Abstract: An article carrier system for use on a roof of a motor vehicle such as a pick-up truck. The system includes a housing within which cross bar components may be stowed when not in use, and which also includes one or more stowage compartments or stowage bins for stowing vehicle article carrier accessories. In one embodiment the cross bar components are detached from the housing and reattached to the housing such that they extend width-wise along the roof of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the cross bar components are pivotally supported and may be pivoted between stowed and deployed positions. A removable cover allows the cross bar components to be locked within the housing.

Abstract: A cargo management system for use in a bed of a pickup truck. The cargo management system includes a pair of frame assemblies that are supported from siderails secured to the inside walls of the pickup truck bed. Each of the frame assemblies is capable of receiving two removable cargo bins that can be used to hold various smaller cargo items. The frame assemblies each have a pair of horizontally disposed tracks for supporting a slidably moveable support platform. The support platform can be positioned in either a lower pair of the tracks or an upper pair of the tracks as needed. Each of the frame assemblies can be quickly removed from the pickup truck bed if needed to maximize the available area within the bed for large cargo items.

Abstract: A cargo management system for use in the bed of a pickup truck. The system includes a pair of side rails that are mounted on inside wall portions of the side walls of the pickup truck bed. A central frame portion is provided and is secured at its opposite longitudinal ends to a pair of auxiliary cargo containers. The central frame portion can receive either a rigid storage tray or a soft, collapsible, drop-in storage bag. The central frame portion can also be folded down generally flush against a forward end wall of the truck bed. The entire assembly of the central frame portion and the pair of auxiliary cargo containers can be moved slidably along the side rails and positioned within the truck bed as needed. The central frame portion and the pair of auxiliary cargo containers can thus be used to hold items, and the entire assembly can be used as a bulkhead within the truck bed to restrain other larger articles.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a powered running board on an automotive vehicle, such as a sport utility vehicle, utilizes the memory function of the vehicle to store therein established operating positions for the running board. The user or occupant of the vehicle can manually position the powered running board to a convenient operating position within a range of available operating positions on the vehicle. By storing the selected position of the running board in the memory function of the vehicle, the control mechanism can return to that same operating height each time the occupant seeks to use the running board for entry or exit of the vehicle. The control mechanism is operable with different configurations of running boards and with different power devices for effecting the movement of the running board.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a powered running board on an automotive vehicle, such as a sport utility vehicle, utilizes the memory function of the vehicle to store therein established operating positions for the running board. The user or occupant of the vehicle can manually position the powered running board to a convenient operating position within a range of available operating positions on the vehicle. By storing the selected position of the running board in the memory function of the vehicle, the control mechanism can return to that same operating height each time the occupant seeks to use the running board for entry or exit of the vehicle. The control mechanism is operable with different configurations of running boards and with different power devices for effecting the movement of the running board.

Abstract: An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading of a bicycle assists an operator in loading a bicycle by fully supporting the weight of the bicycle while the operator positions and secures the bicycle to the bicycle rack for transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose activity frame for a vehicle articulating roof rack system including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary top portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, and a rotatable bottom portion operable between a stowed vertical position and an open horizontal position received by the stationary top portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convertible ladder and load platform including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary bottom portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, a removable top portion received by the stationary bottom portion, a frame received by the stationary bottom portion, and a plurality of rotatable steps operable between a vertically oriented ladder position and a horizontally oriented load platform position received by the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading of a bicycle assists an operator in loading a bicycle by fully supporting the weight of the bicycle while the operator positions and secures the bicycle to the bicycle rack for transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convertible ladder and load platform including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary bottom portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, a removable top portion received by the stationary bottom portion, a frame received by the stationary bottom portion, and a plurality of rotatable steps operable between a vertically oriented ladder position and a horizontally oriented load platform position received by the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose activity frame for a vehicle articulating roof rack system including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary top portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, and a rotatable bottom portion operable between a stowed vertical position and an open horizontal position received by the stationary top portion.