Article carrier for recreational vehicles

Claim 2

A carrier for skis and related equipment adapted for use on substantially vertical support surfaces, such as the rear end or side surface of a camper, van or similar recrational vehicle, comprising: complimentary upper and lower carriers for racking and clamping skis and ski poles vertically, means mounting the upper and lower carriers to upper and lower areas of the support surfaces, respectively, including (1) extensible and retractable members connected to the upper and lower carriers, and (2) means secured to the support surfaces mounting the extensible and retractable members and carriers connected thereto for vertical movement, wherein the upper carrier includes a pair of spaced, parallel, co-planer end members interconnected medially by a co-planer brace and a clamping area extending parallel to the brace for clamping skis in place between the brace and the arm, one end of the arm pivotally mounted to the other terminal end of one end member and the other end of the arm having key lockable retaining means connecting the other end of the arm to the outer terminal end of the other end member.

Claim 3

The carrier of claim 1 wherein the brace includes paired guides extending from the outer surface thereof between the brace and the arm for holding and supporting paired skis.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 wherein the lower carrier includes a pair of spaced, parallel, co-planar end members interconnected by a horizontally oriented planar shelf against which the ends of the skis by the upper carrier rest, a ski support including spaced-apart, parallel braces interconnecting the end members above the shelf and in alignment therewith, the braces having paired cross-bars extending therebetween at spaced intervals between which the lower end portions of the paired skis are nested and capacitively held.

Claim 5

The carrier of claim 1 wherein projecting, T-shaped ski pole holders are secured at the base of the T to the inner side of the brace and resilient pads are secured to the brace beneath each arm of the T, the pads in conjunction with the arm of the T holding a pair of ski poles in position.

Claim 6

A carrier for skis and ski poles adapted for use on substantially vertical support surfaces, such as the rear end or side surfaces of a camper, van or similar recreational vehicle, comprising: an upper ski and ski pole racking, clamping and suspending section, including (1) base plates adapted to be secured in a fixed position on a selected support surface, (2) lugs extending outwardly from each of the base plates, (3) paired bracket means having ears hingedly and detachably joined to the lugs on said base plates for vertical movement, (4) elongated channel members secured to each of the brackets, (5) a pair of spaced, parallel, co-planar end members interconnected medially by a co-planar brace, the inwardly directed ends of the end members adapted to be telescoped and adjustably held in the respective channel members, (6) a clamping arm having one end pivotally mounted to the outer end of one end member and the other end lockably connectable to the outer end of the other end member, the arm extending parallel with the brace for clamping pairs of skis between the brace and the arm, the inner surface of the arm covered with a strip of compressible, resilient material and the opposed outer cooperating side of the brace having laterally spaced ski locating and holding guides extending therefrom for supporting pairs of skis, (7) projecting, T-shaped ski pole holders secured to the inner lengthwise side of the brace, compressibly resilient pads secured to the inner length of the brace beneath the arms of each T-holder so that the combination of pad and legs of the T cooperate in holding a pair of ski poles in position; and a lower carrier beneath and adjustably bracketed to a lower area of the supporting surface in alignment with the upper carrier.

Claim 7

A carrier for skis and ski poles adapted for use on substantially vertical support surfaces, such as the rear end or side surfaces of a camper, van or similar recreational vehicle, comprising: an upper ski and ski pole racking, clamping and suspending section, including (1) base plates adapted to be secured in a fixed position on a selected support surface, (2) lugs extending outwardly from each of the base plates, (3) paired bracket means having ears hingedly and detachably joined to the lugs on said base plates for vertical movement, (4) elongated channel members secured to each of the brackets, (5) a pair of spaced, parallel, co-planar end members interconnected medially by a co-planar brace, the inwardly directed ends of the end members adapted to be telescoped and adjustably held in the respective channel members, (6) a clamping arm having one end pivotally mounted to the outer end of one end member and the other end lockably connectable to the outer end of the other end member, the arm extending parallel with the brace for clamping pairs of skis between the brace and the arm, the inner surface of the arm covered with a strip of compressible, resilient material and the opposed outer cooperating side of the brace having laterally spaced ski locating and holding guides extending therefrom for supporting pairs of skis, (7) projecting, T-shaped ski pole holders secured to the inner lengthwise side of the brace, compressibly resilient pads secured to the inner length of the brace beneath the arms of each T-holder so that the combination of pad and legs of the T cooperate in holding a pair of ski poles in position; and a lower carrier beneath and adjustably bracketed to a lower area of the supporting surface in alignment with the upper carrier.

Claim 8

The carrier of claim 5 wherein the lower carrier is hingedly mounted for vertical movement and includes a pair of spaced, parallel, co-planar end members interconnected by a horizontally oriented planar shelf against which the ends of the skis are supported by the upper carrier rest, a ski support spaced above the shelf and in alignment therewith including spaced-apart parallel braces interconnecting the end members with paired cross-bars extending therebetween at spaced intervals between which the lower end portions of the paired skis are nested and captively held.