Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The vehicle article carrier includes a liftgate striker connectable to the liftgate of the vehicle and a bumper striker connectable to the bumper of the vehicle. A first link is pivotally connected to the roof support structure of the motor vehicle and a second link is pivotally coupled to the first link. A locking assembly is coupled to the second link and is operable in a closed position to couple the second link to the bumper striker. In an opened position, the locking assembly releases the bumper striker in response to contact from the liftgate striker to enable the quick and convenient raising of the liftgate without the need to first unlatch the article carrier from the bumper.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier adapted for use with outer body surfaces of a vehicle that are curved or non-parallel to one another. The article carrier includes a pair of non-linear slats that are secured in spaced apart relation to one another on the outer body surfaces. A cross bar supporting assembly has a pair of connecting members that support a cross bar at its outermost ends. The connecting members are secured to slider members, and the slider members are adapted to be secured to the slats. The connecting members are secured to the outermost ends of the cross bar and each have bores that enable the outermost ends to be gradually received therewithin as the cross bar is moved along portions of the slats where the distance between the slats decreases, thus effectively shortening the cross bar. Conversely, this coupling enables the length of the cross bar to be effectively lengthened to accommodate increases in the distance between the slats.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier adapted for use with outer body surfaces of a vehicle that are curved or non-parallel to one another. The article carrier includes a pair of non-linear slats that are secured in spaced apart relation to one another on the outer body surfaces. A cross bar supporting assembly has a pair of connecting members that support a cross bar at its outermost ends. The connecting members are secured to slider members, and the slider members are adapted to be secured to the slats. The connecting members are secured to the outermost ends of the cross bar and each have bores that enable the outermost ends to be gradually received therewithin as the cross bar is moved along portions of the slats where the distance between the slats decreases, thus effectively shortening the cross bar. Conversely, this coupling enables the length of the cross bar to be effectively lengthened to accommodate increases in the distance between the slats.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The vehicle article carrier includes a liftgate striker connectable to the liftgate of the vehicle and a bumper striker connectable to the bumper of the vehicle. A first link is pivotally connected to the roof support structure of the motor vehicle and a second link is pivotally coupled to the first link. A locking assembly is coupled to the second link and is operable in a closed position to couple the second link to the bumper striker. In an opened position, the locking assembly releases the bumper striker in response to contact from the liftgate striker to enable the quick and convenient raising of the liftgate without the need to first unlatch the article carrier from the bumper.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies at upper and lower ends thereof. The pivot assemblies at the lower end of the cargo supporting structure are detachably secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system having an elongated siderail which can be configured in a first configuration as a slat of the system or in a second configuration as a siderail of the system. The elongated support rail requires no modification before same can be used in either a slat-based or a siderail-based vehicle article carrier system. Either configuration can be used to support one or more cross bars and conventional bracket assemblies directly on the support rails.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus having a pair of elongated support rails which are used to support a pair of bracket assemblies of a cross bar thereon. Each of the support rails form a channel and include a pair of flanges which extend inwardly towards each other and towards a bottom wall of the support rail. A tap plate is disposed within the channel and includes a pair of angled edge portions. The angled edge portions are formed at angles which allow them to rest flush against the flanges when the tap plate is urged into a locked position. This arrangement prevents the support rail from being distorted in the event the tap plate is slightly overtightened. It also provides an extremely secure clamping arrangement when a bracketed member is in a locked orientation on its associated support rail.