Patent ID: 7926685
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A vehicle article carrier system comprising: first and second support rails adapted to be secured adjacent a vehicle outer body surface generally parallel to one another; a tubular cross bar having first and second end support assemblies at opposite ends thereof; said first end support assembly having a housing with a first pivotally mounted locking member supported therein, said first pivotally mounted locking member being adapted to engage with said first support rail; said second end support assembly having a housing with a second pivotally mounted locking member supported therein, said second pivotally mounted locking member being adapted to engage with said second support rail; a cable coupled at a first end thereof to a portion of said first pivotally mounted locking member, and at a second end thereof to said second pivotally mounted locking member, and extending through said cross bar; said first end of said cable further being coupled to said first pivotally mounted locking member at a point thereon that enables said cable to be pulled through said cross bar as said first pivotally mounted locking member is moved from a locked position to an unlocked position, to thus simultaneously urge said second pivotally mounted locking member from a locked position to an unlocked position, said cable further being coupled to said second pivotally mounted locking member at a location on said second pivotally mounted locking member that causes simultaneous rotational movement of said second pivotally mounted locking member in a rotational direction opposite to that of said first pivotally mounted locking member; and wherein each of said first and second pivotally mounted locking members includes: