Patent ID: 6350095
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A self-adjusting sustainer for securing a roof rail to a vehicle roof without the need for forming projections on the vehicle roof to prevent unwanted rotation of the sustainer during assembly of the roof rail to the vehicle roof, the sustainer comprising:a bolt assembly including: a bolt having a head portion and a shank, the head portion having a first threaded portion and being threadably securable to a portion of said roof rail, the shank having a second threaded portion opposite to said first threaded portion and being threadably securable to an external fastening element; the bolt having a first bore, at least one blocking element disposed within said first bore, and a biasing member disposed within said first bore for exerting a biasing force on said blocking element extending to urge said biasing element out of said first bore and opening into communication with said first bore; at least one second bore formed in said head portion; a pin having an opening and being disposed at least partially in said second bore; and wherein as said external nut is tightened onto said shank, said head portion is displaced relative to said portion of said roof rail because of a degree of friction between said external nut and said second threaded portion, thus causing said pin to be urged into contact with a planar surface external of said second bore and to move within said second bore such that its said opening comes into alignment with said blocking element, and wherein said blocking element is urged through said opening and engages structure associated with said portion of said roof rail, thus preventing further rotational movement of said bolt and enabling said portion of said roof rail to be secured relative to said vehicle roof.