Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is disclosed for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. In one embodiment the system forms a swing-in-place style system with front and rear cross bar assemblies that can each be swung pivotally at one end from stowed positions on respective support rail assemblies, to operative positions extending perpendicularly between the support rail assemblies. In other embodiments the rear cross bar assembly is fully removable and can be positioned at a plurality of different longitudinal positions along the support rail assemblies. In all of the embodiments, the support rails include an L-shaped construction which is dimensioned in relation to the height of the cross bar assemblies, so the support rail assemblies are able to fully hide the cross bar assemblies from view when the cross bar assemblies are in their stowed positions.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is disclosed for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. In one embodiment the system forms a swing-in-place style system with front and rear cross bar assemblies that can each be swung pivotally at one end from stowed positions on respective support rail assemblies, to operative positions extending perpendicularly between the support rail assemblies. In other embodiments the rear cross bar assembly is fully removable and can be positioned at a plurality of different longitudinal positions along the support rail assemblies. In all of the embodiments, the support rails include an L-shaped construction which is dimensioned in relation to the height of the cross bar assemblies, so the support rail assemblies are able to fully hide the cross bar assemblies from view when the cross bar assemblies are in their stowed positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a roof ditch molding for mounting in a roof ditch of a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof ditch molding may have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is made from a molding process using a first material. The first material imparts a rigid characteristic to the first portion. The first portion is further configured to at least substantially cover a major portion of a roof ditch of a vehicle roof, and to closely follow at least one contour of the roof ditch. The second portion is made from the molding process using a second material. The second material imparts a flexible characteristic to the second portion and is integrally connected to the first portion such that the second portion projects laterally outwardly of the first portion while following a contour of the first portion. The second portion provides a compliant seal/transition area between the first portion and the roof ditch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an article securing system for a motor vehicle. The system has a linear track having a generally C-shaped configuration which is secured to the vehicle. The track has a pair of inwardly projecting flanges which are spaced apart to form a linear slot, and a pair of interstitial spaces adjacent the flanges. The spacing between the flanges forms a first dimension. A load restraining component is included which has a base portion with a neck portion extending therefrom. The neck portion has a second dimension slightly less than the first dimension such that minimal play exists between the neck portion and the flanges of the track. A T-shaped clamping element is included which has a neck portion configured to engage with the base portion, and a pair of spaced apart teeth configured to fit within the interstitial spaces of the track.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an article securing system for a motor vehicle. The system has a linear track having a generally C-shaped configuration which is secured to the vehicle. The track has a pair of inwardly projecting flanges which are spaced apart to form a linear slot, and a pair of interstitial spaces adjacent the flanges. The spacing between the flanges forms a first dimension. A load restraining component is included which has a base portion with a neck portion extending therefrom. The neck portion has a second dimension slightly less than the first dimension such that minimal play exists between the neck portion and the flanges of the track. A T-shaped clamping element is included which has a neck portion configured to engage with the base portion, and a pair of spaced apart teeth configured to fit within the interstitial spaces of the track.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a swing-in-place vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system has a front pair and rear pairs of support structures fixedly secured to the outer body surface. A first modular cross bar assembly is included which has a central portion, a latching module assembly secured at a first end of the central portion, and a pivot module secured at a second end of the central portion. The pivot module is coupled to one of the front pair of support structures for enabling pivoting motion of the first cross bar assembly between operative and stowed positions. In the operative position, the first modular cross bar assembly spans widthwise across the outer body surface. In the stowed position the cross bar assembly is secured to a second one of the rear pair of support structures to form a continuous span between the second ones of the pairs of front and rear support structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a roof ditch molding for mounting in a roof ditch of a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof ditch molding may have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is made from a molding process using a first material. The first material imparts a rigid characteristic to the first portion. The first portion is further configured to at least substantially cover a major portion of a roof ditch of a vehicle roof, and to closely follow at least one contour of the roof ditch. The second portion is made from the molding process using a second material. The second material imparts a flexible characteristic to the second portion and is integrally connected to the first portion such that the second portion projects laterally outwardly of the first portion while following a contour of the first portion. The second portion provides a compliant seal/transition area between the first portion and the roof ditch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an accessory component for a vehicle. The accessory component has an elongated frame element having a forward edge channel and a rearward edge channel formed parallel to the forward edge channel. A pair of first channels is formed in the upper surface and parallel to the forward and rearward edge channels. Forward and rearward resilient appliques are included which have each have first ends which are shaped to be retained within the forward and rearward edge channels, respectively. Second ends of each applique engage with a respective one of each of the pair of first channels. The forward and rearward resilient appliques are attached with a snapping-like action and retained by friction on the elongated frame element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system makes use of a pair of support rails fixedly secured generally parallel to one another on the outer body surface, and at least one cross bar assembly clampable to the support rails, and having a cross bar element having opposing ends. First and second end supports are secured at the opposing ends and able to engage the support rails to secure the cross bar against movement on the support rails. At least one of the end supports includes fixed and movable jaw portions, an actuating lever, and a pivot component pivotally coupled to the actuating lever and including a bore. A barrel nut is positioned in a bore of the movable jaw portion.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier is disclosed which has a first pair of support elements and a second pair of support elements secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. A pair of cross bar assemblies may be secured in either stowed orientations, in which the cross bar assemblies are each secured to one of the first pair of support elements and one of the second pair of support elements, or an operative configuration in which one of the cross bar assemblies is secured to the first pair of support elements while the other is secured to the second pair of support elements. One of the cross bar assemblies may be pivotally attached at one end to one of the support elements enabling it to be swung between its stowed and operative positions. The other cross bar assembly may be fully removable from the support elements, and may be attached in two different locations on the second pair of support elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a swing-in-place vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system has a front pair and rear pairs of support structures fixedly secured to the outer body surface. A first modular cross bar assembly is included which has a central portion, a latching module assembly secured at a first end of the central portion, and a pivot module secured at a second end of the central portion. The pivot module is coupled to one of the front pair of support structures for enabling pivoting motion of the first cross bar assembly between operative and stowed positions. In the operative position, the first modular cross bar assembly spans widthwise across the outer body surface. In the stowed position the cross bar assembly is secured to a second one of the rear pair of support structures to form a continuous span between the second ones of the pairs of front and rear support structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system makes use of a pair of support rails fixedly secured generally parallel to one another on the outer body surface, and at least one cross bar assembly clampable to the support rails, and having a cross bar element having opposing ends. First and second end supports are secured at the opposing ends and able to engage the support rails to secure the cross bar against movement on the support rails. At least one of the end supports includes fixed and movable jaw portions, an actuating lever, and a pivot component pivotally coupled to the actuating lever and including a bore. A barrel nut is positioned in a bore of the movable jaw portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an accessory component for a vehicle. The accessory component has an elongated frame element having a forward edge channel and a rearward edge channel formed parallel to the forward edge channel. A pair of first channels is formed in the upper surface and parallel to the forward and rearward edge channels. Forward and rearward resilient appliques are included which have each have first ends which are shaped to be retained within the forward and rearward edge channels, respectively. Second ends of each applique engage with a respective one of each of the pair of first channels. The forward and rearward resilient appliques are attached with a snapping-like action and retained by friction on the elongated frame element.

Abstract: An accessory component for a vehicle is disclosed which may incorporate an elongated frame element having an elongated channel formed there along. The elongated frame element is adapted to be fixedly secured to a portion of the vehicle. A resilient metallic applique having a contour generally in accordance with at least a portion of the elongated frame element may be incorporated. The applique may have a feature adjacent a first end for engaging with the elongated channel, and a second end of the applique may be shaped to engage with a different portion of the elongated frame element such that the applique is secured to the elongated frame element without adhesives or mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier apparatus for securing articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The apparatus may make use of a pair of low profile support rails fixedly secured generally parallel to one another on the outer body surface. A pair of cross bars may be configured to be coupled to the support rails in a stowed orientation extending parallel to the support rails, so as to be generally not visible from a side of the vehicle, and an operative orientation extending perpendicularly between the support rails and elevationally above the support rails for supporting articles thereon.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to be removably secured over an opening in a structure. The apparatus may have a base plate, a knob, a biasing member, a cam plate and a fastening member. The knob may be used to rotate and depress the cam plate away from the base plate against the biasing force of the biasing member, to permit securing and detachment of the apparatus from the structure. The biasing member maintains the cam plate biased toward the base plate when no pressure is being applied on the knob.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier is disclosed which has a first pair of support elements and a second pair of support elements secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. A pair of cross bar assemblies may be secured in either stowed orientations, in which the cross bar assemblies are each secured to one of the first pair of support elements and one of the second pair of support elements, or an operative configuration in which one of the cross bar assemblies is secured to the first pair of support elements while the other is secured to the second pair of support elements. One of the cross bar assemblies may be pivotally attached at one end to one of the support elements enabling it to be swung between its stowed and operative positions. The other cross bar assembly may be fully removable from the support elements, and may be attached in two different locations on the second pair of support elements.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is disclosed for carrying articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may incorporate at least one support rail secured to the outer body surface. The support rail may have a support foot portion at each of its opposite ends, with each support foot portion secured to the outer body surface of the vehicle. A sensor may be mounted on the at least one support rail or one of the support feet portions for sensing a characteristic within a field of view around the vehicle and providing related information to a subsystem of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier apparatus for securing articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The apparatus may make use of a pair of low profile support rails fixedly secured generally parallel to one another on the outer body surface. A pair of cross bars may be configured to be coupled to the support rails in a stowed orientation extending parallel to the support rails, so as to be generally not visible from a side of the vehicle, and an operative orientation extending perpendicularly between the support rails and elevationally above the support rails for supporting articles thereon.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to be removably secured over an opening in a structure. The apparatus may have a base plate, a knob, a biasing member, a cam plate and a fastening member. The knob may be used to rotate and depress the cam plate away from the base plate against the biasing force of the biasing member, to permit securing and detachment of the apparatus from the structure. The biasing member maintains the cam plate biased toward the base plate when no pressure is being applied on the knob.