Patent US5232135A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5232135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trunk top carrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-01-06
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2012-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A cargo carrier platform for use on the outside of a motor vehicle having a frame mounted trailer hitch receiver includes a rigid platform for mounting the cargo carrier, and a separate bracket for attaching the rigid platform to the frame mounted trailer hitch receiver. The bracket is adapted at the lower end for insertion into the receiver for supporting the cargo carrier platform without attachment to the bumper, frame, or any other surface of the vehicle. At the upper end, a rigid, flat platform is attached to the bracket by way of a swivel mount to support and stabilize the cargo carrier. The bracket and attached platform are shaped to position the cargo carrier over the vehicle's trunk. The attached cargo carrier platform rotates in its mounting bracket to permit access to the vehicle's trunk without the necessity of the removal of the cargo carrier or its contents.
Inventors
- 👤 Joyce C. Marren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A cargo trailer platform for use on a motor vehicle haing a trunk and a trailer hitch receiver, said carrier platform being adapted for supporting a cargo carrier container over said vehicle trunk, said cargo carrier platform comprising: a holder adapted to support a cargo carrier container mounted thereon, said holder having a plurality of interconnected horizontal bars, a support bar which depends from one of said plurality of horizontal bars, said support bar extending from said one of said plurality of horizontal bars at an angle of approximately 100 degrees with respect to a plane containing said plurality of bars, and a bracing bar which extends from the support bar to another one of said plurality of bars to maintain the angle between the support bar and the horizontal bars; an L-shaped receptacle having one end adapted to be received in said trailer hitch receiver and a second end adapted to rotatably receive said support bar of said holder such that said holder can be rotated about a vertical axis from a position overlaying the vehicle trunk to a position in which the holder is positioned adjacent the trunk such that the vehicle trunk can be accessed; and means for selectively preventing the rotation of the holder with respect to the receptacle when the holder is said position overlying said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A cargo trailer platform for use on a motor vehicle haing a trunk and a trailer hitch receiver, said carrier platform being adapted for supporting a cargo carrier container over said vehicle trunk, said cargo carrier platform comprising: a holder adapted to support a cargo carrier container mounted thereon, said holder having a plurality of interconnected horizontal bars, a support bar which depends from one of said plurality of horizontal bars, said support bar extending from said one of said plurality of horizontal bars at an angle of approximately 100 degrees with respect to a plane containing said plurality of bars, and a bracing bar which extends from the support bar to another one of said plurality of bars to maintain the angle between the support bar and the horizontal bars; an L-shaped receptacle having one end adapted to be received in said trailer hitch receiver and a second end adapted to rotatably receive said support bar of said holder such that said holder can be rotated about a vertical axis from a position overlaying the vehicle trunk to a position in which the holder is positioned adjacent the trunk such that the vehicle trunk can be accessed; and means for selectively preventing the rotation of the holder with respect to the receptacle when the holder is said position overlying said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cargo carrier platform according to claim 1, wherein said means for selectively preventing the rotation of the holder includes a plate secured to said support bar and a plate mounted to the second end of the receptacle wherein said plates include mating apertures adapted to receive a securing device therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cargo carrier platform according to claim 1, wherein said platform further includes a hitch ball mounted secured to said receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cargo carrier platform according to claim 3, wherein said hitch ball mount is adjustably secured to said receptacle.
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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) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |