Multi-channel cross bar for a vehicle cargo management system

Abstract

A cargo management system for a motor vehicle. In one form the system includes a pair of side rails adapted to be secured in spaced apart relation to one another within a bed of a pickup truck. A cross bar assembly is supported at its opposite ends to the side rails so as to be suspended above a floor of the bed of the pickup truck. The cross bar assembly includes a cross bar component that has a plurality of parallel arranged channels extending along the length thereof. The channels can each be used to secure various forms of accessory attachments and/or tie down components to the cross bar assembly, thus significantly enhancing the utility of the cross bar assembly. In one form the cross bar component is rectangularly shaped when viewed in cross section, with a separate channel formed on each of the four distinct surfaces of the cross bar component.

1 . A cargo management system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a pair of side rails adapted to be secured to a body portion of the vehicle so as to extend generally parallel to one another, and in spaced apart relation to one another;   a cross bar assembly having a pair of opposing end portions, said end portions being supported from the side rails so that said cross bar assembly is suspended therefrom;   said cross bar assembly including a cross bar component having a plurality of generally parallel arranged channels, each of said channels being adapted to accept an external accessory element therein to enable a plurality of said external components to be used with said cross bar component.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cross bar component comprises a generally rectangular shape with a pair of independent channels that open in directions opposite to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cross bar component comprises a generally rectangular shape and includes four independent channels. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said channels includes a bottom wall having a hole. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said channels open in oppositely facing directions. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of channels comprises four parallel channels, with a first pair of said channels opening in oppositely facing directions, and a second pair of said channels opening in oppositely facing directions. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tie-down element adapted to be secured to one of said channels. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said channel is formed by a bottom wall and a pair of ledges. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cross bar component includes an internal channel for providing additional structural strength thereto. 
     
     
         10 . A cargo management system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a pair of side rails adapted to be secured to a body portion of the vehicle so as to extend generally parallel to one another, and in spaced apart relation to one another;   a cross bar assembly having a pair of opposing end portions, said end portions being supported from the side rails so that said cross bar assembly is suspended therefrom; and   said cross bar assembly including a cross bar component having a plurality of generally parallel, co-extensive channels, each of said channels being adapted to accept an external accessory element therein to enable a plurality of said external components to be used with said cross bar component;   each said channel being formed by a bottom wall and a pair of ledges that project inwardly towards one another.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a tie down element adapted to be secured to one of said channels. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said channels includes a bottom wall having a hole for engaging with a pin-like locking element of an external assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of channels comprises a pair of channels that open in opposite directions from one another. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of channels comprises four channels, a first pair of said four channels opening in oppositely facing directions, and a second pair of said four channels opening in oppositely facing directions. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said cross bar component further comprises an internal, inaccessible channel for adding structural strength to said cross bar component. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said cross bar component forms a generally rectangular shape, and said plurality of channels comprises four channels arranged on four sides of said cross bar component. 
     
     
         17 . A cross bar component for a vehicle article carrier system, wherein said cross bar component is adapted to be used to support articles thereon and to be suspended at its opposite ends between a pair of support members secured to portions of said vehicle, said cross bar component including:
 a plurality of parallel, co-extensive channels that face in different directions; and   each said channel being formed by a bottom wall and a pair of ledges that project towards one another.   
     
     
         18 . The cross bar component of  claim 17 , further comprising a tie down element adapted to be secured to either of said channels. 
     
     
         19 . The cross bar component of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of co-extensive channels comprises a plurality of two channels that open in different directions. 
     
     
         20 . The cross bar component of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of co-extensive channels comprises a plurality of four channels that each open in different directions.