Vehicle article carrier having stowable cross bars
US7090103B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M39/045
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle article carrier having a pair of cross bars that can be positioned in a stowed, position, resting on or adjacent to a corresponding pair of siderails, or moved into an operative position with the cross bars extending perpendicularly between the siderails. The cross bars are completely removable from each of the side rails. When the cross bars are in the stowed position, the apparatus presents a significantly more aerodynamic structure that helps to reduce wind noise when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted is being driven. The cross bars can be quickly moved into the operative position via latching mechanisms disposed at end that can be released from a securing structure at a forward portion and a rearward portion of each siderail and re-attached to a securing portion of the other siderail.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.