Vertically deployable roof rack system

A roof rack system includes first and second longitudinal tracks mountable to the roof substantially parallel to one another. The roof rack system includes first and second roof rack assemblies. Each roof rack assembly has a cross member configured to span between the longitudinal tracks. The roof rack assembly has first and second support modules operatively connecting the cross member to the first and second longitudinal tracks, respectively, such that each of the support modules establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member. The roof rack assembly has a biasing member, as well as a locking mechanism that is configured to hold the support modules in a collapsed position, and is releasable to allow the biasing member to urge the support modules to a deployed position in which the cross member is raised above the longitudinal tracks. The for/aft position of the support modules is adjustable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a roof rack system for a vehicle roof.

BACKGROUND

Roof racks are secured to vehicle roofs for supporting cargo above the roof. Roof racks often have longitudinally arranged roof rails, with transverse cross members spanning the distance between the roof rails. The entire roof rack, especially the cross members, must be carefully designed to limit aerodynamic drag.

SUMMARY

A roof rack system for a vehicle roof includes first and second longitudinal tracks mountable to the roof substantially parallel to one another. The roof rack system includes first and second roof rack assemblies. Each roof rack assembly has a cross member configured to span between the longitudinal tracks. The roof rack assembly has first and second support modules operatively connecting the cross member to the first and second longitudinal tracks, respectively, such that each of the support modules establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member. The roof rack assembly has a biasing member, as well as a locking mechanism that is configured to hold the support modules in a collapsed position in which the cross member is substantially flush with the support modules. The locking mechanism is releasable to allow the biasing member to urge the support modules to a deployed position in which the cross member is spaced further above the longitudinal tracks than when in the collapsed position. The support modules are slidable along the longitudinal tracks to adjust a fore-aft position of the cross member when in the deployed position.

Because the cross member is lowered in the collapsed position, wind noise and aerodynamic drag are reduced. Fore/aft adjustment of the cross member via the support module allows the deployed configuration of the roof rack assembly to be customized to the dimensions of each particular cargo load. The biasing member lowers the force necessary to deploy the support modules, but is selected so that it does not provide so much biasing force that the support module is difficult to move to the collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components,FIG. 1shows a portion of a vehicle10having a roof12with a roof rack system14. The roof rack system14includes first and second longitudinal tracks16,18that are mounted to the roof12to extend generally longitudinally on the vehicle10. The roof rack system14includes a first roof rack assembly20and a second roof rack assembly22.

The first roof rack assembly20includes a first cross member24that is configured to extend lengthwise between the longitudinal tracks16,18. The first roof rack assembly20also includes a first support module26and a second support module28. The first support module26is connected to the first longitudinal track16and the second support module28is connected to the second longitudinal track18, as further described below. The cross member24is connected to the first and second support modules26,28and thereby operatively connected to the longitudinal tracks16,18as further described below.

The second roof rack assembly22includes a second cross member30that is configured to extend lengthwise between the longitudinal tracks16,18. The second roof rack assembly22also includes a respective first support module32and a second support module34. The first support module32is connected to the first longitudinal track16and the second support module34is connected to the second longitudinal track18, as further described below. The cross member30is connected to the first and second support modules32,34and thereby operatively connected to the longitudinal tracks16,18as further described below.

Each of the support modules26,28establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member24, as described below. Each of the support modules32,34establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member30in an identical manner. The first and second roof rack assemblies20,22are movable between a first position, referred to as a collapsed position, shown inFIG. 1, and a second position, referred to as a deployed position, shown inFIG. 2. In the deployed position, the cross members24,30move vertically away from the roof12.

FIGS. 3 and 4show one of the support modules26in the collapsed position and the deployed position, respectively. Each of the other support modules28,32,34is configured substantially identically to the support module26; accordingly, the description of support module26applies equally to support modules28,32,34. The support module26includes a first support arm40and a second support arm42, both of which are hinged to an end portion46of the cross member24at respective pivot points48,50,52,54, so that the support arms are pivotably connected to the cross member24. The end portion46may be a unitarily formed with the remainder of the cross member24or may be separately formed and rigidly connected to the remainder of the cross member24.

The support module26includes a first sliding track60hinged to the first support arm40at pivot points64,66so that the first sliding track60is pivotably connected to the support arm40. A similar second sliding track62is hinged to the second support arm42at pivot points70,72so that the second sliding track62is pivotably connected to the support arm42. Each of the sliding tracks60,62has a slot or recess74(shown inFIGS. 5-7) that is captured on a ledge76formed by the track16and is configured to slide on the track16along the ledge76. Optionally, the track16may have a stop78that prevents further sliding movement of the support assembly module26. InFIG. 4, the sliding track60is prevented from sliding further to the left along track16by the stop78. In some embodiments, one of the sliding tracks60,62could instead by fixed on the track16with only the other of the sliding tracks60,62being slidable. Once in the deployed position, the support module26may be manually slid fore or aft along the track16to adjust the fore/aft position of the support module on the roof12and the relative position of the roof rack assemblies20,22. Stops similar to stop78may be placed in predetermined locations on the tracks16,18to limit the range of the fore/aft movement. Locking clamps may also be provided to lock each sliding track60,62to a final fore/aft position on the sliding track16when the module26is in the deployed position.

The support module26has a biasing member80, shown inFIG. 9, which in this embodiment is a torsion spring. The biasing member80is connected with one end to the sliding track60and at another end to an underside of the support arm40. The biasing member80biases the support arm40away from the sliding track60, and so urges the support module26to the deployed position. The force of the biasing member80may be selected so that the biasing member80provides some assistance in moving the support module26to the deployed position, but is small enough so that only a manageable amount of force is required by an operator to overcome the biasing member80when manually pressing the cross member24downward to return the support module26to the collapsed position. In other embodiments, the biasing member80may instead be a compression spring connected between the support arm40and the sliding track60, or a tension spring connected between the sliding track60and the sliding track62.

Moving the support module26from the deployed position to the collapsed position causes the sliding tracks60,62to slide apart from one another. In the collapsed position ofFIG. 3, the cross member24is relatively level or flush with the support arms40,42and the sliding track16. In the deployed position ofFIG. 4, the cross member24is raised further from the roof12than in the collapsed position.

The support module26establishes a four bar linkage with the cross member24. The support arms40,42, the end portion46, and the track16are the four links of the four bar linkage, with the sliding tracks60,62allowing the effective length of the link established by the track16to vary. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 7, a support bar81is added between the pivot points50,70of the support arm40to further stabilize the support arm40.

The support module26also has a releasable locking mechanism82shown inFIG. 8. The locking mechanism82includes a depressible button84mounted to the side of the end portion46of the cross member24. Pressing the button84toggles a latch member86between a withdrawn position, shown in phantom at87, and a locked position, shown with solid lines. When the support module26is in the collapsed position, the latch member86is in a first notch88of the support arm40, and the support arm40is locked substantially flush with the cross member24. To move the support module26to the deployed position, the button84is depressed, which withdraws the latch member86from the first notch88. This allows the spring force of the biasing member80to urge the support module26at least partially toward the deployed position (with the position of the support arm40in the deployed position illustrated in phantom at41), lifting the cross member24and causing the sliding tracks60,62to move toward one another. In the deployed position, the support arm40is positioned such that a second notch90of the support arm40is aligned with the latch member86. The button84is released so that the latch member86moves into the notch90to lock the support arm40and the support module26in the deployed position. A cable may be used to connect the button84with a latch member on the support module28on the opposite end of the cross member24, so that the button can be operated to cause the latch member to move in and out of substantially identical notches in the support arm of the support module28. Some vehicle seats have similar toggle release buttons connected with a cable to a lock on an opposite end of the seat.

Manual force may be added to move the support module26upward to the deployed position. Optionally, a damper may be added between the support arm40and the sliding track60adjacent the spring80to control the movement of the support module26between the collapsed position and the deployed position.