GB1502112A - Article carrier on an automotive vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

1502112 Luggage racks J A BOTT 24 March 1975 [8 July 1974] 12186/75 Heading B7J An article carrier includes slats 24 of greater width than height in cross-section and fixed parallel to one another on a generally horizontal exterior body surface, e.g. boot lid 22 or roof, of an automobile 20 so that articles may be supported on upwardly facing slat surfaces 36, the slats 24 also having clamping surfaces 40 elsewhere thereon to receive clamping means by which members such as a cross-bar 32 for use in retaining articles are held, such members being readily removable from the slats. As shown, a bracket 34 to support bar 32 is clamped by a screw 46 engaging a nut 42 which is complementary to a dove-tail channel 38 along the slat. Slat 24 is secured to boot lid 22 by screws 30 passing through a mounting pad 26 and the ends of channel 38 are closed by a complementary tongue 52 of an end cap 50. The end caps may incorporate eyes or separate tie-down members having eyes may be releasably clamped intermediate the slat ends to receive ropes or straps for securing articles on the carrier. Instead of a channel 38, other forms of slat have clamping surfaces on shoulders adjacent their undersides, Fig. 15 (not shown), or grooves extending along their opposed edge faces, Fig. 17 (not shown). The slats may be aluminium extrusions such as shown or may be of roll formed steel. In one embodiment, Figs. 12 and 13 (not shown), ski rack clamps (116) are releasably carried by the slats. Another alternative feature is the use of strip having adhesive on both sides thereof for securing the slats to the boot lid 22, Fig. 10 (not shown).