Patent ID: 8528799

Claim:
A vehicle article carrier system for use on an outer body roof surface of a vehicle to removably support articles above the outer body roof surface, the system comprising: a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface generally parallel to one another, and extending along a major longitudinal axis of the vehicle; at least one cross bar having dimensions sufficient to extend between the support rails when the support rails are secured to the outer body surface of the vehicle; said cross bar having a central portion and a pair of end supports at opposite ends of said central portion; each said support rail including a decorative cover and metallic support element, the decorative cover being positioned over the metallic support element to at least substantially cover the metallic support element, the metallic support element including: at least one aperture at each opposing longitudinal end thereof, the at least one aperture adapted to receive therethrough at least one fastening element fixedly associated with the outer body roof surface and projecting therefrom, such that said metallic support element is secured to said outer body roof surface only at said opposing longitudinal ends thereof; at least one key-shaped opening at a position intermediate the opposing longitudinal ends; each said end support further including: a base portion and a neck portion pivotally secured to the base portion to enable the neck portion to be articulated into a first position in which the neck portion is substantially planar with the base portion, and also into a second position in which the neck portion extends at an angle non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base portion; the cross bar and the end supports being positioned and secureable to one of the support rails in either a stowed configuration, where the cross bar and the end supports rest substantially flush on one of the support rails, or an operative position in which the end supports can be secured to different ones of the support rails such that the cross bar extends perpendicularly between the support rails; each said end support further including a securing component sized to fit through the key-shaped opening in the metallic support element, and a locking component adapted to engage the securing component and to secure the end support, using the securing component, to the metallic support element.