LOAD CARRIER

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load carrier for releasable fastening to a body part of a vehicle, especially the edge of a roof part of a vehicle. The roof carrier comprises at least one load carrying member as well as means for realisably attaching the roof carrier to a part of a vehicle. The load carrier comprises at least one load carrying member as well as fastening means adapted to be realisably fastened to a part of a vehicle wherein the carrier (1) comprises mutual parallel fixing members (2, 3) adapted to engage a part (6) of a vehicle, the parallel fixing members (2, 3) are arranged on separate arms (4, 5), the arms being connected so that they can rotate independently of each other around an axis (9, 30) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (7, 8) of the fixing members (2, 3), and that the carrier comprises means (13, 14, 16) to avoid unintentional release of the carrier from a part (6) of the vehicle.

Description: LOAD CARRIER Background of the invention The present invention relates to a load carrier for releaseable fastening to a body part of a vehicle, especially the edge of a roof part of a vehicle as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1. The roof carrier comprises at least one load carrying member as well as means for releasably attaching the roof carrier to a part of a vehicle. When transporting long items, which cannot be fitted inside a transport vehicle, with- out part of the item extending out of for example a window or a rear door of the vehicle, it is known to use roof carriers. Also in situations where the item to be carried is frequently needed, for example ladders for windowcleaners etc., is it desirable to carry the items on the outside of the vehicle. Usually this type of roof carriers are difficult to mount on the vehicle by a single person, as it requires adjustment of the carrier on both sides of the vehicle and this type of carriers often are heavy and bulky. Especially when the carrier needs to be mounted on a commercial van type of vehicle, which has an elevated roof in comparison with normal cars, is it difficult and cumbersome for a single person to mount carriers known in the art. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a releasably fastened roof carrier of the type mentioned above, which by simple means allows for quick, simple and safe mounting and releasing on a vehicle. The invention forsees that a number of load carrying devices can be mounted on the vehicle, thus making it possible to transport long items, i.e. ladders, carpets, pipes etc. The load carrier according to the invention is characterized in that it is intended for releaseable fastening to a part of a vehicle, especially the edge of a roof part of a vehicle as for example a van or a small truck, said load carrier comprises at least one load carrying member as well as fastening means adapted to be releasably fastened to a part of a vehicle wherein the carrier comprises mutual parallel fixing members adapted to engage a part of a vehicle, the parallel fixing members are arranged on separate arms, the arms being connected so that they can rotate independently of each other around an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixing members, and that the carrier comprises means to avoid unintentional release of the carrier from a part of the vehicle. By these simple means is it possible for a single person to mount one or several load carriers quickly and easily on the outside of the vehicle body so that it is possible to transport long items, such as ladders, carpets, pipes etc. In a preferred embodiment the mechanical lock comprises a cylindrical pin which is mounted on one arm and a complementary opening which is arranged on the other arm so that the pin will penetrate the opening when the fastening members are brought into engagement around a body part, such as e.g. the gutter of a vehicle. The end of the pin will reach far enough through the opening so that a fastening member, e.g. a split pin, padlock, nut or the like, is able to be mounted on the end of the pin whereby the two arms and thus the fastening members are fixed in a locked position. In another advantageous embodiment the load carrier according to the invention is provided with a mechanical lock comprising a moveable member which member is mounted on a central side flange on a first arm, which side flange corporates with two side flanges arranged on a second arm, so that when the arms are folded, the central side flange mounted on the first arm passes inbetween the two side flanges mounted on the second arm, and when the load carrier is in the mounted position the movable member can be brought into a locking position, overlying the two side flanges. In another advantageous embodiment the load carrier according to the invention is provided with means to avoid unintentional release of the fastening members in the shape of a spring member mounted on two support arms arranged respectively on the two arms, whereby when the fixing members arranged on the arms are brought into fastening engagement with the part of the vehicle, the spring member assures the fastening engagement. This is done by arranging the spring member so that it will push the two support arms apart, and thereby create a moment which will urge the fixing members into engagement with the vehicle part. In order to release the load carrier, an active and determined force is needed in order to overcome the spring action. In a further advantageous embodiment, the spring member is a pressurised gas spring member. In order to avoid damages from wear and tear when mounting, releasing and using the load carrier according to the invention at least one arm is provided with an adjustable pad of soft rubber intended to be pressed against the side of the vehicle when the load carrier is fastened around the vehicle part, for example the gutter. In this way is it also assured that the load carrier is fastened to the vehicle without possible rattle and scratching of the side of the vehicle. The load carrier can be provided with a number of load carrying members, loosly or fastenable arranged on the arms of the load carrier. The load carrying members can be shaped to accomodate various items needed to be transported. In order to achieve the maximum suspension height for the transportation of e.g. ladders, it is advantageous that the load carrier according to the invention comprises the mentioned projecting load carrying member(s) mounted near to the top part of an arm. Brief description of the drawing The invention is explained in the following in relation to the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a view of an embodiment of a load carrier according to the invention with open fastening members, fig. 2 shows how the load carrier shown in fig. 1 is mounted by engagement of the fastening members about a part of a vehicle, fig. 3 shows a detailled view of the load carrier where the moveable member is il lustrated, fig. 4 shows a view of an alternative embodiment of a load carrier according to the invention, fig. 5 shows an alternative fastening of the arms, fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the load carrier according to the invention, and fig. 7-8 show further embodiments of the invention. In fig. 1 it is shown how the load carrier comprises two mutually parallel and transverse fastening members 2,3 which are fixed through mutually pivoting arms 4,5 and which, as shown, can be brought into fastening engagement around a body part, for instance the gutter 6 of a vehicle. One arm 4 is provided with a detachable projection load carrying member 20 which together with a corresponding arrangement serves for the suspension of a long item which cannot be fitted inside the vehicle. At its lower part an arm can be provided with an oblique aiding arm 24, not shown, which is used when mounting the load carrier. On the side of the load carrier intended to face the side of a vehicle the arms are provided with at least one adjustable pad of a cushioning material, for example soft rubber, or other similar material, which is intended to be positioned against the side of the vehicle. Furthermore the load carrying member 20 can also be equiped with an adjustable pad of cushioning material. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, one particular fastening arrangement of the arms is illustrated. The invention, however comprises a number of alternative means of fastening the arms relative to each other once the fastening members are brought into fastening engagement with the body part 6 of the vehicle. In other embodiments of the invention, this is done by arranging a spring member 24, for example a pressurised gas member on respective support arms 17,18. Further fastening arrangements includes an internally threaded opening 21 on the first arm 4, a slightly larger opening 12 on the second arm 5, and a fastening member 19 which is supposed to pass through the opening 12, and engage the thread in the opening 21 provided in the arm 4. The fastening member 19 can for example be in the shape of a bolt. Furthermore it is envisaged to provide the load carrier with combinations of locking devices and means for avoiding unintentional release of the fastening members within the scope of alternatives as suggested by the invention. In fig. 2 the load carrier according to the invention is shown fixed to a body part 6, e.g. the gutter of a vehicle. Here the arms 4 and 5 are swung against each other, thus causing the pin 11 to penetrate the opening 12. A fastening device 13, e.g. a split pin, padlock or a nut, has subsequently been fixed on the pin 11, and the arms 4 and 5 are thus fixed in relation to each other and the load carrier is fastened to the body part 6. When the load carrier is to be removed form the body part 6, the fastening device 13 is removed after which the arm 5 can be swung away from the arm 4 and the entire load carrier 1 is removed from the vehicle. As it appears more clearly in fig. 3, the load carrier in a further embodiment comprises a moveable member 16. The arms 4 and 5 are mutually connected through a hinge 30 comprising a central side flange 32 attached to one arm 4 and projecting side flanges 34 arranged on the second arm 5. The flanges 32,34 are arranged so that when the arms 4,5 are folded around the hinge 30, the central side flange 32 reaches in-between the side flanges 34. The mentioned moveable member 16 is connected on the top side of the side flange 32 in such way that the moveable member 16, when the arms 4 and 5 are swung together so that the fastening members 2,3 are engaging the part 6 of the vehicle, the moveable member 16 is swung over the edges of the side flanges 34 in such a way as to locking the flanges 32,34 in relation to each other, thus preventing the release of the load carrier. In another advantageous embodiment, as shown in fig. 6 the load carrier 1 according to the invention is provided with means to avoid unintentional release of the fastening members in the shape of a spring member 24 mounted on two support arms 17,18 ar- ranged respectively on the two arms 4,5, whereby when the fixing members 2,3 arranged on the arms 4,5 are brought into fastening engagement with the part 6 of the vehicle, the spring member 24 assures the fastening engagement. This is done by arranging the spring member 24 so that it will push the two support arms 17,18 apart, and thereby create a moment which will urge the fixing members 2,3 into engagement with the vehicle part 6. In order to release the load carrier 1 is an active and determined force needed in order to overcome the spring action. In one further advantageous embodiment is the spring member a pressurised gas spring member. In anotlier further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the arms 4,5 are shaped such that when the fixing members 2,3 are engaging the part of the vehicle 6, the arms are folded into each other, for example by one of the arms 4,5 being a U-shape, where the dimensions of the interior of the U can accomodate the other arm, so that the carrier 1, in its mounted state appears to have only a single arm. The different means for avoiding unintentional release of the load carrier, as described above, can be used either alone or in any combination of prevention means. For example, is it within the scope of the invention, to combine the pressurised gas spring 24 with the arrangement comprising the moveable member 16 and the flanges 32,34 as shown in fig. 4 or any other combination of features of the invention. Traditionally, load carriers are made from steel, but the load carrier according to the invention can also be made from aluminium, stainless steel, reinforced plastics or other non-corroding materials.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Load carrier for releasable fastening to a part of a vehicle, especially the edge of a roof part of a vehicle as for example a van or a small truck, said load carrier comprises at least one load carrying member as well as fastening means adapted to be realisably fastened to a part of a vehicle characterised in that the carrier (1) comprises mutual parallel fixing members (2,3) adapted to engage a part (6) of a vehicle, the parallel fixing members (2,3) are arranged on separate arms (4,5), the arms being connected so that they can rotate independently of each other around an axis (9,30) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (7,8) of the fixing members (2,3), and that the carrier comprises means (13,14,16) to avoid unintentional release of the carrier from a part (6) of the vehicle. 2. Load carrier according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for avoiding unintentional release comprises a cylindrical member (11) arranged on one arm (4) and a corresponding opening (12) in the other arm (5) whereby, when the fixing members (2,3) are brought into fastening engagement with the part (6) of the vehicle, an end part of the cylindrical member (11) penetrates the opening (13) in the arm (5) and allows for arranging a fastening device (13) at said projecting end part, for thereby fixing the two arms (4,5). 3. Load carrier according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for avoiding unintentional release comprises a spring member (14) mounted on two support arms (17,18) mounted on the respective arms (4,5), whereby, when the fixing members (2,3) are brought into fastening engagement with the part (6) of the vehicle, the spring member (14) assures the fastening engagement. 4. Load carrier according to claim 3, characterised in that the spring member (14) is a pressurised gas spring. 5. Load carrier according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for avoiding unintentional release comprises an internally threaded opening (21) in a first arm (4) and an opening in the second arm (5) and an externally threaded fastening member (19), adapted to be introduced through the opening in the second arm (5) and be screwed into the first arm (4). 6. Load carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the means for avoiding unintentional release comprises a moveable member (16), which member (16) is mounted on a central side flange (32) on a first aim (4), which side flange (32) corporates with two side flanges (34) arranged on a second arm (5), so that when the arms (4,5) are folded, the central side flange (32) mounted on the first arm passes in-between the two side flanges (34) mounted on the second arm (5), and when the load carrier is in the mounted position the movable member (16) can be brought into a locking position, overlying the two side flanges (34). 7. Load carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that one of the arms (4,5) is adapted to recieve the other arm within its cross section, for example by one arm being of a U-shaped cross section while the other arm has an outer dimension which can fit inside the first arm. 8. Load carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the arms (4,5) and/or the load carrying members (20) are equipped with adjustable pads (15) made of a cushioning material, on the side of the carrier (1) adapted to face the vehicle.

Inventors: DAHL HANS KARSTEN, HANSEN JESPER SECHER, DAHL, HANS, KARSTEN, HANSEN, JESPER, SECHER
Applicants: DAHL HANS KARSTEN, HANSEN JESPER SECHER, DAHL, HANS, KARSTEN, HANSEN, JESPER, SECHER
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B60R9
IPC codes: B60R9