Abstract:
A foldable rack apparatus comprises a base and a rack that is pivotably coupled to the base. The apparatus is secured to an all terrain vehicle (ATV). A coupling member allows the rack to fold when not in use, so as to not increase a length of an ATV to which the rack apparatus is secured.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to carrier racks for all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and, more particular, to a foldable carrier rack that does not increase certain external dimensions of an ATV when in a folded position.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     ATVs, whether having three or four wheels, are commonly used. ATVs may be used for recreation, or for more practical purposes, such as on farms, golf courses, or other locations where the terrain is not conducive to other modes of transportation, or where the amount of area that needs to be covered is too vast for walking. Recreational riders, or others that plan on hours of riding, often prefer to bring along a cooler for drinks. In addition, it is often necessary for the ATV rider to carry equipment, tools, or other items, so that they may be used on the property by the rider of the ATV. In the prior art, there are examples of rack systems that have been created for ATVs. However, a limitation exists with the prior art systems in that they alter the external configuration of the ATV by making the ATV longer and/or higher than it would otherwise be. When it becomes necessary to transport the ATV—on a trailer, for example—the alteration of the ATV&#39;s external dimensions caused by the external rack can make it more difficult, if not impossible, to effectively transport the ATV.  
         [0003]     A need therefore exists for a rack apparatus for an ATV that does not alter the external dimensions of the ATV.  
         [0004]     The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related, advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a foldable carrier rack apparatus for an ATV is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: a base portion adapted to be coupled to an ATV below a seat and terminating prior to a rearmost end of the seat; a rack adapted to be pivotably coupled to the base portion; and at least one coupling member adapted to pivotably couple the rack to the base portion so that the rack can be alternately positioned in a first orientation wherein the rack portion is substantially horizontal to a ground below the ATV and a second orientation wherein the rack portion is located directly below and forward of the rearmost end of the seat.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a foldable carrier rack apparatus for an ATV is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: a base portion adapted to be coupled to an ATV below a seat and terminating prior to a rearmost end of the seat, wherein the base portion comprises a pair of rails adapted to be coupled to opposing sides of the ATV and an elongated base member attached to each of the rails; a rack; and first and second coupling members adapted to pivotably couple the rack to the elongated base members so that the rack can be alternately positioned in a first orientation wherein the rack portion is substantially horizontal to a ground below the ATV and a second orientation wherein the rack portion is located directly below and forward of the rearmost end of the seat.  
         [0007]     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for transporting items on a rear portion of an ATV is disclosed. The method comprises: providing an ATV; providing a foldable carrier rack for the ATV, comprising a base portion adapted to be coupled to an ATV below a seat and terminating prior to a rearmost end of the seat, a rack adapted to be pivotably coupled to the base portion, and at least one coupling member adapted to pivotably couple the rack to the base portion so that the rack can be alternately positioned in a first orientation wherein the rack portion is substantially horizontal to a ground below the ATV and a second orientation wherein the rack portion is located directly below and forward of the rearmost end of the seat; securing the rack in the first orientation; loading items onto the rack; transporting the items by operating the ATV; unloading the items; and securing the rack in the second orientation. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rack apparatus, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the rack apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a rack apparatus installed on an ATV, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a first and second orientation of a rack portion of a rack apparatus, with the second orientation being shown in phantom.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a coupling member at a first attachment point on a rack apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a coupling member at a second attachment point on a rack apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of a rack apparatus  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The rack apparatus  10  can be divided into two principal components: a base portion  12  and a rack  20  which is pivotably coupled to the base portion  12 .  
         [0014]     In this embodiment, the base portion  12  comprises a pair of rails  11 , which may be bolted or otherwise coupled to opposing sides of an ATV. In turn, an elongated base member  14  is attached to each of the rails  11 , with securing bolts  16  or otherwise. It is further preferred to provide on the elongated base members  14  a second plurality of openings corresponding to openings in connecting members  24 , which extend forward from the rack  20 . As shown in these figures, the rearmost portion of the elongated base members  14  should terminate prior to the end of a seat on an ATV, so as to not increase the length of the ATV when the rack  20  is in a folded orientation, as herein described.  
         [0015]     In this embodiment, the base portion  12  is pivotably coupled to the rack  20  by a first coupling member  18  and a second coupling member  19 , which are inserted through aligned openings in the connecting members  24  and rack  20 . The first coupling member  18 , in this embodiment, is a pivotable fastener, such as a pivot bolt. The second coupling member  19  is a removable fastener, such as a quick release pin.  
         [0016]     The rack  20 , in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , consists of a frame  22  with horizontally spaced supports  26 . An extension frame  28 , as shown in this embodiment, may be attached to the frame  22  on the three sides of the frame  22  furthest from the base portion  12 , so as to increase the surface area of the rack  20 . It may be desired, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , to configure the extension frame  28  so that it tapers outward from the portion of the rack  20  most proximate to the base portion  12 , so as to limit the extent to which the rack  20  may protrude to the side when the rack  20  is in a folded orientation. A handle  29  that may be substantially coplanar with the rack  20  may be attached to the extension frame  28 , extending beyond the rear portion of the rack  20 . Preferably, the rack  20  is composed of heavy-duty material, such as steel or aluminum, but could also be composed of plastic or some other desired material.  
         [0017]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of a coupling member  18  at a first attachment point on a rack apparatus  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the coupling member  18  is a pivot bolt, but some other type of pivotable fastener could be used. The coupling member couples the elongated base members  14  to the connecting members  24 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a coupling member  19  at a second attachment point on a rack apparatus  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the coupling member  19  is a quick release pin, but some other type of removable fastener could be used. The coupling member  19  further couples the elongated base members  14  to the connecting members  24  when the rack portion  20  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is in a horizontal position.  
         [0019]     It should be apparent that the coupling of both the coupling member  18  and the coupling member  19  will prevent the rack  20  from rotating relative to the base portion  12 . However, withdrawal of the coupling members  19 , so that they are no longer inserted through openings in each of the base members  14  and the connecting members  24 , will permit the rack  20  to rotate/fold relative to the base portion  12 . In this manner, the rack  20  can be rotated about the first coupling member  18  and moved from a first orientation, substantially parallel to ground located below the ATV, to a folded orientation relative to the base portion  12 , as shown by way of example in  FIG. 3 . Withdrawal of each of the coupling members  18  and coupling members  19  would permit detachment of the rack  20  from the base portion  12 .  
         [0020]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it may be desired to configure the base portion  12  as a single pair of opposing rails, rather than as a pair of rails  11  that are coupled to a pair of elongated base members  14 . It may be desired to provide a solid surface for the rack  20  and/or to eliminate or differently configure the extension bar  28 . It may also be desired to provide a single coupling member, rather than first and second coupling members, to facilitate the locking into position of the rack  20  relative to the base portion  12  and the folding of the rack  20  relative to the base portion  12 . It may also be desired to accomplish pivoting of the rack  20  by establishing a hinged relationship between the base portion  12  and the rack  20 , rather than using coupling members  18  and  19 .  
       STATEMENT OF OPERATION  
       [0021]     In order to position the rack  20  so that it may be used to hold and transport items, a user would lift the rack  20  so that it is substantially horizontal to the ground below the ATV. After ensuring that the openings in the connecting members  24  are aligned, the user would insert the second coupling members  19 . To stow the rack  20 , the user would remove the second coupling members  19  and lower the rack  20 , until it reaches a point that is forward the rearmost end of the seat of the ATV.