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.

We claim: 
     
         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.