Vehicle article carrier for supporting articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle
US6715652B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R9/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.