Abstract: An inflatable roof carrier comprises a flexible member (10) having a pair of inflatable tubular portions (11) arranged on opposite sides of a central strip (12). Straps (16, 17) are connected to flaps (14, 15) at opposite ends of the flexible member (10). The load carrier is placed on the vehicle roof, and the straps (16, 17) are drawn around the opposite sides of the roof and into the vehicle. The free ends of straps (16, 17) are provided with mating connectors (19, 20) enabling the straps to be joined under the roof within the vehicle. The flaps (14, 15) are captured between the car doors and the vehicle roof when the doors are closed. The inflatable load carrier can be furled into compact form and stowed in the glovebox when not in use.

Abstract: A split nut is formed from two substantially identical screw-threaded half nuts, each of which has chamfered ends, preferably at about 60.degree. to the axis of the nut, to engage in a conical counterbore of a washer or workpiece. When the split nut is tightened it remains securely in place. Each half nut has side faces extending in radial planes with complementary locating means symmetrically disposed on either side of the central plane of the half nut taken at right angles to the axis, and the screw-thread has a start at one end only, whereby one of the half nuts is inverted so that the respective complementary locating means interengage to align axially the half nuts.