Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicle article
or luggage carriers and, more particularly, to a new and
improved vehicle luggage carrier which is securable to
the deck lid or a similar horizontally extending plane
or surface of a vehicle to secure articles to the carrier
for transportation by the vehicle.
Slat-type luggage carriers such as those disclosed
in, for example, applicant's prior U.S. Patent Nos. 4,099,658,
4,182,471, 4,239,139, 4,~93,159, 4,295,587, 4,364,S00,
4,427,141, 4,440,333, 4,431,123, 4,432,478, and 4,460,116
have currently found favor among purchasers of automobiles
due to their aesthetically appealing appearance and high
degree of functionality as an accessory to carry additional
cargo on an automobile vehicle to make the passenger compartment
of the vehicle more comfortable for the driver and passengers
in that compartment. The luggage carriers of the art
comprises a series of low profile metal and plastic slats
which reinforce the roof or deck lid, have upper article
supporting surfaces to support cargo or luggage spaced
B from the vehicle surface, and may have additional tie d~
functions or functions to attach additional accessories
to channels within the slats fastened thereto by various
fastening mechanisms. The slats may also have end caps
fastened to the slats, which end caps have either a tie
down mechanism, an abutment mechanism, or both. An insert
may also be placed in the channel of the metal or plastic
slat to provide a
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1 3 1 426~
resilient member upon which cargo or luggage can be set upon the slats
secured to the vehicle.
The present invention improves upon the slat-type luggage
carriers ~nd provides a slat which includes a tie down mechanism and a
wind deflection mechanism such as a spoiler which includes a
retractable tie down mechanism. m e slat and spoiler are generally
manufactured from metallic and plastic materials, respectively. Not
only is such a construction an improvement from the standpoint of
durability and weight requirements, but also the aesthetic
appealability of a luggage carrier can be improved since the plastic
may be formed in a much greater variety of shapes and sizes and also,
may be provided in a substantial variety of colors. m e spoiler,
including the retractable tie down mechanisms, may function as either a
luggage carrier securement element or as a spoiler when luggage is not
present on the carrier.
From the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
ERIEF DESCRIPTICN OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a luggage carrier in
accordan oe with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a luggage carrier in
accordance with the present invention with the retractable tie down
mechanisms in an up position.
Figure 3 is a cross-section view of Figure 1 through line 3-3
thereof.
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Figure 4 is a cross-section view of Figure 3 along line 4-4
thereof.
Figure 5 is a cross-section view of Figure 1 along line 5-5
thereof.
Figure 6 is a cross-section view of Figure 1 along line 6-6
thereof.
DETAIL~D DESCRIPTICN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the Figures, a luggage carrier is illustrated and
designated with the reference numeral 10. A luggage carrier 10 is
positi~ned on the rear deck lid 12 of a vehicle 14. m e luggage
carrier 10 includes a series of slats 16 and a wind deflection
mechanism such as a spoiler 18 positioned on the vehicle deck lid 12.
The slat elements 16 are generally metallic parts which include
a channel 20 formed by two upwardly directed sidewalls 22 and 24 and,
optional two flanges 21 and 23 opposing one another, to form the
channel 20 as seen in figures 3 and 4. m e slat element 16 includes an
insert formed tie dcwn 25. m e tie down 25 is disposed at one end of
the slat element 16 and a closure end insert 26 is disposed at the
other end of the slat element 16. m e tie dcwn 25 comprises an upper
portion 28 which has a configuration matching the upper design
configuration of an insert 27 which is placed into the channel 20 of
the slat element 16 and having an upper surface 30 co-planar with the
upper supporting plane 29 of the insert 27. m e tie down 25 further
comprises a lower element 32, a vertically extending inclined end
element 34 having a pair of wall elements 35, and a vertically
extending end closure element 36 which closes off the end of the
channel 20. The elements 28, 32, 34, 35 and 36 combine to form a
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recess 38 within which elements, such as ropes, hooked bungee cords,
and the like, for tying down articles to be placed on the carrier can
be inserted. me end portion 36 includes an extended solid cross
sectional portion 40 having a threaded bore 42 (formed either directly
with the end portion 36 or provided by means of an insert molded female
fastening element [not shown]) therein to mate with the fastener. At
the opposite extreme of the slat element 16 is the closure end insert
26 which has an upper portion having a design mating with the insert 27
and has an upper support plane or surface 46 co-planer with the upper
support surface 29 of the insert 27. The end insert 26 also includes a
vertically disposed end wall 52. Similarly, a solid cross section
extended portion 54 having a threaded bore 56 (formed either directly
within the end portion 26 or provided by an insert mold nut or the
like), within the portion is disposed within the slat element 16 to
secure the slat element 16 to the vehicle by means of a suitable
fastener. Optionally, a pad 57 may be placed between the slat element
16 and the deck lid 12 as shown to diminish any marring of the painted
surfact of the deck lid 12. m e closed end 26 abuts the spoiler 18 or
may project into an opening 59 in the spoiler 18.
The spoiler 18 is positioned on the vehicle deck lid 12
substantially perpendicular to the slats 16. m e spoiler 18 generally
includes a first wall 60, including openings 59, abutting the slat end
insert 26. The first wall 60 projects substantially perpendicular to
the vehicle deck lid 12. A concave arcuate wall 62 having a surface 63
is integral with and projects upward from the wall 60. A second wall
64 is integral with and projects downward from the upper most point of
the arcuate wall 62. The second wall 64 is generally aligned with the
end of the deck lid 12. m e spoiler 18 also includes ends 66 and 68 to
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enclose the spoiler 18. Generally, the spoiler is a one-piece molded
construction manufactured from a polymeric material.
The spoiler arcuate wall 62 includes openings 70 to couple
retractable or pop-up tie down mechanisms 72 with the spoiler 18. m e
openings 70 are generally positioned adjacent to and are in alignment
with the slat elements 16. m e tie down mechanisms 72 are secured to
the spoiler 18 in openings 70 and pivot from a first position to a
second position. In the first position, the tie down mechanisms 72 are
non-operable and a surface of the tie down mechanisms 72 is
substantially flush with the spoiler arcuate surface 63. In this
position, the sp~iler 18 has a continuous appearance as seen in Figure
1. In the second operable position, the tie down mechanisms 72 are
substantially perpendicular to the arcuate surface 63 to accept ropes,
hooked bungee cords, or the like, to secure articles (shown in phantom
in Figure 2) on the slat elements 16.
m e tie down mechanisms 72, as best seen in Fig~re 5, generally
include an elongated bcdy member 80 having a concave arcuate surface
82. The elongated body me~ber 80 has a tail portion 84 at one end and
a curved end portion 86 at the other. Apertures 88 and 90 are formed
in the body member 80. m e concave arcuate surface 82 has
substantially the same curvature as the spoiler arcuate surface 63.
m us, the tie down arcuate surface 82 enables the tie down mechanisms
72 to be substantially flush with the spoiler arcuate ~urface 62 when
the tie down m~chanisms 72 are in their first non-operable position.
The tail portion 84 enables the body member 80 to be easily manipulated
from its first to second position. The aperture 88 is formed in the
end portion 86 of the body member 82. The aperture 88 enables a pin 92
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to project through the aperture 88 and body member 80
to secure the tie down mechanisms 72 to the spoiler 18.
Aperture 90, formed adjacent to the tail 84, enables ropes,
hooked bungee cords, or the like, to pass through the
aperture 90 to secure luggage or the like onto the slat
elements 16.
Turning to Figure 6, a pin retaining element
96 is shown. The retaining elements 96 are formed on
each side of the openings 70. Each retaining element
96 includes a pair of wall members 98 and 100 and a slot
102, having an arcuate surface 102, positioned between
the wall members 98 and 100. The wall members 98 and
100 are integrally formed with the under surface of the
spoiler 18. The pin 92 is positioned through the tie
down mechanism aperture 88 and has a portion of the pin
92 projecting out of both sides of the body member 80.
The pin 92 is positioned in the slot 102 between wall
members 98 and 100 on both sides of the opening 70. A
plate member 106 is positioned and secured beneath the
wall members 98 and 100 to secure the pin 92 in the slot
102. The pin 96 may nest on the arcuate surface 104 to
enable rotation of the tie down mechanisms 72 from their
first to second position. Also, other retractable tie
down mechanisms, like those of U.S. Patent No. 4,460,116
may be utilized in the present invention.
While it will be apparent that the preferred
embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated
to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated
that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation
and change without departing from the proper scope and
fair meaning of the subjoined claims.
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