US3608759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Car top carrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-24
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for handling a storage compartment as it is raised from ground level to a carry position on top of a vehicle whereby wheelchairs and the like deposited in said compartment may be stored and transported for convenient useage. Controls regulate up, down, rotational and locking operations of compartment hoist elements that move the compartment transitionally from an upright position at the side of the vehicle to an elevated flat disposition on top of the vehicle with said compartment and all hoist elements being maintained at a low elevation to preserve low clearance characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A Spurgeon
- 👤 Earl F Sorensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/04; B60R9/042; B60R9/0426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A mechanism for use with motor vehicles to facilitate storage of objects on top of said vehicles by moving the objects from an upstanding position alongside the vehicle to a flat horizontal position on top of said vehicle comprising a support frame for attachment to said vehicle, a hoist mechanism on said frame, means for interconnecting said hoist and said upstanding object, power means for differentially moving the higher and lower portions of said object whereby the object is rotated from an upright plane of orientation and elevated until said object is in flat horizontal position with the initially higher and lower portions of said object being at approximately the same elevation and above the top of said vehicle, and powered mechanism for moving said object horizontally to a position of storage above said vehicle top, all of said hoist and powered mechanism being maintained at all times at a low clearance elevation corresponding to the height of said vehicle plus the height of said object in its stored position and with the object and portions thereof at all times not exceeding said low clearance elevation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A mechanism for use with motor vehicles to facilitate storage of objects on top of said vehicles by moving the objects from an upstanding position alongside the vehicle to a flat horizontal position on top of said vehicle comprising a support frame for attachment to said vehicle, a hoist mechanism on said frame, means for interconnecting said hoist and said upstanding object, power means for differentially moving the higher and lower portions of said object whereby the object is rotated from an upright plane of orientation and elevated until said object is in flat horizontal position with the initially higher and lower portions of said object being at approximately the same elevation and above the top of said vehicle, and powered mechanism for moving said object horizontally to a position of storage above said vehicle top, all of said hoist and powered mechanism being maintained at all times at a low clearance elevation corresponding to the height of said vehicle plus the height of said object in its stored position and with the object and portions thereof at all times not exceeding said low clearance elevation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the differential movement pattern for said object is simultaneous and continuous with respect to the elevation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the higher portion of said object is moved vertically by said hoist mechanism and power means as the object is elevated whereby the object is not swung outwardly with respect to said vehicle and a narrow side clearance is accordingly maintained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hoist mechanism is inclusive of pulley and tension elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein a cable hoist mechanism is utilized and further comprising separate cables for attachment to the higher and lower portions of said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein separate cable drums are provided for the separate cables and wherein said drums are of different diameter to accomplish rotation of said object as it is elevated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein all of said drums are rotated by said power means at the same rotative speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the powered mechanism for moving said object horizontally rotates said object to its position of storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein the object manipulated by said mechanism is a wheelchair.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein the object to be elevated and stored is a compartment and further comprising an access opening for said compartment with said access opening being disposed for convenient loading when the compartment object is in its upstanding position alongside the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein said access opening is on a front sidewall of said compartment disposed foRwardly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein said access opening is still disposed at a side of said vehicle after said compartment object has been elevated and rotated horizontally to its stored position on top of said vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |