Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D43/00—Spare wheel stowing, holding, or mounting arrangements
  • B62D43/02—Spare wheel stowing, holding, or mounting arrangements external to the vehicle body

Definitions

• Articulated device for supporting a spare wheel and vehicle comprising a device of this type
• the present invention relates to an articulated device for supporting a spare wheel at the rear of a vehicle. More particularly, the articulated device according to the invention makes it possible to carry this wheel behind the bodywork of the vehicle, in particular by attaching itself to an element holding the hitch to the chassis.
• Prior art is known articulated arms mounted at the rear and the bottom of the vehicle, including an all-terrain vehicle.
• the arm is folded against the rear door of the vehicle when the latter is closed.
• the wheel is thus carried just behind this rear door.
• the arm is spaced so as to clear the space behind the rear door and allow its opening.
• the door thus opens without having to lift the weight of the wheel compared to systems where this wheel would be completely supported by the rear door.
• the technical problem to be solved by the invention is therefore to find an alternative for producing a more universal emergency spare wheel support device.
• a first object of the invention is an articulated device for supporting a spare wheel at the rear of a vehicle, this articulated device comprising a a vehicle attachment interface and a spare wheel maintenance interface, wherein the articulated device and said attachment interface are arranged such that said attachment interface can be directly attached to a support member of a coupling crossmember with said interface for holding back the vehicle body, so that the holding interface is able to maintain a spare wheel behind the vehicle.
• support member of a crossmember means the support member of the crossmember on a vehicle chassis.
• the support member is adapted to be fixed on the one hand to the frame and on the other hand to the crossbar coupling.
• the support device according to the invention can be mounted on a robust piece, designed to withstand heavy loads, including loads such as those that support a hitch, without being dependent on the shape of the cross of the coupling.
• the support device according to the invention also supports a wheel without the vehicle is delivered with a hitch. Indeed, the presence or not of a hitch is optional on vehicles.
• the articulated device comprises a fixed part comprising the fastening interface and a movable part articulated in rotation on the fixed part about an axis of rotation,
• the fixing interface comprises a contact surface comprising one or more fastening means arranged so as to allow the attachment of the contact surface to and against a wall,
• the fastening means may be holes through which screws may pass, for example to mount the fastening interface on the support member by means of bolts;
• the fixing interface may be a flat wall; this allows a firm hold;
• the axis of rotation may be behind said contact surface; this facilitates fixing under the chassis of the vehicle;
• the fixed part comprises a fixing tube carried by the fixing interface and on which is articulated directly or indirectly the movable part; this makes it possible to simply produce a solid support piece; this fixing tube may for example be a profile;
• the fixing interface may comprise on one side said contact surface and on the other a connecting surface of which at least a portion gives inside the fixing tube, the fixing tube comprising a wall access to vis-à-vis said connecting surface, the or at least one of the fastening means passing through said fastening interface and opening into the fixing tube, the access wall having a screw access opening to the place where the fastening means or means open into the fixing tube; this allows to fix the attachment interface to the connecting member through the fixing tube; for example, it is easy to fix the end or a wall of the fixing tube against the support member;
• the articulated device may comprise a shutter closing the access opening; this avoids the entry of liquid into the fixing tube;
• the attachment tube may be separate from the attachment interface and include:
• a first branch with a first end fixed to the attachment interface, o an elbow comprising the access opening, o a second branch connected to a second end of the first branch by the elbow, the movable part being articulated on the second branch;
• the tube is closed on one side by a fixing plate forming the fixing interface; it is a simple form of embodiment, allowing both the maintenance of the frame and the closure of one side of the fixing tube.
• Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising:
• a support member for a coupling crossmember the support member being fixed to a lower part of the frame, the support member being arranged to be able to maintain at least partly a crossmember
• articulated device is attached directly to and supported by the support member.
• this vehicle comprises a support device of the type of the support device according to the invention and enjoys the advantages of the latter.
• this vehicle may or may not be delivered with a hitch, while having a support device for the rear wheel supported by the same support member as that for maintaining a cross member of the hitch on the vehicle frame.
• the articulated device of the vehicle can therefore be an articulated device according to the invention.
• the support member comprises a vertical support plate to which is attached the articulated device; thus, the support member is a simple piece to achieve; for example, the support member may be entirely formed by the support plate;
• the support plate extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the support plate thus having an inner side opposite to an outer side, the hinged device being attached to the outer side of the support plate; this makes it easier to shift the articulated device on the side of the vehicle;
• the vehicle includes: a first support member and a second support member, these two support members being arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first support member being the support member supporting the articulated device,
• a hitch beam with a first end attached to the inner side of the first support member and a second end attached to the inner side of the second support member;
• the vehicle is both equipped with the hitch and the articulated device;
• the attachment is simple because the crossbar coupling and the articulated device are fixed on either side of the support member;
• Fixing the hitch crossbar and the hinged device to the support plate is formed by at least one common fastening element; this reduces the number of parts used for assembly and thus simplify assembly and reduce weight; for example it is the same fasteners which serve to fix both the device articulated to the support plate and the crossbar coupling to the support plate;
• the support member supporting the articulated device is attached to a chassis spar; this allows a solid support of the spare wheel and possibly the coupling of the vehicle;
• the vehicle comprises a rear shield masking the crossbar coupling, the rear shield having an opening through which the fixed part of the articulated device; it is an achievement to fix higher the crossbar coupling, especially at the factory outlet.
• the terms “up” and “down”, “upper” and “lower”, “above”, “below” are applied according to the orientation of the articulated device as it is intended to be mounted on the vehicle.
• Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary articulated device according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the articulated device of Figure 1 mounted on a hitch support member;
• Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the elements of Figure 2 mounted on the chassis of a vehicle;
• Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the elements of Figure 2, with a hitch attached on one side to the support member of Figure 2 and on the other side to another support member;
• Figure 5 is a horizontal section of a portion of Figure 2;
• FIG. 6 is a horizontal section of a portion of Figure 4.
• Figure 7 is a rear view of an exemplary vehicle according to the invention, equipped with the articulated device of Figure 1, the articulated device being in a folded position vis-à-vis the rear of the vehicle;
• Figure 8 is a horizontal section of the articulated device and the spare wheel of the vehicle of Figure 7;
• Figure 9 is a vertical section of a portion of the articulated device of Figure 1;
• Figures 10 and 11 are rear views of the vehicle of Figure 7 but with the articulated device oriented relative to the folded position respectively of 90 ° and 180 °.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an articulated support device 1 according to the invention. It is an articulated device for supporting a spare wheel at the rear of a vehicle, in particular as mounted as illustrated in FIG.
• the orientation of the articulated device 1 corresponds to that which it is intended to have, once mounted on the vehicle 7.
• FIG. 7 thus represents an example of a vehicle according to the invention.
• the articulated device As illustrated in FIG. 1, the articulated device
• the articulated device 1 comprises an attachment interface 21 to a vehicle, here formed by an attachment plate 21.
• the articulated device 1 also comprises a maintenance interface 41 of a spare wheel, here formed by a plate 41 of circular contour.
• the articulated device 1 comprises at the bottom a fixed part 2 and at the top a mobile part 4 rotatably articulated on the fixed part 2 about an axis of rotation A, extending vertically.
• the fixed part 2 comprises a fixing tube 20 formed by a profile, here metallic, bent, so that it comprises a bend 30 separating the fixing tube 20 into a first form 28 and a second branch 29.
• the first branch 28 has a first end fixed to the attachment plate 21 and a second end connected to a first end of the second branch 29 by the elbow 30.
• the attachment tube 20, its branches 28, 29, and its elbow 30 are arranged horizontally.
• the fixed portion 2 may comprise a tubular base 32 fixed on an upper wall of the second branch 29 and extending transversely thereto, or vertically in Figure 1.
• This base 32 can as here, end with a first bearing 33 of the articulation of the articulated device 1.
• the first end of the first branch 28 and the second end of the second branch 29 can respectively form the first and second ends of the attachment tube 20.
• the first and second ends of the fixing tube 20 can be closed respectively by the fixing plate 21, which is here welded to the first leg 28, and by a closure cap 34, fitted into the second end.
• the inside of the fixing tube 20 is thus protected from water and dirt.
• the fixing tube 20 may have a square section, in particular with rounded corners.
• the mobile part 4 is articulated on the second branch 29 via the base 32.
• the moving part 4 comprises a second bearing
• This second bearing 43 forms the lower end of a mast 44 extending along the axis of rotation A.
• the first and second bearings 33, 43, are arranged perpendicularly to this axis of rotation A.
• the second bearing 43 is carried by and rotatably supported on the first bearing 33. The second bearing 43 can thus rotate about the axis of rotation A on this first bearing 33, which is fixed to it relative to the fixing plate 21.
• the movable part 4 comprises an arm 45, a first end of which is connected to the mast 44.
• This arm 45 extends transversely, here horizontally, with respect to the axis of rotation A.
• a reinforcement bar 46 may, as here, connect the arm 45 to the bottom of the mast 44, so as to form a support bracket.
• the plate 41 is fixed on a second end of this arm 45.
• the arrangement of the fixing tube 20, and in particular here of its bend 30, is formed so that the plate 41 is behind the fixing plate 21, so that when the fixing plate 21 is fixed to the vehicle, the plate 41 is behind the body 10 of the vehicle 7, thus allowing the maintenance of a spare wheel 8 behind the vehicle 7.
• the articulated device 1 is intended to be mounted on a support member 5 of a coupling crossmember, in particular a support member 5 comprising a support plate 50 which fixes itself to the chassis 11 of the vehicle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter.
• this support member 5 is only used to carry the articulated device 1, the vehicle 7 not having a hitch.
• the illustrated support plate 50 can still be called pulling.
• the support member 5 is entirely formed by the support plate 50, which here comprises two upper support portions. These upper support portions are fixed by support bolts 53 to a spar 12 of the vehicle, this spar 12 extending in a longitudinal direction XI.
• the fixing plate 21 comprises a contact surface 22 pressed on the outer side, here the right side, of a rear portion of the support plate 50.
• the contact surface 22 here comprises two fixing holes 23 passing through the fixing plate 21 and forming the fastening means 23 of the contact surface 22 to the support plate 50.
• This fixing can be done, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, by fixing bolts 54, 56, whose screw passes through the fixing plate 21 and the support plate 50.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a horizontal section passing through these fixing bolts 54, 56.
• the support plate 50 is firmly plated and fixed to the spar 12 in a longitudinal and vertical orientation, and therefore, the attachment plate 21 is held firmly to the frame 11 in a longitudinal and vertical orientation .
• the attachment tube 20 extends first transversely towards the outside of the vehicle 7, then towards the rear thereof, positioning the base 32 and therefore the axis of rotation A, behind the fixing plate 21, more particularly behind the frame 11 and the bodywork 10 of the vehicle 7, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7.
• the arm 45 is in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7 in the folded position, thus the plate 41 is arranged behind the body 10, more particularly behind the rear door 13 of the vehicle 7.
• the fixing plate 21 and thus the articulated device 1 are arranged to attach directly to a support member 5 of a crossbar coupling, while having the plate 41 and the spare wheel 8 positioned behind. of the chassis 11 and the bodywork 10, more particularly behind the rear door 13.
• the vehicle comprises a rear bumper 17 hiding the crossbar 60, the rear bumper 17 having an opening 18 through which the second branch 29 of the articulated device 1 comes out.
• the rim 80 is on the one hand held in position on the plate 41 by positioning studs 81 extending from the rear surface 42 of the plate 41, and on the other hand, fixed on this plate 41 by a thumbscrew 83, which is tightened from the rear a holding bowl 82 against the rim 80, so that the latter is engaged in a vice between the holding bowl 82 and the rear surface 42 of the plate 41.
• the fixing plate 21 comprises on one side the contact surface 22 and on the other a connecting surface 24, against which the first end of the fixing tube 20 is fixed, so that that the latter is closed by the fixing plate 21 to its first end. Therefore, a portion of the surface of the connection 24 gives inside the fixing tube 20.
• This portion comprises, here, one of the fixing holes 23, which is traversed by the screw of one of the fixing bolts, hereinafter first fixing bolt 54.
• first fixing bolt 54 hereinafter first fixing bolt 54.
• the head 55 of this screw is inside the fixing tube 20.
• the bend 30 here comprises an access wall forming portion 25 arranged opposite the connecting surface 24 and the first fixing bolt 54, in particular of its screw head. Indeed, this access wall 25 is traversed by an access opening 26 vis-à-vis one of the fixing holes 23 which receives the first attachment bolt 54, and therefore the screw head 55 In this example, the access opening 26, this fixing hole 23, and once mounted on the support plate 50, the screw of the first fixing bolt 54, are aligned with the screwing axis B of the first 54. As a result, it is easy to screw the first fixing bolt 54 with a tool, accessing from the inside of the fixing tube 20 to the screw head 55.
• a shutter 27 closes this access opening 26 to prevent entry of water or dirt.
• the support plate 50 comprises an outer side 51 and an inner side 52, which once mounted are arranged respectively on the wing side and on the longitudinal axis side of the vehicle 7.
• the support plate 50 only supports the articulated device 1, which is mounted against the outer side 51 of the support plate 50.
• this support plate 50 is able to maintain a hitch. Therefore, this support plate 50 firmly and securely holds the articulated device 1 to the frame 11, here a lower part, in particular the right spar 12.
• the arrangement of the articulated device 1 with respect to the diameter D of the spare wheel makes it possible, in the folded-down position, to keep the spare wheel 8 in a position situated under the rear window 14, left of the right taillight 15 and above a towing ring 16.
• Figure 9 illustrates a section passing through the axis of rotation A and an indexing finger 47, the arm 45 being in the folded position. This FIG. 9 illustrates the articulation of the articulated device 1.
• the mast 44 comprises an upper portion extending vertically above the second bearing 43.
• the mast 44 also comprises a cylindrical lower portion, of circular section and extending vertically below the second bearing 43.
• the lower portion of the mast 44 extends inside a cylindrical housing 38 of the tubular base 32.
• This cylindrical housing 38 has a circular section whose internal diameter is adjusted to the diameter external of the lower portion of the mast 44, thus allowing the rotation of the lower portion of the mast 44 in the base 32 while maintaining the mast 44 vertical.
• the lower portion of the mast 44 comprises at its lower end an annular groove 48.
• the articulated device 1 comprises a transverse screw 31 screwed radially downwards and through the tubular wall of the base 32. The end of this transverse screw 31 is housed in the groove 48, at a distance from the bottom of this groove 48, so it leaves the mast 44 free in rotation but limits the vertical movements relative to the base 32. This prevents the mast 44 dislodges the base 32.
• the diameter of the transverse screw 31 can be adjusted to the height of the groove 48, so as to prevent any vertical play of the mast 44.
• the first bearing 33 comprises three indexing holes 35, 37.
• the first and third indexing holes 35 and 37 are aligned in an alignment direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation A.
• the second indexing hole, not shown, is at 90 ° to this alignment direction.
• the second bearing 43 carries an indexing finger 47, a portion of which is fixed to this second bearing 43 and a portion is able to be raised and lowered with respect to this second bearing 43, to fit into one of the holes of FIG. indexing or to disengage from it.
• the index finger 47 is housed in the first indexing hole 35, keeping the arm 45 in the folded position.
• the indexing finger 47 is moved upwards, out of the first indexing hole 35.
• the arm 45 is then rotated in first or second open position, the finger indexing 47 then went down to lodge in respectively the second indexing hole or the third indexing hole 37.
• FIG. 4 Another advantage of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is that the same support member 5, in this example the same support plate 50, can be used to also support a crossbar 60.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an equipment comprising a hitch 6 and intended to be fitted to the longitudinal members of the chassis of the vehicle 7.
• the chassis and the vehicle are not represented for this assembly. Only the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle is represented.
• This equipment comprises two support members 5, 5 '.
• the first support member 5 is to the right of the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle and the second support member 5 'is to the left of the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.
• the first support member is the support member 5 illustrated in the preceding figures and whose support plate is hereinafter referred to as the first support plate 50.
• the second support member 5 ' is like the first support member 5 formed by a support plate, hereinafter second support plate 50'.
• the latter is arranged to be fixed vertically and longitudinally to the left spar, not shown, of the vehicle chassis.
• the first support member 5 would be devoid of an articulated device, and the symmetrical articulated device would be fixed on the outer side 51 'of the second support plate 50'.
• the hitch 6 comprises a hitch cross-member 60 supporting a hitching hook 63.
• Figure 6 illustrates a horizontal section through the mounting holes 23 in the presence of a hitch.
• the attachment plate 21 is fixed to the outer side 51 of the first support plate 50.
• a first end 61 of the cross member of coupling 60 is fixed to the inner side 52 of the first support member 5, here via an end plate 64 welded to the first end 61 of the crossbar 60.
• the end plate 64 is pressed against the inner side 52 of the first support plate 50.
• Fixing bolts 54, 56 pass right through and clamp together both the attachment plate 21, the first support plate 50 and the end plate 64, so that the first support plate 50 is clamped between the fixing plate 21 and the end plate 64. It is therefore a simple embodiment, in which the same fixing elements, here the fixing bolts 54, 56 allow attachment to the first attachment plate 50 of both the crossbar 60 and the articulated device 1.
• a second end 62 of the crossbar is attached to the inner side, not visible in Figure 4, the second support plate 50 '.
• the support plates 50, 50 support the forces exerted on the coupling via the coupling hook 63.
• the articulated device 1 is essentially supported by the right support plate 50.
• the support plate 50 serving indifferently to support an articulated device 1 of spare wheel 8 and / or a crossmember 60.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
• Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=59070776

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 2017
  • 2017-02-14 FR FR1751192A patent/FR3062843B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-02-06 RU RU2019128659A patent/RU2749743C2/ru active
  • 2018-02-06 WO PCT/FR2018/050289 patent/WO2018150122A1/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events