RETAINING AND FASTENING MEANS TO A TOP RAILING PLACED ON A VEHICLE'S ROOF, FOR AT LEAST ONE MODULAR SELECTIVELY REMOVABLE PLATFORM, CARRIER OF A GENERIC OBJECT

Abstract

Retaining and securing means for load carrying modular platform to a top railing on a vehicle's roof. Said retaining means are a pair of spaced apart longitudinal members linked by transversally spaced crossbars.

All crossbars have a constant area cross section, resting on small columns projecting upwardly from said longitudinal members.

The platforms are secured between pairs of crossbars having a portion of bottom surface bounded by opposite sidewalls with transversely aligned pairs of recesses, with profiles complementary to the crossbar's intercepting said bottom surface, forming a longitudinal slot.

The width of each crossbar is greater that the width of each recess, while the width of the slot is greater that the width of said column. The upward portion of each platform defines engagement and retention means for the individual load to he conveyed on each of said platforms.

Claims

1. A retaining and securing device for at least one modular and selectively removeable platform for supporting a generic object, where the retaining and securing device attaches to a top railing placed on a vehicle's roof, said device comprising: a pair of longitudinal members; a plurality of crossbars; and a modular platform; wherein when assembled to the vehicle: said pair of longitudinal members extend spaced apart and parallel to longitudinal axis of the vehicle; said plurality of crossbars or are spaced from each other and are substantially perpendicular to said pair of longitudinal members defining a luggage rack linked to the vehicle's roof upon which a load can be arranged and secured to be thus carried; each of said plurality of crossbars has a constant cross-sectional area formed by a closed curve, wherein each of said plurality of crossbars is seated on and linked to small columns projecting upward from said pair of longitudinal members; said modular platform is selectively removable from and is securable be an adjacent pair of ones of said plurality of crossbars crossbars for carrying a generic object as a load; said modular platform is of a rigid nature with a bottom surface portion laterally delimited by corresponding opposite side walls projecting upward, being said bottom surface portion of bottom surface being.sub.-spaced from and facing the roof of the vehicle; both of said side walls have pairs of recesses that are transversely aligned, having a complementary profile to a select one of said the plurality of crossbars, intercepting said bottom surface portion of said modular platform, each one of said recesses form a longitudinal slot on a lower surface, and are extended and underlying a corresponding one of the plurality of crossbars, extending parallel thereto from a first recess to an opposite recess of a select one of the pairs of recesses; a horizontal axis of a cross section of a select one of said plurality of crossbars is greater than a horizontal width of an associated one of the pairs of recesses, whereas a width of the slot is greater that a width of the columns, said recesses being slideable along surfaces of a cross section of the pair of corresponding crossbars on which said modular platform rests, presenting said slot under crossbar opposite rectilinear edges determining engagement means and retention slot edges of the platform; and said luggage carrier having positional retention means for each platform determining the upwardly exposed upper portions of each platform the engagement and retention means for the individual load to be conveyed on each of said platforms,

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the profile of each one of said recesses and said complementary cross section of each crossbar is selected from an ellipse, an ellipsoid, ellipse with major lateral flattened sides, and a circumference, being all said cross sections for all of said crossbars of equal profile and dimensions.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the horizontal axis of the cross section of each crossbar is greater than its vertical axis, presenting a lower profile drag.

4. The device of claim I further comprising at least one additional modular platform, each one of the modular platforms being individually attachable and disenageable to said roof luggage rack without altering the loading status of the other modular platforms.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein: each modular platform is selectively linkable to a chest or suitcase, performing the rigid platform and chest assembly like an independent suitcase when the modular platform, along with said chest or bin, is detached from bearing on the crossbars.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein: the corresponding lateral walls of said modular platform are obliquely projected upwards.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein: the upper portions of said platform defines the securing and fastening means of the load to be carried on said platform.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein: said transverse crossbars are placed by pairs at an equal distance between each pair, further comprising at least one additional modular platform, wherein each modular platform is of equal shape and dimensions, being each platform interchangeable with the other upon said luggage rack.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein: said longitudinal members and said crossbars have retention means able to hold in place the corresponding modular platform.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples of a given construction of the invention, reflecting a preferred construction thereof and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a topside perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing the longitudinal beams and the transverse crossbars;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the same object, in an enlarged view, but from the opposite side as shown in FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows in perspective one of the constructions of the load carrying platform or pallet, in an inverted position, that is, with its lower surface in the foreground;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows cross section in AA of FIG. 3 with a constructive version of the platform assembled on the crossbars;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates in perspective a detail of one of the locking means of the platform about its stable positioning on the crossbars;

[0034] FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 4 and,

[0035] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are showing one of the possible loading sequences of the modular platforms of the invention to a luggage carrier, in the version in which these platforms are integrated to respective bags or suitcases.

[0036] In all the above mentioned figures, the same references designate the same means or their equivalents.

[0037] In FIGS. 1 and 2 we observe a possible construction of the present invention, consisting of two longitudinal beams (1, 2) which are arranged parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, ie, aligned with the longitudinal symmetry axis of the roof. Both beams have parallel to the vehicle roof (not shown) projecting and integral with it corresponding sections of longitudinal flanges (3) projecting preferably from the bottom edge of the longitudinal beams (1, 2), which have means of attachment to the roof or parts of the vehicle, either on its side or on the rails or anchors already fitted provided in most of the latter makes of motorcars. Anyway these anchors in its many variants are elements by themselves known in the art, so they do not need any further enlargement of its description or operation. To illustrate one of these possible anchors said flanges shows a groove (4) in which is possible insert a known means of attachment (5).

[0038] According to this invention, the longitudinal beams (1, 2) are integral to small pair of columns (6, 6′, 6a, 6a′) which are upwardly projecting from said beams. The columns (6) of one of the beams (1) are transversely aligned with the columns (6′) of the other beam (2). Above each pair of these columns (6, 6′) sits raised from said longitudinal beams (1, 2) the transverse crossbars (7). The pairs of columns (6, 6′), (6a, 6a′) are equidistant to each other, that is, the columns (6a, 6) projecting in the same crossbar (1) are equidistant from the columns (6a′, 6′) of the parallel beam (2).

[0039] On the mutually facing columns. (6a, 6a′) and (6, 6′) are seated the corresponding crossbars (7), (7′), thus said crossbars are parallel to each other. Ideally this set of bveams, columns and crossbars are monolithic, forming a single structure, but nothing prevents the crossabars (7, 7′) to be joined by means of fixing screws or bolts or the like (variation not shown).

[0040] According to the present invention these crossbars have an equal and uniform cross section. This cross section is defined by a curved perimeter, and more specifically, it is preferred that the perimeter chosen from an ellipse with its long axis placed in the horizontal, to achieve greater aerodynamic penetration and a minor source of noise. In the examples given, said cross section 18 elliptical, but nothing prevents to adopt other cross sections attaining the same effect, such as straight flat surfaces with elliptical ends or circular cross sections.

[0041] Between each pair of crossbars (7, 7′) it is associated at least one platform generally indicated by reference (20). This platform is rigid, and ideally for each pair of crossbars (7, 7′) we have two platforms (20), one beside the other, linked to said crossbars in tandem, and in the second series of crossbars (7, 7′) they are placed other two additional platforms (20), so that on the vehicle roof they can be placed at least four modular platforms, preferably equal to each other, making them interchangeable provided the distance between each pair of crossbars is the same. This load layout is flexible, and the user can choose to install a single platform, or two, three or four, or more, according to the number of pair of crossbars, and also the user may choose to install all these platforms (20) side by side (in tandem) or aligned one behind the other, or both. This single concept of interchangeable modular platforms, according to the good knowledge of the inventor, leads to a new conception of loading and transport on the car roof. These platforms (20) are selectively removable and are carrying on the same any object or a generic load (not shown). Each platform (20) has bottom surface (21) delimited by corresponding side wails (22) projecting upward, increasing its resistance module, from said bottom surface (21). This bottom surface 21) is separated from and facing the vehicle roof (please refer to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9).

[0042] Preferably observing FIGS. 2 and 3, said side walls (22) have recesses (23) transversely aligned along the same crossbars (7, 7′) having a complementary profile to the crossbar, intercepting the said portion of bottom surface (21) with said recess (23) forming a longitudinal slot (24) underlying the crossbars (7, 7′)

[0043] Also, these platforms (20) may have recesses (25) which enables the user its gripping for their installation and removal. They also have retention means, such as tongues (8) which rotate on a hub (9) integral with the longitudinal beams (1, 2) and In its operative position (for example vertical), supports or accommodated within recesses in the platform (20), locking and preventing the displacement of the corresponding platform. Also, each crossbar may have a plurality of protruding lugs (10) serving to immobilize platforms (20) at a precise location upon said crossbars, being these lugs elastically depressable within the crossbar to allow for the passage of the recesses (25) of the platform (20) upon its installation on said roof rack.

[0044] Each platform (20) has an edge (26) which serves as support for the load (not illustrated) or allows binding to a surface or as well as any other known carrier means, such as for a bicycle, bag, etc., which can be complemented by the projections (27) as shown in FIG. 4, or by a surface (28), which seats and links the perimeter (26), which is partly shown in the figure, and serves to support generic loads. In a preferred construction of the invention, but not limiting thereof, these platforms are coupled and integrated to boxes, forming a luggage bin. That is, upon removal of said luggage bin, it carries attached to it the corresponding modular platform, acting the whole as a suitcase, without projections or protrusions enabling its use in public transportation such as aircraft, buses, etc.

[0045] Additionally, the present invention contemplates that the longitudinal beams (1, 2) can be folded when they are not in use, turning on hinges or the like (11).

[0046] The conditions the tray or platform (20) of this invention must comply in respect to the crossbars design and columns are shown at FIG. 6 and they are:

[0047] The horizontal diameter <a> of recess (23) must be greater than the horizontal diameter <b> of the cross section of crossbar (7), and the width <d> of the groove (24) must be greater than width <c> of the column (6).

[0048] FIG. 5 shows in perspective a detail of one of the possible means for retaining the platform or tray (20). This construction is based on the crossbars (7, 7′) which may be are internally hollow or at least partially hollow; within them is lodged a known device which by pressing a button (12) at the end of crossbar, drives a shaft (13) which moves down the lug or projection (10).

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a top perspective construction of a luggage carrier according to the invention which consists of the beams (1, 2) to which the pairs of crossbars (7, 7′) are attached. On rear pair (7, 7′) of the crossbars it is placed a suitcase (30) which is integrated to the carrying platform (20), whose lower surface (21) face the top of the roof (40) of the vehicle. FIG. 8 shows the placement upon the same luggage carrier of a second suitcase (31) similar to the former (30), and FIG. 9 shows the placement of a third suitcase (32). In the figures it is seen that these suitcases, depending on the condition that all the platform modules (20) are alike, all of them are interchangeable allowing one of them to be removed Or loaded, without disturbing the rest of the load on the roof rack.

[0050] As said, the number of pair of crosssbars (7, 7′) limits the number of platforms (20) carried on the roof. For instance, if we have three pairs of crossbars (7, 7′), a maximum of six carrying platforms may be installed on the vehicle's roof.