Retractable load carrier system for a vehicle

Abstract

A retractable load carrier system for a vehicle comprising a rail assembly comprising a first rail and a second rail, wherein each rail is configured to be mounted to a vehicle roof. The system can further include a rack assembly comprising a first support member and a second support member generally parallel to each other, wherein the first support member and second support member can be coupled together with at least one cross members, wherein the rack assembly has a first end and a second end, wherein both the first and second end can include a handle portion. A locking means can be coupled to the handle portion of the rack assembly, wherein the locking means comprises a plurality of engagement members configured to latch to engage the grooved portion of the rail assembly or the pins are configured to engage the pinion portion of the rail assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retractable load carrier apparatus, comprising:
 a rail system having a first rail and a second rail; and   a rack assembly comprising:
 a first support member and second support member, wherein each support member has a first end and a second end and the first rail corresponds to the first support member and the second rail corresponds to the second support member; 
 a first cross member coupled to the first and second support members at the first end of the support members and a second cross member coupled to the first and second support members at the second end of the support members; 
 a first handle assembly coupled to the first cross member, wherein the handle assembly comprises a grip and a biasing means to maintain the grip in a first position; and 
 a first locking assembly communicatively coupled to the first handle assembly, wherein the locking assembly is configured to be disengaged when pressure is applied to the grip and moved from the first position to a second position to allow the rack assembly to move from a first position to a second position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking assembly comprises a latch and a grooved member, wherein the latch engages with the grooved member when the grip is in the first position and disengages with the grooved member when the grip is in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises a second handle assembly coupled to the second cross member, wherein the handle assembly comprises a second grip and a biasing means to maintain the grip in a first position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a first coordinating engagement cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first coordinating engagement cable is couple to the grip of the second handle assembly and the second end is couple to the first locking assembly, wherein when the second grip is moved from the first position to the second position, the first locking assembly is configured to be disengaged to allow the rack to move from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a second locking assembly communicatively coupled to the second handle assembly, wherein the locking assembly is configured to be disengaged when pressure is applied to the grip and moved from the first position to a second position to allow the rack assembly to move from a first position to a second position on the rails. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a second coordinating engagement cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second coordinating engagement cable is coupled to the grip of the first handle assembly and the second end is couple to the second locking assembly, wherein when the second grip is moved from the first position to the second position, the first locking assembly is configured to be disengaged to allow the rack to move from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first support member and second support member further includes one or more interfacing members configured to interface the with the corresponding rail and allow the rack assembly to move along the rails when the locking assemblies are disengaged. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the each locking apparatus further comprises a bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the bar is coupled to the grooved member, wherein the bar extends between the two support members of the rack assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bar further comprises a first spool member on the first end and a second spool member on the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each spool member houses a cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cable is coupled to the spool member and the second end of the cable is couple to a rail. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bar is under a pre-determined amount of tension, wherein the tension on the cable is configured to aid a user to move the rack assembly from a first position to a second position when a load is placed on the rack assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the locking assembly further comprises a biasing means configured to maintain engagement of the latch with the grooved portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bar further comprises a interfacing member configured to interface the rack assembly with the rail assembly, wherein the interfacing member is a wheel configured to allow the rack assembly to freely travel along the rail assembly when the locking assembly is disengaged.