Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
Patent
1989-06-19
1991-08-13
Sholl, Linda J.
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
224329, B60R 900
Patent
active
050389882
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus in such a type of load carrier for mounting on a vehicle roof as is provided with a load carrying device extending over the vehicle roof, the device being anchored to the edge portions of the vehicle roof by means of foot arrangements, at least one of the foot arrangements being provided with a space for accommodating a portion of the load carrying device.
BACKGROUND ART
This Art abounds in different types of foot support arrangements which are employed for anchoring, for example, roof racks, load carriers, ski boxes and the like to the roof of a vehicle. These support arrangements may either be designed in such a manner as to cooperate with a gutter along the edge of the vehicle roof, or in such a manner that they support against the roof proper and engage with an edge portion of the roof, for example at a door opening. These prior Art support arrangements have also been provided with connection devices of different designs for interconnecting the foot arrangements to the strut which, as a rule, extends transversely over the vehicle roof to a corresponding foot arrangement on the opposing edge portion of the roof.
In certain cases, these prior Art constructions have functioned not unsatisfactorily, but have often been complex in both their manufacture and manner of employment. Furthermore, in certain prior Art constructions, there has also been the risk that the connection between the foot and the strut extending over the vehicle roof has been shaken loose under the action of vibrations, which is wholly unnaceptable in those cases where the foot arrangements have been used on a vehicle which lacks a gutter extending along the edge of the vehicle roof. The reason why these problems have been particularly manifest in this latter type of vehicle is quite simply that, in such cases, the strut extending over the roof has been exposed to tractive forces, since the foot arrangements are tensioned obliquely inwardly towards the centre line of the vehicle roof. Hence, this tensioning force must be transferred via the strut in order that the entire load carrier be safely and securely retained on the vehicle.
PROBLEM STRUCTURE
The present invention has for its object to realise an apparatus of the type disclosed by way of introduction, the apparatus being designed in such a manner that it is simple and economical to manufacture, and that it offers an absolutely reliable interconnection between the foot arrangement and the load carrying strut extending over the roof of the vehicle. The present invention further has for its object to realise an apparatus which, in certain embodiments, permits the direct retraction, into the foot arrangement proper, of the strut which extends over the vehicle roof. In a further embodiment, the present invention also has for its object to realise an apparatus which affords completely reliable locking of the load carrying strut extending over the vehicle roof, without damaging the protective coating on the strut. Finally, the present invention further has for its object to realise an apparatus which permits an adjustment of the position of the load carrying strut in relation to the foot arrangement and, of course, also rapid and simple dismounting and mounting of the load carrying strut in the foot arrangement.
SOLUTION
The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained by means of an apparatus intimated by way of introduction which is characterised in that the accommodation space is in communication with a locking space provided in the foot arrangement, the defining wall of the locking space facing away from the load carrying device being designed as a cam or ramp surface which is obliquely inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction of the load carrying device; and that a locking body is disposed in the locking space, the locking body being movable, by means of operating members, along the cam or ramp surface for fixedly clamping the load carrying device in the space.
One preferred embod
REFERENCES:
patent: 4586638 (1986-05-01), Prescott et al.
patent: 4688706 (1987-08-01), Thulin
PCT/SE87/00580-"Patent Cooperation Treaty International Preliminary Examination Report".
Industri AB Thule
Sholl Linda J.
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