Rack system for vehicles

Abstract

A rotatable rack is provided. The rotatable rack is rotatably interconnected to a vehicle proximal to the vehicle's windshield such that the rotatable rack is capable of moving from a first position of use adjacent to the windshield to a second position away from the windshield where the rotatable rack is provided proximal to a hood of the vehicle.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A brace to interconnect a rack to a vehicle, comprising:
 a first plate that is substantially planar and includes: a front edge, a rear edge, and a first aperture positioned therebetween;   a second plate that is substantially planar and includes: an upper edge, a lower edge, and a second aperture positioned therebetween, wherein the second plate is oriented approximately perpendicular to the first plate; and   a medial portion positioned between the first plate and the second plate and includes:
 a first medial section extending from the rear edge of the first plate; and 
 a second medial section extending from the upper edge of the second plate. 
   
     
     
         22 . The brace of  claim 21 , wherein the first medial section is oriented transverse to the second medial section. 
     
     
         23 . The brace of  claim 21 , wherein the second aperture is elongated to define a slot. 
     
     
         24 . The brace of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first medial section is connected to the rear edge of the first plate by a first bend such that the first medial section extends downwardly from the first plate;   the second medial section connected is connected to the first medial section by a second bend; and   the second medial section is connected to the upper edge of the second plate by a third bend such that the second plate extends downwardly from the second medial section.   
     
     
         25 . The brace of  claim 24 , wherein the second medial section includes an arcuate edge that extends between the first medial section and the upper edge of the second plate. 
     
     
         26 . The brace of  claim 24 , wherein the first plate is approximately perpendicular to the first medial section. 
     
     
         27 . The brace of  claim 26 , wherein the first medial section is approximately perpendicular to the second medial section. 
     
     
         28 . The brace of  claim 27 , wherein the second medial section is approximately perpendicular to the second plate. 
     
     
         29 . The brace of  claim 24 , wherein the first medial section is substantially planar and the second medial section is substantially planar. 
     
     
         30 . The brace of  claim 21 , wherein the brace is configured such that when the rack is connected to the vehicle:
 a first bolt is extendable through the first aperture, wherein the first plate is positioned inwardly relative to an interior surface of a cowling of the vehicle; and   a second bolt is extendable through the second aperture, wherein the second plate is positioned proximate to a door hinge of the vehicle.   
     
     
         31 . A brace to interconnect a rack to a vehicle, comprising:
 a first portion with a first aperture to receive a first bolt, the first portion being generally planar;   a first medial section connected to the first portion by a first bend, the first medial section being generally planar and extending downwardly from the first bend;   a second medial section connected to the first medial section by a second bend, the second medial section being generally planar and extending laterally from the second bend; and   a second portion connected to the second medial section by a third bend, the second portion:
 being generally planar; 
 extending downwardly from the third bend; and 
 including a second aperture to receive a second bolt. 
   
     
     
         32 . The brace of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the first portion is approximately perpendicular to the first medial section;   the first medial section is approximately perpendicular to the second medial section; and   the second medial section is approximately perpendicular to the second portion.   
     
     
         33 . A rack adapted for use with a vehicle, comprising:
 a first brace that is selectively securable to a first door hinge of the vehicle and includes a first brace aperture adapted to be aligned with a first cowling aperture on a first side of the vehicle;   a second brace that is selectively securable to a second door hinge of the vehicle and includes a second brace aperture adapted to be aligned with a second cowling aperture on a second side of the vehicle; and   a rack member adapted to be associated with the vehicle and positioned adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle, the rack member including:
 a first support member with a first support aperture configured to align with the first brace aperture and the first cowling aperture to receive a first cowling fastener to interconnect the first support member and the first brace to the first side of the vehicle; and 
 a second support member with a second support aperture configured to align with the second brace aperture and the second cowling aperture to receive a second cowling fastener to interconnect the second support member and the second brace to the second side of the vehicle. 
   
     
     
         34 . The rack of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 a first bracket member that is selectively securable to the vehicle such that a first through-hole of the first bracket member extends from a first gap between exterior panels of the vehicle, wherein the first bracket member comprises a first clamp plate configured to engage a first fastener under the exterior panels of the vehicle, and wherein a first flange of the rack member is selectively securable to the first through-hole; and   a second bracket member that is selectively securable to the vehicle such that a second through-hole of the second bracket member extends from a second gap between exterior panels of the vehicle, wherein the second bracket member comprises a second clamp plate configured to engage a second fastener under the exterior panels of the vehicle, and wherein a second flange of the rack member is selectively securable to the second through-hole.   
     
     
         35 . The rack of  claim 34 , wherein the first bracket member includes a first transverse member extending from the first clamp plate, wherein the second bracket member includes a second transverse member extending from the second clamp plate, and wherein the first through-hole is formed through the first transverse member and the second through-hole is formed through the second transverse member. 
     
     
         36 . The rack of  claim 33 , further comprising a first mounting bracket configured to be secured to the first support member of the rack member, the first mounting bracket including a first mount aperture that is alignable with the first brace aperture and the first cowling aperture to receive the first cowling fastener to interconnect the first mounting bracket and a first exterior panel to the vehicle. 
     
     
         37 . The rack of  claim 36 , wherein the first brace includes a first plate with the first brace aperture, and wherein, when the rack member is interconnected to the vehicle, the first plate is positioned inwardly relative to an interior surface of the first exterior panel and the first mounting bracket is positioned outwardly relative to an exterior surface of the first exterior panel. 
     
     
         38 . The rack of  claim 33 , wherein the first brace further comprises:
 a first plate with the first brace aperture;   a first medial section connected to the first plate by a first bend;   a second medial section connected to the first medial section by a second bend; and   a second plate connected to the second medial section by a third bend, the second plate including a second brace aperture to receive a bolt associated with the first door hinge.   
     
     
         39 . The rack of  claim 38 , wherein the first plate is generally planar, the second plate is generally planar, and the first plate is oriented transverse to the second plate. 
     
     
         40 . The rack of  claim 38 , wherein:
 the first plate is approximately perpendicular to the first medial section;   the first medial section is approximately perpendicular to the second medial section; and   the second medial section is approximately perpendicular to the second plate.