Multi-position, articulating vehicle article carrier apparatus

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier apparatus (10) includes a pair of side rails (14) which are adapted to be fixedly secured to a roof portion (12a) of a vehicle (12). A pair of articulating mechanisms (18) allow a cargo supporting structure (20) coupled thereto to be disposed over a liftgate (12b) of the vehicle (12) and secured to latching assemblies (32) mounted in a rear bumper (34) of the vehicle (12). The articulating mechanisms (18) maintain the cargo supporting structure (20) fixedly secured against movement when the cargo supporting structure (20) is in a lowered position over the liftgate (12b). When the cargo supporting structure (20) is lifted into an intermediate position, each of the articulating mechanisms (18) automatically unlock, thus allowing the entire cargo supporting structure (20) to be urged into a position over the roof (12a) of the vehicle (12). Upper locking assemblies allow the cargo supporting structure (20) to be secured fixedly on top of the vehicle (12). Unlocking of the cargo supporting structure (20) from either the bumper (34) or the upper locking assemblies is accomplished by a user grasping and rotating an actuator rod assembly (Fig. 2).

Description: The invention relates to a vehicle article carrier apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an apparatus is known from US-A-5 690 259. From this document, a modular bicycle rack system is known that has a pair of rooftop transverse load bars that are spaced along the length of the vehicle. The rack system includes a base that is connected with the transverse load bars, and which may be one or more rail members, a slide connected in sliding engagement with the base to slide between a forward and a rearward position, a frame that is pivotally connected with the slide to pivot between an upper and a lower position, and which may be a channel member, and a clamp that connects between the base and the frame. A hanger releasably locks onto the frame to hang a bicycle on the frame when the frame is in the lower position. The known modular bicycle rack system shall allow to fix a bicycle on the hanger when being in a vertical, rearward position and to articulate the bicycle into a horizontal position and to slide it into a forward position on top of the roof of the vehicle. Similar vehicle carrier systems are known from US-A-5 649 655, US-A-5 505 579 and US-A-5 417 358. The systems illustrated in the above-mentioned patents typically suffer from one or more drawbacks. Often, such systems are complex to manufacture, and are, therefore, costly. With some of such devices, they cannot be left in a "lowered position", but rather must be maintained in a retracted position on top of the vehicle roof. Some also do not allow for convenient opening of the liftgate of a vehicle when the cargo supporting portion is in its lowered position. In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a vehicle article carrier having a cargo supporting structure which can be articulated between a first position, when the cargo supporting structure extends down alongside a portion of the vehicle, such as over the lift-gate of the vehicle, and a second position in which the cargo supporting structure is supported over the roof of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle article carrier shall allow an easy and safe operation when loading an article to the carrier. This object is achieved by a vehicle article carrier according to claim 1. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a pair of side rails adapted to be fixedly disposed on a roof portion of a vehicle such as a station wagon, sport utility vehicle (SUV) or minivan. The side rails each include channels for receiving articulating assemblies which are slidably disposed on the side rails. Pivotally secured to the articulating assemblies is a cargo supporting structure. The cargo supporting structure includes at least one, but preferably a pair, of cross bars for supporting cargo thereon. The cargo supporting structure may be secured at its free end to a portion of the vehicle such as the bumper or even portions of the vehicle body extending alongside the liftgate. The cargo supporting structure includes an actuator bar assembly disposed adjacent to its free end which may be grasped with one hand by an individual and turned. This simultaneously unlocks at least one, but preferably a pair, of locking mechanisms which otherwise secure the free end of the cargo supporting structure to the bumper or vehicle body. Once unlocked, the cargo supporting structure can be lifted upwardly to an intermediate position extending generally parallel to the roof portion of the vehicle. Once in this position, a camming mechanism associated with the articulating assembly automatically unlocks the articulating assembly such that the entire articulating assembly and cargo supporting structure can be moved slidably along the side rails onto the roof portion of the vehicle. Once disposed over the roof portion, the free end of the'cargo supporting structure can be secured to a pair of locking assemblies associated with each of the side rails. It is an advantage of the vehicle article carrier of the present invention that the end of the cargo supporting structure pivotally secured to the articulating assemblies is locked against movement until the entire cargo supporting structure is lifted into the intermediate position, whereupon automatic unlocking of the articulating assemblies occurs. Thus, the cargo supporting structure is held fixedly in a very stable position whether it is disposed over the liftgate of the vehicle (i.e., in a "lowered" position) or on top of the vehicle. Accordingly, cargo can be loaded and supported on the cargo supporting structure not only while the structure is disposed on top of the vehicle, but while the cargo supporting structure is disposed in its lowered position over the liftgate. Being able to load and unload cargo while the cargo supporting structure is in its lowered position adds significantly to the ease in loading cargo on and unloading cargo from the article carrier. It is also an important advantage of the present invention that the article carrier thereof does not interfere with opening and closing of the liftgate once the cargo supporting structure is unlocked from the bumper or body portion of the vehicle. Thus, access can be gained to the interior of the vehicle through the liftgate quickly and easily, and even while cargo is secured to the cargo supporting structure. All that is required is for the user to manually rotate the actuator bar assembly to unlock the free end of a cargo supporting structure from the bumper or body of the vehicle, lift the cargo supporting structure into the intermediate position and then slide it forwardly over the roof of the vehicle. The multi-position, articulating, vehicle article carrier of the present invention thus provides an easy and convenient means of loading cargo onto a portion of the article carrier and transporting the cargo either over the liftgate of the vehicle or on top of the vehicle. The cargo supporting structure of the vehicle article carrier is further lightweight, easily articulated by a single person, and provides significant added ease in loading, positioning and unloading cargo onto and off of the vehicle article carrier. The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and subjoined claims and by referencing the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a vehicle illustrating a preferred embodiment of a multi-position, articulating, article carrier apparatus in accordance with the present invention secured to the outer body surface of the vehicle, with the apparatus in a first or lowered position; Figure 2 is a view of the apparatus and vehicle shown in Figure 1 with the apparatus disposed in an intermediate position about to be urged over a roof portion of the vehicle; Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the apparatus in a second position in which a cargo supporting structure thereof is disposed over the roof portion of the vehicle; Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the latching assemblies secured to a support beam on the rear bumper of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross sectional side view of the free end of the cargo supporting structure secured to the latching assembly, taken in accordance with section line 5-5 in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a cross sectional side view of the latching assembly of Figure 5 with the lower locking assembly of the cargo supporting structure unlatched therefrom and ready to be lifted away from the bumper; Figure 6a is a fragmentary side, cross-sectional view of the latching lever of Figure 5 engaging the latching assembly as the latching lever is urged into the latching assembly; Figure 7 is a perspective fragmentary view of a portion of the torque rod assembly of the cargo supporting structure illustrating one of the lower locking assemblies at one end of the torque rod assembly; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the torque rod assembly shown in Figure 7 taken in accordance with section line 8-8 in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the torque rod assembly taken in accordance with section line 9-9 in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a plan view of the rear portion of one of the side rails also showing the articulating assembly and a small portion of the cargo supporting structure; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the articulating assembly and the rearmost end portion of one of the side rails; Figure 11 a is a plarf view of an end portion of the articulating assembly illustrating the pair of rollers that are used for enabling rolling movement of the articulating assembly along its associated side rail; Figure 12 is a side view of the articulating assembly when the cargo supporting structure is disposed in the lowered position shown in Figure 1; Figure 13 is a side view of the articulating assembly when the cargo supporting structure is moved into the intermediate position shown in Figure 2; Figure 14 is a cross sectional side view of the articulating assembly in accordance with section line 14-14 in Figure 10, when the cargo supporting structure is in the lowered position of Figure 1; Figure 15 is a cross sectional side view of the articulating assembly of Figure 14 with the cargo supporting structure raised into the intermediate position of Figure 2; Figure 16 is a partial cross sectional view of the side rail taken in accordance with section line 16-16 in Figure 11; Figure 17 is a cross sectional side view of the upper locking assembly of one of the rear supports, taken in accordance with section line 17-17 in Figure 3; Figure 18 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the article carrier of Figure 18 with the cargo supporting structure thereof in a lowered position; Figure 20 is a perspective view of another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 21 is a perspective view of the article carrier of Figure 20 with the cargo supporting structure thereof in the lowered position. Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a multi-position, articulating, vehicle article carrier apparatus 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 is shown secured to a roof portion 12a of a motor vehicle 12. While the motor vehicle 12 is illustrated as a sport utility vehicle (SUV), it will be appreciated that the apparatus 10 could also be used with minivans, station wagons, and a wide variety of other vehicles, and is therefore not limited to use with any particular type of vehicle. The apparatus 10 includes a pair of side rails 14 which are adapted to be fixedly secured to the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. Each side rail 14 includes a rear support 16 and a front support 17 which support a main portion 14a of the side rail 14 above the roof portion 12a. Each of the main portions 14a of each side rail 14 comprise C-shaped channels. A pair of articulating mechanisms 18 are engaged with the side rails 14 so as to be movable along each of the side rails 14. The articulating mechanisms 18 are pivotably secured to a cargo supporting structure 20. The cargo supporting structure 20 includes a frame comprised of side members 22, a transversely extending top frame member 24 and an actuator bar assembly 26. At least one cross bar 25, and more preferably a pair of cross bars 25, are disposed on the cargo supporting structure 20 to extend between the side members 22. The cross bars 25 may be fixedly secured to the side members 22 or clamping assemblies or other means may be employed to permit adjustable positioning of the cross bars 25 along the side members 22. Securing straps such as bungee cords may be used to secure cargo on the cross bars 25. A lower or free end 28 of the cargo supporting structure 20 includes a pair of lower locking assemblies 30. These lower locking assemblies 30 are each adapted to latch with a corresponding pair of latching assemblies 32 disposed within a rear bumper 34 of the vehicle 12. Referring to Figures 1-3, the apparatus 10 can be secured in a first or lowered position disposed over a liftgate 12b, as shown in Figure 1. In this position cargo can be carried on the cargo supporting structure 20 through the use of suitable fastening straps or bungee cords or like components which secure the cargo to the cross bars 25. In Figure 2, the cargo supporting structure 20 is shown after same has been raised into an intermediate position. This is accomplished by a user actuating the actuator bar assembly 26 to release the lower locking assemblies 30 from the latching assemblies 32, and then lifting upwardly on the free end 28 of the cargo supporting structure 20. Figure 3 shows the cargo supporting structure 20 after same has been slid forwardly over the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. In this position the lower locking assemblies 30 can be locked to a corresponding pair of upper locking assemblies 36 associated with the two rear supports 16. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, one of the latching assemblies 32 is shown. The latching assembly 32 includes a main body portion 38 and a latching door 40 pivotably secured by a pivot pin 42 to the main body portion 38. The latching door 40 includes a lower end 44 which is biased by a spring 46 secured to a transversely extending pin 50. Thus, the latching door 40 is constantly biased into the closed position shown in Figure 4. A base portion 52 allows the main body portion 38 to be secured to a structural frame member 54 disposed within the bumper 34. The base portion 52 is preferably secured to the structural member 54 by a plurality of threaded fastening members 58 extending through apertures 52a in the base portion 52. An upper wall 56 of the main body portion 38 sits generally flush with an upper outer surface of the bumper 34 to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance whether or not the cargo supporting structure 20 is in the lowered position shown in Figure 1. Referring now to Figures 7-9, the actuator bar assembly 26 will be described. Referring specifically to Figures 7 and 8, the actuator bar assembly 26 includes a centrally disposed, manually graspable and rotatable member 60. Rotatable member 60 is disposed over a first sleeve portion 62 and supported by a pair of support rings 64 which are also disposed over the first sleeve 62. The first sleeve 62 extends completely to each opposite end 66 of the actuator bar assembly 26 and is secured by at least one fastening member 68 within an end cap portion 70. A free wheeling sleeve 72 is disposed on each side of the rotatable sleeve 60 inbetween one of the supports 64 and one of the end cap portions 70. The free wheeling sleeve 72 rotates freely while being grasped when the free end 28 of the cargo supporting structure 20 is lifted from the lowered position of Figure 1 into the intermediate position of Figure 2. With further reference to Figures 8 and 9, the rotatable sleeve 60 is secured to a torque rod 76 via a threaded member 74 which extends into a threaded bore 76a in the torque rod 76. A spacer sleeve 78 (also shown in Figure 7) also receives the threaded member 74 therethrough. The first sleeve 62 includes a slot 80 extending over an arc of slightly greater than 90°. Slot 80 permits the rotatable sleeve 60 and the threaded member 74 to be rotated without interference from the first sleeve 62. Thus, when the rotatable sleeve 60 is rotated, this rotational movement is transmitted to the torque rod 76. With specific reference to Figure 7, each opposite end of the torque rod 76 includes a half moon shaped protrusion 82 which forms a camming surface 82a. Camming surface 82a is used to control locking and unlocking of its associated lower locking assembly 30, which will be described momentarily. It will thus be appreciated that the actuator bar assembly 26 allows an unlocking action to be effected which releases the two lower locking assemblies 30 simultaneously from their respective latching assemblies 32 simply through a short twisting motion of the rotatable sleeve 60. Thus, unlocking of the actuator rod assembly 26 from the lower locking assemblies 32 can be effected with only one hand of a user and with a simple, short and convenient rotational movement of the rotatable sleeve 60. Referring now to Figures 5-7, the construction and operation of one of the pair of lower locking assemblies 30 will be described. Each lower locking assembly 30 includes a latching lever 84 having an upper end 86 and a lower end 88. The latching lever 84 is pivotally mounted via a pivot pin 90 which extends through an aperture 92 in the lever 84 and also through a main body portion 94 which partially encloses the latching lever 84. With specific reference to Figure 5, a spring 96 is disposed against an inside surface 22a of a tubular portion 22b of the side member 22, and extends through an opening 100 in the main body portion 94 into a notch 98 formed in the latching lever 84. The spring 96 biases the lower end 88 of the latching lever 84 upwardly into a closed or latched position, which is shown in Figure 5. With reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7, when the rotatable sleeve 60 is grasped with one hand and rotated, the camming surface 82a of the protrusion 82 rotates to urge the upper end 86 of the latching lever 84 pivotally about the pivot pin 90. As the latching lever 84 rotates, the lower end 88 thereof is drawn away from the upper wall 56 of the latching assembly 32 (Figure 6). This allows a lip portion 102 of the latching lever 84 to be drawn out of a notch 104 formed in an undersurface of the upper wail 56. While the rotatable sleeve 60 is held in the rotated position, the user lifts the free end 28 of the cargo supporting structure 20 upwardly and away from the latching assembly 32. When the free end 28 of the cargo supporting structure 20 is lowered into latching engagement with the latching assemblies 32, no rotational movement of the rotatable sleeve 60 is required for proper latching of the lower locking assemblies 30 to occur. As the lower end 88 of each latching lever 88 contacts its respective latching door 40, an edge portion 94a of the main body portion 94 engages the latching door 40 and urges this component downwardly into the position shown in Figures 5 and 6. Referring to Figure 6a, further lowering movement of the cargo supporting structure 22 causes the lip portion 102 to engage an interior edge 106 of the upper wall 56. Further lowering movement causes the lip 102 to ride over the interior edge 106 before snapping into engagement in the notch 104 (Figure 5). Referring now to Figures 10-15, the construction and operation of the articulating mechanisms 18 will be described. With initial reference to Figures 10, 11 and 11a, each articulating mechanism 18 includes a pair of rollers 110 which are pivotally secured via axles 112 within cut-outs 119a of a support bar 119. The support bar 119 is sized so as to be able to fit within a C-shaped channel 14b of the side rail 14 and through a C-shaped channel 16a (Figure 11) in the rear support 16. During assembly, the articulating mechanism 18 is inserted through the C-shaped channel 16a in the rear support 16 and a stop member 114 is secured to the support bar 119 via a threaded member 116. The stop member 114 prevents the articulating mechanism 18 from being withdrawn beyond a predetermined point from its respective side rail 14. With further reference to Figures 11 and 14, the support bar 119 includes a slot 120 formed therein within which is disposed a locking bar 122. The locking bar 122 is pivotally mounted at a central aperture 123 by a pivot pin 126 extending through the support bar 119. An elongated, linear slot 124 is also formed in the support bar 119. This slot 124 further includes a relief portion 124a to allow clearance for a cam lobe 128. The slot 124 may vary in length, but in one preferred form is between about six-nine inches. With reference to Figures 14 and 15, a threaded member 132 extends through an opening 134 in a first end 136 of the locking bar 122. The threaded member 132 captures a biasing member (spring) 138 within the opening 134. Biasing member 138 serves to provide a constant biasing force which tends to bias the first end 136 of the locking bar 122 upwardly into the position shown in Figure 15. With reference to Figures 10 and 14, the top frame member 24' includes an axle portion 24a at each end thereof. The axle portions 24a each have attached thereto at their outermost ends one of the cam lobes 128. Thus, the axle portions 24a pivotally support the cargo supporting structure 20 from the articulating mechanisms 18. Importantly, the axle portions 24a also are able to slide within the elongated slots 124 when the cargo supporting structure 20 is moved from the intermediate position of Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3. Referring now to Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15, when the cargo supporting structure 20 is in the lowered position shown in Figure 1, the side members 22 are disposed in the position shown in Figure 12. In this position the cam lobe 128 is engaged in the relief portion 124a, as illustrated in Figure 14. This allows the cam iobe 128 to lift a second end 140 of the locking bar 122 which causes the first end 136 to project outwardly of the support bar 119. The first end 136 abuts a notch 142 formed in the rear support 16 which prevents the articulating mechanism 18 from moving inadvertently towards and into the support member 16 when the cargo supporting structure 20 is in the lowered position of Figure 1. Thus, when in the lowered position shown in Figure 1, the cargo supporting structure 20 is fixedly disposed. Its upper end 20a cannot be pulled outwardly away from the upper supports 16 because of abutting engagement of the stop members 114 with their respective supports 16. Abutting engagement of the first end 136 of each locking bar 122 with the notch 142 of each support 16 prevents the upper end 20a from being pushed in toward the side rails 14. Accordingly, cargo supported on the cross bars 25 of the cargo supporting structure 20 can be supported just as securely with the structure 20 in the lowered position as when the structure 20 is disposed over the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. When the cargo supporting structure 20 is lifted into the intermediate position shown in Figure 2, the cam lobe 128 rotates in accordance with rotational movement of the top frame member 24 (Figure 1) into the position shown in Figure 13. This rotation of the cam lobe 128 allows the spring 138 to bias the first end 136 of the locking bar 122 upwardly into the position shown in Figure 15. In this position the locking bar 122 is now able to clear the notch 142. Accordingly, the entire articulating mechanism 18 may be urged forwardly (i.e., to the right in the drawings of Figures 12-15) through the C-shaped channels 16a in each of the rear supports 16. This unlocking action is further accomplished automatically by simply raising the free end 28 of the cargo supporting structure 20 into the intermediate position shown in Figure 2. Once the individual has raised the cargo supporting structure 20 into the position shown in Figure 2, the entire cargo supporting structure can be pushed forwardly until the structure 20 is positioned over the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. During the initial six-nine inches of forward travel, the axle portions 24a slide forwardly within the elongated slots 124 before contacting forward ends 124b of the slots 124. This six-nine inches of "travel" provides the distance necessary to place the pivot axis defined by the axle portions 24a sufficiently behind the vehicle 12 so that the vehicle 12 does not interfere with lowering pivotal movement of the cargo supporting structure 20. Another important advantage of the articulating mechanisms 18 is that they effectively allow the top frame member 24 to be positioned rearwardly of the pivot axis of the liftgate 12b of the vehicle 12 such that the cargo supporting structure 20 can be lifted with the liftgate 12b without first having to place the structure 20 over the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. Thus, access can easily be gained to the rear of the vehicle 12 once the cargo supporting structure 20 and liftgate 12b are both in the raised position. Referring now to Figures 11 and 17, the securing of one of the lower locking assemblies 30 to one of the upper locking assemblies 36 (also shown in Figure 3) will be described. Each of the upper locking assemblies 36 comprises a housing 146 which is preferably integrally formed with an associated one of the rear supports 16. Within the housing 146 is upstanding structure 148 and a transversely extending latch member 150. When the cargo supporting structure 20 is to be secured over the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12, it is urged into position over the roof portion 12a such that the lower locking assembly 30 is over, but slightly forwardly, of the upstanding structure 148. The locking assembly 30 can then be lowered into an interior area of the housing 146. As the lower locking assembly 30 is lowered into the interior area of the housing 146, the lip portion 102 of the latch lever 84 contacts an upper edge 150a of the transversely extending latch member 150 and pivots slightly against the biasing force of the spring 96 so as to clear the edge 150a. The lip portion 102 then latches under the latch structure 150. In the position shown in Figure 17, the lower locking assembly 30 is secured against movement. Unlocking of the lower locking assembly 30 is accomplished by a user grasping and rotating the rotatable sleeve 60, which causes the latching lever 84 to pivot counterclockwise in the drawing of Figure 17. While holding the rotatable sleeve 60 in its rotated position against the biasing force of spring 96, the user may then push the entire cargo supporting structure 20 forwardly just slightly before lifting the free end 28 of the structure 20 and then pulling same away from the vehicle 12 into the position shown in Figure 2. Accordingly, unlatching of the cargo support structure 20 from the position shown in Figure 3 can be accomplished by the user merely grasping the rotatable sleeve 60 and, from a single position behind the vehicle 12, articulating the actuator bar assembly 26 to clear the upper locking assembly 36. Thus, there is no need for the user to separately unlock each of the lower locking assemblies 30. This significantly adds to the convenience and ease in using the apparatus 10. From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the apparatus 10 of the present invention provides an articulatable article carrier assembly which enables cargo to be carried either in a generally horizontal position over the liftgate of a vehicle, or on top of the vehicle, depending upon the user's preference. The apparatus 10 of the present invention significantly eases the manner with which cargo may be loaded, since the cargo need not be positioned directly on top of the vehicle 12 but rather on the cross bars 25 while the cargo supporting structure 20 is disposed over the liftgate 12b. In this regard, it will be appreciated that one or both of the cross bars 25 could include perpendicularly extending portions which serve to temporarily support cargo which is positioned on the cross bars 25 when the cargo supporting structure 20 is in the lowered position shown in Figure 1. The apparatus 10 can further be locked and unlocked from the position shown in Figures 1-3 with a simple, single movement of the rotatable sleeve 26, which thus serves to significantly enhance the ease with which the cargo supporting structure 20 can be moved between its various positions. Referring now to Figures 18 and 19, an alternative preferred embodiment 200 of the multi-position, articulating, vehicle article carrier apparatus is illustrated. The apparatus 200 includes a cargo supporting structure 202 comprising a pair of cross bars 204 and a pair of side members 206 (only one being visible). With the apparatus 200, however, a pair of rear supports 208 and a pair of front supports 210 are used to support the cargo supporting structure 202 above the outer body surface 12a of the vehicle 12. Each rear support 208 includes a suitable latching structure which can be actuated through opening and closing of a pivoting lever 209 to engage a suitably shaped cavity 212 (Figure 19) in an outer body surface portion 214 of the vehicle 12. The front supports 210 each include a latching structure therein which can be locked and unlocked via a liftable locking lever 216 (shown in phantom in the lifted position in Figure 19). When the apparatus 200 is in the position shown in Figure 18, the cargo supporting structure 202 is disposed over the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. The internal locking structure within the front supports 210 secures the front supports to conventional slats 218 which are fixedly secured to the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12, and which each include channels which captively hold portions of the front supports 210 to the slats 218. This construction for the slats and the interengagement of the front supports 210 with the slats 218 to permit sliding movement of the front supports 210 along the slats 218 is well known in the art. Patents of the assignee of the present application which disclose suitable constructions for the locking assembly of the front support 210, which could be utilized with little or no modifications, are U.S. Patent Nos. 4,899,917; 4,972,983; 4,982,886; 5,385,285 and 5,579,970. In Figure 19, the cargo supporting structure 202 is shown disposed over the liftgate 12b of the vehicle 12. The rear supports 208 can be locked at one of a plurality of positions defined by cavities 212. Referring now to Figures 20 and 21, a multi-position, articulating, vehicle article carrier 300 in accordance with yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus 300 is similar to the apparatus 200 and includes a cargo supporting structure 302 comprised of a pair of cross bars 304 and a pair of side members 306 (only one being visible). The cargo supporting structure 302 is supported above the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12 by a pair of rear supports 308 and a pair of front supports 310 (with only one of each support 308 and 310 being visible). The front supports 310 are disposed on conventional slats 312 such that the front supports 310 can be moved slidably along the slats. The slats 312 are fixedly secured to the roof portion 12a of the vehicle 12. Each slat 312 further includes a latching assembly 314 to which one of the rear supports 308 may be releasably secured. To move the cargo supporting structure 302 from the position shown in Figure 20 into the position shown in Figure 21, the user first unlatches the front supports 310 by pulling outwardly on lever portions 316 of each of the front supports 310. This unlocks each front support 310 from its associated slat 312 and allows the front support 310 to be slid along its associated slat 312. Each rear support 308 is also unlatched from its associated latching assembly 314 by lifting a latching lever 318. The cross bar 304 extending between the rear supports 308 can then be lifted off of the latching assemblies 314, and the entire cargo supporting structure 302 pulled rearwardly so as to extend over the liftgate 12b. The rear supports 308 are then latched to suitable latching structures formed in the liftgate 12b at areas 322. The front supports 310 are then latched by closing the levers 316, which causes them to be locked on the slats 312 at the position shown in Figure 21. If desired, notches 324 (one of which is shown in Figure 20) could be formed in the slats 312 to define a specific position at which the front supports 312 must be placed in before same can be locked to the slats 312. The apparatus 300 also provides a coupling member 326 associated with each front support 310 which provides two pivot points 328 and 330. These two points of rotation are needed because the point of rotation about which the liftgate 12b rotates is laterally offset of the point of rotation of the cargo supporting structure 302. This allows the cargo supporting structure 302 to be easily articulated, together with the liftgate 12b, as the liftgate 12b is lifted, and without the need to first unlock the front supports 310 or the rear supports 308. Thus the apparatus 10 can be lifted simultaneously from the position shown in Figure 21 into an intermediate position, wherein the cargo supporting structure 302 extends generally horizontally outwardly from the roof portion 12a, such as in Figure 2, before being pushed onto a position over the roof portion 12a, without any binding action occurring at the coupling member 326. 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 as provided by the following claims.

Claims: A vehicle article carrier apparatus adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle (12) and to permit cargo to be supported thereon over either a liftgate portion (12b) of the vehicle (12) or over a roof portion (12a) of the vehicle (12), said apparatus comprising: a pair of side rails (14) adapted to be fixedly secured to said roof portion (12a) of said vehicle (12); and a cargo support structure (20) for supporting said cargo thereon, wherein said cargo support structure (20) has portions engaging said side rails (14) and moveable therealong between a first position, wherein said support structure (20)is disposed over said liftgate (12b), and a second position wherein said support structure (20) is disposed on said vehicle roof portion (12a) and supported substantially entirely by said side rails (14); and wherein said cargo support structure (20) includes an articulating mechanism (18) for allowing pivoting movement of said cargo support structure (20) from a first end thereof to enable said cargo support structure (20) to be pivoted between said first position and an intermediate position substantially parallel to said side rails (14), prior to urging said cargo support structure (20) into said second position; characterized in that said articulating structure (18) includes an assembly (122, 128, 142) for preventing said first end of said cargo support structure (20) from being urged toward said second position unless and until said cargo support structure (20) is articulated into said intermediate position, whereupon said assembly (122, 128, 142) automatically unlocks, relative to said side rails (14), to permit said cargo support structure (20) to be urged along said side rails (14) into said second position. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by a latching assembly (32) associated with a bumper (34) of said vehicle (12) for engaging with a free end of said cargo support structure (20) and securing said free end of said cargo support structure (20) to said bumper (34). The apparatus of claim 2, characterized by a lower locking assembly (30) disposed at said free end of said cargo support structure (20) for engaging with said latching assembly (32) associated with said bumper (34) of said vehicle (12) when said cargo support structure (20) is disposed in said first position. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said side rails (14) includes an upper locking support assembly adapted to be fixedly disposed on said roof portion (12a) of said vehicle (12) for engaging with a free end of said cargo support structure (20) after said cargo support structure (20) is urged into said second position, to thereby secure said cargo support structure (20) on said roof portion (12a). The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly (122, 128, 142) of said articulating structure (18) comprises a camming member (128), and in that said articulating structure (18) comprises a pivotally mounted locking bar (122), said camming member (128) operating to move said locking bar (122) out of abutting engagement with a portion of one of said side rails (14) when said cargo support structure (20) is lifted from said lowered position into said intermediate position. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said articulating structure (18) comprises: a support bar (119) having at least one roller (110) adapted to move along an associated one of said side rails (14); and in that said assembly (122, 128, 142) of said articulating structure (18) comprises a locking bar (122), said locking bar (122) being pivotally secured to said support bar (119) and movable between a position in which said locking bar (122) engages a portion of a rear support supporting said one side rail (14), to thereby prevent said support bar (119) from being urged toward said first position, and a position in which said locking bar (122) is pivoted out of engagement with said rear support, thereby enabling said cargo support structure (20) to be urged toward said second position along said side rails (14). The apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that said assembly (122, 128, 142) of said articulating structure (18) includes a camming member (128) and said locking bar (122) is in contact with said camming member (128), said camming member (128) operating to pivot said locking bar (122) automatically when said cargo support structure (20) is moved between said first position and said intermediate position. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said articulating structure (18) includes at least one roller (110) adapted to engage an associated one of said side rails (14) and to roll therealong when said cargo support structure (20) is urged into said second position. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by : a lower latching assembly (32) operably associated with a bumper (34) of said vehicle (12); and wherein said cargo support structure (20) includes a manually rotatable actuator bar (26) operably associated with at least one lower locking assembly (30), wherein said lower latching assembly (32) is disposed at a free end of said cargo support structure (20); and said actuator bar (26) operating to disengage said lower latching assembly (32) from said lower locking assembly (30) when grasped and rotated by a user while said cargo support structure (20) is in said first position, to thereby allow said cargo support structure (20) to be lifted into said intermediate position by said user. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that said cargo support structure (20) comprises a pair of side members (22), one transversely extending top frame bar member (24) coupled at its opposite ends to said side members (22) at said first end of said cargo support structure (20); and an actuator bar (26) extending transversely between said side members (22) at said free end of said cargo support structure (20); said actuator bar (26) being manually rotatable and having a camming member (82a); and a lock bar (84) having a cam follower surface in contact with said camming member (82a) such that camming member (82a) causes pivoting movement of said lock bar (84) when said cargo support structure (20) is lifted from said first position into said intermediate position.

Inventors: AFTANAS JEFFERY M, POTTER DONALD R, AFTANAS, JEFFERY M., POTTER, DONALD R.
Applicants: JAC PRODUCTS INC, JAC PRODUCTS, INC.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B60R9
IPC codes: B62D25, B60R9