US-12617349-B2 - Transport rack assembly

US12617349B2US 12617349 B2US12617349 B2US 12617349B2US-12617349-B2

Abstract

A transport rack assembly includes a left side clamp base and a separate right side clamp base that are adjustably positionable toward and away from each other. Both the left side clamp base and right side clamp base have a first clamp and a second clamp. The second clamp on each clamp base is movable toward and away from the first clamp on each clamp base between a first position where the first clamp and second clamp are spaced from each other enabling an object to be positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp, and a second position where the first clamp and second clamp engage with each other enabling the object to be clamped between the first clamp and second clamp. The transport rack assembly also includes a strap base that is separate from the left side clamp base and the right side clamp base.

Inventors

Charles L. Casagrande
Milton L. Pinto
Genevieve Valk

Assignees

SEASUCKER, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20231212

Claims (20)

1 . A transport rack assembly comprising: a clamp base; a first clamp on the clamp base; a second clamp on the clamp base, the second clamp being movable on the clamp base between a first position of the second clamp where the second clamp is spaced from the first clamp enabling an object to be positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp, and a second position of the second clamp where the second clamp engages against the first clamp enabling the object positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp to be clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp; a lever on the second clamp, the lever being movable on the second clamp between a locked position and an unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp; and in the locked position of the lever on the second clamp the lever engages against the clamp base and prevents movement of the second clamp on the clamp base between the first position of the second clamp and the second position of the second clamp and in the unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp the lever disengages from the clamp base and enables movement of the second clamp on the clamp base between the first position of the second clamp and the second position of the second clamp.
2 . The transport rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a strap base, the strap base being separate from the clamp base; a strap extending from the strap base, the strap being configured to engage with an object positioned adjacent to the strap base and secure the object to the strap base.
3 . The transport rack assembly of claim 2 , further comprising: the strap having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion of the strap being removably attachable together.
4 . The transport rack assembly of claim 2 , further comprising: the clamp base is removably attachable to a separate surface; and the strap base is removably attachable to a separate surface.
5 . The transport rack assembly of claim 2 , further comprising: an attachment device on the clamp base, the attachment device being operable to removably attach the clamp base to a separate surface; and an attachment device on the strap base, the attachment device on the strap base being operable to removably attach the strap base to a separate surface.
6 . The transport rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a first opening on the second clamp; and a second opening on the lever, the lever being movable on the second clamp between the locked position where the second opening is aligned with the first opening and the unlocked position where the second opening is displaced from the first opening.
7 . The transport rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: the first clamp is secured stationary on the clamp base and projects from the clamp base; and the second clamp is secured by a movable connection on the clamp base and projects from the clamp base, the movable connection is configured to enable the second clamp to be movable on the clamp base.
8 . The transport rack assembly of claim 7 , further comprising: the movable connection comprising a slot in the second clamp; and the movable connection comprising a guide pin on the clamp base and extending into the slot, the guide pin being movable in the slot and thereby connecting the second clamp to the clamp base, the movable connection being operable to enable the second clamp to move between the first position and the second position of the second clamp.
9 . The transport rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: the clamp base being a first clamp base; a second clamp base separate from the first clamp base; a first clamp on the second clamp base; a second clamp on the second clamp base, the second clamp on the second clamp base being movable between a first position of the second clamp on the second clamp base where the second clamp is spaced from the first clamp on the second clamp base enabling an object to be positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base, and a second position of the second clamp on the second clamp base where the second clamp engages with the first clamp on the second clamp base enabling the object positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base to be clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base; a lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base, the lever being movable on the second clamp between a locked position and an unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base; and in the locked position of the lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base the lever engages against the second clamp base and prevents movement of the second clamp on the second clamp base between the first position of the second clamp and the second position of the second clamp on the second clamp base and in the unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base the lever disengages from the second clamp base and enables movement of the second clamp on the second clamp base between the first position of the second clamp on the second clamp base and the second position of the second clamp on the second clamp base.
10 . The transport rack assembly of claim 9 , further comprising: a connection device connecting the first clamp base and the second clamp base on the connection device, the connection device being configured to be adjustable enabling the first clamp base and the second clamp base to be moved to a first spacing between the first clamp base and the second clamp base on the connection device, and enabling the first clamp base and the second clamp base to be moved to a second spacing between the first clamp base and the second clamp base on the connection device where the second spacing is different from the first spacing.
11 . A transport rack assembly comprising: a clamp base, the clamp base having a proximal edge surface and a distal edge surface on an opposite side of the clamp base from the proximal edge surface; an attachment device on the proximal edge surface, the attachment device being configured to removably attach the clamp base to a separate surface with the proximal edge surface of the clamp base opposing the separate surface; a first clamp secured to the clamp base and projecting from the clamp base, the first clamp having a first clamping surface, the first clamp having a length that extends from a proximal end of the first clamp secured stationary to the clamp base to a distal end of the first clamp; a second clamp connected to the clamp base and projecting from the clamp base, the second clamp having a second clamping surface, the second clamp having a length that extends from a proximal end of the second clamp connected to the clamp base to a distal end of the second clamp; a movable connection connecting the proximal end of the second clamp to the clamp base, the movable connection being configured to enable the second clamp to move on the clamp base toward and away from the first clamp between a clamping position where the first clamping surface of the first clamp engages with the second clamping surface of the second clamp and an open position where the first clamping surface of the first clamp is spaced from the second clamping surface of the second clamp; a lever on the second clamp, the lever being movable on the second clamp between a locked position and an unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp; and in the locked position of the lever on the second clamp the lever engages against the distal edge surface of the clamp base and prevents movement of the second clamp on the clamp base between the clamping position and the open position and in the unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp the lever disengages from the distal edge surface of the clamp base and enables movement of the second clamp on the clamp base between the open position of the second clamp and the clamping position of the second clamp.
12 . The transport rack assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: a strap base, the strap base being separate from the clamp base; an attachment device on the strap base, the attachment device being configured to removably attach the strap base to a separate surface; and a first portion of a strap and a second portion of a strap on the strap base, the first portion of the strap and the second portion of the strap being configured to engage with an object positioned adjacent the strap base and secure the object to the strap base.
13 . The transport rack assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: a first opening on the second clamp; and a second opening on the lever, the lever being movable on the second clamp between the locked position where the second opening is aligned with the first opening and the unlocked position where the second opening is displaced from the first opening.
14 . The transport rack assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: the movable connection comprising a pivot pin connecting the second clamp to the clamp base; the movable connection comprising a slot in the second clamp; and the movable connection comprising a guide pin on the clamp base, the guide pin extending into the slot, the guide pin being movable in the slot and thereby the pivot pin, the slot and the guide pin connect the second clamp to the clamp base, the movable connection being operable to enable the second clamp to move between the clamping position and the open position of the second clamp.
15 . The transport rack assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: a notch formed in the lever; and a projection on the distal edge surface of the clamp base, the projection engaging in the notch on the lever when the lever is in the locked position.
16 . The transport rack assembly of claim 11 , further comprising: the clamp base being a first clamp base; a second clamp base separate from the first clamp base; a first clamp secured to the second clamp base; a second clamp connected to the second clamp base, the second clamp on the second clamp base being movable on the second clamp base between an open position of the second clamp on the second clamp base where the second clamp is spaced from the first clamp on the second clamp base enabling an object to be positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base, and a clamping position of the second clamp on the second clamp base where the second clamp engages with the first clamp on the second clamp base enabling the object position between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base to be clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base; a lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base, the lever being movable on the second clamp between a locked position and an unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base; and in the locked position of the lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base the lever engages against the second clamp base and prevents movement of the second clamp on the second clamp base between the open position of the second clamp and the clamping position of the second clamp on the second clamp base and in the unlocked position of the lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base the lever disengages from the second clamp base and enables movement of the second clamp on the second clamp base between the open position of the second clamp on the second clamp base and the clamping position of the second clamp on the second clamp base.
17 . The transport rack assembly of claim 16 , further comprising: a connection device connecting the first clamp base and the second clamp base, the connection device being configured to be adjustable enabling the first clamp base and the second clamp base to be moved to a first spacing between the first clap base and the second clamp base on the connection device, and enabling the first clamp base and the second clamp base to be moved to a second spacing between the first clamp base and the second clamp base on the connection device where the second spacing is different from the first spacing.
18 . A transport rack assembly comprising: a first clamp base; a second clamp base separate from the first clamp base; a first clamp on the first clamp base; a second clamp on the first clamp base, the second clamp being configured to be movable on the first clamp base between a first position of the second clamp where the second clamp is spaced from the first clamp enabling an object to be positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp, and a second position of the second clamp where the second clamp engages against the first clamp enabling the object positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp to be clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp; a first clamp on the second clamp base; a second clamp on the second clamp base, the second clamp on the second clamp base being configured to be movable on the second clamp base between a first position of the second clamp where the second clamp is spaced from the first clamp on the second clamp base enabling an object to be positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base, and a second position of the second clamp on the second clamp base where the second clamp engages against the first clamp on the second clamp base enabling the object positioned between the first clamp and the second clamp to be clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp on the second clamp base; and a connection device connecting the first clamp base and the second clamp base, the connection device being configured to be adjustable enabling the first clamp base and the second clamp base to be moved to a first spacing between the first clamp base and the second clamp base on the connection device and enabling the first clamp base and the second clamp base to be moved to a second spacing between the first clamp base and the second clamp base on the connection device where the second spacing is different from the first spacing.
19 . The transport rack assembly of claim 18 , further comprising: a strap base, the strap base being separate from the first clamp base and the second clamp base; and a strap extending from the strap base, the strap being configured to engage with an object position adjacent the strap base and secure the object to the strap base.
20 . The transport rack assembly of claim 18 , further comprising: a lever on the second clamp on the first clamp base, the lever being movable on the second clamp to a position where the lever engages against the first clamp base and holds the second clamp in the second position of the second clamp; and a lever on the second clamp on the second clamp base, the lever being movable on the second clamp on the second clamp base to a position where the lever engages against the second clamp base and holds the second clamp in the second position of the second clamp on the second clamp base.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This disclosure pertains to the construction and the functioning of a transport rack assembly comprised of several separate component parts that are each releasably attachable to a separate surface, for example a surface of a vehicle. Each of the component parts is configured to be easily and quickly operable to grip or attach to a separate object and thereby removably attach the separate object to the transport rack assembly that has been previously attached to a vehicle. For example, each of the component parts is configured to be removably attached to a part of a bicycle and thereby easily and quickly attach the bicycle to the vehicle using the transport rack assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The transport rack assembly is comprised of three separate basic components, a first clamp base, a second clamp base and a third strap base. Each of the components is constructed with removable attachment devices that are configured to enable the components to be removably attached to a separate surface, for example a surface of a vehicle. The first clamp base and the second clamp base are substantially mirror images of each other and have substantially the same constructions. Each clamp base has a configuration of an upright oriented panel that supports a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly comprises a first clamp projecting from the clamp base. The first clamp as a length that extends in a horizontal orientation from a proximal end of the first clamp which is secured stationary to the clamp base, to a distal end of the first clamp. The clamp assembly also comprises a second clamp projecting from the clamp base. The second clamp has a length that extends in a horizontal orientation from a proximal end of the second clamp which is connected to the clamp base, to a distal end of the second clamp. A movable connection connects the proximal end of the second clamp to the clamp base. The movable connection is configured to enable the second clamp to move in pivoting movements on the clamp base toward and away from the first clamp. The second clamp is movable between a clamping position where a first clamping surface of the first clamp engages with a second clamping surface of the second clamp, and an open position where the first clamping surface of the first clamp is spaced from the second clamping surface of the second clamp. The spacing enables a separate object, for example a part of a bicycle to be positioned between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface. The movable connection comprises a pivot pin connecting the proximal end of the second clamp to the clamp base for pivoting movements of the second clamp about the pivot pin. The movable connection also comprises a slot in a portion of the proximal end of the second clamp. The movable connection further comprises a guide pin secured to the clamp base and extending into the slot in the second clamp. The guide pin extends into and is movable in the slot in response to the second clamp being moved in pivoting movements about the pivot pin. The pivot pin, the slot in the portion of the proximal end of the second clamp and the guide pin provide the movable connection that enables the second clamping surface on the second clamp to move toward and away from the first clamping surface on the first clamp. There is a first opening on the second clamp. The first opening is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the second clamp. The first opening is positioned on the second clamp to align with a distal edge of the clamp base when the second clamp is moved to the clamping position of the second clamp. The alignment of the first opening and the distal edge of the clamp base enables an object, for example a lock shackle or cable to be inserted into the first opening and adjacent the distal edge of the clamp base preventing pivoting movement of the second clamp toward the distal edge of the clamp base and securing together the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface. A lever is mounted on the second clamp. The lever is mounted by a pivot pin on the distal end of the second clamp. There is a second opening on the lever. The lever is movable about the pivot pin on the second clamp between a first position of the lever on the second clamp where the second opening on the lever is spaced from the first opening on the second clamp, and a second position of the lever on the second clamp where the second opening on the lever is in alignment with the first opening on the second clamp. In the second position of the lever an engagement surface of the lever opposes and engages against the distal edge of the clamp base. This engagement of the engagement surface of the lever against the distal edge of the clamp base prevents the pivoting movement of the second clamp toward the distal edge of the clamp base and secures together the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface. A connection device connects the first clam