Snap-in end cap for article carriers

Claim 1

In an article carrier for an automotive vehicle, said carrier being of the type comprising a slat assembly adapted to be mounted on a body panel of said vehicle, said slat assembly including a slat having a base member and a pair of oppositely disposed, spaced side walls forming a channel, and including an end cap comprising a shank member extending into one end of said slat, and fastening means for securing said end cap to said slat and for securing said slat to said body panel, the improvement wherein said end cap and slat are preassembled for mounting as a unit on said body panel and said fastening means comprises: said shank member having a cross-section which is slidably insertable into said one end of said slat, means on said side walls for holding said shank member against said base member when said shank member is slidably inserted into said slat, detent means coacting between said shank member and said base member for holding said end cap against withdrawal after insertion of said shank member to a predetermined position, said detent means including an element which is deflectable by sliding motion of said shank member, and a fastener for securing said end cap to said body panel, said fastener being carried by and integral with said end cap and having a fastener shank adjacent the end of said base member after insertion of said shank member to said predetermined position.