Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier attached to special purpose vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-01-30
Garbe, Stephen P. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier attached to special purpose vehicle
C224S449000, C224S457000, C248S153000, C248S311200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179180
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of carriers for recreational vehicles such as all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and more particularly to a carrier accessory which is releasably engageable with an existing vehicle storage rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recreational or all terrain vehicles (ATV's) have become increasingly popular as a mode of transportation, particularly for varied types of off-road activities. Typically, the ATV is equipped with a storage rack which is commonly and integrally found at the front and/or rear of the vehicle. The rack consists of a horizontal supporting surface made up of a series of tubular steel members which are spaced in a manner to allows items, such as storage containers, to be releasably attached using bungee cords with hooks or the like for transport.
With the increasing popularity of such vehicles, the common storage rack, as described, is inefficient for transporting certain items which may be needed in order to participate in a number of outdoor activities. This inefficiency has prompted modifications or additions to existing storage racks. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,929, issued to Leonard, describes a support device for retaining either a bow adapter or a gun rack which is mounted to the rear rack of an ATV. The device utilizes an anchoring member allowing the passage of respective U-bolts to enable releasable attachment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,333, issued to Boston, describes a similar releasable attachment used in conjunction with the storage rack for retaining a bow, rifle, shotgun or other similar implement.
Another outdoor activity for which the use of recreational vehicles is finding increased favor is the sport of ice fishing, owing to the size, overall maneuverability, and lightweight nature of ATVs in general. The typical ice fisherman, however, commonly utilizes a number of cylindrical pails or buckets, each of which contain bait, fishing poles, and/or other related materials such as tipups, beverages, clothing and mittens. Though storage racks typically found on ATVs allow a number of items to be conveniently retained during travel, these racks are not presently conducive to allow pails, buckets or similarly constructed items to be transported securely. Therefore, alternate means must somehow be arranged when using off road vehicles for such activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to improve the state of the art of off road recreational vehicles.
It is another primary object of the present invention to increase the overall capability of an ATV or similar off-road vehicle for retaining and allowing transport of certain types of containers.
Therefore and in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a releasable carrier accessory for a recreational vehicle, said vehicle including a storage rack having at least one transverse support rod, said carrier accessory including:
a frame;
a plurality of substantially circular hoop-like support members fixedly secured to said frame, said support members being planarly disposed and each having a diameter which is adapted for supporting a pail; and
means for releasably attaching the frame of said accessory to said rack.
Preferably, the frame includes a plurality of spaced U-shaped attachment members, each member having a spacing which closely matches that of the transverse support rod, the U-shaped members producing a releasable clamping fit with the rack, but maintaining a suitable locking relation for the carrier accessory.
Otherwise, the frame of the carrier accessory can include hook-like members which can otherwise engage other portions of the storage rack of the all-terrain vehicle, depending for example on the configuration of the rack and the vehicle used.
In a preferred embodiment, the carrier accessory can be made as a single piece or can consist of a number of welded parts to form a unitary construction.
The carrier accessory can also include brace members or the like in order to rigidly support the cylindrical support members which are cantilevered from the frame of the accessory.
An advantage of the described carrier assembly is that increased versatility and functionability of a recreational or other vehicle can be achieved without requiring significant modifications to the vehicle.
Another advantage of the described carrier accessory is that a number of pails, buckets or other cylindrically shaped articles can be effectively retained and transported in a simple, balanced, and reliable manner. The above greatly aids, for example, ice fishermen who previously had inadequate means for effective use of a recreational vehicle.
Another advantage is that the described accessory does not require modifications to the vehicle or to a vehicle storage rack, while also being easily installed and removed, as needed.
These and other objects, features and advantages all become apparent when reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5310147 (1994-05-01), Billman
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patent: 6045017 (2000-04-01), Connell
Cabela's “Master Catalog” (Fall 1998) pp. 329-331.
Garbe Stephen P.
Wall Marjama & Bilinski
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