Rack assembly for a vehicle

• US 6,561,398 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yakima Products Incorporated (Kemflo International Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Yakima Products Incorporated (Kemflo International Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Dean, Gregory A., Cole, Stephen J., Settelmayer, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garbe, Stephen P.
• Application Number:
  US09/556,878
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 224/924, 224/324, 211/20
• 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 9/10 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/924 Vehicle attached carrier for bicycle or motorcycle

Abstract

A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is associated with the load-carrying support member and configured to secure the equipment to the support member. The securing apparatus includes a strap adapted to extend at least partially around the recreational equipment, and a ratchet drive mechanism adapted to receive and grip one end of the strap. In one embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism includes at least one drive actuator that is operable to grip successive portions of the strap and draw it tight around the recreational equipment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

a handle actuator pivotally connected directly to the housing, the handle actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the handle actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pawl and actuator are fully operable to engage and disengage the teeth on the strap with only two pivotal axes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap and the housing are formed of the same piece of material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted on a pin that defines a pivotal axis for the actuator, the housing having a pair of slots holding the pin on opposite sides of the housing so that the pivotal axis of the actuator can move linearly within the slots of the housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pin moves in the slots when the actuator is pressed against the front end of the pawl.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator can be depressed into contact with the front end of the pawl causing the pawl to rotate out of engagement with the teeth of the strap, thereby permitting sliding of the strap, relative to the housing, in the loosening direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is biased into contact with the front end of the pawl with a force that is insufficient to disengage the pawl from the teeth on the strap without manually depressing the actuator toward the pawl, so that the strap can be easily freed to move in the loosening direction by a single step of pressing the actuator against the front end of the pawl.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing has lateral sides defining a housing compartment, substantially all engagement of the strap by the pawl and the actuator occurring inside the housing compartment.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted on a wheel tray for supporting a bicycle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to secure the wheel of the bicycle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing has a ledge projection configured for attachment under a wheel tray for supporting a bicycle.

12. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally mounted on a pin that defines a pivotal axis for the actuator, wherein the housing has a pair of slots holding the pin on opposite sides of the housing so that pivotal axis of the actuator can move linearly within the slots of the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator has a handle for controlling sliding movement of the strap within the housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pawl and actuator are fully operable to engage and disengage the teeth on the strap with only two pivotal axes.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the strap and the housing are formed of the same piece of material.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pin moves in the slots when the actuator is pressed against the front end of the pawl.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator can be depressed into contact with the front end of the pawl causing the pawl to rotate out of engagement with the teeth of the strap, thereby permitting sliding of the strap, relative to the housing, the loosening direction.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator is biased into contacting the front end of the pawl with a force that is insufficient to disengage the pawl from the teeth from the strap without manually depressing the actuator toward the pawl, so that the strap can be easily freed to move in a loosening direction by a single step of pressing the actuator against the front end of the pawl.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing has lateral sides defining a housing partner, substantially all engagement of the strap by the pawl and the actuator occurring inside the housing compartment.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is adapted to secure the wheel of a bicycle.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing has a ledge projection configured for attachment under a wheel tray for supporting a bicycle.

22. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, the actuator being biased into contact with the front end of the pawl with a force insufficient to disengage the pawl from the teeth on the strap without manually depressing the actuator toward the pawl, so that the strap can be easily freed to move in the loosening direction by a single step of pressing the actuator against the front end of the pawl.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the actuator has a handle portion for controlling sliding movement of the strap within the housing.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the pawl and actuator are fully operable to engage and disengage the teeth on the strap with only two pivotal axes.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the strap and the housing are formed from the same piece of material.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted on a pin the defines a pivotal axis for the actuator, the housing having a pair of slots holding the pin on opposite sides of the housing so that the pivotal axes of the actuator can move linearly within the slots of the housing.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the pin moves in the slots when the actuator is pressed against the front end of the pawl.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the housing has lateral sides defining the housing compartment, substantially all engagement of the strap by the pawl and the actuator occurring inside the housing compartment.

29. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, wherein the pawl and it actuator are fully operable to engage and disengage the teeth on the strap with only two pivotal axes, and

wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted on a pin that defines a pivotal axis for the actuator, the housing having a pair of slots holding the pin on opposite sides of the housing so that the pivotal axis of the actuator can move linearly within the slots of the housing.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the pin moves in the slots when the actuator is pressed against the front end of the pawl.

31. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, wherein the pawl and actuator are fully operable to engage and disengage the teeth on the strap with only two pivotal axes, and

wherein the actuator is biased into contact with the front end of the pawl with a force that is insufficient to disengage the pawl from the teeth of the strap without manually depressing the actuator toward the pawl, so that the strap can be easily freed to move in the loosening by a single step of pressing the actuator against the front end of the pawl.

32. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, wherein the pawl and actuator are fully operable to engage and disengage the teeth on the strap with only two pivotal axes, and

wherein the housing has lateral sides defining a housing compartment, substantially all engagement of the strap by the pawl and the actuator occurring inside the housing compartment.

33. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, wherein the housing holds the actuator in close proximity to the teeth on the strap when the actuator is not being used to advance the strap in the tightening direction, and

wherein the actuator is biased into contact with the front end of the pawl with a force that is insufficient to disengage the pawl from the teeth from the strap without manually depressing the actuator toward the pawl, so that the strap can be easily freed to move in the loosening direction by a single step of pressing the actuator against the front end of the pawl.

34. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, wherein the housing holds the actuator in close proximity to the teeth on the strap when the actuator is not being used to advance the strap in the tightening direction, and

wherein the housing has lateral sides defining a housing compartment, substantially all engagement of the strap by the pawl and the actuator occurring inside the housing compartment.

35. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap, wherein the housing has lateral sides defining a housing compartment, substantially all engagement of the strap by the pawl and the actuator occurring inside the housing compartment.

36. An apparatus for securing a bicycle on a vehicle rack comprising

a strap having teeth on a top side,

a housing configured to receive the strap, the strap being moveable through the housing in a tightening direction and in an opposite loosening direction, the housing having a tongue structure configured for engaging a channel under a wheel tray for supporting a bicycle,

a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing, the pawl having a front end and a back end, the back end of the pawl being biased into engagement with the teeth on the top side of the strap, the teeth being configured so that when the pawl engages the strap, the strap is permitted to slide relative to the housing in the tightening direction but not in the loosening direction,

an actuator pivotally connected to the housing, the actuator having teeth for engaging the teeth on the strap so that the actuator can be manipulated to drive the strap through the housing in the tightening direction while the pawl prevents loosening of the strap.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the tongue structure is located between the housing and strap.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the housing, tongue structure and strap are all formed from the same piece of material.

39. A rack assembly for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, comprising:

a mount attachable to the vehicle;

a wheel support member coupled to the mount and configured to support a bicycle wheel adjacent the vehicle; and

a wheel securing apparatus associated with the wheel support member and configured to secure the bicycle wheel to the wheel support member, wherein the wheel securing apparatus includes two ratchet drive mechanisms disposed to receive and grip opposite ends of the strap.

40. The rack of claim 39, wherein the strap includes a plurality of grip elements spaced along at least a portion of the strap, and wherein the drive actuator is operable to engage successive grip elements and draw the strap tight around the bicycle wheel.

41. The rack of claim 40, wherein the ratchet drive mechanism includes a locking member adapted to engage one or more of the grip elements to prevent loosening of the strap.

42. The rack of claim 40, wherein the drive actuator is operable to disengage the locking member from the grip elements to allow the strap to be loosened from around the bicycle.

43. The rack of claim 39, wherein at least a portion of the wheel securing apparatus is integrally molded with the wheel support member.

44. The rack of claim 39, wherein the wheel securing apparatus is movably coupled to the wheel support member.