초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a convertible cargo rack that can be configured in one of two positions. In the first configuration, the cargo rack is suspended behind a vehicle, and in the second configuration, the cargo rack is pulled behind the vehicle in a trailer-like fashion. In the first

The present invention is directed to a convertible cargo rack that can be configured in one of two positions. In the first configuration, the cargo rack is suspended behind a vehicle, and in the second configuration, the cargo rack is pulled behind the vehicle in a trailer-like fashion. In the first configuration, the cargo rack has at least two tubular receivers on its underside that correspond to at least two tubular receivers attached to the rear of the vehicle. Support bars are inserted into the receivers to suspend the cargo rack behind the vehicle. In the second configuration, the cargo rack is rotated 90 degrees and wheels are attached to the sides of the cargo rack. A trailer bar then pivotably attaches the cargo receiver to the vehicle's center tubular receiver so that the cargo rack can be pulled behind the vehicle in a trailer-like fashion. The tubular receivers that are secured to the vehicle are attached using a bracket that can accommodate vehicle support frames of various sizes and shapes. In this way the cargo rack can be used on almost any vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle comprising:a housing attached to a sidewall of a vehicle receiver, said housing including a spring biased locking pin that protrudes through the side wall of said receiver to automatically lock a support bar for a cargo carrier that is inserted int

1. A latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle comprising:a housing attached to a sidewall of a vehicle receiver, said housing including a spring biased locking pin that protrudes through the side wall of said receiver to automatically lock a support bar for a cargo carrier that is inserted into said receiver, wherein said housing includes a rod attached to the locking pin and an internal bracket secured to the inside wall of the housing, the rod cooperating with the internal bracket to secure the pin in a locked or unlocked position. 2. The latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle of claim 1, wherein:the bracket is a U-shaped bracket located adjacent the sidewall of the receiver such that in the unlocked position, the rod engages the ends of the U-shaped bracket to prevent the locking pin from protruding into the receiver, and in the locked position, the rod does not engage the ends of the U-shaped bracket so that the locking pin is free to be biased into the receiver to secure the support bar. 3. The latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle of claim 2, wherein:a portion of the locking pin extends out of the housing and has a handle attached thereto for grasping, the handle being used to rotate the rod into and out of engagement with the ends of the U-shaped bracket. 4. The latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle of claim 3, wherein:the housing includes a flange adjacent the handle so that the handle maybe secured to the flange when the locking pin is in the locked position thereby preventing the handle from moving the locking pin to the unlocked position. 5. The latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle of claim 1, wherein:the housing includes ears adjacent said sidewall of the receiver, the ears extending in opposite directions beyond said sidewall of the receiver, the portion of the ear extending beyond said sidewall of the receiver and having openings therein; and a fastening bolt having ends that are inserted through the openings in the ears to secure the housing to said receiver. 6. The latch for locking a cargo carrier to a vehicle of claim 1, wherein:the spring biased locking pin includes a spring located between the rod and an opposing wall of the housing, the spring urging the locking pin into the receiver to lock the support bar. 7. A bracket for attaching a receiver to a vehicle for supporting a cargo carrier, comprising:a female receiver attached to a support frame of a vehicle for receiving a support bar of a cargo carrier; a first and second bracket that are attached to the female receiver and engage the support frame of the vehicle, wherein each bracket has a plurality of holes, the placement of the plurality of holes being staggered so that no two consecutive holes are vertically aligned; and a fastener that is inserted through the one set of holes to secure the brackets to the support frame of the vehicle, wherein the first bracket is fixedly secured to the receiver and the second bracket is slidably secured to the receiver, the second bracket being able to move along the receiver so that the first and second bracket can engage different size vehicle support frames. 8. A convertible cargo carrier that attaches to the rear of a vehicle, comprising:a generally flat platform having a first configuration and a second configuration relative to a vehicle, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration are perpendicular to one another; said first configuration having at least two receivers attached to the underside of the platform, the at least two receivers extending toward the vehicle alone the vehicle's longitudinal axis to suspend the cargo carrier behind the vehicle; said second configuration having wheels attached to the ends of one of the at least two receivers of the first configuration, and an additional receiver attached to the underside of the platform, said additional receiver extending toward the vehicle along the vehicle's longitudinal axis and having a support bar inserted therein for securing the cargo carrier to the rear of the vehicle so that the cargo carrier is pulled behind the vehicle in a trailer-like fashion; said at least two receivers of the first configuration comprises three receivers such that when the platform is moved to the second configuration the wheels are attached to the ends of the middle receiver; the at least two receivers of the first configuration are secured to hinge bars which are attached to the vehicle such that in the first configuration the platform may be rotated into an upright stowed position; wherein the hinge bars are inserted into vehicle receivers; said vehicle receivers comprise a female receiver for receiving the hinge bar, a first and second bracket that engage a support frame of a vehicle, wherein each of the brackets have a plurality of holes, the placement of the plurality of holes being staggered so that no two consecutive holes are vertically aligned, and a fastener that is inserted into the holes to secure the brackets around the support frame of the vehicle. 9. The convertible cargo carrier that attaches to the rear of a vehicle of claim 8, wherein:a housing is attached to a sidewall of said vehicle receiver, said housing including a spring biased locking pin that protrudes through the side wall of said vehicle receiver to automatically lock the hinge bar for a cargo carrier.