Cargo Carrier With Vehicle Attachment

• US 20090180853A1
• Filed: 01/15/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harbor Freight Tools USA Incorporated (Central Purchasing LLC)
• Original Assignee: Central Purchasing LLC
• Inventors: Gang, Wang
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/462
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041

Abstract

The present invention relates to cargo carrier. The cargo carrier attaches to a vehicle and includes a platform, an upper frame, a plurality of vertical supports, a support sleeve and a support beam. The platform itself is constructed from a plurality of longitudinal support members and a plurality of cross members that interfit with each other via a channel design and/or a shoulder and notch system. The platform is then mounted to a vehicle by attaching the support sleeve and support beam to an existing vehicle hitch. Once attached, the platform may be loaded with heavy items for transport.

Claims

1. A cargo carrier for attaching to a vehicle comprising:

a platform, the platform including an outer frame, a plurality of longitudinal support members and a plurality of cross members;

a support sleeve; and

a support beam, the support beam being received within the support sleeve.

2. The cargo carrier of claim 1 further comprising:

an upper frame; and

a plurality of vertical supports.

3. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal support members and outer frame have channels and the cross members are held within the channels.

4. The cargo carrier of claim 1 further comprising:

support fasteners for fixedly holding the cross members within the channel of the longitudinal supports.

5. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal support members and outer frame have shoulders and the cross members have notches.

6. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the shoulders fit into and align with the notches.

7. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the shoulders are four-sided.

8. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the shoulders include a nib.

9. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the platform has an outer frame that includes a lip.

10. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the support beam attaches to a vehicle and supports the platform.

11. The cargo carrier of claim 2 wherein the upper frame inhibits cargo from slipping off the platform.

12. The cargo carrier of claim 2 further comprising:

a plurality of platform fasteners for holding the platform to the vertical supports; and

a plurality of frame fasteners for securing the vertical supports to the upper frame.

13. The cargo carrier of claim 2 wherein the vertical supports support the upper frame above the platform.

14. The cargo carrier of claim 1 further comprising:

a vehicle mount for mounting the cargo carrier to the vehicle

15. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the support sleeve is mounted under platform and parallel to cross members.

16. The cargo carrier of claim 1 wherein the support sleeve and the support beam include at least one opening that receives at least one holding pin.

17. A method for attaching a cargo carrier to a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a platform, the platform including an outer frame, a plurality of longitudinal support members and a plurality of cross members, a support sleeve and a removable support beam, the removable support beam capable of being received within the support sleeve;

attaching the support beam to the vehicle;

inserting the support beam into the support sleeve;

securing the support beam to the support sleeve.

18. The cargo carrier of claim 17 wherein the longitudinal support members and outer frame have channels and the cross members are held within the channels.

19. The cargo carrier of claim 17 whereby the cargo carrier includes an upper frame and a plurality of vertical supports.

20. The cargo carrier of claim 17 further comprising:

support fasteners for fixedly holding the cross members within the channel of the longitudinal supports.

21. The cargo carrier of claim 17 wherein the longitudinal support members and outer frame have shoulders and the cross members have notches.

22. The cargo carrier of claim 17 wherein the shoulders fit into and align with the notches.