초록 ▼

A rack system for vehicles such as pickup trucks comprises a number of base supports each clamped atop one of the opposed vehicle side walls by effective but economical clamping devices, a side rail mounted to each base support in an aesthetically pleasing fashion, and, tie-down devices releasably s

A rack system for vehicles such as pickup trucks comprises a number of base supports each clamped atop one of the opposed vehicle side walls by effective but economical clamping devices, a side rail mounted to each base support in an aesthetically pleasing fashion, and, tie-down devices releasably secured to cross bars extending between side rails located on opposite side walls of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rack system for a vehicle having opposed first and second side walls and a floor which collectively form a bed, said rack system comprising: a number of base supports, each of said base supports having a first plate adapted to rest atop one of the first and second side walls of the vehicle and

1. A rack system for a vehicle having opposed first and second side walls and a floor which collectively form a bed, said rack system comprising: a number of base supports, each of said base supports having a first plate adapted to rest atop one of the first and second side walls of the vehicle and a second plate connected substantially perpendicularly to said first plate, said first plate being formed with a recess, said second plate being formed with a downwardly depending lip;a side rail connected to said first plate of each of said base supports;a number of cross bars, each of said cross bars being mounted at opposite ends to one of said side rails connected to a base support;a number of clamping devices, each of said clamping devices including a top leg, a bottom leg spaced from said top leg and an intermediate leg located between said top and bottom legs, said top leg being formed with a leading edge, said intermediate leg being formed with a seat, said bottom leg including a locking member which is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, at least one of said clamping devices being positioned with respect to one of said base supports so that said top leg contacts said first plate of said one base support with said leading edge of said top leg extending into said recess in said first plate, and so that said downwardly depending lip of said second plate is received within said seat formed by said intermediate leg whereby said at least one base support is captured between said top leg and said intermediate leg, said at least one locking member being effective when in said locked position to urge said top leg of said clamping device against said first plate of said base support and in a direction toward said bottom leg. 2. A rack system for a vehicle having opposed first and second side walls and a floor which collectively form a bed, said rack system comprising: a number of base supports, each of said base supports having a first plate adapted to rest atop one of the first and second side walls of the vehicle and a second plate connected to said first plate, said first plate of each of said base supports being formed with at least one bore;a number of side rails each having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end mounting a base plate formed with at least one internally threaded bore;a number of adaptors each formed with an outer wall having a non-load bearing upright portion defining a hollow interior, an internal plate being mounted within said hollow interior which is formed with at least one bore, said lower end of one of said side rails being received within said hollow interior of one of said adaptors so that said at least one internally threaded bore in said base plate of said one side rail aligns with said at least one bore in said internal plate of said one adaptor and so that said non-load bearing upright portion of said one adaptor covers at least a portion of said lower end of said one side rail, said one adaptor and said one side rail being positioned on one of said base supports so that said at least one bore in said internal plate of said one adaptor and said at least one internally threaded bore in said base plate of said one side rail both align with said at least one bore in said first plate of said one base support, a fastener being extended through said at least one bore in said first plate and through said at least one bore in said internal plate into engagement with said at least one internally threaded bore in said base plate of said one side rail to releasably mount said one side rail and said one adaptor to said one base plate;a number of cross bars, each of said cross bars being mounted to said upper end of one of said side rails connected to a base support;a number of clamping devices, said clamping devices being effective to mount said base supports to one of the first and second side walls of the vehicle. 3. A rack system for a vehicle having opposed first and second side walls and a floor which collectively form a bed, said rack system comprising: a number of base supports each adapted to mount to one of the first and second side walls of the vehicle;a side rail connected to each of said base supports;a number of cross bars, each of said cross bars being mounted to one of said side rails connected to a base support located on the first side wall of the vehicle and to one of said side rails connected to a base support located on the second side wall of the vehicle;at least one tie-down device including a tie-down body and a clamping member which may be engaged and disengaged from said tie-down body, said tie-down body having a middle plate, a first foot section and a first center section located between said middle plate and said first foot section, said clamping member being formed with a head section, a second foot section and a second center section located between said head section and said second foot section, said first center section of said tie-down body and said second center section of said clamping member each being positioned in engagement with one of said cross bars so that said first and second foot sections thereof substantially abut one another, a fastener being connected between first foot section of said tie-down body and said second foot section of said clamping member and being tightened down to releasably clamp said cross bar between said tie-down body and said clamping member of said at least one tie-down device; anda ratchet device having a handle and socket, said socket being formed with a cavity including internal coupling elements, a spacer mounted within said cavity of said socket and being movable therein in response to movement of said ratchet device between an extended position and a retracted position, said spacer being connected to said fastener having a head formed with external coupling elements, said external coupling elements of said fastener being engageable with said internal coupling elements of said socket with said ratchet device in said retracted position so that said fastener may be rotated by rotation of said handle and socket, said external coupling elements of said fastener disengaging said internal coupling elements of said socket with said ratchet device in said extended position. 4. The rack system of claim 3 in which said tie-down body further includes a first outer rib, a second outer rib spaced from said first outer rib and an inner rib located between said first and second outer ribs, each of said first and second outer ribs and said inner rib being connected together at one end and mounted to said middle plate at the other end. 5. The rack system of claim 4 in which said first center section on said tie-down body further includes an extension. 6. The rack system of claim 3 in which said middle plate of said tie-down body is formed with a channel. 7. The rack system of claim 6 in which said head section of said clamping member is insertable within said channel in said middle plate of said tie-down body. 8. The rack system of claim 3 further including a spring coupled to said spacer, said spring being effective to bias said ratchet device toward said extended position. 9. The rack system of claim 8 in which said spring is located between a plate mounted within said cavity in said socket and said head of said fastener.