Integrated cargo carrier

Abstract

A cargo carrier system comprising a cargo carrier and a vehicle to which the cargo carrier is mounted. The cargo carrier comprises one or more electronic features and a signal connection that signally communicates with a network of the vehicle, a mobile computing device, or both.

Description

INTEGRATED CARGO CARRIERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 546,415, filed October 30, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a cargo carrier for a vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0003] Cargo carriers are used to supplement the available storage space in vehicles and also to protect cargo from the elements. In various aspects, conventional cargo carriers may interfere with features on the vehicle such as blocking lighting, blocking views through rearward windows, and presenting an extra height or length dimension to the vehicle that drivers must be cognizant of. In modem vehicles, more cameras and sensors are being included for presenting the driver with a heightened awareness of the vehicle’s surroundings, but cargo carriers can block said cameras and sensors.

[0004] Conventional cargo carriers are typically provided with manual locks to address security. However, these types of locks are not equipped to detect tampering and adequately alert the owner or individuals in the area of the vehicle in the event of tampering.

[0005] Cargo carriers are commonly weatherproof, such as by blocking the ingress of water and debris into the cargo carrier. However, there are times in which wet or leaky cargo is stored in carriers that do not have avenues for allowing water to escape. For example, carriers storing cold weather recreation equipment, such as skis.

[0006] While some electronic features are present on conventional cargo carriers, communication, control, and power protocols remain a challenge due to limited wire access into the cabin or other hard-to-access areas, concerns over the aesthetics of exposed wiring, and cooperating operations with on-vehicle features.

[0007] There is a need for a cargo carrier that can provide lighting, sensor, and / or camera capabilities for increasing vehicle visibility and providing the driver with greater awareness of the vehicle’s surroundings.

[0008] There is a need for the lighting, sensor, and / or camera capabilities to supplement for the same that is native to the vehicle in the event the cargo carrier is in a position that blocks said lighting, sensor, and / or cameras.

[0009] There is a need for a cargo carrier having security features to prevent unwanted access to the interior of the cargo carrier.

[0010] There is a need for a cargo carrier with automated and / or remotely activatablc features to provide for ease of operation.

[0010] There is a need for a cargo carrier with power capabilities to serve electronic features native to the cargo carrier.

[0011] There is a need for a cargo carrier that can be controlled through a vehicle’s electronic system and / or a computing device, such as a mobile computing device of the owner.

[0012] There is a need for a cargo carrier that can provide benefits in adverse weather conditions.SUMMARY

[0013] The present application describes a cargo carrier that may address at least some of the needs identified above.

[0014] The cargo carrier may comprise one or more electronically powered locks, lights, cameras (e.g., a backup camera), sensors (e.g., a proximity sensor), electrical heating elements, alarms, or any combination thereof.

[0015] The one or more lights may include one or more left turn signals, right turn signals, brake lights, interior lights, exterior lights, or any combination thereof.

[0016] The cargo carrier may signally communicate with a network of the vehicle, an electronic control unit of the vehicle, a computing device, or any combination thereof. The network may include a CAN bus.

[0017] The cargo carrier may signally communicate with the network via a wired connection directly to an OBD-II port of the vehicle and / or via a wireless connection to a remote module engaged with the OBD- II port of the vehicle. The cargo carrier may comprise a network module that signally communicates with the remote module.

[0018] The cargo carrier may further comprise an audible alarm. The audible alarm and / or the one or more lights may operate in the event of a tamper condition. Tire tamper condition may not be triggerable while a key FOB of the vehicle or the computing device is w ithin a pre -determined range of the cargo carrier. Hie pre -determined range may be about 30 meters or less, 25 meters or less, 20 meters or less, 15 meters or less, 10 meters or less, or even 5 meters or less. The tamper condition may be determined from one or more of the following local to the vehicle, cargo carrier, or both: a shock sensor, a voltage sensor, and a motion sensor.

[0019] The electronically powered lock may signally communicate with a human-machine interface. The human-machine interface may be located on an exterior surface of the cargo carrier. The human-machine interface may comprise one or more buttons (e.g., a keypad for receiving a password), biometric scanners, or both.

[0020] The electronically powered lock may replicate operation of one or more locks local to the vehicle.

[0021] The one or more lights may replicate operation of one or more corresponding lights local to the vehicle.

[0022] The backup camera may replicate operation of a backup camera local to the vehicle.

[0023] The proximity sensor may replicate operation of a proximity sensor local to the vehicle.

[0024] The interior light may activate and deactivate respectively when the cargo carrier is opened and closed. The interior light may be activatable via the computing device.

[0025] Tire cargo carrier may further comprise an on-board battery and optionally a photovoltaic panel on at least one exterior surface of tire cargo carrier. The electronically powered lock, the one or more lights, the backup camera, the proximity sensor, or any combination thereof may be electrically connected to the on-board batten' and / or the photovoltaic panel.

[0026] The cargo carrier includes a wiring harness that connects to a vehicle power system; and wherein the electronically powered lock, the one or more lights, the backup camera, the proximity sensor, or any combination thereof are electrically connected to the wiring harness.

[0027] The cargo carrier may be attachable to a roof, a bed. and / or a hitch of the vehicle.

[0028] The present application describes a cargo carrier that may address at least some of the needs identified above.

[0029] The cargo carrier may comprise one or more electrical heating elements located in or on at least one interior surface of the cargo carrier. The cargo carrier may comprise a drainage hole opening an interior of the cargo carrier to an exterior of tire cargo carrier. Tire cargo carrier may comprise one or more drainage channels leading to the drainage hole.

[0030] Each of the one or more electrical heating elements may be resistive heaters comprising one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material embedded in or on an electrically insulative carrier.

[0031] Tire one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material may be embedded in a material from which the cargo carrier is fabricated, whereby tire cargo carrier functions as the electrically insulative carrier.

[0032] The one or more electrical heating elements may be in the form of one or more mats comprising the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material and the electrically insulative carrier. The mats may be locatable onto and optionally fastened to the at least one interior surface of the cargo carrier.

[0033] The one or more mats may include a layered structure including tire one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material, the electrically insulative carrier, and a cover layer.

[0034] The cover layer may oppose the at least one interior surface of the cargo carrier on which the one or more mats are located.

[0035] The cover layer may be fabricated from a thermoplastic and / or thermoset. The cover layer may be rubberized.

[0036] The cover layer may include a through-hole providing liquid access to the drainage hole of the cargo carrier.

[0037] The cover layer may be liquid impenetrable across its surface.

[0038] Tire one or more mats including the cover layer thereof may include one or more drainage channels leading to tire through-hole.

[0039] The one or more drainage channels of the one or more mats may correspond in at least one dimension with the one or more drainage channels of the cargo carrier.

[0040] The one or more drainage channels of the one or more mats may direct liquid into the one or more drainage channels of the cargo carrier.

[0041] Tire one or more drainage channels of the cargo carrier and / or the one or more drainage channels of tire one or more mats may include an angled surface descending respectively toward the drainage channel of the cargo carrier and / or the through-hole of the one or more mats.

[0042] The one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material may be fabricated from a positive temperature coefficient material or a negative temperature coefficient material.

[0043] The one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material may be fabricated from the negative temperature coefficient material and the one or more electrical heating elements include an overheating protection device.

[0044] The cargo carrier may further comprise an on-board battery and optionally a photovoltaic panel on at least one exterior surface of the cargo carrier. The one or more electrical heating elements may be electrically connected to the on-board battery and / or the photovoltaic panel.

[0045] The one or more electrical heating elements may include a wiring harness that connects to a vehicle power system.

[0046] The cargo carrier may further comprise a temperature sensor. The one or more electrical heating elements may operate upon the temperature sensor sensing a temperature beyond a pre-determined threshold temperature.

[0047] The cargo carrier may be attachable to a roof, a bed, and / or a hitch of the vehicle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle with a cargo carrier in accordance with the present teachings.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle with cargo carriers in accordance with the present teachings.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a cargo carrier in accordance with the present teachings.DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present application generally relates to a cargo carrier system and cargo carrier comprised by the same. The cargo carrier system may comprise a cargo carrier and a vehicle to which it is mounted. As will be described herein, the cargo carrier may be integrated into the vehicle by integrating into one or more networks of the vehicle, one or more power systems of the vehicle, or both.

[0052] Tire cargo carrier may comprise one or more electronic features that leverage control signals from the vehicle and / or a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device (e.g., a mobile phone) may, at least at times, be remote from the vehicle. Tire one or more electronic features may also draw power from the vehicle for operation.

[0053] Reference herein may be made to ‘'on-board,” '‘local to,” and equivalents of these phrases. It is understood that the vehicle and cargo carrier may be described herein as separable elements and so a device that is “on-board” a cargo carrier may not be considered as part of the vehicle and vice versa, unless otherwise indicated.

[0054] It is also understood that electronic features of the cargo carrier described herein may or may not find counterpart devices on-board the vehicle. By way of example, a brake light on the cargo carrier may find one or more counterpart brake lights on the vehicle. By way of another example, a backup camera may be included on the cargo carrier but the vehicle on which the cargo carrier is installed may be free of a backup camera. Tire foregoing may be related to the control scheme and operation of tire electronic features described herein. Counterpart, as used herein, may refer to a correspondence in function.

[0055] The cargo carrier described herein may comprise one or more electronic features that can be controlled via signals from the vehicle and / or a mobile computing device remote from the vehicle. The cargo carrier described herein may comprise one or more electronic features that may draw power from the vehicle, a battery on-board the cargo carrier, a photovoltaic panel, or any combination thereof.

[0056] Tire cargo carrier may signally communicate via a wired and / or wireless connection. The cargo carrier may signally communicate with one or more networks of the vehicle, one or more electronic control units of the vehicle, and / or a mobile computing device remote from the vehicle.

[0057] Such cargo carrier may find benefits with powering electronic features on-board the cargo carrier, replicating control signals of devices on-board the vehicle (e.g., lighting, alarms, signals, sensors, the like, or any combination thereof), leveraging devices on-board the vehicle (e.g., sensors) for the operation of one or more features on-board tire cargo carrier, or any combination thereof.

[0058] The electronic features may include one or more electronically powered locks, lights, audible alarms, cameras, sensors, electrical heating elements, or any combination thereof, which are described in greater detail below.

[0059] The cargo carrier may locate on a roof, above a cargo bed (c.g., of a truck), on a hitch, or any combination thereof. The cargo carrier may comprise one or more attachment mechanisms for engagement to rails installed on a roof, rails extending along and / or extending between side walls of a cargo bed, a hitch, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the cargo carrier may comprise attachment mechanisms that engage one or a combination of the aforementioned structures. In this regard, the cargo carrier may be modular to suit various vehicle makes and models as well as locate in various positions on the vehicle.

[0060] Tire attachment mechanisms may include one or more U-bolts, clips, latches, male hitch members, the like, or any combination thereof. The U-bolts may engage the cargo carrier at a first end of the U-bolt, extend around a rail, and engage the cargo carrier at a second end of the U-bolt. Nuts or the like may be installed on the first and / or second ends of the U-bolts to secure the cargo carrier to the rails. Clips may correspond in structure with a lip, channel, or the like formed in rails. Clips may elastically deform and / or have a return mechanism, such as a spring, to bias a portion of the clip toward a rail. The clip may slide past a surface of the rail and engage a surface of the lip, enter tire channel, or both, batches may comprise a lever member to engage a rail and maintain such engagement may rotating the level member. Male hitch members may engage female hitch members on-board the vehicle. The hitch members may be generally tubular, such as square-profiled tubes, whereby the male hitch member may have a smaller dimension compared to the female hitch member.

[0061] Tire cargo carrier may comprise a bottom portion and a top portion. The top and bottom portions may be referred to herein respectively as a first portion and a second portion. Hie bottom portion may be attached to a vehicle (e.g., via rails, a hitch, or the like). The top and bottom portions may be hingedly engaged to one another. When installed on a vehicle, the top portion may rotate at the hinge relative to the bottom portion. The top and bottom portions may define an enclosure within the cargo carrier. Cargo may be stored in the enclosure.

[0062] The electronic features included on-board the cargo carrier, the electronic communication method (e.g., wired and / or wireless), and / or the power connection may relate to where the cargo carrier locates on a vehicle. For example, a backup camera on-board a cargo carrier that attaches to a hitch may supplement for a backup camera on-board the vehicle that is blocked by the cargo carrier. In another aspect, a center high mounted light on-board a cargo carrier that mounts above a cargo area may supplement for a center high mounted light on-board the vehicle that is blocked by the cargo carrier. In another aspect, wireless communication methods may be advantageous for rooftop cargo carriers, which may not be near a suitable access point for a wired signal connection. Similarly, rooftop cargo carriers, which may not be near a suitable access point for a wired power connection to the vehicle, may benefit from photovoltaic panels and / or on-board batteries providing power.

[0063] The cargo carrier may signally communicate with a network of a vehicle, one or more controllers of a vehicle, a mobile computing device, or any combination thereof. The network of the vehicle may provide access to the one or more controllers thereof. One or more functions of the cargo carrier may be directed by the one or more controllers of the vehicle. For example, a body control module, which may be associated with signals indicating whether doors of the vehicle are open or closed, may provide a signal to the cargo carrier regarding the same. The cargo carrier may comprise one or more controllers for directing the operation of one or more electronic features thereon. One or more controllers of the cargo carrier may cooperate with one or more controllers of the vehicle.

[0064] The network may include any network of the vehicle. The network may function to carry signals from one or more controllers to one or more other controllers and / or devices of the vehicle. The network may include a LIN bus, a CAN bus, or both. Preferably, the cargo carrier may signally communicate with a CAN bus.

[0065] Tire controller (electronic control unit or “ECU”) may be any controller of a vehicle. The controller may include a body control module, door control module, battery control module. ABS control module, engine control module, powertrain control module, transmission control module, central control module, suspension control module, the like, or any combination thereof. Connection to a controller may be via a direct connection, such as splicing wires or a wiring harness. Connection to a controller may be leveraged to communicate with a CAN bus of a vehicle. By such connection, the cargo carrier may communicate with one or more other controllers of the vehicle.

[0066] The computing device may be remote from tire vehicle. The computing device may be a mobile computing device. Exemplary mobile computing devices may include smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, the like, or any combination thereof. Remote activation and / or deactivation of one or more electronic features of the cargo carrier may be performed via the computing device.

[0067] Tire present teachings contemplate that a key FOB, either that of tire vehicle or one dedicated to the cargo carrier, may control one or more features of the cargo carrier.

[0068] The cargo carrier may signally communicate with the CAN bus via a wired connection. Hie wired connection may engage an OBD-II port of the vehicle, a controller, or both. Typically, an OBD-II port may be located within a cabin of the vehicle. For example, under a dashboard. The CAN bus may be accessible via a trailer wiring harness located at a rear end of the vehicle. For example, proximate to a hitch. The foregoing are merely examples of connection points to the CAN bus, and not limiting. The present disclosure contemplates that other wired connections may be established such as USB ports, wire splicing, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0069] Selection of the wired connection may be based upon location of the cargo carrier on the vehicle. For example, a cargo carrier located over a cargo bed (e.g., of a pickup truck) may access the CAN bus ata location within the cargo bed and / or the trailer wiring harness. As another example, a cargo carrier engaged with a hitch may access the CAN bus at a location within the cargo bed and / or the trailer wiring harness.

[0070] The cargo carrier may signally communicate with a CAN bus via a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be between a wireless communication module on-board the cargo carrier and a remote module on-board the vehicle. The wireless communication module on-board the cargo carrier and the remote module on-board the vehicle may communicate via Bluetooth or any other suitable wireless communication protocol.

[0071] The remote module may engage an OBD-II port of the vehicle, a controller, or both. Typically, an OBD-II port may be located within a cabin of the vehicle. For example, under a dashboard. The remote module may engage a trailer wiring harness located at a rear end of the vehicle. For example, proximate to a hitch. The foregoing are merely examples of connection points of the remote module to tire CAN bus, and not limiting. The present disclosure contemplates that other wired connections may be established such as USB ports, wire splicing, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0072] The cargo carrier may wirelessly communicate with a computing device (e.g.. a mobile computing device such as a smartphone). Said wireless communication may be direct and / or indirect. The computing device may communicate with the vehicle and, by virtue of the cargo carrier’s signal communication of the CAN bus, indirectly communicate with the cargo carrier. The computing device may directly communicate with a wireless communication module on-board tire cargo carrier.

[0073] The electronic features may be powered by the vehicle, a battery, a photovoltaic panel, or any combination thereof. The power method may be determined based on the location of the cargo carrier on the vehicle. That is, the location may determine if a power source of the vehicle is readily accessible via a wired connection to the cargo carrier. Although the present teachings contemplate that a wired connection to the vehicle may be employed in cooperation with a battery, photovoltaic panel, or both.

[0074] The cargo carrier may comprise a battery. Tire battery may be located in the interior of the cargo carrier. The battery may be located in a compartment within the cargo carrier that is separated from where cargo is stored. The batten’ may be provided energy from a power system of tire vehicle, from a photovoltaic cell, or both. The batten may be chargeable via a residential and / or commercial power outlet. The batten may be removable such that a depleted battery may be replaced by a charged battery'.

[0075] One or more photovoltaic panels may be located on one or more exterior surfaces of the cargo carrier. The photovoltaic panel may hanest solar energy. The photovoltaic panel may charge the battery.

[0076] A wired power connection may be made to an outlet in the vehicle, a trailer wiring harness, or the like. In regard to pickup trucks, in addition to outlets located within a cabin of the vehicle, many modem truck models are provided power connections within the bed or othenvise accessible exterior of the cabin.

[0077] The charge level of the battery’, the performance of the photovoltaic panel, or both may be visually displayed on a computing device.

[0078] The electronically powered lock may function to secure the cargo carrier, provide access to the cargo carrier, detect tampering, or any combination thereof. The electronically powered lock may be located on a first portion of the cargo carrier and selectively engage a second portion of the cargo carrier. Disengagement of tire electronically powered lock may allow a person to access the interior of the cargo carrier.

[0079] The electronically powered lock may replicate a door status. That is, the electronically powered lock may lock when the doors of the vehicle are locked and unlock when the doors of the vehicle are unlocked.

[0080] The electronically powered lock may be controlled by a signal from a computing device. For example, a user may control the electronically powered lock via a smartphone.

[0081] Tire electronically powered lock may signally communicate with a human-machine interface. The human-machine interface may be located on an exterior surface of the cargo carrier. The human-machine interface may comprise one or more buttons, biometric scanners, or both. For example, the one or more buttons may form a keypad in which a code may be entered to lock and / or unlock the cargo carrier. The biometric scanner may include a fingerprint scanner such as an optical scanner, capacitive scanner, ultrasonic scanner, or thermal scanner.

[0082] Notifications may be provided to the driver (e g., to a smartphone of the driver) if the cargo carrier is unlocked and a key FOB associated with the vehicle on which the cargo carrier is installed and / or a mobile computing device of the driver exits a pre-determined range of the cargo carrier and / or vehicle. The pre -determined range may be about 30 meters or less, 25 meters or less, 20 meters or less, 15 meters or less, 10 meters or less, or even 5 meters or less.

[0083] The lights may include one or more left turn signals, right turn signals, brake lights (e.g., center high mount stop lamps (“CHMSL”)), interior lights, exterior lights, or any combination thereof. Exterior lights, as referred to herein, may be separate from the left and right turn signals and brake lights. That is, the exterior lights may not function to signal other drivers but rather provide exterior lighting functioning as an alarm, night-time visibility aid, or the like. Although, the present teachings contemplate that any turn signals and / or brake lights may cooperate in operation with exterior lights, such as when the vehicle is parked.

[0084] The lights may replicate operation of one or more corresponding lights local to the vehicle. That is, electronic signals operating the corresponding lights local to the vehicle may correspondingly operate the lights on-board the cargo carrier. For example, turn signals and / or brake lights of the cargo carrier may operate in cooperation with turn signals and / or brake lights local to the vehicle. As another example,activation of interior lighting local to the vehicle when the vehicle is parked, when the doors of the vehicle are opened, or otherwise may be replicated by interior and / or exterior lighting of the cargo carrier.

[0085] The interior and / or exterior lights may activate based on a state of the cargo carrier. For example, the interior lights may activate when the cargo carrier is opened and deactivate when the cargo carrier is closed. The interior and / or exterior lights may activate based on a state of the vehicle. For example, the exterior lights may activate when a vehicle is parked and / or a door of the vehicle is opened.

[0086] Tire exterior lights may activate on approach by a person. In this regard, tire cargo carrier and / or vehicle may comprise one or more proximity sensors to sense the presence of a person proximate to the cargo carrier and / or vehicle. The exterior lights may activate when a person is about 10 meters or less, 5 meters or less, 2 meters or less, or even 1 meter or less from the cargo carrier and / or vehicle. Tire proximity may be selected by, e.g., changing settings through the vehicle or the computing device.

[0087] Tire interior and / or exterior lights may activate and deactivate based on a selection from a user. The selection may be made via the computing device described herein, on-board vehicle controls, on-board cargo carrier controls, or any combination thereof.

[0088] At least some of the interior and / or exterior lights may activate only in the evening and / or at night. In this regard, a sun load sensor, clock, or otherwise of the vehicle may be leveraged for determining when the interior and / or exterior lights may activate.

[0089] Tire audible alarm and / or one or more lights as described herein may operate in the event of a tamper condition. An alert may be sent to the computing device of the driver in the event of a tamper condition.

[0090] The tamper condition may be determined from one or more of a shock sensor, a voltage sensor, and a motion sensor. The foregoing may be local to the vehicle, cargo carrier, or both. The shock sensor may detect a force applied upon the vehicle, the cargo carrier, or both. For example, the force sensor may detect if the cargo carrier is being forced open. The voltage sensor may detect an interruption of an electrical signal. For example, tire voltage sensor may detect if a top and bottom portion of the cargo carrier are opened. A tamper condition may be determined if the electrical signal is interrupted while the cargo carrier remains locked. The motion sensor may detect movement of a vehicle and / or cargo carrier, a person in proximity to the vehicle and / or cargo carrier, or both.

[0091] The tamper condition may not be triggerable when a key FOB associated with the vehicle on which the cargo carrier is installed and / or a mobile computing device of the driver is within a pre-determined range of the cargo carrier and / or vehicle. Hie pre -determined range may be about 30 meters or less, 25 meters or less. 20 meters or less. 15 meters or less, 10 meters or less, or even 5 meters or less.

[0092] The cargo carrier may comprise one or more cameras. The cameras may include a backup camera, although other cameras are within the scope of the present teachings. Such cameras may include forward-facing cameras, which may be employed to determine if the cargo carrier may encounter a barrier with insufficient vertical clearance.

[0093] The backup camera may view behind the cargo carrier and / or vehicle. The backup camera mayview objects, barriers, or otherwise behind the vehicle. The backup camera may be located on or in a rear surface of the cargo carrier.

[0094] Tire backup camera on-board the cargo carrier may provide video feed to the dashboard and / or rearview mirror. In this regard, the video feed from a backup camera on-board the vehicle may be interrupted while the cargo carrier signally communicates with the vehicle. The signal from the backup camera of the cargo carrier may override tire signal from the backup camera of the vehicle.

[0095] The backup camera may replicate an operation of a backup camera local to the vehicle. That is, a backup camera viewing behind the vehicle may operate when the vehicle is put in reverse. The backup camera and a rearward-facing proximity- sensor may operate in cooperating with each other.

[0096] Tire sensors may include proximity sensors. The proximity sensors may employ radar for determining the proximity of objects relative to the vehicle. Conventional proximity sensors are typically- employed on-board the vehicle for full autonomous driving systems, partial autonomous driving systems, driver signals, or any combination thereof.

[0097] Full autonomous driving systems may- refer to hands-free autonomous driving. Partial autonomous driving systems may include adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and parking assist.

[0098] Driver signals may include audible and / or visual signals such as side mirror light signals indicating another vehicle or other object alongside the vehicle, audible backup notifications indicating another vehicle or other object behind the vehicle, or both.

[0099] The proximity' sensor may be located on a rear surface of the cargo carrier, one or more side surfaces (e.g., left and / or right side) of the cargo carrier, a front surface of the cargo carrier, or any combination thereof. Tire directionality of the aforementioned surfaces may correspond respectively to the rear, sides, and front of the vehicle. That is, the directionality may be understood with respect to the location and orientation of the cargo carrier as-installed on the vehicle.

[0100] Proximity sensors on a rear surface of the cargo carrier may be advantageous for cargo carriers attached to a hitch of the vehicle. In this regard, the cargo carrier may block proximity sensors on-board the vehicle and thus proximity- sensors on-board the cargo carrier may supplement for vehicle proximitysensors.

[0101] Proximity sensors located on a rear surface of the cargo carrier may cooperate in operation with backup cameras located on the rear surface of the cargo carrier. That is, the proximity sensors and / or cameras may both operate when the vehicle is put in reverse.

[0102] The proximity sensor may replicate an operation of a proximity sensor local to tire vehicle. That is, a proximity sensor directed behind the vehicle may operate when the vehicle is put in reverse. The signal from the proximity sensor of the cargo carrier may override the signal from the proximity sensor of the vehicle. For example, a cargo carrier installed on a hitch may continuously trigger the proximity sensor local to the vehicle (typically sounding an audible alarm), but by overriding the signal of the same, the driver may only be alerted to objects triggering the proximity sensor of the cargo carrier.

[0103] Proximity sensors on a front surface of the cargo carrier may be advantageous for cargo carriers located on or extending beyond the roof of a vehicle and indicating to the driver of lack of vertical clearance. For example, lack of vertical clearance may be realized when entering parking garages, driving under bridges, driving into a residential garage, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0104] The electronic heating elements may function to heat the interior of the cargo carrier, maintain a pre -determined temperature within the cargo carrier, or both.

[0105] Tire electronic heating elements may be located in or on at least one interior surface of the cargo carrier. The electronic heating elements may be located in or on at least one surface upon which cargo rests.

[0106] The electronic heating elements may be resistive heaters. The resistive heaters may comprise one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material. A current may pass through the electrically conductive material and by virtue of a resistance of the electrically conductive material, heat may be generated.

[0107] The electrically conductive material may be embedded in and / or on an electrically insulative carrier. The electrically insulative carrier may function to hold the electrically conductive material in a predetermined shape, protect the electrically conductive material from damage, prevent short circuiting, prevent a person from contacting the electrically conductive material, or any combination thereof.

[0108] The one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material may be fabricated from a positive temperature coefficient material or a negative temperature coefficient material. It is understood that a positive temperature coefficient material may be self-regulating with respect to temperature. Hie one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material may be fabricated from the negative temperature coefficient material and the one or more electrical heating elements include an overheating protection device.

[0109] The electrically insulative material may comprise a fabric, such as a woven or non-woven fabric. In some aspects, the material from which the cargo carrier is fabricated may function as the electrically insulative material. For example, the electrically conductive material may be insert molded and / or ovennolded such that at least a portion of the electrically conductive material is embedded within the cargo earner.

[0110] The electrical heating elements may be in the form of one or more mats. The mats may comprise the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material and tire electrically insulative carrier. The mats may be structurally discrete from the cargo carrier. The mats may be locatable onto and optionally fastened to (e.g., via one or more mechanical fasteners and / or chemical fasteners) an interior surface of the cargo carrier.[OHl] Tire mechanical fasteners may include rivets, hook-and-loop type fasteners, screws, bolts and nuts, the like, or any combination thereof. Tire chemical fasteners may include chemical adhesives such as acrylic adhesives, epoxies, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0112] The mats may comprise a layered structure. The layered structure may include at least the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material, the electrically insulative carrier, or both. It is understood that where the electrically conductive material is embedded within an electrically insulative carrier, the mats may comprise a first electrically insulative carrier layer, the electrically conductive material, and a second electrically insulative carrier layer.

[0113] The layered structure may further comprise a cover layer. Tire cover layer may function to protect the electrically conductive material from moisture and / or damage, provide a non-slip surface for cargo to rest upon, provide a damage-resistant surface for cargo to rest upon, or any combination thereof.

[0114] The cover layer may be disposed on one or both opposing sides of the mat (the mat being understood as a generally planar structure). The cover layer may be disposed on at least a side of the mat opposing the interior surface of the cargo carrier upon which tire mat is located.

[0115] The cover layer may be fabricated from a thennoplastic and / or thermoset. The cover layer may be rubberized (i.e.. coated, treated, or impregnated with a rubber). The surfaces of the cover layer may be impenetrable to liquids and / or liquid-repellant.

[0116] The cover layer may define one or more channels defined in one or more surfaces thereof. The channels may receive liquid, debris, or both. Tire channels may capture liquid that may have melted as a result of the operation of the electrically conductive material and / or liquid that may run-off from cargo stored in the cargo carrier.

[0117] The cover layer may comprise one or more through-holes. The through-hole may extend from a first side of the mat to an opposing second side of the mat. One of the sides may fluidly communicate with one or more drainage holes of the cargo carrier. The one or more through-holes of the cover layer may align with tire one or more drainage holes of the cargo carrier. In this regard, any fluid captured by the channels of the mat may flow into the channels and be directed to the through-hole, and exit the cargo carrier via the drainage hole.

[0118] The drainage channels of the one or more mats correspond in at least one dimension with the one or more drainage channels of the cargo carrier.

[0119] The drainage channels of the one or more mats may direct liquid into the one or more drainage channels of the cargo carrier.

[0120] The drainage channels of the mats may include an angled surface descending respectively toward the drainage channel of the cargo carrier and / or the through-hole of the one or more mats.

[0121] The foregoing may be advantageous with some cargo during winter or in wet environmental conditions. For example, ski equipment may be stored in the cargo carrier, heat generated from the mat may melt any remnant snow, and any liquid may be captured by the channels and / or drain from the cargo carrier. As another example, liquid from wet cargo, such as camping equipment, may fall from the cargo and be captured by the channels and / or drain from the cargo carrier. The mat may be removable to remove remnant liquid and / or debris.

[0122] The electronic heating elements may operate based upon an ambient temperature exterior of the vehicle, a temperature within the cargo carrier, or both. The electronic heating element may leverage one or more temperature sensors of the vehicle to determine an ambient temperature exterior of the vehicle. The cargo carrier may comprise one or more temperature sensors to determine the ambient temperature exterior of the vehicle, the temperature within the cargo carrier, or both.

[0123] The electronic heating elements may be provided power (e.g., pulse width modulation, constant current control, or the like) to generate heat. Tire electronic heating elements may be operated when the sensed temperature crosses a pre-determined threshold. The pre-determined threshold may be adjustable. The electronic heating elements may be operated when activated by a person (e.g.. via a mobile computing device as described herein).

[0124] Typically, the electronic heating elements may be operated in freezing temperatures. However, a user may select a temperature to which the electronic heating elements may be operated and / or a temperature threshold based upon the cargo they plan to store in the cargo carrier.

[0125] Tire cargo carrier may comprise one or more drainage holes, drainage channels, or both. The drainage holes may open an interior of the cargo carrier to an exterior of the cargo carrier. The drainage hole may lead to the drain hole.

[0126] The drainage holes and / or channels may cooperate with the heating elements. That is any ice. snow, or otherwise that melts from the operation of the heating elements may flow into the drainage channels and / or out of the cargo carrier via the drainage holes.

[0127] Tire drainage channels may include angled surfaces descending toward the drainage hole.

[0128] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 with a cargo carrier 12 mounted thereon. Tire cargo carrier 12 is mounted above a bed of the vehicle 10. The bed includes opposing sidewalls with rails attached thereon. Cross-rails extend between the rails and provide a structure for the cargo carrier 12 to attach, such as via U-bolts.

[0129] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle 20 with cargo carriers 22, 22' mounted thereon. In addition to the cargo carrier 22 mounted over the bed, a cargo carrier 22' is mounted on the hitch of the vehicle 20.

[0130] The cargo carrier 22' comprises a lock mechanism 24 with a keyway and a keypad. The lock mechanism 24 may be operated via the keyway or the keypad, or wirelessly. The cargo carrier L' comprises exterior lighting elements 26 for illuminating the area around the cargo carrier 22'. The exterior lighting elements 26 are located on the rear and right and left sides of the cargo carrier 22'. The cargo carrier 22' comprises signaling lighting elements 28, such as for indicating turning direction and / or braking. The cargo carrier 22' comprises a proximity sensor 30 and a camera 32, which may provide functionality where the same features on-board the vehicle may be blocked by the presence of the cargo carrier 22'.

[0131] FIG. 3 illustrates a cargo carrier 34. The cargo carrier 34 comprises interior lighting elements 36 for illuminating the interior thereof. The cargo carrier 34 comprises drainage holes 38 and drainage channels 40 fluidly communicating with the drainage holes 38. In this regard, any fluid present in the cargo carrier 34 may drain from tire cargo carrier 34. The cargo carrier 34 comprises a heating mat 44 located in a bottom portion thereof. The heating mat 44 may cooperate with the drainage holes 38 and the drainage channels 40 as far as any fluid that may accumulate in the cargo carrier 34 as a result of the operation of tire heating mat 44 may exit the cargo carrier 34. The drainage holes 38 may extend through the heating mat 44.

[0132] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in tire art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application.

[0133] Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description.

[0134] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the invention set forth herein are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be detennined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0135] The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0136] Tire disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0137] Plural elements can be provided by a single integrated element. Alternatively, a single element might be divided into separate plural elements.

[0138] The disclosure of “a” or “one" to describe an element is not intended to foreclose additional elements.

[0139] The use of “about" or “approximately" in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30", inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.

[0140] Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower endpoint and any higher endpoint. As an example, if it is stated that tire amount of a component, a property, or a value of a process variable such as, e.g., temperature, pressure, time, and the like is, e.g., from 1 to 90, from 20 to 80, or from 30 to 70, it is intended that intermediate range values such as, e.g., 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc., are within tire teachings of this specification. Likewise, individual intermediate values are also within the present teachings.

[0141] For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest endpoint and the highest endpoint enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

[0142] The term “consisting essentially of’ to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components, or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of tire combination. Tire use of the terms “comprising" or “including" to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

[0143] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these temrs. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and / or section from another region, layer, and / or section. Terms such as “first,” “second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Tirus, a first element, component, region, layer, and / or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, and / or section without departing from the teachings.

[0144] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative temrs may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the draw ings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus,the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:Claim 1 : A cargo carrier system comprising a cargo carrier and a vehicle to which the cargo carrier is mounted, the cargo carrier comprising: one or more electronic features including an electronically powered lock, one or more lights, a backup camera, a proximity sensor, an electrical heating element, an audible alarm, or any combination thereof; and a signal connection that signally communicates with a network (e.g., a CAN bus) of the vehicle, a mobile computing device, or both.Claim 2: Tire cargo carrier system according to Claim 1, wherein the signal connection is wireless.Claim 3 : The cargo carrier system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein tire signal connection includes a wireless network module and the vehicle comprises a remote module engaged with the OBD-II port of the vehicle with which the network module wirelessly communicates.Claim 4: Tire cargo carrier system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the signal connection includes a wireless network module adapted for wireless communication with the mobile computing device; and wherein the mobile computing device is a mobile phone.Claim 5: The cargo carrier system according to Claim 1, wherein the data connection is wired.Claim 6: Tire cargo carrier system according to Claim 1 or Claim 5, wherein the cargo carrier signally communicates with the network via a wired connection directly to an OBD-II port of the vehicle.Claim ?: The cargo carrier system according to Claim 1 or Claim 5, wherein the cargo carrier signally communicates with the network via a wired connection that is spliced into the network of the vehicle.Claim 8: The cargo carrier system according to Claim 1 or Claim 5, wherein the cargo carrier includes a wiring harness that connects to a complementary wiring harness on the vehicle.Claim 9: The cargo carrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more electronic features are activated and / or deactivated by a stimulus off-board of the cargo carrier.Claim 10: The cargo carrier system according to Claim 9, including one or more of the following features: the electronically powered lock replicates operation of one or more door locks of the vehicle; the backup camera replicates operation of a backup camera of the vehicle the backup camera overrides a video feed of a backup camera local to the vehicle, the video feed being supplied to a dashboard display and / or a rearview mirror display; the proximity sensor replicates operation of a proximity sensor of the vehicle; the one or more lights replicate operation of one or more corresponding lights local to the vehicle; the one or more lights turn on / off in correspondence with an open / close status of one or more doors of tire vehicle; the electrical heating element turns on / off in correspondence with an open / close status of one or more doors of the vehicle; the electrical heating element turns on / off in correspondence with an on / off status of an engine or motor of tire vehicle; one or more of the electronic features are activatable via the mobile computing device.Claim 11 : The cargo carrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more electronic features are activated and / or deactivated by a stimulus on-board of the cargo carrier.Claim 12: Tire cargo carrier system according to Claim 11, including one or more of the following features: the audible alarm and / or the one or more lights operate in the event of a tamper condition; the audible alann and / or the one or more lights operate in response to a signal from the backup camera and / or the proximity sensor indicating proximity of the cargo carrier and / or the vehicle to an object; the one or more lights turn on / off in correspondence with an open / closed status of the cargo carrier: the one or more lights correspond in operation with brake lights of the vehicle; the one or more lights correspond in operation with turn signals of the vehicle; the electronically powered lock signally communicates with and is controlled by a human-machine interface on-board the cargo carrier and comprising one or more buttons, biometric scanners.Claim 13: The cargo carrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more lights include a left turn signal, a right turn signal, a brake light, a center high mounted light, an interior light, an exterior light, or any combination thereof.Claim 14: Tire cargo carrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, including one or more of the following features: the cargo carrier further comprises an on-board battery; the cargo carrier further comprises a photovoltaic panel on at least one exterior surface of the cargo carrier; the cargo carrier further comprises a power connection adapted to connect to a power system of the vehicle.Claim 15: The cargo carrier system according to Claim 14, wherein the electronically powered lock, the one or more lights, the backup camera, the proximity’ sensor, the electrical heating element, the audible alarm, or any combination thereof are electrically connected to the on-board battery, the photovoltaic panel, the power system of the vehicle, or any combination thereof.Claim 16: The cargo carrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein tire cargo carrier comprises two or more of the electronic features.Claim 17 : The cargo carrier system according to any one of the preceding claims, w herein the cargo carrier comprises three or more of the electronic features.Claim 18: The cargo carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cargo carrier is attachable to a roof, a bed, and / or a hitch of the vehicle.Claim 19: A cargo carrier comprising: one or more electrical heating elements located in or on at least one interior surface of the cargo earner, a drainage hole opening an interior of the cargo carrier to an exterior of the cargo carrier, and one or more drainage channels leading to the drainage hole.Claim 20: The cargo carrier according to Claim 19, wherein each of the one or more electrical heating elements are resistive heaters comprising one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material embedded in or on an electrically insulative carrier.Claim 21 : Tire cargo carrier according to Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material are embedded in a material from which the cargo carrier is fabricated, whereby the cargo carrier functions as the electrically insulative carrier; and / or the one or more electrical heating elements are in the form of one or more mats comprising the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material and the electrically insulative carrier, whereby the mats are locatable onto and optionally fastened to the at least one interior surface of the cargo carrier.Claim 22: Tire cargo carrier according to Claim 21, wherein the one or more mats include a layered structure including the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material, the electrically insulative carrier, and a cover layer; and wherein is fabricated from a thermoplastic and / or thennoset and optionally rubberized.Claim 23: Tire cargo carrier according to Claim 22, wherein the cover layer includes a through-hole providing liquid access to the drainage hole of the cargo carrier; and optionally w herein the one or more mats including the cover layer thereof include one or more drainage channels leading to the through-hole.Claim 24: The cargo carrier according to any one of Claims 21 through 23, wherein the one or more continuous lines of electrically conductive material are fabricated from a positive temperature coefficient material or a negative temperature coefficient material.Claim 25: The cargo carrier according to any one of Claims 19 through 24, including one or more of the following features: the cargo carrier further comprises an on-board battery; the cargo carrier further comprises a photovoltaic panel on at least one exterior surface of the cargo carrier; the cargo carrier further comprises a power connection adapted to connect to a power system of the vehicle.Claim 26: The cargo carrier according to Claim 25, wherein the one or more electrical heating elements are electrically connected to the on-board battery, the photovoltaic panel, the power system of the vehicle, or any combination thereof.Claim 27: Tire cargo carrier according to any one of Claims 19 through 26, wherein the cargo carrier further comprises a temperature sensor; and wherein the one or more electrical heating elements operate in accordance with tire temperature sensor sensing a temperature above or below a pre-determined threshold temperature.Claim 28: The cargo carrier according to any one of Claims 19 through 27, wherein the cargo carrier is attachable to a roof, a bed, and / or a hitch of the vehicle.

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