GB2325198A - Bicycle carrying trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

A trailer for carrying bicycles comprises a wheeled chassis 1, 4 having means (11 fig 5) to connect it to a vehicle and an upstanding frame 2 from which angled supports or rungs 3 extend, with the frame of the bicycle(s) 10 intended to be supported on the angled supports. A pair of supports may be provided on each side of the frame means. Each pair of supports may carry several bicycles. The chassis may extend longitudinally with a transverse wheeled axis and with the frame lying parallel or transverse to the chassis and substantially above the wheels. The frame may be lockably hinged to its upstanding position by means of pins, the supports may be foldable and the chassis may telescope, being held by pins (7 fig 1).

Description

Trailer for Carrying Bicycles The present invention relates to a trailer for carrying bicycles and the like, which term is intended to include bicycles, mopeds, and any framed vehicle such as a motorcycle and the like.

It is known to transport on a vehicle bicycles as defined above, and current methods entail attachment of various devices to the rear of the vehicle, its window or tow bar bracket, each of which may support one or more bicycles. However, such methods suffer from lack of storage space and other disadvantages, and it is an object of the present invention to overcome or obviate such problems.

For example, it is possible for the trailer to carry more cycles than are presently attachable to the rear of a vehicle. Also, the cycles may be stored attached to the trailer whilst the vehicle is being used elsewhere. Since there is less interaction between the vehicle and the cycle or cycles, there will be less ear on the vehicle suspension and less damage done to the cycle or cycles. Othr advantages can be forseen as will be apparent from the description below.

According to the present invention there is provided a trailer comprising a chassis having wheel means and means to connect it to a vehicle, the chassis being provided with an upstanding frame means, and at least one pair of support means extending away from the frame means at an upward, in use, angle, said pair of support means being so spaced as to accept and support a bicycle.

One pair of support means may be provided on each side of the frame means.

The chassis may extend longitudinaly from a connecting point and have an axle tranversed to the longitudinal axis, and the frame means may be disposed either along said longitudinal axis or transverse thereto.

Preferably the frame is located above the wheel means, which can thereby support the weight of the loaded bicycles.

Embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig.2 is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig.3 is an rear end view of the embodiment of Figs.l & 2; Fig.4 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 with a bicycle mounted to it (the bicycle being of a type intended primarily for use by females); Fig.S shows the trailer as shown in the previous Figs. having mounted thereto a bicycle of the type usually intended for use by males; Fig.6 shows a variant of the trailer having a transversely arranged frame and in end elevation; Fig.7 shows the embodiment of Fig.6 in side elevation; and Fig.8 shows the embodiment of Figs.6 and 7 in plan view.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a trailer chassis 1 and 4 which has a vertical frame 2 mounted to its central spine 1. On this frame two pairs of substantially horizontal rungs 3 are attached. The central spine 1 can be broken into sections at telescoping joints 5 and 6 held together by vertical pins 7.

The rungs 3 extend outwardly from the frame 2 and are disposed at a slight upward angle with respect to a plane passing perpendicularly through the frame. Hence, a bicycle may be slipped over a pair of rungs 3 and maintained there generally by the force of gravity. The rungs 3 may be long enough to accommodate two or even three bicycles on each pair of rungs.

At an outer end of each rung or pair of rungs 3, there may be made provision for a securing or locking device to hold the cycles in place on the pair of rungs 3.

The central spine 1 is provided at one end with a socket joint 11 for attachment to the towbar of a motor or other vehicle.

Fig. 4 shows a typical ladies frame bike 10 suspended from the pair of rungs 3. This set up would also carry a child's bike with a smaller frame. Fig. 5 shows a typical gents frame bike 12 suspended from the pair of rungs 3. For some types of bike frames, special fittings/brackets would have to be devised to attach them to the vertical frame 2.

An alternative design is shown in Fig.6 to 8, where the the vertical frame 2 may extend upwardly from the axle member 4 and therefore across the longitudinal axis of the trailer. In this case, the rungs 3 extend forwardly and rearwardly from the frame 2 to carry bicycles across the width of the trailer.

Furthermore the vertical frame 2 may be pivoted to allow it to be laid flat by removal of pins joining it to the central spine 1. The horizontal rungs 3 could be pivotably folded to save space.

Other design solutions, revolving around the basic concept will occur to people skilled in the art, but use of the invention will provide many advantages, such as: (1) the trailer and cycles together are remote from the vehicle and can be left complete in a garage etc; (2) more cycles can safely be transported than is possible by current methods; (3) a vehicle registration number plate is permanently connected to the trailer, and is not obscured by bicycles; (4) being on the trailer, the cycles will not damage the car; (5) there is less wear on the vehicle's suspension; (6) there is less damage done to the cycle; (7) there is no need to unload/offload cycles from the vehicle to get to its boot or back door; (8) the cycles are easier to unload and put on again than on a roofrack; (9) there is no need to take wheels off a cycle as may be needed to put it in a traditional trailer; (10) there is less fuss on putting the bikes on and off the trailer; (11) when not in use, the trailer can be disassembled and is easier to store; and (12) there is clearer visibility via a rear view mirror.

Claims (7)

1. A trailer comprising a chassis having wheel means and means to connect it to a vehicle, the chassis being provided with an upstanding frame means, and at least one pair of support means extending away from the frame means at an upward, in use, angle, said pair of support means being so spaced as to accept and support a bicycle, as defined herein.

2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein one pair of support means are provided on each side of the frame means.

3. A trailer as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chassis extends longitudinally from a connecting point and is provided with an axle transverse to the longitudinal axis, said frame means being disposed along said longitudinal axis.

4. A trailer as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chassis extends longitudinally from a connecting point and is provided with an axle transverse to the longitudinal axis, said frame means being disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis.

5. A trailer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is located substantially above the wheel means, which are thereby adapted to support the weight of the loaded bicycles.

6. A trailer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said frame means is lockably hingeable in either an upstanding or a folded disposition.

7. A trailer substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.