! receptacles, for receipt of other sundry

25 objects that it may be desired to secure within the container, are also provided, in this embodiment in the form of one or more pockets 125 provided on the interior of the container 101 , and in this embodiment on the interior of the door 122.

30 The container 101 is, in this embodiment, approximately 1.8 metres long. It will be appreciated that containers of different lengths may be desired, to accommodate surfboards of different lengths. Of course, containers of different lengths could be manufactured, for example by a rotomoulding process as referred to above. However, the inventor has discerned that it is likely to be

35 more effective to use one size of mould to provide a single standard length of container, and to use extension elements, which can be attached to such a standard length container, to make containers bodies which are longer than the standard size, as desired.

Fig. 7(a) shows a standard size container 201 which is 1.8 metres in length. Fig. 7(b) shows a standard size container 201 which is 1.8 metres in length, 5 and to which has been attached an extension element 205, which is a generally tubular element approximately 0.45 metres in axial length. Thus a container approximately 2.25 metres in length can be provided.

Fig. 7(c) shows a standard size container 201 which is 1.8 metres in length, and l o to which has been attached an extension element 205, which is a generally tubular element approximately 0.45 metres in axial length and a second extension element 206, which is a generally tubular element approximately 0.3 metres in axial length. Thus a container approximately 2.55 metres in length can be provided.

15

Each extension element 205, 206 has a first, front, axial end 207 configured to connect to the second, rear, end 220 of the standard size container 201 (which is itself configured to receive a door to allow closure of the container) and a second axial end 208 configured to be substantially identical in configuration to

20 the second, rear, end 220 of the standard size container 201. Thus the first axial end 207 of each extension element is configured to connect to the second axial end 280 of any other extension element 205, 206. Further the second axial end 208 of each extension element 205, 206 is configured to receive a door to allow closure of the extended container. Thus a container of any

25 desired length can be provided by selection and use of the required number, and length, of extension elements. The extension elements can be

permanently and robustly connected by any suitable method, such as, for example, solvent welding, or suitable mechanical fasteners. It will be appreciated that when such extension elements are used the standard size

30 container 201 may be regarded as a front portion of the extended-length

container.

Fig.s 8a and 8b show, by way of example, an embodiment illustrating how one or more containers may be mounted on a standard roof rack system (not

35 shown) and thereby m mounted to a vehicle (not shown). If two containers are to be mounted on a vehicle they may be positioned side-by-side. If several containers are to be mounted to a vehicle, they can also be stacked one above the other, as will be described hereafter. The rear of the container, or of the or each bottom layer container 301 of a stack of containers, is supported by, and secured to a bar 350 which may be part of, or mounted to, a standard roof rack system (not shown). Securing of the container to the bar 350 is by means of a fastening system which is shown somewhat schematically and in part, in Fig, 8b, and which is shown in more detail in Fig. 9.

As shown in Fig.s 8b and 9 the base wall 340 of the container 301 is adapted to receive the bar 350 by provision of two pairs of bar retainers 341 , 342, which are slightly spaced apart so that the bar 350 can snugly fit between the first and second bar retainers 341 , 342 of each pair. The more forward bar retainer 341 has a forward facing face inclined at approximately 30 to 40 degrees relative to the base wall 340. This may help avoid unnecessary air resistance and can facilitate pushing the first bar retainer over the bar 350 during mounting of the container. The bar retainers 341 342 are provided with apertures 343a, 344a, respectively, which extend into the interior 304 of the container 301. Screw threaded fasteners 343, 344, operable only from the interior 304 of the container 301 extend through the respective apertures and secure and damp a fastening strip 345 (which, for example, may be in the form of a metal plate or strap) onto the first and second bar retainers 341, 342 so that the fastening strip extends between the thereby first and second bar retainers 341 , 342 thus securing the bar therebetween. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the apertures 343a, 344a, and/or the screw threaded fasteners, may be configured so that, in use, heads of the screw threaded fasteners 343, 344 do not protrude into the container or interfere with the surfboard within the container: for example the apertures 343a, 344a, may be countersunk and/or include recesses to accommodate heads of the screw threaded fasteners, or headless fasteners that can be adjusted so that they do not protrude may be used. It will be appreciated that having the screw threaded fasteners operable only from the interior 304 of the container 301 assists in preventing unauthorised detachment of the container when the container is locked. It will also be appreciated that the illustrated arrangement for securing the container to the bar 350 is one of many possible arrangements. Referring to Fig.s 8a, 8b, the middle or intermediate region 330 of the container, or of the or each bottom layer container 301 of a stack of containers, rests upon and is supported by the standard roof racking system (not shown), but is not directly physically fastened thereto. However, the middle or intermediate region 330 is pressed downwards onto the roof racking system (not shown) by an adjustable clamping system 360, and more specifically by a clamping bar 361 which forms part of the clamping system, and which extends across the top of 5 the intermediate region 330 of the container 301. The clamping bar 361

provides a downwards force to retain the intermediate region 330 in position, and is also located in a lateral indented rib 345 (analogous to ribs 145 in Fig. 5), so engagement by the clamping bar also greatly assists in preventing lateral and longitudinal movement of the intermediate region 330 and the container l o 301 as a whole.

Mounting of the second (and subsequent, if desired and appropriate) layer of containers differs in that the rear region 330a of a container 301 a in the second layer is supported by, and secured to, the top 343 of the rear region of the

15 underlying container 301. Securing of the container to the underlying container 301 will be described below with reference to Fig. 10.

The base wail 340a of the upper layer container 301 a is provided with two pairs of bar retainers 341a, 342a, (analogous to identical bar retainers 341 , 342 of

20 Fig. 9) which are slightly spaced apart and which can rest on upper wail 343 of lower layer container 301 when the upper layer container 301a is placed on the lower layer container 301. The bar retainers 341a, 342a are provided with apertures 343b, 344b, respectively, which extend to the interior 304a of the container 301a. Screw threaded fasteners 343c, 344c, operable only from the

25 interior 304a of the container 301 a extend through the respective apertures and extend into and secure to upper wall 343 of the lower container 301 , thereby securing the upper container 301 a to the lower container 301. it will be appreciated that the illustrated arrangement for securing an upper container 301 a to the lower container 301 is one of many possible arrangements.

30

The middle or intermediate region 330a of each upper layer container 301a of a stack of containers, is supported and retained by the clamping system 360. As shown in Fig.s 8a, 8b and 11 , the base wall 340a of intermediate region 330a rests upon and is supported by a support bar 362 (which is part of the clamping 35 system 360 attached to the standard roof racking system). The intermediate region 330a is not physically fastened to the support bar 362, but the support bar 362 is engaged in a lateral indented rib 345a which greatly assists in securely locating the container 301a. Further, the upper wall 343a of intermediate region 330a is retained (and pressed downwards) by a top clamping bar 363, which extends across the top of the intermediate region 330a of the container 301a and is located in a lateral indented rib 345b. Thus the intermediate region 330a of the container 301a is effectively located between the bars 362, 363, each of which is located in a transverse groove in the form of a laterally indented rib.

It will be apparent from the above, and from Fig.s 8a to 11 , that when the support bar 350 is provided and the clamping system 360 is attached to a conventional roof racking system (which can be achieved by use of

conventional attachments and techniques) both the lower and upper layer containers 301 , 301 a can be secured at their rear and intermediate regions preventing lateral and longitudinal movement.

The disclosed embodiments therefore provide apparatus for securing a surfboard, for example against theft, enabling the surfboard to be safely left unattended. Provision of the door 20, 120, at an end (in the embodiments, the rear) of the container 1 , 101 is in contrast to at least most commercially available roof top storage boxes, in which the top of the box can be opened to allow access to the box interior. Provision of the door 20, 120, at the rear of the container 1 , 101 can facilitate stowage of a surfboard since a surfboard can be pushed lengthwise into the container (or pulled lengthwise out of the container) without requiring a person loading the surfboard to reach substantially higher than the base of the container. Further, provision of the door at the rear can allow the top, side and base walls of the container to be manufactured as a singie piece which can facilitate manufacture (for example by roiomoulding) and structural integrity of the container. Provision of the door at the rear can also greatly reduce the opening size without compromising the intended functionality of the apparatus, which can enhance strength and structural integrity of the container.

It should also be appreciated that because embodiments allow storage of a surfboard within a container the surfboard may be better protected against adverse environments such as direct sunlight, malicious damage and the like, than a surfboard which is not contained. Any suitable desired lock can be used to secure the surfboard in the container, including locks with physical keys. However, provision of a combination lock (which can be of any appropriate type and configuration but preferably comprises a rotary combination lock with a iatch or bolt (not shown) which engages with a complementary part of the container adjacent the door) avoids the need to carry physical a key to the container when surfing, and allows the key of the vehicle on which the container is mounted to be securely stored so that it need not be carried while surfing. Of course, in addition to storing a surfboard securely the disclosed apparatus, mounted to a vehicle can be used to transport surfboards. It will be appreciated that, if desired, any suitable type of lining, padding, packing or securing element could be provided or used to restrict movement of the surfboard within the container during transit. Under many conditions this will be unnecessary, as the robust exterior of a surfboard is not likely to suffer damage from normal transit within the disclosed container.

Of course, if desired, a single container body could be dimensioned to accommodate more than one surfboard. In such an embodiment it may be necessary to adjust only the height of the container, and a user might be expected to package or otherwise protect the surfboards from mutual contact which might cause damage to one or both of the surfboards, for example during transit. However, in some embodiments it may be desirable for the securing apparatus to assist in avoiding such contact.

Fig.s 12 and 13 illustrate an embodiment of securing apparatus, generally designated 400, for securing a plurality of surfboards to a vehicle. It will be appreciated that the securing apparatus 400 has may similarities to previously described embodiments (and especially the embodiments of Fig.s 1 to 7(c)) and that such similarities will not be described in detail herein.

Securing apparatus 400 comprises an elongate container, generally designated 401. The container 401 is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of surfboards, for example two surfboards, in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment the container 401 has sufficient height to accommodate two surfboards, and is thus greater in height dimension than the container 1 of Fig.s 1 and 2.

In Fig.s 12 and 13 a first surfboard 402 is illustrated, in a higher position in the 5 container 401 using solid lines, and in a lower position in the container 401 using broken lines. This approach has been taken to assist description the securing apparatus 400, which allows a first surfboard to be inserted at a lower position, and then facilitates raising of (at least part of) the first surfboard 402 to a higher position so that a second surfboard (not shown) can be

l o accommodated in the container at least partially underneath the first surfboard 402. It will be appreciated that whilst a second surfboard is not illustrated in Fig.s 12 and 13, the position of the second surfboard, when accommodated in the container at least partially underneath the first surfboard 402, may correspond to the lower position of the first surfboard as shown in broken lines i s in Fig.s 12 and 13.

The container 401 is provided with an arrangement, generally designated 420, for maintaining the first surfboard 402 in a raised position, in this embodiment the arrangement 420 can also be used to raise a surfboard from a lower height

20 (relative to the container 401 ) indicated by broken lines in Fig.s 12 and 13 to a higher height indicated by broken lines in Fig.s 12 and 13. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may use an arrangement such as, but not limited to, a simple shelf or rack which can maintain the first surfboard 402 in a raised position (so that a second surfboard can be accommodated at least

25 partially below the first surfboard), but which does not act to physically raise the surfboard from a lower position in the container 401 to a higher position in the container 401.

In this embodiment the arrangement 420, which can be used to raise surfboard 30 402, comprises a bar arrangement which has a support bar 421 adapted to engage an overlying surfboard, and having respective first and second arms 422, 423 extending from respective first and second ends of the support bar 421. Distal ends 424, 425 of the first and second arms 422, 423 are rotatably attached to opposite side walls of the container 401. The rotatable attachment 35 may be achieved by any desired and appropriate arrangement, for example by journaiing in apertures, boss and/or bearing arrangements (not shown) in the side walls of the container 40 . Rotation of the rotatable connections allows the angle of the first and second arms 422, 423 to be varied which raises or lowers the support bar 421 , and at least part of any surfboard located thereupon. Rotation of the rotatable connections is controlled by operation of a lever or handle 426, which in this embodiment is an extension of the first arm 422, which extends along the outside of the container 401. The handle 426 can be raised or lowered, to respectively iower or raise the support bar 421 , and at least part of any surfboard located thereupon. The handle 426 can be locked in position, to lock the support bar 421 at a desired height, by means of any desired and appropriate locking arrangement. In this embodiment a locking arrangement comprises a locking pin 427 mounted to the handle 426, which can be selectively inserted into (to lock) or retracted from (to unlock) any of a number of receiving locking apertures 428, provided in a plate 429 attached to the container 401. It will be appreciated that may variations are possible. For example, the handle 426 could be configured to extend towards the rear of the container rather than (as illustrated) the front, in order to allow the arrangement 420 to be operated from close to the rear (door end) of the apparatus. Many alternative height maintaining and/or surfboard raising mechanisms are possible, for example, a surfboard could be raised by a flexible band or tape attached to an upper surface of the container, which could be tightened to raise the surfboard, locked off as desired to maintain the height of the surfboard and loosened to Iower the surfboard. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, comprising: an elongate container body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein the container body is adapted to accommodate a surfboard therein and is provided with an opening for insertion and removal of said surfboard from the container body; and a lockable member for occluding the opening to prevent insertion or removal of said surfboard; wherein the opening is provided substantially at an end of the container body.

2. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the opening is transverse to the direction of elongation of the container body.

3. A securing apparatus as claimed in either preceding claim wherein the container body comprises a top portion which extends substantially the entire width and length of the container body.

4. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the container body comprises a base portion which extends substantially the entire width and length of the container body, and wherein the top portion is substantially fixed, in use, relative to the base portion.

5. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least part of the top portion and at least part of the base portion are manufactured as a single unitary component.

6. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the parts of the top and base portions which are manufactured as a single unitary component each extend at least half the length of the container body.

7. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein

substantially all of the container body is manufactured as a single unitary component.

8. A securing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container body is manufactured as a container body front portion which has a closed front end and an open rear end, and at least one tubular extension portion attached to the rear end of the container body front portion.

9. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tubular extension portion is manufactured as a discrete unitary component.

10. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body is manufactured by a process comprising rotocasting.

11. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body is made substantially of a plastic.

12. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body is at least 1.7 metres long.

13. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body has a rear end region and the opening is provided in the rear end region.

14. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body has a front end region adapted to accommodate the front of a surfboard, and a rear end region adapted to accommodate the rear of a surfboard, the height of the front end region being less than the height of the rear end region.

15. A securing apparatus as c!aimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lockable member is a door which is moveable to allow or prevent insertion or removal of a surfboard.

16. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lockable member is lockable by a locking mechanism which does not require a physical key for locking and/or unlocking thereof.

17. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lockable member is lockable by a locking mechanism which comprises a combination lock.

18. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one storage receptacle for receiving and retaining at least one object that is substantially smaller than a surfboard, the at least one storage receptacle being located within the container body at least when the opening is occluded by the lockable member.

19. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one storage receptacle is provided on an interior of the lockable member.

20. A securing apparatus as claimed in either of claims 18 or 19, wherein at least one storage receptacle comprises a hook or a pocket.

21. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body is provided with an attachment arrangement for attachment to a vehicle roof.

22. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body is provided with an attachment arrangement for attachment to the top of another similar container body.

23. A securing apparatus as claimed in either of claims 21 or 22, wherein the attachment arrangement comprises at least one aperture in a base portion of the container body.

24. A securing apparatus as claimed claim 23, wherein the attachment arrangement comprises at least one attachment member adapted to extend from an interior of the container body, through an aperture in the base portion of the container body.

25. A securing apparatus as claimed claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the at least one attachment member is operable only from the interior of the container body.

26. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body and lockable member are configured to substantially

successfully resist forceable manual attempts by an adult human male to gain unauthorised access to the interior of the container body when the apparatus is locked.

27. A securing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is adapted to receive a plurality of surfboards therein.

28. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the apparatus comprises a spacing arrangement for spacing apart at least part of a first surfboard from a bottom interior surface of the apparatus.

29. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the spacing arrangement provides a storage space at least partly below said first surfboard, such that a second surfboard can be located within the storage space.

30. A securing apparatus as claimed in either of claims 28 or 29, wherein the spacing arrangement comprises a mechanism for raising the first surfboard relative to the bottom interior surface of the apparatus.

31. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mechanism for raising the first surfboard is operable from the exterior of the container.

32. A securing apparatus as claimed in either of claims 30 or 31 , wherein the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises an elevation member, at least a first part of which can underlie said first surfboard.

33. A securing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises a locking arrangement for locking the first surfboard in a raised position.

34. A securing apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the locking arrangement for the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises a pin and aperture arrangement.

35. A securing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 30 to 34, wherein the mechanism for raising the first surfboard comprises a bar structure pivotally attached to at least one wall of the container body.

36. A securing apparatus for securing a surfboard, comprising:

an elongate container body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein the container body is adapted to accommodate a surfboard therein and is provided with an opening for insertion and removal of said surfboard from the container body; and

wherein the opening is transverse to the direction of elongation of the container body.

37. A method of inserting and securing a surfboard in a container mounted on top of a vehicle, the method comprising: inserting a front end of the surfboard into an opening provided at a rear portion of a surfboard receiving container which is mounted on top of a vehicle; manually applying a force to the surfboard to move the front of the surfboard towards a front part of the interior of the container until a rear portion of the surfboard is substantially within the container; and locking the container so that the surfboard is secured within the container.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the method comprises use of a securing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 36.