U.S. patent application number 14/753598 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for trailer coupling and load carrier arrangement for a trailer coupling.
The applicant listed for this patent is Scambia Holdings Cyprus Limited. Invention is credited to Wolfgang Gentner, Aleksej Kadnikov, Bernhard Rimmelspacher.
Application Number | 20160243907 14/753598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53524590 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160243907 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
Rimmelspacher; Bernhard ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
Trailer Coupling and Load Carrier Arrangement For A Trailer
Coupling
Abstract
In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles,
including a ball neck which is mountable on a rear part of a motor
vehicle so as to be fixed to the vehicle by means of a ball neck
carrier by way of a first end and on a second end carries a
coupling ball, in such a manner that load carriers can be mounted
and held securely in a simple manner, it is proposed that, for
positioning a load carrier holding device, which is loadable onto
the coupling ball and the ball neck, at least one first positioning
body is arranged on the ball neck at a defined spacing from the
coupling ball, that the at least one first positioning body is
arranged on a ball neck portion of the ball neck which adjoins a
ball attachment of the ball neck which carries the coupling ball
and in particular, proceeding from the ball attachment, extends
along the ball neck over a distance which corresponds to a maximum
of one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball, and that
the at least one first positioning body extends transversely with
respect to a development of the ball neck portion which carries
said positioning body and away from said ball neck portion.
Inventors: |
Rimmelspacher; Bernhard;
(Rheinstetten, DE) ; Gentner; Wolfgang;
(Steinheim, DE) ; Kadnikov; Aleksej; (Leonberg,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Scambia Holdings Cyprus Limited |
Limassol |
|
CY |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150375585 A1 |
December 31, 2015 |
|
|
Family ID: |
53524590 |
Appl. No.: |
14/753598 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14162070 |
Jan 23, 2014 |
|
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14753598 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60D 1/56 20130101; B60R
9/10 20130101; B60D 1/065 20130101; B60R 9/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60D 1/06 20060101
B60D001/06; B60D 1/56 20060101 B60D001/56 |
Claims
1. Trailer coupling for motor vehicles, including a ball neck which
is mountable on a rear part of a motor vehicle so as to be fixed to
the vehicle by means of a ball neck carrier by way of a first end
and on a second end carries a coupling ball, for positioning a load
carrier holding device, which is loadable onto the coupling ball
and the ball neck, comprising: two first positioning bodies that
are arranged on the ball neck at a defined spacing from the
coupling ball, each first positioning body is arranged on a ball
neck portion of the ball neck which adjoins a ball attachment of
the ball neck which carries the coupling ball and in particular,
proceeding from the ball attachment, extends along the ball neck
over a distance which corresponds to a maximum of one and a half
times the diameter of the coupling ball, the two first positioning
bodies extending transversely with respect to a development of the
ball neck portion which carries said positioning bodies and away
from said ball neck portion, each first positioning body carries at
least one first positioning surface, and the at least one first
positioning surface is arranged on an outside surface of each
positioning body.
2. (canceled)
3. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
first positioning surface lies outside a projection contour of the
coupling ball which is generated as a result of the projection of
the coupling ball onto the first positioning bodies, wherein in
particular the projection contour intersects the first positioning
bodies.
4. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
first positioning surface comprises at least one guide surface
region which runs parallel to a loading direction of the load
carrier holding device.
5. (canceled)
6. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, wherein the two first
positioning bodies are arranged in each case on the ball neck
portion on oppositely located sides of said ball neck portion, the
first positioning bodies are arranged on oppositely situated sides
of a longitudinal center plane of the ball neck and the first
positioning bodies are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner to
the longitudinal center plane of the ball neck.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
first positioning surface is a surface region of a geometrical
surface which intersects the ball neck portion carrying the
positioning bodies.
11. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, wherein the each first
positioning body comprises first positioning surfaces which are
arranged on oppositely situated sides.
12. Trailer coupling according to claim 6, wherein at least one
first positioning surface comprises at least one positioning
surface region which runs transversely with respect to a loading
direction.
13. (canceled)
14. Trailer coupling according to claim 1, wherein at least one
second positioning surface, which runs transversely with respect to
the first positioning surface, is arranged on the ball neck.
15. Trailer coupling according to claim 14, wherein the at least
one second positioning surface is arranged on the ball neck portion
of the ball neck which adjoins a ball attachment of the ball neck
carrying the coupling ball and in particular carries the first
positioning bodies.
16. Trailer coupling according to claim 14, wherein the at least
one second positioning surface is arranged on the first positioning
bodies.
17. Trailer coupling according to claim 14, wherein the second
positioning surface is arranged on a second positioning body.
18. Trailer coupling according to claim 14, wherein the second
positioning surface lies outside of a projection contour of the
coupling ball which is generated as a result of the projection of
the coupling ball onto the positioning bodies carrying said at
least one second positioning surface.
19. Trailer coupling according to claim 14, wherein the at least
one second positioning surface lies inside of a projection contour
of the coupling ball which is generated as a result of the
projection of the coupling ball onto the positioning bodies
carrying the at least one second positioning surface.
20. Load carrier holding device for a trailer coupling which
comprises a ball neck and a coupling ball, in particular for a
trailer coupling according to claim 1, said load carrier holding
device including a housing body with a ball receiving means for the
coupling ball of the ball neck of the trailer coupling and at least
one position receiving element which is fixedly connected to the
housing body, each position receiving element interacting with one
of the first positioning bodies which are arranged on the ball
neck.
21. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein the
position receiving element interacts with the first positioning
bodies in such a manner, in particular so as to form a
positive-locking fit, that the housing body is secured relative to
the ball neck against tilting movements about tilt axes which
extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to
the centre axis of the coupling ball.
22. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein each
first positioning body and each position receiving element interact
in such a manner, in particular so as to form a positive-locking
fit, that the housing body is secured in a non-rotatable manner
against a rotational movement about a rotational axis which is
parallel to the centre axis of the coupling ball or encloses a
maximum angle of 20.degree. with the centre axis of the coupling
ball.
23. Load carrier holding device according to claim 22, wherein each
position receiving element interacts in a clamping-free manner with
one of the first positioning bodies.
24. Load carrier holding device according to claim 22, wherein each
position receiving element comprises at least one receiving surface
which interacts with the at least one positioning surface of one of
the first positioning bodies in a load carrier holding
position.
25. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein two
position receiving elements are fixedly connected to the housing
body, the two position receiving elements are arranged in a rigid
manner relative to one another.
26. (canceled)
27. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein the
two position receiving elements are arranged rigidly relative to
the housing body.
28. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein each
position receiving element comprises two receiving surfaces which
face one another, the respective first positioning body is arranged
in a load carrier holding position within its region carrying the
at least one first positioning surface between the receiving
surfaces of the at least one position receiving element.
29. (canceled)
30. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein the
at least one position receiving element comprises receiving
surfaces which extend facing one another, between which a
respective one of the first positioning bodies is arranged in the
load carrier holding position.
31. Load carrier holding device according to claim 30, wherein the
receiving surfaces comprise guide surface regions which face one
another and extend approximately parallel to the loading
direction.
32. (canceled)
33. Load carrier holding device according to claim 30, wherein at
least one of the receiving surfaces comprises a support surface
region which extends transversely with respect to the loading
direction.
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. Load carrier holding device according to claim 20, wherein the
load carrier holding device comprises a fixing device which secures
the housing body on the ball neck, and the fixing device comprises
a fixing element which fixes the housing body relative to the ball
neck in the load carrier holding position.
40. (canceled)
41. Load carrier holding device according to claim 39, wherein the
fixing element interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck in
such a manner that the housing body is acted upon with a fixing
force in the loading direction or counter to said loading direction
relative to the coupling ball or to the ball neck.
42. Load carrier holding device according to claim 39, wherein the
fixing element interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck in
such a manner that the housing body experiences a clamping force
which is directed transversely with respect to the loading
direction relative to the coupling ball or to the ball neck.
43. Load carrier holding device according to claim 39, wherein the
fixing element cooperates with the ball neck or with the
positioning body or with the coupling ball in a fixing position,
and the fixing element is movable in a guide direction between a
release position and a fixing position and in that the fixing
element is movable in the guide direction as a result of an
actuating device.
44. Load carrier holding device according to claim 43, wherein the
fixing element projects into the ball receiving means of the
housing body in the fixing position.
45. (canceled)
46. Load carrier holding device according to claim 43, wherein the
fixing element is guided so as to be movable in a guide channel
between the fixing position and a release position, and the guide
channel runs transversely with respect to the ball receiving
means.
47. (canceled)
48. Load carrier holding device according to claim 46, wherein the
actuating device comprises a threaded drive for moving the fixing
element between the release position and the fixing position.
49. Load carrier holding device according to claim 43, wherein the
actuating device comprises a toggle lever drive for moving the
fixing element between the release position and the fixing
position.
50. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of German
application No. 10 2014 109 134.5, filed Jun. 30, 2014, the
teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their
entirety by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a trailer coupling for motor
vehicles including a ball neck which is mountable on a rear part of
a motor vehicle so as to be fixed to the vehicle by means of a ball
neck carrier by way of a first end and on a second end carries a
coupling ball.
[0003] These types of trailer couplings are known from the prior
art.
[0004] These types of trailer couplings primarily serve for the
purpose of attaching a trailer which cooperates by way of a tow
ball coupling with the coupling ball.
[0005] In many cases, however, a trailer coupling also serves for
the purpose of mounting a load carrier, for example for bicycles or
skis or other sports equipment in order to be able to transport
them in a simple manner.
[0006] Consequently, the object underlying the invention is to
improve a trailer coupling of the type described in the
introduction in such a manner that load carriers are able to be
mounted and held securely in a simple manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Said object is achieved according to the invention in the
case of a trailer coupling of the type described in the
introduction as a result of, for positioning a load carrier holding
device, which is loadable onto the coupling ball and the ball neck,
at least one first positioning body being arranged on the ball neck
at a defined spacing from the coupling ball, the at least one first
positioning body being arranged on a ball neck portion of the ball
neck which adjoins a ball attachment piece of the ball neck which
carries the coupling ball and in particular, proceeding from the
ball attachment, extends along the ball neck over a distance which
corresponds to a maximum of one and a half times the diameter of
the coupling ball, and the at least one first positioning body
extending transversely with respect to a development of the ball
neck portion which carries said positioning body and away from said
ball neck portion.
[0008] This means that proceeding from a development of the ball
neck or of the ball neck portion, the first positioning body rests
thereon or protrudes therefrom or surrounds the ball neck portion
entirely or in part.
[0009] The arrangement of the first positioning body additionally
has the advantage that it is consequently possible, in the case of
very many shapes of the ball neck, to arrange the first positioning
body always at the same defined spacing from the coupling ball and
extensively independently of the shape of the ball neck, in
particular of an offset thereof, and to maintain a standardized
position of the first positioning body relative to the coupling
ball.
[0010] The advantage of the solution according to the invention, in
this case, can be seen in that a first positioning body of this
type is able to position the load carrier holding device in a
simple manner and relative to the ball neck, that means to align it
and to hold it in the aligned position.
[0011] In particular, in this case, the positioning of the load
carrier holding device is also effected as a result of said load
carrier holding device being supported on the coupling ball such
that, in this case, the positioning of the load carrier holding
device is effected, on the one hand, by means of supporting on the
coupling ball and, on the other hand, by means of supporting on the
first positioning body.
[0012] In this case, the at least one first positioning body can be
a separate body which is connected to the ball neck portion by
means of mounting elements or is held on the ball neck portion as a
result of a positive-locking fit.
[0013] However, it is also conceivable for the at least one
positioning body to be integrally moulded on the ball neck portion,
for example integrally moulded in one piece, for example as an
accumulation of material or a thickening.
[0014] With regard to the realization of the at least one first
positioning body, it is particularly favourable when the at least
one first positioning body carries at least one first positioning
surface, by means of which a positioning of the load carrier
holding device can be effected.
[0015] For example, it is provided for this purpose that the at
least one first positioning surface lies outside a projection
contour of the coupling ball which is generated as a result of the
projection of the coupling ball onto the first positioning body,
wherein in particular the projection contour intersects the at
least one first positioning body.
[0016] The projection of the coupling ball on the positioning body
is preferably effected parallel to a loading direction along which
the load carrier holding device is movable in order to place said
load carrier holding device onto the coupling ball and the ball
neck.
[0017] In particular, the loading direction runs approximately
parallel to a ball centre axis of the coupling ball and of the ball
attachment, an approximately parallel development of the loading
direction with respect to the ball centre axis being understood as
the angle between the ball centre axis and the loading direction
being equal or less than 20.degree., preferably equal or less than
10.degree., even better equal or less than 5.degree., a simply
designable solution providing a parallel development.
[0018] In addition, it is preferably provided that the loading
direction runs parallel to a longitudinal centre plane of the ball
neck and/or parallel to a cross plane which is aligned
perpendicularly to a longitudinal centre plane of the ball
neck.
[0019] This means that the first positioning surface is arranged in
each case at such a spacing from the ball neck or the ball neck
portion that it lies outside the projection contour of the coupling
ball on the positioning body and consequently in a simple manner is
available for positioning the load carrier holding device when the
load carrier holding device is placed onto the coupling ball, this
means engages over or engages around the coupling ball in order to
be supported on the coupling ball.
[0020] In particular, it is consequently possible to realize the
load carrier holding device in such a manner that a ball receiving
means can be placed onto the coupling ball or engages around said
coupling ball and at the same time, without impairing the access to
the ball receiving means, interaction with the positioning surfaces
of the positioning body is possible in order to support the load
carrier holding device on the at least one positioning surface of
the positioning body.
[0021] No more details have been given in conjunction with the
previous explanation of the individual embodiments with regard to
the realization of the positioning surface.
[0022] Thus, a particularly favourable solution provides that the
at least one first positioning surface comprises at least one guide
surface region which runs parallel to a loading direction of the
load carrier holding device.
[0023] In addition, no more details have been given in conjunction
with the previous explanation of the individual embodiments
concerning the arrangement of the at least one first positioning
surface on the first positioning body.
[0024] Thus, it would be conceivable for the first positioning
surface to be arranged in an interior of the first positioning
body, for example in a bore or in an interior space that is
surrounded at least in part by the positioning body.
[0025] An advantageous solution provides that the at least one
first positioning surface is arranged on an outside surface of the
first positioning body such that, as a result, a simple interaction
with the positioning surface is possible.
[0026] It is particularly favourable in this case when the first
positioning body is realized as a closed body, preferably as a
solid body.
[0027] In conjunction with the previous explanations of the
individual embodiments, it has been assumed that at least one first
positioning body is arranged on the ball neck portion.
[0028] Improved positioning or sturdier positioning of the load
carrier holding device, however, is possible as a result of a
positioning body being arranged in each case on the ball neck
portion on sides of said ball neck portion that are located
opposite one another such that the support of the load carrier
holding device can be effected by means of two first positioning
bodies.
[0029] For example, it would be conceivable to arrange the first
positioning bodies on oppositely situated sides in a longitudinal
centre plane of the ball neck.
[0030] As an alternative to this, however, it is also conceivable
to arrange the first positioning bodies on the ball neck on
oppositely situated sides of a cross plane of the ball neck which
runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the
longitudinal centre plane.
[0031] In particular, it is favourable when, in an operating
position of the ball neck, the first positioning bodies are
arranged on oppositely situated sides of a longitudinal centre
plane of the trailer coupling, in the operating position of the
ball neck the longitudinal centre plane of the trailer coupling
also coinciding with a longitudinal centre plane of the motor
vehicle body and in particular with the longitudinal centre plane
of the ball neck.
[0032] In this case, the first positioning bodies could also still
be arranged on the ball neck offset with respect to one another in
a direction parallel to the longitudinal centre plane.
[0033] Thus, a particularly favourable solution provides that the
first positioning bodies lie in the same cross plane which runs
transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal
centre plane and in particular approximately parallel to the centre
axis of the coupling ball.
[0034] Particularly favourable is a solution where the first
positioning bodies are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner to
the longitudinal centre plane of the ball neck and consequently are
arranged on both sides of the longitudinal centre plane in exactly
the same relative position with respect to the coupling ball, as
the coupling ball is already realized in a mirror-symmetrical
manner to the longitudinal centre plane.
[0035] No more details have been given in conjunction with the
previous description of the individual exemplary embodiments with
regard to the functioning of the first positioning bodies.
[0036] Another advantageous solution, however, provides that the at
least one first positioning body serves not only for the defined
alignment of the load carrier holding device relative to the ball
neck and to the coupling ball, but at the same time also receives
the carrying load such that the coupling ball, in this case, does
not contribute to carrying the load carrier holding device but,
interacting with the load carrier holding device, only to holding
the load carrier holding device aligned in a defined manner with
respect to the ball neck.
[0037] No further details have been given up to now either with
regard to the arrangement or the development of the at least one
first positioning surface. Thus, for example, the first positioning
surfaces could comprise a different symmetry relative to the
longitudinal centre plane or no symmetry relative to the
longitudinal centre plane.
[0038] However, a particularly expedient solution provides that the
at least one first positioning surface of the first positioning
body is realized in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the
longitudinal centre plane of the ball neck such that the
positioning surfaces themselves also have a mirror symmetry to the
longitudinal centre plane.
[0039] No further details have been given up to now with regard to
the realization and form of the at least one first positioning body
itself.
[0040] Thus, a particularly favourable solution provides that,
proceeding from a ball neck portion carrying said first positioning
body, the at least one first positioning body extends away from the
ball neck portion in a direction of extension.
[0041] This is a simple and expedient development of the
positioning body which facilitates support of the load carrier
holding device on said positioning body.
[0042] For example, it would be possible in this conjunction to
realize the at least one first positioning body such that said at
least one first positioning body extends in a kind of branching of
the ball neck or in a kind of forming of the ball neck.
[0043] A particularly simple form of realization provides that the
direction of extension of the at least one first positioning body
runs transversely with respect to the ball neck portion carrying
said positioning body.
[0044] In addition, no details with regard to the development of
the first positioning surface relative to the direction of
extension have been given either in the case of a first positioning
body of this type.
[0045] Thus, an advantageous solution provides that the at least
one first positioning surface extends parallel to the direction of
extension or at an angle of less than 30.degree., or even better
less than 20.degree., with respect to the direction of extension of
the positioning body.
[0046] In this case it is provided, for example, that the at least
one positioning surface is a surface region of a geometrical
surface which intersects the ball neck portion carrying the
positioning body, that is extends transversely with respect to said
ball neck portion.
[0047] The most varied possibilities are conceivable with regard to
the arrangement of the positioning surfaces on the positioning
body.
[0048] For example, it is provided in this case that the at least
one first positioning body comprises first positioning surfaces
which are arranged on oppositely situated sides.
[0049] In particular, in this case, the first positioning surfaces
which are arranged on oppositely situated sides are realized such
that they lie on opposite sides of a cross plane which extends
transversely, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to the
longitudinal centre plane.
[0050] The first positioning surfaces are preferably also realized
such that they extend in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect
to the cross plane.
[0051] Guide surface regions, which are to extend parallel to the
loading direction, have been described in the case of a previously
mentioned exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the functioning
of the positioning surfaces.
[0052] However, as an alternative to this or in addition to it, it
is also conceivable for the at least one first positioning surface
to comprise at least one positioning surface region which runs
transversely with respect to the loading direction.
[0053] In addition, it is possible in the case of such positioning
surface regions which extend transversely with respect to the
loading direction to arrange two positioning surface regions which
extend transversely with respect to the loading direction such that
they are spaced apart relative to one another at a spacing which
increases or decreases as the extension increases in the loading
direction, this means that the first positioning surface regions
can develop a wedge-like action together in order to achieve exact
positioning thereon.
[0054] In this case, the two first positioning surface regions can
extend relative to one another in a conical or parabolic or
hyperbolical manner or in the form of cylinder or ball surface
regions.
[0055] In addition, it is expedient when such first positioning
surface regions extend symmetrically with respect to the loading
direction such that exact positioning which is symmetrical to the
loading direction is realizable.
[0056] Only at least one first positioning surface has been
disclosed in connection with the exemplary embodiments described up
to now.
[0057] In order to achieve as secure positioning of a load carrier
holding device as possible, it is preferably provided that at least
one second positioning surface, which runs transversely with
respect to the first positioning surface, is arranged on the ball
neck.
[0058] In this case, the at least one second positioning surface
can be arranged in a fundamentally arbitrary manner on the ball
neck.
[0059] It is particularly favourable when the at least one second
positioning surface is arranged on a ball neck portion of the ball
neck which adjoins a ball attachment of the ball neck carrying the
coupling ball and in particular carries the first positioning
body.
[0060] The at least one second positioning surface is arranged, for
example, on the first positioning body such that the first
positioning body carries both the first positioning surface and the
second positioning surface.
[0061] Another advantageous solution provides that the at least one
second positioning surface is arranged on a second positioning
body.
[0062] In this case, the second positioning body can be arranged
connected to the first positioning body or it is provided in an
advantageous manner that the second positioning body is arranged at
a spacing from the first positioning body.
[0063] A further advantageous solution provides that the at least
one second positioning surface lies outside a projection contour of
the coupling ball which is generated as a result of the projection
of the coupling ball onto the positioning body carrying the
respective second positioning surface, in particular the projection
contour intersecting the respective positioning body.
[0064] This means that the second positioning surface also lies
outside said projection contour, in the same manner as the first
positioning surface.
[0065] It would be conceivable, for example, even to provide the
second positioning surface radially outside the first positioning
surface.
[0066] Another advantageous solution provides that the at least one
second positioning surface lies inside a projection contour of the
coupling ball which is generated as a result of the projection of
the coupling ball onto the positioning body carrying the at least
one second positioning surface, in particular the projection
contour intersecting the respective positioning body.
[0067] As an alternative to the realization of the positioning body
in such a manner that said positioning body extends in a direction
of extension, it is provided that the first positioning body is
formed by a receiving body which sits on the ball neck portion
carrying the positioning body, such a receiving body being formed
by an accumulation of material arranged on the ball neck
portion.
[0068] In a special case, it is, for example, conceivable to
realize the first positioning body by a collar which is formed on
the ball neck portion carrying said first positioning body.
[0069] In this case, it is preferably provided that the at least
one first positioning surface lies on an outside surface of the
first positioning body remote from the ball neck portion.
[0070] Consequently, it is provided, for example, that the at least
one positioning surface is arranged on one side of the longitudinal
centre plane of the ball neck.
[0071] It is provided, for example, in this case that the at least
one positioning surface has a development which deviates from a
rotationally symmetrical development with respect to the centre
axis of the coupling ball.
[0072] This is realizable in a particularly simple manner when the
at least one first positioning surface includes a flattening of the
positioning body.
[0073] In particular, this can be realized as a result of the at
least one first positioning surface lying in a geometric surface
which does not intersect the ball neck portion carrying the first
positioning body.
[0074] A particularly favourable development provides that two
first positioning bodies are provided on the ball neck and that the
at least one first positioning surface of the one positioning body
comprises a surface portion which lies in a geometric plane which,
together with the geometric plane in which a surface portion of the
at least one positioning surface of the other positioning body
lies, encloses an angle of less than 120.degree..
[0075] The angle is preferably less than 100.degree., even better
less than 90.degree..
[0076] No further details have been given up to now with regard to
the positioning surfaces themselves.
[0077] In particular when the positioning body is integrally formed
in one piece on the ball neck, it is advantageous when the
positioning surfaces are machined surfaces in order to be able to
secure the position and alignment thereof relative to the coupling
ball in an exact manner.
[0078] Over and above this, according to the invention, the object
named in the introduction is also achieved according to the
invention by a load carrier arrangement for a trailer coupling
which comprises a ball neck and a coupling ball, in particular for
a trailer coupling according to one or more of the above-described
features, in that the load carrier holding device includes a
housing body with a ball receiving means for the coupling ball of
the ball neck of the trailer coupling and that the load carrier
holding device includes at least one position receiving element
which is fixedly connected to the housing body and interacts with
the positioning body which is arranged on the ball neck.
[0079] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is
consequently in that in contrast to the known load carrier holding
devices where the housing body is fixed to the coupling ball
itself, for example by means of a clamping device, as a result of
the interaction between the at least one position receiving element
and the positioning body it is possible to achieve better and more
precise alignment of the load carrier holding device relative to
the ball neck and to the coupling ball, in particular the position
receiving element and the positioning body achieving defined and
additional support of the load carrier holding device on the ball
neck with the coupling ball.
[0080] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is
additionally to be seen in this case in that it is consequently
possible to connect the load carrier holding device to the ball
neck carrying the coupling ball and to produce a sturdy and secure
connection between the same on the one hand in a simple manner and
on the other hand in as sturdy a manner as possible.
[0081] In particular, the interaction between the position
receiving element and the positioning body is effected so as to
form a positive-locking fit.
[0082] In particular, it is provided in this case that the position
receiving element interacts with the positioning body, in
particular so as to form a positive-locking fit, in such a manner
that the housing body is secured relative to the ball neck against
tilting movements about tilt axes which extend transversely, in
particular perpendicularly, with respect to the centre axis of the
coupling ball.
[0083] Consequently, all tilting movements of the housing body can
be eliminated by the position receiving element and the positioning
body.
[0084] As an alternative to this or in addition to it, it is
provided that the positioning body and the position receiving
element interact in such a manner, in particular so as to form a
positive-locking fit, that the housing body is secured in a
non-rotatable manner against a rotational movement about a
rotational axis which is parallel to the centre axis of the
coupling ball or encloses a maximum angle of 20.degree. with the
centre axis of the coupling ball.
[0085] Consequently, it is also possible to secure said housing
body on the ball neck against rotational movements about the
rotational axis in a simple manner as a result of the interaction
between the positioning body and the position receiving
element.
[0086] It is particularly favourable in this case when the position
receiving element interacts in a clamping-free manner with the
position body, this means that the interaction is not effected by
means of a clamping connection but simply by means of a
positive-locking interaction the tilting movements about the tilt
axes and/or the rotational movements about the possible rotational
axes are eliminated simply by positive locking without clamping
between the position receiving element and the positioning body
being necessary.
[0087] In particular, in this case, the position receiving element
is realized such that it comprises at least one receiving surface
which interacts with the at least one positioning surface of the at
least one positioning body in a load carrier holding position.
[0088] As a result of placing the receiving surface on the
positioning surface, the positive locking fixings against movements
about the tilt axis and/or rotations about the rotational axis can
be eliminated.
[0089] An advantageous solution in this case provides that two
position receiving elements are fixedly connected to the housing
body.
[0090] In this case, it is preferably provided that the two
position receiving elements are arranged in a rigid manner relative
to one another.
[0091] In addition, it is preferably provided that the two position
receiving elements are arranged rigidly relative to the housing
body.
[0092] It is particularly favourable when the position receiving
element comprises two receiving surfaces which face one
another.
[0093] In principle, it would be conceivable to realize the
positioning bodies such that they hold, but do not carry, the load
carrier holding device relative to the ball neck in a definably
aligned position such that, for example, the load carrier holding
device rests on the coupling ball and is carried by the coupling
ball and the positioning bodies limit non-fixed degrees of freedom
of movement of the load carrier holding device relative to the
coupling ball and to the ball neck to a defined alignment of the
load carrier holding device as a result of the load carrier holding
device being carried by the coupling ball.
[0094] The interaction of the positioning body with the position
receiving element has not been specified in more detail in
connection with the previous solutions.
[0095] It is preferably provided that the respective positioning
body is arranged with its region carrying the positioning surface
between the receiving surfaces of the position receiving element in
a load carrier holding position.
[0096] It is particularly advantageous when the position receiving
element comprises receiving surfaces which extend facing one
another, between which the positioning body is arranged in the load
carrier holding position.
[0097] Over and above this, it is preferably provided that the
position receiving element comprises two guide surface regions
which face one another and extend approximately parallel to the
loading direction.
[0098] These types of guide surface regions enable the load carrier
holding device to be secured in a non-rotatable manner on the ball
neck by means of the positioning body and the position receiving
element.
[0099] In this case, it is provided, for example, that the
alignment surface, in particular the guide surface regions, guide
the respective positioning body with a small amount of play in the
load carrier holding position.
[0100] In order also to be able to support the position receiving
element on the positioning bodies, it is preferably provided that
at least one of the receiving surfaces comprises a support surface
region which extends transversely relative to the loading
direction.
[0101] A support surface region of this type creates the
possibility of also transferring the load from the load carrier
holding device to the ball neck by means of the positioning
body.
[0102] It is particularly favourable when each of the receiving
surfaces comprises a support surface region which extends
transversely relative to the loading direction.
[0103] It is favourable in particular when the support surface
regions extend apart from one another at a spacing which increases
as the extension in the loading direction increases such that the
support surface regions are not only able to be used for the
purpose of supporting the load carrier holding device on the
positioning body, but also for aligning it in a defined manner
relative to the positioning body.
[0104] The support surface regions, in this case, can extend in a
conical or parabolic or cylindrical or tapered manner with respect
to one another.
[0105] An advantageous solution provides that the support surface
regions extend in a curved manner with respect to one another, for
example in the form of parabolic arcs or circular arcs or
hyperbolic arcs.
[0106] A particularly advantageous solution provides that the
support surface regions secure the stabilizing element relative to
the positioning body with a small amount of play in the load
carrier position.
[0107] No further details have been given up to now with regard to
the arrangement of the stabilizing element and of the position
receiving element.
[0108] Thus, a structurally favourable solution provides that the
at least one position receiving element lies on one side of the
ball neck when the load carrier holding device is arranged on the
ball neck in the load carrier holding position.
[0109] Another expedient solution, in particular a solution where
the positioning surfaces essentially comprise guide surface
regions, provides that the two positioning bodies lie with their
positioning surfaces between the receiving surfaces of two position
receiving elements.
[0110] In the case of this solution, it is consequently possible,
by moving the load carrier holding device in the loading direction
and placing the same onto the ball neck with the coupling ball, to
move the receiving surfaces into interaction with the positioning
surfaces by the housing body with the position receiving elements
simply being placed in the loading direction onto the coupling ball
and the ball neck with the positioning body without further
movements of the load carrier holding device being necessary for
this purpose.
[0111] This solution is particularly favourable also when the two
positioning surfaces of the two positioning bodies and/or the two
receiving surfaces of the two receiving bodies comprise surface
portions, in particular wedge surface portions, which extend in a
widening or narrowing manner in a wedge direction which extends
transversely with respect to the loading direction as the extension
in the wedge direction increases.
[0112] Consequently, it is possible, as a result of a movement
transversely with respect to the loading direction in the wedge
direction, to move the position receiving elements relative to the
positioning bodies so as to abut against one another and to wedge
them together in order to achieve, as a result, positioning of the
position receiving elements relative to the positioning bodies on
the ball neck with a small amount of play and consequently also to
be able to position the housing body overall with a small amount of
play or in a substantially play-free manner relative to the ball
neck with the positioning bodies.
[0113] Only details of how the load carrier holding device is
positionable relative to the ball neck have been given in
connection with the previous description of the load carrier
holding device.
[0114] However, no statements concerning the fixing of the load
carrier holding device on the ball neck have been given.
[0115] Thus, an advantageous solution provides that the load
carrier holding device comprises a fixing device which secures the
housing body on the ball neck.
[0116] A fixing device of this type preferably comprises a fixing
element which fixes the housing body relative to the ball neck in
the load carrier holding position.
[0117] In this case, the fixing elements can become effective in
different ways.
[0118] A expedient solution provides that the fixing element
interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck in such a manner
that the housing body is acted upon with a fixing force in the
loading direction or counter to the loading direction relative to
the coupling ball or to the ball neck and consequently does not
move away from the ball neck in the opposite direction to the
loading direction.
[0119] In particular, in this case, the loading force is always
effective as long as the load carrier holding device is in the load
carrier holding position and the fixing element is in the fixing
position.
[0120] A further advantageous solution provides that the fixing
element interacts with the coupling ball or the ball neck in such a
manner that the housing body experiences a clamping force which is
directed transversely with respect to the loading direction
relative to the coupling ball or to the ball neck, and play between
the coupling ball receiving means and the coupling ball and/or
between the positioning body and the position receiving element is
reduced or removed.
[0121] In particular, in this case, the clamping force is always
effective as long as the load carrier holding device is in the load
carrier holding position and the fixing element is in the fixing
position.
[0122] The generating of the loading direction and/or of the
clamping force is effected in particular as a result of interaction
between the fixing element and a surface which extends obliquely or
in a curved manner with respect to the loading direction on the
coupling ball or the ball neck, it being possible for the surface
to be arranged directly on the ball neck or on a body resting on
the ball neck, for example on the positioning body.
[0123] A first advantageous solution in this case provides that the
fixing element cooperates with the positioning body in a fixing
position and consequently the load carrier holding device is also
fixed on the ball neck by means of the positioning body.
[0124] This can be realized in particular as a result of the fixing
element engaging behind the at least one positioning body on a
front side in the loading direction and as a result being capable
of acting upon the load carrier holding device in the direction of
the loading direction.
[0125] However, it is also conceivable for the fixing element to
cooperate with a different point on the ball neck with the coupling
ball, for example with a nose or indentation specifically provided
for this purpose on the ball neck.
[0126] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element
cooperates with the ball neck or with the coupling ball in a fixing
position.
[0127] This is also realizable in particular as a result of the
fixing element engaging behind an undercut on the ball neck or
engaging into an indentation on the ball neck or engaging behind
the coupling ball on a front side, that means on a bottom side when
the loading direction is vertical from top to bottom.
[0128] Such cooperation with the ball neck or with the coupling
ball in the fixing position can be realized in particular as a
result of the fixing element projecting into a ball receiving means
of the housing body in the fixing position.
[0129] In order to be able to move the fixing element between a
fixing position and a release position, it is preferably provided
that the fixing element is guided so as to be movable in a guide
channel between the fixing position and the release position.
[0130] The guide channel is realized as a guide bore of the housing
body in the case of a particularly simple solution.
[0131] The guide channel, in this case, preferably extends
transversely with respect to the ball receiving means of the
housing body such that the fixing element is able to be positioned
in a simple manner in the fixing position so as to project into the
ball receiving means of the housing body or to be pulled out of
said ball receiving means in the release position.
[0132] No further details concerning the method of operation of the
fixing element have been given in connection with the previous
embodiments.
[0133] Thus, an advantageous solution provides that the fixing
element is movable in a guide direction between a release position
and a fixing position and that the fixing element is movable in the
guide direction by means of an actuating device.
[0134] The fixing element, in this case, can be movable in the most
varied manner.
[0135] An advantageous solution provides that the fixing element is
guided so as to be movable in a guide channel between the fixing
position and the release position.
[0136] The guide channel can be arranged in the most varied
manner.
[0137] An advantageous solution provides that the guide channel
runs transversely with respect to the ball receiving means.
[0138] In this case, the fixing element can be realized in the most
varied manner.
[0139] A realization provides that the fixing element is realized
as a fixing screw.
[0140] Another solution provides that the fixing element is
realized as a fixing body, for example as a fixing ball.
[0141] A further solution provides that the fixing element is
realized as a fixing journal.
[0142] A further solution provides that the fixing element is
realized as a fixing bracket which is fittable, for example, on the
coupling ball and includes said coupling ball at least in part.
[0143] A further advantageous solution provides that the fixing
element is realized as a fixing finger which is movable
transversely, preferably radially with respect to the centre axis
and is fittable, for example, on the coupling ball.
[0144] A further solution for an actuating device provides that the
actuating device comprises a toggle lever drive for moving the
fixing element between the release position and the fixing
position.
[0145] In this case, the toggle lever drive is preferably in an
above dead centre position in the fixing position and holds the
fixing element in its fixing position.
[0146] As a result, it is possible to operate the load carrier
holding device in a simplified manner when removing it.
[0147] Further features and advantages of the invention are the
object of the following description and of the drawing of a few
exemplary embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0148] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle, in particular
of a passenger vehicle with a trailer coupling which is in an
operating position and a load carrier unit which is held on the
trailer coupling;
[0149] FIG. 2 shows a view similar to FIG. 1 with part of a ball
neck of the trailer coupling shown in an enlarged manner and a
first embodiment of a load carrier holding device which is fixed on
the trailer coupling in the fixed position;
[0150] FIG. 3 shows a top view in the direction of an arrow A in
FIG. 1 of a first exemplary embodiment of the ball neck without a
load carrier holding device having being placed onto the ball
neck;
[0151] FIG. 4 shows a partially broken-open representation of the
first embodiment of the load carrier holding device, placed onto
the first exemplary embodiment of the ball neck of the trailer
coupling;
[0152] FIG. 5 shows a representation similar to FIG. 4 of a second
embodiment of the load carrier holding device placed onto the first
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck;
[0153] FIG. 6 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a second
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck and a third embodiment of the
load carrier holding device;
[0154] FIG. 7 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a third
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck with the first embodiment of
the load carrier holding device;
[0155] FIG. 8 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a fourth
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck with the first embodiment of
the load carrier holding device;
[0156] FIG. 9 shows a representation similar to FIG. 2 of a fifth
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck with a fourth embodiment of
the load carrier holding device;
[0157] FIG. 10 shows a perspective representation of the first
embodiment of the load carrier holding device;
[0158] FIG. 11 shows a section along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10 with
a first realization of the fixing device according to the
invention;
[0159] FIG. 12 shows a section along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10 with
a second realization of the fixing device according to the
invention;
[0160] FIG. 13 shows a perspective representation of a fifth
embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a third
realization of the fixing device according to the invention;
[0161] FIG. 14 shows a section along the line 14-14 in FIG. 13;
[0162] FIG. 15 shows a section along the line 15-15 in FIG. 14;
[0163] FIG. 16 shows a perspective representation of a sixth
embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a fourth
realization of the fixing device according to the invention;
[0164] FIG. 17 shows a section along the line 17-17 in FIG. 16;
[0165] FIG. 18 shows a section similar to FIG. 11 through a seventh
embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a fifth
realization of the fixing device according to the invention;
[0166] FIG. 19 shows a perspective representation of an eighth
embodiment of the load carrier holding device with a sixth
realization of the fixing device according to the invention;
[0167] FIG. 20 shows a section along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19;
[0168] FIG. 21 shows a perspective representation of a sixth
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck with a ninth embodiment of
the load carrier holding device and a seventh realization of the
fixing device according to the invention;
[0169] FIG. 22 shows a section along the line 22-22 in FIG. 21;
[0170] FIG. 23 shows a longitudinal section through the first
exemplary embodiment of the ball neck with a tenth embodiment of
the load carrier holding device and an eighth realization of the
fixing device according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0171] An exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of a trailer
coupling given the overall reference of 10 includes a ball neck 12
which is connected at a first end 14 to a ball neck carrier 16
which, in turn, is held fixedly on a rear part 18 of a motor
vehicle body of a motor vehicle which is given the overall
reference of 20, the ball neck carrier 16 being connected to the
rear part 18 preferably concealed by a rear bumper unit 22.
[0172] The ball neck carrier 16 can include, for example, a cross
carrier which usually extends below the bumper unit 22, parallel to
said bumper unit and transversely with respect to a longitudinal
direction of the motor vehicle body 20 and is connected, in turn,
to the rear part 18, and in addition either a receiving means, on
which the ball neck 12 is held fixedly or releasably by way of the
end 14, or a pivot bearing, by way of which the ball neck 12 is
pivotable about one or several axes relative to the rear part 18
between an operating position, shown in FIG. 1, and a rest position
which is not shown, the ball neck 12 extending in the rest position
approximately parallel to the bumper unit 22 and being arranged,
extensively concealed by the rear bumper unit 22, between said rear
bumper unit and the rear part 18 of the motor vehicle body 20.
[0173] As is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the ball neck 12 is
contoured between its first end 14 and the second end 24, which is
opposite said first end, such that the end 24 extends away from a
travel path in the operating position, and carries a coupling ball,
which is given the overall reference of 26, a constriction, which
is designated as a ball attachment 28 which connects to the end 24
in continuation of a development of the ball neck 12 and by means
of which the coupling ball 26 is connected to the second end 24 of
the ball neck 12, being provided between the coupling ball 26 and
the end 24.
[0174] The coupling ball 26, in this case, usually serves for
attaching a trailer, a trailer comprising a tow ball coupling which
is connectable to the ball neck 12 engaging over the coupling ball
24.
[0175] In its operating position, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the
ball neck 12 is realized symmetrically with respect to a vertical
longitudinal centre plane 30, in the same way as also the coupling
ball 26, the longitudinal centre plane 30 being not only the
longitudinal centre plane 30 of the ball neck 12 and of the trailer
coupling 10, but in the operating position of the trailer coupling
also coinciding with the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30 of
the rear part 18 and of the motor vehicle body 20.
[0176] In this case, a centre axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 lies
in particular in the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30, the
centre axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 being established as a
result of providing a centre axis 32 of the ball attachment 28 at
the same time and/or additionally being established as a result of
extending centrally and perpendicularly with respect to a
flattening 34 of the coupling ball 26 which is provided on the
coupling ball 26 on a side opposite the ball attachment 28 such
that the form of the coupling ball 26, on the one hand, in the
region of the ball attachment 28 and on the other hand in the
region of the flattening 34 deviates from a complete ball surface
38 which extends about a ball centre point 36 which lies along the
centre axis 32.
[0177] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trailer coupling can serve
not only for the purpose of connecting a trailer to the motor
vehicle body 20, but also for the purpose of fixing a load carrier,
which is given the overall reference of 40, on the motor vehicle
body 20.
[0178] The load carrier 40, in this case, serves, for example, for
the purpose of transporting bicycles 42, however it is also
conceivable to transport other arbitrary type loads using the load
carrier 40.
[0179] The load carrier 40 includes a load carrier base 44, which
is realized, for example, in the form of a basic frame for
receiving the different loads and is provided with a load carrier
holding device 50 by way of which the load carrier 40 is securable
on the ball neck 12.
[0180] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the case of a first exemplary
embodiment of the ball neck 12, it is provided in a ball neck
portion 52, which directly adjoins the end 24 and the ball
attachment 28, with positioning bodies 54a and 54b which protrude
to the side beyond said ball neck portion and are realized, for
example, by solid journals 56a, 56b which are integrally moulded on
the ball neck portion 52 and protrude to the side beyond the ball
neck portion 52, in particular with a cylindrical lateral
surface.
[0181] In the event of the ball neck being provided with a
receiving means 53 for a socket, the ball neck portion 52 lies
between the receiving means 53 and the end 24.
[0182] In addition, the ball neck portion 52 preferably extends,
proceeding from the end 24, along the ball neck 12 over a maximum
of a distance which corresponds to 1.5 times the diameter of the
ball surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.
[0183] The ball neck portion 52 preferably extends, proceeding from
the end 24, simply over a distance which corresponds to the
diameter of the ball surface 38.
[0184] In this case, the solid journals 56a and 56b are arranged
symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal centre plane 30 and
also extend, proceeding from the ball neck portion, symmetrically
with respect to the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30.
[0185] As an alternative to the integral moulding of the
positioning bodies 54 on the ball neck portions 52, it is also
possible, however, to realize the positioning bodies 54 by a pin
which penetrates the ball neck portion 52 in a bore, for example
with a cylindrical lateral surface, which then forms the journals
56a,b with its two ends.
[0186] The positioning bodies 54, in particular the journals 56,
are preferably realized such that the form of the positioning
bodies 54a and 54b is developed in each case in a
mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal centre
plane 30.
[0187] As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
positioning bodies 54a and 54b extend with their longitudinal axis
58 in a direction of extension 59 which runs transversely,
preferably perpendicularly, to the longitudinal centre plane
30.
[0188] The longitudinal axis 58 lies, for example, in an in
particular vertical cross plane 60 which preferably extends
perpendicularly to the longitudinal centre plane 30 and
additionally extends parallel to the centre axis 32 of the coupling
ball 26, in particular extends through the centre axis 32 of the
coupling ball 26.
[0189] The positioning bodies 54 include first positioning surfaces
64, 66 which lie on both sides of an outside surface 55 of the same
and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 and to the
direction of extension 59.
[0190] In particular, the first positioning surfaces 64, 66, extend
proceeding from an apex line 62 which lies on the outside surface
and faces the coupling ball 26.
[0191] The apex line 62, in this case, lies in particular in the
cross plane 60 which runs, on the one hand, through the coupling
ball 26 and, on the other hand, intersects the positioning bodies
54a and 54b in particular centrally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0192] The first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning
bodies 54a and 54b, which extend preferably parallel or at an angle
of up to 20.sup.0 with respect to the longitudinal axis 58 of the
positioning bodies 54a, 54b, lie on opposite sides of the cross
plane 60, the positioning surfaces 64 and 66 being part surfaces of
a geometric outside lateral surface of the positioning bodies 54a
and 54b, which is given the reference overall of 68 and intersects
the ball neck portion 52.
[0193] In the event of the realization of the positioning bodies
54a and 54b in the form of cylindrical journals, the outside
lateral surface 68 of the positioning bodies 54a and 54b provides a
cylindrical lateral surface, the longitudinal axis 58 forming a
cylinder axis for said cylindrical lateral surface.
[0194] The positioning surfaces 64 and 66, in this case, proceeding
from the apex line 62, extend on both sides preferably at an
increasing spacing from the in particular vertical cross plane 60,
the first positioning surfaces 62 and 64 comprising positioning
surface regions 72 and 74, which extend initially transversely with
respect to the cross plane 60 and also transversely with respect to
the longitudinal centre plane 30 and at an increasing spacing from
the coupling ball 26 also at increasing spacing from the cross
plane 60 and which merge into guide surface regions 76, 78 of the
first positioning surfaces 64 and 66 which extend approximately
parallel or parallel to the cross plane 60.
[0195] In this case, the positioning surface regions 72 and 74
merge for example steplessly into the guide surface regions 76 or
78.
[0196] In the case of the first exemplary embodiment of the ball
neck 12 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the
positioning bodies 54a and 54b lie in such a manner near the ball
attachment 28 that a spacing between the apex line 62 of the
positioning bodies 54a, b and the end 24 of the ball neck 12, at
which the ball attachment 28 begins, is smaller than 1.5 times the
extent of the ball attachment 28 between the second end 24 and the
coupling ball 26.
[0197] In addition, in particular the spacing between the
positioning bodies 54a and 54b and an equator plane 80 of the
coupling ball 26, which extends through the ball centre point 36
and perpendicularly with respect to the central axis 32, is smaller
than 1.5 times the diameter of the ball surface 38 of the coupling
ball 26.
[0198] In particular, the first positioning surfaces 64, 66 lie
with the positioning surface regions 72, 74 and the guide surface
regions 76, 78 outside a projection contour PK, this means on a
side of the projection contour PK which is remote from the ball
neck portion 52 and is generated as a result of the projection of
the coupling ball onto the positioning body 54, in particular onto
the outside surface thereof.
[0199] Consequently, in particular the ball neck portion 52, which
carries the positioning bodies 54a, 54b, lies inside the projection
contour PK, and the positioning bodies 54a, 54b extend proceeding
from said ball neck portion 52 up to the first positioning surfaces
64, 66.
[0200] In this case, the projection is effected parallel to a
loading direction 82 in which the load carrier holding device 50 is
loadable onto the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12.
[0201] The loading direction 82 preferably extends approximately
parallel, in particular parallel to the centre axis 32.
[0202] Approximately parallel, in this case, is to be understood as
the angle between the loading direction 82 and the centre axis 32
being a maximum of 10.degree..
[0203] A first embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50 is
loadable onto the afore-described ball neck 12, which carries the
coupling ball 26 on the second end 24 and the positioning bodies
54a and 54b in the ball neck portion 52 which lies close to the
second end 24, the placing of the load carrier holding device 50 is
effected in the loading direction 82 which extends in particular
parallel to the longitudinal centre plane 30 and approximately
parallel to the centre axis 32.
[0204] The approximately parallel development of the loading
direction 82 is to be understood as a maximum angle between the
centre axis 32 of the coupling ball 26 and the loading direction 82
having to be less than 30.degree. such that the loading direction
is able to extend parallel and/or obliquely with respect to the
centre axis 32 or also in a curved manner.
[0205] The load carrier holding device 50 comprises, in turn, a
housing body 84 in which a ball receiving means 86 is provided for
the coupling ball 26, the ball receiving means 86, proceeding from
a receiving opening 88 of the housing body 84, being a cylindrical
ball guide surface 92 which extends into the housing body 84.
[0206] The housing body 84 is additionally provided with holding
elements 96, the holding elements 96 comprising in each case one
position receiving element 104 which interacts in each case with
one of the positioning bodies 54.
[0207] The holding elements 96 provide in particular a rigid
connection to the housing body 84 such that the position receiving
elements 104 are arranged in a rigid manner both relative to the
housing body 84 and relative to one another.
[0208] The position receiving element 104a, which is shown in FIG.
4 and which interacts with the positioning body 54a, extends, for
example, proceeding from a receiving opening 106 up to a receiving
base 108 which is opposite the receiving opening 106.
[0209] The position receiving element 104, proceeding from the
receiving opening 106, includes receiving surfaces 114 and 116
which extend as far as into the receiving base 108 and which are
realized in the region of the receiving base 108 as support surface
regions 122 and 124 which can extend toward one another in a
direction counter to the loading direction 82 and can merge into
one another for example in the region of a base line 112 of the
receiving base 108 or can end at a spacing from one another.
[0210] In addition, the receiving surfaces 114 and 116 include
guide surface regions 126 and 128 which extend following the
support surface regions 122 and 124 up to the receiving opening 106
and extend in particular parallel to the loading direction 82.
[0211] The guide surface regions 126 and 128, in this case, serve
for the purpose of guiding the positioning body 54, which enters
through the receiving opening 106 into the position receiving
elements 104, as a result of this latter abutting against the guide
surface regions 76 and 78 of the positioning bodies 54 and thus
guiding the load carrier holding device 50 when loaded in the
loading direction 82, whilst the support surface regions 122 and
124 of the position receiving elements 104 are developed such that
they abut as extensively as possible against the positioning
surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of
the positioning bodies 54.
[0212] Consequently, in the case of the first embodiment of the
load carrier holding device 50 realized according to the invention,
the entire load of the load carrier 40 rests on the positioning
bodies 54a and 54b, namely as a result of, on the one hand, the
support surface regions 122 and 124 of the position receiving
elements 104 abutting as extensively as possible against the
positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the positioning bodies
54.
[0213] In addition, the development of the support surface regions
122 and 124 which widen in the loading direction 82 and the
development of the positioning surface regions 71 and 74 which
widen in an almost approximately identical manner in the loading
direction cause the position receiving elements 104 to experience
an exact alignment transversely with respect to the loading
direction 82 and transversely with respect to the cross plane 60
relative to the positioning bodies 54.
[0214] On the other hand, the guide surface regions 126 and 128 and
the position receiving elements 104 serve for the purpose of
guiding the housing body 84 when loaded in the loading direction 82
on the positioning body 54, in particular on the guide surface
regions 76 and 78 of the same, such that the position receiving
elements 104 abut against the positioning surface regions 72 and 74
of the positioning body 54 by way of the support surface regions
122 and 124.
[0215] When placing the housing body 84 onto the ball neck 12 with
the coupling ball 26, first of all the coupling ball 26 is
introduced through the receiving opening 88 into the ball receiving
means 86, the ball guide surface 92 abutting against the ball
surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 with play and guiding the
coupling ball 26 as it moves into the ball receiving means 86 in
the direction of the end surface 94 until the support surface
regions 122 and 124 and the position receiving elements 104 abut
against the positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the
positioning bodies 54 such that the load carrier holding position
is reached.
[0216] In said load carrier holding position of the first
embodiment of the load carrier holding device 50, the entire load
is transferred from the position receiving elements 104 to the
positioning bodies 54 and from these to the ball neck 12, whilst
the coupling ball 26 just abuts against the ball guide surfaces 92
and consequently supports a supporting of the housing body 84
relative to the ball neck 12 against a tilting of the housing body
84 about the positioning bodies 54, in particular about a tilt axis
KAP which is formed by the longitudinal axes 58 of the same which
extend transversely with respect to the centre axis 32.
[0217] In addition, the described interaction between the
positioning bodies 54 and the position receiving elements 104
prevents the housing body 84 rotating about a rotational axis D
which extends approximately parallel to the loading direction
82.
[0218] In this case, an approximately parallel development with
respect to the loading direction 82 is to be understood as a
development of the rotational axis D where the rotational axis D
encloses a maximum angle 30.degree. with the loading direction.
[0219] As an alternative to this, however, it is also conceivable
in the case of a second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to realize an
end surface 94 of the ball receiving means 86 arranged opposite the
receiving opening 88 for example as a conical surface or as a
spherical cap surface and to realize the housing body 84 with the
stabilizing elements 96 and the position receiving elements 104
such that the entire load of the load carrier 40 is transferred
from the end surface 94 to the coupling ball 26 and the positioning
bodies 54 simply serve for the purpose of supporting the housing
body 84 against tilting on all sides about tilt axes KAK which
penetrate the coupling ball 26 and extend transversely relative to
the centre axis 32, in this case primarily the guide surface
regions 126 and 128, as a result of abutting against the guide
surface regions 76 and 78 of the positioning bodies 54, on the one
hand, preventing the housing body 84 tipping about the coupling
ball 26 and, on the other hand, preventing the housing body 84
rotating about a rotational axis D which extends approximately
parallel to the loading direction 82, whilst the support surface
regions 122 and 124 of the receiving surfaces 114 and 116 can rest
on the corresponding positioning surface regions 72 and 74 of the
positioning surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning bodies 54 for
example on one side, that means on one side of the ball neck 12 or
one side of the cross plane 60, in order to bring about additional
support.
[0220] In the case of a second exemplary embodiment of a ball neck
according to the invention, shown in FIG. 6, the positioning bodies
54'a and 54'b are realized such that their outside surfaces 55'a,
55'b do not extend cylindrically with respect to the longitudinal
axis 58, but taper conically away from the ball neck portion 52' as
the extension increases in the direction of extension 59 such that,
as the spacing from the ball neck portion 52' increases in the
direction of extension 59, the outside surfaces 55'a and 55'b are
at a smaller radial spacing from the longitudinal axis 58.
[0221] The effect of this is that the support surface regions 122'
and 124' of a third embodiment of the load carrier holding device
according to the invention, which support surface regions rest on
said positioning surfaces 64' and 66' which are formed by the
outside surfaces 55'a and 55'b, experience a force which is in
addition to the support and is directed parallel to the direction
of extension 59 and, as a result, the housing body 84 is centred
relative to the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30, which
results in an improvement in the fixing of the housing body 84' on
the ball neck 12', in particular when the support surface regions
122' and 124' are adapted to the conical development of the outside
surfaces 55'a and 55'b of the positioning bodies 54'a and 54'b.
[0222] This type of realization of the positioning bodies 54'a and
54'b consequently improves the alignment of the housing body 84' or
centring of the housing body 84' relative to the vertical
longitudinal centre plane 30 in the region of the positioning
bodies 54'a and 54'b and consequently results in the housing body
84' being fixed on the ball neck with even less play.
[0223] Apart from this, in the case of said solution which is a
combination of the second exemplary embodiment of the ball neck 12'
according to the invention and the third embodiment of the load
carrier holding device according to the invention with the housing
body 84', those elements which are identical to those of the
previous combination of ball neck and housing body are provided
with the same references such that reference can be made to the
entire content of the statements concerning said combination with
regard to the description.
[0224] In the case of a third exemplary embodiment of a ball neck
12'', shown in FIG. 7, the housing body 84 is realized in the same
manner as in the case of the first embodiment such that reference
can be made to the entire content of said exemplary embodiment with
regard to the description of the same.
[0225] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, second
positioning surfaces 142a and 142b, which extend perpendicularly to
the outside surfaces 55a and 55b of the first positioning bodies
54a and 54b and, for example, parallel to the vertical longitudinal
centre plane 30, are associated with the positioning bodies 54a and
54b which are identical to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0226] Said additional second positioning surfaces 142, 142b are
adapted to the spacing between each of the holding elements 96 and
abut against inside surfaces 98 of the holding elements 96 facing
the ball neck portion 52 such that, as a result, the holding
elements 96 are fixed by the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b
against cross movements with respect to the vertical longitudinal
centre plane 30 relative to the ball neck portion 52''.
[0227] As a result of the interaction between the first positioning
surfaces 64 and 66 of the positioning elements 54a and 54b in
conjunction with the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b, the
load carrier holding device 50 can consequently be secured in a
reliable manner in the region of the first positioning elements
54a, 54b both against movements parallel to the longitudinal centre
plane 30 as a result of the interaction between the positioning
body 54a and 54b and the position receiving elements 104a and 104b
and against movements transversely relative to the vertical
longitudinal centre plane 30 as a result of the interaction between
the second positioning surfaces 142a, 142b and the inside surfaces
98 of the holding elements 96.
[0228] In this case, the load carrier holding device 50 is realized
in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment.
[0229] Apart from this, all those elements which are identical to
those of the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same
references such that reference can be made to the entire content of
the statements concerning the first exemplary embodiment concerning
the description of the same.
[0230] In the case of a further solution, shown in FIG. 8, those
elements which are identical to those of the first exemplary
embodiment of the ball neck 12 are also provided with the same
references such that reference can be made to the entire content of
the statements concerning said first exemplary embodiment with
regard to the description.
[0231] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment and to the
third exemplary embodiment of the ball neck 12, the second
positioning surfaces 142a and 142b from the fourth exemplary
embodiment are arranged on second positioning bodies 144a and 144b,
which protrude from the ball neck portion 52 parallel to the
direction of extension 59 of the first positioning bodies 54a and
54b, but are arranged at a spacing from the first positioning
bodies 54a and 54b and for example lie between the first
positioning bodies 54a and 54b and the ball attachment 28.
[0232] In the case of said fourth exemplary embodiment, the second
positioning surfaces 142a and 142b also abut against the inside
surfaces 98 of the holding elements 96 and consequently lead to a
defined positioning of the holding elements 96 relative to the
vertical longitudinal centre plane 30 such that the holding
elements 96 with the support surface regions 122 and 124 are not
supported transversely to the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30
on the first positioning bodies 54a and 54b, but are secured
against such movements by the second positioning surfaces 142a and
142b.
[0233] In the case of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a ball neck
12'''', shown in FIG. 9, the second support surfaces 142'a and
142'b are not arranged on the ball neck portion 52'''' or on second
positioning bodies provided especially, but lie at the end of the
first positioning bodies 54''''a and 54''''b at a defined spacing
from the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30 and extend in
addition transversely with respect to the outside surfaces 55''''a
and 55''''b and in particular consequently also transversely with
respect to the longitudinal axis 58.
[0234] The interaction between said second positioning surfaces
142''''a and 142''''b and the holding elements 96 of a fourth
embodiment of the load carrier holding device is effected as a
result of the holding elements 97 comprising wall regions 146 which
engage over the second positioning surfaces 142''''a and 142''''b
and are supported on the same with the load carrier holding device
50 in the placed-on state.
[0235] Consequently, as a result, the holding elements 96 are also
fixed against movements transversely to the vertical longitudinal
centre plane 30 and the load carrier holding device 50'''' is
consequently received in a sturdy manner on the ball neck
12''''.
[0236] Apart from this, those elements which are identical to those
of the preceding exemplary embodiment of the ball neck and of the
preceding embodiments of the load carrier holding device are
provided with the same references such that reference can be made
to the entire content of the statements concerning the first
exemplary embodiment with regard to the description of the
same.
[0237] A first realization of a fixing device, which is given the
reference of 160 overall and comprises a fixing screw 164 which is
screwed into a threaded bore 162, is provided for fixing the
housing body 84 in the load carrier holding position on the ball
neck 12, as in the case of the first embodiment of the load carrier
holding device 50 shown in FIG. 10.
[0238] The threaded bore 162, in this case, forms a guide channel
in which the fixing screw 164 as a fixing element is guided so as
to be movable in a guide direction 165 between a release position
and a fixing position.
[0239] The fixing screw 164, on the one hand, is provided with an
actuating element 166 by way of which the fixing screw 164 is
rotatable, and, on the other hand, comprises a screw head 168
which, in the fixing position shown in FIG. 11, abuts in a pressing
manner against the ball surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 between
the equator plane 80 and the ball attachment 28, in particular
close to a transition to the ball attachment 28.
[0240] The actuating element 166 and the threaded bore 162 with the
screwed-in fixing screw 164 form an actuating device 170.
[0241] As a result of the pressing abutment of the screw head 168
against the ball surface 38, on the one hand a force component is
generated which acts as a fixing force FK in the loading direction
82 on the load carrier holding device 50 and, on the other hand, a
force component is generated which is directed transversely to the
loading direction 82 and acts as a clamping force VK which results,
for example, in the load carrier holding device 50 with the housing
body 84 abutting against the coupling ball 26, on a side located
opposite the fixing screw 164 such that, as a result, the load
carrier holding device 50 is fixed in a play-free manner, the
fixing screw 164 as a result connecting the load carrier holding
device 50 fixedly to the ball neck 12 and the coupling ball 26.
[0242] A fixing screw 164', which is screwed into a threaded bore
162' but does not itself act directly on the ball surface 38, but
by means of a fixing body 172 which, for example, is realized as a
ball and also acts upon the ball surface 38 close to the transition
of the same to the ball attachment 28, is provided in the case of a
second realization of the fixing device 160' according to the
invention, shown in FIG. 12.
[0243] The fixing screw 164' is also provided with an actuating
element 166' by means of which said fixing screw is screwable into
the threaded bore 162' such that these two form the actuating
device 170 in order to act upon the fixing body 172.
[0244] In the case of a fifth embodiment of the load carrier
holding device and a third realization of a fixing device 160''
according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, a fixing
journal, which is given the reference overall of 182, is provided
as a fixing element which engages in a guide channel 184 which
extends transversely through the housing body 84 in such a manner
that the guide channel 184 is tangent to the ball surface 38
between the equator planes 80 and the ball attachment 28, in
particular close to a transition to the ball attachment 28 when the
fixing journal 182 is displaced in said guide channel in a guide
direction 185 transversley with respect to the vertical
longitudinal centre plane 30.
[0245] The fixing journal 182 comprises a constriction 186 to which
connects a fixing surface 188 which is loadable onto the ball
surface 38 in the region close to its transition to the ball
attachment 28 in order to fix the load carrier holding device 50
relative to the coupling ball 26 and consequently also to the ball
neck 12.
[0246] To this end, the fixing journal 182 is movable transversely
with respect to the vertical longitudinal centre plane 30, that is
to say movable such that, for placing the load carrier holding
device 50 onto the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12, the
constriction 186 is positionable such that the coupling ball 26 can
pass in the loading direction 82 as a result of engaging in the
guide channel 184.
[0247] If the load carrier holding device 50 is placed in such a
manner that the position receiving elements 104 rest on the
positioning bodies 54a and 54b, the fixing journal can thus be
displaced transversely with respect to the longitudinal centre
plane 30 in such a manner in the guide direction 185 that the
fixing surface 188 acts upon the ball surface 38 close to its
transition to the ball attachment 28 and consequently fixes the
load carrier holding device 50 relative to the coupling ball 26 and
the ball neck 12.
[0248] The displacement of the fixing journal 182 in the guide
channel is preferably effected as a result of the fixing journal
182 comprising a threaded portion 192 which engages in a threaded
portion 194 of the guide channel 184 such that, as a result of the
threaded portions 192 and 194 and an actuating element 196, an
actuating device 200 is formed which, as a result of rotating an
actuating element 196 for rotating the fixing journal 182 about its
longitudinal axis 198, displacement of the fixing journal 182 in
the guide channel 184 is made possible in order either to position
the constriction 186 such that the coupling ball 26 can pass the
guide channel 184 or to position the fixing surface 188 such that
it abuts against the ball surface 38.
[0249] In the case of a fourth realization of a fixing device
according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 in combination
with a sixth embodiment of the load carrier holding device, a
fixing bracket 202 which is realized in a U-shaped manner is
provided as a fixing element which abuts against the coupling ball
in the region of the ball surface 38 close to the transition to the
ball attachment 28 and includes the coupling ball 26 for example on
a side facing a motor vehicle and acts in the direction of a ball
seat 204 in which the coupling ball 26 abuts with a part region of
the ball surface 38, the ball seat 204 preferably being formed by a
part region of the ball guide surface 92 of the housing body
84.
[0250] However, in the case of the sixth embodiment, the housing
body 84, in the region in which the fixing bracket 202 engages, is
cut out and forms a bearing surface 206 for fixing the fixing
bracket 202 in a guide direction 205 such that the fixing bracket
can be supported, on the one hand, on the ball surface 38 close to
the ball attachment 28 and, on the other hand, on the bearing
surface 206 and, as a result, is positioned in a defined manner
relative to the ball surface 38 and, on the other hand, can then
act upon the coupling ball 26 in the direction of the ball seat
204.
[0251] The fixing bracket 202, in the simplest case, is provided
with bracket ends 208, which penetrate guide bores 209 of the load
carrier holding device 50 and which comprise a thread 212 onto
which a wing screw 214 is screwed such that the thread 212 and the
wing screw 214 form an actuating device 220, as a result of
tightening the wing screw 202, the fixing bracket is movable in the
direction of the ball seat 204 in order to clamp the coupling ball
26 between the ball seat 204 and the fixing bracket 202 and, as a
result, to secure the load carrier holding device 50 relative to
the coupling ball and to the ball neck 12.
[0252] Apart from this, with regard to the further features which
are identical to those of the preceding exemplary embodiments and
embodiments, reference can be made to the statements concerning the
preceding exemplary embodiments.
[0253] In the case of a fifth realization of a fixing device
160'''', integrated into a seventh embodiment of a load carrier
holding device and shown in FIG. 18, those elements which are
identical to those of the preceding exemplary embodiments are
provided with the same references so that reference can be made to
the entire content of the statements in this regard concerning the
description of the same.
[0254] In the case of the fifth realization of the fixing device
160'''' according to the invention, the housing body 84'' is
realized as a cylindrical sleeve which is provided with the ball
receiving means 86 and in particular a ball guiding surface 92.
[0255] The housing body 84'', in this case, is provided with fixing
fingers 222 as fixing elements which are movable in the direction
of the ball surface 38 into the ball receiving means 86 in order to
be pressed by way of an end face 224 against the ball surface 38
between the equator plane 80 and the ball attachment 28, in
particular close to its transition to the ball attachment 28.
[0256] For pressing the fixing fingers 222 against the named
position of the ball surface 38, the fixing fingers 222 comprise
obliquely extending outside surfaces 226, on which a wedge ring
surface 228 of an actuating body 232 acts.
[0257] The actuating body 232 is preferably realized as a ring body
which comprises an internal thread 234 which engages in an external
thread 236 of the housing body 84''.
[0258] The outside surfaces 226 of the fixing fingers 222, and the
actuating body 232 with the wedge ring surface 228 and the internal
thread 234 and the external thread 246 form an actuating device
240.
[0259] As a result of twisting the actuating body 232, it is now
possible to displace the wedge ring surface 228 relative to the
oblique outside surfaces 226 of the fixing fingers 222 such that
they either allow a movement of the fixing fingers 222 radially to
the centre axis of the coupling ball 26 and consequently away from
the ball surface 38 in order to be able to place the load carrier
holding device 50 onto the coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12,
the position receiving elements 104 resting on the positioning
bodies 54.
[0260] However, twisting the actuating body 232 also allows the
oblique outside surfaces 224 of the fixing fingers 222 to be acted
upon with the wedge ring surface 228 in such a manner that they
move radially inward, and abut against the ball surface 38 close to
the transition to the ball attachment 28 in particular with their
end surfaces 224.
[0261] As a result, the load carrier holding device 50 is acted
upon with a force parallel to the loading direction and
consequently the load carrier holding device 50 is fixed to the
coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12.
[0262] In the case of a sixth realization of a fixing device
160''''' according to the invention, integrated into an eighth
embodiment of the load carrier holding device and shown in FIGS. 19
and 20, in each case on the holding elements 96 a fixing journal
242 is provided as a fixing element which is arranged in a guide
channel 244 and is guided in a guide direction 245 and which guide
channel is realized in a bearing body 246 which is held on the
respective holding element 96.
[0263] The bearing body 246 and the fixing journal 242, in this
case, are dimensioned and arranged on the holding elements 96 such
that the fixing journal 242 with a journal end 248 which projects
beyond the bearing body 246 is capable of engaging behind the
respective positioning body 54 on a side remote from the coupling
ball 26 and of acting upon it and as a result of exerting a force
onto the housing body 84'''''which acts upon said housing body in
the loading direction 82.
[0264] In the case of said exemplary embodiment, however, the
housing body 84'''' is realized such that it rests on the ball
surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 with an end surface 94 which
connects to the ball guide surface 92 and is consequently carried
by the coupling ball 26.
[0265] Consequently, the position receiving elements 104, which
cooperate with the positioning bodies 54, serve simply for the
purpose of holding the load carrier holding device 50''''' aligned
precisely relative to the ball neck 12.
[0266] For moving the fixing journal 242 relative to the bearing
body 246, the fixing journals 242 are provided with an external
thread 252 which engages into an internal thread 254 of the guide
channel such that the two threads 252 and 254 provide a threaded
guide which allows the journal to be displaced when said journal is
rotated by means of an actuating element 256.
[0267] Consequently the threads 252 and 254 with the actuating
element 256 form an actuating device 260 for moving the fixing
element 242.
[0268] In the case of a seventh realization of the fixing device
160'''''' and a ninth embodiment of the load carrier holding
device, shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the housing body 84'''''' is
realized such that it engages over the coupling ball 26 and with
the ball guide surface 92 abuts against the ball surface 38 of the
coupling ball 26.
[0269] In addition, the holding elements 96'''''' are realized such
that they abut against the fixing bodies 54'''''' such that the
position receiving elements 104 can be moved in the direction of a
loading direction 82'''''' which is directed onto the coupling ball
26, the position receiving elements 104'''''' engaging over the
positioning bodies 54''''''a on a side remote from the coupling
ball and cooperating with the same.
[0270] In this case, the housing body 84'''''' is realized such
that it can be placed so far onto the coupling ball 26 that the
position receiving elements 104 of the holding elements 96 are able
be suspended on the positioning bodies 54 by engaging behind said
positioning bodies 54 on a side remote from the coupling ball 22 in
order to be secured in a positive locking manner on said
positioning bodies.
[0271] For fixing the load carrier holding device 50, proceeding
from the position receiving elements 104 engaging behind the
positioning bodies 54, it is necessary to move the position
receiving elements 104'''''' with the holding element 96'''''' and
the housing body 84'''''' in opposition to the loading direction 82
in the fixing direction 262 such that the positioning elements
54'''''' are able to enter into the position receiving elements
104''''''.
[0272] To this end, for forming the fixing device 160'''' in the
housing body 84'''''', a pressing element 272 is provided as the
fixing element which is movable in a guided manner in a guide
direction 175 and acts on the coupling ball 26 in the region of its
flattening 34 in order to be able to move the housing body 84 in
the fixing direction 262 in opposition to the loading direction
82.
[0273] The pressing element 272 includes, for example, an external
thread 282, which engages into an internal thread 284 of an opening
which penetrates the housing body 84, and is coupled with an
actuating element 286, the actuating element 286 forming with the
external thread 282 and the internal thread 284 an actuating device
290.
[0274] As a result of rotating the pressure element 272, for
example by means of an actuating element 286, it is possible to
move the load carrier holding device 50'''''' in the fixing
direction 262 and to hold it as a result of the pressure element
272 being supported on the coupling ball 26 and the entire unit
produced from the housing body 84'''''', the holding elements
96'''''' and the position receiving elements 104'''''' moving in
the fixing direction 262 until the position receiving elements 104,
acted upon by force, abut against the fixing bodies 54.
[0275] Over and above this, the housing body 84'''''' is fixed in a
known manner by the cylindrical ball guide surface 92 which abuts
against the ball surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.
[0276] In the case of an eighth realization of a fixing device
160''''''' integrated into a tenth embodiment of a load carrier
holding device 50''''''', said load carrier holding device is
modified in such a manner that the housing body 84''''''' rests on
the ball surface 38 of the coupling ball 26.
[0277] The fixing device 160''''''' includes a fixing body 292 as a
fixing element which is movable by means of a toggle lever device
294 as an actuating device in the direction of the ball surface 38
of the coupling ball 26 or is movable away from said ball
surface.
[0278] The fixing body 292, in this case, preferably abuts against
the ball surface 38 in the region of a transition of the same to
the ball attachment 28 in order to secure the load carrier holding
device 50''''''' on the coupling ball 26.
[0279] For securing the fixing body 292, the toggle lever device
294 is movable into an above dead centre position, shown by the
broken line in FIG. 23, in which said toggle lever device presses
the fixing element 292 against the ball surface 38 of the coupling
ball 26.
[0280] If the toggle lever device 294 is moved into a bent
position, as shown in FIG. 23, the fixing body 292 is at a spacing
from the ball surface 38 of the coupling ball 26 and enables the
load carrier holding device 50''''''' to be removed from the
coupling ball 26 and the ball neck 12.
[0281] The toggle lever device 294 is actuated by an actuating
lever 296 which acts on a toggle joint 302 of the toggle lever
device by means of an intermediate lever 298 in order to move said
toggle joint either into the bent-through position or into the
above dead centre position shown by the broken line in FIG. 23.
* * * * *