WO2008004936A1

WO2008004936A1 - Load carrier foot for clamping a load carrier to a roof of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2008004936A1
Application number: PCT/SE2007/000614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fredrik Larsson; Jonas Poulsen
Original assignee: Thule Sweden Ab
Priority date: 2006-07-05
Filing date: 2007-06-26
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: SE0601485L; DE112007001491B4; DE112007001491T5; SE529483C2

Abstract

The present invention refers to a load carrier foot (1) for clamping a load carrier (2) to an edge portion (3) or a gutter of a vehicle (6), comprising a plate of the foot (17), which abutting against the roof (4) of the vehicle and having a downwards directed gripping edge (18), which clasp around one side of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle, a clamping jaw (20) and a tightening means (22), which is arranged to moved the clamping jaw (20) against the other side of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle, such that the load carrier foot (1) being clamped at the edge portion (3), between said clamping jaw (20) and the gripping edge (18) of the plate (17) of the foot. The essential for the invention is that said tightening means (22) comprising a linkage mechanism (25) with at least one link (23) having at least partly a resilient element (26), which during tightening provide a preload of the clamping jaw (20), wherein the resilient element (26) absorb existing tolerances of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle, and that the link (23) is being shaped to fix the resilient element (26) in clamped position, such that the link (23) can be considered as rigid with maintained preload in the linkage mechanism (25).

Description

Load carrier foot for clamping a load carrier to a roof of a vehicle

Technical area

The present invention refers to a load carrier foot for clamping a load carrier to an edge portion or a gutter of a vehicle, comprising a plate of the foot, which abutting against the roof of the vehicle and having a downwards directed gripping edge, which clasp around one side of the edge portion or the gutter of the vehicle, a clamping jaw and a tightening means, which is arranged to move the clamping jaw against the other side of the edge portion or the gutter of the vehicle, such that the load carrier foot being clamped at the edge portion, between said clamping jaw and the gripping edge of the plate of the foot.

State of the art

A load carrier of introductory described kind is previously known for example by SE 522 883, which shows a fastening device for attaching a load carrier to the roof of a vehicle. The fastening device comprising an essential rigid hook, which is connected with a load carrier foot and designed to clasp around an edge portion, which being shaped as a folding of the bodywork, in the area of the transition of the roof of the vehicle to a side of the vehicle or a door opening. By aid of a bolt the hook is tightened against the load carrier foot to attach the foot to the vehicle. A fastening means is fixed to the side of the vehicle in the area below the edge portion, wherein the hook has a prolongation which extends from the edge portion and downwards along the side of the vehicle where it cooperates with the fastening means. Thus, the fastening means forms a gap between itself and the side of the vehicle, which cooperates with the prolongation of the hook.

The previously known load carrier works satisfactory, but requires that said fastening means being firmly mounted at the vehicle, which implies increased cost.

Through EP 0364 692 is a load carrier previously known and comprising a load carrier foot, which being clamped at the vehicles roof, and fixed in correct position with aid of a pin, which extends in to a recess in the bodywork of the vehicle. The previously known load carrier also comprising a resilient element in the load carrier foot.

Problem

The problem with a load carrier of known kind is that it can be hard to fit in the load carrier, such that the load carrier foot at each end of the load carrying tube, grips around respective gutter. Often an adjusting screw exists to adapt the load carrier to different tolerances, which result in height cost for the product. In addition, there is a risk that the roof being deformed unnecessary much at a possible crash with the vehicle.

Solution

The purpose with the present invention is to achieve a load carrier foot, which admits an adaptation to different tolerance and that decrease the risk for deformation of the vehicles roof at a possible crash.

The present invention overcoming the above mentioned disadvantages with a load carrier foot of the introductory mentioned kind which is characterized in that said tightening means comprising a linkage mechanism with at least one link having at least partly a resilient element, which during tightening provide a preload of the clamping jaw, wherein the resilient element absorb existing tolerances of the edge portion or the gutter of the vehicle, and that the link is shaped to fix the resilient element in a clamped position, such that the link can be considered as rigid with maintained preload in the linkage mechanism.

Suitable the linkage mechanism comprising a first link, which in one end around a first longitudinal axle is turnable attached at the load carrier foot, a second link, which around a second longitudinal axle is turnable attached at the second end of said first link and which having an opening, which is dimensioned to embrace said first link, and a third link is arranged to said clamping jaw, which around a transverse axle is turnable attached at said second link, wherein the clamping jaw can turn around the transverse axle to a correct position in relation to a possible inclination of the edge portion or the gutter of the vehicle. The axles are located such that the first link during tightening is moved towards the load carrier foot and that the second link likewise is moved towards the load carrier foot, over the first link, wherein the second axle being turned around the first axle over an position of equilibrium and to its clamped position, where the second axle ends up ahead of the first axle with reference on a distance from the load carrier foot to a plane located parallel with the load carrier foot.

The resilient element comprising an external piston guide and an internal resilient rod piston, and said piston guide is provided with trapezoid formed grooves or similar, and the load carrier foot is provided with a seat adapted to the piston guide with corresponding grooves. The first link is moved in position at tightening of the tightening means towards the load carrier foot, such that the grooves coincide and locks the resilient element. Preferably the resilient element is dimensioned such that one achieves a preload corresponding around 100 N in clamped position.

In addition the load carrier foot comprising a body, with an upper horizontal supporting surface for the load carrying tube and towards the roof directed distance plate, wherein the upper supporting surface is provided with downwards bent edges, and wherein the distance plate is provided with inwards, in direction towards the roof, bent edges, which are arranged such that respective edge of the upper supporting surface with certain preload bear and abuts against respective edge of the distance plate, wherein the body become essential rigid for a weight in direction against the roof, but admit a deflection in direction out from the roof.

In addition, said plate of the foot is tiltable or turnable arranged at the lower portion of the body, wherein the plate of the foot adapting itself to the transverse inclination of the roof. Preferable, the body is made of a metal plate, provided with a bent of the plate adapted to the longitudinal inclination of the roof for different cars.

Brief description of the figure

A load carrier foot according to the present invention will hereafter be described with reference to enclosed figurers, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view in perspective of two load carriers, according the present invention, mounted at a gutter of a vehicle,

figure 2 is a schematic view in perspective from one side of a load carrier foot, according to figure 1 , in closed position,

figure 3 is a schematic view in perspective from a second the side of the load carrier foot, according to figure 2,

figure 4 is a schematic view in perspective of a load carrier foot, according to figure 1, in an open position, and

figure 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of a spring element included into the load carrier foot. Preferred embodiment

In figure 1 a load carrier foot 1 is shown, which is intended for fastening of a load carrier 2 at an stationary edge portion 3 or a gutter, which being shaped as a folding of the bodywork, in the area of the transition of the roof 4 of the vehicle to a side of the vehicle or a door opening 5 of a vehicle 6. In the figure only one load carrier foot 1 is shown for each load carrier 2 and to clearly illustrate the invention it is shown without any covering casing. A load carrier 2 comprising, as is well known, a load carrying tube 7, which extends across the roof 4 of the vehicles between two edge portions along the roof of the vehicle, with one in each end of the load carrying tube 7 arranged load carrier foot 1, for fastening of the load carrier 2 at the two essential parallel edge portions 3. The load carrying tube 7 can naturally have a desired cross-section, for example a square bar profile or an oval profile. The load carrier foot 1 is made of a bent plate, preferably of metal or similar rigid material.

The load carrier foot 1 is attached to the load carrying tube 7, with a mounting device 8 comprising a fastening plate 9 and a bolt (not shown). The mounting device 8 is intended to, in itself known way, be moved into a corresponding opening in the load carrying tube 7 and by aid of the bolt clamping the load carrying tube 7 between the fastening plate 9 and the load carrier foot 1. The load carrier foot 1 is movable along the opening in the load carrying tube 7 and fixable in the correct position in relation to the essential parallel edge portions 3.

An important part of the invention is that the load carrying tube 7 is turnable attached at the load carrier foot 1, that is that the load carrier foot 1 being shaped in such way that it yield at a possible crash. According to the present invention the load carrier foot 1 thereby comprising a body 10 made of a steel plate, with an upper flat supporting surface 11 for the load carrying tube 7 and a towards the roof 4 bent distance plate 12. To withstand load the upper supporting surface 11 is provided with downwards bent edges 13 and 14, and the distance plate 12 is provided with inwards, in direction towards the roof 4, bent edges 15 and 16. At ordinary use of the load carrier foot 1 the body 10 is bent in such way that the edge 13 with certain preload bear and abuts against the edge 15, and the edge 14 bear and abuts against the edge 16. The body 10 become hereby essential rigid for weight in direction against the roof 4, but admit a deflection in direction out from the roof 4. The load carrier 2 will thus act as an essential rigid bracket over the roof 4 at ordinary load conditions. Contrary to known load carriers, which provide a relatively fixed connection of the load carrying tube to the load carrier foot, the load carrying tube 7 according to the present invention, will firstly bend itself and twist respective load carrier foot 1, at a possible crash with the vehicle when the load carrier carrying heavy load, and thus the body 10 of respective load carrier foot 1 become deformed. Hereby the damages on the roof of the vehicle will decrease and consequently the cost for a repair will also decrease.

The load carrier foot 1 comprising in the lower portion of the body 10 at least a tillable or turnable plate 17 of the foot, suitable made of a plastic material or similar, which abutting against the roof 4 of the vehicle and having a downwards directed gripping edge 18, which clasp around one side of the edge portion 3 or the gutter of the vehicle. The plate 17 of the foot comprising a snap-in closure (not shown in detail), which in itself in known manner can be made of a plastic material designed as a partly cylindrical recess which clasp around a circular axle in the end of the body 10, for tiltable fixing the plate 17 of the foot to the load carrier foot 1. The plate 17 of the foot thereby adapting itself to the transverse inclination of the roof 4. Through a simple bending 19 of the body 10 and a possible cutting of the plate is it possible to adapt the height of the body at low cost to the roof and the longitudinal inclination of the roof 4 for different cars.

The load carrier foot 1 also comprising a clamping jaw 20 and a tightening means 22, which is arranged to moved the clamping jaw against the second side of the edge portion 3 or the gutter of the vehicle, such that the load carrier foot 1 being clamped at the gutter 3, between said clamping jaw 20 and the gripping edge 18 of the plate of the foot 17. The clamping jaw 20 may also comprise at least one extending pin 21 or similar, which is intended to extend into a corresponding recess (not shown) in the edge portion 3 or in the gutter of the vehicle.

The tightening means 22 comprising in the shown embodiment a shackle or a handle 24, and a linkage mechanism 25. The linkage mechanism 25 comprising a first link 23, which in one end 27 around a first longitudinal axle 28 is turnable attached to the body 10, a second link 29, which around a second longitudinal axle 30 is turnable attached at the other end 31 of said first link 23 and which having a opening 32 which is dimensioned to embrace said first link 23, and a third link 33 arranged to said clamping jaw 20, which is turnable attached around a transverse axle 34 at said second link 29. The clamping jaw 20 can thus be turned around the axle 34 to the correct position in relation to a possible inclination of the edge portion 3 or the gutter of the vehicle. The axles 28 and 30 are located such that the first link 23 is moved at tightening towards the body 10 and the second link 29 is also moved towards the body 10 over the first link 23, wherein the second axle 30 being turned around the first axle 28 over a position of equilibrium and in such way that the second axle 30 end up behind the first axle 28 with reference to a distance from the body 10 to a plane located parallel with the body 10.

Preferably, the first link 23, according the present invention, is shaped of at least partly a resilient element 26. By using the resilient element 26 it become possible to absorb existing tolerances of the edge portion 3 or the gutter of the vehicle. Preferable, the resilient element26 is in the shape of an external piston guide 35 and an internal resilient rod piston 36. The tension of the spring is chosen such that one will have a preload corresponding to around 100 N in clamped position. In the example shown the piston guide 35 is provided with trapezoid formed grooves 37 and the body 10 being provided with a seat 38 adopted to the piston guide 35 with corresponding grooves 39, whereby the first link 23, at tightening of the tightening means 22, being moved in position towards the body 10 such that the grooves 37 and 38 coincide and locks the resilient element 26. Hereby preventing the resilient element 26 to be influenced, by vibration or similar stress, during operation. Naturally, it is possible to lock the resilient element 26 in another known way, for example an opening and a dowel, but by using grooves 37 and 39 according to the present invention an automatic adjustment of the position of the piston guide 35 is also achieved at varying tolerance between different vehicles. When the resilient element26 is in clamped position, and by aid of the grooves 37 and 39, being fixed relative to the body 10, the first link 23 can be considered as rigid, but at the same time the preload of the linkage mechanism 25 remain.

Claims

1. Load carrier foot (1) for clamping a load carrier (2) to an edge portion (3) or a gutter of a vehicle (6), comprising a plate of the foot (17), which abutting against the roof (4) of the vehicle and having a downwards directed gripping edge (18), which clasp around one side of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle, a clamping jaw (20) and a tightening means (22), which is arranged to moved the clamping jaw (20) against the other side of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle, such that the load carrier foot (1) being clamped at the edge portion (3), between said clamping jaw (20) and the gripping edge (18) of the plate (17) of the foot, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said tightening means (22) comprising a linkage mechanism (25) with at least one link (23) having at least partly a resilient element (26), which during tightening provide a preload of the clamping jaw (20), wherein the resilient element (26) absorb existing tolerances of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle, and that the link (23) is being shaped to fix the resilient element (26) in clamped position, such that the link (23) can be considered as rigid with maintained preload in the linkage mechanism (25).

2. Load carrier foot according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said linkage mechanism (25) comprising a first link (23), which in one end (27) around a first longitudinal axle (28) is turnable attached at the load carrier foot (1), a second link (29), which around a second longitudinal axle (30) is turnable attached at the second end (31) of said first link (23) and which having an opening (32) which is dimensioned to embrace said first link (23).

3. Load carrier foot according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a third link (33) is arranged to said clamping jaw (20), which around a transverse axle (34) is turnable attached at said second link (29), wherein the clamping jaw (20) can turn around the axle (34) to correct position in relation to possible inclination of the edge portion (3) or the gutter of the vehicle.

4. Load carrier foot according to claim 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the axles (28, 30) are located such that the first link (23) during tightening being moved towards the load carrier foot (1) and that the second link (29) likewise being moved towards the load carrier foot (1) over the first link (23), wherein the second axle (30) being turned around the first axle (28), over an position of equilibrium and to its clamped position where the second axle (30) ends up ahead of the first axle (28) with reference on a distance from the load carrier foot (1) to a plane located parallel with the load carrier foot (1).

5. Load carrier foot according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said resilient element (26) comprising an external piston guide (35) and an internal resilient rod piston (36) and that said piston guide (35) is provided with trapezoid formed grooves (37) or similar, and that the load carrier foot (1) is provided with a seat (38) adapted to the piston guide (35) with corresponding grooves (39), wherein the first link (23), at tightening of the tightening means (22), being moved in position towards the load carrier foot (1) such that the grooves (37, 38) coincide and locks the resilient element (26).

6. Load carrier foot according to claim 5, characterized in that the resilient element (26) is dimensioned such that one achieves a preload corresponding around 100 N in clamped position.

7. Load carrier foot according any of the claims 1 to 6, comprising a body (10), with an upper horizontal supporting surface (11) for the load carrying tube (7) and towards the roof (4) directed distance plate (12), characterized in that the upper supporting surface (11) is provided with downwards bent edges (13, 14), and that the distance plate (12) is provided with inwards, in direction towards the roof (4), bent edges (15, 16), which are arranged such that respective edge (13, 14) of the upper supporting surface (11) with certain preload bear and abuts against respective edge (15, 16) of the distance plate (12), wherein the body (10) become essential rigid for weight in direction against the roof (4), but admit a deflection in direction out from the roof (4).

8. Load carrier foot according to claim 7, characterized in that said plate (17) of the foot is tiltable or turnable arranged at the lower portion of the body (10), wherein the plate (17) of the foot adapting itself to the transverse inclination of the roof (4).

9. Load carrier foot according to claim 8, characterized in that the body (10) is made of plate, with a bent (19) of the plate adapted to the longitudinal inclination of the roof (4) for different cars.