INTERIOR ROOF-SPACE RACKS FOR VANS

Abstract: A support arrangement is installed in a van or other vehicle to carry goods off the floor. The support arrangement comprises a plurality of telescopic support bars (1) fixed at their opposite ends to brackets (2) secured to the opposite side walls of the van, or fixed to vertical supports.

Description: INTERIOR ROOF-SPACE RACKS FOR VANS This invention relates to a support arrangement installed in or for installation in, the cargo carrying space of e.g. a van or truck or other vehicle to support goods or materials being transported. In accordance with this invention there is provided a support arrangement installed in or for installation in a van, truck or other vehicle, comprising a plurality of telescopic support bars fixed or for fixing at their opposite ends to vertical supports, or to brackets secured to the opposite inside walls of the van or other vehicle.. In one form of the invention, elongate brackets are fixed to upright struts of the van body. Preferably these brackets have a number of locations to which the ends of the support bars can selectively be engaged,so that the support bars can be fitted at selected heights. In another form of the invention, the brackets comprise elongate channel members secured horizontally along the inside walls of the van, the ends of the support bars engaging in these channels. The support arrangement enables materials or items to be supported off the floor of the van e.g. adjacent the roof. For example, elongate articles may be laid lengthwise of the van, resting on the support bars. For example, an elongate tray may be rested on the support bars, which tray may be used for a variety of items, e.g. pipes, tools or small articles. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of the rear of a van, partly cut¬ away to show a support arrangement in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is an elevation showing one of the support bars and its two brackets; FIGURE 3 is a front view of one of the brackets; FIGURE 4 is a side view of a safety bracket attached to one of the support bars; FIGURE 5 is a rear view of the van fitted with the support arrangement; FIGURE 6 is a rear view of a van fitted with an alternative support arrangement; FIGURE 7 is a view to show a detail of the support arrangement shown in Figure 6; and FIGURE 8 is a view of the rear of a van fitted with a modified support arrangement. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a van in which a support arrangement in accordance with this invention has been installed. The support arrangement comprises a plurality of telescopic support bars 1 fixed at their opposite ends to elongate brackets 2 which are secured to the opposite inside walls of the van. In the example shown, the support bar nearest the front of the van has a safety barrier 3 attached to it, preventing articles which are supported on the bars from sliding forwards. The safety barrier 3 in the example shown is formed of metal mesh. A variety of articles can be rested on the support bars and in the example shown an elongate tray 5 runs lengthwise of the van and is secured to the support bars on which it rests by means of elastic straps 4 having their opposite ends hooked onto the edges of the tray and passing under the respective support bars. The tray may be used to hold pipes, tools or small articles, for example. Several such trays may be supported side- by-side across the width of the van. Referring to Figure 2, each telescopic support bar comprises a main cylindrical member 10 having extension rods 11 slidably fitted into its opposite ends and secured in their selected positions by screws 12 threaded through the main member 10. The outer ends of the extension rods 11 are formed with keys 13 for engaging into key-hole shaped slots in the brackets 2. Each bracket 2 (Figure 3) comprises an elongate plate 20 formed with a number of the key-hole shaped slots 21. Each bracket 2 is fixed in a vertical position to an upright strut 24 of the van body, by means of self-tapping screws 26 which are passed through the plate 20 and spacers 28 and then into the strut 24. The keys 13 at the ends of the support bars are engaged in selected ones of the slots 21 in the brackets, and therefore the support bars can be positioned at selected heights above the van floor. Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the safety barrier 3 is mounted to the required support bar by means of two L-shaped brackets 30 fitted over the respective extension rods 11 of the support bar, and fixed by screws 32. Each bracket 30 has a length of metal mesh 34 secured to it, the two pieces of metal mesh overlapping at the centre so that the safety barrier can telescope with telescoping of the support bar itself. The telescopic support bars 1 may include rollers for ease of loading and unloading e.g. rolled carpets, plasterboards etc. The support arrangement could also include telescopic struts running lengthwise to interconnect with the support bars 1 and so provide a more comprehensive rack. Figure 5 shows a typically use of the support arrangement, in which the rack supports a number cf plasterboards 50 one-upon-another, an it also supports a number of ceiling covings 52, all in the roof space of the van. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in an alternative arrangement the telescopic support bars 1 are fixed at their opposite ends to vertical supports 60, provided with key-hole shaped slots to receive the ends of the support bars at selected heights. The vertical supports 60 are engaged at their upper and lower ends in rails 62 which are positioned along the ceiling and floor of the van: thus, each end of each vertical support bar is provided with a threaded member 64 one end of which passes through a washer 65 at the end of the vertical support bar and has a locknut 66, and the other end of which has two washers 67 (one above and one below the slot in the top of the rail 62) and respective locknuts 68. The threaded members 64 therefore provide for height adjustment. Referring to Figure 8, in a modified arrangement, channel-section members 80 are fixed horizontally along the opposite inside walls of the van and each telescopic support bars e.g. 1 has a flange 2 at its opposite ends. Bolts are threaded into these flanges and have their heads engaged within the respective channel members.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) A support arrangement installed in or for installation in a van, truck or other vehicle, comprising a plurality of telescopic support bars fixed or for fixing at their opposite ends to vertical supports, or to brackets secured to the opposite inside walls of the van or other vehicle. 2) A support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the brackets comprise elongate elements fixed or for fixing to upright struts of the vehicle body. 3) A support arrangement as claimed in claim 2 , in which the brackets have a number of locations to which the ends of the support bars can selectively be engaged, so that the support bars can be fitted at selected heights. 4) A support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the brackets comprise channel members fixed or for fixing horizontally along the opposite walls of the vehicle, the ends of the support bars being provided with elements engaging within these channels. 5) A support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the vertical supports are engaged at their upper and lower ends in rails which are fixed in position along the ceiling and floor of the vehicle. 6) A support arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more of the support bars are provided with a stop to prevent forward or rearward movement of any item carried on the support arrangement.

Inventors: BERESFORD LAURIE PETER, BERESFORD, LAURIE, PETER
Applicants: BERESFORD LAURIE PETER, BERESFORD, LAURIE, PETER
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B60P7
IPC codes: B60P7