SKI CARRIER

Abstract: This invention relates to a ski carrier for transporting skis on a vehicle roof, the ski carrier being made up of two support bars (1) mounted transversely to the travelling direction and fixed to the edges of the vehicle roof, on top of which skis (2) or similar objects are fastened by means of clamping means (3), which can be clamped over the skis. The clamping means (3) consist of a removable longitudinal clamping bar, whose one end (4) is provided with a jaw (5), which is U-shaped in profile and grasps the support bar (1) as the clamping means is fastened, and is locked by an L-shaped fastening hook (7), provided at the other end (6) of the clamping means.

Description: Ski carrier This invention relates to a ski carrier for transporting skis on the roof of a vehicle, the ski carrier comprising two support bars placed transversely in the travelling 5 direction and fixed to the edges of the vehicle roof, on top of which skis or similar objects are fastened by means of clamping means, which can be clamped over the skis. A number of previously known ski carriers consist of simple rubber straps, which 0 are clamped over the skis and fixed under hooks continuously screwed to the support bars. Nevertheless, such rubber straps may break after some time, and are thus not reliable. Other previously known fixing means consist of high, flat fixing means, permanently attached to the support bars and provided with rubber springs both on the upper and the lower side. The fixing means are additionally equipped 5 with locks at their outer ends. Such fixing means are very expensive due to their technical design. Moreover, they increase air friction and cause a howling noise during travel. The object of this invention is to eliminate the above drawbacks and to provide a 0 ski carrier that is not only simple and safe, but also inexpensive. The ski carrier of the invention is characterised by the clamping means consisting of a removable longitudinal clamping bar, whose one end is provided with a jaw, which is U- shaped in profile and grasps the support bar as the clamping means is fastened, and is locked with an L-shaped hook provided at the other end of the clamping means. 5 The ski carrier of the invention is handy and readily available. It is safe, and continues to be so, even after a long period of use. What is more, it is inexpensive, thanks to its straightforward design. Air friction will be very low owing to the flat design of the carrier. The clamping means can be stored in the boot when not in use. The dependent claims below will describe various embodiments of the 0 invention. The invention will be substantiated below with the aid of an example and referring to the accompanying drawings, of which 5 figure 1 shows the clamping means of the ski carrier viewed in the travelling direction, figure 2 shows the fastening hook, figure 3 shows the same fastening hook as figure 2, viewed from the end in direction III, figure 4 shows the U-shaped jaw, figure 5 shows the same jaw as figure 4, viewed from the end in direction V and figures 6 and 7 are sectional views of the clamping means provided with two optional clamping pads. The ski carrier consists of two support bars 1 mounted transversely in the travelling direction and fastened to the edges of the vehicle roof, on top of which skis 2 are fixed by means of clamping means 3 that can be clamped over the skis. The clamping means 3 consists of a removable longitudinal clamping bar, whose one end 4 is provided with a jaw 5, which is U-shaped in profile and grasps the support bar 1 as the clamping means 3 is clamped and locked with an L-shaped fastening hook 7, provided at the other end 6 of the clamping means. The clamping means 3 is provided with a soft, resilient clamping pad 8 made of say, foam plastic, foam rubber, or as illustrated in figure 7, a rubber hose profile 9. This clamping pad enables various objects to be fastened, such as skis 2 of varying thickness, or any other objects, boards and mouldings, pipes and similar, having varying thickness. The clamping means 3 is made of flat metal, such as flat iron, spring steel or aluminium profile. Its one end 4 is joined by bending to the "clamping element" with the U-shaped jaw 5. Its other end 6 is joined by bending to the "locking element" with the L-shaped fastening hook 7. The U-shaped jaw 5 is dimensioned such that both the jaw halves grasp the surfaces of the support bar from above and from below with a force Fl and F2 as the device is being fastened. The fastening hook 7 is imparted a force F3 which locks the clamping means 3 into position. As skis 2 or similar are being fastened, forces Fl and F3 are boosted by the force exerted by the clamping pad, providing even more solid fastening. The lower jaw of the clamping element 5 and the fastening hook 7 are each provided with a locking claw 10, which blocks the clamping means to the support bar 1 against any horizontal forces.

Claims: Claims 1. A ski carrier for transporting skis on the roof of a vehicle, the ski carrier being made up of two support bars (1) mounted transversely in the travelling direction and fixed to the edges of the vehicle roof, on top of which skis (2) or similar objects are fastened by means of clamping means (3), which can be clamped over the skis, characterised in that the clamping means (3) consists of a removable longitudinal clamping bar, whose one end (4) is provided with a jaw (5), which is U-shaped in profile, and which grasps the support bar (1) as the clamping means is fastened and locked by means of an L-shaped fastening hook (7), provided at the other end (6) of the clamping means. 2. A ski carrier as set forth in claim 1, characterised in that the clamping means (3) is provided with a soft, resilient clamping pad (8) made of say, foam plastic, foam rubber or a rubber hose profile (9), which enables objects of varying thickness to be fastened. 3. A ski carrier as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the clamping means (3) is made of fiat metal, such as flat iron, spring steel or aluminium profile, whose one end (4) is joined by bending to the clamping element with the U-shaped jaw (5), and whose other end (6) is joined by bending to the locking element with the L-shaped fastening hook (7). 4. A ski carrier as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the U-shaped jaw (5) is dimensioned such that both jaw halves grasp the surfaces of the support bar (1) from above and from below with a force (Fl and F2) as the carrier is being fastened, and in that the fastening hook (7) is imparted a force (F3), which locks the clamping means (3) into position. 5. A ski carrier as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower jaw of the clamping element (5) and the fastening hook (7) are each provided with a locking claw (10), which blocks the clamping means (3) to the support bar (1) against any horizontal forces.

Inventors: PELIN CAMILLA, PELIN, CAMILLA
Applicants: PELARS OY AB
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B60R9
IPC codes: B60R9