US3920167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile roof rack
Assignee: A L & W Sports
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Filing: 1974-10-17
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A roof rack for an automobile has, at each end, downwardly extending struts which can fit into the rain gutter. To hold each strut in the gutter, a clip has a lower inturned elbow that can engage the underside of the gutter, and an upper inturned portion that can slide up the strut. A manually operable cam is rotatably supported from the strut outside the clip and can be rotated to press the clip to slide up the strut and draw the elbow under the gutter.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald William Parsons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/04; B60R9/058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A roof rack for mounting on the roof of an automobile having a rain gutter along each lateral side of the roof, said rack comprising a transverse member terminating in downwardly extending struts, each strut having an edge engageable in the rain gutter, a clip having a lower intUrned elbow adapted to engage the underside of the rain gutter, and an upper inturned portion slidable against the downwardly extending strut, a manually operated cam, and means supporting the cam from the strut and retaining the clip between the cam and the strut, the cam being rotatable upon said support means to press the clip towards the strut and cause the clip to slide up the strut, thus drawing the elbow under the rain gutter and clamping the strut in the gutter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A roof rack for mounting on the roof of an automobile having a rain gutter along each lateral side of the roof, said rack comprising a transverse member terminating in downwardly extending struts, each strut having an edge engageable in the rain gutter, a clip having a lower intUrned elbow adapted to engage the underside of the rain gutter, and an upper inturned portion slidable against the downwardly extending strut, a manually operated cam, and means supporting the cam from the strut and retaining the clip between the cam and the strut, the cam being rotatable upon said support means to press the clip towards the strut and cause the clip to slide up the strut, thus drawing the elbow under the rain gutter and clamping the strut in the gutter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A roof rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein each downwardly extending strut comprises a first portion which slopes downward from the longitudinal axis of the transverse member and a second portion with a steeper slope terminating with said edge engagable in the rain gutter, and wherein the upper inturned portion of the clip has substantially the same slope as the first portion of the strut so that pressing the cam against the clip causes the upper portion of the clip to slide along and up the first sloping portion of the strut, thus drawing the elbow under the rain gutter and clamping the strut in the gutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A roof rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a bolt extending from the strut and passing through an aperture in the clip and a bearing threadably engaged on the bolt on which bearing the cam is rotatable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A roof rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cam is rotatable on a bearing and has an eccentricity with respect to the bearing so that the cam has a high point and a low point, the cam being rotatable to press the high point against the clip, such rotation pressing the clip against the strut to slide up the strut, thus drawing the elbow under the rain gutter and clamping the strut in the gutter, the cam being also rotatable to locate the low point adjacent the clip without pressing the elbow under the gutter whereby the strut can be removed from the gutter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |