Dual cover vehicle rack cargo carrier

• US 5,538,169 A
• Filed: 02/15/1995
• Issued: 07/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moore, Michael W.
• Original Assignee: Moore, Michael W.
• Inventors: Moore, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VIDOVICH, GREGORY M
• Application Number:
  US08/389,036
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 224/309, 224/328, 224/209, 190/100, 190/109, 190/111, 190/119, 190/120, 190/25, 190/26, 190/103, 190/102, 220/256, 220/259, 383/61, 383/80, 383/97
• US Class Current: 224/328
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/055 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. containers, boxes B60R9/048 takes precedence

Abstract

A collapsible, cargo carrier designed to be attached to the rack on the roof or truck lid on a vehicle. The carrier includes an enclosure made of durable, water-proof, coated vinyl material with a closeable inner lid. An outer lid is disposed over the inner lid and the enclosure to provide two wind and water-proof barriers over the cargo. The outer lid is attached along one edge to the front panel of the enclosure via a flexible, water-proof hinge also made of coated vinyl material. The enclosure and inner and outer lids are made of coated vinyl material which enables them to be sewn or heat welded together during manufacturing. A plurality of adjustable anchor straps are disposed longitudinally over the cargo carrier which are used to selectively attach it to the rack. A plurality of compression straps are disposed transversely over the cargo carrier which are used to adjust the shape of the carrier to the shape of the cargo items carried therein and to make the cargo carrier more aerodynamic.

Claims

1. A water-proof cargo carrier for a vehicle rack, comprising:

a) a flexible enclosure having a bottom panel, right and left side panels front and rear panels, and a top opening;

said enclosure being made of flexible, water-proof material enabling said enclosure to be folded in a compact manner;

b) an inner lid disposed over said top opening of said enclosure for selectively covering said top opening of said enclosure;

c) an outer lid disposed over said inner lid and said right and left side panels of said enclosure, said outer lid being made of water-proof material;

e) a connecting means disposed between said inner lid and said enclosure, said connecting means capable of selectively closing said inner lid on said enclosure;

f) a flexible, water-proof hinge disposed between said outer lid and said front panel of said enclosure to attach said outer lid to said enclosure;

g) a plurality of parallel aligned, adjustable anchor straps for attaching said cargo carrier to said rack, and;

h) a plurality of parallel aligned, adjustable compression straps aligned perpendicular to said anchor straps for further securing said cargo carrier to said rack and for adjusting the aerodynamic shade of said cargo carrier when objects are placed inside said enclosure, each said compression strap includes first and second strap members capable of being selectively interconnected, each of said first strap members having a first end attached to an external side of one of said side panels and a second end, each of said second strap members having a first end attached to an external side of the other of said side panels and a second end, wherein said second end of said first strap member is attachable to said second end of said second strap member.

2. A vehicle rack cargo carrier, as recited in claim 1, wherein said hinge includes a main panel attached to said front panel of said enclosure, and a pivoting panel attached along one edge to said main panel and along an opposite edge to said outer lid.

3. A vehicle rack cargo carrier, as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner lid and said outer lid are made of coated vinyl material.

4. A vehicle rack cargo carrier, as recited in claim 3, wherein said coated vinyl material used to make said inner lid and said outer lid weighs approximately 19 oz. per sq. yd.

5. A vehicle rack cargo carrier, as recited in claim 2, wherein said main panel and said pivoting panel are made of coated vinyl material.

6. A vehicle rack cargo carrier, as recited in claim 5, wherein said coated vinyl material used to make said main panel and said pivoting panel weights approximately 28 oz. per sq. yd.