Patent ID: 6959844
Filing Date: 2005-11-01
Classification: B60R,F16B

Abstract:
1. A vehicle article carrier apparatus adapted to be disposed on an outer body surface of a vehicle for supporting articles thereon, said apparatus comprising: a pair of support rails adapted to be secured to said outer body surface in spaced apart relation to one another; a cross bar having a length sufficient to substantially span a distance separating said support rails; a pair of bracket assemblies secured to opposite ends of said cross bar, said bracket assemblies adapted to be coupled to a respective one of each of said support rails to suspend said cross bar member between said support rails, each of said bracket assemblies including: a housing having a clamp portion for receiving at least one surface of one of said support rails; a lower locking clamp pivotally secured to said housing, said lower locking clamp operable to rotate between an open position and a closed position relative to said support rail, said lower locking clamp applying a force to said support rail to secure said bracket assembly to said support rail when positioned in said closed position, said open position being at least approximately 90° from said closed position to permit said bracket assembly to be lifted off of its respective said support rail; a locking lever assembly secured to said lower locking clamp for rotating said lower locking clamp between said open position and said closed position; said locking lever assembly further being pivotable between a first position and a second position and operable to supply a tightening force upon said lower locking clamp, when said lower locking clamp is in said closed position, to draw said lower locking clamp toward said clamp portion and to increase said force applied by said lower locking clamp upon said support rail when moved from said first position into said second position. a center through bore that extends through said housing and receives said lower locking clamp; a detail located within said center through bore that cooperates with said lower locking clamp to prevent said lower locking clamp from rotating past said open position and past said closed position.