Attachment devices for vehicle rooftop rack accessories

Abstract

Rack systems are disclosed for coupling accessories to crossbars on top of a vehicle. A coupling device may include a flexible strap member adjustably anchored at one end of a body. The strap member may be connected to the other end of the body and tightened. A mounting assembly may be provided on the top side of the body for connection to a cargo-specific carrier or accessory. A coupling device may also include a flexible fitting member configured to grip a round or rectangular crossbar. A cap member may be configured to be mounted on the fitting member and have one or more ramp surfaces which form a sliding interface with a corresponding surface on the fitting member, thereby providing a closing or tightening effect on the fitting member with respect to the crossbar. Other coupling devices are configured to grip or clamp a t-slot in the crossbar.

1 . A strap coupler for connecting a cargo specific carrier to a crossbar on top of a vehicle, comprising:
 a body configured for positioning on a crossbar, the body having a mounting interface for the cargo specific carrier; and   a retention strap having a first end portion secured to the body, a middle portion wrapping around the crossbar opposite from the body, and a second end portion connected to a lever apparatus configured to connect the second end portion to the body to secure the strap coupler to the crossbar, wherein the lever apparatus includes an axle removably inserted into a recess in the body.