GB2327655A

GB2327655A - Cycle carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2327655A
Application number: GB9815764A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodney Ronald Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-18
Filing date: 1998-07-20
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: GB9815764D0

Abstract

A cycle carrier comprises a cycle support structure demountably engageable with mounting means attachable to the rear of an automobile in which the support structure comprises an upstanding shaft 11 with a cycle suspension arm 31 extending therefrom, the arm in use being oriented substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the automobile, whereby cycles are carried in a generally vertical orientation so as not to obscure the rear number plate or lights of the automobile. As shown, the mounting means is a socket 16 (or a pair of sockets 16, 17) for receiving the lower end of the shaft 11 (and an additional spigot 14 attached thereto). Shaft 11 may have a cranked portion 26 to clear the rear end of an automobile and arm 31 may have an upwardly turned distal end 32 to retain cycles suspended therefrom.

Description

CYCLE CARRIER This invention relates to cycle carriers, especially for the transport of cycles on carriers attached to the rear of automobiles.

Cycle carriers for attachment to the rear of automobiles are well known and employ a variety of attachment means. Generally, however, cycles carried by known carriers are supported laterally of and behind the automobile in a horizontal orientation, often in position where they obscure the rear number plate and rear lights of the automobile and interfere with the opening and closing of the boot.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cycle carrier which avoids the problems of existing such carriers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cycle carrier comprises a cycle support structure demountably engageable with mounting means attachable to the rear of an automobile chassis, the support structure comprising an upstanding shaft with a cycle-suspension arm extending therefrom, the arm in use being oriented substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the automobile.

With the support structure mounted on the mounting means and one or more cycles suspended from the arm, the or each cycle is carried in a generally vertical orientation sb as substantially not to obscure the rear number plate of the automobile, and to avoid obscuring the rear lights.

The mounting means preferably comprises a socket and the lower end of the shaft is receivable in the socket.

The mounting means may be attached to any convenient load-bearing part of the automobile chassis but, where a trailer towing hitch, for example a towball, is already in place, the mounting means may be secured between the hitch and the chassis, without affecting the ability of a trailer to be attached to the hitch. Equally, however, the mounting means can be attached to a building wall for storage of cycles in for example a garage. For additional stability, the mounting means may include two spaced-apart sockets connected together by a web through which, conveniently, may be formed receiving holes for attachment bolts, the holes preferably being of a size and spacing which will enable them to receive the mounting bolts of a towing hitch. The lower end of the shaft would be formed with two insert ends or spigots for receipt by the respective sockets. The shaft in such an arrangement would generally be off-centre in relation to the longitudinal centre-line of the automobile and this would be an advantage in suspending the cycle or cycles so that no part thereof extended beyond the sides of the automobile.

The shaft may include a cranked portion to enable it to clear the rear end of the automobile and so as not to interfere with a spare wheel, especially where the automobile is a personnel-carrier with the spare wheel attached to the outside of the rear door, and the cycle-suspension arm is preferably demountably engageable on the upper end of the shaft, for example by means of a sleeve element which slidingly engages over the shaft end.

The suspension arm is preferably angled upwardly from the root or proximal end thereof and the free or distal end may be formed with an upwardly-turned portion or other means to prevent cycles suspended therefrom from becoming dislodged and falling off in use. Up to six cycles may conveniently be carried by the suspension arm.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a cycle carrier and mounting assembly; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the cycle carrier shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an end view of the carrier of Figure 1 supporting a bicycle.

Referring to the drawings, the cycle carrier consists of an upstanding tubular shaft member 11 to the lower end of which is attached by collar 12 and strip 13 a parallel tube member 14 having an upper capping collar 15, whereby the lower end of shaft member 11 below collar 12 and the tube member 14 below collar 15 constitute a pair of spigot formations for insertion in suitable receiving sockets which may themselves be attached to an automobile or other vehicle or to a garage or other wall. In the embodiment illustrated, the sockets are shown at 16, 17 connected by web 18 containing holes sized and spaced according to the dimensions of a conventional towball mounting plate 19, whereby the web can be attached by bolts 20 to bracket 21 secured by angle girders 22, 23 to the rear of an automobile (not shown). The lower end of shaft member 11 is formed with a through-hole 24; with the spigots engaged in the sockets, the through-hole is below the socket 16 and receives a retaining spring-clip 25 or a padlock, for example.

The shaft member 11 is formed at a central region with a crank section 26 above which is a collar 27 carrying a radially outwardly-extending plate or lug 28 formed with an aperture 29. The plate or lug 28 extends upwardly above the collar and is spaced from the shaft member 11 by the radial thickness of the collar. An upper portion of the shaft member 11 extends above the collar 27 and receives a sleeve member 30 to which is attached the proximal end of an upwardly-sloping arm 31 having an upwardly-turned distal end 32 and reinforced by brace 33.

The sleeve member 30 has the same outside diameter as the collar 27, whereby the wall of the sleeve member 30 is received in the space between the shaft member 11 and the upper part of the plate or lug 28 and the lower end of the sleeve member is supported by the collar 27. A pair of parallel spaced-apart plates 34 are attached to the sleeve member 30 and in use are positioned to sandwich the plate or lug 28 between them; they are provided with holes corresponding with aperture 29 so that a pin 35, or a spring clip or padlock, may be used to retain the sleeve member and arm in place on the upper end of the shaft.

The device as illustrated can accommodate up to four bicycles although more could be accommodated by increasing the dimensions; one only is shown in Figure 3, the saddle tube of which is secured to the shaft by a suitable strap or other flexible or resilient retainer 36. The number plate and particularly the lights are still clearly visible from behind the car.

The shaft and arm assembly, being demountable and separable, can easily be stored in the boot of the car when not in use and can be assembled or dissembled by one person without difficulty.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cycle carrier comprising a cycle support structure demountably engageable with mounting means attachable to the rear of an automobile, in which the support structure comprises an upstanding shaft with a cycle suspension arm extending therefrom, the arm in use being oriented substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the automobile.

2. A cycle carrier according to claim 1, in which the mounting means comprises a socket for receiving the lower end of the shaft.

3. A cycle carrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the mounting means is attached to the automobile and a towing hitch is attached to the mounting means.

4. A cycle carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the mounting means comprises two spaced-apart sockets and the lower end of the shaft comprises corresponding insert ends or spigots for receipt in the respective sockets.

5. A cycle carrier according to claim 4, in which the shaft is off-centre in relation to the longitudinal centre-line of the automobile.

6. A cycle carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the shaft includes a cranked portion.

7. A cycle carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the cycle suspension arm is demountably engageable to the upper end of the shaft.

8. A cycle carrier according to any preceding claim, in which the suspension arm is angled upwardly from the root thereof.

9. A cycle carrier according to any of claims 1, 2, 4 or 6 to 8, in which the mounting means is attachable to the wall of a building.

10. A cycle carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.