Modular transport, attachment, and storage system

Abstract

A modular transport, attachment, and storage system facilitates the attachment of various items (e.g., storage containers) to a vehicle for transport. The system features mating male and female connectors to attach the items to attachment points on the vehicle. The male and female connectors are cooperatively configured such that as the male connector is inserted into the female connector, a securement mechanism is triggered to secure the male connector within the female connector. To remove the male connector, a release mechanism is actuated, which interrupts the secured state of the male connector within the female connector. As the male connector is withdrawn from the female connector, the securement mechanism is automatically "cocked," whereby the connectors once again stand ready for insertion / automatic securement of the male connector within the female connector.

Description

MODULAR TRANSPORT, ATTACHMENT, AND STORAGE SYSTEMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] In general, the application relates to a modular system used to transport various items, e.g., on the roof or at the back of a vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0002] Various rooftop mounting systems and carriers are known, which carriers can include bike racks, kayak racks, luggage racks, closed roof boxes, etc. The known mounting systems and cargo carriers are conventionally attached semi-permanently to a vehicle, e.g., by being bolted to the vehicle’s roof rack. This makes it time-consuming, complex, and / or difficult to change out carriers for different items being transported (e.g., to convert from a bike rack system to a luggage carrier). As a result, the full utility of the roof rack is not taken advantage of.

[0003] Additionally, the carriers are frequently left in place on the vehicle due to this complexity and / or difficulty in removing them, even when they are not used very often. Because such carriers typically add some amount of drag to the vehicle, they can reduce fuel economy not insignificantly. Reducing fuel economy for no reason at all, i.e., when the carrier is not being utilized, wastes money and is needlessly harmful to the environment.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Disclosed herein is a modular system for transporting various items on the roof or rear of a vehicle. The system utilizes a rapid attach / disconnect system for detachably mounting modular containers containing the items and / or the items themselves; various mounting adapters; and a storage system for storing the modular cargo containers when they are not in use.

[0005] In one aspect, the system features a quick-release connector system that facilitates modularity of the system. The connector system includes a female connector component and a male connector component configured to engage with and be retained by the female connector component. One of the connector components includes a securement mechanism by which the male connector component is retained by the female connector component, which securement mechanism includes a securement latch member and a trigger mechanism. The other connectorcomponent includes a securement feature with which the securement latch member engages to keep the male connector component engaged with and retained by the female connector component. When the male connector component is not engaged with the female connector component, the securement latch member occupies a non-engaging position.

[0006] The trigger mechanism is positioned to be actuated while the male connector component is being moved into engagement with the female connector component. When the trigger mechanism is actuated, the securement latch member moves (e.g., via spring force) from the non-engaging position toward a position in which the securement latch member engages with the securement feature. When the male connector component is fully engaged with and retained by the female connector component, the securement latch member will be fully engaged with the securement feature.

[0007] One of the connector components further includes a release mechanism. When the release mechanism is actuated, the securement latch member is caused to move out of full engagement with the securement feature. At this point, the male connector component may be removed from engagement with the female connector component. Furthermore, the trigger mechanism is configured such that, once the male connector component has been removed from engagement with the female connector component, the trigger mechanism stands cocked and ready to be actuated once again upon re-engagement of the male connector component with the female connector component. In a presently preferred embodiment, the trigger mechanism is cocked automatically as the male connector component is withdrawn from engagement with the female connector component.

[0008] In one embodiment, the securement mechanism is housed within the female connector component. In another embodiment, the securement mechanism is housed within the male connector component.

[0009] In another aspect, the system features a transport system for a vehicle. The transport system includes a rack component configured to be mounted to the vehicle and at least one item to be transported by the vehicle. Between the two of them, the rack component and the item(s) to be transported include both components of the quick-release connector system. In other words, the female connector component(s) is / are attached to the rack component or the item(s) to be transported, and the male connector is attached to the other of the rack component and the item(s) to be transported.

[0010] In some embodiments, the connector system components are connected to the rack component via a spacing deck. In other embodiments, the connector system components may be connected to the item(s) to be transported via accessory plate(s), i.e., mounting system adapter(s). Still further, connector system components may be connected directly the item(s) to be transported, either via mechanical attachment or via integral molding.

[0011] In a still further aspect, the system features a storage system. The storage system includes a storage panel that has engagement features distributed across it in a regular pattern. The engagement features are arranged in the same pattern and with the same spacing as the pattern and spacing with which connector components are attached to items to be stored. The engagement features are configured to engage with corresponding connector components attached to the various items to be stored.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other features of the claimed invention will be better understood in view of the detailed description below and the figures, in which:

[0013] Fig. 1A is a perspective view illustrating containers and other items that utilize a modular transport, attachment, and storage system in accordance with the claimed invention, and Fig. IB is a bottom view thereof;

[0014] Fig. 2A is a perspective view illustrating the containers and other items shown in Fig. 1 A mounted to a spacing deck, e.g., for transport, and Fig., 2B is a top view thereof;

[0015] Figs. 3A-3E are a perspective view, a left side view, a right side view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a male connector useable in the modular transport, attachment, and storage system illustrated in Figs. 1A, IB, 2A, and 2B;

[0016] Figs. 4A-4G are a perspective view, a left side view, a right side view, a rear end view, a front end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a female receiver useable in the modular transport, attachment, and storage system illustrated in Figs. 1A, IB, 2A, and 2B;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a female receiver from below, illustrating components of the securement mechanism in a state where the female receiver stands ready to receive the male connector;

[0018] Fig. 6 A is a section view of the first embodiment of a female receiver from above, and Fig. 6B is a section view of the female receiver from below;

[0019] Figs. 7A and 7B are perspective views from above and below, respectively, illustrating the first embodiment of a male connector about to be inserted into the first embodiment of a female receiver and components of the securement mechanism in a state where the female receiver stands ready to receive the male connector;

[0020] Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views from above and below, respectively, illustrating the first embodiment of a male connector substantially inserted into the first embodiment of a female receiver, and components of the securement mechanism in that state; Fig. 8C is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 8B;

[0021] Figs. 9A and 9B are perspective views from above and below, respectively, illustrating the first embodiment of a male connector fully inserted into the first embodiment of a female receiver, and components of the securement mechanism in that state; Fig. 9C is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 9B;

[0022] Figs. 10A and 10B are perspective views from above and below, respectively, illustrating the first embodiment of a male connector substantially inserted into the first embodiment of a female receiver, and components of the securement mechanism in that state, as the male connector removal process is initiated; Fig. 10C is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 10B;

[0023] Figs. 11 A and 1 IB are perspective views from above and below, respectively, illustrating the first embodiment of a male connector being withdrawn from the first embodiment of a female receiver, and components of the securement mechanism during that process, as the male connector removal process proceeds; Fig. 10C is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Fig. 11B;

[0024] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a female receiver from below, illustrating components of the securement mechanism in a state where the first embodiment of the male connector has been fully withdrawn from the female receiver and the female receiver stands ready to receive the male connector once more;

[0025] Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a slightly modified configuration of the securement mechanism shown in Figs. 5-12;

[0026] Figs. 14A, 14B, and 14C are a perspective view, and end view, and a side view, respectively, illustrating implementation of the modular transport, attachment, and storage system utilizing a spacing deck, as illustrated in Figs. 1A, IB, 2A, and 2B;

[0027] Figs. 15 A, 15B, and 15C are a perspective view, and end view, and a side view, respectively, illustrating implementation of the modular transport, attachment, and storage system in which female receivers are connected directly to a vehicle’s roof rack;

[0028] Fig. 16 is a sequence of perspective views illustrating the connection / disconnection sequence of male connectors and female receivers in a modular transport, attachment, and storage system in which female receivers are embedded directly within the vehicle’s roof rack;

[0029] Figs. 17A and 17B are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a male connector in accordance with the claimed invention, with its cover plate removed;

[0030] Figs. 18A, 18B, and 18C are a perspective view, a plan view, and a side view, respectively, of the alternative embodiment of a male connector fully inserted into an alternative embodiment of a female receiver in accordance with the claimed invention, with the cover plate present on the male connector;

[0031] Figs. 19A, 19B, and 19C are a perspective view, a plan view, and a side view, respectively, of the alternative embodiment of a male connector fully inserted into an alternative embodiment of a female receiver in accordance with the claimed invention, with the cover plate removed;

[0032] Figs. 20A, 20B, and 20C; Figs. 21 A, 2 IB, and 21C, Figs. 22A, 22B, and 22C; Figs. 23 A, 23B, and 23C; Figs. 24A, 24B, and 24C; and Figs. 25A, 25B, and 25C are the same as Figs. 19A, 19B, and 19C, respectively, illustrating the sequence of securing the alternative embodiment of a male connector in the alternative embodiment of a female receiver; releasing it; and then withdrawing it; and

[0033] Figs. 26A, 26B, and 26C are a perspective view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively, of an accessory storage panel.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] A sample of accessories that are often transported on the top or rear of a vehicle (or even possibly the sides of a vehicle) and which may be used, for example, for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, etc., are illustrated in Figs. 1 A (a perspective view) and IB (a bottom view). Such accessories might include a cooler or storage chest A, a propane tank B, a gun or fishing rod case C, a portable stove setup D, and a fuel container E. As illustrated, each of the accessories A-E has attached to its bottom an accessory plate F, G, H, I, and J, respectively, which is used to mount the accessory to a spacing deck K, as illustrated in Figs. 2A (a perspective view) and 2B (a top view). The accessory plates F-J may be attached to the accessories A-E using screws or other fasteners or, in the case of accessories that are made from molded plastic, the accessory plates may be integrally molded with the accessories. As further illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B, multiple smaller spacing-deck panels can be positioned adjacent to each other to form a larger, overall spacing deck arrangement K.

[0035] As described in greater detail below, the spacing deck K is mounted to the roof of the vehicle, e.g., to the vehicle’s existing roof rack, and the various accessories are mounted to the spacing deck via the accessories’ attached accessory plates. More specifically, each of the accessory plates F-J has several male connectors 12 attached to it as illustrated in Fig. IB, e.g., by bolts, and the male connectors 12 engage with corresponding female receivers 14 that are mounted to the spacing deck K (female receivers not being visible in Figs. 1 A, IB, 2A, or 2B). Taken together, a given pair of a male connector 12 and a female receiver 14 may be referred to as a mounting assembly.

[0036] Suitably, the accessory plates F-J and the spacing deck K are made from weatherresistant material such as PVC, HDPE, aluminum, steel, etc. The accessory plates F-J and the spacing deck K have multiple slots L and M, respectively, formed along their edges and, at least for the spacing deck K, in a grid pattern over the area of the spacing deck K. These slots L, M may be used to attach the spacing deck K (or even the accessory plates F-J, if used in the manner of the spacing deck K) to a vehicle’s existing roof rack, e.g., using bolts passing through the slots. Using slots rather than holes for attachment points allows greater freedom of placement and positioning of the spacing deck K (and accessory plates F-J, if used as such) along the vehicle’s roof rack, as well as the ability to match the various locations of attachment points on different vehicles’ roof racks.

[0037] Additionally, the spacing deck K (and optionally the accessory plates F-J, too, if desired for flexibility / versatility) has multiple connection points N distributed across its area, and the connection points N are used to mount the female receivers 14 to the spacing deck K. The connection points N may be internally threaded holes, or they may be holes with threaded bushings. As described in greater detail below, the female receivers 14 have a generally rectangular planform, with a pair (at least) of mounting holes located near either end. Because the connection points N are arranged in the shape of an octagon, as illustrated, with the connection points N being located at the vertices of the octagon, the female receivers can be mounted to the spacing deck K in any of four different, ninety degree-apart orientations.

[0038] As will be observed, the male connectors 12 and female receivers are arranged with uniform spacing, similar to a VESA arrangement of mounting holes on the back of a television or other display monitor. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the items themselves can be specifically manufactured as OEM equipment designed to work with the system - e.g., the storage chests, coolers, gun cases, etc. can have the male connectors integrally formed as part of the item. The uniformity of spacing therefore facilitates the modular nature of the system.

[0039] FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0040] Turning now to details of a first embodiment of the mounting assemblies, as noted above, each one includes a male connector 12 and a female receiver 14. As illustrated in Figs. 3A-3E, the male connector 12 includes an elongated base portion 16 and an elongated tongue 18 that protrudes upwardly from the base portion 16. The tongue 18 extends along the length of the base portion 16 and includes a reverse-inclined nose portion 20 and an enlarged, rounded butt end 22. (The nose portion 20 is reverse-inclined in the sense that the uppermost, tip 24 of the tongue 18 projects forward relative to the base portion 16.) The male connector 12 may be injection molded as a single part, and it includes two or more mounting holes 26 extending through the tongue 18 and the base portion 16.

[0041] As shown most clearly in Figs. 3D and 3E, the base portion 16 is wider than the tongue 18. As a result, the sides of the base portion 16 form lateral flanges 28 and 30. Preferably, the leading edges of the lateral flanges 28 and 30 are rounded, as shown in Figs. 3A, ID, and IE. The lateral flange 28 has two cutouts or notches that are each almost as deep as the lateral flange 28 is thick, as illustrated in Fig. 3C. The notches include a bolt receptacle 32 and a trigger finger receptacle 34. On the other hand, the lateral flange 30 has a locking notch 36,which is about half the thickness of the lateral flange 30 in depth. The locking notch 36 receives the flange of a cylinder lock that is mounted in the female receiver 14, as described below.

[0042] As illustrated in Figs. 4A-4G, the female receiver 14 may have a generally rectangular, low-profde, overall block shape. The female receiver 14 is low-profde in the sense that its height, as best shown in Figs. 4B - 4D, is about one-fifth of its length and about one-third to one-half of its width. Furthermore, as best illustrated in Figs. 4B and 4C, the ends of the side members 38 and 40 preferably are sloped, which facilitates withdrawal and removal of a container from the mounting system as the slope allows the male connector 12 at one mounting point to “ride up” over the female receiver 14 at an adjacent mounting point.

[0043] The side members 38, 40 are spaced apart from each other by a distance that is slightly greater than the thickness of the tongue 18 of the male connector 12, which forms a tongue-receiving slot 42. As shown in Figs. 4A and 4F, the tongue-receiving slot 42 is flared outwardly at the tongue-receiving end 44 of the female receiver 12, which facilitates alignment with and insertion of the male connector 12 into the female receiver 14.

[0044] Furthermore, each of the side members 38, 40 has a notch 46, 48, respectively, extending along a lower portion of the side member. The notches 46, 48 extend approximately three quarters of the length of the tongue-receiving slot 42, from where the tongue-receiving slot 42 begins to flare outward toward the opposite end of the female receiver 12. The height of the notches 46, 48 is slightly greater than the thickness of the base portion 16 (i.e., the lateral flanges 28 and 30) of the male connector 12, and the notches 46, 48 are deep enough (i.e., penetrate far enough into the side members 38, 40) that the distance between the back walls of the two notches is slightly greater than the width of the base portion 16 of the male connector 12. Thus, each of the notches 46, 48 is configured to receive one of the flanges 28, 30, respectively, of the male connector 12 when the male connector 12 is engaged with the female receiver 14. To facilitate a close-in, conformal fit of the flanges 28, 30 within the notches 46, 48, the ends of the notches 46, 48 that are farthest from where the tongue-receiving slot 42 flares outwardly may be curved to match the curvature of the leading edges 50 and 52 of the flanges 28, 30 (see Fig. 3D).

[0045] In general, the female receiver has a two-piece construction, with an injection molded, upper body component 54 (as shown most prominently in Figs. 4A-4F) and an injection molded, lower cover component 56 (as presented most prominently in Fig. 4G). The body component 54 has internal spaces in which components of the securement mechanism and thelocking mechanism are housed (described below), and the back walls of the notches 46 and 48 have apertures through which some of the components of the locking mechanism protrude (notch 46) and through which some of the components of the securement mechanism protrude (notch 48) into respective notches, as is visible in Fig. 4A for components of the securement mechanism. The cover component 56 may be attached to the body component 54 by plastic welding or, alternatively, via screws at screw holes 58, which screws are screwed into posts formed at corresponding locations in the body component. Multiple holes 60, 62 are formed in the body component 54 and the cover component 56, respectively, at aligned positions to collectively form mounting holes 64 extending through the female receiver 14.

[0046] Components of the securement mechanism are illustrated in greatest detail in Figs. 5, 6A, and 6B. These components include bolt 70 (i.e., an exemplary securement latch member); bolt spring 72 (not visible in Fig. 5); trigger 74; trigger spring 76; lost-motion latch 78; latch spring 80; rocker follower 82; and release rod 84. Components of the locking mechanism are also illustrated in these figures. These components include cylinder lock 86, with pivoting lock flange 88 attached to an end thereof.

[0047] As illustrated in these figures (Fig. 6B in particular) and the figures to be described below, the components of the securement mechanism are actuated by and engage with the lateral flange 28 of the male connector 12. (For proper understanding of this description, it should be noted that Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the underside of the female receiver 14 with the cover component 56 removed, whereas Figs. 6A and 6B are section views from above, with a horizontal cutting plane.) As illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B, the bolt 70 is a generally plunger-type part, with a wedge-shaped tip 90 and an angled, internal slot 92. The bolt spring 72 is compressed between the sidewall of the upper body component 54 of the female receiver 14 and the butt-end 94 of the bolt 70 so as to bias the bolt 70 toward the opposite side of the female receiver.

[0048] Trigger 74 is pivotally mounted to pivot post 96. Finger 100 of the trigger 74 projects toward the opposite side of the female receiver 14. In addition to trigger 74, lost-motion latch 78 is also pivotally mounted to pivot post 96. As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the lost- motion latch 78 has an arcuate slot 104 formed in it, centered on the pivot post 96, and the trigger 74 has a pin 106 that extends from it. The pin 106 slides within the arcuate slot 104.

[0049] Trigger spring 76, which is connected between the trigger 74 and spring post 98 in tension, biases the trigger 74 to want to pivot counterclockwise about the pivot post 96 as seen in Fig. 5 / clockwise about the pivot post 96 as seen in Figs. 6A and 6B. Latch spring 80, which is connected between the lost-motion latch 78 and spring post 102 in tension, biases the lost-motion latch 78 to want to pivot clockwise about the pivot post 96 as seen in Fig. 5 / counterclockwise about the pivot post 96 as seen in Figs. 6A and 6B. These opposite-acting pivoting biases cause the pin 106 to engage with the right end (right as shown in Figs. 5 and 8C) of the arcuate slot 104, as illustrated in Fig 6A (a “flipped” perspective from Figs. 5 and 8C).

[0050] The trigger spring 76 and the latch spring 80 are configured (e.g., by relative spring constants, relative amounts of extension, and / or by mounting locations, which affects the angle at which tension in the springs acts on their respective components) such that the amount of torsion biasing the lost-motion latch 78 in the clockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 5) is greater than the amount of torsion biasing the trigger 74 in the counterclockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 5). This would tend to cause the lost-motion latch 78 - and therefore the trigger 74, by virtue of the pin 106 engaging the right end of the arcuate slot 104 - to want to pivot clockwise as shown in Figs. 5 and 8C. However, as best shown in Figs. 5, 6A, and 8C, the lost- motion latch 78 has a latch notch 103 on a peripheral edge thereof, and the latch notch 103 engages on a corner of latch tab 105 extending from the rocker follower 82. This blocks the lost- motion latch 78 - and the trigger 74 with it - from rotating clockwise (as shown in Fig. 5) under the net clockwise bias of the springs 74 and 80.

[0051] Rocker follower 82, which pivots about pivot post 108, functions like a crank. As shown most clearly in Figs. 6A and 6B, one arm 110 of the rocker follower 82 fits within the angled slot 92 in the bolt 70. Preferably, the arm 110 of the rocker follower 82 that fits within the angled slot 92 has its own slot 112 formed therein, and the rocker follower 82 is linked to the bolt 70 via a pin 114 that passes through the slot 112. The pin 114 slides within and along the slot 112.

[0052] On the other hand, the distal end of the other arm 116 of the rocker follower 82 has pivotally connected to it one end of the release rod 84, e.g., via a pin connection at 118. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the release rod 84 includes an elongated shank 120, which slides within a guide groove 122 formed within the upper body component 56 of the female receiver 14, and a button portion 124 at the external end of the release rod 84. Suitably, the button portion 124 ofthe release rod 84 matches the contours of the female receiver 14 so as to lie flush with it when a male connector is not engaged with the female receiver.

[0053] With this configuration and arrangement of the securement mechanism components, the female receiver 14 stands ready to receive the male connector 12 when the male connector is not inserted into the female receiver. When the male connector 12 is fully inserted into the female receiver 14, the securement mechanism automatically locks into engagement with the lateral flange 28 of the male connector 12 to secure the male connector 12 within the female receiver 14. At that point, the button portion 124 of the release rod 84 will be “popped up” slightly relative to the rest of the body of the female receiver 14. When it is desired to remove the male connector 12 from the female receiver 14, the button portion 124 of the release rod 84 is depressed, and the male connector 12 is released. The male connector 12 can then be withdrawn from the female receiver 14, and the female receiver 14 will then stand ready to receive the male connector 12 once again. Movement of the various components of the securement mechanism to enable such functionality is described with reference to Figs. 5 and 7A-12.

[0054] In particular, Figs. 5 and 6A, which are explained above, shows the configuration and arrangement of the securement mechanism components when the male connector 12 is completely removed from the female receiver 14 and the female receiver 14 is ready to receive the male connector 12, as illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B.

[0055] As illustrated in Fig. 8A, the male connector 12 is inserted into the flared-out end of the tongue-receiving slot 42, and the lateral flanges 28, 30 of the male connector 12 are slid into the notches 46, 48, respectively, of the female receiver. It is envisaged that in some embodiments, magnets will be provided in the female receiver 14, e.g., at the sides of the flared- out portion of the tongue-receiving slot 42, and a magnet or magnets will be provided in the male connector 12, too, e.g., in the nose portion 20, with poles of the magnets arranged to attract the male connector toward the female receiver. This feature would facilitate lining up the components when they cannot be seen - e.g., when the male connector is on the bottom of a cargo module being mounted onto the roof of a vehicle - by virtue of the slight “tug” one feels as magnets start to attract each other.

[0056] As the male connector 12 is pushed toward the fully inserted position (down and toward the right as shown in Fig. 8C), the leading edge 50 of the lateral flange 28 will pushagainst the trigger finger 100 of the trigger 74 and push the trigger to pivot counterclockwise as illustrated about the pivot post 96. Additionally, as noted above, the pin 106 extending from the trigger 74 will be engaged with the right end of the arcuate slot 104 (right as shown in Figs. 5 and 8C) in the lost-motion latch 78, as most clearly shown in Fig. 6A. Therefore, as the male connector 12 is pushed farther into the female receiver 14, the trigger 74 will cause the lost- motion latch 78 to rotate counterclockwise with it.

[0057] As the lost-motion latch 78 is caused to pivot counterclockwise (as shown in Figs. 5 and 8A), the latch notch 103 will disengage from the latch tab 105. At this point, the rocker follower 82 will be free to pivot about pivot post 108. Therefore, the bolt spring 72 will force the bolt 70 toward the lateral flange 28 of the male connector 12, and as the bolt 70 moves toward the lateral flange 28, the bolt 70 will also cause the now-unlatched rocker follower 82 to pivot (counterclockwise as shown in Figs. 5 and 8C, clockwise as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B) by pressing against the arm 110 of the rocker follower 82 that is located within the angled slot 92 in the bolt. At the same time, as the rocker follower 82 pivots, the other arm 116 of the rocker follower (see Fig. 6B) will push the release rod 84 so that button portion 124 will “pop up” slightly from the body of the female receiver 12 (i.e., to the left as illustrated in Figs. 5, 8B, and 8C). The extent to which the release rod 84 is able to move in the “pop-up” direction is limited, however, by tab 121 extending from the side of the release rod shaft 120 contacting stop wall 123 formed in the body of the female receiver 14.

[0058] As the male connector 12 is pushed still farther into the female receiver 14, from the position shown in Fig. 8C toward the fully inserted position shown in Figs. 9A-C, the trigger finger 100 will bear against and slide along the side of lateral flange 28 due to the clockwiseacting net torsion caused by the latch spring 80, as will the bolt 70. Eventually, when the male connector 12 reaches its fully inserted position, the bolt receptacle 32 (see Fig. 3D) will come into alignment with the bolt 70, and the bolt 70 will move fully into the bolt receptacle 32 as shown, for example, in Fig. 6B. Additionally, the trigger finger receptacle 34 (see Fig. 3D) will move far enough in the insertion direction that the trigger 74 will pivot clockwise as shown in Fig. 9C (due to the net torsion of the latch spring 80) and the trigger finger 100 will pivot down into the trigger finger receptacle 32 (see Figs. 3D and 6B). At this point, the male connector 12 will be in the secured position, as shown in Figs. 6B, 9B, and 9C, with the bolt 70 preventing the male connector 12 from moving in the opposite, withdrawal direction.

[0059] To release the male connector 12 so that it can be withdrawn from the female receiver 14 as indicated in Fig. 10A, the button portion 124 of the release rod 84 is pressed back toward the body of the female receiver 14, thereby pushing the shank 120 of the release rod 84 back toward the trigger 74 and the rocker follower 82 as indicated in Figs. 10B and 10C. As the shank 120 moves this way, it drives the arm 116 of the rocker follower 82 toward the right as shown in Fig. 10C, thereby causing the rocker follower 82 to pivot clockwise. As the rocker follower 82 pivots clockwise, the arm 110 of the rocker follower 82 lifts the bolt 70 away from the lateral flange 28 of the male connector 12, against the biasing force of the bolt spring 72, thereby releasing the male connector from its securement.

[0060] Additionally, as the rocker follower 82 pivots clockwise, the curved peripheral surface 130 of the latch tab 105 moves past a latch toe 132 that is formed just above the latch notch 103 (best shown in Fig. 9C). (The latch toe 132 appears to be separated from the curved peripheral surface 130 of the latch tab 105 in Figs. 8B, 8C, 9B, and 9C due to where the parts are shown in their reciprocating cycles; this distance is not as large as suggested by the figures.) This pushes against the latch toe 132 and causes the lost-motion latch 78 to pivot counterclockwise slightly, against the force of the latch spring 80, until the latch tab 105 has pivoted past the latch toe 132. At this point, the lost-motion latch 78 “snaps back” slightly by pivoting clockwise under the force of the latch spring 80, until the latch notch 103 seats itself once more on the edge of the latch tab 105. Engagement of the latch notch 105 over the comer of the latch tab 105, as shown in Fig. 10C, prevents the lost-motion latch 78 from pivoting further in the clockwise direction due to tension in the latch spring 80.

[0061] The male connector 12 is then withdrawn, as illustrated in Figs. 11A-11C. As the male connector 12 is withdrawn, the trigger finger 100, which has been located within the trigger finger receptacle 34, will be pushed by the front wall 35 of the trigger finger receptable 34 (see Fig. 3D) in the connector withdrawal direction, which causes the trigger 74 to rotate clockwise as shown in Fig. 11C. While the lost-motion latch 78 is prevented from pivoting by virtue of its engagement with the latch tab 105, trigger 74 is free to pivot relative to the lost-motion latch 78, since the pin 106 extending from the side of the trigger 74 is free to move within the arcuate slot 104 in the lost-motion latch 78.

[0062] Once the male connector has been moved sufficiently past the trigger finger 100 in the withdrawal direction, the trigger 74 will “snap back” to its ready position as shown in Fig.12 (which is the same as the state shown in Fig. 5) by pivoting counterclockwise under the influence of trigger spring 76. The female receiver 14 will now be ready to receive and secure the male connector 12 once again.

[0063] In the exemplary first embodiment described above, the trigger spring 76 and the latch spring 80 are both tension springs. In an alternate embodiment, torsional trigger spring 176 and torsional latch spring 180 could be used instead of the tension springs 76 and 80, as illustrated in Fig. 13. The torsion springs 176 and 180 would be arranged to bias the trigger 74 and the lost-motion latch 78 in opposite rotational directions, as is the case for trigger spring 76 and latch spring 80, with the level of torque imparted by the latch spring 180 exceeding the level of torque imparted by the trigger spring 174. The trigger spring 176 and the latch spring 180 could both be mounted around pivot post 96. Operation of the mechanism would otherwise be the same as it is for the embodiment described above.

[0064] As mentioned above, provision is made to lock the male connector 12 in position when it has been inserted into the female receiver 14. For example, a lock such as cylinder lock 86 may be embedded within the upper body component 54 of the female receiver 14, as illustrated in Figs. 4D, 6A, and 6B. When the male connector 12 is fully inserted into the female receiver 14, the locking notch 36 on lateral flange 30 (see Fig. 3D) will be aligned with the lock flange 88 that is attached to the central, rotating shaft of the cylinder lock 86. As is known for such cylinder locks, when a barrel shaped key is inserted into the cylinder lock 86, the shaft - and hence the lock flange 88 - can be rotated between the unlocked position shown in Fig. 6A and the locked position shown in Fig. 6B. When the shaft is rotated to the locked position shown in Fig. 6B, the lock flange 88 will pass through slot 134 formed in the back wall of notch 46 and enter the locking notch 36, thereby blocking the male connector 12 from being withdrawn from the female receiver.

[0065] Reverting to a description of how the system is utilized, Fig. 14 illustrates this diagrammatically and sequentially. In the arrangement of Fig. 14, the spacing deck K is attached directly to a vehicle’s roof, e.g., by being bolted to the roof rack (not illustrated), female receivers 14 are attached to the spacing deck K, and male connectors 12 are attached to any of the various accessory plates F-J. To mount the given accessory to the vehicle roof, the accessory with accessory plate attached to it (or OEM accessory if provided directly with male connectors) is positioned over the location where it is desired to mount the accessory and lowered until themale connectors are aligned with the female receivers. The assembly is then slid horizontally so that the male connectors enter and engage with the corresponding female receivers, thereby securing the accessory to the vehicle roof. When it is desired to remove the accessory, the release rods 84 of the various female receivers 14 are all depressed, thereby releasing the male connectors 12 and allowing the accessory to be removed by withdrawing the male connectors 12 from the female receivers 14 and lifting the accessory from the roof.

[0066] In an alternative arrangement illustrated in Fig. 15, female receivers 14 can be mounted directly to the vehicle’s roof rack O. In that case, the accessories can be mounted directly to the roof rack O, either using accessory plates as illustrated or, if the accessory has male connectors connected directly to them as OEM equipment, without using an accessory plate. Engagement and removal from the vehicle are otherwise the same as described above with respect to Fig. 14.

[0067] In a still further configuration illustrated in Fig. 16, roof racks P could have female receivers 14 embedded within a channel of the roof rack itself. (Roof racks are frequently made as extrusions, which facilitates such an arrangement.) The male connectors 12, which could be smaller in size or scale as compared to the male connectors 12 used in the embodiments described above, would then fit down into the channels of the roof rack P before being slid horizontally to engage with the female receivers 14. In this embodiment, a push-rod (not illustrated) with button Q on the end thereof, which extends along the length of the roof rack P, would be interconnected with the release rod (or similar actuator of each of the individual female receivers. Thus, pushing the single button Q would release all male connectors 12 from their respective female receivers 14 simultaneously.

[0068] ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT

[0069] In the first embodiment of mounting assemblies described above, the securement mechanism components are housed within the body of the female receiver 14, and they interact with and engage into features that are formed on the male connector 12. In an alternative embodiment of the mounting assemblies, the relationship is “inverted.” In other words, the securement mechanism components are housed within a second embodiment of the male connector 1012, and they interact with and engage into features of a second embodiment of the female receiver 1014.

[0070] The second embodiment male connector 1012 and the second embodiment female receiver 1014 are illustrated in Figs. 17A through 25C. Given the similarity of the corresponding operational components and features in the second embodiment to those of the first embodiment, the operational components and features of the second embodiment are labelled in these figures (to the extent the figures are labelled) using reference numerals that are the same as those used in the preceding figures, but increased by 1000. Given the detailed description above of how the components of the securement mechanism operate in the first embodiment of the female connector 14, and given the Brief Description above of Figs. 17A through 25C, the sequential operation of the components of the securement mechanism in the second embodiment of the male connector 1012 illustrated in Figs. 20A through 25C should be understood without specific description thereof here.

[0071] STORAGE

[0072] Beneficially, the uniform spacing of the male connectors 12 or 1012 and female receivers 14 or 1014 - the male connectors 12 or 1012 in particular - facilitates convenient storage of accessories with male connectors 12, 1012 attached to them (either by means of an accessory plate or as part of the original OEM product). For example, as illustrated in Fig. 26, an accessory storage panel R can be formed from a sheet of material, e.g., PVC, HDPE, aluminum, steel, injection-molded plastic, etc., with a multitude of apertures S formed across the surface of the panel R. Bent-under flanges along the upper and lower edges of the storage panel R allow the storage panel to be attached to a wall, e g., using suitable anchors and bolts passing through holes running along the edges of the storage panel R and the flanges. The apertures are arranged at the same uniform spacing as the male connectors 12, 1012 on the various accessories, and they are formed with enlarged openings at their upper ends to allow the lateral flanges 28, 30 of the male connectors 12 (or corresponding flanges of male connectors 1012) to be inserted into the apertures S. This allows a given accessory to be mounted to the storage panel for storage by “hooking” the male connectors 12, 1012 onto the storage panel R, namely, by inserting the lateral flanges 28, 30 of the male connectors 12 (or 1012) into the enlarged upper ends of the apertures S and sliding the accessory down.

[0073] The embodiments described above are for illustrative and / or explanatory purposes only. What is covered is defined by the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A connector system, comprising: a female connector component; and a male connector component configured to engage with and be retained by the female connector component; wherein one of the male and female connector components includes a securement mechanism by which the male connector component is retained by the female connector component, the securement mechanism including a securement latch member and a trigger mechanism, wherein the other of the male and female connector components includes a securement feature with which the securement latch member engages to keep the male connector component engaged with and retained by the female connector component, wherein the securement latch member occupies a non-engaging position when the male connector component is not engaged with the female connector component, wherein the trigger mechanism is positioned to be actuated while the male connector component is being moved into engagement with the female connector component, with actuation of the trigger mechanism causing the securement latch member to move from said non-engaging position toward a position in which the securement latch member engages with said securement feature, wherein the securement latch member occupies a position of full engagement with the securement feature when the male connector component is fully engaged with and retained by the female connector component, wherein one of the male and female connector components further includes a release mechanism, actuation of which causes the securement latch member to move out of said position of full engagement with the securement feature such that the male connector component may be removed from engagement with the female connector component, and wherein the trigger mechanism is configured such that, once the male connector component has been removed from engagement with the female connector component, the trigger mechanism stands cocked and ready to be actuated once again upon reengagement of the male connector component with the female connector component.

2. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to be cocked automatically as the male connector component is withdrawn from engagement with the female connector component.

3. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the securement mechanism is housed within the female connector component.

4. The connector system of claim 3, wherein the securement latch member comprises a bolt and the securement feature comprises a bolt receptacle on the male connector component.

5. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the securement mechanism is housed within the male connector component.

6. The connector system of claim 5, wherein the securement latch member comprises a bolt and the securement feature comprises a bolt receptacle on the female connector component.

7. A transport system for a vehicle, comprising: a rack component configured to be mounted to the vehicle; and at least one item to be transported by the vehicle; wherein collectively the rack component and the at least one item include the connector system according to claim 1, with the female connector component being attached to one of the rack component and the at least one item and the male connector component being attached to the other of the rack component and the at least one item.

8. The transport system according to claim 7, wherein the male or female connector component that is connected to the rack component is connected to the rack component via a spacing deck.

9. The transport system according to claim 7, wherein each of the male or female connector component or components that is / are connected to the at least one item to be transported by the vehicle is / are connected to the item or items via an accessory plate.

10. A storage system, comprising: a storage panel; and a plurality of items; wherein each of the plurality of items includes a plurality of connector components arranged in a pattern, the connector components on all of the plurality of items are the same type of connector component, and the pattern in which the plurality of connector components on each item is arranged is the same as the pattern in which the plurality of connector components are arranged on the other items, and wherein the storage panel includes a plurality of engagement features arranged across it with which the connector components on the items can engage, with multiple subsets of the engagement features being arranged in the same pattern and with the same spacing as the pattern and spacing with which the plurality of connector components on each item are arranged.

11. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the connectors on the items are male connectors and the engagement features on the storage panel are slots configured to receive and retain the male connectors therein.

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