Accessory slot fastener assembly

• US 7,287,943 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• 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:
  US11/102,013
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 410 8- 11, 410104-106, 224/321, 224/322, 224/325, 224/326, 224/329, 224/330, 248/220.21, 248/222.52
• US Class Current: 410/104
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0815 Attachment rails or trellis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/045 Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38

Abstract

A fastener assembly including a base plate and an arm having a first end, the first end extending from the base plate, the arm further including a retention member spaced away from the first end, and a fastener associated with the base plate and the first end for assembling accessories to an article carrier system.

Claims

1. An accessory slot fastener assembly for mounting accessories to an elongate rail member of an article carrier system, the rail member forming a channel having an open side and a pair of flanges extending along a length of the rail member, to define a slot at the open side, said accessory slot fastener assembly comprising:

a base plate having a pair of cleats positioned on opposite sides of said base plate to selectively engage the flanges;

an arm fixed to said base plate for rotation therewith;

said arm having a first end, said first end extending from between said cleats, said arm further including a retention member spaced away from said first end; and

a base plate fastener coupled with said base plate at said first end;

whereby said base plate and said first end are sized to be inserted through the slot and said accessory slot fastener assembly being positioned such that said pair of cleats engages the pair of flanges.

2. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said arm includes a second end.

3. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said arm is angled between said first end and said second end, said arm selectively engaging an outer surface of the flanges, said first end positioned within the channel.

4. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said retention member includes a pair of tabs.

5. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said retention member includes a centering post.

6. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said retention member includes a pair of tabs and a centering post disposed between said pair of tabs.

7. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base plate fastener is a hollow tower that extends from said base plate, said tower being internally threaded to accept a mating fastener to secure accessories to the rail member.

8. An accessory slot fastener assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base plate is formed of a first material and said arm is formed of a second material.