Patent ID: 6119908
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An article carrier assembly for mounting on an exterior surface of a motor vehicle, said article carrier assembly comprising:a pair of elongated side rails constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle, said side rails extending generally parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation;each of said side rails having a plurality of serrated engaged teeth disposed along a longitudinal extent thereof;an elongated cross rail assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted transversely between and releaseably lockable along said side rails in a range of operating positions, said cross rail assembly comprising:rail locking structures mounted on opposite ends thereof, each of said rail locking structures including a plurality of serrated engaging teeth;a rotatable rod ganging said rail locking structures together for cooperative movement thereof between locked positions wherein said serrated engaging teeth engage and cooperate with said serrated engagement to lock said cross rail assembly in one of said operating positions and disengage positions wherein said serrated engaging teeth are disengaged from said serrated engagement teeth to permit longitudinal travel of said cross rail assembly along said side rails;a pair of turning elements each being disposed at a respective one of the opposite ends of said cross rail assembly, said turning elements each being operatively connected to said rotatable rod so that said rod can be rotated to affect said cooperative movement from either side of the vehicle by operating an associated turning element;said cross rail assembly being constructed and arranged such that an operator can operate either of said turning elements while remaining on one side of the vehicle and move said cross rail assembly between said operating positions.