FR2974326A1 - CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A CARRYING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection system (1) for attaching a carrying device to a hitch (2) having a terminal attachment portion comprising a ball (3) and a neck (4), the system (1) comprising a cavity ( 10) internal open to at least one open end (23) and adapted to receive the ball (3) of the end portion characterized in that the cavity (10) comprises an insertion portion (12) at the end free of which is arranged the emergent end (23), and a fixing portion each adapted to receive the ball (3), and that the system comprises a groove adapted to allow the passage of the neck (4) and having at least one first portion (11) extending at the insertion portion (12) and a second portion (11a) extending at the attachment portion. Application to the connection of a carrying device at the rear of a motor vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a connection system for attaching a carrying device to a hitch of a motor vehicle, its method of mounting on the terminal attachment part of the hitch as well as the carrying device of at least one element disposed at the rear of the vehicle comprising such a connection system. The invention will find application for various types of carrying device for transporting one or more elements to the rear of a motor vehicle, the carrying device being secured to the terminal attachment part of the hitch at the rear of said vehicle for traction of an auxiliary element. Advantageously, the carrying device is more particularly a bicycle carrier. The term "carrying" must however be understood in the broadest sense of any device capable of receiving a load to be carried for transport by means of the equipped vehicle. Any device connectable to the vehicle through the invention falls within this framework. Such a hitch is frequently a hitch of which the terminal end portion is substantially vertical and consists of a ball and a neck, the ball and the neck being fixed to the rear of the chassis of the motor vehicle via an angled arm. In what follows, it will be taken as an example a ball hitch to illustrate the hitch in the rear of a motor vehicle. For example, for the traction of an auxiliary element such as a caravan or a trailer by a motor vehicle, it is known to use a ball hitch 25, the ball of such a hitch being surrounded, in the towed position of the auxiliary element, by a bowl secured to the body of said auxiliary element. Such a connection is called a ball or ball-sphere connection and completely links the vehicle with the element to be translated in translation but leaves them free in a limited way in rotation. This link therefore comprises three degrees of connection corresponding to the three possible translations, these three degrees being blocked. The connection also comprises three degrees of freedom in rotation between the motor vehicle and the element to be towed, these degrees of freedom corresponding to roll, pitch and yaw. These degrees of freedom in rotation are however limited by the shape of the element to be towed or by the interference between the element to be towed and the motor vehicle. Such a hitch ball comprises a spherical head called ball on platinum or ball gooseneck. This spherical head is extended by an angled support connecting it with the chassis of the motor vehicle. The junction of the spherical head and the crank support is designated by the neck of the hitch ball. As a use other than that of traction of an auxiliary element of the type mentioned above, it is known to use such a ball hitch for the fixation of a suspension carrying device at the rear of the motor vehicle. is thus known various connection systems of such a carrying device to a hitch ball forming the terminal portion of attachment of the hitch. Conventionally, the connection system comprises a housing consisting of an arcuate portion intended to cooperate with the upper portion of the hitch ball. These systems require clamping means of said ball in its housing. The clamping means are movable and block the lower part of the hitch ball and generate several bearing surfaces on the ball including a recovery of gravity. These connection systems, however, do not allow easy placement on the ball of the hitch. In many cases, it is necessary to perform several operations for its mounting on the hitch and there are risks that the clamping between connection system and hitch is not performed correctly. However, undesired residual mobility of the connection system with respect to the motor vehicle may be harmful, in particular by damaging the vehicle or the associated carrying device during shocks between them. The problem underlying the present invention is to propose a connection system between a carrying device and the end portion 30 of attaching a hitch to the rear of a motor vehicle which increases the reliability of the connection while by being easy to set up. To achieve this objective, a connection system is provided according to the invention for attaching a carrying device to a hitch having a terminal attachment portion comprising a ball and a neck, the system comprising an open internal cavity at least one open end and adapted to receive the ball of the end portion characterized in that the cavity comprises an insertion portion, at the free end of which is arranged the open end and a fixing portion each suitable to receive the ball, and that the system comprises a groove adapted to allow passage of the neck and having at least a first portion extending at the insertion portion and a second portion extending at the portion of the fixation. The present invention allows for easy installation of the connection system ensuring efficient and safe positioning of the system on the end portion of the hitch. In another aspect of the invention, the connection system for attaching a carrying device to a hitch having a fastener end portion comprising a ball and a neck, the system comprising an internal cavity open to at least one one end emerging and adapted to receive at least the ball of the end portion characterized in that the cavity comprises an insertion portion, a fixing portion each adapted to receive at least the ball and the system comprises a longitudinal groove 20 configured to ensure the sliding of at least the neck between the insertion portion and the fixing portion. Advantageously, the sliding is along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end portion. According to another aspect of the invention, a connection system for attaching a carrying device to a hitch having an attachment end portion, the system comprising an internal cavity open at an open end and adapted to receive said end portion during the introduction of the cavity around said portion characterized in that this cavity has an insertion portion and an attachment portion with respect to said coupling portion, the system comprises a groove, longitudinal, for the passage of the neck of the end portion of the hitch, out of the connection system, said groove having a first portion associated with the second insertion portion and a portion associated with the fixing portion, 4 preferably the first and second groove portions forming a non-zero angle therebetween so that in the attachment portion at least one edge of said first portion forms a first bearing surface of the system against said end portion and in that the cavity has a bottom portion, at least one bearing portion of the bottom portion of the cavity forming a second bearing surface of the system against said end portion . The technical effect obtained is an installation of the connection system in which the actions of the first and second bearing surfaces are opposite, which ensures a self-tightening of the system on the end portion of the attachment of the 'coupling. This self-tightening does not require the use or the addition of auxiliary mounting parts and is done automatically by the action of the first and the second support surface conjugate and complementary during the tilting of the connection system and its cavity relative to the terminal part of the coupling. The system according to the invention may further optionally have any of the following features: the groove has a width smaller than the largest dimension of the ball; the cavity has a sheath shape; first part of the groove is oriented in a plane not parallel to that of the open end, - the groove has a rectilinear section, - the first part and the second part of the groove form a non-zero angle between them, - the groove is configured to guide the end portion of the hitch in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end portion, - at least a first bearing surface adapted to be in contact with the end portion of the hitch is formed by the cavity at its insertion portion on either side of the groove, at least a second bearing surface adapted to be in contact with the terminal portion is moved by the cavity in the fixing portion at a bottom portion advantageously so that the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface cause an automatic locking of the cavity relative to the end portion, - the bottom portion comprises a metal reinforcement adapted to be in contact with a portion of the neck, 5 - it comprises a platform extending from one of these ends and whose longitudinal plane forms an acute angle, preferably from 30 to 70 °, preferentially 45 °, with the longitudinal axis of the cavity. a third bearing surface is formed by the cavity in the fastening portion at a zone opposite to the groove, the third bearing surface is movable between an application position on the end portion and a retracted position, the system comprises a third bearing surface acting on the free end of the terminal attachment part of the hitch, the third bearing surface is formed by a pivoting piece around a hinge. transverse hinge axis to said system, the movable part carrying a tip that can be pressed against the free end of the terminal attachment part of the coupling, - a lever is provided for the positioning of the tip of the piece mobile against the free end of the end portion of attachment of the hitch. The present invention also relates to a device for carrying one or more elements at the rear of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises such a connection system. Advantageously, the carrying device is able to carry one or more bicycles. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a ball hitch with such a connection system or with such a carrying device, the terminal attachment part of the hitch being substantially vertical and comprising a ball connected by a collar to the complement. at the end part in the form of a bent arm. Advantageously, the groove has a vertical plane of symmetry. Advantageously, the first portion and the second portion of the groove form a non-zero angle between them in a vertical plane. Advantageously, the cavity and the groove are configured to create a sliding fit with the end portion of the hitch. Advantageously, the first bearing surface of the system is applied at least against a portion of the ball facing the open end of the cavity and the second bearing surface of the system is applied against at least a portion of the neck. vis-à-vis the bottom portion. Advantageously, a shoulder is provided between the neck and the bent arm of the coupling, advantageously this shoulder protruding transversely of at least a portion of the perimeter of the neck. Advantageously, in the attachment position of the system with the hitch, the shoulder abuts against the portion of said groove opposite the cavity. Advantageously, the ball of the coupling comprises, at its apex forming the free end of the end portion of attachment, a flat. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising at its rear part such an assembly. The invention finally relates to a method of blocking a connection system characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - insertion of said end portion into the insertion portion of the cavity, 20 - sliding of the connection system causing a displacement of the terminal end portion in the fixing portion of the cavity. According to another aspect the invention relates to a method of locking a connection system on the end portion of a hitch attached to the rear of a vehicle, said system comprising an internal cavity open at one end. opening and adapted to receive said end portion, said cavity having an insertion portion and an attachment portion with respect to said terminal attachment portion and a bottom portion, the cavity comprising a groove, longitudinal, for the passage from the neck to the end portion of the hitch, out of the connection system, said groove having a first portion associated with the insertion portion and a second portion associated with the attachment portion, the first and second groove portions forming preferably, a non-zero angle between them, the method comprising the following steps: 7 - sliding of the cavity of the system around said end portion, until that said end portion is in the insertion portion of the cavity, - tilting of the connection system causing a passage of the end portion of attachment in the fixing portion of the cavity, the tilt resulting in an automatic locking of the cavity with respect to the end portion of support fastening, on the side facing the open end, of at least one edge of the first part of the groove against the end portion of attachment and, on the other side opposite to said end, at least one bearing portion of the bottom portion of the cavity against said end portion. Advantageously, the method comprises a tilting of the cavity around the terminal end portion resulting in an automatic locking of the cavity relative to the end portion of attachment. Advantageously, the tilting is achieved by the weight exerted at a distance from the center of gravity of the ball by a platform extending from one of these ends from the connection system. Advantageously, the tilting takes place between a position where the longitudinal axis of the cavity extends substantially horizontally and a position 20 in which the longitudinal axis is inclined by approximately 45 ° relative to the horizontal. Advantageously, the method has a step of locking in rotation of the connection system around the longitudinal axis of the end attachment part made by applying a bearing surface of the cavity on the free end of said portion. terminal. Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings given as non-limiting examples and in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of A perspective view from above of a connection system in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation according to the present invention of a longitudinal section of a connection system according to the present invention; connection system that has not yet been introduced around the terminal attachment part of the coupling, - Figure 3 is a schematic representation according to the present invention of a longitudinal section of a connection system according to the present invention. , the connection system having been introduced around the end portion of attachment of the hitch in its position of attachment by tilting of the system by 4 is a schematic representation according to the present invention of a longitudinal section of a connection system according to the present invention, the connection system having been introduced around the terminal attachment portion of the invention. hitch in its fixing position by tilting the system relative to said hitch and the rotational lock of the system about the longitudinal axis of the end portion of the hitch having been performed. In what follows the lower and upper terms will refer to the position occupied by an element of the connection system when it is mounted on the terminal attachment part of the coupling, said end portion extending substantially vertically in a fixed position on the chassis of a vehicle that can be automobile or not. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a connection system 1 adapted to be mounted on the linkage end portion of a hitch 2. In the figures, a ball hitch 2 is shown but the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a coupling. Thus, the present invention relates to any type of hitch 2 having an attachment end portion and its complementary portion which secures the terminal attachment portion to the vehicle. The term "ball" must here be understood in the broad sense, especially as an element that may not be totally spherical, for example comprising a flat or presenting an ovoid surface. In the figures, the hitch 2 comprises a ball 3 and a neck 4 forming the terminal attachment portion of the hitch 2 and an angled arm 2a forming the remainder of the hitch 2 other than the end portion of the hitch 2. attachment 3, 4. The bent arm 2a of the hitch 2, directly adjacent to said ball 3 via the neck 4, connects them to the chassis of the vehicle, not shown in the figures. The end attachment part 3, 4 of the hitch 2 extends substantially vertically when the hitch 2 is in a fixed position on the vehicle. The neck 4, of substantially cylindrical shape, particularly clearly visible in Figures 2 to 4, connects the ball 3 to the crank arm 2a. According to one possibility, the neck 4 comprises a shoulder 5 extending at least partially around the periphery of the neck 4 and being at the end of the neck 4 opposite that connected to the ball 3, this shoulder 5 protruding transversely to the neck 4. As previously mentioned, the connection system 1 connects to the ball hitch 2 a carrying device, the latter being symbolized by a platform 19 shown interrupted in FIGS. 2 to 4. The term platform 19 is understood to mean broadly as a counterweight or a remote charge. It may also take the form of a vertical beam provided with arms supporting for example bicycles. This interrupted platform 19 represents the main platform of the carrying device, which advantageously extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the rear of said vehicle. The platform 19 is preferably arranged in a plane inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 of the cavity 10. The plane of the platform 19 and the longitudinal axis 20 preferably forms an acute angle, for example of the order of 30 ° to 70 ° preferably 45 °. In this way, the platform 19 is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, once the system is in the carrying position on the hitch. Preferably, the angle formed between the plane of the platform 19 and the longitudinal axis 20 of the vehicle is substantially identical to the clearance necessary for the tilting of the connection system 1, ie the angle formed between the first portion 11 and the second part 11 has groove. For example, in the case of a carrier device for bicycles, with a carrying device having such a master platform, one or more bicycles are arranged transversely to the vehicle being individually fixed by respective fastening means on the master platform. . It is however possible to design a master platform extending transversely to the rear of the vehicle and the bicycle (s) then extending longitudinally to the vehicle. In this case, the platform 19 shown interrupted in FIGS. 2 to 4 is a platform for connecting the platform i0 master of the porting device to the connection system 1, the connection platform extending substantially perpendicular to the master platform. The connection system 1 forms a substantially closed assembly with, in its interior, between two longitudinal faces of flat outer shape, a housing 6 for receiving the ball 3 of the coupling 2, this housing 6 being visible in FIGS. 2 to 4 The housing 6 for receiving the ball 3 is in a cavity 10 extending into the connection system 1, the imaginary center of the ball 3 in position in this housing 6 being referenced 21 in FIG. the invention, the connection system comprises a one-piece body in which is formed the cavity 10. In the housing 6, there are provided bearing surfaces 7 and 8 performing a different and complementary action on the ball 3 and its neck 4 the bearing surfaces 7 to 8 will be described later. The cavity 10 has at least one emergent end 23. The end attachment part 3, 4 is introduced into the cavity 10 through the end 23. The open end 23 is oriented in a non-parallel plane and preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the cavity 10. According to a possibility not shown, the cavity 10 may comprise two open ends. In this way, the end portion of attachment 3, 4 is secured by a movable part for gripping the end portion of attachment 3, 4 in the cavity 10. The cavity 10 may have a sheath shape with a portion of substantially cylindrical insertion 12 of longitudinal axis referenced 20 and a fixing portion formed by the housing 6 of substantially spherical shape for its complementary portion to the ball 3. The sheath shape is understood as an elongate sheath in the direction of insertion of the end portion into the cavity 10. The device also has, in the lower part of the cavity 10 cooperating with the neck 4, a groove formed of a first 11 and a second portion 11 a consecutive for the passage of the neck 4 and / or the remainder of the bent arm 2a of the hitch 2 outside the cavity 10, said groove portions 11 and 11a being visible in FIGS. 2 to 4. The remainder of the bent arm 2a other than the 2974326 He left you Rminale attachment 3, 4 is separated from the neck 4 and the ball 3 for example by a shoulder 5 itself disposed outside the connection system 1 advantageously abuts against the lower part of the connection system 1. 5 The first part of the groove 11 is associated with the insertion portion 12 and the second portion of the groove 11a is associated with the fastening portion formed by the housing 6. The groove advantageously extends over the entire length of the groove 11. cavity 10. The two parts 11 and 11a of the groove are preferably arranged in the same vertical plane and advantageously have a rectilinear section. Preferably, the first portion 11 and the second portion 11a have a non-zero angle advantageously between them so that in the fixing position at least first support means 7 are formed by the edges of said first groove portion 11 against the ball 3. The fixing position means that the ball 3 is positioned at the level of the fixing portion. The insertion of the end portion 3, 4 into the cavity 10 is by the emergent end 23 preferably located at the end of the insertion portion 12. The introduction is carried out in a translational movement along a plane substantially horizontal, and / or preferably along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22 of the end portion 3, 4. The cavity 10 and the groove are configured to generate a sliding fit of the end portion and more precisely of the ball 3 and of the neck 4 relative to the insertion portion 12. For this purpose, the cavity 10 has a complementary arcuate section of the ball 3, while the groove is able to allow the neck 4 to slide. for example, the cavity 10 and the groove for sliding have dimensions greater than the dimensions of the terminal attachment portion 3, 4 preferably of the order of one tenth of a centimeter. For example, the ball 3 has a larger diameter of 48 to 50 millimeters and the neck 4 from 27 to 29 millimeters. The groove also has a width smaller than the greatest width, ie the diameter of the ball 3. In this way, the ball 3 12 is maintained in the cavity 10. The displacements along the longitudinal axis of the end portion are reduced or prohibited. Thus, in the attachment position of the connection system 1, there is a first bearing surface 7 disposed on the side of the ball 3 of the coupling 2 facing the open end 23 of the insertion portion 12 of the cavity 10. The bearing surface 7 is located at the first portion 11 of the groove preferably formed by the insertion portion on either side of the groove. In the fixing position of the connection system 1, a bottom portion 13 of the cavity 10 is in the housing 6 abutting against the ball 3 and the neck 4, a bearing portion 13a of this bottom portion 13 having a shape corresponding to the ball 3 and / or the neck 4. Thus, there is therefore at least a second bearing surface 8 of the connection system 1 with the ball 3 and / or the neck 4 of the hitch 2. Advantageously this second bearing surface 8 is at least effective between the neck 4 of the coupling 2 and the bearing portion 13a facing said collar 4. This bearing portion 13a of the bottom portion 13 advantageously has a profile complementary to the neck 4. As the neck 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape, the bearing portion 13a of the bottom portion 13 may be substantially circular in shape so that the contact between the bearing portion 13a and the portion vis-à-vis the neck 4 is optimal. Preferably, the bottom portion 13 comprises a metal reinforcement forming the bearing portion 13a. The metal reinforcement makes it possible to increase the hardness of the bottom portion 13 and thus improves the support of the portion 13a thus avoiding wear by matting.

These two bearing surfaces 7 and 8 generate a self-tightening of the end portion 3, 4 in the carrying system. Self-tightening is particularly effective when the system comprises a platform 19 extending from said connection system. This platform 19 is preferably substantially horizontal, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The platform 19 exerts a weight applied at a certain distance from the center of gravity of the ball 3 of the terminal attachment part. The vertical axis rotation along the longitudinal axis of the end portion 3, 4 is locked only by friction if the tangential force 13 does not exceed the rotational torque due to the lateral acceleration. Only if this weight exceeds a certain value, the self-tightening achieved by the first 7 and the second 8 bearing surfaces is satisfactory. For example, this weight must be greater than 60 Kg and exercise about 70 centimeters from the center of gravity of the ball 3 for the moment of force to produce this effect on a standard ball 3. Otherwise, it is preferred to provide a third bearing surface 9 which will be described below. The present invention also relates to a method of blocking a connection system 1 on the end portion of attachment 3, 4 of a hitch 2. This method comprises the following steps: - insertion of the end portion 3, 4 in the cavity 10 through the emergent end 23. The cavity 10 is oriented so that the longitudinal axis 20 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22 of the end portion 3, 4. - sliding of the cavity 10 of the system 1 around of said end portion 3, 4, until said end portion 3, 4 is in the fixing portion preferably at the innermost end of the insertion portion of the cavity 10. Sliding is preferentially straight. - tilting of the connection system 1 causing a passage of the terminal attachment portion 3, 4 in the fixing portion of the cavity 10. This tilting causing an automatic locking of the cavity 10 relative to the end portion of attachment 3, 4 by pressing, on the side facing the open end 23, at least one edge of the first portion 11 of the groove against the terminal end portion 3, 4 and, on the other side opposite the end end, at least one bearing portion 13a of the bottom piece 13 of the cavity 10 against said end portion 3, 4. Advantageously, the tilting takes place between a position where the longitudinal axis 20 of the cavity 10 extends substantially horizontally and a position in which the longitudinal axis 20 is inclined by approximately 45 ° relative to the horizontal. More specifically, the tilting is performed between a position 30 where the longitudinal axis 20 of the cavity and the longitudinal axis 22 of the end portion 3, 4 are substantially perpendicular and a position in which the longitudinal axis 20 is inclined 45 ° with the longitudinal axis 22. Advantageously, the method has a step of locking in rotation of the connection system 1 about the longitudinal axis 22 of the terminal attachment portion 3, 4 made by application of FIG. a bearing surface on the free end 3a of said end portion 3, 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the first bearing surface 7 advantageously allows a connection of the unilateral ball-and-socket type with the median hemispherical portion of the hitch ball 3, this portion being oriented towards the emergent end 23 forming the opening of the cavity 10. the first bearing surface 7 is conjugated with the second bearing surface 8, advantageously present between the cylindrical portion of the neck 4 disposed under the ball 3 and the bearing portion 13a of the bottom portion 13, said cylindrical portion of the neck 4 being vis-à-vis the bottom portion 13 of the cavity 10. The effect of the first 7 and second bearing surface 8 is to create, on the one hand by the first bearing surface 7, a pivot-unilateral connection generating bearings on a portion of the ball 3 facing the open end 23 of the cavity 10. On the other hand, it is created by the second bearing surface 8 on a portion of the terminal portion fastener 3, 4 facing towards the bottom of the cavity 10 a link advantageously of the support-plane type which locks said pivot-unilateral connection. As previously mentioned, the connection of the second bearing surface 8 is advantageously performed on the neck 4 extending the ball 3 to the bent arm 2a. Advantageously, for the connection system 1 according to the present invention, there is provided a third bearing surface 9 between the ball 3 of the coupling 2 and the connection system 1. The third bearing surface 9 contributes to achieving a self-tightening of the connection system 1 on the hitch 2 and preventing rotation around a vertical axis of the connection system 1 relative to the ball 3, this vertical axis being the longitudinal axis 22 of the end portion of The third support surface 9 makes it possible to extend the bearing surfaces, in particular 7 and 8, in order to reduce the surface pressures in the cavity 10 and to reduce the risk of matting thereof. It is particularly useful in the following cases, which can be encountered in combination: - the diameter of the ball 3 is low, the third bearing surface 9 then compensates the game; - The weight of the coupling is low so that the moment of force it exerts to achieve the automatic tightening torque for the surfaces 7, 8 is lower; the third bearing surface 9 then completes the self-tightening. Preferably, the third bearing surface 9 is made by the tip 15 of a moving part 14 acting on the upper part of the ball 3, this portion advantageously having a flat portion 3a and forming the free end portion of the end portion attachment 3, 4 of the coupling. The movable part 14 is articulated about an axis 16 of articulation, this axis 16 extending substantially horizontally in the mounted position of the connection system 1 transversely to said system 1. Advantageously, under the actuation of a clamping lever 17 associated with the moving part 14, by action of an operator on the gripping portion 18 of said lever 17, this preferably by lowering said lever 17, the moving part 14 is pivoted about the axis 16 and its tip 15 comes into contact with the flat part 3a of the ball 3. This prevents any vertical rotation of the connection system 1 relative to the hitch 2 for sufficient pressure of the tip 15 of the movable part 14 on the flat part 3a at the top of the ball 3.

In a complementary manner, a locking of the connection system 1 in position on the hitch 2 is achieved in particular by the clamping lever 17. The locking makes it possible to compensate for load shedding during vertical accelerations. This results in easy positioning of the connection system 1 according to the present invention around the terminal attachment part 3, 4 of the coupling 2, this with a self-tightening by the combined action of at least two surfaces of support 7, 8, the third bearing surface 9 being optional but completing the tightening of the connection system 1 on the end portion 3, 4 of the coupling 2.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described but extends to any embodiment within its spirit.

REFERENCES

1. Connection system 2. Coupling 2a. Angled arm 3. Ball 3a. Flat part 4. Collar 5. Shoulder 6. Receiving receptacle 7. First bearing surface 8. Second bearing surface 9. Third bearing surface 10. Cavity 11. First groove portion 11a. Second groove portion 12. Insertion portion 13. Bottom portion 13a Support portion 14. Movable part 15. Tip 16. Hinge pin 17. Clamping lever 18. Gripping part 19. Platform 20. Longitudinal axis of the cavity 21. Center of the ball 22. Longitudinal axis of the terminal end portion 23. Through end 20

Claims (26)

REVENDICATIONS1. Connection system (1) for attaching a carrying device to a hitch (2) having a terminal attachment portion comprising a ball (3) and a neck (4), the system (1) comprising a cavity ( 10) internal open to at least one open end (23) and adapted to receive the ball (3) of the end portion characterized in that the cavity (10) comprises an insertion portion (12) at the end free of which is arranged the emergent end (23), and a securing portion each adapted to receive the ball (3), and that the system comprises a groove adapted to allow the passage of the neck (4) and having at least a first portion (11) extending at the insertion portion (12) and a second portion (11a) extending at the attachment portion. 15 2. System (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the groove has a width smaller than the largest dimension of the ball (3). 3. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity (10) has a sheath shape. 4. System (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the first portion (11) of the groove is oriented in a plane not parallel to that of the open end (23). 25 5. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the groove has a rectilinear section. 6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first portion (11) and the second portion (11a) of the groove 30 form a non-zero angle therebetween. 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the groove is configured to guide the end portion (3, 4) of the hitch (2) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (22) of the part terminal (3, 4). 8. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least a first bearing surface (7) adapted to be in contact with the end portion of the hitch (2) is formed by the cavity (10) at the its insertion portion (12) on either side of the groove. 9. System according to the preceding claim wherein at least a second bearing surface (8) adapted to be in contact with the end portion is formed by the cavity (10) in the fixing portion (12) at a bottom portion (13) so that the first bearing surface (7) and the second bearing surface (8) automatically block the cavity (10) from the end portion (3, 4). 10. System (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the bottom portion (13) comprises a metal reinforcement adapted to be in contact with a portion of the neck (4). 11. System (1) according to any preceding claim comprising a platform (19) extending from one of these ends and whose longitudinal plane forms an acute angle preferably 30 to 70 °, with the longitudinal axis (20) of the cavity (10). 12. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a third bearing surface (9) is formed by the cavity (10) in the fixing portion at a zone opposite the groove. 13. System (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the third bearing surface (9) is movable between an application position on the end portion (3, 4) and a retracted position. 19 14. Device for carrying one or more elements at the rear of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a system (1) connection according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. A carrying device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is able to carry one or bikes. 16. An assembly comprising a hitch (2) ball (3) with a system (1) connection according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or with a carrying device according to any one of the two preceding claims, the part attachment end (3, 4) of the coupling (2) being substantially vertical and comprising a ball (3) connected by a neck (4) in addition to the end portion (3, 4) in the form of an arm bent (2a). 17. Assembly according to the preceding claim wherein the groove has a vertical plane of symmetry. 18. An assembly according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the first portion (11) and the second portion (11a) of the groove form a non-zero angle between them in a vertical plane. An assembly according to any one of the three preceding claims wherein the cavity (10) and the groove are configured to create a sliding fit with the end portion (3, 4) of the hitch (2). 20. An assembly according to any one of the four preceding claims wherein the first bearing surface (7) of the system (1) is applied at least against a portion of the ball (3) facing the open end (23). ) of the cavity (10) and the second bearing surface (8) of the system (1) is applied against at least a portion of the neck (4) vis-à-vis a bottom portion (13) . 20 21. An assembly according to any one of the five preceding claims, for which the ball (3) of the coupling (2) comprises, at its apex forming the free end of the terminal end portion (3, 4), a flat part (3a). 22. A method of blocking a system (1) connection according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - insertion of said end portion (3, 4) in the portion insertion (12) of the sliding cavity (10) of the connecting system (1) causing a displacement of the terminal end portion (3, 4) in the fixing portion (6) of the cavity (10). ). 23. A method according to the preceding claim comprising a tilting of the cavity (10) around the terminal end portion (3, 4) resulting in an automatic locking of the cavity (10) relative to the end portion ( 3, 4). 24. A method according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the tilting is achieved by the weight exerted away from the center of gravity of the ball (3) by a platform (19) extending from one of these ends from the connection system. 25. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the tilting takes place between a position where the longitudinal axis (20) of the cavity (10) extends substantially horizontally and a position in which the longitudinal axis (20) is inclined approximately 45 ° to the horizontal. 26. A method according to any one of the two preceding claims, which has a step of locking in rotation of the connection system (1) about the longitudinal axis (22) of the terminal end portion (3, 4). performed by applying a bearing surface on the free end of said end portion (3, 4).