Attachment devices for vehicle rooftop rack accessories

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016362053-A1
Application number	US-201615069902-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 14, 2016
Priority date	Apr 30, 2012
Publication date	Dec 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar.
Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A clamp device for connecting a rack accessory to a crossbar on top of a vehicle comprising
a body having a top side, a bottom side, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the bottom side having a padded concave surface for contacting a top side of a crossbar, the top side of the body being configured for connection to a cargo-specific carrier, a flexible strap member connected to the first end portion of the body, the strap member having an effective length and a distal end portion pivotally connected to a lever device including a shaft portion, the second end portion of the body having a dial and a slot for receiving the shaft portion of the lever device, rotation of the dial causing alteration of the effective length of the strap member when the shaft portion is seated in the slot, wherein the lever device is movable between an open position and a closed position, movement of the lever device from the open position to the closed position causing a decrease in the effective length of the strap member.

Assignees

• Yakima Products Inc

Inventors

• Sautter Chris
• Rogers Victor
• Elliott John Mark
• D'Angelo Gian-Marco

Classifications

• B60R9/052 Primary

  Carriers comprising elongate members extending only transversely of vehicle (B60R9/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R9/04 Primary

  Carriers associated with vehicle roof (B60R9/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T24/2175

  Cargo tie down · CPC title

• B60P7/06

  Securing of load (vehicle retainers B60P3/073) · CPC title