| 摘要 |
<p>A vehicle article carrier (10) having an adjustable cross rail (32). The vehicle article carrier (10) includes a pair of side rails (16) positioned longitudinally along an outer body surface (12) of a vehicle such as a roof. The side rails (16) each include a side rail member (24) and a pair of brackets (20,22) secured fixedly to the side rail member (24) at opposite ends of the side rail member. The brackets (20,22) are further fixedly secured to the outer body surface (12). Each of the side rail members (24) and a selected pair of the brackets (20,22) include channels (36,36') formed therein in communication with each other. A cross rail (32) is positioned perpendicularly between the channels (36,36') and is movable slidably between an operative position between the side rail members (24), elevationally above the outer body surface (12), and a stored position between the selected pair of brackets closely adjacent the outer body surface (12). In the stored position the cross rail (32) offers minimal wind resistance and generates minimal wind noise even when the vehicle is traveling at relatively high speeds. A thumbwheel (38) is disposed within the cross rail (32) and operatively connected to a threaded shaft and locking nut to enable the cross rail (32) to be manually, releasably secured at desired positions along the side rail members (24) and the pair of brackets (20,22). <IMAGE></p> |
