CA-3149865-C - ACCESSORY RACK ASSEMBLY AND ACCESSORY RACK KIT

Abstract

An accessory rack assembly for connecting to a vehicle including a rack structure including: a first rack component; a second rack component connected to the first rack component; and at least one protrusion, the first rack component and the second rack component extending in a same direction from the first and third end portions, the first rack component and the second rack component defining an accessory passage therebetween, the at least one protrusion extending from the first rack component into the accessory passage, the at least one protrusion separating the accessory passage into a first passage portion and a second passage portion, the at least one protrusion being configured for separating one object disposed in the first passage portion from another object disposed in the second passage portion, and a securing member selectively extending over the top end portions to selectively partially close the top opening.

Inventors

• Christian Labbe
• Jonathan ASSELIN

Assignees

• BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20220223

Priority Date

20210226

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1. An accessory rack assembly for connecting to a vehicle, comprising: a rack structure including: a first rack component including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; a second rack component including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the third end portion of the second rack component being connected to the first end portion of the first rack component; and at least one protrusion connected to and extending outward from at least one of a first surf ace of the first rack component and a second surface of the second rack component, the first surface extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the second surface extending between the third end portion and the fourth end portion, the first rack component and the second rack component extending in a same direction from the first and third end portions, the first rack component and the second rack component defining an accessory passage therebetween, the at least one protrusion extending from the first rack component into the accessory passage, the at least one protrusion separating the accessory passage into a first passage portion and a second passage portion, the at least one protrusion being configured for separating an at least one first object disposed in the first passage portion from an at least one second object disposed in the second passage portion, the second end portion of the first rack component and the fourth end portion of the second rack component defining therebetween a top opening of the accessory passage, a width of the top opening between the second end portion and the fourth end portion being changeable by movement of the second rack component relative to the first rack component; and a securing member selectively connected to the rack structure, the securing member extending over the second end portion and the fourth end portion to selectively partially close the top opening, the second end portion and the fourth end portion being spaced from each other when the top opening is partially closed by the securing member. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29 2. The accessory rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the rack structure formed by the first rack component and the second rack component is generally U-shaped. 3. The accessory rack assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rack component includes a compressible portion extending from the first rack component into at least one of the first passage portion and the second passage portion. 4. The accessory rack assembly of claim 3, wherein the compressible portion includes a plurality of flexible members extending into the at least one of the first passage portion and the second passage portion. 5. The accessory rack assembly of claim 3, wherein: the second passage portion is located between the first end portion and the third end portion connected together and the at least one protrusion; and the compressible portion extends into the second passage portion. 6. The accessory rack assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one protrusion is a protrusion extending from the first rack component across a majority of the accessory passage. 7. The accessory rack assembly of claim 6, wherein: the first passage portion has a first height extending along the first surface; the second passage portion has a second height extending along the first surface; the second rack component and the protrusion are arranged to secure an at least one third object in the accessory passage, a height of the at least one third object being greater than the first height of the first passage portion and the second height of the second passage portion; and when received in the accessory passage: the at least one third object extends into the first passage portion and the second passage portion, and the at least one third object is disposed between the protrusion and the second rack component. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29 8. The accessory rack assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one third object is a snowboard. 9. The accessory rack assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the securing member is configured to be selectively tightened around the rack structure, the fourth end portion of the second rack component being flexed toward the second end portion of the first rack component when the securing member is at least partially tightened around the rack structure. 10. The accessory rack assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: at least one ratchet buckle connected to the rack structure; and wherein: the securing member includes at least one ratchet strap; and the at least one ratchet buckle is arranged to selectively receive and tighten the at least one ratchet strap. 11. The accessory rack assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the securing member compnses: a center rigid member; a first strap connected to and extending from a first end of the center rigid member; and a second strap connected to and extending from a second end of the center rigid member. 12. The accessory rack assembly of claim 11, wherein: the center rigid member has an arc shape; and the center rigid member is sized and arranged, when connected to the rack structure, to extend around and over the second end portion of the first rack component and the fourth end portion of the second rack component. 13. The accessory rack assembly of claim 11, wherein the securing member comprises a deformable material layer connected to an inner surface of the center rigid member. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29 14. The accessory rack assembly of claim 11, wherein: the first strap is a first ladder strap; and the second strap is a second ladder strap; and the rack structure includes: a first ratchet buckle connected to a first exterior surface of the rack structure, the first ratchet buckle being arranged to selectively receive the first ladder strap, and a second ratchet buckle connected to a second exterior surface of the rack structure, the second ratchet buckle being arranged to selectively receive the second ladder strap. 15. The accessory rack assembly of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an attachment frame connected to the rack structure and configured for selectively connecting the rack structure to the vehicle. 16. The accessory rack assembly of claim 15, wherein the first rack component is fastened to the attachment frame. 17. The accessory rack assembly of claim 15, wherein: the vehicle is a snowmobile including a tunnel; and the attachment frame includes a top frame portion arranged for connecting to a top surface of the tunnel, an aperture being defined in the top frame portion, the aperture being sized and arranged for receiving an accessory anchor therethrough. 18. The accessory rack assembly of claim 17, wherein the attachment frame includes a side frame portion extending generally downward from the top frame portion, the side frame portion defining a through-hole therethrough for receiving a fastener for connecting to a side of the tunnel. 19. The accessory rack assembly of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: the at least one first object is a pair of skis; and the at least one second object is a pair of ski poles. 20. The accessory rack assembly of claim 1, wherein: Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29 the second rack component is at least partially deformable; and the width of the top opening between the second end portion and the fourth end portion is changed by flexing of the second rack component relative to the first rack component. 21. An accessory rack kit for a vehicle, the kit comprising: two accessory rack assemblies, each of the assemblies being an accessory rack assembly according to claim 1; two attachment frames for connecting the assemblies to a vehicle; and a plurality of fasteners for connecting the attachment frames to the vehicle. 22. The accessory rack kit of claim 21, wherein: the at least one first object being a pair of skis, the pair of skis being disposed in the first passage portion of and extending between the two accessory rack assemblies when the assemblies are installed on the vehicle; and the at least one second object being a pair of ski poles, the pair of ski poles being disposed in the second passage portion of and extending between the two accessory rack assemblies when the assemblies are installed on the vehicle. 23. The accessory rack kit of claim 21, further comprising a snowboard; and wherein: the snowboard is disposed in and extending between the two accessory rack assemblies when the assemblies are installed on the vehicle; and the snowboard extends into the first passage portion and the second passage portion of each of the two accessory rack assemblies, the snowboard being disposed between the at least one protrusion and the second rack component. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29

Description

ACCESSORY RACK ASSEMBLY AND ACCESSORY RACK KIT CROSS-REFERENCE [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 16/154,238, entitled "Accessory Rack Assembly and Accessory Rack Kit," filed on February 26, 2021. FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY [0002] The present technology relates to accessory rack assemblies and accessory rack kits for vehicles. BACKGROUND [0003] Off-road vehicles, such as snowmobiles and the like, are used for both utility and recreational purposes. These vehicles are sometimes used to carry winter sports equipment, such as skis and snowboards, for which equipment racks are sometimes provided. [0004] In many cases, however, a specific equipment rack is needed for a given model or type of equipment. For instance, in order to carry skis or a snowboard, two different equipment racks are often needed. Additionally, in order to transport both skis and ski poles, the skis and poles are often strapped together. This may not be as secure as securing the skis and poles separately and may further result in damage to the skis and/or poles. In order to separate the skis and poles, however, an additional rack may be required. [0005] Therefore, there is a desire for a solution for off-road vehicles to provide flexibility in equipment transport. SUMMARY Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29 [0006] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art. [0007] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided an accessory rack assembly, and rack kits includes one or more assemblies, for selectively securing elongated objects, especially skis, ski poles, and snowboards, to an off-road vehicle. The assembly has a generally U-shaped structure for receiving skis, ski poles, and/or snowboards therein. The width of the passage in which the cargo is received is adjustable using a ratchet strap securing member, which allows different models of sports equipment to be adapted to. The rack structure includes a protrusion extending into a central portion of the receiving passage to allow both skis and ski poles to be secured in the rack structure, while separating the skis from the ski poles. The lower portion of the receiving passage also includes a deformable portion to maintain the ski poles in place when secured therein, without restriction to the specific size or form of the poles. [0008] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided an accessory rack assembly for connecting to a vehicle. The assembly includes a rack structure including: a first rack component including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; a second rack component including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the third end portion of the second rack component being connected to the first end portion of the first rack component; and at least one protrusion connected to and extending outward from at least one of a first surface of the first rack component and a second surface of the second rack component, the first surface extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the second surface extending between the third end portion and the fourth end portion, the first rack component and the second rack component extending in a same direction from the first and third end portions, the first rack component and the second rack component defining an accessory passage therebetween, the at least one protrusion extending from the first rack component into the accessory passage, the at least one protrusion separating the accessory passage into a first passage portion and a second passage portion, the at least one protrusion being configured for separating an at least one first object disposed in the first passage portion from an at least one second object disposed in the second passage portion, the second end of the first rack component and the fourth end of the second rack component defining therebetween a top opening of the accessory passage, a width of the top opening between the second end and the fourth end being changeable by movement of the second Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-29 rack component relative to the first rack component; and a securing member selectively connected to the rack structure, the securing member extending over the second end portion and the fourth end portion to selectively partially close the top opening. [0009] In some embodiments, the rack structure formed by the first rack component and the second rack component is generally U-shaped. [0010] In some embodiments, the first rack component includes a compressible portion extending from the first rack component into at least one of the first passage portion and the second passage portion. [0011] In some embodiments, the compressible portion includes a plurality of flexible members extending into the at least one of the first passage portion and the second passage portion. [0012] I