Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. The cross bars are completely removable from each of the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via latching mechanisms disposed at end that can be released from a securing structure at a forward portion and a rearward portion of each siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail.

Abstract: An article rack assembly is disclosed, including at least two siderails generally parallel to one another that are adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. At least one crossbar is generally perpendicular to the siderails having a length sufficient to span between the siderails. The crossbar has opposing ends that may each include a support assembly member. The support assembly member may include an actuating lever having a grip portion for facilitating engagement of the actuating lever and a locking portion. A rod member is disposed within the crossbar, and may be staked to each actuating lever such that pivoting of one the actuating levers from the locked to the unlocked position causes a generally simultaneous movement of a locking pin assembly at the opposite support assembly, thereby disengaging both locking pin assemblies from their respective siderails generally simultaneously.

Abstract: A load carrier foot for mounting a load carrier bar on a vehicle roof includes a foot part having an upper end attached to the load carrier bar, and a lower end mounted on a roof edge area. The foot part is secured to the roof by a clamping plate gripping a body fold. The clamping plate has a tightening mechanism and a pivot pin in pivotable engagement with the foot part. The foot part and the clamping plate are each provided with contact faces above and below the pivot pin, which interact in a locking manner to prevent the clamping plate from turning about the pivot pin and losing a grip on the body fold when the clamping plate is tightened against the foot part.

Abstract: A vehicular roof rack system has a cross bar that employs a base member, a top member that is retractable to a position within the base member, a spring for biasing the top member away from the base member, and a spring case encompassing the spring to limit spring extension and thus protraction of the top member. The spring case is a two-piece case within which the spring biases against the base member when the top member is in its stowed position to place the top member in its protracted position. The top member and the base member fit together in the retracted position to form an aerodynamic part to permit the cross bar to reduce drag and wind noise when moved through a medium. When protracted, the top member and the bottom member define a gap therebetween so that cargo to be secured can be tied to the top member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a roof rack for mounting to a vehicle. The roof rack includes a rail secured between first and second stanchions. The first stanchion includes a cover and a base. The cover is releasably secured to the base by a plurality of fastener assemblies. One of the fastener assemblies is formed by a tongue of the base being disposed in a loop of the cover.

Abstract: A roof railing assembly (20) includes a rail (22), a bracket attachment (28) disposed on the rail (22), and a fastener (44, 46, 48) on the bracket attachment (28), wherein the bracket attachment (28) is a defined by a structural layer of material (40) which defines a plurality of small voids (42). A flange (54) is disposed about the fastener (44, 46, 48) for restricting axial movement. An insulating layer (56) is disposed about the supported end (50) of the fastener (44, 46, 48) for absorbing force. The outer diameter of the flange (54) is greater than the outer diameter of the insulating layer (56) to further restrict axial movement. A torque limiter (58) is disposed about the fastener (44, 46, 48) for disconnecting the fastener (44, 46, 48) from the vehicle roof to avoid excessive loading on the fastener (44, 46, 48).

Abstract: A tower device for securing a crossbar on a vehicle includes a base portion, a tower portion, and a pivotal cover member.

Abstract: A tower device for supporting a crossbar over the roof of a vehicle includes a tower body, a clip retention mechanism and a clip selected to adapt to a particular vehicle profile. Various mechanisms may be used to secure the clip to the clip receiving mechanism. For example, a lock body may insert through coinciding apertures in a clip and clip receiver. A spring retainer may slide into slots or grooves in the lock body to prevent the lock body from disengaging. Other mechanism employ lock mounts that pivot to swing lock bodies through apertures in the clip and clip receiver.

Abstract: An adjustable boss for securing an article carrier or rack assembly to a vehicle outer surface is disclosed. The adjustable boss is disposed between the rack assembly and the vehicle outer surface is employed having a body including an upper surface and a lower surface. A first protrusion extends away from the lower surface. A second protrusion extending away from the upper surface. The protrusions define an aperture whereby the first protrusion engages the vehicle outer surface.

Abstract: A support assembly for use with a vehicle article carrier comprises a one-piece support having a base portion and a rail portion, a first attachment mechanism associated with the support, and a cover. The cover has a second attachment mechanism engaging the first attachment mechanism to secure the cover to the support.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a cross bar which makes use of a pair of end supports for securing the cross bar to a pair of side rails. Each of the end supports includes an actuating member which is pivotally mounted to a housing of its associated end support. An inverted V-shaped biasing member is disposed within the housing and its outermost ends are captured within a first recess in the housing and a second recess formed in an internal wall of the actuating member. An over center action is employed to assist in biasing the actuating member into its unlocked and locked positions. The actuating member includes a locking post portion for engaging with one of a plurality of apertures formed along the length of its associated side rail. The end support can be constructed with a reduced number of independent component parts, thereby simplifying its construction and reducing its overall cost.

Abstract: A roof rack system that is a platform for any roof mounted products. Examples of such products include bikes, skis, snow boards, kayaks, canoes, or storage compartments or baskets. This system will fit any vehicle, any make, any model, any year, with a single stock keeping unit (SKU). It is also an attractive rack, even if it does not carry any products.

Abstract: On a roof rack fixedly connected with the vehicle roof, a so-called loading aid is arranged which, in a loading position, can be swung out inclinedly on the sides of the vehicle, so that bicycles or the like can be placed on this loading aid by corresponding transport fixtures and, after being fitted with the bicycles, the loading aid can be pushed back into a transport position onto the roof.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. The cross bars are completely removable from each of the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via latching mechanisms disposed at end that can be released from a securing structure at a forward portion and a rearward portion of each siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail.

Abstract: A ladder assembly including a mounting system and a ladder that is adapted to be pivotally attached to a vehicle such as the tailgate of a truck bed. When the tailgate is opened, the ladder can be pivoted away from the vehicle bed to a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the tailgate or its original orientation. Following, the lower end of the ladder is adapted to pivot downwardly such that the lower end of the tailgate contacts the ground surface. The ladder is further pivotable about a second pivot member in a lateral manner such that the lower ends of the support legs of the tailgate ladder contact the ground depending on the slope of the ground surface.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of side rails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via a latching mechanism disposed at end that can be released from a securing portion of one side rail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other side rail. Various embodiments are presented with different latching and pivoting mechanisms.

Abstract: A roof module of a motor vehicle with at least one securing device for a roof carrier system, the securing device being formed in one piece with the roof module.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting one or more air conditioning modules to the roof of a bus is disclosed. The system and method includes standardized, modular air conditioning modules which are capable of fitting a wide variety of bus geometries, and are attached to the bus roof by a set of rails which are fastened to the roof, the rails having flanges and a length which are tailored to the bus roof configuration so as to provide a standardized alignment by capturing the roof rail in a channel shaped formation.

Abstract: An adapter bracket for use with a vehicle article carrier side rail to allow the side rail to be secured to channels formed in an outer body surface of the vehicle. The adapter bracket includes a channel coupling portion adapted to be secured to a bottom wall of the channel. An intermediate portion extends from the channel coupling portion to perpendicularly extending flanges of an outer surface portion. The flanges of the outer surface portion are coupled to the support foot of the side rail to allow the support foot to be mounted essentially flush against the outer body surface without the need for drilling additional holes outside of the channel. The adapter bracket thus allows a conventional elevated side rail to be quickly and easily secured to an existing channel formed in the outer body surface of a vehicle roof.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via a latching mechanism disposed at end that can be released from a securing portion of one siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail. Various embodiments are presented with different latching and pivoting mechanisms.

Abstract: A car body part for a motor vehicle has an outer skin formed of an at least partially deformable material. An inner layer is formed of a foamed plastic. A mounting part which is placed in a recess of the outer skin and is anchored via an interlocking fit between the outer skin and a deformed portion of the mounting part. The interlocking fit may be created when the foamed plastic is expanded in a mold, which increases interior pressure within the mold and deforms the outer skin against the mounting part.

Abstract: Two mutually adjoined strips form a decorative covering for a vehicle having a connection element for the aligned connecting. This connection element, in one strip, consists of a detent hook and, in the other strip, consists of a detent hook receiving device. In the connected condition, the detent hook of one strip is held hooked into the detent hook receiving device of the other strip such that the exterior strip surfaces can be connected with one another at the same level and the strips can be connected with one another without gaps.

Abstract: A tower device for securing a crossbar on a vehicle includes a base portion, a tower portion, and a pivotal cover member.

Abstract: A vehicular utility rack apparatus having at least two frame members mounted on a vehicle to form a frame assembly. The at least two support arms are used for supporting a transported item. The two support arms also having a retainer assembly coupled to form a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly coupled to a rotational shaft for pivoting the carriage assembly. The rotational shaft coupled to an anti-friction assembly capable of reducing the amount of torque required to pivot the support arms from a position above the vehicle to a position adjacent the vehicle side.

Abstract: The generally rectangular support platform of a mounting foot primary component includes laterally extending tabs configured for reception in respective of longitudinally extending slots defined by an elongated strength member of the light bar. Diagonally opposite corners of the support platform are rounded off so that the primary component is installable by insertion toward the elongated member at an angular orientation and rotation to engage the tabs in the slots. The support platform defines a recessed channel for carrying a metal retaining bar. Fasteners passing through threaded openings in the retaining bar force the retaining bar and primary component away from the elongated member, placing the support platform tabs and lateral ends of the retaining bar in frictional engagement with the lips of the elongated member. A blocking bar is fixed against an end face of the primary component to block counter rotation of the mounting foot relative to the elongated member.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof carrier structure capable of reducing the amount of movement of a roof carrier for a vehicle during the rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. In order to achieve this object, there is provided a roof carrier mounting structure for mounting a roof carrier on a member to which a roof carrier is mounted of a vehicle, comprising a roof carrier; and an inclined portion formed on the roof carrier and inclined to gradually approach or move away from a member to which a roof carrier is mounted in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle for converting inertia force acting on the vehicle in the longitudinal direction into a fastening force for fastening the roof carrier to the member to which a roof carrier is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a roof rack for mounting to a vehicle. The roof rack includes a rail secured between first and second stanchions. The first stanchion includes a cover and a base. The cover is releasably secured to the base by a plurality of fastener assemblies. One of the fastener assemblies is formed by a tongue of the base being disposed in a loop of the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier includes a pair of laterally spaced apart siderails. A pair of crossbars are removeably coupled to the siderails. Each crossbar is operable in a first or stowed mode axially aligned with a siderail and in a second or carrying mode laterally spanning the space between the side rails.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus having bracket assemblies that include a locking mechanism requiring no independent springs or biasing elements. The bracket assemblies are secured to opposite ends of a cross bar member and each of the bracket assemblies are coupled to a respective support rail secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. Each bracket assembly generally includes an actuating lever and a locking clamp that are each pivotable between closed and open positions. When the actuating lever is placed in the closed position, interaction between the actuating lever and the locking clamp forces the locking clamp closed and maintains the locking clamp in the closed position. When the actuating lever is moved from the closed position to the open position, the interaction between the actuating lever and the locking clamp permits the locking clamp to open and disengage the support rail.

Abstract: The generally rectangular support platform of a mounting foot primary component includes laterally extending tabs configured for reception in respective of longitudinally extending slots defined by an elongated strength member of the light bar. Diagonally opposite corners of the support platform are rounded off so that the primary component is installable by insertion toward the elongated member at an angular orientation and rotation to engage the tabs in the slots. The support platform defines a recessed channel for carrying a metal retaining bar. Fasteners passing through threaded openings in the retaining bar force the retaining bar and primary component away from the elongated member, placing the support platform tabs and lateral ends of the retaining bar in frictional engagement with the lips of the elongated member. A blocking bar is fixed against an end face of the primary component to block counter rotation of the mounting foot relative to the elongated member.

Abstract: A tower device for securing a crossbar on a vehicle includes a base portion, a tower portion, and a pivotal cover member.

Abstract: A car body part for a motor vehicle has an outer skin formed of an at least partially deformable material. An inner layer is formed of a foamed plastic. A mounting part which is placed in a recess of the outer skin and is anchored via an interlocking fit between the outer skin and a deformed portion of the mounting part. The interlocking fit may be created when the foamed plastic is expanded in a mold, which increases interior pressure within the mold and deforms the outer skin against the mounting part.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing a load carrier to a transporting vehicle that includes an anchor mechanism adapted for securement to a transporting vehicle and for releasable engagement with a carrier foot. The carrier foot has a latching mechanism for releasable engagement with the anchor mechanism. The latching mechanism is adapted for latching engagement to, and disengagement from the anchor mechanism by movement of the carrier foot in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the carrier foot. An example of such movement is vertical movement substantially of an up and down nature. The latching mechanism has a latching and an unlatching configuration and the latching mechanism is urged toward the latching configuration by a resilient biasing mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic reminder alarm for a recreational equipment vehicle rack comprising a transmitter placed in proximity of a garage, a receiver located inside the car, an alarm connected to and triggered by the receiver, and an actuating device that automatically activates the receiver when recreational equipment is mounted in the vehicle rack. The receiver triggers the alarm when the receiver is in range of the transmitter and the actuator has activated the receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier specifically adapted for use on a roof of a cab of a pickup truck. The vehicle article carrier includes a slidably extendable article carrier sub-system which allows the overall length of the vehicle article carrier to be effectively increased to better support elongated items such as bicycles, kayaks, canoes and virtually any other item having a length such that would make it awkward to support on an otherwise conventional article carrier assembly having a longitudinal length short enough to be secured to the roof of the pickup truck.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to hold cargo and other articles adjacent a liftgate of a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle, a station wagon, or minivan. The article carrier includes a pair of supports which are fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle. A cargo supporting structure having a pair of upper coupling links is pivotally and releasably coupled to the supports. The cargo supporting structure includes a pair of main support members which each include a pair of pivot assemblies. The cargo supporting structure is detachably and pivotally secured to a pair of anchor assemblies attached to the liftgate of the vehicle or the bumper of the vehicle. The three pivot points along each side of the cargo supporting structure enable it to be pivoted with the liftgate when the liftgate is lifted and closed such that the article carrier does not interfere with operation of the liftgate. The entire article carrier can be quickly and easily detached from the vehicle for storage when it is not needed.

Abstract: A deployable roof mounted equipment rack apparatus especially suited for tall vehicles. The device contains a carriage that can be manually deployed from its horizontal position on the vehicle's roof to a near vertical position on either side of the vehicle using rollers guided by a fixed set of roof mounted tracks. The device is designed to accept commercially available equipment mounting hardware to allow attachment of various types of cargo. The carriage latches automatically when stowed on the rooftop tracks. The carriage can be removed from the vehicle once unlatched and readily collapsed to facilitate remote storage.

Abstract: An adapter bracket for use with a vehicle article carrier side rail to allow the side rail to be secured to channels formed in an outer body surface of the vehicle. The adapter bracket includes a channel coupling portion adapted to be secured to a bottom wall of the channel. An intermediate portion extends from the channel coupling portion to perpendicularly extending flanges of an outer surface portion. The flanges of the outer surface portion are coupled to the support foot of the side rail to allow the support foot to be mounted essentially flush against the outer body surface without the need for drilling additional holes outside of the channel. The adapter bracket thus allows a conventional elevated side rail to be quickly and easily secured to an existing channel formed in the outer body surface of a vehicle roof.

Abstract: A roof component adapted to be secured to a vehicle body which includes a pair of roof rails secured to a roof module such that the roof component forms a single piece component. The roof module, in one embodiment, includes a openings for receiving therethrough each outermost end of each roof rail. The outermost ends are secured to separate body pillars of the vehicle body. The roof rail is secured by welding, adhesives or by threaded fasteners to the roof module. The roof component thus forms a modular component of the vehicle and eliminates the need for attaching the roof rail components in a subsequent manufacturing step after the assembly of the vehicle is completed.

Abstract: A roof rack system for a motor vehicle, including side-rails, and including a wind deflector, a storage bin, and adjustable cross rails positioned from front to back along the side-rails. The side-rails have a tubular portion that extends along the vehicle, and a plurality of stanchions carrying the tubular portion elevated above the vehicle's roof. The crossbars have clamping members at either end, each having an upper flange and a lower flange that move, relative to each other, to clamp onto the side-rail directly at the end of the crossbar. The storage bin has a basket portion extending between the side-rails, and includes flanges conforming to the upper surface of the side-rails. The basket portion does not extend significantly above the height of the side-rails, and includes a net-like cover, drainage holes and ventilation holes.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier includes a pair of laterally spaced apart siderails. A pair of crossbars are removeably coupled to the siderails. Each crossbar is operable in a first or stowed mode axially aligned with a siderail and in a second or carrying mode laterally spanning the space between the side rails.

Abstract: A convertible track system for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of frame members each having a predetermined surface area, at least one of the frame members having a portion of exposed surface area adapted to receive a mounting mechanism thereon.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof carrier structure capable of reducing the amount of movement of a roof carrier for a vehicle during the rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. In order to achieve this object, there is provided a roof carrier mounting structure for mounting a roof carrier on a member to which a roof carrier is mounted of a vehicle, comprising a roof carrier; and an inclined portion formed on the roof carrier and inclined to gradually approach or move away from a member to which a roof carrier is mounted in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle for converting inertia force acting on the vehicle in the longitudinal direction into a fastening force for fastening the roof carrier to the member to which a roof carrier is mounted.

Abstract: A deployable roof mounted equipment rack apparatus especially suited for tall vehicles. The device contains a carriage that can be manually deployed from its horizontal position on the vehicle's roof to a near vertical position on either side of the vehicle using rollers guided by a fixed set of roof mounted tracks. The device is designed to accept commercially available equipment mounting hardware to allow attachment of various types of cargo. The carriage latches automatically when stowed on the rooftop tracks. The carriage can be removed from the vehicle once unlatched and readily collapsed to facilitate remote storage.

Abstract: A device for a detachable fastening of a load carrier (10) on a vehicle, in particular a roof rack, is disclosed, which has a carrier frame (18), on which two retaining elements (20, 22) are fitted, which are relatively mobile to one another when the load carrier (10) is in unfastened condition. When the load carrier (10) is in fastened condition the retaining elements (20, 22) engage in a gap (24) between a body frame on the vehicle side (26) and a flat body part (12) attached to this, where they interlock on a fastening element (28) on the body frame (26). The result is that the load carrier (10) can be fastened to the vehicle easily and securely.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system having an elongated siderail which can be configured in a first configuration as a slat of the system or in a second configuration as a siderail of the system. The elongated support rail requires no modification before same can be used in either a slat-based or a siderail-based vehicle article carrier system. Either configuration can be used to support one or more cross bars and conventional bracket assemblies directly on the support rails.

Abstract: An arrangement in a load carrier for securing a load carrier cross bar to a transporting vehicle including a top portion of a load carrier foot adapted to releasably engage a load carrier cross bar. The load carrier cross bar has an elongate slot through a lower surface thereof. The elongate slot provides access to an interior space of the load carrier cross bar. An upper surface of the top portion of the load carrier foot is configured to abuttingly engage the lower surface of the load carrier cross bar. An insertible member is provided for interconnecting the load carrier cross bar to the load carrier foot. The insertible member has a neck portion and an expanded portion. The neck portion is configured to extend through the elongate slot and the expanded portion is configured to reside in the interior space of the load carrier cross bar in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: A roof rail 10 for a vehicle article carrier, the roof rail consisting of a rail portion 12 and a pair of end supports 14. The end supports 14 or 14′ consist of the same metallic material as the rail portion 12 and are produced from bent tubular metal pieces, which are formed into the end supports 14 or 14′ by an internal high pressure forming process. The forming process does not require prior heating of the bent tubular metal pieces or the forming tool used in the forming process. The end supports (14) each have a neck portion (14a) which includes a connecting peg (16) and a clamping member (18), wherein the clamping member (18) is inserted into a longitudinal groove (20) in the connecting peg (14a) to functionally secure the neck portion to the rail portion (12).

Abstract: An arrangement in a load carrier for securing a load carrier cross bar to a transporting vehicle including a top portion of a load carrier foot adapted to releasably engage a load carrier cross bar. The load carrier cross bar has an elongate slot through a lower surface thereof. The elongate slot provides access to an interior space of the load carrier cross bar. An upper surface of the top portion of the load carrier foot is configured to abuttingly engage the lower surface of the load carrier cross bar. An insertible member is provided for interconnecting the load carrier cross bar to the load carrier foot. The insertible member has a neck portion and an expanded portion. The neck portion is configured to extend through the elongate slot and the expanded portion is configured to reside in the interior space of the load carrier cross bar in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: A roof for a motor vehicle with a stationary, continuous roof element, particularly with at least one movable roof section, which is held movably on a guide rail and the guide rail is connected with a roof pillar and sealed with respect to the latter. The guide rail of the roof or of a roof module in each case is disposed on the inside of the side roof pillar forming the boundary of a roof opening and is connected with the latter. In a recessed channel, longitudinally extending between the side roof spar and the guide rail, a holding rail for a roof-transporting system is disposed.