An attachment device for a load carrier

FIELD OF INVENTION

0001An attachment device for a load carrier comprising, a housing comprising a load bearing surface configured to face the roof rack, a first moveable attachment member and a second attachment member.

BACKGROUND

0002Vehicle roof racks are often used to expand the load carrying capability of vehicles, such as cars, when the user is in need of increased space for baggage, bicycles or other types of loads that may not fit into the vehicle of the user. Roof racks are widely used, and vehicles are often provided with attachment areas where the roof racks may be attached to the vehicle, where the roof rack often comprises a pair of load carrying foots, that are coupled to each other via a load carrying bar, where the load carrying bar allows the user to attach specific accessories, such as bicycle mounts, roof boxes or other types of load carriers to the vehicle.

0003In order to ensure the safety of the roof rack and the load carrier, the load carrier is securely attached to the roof rack via attachment members where the load carrier may be provided with adapter kits that fit a certain type of load carrying bars, having a size and form to fit the specific type of load carrying bar. Often these adapter kits are attached to the load carrying bar via cumbersome attachment means, where the securing may require tools such as a screw driver, or where the securing may be done with a rotatable handle that infers torque to the adapter to secure it in place. This means that the attachment and removal of the load carrier may be time consuming, which means that the user may defer from attaching or detaching the load carrier from the vehicle, due to the work needed to position the load carrier to the vehicle.

0004Another fixing device for affixing a roof box to a roof rack, may be seen in <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO2006007813A1"><text>WO 2006/007813 A1</text></patcit> which relates to a fixing device for fixing a roof box on cross-bars that are fastened on a vehicle roof. Said fixing device comprises two-armed clamping jaws that extend through the bottom of the roof box and can be braced. Said clamping jaws are mounted on a support base fixed in the interior of the roof box in a manner so as to pivot about a stationary swivelling axis.

0005The <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US2017080872A1"><text>US 2017/080872 A1</text></patcit> discloses an attachment device according to the preamble of claim 1.

0006Thus, there is a need for a quick and easy way to attach a load carrier to e.g. a load carrying bar, where the amount of work needed can be reduced and the adaptability of the attachment member may be adjusted to multiple sizes and forms of load carrying bars, while maintaining a good and secure attachment between the load carrier and the load carrying bars.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

0007In accordance with the invention, there is provided an attachment device for a load carrier comprising: a housing comprising a load bearing surface configured to face an elongate member, such as a cross bar or a load carrying bar of a roof rack, a first attachment member moveably connected to the housing and a second attachment member connected to the housing for applying a clamping force to the elongate member between the first attachment member and the second attachment member, an actuation member connected to at least the first moveable attachment member configured to apply a closing force to the first attachment member, where the actuation member is manoeuvrable from an open position to a closed position, a locking system connected to at least one of the first moveable attachment member, the second attachment member and/or the actuation member, wherein the locking system is configured to resiliently accumulate a portion of the closing force when the closing force applied to the actuation member and/or the first attachment member exceeds a predefined load during the transition from its open position to its locked position.

0008Within the meaning of the invention, the open position and the closed position may also be seen as being a unlocked position and/or a locked position, respectively, where the positions may be seen as a position where the attachment device is capable of receiving an elongated part, a load carrying bar or similar structures of a roof rack and where the attachment device is secured to the elongated part, the load carrying bar or similar structures of the roof rack, respectively.

0009The provision of the moveable attachment member means that the attachment device may be adjusted in size to fit a plurality of load carrying bars, as the moveable attachment member can be manoeuvred into position to grip the member which it is to be attached to before the attachment device begins to apply force from the attachment member and e.g. the load carrying bar. When the first attachment member has reached come into contact with the load carrying bar, the load carrying bar hinders the attachment member in being manoeuvred further using a certain amount of force applied to the actuation member, and the force is transferred to the locking system, where the locking force is accumulated in the locking system up to a predefined limit, until the locking system goes into its locked position so that the force applied to the actuation member is transferred to the attachment member to apply a closing force in order to secure the attachment device to the load carrying bar. When the actuation member has been moved sufficiently, the locking member ensures that the first attachment member is fixed in its closed position while the actuation member is in its locked position.

0010The second attachment member provides the attachment device with an opposite attachment member to the first attachment member, so that the load carrying bar positioned in between the two member is fixed in its position relative to the first and second attachment members.

0011Within the scope of the present invention, the attachment device may also be utilized as an attachment member, that attaches a load to a load carrier, such as an attachment member that allows a bicycle to be attached to a load carrier, e.g. directly or indirectly via a an intermediate attachment member, such as a support assembly which may be attached to the load carrier.

0012In one embodiment the locking system may also be configured to fix the position of at least the first attachment member when the actuation member is in its closed position.

0013The locking system may operate in such a manner that if the force required to manoeuvre the actuator and/or the first attachment member is below a certain level, the force is too low to activate the locking system, and the force is transmitted directly to the first attachment member to manoeuvre the first attachment member into its optimal position abutting the load carrying bar. When the first attachment member has reached its position abutting the load carrying bar, the first attachment member is prevented from moving by the load carrying bar, and the force applied to the actuation member is increased as the locking system activates its resilient absorptive member, so that when the resilient absorptive member has absorbed a predefined amount of force from the actuation member, the locking system engages from an open position to a locked position, so that any further force applied to the actuation member is transferred to the first attachment member, ensuring that the first attachment member receives enough force to secure the attachment device to the load carrier. Thus the locking system allows a force applied to the actuation member to be transitioned from the first attachment member and to the locking system in order to fix the position of the first attachment member and subsequently transitioning any further force back to the first attachment member in order to provide the necessary fixing force to fix the attachment device to the load carrying bar.

0014By having a resilient locking system that is configured to adapt to the force applied to the first attachment member, the first attachment member may be manoeuvred into any position, within its range of motion, into contact with the load carrying bar and thereby adapting to the size of the load carrying bar. Thus, as the locking system only begins its transition from its open position to its locked position, when the force applied to the actuation member exceeds a predefined level, and does not react when the force is below this predefined level. Thus, the locking system does not react to the manoeuvring of the first attachment member when it is being manoeuvred into its position, but only reacts when the first attachment member comes into contact with the load carrying bar, and where a increased force is required to apply more force to the first attachment member via the actuation member.

0015In one embodiment the locking member comprises a linkage which is pivotally connected to the locking system at a first end and pivotally connected to the actuation member at a second end. The linkage may be in the form of an arm that attaches to a part of the actuation member and is adapted to transfer force from the actuation member and towards the locking system via the linkage. The linkage may on one end attached to a part of the actuation member that is distal from the proximal end and proximal to the distal end, and/or on the opposite end being connected to the locking system.

0016In one embodiment wherein the locking system in one state is configured to transmit movement and/or force from the actuation member to the first attachment member in order to allow the first attachment member to move from its open position into direct or indirect contact with the load carrier. Thus, the actuation member may transfer a force to the first attachment member, so that the fist attachment member manoeuvers and/or moves from its open position, where the first attachment member is capable of being aligned with a load carrying bar, and towards its closed position where the first attachment member secures the load carrying bar against the second attachment member and secures the attachment device to the load carrying bar.

0017In one embodiment the locking system in one state is configured to transmit movement and/or force from the actuation member to the locking system, while the first attachment member is stationary. When the first attachment member has been moved into abutment with the load carrying bar, the force applied to the actuation member exceeds the force required to activate the locking system, and allow the locking system to transition from an open state to a locked state.

0018In one embodiment the locking system comprises a first and a second juxtaposed wedge, that are slidably arranged in a cavity where the wedges configured to be expansible and contractible in the cavity to transition between a locked state and an open state. The wedges are configured to expand in at least one dimension in so that a surface area of the first and/or the second wedge is frictionally fixed relative to at least one side wall of the cavity. When the wedges are in its locked position, they allow the force of the actuation member to be transferred directly towards the first attachment member, to increase the force applied to the first attachment member and to secure it in its position. When the wedges are in its open state, they are adapted to slide inside the cavity to a predetermined position and/or towards a predefined force applied to the wedges, where they can transition from a contracted position to an expanded position so that the wedges may fix relative to each other.

0019In one embodiment the locking system comprises an expansible and contractible first locking member configured to fix relative to a second locking member when the locking system is in its locked state and be translatable relative to the second locking member when the locking system is in its open state. The expansible and contractible first locking member may be provided with a resilient counter force, so that when the force applied to the locking system exceeds a certain limit, the force and the counter force are configured to initiate the expansion of the first locking member, so that its position is fixed relative to the second locking member, and thereby goes into the locking state of the locking system.

0020In one embodiment the locking system is articulated, hinged, and/or linked to at least one of the first moveable attachment member, the second attachment member and/or the actuation member. This means that the locking system is connected to the first or second attachment member and/or the actuation member, so that a force may be transferred from the first and/or second attachment members and/or the actuation member to the locking system.

0021In one embodiment the actuation member is pivotally connected to the first attachment member. The actuation member may be pivotally connected at a first end to the first attachment member. This means that the actuation member may apply a force to the first attachment member. Optionally the actuation member may be pivotally connected to the locking system as well, so that a movement of the actuation member may apply a force both to the first actuation member and the locking system. The first and the second pivotal connection may be positioned at different areas of the actuation member, so that the movement of the actuation member applies force in a different manner to both elements.

0022In one embodiment the first attachment member is pivotally connected to the second attachment member, where the pivotal connection is optionally a linkage that is pivotally connected to the first attachment member and pivotally connected to the second attachment member.

0023In one embodiment wherein the first attachment member is pivotable and/or translatable relative to a stationary part of the attachment device. The stationary part may be a part of the housing, or may be a part of a frame, where the frame is part of the attachment device. The firs attachment member may be connected in such a manner that it is capable of reducing a gap between the first attachment member and the second attachment member, where a load carrying bar is configured to be positioned in the gap. The movement of the attachment member may be a translated movement, where the first attachment member translates relative to the stationary part, or where the first attachment member pivots relative to the stationary part.

0024In one embodiment the second attachment member is fixed and/or moveable relative to a stationary part of the attachment device optionally where the moveable may be pivotable and/or translatable relative to a stationary part of the attachment device. The second attachment member may be seen as being permanently fixed relative to a stationary part of the attachment device, where it provides a stationary counterforce towards the first attachment member. Alternatively, the second attachment member may be pivotable or translatable relative to the stationary part, so that both the first attachment member and second attachment member move relative to each other and/or the stationary part. Thus, the gap between the first and the second attachment member may be reduced by movement of both attachment member, and a load carrying bar may be gripped from both sides, when the actuation member is manoeuvred to its locked position.

0025In one embodiment the actuation member may be pivotable and/or rotatable to apply a closing force to the attachment member. The actuation member may be configured to provide a closing force via pivotable and/or a rotatable movement relative to the first actuation member, the stationary part, the housing, or any part of the attachment device. Thus the closing force may be applied via leveraging relative to the attachment device. The leveraging may occur by having the actuation member attached via a fulcrum, where a first end is attached to the first or second attachment member, and the fulcrum may be connected to the locking system. Thus, when the force applied to the fulcrum exceeds the force of the first end, the resilient locking system receives at least part of the force applied to the fulcrum, and moves into its locked state.

0026In one embodiment the clamping force applied to the first attachment member and/or the second attachment member around the elongate member is configured to be equal to or exceed a predetermined threshold when the locking system is in its locked position, optionally where any excess closing force that is not transferred to the first and/or the second attachment member is resiliently accumulated in the locking system. Thus, it is possible to ensure that regardless of the size (thickness, width, height) of the elongate member, the attachment device is maintained at the same/similar clamping force, so that the clamping force is enough to secure the attachment device to the elongate member. As a non limiting example, where the threshold value is set at e.g. 70N, and the closing force used to lock the attachment device is around 100N, a certain part of the closing force is transferred to the attachment members in the form of clamping force or maybe around 70N, where the remaining part of the closing force, 30N, is resiliently accumulated in the locking system.

0027The invention also relates to a load carrier comprising an attachment device according to any of the preceding claims, preferably a roof box, a bike carrier, a ski and/or a snowboard carrier, a roof basket, or other types of load carriers configured to be attached to a vehicle.

0028In relation to the locking system, the locking system may comprise a first wedge element and has a second wedge element associated with it. The second wedge element is also linearly guided on the frame, in a direction of displacement that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame. The second wedge element may be arranged above the first wedge element. A guide of the second wedge element on the frame may be configured such that the height position of the second wedge element relative to the guide surface 64 does not change. This is achieved for example by a lateral guide (not visible in the chosen views of the figures).

0029The second wedge element has a second wedge surface which is adapted to the first wedge surface and is parallel thereto. The second wedge element has, at a position opposite the second wedge surface, an upper side via which the second wedge element is guided, for example slidably guided, on a corresponding wall of the cavity. The upper side is oriented parallel to the underside of the first wedge element.

0030In an exemplary embodiment, the second wedge element is supported on the frame via a spring device. In particular, the spring device is supported on a rear wall on the a end of the frame. Furthermore, the spring device, which has one or more compression springs, is fixed, or supported, on a side of the second wedge element that faces towards the rear wall.

0031A direction of force of the spring device is directed away from the rear wall and towards the bridge element. In particular, the direction of force is oriented at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis.

0032Arranged intermediate the first wedge element and the second wedge element may be an intermediate element, i.e. a plate. This is arranged and configured parallel to the opposing wedge surfaces and is guided parallel to the guide surface on the frame. It is guided on the base in such a manner that it is free to move and "float" in a direction of height relative to the frame. The first wedge element acts on the second wedge element via the intermediate element. The intermediate element absorbs transverse forces and transfers these to the base. Transverse movement capability of the wedge elements is thereby precluded.

0033A similar locking system is shown with regards to a clamp in <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US20160184978A"><text>US 2016/0184978</text></patcit>, which is hereby included by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0034<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a side sectional view of a attachment device in accordance with the invention,</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> shows a perspective view of an attachment device in accordance with the invention, where the attachment device is connected to a load carrying bar, and</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2B</figref> shows a perspective view of the attachment device of <figref idref="f0002 f0003">Fig. 2</figref> where the attachment device is connected to an alternative load carrying bar.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0035<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows an attachment device 1 in accordance with the invention, where the attachment device comprises a rigid frame 2 (housing), where the frame 2 has a first end 3 and a second end 4. The frame comprises a first attachment member 5 that is connected via a first pivotal connection 6 to the frame 2 and a second attachment member 7 that is connected via a second pivotal connection 8 to the frame 2. The first 5 and the second attachment member 7 are provided with their respective distal ends 9, 11 and proximal ends 10 , 12, that are positioned on opposite sides of the privotal connections 6, 8.

0036The first attachment member 5 is connected to the second attachment member 7 via a linkage 17 which is provided with a pivotal connection 18 to the first attachment member 5 and a pivotal connection 19 to the second attachment member 4. The pivotal connection 18 on the first attachment member is provided in an area distal to the pivotal connection 6 and at an area that is proximal to the pivotal connection 8 on the second attachment member 7, so that when the first attachment member is moved towards its closed position, the linkage 17 forces the second attachment member 7 to move towards its closed position in a synchronized manner.

0037The attachment device 1 is further provided with an actuation member 13, having a proximal end 14 and a distal end 15, where the actuation member 13 may be seen as a handle to provide closing force to the attachment device 1. The proximal end 14 of the handle 13 is connected via a pivotal connection 16 to the proximal end 10 of the first attachment member 5 allowing a force to be applied via the actuation member 13 to the first attachment member 5. The actuation member 13 may be moved in a direction shown by arrow A from its open position to its closed position, and vice versa in the opposite direction.

0038The locking system 26 comprises a first wedge 25 and a second wedge 27 which are slidably arranged inside a cavity 28, which is provided in the second end 4 of the attachment device 1. The wedges may slide in the direction shown by arrow B inside the cavity 28. The second wedge 27 is connected 31 to a biasing member 29 which provides a resilient force to the second wedge 27, so that when the second wedge 27 is slid in a direction towards the second end 4 the resilient force builds up via the biasing member 29. The biasing member 29 may be provided with an adjusting knob 30 that is adapted to adjust the resilient force which is applied to the second wedge via the biasing member 29. The locking system 26 may be provided with a plate 32, which is disposed between the first wedge member 25 and the second wedge member 27 (second locking element), where the plate may be fixed in the directions shown by Arrow B (along a longitudinal axis of the attachment device 1) but may be moved upwards and downwards inside the cavity 28 in a directions shown by arrow C (along a vertical axis of the attachment device 1). The actuation member 13 is connected via a pivotal connection 20 to a first end 21 of a connecting element 22 (locking connector, linkage), where the opposite second end 23 of the connecting element 22 is connected via a pivotal connection 24 to the first locking wedge 25 (first locking element), so that a force applied to the actuation member may be transferred via the connecting element 22 towards the first wedge 25 and thereby allowing the first wedge 25 to be translated inside the cavity in the direction indicated by arrow B when the actuation member is provided with a closing force or an opposite opening force. The locking system 26 functions in such a way that when a closing force is applied to the first wedge 25, the two wedges 25, 27 have a vertical dimension (in the direction C) that is smaller than the vertical size of the cavity 28, allowing the two wedges to slide together in a directions towards the second end 4.

0039The attachment device is provided with a resilient member 29, that applies a resilient force to the locking system 26, which means that the two wedges 25, 27 will not slide inside the cavity until a the closing force applied via the connection 22 exceeds a certain limit. This means that when the actuation member is provided with a closing force, and the first and the second attachment members 5, 7 do not encounter a significant resistance, the closing force will cause the attachment members to move freely to reduce the size of the gap 36 between the two members 5, 7. When the first and/or the second attachment members 5,7 encounter an object, such as a load carrying bar positioned in the gap 36, the two members will be prevented in moving further, which means that when the closing force is further applied to the actuator 13, the two attachment members 5, 7 will not move, but the closing force will then be applied via the connector 22 towards the locking system 26.

0040When the closing force applied via the connector 22 exceeds the resilient force applied via the resilient member 29 exceeds a predefined level the first wedge 25 will slide more than the second wedge 27, causing the vertical dimension of the two wedges 25, 27 to increase until the second wedge 27 is fixed relative to the cavity 28, as it is pressed in a vertical upwards direction via the slope of the first wedge 25, which causes the second wedge to become immovable in a direction towards the second end 4, which means that the closing force applied to the actuation member 13 and the connection 22 is therefore transferred directly to the first attachment member 5 and consequently also the second attachment member 7 to allow the first attachment member to increase the closing force onto the load carrying bar, which is positioned inside a gap between the first 5 and the second attachment member 7, ensuring that the closing force is enough to secure the load carrying bar between the two attachment members 5, 7.

0041Alternatively, the connecting element 22 may be provided with a cam member (not shown) where the cam member may be adapted to force the second wedge member in a vertical direction upwards, when the angle between the first wedge member and the connector passes a predefined value. Thus, when the angle of the connector, relative to the fist wedge member passes a certain level, the cam member forces the second wedge into contact with the inner surface of the cavity 28, which thereby prevents the second wedge from sliding inside the cavity, and thereby allowing the first wedge member to stop inside the cavity, and thereby allowing the closing force to be transferred from the actuation member 13 and towards the first and/or the second attachment members.

0042The actuation member 13 may be provided with a hook 33 that engages a cooperating member in the frame 2, so that when the actuation member is substantially parallel to the frame, the hook 33 secures the actuation member from unintentional opening.

0043When the attachment device is to be opened, the actuation member is moved in a direction opposite to the arrow A, allowing the closing force to be released from the load carrying bar positioned in the gap 36, and when the closing force applied to the attachment member 5, 7 reaches below a certain level, the locking system 26 releases, as and the first wedge slides relative to the second wedge in a direction towards the first end 3 of the frame 2, and thereby reducing the vertical dimension of the two wedges, and where the reduction in dimension then allows both wedges to slide simultaneously by the force applied by the resilient member to the second wedge 27 in a direction towards the first end. Subsequently the opening force applied to the actuation causes the two attachment members to open, by moving in a direction away from each other, and thereby releasing the load carrying bar, positioned in the gap.

0044The plate 32, positioned between the first 25 and the second wedge 27, may be provided with a protrusion 37 extending outwards, where the protrusion mates with a slot 38 positioned in the frame 2, where the slot extends in a substantially vertical position, so that the protrusion allows the plate to be substantially stationary relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame 2, while allowing it to move in a vertical direction. Thus, when the two wedges are displaced in the direction B, the wedges move, while the plate is substantially stationary in the direction B. The slot may be arranged at an angle to vertical, so that the plate may move slightly in the longitudinal direction, and where the slot is substantially at a right angle to the plane of the plate 32. The slot 38 may be in the form of a pair of slots that are positioned on opposite sides of the frame 2, in order to provide a track for opposing protrusions 27 of the plate 32.

0045<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2a</figref> shows an attachment device 1 in accordance with the invention, where the attachment device is in its locked position. The load carrying bar 34 has a relatively large dimension X, where the width of the load carrying bar means that the first and the second attachment members 5, 7, are spaced a relatively long distance away from each other, so that the distal ends of the attachment members 6, 8 are distant to each other, when they come into contact with the load carrying bar 34. It may be seen that the two wedges 25, 27 have slid a significant distance towards the distal end 4 of the frame 2, so that the wedges only lock when they have been moved into a suitable position, allowing a predefined closing force to be applied to the attachment members 5,7. This means that the attachment members come early into contact with the load carrying bar, and a part of the movement of the actuator, i.e. the closing force, goes into sliding the two wedges inside the cavity 28 towards the second end, until a predefined force and/or position is reached, to provide an increased closing force on the attachment members 5, 7.

0046A different situation may be seen in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2B</figref>, where the load carrying bar 35 has a smaller dimension than the load carrying bar in 2A, as indicated by arrow Y, which means that the attachment members 5,7 come closer to each other, when they come into contact with the load carrying bar 35, meaning that the initial movement of the actuation member 13 is done to close the gap (between the attachment members). Thus, when the attachment members come into contact with the load carrying bar, the remaining closing force is applied to lock the locking system in its position, where it may be seen that the two wedges 25, 27 are positioned at a distance Z₁ from the second end 4, exposing the resilient member 29. Thus, the main movement of the actuator goes into closing the gap between the attachment members 5,7, and when they come into contact the locking system and the two wedges go into their locked mode, without sliding inside the cavity, or only sliding a minimal distance, or a shorter distance than when clamping a larger load carrying bar, such as the one in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref>. The distance between the two wedges 25,27 in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> is shown as the distance X₁, where the end of the second wedge is positioned relatively close to the second end 4. A load carrying bar having a size that is between the size X of <figref idref="f0002">fig 2A</figref> and Z of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2B</figref> will result in a distance from the two wedges 25, 27 that is between the length X₁ and Z₁.