John M Michrina

US Patent:

60504676, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

Apr 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/054495

Inventors:

James R. Drouillard - Lake Orion MI
John D. Michrina - Irvine CA
Jeffrey L. Roberts - Orion MI

Assignee:

Decoma International, Inc. - Concord

International Classification:

B60R 904

US Classification:

224321

Abstract:

The present invention is an article carrier assembly for mounting on an exterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier comprise a pair of elongated side rails constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle. The side rails extend generally parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation. Each of the side rails has a longitudinally extending deformable gripping structure. An elongated adjustable cross rail assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted transversely between and releasably lockable along the side rails in an infinite range of operating positions. The cross rail assembly has rail locking structures mounted on opposite ends thereof for selectively engaging the gripping structure. An actuator assembly gangs the rail locking structures together for cooperative movement thereof between locked positions wherein the rail locking structures engage and compress the gripping structure to lock the cross rail assembly in one of the infinite range of operating positions and disengage positions permitting longitudinal travel of the cross rail assembly along the side rails.