Abstract:
A load receptacle is mountable on a load carrier fixed to the rear of a vehicle. The load receptacle includes a load receptacle fastening member configured to cooperate with an available counterpart of the load carrier. The load receptacle fastening member includes one of an elongate member and a receiving member of a fastening structure. The elongate member is a toothed strap made of synthetic material. The receiving member is configured to detachably receive the elongate member.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a load receptacle mountable on a load carrier fixed to the wheel of a vehicle as well as to a load carrier system comprising such a load receptacle and a load carrier. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Load carriers in particular of the kind fixed to the wheel of a vehicle have become increasingly popular. Known load carriers typically comprise a designated function such as carrying bikes. In other words, the load carriers are typically designed for a specific purpose. On the other hand, load carrier systems are known in which a base part is mountable on the rear of a vehicle and different types of carrier elements designed for a specific purpose are mountable on that base part. Such a configuration allows to change the purpose of the overall load carrier system by interchanging carrier elements and mounting them on the base part. For instance, it is possible in such systems to mount a bike carrier element on the base part and in case additional storage space is necessary, to mount a corresponding carrier box on the base part. As the latter systems are typically more costly, there exists the need to provide an interchangeability of functions of load carriers fixed to the rear of a vehicle. In this connection, systems are available which allow to place and mount a bag or load receptacle on an existing load carrier. For example, there are systems available in which the load carrier is a bike carrier and a load receptacle is mounted on the bike carrier. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In view of the above background, it is the object of the present subject matter to provide a load receptacle mountable on a load carrier fixed to the rear of a vehicle with an increased mountability. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, it is object of the invention to provide a load carrier system comprising such a load receptacle as well as a load carrier. 
         [0005]    The object is solved by a load receptacle and a load carrier system as described below. 
         [0006]    According to the invention, a load receptacle mountable on a load carrier fixed to the rear of a vehicle is provided, wherein the load receptacle comprises a load receptacle fastening member adapted to cooperate with an available counterpart of the load carrier. The load receptacle fastening member can include one of an elongate member and a receiving member of a fastening structure, wherein the elongate member is preferably a toothed strap made of synthetic material and wherein the receiving member is adapted to detachable receive the elongate member wherein the receiving member is preferably a strap receiver comprising a pump buckle. The strap can also be made of a fabric. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a load receptacle mountable on a load carrier fixed to the rear of a vehicle is provided. The load receptacle comprises a load receptacle fastening member adapted to cooperate with an available counterpart of the load carrier. Such an available counterpart can be a part of the load carrier which is already present on the load carrier or can be a part which is fixed on the load carrier so as to serve as the available counterpart of the load receptacle fastening member. 
         [0008]    The load receptacle fastening member can include one of an elongate member and a receiving member of a fastening structure. Accordingly, the connection between the load receptacle and the load carrier is provided by a fastening structure including an elongate member and a receiving member. The load receptacle fastening member can include one of the latter elements of the fastening structure. Hence, the load receptacle fasting member can be the elongate member or the receiving member. The available counterpart as described before is adapted to cooperate with the load receptacle fasting member. Accordingly, in case the load receptacle fasting member is an elongate member, the available counterpart is adapted to receive the elongate member. On the other hand, in case the load receptacle fasting member is a receiving member, the available counterpart is structured as an elongate member to be received by the receiving member. Accordingly, the available counterpart can be one of the receiving member and the elongate member of the fastening structure depending on the kind of load receptacle fasting member. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the elongate member is a toothed strap made of a synthetic material such as plastics. Furthermore, the receiving member is adapted to detachably receive the elongate member. Different possibilities are available for providing a detachable connection between the receiving member and the elongate member including a latching connection, a frictional connection or a clamp connection for instance. Preferably, the receiving member is a strap receiver comprising a pump buckle. In such a configuration, the pump buckle can comprise teeth which upon actuation of the pump buckle engage with teeth provided in the elongate member such that the elongate member is moved with respect to the strap receiver thereby tensioning the elongate member. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the available counterpart has a designated function other than cooperating with the load receptacle fasting member. In other words, the available counterpart can be an existing part of the load carrier which is normally used for a different purpose on the load carrier. As an example, the designated function can be the attachment of different parts to the load carrier by using the available counterpart. Preferably, the designated function of the available counterpart is only available in a condition in which the load receptacle is not mounted on the load carrier. For instance, the designated function of the available counterpart can be a cooperation with a further member of the load carrier in order to fix an element on the load carrier. In case the available counterpart is used for fixing the load receptacle on the load carrier, the available counterpart is no longer available for the previous function of cooperating with the further element of the load carrier. Thus, in case the load receptacle is mounted on the load carrier, the initial function of the available counterpart on the load carrier is suppressed. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the load receptacle further comprises a locking mechanism for temporarily suppressing a detachability of the elongate member from the receiving member. Consequently, by using such a locking mechanism, an anti-theft protection is provided in order to prevent a disengagement of the elongate member from the receiving member. Accordingly, the load receptacle can be locked on the load carrier. The receiving member can be adapted to receive the elongate member by passing a portion of the elongate member through the same. Accordingly, the receiving member can provide an opening through which the elongate member can passed. The locking mechanism can comprise a stop element non-moveably mountable on the elongate member upon completion of passing the elongate member through the receiving member, for blocking a passing of the elongate member through the receiving member in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. 
         [0012]    Different configurations are possible. For example, after the elongate member has passed a receiving member, a free end of the elongate member protrudes from one side of receiving member in the insertion direction. The stop element can be provided on the free end protruding from the receiving member and can have a dimension which does not allow a passing of the stop element through a receiving member thereby preventing a releasement of the elongate member from the receiving member. The stop element can comprise two portions hingedly coupled to each other and being able to sandwich a portion of the elongate member between them. Furthermore, the stop element can comprise a locking section lockably coupling the free ends of the two portions of the stop element to each other. With such a configuration of the stop element, it is possible to bring the portions of the stop element into a state, in which it is possible to sandwich a portion of the elongate member between the same and to lock the free ends of the portions of the stop element to each other such that the stop element completely surrounds the elongate member and is fixedly mounted thereto. In order to non-moveably mount the stop element on the elongate member, different configurations of the stop element are possible. For example, in case the elongate member is a toothed strap, it is possible to provide one of the portions of the stop element with teeth corresponding to the teeth provided on the elongate member. Accordingly, in case a stop element configured in this way is mounted on a toothed strap, the teeth will engage with each other and a movement in the longitudinal direction of the toothed strap is prevented. 
         [0013]    If the stop element is mounted on the free end of the elongate member as described above, the stop element serves as an abutment element which can get into contact with the receiving member in case an attempt is made to remove the elongate member from the receiving member in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. As soon as the stop element gets in contact with a receiving member, a movement of the elongate member is blocked. 
         [0014]    It is also possible to connect the abutment element with the receiving member in such a way that the stop element can be moved towards and away from the elongate member. Such a configuration has the advantage that the stop element is not provided as separate part. For example, it is possible to hingedly couple the stop element to the receiving member. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a configuration in which the stop element has a fixed position with respect to the receiving member meaning that a movement of the elongate member with respect to the receiving member is prevented as soon as the stop element is coupled to the elongate member. 
         [0015]    Preferably, at least one receptacle fastening member, preferably two fastening members, is/are arranged on a back portion of the load receptacle wherein the back portion faces away from the vehicle when the load receptacle is mounted on the load carrier. Accordingly, it is possible to use a single receptacle fastening member on the back portion of the load receptacle or multiple fastening members. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, the load receptacle can comprise at least one load receptacle fastening element, preferably two load receptacle fastening elements arranged on a front portion of the load receptacle facing towards the vehicle when the load receptacle is mounted on the load carrier. The load receptacle fastening element can be load receptacle fastening member as described above or can be a different element for fastening the load receptacle to the load carrier. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the load receptacle fastening element comprises a protrusion protruding from a front portion of the load receptacle, wherein the front portion faces towards the vehicle when the load receptacle is mounted on the load carrier, wherein the protrusion is insertable into a corresponding recess formed in the load carrier. Such a configuration enhances the mountability of the load receptacle on the load carrier in that the coupling of the load receptacle on the front side is accomplished by an engagement of a protrusion in a recess. In case the protrusion and the recess are sufficiently dimensioned, it is even possible to omit further fastening members on the front portion of the load receptacle. In this case, the mountability is even more enhanced as further mounting steps are only to be performed on the back side of the load receptacle which is easier accessible compared to the front side which faces the vehicle. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the load receptacle is one of a basket, a hardshell box a soft case or a carrier comprising a hardshell base with a soft upper part. Accordingly, the load receptacle can be realized in the form of different configurations allowing the transportation of loads different to the loads which are usually carried on the load carrier on which the load receptacle is mounted. 
         [0019]    According to a further aspect of the present subject matter, a load carrier system is provided comprising a load receptacle as described above and a load carrier mountable on a rear mount system of a vehicle, preferably a ball hitch or a fix point attachment of the vehicle. Preferably, the load carrier is bike carrier. 
         [0020]    In a preferred configuration, the load carrier is bike carrier comprising a wheel tray for supporting a wheel of a bike as well as a wheel securing device comprising a wheel tray strap and a wheel tray strap receiver for fixing a wheel of a bike on the wheel tray. At least one element of the wheel securing device can form an available counterpart and the load receptacle fastening member can be adapted to cooperate with at least one of the wheel tray strap and the wheel tray strap receiver. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the wheel tray strap receiver comprises a mounting section for mounting the wheel tray strap receiver on one side of a wheel tray and an engaging section into which an end of the wheel tray strap is insertable wherein the mounting section and the engaging section can be flexibly coupled to allow a movement of the engaging section about the mounting section. 
         [0022]    Different configurations are available for providing the flexible coupling as described before. For example, the mounting section and the engaging section can be hingedly coupled to each other. Preferably, the wheel tray strap receiver is at least partially made of flexible material allowing the engaging section to flex about the mounting section. In other words, at least a portion of the wheel strap receiver between the mounting section and the engaging section is formed flexible. By flexibly coupling the engaging section and the mounting section in the above way, the wheel tray strap receiver can adapt itself to the objects mounted on the bike carrier. For example, the wheel tray strap receiver can adapt to the wheel size of the bike to be transported on the bike carrier and also allows a transportation of a fatbike having an increased wheel dimension. Furthermore, the mountability of a load receptacle on the bike carrier is also enhanced in that it is possible to orient the engaging section by pulling it towards the user such that it is possible to easily insert a free end of an elongate member therein. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the wheel strap receiver further comprises a guiding portion arranged adjacent to the engaging section wherein the guiding portion comprises an insertion slot for inserting and guiding a toothed strap. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the wheel tray strap receiver comprises an abutment portion adapted to contact the wheel tray on one side allowing a movement of the engaging section towards the wheel tray until the abutment portion contacts the wheel tray and preventing a further movement of the engaging section towards the wheel tray when the abutment portion is in contact with the wheel tray. Accordingly, the wheel tray strap receiver is designed to avoid a contact between the wheel tray strap receiver and the wheel of a bike mounted on the wheel tray of the bike carrier. This is achieved by a configuration in which the wheel tray strap receiver is moveable towards the wheel tray to a certain extent, namely until the abutment portion contacts the wheel tray. 
         [0025]    Advantageously, the load receptacle comprises recesses for accommodating the wheel trays. In other words, the lower portion of the load receptacle can be adapted to the structure of the load carrier on which it is to be mounted. In case the load carrier is a bike carrier, the bottom portion of the load receptacle is preferably designed such that the wheel trays can be accommodated in corresponding recesses. 
         [0026]    Since the load receptacle is securely attached to the load carrier, tilting the load carrier as widely implemented in load carriers for enabling an access to the trunk of a vehicle is possible with the load receptacle mounted on the load carrier. 
         [0027]    It is to be noted that the above described wheel tray strap receiver as described in connection with the bike carrier, can also be suitably used as strap receiver on other devices than bike carriers. Furthermore, the locking mechanism as described above can be generally used on fastening structures including a strap and a strap receiver through which the strap is passed. The subject matter shall not be limited to the combined use of any of the latter elements with a load receptacle or a load carrier. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective back side view of a load receptacle according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective front side view of the load receptacle shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a bike carrier; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a back side view of a load carrier system in which a load receptacle is mounted on a bike carrier; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a fastening structure according to the present subject matter; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows the configuration of a wheel securing device according to the present subject matter; and 
           [0034]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show perspective views of a wheel tray strap receiver according to the present subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    In the following, an embodiment as well as modifications of the present subject matter will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that similar elements in the drawings are denoted with the same reference signs. 
         [0036]    A load receptacle  1  according to an embodiment of the present subject matter is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . More precisely,  FIG. 1  shows a back side view of the load receptacle  1  and  FIG. 2  shows a front side view of the load receptacle  1 . 
         [0037]    The load receptacle  1  according to the present embodiment comprises a lower portion la which is made of a rather rigid material so as to provide a suitable supporting basis allowing a suitable support against a load carrier and also being able to withstand the loads of goods to be transported in the load receptacle  1 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower portion  1   a  comprises a trough shaped opening which is open in the upward direction. On the upper end of the lower portion  1   a  a cover portion  1   b  is provided which can be made of a flexible material, a waterproof fabric for instance, which is supported by a frame construction coupled to the lower portion  1   a . As is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , load receptacle fastening members  3  in the form of toothed straps are mounted on the back side and the front side of the load receptacle at a predetermined distance from each other and at positions allowing a cooperation of the load receptacle fastening members with an available counterpart of a load carrier on which the load receptacle is to be mounted. 
         [0038]    According to the present subject matter, the load carrier on which the load receptacle as described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2  is to be mounted is a bike carrier  2  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The bike carrier  2  comprises two wheel trays  22  and furthermore counterparts  4  to which the load receptacle fastening members  3  of the load receptacle  1  can be coupled. In  FIG. 3 , only the counterparts provided on the back side of the bike carrier are shown. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a state in which the load receptacle  1  is mounted on the bike carrier  2 . 
         [0040]    As is shown in  FIG. 4 , the load receptacle fastening members  3  on the back side of the load receptacle  1  are inserted in the available counterparts of the bike carrier  2 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows a general construction of a fastening structure  5  which can be used for fixing the load receptacle  1  to the bike carrier  2 . The fastening structure  5  comprises an elongate member  51  and a receiving member  52  comprising a pump buckle  52   a  in the present embodiment. The elongate member  51  is a toothed strap having a mounting portion  51   a  and a toothed portion  51   b . The receiving member  52  is a pump buckle receiving member in which the pump buckle  52   a  comprises a toothed section  52   b , the teeth of which being engageable with the toothed portion  5   1   b  of the elongate member  51 . By a rotational movement of the pump buckle  52   a , it is possible to effect a movement of the elongate member  51  with respect to the receiving member  52 . Furthermore, the pump buckle  52   a  is arranged in the receiving member  52  such that it can be pushed for releasing an engagement of the teeth provided on the pump buckle  52   a  from the elongate member  51  allowing a movement of the elongate member  51  in a releasing direction. 
         [0042]    Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a locking mechanism  6  which is generally useable in connection with fastening structures similar to the one described before. As is shown in  FIG. 5 , the locking mechanism  6  comprises a stop element  61  comprising two portions  61   a  and  61   b  hingedly coupled to each other at one side, the left side in  FIG. 5 , and lockably connectable to each other on the other side, the right side in  FIG. 5 , by means of a locking element  62 . Accordingly, the locking mechanism  6  as shown in  FIG. 5  is shown in a locked state. The stop element  61  is non-moveably mounted on the toothed portion  51   b  of the elongate member  51 . In order to provide a fixed connection preventing a movement of the stop element  61  with respect to the elongate member  51 , an inner portion of the upper portion  61   a  of the stop element  61  which faces the teeth provided on the elongate member  51  is formed with corresponding teeth engageable with the teeth of the elongate member  51  such that a movement of the stop element  61  with respect to the elongate member  51  is inhibited as soon as the upper portion  61   a  and the lower portion  61   b  are locked with each other by the locking element  62 . 
         [0043]    As is further shown in  FIG. 5 , the stop element  61  comprises a dimension which does not allow passing the same through the receiving member  52 . Accordingly, in case the pump buckle  52   a  is pushed in order to release the engagement of the pump buckle  52   a  with the elongate member  51 , a movement of the elongate member  51  is only possible until the stop element  61  gets in contact with the receiving member  52 . Consequently, the locking mechanism  6  securely prevents the releasing of the elongate member  51  from the receiving member  52 . Accordingly, in case the above described fastening structure  5  is used for connecting the load receptacle  1  to a bike carrier  2  or another load carrier, using the locking mechanism  6  provides an anti-theft protection for the load receptacle  1 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a wheel securing device  8  as used for the wheel trays  22  of the bike carrier  2 . The wheel securing device  8  functions according to the principle as described with respect to the fastening structure  5  shown in  FIG. 5 . In other words, similar to the fastening structure  5  as described with respect to  FIG. 5 , the wheel securing device comprises a wheel tray strap  9  corresponding to an elongate member and a wheel tray strap receiver  10  corresponding to a receiving member. As is shown in  FIG. 6 , an end of the wheel tray strap  9  is mounted on one side of the wheel tray  22  and the wheel tray strap receiver  10  is mounted on an opposite side of the wheel tray  22 . Furthermore, both elements are arranged such that it is possible to insert an end portion of the wheel tray strap  9  into the wheel tray strap receiver  10 . 
         [0045]    In practical use, the wheel securing device  8  functions in the following manner. As soon as a bike is placed on the bike carrier  2  by supporting the wheels of the bike on the wheel tray  22 , the wheel tray strap is passed between spokes of a wheel of the bike and inserted into the wheel tray strap receiver thereby forming a fixation loop which can be tensioned by the operation of a pump buckle  11  of the wheel tray strap receiver  10 . 
         [0046]    The wheel tray strap receiver  10  can be used for each bike carrier using wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bike. For that purpose, the wheel tray strap receiver  10  comprises additional features which will be described in the following with respect to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show a wheel tray strap receiver  10  and in particular different views showing the construction of the wheel tray strap receiver  10  in greater detail. The wheel tray strap receiver  10  comprises a mounting section  10   a  comprising an opening in the present case allowing the wheel tray strap receiver  10  to be mounted on a side of a wheel tray  22 . Furthermore, the wheel tray strap receiver  10  comprises an engaging section  10   b  which essentially corresponds to a section in which teeth of the pump buckle  11  are located for an engagement with teeth of the wheel tray strap  9  to be inserted into the wheel tray strap receiver  10 . Furthermore, the wheel tray strap receiver  10  comprises a guiding portion  10   c  which is realized by providing an insertion slot  10   e  into which the wheel tray strap  9  is insertable. The insertion slot  10   e  is constructed using a bridging portion  10   d  extending from one side of the wheel tray strap receiver  10  to its other side and extending towards the portion of the pump buckle  11  comprising the teeth for engagement with the wheel tray strap  9 . The bridging section  10   g  restricts a bendability of the strap  9  towards the toothed portion of the pump buckle  11  thereby effectively preventing an engagement between the teeth of the pump buckle  11  and the teeth of the strap  9  in case the pump buckle  11  is pushed in order to release the strap. More precisely, if the pump buckle  11  is pushed, the toothed portion of the pump buckle  11  is moved away from a base portion  10   g  of the strap receiving member  10  in order to enlarge the gap between the teeth of the pump buckle  11  and the base portion  10   g  of the wheel tray strap receiver in the engaging section  10   b . Accordingly, by providing the guiding portion  10   c  in the above described way, pulling out the strap  9  from the wheel tray strap receiver  10  is possible without jamming. 
         [0048]    As is shown in  FIG. 6  as well as in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the wheel tray strap receiver  10  comprises an abutment portion  10   f  provided on an opposite side of the pump buckle  11 . The abutment portion  10   f  is constructed so as to be able to get in contact with the wheel tray  22  when the wheel tray strap receiver  10  is mounted on the wheel tray  22 . Furthermore, the wheel tray strap receiver  10  is constructed such that its body is bendable in a section between the mounting section  10   a  and the engaging section  10   b . The purpose of such a construction is described with respect to  FIG. 6 . Since the mounting section  10   a  and the engaging section  10   b  are flexibly coupled with respect to each other, the wheel tray strap receiver  10  can be deformed allowing a movement of the engaging section  10   b  about the mounting section  10   a . In other words, it is possible to swivel the upper portion of the wheel tray strap receiver  10  towards the right side in  FIG. 6  allowing wide wheels to be mounted on the wheel tray  22 . 
         [0049]    On the other hand, since the wheel tray strap receiver  10  comprises the abutment portion  10   f , the above described movement of the wheel tray strap receiver  10  in the opposite direction, that is in the left direction in  FIG. 6 , is only possible up to a position in which the abutment portion  10   f  contacts the wheel tray  22 . Thus, the abutment portion  10   f  acts as a stop limiting the movement of the wheel tray strap receiver  10 . This configuration has the beneficial effect that a contact between the wheel tray strap receiver  10  and a side portion of the wheels of a bike can be prevented. 
         [0050]    It is to be noted that in case the load receptacle  1  is mounted on the above described bike carrier  2  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the wheel tray strap receiver  10  functions as an available counterpart  4  into which the load receptacle fastening member  3  in the form of an elongate toothed strap can be inserted and tensioned. Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , it is possible to use the above described locking mechanism  6  in the construction as shown in  FIG. 4 .