Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-09
2001-11-06
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
C224S309000, C224S330000, C224S331000, C296S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to adaptors, and more particularly to an adaptor for mounting a slat of a vehicle article carrier system over a roof ditch formed in an outer body surface of a vehicle, and without the need for drilling holes in the outer body surface.
2. Discussion
Vehicle article carriers are used in a variety of applications to transport various articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle such as a car, sport utility vehicle (SUV) or truck. Such vehicle article carriers typically employ a pair of slats and at least one cross bar extending transversely between the slats. Each of the slats are secured to the outer body surface of the vehicle and typically include channels which engage end support structure at each end of the cross bar to allow the cross bar to be adjustably positioned along the outer body surface as needed to support the article(s) being transported.
Each slat is typically secured by a Rivnut™ fastener or other form of light fastening element to the outer body surface of the vehicle. Of course, this necessitates drilling at least one hole, and typically several holes, in the outer body surface to enable secure mounting of the slat to the outer body surface. As will be appreciated, the drilling of holes in the outer body surface can give rise to various problems. For one, drilling can produce sharp edges and fragments of metal which can come loose and potentially damage the headliner of the vehicle, thus necessitating expensive repairs. Another problem is that drilling leaves an exposed metal surface which may eventually rust or be susceptible to other forms of corrosion. Still further, the drilling of a hole in the outer body surface of the vehicle can eventually result in water leakage therethrough into the interior area of the vehicle, thus damaging the headliner and other interior components.
Accordingly, there is a significant need for a means for attaching an article carrier component such as a slat to an outer body surface of a vehicle without the need for drilling any holes in the outer body surface.
There is further a need for a means for securing an article carrier component such as a slat to an outer body surface, wherein the slat can be secured over the roof ditch of the vehicle, and to existing structure within the roof ditch, in such a manner that no drilling of holes in the roof ditch is required.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an adaptor for securing an article carrier component such as a slat to an outer body surface of a vehicle over a roof ditch formed in the outer body surface, where the adaptor is completely concealed from view once the slat is secured over the roof ditch, and where the adaptor allows attachment of the slat to the outer body surface while maintaining a low profile appearance of the slat on the outer body surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an adaptor specifically adapted for use in securing an article carrier component, such as the slat, to an outer body surface of a vehicle over a roof ditch formed in the outer body surface. In this regard it will be appreciated that the roof ditch typically includes an upwardly extending lip portion which is formed during construction of the vehicle. The actual shape of the lip portion may vary considerably, but the metal lip portion in every instance will extend upwardly from a bottom surface of the roof ditch and thus forms a sturdy element which can be used for attaching a slat, via the adaptor of the present invention, to the outer body surface of the vehicle.
The adaptor generally comprises a main body portion having a channel formed along the length thereof. The channel is formed so as to match the cross sectional shape of the metal lip portion of the roof ditch. Thus, it will be appreciated that the adaptor is designed specifically for use with the roof ditch of a specific vehicle.
The adaptor further includes a first bore, which is preferably a threaded bore, and a second bore which is also preferably threaded. The main body portion has a cross sectional shape permitting it to be disposed within the roof ditch in a manner such that the main body portion does not project outwardly of the roof ditch, and which therefore permits the adaptor to be completely concealed within the roof ditch when the slat is secured over the roof ditch. The first bore permits a threaded fastening element to be used to secure the slat to the adaptor. The second bore permits a set screw to be used to secure the adaptor to the metal lip portion at a desired position in the roof ditch.
When the adaptor is secured within the roof ditch, an upper surface of the main body portion is substantially flush with the outer body surface of the vehicle. Thus, the adaptor does not alter the otherwise low profile of the slat when the slat is secured to the outer body surface. Advantageously, the adaptor is completely concealed under the slat within the roof ditch.
The adaptor of the present invention thus permits the slat to be secured over a roof ditch of a vehicle without the need for drilling any holes in the outer body surface of the vehicle. This completely eliminates the potential for metal debris being formed during the drilling of one or more holes in the outer body surface, the potential for corrosion of exposed metal edges, and the potential for water leakage problems because of holes drilled in the outer body surface.
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Allison Alan Richard
Evans Richard G.
Cronin Stephen K.
Harness Dickey & Pierce PLC
JAC Products Inc.
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