Ford Patent Filed For Powered Roof Rack System

March 18, 2023 4:05 am

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a powered roof rack system, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on September 2^nd, 2021, published on March 2^nd, 2023, and assigned serial number 0069379.

The Ford Authority Take

A number of Ford patents related to exterior accessories have been filed in recent months as consumers continue to seek out parts and accessories for their vehicles, including one for multi-purpose mounting brackets, a roof-mounted HVAC system for EVs, a roof chair system, and an integrated roof rail power outlet system. Now, this newly filed Ford patent keeps that trend going by introducing an idea for a powered roof rack system that could serve a very important purpose.

Roof racks have become incredibly popular accessories in recent years as vehicle owners seek more space to carry gear, as well as a spot to mount items like kayaks, bicycles, and other types of vessels. However, reaching these items and either loading or unloading them can be difficult, unless owners also install a ladder or steps to reach that apparatus.

That’s precisely where this Ford patent comes into play – it utilizes electric power to move those items around and make them easier to load and unload. The rack consists of two rails, along with an electrically-assisted rack accessory that connects to the second rail. That piece also incorporates a locking mechanism that locks the rail in place when its in the retracted position, preventing it from accidentally deploying while the vehicle is in motion.

This is a simple idea, and yet, a pretty ingenious one, as many people struggle to load and unload heavy and bulky items from the roofs of their vehicles, oftentimes risking damaging either it or the item they’re loading during that process. Thus, this powered roof rack could help eliminate those problems and potentially save our backs at the same time.

We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.