Automated self-loading cargo carrier for vehicles

Abstract

The invention involves a cargo carrier for vehicles that facilitates loading and unloading of items onto an enclosure; the cargo carrier may be automated and self-loading via actuators and a motorized mechanism that may be remotely controlled. The actuators may be configured to tilt the enclosure and one or more motors may be configured to deploy a deployable tray housed within the enclosure, which minimizes user loading or unloading labor. Typically, on a front end of the enclosure, one or more actuators may couple the enclosure to a front portion of a vehicle support structure. On a rear end of the enclosure, one or more rear fittings may be configured to tiltably couple the enclosure to a rear portion of the vehicle support structure. The deployable tray may include a conveyor mechanism to further facilitate loading or unloading.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cargo carrier, comprising:
 an enclosure including rear fittings configured to tiltably couple the enclosure to a rear portion of a vehicle roof rack;   a pair of actuators housed inside the enclosure, each of the pair of actuators including an extension arm adapted to couple to a front portion of the vehicle roof rack;   a deployable tray, slidably housed within the enclosure;   one or more motors coupled to the deployable tray; and   a controller in communication with the pair of actuators and the one or more motors, the controller configured to:
 activate the pair of actuators to tilt the enclosure; and 
 activate the one or more motors to slide the deployable tray outside of the enclosure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cargo carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more motors include:
 a first motor coupled to the deployable tray; and   a second motor coupled to a conveyor mechanism installed on to the deployable tray.   
     
     
         3 . The cargo carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the controller employs a receiver or transceiver for communicating with a remote control, the remote control configured to control activation of the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The cargo carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a programmable memory configured to store one or more programmable enclosure positions. 
     
     
         5 . The cargo carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to draw power from a rechargeable battery housed within the enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The cargo carrier of  claim 5 , further comprising photovoltaic cells exposed on an exterior surface of the enclosure and coupled to the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         7 . The cargo carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the enclosure includes an access door for user-access to the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         8 . The cargo carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a single-piece molded enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The cargo carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the single-piece molded enclosure includes an interior frame including one or more clamp devices for securing stored items to a side wall of the single-piece molded enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The cargo carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the deployable tray includes modular tray. 
     
     
         11 . A cargo carrier, comprising:
 an enclosure defined by a front wall, side walls, a top surface, a bottom surface and a rear access door opposite to the front wall of the enclosure, the enclosure further including rear fittings configured to tiltably couple the enclosure to a rear portion of a vehicle roof rack;   one or more actuators, each of the one or more actuators coupled to one of the side walls of the enclosure and including an extension arm configured to couple with a front portion of the vehicle roof rack;   a deployable tray, slidably housed within the enclosure; and   a controller in communication with the one or more actuators and configured to:
 draw power from a rechargeable battery housed within the enclosure; and 
 activate the one or more actuators so as to raise the front wall of the enclosure in order to tilt the enclosure. 
   
     
     
         12 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the controller employs a receiver or transceiver for communicating with a remote control, the remote control configured to control activation of the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the controller comprises a programmable memory configured to store one or more programmable enclosure positions. 
     
     
         14 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , further comprising photovoltaic cells exposed on an exterior surface of the enclosure and coupled to the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         15 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure includes an access door for user-access to the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         16 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure is a single-piece molded enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the enclosure comprises an interior frame including one or more clamp devices for securing stored items to each of the side walls of the enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The cargo carrier of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more motors coupled to the deployable tray, wherein the controller is further configured to slide the deployable tray by actuating the one or more motors. 
     
     
         19 . The cargo carrier of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more motors include:
 a first motor coupled to the deployable tray; and   a second motor coupled to a conveyor mechanism installed on to the deployable tray.   
     
     
         20 . A cargo carrier system, comprising:
 a cargo carrier adapted to couple to a roof rack, including:
 an enclosure adapted to tiltably couple to an aft end of the roof rack; 
 one or more actuators, each of the one or more actuators coupled to a side wall of the enclosure and including an extension arm, the extension arm adapted to couple to a fore end of the roof rack; 
 a deployable tray, slidably housed within the enclosure; 
 a first motor coupled to the deployable tray; 
 a second motor coupled to a conveyor mechanism installed on to the deployable tray; and 
 a controller in communication with the one or more actuators, the first motor and the second motor, wherein the controller configured to:
 draw power from a rechargeable battery housed within the enclosure; 
 activate the one or more actuators so as to raise a front wall of the enclosure in order to tilt the enclosure; and 
 activate the first motor to deploy the deployable tray outside of the enclosure; and 
 activate the second motor to move the conveyor mechanism installed on the deployable cover; and 
 
 a remote control configured to remotely control activation of the enclosure and the deployable tray.