Roof rack system for a motor vehicle and method for stowing cargo

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof rack system (10) for a motor vehicle (12) and a method for stowing cargo (18). It is provided that a transport tray (16) is coupled to parallel running rails (14) via roller devices (20) on the base of the transport tray (16). The transport tray (16) is movable along the rails (14) up to an extended position. In the extended position, the roller devices (20) are located at the same ends of the rails (14). In the extended position, a pivoting movement of the transport tray (16) towards the motor vehicle (12) is enabled by means of swivel joints (22), thereby enabling more ergonomic loading and unloading of the transport tray (16).

Description

The invention relates to a roof rack system for a motor vehicle and to a method for storing cargo.For the transport of cargo, vehicles basically include various storage facilities within the vehicle, such as a trunk, various storage and drawers, folding bench seats, and the like. To expand the stowage options, further carrier systems are known which provide for loading of the vehicle on the outside. Examples of these are roof rack or bicycle carriers.In particular, the loading of roof rackers is in most cases, however, cumbersome, ungonomically and sometimes even harmful to health over the long term because of the inconvenient working height for a person, especially in the case of bulky or heavy cargo. Moreover, the cargo needs to be well secured on the roof rack to prevent dropping during travel. In some cases, that is to say depending on the vehicle height, securing of the item to be loaded is possible only using a ladder or with the aid of a further person. Furthermore, climbing up onto the vehicle roof may be necessary for loading and securing the load. Overall, the known solutions can therefore only be operated in an inconvenient manner, in some cases with adverse health effects.In view of these problems, document DE 10 2021 118 636 A1 proposes a solution which relates to a device for carrying loads, having a fixed supporting frame and a movable frame which is movably connected to the fixed supporting frame. The movable frame is movable relative to the fixed support frame in the horizontal between a non-use position and a use position along a linear movement direction. The movable frame further includes, along the linear movement direction, a foldable support frame that receives a first load thereon and that can be downwardly folded in the vertical direction to lower the received first load toward the user. By lowering the foldable support frame, the user can more easily access the stowage means. The implementation of the folding mechanism of the proposed device is complex, however, and allows only one-sided folding down of the supporting frame, thus limiting the diversity of applications of the device.The object of the invention is therefore to provide a more comfortable and improved roof carrier system for a motor vehicle and a corresponding method for stowage items of cargo.The object according to the invention is achieved by a roof carrier system and a method according to the independent patent claims. Preferred refinements are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims which refer back.A first aspect relates to a roof carrier system for a motor vehicle. The roof carrier system is configured to be mounted on the roof of the motor vehicle in order to enable the transport of cargo items, in particular luggage and other bulky items. The motor vehicle can be, for example, a passenger car, a bus or even a truck. The motor vehicle preferably comprises a vehicle height of between 1.6 m and 2.2 m.The roof carrier system comprises at least two parallel running rails, a transport trough for storing cargo, at least two rolling apparatuses and at least two rotary joints. A running rail essentially serves the purpose of presetting a guide track for an object coupled thereto, of giving the coupled object the necessary hold and of ensuring that the object remains in the guide track. A transport trough is a structure which is open on at least one side and is configured to receive and transport items to be loaded. For this purpose, the transport trough fundamentally comprises a base and side walls which extend from the base. The bottom of the transport trough is preferably continuous. However, the bottom of the transport trough does not have to be continuous, but can also have holes or a grid structure. The transport trough preferably comprises a load capacity of 20 kg / m 2 of the load surface of the transport trough.The rolling apparatuses are coupled to the running rails in such a way that the transport trough is movable in a running rail direction along the running rails. In other words, the transport trough of the roof carrier system is translationally movable in the plane of the vehicle roof. The rolling apparatuses preferably engage in the running rails, for example one rolling apparatus per running rail, such that these are each movable along the guide track predefined by the running rail.The rolling apparatuses are fastened to the bottom of the transport trough, in particular fastened directly to the bottom of the transport trough. Preferably, the rolling apparatuses comprise hardened rollers which roll along the guide track in order to enable the movement of the transport trough along the running rail direction. In some embodiments, the rolling apparatuses can be coupled integrally to the transport trough and to rollers or are designed as a separate component. The transport trough is preferably configured to be movable between a transport position and a pull-out position, in which the rolling apparatuses are located at the same ends of the running rails, by means of the rolling apparatuses coupled to the running rails. In the transport position, the roller apparatuses are located at a distance from the same ends of the running rails, that is to say the roller apparatuses are arranged offset with respect to the ends of the running rails opposite the same ends of the running rails, for example centrally from the vehicle roof or at the opposite ends of the running rails. Preferably, the transport trough is arranged completely above the roof of the motor vehicle in the transport position. In other words, in the transport position, the transport trough does not protrude beyond the motor vehicle and / or beyond the ends of the running rails.The rotary joints are configured to pivot the transport trough in the pulled-out position about an axis of rotation of the rotary joints, preferably relative to the motor vehicle and / or back into the pulled-out position. The rotary joints are preferably configured to pivot the transport trough between a horizontal pull-out position and a maximum pivot position relative to the motor vehicle, preferably continuously. The transport trough is preferably designed such that it can be pivoted by up to 60°, preferably by up to 50°, particularly preferably by up to 40°, along the axis of rotation. In the maximum pivot position, the transport trough is preferably pivoted by 40° to the horizontal and by 50° to the vertical. Such a maximum pivoting position enables a comfortable and ergonomic loading and unloading of the transport trough with loaded goods. Likewise preferably, the roof carrier system comprises manual and / or force-fit arresting means and / or fixing elements for arresting the pivoting movement of the transport trough in the horizontal pull-out position and the maximum pivoting position with respect to the motor vehicle and / or in any desired position therebetween. The arresting elements and / or fixing elements are preferably configured to mutually fix themselves in terms of pressure and tension. The arresting means and / or fixing elements are preferably embodied purely mechanically or electromechanically. Thus, the user can guide the transport trough for loading and unloading in any position within the pivot movement limits. As a result, the roof rack system provides more support and security for the user.In the pulled-out position, at least one outer side wall of the transport trough preferably protrudes beyond the motor vehicle in order to enable the transport trough to pivot about the axis of rotation of the rotary joints relative to the motor vehicle. Preferably, the outer side wall of the transport trough is substantially pivoted about the vehicle-side side wall of the transport trough. The rotary joints are preferably spring joints, for example dead point springs, pivot hinges, for example friction hinges or gearwheel deflections, for example bevel gears or worm gears. Such spring joints make possible a cost-effective implementation of the roof carrier system. Preferably, the roof carrier system further comprises a counter bearing and a driver arm which are configured to engage with one another in order to prevent premature or undesired pivoting of the transport trough in the horizontal pull-out position. The counter bearing is preferably a plate guided in a further groove of the running rail or with a sliding bearing of the running rail. The driver arm preferably comprises a bent end which is configured to at least partially enclose the guided plate in order to prevent a torque caused by the dead weight of the transport trough. Furthermore, a locking device is preferably provided, for example ball pressure spring elements, which are screwed laterally into the pivot joint in order to retain the transport trough in a respective pivot position, in particular the horizontal pull-out position and in the maximum pivot position.With the roof carrier system according to the invention, it is consequently easily possible for a person to pull the transport trough to himself into the pulled-out position and then to pivot it outwards about the axis of rotation of the rotary joints in order to achieve a comfortable loading and unloading of the transport trough. In other words, according to the invention, the required working height for loading and unloading the cargo is reduced. The roof carrier system can thus also be operated by only a single person and at the same time offers a pleasant working height for stowage of the cargo. Furthermore, the load can be secured to the transport trough in the pivoted state, for example via a strap, a tie-down or a cover of the transport trough, without the person having to climb onto the roof of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is fundamentally achieved that more space remains in the interior of the motor vehicle, so that the customer has more freedom of movement in the driving mode, since the cargo in the transport trough is located on the roof of the motor vehicle.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the running rail direction is a lateral direction with respect to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. In other words, the running rails are arranged in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. This makes it possible to pull out and pivot the transport trough to the vehicle side or sides. In particular in a parking situation, space is often free next to the motor vehicle in order to pull out and fold down the transport trough. In this respect, the transport trough is more accessible, so that the roof carrier system is even more comfortable to operate.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the roof carrier system is configured such that the pivoting movement about the axis of rotation of the swivel joints is damped by a predefined damping force. In other words, the roof carrier system comprises a damping element (damper) which is configured to slow down or completely prevent a pivoting movement of the transport trough about the axis of rotation of the swivel joints caused by the gravity force. The damping element is preferably spring- or friction-driven. A spring-driven damping element is, for example, a gas pressure spring or a dead point spring, the respective restoring force of which slows down the pivoting movement of the transport trough and acts in a supporting manner when the transport trough is pivoted back into the horizontal pull-out position. A friction-driven damping element is, for example, a friction hinge, the further rotational movement of which is made more difficult by surfaces rubbing against one another. By damping the pivoting movement, a rapid pivoting down of the transport trough, which may possibly be surprising to the user, can be prevented. Furthermore, a return pivoting of the (loaded) transport trough into the horizontal pull-out position is supported or facilitated by the damping element. Consequently, the operating convenience is increased and the risk of injury is reduced.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the roof carrier system further comprises a stop profile which is configured to restrict a pivoting movement of the transport trough about the axis of rotation of the rotary joints relative to the motor vehicle. Preferably, the transport trough rests on the stop profile in the maximum pivot position. In other words, the transport trough in the maximum pivot position fits against the stop profile or abuts against the stop profile. The roof carrier system preferably comprises a stop profile body which comprises the stop profile. Additionally or alternatively, the same ends of the runner are beveled to form the stop profile. In other words, in the maximum pivot position, the transport trough preferably bears directly on the stop profile of the running rails. Thus, a (cost-effective) variant without a separate stop profile body can also be provided, as a result of which component parts are saved. Particularly preferably, the stop profile comprises a stop surface which is inclined in accordance with the desired maximum pivot position, for example by 40° with respect to the horizontal. The stop profile prevents the transport trough from being pivoted too far toward the motor vehicle and thus from damaging it.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the rolling apparatuses are detachably fastened to the bottom of the transport trough. In contrast to a conditionally detachable fastening in which auxiliary joining parts must be destroyed for the detachment, or a non-detachable fastening in which the components must be destroyed for the detachment, a detachable fastening means that the components can be detached from one another again without damage. In other words, the rolling apparatuses are designed to be substantially non-destructively couplable and decoupled from the floor of the transport trough. A releasable connection between the bottom of the transport trough and the rolling apparatuses is preferably provided by a ball lock, a bayonet lock, a plug lock, a rotary lock or a screw lock. Consequently, the transport trough can be easily mounted to the roof carrier system or can be dismounted from the roof carrier system, whereby, for example, the weight and the wind resistance of the motor vehicle can be reduced if no additional storage space for cargo on the vehicle roof is required. Moreover, this also enables different transport trays having different sizes or shapes to be easily mounted on the motor vehicle. Accordingly, the transport trough can be easily changed and variably adapted to the respective storage space requirement. The transport trough is preferably mounted on the roof carrier system in the manner of a plug and click closure (plug and play). It is preferably provided that acoustic feedback of the successfully established connection is output, for example a click. Furthermore, different acoustic feedbacks can be output depending on the respective pull-out or pivot position of the transport trough, which each indicate the next use step to be initiated. The different acoustic feedbacks can be stored, for example, in a memory unit of the motor vehicle and can be called up via a human machine interface of the motor vehicle.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the roof carrier system further comprises a support foot which is pivotably fastened to the transport trough. The support foot is configured to support the transport trough on the floor in the pull-out position and / or in a state pivoted about the axis of rotation of the rotary joints, preferably in the maximum pivot position. The support foot preferably comprises a telescopic function in order to be able to set the respectively necessary length for supporting the transport trough. The support foot improves the stability of the roof carrier system in the loading and unloading state of the transport trough, whereby the operating comfort is increased and an uneven or one-sided load of the motor vehicle is reduced.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the transport trough comprises at least one hole and / or a protrusion in the outer side wall for gripping the transport trough. This simplifies the pivoting of the transport trough by the user. Furthermore, the transport trough preferably comprises a plurality of opposing securing holes for fastening safety belts and / or a cover for closing the transport trough. This simplifies the securing of the load. The transport trough preferably comprises inserts in the floor which are configured to center, position and fix the item to be loaded. The inserts are preferably designed as hard plastic EPP cores in the ground or as rubber mats for storage implements. This achieves additional fixing by the predefined position of the item to be loaded. Moreover, a rattle of the cargo when cornering is prevented or at least reduced.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the running rails each have a U-shaped profile. The legs of the U-shaped profile each contain a guide hole. The rolling apparatuses are respectively coupled to the running rails via the guide holes of the legs. The length of the guide holes thus preset the clearance of the translatory movement of the transport trough along the running rail direction. Furthermore, the guide holes, more precisely the abutment of the rolling apparatuses on the ends of the guide holes, prevent the transport trough from being able to be displaced further beyond the pull-out position. The rotary joints are likewise preferably integrated into the rolling apparatuses.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the roof carrier system further comprises a further transport trough for storing cargo. At least two further rolling apparatuses are fastened to the base of the further transport trough and are coupled to the running rails in such a way that the further transport trough is movable along the running rails in the running rail direction. At least two further rotary joints are configured to pivot the further transport trough in a further pull-out position, in which the further rolling apparatuses are located at one end opposite the same ends of the running rails, about a further axis of rotation of the further rotary joints. This achieves a roof carrier system which is accessible on both sides, wherein in each case at least one transport trough per vehicle side is accessible. The transport trough and / or the further transport trough are preferably used selectively on the left and / or right (kinematic) depending on the traffic situation, for example on the curbstone edge on the left or right.The individual components of the present roof carrier system are preferably provided with corrosion protection in order to increase the longevity of the roof carrier system as a whole. Furthermore, the transport trough is preferably designed as a harmonic, soft and wind-slippery design. For this purpose, the transport trough can comprise beveled or rounded side surfaces which are arranged facing forwards in the direction of travel. This achieves an aerodynamic design which can likewise serve as a visual upgrade of the motor vehicle.A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for storing cargo. In one method step, the roof carrier system described above is provided on a roof of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the roof carrier system is mounted directly on the roof of the motor vehicle or indirectly via a roof rail or a similar structure. Furthermore, the transport trough is moved in the running rail direction along the running rails into the pull-out position and pivoted about the axis of rotation of the rotary joints. The advantages achieved with the roof rack system described above can be achieved in an analogous manner with the method. The disclosed combinations of features of the roof carrier system can be transferred analogously to the method. A repetitive description of the features and advantages is therefore omitted.Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the dependent claims.The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be combined with one another with advantage unless stated otherwise in the individual case.The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings. The following are shown: FIGS. 1 a- 1 c show schematic representations of a roof carrier system for a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment, FIGS. 2 a- 2 c show schematic representations of the roof carrier system for a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment, FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a detailed perspective view of the roof rack system, FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a method for storing cargo according to an embodiment; and FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a detailed perspective view of the roof carrier system according to a further embodiment.FIGS. 1 ato 1 c show schematic representations of a roof rack system 10 for a motor vehicle 12 according to a first embodiment. The roof carrier system 10 comprises at least two parallel running rails 14, a transport trough 16 for storing cargo 18, at least two rolling apparatuses 20 and at least two rotary joints 22.In the illustration shown in FIG. 1 a, the transport trough 16 is in a transport position. In the transport position, the transport trough is arranged above the roof of the motor vehicle 12 without protruding laterally beyond the motor vehicle 12. In the example shown, the transport trough 16 extends substantially over the entire roof of the motor vehicle 12, which achieves the largest possible storage space for cargo 18. Since the roof carrier system 10 does not project beyond the length and width of the roof of the motor vehicle 12, the overall extension of the motor vehicle 12 is not changed in width and length. However, it is to be understood that the shape and size of the roof carrier system 10, in particular of the transport trough 16, may be different, in particular depending on the size and shape of the respective motor vehicle 12. In the transport position, the roller apparatuses 20 are each located at one end of the running rails 14.The roller apparatuses 20 are fastened to the base of the transport trough 16 almost at the level of a side wall of the transport trough 16 and are coupled to the running rails 14 in such a way that the transport trough 16 is movable in a running rail direction A along the running rails 14 (see FIG. 1 b ). This means that the transport trough 16 of the roof carrier system 10 is movable in translation in the plane of the vehicle roof. In the example shown, the transport trough 16 can be moved continuously back and forth between the transport position and a pull-out position along the running rail direction A. In the extended position shown in FIG. 1 b, the rolling apparatuses 20 are arranged at the right ends of the running rails 14. Consequently, in the extended position, the transport trough 16 protrudes horizontally from the roof of the motor vehicle 12 beyond the vehicle side. Preferably, in the extended position, less than 20% of the transport trough 16 is still arranged directly above the roof of the motor vehicle 12. In other words, in the pulled-out position, more than 80% of the transport trough 16 is free-standing.The roof carrier system 10 further comprises a stop profile body with a stop profile 24 which is arranged at the lateral ends of the vehicle roof in the longitudinal direction. The stop profile 24 comprises a surface which is inclined by 40° (angle degree) with respect to the horizontal. The stop profile 24 ensures that the pivotability of the transport trough 16 toward the motor vehicle 12 described with reference to FIG. 1 cis limited to a maximum pivot position of 40° with respect to the horizontal.FIG. 1 cshows that the pivot joints 22 are configured to pivot the transport trough 16 about an axis of rotation B of the pivot joints 22 in the extended position. The respective axes of rotation B of the rotary joints 22 are coincident, that is to say are coaxial, so that it is possible to speak of only one (common) axis of rotation B. In the example shown, the user of the roof carrier system 10 can pivot the transport trough 16 down to the horizontal by up to 40° in the extended position in order to load the item of cargo 18 into the transport trough 16 at a comfortable working height or to remove it from the transport trough 16. The pivoting movement of the transport trough 16 can be effected manually by the user by means of his own exertion of force. Furthermore, the pivoting movement can also be accomplished by an electric motor (not shown) which is configured to pivot the transport trough 16 and which can be controlled by the user via an operating element (not shown).It is further shown in FIG. 1 c that the roof carrier system 10 comprises a support foot 26 which is pivotably fastened to the transport trough 16. In the transport position, the support foot 26 is arranged parallel to the bottom of the transport trough 16 folded up parallel to the latter in a space-saving manner. However, the support foot 26 is unfolded in the pull-out position or in a state of the transport trough 16 pivoted about the axis of rotation B of the pivot joints 22 and is brought between the transport trough 16 and the floor in order to support the transport trough 16 in the respectively pivoted loading and unloading state.FIGS. 2 ato 2 c show schematic representations of the roof rack system 10 for a motor vehicle 12 according to a second embodiment. Repetitive features are denoted by the same reference numerals. A repetitive description of the features is omitted. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.The second embodiment differs substantially from the first embodiment in that the roof carrier system 10 comprises two substantially identical transport troughs 16 of halved width, which are each designed to be displaceable back and forth to a vehicle side along the running rail direction A (see FIG. 2 b ). This has the advantage that access to the roof carrier system 10 on both sides is possible by means of pivoted transport troughs 16 (see FIG. 2 c ).In the transport state shown in FIG. 2 a, the rolling devices 20 of the transport troughs 16 are each located centrally on the roof of the motor vehicle 12. The pivoting principle of the transport troughs 16 shown in FIG. 2 c corresponds in each case to the principle described with reference to FIG. 1 c, with the difference that the transport troughs 16 project horizontally from the motor vehicle 12 in different directions in each case and can be pivoted correspondingly from there in each case to the motor vehicle 12. In the second embodiment, the roof rack 10 comprises a stop body with the already described stop profile 24 on each of the two vehicle sides in order to preset the maximum pivot positions of the respective transport trough 16.FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a detailed perspective view of the roof carrier system 10 with the transport trough 16 in the maximum pivot position. In the detailed view of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the laterally extending running running rails 14 are mounted on two opposing longitudinal beams 30. Furthermore, the running rails 14 each have a U-shaped profile which is open upwards. The legs of the U-shaped profiles each contain guide holes 28, through which the roller apparatuses 20, precisely a pin rotatably coupled to the roller apparatuses 20, extend in order to couple the transport trough 16 to the running rails 14. The length of the guide holes 28 specifies the clearance of the translatory movement of the transport trough 16 along the running rail direction A. As can be seen easily in FIG. 3, the guide holes 28, more precisely the abutment of the pins coupled to the roller apparatuses 20 on the ends of the guide holes 28, prevent the transport trough 16 from being able to be displaced further translationally beyond the pull-out position.The rolling apparatuses 20 are configured integrally with the rotary joints 22 in the example shown in FIG. 3. The rolling apparatuses 20 each comprise at least one roller 32 which each roll on the base of the associated running rail 14, more precisely on the connecting piece, running at the bottom, of the limbs of the U-shaped profile of the running rail 14. The rolling apparatuses 20 each comprise two perforated projections which surround the limbs of the running rail 14 from the outside. The pin guided into the holes of the projections, through the guide holes 28 of the running rail 14 and through the running roller 32 thereby enables the swivelability of the transport trough 16 about the axis of rotation B.FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a method for storing cargo according to an embodiment.In a method step 50, the roof carrier system 10 described above is mounted on a roof of the motor vehicle 12. The roof carrier system 10 is preferably mounted directly on the roof of the motor vehicle 12 or indirectly via a roof rail or via longitudinal carriers 30 (see FIG. 3 ).In a second method step 52, the transport trough 16 is moved in the running rail direction A along the running rails 14 into the pull-out position.In a third method step 54, the transport trough 16 is pivoted about the axis of rotation B of the rotary joints 22. The transport trough 16 can now be loaded or unloaded from a convenient working height with loaded material 18.FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a detailed perspective view of the roof carrier system 10 with the transport trough 16 in the maximum pivot position according to a further embodiment.In contrast to the roof carrier system 10 shown in FIG. 3, the roof carrier system 10 according to FIG. 5 comprises a modified running rail 14 which comprises opposite further guide holes 34 in the legs of the U-shaped profile. A length of the further guide holes 34 corresponds substantially to the length of the guide holes 28 for the pins of the roller apparatuses 20. In the further guide holes 34, a counter bearing 36 in the form of a plate is arranged, which is configured to be movable along the further guide holes 34. The rolling apparatuses 20 each comprise a driver arm 38 which extends along the running rail direction A parallel to the transport trough to the running rail 14. The driver arm 38 comprises a bent end which is configured to at least partially enclose the plate of the counter bearing 36 in order to prevent the transport trough 16 from pivoting. The roller apparatuses 20 further each comprise arresting means 40 which are designed as ball pressure spring elements screwed laterally into each roller apparatus 20 in order to retain the transport trough 16 in a respective pivoted position, in particular the horizontal extended position and in the maximum pivoted position.The following intended uses and groups are preferably provided for the transport trough 16: hand-held workers, travelling normal customers, in particular individual and families, in the open version of the transport trough 16, in the closed version of the transport trough 16, sports community, medical transports, small transport trough 16, large transport trough 16, large transport trough 16 can be pulled out on both sides, taxi transports, MAAS and TASS for futures, transport trough 16 open, transport trough 16 with cover, transport trough with roller blind function and cassettes (very thick design and handling), grid box transport trough 16 made of steel, lightweight transport trough made of plastics-fibre-reinforced plastics CFRP, glass-fibre-reinforced plastics GFK, aluminium and the like, Passenger Transport and so forth.List of reference characters10 Roof carrier system 12 Motor vehicle 14 Running rail 16 Transport trough 18 Item of cargo 20 Rolling apparatus 22 Rotary joint 24 Stop profile 26 Support foot 28 Guide hole 30 Longitudinal carrier 32 Running roller 34 Further guide hole 36 Counter bearing 38 Driver arm 40 Locks 50 First method step - Providing a roof carrier system 52 Second method step - Moving the transport trough 54 Third method step - Pivoting the transport trough A Running rail direction B Axis of rotationReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2021 118 636 A1

[0004]

Claims

Roof carrier system (10) for a motor vehicle (12), comprising: at least two running rails (14) arranged in parallel, a transport trough (16) for storing cargo (18), at least two rolling apparatuses (20) which are coupled to the running rails (14) in such a way that the transport trough (16) is movable in a running rail direction (A) along the running rails (14), and at least two rotary joints (22), characterized in that the rolling apparatuses (20) are fastened to the base of the transport trough (16), and the rotary joints (22) are configured to pivot the transport trough (16) about an axis of rotation (B) of the rotary joints (22) in a pull-out position in which the rolling apparatuses (20) are located at the same ends of the running rails (14).The roof rack system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the running rail direction (A) is a lateral direction with respect to the running direction of the motor vehicle (12).Roof carrier system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the roof carrier system (10) is configured such that the pivoting movement about the axis of rotation (B) of the swivel joints is damped by a predefined damping force.Roof rack system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stop profile (24) which is configured to restrict a pivoting movement of the transport trough (16) about the axis of rotation (B) of the rotary joints (22) with respect to the motor vehicle (12).Roof rack system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolling apparatuses (20) are detachably fastened to the base of the transport trough (16).Roof carrier system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support foot (26) which is pivotably fastened to the transport trough (16) and which is configured to support the transport trough (16) on the floor in the pull-out position and / or in a state pivoted about the axis of rotation (B) of the rotary joints (22).The roof rack system (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the transport tray (16) comprises at least one hole and / or protrusion in the outboard side wall for engaging the transport tray (16).Roof rack system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the running rails (14) each have a U-shaped profile, wherein a guide hole (28) is respectively contained in the legs of the U-shaped profile and the rolling apparatuses (20) are respectively coupled to the running rails (14) via the guide holes (28) of the legs.Roof carrier system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a further transport trough (16) for storing cargo (18), at least two further rolling apparatuses (20) which are fastened to the base of the further transport trough (16) and which are coupled to the running rails (14) in such a way that the further transport trough (16) is movable along the running rails (14) in the running rail direction (A), and at least two further rotary joints (22) which are configured to pivot the further transport trough (16) about a further rotational axis (B) of the further rotary joints (22) in a further pull-out position in which the further rolling apparatuses (20) are located at one end opposite the same ends of the running rails (14).Method for storing cargo (18), comprising the steps of: - providing (50) a roof carrier system (10) according to one of the preceding claims on a roof of a motor vehicle (12), - moving (52) the transport trough (16) in the running rail direction (A) along the running rails (14) into the pull-out position, and - pivoting (54) the transport trough (16) about the axis of rotation (B) of the rotary joints (22).

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