DE202008013542U1 - Folding mechanism for tail lights of a rear carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Rear carrier to Attachment in the rear area of a vehicle, in particular at one trailer hitch and / or at a tailgate of the vehicle, wherein the rear carrier a bifurcated support frame in U- or V-shape with two holding arms (HA) arranged on it Picking up a load to be carried and a fastening device (K) for fixing the support frame (TR) on the vehicle and wherein the rear carrier preferably two, in one respective end region (HE) of the support arms (HA) arranged, retractable tail lights (R), characterized in that the two taillights (R) pivotable in the respective end region (HE) of the holding arms (HA) are arranged in that one between the holding arms (HA) lying inner region (IB) of the support frame (TR) can be folded are.

Description

The The invention relates to a rear carrier for attachment to the rear of a vehicle, in particular to a trailer hitch and / or on a tailgate of the vehicle. The rear carrier points a forked support frame in U- or V-shape with two holding arms arranged thereon for receiving a load to be carried and a fastening device for fastening the support frame on the vehicle. Furthermore, the rear carrier preferably has two, in one arranged respective end of the support arms, retractable tail lights on. To be transported Loads can z. B. Bicycles, Skis, containers, boxes or baskets be.

Out The prior art bicycles are known by means of a Clutch clamping mechanism on a trailer hitch z. B. a car can be attached. Such bicycle carriers typically have two taillights on, which take the place of the vehicle taillights, since the latter could be covered by the transportable bicycles. The electrical control of the tail lights then takes over the vehicle.

Furthermore, folding bicycle carriers are known from the prior art, which can be accommodated to save space, for example in the trunk of a vehicle (see 1 and 2 ). In such bicycle carriers, the receiving trays for the bicycles, a headband for attaching the bicycle frame and the tail lights can be folded.

adversely in this solution is that the side folded and mostly made of plastic tail lights slightly damaged can be. This applies in most cases the slightly fragile, facing outward the lamp glasses.

One Another disadvantage is that the laterally unfolded, latched tail lights accidentally can be easily unlocked again. This is z. B. when passing on the bike carrier in the fastened state possible on the vehicle. This is already enough a comparatively small power out to the taillights around their vertical Turning the axis around unnoticeably.

outgoing It is an object of the last-mentioned prior art the invention to provide a less sensitive rear carrier.

It Another object of the invention is to provide a more compact rear carrier.

The The object of the invention is with a rear carrier with the features of the protection claim. 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments are in the dependent claims 2 to 10 indicated.

According to the invention both taillights arranged pivotably in the respective end region of the retaining arms, that they are in a lying between the holding arms interior of the support frame are foldable.

core idea The present invention is that the two taillights after folding or pivoting into the interior by the surrounding holding arms good against external mechanical effects protected become.

One Another advantage is the achievable in comparison to the prior art, more compact dimensions. In addition, the taillights remain reliable in the unfolded state.

in the Special have the two taillights one joint each for pivoting. The joint is preferably a rotary joint, such. B. a hinge joint. It may alternatively z. B. be a ball joint or a universal joint.

To an embodiment are the two taillights both in the folded and in the unfolded state in one can be fixed by the retaining arms or plane extending parallel thereto, especially lockable. The parallel plane is by a maximum of ± 10 cm, preferably by a maximum of ± 5 cm spaced to the plane passing through the support arms level.

one particular embodiment the two joints each have an oblique to a longitudinal and Transverse direction of the rear carrier and orthogonal to each other arranged pivot axis. Especially are the two pivot axes at a 45 ° angle to the longitudinal and Transverse direction of the rear carrier arranged. Preferably, both pivot axes are in by the holding arms or plane parallel to it.

In particular, the two taillights each have a fastening arm arranged in the end region of the associated holding arm. This can be attached to the respective tail light, such. B. screwed. Preferably, the support arm and a lamp housing of the respective tail lamp form a common component, such. B. a plastic injection molded part. Furthermore, the two attachment arms are pivotable about the respective, arranged obliquely to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the rear carrier pivot axis. The two tail lights are arranged obliquely angled to the respective mounting arm, that the tail lights in the unfolded state in cross direction and in the folded state in ewta are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the rear carrier.

To an embodiment has the support frame a clutch-clamping mechanism for attaching the rear carrier the trailer hitch of a vehicle. Preferably, a hand lever for actuating the Clamping mechanism also in through the support arms or parallel to it extending level einschwenkbar. Alternative to the clutch clamping mechanism can the rear carrier support elements for support on a rear bumper of the Vehicle and neck parts for attachment to the tailgate of the Have vehicle.

Especially is the rear carrier a collapsible bike carrier. He may alternatively be a collapsible load carrier.

To an embodiment has the as a bike carrier trained rear carrier pivotally mounted around the support arms and in between the Retaining arms lying inner region of the support frame retractable or out of this to the outside fold-out receiving shells for holding at least one bicycle, this means a respective front and rear wheel of a bicycle, on. Preferably has the rear or bike carrier an additional in the interior of the support frame retractable headband for holding at least one received in the receiving trays Bike on. The headband is typically for attachment of each bicycle frame, in particular the top tube of the respective bicycle frame, by means of a spacer intended.

Finally, points the support frame according to another embodiment two carrier arms arranged substantially parallel to one another on. They are the two arranged substantially parallel to each other Retaining arms together with the headband at the free arms ends each about a tilt axis extending in a transverse direction of the rear carrier tiltable trained. By tilting the retaining arms and the retaining bracket together the attached bicycles is an opening the tailgate of the vehicle without any otherwise necessary dismantling of the bike carrier possible from the trailer hitch.

Further embodiments The invention are described below with reference to the figures. there demonstrate

1 an exemplary bicycle rear carrier with a hinged receiving trays, taillights and brackets according to the prior art,

2 an enlarged view of the tail lamp according to 1 in the half-folded state,

3 a schematic diagram of a folding mechanism according to the invention for folding the tail lights,

4 a plan view of a designed as a bicycle carrier according to the invention rear carrier with unfolded tail lights,

5 . 6 enlarged representations of in 4 shown right tail lamp in partially folded and in the fully folded state,

7 a perspective view of the rear carrier according to the invention with folded tail lights and

8th according to the rear carrier according to the invention 7 with additionally folded receiving cups and the headband for bicycles.

1 shows an exemplary bicycle rear carrier H with retractable receiving shells S, two taillights R and a headband B for attachment preferably the bicycle frame according to the prior art.

With Nos. X, X, Z are an X, Y and Z axis of a Cartesian Coordinate system for the construction model of the bicycle carrier H according to the invention shown. With LR is a longitudinal direction in both directions to the X-axis X. of the bike carrier H denotes. It runs in the mounted state of the bicycle carrier H at the rear of the vehicle substantially parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction and consequently parallel to the road level. With QR is one in both directions to the Y-axis Y extending transverse direction of the bicycle carrier H denotes. It runs essentially parallel to the vehicle transverse direction and consequently also parallel to the road level. The Z-axis Z is orthogonal to the longitudinal and Transverse LR, QR and thus in the normal direction to the road level.

The bicycle carrier H is provided in the present example for attachment to a trailer hitch, not shown, of a vehicle. For this purpose, the rear carrier H on a clutch-clamping mechanism K with a hand lever HH. Instead of the clutch-clamping mechanism K, the use z. B. a handwheel possible. The rear carrier H can alternatively or additionally be attached or supported on a tailgate in the rear of a vehicle, such. B. by means of straps. Furthermore, the bicycle carrier H shown for the transport of exemplary up trained to two bicycles. The latter are not shown for reasons of clarity itself.

Of the shown bike carrier H has a forked support frame TR in U-shape with two holding arms HA arranged on it for picking up a load to be carried and four receptacles S on. In the present Example are the two support arms TA parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction LR of the bike carrier H arranged. The two support arms TA are typically on a cross bar QH of the carrier frame Welded to TR. Both support arms TA need but not necessarily arranged parallel to each other be. You can z. B. also an angle of 30 ° to each other so that the support frame TR has a V-shape. At the free ends of the two support arms TA is in each case one extending around a transverse direction QR of the bicycle carrier H. Tilting axis KA arranged. To these axes KA are two parallel to the respective support arm TA arranged and over the headband B interconnected holding arms HA formed tiltable, wherein the four receiving shells S in turn pivotable or rotatable about the holding arms HA are arranged. The two not shown Therefore, in the present example, axes of rotation run parallel to the longitudinal direction LR of the bike carrier H. For folding the bike carrier H then the receiving trays S in a lying between the holding arms HA interior area IB the support frame TR collapsed or to accommodate one or both bikes after Outside be folded out. Furthermore, in the respective end region HE of two retaining arms HA each a retractable tail light R arranged. To Folding the receiving shells S can then these two taillights R corresponding to the indicated arrow direction by one arranged in the direction of the Z-axis Z pivot axis SA laterally folded become.

In addition, can still the headband B for folding the bike carrier H in the interior IB of the carrier frame TR be folded. With the reference RF are still a back front of the bike carrier H and with N a number plate carrier designated.

2 shows an enlarged view of the tail lamp R according to 1 in the half folded state. The reference symbol G denotes a joint which is formed in the connection region of the license plate carrier N and the rear light R. As the 2 now shows, the lamp glass LG is in the folded state unprotected at the outer edge of the support frame TR.

3 shows a schematic diagram of a folding mechanism according to the invention for folding the taillights R. With HA, TA are again a support arm TA and a support arm HA of the rear carrier according to the invention, wherein in the event that the rear carrier is not tilted, the two support arms HA then directly attached to the support frame TR. With QS a cross strut is called, which connects the two free ends of the holding arms HA firmly together. This increases the mechanical strength of the rear carrier. In addition, the license plate holder can be attached to this cross member QS. Alternatively, the two support arms HA and the cross brace QS as a U-shaped bracket, such as in 4 shown to be trained.

According to the invention, the two taillights R, of which in the present 3 only one is shown, so pivotally arranged in the respective end region HE of the holding arms HA, that they can be folded into a lying between the holding arms HA inner region IB of the support frame TR. In particular, the two tail lights R each have a joint G, in particular - as in the present 3 shown - a hinge joint G on. Furthermore, the two joints G each have an obliquely to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the rear carrier and orthogonal to each other arranged pivot axis SA (see also 4 and 7 ). In the present example, the illustrated pivot axis SA of the right tail lamp R by an angle α of 45 ° to the X and Y axis X, Y is arranged. The orthogonal to this pivot axis SA of the left tail lamp R, not shown, would then have an angle α of 45 ° + 90 ° = 135 °. Preferably, both pivot axes SA lie in the plane passing through the retaining arms HA or parallel thereto. In other words, the pivot axes SA are parallel to the X / Y plane of the drawn Cartesian coordinate system.

Furthermore, the rear light R shown according to the invention has a fastening arm BA arranged in the end region HE of the holding arm HA, which is pivotable about the pivot axis SA arranged obliquely to the longitudinal and transverse directions LR, QR of the rear carrier H. In this case, the tail lamp R is arranged obliquely angled to the mounting bracket BA that it is aligned in the unfolded state in the transverse direction QR and in the folded state (shown in phantom) in approximately the longitudinal direction LR of the rear carrier H. With β is the angle by which the mounting arm is angled relative to the tail light R. The angle β is preferably 45 °. Finally, with RG a housing of the tail light R is called. The housing RG and the associated mounting arm BA usually form a common component made of plastic (see 4 to 8th ).

4 shows a plan view of a designed as a bicycle carrier, rear carrier H according to the invention with unfolded taillights R. The shown, collapsible bicycle carrier H corresponds to the invention according to the invention in the inner area IB swivel rear lights R substantially the bicycle carrier H according to 1 , Alternatively, the rear carrier H shown may be formed instead of mounting on a trailer hitch for mounting on a tailgate of a vehicle.

As the 4 shows further, the two pivot axes SA of the tail lights R are oblique to the longitudinal and transverse directions LR, QR of the bicycle carrier H and in a plane parallel to the X / Y plane, that is usually horizontal. Furthermore, both the tail lights R and the exemplary four receiving shells S latched unfolded. To the likewise unfolded headband B then the bicycle frame of the respective male bicycles are fixed by means of a spacer.

5 and 6 show enlarged representations of in 4 shown right tail light R in the partially folded and in the fully folded state. For folding in, the rear light R shown is raised in the direction of the Z-axis Z and then pivoted inwards at an angle to the X and Y-axes X, Y in the inner region IB of the support frame TR. There is then shown the rear light R protected against mechanical damage.

7 shows a perspective view of the rear carrier H according to the invention with two retracted rear lights R at a glance.

Finally shows 8th shows the rear carrier H according to the invention according to 7 with additionally folded receptacles S and the headband B for bicycles. The rear carrier H according to the invention is even more compactly collapsible in comparison with the prior art in terms of its dimensions in the transverse direction QR, since the two tail lights R can advantageously use the otherwise remaining free areas in the interior of the support frame TR.

Even though the invention in detail through the embodiments illustrated in more detail and has been described, the invention is not by the disclosed Examples restricted and other variations derive from the expert, without the scope of the To leave invention.

In summary The invention relates to a rear carrier H, in particular a bicycle carrier, to Attachment in the rear area of a vehicle, in particular at one Towbar and / or on a tailgate of the vehicle. The rear carrier H has a fork-shaped support frame TR in U- or V-shape with two holding arms HA arranged on it Picking up a load to be carried and a fastening device K for fixing the support frame TR on the vehicle. The rear carrier H preferably has two, in a respective end region HE of Retaining HA arranged, retractable tail lights R on. According to the invention both taillights R pivotally in the respective end region HE of the holding arms HA arranged to be in a lying between the support arms HA Interior IB of the support frame TR are retractable. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

B

mounting bracket

BA

Mounting Arm

G

joint

H

Rear carrier, bike carrier

HA

holding arm

HE

Haltearmende

HH

hand lever

IB

interior

K

Fastening device, Clutch clamping mechanism

KA

tilt axis

LG

lights glass

LR

longitudinal direction

N

Number plate

QH

transverse spar

QR

transversely

QS

crossmember

R

Taillight

RF

rear front

RG

luminaire housing

S

Cradles, receiving rails

SA

swivel axis

TA

support arm

TR

support frame

X, Y Z

orthogonal axes

α, β

angle

Claims (10)

Rear carrier for attachment to the rear of a vehicle, in particular to a trailer hitch and / or on a tailgate of the vehicle, the rear carrier a fork-shaped support frame in U- or V-shape with two arranged thereon retaining arms (HA) for receiving a load to be supported and a Fastening device (K) for securing the support frame (TR) on the vehicle and wherein the rear carrier preferably two, in a respective end region (HE) of the support arms (HA) arranged, retractable Taillights (R), characterized in that the two tail lights (R) are arranged pivotably in the respective end region (HE) of the holding arms (HA), that they in a lying between the support arms (HA) inner region (IB) of the support frame ( TR) can be folded. rear carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the two taillights (R) each have a hinge (G) for pivoting. rear carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the two taillights (R) both in the folded and in the unfolded state in a plane passing through the support arms (HA) or parallel thereto can be fixed, in particular latched, are. rear carrier according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two Joints (G) one obliquely to a longitudinal and transverse direction (LR, QR) of the rear carrier and arranged orthogonal to each other Have pivot axis (SA). rear carrier according to claim 4, characterized - that the two taillights (R) each one in the end region (HE) of the associated holding arm (HA) arranged Have fastening arm (BA), - that the two attachment arms (BA) around the respective, oblique to the longitudinal and transverse direction (LR, QR) of the rear carrier arranged pivot axis (SA) are pivotable and - that the two taillights (R) so inclined to the respective mounting arm (BA) obliquely are arranged that the taillights (R) in the unfolded state in the transverse direction (QR) and in the folded Condition approximately in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the rear carrier are aligned. rear carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the support frame (TR) a clutch-clamping mechanism (K) for attaching the rear carrier the trailer hitch of a vehicle. rear carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the rear carrier a collapsible bike carrier is. rear carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that the rear carrier to the Retaining arms (HA) pivotally mounted as well as in between the Holding arms (HA) lying inside area (IB) of the support frame (TR) retractable or outwardly outwardly foldable receiving trays (S) for receiving at least one bicycle. rear carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear carrier a additionally in the inner area (IB) of the support frame (TR) retractable headband (B) for holding at least one received in the receiving trays (S) Bicycle has. rear carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that the support frame (TR) two substantially mutually parallel support arms (TA) and that the two arranged parallel to each other Retaining arms (HA) together with the retaining bracket (B) on the free Trägerarmenden each one extending in a transverse direction (QR) of the rear carrier Tilting axis (KA) are formed tiltable.