Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vehicle rack arrangement ( 10 ) comprises a load carrying bar ( 29  and at least a first clamp rack load carrier foot ( 50 ). The first clamp rack load carrier foot ( 50 ) comprises a grip member ( 80 ), a body ( 55 ), an attachment arrangement ( 90 ) and optionally an intermediate member ( 70 ). The load carrier foot ( 50 ) comprises a connection arrangement ( 50 ) which interacts with a stop surface ( 25   a   , 25   b ) of a load carrying bar ( 20 ) in a retaining manner to thereby, when operating the attachment arrangement ( 90 ), impart a force component to the load carrying bar ( 20 ) towards the body ( 55 ). A stop surface ( 25   b ) of the load carrying bar ( 20 ) prevents the connection arrangement ( 51 ) from displacement in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction (X) of the load carrying bar ( 20 ), after assembly therewith. The present invention provides for a load carrier foot ( 50 ) having very few distinct components, which is cheap to manufacture and which enables an end user to connect the clamp rack load carrier foot ( 50 ) to a load carrying bar ( 20 ) in a simple and easy manner.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a vehicle rack arrangement with a clamp rack load carrier foot. The clamp rack load carrier foot comprises few parts and requires few assembly steps, in an embodiment, using no screws or weld seams to connect the individual parts together. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are at least two different types of load carrier feet used in vehicle roof rack systems. One such type is a load carrier foot which uses a clamping force imparted between a support surface and a gripping member as primary attachment means. This type of load carrier foot is also referred to as a clamp rack foot. Load carrier feet used for rails are also considered to be of the clamp rack foot type. Another type of load carrier foot is attached on pre prepared positions on the vehicle, which generally do not need to be attached using a clamping force as primary attachment force. This type of load carrier foot is also referred to as a fix point foot. 
         [0003]    During attachment of a load carrier foot of the clamp rack foot type, which uses a clamping force as primary attachment means to the roof of the vehicle, the load carrier foot rests on the roof and a grip member engages a ledge on the vehicle. The grip member is thereafter forced in a direction so as to impart a clamping force between the grip member and the support surface by means of attachment means, such as a screw, which retains the load carrier foot on the roof of the vehicle. This type of load carrier foot is advantageous as is can be applied to many different types of vehicles and it requires little or no manipulation of the vehicle itself, in contrast to a fix point foot. 
         [0004]    The clamp rack load carrier foot is often mechanically advanced in terms of requiring multiple parts. One example of a clamping load carrier foot is disclosed in the PCT publication WO 2008/140379 A1. The load carrier foot in this disclosure comprises a clamping jaw which is pivotally connected to a load carrier body. The clamping jaw is further connected to the load carrier body with a screw, generally referred to as tightening means, to tighten the clamping jaw and thus impart a clamping force between the clamping jaw and the contact surface of the vehicle. The clamp rack load carrier foot is mechanically complex. The complexity imparts higher manufacturing costs and makes the logistics more difficult at the manufacturing site. This also generally requires that the vehicle roof racks are sold pre-assembled. 
         [0005]    An end user, i.e. a person who buys, or receives, a vehicle roof rack and then attaches the vehicle roof rack to the vehicle is provided with a small number of options in terms of price and flexibility. Although it is very comfortable for the end user to buy pre assembled vehicle roof racks, it generally imparts a higher cost for the end user. This can sometimes be unwarranted as a certain amount of the assembly stages can easily be made by the end user themselves, thereby enabling the end user to buy a vehicle roof rack at a lower price. There is also a need for simplifying the assembly at a manufacturing site for those occasions a vehicle roof rack is intended to be sold in a pre assembled state. There is thus a need for a vehicle roof rack which is not mechanically complex and which is easy to assemble while not compromising safety issues such as the ability of the load carrier foot to effectively clamp on to the roof of the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The above mentioned drawbacks are at least partly solved, at least partly reduced, or a useful alternative is provided, by the present invention. The present invention relates to a load carrying bar and a clamp rack load carrier foot comprising a body and a support surface adapted to be positioned against a first surface of a vehicle. A grip member is adapted to grip a second surface of the vehicle to enable a clamping force between the support surface and the grip member. An attachment arrangement is operable to vary the clamping force between the support surface and the gripping member. The clamp rack load carrier foot is adapted to receive a load carrying bar on a load carrying bar receiving surface. 
         [0007]    The clamp rack load carrier foot comprises a connection arrangement arranged in working cooperation with the attachment arrangement. The clamp rack load carrier foot is coupled to the load carrying bar by means of a relative displacement of at least a part of the connection arrangement with respect to the load carrying bar to a first position, when operating the attachment arrangement, when the clamp rack load carrier foot has been mounted on the vehicle and when the at least a part of the connection arrangement is in the first position, the connection arrangement imparts the load carrying bar with;
       a turning force, imparting a first force component to the load carrying bar in a direction towards the vehicle, and;   a second force component in a first direction (A) parallel with the longitudinal direction (X) of the load carrying bar,
 
to thereby retain the load carrying bar on the load carrying bar receiving surface.
       
 
         [0010]    The coupling of the connection arrangement to the load carrying bar can be easily made be by an end user or at the manufacturing site. The connection arrangement itself is thus the retaining means, retaining the load carrying bar on the clamp rack load carrying foot, without the use of additional screws or bolts. During assembly, the turning force of the connection arrangement and the second force component in the first direction cooperates with the load carrying bar so as to retain the load carrying bar to the clamp rack load carrier foot. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides for a vehicle rack arrangement with a clamp rack load carrier foot which comprises a low number of distinct components, i.e. less than 10 distinct components, preferably less than 8 distinct components. By using few components, a simple construction is provided which even permits an end user assembly, a cheap construction and reduced logistic related problems which can occur when operating a higher number of components. Very few parts are thus needed to provide a safe, yet rigid, connection for a load carrier foot. 
         [0012]    According to an embodiment the connection arrangement comprises a grip portion adapted to extend into an opening of the load carrying bar, wherein at least the first grip surface is arranged on the grip portion. The first grip surface can thus interact with the interior surface of the load carrying bar in a retaining manner. Specifically, only the bottom interior surface is used. The opening is advantageously an aperture. 
         [0013]    The grip member can be arranged in working cooperation with an intermediate member via the attachment arrangement. The intermediate member comprises the grip portion. This enables an embodiment in which the intermediate member retains the load carrying bar on the clamp rack load carrier foot and which is operable using the attachment arrangement. 
         [0014]    According to an aspect of the invention, the grip portion comprises both the first and second grip surfaces. It has been found that this embodiment enables a very sturdy and rigid construction especially if the grip portion is made from a metal material such as steel. Optionally, the second grip surface can be arranged on the body of the clamp rack load carrier foot. 
         [0015]    According to an aspect of the invention, the first grip surface is arranged at an angle α with respect to the second grip surface. The first grip surface is advantageously arranged parallel with the Z-X plane and the second grip surface is advantageously arranged with an angle thereto. The angle α is advantageously 15-75 degrees, preferable 25-65 degrees with respect to the first grip surface, i.e. to the Z-X plane. By arranging the second grip surface at an angle with respect to the first grip surface, parts of the load carrying bar can be used to wedge the grip portion e.g. to an opening in the load carrying bar. 
         [0016]    According to an aspect of the invention, the intermediate member comprises an abutment surface enabling leverage to the grip member at a lever point. The leverage provides for a relatively high clamping force. As an alternative, the body of the clamp rack load carrier foot can comprises an abutment surface for enabling leverage to the grip member at a lever point. Optionally both the intermediate member and the body can comprise an abutment surface for the above mentioned purpose. 
         [0017]    According to an aspect of the invention, the attachment arrangement is pivotally connected to the intermediate member at an attachment arrangement working point. In an embodiment, the grip member comprises a first and a second transverse end and the lever point is arranged in the proximity of the first transverse end. Advantageously, the grip portion can be arranged at the second transverse end of the grip member. This utilizes the full length of the grip member and imparts a good leverage. The attachment arrangement operates via the grip member at a working point, which in an embodiment can be an aperture, slot or the like. The working point just mentioned is advantageously arranged substantially between the lever point and the grip portion of the grip member. 
         [0018]    The attachment arrangement is advantageously a screw operating with a nut; the nut is pivotally attached to the intermediate member. 
         [0019]    According to an aspect of the invention, the body of the clamp rack load carrier foot comprises an abutment surface adapted to cooperate with an opening of the load carrying bar. The abutment surface, preferably arranged on an upper portion of the clamp rack load carrier foot, is adapted to cooperate with a part of the intermediate member to attach the clamp rack load carrier foot to the load carrying bar, advantageously in a cooperative manner with the grip portion of the intermediate member. This enables a user to assemble the clamp rack load carrier foot with a load carrying bar in a simple manner. 
         [0020]    The abutment surface can be adapted to provide for a snap-in arrangement. The snap-in arrangement is adapted to cooperate with a part of the intermediate member to couple the clamp rack load carrier foot to the load carrying bar, releasably or permanently. The part is advantageously the grip portion of the intermediate member. By the term permanently is hereby meant that the objects cannot be detached from one another after attachment without breaking at least a part of one of the objects or the connection formed between the two objects. According to an aspect of the invention, the abutment surface, or optionally the snap-in arrangement, is adapted to cooperate with a part of the opening, advantageously the side edge of the opening. 
         [0021]    The body of the clamp rack load carrier foot comprises a cavity in which the intermediate member is at least partly enclosed after assembly. A support structure can further be provided in the body. The support structure improves the rigidity of the body. In this embodiment, the intermediate member is advantageously arranged partly inside of said support structure. The support structure and the body are advantageously formed by one unitary piece of material. 
         [0022]    According to an aspect of the invention, a first and a second clamp rack load carrier foot are connected to a load carrying bar to form a vehicle rack arrangement, the load carrying bar has a longitudinal direction and at least one stop surface. The at least one stop surface is partly formed by an opening in the load carrying bar, such as a transverse side edge of the opening of the load carrying bar. The vehicle rack arrangement is advantageously a vehicle roof rack arrangement. 
         [0023]    The load carrying bar can comprise a plurality of openings. Each opening forms, or at least partly forms, a designated stop surface for the grip portion of the intermediate member. This enables the clamp rack load carrier foot to be positioned in a plurality of pre determined positions. Advantageously, at least three openings are arranged on the load carrying bar. 
         [0024]    According to an aspect of the invention, the attachment arrangement extends between and interconnects the grip member and the connection arrangement, e.g. the intermediate member. When the connection arrangement is provided by an intermediate member, and the grip portion is arranged on the intermediate member, or optionally formed by a part of the intermediate member, very few parts are used to provide the clamping force retaining the clamp rack load carrier foot to the vehicle. 
         [0025]    According to an aspect of the invention, the intermediate member comprises a grip portion adapted to interact with a stop surface of the load carrying bar in a retaining manner to thereby, when operating the attachment arrangement, impart a force component to the load carrying bar at least towards the body. The force component provides for the clamping force. The grip portion of the intermediate member is adapted to interact with the stop surface of the load carrying bar so as to prevent the grip portion from displacement in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the load carrying bar, after assembly therewith. The stop surface of the load carrying bar can be formed by an opening, or through aperture, in the load carrying bar. In this embodiment, the load carrying bar provides for the stop surface and physically prevents the grip portion from displacement upon tightening the attachment arrangement. 
         [0026]    It should be noted that when the grip portion of the intermediate member, or the connection arrangement, is releasably coupled to the load carrying bar, the load carrying bar and the body of the clamp rack load carrier foot can be disassembled when the attachment arrangement is loosened, i.e. when dismounting the clamp rack load carrier foot from a vehicle. In some cases a snap in function can be arranged between the body of the clam rack load carrier foot and the load carrying bar, however, the main retaining mechanism retaining the load carrying bar to the body of the clamp rack load carrier foot is due to the grip portion of the intermediate member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures in which; 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a clamp rack load carrier foot according to the present invention in cross section; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows parts of a load carrying bar which can be used with a load carrier foot according to the present invention and; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows parts of a load carrying bar and a load carrier foot according to the present invention in an exploded view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a cross section of parts of a vehicle  1  having a roof  2  to which a vehicle top rack arrangement  10  is connected. The vehicle top rack arrangement  10  is adapted to receive and carry a load such as; a cargo load such as bricks, pallets, timber, boards, pipes or the like; sports gear such as skis, snowboards, bicycles, canoes, kayaks or the like; vehicle accessories such as roof boxes, secondary load carrying related equipment such as load stops, load securing arrangements or the like. 
         [0032]    The vehicle top rack arrangement comprises a load carrying bar  20 , also referred to as a load carrier bar ( 20 ), and a first and a second clamp rack load carrier foot, hereafter only referred to as load carrier feet. Only the first load carrier foot  50  is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  further defines the X, Y and Z directions used herein. The Z direction extends in the same direction as the width of the load carrying bar  20 , and the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle after the vehicle top rack arrangement  10  has been assembled thereto. The X direction extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the load carrying bar  20 , and the transverse direction of the vehicle  1  after assembly thereto. The Y direction extends in the same direction as the height, or the vertical direction of the load carrying bar  20  or the vehicle  1 . The Z-X directions form a horizontal plane, when the vehicle is parked or travelling on flat ground. 
         [0034]    In the shown embodiment, the load carrying bar  20  is a straight bar with no accessories attached thereto. The load carrier bar  20  can be manufactured from any suitable material but steel, aluminium, and/or carbon fibre based materials are preferred. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows the load carrying bar  20  with a first end  36  in perspective and with a view towards the surface positioned to face the vehicle  1  after assembly; hereafter referred to as the bottom exterior surface  21 . The load carrying bar also comprises a bottom interior surface  21   b . Opposite to the bottom exterior surface  21 , formed by a bottom wall, is a top exterior surface  22 , formed by a top wall. The top exterior surface  22  forms a load receiving surface  22 . The load carrying bar  20  comprises a substantially oval cross section providing two smooth side edges  23 ,  24  which will result in low wind resistance when the vehicle  1  is moving. 
         [0036]    The load carrier bar  20  comprises a first and a second stop surface  25   a ,  25   b , in this embodiment partly formed by an aperture  26  in the wall of the load carrier bar  20 . The stop surfaces  25   a ,  25   b  are adapted to be in working cooperation with the load carrier foot  50  and a connection arrangement  51  of the load carrier foot  50 , as will be described in greater detail herein. 
         [0037]    The first stop surface  25   a  can be partly or fully formed by a hook member, a pin, an opening such as an aperture, open ended slot, a cavity, or the like. A preferred opening is an aperture, extending through the wall of the load carrying bar. In the shown embodiment in  FIG. 1-2 , the first stop surface  25   a  is partly formed by the aperture  26 , i.e. the material defining the aperture  26 . As is noticed, the aperture  26  comprises a first section  27  having a first opening area  28  and a second section  29  having a second opening area  30 . The first opening area  28  is larger than the second opening area  30 . More importantly, the second section  29  defines, or forms, a first and a second stop flange  31 ,  32  which after assembly cooperate with the connection arrangement  51  of the load carrier foot  50 . The first and the second stop flanges  31 ,  32  are formed by the material surrounding the aperture  26 , more specifically from the different forms of the first and the second sections  27 ,  29 . 
         [0038]    The second stop surface  25   b  is, in the shown embodiment of the present invention, formed by the transverse side edge  33  of the second section  29 . Alternative stop surfaces could be formed by the corresponding remaining transverse side edges  34  of the first section  28 . The second stop surface  25   b  is adapted to prevent the connection arrangement from being displaced in the X direction, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the load carrying bar  20 , and more specifically in a first direction of the X direction, indicated by an arrow A in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The first direction of the longitudinal direction of the load carrying bar  20  can be said to be towards the first end  36  of the load carrying bar  20 . The load carrying bar  20  is advantageously arranged with at least one stop surface, or at least two stop surfaces, or three or more stop surfaces. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows parts of the load carrying bar  20  and the components of the load carrier foot  50  in exploded view. As is noticed, the vehicle top rack arrangement  10  and the load carrier foot comprises very few components. In the shown embodiment, only six separate components are used in the load carrier foot  50 , none of them being permanently attached to each other. The load carrier foot  50  comprises a body  55  adapted to carry load carrying bar  20  and the applied load thereon. A flexible support pad  56  forms a support surface  57  adapted to be positioned against a first surface of the vehicle  1 , preferably the roof  2  of the vehicle  1 . The flexible support pad  56  comprises a flexible and friction increasing material such as natural- or synthetic rubber, or any rubber like material. The flexible support pad  56  protects the roof  2  of the vehicle  1  from deformation and wear during use. The support surface  57  can be integrally formed with the body  55  or be as a separate component, e.g. arranged on a support pad  56  as disclosed herein. 
         [0040]    The body  55  can advantageously be made form a polymeric material such as polypropylene, or carbon fibre reinforced polymeric material, although other materials are possible such as steel or aluminium. The body  55  comprises a base  58  intended to be positioned adjacent the support pad  56 , an upper portion  59  adapted to receive and carry the load carrier bar  20 . The upper portion  59  comprises a load carrying bar receiving surface  60 . A support structure  61  connects the base  59  with the upper portion  59  and imparts rigidity to the body  55 . The body  55 , formed by a housing, comprises an aperture  67  adapted to be positioned in working cooperation, i.e. in an overlapping manner, with the aperture  26  of the load carrying bar  20 . 
         [0041]    In an embodiment, the aperture  67  of the body  55  can form a stop surface for the connection arrangement. Hence the body  55  of the load carrier foot  50  can be provided with a stop surface for preventing displacement of the connection arrangement in the first X direction. 
         [0042]    The body  55  further comprises a cavity  66  defined partly by the support structure  61  inside the body  55 . The intermediate member  70  is positioned partly inside the cavity  66  of the body  55  after assembly, and extends through the aperture  67  of the body  55 , and into the load carrying bar  20 . 
         [0043]    An intermediate member  70  is adapted to be in working cooperation with a grip member  80  and an attachment arrangement  90 . To enable a high tensile strength, the intermediate member  70  is preferably a metal bracket advantageously made by form pressing sheet steel. The grip member  80  and the attachment arrangement  90  will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0044]    The intermediate member  70  comprises a grip portion  71 , adapted to be connected with the load carrying bar  20 , and specifically to be in working cooperation with the first stop surface  25   a  of the opening  26  of the load carrying bar  20 , shown in  FIG. 2 . In the shown embodiment, the grip portion  71  is adapted to interact with the first stop surface  25   a  so as to permit the load carrier foot  50  to be retained on a surface of the vehicle  1 . It thus imparts a force component in the Y direction, i.e. in a direction towards the body  55  of the load carrier foot as the attachment arrangement  90  is operated. The intermediate member  70  comprises an elongated body  70   a  comprising the grip portion  71 , an abutment surface  72  and an attachment arrangement working point  73 . 
         [0045]    The first and second stop flanges  31 ,  32  are, as mentioned, adapted to be in working cooperation with the grip portion  71  so as to force the load carrying bar  20  in a direction towards the roof  2  of the vehicle  1 . The grip portion  71  of the intermediate member  70  thus rests on the interior surface of the first load carrier bar  20 . More precisely, the grip portion  71  of the intermediate member  70  rests only on the bottom interior surface  21   b  of the first load carrier bar  20 , although a part of it is positioned directly adjacent the transverse side edge  33  of the opening  26 , which forms the second stop surface  25   b  in this case. 
         [0046]    The grip portion  71  comprises a grip plate  74  adapted to cooperate with the first stop surface  25   a  and the first and second stop flanges  31 ,  32  of the load carrying bar  20  after assembly thereto. The grip plate  74  has an extension in the horizontal plane Z-X, extending perpendicular to the elongation of the elongated body  70   a . In this case the parts, or the surface of the grip plate  74 , which faces the bottom interior surface  21   b  of the first load carrier bar  20 , forms the first grip surface  71   a . The grip plate  74  is further raised a distance d from the elongated body  70   a  so as to readily reach into the load carrier bar  20 . The distance d is advantageously 3-20 mm. The grip plate  74  is during assembly inserted into the first section  27  of the opening  26  of the load carrying bar  20  and thereafter displaced in the first X direction, indicated by arrow A in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , into the second section  29  of the opening  26  of the load carrying bar  20 . 
         [0047]    In the second section  29 , arms  75  holding the grip plate  74  are effectively prevented from further displacement in the first X direction by the second stop surface  25   b . In this case, the arm 75 partly forms the second grip surface  71   b . The second grip surface  71   b  is advantageously arranged at an angle α of 90 degrees, optionally &gt;90 degrees, more advantageously of 110-160 degrees. In this case the angle α should be less than 180 degrees however, with respect to the first grip surface  71   a.    
         [0048]    The abutment surface  72  of the intermediate member  80  is adapted to cooperate with the grip member  80  during and after attachment to the vehicle  1 . The abutment surface  72  abuts the grip member  80  so as to provide a lever mechanism for the grip member  80 . This makes the grip member  80  effectively impart a high clamping force and thereby securely grip the vehicle  1 . 
         [0049]    The attachment arrangement working point  73  can be a pivot point at which at least one aperture  76 , in this case two apertures, cooperates with the attachment arrangement  90 , in this case a nut  91  and a screw  92 . The nut  91  is in the form of a pin like nut. 
         [0050]    The grip member  80  is advantageously a metal bracket having an aperture  81 , functioning as a working point, through which the screw  92  cooperates with the intermediate member  70 . The grip member  80  comprises a grip portion  82  adapted to grip a second surface  3  of the vehicle  1 . The grip member  80  has a substantially elongated body  83  having a first and a second transverse end  84 ,  85 , an inner side  86 , facing the body  55  of the load carrier foot  50 , and an outer side  87  facing away from the body  55  of the load carrier foot  50 ; after assembly. The second end  85  of the grip member  80  comprises the grip portion  82 . The grip portion  82  comprises a grip surface  87  formed by a fold in the proximity of the second end  85 . 
         [0051]    The grip member  80  also comprises an abutment surface  88 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , which is adapted to cooperate with the abutment surface  72  of the intermediate member  70  during attachment to the vehicle  1 .  FIG. 1  shows the load carrier foot  50  in cross section when the load carrier foot  50  is in an engaged position, i.e. when the load carrier foot  50  is attached to the vehicle  1  for transporting a cargo on the first load carrier bar  20 . 
         [0052]    As the attachment arrangement  90 , in this case the screw  92 , is operated to increase the clamping force between the grip portion  82  of the grip member  80  and the support surface  57  of the body  55 , the abutment surface  88  of the grip member  80  and the abutment surface  72  of the intermediate member  70  are positioned directly adjacent each other at a lever point  89 . Leverage is thereafter achieved when further operating the attachment arrangement  90  to increase said clamping force. The leverage of the grip member  80  is operable via the aperture  81  of the grip member  80  and the abutment surfaces  88 ,  72  of the grip member  80  and the intermediate member  70 . The aperture  81  thus forms a cooperative point  81  for the attachment arrangement  90 . The cooperative point  81  for the attachment arrangement  90  is advantageously arranged between the first and the second transverse ends  84 ,  85 , and within a distance of 30-70%, advantageously about 40-60%, of the total length of the grip member  80  from the lever point  89 . The distance between the lever point  89  and the grip portion  82  of the grip member  80  is indicated by the dashed line  100  in  FIG. 1 . The dashed line extends through the lever point  89  and the fold of the grip portion  82  of the grip member  80 . The aperture  81 , forming a cooperative point  81 , is advantageously displaced from the dashed line  100  as the grip member  80  has the form of an arc shaped curvature in the longitudinal direction of the grip member  80  and having an apex pointing away from the load carrier foot  50  after assembly. Optionally or additionally, the grip member  80  has a transverse direction which advantageously comprises an arc shaped curvature, having an apex pointing away from the load carrier foot  50  after assembly. This improves the rigidity of the grip member  80 . 
         [0053]    In an embodiment, the abutment surface  82  of the grip member  80  and the abutment surface  72  of the intermediate member  70  are separated from each other by a distance d, which can be of the order of 1-40 mm, forming two separate abutment points. Both these points are in that case considered to be the lever point  89 . The lever point  89  can, in an embodiment of the invention, be formed between the abutment surface  88  of the grip member  80  and an abutment surface of the body  55  of the load carrier foot  50 . Such an abutment surface is advantageously arranged in the proximity of the upper portion  59  of the load carrier foot  50 . 
         [0054]    Hereafter the function and assembly of the load carrier foot will be described in greater detail. As is seen in  FIG. 1 , connection arrangement  51 , in this case the coupling portion  71  of the intermediate member  70 , is inserted in the aperture  26  of the load carrying bar  20  and displaced with respect to the load carrying bar  20  in the first direction A to a first position, thereby interacting with the first and second stop surfaces  25   a ,  25   b , so as to permit attachment of the load carrier foot  50  to a surface of the vehicle  1 . The connection arrangement  51  is thus arranged in working cooperation with the attachment arrangement. When operating the attachment arrangement  90 , the connection arrangement  51 , and thus the coupling portion  71 , imparts the load carrying bar with a turning force, imparting a first force component to the load carrying bar in the Y direction towards the vehicle  1 . A second force component is imparted in the first direction A parallel with the longitudinal direction X of the load carrying bar. This retains the load carrying bar  20  to the load carrying bar receiving surface  60  in a very firm and safe manner. The opening  26  and the surfaces formed by the opening  26  interacts with the imparted force components. 
         [0055]    As can be noted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the body  55  of the load carrier foot  50  comprises an abutment surface, in this case in the form of a snap-in arrangement  65 , which cooperates with a second transverse side edge  35  of the opening  26  of the load carrying bar  20 . The second transverse side edge  35  of the opening  26  is positioned directly opposite the transverse side edge  33  of the second section  29  of the opening  26  of the load carrying bar  20 . The snap-in arrangement  65  comprises a protrusion  66  operable to interact with the second transverse side edge  35  of the opening  26  after the coupling portion  71  of the intermediate member  70  has been inserted in the opening  26 . The snap-in arrangement  65  enables the body  55  of the first load carrier foot  50  to be temporarily attached to the first load carrier bar  20 , suitable for storage in e.g. a garage or in the trunk of a car. 
         [0056]    The load carrying bar  20  can comprise at least one stop surface  25   a ,  25   b , or a plurality of stop surfaces. At least two stop surfaces  25   a ,  25   b  are preferably positioned in at each end of the load carrying bar and adapted to cooperate with a load carrier foot. At least one end of the load carrying bar can comprise a plurality of pairs of stop surfaces  25   a ,  25   b  to enable a variable length between a first and a second load carrier foot. Optionally each end of the load carrying bar can comprise a plurality of stop surfaces to enable a variable length between a first and a second load carrier foot. 
         [0057]    The stop surfaces mentioned above can advantageously be defined by an opening, or a plurality of openings, in the load carrying bar. The openings can be of different forms or the same form. Suitable forms can be oval, circular, polygon forms, square, rectangular forms or the like. An important aspect of each form is however that it forms a pair of stop surfaces for the connection arrangement of the load carrying foot, e.g. an intermediate member, to interact with, as described above. 
         [0058]    It should be noted that the expression “bar” as used herein not necessarily refer to a straight component that is longer than it is wide, but may include a component of any shape and size that is arranged to be supported on at least one clamp rack load carrier foot. A straight longitudinal bar is however a preferred bar.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1