The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 11, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 04, 1996
Craig A Stapleton, Clarkston, MI (US);
Advanced Accessory Systems L.L.C., Port Huron, MI (US);
Abstract
An improved article carrier includes an article rack, a support and a mount. A pivot joint for displacing the support with respect to the mount provides access to the rear of the vehicle without removing the carrier. Preferably the carrier bracket guides the displaceable support and includes the pivot joint that permits the support to displaced with respect to the mount. The carrier also includes a latch for releasably overlapping a portion of the bracket to retain the support in an upright, load bearing position. The latch is responsive to an actuator carried at the top of the rack. An actuator preferably comprises a handle preferably in the form of a rotary handle, positioned atop the support. A rotary knob carrying an elongated threaded rod positions the clamping jaw of the latch. In one version, the clamping jaw is pivoted into and out of overlapping relation with a flange on the bracket. Another version of the clamping jaw threadably engages a rotary rod to linearly displace the clamping jaw along the threaded portion of the rotated rod.