Securing Apparatus for a Roof Rack

• US 20130193176A1
• Filed: 01/29/2013
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Denis Khoo
• Original Assignee: Denis Khoo
• Inventors: Khoo, Denis
• Application Number:
  US13/752,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20130193176A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/324
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/048 Carriers characterised by article-gripping , -covering,-retaining, or -locking means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/08 specially adapted for sports gear vehicles specially adapted for carrying aeroplanes, for carrying boats B60P

Abstract

Method and apparatus for securing an object onto a roof rack. The method and apparatus utilizes a securing arm to rotate and press an object onto a roof rack. The securing arm is held in a closed position to keep the object securely pressed onto a roof rack. The method and apparatus provides a more convenient and secure means of securing an object onto a roof rack.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing an object to a roof rack, said apparatus comprising:

a crossbar clamp for attaching said apparatus to a crossbar of said roof rack;

a securing arm; and

a settable rotational mechanism, attached to said securing arm to allow said securing arm to rotate about a rotational axis point, wherein said securing arm may rotate and be held in a closed position, such that said securing arm presses said object to said roof rack at a securing arm contact area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securing arm may be held in an open position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settable rotational mechanism is comprised of a clamping mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settable rotational mechanism is comprised of a latching mechanism.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said settable rotational mechanism is comprised of a ratchet mechanism.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said securing arm is comprised of a compressible material at said securing arm contact area.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said securing arm contact area is at least a one inch line.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said securing arm has an upward curvature and a rounded tip.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising of a ratchet locking mechanism for preventing a release mechanism of said ratchet mechanism from allowing release.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said object is a surfboard.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising of a compressible pad between said surfboard and said crossbar.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said securing arm contact area is at a elevation higher than said rotational axis point.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said securing arm is detachably removable from said settable rotational mechanism.

14. An method for securing an object to a roof rack, comprising the step of:

attaching a securing apparatus to a crossbar of said roof rack;

placing said object on said crossbar adjacent to said securing apparatus;

rotating a securing arm, that is attached to a settable rotational mechanism of said apparatus, towards the closed position to press said object between said securing arm and said roof rack; and

holding said securing arm in the closed position by said settable rotational mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said settable rotational mechanism holds said securing arm in the closed position through a clamping mechanism.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said settable rotational mechanism holds said securing arm in the closed position through a latching mechanism.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said settable rotational mechanism holds said securing arm in the closed position through a ratchet mechanism.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of locking said securing arm in the closed position through a ratchet locking mechanism.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said securing arm is comprised of a compressible material at a securing arm contact area.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said securing arm pressing said object provides both inward and downward force.