Patent ID: 7017788

Claim:
An adapter bracket for securing a support foot of a vehicle article carrier to an outer body surface of a vehicle over a channel formed in said outer body surface, the adapter bracket comprising: a channel coupling portion having at least one opening adapted to receive a fastening element and being adapted to sit within said channel; an intermediate portion fixedly attached and extending from said channel coupling portion; an outer surface portion extending from said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having a height sufficient to allow said channel coupling portion to rest in said channel while said outer surface portion rests adjacent said outer body surface; said outer surface portion having a pair of flanges each having at least one opening, and each extending generally parallel with said channel coupling portion and generally co-planar with said outer body portion, said outer surface portion adapted to enable a fastening element to secure said support foot to said outer surface portion; and wherein said intermediate portion comprises a U-shaped portion.