B60R9/05

CROSSBAR CLAMP ACTUATOR

A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Crossbar-to-vehicle coupler
10232791 · 2019-03-19 · ·

A crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include one or more locking pins operatively connected to a pivoting cover, such that moving the cover from an open to a closed position causes the locking pins to engage corresponding recesses in a base portion fixed to a vehicle rooftop. The coupler may include a selectable pitch interface for adjusting the pitch angle of the crossbar with respect to the coupler and/or a vehicle on which the coupler is mounted. An actuator of the coupler may convert motion of a tightening screw oriented parallel to the crossbar axis into a clamp tightening force oriented orthogonal to the crossbar axis. The tightening screw may be inaccessible when the cover of the coupler is in the closed position.

Crossbar-to-vehicle coupler
10232791 · 2019-03-19 · ·

A crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include one or more locking pins operatively connected to a pivoting cover, such that moving the cover from an open to a closed position causes the locking pins to engage corresponding recesses in a base portion fixed to a vehicle rooftop. The coupler may include a selectable pitch interface for adjusting the pitch angle of the crossbar with respect to the coupler and/or a vehicle on which the coupler is mounted. An actuator of the coupler may convert motion of a tightening screw oriented parallel to the crossbar axis into a clamp tightening force oriented orthogonal to the crossbar axis. The tightening screw may be inaccessible when the cover of the coupler is in the closed position.

LOAD PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS

A vehicle mounted roof rack includes a perimeter rail system and a plurality of load bars coupled to the perimeter rail system. The perimeter rail system includes a front rail, a rear rail, a first side rail, and a second side rail. The plurality of load bars can be disposed within an interior space of the perimeter rail system.

LOAD PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS

A vehicle mounted roof rack includes a perimeter rail system and a plurality of load bars coupled to the perimeter rail system. The perimeter rail system includes a front rail, a rear rail, a first side rail, and a second side rail. The plurality of load bars can be disposed within an interior space of the perimeter rail system.

Crossbar-to-vehicle coupler having adjustable toe angle

A crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include an intra-coupler toe adjustment mechanism. The toe adjustment mechanism may include a pair of structural frames connected at a pivot joint. In some examples, the frames may be secured by a securement mechanism and/or limited in rotation by a mechanical stop. In some examples, an outer housing of the coupler may be fixed to only one of the two frames. A detent mechanism may be provided, including the outer housing and one of the two frames.

Crossbar-to-vehicle coupler having adjustable toe angle

A crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include an intra-coupler toe adjustment mechanism. The toe adjustment mechanism may include a pair of structural frames connected at a pivot joint. In some examples, the frames may be secured by a securement mechanism and/or limited in rotation by a mechanical stop. In some examples, an outer housing of the coupler may be fixed to only one of the two frames. A detent mechanism may be provided, including the outer housing and one of the two frames.

Rooftop cargo carrying systems with biaxial clip adjustment

A coupling assembly for connecting a rooftop cargo carrying system to a vehicle may include a coupler body including a crossbar clamp configured to be coupled to a crossbar. The crossbar may have a long axis oriented transverse to a direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a base portion configured to abut a roof of the vehicle and a clip retention and adjustment assembly. The clip retention and adjustment assembly may include (a) a carriage pivotally mounted to the coupler body and configured to rotate around a rotation axis oriented parallel to the direction of vehicle travel, the carriage having a slot for receiving a clip along a translation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, (b) a catch configured to releasably engage an aperture in the clip, (c) a first actuator configured to rotate the carriage around the rotation axis, and (d) a second actuator configured to move the catch and the clip relative to the coupler body along the translation axis.

Rooftop cargo carrying systems with biaxial clip adjustment

A coupling assembly for connecting a rooftop cargo carrying system to a vehicle may include a coupler body including a crossbar clamp configured to be coupled to a crossbar. The crossbar may have a long axis oriented transverse to a direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a base portion configured to abut a roof of the vehicle and a clip retention and adjustment assembly. The clip retention and adjustment assembly may include (a) a carriage pivotally mounted to the coupler body and configured to rotate around a rotation axis oriented parallel to the direction of vehicle travel, the carriage having a slot for receiving a clip along a translation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, (b) a catch configured to releasably engage an aperture in the clip, (c) a first actuator configured to rotate the carriage around the rotation axis, and (d) a second actuator configured to move the catch and the clip relative to the coupler body along the translation axis.

CROSSBAR CLAMP ACTUATOR

A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.