Automobile cargo carrier system

A cargo carrier for use with a vehicle having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side and a roof rack, the carrier comprising:

• a base adapted to be mounted to the roof rack;
• a cargo holder configured to be secured to cargo;
• a first link having a first end pivotably coupled to the base about a first axis parallel to the first side and a second end pivotably coupled to the holder about a second axis extending parallel to the first axis;
• and
• a second link having a first end pivotably coupled to the base about a third axis extending parallel to the first axis and a second end pivotably coupled to the holder about a fourth axis extending parallel to the first axis, wherein the holder moves between a vertical raised position in which the holder extends above the base in a first plane and a vertical lowered position in which the holder extends at least partially below the base in a second plane parallel to or coextensive with the first plane.

A cargo carrier for use with a vehicle having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side and a roof rack, the carrier comprising:

• a cargo holder configured to be coupled to the roof rack, the cargo holder including:
• a rigid arm having an arcuate portion configured to receive an elongate watercraft;
• a flexible support having a first portion, a second opposite portion and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to a first side of the arcuate portion, wherein the second portion is coupled to a second side of the arcuate portion and wherein the intermediate portion is spaced above the arm and is adapted to support the elongate watercraft at a distance spaced above the arm such that a gap extends between the arm and the intermediate portion;
• and
• an elongate flexible member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a first side of the arcuate portion and wherein the second end is coupled to a second side of the arcuate portion, wherein the flexible member and the flexible support are configured such that the elongate watercraft is sandwiched therebetween.

A cargo carrier for use with a vehicle having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side and a roof rack, the carrier comprising:

• a base adapted to be coupled to the roof rack;
• a cargo holder coupled to the base and configured to be secured to cargo, wherein the cargo holder is configured to move between a raised position and at least one lowered position, wherein the cargo holder is biased towards the raised position;
• and
• a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the cargo holder in the at least one lowered position.