Modular motor vehicle integrated carrier rack and storage system with universal connections

• US 10,077,005 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2016
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark A. Anton
• Original Assignee: Mark A. Anton
• Inventors: Anton, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Helvey, Peter
• Application Number:
  US15/054,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20160243996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 224519
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0808 Accommodating or securing wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/08 specially adapted for sports gear vehicles specially adapted for carrying aeroplanes, for carrying boats B60P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/10 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/12 for skis
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/00 Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles cycle supports used during maintenance B25H; building aspects E04H
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 7/00 Luggage carriers

Abstract

A unified carrier cargo rack and storage system for a vehicle including a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle and a modular carrier rack, including a transitional carrier bar, a secondary bar and a cargo carrier bar, wherein the cargo carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo; are disclosed as are male and female securing mechanisms.

Claims

1. A unified, adjustable carrier cargo rack system for storage and secure transportation of cargo by a vehicle comprising:

a modular carrier rack, comprising;

a transitional carrier bar having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage a rack receiving unit and provide immobilization for cargo and the distal end is operable to engage a secondary bar or a cargo carrier bar, wherein a distal end of the secondary bar engages the cargo carrier bar at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo;

a cargo carrier bar operable to engage the secondary bar or the transitional carrier bar, wherein the cargo carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo; and

a mount receiver unit, comprising;

an opening; and

a channel having a trapezoidal cross-section that is operable to receive and secure a complementary sized and shaped trapezoidal mount that is coupled to a piece of cargo when the mount is inserted into the opening,

wherein the mount receiver unit is operable to be removably coupled to the cargo carrier bar, and

wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable such that the transitional carrier bar, secondary bar, and cargo carrier bar can be folded into a secure, telescopic arrangement.

2. The unified, adjustable cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the modular carrier rack is operable to be inserted into the rack receiving unit, which is supported by a support structure within the rear of the vehicle, such that the support structure provides support for both the rack receiving unit and the modular carrier rack.

3. The unified, adjustable cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote operated lock and key system operable to secure the rack receiving unit to the transitional carrier bar when engaged.

4. The unified, adjustable cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, wherein cargo further comprises:

a storage pod for storing items, the storage pod operable to keep the items together after transportation using the cargo carrier bar; and

a trapezoidal mount coupled to the storage pod and operable to be received by the mount receiver unit.

5. A unified cargo carrier rack and storage device for a vehicle comprising:

a modular carrier rack, comprising;

a transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage a rack receiver unit installed in the rear of a vehicle and provide immobilization for cargo and the distal end is operable to engage a secondary bar or a cargo carrier bar, wherein a distal end of the secondary bar engages the cargo carrier bar and at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo;

a carrier bar operable to engage the secondary bar or the transitional carrier bar; and

a mount receiver unit, comprising;

an opening; and

a channel having a trapezoidal cross-section that is operable to receive and secure a complementary sized and shaped trapezoidal mount that is coupled to a piece of cargo when the mount is inserted into the opening and slid into the channel,

wherein the mount receiver unit is operable to be removably coupled to the carrier bar, and

wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable such that the transitional carrier bar, secondary bar, and cargo carrier bar can be folded into a secure, telescopic arrangement.

6. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 5, further comprising:

a remote operated lock and key device operable to secure the rack receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar when engaged.

7. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 5, further comprising:

a storage pod for storing items, the storage pod operable to keep the items together after transportation using the cargo carrier bar; and

a trapezoidal mount coupled to the storage pod and operable to be received by the mount receiver unit.

8. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 5, further comprising:

a wired or wireless brake-light.

9. A unified cargo carrier rack and storage device for a vehicle comprising:

a modular carrier rack, comprising;

a cargo carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends; and

a mount receiver unit comprising;

a primary coupling mechanism operable to secure cargo by removably coupling with a secondary cargo coupling mechanism of a cargo item that is complementary and has a trapezoidal shaped cross-section.

10. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 9, wherein the proximal end of the cargo carrier bar is operable to engage a rack receiver unit installed in the rear of a vehicle and provide immobilization for cargo by securing it at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo.

11. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 9, further comprising:

a secondary bar, having distal and proximal ends,

wherein the proximal end of the secondary bar is operable to engage with a rack receiver unit installed in the rear of a vehicle, and wherein the proximal end of the cargo carrier bar is operable to engage with the secondary bar to provide immobilization for cargo by securing it at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo.

12. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 9, further comprising:

a secondary bar, having distal and proximal ends; and

a transitional carrier bar having distal and proximal ends,

wherein the proximal end of the transitional carrier bar is operable to engage with a rack receiver unit installed in the rear of a vehicle,

wherein the secondary bar is coupled to the transitional carrier bar and the cargo carrier bar, and

wherein the proximal end of the cargo carrier bar is operable to engage with the secondary bar to provide immobilization for cargo by securing it at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo.

13. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 9, wherein the primary coupling mechanism further comprises:

a mount, and

wherein the secondary coupling mechanism further comprises;

a channel; and

an opening.

14. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 9, wherein the primary coupling mechanism further comprises:

an opening; and

a channel,

wherein the secondary coupling mechanism further comprises a mount.