Patent Grant
9409527
The present invention relates to a vehicle roof rack or load carrier.
Roof racks are well known and are manufactured in a variety of configurations. Typically, roof racks include a crossbar with a leg on each end of the crossbar to support the crossbar and attach the crossbar to the roof of a vehicle. The legs are spaced apart from each other a selected distance. Generally, the distance between the legs is determined by the width of the vehicle to which the roof rack is mounted.
It is known to have roof racks where the ends of the crossbar are held within the legs of the roof rack (that is, the ends of the crossbar do not extend beyond the legs of the roof rack). In this form of roof rack, each end of the crossbar is typically flush with the respective leg of the roof rack supporting that end. Such roof racks are referred to in this specification as “flush bar” roof racks. The length of the crossbar in flush bar roof racks is less than the width of the vehicle to which the roof rack is to be attached.
Different vehicles have roofs of different widths. Therefore, the distance required between the legs of the roof racks will differ depending on the vehicle to which the roof rack will be attached.
However, the length of the crossbar for conventional flush bar roof racks is fixed. This means that a user must purchase a crossbar having a length suited to the roof width of the vehicle to which the roof rack will be attached. This presents a number of disadvantages. In particular, if a user intends to use a flush bar roof rack for more than one type vehicle, where each vehicle roof has a substantially different width, the user will need to purchase a flush bar roof rack specifically for each vehicle.
Furthermore, retailers need to stock different lengths of crossbar for flush bar roof racks to suit different vehicles having roofs of substantially different widths, thereby increasing the stock levels of retailers.
Similarly, a manufacturer needs to manufacture crossbars to different lengths to suit different types of vehicles, thereby increasing production costs.
It is an object of the present invention to go at least some way towards overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
The present invention relates to a flush bar roof rack that is of an extendible length. This achieved by housing and supporting both an extension member and a crossbar within a leg of the roof rack. The extension member and crossbar are adapted so that the extension member can be pushed into the crossbar to form a minimum extension position in which the roof rack is at its minimum length. The extension member can also be partially retracted from the crossbar to form a maximum extension position at the maximum extension point. In this position, the roof rack is at its maximum length. Thus, the extension member acts as an extension of the crossbar and, in a retracted position, it is capable of extending the effective length of the crossbar.
The roof rack of the present invention preferably includes an extension stop to prevent the extension member from retracting beyond the maximum extension point.
In addition, the present invention provides a roof rack extension adjustment and locking mechanism. The extension adjustment and locking mechanism allows the length of the roof rack to be extended or retracted simply, by moving the extension member longitudinally relative to the crossbar, and then locks the extension member in that extended or retracted position.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a flush bar roof rack comprising: a pair of legs, each leg comprising a crossbar housing; and a crossbar held and supported at each end by the crossbar housing of each leg; wherein the roof rack comprises an extension means for adjusting the length of the roof rack between the legs.
The extension means preferably comprises an extension member having a support with an end face and a contact face. In this embodiment, at least one extension arm projects from the contact face of the support, the extension arm having a first surface and a second surface and being adapted to fit within a cavity in the crossbar, and the end face of the support has a profile that is the same shape and dimensions as the external profile of an end of the crossbar such that the support and the crossbar can be held within the crossbar housing.
Preferably, the extension member comprises a first and second extension arm adapted to fit within a first and second cavity, respectively, in the crossbar, the extension arms being in sliding engagement with the respective cavities.
In a preferred embodiment, the roof rack comprises a maximum extension stop. Preferably, the extension stop comprises a resilient catch located on the extension member for engagement with a locking means, comprising an aperture or recess, located on the crossbar.
The resilient catch may comprise a resilient finger from which projects a lug adapted to engage with the locking means. The resilient finger is attached to, or integral with, an extension arm.
Preferably, the lug projects from the first surface of the extension arm.
In a preferred embodiment, the lug comprises a forward face, which faces toward the distal end of the extension arm, and a rear face, which faces toward the extension member support. The forward face of the lug is sloped toward the resilient finger.
More preferably, the rear face of the lug is a blunt face.
The crossbar of the roof rack may have an aerodynamic external profile.
In another preferred embodiment, the roof rack comprises a roof rack extension adjustment and locking mechanism to lock the roof rack in an extended position.
Preferably, the roof rack extension adjustment and locking mechanism comprises an adjustment latch located within a latch housing in an extension arm and a plurality of latch engagement sockets or slots located on the crossbar and aligned to engage with the adjustment latch.
Preferably, the latch housing comprises a first portion and a second portion, separated by a partition wall. The first portion of the latch housing being defined by a rear surface nearest the extension member support, a forward surface nearest the distal end of the second extension arm, and two opposing side surfaces. The second portion of the housing comprises a pair of opposing bearings and a link retaining means that projects across the second portion of the latch housing at or near the first surface of the extension arm. The partition wall terminates below the link retaining means to form a link supporting end.
Preferably, the link retaining means comprises a pair of opposing flanges.
In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment latch comprises a link having an L-shaped body comprising an actuating portion and a locating portion. The actuating portion comprises a toggle receiving aperture, or recess. The locating portion is perpendicular to the actuating portion. The adjustment latch further comprises a toggle comprising a body having a base and a central axle. A shaft projects from the base. An engaging foot projects from the opposite side of the body to the shaft. In addition, the adjustment latch comprises a biasing means having a first end and a second end. The latch is housed in the latch housing so that the actuating portion of the link is positioned between the supporting end of the partition wall and the link retaining means. The toggle receiving aperture, or recess, in the actuating portion is positioned within the second portion of the latch housing. The link is positioned in the latch housing so that the locating portion projects toward the second surface of the extension arm. The toggle is positioned in the second portion of the latch housing. The toggle shaft engages with the toggle receiving aperture, or recess, on the actuating portion, and the toggle axle is supported by the opposing bearings in the second portion of the latch housing. The biasing means is positioned in the first portion of the latch housing, the first end of the biasing means being operatively engaged with the locating portion to push the locating portion against the rear surface of the first portion of the latch housing. The second end of the biasing means pushes against the partition wall.
Preferably, the biasing means is a compressed spring.
Preferably, the roof rack comprises a latch release mechanism that is in operative engagement with the adjustment latch to disengage the adjustment latch from the latch engagement sockets.
The latch release mechanism may comprise a button in operative engagement with a shank, the shank being in operative engagement with the locating portion of the link to push the link toward the distal end of the extension arm.
Preferably, the locating portion of the link comprises a shank receiving aperture having a threaded annular surface. In this embodiment, the shank has a threaded end that interlocks with the threaded annular surface of the shank receiving aperture. The first end of the spring is held in position against the locating portion of the link by the shank.
Preferably, the roof rack comprises a coupling means to hold the crossbar to the leg. The coupling means may comprise a peg receiving aperture formed in the inboard end of the crossbar housing; a channel formed in the lower surface of the crossbar and aligning with the peg receiving aperture; and a peg. The peg has a shaft that is dimensioned to engage with the channel and peg receiving aperture when the peg is in a first position and to disengage with the channel and peg receiving aperture when the peg is in a second position.
Preferably, a leg cover is attached to each leg of the roof rack. The leg cover may comprise a body having an upper portion from which projects a roof. The roof comprises a first surface and a second surface. A pair of rails project from the second surface of the roof to engage with a longitudinal channel within a crossbar.
Preferably, the roof comprises sides profiled to slide against the opposing lips of the leg when the leg cover is being attached to the leg.
Preferably, the leg cover has an inner face from which projects a locating guide.
The cover may comprise one or more braces for supporting a tool to be housed within the cover.
In another aspect, the invention provides an extension member for a roof rack according to the invention, wherein the extension member comprises a support with an end face and a contact face; wherein at least one extension arm projects from the contact face of the support, the extension arm having a first surface and a second surface, and being adapted to fit within a cavity in the crossbar; and wherein the end face of the support has a profile that is the same shape and dimensions as the external profile of an end of a roof rack crossbar, so that both the support and the crossbar can be held within a crossbar housing on a leg of a roof rack.
The term “roof rack” as used herein should be interpreted to include the similar term “load carrier”.
Similarly, the term “crossbar” is to be interpreted broadly to include a roof rail or any load carrying apparatus configured to be releasably clamped or attached to a roof rack leg.
The term “relevant vehicle” means the vehicle to which a user intends to attach a roof rack.
The term “effective length of the crossbar” refers to the length of the crossbar between the legs of the roof rack: The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims should be interpreted to mean “consisting at least in part of or “comprising”. That is, when interpreting independent claims comprising that term, the features prefaced by that term in each claim all need to be present but other features can also be present. Variants, such as “comprised” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates to a flush bar roof rack that is of an extendible length.
The components of the assembled roof rack that can readily be seen in
As shown in
Although the form of crossbar housing shown in
Furthermore, it is not essential for the leg to comprise a bridge. It is envisaged that instead of the leg comprising a bridge, the base of the leg may have a continuous bottom edge.
Overhanging lips 14a and 14b are located at the top of the crossbar housing and act to prevent the crossbar from pulling upward out of the housing 13 when upward force is applied to the crossbar.
The overhanging lips define an opening giving access to a longitudinal channel running along the length of the crossbar. The opening and channel allow for equipment brackets (also known as accessory clamps) to be attached to the crossbar at one end, and slid along the channel of the crossbar between the lips of the crossbar housing. The equipment brackets are suitable for holding kayaks, bicycles, or the like to the roof rack. Suitable forms of equipment brackets are described in the applicant's New Zealand patent application no. 551764.
One form of crossbar for a roof rack according to the present invention is shown in
To allow for the effective length of the roof rack to be varied, the crossbar is adapted to mate with an extension means.
The first and second extension arms 52, 53 are adapted to engage with a crossbar to extend the effective length of the crossbar, thereby extending the length of the roof rack.
The first and second extension arms 52, 53 each have a peripheral external surface that substantially corresponds with the inner surfaces of the first and second cavities 32, 33 in the crossbar respectively, so that the extension arms substantially mate with and fill the first and second cavities.
To attach the extension member 50 to one end of the crossbar 30, the first and second extension arms 52, 53 are slid into the first and second cavities 32, 33 of the crossbar respectively. The core 31 of the crossbar 30, comprising the infill channel 35, is positioned within the channel of the extension member 50. The extension arms 52, 53 can be pushed into the crossbar 30 until the contacting face of the support 51 abuts the end of the crossbar 30, thereby preventing the entire extension member 50 from sliding within the crossbar 30.
The extension member support 51 supports the extension arms 52, 53 and acts as a stop to prevent the entire extension member 50 from being slid within the crossbar 30. Each extension arm should fit snugly within its respective cavity to prevent the arm from skewing relative to the cavity and to allow a crossbar extension mechanism to engage with both the crossbar extension member and the crossbar. However, the fit should not be so tight as to prevent the extension arms from sliding longitudinally within the cavities.
Thus, to decrease the effective length of the crossbar, the extension member is pushed into the crossbar, by pushing the extension arms 52, 53 more deeply into the respective cavities 32, 33. To extend the effective length of the crossbar, the extension member is retracted from the crossbar, by partially retracting the extension arms 52, 53 from the cavities 32, 33, extends the effective length of the crossbar.
To allow the extension member and crossbar to be properly held together in a roof rack according the invention, the crossbar and extension member are snugly housed within a respective leg of the roof rack.
To easily allow the extension member to be housed within a leg of the roof rack, the end face of the extension member support 51 has an external profile that is substantially the same size and shape as the external end profile of the crossbar 30 (that profile being viewed from an end of the crossbar).
Because the size and shape of the profile of the end face of the extension member support 51 is substantially the same size as the external end profile of the crossbar 30, the extension member is snugly housed within the crossbar housing 13 in the same way in which the crossbar 30 is housed within the housing 13.
Both the extension member support 51 and crossbar 30 can be slid along the crossbar housing 13 in the longitudinal direction of the assembled roof rack, but the crossbar housing 13 prevents substantial sideways (or lateral) movement of the crossbar 30 and support 51 within the housing 13.
Once the extension member 50 is fitted within the crossbar 30 and housed within the crossbar housing 13, the extension member 50 acts as an extension of the crossbar 30.
The roof rack has a maximum extension and a minimum extension. The minimum extension is achieved by pushing the extension member into the end of the crossbar as far as possible until the contacting face of the extension member support abuts the end of the crossbar.
The maximum extension is achieved by retracting the extension member from the crossbar to a maximum extension point. A sufficient portion of the extension member should remain within the crossbar to provide sufficient strength to the union of the extension member and the crossbar so that the crossbar does not skew relative to the extension member, and so that the extensions arms of the extension member cannot readily separate from the crossbar without the assistance of a user. Therefore, it is preferable to control the maximum distance that the extension member can be retracted from the crossbar, so that a user does not inadvertently retract the extension member beyond the maximum extension point. In a preferred form, the present invention provides this control by providing an extension stop at the maximum extension point.
The extension stop comprises a lug 56 for engaging with a corresponding locking means, in the form of an aperture or recess 37, on the crossbar 30, as shown in
Returning to
The resilient finger 57 is biased to its locking position. That is, in the embodiment shown in
The resilient finger 57 is able to bend in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the second extension arm 53, when force is applied to the finger 57 in such a direction. However, because the finger 57 is resilient and is substantially biased toward its locking position, when force is removed from the finger, the finger substantially returns to its locking position.
The arrangement of lug 56 and resilient finger 57 comprise a resilient catch.
The lug 56 has a forward face and an opposing rear face. The forward face faces toward the distal end of the extension member 50 and the rear face faces toward the extension member support 51. The forward face is sloped toward the resilient finger 57, whilst the rear face is a substantially blunt face perpendicular to the resilient finger 57.
The operation of the resilient catch will now be described.
When the second extension arm 53 is positioned within the second cavity 33 of the crossbar 30, the upper surface of the cavity 33 contacts the upper surface of the second extension arm 53, or is at least in close proximity to the upper surface of the extension arm 53. The sloping forward face of the lug 56 helps the lug to slide against the upper surface of the cavity 33 when the extension arm 53 is being pushed into the crossbar 30.
Because the resilient catch is biased toward its locking position, in which the lug projects above the upper surface of the extension arm, the upper surface of the second cavity 33 contacts the lug 56 and presses down on the lug.
Each end of the crossbar 30 comprises a locking means in the form of a locking aperture 37 extending through the upper surface of the second cavity 33 to the upper surface 34 of the crossbar 30, as shown in
In particular, when the lug 56 is aligned with the locking aperture 37, the lug is not subject to downward force from the upper surface of the second cavity 33. Therefore, the resilient catch returns to its locking position, in which the lug 56 projects above the upper surface of the extension arm and engages with the locking aperture 37 by substantially protruding through the aperture 37.
If a user attempts to retract the extension member 50 beyond the maximum extension point, the blunt rear face of the resilient lug 56 will abut the inner annular surface of the locking aperture 37 and prevent the extension member 50 from being retracted further from the crossbar 30. In this way, the extension stop prevents the extension member from being retracted beyond the maximum extension point.
A user can only retract the extension member 50 completely from the crossbar 30, if the user pushes down on the lug 56, so that the lug 56 disengages with the locking aperture 37, whilst simultaneously pulling the extension member 50 away from the crossbar 30.
Although the resilient catch has been described as being located on the upper surface of the second extension arm, it is envisaged that the catch could, alternatively, be located on the lower surface of the second extension arm, or on either the upper or lower surface of the first extension arm, as would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art. Of course, the crossbar would need to have a locking means in a suitable position to align with the lug so that engagement between the lug and locking means prevents the extension member from retracting beyond the maximum extension point.
It is also envisaged that the locking aperture may instead be a locking recess formed in an appropriate inner surface of the crossbar, so that the resilient catch engages with the recess when the extension member is retracted from the crossbar to the maximum extension point.
In addition to the features of the invention already described, the present invention provides a roof rack extension adjustment and locking mechanism. The extension adjustment and locking mechanism allows the effective length of the roof rack to be easily adjusted and allows the extension member to be locked to the crossbar in an extended or retracted position.
The roof rack extension adjustment and locking mechanism comprises an adjustment latch located on the extension member; and a plurality of latch engagement sockets in the form of apertures, recesses, or slots, located on the crossbar. The adjustment latch is adapted to mate with the engagement sockets.
In the embodiment shown in
The first portion 54 of the latch housing is defined by a rear surface nearest the extension member support 51, a forward surface, nearest the distal end of the second extension arm 53. Two opposing side surfaces join with the forward and rear surfaces.
A link retaining means in the form of opposing flanges 58a, 58b projects across the second portion 55 of the latch housing at or near the upper surface of the second extension arm 53. The partition wall 59 extends from the floor of the latch housing and terminates below the upper surface of the second extension arm and below the flanges 58a, 58b so that the end of the partition wall forms a supporting end for a link 61, as will be described below.
The adjustment latch comprises a link 61; a toggle 66 and a spring, or other biasing means. A latch release mechanism is in operative engagement with the adjustment latch and comprises a button 60 connected to, integral with, or in operative engagement with, a shank 69. The adjustment latch is biased to an engaging position.
In a preferred form, the shank 69 and button 60 comprise the shaft and head of a screw respectively.
Referring now to the embodiment shown in
The locating portion 63 of the link is substantially perpendicular to the actuating portion 62. The locating portion 63 may comprise a shank receiving aperture 65, which may have a threaded annular surface.
In the embodiment shown in
The link is arranged in the latch housing such that the locating portion 63 of the link projects toward the opposing (lower) surface of the second extension arm 53 and is positioned in the first portion 54 of the latch housing and the toggle receiving means, shown in the form of an aperture 64, is positioned within the second portion 55 of the latch housing, as shown in
The link acts as part of an actuating mechanism (comprising the link, the latch release mechanism and biasing means), to cause the toggle to engage with the engagement slots on the crossbar.
The toggle 66, shown in
Returning to
The toggle 66 is positioned within the second portion 55 of the latch housing so that the shaft 67 projects into the toggle receiving aperture 64 in the link 61 and the axle 71 sits within the axle bearings 72.
A compressed spring 73, or other biasing means, is contained in the first portion 54 of the latch housing, one end of the spring 73 being held against the forward surface of the first portion 54 of the latch housing and the other end of the spring being held against the locating portion 63 of the link 61. The compressed spring pushes against the locating portion 63 of the link, pushing the locating portion 63 against the rear surface of the first portion 54 of the housing when the adjustment latch is in its engaging position. A latch release button 60 is positioned within a button aperture in the extension member support 50. The latch release button 60 cooperates with a shank 69 that is in operative engagement with the locating portion 63 of the link 61. In a preferred form, the button 60 is integral with a threaded shank 69 that interlocks with a threaded shank receiving aperture 65 in the locating portion 63 of the link 61. The threaded shank 69 may extend through the shank receiving aperture 65 and act as a pin to hold one end of the spring 73 against the locating portion 63 of the link, thereby helping to hold the biasing means in position.
It is envisaged that the latch release button 60 may only engage with the shank 69 when the button 60 is depressed, the button and shank, in this form, being separate parts of the adjustment latch. Additionally, or alternatively, the shank 69 may engage with the locating portion of the link 61 by being integral with the locating portion, or by abutting the rear face of the locating portion (the rear face facing the extension member support). In this form, the locating portion will not require a shank receiving aperture.
The adjustment latch is biased toward its engaging position. In this position, the compressed spring 73 pushes against the locating portion 63 of the link 61 so that the rear face of the locating portion 63 contacts the rear face of the first portion 54 of the housing. The base of the toggle 66 rests on the actuating portion 62 of the link 61, and the engaging foot 70 projects from the lower surface of the second extension arm 53.
The engaging foot 70 has a sloped forward face, which faces toward the distal end of the extension member 50, and a blunt rear face, which faces toward the extension member support 51.
If force is applied to the engaging foot 70 so as to push the foot 70 into the second portion 55 of the latch housing, the toggle 66 is caused to pivot about its axle 71, causing the toggle shaft 67 to move toward the distal end of the extension arm. Because the toggle shaft 67 is engaged with the toggle receiving means 64, in the link 61, the link 61 is also caused to move toward the distal end of the extension arm. As the link moves toward the distal end of the extension arm, the locating portion of the link presses against the spring, compressing the spring further.
When the force is removed from the foot 70, the compression force on the spring is partially released and the latch and latch components return to the engaging position such that the engaging foot 70 again projects above the lower surface of the second extension arm 53.
As mentioned above, the crossbar has a plurality of latch engagement sockets in the form of recesses, apertures, or slots near each end. The slots are aligned on the crossbar so as to engage with the engaging foot of the adjustment latch when the extension arm is positioned within the crossbar.
In the embodiment where the adjustment latch is located on the second extension arm and the engaging foot projects from the lower surface of the second extension arm, each end of the crossbar comprises a plurality of latch engagement sockets in the floor of the second cavity, as shown in
The latch engagement sockets are positioned on the crossbar at specific points so that the length of the crossbar can be adjusted to suit the roof widths of the most common vehicles.
The use of the roof rack extension adjustment and locking mechanism will now be described.
When the extension member shown in
The extension member is pushed into the end of the crossbar until the engaging foot engages with a slot (latch engagement socket) on the crossbar. If the user requires the length of the roof rack to be shorter, the user can push the extension member further into the crossbar until the foot engages with a slot that locks the crossbar at the desired length.
As the user pushes the extension member further into the crossbar, the sloping forward face of the foot 70 contacts the forward edge of the slot through which the foot projects. As the sloping face of the foot 70 is pushed against the edge of the slot, the foot 70 is gradually pushed into the latch housing, thereby disengaging the foot from the slot and allowing the extension member 50 to penetrate further into the crossbar 30.
When a user attempts to retract the extension member from the crossbar, the blunt rear face of the engaging foot 70 is caused to abut the rear edge of the slot with which the foot is engaged. Because the blunt rear face of the foot is not sloped, the foot jams against the rear edge of the slot, preventing the extension member from being retracted from the crossbar. The extension member is, thereby, locked in position relative to the crossbar.
Therefore, to retract the extension member from the crossbar, a latch release mechanism is used. As described above, the latch release mechanism is in the form of a latch release button 60 in operative engagement with a shank 69, which is in turn in operative engagement with the adjustment latch. However, other latch release mechanisms may alternatively be used, as would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.
By depressing the latch release button 60, the shank 69 is pushed toward the toggle 66. Because the shank 69 is also operatively engaged with the locating portion 63 of the link 61, the shank drives the link 61, and hence the toggle receiving means 64, toward the toggle 66 (or toward the distal end of the extension member). The shaft 67 of the toggle 66 is engaged with the toggle receiving means and is, therefore, caused to move in the same direction.
The movement of the shaft 67 of the toggle 66 causes the toggle to pivot about its axle 71 such that the engaging foot 70 withdraws into the second portion 55 of the latch housing. When the engaging foot 70 withdraws into the latch housing, the foot disengages with the latch adjustment socket on the crossbar and the extension member can be retracted from the crossbar.
Where the button 60 and shank 69 comprise a screw, the screw projects through the shank receiving aperture 65 in the link 61. The shank receiving aperture 65 has a threaded interior to engage with the screw. The screw is loosened (preferably using an alien key held within the leg cover of the roof rack) by the user and pushed toward the spring 73, causing the toggle 66 to pivot and to disengage the engaging foot 70 from a latch adjustment socket. When the crossbar reaches the appropriate extension position, the user releases the pressure on the screw head 60 so that the engaging foot engages with the appropriate latch adjustment socket The screw is then tightened again to hold the toggle 66 in place in the engaging position. As a safety measure, the inside face of the leg cover includes a small projection which prevents the cover from being attached to the leg if the screw 60 is not tight enough.
In effect, the crossbar extension adjustment and locking mechanism allows the extension member to be pushed into the crossbar and locked in position, but the extension member cannot be retracted from the crossbar without depressing the latch release button.
The compressed spring creates a resilient latch so that when the latch release button 60 is released, thereby reducing the compression on the spring, the adjustment latch resumes its engaging position and the engaging foot again projects from the extension arm ready to engage with a latch adjustment socket in the crossbar.
As a safety precaution, the maximum extension stop is preferably positioned on the extension member and crossbar to prevent a user from retracting the extension member beyond the latch adjustment socket that defines the maximum extension for the crossbar.
One problem that arises when the effective length of the crossbar 30 is extended by partially retracting the extension member 50 from the crossbar 30, is that the extension member bears much of the downward force from the load of the roof rack. This downward force on the extension member creates a turning moment on the leg and encourages the inboard end of the leg to pivot toward the roof of the vehicle (the inboard end is the end of the leg that faces toward the opposing leg of the roof rack). It is undesirable for the leg to pivot toward the roof of the vehicle as this creates a less stable union between the leg and crossbar.
To counteract the tendency of the inboard end of the leg to pivot toward the vehicle roof, the present invention provides a stabilizing coupling, between the leg and the crossbar, in the form of a peg and channel arrangement. This arrangement is shown in
In this arrangement, a peg receiving aperture 18 is positioned in the crossbar housing 13 near the inboard end of the crossbar housing. The lower surface 36 of the crossbar 30 comprises a longitudinal slot or channel 39 that aligns with the peg receiving aperture 18 in the crossbar housing 30. When the crossbar 30 and extension member 50 are positioned in the crossbar housing, a peg 19 is pushed through the peg receiving aperture 18 and into the channel 39. The peg 19 comprises a shaft that is shaped and dimensioned so that when the peg 19 is orientated in a first position, the shaft of the peg 19 can enter into and retract from the aperture 18 and channel 39, but when the peg is orientated to a second position, the shaft of the peg 19 cannot retract from the aperture 18 and channel 39. This feature of the shaft allows the peg to couple the leg 10 to the crossbar 30. In one form, the peg could comprise a coach bolt, for example, with both the round and the square portion of the coach bolt being able to enter through the aperture 18 in one orientation, but if the coach bolt is given a slight turn, the square portion prevents the coach bolt from retracting from the aperture 18. In a preferred embodiment, the channel or slot 39 in the crossbar 30 extends to the end of the crossbar 30 such that the peg 19 can remain in the crossbar while the crossbar is slid through the housing 13.
After the effective length of the crossbar has been adjusted to the correct length to suit the roof of the relevant vehicle, a user may attach a leg cover to each leg of the roof rack.
As can be seen in
The roof 22 projects from the upper portion of the leg cover 20. The roof 22 has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface of the roof typically has the same profile as the upper surface 34 of the crossbar 30.
In particular, the profile of the second surface of the roof allows for the second surface to slide against the upper surface of the crossbar and achieve a snug fit between the upper surface of the crossbar and the second surface of the roof when the leg cover is attached to the crossbar.
The roof 22 of the leg cover 20 shown in
A pair of locating rails 23a, 23b project from the second surface of the roof 22.
The leg cover 20 is attached to the crossbar 30 and leg 10 by sliding the roof 22 over the upper surface of one end of the crossbar 30 so that the opposing lips 38a, 38b of the crossbar are housed between the rails 23a, 23b and the second surface of the roof 22. By positioning the lips 38a, 38b within the rails 23a, 23b, the leg cover 20 is attached to the crossbar 30.
The inner face of the leg cover 20 may optionally include a protruding locating guide 28. The guide 28 is positioned on the cover to abut with a corresponding inner face, 17a or 17b, of the leg 10 when the cover 20 is attached to the leg 10.
The guide 28 helps a user to locate the cover 20 properly on the leg 10 and also helps to prevent the cover from skewing relative to the leg.
It is envisaged that two or more guides may be positioned on the inner face of the leg cover.
After positioning the lips 38a, 38b within the rails 23a, 23b, the cover 20 is then aligned with the leg 10 so that the guide 28 contacts a corresponding inner face of the leg. The cover is further slid towards the leg 10 until the lugs 24a, 24b and lug receiving apertures 15a, 15b, of the leg 10 and leg cover 20, mate with each other.
The roof 22 of the cover 20 and the crossbar housing 13 together form a cavity within which the end of the crossbar is housed.
A lock barrel can be positioned within a barrel housing 25 in the leg cover 20.
When the leg cover 20 is attached to a leg 10, the end of the lock barrel opposes the lock aperture 16 in the leg 10. The lock extends through the barrel housing 25 and through the lock aperture 16 located in the leg 10 to lock the cover 20 to the leg 10.
The lock prevents a user from dismantling and detaching the roof rack from the roof of a vehicle without the appropriate key.
The leg cover 20 may have one or more braces 21 to hold one or more tools, for example, a hex key and a spanner, within the leg cover 20.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. For example, although the invention has been described with reference to a pair of extension arms, it is envisaged that the extension member could comprise a single extension arm, or three or more extension arms, provided that the crossbar included corresponding cavities in which to house, the extension arm(s).
Furthermore, it is envisaged that the latch could be positioned on any extension arm and in such a position that the engaging foot may project from the upper surface or the lower surface of the extension arm. In such a form, the latch engagement sockets on the crossbar would be positioned on the crossbar to align with the adjustment latch, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details of the representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 561811 | Sep 2007 | NZ | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/719,144 filed Dec. 18, 2012 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/679,434 filed Jun. 9, 2010 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,311 on Dec. 18, 2012 which application is a §371 U.S. national phase filing from Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000236 filed Sep. 15, 2008 which claims priority to New Zealand Application No. NZ561811 filed Sep. 21, 2007. The complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes in their entireties.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 488395 | Justice | Dec 1892 | A |
| 529827 | Fonda | Nov 1894 | A |
| 556789 | Walker | Mar 1896 | A |
| 576351 | Penfield | Feb 1897 | A |
| 586681 | Douglas | Jul 1897 | A |
| 607024 | Durfee et al. | Jul 1898 | A |
| 614264 | Fletcher | Nov 1898 | A |
| 615264 | Du Pont | Dec 1898 | A |
| 1179823 | Greene | Apr 1916 | A |
| 1789458 | Bureau | Jan 1931 | A |
| 2248170 | Hansen | Jul 1941 | A |
| 2302300 | Davies | Nov 1942 | A |
| 2415286 | Hyde | Feb 1947 | A |
| 2431400 | Iverson | Nov 1947 | A |
| 2536797 | Cooke | Jan 1951 | A |
| 2551218 | Menne | May 1951 | A |
| 2573187 | Désilets | Oct 1951 | A |
| 2723005 | Wink | Nov 1955 | A |
| 2729499 | Eggum | Jan 1956 | A |
| 2816672 | Facchini | Dec 1957 | A |
| 2988253 | Menghi | Jun 1961 | A |
| 3001679 | Canning et al. | Sep 1961 | A |
| 3042240 | Cline | Jul 1962 | A |
| 3113642 | Lay | Dec 1963 | A |
| 3116836 | McCauley | Jan 1964 | A |
| 3155249 | Johnson | Nov 1964 | A |
| 3186569 | Roux | Jun 1965 | A |
| 3190587 | Fries | Jun 1965 | A |
| 3239115 | Bott et al. | Mar 1966 | A |
| 3240406 | Logan | Mar 1966 | A |
| 3276085 | Spranger | Oct 1966 | A |
| 3300171 | Watts | Jan 1967 | A |
| 3430983 | Jones | Mar 1969 | A |
| 3460694 | Simms | Aug 1969 | A |
| 3469810 | Dorris | Sep 1969 | A |
| 3529737 | Daugherty | Sep 1970 | A |
| 3554416 | Bott | Jan 1971 | A |
| 3581962 | Osborn | Jun 1971 | A |
| 3596788 | Willie | Aug 1971 | A |
| 3606432 | Honatzis | Sep 1971 | A |
| 3642157 | Williams, Jr. | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3677195 | Prete, Jr. | Jul 1972 | A |
| 3677451 | Burland | Jul 1972 | A |
| 3737083 | Lund | Jun 1973 | A |
| 3740034 | Scroggins | Jun 1973 | A |
| 3744689 | Kjensmo | Jul 1973 | A |
| 3777922 | Kirchmeyer | Dec 1973 | A |
| 3826390 | Watson | Jul 1974 | A |
| 3828993 | Carter | Aug 1974 | A |
| 3843001 | Willis | Oct 1974 | A |
| 3848784 | Shimano et al. | Nov 1974 | A |
| 3858774 | Friis | Jan 1975 | A |
| 3861533 | Radek | Jan 1975 | A |
| 3892455 | Sotolongo | Jul 1975 | A |
| D238771 | Spokus, Sr. | Feb 1976 | S |
| 3946917 | Crawford et al. | Mar 1976 | A |
| 3976213 | Ball | Aug 1976 | A |
| 3993167 | Reed | Nov 1976 | A |
| 4022362 | Revercomb | May 1977 | A |
| 4023761 | Molis | May 1977 | A |
| 4034879 | Cudmore | Jul 1977 | A |
| 4046297 | Bland | Sep 1977 | A |
| 4058243 | Tappan | Nov 1977 | A |
| 4081118 | Mason | Mar 1978 | A |
| 4085763 | Thomas | Apr 1978 | A |
| 4106680 | Bott | Aug 1978 | A |
| 4114409 | Scire | Sep 1978 | A |
| 4126228 | Bala et al. | Nov 1978 | A |
| 4132335 | Ingram | Jan 1979 | A |
| 4171077 | Richard, Jr. | Oct 1979 | A |
| 4213593 | Weik | Jul 1980 | A |
| 4213729 | Cowles et al. | Jul 1980 | A |
| 4245764 | Kowalski et al. | Jan 1981 | A |
| 4264025 | Ferguson et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
| 4274569 | Winter et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
| 4274570 | Bott | Jun 1981 | A |
| 4277009 | Bott | Jul 1981 | A |
| 4326655 | Gradek et al. | Apr 1982 | A |
| 4350380 | Williams | Sep 1982 | A |
| 4358037 | Heideman | Nov 1982 | A |
| 4402442 | Martino | Sep 1983 | A |
| 4403716 | Carlson et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
| 4406386 | Rasor et al. | Sep 1983 | A |
| 4437597 | Doyle | Mar 1984 | A |
| 4442961 | Bott | Apr 1984 | A |
| 4448337 | Cronce | May 1984 | A |
| 4449656 | Wouden | May 1984 | A |
| 4487348 | Mareydt | Dec 1984 | A |
| 4524893 | Cole | Jun 1985 | A |
| 4586638 | Prescott et al. | May 1986 | A |
| 4588117 | Bott | May 1986 | A |
| 4589622 | Hutter | May 1986 | A |
| 4616771 | Heideman | Oct 1986 | A |
| 4629104 | Jacquet | Dec 1986 | A |
| 4630990 | Whiting | Dec 1986 | A |
| 4640450 | Gallion et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
| 4684049 | Maby et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
| 4700873 | Young | Oct 1987 | A |
| 4702398 | Seager | Oct 1987 | A |
| 4702401 | Graber et al. | Oct 1987 | A |
| 4717165 | Johnson | Jan 1988 | A |
| 4721239 | Gibbs, III et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
| D294340 | Robson | Feb 1988 | S |
| 4724692 | Turin et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
| 4751891 | Wilson | Jun 1988 | A |
| 4757929 | Nelson | Jul 1988 | A |
| 4778092 | Grace | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4789145 | Wenrich | Dec 1988 | A |
| D300734 | Kruitbosch | Apr 1989 | S |
| 4817838 | Kamaya | Apr 1989 | A |
| 4823997 | Krieger | Apr 1989 | A |
| 4830249 | Mirenda et al. | May 1989 | A |
| 4830250 | Newbold et al. | May 1989 | A |
| 4848794 | Mader et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
| 4875608 | Graber | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4877169 | Grim | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4887754 | Boyer et al. | Dec 1989 | A |
| 4892279 | Lafferty et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
| 4895096 | Goodwin et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
| 4911348 | Rasor et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
| 4917428 | Sola | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4917429 | Giger | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4934572 | Bowman et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
| 4960356 | Wrenn | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4961524 | Hunts | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4964287 | Gaul | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4976123 | Ceron et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4993615 | Arvidsson | Feb 1991 | A |
| 4995538 | Marengo | Feb 1991 | A |
| 4997332 | Johnson | Mar 1991 | A |
| 5005390 | Giannini et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5025932 | Jay | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5025967 | Cronce et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5029740 | Cox | Jul 1991 | A |
| 5037019 | Sokn | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5038988 | Thulin | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5042705 | Johansson | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5052605 | Johansson | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5056700 | Blackburn et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5065921 | Mobley | Nov 1991 | A |
| 5118020 | Piretti | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5118125 | Plunkett | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5119654 | Ceron et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5123147 | Blair | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5131669 | Kinnamon et al. | Jul 1992 | A |
| 5136709 | Shirakabe et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5137195 | Walter | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5169042 | Ching | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5169044 | Englander | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5201487 | Epplett | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5203483 | Cucheran | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5205453 | Pudney et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5207365 | Bott | May 1993 | A |
| 5215233 | Baldeck | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5217149 | Simonett | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5226341 | Shores | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5226570 | Pedrini | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5226634 | Rudy, Jr. et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5230449 | Collins et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5232134 | Allen | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5236153 | LaConte | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5244101 | Palmer et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
| 5253913 | Metivier | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5257710 | Cropley | Nov 1993 | A |
| 5259542 | Newbold et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
| 5275319 | Ruana | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5275320 | Duemmler | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5282560 | Ozog | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5282562 | Legault | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5284282 | Mottino | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5291763 | Cuisinot | Mar 1994 | A |
| 5294033 | Duemmler | Mar 1994 | A |
| 5314104 | Lee | May 1994 | A |
| 5320264 | Weir | Jun 1994 | A |
| D349680 | Powell | Aug 1994 | S |
| D350527 | Parlor, Sr. | Sep 1994 | S |
| 5346355 | Riemer | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5360150 | Praz | Nov 1994 | A |
| 5388938 | Helton | Feb 1995 | A |
| 5416957 | Renzi, Sr. et al. | May 1995 | A |
| 5433550 | Huber | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5435475 | Hudson et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5442840 | Ewald | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5443190 | Cucheran et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5445300 | Eipper et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5456396 | Allen | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5456512 | Gibbs et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5458268 | Hill | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5471714 | Olson | Dec 1995 | A |
| 5474218 | Arsenault, Jr. et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
| 5492258 | Brunner | Feb 1996 | A |
| 5499762 | Lee | Mar 1996 | A |
| D369140 | Sills | Apr 1996 | S |
| 5511894 | Ng | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5516017 | Arvidsson | May 1996 | A |
| 5526971 | Despain | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5535930 | Lee | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5549231 | Fletcher et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
| D373988 | Johnson | Sep 1996 | S |
| 5553761 | Audoire et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5570825 | Cona | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5582044 | Bolich | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5598959 | Lorensen et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
| 5617617 | Gustin | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5624063 | Ireland | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5628336 | Lee | May 1997 | A |
| 5647522 | Routh | Jul 1997 | A |
| D386145 | Staller | Nov 1997 | S |
| 5692659 | Reeves | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697629 | Guild | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5701628 | Morad | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5709521 | Glass et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
| 5738258 | Farrow et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5762248 | Englander et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5769291 | Chasan | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5769292 | Cucheran et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5775557 | Arvidsson | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5779119 | Talbot et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5810226 | Lee | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5820002 | Allen | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5826765 | Rak et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5833074 | Phillips | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5845828 | Settelmayer | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5848743 | Derecktor | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5862966 | Mehls | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5868621 | Parsons | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5875947 | Noel et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5924614 | Kuntze et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5944198 | Ihalainen | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5951231 | Allen | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5984155 | Stapleton | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5988403 | Robideau | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5992645 | West | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5992805 | Tanner | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5996736 | Stankiewicz | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6010048 | Settelmayer | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6015074 | Snavely et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6019266 | Johnson | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6053336 | Reeves | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6062450 | Noel et al. | May 2000 | A |
| 6102265 | Stapleton | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6105841 | Aftanas | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6131781 | Murray | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6164507 | Dean et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6176404 | Fourel | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6182876 | Moliner | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6189868 | Santelli, Jr. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6193252 | Lin | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6244483 | McLemore et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6273311 | Pedrini | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6276747 | Ogawa et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6279802 | Hickman et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6283310 | Dean et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6286738 | Robins et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6296162 | Englander et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6357643 | Janner et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6385822 | Dean et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| D460401 | Andersson | Jul 2002 | S |
| 6422441 | Settelmayer et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6439397 | Reeves | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6460743 | Edgerly et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
| D467220 | Walstrom et al. | Dec 2002 | S |
| 6488249 | Girardi et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6491195 | McLemore et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6494351 | Dean | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6523731 | Pedrini | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6557931 | Tremmel et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6561398 | Cole et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6622898 | Wang | Sep 2003 | B1 |
| 6640979 | Mayfield | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6648300 | Chamoun | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6662982 | Päkkilä | Dec 2003 | B1 |
| 6681971 | Laverack et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| D487720 | Thomas | Mar 2004 | S |
| 6715653 | DeCosta | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6722541 | Aftanas et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| 6736300 | Deakin | May 2004 | B2 |
| 6736301 | Huang | May 2004 | B1 |
| 6761297 | Pedrini | Jul 2004 | B1 |
| 6779696 | Aftanas et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6793186 | Pedersen | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6796471 | Aftanas et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6817500 | Neaux | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6840418 | Robins et al. | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6845893 | Nelson | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6845922 | Stark | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6857545 | McLemore et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6868998 | Dean | Mar 2005 | B2 |
| 6892913 | Andersson | May 2005 | B1 |
| 6905053 | Allen | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6918521 | Settelmayer et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6938782 | Dean et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6968986 | Lloyd et al. | Nov 2005 | B1 |
| 6972042 | Benson | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6976615 | Dean | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6997657 | Saward | Feb 2006 | B1 |
| 7000811 | Gilstrap et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7004365 | Ingram | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7036698 | Allen | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7044347 | Pedrini | May 2006 | B1 |
| 7051909 | Gibson | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7104430 | Reeves | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7131561 | Humes | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7175218 | Keene | Feb 2007 | B1 |
| 7182233 | Graffy et al. | Feb 2007 | B1 |
| 7201436 | Ludwig et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
| 7222763 | Pedrini | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7234617 | Weaver et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 7240816 | Tsai | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| D561680 | Foley et al. | Feb 2008 | S |
| D562217 | Davis et al. | Feb 2008 | S |
| D562218 | Foley et al. | Feb 2008 | S |
| 7328824 | Smith et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| D564438 | Moore | Mar 2008 | S |
| D566034 | Davis et al. | Apr 2008 | S |
| 7357283 | Settelmayer | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7404504 | Settelmayer | Jul 2008 | B2 |
| 7413143 | Frantz et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7416098 | Settelmayer et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7427049 | Kennedy et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7481344 | Näslund et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7641249 | Jung | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7648151 | Pedrini | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7721925 | Graffy et al. | May 2010 | B1 |
| 7726528 | Foley | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7757914 | Book et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| D622208 | Sautter et al. | Aug 2010 | S |
| 7784656 | Morrill et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| D623117 | Farber | Sep 2010 | S |
| 7815084 | Allen et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| D633030 | Robertson | Feb 2011 | S |
| D635086 | Shen | Mar 2011 | S |
| D638778 | Giddens | May 2011 | S |
| D642113 | Farber | Jul 2011 | S |
| 7975888 | Settelmayer | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 8020737 | Sweeney | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8021169 | Smith | Sep 2011 | B1 |
| 8087557 | Larsson et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8104651 | Bingham | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8113398 | Sautter et al. | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8136708 | Sautter et al. | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8136709 | Jeli et al. | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| D656887 | Bogoslofski et al. | Apr 2012 | S |
| 8196789 | Kraeuter et al. | Jun 2012 | B2 |
| 8210407 | Sautter et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8235267 | Sautter et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 8245893 | Sautter et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| D669017 | Robertson | Oct 2012 | S |
| 8333311 | Hubbard | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8393508 | Sautter et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8408853 | Womack et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8505793 | Foley | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8544707 | Hubbard | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8668181 | Dazet et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| D703605 | Sautter et al. | Apr 2014 | S |
| 8763870 | Davis | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| D717722 | Cagampang et al. | Nov 2014 | S |
| 8925775 | Sautter et al. | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 9102274 | Hubbard | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9132782 | Hubbard | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 20010013528 | Chimenti et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
| 20020053581 | Peschmann et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
| 20020125282 | Laverack et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20030071097 | Dean | Apr 2003 | A1 |
| 20030164390 | Higginbotham, III | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20030178457 | Wang | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20030222112 | McLemore et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
| 20040118886 | Mirschafiee et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20040211801 | Barbara | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20040238582 | Pedrini | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050029320 | Chimenti et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
| 20050051585 | Kamiya et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20050061842 | Tsai | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20050077335 | Bourne | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050145639 | Viklund et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20050205626 | Dean | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050284905 | Naslund et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060000859 | Frischer | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060029483 | Allen et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060049324 | Smith et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060060622 | Prenger | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060208022 | Karlsson | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060249466 | Wang | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20060273122 | Bogoslofski et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20060273123 | Settelmayer | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20060273124 | Bogoslofski | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20060289577 | Malone | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20070036628 | Womack et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070108243 | Bingham | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070119887 | Foley | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070119888 | Chuang | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070164065 | Davis | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20080000940 | Wang | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080029563 | Malone | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080053926 | Foley | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080099522 | Clausen et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080101883 | Derecktor | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080164292 | Farney | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080193265 | Sautter et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| 20080257924 | Kmita et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20090120984 | Sautter et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20090159624 | Johnson et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
| 20090184189 | Soderberg et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20090236382 | Sautter et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20100078454 | Sautter et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
| 20100237116 | Hubbard | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100308091 | Hubbard | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20110132946 | Sautter et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110139838 | Sautter et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110139841 | Sautter et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110139842 | Sautter et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110174853 | Hubbard | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20110290836 | Shen | Dec 2011 | A1 |
| 20130020361 | Sautter et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130022440 | Sautter et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130037585 | Hubbard et al. | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20130062379 | Sautter et al. | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130062383 | Jeli | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130062385 | Pedrini | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130175308 | Sautter et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130214020 | Pedrini | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130284779 | Sautter et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20140028007 | Pfeiffer et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140124451 | Urbani et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140144958 | Sautter et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140144959 | Sautter et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140144960 | Condon et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140158728 | Sautter et al. | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140158729 | Pedrini | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20140166709 | Hubbard | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20150239402 | Hubbard | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2003231667 | Feb 2004 | AU |
| 2006100386 | Jun 2006 | AU |
| 2008301329 | Aug 2012 | AU |
| 348922 | May 2013 | AU |
| 2008304016 | Jan 2014 | AU |
| 87104266 | Mar 1988 | CN |
| 2445963 | Sep 2001 | CN |
| 101559737 | Oct 2009 | CN |
| 101559738 | Oct 2009 | CN |
| 101868375 | Oct 2010 | CN |
| 201677818 | Dec 2010 | CN |
| 102177047 | Sep 2011 | CN |
| 101861257 | Nov 2012 | CN |
| 102975661 | Mar 2013 | CN |
| 102177047 | Feb 2015 | CN |
| 2940095 | Apr 1981 | DE |
| 3209912 | Oct 1983 | DE |
| 3637856 | May 1988 | DE |
| 8801618 | Aug 1988 | DE |
| 3912692 | Nov 1989 | DE |
| 4229268 | Mar 1994 | DE |
| 4423607 | Jun 1995 | DE |
| 20007760 | Aug 2000 | DE |
| 20309766 | Sep 2003 | DE |
| 202005007566 | Aug 2005 | DE |
| 0019873 | Oct 1982 | EP |
| 0151907 | Aug 1985 | EP |
| 0193501 | Sep 1986 | EP |
| 0482650 | Apr 1992 | EP |
| 0511179 | Oct 1992 | EP |
| 0646074 | Oct 1996 | EP |
| 0398885 | Jun 1997 | EP |
| 0869879 | Oct 1998 | EP |
| 0894672 | Feb 1999 | EP |
| 0945307 | Sep 1999 | EP |
| 0989029 | Mar 2000 | EP |
| 1285817 | Feb 2003 | EP |
| 1340652 | Sep 2003 | EP |
| 1340653 | Sep 2003 | EP |
| 1442940 | Aug 2004 | EP |
| 1205358 | Jul 2005 | EP |
| 1568542 | Aug 2005 | EP |
| 1712420 | Oct 2006 | EP |
| 2334514 | Jun 2011 | EP |
| 2437961 | Apr 2012 | EP |
| 2507095 | Oct 2012 | EP |
| 002172445-0001 | Jan 2013 | EP |
| 002231878-0001 | May 2013 | EP |
| 002343582-0001 | Jan 2014 | EP |
| 002343756-0001 | Jan 2014 | EP |
| 2200869 | Apr 2014 | EP |
| 2200867 | Jun 2014 | EP |
| 2758275 | Jul 2014 | EP |
| 2200868 | Aug 2014 | EP |
| 1400231 | Apr 1965 | FR |
| 2481209 | Oct 1981 | FR |
| 2501601 | Sep 1982 | FR |
| 2519305 | Jul 1983 | FR |
| 2600953 | Jan 1988 | FR |
| 2624808 | Jun 1989 | FR |
| 2632595 | Dec 1989 | FR |
| 2711346 | Apr 1995 | FR |
| 2752793 | Mar 1998 | FR |
| 886743 | Jan 1962 | GB |
| 1045619 | Oct 1966 | GB |
| 1311367 | Mar 1973 | GB |
| 2257463 | Jan 1993 | GB |
| 2277309 | Oct 1994 | GB |
| 2303344 | Feb 1997 | GB |
| 9-20181 | Jan 1997 | JP |
| 10-250488 | Sep 1998 | JP |
| 2000-318538 | Nov 2000 | JP |
| 2011012988 | Mar 2012 | MX |
| 551764 | Mar 2009 | NZ |
| 561809 | Nov 2009 | NZ |
| 561860 | Apr 2010 | NZ |
| 561811 | Jun 2010 | NZ |
| 571287 | Mar 2011 | NZ |
| DE 102004046221 | Apr 2005 | SE |
| 201111201 | Apr 2011 | TW |
| 9110581 | Jul 1991 | WO |
| 9624509 | Aug 1996 | WO |
| 9638336 | Dec 1996 | WO |
| 9702976 | Jan 1997 | WO |
| 9708017 | Mar 1997 | WO |
| 9810959 | Mar 1998 | WO |
| 9954168 | Oct 1999 | WO |
| 03006277 | Jan 2003 | WO |
| 2005021332 | Mar 2005 | WO |
| 2005102013 | Nov 2005 | WO |
| 2009038479 | Mar 2009 | WO |
| 2009038480 | Mar 2009 | WO |
| 2009041828 | Apr 2009 | WO |
| 2009158358 | Dec 2009 | WO |
| 2009158360 | Dec 2009 | WO |
| 2010030198 | Mar 2010 | WO |
| 2010141944 | Dec 2010 | WO |
| 2010144369 | Dec 2010 | WO |
| 2010148011 | Dec 2010 | WO |
| 2011084075 | Jul 2011 | WO |
| 2013036939 | Mar 2013 | WO |
| 2013040267 | Mar 2013 | WO |
| 2013164692 | Nov 2013 | WO |
| 2013165640 | Nov 2013 | WO |
| 2014022435 | Feb 2014 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 13/954,897, Apr. 24, 2014, 10 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 13/719,144, May 15, 2014, 19 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880117299.1, Jun. 16, 2014, 11 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, First Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 201210364793.6, Jun. 30, 2014, 14 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,580, Jul. 1, 2014, 34 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/042,560, Nov. 28, 2014, 32 pages. |
| The International Bureau of WIPO, International Preliminary Report on Patentability relating to PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/052785, 9 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/557,413, Jun. 9, 2015, 6 pages. |
| Roof Mounted Bike Racks sold by Bike Racks Plus. [Retrieved on Mar. 20, 2007]. © 2002-2005. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://www.bike-racks-plus.com/Roof—Mounted—Bike—Racks—y.htm>, 3 pages. |
| Rack Attack Portland's Blog, “Another hit from Yakima! The all new factory-compatible FrontLoader upright bike rack”, Mar. 29, 2010, Retrieved from the Internet on Oct. 11, 2012, URL: http://rackattackportland.wordpress.com/2010/03/29another-hit-from-yakima-the-all-new-factory-compatible-frontloader-upright-bike-rack/, 3 pages. |
| “Yakima FrontLoader upright bike rack review”, Apr. 17, 2010, Retrieved from the Internet on Oct. 11, 2012, URL: http://carracks.blogspot.nl/2010/04/yakima-frontloader-upright-bike-rack.html, 2 pages. |
| ORS racks direct.com, “Yakima FrontLoader Bike Rack Review Video by ORS Racks Direct”, May 19, 2010, Retrieved from the Internet on Oct. 11, 2012, URL:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu8rHM9ORdw, 9 pages. |
| Heinlen, Jerry, “Yakima FrontLoader Recall Information”, Apr. 28, 2011, Retrieved from the Internet on Oct. 11, 2012, URL:http://firecall.yakima.com, 2 pages. |
| Yakima, “Frontloader”, Oct. 11, 2012, Retrieved from the Internet on Oct. 11, 2012, URL:http://yakima.com/shop/bike/roof/frontloader#pr-header-8002103, 5 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000236, Jan. 7, 2009, 8 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000235, Jan. 7, 2009, 7 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000238, Jan. 14, 2009, 7 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Preliminary Report on Patentability relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000235, Jul. 28, 2009, 7 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2009/000194, Dec. 7, 2009, 13 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Preliminary Report on Patentability relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000238, Jan. 11, 2010, 5 pages. |
| The International Bureau of WIPO, International Preliminary Report on Patentability relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2008/000236, Mar. 24, 2010, 6 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, Written Opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2009/000194, Jul. 20, 2010, 5 pages. |
| Australian Receiving Office of WIPO, International Preliminary Report on Patentability relating to PCT Application No. PCT/NZ2009/000194, Dec. 14, 2010, 8 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, First Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880116598.3, Oct. 10, 2011, 6 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report relating to European Patent Application No. 08831383.8, Oct. 19, 2011, 4 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, First Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880117299.1, Nov. 23, 2011, 15 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, First Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880116798.9, Dec. 7, 2011, 14 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report relating to European Patent Application No. 09813293.9, Jan. 2, 2012, 5 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report relating to European Patent Application No. 08831692.2, Feb. 29, 2012, 6 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Second Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880116798.9, May 24, 2012, 8 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,580, May 25, 2012, 18 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,434, Jun. 6, 2012, 18 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Second Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 2008801172991, Jun. 19, 2012, 7 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,431, Jul. 5, 2012, 9 pages. |
| Australian Patent Office, Examination Report relating to Australian Patent Application No. 2008301329, Jul. 10, 2012, 2 pages. |
| Australian Patent Office, Examination Report relating to Australian Patent Application No. 2008301330, Oct. 17, 2012, 4 pages. |
| Australian Patent Office, Examination Report relating to Australian Patent Application No. 2008304016, Oct. 22, 2012, 3 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Office action relating to European Patent Application No. 08831692.2, Nov. 2, 2012, 4 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report relating to European Patent Application No. 08834554.1, Nov. 16, 2012, 6 pages. |
| Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office action relating to Canadian Patent Application No. 2737790, Feb. 1, 2013, 2 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Third Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880117299.1, Feb. 6, 2013, 7 pages. |
| Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office action relating to Canadian Patent Application No. 2739194, Feb. 7, 2013, 3 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Examination Report relating to European Patent Application No. 08831383.8, Feb. 14, 2013, 4 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, First Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200980139840.3, Feb. 28, 2013, 9 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,580, Mar. 1, 2013, 14 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,431, Mar. 28, 2013, 10 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 13/063,842, Apr. 29, 2013, 17 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Fourth Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880117299.1, May 17, 2013, 20 pages. |
| European Patent Office, Examination Report relating to European Patent Application No. 08834554.1, Jul. 24, 2013, 4 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 13/719,144, Aug. 1, 2013, 13 pages. |
| Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office action relating to Canadian Patent Application No. 2773358, Aug. 23, 2013, 2 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/679,580, Sep. 27, 2013, 28 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Fifth Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200880117299.1, Oct. 21, 2013, 16 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Second Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 20090139840.3, Oct. 22, 2013, 17 pages. |
| U.S. Receiving Office of WIPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority relating to PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/052785, Jan. 7, 2014, 15 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 13/063,842, Feb. 27, 2014, 25 pages. |
| U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 14/042,560, Apr. 10, 2014, 14 pages. |
| State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China, Third Office action relating to Chinese Patent Application No. 200980139840.3, Apr. 15, 2014, 11 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150069102 A1 | Mar 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13719144 | Dec 2012 | US |
| Child | 14461330 | US | |
| Parent | 12679434 | US | |
| Child | 13719144 | US |
