Motor vehicle integrated carrier rack and storage system

• US 9,713,989 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2016
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• 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:
  US15/045,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20160236624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 224497, 224924
• 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 cargo carrier rack and storage system for cargo transportation using a vehicle and storage at a storage location, comprising:

a modular carrier rack, comprising;

a first transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, including a first receiver hole near the distal end;

a second transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to be inserted the first receiver hole of the first transitional carrier bar;

a cargo carrier bar, having a proximal end including a second receiver hole operable to receive the distal end of the second transitional carrier bar, including a coupling mechanism operable to removably engage and immobilize cargo during transportation; and

at least one selective locking mechanism for locking the first transitional carrier bar, second transitional carrier bar, and cargo carrier bar in a fixed transportation orientation by securing the proximal end of the first transitional carrier bar within a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle;

wherein the carrier rack is compactable such that the first transitional carrier bar, second transitional carrier 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, wherein the receiver unit is coupled with a support structure within the rear of the vehicle and the support structure provides support for the receiver unit.

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

a retractable standardized peg system comprising;

a retractable peg, operable to be coupled with a peg receiver of the carrier bar system, wherein the retractable peg is coupled with cargo to be carried near the center of gravity 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 coupled with the cargo.

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

a remotely operated lock and key system operable to communicatively couple with a remote mechanism and selectively secure the receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar.

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

at least one interchangeable storage pod for storing items, the interchangeable storage pod operable to organize and store items in at least one internal compartment.

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

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

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

a first transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, including a first receiver hole near the distal end;

a second transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to be inserted the first receiver hole of the first transitional carrier bar;

a cargo carrier bar, having a proximal end including a second receiver hole operable to receive the distal end of the second transitional carrier bar, including a coupling mechanism operable to removably engage and immobilize cargo during transportation; and

at least one selective locking mechanism for locking the first transitional carrier bar, second transitional carrier bar, and cargo carrier bar in a fixed transportation orientation by securing the proximal end of the first transitional carrier bar within a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle;

wherein the carrier rack is compactable such that the first transitional carrier bar, second transitional carrier 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, wherein the receiver unit is coupled with a support structure within the rear of the vehicle and provides support for the receiver unit.

9. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, wherein a retractable standardized peg mechanism is removably coupled with the carrier bar system in order to stabilize a center of mass of cargo during transportation.

10. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, wherein a cradle system coupled to the cargo carrier rack and storage system is operable to support and secure a bar of the cargo.

11. The method of using the unified cargo carrier rack and storage system of claim 7, wherein a remote operated lock and key system operable to communicatively couple with a remote mechanism and selectively secure the receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar.

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

at least one interchangeable storage pod for storing items, the interchangeable storage pod, operable to organize and store items in at least one internal compartment.

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

a modular carrier rack, comprising;

a first transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end includes a first receiver hole on an outer surface and the distal end is operable to engage a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle and provide immobilization for cargo;

a second transitional carrier bar, having distal and proximal ends, wherein the proximal end is operable to be inserted the first receiver hole of the first transitional carrier bar;

a cargo carrier bar, having a proximal end including a second receiver hole operable to receive the distal end of the second transitional carrier bar, including a coupling mechanism operable to removably engage and immobilize cargo during transportation; and

at least one selective locking mechanism for locking the first transitional carrier bar, second transitional carrier bar, and cargo carrier bar in a fixed transportation orientation by securing the proximal end of the first transitional carrier bar within a receiver unit installed in the rear of the vehicle;

wherein the carrier rack is compactable such that the first transitional carrier bar, second transitional carrier 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 coupled with a support device within the rear of the vehicle and the support device provides support for the receiver unit.

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

a retractable standardized peg system comprising;

a retractable peg operable to be coupled with a peg receiver of the carrier bar system, wherein the retractable peg coupled with cargo to be carried near the center of gravity 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 coupled with the cargo.

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

a remotely operated lock and key device operable to communicatively couple with a remote mechanism and selectively secure the receiver unit to the transitional carrier bar.

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

at least one interchangeable storage pod for storing items, the interchangeable storage pod operable to organize and store items in at least one internal compartment.