VEHICLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM
A vehicle roof rack system for use on a roof of a vehicle which may include a moonroof the roof rack system includes first and second side rail members adapted to be mounted to the roof of the vehicle, the first and second side rail members each including a first channel located proximal a bottom side, a second channel located proximal a top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels and a plurality of crossbows extending between the side rails and movable between a use position and a storage position at a plurality of locations along the side rails and also movable to channels in the rails located proximal the rear of the vehicle for storage of the rails and to provide an unobstructed view out the moonroof.
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The present disclosure generally relates to vehicles and, more particularly, relates to a vehicle having a roof rack system capable of improving usability of the roof area.
Sport utility and crossover type vehicles, may have issues integrating functional and useful roof rack systems on the roof of the vehicle due to a variety of vehicle features, improvements and changes. Generally, it is known to provide a vehicle having a roof rack system including height-adjustable cross members. However, such systems lack utility and function for particular vehicles and, in particular, for certain sport and utility vehicles having a panoramic moonroof wherein at least a portion of the roof rack system blocks or impedes the use of the panoramic moonroof view and/or it lacks customization to provide a variety or roof rack configurations. Existing original equipment manufacturer roof rack or cargo carrier systems lack a quick methodology for the deployment, manipulation, and setting of the crossbows on the roof rack system. There long remains a significant need for an improved original equipment roof rack system that may be easier and better used with more modern vehicle architectures and systems including a panoramic moonroof.
Referring in general to all of the Figures and in particular to
A cargo or roof rack storage system 15. The roof rack or cargo storage rack system 15 may be factory installed as original equipment or it may alternatively be an aftermarket installed product. In one particular exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the roof rack storage system 15 may preferably include a first side rail member 51 adapted to be mounted to the roof 9 of the vehicle 1 proximal the left-hand side 6. The first side rail member 51 may preferably have a longitudinal extent between a first end 52 and a second end 53. As may be best noted in
The roof rack storage system 15 of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a first cross bow 80 having a longitudinal length and having a first end 85 located proximal the first side rail member 51 and a second end 86 located proximal the second side rail member 61. In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the roof rack storage system 15 may further include a second cross bowed 80 also having a first end 85 and a second end 86 and extending substantially perpendicularly between the first side rail member 51 and the second side rail member 61. Each crossbow 80 may preferably be adjustably moved along the first and second side rail members 51 and 61, respectively, between a plurality of positions for achieving a variety of functions and objectives as further described below. Each crossbow 80 may preferably have a generally planar extent between its first end and its second end. In one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, each crossbow 80 may preferably have an upper longitudinal member 81 and a lower longitudinal member 82 defining a passage or hole 83 there between extending substantially between the first end 85 and the second end 86. Each crossbow 80 may be made from any known or appropriate material using any known or appropriate manufacturing process or technique. In one particular exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the crossbow 80 may preferably be made from a thermoplastic material and an injection molding process. The crossbow 80 may be made such that the upper member 81 and the lower member 82 may include a hollow interspace for other components. From a reinforced thermoplastic material.
Each crossbow 80 may preferably further include a first latch member or side locking mechanism 90 extendable from the end 85 and a second latch member or side locking mechanism 90 extendable from the end 86 as best shown in
Referring now in particular to
Referring now in particular to
The second side rail member 61 may also include a third channel 73 that may extend substantially perpendicularly between the first channel 71 and the second channel 72. The third channel 73 may preferably include a shape or cross-section design complementing the outer perimeter shape of the second portion 92 of the latch member 90. The second portion 92 of the latch member 90 may be located in the third channel 73 when the first and seconds ends 85 and 86, respectively, of the crossbow 80 are appropriately positioned proximal the third channels 73 of the first and second side rail members 51 and 61, respectively, and the first portion 91 of the latch member 90 may be located in the first channel 71 proximal the lower end of the third channel 73 when the actuator 100 is released as best shown in
The second side rail member 61 may also include a fourth channel 74 extending substantially angularly between one of the first channel 71 and/or the third channel 73 at the one end and the second channel 72 at the other end. In one particular exemplary embodiment of present disclosure the end of the fourth channel 74 meets the second channel 72 proximal the first channel 71 and above a pivot point 79 as best shown in
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the side rail 61 of the roof rack system 15 may further include or define a fifth channel 75 located proximal the first end 62 and having a linear extent aligned substantially horizontal with the first channel 71 and offset from the first channel 71 more proximal the bottom 64 of the second side rail member 61. A sixth channel 76 may extend substantially vertically and may interconnect the first channel 71 with the fifth channel 75 such that the first portion 91 of the latch member 90 may translate from the first channel 71 to the fifth channel 75 via the sixth channel 76. Accordingly, the shape or profile of the fifth channel 75 and the sixth channel 76 may be substantially similar or identical to that of the first channel 71. The crossbow 80 may be positioned in the fifth channel 75, as best shown in
The description and figures are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many alternate embodiments and many applications besides the exemplary embodiments provided will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art upon understanding the present disclosure. The scope of the claimed invention should not be determined with limiting reference to the description and figures but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Any reference or disclosure of an article or publication, including patents and patent applications, is intended to be an incorporation by reference herein for all purposes. Any omission in the claims of any aspect of subject matter disclosed in the description and figures is not intended to be a disclaimer of such subject matter.
Any numerical values recited herein or in the figures are intended to include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. Unless expressly stated, all ranges are intended to include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “generally”, “about” or “approximately”, or similar words, in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.
The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps. Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps may be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step may include separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.
Claims
1. A vehicle roof rack system for installation on a roof of a vehicle, the roof generally defining a plane, the roof rack system comprising:
- a first side rail member adapted to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle, the first side rail member having a longitudinal length and having a first end and a second end, the first side rail member having a vertical height defined by a top side and a bottom side, a first channel located proximal the bottom side and a second channel located proximal the top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels;
- a second side rail member adapted to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle aligned with, and a spaced distance from, the first side rail member, the second side rail member having a longitudinal length and having a first end and a second end, the second side rail member having a vertical height defined by a top side and a bottom side, a first channel located proximal the bottom side and a second channel located proximal the top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels;
- a first crossbow having a longitudinal length and having a first end located proximal the first side rail member and a second end located proximal the second side rail member, the first crossbow having a generally planar boundary between the first and second ends;
- a first latch member extendable from the first end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the first end of the first crossbow with the first side rail member, the first latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the first side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the first side rail member;
- a second latch member extendable from the second end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the second end of the first crossbow with the second side rail member, the second latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the second side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the second side rail member; and
- wherein the first crossbow is movable between a first stowed position in which the plane of the first crossbow is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first channels and the roof plane and a second use position in which the plane of the first crossbow is aligned at an angle with respect to the roof plane and is aligned with the third channels of the first and second side rail members.
2. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 1 wherein the first crossbow is movable to a third use position in which the plane of the first crossbow is substantially perpendicular with the roof plane and the second portions of the first and second latch members are located in the third channels in the first and second side rails members.
3. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 1 wherein the first portions of the first and second latch members each has a generally round cross section and provides a movable pivot point for the first crossbow and wherein the second portions of the first and second latch members each has a generally linear portion for selectively engaging any of the first, third or fourth channels of the first and second side rail members.
4. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 1 further comprising a second crossbow having a longitudinal length and having a first end located proximal the first side rail member and a second end located proximal the second side rail member, the second crossbow having a generally planar boundary between the first and second ends and wherein the second crossbow is movable between a first stowed position in which the plane of the second crossbow is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first channels and the roof plane and a second use position in which the plane of the second crossbow is aligned at an angle with respect to the roof plane and is aligned with the third channels of the first and second side rail members and wherein the first and second crossbows may be moved proximal each other and proximal the second ends of the first and second side rail members to provide an unobstructed view through a panoramic window in the roof of the vehicle.
5. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 4 wherein the angle of the fourth channels in the first and second side rail members with respect to the roof plane is between approximately twenty five and seventy degrees.
6. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 5 wherein the angle of the fourth channels in the first and second side rail members with respect to the roof plane is between approximately forty five and sixty degrees.
7. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 5 wherein the first and second side rail members each include a fifth channel aligned substantially parallel to the roof plane and located more proximal the bottom sides of the first and second rails than the first channel and wherein each fifth channel is coupled to the first channel for receiving the first and second portions of the first and second latch members of the first and second crossbows in a location more proximal the bottom side of the first and second side rail members.
8. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 4 further comprising a first actuator coupled to the first crossbow and located proximal the first end of the first crossbow and wherein the first actuator is coupled to the first and second latch members for selectively engaging the first and second portions of the first and second latch members of the first crossbow with the first and second side rail members.
9. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 8 further comprising a second actuator coupled to the second crossbow and located proximal the first end of the second crossbow and wherein the second actuator is coupled to the first and second latch members for selectively engaging the first and second portions of the first and second latch members of the second crossbow with the first, second, third, and fourth channels in the first and second side rail members.
10. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 7 further comprising a second actuator coupled to the second crossbow and located proximal the first end of the second crossbow and wherein the second actuator is coupled to the first and second latch members for selectively engaging the first and second portions of the first and second latch members of the second crossbow with the first, second, third, fourth and fifth channels in the first and second side rail members.
11. A vehicle roof rack system for installation on a roof of a vehicle, the roof generally defining a plane, the roof rack system comprising:
- a first side rail member adapted to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle, the first side rail member having a longitudinal length and having a first end and a second end, the first side rail member having a vertical height defined by a top side and a bottom side, a first channel located proximal the bottom side and a second channel located proximal the top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels;
- a second side rail member adapted to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle aligned with, and a spaced distance from, the first side rail member, the second side rail member having a longitudinal length and having a first end and a second end, the second side rail member having a vertical height defined by a top side and a bottom side, a first channel located proximal the bottom side and a second channel located proximal the top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels;
- a first crossbow having a longitudinal length and having a first end located proximal the first side rail member and a second end located proximal the second side rail member, the first crossbow having a generally planar boundary between the first and second ends and wherein the first crossbow is movable between a first stowed position in which the plane of the first crossbow is substantially aligned with the roof plane and a second use position in which the plane of the first crossbow is aligned at an angle with respect to the roof plane;
- a first latch member extendable from the first end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the first end of the first crossbow with the first side rail member, the first latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the first side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the first side rail member;
- a second latch member extendable from the second end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the second end of the first crossbow with the second side rail member, the second latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the second side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the second side rail member;
- a second crossbow having a longitudinal length and having a first end located proximal the first side rail member and a second end located proximal the second side rail member, the second crossbow having a generally planar boundary between the first and second ends and wherein the second crossbow is movable between a first stowed position in which the plane of the second crossbow is substantially aligned with the roof plane and a second use position in which the plane of the second crossbow is aligned at an angle with respect to the roof plane;
- a third latch member extendable from the first end of the second crossbow for selectively engaging the first end of the second crossbow with the first side rail member, the third latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the first side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the first side rail member;
- a fourth latch member extendable from the second end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the second end of the first crossbow with the second side rail member, the second latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the second side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the second side rail member; and
- wherein the first and second crossbows may be moved proximal each other and may be moved proximal the second ends of the first and second side rail members.
12. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 11 wherein the first and second crossbows are movable to a third use position in which the planes of the first and second crossbows are substantially perpendicular with the roof plane and the second portions of the first, second, third and fourth latch members are located in the third channels in the first and second side rail members.
13. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 12 wherein the first and second crossbows are spaced a predetermined distance apart.
14. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 13 wherein the first and second crossbows each define a plurality of third and fourth channel combinations spaced along the first and second side rail members for selectively locating the first and second crossbows between the first and second ends.
15. The vehicle roof rack system of claim 11 further comprising:
- a first actuator coupled to the first crossbow and located proximal the first end of the first crossbow and wherein the first actuator is coupled to the first and second latch members of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the first and second portions of the first and second latch members of the first crossbow with the first and second side rail members; and
- a second actuator coupled to the second crossbow and located proximal the first end of the second crossbow and wherein the second actuator is coupled to the first and second latch members of the second crossbow for selectively engaging the first and second portions of the first and second latch members of the second crossbow with the first and second side rail members.
16. A vehicle having an occupant compartment located between sides of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising:
- a roof covering at least a portion of the occupant compartment;
- a panoramic moonroof located in the roof and proximal the occupant compartment;
- a roof rack system comprising: a first side rail member mounted to the roof proximal a side of the vehicle, the first side rail member having a longitudinal length aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first side rail member having a first end and a second end, the first side rail member having a vertical height defined by a top side and a bottom side, the first side rail member defining a first channel located proximal the bottom side and a second channel located proximal the top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly offset from the first and third channels and extending between the first and second channels; a second side rail member mounted to the roof proximal the other side of the vehicle, the second side rail member having a longitudinal length aligned with, and a spaced distance from, the first side rail member, the second side rail member having a first end and a second end, the second side rail member having a vertical height defined by a top side and a bottom side, the first side rail second side rail member defining a first channel located proximal the bottom side and a second channel located proximal the top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly offset from the first and third channels and extending between the first and second channels; a first crossbow having a longitudinal length and having a first end located proximal the first side rail member and a second end located proximal the second side rail member, the first crossbow having a generally planar boundary between the first and second ends; a first latch member extendable from the first end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the first end of the first crossbow with the first side rail member, the first latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the first side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the first side rail member; a second latch member extendable from the second end of the first crossbow for selectively engaging the second end of the first crossbow with the second side rail member, the second latch member having a first portion for engaging the first channel in the second side rail member and a second portion for engaging the second channel in the second side rail member; wherein the first crossbow is movable between a first stowed position in which the plane of the first crossbow is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first channels and the roof plane and a second use position in which the plane of the first crossbow is aligned at an angle with respect to the roof plane and is aligned with the third channels of the first and second side rail members; and wherein the first and second crossbows may be moved proximal each other and may be moved proximal the second ends of the first and second side rail members such that the first and second crossbows may not be observed through the panoramic moonroof from within the occupant compartment of the vehicle.
17. The vehicle claim 16 wherein the first and second crossbows of the roof rack system are movable to a third use position in which the planes of the first and second crossbows are substantially perpendicular with the roof plane and the second portions of the first, second, third and fourth latch members are located in the third channels in the first and second side rail members.
18. The vehicle claim 17 wherein the first and second crossbows of the roof rack system of spaced a predetermined distance apart.
19. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the first and second crossbows of the roof rack system each define a plurality of third and fourth channel combinations spaced along the first and second side rail members for selectively locating the first and second crossbows between the first and second ends.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 22, 2015
Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Dearborn, MI)
Inventors: Edward J.L. Meszaros (Amherstburg), David Thomas Patrick (Canton, MI)
Application Number: 14/258,738