Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1289gl9
LOAD-BEARING SLAT FOX
V~HICLE L~GGAGE CARRIE~S
sac~qround of the Invention
I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vehicle mounted luggage
carriers and, in particular, to a construction for a slat
which forms the load-bearing surface of the luggage rack.
II Descri tion of the Prior Art
Longitudinal load-bearing slats have been widely
utilized to form the support surface of a vehicle luggage
^arrier. Generally, these slats are mounted flush with
the surface of the vehicle and extend longitudinally to
minimi~e wind resistance. Many of the past known slats
are constructed of stainless steel and secured to the
vehicle by a series of mounting screws. However, it has
been found that the full stainless steel constru_tion can
cause damage to luggage and _he like from the frictional
rubbing between the slat and cargo. In addition, movement
of the luggage can cause damage to the slat itself.
1~ In o~der to overcome this, a rub st-ip was added to
the stainless steel slat to protect the cargo from damage.
This rub strip is generally made of a rubber or plastic
material and is mounted to the top of the slat. In a
known embodiment, the stainless steel slat is fo~med by a
channel member having an elongated opening on its top
face. This channel member is secured to the vehicle
surface by mounting screws disposed ~ithin the cha~nel
member. ~nce mounted, the rub strip is placed within the
top opening of the channel member to form the load-bearing
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surface of the luggage carrier. ~lowever, in order to facilitate
assembly of the slat, the rub strip has a substantially wedge-
shaped cross section which interacts with a downwardly angled
extension of the side walls of the channel member to maintain the
position of the rub strip in the opening of the channel member.
In this position, an upper surface of the rub strip extends above
the channel member.
Despite the ease of assembly provided by the wedge-
shaped rub strip and the inwardly angled walls of the channel
member, the rub strip has a tendency to be pushed down inside the
channel member under heavy loads. Thus, when heavier luggage is
placed upon the slats, the load can expose the top surface of the
stainless steel channel member to the luggage causing damage to
both the luggage and the support slat. Moreover, under extreme
loads portions of the rub strip may be pushed completely within
the channel member requiring removal of the entire strip or
specialized tools for removal of the vertically displaced portion.
Summary of the Present Invention
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the
prior known load-bearing slats by providing a slat construction
which eliminates the vertical displacement of the rub strip
relative to the channel member.
This invention relates to a load-bearing slat for a
surface mounted vehicle luggage carrier, said slat comprising:
; an elongated channel member mounted to said vehicle
~ surface, said channel member having a pair of side walls defining
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a top opening;
said side walls having retaining shoulders extending
horizontally inwardly therefrom, the top surface thereof disposed
below the top of channel member;
an elongated rub strip mounted within said top opening
of said channel member and adapted to be positioned on and engaged
by said shoulders.
This invention further relates to a load-bearing slat
for a surface mounted vehicle luggage carrier, said slat
comprising:
an elongated channel member mounted to said vehicle
surface, said channel member having a pair of side walls defining
a top opening and retaining shoulders substantially perpendicular
to the vehicle surface integrally formed with and disposed
inwardly from said side walls;
an elongated rub strip having an upper portion, a lower
portion and vertical side walls extending therebetween, said rub
strip mounted within said top opening of said channel member and
including opposing horizontal grooves formed in the side walls of
said rub strip; and
means for fixedly retaining said rub strip within said
top opening thereby preventing vertical displacement of said rub
strip relative to said top opening of said channel member, said
means comprising the engaging cooperation of said retaining
:~ shoulders of said channel member within said opposing grooves of
~ said rub strip.
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The slat according to the present invention includes an
elongated channel member mounted to an exterior surface of the
vehicle and to which is mounted an elongated rub strip which is
fixedly retained within the channel member. The channel member is
preferably constructed of stainless steel and includes opposing
side walls which define a top opening of the channel member.
Retaining shoulders which
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form an extension of these side walls are disposed
inwardly from the walls. These retaining shoulders are
formed by two perpendicular portions, one of which e~tends
downwardly from the top of the side wall and the other of
which extends hori~-ontally inwardly from the first
portion. Thus, these two portions form a perpendicular
retaining shoulder regardless of the overall shape of the
channel member.
The rubber or plastic rub strip, which is mounted
within the top opening of the channel member, includes a
wedge-shaped lower portion and vertical side walls extend-
ing upwardly from the lower portion. The tapered lower
portion of the strip facilitates assembly of the strip
within the channel. Formed in the side walls of the strip
are horizontal grooves which extend substantially the
length of the strip and cooperatingly engage the inwardly
extending portion of the retaining shoulder. The
interaction of the inwardly extending flanges with the
horizontal grooves positively locks the strip into the
channel member. With the rub strip mounte~ in the top
opening of the channel member, the upper portion of the
strip extends above the stainless steel channel member to
- prevent contact between the cargo and the steel channel
member.
Thus, the present invention provides a simple and
convenient construction for a longitudinal slat of a
luggage carrier which is easy to assemble yet is not
subject to vertical displacement of the rub strip under
heavy loads.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the following
detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
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Brief Description of the Dra~ing
The present invention will be more fully understood
by reference to the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like
reference characters refer to like parts throughout the
views, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective of one of the
load-bearing slats embodying the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional perspective of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along
line 2-2 of Fig. l; and
FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional perspective of an
alternate embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Descri~tion of a Prefe~red
Embodiment of the Present Invention
Referring first to Fig. 1, a load-bearing slat lO
embodying the present invention is thereshown. The slat
10 is adapted to be mounted to the exterior surface 12 of
a motor vehicle in order to form a luggage carrier or
rack. The slats lO which form the luggage rack may be
mounted to the rooftop of the vehicle or a rear deck in
eithe- a longitudinal or transverse alignment. As with
conventional load-bearing slats, the slat lO of the
present invention generally comprises an elongated longi-
tudinal 14 and end caps 16 secu~ed to the ends of the
~longitudlnal 14. In order to p~otect 'he surface 12 of
the vehicle from premature corrosion, a protector strip 18
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is disposed between 'he slat 10 and the vehicle surface
12.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the longitudinal 14
of the slat 10 includes an elongated channel member 20
mounted to the vehicle surface 12 by securing means 22.
In the preferred embodiment, the channel member 20 is
secured to the vehicle by a plurality of screws 24 spaced
along the channel member 20 and disposed within a support
member 26 which enhances the structural strength of the
slat lo. An example of such a fastening assembly is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,501,386. Alternatively,
the channel member 20 may be secured to the vehicle
surface 12 in any manner which provides secure positioning
of the slat 10, including rivets or adhesives.
The channel member 20 includes a pair of side walls
28, which define an elongated top opening 30, and a bottom
wall 32. Disposed within the top opening 30 is an
elongated rub strip 34 which is mounted within the opening
30 to prevent direct contact between the cargo and the
me'al channel member 20. Preferably, the rub strip 34 is
made of rubber or plastic although any material may be
utilized which provides the necessary flexibility and
strength yet will not damage cargo placed on the slat lo.
Integrally formed with the side walls 28 of the
channel member 20 are retaining shoulders 36 which prevent
the vertical displacement of the rub strip 34 through the
opening 30. These retaining shoulders 36 are disposed
inwardly from the side walls 28 and are preferably merely
an extension of the side walls 28. Each of the retaining
shoulders 36 are formed by a downwardly depending por_ion
38 disposed inwardly from the wall 20 and a flange portion
40 e~tending ho-izontally inwardly from and perpendicular
to the downwardly depending portion 38. As has been
noted, in the preferred embodiment, the downwardly
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depending portion 38 and the in~ardly e~tending flange 40
are an extension of the respective side wall 20.
The rub strip 34, which is fixedly retained ~ithin
the top opening 30 of the channel member 20, has an arched
top surface ~2 upon which the cargo rests. The top
surface 42 includes a plurality of grooves 44 which
enhance the frictional engagement between the rub strip 34
and any cargo. Formed in the vertical side walls 46 of
the rub strip 34 are opposing horizontal grooves 4~ which
extend substantially the entire length of the rub strip
34. These grooves 48 are adapted to receive the inwardly
extending flanges 40 of the retaining shoulders 36 as will
be subsequently described. Finally, the lower portion of
the rub strip 34 includes a compression groove 50 which
facilitates insertion of the rub strip 34 by permitting
compression of the low~- portion of the strip 34.
The alternative embodiment of the present invention
shown in Fig. 3 utilizes substantially the same com-
ponents. However, a wider channel member 20 is utilized
to broaden the support base of the slat 10 such that
greater loads can be supported thereon. Thus, the side
walls 28 of the channel member 20 have a substantial slope
while the bottom wall 32 is significantly wider than the
bottom wall of the embodiment shown in Pigs. 1 and 2.
Despite this difference in configuration, the retaining
shoulders 36 remain substantially perpendicular to the
vehicle surface with the portions 38 extending downwardly
from the top of the walls 28 and the flanges 40 extending
horizontally inwardly from and perpendicular to the first
portions 38. As with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and
2, the inwardly extending flanges 40 cooperate with the
horizontal groove 48 of the rub strip 34 to prevent
vertical displacement of the rub strip 34 through the
opening 30 of the channel member 20.
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Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the configuration of
the rub strip 34 facilrtates assembly of the slat 10 while
also preventing vertical displacement thereof once
assembled. The channel member 20 is first secured to the
vehicle surface 12 by the securing means 22. Alignment
and access to the securing means 22 is readily
accomplished since the top opening 30 of the channel
member 20 is exposed. Once proper positioning is
accom~lished, the r~b strip 34 ma~ be mounted within the
top opening 30 of the channel member 20. In order to
insert the rub strip 3~, the strip 34 is first placed on
top of the channel member 20 wit~ the lower portion of the
rub strip extending partially into the opening 30.
Thereafter, the rub strip 34 is forced into the channel
member 20 utilizing a mallet or similar tool. As the rub
strip 34 is displaced downwardly, the retaining shoulders
36 of the channel member 20 cause the lower portion of the
rub strip 34 to compress inwardly about the compression
groove 50 until the flanges 40 of the retaining shoulders
36 engage the opposing horizontal ~rooves 48. In this
; position, the top surface 42 of the rub strip 34 extends
completely across the channel member 20 to prevent any
cargo placed on the slat 10 from rubbing against the metal
channel member 20.
2; Thus, the present invention provides a load-bearing
slat of a luggage rack which is designed to prevent
vertical displacement of the rub strip relative to the
channel member even under extreme loads. Because of the
horizontal engagement between the retaining shoulders 36
and the grooves 48 of the rub strip 34, the rub strip 34
is locked within the channel member 20.
j The foregoing detailed description has been given for
clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limi-
tations should be understood therefrom as some
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modifications will be obvious to those s}~illed in the art
without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
I claim:
