WO1993007028A1

WO1993007028A1 - Loading-floor for a car

Info

Publication number: WO1993007028A1
Application number: PCT/NL1992/000173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hemmo Hermannes Johannes Ludoph
Original assignee: Ludoph Hemmo Hermannes Johanne
Priority date: 1991-10-03
Filing date: 1992-10-02
Publication date: 1993-04-15
Also published as: NL9101665A

Abstract

The invention in question is a multi-purpose load-carrier, effectively in the shape of a floor, fastened on the rear of a car. Existing carriers are nearly always designed to carry bicycles and are mounted to the drawhook. These systems including the drawhook are heavy, expensive and not suitable for luggage of all kinds. Moreover bicycles on these carriers stick out considerably at the sides of the car. The invention in question is composed of a load-platform (1) and a console (2) as the connecting link to the car. It has the following characteristics: 1) the console is connected to the car with supports on the bumper and with clamps at the sides of the car or in the wheel-arch; 2) the console has transversely a bridge-part, designed as a higher support to attach bicycles or other loads; 3) the load-platform has provisions to place detachable lashing devices, wheelgutters and other such items; 4) wheelgutters are mounted at such an oblique angle, that bicycles placed in these, rarely stick out at the width of the car.

Description

Loadinκ-floor for a car.

The invention in question is a load-carrier for cars, effectively in the shape of a multi-purpose floor, which is fastened to the rear of the car in such a way as to lengthen the own floor of the car.

5

Existing carriers are nearly always designed for the transport of one or more bicycles. Mostly these carriers are mounted to the drawhook, which has to be provided additionally. Also there are a few carriers, which utelise 10 both bumper and boot.

These systems have principal disadvantages. The first system uses a drawhook, constructed to tow a caravan with a mass of up to 700 kg. Using the globular end of the

15 drawhook to mount a large flat construction, it gives the appearance of an emergency construction. Also the weight and the price of the drawhook are undesirable for this type of application. Carriers which currently utelise both bumper and boot are generally not effective, because the

20 boot is not constructed to bear the extra forces.

Additionally existing systems do not offer an universal loading-floor to transport bicycles, sportgoods, cases and do-it-yourself materials for house and garden. A final remark about current bicycles-carriers is, that the

25 wheels of the cycles stick out considerably at the sides of the car. This reduces the road handling and safety, and also increases the air resistance.

To avoid the disadvantages mentioned earlier, the loading- - -30 floor according to the invention has 2 main components: the load platform and the console. An example of the invention in question is given in the accompanying figures.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET In figure 1. a top view is shown, where 1. is the load platform and 2. the console. On the load platform luggage 35 of all kinds can be placed and there is provision to mount securing anchors, lashing devices, wheelgutters and such. The. utters for the front wheels of bicycles, marked with 3. are placed at an angle with the transverse axis of the car. On the load platform the front wheels in question 40 remain at such an oblique angle, that the bicycles rarely stick out of the width of the car. This influences in a positive way the road handling, safety and air resistance. Also the load platform can be enlarged or reduced easily. The second main component in figure 1. is the console ^5 2_i. This console designed to mount the luggage-floor on the car is a new and unique way. In figure 2. is given in a side view how the console is fixed to the car and how the parts would be assembled. At each side of the car passes a reaction arm . from the rear wheel arch to the rear 50 bumper. At the rear side of the bumper is standing in transverse direction the bridge-bar 5« Between the bridge- bar and the reaction arms are two connecting pieces 6. The assembly of two reaction-arms 4-., the bridge-bar 5-_» and two connecting pieces 6. together these comprise the 5 console. This console can be mounted to the car with clamps 7- at the sides or in the wheel-arches and with supports 8. on the bumper.

The load-platform is hung on the console at the position of the connecting pieces and in such a way, that 0 it can be fold back into almost a vertical position. In unladen fold-back position the complete loading-floor takes up little space. At parking places and such this is a distinct advantage. The bridge-part 5« of the console in figure 2. has also a function as a higher support for 5 luggage, bicycles and other such items. This bridge-part stands almost vertically and the deviation from the vertical is chosen in such a way that the boot of the car can be opened completely, when the load-platform is in laden or unladen position.

Claims

Olaims

1. A loading-floor, constructed as an open or closed frame, which is connected to the rear side of a car and effectively lengthening the floor of the car with the characteristic that the floor is connected to the car by means of a console, which has supports on the bumper and clamps at the sides of the car or in the wheel-arches.

2. A loading-floor according to claim 1. with the characteristic, that the console has a bridge-part as a support at a certain height above the load platform to attach bicycles and luggage. It is designed in such a way as to enable easy opening of the boot of the car.

3- A loading-floor according to claim 1. and 2. with the characteristic that the load platform of the floor has provisions to place detachable lashing devices, wheel- gutters and other such items.

4. A loading-floor according to the previous claims with the characteristic that on the load platform wheel¬ gutters are mounted at such an oblique angle, that bicycles placed in these, rarely stick out at the width of the car. 5- A loading-floor in substance as indicated in the description and/or shown in the figures.