CA1190196A - Load carrier - Google Patents
Load carrierInfo
- Publication number
- CA1190196A CA1190196A CA000382598A CA382598A CA1190196A CA 1190196 A CA1190196 A CA 1190196A CA 000382598 A CA000382598 A CA 000382598A CA 382598 A CA382598 A CA 382598A CA 1190196 A CA1190196 A CA 1190196A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bicycle
- set forth
- vehicle
- cross
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/08—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear
- B60R9/10—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear for cycles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62H—CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES
- B62H3/00—Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles
- B62H3/08—Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles involving recesses or channelled rails for embracing the bottom part of a wheel
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S224/00—Package and article carriers
- Y10S224/924—Vehicle attached carrier for bicycle or motorcycle
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A vehicle load carrying device including a primary load carrying structure for carrying general type loads such as luggage and the like, above a vehicle surface, such as a hood or roof, and a bicycle carrier which can be removably assembled with the primary load carrying structure to facilitate the transport of bicycles in an upright position above said surface. The primary load carrying structure includes a set of laterally spaced longitudinal rails and a pair of transverse utility bar assemblies which are longitudinally positionable along and removably securable to a pair of the rails for supporting loads. The bicycle carrier includes a brace member which is removably assembled between one utility bar assembly and the frame of a bicycle to secure the bicycle against lateral movement relative to said surface, and a wheel fixing structure which receives the bicycle wheels, locates them in planar alignment, and secures the wheels and the bicycle against longitudinal movement. One version of the wheel fixing structure is a longitudinal channel carried by the utility bars for receiving and properly locating the bicycle wheels, and clamping assemblies which clampingly retain the wheels in the channel. A second version of the wheel fixing structure includes a pair of shoes which are assembled along a rail at longitudinally spaced locations for receiving and properly locating the bicycle wheels, and clamping assemblies which clampingly retain the wheels within the shoes.
A vehicle load carrying device including a primary load carrying structure for carrying general type loads such as luggage and the like, above a vehicle surface, such as a hood or roof, and a bicycle carrier which can be removably assembled with the primary load carrying structure to facilitate the transport of bicycles in an upright position above said surface. The primary load carrying structure includes a set of laterally spaced longitudinal rails and a pair of transverse utility bar assemblies which are longitudinally positionable along and removably securable to a pair of the rails for supporting loads. The bicycle carrier includes a brace member which is removably assembled between one utility bar assembly and the frame of a bicycle to secure the bicycle against lateral movement relative to said surface, and a wheel fixing structure which receives the bicycle wheels, locates them in planar alignment, and secures the wheels and the bicycle against longitudinal movement. One version of the wheel fixing structure is a longitudinal channel carried by the utility bars for receiving and properly locating the bicycle wheels, and clamping assemblies which clampingly retain the wheels in the channel. A second version of the wheel fixing structure includes a pair of shoes which are assembled along a rail at longitudinally spaced locations for receiving and properly locating the bicycle wheels, and clamping assemblies which clampingly retain the wheels within the shoes.
Description
~L9~
~D ~ER
BACKGRDUND AND SUMMARY OF IHE INVENTIoN
The present invention relates to devices for securing and supporting bicycles and other types of loads for transport by an S auto~otive or c~her ~ehicle, 8nd more particularly, to s~he combination of a prinary load supporting structure for securing and supporting loads such as luggage and the like, and a bicycie carrier for u~- in o~mbination with the primary load supporting s~Lu~u~e for cecuring and supQorting one or more bicycles in ~n upright poC~ition for L~VL~ by a vehicle.
A ~ide variety of vehicle lu~gase or other tyFe lG~d carrying devices are generally well knosm. ~owever, ~uch devices are not well-suited for utilization æ a bicycle carrier. On the other han~, there exist n~ny prior devices s~ich can be ~l~d upon a generally hori%ontal surface of a vehicle, such as a rGof or hccd, fcr ~ecuring one or ~ore bicycle~ for k ~ ~OL~ by the vehicle. ~owever, such prior knosm devices are not s~ell-suited for carryin~ other load5, and their utility is ~nerally l~mited to bicycle ~ ~ ~y~
~LeC~L/ prior lux~wn vehicle bicycle carriers for ~,~ ~yJ--ing bicycles in ~n upright position possess certair. deiciencies and di~auv~l~ac~es ~hich further limit their u~illty. ~,ore specifically, ~uch devices have required ~he ~Qunting Gf ~everal longitudinally ~paced l~terally extend mg crc~ bove ~uch a vehicle surface, ell as the ~sse~bly of ~ ~eparate m,ulti~piece bicycle cupporting ~5 utructure for ~upport by ~nd between the cross-members in order to yleld an eEfectlve bicycle carryin~ devioe. Such deYlces ~here~ore req~lre cr~plicat~d, tedious and timæ consuming assembly procedures.
In addit1on, the bicycle nupporting 8~LUC~u~ of the e devtces have b2en o~ generally ocmp~icated con~lguratlons which require ~nultiple 3?~9~
step form~ng y,~ S, ~nd take up Lul"eces~-y space during shipmen~
and use. ~hile some of these bicycle supp~\rtin~3 structures have been design~d for llif- - ly for shipnent, such designs contribute to the previously mentioned asselrbly pr~blems. 5~heæ structures al~ occupy a substantial c~unt o vertical space above a vehicle when they are not being utilized to carry a bicycle. They can therefore present an undesired hazard in low vertical clearance areas, such as garage entries or around low hanging tree branches or limbs, and create additional wind resistance which reduoes vehicle efficiency. Avoidance of these problems can be achieved only by tedious ar.d time w 'n~
;s~ ` ly and n~noval of these prior devices frcm the vehiele.
The eompl icated eonf igurations of these prior bieycle supporting struetures have resulted because they have been designed to effeet a rigid self~supportir~ ~k~ u-e to whi~ a bieyele frame may be secur~d to prevent lo gitudinal ar.d lateral m~v~rent of the bieycle.
While some of these prior devices have included longitudinally extending channels for reeeiving the front and rear wheels o~ a bicycle, these ehannels, at most, serve ~nly to prevent turning of such wheels, and the bieyele is seeured against longitudinal and lateral vement solely by the supporting structure o~ 8uch deviees. In order to funetion in this =er, sueh prior dev$ees have required fixed, rigid supporting struetures having limited or no positioning eapability, either longit~dinally or laterally along the vehicle surfaee. They therefore possess limited adap'cability and are not well-~uited to i x ~te a variety of s~ee n~eds.
Yt iB~ l.he-~Lu~e~ desirable to p~ovlde a load ~arrying deviee whieh ean b~ s5~hl~l upcn a vehiele in a sinple, quiek ar.d eff;rl~nt manner ~or a~uring and sup~rting bieyeles ~1 2n upright position for transport by the vehlde. It i~ niso desirable to prûvide su~h a -9~ 9~
device which has general load carr~llny capabilities, 80 tha~
it can be u-tilized to carry bicycles or o-ther loads, or hoth, as desired. It is moreover desirable to provide such ,1 device that includes a simplified bicycle supportiny structure which can be manufactured more efficiently than prior known devices, and which takes up less space during shipment and use, It is further desirable to provide such a structure which can be easily collapsed and retained on the vehicle to avoid vertical clearance problems and to reduce wind resistance when the structure is not being utilized to transport bicycles.
It is additionally desi.rable to provide such a device which possesses longitudinal and lateral positioning capabilities to allow bicycles and other loads to be positioned above a vehicle surface as desired for transport by the vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for supporting and securing a bicycle having a frame and front and rear wheels in an upright position above-a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle for transport by the vehicle. The device includes base support means secured to the vehicle with first retaining means secured to the base and support means for engaging the fram~ bo retain the bicycle against lateral movement relative to the vehicle, and a second retaining means for engaging the ~ront and rear wheels -to retain the bicycle against longitudinal movement relative to the vehicle.
According to one aspect of the present invention the first retaining means is movable between a :Eirst cooperative . I
sb/!
~L~9~
position for encJaginy the frame -to retain the bicy~le against lateral movement ancl a second storage position base support in at least one of either a longitudinal extendiny or laterally extending directions of the device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the Eirst retaining means is positionable in varia~le operable positions relative to the base support and at least one of either the longitudinal extending or the laterally extending directions of the device.
Another aspect of the invention as herein disclosed relates to the second means including one wheel locating means for receiving and locating both the front and rear wheels of the bicycle relative to the surface and wheel engaging means for engaging and securing the front and rear wheels within the wheel locating means to retain the bicycle agains-t longitudinal movement. The second retaining means is laterally adjustable to selected operable positions relative to the base support means.
In a specific embodiment of the device, there is provided at least one slat fixedly mounted on the horizontal surface, the second retaining means including a first shoe for receiving the front wheel and a second shoe for receiving the rear wheel which cooperates with the first shoe to locate the front and rear wheels in generally planar alignment, each shoe having a lower part conformably shaped to set upon the horizontal surface and an upper part disposed vertlcally above the lower part having at least a portion thereof shaped to be arcuately conformably engageable with a portion of one B sb/ ~
~3(3~
of the bic~cle tlres. Vertically disposed fasteniny means is provided for securing each shoe -to the slat extending throu~h -the upper and lower parts of each shoe to slideably attach each said shoe to the slat.
In one version described herein, the wheel fixin~ structure includes a longitudinally extending channel which is removably assembled upon two cross-members or utility bars for receiving and locating both bicycle wheels, and clamping assemblies for retaining the wheels within the channel. ~n either case, the brace member supports and secures the bicycle against lateral movemen~, while the wheel fixing structure secures and supports the bicycle against longitudinal movement. The brace member can be provided in a form which can be quickly and efficiently collapsed and retained on the vehicle in a low profile configuration when the bicycle carrier is not being utilized-to transport bicycles.
With this design, the present invention eliminates the necessity of providing a complicated, rigid and self-supporting bicycle supporting structure extending between a paix of cross-members, such as taught by prior known devices.
~nstead, the bicycle carrier provides a structure which secures and supports a bicycle at three distinct points, and cooperates with the bicycle itself to create a stablè and rigid structure. These features also provide a bicycle carrier which is more adaptable, easier to manufacture and assemble, and which requires less space for shipment and use than prior - 4a -B
sb/~
known devices. It should be noted that the design of each utili-ty bar allows the brace member and the channel to be laterally positioned as desired. Similarly, th2 design of the longitudinal rails enables longitudinal - 4b -sb/ ~~
~.~9~
positioning of the ~hoes æcording to user needs. These ~dditional features, along with the positic~ing capability of tl.e utility bars, present the user ~ith a device that can be positioned upon a s~ehicle surface as desired for supporting and securing bicycles for t~CU~L~
by the vehicle. Moreover, these positioning capabilities provide the user with a dev;ce that c~ be utilized for locatir~ 3 kc~,~.Ling bicycles, other types of loads, or b~th, as c~sired. In ~dition, the devioe provides the user with a bicycle carrier which can be simply and efficiently placed in a low profile storage configuration on the vehicle, go that win~ resistanoe an~ vertical clearance problems can be avoidecl without o~mpletely ren~ving the carrier from the vehicle.
The a~ove and other features of the invention will b,ecome apparent from a reading of the detailed description of the praferred embc diments which ma~e Ler~ Len~ t~ t~ follo~ing set of dras~ings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective via~ of a primary locad carrying structure and bicycle carrier in ~ - ~L~ e with c~e ~ ~ i t. of the present inventlcn;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a wheel fixing ~tructure o~ the ~ illustrated in Pigure l;
Figure 3 is ~ sectional Yle~ taken in tl2e direction of Line 3-3 o~ Figure l;
Figure 4 is a ectional vLew taken in th2 direction o~ l.ine 4-~
of F.igure l;
~ gure 5 15 an e~ploded perspective vlew showlng the assenLbly relationship of partlcular elements of ehe embodlment lllustrated in ur~ lt . - 5 --., ~p~v~
Figure 6 ls a perspective vlew of ~econd r~li~ents of a brace ~ember and a wheel fixing structure ln accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of Line 7-7 S of Figure 6;
Pigure 8 is a perspective view of a third ~n~i of a brace ~æmber in &~cordance with the pre æ nt invention;
Figure 9 is an enlarged partially exploded persyective view of the ~ i ~ of Eigure 8, with portions thereof being in section; and Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of a fourth : :- t of a brace n~mber in ~v.d~ with the present invention.
DETAILED D~S~L~ U~ OF IXE ~ LK~hU EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, an . i~n~ of a lo~d carrier 1~ in~L~-dting the teachings of the present invention is shcwn generallyat 10. Figure 1 illustrates the lo~d carrier 10 æ utilized to secure and support a bicycle 12 for transport a~ove a generally horizontal Burface 14 of a vehicle, such as a rcof or hocd. I~,e bicycle 12 is of - a atandard oDnfiguration, znd incl~des a frame 16 which is 2bfined bsr a front fram~ me~ber 18 and a rear frame me~ber 20. qhe bicycle 12 also includes a front fork assembly 22, a steering æsse~bly 2~, a rear fork assembly 26, and a pedal assen~bly 28 of ~tandard oonfiguraticn. As ~n in Figure 1, the bicycle 12 alSD includes a front wheel 30 ~hich ls carried ~pon the front for3c assembly 22. A rear wheel 32 ia carrie;l upon the rear fDrk as~ly 26 ~nd 18 operative to be dr~ven b~ the pedal ~;senbly 28 ~ tandar~ chain drive ~r~ 6ht~1)~
me l~d carrier 10 i.ncludes a primary load fxirrying s,tructure ~0 which can be utilized to sec~re ar~ ~uF~rt general types of loads, such cajS luggage c~d the like, in a c~inventional manner. As ~hown ln Figure 1, primary lo~id carrying structure 40 includes a set of four longitudinally extendin3 rail members 42 which are spaced laterally ~long surface 140 As bast shown in Figure 3, each rail r~nber 42 is formed to define a base 44 and a pair of upstanding spaced parallel sidewalls ~6 ;~nd 48. The sidewalls 46 and 48 terminate in a Fair of laterally inwi rdly extending a~planar fL~riges 50 ar.d 52, respectively.
As illustrated in Figure 3, flange 50 defines a longitudinally extending ~per cla~?ing surface 54 and a silriilarly extending lower clamping surface 56 . Flange 52 likewise def ines an upper clamping s~lrface 58 and a lower clamping surface 60. As so formed, each rail member 42 def ines a longitudinally extending channel 62, and lo~gitudinally extendinq slot or access opening 64 for permitting access to channel 62. Each rail ~er 42 can be attached to surface 14 in any desired manner. P~wever, in the preerred; - --r.t of the invention, each rail m~n~er 42 is attached to surfaoe 14 by installing a series of riv-nuts 66 at laterally aligned longitudinally spaced locations along surface 14 and passing a like number of threaded fastening el~ents 68 through the base 44 of each rail member A2 and into ~iv-nuts 66 in the manner illustr~ted in Figure 5.
me primary lo~sd carrying 3tL~Cture 40 ~lso includes a pair of utility bar assemblies 70 such.~s shown in Figure 1. Ea~ o$ these :!5 utility bar assen~blies 70 includes ia laterally extending elongated cross-member 72 which is assembled wL~h ~nd supported l:~y st~nch~n a34emb1ies 74 i~dja~ent each of it~ ~ ~s. ~he cross-~embers 72 may be o any ~uit~ble con3tructlon, bu~ yLeL~bly nre of the ~L~S~ aec~icn lllu~trated ln Figure.q ~ a~d S. ~eferring ~pecifically to Figure ~, , ~
3~;
each crDss-m~mber 72 is formed to ~efin~ a bottom p~rtion 76 and a palr o~ 6paced upwardly o~nverging .5jr~11q 78 and 80. Each cror~s ~
72 also includes two pairs of laterally inwardly extending, vertically spaced flange portions, indicated in F~igure 4 at 82, 84, 86 and ~8, which together define an elongated track or channel 90 which i3 ¢oextensive with the length of the cross-me~ber 72. Flanges 86 and 88 also oooperate to define an elongated slot or access opening gl which allows access to channel 90 for the purposes decribed more fully hereinafter.
As shown most readily in Figure 5, each stanchion assembly 74 i~ o~erable to be acs~lr~l ~ith an el~ of a cross-member 7~ and with a longitudinal rail member 42. Far this purFose, each st~nr~hir~ assembly 74 includes a stanchicn bcdy 92 which is form~d to define a base 94 and a pair of upwardly oonverging ~ 96 and 98 which ccope.~ with the base 94 to define a oentral recess 100 within stanchion body 92.
Each stanchion body 92 also defines a laterally projecting maunting porti~n 102 which is ~elesccpically received within an adjacent end of a cross-member 72 and removably assembled therewith by a fastening element 104 such as ~hown in Figure 5.~ T~ acilitate ~ssembly o e~ach stanchion assembly 7~ with a rail member 42, each stanchion assembly 74 includes a fastening ~lement 106 which defines an adjusting ~nob 108 disposed within recess 100, and an extern31ly threaded fitud 110 which extends thr~ugh base 94 and which can be turned by ~ay of hncb 108. Ih addition, threaded clamping plates 112 can be provided within channel 62 of ~e rail menb~r 42 to threadably r~ceive studs 110 within channel 62 ~hrough acce~s opening 64.
~hese ~eatures allow ~ach ut~lity bar asse~bly 70 to be removably ~ssembled bo a laterally spaced Fair of longitudinal rail ~ber~ 42 ~s hown ~n Figure 1. ~n this oonn~ctlon, asse~bly of each 8 ~
., ,s ~9~g~
utility bar ass~l~bly 70 iEi P ~ he~ by suitably locating clamping plates 112 within channel 62 along each rail ~er 42 and thereafter utilizing fastening ele~nts 106 to assemble stanchion assemblies 74 therewith. When so assembled, adjusting b~obs 108 can be turned 60 that studs 110 will cooperate with clamping plates 112 to draw ~lamping plates 112 against lc7"er clampin3 surfaces 56 and 60 of flanges 50 and 52, mld base 94 of each stanchion ass~nbly 74 against upper clamping surfaces 54 and 58 to crea~e a rigid assembly of utility bar assembly 70 with ec~ch rail 17e~er 42. ~val of each utility bar assembly 70 can be accomplished by turning each respectiYe adjusting knc~ 108 to back off each fastening element 106 accordingly. It should be noted that the dimensions of clamping plates 112 allow the,n to be n~ved longitudinally within channels 62 and positioned as desired. This feature enables assembly ar~ q-~)ly of eac~ u~:ility bar assembly 70 at a variety of longitudinal locations along suxface 14, as well as longitudinal positionir,g of each utility bar as~nbly 70 as desired for supporting and securing a variety of loads for transport by the ~rehicle.
The load carrier,10 also includes a bicycle carrier which is operative to be ass~bled with the primary load carsyin~ s~ ;Lu.e 40 to facilitate the t,~-s~,l. of a bicycle in an upright Fosition above ~urface 14 fcr tran;port by ~ vehicle. 5his bicycle carrier includes ~n ~ at~ ~ne-piece bicycle 0~orting Gr brace næmber 120 which is formed ro~n a hollcPY piece of tubin3 tD define a foot portion 122 at one end ~?d a frame engaging portion 12~5 at its opposite end. As so formed, the brace memb~r 120 is operative bo t~ posltlcnad ~ e.Yter~l between the rear frarne m~nber 20 of bi~ycle 12 ~1 ~ cr~s~r 72 in the nanr~er llllstrated ~ ~igure 1.
., . , .. ..
3~ 196 When 50 positioned, the foot ~ortion 122 can be removably assembled with cross-member 72 by a pair of threaded male fastening el~nents 126 which are inserted through Quitably sized diametrically opposed holes in foot portion 122, c~ through access opening 91 into channel 90. q~ facilitate such assembly, threaded clamping plates 128 such as shown in Figures J. and 5 are provided within channel 90 of cross 72 for effecting a threaded assembly with each fastening element 126. Tightening of fastening elements 126 will draw clamping plates 128 and foot portion 122 against flanges 86 and 88 of cross-member 72 to effect a secure and rigid ass~ly therewith. Each clamping plate 128 is of a size suitable to allow movement and positioning thereof alor3~ channel 90 prior to as~bly of foot portion 122 with ~ 72. q~his ~ature enables lateral p~sitioning of braoe n~nber 120 relative to the primary load carryin~ structure 40 and surface 14 as desired. On the other hand, retaining elesnents 130 such ~s sh~wn in Figure 5 can be provided to prevent sliding movement of cl~mping plates 128 along cro~; -- 72 when fastening elemPnts 126 are disengage~ l:herefran Assembly of frc~me engagirg portion 124 wlth rear frame n~ber 20 of bicycle 12 i~ achieved by assembling a J-bolt 132 about rec~ frame mPJnber 20, passing the threaded portion of J-bolt 132 through a pair of suitably si3ed diametrically opposed holes in frame engaging portion 124, and a~ 3 a wing nut 134 therewith.
Ihe wing nut 134 can thereafter be tightened to achieve a clamped ~ssembly of frame engaging portion 174 with rear fra;re me~er 20 of blcycle 12 as shcl,m in Figure 1~
The bicycle carrier also lncludes a wheel fi~ing structure defined ~ a p~ir of ~eel receiving shoes 140 and aQ~Gciated wheel clamping assemblies 142, such as sh~n in ~ig~Jre 1. The wheel receiving ~oes 140 are adapted tr) be remwably assembled along a rail 10 ~
., member 42 at l~ngitudinally spaced locatio~s therealong for receiving front and rear wheels 30 ~nd 32 o the blcycle 12 an~ locatin~ them in a generally planar align~e~t. Ib achieve this purpose, each shoe 140 is formed to include an elongated base 144 which defines a wheel engagLng face 1~6 along its upper surface and rail engaging face 148 along its bottom surface. Eac~ shoe 140 also includes a pair of spaced generally vertic~l 5i~ 150 ~ving sloped F~ofiles such as shown in Figure 2. Sidewalls 150 ~w y~L~ e with ~eel engaging face 1~ of base 144 to define a longit~dinal channel 152 for receiving and loeating a bicycle wh~eel, an~ with rail engaging face 148 to define a l~ngitudinal recess 153 for receiving a rail member 42 in the ~anner described ~ore fully below. Each shoe 140 is also provided with an utm~nt portion 154 at one end c channel 152 which serv2s as a stop to longitudinally loeate a bicycle wheel within channel 152. qhe opposite end of channel 152 is, however, open to acilita~e Dvement of a bicycle wheel into and out of ehannel 152 prior to and aEter of the bieycle 12.
Once a bicycle wheel has been received and located wlthin channel 152, the dbove-mentioned wheel clamping assemblies 1~2 ean be utilized to secure the wheel within channel 152 against longitudinal . ~. Each clc~ping assembly 142 includes a U-~olt 156, a cla~lping plate 15B and a pair oE win~ nuts 160 such as shown in Figure 2. Each ~bolt 156 defines a bight porticn 162 and a Eç~ir of spaced generally parallel externally ~hreaded ot~ls 164, and h~ a width greater than the ~verall width of shoes 1~0. miS ~eature ailows the bight portion 162 of each U-bolt 156 to b~ installed within a l~terally exter~
810t 166 in each E~hoe 1~0 50 ~hat ~hreaded studs 164 will ex~end above the sidewall~s 15a. Cl~llping plates 158 are sized bo ~ w la~eral ~nær~ion ~hxo~gh t~e q?okes of ~ blcycle ~eel and are pro~ided with !
. , ~uitably spaced ar~ sizecl holes 168 which alla~ cla~aping plates 158 to be assem~led with U-bolts 156 by insertion of threaded studs 164 therethrough. A bicycle wheel can therea~ter be fi~ed against longitudinal mov~nt withln eac~ shoe 140 by ~C! ' 1~ wir.g nuts 160 ~n studs 164 ar~ tightening them against clamping plates 158 in a conventional manner.
Assembly of ~hoes 140 with a rail n~er 42 is achieved in the foLlc~wing manner. Each shoe 140 is first aligned along the rail menber 42 so that the rail n~mber 42 can be received within recess 153 for engagement of rail engaging face 148 with the upper cl~mpir,g surfaces 54 and 58 of flanges 50 and 52, respectively. mreaded fastening elements 170 are then inserte~ through a pair of longitudinally spaced holes 172 in base 144 of each sl~e 140~ through access opening 64 in rail member 42, arx3 ir~to a pair of suitably located threaded clamping plates 174 disp~l within channel 62 of rail l~rber 42. ffle fastening elements 170 can thereafter be tightened in a conventional n~nner.
Such tightenLng will draw each clamping plate 174 against the lower clamping surfaces 5S and 60 of flanges 50 and 52, as well as rail engaging face 148 against upper clamping surfaces 54 and 58, and thereb~ fix each shoe i40 in an ~qs~hlR~ positicn alor.g rail n~er 42~ To facilitate installation of clamping plates 174, as ~11 as the previously describ~ clamp~r~ plates 112, within chanrlel S2, ea~ rail m~r 42 is p~ovided with end ~ps 176 which define access openings 178 at each longitudinal en~l of channel 52 through which clamping plates 174 ar~d 112 can be inserted into d~u~l 62~
The above-described features of ~he inventicn p~cwide tl~.e user wlth a bicycle ~rrier which c~ simply and easily fl55- -'led with the prima~f 1~3 carrying ~hu~;tu-~: 40 f~ ~ransportlr~ a bicycle 12 in an uprigh~ positlo~ bove surface 14 of the vehicle. To utilize th"
-- 12 ~-v~
bicycle carrier, the user c~n choose ~n appropriate longitudinal rall member 42 to which he desires to asselrble ~heel receiving shoes 140.
Be can ~7en install a ~bolt 156 within slot 166 o each shoe 140 and thereafter locate clamping plates 174 and shoes 140 for properly S receiving and locating front and rear wheels 30 and 32 of bicycle 12.
~astening elements 170 can thereafter be installed to affix each shoe 140 at the desired location along rail m~3er 42. ffle bicycle 12 can then be positioned for receiFt of wheels 30 and 32 within channels 152 of each shoe 140 and the wheel clamping ~ . 142 activated in the previously described manner. A utility bar asse~bly 70 can thereafter be longitudinally positioned to allow foot p~rtion 122 of brace member 120 to be properly r ~ therewith, ar.d frame engaging portion 124 to be pr~erly r- `,le~ wlth rear S~ame m~er 20 of bicycle 12 in ~e previously described manner~ It should te noted that this is only one method of utilizing . the bicycle carrier, and that the previously described assembly steps can be varied as desired to achieve the resulting o~nfiguraticn sh~wn in Figure 1.
As is readily apparent, the bicycle carrier of this ~i t provides a stn~cture which supports and secures bicycle 12 at l:hree distinct points: s~cific;lllyr rear frar.e ~mber 20 ar.d front an~ rear wheels 30 ar~ 32. In this fashion, t2he bicycle carrier oooperates with the bicycle 12 itself to create a stable and rigid structure which is secured against b~th later;~l and l~ngitl~dinal m~vement relative to the vehicle. In particula~, when the brace melber 120 is r~ ' lf~ in the abovc no~ed n~nner, it extends laterally of the bicycle 12 bet~een ;LU155 ' 72 ~3 rear frame melrber 20 t~ secure che en1:ire ~L~h:tu~:
~gainst a lateral ll~ovement~ On the other hand, ~he Mhoes 140 and clamping as~emblies 142 secure the frcnt and rear wheel3 30 and 32 of bicycle 1~ against lon~ltudinal ~ovement at points di~posed ..
9~i lor.gitud~nally on either side of rear frame n~rber 20, brace member 120 and crosis - 72.
miS design therefore eliminates the necessity of providing a complicated, rigid and self-supForting ~L.I~ iLu.e extending between a ~air of cross ~ h ~or carrying a bicycle such as taught by prior known devices. Instead, the invention provides a bicycle carrier having a configuration which cooperates with the bicycle itself to create a simplified and yet rigid an~ secure 51_LU~.LUL~ for t~ar~-L.
In addition, the bicycle carrier can be manufactured and i ~1 n~re easily and efficiently than pricr ~n devices. In particular, the brace member 120 can be formed from a single piece of metal tubing in a ~imple and efficient manner, and the shoes 140 can be made by an injection molding process. miS feature reduces the material, manufacturing and assembly costs associated with the complicated multi-piece structures of prior devices. ~oreover, the shoes 140 and the one-pieoe braoe m~er 120 utilize less spaoe for carryir.g bicycles than lux~wn prior devices, ar~d U~.:L~foLe provide a less bulky device for shipment and use.
me a~ve-described features also provide a bicycle carrier which can be positioned in a variety of ways along surface 14 to - ~e various space and load carrying needs of the user. In parl:icular, the shoes 140 can be positioned as desired along any lGngitudinal rail menber ~2 ~nd removably assembled thereto. ~It ~hould be noted ~hat the orientation of shoes 140 can be reversed in Eon~ applications so that they are located between front and rear wheels 30 and 32.) Moreover, th~ brace n~rber 120 can be positioned for ~ssembly at any lateral location along ~ .c,ss-- r 72. l~ese pOGitiOning capabilitie~ 80 allow the user Oo positla~ a bi~ycle o tbat other loads E~uch as l~ggage can be carried by the primary load ~, carryu~g structur~ 40 ns desir~cl. Alternatively, the user can carry ~econd bicycle by utili~.ing a ~ecord set of r;hoes 140 ar~l a ~ond brace mernber 120 in cooperation wich a second cross member 72 and longitudir~l rail ~rber 42, as indicated in Figure 1.
~ortions of secor~ ts of a brace member and a wheel fixing stucture in accordance with the teachings of the present lnvention are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. me features of these embodiments which are identical to those of the previously described ts are indicated with identical numerical designations. In these second ernbodiments, the bicycle carrier incllsdes an elongated brace nember 180 which is formed from a single strip of metal stocX.
The brace member 180 includes a foot porticn 182 at one er~i which can b~ ~ 11~ with cross~mber 72 by a pair of fastening elements 184 arY3 clarnping plates 128 in 'che s~ie maru~er as oot portion 122 of brace }5 me~nber 120. ~rhe ~posite s~d of brace men~er 180 is formed to define a frame engaging portion 186 havir~g a suitably siz~ }~le ~or r~ceiving J~olt 132 to facilitate ~ssernbly of portion lB6 with the rear frame member 20 of bicycle 12 in the sane manr~r as fra~e er.gagir~ portion 124 of brace r~rber 120. As ~hown in Figures 6 and 7, the central portion 188 o brace member 180 disposed between foot portion 182 and frame engaging portion 186 is formed with a generally V-shaped cross-section, which provides brace member 180 with an increased modulus to enhance its ~trengl~l ~d rigidlty. E~r~ce member 180 lnclude~ all of the preYiously`noted features ar~ advantages s~f brace m~er 120 ~d differs LI~Le:fL' C[lly il'l terms of nelterial alld fon~lng process.
~ 3ec~3; X~; .t of a ~eel fixing structure ln accordance with ~he iD-~ention i5 illu~trated in Fig~lre 6. This wheel ~lxir~g structure7is defi~d l~y a longltudinally extending ~annel 190 having a , .
bot~n portion 192 and a p~ir of l~pstandlng sp~ced generally parallel sidewalls 194 and 196. Channel 190 is of a length ard width which enables it to receive ar!d locate the front wheel 30 and the rear wheel 32 of a bicycle 12 in generally planar alignment. ~e channel 190 is adapted to be removably assembled with and ~upported by a pair of lcr~itudinally spaced cross- '- 72 in the manner s~ in Pigure 6.
1~ af:c~[ç~lish such assembly, the kott~m p~rtion 192 of channel 190 is provided s.~ith a pair of through apertures or holes ~not sh~n) for receivin~ threaded fastening ele~ts sinular to elements 184 to effect a threaded assembly with a pair of clampir~ plates 128 disposed within channels 90 of l.;LV~ 72 in the previously described manner.
Tne channel 1~0 can therefore ~e l~terally p~sitioned as desired along crO55 ~ . 72 in a manner similar to brace members 120 and 180 to allow a bicycle to be laterally located and positioned relative to surface 14 ~s desired. Cn ~ othër hand, longitudinal p~sitioning of channel 190 can be achieved either by movement of utility bar r- ' 1 iP~: 70 ~d/or by pL~viding ~e bottom portion 192 of *~annel 190 with a plural ity of lonyitudinally spaced apertures to allow the channel 190 to be positioned and attached at a plurali'cy ~f l<~ngitudinal locations.
In this `~'i ~t, the ~iheel ~ixing structure is E~ovided with clamping assemblies 198 for securing the fralt ard rear wheels 30 ar~d 3~ against longit~inal ~wen~ent in a m~nner similar to the previously described clamping assemblies 142. The clamping assemblies 198 lllustrated in Figure 6 are of a ~trap/clamp type ~ich can be loosely assembled through wheels 30 and 32 and about channel 190, and thereafter tightened as desir~d. Alternatively, the user c~suld utilize a clamping assembly ~imilar ~ assembly 1~2. ~7 ar~ case, channel 190 can be utilized wlth elther ~ype of clamping assenhly to cQop~rate with -- ~6 --either brace m~mker 120 or 130 and the bicycle 12 it~elf to create a simplified but rigid and fiecure structure which i5 fixed against lateral or longitudinal m~vement with respect to the vehicle surface 14. It therefore provides a bicycle carrier possPcqing all o the previously note~ ~anuiacturing, assembling, shipping ~nd use ~dvantages.
Yet another ~c~ of a brace member in ~ ~,~ ~ with tha invention is illustsated in Figures 8 and 9 at 200. This brace member 200 includes a fcot Eortion 202 and a frame engaging Fortion 204 which are simil æ to foot portion 122 ar~d frame engaging portion 124 of brace m~mber 120, and can be formed frcm a single piece of hollow tubing in a similar manner~ Fr~me engaginq portion 204 c~l likewise be rl; ~ ngly assembled with rear frame mmber 20 of birycle 12 in a similar manner by way of J-bolt 132 and winq nut 1~4. As shown ~.ost readily in Figure 9, foot Fortion 202 is F~ovided with two ~ets of dia~etrically opposed circumferentially extending slots or apertures 206. Each set of apertures 206 is operative to define an elongated passage~ay through foot portion 202, which allows foot portion 202 to be nqs~ ed to ~ 72 in a variety of angular Eositions. Foot portion 202 can be so r , ' ~1P~ to cross-me~ker 72 by w~y of fastening elements ~08 a~d curved or ~rcuate washers 210 in the ~ mer ~hown in Figure 9. To ~acilitate such assembly, channel 90 of ~LU6S ~r 72 can be providkd with the previol~sly described clampin~ plates 128. ~hese plates 128 are operative b~ receive elements 208 ~hrough access op~ling 91 and to ~Lat~ therewith to asse~>le fcot portion 202 to ~u~ ' e 72 in the ~ame way as plates 128 anl fastening ele~nts 126 ~peLa~ to so ~ss- `~le foot p~rtion 122 ~ the ~eviously described ~
lhese features allçw ~race menber 200 to engage ar~ secure bicycle fran~ of varying height~. I~L~V~ they allow brace member ,~:
~ - 17 -200 to be ~nllar6~d cr moved into and !;ecured in a storage position such as shown in phantcm in Figure 8 when brace m~mber 200 is not being used to secure a bicycle for vehicle transport. When in this storage position, the brace ~ember 200 will rest upon the two cros5 ~ 72 as shown so as bo define a generally low profile configuration which ~voids the previously noted wind resistance and vertical clearance p~oblems associated with prior known devices. These features U*L~rUL~
provide a bicycle carrying device that does not have to be dismantled and r~moved frcm the vehicle and stored in some other location in order to accomplish these cbjectives.
Figure 10 illustrates a variation of brace member 200 wherein oot portion 202 is provided with two sets of diametrically opposed ciL._ 'P~e..tially extending slots or access openings 212 having ~quared off ends 214. These slots 212 are intended b~ ~uu~eLd~ with curved 1~ locking washers 216 and fastening elements 208 to effect assembly of oot portion 202 b~ cro~s - ' 72 in the previously ~iqrllccP1 manner.
AS shown in Figure 10, each of the loeking washers 216 is provided at one end with an elongated tab or tang 218 which is operative to inteferingly engage an end 214 of slot 212 to facilit"te the loc~ing of brace member 200 in Pither i~s operative or its storage position, Figure 10 illustrates the m~nner in which washers 216 ean be oriented to loc~ brace member 200 in an operative position. Locking of bra oe ~mber 200 in a storase position ( hown in phantom in Figure 8) can be achi~ed simply by reversing the orientation o washers 216.
As is readily apparent~ either of the ~ ts of Figures 8 through 10 can be ~tilized with either of the previously described wh~el fixiD~ ~t-~Lu-~s bv o~o~eLate with the bicycle 12 for creating a ~igld and seclJre ~tructure whlch is f ixed against lateral or longitu3inal m~ement relative to vehicle surfaoe 14. mey there~ore -possess the n~nufacturing, assembling, shipping ~ld use ~dvantages previously set forth.
In each of the previously described embodiments of the ~ ention, it shoulfl be r~oted that the longitudinal rail m~rbers 42 are inten~led as a more or less permanent installation of relati~ely low profile along vehicle surface 14. mis installation allows th~ utility bar ~ 5~1 iPq 70 to be ~novably attached for creating the primary load carrying structure 40, ar~d t)~e bicycle carrier to be removably attached when and as desired. ~ this connection, a ~ fa~Lu.~L could readily make ~nd sell the primary load carryirg stn~cture 40 and the bicycle carrier as æparate units, with the bicycle carrier being a Feparately distribute~ kit itern.
It is ~eLsL~3 that the foregoing desiption is that of the preferred e~l; Its of the lnvention ar~l that various changes ar~
~difications may be m~de thereto without departing fran the spirit and scope of the inventionf æ defin~ in the appended claims.
, .
,
~D ~ER
BACKGRDUND AND SUMMARY OF IHE INVENTIoN
The present invention relates to devices for securing and supporting bicycles and other types of loads for transport by an S auto~otive or c~her ~ehicle, 8nd more particularly, to s~he combination of a prinary load supporting structure for securing and supporting loads such as luggage and the like, and a bicycie carrier for u~- in o~mbination with the primary load supporting s~Lu~u~e for cecuring and supQorting one or more bicycles in ~n upright poC~ition for L~VL~ by a vehicle.
A ~ide variety of vehicle lu~gase or other tyFe lG~d carrying devices are generally well knosm. ~owever, ~uch devices are not well-suited for utilization æ a bicycle carrier. On the other han~, there exist n~ny prior devices s~ich can be ~l~d upon a generally hori%ontal surface of a vehicle, such as a rGof or hccd, fcr ~ecuring one or ~ore bicycle~ for k ~ ~OL~ by the vehicle. ~owever, such prior knosm devices are not s~ell-suited for carryin~ other load5, and their utility is ~nerally l~mited to bicycle ~ ~ ~y~
~LeC~L/ prior lux~wn vehicle bicycle carriers for ~,~ ~yJ--ing bicycles in ~n upright position possess certair. deiciencies and di~auv~l~ac~es ~hich further limit their u~illty. ~,ore specifically, ~uch devices have required ~he ~Qunting Gf ~everal longitudinally ~paced l~terally extend mg crc~ bove ~uch a vehicle surface, ell as the ~sse~bly of ~ ~eparate m,ulti~piece bicycle cupporting ~5 utructure for ~upport by ~nd between the cross-members in order to yleld an eEfectlve bicycle carryin~ devioe. Such deYlces ~here~ore req~lre cr~plicat~d, tedious and timæ consuming assembly procedures.
In addit1on, the bicycle nupporting 8~LUC~u~ of the e devtces have b2en o~ generally ocmp~icated con~lguratlons which require ~nultiple 3?~9~
step form~ng y,~ S, ~nd take up Lul"eces~-y space during shipmen~
and use. ~hile some of these bicycle supp~\rtin~3 structures have been design~d for llif- - ly for shipnent, such designs contribute to the previously mentioned asselrbly pr~blems. 5~heæ structures al~ occupy a substantial c~unt o vertical space above a vehicle when they are not being utilized to carry a bicycle. They can therefore present an undesired hazard in low vertical clearance areas, such as garage entries or around low hanging tree branches or limbs, and create additional wind resistance which reduoes vehicle efficiency. Avoidance of these problems can be achieved only by tedious ar.d time w 'n~
;s~ ` ly and n~noval of these prior devices frcm the vehiele.
The eompl icated eonf igurations of these prior bieycle supporting struetures have resulted because they have been designed to effeet a rigid self~supportir~ ~k~ u-e to whi~ a bieyele frame may be secur~d to prevent lo gitudinal ar.d lateral m~v~rent of the bieycle.
While some of these prior devices have included longitudinally extending channels for reeeiving the front and rear wheels o~ a bicycle, these ehannels, at most, serve ~nly to prevent turning of such wheels, and the bieyele is seeured against longitudinal and lateral vement solely by the supporting structure o~ 8uch deviees. In order to funetion in this =er, sueh prior dev$ees have required fixed, rigid supporting struetures having limited or no positioning eapability, either longit~dinally or laterally along the vehicle surfaee. They therefore possess limited adap'cability and are not well-~uited to i x ~te a variety of s~ee n~eds.
Yt iB~ l.he-~Lu~e~ desirable to p~ovlde a load ~arrying deviee whieh ean b~ s5~hl~l upcn a vehiele in a sinple, quiek ar.d eff;rl~nt manner ~or a~uring and sup~rting bieyeles ~1 2n upright position for transport by the vehlde. It i~ niso desirable to prûvide su~h a -9~ 9~
device which has general load carr~llny capabilities, 80 tha~
it can be u-tilized to carry bicycles or o-ther loads, or hoth, as desired. It is moreover desirable to provide such ,1 device that includes a simplified bicycle supportiny structure which can be manufactured more efficiently than prior known devices, and which takes up less space during shipment and use, It is further desirable to provide such a structure which can be easily collapsed and retained on the vehicle to avoid vertical clearance problems and to reduce wind resistance when the structure is not being utilized to transport bicycles.
It is additionally desi.rable to provide such a device which possesses longitudinal and lateral positioning capabilities to allow bicycles and other loads to be positioned above a vehicle surface as desired for transport by the vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for supporting and securing a bicycle having a frame and front and rear wheels in an upright position above-a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle for transport by the vehicle. The device includes base support means secured to the vehicle with first retaining means secured to the base and support means for engaging the fram~ bo retain the bicycle against lateral movement relative to the vehicle, and a second retaining means for engaging the ~ront and rear wheels -to retain the bicycle against longitudinal movement relative to the vehicle.
According to one aspect of the present invention the first retaining means is movable between a :Eirst cooperative . I
sb/!
~L~9~
position for encJaginy the frame -to retain the bicy~le against lateral movement ancl a second storage position base support in at least one of either a longitudinal extendiny or laterally extending directions of the device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the Eirst retaining means is positionable in varia~le operable positions relative to the base support and at least one of either the longitudinal extending or the laterally extending directions of the device.
Another aspect of the invention as herein disclosed relates to the second means including one wheel locating means for receiving and locating both the front and rear wheels of the bicycle relative to the surface and wheel engaging means for engaging and securing the front and rear wheels within the wheel locating means to retain the bicycle agains-t longitudinal movement. The second retaining means is laterally adjustable to selected operable positions relative to the base support means.
In a specific embodiment of the device, there is provided at least one slat fixedly mounted on the horizontal surface, the second retaining means including a first shoe for receiving the front wheel and a second shoe for receiving the rear wheel which cooperates with the first shoe to locate the front and rear wheels in generally planar alignment, each shoe having a lower part conformably shaped to set upon the horizontal surface and an upper part disposed vertlcally above the lower part having at least a portion thereof shaped to be arcuately conformably engageable with a portion of one B sb/ ~
~3(3~
of the bic~cle tlres. Vertically disposed fasteniny means is provided for securing each shoe -to the slat extending throu~h -the upper and lower parts of each shoe to slideably attach each said shoe to the slat.
In one version described herein, the wheel fixin~ structure includes a longitudinally extending channel which is removably assembled upon two cross-members or utility bars for receiving and locating both bicycle wheels, and clamping assemblies for retaining the wheels within the channel. ~n either case, the brace member supports and secures the bicycle against lateral movemen~, while the wheel fixing structure secures and supports the bicycle against longitudinal movement. The brace member can be provided in a form which can be quickly and efficiently collapsed and retained on the vehicle in a low profile configuration when the bicycle carrier is not being utilized-to transport bicycles.
With this design, the present invention eliminates the necessity of providing a complicated, rigid and self-supporting bicycle supporting structure extending between a paix of cross-members, such as taught by prior known devices.
~nstead, the bicycle carrier provides a structure which secures and supports a bicycle at three distinct points, and cooperates with the bicycle itself to create a stablè and rigid structure. These features also provide a bicycle carrier which is more adaptable, easier to manufacture and assemble, and which requires less space for shipment and use than prior - 4a -B
sb/~
known devices. It should be noted that the design of each utili-ty bar allows the brace member and the channel to be laterally positioned as desired. Similarly, th2 design of the longitudinal rails enables longitudinal - 4b -sb/ ~~
~.~9~
positioning of the ~hoes æcording to user needs. These ~dditional features, along with the positic~ing capability of tl.e utility bars, present the user ~ith a device that can be positioned upon a s~ehicle surface as desired for supporting and securing bicycles for t~CU~L~
by the vehicle. Moreover, these positioning capabilities provide the user with a dev;ce that c~ be utilized for locatir~ 3 kc~,~.Ling bicycles, other types of loads, or b~th, as c~sired. In ~dition, the devioe provides the user with a bicycle carrier which can be simply and efficiently placed in a low profile storage configuration on the vehicle, go that win~ resistanoe an~ vertical clearance problems can be avoidecl without o~mpletely ren~ving the carrier from the vehicle.
The a~ove and other features of the invention will b,ecome apparent from a reading of the detailed description of the praferred embc diments which ma~e Ler~ Len~ t~ t~ follo~ing set of dras~ings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective via~ of a primary locad carrying structure and bicycle carrier in ~ - ~L~ e with c~e ~ ~ i t. of the present inventlcn;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a wheel fixing ~tructure o~ the ~ illustrated in Pigure l;
Figure 3 is ~ sectional Yle~ taken in tl2e direction of Line 3-3 o~ Figure l;
Figure 4 is a ectional vLew taken in th2 direction o~ l.ine 4-~
of F.igure l;
~ gure 5 15 an e~ploded perspective vlew showlng the assenLbly relationship of partlcular elements of ehe embodlment lllustrated in ur~ lt . - 5 --., ~p~v~
Figure 6 ls a perspective vlew of ~econd r~li~ents of a brace ~ember and a wheel fixing structure ln accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of Line 7-7 S of Figure 6;
Pigure 8 is a perspective view of a third ~n~i of a brace ~æmber in &~cordance with the pre æ nt invention;
Figure 9 is an enlarged partially exploded persyective view of the ~ i ~ of Eigure 8, with portions thereof being in section; and Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of a fourth : :- t of a brace n~mber in ~v.d~ with the present invention.
DETAILED D~S~L~ U~ OF IXE ~ LK~hU EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, an . i~n~ of a lo~d carrier 1~ in~L~-dting the teachings of the present invention is shcwn generallyat 10. Figure 1 illustrates the lo~d carrier 10 æ utilized to secure and support a bicycle 12 for transport a~ove a generally horizontal Burface 14 of a vehicle, such as a rcof or hocd. I~,e bicycle 12 is of - a atandard oDnfiguration, znd incl~des a frame 16 which is 2bfined bsr a front fram~ me~ber 18 and a rear frame me~ber 20. qhe bicycle 12 also includes a front fork assembly 22, a steering æsse~bly 2~, a rear fork assembly 26, and a pedal assen~bly 28 of ~tandard oonfiguraticn. As ~n in Figure 1, the bicycle 12 alSD includes a front wheel 30 ~hich ls carried ~pon the front for3c assembly 22. A rear wheel 32 ia carrie;l upon the rear fDrk as~ly 26 ~nd 18 operative to be dr~ven b~ the pedal ~;senbly 28 ~ tandar~ chain drive ~r~ 6ht~1)~
me l~d carrier 10 i.ncludes a primary load fxirrying s,tructure ~0 which can be utilized to sec~re ar~ ~uF~rt general types of loads, such cajS luggage c~d the like, in a c~inventional manner. As ~hown ln Figure 1, primary lo~id carrying structure 40 includes a set of four longitudinally extendin3 rail members 42 which are spaced laterally ~long surface 140 As bast shown in Figure 3, each rail r~nber 42 is formed to define a base 44 and a pair of upstanding spaced parallel sidewalls ~6 ;~nd 48. The sidewalls 46 and 48 terminate in a Fair of laterally inwi rdly extending a~planar fL~riges 50 ar.d 52, respectively.
As illustrated in Figure 3, flange 50 defines a longitudinally extending ~per cla~?ing surface 54 and a silriilarly extending lower clamping surface 56 . Flange 52 likewise def ines an upper clamping s~lrface 58 and a lower clamping surface 60. As so formed, each rail member 42 def ines a longitudinally extending channel 62, and lo~gitudinally extendinq slot or access opening 64 for permitting access to channel 62. Each rail ~er 42 can be attached to surface 14 in any desired manner. P~wever, in the preerred; - --r.t of the invention, each rail m~n~er 42 is attached to surfaoe 14 by installing a series of riv-nuts 66 at laterally aligned longitudinally spaced locations along surface 14 and passing a like number of threaded fastening el~ents 68 through the base 44 of each rail member A2 and into ~iv-nuts 66 in the manner illustr~ted in Figure 5.
me primary lo~sd carrying 3tL~Cture 40 ~lso includes a pair of utility bar assemblies 70 such.~s shown in Figure 1. Ea~ o$ these :!5 utility bar assen~blies 70 includes ia laterally extending elongated cross-member 72 which is assembled wL~h ~nd supported l:~y st~nch~n a34emb1ies 74 i~dja~ent each of it~ ~ ~s. ~he cross-~embers 72 may be o any ~uit~ble con3tructlon, bu~ yLeL~bly nre of the ~L~S~ aec~icn lllu~trated ln Figure.q ~ a~d S. ~eferring ~pecifically to Figure ~, , ~
3~;
each crDss-m~mber 72 is formed to ~efin~ a bottom p~rtion 76 and a palr o~ 6paced upwardly o~nverging .5jr~11q 78 and 80. Each cror~s ~
72 also includes two pairs of laterally inwardly extending, vertically spaced flange portions, indicated in F~igure 4 at 82, 84, 86 and ~8, which together define an elongated track or channel 90 which i3 ¢oextensive with the length of the cross-me~ber 72. Flanges 86 and 88 also oooperate to define an elongated slot or access opening gl which allows access to channel 90 for the purposes decribed more fully hereinafter.
As shown most readily in Figure 5, each stanchion assembly 74 i~ o~erable to be acs~lr~l ~ith an el~ of a cross-member 7~ and with a longitudinal rail member 42. Far this purFose, each st~nr~hir~ assembly 74 includes a stanchicn bcdy 92 which is form~d to define a base 94 and a pair of upwardly oonverging ~ 96 and 98 which ccope.~ with the base 94 to define a oentral recess 100 within stanchion body 92.
Each stanchion body 92 also defines a laterally projecting maunting porti~n 102 which is ~elesccpically received within an adjacent end of a cross-member 72 and removably assembled therewith by a fastening element 104 such as ~hown in Figure 5.~ T~ acilitate ~ssembly o e~ach stanchion assembly 7~ with a rail member 42, each stanchion assembly 74 includes a fastening ~lement 106 which defines an adjusting ~nob 108 disposed within recess 100, and an extern31ly threaded fitud 110 which extends thr~ugh base 94 and which can be turned by ~ay of hncb 108. Ih addition, threaded clamping plates 112 can be provided within channel 62 of ~e rail menb~r 42 to threadably r~ceive studs 110 within channel 62 ~hrough acce~s opening 64.
~hese ~eatures allow ~ach ut~lity bar asse~bly 70 to be removably ~ssembled bo a laterally spaced Fair of longitudinal rail ~ber~ 42 ~s hown ~n Figure 1. ~n this oonn~ctlon, asse~bly of each 8 ~
., ,s ~9~g~
utility bar ass~l~bly 70 iEi P ~ he~ by suitably locating clamping plates 112 within channel 62 along each rail ~er 42 and thereafter utilizing fastening ele~nts 106 to assemble stanchion assemblies 74 therewith. When so assembled, adjusting b~obs 108 can be turned 60 that studs 110 will cooperate with clamping plates 112 to draw ~lamping plates 112 against lc7"er clampin3 surfaces 56 and 60 of flanges 50 and 52, mld base 94 of each stanchion ass~nbly 74 against upper clamping surfaces 54 and 58 to crea~e a rigid assembly of utility bar assembly 70 with ec~ch rail 17e~er 42. ~val of each utility bar assembly 70 can be accomplished by turning each respectiYe adjusting knc~ 108 to back off each fastening element 106 accordingly. It should be noted that the dimensions of clamping plates 112 allow the,n to be n~ved longitudinally within channels 62 and positioned as desired. This feature enables assembly ar~ q-~)ly of eac~ u~:ility bar assembly 70 at a variety of longitudinal locations along suxface 14, as well as longitudinal positionir,g of each utility bar as~nbly 70 as desired for supporting and securing a variety of loads for transport by the ~rehicle.
The load carrier,10 also includes a bicycle carrier which is operative to be ass~bled with the primary load carsyin~ s~ ;Lu.e 40 to facilitate the t,~-s~,l. of a bicycle in an upright Fosition above ~urface 14 fcr tran;port by ~ vehicle. 5his bicycle carrier includes ~n ~ at~ ~ne-piece bicycle 0~orting Gr brace næmber 120 which is formed ro~n a hollcPY piece of tubin3 tD define a foot portion 122 at one end ~?d a frame engaging portion 12~5 at its opposite end. As so formed, the brace memb~r 120 is operative bo t~ posltlcnad ~ e.Yter~l between the rear frarne m~nber 20 of bi~ycle 12 ~1 ~ cr~s~r 72 in the nanr~er llllstrated ~ ~igure 1.
., . , .. ..
3~ 196 When 50 positioned, the foot ~ortion 122 can be removably assembled with cross-member 72 by a pair of threaded male fastening el~nents 126 which are inserted through Quitably sized diametrically opposed holes in foot portion 122, c~ through access opening 91 into channel 90. q~ facilitate such assembly, threaded clamping plates 128 such as shown in Figures J. and 5 are provided within channel 90 of cross 72 for effecting a threaded assembly with each fastening element 126. Tightening of fastening elements 126 will draw clamping plates 128 and foot portion 122 against flanges 86 and 88 of cross-member 72 to effect a secure and rigid ass~ly therewith. Each clamping plate 128 is of a size suitable to allow movement and positioning thereof alor3~ channel 90 prior to as~bly of foot portion 122 with ~ 72. q~his ~ature enables lateral p~sitioning of braoe n~nber 120 relative to the primary load carryin~ structure 40 and surface 14 as desired. On the other hand, retaining elesnents 130 such ~s sh~wn in Figure 5 can be provided to prevent sliding movement of cl~mping plates 128 along cro~; -- 72 when fastening elemPnts 126 are disengage~ l:herefran Assembly of frc~me engagirg portion 124 wlth rear frame n~ber 20 of bicycle 12 i~ achieved by assembling a J-bolt 132 about rec~ frame mPJnber 20, passing the threaded portion of J-bolt 132 through a pair of suitably si3ed diametrically opposed holes in frame engaging portion 124, and a~ 3 a wing nut 134 therewith.
Ihe wing nut 134 can thereafter be tightened to achieve a clamped ~ssembly of frame engaging portion 174 with rear fra;re me~er 20 of blcycle 12 as shcl,m in Figure 1~
The bicycle carrier also lncludes a wheel fi~ing structure defined ~ a p~ir of ~eel receiving shoes 140 and aQ~Gciated wheel clamping assemblies 142, such as sh~n in ~ig~Jre 1. The wheel receiving ~oes 140 are adapted tr) be remwably assembled along a rail 10 ~
., member 42 at l~ngitudinally spaced locatio~s therealong for receiving front and rear wheels 30 ~nd 32 o the blcycle 12 an~ locatin~ them in a generally planar align~e~t. Ib achieve this purpose, each shoe 140 is formed to include an elongated base 144 which defines a wheel engagLng face 1~6 along its upper surface and rail engaging face 148 along its bottom surface. Eac~ shoe 140 also includes a pair of spaced generally vertic~l 5i~ 150 ~ving sloped F~ofiles such as shown in Figure 2. Sidewalls 150 ~w y~L~ e with ~eel engaging face 1~ of base 144 to define a longit~dinal channel 152 for receiving and loeating a bicycle wh~eel, an~ with rail engaging face 148 to define a l~ngitudinal recess 153 for receiving a rail member 42 in the ~anner described ~ore fully below. Each shoe 140 is also provided with an utm~nt portion 154 at one end c channel 152 which serv2s as a stop to longitudinally loeate a bicycle wheel within channel 152. qhe opposite end of channel 152 is, however, open to acilita~e Dvement of a bicycle wheel into and out of ehannel 152 prior to and aEter of the bieycle 12.
Once a bicycle wheel has been received and located wlthin channel 152, the dbove-mentioned wheel clamping assemblies 1~2 ean be utilized to secure the wheel within channel 152 against longitudinal . ~. Each clc~ping assembly 142 includes a U-~olt 156, a cla~lping plate 15B and a pair oE win~ nuts 160 such as shown in Figure 2. Each ~bolt 156 defines a bight porticn 162 and a Eç~ir of spaced generally parallel externally ~hreaded ot~ls 164, and h~ a width greater than the ~verall width of shoes 1~0. miS ~eature ailows the bight portion 162 of each U-bolt 156 to b~ installed within a l~terally exter~
810t 166 in each E~hoe 1~0 50 ~hat ~hreaded studs 164 will ex~end above the sidewall~s 15a. Cl~llping plates 158 are sized bo ~ w la~eral ~nær~ion ~hxo~gh t~e q?okes of ~ blcycle ~eel and are pro~ided with !
. , ~uitably spaced ar~ sizecl holes 168 which alla~ cla~aping plates 158 to be assem~led with U-bolts 156 by insertion of threaded studs 164 therethrough. A bicycle wheel can therea~ter be fi~ed against longitudinal mov~nt withln eac~ shoe 140 by ~C! ' 1~ wir.g nuts 160 ~n studs 164 ar~ tightening them against clamping plates 158 in a conventional manner.
Assembly of ~hoes 140 with a rail n~er 42 is achieved in the foLlc~wing manner. Each shoe 140 is first aligned along the rail menber 42 so that the rail n~mber 42 can be received within recess 153 for engagement of rail engaging face 148 with the upper cl~mpir,g surfaces 54 and 58 of flanges 50 and 52, respectively. mreaded fastening elements 170 are then inserte~ through a pair of longitudinally spaced holes 172 in base 144 of each sl~e 140~ through access opening 64 in rail member 42, arx3 ir~to a pair of suitably located threaded clamping plates 174 disp~l within channel 62 of rail l~rber 42. ffle fastening elements 170 can thereafter be tightened in a conventional n~nner.
Such tightenLng will draw each clamping plate 174 against the lower clamping surfaces 5S and 60 of flanges 50 and 52, as well as rail engaging face 148 against upper clamping surfaces 54 and 58, and thereb~ fix each shoe i40 in an ~qs~hlR~ positicn alor.g rail n~er 42~ To facilitate installation of clamping plates 174, as ~11 as the previously describ~ clamp~r~ plates 112, within chanrlel S2, ea~ rail m~r 42 is p~ovided with end ~ps 176 which define access openings 178 at each longitudinal en~l of channel 52 through which clamping plates 174 ar~d 112 can be inserted into d~u~l 62~
The above-described features of ~he inventicn p~cwide tl~.e user wlth a bicycle ~rrier which c~ simply and easily fl55- -'led with the prima~f 1~3 carrying ~hu~;tu-~: 40 f~ ~ransportlr~ a bicycle 12 in an uprigh~ positlo~ bove surface 14 of the vehicle. To utilize th"
-- 12 ~-v~
bicycle carrier, the user c~n choose ~n appropriate longitudinal rall member 42 to which he desires to asselrble ~heel receiving shoes 140.
Be can ~7en install a ~bolt 156 within slot 166 o each shoe 140 and thereafter locate clamping plates 174 and shoes 140 for properly S receiving and locating front and rear wheels 30 and 32 of bicycle 12.
~astening elements 170 can thereafter be installed to affix each shoe 140 at the desired location along rail m~3er 42. ffle bicycle 12 can then be positioned for receiFt of wheels 30 and 32 within channels 152 of each shoe 140 and the wheel clamping ~ . 142 activated in the previously described manner. A utility bar asse~bly 70 can thereafter be longitudinally positioned to allow foot p~rtion 122 of brace member 120 to be properly r ~ therewith, ar.d frame engaging portion 124 to be pr~erly r- `,le~ wlth rear S~ame m~er 20 of bicycle 12 in ~e previously described manner~ It should te noted that this is only one method of utilizing . the bicycle carrier, and that the previously described assembly steps can be varied as desired to achieve the resulting o~nfiguraticn sh~wn in Figure 1.
As is readily apparent, the bicycle carrier of this ~i t provides a stn~cture which supports and secures bicycle 12 at l:hree distinct points: s~cific;lllyr rear frar.e ~mber 20 ar.d front an~ rear wheels 30 ar~ 32. In this fashion, t2he bicycle carrier oooperates with the bicycle 12 itself to create a stable and rigid structure which is secured against b~th later;~l and l~ngitl~dinal m~vement relative to the vehicle. In particula~, when the brace melber 120 is r~ ' lf~ in the abovc no~ed n~nner, it extends laterally of the bicycle 12 bet~een ;LU155 ' 72 ~3 rear frame melrber 20 t~ secure che en1:ire ~L~h:tu~:
~gainst a lateral ll~ovement~ On the other hand, ~he Mhoes 140 and clamping as~emblies 142 secure the frcnt and rear wheel3 30 and 32 of bicycle 1~ against lon~ltudinal ~ovement at points di~posed ..
9~i lor.gitud~nally on either side of rear frame n~rber 20, brace member 120 and crosis - 72.
miS design therefore eliminates the necessity of providing a complicated, rigid and self-supForting ~L.I~ iLu.e extending between a ~air of cross ~ h ~or carrying a bicycle such as taught by prior known devices. Instead, the invention provides a bicycle carrier having a configuration which cooperates with the bicycle itself to create a simplified and yet rigid an~ secure 51_LU~.LUL~ for t~ar~-L.
In addition, the bicycle carrier can be manufactured and i ~1 n~re easily and efficiently than pricr ~n devices. In particular, the brace member 120 can be formed from a single piece of metal tubing in a ~imple and efficient manner, and the shoes 140 can be made by an injection molding process. miS feature reduces the material, manufacturing and assembly costs associated with the complicated multi-piece structures of prior devices. ~oreover, the shoes 140 and the one-pieoe braoe m~er 120 utilize less spaoe for carryir.g bicycles than lux~wn prior devices, ar~d U~.:L~foLe provide a less bulky device for shipment and use.
me a~ve-described features also provide a bicycle carrier which can be positioned in a variety of ways along surface 14 to - ~e various space and load carrying needs of the user. In parl:icular, the shoes 140 can be positioned as desired along any lGngitudinal rail menber ~2 ~nd removably assembled thereto. ~It ~hould be noted ~hat the orientation of shoes 140 can be reversed in Eon~ applications so that they are located between front and rear wheels 30 and 32.) Moreover, th~ brace n~rber 120 can be positioned for ~ssembly at any lateral location along ~ .c,ss-- r 72. l~ese pOGitiOning capabilitie~ 80 allow the user Oo positla~ a bi~ycle o tbat other loads E~uch as l~ggage can be carried by the primary load ~, carryu~g structur~ 40 ns desir~cl. Alternatively, the user can carry ~econd bicycle by utili~.ing a ~ecord set of r;hoes 140 ar~l a ~ond brace mernber 120 in cooperation wich a second cross member 72 and longitudir~l rail ~rber 42, as indicated in Figure 1.
~ortions of secor~ ts of a brace member and a wheel fixing stucture in accordance with the teachings of the present lnvention are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. me features of these embodiments which are identical to those of the previously described ts are indicated with identical numerical designations. In these second ernbodiments, the bicycle carrier incllsdes an elongated brace nember 180 which is formed from a single strip of metal stocX.
The brace member 180 includes a foot porticn 182 at one er~i which can b~ ~ 11~ with cross~mber 72 by a pair of fastening elements 184 arY3 clarnping plates 128 in 'che s~ie maru~er as oot portion 122 of brace }5 me~nber 120. ~rhe ~posite s~d of brace men~er 180 is formed to define a frame engaging portion 186 havir~g a suitably siz~ }~le ~or r~ceiving J~olt 132 to facilitate ~ssernbly of portion lB6 with the rear frame member 20 of bicycle 12 in the sane manr~r as fra~e er.gagir~ portion 124 of brace r~rber 120. As ~hown in Figures 6 and 7, the central portion 188 o brace member 180 disposed between foot portion 182 and frame engaging portion 186 is formed with a generally V-shaped cross-section, which provides brace member 180 with an increased modulus to enhance its ~trengl~l ~d rigidlty. E~r~ce member 180 lnclude~ all of the preYiously`noted features ar~ advantages s~f brace m~er 120 ~d differs LI~Le:fL' C[lly il'l terms of nelterial alld fon~lng process.
~ 3ec~3; X~; .t of a ~eel fixing structure ln accordance with ~he iD-~ention i5 illu~trated in Fig~lre 6. This wheel ~lxir~g structure7is defi~d l~y a longltudinally extending ~annel 190 having a , .
bot~n portion 192 and a p~ir of l~pstandlng sp~ced generally parallel sidewalls 194 and 196. Channel 190 is of a length ard width which enables it to receive ar!d locate the front wheel 30 and the rear wheel 32 of a bicycle 12 in generally planar alignment. ~e channel 190 is adapted to be removably assembled with and ~upported by a pair of lcr~itudinally spaced cross- '- 72 in the manner s~ in Pigure 6.
1~ af:c~[ç~lish such assembly, the kott~m p~rtion 192 of channel 190 is provided s.~ith a pair of through apertures or holes ~not sh~n) for receivin~ threaded fastening ele~ts sinular to elements 184 to effect a threaded assembly with a pair of clampir~ plates 128 disposed within channels 90 of l.;LV~ 72 in the previously described manner.
Tne channel 1~0 can therefore ~e l~terally p~sitioned as desired along crO55 ~ . 72 in a manner similar to brace members 120 and 180 to allow a bicycle to be laterally located and positioned relative to surface 14 ~s desired. Cn ~ othër hand, longitudinal p~sitioning of channel 190 can be achieved either by movement of utility bar r- ' 1 iP~: 70 ~d/or by pL~viding ~e bottom portion 192 of *~annel 190 with a plural ity of lonyitudinally spaced apertures to allow the channel 190 to be positioned and attached at a plurali'cy ~f l<~ngitudinal locations.
In this `~'i ~t, the ~iheel ~ixing structure is E~ovided with clamping assemblies 198 for securing the fralt ard rear wheels 30 ar~d 3~ against longit~inal ~wen~ent in a m~nner similar to the previously described clamping assemblies 142. The clamping assemblies 198 lllustrated in Figure 6 are of a ~trap/clamp type ~ich can be loosely assembled through wheels 30 and 32 and about channel 190, and thereafter tightened as desir~d. Alternatively, the user c~suld utilize a clamping assembly ~imilar ~ assembly 1~2. ~7 ar~ case, channel 190 can be utilized wlth elther ~ype of clamping assenhly to cQop~rate with -- ~6 --either brace m~mker 120 or 130 and the bicycle 12 it~elf to create a simplified but rigid and fiecure structure which i5 fixed against lateral or longitudinal m~vement with respect to the vehicle surface 14. It therefore provides a bicycle carrier possPcqing all o the previously note~ ~anuiacturing, assembling, shipping ~nd use ~dvantages.
Yet another ~c~ of a brace member in ~ ~,~ ~ with tha invention is illustsated in Figures 8 and 9 at 200. This brace member 200 includes a fcot Eortion 202 and a frame engaging Fortion 204 which are simil æ to foot portion 122 ar~d frame engaging portion 124 of brace m~mber 120, and can be formed frcm a single piece of hollow tubing in a similar manner~ Fr~me engaginq portion 204 c~l likewise be rl; ~ ngly assembled with rear frame mmber 20 of birycle 12 in a similar manner by way of J-bolt 132 and winq nut 1~4. As shown ~.ost readily in Figure 9, foot Fortion 202 is F~ovided with two ~ets of dia~etrically opposed circumferentially extending slots or apertures 206. Each set of apertures 206 is operative to define an elongated passage~ay through foot portion 202, which allows foot portion 202 to be nqs~ ed to ~ 72 in a variety of angular Eositions. Foot portion 202 can be so r , ' ~1P~ to cross-me~ker 72 by w~y of fastening elements ~08 a~d curved or ~rcuate washers 210 in the ~ mer ~hown in Figure 9. To ~acilitate such assembly, channel 90 of ~LU6S ~r 72 can be providkd with the previol~sly described clampin~ plates 128. ~hese plates 128 are operative b~ receive elements 208 ~hrough access op~ling 91 and to ~Lat~ therewith to asse~>le fcot portion 202 to ~u~ ' e 72 in the ~ame way as plates 128 anl fastening ele~nts 126 ~peLa~ to so ~ss- `~le foot p~rtion 122 ~ the ~eviously described ~
lhese features allçw ~race menber 200 to engage ar~ secure bicycle fran~ of varying height~. I~L~V~ they allow brace member ,~:
~ - 17 -200 to be ~nllar6~d cr moved into and !;ecured in a storage position such as shown in phantcm in Figure 8 when brace m~mber 200 is not being used to secure a bicycle for vehicle transport. When in this storage position, the brace ~ember 200 will rest upon the two cros5 ~ 72 as shown so as bo define a generally low profile configuration which ~voids the previously noted wind resistance and vertical clearance p~oblems associated with prior known devices. These features U*L~rUL~
provide a bicycle carrying device that does not have to be dismantled and r~moved frcm the vehicle and stored in some other location in order to accomplish these cbjectives.
Figure 10 illustrates a variation of brace member 200 wherein oot portion 202 is provided with two sets of diametrically opposed ciL._ 'P~e..tially extending slots or access openings 212 having ~quared off ends 214. These slots 212 are intended b~ ~uu~eLd~ with curved 1~ locking washers 216 and fastening elements 208 to effect assembly of oot portion 202 b~ cro~s - ' 72 in the previously ~iqrllccP1 manner.
AS shown in Figure 10, each of the loeking washers 216 is provided at one end with an elongated tab or tang 218 which is operative to inteferingly engage an end 214 of slot 212 to facilit"te the loc~ing of brace member 200 in Pither i~s operative or its storage position, Figure 10 illustrates the m~nner in which washers 216 ean be oriented to loc~ brace member 200 in an operative position. Locking of bra oe ~mber 200 in a storase position ( hown in phantom in Figure 8) can be achi~ed simply by reversing the orientation o washers 216.
As is readily apparent~ either of the ~ ts of Figures 8 through 10 can be ~tilized with either of the previously described wh~el fixiD~ ~t-~Lu-~s bv o~o~eLate with the bicycle 12 for creating a ~igld and seclJre ~tructure whlch is f ixed against lateral or longitu3inal m~ement relative to vehicle surfaoe 14. mey there~ore -possess the n~nufacturing, assembling, shipping ~ld use ~dvantages previously set forth.
In each of the previously described embodiments of the ~ ention, it shoulfl be r~oted that the longitudinal rail m~rbers 42 are inten~led as a more or less permanent installation of relati~ely low profile along vehicle surface 14. mis installation allows th~ utility bar ~ 5~1 iPq 70 to be ~novably attached for creating the primary load carrying structure 40, ar~d t)~e bicycle carrier to be removably attached when and as desired. ~ this connection, a ~ fa~Lu.~L could readily make ~nd sell the primary load carryirg stn~cture 40 and the bicycle carrier as æparate units, with the bicycle carrier being a Feparately distribute~ kit itern.
It is ~eLsL~3 that the foregoing desiption is that of the preferred e~l; Its of the lnvention ar~l that various changes ar~
~difications may be m~de thereto without departing fran the spirit and scope of the inventionf æ defin~ in the appended claims.
, .
,
Claims (34)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS;
1. A device for supporting and securing a bicycle having a frame and front and rear wheels in an upright position extending longitudinally above a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle for transport by said vehicle, said device extending longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to said bicycle when mounted on said device and extending laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to said bicycle when mounted on said device and said device comprising a base support secured to said vehicle, first retaining means for engaging said frame to retain said bicycle against lateral movement relative to said vehicle, and second retaining means for engaging said front and rear wheels to retain said bicycle against longitudinal movement relative to said vehicle, said first retaining means being positionable in various operable positions relative to said base support in at least one of either said longitudinally extending or said laterally extending directions of said device.
2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first retaining means comprises a laterally extending elongated cross-member which is fixedly supported above said surface in generally parallel relationship thereto, and an elongated brace member which is assembled between said cross-member and said frame to extend generally laterally of said bicycle between said frame and said cross-member and to cooperate with said frame and said cross-member to retain said bicycle against said lateral movement.
3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brace member includes a frame engaging portion at one of its ends, and said first retaining means further comprises clamping means for effecting a clamped assembly of said frame engaging portion and said frame.
4. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brace member includes a foot portion at one of its ends through which at least one threaded fastener can be driven for assembling said brace member with said cross-member.
5. A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said brace member can be removably assembled with said cross-member at any lateral location along the length of said cross-member.
6. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brace member can be removably assembled between said cross-member and said frame.
7. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brace member is formed from a single piece of metal tubing.
8. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brace member is formed from a single piece of metal strip stock.
9. A device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said brace member is formed to define a generally V-shaped section along a substantial part of its length.
10. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first retaining means further comprises storage means for moving said brace member into a generally low profile position adjacent and substantially parallel to said surface and securing said brace member in said low profile position.
11. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first retaining means further comprises supporting means for supporting said cross-member above said surface.
12. A device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cross-member is removably attachable to said supporting means.
13. A device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said supporting means includes positioning means which enables said cross-member to be positioned longitudinally above said surface as desired for support by said supporting means.
14. A device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said supporting means comprises a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending rails affixed to said surface, a first stanchion member affixed to one of said rails and which engageably supports one end of said cross-member, and a second stanchion member affixed to the other of said rails and which engageably supports the other end of said cross-member.
15. A device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said first and second stanchion members are movable along said rails to facilitate longitudinal positioning of said cross-member above said surface.
16. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first retaining means is longitudinally positionable along said surface.
17. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first retaining means is both laterally positionable and longitudinally positionable along said surface relative to said base support.
18. A device for supporting and securing a bicycle having a frame and front and rear wheels in an upright position above a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle for transport by said vehicle, said device comprising base support means secured to said vehicle, first retaining means secured to said base support means for engaging said frame to retain said bicycle against lateral movement relative to said vehicle, and second retaining means for engaging said front and rear wheels to retain said bicycle against longitudinal movement relative to said vehicle, wherein said first retaining means is movable between a first operative position for engaging said frame to retain said bicycle against said lateral movement and a second storage position secured to said base support means and having a generally low profile relative to said surface.
19. A device for supporting and securing a bicycle having a frame and front and rear wheels in an upright position above a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle for transport by said vehicle, said device comprising base support means, first retaining means for engaging said frame to retain said bicycle against lateral movement relative to said vehicle, and second retaining means for engaging said front and rear wheels to retain said bicycle against longitudinal movement relative to said vehicle, wherein said second retaining means comprising one wheel locating means for receiving and locating both the front and rear wheels of said bicycle relative to said surface, and wheel engaging means for engaging and securing said front and rear wheels within said wheel locating means to retain said bicycle against longitudinal movement, said second retaining means being laterally adjustable to selected operable positions relative to said base support means.
20. A device as set forth in claim 19, wherein said wheel locating means comprises an elongated channel for receiving and locating said front and rear wheels in generally planar alignment.
21. A device as set forth in claim 20, wherein said second retaining means further comprises supporting means for supporting said channel above said surface in generally parallel relationship thereto.
22. A device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said channel is removably attachable said supporting means.
23. A device as set forth in claim 20, wherein said second retaining means further comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced laterally extending elongated cross-members for supporting said channel in generally longitudinal alignment above said surface.
24. A device as set forth in claim 23, wherein said channel is removably attachable to said pair of cross-members.
25. A device as set forth in claim 23, wherein said second retaining means further comprises positioning means for positioning said channel laterally along said pair of cross-members as desired.
26. A device as set forth in claim 20, wherein said wheel engaging means comprises first clamping means for clampingly retaining said front wheel within said channel, and second clamping means for clampingly retaining said rear wheel within said channel.
27. A device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said first clamping means is removably assembled through said front wheel and about said channel, and said second clamping means is removably assembled through said rear wheel and about said channel.
28. A device for supporting and securing a bicycle having a frame and front and rear wheels in and upright position above a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle for transport by said vehicle, said device comprising at least one slat fixedly mounted to said horizontal surface, first retaining means for engaging said frame to retain said bicycle against lateral movement relative to said vehicle, and second retaining means for engaging said front and rear wheels to retain said bicycle against longitudinal movement relative to said vehicle comprising a first shoe for receiving said front wheel and a second shoe for receiving said rear wheel and which cooperates with said first shoe to locate said front and rear wheels in generally planar alignment each said shoe having a lower part conformably shaped to set upon said horizontal surface and an upper part disposed vertically above said lower part having at least a portion thereof shaped to be accurately conformably engageable with a portion of one of said bicycle tires, and vertically disposed fastening means for securing each said shoe to said slat extending through said upper and lower parts of each said shoe to slideably attach each said shoe to said slat.
29. A device as set forth in claim 28, wherein said first and second shoes are attached to and supported by an elongated longitudinally extending slat disposed along said surface.
30. A device as set forth in claim 29, wherein said first and second shoes are removably attachable to said slat.
31. A device as set forth in claim 29, wherein said slat includes positioning means which enables each said shoe to be positioned longitudinally along said slat as desired for support by said slat.
32. A device as set forth in claim 28, wherein said wheel engaging means comprises first clamping means for clampingly retaining said front wheel within said first shoe, and second clamping means for clampingly retaining said rear wheel within said second shoe.
33. A device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said first clamping means is removably assembled through said front wheel and about said first shoe, and said second clamping means is removably assembled through said rear wheel and about said second shoe.
34. A device as set forth in claim 33, wherein said first and second clamping means each comprise a U-bolt/clamping strip assembly.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US21367580A | 1980-12-05 | 1980-12-05 | |
| US213,675 | 1980-12-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1190196A true CA1190196A (en) | 1985-07-09 |
Family
ID=22796057
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000382598A Expired CA1190196A (en) | 1980-12-05 | 1981-07-27 | Load carrier |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4442961A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1190196A (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2576222A (en) * | 1948-09-22 | 1951-11-27 | James H Hill | Bicycle carrier |
| US2803349A (en) * | 1953-07-13 | 1957-08-20 | Talbot Alfred | Bicycle stand |
| US3204839A (en) * | 1963-12-20 | 1965-09-07 | Yuda Hyman | Automobile bicycle carrier |
| US3687318A (en) * | 1970-08-24 | 1972-08-29 | Norris A Casey | Motorcycle mount for automobile bodies |
| JPS5131579B1 (en) * | 1971-06-26 | 1976-09-07 | ||
| US3843001A (en) * | 1972-06-14 | 1974-10-22 | H Willis | Ramp loading motorcycle carrier rack |
| US3861533A (en) * | 1973-05-16 | 1975-01-21 | Ready Metal Mfg Co | Bicycle rack |
| US3901421A (en) * | 1973-08-02 | 1975-08-26 | Richard J Kalicki | Bicycle rack |
| US3931919A (en) * | 1974-03-12 | 1976-01-13 | Gerber Gary A | Bicycle carrier for automobiles |
| US4039106A (en) * | 1975-04-18 | 1977-08-02 | Joseph V. Graber | Automobile bicycle carrier |
| US4015760A (en) * | 1975-08-14 | 1977-04-05 | Bott John Anthony | Vehicle article carrier |
| US3994425A (en) * | 1975-12-15 | 1976-11-30 | Graber Joseph V | Automobile bicycle carrier |
| US4132335A (en) * | 1977-09-27 | 1979-01-02 | Four Star Corporation | Slidable bracket for article carrier |
-
1981
- 1981-07-27 CA CA000382598A patent/CA1190196A/en not_active Expired
-
1982
- 1982-04-05 US US06/365,448 patent/US4442961A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4442961A (en) | 1984-04-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |