AU2009238309B2 - Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle - Google Patents

Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
AU2009238309B2
AU2009238309B2 AU2009238309A AU2009238309A AU2009238309B2 AU 2009238309 B2 AU2009238309 B2 AU 2009238309B2 AU 2009238309 A AU2009238309 A AU 2009238309A AU 2009238309 A AU2009238309 A AU 2009238309A AU 2009238309 B2 AU2009238309 B2 AU 2009238309B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
clamping pieces
cup portion
shank
main bolt
hollow cup
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
AU2009238309A
Other versions
AU2009238309A1 (en
Inventor
Chiu-Kuei Wang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
King Rack Industrial Co Ltd
Original Assignee
King Rack Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by King Rack Industrial Co Ltd filed Critical King Rack Industrial Co Ltd
Publication of AU2009238309A1 publication Critical patent/AU2009238309A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2009238309B2 publication Critical patent/AU2009238309B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R9/00Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
    • B60R9/06Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like at vehicle front or rear
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/01Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
    • B60D1/06Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
    • B60D1/065Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle characterised by the hitch mechanism
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R9/00Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
    • B60R9/08Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear
    • B60R9/10Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear for cycles

Description

Pool Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 111ABAU/1 207 SECURING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING BICYCLE RACK TO VEHICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a securing device for connecting a bicycle rack to a hitch ball at rear end of a vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional bicycle rack 8 is shown in Figs. 14A and 14B, and generally includes a securing device which is used to be connected with a hitch ball 71 fixed on a rear end of a vehicle which is not shown. The securing device includes a substantially C-shaped frame 82 including an open end and a slot 811 is defined in a bottom board 81 thereof. A U-shaped flange 812 extends from a top of the bottom bard 81 and encloses the slot 811. The hitch ball 71 is inserted from the open end and located within the slot 811 and is rested on the flange 812. A hole is defined through a top of the C-shaped frame 82 and a nut 821 is fixed to the top of the C-shaped frame 82, the hole communicates with the threaded hole in the nut 821. A threaded shank 83 threadedly extends through the nut 821 and the hole so as to press on the hitch ball 71. However, the threaded shank 83 is easily loosened by the shaking especially when the vehicle moves on bumpy roads and the threaded shank 83 tends to be deformed and the threads are easily damaged. Besides, there is no spring washer to secure the threaded shank 83 which can easily be loosened. Once the threaded shank 83 cannot position the hitch ball 71, the bicycle rack could be separated from the hitch ball 71. Besides, the threaded shank 83 is exposed without any protection and any one can 1 easily unscrew the threaded shank 83 to remove the bicycle rack together with the bicycles on the bicycle rack. The present invention intends to provide a securing device which includes two securing forces in two perpendicular directions to ensure that the securing device is secured and reliable so as to improve the drawbacks of the conventional securing device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a securing device for connecting a bicycle rack to a hitch ball, the securing device comprises a base having a hollow cup portion which has an open bottom and a top hole is defined through a top of the hollow cup portion. A latitude slot and a longitude slot are defined through a wall of the hollow cup portion, and the latitude slot communicates with the longitude slot. A later tube extends from the cup portion and is composed of two parts between which a longitudinal groove is defined. The longitude slot is located between the two parts. A clamping unit includes multiple clamping pieces received in the hollow cup portion and each clamping piece including a recess defined in an inside thereof. The recesses of the multiple clamping pieces define a space so as to receive the hitch ball. A main bolt has a head and a shank, the head of the main bolt is clamped between respective top ends of the clamping pieces and the shank extends from a top of a combination of the clamping pieces. A spring is mounted to the shank which extends into the hollow cp portion and through a top hole of the hollow cup portion. 2 A first securing unity includes a knob which is located on the top of the hollow cup portion and securely connected to the shank of the main bolt so as to pull the main bolt upward to allow the multiple clamping pieces to clamp the hitch ball. A second securing unit has a lever, a pull rod, and a push plate, wherein the lever has an end part and the pull rod has a head pivotably connected to the end part and a shank of the pull rod extends through and is securely connected to the two parts of the lateral tube. The push plate has an end pivotably connected to the end part and a protrusion extends from a side of the push plate. The protrusion pushes the fixed part to narrow the longitudinal slot when the lever is located at a locked position. The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view to show a bicycle rack is connected to the securing device of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded view to show the securing device of the present invention; Fig. 3 is another exploded view to show the securing device of the present invention; 3 Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view to show that the hitch ball is clamped by the clamping pieces and the main bolt is connected with the knob; Fig. 5A is a cross sectional view to show that a cap is removed from the knob; Fig. 5B is a cross sectional view to show that the fixing bolt is unscrewed from the main bolt; Fig. 5C is a cross sectional view to show that the fixing bolt is removed from the main bolt; Fig. 5D is a cross sectional view to show that the knob is disengaged from the main bolt; Fig. 5E is a cross sectional view to show that the hollow cup portion is separated from the clamping pieces by the spring; Fig. 6A is a cross sectional view to show that the knob is completely separated from the main bolt; Fig. 6B is a cross sectional view to show that the hitch ball is separated from the hollow cup portion of the base; Fig. 7A shows that the lever is located at the unlocked position; Fig. 7B shows that the lever is located at the locked position; Fig. 8 is a perspective view to show that the lever is about to be pivoted from the locked position to the unlocked position; Fig. 9 shows that the restriction member restricts the pivotal movement of the bicycle rack; 4 Fig. 10 shows that the bicycle rack includes a foldable extension rack; Fig. 11 shows that the clamping pieces each have concavities to reduce their weight; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view to show the securing device using the clamping pieces with concavities; Fig. 13 is a side view to show that the bicycle rack on the securing device of the present invention can be pivoted an angle; Fig. 14A is a perspective view to show a conventional securing device of a bicycle rack, and Fig. 14B is a partial cross sectional view to show the conventional securing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the securing device for connecting a bicycle rack 120 to a hitch ball 50on a vehicle 60 (Fig. 13) comprises a base 10 having a connection portion 12 on a first side thereof and a hollow cup portion 11 connected to a second side of the base 10. The connection portion 12 is connected to the bicycle rack 120 and the hollow cup portion 11 has an open bottom and a top hole 110 is defined through a top of the hollow cup portion 11. A latitude slot 111 and a longitude slot 112 are defined through a wall of the hollow cup portion 11, wherein the longitude slot 112 opens to the lower end of the hollow cup portion 11. The latitude slot 111 communicates with the longitude slot 112. A later tube 13 extends from the cup portion 11 and is composed of 5 two parts between which a longitudinal groove is defined, the longitude slot 112 is located between the two parts. A fixed part 130 is connected to an outside of one of the two parts of the lateral tube 13. A clamping unit 20 includes multiple clamping pieces 21 and each clamping piece 21 includes a recess 211 defined in an inside thereof. The recesses 211 of the multiple clamping pieces 21 define a space so as to receive the hitch ball 50 as shown in Fig. 4. The clamping pieces 21 are located within the hollow cup portion 11. Each of the clamping pieces 21 includes a notch 210 defined in the inside thereof and the notch 210 is located close to the top end of each clamping piece 21, A main bolt 22 has a head and a shank, the head of the main bolt 22 is accommodated within a space composed by the multiple notches 210 and the shank extends from a top of a combination of the clamping pieces 21. A spring 23 is mounted to the shank which extends into the hollow cp portion 11 and through a top hole 110 of the hollow cup portion 11. The shank of the main bolt 22 includes a threaded section 221 and a threaded hole 220 is defined in a top thereof. A first securing unity 30 includes a knob 31 which is located on the top of the hollow cup portion 11 and threadedly and securely connected to the threaded section 221 of the shank of the main bolt 22. A fixing bolt 32 extends through the knob 31 and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole 220 of the main bolt 22. The multiple clamping pieces 21 are pulled toward each other when the main bolt 22 is pulled upward by the knob 31. The spring 23 is biased between a protruding portion on the 6 combination of the clamping pieces 21 and an inner ceiling of the hollow cup portion 11. A second securing unit 40 has a lever 41, a pull rod 42, and a push plate 43, wherein the lever 41 has an end part 410 and the end part 410 of the lever 41 includes two sidewalls. Two through holes 411 are defined through the two sidewalls respectively. The pull rod 42 has a head pivotably connected between the two sidewalls of the end part 410 and a shank of the pull rod 42 extends through and is securely connected to the two parts of the lateral tube 13. The push plate 43 has an end pivotably connected to the end part 410 and a protrusion 430 extends from a side of the push plate 43. A pin 41 1A extends through the end of the push plate 43, the through holes 411 and the head of the pull rod 42. At least one of the two sidewalls of the end part 410 includes an elongate slot 412 and the protrusion 430 is movably engaged with the elongate slot 412. As shown in Fig. 7B, when the lever is in locked position where the lever 41 is pivoted about the pin 411A and oriented upward. The protrusion 430 on the push plate 43 pushes the fixed part 130 to push the left one of the two parts of the lateral tube 13 toward the right one of the two parts of the lateral tube 13, so as to narrow the longitude slot 112 to allow the hollow cup portion 11 to hold the clamping pieces 21. Therefore, the hitch ball 50 is securely clamped by the clamping pieces 21 which are controlled by the main bolt 22 and the knob 31 in vertical direction, and the clamping 7 pieces 21 are securely held by the hollow cup portion 11 by the lever 41 in horizontal direction. As shown in Figs. 7A and 8, When dismounting the bicycle rack 120 from the hitch ball 50, the lever 41 is pivoted to the unlocked position in horizontal position and the protrusion 430 is removed from the fixed part 130, so that the hollow cup portion 11 releases the holding of the clamping pieces 21. As shown in Figs. 5A to 5E, the cap (not numbered) in the knob 31 is first removed from the knob 31, and the fixing bolt 32 is unscrewed and removed from the threaded hole 220 of the main bolt 22 as shown in Fig. 5C. The knob 31 is then removed from the main bolt 22 and the spring 23 pushes the hollow cup portion 11 from the clamping pieces 21 as shown in Fig. 5E. As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the clamping pieces 21 can then be separated from the hitch ball 50 to dismount the bicycle rack 120 from the hitch ball 50. As shown in Figs. 9 and 13, a restriction member 14 is connected to the base 10 and located beside the connection portion 12, so that the restriction member 14 is used to restrict pivotal movement of the bicycle rack 120. This allows the hatchback door of the vehicle 60 to be opened while the bicycle rack 120 is connected to the hitch ball 50. Fig. 10 shows that the bicycle rack 120 may include an extension rack 121 which is designed to be foldable toward the upright post of the bicycle rack 120 to save space required. Figs. 11 and 12 show that the clamping pieces 21 each may have multiple concavities 212 defined in an outside thereof to reduce their weight. 8 The securing device provides two different directions of forces to ensure that the hitch ball 50 is securely clamped by the clamping pieces 21, so that the bicycle rack 120 does not separate from the hitch ball 50. Besides, the spring 23 separates the hollow cup portion 11 from the clamping pieces 21 when the two directions of forces are released, so that the user can easily dismount the bicycle rack 120 from the hitch ball 50. While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 9

Claims (6)

1. A securing device for connecting a bicycle rack to a hitch ball on a vehicle, the securing device comprising: a base having a connection portion on a first side thereof and a hollow cup portion connected to a second side of the base, the connection portion adapted to be connected to the bicycle rack, the hollow cup portion having an open bottom and a top hole defined through a top of the hollow cup portion, a latitude slot and a longitude slot defined through a wall of the hollow cup portion, and the latitude slot communicates with the longitude slot, a later tube extending from the cup portion and composed of two parts between which a longitudinal groove is defined, the longitude slot located between the two parts, a fixed part connected to an outside of one of the two parts of the lateral tube; a clamping unit including multiple clamping pieces and each clamping piece including a recess defined in an inside thereof, the recesses of the multiple clamping pieces defining a space so as to be adapted to receive the hitch ball, the clamping pieces located within the hollow cup portion, a main bolt having a head and a shank, the head of the main bolt clamped between respective top ends of the clamping pieces and the shank extending from a top of a combination of the clamping pieces, a spring mounted to the shank which extends into the hollow cp portion and through a top hole of the hollow cup portion; 10 a first securing unity including a knob which is located on the top of the hollow cup portion and securely connected to the shank of the main bolt, the multiple clamping pieces being pulled toward each other when the main bolt is pulled upward by the knob, and a second securing unit having a lever, a pull rod, and a push plate, the lever having an end part and the pull rod having a head pivotably connected to the end part and a shank of the pull rod extending through and securely connect to the two parts of the lateral tube, the push plate having an end pivotably connected to the end part and a protrusion extending from a side of the push plate, the protrusion pushing the fixed part to narrow the longitudinal slot when the lever is located at a locked position.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a restriction member is connected to the base and located beside the connection portion, the restriction member is adapted to restrict pivotal movement of the bicycle rack.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shank of the main bolt includes a threaded section and a threaded hole is defined in a top thereof, a fixing bolt extends through the knob and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole of the main bolt.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the clamping pieces includes a notch defined in the inside thereof and the notch is located close to the top end of each clamping piece, the head of the main bolt is accommodated within a space composed by the multiple notches. 11
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end part of the lever includes two sidewalls and two through holes are defined through the two sidewalls respectively, a pin extends through the end of the push plate, the through holes and the head of the pull rod.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping pieces each have multiple concavities defined in an outside thereof. 12
AU2009238309A 2008-11-19 2009-11-18 Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle Active AU2009238309B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW097144608A TW200911585A (en) 2008-11-19 2008-11-19 Structure of device for tightening ball-clamping-type fixture for bicycle mounting rack installed on back of vehicle
TW097144608 2008-11-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2009238309A1 AU2009238309A1 (en) 2010-06-03
AU2009238309B2 true AU2009238309B2 (en) 2011-05-26

Family

ID=42261723

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2009238309A Active AU2009238309B2 (en) 2008-11-19 2009-11-18 Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2009238309B2 (en)
TW (1) TW200911585A (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102343869B (en) * 2010-07-30 2013-07-24 亨叡股份有限公司 Sedan type frame
TWI527721B (en) * 2013-10-18 2016-04-01 King Rack Ind Co Ltd The rear end of the vehicle is equipped with a clip
CN105235601B (en) * 2015-10-15 2021-12-14 宁波晨帆汽车附件有限公司 Bicycle fixing frame for motor vehicle
TWI606944B (en) * 2016-09-30 2017-12-01 King Rack Industrial Co Ltd Clip ball type clamping structure
TWI678301B (en) 2018-10-30 2019-12-01 高鐵工業股份有限公司 Carrying frame clamp ball type clamp pressing auxiliary wrench
ES2781048B2 (en) * 2019-02-26 2022-03-23 Abrisketa Eneko Garai SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR LOAD CARRIERS TO BE MOUNTED ON A VEHICLE BALL TYPE TRAILER HITCH AND ASSOCIATED STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
TWI705012B (en) * 2019-06-28 2020-09-21 高鐵工業股份有限公司 Carrying frame clamp ball type clamp pressing structure

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TW319196U (en) * 1997-02-20 1997-11-01 Chen li jiu Buckling structure for child seat of stroller capable of operating with single hand
EP1095820A1 (en) * 1999-10-25 2001-05-02 Industri AB Thule Cargo carrier
US20040256429A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Wang Chiu Kuei Securing device for bicycle racks on vehicles
AU2007100557A4 (en) * 2007-06-22 2007-08-02 Chiu-Kuei Wang Connection Device for Connecting Bicycle Rack to Vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TW319196U (en) * 1997-02-20 1997-11-01 Chen li jiu Buckling structure for child seat of stroller capable of operating with single hand
EP1095820A1 (en) * 1999-10-25 2001-05-02 Industri AB Thule Cargo carrier
US20040256429A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Wang Chiu Kuei Securing device for bicycle racks on vehicles
AU2007100557A4 (en) * 2007-06-22 2007-08-02 Chiu-Kuei Wang Connection Device for Connecting Bicycle Rack to Vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2009238309A1 (en) 2010-06-03
TW200911585A (en) 2009-03-16
TWI339168B (en) 2011-03-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2009238309B2 (en) Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle
US6354557B1 (en) Adjustable bicycles seat height assembly
US20080230579A1 (en) Bicycle rack with wheel securing devices
US8006876B2 (en) Securing device for connecting bicycle rack to vehicle
RU2442703C2 (en) Connection unit designed for connection between bicycle transportation unit and transportation vehicle
US20090114783A1 (en) Tool rack set fastener
CA2956005A1 (en) Carrier for a two wheeled vehicle
US8646667B2 (en) Roof rack device
US20090302078A1 (en) Bicycle rack
US20090230162A1 (en) Foldable bicycle rack
CA2506841A1 (en) Bicycle seat assembly
US9862330B2 (en) Rack for pickup trucks and trailers
US7273221B2 (en) Attachment system for bicycle accessories
US10166932B2 (en) Bicycle mount device
US20090159626A1 (en) Carrier rack for a bicycle
US20050082328A1 (en) Bicycle fixing rack assembly for wheeled vehicle
US20040256429A1 (en) Securing device for bicycle racks on vehicles
US20060096408A1 (en) Bicycle stem having a positioning mechanism for re-positioning a handle
US20050056740A1 (en) Rack for bicycle
US9889897B2 (en) Bicycle comprising an anti-theft security system
US9242609B2 (en) Foldable bicycle carry rack
US7849557B1 (en) Backpack blower rack
US9751579B2 (en) Child bicycle seat
PL219108B1 (en) Fixing device for fastening bicycle roof luggage rack with the engaging ball on the vehicle
US7150076B2 (en) Handlebar fixing device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FGA Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)