CARRIER FOR AT LEAST ONE BICYCLE

• US 20080006664A1
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hahn, Gerald, Waller, Michael, Bergerhoff, Harald
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/495
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/10 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/924 Vehicle attached carrier for bicycle or motorcycle

Abstract

A bicycle carrier includes a base holder mountable to a vehicle and a support holder for holding a bicycle. The support holder is movably connected to the base holder to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a neutral position in which the holders extend over one another and an operating position in which the support holder extends out from the base holder. A tail light is movably connected to the support holder to be movable between a stored position in which the tail light is stowed in the support holder when the support holder is in the neutral position and a functional position in which the tail light extends out from the support holder and is orientated transversely to the longitudinal vehicle direction when the support holder is in the operating position.

Claims

1. A bicycle carrier for a vehicle, the carrier comprising:

a base holder mountable to a vehicle;

a support holder for holding a bicycle, wherein the support holder is movably connected to the base holder to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a neutral position in which the holders extend over one another and an operating position in which the support holder extends out from the base holder; and

a tail light movably connected to the support holder to be movable between a stored position in which the tail light is stowed in the support holder when the support holder is in the neutral position and a functional position in which the tail light extends out from the support holder and is orientated transversely to the longitudinal vehicle direction when the support holder is in the operating position.

2. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising:

a release device connected between the support holder and the tail light, wherein the release device fixes the tail light in place when the tail light is in the functional position.

3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein:

the release device includes a plug-in connection.

4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein:

the plug-in connection of the release device has a receiving element and an insertion element.

5. The carrier of claim 4 wherein:

the receiving element and the insertion element of the plug-in connection of the release device each have a tubular body.

6. The carrier of claim 4 wherein:

the release device further includes a fixing element.

7. The carrier of claim 6 wherein:

the fixing element fixes the insertion element relative to the receiving element via a locking member spring loaded by a spring;

wherein the release device further includes an actuating mechanism operable for moving the locking member.

8. The carrier of claim 7 wherein:

the locking member includes a pressure plate which cooperates with a supporting wall of the insertion element, wherein the pressure plate includes a friction-enhancing lining on a side facing the supporting wall.

9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein:

the spring is biased to move the pressure plate of the locking member into a locked position.

10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein:

the spring is a compression spring.

11. The carrier of claim 10 wherein:

the actuating mechanism has an actuating pin having a guide section enclosed by the compression spring, the actuating pin includes a first stop for a first end side of the compression spring, and the compression spring is supported at a second end side on an inner side of a stop wall of a housing.

12. The carrier of claim 11 wherein:

a bearing bolt having an extension of the actuating pin passes through the stop wall, and includes a hand lever operable to axially move the actuating pin.

13. The carrier of claim 12 wherein:

the hand lever is movable about an axial pin oriented transverse to the bearing bolt, and at a support track which produces axial lifting motions of the actuating pin rests against the stop wall of the housing.

14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein:

the bearing bolt includes a thread for a screw nut by which the hand lever is fastened to the actuating pin.

15. The carrier of claim 11 wherein:

the housing is part of a tubular body on the receiving element.

16. The carrier of claim 1 wherein:

the tail lights is fastened in the support holder while the tail light is in the stored position;

wherein the support holder includes a storage compartment for receiving the tail light when the tail light is in the stored position.

17. The carrier of claim 6 wherein:

the insertion element is held in position on the tail light, and the fixing element is held in position on the support holder.

18. The carrier of claim 17 wherein:

the insertion element is connected in an angularly displaceable manner to the tail light via an articulated joint.

19. The carrier of claim 1 wherein:

each holder includes a frame element extending transversely to the longitudinal vehicle direction, wherein the frame elements meet when the support holder is in the neutral position;

the carrier further comprises an electrical switch having a pair of switching components respectively located on the frame elements, wherein the switching components contact one another to activate the switch when the frame elements meet when the support holder is in the neutral position;

wherein the switch is electrically connected to the tail light such that the switch disables the tail light while the support holder is in the neutral position and enables the tail light while the support holder is out of the neutral position.

20. The carrier of claim 19 wherein:

the switch includes a Reed contact relay.