FR2460808A1 - VEHICLE GALLERY - Google Patents

Abstract

GALLERY 200 INCLUDES A PAIR OF SLATS 204, 206 ON THE SIDES OF THE ROOF 202, THE SLATS BEING PERMANENTLY FIXED AND HAVING A SENSITIVELY RECTANGULAR SECTION WITH A WIDTH SENSITIVELY GREATER THAN THE HEIGHT AND PRESENTING A LOW PROFILE, SUMMING THE SLATS FLAT AND PARALLEL TO THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE VEHICLE AND FORMING LONGITUDINAL CHANNELS TO WHICH A PAIR OF TRANSVERSAL SLATS 208, 210 MAY BE FIXED, THESE SLATS BEING PROVIDED TO SUPPORT OBJECTS, THE TRANSVERSAL SLATS BEING LONGITUDINAL LONG LONG OR ADJUSTABLE. BE TOTALLY REMOVED, AND A PAIR OF 220 CROSS-EXTENDING OBJECT RETAINING BARS OR RAILS, WHICH IS SUPPORTED AT ITS OPPOSING ENDS ON THE LONGITUDINAL SLATS BY MEANS OF A PLURALITY OF BRACKETS 222, EACH SET PROVIDES AT THE END OF EACH CROSS BAR, THESE SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES AND THE BARS BEING ADJUSTABLE ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL TESTS.

Description

-1 The present invention generally relates to vehicle galleries

  and, more particularly, a gallery for a vehicle of the type represented in United States patent application No. 4,099,658 of July 11, 1978. More specifically, the gallery according to the present invention is of a type which includes two or more elements

  of the slat type which are fixed to a horizontal surface ex-

  interior of a vehicle, such as the trunk or roof, and

  which are permanently fixed and intended to include or-

  auxiliary object retaining glands fixed to these elements in an adjustable and removable manner. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the gallery comprises a pair of longitudinally extending slat elements which

  are attached to the mating part of the roof of the adjacent vehicle

  te at its outer side sides and the remaining components

  of the support are removably attached to these lat-

  your. A particular feature of the present invention resides in the fact that no intermediate slat element is necessary for the extension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the two external slat elements mentioned above, which, in the past has often required that the vehicle structure includes reinforcing means

  or auxiliary stiffening. For example, when scabies-

  Ries of the type described here are mounted on the roof of a vehicle,

  it is often necessary to provide reinforcing ribs

  additional cement or curved roof cross members to strengthen the roof so that loads greater than

  a given level can be supported by slats if-

  killed in the center of the roof. The present invention makes it possible to

  ter the need for such ties by providing two or more

  transverse slats which are supported at their ends

  opposite mites on the slat elements extending long

  dinal mentioned above and which act to transfer the load of the articles generally supported in the center of the roof

  to the outer side edges thereof, which are felt

  much more likely to bear such loads than the

  central tie of the vehicle roof. The transverse slats, at the same time as auxiliary bars or rails, extending

  transversely, retaining objects are intended to

  be completely removed from the extended batten elements

  in the longitudinal direction during periods of no

  use, so that the gallery has an extremely low profile for aesthetic purposes and that-wind resistance and that wind noise are minimized. Consequently, the present invention provides an improved gallery for a vehicle which is capable of supporting relatively large and heavy objects, such as suitcases, cases or the like, and

  which saves expense, time and extra weight

  which are caused by additional strengthening

  re of the vehicle roof by additional reinforcing elements

forcing or stiffness.

  The general object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved support gallery

  luggage or objects for vehicle.

  A more particular object of the present invention is to provide an improved gallery which comprises at least one pair of low-profile batten elements fixed to the vehicle and a second pair of object retaining elements which may be in the form of slats or bars and which are adjustable and removably attached to the first pair of elements

of latte.

  The present invention also aims to provide an improved gallery of the type described above,

  which can be used on a vehicle roof without the need for

  ter the additional reinforcement means of the roof, such as the curved roof cross members or the like

previously essential.

  The subject of the present invention is more particularly

  culier to provide a gallery for vehicle which comprises a first pair of slat elements mounted on a vehicle and

  a second pair of batten elements which are arranged generally

  generally perpendicular to the first pair and are fixed

  to it in an adjustable and removable manner.

  An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved gallery of the type described above, where the first pair of slat elements can extend either in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gallery for vehicle, where the first pair

  of batten elements extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle

  the, where the second pair extends in the lateral direction and which comprises a pair of transverse bars for holding objects

  iO also extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle, the bars

  transverse res and the second pair of slats being removably fixed and adjustable to the first pair of elements

of latte.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle gallery of the type described above, where the transverse slats are fixed by sliding to the slat elements extending in the longitudinal direction or, in

  variant, are fixed to the slats extending in the longitudinal direction

  gitudinal with fastening means which cooperate with a series of longitudinally distant mounting holes which are made in the slats extending in

the longitudinal direction.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gallery for a vehicle which may include a plurality of immobilizing assemblies which fix the transverse slats in place and which constitute means to which immobilizing devices such as ropes

can be fixed.

  Another object of the present invention is

  to provide an improved gallery for vehicle of the type

  crit above, where the transverse bars or rails may include additional means for fixing objects, such as

  than ski-fixes, bicycle-fixes, or the like.

  The present invention will be clearly understood from the

  reading of the following description made in relation to

  attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a -4-

  embodiment of gallery for vehicle according to the present

  the invention, shown in association with a part of a motor vehicle;

  Figure 2 is a view similar to the fi-

  gure 1 which represents another embodiment of the present invention;

  Figure 3 is a view similar to the figures.

  res 1 and 2 and represents another embodiment of the present invention;

  Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view

  enlarged dirty, taken substantially along line 4-4 of Figure 3;

  Figure 5 is a perspective view a-

  enlarged by part of the gallery represented in the figure

  re 1; Figure 6 is an exploded overview of part of the structure of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an exploded overview of another part of the gallery shown in Figure 5

  Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view

  enlarged fragmentary dirty, taken substantially along line 8-8 of Figure 5;

  Figure 9 is a view similar to the figures.

  res 1 to 3 which represents another embodiment of -ga-

lerie according to the present invention;

  Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view

  enlarged dirty taken substantially along line 10-10 of Figure 9; and Figure 11 is an exploded overview

  of a part of the gallery shown in figure 9.

  In conjunction with the details of the drawings, and in particular with FIG. 1, a vehicle gallery 10

  is represented at a generally horizontal part of the roof 12

  of a typical motor vehicle 14. Generally speaking

  rale, gallery 10 includes a pair of slats 16 and 18

  extending in the longitudinal direction - and distant laterally -

  ment of one another which are fixed on the part 12 of the roof -5- in positions adjacent to the lateral sides or edges thereof, as will be described later. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, each of these slats comprises a lower, generally flat base portion 20 and a pair of parallel vertical side portions 12 a

  to the other 22, 24, which terminate at their upper ends

  laughed by a pair of edges extending laterally

  inward, generally in the same plane, 26, 28, res-

  pectively. The flanges 26, 28 define upper and lower fixing surfaces 30, 32, respectively, and form a longitudinally extending channel 34. The slats 16, 18 can be made of various materials, such as

  as extruded aluminum, or rolled sheets of stainless steel-

  devil or the like. Preferably, the slats 16, 18 have a uniform section over their entire length, which results in the fact that the channels 34 defined by these slats have the same length as the slats themselves. Slats 16, 18

  are attached to part 12 of the vehicle roof by means of

  fasteners 36 distant from each other in the

  longitudinal direction that extend downward into openings

  appropriate res made in the base parts 20 and are connected to suitable fasteners, such as rivet-nuts 38 or equivalent fasteners mounted inside the part 12 of the roof. Preferably, a pad of elastomer or suitable elastic material is provided between the lower part of the slats 16, 18 and the opposite part of the roof 12 of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 8. In addition, the opposite ends of each of the slats 16, 18 are preferably provided with suitable caps 40 which can be fixed in place by the same elements of

  fixing 36 of the slats 16, 18 to the part 12 of the roof, these cha-

  skins 40 being produced so as to define similar zones

  bling to channels which open into the channels 34 of the lat-

  tes 16, 18, for purposes which will be described below.

  Together with the slats 16, 18, the ga-

  lerie 10 includes a pair of extending object holding rails 42, 44 which are disposed directly above the slats 6 - 16, 18, respectively, and are removably and removably mounted thereon by means of four sets support generally represented by the reference 46, which are located at each end of each rail 42, 44, as seen in Figure 1. In connection with Figures 5 and 6, it will be seen that the support assemblies 46 include upper section 48 and lower section 50 which may be made of the same material or of different materials, depending on the design and application of the gallery 10 of this

  inventions The upper and lower sections 48, 50 can-

  can be fixed together in various ways, for example, by means of a protruding tab 52 which extends downward from the upper section 48 into a suitable blind hole 54 of the upper end of the lower section 50, a suitable attachment 56 extending upward through a

  hole 58 formed in the upper end of the lower section

  lower 50 and screwed into the lower side of the upper section

  lower 48. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the rails 42, 44 have a generally rectangular cross section and are provided for telescopically receiving bosses or lugs 62 extending longitudinally at their opposite ends.

  which extend longitudinally from the upper parts

  combined or adjacent res 48. The ends of the rails 42, 44 have end portions 64 extending in the direction

  longitudinal which include slots 66, in the form of a groove

  re key, designed to receive pins 68 extending

  laterally outward which are formed on the ends

  external mites or sides of end members 69 of an associated transverse rail. A member 69 is fixed at each end

  a pair of object-holding rails extending laterally-

  ment or bars 70 which are intended to be fixed by the

  intermediate of a member 69 to the support assemblies 46. When

  that the pins 68 are inserted into the slots 66 of the rails

  side 42, 44 and that the rails 42, 44 are placed in rela-

  correct telescopic and longitudinal action with the

  bles conjugates 46, openings 72 made in or-

  ganes 69 are aligned with openings 76, the end portions -7- 64 of the conjugate side rails, after which

  suitable fasteners such as screws or ana-

  slots 74 can be inserted into the openings 72, 76 and be screwed into appropriate openings or holes 77 in the upper section 48, after which the side rails 42, 44, the support assemblies 46 and the transverse rails

  constitute a unitary unit of generally rec-

  tangular constituting a vehicle gallery.

  As best seen in Figure 5, each lower support section 50 has an opening

  or recess 78, inside which is placed a button for

  rotating annular locking element 80. Extending downward from the member 80 of each support assembly 46 is an externally threaded rod 82 which is adapted to be screwed into a suitable hole of an associated fixing plate 84 disposed by sliding in the inside the channel 34 of the conjugate batten 16, 18. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, so as to fix the object retaining assembly consisting of side rails 42, 44, transverse rails 70 and support assemblies 46 on the slats 16, 18, the locking elements 80 of each assembly 46 is turned until the fixing plate 84 is pulled upwards so as to come into contact with the edges 26, 28 of the slats

  16, 18. If you want to adjust the pre-

  yield, in the longitudinal direction of the slats 16, 18, the elements

  elements 80 are simply loosened so as to cease contact

  between the plates 84 and the flanges 26, 28, allowing a cou-

  longitudinal smoothing of the assembly or its removal from

slats 16, 18.

  According to the present invention, the gallery 10 comprises a pair of transverse slats 90, which, as best seen in FIG. 7, have a cross section generally having the shape of an inverted U and include lateral parts 92, 94 , lower parts with rim 96, 98 and an upper part for load or object support

  100. Each lateral slat 90 has a pair of end members.

  wall 102 having mounting portions 104 which are intended to be telescopically inserted into the adjacent ends of the slats 90, the mounting portions 104 having holes

  106, 108 which are intended to be aligned with apertures

  appropriate res 110, 112, in the ends of the side slats

  rails 90 to allow the insertion of screws, buttons or the like 114 in the aligned openings and fix the members 102 to the slats 90. Each end member 102 comprises

  a fixing part 116 extending laterally towards the ex-

  upper, whose lower side 118 is provided to rest or be supported on the upper surface of the associated slats 16,

  18, the part 116 comprising a slot 120, arranged lateral-

  through which a generally mounted mounting bolt

  vertically 122 can extend so that it can be connected to a fixing plate 124 having the same general construction as the plates 84 mentioned above, which is arranged

  by sliding inside the channel 34 of the slats 16, 18.

  The upper end of the bolt 122 is connected to a rotary immobilizing member, generally designated by the reference 126 which comprises an annular part which can be turned to

  hand and an upward projecting loop or the like 128.

  The members 126 are designed to act in the same way as the locking elements 80 described above, allowing a selective longitudinal adjustment of the transverse slats 90 in the longitudinal direction of the slats 16, 18 by rotation of these elements, which has a effect on the contact of the plates 124 with the lower surfaces 32 of the slats 16, 18 and vice versa, the release of the contact between the plate 124 and the surfaces 32 by rotation of the element 126 in the direction

  reverse. Thus, the slats 90 can be removed from the slats.

  tes 16, - 18 during periods of non-use and can be moved longitudinally along the length of the slats 16, 18 so as to be adjusted according to the dimensions and the

  type of loads to be transported by the vehicle 14.

  In a particular construction method of the present invention

  tion, the slats 90 are made of a relative material

  thick so that heavy loads can be

  transported without requiring an auxiliary or additional support

  -9- of the part 12 of the vehicle roof and without imposing the permanent presence of intermediate slats extending parallel to the slats 16, 18. Thanks to the fact that the two side rails 42, 44 and the transverse rails 70 can be removed slats 16, 18 at the same time as the assemblies 46 and the transverse slats 90 when no object is transported by the associated vehicle, the entire gallery with the exception of the two slats 16, 18, can be eliminated so as to eliminate the noise caused by the wind,

  wind resistance; etc.

  In connection with FIG. 2, a vehicle gallery is shown associated with a vehicle roof part 132, which, by way of example, comprises a sunroof part represented by the reference 134. The gallery 130 comprises a plurality of 'assemblies consisting of three slats extending laterally or transversely 136, 138 and 140 which are spaced longitudinally on the portion 132 of the roof. In addition, gallery 130 includes a pair of rails

  lateral laterally distant from each other, and extending -

  longitudinally 142, 144, which are arranged near the edges.

  side of the roof part 132. The plurality of slats 136-

  preferably has the same construction as the slats 16, 18

  cited above and is attached to part 132 of the roof of the vehicle.

  flows mainly in the same way as the slats 16, 18, are at the part 12 of the roof. The longitudinal rails extending longitudinally 142, 144 are intended to be laterally or transversely adjustable relative to the slats 136-140 and include an appropriate mounting means represented by the reference 146 which can be similar to the support assemblies 46 cited above and includes appropriate means such as

  rotating locking elements for adjusting the position

  lateral tion of the side rails 142, 144 along the slats 136-140. The construction of the side rails 142, 144 can be the same or similar to that of the side rails 42, 44, or

  can be similar or identical to the rails 220 which will be

  described below in connection with the embodiment shown

  tee in Figures 9-11, depending on the particular type of appli-

-10 -

  cation and the size of the vehicle on which the car will be mounted

lerie 130.

  Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention, where a gallery 150 is shown associated with a part 152 of the vehicle roof.

  cule and includes a pair of slats extending longitudinally

  side (or sideways) 154, 156. As best seen in Figure 4, the slats 154, 156 include a base portion 158 and side portions extending upward and inward 160, 162 which terminate at their upper ends with downwardly extending flange portions 164, 166, respectively, the portions 164, 166 defining a

  channel extending longitudinally 168. According to this particular mode

  culier of embodiment of the present invention, each slat 154, 156 comprises a reinforcement or stiffness plate, extending longitudinally, plate 170 which is fixed with the slat 154 or 156 to the part 152 of the vehicle roof

  by means of a plurality of rivet nuts or semi- devices

  blables 172 distant longitudinally from each other and

  which define internally threaded holes 174. The

  lerie 150 has a pair of slats extending transversely

  generally (or laterally) generally represented by the reference

  rence 176 which have the general shape of an inverted U, such that

  the slats 90 of FIG. 7. Each slat 176 has an element

  extreme 178 which can generally have the same construction

  tion that the extreme organs 102 cited above and com-

  carries a suitable slot 182 through which a threaded bolt 184 can extend and be screwed into one of the holes 174

  of the plurality of rivet nuts 172. The upper ends

  of the bolts 184 preferably comprise securing members 188 which may have the same general construction as the elements 126 mentioned above and which rotate the bolts 184 so as to fix the members 178 and

  therefore the slats' 176 at the longitudinal longitudinal positions

  selected along the slats 154, 156. It will be noted that the boards

  reinforcement bars 170 can be provided with additional tapped holes along their length, which makes it possible to obtain a

- He --

  greater number of slat fixing positions 176,

  as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

  In connection with Figures 9 to 11, a

  Another embodiment of the present invention is.

  felt, which includes a gallery 200 associated with a part 202 of the vehicle roof, and comprises a pair of slats

  extending longitudinally and spaced from each other la-

  téréral, 204 and 206 which may have the same general construction as the slats mentioned above, 16, 18. The gallery 200 also includes two laterally extending slats 208, 210 which have end members 212 at their opposite ends and have preferably the same construction

  general that the transverse slats 90 of the gallery 10 de-

  previously written. The opposite ends of the slats 208, 210 are intended to be fixed in an adjustable and removable manner to the longitudinally extending slats 204, 206 by means of securing assembly which include elements 214 which can have the same construction as the elements 126 cited. above and include threaded bolts 216 which are intended to cooperate with fixing plates 218 arranged by sliding longitudinally inside the slats 204, 206 to allow adjustable fixing of the slats 208, 210 in positions selected longitudinally in the slats 204, 206. Gallery 200 also includes

  two transverse rails, generally represented by the

  rail 220, which extend laterally or transversely between the slats 204, 206 and are distant upwards from the

  plan of part 200 of the roof and are supported on the lat-

  tes 204, 206 by means of four support assemblies, shown

  generally felt by reference 222, which are each

  located at each end of the transverse rails 220, like this

  the is shown in Figure 9. The rails 220 can be of any construction, but preferably have a

  section of the shape shown in figure 10, and comDren-

  upwardly converging sides 224, 226, some

  lower 228 and pairs of flanged parts 230, 232 and.

  234, 236 extending laterally inward and distan-

- 12 -

  vertically from one another, which define a track or channel 238 of the same length as the rails 220. The track, or channel, 238 of each of the transverse rails 220

  is designed to receive one or more fixing plates

  tion 240 which can have the same general construction as the fixing plates 84 described above and can be provided with retaining elements 242 which avoid a longitudinal sliding movement of the plates 240 when the rod

  externally threaded down from securing elements

  associated 246 is disengaged from threaded holes in the

plates 240.

  Each set 222 comprises a support body 248 which may be made of plastic materials

  injection molded or die-cast metal, and

  ends a recess or central opening 250 inside

  from which a rotary knob or adjusting element 252 is available

  laid in the same way with which the element 80 is mounted

  in each of the support assemblies 46 described above.

  Extending downward from the adjusting elements 252 are externally threaded rods 254 which are

  screwed to the fixing plates 256, which are available

  seated by sliding inside the slats 204, 206 and

  cooperate with the elements 252 to fix in a regular manner

  ble the sets 222 in selected longitudinal locations

  on the slats 204, 206. Each body 248 comprises an inwardly projecting mounting part 258 which is intended to be received telescopically inside the adjacent end of the associated transverse rail 220 and to be fixed thereto by means a screw, bolt, or the like 260 which extends upwardly through an opening 262 in the adjacent end of the rail 220, whereupon the

  rails 220 and the sets 222 are adjustable longitudinal-

  along the slats 204, 206 and are at the same time removed

  of these when we want to reduce the components

  of the gallery 200 during periods of non-use

  when the transverse rails 220 are not

  necessary to support objects on the vehicle.

- 13 -

  It will be noted from the above, that the present invention provides an improved gallery which has a number of characteristics not existing in the devices of the prior art. In particular, the gallery according to the present invention provides an arrangement thanks to which the baggage or object retaining elements can be adjusted to take account of dimensions

  objects that can be completely removed

  from the gallery during periods of non-use, which reduces wind noise and resistance

  in the wind. In addition, the gallery according to the present invention pre-

* sees a construction which avoids the need to appeal

  to additional reinforcing elements in the vehicle

  associated cule, such as additional roof arches

  res which are necessary with the inter- slat elements

  mediaries used in the prior art. The presence of lat-

  the lateral ones which are adjustable longitudinally allows to support loads of variable shape and dimensions, and as the transverse slats and the transverse luggage retaining rails are adjustable longitudinally, a

  great flexibility of use can be obtained. A character-

  additional ristic offered by the present invention lies in the fact that auxiliary retaining elements

  various objects, such as ski carriers, bicycle carriers

  tes, etc., can be removably attached to the cross rails, especially when they are of the type shown in Figures 9-11, which further increases the

  number of possible uses of the gallery of the present

  the invention. It will naturally be noted that additional transverse slats and / or transverse rails can be used depending on the dimensions and the type of

  load and that, thanks to the mechanical strength of such lat-

  your transverse, additional loads do not damage

  not the vehicle, since they will be transmitted to the outer edges of the roof or distributed over them via the transverse slats, at the place where the primary support structure of a typical vehicle roof

- 14 -

is located.

  The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, it is on the contrary liable to variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

- 15 -

Claims (16)

  1 - Gallery intended to be used on   a generally horizontally arranged surface of a vehicle   motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - a first pair of slat elements parallel to each other at a certain distance which is fixed to the surface of the vehicle;   - a second pair of parallel slat elements -   linked to each other at a certain distance, perpendicular to the first pair of slats; and - means supporting the second pair of batten elements to allow an adjustable displacement in the longitudinal direction of the first pair of batten elements, and to completely remove the second pair of batten elements of the first pair.   2 - Gallery according to claim 1, charac-   characterized in that the first pair of slat elements extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is arranged near the outer lateral edges of the roof part of the vehicle   and in that the second pair of batten elements extends there   literally to the first pair of elements and is attached to its   lateral ends external to the first pair of elements latte.   3 - Gallery according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that it comprises a pair of transverse rails   generally arranged parallel to the second pair of elements   lath elements and distant up from the surface plane of the vehicle.   4 - Gallery according to claim 3, charac-   characterized in that the second pair of slat elements and the transverse rails are connected by sliding to the first pair of slat elements.   - Gallery according to claim 3, charac-   In that it includes four mounting assemblies, each   one located at each end of each cross rail for adjustable and removable support of the cross rails   on the first pair of slat elements.   6 - Gallery according to claim 4, charac-   characterized in that each support member includes an upwardly extending support body which includes release means for removably securing the mating end of the cross rail to one of the members of the first pair batten element.   7 - Gallery according to claim 1, charac-   characterized in that it includes removable fixing means   for removably fixing the opposite ends of the second pair of slat elements of the first pair batten elements.   8 - Gallery according to claim 6, charac-   characterized in that the removable fixing means comprise elements of subjugation.   9 - Gallery according to claim 7, charac-   characterized in that the securing elements include fastening means for fixing the opposite ends of the second pair of batten elements to the first pair of elements of latte.   10 - Gallery according to claim 8, charac-   characterized in that it comprises a pair of transverse rails extending between the first pair of batten elements and placed generally parallel to the second pair of batten elements, and in that the transverse rails comprise   sliding means for fixing means for retaining objects.   11 - Gallery according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that the first pair of slat elements is   generally flat and has a low profile and a substantial width-   greater than the height in cross section.   12 - Gallery according to claim 10, characterized in that the second pair of slat elements   is placed directly near the surface of the associated vehicle   and is designed to support loads and be fixed   by adjustment at its ends opposite to the first pair of slat elements.   13 - Gallery according to claim 11, ca-   characterized in that the first pair of slat elements - 17 -   extends longitudinally to the vehicle, and in that it comprises   takes a pair of transverse rails extending transversely   Lement between the first pair of batten elements and being adjustably fixed at its ends opposite to the first pair of batten elements.   14 - Gallery according to claim 12, ca-   characterized in that it includes a support assembly which is located at each end of each transverse rail for   adjustably support the cross rails on the pre- first pair of batten elements.   - Gallery according to claim 13, ca-   characterized in that each support assembly includes a hand-operated screw fixing means for fixing it to the   pair of associated slat elements.   16 - Gallery according to claim 12, characterized in that each transverse rail comprises a   channel part of the same length to support in a   smoothing the means of retaining objects.   17 - Gallery according to claim 11, ca-   characterized in that each element of the second pair of e-   slat elements in the general shape of an inverted U and is made of a material of sufficient thickness to avoid being deformed or bending when a load is placed on it and is supported on the roof part by   the second pair of slat elements.   18 - Gallery according to claim 13, ca-   characterized in that the screw fixing means actuated at the   hand includes a manually engaging element which is available   placed inside a recessed area of each of the support assemblies, a threaded rod element and a fixing means that can be engaged by screwing with the threaded rod to fix a   part of the first pair of associated slat elements.