Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may include a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface and at least one cross bar. The cross bar may have 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 may 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 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 system for use on an outer body surface of a vehicle, where the system may make use of a light emitting diode (LED) and a pair of support rails assemblies secured parallel to one another along a major longitudinal axis of the vehicle. At least one of the support rail assemblies may have a light pipe in optical communication with the LED. The light pipe may operate to radiate light generated by the LED outwardly from the support rail assembly along the length of the light pipe to thus illuminate a portion of the vehicle.

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 vehicle article carrier system incorporating at least one single sided release cross bar assembly. The cross bar assembly includes first and second end support assemblies. Detachment or adjustable positioning of the cross bar assembly is made by a user engaging a locking element in a first one of the end support assemblies and moving a cross bar of the cross bar assembly linearly, telescopically slidably into a second one of the end support assemblies. This causes a release of tension provided by a biasing element in the second end support assembly, thus enabling the entire cross bar assembly to be removed from the side rails. The single biasing element in the second cross bar assembly provides a constant tension on latching elements mounted in each of the first and second end support assemblies, which maintain each of the assemblies in locking engagement with the side rails.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for clamping one or more solar panel cells to a supporting frame rail. The clamp assembly may have a clamp body, an insert and a fastener. The clamp body may have a neck portion and a pair of shoulders extending generally perpendicular to the neck portion. The shoulders may be adapted to overlay edges of a pair of adjacently positioned solar panel cells resting on a frame rail. The insert may be sized to be inserted into the neck portion, with the insert having a plurality of teeth formed along its length. The insert may be captured within the neck portion of the clamp body so as to be non-removable therefrom, but still able to be rotated within the clamp body. The threaded fastener may be pressed into the insert and captured by the teeth, and then once a head portion thereof is positioned within a channel of the frame rail, the insert may be rotated to tighten the fastener and clamp the edges of the pair of solar panel cells to the frame rail.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system for use on an outer body roof surface of a vehicle to removably support articles above the outer body roof surface. The system may use a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface generally parallel to one another. The system may also include at least one cross bar having a pair of end supports. Each support rail may include a decorative cover and metallic support element, with the decorative cover being positioned over the metallic support element, and secured thereto, to at least substantially cover the metallic support element. The metallic support element may include at least one aperture at each opposing longitudinal end thereof that allows the support rail to be secured to the outer body roof surface at only its opposing longitudinal ends, and to use pre-existing fastening elements mounted in the outer body roof surface as attachment points for the support rails.

Abstract: A lockable clamping system for use in securing photovoltaic (PV) panels to a frame rail component, wherein the frame rail component includes structure for engaging with a portion of the lockable clamping system. The lockable clamping system may have a clamp member having a body portion, with the body portion having a bore. A fastener may be operatively coupled to the clamp member and may extend through the bore in the clamp member generally perpendicular to the clamp member. The fastener may have a head portion having a key shaped recess, the key shaped recess configured to allow rotation of the fastener only via predetermined security key shaped to engage with the key shaped recess.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system having at least one single side releasable cross bar. The cross bar includes end support assemblies at opposite ends thereof. Each end support assembly includes a pivotally mounted locking member which can be locked and unlocked relative to an associated side rail. Both of the locking members can be locked and unlocked by a user manually engaging one of the locking members and pivotally moving it into an unlocked position. This causes simultaneous pivoting movement of the locking member at the opposite end of the cross bar so that both the locking members are simultaneously locked and unlocked from their respective side rails. When in the unlocked position, the cross bar can be lifted directly off of the side rails, thus eliminating the need for any disassembly of the side rails when the user desires to remove the cross bar entirely from the side rails.

Abstract: A fastening system especially well suited for use with solar panel systems that enables an electrical connection to be made between two metallic frame components that are secured together. The fastening assembly includes a spring clip and a threaded bolt that engages within a hole in the spring clip. The spring clip has a leaf spring like shape. The threaded bolt has a head portion shaped to permit it to be inserted in a channel of a frame member, then rotated ninety degrees, which flattens the spring clip and enables it to retain the threaded bolt in an upright orientation ready for use. After being rotated ninety degrees, the head is retained in the channel as well. The fastening assembly can be inserted into a suitable sized channel of a frame member at any point along the channel, thus significantly simplifying and expediting the assembly of solar panel modules onto a supporting frame element.

Abstract: A fastening and grounding apparatus adapted to be positioned against a channel of a metallic support frame member. A metallic bolt has a threaded shaft and an enlarged head portion at one end thereof. A metallic leaf spring has a central portion and a pair of opposing end portions, with the threaded shaft extending through the hole. At least one of the opposing end portions has a tooth projecting therefrom. The metallic leaf spring maintains the threaded shaft in an upright orientation extending from the channel. The tooth digs into a surface of the metallic support frame member to effect an electrical current signal path through the fastening apparatus to the metallic support frame member.

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 that may have a pair of support rails and at least one cross bar. The cross bar may have an end support at each opposing end thereof. Each of the support rails may include an elongated recess extending parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, where the elongated recess may be shaped generally in accordance with the cross bar, for receiving the cross bar when the cross bar is placed in a stowed orientation. Each of the support rails may further have at least one primary locking bar for supporting said cross bar in an operative position extending generally perpendicularly between the support rails, and at least a pair of secondary locking bars for supporting the cross bar in said elongated recess when the cross bar is placed in the stowed orientation in one of the support rails.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may include a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface and at least one cross bar. The cross bar may have 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 may 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 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 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.