WO2005073031A1

WO2005073031A1 - A combined transport-and storage rack for elongated items

Info

Publication number: WO2005073031A1
Application number: PCT/NO2005/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven Arne RØNNINGEN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-30
Filing date: 2005-01-27
Publication date: 2005-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-30
Also published as: NO20040427L

Abstract

There is described a combined transport and storage rack for the storage of elongate articles arranged between the rack parts (1, 2) which are provided rotatable relative to each other by means of a pivot component arranged at a first end portion and can be detachably fastened together at a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the rack parts being made as detachable, assembled respective pairs of a frame-like rack module (2) and a clamp or securing module (1), consisting of parallel, spaced-apart, elongate arms, separated by cross members (3, 4), the arms of the rack module (2) on a front side face being provided and equipped (7, 8) for support of the articles, and the pivot component consisting of two aligned shaft arrangements (6) facing each other.

Description

Combined transport and storage rack for elongate articles

The present invention relates to a combined transport and storage rack for elongate articles arranged between rack parts that are pivotal or rotatable relative to each other, as disclosed in the preamble of patent claim 1.

The invention is especially intended for articles of the type skis and ski poles, but it is obvious that it can also be used for other similar articles.

A number of proposed transportable ski carriers are known from the patent literature. As examples of such prior art, reference can be made to US Patents 4 438 878, 4 312 467, 370 766 and 3 262 619,and also to PCT - WO 81/02559. Of these documents, the first- mentioned US patent seems to be the most relevant in relation to the invention. The patent specification describes a frame member equipped on each side with pivotal arms. Skis and poles are arranged between the respective arms and the frame member, and can be locked to this member. The frame member is equipped with a carrying handle and otherwise provided in such manner that two ski carriers can be arranged on a roof rack on a car.

Although the known devices function as intended, they provide no suggestion of an arrangement which also can be used for fixed mounting on a wall or the like, or can be employed as a free-standing storage rack.

The object of the invention is to provide a combined transport and storage rack that is of simple construction and is flexible in use, and this is achieved with a rack of the aforementioned type that is characterised by the features in the characterising clause of independent patent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent patent claims.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a rack according to the invention used as a free-standing, portable device;

Fig. 2 shows the rack mounted on a wall or the like, i.e., fully unfolded; Figs. 3A and 3B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a locking lug; and

Figs. 4 and 5 show details of the locking lugs and the rack.

Like parts have been given like reference numerals in the drawings.

The rack according to the invention consists of two main modules, a frame-like rack module 2 and a clamp module 1, which are joined together by two suitable shaft arrangements 6. The rack module 2 is made having two parallel arms spaced apart from one another by a rack cross member 4. Arranged on the arm side portions facing the clamp module 1 are projecting lugs 8, of which every second one is also provided with a further projecting sleeve portion 7. The distance between the lugs 8 is preferably selected so that the gap can be adapted to receive a cross-country ski and the distance between the sleeve portions may be adapted in width to receive a slalom ski or the like. The clamp module 2 also comprises two parallel arms which at one end are held apart by means of a clamp cross member 3. Of course, more than one such cross member 3 may be provided. Two identical respective rack modules 2 and clamp modules 1 are provided. Any differences between the two respective module pairs will essentially reside in any modifications it may be necessary to make at the respective arm portions in order to obtain adaptation to each shaft arrangement 6. A carrying handle 5 is detachably arranged between the two shaft arrangements.

The modules 1 and 2, the shaft arrangement 6 and the carrying handle 5 are provided in such manner that the rack is easy and non-time consuming to assemble and disassemble.

Fig. 1 shows the rack free-standing, with the rack modules 2 separated or swung out and one of the clamp modules 1 swung upwards. The reference numeral 10 indicates a stopping device, for example, a strap or a chain or a similar element to prevent further separation of the rack arms. The clamp module 1 is swung so that it rests on top of the rack module 2 arms, and when it is secured it functions as a locking or securing clamp during transport or during use as a fixed storage rack. As is indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, a locking lug 9, arranged in a sleeve portion 7, may be provided to cooperate with a locking surface 11 on the clamp 1 to effect this securing. Of course, additional locking devices can be provided on the rack module 2 and the clamp module 1, or encircling them like a chain with a padlock that is used, for example, on bicycles (not shown) to prevent unintended removal of the secured objects. In Fig. 2 the rack is shown mounted on a wall. During such use, the carrying handle 5 per se is unnecessary, and the rack is shown in this figure with the handle removed. During such use, one or both of the locking or securing clamp modules 1 may be removed. The objects that are to be stored are then placed in the rack module 2 and the lugs 9 are turned to hold the respective objects in place. The lugs 9 as shown in Figs. 3 A and 3B are fabricated of an elastic material and have leg portions so that they can easily be pushed into and received/secured in a removable manner in the sleeve portions 7.

It should also be understood that the rack according to the invention may also be provided in such manner that it can be fitted on and secured to a roof rack or roof rails on a car. This can apply to the complete rack with two rack modules and two clamp or securing/locking modules. Optionally the rack may be divided so that just one rack module and one clamp module is used. Necessary modifications are within the scope of technical measures determined by the relevant adaptation requirements.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s

1.

A combined transport and storage rack for elongate articles arranged between rack parts (1, 2) which are provided rotatable relative to each other by means of a pivot component arranged at a first end portion and can be detachably fastened together at a second end portion opposite the first end portion, characterised in that the rack parts are fabricated as detachable, assembled respective pairs of a frame-like rack module (2) and a clamp or securing module (1), consisting of spaced-apart, parallel elongate arms, separated by a cross member (3, 4), the arms of the rack module (2) on a front side face being provided and equipped (7, 8) for support of the articles, and the pivot component consisting of two aligned shafts arrangements (6) facing each other.

2. A rack according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the cross members (3, 4) of respectively the rack module (2) and the securing module (1) is provided in the arm area opposite, or remote from, the shaft arrangements (6).

3. A rack according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a carrying handle (5) is detachably mounted between the shaft arrangements (6).

4.

A rack according to one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the front side face of the rack module (2) is provided with spaced-apart, projecting lugs (8) of which some may be provided with a further projecting sleeve body (7).

5.

A rack according to claim 4, characterised in that elastic locking lugs (9) are provided for pivotal, releasable arrangement in the sleeve bodies (7).

6.

A rack according to one of claims 1-5, characterised in that a suitable locking arrangement is provided so that the rack module (1) and the securing module (1) can be locked together to prevent unintended removal of the articles supported in the rack.

7.

A rack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is provided so that the securing or clamp module (1) can be dismantled from the rack module (2), which can then be used alone.

8.

A rack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is provided so that it can be split into two separate individual racks each comprising both the rack module (2) and the securing module (1), optionally only the rack module (2).

9.

A rack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is provided and equipped so that it can be arranged on and secured to a roof rack, or roof rails, on a car.

10.

A rack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it can be used as a free-standing rack or a rack fixed to a wall or the like.