Patent ID: 6135686
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B60P,B60R

Abstract:
An equipment securing apparatus system for securing equipment to an exterior surface of a vehicle having body panels defining an interior vehicle portion and an area exterior to the vehicle, at least one of the body panels having a body panel opening formed therein, said equipment securing apparatus being operable from the interior portion of the vehicle to secure equipment exterior to the vehicle, said equipment securing apparatus comprising:a first support member attached to an interior portion of the vehicle adjacent the body panel opening, said first support member having a first passageway formed therein;a second support member attached to an interior portion of the vehicle and having a shaft retaining portion;an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, slideably mounted to said first and second support members and extending through said shaft retaining portion, between said second and first support members, through said first passageway, through said body panel opening and projecting outwardly into the area exterior of the vehicle;an equipment engagement member formed on said distal end of said shaft for securing engagement with equipment disposed exteriorly of the vehicle; anda latching assembly operatively associated with said shaft and selectively operable to retain said engagement member in a securing relationship with said equipment and to release said engagement member from said engagement.