Vehicle article carrier system having swing-in-place cross bars
US11027660B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2011/004
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a swing-in-place vehicle article carrier system for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system has a front pair and rear pairs of support structures fixedly secured to the outer body surface. A first modular cross bar assembly is included which has a central portion, a latching module assembly secured at a first end of the central portion, and a pivot module secured at a second end of the central portion. The pivot module is coupled to one of the front pair of support structures for enabling pivoting motion of the first cross bar assembly between operative and stowed positions. In the operative position, the first modular cross bar assembly spans widthwise across the outer body surface. In the stowed position the cross bar assembly is secured to a second one of the rear pair of support structures to form a continuous span between the second ones of the pairs of front and rear support structures. The latching module includes a housing which is substantially fully inserted into the first end of the central portion to form a continuous looking surface with the central portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.