Abstract: A luggage or article carrying system for operative association with an automotive vehicle having an exterior generally horizontal surface, such as a trunk lid or roof, the system comprising a pair of elongated slats on the surface in respective positions on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the body and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, the slats being permanently secured to the body and being substantially rectangular in the vertical cross section with a width substantially greater than the height and presenting a low profile on the vehicle, the tops of the slats being substantially flat and parallel to the horizontal surface and providing longitudinally extending channels by which a pair of laterally extending cross slats may be secured their opposite ends to the longitudinally extending slats, the cross slats being adapted to underlie articles supported on the carrier so as to obviate the need for supplemental reinforcement of the vehicle trunk lid or roof, wit

Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat exterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two slat assemblies fixedly secured to the motor vehicle surface in a spaced apart, parallel relationship. Each slat assembly has at least one longitudinal rib. At least two pairs of brackets are provided, two brackets being removably and slidably fastened to the rib of each of the slat assemblies. A locking mechanism depending from the bracket is provided for securing the bracket in a fixed position along the slat assembly by clamping the rib between the bracket and a clamping member. One rail is supported by each pair of brackets to extend transversely therebetween above the surface.

Abstract: An article carrier system for supporting and securing articles on a generally horizontally extending exterior body surface of an automobile comprising at least two elongated slats fixedly secured to the surface, extending in positions substantially parallel to one another, and having article supporting surfaces on the upper sides thereof, at least one elongated cross member extending transversely of the slats and having end portions slideable along the lengths of the slats and removably mounted on the slats, and at least one tie down and/or positioning member slideably and adjustably disposed on the cross member or one of the slats, including a mechanism for clampingly engaging the tie down and/or positioning member in selected positions along the length of the cross member or slat.

Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two parallel slats fixedly secured to the motor vehicle surface in a spaced apart and parallel relationship. Each slat has at least one longitudinal rib. At least one pair of brackets is provided, one of the brackets being fastened to the rib of each of the slats. A locking mechanism depending from the bracket is provided for securing the bracket in a fixed position along the slat by clamping the rib between the bracket and a clamping member. At least one transverse rail is provided, each end of the transverse rail being fastened to one of the brackets.

Abstract: A carrier for luggage or the like is mounted on a vehicle body. The carrier consists of separate load supporting slats each of which has an upwardly facing groove running lengthwise thereof. The slats are made from roll formed sheet steel and their grooves provide means for securing adjustable tie-down members or other article securing devices on the slats. Decorative and protective plastic strips are also fitted in the slat grooves.

Abstract: A vehicle luggage carrier is disclosed which includes a plurality of four stanchion members located one at each of the four corners of the luggage carrier; each of the stanchion members comprises upper and lower stanchion parts which may be fabricated of the same or different materials and which are secured to the associated vehicle roof by fastening elements which extend generally vertically downwardly through the stanchion parts into the roof surface. A utility bar may be associated with laterally aligned pairs of stanchion members and be secured to the rack by means of the same fastening elements securing the upper and lower stanchion parts to the vehicle surface.

Abstract: An article carrier is mounted on an exterior automobile body surface. The carrier utilizes special decorative slats for supporting the weight of luggage or the like and also as a means for mounting cross bars, ski racks or tie-down members and similar article securing devices on the automobile body. The devices mounted on the slats are easily removed, interchanged or adjusted in position on the slats in accordance with the needs of the user.

Abstract: An automobile luggage carrier having spaced side members and spaced cross members in which the carrier is supported at the front and rear corners on stanchions and in which the stanchions form part of the carrier and are firmly secured to the roof of an automobile and including illuminating means provided in certain or all of the stanchions to illuminate the area of the carrier and facilitate its use in the dark. Such illumination, either direct or reflective, would be highly visable to oncoming traffic and would contribute to the safe loading or unloading of the carrier in the dark.

Abstract: A luggage or article carrying system for operative association with an automotive vehicle having an exterior generally horizontal surface, such as a trunk lid or roof, the system comprising a pair of elongated slats on the surface in respective positions on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the body and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, the slats being permanently secured to the body and being substantially rectangular in the vertical cross section with a width substantially greater than the height and presenting a low profile on the vehicle, the tops of the slats being substantially flat and parallel to the horizontal surface and providing longitudinally extending channels by which a pair of laterally extending cross slats may be secured their opposite ends to the longitudinally extending slats, the cross slats being adapted to underlie articles supported on the carrier so as to obviate the need for supplemental reinforcement of the vehicle trunk lid or roof, wit

Abstract: An end piece and tie-down member for a low profile article-supporting slat wherein the member includes a depending portion which coacts with an opening in the base of the slat to prevent rotation or misalignment of the member relative to the slat.

Abstract: A vehicle luggage carrier is disclosed which includes a plurality of four stanchion members located one at each of the four corners of the luggage carrier; each of the stanchion members comprises upper and lower stanchion parts which may be fabricated of the same or different materials and which are secured to the associated vehicle roof by fastening elements which extend generally vertically downwardly through the stanchion parts into the roof surface. A utility bar may be associated with laterally aligned pairs of stanchion members and be secured to the rack by means of the same fastening elements securing the upper and lower stanchion parts to the vehicle surface.

Abstract: A two-part stanchion for a vehicle article carrier wherein one part includes an integral base, wall means extending upwardly from not more than half the base periphery and a second part including wall means coacting with the first part to enclose the base.

Abstract: A rooftop carrier has features that allow it to carry fishing rods. The carrier in one embodiment has a wind deflector blade at the rear for deflecting wind down over the rear window of the vehicle to clean the window. The blade is hinged to the carrier and has a lock for locking the blade in the lower position. A number of tubes are mounted to the carrier, each having an open end set forward of the blade. These tubes are adapted to carry fishing rods. The blade prevents access to the grips of the fishing rods when it is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the carrier has an open top, serving also for carrying luggage. The tubes are clipped into the carrier and can be removed. In another embodiment, the carrier has a closed top that may be opened to provide access to the tubes. A rear wall opens for access to the ends of the rods. Holes in the forward end of the housing allow the rods to protrude out of the tubes.

Abstract: A luggage carrier assembly is disclosed herein which is of the type adapted to be detachably secured to the roof or similar horizontally extending surface of an automotive vehicle or the like, the carrier assembly comprises a pair of spaced parallel article constraining members, such as crossrails or utility bars, and a pair of stanchion elements are associated with each end of each of the members; each of the stanchion elements is adapted to be secured to the roof of the associated vehicle by means of a generally vertically extending stud-like member having a lower end portion which is adapted for detachable engagement with a mounting device on the surface of the vehicle, with the upper ends of the stud-like members being cooperative with annular wheel-like members which may be manually grasped to move the stud-like member between engaged and disengaged relationship with the mounting devices on the vehicle, whereby the carrier may be selectively secured upon the vehicle surface and be conveniently removed th

Abstract: A luggage rack assembly for automobile deck lids and the like having a pair of identical rear corner supports with a tubular rear rail extending between and received over opposed first tongues of the rear supports. Each rear corner support further has a pair of second tongues projecting respectively forwardly and rearwardly on a line beneath the first tongues. A tubular front rail extends between and is received over opposed third tongues one protruding from each of a pair of identical front corner supports, each of which also has a pair of fourth tongues projecting forwardly and rearwardly on a line coplanar with said third tongues. Tubular side rails extend between and are received over opposed ones of said second and fourth tongues in a plane with said front rail beneath said rear rail. The front and rear corner supports are fixedly mounted to the deck lid by four identical base members each receiving a one of the corner supports by snap fit.

Abstract: A stanchion assembly for an automobile luggage rack is defined by a stanchion and a locking pad providing for hidden features. The stanchion is mounted to a surface of the automobile by the fasteners which are secured thereto through apertures provided in the stanchion.

Abstract: A luggage carrier assembly is disclosed herein which is of the type adapted to be detachably secured to the roof or similar horizontally extending surface of an automotive vehicle or the like, the carrier assembly comprises a pair of spaced parallel article constraining members, such as crossrails or utility bars, and a pair of stanchion elements are associated with each end of each of the members; each of the stanchion elements is adapted to be secured to the roof of the associated vehicle by means of a generally vertically extending stud-like member having a lower end portion which is adapted for detachable engagement with a mounting device on the surface of the vehicle, with the upper ends of the stud-like members being cooperative with annular wheel-like members which may be manually grasped to move the stud-like member between engaged and disengaged relationship with the mounting devices on the vehicle, whereby the carrier may be selectively secured upon the vehicle surface and be conveniently removed th

Abstract: A bracket for association with an article carrier, such as a luggage carrier is adapted for sliding adjustment or positioning in a carrier track. The bracket includes a tool-operated locking mechanism for locking the bracket anywhere along the length of the track wherein unauthorized adjustment of the bracket is prevented. The bracket may include suitable openings which receive tie-down straps or the like. The bracket is, also, contemplated as including suitable projections for detachably mounting a cross-strap thereto.

Abstract: A load bearing cross-slat for association with an article carrier, such as a luggage carrier, is adapted to extend transversely across a vehicle roof between a pair of carrier tracks. The cross-slat is anchored to the tracks at its ends and is cambered upward toward the center of the vehicle. The camber of the slat spaces the slat above the vehicle roof, and allows the weight of an article placed thereon to be supported at the ends of the slat and, thus, by the tracks.

Abstract: An article carrier mounted on a generally flat exterior surface of an automotive vehicle and consisting of a plurality of spaced parallel slat assemblies which are fabricated, for example, of roll-formed sheet metal and are provided with fastening elements, such as tie-down members, having a body that is located at least in part within the interior of the slats; the slats being formed with openings which provide access to the fastening elements in order that containers, ropes, straps, or similar article securing devices may be cooperable with the elements in securing articles to the article carrier.

Abstract: A slat assembly for automobile luggage racks comprises a slat and a mounting pad and is provided at each end with an endcap. The slat and mounting pad are configured to interengage securely. The slat comprises an extruded member forming an upper, partially dove-tailed central channel, and two parallel, downwardly open channels. The mounting pad is formed from a non-corroding material and is provided with mounting flanges for interengaging with the downwardly open channels of the slat. The slat assembly may further comprise a rub strip, contoured to nest securely within the central channel of the slat.

Abstract: A stanchion for mounting a luggage rack or the like to a surface of a vehicle is disclosed. The stanchion is mounted to a surface of the vehicle and supports along its upper surface a side rail extending forward and a deflector blade support rail which extends rearwardly therefrom. The deflector blade support mounts a transverse deflector blade which may be fixedly attached or pivotally attached thereto.

Abstract: A carrier for luggage or the like which is mounted upon a generally planar portion of a vehicle body. The carrier comprises a plurality of separate load supporting slat assemblies which have upwardly facing grooves running lengthwise thereof. Disposed within selected of the grooves are retaining elements which cooperate with the grooves in securing article constraining members upon the upper surface of the slats. The retaining members are designed such that they may be inserted in a first position or orientation relative to the axis of the grooves and be rotated to a second position once they are disposed within the grooves to effect a locking of the load constraining members to the slat assemblies.

Abstract: An article carrier is mounted on an exterior automobile body surface. The carrier utilizes special decorative slats for supporting the weight of luggage or the like and also as a means for mounting cross bars, ski racks or tie-down members and similar article securing devices on the automobile body. The devices mounted on the slats are easily removed, interchanged or adjusted in position on the slats in accordance with the needs of the user.

Abstract: An article carrier mounted on a generally flat exterior surface of an automotive vehicle and consisting of a plurality of spaced parallel slat assemblies which are fabricated, for example, of roll-formed sheet metal and are provided with fastening elements having a body that is located at least in part within the interior of the slats; the slats being formed with openings which provide access to the fastening elements in order that containers, transverse slats, or other article securing devices may be cooperable with the elements in securing articles to the article carrier. Additionally, removable cover members may be provided which are adapted to be inserted in the slat openings to close off either the entire opening such as when the article carrier is not in use or only unused portions of the opening.

Abstract: A luggage carrier assembly is disclosed herein which is of the type adapted to be detachably secured to the roof or similar horizontally extending surface of an automotive vehicle or the like, the carrier assembly comprises a pair of spaced parallel article constraining members, such as crossrails or utility bars, and a pair of stanchion elements are associated with each end of each of the members; each of the stanchion elements is adapted to be secured to the roof of the associated vehicle by means of a generally vertically extending stud-like member having a lower end portion which is adapted for detachable engagement with a mounting device on the surface of the vehicle, with the upper ends of the stud-like members being cooperative with annular wheel-like members which may be manually grasped to move the stud-like member between engaged and disengaged relationship with the mounting devices on the vehicle, whereby the carrier may be selectively secured upon the vehicle surface and be conveniently removed th

Abstract: An article carrier mounted on a generally flat exterior surface of an automotive vehicle and consisting of plurality of spaced parallel slat assemblies which are fabricated, for example, of roll-formed sheet metal and are provided with fastening elements, such as tie-down members, having a body that is located at least in part within the interior of the slats; the slats being formed with openings which provide access to the fastening elements in order that containers, ropes, straps, or similar article securing devices may be cooperable with the elements in securing articles to the article carrier.