Folding device for vehicle rear carrier and vehicle rear carrier with such a folding device

Abstract

Folding device for folding up and down a vehicle rear carrier mounted on a trailer coupling of a vehicle, comprising a first hinge part (10) and a second hinge part (20) which can be pivoted relative to one another by means of a joint axis (30), wherein the hinge parts (10, 20) are each U-shaped and each have two legs (11, 12, 21, 22) which are connected to one another by a mounting section (13, 23) and receive the joint axis (30), wherein - the mounting sections (13, 23) of the two hinge parts (10, 20) are aligned parallel to each other in a basic position, - the legs (11, 12, 21, 22) are angled at least in sections such that the joint axis (30) is arranged parallel and offset above and in the same direction at a distance from the mounting sections (13, 23) such that the joint axis (30) is not arranged between the mounting sections (13, 23), and - the articulated axis (30) is arranged essentially centrally above the trailer coupling when the vehicle rear carrier is mounted.

Description

The invention relates to a folding device for rear vehicle beams. The invention further relates to a vehicle rear support with such a folding device.In practice, vehicle rear supports are known which can be connected to a trailer coupling of a vehicle. Such rear vehicle carriers can be used, for example, as bicycle carriers or as wild carriers. The rear vehicle carriers usually project far beyond the rear of a vehicle. When parking the associated vehicle, for example, in a garage, the rear carrier of the vehicle occupies a large amount of space, so that the vehicle as a whole may not fit into the available parking space, for example the garage. The rear vehicle carrier must therefore be removed before the parking process, which is particularly complicated. Wild-type carriers are also often damaged during off-road journeys, since they increase the total vehicle length, which is not visible from the driver's seat of the vehicle, however. When moving backwards in the forest, collisions therefore often occur.GB 2 197 273 A shows a folding device for vehicle rear supports, having a first hinge part and a second hinge part, which can be pivoted relative to one another by means of a hinge axis, wherein the hinge parts are each U-shaped and each have two limbs, which are connected to one another by a mounting section and receive the hinge axis. In addition, similar to US 2020 / 0023787 A1, US 2019 / 0351833 A1, US 5 092 503 A and WO 2013 / 022671 A1, for example, folding devices are also known from practice, which allow the rear vehicle carrier to be folded away, so that the rear vehicle carrier occupies less space in the mounted state. In particular, a vehicle rear support can thus be folded away upwards in order to move the vehicle into the available parking space. However, the disadvantage of the previously known folding devices is that they project far beyond the trailer coupling. Therefore, high lever forces act on the folding device, which as a result reduces the loading available on the rear carrier. In addition, the folding devices from the prior art protruding far beyond the trailer coupling continue to occupy a relatively large space even in the folded-up state of the vehicle rear end support.It is therefore an object of the invention to specify a folding device for rear vehicle carriers which has the effect that a vehicle with a rear vehicle carrier in a folded-up position of the rear vehicle carrier occupies a parking space which is as small as possible, and which enables a greater loading on the rear vehicle carrier. It is a further object of the invention to specify a vehicle rear support with such a folding device.According to the invention, this object is achieved with respect to the folding device by the subject matter of claim 1 and with respect to the vehicle rear support by the subject matter of claim 17.The invention is thus based on the idea of specifying a folding device for a vehicle rear support having a first hinge part and a second hinge part, wherein the hinge parts can be pivoted relative to one another by means of a hinge axis. The hinge parts are each U-shaped and each have two limbs which are connected to one another by a mounting portion and receive the hinge axis. The mounting portions of the two hinge parts are oriented parallel to one another in a basic position. The legs of the hinge parts are angled at least in sections such that the hinge axis is arranged parallel to and above the mounting sections.In principle, it can be provided in the invention that the hinge parts are pivotable relative to one another from the basic position into a folded-up position. The hinge parts can in particular engage in one another, so that the legs of the two hinge parts are arranged congruently at least in sections in the basic position. The mounting portions, which each extend between the legs, run parallel to one another. Both mounting sections can have an upper edge, wherein the joint axis is arranged spaced apart from the upper edge, in particular above a plane formed by the two upper edges of the mounting sections. Preferably, the hinge axis is not arranged between the mounting portions in the basic position, but rather spaced apart from the mounting portions in the same direction.The special arrangement of the hinge axis parallel and offset above the mounting portions has the effect that the axis of rotation of a foldable rear vehicle carrier, which is formed by the hinge axis, is arranged substantially directly above the trailer coupling of a vehicle in the mounted state of the folding device. The axis of rotation thus moves closer to the trailer coupling, so that the leverage effect which arises when the vehicle rear carrier is loaded is lower than in the case of known vehicle rear carriers. As a result, the payload of the rear vehicle beam can be designed to be higher without exceeding the corresponding supporting load of the trailer coupling.A further advantage of the invention, which results from the offset position of the hinge axis, is that the hinge axis is arranged closer to the vehicle in the mounted state of the folding device. The axis of rotation of the folding device is therefore not arranged between the trailer coupling and the load carrier of the vehicle rear carrier, as in the prior art, but directly above the trailer coupling. The entire rear vehicle carrier thus moves closer to the vehicle, so that even in the folded-up position the rear vehicle carrier protrudes less far beyond the rear vehicle than is the case with the rear vehicle carriers known from the prior art with a corresponding folding device. In this respect, the folding device occupies a smaller space, whereby the folding device according to the invention achieves that vehicles on which vehicle rear supports are mounted, which have the folding device according to the invention, occupy a smaller parking space than vehicles with vehicle rear supports from the prior art. The folding device according to the invention thus makes it possible to leave the vehicle rear support mounted on the trailer coupling of a vehicle even when a very narrow parking space is available.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge parts have locking elements corresponding to one another, so that the hinge parts can be locked in different, in particular discrete, pivot positions. In particular, more than two different pivot positions can be provided, in which the hinge parts can be locked with respect to one another. A first pivot position may be the basic position. A further pivot position may be the folded-up position. It is also possible to provide one or more further pivot positions between the basic position and the folded-up position, in which positions the hinge parts can be locked with respect to one another. For example, a vehicle rear support may be locked in an angled pivot position to increase the rear side bank angle of a vehicle with the mounted vehicle rear support. This may be appropriate for off-road journeys.It is possible that each hinge part comprises at least one locking element which is formed integrally in at least one leg of the hinge part. Specifically, a first locking element may be integrally formed in a first leg of the first hinge part and a second locking element may be integrally formed in a first leg of the second hinge part. An integral formation also includes a cohesive connection between the locking element and the leg of the hinge part. In any case, the integral design ensures a simple construction of the folding device, so that it can be produced cost-effectively and has a high stability.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking elements are arranged coaxially to the joint axis. In particular, the locking elements can each have intermeshing toothed rings arranged about the joint axis. The locking elements are in this way designed to be particularly compact, so that the folding device takes up little overall installation space.It can be provided that the hinge axis has, at least in sections, an external thread which interacts with an internal thread which is formed in the second hinge part, in particular in the second locking element. The hinge axis can be rotatable such that a distance between the locking elements of the first hinge part and the second hinge part can be changed. Specifically, the external thread of the joint axis can cooperate with the internal thread of the second locking element such that a distance between the first locking element and the second locking element can be changed by rotation of the joint axis. Thus, the locking elements can be transferred in particular from a released position into a locked position. Such a mechanism, which achieves the release or locking of the locking elements by axially displacing the locking elements relative to one another, is particularly simple in construction, low-maintenance and stable.In this context, it is preferred if the joint axis has an actuating element for manually, in particular without tools, rotating the joint axis. The actuating element can be, for example, a lever or a rotary handle. By means of the actuating element, the joint axis can thus be rotated manually, as a result of which the external thread of the joint axis interacts with the internal thread of the second locking element and thus sets the distance between the locking elements. Thus, the locked position or the released position can be manually reached. It is also possible to transfer the locking elements into the locked position by a longitudinal axial clamping movement. Instead of a rotating handle, the actuating element can then be, for example, a clamping lever which presses the second locking element against the first locking element.In a preferred embodiment of the folding device according to the invention, it is provided that the first hinge part, starting from the basic position, is pivotable by at least 75° to 105°, in particular by at least 80° to 100°, in particular by at least 85° to 95°, preferably by 90°, relative to the second hinge part. The first hinge part should consequently be pivotable by at least 75° with respect to the second hinge part in order, for example, to transfer a vehicle rear support into a folded-up position. An angle of 90° or more is particularly preferred in order to transfer the rear vehicle carrier into a folded-up position which is as space-saving as possible. The angle by which the first hinge part is pivotable with respect to the second hinge part should, however, be not more than 105°, so that a vehicle rear support equipped with the folding device does not strike the vehicle rear of a vehicle.The first hinge part can also have a stop element which limits a pivoting movement with respect to the second hinge part. The stop element can be fastened in particular to the mounting section of the first hinge part. Specifically, the stop element can abut on the mounting section of the second hinge part in the basic position. The stop element can have damping properties. In particular, the stop element can comprise or consist of a plastic or a rubber, so that when the folding device is folded into the basic position, noise is prevented from developing due to contact of the two mounting sections with one another.The mounting sections can each have at least two through-bores for mounting the folding device between a coupling counterpart of a trailer coupling of a vehicle and a load carrier. The coupling counterpart is preferably designed such that it can be connected to a trailer coupling of a vehicle in a form-fitting and / or frictional manner. The coupling counterpart can be firmly connected to the mounting portion of the second hinge part. In contrast, the mounting section of the second hinge part can be firmly connected to a load carrier. Thus, the load carrier is pivotable relative to the coupling counter piece via the folding device.An independent aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle rear support with a coupling counterpart for a trailer coupling of a vehicle and a load support, which are connected to one another by a previously described folding device. The rear carrier of the vehicle is characterized by a particularly compact design, enables a comparatively high loading because of the offset arrangement of the hinge axis of the folding device and is also particularly compact and foldable upwards.In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle rear support, the load support is fixedly connected to the mounting portion of the first hinge part and the coupling counterpart is fixedly connected to the mounting portion of the second hinge part. Preferably, the load carrier is pivotable by means of the folding device from a basic position, in which the load carrier is aligned substantially parallel, in particular aligned, to the coupling counterpiece, into a folded-up position, in which the load carrier is aligned substantially perpendicular to the coupling counterpiece. The basic position corresponds substantially to a transport position in which the load carrier is used to transport loads. The folded-up position corresponds to a parking position in which the load carrier is folded up and thus stowed in such a way that a vehicle equipped with the rear vehicle carrier can be parked in a narrow parking space. This eliminates the complicated mounting of the vehicle rear support from the trailer coupling.In this respect, it is preferably provided that the articulation axis is arranged above the coupling counter piece at a distance from the load carrier. Specifically, the coupling counterpart can be arranged in a receiving space of the second hinge part, which is formed below the hinge axis between the legs of the second hinge part. The receiving space can be delimited in particular by the mounting portion of the second hinge part, the limbs of the second hinge part and a plane which is aligned perpendicularly on a plane of extent of the mounting portion and in which the hinge axis is arranged. In the mounted state, the U-shaped second hinge part of the coupling counterpiece can thus partially engage around, so that the coupling counterpiece bears directly against the mounting section of the second hinge part and is fastened there. Because of the angled legs, the joint axis consequently extends over the coupling counter piece. In this respect, the joint axis is thus arranged set back from a front mounting surface of the coupling counterpart, so that the joint axis is positioned directly above the trailer coupling when the vehicle rear support is mounted on a trailer coupling.In a particularly preferred variant of the vehicle rear carrier according to the invention, the load carrier is a carrying device for receiving jagdbeutes. In this case, it is preferably provided that the support device has a height which is smaller than the distance between the articulation axis and a vehicle rear, this distance being determined when the vehicle rear carrier is mounted on a vehicle. This prevents the rear vehicle carrier from colliding with the rear vehicle during pivoting from the basic position into the folded-up position. The support device can be an open or a closed container. For example, the container can be a grid basket, a metal trough, in particular an aluminum trough, or a plastic trough, for example a trough made of glass fiber-reinforced plastic. A platform is also suitable as a support device. The platform preferably has lashing devices for securing jagdbeutes on the platform. The load carrier is not exclusively suitable for transporting jagdbeutes. Rather, the load carrier can also be used for transporting other transport goods, for example garden waste or leaf luggage. Thus, the load carrier can substantially supplement the charging capacity of the trunk of the traction vehicle.The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the appended schematic drawings. Shown therein are FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a folding device according to the invention according to a preferred exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the folding device according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a top view of the folding device according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the folding device according to FIG. 1 along the line B-B in FIG. 3 ; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the folding device according to FIG. 1 as part of a vehicle rear support according to the invention according to a preferred exemplary embodiment in the basic position; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folding device according to FIG. 5 in the folded-up position; FIG. 7 shows a side view of a vehicle rear support according to the invention with the folding device according to FIG. 1 according to a preferred exemplary embodiment in the basic position; FIG. 8 shows a side view of the vehicle rear support according to FIG. 7 in an upwardly folded intermediate position; and FIG. 9 shows a side view of the vehicle rear support according to FIG. 7 in an upwardly folded end position.The folding device illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a first hinge part 10 and a second hinge part 20. The connection is designed such that the first hinge part 10 is pivotable relative to the second hinge part 20 about an axis of rotation which is formed by the hinge axis 30.The hinge parts 10, 20 are each substantially U-shaped and each comprise two limbs 11, 12, 21, 22 arranged parallel to one another, which limbs are each connected to one another by a mounting portion 13, 23. The mounting sections 13, 23 preferably form the respective hinge part 10, 20 with the respective associated legs 11, 12, 21, 22.Specifically, it is provided that the first hinge part 10 can be connected to a load carrier 50, whereas the second hinge part 20 can be firmly connected to a coupling counterpart 40. As part of a vehicle rear support, the second hinge part 20 is substantially stationary when the vehicle rear support is connected to a trailer coupling of a vehicle, whereas the first hinge part 10 is pivotable from a basic position into a folded-up position in order to bring the load support 50 into different use positions.The second hinge part 20 specifically has a mounting portion 23 which is formed integrally with a first leg 21 and a second leg 22 of the second hinge part 20. The mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20 is substantially formed by a planar plate, wherein the first leg 21 and the second leg 22 of the second hinge part 20 are oriented at right angles to the mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20. The first leg 21 and the second leg 22 of the second hinge part 20 are oriented parallel to one another.The first hinge part 10 is substantially similar to the second hinge part 20. However, it differs in its dimensions since the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge part 10 is wider than the mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20. Likewise, the first leg 11 and the second leg 12 of the first hinge part 10 are formed larger than the first leg 21 and the second leg 22 of the second hinge part 20. In shape, however, the legs 11, 12 of the first hinge part 10 are similar to the legs 21, 22 of the second hinge part 20.The first hinge part 10 engages around the second hinge part 20 and is likewise connected to the hinge axis 30. In other words, the first hinge part 10 has an inner space which is bounded by the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge part 10 and the legs 11, 12 of the first hinge part 10. The second hinge part 20 is accommodated in the interior space. This applies in any case in a basic position which is shown in FIG. 1. In this case, there is a distance between the mounting portions 13, 14 of the first hinge part 10 and the second hinge part 20 which is matched such that the first hinge part 10 can be pivoted upwards about the hinge axis 30 without colliding with the second hinge part 20.In the basic position, which FIG. 1 shows, the mounting portions 13, 23 of the first hinge part 10 and of the second hinge part 20 are aligned parallel to one another. The first hinge part 10 specifically has a mounting portion 13 that forms a protruding portion 18 in a central region. The protruding portion 18 is formed by a double offset. The protruding portion 18 is oriented in the direction of the second hinge part 20 such that the distance between the protruding portion 18 and the mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20 is smaller than between the edge regions of the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge part 10 and the mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20.A stop element 16 is fastened to the protruding section 18. The stop element 16 is arranged between the two mounting portions 13, 23 of the hinge parts 10, 20 and is firmly connected, preferably screwed, to the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge element 10. The stop element 16 preferably has elastic properties. In particular, the stop element 16 can be formed by a plastic or rubber. In the basic position shown in FIG. 1, the stop element 16 bears against the mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20.The mounting portions 13, 23 of the hinge parts 10, 20 each comprise four through-bores 19 which are provided for fastening the mounting portions 13, 23 to further components of a vehicle rear support. Thus, the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge part 10 comprises four through-holes 19 for connecting the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge part 10 to a load carrier 50. In the assembled state, the coupling counterpart 40 is preferably arranged below the hinge axis 30 and lies flush against the assembly section 23 of the second hinge part 20. The connection via the through-bores 29 of the mounting section 23 of the second hinge part 20 is preferably effected via screws which are guided through the through-bores 29. The load carrier 50 is likewise preferably fastened to the first hinge part 10 by means of screws, wherein the screws are guided through the through-bores 19 of the first hinge part 10.It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that a locking element 14, 24 is formed on the first leg 11 of the first hinge part 10 and on the first leg 21 of the second hinge part 20, respectively. The locking elements 14, 24 can each be firmly connected, for example welded, to the associated first leg 11, 21. Preferably, the locking elements 14, 24 are each formed integrally with the associated limb 11, 21 of the hinge parts 10, 20. A cohesive connection, for example by welding, is considered in the context of the present application as a one-piece connection.The locking elements 14, 24 each comprise a first locking element 14 which is associated with the first hinge part 10 and a second hinge part 24 which is associated with the second hinge part 20. The locking elements 14, 24 each comprise a toothed ring 15, 25. Specifically, a first toothed ring 15 is provided, which is arranged on the first hinge part 10. A second toothed ring 25 is arranged on the second hinge part 20. The first toothed ring 15 and the second toothed ring 25 are each formed coaxially to the joint axis 30. The toothed rings comprise a plurality of teeth, wherein the teeth of the first toothed ring 15 can cooperate in a positive and / or non-positive manner with the teeth of the second toothed ring 25 in order to lock the hinge parts 10, 20 in a predetermined pivot position with respect to one another. The teeth preferably extend radially in terms of their length and parallel to the joint axis 30 in terms of their height.In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the locking elements 14, 24 are arranged on the respective first legs 11, 21 of the hinge parts 10, 20. However, it is also possible for the locking elements 14, 24 to be arranged on the respective second legs 12, 22 of the hinge parts 10, 20. A particularly high level of safety against unintentional pivoting of the hinge parts 10, 20 relative to one another, which is to be feared in particular in the event of high loading, can be achieved in that locking elements 14, 24 are provided in each case both on the first limbs 11, 21 and on the second limbs 12, 22 of the hinge parts 10, 20. Thus, in such a variant, two pairs of locking elements 14, 24 are provided overall.In the exploded illustration according to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the articulation axis 30 has a rotary handle 31. The rotary handle 31 is connected to the joint axle 30 in a fixed, in particular rotationally fixed manner.The articulation axis 30 also comprises an external thread 32 which extends in sections over the articulation axis 30. The external thread 32 can cooperate with an internal thread 26, wherein the internal thread 26 is formed in the second locking element 24. The hinge axis 30 extends through all the limbs 11, 12, 21, 22 of the hinge parts 10, 20 (FIG. 3 ).FIG. 3 shows a top view of the folding device, wherein it can be seen in particular that the first toothed ring 15 of the first locking element 14 engages in the second toothed ring 25 of the second locking element 24. By the meshing of the toothed rings 15, 25 with each other, the respective pivoted position of the first hinge part 10 relative to the second hinge part 20 can be locked.Specifically, the external thread 32 of the joint axis 30 interacts with the internal thread 26 of the second locking element 24 in such a way that, by a rotation of the joint axis 30 via the rotary handle 31, the second locking element 24 can be moved axially along the external thread 32. Thereby, a distance between the first locking member 14 and the second locking member 24 can be changed. The second locking element 24 can be spaced apart from the first locking element 14 to such an extent that the teeth of the toothed rings 15, 25 leave their engagement with one another and the first hinge part 10 can thus be pivoted freely with respect to the second hinge part 20. This corresponds to the release position of the locking elements 14, 24. By counter-rotating the joint axis 30 with the rotary handle 31, the second locking element 24 can be axially displaced again in the direction of the first locking element 14, whereby the teeth of the toothed rings 15, 25 engage and thus the respectively current pivot position of the hinge parts 10, 20 relative to each other is locked. Because of the very tight toothing of the toothed rings 15, 25, locking in different pivot positions of the hinge parts 10, 20 relative to one another is thus possible.In order to limit an axial movement of the second locking element 24, the joint axis 30 has a stop ring 34 spaced apart from the first locking element 14. The stop ring 34 may have elastic properties. The stop ring 34 is secured longitudinally axially by a securing ring 33. Preferably, the stop ring 34 is disposed at a longitudinal axial end of the outer ring 32.The displacement of the second locking element 24 relative to the first locking element 14 along the external thread 32 can be achieved in that the entire second hinge part 20 displaces along the hinge axis 30. For this purpose, a corresponding distance is provided between the second leg 22 of the second hinge part 20 and the second leg 12 of the first hinge part 10, which permits a displacement of the second hinge part 20 relative to the first hinge part 10 along the hinge axis 30. Alternatively, it is possible that the first leg 21 of the second hinge part 20 is resilient, so that the first leg 21 can flex towards the second leg 22 of the second hinge part 20 when the second locking element 24 is moved by the rotational movement of the hinge axis 30 in such a way that it moves away from the first locking element 14.The mode of operation of the folding device is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. Therein, the folding device is shown in an assembled state in each case, wherein a load carrier 50 is fastened to the first hinge part 10 and a coupling counterpart 40 is fastened to the second hinge part 20. Specifically, the first hinge part 10 is screwed with its mounting portion 13 to the load carrier 50, whereas the second hinge part 20 is screwed with its mounting portion 23 to the coupling counterpart 40.The load carrier 50 can be, in particular, a carrier basket or a carrier trough for jagdbeutes. The coupling counterpart 40 is preferably adapted to be connected to a ball head coupling of a trailer coupling in a frictional and / or positive-locking manner. For this purpose, the coupling counterpart 40 can have a lever 41, which is provided for opening or closing the coupling. Alternatively, the coupling counterpart 40 can also be formed by a plug-in coupling which can be screw-connected to the mounting section 23 of the second hinge part 20.As can be seen in FIGS. 7 to 9, the coupling counterpart 40 is arranged in a receiving space which is bounded by the limbs 21, 22 and the mounting portion 22 of the second hinge part 20. The hinge axis 30 is positioned above the coupling counter piece 40 so that the hinge axis 30 is arranged substantially centrally above the trailer coupling in the mounted state of the vehicle rear support. The hinge axis 30 is thus recessed from a mounting surface of the coupling counterpart 40, by which the coupling counterpart 40 is fastened to the mounting portion 23 of the second hinge part 20. As a result, the load carrier 50 moves closer to the vehicle, so that the load carrier 50 protrudes less far beyond the vehicle rear than is the case with comparable vehicle rear carriers from the prior art. In addition, the vehicle rear support also occupies comparatively small space in the folded-up position (FIG. 9 ), so that the vehicle rear support can be compactly stowed in the mounted state on the vehicle.FIG. 5 shows a specific transport position of the vehicle rear support. The folding device has assumed the basic position in which the mounting sections 13, 23 of the hinge parts 10, 20 are aligned parallel to one another. The stop element 16 of the first hinge part 10 abuts the mounting section 23 of the second hinge part 20. This position is also shown in the side view in FIG. 7.In order to pivot the load carrier 50 into a folded-up position, the rotary handle 31 is actuated, as a result of which the rotation axis 30 rotates. In this case, the external thread 32 of the joint axle 30 interacts with the internal thread 26 of the second locking element 24, as a result of which the second locking element 24 is released from the first locking element 14. As a result, the toothed rings 15, 25 disengage from one another, as a result of which the load carrier 50 can be pivoted freely. Because of the stop element 16 of the first hinge part 10, which abuts on the second hinge part 20, the load carrier 50 cannot fold down downward due to gravity even when the hinge axis 30 or the locking elements 14, 24 are released.The load carrier 50 can now be pivoted manually into a predetermined pivot position. For example, the load carrier 50 can be pivoted into an oblique position, as shown in FIG. 8. It is particularly preferred to pivot the load carrier 50 into a parking position in which the load carrier 50 occupies as little space as possible in the mounted state on a vehicle, so that the vehicle can be parked in a narrow parking space, for example a garage. Such a position is shown in FIG. 9.As soon as the load carrier 50 has been manually pivoted into the predetermined pivot position, the rotary handle 31 is rotated such that the external thread 32 of the articulation axis 30 interacts with the internal thread 26 of the second locking element 24 such that the second locking element 24 is moved longitudinally axially with respect to the articulation axis 30 towards the first locking element 14. As a result, the toothed rings 15, 25 of the locking elements 14, 24 engage with one another and bring about a locking of the manually set pivot position of the load carrier 50.Furthermore, a further hinge can be arranged between the folding device and the load carrier 50, which hinge enables the load carrier 50 to be folded down. This folding device can, for example, enable folding by an angle of up to 90°, in particular up to 80°. The downward folding of the load carrier 50 enables simple loading of the load carrier 50. In addition, a load carrier 50, which is designed as a trough, can easily be washed out in the folded-down position.In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the mounting portion 13 of the first hinge part 10 has a recess 17 which extends in the region of the projecting portion 18 above the latter. This recess serves on the one hand to save weight and material. On the other hand, the recess 17 can serve to bypass corresponding protruding elements on the load carrier 50. The recess 17 can also serve as a viewing window in order, for example, to make a name plate or a trademark logo recognizable even in the basic position, which can be attached to the second mounting section 23 of the second hinge part 20.List of reference characters10 first hinge part 11 first leg of first hinge part 12 second leg of first hinge part 13 mounting portion of first hinge part 14 first locking element 15 first toothed ring 16 stop element 17 recess 18 protruding portion 19 through bore of first hinge part 20 second hinge part 21 first leg of second hinge part 22 second leg of second hinge part 23 mounting portion of second hinge part 24 second locking element 25 second toothed ring 26 internal thread 29 through bore of second hinge part 30 hinge axis 31 rotary handle 32 external thread 33 securing ring 34 stop ring 40 coupling counterpart 41 lever 50 load carrier

Claims

Folding device for folding down and folding up a vehicle rear support mounted on a trailer coupling of a vehicle, having a first hinge part (10) and a second hinge part (20), which can be pivoted with respect to one another by means of a hinge axis (30), wherein the hinge parts (10, 20) are each U-shaped and each have two limbs (11, 12, 21, 22), which are connected to one another by a mounting portion (13, 23) and receive the hinge axis (30), wherein - the mounting portions (13, 23) of the two hinge parts (10, 20) are aligned parallel to one another in a basic position, - the limbs (11, 12, 21, 22) are angled at least in sections such that the hinge axis (30) is offset parallel and above and is arranged at a distance from the mounting portions (13, 23) in the same direction such that the hinge axis (30) is not arranged between the mounting portions (13, 23), and - the hinge axis (30) is arranged substantially centrally above the trailer coupling in the mounted state of the vehicle rear support.Folding device according to claim 1, characterised in that the hinge parts (10, 20) have locking elements corresponding to one another, so that the hinge parts (10, 20) can be locked in different, in particular discrete, pivot positions.Folding device according to claim 2, characterised in that each hinge part (10, 20) comprises at least one locking element (14, 24) which is formed integrally in at least one leg (11, 12, 21, 22) of the hinge part (10, 20).Folding device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that a first locking element (14) is formed integrally in a first leg (11) of the first hinge part (10) and a second locking element (24) is formed integrally in a first leg (21) of the second hinge part (20).Folding device according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the locking elements (14, 24) are arranged coaxially with respect to the hinge axis (30).Folding device according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the locking elements (14, 24) each have intermeshing toothed rings (15, 25) arranged about the articulation axis (30).Folding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation axis (30) has, at least in sections, an external thread (32) which interacts with an internal thread (26) which is formed in the second hinge part (20), in particular in the second locking element (24).Folding device according to one of Claims 3 - 7, characterized in that the articulation axis (30) is rotatable such that a distance between the locking elements (14, 24) of the first hinge part (10) and of the second hinge part (20) can be changed with respect to one another.Folding device according to claim 8, characterised in that the locking elements (14, 24) can be transferred from a released position to a locked position by the rotation of the hinge axis (30).Folding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation axis (30) has an actuating element for manually, in particular without tools, rotating the articulation axis (30).Folding device according to claim 10, characterised in that the actuating element is a lever or a rotary handle (31).Folding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first hinge part (10), starting from the basic position, can be pivoted by at least 75° to 105°, in particular by at least 80° to 100°, in particular by at least 85° to 95°, preferably by 90°, with respect to the second hinge part (20).Folding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first hinge part (10) has a stop element (16) which limits a pivoting movement with respect to the second hinge part (20).Folding device according to claim 13, characterised in that the stop element (16) is fastened to the mounting section (13) of the first hinge part (10).Folding device according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the stop element (16) in the basic position bears against the mounting portion (23) of the second hinge part (20).Folding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting sections (13, 23) each have at least two through-bores (19, 29) for mounting the folding device between a coupling counterpart (40) of a trailer coupling of a vehicle and a load carrier (50).Rear vehicle beam having a coupling counterpart (40) for a trailer coupling of a vehicle and a load carrier (50) which are connected to one another by a folding device according to one of the preceding claims.Rear vehicle support according to claim 17, characterised in that the load support (50) is firmly connected to the mounting section (13) of the first hinge part (10) and the coupling counter piece (40) is firmly connected to the mounting section (23) of the second hinge part (20).Rear vehicle support according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the load support (50) can be pivoted by means of the folding device from a basic position, in which the load support (50) is aligned substantially parallel, in particular aligned, to the coupling counter-piece (40), into a folded-up position, in which the load support (50) is aligned substantially perpendicular to the coupling counter-piece (40).Vehicle rear support according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the articulation axis (30) is arranged above the coupling counterpart (40) at a distance from the load support (50).Rear vehicle support according to one of Claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the coupling mating piece (40) is arranged in a receiving space of the second hinge part (20) which is formed below the hinge axis (30) between the limbs (21, 22) of the second hinge part (20).Vehicle rear support according to one of Claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the load support (50) is a support device for receiving jagdbeutes.

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