GB2308110A

GB2308110A - Vehicle article carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2308110A
Application number: GB9625814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John S Cucheran; Donald R Potter
Original assignee: JAC Products Inc
Current assignee: JAC Products Inc
Priority date: 1995-12-15
Filing date: 1996-12-12
Publication date: 1997-06-18
Also published as: FR2742395B1; DE19652297A1; GB9625814D0; FR2742395A1; CA2192301A1; JPH09193717A

Description

2308110 VEHICLE ARTICLE CARRIER This invention relates to vehicle article

carriers, and more particularly to an adjustable vehicle article carrier for adjustably supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle such as a roof or deck lid of a vehicle.

Vehicle article carriers are used in a wide-variety of applications to support a variety of articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle such as a roof or deck lid of the vehicle. Some vehicle article carriers are adjustable via one or more cross bars which may be adjustably positioned along a pair of raised side rails fixedly secured to an outer body surface of the vehicle. Such vehicle article carriers are shown in, for example, U. S. Patent Nos. 4, 684, 048, 4, 982, 886 and 5, 082, 158, all assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The vehicle article carriers in use at the present time and those embodied in the above-mentioned U.S. patents have proven to be very useful for the purpose of transporting articles which are either too large or awkward to be transported within the interior of a vehicle. Nevertheless, there still remains a need for a vehicle article carrier having a means for adjusting the position of at least one cross bar of the carrier in a manner which is extremely simple in construction and requires only a minimum number of parts to accomplish locking of an adjustable cross bar at a desired location along a pair of side rails.

is In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a vehicle article carrier includes a pair of outer side rails each having a channel formed therein, with each of the outer side rails being fixedly secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle and positioned generally parallel to one another. A cross bar is provided which has at its outermost ends a pair of bracket members fixedly secured thereto. The bracket members releasably engage with the outer side rails to allow the cross bar to be quickly locked in position on the side rails such that the cross bar is not moveable longitudinally along the outer side rails. The bracket members each also include a manually actuatable control which releases each bracket member from its outer side rails to allow the cross bar to be easily, slidably positioned along the outer side rails at a desired position in order to support articles of varying dimensions thereon.

2 In one preferred embodiment, each bracket member includes a recess formed in an outer surface thereof and an opening formed in a base portion. A neck portion of a locking member extends through the opening in the base portion into the recess. The locking member includes a base plate which is of dimensions enabling it to reside within the channel of an associated outer side rail and to move slidably within the channel when the bracket member is in an unlocked position and moved along the outer side rail. A rotator is positioned partially within the recess and rotatably mounted within the recess. The rotator includes a circumferential camming surface which is positioned to abuttingly engage a head portion of the locking member. A biasing member is also positioned within the bracket member and is operably coupled to the neck portion to is cause the locking member to be urged into abutting (i.e., clamping) engagement with the channel of the associated side rail when the rotator is in a,locked" position. When the rotator is rotated into an "unlocked" position, the camming surface urges the neck portion outwardly of the bracket member such that the base plate becomes disengaged (i.e., unclamped) within the channel, thereby allowing the bracket member to be slidably, adjustably positioned along the side rail while the rotator is held in the unlocked position. The rotator is constructed such that it may be engaged with two or more fingers of a hand of the user and easily rotated with a minimal degree of effort. The biasing member causes the locking member to be urged into locking engagement within the channel of the side rail once the rotator is released.

3 In the preferred embodiment, the channel of each outer side rail includes a pair of overhanging ledge portions which each have a plurality or holes formed therein in spaced-apart fashion. The base plate of the locking member also includes a pair of raised portions which are positioned to engage within a corresponding pair of the notches in the overhanging ledge portions when aligned with the corresponding pair of notches, and when the locking member is urged into the locked position by appropriate rotation of the rotator.

In the preferred embodiment, the rotator includes a pair of depressions formed on opposite sides of a central member and is positioned within the recess such that it is substantially flush with an outer surface of the bracket member. The depressions allow the f ingers of a hand to easily grasp the is central member to rotate the rotator.

The preferred embodiments thus include a minimum number of moving parts to accomplish locking and unlocking of the bracket member at desired locations along the length of an associated side rail. The clamping engagement provided by the locking member of each bracket member and the engagement of the raised surfaces with a corresponding pair of the notches in the channel member serve to provide extremely secure clamping of the cross bar at a large plurality of desired locations along the side rails.

4 is The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and subjoined claims and by referencing the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle showing a preferred embodiment of the vehicle article carrier of the present invention secured to an outer body surface of the vehicle; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracket member; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in accordance with section line 3-3 in Figure 1 showing the internal structure of the bracket member and the side rail in cross-section with the locking member in a locked position; Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the bracket member and the side rail showing the bracket member in an unlocked position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking member of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view the biasing member of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in accordance with section line 7-7 in Figure 3 showing the bracket member in the locked position; Figure 8 is a bottom view of the rotator; 4 Figure 9 is a view of the rotator taken in accordance with directional line 9-9 in Figure 8 showing a portion of the camming surface thereof; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rotator.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a vehicle 12 having an outer body surface 14 upon which a vehicle article carrier 10 in accordance with the present invention is mounted. The vehicle article carrier 10 comprises a pair of outer side rails 16 fixedly secured to the outer body surface 14 and positioned generally parallel to one another. The outer side rails 16 are also positioned so as to extend along a major length of the outer body surface 14. Optionally, a plurality of intermediate slats 17 could be provided and secured to the outer is body surface 14. A f ixed across bar 18 is provided as is an adjustable cross bar 20. It will be appreciated, however, that two adjustable cross bars 20 could just as readily be provided, but that in most applications it is anticipated that only one of the two cross bars will need to be adjustable. The adjustable cross bar 20 has outermost end portions 22 to which are fixedly secured a pair of bracket members 24. The bracket members 24 are adjustably positionable along the length of each of their respective outer side rails 16 to enable the cross bar 20 to be positioned relative to the cross bar 18 as needed to support variously sized articles thereon.

6 0 Referring to Figures 2 and 3, one of the bracket members 24 is shown in greater detail. With specific reference to Figure 3, each bracket member 24 includes a housing 26 having an outer surface 28 and an inner surface 30. The outer surface 28 includes a hollowed out portion or recess 32 formed in part by a generally circular opening 34. A rotator 36 is positioned in the recess 32 and is of a generally circular configuration having a diameter just slightly smaller than the circular opening 34 so as to fit within the circular opening 34 when assembled to the housing 26.

With further reference to Figure 3, the inner surface 30 of the housing includes an integrally formed mounting post 38 which extends generally perpendicularly from the inner surface 30. The mounting post 38 includes a centrally disposed opening is in the form of a bore 40. Both the mounting post 38 and the bore are disposed so as to be at the approximate geometric center of the circular opening 34. The housing 26 further includes a base portion 42 having an opening in the form of a bore 44 extending therethrough. A plurality of foot portions 46 (visible in Figure 2) are also integrally formed with the base portion 42. The cross bar 20 (Figure 1) is fixedly secured to the housing 26 via one or more threaded screws (not shown) in conventional fashion such that the cross bar 20 and the bracket members 24 form a rigid, sturdy and unitary member.

7 is With further reference to Figure 2, the rotator 36 includes an outer surface 48 having a pair of depressions or recesses 50 formed on opposite sides of a central member 52. Thus, the rotator 36 can be easily rotated manually by a user by gripping the central member 52 with two or more f ingers of a hand and turning the rotator 36 either clockwise or count erc lockwi se.

Referring again to Figure 3, the bracket member 24 can be seen in the locked position. The rotator 36 is secured to the mounting post 38 by a threaded screw 54 or other similar fastening member which extends through the bore 40 and threadably engages within an opening 56 in the rotator 36. The rotator 36 also includes a centrally disposed boss portion 58 having an opening 60 which receives the mounting post 38. In this manner, the rotator 36 is free to rotate about the mounting post 38 while being secured thereto. It will be appreciated that any form of attachment of the rotator 36 to the mounting post could be used provided it allows for easy rotation of the rotator 36.

With further reference to Figures 3 and 8-10, the construction of the rotator 36 can be seen in even greater detail. The rotator 36 includes a camming surface 62 extending circumferentially around a portion of the opening 60. The camming surface 62 includes a flat portion 62a (visible in Figures 8 and 10), the function of which will be described momentarily. With specific reference to Figures 9 and 10, the slope of the camming surface 62 is clearly apparent. It will be appreciated also that while the camming surface 62 is shown as extending approximately 1800 around the opening 60, the camming surface 62 could be of a greater or lesser arc of travel.

8 For example, the camming surface 62 could be formed to extend over a 900 arc of travel, which would obviously require a more pronounced (i.e., steeper) slope. It is anticipated that the 1800 arc of travel of the camming surface, as indicated in Figure 8, will be most desired to provide a convenient and comfortable locking and unlocking action of the rotator 36.

With further reference to Figure 3, the bracket member 24 can be seen to include a locking member 64 which extends through the bore 44. With brief reference to Figure 5, the locking member 64 includes a base plate 66, a neck portion 68 and a head portion 70. The neck portion 68 includes a pair of notches 72 which form an intermediate length 73. The base plate 66 includes a pair of raised surfaces 74 positioned directly across from one another. The neck portion 68 and head portion is 70 are integrally formed with the base plate 66 by being stamped or cut-out of the base plate 66 and then bent so as to extend generally perpendicularly from the base plate 66. Similarly, the raised surfaces 74 are formed by being stamped from the base plate 66. It will be appreciated, however, that the neck portion 68 and the raised surfaces 74 could be formed from independent components if desired. It will be appreciated then that the locking member 64 could take a variety of different designs provided some form of base plate and some form of neck portion are included.

With further reference to Figure 3, each outer side rail 16 includes an outer wall 76, an inner wall 78 and a pair of overhanging ledge portions 80 which help to form a channel 82.

The outer side rails are each supported on an optional mounting 9 pad 84 and secured to the outer body surface 14 of the vehicle 12 (Figure 1) via threaded screws in the conventional manner.

Each outer side rail 16 is preferably roll-formed from a single piece of suitably strong material such as steel, but it could also be formed from multiple sections of material secured together with suitable fastening elements.

With further reference to Figures 3 and 7, it can be seen that the overhanging ledge portions 80 each include a plurality of spaced-apart notches 86. The notches 86 are adapted to engage with the raised surfaces 74 of the locking member 64 when the locking member 64 is urged into the locked position, as shown in Figure 3. This feature of the present invention will be described more fully in the following paragraphs. it Will also be appreciated that the notches 86 could alternatively be formed so as to extend completely through the overhanging ledge portions 80 if desired. It will also be appreciated that conventional side rails without notches could also be employed and still provide excellent securing of the cross bar 20 at a desired location along the side rails 16.

With further reference to Figures 3 and 6, the bracket member 24 also includes a biasing member 88. The biasing member 88, as shown in Figure 6, is formed from a length of spring steel having a T-shaped cut-out 90 and a lip portion 92 resulting from the cut-out 90. The lip portion 92 includes a V-shaped section 92a for engaging with the head portion 70 of the locking member 64. The biasing member 88 is formed with a slight curvature to impart a biasing force on the locking member 64 when coupled to the locking member 64 and positioned within the recess 32.

With still further reference to Figures 3 and 6, the intermediate length 73 of the locking member 64 engages within the T-shaped cut-out 90 of the biasing member 88 such that a portion 90a of the biasing member rests on shoulders 72a of the locking member 64. As the biasing member 88 is moved slightly longitudinally, the V-shaped portion 92a of the lip portion 92 slides over the head portion 70 such that the head portion 70 is captured in the V-shaped portion 92a, as shown in Figure 7.

When the rotator 36 is in the,locked" position shown in Figure 3, the base plate 66 is urged upwardly towards the overhanging ledge portions 80 such that the raised surfaces 74 engage within a corresponding pair of notches 86 of the ledge portions 80. When it is desired to reposition the cross bar 20, the rotator 36 may be grasped with two or more fingers of a hand and rotated into an "unlocked" position. This causes the camming surface 62 to urge the head portion 70, and thus the entire locking member 64, downwardly against the biasing force of the biasing member 88 to cause the raised surfaces 74 to move out of engagement with the notches 86, as shown in Figure 4. When the rotator 36 is urged fully into the unlocked position, the head portion 70 and V-shaped lip portion 92a move into contact with the flat portion 62a of the camming surface 62. At this paint, the rotator 36 may be released and the flat portion 62a holds the locking member 64 in its unlocked position. While the rotator 36 is in the unlocked position, the entire bracket member 24 may be slid freely along its outer side rail 16 to a new desired position. once the rotator is repositioned, the rotator 36 may be urged back into the locked position and the force provided by 11 the biasing member 88 again urges the head portion 70 of the locking member 64 upwardly until the raised surfaces 74 engage within a new pair of notches. In this regard, it will be appreciated that if the raised surfaces 74 of the locking member 64 are not positioned directly underneath a pair of notches 86, that a further degree of slight longitudinal adjustment will be required of the bracket member 24 before the raised surfaces 74 will engage with a corresponding pair of notches 86.

The bracket members 24 of the vehicle article carrier 10 also form a gradually curving profile, as shown in Figure 3, which is aerodynamically advantageous as well as aesthetically pleasing when the bracket members 24 are secured to their respective outer side rails 16. The rotator outer surface 48 remains substantially flush with the outer surface 28 of its bracket member 24 regardless of the rotational position of the rotator 36. Since each bracket member 24 is positively clamped to its associated side rail, there is virtually no wobble, vibration or other objectionable movement or noise generated as the vehicle travels over rough terrain, which occurs with some prior developed article carrier systems. The rotator 36 further allows the bracket member 24 to be quickly and easily clamped and unclamped from the outer side rails 16 to allow the cross bar 20 to be readily repositioned along the outer side rails 16 if repositioning of the cross bar 20 is needed. The vehicle article carrier 10 further accomplishes securing of the brackets 24 to the outer side rails 16 with a minimum number of moving component parts and without complex construction techniques. The bracket 12 housing 26 is preferably molded from a suitable high-strength plastic. The locking member 64 is preferably formed from a single section of metal. The rotator 36 is also preferably molded from a single piece of suitably strong plastic.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification and following claims.

13

Claims

1 - A vehicle article carrier for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said vehicle article carrier comprising:

a pair of side rails for securement to said outer body vehicle surf ace to extend along said outer body vehicle surf ace parallel to one another, each said side rail further including a channel formed therein and extending along at least a major portion of the length thereof; at least one cross bar having a length sufficient to span between said side rails when positioned over said side rails perpendicularly to each said side rail; at least one bracket member secured to each end of said cross bar for supporting said cross bar elevationally above said side rails and said outer body vehicle surface, each said bracket member comprising:

a housing having a recess, a mounting post positioned within said recess and a base portion having an opening formed therein; a locking member projecting from said base portion and having a neck portion extending through said opening into said recess; a biasing member interposed between said locking member and an interior surface of said housing; and a manually engageable rotator positioned at least partially within said recess and secured to said mounting post to allow said rotator to be manually rotated with one or more fingers of a hand of a user, 14 said rotator including a circumferential camming surface adapted to urge said locking member outwardly of said base portion against a biasing force provided by said biasing member when said rotator is rotated in a first direction, to thereby place said locking member in an unlocked position relative to an associated one of said side rails, and to allow said biasing member to urge said locking member into a locked position relative to said associated side rail when said rotator is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

2. The vehicle article carrier of claim 1, wherein said locking member includes a base plate having dimensions enabling it to reside within said channel of said associated side rail and to be moved slidably within said channel; each said side rail including a plurality of spacedapart notches formed therein; and said base plate including at least one raised surface adapted to engage within one of said notches in said associated side rail when said rotator is urged manually into said locked position, said engagement of said raised portion within said notch preventing said locking member from moving slidably within said associated side rail.

is 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking member includes a base plate having a pair of raised surfaces formed thereon; wherein said associated side rail includes a plurality of notches formed therein; and said pair of raised surfaces engaging with a respective pair of said notches when said rotator is into said locked position such that said locking member cannot move slidably within said channel of said associated side rail.

4. The vehicle article carrier of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rotator member includes an outer surface and a pair of depressions formed in said outer surface to form a central member which is readily graspable with two or more fingers of a hand; and said outer surface of said rotator being substantially flush with said outer surface of said bracket member and remaining substantially flush with said outer surface of said bracket member regardless of the rotation of said rotator.

5. The vehicle article carrier of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking member includes a head portion which is operably coupled to said biasing member.

6. The vehicle article carrier of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said biasing member comprises a length of curved spring steel having a cut-out for engaging with said locking member.

16 is 7. A vehicle article carrier for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said vehicle article carrier comprising:

a pair of side rails for fixed securement to said outer body surface of said vehicle to extend parallel to one another along a major length of said vehicle, each of said side rails including a channel; a cross bar having a bracket member disposed at each end thereof adapted to support said cross bar above said outer :L 0 body surf ace at a desired position along said side rails and being adjustably positionable along said side rails; each said bracket member including:

a housing having an outer surf ace and an inner surface, said outer surface having a generally circular recess and said inner surface having a mounting post protruding outwardly therefrom toward said outer surface; said bracket member further including a bottom surface having an opening in communication with said recess; a locking member having a base plate, a neck portion and a head portion, said neck portion having dimensions enabling it to extend through said opening in said base portion of said housing and to move 17 so linearly slidably within said opening, said base plate having dimensions enabling it to reside within said channel of an associated one of said side rails; a biasing member operably coupled to said neck portion to urge said locking member into engagement with a wall of said channel; a rotator adapted to fit within said recess in said outer surface of said housing so as to be substantially flush mounted with said outer surface of said housing, said rotator being pivotally mounted to said mounting post and having a circumferential camming surface operable to engage said head portion of said locking member and to urge said locking member linearly outwardly of said bottom surface such that said base plate disengages said channel of said associated side rail when said rotator is moved rotationally in a first direction and to an unlocked position, said rotator enabling said locking member to be urged by said biasing member into engagement with said channel of said associated side rail when said rotator is moved rotationally in a direction opposite to said first rotational direction into a locked position; and said rotator remaining substantially flush with said outer surface of said housing when in said locked and unlocked positions.

18 8. The vehicle article carrier of claim 7, wherein said wall of said channel of said associated side rail includes a plurality of notches formed therein; and wherein said base plate of said locking member includes at least one raised portion adapted to engage within one of said notches when said locking member is urged into engagement with said channel of said associated side rail by manually moving said rotator into said locked position, thereby locking said bracket member fixedly to said associated side rail to prevent movement of said cross bar along said associated side rail.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said housing includes at least one foot portion adapted to slidably engage within said channel of said associated side rail.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said neck portion extends generally perpendicularly from said base plate of said locking member and is integrally formed from said base plate.

11. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 7 to lo, wherein said rotator comprises a generally circular member having a pair of depressions formed therein to form a central member operable to be grasped with two or more fingers of a hand.

19 12. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein said neck portion of said locking member includes a pair of notches; and wherein said biasing member includes a length of spring steel having a cut-out section adapted to engage with said notches to enable said biasing member to urge said locking member into locking engagement with said channel of said associated side rail.

13. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said associated side rail and said bracket member form a generally curving, aerodynamic shape when said bracket member is secured to said associated side rail.

is 14. A vehicle article carrier for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said vehicle article carrier comprising:

a pair of side rails for fixed securement to said outer body surface to be positioned parallel to one another and to extend along a major length of said outer body surface; each of said side rails having a channel, said channel including a pair of overhanging ledge portions with each of said overhanging ledge portions having a plurality of spaced-apart notches formed therein; a cross bar having a length sufficient to span between said side rails; a pair of Ibracket members secured to each end of said cross bar for supporting said cross bar above said outer body vehicle surface on said side rails and adjustably securing said cross bar to said side rails at a desired position along said side rails; each said bracket member including:

a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface and a bottom surface, said outer surface having a recess formed therein, said inner surface having a mounting post projecting outwardly therefrom and said bottom surface having an opening in communication with said recess; a locking member having a base plate, a neck portion and a head portion, said neck portion being adapted to extend through said opening in said base portion of said housing and said base plate having 21 so dimensions permitting it to reside within said channel and to move slidably within said channel of an associated one of said side rails; a biasing member operably coupled to said neck portion to urge said locking member into locking engagement with said overhanging ledge portions of said associated side rails; a rotator adapted to rest partially within said recess of said outer surface of said housing and to be secured to said mounting post to enable said rotator to be manually moved rotationally between a locked and an unlocked position, said rotator including a circumferential camming surface adapted to abuttingly engage said head portion of said locking member to cause said locking member to be urged outwardly of said base portion when said rotator is moved into said unlocked position and to enable said locking member to be lifted by said biasing member into said locked position when said rotator is moved rotationally into said locked position; and said rotator having an outer surface remaining substantially flush with said outer surface of said housing regardless of the rotational position of said rotator.

22 15. The vehicle article carrier of claim 14, wherein said base plate of said locking member includes a pair of raised portions adapted to engage within a corresponding pair of said notches formed in said overhanging ledge portions of said associated side rail when said locking member is moved into said locked position.

16. The vehicle article carrier of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein said neck portion of said locking member includes a pair of notches; and wherein said biasing member includes a cut-out section adapted to engage with said notches in said neck portion to enable said biasing member to urge said locking member into engagement with said overhanging ledge portions of said associated side rail when said rotator is moved into said locked position.

17. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said side rail and its associated said bracket member form a generally curving aerodynamic profile when said associated bracket member is secured to said associated side rail.

18. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein said neck portion of said locking member extends generally perpendicularly from said base plate and is integrally formed from a portion of said base plate.

23 19. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said housing includes at least one foot portion for engaging within said channel of said associated side rail when said bracket member is secured to said associated side rail.

20. The vehicle article carrier of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of foot portions spaced-apart along said bottom surface of said housing.

21. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 7 to 20, wherein said biasing member comprises a length of spring steel.

22. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 7 to 20, wherein said biasing member comprises a length of curved spring steel having a cut-out portion adapted to engage with said locking member, and a lip portion formed from said cut-out portion for engaging said locking member to retain said locking member to said biasing member.

23. A vehicle article carrier substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A vehicle article carrier for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said vehicle article carrier comprising:

a housing having a recess, a mounting post positioned within said recess and a base portion having an opening formed therein; a locking member projecting from said base portion and having a neck portion extending through said opening into said recess; a biasing member interposed between said locking member and an interior surface of said housing; and a manually engageable rotator positioned at least partially within said recess and secured to said mounting post to allow said rotator to be manually rotated with one or more fingers of a hand of a user, 2-5 said rotator including a circumferential camming surface adapted to urge said locking member outwardly of said base portion against a biasing force provided by said biasing member when said rotator is rotated in a first direction, to thereby place said locking member in an unlocked position relative to an associated one of said side rails, and to allow said biasing member to urge said locking member into a locked position relative to said associated side rail when said rotator is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

2-6 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking member includes a base plate having a pair of raised surfaces formed thereon; wherein said associated side rail includes a plurality of notches formed therein; and said pair of raised surfaces engaging with a respective pair of said notches when said rotator is into said locked position such that said locking member cannot move slidably within said channel of said associated side rail.

2,7 7. A vehicle article carrier for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said vehicle article carrier comprising:

a pair of side rails for fixed securement to said outer body surf ace of said vehicle to extend parallel to one another along a major length of said vehicle, each of said side rails including a channel; a cross bar having a bracket member disposed at each end thereof adapted to support said cross bar above said outer body surface at a desired position along said side rails and being adjustably positionable along said side rails; each said bracket member including:

a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface having a generally circular recess and said inner surface having a mounting post protruding outwardly therefrom toward said outer surface; said bracket member further including a bottom surface having an opening in communication with said recess; a locking member having a base plate, a neck portion and a head portion, said neck portion having dimensions enabling it to extend through said opening in said base portion of said housing and to move 2-5 so linearly slidably within said opening, said base plate having dimensions enabling it to reside within said channel of an associated one of said side rails; a biasing member operably coupled to said neck portion to urge said locking member into engagement with a wall of said channel; a rotator adapted to fit within said recess in said outer surface of said housing so as to be substantially flush mounted with said outer surface of said housing, said rotator being pivotally mounted to said mounting post and having a circumferential camming surface operable to engage said head portion of said locking member and to urge said locking member linearly outwardly of said bottom surface such that said base plate disengages said channel of said associated side rail when said rotator is moved rotationally in a first direction and to an unlocked position, said rotator enabling said locking member to be urged by said biasing member into engagement with said channel of said associated side rail when said rotator is moved rotationally in a direction opposite to said first rotational direction into a locked position; and said rotator remaining substantially flush with said outer surface of said housing when in said locked and unlocked positions.

21 8. The vehicle article carrier of claim 7, wherein said wall of said channel of said associated side rail includes a plurality of notches formed therein; and wherein said base plate of said locking member includes at least one raised portion adapted to engage within one of said notches when said locking member is urged into engagement with said channel of said associated side rail by manually moving said rotator into said locked position, thereby locking said bracket member fixedly to said associated side rail to prevent movement of said cross bar along said associated side rail.

11. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said rotator comprises a generally circular member having a pair of depressions formed therein to form a central member operable to be grasped with two or more fingers of a hand.

12. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein said neck portion of said locking member includes a pair of notches; and wherein said biasing member includes a length of spring steel having a cut-cut section adapted to engage with said notches to enable said biasing member to urge said locking member into locking engagement with said channel of said associated side rail.

31 14. A vehicle article carrier for supp 1 orting a:'ticres above an outer body surface of a vehicle, said vehicle article carrier comprising:

a pair of side rails for fixed securement to said outer body surf ace to be positioned parallel to one another and to extend along a major length of said outer body surface; each of said side rails having a channel, said channel including a pair of overhanging ledge portions with each of said overhanging ledge portions having a plurality of spaced- apart notches formed therein; a cross bar having a length sufficient to span between said side rails; a pair of bracket members secured to each end of said cross bar for supporting said cross bar above said outer body vehicle surface on said side rails and adjustably securing said cross bar to said side rails at a desired position along said side rails; each said bracket member including: a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface and a bottom surface, said outer surface having a recess formed therein, said inner surface having a mounting post projecting outwardly therefrom and said bottom surface having an opening in communication with said recess; a locking member having a base plate, a neck portion and a head portion, said neck portion being adapted to extend through said opening in said base portion of said housing and said base plate having 312 so dimensions permitting it to reside within said channel and to move slidably within said channel of an associated one of said side rails; a biasing member operably coupled to said neck portion to urge said locking member into locking engagement with said overhanging ledge portions of said associated side rails; a rotator adapted to rest partially within said recess of said outer surface of said housing and to be secured to said mounting post to enable said rotator to be manually moved rotationally between a locked and an unlocked position, said rotator including a circumferential camming surface adapted to abuttingly engage said head portion of said locking member to cause said locking member to be urged outwardly of said base portion when said rotator is moved into said unlocked position and to enable said locking member to be lifted by said biasing member into said locked position when said rotator is moved rotationally into said locked position; and said rotator having an outer surface remaining substantially flush with said outer surface of said housing regardless of the rotational position of said rotator.

z G j j 15. The vehicle article carrier of claim 14, wherein said base plate of said locking member includes a pair of raised portions adapted to engage within a corresponding pair of said notches formed in said overhanging ledge portions of said associated side rail when said locking member is moved into said locked position.

34 19. The vehicle article carrier of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said housing includes at least one foot portion for engaging within said channel of said associated side rail when said bracket member is secured to said associated side rail.

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