Elongated article carrier and method

Abstract

A elongated article carrier is provided for releasably affixing on the bed of a pickup truck. The elongated article carrier includes a longitudinal member supported by vertical posts and two parallel transverse bars allow two or more canoes to be securely and releasably attached during transportation. The elongated article carrier is lightweight and can be lifted and installed by a single adult.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for supporting a canoe above a truck bed during transportation comprising: a first transverse bar, a second transverse bar, a longitudinal member, said first and said second transverse bars each having a middle and being attached to said longitudinal member at opposite ends of said longitudinal member proximate the middle of each of said first and said second transverse bars, a first post, said first post having an upper end and a lower end, said post joined to said longitudinal member to elevate said longitudinal member above said truck bed, means to stabilize said apparatus, said stabilizing means connected to said longitudinal member, and a stabilizer, said stabilizer joined to said stabilizing means and adapted to be joined to the truck bed. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and including a second post, said second post joined to said longitudinal member and spaced from said first post. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and said second transverse bars are attached perpendicularly to said longitudinal member. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and including a post foot, said post foot attached to said lower end of said post. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and including a means for securing cargo to said apparatus, said cargo securing means affixed to said transverse bar. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cargo securing means comprises an eye bolt. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and including a cargo strap, said cargo strap affixed to said cargo securing means. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means comprises a ring device. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 formed from a tubular material. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus for supporting a canoe above a truck bed during transportation thereof comprising a first transverse bar, a second transverse bar, a longitudinal member, said first and said second transverse bars each having a middle and being attached to said longitudinal member at opposite ends of said longitudinal member and proximate the middle of said first and said second transverse bars, a pair of vertical posts, said posts attached to said longitudinal member at opposite ends thereof, a pair of post feet, each of said post feet attached to different posts, means to stabilize said apparatus, said stabilizing means affixed to said longitudinal member, and a stabilizer, said stabilizer joined to said stabilizing means and adapted to be joined to the truck bed. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said stabilizing means comprises a ring. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 and including cargo securing means, said cargo securing means affixed to each of said transverse bars. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said cargo securing means is affixed at each end of each of said transverse bars. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cargo securing means comprises eye bolts. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 and including a transverse bar brace, said brace joined to said .[.longitudinal member.]. .Iadd.first transverse bar .Iaddend.and to said vertical .[.posts.]. .Iadd.post attached to said first transverse bar.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said apparatus is formed from metal tubing. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said post feet are each attached to the ends of different posts. .Iadd. 
     
     
       18.  A method of transporting an elongated article above a truck bed with an elongated article carrier having a first transverse bar, a second transverse bar, a longitudinal member, said first and second transverse bars each having a middle and being attached to said longitudinal member at opposite ends of said longitudinal member proximate the middle of each said first and second transverse bars, a first post, said first post having an upper end and a lower end, said post joined to said longitudinal member to elevate said longitudinal member above said truck bed, means to stabilize said carrier, said stabilizing means connected to said longitudinal member, and a stabilizer, said stabilizer joined to said stabilizing means and adapted to be joined to the truck bed, said method comprising the steps of: positioning said elongated article carrier within the truck bed;   attaching the carrier to the truck bed;   positioning an elongated article atop the carrier, and;   releasably attaching the elongated article to the carrier. .Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       19.  The method of claim 18 including the steps of stabilizing said elongated article carrier within the truck bed. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The method of claim 18 wherein positioning the elongated article carrier within the truck bed comprises positioning the lower end of the post 
     
     
        within said truck bed. .Iaddend..Iadd.21.  The method of claim 18 wherein positioning the elongated article carrier within the truck bed comprises the step of manually positioning the elongated article carrier within the truck bed. .Iaddend.