Vehicular support for surfboard

Abstract

A method for supporting a surfboard during vehicular transport includes positioning an apparatus in a backseat of a convertible such that the apparatus stands on each of two seats of the backset; using seatbelts in the backset of the convertible, securing the apparatus against backs of the seats; with the top of the convertible down, positioning the surfboard onto a top of a frame of a windshield of the convertible while positioning the surfboard onto a platform of the apparatus; and securing the surfboard to the platform using one or more straps. The surfboard is supported on the convertible by the windshield frame and by the platform of the apparatus that has been stood up in the backseat of the convertible.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting an elongate object for vehicular transport, comprising:
 (a) a first leg adapted for placement on a seat of a backset of a convertible;   (b) a second leg adapted for placement on another seat of the backset of the convertible; and   (c) an upper support body supported by the first and second legs and comprising a platform for abutment and support thereon of the elongate object.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate object comprises a board. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the board comprises a surfboard, a windsurfing board, a paddleboard, or other a similarly shaped board. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate object comprises a kayak, a canoe, or other elongate object having a similar hull. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the legs are similar in structure and are interchangeable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform transitions between an elevation above headrests of the convertible and below headrests of the convertible. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the platform transitions by rotation. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a material that cushions the elongate object during vehicular transport. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is formed from a resilient, rubber-like material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is padded. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises loops located at opposite lateral sides thereof for receiving hooks, carabiners, or other connectors of a strapping system for securing the elongate object to the platform for vehicular transport. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the legs are adjustable for changing the height of the upper body support. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each leg comprises a seatbelt guide 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each leg comprises a pair of opposed seatbelt guides. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each seatbelt guide comprises a hook or finger for grabbing a seatbelt. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each seatbelt guide comprises a loop enclosing an opening dimensioned to receive the end of a seatbelt therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an additional platform for accommodating a second elongate object. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least four axes of rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises six axes of rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the upper support body comprises a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion;   wherein the first elongate portion has a proximal, curved end in the form of an elbow and the second elongate portion has a proximal, curved end in the form of an elbow;   wherein a crossmember extends therebetween and is connected by a first coupling to the curved end of the first elongate portion and is connected by a second coupling to the curved end of the second elongate portion;   wherein a neck extends from the crossmember and is connected to an arm portion;   wherein the arm portion is connected to a platform by couplings;   wherein the platform comprises loops defining enclosed openings and located at opposite lateral sides thereof for receiving hooks, carabiners, or other connectors of a strapping system for securing an elongate object to the platform for vehicular transport;   wherein each leg comprises an elongate portion having a foot at a distal end thereof and an open end at a proximal end thereof;   wherein each foot is designed for placement on a seat of a vehicle and includes a backstop for positioning against a back of the seat of the vehicle;   wherein the elongate portion of each leg is adapted to receive one of the elongate portions of the upper body support through the open end and along an extent thereof from the open end, whereby the height of the upper body support relative to each foot is adjustable;   wherein each elongate portion of the upper body support comprises a sequence of openings, each of which opening is common in size with an opening in the elongate portion of the leg, all of said openings being adapted to receive therethrough a cotter pin;   wherein, by aligning a selected one of the openings of the sequence of the elongate portions of the upper body support with the openings in the legs, the upper body support is secured in a fixed position relative to each foot of the legs, whereby the legs are thereby adjustable for adjusting the height of the upper support body relative to the feet;   wherein each of the legs comprises two seatbelt guides in the form of opposed hooks or fingers for grabbing a seatbelt;   wherein each lower guide of a leg is designed to restrain the leg from lifting upward when secured by a seatbelt; and   wherein each upper guide of a leg is designed to restrain the leg against the back of a seat of the vehicle.   
     
     
         21 . A method for supporting an elongate object during vehicular transport, comprising:
 (a) positioning an apparatus in a backseat of the convertible such that the apparatus stands on each of two seats of the backset;   (b) using seatbelts in the backset of the convertible, securing the apparatus against backs of the seats;   (c) with the top of the convertible down, positioning the elongate object onto a top of a frame of a windshield of the convertible while positioning the elongate object onto a platform of the apparatus; and   (d) securing the elongate object to the platform of the apparatus using a strapping system;   whereby the elongate object is supported on the convertible by the windshield frame and the platform of the apparatus stood up in the backseat of the convertible.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising removing the elongate object for use and securing the apparatus during use of the elongate object by repositioning the platform downwardly, enclosing the convertible including putting the top of the convertible up, and locking the convertible with the apparatus securely contained within the enclosed convertible. 
     
     
         23 . A vehicle for supporting an elongate object for transport, comprising:
 (a) an apparatus stood up in a backseat of the vehicle and having a platform positioned upwardly in engagement with an elongate object;   (b) wherein the apparatus is secured to the vehicle only by one or more seatbelts of the vehicle.   
     
     
         24 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the elongate object further is supported by a frame of the windshield of the vehicle. 
     
     
         25 . The vehicle of  claim 24 , further comprising a platform attached to the frame of the windshield on which platform the elongate object is further supported. 
     
     
         26 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , further comprising one or more straps secured to the apparatus and extending around the elongate object. 
     
     
         27 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , further comprising one or more straps secured to the apparatus and to the elongate object. 
     
     
         28 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the apparatus comprises loops defining enclosed openings for receiving straps. 
     
     
         29 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the vehicle is a convertible. 
     
     
         30 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the vehicle is a two-door convertible. 
     
     
         31 . The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the vehicle is a four-door convertible. 
     
     
         32 . A vehicle for supporting an elongate object for transport, comprising:
 (a) a convertible; and   (b) means for supporting the elongate object for vehicular transport using the convertible.