Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
Agent's Ref. 5790P01CA
FOLDABLE ROOF RACK ASSEMBLY
FOR KAYAKS AND THE LIKE
Field of the Invention
[0001] There is provided a roof rack assembly. In particular, there is
provided a
foldable roof rack assembly for kayaks and the like.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] United States Patent Publication No. 2007/0007316 to Witczak
provides a
bicycle carrier. The carrier has a rotatable beam on which are mounted
foldable support
arms having first wheel support means for engaging and entrapping the upper
peripheral
regions of the wheels of a bicycle. The beam is rotatable into a bicycle
carriage mode
vertically above the vehicle when the arms are in an arm deployed position and
lockable
in that position. Resiliently-biased detent means are associated with the
support arms
mountings for positively locking the arms in the deployed position in relation
to the
beam, simple movement against the bias effecting disengagement.
[0003] However, the above carrier may be relatively limited in the types
of objects
that it may be carry. Also, the carrier appears to require a relatively high
number of parts.
[0004] United States Patent Publication No. 2013/0248568 to Bogoslofski
et al.
provides a surfboard carrier. The carrier is for securing one or more surfing
devices for
transport upon a carrying vehicle. The carrier includes an elongate base
having a sliding
base slidingly coupled to the main base and having a locking portion. A
displacement
hinge having a first end and a second end can be coupled to the elongate base
at the first
end of the displacement hinge. A middle arm can be coupled to the second end
of the
displacement hinge. A strap having a first end and a second end can have the
first end of
1
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
2
the strap coupled to the bottom displacement. A lock coupled to the locking
portion can
be configured to lock the strap to the locking portion in the event the second
end of the
strap is inserted into the locking portion of the sliding base.
[0005] The above carrier may also be limited in the range of objects
that it may be
able to readily carry. Moreover, it may be relatively cumbersome to use the
carrier in
situations where larger objects, such as kayaks, need to be transported and
the user is by
him or herself.
[0006] United States Patent Publication No. 2008/0035688 to Malone
provides a
loader for loading a kayak or other article onto a roof rack carrier.
Typically two carriers
may be mounted on a roof rack and the loader is used for each carrier. Each
loader has a
loading cradle that is slidably mounted in a slide rail and an attachment
plate for
attaching the slide rail to a carrier. A kayak is supported in the two loading
cradles. Each
cradle is pushed up the slide rail to lift the kayak near to the carrier. The
lifting can be
done by a single person in steps. A locking mechanism holds the loading cradle
in
position on the slide rail and prevents it from sliding backward. The user may
move from
one loader to the other to sequentially push the loading cradles up the two
slide rails,
thereby bringing the kayak close to the carriers mounted on the roof rack and
in position
for loading into the carriers.
[0007] The above loader may be relatively bulky and may thus increase
drag when
not in use, for example.
[0008] There is accordingly a need for a roof carrier which lends itself
to carrying a
large range of objects, which is relatively easy for one person to use when
even large
objects such as kayaks need to be carried, which has relatively few parts and
which may
remain compact when not in use.
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
3
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] There is provided an improved foldable roof rack carrier
disclosed herein that
may overcome the above disadvantages.
[0010] There is accordingly provided a foldable roof rack assembly. The
roof rack
assembly includes a mounting assembly connectable to a roof of a vehicle. The
roof rack
assembly includes a foldable arm having a pair of pivotable rigid portions one
of which
pivotally connects to the mounting assembly. The foldable arm is moveable from
a folded
position in which the portions of the arm are folded together laterally along
the roof to an
unfolded position in which the portions of the arm extend outward for
receiving and at
least partially extending around an object.
[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided a foldable roof
rack assembly
for a vehicle having a roof and a side. The foldable roof rack assembly
includes a
mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a base mount extendable
along the
roof of the vehicle. The base mount has an end positionable adjacent to the
side of the
vehicle. The mounting assembly further includes a pivotable bracket pivotally
connected
to the end of the base mount. The roof rack assembly includes an arm pivotally
connecting to the bracket. The arm is moveable from a folded position, in
which the arm
extends along the roof, to an unfolded position in which the arm extends along
the side of
the vehicle. The bracket extends outwards in a manner substantially parallel
with the side
of the vehicle when the arm is in the unfolded position. An object is
receivable within the
arm in the unfolded position and is storable on the roof when the arm is moved
towards
its folded position.
[0012] According yet a further aspect, there is provided a foldable roof
rack assembly
comprising an elongate mounting assembly. The roof rack assembly includes a
foldable
arm having a pair of pivotally connected together portions. A first one of the
portions of
the arm has a proximal end pivotally connecting to the mounting assembly and a
distal
end spaced-apart therefrom. A second one of the portions has a proximal end
pivotally
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
4
connecting to the distal end of the first one of the portions and has a distal
end spaced-
apart from its proximal end. The foldable arm is moveable from a folded
position, in
which the portions of the arm are folded together on top of and along the
mounting
assembly, to an unfolded position in which the portions of the arm extend
outward for
receiving and at least partially extending around an object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will be more readily understood from the following
description
of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference
to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle and a foldable roof rack
assembly thereof
according to one aspect, the assembly having a pair of mounting assemblies and
a pair of
foldable arm, the arms being shown in folded positions and the vehicle being
shown in
fragment;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the vehicle and a base mount of one of the
mounting
assemblies of the foldable roof rack of Figure 1, with the arms and with
brackets of the
mounting assemblies not being shown and the vehicle being shown in fragment;
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the vehicle and foldable roof rack
assembly of
Figure 1, showing one of the arms in a partially unfolded position, and the
vehicle being
shown in fragment;
Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the vehicle and foldable roof rack
assembly of
Figure 1, showing inner portions of the arms extending along and aligning with
the side
of the vehicle in yet further partially unfolded positions of the arms, and
the vehicle being
shown in fragment;
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the vehicle and foldable roof rack
assembly of
Figure 1, showing each of the arms in a fully unfolded position, with outer
portions of the
arms extending outwards from the inner portions of the arms, and the vehicle
being
shown in fragment;
5
Figure 6 is a side perspective view similar to Figure 5 of the vehicle and
foldable roof
rack assembly of Figure 5 and a kayak being held by a user thereof, with a
front portion
of the kayak resting on one of the unfolded arms of the roof rack assembly;
Figure 7 is a side perspective view similar to Figure 6 of the vehicle,
foldable roof rack
assembly and kayak, with the kayak resting on both of the unfolded arms and
with straps
extending from the outer portions of the arms to the mounting assembly for
securing the
kayak to the foldable roof rack assembly thereby, and with the vehicle being
shown in
fragment;
Figure 8 is a front, top perspective view of the vehicle, foldable roof rack
assembly and
kayak of Figure 7, the vehicle, roof rack assembly and kayak being shown in
fragment,
and one of the mounting assemblies being shown partially broken away;
Figure 9 is front perspective view of the vehicle, foldable roof rack assembly
and rack of
Figure 8, with the arms being shown in a raised position and being shown
biased towards
their folded position, and with the kayak shown in a side elevated position
and
operatively connected to and extending longitudinally along the roof of the
vehicle, with
the vehicle being shown in fragment;
Figure 10 is a side perspective view of a vehicle and foldable roof rack
assembly similar
Figure 5 according to another aspect, showing each of the arms in a fully
unfolded
position, with outer portions of the arms extending outwards from the inner
portions of
the arms, the vehicle being shown in fragment, and the inner portions of the
arms being
telescopic and shown in a retracted position; and
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
6
Figure 11 is a side perspective view of the vehicle and foldable roof rack
assembly of
Figure 10, with the inner portions of the arms shown in an extended position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, there is shown a
foldable roof
rack assembly 20 for the roof 22 of a vehicle 24.
[0015] The vehicle is best seen in Figure 6 and includes a front 26, a rear
28 spaced-
apart from the front, and a pair of spaced-apart sides 32 and 34. Each of the
sides
includes side windows, as shown by window 35 for side 32. The sides 32 and 34
of the
vehicle 24 extend from the front 26 to the rear 28 of the vehicle. The roof 22
extends
from the rear towards the front of the vehicle 24. The roof is positioned
above and
extends between the sides 32 and 34 of the vehicle. The roof 22 has a rear end
36
positioned adjacent to the rear 28 of the vehicle and a front end 38 which is
spaced-apart
forward from the rear end. The roof 22 has a pair of peripheral edge portions
40 and 42
extending between the rear end and the front end thereof. The peripheral edge
portions of
the roof extend in parallel with and adjacent to sides 32 and 34,
respectively, of the
vehicle 24. The vehicle includes a pair of roof rails 44 and 46, in this
example, which
connect to and extend along respective ones of the peripheral portions 40 and
42 of the
roof 22 and perpendicular to the vehicle. As best seen in Figure 3, a pair of
spaced-apart
bars 48 and 50 connect to and extend between the rails. The bars are spaced-
apart above
and extend generally in parallel with the roof 22. Bar 48 is positioned
adjacent to rear end
36 of the roof 22 and bar 50 is positioned closer to front end 38 of the roof
in this
example, as seen in Figure 6.
[0016] Still referring to Figure 6, the vehicle 24 has a hood 52 that
extends from the
front 26 towards the rear 28 of the vehicle. The vehicle also has a front
windshield 54 that
extends between the hood and forward end 38 of roof 22. The vehicle 24 has a
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
7
longitudinal axis 56 interposed between the sides 32 and 34 thereof and which
extends
through the front 26 and rear 28 thereof. The vehicle is conventional, with
its various
parts and functionings being well-known to those skilled in the art, and
therefore will not
be described in greater detail.
[0017] Referring to Figure 1, the foldable roof rack assembly 20 includes a
pair of
spaced-apart, elongate mounting assemblies 58 and 60. The mounting assemblies
are
longitudinally spaced-apart relative to axis 56 seen in Figure 6. The
assemblies 58 and 60
are substantially the same in parts and functionings, and thus only assembly
60 will be
described in detail.
[0018] Each mounting assembly includes a first subassembly 61 having a base
mount
62, best seen in Figures 2 and 8. Each base mount is connectable to and
extendable along
the roof 22. Each base mount 62 is an elongate member which is upwardly-facing
and u-
shaped in cross-section in this example. Referring to Figure 8, each base
mount 62 has a
first end 64 which is inwardly spaced-apart from the side 32 of the vehicle 24
and a
second end 66 which is spaced-apart from its first end. The second ends 66 of
each base
mount are positionable adjacent to the side 32 of the vehicle 24 and align
with peripheral
edge portions 40 in this example.
[0019] As seen in Figure 2, each base mount 62 includes a base plate 68
that extends
substantially parallel with the roof, in this example. Each base mount further
includes a
pair of spaced-apart side walls 70 and 72 connected to and extending upwards
from the
base plate, as seen in Figure 2. The base plate and side walls are
substantially rectangular
in this example, and extend between the ends 64 and 66 of the base mount 62.
Base plate
68 and side walls 70 and 72 form an enclosure 73 having an interior 75. Each
of the
plates 68 abuts and partially extends along the top 79 of a respective one of
the bars 50 of
the vehicle 24. Each base mount 62 is thus laterally extendable along the roof
22. As seen
in Figures 1 and 2, each base plate includes a catch mechanism, in this
example in the
form of a slot 69. As seen in Figure 2, each slot is centrally located between
side walls 70
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
8
and 72, is positioned at end 66 of the base mount and extends from end 66
towards end
64 of its respective base mount.
[0020] As best seen in Figure 8, each mounting assembly 60 includes a
pair of
spaced-apart connecting mechanisms 74 and 76 for selectively connecting the
base mount
62 to the bars 50 of the vehicle 24. Each connecting mechanism in this example
includes
an elongate member, in this example a u-shaped bracket 78 which extends
perpendicular
to and abuts the bottom 80 of its respective bar 50. Each base mount 62 and
bracket 78
are selectively coupled together, with bar 50 interposed therebetween, via a
pair of
connectors, in this example bolts and nuts threadably connected thereto. The
bolts and
nuts are located by respective spaced-apart ends of bracket 78, with the bolts
abutting
base plate 68 in this example. This is shown in Figure 8 by way of bolt 84 and
nut 86 for
connecting mechanism 76 which couple base mount 62 and bracket 78 together.
Connecting mechanism 76 is positioned adjacent to end 64 of its base mount 62
in this
example.
[0021] Referring to Figure 2, connecting mechanism 74 is substantially the
same as
mechanism 76 with the exception that it further includes a plurality of
longitudinally
spaced-apart apertures, in this example in the form of three pairs of spaced-
apart
apertures 85, 87 and 88, through which its bolts 77 may selectively extend.
Connecting
mechanism 74 is thus laterally adjustable relative to the roof 22. Each
mounting assembly
60 is thus selectively connectable to an existing roof rack (roof rails 44 and
bars 50) of
the vehicle 24 thereby.
[0022] As seen in Figure 1, each mounting assembly 60 further includes a
second
subassembly 89 which includes a hollow, outer housing 90. Each housing has a
first end
92, best seen in Figure 4, and a second end 94, best seen in Figure 1, which
spaced-apart
from its first end. The ends of the housings 90 are closed in this example.
Each housing
90 is elongate and u-shaped in cross-section in this example. The second ends
94 of the
housings 90 are positionable adjacent to the side 32 of the vehicle 24. The
second ends
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
9
align with peripheral edge portions 40 of the vehicle's roof in this example
and pivotally
connect to respective ones of the second ends 66 of the base mounts 62 in this
example.
[0023] Each housing 90 has a first, folded horizontal position, shown in
Figures 1 and
9, in which the housing aligns with the base mount. Each first subassembly 61
and
second assembly 89 connect together in the folded position, with the housings
90
extending overtop of and receiving their respective base mounts 62 in this
example. Each
housing is moveable from its folded position to a second, unfolded raised
position which
is angularly spaced-apart therefrom, as seen in Figures 4 to 7. As seen in
Figure 4, the
housings 90 are angularly spaced-apart from their base mounts 62 by an angle a
in the
unfolded position. Angle a is obtuse in this example and the housings extend
outwards
from both the roof 22 and side 32 of the vehicle when in their unfolded
positions in this
example.
[0024] Each housing 90 includes a top plate 96 that extends
substantially parallel
with and is spaced-apart from the roof 22, in this example, when the housings
are in their
folded positions seen in Figures 1 and 9. Each housing includes a pair of
spaced-apart
side walls 98 and 100 connected to and extending downwards from their top
plate, as
seen in Figure 2, when the housing is in its folded position and from the
perspective of
Figure 1.
[0025] Each second subassembly 89 resiliently connects to its
corresponding first
subassembly 61 in this example via a tension spring which biases the second
subassembly towards its first subassembly. Referring to Figure 8, this is
shown by way of
tension spring 91 having a first end 93 connected to top plate 96 of housing
90 and
having a second end 95 that connects to bottom plate 68 of base mount 62, as
seen in
Figure 2. The springs are in retracted positions in the configurations of the
subassemblies
shown in Figures 1, 3 and 9, and are in extended positions in the
configurations shown in
Figures 2 and 4 to 8.
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
[0026] As seen in Figure 8, each housing 90 includes a first end plate
101 which
connects to and extends downwards from its top plate 96 when the housing is in
its folded
position shown in Figure 1. End plate 101 is adjacent to end 92 of the
housing. The top
plate 96, side walls 98 and 100 and first end plate 101 are substantially
rectangular in this
5 example. Side walls 98 and 100 extend between ends 92 and 94 of the
housing 90. The
side walls 98 and 100 align with and extend adjacent to the side walls 70 and
72 of the
base mount 62, seen in Figure 2, when the second subassembly 89 is in its
folded position
seen in Figure 1. Each top plate 96 extends from end 92 towards end 94. The
top plate
abuts the tops 79 of the side walls 70 and 72, seen in Figure 2, when the
second
10 subassembly 89 is in its folded position shown in Figure 1 in this
example.
[0027] As best seen in Figure 4, each first end plate 101 has an
aperture 103
extending therethrough. Aperture 103 is centrally positioned between side
walls 98 and
100 in this example.
[0028] As seen in Figure 1, each housing 90 includes a pair of spaced-
apart
protrusions, in this example in the form of a pair of brackets 102 and 104
which extend
from respective ones of side walls 98 and 100. The brackets are located
adjacent to
second ends 94 of the housings 90 in this example. The brackets 102 and 104
are coupled
to and are integrally formed with the side walls 98 and 100. The brackets are
substantially
in the shape of right trapezoids in this example. As seen in Figure 1, the
brackets 102 and
104 extend substantially upwards and vertical direction, in this example, when
their
respective second subassembly 89 is in its folded position. As seen in Figure
4, each
bracket 102 and 104 extends substantially parallel with the side 32 of the
vehicle 24 in
this example when its respective second subassembly 89 is in its unfolded
position.
[0029] Each second subassembly 89 includes a pair of outwardly-facing,
spaced-apart
spring-loaded pins located on respective ones of its brackets, as seen by
spring-loaded pin
105 mounted on bracket 104 in Figure 1. Spring-loaded pins per se, including
their
various parts and functionings, are well-known to those skilled in the art and
therefore
will not be described in further detail.
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
11
[0030] As seen in Figure 4, each second subassembly 89 has an aperture
106 located
between respective brackets 102 and 104 and positioned between its top plate
96 and end
94 of its housing 90.
[0031] Each second subassembly 89 has a mounting member, in this example
a rod
108 coupled to and extending between brackets 102 and 104. Each rod is in
communication with one of the apertures 106. As seen in Figure 1, each housing
90 has a
second end plate 110 which extends between brackets 102 and 104 and which is
rectangular in shape in this example. As seen in Figure 8, top plate 96, side
walls 98 and
100, end plates 101 and 110 form an enclosure 112 having an interior 114. The
enclosure
is shaped to extend overtop of and receives base mount 62 in this example, as
seen in
Figure 1.
[0032] The foldable roof rack assembly 20 further includes a pair of
locking
mechanisms for its respective mounting assemblies, as shown by locking
mechanism 116
in Figure 2. The locking mechanisms are positioned within the respective
enclosures 73
of the base mounts 62. Each locking mechanism selectively retains its second
subassembly 89 in its folded position relative to the respective first
subassembly 61. Each
locking mechanism 116 in this example has a spring-biased pin 118 with a
proximal end
120 and a distal end 122 spaced-apart therefrom. End 122 is spring-biased to
extend
laterally inwards towards the other side 34 of the vehicle 24 and extend
outwards from
end 64 of base mount 62 towards side 34 of the vehicle seen in Figure 6.
[0033] Referring back to Figure 2, each locking mechanism 116 includes a
pair of
spaced-apart mounts 124 and 125 through which pin 118 slidably extends. Each
mechanism includes a spring 128 which abuts mount 124 at one end 130 thereof
and
which connects to the pin 118 at another end 132 thereof. Pulling on end 120
of the pin
118 towards side 32 of the vehicle 24 in the direction shown by arrow 134
compresses
spring 128 against mount 124 and causes end 122 of the pin to retract inwards
towards
the base mount 62. Spring 128 biases end 122 of the pin 118 outwards from the
base
mount thereafter upon releasing end 120. Spring-biased pins, including their
various parts
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
12
and functionings, are well-known to those skilled in the art and therefore
will not be
described in further detail.
[0034] Each first subassembly 61 includes an actuating member, in this
example a
wire cable 136. Each cable has a first end 138, which is looped in this
example and
coupled to end 134 of the pin 118. As seen in Figure 1, each cable 136 has a
second end
140 which is also looped in this example and which is alignable with the
peripheral edge
portion 40 of the vehicle 24. Each cable aligns with and extends substantially
in parallel
with base plate 68 of its respective base mount 62, in this example, extending
from
adjacent end 64 of the base mount, seen in Figure 2, to end 66 thereof seen in
Figure 1.
Each cable 136 may selectively extend through slot 69 seen in Figure 1, with
looped end
140 abutting adjacent portions 142 of base plate 68, for storing the cable
when the second
assembly is in its folded position shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1,
3 and 8, end
122 of pin 118 is shaped to selectively extend through aperture 103 in end
plate 101, seen
in Figure 8, for selectively coupling together the second subassembly 89 and
the first
subassembly 61 in the folded position seen in Figure 1. In order to move each
second
subassembly from its folded position to an unfolded position, looped end 140
seen in
Figure 1 is removed from slot 69 and actuated outwards, to dislodge pin 118,
seen in
Figure 2, from slot 69, seen in Figure 8.
[0035] Referring to Figure 4, the foldable roof rack assembly 20 also
has a pair of
spaced-apart, foldable arms 144 and 146. Each of the arms is substantially the
same in
parts and functionings and therefore only foldable arm 146 will be described
in detail. An
inner, first portion of each arm 146 includes a pair of spaced-apart,
elongate, rigid
members, in this example elongate tubes 148 and 150. The tubes are
substantially straight
in this example. The tubes 148 and 150 have proximal ends 152 and 154 that
pivotally
connect to brackets 102 and 104, respectively, of mounting assembly 60. The
tubes have
distal ends 156 and 158 which are spaced-apart from their proximal ends. As
seen in
Figure 1, the tubes 148 and 150 have apertures 157 and 159 extending
therethrough at
their distal ends in this example. The apertures are shaped to selectively
receive the
spring-loaded pins 105 for holding the arms in place and fixing their
positioning relative
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
13
to housings 90 when said pins are actuated outwards, the apertures are aligned
with the
pins, and the pins are released thereafter. This is shown in Figure 3.
[0036] Referring to Figure 5, each of the tubes 148 and 150 includes
cushioning
members extending therearound which extend from adjacent their proximal ends
towards
their distal ends. This is shown by cushioning member 160 which is tubular and
made of
foam plastic in this example. Member 160 extends around tube 150.
[0037] Each arm 146 has an outer, second portion which is rigid and
includes a u-
shaped member, in this example a u-shaped tube 162. The u-shape is not
strictly required
and tube 162 may have other shapes in other embodiments. The tube has proximal
ends
164 and 166 which pivotally mount near the terminuses of the distal ends 156
and 158,
respectively, of tubes 148 and 150, as seen in Figure 5. Each u-shaped tube
162 has an
arc-shaped distal end 168, in this example, which is spaced-apart from its
proximal ends.
Each tube includes a pair of cushion members, in this example, which extend
from its
distal end 168 towards its proximal ends, as shown by cushion member 170 in
Figure 5.
Cushioning member 170 is tubular and made of foam plastic in this example.
[0038] Each foldable arm 146 has a folded position, shown in Figure 1,
in which the
portions of the arm, in this case tubes 148 and 150 and tube 162, are folded
together on
top of each other in the horizontal position, with the arm thus extending
along the
mounting assembly 60. The tubes of the arm 146 are thus folded together
laterally along
the roof 22 in the folded position and are positioned substantially parallel
with the
mounting assembly and the roof 22 in the folded position. Each tube 162 is
interposed
between its corresponding tubes 148 and 150 and top plate 96 of housing 90
when its arm
146 is in its folded position. Cushioning members 170 abut both cushioning
members 160
and mounting assembly 60 in this example when the arm 146 is in its folded
position.
[0039] Each arm 146 is moveable from the horizontal folded position of
Figure 1 to
an unfolded, lowered position, shown in Figures 5 to 8, in which the portions
of the arms
extend outward for receiving and at least partially extending around an
object, in this
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
14
example kayak 172 seen in Figures 6 to 9. The kayak has a bow 174, a stern 175
spaced-
apart from the bow and a hull 176 that extends between the bow and stern. The
kayak 172
is conventional, with its various parts and functionings being well-known to
those skilled
in the art, and the kayak will thus not be described in further detail.
[0040] As seen in Figure 5, tubes 148 and 150 are configured to extend
along and
extend substantially parallel with the side 32 and window 35 of the vehicle 24
in the
unfolded position of the arms. Each arm 146 is part u-shaped in its unfolded
position as
shown. Tubes 162 are configured to extend outwards from the side 32 of the
vehicle 24
when the arms are in the unfolded position. Referring to Figures 1 and 3,
spring-loaded
pins 105 extend through apertures 157 and 159 of the tubes 148 and 150 for
holding said
tubes in place in their unfolded position relative to housing 90. In their
unfolded position,
tubes 148 and 150 are angularly spaced-apart from their housing 90 by angle
equal to
approximately 90 degrees relative in this example.
[0041] Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the foldable roof rack assembly
20 includes
a pair of biasing and fastening assemblies 177 and 178 that selectively bias
arms 144 and
146 towards their folded positions. Each of biasing and fastening assemblies
is
substantially the same in parts and functionings and therefore only biasing
and fastening
assembly 178 will be described in detail. Each biasing and fastening assembly
includes
an elongate flexible member, in this example a length-adjustable strap 180
which may be
selectively tightened or loosened via strap-length adjusting mechanism 181.
The straps
may be partially resilient.
[0042] As seen in Figure 7, each biasing and fastening assembly 178 has
a hook 182
at a first end 183 and which is selectively connectable to distal end 168 of
its
corresponding tube 162. As seen in Figure 8, each biasing and fastening
assembly has a
second end 184 spaced-apart from its first end and which also has a hook 185.
Strap 180
extends between and is coupled to ends 183 and 184. As seen in Figure 7, the
assembly
178 is connected at its end 183 to tube 162 and is shaped to extend around the
hull 176 of
the kayak 172. The assembly is configured to have its end 184 selectively
connect to rod
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
108 of the second subassembly 89, as seen in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 7,
each arm
146 and corresponding strap 180 form a cradle 186 for receiving the kayak 172.
Strap-
length adjusting mechanisms, including their various parts and functionings,
are well-
known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in
further detail.
5 [0043] In operation and referring to Figure 1, in order to use the
foldable roof rack
assembly 20, tubes 148 and 150 of each arm 146 are rotated outwards until
tubes 148 and
150 extend substantially upwards, as seen in Figure 3. Spring-loaded pins 105
are next
pulled outwards, apertures 157 and 159 of the tubes, seen in Figure 1, are
aligned with
the pins, and the pins are released thereafter to extend through the apertures
and retain the
10 tubes in their position relative to housings 90.
[0044] End 140 of cable 136 is next pulled outwards from slot 69 of base
plate 68 of
the base mount 62. End 140 of the cable is then pulled laterally outwards in
the direction
of arrow 134 seen in Figure 2. This causes pin 118, seen in Figure 2, to
retract from
aperture 103 of end plate 101 of housing 90, shown in Figure 4. Thereafter,
second
15 subassembly 89 may be selected rotated outwards from its folded position
shown in
Figure 3 to its unfolded position shown in Figure 4. In these positions, tubes
148 and 150
align with and are supported by side 32 of vehicle 24.
[0045] Tubes 162 are next unfolded so as to extend outwards from tubes
148 and 150
and side 32 of the vehicle 24, as seen in Figure 5. Referring now to Figure 6,
user 188
may then lift up kayak 172, tilt one of its ends upwards, in this example bow
174, and
rest the bow against arm 146. Stern 175 may then be raised upwards as the
kayak slides
along cushion members 160 and 170 and is pushed towards the other arm 144.
This is
generally shown by arrow 190. The kayak 172 may thus be moved until it is
evenly
balanced between and supported by arms 144 and 146, as seen in Figure 7.
Thereafter
and as seen in Figure 7, hooks 183 of biasing and fastening assemblies 178
connect onto
tubes 162 and the straps extend around the hull 176 of the kayak 172. As seen
in Figure
8, hooks 185 of the biasing and fastening assemblies next connect to rods 108
of the
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
16
second subassemblies 89 and the straps may then be securely tightened to
securely couple
the kayak to the foldable roof rack assembly 20.
[0046] The kayak so secured may then be tilted upwards, as shown with
reference to
arrow 192 in Figure 9, until the second subassemblies 89 abut with the first
subassemblies 61 seen in Figure 2. Referring back to Figure 9, ends 140 of
cables 136
may be pulled outwards to retract pins 118 until apertures 103, seen in Figure
4, align
therewith. The pins may then be released to extend through the apertures and
thus couple
the second assemblies 89 and first subassemblies 61 together as seen in Figure
9. The
kayak 172 is thus securely connected to the foldable roof rack assembly 20,
and thus roof
22 of the vehicle 24, so as to be on its side. In this case, sides 194 and 196
of the kayak
172 extend vertically with each other.
[0047] A similar roof rack assembly may be installed adjacent to side 34
of the
vehicle 24 for maintaining additional objects such as an additional kayak,
while still
providing room for a further storage box between the kayaks if desired.
[0048] The foldable roof rack assembly 20 may be selectively folded in a
compact
manner shown in Figure 1 by applying the above steps in reverse when the
assembly is
no longer required.
[0049] Figures 10 and 11 show a foldable roof rack assembly 20.1
according to a
second aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the foldable roof
rack
assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 to 9 with the addition of decimal extension
".1".
Foldable roof rack assembly 20.1 is substantially the same as foldable roof
rack assembly
20 shown in Figures 1 to 9 with the exception that each of the arms 144.1 and
146.1
includes tube assemblies 148.1 and 150.1 which are telescopic and thus length-
adjustable.
Each of the tube assemblies includes a plurality of tube portions of
progressively smaller
diameter, with each tube portion being shaped to receive to a subsequent one
of the tube
portions. This is shown by tube portions 198, 200, 202 and 204 for tube
assembly 150.1.
This may enable assembly 20.1 to extend around a greater variety of objects
such as
CA 02930002 2016-05-16
17
bicycles. Figure 10 shows the assemblies 148.1 and 150.1 in retracted
positions and
Figure 11 shows the assemblies in an extended position. The assemblies are
spring-biased
towards their retracted positions and may be selectively lowered and extended
downwards, as shown by arrow 206. This may further facilitate the mounting of
kayaks
or the like on to tubes 162.1.
[0050] It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within
the scope of the
invention described herein. For example, pins 118 seen in Figure 2 may
operatively
connect to the second subassembly 89 and be selectively extendable through an
aperture
of the first subassembly for selectively holding the assemblies together in
another
embodiment.
[0051] Length-adjustable straps 180 are not strictly required; for
example, bungee
cords or other elastic stretching members may be used to a similar end for the
biasing and
fastening assemblies.
[0052] It will be further understood by someone skilled in the art that
many of the
details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to
limit the scope
of the invention which is to be determined with reference to at least the
following claims.
