Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
Patent
1991-03-13
1993-04-20
Sholl, Linda J.
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
224 4203B, 224323, 269236, 269270, 269277, B60R 900
Patent
active
052034844
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a bracket for transport of a cycle on a vehicle and comprising an anchorage device which is connected to the vehicle and has two clamps adjustable to one another, the clamps being provided with gripping members which are operative, on adjustment of the clamps, to grasp about a frame tube included in the cycle, the form of the gripping members being adaptable to the frame tube.
BACKGROUND ART
A bracket for carrying cycles of the above-intimated type is previously known in this art and its gripping members are designed as non-rigid plastic pieces abutting against approximately semi-cylindrical surfaces in the clamps. In the concave mutually facing sides of the non-rigid plastic pieces, there are disposed profile bodies whose longitudinal direction is approximately parallel with the longitudinal direction of the tube which the bracket is intended to fixedly retain. At least some of these profile bodies are designed as hose profiles which may be clamped together so that the bracket will thereby be enabled to grasp about and fixedly retain a tube of relatively large diameter.
If the channels of the above-mentioned profile bodies are filled with a substantially rigid or slightly yieldable body, the configuration of the gripping members will be modified such that these will become adapted for fixed retention of slimmer tubes in that the above-mentioned hose-shaped profiles can no longer be clamped together to the flat state.
In certain cases, the above-intimated construction may perform well, but in such cases when the bracket is to be rapidly readjusted in order to be able to grasp between tubes of different dimensions, problems arise in that those pins which are used for filling out the hose-shaped profiles readily become jammed in the profiles so that they cannot be released without resort to auxiliary implements. A further considerable drawback is that the filler pins are loose details which are not reliably always to hand when they are needed. A further disadvantage inherent in the prior art construction resides in the fact that the adjustment range which can be achieved by employing the above-mentioned hose profiles and filler pins is very limited.
PROBLEM STRUCTURE
The object of the present invention is to realise a bracket of the type mentioned by way of introduction, the bracket being designed in such a manner that it has a large adjustment range, possibly in several steps, that it is not dependent upon any loose small parts for its function, and that, moreover, it makes for an extremely reliable fixed retention of the cycle. The present invention further has for its object to realise a bracket which is simple and economical in manufacture and permits both rapid and convenient adjustment.
SOLUTION
The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the bracket disclosed by way of introduction is characterized in that the gripping members include at least one part which is movably connected to at least the one clamp for adaptation to the frame tube by positional alteration of the part.
One preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the gripping members include an abutment portion disposed at the free end of each clamp and a jaw switchable, in the longitudinal direction of the clamp, towards and away from the abutment portion, the jaw having a concave surface turned to face the opposing clamp.
The preferred embodiment is suitably also characterized in that the abutment portion is connected to a flexible form-adapting member which, with its rear side, is supported against the jaw and, with its front side, is disposed to abut against the frame tube of the cycle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying Drawings, and discussion relating thereto.
In the accompanying Drawings
FIG. 1 shows a portion of a bracket which is intended, mounted on a vehicle ro
REFERENCES:
patent: 4629104 (1986-12-01), Jacquet
patent: 4887754 (1989-12-01), Boyer et al.
Bicycle Clamp, Yakima '89-'90 Catalog, p. 12, (only information available).
Industri AB Thule
Sholl Linda J.
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