US4171078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile trunk storage rack
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-13
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Granted: 1979-10-16
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Expires: 1998-03-13
Abstract
Abstract This adjustable storage rack is mounted within the interior of an automobile trunk and includes front and rear hanger assemblies each comprising a pair of transversely spaced bracket members attached to the trunk upper wall and interconnected by strap members. The hanger assemblies provide support for longitudinally disposed, telescopically related rail members providing bearing surfaces for stored articles. The rack is adjustable lengthwise, widthwise and can also be adjusted with respect to the elevation of the rail members.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent D. Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A storage rack for an automobile trunk having an upper wall, said rack comprising: (a) a first hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each connected to an associated bracket leg, and (b) a second hanger means disposed in longitudinally spaced relation from said first hanger means, said second hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, and (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each attached to an associated bracket leg, and (c) a pair of longitudinally extending rails disposed in spaced, side-by-side relation and carried by said first and second hanger means, each rail including: (1) a first rail element connected at one end to said first hanger means, (2) a second rail element connected at one end to said second hanger means, (3) said first and second rail elements being connected together in lengthwise adjustable relation, and (4) each rail having upper and lower flanges and having a vertical web therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A storage rack for an automobile trunk having an upper wall, said rack comprising: (a) a first hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each connected to an associated bracket leg, and (b) a second hanger means disposed in longitudinally spaced relation from said first hanger means, said second hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, and (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each attached to an associated bracket leg, and (c) a pair of longitudinally extending rails disposed in spaced, side-by-side relation and carried by said first and second hanger means, each rail including: (1) a first rail element connected at one end to said first hanger means, (2) a second rail element connected at one end to said second hanger means, (3) said first and second rail elements being connected together in lengthwise adjustable relation, and (4) each rail having upper and lower flanges and having a vertical web therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) each of said straps includes a pair of overlappingly related strap elements having a plurality of lengthwise spaced apertures, and (e) fastener means are provided between at least two pairs of registered apertures for lengthwise adjustable connection of said strap elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said first and second rail elements are overlappingly related and each of said elements includes a plurality of lengthwise spaced apertures, and (e) fastener means are provided between at least two pairs of registered apertures for lengthwise adjustable connection of said rail elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) the depending leg of each of said brackets includes a plurality of lengthwise spaced apertures, (e) the upwardly extending leg of each strap element is overlappingly related to an associated depending bracket leg and includes a plurality of lengthwise spaced apertures, and (f) fastener means are provided between at least two pairs of registered apertures for lengthwise adjustable connection of said bracket and strap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) the upwardly extending ends of each strap include a connection aperture, (e) the end of each rail includes a connection aperture, and (f) a single fastener interconnects said rail and said strap through said aperture and one of said apertures is larger than the other of said apertures so that the same connection can be used for the front or rear rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 2, in which: (f) said front and rear brackets are identical, and (g) said front and rear strap elements are identical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said rail flanges extend inwardly to provide upper and lower bearing ledges for receiving flat storage articles thereupon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
An automobile trunk storage rack as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) the first hanger means defines an open end, (e) first and second connection points are provided in the vicinity of the first and second hanger means, said second connection point being disposed at the upper portion of said open end, and (f) an elastic shock cord is provided having attachment means at each end, one of said attachment means being connectible to the first attachment point and the other of said attachment means being connectible to the second attachment point whereby the shock cord extends substantially across the open end defined by the first hanger means to hold stored articles in place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
165 words
A storage rack for an automobile trunk having an upper wall, said rack comprising: (a) a first hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each connected to an associated bracket leg, and (b) a second hanger means disposed in longitudinally spaced relation from said first hanger means said second hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, and (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each attached to an associated bracket leg, and (c) a pair of longitudinally extending rails disposed in side-by-side relation and carried by said first and second hanger means, each rail including vertically spaced inwardly extending flanges providing upper and lower bearing ledges for receiving flat storage articles thereupon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
165 words
A storage rack for an automobile trunk having an upper wall, said rack comprising: (a) a first hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each connected to an associated bracket leg, and (b) a second hanger means disposed in longitudinally spaced relation from said first hanger means said second hanger means including: (1) a pair of transversely spaced oppositely disposed brackets operatively attached to the upper wall of said trunk, each bracket including a downwardly depending leg, and (2) a transversely disposed strap having upwardly extending legs each attached to an associated bracket leg, and (c) a pair of longitudinally extending rails disposed in side-by-side relation and carried by said first and second hanger means, each rail including vertically spaced inwardly extending flanges providing upper and lower bearing ledges for receiving flat storage articles thereupon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-15 | 1983-04-16 | 1983-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-15 | 1987-04-16 | 1987-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-15 | 1991-04-16 | 1991-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |