load carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a load carrier. Load carrier (1) for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle, in particular for bicycles and / or luggage, having a base structure with a base frame (2) and a coupling device (3) for attachment to the vehicle and arranged at the front end of the base frame (2), a sliding frame (11) for receiving a load, in particular for receiving a bicycle or a luggage case, wherein the sliding frame (11) is movable in a sliding manner relative to the base frame (2) between a front transport position and a rear access position, and a functional device (18) held at the base frame (2) in a manner movable between an operating position and a release position, in the operating position the functional device (18) extends at least partially into the movement range of the sliding frame (11), and in the release position the functional device (18) moves out of the movement range of the sliding frame (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a load carrier for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle, in particular for bicycles and / or luggage. BACKGROUND

[0002] Load carriers for fastening to the rear end of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle such as a car, are generally used for transporting bicycles and / or additional luggage beyond the capacity of the luggage compartment of the car. Typically, load carriers of this type comprise a coupling device at the front end region of the load carrier, which is generally designed such that the load carrier can be fastened to the ball of a conventional trailer coupling. Furthermore, load carriers for transporting bicycles comprise a carrier frame to which profile rails for receiving the wheels of a bicycle are fastened. These profile rails are generally arranged transversely to the direction of travel and substantially horizontally and comprise fastening devices for securing the bicycle to the profile rails. There are other load carriers as luggage carriers, wherein the carrier frame carries a luggage box in which luggage such as a suitcase can be deposited.

[0003] At such load carriers, it is sometimes considered disadvantageous that when such a load carrier is mounted to the rear end of a vehicle and provided with a bicycle and / or a luggage box, it is difficult or even impossible to access the luggage compartment of the vehicle. If, for example, during a long journey, someone wishes to remove luggage from the luggage compartment during a break, the load carrier must be detached from the trailer coupling and, in most cases, the bicycle must be removed or the luggage must be removed from the luggage box, allowing the luggage compartment cover to be opened.

[0004] In order to avoid this problem and to allow easy access to the luggage compartment of the vehicle, EP 2 457 777 B1 proposes a load carrier having a base frame and a sliding frame unit comprising a sliding frame for receiving a load, in particular for receiving a bicycle. The sliding frame also carries a license plate holder and two tail light units arranged on both sides of the license plate holder.

[0005] The sliding frame unit is movable relative to the base frame between a front transport position, in which the sliding frame is aligned with the base frame, and a rear access position, in which the luggage compartment of the vehicle can be opened. In order to bring the sliding frame unit into the access position, the sliding frame is moved linearly backwards and tilted backwards relative to the base frame, which means that the movement of the sliding frame relative to the base frame has two degrees of freedom. In particular, the sliding frame is moved both translationally backwards and pivoted backwards to bring the load out of the range of movement of the luggage compartment cover of the vehicle.

[0006] Even if such a load carrier has proven its worth in principle, the load carrier is sometimes considered disadvantageous in that the kinematics allowing two degrees of freedom are relatively complex and the sliding frame unit with the sliding frame, which carries further components, i.e. a license plate holder and a rear light unit, at its rear end, is relatively heavy and inconvenient to move by hand. SUMMARY

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide an alternative load carrier which is easy to access the luggage compartment when installed and easy to handle and reliable.

[0008] This object is achieved by a load carrier for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle, in particular for bicycles and / or luggage, having a base structure with a base frame and a coupling device arranged at the front end of the base frame for attachment to the vehicle, a sliding frame for receiving a load, in particular for receiving a bicycle or a luggage box, wherein the sliding frame is movable in a sliding manner relative to the base frame between a front transport position and a rear access position, and a functional device which is held at the base frame, in particular at the rear end section of the base frame, in a manner movable between an operating position and a release position, in which operating position the functional device at least partially extends into the movement range of the sliding frame, and in which release position the functional device moves out of the movement range of the sliding frame, thereby allowing the sliding frame to be moved into its rear access position.

[0009] The present application is based on the consideration of providing a functional device, for example a unit comprising a license plate holder and two rear light units, which is not mounted at the sliding frame. Instead, the functional device is mounted at the base frame. In this way, the sliding frame can be designed in a weight-optimized manner.

[0010] Furthermore, by mounting the functional device at the base frame instead of at the sliding frame, it is not necessary to provide exposed energy supply devices, for example cables, for supplying the functional device with energy, in particular electrical energy, since the functional device does not move relative to the base frame together with the sliding frame. In other words, if the functional device comprises rear light units, cable sections can be avoided from being exposed since the cables remain at the same position and do not have to be lengthened.

[0011] The functional device extends into the movement range of the sliding frame when the load carrier is mounted to a vehicle and the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame. In particular, the functional device can be positioned behind the sliding frame when the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame. In this case, the functional device would block the sliding frame. Therefore, it is provided that the functional device can be moved out of the movement range of the sliding frame, thereby releasing the sliding frame and allowing movement into the rear access position of the sliding frame.

[0012] Therefore, the sliding frame is moved completely translationally, i.e. along the longitudinal direction of the load carrier, from the front transport position into the rear access position. In this way, the kinematics can be easily realized since the sliding frame has only one degree of freedom with respect to the base frame.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the application, the functional device and the sliding frame are coupled in such a way that the functional device is automatically moved into the release position of the functional device when the sliding frame is moved out of the front transport position in the direction of the rear access position of the sliding frame and that the functional device is automatically moved into the working position of the functional device when the sliding frame is moved into the front transport position. Therefore, a kinematic coupling between the sliding frame and the functional device is realized, so that it is not necessary to actuate the sliding frame and the functional device independently, but it is sufficient that the sliding frame is moved between the transport position and the access position, thereby automatically moving the functional device out of the movement range of the sliding frame. In other words, the operator only has to move the sliding frame linearly backwards into the rear access position of the sliding frame or forwards into the transport position of the sliding frame, and this linear movement is converted into a movement of the functional device due to the kinematic coupling.

[0014] Preferably, the functional device is held at the base frame in such a way that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis between the working position of the functional device and the release position of the functional device. Such a pivot axis can in particular extend transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the load carrier. In other words, the functional device can be tilted out of the movement range of the sliding frame, thereby allowing the sliding frame to be moved into the rear access position of the sliding frame.

[0015] It can be provided that the load carrier comprises at least one, in particular two, support elements, each of which is fixedly connected to the functional device and is connected to the base frame in a pivotable manner. These support elements form an intermediate element between the functional device and the base frame for use as a lever arm, in order to increase the travel path of the functional device. In other words, the support elements are directly connected to the base frame and directly to the functional device. In particular, the pivotable connection of the support elements to the base frame can be realized by means of a pivot pin, which protrudes from the base frame and engages into a corresponding hole of the support element. Such a pivot pin can also have a threaded region and is in particular formed as a screw. In this way, the support elements can be fixed at the base frame in the longitudinal direction of the pivot pin and unintentional movement of the support elements in this direction is avoided. It is also conceivable that at least one, in particular each, support element comprises a pivot pin, which protrudes and extends into a corresponding hole formed in the base frame.

[0016] In order to limit the movability of the support elements and the functional device relative to the base frame, at least one, in particular each, support element has an elliptical hole into which a corresponding guide bolt fixedly attached to the base frame extends. By means of such an elliptical hole, the movability of the support elements can be limited to a defined angular range. The guide bolt extending into the elliptical hole limits the limit values of this angular range by contact with the end of the elliptical hole. The guide bolt can be fixed to the base frame, in particular screwed or welded to the base frame. Preferably, each guide bolt extends parallel to the pivot axis of the support element.

[0017] In a further elaboration of this embodiment, the elliptical hole of at least one, in particular each, support element has a curved shape extending along a circle around the pivot axis. Preferably, the elliptical hole of at least one, in particular each, support element is formed such that the guide bolt reaches one end of the elliptical hole when the functional device is in the release position of the functional device. In other words, one end of the elliptical hole defines the release position of the functional device and limits the movability in this direction. Thus, when the guide bolt reaches this end of the elliptical hole, the functional device is outside the movement range of the sliding frame.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one, in particular each, bearing element comprises two arms, wherein one bearing arm extends from the pivot axis to the functional device and is fixedly connected, in particular screwed, to the functional device, and wherein the other coupling arm extends from the pivot axis in the direction of the sliding frame. In other words, the bearing element can have two arms which have different functions. The first bearing arm has the function of bearing the functional device and connecting it to the base frame. The second arm extending in the direction of the sliding frame effects the coupling between the translational movement of the sliding frame and the pivotal movement of the bearing element and the functional device. The angle between the bearing arm and the coupling arm can be in the range between 70° and 110° and is preferably about 90°.

[0019] The sliding frame can comprise at least one pawl element, in particular in the form of a pawl pin, which is assigned to the corresponding bearing element and is formed such that, when the sliding frame is moved out of the transport position of the sliding frame, the at least one pawl element releases the functional device and the bearing element, allowing the functional device and the bearing element to move into their release position, and such that, when the sliding frame is moved into the transport position of the sliding frame, the at least one pawl element imparts momentum about the pivot axis by pushing against the coupling arm of the bearing element, causing the functional device to enter the working position of the functional device.

[0020] The coupling between the translational movement of the sliding frame and the pivotal movement of the bearing element and the functional device is thus effected by a pawl mechanism. When the sliding frame is moved from the front transport position of the sliding frame into the rear entry position of the sliding frame, the pawl element bearing against the coupling arm of the at least one bearing element releases the coupling arm, allowing the functional device to move out of the movement range of the sliding frame. The release position of the functional device is determined by the guide bolt coming into contact with the end of the oval hole formed in the bearing element. When the sliding frame is moved from the entry position into the front transport position of the sliding frame, the pawl element comes into contact with the corresponding contact surface formed at the coupling arm of the bearing element. The pawl element pushes against the contact surface of the coupling arm of the bearing element, imparting momentum to cause the functional device to enter the working position of the functional device. When the sliding frame has reached the front transport position of the sliding frame, the functional device is held in the working position of the functional device by the pawl element being in contact with the coupling arm of the bearing element.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the application, the functional device protrudes from the base frame and from the pivot axis to the rear side, so that the functional device is moved by gravity into its release position when the pawl element releases the functional element and the corresponding bearing element. Thus, the functional device is tilted downward by gravity when such a tilting movement downward is made possible due to the backward movement of the pawl element. This movement by gravity is advantageous because no further elements are needed to exert momentum on the bearing element and the functional device and the risk of failure is significantly reduced.

[0022] Preferably, the base frame has a C-shaped structure which opens to the rear side. It can be provided that the load carrier comprises exactly two bearing elements, wherein each C-shaped leg of the base frame holds one bearing element in a pivotable manner at a rear end section of the C-shaped leg, wherein the bearing elements are in particular arranged at the inner side of the C-shaped leg. This fixation of the functional device and the bearing elements at two laterally spaced apart C-shaped legs allows a stable construction of the load carrier and a stable and reliable fixation of the functional device at the base frame. It is advantageous that the bearing elements are arranged at the inner side of the C-shaped leg because the risk of damage by external forces is minimal.

[0023] The base frame can for example be formed as a welded structure, wherein several profiles, in particular rectangular profiles, are welded to each other to obtain a C-shaped structure which opens to the rear side. For example, the two C-shaped legs can be connected by one transverse front profile to which the coupling means for attaching to the vehicle are fixed, for example screwed or welded. The C-shaped legs can each comprise a base profile and an upper profile which are aligned to each other and fixedly attached to each other, for example screwed or welded to each other.

[0024] For guiding the sliding frame, in particular at the upper side of the base frame and preferably on each C-shaped leg, the base frame can comprise at least one sliding guide. In particular, the sliding guide can be formed as a groove, in particular as a dovetail groove, into which a corresponding protrusion formed in the sliding frame engages in a form-fit manner. It is also conceivable that the base frame comprises a protrusion which engages in a form-fit manner into a corresponding groove of the sliding frame. In both ways, in particular when both C-shaped legs have one sliding guide, an easy and stable sliding guide of the sliding frame on the base frame is achieved.

[0025] Preferably, a locking device is provided to lock the sliding frame in its transport position relative to the base frame. Such a locking device can comprise at least one locking pin which is held at the sliding frame and which is movable between a locked position, in which the locking pin engages into a corresponding hole formed in the base frame, and an unlocked position, in which the locking pin is disengaged from the corresponding hole formed in the base frame, thereby allowing the sliding frame to move relative to the base frame. By means of such a locking device, it is avoided that the sliding frame is unintentionally moved out of its transport position during use. In other words, the operator has to deliberately unlock the locking pin in order to be able to move the sliding frame out of its front transport position.

[0026] In particular, the locking device can comprise exactly two locking pins, wherein in particular each locking pin is assigned to one C-shaped leg of the base frame. In this way, a very stable locking is achieved. Furthermore, it can be provided that each locking pin is biased into its locked position, in particular by means of a spring element. This provides an important safety feature, because the operator has to overcome the restoring force of such a spring element in order to disengage the locking pin. It is avoided that the sliding frame is unintentionally unlocked.

[0027] The sliding frame can further comprise a stop device which limits the movability relative to the base frame at least in one direction. For example, the sliding frame can have a rear stop surface at the rear end region of the sliding frame which faces forward and which comes into contact with a corresponding counter surface formed at the base frame when the sliding frame reaches its front transport position. In a similar way, the sliding frame can comprise a front surface which points rearward and which comes into contact with a corresponding counter surface of the base frame, thereby limiting the movability towards the rear side and avoiding that the sliding frame unintentionally comes apart from the base frame. The stop surfaces can define the front transport position and / or the rear entry position of the sliding frame relative to the base frame.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the application, the functional device can comprise a license plate holder. In particular, the functional device can comprise a base carrier element which carries the license plate holder and is fixedly attached to the two support elements. Such a license plate holder is usually positioned at the rear end of the load carrier. According to the application, the license plate holder is not fixedly attached to the sliding frame, but to the base frame, thereby allowing a lighter design of the sliding frame. The provision that the base carrier element carries the license plate holder and is in another aspect fixedly attached to the two support elements allows a stable design of the functional device. Preferably, the base carrier element can be provided as a profile, in particular a rectangular profile. The support elements can comprise a recess, in particular a U-shaped recess, at the end of the support arms of the support elements, into which the base carrier element engages. The base carrier element of the functional device can be screwed to the support elements.

[0029] Furthermore, the functional device can comprise two tail light units which are laterally spaced apart from each other. In particular, the tail light units can be laterally moved between an extended use position and a retracted non-use position relative to the license plate holder. In this way, the load carrier can be transported in a very space-saving manner when the tail light units are in the non-use position of the tail light units.

[0030] In order to supply the tail light units with electrical energy, the load carrier can further comprise power supply devices. The power supply devices can comprise a plug connector for attachment to a power supply socket on the vehicle side and a power supply cable for connecting the plug connector and the tail light units. Since the tail light units are held at the base frame instead of the sliding frame, no additional length of cable is required when the sliding frame is moved from the front transport position into the rear entry position. Therefore, the power supply cable can be fixed to the base frame in sections. This fixing ensures that no cable protrudes significantly from the base frame, which reduces the risk of damage.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the application, the load carrier can be formed as a bicycle rack having fastening devices for receiving and securing bicycles arranged on the sliding frame. In particular, profile rails can be provided to receive the wheels of the bicycles. Furthermore, tensioning devices can be provided to secure the wheels of at least one bicycle in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding profile rail.

[0032] The load carrier can comprise a luggage compartment which is fixedly attached to the sliding frame. Such a luggage compartment allows the transport of additional luggage beyond the capacity of the luggage compartment of the vehicle.

[0033] The load carrier can have a modular construction, which means that modules carrying suitcases or bicycles can be releasably attached to the sliding frame and exchanged when desired. In particular, such modules can be supported to the sliding frame, preferably screwed to the sliding frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] Reference is also made to the appended claims in relation to embodiments of the present application and to the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 A load carrier according to the present application is shown in perspective view;

[0036] Figure 2 A load carrier shown in side view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame; Figure 1

[0037] A load carrier shown in side view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame; Figure 3 Figure 1 A load carrier shown in another perspective view;

[0038] Figure 4 A load carrier shown in another perspective view. Figure 1

[0039] A load carrier shown in cross-sectional view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame; Figure 5 Figure 1 A load carrier shown in cross-sectional view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame;

[0040] Figure 6 A load carrier shown in cross-sectional view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame; Figure 5

[0041] A load carrier shown in cross-sectional view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame; Figure 7 Figures 1 to 6 A load carrier shown in cross-sectional view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame;

[0042] Figure 8 A load carrier shown in cross-sectional view, the load carrier being mounted to the rear side of a vehicle, wherein the sliding frame is in the front transport position of the sliding frame; Figures 1 to 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figures 1 to 6 A load carrier 1 according to the present application is shown, the load carrier being for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle. The load carrier has a base structure with a base frame 2 and a coupling device 3 arranged at the front end of the base frame 2 for attachment to the vehicle.

[0044] ​​​​The coupling device 3 is formed such that it can be engaged in a force-fitting manner around the ball portion of a trailer hitch 4 of a vehicle, e.g. Figure 2 The coupling device 3 comprises a rod 5 for manual operation and a housing 6 comprising the coupling mechanism.

[0045] The housing 6 of the coupling device 3 is fixedly connected (in particular welded) at the rear side of the housing to the base frame 2. The base frame 2 has a generally C-shaped structure and comprises a transverse profile 7 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the load carrier 1, which extends from the front end to the rear end of the load carrier 1, and two C-shaped legs 8a, 8b extending to the rear side at the lateral ends of the transverse profile 7. Each C-shaped leg 8a, 8b comprises a base profile 9a, 9b and an upper profile 10a, 10b, which is located above the base profile 9a, 9b and is fixedly attached thereto.

[0046] The load carrier 1 further comprises a sliding frame 11 having two sliding profiles 12a, 12b, one being arranged on each C-shaped leg 8a, 8b of the base frame 2. The sliding frame 11 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the load carrier 1 relative to the base frame 2 in a front transport position (e.g. Figure 1 、 2 , 4 and 5) and the rear entry position (as shown in Figure 3 When the sliding frame 11 is in its rear entry position, the luggage compartment of the vehicle can be entered and the luggage compartment lid can be opened. Therefore, there is no need to disconnect the load carrier 1 from the trailer hitch 4.

[0047] To this end, the upper profiles 10a, 10b of the C-shaped legs 8a, 8b of the base frame 2 have sliding guides on their upper sides to guide the sliding profiles 12a, 12b of the sliding frame 11. Specifically, the sliding guides 13 are formed as grooves 14 formed in the upper profiles 10a, 10b of the C-shaped legs 8a, 8b. The grooves 14 are designed to accommodate dovetail-shaped projections 15 formed at the bottom of the sliding profiles 12a, 12b of the sliding frame 11. In this way, the dovetail projections 15 engage in a form-fitting manner in the corresponding grooves 14, allowing translational movement of the sliding frame 11 in one direction relative to the base frame 2 while preventing any movement transverse to the extent of the grooves 14 and projections 15.

[0048] The sliding frame 11 further has locking means to lock the sliding frame 11 relative to the base frame 2. The locking means comprise two locking pins 16, one of which is arranged at each sliding profile 12a, 12b. The locking pins 16 are movable between a locked position, in which they engage into corresponding holes formed in the base frame 2, and an unlocked position, in which they disengage from the holes. The locking pins 16 are biased into their locked position by spring elements. In this way, unintentional movement of the sliding frame 11 relative to the base frame 2 can be avoided, since the user has to deliberately move the locking pins 16 out of engagement to be able to move the sliding frame 11 relative to the base frame 2.

[0049] The yoke 17 is pivotably held at the front end of the sliding frame 11, in particular at the two sliding profiles 12a, 12b. The yoke 17 is movable between a horizontal position, in which the yoke 17 lies on the sliding profiles 12a, 12b (as shown in Figures 1 to 6

[0050] The load carrier 1 further comprises functional means 18, which are movably held at the rear end of the base frame 2. The functional means 18 comprise a number plate holder 19, which is carried by a base carrier element 20. Furthermore, tail light units 21 are arranged on both sides of the number plate holder 19. The tail light units 21 are laterally movable relative to the number plate holder 19 between an extended, in-use position, in which they are positioned apart from the number plate holder 19, and a retracted, non-use position, in which they are slidably moved towards the number plate holder 19, thereby allowing the load carrier 1 to be transported in a space-saving manner.

[0051] In order to supply the tail light units 21 with electrical energy, the load carrier 1 comprises power supply means, in particular a plug connector for attachment to a power supply socket of a vehicle and a power supply cable 22 for connecting the plug connector and the tail light units 21. As can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The power supply cable 22 is fixed to the base frame 2 in sections.

[0052] ​The functional device 18 is pivotally movable about the pivot axis X between a working position, in which the functional device 18 partially extends into the movement range of the sliding frame 11, and a release position, in which the functional device 18 moves out of the movement range of the sliding frame 11. To this end, the functional device 18 is held at the base frame 2 by two support elements 23, each of which is pivotally connected to a rear end section of one of the upper profiles 10a, 10b on the inner side of the C-shaped leg 8a, 8b. In particular, each of the upper profiles 10a, 10b carries a pivot pin 24 formed as a screw, which extends into a corresponding hole formed in the support element 23.

[0053] Each of the support elements 23 is fixedly connected to the functional device 18. In particular, each of the support elements 23 comprises a support arm 25, which extends from the pivot axis X to the functional device 18. The support arm 25 of the support element 23 has a U-shaped recess 26 at the end of the support arm for receiving a base carrier element 20 of the functional device 18. The base carrier element 20 is screwed to the support arm 25 of the support element 23.

[0054] To limit the pivotal movement of the support element 23 and the functional device 18, each of the support elements 23 has an elliptical hole 27, into which a corresponding guide bolt 28 fixedly attached to the base frame 2 extends. The elliptical hole 27 of the support element 23 has a curved shape extending along a circle about the pivot axis X. The ends of the elliptical hole 27 define the limits of the pivotal movement of the support element 23 and the functional device 18. When the functional device 18 is in the release position of the functional device, the guide bolt 28 reaches one end of the elliptical hole 27.

[0055] The support elements 23 each comprise a coupling arm 29, which extends in the direction of the sliding frame 11 from the pivot axis X. The angle between the support arm 25 and the coupling arm 29 is about 90°. The sliding frame 11 comprises one pawl pin 30 at each of the sliding profiles 12a, 12b, which is assigned to the corresponding support element 23. The pawl pins 30 are formed such that they release the functional device 18 and the support element 23 when the sliding frame 11 moves out of the transport position of the sliding frame, thus allowing the functional device and the support element to move into their release position, as will be described in more detail below. Figure 6When the sliding frame 11 is moved into its transport position, the push pawl pin 30 is pushed around the pivot axis X by the coupling arm 29 abutting against the support element 23, so that the functional device 18 is brought into its working position against the force of gravity, which acts on the support element 23 and the functional device 18 in the direction of the release position of the support element and the functional device. In this way, the functional device 18 and the sliding frame 11 are coupled in such a way that the functional device 18 is automatically moved into its release position when the sliding frame 11 is moved out of the transport position in the direction of the entry position of the sliding frame, and the functional device 18 is automatically moved into its working position when the sliding frame 11 is moved into the front transport position.

[0056] Figure 7 It is shown Figures 1 to 6 The load carrier shown in The load carrier shown in

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 7 As can be seen in

[0058] Figure 8 It is shown Figures 1 to 6 The load carrier shown in

[0059] If the load carrier 1 with the bicycle carrier module 31 or the luggage case 38 is mounted to the rear side of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 2When the sliding frame 11 is moved from the rear entry position to the front transport position, at a certain point the pawl pin 30 comes into contact with the coupling arm 29 of the support element 23 and pushes against the coupling arm 29. Further movement of the sliding frame 11 imparts momentum to the support element 23 and the functional device 18 about the pivot axis X, causing the support element and the functional device to move back into their working position against the momentum due to gravity. When the sliding frame 11 has reached its front transport position, the locking pin 16 engages into the corresponding hole formed in the base frame 2 due to the restoring force of the spring element, so that the sliding frame 11 is locked at the base frame 2 in its transport position.

[0060] When the sliding frame 11 is moved from the rear entry position to the front transport position, at a certain point the pawl pin 30 comes into contact with the coupling arm 29 of the support element 23 and pushes against the coupling arm 29. Further movement of the sliding frame 11 imparts momentum to the support element 23 and the functional device 18 about the pivot axis X, causing the support element and the functional device to move back into their working position against the momentum due to gravity. When the sliding frame 11 has reached its front transport position, the locking pin 16 engages into the corresponding hole formed in the base frame 2 due to the restoring force of the spring element, so that the sliding frame 11 is locked at the base frame 2 in its transport position.

[0061] List of reference signs

[0062] 1 load carrier

[0063] 2 base frame

[0064] 3 coupling device

[0065] 4 trailer coupling

[0066] 5 tensioning lever

[0067] 6 housing

[0068] 7 cross profile

[0069] 8a, 8b C-leg

[0070] 9a, 9b base profile

[0071] 10a, 10b upper profile

[0072] 11 sliding frame

[0073] 12a, 12b sliding profile

[0074] 13 slide guide

[0075] 14 recess

[0076] 15 dovetail projection

[0077] 16 locking pin

[0078] 17 yoke

[0079] 18 functional device

[0080] 19 license plate holder

[0081] 20 base carrier element

[0082] 21 tail light unit

[0083] 22 power cable

[0084] 23 support element

[0085] 24 pivot pin

[0086] 25 support arm

[0087] 26 U-shaped recess

[0088] 27 oblong hole

[0089] 28 guide bolt

[0090] 29 coupling arm

[0091] 30 push pawl pin

[0092] 31 bicycle carrier module

[0093] 32 bicycle

[0094] 33 base support structure

[0095] 34 profile rail

[0096] 35 tensioning device

[0097] 36 yoke

[0098] 37 tie-rod frame holder

[0099] 38 luggage compartment

[0100] 39 bottom element

[0101] 40 luggage compartment cover

[0102] 41 lock

[0103] X pivot axis.

Claims

1. Load carrier (1) for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle, having a base structure with a base frame (2) and a coupling device (3) arranged at the front end of the base frame (2) for attachment to a vehicle, a sliding frame (11) for receiving a load, wherein the sliding frame (11) is movable in a sliding manner with respect to the base frame (2) between a front transport position and a rear access position, and a functional device (18) held at the base frame (2) in a manner movable between a working position, in which the functional device (18) extends at least partially into the movement range of the sliding frame (11), and a release position, in which the functional device (18) moves out of the movement range of the sliding frame (11) and thus allows the sliding frame (11) to be moved into the rear access position of the sliding frame, characterized in that the functional device (18) is held at the base frame (2) in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis (X) between the working position of the functional device and the release position of the functional device, the pivot axis (X) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the load carrier (1). The functional device (18) and the sliding frame (11) are coupled in such a way that the functional device (18) is moved automatically into the release position of the functional device when the sliding frame (11) moves out of the transport position in the direction of the access position of the sliding frame and the functional device (18) is moved automatically into the working position of the functional device when the sliding frame (11) is moved into the front transport position. The load carrier (1) comprises at least one bearing element (23), each bearing element (23) being fixedly connected to the functional device (18) and pivotably connected to the base frame (2). The at least one bearing element (23) has an elliptical hole (27) into which a corresponding guide bolt (28) fixedly attached to the base frame (2) extends, thereby limiting the movability of the bearing element (23) and the functional device (18). The elliptical hole (27) of the at least one bearing element (23) has a curved shape extending along a circle about the pivot axis (X).

2. Load carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The elliptical hole (27) of the at least one bearing element (23) is formed in such a way that the guide bolt (28) reaches one end of the elliptical hole (27) when the functional device (18) is in the release position of the functional device.

3. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that ​ 4. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that ​ 5. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that ​ 6. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that ​ 7. The load carrier assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that The at least one support element (23) comprises two arms, wherein one arm is a support arm (25) which extends from the pivot axis (X) to the functional device (18) and is fixedly connected to the functional device, and wherein the other arm is a coupling arm (29) which extends from the pivot axis (X) in the direction of the sliding frame (11).

8. The load carrier (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The sliding frame (11) comprises at least one push pawl element which is assigned to a corresponding support element (23) and is formed such that, when the sliding frame (11) is moved out of the transport position of the sliding frame, the at least one push pawl element releases the functional device (18) and the support element (23), thereby allowing the functional device and the support element to be moved into their release positions, and such that, when the sliding frame (11) is moved into the transport position of the sliding frame, the at least one push pawl element imparts momentum about the pivot axis (X) by pushing against the coupling arm (29) of the support element (23), thereby causing the functional device (18) to enter the working position of the functional device.

9. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The functional device (18) protrudes from the base frame (2) and from the pivot axis (X) to the rear side, such that, when the push pawl element (30) releases the functional device (18) and the corresponding support element (23), the functional device (18) is moved by gravity into the release position of the functional device.

10. The load carrier chassis (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 -2, characterised in that, The base frame (2) has a C-shaped structure which opens to the rear side.

11. Load carrier (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The load carrier (1) comprises exactly two support elements (23), wherein each C-leg of the C-shaped structure holds one support element (23) in a pivotable manner at a rear end section of the C-leg.

12. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that The base frame comprises at least one sliding guide (13) in order to guide the sliding frame (11).

13. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The sliding guide (13) is formed as a groove (14) which is engaged in a form-fit manner by a corresponding protrusion (15) formed in the sliding frame (11).

14. The load carrier chassis (1 ) according to any one of claims 11 - 13, characterised in that A locking device is provided in order to lock the sliding frame (11) in the transport position of the sliding frame relative to the base frame (2).

15. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The locking device comprises at least one locking pin (16) which is held at the sliding frame (11) and can be moved between a locked position, in which the locking pin (16) engages into a corresponding hole formed in the base frame (2), and an unlocked position, in which the locking pin (16) is disengaged from the corresponding hole formed in the base frame (2), thereby allowing the sliding frame (11) to be moved relative to the base frame (2).

16. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that The locking device comprises exactly two locking pins (16).

17. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that Each locking pin (16) is biased into the locked position of the locking pin.

18. The load carrier chassis (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 -2, characterised in that The functional device (18) comprises a license plate holder (19).

19. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 18, characterized by The functional device (18) comprises a base carrier element (20) which carries the license plate holder (19) and is fixedly attached to two support elements (23).

20. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 18, characterized by The functional device (18) comprises two tail light units (21) which are laterally spaced apart from one another.

21. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 20, characterized by The tail light units (21) are laterally movable relative to the license plate holder (19) between an extended, in-use position and a retracted, non-use position.

22. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 20 in which The load carrier further comprises a power supply device to supply electrical energy to the tail light units (21).

23. Load carrier (1) according to claim 22, characterized in that The power supply device comprises a plug connector for attachment to a power supply socket on the vehicle side and a power supply cable (22) for connecting the plug connector and the tail light units (21).

24. Load carrier (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that, The power supply cable (22) is fixed to the base frame (2) in a piecewise manner.

25. The load carrier chassis (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -2, characterised in that, The load carrier (1) is formed as a bicycle carrier having fastening means for receiving and securing a bicycle arranged on the sliding frame (11).

26. The load carrier assembly (1) according to any of claims 1-2, characterised in that The load carrier (1) comprises a luggage compartment (37) which is fixedly attached to the sliding frame (11).

27. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 1 in which The load carrier is a carrier for bicycles and / or luggage.

28. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The sliding frame is for receiving a bicycle or a luggage compartment.

29. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The functional device (18) is held at a rear end section of the base frame (2).

30. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that The pivot axis (X) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the load carrier (1).

31. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 3 in which The load carrier (1) comprises two support elements (23) each of which is fixedly connected to the functional device (18) and pivotably connected to the base frame (2).

32. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 31, characterized by Each support element (23) has an oval hole (27) into which a corresponding guide bolt (28) fixedly attached to the base frame (2) extends, thereby limiting the movability of the support element (23) and the functional device (18).

33. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 32, characterised in that The oval hole (27) of each support element (23) has a curved shape extending along a circle about the pivot axis (X).

34. The load carrier 1 according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that The oval hole (27) of each support element (23) is formed such that the guide bolt (28) reaches one end of the oval hole (27) when the functional device (18) is in the released position of the functional device.

35. The load carrier 1 according to any one of claims 31-33, characterised in that Each support element (23) comprises two arms, wherein one arm is a support arm (25) which extends from the pivot axis (X) to the functional device (18) and is fixedly connected to the functional device, and wherein the other arm is a coupling arm (29) which extends from the pivot axis (X) in the direction of the sliding frame (11).

36. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 7 in which The support arm (25) is screwed to the functional device.

37. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 8 in which The push pawl element is in the form of a push pawl pin (30).

38. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 11 in which The support elements (23) are arranged at the inner side of the C-shaped leg (8a, 8b).

39. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 12 in which The at least one sliding guide is located at the upper side of the base frame (2).

40. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 39, characterised in that The at least one sliding guide is located on each C-shaped leg.

41. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 13 in which The at least one sliding guide (13) is formed as a dovetail-shaped recess (14).

42. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 16 in which Each of the locking pins is assigned to one C-shaped leg of the base frame (2).

43. The load carrier assembly (1) according to claim 17 in which Each locking pin (16) is biased into its locking position by a spring element.

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