Stanchion and cross rail assembly

• US 6,997,657 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sportrack, LLC (Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Sportrack, LLC (Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Saward, Ronald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDON, STEPHEN T
• Application Number:
  US11/101,862
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 410/101, 410/104, 410/106, 410/110, 410/150, 224/315, 224/321, 224/322, 224/325, 224/326, 224/329, 224/331, 248/228.2, 248/231.31, 248/351
• US Class Current: 410/106
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/045 Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/058 characterised by releasable attaching means between carrier and roof

Abstract

A stanchion for an article carrier system comprises a main body member having a cavity extending inwardly of the main body member from a plate. A floor of said cavity includes a first plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps. The stanchion further includes an arm having an end sized to rotate within the cavity. The cavity includes a bottom edge that includes a second plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps. A post is also included in the stanchion and has a first end positioned within the cavity and secured to the arm. The post also has a second end that includes a cleat. The first plurality of ramps and the second plurality of ramps are configured to cooperate to raise and lower the cleat in relation to the main body member when the arm is rotated about the main body member.

Claims

1. A stanchion for an article carrier system comprising:

a main body member including a cavity extending inwardly of said main body member from a plate, said cavity including a floor, a first plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps adjacent to said floor;

an arm including an end sized to rotate within said cavity, said end having a bottom edge, a second plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps positioned adjacent to said bottom edge to selectively engage said first plurality of ramps; and

a post having a first end positioned within said cavity and secured to said arm, said post having a second end, a cleat positioned adjacent to said second end;

wherein said first plurality of ramps and said second plurality of ramps are configured to cooperate to raise and lower said cleat in relation to said main body member when said arm is rotated about said main body member.

2. The stanchion as recited in claim 1, further including a cover having a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism being configured to lock said cover to said main body member.

3. The stanchion as recited in claim 2, wherein said main body member includes a depression having a slot for accepting said locking mechanism of said cover.

4. The stanchion as recited in claim 2, wherein said plate includes tabs and a lip and said cover includes protrusions, said tabs, lip and protrusions being configured to position said cover on said main body member.

5. The stanchion as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate includes walls that are positioned to define a cradle for positioning cross rails on said main body member.

6. The stanchion as recited in claim 5, wherein said main body member includes a grip configured to position said stanchion in a side rail.

7. The stanchion as recited in claim 6, wherein said grip is configured to secure a cross rail to said main body member, said grip including a threaded aperture to accept a threaded fastener passing through an aperture in the cross rail to secure the cross rail to said grip and said main body member.

8. The stanchion as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate further includes a guide wall that extends generally vertically downwardly to position said stanchion in a side rail.

9. The stanchion as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate further includes a tab for seating said arm as said arm is in a locked position.

10. A stanchion for an article carrier system comprising:

a main body member including a cavity extending inwardly of said main body member from a plate, said cavity including a floor having a first plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps, said main body member further including a grip configured to position said stanchion in a side rail;

an arm having an end sized to rotate within said cavity, and a bottom edge of said end including a second plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps adapted to engage said first plurality of ramps;

a cover having a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism being configured to lock said cover to said main body member; and

a post having a first end positioned within said cavity and secured to said arm, said post having a second end including a cleat;

wherein said first plurality of ramps and said second plurality of ramps are configured to cooperate to raise and lower said cleat in relation to said main body member when said arm is rotated about said main body member.

11. The stanchion as recited in claim 10, wherein said main body member includes a depression having a slot for accepting said locking mechanism of said cover.

12. The stanchion as recited in claim 10, wherein said plate includes tabs and a lip and said cover includes protrusions, said tabs, lip and protrusions being configured to position said cover on said main body member.

13. The stanchion as recited in claim 10, wherein said plate includes walls that are positioned to define a cradle for positioning cross rails on said main body member.

14. The stanchion as recited in claim 10, wherein said grip is configured to secure a cross rail to said main body member, said grip including a threaded aperture to accept a threaded fastener passing through an aperture in the cross rail to secure the cross rail to said grip and said main body member.

15. The stanchion as recited in claim 10, wherein said plate further includes a guide wall that extends generally vertically downwardly to position said stanchion in the side rail.

16. The stanchion as recited in claim 10, wherein said plate further includes a tab for seating said arm as said arm is in a locked position.

17. A stanchion and cross rail assembly for an article carrier system comprising:

a pair of stanchions, each stanchion having;

a main body member including a cylindrically shaped cavity extending inwardly of said main body member from a plate, said cavity including a floor having a first plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps, said main body member further including a grip configured to position said stanchion in a side rail;

an arm, one end of said arm including a hollow cylinder, said cylinder being sized to rotate within said cavity, and a bottom edge of said cylinder including a second plurality of circumferentially spaced ramps adapted to engage said first plurality of ramps;

a post having a first end positioned within said cylinder and secured to said arm, said post having a second end including a cleat; and

a cover having a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism being configured to lock said cover to said main body member;

wherein said first plurality of ramps and said second plurality of ramps are configured to cooperate to raise and lower said cleat in relation to said main body member when said arm is rotated about said main body member; and

a cross rail disposed between said pair of stanchions.

18. The stanchion as recited in claim 17, wherein said main body member includes a depression having a slot for accepting said locking mechanism of said cover.

19. The stanchion as recited in claim 17, wherein said plate includes tabs and a lip and said cover includes protrusions, said tabs, lip and protrusions being configured to position said cover on said main body member.

20. The stanchion as recited in claim 17, wherein said plate includes walls that are positioned to define a cradle for positioning the cross rail on said main body member.