Roof rack for a sport utility vehicle
First Claim
1. A roof rack for a vehicle, said vehicle having a top with at least a portion of the top mounted for movement between a closed position covering the interior of the vehicle and an open position uncovering at least part of the interior of the vehicle, said top with said movable portion in said closed position having a roof line extending below a horizontal plane, said top portion in being moved between said closed and open positions passing along a path extending above said horizontal plane, said roof rack having a main frame attached to the vehicle and a rack portion mounted to said main frame for movement relative thereto between a first position extending substantially across the vehicle above the roof line of the vehicle top in the path of movement of said top portion and a second position extending out of the path of movement of said top portion wherein said top portion with said rack portion in said second position can be moved along said path above said horizontal plane between said closed and open positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A roof rack for a sport utility vehicle. The rack includes a main frame attached to the vehicle and a plurality of rack portions or cross pieces pivotally mounted to the main frame. In use, the rack portions with the gear or carrying trays supported on them can be pivoted to one side of the vehicle and out of the path of the normal movement of the vehicle top including any sunroof. The top or sun roof can then be easily and quickly moved as intended between its open and closed positions without having to unload and reload the stored gear or other items.
83 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A roof rack for a vehicle, said vehicle having a top with at least a portion of the top mounted for movement between a closed position covering the interior of the vehicle and an open position uncovering at least part of the interior of the vehicle, said top with said movable portion in said closed position having a roof line extending below a horizontal plane, said top portion in being moved between said closed and open positions passing along a path extending above said horizontal plane,
said roof rack having a main frame attached to the vehicle and a rack portion mounted to said main frame for movement relative thereto between a first position extending substantially across the vehicle above the roof line of the vehicle top in the path of movement of said top portion and a second position extending out of the path of movement of said top portion wherein said top portion with said rack portion in said second position can be moved along said path above said horizontal plane between said closed and open positions.
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17. A method for operating a roof rack on a vehicle having a top with at least a portion of the top mounted for movement between a closed position covering the interior of the vehicle and an open position uncovering at least part of the interior of the vehicle, the top with said movable portion in said closed position having a roof line extending below a horizontal plane, said top portion in being moved between said closed and open positions passing along a path extending above said horizontal plane, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) attaching a main frame of the roof rack to the vehicle, (b) mounting a rack portion to said main frame for movement relative thereto between a first position extending substantially across the vehicle above the roof line of the vehicle top in the path of movement of said top portion and a second position extending out of the path of movement of said top portion, (c) moving said rack portion from said first to said second position, and (d) moving said top portion with said rack portion in said second position along said path above said horizontal plane to one of said closed and open positions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification