Vehicle article carrier having single side releasable locking mechanism

A vehicle article carrier having a pair of bracket members at the outer ends of a cross bar, where both bracket members can be unlocked from a pair of slats simultaneously through a single actuating member associated with one of the bracket members. In one embodiment an elongated cable extends through the cross bar and couples an actuating member associated with a bracket member at a first end of the cross bar with a locking member associated with a second bracket member at the opposite end of the cross bar. The locking member is biased into a locked position via an independent biasing member which serves to lock both bracket members to their associated slats. Moving the actuating member into an unlocked position allows both bracket members to be placed in unlocked positions simultaneously. Releasing the actuating member allows the biasing member to return both bracket members into locking engagement with their respective slats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Technical Field 
This invention relates to vehicle article carriers, and more particularly 
to a vehicle article carrier incorporating a locking mechanism which 
allows a user to simultaneously place both bracket members of the article 
carrier in locked and unlocked positions by manually engaging a single 
actuating member at one side of the vehicle article carrier. 
2. Discussion 
Vehicle article carriers are used in a wide variety of applications to 
transport a variety of articles above an outer body surface of the 
vehicle. Such vehicle article carriers typically include a pair of slats 
which are fixedly mounted to the outer body surface of the vehicle, a pair 
of bracket members slidably disposed on the slats and a cross bar disposed 
between the bracket members so as to be supported above the outer body 
surface by the bracket members. In some applications two cross bars are 
employed, with the second cross bar being secured either fixedly to the 
slats or being adjustably secured via its own pair of bracket members 
disposed slidably upon the slats. 
Each bracket member used in most vehicle article carrier systems typically 
includes some form of locking mechanism with an actuating member for 
placing the locking mechanism in a locked or unlocked position. When the 
locking mechanism of each bracket member is in its unlocked position, both 
bracket members may be moved slidably along the slats to allow the cross 
bar therebetween to be repositioned as desired along the slats. The 
obvious drawback to this arrangement is that when the user desires to 
reposition the cross bar, first one of the bracket members must be 
unlocked and then the user must walk around to the opposite side of the 
vehicle to unlock the other bracket member. Once the cross bar has been 
moved to its desired position by the user, the user must manually place 
both of the bracket members in their locked positions. Thus, the user is 
presented with the inconvenience of separately locking and unlocking two 
bracket members whenever the cross bar is to be repositioned. 
Some manufacturers of vehicle article carriers have attempted to address 
this problem by providing means for simultaneously locking and unlocking 
each bracket member via a single actuating mechanism. One such article 
carrier is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,198 to Cucheran, assigned to 
the assignee of the present application. While this device has proven to 
be successful and satisfactory for its intended purpose, the number of 
independent component parts associated with the apparatus disclosed in 
this patent make the apparatus somewhat complicated and costly to 
manufacture and assemble. Other forms of vehicle article carriers which 
have attempted to incorporate some form of "single-sided" release 
mechanism for simultaneously locking and unlocking a pair of bracket 
members to their respective slats have also proven to be complicated and 
costly to construct. 
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a vehicle article 
carrier which incorporates a means for simultaneously locking and 
unlocking both bracket members from their respective slats, as well as a 
means for holding both bracket members in their unlocked positions once 
one of the bracket members is urged into an unlocked orientation. In this 
manner, a user would be able to lock and unlock both bracket members from 
one side of the vehicle and adjust both ends of the cross bar to a new 
position on the slats without having to hold one of the bracket members in 
its unlocked orientation. This would add significant convenience to the 
procedure of repositioning the cross bar. 
It would also be highly desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier 
having a mechanism which enables both bracket members to be simultaneously 
locked and unlocked, wherein the mechanism has a minimum number of moving 
parts, and incorporates a design which is relatively simple and cost 
effective to manufacture and assemble. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The above and other objects are provided by a vehicle article carrier 
apparatus having a single-sided release mechanism in accordance with 
preferred embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus generally 
includes a pair of slats which are adapted to be fixedly secured to an 
outer body surface of a vehicle, a cross bar, and a pair of bracket 
members disposed at opposite outer ends of the cross bar. Each of the 
bracket members is adapted to move slidably upon an associated one of the 
slats to allow the cross bar to be repositioned along the slats as may be 
needed. 
In one preferred embodiment each bracket member further includes a slidably 
disposed locking finger member. One of the locking finger members is 
operably associated with a biasing member, and both locking finger members 
are operably coupled together via an elongated member which extends 
through the cross bar. The biasing member thus continuously biases both of 
the locking finger members into locked positions relative their associated 
slats. 
In the preferred embodiment described above, one of the bracket members 
further includes an actuating member operably associated with at least one 
of the locking finger members. The actuating member is disposed slidably 
such that movement of the actuating member from a locked to an unlocked 
position causes each of the locking finger members to be simultaneously 
urged out of locking engagement with its respective slat. Releasing the 
actuating member permits the biasing member to return both locking finger 
members into locking engagement with their respective slats, as well as to 
return the actuating member to its locked position. 
In one preferred embodiment the actuating member and one of the locking 
finger members are integrally formed as a single component. The elongated 
member is further comprised of an elongated metal rod which is coupled at 
its outer ends to both of the locking finger members. 
In the preferred embodiment described above, each of the bracket members 
further include a pair of foot portions which ride within channels formed 
in the slats. Each of the foot portions further include at least one 
semi-circular, protruding shoulder portion which helps to prevent binding 
or jamming of the cross bar as same is repositioned along each of the 
slats. 
Various alternative embodiments of the present invention are also 
disclosed. In one alternative preferred embodiment the actuating member 
forms a rotatable actuating lever fixedly secured to a rigid, elongated 
rod extending through the cross bar into each of the bracket members 
secured to opposite ends of the cross bar. The elongated rod is fixedly 
coupled to a latching member extending outwardly of each one of the 
bracket members into a channel of an associated slat. Each latching member 
is biased such that it is normally in a locked position engaging at least 
one of a plurality of openings spaced apart along the channel of its 
associated slat. Rotatable movement of the actuating lever causes a 
corresponding movement of the elongated rod, which in turn causes each of 
the latching members to be urged simultaneously into an unlocked position 
relative to its associated slat. Releasing the lever allows the biasing 
members associated with each latching member to rotate the elongated rod, 
and thus the actuating lever, in the opposite direction such that both 
latching members are returned to a normally locked position relative to 
their respective slats. 
In another alternative embodiment an actuating lever is disposed 
intermediate the ends of a cross bar. The actuating lever is secured to a 
disc-like member disposed within the cross bar such that it rotates the 
disc-like member when moved between locked and unlocked positions. Also 
attached to the disc-like member are first and second elongated members. 
The elongated members are also attached at their outermost ends to locking 
finger members. Thus, movement of the actuating lever from a locked to an 
unlocked position causes a corresponding rotation of the disc-like member, 
which also causes translation of the first and second elongated members 
away from each other. This urges each of the locking finger members out of 
locking engagement with openings in each of the slats. Movement of the 
actuating lever from the unlocked to the locked position causes movement 
of the first and second elongated members towards each other, thereby 
retracting both of the locking finger members simultaneously. Thus, the 
locking finger members can be simultaneously moved into locked and 
unlocked positions from a single actuating lever disposed near one end of 
the cross bar. 
In yet another alternative preferred embodiment a pivotably disposed 
actuating lever is associated with the cross bar. An elongated member such 
as a cable is entrained through a portion of the actuating lever so as to 
be disposed within the interior of the cross bar when the actuating lever 
is in a locked position. The outer ends of the elongated cable are coupled 
to independent locking members disposed in bracket members at the outer 
ends of the cross bar. Each locking member is biased into locking 
engagement with an opening in an associated slat. Moving the actuating 
lever from a locked to an unlocked position causes a portion of the 
elongated cable to be displaced. This serves to shorten the elongated 
cable, simultaneously urging both of the locking members out of locking 
engagement with their respective slats. In this embodiment, a second 
actuating lever is disposed towards an opposite end of the cross bar such 
that the locking members can be unlocked and locked from each side of the 
vehicle. 
In still another alternative preferred embodiment, the present invention 
incorporates a pair of bracket members having locking members which are 
adapted to be snapped into engagement within recesses formed in openings 
in their respective bracket members. Thus, no separate pivot pins, axles 
or like components need be incorporated to permit pivotal movement of each 
locking member within its bracket member. This embodiment also includes an 
elongated cable which extends through an interior area of a cross bar to 
couple each of the locking members together. Movement of one locking 
member therefore causes both locking members to be urged simultaneously 
into either locked or unlocked positions. 
The just-described preferred embodiment provides a significant improvement 
in the ease of assembly of a single side release mechanism. Assembly is 
accomplished simply by threading the one end of the cable through a 
channel formed in the locking member, snapping the locking member into the 
opening in its associated bracket member, threading the opposite end of 
the cable through the interior of the cross bar, hooking the opposite end 
into a channel formed in the other bracket member, and snapping the other 
bracket member into the opening in its associated bracket member. No 
special tools are required for the assembly of the cross bar to its 
bracket members or the assembly of the cable and the locking members into 
the bracket members. The entire assembly process can be performed by a 
single individual in just minutes. 
All of the above-described preferred embodiments provide a vehicle article 
carrier having a cross bar which can be conveniently locked and unlocked 
from one side of the vehicle. Each of the embodiments are constructed from 
a relatively few component parts, thereby reducing manufacturing and 
assembly costs as compared to previously developed single-sided article 
carrier mechanisms

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle article carrier apparatus 10 
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The 
apparatus 10 is secured to an outer body surface 12 of the vehicle 14 and 
generally includes a pair of elongated slats 16 fixedly secured to the 
outer body surface 12. A pair of bracket members 18 and 20 support cross 
bars 22 and 24 above the outer body surface 12 and allow each of the cross 
bars 22 and 24 to be adjustably positioned along the slats 16 as may be 
needed. It will be appreciated immediately, however, that while both of 
the cross bars 22 and 24 have been shown as adjustable cross bars, that 
one or the other could be fixedly secured to the slats 16 if desired. In 
fact, it is anticipated that in many applications this will be the 
preferred arrangement. Optionally, one or more intermediate slats 26 could 
also be secured to the outer body surface 12 to further protect the 
surface 12 from contact with articles being transported on the cross bars 
22 and 24. 
Referring to FIG. 1A, the slat 16 is shown. Slat 16 includes an inboard 
wall 16a.sub.1, and an outboard wall 16a.sub.2. Each of the walls 
16a.sub.1, and 16a.sub.2 include a plurality of spaced apart openings 17. 
It will be appreciated, however, that each slat 16 could be formed with 
openings in only one of the wall portions, but that this would necessitate 
manufacturing two separate slats which would need to be installed along 
designated sides of the outer body surface (i.e., one along the passenger 
side and one along the driver's side). The slat 16, however, can be used 
on either side of the outer body surface 12 simply by orientating it 180 
from its opposing slat. When the slats 16 are installed they are laterally 
aligned on the outer body surface 12 such that the openings 17 are 
directly across from each other, i.e., in a common plane, extending 
perpendicularly from one side of the vehicle 14. 
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, cross bar 22 is shown with its bracket members 
18 and 20. This assembly will be referred to as article carrier member 19. 
An integrally formed, horizontally extending tie down loop 28 (FIG. 2) and 
a vertically extending tie-down loop 29 (FIG. 3) are disposed at each end 
of the cross bar 22 for assisting in securing articles to the cross bar 22 
via external fastening straps such as bungee cords or nylon straps. Each 
bracket member 18 and 20 includes an integrally formed pair of T-lugs or 
foot portions 30 which ride within channels formed in each of the slats 
16, as will be described in detail momentarily. As best seen in FIG. 2, 
each of the foot portions 30 includes raised, semi-circular shoulder 
portions 32 integrally formed therewith. The raised shoulder portions 32 
help to prevent the foot portions 30 from jamming in the slats 16 as first 
one end of the cross bar 22 is moved, and then the other, during 
repositioning of the cross bar 22 along the slats 16. Cross bar 24 and its 
bracket members 18 and 20 are of identical construction and will therefore 
not be described independently. 
With further reference to FIG. 2, bracket member 18 includes a manually 
graspable, slidable shell forming an actuating member 34. The actuating 
member 34 includes a pair of recessed portions 36 adapted to allow one to 
manually grasp the actuating member 34 with a thumb and forefinger and to 
easily pull the actuating member 34 outwardly to the left in the drawing 
of FIG. 2. The bracket member 20 includes symmetrical recessed portions 37 
simply for aesthetic purposes. 
Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the bracket member 20 is shown in greater detail. 
Referring initially to FIG. 8, the bracket member 20 can be seen to 
include a locking finger member 38, a biasing member in the form of a coil 
spring 40 and an elongated member or actuating rod 42. One end of the 
spring 40 is coupled to a protruding hook portion 44 (also shown in FIGS. 
4 and 7) integrally formed with an undersurface 46 of a housing portion 48 
of the bracket member 20. The opposite end of the spring 40 is coupled to 
a portion 42c of the elongated rod 42 so as to continuously bias the 
locking finger member 38 and the elongated rod 42 to the right in drawing 
FIG. 8, and therefore maintain the locking finger member 38 in a normally 
locked position relative to its associated slat 16. 
With specific reference to FIG. 5, the under surface 46 of body portion 48 
can also be seen to include an upstanding boss 52. The boss 52 includes a 
bore 54 sized to accept a fastening member such as a threaded fastener. In 
FIG. 5A, a portion of the upstanding boss 52 can also be seen to include 
notches which form co-planar shoulder portions 56. In FIG. 5, the 
upstanding boss 52 is formed longitudinally in line with an opening 58 
through which the locking finger member 38 protrudes when in locking 
engagement with its associated slat. 
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the opening 58 in the body portion 48 can 
also be seen to include slots 60 on opposite sides of the opening 58. The 
slots 60 act as guides to allow sliding movement of the locking finger 
member 38, as will be described momentarily. The body portion 48 also 
includes an opening 62 into which one end of the cross bar 22 is inserted 
and fixedly secured via a plurality of threaded fasteners 64 (shown in 
FIG. 5) in conventional fashion. 
Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, the locking finger member 38 can be seen in 
greater detail. The finger member 38 includes a finger portion 66, a pair 
of outwardly protruding arm portions 68, a main body portion 70, a first 
opening 72 formed in the main body portion 70, and a second opening 73 in 
communication with the first opening 72. From FIGS. 10 and 13, it can be 
seen that the finger member 38 also includes a slot 74 formed in the main 
body portion 70 having a width sufficient to allow a fastening member such 
as a threaded screw to protrude therethrough. A pair of lower edge 
surfaces 75 (FIG. 13) extend along the main body portion 70 on opposite 
sides of the slot 74. 
Referring now to FIG. 14, the elongated rod 42 is shown. The elongated rod 
42 has a first end 42a, a central portion 42b and a second end 42c. The 
rod 42 has an overall length sufficient to span the entire length of the 
cross bar 22. The rod 42 may be made form a variety of materials but is 
preferably made from metal. 
With further reference to FIG. 8, the finger member 38 is shown assembled 
to the under surface 46 of bracket member 20. A threaded screw 76 is 
inserted into the bore 54 to hold the finger member 38 to the under 
surface 48. Lower edge surfaces 75 (FIG. 13) ride on the notches 56 (FIG. 
5A) of the boss 52 to permit smooth sliding movement of the locking member 
38. Portion 42c of the elongated rod 42 extends into the opening 73 to 
latch onto the finger member 38 and allow same to be pulled into a 
retracted (i.e., unlocked) position. The arm portions 68 ride within slots 
60 (visible only in FIGS. 4 and 6) to guide the finger member 38 and to 
help prevent same from twisting or rocking vertically during its sliding 
movement. With brief reference to FIG. 10, it will also be appreciated 
that the depth of slot 74 is such that an end portion 80 of the slot 74 
abuts the fastener 76 to limit the travel of the locking finger member 38 
outwardly (to the right in FIG. 8) when same is being moved into a locked 
position. 
Referring now to FIGS. 15-18, the bracket member 18 is illustrated without 
the actuating member 34 installed. With specific reference to FIG. 17, 
bracket member 18 includes a body portion 82 having a pair of outer 
channels 84 and a pair of inner channels 86. An opening 88 allows a finger 
portion of the actuating member 34 to be retracted out of locking 
engagement with the slat 16 associated with bracket member 18 when the 
actuating member 34 is pulled into an unlocked position. 
From FIG. 16, it can also be seen that body portion 82 includes a portion 
90 which supports the bracket member 18 in sliding relationship with its 
associated slat 16. Supporting the bracket member 18 on one side of foot 
portion 30 provides an extremely smooth sliding movement of the bracket 
member 18 along the outer surface portion 16a of the slat 16. As described 
previously, the semi-circular, raised shoulder portions 32 help to prevent 
jamming or binding of the bracket member 18 as the cross bar 22 is 
repositioned along the slat 16. 
With brief reference to FIG. 18, the body portion 82 also includes an 
opening 92 into which an end portion of the cross bar 22 is inserted and 
held in conventional fashion by threaded fasteners (not shown). An opening 
94 permits the first end portion 42a of the elongated rod 42 to protrude 
therethrough so as to be coupled to the actuating member 34, as will be 
described momentarily. 
Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, the actuating member 34 is illustrated in 
greater detail. With specific reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, the member 34 
includes a pair of inwardly protruding shoulder portions 95 integrally 
formed with an inner surface 96. A pair of protruding arm portions 98 
extend from opposite sides of a central member 100 having a locking finger 
member or portion 102. The locking finger member 102, being integrally 
formed with the actuating member 34, provides a very positive "feel" or 
movement when the actuating member 34 is moved between locked and unlocked 
positions. The inwardly protruding shoulder portions 95 ride slidably 
within outer channels 84 (FIG. 17) of the body portion 82 while the arm 
portions 98 ride within the inner channels 86 (FIG. 17). The central 
portion 100 moves within the opening 88 and the inner surface 96 rests on 
the body portion 82. 
With specific reference to FIG. 22, an opening 104 is provided in a surface 
portion 106 of the actuating member 34. The opening is provided to enable 
the first end portion 42a of the elongated rod 42 to be coupled to the 
actuating member 34. 
Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, the bracket member 18 is shown in 
assembled form. In FIG. 23 the central member 100 is disposed within the 
opening 88, the inwardly protruding shoulder portions 95 extend into the 
outer channels 84, and the arm portions 98 extend into the inner channels 
86. In FIG. 24, the finger portion 102 extends through one of the openings 
17 in the slat 16. The bracket member 18 cannot be moved along the slat 16 
without first retracting the finger portion 102 by sliding movement of the 
actuating member 34 to the left in FIG. 24. 
Referring to FIG. 26, the bracket members 18 and 20 are shown disengaged 
when the actuating member 34 is manually urged to the left in this drawing 
figure. Releasing the actuating member 34 from the position shown in FIG. 
26 allows the biasing member 40 to retract both the locking finger member 
38 and the actuating member 34 via the elongated rod 42, thus placing each 
of the bracket members 18 and 20 in locked positions as shown in FIG. 25. 
This would permit the article carrier member 19 to be unlocked from the 
slats 16 at either end of the member 19. 
In FIGS. 25 and 26 it will also be noted that at least a small section of 
foam or other dampening material 112 is preferably inserted within the 
cross bar 22 to prevent any possible vibration of the elongated rod 42 
within the cross bar 22. The foam 112 may extend through the entire length 
of the cross bar 22 or a small section of foam 112 may be included at just 
a central area of the cross bar 22. It will also be appreciated that 
virtually any form of vibration deadening material could be used inside 
the cross bar 22 since same will not be subjected to the elements. 
Referring now to FIG. 27, an article carrier 200 in accordance with an 
alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The 
article carrier 200 is disposed on a pair of elongated slats 202 and 
includes bracket members 204 disposed at each end of a tubular cross bar 
206. One of the bracket members 204 includes an actuating lever 203. 
Referring to FIG. 28, each slat 202 includes a plurality of pairs of 
aligned vertical openings 208 and is supported on a member 205 having a 
channel 205a formed longitudinally therealong. The member 205 may be 
manufactured from a suitably strong plastic and the channel 205a provides 
clearance for a latching member, which will be described momentarily. 
With further reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, an elongated rod 210 extends 
throughout the entire longitudinal length of the cross bar 206 and is 
fixedly coupled to the actuating lever 203 by any conventional means such 
as a set screw. The rod 210 has a length sufficient to extend beyond 
vertical planes extending through each of the aligned pairs of openings 
208 and into end portions 212 of each bracket member 204. Disposed at each 
end of the elongated rod 210, and fixedly secured thereto, is a latching 
member 214. 
Referring to FIG. 29, each latching member 214 includes hook portions 216 
protruding in opposite vertical directions so as to be able to engage 
within selected ones of the openings 208 formed in each slat 202. Each 
latching member 214 is further biased into a normally locked position, as 
shown in FIG. 29, by a biasing member 218 which engages with an opening 
220 in each latching member 214 and also within an opening 222 formed in a 
housing portion 224 of each bracket member 204. T-lugs or foot portions 
226 prevent each bracket member 204 from being removed from its associated 
slat 202. With brief reference to FIG. 28, the entire cross bar 206 is 
supported for sliding movement upon the slats 202 via neck portions 228. 
With further reference to FIGS. 27, 29 and 30, when the actuating lever 203 
is lifted manually by a user, it rotates the elongated rod 210 in a first 
rotational direction such that the latching members 214 disposed at each 
end of the rod 210 are urged from the position shown in FIG. 29 to the 
position shown in FIG. 30, for as long as the actuating lever is held in 
its unlocked (i.e., lifted) position. While held in this position, the 
cross bar 206 and both bracket members 204 can be readily slid along the 
slats 202 and repositioned as needed. Once the user releases the actuating 
lever 203, the latching members 214 are biased back into the position 
shown in FIG. 29 via the biasing members 218. The biasing members 218 also 
cause the actuating lever 203 to bed biased back into the position shown 
in FIG. 27. Thus, by simply manually engaging one actuating lever 203, 
both bracket members 204 can be placed in unlocked positions from one side 
of the vehicle. When the actuating lever 203 is released, both latching 
members 214 are automatically biased back into locking engagement with a 
pair of openings 208 in each slat 202. It will be appreciated, however, 
that if the latching members 214 are at a position inbetween a pair of 
openings 208, that a slight degree of further adjustment or repositioning 
along the slats 202 may be required until the latching members 214 are 
able to engage within a pair of openings 208 in each slat 202. 
Referring now to FIGS. 31 and 32, yet another vehicle article carrier 300 
in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment is 
illustrated. The article carrier 300 includes a pair of slats 301 disposed 
on supports 301a secured to the outer body surface 12 of the vehicle 14. 
Each of the slats 301 has an inwardly turned lip portion 303 having a 
plurality of spaced apart openings or notches 303a formed longitudinally 
therealong. 
The article carrier 300 also includes a pivotably mounted actuating lever 
or member 302 coupled to a disc-like member 304 disposed within a tubular 
cross bar 306. As seen in FIG. 32, the disc-like member 304 is coupled to 
a first elongated member 308 and a second elongated member 310. Each of 
the members 308 and 310 further include an integrally formed circular 
spring portion 308a and 310a, respectively. Attached to the opposite end 
of the first elongated member 308 is a locking member 312. An identical 
locking member 312 is attached to the opposite end of the second elongated 
member 310. 
When the actuating member 302 in FIG. 31 is rotated from the locked 
position shown therein approximately 90.degree. outwardly of the cross bar 
306, the disc-like member 304 is rotated counter-clockwise about 90 in 
drawing FIG. 32. Each of the first and second elongated members 308 and 
310 are thereby urged away from one another, thus causing the locking 
members 312 to be urged away from one another. This in turn causes a 
locking finger portion 312a of each locking member 312 to be urged 
outwardly of the openings 303a formed in each of the slats 301. Returning 
the actuating member 302 to the position shown in FIG. 31 causes both of 
the locking members 312 to be drawn toward each other and into locking 
engagement with the openings 303a in each of the slats 301. Thus, a single 
movement of the actuating lever 302 allows the locking members 312 to be 
simultaneously locked or unlocked from their respective slats 301. 
Referring now to FIGS. 33 and 34, still another vehicle article carrier 400 
in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present 
invention is shown. Vehicle article carrier 400 includes a pair of slats 
402 each having a channel 404 extending longitudinally therealong and a 
plurality of spaced apart openings 406 longitudinally in line with the 
channel 404 (only one opening 406 being shown in each slat 402 in FIGS. 33 
and 34). A tubular cross bar 408 includes a pair of actuating members or 
levers 410 disposed at opposite ends thereof. The actuating levers 410 
each rest within openings 408a formed in the cross bar 408 when in the 
closed position shown in FIG. 33. Each of the actuating levers include arm 
portions 412 which rest within channels 416 formed within a mounting block 
414, to allow each actuating lever 410 to be pivotably rotated about the 
channel 416 within which it is mounted. An opening 418 and a generally 
circular cross member 420 integrally formed with each actuating lever 410 
allow a cable 422 to be entrained between the arm portion 412 and the 
generally circular member 420 of each actuating member 410. One end of 
each cable 422 is fixedly coupled to an actuating pin 424 disposed within 
an opening 426 in a bracket portion 428. Each bracket portion 428 further 
includes a neck portion 428a which supports the article carrier 400 in the 
channels 404. Each locking member 424 is further biased into a normally 
locked position (i.e., toward its associated openings 406) by a coil 
spring 430. The cable 422 is preferably formed in two sections to 
facilitate assembly and coupled by a splice 432. A tensioning spring 434 
is coupled to tab members 436 at its outermost ends, and the tab members 
436 are fixedly secured to portions of the cable 422. 
In FIG. 33, both actuating levers 410 are shown in the locked position. The 
cable 422 has a small degree of slack when both actuating levers 410 are 
in the locked position, which the spring 434 helps to take up. Optionally, 
but preferably, one or more sections of foam 438 are disposed within the 
cross bar 408 to help prevent vibration or rattling of the cable 422 
within the cross bar 408 during operation of the vehicle upon which the 
article carrier 400 is mounted. 
In FIG. 34, when one of the actuating levers 410 is rotated approximately 
90.degree. into an unlocked position, a portion of the cable 422 is 
withdrawn by the circular cross member 420 of the lifted actuating lever 
40. This effectively shortens the cable 422 and causes both of the locking 
members 424 to be urged towards each other and thus retracted from the 
openings 406 in their respective slats 402. When in the position shown in 
FIG. 34, the entire cross bar 408 can be moved slidably along channels 404 
in the slats 402. Once the actuating lever 410 is released, the biasing 
force provided by the springs 430 urges each of the locking members 424 
outwardly into openings 406 and pulls the actuating lever 410 back into 
the closed position shown in FIG. 33. The exact same locking and unlocking 
action can be effected by using the right-most actuating lever 410 in the 
drawing of FIG. 33. Thus, the cross bar 408 can be unlocked from the slats 
402 at either end of the cross bar 408, and therefore from either side of 
the vehicle. 
Referring now to FIG. 35, an article carrier system 500 in accordance with 
yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is 
shown. The article carrier system 500 includes a pair of slats 502 which 
are each fixedly secured to an outer body surface 504 of a vehicle 506 via 
a plurality of conventional threaded fastener assemblies 508. The 
preferred form of fastener 508 is a conventional "riv-nut" fastener which 
is well known in the art. It will be appreciated, however, that other 
forms of fasteners could also be employed. 
Each slat 502 includes a pair of ledge portions 510 extending inwardly 
toward one another, a bottom wall portion 512 and an inner wall portion 
514. The inner wall portion 514 has a plurality of spaced apart apertures 
516 such as apertures 17 shown in FIG. 1 a hereof. The inwardly extending 
ledges 510 and the bottom wall 512 form a channel extending along the 
entire length of the slat 502. 
Referring further to FIG. 35, mounted upon the slats 502 is a cross bar 
assembly 520. The cross bar assembly 520 generally includes a tubular 
cross bar 522 having opposite ends 522a and 522b. Secured to end 522a is a 
bracket assembly 524a. Secured to end 522b is a bracket assembly 524b. The 
two bracket assemblies 524a and 524b are essentially identical, with minor 
structural variations that will be described momentarily. Each bracket 
assembly 524 is secured to its respective end 522 via conventional 
threaded fasteners (not shown) which extend through apertures 526 formed 
in an undersurface 528 of a housing 530 of each assembly 524. 
With further reference to FIG. 35, each bracket assembly 524 further 
includes a locking member 532. The locking member 532 of each bracket 
assembly 524 is identical in construction and includes a locking portion 
534, a central portion 536 and an integrally formed actuating portion 538. 
The central portion 536 further includes a circumferential channel or 
groove 540 and a pair of boss portions 542 (only one being visible in FIG. 
35). Depending from the locking portion 534 is a flexible arm portion 544 
having a head portion 546 adapted to engage within a notch 548 formed in 
an edge 550 of an opening 552 of the housing 530b. The head portion 546, 
when engaged in the notch 548, functions to hold the locking member 532 in 
the unlocked position (shown in FIG. 38). This function will be described 
further in the following paragraphs. A T-lug portion 554 is disposed 
within the channel 518 such that the bracket assembly 524b cannot be 
removed from the slat 502 when secured therein, and once forward and rear 
end caps (not shown) are attached to the slat 502 at its opposite terminal 
ends. 
Referring briefly to FIG. 36, the opening 552 includes a pair of channels 
556 each having a recess 558. The housing 530b also includes a pair of 
bosses 560 each having a slot 562 formed therein and a frusto-conical 
shaped head portion 564. 
A wheel 566 having an opening 568 is urged over the head portion 564 and 
snappingly engages onto the boss 560. The wheels 566 are preferably made 
from plastic, but may be made from a variety of other materials. The 
wheels 566 prevent "binding" of the cross bar as it is moved slidably 
along the slats 502 while being repositioned. 
Referring briefly to FIG. 37, the locking member 532 can be seen to include 
a pair of boss portions 542 projecting in opposite directions and 
longitudinally in line with one another. Each boss portion 542 includes a 
semi-circular portion 542a. The boss portions 542 are adapted to slide 
within the channels 556 and to snap into the recesses 558. The 
semi-circular end portions 542a assist in installing the locking member 
532 and the ability of the boss portions 542 to readily snap into the 
recesses 558. Accordingly, no special tools are required to install the 
locking member 532 within the housing 530b. 
With further reference to FIG. 36, the housing 530b is aerodynamically 
shaped and includes a scalloped area 570 which is adjacent the actuating 
portion 538 of the locking member 532 when the locking member is installed 
in the opening 552. Thus, the actuating portion 538 can be easily grasped 
with one or more fingers and pulled outwardly to cause the entire locking 
member 532 to rotate about the boss portions 542. The width of the locking 
portion 534, as designated by dimensional arrows 572 in FIG. 37, is just 
slightly smaller than the width of the apertures 516 formed in the slat 
502. Thus, the locking portion 534 is operable to engage within one of the 
openings 516 in the slat 502 when aligned therewith and when the locking 
member 532 is in a locked position. It will also be appreciated that each 
of the locking members 532 are identical in construction. Accordingly, 
each can be installed in either of the bracket assemblies 524a or 524b in 
the identical manner. 
Referring further to FIG. 35, a cable 574 is entrained through the interior 
of the cross bar 522 and coupled to each of the locking members 532. A 
first end 574a includes a connecting portion 576 attached thereto which is 
adapted to fit in notch 578a formed in the central portion 536 and a notch 
578b formed in a surface wall of the locking member. The first end 574a of 
the cable 574 is placed within the channel 540 and is retained in the 
channel 540 once the locking member 532 is snapped into the opening 552 of 
the housing 530b during assembly. The cable 574 includes a second end 574b 
which is inserted into the channel 540 in bracket assembly 524a. A 
connecting portion 580 is engaged within the notches 578a and 578b in the 
central portion 536. A terminal end portion 574 of the cable 574 is 
secured via a coiled spring 582 to a hook member 584 which is fixedly 
secured to a mid portion 574d of the cable 574. The spring 582 provides a 
constant tension on both ends of the cable 574 which tends to bias both of 
the locking members 532 simultaneously into locked positions as shown. The 
cable 574 may comprise a length of steel cable or nylon cable or any other 
form of material which is flexible but which resists stretching. 
With further reference to FIG. 35, it will be noted that the notch 548 in 
the wall portion 550 of bracket assembly 524b is not present on the 
corresponding wall portion 550 of bracket assembly 524a. Also, it will be 
noted that the scalloped portion 570 in bracket assembly 524b is not 
present in bracket assembly 524a. Thus, the locking members 532 can only 
be unlocked simultaneously by grasping and rotating the locking member 532 
associated with bracket assembly 524b. It will be appreciated, however, 
that a scalloped area could just as readily be provided on bracket member 
524a to enable its associated locking member 532 to be engaged manually by 
an individual to thereby enable the cross bar assembly 520 to be unlocked 
from the slats 502 from either side of the cross bar assembly 520. 
Referring now to FIG. 38, the cross bar assembly 520 is shown in its 
unlocked orientation. In this orientation the entire cross bar assembly 
520 may be moved slidably along the slats 502 to a new position as needed. 
Once the cross bar assembly 520 is proximately aligned with the openings 
516 in each slat 502, then the actuating portion 538 of the locking member 
532 may be pushed into the position shown in FIG. 35. This movement 
simultaneously causes the cable 574 to rotate the locking member 532 of 
bracket assembly 524a in a counterclockwise direction when viewing FIG. 
38, to cause both locking members 532 to be urged simultaneously into the 
locked position shown in FIG. 38. If the bracket assemblies 524 are not 
aligned with the openings 516 in each slat 502, then a further small 
degree of longitudinal adjustment of the cross bar assembly 520 may be 
made until the two locking members 532 "snap" into the openings 516 in 
each slat 502. 
To assemble the cross bar assembly 520, the connecting portion 580 is 
placed in notches 578 of the locking member 532 associated with bracket 
assembly 524a. The locking member 532 is then snapped into the bracket 
member 524a. The free ends of the cable 574 are then fed through the 
interior of the cross bar 522 and connecting portion 576 is engaged within 
notches 578a and 578b of the locking member 532 associated with the other 
bracket assembly 524b. The locking member 532 is then inserted through the 
opening 552 such that the actuating portion 538 is inserted first into the 
opening 552. As the boss portions 542 enter the channels 556 in the 
opening 552, the locking member 532 may be "snapped" into engagement in 
the recesses 558 of the bracket member 524b in the same manner as was 
previously done with bracket member 524a. Accordingly, no special tools 
are required and the assembly may be affected by a single individual 
within minutes. 
FIG. 38 also illustrates the head portion 546 of the flexible arm portion 
544 engaged with the notch 548, holding both locking members 532 in 
unlocked orientations. Once the bracket members 524a and 524b are aligned 
with apertures 516 in the slats 502, a slight push on the actuating 
portion 538 of bracket member 524b will disengage the flexible arm portion 
544 from the notch 548, thus allowing the biasing member to rotate both 
locking members 532 back into the positions shown in FIG. 35. 
Referring now to FIG. 39, yet another article carrier system 600 in 
accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment is shown. The 
article carrier system 600, in this embodiment, includes a pair of raised 
side rails 602 instead of slats. The side rails 602 each have a plurality 
of openings 604 spaced apart along an undersurface 606 of a rail portion 
608 thereof. End supports 610 are used to support the rail portion 608 
above an outer body surface 612 of a motor vehicle 614. A cross bar 
assembly 616 is coupled between the slats 602. 
With further reference to FIG. 39, the cross bar assembly 616 includes a 
tubular cross bar 618 having end portions 618a and 618b. An opening 620 is 
formed along preferably the entire length of the cross bar 616, the 
purpose of which will be described momentarily. Locking members 620a and 
620b are pivotably secured at opposite ends of the cross bar 618 within 
bracket members 617a and 617b. Each locking member 620 is coupled in a 
fashion identical to that described in connection with the locking member 
532 in FIG. 36. Each locking member 620 includes a locking portion 622 and 
an actuating portion 624. The actuating portion 624 may be grasp ed by a 
user so as to rotate the entire locking member 620 about the coaxial 
center of a central portion 626 thereof. A notch 628 is also formed in an 
interior surface 630 of each locking member 620, as is a notch 632 in the 
central portion 626. A semi circular groove 634 is defined between a 
central portion 626 and the interior surface 630 of each locking member 
620. 
Referring further to FIG. 39, an endless cable 636 is inserted through the 
opening 620 in the cross bar 618. The cable 636 includes two hook portions 
638 which are fixedly secured to the cable 636, and to which the ends of a 
spring 640 are secured. 
In operation, the actuating portion 624 of either locking member 620 may be 
lifted away from its bracket member 617. This causes the cable 636 to move 
and cause the opposite locking member 620 to rotate in the opposite 
direction, thereby enabling both locking members 620 to be rotated in 
opposite directions in the drawing of FIG. 39. The locking members 620 are 
shown in their unlocked orientations in phantom relative to the side rails 
602. When in the locked position shown in FIG. 39, the spring 640 exerts 
tension at two points on the cable 636 which maintains each of the locking 
members 620 in their locked orientations. 
While no means is disclosed in connection with cross bar assembly 616 for 
holding the locking members 620 in their unlocked orientations, structure 
such as the flexible finger portion 544 and the notch 548 shown in FIG. 35 
could just as easily be incorporated into the cross bar assembly 616 to 
accomplish this function. 
The cross bar assembly 616 allows both locking members 620 to be unlocked 
simultaneously from either end thereof. For those applications where the 
ability to unlock both locking members simultaneously from either side of 
the cross bar 616 is highly desirable, the article carrier system 600 
provides a simple and easily constructed means for providing such a 
locking mechanism. 
The assembly of the cross bar assembly 616 is accomplished by dropping the 
endless cable 636 through the opening 620 in the cross bar 618. First one 
end of the cable 636 is entrained through the groove 634 and one of the 
locking members 620 such that the connecting portion 628 is positioned 
within the notches 628 and 632. Then that locking member 620 is snapped 
into engagement with its associated bracket member 617. Next, the opposite 
end of the cable 636 is entrained through the groove 634 in the other 
locking member 620 such that the connecting portion 628 resides within its 
notches 628 and 632. That locking member 620 is then also snapped into 
engagement with its associated bracket member 617. The spring 640 is then 
connected between the hook portions 638. Finally, a rubber bumper strip or 
other component may be inserted into the opening 620 to close off the 
interior of the cross bar 618. The cross bar assembly 616 may then be 
installed on the side rail 602. 
From the description of each of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein 
it will be appreciated that an article carrier is provided which includes 
a cross bar which can be unlocked from a pair of slats simultaneously via 
a single actuating member and simultaneously locked to both slats via the 
same actuating member. This significantly enhances the convenience to the 
user in repositioning a cross bar since this step can be performed from 
one side of the vehicle. 
The actuating members and the bracket members of the various preferred 
embodiments described herein are preferably manufactured from high 
strength plastics through conventional molding techniques such as 
injection molding. The slats of the various preferred embodiments are 
preferably formed from metal and may be roll formed or manufactured in 
multi-piece assemblies if desired. Each of the embodiments described 
herein is further relatively simple to construct and generally comprises a 
relatively small number of independent component parts. As such, each of 
the embodiments disclosed herein can be constructed relatively 
economically. 
Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description 
that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a 
variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in 
connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the 
invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become 
apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, 
specification and following claims.