GB2275240A

GB2275240A - Support device for securement to a spare wheel of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2275240A
Application number: GB9303428A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ewan Callum Vessey Macpherson; Anthony Platts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-20
Filing date: 1993-02-20
Publication date: 1994-08-24
Also published as: GB9303428D0

Abstract

The support device 2 includes a rigid support frame which is fixed to a harness arrangement 6. The harness arrangement 6 is arranged to be releasably secured around a wheel 8 which is secured to the rear of a vehicle. When in position, the support frame defines a platform to which, for example, a luggage rack may be secured. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE This invention relates to a support device and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a support device for securement to a vehicle wheel, for example an externally mounted "spare" wheel of a vehicle.

Many vehicles, for example "off-road" or "4x4" vehicles have a limited internal carrying capacity making the transportation of, for example bicycles, skis and sail boards, difficult. However, such vehicles have a spare wheel which is generally externally mounted on the rear end of the vehicle.

It is known to secure luggage racks to an externally mounted spare wheel of a vehicle. For example, one known luggage rack comprises two horizontally spaced apart rigid U-shaped members which are fixed to a horizontal platform of the rack. The U-shaped members are hookedover an outer edge of the wheel and are secured in position. In practice, it has been found that, due to the fixed shape of the U-shaped members, the U-shaped members do not fit securely upon all wheels, for example, very narrow wheels, and are prone to becoming disengaged from a wheel under heavy loads. Another known luggage rack comprises an oval-shaped hoop which is fixed to a platform. The hoop fits over a top arcuate portion of the wheel so as to be disposed horizontally, with portions of the hoop abutting the radially outwardly facing surface of the wheel.

Again, however, the luggage rack tends -not to be able to support relatively heavy loads and, in some situations, it may become disengaged from the wheel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support device, for example in the form of a luggage rack, which may alleviate some of the problems associated with known devices.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support device for securement to a spare wheel of a vehicle, the support device comprising: a support member for supporting an article; a first securement means for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel, said first securement means being movable relative to the support member; and a second securement means for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel, said second securement means being movable relative to the support member.

By providing first and second securement means which are movable relative to the support member, the support member may be securely fixed in position. Furthermore, the device may be securely fixed on wheels of varying dimensions.

Preferably, said support member is rigid, at least in part. Preferably, said support member is substantially completely rigid. Said support member is preferably arranged to support articles, for example suitcases, bicycles or skis. Said support member is suitably arranged to provide one, or preferably a plurality, of support elements which extend, in use, in the direction of the rotational axis of the spare wheel. Suitably, each support element extends, in use, substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the spare wheel. Preferably, said support member includes at least two of said support elements at spaced apart positions. Said support member, preferably said support element(s) thereof, is/are suitably arranged to define a platform for supporting an article.

Said support member preferably includes a back member arranged to abut a circular face of the spare wheel. Said back member preferably includes a quadrilateral, suitably a rectangular, arrangement which is arranged to abut the circular face of the spare wheel. Said back member may be defined by a plurality of struts. Where the support device includes one or a plurality of support elements, the or each support element is preferably fixed to the back member and, preferably, extends laterally, suitably substantially perpendicularly, to a main plane of the back member. The or each of the said support elements may be movable relative to the back member. This may allow the support element(s) to be positioned, in use, substantially centrally relative to the rear of the vehicle to which the support device is secured.In a preferred embodiment, the or each support element is movable between first and second predetermined positions relative to the back member.

Said first securement means and/or said second securement means preferably are arranged to define a harness for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel. Said harness is preferably arranged to traverse the radially outwardly facing surface of the spare wheel. Said harness is preferably arranged to traverse said radially outwardly facing surface at at least two positions, preferably at at least three positions and, more preferably, at at least four positions. Said harness is preferably arranged to be assembled and disassembled by moving said first and/or said second securement means relative to the support member. Said harness is preferably adjustable in size.

Said harness is preferably arranged to be tightened around the spare wheel.

Said first and/or said second securement means is/are preferably arranged to be moved relative to the support member between respective first and second positions for securing said support member in position. Said first and/or said second securement means is/are preferably flexible.

Said first and/or said second securement means is/are preferably operatively connected or connectable, more preferably directly connected or connectable, at two spaced apart positions on said support member.

Preferably, said first and/or said second securement means is/are connected at a first respective position on said support member and is/are releasably connectable at a second respective position on said support member.

Preferably, said first and/or said second securement means is/are arranged to extend between the first and second positions on said support member at which they are connected/connectable. Preferably, adjuster means is provided for adjusting the length of said first and/or second securement means interposed between said respective first and second positions. Said first and/or said second securement means is/are preferably elongate. Preferably, said first and/or second securement means are straps which is/are adjustable in length.

Said first securement means is preferably arranged to extend wholly within the boundaries of a first semicircular cross-section portion of the spare wheel. Said second securement means is preferably arranged to extend wholly within the boundaries of a second semi-circular cross-section portion of the spare wheel. Said first and second securement means are preferably substantially symmetrically arranged, in use, relative to the spare wheel.

Preferably, a third securement means is provided for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel.

Said third securement means preferably extends between, and preferably abuts, the first and second securement means. Said third securement means is preferably arranged to restrict the first and second securement means from moving apart relative to one another. Said third securement means may be movable relative to said first and/or said second securement means. For example, said third securement means may be arranged to be slidable relative to the first and second securement means.

Preferably, said third securement means is arranged to traverse a part of the radially outwardly facing surface of the spare wheel of the vehicle.

A fourth securement means may be provided for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel.

The fourth securement means preferably has the aforementioned features of said third securement means.

Where the device includes third and fourth securement means, said third and fourth securement means are preferably arranged to extend wholly within the boundaries of opposite semi-circular cross-section portions of the spare wheel. Said third and fourth securement means are preferably arranged to be positioned at opposite positions on the spare wheel.

The invention extends to a method of securing articles relative to the spare wheel of a vehicle, the method including securing a support device according to the first aspect relative to the spare wheel.

Specific embodiments to the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support device of figure 1 fixed to a wheel of a vehicle; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the view of figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective of the support device with a platform attached; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative support device.

The support device 2 shown in figures 1 to 4, includes a rigid support frame 4 which is fixed to a harness arrangement 6. The harness arrangement 6 is arranged to be releasably secured around a wheel 8 (figure 2) which is secured to the rear of a vehicle (not shown).

When in position, the support frame 4 defines a platform to which, for example, a luggage rack 10 (figure 4) may be secured.

The support device 2 will now be described in greater detail. The support frame 4 of the device 2 includes two spaced apart, square cross-section, vertically extending struts 12 and two spaced apart, square cross-section, horizontally extending struts 14. The struts 12, 14 are welded together to define a rigid rectangular framework.

The vertically extending struts 12 each support a horizontally extending support member 16. The support members 16 are fixed to the respective struts 12 by means of square cross-section collars 18 and pins 20.

Two ratchet adjusters 22 are fixed at spaced apart positions to the uppermost horizontally extending strut 14a. Each ratchet adjuster 22 is arranged to cooperate with a part of the harness arrangement 6.

The harness arrangement 6 includes two straps 30.

Each strap 30 is securely fixed at one end 32 to the lowermost horizontally extending strut 14b and at its other end 34 is adjustably secured to ratchet adjuster 22, so as to define an adjustable loop, within which the wheel 8 may be positioned in use.

A pair of transverse straps 40 are fixed between the straps 30 and are positioned towards opposite ends thereof. The straps 40 include looped portions 42 at each of their ends which allow straps 40 to be freely movable along the straps 30.

The support device 2 may be fixed to wheel 8 as follows. With ends 34 of straps 30 removed from engagement with the ratchet adjusters 22, the support frame 4 is positioned with the framework defined by struts 12, 14 disposed centrally against the outer circular surface 46 (figure 2) of the wheel 8. The harness arrangement 6 is then fixed in position by moving each strap 30 upwardly behind the wheel 8, across curved surface 48 of the wheel, prior to engagement of each strap 30 in a respective ratchet adjuster 22. The straps 30 are positioned so that transverse straps 40 are fully extended and are positioned substantially centrally upon the curved surface 48, at opposite sides of the wheel. The straps 30 are then tightened in position by using the ratchet adjusters 22 so that the harness and, therefore the support frame 4 is firmly, and substantially immovably, held in position.

It should be noted that the support device 2 can be fixed securely to wheels of varying dimensions.

The support device 2 may readily be removed by releasing straps 30 from engagement with the ratchet adjusters 22 and removing the harness arrangement 6.

The support device 2 may be used directly to support articles, for examples, bicycles or skis or, alternatively, a platform 50 (figure 4) may be releasably secured to the support members 10 and, for example suitcases may be carried thereon.

The support device 2 may be positioned at any vertical position relative to the wheel 8 simply by altering the position of the transverse straps 40 relative to the straps 30. For example, the device 2 may be positioned towards the upper end of the wheel 8 for carrying large bicycles or when the wheel 8 is secured at a relatively low position on the vehicle. The device 2 may be positioned towards the lower end of the vehicle when carrying bulky articles so that the articles do not impair the rear view of the driver of the vehicle.

Referring now to figure 5, the support device 60 shown therein is similar to the device of figures 1 to 4 and like or similar parts are labelled with the same reference numbers. The device 60 differs from the device 2 in that, in the figure 5 embodiment, vertically extending struts 12 carry a collar 62 to which is releasably fixed, by means of five nuts and bolts (not shown), a horizontal strut 66 which carries the aforementioned horizontally extending support member 16.

The support members 16 are fixed to the strut 66 "offcentre". This arrangement is particularly suitable for use with vehicles wherein the spare wheel is not mounted centrally on the rear of the vehicle. Where the spare wheel is mounted on the rear of the vehicle right of centre, the arrangement of figure 5 may be used so that the support members 16 may be disposed on either side of an imaginary central vertical line on the rear of the vehicle. Where the spare wheel is mounted on the rear of the vehicle left of centre, the strut 66 can be removed from engagement with collars 62, simply by removing the nuts and bolts (not shown), and turned through 1800 before being re-secured in position. Again, therefore, the support members 16 may then be disposed on either side of an imaginary central vertical line on the rear of the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the collars 18 (figure 1) and/or the collars 62 may be slidable along the length of the vertically extending struts 12. Means, for example, nuts and bolts, may be provided for securing the collars 18, 62 (and, therefore, the horizontally extending support member 16) at selected positions so that the height of the support member 16 may be readily adjusted.

The straps 30, 40 are suitably made of nylon. The support frame 4 is suitably made of tubular steel. The device 2, 60 may support of the order of 50Kg.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A support device for securement to a spare wheel of a vehicle, the support device comprising: a support member for supporting an article; a first securement means for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel, said first securement means being movable relative to the support member; and a second securement for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel, said second securement means being movable relative to the support member.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said support member is rigid, at least in part.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said support member is arranged to define a platform for supporting an article.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said support member includes a plurality of support elements.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein said support elements are movable.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said support member includes a back member arranged to abut a circular face of the spare wheel.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first securement means and said second securement means are arranged to define a harness for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein said harness is arranged to traverse the radially outwardly facing surface of the spare wheel.

9. A device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein said harness is arranged to be assembled and disassembled by moving said first and/or said second securement means relative to the support member.

10. A device according to any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein said harness is adjustable in size.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and/or said second securement means are flexible.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein adjuster means is provided for adjusting the length of said first and/or said second securement means.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and/or said second securement means are straps which are adjustable in length.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, including a third securement means for securing the support member adjacent to the spare wheel.

15. A device according to Claim 14, wherein said third securement means extends between the first and second securement means.

16. A device according to Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein said third securement means is arranged to restrict the first and second securement means from moving apart relative to one another.

17. A device according to any of Claims 14 to 16, wherein said third securement means is arranged to traverse a part of the radially outwardly facing surface of the spare wheel of the vehicle.

18. A method of securing articles relative to the spare wheel of a vehicle, the method including securing a support device according to any of Claims 1 to 17 relative to the spare wheel.

19. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

20. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.