Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a boat is disclosed. In some examples, the apparatus may include a crossbar, a pair of towers for coupling the crossbar to a vehicle, a gunwale support device configured to support a gunwale of the boat, and a clamp device coupled to the gunwale support device configured to selectively grip crossbars of various sizes and shapes. The gunwale support device may include a bench having a seat (or seat surface), a back (or back wall surface), and a top surface on which the gunwale and/or other portion of the boat may be supported. The seat, back wall, and/or top surfaces may be convexly curved, tapered, angled, and/or have a progressive curvature corresponding to a curved portion of a cone, which may compensate for misalignment between the gunwale and the bench. The clamp device may include an actuator located above the crossbar for manipulating the clamp device between open and clamped positions.

Abstract: Bike mount designs for carrying bikes in connection with vehicles are described. A bike mount may include a base and a frame or wheel-gripping arm. A bike mount frame may also have ratcheting wheel grip assemblies which may be switched between tensioning and release modes.

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 load-carrying device may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. The load-carrying device may include a body having a load-bearing surface and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The arm of the device may be pivotable between a collapsed position and an in-use position. A proximal end of the arm may be operatively connected to the body, and may move toward one end of the body when the arm is pivoted from the collapsed position to the in-use position.

Abstract: Roof-mounted vehicle rack system including a load carrier. In some embodiments, the load carrier may be a bicycle carrier having an elongate base and an arm equipped with a frame-gripping device. The frame-gripping device may be operated with an actuating member, which may be centered transversely on the base for equal accessibility from either lateral side of the carrier. The actuating member and the arm may be mounted separately to the base at respective positions that are spaced along the base from each other.

Abstract: A crossbar system for a truck bed and methods of mounting a crossbar system to a truck bed are disclosed. In some examples, the crossbar system may include two towers, each coupling an end portion of a crossbar to a truck bed wall. Each tower may include a crossbar housing having a clamp device for securing the crossbar housing around a selected location along the crossbar, and a coupling mechanism configured to secure the crossbar housing to the truck bed. The crossbar housing may have a ledge portion configured to sit on an upper surface of the truck bed wall. The coupling mechanism may include a hook member configured to removably engage the ledge portion of the crossbar housing; and an over-center lever that is operable between open and closed positions, which may cause a bridge piece to move between unclamped and clamped positions. The coupling mechanism may include a plurality of alternate bridge pieces, each configured to engage a different truck bed rail structure.

Abstract: A bike mount has an elongate body for supporting a bike. A front end of the bike mount may include a pair of hoop structures for gripping the front wheel of a bike. One of the hoop structures may have a ramp for causing rotation of the hoop structure as a bike rolls on to the ramp. One or more clamps are included for fastening the bike mount to one or more crossbars.