Carrier device for securing an accessory to a vehicle

Abstract

A carrier device for securing an accessory to a vehicle is provided. The carrier device includes a support frame, a first suction cup mounted at the first end of the support frame, and a second suction cup mounted at the second end of the support frame. The carrier device also includes a first vacuum pump configured to selectively adjust the pressure within the first suction cup, and a second vacuum pump configured to selectively adjust the pressure within the second suction cup. The suction cups may be pivotally mounted to the support frame such that the rotational position of the first and second suction cups relative to the support frame is adjustable to selectively couple the carrier device to a vehicle. The carrier device may also include a support frame having a length that is adjustable to adapt to the size of a vehicle, and/or to adapt to the size of an accessory.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier device for securing an accessory to a vehicle, the carrier device comprising:
 a support frame having a first end and a second end;   a first suction cup mounted to the support frame to selectively couple the carrier device to a vehicle;   a second suction cup mounted to the support frame to selectively couple the carrier device to a vehicle;   a first vacuum pump associated with the first suction cup to couple the first suction cup to a vehicle;   a second vacuum pump associated with the second suction cup to couple the second suction cup to a vehicle; and   wherein the support frame has a length, and wherein the length of the support frame is adjustable between at least a first length and a second length, wherein the carrier device is configured to secure an accessory to a vehicle when the support frame is in both the first length and the second length.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier device of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame further includes:
 a first support frame component and a second support frame component, wherein the first support frame component is movable relative to the second support frame component to adjust the length of the support frame.   
     
     
         3 . The carrier device of  claim 2 , wherein the support frame includes a telescoping first support frame component that is slidable within the second support frame component. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first pressure sensor associated with the first suction cup and a second pressure sensor associated with the second suction cup, wherein the first and second pressure sensors are configured to detect suction cup pressure information; and   a central hub, wherein the central hub includes:
 a power source electrically coupled to the first and second pressure sensors; and 
 a short range wireless interconnection module to selectively pair the first and second pressure sensors to a nearby electronic device to transmit the suction cup pressure information to a user. 
   
     
     
         5 . The carrier device of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an adjustable length wire coupling the first pressure sensor to the central hub; and   wherein the adjustable length wire is positioned within the support frame such that the length of the wire is adjustable to the length of the support frame.   
     
     
         6 . The carrier device of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable length wire has a helical spring shape. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second suction cups are pivotally mounted to the support frame such that the rotational position of the first and second suction cups relative to the support frame is adjustable to selectively couple the carrier device to a vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable security tether to selectively secure the carrier device to a vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier device of  claim 7 , wherein the first suction cup is rotatable at least 140° about a first pivot axis, and the second suction cup is rotatable at least 180° about a second pivot axis.