TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to roof rail bar structures and, more particularly, to a roof rail center mounting structure for mounting of a 3 leg elevated type roof rail bar on a roof panel of big vehicles, such as sports utility 5 vehicle or compact sports utility vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed 10 invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Nowadays, vehicles are equipped with a roof rail bar for aesthetic purposes as well as for carrying payloads such as additional baskets, cycles, ski rack, etc. A roof rail bar typically includes two rail bars carried on support legs, extending approximately parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the 15 vehicle and located close to the longitudinal edges of the side body of the vehicle.
[0004] For small size vehicles, only two support legs, i.e., front support leg and rear support leg, of the roof rail bar are sufficient for carrying payloads. In contrast, for bigger vehicles, such as sports utility vehicle, compact sports utility vehicle, or multi-utility vehicle, a third support leg is required in the central region 20 of the roof rail bar.
[0005] However, for such third leg, the assembly is not possible from the top side so lateral direction mounting is to be provided, however, the control of tolerance in lateral direction is difficult to achieve in mass production which can create appearance & strength related defects. 25
3
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a new design of roof rail center mounting structure acting as a third support leg for the roof rail bar.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow. 5
[0008] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a roof rail center mounting structure for mounting of a roof rail bar on a roof panel of big vehicles, such as sports utility vehicle or compact sports utility vehicle.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to develop a roof rail center mounting structure which enhances the appearance of big vehicles, such as 10 sports utility vehicle or compact sports utility vehicle.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a roof rail center mounting structure to improve assembly and reduce gap issues between roof rail leg seals and BIW.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent 15 when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a roof rail center mounting structure for mounting of a roof rail bar on a roof panel of big vehicles, such as sports utility vehicle or compact sports utility vehicle. The 20 concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0013] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a roof rail center 25 mounting structure including a roof bar side bracket. The roof bar side bracket
4
includes a retainer having a rectangular shape. The retainer is formed with two bullet shaped protrusions along its length, with two circular openings within and in the proximity of the two bullet shaped protrusions, and with a rectangular opening in its central region. The roof bar side bracket further includes a retainer sealing member having a rectangular shape formed with openings matching with 5 the protrusions and the circular openings of the retainer, and formed with a central rectangular opening matching the central rectangular opening of the retainer. Further, the roof bar side bracket includes a sliding nut carrier having T-shape along the length of the retainer and the retainer sealing member. The sliding nut carrier is inserted in the central rectangular openings of the retainer and the 10 retainer sealing member. In an aspect, the sliding nut carrier in its leg is having a circular opening facing the length of the retainer and the retainer sealing member so as to receive a fastening member for mounting of the roof bar side bracket.
[0014] In an aspect, the roof rail center mounting structure includes a body side bracket having a rectangular shape with two circular openings matching 15 formation of stud bolts of a vehicle side body. The body side bracket is formed with a vertical member in its central region. The vertical member is having a circular opening matching with the circular opening of the sliding nut carrier. Further, the roof rail center mounting structure includes a body sealing member having two circular openings matching the circular openings of the body side 20 bracket.
[0015] Further, the body side bracket along with the body sealing member is fixed on the vehicle side body by: (i) inserting stud bolts of a vehicle side body into the circular openings of the body side bracket and the body sealing member; and (ii) fastening nuts on the stud bolts of the vehicle side body. 25
[0016] In an aspect, the roof bar side bracket is mounted on the body side bracket by inserting and fastening a bolt in the circular opening of the vertical member and the circular opening of the sliding nut carrier.
5
[0017] In an aspect, on the roof bar side bracket, a roof rail bar is mounted using rivets inserted in the circular openings of the retainer and the retainer sealing member.
[0018] In an aspect, the two bullet shaped protrusions of the retainer are inserted into matching openings of the roof rail bar during the mounting of the 5 roof rail bar.
[0019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 10
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, 15 and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0021] FIGS. 1A-1F illustrate various views of conventional mounting provisions for roof rail bar;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a roof rail center mounting 20 structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a retainer and sliding nut carrier of the roof rail center mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
6
[0024] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate longitudinal cross-sectional view of the roof rail center mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0025] FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate transverse cross-sectional view of the roof rail center mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present 5 disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to 10 clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 15
[0027] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. 20
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or 25 “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
7
or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0029] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may 5 sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further 10 understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0031] Embodiments explained herein pertain to a roof rail flexible center 15 mounting structure for easy assembly and to improve gap condition between BIW and roof rail leg seals. Regardless of their specific construction, roof rail bar 102 can be mounted either on roof 104 (A), roof ditch 106 (B), or side body 107 (C) as per vehicle styling, as shown in FIG. 1A. In case of roof type (A) or roof ditch type (B) mounting, there is access from cabin side. However, for third mounting 20 of side body type mounting (C) can be added by employing lateral direction mounting. Also, adjustment in the lateral direction is possible by giving an enlarged hole on both roof type (A) or roof ditch type (B) mounting.
[0032] However, as shown in FIG. 1B, in case of the side body type (C) mounting, there is no access from the bottom as the section is box type and 25 closed. Also, as shown in FIG. 1C, straight-line access from the top is not possible due to roof rail bar 102. The provision of a hole in roof rail bar 102 for mounting
8
access from top can’t be provided because of styling requirement of uniform design in the big vehicles, such as sports utility vehicle or compact sports utility vehicle.
[0033] So center mounting structure 108 (FIG. 1D) needs to be separated from roof rail bar 102. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1D, the center mounting structure 5 108 is to be separated into a roof bar side bracket 110 and a body side bracket 112. Then, the body side bracket 112 has to be tightened with vehicle side body 107 before attaching the roof rail bar 102. Further, the roof bar side bracket 110 and the body side bracket 112 are attached through lateral mounting. So, for the center mounting structure 108, the lateral matching of both the brackets 110, 112 10 is necessary.
[0034] Now since BIW tolerance and roof rail bar tolerances stack up, there is very high probability where roof rail bracket will either interfere 114 with the body side bracket 112 or there will be a gap 116, as shown in FIGS. 1E and 1F. In both the cases, the assembly cannot be done, or if done with force, will result into 15 pre-stresses on mounting legs. This may eventually lead to deterioration in gap condition post vehicle usage for many years.
[0035] To avoid the above defects, a new roof rail center mounting structure 108 has been proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates exploded view of the roof rail center mounting structure 108 in accordance with an embodiment 20 of the present disclosure. The roof rail center mounting structure includes the roof bar side bracket 110 and the body side bracket 112.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the roof bar side bracket 110 includes a retainer 202 having a rectangular shape. The retainer 202 is formed with two bullet shaped protrusions 204-1, 204-2 along its length, with two circular openings 206-1, 206-2 25 within and in the proximity of the two bullet shaped protrusions 204-1, 204-2, and with a rectangular opening 208 in its central region.
9
[0037] Returning to FIG. 2, the roof bar side bracket 110 further includes a retainer sealing member 210 having rectangular shape formed with openings 212-1, 212-2, 212-3, 212-4 matching with the protrusions 204-1, 204-2 and the circular openings 206-1, 206-2 of the retainer 202, and formed with a central rectangular opening 214 matching the central rectangular opening 208 of the 5 retainer 202.
[0038] Further, the roof bar side bracket 110 includes a sliding nut carrier 216 having T-shape facing the length of the retainer 202 and the retainer sealing member 210. The sliding nut carrier 216 is inserted in the central rectangular openings 208, 214 of the retainer 202 and the retainer sealing member 210. The 10 sliding nut carrier 216 in its mounted position is able to slide in lateral directions to accommodate lateral tolerances and ensure ease of assembly without generating pre-stresses in the roof rail bar 102. In an aspect, the sliding nut carrier 216 in its leg of T-shape is having a circular opening 218 facing the length of the retainer 202 and the retainer sealing member 210 so as to receive a fastening member for 15 mounting of the roof bar side bracket 110.
[0039] With reference to the body side bracket 112, the body side bracket 112 is having a rectangular shape with two circular openings 220-1, 220-2 matching formation of stud bolts 402-1, 402-2 of the vehicle side body 107 (FIG. 4B). In an implementation, the stud bolts 402-1, 402-2 are welded to reinforcements which 20 are spot welded inside the cabin of the vehicle.
[0040] The body side bracket 112 is formed with a vertical member 222 in its central region. The vertical member 222 is having a circular opening 224 matching with the circular opening 218 of the sliding nut carrier 216. In an implementation, the circular opening 224 may be provided with an insert 226 to 25 support a fastening means during fixture of the body side bracket 112 with the roof bar side bracket 110.
10
[0041] Further, the body side bracket 112 also includes a body sealing member 228 having two circular openings 230-1, 230-2 matching the circular openings 220-1, 220-2 of the body side bracket 112.
[0042] Yet further, the body side bracket 112 along with the body sealing member 228 is fixed on the vehicle side body 107 by: (i) inserting stud bolts 402-5 1, 402-2 into the circular openings 220-1, 220-2, 230-1, 230-2 of the body side bracket 112 and the body sealing member 228; and (ii) fastening the nuts 404-1, 404-2 on the stud bolts 402-1, 402-2 of the vehicle side body 107. The body sealing member 228 is provided to avoid abrasion between the body side bracket 112 and the vehicle side body 107. 10
[0043] In an aspect, the roof bar side bracket 110 is mounted on the body side bracket 112 by inserting and fastening a bolt 406 in the circular opening 224 of the vertical member 222 and the circular opening 218 of the sliding nut carrier 216.
[0044] In an aspect, on the roof bar side bracket110, a roof rail bar 102 is 15 mounted using rivets 232 inserted in the circular openings 408 of roof rail bar 102 and 206-1 and 206-2 of the retainer 202 and the retainer sealing member 210. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B show various cross-section views of the assembled roof rail center mounting structure 108.
[0045] In an aspect, the two bullet shaped protrusions 204-1, 204-2 of the 20 retainer 202 are inserted into matching openings of the roof rail bar 102 during the mounting of the roof rail bar 102.
[0046] Thus, with the roof rail center mounting structure 108 proposed in the present disclosure, the roof rail bar 102 can slide in the lateral direction or longitudinal direction with respect to body side bracket 112 since there is no 25 relative motion between the roof rail bar 102 and the vehicle side body 107 in the
11
vertical direction. This ensures that the roof rails can have easy assembly, better aesthetic appeal as well as strong structure to bear payloads.
[0047] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the 5 claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim:
1. A roof rail center mounting structure (108), comprising:
a roof bar side bracket (110) comprising:
a retainer (202) having rectangular shape, wherein the retainer (202) is formed with two bullet shaped protrusions (204-1, 204-2) 5 along its length, with two circular openings (206-1, 206-2) within and in the proximity of the two bullet shaped protrusions (204-1, 204-2), and with a rectangular opening (208) in its central region;
a retainer sealing member (210) having rectangular shape formed with openings (212-1, 212-2, 212-3, 212-4) matching with 10 the protrusions (204-1, 204-2) and the circular openings (206-1, 206-2) of the retainer (202), and formed with a rectangular opening (214) matching the rectangular opening (208) of the retainer (202); and
a sliding nut carrier (216) having T-shape facing the length of the retainer (202) and the retainer sealing member (210) and inserted 15 in the rectangular openings (208, 214) of the retainer (202) and the retainer sealing member (210), wherein the sliding nut carrier (216) in its T-shape leg is having a circular opening (218) facing the length of the retainer (202) and the retainer sealing member (210) to receive a fastening member for mounting of the roof bar side bracket (110). 20
2. The roof rail center mounting structure (108) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a body side bracket (112) having rectangular shape with two circular openings (220-1, 220-2) matching formation of stud bolts (402-1, 402-2) of a vehicle side body (107), wherein the body side bracket (112) is 25 formed with a vertical member (222) in its central region, and wherein the
13
vertical member (222) is having circular opening (224) matching with the circular opening (218) of the sliding nut carrier (216); and
a body sealing member (228) having two circular openings (230-1, 230-2) matching the circular openings (220-1, 220-2) of the body side bracket (112), 5
wherein the body side bracket (112) along with the body sealing member (228) is fixed on the vehicle side body (107) by:
inserting stud bolts (402-1, 402-2) of a vehicle side body (107) into the circular openings (220-1, 220-2, 230-1, 230-2) of the body side bracket (112) and the body sealing member (228); and 10
fastening the nuts on the stud bolts (402-1, 402-2) of the vehicle side body (107).
3. The roof rail center mounting structure (108) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the roof bar side bracket (110) is mounted on the body side bracket (112) by inserting and fastening a bolt (406) in the circular 15 opening (224) of the vertical member (222) and the circular opening (218) of the sliding nut carrier (216).
4. The roof rail center mounting structure (108) as claimed in claim 3, wherein on the roof bar side bracket (110), a roof rail bar (102) is mounted using rivets (232) inserted in the circular openings (206-1, 206-2, 212-2, 20 212-3) of the retainer (202) and the retainer sealing member (210).
5. The roof rail center mounting structure (108) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two bullet shaped protrusions (204-1, 204-2) of the retainer (202) are inserted into matching openings (408) of the roof rail bar (102) during the mounting of the roof rail bar (102).