Patent Publication Number: US-2007119886-A1

Title: Vehicle article carrier having stowable cross bars and built-in stowage space for accessory items

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/731,841, filed Oct. 31, 2005. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is generally related to vehicle article carriers, and more particularly to a vehicle article carrier system adapted to be secured to a roof portion of a vehicle, and which enables a pair of cross bars to be moved between stowed and deployed positions, and which further includes an internal stowage compartment for stowing article carrier accessories such as ski racks, bicycle racks, etc.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Vehicle article carriers are used in a wide variety of applications to assist in supporting and securing variously shaped articles to exterior surfaces of motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, etc. Often, such vehicle article carriers make use of a pair of cross bars that are supported above an outer body surface of the vehicle on a corresponding pair of side rails. The side rails are typically fixedly secured to the roof of the vehicle and arranged along the major longitudinal length of the vehicle, and parallel to one another. The opposite ends of each cross bar are supported by the side rails, and the cross bars can be secured at desired positions along the side rails.  
      While the foregoing-described vehicle article carrier system has proven to be extremely useful and effective for securing and transporting variously sized articles, in some instances it would be desirable to be able to place the cross bars in a stowed position when they are not in use. It would also be desirable if a vehicle article carrier could be constructed that does not require the use of conventional side rails for supporting the cross bars at their opposite ends. Still further, it would be highly desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier that includes a stowage compartment for stowing accessories that are often used with a vehicle article carrier, for example, a ski rack, a bicycle rack, etc., in a secure manner, such that theft of such accessories is not a concern when the accessories are being stowed.  
      It would also be highly desirable to provide a vehicle article carrier that enabled the above advantages to be realized, and yet which is aerodynamically shaped, and aesthetically adds to the appeal of the vehicle with which it is used.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is related to a vehicle article carrier system especially well adapted to be mounted on the roof portion of a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, a van, SUV, station wagon sedan, etc. In one preferred embodiment the apparatus includes an aerodynamically shaped housing that is secured to a roof portion of the vehicle. The housing enables a pair of cross bars to be secured thereto in stowed or deployed positions. The housing also includes a removable cover and also defines an interior compartment. The interior compartment includes sufficient space for stowing a pair of cross bars in a secure manner, as well as additional areas for stowing article carrier accessories such as a ski rack, a bicycle rack, tie down cords, etc.  
      In a preferred embodiment the housing also includes at least one forwardly facing light which can be turned on and off from an interior of the vehicle with which the vehicle article carrier system is used.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the housing also includes scalloped areas through which the cross bars can project when the cross bars are secured in their deployed positions. In their deployed positions, each cross bar is supported by the housing generally perpendicular to the housing and above the roof surface of the vehicle. The housing may include a sufficient plurality of scalloped areas to enable at least one of the cross bars to be placed in two or more distinct positions. This enables a degree of adjustable spacing between the two cross bars when the cross bars are in their deployed positions.  
      In preferred embodiments, each cross bar further includes at least a pair of manually engageable locking members that can be used to secure the cross bar in either its stowed position or its deployed position. The cross bars can easily be moved between the stowed and deployed positions in merely a matter of minutes by a single individual, and without any special tools or complicated disassembly procedures.  
      The removable cover of the housing may be hinged at one end, or may be simply secured via a tongue and groove at one end of the cover. A key actuated locking element is incorporated to allow the cover to be locked to the housing, thus preventing unauthorized access into the interior of the vehicle article carrier system. When the cover is locked on the housing, the locking members that are used to secure the cross bars to the housing are also enclosed within the housing, and therefore not accessible. This eliminates the possibility that the cross bars could be stolen or otherwise tampered with.  
      In an alternative preferred embodiment a vehicle article carrier is included which makes use of a housing having two pairs of cross bar components. A first pair of the cross bar components each has an L-shaped end and each is pivotally secured to interior structure of the housing. Each one of the first pair of cross bar components may be pivoted between stowed and operative positions. In their operative positions, the first pair of cross bar components each project outwardly perpendicular to the housing, and width-wise along the roof surface of the vehicle on which the housing is mounted, A second pair of cross bar components is also pivotally mounted within the housing along a corresponding pair of slats. Each of the slats form channels that allow the cross bar pivotally secured to it to be moved longitudinally along the slat and secured at a desired position along the slat. Each of the cross bar components also includes a locking member that allows an individual to manually secure it in a stowed or deployed position. The locking members of the second pair of cross bar components also permit the second pair of cross bar components to be secured at desired longitudinal positions along the slats. When the second pair of cross bar components are not needed, they can be pivoted into positions overlaying their respective slats and their respective locking members tightened to secure each in a stowed position. This embodiment also includes a storage compartment within the housing for storing article carrier accessories such as a ski rack, a bicycle rack, tie down cords, etc.  
      The various preferred embodiments herein all provide an aerodynamic vehicle article carrier system that allows for a pair of cross bars to be moved between stowed and deployed conditions, as well as to provide an internal stowage area that can be secured with a locked cover portion. The various preferred embodiments are all aesthetically appealing and enhance the appearance of the vehicle on which the vehicle article carrier is used.  
      Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a roof portion of a vehicle including a preferred embodiment of the vehicle article carrier system of the present invention mounted thereon;  
       FIG. 2  is the same view of the vehicle article carrier system of  FIG. 1 , but with a removable cover portion of the system removed, and with the cross bars in stowed positions supported within the housing;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cross bars of the article carrier system of  FIG. 1  in their deployed positions, with the cover of the housing removed;  
       FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternative preferred vehicle article carrier system in which the cross bar members are supported for pivotal movement between stowed and deployed positions, and wherein a rear pair of the cross bar members can also be slidably positioned along a pair of support slats when in their deployed positions;  
       FIG. 5  is yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the cover member of the housing is pivotally mounted along a longitudinal center line such that the cover forms two longitudinally extending half portions when opened; and  
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the system of  FIG. 5  showing the two halves of the cover in their opened positions, 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle article carrier system  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated mounted on a roof portion  12  of a motor vehicle  14 . The motor vehicle  14  may comprise a pick-up truck, van, SUV, station wagon sedan or any other motor vehicle having a roof portion where it is desired to support articles above the roof portion. While the present invention is not limited to use with any one specific type of vehicle, it is anticipated that the system  10  will find particular utility with pick-up trucks in which access to the roof portion may be had most easily by standing in the bed portion of the vehicle.  
      The system  10  comprises an aerodynamically shaped housing  16  having a cover portion  18 . The housing  16  includes opposing side walls  20  each having scalloped portions  22 . The cover  18  also includes scalloped portions  24  on opposing side walls  26 . The housing  16  also optionally includes one or more lights  28  which may be wired into the vehicle&#39;s electrical system and turned on and off from a light switch inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle  14 .  
      The system  10  further includes a first elongated, tubular cross bar  30  and a second elongated tubular cross bar  32 . When in the deployed positions, the cross bars  30  extend width-wise along the roof  12  of the vehicle  14 , while the housing  16  extends longitudinally along the roof, and is preferably aligned over the center of the roof  12 . When the cross bars  30 ,  32  are in their deployed positions shown in  FIG. 1 , vehicle article carrier accessories, such as a ski rack, a bicycle rack, etc., can be secured to the cross bars  30  and  32  via conventional clamps or other forms of coupling elements. The cross bars  30  and  32  are preferably made from aluminum or any other suitably strong material. The cross bars  30  and  32  may be roll formed, extruded or constructed in accordance with any other construction technique that may be used to form tubular, elongated components. Optionally, the cross bars  30  and  32  could include channels formed therein for allowing threaded fastening components to be inserted in the channels and used to assist in securing external article carrier accessories to the cross bars  30  and  32 .  
      With further reference to  FIG. 1 , when in the deployed position, and with the cover  18  attached to the housing  16 , the cross bars  30  and  32  are in effect captured between the housing  16  and the cover  18 . The cover  18  may include a key actuated lock  34  at one end or the other for locking the cover to the housing  16 . The cover  18  may secure to the housing  16  via a tongue portion (not shown) at the end opposite that which includes the lock  34 , in which the tongue portion engages a notch (not shown) in the housing  16 . Alternatively, the cover  18  may be pivotally hinged at one end, in this example the end opposite the lock  34 . Also, one or more pneumatic telescoping assemblies could be used to help hold the cover  18  in a raised position while the cross bars  30 ,  32  are being moved between stowed and deployed positions on the housing  16 .  
      When the cover  18  is locked to the housing  16 , removal of the cross bars  30  and  32 , or tampering with the cross bars, is not possible. With the cover  18  secured to the housing  16 , the system  10  provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance that enhances the overall appearance of the vehicle. The housing  16  and cover  18  are preferably made from high strength plastic and may be molded or manufactured in accordance with any other manufacturing technique suitable for working with high strength plastics. The housing  16  may be secured to the outer body surface of the vehicle  16  via conventional riv nuts or by any suitable means for fastening an article carrier system to a vehicle roof.  
      With further reference to  FIG. 1  it will be noted that when the cross bars  30  and  32  are in their deployed positions, each extends above the roof surface  12  by a small amount. The outermost ends of each cross bar  30  and  32  are further not supported by any other article carrier structure. Thus, the use of slats or side rails, which are commonly used in vehicle article carrier systems to support the outermost ends of the cross bars, are not required with the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the system is shown with the cover  18  removed and the cross bars  30  and  32  stowed within the housing  16 . The cross bars  30  and  32  may be stowed by manual locking members that form graspable wheels  36 . The wheels  36  have threaded shafts (not shown) that engage with threaded openings (not shown) in the housing  16  to secure each cross bar  30  and  32  to the housing  16 . When the cross bars  30  and  32  are needed for use, a user merely rotates each of the locking wheels  36  counterclockwise to unthread them from the threaded openings (i.e., bores) in the housing  16 , and remove them from a first pair of openings  38  in each cross bar  30 ,  32 . The cross bars  30  and  32  are then removed from their stowed positions and laid in the scalloped areas  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The locking wheel members  36  are then repositioned over the cross bars  30  and  32  and their threaded shafts reinserted through different pairs of holes  40  in the cross bars, and then into the threaded bores in the housing  16 . Thus, each cross bar  30 ,  32  includes the first pair of openings  38  which are used to secure the cross bars  30 ,  32  for stowage, and the second pair of openings  40  that enable the cross bars  30 ,  32  to be fixedly secured to the housing  16  in their deployed positions.  
      With further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a principal advantage of the system  10  is that the housing  16  includes a plurality of areas or bins  42 ,  44  and  46  for storing article carrier accessories such as a ski rack, a bicycle rack, tie down cords, wet or soiled clothing items or any other accessory that may be used with the cross bars  30  and  32 . The height of each of the containers  42 ,  44  and  46  is such that they do not interfere, when placed in the housing  16 , with attachment of the cover  18  to the housing  16 . The bins  42 ,  44  and  46  may be integrally formed from high strength plastic and include a weather seal so as to extend upwardly from a bottom wall  47  ( FIG. 3 ) of the housing  16 , or alternatively formed as separate components that fit nestibly within the housing  16 , and rest on the bottom wall  16 , and between the cross bars  30  and  32 .  
      With further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing  16  may include an additional pair of scalloped areas  48 , together with threaded bores  50 , that enable cross bar  32  to be positioned in one of two positions. Thus, this allows the spacing between the cross bars  30  and  32  to be changed if needed.  
      Since the system  10  allows for the cross bars  30  and  32  to be stowed within the housing  16  when not in use, the system  10  eliminates the possibility of the cross bars  30  and  32  causing wind noise when they are not in use. The system  10  also provides an aesthetically clean appearance to the roof area  12  of the vehicle  14 . The locking wheel members  40  do not require any special tools, and can be loosened and tightened simply by hand, thus making positioning of the cross bars  30  and  32  between stowed and deployed positions a quick, easy task for an individual to complete.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , a vehicle article carrier system  100  is shown in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. System  100  is also secured in any conventional fashion to the roof portion  12  of a motor vehicle  14  such as a pick-up truck, SUV, station wagon sedan, or any other vehicle having a roof portion where it is desired to support articles elevationally above the roof portion.  
      The system  100  similarly includes a housing  102 . For purposes of clarity, the cover portion that would cover the housing  102  is not shown to better illustrate the internal structure of the system  100 . The housing  102  includes a first pair of pivotally mounted cross bar members  104  and a second pair of pivotally mounted cross bar members  106 . Cross bar members  104  each have a manually engageable locking wheel member  107 , preferably identical in construction to locking member  36 , that can be tightened down to secure each cross bar component  104  in either its deployed position, as shown in solid lines in  FIG. 4 , or its stowed position, as shown in dashed lines. A central stowage area or stowage bin  108  is included for stowing vehicle article carrier accessories.  
      With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the cross bar components  106  are also pivotally mounted to slat components  110 . Slat components  110  may be secured directly to the outer body surface of the vehicle  14  provided cutouts are formed in a bottom wall  112  of the housing  102 , or they may be secured directly to the bottom wall  112 . Manually engageable locking wheel members  114  may be similar or identical in construction to locking members  36 , and can be used to secure the cross bar components  106  in their deployed position, shown in solid lines, or in their stowed positions, in which they would lay parallel to, and directly over, the slats  110 . The slats  110 , preferably are each formed to include a channel  116 . The locking members  114 , when loosened, allow each of the cross bar components  106  to be moved longitudinally along their respective slats  116  to a desired position, and then retightened at the desired position. Accordingly, the slats  116  provide the cross bars  106  with a degree of adjustability in their respective spacings from the cross bar components  104 . The cross bar components  106  are shown in dashed lines at an auxiliary position, rearwardly of the position shown in solid lines. The cross bar components  104 ,  106  are preferably of tubular aluminum construction, but may be made from any suitably strong materials that are also weather resistant.  
      The system  100  thus allows the cross bar components  104 ,  106  to be moved between stowed positions and deployed positions without any external tools, and without completely detaching any of the cross bar components  104  or  106  from the housing  102 . When the cross bar components  104  and  106  are in either of their deployed or stowed positions, a cover, such as cover  18 , may be secured to the housing  102  to provide an aerodynamically and aesthetically pleasing appearance to the system  100 . As with the housing  16 , scalloped areas  118  help to support the cross bar components  104 ,  106 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , an article carrier system  300  in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Article carrier system  300  is similar to system  100  in that it incorporates pivotally supported cross bar components  302  and  304  that project from, and are secured to, a housing  306 . However, this embodiment has a cover  308  which is made up of two longitudinally extending sections  308   a  and  308   b . The cover  308  is hinged along its longitudinal centerline such that portions  308   a  and  308   b  may be lifted upwardly away from the housing  306  ( FIG. 6 ), when it is necessary to move the cross bar components  302  and  304  from stowed to deployed positions or from deployed to stowed positions. Thus, there is no need to remove the entire cover  308  from the housing  16  when the cross bar components  302  and  304  are moved between stowed and deployed positions. The cover portions  308   a  and  308   b  are shown in their unlocked (raised) positions in  FIG. 6 .  
      With further reference to  FIG. 5 , the system  300  makes use of support elements  310  which may rest on an outer body surface, or which may be securable to a rain gutter of the roof  12  of the vehicle  14 . Supports  310  are optional, but serve to increase the capacity of the cross bar components  302  and  304  should articles be positioned towards the outermost edges of each of the components  302  and  304 .  
      The various preferred embodiments all enable the cross bar components of an article carrier assembly to be positioned within an enclosed housing, or deployed into extended positions for use when needed. When stowed, the various preferred embodiments of the article carrier system each form an aesthetically pleasing, aerodynamically efficient system. The internal stowage areas provide a convenient space for stowing article carrier accessories in a secure manner. Advantageously, certain of the preferred embodiments described herein do not require conventional side rails to be secured to the outer body surface of a vehicle to support the cross bar components.  
      The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.