Article carrier having variably positionable cross-rail bracket

Claim 1

An article carrier for an automotive vehicle of the type including an elongated slat fixed to the vehicle exterior and extending longitudinally thereof, said slat having an upwardly opening guideway, a bracket having a base portion slidably retained in said guideway, means for adjustably clamping the bracket to the slat, the bracket having an upper portion which includes a cross-rail supporting section extending normally of the slat, and a cross-rail mounted upon the cross-rail supporting section, the improvement comprising: (a) the cross-rail being of a generally oval cross section and having a continuous bottom surface, an upper surface including an upwardly opening channel formed by a pair of inwardly extending side walls, said channel extending throughout the length of the cross-rail; (b) an elastomeric seal member enclosing said cross-rail channel; (c) the cross-rail supporting section of said bracket being generally of the same oval cross section as the cross-rail and including a pair of slots adapted to receive the inwardly extending side walls of the cross-rail; (d) a bracket mounted on and slidably adjustable throughout the length of said cross-rail, said bracket including a lower portion having a first transverse opening corresponding generally to the oval cross section of the cross-rail and surrounding said rail, an upper portion having a second transverse opening adapted to receive an article retaining strap, and means coacting with the continuous bottom surface of said cross-rail to releasably clamp said bracket to the cross-rail.