BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a securing device.

More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a securing device which is engageable with the tow ball or tow bar of a vehicle and which is suitable for carrying skis and like objects.

To the present time various types of vehicle roof racks have been commercially available but to varying degrees have suffered from the disadvantages of being expensive, unsightly, impractical and/or difficult to assemble and dismantle.

More particularly, but not exclusively, difficulty has been experienced when conventional ski racks have been attached to the roofs of, inter alia, hatchback type cars. One difficulty has been that the skis protrude over the back of the car thereby interfering with the opening of the boot.

A further disadvantage suffered by conventional vehicle roof racks is that they are attached to a vehicle by way of clips which penetrate the rubber door linings of the vehicle, thus causing damage and

resulting in possible water penetration when these clips are removed.

It is thus an object of this invention to reduce certain of these problems or at least to provide the public with a useful alternative.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is thus provided a securing device for carrying objects such as skis on a motor vehicle comprising primary engagement means to secure the device to the rear portion of the motor vehicle, first support means attachable to the primary engagement means, second support means attachable to the said motor vehicle and the first support means forward of the primary engagement means and object securing means to secure said objects whereby the objects are spanably supported between the first and second support means.

Accordingly, in the second aspect, the invention comprises apparatus for securing articles to a motor vehicle comprising a first engagement means for engagement with a motor vehicle rear of a main body portion of the vehicle; a first support means attached to said first engagement means at or adjacent a first end and having a distal end positionable on a plane

above said main body portion of said vehicle; at least one arm member connectable to or adjacent said distal end of said support means; and a second support means connectable to or on said motor vehicle and connected to said at least one arm means.

Accordingly, in the third aspect, the invention consists in apparatus for securing articles to a motor vehicle comprising a first engagement means for engagement with or about a tow bar on a rear of a motor vehicle; a first support means attached to said first engagement means and extending upwardly from said first engagement means; article receiving means connectable to said first support means to receive articles and at least partially support said articles from said tow bar engaged with said first engagement means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of one possible embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 when engaged to a vehicle and with skis attached thereto.

Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1 when engaged to a vehicle but in a pivotted back position so as to allow easy access to the boot of the vehicle.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of hinge plate

16(a) and arm 18(a) through section A-A as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second possible embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a support means forming part of the embodiment of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of a first support means forming part of the embodiment of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view through part of the apparatus of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the apparatus of

Figure 7 attached to a vehicle.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the apparatus of

Figure 11 in a second configuration.

Figure 13 is an elevational view of a possible attachment to the apparatus of Figure 7.

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a side elevation of an additional attachment to the apparatus of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the drawings show a carrier rack which is engageable primarily with the tow ball or tow bar of a vehicle such as a car. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has applications wherever a means is required for securing an object or objects to a vehicle such as a car in the manner described.

As particularly seen in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, this invention may be broken into four separate sections referenced generally by arrows 1, 2, 3 and 4. This enables the ski rack to be stored in the boot of a car when not in use and to be easily assembled and dismantled.

Section 1 of the securing means is seen to include a base plate 5 which is engageable with the tow bar of a vehicle with an aperture 6 being provided to accommodate the tow ball of the vehicle so as to leave the actual tow ball free for use. Adjustable locking plates 7 are positioned either side of the tow ball to lock the base plate in position, thereby preventing the base plate 5 from twisting. A pair of upright columns 8(a) and 8(b)

are secured towards either end of base plate 5 and hinge means 9(a) and 9(b) are attached at the distal end of said uprights 8(a) and 8(b).

Section 2 comprises a second pair of hollow upright columns 10(a) and 10(b) being connectable to lower uprights 8(a) and 8(b) by hinges 9(a) and 9(b) respectively. A cross member 11 spans the upper ends of uprights 10(a) and 10(b) thereby maintaining these uprights in a fixed relationship relative to each other. The upper uprights 10(a) and 10(b) are maintained in a substantially vertical position by means of pins (not shown) secured through apertures 12 and 13 provided in hinges 9(a) and 9(b) and through corresponding apertures in upright 8(a) and 8(b) and 10(a) and 10(b).

Conversely, when the pins are removed, uprights 10(a) and 10(b) may be pivotted backward until impeded by angled plates 14(a) and 14(b) which come to rest against lower uprights 8(a) and 8(b), thereby allowing greater access to the boot of a vehicle. It is to be appreciated that a carrier device such as a bike rack may be secured atop or integrally formed as part of section 2 and therefore sections 1 and 2 may be used independently of sections 3 and 4.

As illustrated in Figure 1, section 3 comprises a pair of uprights 15(a) and 15(b) which are slidably engageable within uprights 10(a) and 10(b) with hinge plates 16(a) and 16(b) being attached at the other end of uprights 15(a) and 15(b) respectively.

The height of the uprights 15(a) and 15(b) may be adjusted by altering the extent to which they are telescoped within the outer uprights 10(a) and 10(b). Once the appropriate height has been attained, the inner upright is fixed into position by means of a bolt or pin (not shown) secured through aperture 17 and corresponding apertures in uprights 15(a) and 15(b).

As seen in Figure 6, arms 18(a) and 18(b) are accommodated within channels 19 which are integrally formed as part of hinge plates 16(a) and 16(b). Arms 18(a) and 18(b) being slideably movable within the channels 19 so as to allow the arms 18(a) and 18(b) to be slid in a rearward direction (not shown) . When the vehicle is in motion arms 18(a) and 18(b) can be locked in the forward position as shown in Figure 1 by means of a bolt or pin (not shown) secured through aperture 37 and corresponding apertures (not shown) in arms 18(a) and 18(b) .

The hinge plates 16(a) and 16(b) are pivotable so as to enable the angle between the arms 18(a) and 18(b)

and uprights 15(a) and 15(b) to be altered to suit the shape of car upon which the carrier rack is to be mounted. Furthermore, this hinge also allows sections

3 and 4 of the securing device to be pivoted upwards towards a vertical position thereby facilitating easy access to the boot of the car. When in use, uprights

15(a) and 15(b) can be maintained in a substantially perpendicular position relative to arms 18(a) and 18(b) by means of a bolt or pin (not shown) secured through aperture 38 and corresponding apertures (not shown) in uprights 15(a) and 15(b) thereby preventing pivoting when the vehicle is in motion.

Arms 18(a) and 18(b) are of a hollow tubular construction which in the exemplary embodiment have a square cross-section. These arms are spanned by cross- members 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 which maintain the arms 18(a) and 18(b) in a fixed parallel relationship to each other and contribute the overall structural strength of the securing device. Atop cross-member 21 there are provided two upstanding blocks 24(a) and 24(b) with a first support bracket 25 being attached and spanning said support blocks 24(a) and 24(b) so as to maintain the first support bracket 25 at such a height that it clears hinge plates 16(a) and 16(b) when arms 18(a) and 18(b) are slid back.

Section 4 comprises a pair of extension arms 26(a) and 26(b) which are slideably engageable within outer arms 18(a) and 18(b) with a second support bracket 27 being attached atop a cross-member 28 connecting the forward ends of arms 26(a) and 26(b). The second support bracket 27 is attachable to the rear windscreen or roof of a vehicle by way of rubber suction cups 29(a) and 29(b) as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4.

The distance between the two support brackets 25 and 27 may be adjusted by altering the extent to which inner arms 26(a) and 26(b) are telescoped within outer arms 18(a) and 18(b). Once the appropriate distance has been obtained, the arms are then fixed in position by means of a pin or bolt (not shown) secured through apertures 32 in extension arms 18(a) and 18(b) and corresponding apertures in extension arms 26(a) and 26(b) .

Skis may be attached to the first support bracket 25 and second support bracket 27 within rubber-lined slots 39 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 said slots forming part of a removable insert housed within the first support bracket 25 and second support bracket 27 and being adapted to accommodate skis. However it is to be appreciated that the inserts are interchangeable and may be adapted to accommodate other elongate objects

such as surf boards or fishing rods. In the preferred embodiment, the second support bracket is formed as one piece whereas the first support bracket comprises an upper section 34 and a lower section 35 which are hinged at one end and being lockable at the other end. It is to be appreciated, however, that the attachment of the skis or other objects to the support brackets may be achieved by other suitable means such as rubber ties.

As illustrated in Figure 4, when fully assembled the securing device may be attached to a car referenced generally by arrow C and objects such as skis may be mounted to span the two supporting brackets. The securing device may then, with the objects still attached, be pivotted back thereby allowing easy access to the boot as shown in Figure 5.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may be as shown in Figure 7. The apparatus still comprises a primary engagement means 51 for attachment to the rear of a motor vehicle 52 as shown in Figure 11. In this example, the primary engagement means 51 comprises a plate 51 having a substantially horizontal portion including an aperture 53 for engagement about the tow ball of a vehicle. Locking means 54 are provided to engage with the tow bar supporting the tow ball such that the primary engagement means 51 is locked in place.

Front and rear flanges 55 and 56 are provided to give the horizontal plate of the primary engagement means 51 greater stiffness to support the vertical loads carried to the plate from the rack as a whole.

A first support means 57 which in this preferred example comprises a pair of arms 57 are connected to the primary engagement means 51 by a dependent flange 58 beneath the primary engagement means 51 being provided with an engagement to the first support means 57.

The engagement between the support means 57 and the flange 58 should be a pivotal connection so that arms 57 may rotate backwards from the position shown in Figure 7 about the connection to flange 58 and within the slots 59 provided in the primary engagement means 51.

A variety of alternative primary engagement means and first support means could be utilised with the invention provided the primary engagement means engages the motor vehicle rearward of the main body portion such as the boot and cabin of the vehicle and the first support means projects generally upwardly to end on a plane higher than the roof or uppermost point of the main body portion of the vehicle. For example, rather than a primary engagement means 51 attached to the tow bar of the vehicle, an alternative construction arranged

to connect to the bumper of the vehicle could be utilised. However, the connection to the tow bar of the vehicle allows the load to be carried directly to the structural member comprising the tow bar. Tow bars on vehicles are generally of a standard construction making the provision of a universal engagement means 51 somewhat easier than an engagement means for attachment to a bumper of a vehicle.

The primary support means 57 is connected through connection 58 to an arm 59 projecting generally forward of the connection 58. As with the first support means 57, the arm 59 may comprise a pair of such arms, however, a single arm could be utilised.

The arms 59 are extended to a connection with a second support means 60 which itself attaches to the motor vehicle through, in this preferred example, suction cups 61 provided on the end of the cross arm 62. The suction cups 61 are of a similar nature to those described in the previous example and allow the second support means 60 to be releasably attached to the motor vehicle.

In this second embodiment of the invention, arms 63 supporting the suction cups 61 from the cross arm 62 may be provided with a sliding connection onto the cross arm

62 so that the suction cups 61 may be slid along cross arm 62 to accommodate different widths of vehicle.

Furthermore the connection 64 between the support arm 63 and the suction cups 61 may be a pivotting connection such as a ball joint so that the suction cups 61 may rotate to engage a sloping roof of a vehicle with the full face of the suction cups 61 applied to the body of the vehicle.

The second support means 60 and cross arm 62 provide an attachment point for the attachment of skis or other apparatus onto the apparatus as a whole and support these in transit. An additional cross arm 66 at the distal end of the arms 59 is provided to carry the other end of the skis or similar apparatus carried on the apparatus as a whole.

In this preferred form of the invention, the cross arms 62 and 66 are standard roof rack cross arm members being substantially 20mm by 30mm in cross-section. The use of this relatively standard size cross arm allows for the use of conventional additional apparatus such as specialised racks for carrying skis enabling the skis to be locked into place to be used on the cross arm 62 and 66 as they would with a conventional roof rack cross arm.

In this example, the cross arm 66 is provided at the end of the arms 59 forming part of the apparatus, however, the cross arm 66 could be incorporated as part of the first support means 57 or the arms 59 in any convenient manner rather than as an additional member attached near the end of the arms 59.

Shock absorber members 68 may be incorporated between the connection of the arms 59 to at least the second support means 62 so as to remove some of the vibration transmitted from the vehicle during motion.

As with the previous embodiment, the arms 59 may comprise a first arm 59a and a second arm 59b such that the arms 59b are telescopic within the larger diameter arms 59a to provide an adjustment to the overall length of the apparatus at the interconnection of these arms 59a and 59b. A cross member 70 may be provided about the arms 59a adjacent the distal end of the arms 59a from the first support means 57 which can be used as an attachment for shock absorbers 68 and cross arm 62 forming the second support means 60 so that the extension length 59b may be done away with if desired. The shock absorbers 68 may be engaged through apertures 71 on cross arm 70.

Additionally, the cross arm 70 may provide an aperture 72 and associated pin means (not shown) to engage through the cross arm 70, arm means 59a and into aperture 73 on arm 59b to lock the length of the extension 59b in place once a suitable length has been determined. Of course, any alternative lock of the telescoping arms 59a and 59b could be used.

As with the previous embodiment, the first support means 57 may also comprise a telescopic arm having portions 57a and 57b so as to provide an adjustment to the height of the apparatus.

Once a desired height of the apparatus has been achieved, the telescoping arms 57a and 57b may be locked together through the provision of a locking means 75 which, in this preferred example, comprise a spring- loaded pin which may engage through apertures in the members 57a and 57b when aligned and secure the members in place.

Similarly, spring-loaded locking pins 77 may be provided to provide an adjustment to the engagement of arms 59 through the connection means 58 through engagement with holes 80 provided in the arms 59.

Similarly, locking pins which are spring-loaded could be incorporated to engage in holes in arms 57b and through the connection means 58 so as to lock rotation of the joint 58.in the position shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 also shows a conventional cross arm bar 85 for a roof rack having conventional rain gutter fittings 86 for connection to the vehicle. Additional engagement means 87 including a pin or grub screw or similar 88 may be provided to engage an existing rain gutter cross bar 85 with the arms 59 of the present invention to do away with the need for the suction cups 61 and general secondary support means 60 should a rain gutter roof rack already be in place.

Figure 8 chose the cross arm 62 elevation together with the support arm 63 and suction cups 61. This view also shows a lever 90 which may be used to activate the suction of the suction cups 61 for attachment to the roof of the vehicle and release of the suction in the desire to lift the second support means 60 from the vehicle as a whole. Furthermore, a pad 91 may be provided on the cross member 62 as cushioning to decrease the likelihood of damage to loads carried on the cross member 62.

The elevation shown in Figure 9 shows the base member 51 and the first support means 57. To assist in

the structural integrity of the unit as a whole, a cross member 95 is provided between the pair of members forming the first support means 57. The locking pins 75 are shown and are connected by rigid rods 96 to arms 97.

For the locking pins 75 to be pulled out so that the upper first support means 57b can be adjusted in height, even removed, the levers 57 must be pulled towards each other to withdraw the pins from their engagement holes in the arms 57a and 57b. The provision of a padlock

(not shown) and a locking flange (not shown) can provide a means for preventing two arms 97 being drawn together so that the arms 57b are permanently locked in place until the padlock locking levers are removed from a position in between the levers 97. This prevents the upper assembly from arms 57b upwards being removed in total until the owner has removed the padlock.

Also shown in Figure 9 are collars 98 which slide on member 57 and include hooks 99. The collars 98 slide down the first support means 57 and engage over an upwardly extending portion 101 shown in Figure 11 to keep the arms 57 from rotating about their point of rotation in their engagement to flange 58.

To achieve the rotated position of the arms 57 as shown in Figure 11, the collars 98 may be lifted by pulling on handles 99 so that the collars 98 no longer engage about the upward member 101 and the arms 57 are

free to rotate backwards about their point of connection

103 through flange 58 as shown in Figure 11. In this rotated position, the hooks 99 may be engaged over additional hooks 104 conveniently positioned on locking means 75 so as to keep the collars 98 up on the first support means 57 and away from its engagement with the up stand 101.

In a convenient arrangement, the arms 57 are substantially circular and the collar 98 is also circular and of somewhat greater internal dimension than the external dimension of arm 57. This allows a substantially semi-circular up stand 101 to nest about the arms 57 when in their substantially vertical configuration as shown in Figure 12 and the collars 98 to be positioned down on member 57 and engaging member 101 between the interior surface of the collar 98 and the exterior surface of the member 57.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view through the connection 58 as shown in Figure 7. It can be seen that the first support means upper portion 57b may be engaged to dependent flanges 58 and the associated collar 108 which may carry the arms 59a. This engagement may be via a pivot bolt 109 passing through the flanges 58 and through the first support means part 57b. A locking pin 78 may be incorporated to engage through the flange 58 and into the upper part of the first support means 57b

to stop rotation about the pivot 109 when the collar 108 and the arms within the collar 59a are in a substantially horizontal position.

The locking pin 77 to lock the position of the arm 59a within the collar 108 is also shown.

Pull cords 110 and 111 may be incorporated between each pair of locking pins 77 and 78 so that the cords 110 and 111 may be pulled to withdraw the pins from their locked position. This allows easy unlocking of these engagements.

Figure 11 shows the apparatus in a configuration such that the boot 112 of the vehicle may be accessed through disengaging the collar 98 from its engagement with member 101 rotating the arms 57 rearwardly. Furthermore, the arms 59 may be rotated about the connection means 58 onto the first support means 57 to provide additional clearance between the apparatus and the boot of the vehicle 112.

Figure 12 shows the apparatus in its in use configuration spanning from the rear of the main body portion 52 of the vehicle and onto a point on the roof of the vehicle. It can be seen that the collars 98 are

now engaged over the member 101 provided on the engagement means 51.

A bike rack 120 may be provided comprising arms 121 designed to engage within first support means 57a in the same manner as the portions 57b of the roof rack. Again, arms 121 may be locked into place through locking means 75. The arms 121 may have engagement means 122 such as the collars shown in Figure 14 to engage frame members of bicycles so that a bicycle rack is provided using the same primary engagement means 51, first support means 57 and the additional unit 120. The collars 122 may be opened as shown in Figure 15 with an opening portion 123 shown dotted in its open configuration so that the bike frame may be inserted into the collar 122 and the collar closed and locked into position by any suitable locking means.

The apparatus as specifically shown in Figure 15 is designed to engage about support means 57b should it be desired to carry a bicycle in conjunction with other apparatus such as skis on the roof rack. In this embodiment, a collar 124 is engaged about the member 57b and secured there by a grub screw 125.

Thus can be seen that the second embodiment of the apparatus provides the features of the first embodiment together with additional alternatives. This is likely

to be the preferred embodiment of the two embodiments disclosed in this specification.

It should be appreciated that the securing device described in the above exemplary embodiments are but possible embodiments of the invention.

Thus it will be appreciated that by this invention there is provided a relatively cheap and relatively simple securing device which in the exemplary embodiment can be easily assembled and dismantled.

Application of this invention is not confined to a device of securing skis, and may be adapted to secure surfboards, snow boards, fishing rods or light objects to the outside of a motor vehicle. Therefore, the size, shape and material adopted in the construction of this invention may vary.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments

thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.