GB2272426A

GB2272426A - Container for mounting on a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2272426A
Application number: GB9223944A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Thomas Hassett
Original assignee: Shop & Interior Contracts Limi
Current assignee: Shop & Interior Contracts Limi
Priority date: 1992-11-14
Filing date: 1992-11-14
Publication date: 1994-05-18
Also published as: GB9223944D0

Abstract

A container (10) adapted for mounting on a roof of a vehicle, for carrying equipment such as ladders, lengths of pipe, lengths of wood etc. which cannot conveniently be carried in the vehicle itself, comprises top (15) and bottom (16) generally elongate main shell parts made separately by moulding in a moulding material and connected together along a joint line (17). The top shell part (15) has a hinged portion (20) towards one end (21) of the container (10), the hinged portion (20) when in a closed condition, covering an end opening (23) of the container (10), whereby an elongate article can be inserted into the container through the end opening (23) when the hinged portion (20) is in an open condition. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Container Description of Invention This invention relates to a container adapted for mounting on a roof of a vehicle, for carrying equipment such as ladders, lengths of pipe, lengths of wood etc. which cannot conveniently be carried in the vehicle itself.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a container comprising top and bottom generally elongate main shell parts made separately by moulding in a moulding material and connected together along a joint line, the top shell part having a hinged portion towards one end of the container, the hinged portion when in a closed condition, covering an end opening of the container, whereby an elongate article can be inserted into the container through the end opening when the hinged portion is in an open condition.

Preferably support means are provided to maintain the hinged part in an open condition, such means comprising for example, at least one resilient strut which when the hinged part is moved from its open condition, is resiliently deformed about a generally elongate axis, and when the hinged part is in an open condition, resiliently returns to an elongate configuration. Such a strut can conveniently be provided by a closed coiled spring.

Closure means may be provided to retain the hinged part in its closed condition. For example, at least one resilient strap may be provided on the bottom shell part, the strap carrying an abutment which abuts with an abutment formation of the hinged portion when the hinged portion is in its closed position.

The container may comprise an internal shelf which extends between the ends of the container, preferably throughout substantially its entire length.

The shelf may be removable from the container through the end opening thereof when the hinged portion is in its open condition, and to facilitate this, the shelf may be carried on runners secured relative to the top and/or the bottom main shell part for example prior to assembling the top and bottom main shell parts together.

The container may have secured to its underside, a plurality of mounting members to enable the container to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle. The mounting members may each provide a generally elongate channel configuration formation and may extend transversely to the elongate extent of the container with the channels opening downwardly and in use, receiving mounting bars which are typically of generally rectangular cross section secured to the roof of a vehicle.

The mounting members may each comprise a retaining mechanism to retain the mounting member relative to a respective mounting bar provided on the vehicle roof.

The retaining mechanism may include an elongate element which is received by an opening in a limb of the channel and in use extends into a gap between the limbs of the channel, the elongate element being longitudinally movable out of the gap between the limbs of the channel to permit of a mounting bar being received therein. The mounting bar may have a formation such as a groove or opening to receive the elongate element.

The elongate element may be resiliently biased to its, in use, retaining position by spring means.

The elongate element may comprise one limb of a U or J shaped element, the other limb of the U or J carrying resilient biasing means which bias the elongate element into its retaining position in the gap between the limbs of the channel shaped mounting member.

Means may be provided whereby the elongate element may be locked in its retaining position. For example the other limb of the U or J may be adapted to receive a lock such as a padlock to prevent the locking element being moved longitudinally out of the gap between the limbs of the mounting member.

An auxiliary mounting member may be provided on the underside of the bottom main shell part of the container, which is substantially similar to the or each other mounting member, the auxiliary mounting member being adapted to co-operate with an extension frame which is itself secured to a mounting bar provided on the roof of the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that vehicles roofs are provided in many different configurations and that at least some vehicles have roofs with parts in different planes. The use of an extension frame permits the container to be supported relative to a, lower, vehicle roof part through the intermediary of the extension frame.

The extension frame may comprise a mounting part of a configuration similar to the mounting bars provided on the vehicle roof, and adapted to be received in the channel of the auxiliary mounting member, and transverse support legs which extend to an auxiliary mounting bar which provides a channel to receive the further mounting bar provided on the lower roof part of the vehicle.

The auxiliary mounting member may have a retaining means which enables the mounting part of the extension frame to be retained relative to the auxiliary mounting member, and the auxiliary mounting bar may have a substantially similar retaining means to enable the extension frame to be secured relative to the further mounting bar provided on the lower vehicle roof part.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with the invention, with a hinged part thereof shown in an open position, FIGURE 2 is a side illustrative view showing the container of figure 1 in use, FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a retaining means for use in securing the container to the roof of a vehicle, FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an extension frame for use with the container of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a container 10 adapted for mounting on the roof 11 of a vehicle 12 comprises a top main shell part 15, and a bottom main shell part 16, connected together around their peripheries along a joint line 17.

The top and bottom shell parts 15,16, are both generally elongate in configuration, and in the example shown, the joint line 17 lies in a plane.

The top and bottom shell parts 15 and 16 are both made by moulding in a mouldable material, for example using a vacuum forming process, there being ribbing 18 for strengthening purposes along the top shell part 15, and the top shell part also having a peripheral flange 19 for strengthening purposes.

The upper shell part 15, has a hinged part 20 towards one end 21 thereof, the hinged part 20 being hingeable between a fully open condition as shown in figure 1, and a closed condition shown in figure 2 in which the hinged part 20 conceals an end opening 23 of the container 10.

A pair of struts 24 are provided to maintain the hinged portion 20 in its fully open condition as shown in figure 1. The struts 24 each comprise a closely coiled spring which is thus resiliently deformable about its elongate axis to allow the hinged part 20 to be moved from its fully open condition, but will resiliently spring back to the condition shown when the hinged part is moved to its fully open condition. The weight of the hinged portion 20 is supported by the struts 24 until they are deformed anually, when it is desired to close the hinged part 20.

A pair of closure means 25 are provided to maintain the hinged part 20 in its closed position. The closure means 25 each comprise a resilient strap 26 secured to the bottom shell part 16, and having an abutment 27, the closure means 25 being adapted to co-operate with a respective recess 30 provided in the hinged part 20 with the resilient straps 26 stretched, to maintain a tension on the abutment parts 27 which engage the outer surface of the hinged part 20 adjacent the recesses 30.

Within the container 10 there is provided a shelf 31 which is removable from the container 10 through the open end 23 thereof, when the hinged part 20 is its fully open condition.

The shelf 31 is carried on respective runners 32 which are secured to the top or bottom main shell parts 15,16, conveniently prior to the shell parts 15,16, being assembled together.

The container 10 has on its underside, a plurality of mounting members 33 each of which is of substantially identical configuration.

Each mounting member comprises a generally hollow bar 34 to which is attached a pair of limbs 35,36, which thus present a downwardly opening channel configuration, there being a gap 37 between the limbs 35,36, of the channel. At least a pair of such limbs would be provided along the length of the bar 34 at or towards opposite ends thereof.

Each mounting member 33 is adapted to receive between the channel limbs 35,36, a mounting bar 40 which is secured to the roof 11 of the vehicle 12, and a retaining means 41 is provided to secure the mounting bar 40 in position.

The retaining means 41 comprises a generally elongate element 43 which in this example, comprises a limb of a generally J shaped element 44, the locking element 43 being received, in use, in an opening 46 in the channel limbs 36 and extends into the gap 37.

The other limb 47 of the J shaped element 41 is received within the bar 34, and is received in openings 48,49 in side walls of the bar.

An end 50 of the limb 47 projects from the side of the bar 34, and has a loop configuration arranged to receive a locking device e.g. a padlock or the like for a purpose hereinafter explained.

A spring 54 is provided in the hollow of the bar 34 and bears at one end on the inside of the side wall 45 of the bar 34, and at the other end, on an abutment 55 provided on the limb 47 of the element 41.

In order to enable the mounting bar 40 of the vehicle roof 11 to be received in the gap 34 between the channel limbs 35 and 36, the element 41 is pulled in the direction shown by arrow A i.e. longitudinally of the locking element 43, against the retaining force of spring 54 so that the locking element 43 is removed from the gap 37. The container 10 can then be lowered relative to the vehicle roof 11 to bring a mounting bar 40 into the gap 37. The mounting bar 40 has an opening 56 in which the locking element 43 can be received when returned to its retaining position by the spring 54.

Of course, where two mounting members 33 are provided as shown, each would have a pair of retaining means, one associated with end of the channel limbs 35,36. Both retaining means are arranged to be engaged with the respective mounting bar 40 to enable the container 10 to be firmly secured in position.

The container 10 has an auxiliary mounting member indicated at 33a.

It can be seen from figure 2 that in the example shown, the vehicle 12 has a roof 11 which includes a first higher area B and a second lower area C. An extension frame 60 is provided to enable the auxiliary mounting member 33a to be secured relative to a further mounting bar 40a provided on the vehicle roof 11 on area C.

The extension frame 60 comprises a mounting part 61 which is of substantially box-like cross section like mounting bars 40, and has adjacent either end, an opening 62 to receive a locking element of a retaining means 41a of the auxiliary mounting member 33a.

An auxiliary mounting bar 63 is connected to the mounting part 61 via a pair of legs 64, and the auxiliary mounting bar 63 has adjacent either end, a pair of downwardly extending limbs 35a and 36a whereby the auxiliary mounting bar 63 provides a channel formation to receive the further mounting bar 40a on the vehicle roof 11.

Associated with the auxiliary mounting bar 63 are a pair of retaining devices 41b which are constructed and operate substantially as retaining means 41,41a hereinbefore described to secure the extension frame 60 to the further mounting bar 40a.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the container 10 need not be of the exact configuration shown in the drawings, and conveniently the top and bottom moulded parts 15 and 16 may be moulded in materials other than fibreglass and other than by a vacuum forming technique as described. The struts 24 are only examples of struts which may be provided to retain the hinged part 20 in its open condition, and the closure means 25 are only examples of closure means which may be provided to retain the hinged part 20 closed. If desired, some means for locking the hinged portion 20 in its closed condition may be provided, such as a staple provided on the bottom shell part 16, which passes through an opening in the hinged part 20. and is adapted to receive a padlock.

Means for mounting the container 10 on the vehicle roof 11 could be different to the means described, although preferably the container 10 has mounting members comprising downwardly opening channels to receive mounting bars 40 which are conventionally provided secured to the roof 11 of a vehicle.

Any alternative means for mounting the shelf 31 in the container 10 may be provided as required.

Alternative types of retaining means can be provided to that described but preferably such retaining means comprises a generally elongate element 43 which co-operates with a formation such as opening 56, or alternatively a groove or other formation of a mounting bar 40, 40a secured to a vehicle roof.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A container comprising top and bottom generally elongate main shell parts made separately by moulding in a moulding material and connected together along a joint line, the top shell part having a hinged portion towards one end of the container, the hinged portion when in a closed condition, covering an end opening of the container, whereby an elongate article can be inserted into the container through the end opening when the hinged portion is in an open condition.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein support means are provided to maintain the hinged part in an open condition.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the support means comprises at least one resilient strut which when the hinged part is moved from its open condition, is resiliently deformed about a generally elongate axis, and when the hinged part is in an open condition, resiliently returns to an elongate configuration.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the strut is provided by a closed coiled spring.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein closure means are provided to retain the hinged part in its closed condition.

6. A container according to claim 5 wherein the closure means comprises at least one resilient strap provided on the bottom shell part, the strap carrying an abutment which abuts with an abutment formation of the hinged portion when the hinged portion is in its closed position.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container comprises an internal shelf which extends between the ends of the container, preferably throughout substantially its entire length.

8. A container according to claim 7 wherein the shelf is removable from the container through the end opening thereof when the hinged portion is in its open condition.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the shelf is carried on runners secured relative to the top and/or the bottom main shell part.

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container has secured to its underside, a plurality of mounting members to enable the container to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle.

11. A container according to claim 10 wherein the mounting members each provide a generally elongate channel configuration and extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the container with the channels opening downwardly and in use, receiving mounting bars which are secured to the roof of the vehicle.

12. A container according to claim 11 wherein the mounting members each comprise a retaining mechanism to retain the mounting member relative to a respective mounting bar provided on the vehicle roof.

13. A container according to claim 12 wherein the retaining mechanism includes an elongate element which is received by an opening in a limb of the channel and in use extends into a gap between the limbs of the channel, the elongate element being longitudinally movable out of the gap between the limbs of the channel to permit of a mounting bar being received therein.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein the mounting bar has a formation such as a groove or opening to receive the elongate element.

15. A container according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the elongate element is resiliently biased to its, in use, retaining position by spring means.

16. A container according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the elongate element comprises one limb of a U or J shaped element, the other limb of the U or J carrying resilient biasing means which bias the elongate element into its retaining position in the gap between the limbs of the channel shaped mounting member.

17. A container according to claim 16 wherein means are provided whereby the elongate element may be locked in its retaining position, namely the other limb of the U or J is adapted to receive a lock such as a padlock to prevent the locking element being moved longitudinally out of the gap between the limbs of the mounting member.

18. A container according to any one of the claims 10 to 17 wherein an auxiliary mounting member is provided on the underside of the bottom main shell part of the container, which is substantially similar to the or each other mounting member, the auxiliary mounting member being adapted to co-operate with an extension frame which is itself secured to a mounting bar provided on the roof of the vehicle.

19. A container according to claim 18 wherein the extension frame comprises a mounting part of a configuration similar to mounting bars provided on the vehicle roof, and adapted to be received in the channel of the auxiliary mounting member, and transverse support legs which extend to an auxiliary mounting bar which provides a channel to receive the further mounting bar provided on the lower roof part of the vehicle.

20. A container according to claim 19 wherein the auxiliary mounting member has a retaining means which enables the mounting part of the extension frame to be retained relative to the auxiliary mounting member, and the auxiliary mounting bar has a substantially similar retaining means to enable the extension frame to be secured relative to the further mounting bar provided on the lower vehicle roof part.

21. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. A vehicle having mounted thereon a container according to any one of the preceding claims.

23. Any novel feature or novel combination of features herein disclosed and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.