GB2221664A

GB2221664A - Vehicle roof rack

Info

Publication number: GB2221664A
Application number: GB8917016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Hugh Marshall
Original assignee: Unistrut Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Unistrut Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1988-08-05
Filing date: 1989-07-25
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-25
Also published as: AU2588388A; AU612728B2; GB8917016D0; GB2221664B

Abstract

A motor vehicle roof rack includes a pair of roof engaging mountings 51 between which a load receiving bar 52 passes. Each roof engaging is adapted to rest on a roof surface of the vehicle, and is secured to the vehicle by means of a flexible strap 73 extending from tensioning means 61 in the mounting to a bracket 71 affixed to the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

A VEHICLE ROOF RACK The present invention relates to roof racks for vehicles.

Currently the trend in vehicle design, is to provide a roof structure for the vehicle which does not have a gutter. Traditionally, roof racks have engaged the gutter of the roof in order to be mounted on and secured to the vehicle. Since the introduction of vehicle roofs not having gutters, roof racks have been directly mounted on a roof surface with a clamping bracket passing from the roof rack to a door opening ledge to retain the roof rack in position. Still further, these known roof racks have relied on substantial frictional-contact with the roof, in comparison to gutter type racks.

The above discussed roof racks for vehicles without roof gutters, suffer from the disadvantage that the roof racks must be adapted for each particular type of roof. This makes the racks particularly expensive since various types of roof racks must be stocked and manufactured. Still further, these roof racks are not particularly theft resistant.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein a vehicle roof rack comprising: a pair of roof engaging mountings to rest upon a roof surface of a vehicle; a load receiving bar extending between the mountings; and a strap member extending from each mounting to be attached to the vehicle, with each strap member having an engaging portion to be attached to the associated mounting and an anchor portion to be fixed to the vehicle; and a tensioning means supported in each mounting and attaching the associated strap thereto, each tensioning means being operable to apply a tension force to the associated strap to secure the rack to the vehicle.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a portion of a motor vehicle roof rack; Figure 2 is a schematic part sectioned side elevation of the roof rack portion of Figure 1; Figure 3 5 a schematic end elevation of a mounting member employed in the roof rack portion of Figure i; Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the mounting member of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a securing strap employed in the roof rack portion of Figure 1; Figure 6 is à schematic side elevation of the strap of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a bracket to be attached to a motor vehicle; Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of the bracket of Figure 7;; Figure 9 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of an alternative motor vehicle roof rack to that described with reference to Figure 1; Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation of the roof rack of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic further end elevation of the roof rack of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of a flexible strap employed in the roof rack of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a schematic sectioned view of a portion of the strap of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a portion of a further roof rack to that shown in Figures 1 and 9; and Figure 15 is a schematic bottom plan view of the roof rack portion of Figure 14.

In Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an end portion 10 of a vehicle roof rack. The roof rack includes a pair of end mountings 11 and a load receiving bar or rail 12 to extend therebetween. The mountings 11 are adapted to engage a roof surface of the vehicle and are particularly adapted to be used with a vehicle not being provided with a roof gutter.

Each mounting 11 would preferably be formed of moulded plastics material within which there is embedded a stiffening member 13 which would preferably be formed of metal. The member 13 would be provided with apertures 14 which are aligned with apertures 15 in the mounting 11 so that a fastener may be inserted therein to engage the rail 12.

Each mounting 11 includes a body 16 with an arcuate portion 17.

Received by the arcuate portion 17 is a mounting member 18 also having an arcuate portion 19. The member 18 is also engaged by a pad 20 which extends upward to the body 16. Rotation of the member 18 occurs relative to the arcuate portion 17 to enable the mounting 11 to adapt to the inclination of the roof surface of the vehicle to which the roof rack is to be applied.

Rotatably supported within the body 11 and engaging the member 13 is a threaded rod 21 having a nut 22 threadably engaged therewith. The body 11 is provided with an aperture 23 enabling access to the end of the rod 21 so that with the aid of a screwdriver or other tool, the rod 21 may be rotated to cause movement of the nut 22 along the rod 21.

In Figure 7 there is schematically depicted a bracket 24 which is secured to the motor vehicle, preferably on a surface of a door opening.

The bracket 24 has apertures 25 through which fasteners may pass to secure the bracket 24 to the vehicle. The bracket 24 has a lug 26.

To extend between each mounting 11 and the bracket 24 is a band or strap 27 so that each mounting 11 is securely fastened to the vehicle. The strap 27 has an end portion 28 with apertures 29 enabling the end portion 28 to be secured to the nut 22. The other end of the strap 27 has a hook portion 30 which engages over the lug 26 so that the strap 27 may be tensioned by movement of the nut 22 upon rotation of the rod 21.

Preferably the band or strap 27 has a flexible central portion 31 which is formed by a plurality of wire or ribbon lengths 32. Each wire would be formed of a plurality of wire strands. Preferably the wire strands or ribbons are formed of stainless steel. Preferably the strap 27 would be covered with a plastics material (sleeve).

In Figures 9 to 13 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted an end portion 50 of a vehicle roof rack. The roof rack includes a pair cf end mountings 51 and a load receiving bar or rail 52 which extends therebetween. The mountings 51 are adapted to engage a roof surface of the vehicle and are particularly adapted to be used with a vehicle not being provided with a roof gutter. However it should be appreciated that the roof rack may also be employed with vehicles being provided with a roof gutter.

Each mounting 51 would preferably be formed of moulded plastics material within which there is embedded a stiffening member 53. Preferably the stiffening member 53 would be formed of metal. The member 53 would be provided with apertures 54 which are aligned with apertures 55 in the mountings 51 so that a fastener 57 may be inserted therein to engage the rail 12 by means of a nut 58.

Preferably the rail 52 would be of a "channel" transverse cross section so as to have spaced flanges between which the fasteners 57 would pass to engage the nut 58.

Each mounting 51 includes a body 56 which engages a mounting member 59. The mounting member 59 if so required may be formed of a resilient material or provided with a resilient pad to prevent damage to the vehicle.

The body 56 is provided with a recessed flange 60 which rotatably supports a threaded rod 61 terminating at its upper end with a bolt head 62. The threaded rod 61 threadably engages à nut 63 abutting bracket 64. The rod 61 passes through the bracket 64. The bracket 64 is shaped so as to have a planar portion 65 which slidably contacts an internal peripheral surface 66 of the body 56. This contact with the body 56 prevents rotation of the bracket 64 which in turn engages the nut 63 to prevent rotation thereof. The bracket 64 is also provided with a hook 67.

Located above the flange 60 is a recess 68 which is closed by means of a cap 69. The cap 69 has side projections 70 each provided with a barb 71 to "snap" engage within the body 56 to retain the cap 69 in position.

Located between the bolt head 62 and flange 60 is a washer 70.

Attached to the vehicle is a bracket 71 which is provided with a hook 72. Extending between the hook 72 and the hook 67 is an elongated flexible element 73. Preferably the element 73 would be a metal band formed by a single metal ribbon or series of ribbons 74 enclosed in a plastic sleeve 75. The element 73 would be provided with two apertures 76 through which the hooks 67 and 72 pass.

In operation of the above described roof rack 50, the bracket 71 is fixed to the vehicle by suitable fasteners. Thereafter, the mountings 11 and rail 52 are positioned on the vehicle roof and the element 73 attached to hooks 67 and 72 so as to extend therebetween. Thereafter, the rod 61 is rotated via engagement with the bolt head 62. As the nut 63 moves towards the flange 60, the element 73 is placed under tension securely attaching the roof rack 50 to the vehicle. Once the element 73 has been suitable tensioned, the cap 67 is placed so as to cover the recess 68.

In Figures 14 and 15 a further roof rack mounting 80 is illustrated.

In this particular embodiment, the mounting 80 includes a body 81 which rotatably supports a threaded rod similar to the rod 61 described with reference to Figure 9. The rod threadably engages a nut abutting a bracket 82.

The mounting 81 engages a mounting pad 83 secured to the vehicle roof by means of a bolt 84. The bolt 84 abuts the pad 83 via a washer 85.

Also fixed to the vehicle roof is a mounting plate 86 provided with a hook 87. Securing the plate 86 in position is a spacer 88 which transfers a compression force to the plate 86.

The bracket 82 is provided with a hook 89 which is engaged by a tension member 90 also engaged with the hook 87. The tension member 9G is tensioned in a similar manner to the element 73 described with reference to Figure 9. By tensioning the member 90, the mounting 81 is securely fixed to pad 83.

The plate 86 is preferably provided with a pair of apertures 9i to accommodate two of the bolts 85. Additionally, the plate 86 is provided with a tongue 92 providing the hook 87.

Since the strap 27 or element 73 is cut resistant, removal of the mounting 11, 51, is difficult since one end of the strap 27 or element 73 is secured to the nut 22, 65, while the other end of the strap 27 or element 73 is protected by the door being positioned within the door opening thereby covering the bracket 24, 71.

A further advantage of the above described preferred embodiments, is the ability of the strap 27 or element 73 to adapt to the various contours of different vehicles. Accordingly the roof racks can fit a variety of different motor vehicles. This advantage is enhanced by the mounting member 18 being able to adapt to the various inclinations of roof surfaces of different vehicles.

A still further advantage is the direct coupling of the roof rack to the vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle roof rack comprising: a pair of roof engaging mountings to rest upon a roof surface of a vehicle; a load receiving bar extending between the mountings; and a strap member extending from each mounting to be attached to the vehicle, with each strap member having an engaging portion to be attached to the associated mounting and an anchor portion to be fixed to the vehicle; and a tensioning means supported in each mounting and attaching the associated strap thereto, each tensioning means being operable to apply a tension force to the associated strap to secure the rack to the vehicle.

2. The vehicle roof rack of Claim 1 wherein said strap member is a metal band.

3. The roof rack of Claim 2 wherein said metal band is formed of wire strands or ribbon.

4. The vehicle roof rack of Claim 1 wherein said strap member is a metal plate.

5. The vehicle roof rack of Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said tensioning means includes a threaded rod rotatably supported by said mounting, a movable tensioning bracket slidably guided within said mounting, said bracket having a aperture through which said rod passes, a nut threadably received on said rod and prevented from rotation therewith and located so that rotation of said rod causes movement of said bracket longitudinally of said rod, and wherein said bracket is engaged with the associated strap member so that movement of said bracket tensions said strap member.

6. The vehicle roof rack of Claim 5 wherein said bracket is provided with a hook and said strap member is provided with an aperture through which said hook passes.

7. The vehicle roof rack of Claim 5 or 6 wherein said mounting has a flange partly defining a recess, with said rod passing through said flange so as to be rotatably supported thereby.

8. The vehicle roof rack of any one of Claims 1 to 7 further including an anchor associated with each strap member to attach each strap member to the vehicle.

9. A vehicle roof rack substantially as hereinoefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.