US 7,441,679 B1Granted

One sided adjustable cross rail

AssigneeSportRack LLC

InventorsJohn H. Harberts, John Edward Klinkman

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Abstract

An article rack assembly is disclosed, including at least two siderails generally parallel to one another that are adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. At least one crossbar is generally perpendicular to the siderails having a length sufficient to span between the siderails. The crossbar has opposing ends that may each include a support assembly member. The support assembly member may include an actuating lever having a grip portion for facilitating engagement of the actuating lever and a locking portion. A rod member is disposed within the crossbar, and may be staked to each actuating lever such that pivoting of one the actuating levers from the locked to the unlocked position causes a generally simultaneous movement of a locking pin assembly at the opposite support assembly, thereby disengaging both locking pin assemblies from their respective siderails generally simultaneously.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An article rack assembly comprising:

at least two siderails generally parallel to one another and in spaced relation to one another and selectively secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle;
at least one support assembly member movably disposed along each of said siderails;
an actuating member disposed in association with said support assembly and selectively rotatable about a pivot point between a locked and an unlocked position;
a locking pin assembly disposed for movement within said support assembly member and urged between said locked and unlocked position by said actuating member;
at least one crossbar assembly disposed between said siderails, said crossbar assembly having opposing ends with said support assembly member disposed at each of said opposing ends;
and
at least one rod disposed within said crossbar assembly, said at least one rod fixed to said actuating member for rotation therewith;
wherein movement of one said actuating member between said locked and said unlocked positions rotates a first portion of said rod and a second portion of said rod, said second portion spaced away from said first portion, said first and second portions of said rod having a same pivot point as said pivot point of said actuating member, wherein a circumferential extent of rotational motion at said first portion of said rod is essentially duplicated at said second portion of said rod, wherein said rotation of said rod causes a generally simultaneous movement at the opposite said support assembly, thereby generally simultaneously disengaging both said locking pin assemblies from their respective said siderails.

5 more elements

An article rack assembly comprising:

at least two siderails generally parallel to one another and in spaced relation to one another and selectively secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle;
at least one crossbar assembly disposed between said siderails, said crossbar assembly having opposing ends;
a first support assembly member disposed at a first one of said opposing ends of said crossbar assembly, said first support assembly member movably disposed along a first one of said siderails;
a first actuating member associated with said first support assembly member and selectively rotatable about a first pivot point between a locked and an unlocked position;
a first locking pin assembly disposed for movement within said first support assembly member and urged between said locked and unlocked position by said first actuating member;
a second support assembly member disposed at a second one of said opposing ends of said crossbar assembly, said second support assembly member movably disposed along a second one of said siderails;
a second actuating member associated with said second support assembly member and selectively rotatable about a second pivot point between a locked and an unlocked position;
a second locking pin assembly disposed for movement within said second support assembly member and urged between said locked and unlocked position by said second actuating member;
and
a rod disposed within said crossbar assembly, said at least one rod fixed to said first and second actuating members for rotation therewith;
wherein movement of said first actuating member between said locked and said unlocked positions rotates a first portion of said rod and a second portion of said rod, said second portion spaced away from said first portion, said first and second portions of said rod having a same pivot point as said first pivot point of said first actuating member and said second pivot point of said second actuating member, wherein a circumferential extent of rotational motion at said first portion of said rod is essentially duplicated at said second portion, wherein said rotation of said rod causes a generally simultaneous movement of said second actuating member, thereby generally simultaneously disengaging both said locking pin assemblies from their respective said siderails.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.