GB2414456A - Support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting an object, such as a bicycle or suitcase, on a vehicle is mountable to a body panel of the vehicle and includes one or more arms 14 which are pivotally movable between a first, non-use position, in which the arm lies substantially parallel to the panel and a second, use position in which the arm is inclined to the panel. In the second position, the object can be supported by the or each arm.

Description

SUPPORT APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a support apparatus and particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for supporting or carrying an object or objects on a vehicle. One application for the support apparatus is the transportation of bicycles or the like on a vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle having such a support apparatus.

Many vehicle users frequently wish to transport bicycles or the like using their vehicle. Owing to the limited space available in most passenger vehicles, it is common to carry or support the bicycle on a frame mounted externally on the vehicle. The are a number of devices, known generally as bicycle racks, that are widely available for the carrying of bicycles on vehicles such as automobiles.

A first form of bicycle rack, for example, consists of a clamping arrangement attachable to a roof rail system of the vehicle, permitting the bicycle to be carried on the vehicle roof. A disadvantage of such bicycle racks is that they require the installation of the roof rail system itself and the subsequent fitting of the clamping arrangement to the rails. This operation can be difficult and time consuming for the user and the complexity of the clamping arrangement makes it relatively expensive. Furthermore, such devices are not compatible with the roof box luggage carrying systems favoured by motorists since the bicycle rack and the roof box cannot be fitted to the roof rails simultaneously.

Another form of bicycle rack consists of a frame which is attachable to the rear of the vehicle by means of straps or the like which hook around the upper and lower edges of the vehicle rear hatch or tailgate. The frame sits on, and bears against, the rear hatch which thus carries much of the weight of the frame. The frame has two or more rearwardly projecting legs which extend through the bicycle frame in order to carry the bicycle. The bicycle is then secured to the bicycle rack *ame by suitable fixings or clips.

Although this form of bicycle rack is perhaps the most commonly used, it suffers from the disadvantage that, since it bears against the vehicle tailgate whilst in use, the tailgate can become scratched or dented by the rack or by the bicycle. Moreover, the weight of the rack and bicycle can exert excessive pressure on the vehicle's rear windscreen, increasing the risk of damage, and the position of the rack means that the tailgate cannot easily be opened when the rack is in use.

A still further form of bicycle rack consists of a frame which is attachable to a conventional ball hitch or tow-bar of a vehicle. The frame is secured to, and carried by, the tow-bar and supported away from the vehicle tailgate by means of spacing arms. This form of bicycle rack reduces damage to the vehicle by spacing the rack and bicycles away from the tailgate. However, it requires the vehicle to be fitted with a towbar, which can be expensive, and it does not allow the opening of the tailgate when the rack is in use.

Furthermore, all of the above-described devices comprise parts or structures which require storing when the bicycle rack is not in use. Many of these parts are of considerable size and therefore cannot easily be stored within the vehicle without compromising space for additional luggage.

It is an aim of the present invention to address these and other disadvantages of known systems. Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for carrying or supporting a bicycle or other object or objects in or on a vehicle such as an automobile.

According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided An apparatus for supporting an object on a vehicle, the apparatus being mountable to a body panel of the vehicle and comprising at least one arm, pivotally movable between a first, non-use position in which the arm lies substantially parallel to the panel and a second, use position in which the arm is inclined to the panel and in which the object or can be supported thereby.

In one embodiment, the or each arm is pivotally mounted to the body panel by hinge means disposed within a recess formed in the body panel, the arrangement being such that in the first, non-use position, the or each arm is disposed substantially entirely within the recess.

Alternatively, the or each arm may be pivotally mounted within a housing which is adapted to be mounted to the vehicle body panel, the arrangement being such that in the first, non-use position, the or each arm is disposed substantially entirely within the housing.

The apparatus may also comprise support means for supporting the arm in the second, use position. The support means may comprise one or more struts, pivotally mounted to the body panel at one end thereof and to the arm at the other end thereof and slidable relative to the arm.

The apparatus may also comprise clamp means, for clamping or securing the object to the arm. In one embodiment, the clamp means is disposed on a carriage or slider adapted to slidably engage with the or each arm and includes locking means for selectively locking the slider in a desired position on the arm.

In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises first and second, telescopically engaged arm members, the arm members being slidable relative to each other thereby to adjust the effective length of the arm.

The apparatus may comprise two arms disposed in spaced relationship in or on the body panel. The recess, or the housing where present, may be provided with cover means for covering and/or sealing the recess or housing when the or each arm is in the first, non-use position. The cover means may comprise a hinged door which may be lockable. When the door is closed, the arm and the support struts are substantially concealed.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises container means adapted to be supported by the or each arm when in the second, use position.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle body panel having at least one apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle tailgate or rear hatch having at least one apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle having at least one apparatus, a body panel or a tail gate or hatch as described above.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention in a first, non- use position; Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of Figure I in an intermediate position; Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 in a second, use position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative form of apparatus embodying the invention in a first, non-use position; Figure S illustrates the apparatus of Figure 4 in an intermediate position; Figure 6 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 4 in a second, use position; Figure 7 illustrates clamp means for clamping an object to the apparatus; Figure 8 illustrates the clamp means of Figure 7 in situ; Figure 9 is a cross section through the clamp means of Figure 7 in more detail; Figure 10 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 mounted to a vehicle; Figure 11 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 supporting a bicycle; Figure 12 illustrates a modification to the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 13 illustrates container means for use with the apparatus of Figures 1 - 6; Figure 14 illustrates the container means of Figure 12 in use; Figure 15 illustrates carrier means for use with the apparatus of Figures 1- 6; Figure 16 illustrates a third form of apparatus embodying the invention in a use position; and Figure 17 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 16 fitted to a vehicle.

In the drawings, as far as possible, like rcfcrcncc numerals indicate like parts.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, an apparatus for supporting an object, such as a bicycle or luggage, on a vehicle is shown generally at 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a housing 12 which, in the illustrated embodiment, takes the form of an elongate rectangular box having an open front face 13a. The housing 12 is adapted to be fitted to a body panel of a vehicle, and particularly to the tailgate or rear hatch, by means of bolts (not shown) extending through a rear face 13b thereof. In use, the housing 12 is arranged to be oriented generally vertically relative to the vehicle as shown more clearly in Figure 10 described below.

The housing 12 is formed from a rigid, hardwearing plastics material such as ABS, polypropylene or PTFE, for example by moulding, vacuum forming or any other suitable method. In another embodiment, the housing 12 is formed from a suitable metal material. In yet a further embodiment, the housing 12 is an integral part of the vehicle body panel.

An elongate slot 15 is disposed in each of the side walls 13c, 13d, generally at a lower end thereof, and extends upwardly, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12. The rear edge of each slot 15 is provided with a plurality of rearwardly and downwardly extending notches or detents 16, the purpose of which is described below.

The apparatus also includes a cantilever arm 14 which is pivotally mounted to the housing 12 by means of an axle or shaft 17 for pivoting or rotational movement relative thereto. The arm 14 is adapted to move between a first, non- use position (shown in Figure 1) in which the arm 14 is substantially fully contained within the housing 12 and lies generally parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a second, use position (shown in Figure 3) wherein the arm 14 extends from the housing 12 at an angle of approximately 90 relative thereto.

The arm 12 takes the form of an elongate bar which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a solid bar, square in cross section and formed from a generally rigid, high strength material such as steel. In another embodiment (not shown), the arm 12 is tubular.

The apparatus 10 additionally includes a pair of elongate support struts 18a, 18b. Each strut 18 takes the form of a relatively narrow bar formed from a high-strength, generally rigid material such as steel. A first one of the struts 18a is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to one side of the cantilever arm 14 by means of a pivot pin 20 (best shown in Figure 2) for rotational movement relative thereto. The other end of the first strut 18a is pivotally and slidably engaged in a corresponding one of the elongate slots 15 by means of a suitable bearing such as a spigot or roller 22.

The second strut 18b is similarly pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the opposite side of the cantilever arm 14, by means of a pivot pin (not visible) for rotational movement relative thereto. The other end of the second strut 18b is pivotally and slidably engaged in the other elongate slot 15 by means of a similar bearing such as a spigot or roller.

Operation of the apparatus 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

To move the apparatus from the first, non-use position (Figure l), through an intermediate position (Figure 2) to the second, use position (Figure 3), the user grasps the lower end of the arm 14 and rotates it upwardly, out of the housing 12, such that the bearings 22 at the end of the struts 18a, 18b ride up their respective slot 15. When the arm 14 has rotated through approximately 90 such that it is disposed substantially at right angles to the housing 12, the user manipulates the struts 18a, 18b so that the bearings 22 engage in the notches 16, thereby effectively locking the arm 14 in the second, use position.

The struts 18a, 18b support the cantilever arm 14 so that any downward force or weight applied thereto the arm 14 does not cause the arm to collapse and return to the first position. Such loading of the arm 14 merely results in the bearings 22 engaging further into the notches 16.

To return the apparatus 10 to the first position, the user simply rotates the arm 14 upwardly a small amount so as to disengage the bearings 22 from the notches 16. With the bearings 22 again slidably located in the slots, the arm 14 can be rotated downwardly into the first position.

Referring next to Figure 4, this illustrates an apparatus embodying an alternative form of the invention. The apparatus, referred to generally at 30, is similar in form to the apparatus to of Figures 1- 3. Specifically, the apparatus has a housing 12, a cantilever arm 14 pivotally mounted therein and two support struts 18a, 18b. Each strut 18a, 18b is pivotally connected at one end thereof to respective opposite sides of the arm 14 and at the other end thereof is slidably located, by means of a bearing 22, in a respective slot 15 disposed in the side walls 13c, 13d of the housing 12.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, however, the slots 15, which in this case have not notches or detents, are located towards the upper end of the sides 13c, 13d of the housing 12 and extend downwardly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12. Furthermore, the cantilever arm 14 is this time hinged to the housing 12 at or adjacent the lower end thereof, again by means of an axle or shaft 17, so that the arm 14 must be rotated downwardly by the user in order to adopt the second position.

Thus, in the first, non-use position shown in Figure 4, the cantilever arm 14 lies in a generally vertical orientation, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12 and is substantially fully contained therein. The support struts 18a, 18b are also disposed generally vertically within the housing 12 with each bearing 22 located at, or close to, the top of its respective slot 15.

Operation of the apparatus 30 will now be described with reference to Figures 4-6.

In order to move the apparatus from the first, non-use position (Figure 4) , through an intermediate position (Figure 5) to the second, use position (Figure 6), the user grasps the upper end of the arm 14 and rotates it downwardly, out of the housing 12, such that the bearings 22 at the upper end of the struts 18a, 18b ride down their respective slots 15 (Figure 5).

In the second, use position shown in Figure 6, the cantilever arm 14 has been rotated through approximately 90 and extends out of the housing 12 substantially at right angles. In this position, the support struts 18a, 18b are inclined to the arm 14 at approximately 45 , the bearings 22 having slid downwardly within the slots 15 to the lower end thereof.

In this second position, further rotation of the arm 14 is prevented by virtue of the bearings 22 being engaged with the closed lower end of the slots 15. The arm 14 is therefore supported by the struts 18a, 18b and can support an object or weight applied thereto.

To return the apparatus 30 to the first position, the user simply pivots the arm 14 upwardly so that the bearings 22 ride up the slots 15 until both the arm 14 and the struts 18a, 18b arc disposed fully within the housing 12 and oriented substantially vertically, as shown in Figure 4.

Referring next to Figures 7 to 9, these illustrate clamp means in the form of an apparatus 50 for clamping or securing an object, such as a bicycle, to the apparatus 10, 30. The apparatus 50 comprises carriage means in the form of a sleeve 42 which is arranged to slide over and along the cantilever arm 14. The sleeve 42 is adapted to be secured in position on the arm 14 by means of a spring biased pin (reference numeral 44 in Figure 9) which is locatable in a corresponding aperture 46 disposed in the arm 14.

The apparatus 50 includes a clamp for clamping the frame of a bicycle to the sleeve 42. The clamp means comprises two semicircular or semicylindrical clamp members 52, 54. A first one 52 of the clamp members is fixedly mounted to an upper surface of the sleeve 42 whilst the second clamp member 54 is hinged to the first clamp member 52 by means of a hinge 56. The second clamp member 54 is movable relative to the first clamp member 52 between a first, open position in which the clamp means SO is arranged to receive at least a part of the frame of the bicycle and a second, closed position in which the bicycle frame is clamped between the clamp members 52, 54. The clamp means includes a lock mechanism or the like (not shown) which enables the second clamp member 54 to be locked in the closed position so as to clamp the bicycle frame securely to the sleeve 42.

Figure 10 illustrates how the apparatus of the invention (referred to hereafter for convenience as a bracket) may be mounted to a vehicle such as an automobile. The vehicle has a tailgate or rear hatch shown at reference numeral 100. Two brackets A, B are fixedly mounted to the rear surface of the tailgate on either side of the vehicle number plate 102 by means of bolts (not shown). In Figure 10, each bracket A, B is substantially identical in form to the apparatus 10 shown in Figures 1 - 3 and is shown in the second, use position wherein the cantilever arms 14 extend rearwardly from the vehicle and generally horizontally, enabling the sleeves 42 to be located thereon.

Figure 11 is a cross section through the vehicle illustrating the apparatus of the invention in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus is being used to carry a bicycle on the back of the vehicle. As can be seen, the bracket A is fixed to the tailgate of the vehicle as described above and the cantilever arm 14 is in its second, use position, being extended from the housing and oriented generally horizontally. The slecvc 42 is located over the arm 14 and secured thereto by the spring biased pin 44 engaging in the aperture 46 disposed in the uppers surface of the arm 14. The clamp members 52, 54 are clamped around the crossbar or other part of the bicycle frame to secure the bicycle to the bracket A. Since there are actually two brackets A,B attached to the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 10 (only the bracket A being visible in Figure 11), it will be understood that the bicycle frame is clamped to both sleeves 42 and is oriented transversely across the vehicle when supported by the brackets A,B.

Operation of the apparatus is as follows. The user firstly folds out the cantilever arm 14 from each housing 12, rotating it upwardly until it is located in the second, use position, as described above. When the arms 14 of each bracket A, B are locked in the second position, the user locates each sleeve 42 onto a respective arm 14 and slides it along to the required position.

In order to locate each sleeve 42 onto the respective arm 14, the user is required to lift the spring biased pin 44. Once the sleeve 42 is located on the arm 14, the pin 44 can be released and the sleeve 42 slid along the arm 14 until the pin 44 engages in the aperture 46 in the upper surface of the arm 14. Thereafter the sleeve is effectively secured in position on the arm.

The bicycle is then lifted onto the arms 14 so that the cross-bar, or other part of the bicycle or bicycle frame 60, is seated in each of the first clamp members 52. The second clamp member 54 of each clamp means is then clamped over the frame and secured to the first clamp member 52 using the locking mechanism. The bicycle is thus supported off the ground and securely held so that movement thereof relative to the vehicle is minimal.

It will be appreciated that the described embodiment provides a simple and effective apparatus for supporting an object on a vehicle and in particular for supporting a bicycle. The apparatus is easy to use and has few moving parts and making it easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Nevertheless, those skilled in the art will understand that there may be a number of modifications which may be made to the invention.

For example, as described above, the housing 12 may be mountable to the body of the vehicle by means of bolts, rivets or by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 is disposed on the surface of the body panel. Alternatively, however, the body panel may be provided with an appropriately shaped recess within which the housing is located so that its opening is substantially flush with the surface of the body panel.

In a further embodiment, there is no separate box defining the housing 12, but instead the recess itself constitutes the housing 12, as shown in Figure 12. In such an embodiment, the cantilever arm 14 may be hinged directly to the body panel and the slots 15 may be formed in the side walls of the recess.

In any of these proposed embodiments, the opening 13a may be closable by means of a door or other closing means (not shown) so that in the first, non use position of the apparatus, the cantilever arm 14 and struts 18a, 18b are substantially concealed by the door.

Also shown in Figure 12 is a modification wherein each cantilever arm 14 has an inner portion 14a and a tubular outer portion 14b, the inner portion 14a being telescoped within the outer portion 14b and slidable relative thereto between a first, non use position and a second, use position. In the second, use position of the inner portion 14a, the effective length of the cantilever arm 14 is considerably increased allowing the apparatus to carry, for example, two bicycles. Clearly, in such an embodiment a further pair of sleeves 42, together with the associated clamp members 52, 54, would be required for clamping the second bicycle to the arm 14.

The materials used to fabricate the apparatus can be selected as desired, having regard to the strength, stiffness and durability required. In one embodiment, the housing 12 is formed from a plastics material such as ABS, PTFE or polypropylene, or from a material similar to that conventionally used to fabricate vehicle bumpers and trims. The arms 14 and struts 15 may be formed from a metal material.

In addition, the apparatus can also be used to support or carry other objects on the vehicle. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 13 for example, container means in the form of a case or trunk 110 is provided which is adapted to be carried on the arms 14.

The trunk 110, which may be moulded from ABS, polypropylene or any other suitable material, may be provided with sleeves 112, similar to the sleeves 42 described above, for sliding over and supporting the trunk on the cantilever arms 14. The sleeves 112, which are provided with spring biased pins 44 similar to those described with reference to Figure 9, may be fixedly mounted to the trunk 110 or may be formed integrally therewith.

The trunk 110 may have a main body 114 and a lid 116 hinged thereto, in the manner of a conventional suitcase or the like, and may be lockable so as to keep articles stored therein secure.

As shown in Figure 14, the trunk 110 is arranged to locate on the cantilever arms 14 by means of the sleeves 112 and is secured in position on the arms by the spring biased pins 44. This arrangement provides the vehicle with additional storage space for luggage or other objects and is particularly useful for the carrying of loose items.

This embodiment may find advantageous application in so-called multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) having a third row of seats which, when used, significantly reduce available luggage space. The trunk 110 provides a similar function to a conventional roof box, i.e. increasing available luggage space, but is considerably more straightforward to fit to the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that when the trunk 110 is fixed to the apparatus, the vehicle number plate may be obscured thereby. It is envisaged therefore that the trunk 110 may be provided with a recess (not shown) for location of a conventional vehicle number plate.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 15, a carrier is provided which is adapted to be secured to the cantilever arms in a manner similar to that of the trunk 110 described above. The carrier takes the form of a hod-shaped container 120 (generally a box having open front and top faces) within which pre-packaged goods or conventional luggage such as suitcases can be carried.

The user simply fits the carrier 120 to the apparatus using the sleeves 42 and then places the suitcases or other boxes in the carrier 120.

The carrier 120, which may be formed from a suitable plastics material, may be provided with a waterproof cover and straps (not shown) to secure the suitcases or boxes therein.

Although the illustrated embodiments require the arm 14 to be inclined from the housing at approximately 90 when in the second position, it will be appreciated that this range of movement is not essential and that in some embodiments, the arms are inclined to the housing at greater or lesser angles.

For example, it may be preferred for the arms to be inclined above the horizontal when in the second position.

Alternatively, the housing 12 may be disposed horizontally on the vehicle, such as on or in the upper surface of a horizontal trunk lid of a saloon car or convertible vehicle. In this case, the arm 14 may be arranged to rotate through more than 90 relative to the housing, and possibly even through approximately 180 so that, in the second position, the arms extend rearwardly from the vehicle, either substantially horizontally or at an inclination above the horizontal.

The method for clamping the object or bicycle to the apparatus may be selected as desired, the illustrated method of a sleeve and semicircular clamp members being merely exemplary.

A further improvement may lie in providing a latching mechanism to retain the arms 14 in the second position whilst in use. In the embodiment of Figures 4 - 6, for example, only the weight of the objects carried thereon prevent the arms from being able to rotate upwardly towards the first position. As a result, if the vehicle encounters a bump in the road, the inertia of the load carried may cause the arms to "bounce", potentially leading to damage. A latching mechanism could be provided to prevent such unintentional upward movement, the latching mechanism being released manually by the user when the load is removed and the arms 14 are to be rotated to the first position.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a further form of apparatus embodying the invention. In this embodiment, the axle or shaft 17, about which the cantilever arm 14 pivots, is slidably engaged in the slots 15 disposed in the housing 12.

The bearings 22, on the other hand, about which the struts 18a, 18b pivot are static, i.e. non-slidably mounted to the housing. The cantilever arm 14 and the struts 18a, 18b are thus arranged to move in an opposing or antagonistic manner as shown by the drawings (a) to (d).

Specifically, in the first, non use position shown in Figure 16(a), the cantilever arm 14 is oriented generally vertically and recessed into the housing 12. The axle 17 is disposed at the lower end of the slots 15 while the strut (not visible) is directed substantially vertically downward. To move the apparatus to the second, use position, the cantilever arm 14 is rotated downwardly as shown in Figure 16(b). In doing so, the coupling between the arm 14 and the struts 18 causes the axle 17 to ride up the slots 15 and the struts 18 to pivot downwardly.

This movement is continued through the position shown in Figure 16(c) until the cantilever 14 arm adopts the use position (Figure 16(d)) in which it extends from the housing 12 substantially at right angles. In this position, the axle has ridden to the top of the slots 15 and the strut is directed downwardly and inclined to the arm at an angle of between 20 and 80 . It will be seen that the movement of the strut is an upward rotation (anticlockwise in the Figures) whilst the movement of the arm 14 is a combined downward rotation (clockwise in the Figures) and translation.

Figure 17 is similar to Figure 10 and illustrates the apparatus of Figure 16 in position on the tailgate or rear hatch 100 of a vehicle and shows that two such apparatus are, in use, employed.

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for supporting an object on a vehicle, the apparatus being mountable to a body panel of the vehicle and comprising at least one arm, pivotally movable between a first, non-use position in which the arm lies substantially parallel to the panel and a second, use position in which the arm is inclined to the panel and in which the object or can be supported thereby.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each arm is pivotally mounted to the body panel by hinge means disposed within a recess formed in the body panel, the arrangement being such that in the first, non-use position, the or each arm is disposed substantially entirely within the recess.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the or each arm is pivotally mounted within a housing which is adapted to be mounted to the vehicle body panel, the arrangement being such that in the first, non-use position, the or each arm is disposed substantially entirely within the housing.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 further comprising support means for supporting and/or retaining the or each arm in the second position.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support means comprises one or more struts pivotally connected at one end to the arm and at the other end to the body panel or the housing.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising clamp means for securing the object to the apparatus.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the attachment means comprises carriage means adapted to slidably engage with the or each arm and means for selectively fixing the carriage means in a desired position on the arm.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arm comprises first and second, telescopically engaged arm members, the arm members being slidable relative to each other thereby to adjust the effective length of the arm.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises two arms disposed in spaced relationship in or on the body panel.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9 wherein the recess or the housing is provided with cover means for covering and/or sealing the recess or housing when the or each arm is in the first, non-use position.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cover means comprises a hinged door which may be lockable.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising container means adapted to be supported by the or each arm when in the second, use position.

13. A vehicle body panel having at least one apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.

14. A body panel as claimed in claim 13 wherein the body panel is a vehicle tailgate or rear hatch.

15. A vehicle having an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim or a body panel as claimed in any of claimed 13 or 14.