초록 ▼

A vehicle article carrier is disclosed for use on a vehicle having a roof, where the roof has a pair of parallel extending ditch rails forming elongated recesses in the roof. The vehicle article carrier may incorporate a pair of tracks configured to rest within the ditch rails and to be fixedly secu

A vehicle article carrier is disclosed for use on a vehicle having a roof, where the roof has a pair of parallel extending ditch rails forming elongated recesses in the roof. The vehicle article carrier may incorporate a pair of tracks configured to rest within the ditch rails and to be fixedly secured within the ditch rails. A pair of cross bars may be removably securable to the tracks. Each cross bar may further be configured with a cross sectional shape to rest at least partially within an associated one of the ditch rails when placed in a stowed configuration. Each cross bar may further be securable to the tracks so as to extend perpendicularly between the tracks and above the roof when placed in an operative position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vehicle article carrier for use on a vehicle having a roof, where the roof has a pair of parallel extending ditch rails forming elongated recesses in the roof, the vehicle article carrier comprising: a pair of tracks configured to rest within the ditch rails and fixedly secured within the ditch

1. A vehicle article carrier for use on a vehicle having a roof, where the roof has a pair of parallel extending ditch rails forming elongated recesses in the roof, the vehicle article carrier comprising: a pair of tracks configured to rest within the ditch rails and fixedly secured within the ditch rails;a pair of cross bars, each said cross bar being removably securable to an associated one of the tracks, each said cross bar further being configured with a cross sectional shape to rest at least partially within an associated one of the ditch rails when placed in a stowed configuration; andeach said cross bar further being securable to the tracks so as to extend perpendicularly between the tracks and above the roof when placed in an operative position, and each said cross bar including: a central portion;a pair of pivotally mounted end supports at opposing ends of the central portion;a locking element manually engageable with fingers of a hand;each one of said pivotally mounted end supports further including an opening through which a portion of the locking element projects, the opening defining:a first portion, which when the locking element is positioned in the first portion orientates the locking member in position to be affixed to hold the end support in a position non-parallel to the track, to enable its associated cross bar to be supported above the roof in the operative position while being secured to the track; anda second portion, which when the locking element is positioned in the second portion orientates the locking member in position to be affixed to hold the end support in a position generally parallel to the track, to enable its associated said cross bar to be supported partially within the ditch rail, and secured to the track, in the stowed configuration. 2. The vehicle article carrier of claim 1, wherein said locking element comprises a rotatable locking element which is manually engaged by a user and rotated to engage the end support to an associated one of the pair of tracks. 3. The vehicle article carrier of claim 2, wherein each said end support includes: a tap plate that resides within the track; andwherein the rotatable locking element comprises a rotatable threaded locking element that engages with the tap plate to clamp the end support to the track. 4. The vehicle article carrier of claim 3, wherein the track comprises a generally U-shaped track. 5. The vehicle article carrier of claim 1, wherein each said locking element includes a foot portion configured to ride in the track and be slidable within the track. 6. The vehicle article carrier of claim 5, wherein each said track includes a cutout to enable its associated said end support to be completely removed from the track. 7. A vehicle article carrier for use on a vehicle having a roof, where the roof has a pair of parallel extending ditch rails forming elongated recesses in the roof, the vehicle article carrier comprising: a pair of generally U-shaped tracks configured to rest within the ditch rails and fixedly secured within the ditch rails, the U-shaped tracks having inwardly facing ledges;a pair of cross bars, each said cross bar being removably securable to an associated one of the tracks, each said cross bar further being configured with a cross sectional shape to rest at least partially within an associated one of the ditch rails when placed in a stowed configuration, to thus form a generally low profile and aerodynamic appearance;each said cross bar further being securable to the tracks so as to extend perpendicularly between the tracks and above the roof when placed in an operative position; andeach said cross bar including: a central portion;a pair of end supports; each said end support being pivotally secured to the central portion and having an opening with a first portion and a second portion;a locking element positioned within the opening to be moveable between the first portion and the second portion; andthe locking element being positionable in the first portion of the opening to secure its associated said cross bar to one of the tracks in the operative configuration, with the end support extending non-parallel to the track; andthe locking element being positionable in the second portion of the opening to secure its associated said cross bar to one of the tracks in the stowed configuration, with the end support extending generally parallel to the track. 8. The vehicle article carrier of claim 7, further wherein the locking element includes a threaded locking element and a threaded tap plate shaped to reside in the track and engage with the threaded locking element, to enable the end support to be clamped to the track at a desired position along the track. 9. The vehicle article carrier of claim 7, wherein each of the tracks includes a pair of inwardly projecting ledges. 10. The vehicle article carrier of claim 9, further including a pair of cutouts formed on the inwardly projecting ledges of each one of the tracks, to enable removal of each one of the end supports from its associated said track. 11. The vehicle article carrier of claim 10, further comprising a first pair of end caps configured to close off the ends of a first one of the tracks, and a second pair of end caps configured to close of the ends of a second one of the tracks. 12. The vehicle article carrier of claim 11, where each of the tracks is shaped to rest nestably in its associated said ditch rail. 13. The vehicle article carrier of claim 12, wherein when the cross bars are secured to their respective tracks in the stowed orientation, each of the cross bars forms the appearance of a continuous, elongated member with its associated first or second pairs of end caps. 14. A vehicle article carrier for use on a vehicle having a roof, where the roof has a pair of parallel extending ditch rails forming elongated recesses in the roof, the vehicle article carrier comprising: a pair of generally U-shaped tracks configured to rest within the ditch rails and fixedly secured within the ditch rails, the U-shaped tracks having inwardly facing ledges;a pair of cross bars, each said cross bar being removably securable to an associated one of the tracks, each said cross bar further being configured with a cross sectional shape to rest at least partially within an associated one of the ditch rails when placed in a stowed configuration, to thus form a generally low profile and aerodynamic appearance;each said cross bar further being securable to the tracks so as to extend perpendicularly between the tracks and above the roof when placed in an operative position; andeach said cross bar including: a central portion;a pair of end supports;each said end support being pivotally secured to the central portion and having an opening with a first portion and a second portion;a locking element positioned within the opening to be moveable between the first portion and the second portion, the locking element having a threaded portion;a tap plate configured to be held in the track and threadably engaged with the threaded portion of the locking element to be able to clamp its associated said end support to the track when tightened, and to enable adjustable positioning of its associated said end support along the track when loosened;the locking element being positionable in the first portion of the opening to secure its associated said cross bar to one of the tracks in the operative configuration, with the end support extending non-parallel to the track; andthe locking element being positionable in the second portion of the opening to secure its associated said cross bar to one of the tracks in the stowed configuration, with the end support extending generally parallel to the track. 15. The vehicle article carrier of claim 14, further comprising a first pair of end caps securable to opposing ends of a first one of the tracks, and a second pair of end caps securable to opposing ends of a second one of the tracks. 16. The vehicle article carrier of claim 14, wherein each track includes a pair of cutouts in its associated said inwardly facing ledges to permit removal of an associated one of the end supports therefrom.