LOAD CARRIER FOOT
FIG5 shows a cross-sectional view of the load carrier assembly of FIG1 
On the upper end or upper portion 203 of the supporting member 202, further elements of a locking mechanism 200 for releasably locking the load bar 300 to the load carrier foot 2 can be fixed as shown in FIG5. The upper end can also be referred to as load bar side end of the supporting member 202 as it is close to the load bar when the same is mounted on the load carrier foot 2. The lower end or lower portion 254 of the supporting member 202 can also be referred to as foot pad side end of the supporting member 202 as it is arranged closer to the foot pad 3. A pivot pin 256 is provided in the lower portion 254. In the assembly, the pivot pin 256 is arranged parallel with the pivot pin 610 of the holder 6 and fixed on the supporting member 202 non-movably with respect to the same. The pivot pin 256 defines another force application section 252 for receiving a force from the force distribution member 510. Since forces are transferred via the contact surfaces 519, 521 and the contact surfaces 519, 521 are allowed to translatory and slidingly move with respect to the pivot pins 610, 256, it is ensured that the normal forces acting on the contact surfaces 519, 521 maintain an equilibrium. Imaginary lines reflecting the direction the normal forces act on the contact surfaces intersect at a point S as is shown in FIG5. The equilibrium is reached when the point S intersects with an imaginary elongated middle axis of the tightening member 8. In other words, the force equilibrium is reached when both contact normals on the contact surfaces 519, 521 and a virtual extension or axis of the tightening member 8 coincide in the same point S. Due to the described construction, the force distribution member 510 automatically seeks an orientation in which the above equilibrium condition is fulfilled. As illustrated in FIG5, the supporting member 202 can be an operating member of a locking mechanism 200 for releasably locking the load bar 300 on the load carrier foot 2. The operating member can comprise two operating portions 280 each having a push surface 282 being configured for thumb operation by a user. The locking mechanism comprises an engaging section 206 adapted to engage with the load bar 300 and coupled to the supporting member 202 by means of a bolt 216 which acts as a force transfer member for transferring a force from the supporting member 202 on the engaging section 206. Accordingly, the load carrier foot 2 can be configured such that the tightening mechanism 500 additionally operates the locking mechanism 200.
cross-sectional view
5
front cover
208
supporting section
61
coupling portion
519
contact surfaces contact surface
404
pivot portion
216
bolt
204
locking member
402
supporting portion
200
locking mechanism
521
second contact surface second contact surfaces
300
load bar
500
tightening mechanism
256
pivot pin pivot pins
41
coupling portion
610
pivot pin pivot pins
62
force application section
206
engaging section
2
load carrier foot
4
rear cover
81
portion
406
supporting surface
510
force distribution member
3
foot pad
700
load carrier bracket
['1. Load carrier foot (2) for supporting a load bar (300) on a vehicle (1) said load carrier foot (2) comprising a supporting member (202) mountable to said load bar (300), a coupling member (6) for coupling said load carrier foot (2) to said vehicle (1), and a tightening mechanism (500) for tightening said coupling member (6), wherein said tightening mechanism (500) force transmittingly couples said coupling member (6) with said supporting member (202) characterized in that said tightening mechanism (500) force transmittingly couples said coupling member (6) with said supporting member (202) by means of a force distribution member (510) which is configured to transfer a received input force on at least two force application sections (62, 252) while being translatory movably held with respect to each force application section (62, 252).', '3. Load carrier foot (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said force distribution member (510) comprises a force input section (512) for receiving said input force, said force input section (512) being coupled to a first coupling portion (61) of said coupling member (6), and wherein at least one force application section (62) of said at least two force application sections (62, 252) is provided at a second coupling portion (64) of said coupling member (6).', '4. Load carrier foot (2) according to claim 3, wherein said force input section (512) is configured for a torque-free force transfer and preferably comprises a force receiving member (514) pivotably held on said force distribution member (510) and adapted to receive a tightening member (8), preferably a threaded bolt.']