Rear loading roof top transporter

A roof rack assembly is provided for storing items above a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof rack assembly includes a pair of rails fixedly secured to the roof, parallel to each other. Each of the rails has a channel therealong. A tray includes a first end slidingly engaging the channel and a second end. The tray is movable between a storage position above the roof and a loading position along the side of the motor vehicle. A pair of pivot arms extends between a receiving end and a pivot end. The receiving end is pivotally coupled to the second end of the tray. A pair of mounting brackets are fixedly secured to the side of the motor vehicle and pivotally coupled to the pivot arms at the pivot end thereof. Each of the mounting brackets includes a stop for limiting pivotal movement of the pivot arms as the tray moves from the storage position to the loading position in order to maintain the tray in the loading position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a roof rack assembly for a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a roof rack assembly that is movable between storage and loading positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Roof racks allow for the storage of various items, including luggage, trunks, bicycles, canoes, and skis, above a roof of a motor vehicle. The storage of such items above the roof increases storage capacity of the motor vehicle.

Accessing the roof rack can, however, be a problem for many users. For example, sport utility vehicles and minivans typically have a roof height above the shoulder level of most individuals. As a result, any item that is to be stored on the roof rack must first be raised above the roof height before loading onto the roof rack. In addition, once the item is raised to the roof, it may need to be tied to the roof rack in order to remain thereon during motor vehicle operation. Thus, an individual attempting to load a large or heavy item on the roof rack must exert a great deal of effort to utilize the roof rack.

To reduce the amount of effort required to raise certain items to the roof height of the motor-vehicle, various systems and devices have been developed that move the roof rack off of the roof to a position closer to the ground. As a result, items that are to be stored on the roof rack need not be raised to a height above the roof for loading the item onto the roof rack.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,888 to Condon et al. discloses a roof rack that moves between a storage position and a loading/unloading position. The roof rack is one component of a roof top luggage holder, which also includes a roof track and a rear frame having a hinge arm. The roof track extends fore and aft along a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof rack slidably engages the roof track at the fore of the motor vehicle. The roof rack is also pivotally attached to a first end of the hinge arm at the aft of the motor vehicle. A second end of the hinge arm is pivotally secured to a tailgate at the rear of the motor vehicle. The second end of the hinge arm pivots relative to the tailgate to swing the roof rack from a storage position on top of the roof down to a loading/unloading position at the rear of the motor vehicle. The hinge arm pivots approximately 180 degrees as the roof rack moves between its storage and loading/unloading positions. When the roof rack is in its loading/unloading position, it is essentially parallel to the tailgate of the motor vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a roof rack assembly is provided for storing items above a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof rack assembly includes a pair of rails fixedly secured to the roof parallel to each other. Each of the pair of rails defines a channel therealong. A tray includes a first end slidingly engaging the channel and a second end. The tray is movable between a storage position above the roof and a loading position along the side of the motor vehicle. A pair of pivot arms extends between a receiving end and a pivot end. The receiving end is pivotally coupled to the second end of the tray. A pair of mounting brackets are fixedly secured to the side of the motor vehicle and pivotally coupled to the pair of pivot arms at the pivot end thereof. Each of the pair of mounting brackets includes a stop for limiting pivotal movement of the pair of pivot arms as the tray moves from the storage position to the loading position to prevent the tray from moving past the loading position. The pivot arms continuously support the tray, especially when the tray is in the loading position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, a roof rack assembly, generally shown at10, is adapted to be mounted along a roof12of a motor vehicle14. The roof12extends longitudinally between a front windshield16and a back or aft end18of the motor vehicle14. The roof12also extends laterally between a pair of opposing sides20,22of the motor vehicle14. A tail light24is disposed along the aft end18of the motor vehicle14adjacent each of the sides20,22.

The roof rack assembly10includes a pair of rails26,28fixedly secured to the roof12. The pair of rails26,28are spaced apart and parallel to each other. Each of the pair of rails26,28extends between a fore end30and an aft end32. A mounting leg34is provided at the fore30and aft32ends of each of the pair of rails26,28. The mounting legs34attach the pair of rails26,28to the roof12.

Each of the pair of rails26,28includes a channel36. The channel36is generally C-shaped and includes a channel length extending between the fore30and aft32ends. Referring toFIG. 2, the channel36includes a pair of opposing folded segments38,40defining an opening42therebetween. It is appreciated that although the channel36is shown as being generally C-shaped and as having folded segments38,40, the channel36may be formed in any of a variety of different configurations.

Referring back toFIG. 1, a basket or tray, generally indicated at44, extends between a first end46and a second end48. The tray44includes a platform50and a generally rectangular platform frame52extending around the platform50. A railing54extends upwards from the platform frame52and defines a storage space. It is recognized that the exact shape of the tray44may vary depending upon the items to be stored thereon or therein.

The tray44includes spaced apart sliding brackets56fixedly secured thereto. More specifically, each sliding bracket56extends downwardly from the platform frame52at the first end46of the tray44. The sliding brackets56each include a slide pin58extending out therefrom. The slide pin58is received within the opening42for slidingly engaging the channel36.

A roller60is fixedly secured to the slide pin58. The roller60provides for smooth sliding engagement of the slide pin58within the channel36. A spacer62may be secured to the slide pin58adjacent the roller60. The spacer62maintains the pair of rails26,28and the tray44in a spaced apart relationship so as not to interfere with the sliding engagement of the slide pin58within the channel36.

The tray44also includes spaced apart pivot brackets64fixedly secured thereto. More specifically, the pivot brackets64depend from the platform frame52at the second end48of the tray44. Each pivot bracket64includes an inwardly extending receiving surface65and a slot67adjacent thereto.

The roof rack assembly10also includes a pair of pivot arms68,70. Each of the pair of pivot arms68,70extends between a receiving end72and a pivot end74. In addition, each of the pair of pivot arms68,70includes a short portion76and an elongated portion78extending away therefrom. The receiving end72is located at one end of the short portion76. The pivot end74is located at one end of the elongated portion78. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated portion78is generally perpendicular to the short portion76.

The receiving end72of each of the pair of pivot arms68,70is pivotally coupled to the tray44about the pivot pin66thereof. The pivot end74of each of the pair of pivot arms68,70is pivotally coupled to one of a pair of mounting brackets, generally indicated at80. The pair of pivot arms68,70bears the load of the tray44as the tray44moves between its storage and loading positions.

Referring toFIG. 3, each of the pair of mounting brackets80is disposed along the aft end18of the motor vehicle14and along one of the pair of sides20,22. Each of the pair of mounting brackets80includes an L-shaped base portion82fixedly secured to the motor vehicle14. More specifically, the base portion82is mounted to the back end18and to one of the sides20,22.

Each of the pair of mounting brackets80also includes a pair of parallel and spaced apart side walls84,86extending out from the base portion82. The side walls84,86extend rearward of the motor vehicle14. Each of the pair of side walls84,86includes apertures88. A fastener90extends through each of the apertures88to interconnect the side walls84,86with the pair of pivot arms68,70. The pair of pivot arms68,70pivots about the fastener90.

A stop or floor portion92extends horizontally between the side walls84,86. The stop92is generally parallel with the roof12. The stop92limits pivoting of the pair of pivot arms68,70about each of the pair of mounting brackets80.

The roof rack assembly10is utilized for storage and transport of items above the roof12during motor vehicle operation. The tray44is movable between a storage position above the roof12, as shown inFIG. 4, and a loading position alongside the back end18of the motor vehicle14, as shown inFIG. 5. It will, however, be appreciated that the roof rack assembly10may be oriented so that the tray44extends out over either one of the pair of sides20,22when in its loading position.

A grab bar93extends between two of the pivot brackets64. The grab bar93is utilized to manually move the tray44between the storage and loading positions.

A locking mechanism, generally indicated at81, includes a center hub83. The center hub83is pivotally coupled to the receiving surface65by a pin (not shown). An engaging arm85and a release lever87extend out from the center hub83in opposing directions. The engaging arm85extends through the slot67and is received within the channel36. A tension spring89biases the engaging arm85into engagement with the channel36. When the engaging arm85extends into the channel36, the tray44is locked in its storage position. Actuation of the release lever87in a rearward direction pivots the locking mechanism81about the receiving surface65to urge the engaging arm85out of the channel36. As a result, the tray44may be moved out of the storage position.

Still referring toFIG. 3, the tray44includes a pair of storage ramps94disposed along the platform52. Each of the pair of storage ramps94has a generally semi-circular cross section. It is, however, appreciated that the cross section of the pair of storage ramps94may vary. When an individual places an item in an upper half of the tray44while the tray44is in the loading position, the pair of storage ramps94retains that item in the upper half so that additional items can be placed in a lower half of the tray44. The individual is, therefore, able to make full use of the storage capacity of the tray44.

In operation, starting with the tray44in the storage position above the roof12, as shown inFIG. 4, the individual first pulls on the grab bar93. As a result, the sliding bracket56slides along the channel36towards the aft end32of the rails26,28. The movement of the sliding bracket56causes the tray44to slide rearwardly along the roof12. At the same time, the pair of pivot arms68,70pivots relative to the pair of mounting brackets80and continuously supports the tray44during travel. The sliding bracket56slides along the length of the channel36until it reaches a final position at the aft end30of one of the pair of rails26,28. When the sliding bracket56reaches the end of the channel36, the pair of pivot arms68,70abuts against the stop92. As a result, pivotal movement of the pair of pivot arms68,70ends and the tray44is presented in its loading position, as shown inFIG. 5, inclined to the horizontal at about 45°.

Referring toFIGS. 6 through 8, wherein like primed reference numerals represent similar elements as those described above, a second embodiment of the invention includes a drive assembly, generally indicated at96inFIG. 7, for moving the tray44′ between the storage and loading positions. The drive assembly96includes a motor98, a clutch100, and a gear102.

The drive assembly96is housed within an interior portion104of a mounting panel106. The interior portion104also houses electrical wiring108that extends from inside the motor vehicle14′ to power the drive assembly96. The mounting panel106is fixedly attached to the roof12′ and extends between the pair of rails26′,28′. Although the drive assembly96is shown as being housed within the mounting panel106, it is contemplated that the drive assembly96may be located at various positions outside of the mounting panel106.

Still referring toFIG. 7, the mounting panel106extends between a pair of front stanchions110(one shown). One of the front stanchions110includes a drive gear112that is engaged by the gear102of the drive assembly96. A pair of rear stanchions114is fixedly mounted to the roof12′ adjacent to the back end18′ of the motor vehicle14′. Each of the pair of rear stanchions114is aligned longitudinally with one of the pair of front stanchions110.

Each of the pair of rails26′,28′ extends between the longitudinally aligned front110and rear114stanchions, as shown inFIG. 6. Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, a drive mechanism116is disposed adjacent to and extends along one of the pair of rails26′,28′. The drive mechanism116is operably connected to the motor98. The drive mechanism116may be a lead screw, a chain, a cable, a tape, a belt, or a combination thereof.

In the current embodiment, the drive mechanism is a lead screw116. The lead screw116is disposed within the channel36′ of one of the pair of rails26′,28′, and extends between the fore30′ and aft32′ ends thereof. The lead screw116is rotatably engaged by the drive gear112.

Referring specifically toFIG. 8, the sliding bracket56′ includes an internally threaded, circular guide118rotatably engaging the lead screw116. The sliding bracket56′ is driven by the lead screw116to move between the fore30′ and aft32′ ends of one of the pair of rails26′,28′.

The sliding bracket56′ also includes a horizontal segment120extending away from the circular guide118and disposed within the opening42′. A roller bearing122is secured over the horizontal segment120. The roller bearing122provides for smooth sliding movement of the sliding bracket56′ along one of the pair of rails26′,28′.

The sliding bracket56′ further includes an upright, mounting flange124. The mounting flange124is pivotally secured to the tray44′ adjacent the first end46′ thereof by a pivot pin126. As the sliding bracket56′ moves between the fore30′ and aft32′ ends of one of the pair of rails26′,28′, the tray44′ pivots about the pivot pin126between the storage and loading positions.

The roof rack assembly10′ may also incorporate an anti-pinch device (not shown), as is well known to those skilled in the art. The anti-pinch device is operatively connected to the motor98. The anti-pinch device automatically reverses the tray44′ upon sensing or contacting an obstruction in the path of the tray44″ so that the tray44′ does not damage the obstruction.

In operation, the movement of the tray44′ from the storage position to the loading position is initiated by a power switch (not shown) inside the motor vehicle14′ or by a remote control (not shown). The motor98is thereby activated, which, in turn, causes the lead screw116to rotate. The rotation of the lead screw116drives the sliding bracket56′ to move towards the aft end32′ of one of the pair of rails26′,28′. As the sliding bracket56′ moves towards the aft end32′, the tray44′ pivots about the pivot pin126. At the same time, the pair of pivot arms68′,70′ pivots about the pair of mounting brackets80′ along the back end18′ of the motor vehicle14′. The pair of pivot arms68′,70′ bears the load of the pivoting tray44′. When the sliding bracket56′ reaches the aft end32′ of the one of the pair of rails26′,28′, the tray44′ is in its loading position.

Referring toFIGS. 9 through 13, wherein like double primed numerals represent elements similar to those of the first embodiment, a third embodiment of the invention10″ includes a link arm or counterbalance cable128that extends between one of the pair of rails26″,28″ and the tray44″. Referring specifically toFIGS. 10 and 11, the link arm128includes an end130pivotally secured to the tray44″ by a pin132, and an opposing rail end134pivotally secured to one of the pair of rails26″,28″. The link arm128assists in retaining the tray44″ in the loading position.

A slide bushing136is fixedly secured to the rail end134of the link arm128. The slide bushing136is received within an upper housing138. The slide bushing136facilitates sliding of the link arm128along one of the pair of rails26″,28″.

The upper housing138is disposed above the channel36″ and extends from the fore end30″ of one of the pair of rails26″,28″ to a housing end140. Thus, as the sliding bracket56″ slides from the fore end30″ to the aft end32″ of one of the pair of rails26″,28″, the slide bushing136will travel between the fore end30″ and the housing end140. When the slide bushing136reaches the housing end140, the link arm128pivots about the pin132to retain the tray44″ in the loading position.

The link arm128may be utilized by itself, as is shown inFIGS. 9 through 11, or in combination with the pair of pivot arms68″,70″, as is shown inFIG. 12.

Referring specifically toFIG. 10, each of the rear stanchions114″ includes a roller142fixedly secured thereto for aiding movement of the tray44″ between its storage and loading positions.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, a cover assembly, generally indicated at144, extends along the back end18″ of the motor vehicle14″. The cover assembly144includes outer146and inner148panel members, as shown inFIG. 13. The outer146and inner148panel members are fixedly secured to the roof12″ and to the back end18″ of the motor vehicle14″. The outer panel member146defines a pocket150for receiving one of the pair of pivot arms68″,70″ therein when the tray44″ is in its storage position. The cover assembly144conceals one of the pair of pivot arms68″,70″ to improve the overall appearance of the motor vehicle14″.

It is appreciated that although the cover assembly144has been shown and described in relation to the third embodiment of the invention, the cover assembly144is equally applicable to all of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring toFIGS. 14 through 16, wherein like triple primed reference numerals represent similar elements as those described above, in a fourth embodiment of the invention the drive mechanism is a belt116″′ extending between a pair of pulleys152,154. The pulleys152,154are disposed along the channel36″′. One of the pair of pulleys152is positioned at the fore end30″′ of one of the pair of rails26″′,28″′. The other of the pair of pulleys154is positioned at the aft end32″′ of one of the pair of rails26″′,28″′, as is shown inFIG. 14. The pair of rails26″′,28″′ is shaped to accommodate the belt116″′ and the sliding bracket56″′ secured thereto.

Upon activation of the drive assembly96″, the belt116″ drives the sliding bracket56′″ between the fore30′″ and aft32′″ ends of one of the pair of rails26′″,28′″ to move the tray44′″ (not shown inFIGS. 14 through 16) between its storage and loading positions.

Referring toFIG. 17, wherein like quadruple primed reference numerals represent similar elements as those described above, in a fifth embodiment of the invention tray extension, generally indicated at156, slidingly engages the tray44″″. The tray extension156, includes extension sides158,160and an extension end162extending between the extension sides158,160.

The extension sides158,160slidingly engage opposing sides164,166, each of which have a predetermined length, to move the tray extension156between a retracted position, indicated at A, and an extended position, indicated at B. When the extension156is in the retreacted position, the extension end162is disposed adjacent the second end48″″ of the tray44″″. When the extension156is in the extended position, the extension end162is spaced apart from the second48″″ of the tray44″″. As a result, the capacity of the roof rack assembly10″″ is increased. As an added benefit, when the extension156is in the extended position, an individual storing an item on the tray44″″ must only raise the item to the extension end162, which is at a lower elevation than the second end48″″ of the tray44″″.

An extension latch (not shown) may be provided for selectively locking the extension156in the retracted position.

It is contemplated that the extension156of the current embodiment may be utilized with the roof rack assembly10″″ in any of the embodiments set forth above.