Angled ski rack attachment for a sports rack

Abstract

A rack assembly (100) for attachment to the back of a vehicle is disclosed. The rack assembly includes an upper retaining member (160) and a lower retaining member (180), the upper and lower retaining members being offset vertically and transversely, such that elongate gear, for example, skis or other sports equipment, will be oriented generally at an angle between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees, near the rear of the vehicle. Protective sheaths (163, 183) may be provided to protect the retained gear. In one embodiment the upper and lower retaining members are removably attachable to a support assembly (120) that engages the hitch (92) at the back of a vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of upper and lower retaining members (220, 240) attach to a frame (204) disposed near the rear of the vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention a cargo container (310) is attached to the upper and lower retaining members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 376,698, filed on Apr. 30, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, and priority from the filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to a rack assembly for retaining gear and, in particular, to rack assemblies that are attachable to vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Vehicle-mounted rack assemblies for transporting sporting gear such as bicycles, snowboards, snow shoes, skis, etc., are well known in the art. There are two general types of such racks, sometimes called ski racks, in common use. One type of ski rack allows the user to mount skis or other gear, on top of a vehicle, usually in a horizontal orientation. Roof-mounted ski racks have several disadvantages. For example, roof-mounted racks increase the total height of the veh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a rack assembly for securing skis and other sports equipment to the rear of a vehicle. The assembly includes a lower retaining member and an upper retaining member that work together to hold the gear at an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees across the rear of the vehicle. A support assembly attaches to the vehicle and receives the lower retaining member, which has a rigid hoop, and the upper retaining member, which has a fixed bar and a hinged second bar for receiving or releasing the gear. A pliant sheath may be provided to protect the gear. A frame attaches to the support member and can receive one or more upper and lower retaining members, which can be folded away for easy storage. The assembly also includes a cargo container attached to both the upper and lower retaining members, which is positioned at an angle across the rear of the vehicle."

Problems solved by technology

For example, roof-mounted racks increase the total height of the vehicle, which may create headroom problems in garages and the like, particularly for vehicles such as sports utility vehicles, which are already quite tall.

Also, in roof-mounted racks it can be difficult to access the gear rack and to attach the gear to the gear rack, especially for taller vehicles.

While rear-mounted ski racks are generally easier to access, it can be problematic to mount relatively long gear on such racks for example, when headroom constraints are a factor.

In particular, gear that is relatively long, such as skis, snowboards, luggage pods, and the like, presents a problem for currently available rear-mounted rack assemblies.

Because the skis or snowboards are positioned vertically in rear-mounted gear racks, they often extend too high above the vehicle to pass through the threshold of common enclosures, such as garages and carports.

Skis, snowboards, or other mounted gear may strike items, such as garages, other vehicles, etc., and may become damaged and / or may damage the struck item or vehicle.

If the skis or snowboards extend beyond the width of the vehicle, the skis may present a hazard to passers by because they may not be aware of the gear and may collide with it.

Because positioning skis or snowboards horizontally or vertically within a rear-mounted rack assembly may present a safety hazard, a need exists for improved rear-mounted rack designs.

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