There is disclosed a vehicle rack system (2) for mounting atop a roof of a vehicle. The rack system has a support member (4) affixed to the vehicle in use and a carriage (8) for supporting a load. The carriage (8) is attached to the support member such that the carriage (8) is both translatable and rotatable relative to the support member (4) between a storage position and a deployed position. The support member has a rotatable engagement member (10) to engage and support the carriage (8) during translation and rotation between the storage position and the deployed position, where one of the carriage (8) and the engagement member (10) comprises a plurality of spaced protrusions and the other of the carriage and the engagement member comprises a series of recesses at corresponding spacing arranged to receive the protrusions. A rack and pinion system may be used. An axle is used for driving rotation of the engagement member (10) to cause the carriage to move over the engagement member in unison therewith.

There is disclosed a vehicle rack system (2) for mounting atop a roof of a vehicle. The rack system has a support member (4) affixed to the vehicle in use and a carriage (8) for supporting a load. The carriage (8) is attached to the support member such that the carriage (8) is both translatable and rotatable relative to the support member (4) between a storage position and a deployed position. The support member has a rotatable engagement member (10) to engage and support the carriage (8) during translation and rotation between the storage position and the deployed position, where one of the carriage (8) and the engagement member (10) comprises a plurality of spaced protrusions and the other of the carriage and the engagement member comprises a series of recesses at corresponding spacing arranged to receive the protrusions. A rack and pinion system may be used. An axle is used for driving rotation of the engagement member (10) to cause the carriage to move over the engagement member in unison therewith.

An articulated roller assembly for a bent bar comprising an articulated roller configured to spin relative to the bent bar. The bent bar generally comprises at least one bent portion and at least one straight portion. The articulated roller is designed to be fitted over the bent portion of the bar to be positioned on the at least one straight portion of the bar where it spins freely. The articulated rollers comprise a series of cylindrical rigid bushings surrounded by a flexible, deformable sleeve. The bushings have an inner diameter and length such that the articulated roller can be fitted over the bent portion of the bar. In some examples, the inner diameter and length of the bushings are a function of the outer diameter of the bent bar and the radius of the bend in the bent portion of the bar.

The invention involves a cargo carrier for vehicles that facilitates loading and unloading of items onto an enclosure; the cargo carrier may be automated and self-loading via actuators and a motorized mechanism that may be remotely controlled. The actuators may be configured to tilt the enclosure or a component thereof and one or more motors may be configured to deploy a deployable tray housed within the enclosure, which minimizes user loading or unloading labor. Typically, on a front end of the enclosure, one or more actuators may couple the enclosure to a portion of a vehicle support structure. The deployable tray may include a tiltable mechanism to further facilitate loading or unloading.

The invention involves a cargo carrier for vehicles that facilitates loading and unloading of items onto an enclosure; the cargo carrier may be automated and self-loading via actuators and a motorized mechanism that may be remotely controlled. The actuators may be configured to tilt the enclosure or a component thereof and one or more motors may be configured to deploy a deployable tray housed within the enclosure, which minimizes user loading or unloading labor. Typically, on a front end of the enclosure, one or more actuators may couple the enclosure to a portion of a vehicle support structure. The deployable tray may include a tiltable mechanism to further facilitate loading or unloading.

A storage assembly includes a movable assembly configured to receive and support the weight of the load. The storage assembly also includes a base assembly configured to be fixedly mounted to the load-bearing portions of the vehicle roof of the vehicle. The base assembly is also configured to support movement of the movable assembly with the load, between a load- storage position and a load-access position, when the base assembly, in use, is fixedly mounted to the load-bearing portions of the vehicle roof, and the movable assembly, in use, receives and supports the weight of the load.

A storage assembly includes a movable assembly configured to receive and support the weight of the load. The storage assembly also includes a base assembly configured to be fixedly mounted to the load-bearing portions of the vehicle roof of the vehicle. The base assembly is also configured to support movement of the movable assembly with the load, between a load- storage position and a load-access position, when the base assembly, in use, is fixedly mounted to the load-bearing portions of the vehicle roof, and the movable assembly, in use, receives and supports the weight of the load.

Systems are provided for storing and retrieving objects such as ladders. The systems can include a carriage, and a trolley mounted on the carriage for holding the object and moving the object linearly in relation to the carriage, so that the object can be stowed in locations such as on the roof of a fire engine or other emergency vehicle, or the roof of a stationary structure. The systems can further include a handle assembly that permits a user to move the trolley while the user is standing on the ground. The handle system is configured to secure the trolley in a stowed position, and allows the user to release the carriage from its stowed position.

Systems are provided for storing and retrieving objects such as ladders. The systems can include a carriage, and a trolley mounted on the carriage for holding the object and moving the object linearly in relation to the carriage, so that the object can be stowed in locations such as on the roof of a fire engine or other emergency vehicle, or the roof of a stationary structure. The systems can further include a handle assembly that permits a user to move the trolley while the user is standing on the ground. The handle system is configured to secure the trolley in a stowed position, and allows the user to release the carriage from its stowed position.

The present invention provides apparatus, devices, methods, and configurations to carry and assist the loading and unloading of heavy loads or loads having irregular or elongated shapes such as ladders, lumber, personal recreation equipment including but not limited to surfboards, paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, skis, snowboards, bicycles, and other items to reduce effort and impediments to loading a vehicle's roof rack and to allow full utilization of the vehicle's receiver. The device can pivot into either the loading and unloading position or the transport position when a pin is removed from the device at a pivot point in its vertical member. The device is mounted to a hitch receiver extension which is secured to the vehicle's hitch receiver. The hitch receiver extension allows the vehicle to transport another apparatus such as a trailer or bike rack mounted to the hitch receiver extension.