| 摘要 |
Slats fixed to a vehicle deck have external-flange tracks along their opposite edges. Brackets engage these tracks-by a lip that projects inwardly from the side wall of each bracket to capture the flange. The brackets can be slid by a user along the tracks and locked at any point along the slats by clamping plates inside the brackets. The clamping plates are forced against the slats as by screws in the tops of the brackets. One type of bracket carries an arch-shaped tie-down member and is also adapted for attachment of crossbars, spanning the outboard slats, but only at certain discrete points along the slats. Each tie-down member is fixed to its tie-down bracket below the inwardly projecting lip, or in any event at a point in the side wall, of the bracket. This configuration preserves clamping force when a strap or cord is tightly cinched from the bracket over luggage, resulting in very strong upward force on the tie-down member. If the tie-down members were attached to the tops of the brackets as is common in the prior art, the upward forces would reduce the force applied by screws or the like between the tops of the brackets and the clamping plates.
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