Car top carrier structure with locking means

Claim 2

A theftproof clamping assembly for mounting a cargo carrier to the roof of an automotive vehicle having a rain gutter along a lateral side of the roof, said clamping assembly comprising: a first clamping member having a lower clamping edge engageable with the trough of the rain gUtter; a second clamping member movably mounted on said first clamping member and having a clamping section engageable with the lower surface of the rain gutter; fastener means movably mounted between said first and second clamping members for motion between a first position in which said fastener means maintains said second clamping member in a position securely engaging the lower surface of the rain gutter, and a second position in which said fastener means allows said second clamping member to be disengaged from the lower surface of the rain gutter; a latch slidably mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which said latch prevents movement of said fastener means from its first position when said fastener means is in its first position, and a second position in which said latch allows movement of said fastener means between its first and second position; and a key-operated lock on said first clamping member having an element movable by operation of the lock by a key which separates from the lock between a first position in which said element is operative to prevent motion of said latch from its first position, and a second position in which said element is inoperative to prevent motion of said latch between its first and second positions.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastener means includes a first and second threaded member, said first threaded member having its lower portion connected to the upper end of said second clamping member, said second threaded member being rotatably mounted on said first clamping member and having its lower portion threadably engaging the upper portion of said first threaded member, whereby rotation of said second threaded member in a first direction moves said second clamping member toward the lower surface of the rain gutter, and rotation of said second threaded member in a second direction allows said second clamping member to be separated from the lower surface of the rain gutter.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said second threaded member is engageable with a tool for applying an effort effective to move said member in its first and second directions.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said latch prevents the engagement of said tool with said second threaded member when said latch is in its first position.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 2, including a washer having radially extending spokes fixedly secured to said second threaded member, and said latch being formed with a slot for engaging said spokes when said latch is in its first position.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said first clamping member has a generally flat portion with said lower clamping edge formed thereon and an opening spaced above said lower clamping edge; said second clamping member comprises an elongated substantially rigid strap having one end bent to form a hook and its opposite end adapted for connection to said fastener means, said strap being movably supported in said opening in said first clamping member with said hook substantially on the outer side of said first clamping member and the opposite end of said strap being on the inner side of said first clamping member; said fastener means including a first and second threaded member, said first threaded member having its lower end connected to the upper end of said strap, said second threaded member being rotatably mounted on said first clamping member and having its lower end threadably engaged with the upper end of said first threaded member; a washer having radially extending spokes secured to the upper end of said second threaded member; and said latch being formed with a slot for engaging said spokes to prevent rotation of said second threaded fastener when said latch is in its first position.

Claim 8

The invention as defined in claim 6, including an access opening formed in said first clamping member adjacent the top of said second threaded member for insertion of a tooL engageable with the top end of said second threaded member for rotating said member, said access opening being blocked by said latch when said latch is in its first position; and a socket opening formed in said first clamping member above said access opening for insertion of the portion of said lock containing said element, said element preventing the removal of said lock from said socket opening when in its second position.

Claim 9

A carrier for securing an article above the roof of a vehicle, said vehicle having edge portions extending along each lateral side of the roof, said carrier comprising, a frame; means securing one end of said frame to a first of the edge portions; a first clamping member connected to the other end of said frame and engageable with the second edge portion; a second clamping member having a clamping section engageable with the second edge portion and mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which the second clamping member cooperates with the first clamping member to attach the first clamping member to the second edge portion, and a second position in which the second clamping member allows the first clamping member to be detached from the second edge portion; an arm member having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a first position in which said arm member is operative to secure an article between said arm and said frame, and a second position in which said arm member is inoperative to secure an article between said arm member and said frame; a key-operated lock connected to said arm member and engageable with said first clamping member when said arm member is in its first position, said lock having an element movable, by operation of the lock by a key which separates from the lock, between a first position in which said element is operative when said lock is engaged with said first clamping member to prevent motion of the second clamping member from its first position when engaged with the second edge portion and to prevent said arm member from being moved from its first position and a second position in which said element is inoperative to prevent motion of said second clamping member from its first position; and a first and second threaded fastener, said first threaded fastener having its lower end connected to said second clamping member, said second threaded fastener being rotatably mounted on said first clamping member and having its lower end threadably engaging the upper end of said first threaded fastener for moving said second clamping member between its first and second positions.

Claim 10

A carrier for securing an article above the roof of a vehicle, said vehicle having edge portions extending along each lateral side of the roof, said carrier comprising, a frame; means securing one end of said frame to a first of the edge portions; a first clamping member connected to the other end of said frame and engageable with the second edge portion; a second clamping member having a clamping section engageable with the second edge portion and mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which the second clamping member cooperates with the first clamping member to attach the first clamping member to the second edge portion, and a second position in which the second clamping member allows the first clamping member to be detached from the second edge portion; an arm member having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a first position in which said arm member is operative to secure an article between said arm and said frame, and a second position in which said arm member is inoperative to secure an article between said arm member and said frame; a key-operated lock connected to said arm member and engageable with said first clamping member when said arm member is in its first position, said lock having an element movable, by operation of the lock by a key which separates from the lock, between a first position in which said element is operative when said lock is engaged with said first clamping member to prevent motion of the second clamping member from its first position when engaged with the second edge portion and to prevent said arm member from being moved from its first position and a second position in which said element is inoperative to prevent motion of said second clamping member from its first position; and a first and second threaded fastener, said first threaded fastener having its lower end connected to said second clamping member, said second threaded fastener being rotatably mounted on said first clamping member and having its lower end threadably engaging the upper end of said first threaded fastener for moving said second clamping member between its first and second positions.

Claim 11

A theftproof clamping assembly for mounting a cargo carrier to the roof of an automobile vehicle, said vehicle having a rain gutter along a lateral side of the roof, said clamping assembly comprising a first clamping member having a lower clamping edge engageable with the trough of the rain gutter; a second clamping member movably mounted on said first clamping member and having a clamping section engageable with the lower surface of the rain gutter; fastener means movably mounted between said first and second clamping members for motion between a first position in which said fastener means maintains said second clamping member in a position securely engaging the lower surface of the rain gutter, and a second position in which said fastener means allows said second clamping member to be disengaged from the lower surface of the rain gutter; a latch mounted on said first clamping member for a motion between a first position in which said latch engages said fastener means and prevents movement of said fastener means from its first position when said fastener means is in its first position, and a second position in which said latch allows movement of said fastener means between its first and second positions; and lock means on said first clamping member having an element movable between a first position in which said element is operative tO prevent motion of said latch from its first position, and a second position in which said element is inoperative to prevent motion of said latch between its first and second positions.

Claim 12

A theftproof clamping assembly for mounting a cargo carrier to the roof of an automobile vehicle, said vehicle having a rain gutter along a lateral side of the roof, said clamping assembly comprising a first clamping member having a lower clamping edge engageable with the trough of the rain gutter; a second clamping member movably mounted on said first clamping member and having a clamping section engageable with the lower surface of the rain gutter; fastener means movably mounted between said first and second clamping members for motion between a first position in which said fastener means maintains said second clamping member in a position securely engaging the lower surface of the rain gutter, and a second position in which said fastener means allows said second clamping member to be disengaged from the lower surface of the rain gutter; a latch mounted on said first clamping member for a motion between a first position in which said latch engages said fastener means and prevents movement of said fastener means from its first position when said fastener means is in its first position, and a second position in which said latch allows movement of said fastener means between its first and second positions; and lock means on said first clamping member having an element movable between a first position in which said element is operative tO prevent motion of said latch from its first position, and a second position in which said element is inoperative to prevent motion of said latch between its first and second positions.

Claim 13

The invention as defined in claim 8, including a washer having radially extending spokes secured to said second threaded fastener; and a latch having a slot formed therein for engaging said spokes slidably mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which said slot engages said spokes to prevent rotation of said second threaded member, and a second position in which said latch is inoperative to prevent rotation of said second threaded member.

Claim 14

The invention as defined in claim 10, including a finger member having a lug member formed on one end pivotally mounted on the free end of said arm; and said lock is mounted on said finger adjacent said lug member, said lug member being operative to maintain said latch in its first position when said lug member is engaged with said first clamping member, and said lock element is operative to maintain said lock and said lug member engaged with said first clamping member when said lock element is in its first position.

Claim 15

The invention as defined in claim 11, including an access opening formed in said first clamping member adjacent the top of said second threaded member for insertion of said lug member; and a socket opening formed in said first clamping member above said access opening for insertion of the portion of said lock containing said lock element, said lock element preventing the removal of said lock from said socket opening when said lock element is in its first position.

Claim 16

A carrier for a motor vehicle having a roof and edge portions extending along each lateral side of the roof, said carrier comprising: a frame; means securing one end of said frame to a first of the edge portions; a first clamping member connected to the other end of said frame and engageable with the second edge portion; a second clamping member having a clamping section engageable with the second edge portion and mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which the second clamping member cooperates with the first clamping member to attach the first clamping member to the second edge portion, and a second position in which the second clamping member allows the first clamping member to be detached from the second edge portion; an arm member having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a first position in which said arm is operative to secure an article between said arm and said frame, and a second position in which said arm is inoperative to secure an article between said arm and said frame; a finger member having one end pivotally mounted on said arm member and a lug means formed thereon for movement between a first position when said arm is in its first position in which said lug means engages said first clamping member and is operative to maintain said second clamping member in its first position, and a second position in which said lug means is disengaged from said first clamping member and is inoperative to maintain said second clamping member in its first position; and a tab member formed on said frame and engageable with said finger member when said finger member is in its first position for securing said finger member in its first position when said tab member is engaged by a lock.

Claim 17

A carrier for a motor vehicle having a roof and edge portions extending along each lateral side of the roof, said carrier comprising: a frame; means securing one end of said frame to a first of the edge portions; a first clamping member connected to the other end of said frame and engageable with the second edge portion; a second clamping member having a clamping section engageable with the second edge portion and mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which the second clamping member cooperates with the first clamping member to attach the first clamping member to the second edge portion, and a second position in which the second clamping member allows the first clamping member to be detached from the second edge portion; an arm member having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a first position in which said arm is operative to secure an article between said arm and said frame, and a second position in which said arm is inoperative to secure an article between said arm and said frame; a finger member having one end pivotally mounted on said arm member and a lug means formed thereon for movement between a first position when said arm is in its first position in which said lug means engages said first clamping member and is operative to maintain said second clamping member in its first position, and a second position in which said lug means is disengaged from said first clamping member and is inoperative to maintain said second clamping member in its first position; and a tab member formed on said frame and engageable with said finger member when said finger member is in its first position for securing said finger member in its first position when said tab member is engaged by a lock.

Claim 18

The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein said finger member is formed with an aperture therethrough, and said tab member has one end secured to said frame and an aperture formed in the other end, said tab member projecting through said finger member aperture when said finger member is in its first position.

Claim 19

A carrier for securing an article above the roof of a vehicle, said vehicle having edge portions extending along each lateral side of the roof, said carrier comprising a frame; means securing one end of said frame to a first of the edge portions; a first clamping member connected to the other end of said frame and engageable with the second edge portion; a second clamping member having a clamping section engageable with the second edge portion and mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which the second clamping member cooperates with the first clamping member to attach the first clamping member to the second edge portion, and a second position in which the second clamping member allows the first clamping member to be detached from the second edge portion; an arm member having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a first position in which said arm is operative to secure an article between said arm member and said frame, and a second position in which said arm member is inoperative to secure an article between said arm member and said frame; and lock means connected to said arm member and having an element movable between a first position in which said element engages with said second clamping member when said arm member is in said first position and prevents motion of the second clamping member from its first position and also engages said arm member with said first clamping member to prevent said arm member from being moved from its first position.

Claim 20

A carrier for securing an article above the roof of a vehicle, said vehicle having edge portions extending along each lateral side of the roof, said carrier comprising a frame; means securing one end of said frame to a first of the edge portions; a first clamping member connected to the other end of said frame and engageable with the second edge portion; a second clamping member having a clamping section engageable with the second edge portion and mounted on said first clamping member for motion between a first position in which the second clamping member cooperates with the first clamping member to attach the first clamping member to the second edge portion, and a second position in which the second clamping member allows the first clamping member to be detached from the second edge portion; an arm member having one end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a first position in which said arm is operative to secure an article between said arm member and said frame, and a second position in which said arm member is inoperative to secure an article between said arm member and said frame; and lock means connected to said arm member and having an element movable between a first position in which said element engages with said second clamping member when said arm member is in said first position and prevents motion of the second clamping member from its first position and also engages said arm member with said first clamping member to prevent said arm member from being moved from its first position.