GB2479365A - Convertible roof rack and bicycle carrier for automotive vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The carrier comprises a frame member (14) which supports at least one bicycle support and/or fixing means, e.g. clamps or a further frame, and is selectively transferable into an initial position, in which it is arranged substantially parallel to the vehicle's roof top (22), and into a position of use, in which it is oriented substantially parallel to the vehicle's tailgate (24); the frame member (14) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle's body for transferring it between the positions. The frame member (14) is mounted directly on the vehicle or on a further roof frame. The frame member (14) can have end socket members (28) with studs selectively engageable with the vehicle roof or tailgate, the socket members being rotatable on the frame member (14).

Description

Convertible Roof Rack and Bicycle Carrier for Automotive Vehicles

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bicycle carrier assembly as well as to a roof rack for automotive vehicles adapted to support a roof box and/or at least a bicycle.

Background

Roof rack assemblies to be mounted on top of a roof top of a vehicle, such like a passenger car, are particularly practical in terms of transporting bulky items. Additionally, when installing a roof box on a roof rack, an automotive vehicle can be provided with supplemental storage space.

Especially for transporting bicycles, a roof rack assembly can either be modified in order to support and to fix a bicycle on top of the vehicle1s roof. Other solutions suggest to mount a particular bicycle carrier e.g. on a tailgate or hatchback of the vehicle. Such tailgate-based bicycle carrier assemblies are advantageous in terms of mounting a bicycle thereon, because the transport position of the bicycle is lower compared to the roof top solution. However, such tailgate or hatchback supported bicycle carrier assemblies substantially obstruct any movement of the tailgate when mounted thereto. Additionally, conventional hatchback based bicycle carrier assemblies are comparatively spacious any require respective storage space, either inside the vehicle or elsewhere if not in use.

Such a bicycle carrier is for instance disclosed in DE 103 51 876 B4. There, a bicycle carrier is adapted to be used with an existing vehicle article carrier which has an article carrying portion disposed over a liftgate of the vehicle. The bicycle carrier is adapted to be secured to existing structures of the article carrier, such that the bicycle carrier extends in a generally vertical orientation over the liftgate of the vehicle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bicycle carrier assembly requiring less storage space, in particular when not in use. In a further object, the invention aims to provide a bicycle carrier assembly which is easy and intuitive to use and which can be universally used, even as a carrier system.

Summary

In a first aspect, the invention provides a bicycle carrier assembly for an automotive vehicle, such like a passenger car, typically of caravan-or sport utility vehicle (SUV)-type.

The bicycle carrier assembly comprises a frame member supporting at least one bicycle support and/or at least one bicycle fixing means for supporting and/or fixing a respective bicycle thereto. The frame member is selectively transferable or reconfigurable into an initial position and into a position of use. In its initial position, the frame member is arranged and positioned substantially parallel to the vehicle's roof top, preferably on top of the roof.

In its position of use, the frame member is oriented substantially parallel to a vehicle tailgate or hatchback. Hence, in this configuration, the frame member is substantially oriented in vertical direction and may abut against the tailgate structure. The frame member is further pivot or swivel mounted on the vehicle's body for at least pivotally transferring the frame member from its initial position into its position of use.

In a preferred aspect, the bicycle carrier assembly is permanently connected to the vehicle body.

When not in use, it is intended to transfer the bicycle carrier assembly into its initial position, in which the bicycle carrier assembly may serve and act as a roof rack of the vehicle.

In other words, the invention not only refers to a bicycle carrier assembly but also to a roof rack assembly which is configurable and transferable into a bicycle carrier assembly on demand. This way, a bicycle carrier assembly can be integrated into a roof rack assembly and vice versa.

In another aspect, the invention therefore provides a combined roof rack-bicycle carrier assembly, which may provide both, a roof rack and a bicycle carrier and/or which can either be configured as bicycle carrier, as a roof-and/or as a rear luggage carrier.

By way of the pivot mounted frame member, the bicycle carrier and/or roof rack can be easily reconfigured without any additional or separate components and/or tools.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame member is pivot mounted at a rear end section of the vehicle's roof top. Preferably, the frame member is pivotable about 2700 with respect to a pivot axis substantially extending in cross vehicle direction.

In another preferred embodiment, the frame member comprises substantially parallel oriented longitudinal side rails being pivot mounted on a base portion of the vehicle's roof top. The base portion is preferably permanently attached at a rear section of the vehicle's roof top. The base portion may for instance be adjacently arranged to the upper tailgate or hatchback section.

The side rails of the frame member substantially extend along the vehicle's longitudinal direction when arranged in initial position. Accordingly, the side rails substantially extend in vertical direction when the frame member is in its position of use.

In another preferred aspect, the frame member comprises at least one socket member adapted to selectively abut against the vehicle's roof top and against the tailgate, respectively. The socket member is preferably arranged at an end section of the frame member facing away from the frame member's pivot mount. By way of the socket member, the frame member props itself up on either the roof top or on the tailgate section of the vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment, the socket member is rotatably mounted on an end section of the frame member, preferably on an end section of the frame member's side rails facing away from the pivot mount. The socket member also provides a fastening means for fixing the frame member either to the roof top or to the tailgate structure of the vehicle, depending on the respective frame member configuration. By rotating the socket member, its fastening means may always be oriented towards corresponding fastening means disposed on the roof top and/or on the tailgate structure of the vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment, the socket member comprises a stud or a prong adapted to be selectively engaged with a corresponding receptacle disposed at the vehicle's roof top and/or at the vehicle's tailgate structure. By way of interengaging stud and receptacle, the socket member and hence the frame member can be releasably fixed and secured to the roof top and/or to the tailgate structure of the vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment, the socket member comprises a reflector and/or a lamp assembly.

Preferably, the reflector and/or lamp assembly faces away from the fixing means, in particular from the stud of the socket member. When in use position, in which the stud of the socket member typically engages the corresponding receptacle or pocket hole of the tailgate structure, the reflector and/or lamp assembly is visible at the vehicle's rear section and may thus positively contribute to an enhanced road safety of the vehicle.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the frame member comprises at least one cross bar supporting at least one bicycle support or fixing means. Preferably, the cross bar extends in transverse vehicle direction and may interconnect the side rails of the frame member.

Moreover, the frame member may also be equipped with two or even more cross bars being arranged substantially parallel to each other between the longitudinally extending side rails of the frame member.

By means of at least one or several cross bars, mechanical stiffness and rigidity of the frame member can be enhanced. Moreover, the cross bars provide an effective support for bicycle support and fixing means.

In a further preferred embodiment, the bicycle support means comprise at least one bicycle support member, such as a U-shaped rail adapted to receive a wheel of the bicycle. The bicycle support means may further comprise at least one bicycle fixing and/or mounting strut by way of which the bicycle frame can be releasably secured to the frame member of the bicycle carrier. In preferred embodiments, both, the bicycle support members and/or the bicycle fixing and/or mounting struts are pivot mounted on the cross bar and/or on the frame member of the bicycle carrier.

In this way, the bicycle support members and/or the bicycle fixing our mounting struts can be easily and intuitively stowed away when not in use without the necessity of detaching said support or fixing component from the frame member.

Moreover, when mounting the bicycle on the bicycle carrier assembly, the bicycle can be easily fixed thereto by simply pivoting and folding respective bicycle support members and/or bicycle fixing and/or mounting struts into a respective position of use.

According to another preferred aspect, the bicycle carrier assembly comprises an inner frame which is pivot mounted to the frame member and which comprises at least one translationally configurable bicycle support rail. In its use configuration, the inner frame preferably flushes and lies within the plane defined by the frame member pivotally supported on the vehicle's body.

Once the frame member has been folded into its position of use, the inner frame may then pivoted in a respective use configuration, in which the inner frame extends substantially perpendicular to the outer frame member. In this configuration, in which the outer frame member is preferably vertically aligned and in which the inner frame member substantially extends in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal and transverse axis, at least one bicycle support rail can be translationally displaced in the plane of the inner frame member, e.g. for receiving a bicycle wheel.

By translationally configuring or shifting such bicycle support rails, the inner frame member and hence the entire bicycle carrier assembly can be universally adapted to carry and to support bicycles of almost any kind and size.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inner frame is releasable connectable to the frame member. In this way, at least a part of the bicycle carrier can be detached from the vehicle if not in use. By detaching at least the inner frame from the bicycle carrier assembly, also the overall vehicle weight can be reduced.

In still another embodiment, the bicycle carrier assembly comprises a roof top frame member pivotally and/or permanently attached to the vehicle's roof top.

The roof top frame member is adapted to support the frame member of the bicycle carrier in its initial position. In configurations, in which the frame member is folded down into its position of use, the roof top frame member may still serve and act as a roof rack, e.g. for supporting other bulky items such as a roof box or an additional and conventional bicycle carrier.

In still another aspect, the various bicycle support and/or bicycle fixing means are almost entirely arranged in the plane of the frame member, at least when the frame member is in its initial configuration or position. Preferably, the various bicycle support and/or fixing means at least flush with the frame member of the bicycle carrier assembly. By way of such an overlapping arrangement, any negative influence of the bicycle support and/or fixing means on the vehicle's aerodynamic can be minimized.

In a further independent aspect, the invention also relates to a roof rack for an automotive vehicle.

The roof rack comprises a frame member being selectively transferable into an initial position and into a use position. In the initial position, the frame member is arranged substantially parallel to and on top of the vehicle's roof. In its position of use, the frame member is oriented substantially parallel to a vehicle's tailgate. It extends substantially in vertical direction.

The frame member is pivot mounted on the vehicle's body for at least pivotally transferring the frame member from its initial position into its position of use.

Preferably, the frame member may also pivotally return from its position of use into its initial position. By transferring the frame member into the position of use, the roof rack extends and/or transforms towards a bicycle carrier assembly as described above. In particular, when the frame member is in its position of use, it is adapted to mount a bicycle thereto. However, instead of a bicycle, the frame member may also serve as a support structure for other bulky items, such as a roof box or a back box for increasing the vehicle's storage space.

According to another independent aspect, the invention also refers to an automotive vehicle comprising a bicycle carrier assembly according to the present invention and/or comprising a roof rack as described above.

-10 -

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail by making reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an automotive vehicle with a roof top bicycle carrier assembly in initial configuration, Figure 2 illustrates the bicycle carrier according to Figure 1 in an intermediate configuration, Figure 3 shows the bicycle carrier according to Figures 1 and 2 just before reaching its position of use, and Figure 4 shows the bicycle carrier according to Figures 1 to 3 in a configuration of use, Figure 5 shows a perspective illustration of another embodiment of a bicycle carrier assembly in initial configuration, Figure 6 shows the bicycle carrier according to Figure in an intermediate configuration, Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the socket portion of a bicycle carrier's frame member, Figure 8 shows the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figures 5 to 7 in a configuration of use, -11 -Figure 9 shows an isolated view of a bicycle carrier, Figure 10 shows an enlarged view of a socket portion comprising reflectors and/or a lamp assembly, Figure 11 shows another bicycle carrier assembly in an isolated perspective illustration, Figure 12 is illustrative of the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figure 11 with a frame member in an intermediate configuration, Figure 13 shows a bicycle carrier assembly in its configuration of use with bicycle support members in initial configuration, Figure 14 shows the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figure 13 with bicycle support members in a configuration of use, Figure 15 is illustrative of various bicycle fixing means attachable to the bicycle support members, Figure 16 shows the bicycle support members with bicycle fixing means attached thereto, Figure 17 shows the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figure 13 to 16 with a bicycle supported and fixed thereto, Figure 18 shows another embodiment of pivot mounted bicycle support members in initial configuration, -12 Figure 19 shows the bicycle support members in a configuration of use and Figure 20 is illustrative of the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figures 18 and 19 with a bicycle attached thereto, Figure 21 shows another embodiment of a bicycle carrier assembly in initial configuration and Figure 22 shows the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figure 21 with its frame member in a configuration of use, Figure 23 shows the bicycle carrier according to Figures 21 and 22 in its configuration of use with an inner frame folded down, Figure 24 is illustrative of the bicycle carrier assembly according to Figures 21 to 23 with a bicycle mounted thereto, Figure 25 shows an inner frame releasably mounted to a frame member, Figure 26 is illustrative of the bicycle carrier assembly supporting a bicycle and supporting a roof box and Figure 27 is illustrative of an embodiment, wherein the bicycle support and fixing means are adapted to support a back box. )

-13 -

Detailed Description

In Figures 1 through 4, a vehicle 10 is illustrated in a cross-sectional side view. The vehicle 10 comprises a combined roof rack and bicycle carrier assembly 12 on its roof top 22. The bicycle carrier 12 in its initial position or configuration as illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a frame member 14, which is substantially arranged parallel to the roof top 22.

The frame member 14 is pivot mounted at a rear section of the roof top in direct vicinity to the hinge 16 of a tailgate 24. The frame member 14 is pivotable by about 270° as becomes apparent from a comparison of the configurations of Figure 1 and Figure 4. As further illustrated in Figure 1, the frame member comprises upwardly protruding stopper elements 18 that serve as a spacer means and which abut against the tailgate 24 when the frame 14 reaches its position of use as depicted in Figure 4.

In its initial configuration, the free end section of the frame member 14 that faces away from the hinge 16 is secured by means of a support 20 arranged on the roof top 22. The support 20 is adapted to receive the free end section of the frame member 14, and serves as a respective frame support as depicted in Figure 1.

In the embodiment according to Figures 5 to 8, the bicycle carrier assembly 12 comprises a frame member 14 having two parallel oriented longitudinally extending side rails 15, which at their free end section comprise rotatably mounted socket members 28, shown in an enlarged view in Figure 7. By way of the socket members 28, the -14 -frame member 18, in particular its side rails 15, can be secured in either configuration to the roof top 22 or to the tailgate 24, respectively.

In order to provide a sufficient fixation, the socket member 28 and respective portions of the vehicle's body 22, 24 comprise mutually corresponding fixing means 30, 32.

Opposite its free end, the side rails 15 and the respective hinge assembly 16 are mounted to the vehicle's roof top by way of a base member 36, acting as a spacer and support for the side rails 15, when the frame member 14 is in its initial configuration.

As further illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the socket member 28 comprises a protruding stud 30, which is adapted to be inserted into respective pocket holes 32, 34 arranged at the vehicle's roof top 22 or tailgate 24, respectively. Due to the folding or pivoting operation of the frame member 14, the socket members 28 are rotatably arranged at the free end portions of the frame member's 14 side rail 15. For this purpose, the socket members 28 are rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the side rails 15 serving as an axis of rotation.

As further illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, the longitudinal side rails 15 of the frame member 14 are interconnected by laterally extending cross bars 26 enhancing the stiffness and rigidity of the frame member 14 and which are adapted to serve as a support means for a bicycle support.

-15 -As further illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, in another embodiment, socket members 38 may be further equipped with reflectors 40 or with one or several lamp assemblies, such as light emitting diodes (LED) Preferably, such reflectors or lamp assemblies 40 are disposed on a side of the socket member 38 facing away the fastening stud 30. By way of reflectors or by means of actively illuminating lamp assemblies 40, an overall road safety of the vehicle 10 can be enhanced.

In Figure 11, another embodiment of the bicycle carrier assembly 42 is illustrated. Here, the frame member 14 is almost identical to the one as illustrated in Figures 5 through 8. However, the frame member 14 of the bicycle carrier 42 is supported by a roof top frame member 44 being permanently arranged on the roof top 22, which is not explicitly illustrated here. On the one hand, the roof top frame member 44 provides a support structure for the foldable frame member 14. On the other hand, the roof top frame member 44 itself provides a roof rack assembly even when the frame member 14 is folded downward in order to serve as a bicycle carrier means.

In Figures 13 and 14, a further embodiment of a bicycle carrier assembly 12 is illustrated, wherein the cross bars 26 comprise a U-shaped profile having an opening facing away from the vehicle's tailgate 24 when the frame member 14 is in its substantially vertically oriented configuration of as use illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. The substantially hollow cross bars 26 house bicycle support members 46, 48, which can either be stowed in a space-saving way as illustrated in Figure 13.

-16 -In their configuration of use, the bicycle support members or support bars 46, 48 can be folded outwardly in order to protrude from the respective cross bars 26, substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As further illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the bicycle support members 46, 48 comprise various mounting holes 47 for attaching various fastening or fixing means 50, 52 thereto. For instance, the upper fixing holes 47 are adapted to receive adjustable clamps 50, whereas the lower fixing holes 47 are adapted to be provided with fixing screws 52 or the like.

As further illustrated in Figure 17, the clamps are adapted to releasably clamp a frame of the bicycle 54, whereas the fixing screws or eyelets 52 are adapted for pivotally mounting a mounting strut 49 thereto.

In Figures 18 to 20, another way of fastening a bicycle 54 to the frame member 14 is illustrated. Instead of two foldable and shiftable bicycle support members 46, 48 as shown in Figure 14 and 15, the embodiment according to Figures 18 to 20 only comprises one bicycle support member 56 per cross bar 26. Here, the cross bar 26 comprises a slotted hole 58 intersected by a fixing screw 60. As becomes apparent from a comparison of Figures 18 and 19, the bicycle support members 56 can be folded outwardly while their axis of rotation can move along the slotted hole 58 towards the center of the cross bar 26.

In this central configuration, the bicycle support member 56 can be fixed and immobilized. However, this configuration further allows to make use of bicycle support members 56 pointing in different directions, which might be beneficial for individually adapting the -17 -bicycle carrier assembly to different types of bicycles 54. Also here, the bicycle support members 56 comprise various mounting holes 56, which may serve as a fixing means for e.g. a mounting strut 64, that may be operably engaged with the bicycle's 54 frame.

In Figures 21 to 24 another embodiment of a bicycle carrier assembly 72 is illustrated. Here, the frame 14 also comprises two lateral side rails 15. But in contrast to previously described embodiments, the side rails 15 are only interconnected by way of a single cross bar 76 located in direct vicinity to the hinge assembly 16.

Between and in particular in the plane of the side rails 15, an inner frame member 78 is disposed. The inner frame member 78 is configured as a substantially closed frame having cross bar sections 74 and longitudinal rail sections 75. As illustrated in Figure 23, the inner frame 78 is pivot mounted to the side rails of the outer frame 14. In this way, an entire frame 78 as a support structure for a bicycle 54 can be folded down when the (outer) frame member 14 is in its substantially vertical position of use.

As illustrated in Figures 21 and 23, the cross bar sections 74 of the inner frame 78 comprise two recesses 77 adapted to receive respective mounting struts 82, 84 pivot mounted to the cross bar 76 that interconnects the side rails 15 of the outer frame 14.

Similarly, also the longitudinal portions 75 of the inner frame 78 comprise a guiding mechanism for support rails extending in the plane of the inner frame 78 and which are translationally configurable in the plane of the -18 -foldable inner frame 78, e.g. for receiving a wheel of a bicycle 54, as illustrated in Figure 24.

The mounting struts 82, 84 pivot mounted on the cross bar 76 each comprise a releasable clamp 86 at their free end in order to fix and to secure the bicycle frame, as illustrated in Figure 24.

Figure 25 is further illustrative of an embodiment, wherein the inner frame 78 is releasably mounted to the frame member 14, in particular to its side rails 15 having respective mounting holes 89. Here, the inner frame 78 is pivot mounted to side rail portions 90 that are interconnected by the cross bar 76. The side rail sections 90 particularly comprise a U-profiled shape, and further have a number of fixing screws, by way of which the rail sections 90 can be releasably fixed to the frame members 14.

In this way, by disengaging the fixing screws 88, the rail sections 90 and the inner frame 78 can be releasably attached to the bicycle carrier assembly.

Figures 26 and 27 are further illustrative of possible scenarios of usage of the present invention. In Figure 26, a folded down bicycle carrier assembly is adapted to carry a bicycle 54, whereas a roof top frame member 44 still serves to support a roof box 96.

In Figure 27, even the bicycle carrier assembly and its bicycle support and fixing means are adapted to carry a back box 94 instead of a bicycle. The entire arrangement illustrated in Figure 27 is therefore configured as a roof rack 92.

-19 -While at least one exemplary embodiment has been

presented in the foregoing summary and detailed

description, it should appreciated that a vast number of variations exists. It should also be appreciated that the S exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not

intended to limit the scope, applicability, or

configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood, that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalence.

-20 -L ± st of Reference Nuine ra is 10 vehicle 12 bicycle carrier assembly 14 frame member side rail 16 hinge 18 stopper support 22 roof top 24 tailgate 26 cross bar 28 socket stud 32 receptacle 34 receptacle 36 base portion 38 socket reflector/lamp assembly 42 bicycle carrier assembly 44 roof top frame member 46 bicycle support member 47 mounting hole 48 bicycle support member 49 mounting strut clamp 52 fastening means 54 bicycle 56 bicycle support member 58 slotted hole fixing screw 62 mounting hole -21 - 64 mounting strut 72 bicycle carrier assembly 74 cross rail section longitudinal rail section 76 cross bar 77 recess 78 inner frame member support rail 82 mounting strut 84 mounting strut 86 clamp 88 fixing screw 89 mounting hole fixing rail 92 roof rack 94 back box 96 roof box