GB2405130A

GB2405130A - Bicycle rack for car interior

Info

Publication number: GB2405130A
Application number: GB0319752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Johnson; Peter Hindmarch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-22
Filing date: 2003-08-22
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-22
Also published as: GB0319752D0; GB2405130B

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a two wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, in a further vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, has a first retaining device, or clamp 9-12, for retaining the apparatus in engagement with the front forks of the bicycle when at least one of its wheels has been removed. The apparatus also has one or more stabilisers 13 for preventing the bicycle from tipping over. The apparatus may also have a L-shaped frame 1,2 a support 15 attached to the frame and a lifting arm 20 to raise the back end of the bicycle.

Description

BICYCLE RACK FOR CAR INTERIOR

l The invention relates to a bicycle rack, which enables either one or two bicycles to be safely and securely transported in an upright position in a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle which has a cargo area capable of utilising the space most efficiently, will I carry either one or two racks (side by side) without interior damage.

2 The main feature of the rack is the 'e' shaped frame.

À This shape overcomes the main problem of loading over the vehicles boot or cargo space sill, and being clear of the roof line À Using a conventional roof rack creates weight distribution problems. With the rack inside the vehicle, the vehicle is

extremely stable.

À Using rear mounted racks with a bicycle across the rear screen, rear visibility is greatly impaired and there is an added cost of extra number plates and lights.

À With the bicycle rack assembly inside the vehicle, the rearward vision is superior.

À Bicycle security is imperative with today's upmarket bicycle costs. Outside a vehicle expensive bicycles are highly visible and not easily thief-proofed.

À Inside a vehicle, they are not exposed and are protected by the vehicle's own security system. When extra locks and restraints are used inside a vehicle, only determined/well-equipped criminals may succeed.

It has been well documented that petrol/fuel consumption decreases by 10% with a roof rack, and one bicycle fitted, handling is also affected with this system. With the interior bicycle rack only the luggage space suffers.

3 The bicycle rack can be used for transporting a bicycle or bicycles inside a supermini sized vehicle, larger sized i hatchbacks, and estate cars. The bicycle rack is multi functional. It can also be used for storage (See Fig. 5.) for wall mounting inside a house or garage.

l Security is essential so the use of proprietary locks and cables is recommended.

The bicycle rack can also be used as a workstand, either at ! home or in the field, where (see Fig.4) repairs and maintenance - can be easily achieved.

With the smallest cargo area, the set up would be as shown in Fig.2.

As the vehicles increase in size, stages shown in Fig.3 are possible.

When one bicycle is transported, the bicycle rack assembly is lifted in position, rolled into the cargo space behind the drivers seat.

The stabilizer bar (13) is rotated to the centre of the vehicle and locked in position.

When two bicycles are transported, the first bicycle rack assembly is lifted in position, and rolled into the cargo space behind the drivers seat.

The second bicycle rack assembly is rolled alongside the first and secured with an articulating tie bar, (23, 24) which enables adjustment to stabilise both bicycles. ll ! - 3 - i

Hi With either one or two racks installed and secured, the motor vehicle i] can be driven at normal speed. The usual pitfalls with ordinary | transportation, e.g. increased fuel consumption, instability, security and impaired rear viewing is avoided.

Loading and unloading the bicycle, complete with rack, is easily achieved by one individual standing beside the rear hatch, avoiding any muscular, back or arm strain.

À - 4

THE DESCRIPTION

i As shown in Fig. 1 the Bicycle Rack consists of a main 'L' shaped frame, comprising items (1 & 2) with a 'tee' bar (3) and stabilizer pods (4). At each end of the tee bar (3) are wheels (5) which are l attached to the tee bar (3) by means of threaded bosses (6) and shoulder screws (7) (Fig. 1).

Attached to the stabiliser pods (4) are threaded bosses (8). Also attached to the frame (item 2) is a mounting tube (9) which has bosses (9a) inserted at each end through which a screwed bar (10) acts as a clamping device. Between knurled shoulder nut (11) and tightening knob (12), when tightened simultaneously, this clamps the bicycle fork onto the bicycle rack.

A buckled strap (27) is used to secure cycle frame and bottom bracket to yoke (15). See Figs. 2,3,4,5,6.

A stabiliser bar (13) shown in the stowed position on Fig. 1., is attached to Pod (4) on the left side of the frame. This rotates through 180 degrees from the stowed position to the stabilised position when the rack, complete with bicycle, is located in a car loadspace.

As shown in Fig. 1, the stabiliser bar (13) is on the left hand side thus positioning the rack on the drivers side of the vehicle. Rotating SB.(13) degrees would stabilise the rack from the centre of the vehicle.

The stabiliser is locked in position by tightening a knob (14). Located on Frame 1 is a yoke assembly, which supports a bicycle bottom bracket. This is only rotated when one bicycle on one rack is transported.

- This yoke assembly comprises: yoke (15), spreader bar (16), slider (17), securing rod (18) and securing bolts (19).

The sliding yoke assembly allows movement along Frame 1, and can | be securely fastened by tightening securing bolts (19) in any position.

PI This allows a bicycle bottom bracket to sit firmly in the yoke assembly | prior to locking it in the correct location when the front forks are I clamped on the mounting tube (9).

| This sliding system makes the rack suitable for various bicycle sizes.

| The wheels (5) allow the rack, with bicycle attached, to be easily rolled into the load-space of a vehicle. Prior to rotating the strut (20) 1 through 90 degrees and locking it up using screwed knob (14). Fig. 1 | shows the strut rotated and locked against the stop (22) I Strut (20) is horizontal when loading the rack and bicycle into a car I loadspace. When it is rotated and locked it stabilises the rack at the -l rear of the vehicle.

Strut (20) has a dual role. It lifts up the rear of the rack and when a bicycle is attached complete with rear wheel, it provides ground -A clearance so that maintenance/adjustments can be made when the I rack/bicycle assembly is out of the vehicle.

I Fig. 1 also shows tie bars 23 & 24. These articulate and are used when two racks are engaged in transporting 2 bicycles side-by-side in | a vehicle's load space. With 2 bicycles secured on the racks and slid into a vehicle's load space, the tie bars are rotated, adjusted and locked in place by means of the slot indicated at position 25. The bolt situated at location 26 of rack one is replaced by a knob similar to knob 14. This allows the tie bar to be rotated and slotted onto the knob on the second rack and then tightened up, securing the two racks together. This method gives both racks and bicycles complete stability for transportation. 1. i - 6

Preferably the rack is made of metal or plastics material or wood, or from a combination of these materials.

A preferred embodiment of the invention can now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: : Fig. 1 shows detailed view of whole rack Fig. 2 shows transportation mode of bicycle clamped in rack with front and rear wheels removed, seat post and saddle removed. The rack and bicycle are rolled into position on floor through rear door or tailgate of vehicle 30, positioned : behind front seats, and strut 20 locked in position to secure rack.

Suitable mode for superminis e.g. Ford Fiesta 8s Volkswagen Polo. etc. Fig.3 shows transportation mode of bicycle clamped in rack with front wheel, seat post and saddle removed. The rack and bicycle are rolled into position on the floor of vehicle 30 : through rear door or tailgate and positioned behind front seats, strut 20 is in unlocked position with the rear wheel of bicycle wedging the rack securely between front seats and tailgate. This is a suitable mode for larger cars, e.g. Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Almera.

Fig.4 shows transportation mode with front wheel removed. The rack and bicycle are rolled into position on floor through rear door or tailgate of vehicle 30 and positioned behind front seats and strut 20 locked in position to secure rack.

(for larger vehicles e.g. people carriers, vans, etc.) This mode is also a maintenance mode. With the strut 20 locked as shown, the rear wheel is lifted off the ground and this allows many maintenance operations to be carried out both before a ride and in a workshop or garage. lit: - 7

Fig. 5 shows location of bottom bracket (32) of cycle (31) In yoke of rack (15) secured by buckle strap (27) Fig. 6 This is a storage mode, with the front wheel removed and the : j bicycle secure on the rack, the assembly can be hung on a garage wall as shown (29), using a pair of proprietary hooks, (items 28), which have been fastened to the wall.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for supporting a two wheeled vehicle in a further

vehicle, the apparatus comprising: at least one first retaining device for retaining the apparatus in engagement with at least one first vehicle which in use has two ground contacting wheels, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used when at least one of the ground contacting wheels has been removed from said first vehicle and at least one said retaining device engages the first vehicle adjacent a portion of said vehicle previously engaged with a said removed wheel; and À:- Àe À.. À

I at least one first stabiliser adapted to substantially prevent the pivoting of the or each said first vehicle about an axis À transverse to the axis of rotation of a non-steerable ground À contacting wheel thereof. À À À A.

À arm.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one said first retaining device is adapted to engage front forks of said first vehicle.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one said first stabiliser comprises at least one pair of wheels extending from said stabilizer.
2. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one connector for connecting at least one first retaining device to at least one first stabilizer. - 9 -
5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one support for engaging at least one second portion of at least one first vehicle.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one said support is adapted to engage a bottom bracket of at least one first vehicle.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one said support is adapted to be moved relative to at least one said first retaining device.
8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, À. further comprising at least one frame adapted to connect at Àe À À. least one first retaining device to at least one said support device. À:

I À
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one À said frame is L-shaped.

I À
10. An apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one said support is adapted to be moved relative to at least one said frame and in use fixed to at least one said frame.
11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein at least one said connector forms part of at least one said frame.
12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one second stabilizer adapted to further substantially prevent the pivoting of the or each said two wheeled vehicle about said transverse axis.
13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one third stabiliser adapted to engage at least one further apparatus and thereby further substantially preventing the pivoting of the or each said two wheeled vehicle about said transverse axis.
14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one second retaining device adapted to retain at least one second portion in engagement with at least one respective said support.
15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 14, further comprising at least one arm member adapted to lift an Àe end of said frame distal from at least one said retaining Be..

device.

I À
16. An apparatus for supporting a two wheeled vehicle in a I-.

further vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with À. . reference to the accompanying drawings.

I À