Robert A Worley

US Patent:

61317829, Oct 17, 2000

Filed:

Jan 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/231786

Inventors:

Amesh De Silva - Richmond Hill, CA
Dennis D. Noonan - Royal Oak MI
Daniel S. Baylis - Fowlerville MI
Robert D. Worley - Fenton MI

Assignee:

Decoma International Inc. - Ontario

International Classification:

B60R 900

US Classification:

224321

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an article carrier assembly which incorporates a relatively simple mechanism for locking and unlocking the cross rail assembly from one side of the vehicle. One aspect of the present invention relates to an article carrier assembly having a manually turnable knob and a pair of linking members each connecting the knob with associated locking structure. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an article carrier assembly which has locking structures and rail supporting structures on opposing ends thereof. An actuator is movable between a locked position wherein the locking structures are in locked positions and the supporting structures are in extended positions, an adjusting position wherein the locking structures are in the unlocked positions thereof and the supporting structures are in the extended positions thereof, and a release position wherein the locking structures are in the unlocked positions thereof, thereby allowing the cross rail assembly to be moved generally upwardly out of its operative position. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to an article carrier having a manually turnable drum which can be turned to move locking members between locked and unlocked positions.

US Patent:

61586390, Dec 12, 2000

Filed:

Apr 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/294893

Inventors:

Amesh De Silva - Richmond Hill, CA
Dennis D. Noonan - Royal Oak MI
Robert D. Worley - Fenton MI

Assignee:

Decoma International Inc. - Ontario

International Classification:

B60R 900

US Classification:

224321

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an article carrier assembly for installation on a generally upwardly facing surface of a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises first and second elongated side rails each having locking member engaging portions. Preferably, the locking member engaging portions are spaced apart apertures, although the present invention is not intended to be limited in such a manner. The side rails mount on the generally upwardly facing surface of the motor vehicle in spaced apart, generally parallel relation. An adjustable cross rail assembly has an elongated cross rail for supporting articles of cargo, a fixed locking member fixedly mounted on one opposing end portion of the cross rail, and a selectively movable locking member movably mounted on the other opposing end portion of the cross rail. The movable locking member is selectively movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cross rail assembly mounts in an operative position with the cross rail extending transversely between the side rails, the fixed locking member engaging the engaging portion of the first side rail, and the movable locking member being moved to the locked position thereof and engaging the engaging portion of the second side rail.