Multi purpose carrier for vehicle

• US 4,265,382 A
• Filed: 10/12/1979
• Issued: 05/05/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas M. Edwards
• Original Assignee: Thomas M. Edwards
• Inventors: Edwards, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pollard, Steven M.
• Application Number:
  US06/084,375
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 224/320, 224/321, 224/309, 224/310, 224/314, 224/329, 224/153, 224/210, 224/261
• US Class Current: 224/320
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/02 at the sides, e.g. on running-board
• 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

A multi purpose carrier for vehicles is disclosed. The carrier of the present invention comprises a pair of opposed spaced apart telescoping end pieces having ends curving arcuately to meet a vehicle surface. A plurality of resilient end pieces snugly surround the ends and are interposed between the ends and the vehicle surface. A pair of telescoping spaced apart transverse members interconnect the end pieces to adjustably space the end pieces. The height, length, and width of the multi-purpose carrier is adjustable to accommodate varying vehicle surfaces and a variety of articles to be mounted thereon.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose carrier for vehicles comprising:

a pair of opposed spaced apart telescoping end pieces spaced above the vehicle with ends meeting a vehicle surface, the telescoping end pieces being extensible and retractable to adjust the length of said carrier;

a pair of opposed spaced apart telescoping transverse members being spaced above the vehicle surface and extending between end pieces, the telescoping transverse members extensible and retractable to selectively adjust the spacing of the end pieces.

5. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 1 further including a luggage support comprising;

a pair of upward extending side members supported by the end pieces, including an arcuate upper portion having an arc forming a half circle continuing and returning downward to said end piece.

6. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 5 further including a bicycle support comprising;

a pair of rearward and upward extending telescoping tubes spaced apart, abutting and attached to the upward extending side members, and means for adjustably varying the telescoping tubes length.

7. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein each end piece comprises:

a first piece and a second piece telescoped together at a straight section, and interconnected to the end pieces.

8. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 7, wherein:

the first piece and the second piece curve toward the end pieces in an arcuate manner abutting the end pieces, a pair of spaced apart apertures formed in an end of said first piece and said second piece, each pair of spaced apart apertures aligned with a corresponding pair of apertures in the end pieces, and fastening means engaging the aligned apertures to secure the first and second pieces to the end piece.

9. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein the end pieces comprise:

a front piece and a rear piece telescoped together at a straight portion; and

the front piece and the rear piece being extensible or retractable to adjust the length of the end piece.

10. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein the spacing between the carrier and the vehicle is adjustable.

11. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 1 further comprising a resilient sleeve snugly engaging the ends of the end pieces where they meet the vehicle surface to prevent damage to the surface.

2. A multi-purpose carrier for vehicles comprising:

a pair of opposed spaced apart adjustable telescoping end pieces comprising a front piece and a rear piece telescoped together at a straight portion, a front portion of the front piece curving downward in an accurate manner to meet the vehicle surface, a rear portion of the rear piece curving downward in an arcuate manner to meet the vehicle surface, a first plurality of evenly spaced transversely oriented aligned apertures through the straight portions, a fastening means to fasten the front and rear pieces together;

a resilient sleeve snugly engaging an end of the front and rear portions interposing the end and the vehicle surface;

a pair of opposed adjustable telescoping transverse members comprising a front transverse member including a first piece and a second piece telescoped together at a first straight telescoped portion, curved ends of the first and second pieces curing rearward in an arcuate manner to abut the end members, a first pair of transversely oriented apertures formed in each abutting end aligned with the fastening means to join the end of the front transverse member to the end members, a rear transverse member including a thrid piece and a fourth piece telescoped together at a second straight telescoped portion, curved ends of the third and fourth pieces curving forward in an arcuate manner to abut the end members, a second pair of transversely oriented apertures formed in each abutting end aligned with the first transverse apertures, a fastening means to join the curved ends of the rear transverse member to the end members, a plurality of spaced longitudinal apertures through the telescoped portions of the front and rear transverse members, a fastening means to secure the telescoped portions together;

a means for detachably securing the carrier to the vehicle surface;

means for selectively spacing the end pieces; and

Means for selectively adjusting the length of the end pieces.

3. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in Claim 2 further comprising:

a pair of rearward extending telescoping tubes including a first plurality of vertical evenly spaced apertures distributed along the length thereof;

a second plurality of vertical evenly spaced apertures formed along the end members aligned with the first plurality of vertical apertures and positioned between the first and second transverse apertures, a pair of threaded fasteners engaging a forward pair of aligned apertures in each rearward extending tube, a pair of nuts threadingly engaging each fastener to affix the tubes to the end members;

the telescoping tubes extended to a desired length to mount a bicycle, a pair of the second vertical apertures aligned to receive a threaded fastener, a nut threadingly engaging the fastener to secure the telescoping tubes at the desired length;

means for securing a bicycle to the telescoping tubes; and

wherein the carrier defines a means for securing bicycles to a vehicle.

4. The multi-purpose carrier as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

a pair of opposed side members comprising a vertical leg extending upward from a lower end of the rear piece extending above the end members, a side member upper portion curving forward in an arcuate manner, the arcuate continuing and extending downward terminating at an upper end at a first transverse aperture, a first end aperture in the upper end aligned with the first transverse aperture, a second end aperture formed transversely in the lower end of the rear piece aligned with a transverse aperture formed in a lower end of the vertical leg, a pair of threaded fasteners engaging each of the first end apertures and second end apertures and their respective aligned apertures a nut to engage each threaded fastener;

a pair of opposed rearward and upward extending telescoping tubes abutting the side members, a second plurality of evenly spaced transverse apertures along the opposed rearward extending tubes, a second pair of apertures in each opposed tube aligned with the side members, a third pair of transverse apertures formed in each side member aligned with the second pair of apertures, a pair of threaded fasteners engaging the aligned apertures and a nut threadingly engaging each fastener to affix the rearward and upward extending telescoping tubes to the side members;

a first telescoping transverse tube comprising a first outer tube and a first inner tube telescopingly engaged, a first plurality of evenly spaced cross apertures along the first inner and outer tubes, an end aperture of the first inner tube aligned with one of the first vertical apertures, a threaded fastener engaging the apertures a nut threadingly engaging the fastener to affix the first inner tube to a first opposed end member, an end aperture of the first outer tube aligned with one of the first vertical apertures in a second of the opposed end members, a threaded fastener engaging the aligned apertures a nut threadingly engaging the fastener to affix the first outer tube to the second end member, one of the first cross apertures in the first outer tube aligned with one of the first cross apertures in the first inner tube, a threaded fastener engaging the aligned first cross apertures a nut threadingly engaging the fastener to affix the first outer tube to the first inner tube;

a second transverse telescoping tube comprising a second outer tube and a second inner tube telescopingly engaged, a second plurality of evenly spaced cross apertures along the second inner and outer tubes, an end aperture of the second outer tube and the second inner tube aligned with a corresponding pair of longitudinal apertures formed in the side members proximate the opposed rearward extending tubes, a pair of threaded fasteners engaging the aligned apertures a pair of nuts threadingly engaging the fasteners to affix the second inner and outer tubes to the side members, one of the second cross apertures in the second outer tube aligned with one of the second cross apertures in the second inner tube, a threaded fastener engaging the aligned apertures a nut threadingly engaging the fastener to affix the second outer tube to the second inner tube;

means for strapping bicycles and luggage to the carrier; and

wherein the carrier defines a means for securing bicycles and luggage to a vehicle.