Roof box and support point attachment

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a roof box that allows active implementation of storage in a leaning state [Solution] A roof box 10 having long sides and short sides in a plan view is characterized in that a support point attachment 16 is disposed on either a lower case 12 or an upper case 14 to thereby orient the long side or the short side to face an installation surface, and when leaning the lower case 12 against the support member, the support point attachment 16 makes contact with the ground, and in that the support point attachment 16 is provided at at least two places on the long side or the short side and is constituted as a separate body from the lower case 12 and the upper case 14.

Description

Roof box and support point attachment

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof box, and more particularly to a roof box suitable for taking into consideration the convenience of both use and storage, and a support point attachment to be placed on the roof box.

[0002] In recent years, roof boxes have become more common in vehicles in order to both make effective use of interior space and improve loading capacity. However, when not in use, these roof boxes are often removed from the vehicle roof for storage.

[0003] Conventionally, roof boxes have been stored by either laying them flat with the bottom case facing downwards, or by hanging them from the ceiling of the building using a hanging jig, etc. However, storing them flat requires a large amount of space, while hanging them from the ceiling requires a hanging jig and raises concerns that the storage condition may become unstable.

[0004] Given these circumstances, one method of storing roof boxes by leaning them against a wall or other surface has been considered, but as disclosed in Patent Document 1, actual roof boxes often have a streamlined top case that covers the bottom case, making them unstable when leaned against a wall. Furthermore, because roof boxes generally have a top case that covers the bottom case, the top case touches the ground when the roof box is leaned against a wall. A large top case made of a relatively thin material touches the ground in an unstable manner, and if the weight of the entire roof box is applied to the point where it touches the ground, it may crack or chip.

[0005] Furthermore, roof boxes are often exposed to harsh environments such as strong winds and temperature changes during use, and if a crack or chip occurs in the top case, it can lead to serious damage. For this reason, it has been difficult to store conventional roof boxes in an upright position.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-130797

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a roof box that allows for proactive storage in a leaning position, and a support point attachment that can be placed on this roof box.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the roof box of the present invention is a roof box basically composed of a lower case and an upper case, and support point attachments that protrude from the outer periphery of the roof box when viewed in a plane are arranged on either the lower case or the upper case, so that a portion of the outer periphery faces the installation surface, and when the lower case is abutted against a support member and leaned against it, the support point attachments come into contact with the ground, and the support point attachments are provided in at least two places on the edge corresponding to the outer periphery facing the installation surface or on a portion equivalent to the edge, and are configured as separate entities from the lower case and the upper case.

[0009] In addition, in a roof box having the above-mentioned features, the support point attachments can be arranged on the upper case, which makes it possible to protect the upper case while keeping the support point attachments compact.

[0010] In addition, in a roof box having the above-mentioned features, the support point attachments can be arranged on the lower case, making it possible to open and close the upper case even when the roof box is placed upright.

[0011] In addition, in a roof box having the above-mentioned characteristics, it is desirable that the support point attachments be located at positions corresponding to the four corners of the roof box when the roof box is rectangular in plan view, and that a single member serves as the support point attachment for both one side and the other side that intersects with the first side. By having such characteristics, it is possible to reduce the number of support point attachments.

[0012] In addition, in a roof box having the above-mentioned features, the support point attachments may be provided with support rope holes, which allow the support ropes to be passed through when the roof box is leaning against something, thereby preventing it from tipping over.

[0013] Furthermore, in a roof box having the above features, the support point attachments can be equipped with rollers with a locking function, making it easier to move the roof box in an upright position.

[0014] In addition, the support point attachment for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is a support point attachment that is placed on the lower case or upper case of a roof box that is basically composed of a lower case and an upper case, and is characterized in that it protrudes from the outer periphery of the roof box when viewed in a plane, with a portion of the outer periphery facing the installation surface, and is configured to come into contact with the ground when the lower case is abutted against a support member and leaned against it.

[0015] A roof box having the above-described features makes it possible to actively store items in a leaning position.

[0016] 11 . FIG. 12 is a plan view of a roof box according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view of a roof box according to a first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a left side view of a roof box according to a first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a rear view of a roof box according to a first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the top, right side, and rear of a roof box according to a first embodiment. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the state in which the support point attachments have been removed from the perspective view shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged perspective view for explaining the configuration of the support point attachments. FIG. 19 is a view showing the state in which the roof box according to the first embodiment is leaned with its short side facing the installation surface. FIG. 19 is a view showing the state in which the roof box according to the first embodiment is leaned with its long side facing the installation surface. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the state in which the roof box according to the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the top, front, and left side of a roof box according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the state in which the support point attachments have been removed. FIG. 19 is a support point attachment attached to a roof box according to a second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the top, front, and left side of a roof box according to a third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a front view of a roof box according to a third embodiment.

[0017] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the roof box of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is a part of a preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and even if a part of the configuration is changed, it can be considered as a part of the present invention as long as the effect of the embodiment is achieved.

[0018] [First embodiment: configuration] First, the configuration of the roof box according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the roof box according to the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a front view, Figure 3 is a left side view, and Figure 4 is a rear view. Also, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the plan, right side, and rear views, and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the perspective view shown in Figure 5 with support point attachments removed. Also, Figure 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view for explaining the configuration of the support point attachments.

[0019] The roof box 10 according to this embodiment is basically composed of a lower case 12, an upper case 14, and support point attachments 16. The lower case 12 is located at the bottom of the roof box 10 when in use, and is fixed to a carrier 50 (see FIG. 10 ) that is fixed to the vehicle 100. The upper case 14 is located at the top of the roof box 10 when in use, and serves as a lid that covers the opening of the lower case 12. Note that, generally, elements for opening and closing the roof box 10, such as hinges and locks, are provided between the lower case 12 and the upper case 14, but the specific configuration of the additional elements associated with opening and closing is not important for the roof box 10 according to this embodiment.

[0020] Furthermore, roof boxes 10 are generally used in harsh environments, where they are subject to wind pressure from driving, heat from sunlight, ultraviolet rays, and thermal shock from temperature changes. For this reason, materials with high weather resistance and strength are used to construct the lower case 12 and the upper case 14. Specific examples of suitable materials include ABS and AES.

[0021] The support point attachments 16 are elements that come into contact with the installation surface when the roof box 10 is placed upright, preventing damage to the upper case 14 and lower case 12 and stabilizing the tilted state of the roof box 10. In the roof box 10 according to this embodiment, a support point attachment 16 is located at each of the four corners of the upper case. By locating the support point attachments 16 at the corners, one support point attachment 16 can serve as a support point attachment 16 for both the long and short sides (one side and the other side that intersects with that side) of the roof box 10 (upper case 14).

[0022] Here, the support point attachment 16 according to this embodiment has a convex portion 16a at the contact portion with the installation surface. While the convex portion 16a could be provided only on the support point attachment, the upper case 14 of the roof box 10 according to this embodiment is provided with a convex portion 14a similar to that of the support point attachment 16, and the support point attachment 16 is positioned along and covering this convex portion 14a. Normally, the upper case 14 is designed to avoid irregularities that increase wind resistance in order to reduce wind pressure during driving. However, by intentionally providing the convex portion 14a on the upper case 14 of the roof box 10 according to this embodiment, the strength of the outer edge of the upper case 14 is improved. This makes it possible to reduce distortion that occurs in the upper case 14 when the roof box 10 is leaned against the support point attachment 16 as a fulcrum.

[0023] Although ABS and AES are given as examples of materials for the lower case 12 and the upper case 14, it is preferable to use a material with higher flexibility and toughness than ABS or AES for the support point attachment 16. One example is PP.

[0024] The support point attachment 16 also has a curl-up prevention portion 16b that covers the open end face of the upper case 14. The support point attachment 16 is configured to cover a portion of the upper case 14 with its entire surface. However, when the roof box 10 is leaned upright, only the portion of the support point attachment 16 that corresponds to the open end face of the upper case 14 comes into contact with the installation surface. Therefore, by providing the curl-up prevention portion 16b in this portion, the strength of the installation portion can be improved and it can also be prevented that the support point attachment 16 will lift up (peel off) from the upper case 14.

[0025] [Operations and Effects] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the roof box 10 configured as described above can be stored upright when not in use, i.e., when removed from the vehicle 100. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the area of ​​the installation surface required for storing the roof box 10. Furthermore, when the roof box 10 is placed upright, only the edges of the protruding portions 16a of the support point attachments 16 come into contact with the installation surface. Therefore, the support point attachments 16 exert a wedge effect, preventing the roof box 10 from slipping at the contact points.

[0026] The support point attachments 16 are also made of a material that is more flexible and tough than the material that makes up the roof box 10 itself. This makes them less likely to slip and less likely to crack under load. Furthermore, because the support point attachments 16 are constructed separately from the roof box 10 itself, if the support point attachments 16 are damaged, it is possible to replace only the damaged support point attachments.

[0027] [Second embodiment] Next, a roof box according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. The roof box according to this embodiment is configured by retrofitting support point attachments 16 as shown in Figure 13 to an existing roof box 10A as shown in Figure 11.

[0028] In other words, by simply attaching the support point attachments 16 to the corresponding locations on the existing roof box 10A (in the example shown in Figure 11, to the four corners of the upper case 14, as in the first embodiment), it becomes possible to store the box 10A in a stable, upright position, which was previously difficult.

[0029] The support point attachment 16 applied to the roof box 10A according to this embodiment is a special product that is tailored to the shape of the roof box 10A to which it is applied, but its basic structure and materials are the same as those of the support point attachment 16 of the roof box 10 according to the first embodiment described above. That is, it has a convex portion 16a, which serves as a ground contact portion.

[0030] Furthermore, there is no need to specify any particular means for attaching the support point attachments 16a to the roof box 10A. It is sufficient that they function as support members while preventing peeling. Specific examples include double-sided tape, rivets, bolts, screws, and composite members that combine these. The rest of the configuration, operation, and effects are the same as those of the roof box 10 according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, parts with similar functions will be designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0031] [Third embodiment] Next, a roof box according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Like the roof box 10A according to the second embodiment, the roof box 10B according to this embodiment can also be constructed by retrofitting support point attachments 16 to an existing roof box.

[0032] The difference from the roof box 10A according to the second embodiment is that the support point attachments 16 are arranged on the lower case 12. In the example shown in Figures 14 and 15, the support point attachments 16 arranged on the lower case 12 are configured to extend to the outside of the upper case 14.

[0033] With the roof box 10B configured as described above, when the roof box 10B is leaned against the support point attachment 16, the upper case 14 can be opened and closed while the roof box 10B is leaned against the support point attachment 16. Other configurations, functions, and effects are the same as those of the roof boxes 10 and 10B according to the first and second embodiments described above. Therefore, parts with similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0034] [Modification] The support point attachments 16 provided on the roof boxes 10, 10A, and 10B according to the above-described embodiments merely serve as contact points with the installation surface. However, each support point attachment 16 may be provided with a support rope hole (not shown). The support rope hole is a through-hole for passing a support rope (safety rope) that prevents the roof box 10, 10A, or 10B leaning against a wall or the like from tipping over due to wind or other factors.

[0035] Therefore, by providing the support point attachment 16 with a support rope hole, it is possible to prevent the roof box 10, 10A, 10B that is leaned against it from tipping over.

[0036] The support point attachment 16 may also be equipped with rollers (not shown) with a locking function. The support point attachment 16 is the installation surface and installation location. Therefore, by providing rollers on the support point attachment 16, it becomes easier to move the roof box 10, 10A, 10B in an upright position. Furthermore, when the roof box 10, 10A, 10B is leaned against something, the rollers can be locked to maintain the upright position. A roof box with such a configuration can also achieve the same effects as the roof box according to the above embodiment, and therefore can be considered part of the present invention.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the roof boxes 10, 10A, 10B on which the support point attachment 16 is arranged are all substantially rectangular in plan view, and therefore expressions such as four corners and one side are used, but the plan view shape of the roof box does not matter when applying the support point attachment 16 of the present invention. For example, the plan view shape of the roof box may be pentagonal, hexagonal, circular, elliptical, etc.

[0038] When the roof box has the above-described planar shape, the support point attachments 16 protruding from the outer periphery of the roof box can be arranged at least in two places on the edge corresponding to the outer periphery facing the installation surface, or on the portion corresponding to the edge.

[0039] 10, 10A, 10B... Roof box, 12... Lower case, 14... Upper case, 14a... Convex portion, 16... Support point attachment, 16a... Convex portion, 16b... Roll-up prevention portion, 50... Carrier, 100... Vehicle.

Claims

1. A roof box configured based on a lower case and an upper case, wherein a support point attachment that protrudes from the outer periphery of the roof box when the roof box is viewed in plan is disposed on either the lower case or the upper case, so that a part of the outer periphery faces the installation surface, and when the lower case is abutted against a support member and leaned, the support point attachment is grounded. The support point attachment is provided at at least two locations on a side or a side equivalent portion corresponding to the outer periphery facing the installation surface, and is configured as a separate body from the lower case and the upper case. A roof box characterized by the above.

2. The roof box according to claim 1, wherein the support point attachment is disposed on the upper case.

3. The roof box according to claim 1, wherein the support point attachment is disposed on the lower case.

4. The roof box according to claim 1, wherein when the planar shape of the roof box is rectangular, the support point attachment is disposed at positions corresponding to the four corners, and a single member serves as the support point attachment on both a side and the other side intersecting this side.

5. The roof box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support point attachment is provided with a support cable through hole.

6. The roof box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support point attachment is provided with a roller with a locking function.

7. A support point attachment to be disposed on the lower case or the upper case in a roof box configured based on a lower case and an upper case, which protrudes from the outer periphery of the roof box when the roof box is viewed in plan, causes a part of the outer periphery to face the installation surface, and is grounded when the lower case is abutted against a support member and leaned. A support point attachment characterized by the above.

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