Roof bar assembly to be positioned on a vehicle roof

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof bar assembly (1) comprising: - two pairs of attachment feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2), and - a pair of bars (2a, 2b) that can be moved into at least two specific use positions, i.e. a longitudinal position in which the bars are parallel to a longitudinal axis (X), and a transverse position in which the bars run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), wherein each of the bars (2a, 2b) can both rotate and perform a translation relative to one of the attachment feet.

Description

[0001] ROOF BARS SET INTENDED TO BE POSITIONED ON THE ROOF OF A VEHICLE

[0002] The present invention relates to a set of roof bars intended to be positioned on the roof of a vehicle.

[0003] It is known to use roof bars to support, for example, a roof box or a bicycle rack on the roof of a vehicle.

[0004] Most often, transverse roof bars are attached to longitudinal bars fixed to the vehicle. The attachment of the transverse roof bars to the longitudinal bars is often achieved by means of a screw-nut assembly passing through the transverse roof bar and the longitudinal bar. Similarly, it is known to use adjustable jaws positioned at each end of the transverse roof bar and configured to tighten each longitudinal bar. To maintain the aerodynamics of the vehicle, it is necessary that in the longitudinal position the roof bars are close to the roof. Conversely, it is necessary that in the transverse position the roof bars are further from the roof (in a direction normal to the plane of the roof) to allow the passage of an accessory attachment system.

[0005] A solution known from document US2016243994 consists of using foldable roof bars that can be fixed to support rails secured to the roof in two specific positions, a non-operating position, in which each roof bar is fixed to one of the support rails at a first pair of fixing points, and an operating position, in which each roof bar is fixed to each of the support rails at a second pair of fixing points. The roof bars are fixed to the support rails by means of mounting members that can be removed without tools. However, this solution requires that the roof bars be successively removed and remounted on the support rails so as to move from the non-operating position to the operating position and vice versa.This solution is therefore not satisfactory because it requires numerous handling operations, precise positioning and assembly of the roof bars, which excessively increases the assembly time. Furthermore, this solution requires the use of foldable roof bars and the presence of at least four fixing points on the support rails, which significantly increases the manufacturing costs of the roof bar assembly.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a set of roof bars which limits assembly time while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0007] According to a general definition, the invention relates to a set of roof bars comprising: - two pairs of fixing feet, namely a first pair of fixing feet and a second pair of fixing feet, intended to be fixed on each side of a vehicle roof, each pair of fixing feet comprising a rear fixing foot arranged at the rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle and a front fixing foot arranged at the front relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, said front and rear fixing feet being parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the vehicle,

[0008] - a pair of bars, namely a first bar and a second bar, the first bar, respectively the second bar, being pivotally connected to one of the fixing feet of the first pair of feet, respectively to one of the fixing feet of the second pair of feet, by means of a pivot pin so as to allow the positioning of the first bar, respectively the second bar, in at least two specific positions of use, respectively a longitudinal position, in which it is parallel to said longitudinal axis, and a transverse position, in which it is oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, in which the first bar, respectively the second bar,is provided with a first locking member and a second locking member intended to cooperate with locking pins fixed on the fixing feet of the first and second pairs of feet so as to lock said first bar, respectively said second bar, in its longitudinal position and in its transverse position.,

[0009] Thus configured, the set of roof bars of the invention will simplify the transition of the bars from their longitudinal position to their transverse position, in particular by eliminating the operations of dismantling / assembling the roof bars on the fixing feet arranged on each side of the roof of the vehicle.

[0010] The roof bar assembly of the invention may also include one or more of the following features:

[0011] - In its longitudinal position, the first bar, respectively the second bar, is capable of being fixed in a removable manner on the fixing foot of the first pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot of the second pair of feet, which does not support the pivot pin when the first locking member of the first bar cooperates with a first locking pin fixed on said fixing foot at a first fixing point, respectively when the first locking member of the second bar cooperates with a second locking pin fixed on said fixing foot at a second fixing point, and, in its transverse position, the first bar, respectively the second bar, is capable of being fixed in a removable manner on the fixing foot of the second pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot of the first pair of feet,which does not support the pivot pin when the first locking member of the first bar cooperates with the second locking pin, respectively when the first locking member of the second bar cooperates with a third locking pin fixed on said fixing foot at a third fixing point, and in which the first bar, respectively the second bar, is provided with a slot along which its pivot pin can slide so that the first bar, respectively the second bar, can move both in rotation and in translation relative to the fixing foot of the first pair of feet, respectively relative to the fixing foot of the second pair of feet, which supports said pivot pin, thus allowing the first locking member of the first bar to cooperate with the first locking pin, when the first bar is in its longitudinal position,and with the second locking pin, when the first bar is in its transverse position, and for the first locking member of the second bar to cooperate with the second locking pin, when the second bar is in its longitudinal position, and with the third locking pin, when the second bar is in its transverse position.,

[0012] - The first bar can pivot about a first pivot axis, which is distant from the first attachment point by a first distance and the second bar can pivot about a second pivot axis, which is distant from the second attachment point by a second distance, the second distance being less than the distance separating the second pivot axis from the third attachment point.

[0013] - The pivot pin of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, is provided with a head arranged above a first portion of the lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, in which the slot is formed, and with a rod partially received in the slot and extending vertically from an upper wall of the fixing foot of the first pair of feet, respectively of the fixing foot of the second pair of feet, which faces said first portion of the lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, the head forming a stop which limits the movement in a vertical direction of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, relative to said fixing foot of the first pair of feet, respectively relative to said fixing foot of the second pair of feet.

[0014] - The first locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, comprises at least one U-shaped locking element, which is slidably mounted on said first bar, respectively on said second bar, said at least one locking element being provided with a through opening, in which each of the locking pins is provided with a head and a rod extending vertically from an upper wall of the fixing foot on which said locking pin is fixed, the first locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod of one of the locking pins is partially housed inside the through opening of said at least one locking element,the head of said locking pin covering at least one surface of said at least one blocking element partially surrounding said through opening, a lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against a lower wall of said at least one blocking element, thus blocking said first locking member in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod of said locking pin is no longer housed inside said through opening, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, relative to the fixing foot on which said locking pin is fixed, so as to position said first bar, respectively said second bar, above the head of said locking pin.,

[0015] - The first locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, comprises a pair of U-shaped locking elements, respectively a first locking element and a second locking element spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, which are slidably mounted on said first bar, respectively on said second bar, each of said locking elements being provided with a through opening, and in that each of the locking pins is provided with a head and a rod extending vertically from an upper wall of the fixing foot on which said locking pin is fixed, the first locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position,in which the rod of one of the locking pins is partially housed inside the through opening of one of the locking elements, the head of said locking pin covering at least one surface of said locking element partially surrounding said through opening, a lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against a lower wall of said locking element, thus locking said first locking member in said locked position, and a second position, called the unlocked position, in which the rod of said locking pin is no longer housed inside said through opening, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, relative to the fixing foot on which said locking pin is fixed, so as to position said first bar, respectively said second bar,above the head of said locking pin.,

[0016] - When the first bar, respectively the second bar, is locked in its longitudinal position, the rod of the first locking pin, respectively of the second locking pin, is housed partially inside the through opening of the first blocking element of the first locking member, the head of said first locking pin, respectively of said second locking pin, covering said at least one surface of said first blocking element partially surrounding the through opening, the lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against the lower wall of said first blocking element, and, when the first bar, respectively the second bar, is locked in its transverse position, the rod of the second locking pin, respectively of the third locking pin,is housed partially inside the through opening of the second locking element of the first locking member, the head of said second locking pin, respectively of said third locking pin, covering said at least one surface of said second locking element partially surrounding said through opening, the lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against the lower wall of said second locking element.,

[0017] - The second locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, is configured to cooperate with the pivot pin around which said first bar, respectively said second bar, pivots, so as to lock it in its longitudinal and / or transverse position.

[0018] - The second locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, comprises at least one U-shaped locking element, which is slidably mounted on said first bar, respectively on said second bar, said at least one locking element being provided with a through opening, and in which each of the pivot pins is provided with a head, a skirt formed under the head and a rod extending vertically from an upper wall of the fixing foot on which said pivot pin is fixed, the second locking member being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod of said pivot pin is partially housed inside the through opening of said at least one locking element, the skirt of said pivot pin covering at least one surface of said at least one locking element partially surrounding said through opening,a lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against a lower wall of said at least one locking element, thus locking said second locking member in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod of said pivot pin is no longer housed inside said through opening, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, relative to the fixing foot on which said pivot pin is fixed, so as to position said first bar, respectively the second bar, in abutment against the head of the pivot pin. - The second locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, comprises a pair of U-shaped locking elements,respectively a first locking element and a second locking element spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, which are slidably mounted on said first bar, respectively on said second bar, each of said locking elements being provided with a through opening, and in that each of the pivot pins is provided with a head, a skirt formed under the head and a rod extending vertically from an upper wall of the fixing foot on which said pivot pin is fixed, the second locking member being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod of said pivot pin is partially housed inside the through opening of the second locking element, the skirt of said pivot pin covering at least one surface of said second locking element partially surrounding said through opening,a lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against a lower wall of said second locking element, thus locking said second locking member in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod of said pivot pin is no longer housed inside said through opening, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, relative to the fixing foot on which said pivot pin is fixed, so as to position said first bar, respectively the second bar, in abutment against the head of the pivot pin.,

[0019] - When the second bar is in its longitudinal position, the second locking member of the second bar is able to cooperate with a fourth locking pin fixed on the fixing foot of the second pair of feet which supports the pivot pin around which said second bar pivots, said fourth locking pin being provided with a head and a rod extending vertically from an upper wall of said fixing foot, the second locking member being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called locked position, in which the rod of the fourth locking pin is partially housed inside the through opening of the first locking element, the head of the fourth locking pin covering said at least one surface partially surrounding said through opening, the lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar,pressing against the lower wall of said first locking element, thus locking said second locking member in said locked position, and a second position, called the unlocked position, in which the rod of the fourth locking pin is no longer housed inside said through opening, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the second bar relative to said fixing foot so as to position said second bar above the head of the fourth locking pin.,

[0020] - Said at least one surface is formed of an elastic strip configured to move vertically away from an upper wall of the corresponding blocking element.

[0021] - Each of the first, respectively second, locking members of the first and second bars comprises a handle integral in translation with said at least one locking element or said first and second locking elements, the handle preferably being provided with external zones having an ergonomic shape facilitating manual gripping of the handle.

[0022] - Said at least one locking element or each of the first and second locking elements is fixed by clipping onto the handle.

[0023] - The handle is provided with an internal wall provided with two notches spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, said notches being configured to cooperate with a positioning lug integrated in an elastically deformable tab secured to one of the fixing feet so that the tab moves in a transverse direction when the first, respectively the second, locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, moves from its locked position to its unlocked position, and vice versa, each of the notches having a shape substantially complementary to that of said positioning lug, so that the tab returns to its initial position when said positioning lug is housed in one or the other notch, which corresponds either to the locked position or to the unlocked position of said first, respectively of said second, locking member.

[0024] - Each of the first and second locking members of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, comprises a U-shaped locking element, which is slidably mounted on said first bar, respectively on said second bar, said locking element being provided with a through opening, and each of the locking pins is provided with a head and a rod extending vertically from an upper wall of the fixing foot on which said locking pin is fixed, each of the first and second locking members of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod of one of the locking pins is partially housed inside the through opening of the locking element,the head of said locking pin partially covering at least one surface of said blocking element partially surrounding said through opening, a lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, pressing against a lower wall of said blocking element, thus blocking the locking member in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod of said locking pin is no longer housed inside said through opening, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, relative to the fixing foot on which said locking pin is fixed, so as to position said first bar, respectively said second bar, above the head of said locking pin.,

[0025] - Said at least one surface is formed by a deformable portion of the locking element, said deformable portion being capable of deforming under the action of a locking lever pivotally connected to the locking element, said locking lever being able to move between a raised position, in which it does not deform said deformable portion, and a folded position, in which it causes deformation of said deformable portion, causing said deformable portion to move vertically away from an upper wall of the locking element.

[0026] - The locking lever comprises a pair of lateral arms connected by a crosspiece perpendicular to said lateral arms, said crosspiece pivotally supporting the locking element, each of said lateral arms having at one of its ends a cam profile, said cam profile being able to come into contact with a rail projecting from the lower wall of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, when the locking lever is in its folded position, thus causing the deformable part to lift relative to said upper wall.

[0027] - The locking lever is provided with an internal rib, said internal rib being configured to come into contact with the head of the locking pin when the locking lever is in its folded position and when the first or second locking member of the first bar, respectively of the second bar, is in its locked position, the locking pin then being wedged in position, on one side, by the blocking element, and, on the other side, by said internal rib.

[0028] - A cover support is fixedly connected to the first roof bar, respectively to the second roof bar, for example by clipping, a cover being pivotally connected to said cover support, the cover having a raised position, in which it allows the manipulation of the handle of the first, respectively of the second, locking member, and a folded position, in which it prevents the manipulation of said handle.

[0029] - The cover is provided with a clipping element protruding from its internal face, said clipping element being configured to clip inside a corresponding housing formed inside the handle of the first, respectively of the second, locking member when said first, respectively said second, locking member is in its locked position and when the cover is in its folded position.

[0030] - A cover is pivotally connected to the first roof bar, respectively to the second roof bar, said cover having a raised position, in which it allows the pivoting of the locking lever of the first, respectively of the second, locking member, and a folded position, in which it prevents the pivoting of the locking lever.

[0031] - The cover is provided with an internal rib, said internal rib being provided with a hollow shape capable of housing a corresponding projecting shape of the locking lever of the first, respectively of the second, locking member when said first, respectively said second, locking member is in its locked position and when the cover is in its folded position.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the detailed description below of two embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0033] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a set of roof bars according to one embodiment of the invention, the roof bars being in their longitudinal position.

[0034] [Fig. 2] is a view similar to Fig. 1, with the roof bars in their transverse position.

[0035] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of one end of one of the roof bars on one of the mounting feet, the roof bar being in its longitudinal position, with the cover raised.

[0036] [Fig. 4] is a front view of the roof bar of Figure 3, without the mounting foot.

[0037] [Fig. 5] is an exploded perspective view of the roof bar of Figure 3.

[0038] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view, from below, of the roof bar of Figure 3, at the end which supports the pivot pin.

[0039] [Fig. 7a] is a perspective view of the pair of locking elements of the locking member shown in Fig. 5.

[0040] [Fig. 7b] is an enlarged sectional view of one of the locking elements shown in Fig. 7a, when attached to the handle of the locking member.

[0041] [Fig. 8a] is a front view of a locking pin intended to cooperate with the locking elements of Fig. 7a.

[0042] [Fig. 8b] is a view of the locking pin of Fig. 8a when it cooperates with one of the locking elements of Fig. 7a, the locking member being in its locked position. [Fig. 8c] is a view similar to Fig. 8b, the locking member being in its unlocked position.

[0043] [Fig. 9a] is a front view of a pivot pin intended to cooperate with the locking elements of Figure 7a.

[0044] [Fig. 9b] is a view of the pivot pin of Fig. 9a when it cooperates with one of the locking elements of Fig. 7a, the locking member being in its locked position.

[0045] [Fig. 9c] is a view similar to Fig. 9b, with the locking member in its unlocked position.

[0046] [Fig. 10a] is a cross-sectional view of the first roof bar of the roof bar assembly of Figure 1 at the end which supports the pivot pin, the first roof bar being in its longitudinal position and the locking member being in its locked position.

[0047] [Fig. 10b] is a view similar to Fig. 10a, with the locking member in its unlocked position and the first roof bar in a low horizontal position.

[0048] [Fig. 10c] is a view similar to Fig. 10a, with the locking member in its unlocked position and the first roof bar in a high horizontal position.

[0049] [Fig. 10d] is a view similar to Fig. 10a, with the locking member in its unlocked position and the first roof bar in a position inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0050] [Fig. 11a] is a perspective top view of the first roof bar of the roof bar assembly of Figure 1 at the end which does not support the pivot pin, the first roof bar being in its longitudinal position and the locking member being in its locked position, the locking member handle, the cover and the cover support not being shown.

[0051] [Fig. 11 b] is a view similar to Fig. 11a, with the first roof bar in its transverse position and the locking member in its locked position.

[0052] [Fig. 12a] is a cross-sectional view of the second roof bar of Figure 1 at the end which supports the pivot pin, the second roof bar being in its longitudinal position and the locking member being in its locked position.

[0053] [Fig. 12b] is a view similar to Fig. 12a, with the second roof bar pivoted about its pivot axis.

[0054] [Fig. 12c] is a view similar to Fig. 12a, with the second roof bar in a transverse position and the locking member in its locked position.

[0055] [Fig. 13a] is a cross-sectional view of one end of one of the roof bars, with the locking member in its locked position and the cover in a partially folded position. [Fig. 13b] is a view similar to Fig. 13a, with the cover in a fully folded position.

[0056] [Fig. 13c] is a view similar to Fig. 13a, with the locking member in an unlocked position and the cover in a partially folded position.

[0057] [Fig. 14a] is a sectional view along a horizontal plane of a locking member and an associated cover support, the locking member being in its locked position,

[0058] [Fig. 14b] is a view similar to Fig. 14a, with the locking member in its unlocked position.

[0059] [Fig. 15a] is a perspective view of a locking member according to another embodiment of the invention, said locking member being in its unlocked position.

[0060] [Fig. 15b] is a view similar to Fig. 15a, the locking member being in an intermediate position between its unlocked position and its locked position.

[0061] [Fig. 15c] is a view similar to Fig. 15b, with the locking member in its locked position.

[0062] [Fig. 16a] is a perspective view of the locking member shown in Fig. 15a, when positioned on one of the roof bars.

[0063] [Fig. 16b] is a view similar to Fig. 16a, the locking member being in an intermediate position between its unlocked position and its locked position.

[0064] [Fig. 16c] is a view similar to Fig. 16b, with the locking member in its locked position.

[0065] [Fig. 17a] is a cross-sectional view of the locking member shown in Fig. 16a.

[0066] [Fig. 17b] is a cross-sectional view of the locking member shown in Fig. 16b.

[0067] [Fig. 17c] is a cross-sectional view of the locking member shown in Fig. 16c.

[0068] [Fig. 17d] is a cross-sectional view of the locking member shown in Fig. 16c, in the case where it cooperates with a pivot pin.

[0069] [Fig. 18a] is a perspective view of one end of one of the roof bars on one of the fixing feet, the roof bar being in its longitudinal position and the cover being raised.

[0070] [Fig. 18b] is a cross-sectional view of the roof rack shown in Fig. 18a with the cover folded down. In this text, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle and the term "transverse" refers to a direction parallel to the widthwise direction of the vehicle. In addition, the terms "front", "rear", and "lateral" are used relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The term "horizontal" refers to a direction or surface parallel to the ground when the vehicle wheels are in contact with the ground and the term "vertical" refers to a direction or surface perpendicular to the ground when the vehicle wheels are in contact with the ground. The terms "lower" and "upper", or "bottom" and "top" refer to relative positions in the vertical direction.The terms "inward-facing" and "outward-facing," or "internal" and "external," refer to orientations toward the center of the vehicle and away from the center of the vehicle, respectively.

[0071] With reference to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a set 1 of roof bars according to a first variant embodiment of the invention.

[0072] The set 1 of roof bars comprises in particular two pairs of fixing feet intended to be fixed on each side of a vehicle roof, respectively a first pair of fixing feet 3a1, 3a2 intended to be fixed on the left side of the roof, and a second pair of fixing feet 3b1, 3b2 intended to be fixed on the right side of the vehicle. Each pair of fixing feet comprises a rear fixing foot, respectively the fixing feet 3a1 and 3b1, arranged at the rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle and a front fixing foot, respectively the fixing feet 3a2 and 3b2, arranged at the front relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The front and rear fixing feet of each of the pairs are aligned in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis X defined by the vehicle,

[0073] The roof bar assembly 1 further comprises a pair of roof bars extending respectively between the rear and front fixing foot of one of the pairs of fixing feet, respectively a first roof bar 2a extending between the rear fixing foot 3a1 and the front fixing foot 3a2 and a second roof bar 2b extending between the rear fixing foot 3b1 and the front fixing foot 3b2.

[0074] Each roof bar 2a, 2b is connected to one of the fixing feet of one of the pairs of fixing feet by means of a pivot pin so as to be able to be positioned in at least two specific positions of use, respectively a longitudinal position, as shown in Figure 1, in which it is parallel to the longitudinal axis X, and a transverse position, as shown in Figure 2, in which it is oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis X.

[0075] To effect the transfer from their longitudinal position to their transverse position, the roof bars 2a, 2b first pivot about a pivot axis, respectively Za and Zb, to position themselves at right angles to their longitudinal position. As shown in Figure 1, the pivot axis Za of the first roof bar 2a is positioned at the front fixing foot 3a2 and the pivot axis Zb of the second roof bar 2b is positioned at the rear fixing foot 3b 1 . It should be noted that the relative position of the pivot axes Za and Zb does not allow the roof bars 2a, 2b to reach specific fixing points, referenced P2 and P3 in Figure 2, positioned respectively on the front fixing foot 3b2 and on the rear fixing foot 3a 1 .These fixing points P2 and P3 correspond respectively to the positions in which a locking member integrated in the first roof bar 2a, respectively in the second roof bar 2b, can cooperate with a locking pin integrated in the front fixing foot 3b2, respectively in the rear fixing foot 3a1, so as to ensure a removable fixing of said roof bars 2a, 2b on said fixing feet 3b2, 3a1 when they are in their transverse position.In particular, the first roof bar 2a is configured such that the pivot axis Za of the first roof bar 2a is spaced by a distance d1 from a fixing point P1 positioned on the rear fixing foot 3a1, said fixing point P1 corresponding to the position in which a locking member integrated in the first roof bar 2a cooperates with a locking pin integrated in the rear fixing foot 3a1 so as to ensure a removable fixing of the first roof bar 2a on said rear fixing foot 3a1 when it is in its longitudinal position. However, this distance d1 is different from the distance d3 separating the pivot axis Za from the fixing point P2.Similarly, the second roof bar 2b is configured such that the pivot axis Zb of the second roof bar 2b is separated by a distance d2 from the fixing point P2 positioned on the front fixing foot 3b2, said fixing point P2 corresponding to the position in which a locking member integrated in the second roof bar 2b cooperates with a locking pin integrated in the front fixing foot 3b2 so as to ensure a removable fixing of the second roof bar 2b on said front fixing foot 3b2 when it is in its longitudinal position. However, this distance d2 is less than the distance d4 separating the pivot axis Zb from the fixing point P3.

[0076] To reach the position shown in Figure 2, each roof bar 2a, 2b therefore performs, after lifting then rotation at right angles around its pivot axis Za, Zb, a translation parallel to itself so as to align a locking member integrated in one of its ends with a locking pin in the fixing foot 3b2, 3a1 respectively.

[0077] The set 1 of roof bars thus configured has the advantage of using the same fixing point, namely the fixing point P2, to achieve the fixing of the first roof bar 2a in its transverse position and the fixing of the second roof bar 2b in its longitudinal position. This configuration therefore makes it possible to limit the number of fixing points compared to the sets of roof bars of the prior art which require the presence of four fixing points.

[0078] A specific solution for achieving this rotational and translational movement of the first roof bar 2a is shown in Figure 6 and is described in detail later with reference to Figures 10a to 10d. This solution is also used to achieve the rotational and translational movement of the second roof bar 2b. This solution consists of providing a lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a with a slot 4 along which the pivot pin 5 can slide, around which the roof bar 2a can pivot relative to the front fixing foot 3a2. The slot 4 is rectilinear and oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis X when the roof bar 2a is in its longitudinal position.

[0079] Referring to Figure 3, there is shown in perspective the rear end of the roof bar 2a when it is connected to the rear fixing foot 3a1, the roof bar 2a being in its longitudinal position. As shown in Figure 4, the roof bar 2a is made of a hollow profile with a substantially trapezoidal section and is defined respectively by a lower wall 21, an external side wall 22, an upper wall 23 and an internal side wall 24. The roof bar 2a is in particular provided with a pivoting cover 27 which is intended to close an opening 25 partially formed in the upper wall 23 when it is folded down (as illustrated in Figure 1), which will always be the case if no adjustment of the roof bars is being carried out. In its raised position, illustrated in Figure 3, the cover 23 provides access to a locking member 10 housed inside the roof bar 2a.This locking member 10 is in particular configured to be fixed in a sliding manner on the roof bar 2a so that it can move along the longitudinal direction X between a first position, called the locked position, in which it cooperates with a locking pin 6 fixed on the fixing foot 3a1 so as to prevent any relative movement between said roof bar 2a and said fixing foot 3a1, and a second position, called the unlocked position, in which it no longer cooperates with said locking pin 6, a relative movement between said roof bar 2a and said fixing foot 3a1 then being possible.

[0080] For this purpose, and as shown in Figure 4, the roof bar 2a is advantageously provided with a pair of rails 26, 26' projecting from its lower wall 21. The rails 26, 26' are spaced along a transverse direction. Each of the rails 26, 26' has a specific shape which is complementary to the shape of an internal contour of the locking member 10, such that the locking member 10 fits onto the rails 26, 26', while being movable longitudinally. In the variant shown, the rails 26, 26' respectively have an internal projection 262, 262'. The internal projections 262, 262' serve as a slide for locking elements 11a, 11b of the locking member 10, said locking elements 11a, 11b being described in detail in the following paragraphs.Furthermore, internal projections 261, 261' projecting respectively from the external and internal side walls 22, 24 and oriented downwards serve as a slide for a handle 12 of the locking member 10 which is connected in a detachable manner to the blocking elements 11a, 11b. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, it will be possible to design a locking member 10 in a single block, the handle 12 being in this case secured to the blocking elements 11a, 11b by any conceivable means, or made of the same material as said blocking elements. In a preferred variant of the invention, the blocking elements 11a, 11b will be formed from a metallic material and the handle 12 will be formed from a plastic material.

[0081] With reference to Figure 5, the constituent parts for connecting the bar 2a to the fixing foot 3a1 in a removable manner are shown. As explained previously, this connection is made by means of a locking pin 6 fixed to the fixing foot 3a1 and protruding from an upper wall 31 of said fixing foot 3a1. This locking pin 6 is intended to be received in a first oblong hole 7 formed through the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a. A second oblong hole 8 offset longitudinally from the first oblong hole 7 is also formed through the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a. As explained in detail below, this second hole 8 is intended to house a locking pin 6 fixed to the fixing foot 3b2 at the level of the fixing point P2, when the roof bar 2a is in its transverse position.The locking member 10, formed by the locking elements 11a, 11b and the handle 12, is positioned above the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a so as to interact with the locking pin 6 protruding from the first hole 7. The opening 25 in the roof bar 2a makes it possible to manipulate the handle 12 so as to move the locking member 10 longitudinally between its locked position and its unlocked position. For this purpose, the handle 12 is provided on its external face 121 with two recessed zones with a curved profile 122 having an ergonomic shape facilitating the manual gripping of the handle 12. The handle 12 is also provided with a central cavity 123 serving as a housing for a clipping element (not visible in FIG. 5) protruding from the internal face of the cover 27, when the cover 27 is in its folded position.The cover 27 is pivotally connected to a cover support 28 fixed to the upper face 21 of the roof bar 2a by any conceivable means, for example by clipping. In the variant shown, the cover support 28 has a generally U-shaped shape and is provided with a cylindrical clip 282 intended to be housed in a corresponding hole in the roof bar 2a when the cover support 28 is fixed to the roof bar 2a. The cover support 28 is also provided with a longitudinally oriented tab 281, said tab 281 being elastically deformable so that it can move slightly in a transverse direction. The tab 281 is provided with a positioning lug 283 at its free end.As explained further below with reference to figures 14a and 14b, this positioning lug 283 makes it possible in particular to facilitate the positioning of the locking member 10 when locking and unlocking the roof bar 2a.

[0082] In order to also ensure locking / unlocking of the roof bar 2a on the fixing foot 3a2 which supports the pivot pin 5, there is also provided, in the variant shown, a second locking member 10 arranged at the front end of the roof bar 2a. As a result, said front end will advantageously have a configuration similar to that shown in Figures 3 to 5. It will differ essentially by the fact of providing a pivot pin 5 in place of the locking pin 6 at the fixing foot 3a2 and by the presence of a slot 4 in place of the oblong hole 8, as illustrated in Figure 6. It should be noted that the oblong hole 7 of the front end of the roof bar 2a plays no role during the locking / unlocking operation because only the pivot pin 5 interacts with the second locking member 10 at the front end.

[0083] The roof bar 2b has a configuration similar to that of the roof bar 2a. In particular, the front end of the roof bar 2b, which is removably connected to the front fixing foot 3b2 in the longitudinal position of the roof bar 2b and to the rear fixing foot 3a1 in the transverse position of the roof bar 2b, has the same configuration as that shown in Figures 3 to 5. Furthermore, the rear end of the roof bar 2b, which supports the pivot pin 5 and is connected to the rear fixing foot 3b1, has a configuration similar to that shown in Figures 3 to 5, except that the oblong hole 8 is replaced by a slot 4, as illustrated in Figure 6.It should be noted that the locking pin 6 of the fixing foot 3b1 plays no role during the locking / unlocking operation in the transverse position of the roof bar 2b because only the pivot pin 5 interacts with the second locking member 10 at the rear end.

[0084] Referring to Figure 7a, the two locking elements 11a, 11b of one of the locking members 10 are shown. The locking elements 11a, 11b are substantially identical. Each locking element 11a, 11b has a U-shape and comprises a substantially flat base 110, defined by an upper wall 111, and an end tab 112, oriented perpendicular to the base 110. A through opening 113, respectively 114, is formed in the base 110 of the locking element 11a, respectively 11b, said through opening 113, 114 having a rounded shape at a closed edge which adjoins the end tab 112 and a slightly flared shape at an open edge which is opposite the closed edge. The end leg 112 is provided with a pair of openings, respectively a lower opening 112a and an upper opening 112b, spaced apart in the vertical direction.As shown in Figure 7b, the upper opening 112b is configured to receive a clip 125 integrated into a vertical wall 124 of the handle 12, thus ensuring clip-on attachment of the locking element 11a, 11b to the handle 12. The through opening 113, 114 of each of the locking elements 11a, 11b is surrounded by two locking ribs, respectively 115, 115' and 117, 117', formed projecting above the upper wall 111 of the base 110, the locking ribs 115, 115', 117, 117' being aligned in a longitudinal direction. In the configuration shown in Figures 7a, 7b, each of the locking ribs 115, 115', 117, 117' is an integral part of a resilient lamella 116, 116', 118, 118' which is pivotally connected to the base 110, such that the resilient lamella 116, 116', 118, 118' tends to move vertically away from the upper wall 111 of the base 110.In the position shown in Figure 7b, corresponding to the unstressed position of the elastic strips, the free end 119 of the strips, which is received in the lower opening 112a of the vertical wall 124 of the handle 12, comes into abutment against one of the edges surrounding this lower opening 112a. Thus configured, the elastic strips 116, 116', 118, 118' can, when subjected to a downward thrust, approach the upper wall 111 until they reach a limit position in which the locking ribs 115, 115', 117, 117' come into contact with the upper wall 111. In another configuration of the invention, the locking ribs 115, 115', 117, 117' may also be fixedly connected to the upper wall 111. In this case, it will be possible to envisage forming the locking ribs 115, 115', 117, 117' in an elastically deformable material.

[0085] With reference to figures 8a to 8c, the principle of locking / unlocking the locking members 10 on one of the locking pins 6 is illustrated.

[0086] As shown in Figure 8a, the locking pin 6 is provided with a head 61 and a rod 62 extending vertically. An annular rim 63 is further formed along the rod 62. The lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b has been shown in dotted lines when it is correctly positioned to be fixed on one of the fixing feet by means of one of the locking members 10. In particular, the head 61 is aligned with one of the oblong holes 7 or 8 formed in the lower wall 21. The width of the oblong hole 7 or 8, as measured in the transverse direction, is greater than the width of the head 61. When moving from the longitudinal position to the transverse position, the roof bar 2a or 2b can therefore be lifted so that its lower wall 21 is arranged above the locking pin 6, thus allowing the roof bar 2a or 2b to pivot around its pivot axis Za or Zb.

[0087] When the locking member 10 is in its locked position, its blocking elements 11a, 11b are in the configuration shown in Figure 8b. In this configuration, the rod 62 of the locking pin 6 is partially housed in the through opening 113 of the blocking element 11a, the head 61 of the locking pin 6 covering the blocking ribs 115, 115' and exerting a downward thrust on them so that they come closer to the base 110. Furthermore, the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b presses against a lower wall of the base 110, thus blocking the locking member 10 in said locked position.

[0088] When the locking member 10 is in its unlocked position, its blocking elements 11a, 11b are in the configuration shown in FIG. 8c. In this configuration, the rod 62 of the locking pin 6 is no longer housed inside the through opening 113 of the blocking element 11a. This locking pin 6 therefore no longer interferes with movement in a vertical direction of the locking member 10 and, consequently, of the roof bar 2a or 2b, relative to the fixing foot on which the locking pin 6 is fixed, thus making it possible to position said roof bar 2a or 2b above the head 61 of said locking pin 6.

[0089] With reference to figures 9a to 9c, the principle of locking / unlocking the locking members 10 on one of the pivot pins 5 is illustrated.

[0090] As shown in Figure 9a, the pivot pin 5 is provided with a head 51, a skirt 54 formed under the head 51 and a rod 52 extending vertically. An annular rim 53 is also formed along the rod 52. The lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b has been shown in dotted lines when it is correctly positioned to be fixed on one of the fixing feet of the assembly 10. In particular, the head 51 is aligned with the slot 4 formed in the lower wall 21. The width of the slot 4, as measured in the transverse direction, is greater than the width of the skirt 54, but less than the width of the head 51. When moving from the longitudinal position to the transverse position, the roof bar 2a or 2b can therefore be lifted such that its lower wall 21 is arranged in abutment against the head 51 of the pivot pin 5, thus allowing the roof bar 2a or 2b to be lifted or inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0091] When the locking member 10 is in its locked position, its blocking elements 11a, 11b are in the configuration shown in Figure 9b. In this configuration, the rod 52 of the pivot pin 5 is partially housed in the through opening 114 of the blocking element 11b, the skirt 54 of the pivot pin 5 covering the blocking ribs 117, 117' and exerting a downward thrust on them so that they come closer to the base 110. Furthermore, the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b presses against a lower wall of the base 110, thus blocking the locking member 10 in said locked position.

[0092] When the locking member 10 is in its unlocked position, its blocking elements 11a, 11b are in the configuration shown in Figure 9c. In this configuration, the rod 52 of the pivot pin 5 is no longer housed inside the through opening 114 of the blocking element 11b. This pivot pin 5 therefore no longer interferes during a movement in a vertical direction of the locking member 10 and, consequently, of the roof bar 2a or 2b, relative to the fixing foot on which the pivot pin 5 is fixed, thus making it possible to position said roof bar 2a or 2b in abutment against the head 51 of said pivot pin 5.

[0093] With reference to Figures 10a to 10d, the various steps for tilting the roof bar 2a relative to the horizontal at its front end which supports the pivot pin 5 are shown. It is clear that such an inclination is only possible if the rear end has been previously unlocked. Such an inclination is necessary so as to allow the roof bar 2a to pivot at a right angle around its pivot axis Za. Indeed, without this inclination, the roof bar 2a would abut against the roof bar 2b. For the sake of understanding, the cover support 28, the cover 27 and the handle 12 have not been shown in these figures.

[0094] In the initial position of the roof bar 2a, shown in Figure 10a, the roof bar 2a is locked in its longitudinal position at the fixing foot 3a2, the locking elements 11a, 11b of the locking member 10 being in the position shown in Figure 9b.

[0095] In the next position of the roof bar 2a, shown in Figure 10b, the locking member 10 has been moved into its unlocked position, the locking elements 11a, 11b of the locking member 10 being in the position shown in Figure 9c, the skirt 54 of the pivot pin 5 being longitudinally spaced from the locking ribs 117, 117'.

[0096] In the following position of the roof bar 2a, shown in Figure 10c, the locking member 10 still being in its unlocked position, the roof bar 2a has been lifted vertically so that its lower wall 21 is no longer in contact with the upper wall 31 of the fixing foot 3a2 and comes to abut against the head 51 of the pivot pin 5.

[0097] In the following position of the roof bar 2a, shown in Figure 10d, the locking member 10 still being in its unlocked position, the roof bar 2a has been inclined relative to the horizontal so that its lower wall 21 rests on its front edge with the upper wall 31 of the fixing foot 3a2, while remaining partially in abutment with the head 51 of the pivot pin 5.

[0098] Referring to Figures 11a and 11b, the rear end of the roof bar 2a is shown respectively when it is locked onto the fixing foot 3a1, the roof bar 2a being in its longitudinal position, and when it is locked onto the fixing foot 3b2, the roof bar 2a being in its transverse position. For the sake of understanding, the cover support 28, the cover 27 and the handle 12 have not been shown in these figures.

[0099] In Figure 11a, the locking elements 11a, 11b of the locking member 10 are in the position shown in Figure 8b, the locking pin 6 being positioned inside the oblong hole 7 of the roof bar 2a. In Figure 11b, the locking elements 11a, 11b of the locking member 10 are in the position shown in Figure 8b, the locking pin 6 being positioned inside the oblong hole 8 of the roof bar 2a.

[0100] To move from the position shown in Figure 11a to the position shown in Figure 11b, it will be necessary to successively move the locking member 10 into its unlocked position so as to release the rear end of the roof bar 2a, carry out all the steps described previously with reference to Figures 10a to 10d, pivot the roof bar 2a at a right angle around its pivot axis Za, translate the roof bar 2a parallel to itself until the oblong hole 8 of the roof bar 2a is aligned with the locking pin 6 located at the level of the fixing point P2, lower the roof bar 2a until it comes into contact with the upper wall of the fixing foot 3b2, then finally move the locking member 10 into its locked position.

[0101] The operations described above can be carried out in a similar manner for moving the roof bar 2b from its longitudinal position to its transverse position.

[0102] However, since the pivot pin 5 around which the roof bar 2b pivots is distant from its rear end in the longitudinal position of said roof bar 2b, it is necessary to provide an additional locking pin 6 at the rear fixing foot 3b1, said locking pin 6 being positioned on the fixing point P4 indicated in FIG. 2. Thus, when the roof bar 2b is locked in its longitudinal position, its rear end is in the configuration shown in FIG. 12a. In this configuration, the roof bar 2b is positioned such that the locking pin 6 fixed on the rear fixing foot 3b1 is housed in the oblong hole 7 formed in the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2b. The locking member 10 is in its locked position, the locking elements 11a, 11b cooperating with the locking pin 6 according to the position shown in FIG. 8b.The pivot pin 5 is positioned, for its part, at the front end of the slot 4 formed in the roof bar 2b. Subsequently, the locking member 10 can be moved into its unlocked position, thus allowing the roof bar 2b to be inclined relative to the horizontal and pivoted at a right angle about its pivot axis Zb, as illustrated in Figure 12b. Subsequently, the roof bar 2b is moved parallel to itself until it reaches the position shown in Figure 12c in which the pivot pin 5 is positioned at the other end of the slot 4 and cooperates with the blocking element 11b of the locking member 10 according to the position shown in Figure 9b.

[0103] With reference to figures 13a to 13c, various possible positions for the cover 27 are shown between its raised position and its fully folded position.

[0104] In particular, in Figure 13a, the cover 27 is shown in a partially folded position, in which it has begun to cover the locking member 10 of one of the roof bars. In this example, the locking member 10 is in its fully locked position, the head 61 of the locking pin 6 covering the locking ribs 115, 115' of the locking element 11a. A clipping element 272 projecting from the inner face 271 of the cover 27 is then correctly positioned to fit inside the central cavity 123 of the handle 12 of the locking member 10.

[0105] In Figure 13b, the cover 27 is shown in its fully folded position, in which it completely covers the locking member 10. This position is obtained when the cover 27 of Figure 13a has continued its pivoting movement until its internal face 271 comes to rest on the external face 121 of the handle 12. In this position, the clipping element 272 is clipped inside the central cavity 123 of the handle 12, which prevents any longitudinal movement of the handle 12 relative to the roof bar, and therefore an unlocking of the locking member 10.

[0106] Figure 13c is similar to Figure 13a, with the cover 27 shown in a partially folded position, in which it has begun to cover the locking member 10 of one of the roof bars. However, in this example, the locking member 10 is in a partially locked position, the head 61 of the locking pin 6 partially covering the locking ribs 115, 115' of the base 11. The clipping element 272 of the cover 27 is then not correctly positioned to be inserted inside the central cavity 123 of the handle 12 of the locking member 10, one or more external surfaces of said clipping element 272 in particular abutting against the external face 121 of the handle 12. The cover 27 therefore cannot be completely folded down until the locking member 10 has been moved so that the head 61 of the locking pin 6 completely covers the locking ribs 115, 115' of the base 11.The cover 27 will therefore allow the user to easily detect unsatisfactory locking of the locking member 10, which will improve the safety of the user when using the set of roof bars of the invention.

[0107] With reference to Figures 14a and 14b, a locking member 10 is shown in its locked and unlocked position respectively. A cover support 28 with which said locking member 10 cooperates is also shown. As mentioned above, the cover support 28 comprises an elastically deformable tongue 281 which is provided with a positioning lug 283 at its free end, the positioning lug 283 having a beveled shape on its external contour. This positioning lug 283 is in contact with an internal wall 125 of the handle 12 during its movement. The internal wall 125 is in particular provided with a first notch 125a and a second notch 125b, offset in the longitudinal direction.The notches 125a, 125b have a shape substantially complementary to the beveled shape of the positioning lug 283, such that the positioning lug 283 is partially received in the first notch 125a in the locked position of FIG. 14a and in the second notch 125b in the unlocked position of FIG. 14b. When moving from the locked position to the unlocked position, the tab 281 moves transversely under the action of the positioning lug 283. It then returns to its initial position when it is positioned in one or other of the positions shown in FIGS. 14a, 14b. This interaction between the positioning lug 283 and the internal wall 125 will allow the user to easily detect whether the locking member 10 is correctly positioned in its locked or unlocked position.

[0108] The invention is obviously not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, in one conceivable embodiment, the rear and front fixing feet 3a1 and 3a2 of the first pair of fixing feet, respectively the rear and front fixing feet 3b1 and 3b2 of the second pair of fixing feet, may be integrated into the same part so as to form a single support rail.

[0109] In other conceivable embodiments, each of the locking members may be provided with a single locking element, or with more than two locking elements.

[0110] A variant of the locking member usable within the framework of the invention is notably represented in figures 15a to 15c, 16a to 16c and 17a to 17d.

[0111] In this variant, each locking member 10 is provided with a single U-shaped locking element 13 comprising a substantially flat base 130, defined by an upper wall 131, and an end tab 132, oriented perpendicular to the base 130, said end tab 132 being connected to the base 130 by a connecting wall 135. A through opening 133 is formed in the base 130 of the locking element 13, as well as in the connecting wall 135 which is parallel thereto. This through opening 133 has a rounded shape at a closed edge which adjoins the end tab 132 and a slightly flared shape at an open edge which is opposite the closed edge. The through opening 133 is thus bordered on each side by two flat surfaces 135a and 135b of the connecting wall 135, which are formed above the upper wall 131 of the base 130 and which are aligned in a longitudinal direction.The connecting wall 135 will be formed from a material that will make it capable of deforming when placed under tension. It will thus be possible to form the connecting wall 135 from metal.

[0112] As shown in Figure 15b, the through opening 133 is configured to partially house the rod 62 of one of the locking pins 6, the head 61 of the locking pin 6 covering the surfaces 135a, 135b of the connecting wall 135, in an intermediate position of the locking member 10. This intermediate position is reached from the unlocked position of the locking member 10, shown in Figures 15a, 16a and 17a, by a longitudinal translation of the locking member 10 along the roof bar 2a or 2b on which the locking member 10 is slidably fixed. As shown in Figures 16b and 17a, this sliding connection of the locking member 10 is obtained by the presence of a pair of rails 26, 26' projecting from the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b. Rails 26, 26' are spaced along a transverse direction.Each of the rails 26, 26' has a specific shape which is complementary to the shape of one of the end edges 136 of the locking element 13 which surrounds the base 130, such that the locking element 13 is housed under the rails 26, 26', while being movable longitudinally. To prevent the locking member 10 from being disconnected from the roof bar 2a or 2b, when the locking member 10 moves along the rails 26, 26' away from a locking pin 6, it is provided to equip each of the roof bars 2a and 2b with a pair of retaining elements 29 which can be clipped to each end of said roof bars, as shown in Figures 16a and 16b.Thus arranged, the retaining elements 29 will limit the movement of the locking element 13 along the rails 26, 26', the base 130 of the locking element 13 abutting against a projecting edge 291 of the retaining element 29, when the locking element 13 reaches the position shown in Figures 16a and 17a, corresponding to the unlocked position shown in Figure 15a. In this position, the locking element 13 is sufficiently distant from the locking pin 6 so that the rod 62 of said locking pin 6 is not housed inside the through opening 133 of the locking element 13, thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the roof bar 2a or 2b relative to the fixing foot on which said locking pin 6 is fixed.The roof bar 2a or 2b can thus be lifted above the head 61 of the locking pin 6, before being repositioned in a transverse orientation, the locking member 10 then being able to cooperate with a locking pin 6 fixed on another fixing foot to ensure locking of said roof bar 2a, 2b in this transverse position.

[0113] As shown in Figure 15a, the end tab 132 of the locking element 13 is extended at its upper end by a hook-shaped extension 134, said extensions 134 making it possible to pivotally connect the locking element 13 to a crosspiece 141 of a lever 14, called the locking lever, so that said lever 14 can move between a raised position, shown in Figures 15a and 15b, and a folded position, shown in Figure 15c.

[0114] As shown in Figure 16c, the lever 14 further comprises a pair of lateral arms 142 connected by the crosspiece 141 and extending substantially perpendicularly thereto, as well as an upper wall 143 extending between the two lateral arms 142, said upper wall 143 being provided with a central opening 144 in the shape of a semicircle, said central opening being configured to align vertically with the head 61 of a locking pin 6, when the lever 14 is in its folded position and when the locking member 10 is in its locked position, as shown in Figure 17c. This central opening 144 will also be sufficiently large to accommodate the head of a pivot pin 5, as illustrated in FIG. 17d, so that the locking member 10 will also ensure locking of the roof bars 2a, 2b at the pivot points 5 fixed to the fixing feet 3a2 and 3b1.

[0115] As shown in Figure 17c, the lever 14 is advantageously provided with an internal rib 145, in the form of a beak, which, when the lever 14 is in its folded position and when the locking member 10 is in its locked position, is configured to come into longitudinal alignment with the head 61 of the locking pin 6. The locking pin 6 is then wedged in position, on one side, by the blocking element 13, at its rod 62, and, on the other side, by said internal rib 145, at its head 61.

[0116] As shown in Figure 17d, the lever 14 is advantageously provided with an external rib 147, of annular shape, which, when the lever 14 is in its folded position and when the locking member 10 is in its locked position, is configured to come into longitudinal alignment with the head 51 of a pivot pin 5. The pivot pin 5 is then wedged in position, on one side, by the blocking element 13, at its rod 52, and, on the other side, by said external rib 147, at its head 51.

[0117] As shown in Figures 16c and 17c, each side arm 142 has at its lower end a cam profile 142a. This cam profile 142a is able to come into contact with one of the rails 26, 26' projecting from the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b when the lever 14 is in its folded position, thus causing the connecting wall 135 to be tensioned relative to the lower wall 21. This tensioning generates a deformation of the connecting wall 135, which causes the connecting wall 135 to lift relative to the base 130. The connecting wall 135 can thus cause the locking pin 6 to lift, consequently causing the lower wall 21 of the roof bar 2a or 2b to press against a lower wall of the base 130 of the locking element 13, thus blocking the locking member 10 in its locked position.

[0118] Referring to Figure 18a, there is shown in perspective one of the ends of one of the roof bars 2a or 2b when it is connected to one of the fixing feet, the roof bar 2a or 2b being in its longitudinal position. The roof bar 2a is in particular provided with a pivoting cover 27 which can move between a raised position, shown in Figure 18a, in which it allows access to the lever 14 of a locking member 10 through an opening 25 partially formed in the upper wall of the roof bar 2a, 2b, and a folded position, illustrated in Figure 18b, in which the cover 27 completely closes the opening 25, thus preventing manipulation of the lever 14. The folded position of the cover 27 illustrated in Figure 18b requires that the lever 14 itself be in the folded position and that the locking member 10 be in the locked position.To check that the locking member 10 is actually in the locked position, the cover 27 is advantageously provided with an internal rib 273 which, in the folded position of the cover 27, covers the lever 14. This internal rib 273 is in particular provided with a hollow shape 274 capable of receiving a corresponding projecting shape 146 of the lever 14 when the lever 14 is correctly positioned. A user will thus be able to easily detect that the roof bar 2a, 2b is not correctly locked in the longitudinal or transverse position by observing that the cover 27 does not fold down properly.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Set (1) of roof bars comprising: two pairs of fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2), namely a first pair of fixing feet (3a1, 3a2) and a second pair of fixing feet (3b1, 3b2), intended to be fixed on each side of a vehicle roof, each pair of fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2) comprising a rear fixing foot (3a1, 3b1) arranged at the rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle and a front fixing foot (3a2, 3b2) arranged at the front relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, said front and rear fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2) being parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) defined by the vehicle, a pair of bars (2a, 2b) arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) defined by the vehicle, 2b), namely a first bar (2a) and a second bar (2b), the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), being pivotally connected to one of the fixing feet (3a2) of the first pair of feet,respectively to one of the fixing feet (3b1) of the second pair of feet, by means of a pivot pin (5) so as to allow the positioning of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), according to at least two specific positions of use, respectively a longitudinal position, in which it is parallel to said longitudinal axis (X), and a transverse position, in which it is oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X), in which the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is provided with a first locking member (10) and a second locking member (10) intended to cooperate with locking pins (6) fixed on the fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2) of the first and second pairs of feet so as to lock said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), in its longitudinal position and in its transverse position.

2. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 1, characterized in that, in its longitudinal position, the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is capable of being fixed in a removable manner on the fixing foot (3a1) of the first pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot (3b2) of the second pair of feet, which does not support the pivot pin (5) when the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a) cooperates with a first locking pin (6) fixed on said fixing foot (3a1) at a first fixing point (P1), respectively when the first locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) cooperates with a second locking pin (6) fixed on said fixing foot (3b2) at a second fixing point (P2), and, in its transverse position, the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is capable of being removably fixed on the fixing foot (3b2) of the second pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot (3a1) of the first pair of feet, which does not support the pivot pin (5) when the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a) cooperates with the second locking pin (6), respectively when the first locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) cooperates with a third locking pin (6) fixed on said fixing foot (3a1) at a third fixing point (P3), and in which the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is provided with a slot (4) along which its pivot pin (5) can slide so that the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), can move both in rotation and in translation relative to the fixing foot (3a2) of the first pair of feet,respectively with respect to the fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet, which supports said pivot pin (5), thus allowing the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a) to cooperate with the first locking pin (6), when the first bar (2a) is in its longitudinal position, and with the second locking pin (6), when the first bar (2a) is in its transverse position, and the first locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) to cooperate with the second locking pin (6), when the second bar (2b) is in its longitudinal position, and with the third locking pin (6), when the second bar (2b) is in its transverse position., 3. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 2, characterized in that the first bar (2a) can pivot about a first pivot axis (Za), which is distant from the first fixing point (P1) by a first distance (d1) and the second bar (2b) can pivot about a second pivot axis (Zb), which is distant from the second fixing point (P2) by a second distance (d2), the second distance (d2) being less than the distance (d4) separating the second pivot axis (Zb) from the third fixing point (P3).

4. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot pin (5) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), is provided with a head (51) arranged above a first lower wall portion (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), in which the slot (4) is formed, and a rod (52) partially received in the slot (4) and extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a2) of the first pair of feet, respectively of the fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet, which faces said first lower wall portion (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), the head (51) forming a stop which limits the movement in a direction vertical of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to said fixing foot (3a2) of the first pair of feet, respectively relative to said fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet.

5. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13) in the shape of a U, which is slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), said at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13) being provided with a through opening (113, 114;133), and in that each of the locking pins (6) is provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called locked position, in which the rod (62) of one of the locking pins (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (113, 114; 133) of the at least one blocking element (11a, 11b; 13), the head (61) of said locking pin (6) covering at least one surface (115, 115'; 117, 117'; 135a, 135b) of said at least one blocking element (11a, 11b; 13) partially surrounding said through opening (113, 114;133), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13), thus locking said first locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of said locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (113, 114; 133), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), above the head (61) of said locking pin (6).; 6. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 5, characterized in that the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises a pair of U-shaped locking elements (11a, 11b), respectively a first locking element (11a) and a second locking element (11b) spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, which are slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), each of said locking elements (11a, 11b) being provided with a through opening (113, 114), and in that each of the locking pins (6) is provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called locked position, in which the rod (62) of one of the locking pins (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (113, 114) of one of the locking elements (11a, 11b), the head (61) of said locking pin (6) covering at least one surface (115, 115';117, 117') of said locking element (1 1a, 11 b) partially surrounding said through opening (113, 114), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said locking element (11a, 11 b), thus locking said first locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of said locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (113, 114), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), above the head (61 ) of said locking pin (6).; 7. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 6 when it depends on claim 2, characterized in that, when the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is locked in its longitudinal position, the rod (62) of the first locking pin (6), respectively of the second locking pin (6), is housed partially inside the through opening (1 13) of the first blocking element (11a) of the first locking member (10), the head (61) of said first locking pin (10), respectively of said second locking pin (10), covering said at least one surface (115, 115') of said first blocking element (11a) partially surrounding the through opening (1 13), the lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against the lower wall of said first blocking element (11a), and, when the first bar (2a),respectively the second bar (2b), is locked in its transverse position, the rod (61) of the second locking pin (6), respectively of the third locking pin (6), is housed partially inside the through opening (114) of the second blocking element (11b) of the first locking member (10), the head (61) of said second locking pin (6), respectively of said third locking pin (6), covering said at least one surface (117, 117') of said second blocking element (11b) partially surrounding said through opening (114), the lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), coming to bear against the lower wall of said second blocking element (11 b).

8. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), is configured to cooperate with the pivot pin (5) around which said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b) pivots, so as to lock it in its longitudinal and / or transverse position.

9. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 8, characterized in that the second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises at least one U-shaped locking element (11a, 11b; 13), which is slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), said at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13) being provided with a through opening (113, 114;133), and in that each of the pivot pins (5) is provided with a head (51), a skirt (54) formed under the head (51) and a rod (52) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, the second locking member (10) being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called locked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is partially housed inside the through opening (114; 133) of said at least one locking element (11b; 13), the skirt (54) of said pivot pin (5) covering at least one surface (117, 117'; 135a, 135b) of said at least one locking element (11b; 13) partially surrounding said through opening (114; 133), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), coming to bear against a lower wall of said at least one blocking element (1 1 b;13), thus locking said second locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is no longer housed inside said through opening (114; 133), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a2, 3b 1 ) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), in abutment against the head (51) of the pivot pin (5).; 10. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 9, characterized in that the second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises a pair of U-shaped locking elements (11a, 11b), respectively a first locking element (11a) and a second locking element (11b) spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, which are slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), each of said locking elements (11a, 11b) being provided with a through opening (113, 114), and in that each of the pivot pins (5) is provided with a head (51), a skirt (54) formed under the head (51) and a rod (52) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, the second locking member (10) being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is partially housed inside the through opening (114) of the second locking element (11 b), the skirt (54) of said pivot pin (5) covering at least one surface (117,117') of said second locking element (1 1 b) partially surrounding said through opening (114), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said second locking element (1 1 b), thus locking said second locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is no longer housed inside said through opening (114), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), in abutment against the head (51) of the pivot pin (5)., 11. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 10, characterized in that, when the second bar (2b) is in its longitudinal position, the second locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) is able to cooperate with a fourth locking pin (6) fixed on the fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet which supports the pivot pin around which said second bar (2b) pivots, said fourth locking pin being provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of said fixing foot (3b1), the second locking member (10) being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (62) of the fourth locking pin (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (113) of the first locking element (11a),the head (61) of the fourth locking pin (6) covering said at least one surface (115, 115') partially surrounding said through opening (113), the lower wall (21) of the second bar (2b) pressing against the lower wall of said first locking element (11a), thus locking said second locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called the unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of the fourth locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (113), thus allowing movement, in a vertical direction of the second bar (2b) relative to said fixing foot (3b1) so as to position said second bar (2b) above the head (61) of the fourth locking pin (6).

12. Set of roof bars according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that said at least one surface (115, 115', 117, 117') is formed of an elastic strip configured to move vertically away from an upper wall (11 1 ) of the corresponding locking element (11a, 11 b).

13. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that each of the first, respectively second, locking members (10) of the first and second bars (2a, 2b) comprises a handle (12) integral in translation with said at least one locking element or said first and second locking elements (11a, 11b), the handle (12) being preferably provided with external zones (122) having an ergonomic shape facilitating manual gripping of the handle (12).

14. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one locking element or each of the first and second locking elements (11a, 11b) is fixed by clipping onto the handle (12).

15. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the handle (12) is provided with an internal wall (125) provided with two notches (125a, 125b) spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, said notches (125a, 125b) being configured to cooperate with a positioning lug (283) integrated in an elastically deformable tab (281) secured to one of the fixing feet (3a1, 3a2, 3b1, 3b2) such that the tab (281) moves in a transverse direction when the first, respectively the second, locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), moves from its locked position to its unlocked position, and vice versa, each of the notches (125a, 125b) having a shape substantially complementary to that of said positioning lug (283),such that the tab (281) returns to its initial position when said positioning lug (283) is housed in one or the other notch (125a, 125b), which corresponds either to the locked position or to the unlocked position of said first, respectively of said second, locking member (10)., 16. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the first and second locking members (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises a locking element (13) in the form of U, which is slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), said locking element (13) being provided with a through opening (133), and in that each of the locking pins (6) is provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, each of the first and second locking members (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (62) of one of the locking pins (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (133) of the locking element (13), the head (61) of said locking pin (6) covering at least a surface (135a,135b) of said locking element (13) partially surrounding said through opening (133), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said locking element (13), thus locking the locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of said locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (133), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), above the head (61) of said locking pin (6)., 17. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 16, characterized in that said at least one surface (135a, 135b) is formed by a deformable portion (135) of the locking element (13), said deformable portion (135) being capable of deforming under the action of a locking lever (14) pivotally connected to the locking element (13), said locking lever (14) being able to move between a raised position, in which it does not deform said deformable portion (135), and a folded position, in which it causes deformation of said deformable portion (135), causing said deformable portion (135) to move vertically away from an upper wall (131) of the locking element (13).

18. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 17, characterized in that the locking lever (14) comprises a pair of lateral arms (142) connected by a crosspiece (141) perpendicular to said lateral arms (142), said crosspiece (141) pivotally supporting the locking element (13), each of said lateral arms (142) having at one of its ends a cam profile (142a), said cam profile (142a) being able to come into contact with a rail (26, 26') projecting from the lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), when the locking lever (14) is in its folded position, thus causing a lifting of the deformable part (135) relative to said upper wall (131).

19. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 18, characterized in that the locking lever (14) is provided with an internal rib (145), said internal rib (145) being configured to come into contact with the head (61) of the locking pin (6) when the locking lever (14) is in its folded position and when the first or second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), is in its locked position, the locking pin (6) then being wedged in position, on one side, by the blocking element (13), and, on the other side, by said internal rib (145).

20. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a cover support (28) is fixedly connected to the first roof bar (2a), respectively to the second roof bar (2b), for example by clipping, a cover (27) being pivotally connected to said cover support (28), the cover (27) having a raised position, in which it allows the manipulation of the handle (12) of the first, respectively of the second, locking member (10), and a folded position, in which it prevents the manipulation of said handle (12).

21. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 20, characterized in that the cover (27) is provided with a clipping element (272) protruding from its internal face (271), said clipping element (272) being configured to clip inside a corresponding housing (123) formed inside the handle (12) of the first, respectively of the second, locking member (10) when said first, respectively said second, locking member (10) is in its locked position and when the cover (27) is in its folded position.

22. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that a cover (27) is pivotally connected to the first roof bar (2a), respectively to the second roof bar (2b), said cover (27) having a raised position, in which it allows the pivoting of the locking lever (14) of the first, respectively of the second, locking member (10), and a folded position, in which it prevents the pivoting of the locking lever (14).

23. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 22, characterized in that the cover (27) is provided with an internal rib (273), said internal rib (273) being provided with a hollow shape (274) capable of housing a corresponding projecting shape (146) of the locking lever (14) of the first, respectively of the second, locking member (10) when said first, respectively said second, locking member (10) is in its locked position and when the cover (27) is in its folded position.

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