Self-tightening vehicle roof rack
US4877169A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1988 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R9/058
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A crossbar on a vehicle roof rack is supported by a pair of pedestals through a cam on each pedestal which exerts its clamping action by rotating toward the center of the vehicle, each cam operating independently of the fastening clip which secures each pedestal to the vehicle roof. The direction of the clamping rotation of the cams and the rate of increase of the radius of each cam as it rotates in the clamping direction provides the cams with a self-tightening effect--i.e., should the apparatus ever begin to loosen after the cam is engaged, any pulling apart of the pedestals will cause the crossbar to draw itself over the cam, causing the cam to rotate in the tightening direction and re-secure the crossbar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.