The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to mechanical device for securing objects to the roof of a vehicle, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a collapsible car roof rack adaptable to multiple car shapes. An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention, referred to herein as the roof rack, relates to a roof rack deployed across the width of a car. Optionally the rack may include two units. For example, a proximal end of each unit may be mechanically attached between a car door and/or frame (i.e. sandwiched between the door and the frame). Alternatively or additionally, the distal end of the roof rack may be removably coupled to the car roof by a combination of magnetic coupling and/or friction. Optionally, each unit can fold small for easy transport and/or storage.

A load carrier foot includes a support body having a support surface configured to rest against a first surface of a vehicle, a first bracket configured to grip about a second surface of the vehicle, a second bracket configured to grip about a third surface of the vehicle, and a tensioning arrangement configured to impart a clamping force at between the support surface and the first and the second brackets to retain the load carrier foot to the vehicle. The first and the second brackets are pivotally connected to each other. A load carrying foot according to the present invention has relatively few components while still providing a rigid and strong connection to the vehicle.

A load carrier foot includes a support body having a support surface configured to rest against a first surface of a vehicle, a first bracket configured to grip about a second surface of the vehicle, a second bracket configured to grip about a third surface of the vehicle, and a tensioning arrangement configured to impart a clamping force at between the support surface and the first and the second brackets to retain the load carrier foot to the vehicle. The first and the second brackets are pivotally connected to each other. A load carrying foot according to the present invention has relatively few components while still providing a rigid and strong connection to the vehicle.

An illustrative embodiment includes a latch rotatably mounted on a support bracket and including first and second flanges that define therebetween a notch configured to receive a striker bar. The latch is rotatable into a closed position with the striker bar received in the notch responsive to the first flange being moved against the striker bar. A pawl having an inner edge and a cam edge is rotatably mounted on the support bracket. An outer side of the first flange is configured to engage the inner edge to hold the pawl in an unlocked position responsive to the latch being in an open position. The pawl is configured to rotate and the cam edge is configured to move against the first side of the first flange to hold the latch in the closed position responsive to the latch rotating past the inner edge of the pawl.

Disclosed is a roof rack for a vehicle having: roof attachment means; a cargo frame adapted to releasably engage with cargo; means to enable the cargo frame to be moved between a substantially horizontal position above the roof of a vehicle and a substantially vertical position behind the vehicle; and means to control the rate of descent or ascent of the cargo frame;
the roof rack adapted such that in use the roof rack is attached to the roof of a vehicle via the roof attachment means and wherein a user standing behind the vehicle is able to pull the cargo frame or attached cargo towards himself such that the cargo frame and attached cargo controllably moves from a substantially horizontal position above the roof of the vehicle to a substantially vertical position behind the vehicle so that the user can load and/or unload the cargo and once this is done the user can push the cargo frame or attached cargo such that the frame controllably moves from a substantially vertical position behind the vehicle to a substantially horizontal position above the roof of the vehicle.

Disclosed is a roof rack for a vehicle having: roof attachment means; a cargo frame adapted to releasably engage with cargo; means to enable the cargo frame to be moved between a substantially horizontal position above the roof of a vehicle and a substantially vertical position behind the vehicle; and means to control the rate of descent or ascent of the cargo frame;
the roof rack adapted such that in use the roof rack is attached to the roof of a vehicle via the roof attachment means and wherein a user standing behind the vehicle is able to pull the cargo frame or attached cargo towards himself such that the cargo frame and attached cargo controllably moves from a substantially horizontal position above the roof of the vehicle to a substantially vertical position behind the vehicle so that the user can load and/or unload the cargo and once this is done the user can push the cargo frame or attached cargo such that the frame controllably moves from a substantially vertical position behind the vehicle to a substantially horizontal position above the roof of the vehicle.

An electrified vehicle backup battery system includes a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle, and a backup battery assembly that is removably mounted to the electrified vehicle. The backup battery assembly is configured to recharge the traction battery pack through a charge port of the electrified vehicle. A traction battery pack charging method includes recharging a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle from a backup battery assembly that is mounted above a roof of the electrified vehicle.

An electrified vehicle backup battery system includes a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle, and a backup battery assembly that is removably mounted to the electrified vehicle. The backup battery assembly is configured to recharge the traction battery pack through a charge port of the electrified vehicle. A traction battery pack charging method includes recharging a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle from a backup battery assembly that is mounted above a roof of the electrified vehicle.

A vacuum-based hitch rack carrier system for a vehicle having a rear hitch and rear hitch receiver. The system includes a plurality of vacuum devices having a pad shaped and sized to removably seat with a vehicle to form a vacuum cavity, a plunger attached to the pad and in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity, and an indicator associated with the vacuum device to indicate the level of vacuum pressure within the vacuum. The system has a receiver hitch adapter for joining a rack configured to secure an article to the vehicle via attachment to the rear hitch receiver, a mount shaped and sized to mate and secure the article to the rack, and one or more support bars attached to said mount. At least one of the support bars contains a break and fold assembly configured to allow the carrier system to be folded.

A bicycle carrier includes a main shaft having a spacer, two upper stands mounted on the main shaft and abutting the spacer, two carrying racks mounted on the main shaft and respectively abutting the upper stands, two lower stands mounted on the main shaft and respectively abutting the carrying racks, and two end caps mounted on the main shaft and respectively abutting the lower stands. The spacer has two ends each provided with a first ratchet ring. Each of the upper stands has a first mounting ring which has two ends each provided with a second ratchet ring. Each of the carrying racks has a second mounting ring which has two ends each provided with a third ratchet ring. Each of the lower stands has a third mounting ring which has two ends each provided with a fourth ratchet ring.