Vehicle article carrier system having cross bar end supports with anti-loosening mechanism
First Claim
1. For a vehicle article carrier, an article carrier component adapted to be tightened to an article carrier element, the article carrier component comprising:
- a main body configured to engage with a portion of the article carrier element;
an opening in the main body;
a latching element moveably supported from the main body for movement between a latched position engaging the article carrier element, and an unlatched position wherein the article carrier component is able to be removed from the article carrier element;
a threaded member having a head portion with a plurality of first features formed on an outer perimeter of the head portion, and a center hole having a specialized configuration requiring a matching specialized tool to engage the center hole and rotate the threaded member;
the main body further including at least one second feature in the opening thereof;
a spring clip inserted in the opening and including a plurality of third features, wherein the second feature engages with one of the third features of the spring clip to hold the spring clip stationary in the opening, the spring clip further including a central opening for receiving a portion of the threaded member therethrough, and the plurality of third features configured to engage the plurality of first features on the outer perimeter of the head portion;
wherein the engagement of the plurality of third features of the spring clip and the plurality of first features of the head portion of the threaded member engage to cooperatively prevent loosening of the threaded member once the threaded member is rotated into a tightened orientation in which the latching element is secured to the article carrier element; and
wherein the plurality of third features comprises a plurality of arm portions, and wherein the second feature comprises a slot, and wherein a portion of one of the plurality of arm portions engages within the slot to prevent rotation of the spring clip when the threaded member is rotated in either a loosening direction or a tightening direction.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a cross bar for a vehicle article carrier that may be releasably secured to a support rail. The cross bar has an end support at each end thereof for securing the cross bar to the support rail. Each end support has a main body configured to engage with a portion of the support rail, an opening in the main body, and a latching element moveably supported from the main body. A threaded member is used for controlling engagement of the latching member with the support rail. The threaded member has a head portion which engages with portions of a spring clip secured in the opening. This helps prevent loosening of the threaded member after it has been tightened.
31 Citations
16 Claims
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1. For a vehicle article carrier, an article carrier component adapted to be tightened to an article carrier element, the article carrier component comprising:
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a main body configured to engage with a portion of the article carrier element; an opening in the main body; a latching element moveably supported from the main body for movement between a latched position engaging the article carrier element, and an unlatched position wherein the article carrier component is able to be removed from the article carrier element; a threaded member having a head portion with a plurality of first features formed on an outer perimeter of the head portion, and a center hole having a specialized configuration requiring a matching specialized tool to engage the center hole and rotate the threaded member; the main body further including at least one second feature in the opening thereof; a spring clip inserted in the opening and including a plurality of third features, wherein the second feature engages with one of the third features of the spring clip to hold the spring clip stationary in the opening, the spring clip further including a central opening for receiving a portion of the threaded member therethrough, and the plurality of third features configured to engage the plurality of first features on the outer perimeter of the head portion; wherein the engagement of the plurality of third features of the spring clip and the plurality of first features of the head portion of the threaded member engage to cooperatively prevent loosening of the threaded member once the threaded member is rotated into a tightened orientation in which the latching element is secured to the article carrier element; and wherein the plurality of third features comprises a plurality of arm portions, and wherein the second feature comprises a slot, and wherein a portion of one of the plurality of arm portions engages within the slot to prevent rotation of the spring clip when the threaded member is rotated in either a loosening direction or a tightening direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cross bar for a vehicle article carrier, wherein the cross bar is configured to be releasably secured to a support rail, the cross bar comprising:
an end support at each end thereof for securing the cross bar to the support rail, each said end support including; a main body configured to engage with a portion of the support rail; an opening in the main body; a latching element moveably supported from the main body for movement between a latched position engaging the support rail, and an unlatched position wherein the end support is able to be removed from the support rail; a threaded member having a head portion with a plurality of scallops formed on an outer perimeter of the head portion, and a center hole having a specialized configuration requiring a matching specialized tool to engage the center hole and rotate the threaded member, the threaded member being operably coupled to the latching element; the main body further including a plurality of first features formed therein; a spring clip inserted in the opening and having a plurality of second features which engage the first features to hold the spring clip stationary within the opening; the second features of the spring clip further operating to engage the scallops in the head portion of the threaded member as the threaded member is tightened to engage the latching member with the support rail, thus preventing loosening rotation of the threaded member once the threaded member is tightened; the plurality of second features forming a plurality of arm portions configured to engage with the first features; and the plurality of arm portions each forming V-shaped arm portions that each engage with ones of the plurality of scallops. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A cross bar for a vehicle article carrier, wherein the cross bar is configured to be releasably secured to a support rail, the cross bar comprising:
an end support at each end thereof for securing the cross bar to the support rail, each said end support including; a main body configured to engage with a portion of the support rail; an opening in the main body; a latching element moveably supported from the main body for movement between a latched position engaging the support rail, and an unlatched position wherein the end support is able to be removed from the support rail; a threaded member having a head portion with a plurality of scallops formed on an outer perimeter of the head portion, and a center hole having a specialized configuration requiring a matching specialized tool to engage the center hole and rotate the threaded member, the threaded member being operably coupled to the latching element to move the latching element between the latched position and the unlatched position; the main body further including a plurality of spaced apart slots formed circumferentially about the opening; a spring clip inserted in the opening and having a plurality of V-shaped arm portions which engage the slots to hold the spring clip stationary within the opening, the spring clip further having a center opening to enable the threaded member to pass through the spring clip; and the V-shaped arm portions of the spring clip further operating to engage the scallops in the head portion of the threaded member as the threaded member is tightened, to thus urge the latching member into engagement with the support rail, the spring clip and the scallops thus preventing loosening rotation of the threaded member once the threaded member is tightened. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
Specification