Patent Publication Number: US-6216928-B1

Title: Vehicle article carrier with movable cross rail operable from either side of vehicle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/938,050, filed on Sep. 26, 1997, now abandoned which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/650,552, filed on May 20, 1996, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,980; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/347,836 filed on Dec. 1, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/967,991, filed on Oct. 28, 1992, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to article carriers for vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Art 
     A variety of different article or cargo carriers have been devised to transport articles or cargo on the exterior surfaces of vehicles, such as on the roof or trunk of an automotive vehicle. Such carriers typically include a pair of side rails fixed to and extending longitudinally of the vehicle exterior panel. At least a pair of cross rails are connected to and extend laterally between the side rails for supporting a load on the article carrier and to provide convenient tie-down of the load or cargo. Such cross rails are typically supported above the vehicle exterior surface by stanchions mounted on opposite ends of each cross rail which slidably engage the side rails. 
     In order to facilitate the transport of different sized loads or cargo, slidable and even removable cross rails have been provided in vehicle article carriers. At least one and, frequently, all of the cross rails on a vehicle article carrier are provided with stanchions which slide within a side rail and include a releasable latch which engages the side rail in one of a number of discrete positions or at any variably selected position along the length of the side rail. Such latch mechanisms are mounted in each stanchion and include rotatable knobs, cam levers, clamps and pivotal hooks which releasably engage a side rail. 
     While the use of stanchions and latch means provides an effective sliding, lockable adjustment of cross rails at selective positions along the length of longitudinally extending side rails, such a structure is not without its drawbacks. As each cross rail includes a pair of stanchions, one mounted at each end and movably engaging opposed side rails, movement of the cross rail requires the release of the latches in each stanchion before the cross rail can be moved along the side rails to the desired position. These unlatch and subsequent re-latch operations require two people, one on each side of the vehicle, or requires a single person to circle between both sides of the vehicle several times to first release the latches and move the cross rail to the desired position and then to re-latch the latches to fix the cross rail in the desired position along the side rails. This is a time consuming task for a single individual and makes adjustment of the cross rail difficult and undesirable. Further, it is difficult for a single person to move a cross rail squarely along the side rail when only exerting force on the cross rail from one side of the vehicle. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier with adjustable cross rail which overcomes the drawbacks of previously devised article carriers having movable cross rails. It would also be desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier with a cross rail which is movable along the length of the side rails from only one side of the vehicle and by only a single operator. It would also be desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier in which a cross rail is movable along the length of the side rails from either side of the vehicle without requiring the operator to move between opposite sides of the vehicle. Finally, it would be desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier with a movable cross rail which insures that the cross rail remains square to the side rails between all longitudinal movement of the cross rail along the side rails even though the operator exerts moving force on the cross rail from only one side of the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an article carrier for a vehicle having a generally horizontally extending exterior body surface. The article carrier comprises a pair of spaced side rails mounted on the exterior body surface and extending longitudinally of the vehicle. Each side rail has a longitudinally extending opening formed therein. At least one cross rail extends laterally between the pair of side rails. A pair of stanchions, each extending from opposite ends of the cross rail, slidably engage and are variably positionable along the longitudinal opening in the side rails. Latch means are formed on each stanchion and each side rail for selectively and adjustably latching the stanchions to the side rails in one of a plurality of selected positions along the length of the side rails. Actuator means are coupled to the latch means and associated with each stanchion and are operable from a position adjacent to one side of the vehicle for simultaneously moving each latch means between a latch position in which the latch means fixedly engages the associated side rail and an unlatch position in which the latch means is disengaged from the side rail permitting longitudinal movement of the cross rail along the side rails. 
     In one embodiment adapted for push/pull release and engagement of the latch means with the side rails, the latch means comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures formed in at least one of the side rails. A pin or tab is mounted in and extends outward from at least one of the stanchions to releasably engage one of the apertures in the side rail. The actuator means moves the pin or tab into and out of engagement with one of the apertures in the side rail. 
     In this embodiment, a slider means is mounted on each stanchion for slidably engaging the longitudinal opening in each stanchion. An opening is formed in each side rail which has a cross section larger than the cross section of the slider means to permit selective lateral movement of the slider means within the opening in the side rail. Biasing means are mounted between each stanchion and the associated side rail for biasing each stanchion and the cross rail extending therebetween toward a first normal lateral direction with respect to the side rails bringing the pin into engagement with one of the apertures in the side rail and, yet, allows the cross rail and the stanchions to be manually urged in an opposite direction, overcoming the force of the biasing means, to disengage the pin from the aperture in the side rail and permitting longitudinal movement of the cross rail along the side rails. The slider includes at least one roller mounted about the end of a stanchion which rollably engages the side rail in the opening in the side rail. The pin and the biasing means are mounted in the end of the stanchion and extend outward from the roller. 
     In alternate embodiments, the roller is oriented in a substantially horizontally extending position and is connected to the end of the stanchion by a vertically extending leg extending through an opening in the top surface of the side rail or through a leg extending inward and upward through an opening formed in a bottom, inward edge of each side rail. 
     In another main embodiment of the present article carrier, a roller is mounted on the end of each stanchion and rollably engages a complimentarily formed groove in the opening in each side rail. Biasing means, mounted in each stanchion, normally biases a pin outward from each stanchion into one of a plurality of discrete linearly spaced apertures formed in each side rail. The actuator means comprises a movable operator mounted in one of the stanchions and cable means extending from the operator to the pin. Preferably, a pin is mounted in each stanchion on opposite ends of a cross rail and connected by cables to the single operator. The operator is movable from a first position in which the operator positions the cables such that pins connected thereto extend outward under the force of the biasing means into an aperture in each side rail to a second position in which the cables retract the pins from the apertures in the side rails permitting longitudinal movement of the cross rail with respect to the side rails. In one embodiment, the operator comprises a knob rotatably mounted in one stanchion. In another embodiment, the operator comprises a pivotal lever mounted in one stanchion. 
     In another embodiment, an operator is depressibly mounted in each stanchion. A single cable extends between the pins mounted on each stanchion and is acted on by one operator to permit simultaneous disengagement of both pins from the side rails from either side of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the opening in the side rail extends upward through the top surface of the side rail, with the stanchions movably disposed through the opening. Release of the pins from the apertures in the side rails permits an upward movement of one end of the cross rail disengaging the associated stanchion from the side rail through the opening in the side rail prior to movement of the cross rail longitudinally along the side rails. Alternately, the entire cross rail can be removed from the side rails. 
     In yet another embodiment, adapted for push/pull release and re-engagement of the cross rail with the side rails, a toothed rack is mounted in the bottom of the opening in the side rail and engaged by a toothed ball mounted in a carrier attached to each stanchion. In this embodiment, the latch means includes a first toothed latch rack mounted in the opening of each side rail and facing the same lateral direction. A spherical ball is mounted in each stanchion and is connected to the carrier carrying the toothed ball by a resilient arm. The actuator means comprises the ball carrier having a cross section less than the width of the opening in the side rail. A second toothed latch rack is mounted on the ball carrier and releasably engages the first toothed latch rack. The resilient arms bias the stanchions and the interconnected cross rail in a first position toward one lateral side of the vehicle in which the first and second toothed latch racks are engaged to stationarily fix the cross rail in a selected longitudinal position along the side rails. Manual force exerted on one of the stanchions toward the other side of the vehicle disengages the first and second toothed latch racks from each other and, by a pivoting of the opposed resilient arm disengages the toothed latch racks on the opposite side of the vehicle by lateral movement of the associated carriers within the openings in the side rail. This permits longitudinal movement of the stanchions and the cross rail along the side rails. 
     In a final embodiment, a carrier is connected to each stanchion and has at least one roller mounted therein rollably engaging the interior of a side rail bounding the opening therein. The latch means includes a toothed rack facing inward to the longitudinal opening in each side rail. A rotatable gear is mounted in each carrier and threadingly engages the toothed rack in the side rail. The actuator means comprises a handle connected to at least one of the gears for rotating the gear and longitudinally moving the stanchions and the cross bar along the side rail to any desired position. Preferably, a toothed rack is mounted on each side rail and engaged by an individual gear rotatably mounted on each stanchion on opposite ends of a cross rail. In this embodiment, a recess is optionally formed in the top surface of the stanchion. The handle is pivotally mounted to the rotatable gear and is pivotal from an outward, operative position for rotating the gear and an inward, storage position in which the handle is disposed in the recess below the top surface of the stanchion. 
     The article carrier of the present invention provides adjustable movement of a cross rail between many different selected positions along longitudinally extending side rails in which the cross rail is releasably latchable to the side rails in each selected position and releasable for movement therealong from one or either side of the vehicle. The present article carrier simplifies the longitudinal positioning of the cross rail along the side rails since only a single person, and not two as required in previously devised vehicle article carriers, is needed to unlatch, move and re-latch the cross rail in a desired position along the side rails. Further, a single person can operate the latches to adjust the position of the cross rail from either single side of the vehicle. This eliminates the need for two people to adjust the position of a cross rail along the side rails or the necessity of a single person circling the vehicle several times to unlatch, move and then re-latch the cross rail in a desired position. The vehicle article carrier of the present invention also insures that the cross rail remains perpendicular to the side rails during all movement of the cross rail along the side rails. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article carrier constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded, partial, cross sectional, perspective view showing the connection between the cross rail and the side rail of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a lateral, partially cross sectioned view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG.  4 . is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an article carrier according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded, partial, cross sectional, perspective view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a lateral, cross sectional view of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial, lateral, cross sectional view showing the mounting of a cross rail to a side rail in a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial, lateral, cross sectional view showing the mounting of a cross rail to a side rail in a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial, plan view showing an article carrier according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a lateral, partially cross sectioned view of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a partial, plan view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a lateral cross sectional view of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial, exploded, cross sectional, perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a lateral cross sectional view of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a partial, exploded, cross sectional, perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 17 is a lateral cross sectional view of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17; but showing the disengagement of one end of the cross rail from a side rail; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial, plan view of a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20A is a lateral cross sectional view of the article carrier shown in FIG. 19; 
     FIGS. 20B and 20C are partial cross-sectional views showing alternate latch and biasing means usable with the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A; 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of one of the carriers used to attach a cross rail to the side rail of the article carrier shown in FIGS. 19 and 20; 
     FIG. 22 is a partial, exploded, cross sectional, perspective view showing the mounting of a cross rail to a side rail in a tenth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is an end elevational view showing the carrier and ball roller arm depicted in FIG. 22; 
     FIGS. 24 and 24A are lateral cross sectional views of the tenth embodiment shown in FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 25 is a partial plan view showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the handle and drive gear shown in FIG. 25; and 
     FIG. 27 is a lateral cross sectional view of the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG.  25 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawing there are illustrated various embodiments of an article carrier which are adapted for carrying articles or cargo on an exterior body panel of a vehicle. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the article carrier  10  of the present invention is mounted on a substantially horizontally extending vehicle exterior surface panel  11 , such as a roof panel, of a vehicle. Alternately, the article carrier  10  could be mounted on a trunk of an automobile. Such panels are substantially horizontal in orientation and generally planar in shape, except that such body panels may have a slight bow from a longitudinal center line to the outer side edges thereof. 
     In general, the article carrier  10  includes a pair of side rails denoted generally by reference numbers  12  and  14  which are laterally spaced on the exterior body panel  11  and extend longitudinally along the length of the exterior body panel  11 . The side rails  12  and  14 , which are substantially identical, although typically formed as mirror images of each other, may be formed of any suitable material for carrying articles, such as metal, plastic and combinations thereof. The side rails  12  and  14  are fixed to the vehicle exterior panel  12  by suitable means, such as fasteners, adhesive, etc., not shown. Further, the side rails  12  and  14  may have any suitable shape, the shapes described herein being examples only. Such shapes may provide aerodynamic qualities as well as serving an aesthetic purpose. 
     The article carrier  10  includes at least two cross rails  16  and  18 , at least one of which is movable longitudinally along the side rails  12  and  14 . As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cross rail  16  is movable longitudinally along the side rails  12  and  14 ; while the cross rail  18  is stationarily mounted to one end of the side rails  12  and  14 . It will be understood that any number of cross rails, as well as having all of the cross rails, such as cross rail  18 , movably mounted on the side rails  12  and  14  is also within the scope of the present invention. 
     The cross rails, such as cross rails  16  and  18 , extend laterally between the side rails  12  and  14 . The cross rails  16  and  18  are formed with any exterior shape, such as, for example, a shape providing aerodynamic and aesthetic qualities. Further, the cross rails  16  and  18  may be formed of any suitable metal, plastic, or combinations thereof, and may be hollow or solid, as desired. 
     Each of the cross rails, such as cross rail  16 , has a pair of stanchions  20  and  22  extending outward from first and second ends  24  and  26 , respectively, thereof. Each of the stanchions  20  and  22  may be formed of a separate member, as shown in FIG. 3, which is attached to an end of the cross rail  16 ; or the stanchions  20  and  22  may be formed as an integral, continuous one-piece extension of the cross rail  16 . The stanchions  20  and  22  serve to slidably mount and/or slidably connect the cross rail  16  to the side rails  12  and  14  as well as to support the cross rail  16  above the vehicle exterior surface  12 . 
     In a specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the side rails  12  and  14 , such as side rail  12 , has a lower surface  30  disposed in registry with the surface of the vehicle exterior body panel  11 . The exterior surface  32  of the side rail  12  curves upward and inward in an aerodynamic and aesthetic shape from the lower surface  30 . A longitudinally extending slot  34  of a predetermined cross sectional shape is formed in and extends along the length of each of the side rails  12  and  14 , such as the side rail  12 . An outwardly extending opening  36  is formed in the side rail  12  and communicates with the slot  34 . In this embodiment, a plurality of apertures, such as cylindrical bores  38 , are formed in the side rail  12  and communicate with the slot  34 . 
     Each of the stanchions  20  and  22 , in this embodiment, are designed as separate members which are connected to the first and second ends  24  and  26 , respectively, of the cross rail  16  by means of an interfitting tongue and groove connection, as shown in FIG.  3 . Suitable fasteners, adhesives, etc., not shown, may be employed to fixedly interconnect the stanchions  20  and  22  to the opposite ends of the cross rail  16 . 
     Each of the stanchions  20  and  22  includes a depending leg  40  which extends downward and laterally outward from the main body of each stanchion  20  and  22 . Each depending leg  40  terminates in an end member  42  which is adapted to be disposed within the slot  34  in one of the side rails  12  or  14 . By way of example only, and not limitation, two end members  42  are mounted on the depending leg  40  and spaced apart, as shown in FIG. 2. A roller  44  is mounted on each end member  42  and rollably engages the interior side walls of the slot  34  in the side rail  12  or  14 . 
     A latch pin  46  is mounted on one of the end members  42  and extends laterally outward therefrom. The latch pin  42  is adapted to engage one of the bores  38  in the side rail  12  to fixedly position the stanchion  20  and the cross rail  16  in a fixed position relative to the side rail  12 . It will be understood that the opposed end member also has a corresponding latch pin which fits within a similar aperture or bore formed in the side rail  14  to fixedly position the opposite end of the cross rail  16  to the opposed side rail  14 . A biasing means is mounted in each end member  42  and includes at least one and preferably a pair of outwardly extending pins  50  which are movably disposed in bores formed in the end member  42 . A biasing spring  52  is mounted in each bore and normally biases the pins  50  outward into contact with an adjacent side wall  54  of the slot  34  in the side rail  12 . This force exerted by the biasing springs  52  urges the end member  42  away from the inner side wall  54  of the side rail  12  and toward the outer lateral edge of the side rail  12  thereby normally forcing the latch pin  46  into engagement with one of the spaced bores  38  in the side rail  12 . 
     The opposite stanchion  22  and side rail  14  are similarly constructed except that the spaced bores  38  in the side rail  14  are formed on an inner side wall  55  bounding the longitudinally extending slot in the side rail  14 . The biasing springs  52  bias the pins  50  outward thereby urging the end member  42  attached to the depending leg  40  of the stanchion  22  toward the inner side wall  55  of the side rail  14  in the same direction as the opposed end member  42  is urged by its biasing springs  52 . The latch pin  46  on the end member  42  extends inward from the end member  42  into engagement with one of the bores  38  formed in the side rail  14 . 
     In operation, the biasing means or springs  52  exert a normal force on their associated pins  50  thereby urging the associated end members  42  to the right in the orientation shown in FIG. 3 bringing the respective latch pins  46  into engagement with one of the bores  38  in the respective side rails  12  and  14 . This retains the cross rail  16  in a fixed position relative to the side rails  12  and  14  at a selected position along the length of the side rails  12  and  14 . However, when it is desired to reposition the cross rail  16  to a different longitudinal position along the length of the side rails  12  and  14 , a single user need only exert a push force on the stanchion  20  or a pull force on the stanchion  22  sufficient to overcome the force of the biasing springs  52  so as to urge the end members  42  on each stanchion  20  and  22  to the left, in the orientation shown in FIG. 3, thereby disengaging the latch pins  46  from the respective bores  38  in the side rails  12  and  14 . While the cross rail  16  is thus maintained in the leftmost position by the user, the user may then longitudinally reposition the cross rail  16  in either fore or aft directions along the side rails  12  and  14  until the desired new position is reached. The user then releases the stanchion at which time the biasing springs  52  will urge the respective end members  42  to the right bringing the latch pins  46  into engagement with different aligned bores  38  in the side rails  12  and  14 . It will be understood that a small amount of lateral movement may be necessary to bring each of the latch pins  46  into secure engagement with a bore  38  in the side rails  12  and  14 . The space in between the bores  38  in the side rails  12  and  14  may be provided as desired, such as a ¼ inch spacing between successive bores  38 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4,  5  and  6 , there is depicted another embodiment of an article carrier according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the article carrier  60  includes first and second side rails  62  and  64 , respectively, which are laterally spaced apart and extend longitudinally along a vehicle exterior surface, such as the exterior body panel  11  shown in FIG. 1. A first cross bar  66  is movably mounted on and extends laterally across the side rails  62  and  64 . A second cross bar  68  also extends laterally across the side rails  62  and  64 ; but is stationarily fixed to one end of the side rails  62  and  64 . It will be noted in FIG. 4 that the cross bars  66  and  68  have an aerodynamic shape. Further, the first cross bar  66  may be moved completely into proximity with the second cross bar  68  in a nested arrangement such that both cross bars  66  and  68  form a smooth, continuous, aerodynamic exterior top surface thereacross. 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the side rails  62  and  64  has an identical shape. By example only, the side rail  62  includes a bottom surface  69  mounted on a vehicle exterior panel  11 , an outer side surface  70  which extends upward from the bottom surface  69 , an inner side edge  72  and a centrally located cavity  74  which opens through the top surface of the side rail  62 . An upstanding, longitudinally extending projection  76  is formed in the cavity  74 , the purpose of which will become more apparent hereafter. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the stanchions form continuous, one-piece extensions of the cross rail  66 . Thus, the stanchions are indicated by stanchion portions  78  and  80  formed on opposite ends of the cross rail  66 . 
     At least one and preferably a pair of legs  82  depend downward from each stanchion  78  and  80  and terminate in outwardly extending pins  84  which are oriented substantially perpendicular to the depending legs  82 . The pins  84  are adapted to engage one of a plurality of spaced bores  86  formed in the side rails  62  and  64 . 
     A carrier  90  is provided for carrying at least one and preferably a pair of spaced rollers  92  which rollably engage the interior walls of each side rail  62  and  64  bounding the cavity  74  and the projection  76  in each side rail  62  and  64  to control the sliding movement of the cross rail  66  along the side rails  62  and  64 . A recess  94  is formed in the carrier  90  for each depending leg  82  and pin  84 , respectively, with the outer end of the pin  84  extending through a bore  96  formed in the carrier  90  and communicating with the recess  94 . Biasing means  98  in the form of a coil spring is mounted in the recess  94  for normally biasing the pin  84  and the attached stanchion portion  78  laterally outward so as to bring the pins  84  into engagement with one of the bores  86  in the side rail  62 . However, the length of the recess  94  in the carrier  90  is somewhat larger than the length of the pin  84  and thickness of the depending leg  82  so as to movably dispose the leg  82  and pin  84  in the recess  94 . This enables the pin  84  and leg  82  as well as the stanchion  78  attached thereto to be moved laterally inward a small amount, such as ¼ inch, within the cavity  74  in the side rail  62 . A similar carrier  90 , pins  84  and biasing means  98  are associated with the opposite stanchion portion  80  such that the stanchion portion  80  is likewise able to exhibit a small amount of lateral movement within the associated side rail  64 . However, the pins  84  associated with the stanchion  80  extend toward the inner side wall  73  of the side rail  64  such that the cross rail  66  and integral stanchion portions  78  and  80  move laterally together as a unit. 
     As with the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, a single user can exert a push force on the stanchion portion  78  or a pull force on the stanchion portion  80  to cause the entire cross rail  66  and both stanchion portions  78  and  80  to move laterally within the respective side rails  62  and  64  thereby releasing the pins  84  from the respective bores  86  in the side rails  62  and  64  and permitting longitudinal adjustment of the cross rail  66  along the length of the side rails  62  and  64 . Release of the push or pull force will cause the biasing springs  98  to urge the pins  84  as well as the entire cross rail  66  in the opposite lateral direction until the pins  84  seat within a different bore  86  in the side rails  62  and  64  thereby locking the cross rail  66  in the desired longitudinal position along the side rails  62  and  64 . 
     FIG. 7 depicts a slightly different arrangement for releasably positioning a cross rail  100  longitudinally along a pair of spaced side rails, only one of which is shown in FIG. 7 by reference number  102 . The side rail  102  includes an internal slot  104  which opens through the top surface  106  of the side rail  102 . A plurality of longitudinally spaced bores  108 , only one of which is shown in FIG. 7, are spaced longitudinally along the side rail  102 . A stanchion  110  is mounted at one end of the cross rail  100  and has a leg  112  depending therefrom. A roller  114  is rollably mounted on the end of the depending leg  112  by means of an axle movably disposed in a slot in the leg  112 . The roller  114  engages a complimentarily shaped groove formed at a bottom portion of the internal slot  104  in the side rail  102  for controlling the sliding movement of the cross rail  100  along the side rail  102 . A latch pin  116  extends outward from the leg  112  and releasably engages one of a plurality of spaced bores  108  from in the side rail  102 . A spring biased pin  118  is mounted on the opposite leg  112  and is biased into normal engagement with a side wall of the slot  104  in the side rail  102 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the width of the internal slot  104  in the side rail  102  is slightly larger than the width of the depending leg  112 . This permits the depending leg  112  as well as the stanchion  110  and the cross rail  100  attached thereto to be moved laterally inward under a manual push force overcoming the force of the biased pin  118 , in the direction of the arrow a small amount sufficient to disengage the pin  116  from the bore  108  in the side rail  102 . This enables longitudinal movement of the cross rail  100  along the side rail  102 . This lateral movement is accomplished by a push force on the stanchion  110  or results from a pull force exerted on the stanchion attached to the opposite end of the cross rail  100 , not shown. Release of this force enables the biased pin  118  to urge leg  112  and the latch pin  116  outward until the latch pin  116  engages one of the bores  108  in the side rail  102  thereby locking the cross rail  100  in a fixed position relative to the pair of side rails. 
     FIG. 8 depicts another arrangement of a side rail and stanchion in which the roller and latch means are sealingly mounted within a side rail  128 . In FIG. 8, a cross rail  120  has a pair of stanchions mounted at opposite ends, only one stanchion  122  being shown. The stanchion  122  has an outer edge  124  which forms a smooth, continuous, tapered surface in conjunction with an outer surface  126  of the side rail  128 . A leg  130  depends downward from the stanchion  122  and laterally outward in an intermediate leg portion  132  before terminating in an enlarged end portion  134  disposed completely within a cavity  136  formed in and extending longitudinally along the side rail  128 . A seal  138  may be mounted at the junction of an opening  140  formed between the bottommost portion of an inner surface  142  of the side rail  128  which is spaced from the adjacent vehicle panel  11  to seal the interior cavity  136  from the environment. Ball bearings  144  may optionally be disposed between interior surfaces of the side rail  128  bounding the cavity  136  and the enlarged end section  134  of the leg of the stanchion  122 . At least one roller  146  is rollably mounted on the enlarged end portion  134  by an axle  147 . The axle  147  and the roller  146  are disposed in an enlarged slot or cavity  136  in the end portion  130  and are capable of a small lateral movement therein. The roller  146  includes a peripheral groove which engages a projection  148  formed in the side rail and extending inward into the interior cavity  136  in the side rail  128 . A spring-biased pin  150  is mounted on the enlarged end portion  134  and seats against a sidewall of the cavity  136  to bias the end portion  134 , the stanchion  122  and the cross rail  120  to the right while enabling a lateral force, as described above, to be exerted on either of the stanchions attached to the cross rail  120  and cause lateral movement of the cross rail  120  and the stanchions  122 . This lateral movement disengage a latch pin on the opposite stanchion from one of a plurality of bores in the opposite side rail, in the same manner as described above and shown in FIG.  7 . 
     Another embodiment of an article carrier constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9-11. In this embodiment, a pair of stanchions  160  and  161  are connected to opposite ends of a cross rail  162 . Each of the stanchions  160  and  161  includes a smoothly curved outer surface  164  which forms an extension of a smoothly curved outer surface  166  of an associated side rail  168  or  170 . Each of the side rails has a longitudinally extending slot  172  formed on an inner side wall which opens to an interior cavity denoted by reference number  174 . 
     As shown in FIG. 10, each of the stanchions, such as stanchion  160 , has a depending leg  176  formed thereon which extends downward from the main body of the stanchion  160  before extending laterally outward through the slot  172  in the side rail  168 . A toothed gear  178  is mounted on an end portion of the depending leg  176  and rollably engages the interior cavity  174  in the side rail  168 . The gear  178  engages a toothed rack  180  mounted on the bottom surface of the interior cavity  174  in either of the side rails  168  or  170 . 
     An actuator means is mounted in one of the stanchions, such as stanchion  160 , for simultaneously engaging and disengaging the latch pins  182  mounted in each of the stanchions  160  and  161  from the respective apertures in the side rails  168  and  170 . The actuator means, in this embodiment, includes a rotatable knob  190  mounted in the stanchion  160  and accessible through the top surface thereof. A spring-biased pin  192  is mounted in the stanchion  160  and engages a detent  194  formed in the peripheral surface of the knob  190  for limiting rotatable movement thereof within predetermined limits. Cable means in the form of cables  196  and  198  are connected to the knob  190  and, respectively, to the pins  182  in the stanchions  160  and  161 . The cables  196  and  198  pass over guide rollers  200  mounted within the cross rail  162  and the stanchions  160  and  161 , as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     In operation, with the rotary knob  190  in the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, biasing springs  184  will bias the respective latch pins  182  outward into one of the bores  186  in the side rails  168  and  170  thereby locking the cross bar  162  in a fixed longitudinal position along the side rails  168  and  170 . In this position, the rotary knob  190  exerts little or no pressure on the cables  196  and  198 . However, rotation of the knob  190  in the counterclockwise direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 9 until the spring pin  192  engages the detent  194  in the knob  190  will cause a pulling force to be exerted on each of the cables  196  and  198  which will retract the pins  182  from the apertures  186  in the respective side rails  168  and  180  thereby allowing longitudinal movement of the cross rail  162  with respect to the side rails  168  and  170 . The engagement between the gear tooth  178  and the rack  180  in each of the side rails  168  and  170  ensures that the cross rail  162  remains substantially perpendicular to the side rails  168  and  170  during such longitudinal movement. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 depict another embodiment of the article carrier of the present invention which utilizes a slightly different actuator means. In this embodiment, a cross rail  210  is connected at opposite ends to a pair of stanchions  212  and  214 . The top surface of the stanchions  212  and  214  and the top surface of the cross rail  210  form a smooth, arcuate surface which merges in a flush or smooth manner with the exterior, top surfaces of a pair of side rails  216  and  218  which are mounted on an exterior vehicle panel  11 . Each of the side rails  216  and  218  has an open-ended recess  220  formed therein which has an outwardly extending projection  222  formed therein. The projection  222  engages a groove formed in a roller  224  rotatably mounted on an outer end of each of the stanchions  212  and  214  to guide the sliding movement of the cross rail  210  along the side rails  216  and  218 . A plurality of longitudinally spaced bores  226  are formed in each of the side rails  216  and  218  and slidably receive a latch pin  228  which is normally biased outward from an end of the stanchions  212  or  214  by a biasing spring  230  seated within each stanchion  212  or  214 . 
     An actuating means, in this embodiment, is in the form of a pivotal push button or lever  232  which is mounted in a recess  234  in one of the stanchions, such as stanchion  212 . The lever  232  is pivotally mounted in the stanchion  212  and is movable from a first, normal position substantially flush with the top surface of the stanchion  212  to a depressed position under manual force. Cable means in the form of a pair of cables  236  and  238  are connected to the lever  232  and respectively extend to the latch pins  228  in the stanchions  212  and  214 . Depression of the push button or lever  232  causes a force to be exerted on the cables  236  and  238  which retracts the latch pins  228  from the bores  226  in the side rails  216  and  218  thereby enabling sliding movement of the cross rail  210  along the side rails  216  and  218  via the rollers  224  rollably engaging the side rails  216  and  218 . 
     In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a cross rail  240  is connected at opposite ends to a pair of stanchions  242  and  244 . The stanchions  242  and  244  are rollably mounted in a pair of spaced side rails  246  and  248 . Each of the side rails  246  and  248  has an internal slot  250  opening through a top surface thereof with an outwardly extending projection  252  formed in a bottom surface thereof. A carrier  254  having a pair of spaced rollers  256  mounted at opposite ends thereof is pivotally connected to each stanchion, such as stanchion  242 , by a universal-type connection comprising a spherical ball  258  carried by the stanchion  242  which is mounted within a spherical recess  260  formed in the carrier  254 . A latch pin  262  extends through the spherical ball  258  and the recess  260  in the carrier  254  for releasable engagement with a plurality of spaced bores, not shown, formed along the length of the bottom surface of the slot  250  in the side rail  246 . A biasing spring  264  is mounted in the stanchion  242  and seats on the latch pin  262  to normally bias the latch pin  262  outward from the end of the stanchion  242  into engagement with one of the bores in the side rail  246 . 
     An actuator, such as either of the actuators  190  or  232  described above and shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, respectively, may be employed for controlling the position of the latch pins  262 . By way of example only, the actuator  232  in the form of a pivotal lever or push button is mounted in the stanchion  242 . Cables  236  and  238  extend from the lever  232  to the latch pins  262  mounted in the stanchions  242  and  244 , respectively. The actuator  232  functions in the same manner as that described above in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 to control the engagement and disengagement of the latch pins  262  with the bores in the side rails  246  and  248 . 
     FIGS. 16-18 depict another embodiment of the present article carrier which may be pivoted about one end for movement longitudinally along the side rails or which can be completely removed from the side rails. In this embodiment, a cross rail  268  is slidably connected by a pair of stanchions  270  and  272  to a pair of laterally spaced side rails  274  and  276 . Each of the side rails  274  and  276  has a generally open-ended slot  278  formed therein which opens upwardly through the top surface of each of the side rails  274  and  276 . A roller  280  is rotatably mounted at the lower end of each of the stanchions  270  and  272  and engages a complimentarily formed, arcuate slot  282  formed in the interior opening  278  in each of the side rails  274  and  276  to control the sliding movement of the cross rail  268  along the side rails  274  and  276 . A latch bar  284  in the form of a generally rectangular-shaped tab is mounted in and movably extends outward from one side edge of each of the stanchions, such as stanchion  270 . The latch bar  284  releasably engages one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced, complimentarily shaped bores  286  formed in each of the side rails  274  and  276 , respectively. An actuator means in the form of a pair of depressible push buttons  288  and  290  are respectively mounted in each of the stanchions  270  and  272 . Each of the actuator members  288  and  290  is mounted in each respective stanchion  270  and  272  but is capable of a slight inward movement or depression under manual force. Each of the actuator members  288  and  290  has an interiorly disposed projection  292  which engages a continuous cable  294  extending between the latch bars  284  mounted in the stanchions  270  and  272 . The latch bars  284  are normally biased outward by a biasing spring  296  seated within each stanchion  270  and  272 . Depression of either of the actuator members or push buttons  288  or  290  causes a force to be exerted on the cable  294  which simultaneously retracts each of the latch bars  284  from the respective bores  286  in the side rails  274  and  276  to enable several different modes of movement of the cross rail  268 . 
     In a first mode, as shown in FIG. 18, one end of the cross rail  268  may be pivoted about the opposite end, such as by raising the stanchion  270  out of engagement with the associated side rail  274  and pivoting the stanchion  272  about the roller  280  seated within the opposed side rail  276 . While retaining the actuator member  288  or  290  in a depressed state, the cross rail  268  may be urged longitudinally along the side rails  274  and  276  to the desired position before the raised stanchion  270  is lowered into engagement with the side rail  274  and the actuator member  288  or  290  released to enable the latch bars  288  to be urged outward into engagement with one of the bores  286  in the side rails  274  and  276 . 
     In a second mode of movement, the entire cross rail  268  may be disengaged from both side rails  274  and  276  in the same manner as described above for the disengagement of the stanchion  270  from the side rail  274  for storage or repositioning along the side rails  274  and  276 . In a mounting operation, the cross bar  268  may be inserted into engagement with the side rails  274  and  276  by first depressing one of the actuators  288  and  290  to retract the latch bars  284  and then engaging the rollers  280  carried by each stanchion  270  and  272  in the respective groove  282  in the side rails  274  and  276  before releasing the actuator members  288  and  290  to cause extension of the latch bars  284  into one of the bores  286  in the side rails  274  and  276 . It will be understood that either of the actuator members  190  or  232  described above may also be employed in place of the actuators  288  and  290 . 
     FIGS. 19,  20  and  21  depict another embodiment of the article carrier of the present invention in which a carrier  300  having a pair of spaced spherical ball rollers  302  mounted therein is attached to each stanchion portion  304  and  306  formed at outer, opposite ends of a cross bar  308 . Each of the carriers  300  includes a pair of inwardly extending recesses  309  which slidably receive inwardly facing flanges  310  formed on a raised portion of side rails  312  and  314 . The recesses  309  in each carrier  300  are deeper than the length of the flanges  310  in the side rails  312  and  314  to allow a slight lateral movement of each carrier  300  and the attached stanchion portions  304  and  306  and the cross rail  308  within the side rails  312  and  314 . 
     The latch means and biased pins described above and shown in FIGS. 1-3,  7  and  8  may be employed with the carriers  300  to provide a push/pull disengagement and re-engagement of one of the stanchions  304  and  306  with the side rails  312  and  314  to releasably position the cross rail  308  at any desired longitudinal position along the length of the side rails  312  and  314 . 
     Each carrier  300  also includes opposed, lower, outwardly extending flanges  311  and  313  which slide within laterally, longer length, opposed recesses  315 . Spring biased pins  317 , similar to the pins  50  and springs  52  extending outwardly from the end members  42  in FIG. 3, are mounted on one flange  311  of each carrier  300  and seat against the inner wall of the mating recess  315  in the side rails  312  and  314  to bias each carrier  300  laterally to the right in the orientation shown in FIG.  20 B. This lateral or rightward movement causes a latch pin  319  mounted on the opposed flange  313  of each carrier  300  to engage one of a plurality of spaced bores  321  formed along the length of the side rail  312  and  314  in the other recess  315 . A pull movement to the left in the orientation of FIG. 20B or a push movement from the right side toward the left side causes the latch pins  319  to disengage from the respective bores  321  in the side rails  312  and  314  thereby enabling the carriers  300  to be moved to the left in the recesses  315  as shown in FIG. 20A allowing longitudinal repositioning of the carriers  300  and the attached crossbar  308 . 
     Similarly, the carriers  300  may also be provided with a biasing pin and latch pin according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in the same manner as shown in FIG.  20 B. In this aspect of the invention, the pin  319  corresponds to the latch pin  116  in FIG.  7 . The spring biased pin  118  corresponds to the spring biased pin  319  in the same manner as described above for the embodiment shown in FIG.  20 B. Operation of the carrier  300  is identical to the operation of the stanchion  110  and leg  112  in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 insofar as allowing longitudinal repositioning of the carrier  300  and the attached crossbar after a pull movement on the crossbar from one side of the vehicle roof or a push movement from the other side. 
     The carriers  300  may also be provided with a latch pin and biasing pin in the same manner as the embodiment described above and shown in FIG.  8 . The embodiment of FIG. 8 is similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and  7  in that it relies on a spring biased pin seated between one of the side rails and a movable portion of the stanchion to bias the stanchion in one direction. A lateral force moving the stanchion in the opposite direction from the spring biasing force disengages a latch pin carried on a portion of the stanchion from one of a plurality of spaced bores in one of the side rails. 
     However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the spring biased pin  150  is mounted on one stanchion; while the latch pin, not shown in FIG. 8, is mounted on the opposite stanchion. These features can be applied to the carriers  300  by providing the spring biased pin  319  described above on one flange  311  to bias the leftmost carrier  300  to the right in the orientation shown in FIG.  20 C. The latch pin  319 , instead of being mounted on the flange  311  of the left carrier  300  as in FIG. 20B, is mounted on the flange  311  of the right carrier  300 . Otherwise the operation of the carriers  300  and attached crossbar is identical to that described above and shown in FIG.  20 A. 
     Another embodiment of the present article carrier is shown in FIGS. 22,  23  and  24 . In this embodiment, a cross rail  320  is connected at opposite ends to a pair of stanchions  322  and  323 . Alternately, the cross rail  320  and the stanchions  322  and  323  may be formed as an integral, one-piece member. The stanchions  322  and  323  are in turn slidably mounted in spaced, longitudinally extending side rails  324  and  326 , respectively, which are fixedly mounted to a horizontally extending vehicle surface  11 . A carrier  328  is fixedly disposed in an open-ended slot  322  formed in each of the side rails  324  and  326 . 
     The carrier  328  which is mounted within the internal slot  332  in each side rail  324  and  326  has a toothed rack  334  formed along a bottom surface or wall  328   a  thereof which is adapted to be rollably engaged by one and preferably a plurality of toothed ball rollers or wheels  330  mounted in a housing  336  attached to each stanchion, such as stanchion  322 . The carrier  328  also includes a pair of sidewalls  328   b  and  328   c  extending from the bottom wall  328   a . Inward extending flanges  328   d  and  328   e  project from the sidewalls  328   b  and  328   c , respectively. A strip  328   f  is disposed adjacent each sidewall  328   b  and  328   c.    
     The latch means in this embodiment includes a first toothed latch rack  338  mounted on the flange  328   e  on the right side carrier  328  shown in FIGS. 22-24 and facing inwardly into the interior of the slot  332  in the side rail  324 . The first toothed rack  338  on the left side carrier  328  faces in the same direction as the first rack  338  described above and as shown in FIG. 24. A second toothed rack  340  is mounted on the right side housing  336  and faces laterally outward so as to be releasably engagable with the first toothed latch rack  338 . A second toothed rack  340  on the opposite left end housing  336 , as shown in FIG. 24, faces laterally inward. The housing  336  includes a resilient central arm  342  which interconnects a lower portion of the housing  336  and a circular cross section upper portion  344  which is rotatably mounted in a recess  346  formed in the end of the stanchion  322 . 
     In this embodiment, the actuator means comprises a pivotal lever  348  mounted in one of the stanchions, such as stanchion  322  as shown in FIGS. 23,  24  and  24 A. The actuator means  348  is omitted from FIG. 22 in order that the housing  336  may be more clearly shown. The lever  348  is pivotally connected to a wedge member  350 , also mounted within the stanchion  322 . The wedge member  350  has a lower inclined end face  352  which engages an angularly disposed face  354  formed on the carrier  328 . 
     When the actuator  348  is in a normal position in which the cross rail  320  is fixed or latched in a stationary position between the side rails  324  and  326 , the inclined face  352  of the wedge member  350  will engage the angular face  354  on the carrier  328  and pivot outward to engage the housing  336  and to urge the housing  336  laterally outward or to the right in the orientation shown in FIG. 24 locking the first and second toothed latch racks  338  and  340  into engagement and locking the cross rail  320  in a fixed position between the side rails  324  and  326 . Depression of the actuator member  348  will cause an upward movement of the wedge member  350  thereby releasing the pushing force previously exerted on the housing  336  by the wedge member. A manual push force exerted on the stanchion  322  to the left in the orientation shown in FIG. 24A causes rotation of the housing  336  about a longitudinal axis extending through the lower portion of the housing  336  in the carrier  328  and disengagement of the second toothed rack  340  from the first toothed rack  338 . This left directed sideways movement will also rotate the resilient arm  342  and cause a sideways movement of the stanchion  322 , the cross rail  320  and the opposed stanchion  323  in the same leftward direction. This sideways force will be transmitted through rotation of the corresponding circular cross section member  344  mounted in the stanchion  323  and cause rotation of the resilient arm  342  connected thereto. This will rotate the housing  336  mounted in the carrier  328  in the side rail  326  thereby disengaging the first and second toothed latch racks  338  and  340  associated therewith and permitting a simultaneous longitudinal movement of the cross rail  320  along the side rails  324  and  326 . Reverse movement of the actuator  348  will bring the inclined face  352  of the wedge member  350  into sliding engagement with the angular face  354  on the carrier  328  and rotate the housing  336  clockwise thereby locking the first and second toothed latch racks  338  and  340  in engagement. This clockwise rotation also locks the opposed housing  336  via its interconnected first and second toothed latch racks  338  and  340 . 
     Another embodiment of the article carrier of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 25-27 in which a cross rail  380  is connected at opposite ends to a pair of stanchions  382  and  384 . The stanchions  382  and  384  are slidably mounted in a pair of laterally spaced side rails  386  and  388 . Each of the side rails, such as side rail  386 , includes a generally concave, open-ended cavity  390  formed therein and opening outward through the top surface of the side rail  386 . A carrier  392  is fixedly mounted to each stanchion  382  and  384  and has at least one and preferably a plurality of ball rollers  394  mounted therein which rollably engage the bottom surface of the cavity  390  formed in the side rail  386  or  388 . 
     In this embodiment, the latch means comprises a rotatable gear  393  mounted within each carrier  390 . The rotatable gear  393  meshingly engages a gear rack  395  formed on an inner facing edge of the cavity  390  in each side rail  386  and  388 . An actuator in the form of a rotatable handle  396  is connected to the gear  393  through the stanchion  382  for rotating the drive gear  393  and moving the cross rail  380  along the side rails  386  and  388 . A corresponding rotatable gear  398  is mounted in the opposed stanchion  384  and meshingly engages a similarly formed rack  400  formed in the opposed side rail  388 . 
     Rotation of the handle  396  causes rotation of the drive gear  393  and movement of the stanchion  382 , the cross rail  380  and the opposed stanchion  384  along the side rails  386  and  388 . The driving force exerted by rotation of the handle  396 , the drive gear  393  and the toothed rack  394  in the side rail  386  is transmitted by the cross rail  380  and the stanchions  382  and  384  through the opposite drive gear  394  and rack  400  in the opposite side rail  388  to maintain the cross rail  380  substantially perpendicular to the side rails  386  and  388  during any longitudinal movement therealong. 
     Also, in this embodiment, at least one and preferably a pair of spaced guide gears  402  are also mounted in each stanchion, such as stanchion  382  and engage the rack  395 , to aid in guiding the stanchion  382  along the side rail  386 . Further, a recess  404  is preferably formed in the stanchion  382  and extends inward from the top surface thereof. The recess  404  receives the handle  396  which is pivotally connected to the drive gear  393 . The handle  396  is thus pivotal between an outer, operative, gear rotating position shown in solid in FIG. 27 to a storage position shown in phantom in FIG. 27 in which the handle  396  is completely contained within the recess  404  below the top surface of the stanchion  384 . 
     In summary, there has been disclosed a unique article carrier for vehicles which includes at least one cross rail movably mounted between a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. The cross rail is uniquely mounted to the side rails via latch and actuator means which all enable the cross rail to be moved to any selected position along the length of the side rails by a single individual only from one side of the vehicle. The article carrier also enables the cross rail to be adjusted by a single individual from either side of the vehicle without requiring the individual to circle the vehicle several times to unlatch, move and re-latch the cross rail in the desired position. The article carrier of the present invention also insures that the cross rail moves in a substantial parallel fashion along the side rails during any repositioning thereof.