Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-06-12
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
C224S324000, C224S328000, C224S329000, C224S330000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244482
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to automobile rooftop carriers, racks, containers and the like and, more particularly, to an automobile rooftop tree carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well-known in the art, many automobile rooftop carriers, racks and containers and the like are known. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.
The following patents disclose a support pad assembly for carrying articles on a vehicle roof:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,291 issued in the name of Chasan; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,644 issued in the name of Coleman.
The following patents describe an elongated carrier support apparatus for securing items to the roof of a vehicle:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,498 issued in the name of Cucci; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,093 issued in the name of Geier.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,824 issued in the name of Spring, Jr. discloses an equipment transfer rack for vehicles providing improved load accessibility.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,116 issued in the name of Reinhart describes a vehicle rooftop storage unit with a rack portion permanently installed and a container portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,289 issued in the name of Morrissette discloses a collapsible load carrier for the roof of a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,569 issued in the name of Winter et al. describes a luggage case securable to the roof of a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,971 issued in the name of Goodell discloses an automobile top carrier and cases therefor.
While automobile rooftop carriers therein disclosed have features that may be incorporated into this invention as well as in other related references, other elements in combination are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over these related references. Consequently, a need has therefore been felt for an improved but less complex mechanism that aids in the cargoing and transport of cut pine trees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to indicate a device of the type disclosed above which avoids the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art. In particular, the device is to provide an improved automobile rooftop tree carrier.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved automobile rooftop tree carrier to provide a separable lifting enclosure that protect the tree, protects the vehicle surface, as well as provide convenient lifting and lowering of its contents.
Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an automobile rooftop tree carrier is provided that aids in the transportation of a baled cut evergreen tree atop a motor vehicle. A zippered enclosure, similar in appearance to a large duffel bag, is provided to place the baled or wrapped cut evergreen tree inside of. A separate shield is then placed on the roof of the vehicle to protect it from scratches. Next, the filled enclosure is lifted onto the roof of the vehicle with the aid of four integral handles, two at each end. The bag is secured to the shield through the use of Velcro®. The invention is then secured to the roof with a set of four ratcheting tie-down straps. The tie down straps connect to the bag enclosure through the use of a series of “D” shaped rings located around the perimeter of the bag enclosure. If the motor vehicle is not equipped with a roof rack, an interface clip that attaches to the rain gutter and the ratcheting strap is also provided.
The use of the present invention allows one to easily load, transport and unload Christmas trees and other similar sized objects in with relative ease while protecting the finish of the motor vehicle upon which it is transported.
Other advantages of the present invention are that the present invention protects the tree during transport, it can be used for other similar sized objects as well and provides a separate shield that protects the finish of an automobile roof.
Further, the present invention incorporates four integral handles, two attached at each end, used to lift and lower the bag from automobile roof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2196341 (1940-04-01), Rush
patent: 2268881 (1942-01-01), Le Boeuf
patent: 3000418 (1961-09-01), Bitting
patent: 4779779 (1988-10-01), Haugland
patent: 5096107 (1992-03-01), VanSon
patent: 5288003 (1994-02-01), MacDonald
patent: 5538169 (1996-07-01), Moore
Cronin Stephen K.
Gugliotta John D.
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