Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for modular roof racks that could one day adorn Ford SUVs, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on September 16th, 2021, published on March 16th, 2023, and assigned serial number 0083627.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has filed quite a few patents related to roof racks and exterior storage methods for vehicles lately, including one for a combined climbing ladder and recovery board, a roof chair system, multi-purpose mounting brackets, and an integrated roof rail power outlet system. Now, this new patent is aimed at making roof racks a bit more useful moving forward, particularly as they relate to Ford SUVs.
This idea for a modular roof rack would give owners quite a few options in terms of how they utilize that component, which would be helpful given the fact that people tend to haul everything from kayaks and bicycles to luggage and other types of enclosures up there. Here, owners would be able to move the rails around to adjust the size of the rack itself, which could help accommodate different things.
Aside from simply being able to move bars around, this modular roof rack is also configured to hold other types of accessories, such as ladders, using mechanical fastens that are built into the rack. The roof rack could also be used on vehicles with a removable top – such as the Ford Bronco – as well as models that have a fixed roof, too.
With simple mounting points and some added flexibility, this idea certainly seems like a welcome alternative to today’s mostly static roof racks, units that are pretty simple in nature. Given how popular roof racks have become in recent years, there’s certainly room for some innovation in that regard, too.
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 ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comment
This is not a good idea….