AU2002213661A1

AU2002213661A1 - Vehicle roof top module

Info

Publication number: AU2002213661A1
Application number: AU2002213661A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Clement Armstrong; David John Byrne
Original assignee: TAXDIMEDIA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Total Cab Media Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-02
Filing date: 2001-11-01
Publication date: 2002-05-15
Also published as: WO2002037460A1; AUPR118600A0

Description

Vehicle Roof Top Module

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to rooftop modules for securing to the rooftop of a vehicle, and in particular relates to, but is not limited to, an advertising roof top module for a taxi.

Background of the Invention

Modules secured to the roof tops of vehicles for advertising and like purposes have been proposed in various forms.

Perhaps the most simple form of advertising roof top module consists in an upright board secured to front and rear roof rack bars which are in turn secured to a vehicle rooftop toward the front and rear thereof.

Another roof top module, the subject of Australian Patent No. 665401, is in the form of a shallow tray portion having an underside moulded to conform to the roof of a specific model motor vehicle and which is typically secured to the motor vehicle roof by double-sided tape. An upper shell portion of the module is fastened to the tray and has transparent side wall panels, behind which are mounted advertising panels. The upper shell portion incorporates lighting for illuminating the advertising panels.

This form of roof top module is restricted to use with the one specific motor vehicle model for which the moulded tray portion has been designed to conform to, and hence new module designs are required for each different vehicle model that the roof top module is to be secured to. The fixation of advertising panels behind the transparent side panels of the module also results in a large amount of time being required to change advertising panels, in practice requiring removal of the shell portion. Further, the placement of advertising panels behind the transparent panels of the shell portion results in condensation gathering between the transparent panel and the advertising panel, providing a fog- ype effect reducing the visibility of the advertising. The lighting systems of the currently available module also lack flexibility.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle roof top module. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle roof top module comprising: a body having a mounting aperture located towards a first longitudinal end of said module and extending in a lateral direction, said mounting aperture being adapted to receive a roof rack bar, a mounting member located towards a second longitudinal end of said module adapted to be secured to a vehicle rooftop, and an extendible and angularly displaceable support assembly fastening said mounting member to said body.

Typically, said first longitudinal end of said roof top module is the front end of said module adapted to be located toward the front end of the vehicle roof top, with said second longitudinal end of said module being the rear end thereof.

Preferably, said body comprises a mounting portion incorporating said mounting aperture and a generally upright frame portion extending from said mounting portion to said second longitudinal end of said module, said upright frame portion incorporating means for receiving advertising material on each opposing lateral side thereof.

Preferably, said mounting portion forms opposing arms extending transversely of said upright frame portion and said mounting aperture is in the form of a sleeve extending through said arms.

Preferably, said mounting aperture is sized and configured to enable said body to pivot about said roof rack bar.

Preferably, said arms are adapted to be fastened to said roof rack bar.

Preferably, said support assembly comprises a first flange upstanding from said mounting member, a second flange depending from said roof top module body and fastener means passing through apertures provided in each of said first and second flanges, at least one of said flange apertures being elongated to enable extension of said support assembly.

Preferably, said first flange aperture is elongated. Preferably, a third flange depends from said roof top module body parallel to said second flange forming a slot therebetween for receiving said first flange, said third flange having an aperture through which said fastener means is further received.

Preferably, said means for receiving advertising material comprises an open window on each opposing side of said upright frame portion and panel securing means for securing advertising material in the form of advertising panels in said windows. Preferably, said panel securing means comprises a panel mounting frame extending around the periphery of each of said windows.

Preferably, said panel mounting frames are recessed into said windows from an outer surface of said body. Preferably, a security camera is mounted within said body.

Preferably, a lighting frame incorporating a lighting assembly is removably mounted in said generally upright frame portion between said windows, said lighting frame having a wiring harness for detachable connection to a vehicle power supply.

Preferably, a spotlight is mounted within said body. Preferably, turn indicators are mounted within said arms.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a vehicle roof top module comprising a body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle roof top, wherein a security camera is mounted within said body.

Preferably said security camera is mounted behind a lens. Preferably said security camera is adapted to be connected to a vehicle power supply.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a vehicle roof top module comprising a body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle roof top, said body having a generally upright frame portion having open windows for receiving advertising material on opposing sides thereof, wherein a lighting frame incorporating a lighting assembly is removably mounted in said generally upright frame portion between said windows, said lighting frame having a wiring harness for connection to a vehicle power supply.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a vehicle roof top module comprising a body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle roof top, said body having a generally upright longitudinally extending frame portion having open windows for receiving advertising panels on opposing lateral sides thereof, wherein a panel mounting frame extends around the periphery of each of said windows, said panel mounting frames being recessed into said windows from an outer surface of said body such that, in use, said advertising panels are recessed from said outer surface. Preferably each of said windows is generally rectangular and each said panel mounting frame comprises elongate clamping members extending along each peripheral side of the respective said window, each said clamping member being adapted to clamp an edge portion of an advertising panel. Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a right side elevation view of a vehicle rooftop module according to the s preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the front and above of the module of Figure 1 secured to a vehicle rooftop.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view from the rear and above of the module and vehicle rooftop of Figure 2. o Fig. 4 is another perspective view from the rear and above of the module and vehicle rooftop of Figure 2.

Fig. 5 is a partially cross sectioned perspective view from the front and above of the body of the vehicle rooftop module of Figure 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the rear and below of the body of Figure 5. s Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of the body of Figure 5.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the body of Figure 5 taken at section 8-8 of Figure 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken at section 9-9 of Figure 10 of the mounting member and support assembly portion of the module of Figure 1. 0 Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken at section 10-10 of the module portion of Figure 9.

Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of the mounting member of the module of Figure 1. Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of the mounting member of Figure 11. Fig. 13 is a front elevation view of the mounting member of Figure 1 1. 5 Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the module of Figure 1 depicting various lenses, covers and ancillary devices.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a lighting frame of the module of Figure 1. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a panel mounting frame of the module of Figure 1. 0 Fig. 17 is a perspective view of part of the panel mounting frame of Figure 16 in a closed position.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view depicting detail of Figure 17. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of part of the panel mounting frame of Figure 16 in an open position. 5 Fig. 20 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view depicting detail of Figure 19. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Figures 1 to 4 depict a vehicle roof top module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The roof top module has a body 100 having a mounting aperture 101 towards a first longitudinal end, here being the front end, of the module. The mounting aperture 101 extends in a lateral direction and is adapted to receive a roof rack bar 301 of a standard roof rack assembly 300 which is secured to the roof top 400 of a vehicle in the usual manner. A mounting member 200 is located towards the second longitudinal end, here the rear end, of the module. The mounting member 200 is secured to the vehicle roof top 500. The mounting member 200 is fastened to the body 100 by way of an extendible and angularly displaceable support assembly 250.

The body 100 is in the form of a mounting portion 102 incorporating the mounting aperture 101 and a generally upright frame portion 103 extending from the mounting portion 102 to the rear end of the module. The mounting portion 102 forms opposing arms 104 which extend transversely of the frame portion 103, giving the body a hammerhead or "T" type configuration. The mounting aperture 101 is in the form of a sleeve which extends through the arms 104 between opposing lateral ends thereof. The aperture 101 is sized and configured to enable the body 100 to pivot about the roof rack bar 301. This is evident in Figure 1 where the cross section of the mounting aperture 101 can be seen to be larger than that of the roof rack bar 301 extending therethrough. The mass of the body 100 rests on the roof rack bar 301, leaving a gap between the underside of the roof rack bar 301 and the lower periphery of the aperture 101. The over sizing of the mounting aperture 101 enables the body 100 to pivot about the roof rack bar 301, here by up to approximately 15 degrees. The internal configuration of the sleeve defining the aperture 101 is best appreciated with reference to Figure 5, illustrating a cut-away region of the mounting arm 104. As will be appreciated, the body is here moulded from plastics material, with the mounting portion 102 being hollow. The ends of the cavity formed in the mounting portion are restricted to form the minimum cross sectional shape of the aperture 101, with an internally projecting flange 105 forming a sleeve wall extending about the periphery of the ends of the aperture 101 and on which the upper surface of the roof rack bar 301 is supported.

A fastener hole 106 is provided in a recess 107 formed in the upper surface of each of the arms 104. Once the roof rack bar 301 has been passed through the arms 104 via the aperture 101, with one of the roof rack assembly end mounts 302 removed, the mounting portion 102 can be fastened to the roof rack bar via the fastener holes 106. A fastener (not shown) is passed through each of the fastener holes 106 and into a corresponding aperture drilled through the upper surface of the roof rack bar 301 and retained by a cage nut or similar. It is preferred that either the fastener hole 106 or the aperture in the roof rack bar 301 is slotted in the longitudinal direction to again enable some pivotal motion of the body 100 about the roof rack bar 301.

With particular reference to Figures 6 through 11, the support assembly 250 comprises a first flange 251 upstanding from the mounting member 200 and second and third flanges 252, 253 integrally formed with and depending from the roof top module body 100. A fastener assembly 260 passes through apertures 254, 255 and 256 formed in the first, second and third flanges respectively. As best depicted in Figure 7, the first flange 251 is received in a slot formed between the parallel second and third flanges 252, 253, with the fastener assembly 260 securing the first flange 251 between the second and third flanges 252, 253. This form of support assembly could also be configured with the first and second flanges 251, 252 only if so desired, although the additional third flange 253 provides extra support. The aperture 254 of the first flange 251 is elongated to enable extension of the support assembly 250, thereby adjusting the distance between the roof top module body 100 and the vehicle roof top 500 at the module rear end. The configuration also enables the mounting member 200 to be pivoted about the fastener assembly 260 to ensure that it is aligned with the contour of the roof top 500 at the point of attachment.

The fastener assembly 260 is here in the form of an internally threaded sleeve 261 passing through the apertures 254, 255 and 256, with externally threaded screws 262 threadingly received in the sleeve 261 to secure the same. The smooth exterior surface of the sleeve 261 enables low friction relative rotation of the flanges about the fastener assembly 260 and linear displacement of the slotted first flange 261.

Other envisaged forms of support assembly would include a telescopic support assembly.

The mounting member 200 is in the form of a generally flat plate, provided with a gentle contour if required to suit the roof top of the vehicle to which it is to be secured. Even if the roof top of different vehicles to which the module is to be secured vary greatly, only the mounting member 200 will need to be replaced. The mounting member 200 can be secured to the roof top 500 by any suitable means, with double-sided tape having been found to be effective. With the bulk of aerodynamic loads generated whilst the vehicle to which the module is attached is travelling at speed are supported by the roof rack bar 301 toward the front of the roof top, relatively small aerodynamic loads need to be supported by the mounting member 200, hence the sufficiency of a double-sided adhesive tape for mounting the mounting member 200 to the roof top 500. An aerodynamic moulded cover 201 is placed over the mounting member 200 on the rooftop 500 to reduce drag and to improve the aesthetic appeal of the rooftop module.

The arrangement of the mounting aperture 101, support assembly 250 and mounting member 200 provide great flexibility in application of the roof top module to vehicles of varying roof top configuration and contour. The body 100 can be pivoted about the roof rack bar 301 and the support assembly 250 adjusted as required to suit the vehicle roof top 500. The mounting arrangement is also relatively compact, keeping the lower edge of the frame portion 103 in close proximity to the vehicle roof top 500, allowing a relatively large advertising area (which will be discussed below) whilst keeping the overall height of the top of the module low enough to pass under a standard minimum un-signposted vehicle opening height of 2m. Various apertures and recesses are formed in the roof top module body 100 for receipt of various lighting features and ancillary devices providing various functions associated with taxi cabs. A taxi sign recess 108 is formed in the front of the upright frame portion 103. A cabling hole 109 is located in the base of the taxi sign recess, through which is fed electric cabling powering a light (not shown) which is to be placed within the recess 108. A drain hole 110 is also provided in the lower part of the base of the recess to drain any water which might enter the recess. A partially light transmissive cover 111 covers the recess and embodies a taxi sign with the word "taxi" providing the usual identification means for a taxi.

A further recess 112 is provided directly above the taxi sign recess 108 for receipt of a further light indicating availability of the taxi in the usual manner. A translucent cover, generally orange in colour, fits over the recess 112.

The recesses 107 on the upper surface of the arms 102 mount indicator lights (not shown), and a translucent orange cover 114 again seals each of these recesses 107. The recesses 107 and covers 114 are located to the rear of the upper surface of the arms 102 such that the indicator signal is visible from the rear of the taxi, and from the front of the taxi as a result of the downwardly sloping upper surface of the arms 104. Again a drainage hole 115 is provided in each of the recesses 107 to enable drainage of any water which permeates the joint between the cover 114 and recess 107 edges. Further recesses 116 are provided on the rear face of the upright frame portion 103 for receipt of lights indicating which of two alternate hire-out rates are applicable at any given time. Again translucent covers 117 are fitted over these recesses.

Spotlight recesses 118 are provided on either opposing side of the upright frame portion 103. Spotlights 310 are mounted in each of the spotlight recesses 118. The use of such spotlights 310 is provided for in many taxis to assist the taxi driver in identifying house numbers and the like at night. Mounting of the spotlights 310 within the body 100 also helps protect the same. Whilst no lens is provided to cover the spotlight of the preferred embodiment, such a lens could be provided to cover the recess 118 if so desired. A camera recess 119 is located in the upright frame portion 103 above the spotlight recess 118. A security camera 311 is mounted in the camera recesses 119 on each opposing side of the upright frame portion 103. A protective lens 120 and seal 121 are typically provided to seal and cover the camera recess 119, protecting the security camera 311 from the external environment and from vandalism. Security cameras which have previously been mounted separately on roof racks of taxis to deter vandalism of taxis and attacks on taxi drivers, have themselves been prone to damage through vandalism and also become damaged and inoperable through prolonged exposure to the environment.

All of the lights and security cameras described above have wiring which feeds into the interior of the body 100 forming a wiring harness which passes through the cavity of the mounting portion 102 and into the hollow interior of the roof rack bar 301 through an aperture drilled therethrough. The wiring harness then passes through a production hole in the roof adjacent the front door of the vehicle and into the vehicle interior where it is connected with the vehicle power supply and associated control systems, such as the turn indicator mechanism and switches for operation of the spotlight and other lights and devices. The wiring harness will typically be divided into two sections by an electrical plug, with one half of the harness associated with the module and the other half belonging to the vehicle itself to enable ready replacement of the module.

The generally upright frame portion 103 of the module body 100 is provided with an open rectangular window 122 on each opposing side thereof for receiving advertising material. The windows 122 extend through the lateral thickness of the upright frame portion 103, however if desired the windows 122 could be separated by a wall or similar. As depicted in Figures 1 through 4, two lighting frames 350 are mounted in the upright frame portion 103 between the windows 122. A lighting frame 350 is depicted in further detail in Figure 15. The lighting frame 350 is of generally rectangular form in a similar manner to the windows 122, and is comprised of four angle sections 351. Fastener holes 352 are provided in the rear flange of the angle sections 351 for the receipt of fasteners 353. The lighting frames 350 are fastened to a flange 123 which projects into the cavity defined between the windows 122 from the periphery thereof as particularly shown in Figure 8. The fasteners 351 pass through the fastener holes 352 in the lighting frames 350 and into the plastic material of the flanges 123 which are integrally formed as part of the module body 100. The lighting frames 350 are configured to mount lights 354, which are depicted in the form of cold cathode tubes, to illuminate advertising panels located in the windows as will be discussed below. The light tubes 354 are wired to a wiring harness (not shown) provided with a plug which can be plugged into the plug of an associated wiring harness fixed to the vehicle and wired to the vehicle power supply. The lighting frame harness may be connected at the same plug and vehicle harness as the remaining electrical accessories of the module, or might be connected separately. With the utilisation of fasteners 353 for mounting the lighting frames 350 and a separate wiring harness, the lighting frame can be readily removed from the module body 100 and replaced with an alternate frame carrying alternate forms of lighting assembly, such as perhaps conventional or compact fluorescent tubes, to enable desired lighting effects for the advertising material.

To receive the advertising material, the windows 122 are provided with panel securing means 400 for securing advertising panels 401. The panel securing means are here in the form of a panel mounting frame 400, depicted in detail in Figures 16 through 20. The panel mounting frames 400 comprise elongate clamping members 402 which are adapted to clamp on to the peripheral edge portions of an advertising panel 401. Each clamping member 402 comprises a base portion 403 and a cover portion 404 which is pivotably secured to the base portion 403. Figures 17 and 18 depict the cover portion 404 in a closed position at which clamping surfaces 405, 406 of the base and cover portions 403, 404 resiliently abut, enabling the clamping of the advertising panel 401 therebetween. The arrangement of the hinge mechanism 407 securing the base and cover portions 403, 404 together locks the base and cover portions 403, 404 in a closed position to provide the resilient abutment of the clamping surfaces 405, 406. Figures 19 and 20 depict the cover portion 404 in the open position at which the advertising panel 401 can be positioned with its edges extending over the clamping surface 405 of the base portion 403 in preparation for closing of the cover portion 404 over the same.

A flange 408 is provided on the base portion 403 for receipt of fasteners 409 which enable securing of the panel mounting frames 400 to the module upright frame portion 103. The panel mounting frames 350 are positioned within the windows 122 and fastened to a shoulder surface 124 of the frame upright portion 103 of each window 122. The shoulder surfaces 124 are recessed into the windows 122 from the outer surface of the frame upright portion 103 such that, in use, the advertising panel 401 will also be

₅ recessed from the outer surface.

Recessing the advertising panels from the outer surface of the body 100 prevents air rushing over the module from getting in behind the leading edge of the advertising panel and attempting to tear the advertising panel from the module. This also avoids the need for a clear panel to cover the advertising panel to help secure it in place, thereby l o avoiding the fogging problems of the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle roof top module comprising: a body having a mounting aperture located towards a first longitudinal end of said module and extending in a lateral direction, said mounting aperture being adapted to receive a roof rack bar, a mounting member located towards a second longitudinal end of said module adapted to be secured to a vehicle rooftop, and an extendible and angularly displaceable support assembly fastening said mounting member to said body.

2. The module of claim 1 , wherein said first longitudinal end of said roof top module is the front end of said module adapted to be located toward the front end of the vehicle roof top, with said second longitudinal end of said module being the rear end thereof.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a mounting portion incorporating said mounting aperture and a generally upright frame portion extending from said mounting portion to said second longitudinal end of said module, said upright frame portion incorporating means for receiving advertising material on each opposing lateral side thereof.

4. The module of claim 3, wherein said mounting portion forms opposing arms extending transversely of said upright frame portion and said mounting aperture is in the form of a sleeve extending through said arms.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein said mounting aperture is sized and configured to enable said body to pivot about said roof rack bar.

6. The module of claim 4, wherein said arms are adapted to be fastened to said roof rack bar.

7. The module of claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises a first flange upstanding from said mounting member, a second flange depending from said roof top module body and fastener means passing through apertures provided in each of said first and second flanges, at least one of said flange apertures being elongated to enable extension of said support assembly.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein said first flange aperture is elongated.

9. The module of claim 8, wherein a a third flange depends from said rooftop module body parallel to said second flange forming a slot therebetween for receiving said first flange, said third flange having an aperture through which said fastener means is further received.

10. The module of claim 1, wherein said means for receiving advertising material comprises an open window on each opposing side of said upright frame portion and panel securing means for securing advertising material in the form of advertising panels in said windows.

11. The mdoule of claim 10, wherein said panel securing means comprises a panel mounting frame extending around the periphery of each of said windows.

12. The module of claim 11, wherein said panel mounting frames are recessed into said windows from an outer surface of said body.

13. The module of claim 1, wherein a security camera is mounted within said body.

14. The module of claim 10, wherein a lighting frame incorporating a lighting assembly is removably mounted in said generally upright frame portion between said windows, said lighting frame having a wiring harness for detachable connection to a vehicle power supply.

15. The module of claim 1 , wherein a spotlight is mounted within said body.

16. The module of claim 4, wherein turn indicators are mounted within said arms.

17. A vehicle roof top module comprising a body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle roof top, said body having a generally upright frame portion having open windows for receiving advertising material on opposing sides thereof, wherein a lighting frame incorporating a lighting assembly is removably mounted in said generally upright frame portion between said windows, said lighting frame having a wiring harness for comiection to a vehicle power supply.

18. A vehicle roof top module comprising a body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle roof top, said body having a generally upright longitudinally extending frame portion having open windows for receiving advertising panels on opposing lateral sides thereof, wherein a panel mounting frame extends around the periphery of each of said windows, said panel mounting frames being recessed into said windows from an outer surface of said body such that, in use, said advertising panels are recessed from said outer surface.

19. The module of claim 18, wherein each of said windows is generally rectangular and each said panel mounting frame comprises elongate clamping members extending along each peripheral side of the respective said window, each said clamping member being adapted to clamp an edge portion of an advertising panel.