Swing-down carriers with top actuators
US5685469A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S224/924
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved article carrier includes an article rack, a support and a mount. A pivot joint for displacing the support with respect to the mount provides access to the rear of the vehicle without removing the carrier. Preferably the carrier bracket guides the displaceable support and includes the pivot joint that permits the support to displaced with respect to the mount. The carrier also includes a latch for releasably overlapping a portion of the bracket to retain the support in an upright, load bearing position. The latch is responsive to an actuator carried at the top of the rack. An actuator preferably comprises a handle preferably in the form of a rotary handle, positioned atop the support. A rotary knob carrying an elongated threaded rod positions the clamping jaw of the latch. In one version, the clamping jaw is pivoted into and out of overlapping relation with a flange on the bracket. Another version of the clamping jaw threadably engages a rotary rod to linearly displace the clamping jaw along the threaded portion of the rotated rod.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.