| 摘要 |
A vehicle article carrier which enables a degree of adjustable spacing of the support members used to support a cross bar while preventing the generation of wind noise which might be otherwise caused by wind entering through openings in the support members while the vehicle is moving. The vehicle article carrier includes front and rear cross bar assemblies which are mounted on a pair of slats. The slats may be disposed such that they converge slightly. At least one bracket member of one of the cross bar assemblies includes an elongated slot formed therein and a neck portion of the support member. The neck portion receives one end of one of the cross bars and enables the cross bar to move inwardly or outwardly of the neck as needed, such as when the cross bar is repositioned on a pair of slats which are mounted on a vehicle such that they converge slightly. Within the neck portion of the support member is disposed a compressible, foam-like rubber member which automatically covers that portion of the slot formed in the neck portion which is not covered by the end of the cross bar. In this manner no wind can enter through the slot and potentially create wind noise. The foam-like member also allows for a degree of adjustability in the spacing of the support members at each end of the cross bar such that the cross bar can be used on different model vehicles which would ordinarily require different lengths of cross bars. The foam-like member does not significantly complicate assembly or manufacture of the vehicle article carrier or otherwise add significantly to its complexity of construction, its cost or its weight.
|
