Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
  • B60R9/08—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear
  • B60R9/10—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear for cycles

Definitions

• the invention relates to a bicycle carrier according to the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1. More particularly, the invention relates to a bicycle carrier which is configured for carrying at least a first bicycle and a second bicycle and to this end is provided with at least a first bicycle carrying place and a second bicycle carrying place.
• a bicycle carrier which is configured for carrying at least a first bicycle and a second bicycle and to this end is provided with at least a first bicycle carrying place and a second bicycle carrying place.
• Vertically above the first bicycle carrying place extends an imaginary first, substantially block-shaped frame receiving space in which, in use, is a frame of a first bicycle which is set up in the first bicycle carrying place.
• Vertically above the second bicycle carrying place extends an imaginary second, substantially block-shaped frame receiving space in which, in use, is a frame of a second bicycle which is set up in the second bicycle carrying place.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly has a front side which, in use, faces the vehicle, and a rear side which, in use, faces away from the vehicle.
• Figure 12 from the present application shows figure 1 from EP 1 095 820 which relates to a known bicycle carrier.
• a fixed bracket 13 which, viewed in the driving direction, is in front of the bicycle carrying places, here implemented as two parallel troughs.
• Pivotably connected to this bracket 13 are two arms 14, 15 which are each provided with a frame tube clamp.
• the first arm 14 is short and is intended for attachment of a first bicycle which is in the front bicycle carrying place.
• the second arm 15 is longer and is intended for attachment of a second bicycle which is in the rear bicycle carrying place.
• the second, longer arm 15 has to be passed through the frame of the first bicycle.
• bicycle carriers with similar fixed U-shaped brackets having attachment arms thereon of which the respective longer ones need to reach through the frame of the first bicycle, are known from EP2664497A1 and EP2703224A1.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly comprises two folding wings, so that the bicycle carrier can be folded up to form a compact whole.
• Figure 13 from the present application shows figure 1 from EP 2 210 779 Al.
• this known bicycle carrier there are two standards 20 between the two bicycle carrying places.
• Each standard 20 is provided at an upper free end with a frame tube gripper.
• the two standards 20 first need to be dismounted from the bicycle carrier basis assembly because, if this were not done, the first bicycle would have to be lifted over the two standards 20, which is unfeasible, practically.
• the two standards 20 need to be attached to the bicycle carrier basic assembly. Thereupon, to one of the standards 20 the first bicycle can be attached.
• a second bicycle can be placed in the second bicycle carrying place and be fixed with a frame tube gripper of the second standard 20. Also for this known bicycle carrier, a substantial dexterity of the user is required, while in effect two persons are needed for safe placement and fixation of the two bicycles on the bicycle carrier.
• a bicycle carrier which, at least in part, removes the disadvantages described. More particularly, a bicycle carrier is contemplated where placement and fixation of both the first bicycle and the second bicycle can be simpler than with the known bicycle carriers and can be carried out by one person.
• the invention provides to this end a bicycle carrier according to claim 1. More particularly, the invention provides a bicycle carrier of the type described in the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1 and hereinabove, which is characterized by a column which is connected with the bicycle carrier basic assembly near a front side of the bicycle carrier basic assembly and which is substantially vertically oriented. The first and the second bicycle carrying places are both on a rearward facing side of the column. Further, the bicycle carrier is characterized by a pivoting arm which by a first end is connected with the column in a manner pivotable around a rotation axis.
• the pivoting arm has a first pivoted position, in which the pivoting arm is pivoted away from the first frame receiving space so that the first bicycle carrying place and, above it, the imaginary first frame receiving space are freely accessible for placing of the first bicycle.
• the pivoting arm has a second pivoted position, in which the pivoting arm reaches over the first frame receiving space.
• the pivoting arm comprises a first pivoting arm part and a second pivoting arm part. In the second pivoted position the first pivoting arm part extends substantially above the first frame receiving space and the second pivoting arm part extends substantially vertically between the first and the second frame receiving spaces.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly may for instance be fastened to a towing hook of the vehicle.
• Other modes of attachment include, for example, the trailer hitch customary in America.
• the column does not impede placement of a bicycle in the first and second bicycle carrying places. Due to the pivoting arm having a first pivoted position in which the pivoting arm is pivoted away from the first frame receiving space, also the pivoting arm does not constitute an impediment in placing of the first bicycle on the first bicycle carrying place. Also, it is possible to fasten a bicycle placed in the first bicycle carrying place to the column in a simple manner. This may for instance be done by means of a gripper or a flexible toothed strip which engages in a ratchet locking. The bicycle can thereby be properly fixed, which is important in use.
• the second bicycle can be placed in the second bicycle carrying place and in the second frame receiving space.
• the user should pivot the pivoting arm from the first pivoted position to the second pivoted position. This can be carried out in a simple manner because the pivoting arm reaches over the first frame receiving space.
• Pivoting the pivoting arm from the first pivoted position to the second pivoted position can take place after the first bicycle has been fixed to the column and so the user has his hands free.
• the second bicycle carrying place and the imaginary, second frame receiving space which is vertically above the second bicycle carrying place are freely accessible for placing a second bicycle in the second bicycle carrying place.
• the first pivoting arm part extends above the first frame receiving space and reaches over it.
• the second pivoting arm part extends between the first and the second frame receiving spaces.
• the second bicycle in the second bicycle carrying place can then be simply fastened to the second pivoting arm part without the first bicycle impeding the fixing of the second bicycle to the second pivoting arm part in any way.
• the second bicycle can be fastened to the pivoting arm, for instance by means of a gripper or a flexible toothed strip which engages in a ratchet locking. Also the second bicycle is thereby properly fixed.
• the bicycle carrier is suitable for any type of bicycle, it is in particular suitable for electric bicycles, also including electric mountain bikes. This is because with the bicycle carrier according to the invention no arms need to be inserted through the frame, for which there is less room available in electric bicycles as a result of the thick frame tubes in which batteries or a motor are incorporated.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the bicycle carrier according to the invention, with collapsed wings;
• Figure 2 shows the example of Figure 1 with extended wings
• Figure 3 shows a side view of the examples of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 shows a side view of an example of the bicycle carrier according to the invention, with the pivoting arm in the first pivoted position;
• Figure 5 shows a rear view of the example of Figure 4
• Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the examples of Figures 4 and 5, with a bicycle set up in the first bicycle carrying place;
• Figure 7 shows the example of Figure 6, with the pivoting arm in the second pivoted position
• Figure 8 shows the example of Figures 6 and 7 with a bicycle set up also in the second bicycle carrying place
• Figure 9 shows a side view of an example of the bicycle carrier according to the invention, with the wings collapsed and with the pivoting arm in the third pivoted position and the telescopic second pivoting arm part in a shd-in position;
• Figure 10 shows the example of Figure 9, with the telescopic second pivoting arm part in slid-out position and the support rotated;
• Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the example of Figures 9 and 10, with a bicycle suspended from the support;
• Figure 12 shows a first example of a bicycle carrier according to the prior art.
• Figure 13 shows a second example of a bicycle carrier according to the prior art.
• the invention provides a bicycle carrier 10 which is configured for carrying at least a first bicycle 90 and a second bicycle 90.
• the bicycle carrier 10 comprises a bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 which is configured to be attached to a rear side of a vehicle.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 includes at least a first bicycle carrying place 14 and a second bicycle carrying place 18.
• Vertically above the first bicycle carrying place 14 extends an imaginary first, substantially block-shaped frame receiving space 16 (see Fig. 4) in which is a frame of a first bicycle 90 which is set up in the first bicycle carrying place 14.
• Vertically above the second bicycle carrying place 18 extends an imaginary second, substantially block-shaped frame receiving space 20 in which is a frame of a second bicycle 90’ which is set up in the second bicycle carrying place 18.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 has a front side 12 which, in use, faces the vehicle.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 has a rear side 48 which, in use, faces away from the vehicle.
• a pivoting arm 30 is provided with a first pivoting arm part 32 and a second pivoting arm part 34. In the second pivoted position, an example of which is shown in Fig. 7, the first pivoting arm part 32 extends above the first frame receiving space 16 and the second pivoting arm part 34 extends between the first 16 and the second 20 frame receiving spaces.
• the imaginary block-shaped frame receiving spaces 16, 20 are dimensioned such that the whole frame of a bicycle 90, 90’ is encompassed by them.
• the tops of the imaginary block-shaped frame receiving spaces 16, 20 are directly above the highest part of the frame of the respective bicycle 90, 90’.
• first and the second bicycle carrying places 14, 18, viewed in driving direction of the vehicle on which the bicycle carrier 10 is mounted, are positioned behind one another.
• the bicycle carrier 10 further comprises a column 26 which is connected with the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 adjacent the front side vertically oriented.
• the first 14 and second 18 bicycle carrying places are on a side of the column 26 that faces rearwards.
• the bicycle carrier 10 further comprises a pivoting arm 30 which by a first end 56 is connected with the column 26 in a manner pivotable around a rotation axis 36.
• the pivoting arm 30 has a first pivoted position in which the pivoting arm 30 is pivoted away from the first frame receiving space 16 so that the first bicycle carrying place 14 and, above it, the imaginary first frame receiving space 16 are freely accessible for placing of the first bicycle 90 in the first bicycle carrying place 14.
• the pivoting arm 30 has a second pivoted position, in which the pivoting arm 30 reaches over the first frame receiving space 16.
• FIG. 10 An example of the bicycle carrier 10 is shown in the figures, where the front side 28 of the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 corresponds to a front side 22 of the bicycle carrier 10, and the rear side 48 of the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 corresponds to a rear side 24 of the bicycle carrier 10.
• the pivoting arm 30 may be provided with a locking with which the pivoting arm 30 can be locked in a pivoted position relative to the column 26.
• the locking may for instance lock the pivoting arm 30 in the first pivoted position and in the second pivoted position.
• the column 26 and the pivoting arm 30 together when in the second pivoted position, have an inverted U-shape which reaches over the first frame receiving space 16, with the column 26 and the second pivoting arm part 34 being on opposite sides of the first frame receiving space 16.
• first pivoting arm part 32 and the second pivoting arm part 34 are clearly implemented as two mutually distinguishable parts, the parts may also blend smoothly into each other via a curved transition. Thus, a true U-shape can be obtained.
• the first pivoting arm part 32 of the pivoting arm 30 extends above the first frame receiving space 16 and that the second pivoting arm part 34 extends, preferably substantially vertically, between the first and the second frame receiving spaces 16 and 20, respectively.
• the first bicycle 90 in the first bicycle carrying place 14 can be simply fastened to the column 26 so as to be fixed for transportation.
• the second bicycle 90’ can be placed in the second bicycle carrying place 18 and be simply fastened to the second pivoting arm part 34 so as to be fixed for transportation.
• the user does not need to perform any complicated operations, for instance to pass arms of the bicycle carrier through the frame of the first bicycle 90, which is beneficial to ease of use and also to safety.
• the rotation axis 36 of the pivoting arm 30 can extend substantially horizontally in a plane directed perpendicular to the driving direction of the vehicle. As a consequence, the pivoting of the pivoting arm 30 takes place in a vertical plane that extends in the driving direction.
• the rotation axis 36 can also extend non-horizontally, so that the pivoting arm 30 can be pivoted away in an oblique plane.
• the column 26 is implemented as a telescopic column, with a first part 40 of the telescopic column 26 being connected with the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12.
• a second part 42 of the telescopic column 26 is configured to be slid out relative to the first part 40 and the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12.
• the pivoting arm 30 is connected with the second part 42 of the telescopic column 26.
• the column 26 is length adjustable.
• the height of the first frame receiving space 16 is determined by the height of the frame of the first bicycle 90 at the location of the telescopic column 26.
• the pivoting arm 30, because it is connected with the second part 42 of the telescopic column 26, is height adjustable, so that it can reach over the frame receiving spaces 16 of different heights. In other words, the position of the rotation axis 36 of the pivoting arm 30 can be tuned to the frame height of the first bicycle 90 which is set up in the first bicycle carrying place 14.
• the telescopic column 26 may be provided with a locking with which the second part 42 can be locked relative to the first part 40 of the telescopic column 26.
• the height may for instance be set in a number of discrete steps. Options also include a continuously variable height setting.
• the column 26 is provided with a gripper 44 configured for engaging the frame of the first bicycle 90.
• the gripper 44 may be slidably connected with the column 26.
• the gripper 44 may be slidably connected with the second part 42 of the telescopic column 26.
• the gripper 44 In engaging the frame of the first bicycle 90, the gripper 44 can clamp around a frame tube of the first bicycle 90. An example of this is shown in Figure 6.
• the frame, and hence the first bicycle 90, is thus fixed, and the first bicycle 90 is secured for transportation.
• the gripper 44 in addition to being slidably connected, may also be rotatably connected with the column 26.
• the gripper 44 may thus be brought in a position in which the frame of the first bicycle 90 can be engaged. Due to the gripper 44 being height adjustable, a height of the gripper 44 can be adjusted to a height of the frame, more particularly to a height of the frame tube. Due to the gripper 44 being rotatable, the gripper 44 can be adjusted to an angle which is included by the frame tube and the column 26. In this way, the gripper is able to engage the frame of any bicycle 90 placed in the first bicycle carrying place 14.
• the pivoting arm 30 may be provided with a gripper 44’ configured for engaging a frame of the second bicycle 90’ which has been placed in the second bicycle carrying place 18.
• This gripper 44’ can be of the same type as the gripper 44 which is connected with the column 26. The effects and advantages described there also apply to the gripper 44’ provided on the pivoting arm 30.
• the pivoting arm 30 is provided at a second end 58, opposite the first end 56, with a support 46 which is configured for carrying a bicycle 90.
• the pivoting arm 30 has a third pivoted position where the support 46, in use, projects rearwards beyond a rear side 48 of the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12.
• the support 46 may be implemented as a hook such as represented in the figures. However, also a gripper, for instance of the type connected with the column 26 and the pivoting arm 30, could serve as a support 46.
• the bicycle carrier 10 can be used as a work stand. With it, the bicycle 90, 90’ can be suspended and work on the bicycle 90, 90’ can be performed.
• the support 46 can engage a frame tube of the bicycle 90. Due to the support 46 projecting rearwards beyond the rear side 48 of the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12, there is room for the bicycle 90 to hang and for the work to be performed on the bicycle 90.
• the bicycle carrier 10 being usable as a work stand, there is no need to use a separate work stand to perform work on the bicycle 90. This is especially handy when a user wants to or has to carry out repairs when on the way.
• the bicycle 90, 90’ can then be repaired utilizing the bicycle carrier 10.
• the second pivoting arm part 34 may be of telescopic design and therefore comprise two telescopic parts 52, 54.
• the support 46 may be connected with a free end of the telescopic second pivoting arm part 34 in order to be able to set a horizontal distance between the support 46 and the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12.
• a length of telescopic second pivoting arm part 34 is settable.
• the horizontal distance between the support 46 and the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 is then also settable. By making this distance settable, it is possible for projecting parts of a bicycle, such as for instance a pedal, to be positioned at a distance from the rear side 48 of the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12.
• the telescopic second pivoting arm part 34 may then be provided with a locking with which the telescopic parts 52, 54 can be locked and the length of the telescopic second pivoting arm part 34 can be set.
• the length may for instance be set in a number of discrete steps or be continuously varied over a defined setting range.
• the support 46 may be connected with the pivoting arm 30 in a manner rotatable around a support rotation axis 62.
• the support rotation axis 62 may for instance extend parallel to a longitudinal axis 64 of the second pivoting arm part 34.
• the support 46 By rotatably connecting the support 46 with the pivoting arm 30, the support 46 can be adjusted to an angle included by a frame tube of the bicycle 90 and the horizontal. In this way, the support 46 is able to support the bicycle 90 in a position which is suitable for performing work on it.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 may comprise a bridge 66, a first extendible wing 68, and a second extendible wing 74.
• the first extendible wing 68 can then be pivotably connected with the bridge 66 and may be provided with a first 70 and a second 72 wheel support.
• the second extendible wing 74 can also be pivotably connected with the bridge 66 and may be provided with a third 76 and fourth 78 wheel support.
• the first 70 and the third 76 wheel supports together define the first bicycle carrying place 14 and the second 72 and the fourth 78 wheel supports together define the second bicycle carrying place 18.
• the first 68 and second 74 extendible wing can be extended (see Figs. 2-6), then being substantially in line with each other.
• the wheel supports 70, 72, 76, 78 form the bicycle carrying places 14, 18.
• the wheel supports 70, 72, 76, 78 may be provided with a tensioning strap for securing wheels of the bicycle 90 placed in the bicycle carrying place 14, 18.
• the tensioning straps may for instance be implemented as flexible toothed strips which can be fixed in a ratchet mechanism and are adjusted in length for the tensioning thereof.
• the extendible wings 68, 74 can be collapsed (see Figs. 1, 9, 10, 11). In a collapsed position, the first 68 and second 74 wing may be next to each other and extend substantially parallel.
• the bicycle carrier 10 then has a compact form, and upon storage will take up less space than in extended condition.
• a free end of the first wing 68 and a free end of the second wing 74 can support the pivoting arm 30, if the pivoting arm 30 is in the third pivoted position.
• This supporting absorbs at least in part a force exerted by the weight of a bicycle 90 borne by the support 46.
• the bicycle carrier basic assembly 12 comprises a coupling which is configured to be attached to a towing hook of the vehicle. The bicycle carrier basic assembly may then be fastened to a towing hook ball of the vehicle.
• Other modes of attachment include, for example, the trailer hitch customary in America.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=77317385

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2021
  • 2021-07-15 NL NL2028733A patent/NL2028733B1/nl active
• 2022
  • 2022-07-14 EP EP22743937.9A patent/EP4370380A1/en active Pending
  • 2022-07-14 WO PCT/NL2022/050412 patent/WO2023287288A1/en active Application Filing

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