Patent Publication Number: US-2007108245-A1

Title: Device for up and down tilting of a load carrier attached at a vehicle

Description:
FIELD  
      The present technology relates to load carriers. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for tilting a load carrier attached at a vehicle. The load carrier can have a frame which includes a first part firmly connected with a coupling means for fastening at the vehicle, a pivoted second part movably connected with the first part, whereupon the second part includes means in order to carry a load, and a user-actuable, graspable device arranged between said parts, which can be moved from a first engagement position, where the graspable device effectively fastens said parts to each other, to a second position, where said parts can be rotated relative to each other.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Previously known coupling devices for such load carriers as hitch-mount bicycle racks include gripping means that embrace towing balls. Through adapting the force applied to the towing ball an intermediate position can be achieved where the friction against the towing ball is such that the coupling device remains in adjusted position, but is possible to twist the device around the ball by applying an external force. Thus, it becomes possible to tilt the coupling device together with the load carrier to select a less intrusive location for the load carrier. This can allow easier access to space in the vehicle. One known disadvantage of previously known devices is that the entire load carrier must tilt together with the tilting of the coupling device. Moreover, as wearing of the tow ball occurs it can become difficult to achieve sufficient friction against the ball. Another disadvantage with this solution and similar known solutions is that it can be difficult to access the devices that operate the gripping means when the load carrier is carrying a load (e.g. several bicycles, a box and the like).  
     SUMMARY  
      The present technology provides for a device that enables a user to quickly and easily tilt a hitch-mount load carrier, particularly when the load carrier is carrying a load such as sports equipment or other cargo. Moreover, the up and down transition between tilted and untilted positions is to be performed in a simple and controllable way by the operator. The present solution overcomes disadvantages of known carriers by providing a device having a user graspable and actuable device associated with a second part, where the graspable device includes at least a portion that is shaped as a handle, and operation of the graspable device essentially controls actuation (capability for moving) the load so that tilting can be performed in a simple and controllable manner. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention is described herein below with reference to a preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying figures in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a load carrier configured according to the teachings of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view, shown in cross-section of the load carrier in an upright position with the support or graspable device engaged;  
       FIG. 3  is a side view, shown in cross-section of the load carrier in the tilted position; and  
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view shown in partial cross-section of a portion of the load carrier.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a load carrier  1  is shown having a frame  2  including a stationary first part  3  firmly connected with a coupling mechanism  4 . Coupling mechanism  4  is for fastening load carrier  1  at a vehicle. Frame  2  further includes a pivoting second part  5  which is movably connected to first part  3 . Second part  5  may further include holders or load receivers  6   a ,  6   b  that are configured to receive and carry some type of a load. A fastening mechanism including a graspable device  7  is slidably connected to second part  5  for fastening second part  5  to first part  3  in an upright position. Graspable device  7  can slide from a first engagement position (see  FIG. 2 ) where graspable device  7  fastens parts  3  and  5  to each other, to a second position (see  FIG. 3 ) where the parts  3  and  5  are pivotally turned relative to each other. In this regard, it should be appreciated that fastening of the two parts can include the support of the pivoting second part  5  on the stationary first part  3  via the fastening mechanism having parts thereof interposed between the parts  3  and  5  when in the carrier  1  is in the raised an supported position or configuration.  
      The load carrier  1  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is suitable for securing two bicycles, but the load carrier can be adapted for only one bicycle or several bicycles. The load carrier  1  can also be configured to carry other loads such as boxes, luggage carriers, ski carriers and the like.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , one bicycle can be placed on holder  6   a  and is secured with fastening devices  8   a  and  8   b , and a grabbing device  9 . Grabbing device  9  is attached to an arc  10  that extends essentially perpendicular upwards from second part  5 . Another bicycle can be secured in a likewise manner to holder  6   b  with the fastening devices  8   c  and  8   d , and a grabbing device  11 . Thus, the fastening devices  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c , and  8   d  are fitted to allow for securing at the wheels of the bicycle (not shown) and grabbing devices  9  and  11  are fitted to allow for securing at the framework of the bicycle (not shown). Load carrier  1  may also have an illumination panel  12 , with fasteners  13  for a license plate (not shown).  
      Frame  2  and arc  10  are preferably made of aluminum tubing with a circular profile or other appropriate profile. Holders  6 , fastening devices  8 , and similar components are preferably made of plastic. Of course, other choices of suitable materials are within the scope of the present technology.  
       FIGS. 2-4  demonstrate the transitional tilting operation of load carrier  1 .  FIGS. 2-3  are of a cutaway load carriers viewed from the inside of the device. The tilting operation of load carrier  1  is achieved by pivotally actuating second part  5  about first part  3 . First part  3  is constituted at least partially by an essentially rectangular, arched framework, having an inner side  14 , two parallel tubes  15   a  and  15   b , and an outer side  16 . Inner side  14  is attached to coupling mechanism  4  and extends out on a first lower level. From inner side  14  two parallel tubes  15   a  and  15   b  extend in the shape of an arc up to a second upper level and in the general intended direction of travel. Parallel tubes  15   a  and  15   b  are linked to an outer side  16  that extends on the lower level, and which completes the essentially rectangular shape of first part  3 .  
      Second part  5  includes a framework comprised partly of two parallel tubes  17   a  and  17   b . In certain embodiments second part  5  further includes a rear framework  18  and arc  10 . In one embodiment, rear framework  18  and arc  10  act as the respective outer and inner sides of second part  5 . When load carrier  1  is fastened in an upright position, tubes  17   a  and  17   b  are level with, and next to, tubes  15   a  and  15   b . Adjacent tubes  15   a  and  17   a  are pivotally attached to each other with hinge  19   a , while tubes  15   b  and  17   b , are pivotally attached to each other with the hinge  19   b.    
      Graspable device  7  is designed with a handle  20  for accommodating user operation. Graspable device  7  extends partly between parallel tubes  17   a  and  17   b  and also partially about outer side  16  when the load carrier  1  is in an engaged position (see  FIG. 2 ). Graspable device  7  may further have recesses  21  formed on each side which parallel tubes  17   a  and  17   b  run through; i.e., tubes  17   a  and  17   b  can be partially cradled or enclosed by graspable device  7 . Thus, graspable device  7  can slide along parallel tubes  17   a  and  17   b.    
      Preferably, parallel tubes  17   a  and  17   b  include a spring  22  and a connecting mechanism  23 . In one embodiment, connecting mechanism  23  is in the form of a pin or other similar mechanism and is anchored at graspable device  7 . An extended groove  24  (e.g. a slit) can be formed in tubes  17   a  and  17   b , and connection mechanism  23  can be placed within extended groove  24  and slide freely therein. Graspable device  7  also has a gripping recess  25 , which essentially fastens second part  5  to outer side  16 .  
      When a user wishes to tilt load carrier  1  down, graspable device  7  is pushed (or pulled) backward, against the intended travel direction of the vehicle in the illustrated example. The handle  20  is used to impose the pushing or pulling of graspable device  7  by the operator. When pushed (or pulled), graspable device  7  slides backward along tubes  17   a  and  17   b . Sliding graspable device  7  also compresses spring  22 . Upon sliding, gripping recess  25  is moved from engagement with outer side  16  of first part  3 , and then second part  5  can be actuated downward about hinges  19   a  and  19   b . In this embodiment, the gripping recess  25  serves to engage the outer side  16  in a supporting manner which acts to keep the pivoting second part  5  of the frame  2  in a raised position, without necessarily affecting an actual locking of the two parts  3 ,  5  together. That is, the weight of the pivotable second part  5 , together with that of any load received thereupon, is supported by the fastening device, via the graspable member  7  portion thereof which is interposed between the two parts  3 ,  5  when the load carrier  1  is in the raised configuration (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ).  
      During actuation, the load is controlled by the user through the graspable device  7  and whereupon tilting down can take place in a simple and controllable manner.  
      When tilting the load carrier  1  up to the raised position, the handle  20  of the graspable device  7  is taken a hold of by the operator and lifted, together with any load being carried thereupon. An oblique surface  26  of graspable device  7  abuts against outer side  16  under the force of spring  22 ; when second part  5  is lifted and gripping recess  25  is level with outer side  16 , the spring force will press gripping recess  25  into engagement with outer side  16 . Spring  22  maintains this engagement during vehicle travel, whereupon graspable device  7  together with first part  3  and second part  5  keep load carrier  1  in an upraised position.  
      One development of the presently disclosed solution can be described as a tilting load carrier  1  configured to be attached to a carrying vehicle. The load carrier includes a frame  2  having a stationary first part  3  configured to be fixedly attached to a carrying vehicle and a pivoting second part  5  pivotably connected to the first part so that an upper portion  10  of the carrier can be tilted away from the vehicle to provide greater spacing between the upper portion of the load carrier and the carrying vehicle. The carrier includes a load receiver  6  mounted on the frame and configured to receive an article to be transported on the carrying vehicle. A fastening mechanism  7  is slidably interconnected on the pivoting second part and operator-transitionable between a latched configuration in which the pivoting second part is supported on the stationary first part by the fastening mechanism with the pivoting second part supported in a raised position and a released configuration in which the pivoting second part is allowed to pivot substantially freely relative to the stationary first part between the raised and a lowered position. The fastening mechanism has a graspable handle  20  configured for being grasped by a user and for supporting a full pivot-weight of the pivoting second part and any article carried in the load receiver when the pivoting second part is being pivoted between the raised and lowered positions.  
      This detailed description is set forth only for the purposes of illustrating examples of the presently disclosed device and should not be considered to limit the scope of the patent claims in anyway. Clearly, numerous additions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made to preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined exclusively by the patent claims.