System and method for vehicle article carrier having stowable cross bars
US8348111B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B5/0208
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle article carrier system for use on an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system may have a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface. At least one cross bar having a pair of end supports extends between the support rails. Each end support has a housing and a rotatable locking component secured to the housing for rotatable movement. One of the housing and the rotatable locking component has a biased implement projecting therefrom, and the other has a plurality of structural elements arranged in a circumferential pattern. The biased implement engages with at least one of the structural elements to provide an additional holding force to the rotatable locking component when the rotatable locking component has been tightened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.