Lift for bicycle or luggage carriers

Abstract

Lift for a bicycle or luggage carrier (2), wherein the lift (1) comprises a frame (3) for mounting on a wall, a guide (6) provided on this frame (3) which extends upwards in a mounted state of the lift (1), a carriage (7) movable in height on this guide (6) to which the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) is attached, and a drive means (24), motorized or manual, for moving the carriage (7), characterized in that the guide (6) is extendable by having a fixed part (8) which is attached to the frame (3) and a movable part (9) which is movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the fixed part (8) of the guide (6) between a position of minimum length (A) and a position of maximum length (B), wherein the fixed part (8) and the movable part (9) of the guide (6) are designed as profiles which are movable relative to each other in relation to each other in a longitudinal direction parallel to each other, and wherein the slide (7) is in cross-section u-shaped with legs (19) with which the slide (7) can be moved in height between a top and a bottom position on the movable part (9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lift for a bicycle or luggage carrier according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a bicycle or luggage carrier for mounting on a vehicle, such as a motorhome, caravan or the like.

[0003] Document US 6,769,858 B1 describes a loading device for an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). The ATV loading device has a loading platform, a telescopic mast assembly, and a mounting frame. The telescopic mast assembly has a first pair of tubular legs, a second pair of tubular legs that can slide telescopically within the first pair, and a third pair of tubular legs that can engage and slide telescopically within the tubular legs of the second pair. The tubular legs of the third pair are connected to the loading platform. An electric winch with a steel cable is connected to the loading platform to raise or lower it.

[0004] Most bicycle carriers are mounted in a fixed position on the vehicle. Loading and unloading the bicycles requires lifting them onto and off the carrier, which can sometimes be difficult.

[0005] Bicycle tourism is currently experiencing a significant growth, especially among retirees and pensioners, who often purchase electric bicycles. However, these bicycles are relatively heavy, which makes lifting them for loading and unloading onto a fixed bicycle rack particularly difficult, especially for older people who nowadays appreciate more comfort, and especially if the bicycle rack is mounted relatively high to avoid being in the way.

[0006] There are also bicycle carriers already known that are mounted on a lift, which is mounted on the rear wall of a motorhome or the like, and which allows the bicycle carrier to be lowered to the ground for loading and unloading the bicycles and raised again to a position away from the ground for driving.

[0007] One such known lift is described, for example, in document DE 20 2012 009 377 U1 and consists of a frame for mounting on a wall, a guide provided on this frame which, when the lift is mounted, extends essentially in an upward direction, a carriage which can be moved vertically on this guide, to which the bicycle or luggage carrier is attached, and means for moving the carriage.

[0008] More precisely, this lift is described as an electric bike lift, consisting of a mobile lifting platform and a stationary double-tube frame attached to a vehicle. The lifting platform slides up and down the vertical tubes of the double-tube frame, driven by a spindle shaft. The lifting platform is mounted on Teflon bushings, allowing it to slide along the vertical tubes of the stationary double frame. A bike rack is attached to the lifting platform and touches the ground when the platform is lowered.

[0009] Document EP 2 374 664 A1 describes a rack for transporting bicycles. The rack has a stationary, fixed frame and a movable frame. The stationary frame has guide rods extending vertically and is fixed to a caravan by means of bolts. The movable frame has two bars and a cross member. A bicycle carrier is attached to the movable frame. The movable frame is mounted on the guide rods using brackets and pairs of rollers, allowing it to move vertically. A winch and cable system is provided, connected to the cross member of the movable frame for raising or lowering the frame.

[0010] EP 0 755 826 A1 describes a lowering bicycle rack for transporting bicycles on a vehicle. A fixed frame attached to the vehicle has vertical bars. A movable frame with two outer vertical bars is also provided. A bicycle carrier is attached to the movable frame. The movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame so that it can move linearly and vertically using sliding blocks. A crank with a rod mechanism is provided, which is connected to the movable frame for raising or lowering it.

[0011] One disadvantage of the well-known bicycle carriers is that the track of the bicycle carrier is limited in height.

[0012] This means that the bicycle carrier must be mounted relatively low on the vehicle in order to be able to lower the bicycle carrier to the ground.

[0013] This also implies that the bicycles hang relatively low in the highest position of the lift, which is not conducive to safety while riding and increases the potential risk of theft.

[0014] Such a lift sometimes also presents an obstacle to access to the luggage or engine compartment, or leads to an obstruction of the view through a window or an obstruction of the view of the license plate and signaling lights, thus necessitating additional provisions for auxiliary lights and an additional license plate, which are then mounted on the bicycle carrier.

[0015] Furthermore, due to the presence of a bumper, window, door, spare wheel or the like, it is not always possible to mount such a bicycle carrier in the most suitable location.

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide a lift for a bicycle or luggage carrier which avoids one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0017] This problem is solved by the lift for a bicycle or luggage carrier according to claim 1 of the invention. Accordingly, the lift of the invention has a frame for mounting on a wall, a guide provided on this frame which extends upwards in a mounted state of the lift, a carriage movable in height on this guide to which the bicycle or luggage carrier is attached, and a drive means, motorized or manual, for moving the carriage.The lift of the invention is characterized in that the guide is extendable, and that it has a fixed part attached to the frame and a movable part which, relative to the fixed part of the guide, is longitudinally movable between a position of minimum length and a position of maximum length, wherein the fixed part and the movable part of the guide are designed as profiles which are movable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction parallel to each other. The carriage is furthermore U-shaped in cross-section with legs by which the carriage is displaceable vertically between a top and a bottom position on the movable part.

[0018] In the lift according to the invention for a bicycle or luggage carrier, the guide on which the carriage can be moved is extendable by having a fixed part which is attached to the frame and a movable part which is movable in height with respect to the fixed part of the guide between a position of minimum length and a position of maximum length, wherein the aforementioned carriage is movable in height between a top and a bottom position on the movable part of the guide.

[0019] In this way, the invention significantly increases the area or path of the lift, allowing the lift to be mounted higher than with known bicycle carriers, or at least providing greater freedom in choosing the height at which the bicycle carrier can be mounted on the motorhome, without necessarily being limited in this choice by the presence of windows, doors, bumpers, license plates and the like, while still allowing the bicycle carrier to be easily lowered to the ground.

[0020] This also offers the advantage that the bicycles or luggage can be raised higher into a transport or storage position, which is safer during the journey and reduces the risk of theft.

[0021] Preferably, the fixed part and the movable part of the guide are movable relative to each other in such a way that the length of the guide can be extended by at least 50%, preferably at least 60% and preferably by 70% with respect to its minimum length.

[0022] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the fixed part and the movable part of the guide have approximately the same length and both parts can be completely pushed into one another, so that the minimum length of the guide is approximately equal to the length of both parts, which allows the lift to be pushed into one another in a compact manner.

[0023] Preferably, the sled is movable over the entire or almost the entire length of the movable part of the guide, which further increases the path of the bicycle carrier.

[0024] According to a preferred feature, the lift is provided with a spring or gas spring between the fixed part of the guide and the carriage, which compensates to some extent for the weight of the bicycle carrier and the bicycles on it, thus requiring less force and power to move the lift up and down.

[0025] The drive of the carriage can be easily implemented in the form of a cable wound onto a shaft above the fixed part of the guide and attached to the carriage, the shaft being able to be twisted to unwind or wind up the cable to lower the bicycle or luggage carrier to the ground or to raise it into a transport or storage position.

[0026] Preferably, the lift is equipped with a cable break protection device that automatically blocks the carriage in its downward movement if the aforementioned cable should break, in order to prevent the bicycle carrier from falling in the event of a cable break, with the corresponding consequences for this bicycle carrier, the bicycles and following traffic if parts were to come loose or break off.

[0027] According to a further feature of the invention, the bicycle or luggage carrier is height-adjustable in relation to the sled, which allows even more freedom in terms of mounting height of the lift.

[0028] Even greater freedom of choice regarding the mounting locations of the lift can be achieved if the frame for mounting the lift to the vehicle is length-adjustable.

[0029] With the intention of better clarifying the features of the invention, some preferred embodiments of a lift for a bicycle or luggage carrier according to the invention are described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 schematically and in perspective depicts a lift with bicycle carrier according to the invention; Fig. 2 a cut along line II-II in Fig. 1 represents; Fig. 3 in side view the bicycle carrier from Fig. 1 shows the vehicle in its mounted state on the rear of a motorhome; Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 the lift from Fig. 2 show in different positions and mounting options; Fig. 8 on a larger scale the in Fig. 2 represents the part indicated by frame F8; Fig. 9 the part of Fig. 8 represents in a different position; Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 Illustrate the movement of a lift according to the invention in another embodiment; Fig. 12 represents a variant of a lift according to the invention; and Fig. 13 a cut along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12 shows.

[0030] The in Fig. Lift 1 shown is equipped with a bicycle carrier 2 as an example, but can alternatively also be equipped with a loading platform or box for luggage.

[0031] The lift 1 is equipped with a frame 3 for mounting on a motorhome 4 or the like, as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0032] In this case, this frame 3 is formed by two brackets 5, with on each bracket 5 an essentially vertically erected guide 6 for a slide 7, which is height-adjustable on the guide 6 and to which the bicycle carrier 3 is attached.

[0033] Each guide 6 is composed of two parallel and nearly equal-length parts, i.e., a fixed part 8 which is attached to the frame 3, and a movable part 9 which is movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the fixed part 8 in order to make the guide longer and shorter between a situation of minimum length A in which the two parts 8 and 9 are fully nested, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shown, and a situation of maximum length B, where the two parts 8 and 9 are maximally separated, as in Fig. 4 shown.

[0034] In the example shown, the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Both parts 8 and 9 are designed as profiles which are provided with a groove 12 and 13 respectively on the mutually facing walls 10 and 11, and both parts 8 and 9 are connected to each other by means of one or more sliding pieces 14 with an I-shaped cross-section, as in Fig. 2 shown, wherein the sliding pieces 14 extend with their body 15 fittingly through the aforementioned grooves 12 and 13 and are slidably held with their flanges 16 behind at least one of the aforementioned walls 10 or 11 of the profiles.

[0035] Preferably, the maximum length B of the guide 6 is at least 50% greater than its minimum length A.

[0036] The maximum length B of the guide 6 is limited by a stop 17 on the fixed part 8, which can interact with a stop 18 on the movable part 9, so that both parts still overlap each other by a distance C at a maximum length B.

[0037] The slide 7 is movably mounted on the movable part 9 of the guide 6, wherein the slide 7, viewed in cross-section, is essentially U-shaped, with two legs 19, whereby the slide 7 is mounted above the movable part 9 and wherein the legs 19 are provided on the inside with wheels or sliding blocks 20 which are fitted into grooves 21 on the side edges of the movable part 9 of the guide 6.

[0038] The carriage 7 is movable over the full or almost full length of the movable part 9 between a top position, as shown in Fig. 3 shown, and a lowest position, as in Fig. 5 shown.

[0039] The maximum path of the carriage 7 on the movable part 9 is limited by a stop 22 on the movable part 9 for the uppermost position of the carriage 7 and by a stop 23 for the lowermost position of the carriage 7.

[0040] Lift 1 is further equipped with a drive for sled 7.

[0041] In the case of the figures, the drive is formed by a cable 25 which is wound on a shaft 26 which is attached to the frame 3 above the stationary part 8 and which is equipped with a motor or winding mechanism (not shown) for winding and unwinding the cable 25.

[0042] The cable 25 is attached at one end to the shaft 26 and at the other end to the carriage 7.

[0043] The use of sled 1 is very simple and is explained using the Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 illustrates.

[0044] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the situation in which the bicycle carrier 2 is in its highest position, with the cable coiled to its maximum extent.

[0045] In this situation, the movable part 9 rests on the sled with its stop 22, and the cable 25 carries the combined weight of the movable part 9 and the sled 7 with the bicycle carrier 2 and any bicycles on it.

[0046] If, starting from the situation of Fig. 3, when the cable 25 is unwound, the carriage 7 with the bicycle carrier 2, together with the movable part 9, lowers downwards along the fixed part 8 of the guide 6 until the movable part 9 reaches its lowest position when the stops 17 and 18 come into contact with each other at a maximum length B of the guide, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0047] If the cable 25 is unwound further, the movable part 9 remains in its lowest position and the carriage 7 continues to descend along the movable part 9 until the carriage 7 comes into contact with the stop 23 and / or until the bicycle carrier 2 reaches the ground, as shown in Fig. 5 shown.

[0048] At this moment, bicycles can be placed on the bicycle carrier 2 with little effort, and the bicycle carrier with the bicycles loaded on it can be pulled back up by rewinding the cable 25.

[0049] In this case, the carriage 7 first moves upwards along the movable part 9 until it reaches the stop 22, as shown in Fig. 4, and is then pulled further upwards together with the movable part 9 until it reaches a situation such as that of Fig. 3, in which the bicycles are stored at a relatively safe height so that they can be driven off.

[0050] To somewhat compensate for the weight of the bicycle carrier and the bicycles, in order to make it easier to pull the bicycle carrier up, a spring or gas spring (not shown) can be installed between the fixed part 8 and the slide 7.

[0051] If necessary, the bicycle carrier 2 can be provided with a frame 27, whereby it is attached below the level of the sled 7 in such a way that the bicycle carrier 2 is height-adjustable in relation to the sled 7.

[0052] This will be demonstrated using Fig. Figure 6 illustrates where the bicycle carrier 2 is in its highest position relative to the sled 7, in comparison to Fig. 3 , wherein the bicycle carrier 2 is in its lowest position in relation to the sled 7.

[0053] This allows the height of the bicycle carrier 2 to be adjusted depending on the height at which the frame 3 is mounted on the motorhome 4, so that when the cable 25 is fully unwound, the bicycle carrier can be positioned just above or on the ground, as shown in Fig. 7 shown, so that the cable 7 never sags, which could otherwise lead to the cable 25 becoming tangled when wound up.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 6 also illustrates that the brackets 5 of the frame 3, in relation to the situation of Fig. 3 are extendable, so that, for example, the uppermost attachment point of the frame 3 can be chosen higher depending on the position of a window or the like.

[0055] If necessary, a cable break fuse 28 can also be provided, which, as in Fig. 8, for example, is formed by a comb 29, which is rotatably attached to the slide 7 and to which the cable 25 is attached. The comb 29 is attracted counterclockwise against the slide 7 by the tensile force on the cable 25 and, against the action of a spring (not shown in the figures), which tends to rotate the comb clockwise, in the position of Fig. Held at 8.

[0056] If the cable breaks, as in the Fig. 9 shown, then the spring causes the comb 29 to rotate into the position of Fig. 9, wherein the comb 29 engages in a hole 30 of a hole pattern, which hole pattern is provided for this purpose in the stationary part 8 and / or movable part 9. This prevents the carriage 7 from falling.

[0057] In the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is a variant of a lift 1 according to the invention, wherein in this case, when unwinding the cable 25 from a position such as that of Fig. 3, the movable part 9 of the guide 6 is only blocked in the downward movement in relation to the stationary part 8 by means of a first locking mechanism 31 until the carriage 7 reaches its lowest position on the movable part 9, as shown in Fig. 10 shows that this unlocks the first locking mechanism 31 and allows the movable part 9 to be lowered freely relative to the fixed part 8.

[0058] A second locking mechanism 32 ensures that in this situation, with the carriage 7 in its lowest position, the movable part 9 is blocked in its downward movement with respect to the carriage 7, so that the movable part 9 does not suddenly fall downwards when the first locking mechanism 31 is unlocked and, so to speak, rest on the carriage 7, which is held in place at that moment by the cable 25.

[0059] As the cable 25 continues to unwind, the carriage 7, together with the movable part 9 resting on it, is lowered until the bicycle carrier 2 is on the ground, as shown in Fig. 11 shown.

[0060] The extendability of the guide 6 can be achieved in many ways. An alternative embodiment of such a guide 6 with a fixed part 8 and a movable part 9 with a slide 7 attached to it is described in the Fig. 12 and Fig.13 shown, in which case the guidance between the parts is supported by gear 33.

[0061] It is clear that the application of a lift 1 with a support 2 according to the invention is not limited to vehicles, but that it can also be mounted, for example, on a wall in the garage or the like, in order to store bicycles or other objects out of the way at a height, whereby loading and unloading can take place in a simple way by lowering the support 2 to the ground or to a short distance above it.

[0062] It is clear that a separate frame 3 is not necessary for mounting the lift 1 and that the frame 3 can also be integrated into or formed by the fixed part 8 of the guide 6.

Claims

[1] Lift for a bicycle or luggage carrier (2), wherein the lift (1) comprises a frame (3) for mounting on a wall, a guide (6) provided on this frame (3) which extends upwards in a mounted state of the lift (1), a carriage (7) movable in height on this guide (6) to which the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) is attached, and a drive means (24), motorized or manual, for moving the carriage (7), characterized by , that the guide (6) is extendable by having a fixed part (8) which is attached to the frame (3) and a movable part (9) which is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the fixed part (8) of the guide (6) between a position of minimum length (A) and a position of maximum length (B) in height, wherein the fixed part (8) and the movable part (9) of the guide (6) are designed as profiles which are movable relative to each other in relation to each other in a longitudinal direction parallel to each other, and wherein the slide (7) is in cross-section u-shaped with legs (19) with which the slide (7) can be moved in height between a top and a bottom position on the movable part (9). [2] Lift according to claim 1, characterized by , that the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) is attached to the sled (7) by means of a frame (27) at a height below the level of the sled (7). [3] Lift according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by , that the movable part (9) and the slide (7) is movable relative to the fixed part (8) in such a way that the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) can be moved upwards to the level of the fixed part (8). [4] Lift according to claim 3, characterized by, that the frame (27) of the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) is height-adjustable in relation to the sled (7). [5] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the slide (7) is designed as a profile which is displaceable over the movable part (9) of the guide (6) in the longitudinal direction of the movable part (9). [6] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the carriage (7) is movable over the entire or almost the entire length of the movable part (9) of the guide (6). [7] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixed part (8) of the guide (6) is provided with a stop (17) and that the movable part (9) is provided with a cooperating stop (18) with which the movable part (9) can rest on the fixed part (8) in the lowest position of the movable part (9). [8] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the movable part (9) of the guide (6) is provided with a stop (22) at an upper end of the movable part (9) with which the movable part (9) can rest on the carriage (7). [9] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the movable part (9) of the guide (6) is provided with a stop (23) on which the carriage (7) can rest in a lowest position of the carriage (7). [10] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is provided with a spring or gas spring between the fixed part (8) of the guide (6) and the slide (7). [11] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that two parallel guides (6) are present, each with a slide (7) on which the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) is attached. [12] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that it is a lift (1) intended for attachment to a motor home (4), caravan or the like. [13] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive (24) is formed by a cable (25) which is wound onto a shaft (26) above the level of the fixed part (8) of the guide (6), wherein the cable (25) is attached to the carriage (7) and wherein the shaft (26) is rotatable in order to wind or unwind the cable (25) in order to lower the bicycle or luggage carrier (2) or to pull it up into a transport or storage position. [14] Lift according to claim 13, characterized by , that it is equipped with a cable break protection device (28) which automatically blocks the carriage (7) in downward movement if the cable (25) breaks. [15] Lift according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the frame (3) for mounting the lift (1) on a wall is length-adjustable.

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