Luggage rack with wind noise reducer

• US 5,282,560 A
• Filed: 04/26/1993
• Issued: 02/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Ozog, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US08/052,937
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 224/316, 224/309, 224/321, 224/325, 224/326, 296/180.1, 244/130
• US Class Current: 224/316
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/05 Carriers characterised by wind deflecting means wind deflectors for open roofs B60J7/22
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

A luggage rack (14) of the type suitable for installation on the roof (12) of an automotive vehicle (10) is improved through the addition of a mechanism for reducing the noise generated by wind passing over cross members (16,18) of the luggage rack (14). The mechanism is a strip (34) having irregular outer surfaces (40,42) secured to outer surfaces of at least one of the cross members (16,18). The irregular surfaces (40,42) operate to vary the cross section of the cross member (16,18) as it extends transversely of the vehicle (10), and the strip (34) may be formed as a tape having an adhesive layer (36) for securement to the luggage rack (14).

Claims

1. A luggage rack for an automobile body comprising:

at least one transversely extending cross member,

stanchion means for supporting opposed ends of each cross member to position the at least one cross member in generally parallel, spaced relationship with respect to the automobile body, and

means defining a cross sectional shape of the at least one cross member that varies along the transverse extent of the at least one cross member.

2. A luggage rack as defined in claim 1, wherein the shape-defining means is also operative to define an external surface of the at least one cross member that is irregularly curved in the direction normal to the transverse extension of the at least one cross member.

3. A luggage rack as defined in claim 1, wherein the shape-defining means comprises an irregularly shaped elongated strip adhesively secured to the at least one cross member.

4. A luggage rack as defined in claim 2, wherein the shape-defining means comprises an irregularly shaped elongated strip, adhesively secured to the at least one cross-member.

5. A luggage rack as defined in claim 3, wherein the strip is fabricated as a tape.

6. A luggage rack as defined in claim 4, wherein the strip is fabricated as a tape.

7. A luggage rack as defined in claim 3, wherein the at least one cross-member is generally tear drop shaped in cross section.

8. A luggage rack as defined in claim 4, wherein the at least one cross member is generally tear drop shaped in cross section.

9. A luggage rack as defined in claim 6, and further comprising a second transversely extending cross member longitudinally spaced from the at least one transversely extending cross member.

10. A luggage rack as defined in claim 9, wherein the tape is applied to the surface of each of the cross members.

11. A luggage rack for an automobile body comprising:

at least one transversely extending cross-member,

stanchion means for supporting opposed ends of each cross member to position the at least one cross member in generally parallel, spaced relationship with respect to the automobile body, and

means adhesively secured to the at least one cross-member for reducing wind noise.

12. A luggage rack as defined in claim 11, wherein the wind noise-reducing means comprises an irregularly shaped elongated strip adhesively secured to the at least one cross member.

13. A luggage rack as defined in claim 11, wherein the wind noise reducing means is formed as a tape.

14. A luggage rack for an automobile body, comprising at least one transversely extending cross member, having a tear drop shaped cross section,

stanchion means for supporting opposed ends of each cross member to position the at least one cross member in generally parallel spaced relationship with respect to the automobile body, and

means adhesively secured to the at least one cross member for reducing wind noise.

15. A luggage rack as defined in claim 14, wherein the wind noise-reducing means comprises an irregularly shaped elongated strip.

16. A luggage rack as defined in claim 14, wherein the wind noise-reducing means is adhesively secured to a generally horizontal surface of the at least one cross member facing the automobile body.