Attachment devices for vehicle rooftop rack accessories

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9868402-B2
Application number	US-201615069902-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2016
Priority date	Apr 30, 2012
Publication date	Jan 16, 2018
Grant date	Jan 16, 2018

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 rack for carrying cargo on a vehicle, comprising:
a cargo-specific carrying assembly configured to secure cargo,
a clamp device connected to the carrying assembly, configured for connecting carrying assembly to a crossbar mounted on top of a vehicle, the clamp device including:
(a) a body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, the bottom portion having a padded concave surface for contacting a top side of a crossbar, the top portion of the body connected to the cargo-specific carrying assembly, and
(b) 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 moveable 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, wherein movement of the lever device from the open position to the closed position causes blocking of access to the dial.

2. The rack of claim 1 , wherein the dial is mounted on a threaded rod.

3. The rack of claim 2 , wherein the threaded rod has a first end portion and a second end portion, the dial being mounted on the first end portion of the rod, and a barrel nut being mount on the second end portion of the rod.

4. The rack of claim 3 , wherein the strap member has a proximal end portion connected to the barrel nut.

5. The rack of claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the lever device includes lateral peg portions for engaging slots in opposite side panels of the body.

6. The rack of claim 1 , wherein the strap is connected to an intermediate portion of the lever device providing an over-center action when the lever device engages the slot and is moved from the open position to the closed position.

7. The rack of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lock device configured to lock the lever device in the closed position.

8. The rack of claim 1 , wherein the strap member is comprised of metal.

9. The rack of claim 8 , wherein the strap member is coated with a rubber material.

Assignees

• Yakima Products Inc
• Yakina Products Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• Y10T24/2175

  Cargo tie down · CPC title

• B60R9/052 Primary

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

• B60P7/06

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

• B60R9/04 Primary

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