Motor vehicle integrated carrier rack and storage system

• US 9,290,132 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark A. Anton
• Original Assignee: Mark A. Anton
• Inventors: Anton, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LARSON, JUSTIN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US14/214,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20140263513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 224/497, 224/924
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/08 specially adapted for sports gear vehicles specially adapted for carrying aeroplanes, for carrying boats B60P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/10 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/924 Vehicle attached carrier for bicycle or motorcycle

Abstract

An integrated carrier rack and storage system for vehicles is provided. Generally, the system includes a receiving unit, installed in a motor vehicle that receives a carrier bar device. The system further includes an immobilizing system attached carrier bar and various attachment units which facilitate in transportation and storage. The integrated carrier rack and storage system is user friendly and may be applied to any motor vehicle to carry an assortment of items and store them using the same system.

Claims

1. A unified carrier cargo rack and storage system for a vehicle comprising:

a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle; and

a modular carrier rack, wherein the carrier rack further comprises;

a transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage the receiver unit and provide immobilization for cargo and the distal end is operable to engage a secondary bar or a cargo carrier bar, wherein a distal end of the secondary bar engages the cargo carrier bar and at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo;

a cargo carrier bar operable to engage the secondary bar or the transitional carrier bar, wherein the cargo carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo;

wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable such that the transitional carrier bar, secondary bar, and cargo carrier bar can be folded into a secure, telescopic arrangement.

2. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a support structure within the rear of the vehicle wherein the support structure provides support for receiver unit.

3. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a retractable standardized peg system coupled with the carrier bar system, wherein the standardized peg system is operable to engage cargo;

the standardized peg system further comprising;

a peg for engagably coupling with a peg receiver, the cargo peg receiver coupled to cargo such that in operation the cargo is stabilized at the center of mass of the cargo.

4. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cradle system operable to support and secure a bar of the cargo, wherein the cradle system is retractable into the cargo carrier bar, wherein the cradle system can be locked into place for support using a rotational locking mechanism and wherein securing a bar of the cargo includes engaging a screw clamping system.

5. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote operated lock and key system operable to secure the receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar when engaged.

6. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 1, wherein cargo further comprises:

a storage pod for storing items, the storage pod operable to keep the items together after transportation using the cargo carrier bar; and

detachable board carriers for securely transporting sporting boards, wherein the board carriers are attachable to one or more of a vehicle, a storage pod, and a carrier rack.

7. A method of using a unified cargo carrier rack and storage system to secure cargo comprising:

providing a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle;

providing a modular carrier rack, the carrier rack further comprising;

a transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage the receiver unit and provide immobilization for cargo and the distal end is operable to engage a secondary bar or a cargo carrier bar, wherein a distal end of the secondary bar engages the cargo carrier bar and at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo;

providing a carrier bar operable to engage the secondary bar or the transitional carrier bar, wherein the carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo; and

wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable such that the transitional carrier bar, secondary bar, and cargo carrier bar can be folded into a secure, telescopic arrangement.

8. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, further comprising:

providing a support structure within the rear of the vehicle wherein the support structure provides support for receiver unit.

9. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, further comprising:

providing a retractable standardized peg mechanism coupled with the carrier bar system, wherein the standardized peg mechanism is operable to engage cargo;

the standardized peg mechanism further comprising;

a peg for engagably coupling with a peg receiver, the cargo peg receiver coupled to cargo such that in operation the cargo is stabilized at the center of mass of the cargo.

10. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, further comprising:

providing a cradle system operable to support and secure a bar of the cargo, wherein the cradle is retractable into the cargo carrier bar, wherein the cradle can be locked into place for support using a rotational locking mechanism and wherein securing a bar of the cargo includes engaging a screw clamping mechanism.

11. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, further comprising:

providing a remote operated lock and key system operable to provide security for the receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar when engaged.

12. The method of using the unified carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, wherein cargo further comprises:

a storage pod for storing items, the storage pod, operable to keep the items together after transportation using the cargo carrier bar; and

detachable board carriers for securely transporting sporting boards, wherein the board carriers are attachable to one or more of a vehicle, a storage pod, and a carrier rack.

13. A unified cargo carrier rack and storage device for a vehicle comprising:

a modular carrier rack, wherein the carrier rack further comprises;

a transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage a receiver unit installed in the rear of a vehicle and provide immobilization for cargo and the distal end is operable to engage a secondary bar or a cargo carrier bar, wherein a distal end of the secondary bar engages the cargo carrier bar and at a height sufficient to provide clearance from the ground for cargo;

a carrier bar operable to engage the secondary bar or the transitional carrier bar, wherein the carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo;

wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable such that the transitional carrier bar, secondary bar, and cargo carrier bar can be folded into a secure, telescopic arrangement.

14. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 13, wherein the receiver unit is supported by

a support device within the rear of the vehicle wherein the support device provides additional support for receiver unit.

15. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 13, further comprising:

a retractable standardized peg coupled with the carrier bar device, wherein the standardized peg device is operable to engage cargo;

the standardized peg further comprising;

a peg for engagably coupling with a cargo peg receiver, the cargo peg receiver coupled to cargo such that in operation the cargo is stabilized at the center of mass of the cargo.

16. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 13, further comprising:

a cradle device operable to support and secure a bar of the cargo, wherein the cradle device is retractable into the cargo carrier bar, wherein the cradle device can be locked into place for support using a rotational locking mechanism and wherein securing a bar of the cargo includes engaging a screw clamping device.

17. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 13, further comprising:

a remote operated lock and key device operable to secure the receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar when engaged.

18. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 13, wherein cargo further comprises:

a storage pod for storing items, the storage pod operable to keep the items together after transportation using the cargo carrier bar; and

detachable board carriers for securely transporting sporting boards, wherein the board carriers are attachable to one or more of a vehicle, a storage pod, and a carrier rack.

19. The unified cargo carrier rack and storage device of claim 13, further comprising:

a wired or wireless brake-light.

20. A unified cargo carrier rack and storage system for a vehicle comprising:

a carrier bar system, the carrier bar system further comprising;

a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle;

a transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to engage the receiver unit and provide immobilization for cargo;

a cargo carrier bar operable to engage transitional carrier bar near the distal end of transitional carrier bar, wherein cargo carrier bar is further operable to engage and immobilize cargo;

wherein the carrier rack is lightweight and compactable into a secure, telescopic arrangement; and

a standardized peg system, the standardized peg system further comprising;

a standardized peg operable to secure cargo at a center of mass of the cargo, to the carrier bar system.