WO1990002668A1

WO1990002668A1 - A joint structure in quick-fastening load-carrier supports

Info

Publication number: WO1990002668A1
Application number: PCT/SE1989/000463
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran LIDÉN
Original assignee: Mont Blanc Industrie Ab
Priority date: 1988-09-09
Filing date: 1989-09-04
Publication date: 1990-03-22
Also published as: AU4225789A; ES2018396A6; PT91672A

Abstract

The subject invention concerns a joint structure (1) for use in quick-fastening load-carrier supports (2) which comprise a clamping member (6) which may be shifted between an operative clamping position and an inoperative non-clamping position by means of a manually operable actuating member (7). The actuating member (7) is pivotally mounted so as to perform controlled pivotal movement about a movably mounted yoke-shaped holder (8), which is mounted in a recess (9) formed in the load-carrier support (2). The holder (8) is arranged to be coupled to a load-carrier means (5) arranged to be secured to the holder (8) through clamping. The holder (8) is displaceably but non-rotationally mounted. The invention provides a possibility of providing a simple and well functioning joint structure.

Description

A JOINT STRUCTURE IN QUICK-FASTENING LOAD-CARRIER SUPPORTS

The subject invention concerns a joint structure in quick-fastening load-carrier supports, comprising a clampin member which is arranged to be shifted between its operativ clamping position and its inoperative, non-clamping positio when actuated by a manually operable actuating member.

The main object of the subject invention is primarily to provide a structure wherein simple and well protected means ensure reliable and safe operation of the structure.

This object is obtained in a joinr structure in accordance with the subject invention which is essentially, characterized therein that the actuating member is mounted for controlled pivotal movement about a movably mounted yoke-shaped holder which is received in a recess formed in the support and which is arranged to be coupled to a load carrier which may be secured to the holder by clamping action.

Two preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figs. 1-5 illustrate a first embodiment and Figs. 6-8 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention , and where

Fig. 1 shows a load carrier mounted on a vehicle roof with the aid of quick-fastening load-carrier supports in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 shows in a partly broken view a support incorp¬ orating the joint structure proper in the locked position,

Fig. 3 illustrates the support in a partly open posi¬ tion,

Fig. 4 illustrates the support in the fully open posi¬ tion,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a holder,

Fig. 6 illustrates in a perspective, partly broken view a quick-fastening load-carrier support in the closed positi thereof, Fig. 7 illustrates the support in the open position, and

Fig. 8 illustrates a mounting part which is arranged to be attached to the support and which is shown in its operative position of guidence together with a yoke-shaped holder.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention the latter concerns a joint structure 1 in a load-carrier support 2 which is of quick-fastening type and which is designed primarily with a view to be fastened to vehicle- mounted rails 4 arranged on the vehicle roof 3 in a quick, efficient and reliable manner so as to support load carrie 5 and similar means extending across the roof 3. The load- carrier support 2 comprises clamping members 6 which are arranged to be shifted respectively into and away from their operative clamping position F upon operation of a manually operable actuating member 7, the latter preferabl being in the form of manually operable handle which is mounted for controlled pivotal movement about a movably mounted yoke-shaped holder 8 which is fitted into a recess 9 in the support 2 and which may be coupled to a load carrier member 5.

The holder 8 preferably is a metal piece having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The holder is dis- placeably but non-rotationally mounted and received in a matching recess 9 which is congruent with the external configuration of the holder and which is formed in the main body 10 of the support, said body preferably consist¬ ing of plastics. The recess 9 extends along the two legs 8A, 8B and the web 8C of the holder and the width dimen¬ sions of said recess are such as to allow displacement of the holder in the direction indicated by numerals 11 , 12 (Fig. 3) in the vertical extension of the support but in such a manner that rotation of the holder about its longitudinal median axis 13 is prevented.

The holder 8 comprises a pin 14 or other similar inte connecting member by means of which the holder may be con to the load carrier 5. The connecting pin 14 preferably is threaded and arranged to pass through an aperture 15 formed in the upper end 2A of the load-carrier support 2 as to receive a suitable nut 16 or other similar fastene on its threaded part 17.

A mounting plate 18 or other suitable fastening means is designed for insertion into the interior profile cavity 19 of the load carrier 5 so as to be secured to the load- carrier base owing to the pulling force that the connect- ing pin 14 exerts on the plate 18 and the pressure exerted by the fastener nut 16.

Preferably, the position of the connecting pin 14 is adjustable in that the pin is arranged for sliding move ment in a slit 21 formed in the bottom wall 20 of the load carrier and extending in the lengthwise direction thereof. Instead of a slit extending all the way up to the end 5A of the load carrier, conventional apertures may be formed in the bottom wall of the load carrier in order to receive the holder pin 14. A pivot joint 22 interconnects the holder 8 and the actuating member 7, allowing the latter to be pivoted relatively to. the holder 8. The pivot joint 22 may compris one or several pivot shafts received in associated mountin holes 23 formed in the holder legs 8A, 8B and in the actua ing member 7. The holes in the holder legs are preferably formed in countersunk areas 8A , 8B in the holder member legs in order to reduce the risk that the holder 8 other¬ wise would be prevented by a laterally projecting pivot joint 22 from displacement along its matching reception recess 9 since it would abut against the material of said main body 10 of the load carrier support 2. The actuating member 7 is mounted in the interior of the holder 8 and in its closed position it is acommodated inside a matching recess 24 formed in the load-carrier support 2 whereby the latter obtains a smooth external configuration.

Additionally, a coupling member 25 which interconnects the actuating member 7 and the clamping member 6 is also mounted in the interior of the support 2 in the recess

24 formed therein, well protected from the exterior. Upon operation of the actuating member 7 the coupling member

25 serves to move the clamping member 6 into the position wherein the latter is fastened to the vehicle 3 when the actuating member 7 is pivoted downwards in the direction indicated by arrow 26 and to the position of release of the clamping member 6 from the vehicle 3 upon pivotal move ment of the actuating member 7 upwards in the direction of arrow 27..

The coupling member 25 could be a link arm the two ends 25A, 25B of which are pivotally connected with the actuating member 7 and with a clamping member part 28 by means of pivot shafts 29 and 30, respectively, and prefer- ably it is of the kind wherein an over-center function is provided in order to increase the force of securement in the secured position F.

Some adjustment for precise control of the clamping member 6 in relation to the coupling link arm 25 may be achieved in that the clamping member part 28 which may be in the form of an upright, one end of which is threaded for cooperation with the pivot shaft 30 mounted thereon and with a fastening nut 31 , may be shortened or lenghtene by adjustment of the nut 31. A locking means 32 which may be of conventional type, the active part of which is a pivotable locking tongue 33, is mounted in the support 2 and it is arranged for reception in a matching recess 34 formed in the actuating member 7 so as to allow the latter to be secured in its operative position when the clamping member 6 grippingly engages the vehicle rail 4. Owing to the provision of this locking means 32 unauthorised removal of the carrier suppo 2 and its associated components is prevented while at the same time this means eliminates the risks that the actuati member 7 unfastens when exposed to the effects of vibratio when the vehicle is being driven on bumpy roads.

The function of the inventive object should be appar from the above but briefly it operates in the following manner. The support 2 is placed on the vehicle rail 4 with its two gripping rail portions 35, which preferably are separate and easily exchangeable parts, facing downwards, with the actuating member 7 assuming its outwardly extendin neutral or inoperative position 0 in which the clamping member 6 is in engagement with the side of the rail 4 which is opposite to the rail side on which the gripping portions 35 are seated, and with the holder 8 coupled to a load carrier 5. In this position, the support 2 and the load carrier 5 are ready to be interconnected by pivoting the actuating member 7 downwards. When this happens, the clampi member 6 is forced by the pulling force of the front shaft 29 of the actuating member into its clamping position in secure engagement with the lower face of the vehicle rail 4. The joint structure 1, on the other hand, is affected in such a manner that its U-shaped holder 8 is displaced inside the recess 9 in the downwards direction 12 owing to the change of position of the pivot shaft 22 articulat¬ ing said holder to the actuating member 7 to a lower level than the actuating member pivot shaft 29, whereby the load carrier 5 will be efficiently and safely secured and anchor to the upper part 2A of the support 2, provided that the tigthening position of the nut 16 relatively to the pin 14 has been corrected set in advance. Owing to the provision of an upper pair of lateral flanges 36 on the support 2, the load carrier 5 and the support 2 may be securely fitted together and guided relati to each other. Secure grip interaction thus is achieved between the vehicle-mounted rail 4 and the support 2, and this grip interaction is further enhanced thanks to the provision of the gripping portions 35 which have a confi¬ guration congruent with that of the upper face of the vehic rail. Preferably, these portions consist of a material possessing considerable frictional properties, such as plastics, rubber and the like.

Removal of the support 2 from the rail 4 and the load carrier 5 is effected in the reverse order, whereby the clamping member 6 is forced to move downwards 12 , away from the rail 4, whereas the actuating member 7 affects the holder 8 in such a way that the latter is lifted inside the guide formed by the recess 9.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the inven- tion, the latter concerns a joint structure 101 for a like¬ wise quick-fastening load-carrier support 102 which in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the drawing figures 6-8 is designed particularly for use together with the drip mouldings 150 positioned above the vehicle windows so as to support e.g. a load carrier, not shown, of the same kind as that referred to in the aforegoing. This load carrier support 2 also comprises a clamping member 106 which is designed to grip the drip moulding 150 and which may be displaced to and away from, respectively, an operat clamping position CF by means of a manually operable actua ting member 107. As in the previous embodiment, the actua¬ ting member 107 preferably is in the shape of a manually operable .handle which is mounted for pivotal movement about a mounting pin 151 which is supported by a yoke-shap holder 108. The latter comprises at least two portions 152, 153 facing in opposite directions and by means of which the holder is mounted for displacement in a part of the load carrier support 102, preferably made from meta said mounting part 154 preferably being a separate piece which is disconnectable from the load-carrier support 102.

The mounting part 154 which preferably is made from plasti comprises suitable fastening means, preferably a number of hooks 155. When the mounting piece 154 is positioned in its matching recess 156 formed in the support 2 corre- sponding to the position of securement of the mounting piece 154, the latter in addition to serving as a holder mounting means also serves as an end abutment member limit ing the movement of the actuating member 107, preventing metal to metal contact between the support 102 and the actuating member 107 in the locked position CF of the latt as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The mounting portions 152, 153 of the holder 108 preferably are projecting pieces, and e.g. as illustrated in Figs. 6-8 they are in the shape of lateral flanges 152, 153 bent outwards from the yoke-shaped holder 108 which preferably has a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The flanges 152, 153 which may extend from one end 108D of the holder up to a recess 157 formed on the attachment legs 108A, 108B at the intended distance A from the holder end 108D, slide in their respective one of matching channel like guide grooves 158 or similar means which are positione on the inner face of each leg 159, 160 of the mounting piece 154.

The holder 108 supports the actuating member 107 in such a manner that the latter may be pivoted about the pivot shaft 151 which is inserted in mounting apertures formed in the attachment legs 108A, 108B spaced from said lateral flanges 152, 153. The upper end 108E of the holder 108 is connected to a threaded pin 114 which is secured to the upper wall 108C of the holder member by means of a nut 162. Intermediate said holder wall 108C and a stop collar 163 formed on a separate load carrier or an upper transverse portion of the body portion 164 of the support is held a compression spring 165 or similar means serving to force the holder member 108 downwards in the direction of arrow 112, whereas upon operation of the actuating membe to pivot the latter downward about shaft 151 in the pivotal direction 126 in the neutral, inactive position CO, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the holder 108 is forced to move upwards, in the direction indicated by arrow 111.

At the same time as the holder 108 is pushed upwards while being guided in the lateral mounting portions 158, 152, 153, an interconnecting element 125 is also actuated so as to tighten the clamping member 106 further for increa clamping action against the drip moulding 150. This inter¬ connecting element 125 may be in the form of a link arm the ends 125A, 125B of which are articulated to one of the free ends 107A of the actuating member and to a clampin member portion 128 via pivot shafts 129 and 130, respective These parts incorporated in the second embodiment of the invention function in the same way as the equivalent parts of the first embodiment described in closer detail in the aforegoing.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments de¬ scribed in the aforegoing and illustrated in the accompany¬ ing drawings but may be modified in various ways within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the inventive idea.

Claims

1. A joint structure (1;101) in quick-fastening load- carrier supports (2; 102), comprising a clamping member

(6; 106) which is arranged to be shifted between its opera tive clamping position (F;CF) and its inoperative non- clamping position by means of a manually operable actuatin member (7,-107), c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the actuating member (7; 107) is mounted for controlled pivotal movement about a movably mounted, yoke-shaped holder (8; 108) which directly or through a portion (152,15 is received in a recess (9; 158) formed in the support (2; 1 and which is arranged to be coupled to a load carrier (5) which may be secured to the holder by clamping action.

2. A joint structure as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the holder (8; 108) is displaceably but non-rotationally mounted.

3. A joint structure as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the holder ( 8) is received in a matching recess (9) which is congruent with the external configuration of the holder and which extends along the holder legs (8A, 8B) and base (8C) (Figs 1-5).

4. A joint structure as claimed in any one of claims 1-2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the holder (108) is mounted for guided movement in guide tracks (158) preferably two equally spaced apart guide tracks (158), with which tracks cooperate portions (152,153) formed on said holder (108) and preferably turned in opposite direc¬ tions.

5. A joint structure as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the guide tracks

(158) are arranged in a separate mounting piece (154) whic is removably attachable to the load-carrier support (102) and which preferably consists of a plastics material.

6. A joint structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that a pin (14; 114) or a similar coupling member is arranged to interconnect the holder (8; 108) and the load carrier (5), said coupling pin (14; 114) being threaded and arranged to extend e.g. through an aperture (145) formed in the upper end (2A) of the load-carrier support and so as to receive thereon a suitable nut (16) or similar fastening means.

7. A joint structure as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that a mounting plate (18) or other equivalent fastening means which is arranged for reception in the interior of the load carrier (5) , may be clamped to the load carrier (5) as a result of the pulling force of the coupling pin, said coupling pin (14) being movable, allowing it to be set in the desired positi along a slit (21) extending in the lenghtwise direction of the load carrier in the interior thereof.

8. A joint structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the holder (8; 108) is pivotably connected- to the actuating member (7; 107), the latter being received internally of the holder (8; 108) .

9. A joint structure as claimed in claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the actuating memb (7; 107) is arranged to be accomodated in a recess (24) formed in the load-carrier support (2; 102) as is also a clamping member interconnecting means ( 25; 125) acting betw the actuating member (7; 107) and the clamping member (6; 10 10. A joint structure in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that a locking means (32) is arranged to cooperate with the actuating member (7) to lock the actuating member (7) in a position wherein the clamping member (6) grippingly engages a vehicle-mounted rail (4).