Abstract:
Many drivers of vehicles transport cargo on the outside of their vehicles to increase the amount of space available inside the vehicle. Devices for transporting cargo in this manner must protect it from the wind and weather. The present disclosure is a carrier removably attachable to a vehicle. The carrier comprises a collapsible container having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the collapsible container capable of being removably attached to the vehicle, a cargo storage area defined by the interior surface at least one pocket located on the exterior surface, and at least one rigid member inserted into the at least one pocket, wherein the at least one rigid member permits the collapsible container to go from a collapsed storable position to a rigid cargo carrying position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/629,113 filed on Nov. 18, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is generally related to carriers attachable to a vehicle, and more particularly to a carrier attachable a vehicle that comprises a collapsible container that can go from a collapsed storable position to a rigid cargo carrying position.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Today, many vehicles are equipped with roof or truck lid racks upon which various cargo items, such as luggage, boxes, sleeping bags, camping equipment, ski equipment, etc., may be transported. Many of these cargo items are wind or water sensitive, or have shapes that prevent them from being individually attached or bundled with other cargo items and attached to the rack. In order to transport these cargo items on the rack, they first may be placed inside a larger carrier capable of being attached to the rack or otherwise to the outside of the vehicle.  
         [0004]     There are known in the art numerous devices for carrying and transporting cargo and luggage on the outside of vehicles. Such devices are intended to transport cargo, luggage, and other items in a manner that protects them from the wind and weather, while securing them to outside of the vehicle, particularly the roof of the vehicle. The art primarily discloses rigid body devices in which to place cargo items. One particular drawback with such cargo carriers is that the solid bodied component cannot be stored in a compact manner, is difficult to ship and store, and tends to be large and bulky. Alternatively, the art discloses soft body devices in which to place cargo items. A drawback to these is that they are easily broken into, can flap in the wind resulting in premature wear, and often do not provide significant protection from the weather.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Accordingly, the present invention provides a carrier removably attachable to a vehicle. The carrier comprises a collapsible container having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the collapsible container capable of being removably attached to the vehicle, a cargo storage area defined by the interior surface at least one pocket located on the exterior surface, and at least one rigid member inserted into the at least one pocket, wherein the at least one rigid member permits the collapsible container to go from a collapsed storable position to a rigid cargo carrying position.  
         [0006]     In yet another embodiment, a carrier attachable to a vehicle is shown. The carrier comprises a collapsible container having first and second side portions and a bottom portion, a first pocket located on the first side portion, a second pocket located on the second side portion, a third pocket located on the bottom portion, first and second rigid members inserted into said first and second pockets respectively, wherein said first and second rigid members permit the collapsible container to go from a collapsed storable position to a rigid cargo carrying position, and a frame member capable of insertion into the bottom pocket.  
         [0007]     In still yet another embodiment, a method of assembling a carrier is disclosed. The method comprises unfolding a collapsible container having first and second side portions, a bottom pocket, and a support pocket wherein the first and second side portions each include a pocket, assembling a frame member, inserting the frame member into the bottom pocket, inserting at least one rigid member into at least one of the pockets of the first and second side portions, positioning the first and second side portions so the collapsible container goes from a collapsed storable position to a rigid cargo carrying position, and inserting a support member in the support pocket to retain the collapsible container in the rigid cargo carrying position.  
         [0008]     Additional information will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     For a better understanding of the descriptions disclosed herein reference may be made to the following illustrations, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of a carrier of the present invention in a collapsed state and secured to a vehicle roof;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view of an embodiment of the carrier in a rigid cargo carrying position and attached to the vehicle roof;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is view of frame members of an embodiment of the carrier partially inserted into a bottom pocket of the carrier;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial view of a bottom corner of an embodiment of the carrier;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an embodiment of the carrier with the rigid members partially inserted into the side pockets;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial view of an air dam of an embodiment of the carrier;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a partial view of an embodiment of the carrier in a rigid cargo carrying position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a view of a support member pocket with a support member partially inserted therein and a closure strip opened of an embodiment of the carrier;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a partial view of the support member pocket with the closure strip closed;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of the carrier in the rigid cargo carrying position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top view of an embodiment of the carrier with a rain slipper attached thereto;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a partial view of a side of the carrier; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a partial view of a bottom corner of an embodiment of the carrier in a collapsed storable position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     While the present invention is described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it should be clear that the present invention should not be limited to this embodiment. Therefore, the description of the preferred embodiment herein is illustrative of the present invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as claimed.  
         [0024]     Reference will now be made to the drawings where there is provided a semi-rigid carrier, generally designated  10 , for transporting and protecting cargo items carried on the outside of a vehicle. The carrier  10  comprises a collapsible bag  12 , a frame member  14 , at least one rigid member  16  (there are two shown in the drawings), a support member  20 , and an air dam  22 .  
         [0025]     The collapsible bag  12  can be made from a non-rigid, durable, waterproof material such as nylon, Gore-Tex®, or any other generally water resistant flexible material. The collapsible bag  12  can take any shape, not just the rectangular shape shown in the drawings. For example, the collapsible bag  12  could be circular, elliptical, square, triangular, polygonal, etc. The collapsible bag  12  includes a first side portion  23  and a second side portion  24 . Each side portion  23 ,  24  includes a pocket  26 ,  27  capable of receiving the rigid members  16 . The collapsible bag  12  further includes a bottom pocket  28  with cutouts  30  located in each corner thereof and also includes a rear support member pocket  34 .  
         [0026]     The rigid members  16  can be made of any non-corrosive material such as fiberglass, plastic, rubber, non-corrosive metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), wood, etc. The material should allow the rigid member  16  to remain rigid and stiff. Further, the rigid members  16  may take any shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of the pockets  26 ,  27 , such as circular, elliptical, rectangular, or any other polygonal shape. As shown in the drawings, the rigid members  16  are shown as rectangular panels with portions cut out so as to make the rigid members  16  lighter, although they need not have such portions cut-out. The rigid members  16  of any other shape may also have portions thereof cut out (have material removed) so as to make such rigid members  16  lighter. Finally, despite two rigid members  16  being shown in the drawings, one rigid member  16  may be used to maintain the collapsible bag  12  sufficiently rigid to hold its rigid cargo carrying position. In such a situation one rigid member is inserted into one of the side pockets  26 ,  27 . It should also be understood that any number of rigid members  16  may be used. Additional pockets can be added to the side portions  23 ,  24  to accommodate the additional rigid members  16 . In such a case, the rigid members  16  may take a variety of shapes, for example, two rectangular rigid members  16  can be insertable into two rectangular pockets and one circular rigid member can be insertable into a circular pocket, etc.  
         [0027]     To assist with manually carrying the carrier  10 , the collapsible bag  12  may further include side grab handles  36 . The side grab handles  36  are attached to the first and second side portions  23 ,  24  of the collapsible bag  12  by means of gluing, heat welding, sewing, etc. Finally, the collapsible bag  12  includes a front openable/closeable opening  38  and a rear openable/closeable opening  40  to provide access to the interior of the collapsible bag  12 , or more specifically to provide access to the storage area  44  of the bag  12 . The front and rear openable/closeable opening  38 ,  40  may include a zipper, Velcro, snaps, or some other device to permit the openings  38 ,  40  to be openable and closeable.  
         [0028]     The frame member  14  can be made from any non-corrosive material such as fiberglass, plastic, rubber, non-corrosive metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), wood, etc. The frame member  14  is of a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of the collapsible bag  12 . More specifically, in the present embodiment, the frame member  14  shape corresponds to the shape of the bottom pocket  28  of the collapsible bag  12 , which are both substantially rectangular. The frame member  14  is insertable into the bottom pocket  28  so that the edges  48  of the frame member  14  extend through the cutouts  30  of the bottom pocket  28 . The cutouts  30  make it easier to install the frame member  14  into the bottom pocket  28  and make it easier to withdraw the frame member  14  from the bottom pocket  28 . Additionally, the edges  48  of the frame member  14  can be used to attach the carrier  10  to a vehicle.  
         [0029]     The support member  20  can made from any non-corrosive material such as fiberglass, plastic, rubber, non-corrosive metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), wood, etc. The support member  20  will have a shape that substantially corresponds to that of the support member pocket  34 . As shown in the drawings, this is a substantially rectangular shape, where the support member  20  is significantly longer than it is wide. It should be understood that the support member  20  is not limited to the shape shown in the figures. It can take a variety of other polygonal shapes as well as circular or elliptical shapes. Additionally, as with the rigid member  16 , the support member  20  can have portions thereof cut out of it (or material removed therefrom) so as to make it lighter. Finally, the support member  20  can be a batten, although any sort of support member can be used.  
         [0030]     As previously stated, the carrier  10  may further include the air dam  22 . The air dam  22  assists with the aerodynamics of the carrier  10  when it is attached to the outside of the vehicle. More specifically, when the carrier  10  is attached to the roof of the vehicle, the air dam  22  will decrease the wind resistance against the carrier  10 , thus increasing the gas mileage for the vehicle. The air dam  22  is attached to the collapsible bag  12  by a first end  50  of the air dam  22  being attached with the collapsible bag  12  by sewing, heat welding, gluing, or some other method. A second end  52  of the air dam  22  is removably attached to the collapsible bag  12  by Velcro, a strap, a buckle, snap, button, or other devices. The air dam  22  can be made of fiberglass, plastic, rubber, or non-corrosive metal (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.).  
         [0031]     Finally, the carrier  10  may include a rain slipper  54 . The rain slipper  54  provides additional protection from the elements, such as rain, snow, and sleet. The rain slipper  54  can be made from any sort of generally water resistant/repellant material. It is attachable to the collapsible bag  12  by Velcro, straps, buckles, snaps, buttons, or other devices.  
         [0032]     To assemble the carrier  10 , the collapsible bag  12  is unfolded and laid flat with the bottom side facing up. Next, the frame member  14  is assembled and inserted into the bottom pocket  28  of the bag  12 . The front edges  48  of the frame member  14  are inserted through the cutouts  30  of the bottom pocket  28 . Velcro straps  56  are used to close the bottom pocket  28 , and as shown two Velcro straps  56  are used to close the open end of the pocket  28 , to prevent the frame member  14  from falling out. Finally, security straps  58  with buckles  60  are then secured to prevent the Velcro straps  56  from coming undone, thus, further securing the frame member  14  in the bottom pocket  28 . It should be understood, however, that any sort of device can be used to close the open end of the pocket  28 , not just the Velcro straps  56  disclosed above. Further any sort of security device can be used, not just the security straps  58  with buckles disclosed above.  
         [0033]     To further assemble the carrier  10 , the rigid side members  16  are inserted into the side pockets  26 ,  27  on the first and second side portions  23 ,  24  of the bag  12 . The rigid side portions  16 , therefore, permit the carrier  10  to become upstanding in its rigid cargo carrying position. Once the rigid members  16  are inserted into the side pockets  26 ,  27 , Velcro straps  62 ,  64  are closed so as to prevent the rigid members  16  from falling out of the side pockets  26 ,  27 . Next, the first and second side portions  23 ,  24  are pivoted so as to stand up the first and second side portions  23 ,  24 . The second end of the air dam  22  is then attached to the bag  12  by using buckles  66 . The air dam  22  may be attached to the bag  12  by any means, not just the buckle. For example, a Velcro strap may be used, a snap, a tie strap, etc.  
         [0034]     The support member  20  is next inserted into the support member pocket  34 . A closure flap  68  is used to not only close and secure the support member  20  in the support member pocket  34 , but it can also be used as a lever to assist in the insertion of the support member  20  into the support member pocket  34 . Once this is complete, the carrier  10  can be secured to the vehicle. In particular, the carrier  10  can be placed on top of the transverse rails  100  on the vehicle roof  102 , i.e., the luggage rack on top of the vehicle. The carrier  10  can be removably secured to the luggage rack by using two “J” bolts per connection, and a spanner plate and knobs (not shown). Alternatively, the carrier  10  can be attached in any conventional manner.  
         [0035]     Once secured to the vehicle, the carrier  10  is ready for loading of cargo items. Any sort of item can be loaded therein and be protected from the outdoor elements such as rain, snow, sleet, sun, wind, etc. Once the carrier  10  is loaded, the operator of the vehicle can now drive the vehicle with the cargo loaded and secured to the vehicle.  
         [0036]     Once the carrier  10  is no longer required for use, it can be collapsed, while remaining secured to the vehicle. In order to collapse the carrier  10 , the support member  20  is removed from the support member pocket  34 . The support member  20  can then be stowed in a safe place for future use. Next, the air dam  22  can be disconnected by, for example, unbuckling the air dam  22  and tucking all of the material of the bag  12  under the first and second side portions  23 ,  24 . Then, the air dam buckle  66  and the buckles  60 , can be secured by using, for example, a strap  70  that prevents the buckles  60 ,  66  from flapping in the wind. Finally, the rain slipper  54  can be installed and the straps  70  can be run under the transverse rails  100  of the vehicle. The user can also hide the side grab handles  36  if he or she so desires by raising the handles  36  and closing a Velcro rain fly  72  over the top of the handles  36 . The carrier  10 , therefore, is in a collapsed storable position that is resistant to the elements and, most particularly, creates less wind resistance than an un-collapsible system.  
         [0037]     Modification of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. It is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.