Modular rack system with gussetless joints
AssigneeThule, Inc.
InventorEdwin L. Marr, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular rack system, for adjustably attaching equipment to a vehicle, includes a base mountable on a side wall of the vehicle. The rack system has a first wall that is disposed on and upwardly emanating from the top surface of the base that defines a lower seat. One end of a vertical member resides in the lower seat and is secured thereto. The other end of the vertical member resides in a upper seat defining by a downwardly depending wall from a saddle and is secured thereto. The first and second walls laterally stabilize the vertical member relative to the base and saddle to permit the base to be mounted to a side wall of a vehicle and a top rail to be secured to the saddle without the use of gussets or cross-braces.
Claims20
A rack system for attaching equipment to a vehicle, comprising:
- a base configured to be mounted on a sidewall of the vehicle, the base having a first aperture through the base and a second aperture through the base;
- a collar disposed on the base, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed within a perimeter of the collar;
- an upright member having a first end disposed within the collar and coupled to the base, the first end of the upright member having a first bore disposed in an interior of the upright member, a second bore disposed in the interior of the upright member, and a void disposed between the first bore and the second bore;
- and
- a first fastener disposed through the first aperture and into the first bore, and a second fastener disposed through the second aperture and into the second bore.
A rack system for attaching equipment to a vehicle, comprising:
- an elongate base having a first base aperture;
- an elongate upright, comprising:
- a longitudinal length defined from a first end to a second end,
- a first bore in the first end, and
- a plurality of upright apertures in the first end;
- and
- a first fastener disposed through the first base aperture and into the first bore in the first end of the elongate upright.
A method of assembly a rack system, comprising:
- inserting an upright member into a collar, the collar disposed on a base having a first aperture through the base and a second aperture through the base;
- inserting a first threaded fastener through the first aperture in the base;
- threading the first threaded fastener into engagement with a first threaded bore disposed within an interior of the upright member;
- inserting a second threaded fastener through the second aperture in the base;
- and
- threading the second threaded fastener into engagement with a second threaded bore disposed within the interior of the upright member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.