Load carrying bar

• US 10,442,363 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2014
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thule Sweden AB (Thule Group AB)
• Original Assignee: Thule Sweden AB (Thule Group AB)
• Inventors: Ferman, Magnus
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse, Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanterpool, Lester L
• Application Number:
  US14/890,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20160082892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,981 Days
• Field of Search: 224322, 224325, 224309, 224316, 224317, 224318, 224321, 224326, 2961801
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/05 Carriers characterised by wind deflecting means wind deflectors for open roofs B60J7/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/052 Carriers comprising elongate members extending only transversely of vehicle B60R9/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A load carrying bar including a channel with an opening. The channel is adapted to receive a fastening member for fasten a load carrying bar accessory to the load carrying bar. A cover is arranged to seal the opening of the channel. The cover is adapted to be deformed in the proximity of the opening as the fastening member is slid along the length of the channel.

Claims

1. A load carrying bar for a roof rack, said load carrying bar having a length, a height, and a width, wherein said length is greater than said width, said load carrying bar comprising:

a channel along a portion of the length of the load carrying bar with an opening for receiving a fastening member of a load carrying bar accessory; and

a cover configured to seal at least a portion of said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar, said cover comprising a channel sealing portion configured to seal said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar and a biasing portion adapted to bias or retain said channel sealing portion toward said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar,

wherein said biasing portion of said cover is formed by at least two separate flanges extending from said channel sealing portion of said cover, and

wherein said flanges have a length, a height, and a width, wherein said length is greater than said width, and the length of said flanges extends in a direction of the length of the load carrying bar.

2. The load carrying bar according to claim 1, wherein said at least two separate flanges extend and are attached to said channel sealing portion along the full length of said cover.

3. The load carrying bar according to claim 1, wherein said at least two separate flanges extend outward from said channel sealing portion and toward side walls of said channel.

4. The load carrying bar according to claim 1, wherein said at least two separate flanges extend and are attached to said channel sealing portion along the full width of said cover.

5. The load carrying bar according to claim 1, wherein said biasing portion comprises at least 10 separate flanges.

6. The load carrying bar according to claim 1, wherein said flanges are arranged with an angle to said channel sealing portion, said angle being from 15-80 degrees.

7. A load carrying bar for a roof rack, said load carrying bar having a length, a height and a width, said load carrying bar comprising:

a channel with an opening for receiving a fastening member of a load carrying bar accessory; and

a cover configured to seal at least a portion of said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar, said cover comprising an attachment portion for attaching said cover to said load carrying bar and a channel sealing portion configured to seal at least a portion of said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar,

wherein said cover is configured to have a main direction of deformation along the width of said load carrying bar to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory.

8. The load carrying bar according to claim 7, wherein said channel has side walls and a floor, and wherein said main direction of deformation is directed toward at least one of said side walls.

9. The load carrying bar according to claim 7, wherein said cover comprises a first and a second strip member, said first and said second strip members extending parallel with said channel of said load carrying bar and being configured to cooperate to seal said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar.

10. The load carrying bar according to claim 9, wherein said first and said second strip members of said cover are configured to be deformed in opposite directions to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory.

11. The load carrying bar according to claim 7, wherein said channel of said load carrying bar comprises side walls and a floor, wherein said attachment portion of said cover is attached in the proximity of said opening of said channel to retain said cover to said load carrying bar.

12. The load carrying bar according to claim 11, wherein said attachment portion of said cover is attached in said opening of said channel to retain said cover to said load carrying bar.

13. The load carrying bar according to claim 12, wherein said load carrying bar comprises at least one groove, said at least one groove arranged in said opening of said channel, and wherein said attachment portion of said cover is arranged in said groove to retain said cover to said load carrying bar.

14. The load carrying bar according to claim 7, wherein said cover is formed by only one strip member, said strip member extending parallel with said channel of said load carrying bar and configured to seal said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar.

15. The load carrying bar according to claim 7, wherein said cover is formed by at least one strip member, wherein said at least one strip member has a hollow interior.

16. The load carrying bar according to claim 15, wherein a portion of said at least one strip member is configured to collapse into said hollow interior to enable said deformation along the width of said load carrying bar to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory.

17. The load carrying bar according to claim 16, wherein said cover comprises a weak section, said weak section being configured to rupture during mounting of a fastening member for a load carrying bar accessory.

18. The load carrying bar according to claim 17, wherein said weak section is formed by a cut out, said cut out extending along the length of said cover.

19. A load carrying bar for a roof rack, said load carrying bar having a length, a height and a width, said load carrying bar comprising:

a channel with an opening for receiving a fastening member of a load carrying bar accessory; and

a cover configured to seal at least a portion of said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar, said cover comprising an attachment portion for attaching said cover to said load carrying bar and a channel sealing portion configured to seal at least a portion of said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar,

wherein said cover is configured to have a direction of deformation along the width of said load carrying bar to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory, and

wherein said cover comprises a first and a second strip member, said first and said second strip members extending parallel with said channel of said load carrying bar and being configured to cooperate to seal said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar.

20. The load carrying bar according to claim 19, wherein said cover has a main direction of deformation along the width of said load carrying bar to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory.

21. The load carrying bar according to claim 19, wherein said first and said second strip members of said cover are configured to be deformed in opposite directions to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory.

22. The load carrying bar according to claim 19, wherein said channel of said load carrying bar comprises side walls and a floor, wherein said attachment portion of said cover is attached in the proximity of said opening of said channel to retain said cover to said load carrying bar.

23. The load carrying bar according to claim 22, wherein said attachment portion of said cover is attached in said opening of said channel to retain said cover to said load carrying bar.

24. The load carrying bar according to claim 23, wherein said load carrying bar comprises at least one groove, said at least one groove arranged in said opening of said channel, and wherein said attachment portion of said cover is arranged in said groove to retain said cover to said load carrying bar.

25. The load carrying bar according to claim 19, wherein said cover is formed by only one strip member, said strip member extending parallel with said channel of said load carrying bar and configured to seal said opening of said channel of said load carrying bar.

26. The load carrying bar according to claim 19, wherein said cover is formed by at least one strip member, wherein said at least one strip member has a hollow interior.

27. The load carrying bar according to claim 26, wherein a portion of said at least one strip member is configured to collapse into said hollow interior to enable said deformation along the width of said load carrying bar to provide space for said fastening member of said load carrying bar accessory.

28. The load carrying bar according to claim 27, wherein said cover comprises a weak section, said weak section being configured to rupture during mounting of a fastening member for a load carrying bar accessory.

29. The load carrying bar according to claim 28, wherein said weak section is formed by a cut out, said cut out extending along the length of said cover.