| US 7,506,786 B2 | ||
| Coupling device | ||
| Wilhelm Larsson, Värnamo (Sweden) | ||
| Assigned to Thule Sweden AB, Hillerstorp (Sweden) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 26, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/162,065. | ||
| Application 11/162065 is a continuation of application No. PCT/SE2004/000235, filed on Feb. 23, 2004, abandoned. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 0300521 (SE), filed on Feb. 28, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2008/0073394 A1, Mar. 27, 2008 | ||
| Int. Cl. B60R 9/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 224—325 [224/326; 224/317; 224/319; 224/324] | 20 Claims |
| 1. A coupling device (4) for connecting a load carrier bar (3) extending laterally across a vehicle roof to a roof rail (2), which rail extends in the longitudinal direction (L) of the vehicle, said coupling device comprising:
a base part (6) which, when the coupling device is connected to the roof rail, is securely attached to the load carrier bar, said base part
being provided with a contact surface (8) positioned on an upper surface of the roof rail, forming a contact area (30) between said contact surface (8) and the upper surface of the roof rail and a tightening arrangement (17, 23, 26, 27) connected to the base part and comprising a tightening strap (27) and a tightening means (23);
said tightening strap enclosing the roof rail and being tightened by said tightening means so that the contact area (30) of the contact surface (8) is pressed against the upper surface of the roof rail thus achieving secure connection of the coupling device to the roof
rail;
said contact surface (8) of said base part (6) being of a convex arched shape (31) at a front portion of the contact area (30) such that the curve of the convex arched shape is along the length of the roof rail; and
a surface of the arched shape facing the roof rail (2) is made of a ductile material.
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