Abstract: An article carrier assembly for attachment to a vehicle roof panel comprises two siderails and at least one cross-rail releasably stowed on one of the siderails. Attachment of the cross-rail to the siderails is carried out with the use of latching mechanisms. The mechanism is composed of a stanchion mounted on the cross-rail, with a lever pivotally placed therein, and of a lock plate assembly slidably attached to the siderail. For deployment of the assembly, the stanchion is put on the lock plate assembly which becomes engaged therewith upon turning the lever. The structure of the mechanism contributes to preventing the roof panel from being damaged upon the deployment.

Abstract: A stanchion lock mechanism assembly is provided, including a clamp, and pin and a lever. The pin includes a first end and a second end, where the second end of the pin is engaged with the clamp. The lever is rotatable about the first end of the pin and includes a locked position and an unlocked position. The lever is selectively rotatable about an axis that is generally aligned with the pin when in the unlocked position. The lever rotates the pin about the axis, thereby advancing the pin and the clamp in a longitudinal direction with respect to the pin. The lever is rotated no more than one-hundred and eighty degrees about the axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the lever may be placed into the locked position.

Abstract: An article carrier is described. The article carrier comprises a pair of side rails, an extendable article carrier, and at least one cross rail. The pair of side rails are affixed to a vehicle roof The extendable article carrier is adjustably positioned between the pair of side rails from a stowed position on a vehicle roof, to an extended position from the vehicle roof, and to a deployed position about a rear hatch. The extendable article carrier includes a first and a second pair of slider rail sections that are intermediately connected by a first pair of hinges, respectively. The extendable article carrier includes a third pair of slider rail sections. The second pair of slider rails and the third pair of slider rail sections are intermediately connected by a second pair of hinges. The first, second, and third pair of slider rail sections slide about a channel that is integrally formed in each of the side rails.