Abstract: A self-centering roof rack system for transporting bicycles and other sporting goods on a motor vehicle. The rack includes a transverse bar mounted on the roof and supported by upright members at each end. The upright members are simultaneously moveable by rotation of a knob at one end of the rack by means of rotation of a threaded shaft which has right hand threads on one end and left hand threads on the other. The upright members are provided with either a pivoting or sliding mechanism that causes a floating hook adapted to grip a motor vehicle root edge, the hook being caused to move upwardly and outwardly to firmly engage the roof as the uprights are moved toward each other.

Abstract: A mount or stand-off device is disclosed herein constituting load carriers interposed between a load carrying rack and the longitudinal slats affixed to the roof of a motor vehicle. Two pairs of mounts are securely bolted to the longitudinal slats which conform to the vehicle and determine the load carrier's crossbar position. The existing vehicle roof slats that are utilized extend generally longitudinally on the vehicle and are of an integral part of the vehicle's horizontal surface.

Abstract: A freight stacking support apparatus is disclosed for supporting oversized freight above a tailgate of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises a support beam, a securing bracket with a locking mechanism, a triggering button for activating the locking mechanism, and a receiving bracket, where the brackets are affixed to opposing top rear edges of the side walls of a pickup truck and the ends of the support beam are received in slots in the opposing brackets such that the support beam resides parallel to and above the tailgate. When the apparatus is in position, it allows the user to safely transport freight without damaging the tailgate. In addition, it permits user access to the contents of the pickup truck bed through the pivotable tailgate without lifting or removing the supported freight.

Abstract: A utility rack is provided that may be swiftly and easily attached to the exteriors of vehicles of various sizes. The utility rack has a carrier bar containing a hollow compartment. A rubber band or a spring inside the hollow compartment is attached at either end to a non-elastic strap which extends from the hollow compartment and outside the carrier bar to hooks or other anchors detachably affixed to anchor points on the vehicle. Locking mechanisms are mounted on the carrier bar to lock the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by a pawl mechanism or by a pin. The utility rack is placed on the vehicle by pulling on the non-elastic straps and placing their respective anchors on the anchor points of the vehicle and then locking the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by means of the pawl and ratchet mechanisms or pin-perforated strap locking mechanims.

Abstract: A ski rack comprising a support base member having one or more adjustable ski retention posts secured thereto and extending vertically thereabove. One or more abutment members extend vertically from the base member and disposed in spaced aligned relationship with a respective one of the retention posts. The retention posts each have flexible biasing fingers which project toward the abutment members in a ski receiving space defined between the posts and the abutment members for applying clamping pressure against a pair of skis supported on the base member in the ski receiving space. A bridge member extends above and across the abutment members and the retention posts. Attachment elements are disposed adjacent opposed ends of the ski rack for securing same to a vehicle.

Abstract: A load carrier for a vehicle is provided with a strut (1) disposed transversely over the roof (6) of the vehicle, and with a foot member (2)in each end. The foot members are provided with a support member (3) and a gripping member (4) which, by way of an operating device (20, 21), are mountable against edge portions (5, 6) of the vehicle roof, for fixedly securing the load carrier. In order to render such fixed securement extra reliable, both the support member (3) and the gripping member (4) are disposed on a pivotal arm (17) which, by way of a pivot (16), is fixedly secured in an upper portion of the foot member (2). The arm (17) is pivotal with its lower portion in towards the center of the vehicle so that both the under gripping portion (19) of the gripping member (4) and the support member (3) accompany the arm in this movement.

Abstract: The present invention is a slat for a vehicle article carrier adapted to be mounted in a longitudinally extending recess in a generally horizontal extending exterior vehicle body surface. The slat includes a channel member adapted to be disposed in the recess. The channel member has an upper surface adapted to be disposed substantially flush with the vehicle body surface.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting for an article restraining cross bar of an automobile luggage rack is provided to interconnect the cross bar to a pair of stanchion members mounted for longitudinal movement along a pair of parallel side rails so that one stanchion may be longitudinally adjusted relative to the other stanchion. A pivot plug is provided which is secured to each end of the cross bar and includes an extending tongue portion having a slot therein. The stanchions each contain a socket adapted to receive the tongue portion of the pivot plug and a fastening screw extends through the socket and tongue slot to secure the plug within the socket while permitting limited inward and outward movement of the tongue within the socket and limited pivotal movement of the plug around the fastening screw disposed in the slot.

Abstract: A load carrier for a vehicle roof is provided with a load carrying strut (2) with a foot arrangement (1) in each end. At least one foot arrangement (1) is provided with an accommodation space (6) in which an end portion of the strut may be inserted. According to the invention, the accommodation space (6) is in downward communication with a cuneiform locking space (7) in which a locking body (9) is placed. The locking space (7) is defined downwardly by a cam surface (8) which is obliquely inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction of the strut (2), and the locking body (9) is actuated by a screw (10) so as to be movable along the cam surface (8) and thereby to a position fixedly clamping the strut (2) in its accommodation space (6). A flexible sheet spring (14) may be disposed between the locking body (9) and the strut for protecting the surface coating of the strut (2).

Abstract: A roof rack mounting system for vehicle having concealed drip moldings in mounting plates are riveted to the roof return of a vehicle, on opposite sides of the vehicle underneath a vehicle upper door lip. Each mounting plate has two pins which fit into cups or slots formed on a foot plate. A leg section connects each foot plate to a hollow transverse beam. One leg section is movable and has a screw extending through the leg section and engaging a nut secured to the inside of the tranverse beam.

Abstract: In a roof luggage carrier fastening arrangement on a motor vehicle, a support leg of the roof luggage carrier is extended section-wise to the outside of the body and is retained in position by means of a fastening element, whereby the fastening element is screwed into an internal thread fixed on the body side. In order that the roof luggage carrier, with a simple construction, can be installed on the vehicle rapidly and safe against theft, the fastening element is formed by a threaded pin adjustable from a passenger space, which includes an end-retaining section on the side facing the support leg, over which the support leg is adapted to be slipped by means of a longitudinal slot open in the insert direction. By tightening the threaded pin in the direction of the passenger space, the support leg can be clamped against the body.

Abstract: A device for carrying elongated articles too long to fit inside a vehicle. The device is unitarily formed from tubing and shaped into two parallel S-shaped members bridged by an intermediate member which provides lateral stability. Padding extends substantially the length of one of the loops of each S-shaped member. The device is primarily designed for the padded loops to be hooked over the sides of a vehicle while the oppositely facing loops are used to support the elongated articles in cooperation with another similar device located farther down the same side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pair of brackets which can be attached to the handle bars of the ATV or a motorcycle and which will hold a bow or a rifle or shotgun. The brackets include spring-biased U-shaped clamps which can be positioned on a mounting bar, the bar being secured to the handle bars of the ATV or motorcycle or depending on the construction of the rear portion of the ATV or the motorcycle's rear framework thereof, the U-shaped clamps being positioned on the bar in an adjustable manner to accommodate the length of the bow and/or of the weapon to be employed.

Abstract: A crossbar on a vehicle roof rack is supported by a pair of pedestals through a cam on each pedestal which exerts its clamping action by rotating toward the center of the vehicle, each cam operating independently of the fastening clip which secures each pedestal to the vehicle roof. The direction of the clamping rotation of the cams and the rate of increase of the radius of each cam as it rotates in the clamping direction provides the cams with a self-tightening effect--i.e., should the apparatus ever begin to loosen after the cam is engaged, any pulling apart of the pedestals will cause the crossbar to draw itself over the cam, causing the cam to rotate in the tightening direction and re-secure the crossbar.

Abstract: A roof-top accessory unit for vehicles having one or more safety devices, such as lights or sirens, fitted thereto. The bar is capable of movement to either a lowered or a raised position, to allow underpassage of the vehicle through places of restricted height such movement being made manually or electrically. According to the manual embodiment, the bar is locked into its raised position by releasable latches. According to the electric embodiment, the bar is locked into either its lowered or raised positions by an electric-solenoid operated locking mechanism.

Abstract: A roof rack for a motor vehicle, the roof rack has a roof bar to extend transverse of the vehicle and a mounting assembly to secure the roof bar to the roof gutter of the vehicle, a mounting assembly secures the roof rack to the gutter by means of a gutter clamp which is moved both transverse of the vehicle and vertically relative to the gutter.

Abstract: A car rack comprises an elongated support bar adapted to be disposed above the roof or trunk of a vehicle and a pair of support members mounted to said bar and moveable towards or away from each other. The support members being adjustable in distance to accommodate vehicles of different widths. The support members having gripping means to engage and hold on to selected structures on or adjacent to the roof or trunk of the vehicle. The support bar contains the tensioning and release mechanism which is comprised of a fixed elongated toothed ratchet element and a tooth engaging movable pawl in a sliding sleeve which in turn is connected to a tensioning cable to which when pressure is applied exerts biased forces on to the attached gripping means thereby clamping and locking them and the support members in engagement with the selected structures of the roof or trunk of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lock unit of a roof carrier of a vehicle which includes a crossbar for placing an object to be carried thereon, a plurality of stands for supporting the crossbar on a vehicle roof, and a rotatable knob mounted on at least one of the stands, for fixing the stands at given positions, on the roof of the vehicle, wherein the knobs include a lock member for preventing rotation of the knobs, the locking member including a cam member, and wherein the knob includes a bottom plate, a rotating member mounted on the plate, a pin member, and a biasing member positioned between the rotating member and the cam member for biasing the pin member into engagement with the cam member.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle support device including first and second cross frame members and first and second bicycle wheel receiving channels extending crosswise of the cross frame members. First and second bicycle support members are pivotally mounted by hinge brackets to the same cross frame member for swinging movement about an axis paralleling the cross frame member, and the first and second bicycle support brackets each have a portion that converges toward a medial plane between the wheel support brackets and laterally extending upper portions that extend transverse to the plane for engaging and supporting a bicycle frame. The converging portions of the bicycle support brackets are rigidly interconnected so that the first and second support brackets form a laterally stable assembly that is movable as a unit between a lower and a raised position.

Abstract: In a roof rack fastening arrangement for motor vehicle bodies, having a longitudinal flat roof gutter which forms a covered drip molding and is covered by a decorative strip towards the outside and in which bracket shaped holding plates for the supporting feet of a roof rack are secured at specific positions, bracket shaped holding plates are provided on both sides of their central raised bracket portion with supporting flanges which are raised on one longitudinal side and on which the supporting feet of a roof rack rest and on the supporting feet Z-shaped clamping fittings are supported which can be tensioned by way of fastening screws and which are supported below their fastening screw on the supporting feet in such a way that they engage with their holding flanges under the raised bracket portion from the inside and by tightening the fastening screw they tension the supporting feet downwardly and outwardly.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting detachable, roof-top automotive, carrying racks of the type usually secured to vehicle rain gutters is disclosed. The bracket assembly may be used on vehicles having no rain gutters and includes a bracket plate member having a generally planar portion and a flange portion which is formed to have a generally W-shaped cross section that extends away from the planar portion for releasable coupling of rack mounting assembly thereto. The shape of the flange allows the bracket assembly to be used to anchor a roof-top rack to either a side wall or the roof of a vehicle.

Abstract: A reinforcing device for a roof carrier, which includes a reinforcing member having a crossbar for placing and fixing an object to be carried thereon, a pair of stands for supporting the crossbar, the stands having holes extending therethrough, a pair of mounting members separate from the pair of stands and interconnecting the roof and the pair of stands on the roof, a wire made of a flexible material, mounting metal members respectively coupled to opposite ends of the wire, a screw rod projecting outward from each of the mounting metal members, wherein the screw rods extend through the holes formed in the stands in the vicinity of end portions thereof, and first and second clamp nuts engaged with threaded portions of the screw rods and contacting an outer side portion of the mounting members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural arrangement by which a load may be carried on the rooftop of a vehicle. A roof rack is provided for directly supporting the load and is detachably connected to the roof of the vehicle through a fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement will position the roof rack in a predetermined relationship with respect to the vehicle roof and clamp the roof rack thereto. Additionally, the roof rack is correctly positioned and clamped by the same device that connects the roof rack to the vehicle roof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive cargo carrier utilizing interlocking vertically offset tubular perimeter members and multiple intersecting tension members providing for a substantially rigid, yet resilient structure, and a system for cargo carriage utilizing various interchangeable elements. The load support member was designed for use in conjunction with tubing members and has a universality of application in supporting the tubing members for load carrying purposes and can itself be so positioned when multiple units are positioned upon the tubing members so as to itself contribute to load carrying and retention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof rack section for attaching to a vehicle roof. Known such sections usually include a cross member having a foot attached to either end. Each such foot is provided with means for locking the section to the vehicle. Such known means often comprise screwed details which cause time-consuming and difficult fitting and removal of the roof rack sections. The present invention relates to a roof rack section including a crossbeam provided at either end with a foot which is formed with means for removably attaching the section to the body of a vehicle so that the section assumes a transverse extension above the vehicle roof.

Abstract: The invention contemplates roof-rack structure comprising (a) an elongate bar of constant external section profile, and (b) two pad-mounted pedestal supports having provision for inserted through-reception of the respective ends of the bar. Each pedestal support includes its own selectively available one-way-engaging clutch action whereby end-inserted displacement of the bar is freely accommodated, and whereby inserted-bar retraction is foreclosed. Each pedestal support also includes its own jack-actuated clamp for secure lateral anchorage to a roof or window edge. Further, a single manual control serves to operate both the clutch action and the lateral clamp, and the manual control is key-lockable when the conditions of bar-clutched engagement and lateral-clamp setting have both been established. The single manual control is subsequently operable, once unlocked, to release both the lateral clamp and the clutched engagement, thus permitting easy and fast disassembly.

Abstract: A vehicle roof carrier includes at least one elongated carrier member transversely mounted on the roof of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the carrier member defines a slit longitudinally extending between the opposing ends of the carrier member and has at least one enlarged area in communication with the slit. Plural mounting members each of which define an aerodynamically-sound forward surface are retained in the carrier member by a retaining clip. The retaining clip is generally U-shaped in configuration and includes terminal legs having engagement members which are registrable with the enlarged area. Furthermore, the mounting members define recessed surfaces so that when the retaining clip is positioned in the slit of the carrier member, the horizontal leg of the retaining clip will be seated in the recessed surface of each mounting member to thereby retain them in a predetermined position on the carrier member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load holder adapted to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle and having a rod-shaped carrying element which at its ends latchably is engaged in support legs which with the aid of tensioning hooks are adapted to be mounted at the drip moulding of the vehicle, said tensioning hooks are adapted to be operated with the aid of an operating member working according to the principle of eccentricity. According to the invention a clamping yoke (5) is provided to latch the carrying element, said clamping yoke with the aid of a stud (6) being shiftably journalled in an oblong guiding groove (7) in a protrusion (8), the operating arm (14) for operating the tensioning hook (11) also being hingedly supported on the stud (6) causing the clamping yoke (5) being shifted simultaneously with the operation of the tensioning hook (11).

Abstract: A ski carrier mounting apparatus for a vehicle with longitudinal slots in the roof, otherwise known as a "Mohecan" type roof. The mounting device utilizes the substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of the slots and consists of two independent members which may be connected to provide a rigid base on which the ski carrier may be mounted.

Abstract: This fishing pole holder is designed to be quickly and easily attached to the roof of automobiles or trucks. Primarily, it consists of a plastic rack, which includes springs and eyes to hold fishing poles safely and securely, without damage to the poles or the car. It also includes a strap for fastening the device to the car, and the windows of the car may be closed on the strap without rain or snow coming into the car.

Abstract: An auto luggage carrier comprising multiple support units, each of which having a cross bar secured to the vehicle at its respective ends. Vertically adjustable load supports adjacent the units ends match the vehicles top configuration and secure the support units to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle attached carrier for mounting on the roof or trunk lid of a vehicle. The carrier includes a plurality of vehicle engaging devices for supporting a load support on the surface of the vehicle. The vehicle attaching devices each include an elongated load distributing member having a pair of relatively parallel pivot pins extending crosswise adjacent opposite ends. The load distributing member is attached intermediate its ends to the load support to transmit downwardly applied forces substantially equally to both pivot pins. First and second foot members are mounted on the pivot pins for pivotal movement about the axis of the pivot pins and for tilting movement in a direction crosswise of the pivot pins to allow the vehicle engaging surface on the foot members to conform to the longitudinal and transverse curvature of the surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in a vehicle having a luggage carrier connected to a luggage supporting surface. The improvements comprise a luggage rack assembly having a spaced parallel pair of horizontally attending raised side rails slideably disposed in parallel rail tracks secured to the luggage supporting surface. The assembly also has a spaced parallel pair of horizontally extending rack sub assemblies disposed between the side rails. Each sub assembly has an elongated horizontal rack track and an elongated horizontal luggage retainer keyed to the track and moveable between a flat, collapsed horizontal storage position and an operative raised luggage engirdling position spaced above the track.

Abstract: In a fastening device for supporting brackets or luggage racks for automotive vehicles, the tensioning screw which biases the clamping claw against the supporting foot and the roof gutter is overlapped by a protecting cap which is non-separably connected with the clamping claw. The protecting cap has a mounting aperture through which the tensioning screw can be actuated with a tool. The mounting aperture can be closed by a locking device which can be actuated by a key and closes the mounting aperture only in the locking position.

Abstract: A luggage rack which is mounted on the roof of an automotive vehicle and has two longitudinally extending parallel rod-shaped carriers and several traverses separably connected to and extending at right angles to the carriers. Each traverse has an elongated outer section and an elongated inner section which is telescoped into and is movable lengthwise and/or at right angles to the outer section. The sections of each traverse have intersecting sockets in the form of elongated open-ended slots receiving parts of the carriers so that the surface bounding the slots contact the respective carrier parts. Screws which extend through the outer sections and mate with nuts on or in the inner sections bias the sections of each traverse against each other and against the respective parts of the carriers to thereby fixedly hold the traverses in selected positions.

Abstract: A carrier has a pair of bodies mounted on a vehicle roof in spaced longitudinal relation. Each of the bodies is mounted on the roof by a strap extending through a transverse passage in the body and having a pair of gutter hooks, one fixed on the strap and the other adjustable on the strap, for engaging gutters on opposite sides of the vehicle. The upper wall of each of the bodies has a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal passages to support skis therein. Each of the bodies has a plate disposed thereabove and resting on the skis disposed in the longitudinal passages with the plate having a slot in each end to receive opposite ends of the strap. Ski poles may be supported on the upper surface of each of the plates and retained by the strap when the ends of the strap are clamped to each other.

Abstract: An article carrier is mounted on an exterior automobile body surface. The carrier utilizes special decorative slats for supporting the weight of luggage or the like and also as a means for mounting cross bars, ski racks or tie-down members and similar article securing devices on the automobile body. The devices mounted on the slats are easily removed, interchanged or adjusted in position on the slats in accordance with the needs of the user.

Abstract: A car top carrier support which is operable for use on the gutters of a car top as well as on a gutterless car top including ledges at its opposite sides. The carrier support comprises a H-shaped frame with one longitudinal main tube and at least a pair of cross tubes. A central operating mechanism is mounted in the main tube and connected by four Bowden cables with four claws which are movably guided in legs fastened at the cross tubes for clamping the carrier support at the car top. By swinging only one hand lever of the central operating mechanism between two positions the carrier support is free to be removed from the car top. A key-operated locking device co-operating with the central operating mechanism provides a theftproof arrangement. Wire cables fastened at securing pins can be turned around articles on the carrier support and the pins can be locked in a theftproof way by the same central operating mechanism.

Abstract: A bracket for association with an article carrier, such as a luggage carrier is adapted for sliding adjustment or positioning in a carrier track. The bracket includes a ratcheted disc for locking the bracket anywhere along the length of the track. The ratcheted disc prevents unintended loosening of the bracket and resultant movement of the bracket along the track. The bracket also includes suitable projections for detachably mounting a cross-strap thereto for supporting skis, bicycles, and other articles.