Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system employing a pair of support rails adapted to be secured to the sidewalls of a bed of a pick-up truck. Attached to the sidewalls are a pair of tie-down assemblies that can be fixedly secured at various points along each of the support rails. A load bar assembly is also included that can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the tie-down assemblies. When the load bar is not in use, the tie-down assemblies can be used in connection with external bungee cords, nylon straps or other fastening implements to help restrain articles within the bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system for use on an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may have a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface. At least one cross bar having a pair of end supports extends between the support rails. Each end support has a housing and a rotatable locking component secured to the housing for rotatable movement. One of the housing and the rotatable locking component has a biased implement projecting therefrom, and the other has a plurality of structural elements arranged in a circumferential pattern. The biased implement engages with at least one of the structural elements to provide an additional holding force to the rotatable locking component when the rotatable locking component has been tightened.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a vehicle article carrier having a single side release crossbar assembly. The crossbar assembly includes a trigger style, horizontally arranged actuating lever that simultaneously locks and unlocks a pair of locking pins at opposite ends of the crossbar assembly from their respective support rails. The support rails are fixedly secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle such that the crossbar assembly is supported above the outer body surface. The single side release feature eliminates the need for the operator to walk back and forth to both sides of the vehicle to unlock and lock the crossbar assembly when the crossbar assembly needs to be repositioned on the support rails.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus and method incorporating a single side releasable crossbar assembly. In one embodiment the crossbar assembly includes a pair of end supports that each includes an actuating member. In one embodiment the actuating member is formed by a pivotally mounted actuating lever. In another embodiment the actuating member is formed by a rotationally mounted, trigger style actuating member. In either embodiment, the actuating member is movable between locked and unlocked positions. Each end support also includes a locking pin having a pivot wheel carried thereon. A cable is entrained around the pulley wheel of each locking pin, and the ends of the cable are coupled to the actuating members. Either actuating member can be used to simultaneously lock and unlock the locking pins of both end supports from a pair of support rails on which the cross bar assembly is supported.

Abstract: A mounting system for supporting solar panel cells above a support surface. The system may have a frame including a plurality of frame sections that are secured to a solar panel cell. At least one of the frame sections may include a pair of walls forming a first channel for receiving an edge portion of the solar panel cell, and a second channel spaced apart from the first channel. The second channel may have a curving inner wall. The at least one frame section may also have a base portion. The mounting system may also include a mounting bracket having a pair of flanges and forming a third channel therebetween. One of the flanges of the third channel may form a curving flange. The curving flange and the second channel of the frame section may cooperatively secure the frame section and the mounting bracket together.

Abstract: A grounding system for a solar panel system having a plurality of solar panel cells. The system may have an electrically conductive first frame section adapted to be secured to a first solar panel module having a first channel, the first frame section also having a hole that opens into the first channel. An electrically conductive second frame section is adapted to be secured to a second solar panel module which has a second channel, the second frame section also having a hole that opens into the second channel. An electrically conductive grounding splice member is positioned in the first and second channels. A pair of electrically conductive fasteners is disposed in the holes of the first and second frame sections and engages the electrically conductive grounding splice member, to electrically and mechanically couple the first and second frame sections together.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system includes a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface and at least one cross bar. The cross bar has end supports that are able to pivot. The end supports may be secured to the support rails to place the cross bars in an operative position extending generally perpendicularly between the support rails, and elevationally above the support rails. The end supports also enable the cross bar to be placed in a stowed position along the slats where each of the end supports lay generally co-linear with a central portion its respective cross bar.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier adapted to be mounted to an outer body surface of a motor vehicle. The carrier has a pair of cross bars that can each be stowed on corresponding pairs of support elements when the cross are not needed for use without the need to completely detach either of the cross bars from their associated support elements. A rear one of the cross bars has a single sided release feature that enables both end supports at opposite ends of the rear cross bar to be simultaneously unlocked or locked from a rear pair of support elements from either end support. The rear cross bar can also be slidably positioned along the rear pair of support elements to better configure the cross bars to support variously sized articles thereon.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. The cross bars are completely removable from each of the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via latching mechanisms disposed at end that can be released from a securing structure at a forward portion and a rearward portion of each siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system having a pair of swingable cross bars. The cross bars can be placed in a first configuration in which they extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. They can easily be released and re-secured in a different configuration wherein they take the form of low profile side rails. A particular advantage is that when the cross bars are moved into their positions perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, each of the cross bars is raised to an elevated position. This provides additional clearance above the outer body surface for articles being supported on the cross bars.

Abstract: A bed divider apparatus for use in a bed of a pickup truck. The divider apparatus includes a frame that supports first and second parallel disposed divider members each in the shape of a panel. The divider members are secured to one another so that one of the divider members is slidable relative to the other. A pair of user engageable fastening members can be used to secure the second divider member at a desired height relative to the first divider member. The frame is secured by end supports to a pair of tracks that are mounted on inside walls of the pickup truck bed. Thus, the divider apparatus can be positioned at various points along the lengths of the tracks. The apparatus enables larger cargo items to be restrained within the bed, while still enabling elongated items such as lumber planks, tubing, etc. to be supported on the full length of a floor of the bed without interference from the divider apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. The cross bars are completely removable from each of the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via latching mechanisms disposed at end that can be released from a securing structure at a forward portion and a rearward portion of each siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of side rails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via a latching mechanism disposed at end that can be released from a securing portion of one side rail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other side rail. Various embodiments are presented with different latching and pivoting mechanisms.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier incorporating a single sided releasable cross bar. The cross bar has an end support secured at each outermost end thereof. Each end support lockably engages with an associated side rail. Each end support includes an actuating member which cammingly urges a locking member into and out of engagement with interior wall surfaces of its associated side rail when the actuating member is moved between locked and unlocked positions. A biasing member in the form of a leaf spring is used to bias the locking member into a normally locked position. A pair of small diameter rods coupled to each actuating member of the cross bar allow the locking members of the two end supports to be simultaneously locked and unlocked by movement of either one of the actuating members.

Abstract: An adapter bracket for use with a vehicle article carrier side rail to allow the side rail to be secured to channels formed in an outer body surface of the vehicle. The adapter bracket includes a channel coupling portion adapted to be secured to a bottom wall of the channel. An intermediate portion extends from the channel coupling portion to perpendicularly extending flanges of an outer surface portion. The flanges of the outer surface portion are coupled to the support foot of the side rail to allow the support foot to be mounted essentially flush against the outer body surface without the need for drilling additional holes outside of the channel. The adapter bracket thus allows a conventional elevated side rail to be quickly and easily secured to an existing channel formed in the outer body surface of a vehicle roof.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via a latching mechanism disposed at end that can be released from a securing portion of one siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail. Various embodiments are presented with different latching and pivoting mechanisms.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus adapted to be disposed on an outer body surface of a vehicle for supporting articles. The apparatus includes support rails secured to the outer body, a cross bar spanning the support rails, and bracket assemblies secured to the cross bar. The bracket assemblies are coupled to the support rails and include a lower locking clamp pivotally secured to the housing. The lower locking clamp rotates between an open position and a closed position and secures the bracket assembly to the support rail when in the closed position. The open position is approximately 180° from the closed position. A detail within the housing contacts a first face of the lower locking clamp in the open position and a second face of the lower locking clamp in the closed position, thus preventing the lower locking clamp from rotating more than 180° between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier adapted to be secured to an article carrier portion of an existing vehicle article carrier so as to carry the bicycle supported thereon in a vertical orientation over a liftgate of a vehicle, and normal to an outer surface of the liftgate. The bicycle carrier includes a wheel supporting member for engaging one wheel of a bicycle when the bicycle is placed in a vertical orientation. A frame supporting assembly engages a portion of the frame to hold the bicycle to the bicycle carrier. The bicycle carrier permits a single individual to load and unload a bicycle from the bicycle carrier without being required to lift the bicycle up onto the roof of a vehicle. Since the bicycle is supported at an angle generally normal to the liftgate, visibility through the rear window of the liftgate is also improved when a bicycle is being supported on the bicycle carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier includes a pair of laterally spaced apart siderails. A pair of crossbars are removeably coupled to the siderails. Each crossbar is operable in a first or stowed mode axially aligned with a siderail and in a second or carrying mode laterally spanning the space between the side rails.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus having bracket assemblies that include a locking mechanism requiring no independent springs or biasing elements. The bracket assemblies are secured to opposite ends of a cross bar member and each of the bracket assemblies are coupled to a respective support rail secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. Each bracket assembly generally includes an actuating lever and a locking clamp that are each pivotable between closed and open positions. When the actuating lever is placed in the closed position, interaction between the actuating lever and the locking clamp forces the locking clamp closed and maintains the locking clamp in the closed position. When the actuating lever is moved from the closed position to the open position, the interaction between the actuating lever and the locking clamp permits the locking clamp to open and disengage the support rail.