Holding device and securing system for securing a bicycle

Abstract

Holding device for securing a bicycle to a load securing rail (3) comprising a fitting (17) for fixing the holding device (7) to a load securing rail (3), a securing element (45) by means of which the bicycle can be detachably connected to the holding device (7), a support rod (43) on which the securing element is arranged, and a ball joint (31) by means of which the support rod (43) is connected to the fitting (17), wherein the ball joint (31) is designed such that the support rod (43) can be pivoted along a pivot plane between a storage position and a securing position, wherein the support rod (43) in the storage position runs substantially parallel to a wall or floor of a vehicle to which the load securing rail (3) is attached, and in the securing position runs substantially perpendicular to the wall or floor of the vehicle to which the load securing rail (3) is attached.

Description

The present invention relates to a holding device for securing a bicycle to a load securing rail, comprising a fitting for fixing the holding device to a load securing rail, a securing element by means of which the bicycle can be detachably connected to the holding device, and a support rod on which the securing element is arranged. The present invention further relates to a securing system comprising a corresponding holding device and a load securing rail. Various designs of bicycle carriers are known from the prior art, enabling the transport of bicycles on and to vehicles. These carriers typically have a frame that is attached to the tailgate, the trailer hitch, or the roof of the vehicle. The frame features a rail-like support for the wheels of one or more bicycles. The bicycle frame is connected to the carrier frame via a support bar. This support bar is attached, for example, to a tubular section of the carrier frame, and can be moved along and pivoted around this section. A locking element is located at the free end of the support bar, allowing it to be detachably connected to the bicycle frame.For example, the locking element can have two clamping jaws that can be fixed to the bicycle frame via a screw. In larger vehicles with suitable loading areas, bicycles can also be transported inside the vehicle. A variety of different securing devices are available for this purpose. For example, there are known securing devices in which a tubular frame is attached to a load securing rail via several fittings. A support bar with the previously described securing element is attached to the tubular frame, and the support bar can be moved along the tubular section and pivoted around it along a pivot plane. Based on this background, one object of the present invention is to provide an alternative holding device for bicycles with which a bicycle can be secured to a load securing rail in a vehicle. This problem is solved by a holding device and a locking system according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the holding device and the locking system are the subject of the dependent claims. According to a first aspect, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a holding device for securing a bicycle to a load securing rail, comprising a fitting for fixing the holding device to a load securing rail, a locking element by means of which the bicycle can be detachably connected to the holding device, a support rod on which the locking element is arranged, and a ball joint. The support rod is connected to the fitting via the ball element. The ball joint is designed such that the support rod can pivot along a pivot plane between a storage position and a securing position. In the storage position, the support rod runs essentially parallel to a wall or floor of a vehicle to which the load securing rail is attached.In the secured position, the retaining bar runs essentially perpendicular to the wall or floor of the vehicle to which the storage securing rail is attached. In other words, the present device provides a holding device in which the support bar can be directly attached to a load securing rail in or on a vehicle via a single fitting. The support bar, to whose free end the securing element is attached, which connects the bicycle to the holding device, is connected to a preferably single fitting via a ball joint. Compared to the prior art, this eliminates the need for a tubular bar that requires multiple fittings to be attached to the load securing rail. Instead, a compact load securing fitting, such as that known from DE 20 2023 105 033 U1, can be used. Such a fitting can, for example, have two engagement elements designed for positive locking of the fitting in mounting holes in the securing rail, the securing rail preferably being an airline track. Furthermore, the fitting comprises a locking element with a clamping section arranged along a longitudinal axis between the engagement elements. The distance between the center point of the engagement elements and the center point of the clamping section is not an integer multiple of the hole spacing of the mounting holes. The clamping section of the locking element can be moved perpendicular to the load securing rail along an adjustment axis between a connecting position and a locking position. When the clamping section is in the connecting position, the fitting can be inserted into the securing rail.If, however, the clamping section is in the locking position, the fitting is fixed to the locking rail. According to the invention, a ball joint is provided between this compact fitting and the retaining rod, which is designed such that the retaining rod, and thus the securing element attached to it, can be pivoted or rotated in several spatial degrees of freedom. In particular, it is provided that the retaining rod can be pivoted in a pivot plane between a storage position and a securing position due to the ball joint. In the storage position, the retaining rod runs essentially parallel to a wall or floor to which the load securing rail is attached. In the securing position, however, the retaining rod extends essentially perpendicular to the wall or floor of the vehicle to which the load securing rail is attached. The ball joint thus enables at least a pivoting of the retaining rod by 90° in the pivot plane between the storage position and the securing position. Compared to existing devices for securing bicycles to load securing rails, a significantly more compact design is proposed, requiring only a single fitting. If the securing device needs to be moved along the load securing rail, this movement can be accomplished via the fitting. A tubular element for sliding the support bar is not required. However, the ball joint does allow for pivoting around the pivot plane. When not in use, the support bar and the attached securing element can be positioned parallel to the wall or floor of the vehicle to which the load securing rail is attached. From this storage position, the support bar and securing element can be pivoted outwards by at least 90° when a bicycle is to be secured to the load securing rail. In a preferred embodiment, the ball joint is designed such that the retaining rod can be pivoted from the locking position outside the pivot plane through a limited angular range in two spatial angles. In this embodiment, the ball joint is therefore not limited to movement in the pivot plane. Rather, the retaining rod can be pivoted around the locking position, for example, by an angle of approximately 15°, 20°, 30°, or more. Additionally, the retaining rod can be moved in the pivot plane between the locking position and the bearing position. This additional swivel angle allows the support bar and the associated locking element to be flexibly positioned relative to the bicycle frame, making it easy to secure the bike. Compared to conventional holding devices that only have a support arm that can swivel around a tubular bar, this results in a greater degree of freedom, simplifying the installation and securing of bicycles. In a preferred embodiment, the ball joint comprises a socket and a joint body arranged in the socket. The pivoting of the joint body relative to the socket is limited in two spatial directions by a circumferential rim of the socket. This circumferential rim has a recess that defines the pivot plane along which the retaining rod can pivot between the bearing position and the locking position. Thus, the rotation of the essentially spherical joint body in two spatial directions is limited by the circumferential rim of the socket, which engages with a socket formed on the joint body. The joint body is connected to the retaining rod or fitting via this socket. It is preferred that the retaining rod is connected to the socket of the ball joint via the joint body. The socket is thus located between the joint body and the fitting, which allows the retaining device to be fixed to the safety rail. The retaining rod can, for example, be connected directly to a socket formed on the joint body. Alternatively, instead of the joint body, the socket of the ball joint can be attached to the support rod, so that the joint body is positioned between the socket and the fitting. For example, the socket can be directly connected to the support rod. In a preferred embodiment, the ball joint is rotatably connected to the fitting in such a way that by rotating the entire ball joint relative to the fitting, the pivot plane along which the retaining rod can be pivoted between the bearing position and the locking position can be rotated. In other words, in the preferred embodiment, the entire ball joint is rotatably connected to the fitting about an axis of rotation. This axis of rotation preferably lies in the pivot plane and thus forms an axis of rotation about which the pivot plane can be rotated. Due to the rotatable design of the connection between the ball joint and the fitting, the fitting can be flexibly adapted to differently oriented load securing rails, while the pivot plane can still be tilted into its bearing position in any suitable direction. The rotation of the pivot plane can also be used to change the position of the securing element in order to adapt the holding device to different bicycles. It is preferred that the fitting for the detachable attachment of the holding device to a load securing rail in the form of an airline track is designed. Airline tracks are well-known technology and are installed in many vehicle interiors, as well as on the exterior of vehicles. They enable robust and reliable securing of cargo, including bicycles, on and in the vehicle. However, it is also generally true that the holding device can be combined with fittings for other load securing rails. In a further preferred embodiment, the fitting is connected to the ball joint via a connecting element. The connecting element runs essentially parallel to a wall or floor of the vehicle to which the load securing rail is attached. The connecting element preferably tapers from the fitting towards the ball joint. In the preferred embodiment, the fitting is not directly connected to the ball joint, but rather via a connecting element, for example, a flat one. This connecting element can, for instance, be essentially triangular in shape, with the fitting extending along an outer edge of the triangle and the ball joint located at the apex of the triangle opposite the outer edge. This design provides the user of the holding device with access to a locking mechanism on the fitting, allowing the fitting to be connected to and detached from the load securing rail. At the same time, the design remains compact, as the dimensions of the holding device along the rail are still limited by the dimensions of the fitting. Furthermore, it is preferred that the ball joint is designed such that the retaining rod can be rotated 360° about a third spatial axis, wherein the third spatial axis coincides with a longitudinal axis of the retaining rod. The 360° rotation of the retaining rod about its longitudinal axis is made possible by the spherical shape of the joint body, the axis of rotation of which can, for example, coincide with a central axis of a sleeve formed on the joint body and which limits pivoting in the two other spatial directions by engaging with a circumferential rim of the joint socket. In this way, the entire retaining rod, including the locking element arranged therein, can be rotated. Furthermore, it is preferred if the ball joint is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. Using an additive manufacturing process to produce the ball joint, for example from metal or plastic, allows for geometries that are not possible with conventional manufacturing methods. In addition, the ball joint can be manufactured in a single step and does not need to be assembled after production. Moreover, manufacturing the ball joint using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing allows for more degrees of freedom than is conventionally possible. According to a second aspect, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a securing system for a bicycle. The securing system comprises a load securing rail and a holding device according to one of the preceding embodiments. Preferably, the load securing rail is an airline rail. With regard to the details of the different designs of the locking system and their advantages, reference is made to the above detailed description of the various embodiments of the holding device that are part of the locking system. The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a securing system and an embodiment of a holding device, illustrated in the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a securing system with a load securing rail and a holding device, Fig. 2 shows a second perspective view of the embodiment of a securing system from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of a holding device from Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 4 shows a further perspective view of the embodiment of a holding device from the preceding figures. Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a securing system 1 comprising a load securing rail 3 in the form of an airline track 5 with a holding device 7 for a bicycle attached thereto. Figures 3 and 4 show the holding device 7 from Figures 1 and 2 in two different configurations without the load securing rail 3. The load securing rail 3 is formed by an airline track 5 known from the prior art. The airline track 5 has a longitudinal groove 9 along which a plurality of identical mounting holes 11 are provided at regular, standardized intervals. Only a few of the mounting holes 11 are labeled with reference numerals in Figures 1 and 2 to avoid cluttering the drawings. The airline track 5 is attached to the vehicle, for example, to or in the vehicle floor or to or in a vehicle wall. In addition to its direction of extension 13, the load securing rail 3 also defines a mounting plane, which is determined by the direction of extension 13 and the width 15 perpendicular to it, and which runs sectionally parallel to a surface of the wall or floor on which the airline track 5 is arranged. In Figures 1 and 2, the holding device 7 is fixed to the load securing rail 3, by means of which a bicycle can be secured in the vehicle compartment. The holding device 7 initially comprises a fitting 17 by means of which the holding device 7 can be detachably connected to the load securing rail 3. The fitting 17 extends from a base plate 19, which in the embodiment shown in the figures is essentially triangular. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, two engagement elements 23 are arranged on one longitudinal side 21 of the base plate, designed for positive engagement with the mounting holes 11 of the airline track 5. The distance between the engagement elements 23 thus corresponds to a multiple of the hole spacing of the airline track 5. A clamping section 25 of a fastening element 27 is arranged between the two engagement elements 23. The distance between the engagement elements 23 and the clamping section 25 deviates from an integer multiple of the hole spacing of the airline track 5. For example, the distance between the center point of the engagement elements 23 and the center point of the clamping section 25 can each be 1.5 times the hole spacing. The clamping section 25 is part of a locking device 27, which can be adjusted via an actuating element 29. The clamping section 25 can be moved between a connecting position and a locking position along an adjustment axis via the actuating element 29. When the fitting 17 is fixed to the load securing rail 3, the adjustment axis runs perpendicular to the extension direction 13 and perpendicular to the width 15 of the load securing rail 3. When the clamping section 25 is in the connecting position, the fitting 17, and thus the holding device 7, can be connected to the load securing rail 3. First, the mushroom-shaped clamping section 25 is inserted into the longitudinal groove 9 of the rail 3 through one of the mounting openings. The fitting 17 is then moved along the extension direction 13 of the rail 3 until the two engagement elements 23 are each directly aligned with one of the mounting openings 11 and are positively engaged. When the clamping section 25 is moved from the connecting position to the locking position by means of the actuating element 29, the distance between the mushroom-shaped clamping section 25 and the base plate 19 decreases. The clamping section 19 engages from the inside with the projecting walls of the longitudinal groove 9 and secures the fitting 17 to the load securing rail 3 in the direction of the adjustment axis. Due to the positive engagement between the engagement elements 23 and the mounting openings 11, the fitting 17 is now firmly connected to the load securing rail 3.Further details of fitting 17 can be found in DE 20 2023 105 033 U1. A ball joint 31 is arranged on the base plate 19 of the fitting 17. The ball joint 31 is formed by a socket 33 and a joint body 35 held in the socket 33. The socket 33 is connected to the base plate 19 via a coupling section 37, which simultaneously forms a connecting element 39 between the ball joint 31 and the fitting 17. The coupling section 37 is part of the ball joint 31. A shaft or shaft section 41 is formed on the joint body 35 as a counterpart to the coupling section 37, via which the ball joint 31, and specifically the joint body 35, is connected to a retaining rod 43. The ball joint 31 enables a pivoting movement of the retaining rod 43 between a bearing position shown in Figures 1 and 4 and a locking position shown in Figures 2 and 3. In the storage position, the retaining rod 43 extends essentially parallel to the plane defined by the extension 13 and width 15 of the locking rail 3. This position primarily serves to position the retaining device 7 as compactly as possible against a wall or floor of a vehicle to which the locking rail 3 is attached, when the retaining device 7 is not used to secure a bicycle. The ball joint 31 is designed such that the retaining rod 43 can only be moved out of the storage position along a pivot plane. Tilting or pivoting movements perpendicular to the pivot plane are not permitted in the storage position or between the storage position and the secured position. The pivot plane is perpendicular to the plane defined by the extension 13 and width 15 of the locking rail 3. If, however, the retaining rod 43 is in the locked position, it can be pivoted relative to the fitting in all directions by an angle of, for example, 20 degrees. This pivoting allows the position of the locking element 45, which is located at the free end 47 in the retaining rod 43, to be flexibly changed in order to connect the locking element 45 to a bicycle frame. The permissible movements of the retaining rod 43 are defined by a circumferential rim 48 of the joint socket 35, which engages with the shaft section 41 formed on the joint body 33 to limit the pivoting movements of the retaining rod 43. The circumferential rim 48 is essentially circular and has a recess only in the area of ​​the pivot plane, which allows the retaining rod 43 to tilt between the locked position and the bearing position.The width of the recess is only slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft section 41 in order to essentially limit the movement of the retaining rod 43 between the bearing position and the locking position to the pivoting movement along the pivot plane. The ball joint 31 also allows the retaining rod 43 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis. This rotation can be performed through 360 degrees, as it is not limited by the structural design of the ball joint 31, and allows the position of the securing element to be flexibly adapted to different frame shapes of the bicycle to be secured. The locking element 45 has two clamping jaws 49, the distance between which can be adjusted via a screw (not shown) operated by a handwheel 51. The screw allows the distance between the clamping jaws 49 to be adjusted so that the locking element 45, and thus the holding device 7, can be connected to and detached from a bicycle frame. The holding device 7 and the securing system 1 formed by the holding device 7 and the load securing rail 3 constitute a particularly compact device for securing bicycles in vehicles. Only a single fitting 17 is required to connect the holding element 7 to the load securing rail 3. Nevertheless, due to the compact ball joint 31, a bicycle can be attached to the holding device 7 flexibly and easily, as the holding device 7, and specifically the support rod 43, can be pivoted flexibly. In addition, the ball joint 31 allows the support rod 43 to be moved back and forth between a storage position and a securing position, so that the holding device 7 can be arranged compactly parallel to a side wall or the floor of a vehicle when not in use. The ball joint 31 has been manufactured in a particularly advantageous way using an additive manufacturing process, because only with the help of an additive manufacturing process can the geometry be produced which enables the degrees of freedom described above in the movement between the retaining rod 43 and the fitting 17. The ball joint 31 is connected to the base plate 19 of the fitting 17 via a single, central rivet 53 or screw 53. This screw connection is designed such that the entire joint 31, and in particular the ball socket 33, can be rotated relative to the fitting 17, thus changing the direction of the pivot plane. The ball joint 31 is attached to the triangular base plate 19 at a point 55 of the triangular base plate 19, which is opposite the longitudinal side 21 of the base plate 19 on which the fitting 17 is formed. Reference symbol list 1 Securing system 3 Load securing rail 5 Airline rail 7 Holding device 9 Longitudinal groove 11 Mounting openings 13 Extension direction of the load securing rail 15 Width of the load securing rail 17 Fitting 19 Base plate of the fitting 21 Longitudinal side of the base plate 23 Engagement element 25 Clamping section 27 Fastening element 29 Actuating element 31 Ball joint 33 Joint socket 35 Joint body 37 Coupling section 39 Connecting element 41 Shaft section, shaft 43 Retaining rod 45 Securing element 47 Free end of the retaining rod 48 Circumferential edge 49 Clamping jaw of the securing element 51 Handwheel 53 Rivet, screw 55 Tip of the fitting QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature DE 20 2023 105 033 U1 [0007, 0032]

Claims

Holding device for securing a bicycle to a load securing rail (3) comprising a fitting (17) for fixing the holding device (7) to a load securing rail (3), a securing element (45) by means of which the bicycle can be detachably connected to the holding device (7), a support rod (43) on which the securing element is arranged, and a ball joint (31) by means of which the support rod (43) is connected to the fitting (17), wherein the ball joint (31) is designed such that the support rod (43) can be pivoted along a pivot plane between a storage position and a securing position, wherein the support rod (43) in the storage position runs substantially parallel to a wall or floor of a vehicle to which the load securing rail (3) is attached, and in the securing position runs substantially perpendicular to the wall or floor of the vehicle to which the load securing rail (3) is attached. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the ball joint (31) is designed such that the retaining rod (43) can be pivoted from the securing position outside the pivot plane in two spatial angles by a limited angular range. Holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ball joint (31) has a socket (33) and a joint body (35) arranged in the socket (33), wherein the pivoting of the joint body (35) relative to the socket (33) in two spatial directions is limited by a circumferential rim (48) of the socket (33), wherein the circumferential rim (48) has a recess that defines the pivot plane along which the retaining rod (43) can be pivoted between the bearing position and the locking position. Holding device according to claim 3, wherein the retaining rod (43) is connected via the joint body (35) to the joint socket (33) of the ball joint (31). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball joint (31) is rotatably connected to the fitting (17) such that by rotating the entire ball joint (31) relative to the fitting (17) the pivot plane, along which the retaining rod (43) can be pivoted between the bearing position and the locking position, can be rotated. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fitting (17) is provided for releasably fixing the holding device (7) to a load securing rail (3) in the form of an airline rail (5). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fitting (17) is connected to the ball joint (31) via a connecting element, wherein the connecting element runs substantially parallel to a wall or floor of a vehicle to which the load securing rail (3) is attached, and wherein the connecting element tapers from the fitting (17) to the ball joint (31). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball joint (31) is designed such that the retaining rod (43) is rotatable about a third spatial axis by 360°, wherein the third spatial direction coincides with a longitudinal axis of the retaining rod (43). Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball joint (31) was manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. Securing system for a bicycle, comprising a load securing rail (3) and a holding device according to one of the preceding claims. Securing system according to claim 8, wherein the load securing rail (3) is an airline rail (5).

Images