- Ford may be thinking about reinventing roof rails and racks
- A deployable solution would make vehicles more efficient
- Ford may also be working on deployable bed fins and diving planes
Ford may be developing roof rails and roof bars that unfold when needed, and retracted when not in use to reduce aerodynamic drag, two patent filings show.
Patent applications for the folding roof rails and the roof rack were published separately by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 11, after having been filed by Ford on previous dates.
Patent image of Ford’s fold-out roof rail
Deployable roof rails would fit into channels on a vehicle’s roof and lift up on hinges when needed, according to the respective patent application. They would function like the fixed roof rails already available on many vehicles.
Ford’s fold-out roof rack design appears to be aimed at specifically in pickup trucks. According to the application for this feature, the roof rack would be stored against the rear wall of a pickup truck’s cab, in the front area of the bed. The L-shaped structure would then pivot upward, allowing the rack portion to rest horizontally and be attached to the roof with suction cups, allowing it to easily revert to the stowed position when not in use.
Ford detachable roof rack patent image
It’s unclear whether any of the features will make it to production. Ford has a growing stack of patents for features that combine functionality with aerodynamics, including retractable fender tie-down points it is a reconfigurable bucket lid which could also serve as an active aerodynamic aid.
Ford also tried to patent implantable bed fins for pickup trucks, although they don’t appear to serve any purpose other than cleaning up the airflow around the bed. Another patent application from the automaker shows deployable dive planes to generate more downforce in high-performance cars.