Patent Publication Number: US-2022234510-A1

Title: Vehicle roof rail attachment apparatus and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/529,033, filed Aug. 1, 2019, which claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/713,193, filed Aug. 1, 2018, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     An attachment apparatus for fastening a roof rail to the roof of a vehicle is provided. 
     2. Discussion 
     The automotive industry is increasingly interested in providing roof rails for vehicles, which may also be called luggage rails, which are securely attached to the vehicle roof while maintaining a clean attractive appearance. 
     Roof rails may make up an overall roof rack assembly, in which a pair of rails extend along respective outer sides of the vehicle upper surface or roof surface. The rails are typically spaced apart symmetrically relative to a vehicle center-line extending in the fore-and-aft direction. The rails may be oriented in a generally parallel relationship, such that the front ends of the rails are spaced apart at approximately the same distance as the rear ends of the rails. In some cases, transverse or cross-wise support rails may extend laterally between the roof rails to provide a mounting surface for luggage or other roof-carried components. In other cases, the rails may be configured to support consumer-installed support rails or other structure. 
     Rails may be installed in either a top-down or bottom-up approach to the vehicle roof. In a bottom-up approach, studs projecting downward from the roof rail extend through a hole in the vehicle roof, and an installer may thread a nut, or the like, on the stud that projects downward through the sheet metal. In a top-down approach, installation of the roof rail is achieved by threading a nut onto an upwardly projecting stud that extends from the vehicle roof, or by driving a bolt downward through a hole in a vehicle roof and into a weld nut disposed on an inside surface of the vehicle roof. 
     Thus, in a bottom-up approach, the installer is positioned below the vehicle roof to translate a fastener upward, and in the top-down approach, the installer is positioned above the vehicle roof to translate a fastener downward. In the bottom-up approach, the hole in the vehicle roof can lead to water leaks, which need to be addressed. In the top-down approach when there is a hole in the vehicle roof, there is also a concern for water leaks. The top-down approaches also typically result in studs or holes in the roof rail that are visible prior to installation of a decorative cover. 
     In view of the above, improvements can be made to roof rails and the installation thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would be advantageous to provide an attachment apparatus for fastening a roof rail to the roof of a vehicle while providing clean styling with no visible interruptions. 
     The present disclosure provides for a roof rail for a roof of a vehicle including a bottom portion for engaging the roof, a top portion opposite the bottom portion, and inboard and outboard side portions each extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and spaced apart and extending generally parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction. The bottom portion and the top portion and the inboard side portion and the outboard side portion together define an elongated shape enclosing an interior space of the roof rail. An access hole provides access to the interior space for attaching the roof rail to the roof of the vehicle. The access hole is located lower than an uppermost point of the roof rail and inboard relative to the outboard side portion. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, the bottom portion of the roof rail may have a shape that is complementary with a corresponding portion of the roof. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the inboard side portion may be generally transverse to the bottom portion. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the roof rail may further include a cover for enclosing the access hole. The cover may be removable from the access hole. In accordance with a further aspect, the cover may be attached to the inboard side portion of the roof rail with a hinged connection to move between covering and uncovering positions. In accordance with a further aspect, the cover may include a living hinge. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a clip having a generally U-shape may be included for holding the roof rail upon a roof stud or bolt. The clip may have a wedge shape being thickest at a first end and tapering to a thinner second end, with the second end defining a notch for receiving the bolt or roof stud. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an attachment apparatus for attaching a roof rail to a roof of a vehicle is provided. The attachment apparatus may include the roof rail having a bottom portion for engaging the roof, and a top portion opposite the bottom portion, and inboard and outboard side portions each extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and spaced apart from one another, with the bottom and top portions and the inboard and outboard side portions defining an elongated shape enclosing an interior space of the roof rail. An access hole is defined in the roof rail to provide access to the interior space for attaching the roof rail to the roof of the vehicle. The access hole is located lower than an uppermost point of the roof rail and inboard relative to the outboard side surface. A fastener may also be included for attaching the roof rail to the roof of the vehicle, with the fastener being accessible through the access hole. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the fastener may include a roof stud extending generally upwardly from the roof of the vehicle. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the fastener may include a bolt extending generally downwardly to the roof of the vehicle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the fastener may extend generally transversely to the roof of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the fastener may extend at an oblique angle to the roof of the vehicle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the roof of the vehicle may define a pocket configured to receive a portion of the roof rail. In accordance with another aspect, the roof of the vehicle may define a pocket configured for holding a portion of the fastener. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a clip having a generally U-shape may be included for holding the fastener. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cut-away view of a “bottom-up” arrangement for attaching a roof rail to a vehicle roof according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cut-away view of a “top-down” arrangement for attaching a roof rail to a vehicle roof according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic cut-away view of another “top-down” arrangement for attaching a roof rail to a vehicle roof according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut-away end view of a roof rail attachment according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cut-away end view of a roof rail attachment according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cut-away end view of a roof rail attachment according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a cut-away end view of a roof rail attachment according to another aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cut-away end view of a roof rail attachment according to another aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a roof rail  20  is provided for attachment to a roof  10  of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that the roof rail  20  can be utilized on any type of vehicle. It will also be appreciated that it can be employed on other structures as well. Typically, a roof rack assembly includes a pair of roof rails  20 , which may also be called luggage rails, which extend longitudinally along respective sides of the roof  20  in spaced and relatively parallel relationship with one another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , one approach to attaching a roof rail  20  to a roof  10  of a vehicle may be configured as a so-called “bottom-up” arrangement in which a stud  22  is fixed to the roof rail  20  and protrudes downwardly through a hole in a sheet metal  12  part of the roof  10 . A nut  24  is threaded onto the stud  22  from inside of the vehicle in order to attach the roof rail  20  to the roof  10 . This approach is typically used for roof rails  20  of stretch bent aluminum, and allows for a roof rail styling surface with no interruptions such as cap holes, caps, etc. This approach requires holes in the sheet metal  12  in order to access the studs  22  from the inside of the vehicle. The presence of holes in the sheet metal  12  may create a risk for water leaks. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , an alternative approach to attaching a roof rail  20  to a roof  10  of a vehicle may be configured as a so-called “top-down” arrangement. One such top-down arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in which a nut  26  is threaded onto a roof stud  28  that is mounted on an outer surface  14  of the sheet metal  12  of the roof  10 . The roof stud  28  may protrude upwardly through a hole in a lower portion of the roof rail  20 . The roof rail  20  may therefore be secured onto the roof  10  by downward force of the nut  26  engaging a portion of the roof rail  20  around the roof stud  28  to clamp the roof rail  20  onto the roof stud  28 . The roof stud  28  may be secured to the sheet metal  12 , for example, by welding. The roof stud  28  is shown in  FIG. 2  as being located on an outer surface  14  of the sheet metal  12 . In this approach, there is no hole in the sheet metal  12  of the vehicle roof  10 . However, to access the stud  28  that projects upward, the roof rail  20  includes an opening  29 , hole, or the like to provide access for the nut  26  to be inserted through the structure of the roof rail  20  onto the stud  28 . 
     In an approach similar to that shown in  FIG. 2 , the roof stud  28  could also be secured to the inner surface  16  of the sheet metal  12 , for example with a generally flat portion parallel to the sheet metal  12  and with a rod-shaped portion extending upwardly through a hole in the sheet metal  12 . In this approach, the sheet metal  12  includes a hole, similar to the bottom-up approach. The roof rail  20  also includes a hole or opening to provide access for the nut  26  to be inserted through the roof rail  20  into engagement with the upwardly extending stud  28 . 
     Another top-down arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which a bolt  27  is threaded onto a weld nut  30  that is secured to the sheet metal  12  of the roof  10 . In this arrangement, the bolt  27  may extend through a hole in a lower portion of the roof rail  20  and may engage a portion of the roof rail  20  around the hole in the lower portion to secure the roof rail  20  onto the roof  10 . The weld nut  30  may be, for example, welded onto the sheet metal  12 . The weld nut  30  is shown as being located on an inner surface  16  of the sheet metal  12 , opposite the roof rail  20 . However, the weld nut  30  could also be located on the outer surface  14  of the sheet metal  12 , similar to the placement of the roof stud  28  in  FIG. 2 . In these arrangements, the sheet metal  12  includes a hole  31 , either to allow the bolt  27  to extend through the sheet metal  12  and into the weld nut  30  disposed on the inner surface of the sheet metal  12  or to allow the shank of the bolt  27  to extend through the weld nut  30  disposed on the upper surface of the sheet metal  12  after the bolt  30  has passed through the weld nut  30 . 
     Each of the two “top-down” arrangements shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, may be used with composite type roof rails  20  which include a structural base rail and a decorative cover that overlies all or part of the structural base rail and prevents the nuts  26 , bolts  27 , studs  28 , weld nuts  30 , and/or holes from being visible once the roof rail  20  is assembled to the vehicle. In the case of the “top-down” approach where there is a hole in the sheet metal  12 , there may be a concern for water leaks. In the case of a “top-down” approach, stretch-bent aluminum roof rails  20  require holes in the top styling surface in order to access the weld nut  30  or roof stud  28  below. 
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate alternative top-down installation approaches where the styling surface remains undisturbed, there are no holes in the sheet metal  12  or water leaks to be concerned about, and which minimize the number of roof rail components. For example, the composite design including a structural base and decorative cover may be replaced with a one-piece design, even in a top-down installation method. 
     According to an aspect, a roof rail  20  in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated in the cut-away cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4 . It will be appreciated that the cut-away cross-sectional view may represent various longitudinal locations along the roof rail  20 . According to an aspect, the roof rail  20  shown in  FIG. 4  has an elongated shape. The roof rail  20  may also have other shapes and configurations. The roof rail  20  may be generally tubular and may be formed, for example, as an extrusion of metal or plastic or another material. Alternatively, the roof rail  20  may have a C-shaped cross-section which may be formed, for example, by bending a flat piece of sheet metal. These are merely illustrative examples, and other shapes or configurations of the roof rail  20  are possible. The roof rail  20  may comprise a single piece or an assembly of two or more pieces. The roof rail  20  includes a bottom portion  40  which may be shaped complementary to a corresponding portion of the outer surface  14  of the roof  10  for being secured directly thereupon. Alternatively, the bottom portion  40  of the roof rail  20  may have a shape that is different from the outer surface  14  of the roof  10 , for example, where the roof rail  20  is to be spaced apart from the roof  10  with risers or other structural components. The bottom portion  40  of the roof rail  20  may be generally flat or another shape such as, for example, being convex, concave, or with a complex curve or angular shape. 
     The outer surface  14  of the roof  10  may define a recess or pocket  18  for receiving the roof rail  20  and holding the roof rail in a set position. The recess or pocket  18  may run for the entire length of the roof rail  20 . Alternatively, the recess or pocket may extend for a length shorter than the entire length of the roof rail  20  and may receive only a portion of the roof rail  20 . In another aspect, the roof rail  20  may be flush mounted to the surface of the roof  10 , such that no recess is disposed below the roof rail  20 . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the roof rail  20  can also include a top portion  42  opposite the bottom portion  40 , and which may be flat, rounded, or have another shape or profile. An inboard side portion  44  and an outboard side portion  46  extend between the bottom portion  40  and the top portion  42 . With the roof rail  20  mounted upon the vehicle, the inboard side portion  44  faces away from the edge of the roof  10  closest to that roof rail  20 . Where there are two roof rails  20  mounted the roof  10  and extending parallel to one another, the inboard side portion  44  of each of the roof rails  20  faces the other one of the roof rails  20 . The inboard side portion  44  is, therefore, the side of the roof rail  20  that is most obstructed or least visible to a person viewing the vehicle from the side and/or from above. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative cross-sectional shape of the roof rail  20 , having a generally curved top portion  42 , with the bottom portion  40  flush mounted to the vehicle roof  10 . The roof rail  20  of  FIG. 9  may be attached in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 , as further described below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the inboard side portion  44  of the roof rail  20  defines an access hole  48  to provide access to an interior space  36  of the roof rail  20 . The interior space  36  is configured to accommodate and provide access to a fastener such as a roof stud or bolt attaching the roof rail  20  to the roof  10  of the vehicle. The access hole  48  may be covered by a removable or hinged cover  49  that is removable or pivotable away from the roof rail  20 . For example, the cover  49  may be a snap-fit member that corresponds to the shape of the access hole  48 , or it may be a peel-away member. An example of the cover  49 , shown as a hinged cover, is shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     With respect to the hinged cover  49 , the access hole  48  may be covered by the hinged cover  49 , which may be in the form of a flap, allowing the cover  49  to move between covering and uncovering positions. Such a hinged cover  49  may have a living hinge, which may be integrally formed with the inboard side portion  44  of the roof rail  20  or a portion thereof such as a coating or a covering. Such a living hinge may include the hinged cover  49  being integrally formed with the inboard side portion  44  of the roof rail  20 , and may include a weakened portion, such as a line of thinner material where the hinged cover portion is able to bend outwardly from the remainder of the inboard side portion  44 . A hinged cover or a removable cover can provide a cleaner appearance and which may also serve to prevent water or other precipitation from entering the interior space  36  of the roof rail  20 . Other ways to cover the access hole  48  may also be employed. The hinged cover  49  may also be in the form of a pivotable pin-and-bushing hinge rather than a living hinge. The hinged cover  49  may include attachment structure for securing the hinged cover in the open or closed position, as desired. 
     With the access hole  48  disposed on the inboard side of the roof rail  20 , the top-down approach provides an option for attaching the roof rail  20  in a top-down arrangement while limiting the view of the access hole  48 . The stud  28  may project from the surface of the roof  10  in an upward direction, with the access hole  48  providing access to the projecting stud  28 , which projects into the space  36 . With the access hole  48  on the inboard side, the access hole  48  is typically not easily visible from the periphery of the vehicle. For instance, the vehicle roof  10  may be disposed above the typical eye-line of a vehicle user, such that the outboard side of the roof rail  20  is visible but the inboard side is not. When the vehicle roof  10  is below a user&#39;s eye-line, the roof rail  20  closest to the user will typically block the view of the inboard side of the opposite roof rail  20 , such that the access hole  48  is blocked form view by the roof rail  20  in the foreground of the user&#39;s view. 
     The stud  28  is shown as projecting generally vertically in  FIG. 4 . The nut  26  is shown disposed over the top of the stud  28 . When viewed from above, the stud  28  and nut  26  are not visible, being blocked by the upper portion  42  of the roof rail  20 . 
     With the stud  28  projecting vertically and the nut  26  being attached from above and outside the vehicle, the stud  28  may be welded to the outer surface of the roof  10 , such that there is no hole in the surface of the roof  10 . Accordingly, water leaks are minimized or eliminated in this arrangement, while also providing a roof rail  20  that is aesthetically pleasing by shielding the access hole  48  from view, and without using a base-and-cover multi-piece composite construction. However, it will be appreciated that an additional cover component may still be attached to the roof rail  20  in this arrangement. 
     In another aspect, the top down approach may be used similar to  FIG. 3  with the arrangement of the roof rail  20  similar to  FIG. 4 . For example, the weld nut  30  may be disposed on an inner surface of the sheet metal  12  and with a hole in the sheet metal  12 . Alternatively, the weld nut  30  may be disposed on the outer surface of the sheet metal  12  with or without a hole in the sheet metal  12  to accommodate the bolt  27  (depending on the length of the bolt  27 ). In this arrangement, a hole in the sheet metal  12  may be present, which can be addressed with sealers or gaskets to limit water leaks. Even in the case of a hole in the sheet metal  12 , the arrangement of the roof rail  20  with the access hole  48  on the inboard side  44  may provide for a top-down installation approach where the access hole  48  is shielded from view, providing an improved appearance. 
     According to another aspect, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a clip  50  may be used to help hold the roof rail  20  upon a fastener such as the stud  28 . The clip  50  may be generally U-shaped and may have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile as shown in  FIG. 4 , whereby it is thickest at a first end  52  and tapering to a thinner second end  54 , with the second end  54  defining a notch  56  for receiving the stud  28  when the clip is advanced over the stud  28 . 
     The clip may be positioned axially between the nut  26  and the base of the roof rail  20 . In one approach, the nut  26  may be partially threaded onto the stud  28 , and the clip  50  may then be advanced across the stud  28  and under the nut  26 . The nut  26  may then be tightened further onto the stud  28 , compressing the wedge-shaped clip  50 . The clip  50  may therefore provide additional binding between the nut  26  and the stud  28 . In another aspect, the clip  50  may have a generally flat shape or constant thickness, such that it is not wedge-shaped. In another aspect, the clip  50  may be installed prior to installing the nut  26 , and may be arranged with the wedge facing laterally inward or laterally outward, or it may face forward or rearward, or other orientations rotationally therebetween. 
     In another aspect, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the outer surface  14  of the roof  10  can define a recess or pocket  18  that includes an angled portion  60  holding the roof stud  28  at an oblique angle to the roof  10  of the vehicle, which may be, for example, 45 degrees, or mid-way between being parallel and being perpendicular to the general plane of the roof  10 . It will be appreciated that a variety of the oblique angles may be employed. The angled portion  60  of the recess  18  may be directed inward, such that the stud  28  projecting therefrom is directed inward. The roof rail  20  may be arranged similarly to the roof rail  20  shown in  FIG. 4 , such as having an access hole  48  on the inboard side. The angled projection of the stud  28  may provide additional ease of top-down installation, in which the nut  26  can be threaded onto the projecting stud  28 . 
     Additionally, the clip  50  described above may be used in the arrangement of  FIG. 5 . In this arrangement, the clip  50  may be placed over the stud  28  prior to installing the nut, with the wedge-shape of the clip arranged such that the upper face of the wedge faces laterally inward (the same direction as the stud  28 ). Thus, the nut  26  may have a surface against which it may be secured. However, it will be appreciated that the nut  26  may also be installed without the clip  50  to secure the roof rail  20 . 
     In another aspect, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the access hole  48  for the roof rail  20  may be disposed generally on the top side of the roof rail  20 , but still generally hidden from view. With reference to  FIG. 7 , the roof rail  20  may include a stepped upper surface  61 , with the access hole  48  defined in the stepped surface  61 . The stepped surface  61  includes an inner portion  62  and an outer portion  64 . The outer portion  64  is disposed above the inner portion  62 . The access hole  48  is disposed in the inner portion  62 . 
     The inner portion  62  may have a generally flat profile that faces upward. Accordingly, the access hole  48  also faces upward, and provides access for the nut  26  to be installed onto the stud  28 . The stud  28  is preferably disposed below the access hole  48 , such that the stud may be visible when viewed from the top of the roof rail  20 . 
     The outer portion  64  may be raised relative to the inner portion  62 . The outer portion  64  may have a generally rounded profile, as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, it will be appreciated that other profiles may be used in this arrangement, where the outer portion  64  is disposed higher than the inner portion  62 , and the outer portion  64  may therefore include sharp corners, flat surfaces, or the like. 
     With regard to  FIG. 8 , the roof rail  20  may have a top surface  70  that is generally rounded, and defining an apex  72  thereof. It will be appreciated that the roof rail  20  may have other profile shapes that include an apex. The top surface  70  may have an inner portion  74  and an outer portion  76 , which are generally on opposite sides of the apex  72 . The access hole  48  of the roof rail may be disposed on the inner portion  74  of the top surface  70 . 
     Accordingly, the apex  72  may be disposed above the access hole  48  in this arrangement. The access hole  48  disposed on the inner portion  74  may therefore face both upwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the vehicle. Thus, access to the stud  28  disposed within the roof rail  20  may be provided both from the top and the side. 
     In this arrangement, the outer portion  76  extends up to the apex  72 , which is disposed higher than the access hole  48 . Thus, the outer portion  76  blocks the view of the access hole  48  from the laterally outer side of the roof rail  20 . 
     In the arrangements shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the access hole  48  is disposed on the inner side of the top surface of the roof rail  20 . The structural shapes of the top surface of the roof rail  20  in  FIGS. 7 and 8  provide different manners of blocking the access hole  48  from view. In both cases, the access hole  48  is not visible from the laterally outer side of the roof rail due  20  due to the shape of the top surface blocking the view of the access hole  48 . 
     In both cases of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the outer portions of the roof rail  20  block the view of the access hole from the laterally outer side of the roof rail  20 . Put another way, the user&#39;s viewpoint is blocked by the outer portion of the roof rail. The user&#39;s viewpoint may be defined generally as the range of view from the highest point of the roof rail  20  down to an angle of about 30 degrees. With the access hole  48  disposed outside of this range of view, the user will typically not see the access hole  48  during normal use, even if it is open. 
     As described above, the access hole  48  may be covered by a hinged panel or other covering structure. The roof rail  20  may further include other components or covers that ultimately cover the access hole  48  as well as other portions of the roof rail  20 . 
     While the above described roof rails  20  may be used advantageously for top-down installations to eliminate holes in the sheet metal  12  by having an upwardly projecting stud  28 , the design of the roof rail  20  may also be used in other top-down arrangements that include holes in the sheet metal  12 , or the bottom-up approach. In this case, the roof rail  20  may therefore be used in multiple installation methods, thereby reducing the number and types of roof rails that may be stocked by manufacturers for installation to various vehicles. 
     The roof rail  20  may be a one-piece design, made of a single component and a single material. The roof rail  20  may also be a multiple-piece design and include the above described features. The multi-piece design may be particularly desirable when the user may desire a modular arrangement allowing for various aesthetic features that can be interchanged. However, the multi-piece design may still benefit from the above-described improved profile, for instance when a particular aesthetic cover is excluded or removed. 
     The above-described arrangements have described a nut being threaded onto a projecting bolt or stud. However, it will be appreciated that other fastening mechanisms may also be used that may benefit from the above-described profile and access hole location. For instance, a hollow bolt or female bolt may be used instead of a nut and may be threaded or driven down onto the projecting stud  28 . Alternatively, a one-way clip or the like may be placed onto a corresponding projecting structure 
     The roof rails  20  of the present disclosure may provide several advantages over designs of the prior art. A roof rail  20  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may provide for an undisturbed styling surface. A roof rail  20  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may provide for mounting to the roof  10  of a vehicle without any holes in the sheet metal  12 , avoiding a possible source for water leaks. A roof rail  20  constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may provide for mounting to the roof  10  of a vehicle without a stud or other hardware protruding downwardly into the vehicle from the roof  10 , thereby avoiding any concern for damage to components or items within the vehicle such as stored or deploying airbags. The roof rails  20  of the present disclosure may also be constructed and/or mounted to the roof  10  of a vehicle using fewer pieces and/or at a decreased cost when compared to designs of the prior art. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims.