Patent ID: 6056176
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle article carrier apparatus for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:a pair of side rails disposed generally parallel to one another on said outer body surface;at least one cross bar having a length sufficient to substantially span the distance between said side rails;said cross bar including at least one end support assembly at one end thereof, said end support assembly including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw adapted to cooperably grasp onto a portion of said side rail;a keyed recess formed in one of said fixed or movable jaws, and a key formed on the other one of the jaws for aligning said jaws relative to each other so as to be able to grasp said portion of said side rail when said jaws are aligned over said portion of said side rail;a fastening member for securing said fixed and movable jaws in clamping engagement to said portion of said side rail;and one of said key or said keyed recess including a surface providing a first degree of engagement between said key and said keyed recess, wherein said jaws are prevented from being drawn together by said fastener when not aligned over said side rail, and a second degree of engagement wherein said jaws are able to be clamped tightly to said portion of said side rail.