IP Library Granted Patent US 10,543,790
Granted Patent B2
US 10,543,790 · App. 15/988,259 · Granted Jan 28, 2020

Modular rack system with gussetless joints

Inventor: Edwin L. Marr, Jr. (Providence, RI)
Assignee: Thule, Inc.
B60R9/06B60R9/00B62D33/0207B60R2021/0083
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,543,790
App. No.
15/988,259
Granted
Jan 28, 2020
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (35)

1. 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.

2. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the collar is disposed on a top surface of the base.

3. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the collar is integrally formed with the base.

4. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a wall, wherein a width of the wall is greater at a bottom portion of the collar than at a top portion of the collar.

5. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the upright member is disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to a top surface of the base.

6. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener, the second fastener, the first bore, and the second bore are threaded.

7. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the upright member is made of an extruded metal.

8. The rack system of claim 7 , wherein the extruded metal is aluminum.

9. 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.

10. The rack system of claim 9 , further comprising a second bore in the first end of the elongate upright and a second fastener disposed through a second base aperture and into the second bore in the first end of the elongate upright.

11. The rack system of claim 10 , wherein the first bore and the second bore extend from the first end to the second end of the elongate upright.

12. The rack system of claim 11 , wherein the first bore and the second bore are threaded at the first end and the second end of the elongate upright.

13. The rack system of claim 9 , wherein the elongate upright comprises five upright apertures.

14. The rack system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of upright apertures extend from the first end to the second end of the elongate upright.

15. The rack system of claim 9 , further comprising a top rail coupled to the second end of the elongate upright.

16. The rack system of claim 9 , wherein the elongate upright comprises a rectangular cross-sectional shape having rounded short sides.

17. 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.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are disposed within a perimeter of the collar.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising securing the base to a vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising coupling a top rail to the upright member.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2020
From: MARR, EDWIN L., JR.
To: TRACRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 051470/0789 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2020
From: TRACRAC, INC.
To: THULE, INC.
Reel/Frame 051470/0816 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12781075 · May 17, 2010
Provisional Application 61179163 · May 18, 2009
Related Publication 20190118727A1 · Apr 25, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,570,363