Abstract:
This invention relates to racks for securely holding a variety of objects. The racks are easily mounted in the horizontal, vertical and/or diagonal positions. Moreover, the racks will rigidly hold objects of varying thickness without complicated adjustments of the contact surface area.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application supplements and completes PCT Provisional Application PCT/US2004/009124, filed Mar. 25, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Racks are commonly used for securing objects for transportation, storage, and/or display reasons. It is also desirable to provide a mechanism for locking objects within these racks, thereby preventing any unauthorized removal of the objects from the racks.  
         [0003]     One common use of a rack is to bind sporting equipment to an object such as a vehicle, a wall in a house or garage, or a store display rack. When a rack is used in conjunction with a vehicle, the main purpose is transportation of said object, whereas, when a rack is attached to a wall or display structure, the main purpose is storage and/or display. In either instance, the goal of the rack is to firmly support the object in a desired position.  
         [0004]     Various forms of vehicle carriers heretofore have been provided for supporting and carrying objects on a vehicle. The typical method for supporting sporting equipment such as surfboards, sailboards, kayaks and the like, involves using canvas or rubber straps. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,862 issued to Heftmann and entitled Car Rack for Holding Surfboards and the Like, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,412 issued to Kennedy and entitled Lockable Tie Down Strap, both disclose a rack utilizing straps which are placed across the object to be supported within the rack. The straps are pulled tight, thereby securing the object within the rack. The straps may then be locked to prevent any unauthorized removal of the object from the rack. Although this is the most typical method of securing an object within a rack, there are obvious drawbacks. The flexible properties of strap-based systems are subject to wear and tear and weathering, which in time will result in the breaking of the straps. In addition, straps are easily unhooked, resulting in theft of the object. Even with a lock incorporated into the strap system, the straps are easily cut and the object removed.  
         [0005]     More secure strap based systems have been disclosed. For example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0031588 A1 entitled Board Securing Device, the inventor discloses a device comprising a flexible cable loop strap that is engage able using a key or combination operated lock. The loop is placed around the circumference of a surfboard at a location proximate a rack mounting bar. The loop is then secured to the rack mounting bar, thus securing the board to the rack mounting bar. The disclosed loop offers a locking mechanism that is neither subject to the same degree of deterioration as are standard straps nor easily cut. However, the loop straps do not form part of the rack system. Instead, the loop straps are a time consuming addition to an existing rack system, offering no legitimate support between the object and the rack.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,044, issued to Bolich and entitled Adjustable Surfboard Clamp and Method, discloses a method for locking a surfboard to a roof rack crossbar using a series of adjustable mount block assemblies affixed to the rack crossbars at a lateral position of contact with the sides of a surfboard placed horizontally on top of the crossbars. The mount block assemblies utilize a metal clamp that is vertically adjusted to the thickness of the surfboard at the lateral position of contact. An internal axle connects two side cams vertically adjacent to a center mount block with the clamp affixed within the side cams. An axle allows for the clamp assemblies to open and close by means of rotation of the side cams relative to the position of the mount block. The mount block assemblies utilize a lock pin that inserts through an alignment of holes in the mount block assembly to a position of engagement with a cam lock assembly. Utility of the cam lock serves to prevent or allow removal of the lock pin. This clamping method prevents movement of a surfboard on the crossbar and deters theft.  
         [0007]     While the mounting block based assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,044 forms an integral part of the rack assembly, use of the disclosed mounting block is complex. A user must determine through tedious trial and error, the optimal setting of the clamp with respect to the side cams for each board secured within the rack. Readjustment of the clamp requires that the user rotate the side cams, release an internal set screw, guestimate a proper setting of the clamp, and return the side cam to the “secure” position. If the clamp has been adjusted too short, the clamp will not fit over the board. If the clamp has been adjusted too high, there will be excess space between the board and the clamp. Neither are desirable settings, thus requiring a repeat of the process until an “optimal fit” is achieved. Furthermore, the clamp mechanism is designed such that the clamp face runs parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, to which it is attached. Surfboards, as is the case with most sporting equipment, have a nonlinear outline. This being the case, the face of the clamp is not able to form full contact with the surfboard. Contact is limited to point contact between a corner of the clamp, which is a small surface area, and the surfboard rail. Such contact on the fragile rails of a surfboard will damage the rails. This damage is exacerbated by vibration of the surfboard in transit when the “optimal fit” is not a snug fit between the clamp and surfboard.  
         [0008]     Thus there is a need in the art for a locking rack that will securely and snugly hold a variety of sized objects without using fragile straps, without requiring complex adjustments of the rack members and without damaging the objects at the point of contact.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The current disclosure relates to a vice system useful for holding a variety of sized objects without adjusting the contact surface area. The vice face, when placed in contact with an object, forms snug, flush, secure and releasably lockable contact with an object. Said vices are applicable to vehicle transportation racks, storage racks and display racks.  
         [0010]     Thus, one objective of the current invention is to provide a durable, simple and highly versatile rack system that fits a variety of sized objects without requiring a user to perform adjustments to a clamping mechanism while fitting said various sized objects.  
         [0011]     A further objective of the current invention is to provide a rack system that avoids damaging objects held within the vice faces by providing flush contact between the vice face and the sides of the object via rotation of the vice faces along an axis.  
         [0012]     A further objective of the current invention is to provide a vice system that is useful for transporting objects on the roof of a vehicle.  
         [0013]     A further objective of the current invention is to provide a vice system that is useful for transporting objects on the sides or rear of a vehicle or on the sides of a motorcycle, bicycle or other similar transportation means.  
         [0014]     A further objective of the current invention is to provide a vice system that is useful for storing or displaying objects on a wall of a house, garage or other similar structure.  
         [0015]     A further objective of the current invention is to provide a vice system that is useful for displaying objects on a display rack such as those used in stores or used at trade shows.  
         [0016]     Towards these and other ends, the vice comprises at least a pivoting vice face and a means of attaching said vice face to a structure such as a vehicle rack system, a wall mounting system or a display rack system. By way of the design of the vice face, a variety of objects will easily and snugly fit within the vice face without requiring user adjustment of the vice faces. When secured, said objects will not be able to move horizontally, diagonally nor vertically with respect to the vice faces. The vice faces are further provided with a locking means for preventing unauthorized removal of an object secured within the faces. Said means may be a padlock, keyed cam-lock, or other locking mechanism well known in the art. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a mounting assembly.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a vice highlighting the vice face.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the slide block and vice comprising a tongue and groove pivoting means.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the slide block and vice comprising a ball and socket pivoting means.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a view of an alternative embodiment of the slide block comprising a tongue member and vice comprising a platform member, both said members having a pivot shaft accepting a pivot pin to form a pivot means.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view highlighting the mounting bar, threaded rod, slide block and lock-nut.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross section view of an alternative embodiment for a mounting bar, slide block and lock-nut.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an alternative embodiment of the current invention comprising a means for adapting to a variety of commercial and custom rack devices.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is an example of the current invention employed as a roof top rack useful for transporting a surfboard on a vehicle.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is an example of the current invention employed as a wall mounted storage rack for storing a surfboard in a garage.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, the invention vices  14  are shown in  FIG. 1  in a preferred embodiment as used with a vehicle rack system  2  to support a surfboard or sailboard. Rack system  2  further comprises end supports  4  for attachment of the rack system to a surface, mounting bar  6 , slide block  8 , pivot pin  10 , lock-nut  12 , and vice  14 .  
         [0028]     In the preferred embodiment, vice  14 , shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 , comprises a vice face  16 , a vice body  18 , a tongue  20  and vice pivot shaft  22 . Vice face  16  is preferably a curved shape with a radius from about 1-inch to about 18-inches. More preferably, the radius of vice face  16  is about 2-inches to about 10-inches. Most preferably, the radius of vice face  16  is about 3-inches to about 5-inches. In addition, the curve of vice face  16  measures preferably less than about 180 degrees. More preferably, the curve of vice face  16  measures less than about 90 degrees. Even more preferably, the curve of vice face  16  measures less than about 86 degrees. Most preferably, the curve of vice face  16  measures 85 degrees. Alternatively, the vice face  16  may be an ellipse preferably with a major axis ranging from about 18-inches to about 1-inch and a minor axis ranging from about 11.9-inches to about 0.6-inches; more preferably with a major axis ranging from about 10-inches to about 2-inches and a minor axis ranging from about 6.6-inches to about 1.5-inches; and most preferably with a major axis ranging from about 5-inches to about 3-inches and a minor axis ranging from about 3.3-inches to about 1.8-inches. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily employ a variety of shapes to achieve the spirit of the current invention.  
         [0029]     The design of vice face  16  offers a structure that, when placed in direct contact with the sides of an object, such as the rails of a surfboard, will concomitantly provide sufficient contact with the rails and with the upper surface of the object preventing horizontal, diagonal and vertical movement of the object. By way of the design of the vice face  16 , the contact point between said vice face  16  and the object is subject to a diagonal pressure, sufficient to prevent diagonal, vertical and horizontal movement with respect to the vice face  16 .  
         [0030]     Alternatively, the embodiment of the vice faces may have a non-curved design and still employ the principles of the current invention, such as but not limited to an angular shape. Furthermore, the size, radius, radians and/or angle of the vice  14  may change to accommodate the larger profiles seen in kayaks, canoes, travel mates, stacks of surfboards, snowboards, wind surfers or other objects. It is obvious to those of skill in the art to employ a variety of shapes and dimensions to a vice or other securing object to achieve the spirit of this disclosure.  
         [0031]     In a still further embodiment, vice  14  is easily adjusted by the user to accommodate various sized objects. Because the current invention&#39;s design holds object in place using a single point contact, a wide range of sized objects are secured using a vice face of a single dimension. For example, a vice face  16  of the current invention designed with a radius of 4 inches readily secures objects as small as ½-inch (1.3 centimeters), as is common for snow boards and skim boards, all the way to  3½ inches, such as the standard surfboard on the market. By way of a telescoping or segmented vice body 18, the current invention can adjust linearly to bring the curved vice face in proximity to the contact point for a larger object, such as a wind surfer, generally having a  6 to 10 inch profile, or a kayak, generally having an 18 inch profile. By providing for a means to adjust linearly, the current invention is applicable to a wide range of sized objects without requiring a user to purchase a variety of vice faces. It is obvious to those of skill in the art to employ a variety of shapes and dimensions to a vice or other securing object to achieve the spirit of this disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily provide means for relocating the vice faces of the current invention to meet the contact point of various sized objects.  
         [0032]     Vice face  16  is preferably integrated into vice body  18 . Vice body  18  further comprises tongue  20  which in turn further comprises vice pivot shaft  22 . In this embodiment, and as seen in  FIG. 3 , the vice  14  is such that it can form a pivoting tongue and groove relationship with a structure having arms  24  forming said groove and further comprising pivot shafts  28  within the arms. Preferably, slide block  8  is such a structure and in this embodiment comprises arms  24  extending from slide block body  26  to form a groove and further comprising arm pivot shafts  28 . Alternatively, end support  4  may be such a structure, comprising arms  24  forming a groove and having pivot shafts  28 . In a further embodiment, a fixed block forms such a structure wherein the fixed block is fixedly and permanently attached to mounting bar  6 , and wherein the fixed block further comprises arms  24  to form a groove, said arms having pivot shafts  28 . When used in conjunction with vice  14 , tongue  20  fits between arms  24 , and thus vice pivot shaft  22  aligns with arm pivot shafts  28 . Pivot pin  10  is then inserted through vice pivot shaft  22  and arm pivot shafts  28  forming a pivoting point between the vice  14  and the slide block  8 .  
         [0033]     In an alternative embodiment, seen in  FIG. 4 , the pivot point between vice  14  and sliding block  8  are formed using a ball and socket arrangement. In such an embodiment an arm  30  and ball  32  extend from vice  14  and further fit into socket  34  housed within slide block  8  forming a pivot point between the vice  14  and the slide block  8 .  
         [0034]     In a further alternative embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 5 , vice body  18  further comprises tongue  20  which in turn further comprises vice pivot shaft  22 . A structure such as slide block  8 , end support  4  or similar structure comprises pivot shaft  28 . Pivot shaft  22  and pivot shaft  28  are aligned and pivot pin  10  is securely inserted through said pivot shafts thereby creating a pivot point between vice body  18  and the structure such as slide block  8 , end support  4  or similar structure.  
         [0035]     It is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to employ a variety of pivoting means to achieve the spirit of the above disclosure. Without being exhaustive, such means include but are not limited to hinges, ball bearings, and other obvious pivoting means. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily invert the placement of the pivoting means, for example, coupling the tongue or other structure with the slide mechanism and the groove or complementary structure with the vice.  
         [0036]     In the preferred embodiment, slide block  8  is further coupled to a stable object, such as a vehicle rack mounting bar  6 , as detailed in  FIG. 6 . Preferably, the mounting bar  6  is a hollow structure, comprising a longitudinal slot  36  and housing a threaded rod  38 . It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the mounting bar  6  can be of any shape and design, including but not limited to round, square, and/or hexagonal. Slide block body  26  traverses longitudinal slot  36  and further comprises rod shaft  40 . Threaded rod  38  runs through rod shaft  40 , which is of a diameter sufficient to allow smooth passage of threaded rod  38  through rod shaft  40 . Also on side block  8  and traversing longitudinal slot  36  is lock-nut  12 . Lock-nut  12  further comprises push structure  42  coupled to push rod  44  coupled to half-nut  46 . Half-nut  46  releasably engages with threaded rod  38  through the application of force to push structure  42 . When engaged with threaded rod  38 , half-nut  46  prevents any longitudinal movement of slide block  8  thus securely affixing slide block  8  in a user defined position along mounting bar  6 . In addition, lock-nut  12  may further comprise a locking means  48  to prevent unauthorized release of half-nut  46  from threaded rod  38 . Such locking means  48  are well known in the art to include but not be limited to, keyed cam-locks and pad locks.  
         [0037]     In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , mounting bar  6  comprises a channel  50  having a serrated channel surface  52 . It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that mounting bar  6  can comprise any rail-like shape and design without loosing the spirit of this disclosure. Slide block body  26  traverses the plane of the channel and comprises an optimally shaped foot  54  within the channel to provide and a means for securely affixing slide block  8  in a user defined position along mounting bar  6 . Foot  54 , further comprising a serrated surface, is similarly coupled to a push structure  42  and to a push rod  44 , as described in the preferred embodiment. Foot  54  releasably engages with serrated channel surface  52  through the application of force to push structure  42 . Engaging serrated channel surface  52  with the serrated surface of foot  54  prevents any longitudinal movement of slide block  8 , thus securely affixing slide block  8  in a user defined position along mounting bar  6 . In addition, slide block body  26  may further comprise a locking means  48  to prevent unauthorized release of foot  54  from serrated channel  52 . Such locking means  48  are well known in the art to include but not be limited to, keyed cam-locks and pad locks.  
         [0038]     In a further example embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , slide body block  26  comprises a mounting bar attachment member  56  that is adaptable to a variety of standard member bars  6 . In this embodiment, member bar  6  is any shape member bar, including those forming parts of racks systems currently available in the art, as well as those custom built by users. Here, slide body block  26  has an adaptable attachment member  56  that is preferably made of a material that is just malleable enough to form to a variety of shaped member bars  6 ; however, said material is rigid enough to not allow the slide body block  26  to slide along member bar  6  when the slide body block is configured to securely attach or clamp with member bar  6 . Additionally, a locking means may be provided to lock slide body block  26  on to member bar  6 . In a further example of this embodiment, the attachment member  56  can be an exchangeable piece having a custom cut out for attachment to a variety of commercial and custom racks&#39; member bars.  
         [0039]     It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of means for securing a sliding member at a user defined position along a mounting bar are anticipated by this disclosure and will fall well within the spirit of this disclosure. It is also obvious to those of skill in the art, that the disclosed shape of said vice faces and the rotational aspect of the vice face to form full and flush contact with an object is applicable to numerous devices and is in no way limited to racks.  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a preferred embodiment for use of the current invention. The invention is horizontally mounted atop a vehicle for the purpose of transporting a surfboard. In this example, two mounting bars  6  are placed on the roof of a car sufficiently spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the car. Each mounting bar further connects with two slide blocks  8  wherein the vices  14  of each slide block are positioned such that the vice faces  16  are capable of facing each other.  
         [0041]     A user will select a position along the mounting bar for securely affixing one of the two slide blocks (first set) on each of said mounting bars. Ideally, but not necessarily, the each affixed slide block is fixed at a position on the respective mounting bar wherein the two slide blocks form a line running parallel with the vehicle&#39;s longitudinal center axis.  
         [0042]     The slide blocks are then secured at a user defined position by engaging the slide blocks&#39; lock-nut assembly with the threaded rod of the mounting bar. By applying pressure to the push structure located on the slide block, the half-nut forms contact with the threaded rod and the threads of both the inner surface of the half-nut and the threaded rod are interlaced. Interlacing said threads prevents further movement of the slide block along the threaded rod. The half-nut assembly is then locked into position using a keyed cam-lock, thereby preventing the unauthorized release of the slide blocks from its defined position along the mounting assembly.  
         [0043]     Next, the user places the surfboard in contact with the vice faces associated with the affixed slide blocks. The slightest of pressure from the rails of the surfboard when in contact with the vice faces will cause the vices to pivot along the axis formed at the pivot point. Such rotation is in a plane parallel to the surface of the vehicle&#39;s roof, and places the entire vice faces in flush contact with the rails. Such full and flush contact is beneficial for avoiding damage caused by point contact on a rail.  
         [0044]     The remaining two slide blocks (second set), one on each mounting bar, are relocated along their respective mounting bars until forming contact with the surfboard rail opposite the rail in contact with the first set. Again, the slightest pressure against the vice faces by the rails will rotate the vices along a plane parallel to the vehicle&#39;s roof surface placing the entire face of said vices in full and flush contact with the surfboard&#39;s rail. A user will then secure and the second set of slide blocks to the mounting bar by following the same procedure as stated for slide blocks set one.  
         [0045]     When a surfboard is secured within a full set of vice assemblies according to this disclosed example, all horizontal, diagonal and vertical movement of the board is restricted. Horizontal movement traversing the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is prevented by the vices contacting the surfboard rails. Horizontal movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is prevented via the thickness of the board&#39;s beam. Vertical movement of the surfboard is prevented by the curve of the vice face.  
         [0046]     It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that such an application as disclosed in this example is generally applicable to any horizontal surface, and would fall well within the spirit of this invention.  
         [0047]     In another preferred embodiment, seen in  FIG. 10 , the disclosed invention is vertically mounted on a wall in a garage for the purpose of storing a surfboard. However, such an application is equally applicable to the vertical back end of a motor home, to the side of a motorcycle, or to any other vertical surface. Additionally, such an embodiment is applicable to diagonal and horizontal mounting, such as would be useful with a display rack, or from ceiling rafters. Those of skill in the art will readily apply the current invention to numerous surfaces for a variety of reasons, all within the spirit of the current invention. In this example, the alternative embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein each mounting bar has a sliding block and a fixed block.  
         [0048]     Two mounting bars, each containing a slide block and a fixed block wherein the vice faces are capable of facing each other, are placed vertically on a wall such that the mounting bars run parallel to the floor. Preferably, but not necessarily, the fixed blocks are in a position on the mounting bar closer the floor than are the slide blocks.  
         [0049]     A surfboard is then placed on the rack with the rails contacting the vice faces associated with the fixed blocks. Such contact will rotate the vices along a plane parallel to the wall surface, placing the entire face of said vices in full and flush contact with the surfboard&#39;s rail. As mentioned above, such full and flush contact is beneficial to prevent the damage encountered through point contact.  
         [0050]     The sliding blocks on each mounting bar are then relocated along the mounting bar to a location proximate the rail opposite that in contact with the fixed blocks&#39; vice faces. Again, such contact will rotate the vices along a plane parallel to the wall surface, placing the entire face of said vices in full and flush contact with the surfboard&#39;s rail. A user will then secure the slide blocks to the mounting bar by following the same procedure as stated herein above.  
         [0051]     When a surfboard is held within a full set of vice assemblies according to this disclosed example, all horizontal, diagonal and vertical movement of the board is restricted. Horizontal movement parallel the wall is prevented via the thickness of the board&#39;s beam. Horizontal movement perpendicular the wall is prevented by the curve of the vice face. Vertical movement is prevented by the vices contacting the surfboard rails.