초록

A vehicle cargo rack is provided with a carrier member and a carrier positioning device for positioning the carrier member. The carrier member is positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vehicle cargo rack, comprising:a first carrier member, said first carrier member being positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position; anda first carrier positioning device for positioning said first carrier member,wherein said first carrier member is substantially flush wit

1. A vehicle cargo rack, comprising:a first carrier member, said first carrier member being positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position; anda first carrier positioning device for positioning said first carrier member,wherein said first carrier member is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said vehicle when in said stored position,wherein said first carrier member is substantially parallel to said exterior surface of said vehicle when in said deployed position,wherein said first carrier positioning device comprises at least one support member positionable substantially perpendicular to said first carrier member, andwherein said at least one support member comprises a scissor hinge. 2. The vehicle cargo rack according to claim 1, further comprising:a second carrier member positioned substantially parallel to said first carrier member, said second carrier member being positionable in said deployed position and said stored position; anda second carrier positioning device for positioning said second carrier member. 3. The vehicle cargo rack according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle cargo rack is a roof mounted cargo rack. 4. A vehicle cargo rack comprising:a first carrier member, said first carrier member being positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position; anda first carrier positioning device for positioning said first carrier member,wherein said first carrier member is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said vehicle when in said stored position,wherein said first carrier member is angled with respect to said exterior surface of said vehicle when in said deployed position,wherein said first carrier member comprises an elongated panel, and wherein said first carrier member is hinged to said exterior surface of said vehicle along a side portion of said elongated panel. 5. A vehicle cargo rack, comprising:a first carrier member, said first carrier member being positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position; anda first carrier positioning device for positioning said first carrier member,wherein said first carrier positioning device comprises a touch and pop mechanism for positioning said first carrier member. 6. A method of deploying a vehicle cargo rack between a deployed position and a stored position, comprising the steps of:positioning a carrier member in a deployed position by vertically elevating said carrier member from said stored position to said deployed position; andpositioning the carrier member in a stored position,wherein the positioning steps are performed by a carrier positioning device,wherein said carrier member is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said vehicle when in said stored position,wherein said carrier member is substantially parallel to said exterior surface of said vehicle when in said deployed position, andwherein vertically elevating said carrier member comprises extending a scissor hinge attached to an underside of said carrier member. 7. A method of deploying a vehicle cargo rack between a deployed position and a stored position, comprising the steps of:positioning a carrier member in a deployed position by rotating said carrier member from said stored position to said deployed position, said carrier member being hinged along an elongated side portion; andpositioning the carrier member in a stored position,wherein the positioning steps are performed by a carrier positioning device, andwherein said first carrier member is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said vehicle when in said stored position. 8. An integral vehicle cargo rack, comprising:a plurality of retractable members, wherein said plurality of retractable members are positionable in an elevated position relative to an external surface of a vehicle and a retracted position flush with said external surface of said vehicle; anda plurality of scissor hinges extendably connecting said plurality of retractable members to said vehicl e. 9. A vehicle cargo rack, comprising:a first carrier member, said first carrier member being positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position; anda first carrier positioning device for positioning said first carrier member,wherein said first carrier member is angled with respect to a roof of a vehicle when in said deployed position,wherein said first carrier member comprises an elongated panel, and wherein said first carrier member is hinged to said roof of said vehicle along a portion of said elongated panel. 10. The vehicle cargo rack according to claim 9, wherein said first carrier member comprises fasteners for retaining various items to said cargo rack.