US3899110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable car top carrier
Assignee: MARKET FORGE Inc A DE CORP
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Filing: 1973-09-10
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A foldable car top carrier comprising two elongate rigid bars arranged end to end, a hinge connecting the adjacent ends to enable folding the bars from a straight line disposition to parallel positions, and legs mounted to the undersides of the respective bars near their distal ends for mounting the bars when arranged end to end spaced above the car top; characterized in that the adjacent ends of the bars are inclined downwardly and toward the distal ends thereof and the hinge comprises a rigid channel member within which the lower side of the adjacent ends of the bars are received in abutting engagement, and pins pivotally connecting the ends of the link to the ends of the bars on centers located below the longitudinal center lines of the bars and equidistant from the ends. Flexible straps are connected at one end to the respective legs and are provided at their other ends with hooks for engagement with the car top at opposite sides so as to attach the carrier to the top.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W Binding
- 👤 George A Laberis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/04; B60R9/045; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32319; Y10T403/32409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A foldable car top carrier comprising two elongate rigid bars arranged end to end, said bars having top and bottom sides, said top sides being adapted to support a load, legs mounted to the bottom sides of the bars for supporting the bars above the car top, and hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of the bars in abutting relationship; characterized in that the adjacent ends of the bars are oppositely inclined downwardly and toward their respective outer ends and the hinge means connects the bars with the adjacent ends of the inclined ends in abutting engagement and comprises a rigid channel member which receives the lower sides of said adjacent ends of the bars, and pins pivotally connecting said adjacent ends of the bars to said channel member on centers located below the center lines of the bars and equidistant from the ends, wherein said carrier may be folded for compact storage yet does not sag at the hinge when unfolded and loaded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A foldable car top carrier comprising two elongate rigid bars arranged end to end, said bars having top and bottom sides, said top sides being adapted to support a load, legs mounted to the bottom sides of the bars for supporting the bars above the car top, and hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of the bars in abutting relationship; characterized in that the adjacent ends of the bars are oppositely inclined downwardly and toward their respective outer ends and the hinge means connects the bars with the adjacent ends of the inclined ends in abutting engagement and comprises a rigid channel member which receives the lower sides of said adjacent ends of the bars, and pins pivotally connecting said adjacent ends of the bars to said channel member on centers located below the center lines of the bars and equidistant from the ends, wherein said carrier may be folded for compact storage yet does not sag at the hinge when unfolded and loaded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
176 words
A foldable car top carrier comprising two elongate rigid bars arranged end to end, said bars having top and bottom sides, said top sides being adapted to support a load, legs mounted to the bottom sides of the bars for supporting them above the car top, and hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of the bars; characterized in that each of the adjacent ends of the bars are inclined downwardly and toward the distal ends of each of the respective bars and the hinge means connects said adjacent ends of the bars with the inclined ends in abutting engagement and comprises a rigid channel member having a bottom side and spaced parallel sides perpendicular thereto which receives said adjacent ends of the bars, and pins pivotally connecting said adjacent ends of said bars to the sidewalls of the channel member on centers located below the center lines of the bars and equidistant from the ends thereof, wherein said carrier may be folded for compact storage yet does not sag at the hinge when unfolded and loaded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
A foldable car top carrier comprising two elongate rigid bars arranged end to end, said bars having top and bottom sides, said top sides being adapted to support a load, legs mounted to the bottom sides of the bars for supporting them above the car top, and hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of the bars; characterized in that each of the adjacent ends of the bars are inclined downwardly and toward the distal ends of each of the respective bars and the hinge means connects said adjacent ends of the bars with the inclined ends in abutting engagement and comprises a rigid channel member having a bottom side and spaced parallel sides perpendicular thereto which receives said adjacent ends of the bars, and pins pivotally connecting said adjacent ends of said bars to the sidewalls of the channel member on centers located below the center lines of the bars and equidistant from the ends thereof, wherein said carrier may be folded for compact storage yet does not sag at the hinge when unfolded and loaded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A foldable car top carrier according to claim 1, wherein the legs are pivotally connected to the bar for folding inwardly from positions perpendicular to the bar to nesting positions parallel thereto, and there is means on the legs engageable with the bars for preventing movement of the legs outwardly from said perpendicular positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A foldable car top carrier according to claim 3, wherein the legs are channel member in cross-section having a bottom side and spaced parallel sides perpendicular thereto and mounted with their open sides facing inwardly so as to receive the bars when folded inwardly into parallel relation thereto and wherein said first means comprises the bottom sides of said channel members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A foldable car top carrier according to claim 3, wherein the legs have at their lower ends right angularly disposed feet and resilient pads mounted on the feet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A foldable car top carrier according to claim 3, wherein the legs contain openings at their lower ends for receiving flexible straps and hooks are mounted on the straps for engagement with the edges of the top to attach the carrier to the top.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A foldable car top carrier according to claim 1, wherein there are clamp collars mounted on the bars adjustable along the bars, and binding strapS connected to the clamp collars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A foldable car top carrier according to claim 7, wherein the clamp collars are U-shaped, each having a bridge piece corresponding in width to the bar on which it is mounted and spaced parallel legs which extend downwardly beyond the bottom side of the bar, and a bolt mounted through holes in the legs at the underside of the bar pivotally connecting the clamp collar to the bar for angular movement about the axis of the bolt.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |