GB2528973A

GB2528973A - Bicycle carrier for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2528973A
Application number: GB1414067.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Benjamin John Kitcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-08
Filing date: 2014-08-08
Publication date: 2016-02-10
Also published as: GB201414067D0

Abstract

A vehicle mounted bicycle carrying device that allows a bicycle to be stored on the roof in the vertical position and can then be moved to the horizontal position parallel with the roof before travel consisting of a static element 1 directly attached to the roof, a rotating element 4 which holds one or more bicycles and can orientate horizontally parallel to the roof or vertically, and a hinged mechanism 3 that enables the rotating element to be moved by the user when required. The carrier will preferably have a spring assembly 7 to aid in the rotation of the frame once a bicycle has been loaded. The carrier will also preferably have a front fork locking clamp 8 that holds the front forks at ninety degrees to the direction of travel.

Description

BicycLe carrier for a vehide The invention relates to a device which enables the user to carry one or more bicycles on the roof of a vehicle. Typically, when bicycles are mounted to the roof of a vehicle they are mounted in the upright position. This causes problems in that the vehicle is then not able to access height restricted areas such as car parks or ferries, and the means that the bicycle is prone to wind and inertia forces which cause instability and potential damage. Further to the issues brought about through holding the bicycles vertically, existing solutions usually clamp the bicycle around its downtube and the wheel rims. With the recent proliferation of carbon fibre bicycle frames and wheels, such clamping mechanisms can cause significant damage to the bicycle. It is quite common for carbon fibre components to be crushed by such clamps, simply though the action of clamping the bicycle let alone through collision with a low barrier of some description.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a bicycle carrier whereby the bicycle is mounted and removed whilst in the vertical orientation and is transformed using a mechanism to the horizontal plane for transportation. Further, the bike carrier uses a series of straps and clamps which work with the design intent of the bicycle such that load paths caused by the carrier are in line with those seen in normal operation! cycling.

By laying the bicycle horizontal (co-planar to the roof of the vehicle) the overall height of the vehicle is much reduced. This brings about several benefits to the user; -Improved access to restricted height spaces -car ferries/trains, car parks, garages and low bridges. This reduces the cost to travel on services such as the Eurotunnel, improves security when leaving the vehicle unattended and also removes the risk of damage to the car and bike when entering such spaces.

-Reduced centre of gravity of the vehicle and bicycle system, permitting greater stability of the load at higher vehicle speeds, side wind conditions and in impact/collision events. The user benefits from a reduced risk of the bicycle becoming detached during transit.

-Reduced cross sectional area of the vehicle and bicycle system and hence reduced drag and improved fuel consumption. This may be augmented by a wind deflector mounted to the front of the carrier system which deflects air over the carrier and bike.

The mechanism by which the carrier orientates the bicycle from the vertical to horizontal plane is also unique and brings benefit in itself. The motion of the carrier is based on a four-bar linkage, which minimises the retracted height of the mechanism (thus maximising the benefits listed above) whilst maximising the outward extension during the vertical loading process, and hence improving the ease with which a bicycle is loaded. The motion is assisted by a gas-charged spring device which provides lifting assistance to the user when a bike is loaded. When retracted (horizontal) the motion is locked by a catch mechanism and in the extended (vertical) position the motion is limited by the same catch so as not to cause damage to the carrier, the bicycle or the vehicle. All elements of the carrier are constructed from strong, lightweight materials which are corrosion resistant such as stainless steel, aluminium and carbon fibre.

Description of drawings

A static base frame us connected to a vehicle using roof bar adaptors 2 which are able to slide along the base frame 1 in order to accommodate variation in vehicle roof bar spacing. The static base frame 1 accepts a pair of rotating links 3 which connect the static element to the bicycle carrying frame 4. A linkage rod 6 connects the static frame land the bicycle carrying frame 4 to complete the four bar linkage arrangement which controls the articulation of the assembly. A spring 7 is then attached between the static frame 1 and the bicycle carrying frame 4 in order to provide assistance in the lifting of heavy loads. Attached to the bicycle carrying frame 4 are supports for the bicycle wheel S which are adjustable along the travelling direction of the vehicle to accommodate different length bicycles. Also attached to the bicycle frame 4 is the bicycle fork mountS which consists of a tube 9 contained with a conformable sleeve lOso as to account for variation in the geometry of the bicycle being carried.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A vehicle mounted bicycle carrier which comprises a static element directly attached to the vehicle, a rotating element which holds one or more bicycles and can orientate horizontally parallel to the roof of the vehicle or vertically and a hinged mechanism such that the rotating element can be moved by the user when required.
2. A bicycle carrier according to claim 1 which orientates the bicycle such that its normal direction of travel is parallel to that of the vehicle.
3. A bicycle carrier according to claim 2, which includes a mechanism to translate the rotating element and the bicycle from the vertical plane to the horizontal plane.
4. A bicycle carrier according to claim 3, which includes a mechanism for rotating the bicycle which is fitted with a spring to assist the motion of the mechanism.
5. A bicycle carrier according to claim 3, consisting of a four bar linkage mechanism to transform the orientation of the bicycle.
6. A bicycle carrier according to claim 5 primarily consisting of a static base unit attached to the vehicle, a rotating frame onto which the bicycle is mounted, a set of linkage plates and a motion control arm.
7. A bicycle carrier according to claim 1, consisting of a bicycle fork mount orientated g0 to the direction of travel.
8. A bicycle carrier according to claim 7, consisting of a bicycle fork clamp which conforms to the alignment of the bicycles axel to overcome variation in bicycle geometry.
9. A bicycle carrier according to claim 8, consisting of two concentric tubes separated by low modulus material to allow for conformity, into which the bicycle fork axle can be inserted.
10. A bicycle carrier according to claim 1, consisting of a pair of adjustable wheel supports against which the tightening strap pulls the bicycle.