Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system incorporating a pair of stamped support rails that are adapted to be fixedly secured within respective roof ditches of a roof of a vehicle. At least one cross bar may be secured to portions of the support rails. Bottom wall and side wall portions of the support rails are shaped to rest nestably within their respective roof ditches. The support rails add significant structural strength and rigidity to the roof structure of a vehicle once fixedly secured within the roof ditches.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier adapted to carry articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. A pair of support rails are used, each formed from a non-metallic material, and each further including a bottom wall having at least one cutout potion at an intermediate point along its length. At least one cross bar may be supported from the support rails. At least one bracket may be associated with each support rail. The bracket is dimensioned to fit within the cutout portion in its support rail. The cross bar may be secured directly to the brackets such that ends of the cross bar are fully supported only by the brackets and the outer body surface of the vehicle. Thus, the support rails experience substantially no load from the brackets and the cross bar attached to the brackets.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle that has a pair of support rails fixedly secured to the outer body surface. Each support rail may have at least one structural feature in a wall portion thereof. At least one cross bar having a pair of end supports may be supported on the support rails. At least one of the end supports may have a pivotally mounted locking lever and a pivotally mounted locking member operatively coupled together. The locking member may have an element adapted to engage the at least one structural feature in the support rail. Structure associated with each of the locking lever, a housing of the end support, and the locking member cooperate to prevent the locking lever from being moved into a seated position in a recess of the housing if the end support is not aligned with the structural feature in the support rail.

Abstract: Utility rack attachments for rack systems used with automobiles, trailers, or stationary objects are used to conveniently transport or store the same. The invented rack system is basically comprised of two subassemblies, a rail and an easily mountable, slidable and removable cassette. A wedge-type binding system locks against the rail when activated. This system allows the user to slide the cassette before locking it into any desirable position along the rail for convenience of both loading and unloading.

Abstract: A roof side bar is configured for prevention of noise for an automobile. The roof side bar includes a cross bar mounting hole to which a cross bar may be mounted, and/or an interior space having a specific volume located behind the cross bar mounting hole, wherein a partitioning wall may be provided to divide the interior space into a plurality of subspaces so as to vary a resonant frequency in the interior space.

Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.

Abstract: Roof clip for attaching accessories to the panels of vehicles, designed to be inserted in an opening made in said panels, the clip being assembled to the modular roof system, along with the accessory, and secured by a screw, in which there is a base having a hole with a screw thread, openings in said base, and side wings, the fold of which provides a surface for contact with said panel, and also flanges for removing said clip from said panel, comprising the superposition of a lower base with said intermediate base, keeping said screw thread of said intermediate base aligned with the lower hole in said lower base.

Abstract: Vehicle rack system with a nestable cargo box, including a kit for constructing the cargo box, and methods of making, packaging, shipping, supplying, and assembling the cargo box. The cargo box may include a base portion and a lid portion that can be arranged in (1) a shipping configuration where the base and lid portions are not operatively connected to each other and one of the portions is inverted and nested in the other portion and (2) an operative configuration in which the base and the lid portions are operatively connected to each other to form a box that can be pivoted open and fastened shut.

Abstract: A hanger device stores clothes on the inside of the deck lid that closes the vehicle trunk. A peg projects from an inner surface of the deck lid for engagement by the hook portion of a clothes hanger when the deck lid is open, so that the clothes hanging on the clothes hanger hang downwardly. An elastic strap has first and second ends, one end attached to the deck lid on one side of the hanging clothes and the other end attached to the deck lid on the other side of the hanging clothes so that the elastic strap holds the clothes against the deck lid during movement of the deck lid between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A display unit attaching structure includes: a plurality of first rhombic clips 7 for engaging with engaging holes 51 of a vehicle roof sheet metal 5; a base sheet metal 2 on one side of which an engaging section 22 is formed, and on the other side of which a supporting section 24 with an engaging hole 23 is formed; and a display main body 3 in which the display is pivotally supported openably and closably in a housing section of a display 4, on one side of which an engaging section 34 for engaging with the engaging section 22 of the base sheet metal 2 is provided, and on the other side of which a second rhombic clip 9 for engaging with the engaging hole 23 is provided.

Abstract: A garbage can cart having a rectangular platform base and back, front and side walls in which one or more garbage cans may be placed for storage and transport for disposal. The platform base is supported by a pair of wheels at the rear and a U-bar below the front of the base. A handle bar protrudes upward from the rear wall and curves rearward past the wheels for manually moving the cart. A tow adapter comprising a pair of straps is connected to the rear wall below the handle, the straps extending to distal tow block(s) that may be placed in the trunk of a vehicle and secured therein by closing the trunk. Pulling the tow straps tilts the cart backward about its wheels and lifts the U-bar support from the ground until the handle abuts the tow straps, thereby allowing towing of the cart behind the vehicle.

Abstract: The installation structure of a roof rail in which the roof rail is attached to a vehicle inner panel provided underneath a roof panel, through a hole part provided in a roof panel, the installation structure includes: a protruding part which is provided protruding downward from a lower surface of the roof rail, is inserted into the hole part with a gap in-between, and is attached to an upper surface of the vehicle inner panel; and a watertight part which encloses the protruding part, and is flattened between the lower surface of the roof rail and the upper surface of the roof panel, wherein a part of the watertight part extends through the hole part and protrudes beyond the lower surface of the roof panel.

Abstract: A roof bar (10) for a motor vehicle (1) includes an elongate load carrying member (13) selectively held in a deployed position by a latch mechanism (20). A crossbar portion (15) of the elongate load carrying member (13) is wider than it is thick and is orientated such that the width of the crossbar portion (15) is vertically arranged when the roof bar (10) is in the deployed position so as to increase the resistance to vertical bending of the crossbar portion (15).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices that can be used for mounting and securing skis, snowboards, among other equipment to vehicle roof racks (e.g., luggage racks, factor-installed racks, after-market racks, etc.), such as those having crossbars. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a device suitable for use in securing an article to a vehicle roof rack having one or more crossbars. The device generally includes at least one hook component including a curved portion configured to be hooked under a crossbar of a vehicle roof rack. The device also includes a clamping apparatus operable for creating a clamping force to secure the device and the article to the crossbar.

Abstract: A device for attaching accessories to a vehicle roof bar, the device comprising, a threaded control rod, two threaded nuts threaded onto the control rod, two guide bodies, wherein each of the guide bodies has one of the threaded nuts positioned within the guide body, a C-shaped rail, wherein each of the guide bodies and each of the threaded nuts are positioned within the C-shaped rail; two jaws, each of the jaws being attached to one of the guide bodies and a first portion of each jaw being located outside the C-shaped rail, whereby rotation of the control rod in a first direction causes the guide bodies to move towards each other thereby allowing a second portion of the jaws to contact the vehicle roof bar, and where further rotation of the control rod in the first direction locks the guide body within the C-shaped rail.

Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.

Abstract: An exterior member mounting unit is used for installing an exterior member to a device, such as a vehicle roof. The mounting unit includes a first part detachably supporting the exterior member so that an upper surface thereof is covered by the exterior member, a second part detachably held by the first part, and a screw for attaching the exterior member to the device while utilizing the second part detachably supported by the first part as a seating plate.

Abstract: A roof module is used for mounting on a roof of a vehicle. It comprises a self-supporting support frame on which components are mounted. The support frame is arranged independently of the vehicle roof. The components comprise at least electric energy storage modules. A shielding plate is arranged on the support frame between the electric energy storage modules and the vehicle roof.

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: The invention relates to an assembly module on a mobile part (1) of a motor vehicle, especially on a tailgate (1), comprising a housing (10) having a camera (11) which serves to record images of the exterior surrounding a motor vehicle, an actuating element (13) for activating a mechanical lock (2) of the mobile part (1), and a mobile protective element (12) which can be in displaced between a closed position (3) and an open position (4). In the open position (4), the actuating element (13) is freely accessible for the user and images can be recorded of the surrounding exterior (5). In the closed position (3), the protective element (12) covers the actuating element (13) and the camera (11) at the same time.

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 crossbar bracket and a crossbar assembly for a roof rack are provided. The crossbar bracket comprises a crossbar housing, for receiving and engaging one end of a crossbar, and rail engaging means for coupling the bracket to a fixed rail located on the roof of a vehicle. The rail engaging means includes a pair of jaws and is adapted to urge at least one of the jaws towards the other so as to grip a roof rail. The crossbar assembly includes a crossbar having first and second ends, and first and second brackets. The crossbar housing of the first bracket is configured to engage the first end of the crossbar and the crossbar housing of the second bracket is configured to engage the second end of the crossbar. The rail engaging means of each bracket is configured to engage with a corresponding roof rail, so that the crossbar is able to be attached to a pair of opposing roof rails by the bracket(s) of the invention even where the opposing roof rails are not quite parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof rack system (1) for a vehicle, specifically for a passenger car, having at least one roof rail (2), which is configured in one piece and can be located on the vehicle body with an attaching device (13), wherein the roof rail (2) has a contact surface (27) extending over the length of the roof rail (2) which can be placed substantially continuously over its full length on the vehicle body (13) and is conformed to the vehicle body contour, and the attaching device has a retaining element (58) which is located in a cavity (60) of the roof rail (2) in the manner of a slot nut.

Abstract: A gear mounting assembly for mounting gear within a vehicle rooftop cargo box. The mounting assembly includes a support platform for mounting gear, and which is configured to fit within a vehicle cargo box. The mounting assembly also includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the support platform to the cargo box, configured to allow rotation of the support platform between a stowed position and a rotated position in which gear is “presented” to a user.

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 kit, system and method for forming a modular rack for a vehicle includes a plurality of adaptor clamps for connecting an end of any one of a plurality of tube elements to a body portion of another one of the plurality of tube elements and a plurality of base clamps for connecting a portion of any one of the plurality of tube elements to a support surface on the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing and carrying an extension ladder on a pickup truck is designed so that the ladder rests on both the rear edge of the cab and the upper edge of the tailgate and on the ladder. The apparatus includes resilient pads which are secured to lower edges of the rails with straps to prevent damage to the cab and tailgate. A ladder retention bracket, which mounts on the ladder, has a generally L-shaped frame to which is attached a padded stop plate and at least one ladder indexing arm. The stop plate contacts the inner vertical surface of the tailgate and prevents the secured ladder from sliding rearward, while the ladder indexing arms prevent the ladder from shifting with respect to the ladder retention bracket. With the ladder properly positioned on the vehicle, it is tied or strapped to prevent forward, lateral and vertical movement.

Abstract: A kayak carrier for a vehicle that can be adjusted infinitely for supporting a wide range of kayaks of various sizes is disclosed herein. The kayak carrier can include four supports, two for the front and two for the rear of a vehicle. The supports can be comprised of foam and have through holes to accept a guide to couple the supports together, thereby forming saddles which can rest on the rear and the front of a vehicle. The kayak carrier can be secured to the vehicle via straps. A kayak can be secured to the kayak carrier via straps or netting. The rear supports can further include a relatively low-friction surface, compared to the front supports, to facilitate sliding to ease kayak installation. The front supports can include a relatively high-friction surface, compared to the rear supports, to prevent slippage. Additionally, the bottom surfaces of the supports can include a similar relatively high-friction surface to prevent the supports from sliding on the roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a roof rack to a sunroof for a vehicle may include an outer sunroof frame covering at a first end thereof a sunroof actuating unit and being coupled at a second end thereof to a side outer panel, and/or a mounting member formed at the second end of the outer sunroof frame and coupled to the roof rack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing and anti-sway arrangement for stabilizing a bicycle supported upon a cradle borne upon an elongate arm of a vehicular mountable load carrier. The arrangement includes a cradle borne upon an elongate arm of a vehicular mountable load carrier. The elongate arm is insert-received in a through-hole located in the cradle and the cradle is configured to abuttingly receive a portion of a bicycle frame thereupon. An anti-sway device is included that has a substantially Y-shape with two upper arms straddling the cradle, and the two upper arms are joined together at a lower common leg thereof.

Abstract: Cargo bags that are mountable on a roof or roof rack of a vehicle are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cargo bag may include a container portion constructed at least partially of textile, a strap for securing the container portion to the roof or roof rack, and a structure adapted to provide shape to the container portion regardless of whether cargo is stored within the container portion. The structure may include a semi-rigid elongate member and/or foam padding. Some embodiments may include a pad positioned on a bottom of the container portion to protect the roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: A weather-tight storage device and carrier for a single or multiple fishing rods and reels releasably mounted to a vehicular roof carrier rack. When not mounted on a vehicle, the storage device and carrier is manageable enough to be hand-carried and may also serve as a stand for the rods and reels. The storage device and carrier includes a carrier box housing the fishing reels and a portion of the associated fishing rods and an anchor portion for securing the distal ends of the associated fishing rods to the vehicular roof rack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof rack (1) for a vehicle having at least one tubular rail (2) extending essentially at a distance from the roof of the vehicle and at least two supports (5) at the ends of the rail to attach the roof rack (1) to the vehicle roof, where the rail (2) is shaped in its end areas (3) to have a curve (4) and in the area of each curve (4) is held from below by the support (5) which can be attached to the rail (2), the underside (11) of said support—when viewed in cross-section—forming a flat supporting surface (12) for a matching surface (13) on the rail (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof rack for a vehicle, having at least one longitudinal beam that is connected with at least one separate support foot. It is provided that the support foot has a base body provided with attachment elements, which base body is covered by a visual cover that also covers the attachment elements.

Abstract: A vehicle display system having both an untwisting function and a position restoring function is provided. The vehicle display system includes a main body, a display panel, one or more drive means, a microcontroller, one or more clutch means, and windup springs. The main body is mounted on the ceiling of a vehicle. The display panel is coupled to the main body so as to be rotated. The drive means rotate two connection members connected to respective ends of the display panel. The microcontroller operates the drive means so that the display panel is unfolded when receiving basic signals. Each of the clutch means causes a corresponding connection member to run idle over a corresponding rotational shaft. Each of the windup springs is mounted to the corresponding rotational shaft and is wound when the display panel is unfolded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof module of a motor vehicle, which can be fastened to the chassis of the motor vehicle and defines a roof area. The aim of the invention is to improve the utility of the roof module or the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the roof module (9) is a planar full roof that is non-transparent or at least partially transparent, or the roof module (9) is a panoramic roof that projects towards the top and/or is at least partially transparent and/or comprises a roof box fixed to the top thereof, or comprises a bearing device (18) for detachably fixing a roof box (19) to the top of the roof module (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a leg for a roof rack, the leg being adapted to be attachable to a plurality of different mounting systems by which to attach the leg to a vehicle. The invention also relates to different mounting systems for attaching to the leg for attaching the roof rack leg to a mount on the vehicle. In addition, the invention relates to a permanent pad mount for attaching to a vehicle and for use with the leg of the invention and, preferably, with one of the mounting systems of the invention to attach a roof rack to the vehicle.

Abstract: A load carrying basket for attachment to a vehicle roof is movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The stowed position facilitates entry of the vehicle into garages, parking lots and the like, having limited overhead clearance. The load carrier includes a plurality of pivotally mounted support members which are pivotally attached to an upper frame and a lower frame. At least one of the support members is a clamping member to clamp the carrier in the deployed position. Advantageously, the clamping member also clamps the load carrier in the stowed position.

Abstract: The cargo rack assembly a support rack such as the roof rack of a vehicle to assist in the loading and unloading of cargo onto the support rack. The assembly includes load bars connected to base bars via a pivoting lever; the load bars include straps and load arms for securing cargo to the assembly. The base bars are affixed to the support rack and the load bars and pivoting levers transition between a secured position and a loading/unloading position in a smooth motion. The assembly may include a tensioning system for biasing the load bars to the secure position to aid the user in lifting the cargo.

Abstract: An overhead storage compartment (10, 100, 200) is disclosed in which the storage compartment (10, 100, 200) is moveable into a collapsed state so as to lie substantially adjacent to a roof panel (2) of a motor vehicle (5) and not intrude significantly into an interior space of the motor vehicle (5) and is further deployable from the collapsed state into an in-use or deployed state in which it defines a cavity that can be used to transport articles in the vehicle (5).

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: The present invention is a roof rack having stowable, non-adjustable cross-bars. The roof rack also includes a plurality of mounts attached to a vehicle in an arrangement to provide a singular stowed position and a singular deployed position. The present invention also includes at least one cross-bar attached between the stowed position or the deployed position. The cross-bar is completely detached from the plurality of mounts to move the cross-bar from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A roof rack assembly for a vehicle is provided with a first and a second elongated roof rail substantially parallel and spaced from one another. An elongated cross member is secured to the first roof rail and configured to be selectively securable to the second roof rail. The cross member is pivotable between a stowed position and a use position, also referred to as a deployed position. The cross member is substantially parallel with the first roof rail and is not secured to the second roof rail in the stowed position, and not parallel with the first roof rail and secured to the second roof rail in the use position. In the stowed position, the cross member may be within a cavity defined by the roof rail. Two cross members may be used, each being stowable in a different one of the roof rails.

Abstract: The invention refers to a spacing device for bridging a gap between a carrier part and a roof body and intended for fastening a roof rack, roof rail, roof strip or the like on a vehicle roof, with a support part and a counter-support part, the support part and the counter-support part being held together by a screw connection and being displaceable relative to one another to allow the adjustment of the bridging length, the support part and/or counter-support part being provided with an internally disposed adjustment tool-gripping seat intended for the manipulation and/or adjustment of the bridging length.

Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof luggage rack (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one roof drip molding (3) provided with a fastening device (5) for the detachable installation on the roof of the motor vehicle. It is provided that the fastening device (5) is a sliding fastening device (6). The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding method for fastening the roof luggage rack (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof railing for motor vehicles, comprising at least one rack bar and at least one support element associated with the rack bar, wherein the rack bar and support element are provided as separate components. According to the invention, the rack bar as well as the support element are provided as extruded components. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for the surface treatment of roof racks for motor vehicles, the roof racks being composed of aluminum and/or aluminum alloy. Provision is made whereby the surface is polished at least in certain areas to achieve a brilliant finish, and the polished surface is abraded at least in certain areas to achieve a satin-finish surface section. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding roof rack.

Abstract: This describes a cargo or luggage carrying basket assembly which attaches to an existing rack assembly on a vehicle roof. The existing rack assembly consists of two bar frame assemblies with coupling to attach to the car roof. The main difference in configuration is whether the bars or rack assemblies run perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of the car (one side of the car the other) or parallel to it. (Front of car to back of car) This invention can attach itself to either of the above described configurations. The basket consists of pipe sections and fittings made of tubular, hollow plastic pipe with certain members reinforced with wire. The primary use of this invention is for luggage and material normally stored in a vehicle trunk. It is not intended to allow the mounting of other sports equipment to the underlying, existing load bars or rack assembly.

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.