CA2075313A1

CA2075313A1 - Ski rack

Info

Publication number: CA2075313A1
Application number: CA002075313A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Lewis L. Robson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-20
Filing date: 1992-08-05
Publication date: 1994-02-06
Also published as: AU649756B2; AU8988391A

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A vehicle roof rack for skis is disclosed. The rack comprises a base (1) which is releasably attachable to the roof of a vehicle by a suction cup (11). Flanges (3) extend up from the base to define a pair of channels (5) at each end. There is a a bar (6) which is hinged to one of the end flanges and may be locked across the rack to close the channels (5) and lock the skis therein. In use at least two such racks are fixed onto a vehicle roof so that the skis can be supported at intermediate points along their length.

Description

SKI RACK 207~31 3 This invention relates to roof racks and more particularly although not exclusively to racks for carrying snow skis or the like on motor vehicles.
STATEMENT OF PRIOR ART

Existing roof racks for skis typically comprise a set of bars which are fitted transversely across the roof of a motor vehicle. The bars dre supported slightly above the vehicle by means 3f brackets at each end which clamp onto the drip mould channels along each side of the roof. Such devices however have a number of drawbacks. They are laborious to instal, they often mar the paint finish of the vehicle and they cannot be fitted to many late model vehicles which do not have protruding drip moulds around the roof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a vehicle roof rack for snow ski-s or the like is disclosed comprising a base having spaced apart upstanding flanges which are arranged to define one or more open channels therebetween for holding said skis, a bar means for attachment across said flanges to thereby close said channels and ~eleasable means for securing said base directly to said vehicle roof, 207~313 Preferably said flanges comprise a palr of end flanges and one or more intermediate flanges therebetween with said bar means extending across the end flanges.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The currently preferred form of this invention will now be described with reference to the attached illustrations in which:
which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view a rack according to to this concept with the bar closed, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the rack of figure 1 with the bar opened, and Figures 3 and 4 show.side and bottom views of the rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPIION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to figures 1 and 2 the rack may comprise an elongated base 1 with upstanding end flanges 2 and intermediate flanges 3. The flanges may be stiffened by further vertical rlbs 4 extending up along their sides. Preferably the flanges are parallel and extend across the width of the base at right angles to its length to define a pair of channels 5 at each end. A
bar 6 is hinged to the upper end of one of the end flanges and when the rack is closed it extends across to attach onto the opposite flange at the other end by means of a lock.
This lock may comprise a key operated tumbler 7 mounted ln an overhanging bulbous end section 207~3~

8 of the bar. Rotating this tumbler allows it to also move axially so that a lug can be either inserted into an aperture 9 in the end flange 2 to lock the rack closed or withdrawn from this aperture to open it (as shown in figure 2). The bar 6 is preferably concave on its underside so that the edges 10 extend down on each side of the flanges 2 and 3. In this way the channels can be more effectively closed without gaps and a strong interlocking structure lS provided.

A flexible suction cup assembly 11 of any suitable design is located on the underside of the base 1 and connects with an L shaped cam lever 12 located above the base and between the two intermediate flanges 3. In the position shown by figure 2 with the rounded end 13 of the lever at r1ght angles to the plane of the base the centre of the cup is pulled upward so as to clamp the rack by vacuum - onto any smooth and nonporous surface such as a vehicle roof. Preferably when in this position the end 13 of the lever extends up into the recessed underside of the bar 6 when it is closed so that the rack mustbeopenedby unlocking this bar before the suction mounting can be released.

In use one or more pairs of these racks can be 207~31~

quite easily fitted to a vehicle by positioning them one behind the other on the roof and then rotating the cam levers l2 from a release position ,here the rounded end 13 is parallel to the base to the clamping position shown.
Snow skies or the like can then be placed into the aligned channels 5 so that they are supported at intermediate points along their length. Sub-sequent closing and locking of the bar 6 across the channels secures the skies to the vehicle for transport and/or protection against theft.
As shown in figures 1 to 3 ribs 14 and 15 may extend down from the underside of the bar 6 and up from the base inside each of the channels 5.
The ribs 14 are also preferably mounted on resiliently deflectable spring leaves 16 in the bar. When the bar is closed the skis are thus securely clamped between the opposite pairs of ribs 14 and 15 in each channel to prevent move-ment during transport.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment described comprises a novel and improved form of vehicle roof rack. Clearly however the particular example disclosed is only the currently preferred form of this invention and a wide variety of modifica-~ions may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape 2~75313 and configuratlon of the base flanges and locklng bar may all be modified according to application or design preference as could the number of ~hannels provided in the rack. Also, while the ?referred material for constructing the rack is a suitably tough and mouldable plastic the invention extends to any other material such as aluminium or fibreglass etc.

For the purposes of this specification expressions such as "above", "below", "front" and "rear" refer to the device in a position of use as illustrated and are not to be read as necessarily limiting.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A vehicle roof rack for skis or the like comprising a base having spaced apart upstanding flanges which are arranged to define one or more open channels therebetween for holding said skis, a bar means for attachment across said flanges to thereby close said channels and releasable means for securing said base directly to said vehicle roof.

4. The vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said releasable means is a releasable suction cup disposed below said base.

3. The vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 2 wherein a cam lever is located between two of said flanges, said lever being movable between a first position whereby said cup is deformed so as to clamp onto said vehicle roof by vacuum pressure and a second position in which said rack is released from the roof.

4. The vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bar means is hinged to the top end of one of said end flanges and is pivotal to extend across and attach to the opposite end flange by means of a lock.

5. The vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 4 wherein the underside of the bar is recessed so that when said bar closes over said channels the edges of said bar extend down on each side of the flanges.

6. The vehicle roof rack as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cam lever when in said first or second position extends up into the recessed underside of the bar whereby said lever cannot be operated when said bar is closed over said channels.