WO1996024509A1

WO1996024509A1 - Load carrier

Info

Publication number: WO1996024509A1
Application number: PCT/SE1996/000009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan-Ivar Arvidsson
Original assignee: Industri Ab Thule
Priority date: 1995-02-07
Filing date: 1996-01-10
Publication date: 1996-08-15
Also published as: SE9500430L; SE509737C2; JPH10513133A; SE9500430D0; DE19681205T1

Abstract

A load carrier for vehicles comprises a load carrier strut (1) extending transversely over the vehicle roof and having, at each end region, a foot device (3) for securing on a fixed railing (2) which is longitudinal in relation to the vehicle. The foot device (3) has clamping means (6, 7), by which the foot device (3) may be secured on the longitudinal railing (2). At least the one foot device (3) is movable along the transverse load carrier strut (1) and fixedly lockable thereon by means of a locking device (19). The locking device is disposed to be transferred to a position fixedly locking the foot device (3) on the transverse load carrier (1) on transfer of the clamping means (6, 7) to the position fixing the foot device (3) to the railing (2).

Description

LOAD CARRIER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a load carrier for vehicles, comprising a load carrier strut which extends transversely over the vehicle roof and which, at each end region, has a foot device for securing on a load carrier or so-called railing which is longitudinal in relation to the vehicle and is secured at side edge regions of the vehicle roof, the foot device having clamping means by which the foot device may be secured to the longitudinal load carrier.

BACKGROUND ART

Vehicles featuring so-called railings, i.e. load carriers which are longitudinal in relation to the vehicle and are disposed at opposite side edge regions of the vehicle roof, are common occurrences. For carrying a load on such railings, use is often made of transverse load carriers which are specifically adapted to a given vehicle model and which are secured in these railings. Since the railings are brand- or model accessories which are already fixedly mounted in place when the vehicle is delivered, it would appear to be only natural also to design the transverse load carriers as brand-linked and model-linked accessories. Such transverse load carriers may, therefore, normally not be used on more than a single vehicle model.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The present invention has for its object to realise a load carrier of the type disclosed by way of introduction, the load carrier being largely universally applicable and, therefore, adaptable to different vehicle types and different positioning of railings. The present invention further has for its object to realise a load carrier which is simple in operation and which need not be adjusted to suit the vehicle in question on each assembly and mounting occasion. The present invention finally relates to a load carrier which is simple and economical in manufacture, which has good carrying capacity and which is reliable in function. SOLUTION

The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the load carrier intimated by way of introduction is characterized in that at least the one foot device is movable along the transverse load carrier strut and fixedly lockable thereon by means of a locking device, the locking device being disposed to be transferred to a position fixedly locking the foot device on the transverse load carrier strut on transfer of the clamping device to a position securing the foot device on the longitudinal load carrier.

These characterizing features realise a load carrier which, in the longitudinal direction of the load carrier, may be adapted to different distances between the vehicle-mounted railings. Further, the advantage will be afforded that, when the load carrier has once been mounted to a given vehicle, it maintains the adjustment setting which was made when it was first mounted in place.

Further advantages will be attained according to the present invention if the load carrier according to the invention is also given one or more of the characterizing features as set forth in appended subclaims 2 to 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section along a vertical plane running transversely of the vehicle, the load carrier being located in a position of use fixedly locked on a railing disposed on the vehicle;

Fig. 2 shows the load carrier according to Fig. 1 seen straight from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1, the load carrier being located in an open position, where it may be removed from the railing; and Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 2 with the load carrier in the state according to Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 relates to a load carrier strut which extends transversely over a vehicle roof, reference numeral 2 to a load carrier or railing which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which is located one at each opposing edge region on the vehicle roof. Reference numeral 3 relates to a foot device by means of which the transverse load carrier strut 1 is secured to the railing 2.

In its underside, the load carrier strut 1 has, at least in its one end region, but preferably at both end regions, a longitudinal slot 4 through which extends a sliding body 5 which is disposed on the foot device 3 and is substantially T- shaped in cross section. As a result, the foot device 3 will be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the load carrier strut 1 within a region which corresponds to the length of the slot 4.

The foot device 3 includes two clamping devices 6 and 7 which, in a clamping position, secure the foot device to the railing 2 and which, in an open position, release the railing 2 so that the foot device may easily be removed. On their surfaces facing towards the railing 2, the clamping devices 6 and 7 have pads or form portions 8 and 9, respectively which are produced from elastic or at least partially yieldable material and which have clamping surfaces which are substantially complementary with opposing parts of the peripheral surface of the railing 2. Hereby, the two form portions 8 and 9 will at least partly surround the railing 2 in the clamping position illustrated in Fig. 1.

In order to make for application of the subject matter of the present invention to railings 2 of different designs, The above-mentioned form portions 8 and 9 are replaceable so that, by replacement of these form portions, a configurational adaptation may be achieved in response to the pertinent design of the railing 2. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the two clamping devices 6 and 7 are designed as clamping jaws in which the outer (located most proximal the vehicle side) clamping jaw 6 is fixedly secured in the foot device 3 and is preferably designed as an integral part of the body of the foot device, and specifically connected to the sliding body 5. The inner clamping jaw 7 is reciprocal towards and away from the outer clamping jaw 6 and is preferably pivotally disposed about a pivot shaft 10 secured in the foot device.

The inner, and movable clamping jaw 7 is movable under the action of a clamping arrangement with a drawbar 11 which is in threaded engagement in a nut portion 12 pivotally disposed in the inner clamping jaw 7. The opposite end of the drawbar 11 has a head 13 which abuts against an abutment portion 15 rotatably disposed in an eccentric portion 14. The eccentric portion 14 carries an eccentric or cam surface 16 which is movable along a corresponding surface in the foot device 3. Furthermore, the eccentric portion 14 has a handle 17 by means of which it may be rotated between the open position illustrated in Fig. 3 and the closed position illustrated in Fig. 1, and vice versa. Between the two clamping jaws 6 and 7, and preferably about the drawbar 11, there is provided a return spring 18 which strives to transfer the movable clamping jaw 7 to the open position (according to Fig. 3) when the handle 17 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to the open position.

For fixedly locking the foot device 3 in the selected position in the longitudinal direction along the transverse load carrier strut 1, the foot device 3 has a locking portion 19 which is movable between a locking position shown in both Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to an open position where the foot device 3 is free to be displaced along the load carrier strut 1. The locking portion 19 is generally actuable from its open position where the foot device 3 may be slid along the transverse load carrier strut 1, to the locking position by the action of the movable clamping device 7 or the clamping arrangement for operating and locking the movable clamping device 7. Suitably, the locking portion 9 remains in its locked position even if the actuation force from the clamping device or clamping arrangement were to cease, and preferably also if they are transferred to their respective open positions. The foot device 3 hereby retains its adjusted position on the load carrier strut even if the subject matter of the present invention is dismantled from the railings 2 of the vehicle.

In the embodiment illustrated in the Drawings, the locking portion 19 is pivotally disposed about the same pivot shaft 10 as the movable clamping jaw 7. Furthermore, the locking portion 19 has an eccentric portion 20 which is designed so as, in the locking position, to abut against the underside of the load carrier strut 1 and thereby lock this in relation to the foot device 3. The open position of the locking portion 19 is not shown on the Drawings, but is attained after a pivoting of the locking portion 19 in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 a pivot angle of the order of magnitude of between 20 and 30°. In this position, the eccentric portion 20 of the locking portion no longer abuts against the under side of the load carrier strut 1, but may slide in relation thereto.

The locking portion 19 further has an operating portion which, on the Drawings, consists of the part of the locking portion located beneath the shaft 10.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 1, in which both the clamping jaws 6 and 7 and the locking portion 19 are located in the locking position, the greater part of the locking portion 19 and substantially its operating portion are accommodated in a recess 21 (Fig. 3) in the movable clamping jaw 7. In the open position of the clamping jaw 7 illustrated in Fig. 3, the locking portion

19 is still located in the locking position and it will be clearly apparent that a part of the locking portion, preferably its operating portion, is located outside the recess 21 so that it may be acted on manually for pivoting the locking portion 19 in a clockwise direction. As a result of such pivoting, the locking portion is released from the load carrier strut 1. In this open position of the locking portion 19, its lower portion (the operating portion) is once again accommodated in the recess 21 in the movable clamping jaw 7.

In a starting position prior to the first occasion of mounting of the subject matter of the present invention on a vehicle, the locking portion 19 is located in the above-described open position in the recess 21, at the same time as the movable clamping jaw 7 is located in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. On clamping of the foot device 3 on the railing 2 by pivoting of the clamping jaw in a counterclockwise direction under the action of the clamping arrangement with the handle 17, the locking portion 19 will be entrained or brought to the locking position by the movable clamping jaw 7. The locking portion 19 then remains in this locking position, which is thus shown in both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, when the movable clamping jaw 7 is pivoted back to the open position according to Fig. 3. For releasing the locking portion, a specific action is required, which may be put into effect either manually or by means of an auxiliary tool.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

According to the present invention, it is possible to allow the fixed and movable clamping jaws 6 and 7, respectively, to change places so that the movable clamping jaw 7 is placed outermost, closest to the side of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the locking portion is also placed outermost and in cooperation with the movable clamping jaw, fully analogous with that described above.

Furthermore, it is not necessary according to the invention that the locking portion 19 be pivotal about the same pivot shaft as the movable clamping jaw 7 as long as the locking portion 19 may be moved to its locking position by the action of the movable clamping jaw or the clamping arrangement when these are transferred from the open to the closed position.

In yet a further embodiment, the locking portion 19 is discrete and separate from the movable clamping jaw 7 in order instead to be operated by the clamping arrangement, preferably the rotary eccentric portion 14. In this embodiment, the sliding body is placed further in towards the centre of the vehicle, i.e. approximately above the pivotal clamping jaw 7 (Figs. 1 and 2). A locking arm corresponding to the locking portion 19 is pivotally disposed in the region above or just inside (in a direction towards the centre of the vehicle) the eccentric portion 14. Analogous with the locking portion 19, the locking arm has an upper, eccentric shaped shank which may be applied against the load carrier strut 1 for locking thereof. Furthermore, the locking arm has a lower shank which is actuable by the clamping arrangement, preferably directly by the eccentric portion 14 on pivoting thereof towards the locking position, or by a projection or operating device disposed on the eccentric portion. Ideally, the locking arm extends with its lower shank through the wall in the foot device which, in its lower region, forms or carries the fixed clamping jaw.

The above-described clamping arrangement with the eccentric portion 14 and the handle 17 may, of course, be substituted by a handle or a wheel which realises rotation of the drawbar 11. Correspondingly, the drawbar may have its head placed on the inside of a counterpart to the nut portion 12 while a threaded wheel or knob is provided for replacing the eccentric portion 14, this wheel or knob drawing the drawbar 11 in a direction to the right in Fig. 1 on tightening.

Further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A load carrier for vehicles, comprising a load carrier strut (1) which extends transversely over the vehicle roof and which, at each end region, has a foot device (3) for securing on a load carrier (2) or so-called railing which is longitudinal in relation to the vehicle and is secured at the side edge regions of the vehicle roof, the foot device (3) having clamping means (6, 7) by which the foot device (3) may be secured to the longitudinal load carrier (2), characterized in that at least the one foot device (3) is movable along the transverse load carrier strut (1) and fixedly lockable thereon by means of a locking device (19), the locking device being disposed to be transferred to a position fixedly locking the foot device (3) on the transverse load carrier strut (1) on transfer of the clamping means (6, 7) to the position securing the foot device (3) on the longitudinal load carrier (2).

2. The load carrier as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (19) is disposed to be transferred to the locking position by the action of one of the clamping means (6, 7), the one of said clamping means being movable.

3. The load carrier as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (19) is disposed to be transferred to the locking position by the action of the clamping arrangement which is provided for operating the clamping means (6, 7).

4. The load carrier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking device (19) is disposed to remain in its locked position on transfer of the clamping means (6, 7) to the position releasing the foot device (3) from the longitudinal load carrier (2).

5. The load carrier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping means (6, 7) consist of one fixed (6) clamping jaw disposed in the foot device (3) with a first clamping surface (8) which is substantially complementary to a first part of the peripheral surface of the longitudinal load carrier (2), and a pivotal clamping jaw (7) disposed in the foot device (3), with a second clamping surface (9) which is substantially complementary to a second portion of the peripheral surface of the longitudinal load carrier (2), the first and second portions of the peripheral surface of the longitudinal load carrier (2) being substantially opposite one another.

6. The load carrier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking device (19) is pivotally disposed and has an eccentric portion (20) for abutment against the transverse load carrier strut (1) in its locking position, and an operating portion for switching to and from the locking position.

7. The load carrier as claimed in any of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the locking device (19) is disposed to be pivotal about the pivot shaft (10) of the pivotal clamping jaw (7), and has an eccentric portion (20) for abutment against the transverse load carrier strut (1), and an operating portion for switching to the locking position by actuation of the pivotal clamping jaw (7).

8. The load carrier as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the locking device (19) is substantially accommodated in a recess (21) in the pivotal clamping jaw (7) in the fixing position thereof, while at least a part of the locking device (19) extends outside the recess (21) when the locking device (19) is located in its locking position and the clamping jaw (7) at the same time is wholly or partly pivoted from its fixing position.