Carrier arrangement

A vehicle roof carrier includes at least one elongated carrier member transversely mounted on the roof of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the carrier member defines a slit longitudinally extending between the opposing ends of the carrier member and has at least one enlarged area in communication with the slit. Plural mounting members each of which define an aerodynamically-sound forward surface are retained in the carrier member by a retaining clip. The retaining clip is generally U-shaped in configuration and includes terminal legs having engagement members which are registrable with the enlarged area. Furthermore, the mounting members define recessed surfaces so that when the retaining clip is positioned in the slit of the carrier member, the horizontal leg of the retaining clip will be seated in the recessed surface of each mounting member to thereby retain them in a predetermined position on the carrier member. As such, the mounting members can be positioned so that they either form a contiguous, monolithic appearance or can be separated from one another so as to define a space therebetween for carrying elongated goods, such as, skis or the like.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a carrier arrangement for receiving goods 
to be carried on the roof of a motor vehicle. The present invention more 
particularly includes two carrying members being arranged at a distance 
from one another and laterally with respect to the car roof. The carrying 
members are preferably fixed laterally onto the car roof cappings and/or 
car roof canals, respectively. 
Conventional carrier arrangements known from practice are composed 
essentially of carrying bows, which offer considerable flow resistance 
during vehicle movement. Also, due to the distance between the car roof 
and the carrier, such conventional carrier arrangements will cause 
turbulences that can result in a lifting of at least the roof carrier so 
that normal travel speeds, as compared to vehicles without such carrying 
bows, cannot be maintained for safety reasons. 
In order to reduce flow resistance during movement of the vehicle a 
suggestion has been made in the art to cover the respective carrying bows 
so as to improve the aerodynamics thereof. However, the covering in 
accordance with such prior art suggestion is not intended for carrying 
weight. 
Also, since such carrying bows are typically covered at a later time, this 
will result in the disadvantage that they must be specially adapted to a 
particular car type or to a particular carrying bow size in order to 
obtain the desired reduction of flow resistance. Very often the covering 
will also terminate above the car roof thus making it impossible to stop 
the undesired turbulences and the wind noises being incidental thereto. 
It is the object of the present invention to provide a carrier arrangement 
of the kind as mentioned above having simple construction without any 
additional covering so that the flow resistance of the carrier arrangement 
during movement of the vehicle will be considerably reduced. Furthermore, 
it is an object of the present invention to prevent the airstream from 
flowing underneath the carrier arrangement so that travel speed reduction 
will not become necessary. Moreover, the construction of the present 
invention is also easy to manufacture, does not require much maintenance 
during its service, and prevents damages to the carrier arrangement by 
corrosive attack. The carrier arrangement of the present invention is 
aesthetically attractive so that the general appearance of a motor vehicle 
equipped with the carrier arrangement is not essentially impaired. In 
addition thereto, mounting of a carrier arrangement of the present 
invention can also be accomplished on motor vehicles which do not have a 
roof canal. 
According to the present invention, the above objects are achieved by 
providing a pair of carrying members which are composed of a body resting 
on the car roof either indirectly or directly. The body on the side of the 
oncoming stream of air is ascendingly sloped starting from the car roof to 
reduce the resistance to air flow thereacross. In other words, the 
covering end on the roof side and on the side of the oncoming airstream is 
preferably wedge-shaped. Further, the carrying member preferably can also 
be provided as a cup-shaped hollow body open to the roof side, of which 
the surface on the side of the oncoming airstream to the motor vehicle 
defines an angle greater than 0. In such a manner, a spoiler-like shape is 
obtained. 
According to the present invention, a carrier arrangement is provided which 
has abandoned the concepts of conventional carrying bows and has 
completely replaced them by plastic bodies. The flow resistance of a motor 
vehicle having the carrier arrangement according to the invention is 
reduced as compared to conventional carrier arrangements due to the 
bodies' spoiler-like design. Since the carrying members are tightly 
resting upon the car roof, it is guaranteed that the air during travel 
cannot flow underneath them so that turbulences and disturbing travel wind 
noises are excluded. 
In addition thereto, lateral mounting on a bar can be provided due to the 
carrier elements resting directly on the roof which is not possible with 
conventional carriers or carriers having only expensive constructions when 
using carrying bows mounted a distance away from the roof. There is also 
the choice that the carrying members of the present invention can be fixed 
on the roof by means of countersunk nuts or thread bores, for example. 
A surrounding rubber strip is provided at least along the front and lateral 
contact surfaces of the carrying members in order to guarantee a safe and 
rigid seat for the spoiler-like bodies. Also the strip can be mounted on a 
rubber plate or the like. By virtue of the rubber strip or the rubber 
plate, a suction effect is obtained relative to the car roof so that a 
perfect seat is guaranteed. 
In one embodiment of the present invention, the carrying member is composed 
of a plate-shaped base member and in longitudinal direction of which is 
preferably defined a slit into which members of an aerodynamically sound 
configuration can be placed with their surfaces facing the oncoming 
airstream. Furthermore, supporting means for baggage grids, bicycle 
carriers, trunk boxes, surfboard supports or the like, can be provided so 
that the base member has its surface facing the roof of the motor vehicle 
while at least its front and side regions have a strip covering the front 
and lateral edges of the base member. 
Thus, the present invention with its base member resting on the car roof 
and provided with a rubber strip covering its front and lateral edges 
affords a body-adaptable roof plate which produces only minimum airstream 
resistance. Moreover, the present invention is not readily visible since a 
smooth surface is defined between the car roof and the base member so that 
no visual interruption (as is the case with conventional carrier 
arrangements) occurs. Thus, a conscious perception of the carrier 
arrangement of the present invention is not established. 
The base member is the initial structure upon which baggage grids, bicycle 
supports, trunk boxes, surfboard carriers or the like are mounted. In 
order that these members will not cause any negative influence on the air 
flow, members of aerodynamically sound configuration are detachably 
mounted on the base members. Thus, such aerodynamic members together with 
the base member and the surrounding rubber strip will define a 
wedge-shaped form. This will result in the aerodynamics being extremely 
stream-sound and thus will minimally influence the travelling behavior of 
a motor vehicle. 
Regardless of whether the carrying member is composed of a single 
homogeneous body with a rubber strip or of a base member with rubber strip 
members of aerodynamically sound configuration mounted thereon, the body 
or the base member can be fastened on the car roof either indirectly or 
directly (with or without the rubber strip) by means of fastening devices 
projecting laterally from the body or the base member, respectively, and 
being displaceable relative thereto. Thus, such fastening devices like 
hooks or claws for the load-carrying support in the lateral region of the 
car roof are provided and are preferably connected to one another by a 
pulling means, such as a tackle or a rod mechanism which is disposed 
inside the body, so that the distance of the fastening devices can be 
adjustable for adapting them to various car roofs by changing the length 
of the pulling means. This embodiment offers the advantage that an 
adaptation to different fastening places is possible for different vehicle 
types without changing the outer dimensions of the body or base member. Of 
course, the respective fastening devices should be made displaceable 
relative to the lateral faces of the body. In order to increase or 
decrease the distance between the fastening devices, one merely needs to 
shorten or lengthen the pulling means. As the load transfer takes place on 
the reinforced lateral region of the car roof, the direct resting of the 
carrier upon the car roof will not deform the roof. 
Preferably, the fastening devices are hinged to the pulling means exterior 
of the body or base member so that the pulling means can be manipulated to 
provide rough adjustment of the distance between the fastening devices. To 
permit such adjustment, first sections are movable against each other, of 
which one of the first sections includes projections while the other 
defines matching recesses. Precise adjustment of the fastening devices can 
be established by second sections which are preferably connected to one 
another by means of a counter-threaded sleeve. Thus, since the fine 
adjustment structures limit the torque, safe mounting on the car roof can 
be made without any resulting risk of deformation of the motor vehicle. 
The connection between the pulling means and the fastening means is 
articulated and thus guarantees in case of an accident that a sufficient 
force absorption will take place in this region so that the risk of 
unintended detaching of the carrier arrangement from the roof of a motor 
vehicle is practically impossible. 
The simple mounting of the carrier arrangement is therefore guaranteed by 
the pulling means having rigid sections being provided with the 
above-mentioned projections or recesses, respectively. The projections are 
displaceable along the recesses in one direction only and thus when the 
pulling means is shortened during rough adjustment, a desired distance 
between the fastening devices can be obtained and consequently adaptation 
to the respective width of the car roof is provided. 
After rough adjustment is established, fine adjustment of the pulling means 
can be made by manipulation with a tool of a counter-threaded sleeve. 
Since the pulling means is disposed inside of the body or the base member, 
the tool can be inserted through a slit defined in the body or base 
member, respectively. In order to prevent theft, the tool can have a 
special form and consequently the slit will also be of special form so 
that no access to the counter-thread sleeve is premitted with normal tools 
and/or wrenches. The counter-threaded sleeve, of course, can be replaced 
by any other suitable means with equal function. 
If the base member is an integral body with a rubber plate or rubber strip 
arranged on the face thereof, the body is then provided with several 
recesses for accommodating goods and/or supporting means for the goods. 
The recesses are preferably configured like slits, funnels, cones, or the 
like so that skis, for example, can be directly mounted therein. According 
to another embodiment, adapters can be placed in the recesses to serve as 
fastening means for e.g. baggage grids, surfboard carriers, bicycle 
supports or trunk boxes. Thus, one need only install the proper adapters 
in order to mount the required holding means for the objects to be 
transported. 
Due to the spoiler-like configuration of the carrier as well as the direct 
resting thereof on the car roof, there is the further advantage that e.g. 
ski bindings projecting between the carrying means are largely protected 
during transport so that additional protective devices are not required. 
This feature is due to the fact that the region between the holding means 
is sheltered from wind. 
In order to furnish safe fastening of the adapters or of objects directly 
placed into the recesses like skis for example, a locking device, 
preferably a rubber-metal tube-bow or a similar tubular member, is 
provided above the top region of the bodies. Preferably, the locking 
member is provided with a lock and key. In this regard, the locking 
device, on its free end, includes a projection insertable into the body 
and capable of being locked therein by means of a cylinder block. In 
addition thereto, the projection can be placed into a recess provided in 
the fastening means thereby providing an additional safeguard against 
theft. As an alternative, the locking device can also be composed of two 
sections linked in the center or substantially in the center of the top 
region of the body and to which the free ends thereof can be fixed, 
preferably with lock and key, in the respective rim regions of the body. 
In an embodiment of the present invention, a member having a U-shaped 
profile is imbedded in the base member for forming a slit wherein the free 
ends of the legs face each other. The slit is enlarged preferably in the 
region of the ends. One can then place the fastening means into the slit 
for baggage grids, surfboard supports or the like, as well as the mounting 
members of aerodynamically sound configuration having projections on the 
bottom surface so that lateral travel in the slits is initially permitted. 
The projections are designed in such a manner that removal is possible 
only in the region of the slit enlargements. As an alternative thereto, 
the projection on the bottom face can, of course, be pivoted by means of a 
mountable tool. Thus, the projection can assume two positions; e.g. in the 
first position the U-shaped member cannot be removed from the slit, 
whereas in the other position mounting or removal is possible. 
The mounting members with respect to each other, can be arranged in such a 
manner that they will contact each other and thus several mounting members 
will form a continuous unit. Alternately, the mounting members can be 
arranged at a distance relative to each other. The latter arrangement is 
an advantage if skis, for example, are to be transported in the space 
formed therebetween so that additional holding means will not be required. 
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the mounting 
members can be covered with at least one retaining clip. The clip is 
preferably U-shaped and on its free legs defines foot ends which 
approximately correspond to the dimension of the slits in their respective 
enlarged regions. This foot end section is followed by a tapered section 
in order to enable the cup to travel longitudinally along the slit. In 
other words, the foot end must first be inserted in the slit enlargement 
and moved in the direction of the bottom of the profile material in order 
to permit subsequent longitudinal displacement of the clip. 
Preferably, two such retaining clips sequentially are provided to span the 
mounting members. The vertically extending legs on the inner surface 
relative to the slit are preferably hinged to the remaining parts of the 
clip. This has the advantage that one leg of the clip can remain anchored 
in the slit, in order to permit removal of e.g. skis while the other leg 
is pivoted away to permit access to the skis. The angular adjustment of 
the horizontal and outer vertically disposed leg should be established by 
a prestressed spring so that a bias force will be exerted to only permit 
an angular adjustment of 45 so that the outer leg can be grasped and 
anchored again without any difficulties. 
In order to make the carrier theft-proof and equip it with only one lock, 
in a further embodiment of the present invention the slit enlargements are 
arranged at a distance inwardly to the ends of the slits so that the bows 
are displaceable into an end position of the slit in such a manner that 
only one of the slit englargements is accessible. A cylindrical lock can 
then be inserted into the accessible slit enlargement. In other words, the 
cups are moved in the slit in such a manner that after locking one of the 
slit enlargements, the cups cannot be further moved so that the foot ends 
cannot be removed from the other slit enlargement. 
To provide the mounting members with an aerodynamically-sound 
configuration, the mounting members are each wedge-shaped in cross 
section. The surface on the side of the oncoming air (front) is convex 
while the rear surface thereof is composed of two convex and/or almost 
rectilinear or rectilinear partial surfaces. The transition (in the form 
of steps) is horizontal or almost horizontal sections into which the 
horizontally disposed leg of the clip can be placed. 
As least at the front and lateral edges of the carrier are surrounded by a 
rubber strip. The respective front and lateral edges of the body or base 
member is steeply ascending starting from the horizontal and at an almost 
parallel position relative to the outer section of the car roof. The 
corresponding rubber strip, toward the roof side has an arched bottom 
surface for providing a suction effect, a front (longer) leg and a rear 
(shorter) leg. Thus, the outer surface of the rear leg is steeper than the 
outer surface of the front leg. Further, the legs terminate in a center 
region and define a hollow space so as to obtain a prestress in direction 
to the base member or the body. By the special design of the rubber strip, 
it is guaranteed that when the carrier rests upon the roof of a motor 
vehicle, it is practically immoveable. The legs and the center region 
defining the hollow space act as a shock absorber and thus it is 
guaranteed that the rubber strip itself will stabilize the carrier 
arrangement from forward movement upon impact of the vehicle so that it 
will not be dislodged therefrom. 
Further, the body or the base member can be cuplike hollow bodies which are 
preferably made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. There is also a 
possiblity that the body or the base member can be permanently fixed onto 
the roof by screws. 
In accordance with the present invention, a novel carrier arrangement is 
provided having only a minimal negative influence on the air resistance of 
a moving motor vehicle. Consequently, the driving comfort of a motor 
vehicle equipped with such a carrier will not be adversely affected. When 
compared to known roof carriers, the carrier arrangement according to the 
present invention will further result in energy savings and thus a 
reduction of fuel consumption. Moreover, the carrier arrangement of this 
invention can be mounted on motor vehicles which do not have any gutters 
or overlapping doors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 schematically shows a carrier arrangement 10, having front and rear 
carrying members 12 and 14, which are arranged so as to rest on a car roof 
16 and connected to the lateral bars 22 of the motor vehicle by fastening 
devices 18, 20 each of which are configured like claws. According to this 
embodiment, the carrying members 12 and 14 are designed as cuplike hollow 
bodies open to the roof surface and are preferably made of a plastic 
material. Furthermore, carrying members 12, 14 are wedge-shaped on the 
side of the oncoming airstream for reducing the air resistance during 
travel and thus each defines a ramp-like upstream surface 24, 26, 
respectively. In other words, each upstream surface 24, 26 is essentially 
inclined at an acute angle relative to the car roof 16. Between the 
bearing edges or contact extremities 28, 30 of the carrying members 12, 
14, respectively, (which in practice can also be designed as solid bodies 
or hollow bodies closed on the side facing the roof) and the roof surface 
16 of the motor vehicle, there is preferably arranged a surrounding rubber 
strip 32, 34, to prevent damage due to members 12, 14 resting on the car 
roof 16. At the same time, the hollow members 12, 14 are thus acting as a 
suction means whereby an additional stabilization and nonskid property is 
established. In order to be able to transport articles such as skis 36 as 
indicated in the drawings by means of the carrier arrangement 10, carrying 
members 12, 14 are provided with recesses 38, 40 formed therein like slits 
and arranged along the carrying means in the longitudinal direction of the 
motor vehicle. Thus, the slits 38, 40 preferably extend into the region of 
the bearing edges 28, 30. If the skis 36 are then placed in coordinated 
recesses 38, 40, then not only can a safe transport thereof be guaranteed 
but at the same time the ski-binding 42 positioned between the carrying 
means 12 and 14 is thus protected against the air flow so that additional 
protective measures need not be taken. 
Due to the spoiler-like design of the members 12, 14 and the direct resting 
thereof on the car roof 16, it is guaranteed that the air resistance 
during travel is reduced as compared to roof carriers having conventional 
carrying bows. Moreover the air can no longer flow underneath the members 
12, 14 thus preventing undesired lifting thereof and/or a generation of 
air turbulences. Also due to the compact arrangement 10, which rests 
directly on the car roof 16, the stylistic design of a vehicle equipped in 
such a manner will remain unchanged to a greater extent so that even when 
looking at it from an aesthetic point of view, the arrangement according 
to the present invention offers an attractive appearance. 
In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, skis are placed in respective 
pairs of slits 38, 40. However, in another embodiment of the present 
invention, adapters can be provided which serve as initial fastening means 
for e.g. ski boxes, baggage grids, surfboard holders, bicycle racks or 
trunk boxes. Consequently, by means of the carrier arrangement 10 
according to the present invention, a basic component system is made 
available which can be easily re-equipped and/or adapted to any desired 
transport requirements without having to change the advantageous 
aerodynamics of the carrier arrangement. 
From the embodiment according to FIG. 2, further constructions of the 
carrier arrangement 10 according to the present invention will become 
apparent, wherein like structure shown in FIG. 2 and described in 
connection with FIG. 1 will be indicated by the same reference numbers. 
The spoiler-like members 12, 14 are attached to bar 44 of vehicle roof 16 
by means of fastening devices 46, 48, respectively. In addition, locking 
means 50, 52 are provided at the top region of members 12, 14 and each 
includes two rubber-metal tube-bows 54, 56 and 58, 60, respectively, 
arranged in the center relative to the members 12, 14. In order to be able 
to place adapters (not shown) or the skis 36 into paired recesses 38, 40, 
the rubber bows 54, 56 and 58, 60 are folded upwardly so as to provide 
access to recesses 38, 40 in members 12, 14. Subsequently, the bows can be 
folded back into engagement with the members 12, 14 and can be locked in 
such position by means of cylinder block 62 so as to provide theft-proof 
transport of the objects placed in the bodies 12, 14. 
For convenience, the theft-proof catch of the locking means 50, 52 will be 
explained only in connection with bow 60 of member 14. Thus, at the free 
end of the bow 60, a flange projection 64 is disposed in such a manner 
that in its rest position on member 14, penetration of cylinder block 62 
occurs so that the cylinder block 62 can catch and hold it. Preferably, 
the flange projection 64 at the same time will interact with the fastening 
means 48, so that when the bow 60 is secured, it is likewise impossible to 
remove hook 48. Thus, the carrying member 14 itself is secured against 
unauthorized removal. 
A further preferred embodiment of the carrying means according to the 
invention is illustrated especially in connection with the member 12 of 
FIG. 2. As shown, the fastening devices or hooks 46 and 48 are connected 
to each other via a pulling means 65, of which the length can be changed 
by a stretching means such as a counter-threaded sleeve (see FIG. 6). This 
structure provides the advantage that the members 12, 14 according to the 
present invention can be mounted on the roofs of motor vehicles of 
different sizes without necessitating a modification of their 
construction. If the distance between the hooks 46, 48 needs to be 
increased, one merely needs to lengthen the pulling means 65 by 
manipulating the counter-threaded sleeve (see FIG. 6) in order to 
guarantee safe mounting. The stretching means is preferably accessible via 
a recess 38, 40 in order to ensure that the object placed therein for 
transportation (in this embodiment for example, the skis 36) will not be 
unintentionally removed to thus provide an additional theft proof 
capabilities. 
Further, it should be noted that locking means 50, 52 are provided so that 
they can be placed in concave recesses which are preferably arranged in 
the head region of the carrying members 12, 14, in order to enable secure 
guiding and fixing thereof. At the same time, a continuous surface between 
the upstream surface of the members 12, 14 and that of the locking means 
can be established so that the aerodynamically sound form is maintained. 
Member 12 according to the FIG. 2 embodiment further has a drawn-in back 
wall surface 63 serving as a wind-breaking edge to guarantee that the 
airstream will not enter the inside of the motor vehicle to a disturbing 
extent in event that an existing sunroof is open. 
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of the carrier arrangement 10 according 
to the present invention which is defined by members 12, 14 of 
aerodynamically sound design which rest directly on the roof by virtue of 
rubber strip 30. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 however relate to 
alternatives of special interest. In the FIGS. 3-9 embodiments, each 
carrying means comprises a plate-shaped base member 68 having a housing 
member 94 extending in the longitudinal direction. Housing member 94 
preferably defines a longitudinal slit 96 into which hump-like members 72 
of aerodynamically sound configuration can be detachably mounted. The base 
member 68 on its front and lateral border 112 includes a surrounding 
rubber strip 70, the design of which will be described in more detail in 
connection with FIG. 8 below. The rubber strip 70 and the plate-shaped 
base member 68 are called a body-adaptable roofplate and consequently 
establish the base for the carrier arrangement of the present invention. 
Together, the base member 68 and rubber strip 70 will only negligibly 
influence the airstream resistance of a motor vehicle due to their small 
overall height. Moreover, member 68 and strip 70 will be visually 
unnoticable and this effect can even be further improved by matching the 
color of the base member 68 to that of the motor vehicle. 
The base plate 68 is mounted on the roof of the motor vehicle by fastening 
means which project from the side faces thereof a predetermined distance 
to the car roof and are movable relative thereto so that the load-carrying 
support will take place in the lateral region of the car roof. In such a 
manner, the roof will not experience deformation or bending despite the 
base member 68 resting directly thereon. Moreover, mounting on a roof made 
of plastic or acrylglass is now possible without any risk of damage. 
The fastening means essentially include a hook or claw-shaped outer member 
88 having a free end 92 which can link with a bar (not shown) or a roof 
canal of a motor vehicle. The hook 88 has attached thereto a flexible 
connector 86 which can also be rigid if desired. Guide 84 on the sides of 
the base member 68 accepts and holds connector 86 therein. Moreover, 
connector 86 can be stretched therein by means of adjustment means which 
will be explained below in connection with FIG. 6. 
The hinged joint 90 permits rotation between the hook 88 and the connector 
86 and offers the advantage that in case of an accident, force absorption 
in the region of the joint will take place in such a manner that the hook 
88 will not become dislodged. 
In order that the base member 68 can support loads without essentially 
influencing the aerodynamics and thus can carry baggage grids, bicycle 
racks, trunk boxes or surfboard holders, plural members 72 of 
aerodynamically sound configuration are placed in slit 96. Slit 96 is part 
of the housing arrangement 94 which is embedded in the base member 68 and 
is preferably composed of a U-shaped profile material with the free ends 
of its legs facing each other. Further, it can be seen that in the outer 
border regions of the housing arrangement 94, an enlargement of the slit 
98 is provided, the function of which will be described in more detail 
below. 
Members 72 can be detachably mounted in the slit 96 and can either be 
positioned so as to be contiguous or spaced apart at a distance between 
each other. If the members 72 have a distance between each other, this 
distance can be selected in such a manner that goods such as skis can be 
arranged in the space defined between adjacent sides of members 72. 
Members 72, preferably of wedge-shaped cross section, each defines a convex 
surface on the side of the oncoming airstream, which surface establishes 
two rear areas 108 and 110 being staggered relative to each other. Areas 
108, 110 can likewise be convex, straight lined or almost straight-lined. 
The connecting surface between the areas 108, 110 is preferably a 
horizontally extending step 106. In this context it should be noted that 
the members to be arranged on the front or rear base member should not be 
of identical design. A horizontal leg 116 of U-shaped clips 74, 76 is 
disposed along step 106 in order to guarantee on the one hand immobility 
of members and, on the other hand, to secure against unauthorized removal 
the skis or the like goods which have been placed in the spaces between 
adjacent ones of members 72. 
U-shaped clips 74, 76 include foot ends 78 which are configured so as to 
approximately correspond to the slit enlargements 98. In other words, the 
foot end 78 is insertable into the slit enlargement 98 and can then be 
moved towards the bottom of the housing arrangement 94 so that travel 
along the slit 96 can be effected. For this purpose the foot end 78 
defines a taper region 80. Consequently the depth of the taper region 80 
is equal to the width of the slit 96 and the height of the taper region 80 
equals approximately the thickness of the profile material which 
establishes the slit 96. The taper region 80 is followed by a vertically 
extending leg 82 of the U-shaped clips 74 or 76. In the enlarged view of 
FIG. 3 this vertically extending leg has been generally designated by the 
reference number 82 and corresponds to the leg 114 or 118. 
The plural members 72 and the clips 74, 76 are mounted in the following 
manner. The foot end of the vertically extending leg 114 is first placed 
into the slit enlargement 98 and moved along the slit 96. Subsequently, 
members 72 which have projections (not shown) on their base (bottom) area 
can be pushed into the housing arrangement 94 in such a manner that 
unintended removal thereof is not possible. After the members 72 have been 
mounted at the desired distance apart from one another, the foot end of 
the outer vertically extending leg 118 can be inserted in the slit 
enlargement 98 so that the horizontally extending leg 116 will rest on the 
horizontal section or steps of the members 72. Thereafter, the clip 76 can 
be moved in a direction towards the outer end of the housing arrangement 
94 so that the foot end 114 is no longer in alignment with the slit 
enlargement 98 and consequently removal of the clip 76 is impossible. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, two clips 74 and 76 are provided for fastening 
the means 72. Of course, a single bow can also perform the same function. 
As soon as the clips 74 and 76 have been fixed with respect to the members 
72 which they must span, the clips 74, 76 according to the indicated 
arrow, can be moved to the right or to the left in slit 96. The 
longitudinal extension of the clips 74 and 76 is chosen in such a manner 
that when an end position is reached (i.e. when the left vertically 
extending leg of the clip 74 and its respective foot has been moved 
completely to the left or when the foot of leg 118 has been completely 
moved to the right), on the one hand the clips 74, 76 can no longer be 
removed from the slit 96 and, on the other hand, the slit enlargement 98 
adjacent each end position is accessable so that it can be provided with a 
lock, for example. Thus, to secure the load or the load carrying means 
mounted on the base member against theft, only one locking device such as 
a lock is required for each carrying means, whereas the conventional 
carrying means typically requires a locking device on each side thereof. 
Of course, in order to obtain this advantage it is necessary that the 
change of distance of the flexible connector 86 and hook 88 projecting 
from the side faces of the base member 68 can only be made if the pulling 
means (not shown in FIG. 3 but explained in more detail in connection with 
FIG. 6) is adjustable by reciprocal action with a tool that can be 
inserted into the interior of the base member 68. In the embodiment of 
FIGS. 3-9, this is accomplished through a slit 102 being covered by one of 
the members 72 in its final mounted position relative base member 68 by 
virtue of the clips 74 and 76. Further, it should be noted that the tool 
for adjusting the pulling means is preferably of a special design and 
consequently the slit 102 is shaped in adaptation thereto so that the 
pulling means cannot be manipulated with standard tools to thus provide 
theft deterrance even if no member 72 is mounted thereon. Likewise it is 
possible that the members 72 should not be completely inserted into the 
housing arrangement 94 via the slit enlargement 98. This function can be 
achieved by providing ramp-shaped passages 100 defined by recesses in the 
base member 68 adjacent to the outer ends of the housing arrangement 96. 
Concerning the following description of FIGS. 4 and 9, it should be noted 
that relative to FIG. 3, the same structural elements are identified by 
the same reference numbers. FIG. 4 represents a schematic view of a 
carrier arrangement 114 which includes a front carrying element 116 and a 
rear carrying element 118. Each carrying element 116, 118 is provided with 
a superstructure as described in FIG. 3. The same is applicable with 
respect to the fastening on the roof of the motor vehicle 122. Thus, the 
hooks or claws 88 back-grasp the lateral bars or edges of the roof 122. 
In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the carrier arrangement 114 serves as a 
receptable for a baggage grid 120. To this end, projections (not shown) 
engage the slits 96 of the housing arrangement 94. In addition thereto the 
front carrying element 114 is provided with the members 72 of 
aerodynamically sound configuration so that a negative influence on the 
aerodynamics of the baggage grid 120 and, eventually, the good lodged 
therein is not established. For this purpose, the members 72 on the front 
base member are arranged contiguously adjacent to each other (and thus are 
not spaced apart relative to each other) so as to define an endless or 
monolithic surface. That is, the base member 68 together with its 
enclosing rubber support 70 and the members 72 will approximately define a 
body as has been described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 
and 2. The rear carrying element 118 in the view of FIG. 4 is not provided 
with the members 72, but it should be understood that respective members 
similar to members 72 can be provided therewith if deemed desirable or 
necessary. Of course, such similar members arranged on the carrying 
element 118 should not be identical to those of the front members 72. It 
is likewise apparent from the view of FIG. 4 that the slit 102 defined in 
the front base member 68 for adjusting the fastening means 88 is covered 
by an element 72, whereas the slit 102 provided on the rear base member 68 
is unobstructed. However, this is not a danger spot for theft since, on 
the one hand, the front carrying element 116 is theft-proof and, on the 
other hand, as mentioned before, the slit 102 is preferably of special 
configuration so that a standard tool cannot be inserted therein. 
FIG. 5 shows a carrier arrangement 124 which is intended for a passenger 
car with two side doors and which does not have roof canals. Thus, the 
hooks 88 must embrace the roof edges. It follows then that only the front 
carrying element 126 can be fastened on the roof of the motor vehicle in a 
manner as has been described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 3 
and 4. According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the rear carrying element 
128 is connected with the front carrying element 126 by bracings 130 and 
132 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. 
Further bracings 134 and 136 extend into the tail region of the motor 
vehicle to be fastened there if a tail door is available, in the upper 
frame region of the tail door opening. The bracings 130, 132 or 134, 136 
can likewise be connected via pulling means arranged in the inside of the 
base member so that ready adaptation to different types of cars is 
possible and so that the distance between the front and the rear carrying 
elements 126, 128, respectively, is freely adjustable. In all other 
respects the construction of the carrying elements 126, 128 is equivalent 
to that as shown in FIG. 3. 
As the carrier arrangement 124 according to FIG. 5 is shown from the back, 
it is clearly visible that the base members 68 are of cuplike design by 
omitting the pulled-down rear edge. It can also be noticed that the rubber 
strip 70 encloses the pulled-down lateral edges and the front edge 
thereof. Among other things, this has the advantage that material saving 
will result without influencing the functional efficiency. Moreover, there 
is no closed hollow space underneath the base member 68 which eventually 
could lead to rust formation on the car roof in this area. 
The fastening means required for mounting the base member 68 are shown in 
more detail in sectional view in FIG. 6. In this context it should be 
mentioned that the same fastening means, or course, can likewise be used 
for the embodiments according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 
and 2 herewith. 
It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the adjusting means 138 (having been 
mentioned before several times already) passes through base member 68 and 
is of rigid configuration on its front end. The ends of adjusting means 
138 are led to the outside via the guide 84 and are connected to a 
respective one of hoods 88 which grasp the roof by their free ends 92. 
Further, the passage between the rigid part 86 of the adjusting means 138 
and the hook 88 is the articulated joint 90 in order to enable the 
mentioned force absorption in case of an accident. The rigid section 86 is 
sequentially followed by flexible sections 140 and 142 being connected 
with each other via a screw socket 144. The flexible section 142 is then 
followed by rigid sections 146 and 148, of which the section 146 is 
provided with projections 150 and the section 148 with corresponding 
recesses 152. Section 148 can then again continue in a flexible section in 
order to end in a section corresponding to the section 86 described above. 
As an alternative, the right free end of the section 148 can be the 
outward projection section. 
Sections 146 and 148 having registrable projections 150 and recesses 152 
permit rough adjustment of the distance between the outward projecting 
hooks 88. To this end, section 148 must first be detached from the section 
146 in order to obtain the proper rough distance between the hooks 88 that 
is somewhat greater than the fastening points on the roof of the motor 
vehicle. Subsequently, section 148 is moved in the direction of the arrow 
154 so that the recesses 152 will register with the projections 150. Since 
the projections 150 are shaped like barbs, the section 148 can be moved in 
the direction of the arrow 154 without any resistance. Should section 148 
be moved against the direction of arrow 154, the projections 150 will 
firmly catch in the recesses 152. 
After a rough adjustment has been accomplished by cooperation of the 
sections 146, 148 respectively having the projections and recesses 150, 
152, the final distance between the hooks 88 can now be adjusted by means 
of the counter-screw socket 144 connecting the threaded portions, 144a and 
144b of flexible sections 140, 142, respectively. In order to make this 
possible, the counter-screw socket 144 is preferably manipulated by a 
wrench of special design, which can be inserted into the inside of the 
base member 68 or the members 12, 14 through the slit 102, which has 
already been mentioned in connection with the FIGS. 3 and 4 embodiment. 
The counterscrew socket should have a limit stop to the torque influence 
of the tool in order to exclude over tightening thereof which could cause 
eventual deformation of the roof of the motor vehicle. 
By the construction of the pulling means 138 according to the present 
invention, the outward extending connector 86 and hook 88 and their 
articulated joint 90 are coupled together for easy handling. Moreover, an 
extremely functionally competent and safely working fastening means is 
provided for fastening the carrying means according to the present 
invention onto the roof of a motor vehicle. 
In order to use the carrier arrangement for motor vehicles having 
overlapping door constructions, the fastening means projecting from the 
base member 68 or the bodies 12 and 14 can be designed in such a manner as 
shown in FIG. 7. As can be seen from the detail view, a car door 156 and 
the adjacent frame 158, cooperate so that the upper end of the door 156 is 
continuously curved toward the roof 158 of the motor vehicle. In such a 
case, the kind of fastening as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 
would not be possible. However, in order to ensure that the carrier 
arrangement according to the present invention can be used for such motor 
vehicles, the free end of the fastening means 160 is designed in such a 
manner that preferably the free end will have a U-shaped groove into which 
a prjection 164 on the frame of the motor vehicle can be placed. Thus, 
firm support of the carrying means with the pulling means stretched is 
guaranteed without requiring any additional safety devices. By a suitable 
kind of fastening, there will be an additional safeguard against theft, 
since the fastening point is covered by the upper edge of the door 156 and 
thus not freely accessible. 
FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the rubber strip 70 enclosing at least the 
lateral edges and the front edge 112 of the base member 68 or of the 
members 12 and 14, in order to more clearly illustrate the essential 
features of the invention. 
Insertred edge 112 includes an outer section 176 which transforms into a 
steeply ascending section 166. The rubber strip 70 has a curved bottom 
region 172 terminating in a front leg 174 and a rear leg 170, front leg 
174 being longer than rear leg 170. Due to the curvature of the bottom 
region 172, a suction effect is created thus improving the immobility of 
the rubber strip 70 in which the base member 68 or the members 12 and 14 
are placed. 
Further, the outer surface of the rear leg 170 is preferably made steeper 
than the wavy-shaped outer surface of the front leg 174. Between the 
curved bottom region 172 and the L-shaped recess for the edge 176 of the 
base member 112 there is also provided a hollow space 168 serving as a 
shock absorber. Finally, the front leg 174, in the region of the edge 112, 
has a reinforcement 178, which on the one hand conforms to the change in 
configuration of edge 112 from the horizontal to the vertical and, on the 
other hand, guarantees that the leg 174 will be prestressed in the 
direction of the edge 112. If there is then an increased force influence 
in the direction of the front leg 174 then the hollow space 168 brings 
about a force absorption and the hump-like reinforcement 178 resists such 
increased force thus eliminating the possibility that the edge 112 will 
slip out from the rubber strip 70. 
Finally, in perspective view, FIG. 9 presents a further embodiment of a 
carrier arrangement 180 being essentially composed of those elements as 
shown in connection with FIG. 4. Here, however, the front carrier element 
182 has an interchangeable part 192 designed as an indicating sign like 
"Taxi" or as advertising signs or the like. This interchangeable part 192 
is likewise of aerodynamically sound configuration so that no negative 
influence will be exercised on the advantages achieved by the present 
invention, such as the advantageous aerodynamics, simple construction, as 
well as energy savings and thus fuel economy directly related thereto. 
Further, the front carrying element 182 is provided with slit-shaped 
recesses 188 into which parts of a baggage grid 190 can be placed. The 
rear carrying element 184 is equivalent in all respects to the 
construction of the FIG. 3 embodiment in that alongside of the base member 
68 there are inserted the members 186, which correspond to the members 72. 
A distance is provided between the members 186 in order that the ends of 
the baggage grid 190 can be placed into the slit (not shown) of the base 
member 68. 
In these embodiments the front carrying means 130 was given an outline of 
gentle ascent starting from the outside. However, it goes without saying 
that any other configuration can likewise be chosen that will provide the 
desired positive influence on the airstream. 
By the illustration in FIG. 9 it is again demonstrated how various the 
fields of application are for the carrier arrangement according to the 
present invention. Although the above-described emobidments may only show 
a small sector of the field of application of the present invention, it 
should nevertheless be appreciated that modifications can be made thereto 
which modifications shall be accorded the broadest interpretation of the 
following claims.