Patent Application
20180022284
The present invention relates generally to vehicle roof storage devices. More particularly the present invention relates to a device having an extendable and retractable hook structure that can extend when in an open position, and retract over a stored item when in a closed position, holding the stored item in place.
Vehicle roof storage is a convenient and effective way to store items that are too large to conveniently fit within a vehicle's interior cabin. For example, skis, snow boards, surf boards, kayaks and other small boats, bicycles, and the like. Existing vehicle roof storage solutions often involve complex and cumbersome racks that have various securing elements that require time and precision to secure. Other solutions include strapping down items. This strapping process can be dangerous if not done correctly, can be time consuming, cumbersome, can cause excess noise from vibration of the strap at driving speed, and can result in damage to the items from being too tightly strapped, from vibrations, friction, and the like.
Therefore, what is needed is a roof storage system that can provide simple and easy storage and removal of items on a vehicle roof safely, securely, and without damaging the items being stored.
The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a vehicle roof rack is provided. The roof rack includes an elongate body capable of attachment to a vehicle roof. A fixed hook extends upward away from the elongate body. An adjustable hook is slideably connected to the elongate body. This adjustable hook is slideable in a direction parallel to a lengthwise axis of the elongate body, allowing the adjustable hook to move towards and away from the fixed hook. A biasing spring or similar force applying device is positioned with respect to the body to urge the adjustable hook towards the fixed hook, while allowing movement of the adjustable hook away from the fixed hook.
In another aspect, a vehicle having a roof rack is provided. The vehicle has a roof on which a vehicle storage rack is attached, through any various means. Two storage racks, a front rack and a rear rack, form the vehicle storage rack system. Each of the two roof racks includes an elongate body capable of attachment to a vehicle roof. A fixed hook extends upward away from the roof from the elongate body. An adjustable hook is slideably connected to the elongate body. This adjustable hook is slideable in a direction parallel to a lengthwise axis of the elongate body, allowing the adjustable hook to move towards and away from the fixed hook. A biasing spring is positioned with respect to the body to urge the adjustable hook towards the fixed hook, while allowing movement of the adjustable hook away from the fixed hook. Upon drawing away the two adjustable hooks, an item can be placed on the elongate body adjacent to the fixed hook. When the adjustable hooks are released, the spring will draw them towards the fixed hook and the item, holding the item in place by the force applied to it, and/or by portions of the adjustable and fixed hooks passing over a top of the item.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present invention concerns a vehicle roof storage rack having a hook or similar protrusion that can be retracted to allow entry of an item, and then released to hook over the item to hold it in place at rest. The vehicle storage rack of the present invention may be attached to a roof of the vehicle in any manner, such as directly attached to the roof, removably attached to the roof, attached to an existing roof bar or bars, and the like. In varying embodiments, the vehicle storage rack of the present invention is configured to hold any number of different items that are capable of having a hook or similar structure urged against a side to hold the item in place. Examples of items that may be secured by the present invention include, but are not limited to surfboards, kayaks, bicycles, skis, snow boards, and the like.
In one embodiment, differently sized hooks may be removably attachable and swappable to an elongate base to allow for different sized and shaped items to be held by the system.
As used herein, the term hook is intended to describe not only hooked shaped items, but also any other protrusion extending from an elongate base. These protrusions may be straight, variously curved, variously angled and so on. In one example, the hook may be curved and may have one end approximately perpendicular (+/−20 degrees) to an opposite end.
A spring or similar force applying device may be positioned on, or in, an elongate base to allow a hook to be biased in a direction towards an elongate base and towards another opposing hook. The spring thereby causes an item between the two hooks to be frictionally held in place. This inward urging may be achieved by any number of different force applying devices including springs of any type, elastic or other stretchable bands such as a bungee cord, pistons, and the like. The term “spring” will be used herein to not only refer to springs, but also to any force applying device or structure capable of urging a first hook towards the second hook as described herein or otherwise.
As will be shown in the figures, typically the present invention is configured to allow a first adjustable hook to move inwardly and outwardly relative to a lengthwise axis of the elongate base. However, in alternative embodiments, both facing hooks may be movable relative to the lengthwise axis of the elongate base. For example, complementary gearing may be used to connect the hooks, such that a pushing or pulling on one hook causes movement of both hooks towards or away from each other.
In many embodiments, a shaft connects an adjustable hook to the elongate body. For example, shaft may slide inside or outside the elongate body. In another embodiment, the shaft may be positioned adjacent to the elongate body and connected to it in a slideable fashion.
As will be understood, it is common for scratchable and otherwise fragile items to be stored on vehicle roofs. As such, in some embodiments, a padding or soft material may cover all or portions of the hooks to prevent them from damaging items stored by the vehicle roof rack of the present invention.
A locking structure may be employed by the present invention to hold an adjustable hook in place to prevent its movement that may cause accidental release of an item stored therein, or to prevent damage to the device when not in use. The locking structure may be any structure capable of holding the adjustable hook in place. For example, a keyed lock may be used to prevent movement of the hook. Or, a tension or twist lock may prevent movement of the hook. Further, a pin may be insertable into a spacing to prevent movement of the hook.
In a particular embodiment, a frontal bar or other blocking element may extend from the elongate base to be positioned in front of where the item would rest in the roof rack. This frontal bar may serve as a blocking element to prevent the item from sliding forward in the event of a head on vehicle collision. A similar structure may extend to a rear of the rack.
Turning now to
An adjustable hook 12 is positioned on one end of the elongate base 10. The adjustable hook 12 is movable inward and outward, as indicated by the arrow. This adjustable hook 12 is configured to allow access of an item in an extended position away from the fixed hook 11, and then once released, is urged into a closed position closer to the fixed hook 11 that clamps around the item. The adjustable hook 12, in this embodiment, faces the fixed hook 11. However, as noted above, in other embodiments the adjustable hook 12 may vary in shape and configuration without straying from the scope of the present invention.
A shaft 15 is shown in this embodiment connecting to the adjustable hook 12 and extending into the elongate base 10. The shaft 15 is connected to a biasing spring 14 positioned within an interior cavity 13 of the elongate base 10. Biasing spring 14 may be any structure capable of drawing the adjustable hook 12 inward towards the opposing fixed hook 11, and is shown in this non-limiting embodiment as a coil spring.
A locking structure 21, shown in this figure as a locking pin, allows the adjustable hook 12 to be held in place when desired. The pin fits within an opening in both the elongate base 10 and shaft 15, preventing their movement with respect to one another. As noted above, this locking structure 21 may be any structure capable of holding the adjustable hook 12 in place.
While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
