US 3,963,136 A · Retractable ladder rack

Abstract

31 C-shaped A retractable ladder rack for use on the top of vehicles. The rack has one or more curved C-shaped channel members wich can be attached to the roof of the vehicle and which hold antifriction members such as wheels which in turn suppot a rack. The rack can slide along the channel members to a lower position to facilitate the loading of a ladder or other object. The rack may be equipped with spring means to facilitate upward movement. The rack has at least three anti-friction members which are positioned within the channel, at least two of which are retained in the channel when the rack is in its maximum downward position. The retained members are positioned in close proximity to each other so that when the rack is extended said rack moves downwardly and toward the side of the vehicle and is supported only by its retained members. The extent of the movement toward the side of the vehicle may be made adjustable.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A retractable ladder rack assembly for use on the top of vehicles, said rack assembly comprising:

a curved rail comprising a C-shaped channel member having a first end and a second open end;
means for attaching said channel member to the top of the vehicle;
at least three anti-friction members adapted to ride in said channel and positioned so that said anti-friction members are within said channel member when said rack is in a retracted position and so that at least two but not all of said anti-friction members remain within said channel member when said rack is in an extended configuration, the members remaining within said channel being retained members, said retained members being in close proximity to each other;
a rack supported by said anti-friction members and said channel member to permit movement along said channel member from the first end thereof to and partially past the second end thereof when said rack is moved from its retracted position to its extended configuration;
and
spring means attached to said rack by flexible cable means positioned within said channel and urging said rack towards the first end of said channel member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Retractable ladder rack

Life of this patent

Retractable ladder rack

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16