Load carrier

Abstract

Load carrier for loading a load, which has a fastening device (13) for attachment to a coupling arm (14) of a trailer coupling (15) of the motor vehicle (12) and can be attached to a rear area (11) of a motor vehicle (12), in particular a passenger car, and which, in the mounted state, projects rearward in front of the rear area (11) of the motor vehicle (12), and which is adjustable between a working position (A) and a storage position (S), wherein in the working position (A) at least one extension component (21) movably arranged on or attachable to a base support (20) projects from the base support (20), and wherein the at least one extension component (21) is moved towards the base support (20) in the storage position (S), so that the load carrier occupies a smaller area compared to the working position (A), characterized in thatthat the load carrier (10) for space-saving storage in a storage space (18) of the motor vehicle, namely a spare wheel well (17), comprises at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17), which has an outer contour (16; 41-43) located on the outside in the storage position (S), corresponding with an inner contour (44) of the vehicle-side spare wheel well (17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a load carrier for loading a load according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a motor vehicle equipped with such a load carrier.

[0002] A load carrier of this type is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 023 495 A1 or DE 101 44 550 A1.

[0003] The load carrier from DE 10 2007 023 495 A1 has pivoting support troughs that can be extended as extension components for a base carrier. A bicycle, for example, can be placed on the pivoted support troughs. When the support troughs are pivoted inward, toward the base carrier, the base carrier requires significantly less installation space and can, for example, be pushed into a storage compartment at the rear of the vehicle.

[0004] The storage space is geometrically adapted to the volume of the load carrier so that it fits into the storage space.

[0005] While the well-known cargo carrier is compact, allowing for limited storage space, adapting it to the vehicle's body structure is complex, so such solutions are rarely used.

[0006] Another load carrier which is equipped in the manner of a drawer that can be pulled out from the rear of a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2004 021 709 A1.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a load carrier which is preferably removable from the motor vehicle and which can be accommodated in a storage space of the motor vehicle in a space-saving manner.

[0008] To achieve this object, a load carrier according to the technical teaching of claim 1 and a motor vehicle with such a load carrier according to claim 16 are provided. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] The inventive concept provides that the load carrier is not adapted to the storage space, but rather the load carrier is adapted to the storage space. According to the invention, the contours of the load carrier are designed such that the load carrier can be accommodated even in confined spaces in the motor vehicle. For example, there is often only a spare wheel well, a side compartment of a luggage compartment, a storage space beneath a seat, or the like. It is generally not sufficient to simply fold a load carrier or remove components in order to accommodate the load carrier in such confined storage spaces. This is where the invention comes in, providing a carrier concept optimally adapted to the space available in the motor vehicle.

[0010] According to the invention, individual sections or even the entire carrier can be designed to fit the storage space. Thus, it is preferably provided that essentially the entire outer contour of the load carrier, in the stowed position, is adapted to the vehicle-side storage space. However, only parts of the outer contour, for example, outer contour components of the extension components, the base carrier, and the like, can be adapted to the inner contours of the storage space.

[0011] According to the invention, the storage space for the load carrier is a spare wheel well. The storage space for the load carrier is advantageously located away from the main storage space intended for stowing luggage. This way, the main storage volume of a luggage compartment, for example, remains available, while the load carrier can be stowed in an otherwise generally unused secondary storage space.

[0012] Preferably, the outer contour of the at least one component, which is located on the outside in the stowed position, is rounded or rounded at least in sections. The round design is preferably suitable for accommodating the load carrier in a spare wheel well. For accommodation in the spare wheel well, it is advantageous if essentially the entire outer contour of the load carrier is rounded or rounded. For example, the projected surface of the load carrier can be rounded or completely round. However, the load carrier can also be three-dimensionally rounded, which is advantageous for spare wheel wells.

[0013] The outer contour can also be polygonal to match the inner contour of the storage space. This is advantageous if the load carrier makes the most optimal use of the storage space.

[0014] The at least one extension component comprises, for example, a support frame part for enlarging the loading area of ​​the base carrier. For example, the support frame part is a support channel for accommodating a wheel of a two-wheeler, in particular a bicycle. The load carrier preferably has a pair of support channels that are essentially aligned with one another in the working position and lie on top of one another in the stowed position. This makes the load carrier particularly space-saving in the stowed position.

[0015] The at least one component adapted to the storage space includes, for example, the at least one extension component. However, the base support itself is also preferably adapted to the storage space and forms a component adapted to the storage space.

[0016] Furthermore, it is possible for the at least one component adapted to the storage space to comprise a carrying frame for supporting the load. The carrying frame is stationary or, expediently, movably mounted on the base support. When attached to the rear of the motor vehicle, the carrying frame with the load placed thereon can be moved away from the rear of the motor vehicle, for example, pivoted or pushed away, so that the operator has easier access to a luggage compartment of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, with the carrying frame moved away, a tailgate of the motor vehicle can be pivoted out, for example, whereas this would not be possible with the carrying frame moved towards the motor vehicle.

[0017] The base carrier expediently has an outer contour adapted to the storage space on its side facing the motor vehicle in the working position and / or on its side facing away from the motor vehicle in the working position. For example, the base carrier comprises a support frame or a rack in which a frame component or rack component has a round or polygonal contour.

[0018] The at least one component adapted to the storage space can also include a light or a license plate holder. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the component to include a holder, e.g., a carrier bar, for a load that can be attached to the load carrier. Bicycles, for example, can be attached to the carrier bar.

[0019] The load carrier is expediently detachable from the motor vehicle for storage in the vehicle's storage space, e.g., the luggage compartment. For example, the load carrier has a fastening device for attachment to a coupling arm of a trailer coupling of the motor vehicle. However, it is also possible for the load carrier to be mounted, for example, on a sliding and / or pivoting bearing, so that it can be moved into a rear storage space of the vehicle.

[0020] A bearing for pivoting or sliding mounting of at least one extension component is expediently provided on the load carrier.

[0021] Finally, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle having the load carrier according to the invention.

[0022] An example of implementation is explained below using the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a load carrier according to the invention in the stowed position, and Fig. 2 the carrier in accordance with Fig. 1 in working position, in which extension components protrude from a base support.

[0023] A load carrier 10 for loading a load, for example bicycles (not shown), can be fastened to a rear area 11 of a motor vehicle 12. The load carrier 10 has a schematically illustrated fastening device 13 for fastening to a coupling arm 14 of a trailer coupling 15 of the motor vehicle 12. When the load carrier 10 is fastened to the trailer coupling 15, it projects rearward in front of the rear area 11, so that a load can be placed on the load carrier 10. The load carrier represents, in its Fig. 2, a relatively large support surface is available for depositing the load. In a stowed position S, however ( Fig. 1) the load carrier 10 is extremely compact and, as can be seen from the drawing, requires a smaller area.

[0024] Not only is the surface area of ​​the load carrier 10 optimally designed for storage in the motor vehicle 12, but also an outer contour 16 of the load carrier when it is in its stowed position S. The outer contour 16 is essentially round, so that it can be conveniently accommodated in a spare wheel well 17, which forms a vehicle-side storage space 18. The spare wheel well 17 is provided in a luggage compartment 19 of the motor vehicle 12 and is schematically indicated in the drawing.

[0025] The load carrier 10 comprises a base support 20, on which several extension components 21 are pivotably arranged. The extension components 21 can be pivoted towards the base support 20, so that the load carrier 10 in its stowed position Fig. 1 shown small storage volume is required.

[0026] The extension components 21 include pivotable support frame parts 22 for enlarging a loading area 23 of the base support 20, lights 24, and a support bracket 26 forming a holder 25 for securing the load (not shown). The extension components 21 can be moved into or toward the base support 20, so that its storage volume is reduced in the stowed position S.

[0027] For example, the support bracket 26 for the storage position S can be removed from plug-in receptacles 27 and placed in an interior space 28 of the base support 20. The lights 24 are pivotally mounted on a support frame part 29, which in turn is pivotally mounted on the base support 20. The support frame 29 can be pivoted away from the base support 20 in the direction of an arrow 30, so that it, for example, clears the pivoting area of ​​a tailgate (not shown) of the motor vehicle 12.

[0028] The base support 20 and the support frame 29 are each U-shaped, with the two U-parts arranged in opposite directions to each other. A base leg 31 of the base support 20 lies opposite a base leg 32 of the support frame 29. Side legs 33 of the support frame 29 rest on side legs 34 of the base support 20 when the support frame 29 is pivoted towards the base support 20, which corresponds to a driving position F of the load carrier 10, which in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0029] The lights 24 are pivotally mounted on opposite side end areas of the base leg 32 by means of pivot bearings 35. For the storage position S, the two lights 24 can be folded towards the side legs 33, see Fig. 1.

[0030] The support frame part 22 comprises support channels 37, which are pivotally mounted on the support frame 29. For this purpose, pivot bearings 36 are provided on the side legs 33. The support channels 37 are arranged in pairs and form pairs of support channels 38, wherein in the working position, two support channels 37 project laterally from the support frame 29 in alignment with one another. Preferably, the support channels 37 project diagonally downwards, which ensures a secure hold of a bicycle. When the support channels 37 are folded inwards ( Fig. 1), they essentially lie flat on top of each other and thus form a supporting structure for placing a load.

[0031] Not only the load carrier 10 as a whole, but also a large number of its components 40 have outer contours 41, 42, 43 that are adapted to the round inner contour 44 of the storage space 18. For example, the lamp housings 45 of the lamps 24 have side walls 46 with a round outer contour 41, correlating with the round inner contour 44. In the stowed position S, the round side walls 46 merge almost seamlessly into the side surfaces 47 and 48 of the two base legs 31 and 32, which are expediently rounded with the same radius, so that overall a continuous curve is achieved between the side walls 46 of the inwardly folded lamps 24 and the side surfaces 47, 48 in the stowed position S.

[0032] In principle, it would also be possible for the front surfaces 49 of the luminaire housings 45 to be round or at least rounded to match the round inner contour 45. However, this is not necessary in this case to match the round inner contour 44.

[0033] The load carrier 10 can also be accommodated in the spare wheel well 17 in its present form.

[0034] Furthermore, it is optional for the rear side surface 48 to be rounded. Instead of the rounded portion, a straight support surface 50 could be provided, which is more suitable for attaching a license plate. However, it is also conceivable for a separate license plate holder (not shown) to be attached to the round side surface 48, providing a straight, flat mounting surface for a license plate of the motor vehicle 12.

[0035] It should be emphasized again that the present embodiment represents only one possibility for adapting a load carrier according to the invention to a vehicle-mounted storage space. If the storage space is not round, but rather has, for example, bulges, polygonal inner contours, or the like, the inventive approach provides for the load carrier to optimally utilize this storage space and have outer contours that are located on the outside in the stowed position, thus filling the storage volume.

[0036] Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment according to the invention also encompasses situations where the storage space is not completely filled, but still leaves free spaces. For example, free spaces 51 are provided next to the load carriers 10 inserted into the storage space 18. For example, the coupling arm 14 could be placed in one of the free spaces 51 if it has been removed from the motor vehicle 12.

Claims

[1] A load carrier for loading a load, which has a fastening device (13) for fastening to a coupling arm (14) of a trailer coupling (15) of the motor vehicle (12) and is fastenable to a rear area (11) of a motor vehicle (12), in particular a passenger car, and in the mounted state projects rearward in front of the rear area (11) of the motor vehicle (12), and which is adjustable between a working position (A) and a stowed position (S), wherein in the working position (A) at least one extension component (21) movably arranged on a base support (20) or fastenable to the base support (20) protrudes from the base support (20), and wherein the at least one extension component (21) is moved towards the base support (20) in the stowed position (S), so that the load carrier occupies a smaller area than in the working position (A), characterized byin that the load carrier (10) for space-saving accommodation in a storage space (18) of the motor vehicle, namely a spare wheel well (17), comprises at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17), which has an outer contour (16; 41-43) lying on the outside in the stowed position (S) and correlating with an inner contour (44) of the vehicle-side spare wheel well (17). [2] Load carrier according to claim 1, characterized by that the entire outer contour (16) of the load carrier (10) in the stowed position (S) is adapted to the vehicle-side spare wheel well (17). [3] Load carrier according to claim 2, characterized by that the entire outer contour (16) of the load carrier (10) is round in the stowed position (S). [4] Load carrier according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the outer contour (16; 41-43) of the at least one component (40) lying on the outside in the stowed position (S) is rounded or round at least in sections. [5] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one extension component (21) comprises a support frame part (22) for enlarging a loading area (23) of the base carrier (20). [6] Load carrier according to claim 5, characterized by that the support frame part (22) comprises a support groove (37) for receiving a wheel of a two-wheeler. [7] Load carrier according to claim 6, characterized by that it has at least one pair of support channels (38) with support channels (37) which are aligned with one another in the working position (A) and lie on top of one another in the storage position (S). [8] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) comprises at least one extension component (21). [9] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) comprises the base support (20). [10] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) comprises a support frame (29) for placing the load, which is movably mounted on the base support (20) and, when fastened to the rear region (11) of the motor vehicle (12) with the load placed thereon, is movable away from the rear region (11) for easier access to a luggage compartment (19) of the motor vehicle (12). [11] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base support (20) and / or the support frame (29) has an outer contour (16; 41-43) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) on its side (47) opposite the motor vehicle (12) in the working position (A) and / or on its side (48) facing away from the motor vehicle (12) in the working position (A). [12] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) comprises a lamp (24). [13] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) comprises a license plate holder. [14] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one component (40) adapted to the spare wheel well (17) comprises a holder (25), in particular a support bracket (26), for a load that can be fastened to the load carrier (10). [15] Load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a bearing (35, 36) for pivotably and / or slidably supporting the at least one extension component (21) and / or a plug-in receptacle (27) for holding the at least one extension component (21) is arranged on the base support (20). [16] Motor vehicle (12), in particular a passenger car, with a load carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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