FR3136739A1 - VEHICLE ATTACHMENT DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR VEHICLE Attachment device for vehicle, comprising: - a housing (1), - two hooks (6, 7) rotatably mounted on said housing (1) between a waiting position in which they are spaced apart 'from each other and a fixing position in which they are brought closer to each other, - actuation means (8) of the hooks (6, 7), shaped to rotate said hooks (6, 7) from their waiting positions to their fixing positions when a first external element (3) is engaged between the hooks (6, 7), - locking means, unlockable by the user, and shaped to lock said hooks (6, 7) in fixing positions when they are in their fixing positions. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

VEHICLE ATTACHMENT DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of attachment devices for vehicles, in particular for light vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, tricycles, making it possible to securely connect a vehicle to a fixed external element such as a barrier, a pole or other element of street furniture.

The most commonly used attachment devices include a steel chain or cable, forming a loop which is passed both through a part of the vehicle and through a fixed external element, and which is closed with a padlock , a lock or other means of connection with secure opening by key or code.

A first disadvantage of these known attachment devices is that the user, to attach his vehicle, must both hold his vehicle if it only has two wheels and does not have an auxiliary vertical holding device, and maneuver the attachment device to pass it both in a part of the vehicle and in a fixed external element to then close the loop. These operations can be relatively long, tedious, or even complicated in certain situations.

A second disadvantage of these known attachment devices is that they do not allow correct vertical maintenance of the vehicle in all circumstances, if the vehicle only has two wheels and does not have an auxiliary vertical maintenance device.

A problem proposed by the present invention is, according to a first aspect, to design an attachment device which is easier to maneuver to create the connection between the vehicle and a fixed external element, avoiding having to both hold the vehicle and positioning the securing device.

According to a second aspect, the invention aims to design such an attachment device which is particularly robust and reliable, requiring no electrical connection and no on-board energy source.

According to another aspect, the invention aims to design such an attachment device having the above advantages while maintaining a small footprint.

To achieve these objects as well as others, the invention proposes a fastening device for a vehicle, comprising a housing and first means for fixing said housing capable of fixing said housing to a first external element, in which the first means of fixing said box include:
- two hooks rotatably mounted on said housing between a waiting position in which they are spaced apart from each other and a fixing position in which they are brought closer to each other,
- means for actuating the hooks, shaped to pivot said hooks from their waiting positions to their fixing positions when said first external element is engaged between the hooks,
- locking means, unlockable by the user, and shaped to lock said hooks in fixing positions when they are in their fixing positions.

Such a device ensures great ease of attachment, this attachment being able to be made by engaging the hooks on either side of the first external element, the actuation means ensuring the automatic closure of a loop formed by the hooks around the first external element. As a result, the vehicle can be secured in a relatively short time.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the attachment device comprises:
- a pusher, having a support end projecting from the housing between the hooks, and movable in translation towards and away from the housing in a direction of translation between a waiting position in which said support end is moved away from the housing and a fixing position in which it is brought closer to the housing between the hooks,
- a mechanical transmission, housed in said housing, and engaged between said pusher and said hooks to rotate said hooks from their waiting positions to their fixing positions when said pusher is requested to translate from its waiting position until 'to its fixing position,
- return means for returning said hooks and said pusher to their waiting positions.

We thus produce means of actuating the hooks which are particularly reliable, by mechanical means requiring no electrical connection or any on-board electrical energy source.

However, according to another embodiment, it is possible to provide a fixed pusher provided with a stress sensor sensitive to pressing against the first external element and controlling motorized actuation means of the hooks. It is then necessary to have a source of electrical energy.

Preferably, said hooks each comprise a respective rotation shaft, having a longitudinal axis parallel to said direction of translation, having an outer section with a radial protrusion giving it a longitudinal L-shaped profile, and having an inner section mounted to rotate and locked in translation along said longitudinal axis in said housing.

Such a conformation of the hooks is particularly advantageous, due to the fact that it has reduced bulk, the transverse bulk in the waiting position not being greater than the bulk in the fixing position.

In the case of such a conformation of the hooks, it can advantageously be provided that:
- the mechanical transmission comprises a transverse transmission shaft, perpendicular to said direction of translation, rotatably mounted in said housing, and coupled in rotation with the two rotation shafts of the hooks,
- the pusher comprises an interior section, extending in the direction of translation, biased by an elastic return means towards the waiting position, and having a rack meshing with a pinion secured to the transverse transmission shaft.

The transmission thus defined is particularly simple and reliable.

According to an advantageous embodiment, adapted to a mechanical transmission with a transverse shaft as defined above, the locking means comprise:
- a latch biased by a spring towards a locking position in which the latch engages in a housing in the interior section of the pusher when the latter is in the fixing position, thus ensuring the simultaneous locking of the pusher and the hooks in their positions of fixation,
- a cam actuable by the user and arranged to selectively urge the latch away from the housing of the interior section of the pusher and to thus ensure the simultaneous unlocking of the pusher and the hooks.

The attachment device according to the invention can advantageously further comprise second means for fixing said housing, capable of fixing said housing to a second external element.

Preferably the second means for fixing said housing may comprise a connecting arm, having a first end secured to said housing, having a second end provided with a fastener capable of gripping the second external element, and shaped to produce a rigid connection between said housing and said second end of the connecting arm.

The attachment device can then fulfill the function of vertically maintaining a light vehicle such as a bicycle or a scooter, thus reducing the space taken up by the vehicle on the road, on the sidewalk, or in the parking lot.

The connecting arm is preferably shaped to produce a rigid connection with an adjustable longitudinal profile. The adjustable nature of the longitudinal profile allows the user to adapt the link arm to various configurations of street furniture and/or vehicles, for example at different relative heights, at more or less significant spacings.

In practice, the link arm may include:
- a first longitudinal section secured to said housing and comprising a first axial rotary connection provided with first means for selectively blocking rotation,
- a second longitudinal section secured to said clip and comprising a second axial rotary connection provided with second means for selectively blocking rotation,
- an intermediate section, connecting the first and second longitudinal sections by offsetting them laterally relative to each other.

The first means for selectively blocking rotation and/or the second means for selectively blocking rotation may comprise a toothed wheel in which an operating member actuated by the user and biased by a return spring engages in the engaged position.

The attachment provided at the second end of the connecting arm may comprise two jaws shaped to grip a part of the second external element.

According to a first application, the present invention provides a vehicle, itself comprising an on-board attachment device as defined above. The user can then attach their vehicle to a first external element by simply pushing their vehicle by engaging the hooks on either side of said first external element. The vehicle may in particular be a light vehicle such as a bicycle, a scooter or a tricycle.

According to a second application, the present invention provides urban furniture itself comprising an attachment device as defined above, the user also being able to attach his vehicle by simply pushing the vehicle towards the attachment device by engaging a part of the vehicle between the hooks of the fastening device.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:

There is a top perspective view of an attachment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a position in which the hooks are in the fixing position, and the arm is shaped to achieve a vertical downward offset ;

There is a perspective view from below of the fastening device according to the embodiment of the , in a position in which the hooks and the pusher are in the waiting position, and the arm is shaped to achieve an oblique downward offset;

There is a perspective view from below of the attachment device of Figures 1 and 2, the wall of the housing having been removed to distinguish the interior mechanism, the hooks and the pusher being in the waiting position, the arm being shaped to produce a horizontal offset towards the side;

There is a similar view of the , the hooks and the pusher being in fixing positions;

There is a bottom view illustrating the attachment device in the waiting position for the ;

There is a bottom view illustrating the fastening device in the fixing position of the ;

There is a top view in section illustrating the attachment device in the waiting position for the ;

There is a top view in section illustrating the attachment device in an intermediate position for pushing in the pusher from the waiting position of the towards the fixing position of the ;

There is a top view in section illustrating the fastening device in the fixing position of the ;

There is a top view in section illustrating the attachment device in an intermediate exit position of the pusher after unlocking from the fixing position of the towards the waiting position of the ; And

There illustrates in cross section an embodiment of the arm rotation locking device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

When identical reference numerals are used in several embodiments of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the embodiments.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle attachment device comprises a housing 1, first fixing means 2 capable of fixing said housing 1 to a first external element 3, and second fixing means 4 capable of fixing said housing 1 to a second external element 5.

The first fixing means 2 comprise two hooks 6 and 7, rotatably mounted on the housing 1 between a waiting position, illustrated in the , and a fixing position, illustrated on the . The actuation of the hooks 6 and 7 between their waiting position and their fixing position is controlled by a pusher 8, which comprises a support end 8a projecting from the housing 1 between the hooks 6 and 7, and which is movable in translation towards and away from the housing 1 in a translation direction II, between a waiting position ( ) in which said support end 8a is spaced from the housing 1 and a fixing position ( ) in which said support end 8a is brought closer to the housing 1.

The hooks 6 and 7 each comprise a respective rotation shaft 6a and 7a extending along a respective longitudinal axis parallel to said direction of translation II of the pusher 8. Each of the rotation shafts 6a and 7a comprises an external section 6b or 7b, protruding from the housing 1, and an interior section 6c or 7c, housed inside the housing 1, as seen in particular on the . The outer section 6b or 7b comprises, near its free end, a radial projection 6d or 7d giving it a longitudinal L-shaped profile.

In the waiting position shown on the , the rotation shafts 6a and 7a are pivoted around their respective longitudinal axes so that the radial protrusions 6d and 7d are spaced apart from each other, advantageously parallel to each other, leaving the access to the space located between the two hooks 6 7 for engagement of the attachment device around the first external element 3.

In the mounting position shown on the , the rotation shafts 6a and 7a are pivoted around their respective longitudinal axes so that the radial protrusions 6d and 7d develop towards each other, so that the housing 1 and the outer sections 6b and 7b with their radial protrusions 6d and 7d then form a closed annular structure which surrounds and imprisons the first external element 3.

It is understood that such a structure of first fixing means provides optimal opening, to facilitate adaptation to different types of first external elements 3, while occupying a minimum space in all stages of operation.

We now consider Figures 3 and 4, which are perspective views from below, in which the wall of the housing 1 has been removed to distinguish the main functional elements which are inside this housing 1 and which ensure mechanical transmission of movement between pusher 8 and hooks 6 and 7.

Each of the interior sections 6c and 7c is rotatably mounted in the housing 1 and is blocked in translation, along its respective longitudinal axis, and comprises a respective bevel gear 6th or 7th. A transverse transmission shaft 9 is rotatably mounted in the housing 1 and comprises, at its ends, bevel gears 9a and 9b which mesh with the bevel gears 6e and 7e to couple in rotation the transverse transmission shaft 9 with the shafts of rotation 6a and 7a of hooks 6 and 7.

The pusher 8 comprises an interior section 8b, extending in the direction of translation I-I and sliding in this direction in the housing 1. The interior section 8b of the pusher 8 comprises a rack 8c which meshes with a straight pinion 9c of the shaft transverse transmission 9.

We now consider Figures 5 and 6, seen from below and in which the wall of the housing 1 has been removed to distinguish other functional elements which are inside this housing 1 and which ensure mechanical transmission and locking of movement between pusher 8 and hooks 6 and 7.

In these two figures, we can better distinguish the interior section 8a of the pusher 8, comprising the rack 8c which meshes with the straight pinion 9c, during the translation movement of the pusher 8 between its waiting position ( ) and its fixing position ( ). There are also locking means 10, unlockable by the user, and which are designed to lock the hooks 6 and 7 and the pusher 8 in position when they are in their fixing positions.

We now consider Figures 7 to 10, in top view and in longitudinal section, illustrating the means of actuation and locking of the hooks 6 and 7 during the various stages of operation, respectively in the waiting position ( ), in the process of closing hooks 6 and 7 ( ), in locked fixing position ( ), and in the process of opening hooks 6 and 7 after unlocking ( ).

In these Figures 7 to 10, we can see return means 11 making it possible to return the hooks 6 and 7 and the pusher 8 to their waiting positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the return means 11 comprise a helical compression spring 11a, engaged in a housing 11b of the housing 1 between the wall of the housing 1 and an inner end of the inner section 8b, pushing the pusher 8 towards its position waiting.

In these Figures 7 to 10, we can further distinguish the locking means 10, which comprise a latch 10a, mounted in transverse translation in the housing 1 and biased by a locking spring 10b which pushes it towards a locking position ( ) in which the free end of the latch 10a engages in a housing 10c of the interior section 8b of the pusher 8, thus opposing the longitudinal translation of the pusher 8 and the rotation of the hooks 6 and 7 away from their fixing positions.

In these Figures 7 to 10, there are also unlocking means making it possible to unlock the locking means 10. These unlocking means comprise a cam 10d, bearing against a tongue 10e of the latch 10a, and whose rotation, from a position retracted ( ) to a push position ( ) pushes the latch 10a away from the interior section 8b of the pusher 8. The cam 10d can be actuated by the user, for example by means of a key that the user can engage in a keyhole 10f provided on the face upper part of housing 1 as shown in the .

The operation of the first fixing means 2 of the housing 1 will now be described in relation to Figures 7 to 10.

On the , the first fixing means 2 are in the waiting position, the hooks 6 and 7 being spaced apart from each other, the head of the pusher 8 being away from the housing 1, the latch 10a being away from or sliding against the interior section 8b of the pusher 8.

When introducing a first external element 3 between hooks 6 and 7 ( ), the first external element 3 gradually pushes the pusher 8 towards the housing 1, as illustrated in the , against the retaining force of spring 11a. Due to the mechanical transmission, the translation of the pusher 8 causes the rotation of the transverse transmission shaft 9 and the rotation of the hooks 6 and 7 whose radial protrusions 6d and 7d approach each other.

At the end of the pusher 8, the latch 10a acted upon by the locking spring 10b locks the pusher 8 in its fixing position illustrated on the , which simultaneously locks hooks 6 and 7 in fixing positions.

By rotating the cam 10d by means of a key, the user moves the latch 10a away from the pusher 8, which pusher is then unlocked and pushed back to its waiting position by the spring 11a as illustrated in the , which returns hooks 6 and 7 to their waiting positions as illustrated in the .

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, the second fixing means 4 of the housing 1 comprise a connecting arm 4a, having a first end 4b secured to the housing 1, and having a second end 4c provided with a fastener 4d capable of enclosing the second external element 5 ( ).

The connecting arm 4a is shaped to provide a rigid connection, preferably with an adjustable longitudinal profile, between said housing 1 and said second end 4c carrying the clip 4d. For this, the connecting arm 4 comprises a first longitudinal section 4e secured to the housing 1, a second longitudinal section 4f secured to the attachment 4d, and an intermediate section 4g connecting the longitudinal sections 4e and 4f to each other. by shifting them laterally relative to each other.

The first longitudinal section 4e comprises a first axial rotary connection 4h, provided with first means for selectively blocking rotation, and angularly connecting the first longitudinal section 4e to a first end of the intermediate section 4g. Likewise, the second longitudinal section 4f comprises a second axial rotary connection 4i, provided with second means for selectively blocking rotation, and angularly connecting the second longitudinal section 4f to a second end of the intermediate section 4g. By rotating the first and second axial rotary connections 4h and 4i, the user can modify the longitudinal profile of the connecting arm 4a, as illustrated for example in the various Figures 1 to 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first longitudinal section 4e and the second longitudinal section 4f develop parallel to the direction of translation I-I, and the axial rotary connections 4h and 4i allow relative rotations along axes parallel to the direction of translation I-I. Other directions are, however, possible. Likewise, the intermediate section 4g is illustrated in an orientation perpendicular to the direction of translation I-I, but other orientations are possible.

The means for selectively blocking rotation of the axial rotary connections 4h and 4i can for example be as illustrated in the , comprising a toothed wheel 4j secured to the intermediate section 4g, and a rotary pusher 4k secured to the corresponding longitudinal section 4e or 4f. The rotary pusher 4k is urged by a return spring 4m to engage the end of the pusher between two successive teeth of the toothed wheel 4j in order to block the relative rotation. The user can maneuver the rotary pusher 4k to release it away from the toothed wheel 4j and thus allow the rotation of the corresponding axial rotary connection.

Considering again Figures 7 to 10, we see that the fastener 4d comprises two jaws 4n and 4p shaped to grip a part of the second external element 5 ( ).

According to a first application, it is planned to permanently fix the attachment device as illustrated on the vehicle, by tightening the attachment 4d on a part of the vehicle, for example on the steering column of a bicycle or a scooter, and ensuring assembly by crimping or welding so that it is not possible for a person without tools to remove it. In a vehicle driving situation, the attachment device can be configured with its connecting arm as illustrated in the , the hooks 6 and 7 being preferably in the waiting position illustrated on the . The means for selectively blocking rotation of the axial rotary connections prevent untimely deformation of the attachment device when the vehicle is rolling. To attach his vehicle thus equipped to an external element, the user advances his vehicle towards the external element and presents the hooks 6 and 7 on either side of the external element, if necessary by deforming and orienting the connecting arm 4a until the latter pushes the pusher 8 and thus causes the hooks 6 and 7 to close, preventing the vehicle from being released until the user operates the cam 10d using a key or other secure means rotation drive.

According to a second application, the fastening device as illustrated can be permanently fixed on an element of street furniture, by tightening the fastener 4d on a part of the street furniture, or by directly fixing the housing 1 on the street furniture . To attach his vehicle, the user pushes his vehicle towards the device to engage for example his steering column between the hooks 6 and 7, then to push the pusher 8 and thus cause the hooks 6 and 7 to close, preventing the release of the vehicle until the user operates the cam 10d using a key or other secure means of driving rotation.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations contained in the field of the claims below.

Claims (13)

Fastening device for a vehicle, comprising a housing (1) and first fixing means (2) of said housing (1) capable of fixing said housing (1) to a first external element (3), characterized in that the first fixing means (2) of said housing (1) comprise:
- two hooks (6, 7) rotatably mounted on said housing (1) between a waiting position in which they are spaced apart from each other and a fixing position in which they are brought closer to each other other,
- actuation means (8, 9) of the hooks (6, 7), shaped to pivot said hooks (6, 7) from their waiting positions to their fixing positions when said first external element (3 ) is engaged between the hooks (6, 7),
- locking means (10), unlockable by the user, and shaped to lock said hooks (6, 7) in fixing positions when they are in their fixing positions. Attachment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:
- a pusher (8), having a support end (8a) projecting from the housing (1) between the hooks (6, 7), and movable in translation towards and away from the housing (1) in a direction of translation (II) between a waiting position in which said support end (8a) is moved away from the housing (1) and a fixing position in which it is brought closer to the housing (1) between the hooks (6, 7) ,
- a mechanical transmission (6e, 7e, 8c, 9, 9a, 9b, 9c), housed in said housing (1), and engaged between said pusher (8) and said hooks (6, 7) to rotate said hooks ( 6, 7) from their waiting positions to their fixing positions when said pusher (8) is requested to translate from its waiting position to its fixing position,
- return means (11) for returning said hooks (6, 7) and said pusher (8) to their waiting positions Attachment device according to claim 2, characterized in that said hooks (6, 7) each comprise a respective rotation shaft (6a, 7a), having a longitudinal axis parallel to said direction of translation (I-I), having a section exterior (6b, 7b) with radial protrusion (6d, 7d) giving it a longitudinal L-shaped profile, and having an interior section (6c, 7c) rotatably mounted and locked in translation along said longitudinal axis in said housing (1). Fastening device according to claim 3, characterized in that:
- the mechanical transmission comprises a transverse transmission shaft (9), perpendicular to said direction of translation (II), rotatably mounted in said housing (1), and coupled in rotation with the two rotation shafts (6a, 7a) of the hooks (6, 7),
- the pusher (8) comprises an interior section (8b), extending in the direction of translation (II), biased by an elastic return means (11a) towards the waiting position, and having a rack (8c) meshing with a pinion (9c) secured to the transverse transmission shaft (9). Fastening device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking means (10) comprise:
- a latch (10a) biased by a spring (10b) towards a locking position in which the latch (10a) engages in a housing (10c) of the inner section (8b) of the pusher (8) when the latter is in the fixing position, thus ensuring the locking of the pusher (8) and the hooks (6, 7) in their fixing positions,
- a cam (10d) operable by the user and arranged to selectively bias the latch (10a) away from the housing (10c) of the inner section (8b) of the pusher (8) and thus ensure the unlocking of the pusher ( 8) and hooks (6, 7). Fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises second fixing means (4) of said housing (1), capable of fixing said housing (1) to a second element exterior (5). Attachment device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second fixing means (4) of said housing (1) comprise a connecting arm (4a), having a first end (4b) secured to said housing (1), having a second end (4c) provided with a fastener (4d) capable of gripping the second external element (5), and shaped to produce a rigid connection between said housing (1) and said second end (4c) of the connecting arm ( 4a). Attachment device according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting arm (4a) is shaped to produce a rigid connection with an adjustable longitudinal profile. Attachment device according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting arm (4a) comprises:
- a first longitudinal section (4e) integral with said housing (1) and comprising a first axial rotary connection (4h) provided with first means for selectively blocking rotation (4j, 4k),
- a second longitudinal section (4f) integral with said attachment (4d) and comprising a second axial rotary connection (4i) provided with second selective rotation blocking means (4j, 4k),
- an intermediate section (4g), connecting the first and second longitudinal sections (4e, 4f) by offsetting them laterally relative to each other. Fastening device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first means of selectively blocking rotation and/or the second means of selectively blocking rotation comprise a toothed wheel (4j) in which an operating member (4k) engages. ) operable by the user and loaded by a return spring (4m) in the engaged position. Fastening device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the fastener (4d) comprises two jaws (4n, 4p) shaped to grip a part of the second external element (5). Vehicle, comprising an attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Urban furniture, comprising a fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.