Patent ID: 6338427
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle article carrier apparatus adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle and to permit cargo to be supported thereon over either a substantially horizontally facing rearward portion of the vehicle or a roof portion of the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:a pair of side rails adapted to be fixedly secured to said roof portion of said vehicle; a cargo support structure for supporting cargo thereon; a pair of articulating mechanisms disposed at opposite upper ends of said cargo support structure for pivotally securing an upper end portion of said cargo support structure to said side rails, and for moving along said side rails when said structure is moved from an intermediate position extending generally horizontally outwardly from a roof portion of said vehicle to a stored position in which said structure is disposed over said roof portion; said articulating mechanisms operating to allow a limited degree of additional linear sliding movement between said cargo support structure and said articulating mechanisms when said structure is moved from said stored position toward said intermediate position, to thereby allow said structure to be pivoted into a lowered position from said intermediate position without said upper end of said structure interfering with any portion of said vehicle while pivoting down into said lowered position; and at least one of said articulating mechanisms including an actuated member actuated by movement of said cargo support structure from said lowered position to said intermediate position for preventing said cargo support structure from being moved toward said stored position unless said cargo support structure is first placed in said intermediate position.