Patent ID: 7055725

Claim:
An equipment carrier for mounting to a vehicle, comprising: a base configured for connection to the vehicle; a support member mounted to base for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position; and an engagement member interconnected with the base, wherein the engagement member is operable to selectively maintain the support member in either the operative position or the inoperative position, wherein the engagement member is movable between an engaged position in which the engagement member engages the support member to maintain the support member in one of the operative and inoperative positions, and a release position in which the engagement member is disengaged from the support member to enable movement of the support member between the operative and inoperative positions; wherein the engagement member is movable inwardly toward the base to the engaged position via a threaded connection between the engagement member and the base that provides movement of the engagement member toward the base upon rotation of the engagement member in a first direction of rotation, wherein the threaded connection further provides movement of the engagement member away from the engaged position to an intermediate position upon rotation of the engagement member in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation, and wherein the engagement member is interconnected with the base so as to be movable from the intermediate position to the release position via axial outward movement of the engagement member relative to the base without threaded engagement between the engagement member and the base.