Patent Abstract:
Provides a hitch carrier that is highly versatile for a bicycle that is loadable and that ensures stable loading of a bicycle. A hitch carrier for loading a bicycle including a frame that includes a top tube, a down tube, and a sheet tube, includes a first arm engaged with a first cradle including a supporting portion that supports the top tube, a second arm engaged with a second cradle including a supporting portion that supports the down tube, and a post supporting in a cantilever manner both the first arm and the second arm separated in a vertical direction. Fastening belts are disposed on the first cradle and the second cradle to fasten the top tube and the down tube, respectively.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a carrier for loading a bicycle, in particular, to a hitch carrier for loading a bicycle on a rear of a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    As a hitch carrier configured to load a bicycle, a hanging type that includes two arms is conventionally known. The hitch carrier with such a configuration puts the two arms through a triangle constituted with a top tube, a down tube, and a sheet tube as a bicycle frame, then secures the top tube with belts disposed on the respective arms. 
         [0003]    As the hitch carriers related to such a configuration, structures disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known. The hitch carrier disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an arm disposed to extend laterally using a brace member as a base point. This brace member and the lateral arm include respective hangers for locking a bicycle. The basic configuration thereof is to support a top tube with the hanger disposed on the lateral arm and secure a sheet tube with the hanger disposed on the brace member. 
         [0004]    The hitch carrier disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of multifunctional brackets on one or two arms, which are put through to an empty space within a frame constituted with a top tube, a down tube, a sheet tube, and similar member. The basic configuration thereof is to sandwich and secure the top tube and the sheet tube with each of the multifunctional brackets.
   Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,641   Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,165   
 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0007]    The conventional hitch carrier with a configuration of disposing two arms horizontally in parallel has a problem that a bicycle is not loadable unless the bicycle includes a frame that is constituted to have a relatively large empty space within the frame and a straight top tube, therefore the versatility is poor. 
         [0008]    Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration that ensures loading a bicycle even in the case where the empty space within the frame is small by including multifunctional brackets (cradles) that includes supporting portions at two positions on one arm. However, in this case, the multifunctional brackets possibly rotate using the arm as a base point, thus generating a problem in stably holding the bicycle. 
         [0009]    Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a hitch carrier that is highly versatile for a bicycle that is loadable and that ensures stable loading of a bicycle. 
       Solutions to the Problems 
       [0010]    A hitch carrier according to the present invention to achieve the above-described objective is a hitch carrier for loading a bicycle including a frame that includes a top tube, a down tube, and a sheet tube. The hitch carrier includes a first arm engaged with a first cradle including a supporting portion that supports the top tube, a second arm engaged with a second cradle including a supporting portion that supports the down tube, and a post supporting in a cantilever manner both the first arm and the second arm separated in a vertical direction. Fastening belts are disposed on the first cradle and the second cradle to fasten the top tube and the down tube, respectively. 
         [0011]    In the hitch carrier including a feature as described above, the first cradle and the second cradle include respective through holes that engage with the first arm and the second arm, and a plurality of the supporting portions disposed in a peripheral area using the through hole as a base point on an outer periphery in a direction intersecting with a direction where the through hole is formed. Respective distances between the through hole and the plurality of supporting portions are configured to be different. 
         [0012]    Including such features allows changing of a loading height and a loading angle of the frame, which constitutes the bicycle, by rotating the cradle. In view of this, in the case where the plurality of bicycles are loaded, interference of a large width portion such as a handlebar and a pedal is avoidable. 
         [0013]    In the hitch carrier including features as described above, the first arm and the second arm are preferred to include a turning mechanism configured to turn using a supporting portion of the post as a base point. Including such a feature allows the arms to be folded in the post side when in an unused state. 
         [0014]    The hitch carrier including features as described above, preferably includes a link mechanism that links turning movements of the first arm and the second arm. Including such a feature allows switching of a used state and a stored state to be performed in one action. A mechanism for keeping a posture of the arm such as a locking mechanism is sufficient by being disposed on only one of the first arm or the second arm, thus simplifying the configuration. 
       Effects of the Invention 
       [0015]    According to the hitch carrier including features as described above, a hitch carrier that is highly versatile for a bicycle that is loadable and that ensures stable loading of a bicycle can be constituted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration when a hitch carrier according to the embodiment is installed on a vehicle is viewed from a vehicle side surface. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the hitch carrier according to the embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a used state in a state where a brace member that constitutes a post of the hitch carrier according to the embodiment is divided. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a stored state in a state where the brace member that constitutes the post of the hitch carrier according to the embodiment is divided. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a cradle employed in the hitch carrier according to the embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a diagram for describing an exemplary of a specific configuration of a fastening belt and a buckle that constitute the cradle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the hitch carrier with a bicycle loaded is viewed from a vehicle side surface side. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the hitch carrier with the bicycle loaded is viewed from a vehicle rear side. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The following describes embodiments according to a hitch carrier of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration when a hitch carrier is installed on a vehicle is viewed from a vehicle side surface.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hitch carrier. 
         [0025]    A hitch carrier  10  according to the embodiment is basically constituted with a post  12 , a first arm  18 , and a second arm  24 . The post  12  is a member that supports the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  in a cantilever manner (supports one end portions of the first arm  18  and the second arm  24 ). The post  12  is connected to a rear of a vehicle via an adapter  14  (the vehicle is not illustrated). The post  12  includes a turning mechanism  16  having a locking function in a connecting portion with the adapter  14 . In the used state, the post  12  keeps a state of being disposed standing upright to be approximately perpendicular with respect to the adapter  14 , which is disposed to extend approximately horizontally to the rear of the vehicle, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . On the other hand, a vehicle of a hatchback type cannot open a hatch with the post  12  standing upright. In view of this, when the hatch is opened, the post  12  is turned in a direction to which the adapter  14  is extended using the connecting portion with the adapter  14  as a base point. Therefore, the turning mechanism  16  has the locking function to prevent an unwanted turning in the used state. 
         [0026]    The post  12  according to the embodiment is constituted with a pair of brace members  12   a . The brace members  12   a  forming the pair are configured to sandwich the adapter  14 , and the first arm  18  and the second arm  24 , which will be described in detail later. With such a configuration, the configuration to store the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  between the brace members  12   a  forming the pair can be employed. Rotation axes  22   d  and  28  (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ) to support the one end portions of the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  may be disposed so as to bridge across the brace members  12   a  forming the pair. Therefore, the rotation axes  22   d  and  28  can be stably held. 
         [0027]    The first arm  18  is a support rod disposed on a top end side of the post  12 . The first arm  18  includes a plurality of cradles (first cradles  20 ) engaged. The first arm  18  according to the embodiment is constituted with a cylindrical member or a columnar member, and its base end portion includes a turning mechanism  22  that serves as a connecting portion with the post  12 . 
         [0028]    The turning mechanism  22  is constituted with a turning member  22   a , a locking means  22   b , and a casing  22   c  as a main body, as the cross-sectional structures in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate. The turning member  22   a  is a member that supports the one end portion of the above-described first arm  18  and supports its rotation and locking. A rotating member  22   a  supports the first arm  18  in a state where the first arm  18  is shifted upward (a direction to which the post  12  extends) with respect to the rotation axis  22   d  for a shift amount L. Such a configuration ensures preventing interference between the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  when the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  are turned to be stored because positions of the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  are mutually shifted as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0029]    The turning member  22   a  includes a locking groove  22   a   1 . Cooperating with the locking means  22   b , which will be described later, ensures keeping a state where the first arm  18  is projected out (used state) or a state where the first arm  18  is folded (stored state). 
         [0030]    The locking means  22   b  is a mechanism used for keeping the first arm  18  in the used state or the stored state as described above. In this embodiment, a lever  22   b   2  including a rotation axis  22   b   1  and a convex-shaped portion  22   b   3  included in this lever  22   b   2  constitute the locking means  22   b . Here, the plurality of locking grooves  22   a   1  of the turning member  22   a  are formed toward a side of the rotation axis  22   b   1  on an outer periphery of the turning member  22   a . Positions to form the locking grooves  22   a   1  are a portion where the convex-shaped portion  22   b   3  of the lever  22   b   2  positions when the first arm  18  is in the used state and a portion where the convex-shaped portion  22   b   3  of the lever  22   b   2  positions when the first arm  18  is in the stored state. The lever  22   b   2  preferably is biased to a side of the rotation axis  22   d  of the turning member  22   a  with, for example, a spring, which is not illustrated. 
         [0031]    The casing  22   c  is a cover covering the turning member  22   a , the first arm  18 , the locking means  22   b , or similar part. The casing  22   c  includes a guide groove  22   c   1  for avoiding interference with the rotation axis  22   b   1  of the lever  22   b   2  fixed to the brace member  12   a.    
         [0032]    Such a configuration ensures turning of the first arm  18  by turning the lever  22   b   2  in a direction of an arrow A to release an engagement of the locking groove  22   a   1  and the convex-shaped portion  22   b   3 . When the first arm  18  turns to a predetermined position (a position in the used state or a position in the stored state), the convex-shaped portion  22   b   3  of the lever  22   b   2  biased to the rotation axis  22   d  side of the turning member  22   a  engages with the locking groove  22   a   1  formed in the predetermined position. 
         [0033]    The second arm  24  is a support rod disposed on a base end side of the post  12  with respect to the first arm  18  described above. Therefore, the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  have their arrangement at upper and lower positions in the used state. The second arm  24  also includes a plurality of cradles (second cradles  26 ) engaged, similar to the first arm  18 . 
         [0034]    The second arm  24  according to the embodiment includes the rotation axis  28  on the one end portion, and includes a connecting member  30  in between with the turning member  22   a  supporting the one end portion of the first arm  18 . Thus disposing the connecting member  30  can constitute a link mechanism that links a turning movement of the second arm  24  with a turning movement of the first arm  18 . When the first arm  18  is in a locked state, the second arm  24  can also be in the locked state. In view of this, the second arm  24  has no necessity of including the locking means  22   b , thus the configuration can be simplified. 
         [0035]    The cradles (the first cradle  20  and the second cradle  26 ), which is engaged to the first arm  18  and the second arm  24 , are not necessarily plural for both the first arm  18  and the second arm  24 . The same number as the number of the bicycle loaded may be disposed each. 
         [0036]    The first cradle  20  and the second cradle  26  (hereinafter collectively and simply referred to as the cradles  20  and  26 ) basically include a through hole  32  and a supporting portion  34  ( 34   a  and  34   b ), and a fastening belt  36 , as a perspective view in  FIG. 5  illustrates. The through hole  32  is an engaging portion to engage with the above-described first arm  18  or second arm  24 . The supporting portion  34  is a loading surface to support a top tube  52  (see  FIG. 8 ) or a down tube  54  (see  FIG. 8 ) of a bicycle  50  (see  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). The fastening belt  36  is a holding member that holds the top tube  52  or the down tube  54  loaded on the supporting portion  34  so as to prevent the top tube  52  or the down tube  54  from slipping from the loading surface. 
         [0037]    The cradles  20  and  26  including such a basic element according to the embodiment have their side surface shaped in oval (track-like shape). On the side surface, the above-described through hole  32  is formed from one side surface toward the other side surface. The cradles  20  and  26  according to the embodiment include the through hole  32  that is formed being biased to one circular arc side of the oval-like shape. A whole outer peripheral surface connecting a pair of side surface, which forms the oval, constitutes the supporting portion  34  for supporting the bicycle. In view of this, the plurality of supporting portions  34  on the cradles  20  and  26  are arranged around the peripheral area using the center of the through hole  32  as the base point. The supporting portion  34 , such as the supporting portion  34   a  and the supporting portion  34   b , has a different distance from the center of the through hole  32  depending on its position. In view of this, the distance from the center of the through hole  32  (the first arm  18  or the second arm  24 ) to the supporting portion  34 , that is, a height of the supporting portion  34  can be changed by rotating the cradles  20  and  26  engaged with the first arm  18  or the second arm  24  using the through hole  32  as the base point. This ensures changing of the height when the bicycle  50  (see  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ) is loaded, thus preventing interference when the plurality of bicycles  50  are loaded. 
         [0038]    The supporting portion  34  is constituted to have its center portion dent in a drum shape from the one side surface to the other side surface. Such a configuration improves a holdability of the frame (the top tube  52  or the down tube  54 ) when the bicycle  50  is loaded, and ensures the prevention of the frame slippage. 
         [0039]    The circular arc side on the opposite side of the side where the through hole  32  is disposed in the cradles  20  and  26  includes a buckle  38  for fastening the fastening belt  36 . The buckle  38  is disposed to form a pair on both the one side surface side and the other side surface side. The specific configuration of the buckle  38  does not matter as long as the configuration ensures the effective fastening of the fastening belt  36 . The configuration may omit the buckle  38  itself as long as the configuration allows the frame in contact with the supporting portion  34  to be effectively held with the fastening belt  36 . For example, in the case where the fastening belt is constituted with a member having a stretch property such as a rubber, it is not necessary to dispose the buckle  38  because the fastening belt  36  alone can fasten and hold. 
         [0040]    On the other hand, in the case where a configuration includes the buckle  38 , the following configuration, for example, may be employed. That is, in the case where a stopper  36   a  in a sawtooth shape is disposed in a fastening portion of the fastening belt  36  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the buckle  38  is preferably constituted to be in a ratchet shape having a base  38   a , a lever  38   b , a bias spring  38   c , and similar part. Such a configuration enables a fastening belt  38  to be pulled only to a fastening side indicated by an arrow E when a leading end of the lever  38   b  of the buckle  38  is biased to the fastening belt  36  side, and when the fastening belt  36  is pulled to a loosening side (an arrow F side), an engagement occurs between the leading end of the lever  38   b  and the stopper  36   a , thus the fastening belt  36  cannot be pulled. When the fastening belt  36  is loosen, pushing a rear end of the lever  38   b  to the fastening belt  36  side releases the engagement of the leading end and the stopper  36   a.    
         [0041]    The buckle  38  having the configuration as described above is turnable around the axis connecting the one side surface and the other side surface as indicated by an arrow D (see  FIG. 5 ). Such a configuration enables the frame to be held even in the case where the position of the supporting portion  34 , which contacts the frame, is changed in association with the rotation of the cradles  20  and  26  using the through hole  32  as a base point at each contacting position by turnably disposing the fastening belt  38  such that the fastening belt  38  straddles over the supporting portion  34  that is in contact with the frame. 
         [0042]    The hitch carrier  10  having such a configuration allows the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  to be in the stored state by turning in a direction of an arrow B (see FIG.  3 ) or to be in the used state by turning in a direction of an arrow C (see  FIG. 4 ), by turning the lever  22   b   2  of the locking means  22   b  in the direction of the arrow A as described above. In the stored state, the first arm  18  and the second arm  24 , which include the plurality of cradles  20  and  26  engaged are stored in the post  12  constituted with the brace members  12   a  forming the pair, thus making the stored state compact. 
         [0043]    Next, loading of the bicycle using the hitch carrier as described above will be described with reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a state where the bicycle is loaded is viewed from the vehicle side surface side in a state where the hitch carrier  10  is installed on the vehicle.  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a state when viewed from the vehicle rear portion side. 
         [0044]    The hitch carrier  10  according to the embodiment is basically loaded by the bicycle  50  including the frame forming a triangle with the top tube  52 , the down tube  54 , and a sheet tube  56  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0045]    The first cradle  20  is located under the top tube  52 , supports the top tube  52  with the supporting portion  34 , and holds the top tube  52  with the fastening belt  36 . The second cradle  26  is located under the down tube  54 , supports the down tube  54  with the supporting portion  34 , and holds the down tube  54  with the fastening belt  36 . 
         [0046]    The employed configuration holds the bicycle  50  by disposing only the first cradle  20  in the triangle constituted with the frame and supporting the down tube  54  with the second cradle  26  from outside the triangle. Thus the bicycle  50  with a frame having a small triangle constituted with the top tube  52 , the down tube  54 , and the sheet tube  56  can also be held. The configuration holds the frame of the bicycle  50  vertically by disposing the first cradle  20  and the second cradle  26  in a vertical direction, therefore a wobble of the loaded bicycle can be stopped. 
         [0047]    Rotating the cradles  20  and  26  using the first arm  18  or the second arm  24  as the base point ensures changing a distance between the first arm  18  or the second arm  24  and the supporting portion  34 . That is, a height and an angle to support the frame are changeable. In view of this, the loading height and angle of the frame are changeable in order to avoid the interference at a large width portion such as a handlebar  58  and a pedal  60  when the plurality of bicycles  50  are loaded. 
         [0048]    While the hitch carrier  10  according to the embodiment is described that the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  are disposed to be in a vertical position, the vertical positions of the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  do not necessarily match one another, and may be disposed with a shift of approximately the width of the member constituting the arm. Such a configuration ensures avoiding the interference between the first arm and the second arm even in a case where the shift amount L is not disposed between the rotation axis  22   b   1  and the support position of the first arm. 
         [0049]    The hitch carrier  10  according to the above-described embodiment employs the configuration that the first arm  18  and the second arm  24  are vertically disposed on the post  12 , and the cradles  20  and  26  disposed on both the arms support and hold the frame, thus the bicycle  50  basically cannot shake in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (not illustrated). However, a member to reduce the shaking of the bicycle  50  (wobble stop member) may be disposed separately from the cradles  20  and  26  in consideration of safety. 
       DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERAL 
       [0050]      10 : hitch carrier,  12 : post,  12   a : brace member,  14 : adapter,  16 : turning mechanism,  18 : first arm,  20 : first cradle,  22 : turning mechanism,  22   a : turning member,  22   a   1 : locking groove,  22   b : locking means,  22   b   1 : rotation axis,  22   b   2 : lever,  22   b   3 : convex-shaped portion,  22   c : casing,  22   c   1 : guide groove,  22   d : rotation axis,  24 : second arm,  26 : second cradle,  28 : rotation axis,  30 : connecting member,  32 : through hole,  34  ( 34   a ,  34   b ): supporting portion,  36 : fastening belt,  36   a : stopper,  38 : buckle,  38   a : base,  38   b : lever,  38   c : bias spring,  50 : bicycle,  52 : top tube,  54 : down tube,  56 : sheet tube,  58 : handlebar,  60 : pedal

Technology Classification (CPC): 1