Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a low profile, highly aerodynamic swing-in-place style vehicle article carrier system for use on a wide variety of passenger cars and trucks. The system makes use of a pair of side rails that are used to support a pair of cross bars in stowed positions thereon where the cross bars are secured parallel to the side rails, or in operative positions where the cross bars are secured perpendicularly between the side rails. The side rails each incorporate a rotating end support subsystem which automatically elevates one end of its associated cross bar when the cross bar is moved pivotally into its operative position. This enables the cross bars to form a very low profile when in their stowed positions, but to be automatically raised a predetermined distance when moved into their operative positions, to thus provide additional clearance between the cross bars and an outer body surface of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/332,267, filed on May 5, 2016. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to article carrier systems for use with motor vehicles, and more particularly to a low profile vehicle article carrier system having swing in place cross bars that can be conveniently stowed on respective side rails, and when needed for use, swung into place extending perpendicularly between the side rails. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Vehicle article carrier systems are becoming more and more popular due in part to the decreasing size of passenger vehicles. Vehicle article carriers enable a wide variety of articles to be conveniently carried above an exterior body surface, for example the roof of a vehicle, and thereby to significantly increase the room available for passengers in the cabin area of the vehicle. 
         [0005]    It has also become more important in recent years that the vehicle article carrier system does not detract from the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Accordingly, interest in vehicle article carrier systems that make use of stowable cross bars has grown significantly. Vehicle article carriers with stowable cross bars enable the cross bars to be stowed along respective side rail elements, when not needed, and moved into place when needed. This allows the vehicle article carrier to be configured to minimize any negative effects on the aerodynamics of the vehicle when the vehicle article carrier is not needed for use, while still allowing the cross bars of the system to be configured in an operative orientation (i.e., extending perpendicularly between the side rails) when the system is needed for use. 
         [0006]    The assignee of the present disclosure has been a leader in the development of vehicle article carrier systems with stowable cross bars. In particular, the assignee of the present disclosure has developed a number of successful vehicle article carrier systems with “swing in place” cross bars. Such systems have cross bars that can be pivoted from one end so that they can be positioned to extend perpendicularly between a pair of fixedly mounted side rails. However, with a swing in place system, the cross bars do not need to be completely physically detached from the side rails when be repositioned from a stowed configuration to an operative configuration. 
         [0007]    In view of the significant interest in vehicle article carrier systems that employ swing in place cross bars, there is a strong interest in further developing and improving the features and operation of such systems. There is a particularly strong interest in providing a low profile, aesthetically pleasing and highly aerodynamically efficient vehicle article carrier system with swing in place cross bars. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles elevationally above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may include a first side rail having a first mounting recess at a first end thereof, and a first forward latching recess and a first rear latching recess at a second end thereof. The system may further include a second side rail having a second mounting recess at a second end, and a second forward latching recess and a second rear latching recess at a first end thereof. A first cross bar may be included which has a first rotating end support subsystem at a first end thereof and being operably coupled to the first mounting recess to enable simultaneous pivotal and elevational movement of the first end of the first cross bar. A second cross bar may be included which has a second rotating end support subsystem at a first end thereof and being operably secured to the second mounting recess of the second side rail to enable simultaneous pivotal and elevational movement of the first end of the second cross bar. A first latching end support subsystem may be included for latching the first cross bar in stowed and operative positions using selected ones of the first and second forward latching recesses. A second latching end support subsystem may be included for latching the second cross bar in stowed and operative positions using selected ones of the first and second rear latching recesses. A first user engageable actuating component may be included for enabling unlatching of the first latching end support subsystem, to thus enable the first cross bar to be moved from an operative position to a stowed position, or from the stowed position to the operative position. A second user engageable actuating component may be included for enabling unlatching of the second latching end support subsystem, to thus enable the second cross bar to be moved from the operative position to the stowed position, or from the stowed position to the operative position. Both of the first cross bar and the second cross bar may reside at a first elevation when in their stowed positions, over the first and second side rails, respectively, thus forming low profile configurations, and both are moved elevationally to a second elevation above the first elevation when rotated into their operative positions extending perpendicularly between the first and second side rails. 
         [0009]    In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles elevationally above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may include a first side rail having a first mounting recess at a first end thereof, and a first forward latching recess and a first rear latching recess at a second end thereof. The system may further include a second side rail having a second mounting recess at a second end, and a second forward latching recess and a second rear latching recess at a first end thereof. The system may also include a first cross bar having a first rotating end support subsystem at a first end thereof which is operably coupled to the first mounting recess to enable simultaneous pivotal and elevational movement of the first end of the first cross bar. The system may also include a second cross bar having a second rotating end support subsystem at a first end thereof which is operably secured to the second mounting recess of the second side rail, to enable simultaneous pivotal and elevational movement of the first end of the second cross bar. The system may further include a first latching end support subsystem arranged at a second end of the first cross bar and adapted to be coupled to the first forward latching recess of the first side rail or the second forward latching recess of the second side rail. The system may include a second latching end support subsystem arranged at a second end of the second cross bar and adapted to be coupled to the first rear latching recess of the first side rail or the second rear latching recess of the second side rail. A first actuating component may be included which is operably associated with the first rotating end support subsystem and operably coupled with the first latching end support subsystem, for securing the first cross bar in both an operative position and a stowed position. A second actuating component may be included which is operably associated with the second rotating end support subsystem of the second cross bar, and operably coupled with the second latching end support subsystem, for securing the second cross bar in both an operative position and a stowed position. The system provides a feature that the first cross bar resides at a first elevation when in the stowed position, over the first side rail, forming a low profile configuration, and is moved elevationally to a second elevation above the first elevation when rotated into the operative position such that the first cross bar extends perpendicularly between the first and second side rails. The system provides the further feature that the second cross bar resides at the first elevation when in the stowed position, over the second side rail, forming a low profile configuration, and is moved elevationally into the second elevation when the second cross bar is rotated into the operative position extending perpendicularly between the first and second side rails. 
         [0010]    In still another aspect the present disclosure relates to a vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles elevationally above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may include a first side rail having a first mounting recess at a first end thereof, and a first forward latching recess and a first rear latching recess at a second end thereof. The system may further include a second side rail having a second mounting recess at a second end, and a second forward latching recess and a second rear latching recess at a first end thereof. A first cross bar may be included which has a first rotating end support subsystem at a first end thereof and which is operably coupled to the first mounting recess to enable simultaneous pivotal and elevational movement of the first end of the first cross bar. A second cross bar may be included which has a second rotating end support subsystem at a first end thereof and which is secured to the second mounting recess of the second side rail to enable simultaneous pivotal and elevational movement of the first end of the second cross bar. The system may further include a first latching end support subsystem operably associated with a second end of the first cross bar, and securable at either the forward latching recess of the first side rail or the forward latching recess of the second side rail. The system may further include a second latching end support subsystem operably associated with a second end of the second cross bar, and securable at either the rear latching recess of the first side rail or the rear latching recess of the second side rail. Each of the first and second rotating end support subsystems may include an actuating element for placing one of the first or second rotating end support subsystems in an unlocked condition; an upper mounting body; and a lower mounting member having a plurality of arms that cooperate with the upper mounting body to cause a change in an elevation of its associated said first or second cross bar as its associated first or second cross bar is pivoted in a generally horizontal plane between the stowed and operative positions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a low profile, vehicle article carrier system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, and showing a pair of swing in place cross bars of the system in their stowed positions; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  but showing the cross bars in their operative positions; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the components associated with one of the cross bars of the system, as well as structure associated with each of the side rails which enables the cross bars to be secured in stowed positions on respective ones of the cross bars, as well as secured in operative positions extending perpendicularly between the side rails; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the components associated with the rotating end support subsystem used at the first end of each cross bar of the system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the first end of the cross bar of  FIG. 3  showing the actuating lever in its opened condition; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a simplified side cross sectional view of the rotating end support subsystem shown in  FIG. 4  further illustrating its coupling to the mounting recess in the side rail; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the mounting recess shown in  FIG. 5  better illustrating portions of the helical grooves formed therein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a simplified perspective view of the rotating end support subsystem showing the arm portions of the upper mounting body engaged within the helical grooves of the mounting recess; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9 a    is an exploded perspective view of the latching end support subsystem at the second end of the cross bar of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9 b    is a perspective view of a rear surface of the camming element along with the torsion spring shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0022]      FIG. 9 c    a top perspective view of the main body shown in  FIG. 9 a   , and further showing how the camming element and the torsion spring are mounted in the main body; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9 d    is a top perspective view of the latching end support system showing how the latching arms are supported in the main body for pivoting movement; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9 e    is a perspective view of just the two latching arms better showing the slot in which a pin of one of the latching arms engages; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9 f    is a perspective lower side view of the latching end support system better illustrating an underside of the cover and the tabs projecting from the underside of the cover; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of the second end of the cross bar of Figure of  FIG. 9  but with the latching end support subsystem fully assembled; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  a simplified perspective view of various components of the latching end support subsystem showing the latching arms in their extended positions; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a simplified perspective view of the latching end support subsystem of  FIG. 11  but with the latching arms shown in their retracted positions; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the latching end support subsystem of  FIG. 11  showing the camming element in the position it assumes when the latching arms are in their extended positions; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of the latching end support subsystem of  FIG. 13  but showing the camming element in the position it assumes when the latching arms are in their retracted positions; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged plan view of the rear latching recess of  FIG. 2  showing the spring loaded cover in its fully upward position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the rear latching recess of  FIG. 15  showing the U-shaped frame member that holds the spring in place; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a simplified side cross sectional perspective view of the latching end support subsystem engaged within the latching recess; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  shows the latching end support subsystem of  FIG. 17  but with the latching arms in their retracted positions; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  shows another embodiment of the latching end support subsystem in which one of the latching arms is provided with a graspable portion that forms an actuating component, and which allows the cross bar to be unlocked from its stowed or operative position at the second end of the cross bar rather than at the first end; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  shows the latching end support subsystem of  FIG. 19  with the latching arms in the unlocked position when a lifting force is applied to the graspable actuating component; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  shows the latching end support subsystem of  FIG. 19  with the latching arms biased into the locked position when no lifting force is applied to the graspable actuating component. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown an article carrier system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system  10  is installed on a vehicle  12 . The vehicle  12  may be virtually any form of vehicle such as, but not limited to, a sedan, an SUV, a minivan or a full size cargo van. The system  10  can also be employed on pickup trucks, either on a roof of a cab of a pickup truck or over the bed of a pickup truck. If employed over the bed, the system  10  would be supported from the upper edges of the sidewalls of the bed to form a means for supporting articles above a floor of the bed. 
         [0040]    The system  10  includes a pair of elongated side rails  14   a  and  14   b  that are fixedly mounted to the an outer body surface  12   a , in this case a roof, of the vehicle  12  by suitable fasteners well known in the industry. The side rails  14   a  and  14   b  each include a highly aerodynamic front portion  16 , recessed portions  18  and a rear portion  20 . The recessed portion  18  of each side rail  14   a  and  14   b  has a length sufficient to house an associated cross bar  22  or  23  therein when the cross bar is in a stowed configuration.  FIG. 1  shows the cross bars  22  and  23  stowed in their respective recessed portions  18  while  FIG. 2  shows the cross bars  22  and  23  in their operative orientations extending perpendicularly between the side rails  14 . The system  10  thus forms a “swing in place” vehicle article carrier system in which the cross bars  22  and  23  can be stowed on their respective side rails  14  when not needed for use, and quickly and easily rotated into their operative configurations when needed. This allows the system  10  to present an extremely aerodynamically efficient, as well as highly visually appealing, profile when the cross bars  22  and  23  are stowed. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the construction of cross bar  22  can be seen in greater detail along with its various components required to secure it for swing in place movement between the side rails  14 . The cross bars  22  and  23  in this example are identical in construction, so only cross bar  22  will be described in detail. Cross bar  22  includes a tubular central section  24 , a rotating end support subsystem  26  at first end  22   a , and a latching end support subsystem  28  at a second end  22   b . Side rail  14   a  includes a single mounting recess  30  in its front portion  16 , while side rail  14   b  includes an identical mounting recess  32  in its rear portion  20 . The first end  22   a  of cross bar  22  is rotationally and elevationally secured to its associated mounting recess  30 , and moveable about the mounting recess  30  between its stowed and operative positions. A first end  23   a  of cross bar  23  is rotationally and elevationally secured at its associated mounting recess  32  by its rotating end support subsystem  26 , and likewise is moveable about the mounting recess  32  between stowed and operative positions. Side rail  14   a  also includes a forward latching recess  34  and a rear latching recess  36 , both positioned in its rear portion  20 . Conversely, side rail  14   b  includes a forward latching recess  38  and a rear latching recess  40 , both positioned in its front portion  16 . 
         [0042]    In its operative position, the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22  is secured at the forward latching recess  38  of side rail  14   b . In its stowed position, the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22  is secured at the forward latching recess  34  of side rail  14   a , and rests substantially within the recess portions  18  of the side rail  14   a . This allows the side rail  14   a  and the cross bar  22  to form a low profile, as well as a highly aerodynamically efficient and aesthetically pleasing profile. In its operative position, the second end  23   b  of cross bar  23  is coupled to the rear latching recess  36  of side rail  14   a  by its latching end support subsystem  28 , and in its stowed position it is coupled to the rear latching recess  40  in side rail  14   b.    
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the construction of the rotating end support subsystem  26  can be seen in greater detail. The rotating end support subsystem  26  includes an end support  42  having a neck portion  44  which fits within the tubular central section  24  of the cross bar  22 . The end support  42  has a groove  46  which receives one end of a cable  48 . The cable  48  includes a pair of fixedly secured tabs  50  between which are secured the opposite ends of a coil spring  52 . The coil spring  52  helps to take up slack in the cable  48  when the cross bar  22  is fully assembled. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , the end support  42  further includes a rounded end portion  54  having a pair of spaced apart arms  56  projecting therefrom which form a slot  58  therebetween. The slot  58  receives a neck portion  62  of a user engageable actuating component, which in this example is a user graspable, pivotally mounted actuating lever  60 . The neck portion  62  also has a bore  64  which receives a pin  66 . This enables the actuating lever  60  to pivot about the end support  42  between closed and opened positions. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an end of the cable  48  includes a tab  68  which is captured within a recess  70  in the neck portion  62  of the actuating lever  60 . This allows the actuating lever  60  to pull on the cable  48  when the actuating lever  60  is pulled upwardly into its open position as shown in  FIG. 5 . The end support  42  further includes a recess  72  ( FIG. 6 ) in which a guide wheel  74  is inserted. The guide wheel  74  is mounted within the recess  72  ( FIG. 6 ) for rotational movement about a pin  76 . Once the cable  48  is assembled onto the end support  42 , the tension provided on the cable at the opposite end of the cross bar  22  (to be discussed in the following paragraphs) ensures that the guide wheel  74  and its pin  76  do not move out of position in the recess  72 . 
         [0046]    Referring further to  FIG. 4 , the rotating end support subsystem  26  further includes an upper mounting body  78  having a U-shaped upper portion  80  and a recessed lower portion  82 . The U-shaped upper portion  80  receives the rounded end portion  54  of the end support  42 . The pin  66  may be positioned through bores  84  in the U-shaped upper portion  80  and through bore  59  in the rounded end portion  54  to secure the rounded end portion for pivoting movement within the U-shaped upper portion  80 , and about a first axis. The upper mounting body  78  also includes a bore  86  into which a threaded bolt  88  may be inserted. The threaded bolt  88  also extends through a bore  90  in a lower mounting member  92 . A nut  94  may be used to secure the lower mounting member  92  to the upper mounting body  78 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  also shows that the lower mounting member  92  includes a plurality of outwardly projecting cylindrical arms  96  spaced approximately every 90 degrees. The lower mounting member  92  is captured in the recessed lower portion  82  with the arms  96  projecting outwardly from cutout sections  97  in the lower mounting member  92 . Once the lower mounting member  92  is assembled to the upper mounting body  78 , it is fixedly secured relative to the upper mounting body  78 . As such, when the cross bar  22  is rotated, the arms  96  rotate as well, enabling the cross bar  22  to pivot about a second axis which is orthogonal to the first axis mention above. 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , it can be seen that the mounting recess  30  includes a plurality of helical grooves  98 . In this example four such helical grooves  98  are provided, one for receiving at outermost end portion of each of the arms  96 . Each of the helical grooves  98  also includes a flat section  100 . The helical grooves  98  serve to elevate the first end  22   a  of the cross bar  22  as the cross bar  22  is rotated from its stowed position to its operative position. The flat sections  100  are further constructed so that the cross cylindrical arms  96  reach and ride onto the flat sections  100  just before the cross bar  22  reaches the forward latching recess  38  when being rotated into the operative position. The flat sections  100  provide a solid support surface, as well as providing for a small degree of rotational travel which helps the user in aligning the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22  with the forward latching recess  38 . Optionally, but preferably, the front portion  16  of the side rail  14   a  can be provided with a cutout or scalloped section  102  which allows the user to more easily grasp the actuating lever  60  with a finger or thumb when the actuating lever is in its closed position, and thus aids the user in initially lifting the actuating lever into its opened position. 
         [0049]    The lower mounting member  92  may be assembled into the mounting recess  30  from a lower end  104  of the mounting recess, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Once the lower mounting member  92  is positioned in the mounting recess  30 , it may be rotated so that the arms  96  engage in the helical grooves  98 . When the lower mounting member  92  has been advanced up to near an upper end  106  of the mounting recess  30 , the upper mounting body  78  can be secured to the lower mounting member  92  via the threaded bolt  88  and threaded nut  94 . The actuating lever  60  may then be assembled onto the upper mounting body  78 . 
         [0050]    This rotating end support subsystem  26  is a significant feature of the system  10  because of the strong desire for the system  10  to form a low and aerodynamic profile when the cross bars  22  and  23  are in their stowed positions. The rotating end support subsystem  26  allows the cross bar  22  to assume a very low profile when in its stowed position, and further enables the first end  22   a  of the cross bar  22  to be elevationally moved upwardly during rotation of the cross bar into its operative position. The elevated position of the cross bar  22  when it is positioned in its operative position also provides an additional degree of clearance between the cross bar  22  and the outer body surface  12   a  of the vehicle  12 , which can be useful when attaching clamps associated with bicycle racks, ski racks, luggage boxes, etc. to the cross bar  22 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 a -9 f    and  14 , the various components of the latching end support subsystem  28  of the cross bar  22  can be seen in greater detail. With specific reference to  FIG. 9 a   , the latching end support subsystem  28  includes a cover  108 , a pair of latching arms  110  and  112 , a camming element  114 , a torsion spring  116 , a coil spring  118 , and a main body portion  120 . The main body portion  120  includes a neck portion  122  that fits within the tubular central portion  24  of the cross bar  22 , and also includes a groove  124  for receiving an end of the cable  48 . 
         [0052]    The torsion spring  116  is positioned over a boss  126  which has a threaded bore  128 . The camming element  114  is positioned over boss  126  one tang  116   a  of the torsion spring  116  engages in a hole  115  in a back side of the camming element as shown in  FIG. 9 b   . The other tang  116   b  of the torsion spring  116  engages within a hole  117  ( FIG. 9 c   ) in the main body  120  so that the torsion spring is able to exert a rotational biasing force on the camming element  114  which serves to bias the latching arms  110  and  112  into outward latching positions, which will be explained further in the following paragraphs. A threaded bolt  129  is positioned through a hole  108   a  in the cover  108 , through hole  114   a  in the camming element  114 , and threadably engages the threaded bore  128  in the boss  126  to secure the camming element for rotational movement about the boss. 
         [0053]    Referring further to  FIGS. 9 a , 9 d   ,  11  and  12 , the latching arms  110  and  112  each include bores  110   a  and  112   a  through which pins  130  and  132  are inserted to allow pivoting motion of the latching arms. Pins  130  and  132  are seated in channels  130   a  and  132   a  in the main body  120  as shown in  FIG. 9 d   . Latching arm  110  includes a portion of a pin  110   b  projecting therefrom which is coupled to an upper end of the spring  118 . Pin  110   b  is positioned within well  119  shown in  FIG. 9 d    when the latching end support subsystem  28  is fully assembled. The lower end of the spring  118  is coupled to a pin  134 . Pin  134  is inserted in a slot (not shown) in the main body portion  120 . The spring  118  thus serves to bias the latching arms  110  and  112  outwardly away from one another, which effectively allows the latching arms to assume a normally latched orientation unless the user moves the actuating lever  60  into the opened position. This will be described further in the following paragraphs. 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIGS. 9 f  and 9 d   , once fully assembled, the cover  108  may be secured to the main body  120  using threaded bolt  129 . In  FIG. 9 f    it can be seen that an underside of the cover  108  includes projecting tabs  108   b ,  108   c  and  108   d . Tab  108   b  projects partially into the recess  119 , and tabs  108   c  and  108   d  lay over the areas  133  adjacent the pins  130  and  132 . 
         [0055]    The latching arm  112  further includes an ear portion  112   b  with a portion of a pin  112   c  projecting therefrom. The pin  112   c  rests within a slot  113  ( FIG. 9 e   ) in a back side of the latching arm  110  when the latching arms  110  and  112  are assembled together. The latching arms  110  and  112  are shown assembled together in  FIGS. 9 d    and  10 - 12 . Another pin  136  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) is positioned in a hole  121  in a backside of the ear portion  112   b  of latching arm  112 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 d  and 9 e   . The pin  136  is positioned so that it rides on a camming surface  114   b  of the camming element  114 . This is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . As camming element  114  is rotated in a first rotational direction, the camming surface  114   b  lifts the pin  136 , which causes simultaneously pivoting motion of the latching arms  110  and  112  toward each other into retracted positions against the biasing force provided by coil spring  118 . The latching arms  110  and  112  are shown in their fully retracted positions in  FIG. 12 . Rotating the camming element  114  in the opposite direction (i.e. second rotational direction) allows the coil spring  118  to pull the pin  136  downwardly, which rotates the latching arms  110  and  112  into their extended positions as shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  shows the pin  136  at one extreme end of the camming surface  114   b . In this position the latching arms  110  and  112  will be in their outwardly extending positions (as shown in  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0056]    Referring further to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , an end of the cable  48  is positioned in the groove  124  and wrapped partially around the camming element  114 . A tab  142  at the end of the cable  48  engages within a recess  114   c  in the camming element  114 . Lifting the actuating lever  60  thus serves to pull the cable  48  end having the tab  142  against the biasing force provided by the coil spring  118  and the torsion spring  116 . This causes rotation of the camming element  114  in the first rotational direction, which lifts the pin  136 , which causes pivoting motion of the latching arms  110  and  112  into their retracted positions. When the actuating lever  60  is released, the coil spring  118  pulls the pin  136  downwardly, which causes rotation of the camming element  114  in the opposite rotational direction, with the assistance of the biasing force provided by the torsion spring  116 , and thus causes the latching arms  110  and  112  to move into their extended positions ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the construction of the rear latching recess  36  of side rail  14   a  can be seen in greater detail.  FIG. 15  shows the latching recess  36  having a movable cover  144 . The cover  144  is biased into a position generally flush with a support surface  146  associated with the latching recess  36  by a coil spring  148  when the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22  is not attached thereto. The coil spring  148  rests on U-shaped frame component  150 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . The cover  144  is prevented from being pushed out past the support surface  146  by a plurality of stop elements  152  ( FIG. 16 ). The cover  144  engages an inner surface  153  of side rail  14   a , which limits its upward movement. Arm portions  150   a  and  150   b  of the U-shaped frame component  150  allow the cover  144  to move slidably up and down. The stop elements  152  have been omitted from  FIG. 15  for clarity. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 17 and 18  show the latching end support subsystem  28  in its latched position and unlatched position, respectively, relative to the latching recess  38 . In  FIG. 17  it can be seen that when in the latched position, the jaws  138  and  140  engage flange portions  154  and  156 , respectively. The cover  144  is pushed down which compresses the spring  148 . The upward biasing force provided by the spring  148  serves to reduce the possibility of any rattle of the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22  when it is in its operative or stowed positions. When the cover  144  is in its raised position ( FIG. 15 ) it closes off the latching recess  38  and helps to form an aesthetically pleasing and aerodynamically efficient surface. When the latching end support subsystem  28  is urged into its unlatched position, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the jaws  138  and  140  are free to clear the flange portions  154  and  156 , respectively. In this orientation the second end  22   b  is free to be lifted up and away from the latching recess  38 . 
         [0059]    To move cross bar  22  from its stowed to its operative position the user simply lifts up on the actuating lever  60 . This retracts the latching arms  110  and  112  and releases the latching end support subsystem  28  at the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22 . The spring  148  in the latching recess  36  will then push the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22  upwardly as the cover  144  is raised. This frees the second end  22   b  from the side rail  14   a.    
         [0060]    The user may then release the actuating lever  60  and use his/her other hand to help rotate the cross bar  22  into its operative position extending perpendicular to the side rail  14   a . As the user rotates the cross bar  22  the rotating end support subsystem  26  at the first end  22   a  of the side rail  14   a  lifts the first end  22   a  upwardly. When the user has the second end  22   b  aligned over the latching recess  38  in the side rail  14   b , the user lowers the second end so that the latching arms  110  and  112  enter the latching recess  38 . The weight of the cross bar  22  assists in seating the second end  22   b  in the latching recess  38 , thus requiring little or no additional effort on the part of the user. As the latching arms  110  and  112  enter the latching recess  38  they are compressed towards one another into the retracted position, before snapping outwardly as the jaws  138  and  140  clear the flanges  154  and  156 . The above operations are reversed in order when the cross bar  22  needs to be moved from its operative position back into its stowed position. The operations of moving the cross bar  23  from the stowed position to the operative position, or vice versa, are identical to that described for cross bar  22 . The operation of moving each cross bar  22  and  23  between its stowed and operative positions takes mere seconds and can be accomplished without requiring significant strength, and without the need for any external tools. Thus, even a single individual of limited strength and stature can easily manipulate the cross bars  22  and  23  between their stowed and operative positions. 
         [0061]    It will be appreciated that while only the operation and construction of cross bar  22  has been described, the construction and operation of cross bar  23  is identical. Likewise, the construction of mounting recess  32  is identical to mounting recess  30 , and the construction of forward latching recess  38  is identical to that of rear latching recess  36 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 19-21 , a latching end support subsystem  28 ′ is disclosed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The latching end support subsystem  28 ′ is similar to the subsystem  28  with the exception that one of the latching arms  110 ′ and  112 ′, in this example latching arm  110 ′, includes a user graspable portion forming an actuating component  111 ′, which operates as the equivalent component to the actuating component  60  of latching end support subsystem  28 . The actuating component  111 ′ may be grasped using one or more fingers and lifted in accordance with arrow  113 ′ in  FIG. 20  to enable the latching end support subsystem  28 ′ to be unlatched directly from the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22 , rather than indirectly from the first end  22   a  of the cross bar  22 . The latching end support subsystem  28 ′ may be employed at the second ends  22   b  and  23   b  of the cross bars  22  and  23 , or possibly just on one of the cross bars  22  or  23 . 
         [0063]    The latching end support subsystem  28 ′ is similar to the subsystem  28  in that it relies on a biasing element, in this form a coil spring  118 ′ hooked onto a pin  110   b ′, which biases the latching arms  110 ′ and  112 ′ into normally outwardly extending orientations (i.e., a normally latched orientation). Pins  130 ′ and  132 ′ are seated in channels  130   a ′ and  132   a ′ in a main body  120 ′, and extend through bores  110   a ′ and  112   a ′ in the latching arms  110 ′ and  112 ′, respectively, to enable pivoting movement of the latching arms. The latching arms  110 ′ and  112 ′ are further coupled by a pin and a bore (not shown in  FIG. 19 ) which are identical to pin  112   c  and bore  113  in  FIG. 9 e   . The coil spring  118 ′ is secured at one end to a pin  134 ′ ( FIG. 19 ) and at its opposite end to pin  110   b′.    
         [0064]    It will be appreciated that with the latching end support subsystem  28 ′, the actuating lever  20 , cable  48 , camming element  114 , pin  136  and guide wheel  74  will not be needed. The control of the latching and unlatching of the cross bar  22  will be performed by the user solely at the second end  22   b  of the cross bar  22 , and at the second end  23   b  of the cross bar  23 . Thus, it will be appreciated that the latching end support subsystem  28 ′ allows for the elimination of a number of components that would otherwise be used with subsystem  28  and the cross bar  22  or  23 , and thus a reduction in the overall cost for the system  10 . 
         [0065]    While various embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications or variations which might be made without departing from the present disclosure. The examples illustrate the various embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpreted liberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of the pertinent prior art.