DE102021209353A1 - bike carrier device - Google Patents

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to a bicycle carrier device (1) for a vehicle (F), with at least one carrier unit (15) on which at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) for transporting the bicycle (FR1, FR2) in a loading space (L) of the vehicle (F) can be determined.
The bicycle carrier device (1) comprises an adjusting device (1B) via which the carrier unit (15) can be connected to the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) fixed to the carrier unit (1A).
- Along an adjustment direction (V ₁ ) is at least partially extendable from the loading space (L) of the vehicle (F) and
- Is rotatable about an axis of rotation (D) running parallel to the direction of adjustment (V ₁ ).

Description

The proposed solution relates to a bicycle carrier device in order to be able to safely transport at least one bicycle in a loading space of a vehicle.

Bicycle carrier devices are known from practice in various forms. For example, bicycle carrier devices for mounting on a roof of a vehicle or on a trailer hitch of a vehicle are common. In this case, a bicycle fixed to the respective bicycle carrier device for transport remains outside the vehicle. The bicycle is thus easily damaged when the vehicle is parked and is also exposed to an increased risk of theft. This is disadvantageous, especially in the case of higher-quality bicycles and high-priced electric bicycles, for example so-called pedelecs or e-bikes. When the vehicle is parked, bicycles are therefore typically secured on a bicycle carrier device with sometimes extremely complex locks or simply unloaded from the bicycle carrier device, for example in order to accommodate the respective bicycle in a building.

In principle, there is also the possibility of accommodating at least one bicycle in vehicles with a larger loading space, such as a van or mobile home. In practice, however, hardly any space-saving and crash-safe options are known for this.

Against this background, the proposed solution is based on the object of providing a bicycle carrier device that enables at least one bicycle to be accommodated in a compact, secure manner in a loading space of a vehicle and is also easy and convenient for a user to operate.

This object is achieved with a bicycle carrier device of claim 1.

• - entlang einer Verstellrichtung zumindest teilweise aus dem Laderaum des Fahrzeugs ausfahrbar ist und
• - um eine zu der Verstellrichtung parallel verlaufende Drehachse drehbar ist.

A bicycle carrier device for a vehicle with at least one carrier unit is proposed, wherein at least one bicycle for transporting the bicycle in a loading space of the vehicle can be fixed to the at least one carrier unit. The proposed bicycle carrier device also includes an adjusting device, via which the carrier unit can be connected to the at least one bicycle fixed to the carrier unit

• - Can be extended at least partially out of the loading space of the vehicle along an adjustment direction and
• - is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the adjustment direction.

The proposed bicycle carrier device is therefore set up with the adjusting device so that when the bicycle carrier device is installed as intended in a vehicle, the carrier unit with the bicycle fixed thereto can be extended along an adjustment direction on the one hand and rotated about an axis of rotation running parallel to this adjustment direction on the other. The bicycle can consequently be held in a rotated position on the carrier unit and driven into the loading space of the vehicle or, conversely, extended out of the loading space in the rotated position and then rotated for unloading. In this way, at least one bicycle can be accommodated within a vehicle-side loading space not only in a comparatively simple manner, but also in a very space-saving manner. At the same time, the bicycle can be locked in a crash-proof manner on the bicycle carrier device, so that when the bicycle carrier device is fixed in the loading space as intended, the bicycle can be transported safely inside the vehicle.

In one embodiment variant, the carrier unit can be adjusted by more than 70 cm, for example by more than 100 cm or more than 120 cm, along the adjustment direction via the adjustment device. In other words, the carrier unit can be adjusted via the adjustment device by an adjustment path with a length of more than 70 cm, in particular by more than 70 cm out of the loading space of a vehicle. The at least one bicycle fixed to the carrier unit can then be extended lengthwise with the aid of the bicycle carrier device, for example, completely along the adjustment direction from a vehicle-side loading space and here, for example, also along a longitudinal axis of the bicycle, which points from a front wheel to a rear wheel of the bicycle.

In one embodiment variant, the carrier unit with the at least one bicycle attached to it is extended along the adjustment direction about the axis of rotation from a stowed position by an angle in the range of 75° to 105°, in particular by an angle in the range of 85° to 95°, eg by an angle of 90°, into a loading position, in which the at least one bicycle is aligned substantially vertically on the carrier unit with its steering axis. In a loading position, the bicycle is consequently in an upright position in which the tires of the bicycle are on an essentially horizontal virtual plane. A steering axis of the bicycle is then aligned essentially vertically. In contrast, the at least one bike in Ver stowage position with the carrier unit relative to the vertical by a (rotational) angle in the range of 75° to 105°, in particular in the range of 85° to 95°, for example by 90°, tilted and thus, for example, from the upright position assumed in the loading position Position converted into a sideways tilted, horizontal position. In such a tilted position and an associated stowage position of the carrier unit, the at least one bicycle takes up less space in terms of height. In this way, the at least one bicycle can optionally be accommodated in a more space-saving manner within a vehicle-side loading space.

In one embodiment variant, the adjustment device comprises a rotary assembly with a first longitudinal guide element and a second longitudinal guide element for the displaceable and rotatable mounting of the carrier unit. In this case, the first longitudinal guide element is then mounted such that it can rotate about the axis of rotation and the second longitudinal guide element can be displaced along the adjustment direction relative to the longitudinal guide element. Because the carrier unit is connected to the second longitudinal guide element in a rotationally fixed manner, the carrier unit can consequently be displaced relative to the first longitudinal guide element. At the same time, the second longitudinal guide element is coupled to the first longitudinal guide element in such a way that a rotary movement of the first longitudinal guide element also leads to a rotary movement of the second longitudinal guide element. Despite the displaceable mounting of the second longitudinal guide element, the second longitudinal guide element can be rotated with the aid of the first longitudinal guide element in order to enable the carrier unit provided on the second longitudinal guide element to rotate about the axis of rotation. The second longitudinal guide element can be connected to the first longitudinal guide element in a rotationally fixed manner, for example via a positive fit with a sliding fit. Alternatively, however, a coupling can also be provided between the first longitudinal guide element and the second longitudinal guide element, in particular a rotary coupling that allows an offset in the angle of rotation, so that the second longitudinal guide element only rotates after bridging a predetermined idle travel when the first longitudinal guide element rotates. Consequently, a predetermined free travel must first be bridged here before the first longitudinal guide element can be rotated further to rotate the second one as well. Longitudinal guide element leads to the carrier unit.

In a further development, the first longitudinal guide element is rotatably mounted via at least one support bearing of the bicycle carrier device, which is mounted to be displaceable along the adjustment direction. A support bearing thus rotatably supports the longitudinal guide element on the one hand and is itself displaceable on the other hand in order to enable or at least support a displacement of the supporting support bearing on the bicycle carrier device and thus the extension of the carrier unit. For example, the first longitudinal guide element is rotatably mounted on the at least one support bearing via a bushing part, through which the first longitudinal guide element extends. The socket part can then have a through-opening, for example, in which a section of the first longitudinal guide element is accommodated. Such a socket part is then provided, for example, on a head of the support bearing, while a foot of the support bearing is mounted in a displaceable manner.

In a further development, the bushing part, which has a positive-locking opening for the first longitudinal guide element, is accommodated in a bearing shell. In this case, the socket part can be secured against axial slipping out of the bearing shell via at least one retaining ring. For this purpose, the securing ring is then located, for example, in a puncture groove of the socket part.

In one embodiment variant, the first longitudinal guide element is designed with a polygonal rod. In particular, the polygonal bar can be a square bar. On the one hand, a polygonal rod enables a comparatively simple form-fitting connection with the second longitudinal guide element in order to couple the first longitudinal guide element and the second longitudinal guide element to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. At the same time, a sliding fit can be implemented comparatively easily via a polygonal rod along its longitudinal axis. A longitudinal axis of the more polygonal rod then coincides with the axis of rotation and runs parallel to the adjustment direction.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the adjustment device includes a pivot bearing, via which the carrier unit can also be tilted transversely to the adjustment direction. In particular, the carrier unit (when the bicycle carrier device is installed in a vehicle as intended) can be tilted transversely to a cargo area floor of the vehicle via a corresponding pivot bearing when the carrier unit is extended from the cargo area. The provision of a swivel bearing can, for example, make it easier to guide the carrier unit when exiting the loading space if the vehicle is standing on an inclined surface and/or the ground along which the carrier unit is to be moved has major unevenness.

About the pivot bearing, for example, the second longitudinal guide element with respect of the first longitudinal guide element of a rotary assembly of the adjusting device can be tilted.

In principle, it can be provided that the carrier unit can be rotated about the axis of rotation by muscle power. For this purpose, the bicycle carrier device then has a hand crank, for example. Alternatively, the bicycle carrier device can comprise at least one drive motor for externally powered rotation of the carrier unit about the axis of rotation. This includes in particular a motor-controlled or at least motor-assisted rotation of the carrier unit.

The bicycle carrier device can have a spindle gear, for example, for rotation of the carrier unit that is actuated by external power as well as rotation by muscle power.

In one embodiment variant, a support assembly with a support structure is provided on an end of the carrier unit that can be extended along the adjustment direction, which can be adjusted transversely to the axis of rotation between a stowed position for a retracted state of the carrier unit and a support position, the support structure in the support position for supporting the at least partially is provided along the adjustment direction of the extended end of the carrier unit on a substrate. The adjustable support structure thus provides support for the at least partially extended carrier unit or to be extended, in particular support on a floor surface behind a body opening of the vehicle, from which the carrier unit can be extended out of the loading space. This is particularly advantageous for an embodiment variant in which, as already explained above, the carrier unit can be extended out of a loading space by a comparatively large adjustment path of more than 70 cm. Here the support structure then provides support for the extended part of the bicycle carrier device transversely to the axis of rotation and thus also transversely to the adjustment direction against a solid surface. In order to enable compact accommodation of the bicycle carrier device (with the at least one bicycle attached thereto) in a loading space of a vehicle with a support structure on the bicycle carrier device, the support structure can be adjusted into a stowed position with which the support structure is then in a retracted state of the carrier unit takes up less space than in the support position.

In order to simplify a (further) adjustment of the carrier unit along the adjustment direction even when the support structure is in the support position, one embodiment variant provides at least one rolling body and/or a sliding body on a foot of the support structure for an adjustment of the support structure in the support position along the ground , on which the support structure is supported. The support structure can thus roll or slide along the ground via the at least one rolling body and/or the at least one sliding body and thus facilitate further extension of the carrier unit supported by the support structure.

In one embodiment variant, the support assembly also has a grip area for manual application of force in order to extend the carrier unit along the adjustment direction and/or retract it in the opposite direction to the adjustment direction. A user can consequently grip the handle area in order to extend or retract the carrier unit using muscle power. In an installed state as intended, the support assembly can thus, for example, face a body opening on the vehicle with the handle area, so that a user can then, for example, after opening a door or flap provided on the body opening, grasp the handle area and pull the carrier unit out of the luggage compartment at least partially .

To adjust the support structure, an adjustment mechanism, for example with a spindle drive, can be provided on the support assembly. In particular, such an adjustment mechanism can be used to variably adjust the support position, for example to compensate for any inclination of the ground along which the carrier unit is to be moved outside the cargo hold and/or any inclination of the ground on which the Vehicle stands to take into account. It can consequently be provided that the height of the support structure, via which the carrier unit is supported on a substrate during the extension, can be adjusted--in particular during the extension and optionally steplessly.

In one embodiment variant, the support assembly also includes a drive-on aid, via which a lifting force directed transversely to the direction of adjustment is exerted when the carrier unit is driven into the loading space in order to raise the carrier unit. The drive-on aid is consequently set up to exert a lifting force for at least slightly (i.e. for example only a few millimeters high) lifting of the carrier unit when the carrier unit is driven into the loading space. This can make it easier, for example, to move the carrier unit into the loading space, especially in the case of a carrier unit loaded with one or more heavy bicycles. A suitable drive-on aid can also be advantageous on sloping ground.

For example, the drive-on aid for exerting the lifting force has an inclined ramp section. When the carrier unit is driven into the loading space, this ramp section then slides with a ramp surface onto a section of a component of the bicycle carrier device, relative to which the carrier unit is adjustable. The ramp section can thus be used to slide the ramp section, for example when driving into the loading space, onto a guide rail of the adjustment device in order to generate a lifting force directed transversely to the adjustment direction via a ramp surface of the ramp section when the carrier unit is pushed further in the direction of the loading space.

In one embodiment, the carrier unit is adjustable via the adjustment device on a carrier frame of the bicycle carrier device along the adjustment direction and is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation, with this carrier frame then also being adjustable along the adjustment direction. For example, the support frame can be mounted so that it can be displaced along the adjustment direction (in particular also via the adjustment device). In such an embodiment variant, the adjustment device thus comprises a type of double guide, for example, in order to mount the carrier frame so that it can be displaced along a first adjustment path relative to at least one component fixed to the vehicle, via which the bicycle carrier device is fixed in the loading space of the vehicle, and on the other hand to mount the carrier unit along a second Adjusting to store displaceable to the support frame.

For example, an adjustability of the support frame between a retracted position and an extended position is possible via a displaceably mounted support frame. An adjustment of the carrier frame into the extended position is then provided, for example, in order to enable an adjustment of the previously mentioned support structure of a support assembly into the support position. This includes, for example, an embodiment variant in which the entire carrier frame of a bicycle carrier device mounted as intended on a vehicle can be adjusted, in particular displaced, far enough out of the loading space that the end of the carrier unit that has the support assembly protrudes beyond a loading sill of the loading space on the vehicle and the support structure outside the vehicle can be brought into supporting contact with a ground outside the cargo space. Adjusting the entire carrier frame can thus make it possible for the support structure to project beyond the loading edge of the loading space and for the support structure of the support assembly to then be adjustable from its stowed position into a support position. If the support structure is then in this support position, the carrier unit on the carrier frame (remaining in the extended position and possibly also locked in the extended position) can be extended further along the adjustment direction in order to load the carrier unit with at least one bicycle or unload it to facilitate at least one bicycle from the carrier unit.

For example, the support frame can be adjusted on a base support of the adjusting device, in particular mounted in a displaceable manner. Such a base support of the adjusting device can be provided, for example, for fixing the bicycle carrier device to a loading space floor of the loading space. For example, for this purpose, the base support comprises a base support plate with a plurality of predetermined attachment points for fixing the bicycle carrier device to the floor of the loading space.

In one embodiment variant, the carrier unit comprises at least one tire mount, which is set up and provided for receiving at least one section of a tire of the bicycle fixed to the carrier unit. The at least one tire receptacle can thus accommodate at least one section of a tire on an outer circumference of the tire, in particular a tire that is not dismantled but remains on a frame of the bicycle ready for use. The bicycle can thus be fixed to the carrier unit in a ready-to-ride state, without the tires of the bicycle in particular having to be removed from the frame of the bicycle. Of course, such an embodiment variant can also be covered by the proposed solution. However, in the case of electric bicycles in particular, removing the tires is comparatively complex, so that a tire mount offers advantages in this respect in particular.

In order to facilitate correct positioning of a bicycle on the carrier unit and, if necessary, also to facilitate insertion of the bicycle to be transported onto the carrier unit, one embodiment provides for the tire holder to be designed with a tire channel. Such a tire groove can then be provided, for example, only for one of the tires of the bicycle. Alternatively, a tire gutter is provided with such a length that both a portion of a front wheel and a portion of a rear wheel of a bicycle can be accommodated therein.

In one embodiment variant, the at least one tire holder is in a loading position of the carrier unit with a ram provided for loading and unloading the at least one bicycle pen element for at least one bicycle connected. The at least one tire mount consequently has a connection point provided for connection to an additional ramp element. In particular, the ramp element can be plugged into one end of the tire mount. In the state connected to the tire holder, the ramp element can then, for example, allow a bicycle to be driven into a tire groove of the carrier unit and/or extended from a tire groove of the carrier unit without the user having to lift the bicycle for this purpose.

In one embodiment variant, the carrier unit integrates a holder for accommodating a ramp element when the carrier unit is in a retracted state. Carrying along the ramp element, which simplifies loading and unloading, is thus easily possible with such a carrier unit, without additional storage space having to be reserved for the ramp element. If the carrier unit is provided, for example, for the transport of at least two bicycles, the mounting of the carrier unit allows the ramp element to be accommodated in a space between the two bicycles and thus, for example, in a central area of the carrier unit.

To increase comfort, the carrier unit can have a carrier device for the at least one bicycle, which can be lowered transversely to the axis of rotation when the carrier unit is in an extended state. Consequently, the carrier device can not only be extended here along the adjustment direction and then rotated in order to unload a bicycle from a vehicle. Rather, the carrier device, via which the at least one bicycle is arranged on the carrier unit, can then also be lowered in the direction of a subsurface. This makes it easier for a user to remove the bicycle from the carrier unit or to lift the at least one bicycle from the carrier unit, since the bicycle can then be arranged at a lower height relative to a surface outside the ground. In this case, the support device can optionally be lowered only partially or completely, i.e. in the latter case, for example until a tire holder, as part of the support device, is resting on a substrate. In the case of a completely lowerable carrier device, the at least one bicycle can thus be moved out of the carrier unit for unloading and driven into the carrier unit for loading. The lowering of the carrying device can in principle be done by muscle power or externally using at least one drive motor.

In one embodiment variant, the bicycle carrier device comprises at least one clamping device for locking the at least one bicycle on the carrier unit. A corresponding clamping device can then be actuated manually, for example, and secures a bicycle frame on the carrier unit without parts having to be screwed together for this purpose.

As already mentioned briefly above, in one embodiment the carrier unit can also be provided for the transport of at least two bicycles. In this case, the bicycles can be fixed next to one another on the carrier unit, in particular during loading. When loading, the bicycles are, for example, in an upright position next to each other on the carrier unit before the at least two bicycles are then rotated substantially by 90° when the carrier unit assumes a stowed position and are thus held one above the other.

In principle, the bicycle carrier device can be designed as a preassembled and therefore fully functional and in this respect pre-testable bicycle carrier module for the arrangement and fixation on a luggage compartment floor of a vehicle-side luggage compartment. In this case, the adjustment device has, for example, a base carrier to be fixed to the floor of the loading space, on which the components of the bicycle carrier device, in particular the carrier unit and the carrier unit are arranged adjustably mounted parts. Consequently, for the intended installation of the bicycle carrier device in the cargo space of the vehicle, only the base carrier of the bicycle carrier module has to be fixed to the cargo space floor. The bike carrier device is then fully functional.

The proposed solution also relates to a vehicle with a loading space and an embodiment variant of a proposed bicycle carrier device provided in the loading space. This includes, in particular, a vehicle, such as a van or a mobile home, in which a rear loading space is provided for transporting at least one bicycle. For example, such a rear loading space can be divided into a storage space for at least one bicycle and a sleeping, living and/or dining space above it. With the proposed bicycle carrier device, at least one bicycle, but also a pair of bicycles, can easily be compactly accommodated in a storage space with a height of no more than 1 m. A comparatively large amount of space is therefore still available in the area of the luggage compartment above, even when bicycles are loaded loaded and fully protected in the hold.

The attached figures illustrate exemplary possible embodiment variants of the proposed solution.

• 1A ausschnittsweise ein Fahrzeug mit einer Ausführungsvariante einer in einen Laderaum des Fahrzeugs montierten Fahrradträgervorrichtung, mit einem Trägergestell in einer eingefahrenen Stellung;
• 1B in mit der 1A übereinstimmender Ansicht das Trägergestell in einer ausgefahrenen Stellung und einer an einem ausgefahrenen Ende der Fahrradträgervorrichtung vorgesehenen Stützstruktur in einer Stützposition;
• 2 in vergrößertem Maßstab und in Vorderansicht die Fahrradträgervorrichtung der 1 B;
• 3 in mit den 1A und 1B übereinstimmender Ansicht eine an dem Trägergestell verschieblich gelagerte Trägereinheit der Fahrradträgervorrichtung in einem vollständig ausgefahrenen Zustand;
• 4A-4B in Vorderansicht die Fahrradträgervorrichtung der 3 mit der Trägereinheit in einer Verstaulage (4A) und in einer um eine Drehachse verdrehten Lage, um die Trägereinheit in Richtung einer Verladelage zu verstellen (4B);
• 5 in Seitenansicht die Fahrradträgervorrichtung mit ausgefahrener und in die Verladelage gedrehten Trägereinheit, an die ein zusätzliches Rampenelement angebracht ist, um das Beladen der Trägereinheit mit einem Fahrrad zu erleichtern;
• 6 in mit der 5 übereinstimmender Ansicht die Fahrradträgervorrichtung der 5 bei einem Beladeprozess zur Festlegung zweier Fahrräder an der Trägereinheit;
• 7 die Fahrradträgervorrichtung mit den an der Trägereinheit festgelegten Fahrrädern in der um 90° gedrehten Verstaulage der Trägereinheit, die sich jedoch noch in einem ausgefahrenen Zustand befindet;
• 8 in mit der 7 übereinstimmender Ansicht die Trägereinheit in der Verstaulage und in einem in den Laderaum vollständig eingefahrenen Zustand, wobei hier auch das Trägergestell in einer eingefahrenen Stellung vorliegt;
• 9A-9B in Vorderansicht und Seitenansicht der Laderaum des Fahrzeugs mit der Fahrradträgervorrichtung unter Gegenüberstellung des Platzbedarfs für die an der Fahrradträgervorrichtung bestimmungsgemäß festgelegten Fahrräder im Vergleich zu aufrecht in den Laderaum eingestellten Fahrrädern;
• 10 in vergrößertem Maßstab ein verschiebliches Stützlager der Fahrradträgervorrichtung, an der ein Längsführungselement drehbar gelagert ist;
• 11 in Vorderansicht das Stützlager der 10 mit weiteren Details;
• 12 in mit der 1B übereinstimmender Ansicht eine weitere Ausführungsvariante einer vorgeschlagenen Fahrradträgervorrichtung, bei der die Trägereinheit stets nur zusammen mit einem Trägergestell entlang einer Grundplatte verschieblich ist;
• 13A-13B eine weitere Ausführungsvariante einer vorgeschlagenen Fahrradträgervorrichtung, bei der eine Stützstruktur während des Ausfahrens der Trägereinheit in ihrer Höhe variabel anpassbar ist, um der Neigung eines Untergrunds Rechnung zu tragen, auf der ein die Fahrradträgervorrichtung aufweisendes Fahrzeug abgestellt ist;
• 13C in mit den 13A und 13B übereinstimmenden Ansichten eine Fahrträgervorrichtung mit einem Schwenklager an einer Drehbaugruppe;
• 14A-14B eine Ausführungsvariante einer Fahrradträgervorrichtung mit einer Auffahrhilfe.

Here show:

• 1A detail of a vehicle with an embodiment variant of a bicycle carrier device mounted in a loading space of the vehicle, with a carrier frame in a retracted position;
• 1B in with the 1A matching view of the carrier frame in an extended position and a support structure provided at an extended end of the bicycle carrier device in a support position;
• 2 on an enlarged scale and in front view, the bicycle carrier device 1 B ;
• 3 in with the 1A and 1B matching view of a carrier unit, displaceably mounted on the carrier frame, of the bicycle carrier device in a fully extended state;
• 4A-4B in front view the bicycle carrier device 3 with the carrier unit in a stowed position ( 4A) and in a position rotated about an axis of rotation in order to adjust the carrier unit in the direction of a loading position ( 4B) ;
• 5 in side view the bicycle carrier device with the carrier unit extended and rotated into the loading position, to which an additional ramp element is attached in order to facilitate loading of the carrier unit with a bicycle;
• 6 in with the 5 matching view, the bicycle carrier device 5 during a loading process for fixing two bicycles on the carrier unit;
• 7 the bicycle carrier device with the bicycles secured to the carrier unit in the stowed position of the carrier unit rotated by 90°, which is, however, still in an extended state;
• 8th in with the 7 matching view of the carrier unit in the stowed position and in a fully retracted state into the loading space, the carrier frame also being in a retracted position here;
• 9A-9B in front view and side view of the loading space of the vehicle with the bicycle carrier device, comparing the space required for the bicycles intended to be fixed to the bicycle carrier device in comparison to bicycles placed upright in the loading space;
• 10 on an enlarged scale, a displaceable support bearing of the bicycle carrier device, on which a longitudinal guide element is rotatably mounted;
• 11 in front view the support bearing of 10 with more details;
• 12 in with the 1B matching view of a further embodiment variant of a proposed bicycle carrier device, in which the carrier unit is always displaceable only together with a carrier frame along a base plate;
• 13A-13B a further variant embodiment of a proposed bicycle carrier device, in which the height of a support structure can be variably adjusted during the extension of the carrier unit, in order to take into account the inclination of a surface on which a vehicle having the bicycle carrier device is parked;
• 13C in with the 13A and 13B corresponding views of a traveling carrier device with a pivot bearing on a rotary assembly;
• 14A-14B an embodiment variant of a bicycle carrier device with a drive-on aid.

The 1A shows a side view of a detail of a vehicle F with a view of a rear loading space L of the vehicle F. A variant of a proposed bicycle carrier device 1 is fixed to a loading space floor LB of the loading space L. For this purpose, the bicycle carrier device 1 has a base support 10, for example with a base support plate, which is immovably fixed to the load compartment floor LB via a number of attachment points. On the base support 10 is a support frame 1A of the bicycle carrier device 1 between a retracted position corresponding to FIG 1A and an extended position according to the 1B moveable. The base plate 10 is also part of an adjusting device 1B of the bicycle carrier device 1 in order to mount a carrier unit 15 on the carrier frame 1A so that it can be displaced on the one hand and rotated about an axis of rotation D on the other.

The carrier frame 1A can be displaced on the base carrier 10 via guide elements 100 along a rectilinear adjustment direction _V1 in order to reach an end of the bicycle carrier device 1 projecting beyond a sill on the vehicle F when the bicycle carrier device 1 is to be loaded with a bicycle or a bicycle is to be unloaded from the bicycle carrier device 1 . For this purpose, for example, a user manually grips a handle area 130 of an end support assembly 13 of the carrier unit 15 in order to extend the entire carrier frame 1A along the base plate 10 far enough for one end of the carrier unit 15 with the support assembly 13 to protrude from the cargo space L. In such an assumed extended position of the carrier frame 1A, a support structure 131 on the support assembly 13 can then be extended or folded out perpendicularly (along a second adjustment direction V ₂ ) to the longitudinal adjustment direction V ₁ . The end of the carrier unit 5 can be supported on a base on which the vehicle F is standing via a foot of this support structure 131 . The end of the carrier unit 15 is therefore not hanging in the air when it is extended from the loading space L.

If the support structure 131 is in a 1B shown support position, there are rollers 132, which are provided at the foot of the support structure 131, on the existing ground behind the vehicle F and can roll on it when the carrier unit 15 is extended further relative to the carrier frame 1A with the aid of the adjustment device 1B. This extension of the carrier unit 15 relative to the carrier frame 1A can be actuated externally, ie it can be controlled or at least supported with the aid of at least one drive motor. Alternatively, a purely manual extension of the carrier unit 15 along the adjustment direction V ₁ is provided in order to extend the carrier unit 15 completely out of the loading space L (cf 3 ).

The carrier unit 15 is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation D on the one hand via support bearings 12A and 12B on the carrier frame 1A. Furthermore, the carrier unit 15 can also be displaced relative to the base carrier 10 along the adjustment direction V ₁ . For this purpose, one of the support bearings, here the support bearing 12B, is displaceably mounted on a guide rail 14 of the adjusting device 1B via guide elements 140 (cf., for example, 2 B) .

When the carrier unit 15 is extended further, for example by manually pulling on the support assembly 13, one (first) support bearing 12A remains immobile and thus fixed to the carrier frame 1A, while the other (second) support bearing 12B moves along the guide rail 14 in the adjustment direction V ₁ is shifted in the direction of the rear loading edge of the vehicle F. Here, the carrier unit 15 remains in a 2 shown stowage position. In this stowed position, tire receptacles provided on the carrier unit 15 in the form of tire grooves 150 for two bicycles that can be fixed on the carrier unit 15 are rotated or tilted by 90° to the vertical.

A bicycle picked up on the carrier unit 15 in its stowed position would therefore be tilted laterally on the carrier unit 15 so that the front and rear wheels of the bicycle are each aligned horizontally.

According to the 3 the carrier unit 15 can, via the adjusting device 1B and the (sliding) guide made available thereon for the second support bearing 12B, supported by the support structure 131 of the support assembly 13 present in its support position, so far (completely) out of the loading space L of the vehicle F are extended so that the second support bearing 12B is no longer arranged within the loading space L, but rather on that section of the support frame 1A which projects over the loading sill.

The support unit 15 is provided on a second longitudinal guide element in the form of a support sleeve tube 111 which, together with a first longitudinal guide element, here in the form of a square rod 110, is part of a rotary assembly 11 of the adjustment device 1B. The support tube 111 having the support unit 15 can be displaced along the adjustment direction V ₁ and also in the opposite direction (along an adjustment direction -V ₁ ) to the square rod 110 . The square rod 110 and the carrier sleeve tube 111 are designed to be displaceable relative to one another in the manner of a telescopic extension. The inner square bar 110 is also rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation D on the support bearings 12A and 12B. The square rod 110 is rotatably mounted on the second, displaceable support bearing 12B, for example via a bushing part 120B. In this way, for example, via a gear G provided on the fixed support bearing 12A, an adjustment force applied manually or by motor can lead to a rotation of the square rod 110 . This adjustment force can then also be used to rotate the support sleeve tube 111 , which is positively connected to the square rod 110 , and the support unit 15 arranged on the support sleeve tube 111 .

Such a rotation is based on the 4A and 4B illustrated in more detail. Thus, under rotation of the square rod 110, the carrier unit 15 from the in the 4A shown stowage position along a direction of rotation R about the axis of rotation D in a loading position. For this purpose, the carrier unit 15 is rotated by 90° about the axis of rotation D (in the 4A and 4B counterclockwise). The adjusting force required for the rotation can be applied manually in the area of the fixed first support bearing 12A and can be transmitted to the square tube 110 via the gear G be. In an alternative embodiment variant, it is possible to apply the adjustment force required for the rotation in the area of the support assembly 13 at the end. In principle, a manual adjusting force can be applied using a hand crank, for example. For the rotation about the axis of rotation D, for example, a spindle gear can be provided.

If the carrier unit 15 according to the side view of 5 in their loading position, the tire grooves 150 of the carrier unit 15 are aligned essentially parallel to a substrate and thus to a floor area B behind the rear of the vehicle F. In this way, a tire groove 150 extends in each case essentially parallel to the adjustment direction V ₁ and in each case points upwards with an open side.

To be in the loading position of the carrier unit 15 according to the 5 to further facilitate the loading of the carrier unit 15 with one or two bicycles, it can be provided that a ramp element in the form of a loading ramp 151, optionally configured with an additional trough, can be plugged onto a tire trough 150. The connected to the tire gutter 150 loading ramp 151 then extends from one end of the support unit-fixed tire gutter 150 inclined to the bottom surface B, so that a bicycle FR1 or FR2 according to the 6 can be slid into the tire gutter 150 held above the floor surface B without being lifted. The respective bicycle FR1, FR2 is then locked in a position as intended on the carrier unit 15, for example via a clamping device of the carrier unit 15.

In a possible further development, a carrier device can be provided on the carrier unit 15, which can be lowered in the direction of the floor surface B (along the adjustment direction V ₂ ), if necessary via an additional spindle drive and operated by external power or muscle power. This includes, for example, that a tire groove 150 provided for a bicycle FR1 or FR2 can then be lowered down to the floor surface B.

Are according to the representation of 6 For example, if two bicycles FR1 and FR2 are arranged side by side on the carrier unit 15, the bicycles FR1 and FR2 are locked on the carrier unit 15, for example via a clamping device that locks the respective bicycle frame of a bicycle FR1 or FR2 on the carrier unit 15. The two bicycles FR1 and FR2 on the carrier unit 15 are positioned via the tire grooves 150, in which the two bicycles FR1 and FR2 are located on different longitudinal sides of the carrier sleeve 111, so that the carrier sleeve 111 is consequently between the bicycle frames of the two bicycles FR1 and FR2 runs. A holder for the loading ramp 151 or two loading ramps 151 can also be provided on the carrier sleeve tube and/or the carrier unit 15 in order to stow a loading ramp 151 for transport on the retracted carrier unit 15 within the cargo space L in a defined manner.

In order to accommodate the bicycles FR1 and FR2 fixed to the carrier unit 15 compactly and secured against unwanted displacement in the loading space L, the carrier unit 15 with the bicycles FR1 and FR2 fixed thereto is rotated about the axis of rotation D by 90° into the stowed position. The carrier unit 15 is then moved into the loading space L with the aid of the adjusting device 1B.

In the final phase of moving the carrier unit 15 into the cargo space 15, the support structure 131 is also returned to its stowed position, so that the support structure 131 is also pushed over the loading sill at the rear of the vehicle F into the cargo space L—with the carrier frame 1A being displaced can be. The two support bearings 12A and 12B keep the carrier unit 15 at a distance from the base plate 10 and the guide rail 14 and thus from the cargo space floor LB, so that the handlebars of the bicycles FR1, FR2 fixed to the carrier unit 15 are sufficiently spaced, in particular from the cargo space floor LB remain and the carrier unit 15 with the bicycles FR1, FR2 fixed to it can be pushed into the cargo space L without the respective handlebars colliding with components of the bicycle carrier device 1 or the cargo space floor LB.

The bicycles FR1 and FR2 are consequently brought into a horizontal position here, for example by turning the gear G, and can thus be pushed completely into the loading space L via the adjusting device 1B. The bicycles FR1 and FR2 pushed in in this way for transport within the loading space L can be accommodated in a comparatively space-saving manner. In particular, only a comparatively low loading height is required. In the resulting retracted state of the bicycle carrier device 1 according to the 8th the bicycles FR1 and FR2 fixed to the carrier unit 15 are in a tilted position in which the bicycles FR1 and FR2 take up comparatively little space within the loading space L. This is in particular based on the 9A and 9B illustrated in more detail.

Here, the accommodation of a bicycle FR1 on the carrier unit 15 is compared with a positioning of the bicycle FR1 in the loading space L, in which the bicycle FR1 is only arranged upright in the loading space L. It can clearly be seen that if the bicycle FR1 were stored upright, the bicycle FR1 would require an additional height h. An intermediate space Z within the loading space L that is only required with the proposed bicycle carrier device 1 is lower by precisely this height h, so that above this intermediate space Z a larger area of the loading space L is available for another use. For example, the bicycle carrier device 1 allows in this way that only an intermediate space Z with a maximum height of 1 m is required to comfortably accommodate two conventional bicycles FR1 and FR2, in particular also comparatively heavy electric bicycles. The intermediate space Z can then also be provided below a support plate provided in the loading space L. For example, at least one lying surface can be provided above this support plate, in particular with a sufficient distance to a roof liner of the luggage compartment L.

Based on the detailed description of 10 further details for a possible construction of the rotary assembly 11 are illustrated. Here, the square rod 110 protrudes, for example, through a positive-locking opening 113 on the socket part 120B, in order to enable the displacement of the carrier sleeve 111 with respect to the square rod 110 and at the same time to support the square rod 110 and the carrier sleeve 111 with the carrier unit 15 so that they can rotate about the axis of rotation D. The socket part 120B with the form-fitting opening 113 is accommodated in a bearing shell 112 at the head of the support bearing 12B. The bushing part 120B is secured against axially slipping out of the bearing shell 112 by a securing ring 112.1, which in the present case is located in a puncture groove of the bushing part 120B.

In the sectional front view of the 11 In addition to these details for the rotatable mounting of the carrier unit 15 via the rotary assembly 11, the double guide provided by the adjustment direction 1B is also illustrated in more detail, which is embodied in the present example in the form of a double sliding guide and on the one hand the support frame 1A relative to the base plate 10 and on the other hand the carrier unit 15 relative to the guide rail 14 slidably mounted. By way of example, the adjustment device has a plurality of profiles or guide rails lying one on top of the other, on which the respective components are displaceably held, here by way of example via the guide elements 100 and 140 .

In the variant of the 12 movability of the entire carrier frame 1A on the base plate 10 is not provided. Instead, the second support bearing 12B can be displaced here, in particular for an adjustment of the carrier unit 15 out of the loading space L, so that the support assembly 13 protrudes beyond a rear loading edge of the loading space L. To the ones in the 12 Adjustment position shown can be followed by a sequence of movements as described with reference to the 3 until 8th was explained.

In the variant of the 13A and 13B For example, the support assembly 13 is configured with a (height) adjustment mechanism 133, via which the support structure 131 can be adjusted in height, possibly steplessly, during the extension of the carrier unit 15 from the loading space L. In this way, when the carrier unit 15 is extended, account can be taken of the fact that the vehicle F was parked on a sloping ground and then the ground B, on which the support structure 131 is to be supported, is at an angle to the ground of the vehicle F and so that the load compartment floor LB runs. The adjustment mechanism 133 can have a spindle drive, for example. In particular, this spindle drive of the adjustment mechanism 133 according to the representation of 13A and 13B be designed with a hand crank for manual adjustment of the height of the support structure 131.

Like in the 13C is shown, it can also be advantageous if a pivot bearing 121B is provided on the second support bearing 12B, via which the support sleeve tube 111 having the support unit 15 can be tilted relative to the loading space floor LB. Unevenness and inclines in the ground can also be compensated for by the tiltable mounting of the carrier sleeve tube 111 (and thus the carrier unit 15 to be extended and the support assembly 13). For example, the positive-locking opening 113 for the carrier casing tube 111 is movably mounted via the pivot bearing 121B on the support bearing side.

In the variant of the 14A and 14B the support assembly 13 also has a drive-on aid 134 . In the present case, this loading aid 134 is designed to interact with the guide rail 14 and has a ramp surface that runs inclined to the adjustment direction V ₁ on a ramp section that can slide onto a rear end of the guide rail 14 when the carrier unit 15 enters the loading space L. About the Auffahrhilfe 134 and its sliding on the loading space-fixed guide rail 14 is such when inserting the carrier unit 15 in the loading space L a lifting force F _H transverse to Ver setting direction V ₁ exercised upwards. Part of an adjustment force applied to push the carrier unit 15 into the loading space L is thus at least partially converted into the lifting force F _H via the loading aid 134 . A resulting lifting of the carrier unit 15, which may be only a few millimeters when driving into the loading space L, then compensates, for example, for any lowering of the extended carrier unit 15 when loading with the bicycles FR1 and FR2. The (fully) loaded carrier unit 15 can thus continue to be retracted manually in a comfortable manner.

Reference List

1

bike carrier device

10

base carrier

100

guide element

11

rotary assembly

110

Square bar (1st longitudinal guide element)

111

Support tube (2nd longitudinal guide element)

112

bearing shell

112.1

locking ring

113

interlocking opening

12A, 12B

support bearing

120B

socket part

121 B

swivel bearing

13

support assembly

130

grip area

131

support structure

132

role

133

height adjustment mechanism

134

loading aid

14

guide rail

140

guide element

15

carrier unit

150

tire groove (tire mount)

151

Additional channel / loading ramp (ramp element)

1A

carrier frame

1B

adjusting device

B

floor area / underground

D

Longitudinal / rotation axis

f

vehicle

FH

lifting power

FR1, FR2

Bicycle

H

Height

L

hold

LB

cargo area floor

R

direction of rotation

V1, V2

adjustment direction

Z

space

Claims (27)

Bicycle carrier device for a vehicle (F), with at least one carrier unit (15) on which at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) can be fixed for transporting the bicycle (FR1, FR2) in a loading space (L) of the vehicle (F), characterized in that the bicycle carrier device (1) comprises an adjustment device (1B) via which the carrier unit (15) with the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) fixed to the carrier unit (1A) - along an adjustment direction (V ₁ ) at least partially can be extended from the loading space (L) of the vehicle (F) and - can be rotated about an axis of rotation (D) running parallel to the direction of adjustment (V ₁ ). Bike carrier device claim 1 , characterized in that the carrier unit (15) can be adjusted by more than 70 cm along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) via the adjustment device (1B). Bike carrier device claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the carrier unit (15) with the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) attached to it in a state extended along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) about the axis of rotation (D) from a stowed position by an angle in the range of 75° up to 105° into a loading position, in which the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) is aligned substantially vertically on the carrier unit (15) with its steering axis. Bicycle carrier device according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the adjusting device (1B) comprises a rotary assembly (11) with a first longitudinal guide element (110) and a second longitudinal guide element (111), wherein - the first longitudinal guide element (110) is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation (D), - the second longitudinal guide element (111) is displaceable along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) relative to the first longitudinal guide element (110), - the second longitudinal guide element (111) is non-rotatably connected to the carrier unit (15) and - The second longitudinal guide element (111) is coupled to the first longitudinal guide element (110) in such a way that a rotary movement of the first longitudinal guide element (110) also leads to a rotary movement of the second longitudinal guide element (111). Bike carrier device claim 4 , characterized in that the first longitudinal guide element (110) via at least one support bearing (12A, 12B) of the bicycle carrier device (1) is rotatably mounted, which is mounted displaceably along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ). Bike carrier device claim 5 , characterized in that the first longitudinal guide element (110) is rotatably mounted on the at least one support bearing (12B) via a bush part (120B) through which the longitudinal guide element (110) extends. Bicycle carrier device according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the first longitudinal guide element is formed with a polygonal rod (110). Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment device (1B) comprises a pivot bearing (121B) via which the carrier unit (15) can also be tilted transversely to the adjustment direction (V ₁ ). Bicycle carrier device according to one of Claims 4 until 7 and after claim 8 , characterized in that the second longitudinal guide element (111) can be tilted with respect to the first longitudinal guide element (110) via the pivot bearing (121 B). Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bicycle carrier device (1) comprises at least one drive motor for externally powered rotation of the carrier unit (15) about the axis of rotation (D). Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support assembly (13) with a support structure (131) is provided at an extendable end of the carrier unit (15) which extends transversely to the axis of rotation (D) between a stowed position for a retracted state of the carrier unit (15) and a support position, the support structure (131) being provided in the support position for supporting the end of the carrier unit (15), which is at least partially extended along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ), on a base (B). Bike carrier device claim 11 , characterized in that on a foot of the support structure (131) at least one rolling body (132) and/or a sliding body is provided for an adjustment of the support structure (131) present in the support position along the ground. Bike carrier device claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the support assembly (13) has a grip area (130) for a manual application of force in order to extend the carrier unit (15) along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) and/or to retract it in the opposite direction to the adjustment direction (V ₁ ). Bicycle carrier device according to one of Claims 11 until 13 , characterized in that the support assembly (13) comprises a drive-on aid (134) via which, when the carrier unit (15) is driven into the loading space (L), a lifting force (F _H ) directed transversely to the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) for lifting the Carrier unit (15) is exercised. Bike carrier device Claim 14 , characterized in that the drive-on aid (134) for exerting the lifting force (F _H ) has an inclined ramp section which, when the carrier unit (15) is driven into the loading space (L), rests on a section of a component (14) of the bicycle carrier device (1) to slide open relative to which the carrier unit (15) is adjustable. Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (15) is mounted via the adjustment device (1B) on a carrier frame (1A) so that it can be adjusted along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) and is rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) and the carrier frame ( 1A) is also mounted adjustably along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ). Bicycle carrier device according to one of Claims 11 until 15 and after Claim 16 , characterized in that the support frame (1A) can be adjusted along the adjustment direction (V ₁ ) between a retracted position and an extended position, an adjustment of the support frame (1A) into the extended position being provided in order to adjust the support structure (131 ) of the support assembly (13) to the support position. Bike carrier device Claim 16 or 17 , characterized in that the support position (1A) is adjustably mounted on a base support (10) of the adjusting device (1B). Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the carrier unit (15) comprises at least one tire holder (150) which is set up and provided for receiving at least a portion of a tire of the bicycle (FR1, FR2) fixed to the carrier unit (15). Bike carrier device claim 19 , characterized in that the tire mount for receiving the at least one portion of the tire is formed with a tire groove (150). Bike carrier device claim 19 or 20 , characterized in that the at least one tire holder (150) in a loading position of the carrier unit (1) provided for loading and unloading the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) with a ramp element (151) for the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) is connectable. Bike carrier device Claim 21 , characterized in that the carrier unit (15) has a holder for accommodating the ramp element (151) in a retracted state of the carrier unit (1). Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (15) has a carrier device for the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2), which can be lowered transversely to the axis of rotation (D) when the carrier unit (15) is in an extended state. Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bicycle carrier device (1) comprises at least one clamping device for locking the at least one bicycle (FR1, FR2) on the carrier unit (15). Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (1) is provided for the transport of at least two bicycles. Bicycle carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bicycle carrier device (1) is designed as a preassembled bicycle carrier module for arrangement and fixation on a luggage compartment floor (LB) in the luggage compartment (L) of the vehicle (F). Vehicle with a loading space (L) and a bicycle carrier device (1) according to one of the preceding claims provided in the loading space (L).

Images