AU2016287080A1

AU2016287080A1 - Device for transporting bicycles

Info

Publication number: AU2016287080A1
Application number: AU2016287080A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Manfred Österle
Original assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
Current assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
Priority date: 2015-07-02
Filing date: 2016-06-20
Publication date: 2018-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-20
Also published as: AT517363A1; AU2016287080B2; EP3317171B1; ES2731153T3; AT517363B1; WO2017001224A1; EP3317171A1; NZ738879A; TR201910779T4

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for holding or transporting bicycles (7), which device has an upper and a lower holding apparatus (2, 3) for a running wheel (8) of the bicycles (7), which holding apparatuses are mounted on a support (4), wherein the upper holding apparatus (2) is supported on the support (4) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (11) and wherein the upper and lower holding apparatuses (2, 3) are connected to each other by means of at least one tension bar (18), which is articulated to the upper holding apparatus (2). The lower holding apparatus (3) is rigidly connected to the support (4) during use. The tension bar (18) is articulated to the lower holding apparatus (3) by means of a coupling bar (20), and a lower supporting apparatus (23) for the running wheel (8) is arranged on the tension bar (18) and/or the coupling bar (20).

Description

Device for transporting bicycles

The invention relates to an apparatus for retaining and/or transporting bicycles, having an upper and a lower retaining device, as seen in the use position, for a wheel of the bicycles, said retaining devices being installed on a carrier, wherein the upper retaining device is mounted on the carrier such that it can be pivoted about a pivot pin, and wherein the upper and lower retaining devices are connected to one another by at least one connecting rod, which is connected in an articulated manner to the upper retaining device

The invention also relates to a transporting means, in particular a chair, of a cableway, having at least one such apparatus .

Such an apparatus, in addition to other possible uses, should make it possible in particular for passengers to carry along their bicycles as they travel up and/or down mountains. The apparatus should be configured here such that the operation of loading the apparatus with the bicycles, or the operation of unloading the bicycles from the apparatus, can take place as straightforwardly as possible, it nevertheless being ensured that the bicycles are retained securely in the apparatus, in particular without obstructing the operation of the cableway.

In the case of an apparatus which is known from FR 2 958 255 A, both the upper and the lower retaining devices are pivotable, wherein the retaining devices, which are connected directly to one another, move

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PCT/EP2016/064157 toward one another and secure the wheel when the wheel is positioned on the lower retaining device and the latter lowers under the weight of the bicycle. The bicycle has to be raised upward in order to be removed and in order for the apparatus to be opened, although both the lower and the upper retaining devices move upward, which is impractical for the loading and unloading operations. This additional vertical movement is difficult, in particular, when the bicycles involved are relatively heavy or the people concerned are relatively weak or small.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction in the case of which the operation of loading bicycles, or the operation of unloading bicycles, can take place as straightforwardly as possible .

This object is achieved, in the case of an apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction, in that during use, the lower retaining device is connected rigidly to the carrier, in that the connecting rod is connected in an articulated manner to the lower retaining device via a coupling rod, and in that a lower supporting device for the wheel is arranged on the connecting rod and/or the coupling rod.

The lower retaining device, which is fastened rigidly during use, renders the change in height which the bicycle has to achieve during loading and unloading smaller, as a result of which the loading and unloading can be carried out more straightforwardly. The wheel is nevertheless securely retained.

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In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rear supporting device is arranged in the region of the free end of the lower retaining device. The wheel can be supported on said supporting device, which is arranged on the rigidly installed, lower retaining device, during loading and unloading, which increases convenience and safety for the operator.

It is also preferred in the case of the invention if the apparatus has a front supporting device for that region of the wheel which is directed toward the carrier, since the position of the wheel on the side of the carrier is defined precisely in this way.

It is further preferred in the case of the invention if, in the use position, an articulation which connects the connecting rod and the coupling rod is located vertically beneath a line which connects the front and rear supporting devices, and in particular if the lower supporting device is arranged in the region of the articulation. This creates a stable supporting triangle for the wheel, wherein, at the same time, the upper retaining device is pulled downward against the wheel.

Within the context of the invention, it is preferred if at least one of the supporting devices is designed in the form of a roller, wherein it is further preferred if the roller has a smaller diameter in the central region than at the peripheral regions. This facilitates the operation of loading the apparatus with the bicycles and the operation of unloading the bicycles from the apparatus.

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In order for the upper retaining device to be installed in a movable manner, it preferably has an aperture, preferably a slot, in which engages an arresting bolt which is fastened on the carrier. This limits the movement of the upper retaining device in the upward and downward directions, and the upper retaining device cannot end up positioned in an undesirable manner.

As a result of the retaining devices of the apparatus according to the invention being oriented essentially horizontally in the use position, said retaining devices constitute an obstruction when the transporting means are garaged. In order to avoid this, it is possible for the lower retaining device, according to the invention, to be connected to the carrier via a pivot pin and an arresting bolt and for the arresting bolt to be removable and for the lower retaining device to be pivotable into a parked position. This means that the lower retaining device, which is rigid during operation, can be, for example, swung downward.

If the upper and lower retaining devices have a common arresting bolt, it is possible for the two retaining devices to be swung, for example, downward together by just a single arresting bolt being released.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention form the subject matter of the rest of the dependent claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

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PCT/EP2016/064157 figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, figure 2 figure 3 figure 4 figure 5 figure 6

shows	an	oblique view of	the	embodiment	from
figure	1,
shows	an	oblique view of the	! apparatus	from
figure		1 in a swung-downward, parked
position,
shows	a	side view of	the	embodiment	from
figure	1	in a position	for	retaining	large
wheel	diameters,
shows	a	side view of	the	embodiment	from
figure	1	in a position	for	retaining	small
wheel	diameters,
shows	an	oblique view	of	a chair	of a

figure 7 figure 8 chairlift with three apparatuses according to figure 1 installed thereon and with a bicycle installed thereon, shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and shows a side view of a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a first embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the invention, having essentially an upper retaining device 2 and a lower retaining device 3, which are installed on a carrier 4. The carrier 4 may be fastened on a transporting means of a cableway, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated on a chair 5 of a chairlift or on a bar 6 of the chair 5, such that a bicycle 7 which is installed on the apparatus 1 for example via its front wheel 8 can be installed to hang approximately vertically. In order to prevent the bicycle which is mounted on the apparatus 1 from swinging, a further, lower bar 9 is fastened on

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PCT/EP2016/064157 the chair 5, the bicycle 7 butting against said lower bar by way of its rear wheel 10. The apparatus 1 according to the invention may also be fastened in some way other than that illustrated in figure 6. For example, the carriers 4 could be fastened directly on a frame part of the chair 5.

The number of apparatuses 1 according to the invention which are fastened on a transporting means depends on the individual requirements of the cableway operators and on the given space conditions on the transporting means. It is possible for just a single apparatus 1 to be fastened on a transporting means. However, it is also possible for there to be two or more, for example three, apparatuses 1, as in the embodiment illustrated in figure 6. It is also possible for transporting means with and without an apparatus 1 according to the invention to be arranged at certain intervals on a cableway.

The upper retaining device 2 and the lower retaining device 3 are installed on the carrier 4 via a pivot pin 11. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper retaining device 2 and the lower retaining device 3 are installed on the carrier 4 via a common pivot pin 11. It would also be possible, however, for them to be installed via separate pivot pins.

In the use or operating position illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 4 to 6, the lower retaining device 3 is

connected	rigidly	or	immovably to	the carrier	4 .	An
arresting	bolt 12	is	provided for	this purpose	and	is
inserted	through	a	corresponding	opening 15	in	the

lower retaining device 3 and through the carrier 4. The

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lower retaining device	3 is thus	arrested	in	the
operating position by	the pivot	pin 11	and	the
arresting bolt 12.
In order to limit the extent of the	pivoting	movement

of the upper retaining device 2 about the pivot pin 11, the upper retaining device 2 contains an opening, in the specific embodiment a slot 13, through which the arresting bolt 12 is likewise inserted. The extent of the pivoting movement of the upper retaining device 2 is thus defined by the position and length of the slot

13.

If a split	pin	14, which	is	inserted	through	the
arresting bolt 12	in order	to	secure	the same,	is
removed and	the	arresting	bolt 12 is	pulled	out

altogether, the upper and lower retaining devices 2, 3 can be pivoted downward together into a parked position, as is illustrated in figure 3. In order to secure the position of the retaining devices 2, 3 in the parked position, it is possible for the retaining devices 2, 3 to be provided with openings 16, 17, through which the arresting bolt 12 can be inserted into the carrier 4.

On the upper retaining device 2, connecting rods 18 in a parallel arrangement are mounted in a pivotable manner on a bearing 19. On the lower retaining device

3, coupling rods 20 are mounted in a pivotable manner on a bearing 21. The connecting rods 18 and the coupling rods 20 are connected to one another at an articulation 22. In this embodiment, the coupling rods 20 are also connected to one another by a plate 20a, a

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U-shaped tray thus being formed in order to accommodate the wheel 8.

A lower supporting device 23 for the wheel 8 is arranged on the articulation 22 which connects the connecting rod 18 and the coupling rod 20 to one as an alternative, the lower 23 could be arranged on the connecting rod 18 or the coupling rod 20, preferably in the vicinity of the articulation 22.

another, wherein, supporting device

In the embodiment illustrated, the apparatus 1 according to the invention has further supporting devices for the wheel 8.

These take the form of a front supporting device 24, which in the case of this embodiment is formed by a supporting surface of the carrier 4, a rear supporting device 25 in the region of a free end 26 of the lower retaining device 3 and also an upper supporting device 27 in the region of a free end 28 of the upper retaining device 2.

The supporting devices 23, 25, 27 may be rollers, which have a smaller diameter in the central region than at the peripheral regions. This automatically results in the wheel 8 being centered when it is fitted into the apparatus 1. It is preferably the case that one of the two supporting devices 25, 27 is not movable or rotatable at the free ends 26, 28, and this improves the retention of the wheel 8 in the apparatus 1.

The articulation 22 is arranged such that it is located vertically beneath a line 37 which connects the front

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PCT/EP2016/064157 supporting device 24 and the rear supporting device 25. The geometry of the apparatus 1 is such that, when a wheel 8 is positioned in the lower retaining device 3, in a first instance said wheel is lifted or rolled over the rear supporting device 25 until it rests on the lower supporting device 23 and pushes the latter downward under the weight of the bicycle 7. As a result, the upper retaining device 2 is pulled downward via the connecting rod 18 until its upper supporting device 27 butts against the wheel 8 from above. Meanwhile, in the case of relatively large wheel diameters (figure 4), the wheel 8 also comes into abutment against the front supporting device 24, the wheel therefore ultimately being mounted or secured at four points in the apparatus 1.

In the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings, the upper and lower retaining devices 2, 3 each have two parallel legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, between which the wheel 8 is accommodated. At the end 26, 28 of the retaining devices 2, 3, said end being located opposite the carrier 4, the legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are connected by means of a respective connecting part 29, 30, which has a central part 31 and guide walls 32, 33. The connecting parts 29, 30, on the one hand, serve to connect the legs firmly and, on the other hand, make it easier for the wheel 8 to be introduced into the apparatus 1.

In order to make it even easier for a wheel 8 to be introduced, it is possible to provide a spring (not illustrated) of which the force is sufficient to keep the upper retaining device 2 in the upwardly pivoted or open position.

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In the embodiment illustrated, the connecting rods 18 and the coupling rods 20 are provided in a double or parallel arrangement, in order to ensure sufficient stability of the apparatus 1. However, it would be possible, in principle, for some or all of the parts which are present in a double or parallel arrangement (legs 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, connecting rods 18 and coupling rods 20) to be provided just in a single, rather than a double, arrangement, without this having any influence on the basic function of the apparatus 1 according to the invention.

In order, on the one hand, to increase the stability of the retaining devices 2, 3 further and, on the other hand, to provide additional retention for relatively small wheel diameters, a further, front supporting device 34 and a holder 35 are arranged on the two retaining devices 2, 3, in the half assigned to the carrier 4, it being possible for a wheel 8 to butt against said supporting device and holder if it is too small in order also to butt against the supporting surface 24 of the carrier 4.

The geometry of the apparatus 1 may be such that for example all the customary wheel diameters ranging from 24 to 29 can be retained securely. Larger or smaller wheel diameters, of course, are also possible.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate how the apparatus 1 adapts automatically to different wheel diameters. Figure 4 illustrates the apparatus 1 in a position for retaining a large wheel diameter, which is symbolized by a large circle 38. In this case, the wheel 8 butts against the

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PCT/EP2016/064157 front supporting device 24 (supporting surface) and against the rear supporting device 25 (roller) . The upper retaining device 2 is pulled downward by the lower supporting device 23 (roller), on which the wheel 8 rests, until the upper supporting device 27 (roller) likewise butts against the wheel 8. Figure 5 illustrates the apparatus 1 in a position for retaining a small wheel diameter, which is symbolized by a small circle 39. In this case, the wheel 8 butts against the front supporting device 34 and against the rear supporting device 25 (roller). The upper retaining device 2 is likewise pulled downward by the lower supporting device 23 (roller) until the upper supporting device 27 (roller) rests on the wheel 8.

Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, in the case of which just the upper supporting device 27 is designed in the form of a roller. In particular, the lower and rear supporting devices 23, 25 are designed in the form of a single rigid component which, at the same time, forms the coupling rod 40 and, on the one hand, is connected to the legs 3a, 3b of the lower retaining device 3 via the articulation 21 and, on the other

hand, is connected to articulation 22.	the	connecting rods	18	via	the
Figure 8	illustrates	a	third embodiment	of	an
apparatus	1 according	to	the invention	in	an	open
position,	to be precise	in	a position for	retaining a

large wheel diameter. The embodiment of figure 8 corresponds, in terms of its basic function, to that of figures 1 to 7, although this embodiment does not have the slot to limit the pivoting range of the upper

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PCT/EP2016/064157 retaining device 2. Moreover, the front supporting device, rather than being formed by the carrier 4, is formed by a further supporting device 36, which is arranged on the lower retaining device 3.

Claims

Claims :

1. An apparatus (1) for retaining and/or transporting bicycles (7), having an upper and a lower retaining device (2, 3), as seen in the use position, for a wheel (8) of the bicycles (7), said retaining devices being installed on a carrier (4), wherein the upper retaining device (2) is mounted on the carrier (4) such that it can be pivoted about a pivot pin (11), and wherein the upper and lower retaining devices (2, 3) are connected to one another by at least one connecting rod (18), which is connected in an articulated manner to the upper retaining device (2), characterized in that, during use, the lower retaining device (3) is connected rigidly to the carrier (4), in that the connecting rod (18) is connected in an articulated manner to the lower retaining device (3) via a coupling rod (20, 40), and in that a lower supporting device (23) for the wheel (8) is arranged on the connecting rod (18) and/or the coupling rod (20, 40) .

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it has a front supporting device (24, 34,

36) for that region of the wheel (8) which is directed toward the carrier (4).

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the front supporting device (24) is a supporting wall on the carrier (4).

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the front supporting device

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PCT/EP2016/064157 (34, 36) is installed on the lower retaining device (3).

5. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a rear supporting device (25) is arranged in the region of a free end (26) of the lower retaining device (3).

6. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in the use position, an articulation (22) which connects the connecting rod (18) and the coupling rod (20) is located vertically beneath a line (37) which connects the front supporting device (36) and rear supporting device (25).

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the lower supporting device (23) is arranged in the region of the articulation (22).

8. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an upper supporting device (27) is arranged in the region of a free end (28) of the upper retaining device (2).

9. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the supporting devices (23, 25, 27) is designed in the form of a roller.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the roller has a smaller diameter in the central region than at the peripheral regions.

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11. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a holder (35) is arranged on the upper retaining device (2), in the half assigned to the carrier (4) .

12. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the upper retaining device (2) has an aperture, preferably a slot (13), in which engages an arresting bolt (12) which is installed on the carrier (4) .

13. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower retaining device (3) is connected to the carrier (4) via a pivot pin (11) and an arresting bolt (12).

14, characterized in that the upper and lower retaining devices (2, 3) have a common arresting bolt (12) .

14. The apparatus as claimed in claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the arresting bolts (12) for the upper and the lower retaining devices (2, 3) are removable and the retaining devices (2, • 3) are

pivotable into a parked position.

15. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 12 to

16. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the upper and/or lower retaining devices (2, 3) have/has two parallel legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b), between which the wheel (8) is accommodated.

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17, characterized by the arrangement, on the upper and/or lower retaining devices (2, 3), of an opening (16, 17), through which the arresting bolt (12) can be inserted in the parked position.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that at the end (26, 28), which is located opposite the carrier (4), the legs (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b) are connected by means of a connecting part (29, 30), which has a central part (31) and guide walls (32, 33).

18. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 to

19. A transporting means, in particular chair (5), of a cableway, characterized in that at least one apparatus (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 18 is installed on the transporting means.

20. The transporting means as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the carrier (4) of the apparatus (1) is fastened on a bar (6) or on a frame part of the transporting means.