Automatic sliding roof rail system

Abstract

A system for providing storage on a vehicle roof is provided. The system comprises at least one partially hollow pillar for supporting the vehicle roof, a rail adapted to being raised and lowered relative to the vehicle roof between a deployed position for receiving cargo and a non-deployed position. An actuator is positioned at least partially along or within the at least one pillar for moving the rail relative to the roof. The actuator may comprise a pinion and a rack providing support for the rail. One or more supports may be connected to the rail for sliding as the rail is raised and lowered, including an active support for raising and lowering the rail in response to actuation. One or more passive supports for the rail may be slidably received in different pillars from the active support.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.