Patent ID: 8668125

Claim:
A rack system for a vehicle having opposed first and second side walls and a floor which collectively form a bed, said rack system comprising: a number of base supports, each of said base supports having a first plate adapted to rest atop one of the first and second side walls of the vehicle and a second plate connected substantially perpendicularly to said first plate, said first plate being formed with a recess, said second plate being formed with a downwardly depending lip; a side rail connected to said first plate of each of said base supports; a number of cross bars, each of said cross bars being mounted at opposite ends to one of said side rails connected to a base support; a number of clamping devices, each of said clamping devices including a top leg, a bottom leg spaced from said top leg and an intermediate leg located between said top and bottom legs, said top leg being formed with a leading edge, said intermediate leg being formed with a seat, said bottom leg including a locking member which is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, at least one of said clamping devices being positioned with respect to one of said base supports so that said top leg contacts said first plate of said one base support with said leading edge of said top leg extending into said recess in said first plate, and so that said downwardly depending lip of said second plate is received within said seat formed by said intermediate leg whereby said at least one base support is captured between said top leg and said intermediate leg, said at least one locking member being effective when in said locked position to urge said top leg of said clamping device against said first plate of said base support and in a direction toward said bottom leg.