GB2539938A

GB2539938A - Apparatus for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2539938A
Application number: GB1511563.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Truman Mark; Manktelow Philip; Setter Adam; Smith Luke; Marechal Anthony; Manley Stephen
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-01
Filing date: 2015-07-01
Publication date: 2017-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-01
Also published as: GB201511563D0; WO2017001517A1; EP3317147A1; GB2539938B

Abstract

The present invention provide an apparatus 10 for supporting a bicycle (300, figure 5) on a vehicle (220), comprising a carrier member 12 extending along a longitudinal axis 100 and including at least one channel 36 that is configured to receive at least a portion of a bicycle wheel (302), and attachment means for attaching the carrier member to a rail (202) of the vehicle such that the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the rail. The attachment means may comprise at least one clamp (110, figure 4A) comprising two opposing jaws (112, 114) that are movable between open and closed configurations such that the rail may be disposed between, and clamped by, the jaws. A cam (126) and a lever (124) may be used to move the jaws between their two positions. A support member 14 may be provided on the carrier member, said support member having a clamp 52 for clamping to a portion of the bicycle or its wheel. The rail may be a roof rail of the vehicle, and the carrier member clamp is also claimed in isolation from the carrier.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A BICYCLE ON A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to an apparatus, to a clamp, and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

There are many known apparatuses used for carrying bicycles on vehicles and such apparatuses are commonly known as bicycle racks. Typically, a bicycle rack attaches onto a vehicle’s tailgate or is affixed to cross bars fitted to the roof rails of the vehicle. Bicycle racks that fit to cross bars inherently require cross bars to be fitted to the vehicle. There is therefore an inevitable increase in the cost and mechanical complexity of the overall attachment system. Given that cross bars are typically time consuming to affix and remove from a vehicle, they are often left in place even when they are not needed to support a bicycle rack thereby unnecessarily increasing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle and giving rise to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) issues. Additionally, cross bars are perceived by many to be detrimental to the aesthetics of a vehicle.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to overcome one or more disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle, a clamp, and a vehicle comprising the apparatus for supporting a bicycle.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle, comprising a carrier member extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one channel that is configured to receive at least a portion of a bicycle wheel, and attachment means for attaching the carrier member to a rail of the vehicle such that the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the rail.

In an embodiment, the attachment means may attach the carrier member to a single rail or group of coaxial rails of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment means may provide a direct attachment between the carrier member and the rail.

The attachment means may comprise at least one carrier member clamp. The carrier member clamp may comprise two opposing carrier member clamp jaws, that are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration a raii disposed between the jaws may be clamped by the carrier member clamp jaws. In certain embodiments, the attachment means may comprise a plurality of carrier member clamps.

The apparatus may comprise: a cam that is rotatable between a first cam position and a second cam position, wherein in the first cam position the carrier member clamp jaws may be arranged in the open configuration in which the rail may be insertable between or removable from the carrier member clamp jaws, and in the second cam position the cam urges the carrier member clamp jaws towards the closed configuration in which the rail may be clampable therebetween; and a lever that is movable between a first lever position and a second lever position, wherein movement of the lever from the first lever position to the second lever position causes movement of the cam from the first cam position to the second cam position, and wherein the cam and the lever are configured such that subsequent movement of the lever between the first lever position and second lever position restricts rotation of the cam away from the second cam position. In other words, the cam and the lever may be configured such that subsequent movement of the lever between the first lever position and second lever position does not cause rotation of the cam away from the second cam position.

The apparatus may comprise locking means for selectively restricting rotation of the cam from the second cam position to the first cam position.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the carrier member clamp jaws may include a locating pin that is receivable in a hole on the rail, wherein engagement of the locating pin in the hole prevents movement of the carrier member relative to the rail when the carrier member clamp jaws are in the closed configuration.

The apparatus may comprise a removable clamp cover for selectively concealing the at least one carrier member clamps.

The carrier member may be configured to compliment the shape of a panel of the vehicle. In certain embodiments the panel of the vehicle may comprise the vehicle’s roof. Furthermore, the complimentary shape of the carrier member may correspond to the shape of the vehicle’s roof.

The apparatus may comprise a resilient gasket member that is configured to be disposed between the carrier member and the panel of the vehicle during use.

The apparatus may comprise a support member attachable to the carrier member, the support member being configured to provide support to a bicycle or bicycle wheel disposed on the carrier member. The support member may include at least one telescopic portion arranged to permit adjustable lengthening and shortening of the support member. The support member may include a support member clamp for clamping to a portion of a bicycle or bicycle wheel. The support member clamp may include two opposing support member clamp jaws and a lever mechanism for moving the support member clamp jaws from an open configuration to a closed configuration and vice versa. For example, the lever mechanism may be configured for closing and opening the support member clamp jaws around the portion of the bicycle or bicycle wheel.

The support member clamp jaws may include a resilient insert for contacting the portion of the bicycle or bicycle wheel, when the support member clamp jaws are in a closed configuration. The lever mechanism may comprise an over-centre latch, and wherein the resilient insert may be configured to provide tension to the over-centre latch.

The apparatus may comprise pedal attachment means arranged on the carrier member, wherein the pedal attachment means may be arranged to connect to a pedal of a bicycle disposed on the carrier member. The pedal attachment means may comprise a cleat.

The carrier member may include two channels that are axially separated from one another along the longitudinal axis and may each be configured to receive at least a portion of a bicycle wheel.

The apparatus may comprise a removable insert disposed in the at least one channel, the removable insert providing a reduced volume in the channel in which to receive a bicycle wheel.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus as described above, wherein: the attachment means comprise one or more attachment mechanisms configured to attach the carrier member to a rail of the vehicle; and/or the locking means comprise one or more locking mechanisms configured to selectively prevent rotation of the cam from the second cam position to the first cam position; and/or the pedal attachment means comprise one or more pedal attachment mechanisms configured to connect to a pedal of a bicycle disposed on the carrier member.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising an apparatus as defined above, wherein the carrier member may be attached to a rail of the vehicle such that the longitudinal axis of the apparatus may be substantially parallel to the rail.

The vehicle may comprise two rails and two apparatuses as defined above, wherein the carrier member of each apparatus is attached to one of the rails.

The vehicle may comprise at least one bicycle supported on the or each carrier member.

The rail may be a roof rail of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp comprising: a pair of opposing jaws for clamping to a rail disposed between the jaws, the jaws being pivotably mounted to a pivot point; a cam that may be rotatable between a first cam position and a second cam position, wherein in the first cam position the jaws may be arranged in an open configuration in which the rail may be inserted between or removed from the jaws, and in the second cam position the cam may urge the jaws towards a closed configuration in which the rail may be clamped therebetween; and a lever that is movable between a first lever position and a second lever position, wherein movement of the lever from the first lever position to the second lever position may cause movement of the cam from the first cam position to the second cam position, and wherein the cam and the lever may be configured such that subsequent movement of the lever between the first lever position and second lever position restricts rotation of the cam away from the second cam position. For example, the cam and the lever may be configured such that subsequent movement of the lever between the first lever position and the second lever position does not cause rotation of the cam away from the second position.

The clamp may comprise biasing means configured to act on one or both of the jaws to urge the jaws towards the open configuration. In certain embodiments, the biasing means may comprise a wire spring.

One of the pair of jaws may include a locating pin that is receivable in a hole on the rail, wherein engagement of the locating pin in the hole may prevent movement of the clamp relative to the rail when the jaws are in the closed configuration.

The clamp may comprise locking means for selectively preventing rotation of the cam from the second cam position to the first cam position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp as described above, wherein: the biasing means may comprise one or more biasing members configured to urge the jaws towards the open configuration; and/or the locking means may comprise one or more locking mechanisms configured to selectively prevent rotation of the cam from the second cam position to the first cam position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle having a rail and comprising a clamp as defined above. The rail may be a roof rail of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle, comprising a carrier member extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one channel that may be configured to receive at least a portion of a bicycle wheel, and attachment means for attaching the carrier member to a rail of the vehicle, wherein the carrier member may be configured to be disposed on a panel of the vehicle.

The carrier member may be configured to compliment the shape of a panel of the vehicle. The apparatus may comprise a resilient gasket member that is configured to be disposed between the carrier member and the panel of the vehicle during use. The panel of the vehicle may be the vehicle’s roof, the rail may be a roof rail, and the carrier member may be configured to correspond to the shape of the vehicle’s roof.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus as described above, wherein the attachment means comprise one or more attachment mechanisms configured to attach the carrier member to a rail of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising an apparatus as defined above, wherein the carrier member may be attached to a rail of the vehicle.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, maybe taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A shows a detailed view of a support arm comprised in the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 2B shows an exploded view of the support arm of Figure 2A;

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a support member clamp comprised in the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4A shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a clamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4B shows a detailed cut-away perspective view of the clamp of Figure 4A;

Figure 4C shows a further detailed cut-away perspective view of the clamp of Figure 4A;

Figure 5 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 mounted to a vehicle with a bicycle supported on the apparatus:

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1 that includes a securement clip; and

Figure 7 shows a vehicle with a pair of the apparatuses of Figure 1 mounted thereto. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows, in isolation, an apparatus 10 for supporting a bicycle on a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes a carrier member 12 for receiving a part of a bicycle such that the bicycle can be supported on the vehicle by the apparatus 10. The carrier member 12 extends generally along a longitudinal axis 100. As shown in Figure 1, the carrier member may also extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 100. As shown in more detail in Figure 5, this permits the carrier member 12 to conform to the body of a vehicle (e.g. the vehicle roof) on which the carrier member 12 may be disposed. Such an arrangement may serve to provide an aerodynamic profile that reduces drag and provides improved noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics. Additionally, such an arrangement may provide a more aesthetically pleasing profile. In certain embodiments, the carrier member 12 may be made of carbon fibre (e.g. for its lightweight nature and strength characteristics). In other embodiments, any other suitable material may be used. Non-limiting examples of other suitable materials include plastics, and metals including metal alloys.

The carrier member 12 includes a pair of channels 36 that are each configured to receive part of a bicycle wheel such that the bicycle may remain in a substantially upright configuration whilst being supported.

In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1, the channels 36 each include a removable insert 38 that is sized to accommodate a bicycle wheel comprising a tyre of a predetermined width. That is, the width of the channels 36 may be effectively reduced by inserting an insert 38 that provides a reduced volume for receiving the bicycle wheel. A suitably sized insert 38 may therefore be selected from a range of differently sized inserts 38 to suit a bicycle wheel of a particular width. In certain embodiments, the depth of the channels 36 may be such that the bicycle wheel may be supported in the channel 36 by virtue of interference between the walls defining the channel 36 and the tyre of the bicycle wheel. In certain embodiments the insert 38 may be retained in the channel 36 by means of a friction fit. Additionally or alternatively, the insert 38 is retained in the channel by a removable fixing means, for example a screw or bolt, extending between the insert 38 and the channel 36. In certain embodiments, a single channel 36 may be provided in the carrier member 12, or any other number of channels 36 may be provided.

The apparatus 10 includes attachment means in the form of one or more attachment mechanisms for attaching the carrier member 12 to a rail (e.g. a roof rail) of a vehicle. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 includes a clamp cover 30 that is removable so as to selectively cover the attachment means. The clamp cover 30 may be attachable to the carrier member 12 by removable fixing means that may include, for example, one or more screws or bolts. The clamp cover 30 of Figure 1 includes a pair of end pieces 32 each sized to cover individual attachment means, and a connection piece 34 that connects the pair of end pieces 32. The clamp cover 30 may serve to improve the aerodynamic profile and/or NVH characteristics of the apparatus 10. Additionally or alternatively, the clamp cover 30 may be configured to protect the attachment means from inadvertent manipulation and/or provide protection from water (e.g. rain) and dust. The clamp cover 30 may be provided as a singly formed component, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the clamp cover 30 may be formed of separate components. For example, two separate end pieces 32 may be provided with or without a connection piece 34.

The apparatus 10 includes a support member 14 that is attachable to the carrier member 12, where the support member 14 is arranged to provide additional support to the bicycle when disposed on the carrier member 12. The support member 14 may be removed when not required (e.g. when a bicycle is not being supported on the apparatus). Removing the support member 14 when it is not required will avoid increasing the resistive drag of the vehicle unnecessarily.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the support member 14 comprises a support arm 16 and a support member clamp 52. Figures 2A and 2B show detailed views of the support arm 16, where Figure 2B shows an exploded view of the support arm 16. From Figures 2A and 2B, it can be seen that the support arm 16 is made of a plurality of arm components. In particular, a first arm component 18 is provided for attaching the support arm 16 to the carrier member 12. For example, the first arm component 18 may include a threaded portion that is screwable into and out of a threaded bore in the carrier member 12. In certain embodiments, the threaded bore may be provided by a threaded insert that is received in or on the carrier member 12. Alternatively, any other suitable attachment mechanism may be employed for attaching the support arm 16 to the carrier member 12 such as, for example. click fastenings, bolts, and the like. The attachment mechanism may provide a removable fixing in certain embodiments, while in other embodiments the fixing may be permanent. The first arm component 18 attaches to a second arm component 20 and a third arm component 22 is telescopically slidable relative to the second arm component 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the second arm component 20 has a larger diameter than the third arm component 22 such that the third arm component 22 is receivable in the second arm component 20 so as to be telescopically slidable relative thereto. The third arm component 22 is attached to a fourth arm component 24 that includes a portion 24a that extends away from a longitudinal axis 22a of the third component 22. The fourth arm component 24 includes a connector 26 that is configured to connect the support member clamp 52 to the support arm 16. In other embodiments, any number of arm components may be provided and/or any suitable telescopic portion may be provided for lengthening/shortening the length of the support arm 16. Lengthening and shortening of the support arm 16 permits the position of the support arm clamp 52 to be selectively adjusted so as to be capable of providing support to bicycles of different sizes or to provide support to different parts of a given bicycle. In example embodiments the first to fourth arm components 18, 20, 22, 24 are rotatable along the longitudinal axis 22a to facilitate alignment of the support member clamp 52 to a bicycle irrespective of the position of the fixing between the support arm 16 and the carrier member 12. In other example embodiments, the support arm 16 comprises a single arm of predetermined length.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the support member clamp 52 is angled so as to be capable of connecting to the down tube of a bicycle. Additionally, the orientation of the support member clamp 52 may be selected to reduce aerodynamic resistance caused by the clamp 52. In other embodiments, the support member clamp 52 may be otherwise arranged and/or may be configured for connecting to parts of a bicycle other than the down tube.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the support member clamp 52 in isolation. The support member clamp 52 comprises opposing jaws 56, 58, each having a rubber support or resilient insert 60 for contacting the down tube of the bicycle. The rubber support provides enhanced grip of the down tube without damaging (e.g. scratching) it. The jaws 56, 58 are pivoted about a pivot point 62 and are movable using a lever mechanism 64 comprising two parts, namely a slave portion 66 and a handle portion 68. The lever mechanism 64 is an overcentre mechanism. When an operator moves the lever in the direction of the arrow 70, the jaws close toward each other. Tension in the rubber supports 60 acts as a spring on the over-centre mechanism and holds the jaws shut. Movement in the opposite direction 72 leads to the jaws opening so that the bicycle may be removed therefrom. In an example, the support member clamp 52 is made from aluminium. In other embodiments, other materials may be used. The slave portion 66 and the handle portion 68 are pivotably connected to each other and to corresponding opposing jaws 56, 58. A pivot bolt 80 extends from the opposing jaw through one of two or more apertures 82 in the handle portion 68. In an alternative embodiment the two or more apertures 82 are provided in the slave portion 66. Adjustment of the pivot bolt 82 between selected apertures 82 adjusts the distance between the resilient inserts of the opposing jaws to tailor the clamp 52 to clamp objects of specific size. This is advantageous with bicycles because the down tube varies from one type of bicycle to another. For example, a time trial bicycle generally has a thinner down tube than a mountain bicycle.

In alternative embodiments, the support member 14 may take on other forms and may provide support to parts of a bicycle other than the down tube.

As noted above, the apparatus 10 includes attachment means in the form of one or more attachment mechanisms for attaching the carrier member 12 to a rail (e.g. a roof rail) of a vehicle. In contrast to vehicle cross bars that extend between and attach to two parallel, noncoaxial rails, the attachment means affixes the carrier member 12 to a single rail or coaxial rails. That is, the attachment means of the present invention do not encompass cross bars that extend between two parallel, non-coaxial rails. In certain embodiments, the attachment means forms a direct connection between the carrier member 12 and the rail with no additional intermediate components. In certain embodiments, the attachment means comprises one or more clamps, clips, screws or bolts. Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show examples of a suitable attachment mechanism in the form of a carrier member clamp 110. Any suitable number of carrier member clamps 110 may be provided for attaching the carrier member 12 to the rail. In certain embodiments, two carrier member clamps 110 are provided in each apparatus 10.

As shown in Figure 4A, the carrier member clamp 110 includes a first jaw 112 and a second jaw 114. The first jaw 112 is formed so as to include a recessed portion 112a that gradually curves away from and then towards a general plane of the first jaw 112. Additionally, the first jaw 112 includes a projecting portion 112b that extends substantially perpendicularly to the general plane of the first jaw 112. The second jaw 114 includes a locating pin 116 extending therefrom, wherein, in use, the projecting pin 116 may locate in a suitably sized hole in the vehicle rail so as to prevent movement of the carrier member clamp 110 (and carrier member 12) relative to the rail when the carrier member clamp 110 is in a closed configuration. In particular, axial and rotational movement of the carrier member clamp 110 (and carrier member 12) may be prevented by engagement of the projecting pin 116 in the hoie. Resiiient inserts (e.g. made of rubber) may be provided on the jaws 112, 114 so as to mitigate any potentiai damage to the raii caused by the jaws 112,114.

Whist not visibie in the cross-sectionai view of Figure 4A, the first jaw 112 and second jaw 114 extend so as be rotatabiy mounted on a common pivot point 120 such that the first jaw 112 and second jaw 114 are movabie between an open configuration and a ciosed configuration. A biasing means in the form of a biasing member is provided to bias the first jaw 112 and second jaw 114 towards the open configuration. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the biasing member is provided by a wire spring 122 that contacts each of the first jaw 112 and second jaw 114 to urge iower portions of the first jaw 112 and second jaw 114 away from one another. A boit 118 passes through apertures in each of the first jaw 112 and second jaw 114 to iimit reiative movement therebetween. A cam 126 is provided adjacent to the first jaw 112 and is rotatabie about rotation point 130 between a first cam position and a second cam position. The cam 126 is asymmetric such that it has a iong axis 134 and a short axis 132 where the short axis 132 is shorter than the iong axis 134.

Figure 4A shows the carrier member ciamp 110 in a ciosed configuration wherein the cam 126 is in the second cam position. In particular, the cam 126 has been rotated anticlockwise about rotation point 130 from the first cam position by movement of a lever 124 such that the long axis 134 extends into the recessed portion 112a. In doing so, the cam 126 causes the first jaw 112 to move towards the second jaw 114 so that the carrier member clamp 110 may attach to a rail. In the second cam position (as shown in Figure 4A), the presence of the cam 126 inhibits movement of the first jaw 112 away from the second jaw 114 such that the pair of jaws 112,114 remain in the closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the locating pin 116 may locate in the suitably sized hole in the rail and the projecting portion 112b may locate in a groove or other recessed formation in the rail so as to form an interference fit with a part of the rail. A strong connection between the carrier member clamp 110 and the rail may therefore be achieved. Figure 4C shows a detailed view of the carrier member clamp 110 in the closed configuration (with certain features removed to aid clarity). In Figure 4C, it can be seen that the projecting portion 112b is located in a groove 204 of a vehicle rail 202. Also visible in Figure 4C is a clamp bracket 140 and a clamp frame 142, where the clamp bracket 140 serves to mount the carrier member clamp 110 to the clamp frame 142 and the clamp frame 142 serves to mount the clamp bracket 140 to the carrier member 12. The carrier member 12 has a raised mounting portion 13 to which the clamp frame 142 attaches.

In certain embodiments, the lever 124 may be moved to move the jaws 112, 114 to the closed configuration. In one embodiment, the lever 124 is movable along direction 125a away from the position shown in Figure 4A and is subsequently movable along direction 125b back towards the position shown in Figure 4A. The lever 124 may be biased towards the position shown in Figure 4A by suitable biasing means such as a spring.

In an initial configuration (not shown), the cam 126 is in the first cam position in which the short axis 132 extends towards the recessed portion 112a of the first jaw 112. As such, the long axis 134 does not extend into the recessed portion 112a and the first jaw 112 is not urged towards the second jaw 114 by the cam 126. The jaws 112, 114 are therefore in an open configuration and the rail 202 may be inserted therebetween for attaching thereto.

With the rail 202 suitably positioned between the jaws 112, 114, the lever 124 may be moved along direction 125a. Movement of the lever 124 along direction 125a causes rotation of the cam 126 to the second cam position (shown in Figure 4A) therefore moving the jaws 112, 114 to the closed configuration. If biased, subsequent release of the lever 124 will result in the lever 124 moving along direction 125b and returning to the position shown in Figure 4A. Due to the shape of the cam 126, further movement of the lever 124 along direction 125a will not result in any movement of the cam 126 when the cam 126 is in the second cam position. The carrier member clamp 110 therefore acts as an over centre latch wherein the lever 124 and cam 126 are provided as separate, independently movable components.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the carrier member clamp 110 includes locking means in the form of a locking mechanism for locking the carrier member clamp 110 in the closed configuration. The locking mechanism may additionally be used to cause release of the carrier member clamp 110 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the locking mechanism is in the form of a moveable locking tab 128. With reference to Figure 4B, the locking tab 128 is moveable along linear directions 136a and 136b. The locking tab 128 is rotatably mounted on rotation axis 129 and is consequently movable along circumferential directions 138a and 138b. By moving along direction 136a, the locking tab 128 moves towards the cam 126 and by moving along direction 136b, the locking tab 128 moves away from the cam 126. The locking tab 128 includes a rib 128a that is configured such that when the locking tab 128 is moved towards the cam 126 along direction 136a, the rib 128a interferes with the cam 126 so as to prevent rotation of the cam 126 about rotation point 130. In contrast, when the locking tab 128 is moved away from the cam 126, rotation of the cam 126 about rotation point 130 is permitted.

When the carrier member clamp 110 is moved to the closed position, the locking tab 128 may be moved towards the cam 126 along direction 136a so as to inhibit rotation of the cam 126 and therefore maintain the clamp 110 in the closed configuration. In this position, movement of the locking tab 128 along directions 138a, 138b may be inhibited. In certain embodiments, other locking mechanisms (based on interference or othenwise) may be employed for selectively inhibiting rotation of the cam 126.

When the user wishes to release the carrier member clamp 110 from the rail 202, the locking tab 128 is first moved away from the cam 126 along direction 136b to permit rotation of the cam 126. Next, the locking tab 128 is moved (e.g. pulled) along direction 138b. Due to a coupling between the locking tab 128 and the cam 126, movement of the locking tab 128 along direction 138b causes the cam 126 to rotate about rotation point 130 such that the long axis 134 no longer extends into the recessed portion 112a and the cam 126 no longer inhibits movement of the jaws 112,114 to the open configuration (e.g. the cam moves to the first cam position). Once in the open configuration, the carrier member clamp 110 may be removed from the rail 202. The carrier member clamp 110 therefore offers a secure yet quickly releasable attachment means. Certain aspects of the present invention relate to a clamp having some or all of the features described herein in relation to the carrier member clamp 110. The clamp may be used to affix articles other than a carrier member, including but not limited to roof bars, ski rack holders, and roof boxes to a rail of a vehicle.

In certain embodiments, a lever 124 is not provided (e.g. as shown in Figure 4C) and the cam 126 may be movable by direct user interaction. In this and the foregoing embodiments, adjustment of the bolt 118 may be made to secure the cam 126 in the second cam position and the release therefrom.

As described above, when the carrier member 12 is attached to the rail 202 by the attachment means, the longitudinal axis 100 of the carrier member 12 is substantially parallel to the rail 202. Figure 5 shows such an arrangement in which it can be seen that the rail 202 is a roof rail of a vehicle 200 that has a longitudinal axis 202a along which the rail 202 extends. The rail 202 additionally extends in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 202a so as to follow the form of the roof of the vehicle 200. In the installed configuration shown in Figure 5, the carrier member 12 is substantially parallel to the rail 202 (i.e. the longitudinal axis 100 of the carrier member 12 is substantially parallel to the rail 202 and the longitudinal axis 202a of the rail 202). The carrier member 12 is formed so as to closely follow the profile of the rail 202 thereby improving NVH characteristics and aesthetics. In the installed configuration, the carrier member 12 may contact the rail 202 over some or all of the length of the carrier member 12 and/or rail 202. In certain embodiments, there may be a gap between the carrier member 12 and the rail 202 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 100, where the gap may be no more than 10cm, 5 cm or 3 cm. Returning to Figure 5, the clamp cover 30 is seen to be in place so as to conceal the carrier member clamps 110. A bicycle 300 is disposed on the carrier member 12 with wheels 302 of the bicycle received in the channels 36 of the carrier member 12. The support member clamp 52 is in a closed configuration around a down tube of the bicycle 300 to provide additional support to the bicycle 300.

In the installed configuration, the carrier member 12 may rest on a panel of the vehicle (e.g. the roof) such that a load acting on the carrier member 12 (e.g. due to a bicycle being supported thereon) is transferred to the vehicle panel. That is, in the installed configuration, the carrier member 12 is not in a suspended position above the vehicle panel. The carrier member 12 may be in contact with the panel of the vehicle, or the carrier member may be in contact with one or more intermediate components (e.g. a gasket - see below) that transfers load from the carrier member 12 to the panel along a direction that is perpendicular to the panel and passes through the panel and the carrier member 12.

In certain embodiments, the rail 202 may not take any load when a bicycle is supported on the installed carrier member 12. In such arrangements, the rail 202 serves to provide an anchor point for the carrier member 12 to prevent the carrier member 12 moving relative thereto. In other embodiments, some load may be taken by the rail 202 where the load is transferred from the carrier member 21 via the carrier member clamp 110.

In certain embodiments, a resilient gasket member (e.g. made of foam) may be provided between the carrier member and the roof of the vehicle. The resilient gasket member may serve to mitigate any potential damage caused to the vehicle roof by the carrier member 12. Additionally or alternatively, the resilient gasket member may improve the fitting of the carrier member 12 against the roof (e.g. due to tolerance issues) and/or may improve NVH characteristics by filling potential gaps between the carrier member 12 and the roof.

One or more securement clips 40 may be provided (as shown in Figure 6) for passing through the bicycle wheel 302 so as to further improve the security of the mounted bicycle 300. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the securement clip 40 attaches to the carrier member 12 by a screw 44 that passes through an aperture 42 in the securement clip 40. In certain embodiments, the screw may be a hex screw or Allen screw. In alternative embodiments, any suitable attachment means may be employed. The securement clip 40 is generally L-shaped (although the L-shape may gradually curve as shown in Figure 6) and may be affixed to the carrier member 12 when the bicycle wheel 302 is inserted in the channels 36 by passing through the wheel 302 (e.g. between spokes or by passing through other apertures in the wheel 302). When affixed, the securement clip 40 prevents removal of the bicycle wheel 302 from the channel 36. To release the bicycle wheel 302, the securement clip 40 must be removed by detaching the securement clip 40 from the carrier member 12 (e.g. by removing screw 44).

In certain embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include pedal attachment means (not shown) in the form of a pedal attachment mechanism. The pedal attachment means may be arranged on the carrier member 12 and be configured to connect to a pedal of the bicycle 300 supported on the carrier member 12. Such pedal attachment means may be in addition to or in place of the support member 14. In certain embodiments, the pedal attachment means comprise a cleat that is configured for releasably attaching to a pedal of the bicycle 300.

Figure 7 shows a vehicle 200 that includes a pair of roof rails 202 and a pair of apparatuses 10 for supporting bicycles on the vehicle 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Throughout the present specification references to a rail of a vehicle include but are not limited to a roof rail of a vehicle. Embodiments of the present invention may be used for attachment to other rails of a vehicle, including but not limited to a rail on a side panel of a vehicle, a rail inside a vehicle, and a rail on a flat bed of vehicle (e.g. of a flat bed truck).

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Claims

1. An apparatus 10 for supporting a bicycle 300 on a vehicle 200, comprising a carrier member 12 extending along a longitudinal axis 100 and including at least one channel 36 that is configured to receive at least a portion of a bicycle wheel 302, and attachment means for attaching the carrier member 12 to a rail 202 of the vehicle 200 such that the longitudinal axis 100 is substantially parallel to the rail 202.

2. The apparatus 10 of claim 1, wherein the attachments means comprise at least one carrier member clamp 110.

3. The apparatus 10 of claim 2, wherein the at least one carrier member clamp 110 comprises two opposing carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114 that are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration a rail 202 disposed between the jaws is clamped by the carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114.

4. The apparatus 10 of claim 3, comprising: a cam 126 that is rotatable between a first cam position and a second cam position, wherein in the first cam position the carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114 are arranged in the open configuration in which the rail 202 is insertable between or removable from the carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114, and in the second cam position the cam 126 urges the carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114 towards the closed configuration in which the rail is clampable therebetween; and a lever 124 that is movable between a first lever position and a second lever position, wherein movement of the lever 124 from the first lever position to the second lever position causes movement of the cam 126 from the first cam position to the second cam position, and wherein the cam 126 and the lever 124 are configured such that subsequent movement of the lever 124 between the first lever position and second lever position restricts rotation of the cam 126 away from the second cam position.

5. The apparatus 10 of claim 4, comprising locking means 128 for selectively restricting rotation of the 126 cam from the second cam position to the first cam position.

6. The apparatus 10 of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one of the carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114 includes a locating pin 116 that is receivable in a hole on the rail, wherein engagement of the locating pin 116 in the hole prevents movement of the carrier member 12 relative to the rail 202 when the carrier member clamp jaws 112, 114 are in the closed configuration.

7. The apparatus 10 of any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising a removable clamp cover 30 for selectively concealing the at least one carrier member clamp 110.

8. The apparatus 10 of any preceding claim, wherein the carrier member 12 is configured to compliment the shape of the roof of the vehicle 200.

9. The apparatus 10 of any preceding claim, comprising a resilient gasket member that is configured to be disposed between the carrier member 12 and the roof of the vehicle 202 during use.

10. The apparatus 10 of any preceding claim, comprising a support member 14 attachable to the carrier member 12, the support member 14 being configured to provide support to a bicycle 300 or a bicycle wheel 302 disposed on the carrier member 12.

11. The apparatus 10 of claim 10, wherein the support member 14 includes at least one telescopic portion 18, 20, 22, 24 arranged to permit adjustable lengthening and shortening of the support member.

12. The apparatus 10 of claim 10 or 11, wherein the support member 14 includes a support member clamp 52 for clamping to a portion of a bicycle 300 or bicycle wheel 302.

13. The apparatus 10 of claim 12, wherein the support member clamp 52 includes two opposing support member clamp jaws 56, 58 and a lever mechanism 64 for moving the support member clamp jaws 56, 58 from an open configuration to a closed configuration and vice versa.

14. The apparatus 10 of claim 13, wherein the support member clamp jaws 56, 58 include a resilient insert 60 for contacting the portion of the bicycle 300 or bicycle wheel 302, when the support member clamp jaws 56, 58 are in the closed configuration.

15. The apparatus 10 of claim 14, wherein the lever mechanism 64 comprises an overcentre latch, and wherein the resilient insert 60 is configured to provide tension to the over-centre latch.

16. The apparatus 10 of any preceding claim, comprising pedal attachment means arranged on the carrier member 12, wherein the pedal attachment means are arranged to connect to a pedal of a bicycle disposed on the carrier member 12.

17. The apparatus 10 of claim 16, wherein the pedal attachment means comprises a cleat.

18. The apparatus 10 of any preceding claim, wherein the carrier member 12 includes two channels 36 that are axially separated from one another along the longitudinal axis 100 and are each configured to receive at least a portion of a bicycle wheel 302.

19. The apparatus 10 of any preceding claim, comprising a removable insert 38 disposed in the at least one channel 36, the removable insert 38 providing a reduced volume in the channel 36 in which to receive a bicycle wheel 302.

20. A vehicle 200 comprising an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carrier member 12 is attached to a rail 202 of the vehicle 200, such that the longitudinal axis 100 of the apparatus is substantially parallel to the rail 202.

21. The vehicle 200 of claim 20, wherein the vehicie comprises two rails 202 and two apparatuses 10 as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the carrier member 12 of each apparatus is attached to one of the rails 202.

22. The vehicle 200 of claim 20 or 21, comprising at least one bicycle 300 supported on the or each carrier member 12.

23. A clamp 110 comprising: a pair of opposing jaws 112, 114 for ciamping to a raii disposed between the jaws, the jaws being pivotably mounted to a pivot point 120; a cam 126 that is rotatable between a first cam position and a second cam position, wherein in the first cam position the jaws are arranged in an open configuration in which the rail is insertabie between or removabie from the jaws 112, 114, and in the second cam position the cam urges the jaws 112, 114 towards a ciosed configuration in which the rail 202 is ciampabie therebetween; and a lever 124 that is movable between a first iever position and a second lever position, wherein movement of the iever 124 from the first iever position to the second lever position causes movement of the cam 126 from the first cam position to the second cam position, and wherein the cam 126 and the lever 124 are configured such that subsequent movement of the lever 124 between the first lever position and second lever position restricts rotation of the cam 126 away from the second cam position.

24. The clamp 110 of claim 23, comprising biasing means configured to act on one or both of the jaws 112,114 to urge the jaws towards the open configuration.

25. The clamp 110 of claim 24, wherein the biasing means comprise a wire spring 122.

26. The clamp 110 of any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein one of the pair of jaws 112, 114 includes a locating pin 116 that is receivable in a hole on the rail, wherein engagement of the locating pin in the hole prevents movement of the clamp 110 relative to the rail, when the jaws are in the closed configuration.

27. The clamp 110 of any one of claims 23 to 26, comprising locking means 128 for selectively preventing rotation of the cam 126 from the second cam position to the first cam position.

28. A vehicle 200 having a rail 202 and comprising the clamp 110 of any one of claims 23 to 27.

29. A vehicle 200 as claimed in any of claims 20, 21, 22 or 28, wherein the rail 202 is a roof rail of the vehicle 200.

30. An apparatus 10 for supporting a bicycle 300 on a vehicle 200 substantially as hereinbefore described, and/or as illustrated in any one of the appended figures.

31. A vehicle 200 comprising an apparatus 10 for supporting a bicycle 30 substantially as hereinbefore described, and/or as illustrated in any one of the appended figures.

32. A clamp 110 substantially as hereinbefore described, and/or as illustrated with reference to any of the appended figures.