Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6568748B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-12-12 08:55:29
Document Index: 644355065

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 21', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 220', 'art 230', 'art 220', 'arts 310', 'art 310', 'art 320', 'art 310', 'art 320', 'art 310', 'art 320', 'art 310', 'art 320', 'art 310', 'art 320', 'art 310', 'art 310', 'art 310']

US6568748B2 - Apparatus for fixing roof rack to vehicle roof - Google Patents
Apparatus for fixing roof rack to vehicle roof Download PDF
US6568748B2
US6568748B2 US10/028,287 US2828701A US6568748B2 US 6568748 B2 US6568748 B2 US 6568748B2 US 2828701 A US2828701 A US 2828701A US 6568748 B2 US6568748 B2 US 6568748B2
US10/028,287
US20030038510A1 (en
2001-08-22 Priority to KR2001-50603 priority Critical
2001-08-22 Priority to KR2001-0050603 priority
2001-08-22 Priority to KR20010050603A priority patent/KR100448404B1/en
2001-12-28 Application filed by Kia Motors Corp filed Critical Kia Motors Corp
2002-03-20 Assigned to KIA MOTORS CORPORATION reassignment KIA MOTORS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: YOON, JIN
2003-02-27 Publication of US20030038510A1 publication Critical patent/US20030038510A1/en
2003-05-27 Publication of US6568748B2 publication Critical patent/US6568748B2/en
The present invention relates to an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof. Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating mounting and dismounting of a roof rack for loading various kinds of freight thereon by structurally improving a vehicle roof to employ a unified single roof molding. According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof of the type comprising a roof panel 100 in which roof molding engagement portions 110 are longitudinally formed to be depressed along both sides of the vehicle roof, and roof moldings 200 inserted into and engaged with the roof molding engagement portions 110 of the roof panel 100. Further, the apparatus of the present invention comprises engagement openings 210 formed to pass through the roof moldings, and movable covers 300 placed in the interiors of the roof moldings to allow the engagement openings 210 to be resiliently opened and closed. Therefore, since the unified single roof molding can be employed by structurally improving the vehicle roof, irrespective of whether or not the roof rack is used, the number of parts and the cost of production can be reduced and production processes can be simplified. Further, since the roof rack can be easily mounted to and dismounted from the roof modling, a user's convenience increases. Furthermore, since the interior of the roof molding cannot be seen when the roof rack has been dismounted from the roof molding, the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle roof can be enhanced.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof. Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating mounting and dismounting of a roof rack for loading various kinds of freight thereon by structurally improving a vehicle roof to employ a unified single roof molding, by which the number of parts and the cost of production can be reduced and production processes can be simplified since the unified single roof molding can be employed irrespective of whether or not the roof rack is used, a user's convenience increases since the roof rack can be easily mounted to and dismounted from the roof molding, and the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle roof can be enhanced since the interior of the roof molding cannot be seen when the roof rack has been dismounted therefrom.
Generally, a vehicle roof is provided with roof moldings for preventing welded portions between a roof panel and a side panel from being exposed to the outside. Such a roof molding is also referred to as a roof carrier. In addition, a roof rack for loading various kinds of freight thereon may be mounted to the roof molding.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vehicle roof, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional apparatus for fixing a roof rack to the vehicle roof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A—A in FIG. 1.
In addition, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roof molding of the conventional apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the conventional apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof comprises a roof panel 10 in which roof molding engagement portions 11 are longitudinally depressed along both sides of the vehicle roof, and roof moldings 20 inserted into and engaged with the roof molding engagement portions 11 of the roof panel 10.
According to the conventional apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof constructed as such, since the integrally formed roof moldings 20 are longitudinally mounted on both sides of the roof panel 10 as shown in FIG. 1, the roof rack 40 cannot be mounted to the roof moldings. On the other hand, since the roof moldings 20 with two or more engagement openings 30 formed therein are mounted on both sides of the roof panel 10 as shown in FIG. 2, the roof rack 40 can be mounted to the roof moldings through the engagement openings 30.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roof moldings 20 are inserted into and engaged with the roof molding engagement portions 11 formed to be depressed in the roof panel 10. Each roof molding 20 includes an outer roof molding part 21 made of synthetic resin, and an inner roof molding part 22 made of stainless steel which is inserted into and engaged with an inner circumferential surface of the outer roof molding part 21. The outer roof molding part 21 enhances the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle roof and also prevents foreign matter from being introduced into the roof molding engagement portion 11, while the inner roof molding part 22 serves to maintain the strength of the roof molding 20.
However, in the conventional apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof, different kinds of the roof moldings should be used depending on whether or not the roof rack is used. That is, integral type of roof moldings are used in a vehicle in which the roof rack is not employed, whereas separate type of roof moldings are used in a vehicle in which the roof rack is employed. As a result, a unified roof molding cannot be employed regardless of the kinds of vehicles. Further, since the separate type of roof moldings should be used in a case of the vehicle where the roof rack is used, the number of parts and the cost of production may be increased. Furthermore, there is a technical problem in that the user cannot have an alternative to employing the roof rack according to a user's will.
The present invention is contemplated to solve the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof, by which the number of parts and the cost of production can be reduced and production processes can be simplified since a unified single roof molding can be employed by structurally improving the vehicle roof, irrespective of whether or not the roof rack is used, a user's convenience increases since the roof rack can be easily mounted to and dismounted from the roof molding, and the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle roof can be enhanced since the interior of the roof molding cannot be seen upon when the roof rack has been dismounted therefrom.
In order to accomplish the above object of the present invention, there is provided an improved apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof of the type comprising a roof panel in which roof molding engagement portions are longitudinally depressed along both sides of the vehicle roof, and roof moldings inserted into and engaged with the roof molding engagement portions of the roof panel. Further, the apparatus of the present invention comprises engagement openings formed to pass through the roof moldings, and movable covers placed in the interiors of the roof moldings to allow the engagement openings to be resiliently opened and closed.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vehicle roof;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional apparatus for fixing a roof rack to the vehicle roof;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roof molding of the conventional apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where an engagement opening of the apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof according to the present invention is closed by a movable cover;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the engagement opening of the apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof according to the present invention is opened; and
The constitution of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where an engagement opening of the apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof according to the present invention is closed by a movable cover, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line B—B in FIG. 6.
Further, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the engagement opening of the apparatus for fixing the roof rack to the vehicle roof according to the present invention is opened, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line C—C in FIG. 8.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, an apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof according to the present invention comprises a roof panel 100 in which roof molding engagement portions 110 are longitudinally depressed along both sides of the vehicle roof, and roof moldings 200 inserted into and engaged with the roof molding engagement portions 110 of the roof panel 100. Further, according to a technical feature of the present invention, the apparatus comprises engagement openings 210 formed to pass through the roof moldings, and movable covers 300 placed in the interiors of the roof moldings 200 to allow the engagement openings 210 to be resiliently opened and closed.
As shown in FIG. 5, each roof molding 200 includes an outer roof molding part 220 and an inner roof molding part 230 inserted into and engaged with an inner circumferential surface of the outer roof molding part 220. The engagement openings 210 formed on the roof molding 200 are formed to correspond to the shape of upper cover parts 310 of the movable covers 300 inserted into the roof molding.
Further, each movable cover 300 is divided into the upper cover part 310, a lower cover part 320 and an elastic member 330. The upper cover part 310 is formed to be bent in a multistage form so that a portion of a top surface thereof protrudes upwardly to be inserted into the engagement opening 210, and is provided with at least one cylindrical upper receiving end 311 formed on a bottom surface thereof for receiving the elastic member. The lower cover part 320 is provided with at least one cylindrical lower receiving end 321 formed on the top surface thereof for receiving the elastic member.
Therefore, both top and bottom ends of the elastic member 330 are inserted into the cylindrical upper receiving end 311 of the upper cover part 310 and the cylindrical lower receiving end 321 of the lower cover part 320, respectively, to resiliently support the movable cover 300 in a vertical direction.
At this time, the movable cover 300, which comprises the upper cover part 310, the lower cover part 320 and the elastic member 330 of which both the ends are inserted, respectively, into the cylindrical upper receiving end 311 of the upper cover part 310 and the cylindrical lower receiving end 321 of the lower cover part 320, is guided into the inner roof molding 230 so that it can move within the roof molding 200 in a fore and aft direction.
Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.
As described above, when the movable cover 300 is placed in the engagement opening 210 formed on the roof molding 200, the upper cover part 310 protrudes upwardly by the elastic member 330 of the movable cover 300 to close the engagement opening 210.
Therefore, when the roof rack (not shown) needs not to be mounted to the roof molding 200, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable cover 300 is caused to move toward the engagement opening 210 of the roof molding 200. Then, since the upper cover part 310 of the movable cover 300 closes the engagement opening 210 by means of the elastic member 330, the aesthetic appearance of the roof molding can be enhanced.
On the contrary, when the roof rack needs to be mounted to the roof molding 200, the engagement opening 210 of the roof molding 200 is opened since by pressing the upper cover part 310 of the movable cover 300 by which the engagement opening 210 of the roof molding 200 is covered and then moving the movable cover 300 in the fore or aft direction.
As described above, according to the present invention, since the unified single roof molding can be employed by structurally improving the vehicle roof, irrespective of whether or not the roof rack is used, the number of parts and the cost of production can be reduced and production processes can be simplified. Further, since the roof rack can be easily mounted to and dismounted from the roof molding, a user's convenience increases. Furthermore, since the interior of the roof molding cannot be seen when the roof rack has been dismounted from the roof molding, the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle roof can be enhanced.
1. An improved apparatus for fixing a roof rack to a vehicle roof comprising a roof panel in which roof molding engagement portions are longitudinally formed to be depressed along both sides of the vehicle roof, and roof moldings inserted into and engaged with the roof molding engagement portions of the roof panel, wherein the improvement comprises:
engagement openings formed to pass through the roof moldings; and
movable covers placed in the interiors of the roof moldings to allow the engagement openings to be resiliently opened and closed, wherein each movable cover includes an upper cover part which is bent in a multistage form so that a portion of a top surface thereof protrudes upwardly to be inserted into the engagement opening, and is provided with at least one cylindrical upper receiving end formed on a bottom surface thereof for receiving an elastic member, a lower cover part provided with at least one cylindrical lower receiving end formed on a top surface thereof for receiving the elastic member, and the elastic member with both ends thereof inserted into the cylindrical upper and lower receiving ends, respectively.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each roof molding includes an outer roof molding part, and an inner roof molding part inserted into and engaged with an inner circumferential surface of the outer roof molding part.
US10/028,287 2001-08-22 2001-12-28 Apparatus for fixing roof rack to vehicle roof Active US6568748B2 (en)
KR2001-50603 2001-08-22
KR2001-0050603 2001-08-22
KR20010050603A KR100448404B1 (en) 2001-08-22 2001-08-22 Apparatus for fixing a roof rack of vehicles
US20030038510A1 US20030038510A1 (en) 2003-02-27
US6568748B2 true US6568748B2 (en) 2003-05-27
ID=19713442
US10/028,287 Active US6568748B2 (en) 2001-08-22 2001-12-28 Apparatus for fixing roof rack to vehicle roof
US (1) US6568748B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1285816A1 (en)
JP (1) JP3600880B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100448404B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1401518A (en)
US20040031831A1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2004-02-19 Henderson Jack V. Integrally formed roof rack
US8966795B1 (en) 2013-11-04 2015-03-03 Michael Shipman Vehicle roof plate
US9022264B2 (en) 2012-11-14 2015-05-05 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Reconfigurable roof rack attachment assembly for a vehicle
US20170349107A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2017-12-07 Bentley Motors Limited Roof rail for vehicles
KR100747867B1 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-08-08 기아자동차주식회사 Structure For Roof Rack Assembly For Roof Molding
KR100706421B1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-04-04 기아자동차주식회사 Roof molding cover device for assemblying roof rack
DE102008064346A1 (en) 2008-12-20 2010-06-24 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Device for fastening a roof rack system
CN102874179B (en) * 2011-07-13 2015-01-14 双馀实业有限公司 Top holder fixing device
CN103707816A (en) * 2013-12-27 2014-04-09 宁波敏实汽车零部件技术研发有限公司 Covering device for aluminum tube installing hole of automobile roof rack
JP6434823B2 (en) * 2015-02-27 2018-12-05 片山工業株式会社 Roof molding cap mounting structure and roof molding
KR101683510B1 (en) * 2015-04-07 2016-12-08 현대자동차 주식회사 Roof rack structure
CN105083139B (en) * 2015-09-24 2017-10-31 广东东箭汽车科技股份有限公司 A kind of automobile and its roof-rack
CN105291999A (en) * 2015-11-11 2016-02-03 宁波信泰机械有限公司 Improved structure of automobile luggage rack aluminum pipe installation hole covering assembly
WO2018153537A1 (en) * 2017-02-21 2018-08-30 Sapa Components Uk A vehicle roof rail and a method for manufacturing a roof rail
USD856262S1 (en) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-13 Greg Marankie Roof rack
US5002216A (en) * 1987-07-16 1991-03-26 Gerber Group Ltd. Invisible mount roof rack
US5636776A (en) * 1995-06-30 1997-06-10 Rak; Arthur K. Vehicle article carrier having slats with concealable cross bar mounting portions
US5918929A (en) * 1996-05-31 1999-07-06 Vagis; Brock Device for attaching accessories to the roof of a motor vehicle
US6158639A (en) * 1998-04-20 2000-12-12 Decoma International Inc. Article carrier for vehicle
US6311882B1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2001-11-06 Jac Products, Inc. Adaptor for mounting a slat over a roof ditch in a vehicle roof
GB2208755B (en) * 1983-12-23 1990-03-14 Robert Edward Mcfarland A limit switch
2001-08-22 KR KR20010050603A patent/KR100448404B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
2001-12-26 JP JP2001395504A patent/JP3600880B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
2001-12-28 EP EP20010130977 patent/EP1285816A1/en not_active Withdrawn
2001-12-28 US US10/028,287 patent/US6568748B2/en active Active
2001-12-31 CN CN 01145315 patent/CN1401518A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
US6845892B2 (en) * 2000-02-04 2005-01-25 Decoma International Inc. Integrally formed roof rack
JP3600880B2 (en) 2004-12-15
KR100448404B1 (en) 2004-09-13
CN1401518A (en) 2003-03-12
EP1285816A1 (en) 2003-02-26
KR20030016831A (en) 2003-03-03
US20030038510A1 (en) 2003-02-27
JP2003072475A (en) 2003-03-12
EP0745039B1 (en) 1999-04-14 Seat belt web guide
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YOON, JIN;REEL/FRAME:012697/0867