GB2182619A - Carrier means for attachment to a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A plate 10 provided with divergent sockets 13, 14 is attached to the rear of a vehicle and ends of elongate upwardly-projecting elements 11, 12 are removably inserted into these sockets 13, 14. The elements 11, 12 have lateral angled arms 17, 18 adjacent their upper ends whereon a bicycle 30 or other item may be supported. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Carrier means for attachment to a vehicle This invention relates to carrier means, particularly but notexclusivelyforsupporting one or more bicycles, for attachmentto a vehicle.

Hitherto cycles have been transported either on roof racks or in the interior of motor cars, vans or caravans. Lifting a cycle onto a vehicle roof rack is difficult and heavy work and special care must betaken thatthe cycle is securely attached to the rack. If the cycle falls, both it and the vehicle may be damaged.

In stowing a cycle inside a car or caravan it is often difficultto manoeuvre the cycle into an appropriate configuration to fit in the available space. Moreover, the internal trim, upholstery and fitments ofthevehicle may be damaged, not least by dirt and oil from the cycle. In any event, it is most unlikelythatthere is room inside a motor car for more than one cycle and many families wish to transport two cycles for use by children or by a parent and a child. Afurther problem is that although it may be desired to take cycles on holiday, it is usually impractical forafamily since the cycle(s) necessarily take up valuable luggage space either on the roof rack or inside the vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which can be readily fitted to a vehicle exterior and whereon cycles or other items, such as golftrolleys, pram chassis or even spare wheels, can be safely and easily carried.

Pursuant hereto the present invention provides carrier means for attachment to a vehicle rear or side comprising a plate which is adapted for attachment to the vehicle and is provided with a pair of sockets diverging atan acute angle, each socket being shaped to receive one end of a respective elongate element,which is provided towards its otherend with an angled lateral arm.

As the sockets diverge at an acute angle, when the carrier means is fitted in place on a vehicle with the elements located in the sockets and projecting up wardlythe elements are not readily dislodged from the sockets by vertical or horizontal forces which may arise as the vehicle travels along.

Advantageously, the sockets and the elongate el ements are polygonal in cross-section to prevent substantial rotation of each element when inserted into its respective socket. Obviously, in use, the el ements will be located in the sockets such thatthe lateral arms project outwardly of the vehicle and gen erally parallel to each other so that a cycle can be sup ported thereon. The elongate elements are, of course, preferably hollow to minimize the additional weight borne by the vehicle.

A protective sleeve e.g. in the form of a short plastics tube, is preferably located around the other end of each element and the free end of each arm to pre vent any scratching or other damage to the cycle dur ing transport.

Preferably, in order to carrytwo cycles side-by side, a pairofS-shaped extension members are prov ided for attachmentto the free ends of each arm. One cycle may then be supported by the arms which are integral with the elongate elements and another by the S-shaped extension members. The free end of each arm is conveniently formed as a socket and shaped to receive one end of a respective S-shaped extension member. The free end of each S-shaped member is also preferably provided with a protective sleeve.

When the carrier means is not in use, the elongate elements may be lifted out of the sockets and the Sshaped extension members (if provided) removed from the lateral arms and these parts can be stowed inside the vehicle whilst the plate bearing the sockets can remain in place attached to the exterior ofthe vehicle. Obviously, when dismantled the aforesaid components only take up a relatively small space inside the vehicle and they may be packed together in an elongate bag.

It is envisaged that in most instances the vehicle will be provided with a towing hitch and the plate of the carrier meanswill be bolted to the towing hitch bracket so that with the elongate elements in place, one ortwo cycles may be supported across the rear of the vehicle. The ball of the towing hitch should still be freely accessible, so that the vehicle can be used for towing whilst one or two cycles are carried. It should also be noted that when carried in this manner across the rear of a car the cycle or cycles will not impede opening of the boot of the car.

The invention will be described further, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side view illustrating how a preferred practical embodiment of the carrier means of the invention is attached to a vehicle towing hitch bracket and how extension members may be attached thereto; Figure2 is a front view of the same embodiment of carrier means as shown in Figure 1; Figure3 is a fragmentary side view illustrating how a modified embodiment of the carrier means of the invention is attached to a vehicle towing hitch bracket; and Figure4illustrates a cycle mounted across the rear of a vehicle by means of the carrier shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 a preferred practical embodiment of the carrier means of the invention comprises a plate 10 and two elongate elements 11, 12. The plate 10 is substantiallyflat and generally rectangular in shape with rounded corners. Towards one edge, which will be the uppermost edge in use, the plate loins provided with a pair of sockets 13,14, which diverge from below the centre of the plate 10 towards respective uppercorners thereof. The sockets 13, are in theform of two short tubes of approximately square cross-section which are welded onto the face of the plate 10 and have stop means, such as a protrusion or an end wall, at their lower ends (the ends nearest the centre of the plate 10).The sockets 13, 14diverge atan acute angle in the region of 60", that isto say each socket 13, l4in- dines at about 30 to an imaginary vertical axis dividing the plate into right and left halves. The plate 10 also has two holes 15, 16 formed therethrough, one adjacent each lower corner of the plate 10, whereby the plate 10 may be bolted to a fixture on a vehicle exterior, as will be described shortly.

The elongate elements 11, 12 consist oftubes, also of approximately square cross-section, in the region of 90 cm long. However, the cross-sectional dim ensionsofthesetubes 11,12 are slightlysmallerthan the dimensions ofthe sockets 13, l4so that one end of each ofthe elements 11, 12 can be inserted into a respective one of the sockets 13, 14 with little clearancetherebetween as indicated in Figure 2. The interfitting angular cross-sections ofthe elements 11, 12 and the sockets 13, 14 obviously preclude substantial relative rotation therebetween.Each elongate element 11,12 is provided with a lateral arm 17,18 a few cm from one of its ends. This arm 17, 18 is welded to the tubular element 11, 12 and initially extends perpendicularly thereto, but about halfway along its length it is bent through an angle in the region of 45 , towards the adjacent end of the element 11, 12. Each arm 17,18 is also tubular in form and isforthe most part covered by a protective plastics sleeve, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The ends ofthe elongate elements 11,12 adjacentthe respective arms 17, 18 are closed by plugs 19.

The carrier means also includes two extension members 20 which are each bent into the shape of an open S, with each end region bent in opposite directions relative to a central region. The free end of each arm 17 or 18 provides a socket into which one end region of a respective extension member 20 is locatable, as indicated in Figure 1.Each arm 17,18 with its respective extension member 20 attached thus has a substantially horizontal region followed byan upwardly inclined region,followed byafurther horizontal region and a further upwardly inclined region. The S-shaped extension members 20 are also covered by protective sleeves 21 over most of their length, excepting the end which is inserted into the respective arm 17 or 18.In use, a respective cycle may be supported on each of the generally horizontal regions of the arms and the extension members, as will be described shortly.

The above-described cycle carrier is specifically designed for use with a carfitted at its rearwith a conventional towing hitch bracket. By way of the holes 15, 16, the plate 10 is secured in place between the bracket 25 and the towing hitch ball 26 by means of nuts and bolts 23,24, as shown in Figure land in Figure 4. The sockets 13,14 arethus located towards the upper edge of the plate 10, with their lower ends, nearthe centre of the plate, close together and blocked off and their upper ends, which are spaced further apart nearthe upper corners ofthe plate 10, open.The ends of the elongate elements 11, 12 remote from the arms 17, 18 are inserted into the upper ends of the sockets 13,14, as indicated in Figures 2 and 4 so that the elements 11,12 themseives diverge upwardly and give rise to an approximate V-shape.

The elements 11, 12 are located in the sockets 13, 14 atan appropriate orientation so that the respective arms 17, 18 project outwardly of the rear of the vehicle and approximately parallel to each other. A cycle 30 can then be placed onto the arms 17,18, with the arms 17, 18 extending, for example, beneath the cycle cross bar and between the seat support struts, as shown in Figure 4. The cycle is actually supported on the generally horizontal portion of the arms 17,18 immediately adjacentthe upright parts ofthe respective elements 11, 12 whilst the upwardly inclined free end regions of the arms 17, 18 serve to retain the cycle on the carrier as the vehicle moves.However, for additional securitythe cycle is preferably also attached to the carrier by straps. The sleeves covering the arms 17, 18, of course, prevent damage to the cycle.

The divergence of the sockets 13, 14 and thus ofthe elongate elements 11, 12 located therein means that the cycle is supported at spaced apart positions and is thus reasonably well balanced. Moreover, in view of the weight of the cycle supported thereon the elements 11, 12 in this arrangement cannot be dislodged by purely vertical or purely horizontal forces as might arise upon movement of the vehicle.

If cycles are to be supported the S-shaped extension members 20 are connected to each ofthe arms 17, 18 and the second cycle is simply mounted thereon in a similar manner two the first cycle on the arms 17, l8sothatthetwo cycles lie side-by-side.

Access to the boot of the car is still possible when the carrier is fitted in position, even when two cycles are supported thereon. Also access to the towing ball is not impeded in anyway so the carcan still be used fortowing whilst one or two cycles are carried across of the rear of the car on the carrier means.

When the carrier is not in use the elongate elements 11, 12 can be removed from the sockets 13, 14 and, if in place, the extension members 20 disconnected from the arms 17,18 and all these parts can be easily stowed in the car boot. The plate 10 can, however, be left in place. It does not spoil the appearance of the car and may, in fact, prove useful-in protecting the rear of the caragainstdamage due to contact with the end of a towing bar which may occur when the car is backed towards a trailer or caravan.

Figure 3 shows a slightly modified embodiment of the carrier in which the plate 10 is formed with a lowerflange 27 for attachment, e.g. by means of a U-shaped bolt 29, to a horizontal bar 28 on which the towing hitch ball 26 is mounted, the latter arrangement being found on some continental makes of car.

The main components of the carrier means, namely the plate 10, the elements 11, 12 and the extension members 20 will probably be made of aluminium, but other metals, or indeed other suitable materials are possible.

It must be understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative and not limitative of the invention and variations are possible within the scope of the following claims.

The carrier means proposed herein is especially advantageous because it can be used for bicycles of all makes and all sizes without any modification being required, the arm being simply located beneath any convenient parts of the cycle frame or wheels. However, it should be understood that other items such as golf trolleys, pram chassis and even sparewheels may be mounted on the carrier means, which is not specifically designed to suit bicycles, but is especially useful therefor.

Claims (11)

1. Carrier meansforattachmenttoavehicle rear orsidecomprising a plate which is adapted for attachment to the vehicle and is provided with a pair of sockets diverging at an acute angle, each socket being shaped to receive one end of a respective elongate element, which is provided towards its other end with an angled lateral arm.

2. Carrier means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sockets and the elongate elements are polygonal in cross-section to prevent substantial rotation of each element when inserted into its respective socket.

3. Carrier means as claimed in claim 1 or2 wherein the elongate elements are hollow.

4. Carrier means as claimed in claim 2 and 3 wherein the elongate elements consist oftubes of rectangular cross-section.

5. Carrier means as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a protective sleeve is located around the free end region of each arm.

6. Carrier means as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a pair of S-shaped extension members are provided for attachment to the free ends of each arm.

7. Carrier means as claimed in claim 6wherein the free end of each arm is formed as a socket and shaped to receive one end of a respective S-shaped extension member.

8. Carrier means as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plate is substantially flat and is provided with holes so that it can be bolted directly onto a towing hitch bracket.

9. A vehicle having a towing hitch bracket secured to its rear and carrier means as claimed in any preceding claim attached thereto, the plate of the carrier means being bolted onto the bracket with the elongate elements projecting upwards and inclining away from each other.

10. Carrier means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.

11. Avehicle substantially as hereinbefore des- cribedwith reference to and as illustrated by Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.