Abstract:
A roof rack for a jeep type vehicle having a removable canopy. The roof rack having a rack member suspended overtop of the canopy by mounting members which are connected to support brackets positioned inside the canopy. Portions of side surfaces of the canopy are positioned between the connection of the mounting members and the support brackets. The support brackets transfer loads from the rack member to the vehicle without requiring mounting to bumpers or a windshield frame of the jeep type vehicle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a roof rack for a jeep type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a roof rack that is fixed over top of a canopy of the jeep type vehicle and is supported by brackets positioned inside the canopy to transfer loads from the roof rack to the frame of the jeep type vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Roof racks that are fixed to a roof of an automobile have been known for some time. Conventional roof racks are used to carry bulky items such as bicycles, canoes, kayaks, skis, as well as bulk carriers and containers. Generally, these roof racks are mounted to the roof of an automobile, for example, mounted to the gutter surrounding the roof line, or by suction cups fixed to the roof. As such, loading to the roof rack is transferred to the vehicle frame though the roof. 
         [0003]    However, conventional attachment can not be made to jeep vehicles with a removable canopy. Typically, such removable canopies are made of material such as fiberglass. Fiberglass can not sustain as high loading as can be applied to metal roofs of automobiles. As such, roof racks for jeep type vehicles have been attached to the windshield frame at a front of the jeep, and the bumper at the back of the vehicle. However, this attachment of the roof rack obstructs removal of the canopy. Also, jeep owners frequently change their bumpers and therefore new or different mounting hardware is required to attach to the bumper. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it is desirable to have a roof rack that is attachable or positionable on the canopy and can sufficiently support loading on the roof rack without requiring attachment to the windshield frame and/or bumpers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous roof rack constructions. 
         [0006]    The inventor of the roof rack has surprisingly found that the present invention enables easier attachment of a roof rack to a jeep type vehicle with a removable canopy so as to permit the canopy to be removed without difficulty. The inventor has also surprisingly found that the present invention provides a roof rack that can withstand substantial loading and does not require mounting to bumpers of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, the present invention resides in a roof rack for attachment to a vehicle having a removable canopy, the removable canopy having a top panel with a first edge and a second edge, a first side panel having an inner side and an outer side, the first side panel extending downward from the first edge, and a second side panel having an inner side and an outer side, the second side panel extending downward from the second edge; the roof rack comprising a rack member with a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, a first support bracket, and a second support bracket, the first mounting arm disposed at the outer surface of the first side panel and attached to the first support bracket positioned at the inner surface of the first side panel with a portion of the first side panel disposed therebetween; the second mounting arm disposed at the outer surface of the second side panel and attached to the second support bracket positioned at the inner surface of the second side panel with a portion of the second side panel disposed therebetween; such that the rack member is supported above the top panel. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the present invention resides in a roof rack for attachment to a vehicle having a removable canopy, the removable canopy having a top panel extending in a generally horizontal plane, the top panel having a first horizontal edge and a second horizontal edge, a first side panel extending downward from the first horizontal edge, the first side panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second side panel extending downward from the second horizontal edge, the second side panel extending downward from the second edge, wherein the roof rack comprises a rack member having a first support member, a second support member, a third support member, a fourth support member, and a first mounting bracket, second mounting bracket, a third mounting bracket and a fourth mounting bracket, the first support member disposed at the outer surface of the first side panel and having a first attachment bracket connecting to the first mounting bracket disposed at the inside of the removable canopy with a portion of the first side panel disposed therebetween; the second support member disposed at the outer surface of the second side panel and having a second attachment bracket connecting to the second mounting bracket positioned at the inner surface of the second side panel with a portion of the second side panel disposed therebetween; the third support member disposed at the outer surface of the first side panel and having a third attachment bracket connecting to the third mounting bracket disposed at the inside of the removable canopy with a portion of the first side panel disposed therebetween; and the fourth support member disposed at the outer surface of the second side panel and having a fourth attachment bracket connecting to the second mounting bracket positioned at the inner surface of the second side panel with a portion of the second side panel disposed therebetween; wherein the rack member is supported at a horizontal distance above the top panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a roof rack attached to a jeep-type vehicle with a removable canopy in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the jeep-type vehicle shown in  FIG. 1  with the removable canopy cut-away along line X-X; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows the roof rack of  FIG. 1  in exploded view; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a roof rack attached to a jeep-type vehicle with a removable canopy in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows the roof rack of  FIG. 4  in exploded view; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows the roof rack of  FIG. 4  in side view; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows the first support arm of the roof rack in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a roof rack  2  connected to a removable canopy  4  of a jeep type vehicle  6 . The roof rack  2  has a top rack assembly  8  and a first mounting arm  10 A. The second mounting arm  10 B is not shown in  FIG. 1 . The mounting arm  10 A extends downward from the top rack assembly  8 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the jeep-type vehicle  6  of  FIG. 1  with the removable canopy  4  cut-away along line X-X. As shown, the first mounting arm  10 A is attached to a first support bracket  12 A with a portion of the removable canopy  4  position there between. A similar attachment of the second mounting arm  10 B to a second support bracket  12 B is shown with a portion of the removable canopy  4  therebetween. 
         [0019]    The connection of the first mounting arm  10 A to the first support bracket  12 B and the second mounting arm  10 B to the second support bracket  12 B is made at two locations shown in  FIG. 2 . As can be visualized more clearly in  FIG. 3 , a mounting plate  14 A is provided proximate to a bottom end of the first mounting arm  10 A. The first mounting plate  14 A is connected to the first support bracket  12 A by positioning threaded bolts  16 A through holes in the first mounting plate  14 A in respective holes in the first support bracket  12 A and then secured by nuts  18 A. Also, washers are provided as shown. 
         [0020]    A mounting bracket  20 A is fixed at a position vertically upwards from the mounting plate  14 A on the first mounting arm  10 A. The mounting bracket  20 A is also attached to the first support bracket  12 A using bolts  22 A which are fitted through respective holes in the mounting bracket  20 A and support bracket  12 A and secured by nuts  24 A. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a mounting plate gasket or sealing member  26 A is provided between the mounting plate  14 A and support bracket  12 A. The purpose of the mounting plate gasket or sealing member is to prevent the infiltration of water between the mounting of the mounting plate  14 A and the canopy (not shown). A similar mounting bracket gasket or sealing member  28 A is provided between the mounting bracket  20 A and support bracket  12 A. The mounting bracket gasket or sealing member is also to prevent the infiltration of water between the mounting bracket  20 A and the canopy. 
         [0022]    A similar mounting of the second mounting arm  108  to the second support bracket  12 B is made as shown in  FIG. 3 . The connection of the second mounting arm  10 B to the second support bracket  12 B is made at two locations shown in  FIG. 3 . A mounting plate  14 B is provided proximate to a bottom end of the second mounting arm  10 B. The first mounting plate  14 B is connected to the second support bracket  12 B by positioning threaded bolts  16 B through holes in the second mounting plate  14 B in respective holes in the second support bracket  12 B and then secured by nuts  18 B. Also, washers are provided as shown. 
         [0023]    A mounting bracket  206  is fixed at a position vertically upwards from the mounting plate  14 B on the second mounting arm  10 B. The mounting bracket  20 B is also attached to the support bracket  12 B using bolts  22 B which are fitted through respective holes in the mounting bracket  20 B and support bracket  12 B and secured by nuts  24 B. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a mounting plate gasket or sealing member  26 B is provided between the mounting plate  14 B and second support bracket  12 B. The purpose of the mounting plate gasket or sealing member is to prevent the infiltration of water between the mounting of the mounting plate  14 B and the canopy (not shown). A similar mounting bracket gasket or sealing member  28 B is provided between the mounting bracket  20 B and support bracket  12 B. The mounting bracket gasket or sealing member is also to prevent the infiltration of water between the mounting bracket  20 B and the canopy. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  also shows the rack member comprising a first side member  30 , a second side member  32 , a front member  34 , and a rear member  36 . The first side member  30  has a front end  38  and a rear end  40 . Similarly, the second side member has a front end  42  and a rear end  44 . 
         [0026]    The front member  34  has a first end  46  and a second end  48 . The first end  46  and second end  48  have a reduced diameter such that they can be fitted into respective front ends  38  and  42  of the first side member  30  and second side member  32 , respectively. The front member  34  is connected to lead the first side member  30  by inserting the first end  46  of the front member into the front end  38  and then securing the connection using bolts  50  inserted through apertures in each of the first end and front end and then securing the bolts  50  with nuts  52 . A similar connection is made to fix the second end  48  of the front member  34  to the front end  42  and the second side member  32 . The second end  48  is inserted into the front end  42  and secured thereto using bolts  54  inserted through respective holes in the second end  48  and front end  42  and are then secured using nuts  56 . 
         [0027]    The rear member  36  as a reduced diameter first end  58  and a reduced diameter second end  60 . The rear member  36  is connected to the respective first side member  30  and second side member  32  and as follows. The reduced diameter first end  58  is inserted into the rear end of the first side member  40  and secured thereto using bolts  62  inserted through respective holes in the first end  58  and rear end  40  and are secured by nuts  64 . The second end  60  is inserted into the rear end  44  of the second side member  32  and secured thereto using bolts  66  inserted through respective holes in the second end  60  and rear end  44  and secured using nuts  68 . 
         [0028]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a removable horizontal member  70  which can be positioned in various horizontal locations of the rack member. The removable member is adjustably secured to the respective first side member  30  and second side member  32  as follows. The removable member  70  has a first end  72  and a second end  74 . The first end  72  has a first bracket  76  with an aperture, and the second end  74  has a second bracket  78  with an aperture. The first side member  30  has threaded apertures. Plurality of threaded apertures  80 , and the second side member  32  has a plurality of threaded apertures  82 . The first bracket  76  is attached to the first side member  30  by positioning the aperture in the first bracket over top of a user selected threaded aperture  80  and then threadably securing a threaded knob  84  into the user selected threaded aperture  80 . Similarly, the second bracket  78  is secured to the second side member  32  by positioning the aperture in the second end  74  over top of a user selected threaded aperture  82  and threadably securing a threaded knob  86  thereto. 
         [0029]    The removable member  70  can be positioned at user selected horizontal locations on each of the first side member and second side member by selecting a desired threaded aperture on respective first side member  30  and second side member  32 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a roof rack  102  connected to a removable canopy  104  of a jeep type vehicle  106  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The roof rack  102   2  has a top rack assembly  108  and a first mounting arm  110 A, and a third mounting arm  11 A. A similar second mounting arm  110 B and fourth mounting arm  111 B are shown in  FIG. 5 . The first mounting arm  110 A, the second mounting arm  110 B, the third mounting arm  111 A, and the fourth mounting arm  111 B extend downward from the top rack assembly  108 . As shown, a respective end cap  113  is fitted into a bottom end of each of the first mounting arm  110 A, the second mounting arm  110 B, the third mounting arm  111 A, and the fourth mounting arm  111 B, and secured by friction fit. 
         [0031]    The connection of the first mounting arm  110 A to a first support bracket  1128  and the second mounting arm  110 B to the second support bracket  1128  is made at two locations shown in  FIG. 5 . Similarly, the connection of the third mounting arm  111 A to a third support bracket  113 A, and the fourth mounting arm  111 B to a fourth support bracket  113 B is made at two locations shown in  FIG. 5 . The connections are similar to connections shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  also shows the rack member comprising a first side member  130 , a second side member  132 , a front member  134 , and a rear member  136 . The first side member  130  has a front end  138  and a rear end  140 . Similarly, the second side member has a front end  142  and a rear end  144 . 
         [0033]    The front member  134  has a first end  146  and a second end  148 . The first end  146  and second end  148  have a reduced diameter such that they can be fitted into respective front ends  138  and  142  of the first side member  130  and second side member  132 , respectively. The front member  134  is connected to lead the first side member  130  by inserting the first end  146  of the front member into the front end  138  and then securing the connection using bolts inserted through apertures in each of the first end and front end and then securing the bolts with nuts. A similar connection is made to fix the second end  148  of the front member  134  to the front end  142  and the second side member  132 . The second end  148  is inserted into the front end  142  and secured thereto using bolts inserted through respective holes in the second end  148  and front end  142  and are then secured using nuts. 
         [0034]    The rear member  136  as a reduced diameter first end  158  and a reduced diameter second end  160 . The rear member  136  is connected to the respective first side member  130  and second side member  132  and as follows. The reduced diameter first end  158  is inserted into the rear end of the first side member  140  and secured thereto using bolts inserted through respective holes in the first end  158  and rear end  140  and are secured by nuts. The second end  160  is inserted into the rear end  144  of the second side member  132  and secured thereto using bolts inserted through respective holes in the second end  160  and rear end  144  and secured using nuts. 
         [0035]    Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a removable horizontal member  170  which can be positioned in various horizontal locations of the rack member. The removable member is adjustably secured to the respective first side member  130  and second side member  132  as follows. The removable member  170  has a first end  172  and a second end  174 . The first end  172  has a first bracket  176  with an aperture, and the second end  174  has a second bracket  178  with an aperture. The first side member  130  has threaded apertures. A plurality of threaded apertures  180  and the second side member  132  has a plurality of threaded apertures  182 . The first bracket  176  is attached to the first side member  130  by positioning the aperture in the first bracket over top of one of a user selected threaded hole  180  and then threadably securing a threaded knob  184  into the user selected threaded aperture  180 . Similarly, the second bracket  178  is secured to the second side member by positioning the aperture in the second end  174  over top of a user selected threaded aperture  182  and threadably securing a threaded knob  186  thereto. 
         [0036]    The removable member  170  can be positioned at user selected horizontal locations on each of the first side member and second side member by selecting a desired threaded aperture on respective first side member  30  and second side member  132 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows the roof rack of  FIG. 4  in side view. Preferably, angle α is 92 degrees. Preferably, angle β is 97 degrees. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows the between the first support arm of the roof rack in  FIG. 4 . Preferably angle μ is 81 degrees. 
         [0039]    The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.