# US 2019/0168679 A1 · Automobile roof cargo mounting device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168679 A1 - Document ID: US20190168679A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/208,346 - Filed: 2018-12-03 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-12 - Assignees: PGP Holdings, LLC - Applicants: PGP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Robert John Donofrio; John Gregory Robinson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168679A1 ## CPC - B60R 9/00: Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like - B60R 9/048: Carriers characterised by article-gripping {, -covering,}-retaining, or -locking means - B60R 9/05: Carriers characterised by wind deflecting means (wind deflectors for open roofs B60J7/22) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The embodiments herein are directed to a reusable frameless vehicle roof-top carrier configured, dimensioned and arranged to securely mount and carry cargo loads having a size and shape similar to cut evergreen trees, while protecting the vehicle finish and cargo from damage. The reusable vehicle roof-top carrier is trapezoidal shaped to conveniently bind and condense branches of the tree, while catching sap drippings. Illustratively, the vehicle roof-top carrier is made from a tear-resistant fabric and includes a non-tacky non-slip surface placed in slip-resistant contact with the roof of the vehicle so as to prevent slippage (i.e., movement) of the tree during transport. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle roof-top carrier comprising: a tear-resistant fabric having leading and trailing edges; a first strap attached to an interior side of the fabric, the strap having a first connector at one end; a second connector looped around the cargo load and attached to an exterior side of the fabric for mating with the first connector of the strap such that the interior side of the fabric contacts a cargo load, wherein the cargo load is a tree; a strip of non-slip material included on the exterior side of the fabric perpendicular to the leading and trailing edges in a center of the fabric; and second and third straps configured to pass through a plurality of loops in the exterior side of the fabric such that the loops are at a vertical apex when the cargo load is wrapped in the fabric, a first loop at a predetermined first distance from the leading edge to provide a downward force on the non-slip strip against a countervailing aerodynamic force sufficient to prevent slippage when the roof-top carrier is mounted on a traveling vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein all edges of the fabric have rolled and sewn seams. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the non-slip material is non-tacky. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the tree is a conifer greater than 12 ft in length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the predetermined first distance is no more than 12 inches from the leading edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the second and third straps are configured and dimensioned to secure the roof-top carrier to the vehicle through two front doors of the vehicle, and wherein a second distance between the second and third straps is at least 16 inches. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the strip has a width of at least 6 inches. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the first and second connectors are plastic coated to prevent damage to a finish of the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the aerodynamic force is generated when the vehicle travels at speed greater than 55 miles per hour. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the non-slip material is a spray-on rubberized vinyl. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the non-slip material comprises: one or more sheets to create a non-slip surface feature on the exterior side of the fabric. ### Claim 12 A vehicle roof-top carrier comprising: a tear-resistant fabric having leading and trailing edges, wherein all edges of the fabric have rolled and sewn seams; first a strap attached to an exterior side of the fabric and having a first connector at one end, the first strap configured to wrap around a cargo load and connect to a second connector attached to the interior side of the fabric; a second strap looped around the cargo load in direction opposite to that of the first strap and attached to interior side of the fabric and having a third connector at one end, the second strap configured to wrap around the cargo load and connect to fourth connect attached to the exterior side of the fabric, wherein the cargo load is a tree; a strip of non-slip material included on the exterior side of the fabric perpendicular to the leading and trailing edges in a center of the fabric; and third and fourth straps configured to pass through a plurality of loops in the exterior side of the fabric such that the loops are at a vertical apex when the cargo load is wrapped in the fabric, a first loop at a predetermined first distance from the leading edge to provide a downward force on the non-slip strip against a countervailing aerodynamic force sufficient to prevent slippage when the roof-top carrier is mounted on a traveling vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 12 wherein the predetermined first distance is no more than 12 inches from the leading edge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 12 wherein the fabric is configured to prevent sap from the tree to damage a finish of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 12 wherein the non-slip material is non-tacky. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 12 wherein the leading edge has a length of at least 54 inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 12 wherein a length of the trailing edge is one-third a length of the leading edge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 12 wherein the strip has a width of at least 6 inches. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof-top carrier of claim 1 wherein the first strap is configured to wrap around the cargo load in a direction opposition from that of the second strap configured to wrap around the cargo load. ### Claim 20 A method comprising: wrapping a cargo load in a fabric; looping a first strap around the cargo load in a first direction and attaching a first connector at an end of the first strap to a second connector attached to an exterior side of the fabric; looping a second strap around the cargo load in a second direction opposite of the first direction and attaching a third connector at an end of the second strap to a fourth connector attached to an interior side of the fabric; mounting the loaded fabric on a vehicle such that a non-slip strip on the exterior side of the fabric contacts a roof of a vehicle; looping a third strap around a first plurality of loops on the exterior side of the fabric such that the first plurality of loops are at a vertical apex when the cargo load is wrapped in the fabric, the third strap passing through a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and looping a fourth strap around a second plurality of loops on the exterior side of the fabric such that the second plurality of loops are at a vertical apex when the cargo load is wrapped in the fabric, the fourth strap passing through the passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein tensions in the third and fourth straps provide a downward force on the non-slip strip against a countervailing aerodynamic force sufficient to prevent slippage when the vehicle is traveling.