Seitenreling für einen Fahrzeugträger und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung

摘要

A vehicle article carrier 100 having a pair of one-piece, integrally formed side rail members 102, each having a side rail portion 112 and a pair of end supports 116 integrally formed with terminal ends 114 of the side rail portion. The side rail portion includes a hollow area formed therein and extending along its entire length. Each end support further includes an inaccessible hollow portion in communication with the hollow portion formed in the side rail portion. Each side rail member forms a lightweight yet rigid member which does not require moulding lines, seams or other markings on any portion of the outer surface which is clearly visible to an observer once the side rail members are mounted on an outer body surface 104 of a vehicle. The cost of manufacture is also reduced because the number of moulding tools needed to manufacture the side rail member is reduced, as is the complexity and assembly time. The method of manufacture of the invention further permits the side rail portions to be formed with varying shapes and functional features which would not be possible with conventional roll forming and extrusion techniques.