Abstract:
Cargo carrying systems for attaching to a vehicle&#39;s cargo area, including a number of cross supports, the adjacent edges of two cross supports creating a storage compartment in which various storage containers are suspended, each cross support having a first and a second leg, each leg being separated from one another by a central member coupled to the top of each leg with a coupler, the bottom of each leg having a mounting bracket for attaching to the vehicle, the legs of adjacent cross supports being joined by a connecting rod.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to automotive cargo carrying systems and automotive cargo racks. In particular, cargo carrying systems having cargo compartments located between structural cross supports conducive to user access are described. 
     Carrying, storing, and transporting various cargo on one&#39;s automobile is a daily necessity. This need is especially apparent where the user carries cargo related to construction, residential and commercial services, and all aspects of recreation. On a given day a user may be storing or transporting tools, lumber, sheet materials, hardware, camping gear, sports equipment boating supplies, and the like. To fill that need, a number of cargo rack systems have been designed. 
     Known cargo carrying systems are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing systems do not utilize available cargo space adequately. Current systems overload the top side of the cargo system putting cargo beyond a user&#39;s comfortable reach. Loading cargo in this way presents problems involving accessing cargo, securing cargo, maximizing capacity, and user safety in loading and unloading cargo. 
     Conventional cargo systems are poorly designed for placing cargo between or underneath the cross-members where a user may more efficiently store cargo within reach. Having a design conducive to alternative cargo storage compartments allows a user to utilize more available carrying space. 
     In addition, conventional cargo systems lack easily accessible cargo containers. Current containers are designed for top-side mounting and are large and cumbersome. They typically have only one opening and limit the user&#39;s ability to access the cargo from different positions or store cargo strategically. A user intending to carry cargo that needs to be accessed frequently must face the task of repeatedly climbing to the top of the cargo system. 
     The cargo storing and transporting needs of individual users are diverse. Cargo comes in all shapes and sizes and varies in regard to the amount of protection it needs for transport. Existing cargo systems and cargo containers are not sufficiently tailored in size and type to fit specific cargo. Often, the containers are large and rigid causing small cargo to move around during transport and sustain damage. This one-size-fits-all approach to carrying cargo leads to inadequate containment, cargo shifting en route, and limited storage capacity. 
     Further, known cargo carrying systems must be added either in addition to or in lieu of standard truck canopies. Adding a cargo system over an existing canopy is expensive, cumbersome and limits a user&#39;s access to the area covered by the canopy. In the alternative, adding a cargo carrying system in lieu of a standard canopy leaves the cargo and interior of the vehicle storage area unprotected. 
     Thus, there exists a need for automotive cargo carrying systems that improve upon and advance the design of known systems. Examples of new and useful cargo carrying systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a cargo carrying system for attachment to a vehicle&#39;s cargo area, the system having a number of cross supports, the adjacent edges of two cross supports creating a storage compartment in which various storage containers are suspended, each cross support having a first and a second leg, each leg being separated from one another by a central member coupled to the top of each leg with a coupler, the bottom of each leg having a mounting bracket for attachment to the vehicle, the legs of adjacent cross supports being joined by a connecting rod. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first example of an automotive cargo carrying system. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a cross support as shown in  FIG. 1  depicting a central member and two vertical legs. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cargo compartment between two cross supports. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an automotive cargo carrying system equipped with a range of cargo containers. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a second example of a cross support depicting an adjustable central member and adjustable vertical legs. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second example of an automotive cargo carrying system depicting adjustable cross supports. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an automotive cargo carrying system depicting a removable barrier forming a canopy over the cross supports. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed automotive cargo carrying systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various cargo systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a first example of an automotive cargo carrying system, cargo system  100 , will now be described. Cargo system  100  includes a plurality of cross supports including a first cross support  110  and a second cross support  111 , each cross support comprising vertical legs  112 , a central member  116 , a coupler  120 , a mounting bracket  118 , a cargo compartment  130 , a connecting rod  132 , and a cargo container  140 . Cargo carrying system  100  functions to provide cargo carrying, storage, and transport capacity to automobile users. 
     Cargo carrying system  100  is mounted to a cargo bed  102 , having a first lateral boundary  103  and a second lateral boundary  104 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , cross support  110  spans a cargo bed  102  from first lateral boundary  103  to second lateral boundary  104 . In the present embodiment cargo bed  102  is a standard pick-up bed. In another application the cargo bed is a flat-bed. In yet other embodiments the cargo bed includes any automotive surface having a first and second lateral boundary for mounting cargo carrying system  100  and sufficient capacity to stow cargo. 
       FIG. 2  shows cross support  110  in more detail. First cross support  110  includes: vertical legs  112 , a central member  116 , a coupler  120 , and a mounting bracket  118 . 
     Vertical leg  112  is an elongate body having a bottom and a top end. In the instant example vertical leg  112  has a rectangular shaped cross-section. In another embodiment the cross -section is square. In alternative examples, the cross section is circular. In yet further examples, the vertical leg has any cross sectional shape capable of creating an elongate body. 
     Vertical leg  112  is a rigid structure that supports central member  116 . In the present example, vertical leg  112  consists of a wood core wrapped in fiberglass. In another example, the vertical leg is made from aluminum. In yet other examples, suitable materials for the vertical leg include metal, fiberglass, wood, plastic, and any other material, sufficiently rigid to support the cargo carrying system and associated cargo. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and also described above, vertical leg  112  has a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of vertical leg  112  is attached to a mounting bracket  118 . Mounting bracket  118  secures vertical leg  112  to a first lateral boundary  103  of cargo bed  102 . Mounting bracket  118  achieves a plurality of fastening positions allowing a user to select for the height and mounting angle of the mounting bracket  118 . Vehicles with cargo beds varying in height and width enhance the need for cargo carrying systems capable of accurately engaging and fastening to the bed. Mounting bracket  118  is useable across a range of cargo beds. 
     In the present example, mounting bracket  118  has a plurality of mounting holes  119 . Vertical leg  112  is adjustably received into mounting bracket  118  and fastened into place at a user selectable angle and height via mounting holes  119 . In certain other examples, the mounting bracket achieves a plurality of fastening positions via a hinge. In yet other examples, the mounting bracket includes an articulating joint configured to lock in various fastening positions. 
     Mounting bracket  118  engages cargo bed  102 . In the instant embodiment, mounting bracket  118  is notched to receive lateral boundary  103  of cargo bed  102 . In this way mounting bracket  118  rests on top of and is secured against lateral boundary  103 . In other examples, the mounting bracket is fastened with a clamp as commonly known in the art. In yet other examples, the mounting bracket is bolted into place. 
     Turning again to  FIG. 2 , a mounting bracket hinge  122  is described. Cargo carrying system  100  is configured to stow away when not in use. Mounting bracket  118  folds on hinge  122  towards the rear of cargo bed  102 , putting cross support  110  in a position that is co-planar with the tops of lateral boundaries  103  and  104 . The stowed position achieved via mounting bracket hinge  122  allows a user to hide cargo carrying system  100  when not in use. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , mounting bracket hinge  122  is a standard 360 degree steel hinge as commonly known in the art. In other examples, the hinge is configured to lock in place at user selectable positions. In yet other embodiments entirely, the mounting bracket is non-folding and does not include a mounting bracket hinge. 
     In the present example, mounting bracket  118  is made from sheet aluminum. In another example, the mounting bracket is made from steel. In yet other embodiments, suitable materials for making the mounting bracket include plastic, fiberglass, plexi-glass, wood, or any material sufficient to adjustably receive vertical leg  112  and mountingly engage cargo bed  102 . 
     The top end of vertical leg  112  is adjustably received into a coupler  120 .  FIG. 2  shows vertical leg  112  adjustably received into coupler  120  via a plurality of mounting holes  121 .  FIG. 2  further shows central member  116  adjustably received into coupler  120  perpendicular to vertical leg  112 , via mounting holes  121 . Coupler  120  couples with the top of vertical leg  112  and a first end of central member  116  in a way similar to mounting bracket  118  described above. 
     In this example, vertical leg  112  and central member  116  can be coupled to coupler  120  at user selectable angle and height via a plurality of mounting holes  121 . In a second embodiment, the coupler achieves a plurality of fastening positions via a hinge. In yet another example, the coupler includes an articulating joint configured to lock in various fastening positions. 
     In the present example, coupler  120  is made from sheet aluminum. In another example, the coupler is made from steel. In yet other embodiments, suitable materials for the mounting bracket include plastic, fiberglass, plexi-glass, wood, or any material sufficient to adjustably receive vertical leg  112  and central member  116 . 
     Turning again to  FIG. 2 , coupler  120  is shown having a substantially right angle. In the instant embodiment, vertical leg  112  and central member  116  are configured to intercept coupler  120  approximately at a 90 degree angle. In another example, the coupler has a shape allowing an intercept more obtuse than the present example. In other embodiments the coupler is shaped to allow an intercept more acute than the present example. 
     Shifting our attention to central member  116 , the interaction between a first end of central member  116  and a first coupler  120  and a second end of central member  116  and a second coupler opposite the first coupler  120  is described. Central member  116  is a horizontally disposed elongate body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. 
     The first end of central member  116  is adjustably received into first coupler  120  as described above via a plurality of mounting holes. The second end of central member  116  opposite the first end is adjustably received into a second coupler  120 . 
     As can been seen in  FIG. 2 , central member  116  engages coupler  120  on a first end and opposite the first end engages coupler  120  on a second end. Central member  116  is perpendicularly coupled to vertical legs  112 , which are then terminated by mounting brackets  118  to form cross support  110 . 
     Central member  116  in this example has a rectangular shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the cross-section is square. In alternative examples, the cross section is circular. In yet further examples, the vertical leg has any cross sectional shape capable of creating an elongate body. 
     Central member  116  is a rigid structure that spans a distance between first and second couplers  120 . In the present example, central member  116  consists of a wood core wrapped in fiberglass. In another example, the central member is made from aluminum. In yet other examples, suitable materials for the central member include metal, fiberglass, wood, plastic, and any other material, sufficiently rigid to support the cargo carrying system and associated cargo. 
     Shifting our attention now to  FIG. 3 , a connecting rod  132  is described. Connecting rod  132  extends between the vertical legs of adjacent cross supports. In the present example, connecting rod  132  is an aluminum tube that connects cross support  110  to cross support  111 , passing through cross support  111  and terminating at the final cross support. 
     The instant example further includes a second connecting rod  134  connecting the mounting bracket of cross support  110  with the mounting bracket of cross support  111 , further passing through cross support  111  and terminating at the final cross support mounting bracket. Another example includes fewer connecting rods than the instant example. Yet other examples include more than two connecting rods. 
     While in the instant example connecting rod  132  is aluminum, in another embodiment the connecting rod is made of steel. In yet other examples suitable materials for the connecting rod include wood, plastic, fiberglass, or any material sufficient to connect adjacent cross supports. 
     Turning again to  FIG. 3 , cargo compartment  130  is described. Cargo compartment  130  is an interstitial space having boundaries defined by adjacent cross supports and by lateral boundaries  103  and  104  of cargo bed  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     By way of example only, cargo compartment  130  is shown between adjacent cross supports  110  and  111 . In this example, cross supports  110  and  111  are representative of any cross supports that are included in cargo carrying system  100 . Cargo compartment  130  exists between or immediately adjacent to any cross support included in cargo carrying system  100 . 
     Cargo compartment  130  further defines a space where one or more cargo containers, of which cargo container  140  is one example, are disposed. Cargo container  140  stores cargo associated with cargo carrying system  100 . In the present embodiment, cargo container  140  is a non-rigid bag structure having a flap for selectively opening and closing the cargo container allowing a user to access, store, transport, and protect cargo. 
     In some embodiments, connecting rod  132  and similar structures provide an attachment point for cargo container  140 .  FIG. 3 , for example, shows cargo container  140  suspended from connecting rod  132  and connecting rod  134 .  FIG. 4  shows another type of cargo container, saddle bag  148 , suspended from connecting rod  134  resting against the side of cargo bed  102 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , cargo container  140  is composed of canvas and fabric. In other embodiments, the cargo container is made of plastic. In yet other examples, the cargo container is a rigid material. In yet further examples, suitable materials for the cargo container include any material capable of attaching to cargo carrying system  100  within cargo compartment  130 . By way of example only, cargo containers illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , include a cargo net  142 , a water bladder  144 , a polyvinyl cargo tube  146 , and a saddle bag  148 . 
     In addition to the cargo containers described above, cargo carrying system  100  is configured to mountingly receive various rack accessories.  FIG. 3 , for example, shows cargo cage  152  mounted on top of cargo carrying system  100 . Also by way of example,  FIG. 7  shows a non-rigid canopy  230  mounted over cargo carrying system  100  creating a barrier between the environment external to the cargo carrying system  100  and the inside of the cargo carrying system. 
     Turning our attention to  FIGS. 5-7 , a second cargo carrying system example, cargo carrying system  200  will now be described. Cargo carrying system  200  includes many features similar or identical to cargo carrying system  100 . Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of cargo carrying system  200  will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between cargo carrying system  200  and cargo carrying system  100  will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two systems. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , cargo carrying system  200  includes a cross support  210 , a mounting bracket  218 , an adjustable height vertical leg  212 , a coupler  220 , and an adjustable length central member  216 . The components of cargo carrying system  200  differ slightly from those described in association with cargo carrying system  100  with respect to adjustable height vertical leg  212  and adjustable length central member  216 . 
     Automotive cargo beds vary in width and height relative to one another. In order to overcome these discrepancies and for more accurate fitment of cargo carrying system  200  to cargo bed  102 , adjustable height vertical leg  212  and adjustable length central member  216  extend to a user selectable fitment dimension. 
     Turning our attention to  FIG. 5 , adjustable height vertical leg  212  is now introduced. Mounting bracket  218  and coupler  220 ) engage adjustable height vertical leg  212  in a way substantially similar to that described above in cargo carrying system  100 . Adjustable height vertical leg  212  is an elongate body having a bottom section and a top section centrally joined via a plurality of mounting holes  226 . 
     The bottom section of adjustable height vertical leg  212  engages and is extendably received into the top section at a user selectable height via mounting holes  226 . In the instant example, the bottom section slides within the top section and is bolted together at a user selectable height. In another embodiment, the bottom section is aligned side by side with the top section until mounting holes  226  are sufficiently aligned and can be fastened at a user selectable height. 
       FIG. 7  shows the adjustable height vertical legs  212  of cargo carrying system  200  equally adjusted to achieve equal heights in each cross support  210 . In some examples, cargo carrying system  200  achieves an overall sloping shape where the adjustable height vertical legs are adjusted to be shorter in consecutive cross supports  210 .  FIG. 6 , for example, shows a cargo carrying system having a slope towards the rear of cargo bed  102 . In yet other examples, the adjustable height vertical legs are adjusted to random heights to meet user need. 
     In the present example, adjustable height vertical leg  212  consists of a wood core wrapped in fiberglass. In another example, the vertical leg is made from aluminum. In yet other examples, suitable materials for the vertical leg include metal, fiberglass, wood, plastic, and any other material, sufficiently rigid to support the cargo carrying system and associated cargo. 
     Additionally, in the instant example, adjustable height vertical leg  212  has a rectangular shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the cross-section is square. In alternative examples, the cross section is circular. In yet further examples, the adjustable height vertical leg has any cross-sectional shape capable of creating an elongate body. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , adjustable length central member  216  is now described. Adjustable length central member  216  engages coupler  220  in a way substantially similar to central member  116  described above in cargo carrying system  100 . Adjustable length central member  216  is an elongate body having a first section and a second section centrally joined via a plurality of mounting holes  224 . 
     The extendability of adjustable length central member  216  to a user selectable length is the same or substantially similar to that described above in regards to adjustable height vertical leg  212 . By way of example,  FIG. 6  shows adjustable length central member  216  of cargo carrying system  200 , in an extended position to engage cargo bed  102 . 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.