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:
Jan. 01, 2002
Filed:
May. 31, 2000
Stephen J. Cole, Arcata, CA (US);
Yakima Products, Inc., Arcata, CA (US);
Abstract
A vehicle load carrier including a recreational equipment rack adapted for exterior engagement on a vehicle. The recreational equipment rack includes a torque-operated clamping mechanism, including a rotatable clamp member, where the torque-operated clamping mechanism is adapted to selectively secure and release an article to the rack upon rotation of the clamp member. Also provided is a torque-applying member that is selectively configurable in an engaged configuration in which the torque-applying member and clamp member rotate together, and in a disengaged configuration in which the torque-applying member and clamp member rotate independently of one another. The torque-applying member is semi-permanently attached to, or otherwise integrated with the clamping mechanism so that it cannot be removed without disassembling the clamping mechanism.