Modular rooftop freight platform

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of vehicle roof platforms, which can be used to carry goods and allow people to stand on them. More specifically, the disclosed device relates to a vehicle roof platform assembled from modular components, enabling a high degree of control over the front / rear dimensions and width of such a carrier. Furthermore, the invention discloses a roof cargo platform that allows the platform to be mounted parallel to the entire horizontal plane of the vehicle roof, despite the roof exhibiting varying front / rear and inner / outer curvatures at its periphery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to the field of rooftop platforms, which can be used to transport goods and allow people to stand on them. More specifically, this disclosure relates to rooftop platforms composed of modular components, allowing for highly flexible configuration of the vehicle's front-to-rear dimensions and width. Furthermore, this invention discloses a rooftop freight platform suitable for and compensating for variations in the curvature of the roof surface. Prior Technology

[0002] In the past, rooftop platforms often used an outer frame to suspend, support, and secure the platform to the vehicle roof. The platform consisted of individual roof panels that, when joined, formed a relatively smooth platform. For example, such an outer frame included two side bars (also called side rails) mounted on the left and right sides of the vehicle roof. Since these side rails served as the connection points between the platform and the roof, it was necessary to position them to cover the vehicle roof connection features. These vehicle roof connection features included roof holes / openings (with threads and smooth surfaces), channels, and flanges, provided by the vehicle manufacturer, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or prepared after manufacturing. In the prior art, the side bars performed two distinct functions: defining the lateral extension of such a platform, and acting as an intermediate medium to secure the platform to the vehicle roof. In the prior art, the panels used to form the platform were typically fixed to the left and right side rails, which in turn were fixed to the vehicle roof. Therefore, prior art platform carriers were limited by the approximate width of the roof connection features (on which the side bars must be placed), preventing free adjustment of the carrier's lateral width. U.S. Patent No. 11,142,131 discloses such prior art roof mounts, which teach that panels used to form a platform are fixed to side rails or left and right side rails and front and rear rails (forming an outer frame): "The platform is configured to be attached to a module frame rather than the roof, and thus is fixed to the vehicle only indirectly by means of attachment to the module frame." (See U.S. Patent No. 11,142,131, column 18, lines 64-67). U.S. Patent Publication US / 2021 / 03880042, "Ladder roof mount system having long side rails extending along the left and right sides of a vehicle and a plurality of transverse rails at intervals across the roof to form a grid of one or more rectangular areas..." (see US / 2021 / 0380042), discloses a roof mount that uses a joint formed between the left and right side rails to fix the frame to the vehicle roof (US / 2021 / 0380042, paragraphs

[0037] -

[0038] ). This prior art paradigm again limits the left and right width of the vehicle, restricting it to the distance between the left and right side rails so that they are positioned above the roof-mounted features. Some existing technology platforms include crossbars connecting the front and rear ends of the left and right side rails in certain cases; in other cases, these crossbars also serve as intermediate connection points between the vehicle and the roof.

[0003] In this specification and claims, the term "front end" refers to the location facing the front of the vehicle where the platform is mounted. The term "rear end" refers to the location facing the rear of the vehicle where the platform is mounted. Historically, these side rails were typically made of flat bars with various bends. For example, the side rails typically included: 1. a lower portion closest to the roof surface, bent into a shape generally parallel to the horizontal plane of the vehicle roof where the platform is mounted; 2. a relatively vertical portion extending upward from the lower portion, substantially perpendicular to the roof plane, to provide convenient connection points for the left and right sides of panels supported by the left and right side rails; the upper portion may be slightly curved inward toward the center of the roof where the platform is mounted for better securing of goods placed on the platform. In this specification and claims, when describing relative positions, "inner side" refers to the location facing the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle roof where the platform is mounted. In this specification and claims, when describing relative positions, "outer side" refers to the location facing the right and left (or edge) of the vehicle roof where the platform is mounted. These edges are typically located on the far right and left sides of the roof, roughly parallel to the longitudinal center line of the roof.

[0004] While the existing side rail shapes and configurations mentioned earlier (regardless of whether they have the aforementioned angles) can provide a certain degree of strength for the roof platform, these flat shapes do not offer optimal rigidity and are susceptible to damage from bending and compression due to loads and other vehicle movement. Rigidity becomes crucial as the weight of objects or people placed on or standing on such side-rail-supported platforms increases. It would be highly advantageous to design and disclose a modular roof platform whose left and right side rail shapes and configurations provide higher rigidity and resistance to deformation under cargo loads and vehicle movement, thereby enhancing the overall strength and resistance to deformation of the platform.

[0005] Existing rooftop platforms, typically individual platform segments, or in other words, "panels" of the same meaning, exhibit relatively smooth top horizontal surfaces. Therefore, the individual platform segments and the fully assembled platform they form exhibit relatively smooth, low-friction top surfaces on which goods can be placed. These smooth surfaces are not very effective in reducing cargo displacement, nor do they provide any anti-slip or anti-slip effect for people standing on the platform, which is also undesirable. It would be highly advantageous if the panels used to compose the platform, as well as the assembled platform, were designed, shaped, and configured to improve the stability of cargo and personnel standing on the platform.

[0006] Currently, bolts, screws, brackets, or other hardware are typically used to connect individual panels together to form a complete rooftop cargo platform. Furthermore, existing panel assembly examples that utilize side-interlocking and manipulation of the panels are cumbersome to assemble, requiring considerable skill and maneuverability to achieve such connections. It would be highly advantageous to disclose a cargo platform whose constituent panels can be easily and almost effortlessly slid together at their edges to form a platform with a robust joint.

[0007] As described above, existing cargo platforms typically use left and right side rails covering roof-mounted features as connection points between the platform and the roof, as well as connection points for individual panels comprising the platform (also referred to herein as roof anchoring points). Typically, these roof-mounted features are linearly arranged, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the roof, but located significantly inward relative to the left and right edges of the roof (or, in other words, the left and right extensions). Therefore, as mentioned above, the width of existing roof platforms (the actual width of the cargo platform) is typically limited by the distance between the linearly arranged left and right connection points. Consequently, these existing side rails typically limit the platform width, making it much smaller than the width of the roof to which it is mounted. In addition to the left and right side rails, it would be highly advantageous to disclose a modular roof cargo platform that utilizes individual guide rails to anchor the platform to the roof, allowing the side rails (defining the left and right extensions of the platform) to extend further outward relative to the roof-mounted features.

[0008] For most vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and cars, it is common to have a roof that is formed and configured parallel to the surface on which the vehicle is situated. However, not all vehicles have such a relatively flat roof situated on such a parallel plane. Furthermore, it is very common for the roof profile to slope downwards near roof mounting features (e.g., threaded and smooth mounting holes, flanges, rails, and studs), especially at the location of the roof mounting features. In addition, in some cases, the roof may have a front and rear slope in these and other areas. Such a slope makes it difficult to achieve a flush fit between the bottom surface of the roof support used to secure the roof panel to such features and the roof surface in contact with the support. Therefore, it would be highly advantageous to disclose a modular roof cargo platform comprising roof mounts adjustable to correct for such roof slopes, such that the cargo platform is substantially parallel to the horizontal surface of the vehicle roof and the surface on which the vehicle is situated. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a modular roof cargo platform is disclosed that compensates for roof slopes that could prevent the platform from being parallel to the horizontal plane of the vehicle roof, providing greater strength and rigidity while easily adapting to different platform width and length requirements. Furthermore, the cargo platform of the present invention employs independent inner platform mounting rails so that the width between the left and right side rails, and the width of the platform extending from the left and right side rails, exceeds the width between the left and right roof mounting features. The cargo platform of the present invention comprises: left and right side rails, left and right platform mounting rails, multiple panels, multiple roof mounting brackets, and multiple elongated, curved, aligned sleeves. Some preferred embodiments of the present invention may further include front and rear guide rails.

[0010] The left and right side rails of this invention are assembled from two or more side rail segments to form a fully assembled side rail of a given length, which also determines the length of the connected fully assembled platform. Each side rail segment (and the fully assembled side rails they form) includes a lower channel portion of a C-shaped cross-section, which is located below and vertically aligned with the lower hollow tubular portion, which in turn is located below and vertically aligned with the side rail assembly portion, which in turn is located below and vertically aligned with the upper hollow tubular portion. Therefore, all four portions of each side rail segment are vertically aligned, which increases the segment's strength. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the term "vertically aligned" with respect to the side rail segments and the left and right side rails assembled therefrom refers to the vertical alignment of the four aforementioned portions of the side rail segment in a cross-sectional view. More specifically, the arrangement and positioning of the channel portion of the C-shaped cross-section, the lower hollow tubular portion, the side rail assembly portion, and the upper hollow tubular portion are such that, in a cross-sectional view, the lines perpendicularly bisecting each segment are aligned with each other, ensuring that all four cross-sections are vertically aligned. This arrangement imparts greater strength to the side rails, in contrast to embodiments where the segments are offset from each other. The side rail segments of this invention are intentionally provided in a variety of different lengths. Thus, the desired length of side rail for complete assembly can be produced by selecting and combining side rail segments of sufficient length to produce the required side rail length after assembly.

[0011] The inner side of the channel portion below the C-shaped section has holes (also described as "apertures") that allow assembly screws to pass through to secure the side rail segments (and thus the side rails) to the left or right side of the individual panels constituting the platform. As mentioned above, the term "inner side" refers to the relative position on the roof of the modular roof platform of the present invention, facing inward toward the longitudinal centerline of the roof. The term "outer side" as used in this specification and claims refers to the relative direction (or boundary) toward the left and right sides at the intersection of the roof and the side portion of the vehicle. The upper and lower tubular portions of each side rail segment are formed as circular hollow tubes. They are specially shaped and configured to allow adjacent side rail segments to be connected by inserts (e.g., plastic or metal inserts). As discussed in more detail below, such inserts can not only connect but also align adjacent side rail segments. The side rail assembly portion located between the upper and lower tubular portions of the side rail segments forms a flat portion, wherein holes are formed near the front and rear ends of each segment. In addition to the side rail inserts described above, side rail segment connecting brackets are also used to connect adjacent side rail segments to each other. These connecting brackets have a flat central portion and horizontally arranged upper and lower assembly channels, which are at least partially threaded. The flat portion of these brackets includes holes positioned and shaped to align with holes formed near the front and rear ends of each side rail segment. For example, mechanical bolts or screws are used to connect these brackets to the inside of the front and rear ends of the two side rail segments to be connected. In a preferred but non-exclusive method of connecting adjacent side rails, alignment and connection are achieved using hollow proximal and distal plastic or metal inserts placed on the upper and lower tubular portions, for example, from the rear end of the first side rail segment to the front end of the second side rail segment. As described above, the present invention provides side rail segments having multiple variable lengths so that they can be connected together as described above to form a fully assembled side rail of the desired length.

[0012] After the plastic or metal inserts are placed in the upper and lower tubular portions of the first and second sections, these sections are compressed together so that the metal inserts are fully embedded in the upper and lower tubular portions. The sections thus connected are also aligned in a specific manner so that, for example, the upper and lower horizontal assembly channels of the side rail connecting bracket connected to the rear end of the first section are aligned with the upper and lower assembly channels of the side rail connecting bracket connected to the front end of the second side rail, on the longitudinal centerline of the channels. Mechanical screws are inserted into the upper and lower horizontally arranged assembly channels, and then the threads formed therein are engaged to securely fix the two brackets together and firmly connect the first and second side rail sections together.

[0013] The panel of this invention includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a right side, a left side, a front end, and a rear end. The length of the panel is defined by the distance between the left and right sides of each panel. This invention therefore provides multiple panel lengths, allowing one panel to span the entire width of the platform, depending on the required width for a specific application. Simply put, the length of the panel is equal to the width of the platform formed by the multiple panels. Therefore, preferably, for a given roof application (expected width), all panels should have the same length. The distance between the front and rear ends of each panel is called the panel width. The cumulative width of all the panels joined together when assembling the platform will be equal to the total length of the fully assembled platform. Preferably, for a particular vehicle, the width of each panel is best kept consistent, but not necessarily. This ensures that, as discussed in detail below, the assembly holes on the left and right sides of each panel can be correctly aligned with the assembly holes on the inner surface of the channel portion of the C-section of the side rail.

[0014] The top surface of each panel is not smooth but is shaped and configured to include protrusions and grooves to increase friction and create a surface that prevents goods from sliding or people from slipping. The front and rear ends of each panel are respectively formed and configured with locking extension arms and extension arm receiving grooves, extending along the entire length of each end, specifically designed to mate the extension arms with the grooves and form a secure connection, allowing the panels to be easily pressed together to form a strong snap-fit ​​connection. The locking extension arms and the extension arm receiving grooves are designed, configured, and shaped so that adjacent panels to be assembled can be placed on a flat surface and compressed together without manipulating the angle between the front end of one panel and the rear end of another. For example, two such panels can be placed on a flat surface (e.g., a car roof) using a rubber mallet and then tapped together. The panels are also connected to each other via connectors, with the right and left ends of each panel connected to the lower channel portion of the C-section of the side rail, and screwed through holes in the inner wall of the C-shaped channel into the assembly channels formed at the left and right ends of each panel. In some preferred embodiments, the locking extension arms may be formed at the front or rear end of the panel, as may the extension arm receiving grooves.

[0015] When two adjacent panels are joined (at the junction of the front end of one panel and the rear end of the adjacent panel), a flange bolt receiving channel extending along the entire length of the panel is formed below this junction. This channel is specially shaped and configured to accommodate the flange bolt head, allowing the bolt to slide in an inward / outward direction. A slot, narrower than the flange bolt receiving channel, communicates with and is located below the channel, allowing the threaded portion of the flange bolt to pass downward through the slot while the flange bolt head / flange portion remains within the channel. During platform assembly, the position of the flange bolt within the channel is adjusted so that the threaded portion of the bolt covers a hole formed by the upper flange portion of the platform mounting rail. The threaded portion of the bolt is inserted and passes through this hole. Washers and nuts are then screwed onto the bolts to loosely secure the panel to the mounting rail. As discussed below, the flange bolts are initially loosely secured to allow for proper positioning of the platform mounting rail relative to the roof mounting feature to which it will be connected via an intermediate roof mounting bracket. This adjustability also allows the platform to be centered relative to the centerline of the roof.

[0016] The left and right platform mounting rails are formed by connecting two or more platform mounting rail sections to a fully assembled left and right platform mounting rail of the required length and width. The left and right platform mounting rails, and the platform mounting rail sections forming them, are typically shaped as elongated bushings with a top surface (similar to a flange), a bottom surface, an inner surface (positioned during assembly towards the inside of the roof to which it will be mounted), and an outer portion. The outer portion of the platform mounting rail includes a flange bolt assembly receiving channel and a groove that communicates with the channel along its entire length and decreases in width. In a preferred embodiment, the flange bolt assembly receiving channel is formed and configured to receive the flange bolt assembly. More specifically, the flange bolt assembly receiving channel is formed such that the flange and bolt head slide within the channel, while the threaded portion of the assembled bolt passes through the aforementioned groove and slides along the outer groove in a front / rear manner. This provides bolt orientation, wherein the bolt is parallel to the platform surface and the threaded portion extends outwards, away from the rail.

[0017] The present invention utilizes the left and right platform mounting rails (located adjacent to the roof mounting feature) to connect the platform to the roof via multiple roof mounting brackets. The platform mounting rails are advantageously connected to the platform at a connection point relative to the left and right ends of the platform and the inside of the left and right side rails, so as to allow the platform to extend beyond the width of the roof mounting feature when needed.

[0018] As described above, in a preferred assembly method, after all the panels for the platform are connected to each other, flange bolts extending downward from the flange bolt receiving channel are loosely tightened onto the platform mounting rails. This allows the position of the platform mounting rails to be adjusted in an inside / outside manner until the rails are positioned to allow connection to the roof mounting cover (described below) and engagement of the roof mounting feature. Adjustment of the front / rear ends of the left and right platform mounting rails also allows the platform to be centered relative to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle roof. The position of the flange bolt assembly in the flange bolt assembly receiving channel can also be adjusted in a front / rear direction. As described below, this allows the roof bracket, initially loosely attached to the platform mounting rails, to slide along the flange bolt assembly channel until it reaches a front / rear position capable of engaging a roof mounting feature (e.g., a threaded hole with a receiving snap nut or a rail). Once this position is reached, washers and nuts (e.g., screwed into the threaded end of a bolt extending from the assembly) will lock the front / rear position of the roof bracket.

[0019] The roof bracket of the present invention includes upper and lower portions. The roof bracket is used to connect the platform mounting rail (which is itself fixed to the platform) to the roof of a vehicle, for example, through engagement with roof mounting features (e.g., single or double studs, slide holes, threaded holes, snap nuts, or channels). In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion of the roof bracket is generally shaped as a flat rectangular plate having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between them. Preferably, the upper portion of the roof bracket includes slotted openings adjacent to the front and rear ends of the upper portion. The slotted openings are oriented upwards / downwards (when the bracket is positioned to connect to the roof). The orientation of the front and rear slots can also be described as extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper portion of the roof bracket. After being loosely secured to the threaded ends of bolts extending outwards from the flange bolt assembly, these slots allow the bracket to tilt upwards toward the front end of the roof to compensate for the downward front / rear end slope of the roof portion to which the bracket is fixed. In this position, the bracket will tilt downwards at the rear end of the bracket. For example, this adjustment can be used to compensate for a forward tilt of the roof at the connection point between the roof bracket and the roof mounting feature. In other words, when the roof tilts upwards towards the front end of the vehicle at the connection point between the bracket and the vehicle, this adjustability allows the bracket to level the platform it is connected to in this situation. Therefore, where the roof typically tilts forward or backward at the roof mounting feature near the roof, this adjustment can keep the platform supported by the bracket level with the front / rear end of the vehicle's surface. It allows the platform to lie in a plane parallel to the roof's horizontal plane, where such a slope does not exist.

[0020] Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are intended for use with sloping roofs, or may be described in a similar manner as having an "angle" on the inside / outside of a feature area mounted on the roof. These embodiments include specially configured roof supports to compensate for such inside / outside slopes. In these embodiments, the upper portion of the roof support is substantially flat, while the lower portion is formed as a curved portion having a convex upper surface and a concave bottom surface. The lower portion of the roof support includes a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The lower portion extends outward at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the upper portion of the support. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower portion of the roof support is designed, shaped, and configured to have a concave bottom surface and a corresponding convex upper surface to define an arc extending in an inward / outward direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curvature of the lower portion of the roof support is defined by a radius of curvature of approximately 22 mm to approximately 33 mm. Preferably, the curvature is defined by a radius of curvature of approximately 24 mm to approximately 31 mm. More preferably, the curvature is defined by a radius of curvature of approximately 27.5 mm (wherein the upper surface of the lower portion is convex and the lower surface is concave). As described in more detail below, the convex bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof mount, combined with the convex top surface of its rotating curved elongated bushing (in an inward / outward manner), enables the roof mount to provide an inward / outward tilt angle adjustment range of approximately 0 degrees to approximately 7.5 degrees.

[0021] Preferably, the lower portion of the roof bracket includes three holes for bolts, screws, or other fasteners to connect the bracket to a roof feature. The locations of the three holes can be described as a right-side hole, an outer left-side hole, and a center hole, or, relative to the mounting position on the roof, a center hole, a front hole, and a rear hole. The holes in the lower portion advantageously employ an inward / outward oriented channel shape, or can be described as having a channel direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion. In some preferred embodiments, the front and rear holes can form square openings, while the center hole can form a channel perpendicular to the long axis of the bracket. Using square openings allows the bracket to fit roofs with double-roof connection features, such as studs, slip holes, threaded holes, or snap nuts. The distance between these double-roof mounting features may vary depending on the roof. The square openings provide additional spacing to accommodate the intervals between these features. In embodiments of the invention, where the intended application for the cargo platform is a roof without the aforementioned inward / outward slope, the lower portion of the roof bracket can have a flat profile.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, to compensate for the inner / outer slope of the roof, an elongated curved alignment bushing with the same curvature as the lower portion of the roof support described above is used. Additionally, the bushing includes a front end and a rear end, with a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends. The elongated curved alignment bushing is specifically designed in shape and configuration to be located below the lower portion of the roof support and to conform to its curvature.

[0023] Therefore, the bushing has a convex upper surface that matches and engages with the concave bottom surface and relatively flat bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof support. When the vehicle is attached to the roof, the elongated curved alignment bushing is located between the bottom surface of the roof support and the roof feature to which the support is attached. The elongated curved alignment bushing may also advantageously include three apertures, which may also form grooves perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bushing and extend inward and outward. However, in some preferred embodiments, the front and rear apertures of the elongated curved alignment bushing are formed into square openings to allow for variations in the spacing between the two roof mounting features, as discussed in more detail below.

[0024] When the roof mounting component (the lower portion of the bracket and the elongated bushing to which it is secured) has an inward / outward tilt angle (or may also be described as a right / left tilt), the lower curved portion of the roof bracket, in conjunction with the elongated curved alignment bushing, effectively corrects the position of the bracket and the platform to which it is attached. By placing the relatively flat bottom surface of the elongated bushing on the curved surface of the roof until the bushing, made of flexible material, is substantially flat, and then sliding the concave bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof bracket inward along the convex upper surface of the bushing, the bracket can be mounted so that its upper portion is perpendicular to the horizontal plane defined by most of the roof surface (or the horizontal plane of the surface on which the vehicle is situated). Therefore, despite the inward / outward tilt angle, the platform can be secured to the vehicle by the bracket and placed on a horizontal plane parallel to the roof (in the inner region of the roof, i.e., where there is no inward / outward tilt angle at the left and right edges). Due to the tilt adjustment provided by the combination of the elongated curved alignment bushing and the concave bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof support, even if the platform itself is flat, it can be placed parallel to the roof, exhibiting a continuous slope, for example, extending down from the front to the rear of such vehicles.

[0025] In many cases, the roof surface is typically flat and parallel to the surface on which the vehicle is situated, except for the areas directly adjacent to the left and right sides of the roof and, in some cases, the areas directly adjacent to the front / rear sides of the roof. The terms "horizontal plane of the roof surface" and "horizontal plane of most of the roof surface" refer to the flat plane of the roof, which, apart from the previously mentioned outer portions (or edges) of the roof, may incorporate curves to connect it to the left and right sides and the front and rear portions of the vehicle. For example, the roof near the windshield, rear windshield, rear door, or panel often incorporates a sloping design to avoid sharp angles. Similarly, the area of ​​the roof near the left and right sides of the vehicle may also include sloping angles to avoid sharp angles where the roof meets the side windows, side doors, and side panels. All these areas typically exhibit some degree of sloping (or a slope or curvature of the same meaning) from the roof down to the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle. Regarding the downward sloping near the roof sides (also known as the inner / outer sloping), the slender, curved alignment bushing of the present invention, combined with the curved lower portion of the roof support, can compensate for this sloping and achieve a horizontal mounting of the platform. The specific details and embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0026] Some embodiments of the present invention are used when there is no inner / outer slope angle (or inclination) at the connection between the roof support and the roof. In this case, the lower portion of the roof support is formed into a flat rectangle, and the extended curved bushing of the present invention is not required. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic line drawing of the top right side of a general vehicle roof with equidistant spacing.

[0028] Figure 2 is an isometric view of the modular rooftop freight platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3a is a top left isometric view of the partially assembled modular roof cargo platform shown in Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 3b is an exploded view of the partially assembled modular rooftop cargo platform shown in Figure 3a.

[0031] Figure 3c is a top left isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a partially assembled modular cargo platform shown in Figure 3a.

[0032] Figure 4 is a side view and enlarged cross-sectional view of the two panels used in the assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention before and after joining.

[0033] Figure 5 is a top right isometric view of a partially assembled platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 is a side view of a portion of the assembled side rails in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7a is an isometric view of the bottom left side of a partially assembled modular roof cargo platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an exploded view of the embedded platform mounting rail section.

[0036] Figure 7b is a bottom equidistant cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing an exploded detailed view of the panel mounting guide rail assembly.

[0037] Figure 8 is a bottom right isometric view of a partially assembled modular roof cargo platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a cutaway view of the platform mounting rails.

[0038] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 8.

[0039] Figure 10 is an isometric view of the bottom right side of a partially assembled modular roof cargo platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes an exploded view of the roof mounting bracket.

[0040] Figure 11 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the bottom right side of a partially assembled modular roof cargo platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further showing an exploded view of the connection between the preferred platform mounting rails and flange bolt assembly.

[0041] Figure 12 is a bottom view of the modular rooftop freight platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 13a is an isometric view of the top right side of the two side rail segments used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an exploded view of some assembly details of the side rail segments.

[0043] Figure 13b is a cross-sectional view of the two side rail sections shown in Figure 13a.

[0044] Figure 14 is an equidistant anatomical view of the top right side of two adjacent side rail sections and the section connecting bracket used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 15 is a top right cross-sectional view of the two adjacent side rail sections shown in Figure 14, which includes additional side rail section supports and machine screws for connecting the adjacent supports to each other in a disassembled manner.

[0046] Figure 16 is a front view of a vehicle roof cargo platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the preferred roof support.

[0047] Figure 17 is a right-side view of a vehicle roof cargo platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the preferred roof support.

[0048] Figure 18a is an exploded view of the right rear equidistant portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing its connection to a vehicle roof with paired threaded roof connection features.

[0049] Figure 18b is an exploded view of the right rear equidistant portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing its connection to the roof of a vehicle with a double-bolt roof flange bracket roof connection feature.

[0050] Figure 19a is an exploded view of the right rear equidistant portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing its connection to the roof of a vehicle with a double-nut clamp roof connection feature.

[0051] Figure 19b is an exploded view of the right rear isometric portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing its connection to a vehicle roof with a single threaded hole roof connection feature.

[0052] Figure 20a is an exploded view of the right rear isometric portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing its connection to a vehicle roof with a single smooth hole roof connection feature.

[0053] Figure 20b is an exploded view of the right rear equidistant portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing its connection to a vehicle roof with paired sliding flange bolts as a roof connection feature. Implementation

[0054] To clarify the relative orientations and positions used herein to describe the roof platform and related vehicle features of the present invention, Figure 1 provides clear definitions. More specifically, Figure 1 illustrates the curved areas of the roof, or may be described as areas showing the roof sloping angles. These areas are typically located at the left and right ends of the roof, where the roof tends to curve downwards toward the right side 171 and left side 171' of the vehicle, forming the sloping / camber angles described herein. These roof curvature areas are also referred to here as left / right slopes, with equivalent meaning. The longitudinal centerline 181 forms the relative basis for the sloping / cambering terms used in this specification and claims. The term “inner” refers to a relative position 183 that is moved inward, tilted, or oriented toward the longitudinal centerline of the roof. The term “outer” refers to a relative position 185 that is moved outward, tilted, or oriented toward the longitudinal centerline of the roof. The term “front end” used in this specification and claims refers to a relative position that is moved inward, tilted, or oriented toward the front portion 190 of the roof. As used in this specification and claims, the term "rear end" refers to a relative position that is rearwardly moved, tilted, or oriented relative to the rear of the roof 187, while the term "front end" refers to the front of the vehicle roof 190. The terms "front / rear end angle" and the equivalent "front / rear end ramp" as used in this specification and claims refer to the slope of the roof from front to back (191 / 191') and from back to front (193 / 193').

[0055] As shown in Figures 2, 3a, and 3b, the modular rooftop cargo platform 1 of the present invention is assembled by connecting separately designed, shaped, and configured panels 3 to simplify and quickly connect them to form a fully assembled platform 2. The fully assembled platform can be described as having a front end 10, a rear end 12, a right side 16, and a left side 14. The sides and ends of the assembled platform are specified relative to the platform's positioning on the vehicle. In certain preferred embodiments, as shown, a front end bar (also referred to as a front accessory bar 18) is mounted at the front of the vehicle on which the platform is mounted. Guide rail ends 13 / 13' are used to connect the upper and lower hollow tubular portions of the left and right side rails and their rear ends.

[0056] These guide rail ends can be attached to the side rails, for example, by engaging the upper and lower tubular portions of the rear end of each side rail with metal inserts and connecting with guide rail end brackets and machine screws. These guide rail ends can also be used to connect the upper and lower hollow tubular portions of the side rails on the right and left front ends.

[0057] The panel segments are joined to form a fully assembled panel, which is designed and configured to allow for quick and efficient connection of the platform to the right and left platform mounting rails, and to simplify securing the platform to the left and right side rails. As shown in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, the individual panel segments (or referred to herein as “panels”) have a right side 5, a left side 7, a front end 9, a rear end 11, a bottom 15 and a top surface 17.

[0058] As shown in Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c, the individual panel segments (or "panels") have a right side 5, a left side 7, a front end 9, a rear end 11, a bottom 15, and a top surface 17. The top surface, oriented and positioned substantially parallel to the roof of the vehicle on which the platform is mounted, is also the surface that contacts and supports the cargo. The length 22 of each panel is defined as the distance between the right and left ends of that panel. The width 20 of each panel is the distance between the front and rear ends of each panel. As shown in Figure 4, the top surface advantageously features wavy protrusions and a groove pattern 19. This form and shape significantly increase the friction provided by the fully assembled platform, thereby reducing movement (and slippage) of cargo placed on it.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4, the front end 9 and rear end 11 of the panel segment are specially designed, configured, and shaped to allow a panel to be quickly and easily secured to the front and rear ends of adjacent panels. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each panel is configured to span the entire width 21 of the platform to be assembled (discussed in more detail below). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for convenient and quick platform assembly, each panel includes a locking extension arm 23 at its front end 9, with a barb 25 at its end extending the entire length 22 from the right end to the left end of the extension arm, as shown in Figures 3b and 3c. The rear end 11 of the panels used in these embodiments includes a corresponding locking extension receiving groove 29, which also extends from the right end to the left end along the entire length of the rear end of the panel. The locking extension arm and receiving groove are located and parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the panels to allow them to lock into each other when each panel is located on substantially the same plane. In the term "substantially identical planes," the horizontal plane on which the lower surface of each panel lies should not deviate by more than 10 degrees. Ideally, the panels should be aligned during assembly so that the lower surfaces of each panel to be joined are on the same horizontal plane. Therefore, when two panels are positioned adjacent to each other on a substantially flat plane, with the front end 9 of the first panel 35 aligned and adjacent to the rear end 11 of the second panel 36, as indicated by arrow 38, compressing the panels together causes the locking extension arm extending from the front end of the first panel to fully insert into the extension receiving channel of the second panel and lock in place, thus securely locking the panels together. The panels are thus joined along their entire front and rear end surfaces without the need for external hardware, complex twisting, or other further manipulation of the panels. The panels can be initially aligned and partially joined by simply pushing them together, and then fully joined using tools such as a rubber mallet. This snap-fit ​​system greatly improves the ease and speed of assembling panels directly on the roof or pre-assembling them on any relatively flat surface, including the roof surface. Conversely, the panels can also be designed such that each panel has a locking extension arm at its tail end and an extension receiving groove at its front end. Preferably, the panels are made of a strong, load-bearing material, such as metal or polymer. The panels can be made of metals such as galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, or plastic polymers such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and fiber-reinforced plastics. As shown in Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c, each panel segment has assembly screw receiving holes 37 at both ends, which allow assembly screws 39 to pass through corresponding assembly holes 41 formed in the channel portion 43 below the C-shaped section of the left and right side rails to engage and secure each side panel to the left and right side rails. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panels are rectangular in shape when viewed from the top or bottom surface. As shown in Figure 3b, the distance between the left and right ends of each panel can be described as the length 22 of the panel.Each modular roof platform is assembled from a kit designed to create a fully assembled platform of a specific width 21. Therefore, each such kit will have a panel displaying a uniform length 22 to allow the assembled platform to achieve the desired width 21. The width 20 (distance from front to rear of each panel) of all panels used to assemble a particular platform is preferably equal. The total length 24 of the platform assembled from these panels will be equal to the sum of the individual widths 20 of each panel used to assemble the platform. As shown in Figure 10, the modular roof platform of the present invention includes left and right platform mounting rails 45 / 45'. A preferred embodiment uses separate platform mounting rails (relative to side rails) to secure the platform to the vehicle, rather than using side rails. This configuration extends the possibilities for platform width beyond the width between the left and right sides (typically longitudinally aligned), for example, roof mounting features such as flanges, recesses, or a longitudinally arranged series of holes and / or tabs, which are typically linearly aligned and usually located near the left and right boundaries of the roof.

[0060] As discussed in more detail below, the left and right platform mounting rails are composed of platform rail segments 47 as shown in Figures 7-10. These segments are fixed to each other such that the front end 49 of one segment connects to the rear end 51 of the adjacent segment. To ensure that the required front / rear end length of the fully assembled platform is met, the platform rail segments are provided in various lengths to form a complete platform rail that meets the required front / rear length. Figures 7a and 7b show a portion of a platform mounting rail assembled from two platform rail segments 47. As shown, the two segments are fixed to each other in adjacent positions by flange bolts 57 in flange bolt receiving channels formed at the joint of the two panels, connecting the adjacent segments to the two panels and to each other. In some preferred embodiments, a semi-circular hole is formed on the top flange of the adjacent platform mounting rail segment 162, forming a full hole at its front and rear ends. The flange bolt passes through this hole and secures the proximal ends of the rail segments together after placing washers 160, locking washers 153, and tightening nuts 155.

[0061] The left and right platform mounting rails and individual platform mounting rail segments (assembled therefrom) are configured as elongated bushings with a top flange portion 53, which includes an assembly hole 55 for receiving bolts, such as flange bolts 57 extending downward from the platform (see FIG. 8). More specifically, after the front and rear ends of the fixing panel are secured together (as described above), a flange bolt receiving channel 59 (see FIGS. 4 and 11) is formed on the panel at the intersection of the locking extension arm and the receiving groove below. The flange bolt receiving channel is formed between adjacent panels, extending along the entire right-to-left end (entire length) of each panel, and includes a continuous groove 54 along the bottom surface of the channel. The groove width is smaller than the flange bolt receiving channel above, such that the flange bolt 57 can be inserted into the receiving channel, the flange bolt head 62 is received within the channel, and the threaded portion 64 of the bolt extends directly downward through the continuous groove 54 located directly below. The threaded portion of the flange bolt is then inserted through the assembly hole 55 formed on the top flange of the platform mounting rod. As described above, in some preferred embodiments, such assembly holes are formed by two semi-circular holes located at the front and rear ends of each panel mounting guide, forming a circular assembly hole at the junction of the front and rear guide segments. In this position, the flange bolt not only secures the panel mounting guide to the panel but also secures adjacent guide segments to each other. Before being fully tightened, the flange bolt is capable of sliding back and forth in an inward and outward manner within the flange bolt channel. In turn, this action, connected to the panel by the flange bolt, allows the platform mounting guide to be positioned from right to left (or inward / outward direction) 58, as shown in FIG. 7. This action allows the roof bracket (discussed below), fixed along the front and rear axis of the platform mounting guide, to be precisely adjusted inward / outward position to securely mount the bracket to the roof mounting feature. It also allows the platform to be centered relative to the longitudinal centerline of the roof and centered in the left-right position relative to the platform. After the platform mounting rail is positioned, tighten, for example, washers 61, locking washers 63, and nuts 65, which are placed on the threaded portion of the flange bolts that pass downwards from the panel through the assembly hole (located at the top flange portion of the mounting rail), to securely fix the mounting rail in the correct position (see Figures 4-8).

[0062] As shown in Figures 5 and 7a, the platform mounting rail includes a sliding flange bolt assembly channel 67 on its outer portion. The channel is open at both the front and rear ends to allow insertion of a sliding flange bolt assembly. The top flange portion 53, inner portion 69, and bottom portion 71 of the channel are closed. The sliding flange bolt assembly channel is specially shaped and configured to accommodate a sliding flange bolt assembly 75, as shown in Figures 11 and 16. Therefore, the sliding flange bolt assembly channel allows the sliding bolt assembly to be placed and slidably secured therein, while the dimensions and configuration of the slot allow one or more bolts 76 extending therefrom to pass through in an outward direction, as described in more detail below. Preferably, the platform mounting rail is made of a metal such as steel or aluminum alloy. The platform mounting rail can also be made of materials such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or fiber-reinforced plastic. Similarly, the invention provides multiple lengths of the side rail segments, and the platform mounting rail segments are also provided in variable lengths to enable the production of fully assembled platform rails of the desired length. Preferably, the left and right platform mounting rails exhibit a length equal to that of the left and right side rails, but this length does not include the additional length provided by the end rails and / or accessory rods.

[0063] This invention relates to a platform, which is fixed to a vehicle roof according to the invention, and is mounted on a platform mounting rail. A sliding flange bolt assembly 75, such as the double-bolt sliding flange bolt assembly shown in Figures 11 and 16, is shaped and configured to allow insertion and positioning such that the threaded end 74 of the bolt 76 passes through an access slot 73. The sliding flange bolt assembly channel extends along the entire longitudinal length of the platform mounting rail, and its configuration and dimensions allow the flange portion of the assembly to be placed therein. A smaller channel access slot 73 also extends along the entire length of the rail, allowing the threaded end 74 of the flange bolt assembly to extend from its outer side. Specifically, once placed within the channel, the channel slot allows the flange bolt to slide along the channel in a forward / rear direction, but not through the slot. The threaded portion of the flange bolt assembly is located in a fixed position on a roof mounting bracket 78 for securing the platform mounting rail to the vehicle roof, as discussed in more detail below (see Figures 16 and 17).

[0064] Unlike existing roof platforms, the left and right side rails 4 / 4' of this invention are not used to secure the platform to the roof. They work in conjunction with the locking extension arms and locking extension receiving grooves as an additional means of securing each individual panel together to form a complete platform. The side rails provide greater rigidity to the assembled platform and increase stiffness and resistance to deformation. Furthermore, the side rails of this invention provide left and right end walls for the platform. Locking extension arms 23 and locking extension receiving grooves 29 are formed along the entire front and rear ends of each panel, securing these panels at the front / rear end intersection. The side rails provide fastening points at the left and right ends of each panel using component screw receiving holes 37 formed along the left and right ends of each panel. As the number and width of the panels are selected according to the required platform length, the length of the panels in each application determines the width of the fully assembled platform. Due to the connection features of the panels on each locking extension arm, and the fact that the locking extension arm receiving grooves and the assembly screw receiving holes extend along the entire length of each panel, the panels can be cut to almost any desired length according to a given roof application while retaining the connection features.

[0065] As shown in Figures 13a, 13b, 14, and 15, the left and right side rails are assembled from side rail segments 6. These side rail segments are available in various lengths to allow for assembly into fully assembled left and right side rails, demonstrating the desired front / rear length and applicable to the roof size or desired roof coverage of a particular vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side rail segments are specially shaped and configured to provide superior strength and stiffness, as well as enhanced strength when these side rail segments are assembled into fully assembled left and right side rails. More specifically, the segments are advantageously shaped and configured as two vertically aligned circular hollow tubes connected by a centrally placed, vertically positioned, flat connecting portion. Both hollow tubes and the connecting portion are situated above a C-section channel portion opening, all of which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0066] More specifically, (as shown in Figure 13a), each side rail segment includes a lower channel portion 43 of a C-shaped cross-section, which forms an open tube having an inner portion 40, an outer portion 42, a lower portion 44, and an upper portion 46. The C-shaped tube forms a channel that runs along the entire front / rear length of each side rail segment and the total length 48 of the fully assembled left and right side rails. A slot 50 extending along the entire outer surface of the C-shaped channel of each segment or fully assembled side rail provides access to the C-shaped channel and its inner surface portion. Furthermore, this slot allows for the insertion of assembly screws 39 (or assembly bolts in other embodiments) into assembly holes 41 formed through the inner portion of the channel. As described above and below, the C-shaped channel assembly holes provide access to panel assembly screw receiving holes 37 located at the left 7 and right 5 ends of the panel (see Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c). The panel assembly screws are passed through the assembly holes of the C-shaped channel and then screwed into the receiving holes formed at both ends of each panel to secure the individual panels to the left and right side rails (and the side rails they form). Thus, each panel can be secured to the side rails in this way, and each individual panel can also be secured to the remaining panels of the side rails in this way.

[0067] The hollow tubular lower portion 77 of the left and right side rails 4 / 4' (including the side rail segments) is formed, positioned, and placed directly above the lower channel portion 43 of the C-shaped section. The circular tubular configuration of the segments discussed above (and the tubular upper portion 79) provides the side rails with greater strength and rigidity compared to guide rails made solely of beveled bar stock. Both the upper and lower hollow tubular portions are hollow and specifically configured to securely receive the side rail segment connectors 81, such as grooved plastic or metal inserts discussed below (or "component bushings or component inserts" as may be referred to throughout the assembly and claims). The inserts are used to assemble and align the side rails and the side rail segments forming the side rails. Specifically, as shown in FIG13b, the side rail segment assembly portion 83 is located between and connects the hollow lower portion 77 and the hollow tubular upper portion 79 of each segment. The side rail assembly portion is formed in a generally flat configuration, running perpendicular to the plane of the roof, on which the side rails are placed and longitudinally aligned with vertical line 26, which bisects the upper and lower tubular portions. Therefore, the hollow tubular upper portion, the side rail assembly portion, and the hollow tubular portion are longitudinally aligned. Preferably, the side rail assembly portion includes multiple large openings 85, providing convenient connection points for straps, elastic bands, and other cargo stabilizing devices. Each side rail assembly portion has at least one, and preferably at least two, assembly section bracket holes 91 at its front end 87 and rear end 89. These holes can be configured as threaded holes or sliding holes, extending through the entire depth, or they can extend through the entire thickness of the side rail assembly portion as described. As shown in FIG. 14, the assembly section bracket holes are formed and positioned to align with at least one corresponding bracket connection hole 93 formed within the assembly bracket 95. Preferably, the assembly section bracket holes are aligned with at least two corresponding bracket connection holes 93. The assembly bracket is used to directly connect the assembly bracket to the outer or inner surfaces of the front and rear ends of the side rail section. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the bracket connection holes 93 formed within the assembly bracket are advantageously formed and positioned to completely pass through the central plane portion 97 of the bracket, which is located near the front end 99 and rear end 101 of each bracket. This positioning of the bracket connection holes ensures that when the fixed segment bracket 129 is attached to the inner or outer surface of the front end 87 or rear end 89 of the side rail assembly portion, the bracket is aligned and in close contact with the plane surface of each segment of the assembly portion, while the bracket connection holes are aligned with the bracket holes 91 of the assembly portion. For example, the bracket is secured to the side rail segment using a machine screw 103, which passes through the assembly portion bracket hole 91 on the outer surface of, for example, the side rail assembly portion, and then through the bracket connection hole 93 on the inner surface of the side rail segment. For example, placing washers and locking washers on the screw before inserting the machine screw 103 into the assembly section hole located on the outer side of the assembly helps ensure that the screw is securely fixed and remains fixed when screwed into the threaded bracket connection hole.For example, the same process is used to attach the brackets to the front and rear supports of a given side rail segment. While it is preferable to mount the inner surfaces of the side rail segments to the side rail segment connecting brackets (to present a smoother outer surface), attaching them to the outer surfaces is equally effective in securing adjacent side rail segments together.

[0068] Preferably, before fixing the assembly bracket to the rear end of the first side rail segment and the corresponding assembly bracket to the front end of the second side rail segment, the first and second side rail segments are first aligned and connected using plastic or metal inserts or bushings 81 (as shown in Figures 13a and 13b). As shown in these figures, the first side rail segment 105 and the second side rail segment 107 are first aligned and positioned so that the longitudinal axes of the hollow tubular cross-sections of the upper 79 and lower 77 of both segments are aligned. Then, for example, metal or plastic assembly inserts (such as bushings 81 with serrations) are inserted into the rear end and the front end of the upper and lower tubular segments, i.e., the rear end 89 of the first segment 105 and the front end 87 of the second side rail segment 107, as indicated by insertion arrow 113. The serrations advantageously increase the friction between the insert and the inner wall of the hollow tubular portion, thereby helping to form a strong engagement. More specifically, by compressing the various parts together and using the assembly insert as an alignment guide, a tight mating joint 111 is formed, as shown in Figure 15, connecting and accurately aligning the two segments. This alignment and positioning greatly aids in the placement and securing of the assembly bracket 95.

[0069] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, once the bracket is connected to the adjacent segment, the formation of this mating joint and the resulting alignment align the horizontally positioned assembly channel 117 longitudinally with the horizontally positioned assembly channel 119. Assembly channel 117 is located above and below the side rail segment assembly bracket 95 at the rear end of the first side rail segment 105, while assembly channel 119 is located above and below the side rail segment assembly bracket at the front end of the second side rail segment. Assembly bolts or machine screws 121 are inserted into the horizontally positioned assembly channels, and then the adjacent guide rail assembly brackets are securely connected together, further securing the first side rail segment 105 and the second side rail segment 107 together by engaging with the threads formed within the assembly channels. Preferably, the assembly bracket is made of a metal such as steel alloy or aluminum alloy.

[0070] While the above-described assembly bracket is advantageously used in the preferred embodiment of the invention, other bracket configurations well known in the art can also be used to connect such segments. For example, an assembly bracket formed and configured to cover and secure to the front and adjacent rear portions of two segments can be used as a single bracket to connect the two segments. In other embodiments, the front and rear ends of each segment may include an interlocking connector along its guide assembly portion, the interlocking connector including a locking extension barb located at the front end of one segment and a barb tongue receiving channel formed within the rear ends of the adjacent assembly segment.

[0071] The left and right platform mounting rails 45 / 45' of the present invention are formed as elongated bushings having a top flange portion 53, an inner portion 69, an outer portion 70, and a bottom portion 71. As described above, the platform mounting rails are located inside the left and right side rails to which the platform is connected. As shown in Figures 5, 7a, and 11, the platform mounting rails and platform rail segments include a sliding flange bolt assembly channel 67 located on their outer portions, extending through the entire length of each rail segment and the fully assembled platform mounting rail. A channel access groove 73, positioned along the entire outer surface of each platform mounting rail segment, leads to the sliding flange bolt assembly receiving channel, which also extends the entire length of the rail. As shown in Figure 8, assembly holes 55 passing through the top flange portion 53 of the platform mounting rail are positioned and spaced along the length of the top flange to allow alignment with flange bolts 57 located within the flange bolt receiving channel. When securing the panel to the platform mounting rail, these bolts extend downward and through the assembly holes 55, allowing the platform to be secured to the platform mounting rail.

[0072] As described above, each platform mounting rail uses the flange bolt assembly receiving channel 67 and an outer groove 73 leading to the channel as an intermediate means of connecting the mounting rail to the roof. More specifically, as shown in FIG11, the sliding flange bolt assembly receiving channel and the outer groove leading to it are specially shaped and formed so that the sliding flange bolt assembly 75 can be inserted into the receiving channel 67 (through the front or rear end) in such a manner, orientation, and position that the distal portion of the threaded end 74 of each bolt extends from the outside of the channel, while the proximal portion (or head) 76 of each bolt remains attached to the sliding assembly, which in turn is engaged within the central channel of the sliding flange bolt receiving channel. The sliding bolt assembly itself remains engaged within the sliding flange bolt assembly channel, wherein the assembly is capable of sliding in the front and rear end directions within the channel for alignment. The assembly is movable before being fixed in the front / rear end position. The fixing method is to lock the threaded end 74 of the bolt using a nut 160, which extends outward through the channel access groove 73 (see FIG16). This fastening can only be achieved when the flange bolt assembly is in the front / rear position, thereby allowing the roof bracket connected to the assembly to engage roof features (e.g., threaded holes, bolts, or channels extending from the roof). Preferably, each sliding flange bolt assembly comprises two or more bolts, oriented as described above and in the figures.

[0073] In embodiments of the invention, the sliding flange bolt assembly comprises two or more bolts, the distal threaded ends 74 of which are positioned, formed, and placed to extend outside the sliding flange bolt assembly channel 67 and groove 73 and to be received by a hole formed in the upper portion 80 of the roof mount bracket 78. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the upper portion of the roof mount bracket is generally planar and extends vertically upward from the lower portion 82 of the bracket. The hole 84 formed in the upper portion of the roof mount bracket is advantageously shaped as a groove rather than a simple circular hole. The groove-shaped hole 84 is oriented as vertically aligned grooves. As discussed above and below, the angle 106 of the bracket can be adjusted according to the profile of a variable roof (particularly the front / rear ramp). As shown in Figure 17, the hole 84 formed in the upper portion of the roof mount bracket is advantageously configured, shaped, and formed as a groove perpendicular to the long axis of the upper portion 80 of the roof mount bracket and the roof. As discussed above and below, when the bracket is attached to a roof with a front / rear tilt angle, the bracket does not need to be perfectly parallel to the horizontal plane of the roof, but can be adjusted according to the bracket angle 106 relative to the front and rear positions.

[0074] In some preferred embodiments, the radius of curvature of the lower portion 82 of the roof mount bracket is defined as approximately 22 mm to approximately 33 mm. More preferably, the radius of curvature is approximately 24 mm to approximately 31 mm. Even more preferably, the radius of curvature has a radius of curvature of approximately 27.5 mm. The upper surface of the top surface of the lower portion is convex, while the bottom surface 108 is concave. This curvature allows adjustment of the inward / outward tilt angle of the bracket relative to the elongated curved alignment bushing, as well as the inward / outward tilt angle of the roof at the connection point to the roof mount feature. More specifically, these embodiments are used with an elongated curved alignment bushing 94, wherein the concave bottom surface 108 of the roof mount bracket contacts and precisely conforms to the curvature of the convex upper surface 96 of the bushing, the radius of curvature of which is equal to the radius of curvature of the lower portion of the roof mount bracket. The concave bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof bracket matches the convex top surface of the elongated bushing, thereby allowing the roof bracket to rotate in an inward / outward manner on the elongated bushing. This sliding relationship allows the roof bracket to be adjusted inward / outward tilting angles from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 7.5 degrees. More specifically, this rotation allows the bracket, mounted on a roof surface in, for example, a downwardly sloping outward direction, to rotate inward along the elongated, curved alignment bushing until the upper portion of the bracket is perpendicular to a flat roof surface without such a slope. Thus, even when the flat lower portion of the elongated bushing is placed on a roof portion with an inward / outward slope, a rotation of approximately 7.5 degrees relative to the bushing allows the upper portion of the bracket to remain upright. Such rotation therefore allows the platform of the invention to be parallel to the horizontal plane of the roof, regardless of whether there is an inward / outward slope near the roof mounting feature. Meanwhile, the adjustability of the upper portion of the roof bracket is provided by vertically placed elongated slotted bracket holes formed through the upper portion of the mounting bracket. These slots allow the bracket to correct for any front / rear tilt angles that may exist at the roof mounting feature location.

[0075] In some alternative embodiments, since there is no inner / outer slope near the roof mounting feature, elongated alignment bushings are not used, and the lower portion of the roof bracket can be formed and configured as a flat rectangular plate without curvature. In embodiments with a curved lower portion, the lower portion of the bracket exhibits the aforementioned curvature and extends outward from the upper region at approximately a 90-degree angle to the center of the arc. In embodiments without this curvature, the upper and lower portions of the bracket comprise the same 90-degree relationship.

[0076] As shown in Figures 18 to 20b, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower portion of the roof mount bracket advantageously includes three openings: a front opening 147, a rear opening 149, and a central slotted opening 104. While the front and rear openings can be formed as elongated slots perpendicular to the lower long axis of the bracket, in a preferred embodiment, the front and rear openings are advantageously formed as square openings to align with certain roof mount features. These features include, for example, two threaded holes, two sliding holes, or two studs at each mounting location, as described below. The front / rear dimensions of each square opening allow adjustment of the front / rear ends between specific dual-connection features (e.g., paired holes, paired studs). The inner / outer dimensions of the square openings allow for inner / outer rotational adjustment of the concave bottom surface 108 of the lower portion 82 of the roof mount bracket, which has a curved shape relative to the elongated curved alignment bushing (as with the elongated slots, discussed in more detail below), so that the bracket can correct for certain inner / outer tilts of the roof. The central slotted hole 104 is formed as an inward / outward channel. The central hole is used in conjunction with roof mounting features, which utilize single studs, smooth or threaded holes, and each feature location. In embodiments including an elongated curved alignment bushing, the slotted central hole in the lower portion of the roof bracket allows the lower portion 82 of the roof bracket to slide horizontally inward with the elongated curved alignment bushing to correct the bracket's position to adapt to the inward / outward slope of the roof.

[0077] In some cases, the roof of the platform of the present invention includes a roof channel 123 mounting feature shaped and configured to receive, for example, a pair of sliding flange bolts 157 (as shown in FIG. 20b). The roof mounting feature can be installed such that the bolts are perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the roof. The channel can also be provided subsequently and fixed to the left and right extensions of the roof, allowing the sliding flange bolts to also extend upwards perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the roof. In this case, the lower portion 82 of the roof mounting bracket may not be curved, and since there is no inner / outer roof curvature requiring correction, the elongated curved alignment bushing is neither needed nor required. In this case, the aforementioned square holes located at the front end 147 and rear end 149 of the lower portion 82 of the roof mounting bracket (near the front and rear ends, respectively) can be used to grip the threaded end of the bolts extending upwards from the roof channel, with the bolt head being included. After passing through the front and rear end holes in the lower portion of the roof bracket, the bracket (and the platform fixed thereon) is secured to the roof using, for example, a simple nut 155, locking washer 153, and square washer 151. As described above, in this case, if the bushing does not present an inward or outward angle with the horizontal plane of the roof, the extended alignment bushing described below is not required. If an angle exists, the lower curved roof bracket, combined with the slender alignment bushing described above and below, can correct the angle.

[0078] As shown in Figures 18a to 20a, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, an elongated curved alignment bushing 94 is used when the roof mount is connected to a roof mounting feature area with an inward / outward camber angle. This elongated curved alignment bushing is specially configured and shaped to have the same curvature as the lower portion of the roof mount. It also shows that the length from front to rear end and the inward / outward width of the lower portion of the roof mount used with it are substantially the same. Preferably, the bushing is configured to include three holes. More specifically, each bushing may include a central hole 139, a rear end 141 adjacent to the hole, and a front end 143 adjacent to the hole. These holes, as discussed below, allow bolts, screws, and other fasteners to pass through the bushing and secure it between the lower portion of the roof mount and the roof feature (e.g., a threaded hole) to which the roof mount is connected. In some preferred embodiments, particularly where the roof exhibits an inward / outward curvature in the area located at the roof connection feature, the elongated curved alignment bushing is advantageous. The bushing, with its convex upper surface, is initially positioned to align with the lower portion 82 of the roof bracket of the present invention, which has a concave bottom surface 108. It is highly advantageous that the elongated, curved alignment bushing is made of flexible plastic (such as natural rubber), synthetic materials (such as neoprene), or plastic materials (such as polyurethane or silicone plastic). These resilient materials can adapt to the curved portion of the roof and are less likely to scratch the surface. The convex upper surface 96 of the bushing contacts the concave bottom surface 108 of the lower curved portion of the roof bracket to allow the roof bracket to compensate for the left / right inward / outward tilt angle of the roof on which it is mounted. For example, in some cases, there may be roofs where the right-side roof mounting feature is an outwardly sloping channel (towards the right side of the roof) with a pair of snap-fit ​​nuts located therein. As shown in FIG19a, in this case, the convex upper surface 96 of the bushing mates with the concave bottom surface 108 of the lower curved portion of the roof bracket to adjust the inward / outward tilt angle of the bracket. Or in other words, the left / right tilt angle 110 can be adjusted to make it upright or perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the roof, unaffected by this peripheral inner / outer tilt angle (see Figure 16). More specifically, in order for the roof support to make the platform substantially parallel to the overall horizontal plane of the roof, rather than tilted to the right or left, the elongated curved alignment bushing is aligned with and tangentially contacts the curved portion of the roof, while the roof support is rotated inward until the upper part of the support is upright and perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the roof. This adjustment is allowed by a square central hole formed through the lower part of the roof support (in embodiments used with a single-hole roof mounting feature, the central hole formed through the lower part of the roof support may be a slot perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower part).After adjusting the bracket to the upright position, tightening the bracket to the roof mounting feature causes the bottom of the flexible, elongated, curved alignment bushing to adapt to and align with the curved portion of the roof in contact with it. As mentioned above, the term "horizontal surface of the roof" refers to the flat surface of the central portion of the roof, not the outer perimeter of the roof including its curvature.

[0079] More specifically, if the roof feature to be secured to the bracket is located on the outwardly sloping portion of the roof, the elongated curved alignment bushing should be positioned downwards so that the flat bottom of the bushing contacts the curved portion of the roof in a manner similar to a tangent to an arch. Thereafter, the curved bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof bracket remains above the roof mounting feature, while the curved upper surface of the bushing and the curved bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof mounting bracket allow the bracket to rotate inwards relative to the bushing 110 until the upper portion of the bracket 80 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the roof. This movement requires the holes formed in the elongated curved alignment bushing to be configured and shaped as grooves extending substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the elongated alignment bushing relative to the central hole 139. While openings formed at the front end 143 and rear end 141 of the bushing can also serve as grooves parallel to the long axis of the elongated bushing, in some preferred embodiments, these openings can be formed as square openings. The elongated slot parallel to the long axis of the bushing and the square shape of the front and rear end holes of the bushing allow for vehicle-specific spacing variations between roof-mounted features, such as double holes, studs, and allow for inward / outward adjustment of the bushing itself. Inward / outward rotation of the bracket may also be permitted if needed. In some cases, bending the elongated alignment with the square front and rear ends of the bushing can further enhance adjustability and rotation of the bracket at inward / outward tilt angles.

[0080] As shown in Figures 19b and 20a, in cases where the roof may have simple, independent mounting holes arranged longitudinally along the left and right sides of the roof (especially where the mounting holes are formed on a sloping portion of the roof), a roof mounting bracket 78 and an elongated, curved alignment bushing 94 can be used. In this case, each bracket will engage a roof hole, which can be a threaded hole 133 or a slip-through hole 135. For this configuration where the mounting feature is a threaded hole, the bracket can be secured to the roof using a single machine bolt or screw 102 through a central slotted hole 104 formed in the lower part 82 of the bracket, and then through a corresponding central hole 139 formed within the elongated, curved alignment bushing 94. Locking washers 153 and square washers 151 can be used to further stabilize and increase the holding force of the machine bolt. A gasket 137 can also be advantageously placed between the elongated, curved alignment bushing and the roof to form a seal around the machine bolt or screw. It is advantageous, but not necessary, to form the central hole of the elongated curved alignment bushing perpendicular to the front / rear end of the bracket. As described above, the central slotted hole 104 formed through the lower part of the roof mounting bracket is perpendicular to the long axis of the lower part 82 of the roof bracket. This slotted opening allows the concave bottom surface 108 of the lower part of the bracket to rotate along the convex upper surface 96 of the elongated curved alignment bushing, while the lower surface of the elongated alignment bushing remains in full contact with the roof surface regardless of the angle of inclination. This rotation allows the upper part of the roof bracket to be adjusted to be substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the roof (in areas without such inclination).

[0081] In some embodiments of the invention, the modular platform is designed and configured as a vehicle with a roof connection feature comprising a series of double (multiple pairs) threaded holes 133 / 133' (see FIG. 18a) or double-nut fasteners 158 (see FIG. 19a). If these roof mounting features exhibit an inward / outward tilt angle, the roof bracket of the present invention can compensate for this in the same manner as described above. More specifically, a roof bracket with a curved lower portion, in conjunction with an elongated curved alignment bushing, can correct this tilt, thereby allowing the platform supported by the bracket to be parallel to the horizontal plane of the roof. More specifically, for example, a machine screw 102 fitted with a square washer 157 and a locking washer 153 passes through the front end 147 and rear end 149 holes of the curved lower portion of the roof bracket, and then through the front end 143 and rear end 141 holes of the elongated curved alignment bushing. As described above, the front and rear end holes and the elongated curved alignment bushing (also referred to as "holes" in this specification) of the lower portion of the roof bracket are advantageously shaped into square openings to allow for some variation in the spacing between the inner / outer adjustment bracket (to correct the roof slope) and to permit linear alignment of the double roof features. After passing through the front and rear end holes and the elongated curved alignment bushing of the lower portion of the roof bracket, the threaded end of the machine screw is inserted into the threaded hole of the double roof mounting feature and slightly tightened. Thereafter, as described above, the roof bracket can be rotated relative to the elongated curved alignment bushing (see FIG. 16) to position the upper portion of the roof bracket vertically on the plane level with the roof. Thereafter, the threaded screw can be securely tightened into the threaded hole of the double threaded hole 133 / 133' of the roof feature as shown in FIG. 18a, or into the thread of the double nut clamping fastener 158 / 158' as shown in FIG. 19a, or into the single threaded hole as shown in FIG. 19b.

[0082] Subsequently, the threaded screw can be securely tightened into the threaded hole 133 / 133' in the double threaded hole of the roof feature as shown in FIG. 18a, or into the thread of the double nut clamping fastener 158 / 158' as shown in FIG. 19a, or into the single threaded hole as shown in FIG. 19b. As described above, in some embodiments, it is advantageous to form the front and rear end holes of the elongated curved alignment bushing as square openings of grooves perpendicular to the long axis of the elongated bushing, to allow for changes in the position between the holes of the double roof hole feature and further adjustment of the inner / outer alignment of the roof bracket. Embodiments of the roof mounting bracket and elongated curved alignment bushing of the present invention can be easily configured to be suitable for almost any roof with threaded holes, sliding holes, channels, and flange configurations.

[0083] As described above, in some cases, the roof feature is a channel 123, which is formed or fixed to the roof in a manner parallel to the roof plane (see Figure 20b). In this case, fasteners such as studs, bolts, or flange assemblies are fixed in the channel with their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the roof. In this case, since it is not necessary to correct the roof slope or tilt near the roof mounting feature, there is no need for a roof bracket with a curved lower portion or an elongated curved alignment bushing. For example, in these embodiments, a double flange bolt 157 is included in 1124 communicating with the channel 123 and extends upward, with the threaded portion of the flange bolt perpendicular to the plane of the roof. Therefore, simply inserting the threaded end of such a bolt into the front end 147 and rear end 149 holes of the lower portion of the roof bracket will also vertically align the upper part of the roof bracket with the horizontal plane of the roof. Then, the bracket is secured to the flange bolt extending upward from the roof channel using a square washer 151, a locking washer 153, and a nut 155. Using square front and rear end holes can compensate for bolt spacing differences. Similarly, forming these holes into grooves parallel to the long axis of the lower part of the top bracket can achieve the same effect.

[0084] In some cases, as shown in Figure 18b, the present invention may use a double-bolt top flange bracket comprising a central groove for engaging a tab or bolt fixed to the roof 164 as a roof mounting feature. Where there is an inner / outer roof slope at the location of the flange bracket, the roof bracket has a curved lower portion (concave bottom surface) that mates with an elongated curved alignment bushing. More specifically, in this case, an elongated curved alignment bushing is first placed downwards onto the double bolts until flush with the flange. Next, the lower portion of the roof bracket is placed downwards onto the double-bolt roof bracket, the bolts passing upwards through the front end 143 and rear end 141 holes formed by the elongated curved alignment bushing, and through the front end 147 and rear end 149 holes at the lower part of the roof bracket. As described above, the front and rear end holes penetrating the lower portion of the roof bracket are formed as grooves perpendicular to the long axis of the lower portion of the bracket, which greatly facilitates the rotation of the roof bracket to correct the inner / outer roof slope (or tilt angle) near the flange. Furthermore, forming the front end 147 and rear end 149 holes as square openings facilitates the mounting of the roof bracket on a double-bolt flange bolt with variable bolt spacing. A further advantage is that the elongated curved alignment bushing can be formed to utilize the front end 143 and rear end 141 of the holes as grooves running along the front / rear direction to allow for differences in bolt spacing. Using square openings at the front end 143 and rear end 141 of the openings further improves the adjustability of the roof bracket, allowing for the correction of gaps within the double-bolt flange feature area. After the bolts are passed through the front and rear end holes of the elongated curved alignment bushing and the lower portion of the roof bracket, the bolts are tightened using a square washer 151, a locking washer 153, and a nut 155 to secure the bracket to the feature. Do not fully tighten such fasteners before adjusting the inner / outer tilt angle of the bracket as described above.

[0085] Although the roof support described in this invention is used in all embodiments to provide connection with the elongated curved alignment bushing, and in some cases to align and correct the cargo platform with the roof level, both the support and the elongated curved alignment bushing are fully capable of providing the same platform and / or cargo support roof connection functionality for existing and future vehicles and platforms.

[0086] For cargo units fixed to the roof, with a slope / angle demonstrated near the roof mounting feature, the roof bracket and elongated curved alignment bushing can provide the same level alignment correction for the vehicle and platform discussed above. For roof-mounted cargo units that need to be fixed to the roof and have a slope / angle demonstrated near the roof mounting feature, the roof bracket and elongated curved alignment bushing can provide the same level of level correction as discussed above.

[0087] 1: Modular rooftop freight platform

[0088] 2: Fully assembled platform

[0089] 3: Independent panels for shape and configuration

[0090] 5: Right side

[0091] 6: Side rail section

[0092] 7: Left side

[0093] 9: Front-end

[0094] 10: Front-end

[0095] 11: Backend

[0096] 12: Backend

[0097] 13: Guide rail end

[0098] 13': Guide rail end

[0099] 14: Left side

[0100] 15: Bottom

[0101] 16: Right side

[0102] 18: Accessory Rod

[0103] 20: Width

[0104] 21: Width

[0105] 22: Length

[0106] 23: Locking the extension arm

[0107] 24: Total Length

[0108] 25: Barbed Hook

[0109] 26: Vertical line

[0110] 29: Groove

[0111] 35: First Panel

[0112] 36: Second panel

[0113] 37: Assembly screw receiving hole

[0114] 38: Arrow

[0115] 39: Assembly screws

[0116] 40: Inner part

[0117] 41: Assembly Holes

[0118] 42: Outer part

[0119] 43: Lower channel section of C-shaped cross-section

[0120] 44:lower part

[0121] 45: Platform mounting rails

[0122] 45': Platform mounting rail

[0123] 46: Upper part

[0124] 47: Platform guide rail section

[0125] 48: Total Length

[0126] 49: Front-end

[0127] 51: Backend

[0128] 53: Top flange portion

[0129] 54: Continuous groove

[0130] 55: Assembly Holes

[0131] 57: Flange bolt

[0132] 59: Flange bolt receiving channel

[0133] 61: Washer

[0134] 62: Flange bolt head

[0135] 63: Locking Washer

[0136] 64: Threaded portion

[0137] 65: Nut

[0138] 67: Channel

[0139] 69: Inner part

[0140] 70: Outer part

[0141] 71: Bottom section

[0142] 73: slot

[0143] 74: Threaded end

[0144] 75: Sliding flange bolt assembly

[0145] 76: Bolt

[0146] 77: Lower part

[0147] 78: Roof mounting bracket

[0148] 79:Tubular upper part

[0149] 80: The upper portion of the bracket

[0150] 81: Bushing

[0151] 82: Lower part

[0152] 83: Side rail section assembly

[0153] 84: Hole

[0154] 85: Opening groove

[0155] 87: Front-end

[0156] 89: Backend

[0157] 91: Assembly part bracket holes

[0158] 93: Bracket connection holes

[0159] 94: Slender, curved alignment bushing

[0160] 95: Assembly bracket

[0161] 96: Convex upper surface

[0162] 97: Central Plane Section

[0163] 99: Front-end

[0164] 101: Backend

[0165] 102: Mechanical screws

[0166] 103: Mechanical Screws

[0167] 104: Central groove-shaped hole

[0168] 105: First Side Rail Section

[0169] 106: Angle

[0170] 107: Second Side Rail Section

[0171] 108: Concave bottom surface

[0172] 110: Bushing

[0173] 111: Butt joint

[0174] 113: Insert Arrow

[0175] 117: Assembly Channel

[0176] 119: Assembly Channel

[0177] 121: Mechanical screws

[0178] 123: Channel

[0179] 124: slot

[0180] 129:

[0181] 133: Threaded hole

[0182] 133': Threaded hole

[0183] 135: Slippery Hole

[0184] 137: Gasket

[0185] 139: Central Hole

[0186] 141: Backend

[0187] 143: Frontend

[0188] 147: Frontend

[0189] 149: Backend

[0190] 151: Square Washer

[0191] 153: Locking Washer

[0192] 155: Nut

[0193] 157: Flange Bolt

[0194] 158: Fasteners

[0195] 160: Washer

[0196] 162: Platform mounting guide rail section

[0197] 164: Rooftop

[0198] 171: Right side

[0199] 171': Left side

Claims

1. A modular roof cargo platform for compensating for roof slope and improving strength and rigidity, the roof cargo platform providing customized width and length dimensions, the roof cargo platform comprising: Left and right side rails, each of which is formed by assembling two or more side rail segments to provide a selected length for the left and right side rails; left and right platform mounting rails, each of which is assembled from two or more platform mounting rail segments to provide a selected length for the left and right platform mounting rails; a plurality of panels, each of which has a top, bottom, right end, left end, front end, rear end, width, and length; a plurality of flange bolts; a plurality of flange bolt assemblies; and a plurality of roof mounting brackets, each of which has an upper portion and a lower portion extending therefrom; wherein each of the left and right side rails and each of the two or more side rail segments includes a lower hollow tube. The lower channel portion of the C-shaped section below the upper tubular portion; wherein, the lower hollow tubular portion is located below the side rail assembly portion; wherein, the side rail assembly portion is located below the hollow upper tubular portion; wherein, each side rail segment has a front end and a rear end; wherein, each of the two or more platform mounting guide segments and each forming system of the left and right platform mounting guides formed therefrom has an elongated bushing with a top flange portion, a bottom portion, an inner portion, and an outer portion; wherein, the shape and construction of the outer portion includes a flange bolt assembly receiving channel and a groove communicating therewith for receiving and retaining the flange bolt assembly therein; wherein, the length of each of the plurality of panels is defined by the distance between its left and right ends; wherein, The width of each of the plurality of panels is defined by the distance between the front and rear ends of each of the plurality of panels; wherein the front end of each of the plurality of panels is shaped, formed, and configured to include a locking extension arm, and the rear end of each of the plurality of panels is shaped and configured to include an extension arm receiving groove; wherein the locking extension arm and the extension arm receiving groove engage and securely attach the front end of one panel to the rear end of the adjacent panel by pressing the adjacent panels together, thereby forming a secure connection receiving channel between it and the flange bolt, which extends along the entire length of the attached panel and is formed below the fixing joint, and the right and left ends of each panel are shaped and configured to include a plurality of assembly screw receiving holes; and wherein each of the plurality of roof mounting brackets is specifically shaped and configured to compensate for the inner / outer and front / rear slope of the roof at the location where the plurality of roof mounting brackets are fixed to the roof.

2. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 1, wherein, The upper portion of the roof mounting bracket is configured as a flat rectangular portion having a front end and a rear end, with a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end; and the lower portion of the roof mounting bracket extends outward from the upper portion at an angle of approximately ninety degrees; wherein the upper portion of the roof mounting bracket includes a front hole and a rear hole forming and configured as slots extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper portion, and the lower portion includes a central hole, a front hole, and a rear hole.

3. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 2, wherein, The front and rear holes of the lower part of the roof mounting bracket form grooves that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower part.

4. The modular roof cargo platform according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower portion of the roof mounting bracket is formed as a curved rectangular cross-section having a convex upper surface and a concave bottom surface, a front end and a rear end, and an extending longitudinal axis; therein, the front and rear openings of the lower portion are formed as grooves extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion.

5. The modular rooftop cargo platform as described in claim 4 further includes: The elongated curved alignment bushing has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; wherein the top surface of the elongated curved alignment bushing is convex and is specifically shaped and constructed to align with and conform to the concave bottom surface of the lower portion of the roof mounting bracket; and wherein the elongated curved alignment bushing includes a central aperture, a front aperture, and a rear aperture, the front aperture and the rear aperture being formed as grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated curved alignment bushing.

6. The modular roof cargo platform according to claim 5, wherein the front and rear openings formed in the lower portion of the roof mounting bracket are square openings, and the central hole is formed perpendicular to the lower portion of the roof mounting bracket.

7. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 1, wherein, The hollow lower tubular portion, the side rail assembly portion, and the hollow upper tubular portion are longitudinally aligned.

8. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 1 further includes multiple inserts; wherein, Multiple inserts are specially shaped, formed, and constructed for secure placement, insertion, and retention within hollow upper and lower tubular portions near the right and left ends of the side rail sections, wherein the multiple inserts are placed within the hollow upper and lower tubular portions of adjacent side rail sections during compression, the adjacent side rail sections being aligned and forming a secure mating joint therebetween.

9. The modular roof cargo platform according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of inserts includes serrations extending therefrom to increase the holding force of the inserts within the hollow upper tubular portion and the hollow lower tubular portion, thereby increasing the strength of the mating portion and the joint thus formed.

10. The modular roof cargo platform according to claim 8 further includes a plurality of side rail assembly brackets, each of the plurality of side rail assembly brackets being shaped, formed, and configured to include an upper portion, a lower portion, and a center plane portion; wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are each shaped and configured to form a horizontally arranged assembly channel, and the center plane portion includes at least one bracket attachment hole formed through the side rail assembly bracket, the bracket attachment hole being specifically shaped, formed, and configured to align with and engage with an assembly portion bracket hole so that mechanical screws can secure the side rail assembly bracket to a side rail segment adjacent to its front and rear ends.

11. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 10, wherein, Multiple inserts position the horizontally arranged upper and lower assembly channels of the assembly brackets of the adjacent side rail segments, which are fixed to the assembly parts of the adjacent side rails, in a longitudinally aligned manner. This allows the mechanical screws inserted into and engaging the horizontally arranged upper and lower assembly channels to connect the brackets and further strengthen the connection.

12. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 1, wherein, The flange bolt receiving channel is specially shaped, formed, and constructed to receive and accommodate a sliding flange bolt within it, and is oriented such that the head portion of the flange bolt is accommodated within the flange bolt receiving channel and the threaded portion of the flange bolt is oriented downward and passes through a groove formed directly below the flange bolt receiving channel. The flange bolt can slide to an inner / outer position within the flange bolt receiving channel, allowing the threaded portion of the flange bolt to align and engage with the flange bolt, passing through the assembly hole formed by the top flange of the left and right platform mounting rails.

13. The modular rooftop cargo platform according to claim 1, wherein, The flange bolt assembly receiving channel is specially shaped, formed, and constructed to slidably receive and accommodate the flange bolt assembly; the flange portion of the flange bolt assembly is oriented within the flange bolt assembly receiving channel in such a way that the threaded portion of the flange bolt extending therefrom is positioned such that the threaded portion of the flange bolt passes through the receiving channel formed on the outer surface of a groove communicating with the flange bolt assembly; wherein the front / rear position of the flange bolt assembly and the flange bolt extending therefrom within the flange bolt assembly receiving channel is fully adjustable so that the flange bolt assembly and the roof bracket attached thereto can be mounted adjacent to the roof mounting feature and the bracket fixed thereon.

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