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. 23, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1998
Anders Lundgren, Grims.ang.s, SE;
Industri, AB Thule, Hillerstorp, SE;
Abstract
A device for laterally translating the force vector between a load carrier foot and the upper surface of a vehicle roof according to the slope of the contour of the vehicle roof at the location of the foot upon the vehicle roof. The device includes a load carrier foot for attachment of a load carrier to the vehicle roof and the load carrier foot has a first foot support portion and a second foot support portion. A foot plate for engaging the upper surface of the vehicle roof is provided that is pivotally attached to the load carrier foot and has a first foot plate support portion adjacent the first foot support portion to form an inner support pair and a second foot plate support portion adjacent the second foot support portion to form an outer support pair. The foot plate is rotatable about its pivotal attachment to the load carrier foot between a first position wherein the force vector between the load carrier foot and the upper surface of the vehicle roof is directed through the inner support pair and a second position wherein the force vector between the load carrier foot and the upper surface of the vehicle roof is directed through the outer support pair. The foot plate is adapted to take the first position when placed adjacent vehicle roofs of steep contour and to take the second position when placed adjacent vehicle roofs of shallow contour.