U.S. patent application number 13/586194 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-14 for bicycle-carrier device for motor vehicles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fabio Pedrini. Invention is credited to Fabio Pedrini.
Application Number | 20130062385 13/586194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44800194 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130062385 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pedrini; Fabio |
March 14, 2013 |
Bicycle-Carrier Device For Motor Vehicles
Abstract
A bicycle-carrier device includes a brace for connection to the
frame of a vehicle, and bearing supporting elements to support one
or more bicycles oriented transversely relative to the vehicle. The
brace consists of a transverse bar, and the bicycles are supported
by at least first and second supporting elements affixed to the
bar, in positions that can be adjusted along the bar, so as to
receive and support from below the two wheels of a bicycle. Mounted
on the bar in an articulated manner is an arm that can be shifted
between a raised operating position and a lowered non-operating
position. Secured to the bar in an adjustable manner is at least
one third supporting element that receives and supports from below
an element of a bicycle frame. Each of the supporting elements is
provided with means for locking in place the part that is
received.
Inventors: |
Pedrini; Fabio; (Bologna,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pedrini; Fabio |
Bologna |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
44800194 |
Appl. No.: |
13/586194 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 224/924 20130101;
B60R 9/06 20130101; B60R 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/501 |
International
Class: |
B60R 9/10 20060101
B60R009/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2011 |
IT |
TO20I1A000800 |
Claims
1. Bicycle-carrying device for motor-vehicles, comprising: a
support (3) provided with connecting means (12,18), for connecting
said support (3) to the motor-vehicle structure at the rear of the
motor-vehicle, holding means (4,5,6,8) carried by said support (3)
for holding one or more bicycles at the rear of the motor-vehicle,
with the bicycles oriented transversally with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle, characterized in that
said support comprises a bar (3) which extends transversally to the
longitudinal direction (A) of the motor-vehicle in the mounted
condition of the bicycle-carrying device on the motor-vehicle, and
in that said holding means comprise: at least first and second
holding members (4,5) connected to said bar (3) at positions which
are adjustable along the bar (3), for receiving and holding from
below the two wheels of a bicycle, respectively, and an arm (6)
pivotally mounted onto said bar and movable between a raised
operative position, substantially orthogonal to the bar (3) and a
lowered inoperative position, and at least a third holding member
(8) connected to said arm (6) at a position adjustable along the
arm (6), for receiving and supporting from below a frame element of
a bicycle, said first, second and third holding members (4,5,8)
each being provided with means (51,52,89) for clamping a
respectively associated received part.
2. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 1, characterized in
that each of said first and second holding members (4,5) comprises
a cradle-shaped body (50) for receiving a respective bicycle wheel,
said body (50) being connected to a clamp portion (52) which is
removably clamped onto the bar (3).
3. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 2, characterized in
that the bar (3) is a hollow metal bar having a quadrilateral
cross-section, which in the mounted position on the motor-vehicle
has an upper face (3a), a lower face, a front face (3b) and a rear
face, and in that said arm (6) is constituted by an element in form
of an upturned U with two parallel portions (60) having ends
respectively arranged on the front face (3b) and the rear face of
the bar (3) and pivotally connected thereto around a common
longitudinal axis (7).
4. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 3, characterized in
that one of the two portions of the upturned U-shaped element
constituting said arm (6) has one end (61) extending beyond said
articulation axis (7) of the arm and carrying a bolt (62) adapted
to engage a seat (102) formed in said bar or in an element (10)
connected to said bar (3), for clamping the arm (6) in its raised
operative position.
5. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 4, characterized in
that said bolt (62) is constituted by a pin slidably mounted within
said extended end (61) of the arm (6), said pin been biased by a
spring (63) towards a position of engagement of said seat and being
connected to a knob (64) which can be gripped to pull said pin
(62), against the action of said spring (63), towards a release
position, disengaged from said seat (102).
6. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 5, characterized in
that said knob (64) and/or said pin (62) are provided for engaging
the upper face (3a) of said bar (3) or the upper face of an element
(10) connected to the bar (3) in the inoperative lowered position
of the arm (6) for clamping the arm (6) in this position.
7. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 3, characterized in
that with the two parallel portions (60) of the U-shaped element
(6) constituting said arm (6) there are associated said third
holding member (8) and a fourth holding member (8) respectively,
each comprising a cradle-shaped body (80), for receiving respective
frame elements of the two bicycles, said cradle-shaped body (80)
being connected to a clamp portion (84,85) so that it can be
oriented around an axis (82) parallel to the longitudinal direction
(A) of the motor-vehicle in the mounted condition of the device,
said clamp portion (84,85) being removably clamped onto the
respective portion (60) of said U-shaped element (6) constituting
said arm.
8. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 7, characterized in
that said arm is designed with dimensions adapted for the
engagement of said third holding member (8) on a frame element of
the bicycle which is not the upper-most element of the frame.
9. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 7, characterized in
that on said bar (3) there are mounted two pairs of said first and
second holding members (4,5), with respective cradle-shaped bodies
(50) arranged on the two sides of the bar (3), for supporting the
wheels of two bicycles.
10. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 1, characterized in
that said connection means for connecting the bar (3) to the
motor-vehicle structure comprise an auxiliary connection arm
(12;18) extending orthogonally from a central portion of the bar
(3) and having an opposite end provided for connection to a hitch
support of the motor-vehicle.
11. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 10, characterized in
that the auxiliary arm (12) is rigidly connected to said bar
(3).
12. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 10, characterized in
that the auxiliary arm (18) is pivotally connected to the bar (3)
around an axis (21) parallel to the bar (3) and is provided with
stop means (24) for enabling a limited tilting movement of the
bicycle-carrying device with respect to the auxiliary arm (18)
between an operative upright position, and a position inclined
downwardly away from the motor-vehicle, for facilitating access to
the luggage compartment of the motor-vehicle in the mounted
condition of the bicycle-carrying device on the motor-vehicle, with
one or more bicycles mounted on the device.
13. Bicycle-carrying device according to claim 1, characterized in
that said bar (3) supports an auxiliary structure (14) including a
license plate carrying element (15) and rear lights (16).
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to bicycle-carrier devices for
motor vehicles, of the type consisting of a brace equipped with
connection means for connecting the said brace to the frame of the
motor vehicle behind the motor vehicle, and supporting means
carried by the said brace in order to support one or more bicycles
behind the motor vehicle, with the bicycles oriented transversely
in relation to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.
[0002] Specifically, the invention relates to devices of the type
described above, in which the bicycles are not suspended from the
bicycle-carrier but instead are supported from below, by means of
supporting elements upon which the wheels of the bicycles rest.
[0003] A first purpose of the present invention is to implement a
bicycle-carrier device of this type whose structure is extremely
simple and economical to manufacture.
[0004] A further purpose is to implement a bicycle-carrier device
of this type that has extremely limited dimensions but that at the
same time is extremely versatile, such that it can be designed to
carry bicycles of any dimensions and configurations, including
bicycles with non-standard configurations, such as, for example,
bicycles on which the cyclist adopts a semi-supine position, which
bicycles are characterized by an extended wheelbase.
[0005] Yet another purpose is to implement a bicycle-carrier device
of the type described above that, in addition to displaying the
above-mentioned characteristics of simplicity and versatility, can
also be used easily and rapidly.
[0006] The above-mentioned goals are achieved, according to the
invention, through the provision of a bicycle-carrier device that
includes: [0007] A brace equipped with connection means for
connecting the said brace to the frame of the motor vehicle behind
the motor vehicle; [0008] Supporting means carried by the said
brace in order to support one or more bicycles behind the motor
vehicle, with the bicycles oriented transversely in relation to the
longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle,
[0009] characterized by the fact that the said brace includes a bar
that, when the bicycle-carrier device is mounted on the motor
vehicle, extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal
direction of the motor vehicle; and
[0010] by the fact that the said supporting means include: [0011]
At least one first supporting element and one second supporting
element secured to the bar in a position that can be adjusted along
the bar, in order to receive and support from below the two wheels
of a bicycle, respectively, and [0012] An articulated arm that is
mounted on the bar and that can be shifted between a raised
operating position that is substantially orthogonal to the bar and
a lowered non-operating position, and [0013] At least one third
supporting element secured to the said arm into position that can
be adjusted along the arm, in order to receive and support from
below an element of the frame of a bicycle,
[0014] with each of the said first, second, and third supporting
elements being provided with means for locking in place the part
that is received.
[0015] In the preferred embodiment, each of the said first and
second supporting elements includes a body made of a cradle-shaped
plastic material in order to receive a respective wheel of a
bicycle, with the said cradle-shaped body consisting of one single
piece with a clamp portion locked removably onto the said bar.
[0016] In this preferred embodiment, the bar is a hollow metal bar
with a quadrangular cross-section, which, when in the mounted
position on the motor vehicle, displays an upper surface, lower
surface, a front surface, and a rear surface. The above-mentioned
arm consists of an inverted U-shaped element, with two parallel
branches whose ends are positions respectively on the front surface
and on the rear surface of the bar, and are joined thereto in an
articulated manner about a common axis, parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle when the device is in
its mounted position. One of the two branches of the U-shaped
element constituting the said arm has an extremity that is extended
beyond the said axis of articulation of the arm and carries a latch
that is suitable for engaging a seat formed in the bar or in an
element rigidly connected to the bar, so as to lock the arm in its
raised operating position. The latch consists of a pin slidably
mounted inboard of the said extended extremity of the arm and drawn
by a spring toward a position of engagement with the said seat. The
said pin is connected to a handle that can be grasped in order to
draw the pin, against the action of the spring, toward a position
in which it is disengaged from its seat. The said pin is also
designed to engage the upper surface of the bar or of an element
rigidly connected to the bar, with the bar in the lowered
non-operating position, in order to lock the arm in the said
position.
[0017] Still with regard to the above-mentioned preferred
embodiment, the two parallel branches of the U-shaped element
constituting the arm are associated respectively with the
above-mentioned third supporting element and a fourth supporting
element, each of which includes a cradle-shaped body in order to
receive the respective elements of the frame of two bicycles, with
the said body being connected orientably about a longitudinal axis
(with reference to the mounted position on the motor vehicle) to a
clamp portion that is locked removably onto the respective branch
of the said U-shaped element constituting the arm.
[0018] The above-mentioned third supporting elements are preferably
positioned so as to support the bicycle frame, not in
correspondence with its highest element (that is, the horizontal
tube, for a standard frame), but rather in correspondence with a
lower element (typically the diagonal tube, or even the seat tube).
As a result, the above-mentioned arm carrying the elements that
support the bicycle can be relatively small in size, with a
resulting reduction in the overall dimensions of the device.
[0019] The means connecting the bar to the frame of the motor
vehicle include an auxiliary connecting arm extending orthogonally
from a central part of the bar and having a facing extremity
positioned for connection to a hitch on the motor vehicle, which
typically is a hitch for pulling a trailer. In one embodiment the
auxiliary arm is connected rigidly to the bar, while in a variant
the auxiliary arm is connected to the bar in an articulated manner
about an axis parallel to the bar, and is equipped with stop means
so as to allow limited oscillation of the entire bicycle-carrier
device in relation to the auxiliary arm, between an upright
operating position and a tilted position, angled away from the
motor vehicle, so as to facilitate access to the luggage
compartment of the motor vehicle when the device is in its mounted
position on the motor vehicle, even with the bicycles mounted on
the device.
[0020] According to a further optional characteristic, the bar
supports an auxiliary structure that includes a number-plate holder
and taillights.
[0021] Thanks to the above-mentioned characteristics, the invention
provides significant advantages in terms of construction
simplicity, versatile applicability, reduced size, and ease and
rapidity of use.
[0022] These and other advantages will become clear from the
following description, which makes reference to the annexed
drawings, which are provided non-limitatively and purely as
examples, on which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
bicycle-carrier device according to the invention, with the
articulated arm in its raised operating position;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of another
detail of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of another
detail of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 1 with
the arm in the lowered non-operating position;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front view corresponding to the state shown in
FIG. 5;
[0029] FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged perspective views, in partial
cross-section, of a detail of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0030] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are perspective views that show various
methods of use of the device shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of a second embodiment
of the bicycle-carrier device according to the invention; and
[0032] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail in FIG.
11.
[0033] On the drawings, the number [1] designates, in its entirety,
a bicycle-carrier device for motor vehicles of the type intended to
be connected to the frame of a motor vehicle behind the motor
vehicle, with the aid of a hitch provided on the motor vehicle in
order to pull a trailer. The bicycle-carrier device according to
the invention is intended to carry one or more bicycles (two
bicycles, in the embodiment illustrated here) oriented transversely
in relation to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle,
behind the motor vehicle (see FIGS. 7 through 9). For this purpose,
the device includes a brace structure, indicated in its entirety by
number [2], that is equipped with supporting means in order to
support one or more bicycles.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the brace
structure [2] consists exclusively of a metal bar [3]. In the
example shown here, the bar [3] is a straight hollow metal bar with
a quadrangular cross-section, which, when in the mounted position
on the motor vehicle, includes an upper surface [3a], a lower
surface (not visible on the drawings), a front surface [3b], facing
the side opposite the direction of forward travel of the motor
vehicle, which is indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow [A], and a rear
surface, facing in the direction [A], which also is not visible on
the drawings.
[0035] The means for supporting the bicycle include at least one
first and one second supporting elements [4] [5] intended to
receive and to support from below the wheels of a respective
bicycle. In the examples of embodiments shown, the bar is equipped
with two pairs of identical supporting elements [4] [5] in order to
support two bicycles. The form of each supporting element will be
better understood with reference to FIG. 3, which shows an enlarged
view of the structure of the two supporting elements [5], with the
structure of the supporting elements [4] being entirely identical.
As shown, each supporting element includes a cradle-shaped body
[50] made of a plastic material intended to receive a respective
wheel of a bicycle in the manners shown, for example, in FIGS. 7
through 9. Each cradle-shaped body [50] is also equipped with a
fastening strap [51], one of whose ends is connected to the
cradle-shaped body, with the other, free end being capable of being
secured by means of a buckle [52] that is also associated with the
cradle-shaped body [50]. The cradle-shaped body [50] is made of a
single piece of plastic material, with a clamp portion [53] that
has two jaws [54] that are suitable for locking between them the
body of the bar [3], through the tightening of a screw [55]
equipped with an operating knob [56]. The screw [55] passes through
aligned holes in the jaws [54] and engages a nut [57] (see FIG. 3).
Thanks to this arrangement, each supporting element can be locked
removably onto the bar [3], in any desired position along the bar.
Naturally, the configuration of the supporting elements [4] [5] and
of the associated fastening means [51] [52] may vary greatly from
the example shown here. Each extremity of the hollow bar [3] is
closed by a plastic cap [58] (see FIG. 3) that includes a stop
block [59] that serves as a safety element, to prevent the
supporting elements [4] [5] from sliding off of the bar [3].
[0036] With reference again to FIG. 1, the two pairs of supporting
elements [4] [5], intended to receive and support the wheels of two
bicycles, are mounted in positions that are axially distributed
along the bar [3], with the cradle-shaped bodies [50] located on
the two sides of the bar [3], in order to receive the two bicycles
in one of the manners shown in FIGS. 7 through 9.
[0037] The means for supporting the bicycles also include an arm
[6] that is mounted in an articulated manner on the bar [3] about
an axis [7] (see FIG. 2) parallel to the longitudinal direction of
the motor vehicle (with reference to the mounted position of the
device). In the example of the embodiment shown here, the arm [6]
consists of a U-shaped metal bar that is hollow and that has a
quadrangular cross-section, with two rectilinear branches [60] that
are parallel to each other and whose extremities are joined in an
articulated manner to the bar [3] in correspondence with the front
surface and the rear surface of the bar, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus,
the bar [6] can be shifted between an upright operating position,
orthogonal to the bar [3], as shown in FIG. 1, and a non-operating
position, lowered onto the bar [3], as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The
function of the arm [6] is to carry at least one third supporting
element [8] for an element of the bicycle frame.
[0038] In the embodiments shown, two supporting elements [8] are
provided that are intended to support the frame of the two bicycles
resting on the two pairs of supporting elements [4] [5]. More
specifically, each supporting element [8] it intended to support
one element of the bicycle frame that is not the highest element of
the frame (which, for a standard frame, is the horizontal tube),
but that is instead a lower element, typically the diagonal tube of
the bicycle frame (or, alternatively, the seat tube). Because the
bicycle frame is supported in correspondence with one of its lower
parts, the arm [6] may be relatively short, with the resulting
advantage of reducing the overall dimensions of the device.
Moreover, this arrangement is entirely sufficient to counter a
tilting or moment load of the bicycle, due to the fact that the arm
[6] has the U-shaped configuration as shown, with two branches [60]
joined in an articulated manner to the bar [3] at longitudinally
separated points, so as to be able effectively to withstand forces
that tend to cause the arm [6] to rotate about an axis parallel to
the bar [3].
[0039] The structure and shape of each of the supporting elements
[8] in accordance with the embodiment shown here, can be seen more
clearly in FIG. 4. In this case, each supporting element [8]
includes a cradle-shaped body [80] equipped with a covering element
[81] made of a plastic material and having a knurled surface that
is suitable for engaging, by friction, the element of the bicycle
frame. The cradle-shaped body [80] is mounted orientably about an
axis [82], by means of a bolt [83], on a bracket [84] of a clamping
unit [85], which can be locked onto the respective branch [60] of
the arm [6] by means of a screw [86] provided with an operating
knob [87] that is suitable for engaging a nut [88]. This way, each
supporting element [8] can be secured removably to the respective
branch [60] of the arm [6] at any desired position. Each of the
covering elements [81] is provided with a retaining element that
includes a strap or band [89] (see FIG. 4) of a known type. With
regard to the supporting elements [8], the configuration of these
elements may vary greatly from the example shown here.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows how, in the illustrated embodiment, the
articulated installation of the arm [6] on the bar [3] is achieved.
In this case, the said articulated installation is achieved with
the aid of a pair of metal plates [9] [10] that grip between them
the bar [3] and that are secured thereto, on its rear surface and
on its front surface, respectively, by means of bolts [11] that
engage holes [11'] formed in the plates [9] [10] and in the front
and rear walls of the bar [3]. The two bars [9] [10] include upper
central "ears" [90] [100] with aligned holes [91] [101] that are
engaged by a pivot pin or trunnion [70]. The pivot pin or trunnion
[70] engages aligned holes in the branches [60] of the arm [6],
thereby defining the axis of articulation [7], which is located
immediately above and adjacent to the upper surface [3a] of the bar
[3], as shown clearly in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0041] As also visible in FIGS. 2, 6A, and 6B, one of the two
branches [60] of the arm [6] has an extremity [61] that extends
beyond the axis of articulation [7], and that is designed by
reference number [61]. This extremity [61] includes a slidable
latch, in the form of a pin [62] that is drawn by a spring [63]
toward a position of engagement with a seat that forms an integral
part of the bar [3] or an element connected thereto. In the example
shown, this seat is defined by a hole [102] formed in the plate
[10]. For the sake of uniformity during manufacture, the plate [9]
is identical to the plate [10], and therefore also includes a hole,
indicated in FIG. 2 by reference number [92], that however is not
used. The latch [62] engages the hole [102] (which preferably is
elongated vertically, in order to take into account manufacturing
tolerances), in order to lock the arm [6] in its operating position
as shown in FIG. 1. The latch [62] can be disengaged from the hole
[102] by means of a handle [64] that is secured to one extremity of
the pin [62] and that protrudes frontally from the extremity [61]
of the arm [6] (see also FIGS. 6A and 6B). In this manner, the
handle [64] can be pulled in order to disengage the latch [62] and
allow the arm [6] to be lowered into the non-operating position
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thanks to the fact that the axis of
articulation [7] of the arm [6] is positioned immediately above the
bar [3], when the said arm [6] is in its non-operating position,
then the latch [62] assumes a position above the upper surface [3a]
of the bar [3] and engages an upturned upper edge [103] of the
plate [10] (see FIG. 6B), thereby preventing the unwanted raising
of the arm [6]. The arm [6] may be returned to its operating
position only when the handle [64] is actuated again in order to
disengage the latch [62] from the edge [103] of the plate [10] and
thereby allow the arm [6] to be raised to its operating position,
in which the latch [62] again engages the hole [102] in the plate
[10].
[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, the means for
connecting the bar [3] to the frame of the motor vehicle include
simply an L-shaped auxiliary bar [12] with a straight branch
oriented in the direction [A] (see FIG. 1) and a vertical branch
welded to the plate [9] (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The opposite end of
the arm [12] is connected to a hitch [13] with which the motor
vehicle is equipped, in order to connect a trailer. (FIG. 1 shows a
standard hitch used in the United States.)
[0043] FIGS. 7 through 9 show various ways of using the
bicycle-carrier device described hereinabove. FIG. 7 refers to the
case in which the two bicycles are both oriented in the same
direction, while FIGS. 8 and 9 show bicycles oriented in opposite
directions, with the bicycle that is farther from the motor vehicle
shifted leftward, or rather, rightward in relation to the other
bicycle.
[0044] FIGS. 10 through 12 refer to a second embodiment, in which
the parts corresponding to those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1
through 6 and in FIGS. 6A and 6B are designated by the same
reference numbers.
[0045] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12 differs
from the one described hereinabove solely in terms of the structure
and shape of the auxiliary arm that connects the bicycle-carrier
device to the frame of the motor vehicle, and due to the fact that
the bar is connected frontally to an auxiliary structure [14], in
the form of a crossbar, that includes a central number-plate holder
[15] and two lateral supports with taillights [16]. The said
auxiliary structure [14] is rigidly connected to the bar [3] by
means of fastener bars [17] that are welded at their ends to the
bar [3] and to the structure [14]. Moreover, as indicated, the
auxiliary bar that provides the connection to the frame of the
motor vehicle has a different shape, consisting of a hollow metal
bar with a quadrangular cross-section, designated in its entirety
by reference number [18], which is equipped at its end opposite the
bar [3] with a fastener device [19] of any known type intended to
connected to the spherical body of a motor-vehicle tow coupling, in
accordance with the standard shape provided in Europe. The device
[19] has an actuating lever [20] that can be shifted from a
non-operating position to an operating position in order to bring
the fastener device [19] into a position in which it grips the
spherical body of the tow coupling, in accordance with a known
technique. The structure and the shape of the device [19] are not
shown here, because they can be implemented in any known manner,
and because these aspects, taken in their own right, do not lie
within the scope of the present invention.
[0046] Still with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10
through 12, the auxiliary arm consisting of the bar [18] has an
extremity that is located opposite the device [19] and that is
connected to the bar [3], in an articulated manner about an axis
[21] that is parallel to the bar [3], by a pivot pin or trunnion
(not shown). In the embodiment shown, the bar [3] is rigidly
connected, in correspondence with its rear surface, to a U-shaped
bracket [22] within which is received and connected, in an
articulated manner, the front end of the auxiliary bar [18]. The
said auxiliary bar [18] is also provided with a transverse pin
[25], with a square cross-section, whose extremities are guided
between two longitudinal slots [26] formed in the lateral walls of
the bar [18] (only one slot [26] is partially visible in FIG. 12),
or else between curved slots [24] formed in the two lateral wings
of the bracket [22].
[0047] In the normal operating state illustrated in FIG. 12, the
pin [25] is held by a spring [27] between horizontal end portions
of the curved slots [24], such that any relative oscillation about
the axis [21] between the bracket [22] and the bar [18] is
prevented, and the bicycle-carrier device is locked in its working
position. The pin [25] may be carried as far as the curved section
of the slots [24], in opposition to the action of the spring [27],
by a metal wire [28] that is provided with a grip [29] that
protrudes frontally from the structure [14] so as to be readily
accessible to the user. In this state, the entire structure of the
bicycle-carrier device, along with the bicycles that may be carried
on it, may be tilted, angled away from the motor vehicle, about the
axis [21], in order to facilitate access to the luggage compartment
of the motor vehicle. The lower ends of the slots [24] serve as
stops that limit the tilted position of the structure of the
bicycle-carrier device.
[0048] As is clear from the foregoing description, the
bicycle-carrier device according to the invention, in both of the
embodiments described hereinabove, offers a series of significant
advantages.
[0049] First of all, the device is relatively small in size,
despite being suitable for receiving bicycles of any size and
configuration. The cradle-shaped bodies of the supporting elements
may be positioned adjacent to the extremities of the bar, so as to
be able to receive bicycles with a substantially long wheelbase,
bearing in mind that the cradle-shaped bodies can be positioned at
a distance from each other that is shorter than the wheelbase. For
bicycles with a non-standard configuration, e.g., with a very long
wheelbase, the bicycle-carrier device can easily be adapted through
the appropriate dimensioning of the bar [3]. The supporting element
that supports the bicycle frame is intended to support the diagonal
tube of the frame or the seat tube, or, in any event, a part of the
frame other than the upper horizontal tube, such that the size of
the arm [6] that carries the said supporting element can be reduced
accordingly. The cradle-shaped strike of the supporting element
that supports the frame can be adjusted in terms of both its
position along the arm [6] and its angular position about the axis
[82] (see FIG. 4) so that it can be adapted optimally to the
configuration of the bicycle to be held. Analogously, the
supporting elements [4] [5] upon which the bicycle wheels rest are
positioned at the optimal distance for the best support of the
bicycle wheels. Once these operations have been performed, the
bicycle-carrier device is automatically calibrated for a given
bicycle, such that none of the adjustment operations needs to be
repeated the next time the same device is used with the same
bicycle.
[0050] The structure of the bicycle-carrier device is extremely
simple, consisting of a limited number of components (essentially
the bar [3] and the articulated arm [6]). The latch device that can
be operated with the handle [64] is easy and rapid to use, and
ensures the locking of the articulated arm [6] in both its
operating position and its lowered position. In the latter
position, the configuration of the entire device becomes extremely
compact, for convenient and easy storage.
[0051] In addition to being simple and easy to use, the device
according to the invention is also characterized by a high degree
of versatility, inasmuch as it is easily adaptable to different
bicycle configurations and also allows different relative positions
of the bicycles, as shown for example in FIGS. 7 through 9.
[0052] Naturally, without limiting the principle of the invention,
the details of its construction and the embodiments may be varied
broadly from the ones described and illustrated here purely as
examples, without thereby departing from the scope of the present
invention.
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