Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Complementary to vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-22
2001-08-21
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Complementary to vehicle
C224S539000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276583
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally pertains to motor vehicles. More particular, the present invention pertains to an arrangement for transporting golf bags and the like within a motor vehicle. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting golf bags within a rear storage area of a minivan, sport utility vehicle or the like in a generally upright or vertical orientation.
2. Discussion
In motor vehicles such as minivans, sport utility vehicles and the like, it has become common practice to provide the vehicle body with a large rear opening. A liftgate (also referred to as a tailgate) is typically mounted to the vehicle body with hinges for pivotal movement about a transversely extending axis between an open position and a closed position. The rear opening provides access to a rear storage area.
When multiple golf bags are transported in such vehicles, they are horizontally laid on the floor and stacked upon one another. This arrangement disadvantageously results in excessive jostling of the golf clubs and consumes considerable space within the rear storage area. In addition, golf clubs are often partially or completely displaced from their golf bag during transportation.
It remains desirable to provide an arrangement for securely transporting a plurality of golf bags within a motor vehicle in a generally upright or vertical orientation which minimizes the storage space consumed and protects the golf clubs from damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for transporting golf bags and the like within a motor vehicle.
In one form, the present invention provides an arrangement for transporting a plurality of golf bags within a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a rear storage area partially defined by first and second laterally spaced apart sides. The arrangement includes a lower mounting member and an upper mounting member. The lower mounting member is removably attached to the motor vehicle. The lower mounting member includes a corresponding plurality of recesses. Each of the plurality of recesses is adapted for receiving a lower end of one of the plurality of golf bags and is defined by a generally planar surface and an arcuate surface. The generally planar surface is angled from the horizontal and generally perpendicular to the arcuate surface. The upper mounting member includes a first end and a second end. The arrangement further includes first and second attachment members secured to the first and second laterally spaced apart sides. The first and second attachment members both define a generally upwardly facing opening removably receiving the first and second ends of the upper mounting member, respectively. The upper mounting member is forwardly spaced from the lower mounting member.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5316358 (1994-05-01), Payne et al.
patent: 5484091 (1996-01-01), Malinowski et al.
patent: 5713502 (1998-02-01), Dixon
patent: 5829655 (1998-11-01), Salopek
Brevard Maerena W.
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Vidovich Gregory M.
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