Article carrier assembly having a cross rail assembly longitudinally adjustable from one side of a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. An article carrier assembly for mounting on an exterior surface of a motor vehicle, said article carrier assembly comprising:
- a pair of elongated side rails constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle, said side rails extending generally parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation; and
an elongated adjustable cross rail assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted transversely between and releasably lockable along said side rails in a range of operating positions, said cross rail assembly having;
rail locking structures mounted on opposing ends thereof for selectively engaging said side rails; and
an actuator operatively connected to the rail locking structures, said actuator positioned such that an operator standing on one side of the vehicle selectively manipulates the actuator and moves said cross rail assembly between said operating positions, said actuator comprising a push rod extending from a distal one of said rail locking structure and pivotally connected to said actuator and a camming member frictionally engaging a near one of said rail locking structures and pivotally connected to said actuator, said near one of said rail locking structures having a biasing element constructed and arranged to bias said near one of said rail locking structures into engagement with the camming member, whereby pivotal movement of the actuator effects cooperative movement of the rail locking structures between (a) locked positions wherein the rail locking structures engage the side rails to lock said cross rail assembly in one of said operating positions as a result of said camming member camming said near one of said rail locking structures and said push rod pushing said distal one of said rail locking structures and (b) unlocked positions wherein said rail locking structures are respectively disengaged from said side rails to permit longitudinal travel of said cross rail assembly along said side rails.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an article carrier assembly for mounting on an exterior surface of a motor vehicle, the article including a pair of elongated side rails constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle. The side rails extend generally parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation and an elongated adjustable cross rail assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted transversely between and releasably lockable along the side rails in a range of operating positions. The cross rail assembly has rail locking structures mounted on opposite ends thereof for selectively engaging the side rails. An actuator is operatively connected to the rail locking structures. The actuator is positioned such that an operator standing on one side of the vehicle can manipulate the actuator and move the cross rail assembly between the operating positions. The actuator assembly includes a rod extending from a distal one of the rail locking structures and pivotally connected to the actuator and a camming member frictionally engaging a near one of the rail locking structures. The near one of the rail locking structures is biased into engagement with the camming member. Pivotal movement of the actuator effects cooperative movement of the rail locking structures between locked positions wherein the rail locking structures engage the side rails to lock the cross rail assembly in one of the operating positions and disengage positions permitting longitudinal travel of the cross rail assembly along the side rails.
126 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An article carrier assembly for mounting on an exterior surface of a motor vehicle, said article carrier assembly comprising:
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a pair of elongated side rails constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle, said side rails extending generally parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation; and an elongated adjustable cross rail assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted transversely between and releasably lockable along said side rails in a range of operating positions, said cross rail assembly having; rail locking structures mounted on opposing ends thereof for selectively engaging said side rails; and an actuator operatively connected to the rail locking structures, said actuator positioned such that an operator standing on one side of the vehicle selectively manipulates the actuator and moves said cross rail assembly between said operating positions, said actuator comprising a push rod extending from a distal one of said rail locking structure and pivotally connected to said actuator and a camming member frictionally engaging a near one of said rail locking structures and pivotally connected to said actuator, said near one of said rail locking structures having a biasing element constructed and arranged to bias said near one of said rail locking structures into engagement with the camming member, whereby pivotal movement of the actuator effects cooperative movement of the rail locking structures between (a) locked positions wherein the rail locking structures engage the side rails to lock said cross rail assembly in one of said operating positions as a result of said camming member camming said near one of said rail locking structures and said push rod pushing said distal one of said rail locking structures and (b) unlocked positions wherein said rail locking structures are respectively disengaged from said side rails to permit longitudinal travel of said cross rail assembly along said side rails. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification