Crossbar clamp devices

Abstract

Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws.

1 . An apparatus for securing cargo to a crossbar on top of a vehicle comprising
 a base having a top side, a bottom side, a clamping axis, and an internal track aligned with the clamping axis,   a cargo supporting device fixed to the top side of the base,   a first stationary jaw portion descending from the bottom side of the base, the jaw portion having an external surface and a concave internal surface configured for contacting a crossbar which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the clamping axis of the base,   a sliding jaw member having a concave internal surface, the sliding jaw member being configured to move along the internal track of the base for clamping a crossbar cooperatively with the first stationary jaw portion, and   an adjustment member connected to the sliding jaw member configured for manipulation to move the sliding jaw member back and forth along the internal track of the base, the adjustment member being accessible from the external surface of the stationary jaw portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal track defines a linear path. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the linear path is horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment member has a shaft connecting the stationary jaw portion and the sliding jaw member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft has a proximal end portion engaging the stationary jaw portion and a distal end portion engaging the sliding jaw member, the distal end portion of the shaft having threads engaging internal threads on the sliding jaw member so that rotation of the shaft causes relative movement between the sliding jaw member and the stationary jaw portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft has a proximal end portion engaging the stationary jaw portion and a distal end portion engaging the sliding jaw member, the proximal end portion of the shaft having threads engaging internal threads on the stationary jaw portion so that rotation of the shaft causes relative movement between the sliding jaw member and the stationary jaw portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment device includes a handle accessible from the external surface of the stationary jaw portion, the handle including a screw knob. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment device includes a lever mounted on a pivot axis perpendicular to the clamping axis, pivoting of the lever causing relative movement between the sliding jaw member and the stationary jaw member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the adjustment device further includes a shaft having a proximal end portion connected to the stationary jaw portion and a distal end portion connected to the sliding jaw member, the distal end portion of the shaft having a threaded engagement with the sliding jaw member so that rotation of the shaft causes movement of the sliding jaw relative to the stationary jaw portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein lever has an eccentric cam surface relative to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cargo supporting device includes a saddle mount for supporting a boat hull. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cargo supporting device includes a bike mount for securing a bike. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cargo supporting device includes a wheel support for carrying a wheel. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cargo supporting device includes an elongate box. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising
 a second stationary jaw portion descending from the bottom side of the base, wherein the first and second stationary jaw portions straddle the internal track of the base, the sliding jaw being aligned with the internal track of the base. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising
 a lock device having a lock port accessible from the external surface of the stationary jaw portion configured to receive a key, the lock device having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock device inhibits relative movement between the stationary jaw portion and the sliding jaw member when the lock device is in the locked position. 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the adjustment member includes a shaft having threads engaging the sliding shaft, the lock device substantially preventing rotation of the shaft when the lock device is in the locked position. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for securing cargo to a crossbar on top of a vehicle comprising
 a base having a top side, a bottom side, a clamping axis, and a track aligned with the clamping axis,   a cargo supporting device fixed to the top side of the base,   first and second stationary jaw portions descending from the bottom side of the base, each stationary jaw portion having a concave internal surface configured for contacting a crossbar which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the clamping axis of the base,   a sliding jaw member having a concave internal surface, the sliding jaw member being configured to move along the track of the base for clamping a crossbar cooperatively with the first and second stationary jaw portions, the sliding jaw member being aligned with the clamping axis, the first and second stationary jaw members straddling the clamping axis, and   an adjustment member connected to the sliding jaw member configured for manipulation to move the sliding jaw member back and forth along the track of the base.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustment member includes a shaft oriented parallel to the track, and a handle connected to the shaft, rotation of the handle causing rotation of the shaft and movement of the sliding jaw member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the cargo supporting device includes an elongate wheel tray for supporting a bike. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for securing cargo to a crossbar on top of a vehicle comprising
 a base having a top side, a bottom side, a clamping axis, and an internal track aligned with the clamping axis,   a cargo supporting device fixed to the top side of the base,   a first stationary jaw portion descending from the bottom side of the base, the jaw portion having an external surface and a concave internal surface configured for contacting a crossbar which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the clamping axis of the base,   a sliding jaw member having a concave internal surface, the sliding jaw member being configured to move along the internal track of the base for clamping a crossbar cooperatively with the first stationary jaw portion, each of the concave internal surfaces of the stationary jaw portion and the sliding jaw member having a plurality of recesses, each of the recesses being oriented substantially perpendicular to the clamping axis, and   an adjustment member connected to the sliding jaw member configured for manipulation to move the sliding jaw member back and forth along the internal track of the base.   
     
     
         22 . A car top carrier comprising
 a box having opposing lateral sides, a top, a bottom, a front end, and a rear end, the bottom having a floor, the floor having an inner surface and an outer surface, the top and the bottom being connected via hinge mechanisms along the opposing lateral sides of the box, the hinge mechanisms being capable of unlatching allowing the box to be alternately opened on opposing lateral sides of the box,   strut members connecting the top to the bottom on the front and rear ends of the box to assist in holding the box open,   a plurality of clamp devices mounted to the floor configured to secure the box to a pair of crossbars on top of a vehicle, each clamp device including first and second jaw portions moveable relative to each other along a horizontal linear axis and extending from the outer surface of the floor, each clamp device further including a tightening mechanism mounted on the inner surface of the floor for controlling movement of corresponding jaw portions relative to each other on the outer surface of the floor.   
     
     
         23 . The car top carrier of  claim 22 , wherein the tightening mechanism includes a base and a lever, the lever being pivotally mounted relative to the base and moveable between clamped and unclamped positions, the lever moving through an over-center position as it moves between clamped and unclamped positions. 
     
     
         24 . The car top carrier of  claim 23  further comprising a screw mechanism for adjusting the effect of the lever as it pivots, relative to the distance between the jaw portions. 
     
     
         25 . The car top carrier of  claim 22 , wherein one of the jaw portions remains stationary relative to the base, the other jaw portion being moveable along the horizontal linear axis.