The invention relates to vehicle racks, and more particularly to linkage device for connecting vehicle rack support member to vehicles via factory-provided attachment mechanisms.
Vehicles are often fitted with racks for carrying cargo boxes, recreational equipment mounts, and various other types of load carriers. These vehicle racks may include crossbars, rails, or other elongate structural members extending over the roof, or other upper surface, of the vehicle. For example, typical roof rack systems may include one or more crossbars extending generally perpendicular to the length of the vehicle. Each crossbar may be attached to an upper surface of the vehicle, such as the roof, via a pair of towers or support devices. In addition to coupling the crossbar to the vehicle, the support devices may also support the crossbars over the vehicle so that the crossbars do not contact the roof or other upper surface of the vehicle to which the rack is mounted.
The support devices for such racks may be mechanically attached to the roof of the vehicle. For example, the support devices may be attached to preexisting features on or near the vehicle roof such as tracks, rails, channels or rain gutters. The support devices may also be directly attached to the vehicle roof such as with screws that are driven into the roof itself. Some vehicles may include preexisting attachment points on the upper surface to which the support devices may be secured. Examples of structures for connecting vehicle racks to vehicle roofs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,240,815; 7,017,788; 6,997,657; 6,905,053; 6,739,487; 6,311,882; 6,182,876; 6,010,048; 5,979,723; 5,282,562; 4,995,538; and 4,640,450; as well as in U.K. Patent No. GB 2,312,658. The complete disclosures of these and all other publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
In some examples, rack systems for carrying items on upper surfaces of vehicles may be configured for attachment to a plurality of preexisting attachment points disposed on the upper surface of a vehicle. The upper surface of the vehicle may have a profile. The rack system may include a crossbar and a pair of support devices configured to support the crossbar therebetween. Each of the support devices may include a tower portion, a base portion, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The tower portion may include a holding mechanism for securing a portion of the crossbar. The base portion may include an interface configured to support and retain the tower portion. The base portion may include a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may be substantially unimpeded by the resilient pad. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening. The anchoring member may be configured to engage one of the preexisting attachment points and selectively urge the resilient pad against the upper surface of the vehicle around at least a second substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. In some examples, the anchoring member may be configured to urge the resilient pad against the upper surface of the vehicle around at least a second substantial portion of the circumference of the opening substantially independently of the profile of the upper surface.
In some examples, support devices for securing vehicle racks to a vehicle may be configured to secure the vehicle rack to preexisting attachment points disposed on an upper surface of the vehicle. The support device may include a tower portion, a base portion, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The tower portion may include a holding mechanism for receiving and securing a portion of the vehicle rack. The base portion may include an interface configured to support and retain the tower portion. The base portion may include a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may extend through the resilient pad and into the substantially hollow lower portion. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening. The anchoring member may be configured to engage the preexisting attachment point and selectively urge the base portion against the resilient pad and the upper surface of the vehicle around a second substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. In some examples, the second substantial portion of the circumference of the opening may be substantially coextensive with the first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening.
In some examples, linkage devices for connecting vehicle rack support members to a vehicle may be configured to connect vehicle rack support members to preexisting attachment points disposed on an upper surface of the vehicle. The linkage devices may include a body, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The body may include an interface configured to engage and retain the support member. The body may include a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may be disposed on the lower edge and may extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may extend through the resilient pad and into the substantially hollow lower portion. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening. The anchoring member may be configured to engage the preexisting attachment point and selectively urge the body against the resilient pad and the upper surface of the vehicle over a second substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. In some examples, the second substantial portion of the circumference of the opening may be substantially coextensive with the first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening.
The present disclosure describes a system and apparatus for securing a load-carrying rack to a vehicle. Vehicle racks may be mounted on any type of vehicle (e.g., car, van, truck, etc.), and some vehicle manufacturers provide attachment points for securing a rack on some vehicle models. While racks are often mounted on the roofs of vehicles, racks may also be mounted on other parts of a vehicle, such as the trunk or rear of the vehicle. Vehicle racks may include bars, such as crossbars and/or rails, for securing and supporting loads.
A nonexclusive illustrative example of a vehicle rack system is shown generally at 20 in
The vehicle 26 may include a plurality of preexisting attachment points 34 disposed on its upper surface 22, as shown in
As shown in the example of
The attachment points 34 may be disposed in wells or pockets 36, as shown in
In some examples, the upper surface 22 of the vehicle 26 may include a cover member 42 disposed proximate at least some of the attachment points 34. As shown in
Each support device 30 may include a support member or tower portion 52 and a base portion or linkage device 54, as shown in
A nonexclusive illustrative example of a linkage device 54 is shown in
The resilient pad 62 may be disposed on the lower edge 70 of the body 60 and may extend over, around or along at least a substantial portion of the circumference 72 of the opening 74. The resilient pad may be made of any material that provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate a range of vehicle surface profiles, while being stiff enough to be supportive under the typical loading of a vehicle rack and supported cargo. In a preferred embodiment, the pad or skirt may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer, namely Dynaflex G-2709 which is a 53 share A durometer thermoplastic elastomer. In the example shown in
The resilient pad 62 may be attached to the body 60, either permanently or temporarily, or it may be unattached. Nonexclusive illustrative examples of attachment methods may include adhesive or mechanical bonding, such as where the resilient pad 62 is screwed, clamped, pinched and/or otherwise attached to the body 60. In some examples, the resilient pad 62 and/or the body 60 may include one or more alignment features that may at least partially retain the resilient pad 62 in a particular position relative to the body 60. For example, as shown in
In some examples, the resilient pad 62 may be configured to at least partially provide a seal against the upper surface 22 of the vehicle. Such a seal may reduce or limit debris and/or water intrusion into the pocket 36. In such an example, the resilient pad 62 may be configured to adapt or conform to some amount of variation in the surface shape, profile, curvature or configuration of the upper surface 22, including character lines and/or gaps, grooves or bumps that may be present around the channels 38 and/or the caps 40 and/or variations in surface shape or profile of the upper surface 22 between different vehicles. In some examples, the resilient pad 62 may include a sealing member such as a pliable skirt 80, as shown in
The anchoring member 64 may be configured to selectively urge the body 60 of the linkage device 54 against the resilient pad 62 and the upper surface 22 of the vehicle, such that the body 60 urges the resilient pad against the upper surface of the vehicle. As generally shown in
The anchoring member 64 may urge the body 60 of the linkage device 54 against the resilient pad 62, such that the body 60 urges the resilient pad 62 against the upper surface 22 of the vehicle over, around or along at least a substantial portion of the circumference 72 of the opening 74. In some examples, the resilient pad 62 may be urged against the upper surface 22 around a portion of the circumference 72 of the opening 74 that is substantially coextensive with the portion of the circumference 72 around which the resilient pad 62 extends such that substantially the entire circumferential length of the resilient pad 62 is urged against the upper surface 22. Thus, where the resilient pad 62 extends around the entire circumference 72 of the opening 74, as generally shown in
The anchoring member 64 and body 60 may urge the resilient pad 62 against the upper surface 22 of the vehicle over a contact area 84 of the upper surface. As shown in
In some examples, the linkage device 54 may be configured such that contact between the linkage device 54 and the vehicle is limited to the engagement of the resilient pad 62 with the upper surface 22 and the engagement of the anchoring member 64 with the attachment point 34. In such an example, when the anchoring member 64 selectively compresses the body 60 against the resilient pad 62, which is compressed against the upper surface 22, all compressive loads transmitted between the linkage device 54 and the upper surface 22 of the vehicle would pass through the resilient pad 62 and the contact area 84. However, even though all compressive loads applied to the upper surface 22 may pass through the resilient pad 62, the contact area 84 may be large enough relative to the loads transmitted to the upper surface 22, and/or the loads may be relatively evenly distributed over the contact area 84, that the contact pressures on the upper surface 22 are relatively low, which may reduce or prevent damage to the upper surface or its finish.
The anchoring member, and its various components, may be configured for use with various attachment point configurations. The anchoring member may include any suitable structure and/or mechanism that, when engaged with the attachment point 34, is configured to selectively urge the body against the resilient pad 62 and the upper surface 22. For example, the anchoring member and/or the attachment point may include one or more threaded components. When the anchoring member and/or the attachment point include threaded components, it should be understood that either or both of the anchoring member and the attachment point may include male and/or female components. For example, the anchoring member may include a male threaded component, such as a bolt or screw, which may be configured to engage a corresponding threaded female socket of the attachment point. However, in some examples, the anchoring member may include a female threaded component, which may be configured to engage a corresponding male threaded component, such as a male threaded stud, of the attachment point. In some examples, the anchoring member might also or alternatively include a cam or other structure that is configured to selectively reduce a clamped distance between at least a portion of the linkage device and the attachment point and/or otherwise induce a clamping load that urges the linkage device toward the attachment point and against the upper surface of the vehicle.
In the example shown in
As the details of the attachment points may vary amongst different vehicles, various anchoring members may be included or used with the linkage device 54 such that the linkage device may be compatible with the attachment points on different vehicles.
In the example shown in
In the example shown in
As shown in the example of
The linkage device 54, and its various components, may be configured such that the linkage device is compatible and/or usable with a range of vehicle upper surface shapes, profiles, configurations, curvatures and/or character lines, including variations that might exist between different vehicles. For example, the resilient pad 62 and/or the body 60 may be configured such that the anchoring member 64 and body 60 may urge the resilient pad 62 against the upper surface 22 of the vehicle along at least a substantial portion of the circumference 72 of the opening 74 substantially independently of any particular profile and/or shape of the upper surface 22. For example, the resilient pad 62 may be sufficiently thick and/or pliable such that the resilient pad may conform to a range of upper surface shapes, profiles, configurations, curvatures and/or character lines. The lower edge 70 of the body 60 may additionally or alternatively be shaped and/or sized to relatively closely match the profile and/or shape of a range of vehicle upper surfaces. For example, the lower edge 70 may be manufactured with a particular size and/or shape that corresponds to a relatively common, or average, vehicle upper surface profile, such as one having moderate amounts of fore-to-aft and/or side-to-side curvature.
The linkage device 54 may be used with attachment points 34 that are disposed at varying depths below and/or above the upper surface 22. For example, the anchoring member 64 may include threaded fasteners of various lengths to address the varying distances between the bearing surface 94 and the attachment points 34. Furthermore, variable numbers of washers 100 may be used to provide additional control over the effective length of the anchoring members.
In some examples, the body 60 and/or the anchoring member 64 may be configured to accommodate some degree of misalignment between the body, the attachment point 34, and/or the upper surface 22. As shown in the example of
In some examples, the linkage device 54 may be configured to provide clearance for the cover member 42 when the linkage device is secured to an attachment point 34. For example, as shown in
The interface 66 may be configured to engage, support and retain the tower portion 52 to the linkage device 54. For example, as shown in
In some examples, the interface 66 may be configured such that the tower portion 52 is pivotable relative to the body 60 of the linkage device 54. For example, as shown in
In some examples, the support device 30 may be configured such that the anchoring member 64 urges the body 60 of the linkage device 54 against the resilient pad 62 and the upper surface 22 of the vehicle around at least a substantial portion of the circumference 72 substantially independently of any particular profile or shape of the upper surface 22, doing so without inducing a bending moment into the crossbar 32. In some examples, the anchoring member 64 may urge the body 60 against the resilient pad 62 and the upper surface 22 of the vehicle along substantially the entire length of the resilient pad 62 without regard to any particular profile or shape of the upper surface 22, and do so without inducing a bending moment into the crossbar 32. For example, an interface 66 that allows the tower portion 52 to pivot relative to the linkage device 54 may permit both linkage devices 54 to be pivoted as needed to engage vehicle upper surfaces that have a range of side-to-side shapes and/or curvatures.
In some examples, the linkage device 54 may be secured to the attachment point 34 in a selected one of a plurality of orientations. For example, as shown in
In some examples, engaging a tower portion 52 on the interface 66 may impede removal of the linkage device 54 from the upper surface 22 of the vehicle. For example, as shown in
Another nonexclusive illustrative example of a linkage device is shown generally at 154 in
In some examples, at least some of the projections 160 may be configured as fixed projections 166 while one or more of the projections 160 may be configured as adjustable and/or interchangeable projections 168. Inclusion of one or more adjustable and/or interchangeable projections 168 may permit adjustment of the linkage device 154 relative to the upper surface 22, such as to account for variation in the upper surface profile and/or shape.
Another nonexclusive illustrative example of a linkage device is shown generally at 254 in
As shown in
As shown in
In some examples, the body 256 of the linkage device 254 may include an interface portion 264 and an anchoring portion 266. As shown in the example of
It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
The various structural members disclosed herein may be constructed from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as metal, plastic, nylon, plastic, rubber, or any other materials with sufficient structural strength to withstand the loads incurred during use. Materials may be selected based on their durability, flexibility, weight, and/or aesthetic qualities.
It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/133,440, which was filed on Jun. 27, 2008 and is entitled “Linkage Device for Connecting Rack Towers to Vehicle Roofs.” The complete disclosure of the above-identified patent application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61133440 | Jun 2008 | US |