Crossbar clamp actuator

Abstract

A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle, the rack comprising:
 a crossbar and a pair of couplers configured to mount the crossbar on top of a vehicle such that a long axis of the crossbar is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;   
       wherein each coupler includes:
 a crossbar clamp having a crossbar seat and a crossbar connector movable relative to the crossbar seat; and 
 a crossbar clamp actuator configured to convert horizontal actuation into vertical clamping of the crossbar connector to the crossbar seat. 
 
     
     
         22 . The rack of  claim 21 , wherein the actuator comprises:
 a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and   a wedge follower coupled to and movable with the crossbar connector, the wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block, such that substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block causes the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, moving the crossbar connector downward relative to the crossbar seat.   
     
     
         23 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block is a substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         24 . The rack of  claim 23 , wherein the ramped first slide surface defines a first ramp angle, and the second slide surface is ramped at a second ramp angle complementary to the first ramp angle. 
     
     
         25 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator further includes a threaded screw passing through a housing of the actuator and inserted into an end of the traveling wedge block, such that rotation of the threaded screw is configured to cause the horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block. 
     
     
         26 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein each coupler further includes a vehicle interface configured to releasably secure the coupler to a corresponding feature of the vehicle. 
     
     
         27 . The rack of  claim 26 , wherein the vehicle interface includes at least one clip configured to grasp the feature of the vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein the crossbar connector includes a sleeve shaped to slide onto and generally conform to an outer shape of the crossbar. 
     
     
         29 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein the crossbar connector includes a flange configured to slide into a slot of the crossbar, such that the flange spans a pair of opposing lips of the slot. 
     
     
         30 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein the traveling wedge block is horizontally repositionable parallel to the long axis of the crossbar.