Load carrier for a motor vehicle

0001The invention relates to a load carrier for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, having a support structure for carrying a load, which protrudes in a working position of the load carrier to the rear in front of a rear area of ​​the motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

0002Such a load carrier goes out <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US6244483B1"><text>US 6,244,483 B1</text></patcit> out.

0003The load carrier conceals in his working position, when it is arranged on the motor vehicle, a tail lamp arrangement of the passenger car. From behind the tail lights of the vehicle are thus no longer visible. Load carriers therefore have their own tail light arrangements, which are connected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle and are visible. However, arranged at an exposed point on the back of the load carrier rear lamp assemblies are prone to damage, for example when maneuvering with the motor vehicle.

0004It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a load carrier with improved handling.

0005To solve the problem, a load carrier according to the technical teaching of claim 1 is provided.

0006In a load carrier according to the invention is provided that it has a respect to the support structure between a provided for a driving operation of the motor vehicle driving position and a loading and unloading of the motor vehicle provided loading position adjustable support arrangement for placing the load, wherein the support assembly with the load arranged on it releases in the loading position a pivoting range of a tailgate or a rear door of the motor vehicle. The support structure preferably comprises a bicycle carrier, a carrier platform for placing loads or the like.

0007A basic idea is to leave a support structure so to speak vehicle-fixed, for example, rearwardly projecting carrier or support arms, and to store on this support structure, the actual support assembly movable. The support assembly can be moved from the driving position to the loading position without having to remove the load resting on it. The load may remain on the support structure.

0008Below the upper loading level, for example, a viewing area for a tail lamp arrangement remains free.

0009Between the upper and the lower loading level can also be provided at least one intermediate level, for example in the manner of a stair structure.

0010The lower loading level and the upper loading level may have different loading capacities. Preferably, however, the lower and upper loading levels have substantially the same loading capacity. For example, the two loading levels in the vehicle longitudinal direction are substantially the same length.

0011Advantageously, the upper loading plane protrudes relatively far backwards in front of the lower loading plane, so that the protection of the rear lamp arrangement is ensured. Nevertheless, the tail light assembly, which is connectable to the electrical system of the motor vehicle, accessible.

0012On the support structure, a rear light assembly is advantageously arranged. The tail light assembly is conveniently located below the upper deck and away from the rear, free end of the load carrier closer to the rear of the vehicle. It is advantageous if the upper loading level is arranged above the lower loading level in such a way that a viewing area to the rear light arrangement remains free. The tail lamp assembly is located below the upper deck level, ie set back to the motor vehicle, so that it is protected from damage.

0013Also advantageous is a modular expansion concept, in which at least one extension component is mounted on a base carrier of the load carrier or mounted movably thereto. The base support forms, for example, a component of the support structure or a support structure movable with respect to the support structure. In this way, the load capacity of the carrier can be increased if necessary.

0014The extension component is, for example, in its position of use laterally, backwards or upwards in front of the support assembly.

0015The extension member comprises one or preferably two S-shaped or S-shaped support rods. The S-like support bars are preferably releasably attachable laterally to the base support. Due to the S-shape, the support rods project obliquely backwards at the top. For example, at least one further supporting platform or at least one further sports equipment holder can be attached or attached to the at least one expansion component.

0016The extension component preferably forms an actuating handle for displacing the carrying arrangement into the loading position or the driving position. It can also be an actuating handle, such as a handle, be arranged on the extension member.

0017The at least one extension component expediently provides the upper loading level. In the position of use, the extension component projects upwards in front of, for example, the support arrangement or the support structure.

0018The upper loading level may for example comprise a continuous loading platform.

0019In principle, it is possible, for example, to arrange one or the tail lamp arrangement on the support structure or the movable support arrangement, for example behind the lower or the upper loading level.

0020The support structure expediently engages under the support arrangement, at least in the driving position. The support arrangement is advantageous at least in the driving position on the support structure, for example, directly or indirectly. Indirectly eg on a pivot bearing arrangement. It is advantageous if the support assembly is arranged at least partially above the support structure in the loading position.

0021Provided is a pivot bearing assembly with which the support assembly is pivotally mounted on the support structure.

0022The support assembly takes in the loading position expediently a remote from the motor vehicle skew. For example, the support assembly is pivoted away in the loading position of the motor vehicle.

0023The support assembly is formed according to the invention in the manner of a rocker.

0024A first Wipparmanordnung defined on the one hand the pivot bearing the lower loading level and a second Wipparmanordnung other hand, the pivot bearing defines the upper loading level.

0025A pivot axis of the pivot bearing arrangement extends with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle expediently between a longitudinal end region of the lower loading plane facing the rear of the vehicle and a free end region of the upper loading plane facing away from the rear of the vehicle. In this way it is possible to use a free space below the upper loading level for a pivoting movement. Although the pivot axis may be horizontal obliquely and / or obliquely to the vehicle transverse direction. But preferred is an approximately horizontal course.

0026The respective pivot axis can run, for example, in the region of the lower loading level. But even in the area between the two lower and upper loading levels or at the upper loading level, a pivot axis may be provided.

0027Conveniently, the respective pivot axis extends approximately in the region of a longitudinal center between the lower and the upper loading level. Thus, the support assembly is expediently substantially balanced with and without load. It is understood that here also a clear tilt position can be advantageous, ie that the support assembly pivots about the pivot axis in the loading position or the release position automatically and remains there. At least in the other position, the support assembly is then advantageously held by a locking or holding device.

0028The pivot axis expediently passes through a pivot bearing or a pivot bearing pair of the pivot bearing arrangement or is defined by this pivot bearing. Preferably then only a single pivot axis is present.

0029The support assembly has expediently at least in the loaded state such a center of gravity position that it automatically remains in the driving position and / or in the loading position. The support structure thus remains here without an additional support or support in the respective driving position or loading position.

0030Conveniently, the support assembly passes between the driving position and the loading position an adjustment with a tipping point. The support assembly tilts then, so to speak, in the driving position or the loading position.

0031It is understood that for holding in the driving position and / or in the loading position supports, brackets or the like are advantageous. These can also be provided as an additional security measure.

0032It is understood that the tail lamp assembly can be arranged to be pivotable or otherwise movable on the load carrier, for example, on the support structure. A movable, in particular pivotable tail lamp arrangement can release, for example, a pivoting for pivoting the support assembly.

0033It forms a basic idea according to the invention when a support arrangement which is movable relative to a load-bearing structure of a load carrier has a lower first and an upper, second, level remote from the rear of the vehicle. A basic idea is that the upper loading level is further away from the road surface than the lower loading level, so that below the upper loading level below the carrying arrangement, a larger range of motion, in particular pivoting, remains free.

0034A tail lamp assembly may, but need not be, disposed on the support structure. It could also be arranged, for example, on the support structure.

0035Advantageously, a foot control device for actuating the support assembly. In a foot operation are relatively large actuation forces available.

0036The foot actuator acts, for example, on the support structure movably mounted with respect to the supporting structure. For example, the foot control device is connected to the support assembly fixed or hinged or slides along the support assembly to the actuation along.

0037It is also possible that the foot control device acts, for example, on a pivot bearing arrangement for the movable mounting of the support arrangement with respect to the support structure. For example, the foot control device can act on a pivot arm of the pivot bearing arrangement, in particular of a single pivot bearing. The foot control device is, for example, fixed or articulated to a swivel arm or is formed by a swivel arm.

0038The foot control device has expediently a clearance, so that it is adjustable between a rest position in which it is out of engagement with the support assembly, and a working position in which it is for adjusting the support assembly with this engaged.

0039Preferably, a locking device for locking the support assembly with respect to the support structure is provided at least in the driving position. Unintentional pivoting or linear movement of the support structure, which could be dangerous when driving, is prevented by the locking device.

0040The load carrier, in particular the movable support arrangement, may for example comprise a carrier platform for parking the load and / or a sports equipment holder. The sports equipment holder is for example a bicycle holder. It is understood that sports equipment holders are expediently releasably connectable to the support assembly components.

0041The support structure includes, for example, a displaceably arranged on the motor vehicle carrier part. For example, the displaceable support part is a carrier part which can be pulled backwards on the body of the vehicle, a pivoting part or the like. It is particularly preferred if the carrier part forms a kind of drawer.

0042The support structure expediently comprises at least two support elements or support rods spaced from one another in the vehicle transverse direction.

0043These support elements can be plugged into receptacles, for example, through a bumper of the motor vehicle, for example. Appropriately, the recordings are connected to longitudinal members of a body of the motor vehicle.

0044Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the support structure has a holder for releasably arranging on a trailer coupling of the motor vehicle.

0045It is in itself a thought according to the invention, a support assembly for carrying a load in the manner of a rocker on a support structure of a load carrier between a provided for a driving operation of the motor vehicle driving position and provided for loading and unloading the motor vehicle loading position about a pivot axis to store, wherein the support assembly has a closer to the rear of the vehicle arranged loading level and a more remote from the rear of the vehicle loading level and wherein the pivot axis extends between the loading levels. It is possible that in the driving position:<ul><li>both loading levels are on one level, eg substantially horizontal, as in FIG <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> drawn and unclaimed.</li><li>in the manner described above, the charging plane closer to the motor vehicle is arranged below the loading plane farther from the motor vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, or</li><li>the loading level arranged closer to the rear of the vehicle forms an upper loading level and the loading level further away from the rear of the vehicle forms a lower loading level as claimed. Furthermore, although it is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary, that the pivot axis of the rocker support assembly extends approximately in the region of a longitudinal center between the loading plane closer to the motor vehicle and the loading plane farther from the motor vehicle. The load carrier may have with further of the above features, such as a lock for the driving position, a tail lamp assembly, a holder for releasably arranging on a trailer hitch or plug ends for plugging to a rear of a motor vehicle, a sliding bearing on the motor vehicle or the like.</li></ul>

0046Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawing. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>FIG. 1</dt><dd>a schematic side view of an embodiment of a non-invention load carrier in driving position,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>according to the load carrier <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> in loading position,</dd><dt>FIG. 3</dt><dd>according to the load carrier <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> with only one loading level.</dd><dt>FIG. 4</dt><dd>a perspective Fahrstellungsansicht a non-inventive embodiment in the form of a load carrier, like the load carrier from <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> has only one loading level, but can be extended by further loading level, for example, with extension components,</dd><dt>FIG. 5</dt><dd>according to the load carrier <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> in loading position,</dd><dt>FIG. 6</dt><dd>a schematic side view of an embodiment of a load carrier according to the invention in the driving position,</dd><dt>FIG. 7</dt><dd>according to the load carrier <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref> in loading position, and</dd><dt>FIG. 8</dt><dd>a load carrier not according to the invention with a fixed, step-shaped support structure with two loading levels.</dd></dl>

0047In the embodiments described below on the basis of load carriers 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals. For the load carrier 10a specific components are marked with "a", for the load carrier 10b, 10c and 10d specific components with "b", "c" and "d".

0048The load carrier 10a is arranged at a rear region 11 of a motor vehicle 12. A support structure 13a with two longitudinal members 14a, 14b is fixed to the vehicle 12 connected to the vehicle.

0049For example, the side members 14a, 14b are inserted in schematically illustrated receptacles 57 on the body 15 from the rear.

0050The support structure 13a may also be releasably secured to a ball neck 17 of a trailer hitch 18 of the motor vehicle 12 with a hitch bracket 16. The side rails 14a, 14b and the hitch bracket 16 are connected by one or more cross members 54.

0051On the longitudinal members 14, a support assembly 19a is movably mounted with a support frame 20 between a driving position F and a Ladestellüng L. In the loading position L, the carrying arrangement 19a is pivoted away obliquely rearward with respect to the motor vehicle 12, so that it releases a pivoting region 21 of a tailgate 22. The tailgate 22 may pivot past bicycles 23 which are mounted on the support assembly 19a with sports equipment holders 24. The bicycles 23 are a load 34 placed on the carrying arrangement 19a.

0052For adjusting, in particular for pivoting, the support arrangement 19a with respect to the support structure 13a, a pivot bearing arrangement 25 is provided between these two components.

0053The pivot bearing arrangement 25 comprises two multi-joint arrangements 26a, 26b, which in the present case are configured as four-jointed joints 27a, 27b.

0054The four joints 27a, 27b include pivot arms 28 and steering arms 29, which are pivotally mounted on pivot bearings 30, 31 on the longitudinal members 14a, 14b. The pivot bearings 30, 31 are located at a longitudinal end of the arms 28, 29. At a longitudinal end opposite this longitudinal end are further pivot bearings 32, 33 between the arms 28 and 29 on the one hand and the support assembly 19 a on the other hand present.

0055If the same length pivot arms and steering arms are provided, the support assembly would go through when pivoting from the driving position F in the loading position L and vice versa a parallelogram-like movement, ie their top would always be horizontal or at least substantially horizontal.

0056In the embodiment, however, the pivot arms 28 are shorter than the steering arms 29. This pivots the support assembly 19a, so that it is in the loading position L obliquely away from the rear of the vehicle 12. This measure increases the pivoting range 21.

0057For actuating the support arrangement 19a, in particular for displacing the driving position P into the loading position L, foot-operated devices 35a, 35b are expedient.

0058Foot actuator 35a includes, for example, a pedal 36 that is operatively connected to one of shorter swing arms 28. Conveniently, the pedal 36 is rotatably and pivotally connected to the pivot arm 28. Also, a one-piece design, in which the pivot arm 28 is extended so to speak to the pedal 36, is conceivable.

0059The pedal 36 is angled in front of the pivot arm 28. By a simple foot operation of the pedal 36, the support assembly 19a can be pivoted to the loading position L.

0060In the load carrier 10b, an alternative actuation concept is provided. His foot control device 35b includes, for example, an actuating part 37 which extends in the vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle 12.

0061The operating member 37 is pivotally mounted on the support structure 13a. The actuating member 37 engages two spaced engagement points on the support assembly or the pivot bearing assembly.

0062The actuating part 37 comprises a swivel bracket 38 with arms 39, between which runs an actuatable rod 40, for example, with a foot 60. The actuating rod 40 is welded, for example, to the arms 39 at one longitudinal end thereof.

0063Instead of the swivel bracket 38 formed from a plurality of components, an integral swivel bracket could also be provided.

0064Now it is possible that, for example, the pivot arms 28 are extended to the arms 39 and connected to these or form the arms 39. Then the actuating rod 40 would always occupy a corresponding with the pivotal position of the pivot arms 28 pivot position. In the embodiment, however, another storage concept is chosen:

0065The arms 39 are pivotally mounted on the support structure 13a. Although a separate pivot bearing may be provided on the support structure for a pivot bearing of an actuating part according to the invention. However, the arms 39 are pivotally mounted on the pivot bearing 30. The actuating rod 40 is pivotally mounted on the pivot bearings 30 relative to the pivot arms 28.

0066Thus, a clearance 41 is present, in which the swivel bracket 38 between a rest position R, at the operating ends 42 of the arms 39 out of engagement with the pivot arms 28, and a working position A is adjustable, in which the operating ends 42 engage the pivot arms 28. For example, actuating recesses 43 are provided on the actuating ends 42 for this purpose.

0067It is advantageous if the foot control device 35b has such a center of gravity position that it remains autonomously in the rest position R.

0068The foot actuator 35b is pivoted in its rest position R, for example, upwards. The foot control device 35b then needs less space, for example.

0069Conveniently, the actuating rod 40 is in its rest position R on the two side rails 14a, 14b at positions 56a, 56b.

0070The load carriers 10a, 10b have a flexible extension concept.

0071The support frame 20 includes a base support 44, the provided by a support platform 53 charging capacity can be increased by extension members 45. The extension members 45 are, for example, support rods 46 projecting rearwardly in front of the base support 44.

0072In front of the support platform 53, support elements 58 are also present as extension components, for example for parking the bicycles 23. The support elements 58 are expediently telescopic and / or displaceable relative to the base support 44, so that they can be pushed under the support platform 53 when not in use.

0073The support rods 46 have a stepped or S-like course. Fastening portions 47 of the support rods 46, which have a substantially horizontal course in the driving position F, are fastened to support elements 48 of the support frame 20 running in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Thus, the attachment portions 47 extend correspondingly to the support members 48. The attachment portions 47 may be attached laterally to the support members 48, for example. For securing, for example, securing splint, bolts or the like may be provided. The fastening portions 47 may also be L-shaped or U-shaped, so that they can be saddled up on the support elements 48 so to speak and are supported on the support elements 48 at least on the upper side.

0074Adjacent to the attachment portions 47 are inclined portions 49 of the support rods 46. The inclined sections 49 extend inclined in the driving position F obliquely away from the motor vehicle 12. At the inclined portions 49 close to support portions 50 of the support rods 46, which extend substantially horizontally in the driving position F. On the support portions 50, for example, a support platform or load brackets, such as sports equipment holder 24, are attached.

0075The supporting sections 50 or sports equipment holders 24 arranged thereon preferably form actuating handles for adjusting the carrying arrangement 19a from the driving position F to the loading position L and / or vice versa. The support sections 50 and / or the sports equipment holder 24 collar relatively large with respect to the pivot bearing 30 and thus form actuating arms or operating lever that allow easy manual operation of the support assembly 19a in an adjustment of the driving position F in the loading position L and vice versa. The operability of the load carrier 10b is thus not limited, even if, for example, the foot operating part 37 is less accessible through the extension with the aid of the extension components 45.

0076The support arrangement 19a can be locked with a locking device 51 with respect to the support structure 13a. The locking device 51 includes, for example, a but firmly connected to the support assembly 19a, but movable locking member 52, such as a locking screw or a locking bolt which engages for locking in a locking receptacle 55 of the support structure 19a.

0077The support assembly 19a provides with the attached by extension members 45, a lower loading level 65 and an upper loading level 66 ready. Thus, below the upper loading level 66, there is a free space 67 for pivoting the carrying arrangement 19a in the direction of a roadway surface 69. Furthermore, the upper loading level 66 leaves open a viewing area to a tail lamp arrangement 70, which is arranged on the free end of the supporting structure 13 facing away from the motor vehicle 12. The tail lamp assembly 70 includes taillights 71, which are connectable to a vehicle electrical system 72, for example via a connection 73, in which a plug of the load carrier 10a is plugged into a socket of the motor vehicle 12.

0078In the load carrier 10c, a stepped support arrangement 19c is pivotably mounted on a support structure 13c via a pivot bearing arrangement 25c. The support structure 13c includes, for example, longitudinal members 14c, which are inserted in receptacles at the rear of the motor vehicle 12 and / or are attached, for example, to the hitch 18. The support structure 13c provides a horizontal support plane. The support structure 19c is stair-like and provides a lower and an upper loading level 65, 66 ready.

0079On each loading level 65, 66 are not shown in detail holders, such as sports equipment holder for example bicycles 23 fixed, releasably or movably supported. For example, the lower bicycles 23 are on a lower platform 74 while the bicycles 23 located on the upper loading level 66 are disposed on an upper platform 75. The word "platform" is to be understood here in a broader sense, ie it can indeed be flat shelves, such as shelves or the like, be provided, or for example also holders for the wheels of the bicycles 23 on the two levels 65, 66 may be provided.

0080The support assembly 19c includes frame 85, which is pivotally mounted in the manner of a rocker on the support structure 13c. Therefore, you can call the frame 85 as a rocker.

0081The pivot bearing assembly 25c includes two pivot bearings 83 disposed at the free end portion of the side rails 14 and the support structure 13c, respectively. The pivot bearings 76 define a pivot axis 77 about which the support assembly 19c pivots between a drive position F and a loading position L.

0082The pivot axis 77 is horizontal. The pivot axis 77 extends relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction 78 of the motor vehicle 12 approximately in a longitudinal center between the two platforms 74 and 75. In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot axis 77 extends approximately in the region of the lower loading plane 65. It is understood that a course through, for example, the upper loading level 66 is quite conceivable, for example, if an L-shaped upwardly projecting portion on the support structure 13c projecting upward. The approximately longitudinal arrangement of the pivot axis 77 facilitates pivoting about the pivot axis 77, because the loads 34 arranged on the two loading planes 65, 66 exert approximately the same lever arms and thus approximately similar forces on the support arrangement 19c on both sides of the pivot axis 77.

0083In addition, because of the approximately longitudinal arrangement of the pivot axis 77 of the pivot angle by which the support assembly 19c pivots between the driving position F and loading position L, smaller.

0084The support arrangement 19c contains, for example, two lateral supports 79 with support sections 80, 81 which extend horizontally in the drive position F and define the loading planes 65, 66, between which a connection section 82 extends. The carriers 79 are, for example, metal profiles or the like.

0085The tail lamp assembly 70c is suitably pivotally mounted on the support structure 13c. For or when pivoting the support assembly 19c in the loading position L, the tail lamp assembly 70c is pivoted, for example, down. This is effected, for example, in that the connecting portion 82 acts from above on the tail lamp assembly 70c. The tail lamp arrangement 70c can pivot, for example under spring action or the like, back upwards into a substantially vertical driving position assigned to the driving position F.

0086The load carrier 10d has a fixed step-shaped support structure 84 with a lower and an upper loading plane 65 and 66, which are provided by a support structure 13d. From the motor vehicle 12 fasten longitudinal members 14d are stepped support 79d backwards above. The lower loading level is defined by the longitudinal beams 14d, the upper loading level 66 provided by the beams 79d.

0087The support sections 80, 81 are substantially the same length, so that it is about the same size on the loading levels 65, 66 available loading capacity.