# US 2018/0022285 A1 · Roof rack assembly and a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022285 A1 - Document ID: US20180022285A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/216,217 - Filed: 2016-07-21 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-21 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Senthil N. Karuppaswamy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022285A1 ## CPC - B60R 9/045: Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible {(transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38)} - B60P 3/36: Auxiliary arrangements; Arrangements of living accommodation (toilet or washing arrangements B60R15/00); Details - B60R 9/055: Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. containers, boxes (B60R9/048 takes precedence) - E04H 15/30: convertible, e.g. from one type tent to another type tent, from tent to canopy or from tent cover into diverse articles - E04H 15/06: Tents at least partially supported by vehicles - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A roof rack assembly, and a vehicle including the roof rack assembly, includes a support structure and a multifunctional apparatus supported by the support structure. The multifunctional apparatus is configured to operate as an awning structure, a concealment structure and a storage structure. At least a portion of the multifunctional apparatus is movable relative to the support structure between a storage position in which the multifunctional apparatus is not operable and a use position in which the multifunctional apparatus is operable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A roof rack assembly comprising: a support structure; and a multifunctional apparatus supported by the support structure; wherein the multifunctional apparatus is configured to operate as an awning structure, a concealment structure and a storage structure, with at least a portion of the multifunctional apparatus being movable relative to the support structure between a storage position in which the multifunctional apparatus is not operable and a use position in which the multifunctional apparatus is operable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the multifunctional apparatus includes a flexible member movable relative to the support structure between a retracted position when the multifunctional apparatus is in the storage position and an extended position when the multifunctional apparatus is in the use position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the flexible member includes a first panel and a second panel overlapping each other, and wherein the flexible member includes a closure apparatus coupled to the first and second panels to further define the storage structure, and wherein the closure apparatus is movable between an open position allowing entry into the flexible member between the first and second panels when in the use position and a closed position preventing entry into the flexible member between the first and second panels when in the storage position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the closure apparatus is defined as a zipper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the support structure includes a first leg and a second leg spaced from and opposing each other, and wherein the flexible member includes a first end fixed to the first leg regardless of the flexible member being in the retracted and extended positions, and a second end attached to the second leg when the flexible member is in the extended position to further define the storage structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the second end of the flexible member includes a plurality of fastening features configured to secure the second end to the second leg when the flexible member is in the extended position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the flexible member includes a peripheral edge disposed adjacent to the first and second ends when the flexible member is in the extended position, and wherein the closure apparatus is secured to the peripheral edge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the support structure includes a first leg and a rod movable relative to the first leg, and wherein the rod includes a distal end movable between a first position away from the first leg and a second position in which the distal end of the rod is disposed closer to the first leg than when in the first position, and wherein the flexible member includes a first end fixed to the first leg regardless of the flexible member being in the retracted and extended positions, and includes a second end spaced from the first end and movable away from the first leg when the flexible member is in the extended position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the support structure includes a first housing and a second housing spaced from each other and each disposed in a different direction from the first leg, and wherein the rod includes a first rod segment movable into and out of the first housing and a second rod segment movable into and out of the second housing, with the first and second rod segments extending out of the first and second housings respectively when in the first position and the second end of the flexible member secured to the distal end of each of the first and second rod segments. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the flexible member creates a top cover when in the extended position to further define the awning structure in the use position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the flexible member creates a top cover when in the extended position to further define the concealment structure in the use position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the concealment structure further includes a side cover supported by the first and second rod segments, and the side cover cooperates with the top cover to close a space between the top cover and the side cover to further define the concealment structure in the use position. ### Claim 13 A vehicle comprising: a body including a roof portion; a roof rack assembly attached to the body above the roof portion, the assembly comprising: a support structure; and a multifunctional apparatus supported by the support structure; wherein the multifunctional apparatus is configured to operate as an awning structure, a concealment structure and a storage structure, with at least a portion of the multifunctional apparatus being movable relative to the support structure between a storage position in which the multifunctional apparatus is not operable and a use position in which the multifunctional apparatus is operable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the multifunctional apparatus includes a flexible member movable relative to the support structure between a retracted position when the multifunctional apparatus is in the storage position and an extended position when the multifunctional apparatus is in the use position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the flexible member includes a first panel and a second panel overlapping each other, and wherein the flexible member includes a closure apparatus coupled to the first and second panels to further define the storage structure, and wherein the closure apparatus is movable between an open position allowing entry into the flexible member between the first and second panels when in the use position and a closed position preventing entry into the flexible member between the first and second panels when in the storage position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle as set forth in claim 15 wherein the support structure includes a first leg and a second leg spaced from and opposing each other, and wherein the flexible member includes a first end fixed to the first leg regardless of the flexible member being in the retracted and extended positions, and a second end attached to the second leg when the flexible member is in the extended position such that the flexible member is disposed over the roof portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The vehicle as set forth in claim 16 wherein the flexible member includes a peripheral edge disposed adjacent to the first and second ends when the flexible member is in the extended position, and wherein the closure apparatus is secured to the peripheral edge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the support structure includes a first leg and a rod movable relative to the first leg, and wherein the rod includes a distal end movable between a first position in which the distal end of the rod does not overlap the roof portion and a second position in which the distal end of the rod overlaps the roof portion, and wherein the flexible member includes a first end fixed to the first leg regardless of the flexible member being in the retracted and extended positions and a second end spaced from the first end and movable away from the first leg when the flexible member is in the extended position such that a majority of the flexible member does not overlap the roof portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the support structure includes a first housing and a second housing spaced from each other and each disposed in a cross-car direction which is a different direction from a direction defined by the first leg, and wherein the rod includes a first rod segment movable into and out of the first housing and a second rod segment movable into and out of the second housing, with the first and second rod segments extending out of the first and second housings respectively when in the first position and the second end of the flexible member secured to the distal end of each of the first and second rod segments.