Equipment load assist to roof rack

Abstract

A load assist to a vehicle rack carrier that includes a brace bar coupleable to a vehicle rack carrier where the brace bar is positionable between extended and retracted configurations relative to the vehicle rack carrier when coupled thereto. A connector is adapted for coupling the brace bar to the vehicle rack carrier and includes a brace bar receiver adapted for accommodating reciprocating motion of the brace bar therein. A handle is coupled to an outer distal end of the brace bar and is adapted for preventing slippage of an object off of the distal end of the brace bar. The couplement of the handle to the outer distal end of the brace bar is by a threaded fastener that establishes a friction fit between the handle and the brace bar. The brace bar has an insert pin receiving aperture therein and there is also included a biased insert pin adapted for insertion into the insert pin receiving aperture. The biased insert pin is coupled to a leaf spring and the leaf spring is adapted to urge the insert pin toward an engaged configuration. A pull tab is coupled to the leaf spring and is adapted to accommodate manual engagement for disengaging the biased insert pin. The connector forms a cross bar receiver and the cross bar receiver is adapted for frictional engagement about a cross bar of the vehicle rack carrier. The connector includes a top half and a bottom half that are adapted to be releasably coupled together to form the brace bar receiver and a cross bar receiver. A depressible safety stop projection extends through the brace bar and is adapted to prevent unintentional disengagement of the brace bar from the load assist.