Patent Application
20110259931
This disclosure relates to a carrier storage rack for an all terrain vehicle (ATV), and more particularly to a universal auxiliary rack for an ATV.
ATVs are used for transportation of an individual for both on and off road activities. ATVs are also used to transport various items such as animals, tents, guns, feed, and equipment. Typically an ATV is equipped with a rack that is mounted on the front and/or rear of the vehicle. The rack is integral with the vehicle and may consist of tubular steel members or plastic members. The members present a horizontal surface upon which items may be attached during transportation. For example, cords may be attached to the tubular members to hold the equipment in place during transit. Some manufacturers of ATVs have designed specialty or auxiliary racks for use with their rack. Some of the specialty racks are used for carrying a specific item and if a different item needs to be transported then another specialty rack needs to be purchased and installed. Further, some of the specialty racks require the removal of the original rack.
As can be appreciated, the original rack installed on the front and/or rear of the ATV is a different size, shape, and construction dependent on the ATV manufacturer. Since there is no standard size and shape to the rack it has been difficult to provide an auxiliary rack that may be used on any ATV.
The present construction is designed to obviate and overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings associated with prior auxiliary racks for ATVs. In particular, there is a need for a universal auxiliary rack for an ATV. The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that can be mounted to any rack of any ATV. The present disclosure also provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that has a mounting construction that is versatile for adapting to any arrangement of a rack associated with an ATV.
In one form of the present disclosure, an auxiliary rack for an ATV comprises a pair of longitudinal bar members, a pair of cross members connected to the longitudinal bar members, a bottom panel member, a first foldable side hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a second foldable side hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a first detachable end panel, a second detachable end panel, and a pair of clamp members connected to the pair of longitudinal bar members.
In another form of the present disclosure, an auxiliary rack for an ATV comprises a pair of longitudinal bar members, a pair of cross members connected to the longitudinal bar members, a bottom panel member, a first foldable side hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a second foldable side hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a first detachable end panel connected between the first and the second foldable sides, a second detachable end panel connected between the first and the second foldable sides, a first pair of clamp members connected to one of the pair of longitudinal bar members, and a second pair of clamp members connected to the other one of the pair of longitudinal bar members.
In yet another form of the present disclosure, an auxiliary rack for an ATV comprises a pair of longitudinal bar members, a pair of cross members connected to the longitudinal bar members, a bottom panel member, a first foldable side hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a second foldable side hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a first foldable end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, a second foldable end panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel member, and a pair of clamp members connected to the pair of longitudinal bar members.
In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that the present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV which is of simple construction and design and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results.
The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that is versatile and adaptable to fit on any existing rack associated with an ATV.
The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that is capable of being manufactured using commonly available components that are relatively inexpensive.
The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that does not require the ATV to be modified to accept the auxiliary rack.
The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that can easily be attached or removed from an existing rack associated with the ATV
The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that is strong, reliable, and durable for carrying and transporting various items.
The present disclosure provides an auxiliary rack for an ATV that is collapsible for storage or for providing a flat surface for carrying various items.
The present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of an auxiliary rack for an ATV constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to
The auxiliary rack 10 also comprises a first detachable end panel 26 and a second detachable end panel 28. The end panels 26 and 28 are adapted to be attached to the sides 22 and 24 by use of attachment members 40. Although the end panels 26 and 28 are shown attached at the ends of the sides 22 and 24 it is possible that the end panels 26 and 28 may be attached to the sides 22 and 24 at any position along the lengths of the sides 22 and 24. The end panels 26 and 28 may be constructed in the same manner and material as the bottom panel 20 or the sides 22 and 24. Also, the end panels 26 and 28 may be covered with flattened expanded metal or the panels 26 and 28 may be fully enclosed.
The auxiliary rack 10 is shown being attached to a rear end 30 of an ATV 32. The rear end 30 has an existing rack 34 constructed of various tubular members 36. The ATV 32 also has a front end (not shown) that has another existing rack. The auxiliary rack 10 may also be attached to the existing rack associated with the front end of the ATV 32. The manner of attaching the auxiliary rack 10 will be explained in further detail herein.
The auxiliary rack 10 may also comprise a detachable center panel member 38 that may be attached to the side panels 22 and 24. The center panel member 38 may be constructed in the same manner and material as the end panels 26 and 28. Also, the center panel member 38 may be covered with flattened expanded metal or the panel 38 may be fully enclosed. Although the center panel 38 is shown being centrally positioned it is also possible that the center panel 38 may be positioned any where along the lengths of the side panels 22 and 24. The center panel 38 is employed to hold two similar items, such as barrels, in place during transportation of the items. For example, two containers of feed may be placed in the rack 10 and the center panel 38 helps to keep the containers from falling or moving during transit. The center panel member 38 may be attached to the side panels 22 and 24 by use of a pair of attachment member 40 at the top and a pair of attachment members 40 at the bottom. The attachment members 40 will be described in detail further herein. A cord attachment member 42 is positioned at each end of the pair of cross members 16 and 18. The cord attachment members 42 are adapted to have a cord attach thereto to hold items in place that are stored within the rack 10. A flag attachment member 44, as shown connected to the existing rack 34, may be welded or connected to the cord attachment member 42 or the bottom panel 20. A flag 46 may be inserted into the flag attachment member 44.
With reference now to
Referring now to
The auxiliary rack 10 operates as follows. The attachment clamps 70 of the auxiliary rack 10 are adjusted to fit over the tubular members 36 of the existing rack 34 of the ATV 32 to be used. The attachment clamps 70 are secured in place by use of the bolts 92 and nuts 94. Once in place the end panels 26 and 28 are positioned where desired and secured to the side panels 22 and 24 by use of the attachment members 40. If required the center panel 38 is positioned where desired and secured to the side panels 22 and 24 by use of the attachment members 40. The auxiliary rack 10 is then loaded with the items that need to be transported. Cords, such as bungee cords, may be used to tie down or hold in place the items stored in the auxiliary rack 10. The cords typically have hooked ends which may be inserted into apertures provided in the cord attachment members 42. As has been previously described, the auxiliary rack 10 may be folded in place to accept flat objects or an auxiliary flat work surface.
From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein an auxiliary rack for an ATV. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject auxiliary rack for an ATV are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the subject caster brake assembly are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
