Patent ID: 8276794
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A vehicle article carrier system comprising: a pair of support rails; at least one cross bar having an end support at each opposing end thereof; each of said support rails including an elongated recess extending parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, said elongated recess being shaped generally in accordance with said cross bar, for receiving said cross bar when said cross bar is placed in a stowed orientation; each of said support rails further including at least one primary locking bar disposed along and parallel with an inside longitudinal edge of its respective said support rail, and further such that the primary locking bar protrudes at least slightly above the inside longitudinal edge, for supporting said cross bar in an operative position extending generally perpendicularly between said support rails; each of said support rails further including at least a pair of secondary locking bars for supporting said cross bar in said elongated recess when said cross bar is placed in said stowed orientation in one of said support rails, and primary and secondary locking bars being arranged generally perpendicular to one another; and each of said end supports including a locking assembly for securing said cross bar to either one of said primary or secondary locking bars, to thus place said cross bar in either said operative position or said stowed position.