Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~2~6033
Applicant: Industri AB rhule
Title of the invention: Device for carrying a load
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a device for carrying a load on a
vehicle, preFerably a so called load carrier or a roof-rack, which
comprises a loading member extending above the roof of the vehicle
and adapted to cooperate with the load, and fixing devices at oppo- -
site edge portions of the vehicle roof for correctly positioning
the loading member in relation to the vehicle roof, each Fixing
device having engagement means which can be brought into engaging
positions while cooperating with the vehicle to obtain the correct
position, and connecting means which can be brought into connecting
positions while cooperating with said loading member to obtain the
correct position.
PRIOR ART
Eoad carriers of the type mentioned above are previously known in
many different designs where the loading member often is in the form - -
of a round or square tube accommodated in corresponding sleeves in
the upper ends of the fixing devices. Since one and the same load
carrier should be usable on many different type of vehicles, it is
readily understood that the distance between the two fixing devices
at the ends of the loading member must be accurately adjustable.
Further, in order to make the load carrier sufficiently reliable,
the fixing devices must be efficiently connected to the transverse
loading member in order to prevent any shifting or displacement
thereof. `
In newer types of vehicles which often lack the old roof moulding or
channel, the requirement for a reliable connection between the fixing
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`" 12~;033
devices and the loading member is still more important since the
engagement rneans of the fixing devices, which cooperate with the
vehicle body to secure the antire fixing device, have more difficulty
in crficiently lockinc) the load carrier in tile transverse direction
of the vehicle.
In prior art constructions, the transverse loading member is, as
mentioned above, in general accomrnodated in corresponding sleeves
in the upper ends of the fixing devices. In these older constructions,
the interconnection between the loading member and the fixing devices
has always been effected by means of a screw assembly, which
means that the user of the load carrier has run the risk of forgettinq
to tighten the screws securing the fixing devices to the loading mem-
ber. The consequences of such inadvertenc~e are obvious.
A further risk of the construction previously used is that vibrations
from the vehicle or the load resting on the load carrier have caused
said screw assemblies to loosen so that the loading member has been
laterally displaced during travei of the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The present invention has for its object to provide a device of the
type mentioned by way of introduction, which has such a design that
it will offer a reliable interconnection between the
loading member and the two fixing devices.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type
mentioned by way of introduction which dispenses with the need of
special manual operations or measures for interconnecting the fixing
devices and the loading member when the load carrier is mounted on
a vehicle. More precisely, the invention also has for its object to
provide such a device which permits simul~aneous interconnection of
the fixing devices and the :Loading member, on the one hand, and fix-
ing of the fixing devices on the vehicle, on the other hand. Finally,
yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device which
f~
~2166~)33
}
completely eliminates the risl< of a clisengagement between the loading
rnember and the fixing devices on acount of vibrations, incorrect
rnounting or the lil<e.
INVENTIVE CûNCEPT
The above mentioned objects of the invention are achieved by means
of the device described by way of introduction, which is characterized
in that the engagement means and connecting means are connected to a
common operating device by means of which they can be brought into
their engaging and connecting positions, respectively, by actuation
of the operating device.
:
According to the invention, each fixing device suitably also has a --
supporting member for the loading member, and the connecting means
is designed as a pressure member which,by engaging the loading member,
is adapted to correctly position the latter against the supporting
member, said pressure member being connected to said operating device
to be actuated thereby.
In one embodiment of the invention, the supporting member is disposed
underneath the loading member, and the pressure member is in the form
of a U-shaped member which receives the loading member and which has
a pressure surface located above said loading member to urge the
latter downwardly into the correct position against said supporting
member.
In another embodiment of the invention, the supporting member is
suitably located above the loading member on a portion of the fixing
device, and the pressure member is provided on an arm which is moun-
ted in the fixing device and which, when actuated by the operating
device, is pivotal so as to urge the loading member a(Jainst the
supporting member.
Further features and advantages of the invention will appear from
claillls 4 and 6 - ~.
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-` ~266033
f~RIEF Df--SCRIPTION UF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference
to the accompaning drawings, in which:
fig 1 is a vertical cross section of an end portion of a loading
member as well as a fixing device cooperating therewith,
arl(l an opl)er si(lc (`(I(Jt! pOrL.iOrl of` a Velli(`.Le rool;
Fig 2 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows a modified embodiment
of the invention;
fig 3 in a view corresponding to fig 1 shows a third embodinnent
of the invention;
fig 4 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows a fourth embodiment
of the invention;
fig 5 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows a fifth embodiment
of the invention;
fig 6 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows a sixth embodiment
of the invention;
fig 7 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows a seventh embodiment
of the invention;
fig 8 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows an eigth embodiment
of the invention; and
fitJ 9 in a view corresponding to fig 1, shows a ninth embodiment
of the invention.
.~
~;~66~33
PREFERRED E~IBODIMENT
In fig 1, reference numeral 1 designates a vehicle roof and 2 an
opening for the vehicle door in the side of the vehicle. The vehicle
is of a modern type and therefore lacks the old roof moulding or
channel extending along the longitudinal edyes of the vehicle roof.
In order to stiFfen the roof but also to permit mounting certain
additional equipment, the vehicle roof has a longitudinal shoulder
or a corresponding longitudinal raised strip 3 from which the side
edge of the roof slopes gently downwardly towards the opening for
the vehicle door so as to form a corner region 4 merging into an
upper boundary surface 5 upwardly defining the vehicle door opening
2.
In a vehicle where the roof has the design described above, it is
only the shoulder or the longitudinal strip 3, the corner region 4
and the upper boundary surface 5 that can normally be used for Fixing
a roof load carrier. The only exception of course is in cases where
the vehicle is provided with factory-mounted special holders.
The load carrier proper comprises a loading member 6 which in this
embodiment is in the form of a tube, preferably of rectangular cross-
section. At either end portion, the loading member has a fixing de-
vice 7 which is used for mounting the loading member at opposite
cd,Jc portions of the vehicle roo~, such that the loading meln~er
be located at a certain distance above the vehicle roof with its
longitudinal direction transversely of the direction of travel of the
vehicle.
"
Each fixing device 7 has a lower engagement member 8 or a foot with
an exchangable insert 9 of a medium hard or elastic material which
is so designed as to mate with the design of the roof 1 in the area
of the shoulder 3 or the strip. The fixing device 7 further comprises
a second engagerrlent member 10 which is designed for seizing about the
corner region 4 of the roof and For engaging the upper boundary sur-
face 5 of the vehicle door opening 2 by means of a hook portion 11.
Upon tightening of the screw 12, which together with the nut 13, may
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~2661033
be regarded as an operating device, the hook portion 11 will be moved
to the right in fiy 1 ancl engage the vehicle underneath the corner
region 4 to be pulled obliquely upwardly to the right towards
the foot 8, such that the hook portion 11 and the foot 8 are clrawn
and pressed towards each other, where~y the fixing device 7 ls clamped
about the longitudinal side edge portion of the vehicle roof.
The fixinn device 7 is made up of two parallel legs 14 of which only
one is shown in the figure. At their lower ends the legs 14 are connec-
ted by means of a joint 15 to the foot 8, so that this is pivotal in
relation to the fixing device 7 about a longitudinal axis substan-
tially parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. At the
upper ends, the legs are interconnected by means of a supporting
member 16 on which the loading member 6 rests and which takes up
loads therefrom and transmits them through the two legs 14 to the
foot 8 and the vehicle roof.
In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions of the loading member
6 are enclosed by a U-shaped member 17 having its upper surface (the
bottom of the U) designed as a pressure member engaging the upper
face of the loading member 6. The U-shaped member17has two side
flanges 19 externally engaging the two legs 14 of the fixing device
7. The side flanges 19 of the U-shaped member 17 are connected to a
transverse rod 20 which may suitably be designed as a rivet. The rivet
20 extends straight through elongated openings 21 in the two legs 14
of the fixin~ device 7 and, in betwer-~n these legs, engarJes a cam rnem-
ber 22 having a cam surface 23 which engages the underside of the
supporting member 16. The cam member 22 is pivotal about the rivet
20 and, when pivoting clockwise from the position shown in fig 1,
produces a downwardly directed force on the rivet as the cam surface
23 is moving along the underside of the supporting member 16. As a
result of this downwardly directed force and of the movement of the
rivet 20, the U-shaped member 17 will also be called downwards and
press against the loading member 6 which is clamped in the fixing
device 7 between the pressure member 18 and the supporting member
16.
~L2~6!C~33
At its lower end, the cam member 22 has stops 24 which after a certain
pivotal movement will engage edge portions of the legs 14. A further
pivotment of the cam member 22 in the clockwise direction will thus
be prevented.
As appears frorn the figure, the nut 13 is fixed in a carn mernber 22,
which means that tightening of the screw 12 will brinq about the above
mentioned clock wise pivotal movement of the cam member 22 and the
resulting clamping of the loading member 6 between the pressure member
18 and the supporting member 16. The tightening of the screw 12 further
brings about the above-indicated pivotal movement of the hook portion 11
underneath the corner region 4 and the resulting clamping of the fixing
device about the longitudinal side edge portion of the vehicle rooF. To
this end, the second engagement member 10 further has at its upper end
an engaging portion 25 abutting against a slide surface 26 on the cam
member 22. By the engagement of the stops 24 against the legs 14, the
cam member 22 will be correctly positioned relative to the fixing de-
vice and, hence, the slide surface 26 will also be correctly positioned
in the fixing device, whereby an efficient clamping effect can be
achieved between the second engagement member 10 and the foot f3 fixed
in the fixing device 7.
In the illustrated embodiment, the g~ometry is such that upon initial
tightening of the screw 12, the hook portion 11 will first be loosely
applied against the corner region 4, where upon the cam member 22 is
pivoted in the clockwise direction until the stops 24 prevents further
pivotment. In this position, the loading member 6 is safely clamped in
~he fixing device 7 and not until this position will the clamping of
the second engagement member 10 be effected. This means that the
laterally directed force on the entire load carrier which might be
produced by the second engagement member will not cause the load carrier
in its entirety to be displaced sideways, even if the engagement betweer,
the foot and the roof is not quite perfect. The reason for this is that
the load carrier is symmetric, such that a corresponding counter - -
directed force is produced at the other fixing device 7, and this `
force is transmitted by the lnading member and its attachment in the
two fixing devices. -~
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~26~)33
The embodiment described above may easily be modified for use also on
such vehicles as are equipped with the conventional roof molding or
channel. In such a modified embodiment, the second engagement member
10 has been designed for engaging the car body underneath the roof
molding itself. However, this embodiment has no pivotal foot 8. Instead,
there extends From the two legs 14 obliquely downwardly to the left in
Fig. 1 and substantially parallel to the second engagement ~ember 10
a supporting foot which is designed to engage internally (at the upper
side) in the roof molding or channel. This supporting foot suitably is
mounted completely rigidly in the two legs or may alternatively be
formed integrally therewith.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
In Fig. 2, there is shown a first modified embodiment. In this embodiment
and also in the further alternative embodiments to be described below, iden-
tical components have been given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1.
The embodiment in Fig. 2 thus comprises a loading member 6 which is enclo-
sed by a U-shaped member 17 having a pressure member 18 disposed above
the loading member, and side flanges 19 externally engaging the outer
lateral surfaces of two legs 14 which are part of the fixing device 7
proper. Further, the U-shaped member 17 has a transverse rod or rivet
20 which, as described above, can operates with a cam member 22 having
a cam surface 23. As described above, the cam surface 23 here also
engages the under side of a supporting member 16 and the pressure mem-
ber 18 is urged downwardly so as to press the loading member 6 into
the correct position against the supporting member 16.
The fixing device 7, also as described above, is provided at its lower
end with joints 15 for mounting a foot 8 with a resilient or medium
hard exchangeable insert 9 to cooperate with the vehicle roof 1.
The most essential difference over the embodiment according to Fig. l
is that a rocker 28 is pivotally mounted in a lower portion of the cam
member 22 by means of a joint 27. At the upper end of the rocker 28,
6033
the nut 13 is pivotally mounted and cooperates with the screw 12
whose head engages the outer side of an abutment rnernber 29 inter
connecting the two legs 14.
At the lower end of the rocker 28, a transverse shaft 30 is rigidly
mounted in the rocker between its two side legs. A curved portion
31 of the second engagement member 10 engages around the shaft 30.
This means that the second engagement member 10 will have a very
low mounting point in the fixing device 7, such that the second
engagement member can also be used on such vehicles where the upper
boundary surface 5 of the vehicle door opening 2 is heavily sloping
and considerably deviates from a horizontal direction. In this embodi-
ment, the second engagement member 10 suitably also has a flexible
central portion 32.
This embodiment opera-tes in the following manner. Upon initial tigh-
tening of the screw 12, the rocker 28 will first be pivoted anti
clockwise until the hook portion 11 of the second engagement member
10 comes into engagement with the corner region 4. Further tighte-
riing of the screw 12 will then produce a clockwise pivotment of the
cam member 22 since the rocker is connected thereto by means oF the
joint 27. This pivotal movement of the cam member in the clockwise
direction brings about the above-indicated clamping of the loading
member in the fixing device. Upon continued tightening of the screw
l2, the rocker 28 will then be further pivoted anti clockwise, whereby
to obtain safe clamping of the second engagement member against the
corner region 4 and the upper boundery surface 5, such that the fixing
device 7 is efficiently clamped about a longotudinal edge portion of
the vehicle roof.
In Fig. 3, there is shown an alternative third embodiment of the in-
vention. In this embodiment, the fixing device 7, in respect of the
retention of the loading member 6, is of the same design as described
with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. This means that also in this embodi-
ment use is made of a U-shaped member 17 which receives the loading
member 6 and urges it into the correct position against a supporting
~616033
lo
member 16 int~connecting the two upper ends of the legs 14 of the
fixiny device. The pivotal mounting of the cam member 22 and the
function of its cam surface 23 also agree with that described above.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the cam member 22, as opposed
to what has been described above, has the nut 13 pivotally mounted,
while the head of the screw 12 screwed in the nut 13 engages an
angled portion 33 of the second engagement member 10.
In the use of the embodiment according to Fig. 3, initial tightening
of the screw 12 first causes the hook portion 11 to engage the corner
region 4 and the upper boundary surFace 5. Then follows a clockwise
pivotal movement of the cam member 22 to the position shown in the
drawing in which the stops 24 oF the cam member engages the legs 14.
In this position, the U-shaped member 13 is pulled down against the
loading member 6, so that this is eFficiently clamped between the
pressure member 18 and the supporting member 16~ Upon continued
tightening of the screw 12, the second engagement member 10 will
then be pulled into firm engagement against the corner region 4
and the upper boundary surface 5 along the upper edge of the vehicle
door opening 2.
In Fig. 4, there is shown an alternative fourth embodiment of the in-
vention. Also in this embodiment, the same reference numerals are
used for components corresponding to the components of the embodi-
ments described above. Thus, the fixing devices 7 in this embodiment
also have two legs 14 which at their upper ends are interconnected
by means of a supporting member 16 engaging the loading member 6. In
the same way as described above the loading member also cooperates
with a U-shaped member 17 having a pressure member 18 for urging
the loading member downwardly against the supporting member 16.
Also1 the U-shaped member 17 has a transverse rivet 20.
The lower ends of the legs 14 are connected t,y joint 15 to a foot 8
having an exchangeable insert 9 adapted to the design of the vehicle
roof. Further, the fixing device comprises a second engagement member
~L26~33
10 which at its lower end has a hook portion 11 For engaging the
vehicle body.
As opposed to what has been described above, the embodiment according
to Fig. 4 has a link member 34 provided at its upper end with an
opening through which the transverse rivet 20 extends. The lower
end oF the link member 34 is connected by means of a joint 35 to
a pivotal member 36 pivotally connected to a pull rod 37 which suitably
has adjustable length and which at its opposite end cooperates with a
similar pivotal member 36 in a fixing device 7 at the opposite end of
the loading member 6. At the lower end of the pivotal member 36, the
nut 13 is pivotally mounted and cooperates with a screw 12. Further,
the pivotal member 36 has an angular arm 38, which faces away from
the pull rod 37 and in which the upper end of the second engagement
member 10 is pivotally mounted. Finally, it should also be mentioned
that the pivotal member 36 is not fixed directly in the Fixing device
7 or the two legs 14 thereof.
Thç right-hand end of the screw 12 in Fig. 4 engages a lateral surface
39 which interconnects the two legs 14 of the fixing device 7.
The embodiment described in Fig. 4 is especially conceived for ~Jse in
such cases where the vehicle roof has no marked shoulders or longitu-
dinal strips 3 which may serve to correctly position the foot 8 and
its insert 9 laterally (transversally of the direction of travel of
the vehicle). In this embodiment, the laterally positioning function
is instead ensured by the pull rod 37 which thus prevents the two
fixing devices 7 from being moved away from each other in the longi-
tudinal direction of the loading member 6.
Upon initial tightening of the screw 12, the pivotal member 36 will be
pivoted substantially about the pivotal attachment of the pull rod 37
in the pivotal member, such that the second engagement member 10 is
lifted. Then, the outer side of the engagement member 10 will engaqe
the inner side of the ]ateral surface 39 of the fixing device, such
that the second engagement member will be prevented from pivoting in
~26~033
12
an anti clockwise direction. When the lower hook portion 11 of the
second engagement member 1 n comes into enqagement against the ve-
hicle body, Further tightening of the screw 12 will produce a
displacement of the nut 13 to the right in the figure, such that
the pull rod 37 is subjected to attractive eFfort in its longitu-
dinal direction at the same time as the link member 34 pulls the
rivet 20 downwardly and thereby produces clamping of the loading
member 6 between the pressure member 1B of the U-shaped member 17
and the supporting member 16 on the two legs 14.
In Fig. 5, there is shown an alternative Fifth embodiment which is
conceived for use in vehicles of the type having the conventional
roof molding or channel
Also in this embodiment, the upper end of each fixing device 7 and
its cooperation with the loading member 6 is realised in the manner
described above. Hence, these constructional details need not be
further described here.
As appears from the drawing, there is mounted between the legs 14
of the fixing device 7 a pivotal member 36 which is vertically
displaceable in relation to the legs 14 and which is pivotal about
the shaft 40 pivotally mounted in the legs 14. The shaft 40 also
cooperates with the lower end of a link member 34 which engages
the transverse rivet 20.
The pivotal member 36 is of a substantialLy triangular shape and
therefore has an angular arm 38, which extends outwards towards
a lateral surface 39 interconnecting the two legs 14 of the fixing
device 7. The angular arm 38 is hingedly connected to the upper end
of the second engagement member 10 which extends through an opening
41 in the lateral surface 39 and engages the inner side thereoF
immediately over the opening.
As mentioned above, the embodiment according to Fig. 5 is intended
for use on a vehicle having a conventional roof molding or channel.
~ ~3~6 6 O 3 3
For this reason, there is no pivotal foot 8, the legs 14 instead
having a lower foot member 42 which is adapted to engage internally
(on the upper side) in the roof molding or channel.
In the use of the embodiment according to Fig. 5, initial tighte-
ning of the screw 12 will cause the angle member 36 to pivot in
an anti clockwise direction about shaft 40. As a result, the second
engagement member 10 will be lifted into lose engagement against
the under side of the roof molding of the vehicle. A continued
pivotment of the angle member 36 will thereafter exert a pulling
force on the link member 34, such that the U-shaped member 17 is
pulled downwards and its pressure rnember 18 urges the loading member
6 into the correct position against the supporting member 16 of the
fixing device 7.
It is evident that the embodiment according to Fig. 5 can be modified
by replacing the foot member 42 with the above mentioned pivotal foot
8.
The alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 is intended for use
on such vehicles as have a conventional roof molding or channel. For
this reason, the fixing devices 7 at their lower ends have the above
mentioned foot member 42 which is intended from above to engage in-
ternally in the roof molding~ Further, the second engagement member
10 has a lower hook portion 11 which is intended to engage the car
body at the under side of the roof molding, the second engagement
member 10 extending as described above with reference to Fig. 5
through an opening 41 in the lateral surface 39 of the fixing device
7. In this embodiment, the nut 13 for the screw 12 is also disposed
on the lateral surface 39 and the free end of the screw 12 engages
a bent portion 43 of the second engagement member for urging this
in a direction to the right in Fig. 6. The hook portion 11, on account
of the bend of the second engagement mernber lO and its cooperation
with the opening 41, will thereby simultaneously move in a direction
to the right and upwardly in Fig. 6.
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14
In order to permit the movement pattern for the second engagement
member 10 as indicated above, the upper end portion 44 oF the enga-
gement member must be prevented from pivoting in a clockwise direc-
tion, i.e. to the right in Fig. 6. To this end7 t~le upper end portion
abuts on a supporting member 45 oF a rocker 46 which is pivotally
mounted in the two legs 14 by means of a joint 47. The cooperation
between the supporting member 45 and the upper end portion 44 further
is such that the end portion can be displaced in its longitudinal
direction in relation to the supporting member 45.
The rocker 46 is connected to a pressure member 18 which engages the
upper side oF the loading member 6 for urging it downwards against
the fixing devlce 7 while cooperating therewith to obtain the correct
position.
Upon initial tightening of the screw 12, the second engagement member
10 will first be displaced to the right and upwardly, while exerting
a slight pressure against the supporting member 45 of the rocker 46.
When the hook portion 11 thereafter comes into engagement against
the under side of the roof molding or channel~ continued tightening
of the screw 12 will make the upper end portion 44 exert an increasing
pressure against the supporting member 45 of the rocker 46, such that
this is pivoted in an anti clockwise direction and its pressure member
18 exerts a pressure against the loading member 6 for obtaining the
correct position thereof.
The embodiment using the rocker 46 and the supporting member 45 may
oF course also be used in the embodiment described above with reference
to Fig. 1.
In Fig. 7, there is shown yet another modified embodiment of the
device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the lower ends
of the fixing devices 7, as described above, are provided with a
pivotal foot 8 for cooperating with the vehicle roof.
~26~033
The upper end of the fixing device 7 is designed with a sleeve
which upwardly is defined by a supporting member 4a and downwardly
has an engagement surFace 49. In this manner, the two legs of the
Fixing device can be Formed integrally with the supporting member
48 and the engagement surFace 49.
In between the two legs 14, an angle arm 51 is pivotally mounted
in the fixing device 7 by means of a shaft 50. The angle arm 51
has a portion 52 which projects outwards towards the vehicle side
and which can be moved up through an opening in the engagement
surface 49 so as to urge the loading member 6 into the correct
position against the supporting member 48. At the lower end oF
the angle arm 51, the screw 12 preferably is pivotally mounted.
Further, an upwardly directed supporting arm 54 For the upper end
of the second engagement member 10 is mounted by means oF a joint
53.
In the use of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, the angled arm
51j aFter engagement of the hook portion 11 against the corner
region 4, will be pivoted in a clockwise direction, at the same
time as the upper end portion 44 of the second engagement member
10 bears on the supporting arm 54 and moves it in a pivotal clock-
wise movement. Upon continued tightening oF the screw 12, the
second engagement member 10 will thereby both be lifted and be
moved to the right in Fig. 7~ at the same time as the angle arm
51 is pivoted in a clockwise direction and is pressed against the
loading member 6.
The embodiment according to Fig. 8 differs from the embodiment
according to Fig. 7 only in that the angle arm 51 in its upper
portion adjacent its pivot shaft 50 has a supporting surface 26
in analogy with what has been described above with reference to
Fig. 1. Similarly, the upper end of the second engagement member
10 has an engaging portion 25 which has the same function as the
engaging portion in Fig. 1.
~2~6033
The lower end of the angle arm 51 has a joint member 55 with the nut
13 cooperating with the screw l2 which extends through and engages
the outer side of the second engagement member 10.
In the use of the embodiment according to Fig. 8 the second engagement
member 10 will have the same movement pattern as that described "ith
reference to Fig. 1. Further, the cooperation of the screw 12 with
the joint member 55 and the lower end of the angle arm 51 will give
rise to a clockwise pivotal movement of the latter, such that the
laterally extending portion 52 is brought into the correct position
of engagement against the loading member 6.
The embodiment according to Fig. 8 may also be further modified by
replacing the pivotal foot 8 with a Fixed foo-t for cooperating with
a conventional vehicle roof molding or channel in substantially the
same way as described above with reference to Fig. 5 or 6.
Fig. 9 finally illustrates another modified embodiment of the inven-
tion. In this embodiment, the loading member 6 is not in the form of
closed profile but has a downwardly directed opening which in the
schematically illustrated embodiment is laterally defined by two
vertical flanges56 directed towards the interior of the profile. If
so desired, these Flanges may of course be dispensed with and the
loading member 6 may instead merely be provided in its under side
with a longitudinal slot which need not extend throughout the entire
length oF the loading member.
In this embodiment, the fixing device 7 is provided, as described
above, with a foot 8 which is pivotally mounted by means of a joint
15 and equipped with a medium hard or resilient, preferably exchange-
able insert 9 for cooperating with the vehicle roof 1 and the
longitudinal shoulder ~. Further, the second engagement member 10
in its lower end has a hook portion 11 for cooperating with the
corner region 4 and the upwardly directed boundary surface 5.
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17
The upper ends of the two legs 14 oF the Fixing device 7 are
interconnected by a supporting member 16 as described above,
for instance with reference to Fig. 1. Further, the legs 14
extend upwards beyond the supporting member 16 but need not
extend as far as the upper side of the loading member 6. This
is shown by dashed lines 57 in Fig. 9.
In between the two legs 14 of the fixing device 7, a rocker 59
is pivotally mounted on a shaft 58 which is located in a central
portion of the rocker. To the right oF the shaft 58, the rocker
cooperates with a pull rod 60 extending through the supporting
member 16 and into the loading member 6 where it has a head 61
engaging against the upper edges of the vertical flanges 56 or
against the inner side oF the bottom wall of the loading member
in case these vertical parts are dispensed with. The pull rod 60
is movable in the vertical direction and can be drawn particularly
in a downward direction upon a clockwise pivotal movement of the
rocker about the shaft 58.
To the left (in Fig. 9) of the shaft 58, the rocker 59 further is
connected to an upper curved portion 62 of the second engagement
member having a central portion 63 engaging a shaft 64 preventing
the hook portion 11 from being removed from the corner region 4.
The screw 12 also engages the rocker 59 and has a nut 13 fixed in
the two legs 14, such that tightening of the screw 12 gives rise
to a clockwise pivotal movement of the rocker 59 about the shaft
58 which is freely movable in the vertical direction in an elongated
opening 65.
Initial tightening of the screw 12 will first cause the rocker to
lift the second engagement member 10 into engagement against the
corner region 4 and the upper boundary surface 5. When this lifting
movement is thereafter prevented, the rocker will be pivoted in a
clockwise direction, whereby the pull rod 60 with its head 61 will
urge the loading member 6 into the correct position of engagement
against the supporting member 16 on the fixing device 7.
~2661)33
13
The invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope
of the accompanying claims.
