Abstract: A fishing rod carrier includes a plurality of horizontal elongate tubes each sized to receive a fishing rod, the elongate tubes being stacked on plural levels, each elongate tube is capped at the distal end. A reel box is attached to the proximal ends of the plurality of elongate tubes and defines an interior space that is continuous with an interior of each of the plurality of elongate tubes, and is configured to enclose a plurality of reels while they are attached to a corresponding plurality of fishing rods disposed within the plurality of elongate tubes. A clamping mechanism is configured to secure the fishing rod carrier to a rooftop rack of an auto.

Abstract: Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws.

Abstract: A fishing rod carrier includes a plurality of horizontal elongate tubes each sized to receive a fishing rod, the elongate tubes being stacked on plural levels, each elongate tube is capped at the distal end. A reel box is attached to the proximal ends of the plurality of elongate tubes and defines an interior space that is continuous with an interior of each of the plurality of elongate tubes, and is configured to enclose a plurality of reels while they are attached to a corresponding plurality of fishing rods disposed within the plurality of elongate tubes. A clamping mechanism is configured to secure the fishing rod carrier to a rooftop rack of an auto.

Abstract: Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws.

Abstract: Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar. Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.

Abstract: A selectable pitch crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a crossbar clamp having a first mating surface that is selectively receivable on a second mating surface of the coupler in a plurality of discrete orientations. Each of the discrete orientations may correspond to a respective angle of the crossbar relative to the coupler. The angle may be a pitch angle.

Abstract: Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws.

Abstract: Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar. Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: A crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include an intra-coupler toe adjustment mechanism. The toe adjustment mechanism may include a pair of structural frames connected at a pivot joint. In some examples, the frames may be secured by a securement mechanism and/or limited in rotation by a mechanical stop. In some examples, an outer housing of the coupler may be fixed to only one of the two frames. A detent mechanism may be provided, including the outer housing and one of the two frames.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting a rooftop cargo carrying system to a vehicle may include a coupler body including a crossbar clamp configured to be coupled to a crossbar. The crossbar may have a long axis oriented transverse to a direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a base portion configured to abut a roof of the vehicle and a clip retention and adjustment assembly. The clip retention and adjustment assembly may include (a) a carriage pivotally mounted to the coupler body and configured to rotate around a rotation axis oriented parallel to the direction of vehicle travel, the carriage having a slot for receiving a clip along a translation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, (b) a catch configured to releasably engage an aperture in the clip, (c) a first actuator configured to rotate the carriage around the rotation axis, and (d) a second actuator configured to move the catch and the clip relative to the coupler body along the translation axis.

Abstract: Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws.

Abstract: A trailer is disclosed, including a tongue portion configured for connection to a tow hitch of a vehicle, and a spine portion connected to the tongue portion. The trailer further includes a frame structure with a plurality of lower crossbar members transversely connected to the spine portion. The lower crossbar members define a first cargo support level. A plurality of upper crossbar structures are connected to the frame structure above the first cargo support level, and define a second cargo support level elevated above the first cargo support level.

Abstract: A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle that may include a crossbar and a pair of coupler assemblies for connecting opposing ends of the crossbar to raised rails on top of the vehicle. Each coupler assembly may include a body, a securing assembly to secure the body to the raised roof rail, and a crossbar clamp, where the securing assembly and the crossbar clamp are independently adjustable.

Abstract: Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar. Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.