Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
_ 2143282
Load carrying arrangement for attachment of a load carrier
to the rear of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a load carrying arrangement in
accordance with the preamble of claim 1, 16 or 21~
When transporting loads or objects to be transported on a
load carrier, the problem of a detachable mounting of the
load carrier on the vehicle arises for those vehicles which
are not intended to be permanently equipped with the load
carrier, such as e.g. passenger cars and limousines, With
a detachable mounting, the load carrier can be detached
from the vehicle and stored away when not needed.
A load carrying arrangement of the kind mentioned in the
introduction is described in EP-A-0 128 088. In this known
load carrying arrangement the load carrier part has two
vertical coupling pins, having a horizontal transverse
spacing from one another, with which it can be inserted
from above into vertical coupling holes of the support
device. With this known configuration there is provided in
the inserted condition a form-fitting fixing of the load
carrier part in the inserted position.
Special locking elements, which lock the load carrier part
in the inserted position, are not described.
Further, with this known load carrier arrangement there is
provided an additional carrier part, on the vehicle side,
which projects from the vehicle body rearwardly and which
can be mounted selectively with the load carrier part
and/or a ball neck with a component of a trailer coupling
devlce .
With a load carrier arrangement known from US 3 794 227r in
which the load carrier extends in substance over the entir2
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width of the vehicle, two coupling devices are provided for
its detachable mounting which are arranged to the two sides
of the vehicle each with a sleeve-like plug in socket and
a plug-in pin engaging therein, and a coupling screw~ In
the known configuration the coupling devices are arranged
beneath the vehicle. The load carrier has two support arms
which extend horizontally forwardly from the lateral lower
end regions of the load carrier and have the coupling pins
at their forward ends.
This known configuration is disadvantageous for several
reasons. On the one hand, due to the arrangement of the
coupling devices beneath the vehicle body, the ground
clearance of the vehicle is impaired. Further, with a
demounted load carrier, the coupling parts associated with
the vehicle body are visible, which is disturbing in
particular with vehicles used for passenger transportation,
such as passenger cars and mobile homes, and detracts from
the appearance of the vehicle. Moreover, these coupling
parts are exposed to damage, e.g. by stone impacts, and to
dirt accumulation, which adversely affects the mounting of
the load carrier. A further disadvantage must be seen in
the fact that the support arms extend from the load carrier
from comparatively low positions and the load carrier must
therefore be constructed with a comparatively great depth
in its forward region, bearing the support arms, whereby
the ground clearance of the vehicle is further impaired~
The object of the invention is to provide a load carrying
arrangement of the kinds described in the introduction such
that a ready and trouble-free mounting of the load carrier
is ensured whilst affording an improved appearance of the
vehicle.
This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 or 16.
In the load carrying arrangement in accordance with the
invention according to claim 1, which is delimited with
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regard to the prior art according to EP-A-0 128 088, the
coupling part associated with the vehicle body is arranged
inside the vehicle body and is accessible for the coupling
part associated with the load carrier through a through
guide hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the
- vehicle. Furthermore, the actuation element for arresting
and releasing the coupling device is arranged outside the
vehicle body and is therefore easily and readily accessible
to the user. With the embodiment according to the
invention, the presence of the coupling device for the load
carrier is not recognizable on the vehicle when the load
carrier is demounted, except for the through guide hole~
so that the appearance of the vehicle is not impaired and
the coupling parts associated with the vehicle body are
protected from dirt accumulation as well as from damage~
The through guide hole can be closed by means of a closure
element in the form of a disk, a ring or a pin, whereby a
clamping or catch device is preferably associated with such
a closure element for retention in its closure position in
the through guide hole.
With the embodiment according to the invention, lack of
susceptibility with regard to dirt accumulation is already
provided in that the through guide hole is rearwardly open
so that dirt can scarcely enter. The closure element
furthermore protects against dust accumulation and perfects
the appearance of the vehicle.
A further advantage of the embodiment according to the
invention is that the coupling devices do not impair the
ground clearance of the vehicle and also, on account of
their upward spacing from the lower side of the vehicle
body, make possible a more favourable construction of the
rear carrier, since in its region bearing the support arm
it need not be dimensioned with such a depth as in the case
of the known configuration.
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The embodiment according to the invention is in particular
suitable for modern vehicles, in which no separate bumper
or bumper spaced apart from the vehicle body is provided,
but in which a so-called "bumper" is arranged directly on
the outer shell of the vehicle body or is arranged in one
piece integrated into the outer shell. In such an
embodiment only a single through guide hole is necessary,
and it is also advantageous to arrange the coupling device
in the height region of such a bumper~
The configuration according to claim 16, which is delimited
with regard to the prior art according to EP-A-0 128 088~
leads to the advantage that the coupling device is
mountable by hanging the support part on. Such a hang-on
mounting makes pivoting possible and thus represents an
easily mountable and also stable configuration. For
securing the hang-on device against lift-out in the
upwardly pivoted position a simple form-fitting connection
may very advantageously be realized which brings about a
form-fitting engagement with the part of the load carrier
which bears the support part by means of the pivoting up of
the support part. In such a case merely arresting against
return pivoting is required, which may preferably also be
brought about by a form-fitting connection.
The advantage of the configuration in accordance with the
invention according to claim 21, which is delimited with
regard to the state of the art according to EP-A-0 128 088
or US 3 794 227, is provided by mounting the coupling parts
associated with the vehicle body on the mounting elements
of the vehicle body which are provided for the attachment
of a trailer coupling. This leads to a substantial
simplification of the construction, in particular of the
vehicle, as no additional mounting elements need be
provided for the rear carrier. Furthermore, the strength or
these mounting elements also suffices for the attachment of
a rear carrier.
2143282
In the subclaims, features are contained which lead to
simple, stable, economically manufacturable and ready
mountable and demountable configurations of low weight~
It is advantageous to provide that the rear carrier, or the
support part thereof which bears the load, is pivotable
around a horizontal transverse axis and fixable in its
pivoted up position. This configuration is in particular
advantageous for objects to be transported which are of
greater height, and makes it possible - by downwardly
pivoting the support part - to displace the object to be
transported rearwardly and downwardly. By this means space
can be made available for a rear trunk or boot lid of the
vehicle, in particular for a hatchback lid. It is thus
possible to open the door or lid when the rear carrier is
mounted but pivoted downwards, and to gain access to the
vehicle, e.g. to the trunk.
For this purpose a coupling device is suited wh~ch
preferably makes possible a pivoting of the support part in
partly coupled condition. A locking device may serve for
fixing in the upwardly pivoted position~
For reasons of security against theft it is advantageous to
associate an anti-theft device with each of the first
coupling device according to claim 1 as well as the second
coupling device according to claim 16.
Seen from the side, the upwardly pivotable arrangement of
the load carrier leads to a two-part configuration/ namely
the upwardly pivotable carrier part and a support device
carrying it.
With the presence of an above-described first coupling
device a two-part configuration of the mounting arrangement
initially results, which is afforded by the coupling parts
associated with the vehicle body and by the load carrier~
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If in such a configuration the load carrier is designed
upwardly pivotable by means of a load-carrier part~ a
three-part arrangement results.
Below, the invention and further advantages achievable
thereby will be explained in more detail with reference to
preferred exemplary embodiments. There is shown:-
Fig. 1 a load carrier according to the invention for a
releasible attachment to the rear side of the
vehicle, in side view;
Fig. 2 the load carrier in rear view;
5 Fig. 3 the main parts of an attachment arrangement forthe rear carrier, in a view from above;
Fig. 4 the partial section IV-IV of Figure 3, to an
enlarged scale;
Fig. 5 the partial section V-V of Figure 3, to an
enlarged scale;
Fig. 6 the view X of Figure 4;
Fig. 7 the section VII-VII of Figure 3.
The main parts of the load carrier 1 are a load carrying
part 2, which is attachable by means of a first releasible
coupling device 3 to a support device 4, which is
attachable by means of a second releasible coupling device
5 and a securing device 6 at the rearward end of a body K
of a vehicle F, and at least one further securing device
for at least one object to be transported, in the present
exemplary embodiment one or two bicycles.
The load carrying part 2 comprises a substantially
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horizontally extending rectangular frame 7, with preferably
rounded corners, which may be formed by a round or
rectangular tube or else by U- or angle sections. The frame
7 can have a frame floor 8 formed by horizontal bars or a
plate, for placement of the object or objects to be
transported, which are to be releasably fastened thereto
In particular in the event that the frame 7 or the object
to be transported is of such great dimension in the
transverse direction of the vehicle that the rear lights o~
the vehicle are covered or affected, at the rear of the
frame 7, preferably beneath the rear frame strut 7a, there
may be arranged to both sides a rear light, a brake light
and a direction indicator light, which are connectable in
a manner not shown through electrical lines and an
electrical plug-in connection with the electrical supply
network of the vehicle, as is common practice with
trailers. Preferably at the rearward end of the frame 7/ in
particular in the middle, there is arranged an attachment
arrangement 9 with holes for the attachment of a number
plate, to which the lights may also be attached.
The load carrier 1 according to the invention, or the load
carrier arrangement, is suitable for objects to be
transported or loads of objects of various kinds for
leisure and commercial use, for hobbies, holidays, sports~
professions, crafts, and agriculture and forestry~ By means
of suitable releasible retaining or attachment devices~
apparatuses and lighter vehicles, in particular two-wheel
vehicles such as motor bikes, mopeds, bicyclesr golf
caddies, skis, transportation boxes and tool boxes and the
like may be easily put in place or removed and transported~
Such a rear load carrier is also very suitable for the
transportation of camping equipment, e.g. a camping box,
which on account of its readily reachable transport height
need not be removed for use, but may remain on the carrier
frame and thus can be used readily in a position in the
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vicinity of a mobile home or tent. With use for off-road
vehicles the rear load carrier may be designed for carrying
considerable loads, e.g. approximately 200 kg. For normal
passenger cars a light construction is required for a rear
load carrier, whereby loads of about 70 to 120 kg may be
realized.
The width of the rear carrier or the rear carrier
arrangement is to be dimensioned in accordance with the
width and the weight of the objects to be transported~
Preferably, the width extends over a large part of the
vehicle and there are provided symmetrically on both sides
of the vertical longitudinal middle plane two releasible
coupling devices 3, 5 and securing devices ~. Through this
there is provided a stable construction not only for the
rear carrier but also for transmission of the carrying
forces into the vehicle body K.
The support device 4 comprises a frame or stand-like base
body 11, which is adapted to the transverse spacing of the
associated fastening elements of the vehicle type involved
with regard to the horizontal transverse spacing of the
second releasible coupling device 5. The rem~in; ng
construction of the support device 4, in particular the
first releasible coupling device 3 and the load carrying
part 2, are always similarly formed in their basic
construction, i.e. without the special attachment devices
for the objects to be transported. I~e~ for different
vehicle types merely an adaptation of the width spacing of
the second coupling device 5 and an adaptation of the
coupling parts 5a which are associated with the vehicle
body K are required. The r~in;ng parts of the rear
carrier arrangement can always be formed similarly~ whereby
a simple, rational and economical production and
warehousing may be realized. The support device 4 thus
represents an adapter for the adaptation of similar load
carrying parts 2 to different vehicle typesO The frame- or
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stand-shaped base body 11 of the support device 4 comprises
in the present exemplary embodiment the coupling parts 3a,
5b associated therewith and an essentially horizontally
arranged transverse bar or carrying strut 15 on which the
coupling parts 5b are arranged preferably in the form of
support arms 14 which are directed horizontally forwardly
The carrying strut 15 also has two bracket arms 18 which
project substantially vertically downwardly, the transverse
spacing of which is smaller than the transverse spacing of
the coupling parts 3b from one another, so that they are
arranged inwardly displaced with regard to the latter. The
bracket cross-piece 17 with its bracket cross-piece
sections projecting beyond the bracket arms 18 is formed
running diagonally downwards, and with the bracket cross-
piece sections connecting to the latter formed running orbowed forwardly, whereby preferably the latter bracket
cross-piece sections integrally form the support arms 14~
The support arms 14 engage in cavities 19 which are
rearwardly open or in plug-in sockets of the body K~ in
which the second releasible coupling device 5 with its
coupling parts 5a is arranged in such a way that in the
decoupled position the coupling parts 5a are arranged in
the cavities 19 and for mounting the carrier struts 15 with
the coupling parts 5b are insertable into the coupling
parts 5a through the rearward through guide holes l9a~ The
cavities 19 present in the body K and the associated
attachment elements such as bearings and screw-holes
normally serve for the fastening of a trailer coupling (not
shown), for which the body K is correspondingly designed~
As can be seen in particular from Figures 1 and 5, the
coupling parts 3a which are inserted into the cavities lg
from behind each rest on an approximately horizontal base
wall l9b of the corresponding cavity 19, whereby here in
each case two screws 21 penetrate through the associated
coupling part 5a and the associated floor wall l9b in
vertical through holes and are preferably inserted from
below. The illustrated nuts 21a can be fastened on the
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_
coupling parts 5a so as to be fixed against rotation, e~g~
welded on. The insertion of the screws 21 from below is
ensured by through holes ~not shown) in an approximatel~
horizontal body base wall l9c. The coupling devices 3~ 5
present to the two sides of the vertical longitudinal
middle plane 10 with their associated elements are formed
and arranged so as to be mirror images of one another~
With modern vehicles a bumper is replaced by a so-called
bumper cover K1 which is integrally formed with the body K
or is attached to the body on the outside, whereby it is
preferably a plastics part. The support device 4 and in
particular the support arms 14 are in the height region of
the cover K1. In order to make possible the coupling
connection, the plug-through holes l9a are provided in the
cover K1, the positions of which are adapted to the
positions of the support arms 14. Preferably the plug-
through holes l9a are adapted to the cross-sectional form
of the support arms 14, and preferably their cross-
sectional size is somewhat larger dimensioned than the
cross-sectional size of the support arms 14 so that a plug-
through gap S is provided at the periphery of the support
arms 14. As the cross-sectional form and size of fastening
elements for a trailer coupling need not correspond with
the cross-sectional form and size of the support arms 14~
it is advantageous to provide annular cover pieces (not
shown), preferably of plastics, for covering the plug-
through gap S, which are clampingly mountable and/or
insertable on the support arms 14 and/or in the plug-
through holes l9a.
The load carrying part 2 has supporting arms 25 which
preferably project vertically downwards from the frame 7~
with which it can be hung on at the carrying strut 15 and
is fastenable and in particular lockable in the horizont21
carrying position. For this purpose, carrying hooks 26 with
carrying recesses 26a which are downwardly open are
21~3282
arranged on the supporting limbs 25 at a downward spacing
from the frame 7, with which the load carrying part 2 can
be mounted in particular in a rearwards downwardly pivoted
position (indicated by broken lines in Figure 1) onto
transverse carrier bolts 27, which are rigidly fastened to
the bracket arms 18, preferably on the inward side thereof~
The carrying hooks 26 can be formed by vertical plates~
which are fastened to the inner sides of the supporting
limbs 25 which in the mounted position are positioned
behind the bracket arms 18. The arrangement is made such
that the carrying hooks 26 fit between the bracket arms 18
with little lateral play for movement. Preferably the
forward ends of the carrying hooks 19 are extended and bent
inwardly, whereby during the mounting an easy introduction
is achieved. In the disposition mounted on the transverse
carrier bolts 27, a pivot bearing or a pivot guide 28 is
formed for the load carrying part 2, in which it is
upwardly pivotable into its horizontal carrying position
and can be releasably locked by means of a carrier locking
device 31, which is part of the coupling device 3~ The
locking device 31 is arranged at a radial spacing from the
pivot axis (transverse carrier bolt 27) of the pivot guide
28 and can thus safely take up the carrying moment of the
load carrying part 2, whereby the locking device 31 is
arranged above the transverse carrier bolt 27 approximately
at the height or in the proximity of the frame 7~ For a
satisfactory attachment it suffices if only one locking
device is arranged in the middle or side region of the load
carrying part 2. By this means a three-point suspension is
provided, which is formed by the two lower left and right
pivot guides 28 and the locking device 31. The supporting
limbs 25 can if appropriate be connected with each other
through a horizontal transverse brace, which may be
arranged in the middle or lower region of the supporting
legs 25 in addition to the connection of the forward frame
strut.
2143282
In addition to the carrying locking device 31, a lift-off
prevention device 32 is associated with the so far
described second releasing coupling device 5, which in the
upwardly pivoted carrying position prevents a lifting off
of the load carrying part 2 out of the above-described
hanger device, preferably by form-fitting. For this
purpose, at least one, preferably two, locking pins 33 are
provided on the load carrying part 2 to the two sides of
the vertical longitudinal middle plane 10, which are
fastened on the frame 7 or on the inside of the supporting
limbs 25 and extend forwardly in a such position that in
the upwardly pivoted carrying position of the load carrying
part 2 they engage below a locking part of the transverse
strut 15, preferably the bracket cross-piece 17, and thus
prevent lifting off and de-hanging of the load carrying
part 2 by form-fitting. The length of the locking pin 33 is
to be such that in downwardly pivoted position of the load
carrying part 2 they do not engage below the transverse
strut 15 and therefore hanging on or de-hanging of the load
carrying part 2 is possible. With the presence of such an
additional lift-off security device 32 the carrier locking
device 31 is freed from loads which are upwardly directed~
Below, details of the carrier locking device 31 are
described in particular with reference to Figures 4 and 7
The main basic function of the locking device 31 is to
secure the load carrying part 2 against pivoting
downwardly. For this purpose, the locking device 31 has a
locking element 34, which allows an arresting of the
pivotable load carrying part 2 on the support device 4 or
on the carrying strut 15 preferably though a form-fitting
effect. Thereby, the locking element 34 is displaceable
between an unlocking position, releasing the load carrying
part 2, and a locking position which locks the load
carrying part 2. In the present embodiment, the locking
element 34 is formed by a bar of a U-shaped cross-section
which, with a bar cross-piece 34a and a forward and a
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rearward bar limb 34b, engages preferably from above over
the bracket cross-piece 17 and the front frame strut 7a of
the frame 7 and thus locks the load carrying part 2 against
pivoting downwards. The locking element 34 is held
movably, in particular mounted pivotably, between its
locking position and a release position, either on the
support device 4 or preferably on the load carrying part 2~
In the present embodiment the locking device 34 is mounted
freely pivotably around a pivot axis 34c extending in the
longitudinal direction of the vehicle, on the frame strut
7b on a bearing bolt 34d which, in associated holes,
penetrates the frame strut 7a, the rearward bar limb 34b
and a further bar limb 34e which engages only over the
frame part strut 7a, and is secured against falling out~
The bar limbs extend downwardly from the common bar cross~
piece 34a, but the forward bar limb 34b is forwardly
displaced with regard to the bar limb 34e and - seen in the
view from above - is arranged displaced towards the free
end of the locking element 34. The U-shaped bar part is
reinforced by a fin 34f.
As shown particularly by Fig. 4, the supporting limbs 25 of
the pivotal guide 28 are opposingly so inclined, with
inclined surfaces 35, that in the downwardly pivoted
position (schematically illustrated) the latter extend
parallel to the rear sides of the bracket limbs 18 and form
stops 36, which prevent a further pivoting downwards by
engaging against the bracket limbs 18.
In order to avoid surface damage during travel, there are
arranged buffer parts 37, preferably between the contact
surfaces, preferably of soft elastic rubber or plastics~ In
the present embodiment there may be arranged, on the rear
surface of the bracket cross-piece 17 or on the forward
surface of the frame strut 7b centrally or to both sides~
at least one buffer part 37a, and/or respective buffer
parts 37 may be arranged on the rear sides of the bracket
214328~
_
14
limbs 18 and on the inclined surfaces 35/ which may be
attached by means of particular fastening elements or by
gluing. In corresponding manner, buffer parts may also be
arranged between the inner surfaces of the bar limbs 34b~
5 34d and the forward surface of the bracket cross-piece 17
and the rearward surface of the frame strut 7a. The buffer
parts 37 can also be formed through a corresponding
protective coating on the contacting surface of at least
one of the parts concerned which contact together.
An anti-theft device 41 is associated with the releasible
coupling device 3, which prevents an unauthorized
demounting of the load carrying part 2 from the support
device 4. Such an anti-theft device 41 can be formed e~g~
15 by a ring lock with a flexible connection strand, as is
commonly used with bicycle locks. In the present embodiment
a captive integrated anti-theft device 41 is provided in
the form of a further locking device which, however, merely
serves for anti-theft security and is therefore
20 substantially free from loads. The locking device has a
locking element which, in the locking position, engages
behind a counter locking element and can be secured in this
engaged-behind position. For this purpose, there serve in
the present embodiment a locking bolt 43 and a displaceably
25 mounted locking element 44, which in its locking position
can be blocked by means of a lock 45, so that the locking
device can only be opened with an associated key. In the
present embodiment a corresponding locking device is non-
releasably attached to the locking element 34 in a housing
30 46, whereby the locking bolt 43 is attached to the forward
side of the bracket cross-piece 17 or to the rear side of
the frame strut 7b or vice versa. In this embodiment~ upon
moving the locking element 34 into its locking position or
its release position, the anti-theft device 41 is
35 simultaneously closed or opened or released. In the present
embodiment the housing 46 is non-releasably attached to the
locking element 34, preferably on an extension of the bar
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-
cross-piece 34a. The locking element 44 can, if appropriate
be such as to allow opening by means of a release lever
44a, which is blockable by means of the lock 45.
Below, details of the second detachable coupling device 5
will be described.
As can be seen in particular from Figure 5, the coupling
device 5 comprises a plug-is socket 51 for the coupling
elements 52a, 52b and a releasable locking device 50 for
locking the coupling elements in the coupling position~
The plug-in socket 51 is formed by a plug~in sleeve. For
this purpose there serves an insertion sleeve 53, which is
preferably arranged on the coupling part 5a which is
associated with the body K and is formed in particular with
the latter by means of a common section piece in particular
of rectangular cross-section. The plug-in pin 54 of the
plug-in socket 51 is hollow and preferably also formed by
a section piece 55 of corresponding cross-sectional form~
which is insertable with room for play into the insertion
sleeve 53 and in the present exemplary embodiment is part
of the associated support arm 14. Of the coupling elements
52a, 52b the displaceable coupling element 52b is
associated with the coupling part 5b, which is part of the
support device 4, and there is drivingly connected with the
displaceable coupling element 52b a manually displaceable
actuation element 56, which is displaceable between a
securing position and a release position and is lockable in
its securing position. In the present embodiment the
actuation element 56 is mounted on the support device 4~
preferably on the associated support arm 14 and it is
preferably formed by a screw 57, which can be screwed
transversely, preferably from above, into and out of a
threaded hole of the section piece 55, whereby it can be
turned by means of manual action on its screw head 57a. The
displaceable coupling element 52d is preferably a double-
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_
16
armed lever 58, which is at least partly arranged in thesection piece 55 and is mounted pivotably upwardly and
downwardly around a pivot bolt 59 which is mounted
transversely, preferably horizontally therein. At the
forward end of the forward lever arm 58a there is arranged
a coupling nose 61, preferably on the downward side, before
which a engagement inclination 62 is arranged and after
which a coupling recess 63 is arranged. The forward end of
the forward lever arm 58a extends so far forwardly out of
the section piece 55 that the coupling recess 63 is
positioned in front of the section piece 55. The rigid
coupling element 52a is a coupling pin or preferably a
round coupling bolt 64, which is fastened inside the
insertion sleeve 53, preferably penetrating the latter
transversely, in particular horizontally, in holes and
being attached therein. The pivot or tilt movement of the
lever 58 and the coupling bolt 64 are designed in such a
way that upon insertion of the coupling part 5b into the
coupling part 5a, or into the plug-in socket 51~ the
forward lever arm 58a abuts with its engagement inclination
62 against the coupling bolt 64 and is upwardly tiltedf so
that the coupling bolt 64 reaches behind the coupling nose
61. By turning the screw 57 the rear lever arm 58b can be
pulled upwards, whereby the coupling nose 61 is pivoted
before the coupling bolt 64 and can be fixed in this
position by the screw 57. By releasing the screw 57, by
turning, the forward lever arm 59a can be released or
pivoted upwards, whereby the decoupling and pulling out of
the coupling part 5b rearwardly is possible~ Preferably the
coupling nose 61 also has an engagement inclination 62a to
the rear, so that the front lever arm 58 can be pressed
upwardly upon pulling out of the plug-in socket 51~ In the
present embodiment the screw 57 penetrates the walls of the
section piece 55 in a through hole and it engages in a
threaded hole of a transverse bolt 67, which is mounted
freely rotatably around a horizontal transverse axis in the
rear lever arm 59b.
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_
A second anti-theft device 71 for the coupling device 5 is
associated with the above-described attachment device 50,
by means of which an unauthorised release of the coupling
5 can be prevented. In the present embodiment, the anti-
theft device 71 is formed by a lock 72, with which turningof the screw 57 can be prevented in the secure position~
This lock may be a bolt-lock, which can be inserted into
any selected one of several axis-parallel plug-in holes 73,
arranged distributed around a part circle, in the screw
head 57a, and can be secured with its key bit (not shown),
whereby its forward end engages into a securing recess 74
in the coupling part 5b or section piece 55~
As particularly shown by Figure 4, the rear surface of the
coupling recess 63 can form a stop for the insertion
movement. Such a stop can however also be formed in another
way, e.gO in that the laterally projecting joint bolt 59
abuts against the insertion sleeve 53~
In order to facilitate the insertion of the coupling part
3b into the plug-in socket 51, which is arranged sunk into
the body K, an insertion or introduction aid 77 is
associated with the coupling part 5b, which in the present
embodiment is formed by a guiding tip 77a projecting
forwardly of the plug-in pin 54 with lateral and preferably
also upper and lower engagement inclinations 79, 79a~ In
the present embodiment the guiding tip 77a is formed by a
strip arranged on edge, the forward end of which is angled
inwardly and which may also be tipped, bevelled or rounded
in wedge-form on the upper and lower side. In the present
case the guiding tip 77a is formed by an extension of the
walls of the plug-in pin 54 which is preferably tapered in
its width.
The load carrier 1 or the load carrying part 2 is, in the
present embodiment, equipped for the transportation of one
or several bicycles, here two bicycles 81. The bicycle(s)
21~3282
81 may be arranged transversely or, if appropriate, one
behind the other, whereby their forward ends are arranged
facing in opposite directions, so that their handlebars do
not stand in each others way. The attachment device for the
releasible attachment of the one or more bicycles 81 may
have at least a vertical supporting part 82, in particular
in the form of a vertical supporting bar, to which the
bicycle 81 concerned is releasably attachable by means
which are not shown for reasons of simplicity. These means
are effective at a spacing upwards on the frame 7~ A
further attachment device for the bicycle(s)s 81 can be
formed through receiving recesses, into which the wheels of
the bicycle(s) 81 can be placed. In the present embodiment
the bicycles stand in U-or V-shaped trough pieces 83 which
are held at or on the frame 7 and are displaceable in the
transverse direction of the frame 7 or in the longitudinal
direction of the bicycle 81 and can be fixed in the
respective displaced position. It is advantageous to form
the trough pieces 83 bent or curved so that in each case an
obliquely extending trough piece part 83a forms a lateral
limitation for the wheels of the bicycle 81. Preferably the
oblique trough piece parts 83 are arranged on the inside at
the wheels, to achieve a small or compact design~ As
support and guide for the displaceable trough parts 83
there serves in each case a rectangular guide section 84~
which is arranged and attached at or on the frame 7 in
transverse direction, preferably by U-shaped tension
brackets, the free ends of which are screwed to the
preferably lateral frame parts of the frame 7. On the
trough pieces 83, clamping feet 86 are arranged, with which
the trough pieces 83 are partly displaceable and fixable on
the guide section 84 for the purpose of adaptation to the
dimensions of the wheels. The clamping feet 86 may be
formed by U-shaped sheet metal parts, which laterally
engage over the guide section 84 with their limb parts 86a
and project downwardly. selow the guide section 84, in each
case one tensioning screw 87, preferably having a hand nut
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19
or a wing nut, penetrates the limb parts 86a in holes~ In
released condition of the screw 87, the associated trough
piece 83 can be longitudinally displaced and positioned on
the guide section 87 by means of the clamping foot 86. By
tightening the screw 87 the clamping foot 86 can be fixed
in the desired position. In a joint 88, which can be fixed
in the upright position, the at least one supporting part
82 can be turned down around a longitudinally or
transversely running pivot axis when not in use and can be
secured e.g. by means of a belt.
In the embodiment according to the invention the load
carrier 1 as a whole (in particular for an extended period
of non-use) or the load carrying part 2 (in particular for
a short period of non-use) can be demounted, whereby the
object(s) to be transported may remain attached or may be
demounted beforehand~ For demounting the load carrying part
2, the locking element 34 is to be moved into its release
position - if appropriate after release of the anti-theft
device 41 - whereafter the load carrying part 2 can be
pivoted downwardly to the rear and can be removed from its
mounting at the support device 4. Preferably, the stop 3~
is provided for restricting the downwards pivoting
movement, whereby resting of the downwardly pivoted frame
7, or of parts mounted thereon, on the ground is prevented~
The rearwardly downwardly pivotable mounting of the load
carrying part 2 on the support device 4 has a ~urther
advantage. The load carrying part 2 or the frame 7 can be
pivoted downwardly with or without load, whereby the
accessability of the trunk of the vehicle F is improved on
the one hand and, on the other hand, it is made possible
with a vehicle F having a hatchback door or hatchback lid
91 to open this door or lid without having to demount or
unload the load carrier 1 or the load carrying part 2. ~n
the horizontal carrying position of the load carrying part
2, an opening of the hatchback door or hatchback lid 91 is
- 2143282
prevented by upst~n~;ng objects to be transported, e~g~ the
bicycle 81, as can clearly be seen from Fig. 1. In the
downwardly pivoted release position however the rear door
91 can, in contrast, be opened.
For long-term non-use, it is advantageous to demount as a
whole the load carrier 1, comprising the load carrying part
2 and the load support device 4, so that on the vehicle F
no externally visible part of the load carrier 1 remains
which might impair the appearance of the vehicle. For this
purpose, the second anti-theft device 71 is to be opened
and the coupling device 5 is to be released~ Thereafter the
load carrier can be taken off rearwardly.
The mounting processes are in each case the reverse~
It is advantageous to arrange the attachment device 9 for
the lighting and indicator devices at the lower side of the
rearward end region of the frame 7. Preferably for this
purpose a vertical fastening frame 92 is provided, to which
the number plate may also be fastened. It is advantageous
to mount the fastening frame 92 on the frame 7 to be
pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis 95, by means
of joint tongues 93, 94 which are penetrated by joint
bolts, so that it can be rearwardly and/or forwardly
pivoted in. This is of importance in particular in the
event that the fastening frame 92 is arranged at such a
height that upon downward pivoting of the frame 7 the
fastening frame 92 rests on the ground. In the pivoted-in
position of the fastening frame, however, the frame 7 can
be pivoted into a release position.
The support device 4 and/or the load carrying part 2 and/or
the coupling parts 3a associated with the body K are
preferably in each case fabricated, if appropriate with
their attached parts, of sections which are closed at their
ends, in particular of rectangular section. The individual
21 13282
`
parts may be of steel or aluminium and can be fabricated in
welded construction.
