Yakima Products, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140097220 | RACK TOWER FOR SECURING CROSSBARS ON TOP OF A VEHICLE - A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle includes a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar spans a pair of rails. The crossbars are connected to the rails by towers. Each tower has a claw assembly which is adjustable along two axes. | 04-10-2014 |
20130062383 | VEHICLE-MOUNTABLE BICYCLE CARRIER WITH SECURING JAW - A vehicle-mountable bicycle carrier includes a linkage device for mounting the carrier to a vehicle, a base portion or platform to support both wheels of a bicycle, and an arm assembly connected to the base portion. The arm assembly may include a mast member and a jaw member. The jaw member may have a mounting portion received on the mast member and a hook portion attached to the mounting portion and configured to engage a bicycle frame and/or a top portion of a bicycle wheel. The jaw member may have a released configuration where the jaw member, as a unit, is pivotable about and slidable up and down the mast member while the mounting portion remains on the mast member. | 03-14-2013 |
20130022440 | HITCH-MOUNTABLE BICYCLE CARRIER - A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle. | 01-24-2013 |
20130020366 | HITCH MOUNTED ARTICLE CARRIERS FOR VEHICLES - An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles. | 01-24-2013 |
20130020365 | HITCH MOUNTED ARTICLE CARRIERS FOR VEHICLES - An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles. | 01-24-2013 |
20130020364 | PIVOTING HITCH-MOUNTABLE BICYCLE CARRIER - A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame. | 01-24-2013 |
20130020361 | BICYCLE CARRIER WITH FORK MOUNT AND UNIVERSAL CROSSBAR CLAMP - A fork mount for securing a bicycle fork to a crossbar that comprises a top clamp including a pair of side surfaces having substantially aligned openings, an upper crossbar surface having a hole, and an adjustment surface with a plurality of substantially horizontal grooves. The fork mount further comprises a bottom clamp that has a groove engager frictionally engagable within each groove to form a pivot point to a clamped position, and a lower crossbar surface with a hole. When in the clamped position, the upper and lower crossbar surfaces form a crossbar opening and the holes of each crossbar surface are substantially alignable. The fork mount comprises a connector that is engagable through the substantially alignable holes of each crossbar surface, wherein the connector secures the top and bottom clamps in the clamped position. A skewer is extendable through the substantially aligned openings of the top clamp. | 01-24-2013 |
20130015220 | BICYCLE CARRIER - A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a second frame member attached At least one support arm is configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle. A mounting assembly is positionable on the support arm to hold the bicycle in place during travel. | 01-17-2013 |
20120321409 | SECURITY STRAP - A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and cam device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked. | 12-20-2012 |
20120298707 | ADJUSTABLE TRUNK RACKS FOR CARRYING BICYCLES - Carriers for a bicycle and methods of mounting a bicycle carrier to a vehicle are disclosed. In some examples, the carriers may include a first frame structure configured to couple to a vehicle and a second frame structure configured to couple to the vehicle. The carriers may additionally include a body disposed between the first and second frame structures. The first frame structure may be mounted to the body and the second frame structure may be slidably received within the body. The carriers may further include a first cable device. The first cable device may include a first cable reel rotatably mounted to the body, and a first cable having a first hook end portion configured to attach to a first portion of the vehicle. The first cable may be configured to be wound around the first cable reel. | 11-29-2012 |
20120261449 | ARTICLE CARRIERS - A rack for carrying skis and snowboards on top of a vehicle includes a pair of clamp devices equipped for mounting on a pair of crossbars. Each clamp device has a collapsible position which reduces its forward facing profile when not being used to carry cargo items. | 10-18-2012 |
20120234883 | REAR-MOUNTED BICYCLE CARRIER - A versatile rack for carrying one or more bicycles on the rear of a vehicle includes two or more frame structures connected and coordinated through a pair of hubs. One of the frame structures has a pair of parallel arms equipped with saddle mounts and stabilizers for supporting and securing one or more bicycles. | 09-20-2012 |
20120234881 | LOAD-CARRYING MEMBERS FOR VEHICLE ROOFS - Load-carrying members for vehicle roofs are disclosed. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a body and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The body may have a load-bearing surface and may be configured to engage the crossbar and retain the load-carrying member proximate the crossbar. The arm may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position and about an axis that is transverse to the crossbar. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a pair of spaced apart mounting blocks and a clamping member configured to engage the crossbar in opposition to the pair of spaced apart mounting blocks. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof. | 09-20-2012 |
20120228349 | STABILIZED CARGO BOX FOR A VEHICLE RACK SYSTEM - A vehicle rack system including a stabilized cargo box attached to a pair of crossbars. In some embodiments, the stabilized cargo box includes a container defining a long axis and having a bottom portion hinged to a lid portion to form an enclosure to hold cargo. A plurality of clamp devices may mount the container to the pair of crossbars attached to a roof of a vehicle. The bottom portion may include a housing member defining a groove and also may include a stiffening tube disposed in the groove and providing first and second tubular regions that are laterally spaced from each other and that each extend at least generally parallel to the long axis. The first and second tubular regions may be connected to each other by a third tubular region of the stiffening tube that extends at least part way across a nose of the container. | 09-13-2012 |
20120193381 | VEHICLE TOP CARRIERS - Improvements for a carrier configured to be mounted on a roof of a vehicle, including a removable floor cover configured to provide a protective layer on the floor of the carrier and/or to dampen sound produced within the carrier. In some embodiments, the cover may include floor conforming structures such as ribs or apertures, to conform the cover to the floor of the carrier and/or to accommodate mounting structures attached to or integral with the floor of the carrier. | 08-02-2012 |
20120181313 | VEHICLE BOAT LOADING DEVICE - An assembly for loading cargo on top of a vehicle includes at least one load bar oriented perpendicular to a pair of crossbars. The load bar is movable between stowed and loading positions in a direction parallel to the direction of vehicle travel. A rear end of the load bar is connected to a roller device for minimizing friction and avoiding contact with the vehicle when cargo is being elevated to the roof of the vehicle. | 07-19-2012 |
20120145757 | CAR TOP CARRIER - The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car. | 06-14-2012 |
20120125964 | HITCH MOUNTED BICYCLE RACKS FOR VEHICLES - A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes. | 05-24-2012 |
20120118926 | CAR TOP CARRIER - A cargo box is configured for mounting on crossbars on top of a vehicle. The cargo box includes a control assembly for operating a latch assembly on one side of the cargo box. The control assembly includes a toggle switch which may be enabled or disabled by operation of a lock device. | 05-17-2012 |
20120111910 | NESTABLE CARGO BOX FOR A VEHICLE - Vehicle rack system with a nestable cargo box, including a kit for constructing the cargo box, and methods of making, packaging, shipping, supplying, and assembling the cargo box. The cargo box may include a base portion and a lid portion that can be arranged in (1) a shipping configuration where the base and lid portions are not operatively connected to each other and one of the portions is inverted and nested in the other portion and (2) an operative configuration in which the base and the lid portions are operatively connected to each other to form a box that can be pivoted open and fastened shut. | 05-10-2012 |
20110219826 | SECURITY STRAP - A security device for securing an object to a vehicle is provided including a loop member having a fixed interior circumference and an anchor member having a circumference that is less than the fixed interior circumference. The security device may further include a flexible cut-resistant strap member extending at least between the loop member and the anchor member, the strap member including cut-resistant material, wherein the length of the strap member between the loop member and the anchor member is at least long enough to allow threading of the anchor member through the loop member. Some embodiments of the security device may include a strap member having a substantially flat portion and/or maximum thickness adjacent the anchor member, such that the strap member may be closed within a vehicle barrier and vehicle frame, for example, a car door, and the anchor member may be trapped within the vehicle. | 09-15-2011 |
20110186608 | CAR TOP CARRIER LID SUPPORT - Strut designs for assisting opening and closing of a cargo box lid are provided. A strut includes two or more arms biased toward one or more directions by spring devices. Struts may be used on a single side opening box or a dual-side opening box, and may exhibit degrees of symmetrical design and movement for balanced operation. | 08-04-2011 |
20110174855 | VEHICLE TOP CARRIERS - An elongate cargo box includes a bottom portion and a lid. The bottom portion has clamps for connecting the box to a pair of crossbars on top of a vehicle. The lid is hinged to the bottom by a latch assembly including multiple latch devices. The lid may have transverse beams fastened to an inner surface of the lid. | 07-21-2011 |
20110139844 | SPARE TIRE BIKE MOUNT - A rack for mounting on a spare tire assembly of a vehicle includes a mounting plate engagable to a spare tire mounting bracket of the vehicle, and a mast connected to the mounting plate in a substantially vertical position. The rack also includes a shoulder member connected proximate a top end of the mast and mountable proximate the top end of the mast using a connector at more than one position along a horizontal axis relative to the mast. A hub assembly is connected to the shoulder member, and a pair of arms are connected to the hub assembly that are configured to carry one or more bikes. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139842 | VEHICLE RACK FOR CARRYING A WHEEL - A vehicle rack for carrying a bicycle wheel, a wheel carrier mountable on a load supporting bar of a vehicle rack, and methods of using a vehicle rack and/or wheel carrier to hold a bicycle wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel carrier may include a base, a pair of arms connected to the base and defining slots for receiving an axle of a bicycle wheel, and a strap securable to the base over a rim of the bicycle wheel to restrict removal of the wheel from the arms. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139841 | CROSSBAR CLAMP DEVICES - Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139840 | SKEWER ASSEMBLY FOR BICYCLE FORK MOUNT - A bike rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle includes an elongate body for supporting a bicycle, and a fork mount for securing the front fork of the bicycle. A fork mount includes a skewer assembly having a shaft and a keyed member being freed to slide axially along the shaft, but not permitted to rotate around the shaft. A handle device is provided for rotation around the shaft causing adjustment of the effective length of the shaft. A lock device is configured to couple the handle device to the keyed member and prevent rotation of the handle around the shaft. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139839 | BICYCLE CARRIER - A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139838 | BOAT RACK - A rack for carrying a boat on top of the vehicle is configured for clamping on a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar has a pair of saddle mounts facing each other on opposite sides of a cradle axis being defined perpendicular to the crossbar and equidistant from each saddle mount. Each saddle mount has a pliable upper platform which is conformable to different boat hull shapes. | 06-16-2011 |
20110132946 | UPRIGHT BIKE MOUNT - A bike mount has an elongate body for supporting a bike. A front end of the bike mount may include a pair of hoop structures for gripping the front wheel of a bike. One of the hoop structures may have a ramp for causing rotation of the hoop structure as a bike rolls on to the ramp. One or more clamps are included for fastening the bike mount to one or more crossbars. | 06-09-2011 |
20110084102 | CARGO CARRIER WITH AERODYNAMIC ILLUMINATION DEVICE - An aerodynamic cargo box configuration includes a bottom portion hinged to a lid. The lid has a receptacle for receiving a photovoltaic light device substantially flush with, and below, the outer surface of the lid. A photovoltaic light assembly may include a cup portion and a top portion, the top portion containing a photovoltaic cell and the bottom portion containing electronics and an array of one or more light elements configured to provide optimal illumination to an interior space of an elongate rectangular cargo box. | 04-14-2011 |
20110024471 | CARGO BAGS - Cargo bags that are mountable on a roof or roof rack of a vehicle are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cargo bag may include a container portion constructed at least partially of textile, a strap for securing the container portion to the roof or roof rack, and a structure adapted to provide shape to the container portion regardless of whether cargo is stored within the container portion. The structure may include a semi-rigid elongate member and/or foam padding. Some embodiments may include a pad positioned on a bottom of the container portion to protect the roof of the vehicle. | 02-03-2011 |
20100127031 | COORDINATED ADJUSTABLE TRUNK RACK FOR CARRYING BICYCLES - A carrier for a bicycle includes first and second frame elements configured for coupling to a vehicle. The elements are configured such that one can slide past the other to allow adjustment for various vehicle sizes and shapes. A slide restriction mechanism allows reversible fixation of a relative positioning of the first and second frame elements. In some embodiments, the first and second frame elements are arcuate in shape, such that the overall bicycle carrier is roughly semicircular in profile view when configured for attachment to a vehicle. | 05-27-2010 |
20100084448 | LINKAGE DEVICES FOR CONNECTING VEHICLE RACK SUPPORT MEMBERS TO VEHICLES - Linkage devices for connecting vehicle rack support members to preexisting attachment points on vehicle upper surfaces are disclosed. The linkage devices may include a body, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The body may include an interface, configured to engage and retain the support member, and a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may be disposed on the lower edge and extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may extend through the resilient pad and into the substantially hollow lower portion. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening, engage the attachment point, and selectively urge the body against the resilient pad and the upper surface of the vehicle. | 04-08-2010 |
20100084447 | CAR TOP CARRIER - A car top carrier incorporating improved dual-functioning hinge/latch mechanisms connected by a drive bar that translates pivotal rotation to open and close the carrier. | 04-08-2010 |
20100043186 | SECURITY STRAP - A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and pawl device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked. | 02-25-2010 |
20090321488 | RACK STRAP EXTENSION SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE BIKE RACKS - A rack strap extension system for a vehicle comprising a rack that is positioned adjacent a rear end of the vehicle, a strap coupled to the rack, a substantially rigid spanning member that is coupled to the strap and has at least two ends that fit around a protrusion positioned near a top rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the strap avoids tensional contact with the protrusion, and a connector mechanism proximate the strap and the substantially rigid spanning member engaged to a receiver of the vehicle, wherein the protrusion is interposed between the connector and the rack. | 12-31-2009 |