LOAD CARRIER FOR A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WITH THE SAME

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a load carrier for a vehicle, in particular for the rear of a panel van. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle with such a load carrier. State of the art

[0002] Many panel vans have rear doors, which may be double-leaf and open outwards. If such a panel van has a towbar with, for example, a bicycle carrier mounted on it, this bicycle carrier often protrudes into the opening area of ​​the rear door. This means the rear door can either not be opened at all or only to a limited extent. To address this problem, towbars for panel vans are known in the prior art. These are attached to a load-bearing section that can be pivoted relative to the rear of the vehicle. With such systems, if the rear door of the panel van needs to be opened, the load-bearing section with the towbar mounted on it can be pivoted away from the rear door to allow it to open unimpeded. Such a load-bearing system is known, for example, from EP 3 466 728 B1.US 5,879,102 A relates to a clamping device for locking telescopic components of a vehicle, JP H08 175276 A relates to a carrier for a vehicle rear that allows a rear door to be opened / closed, DE 10 2019 106 573 A1 relates to a mounting adapter for a trailer-mounted load carrier and CA 3 023 871 A1 relates to a swiveling transport system for mounting on the rear of a vehicle. Description of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates, in a first aspect, to a load carrier for a vehicle. The vehicle is, in particular, a panel van, for example, a van, a motorhome, a passenger car, or another type of panel van. The panel van may have a rear door, for example, a double rear door, through which access to the interior of the panel van, for example, to the trunk, can be provided. The rear door may have a substantially vertical pivot axis about which the door can be pivoted for opening and closing. The load carrier of the present invention is designed, in particular, to be attached to the rear of the panel van. Load-carrying devices, for example, a bicycle carrier, a transport box, and / or other load-carrying devices, can be attached to the load carrier.

[0004] The load carrier has a vehicle mounting section for attaching the load carrier to the vehicle. The vehicle mounting section can be designed to be attached to the rear of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle mounting section can be designed to be attached to a chassis component, such as a chassis cross member. The chassis cross member can run transversely across the vehicle from left to right, for example, along the entire width of the vehicle. The vehicle mounting section can be permanently attached to the vehicle, meaning that it can only be removed with the aid of additional tools and / or by destroying the vehicle.

[0005] Furthermore, the load-bearing structure comprises an elongated load-bearing section to which, for example, a load-bearing device can be attached. The load-bearing section has an elongated shape and thus extends in one direction significantly longer than its extensions in the other two directions, which are perpendicular to each other and to that single direction. The load-bearing section is, in particular, a swing arm. The swing arm can be designed as a swing rod with a circular, square, or other cross-section. The elongated load-bearing section can have a proximal end and a distal end. Both the proximal and distal ends of the elongated load-bearing section can have an end face. Between the end faces, the load-bearing section can have a lateral surface.

[0006] The load-bearing section is designed to be pivotable relative to the vehicle mounting section, for example, by means of a pivot bearing formed by the vehicle mounting section. A pivot axis about which the load-bearing section can be pivoted relative to the vehicle mounting section can be arranged perpendicular to the main extension direction of the load-bearing section. In particular, the load-bearing section is pivotable between a closed position, in which the load-bearing section can preferably be locked by means of the locking mechanism, and an open position, in which the load-bearing section has preferably been pivoted such that the rear door of the van is accessible.

[0007] Furthermore, the load carrier features a locking mechanism for securing the load-bearing section. This locking mechanism allows the load-bearing section to be locked in a pivot position relative to the vehicle mounting section. For example, the load-bearing section can be locked in the extended position using the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be a component that is separate from the vehicle mounting section and the elongated load-bearing section. The locking mechanism can be designed to be attached to the rear of the vehicle, for example, to the crossmember of the vehicle chassis described above. Depending on the vehicle mounting section, the locking mechanism can be permanently or releasably attached to the vehicle.In particular, the locking mechanism is designed to lock the distal end of the swing arm, i.e., the end which is facing away from the vehicle mounting section.

[0008] The locking mechanism according to the present invention is designed to lock the load-bearing section from its end face. In other words, the locking mechanism acts on the end face of the load-bearing section to apply the locking force. Besides the end face at the distal end of the load-bearing section, the locking mechanism can also act on other sections, for example, on the outer surface of the load-bearing section. In one embodiment, the locking device acts only on the end face of the load-bearing section and thus on no other surface. The load-bearing section according to the invention offers the advantage of providing a particularly secure and reliable locking mechanism for the elongated load-bearing section.

[0009] The present disclosure relates, in a second aspect, to a load carrier for a vehicle, in particular for the rear of a van, comprising a vehicle mounting section for attaching the load carrier to the vehicle, a load-bearing section, in particular a swing arm that is pivotable relative to the vehicle mounting section, and a locking mechanism for locking the load-bearing section, in particular the distal end of the swing arm. The load carrier, the vehicle mounting section, the load-bearing section, and the locking mechanism can each be configured according to the embodiments described above. In this aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism further comprises a lever mechanism for actuating the locking mechanism. The lever mechanism can be configured to be operated by a user with one hand.In particular, the locking mechanism can be designed such that it can be activated simply by operating the lever mechanism, for example, by simply flipping a lever, and no further action is required. This allows for the provision of a load carrier of the type described, which is particularly easy for a user to operate. Furthermore, such a locking mechanism ensures that the risk of incorrect operation is minimized.

[0010] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a load carrier for a vehicle, in particular for the rear of a van, comprising a vehicle mounting section for attaching the load carrier to the vehicle, a load-bearing section, in particular a swing arm that is pivotable relative to the vehicle mounting section, and a locking mechanism for locking the load-bearing section, in particular the distal end of the swing arm. The load carrier, the vehicle mounting section, the load-bearing section, and the locking mechanism can be configured according to the embodiments described above. Within the scope of this third aspect, the locking mechanism includes a pedal assembly for actuating it. The pedal assembly is a component that, during intended operation, is actuated by the foot of a user of the load carrier.The pedal assembly can have one or more pedals and / or be designed, for example, to be operable from one side of the vehicle. The load carrier of the present embodiment offers the advantage that it can be easily and simply operated by a user, particularly when the user does not currently have a free hand to operate it.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a load carrier for a vehicle, in particular for the rear of a van, comprising a vehicle mounting section for attaching the load carrier to the vehicle, a load-bearing section, in particular a swing arm that is pivotable relative to the vehicle mounting section, and a locking mechanism for locking the load-bearing section, in particular the distal end of the swing arm. The load carrier, the vehicle mounting section, the load-bearing section, and the locking mechanism can be configured according to the embodiments described above. In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking device for locking the locking mechanism in its locked position.The locking device can be, for example, a lock that can be operated with a key and / or contactlessly, such as via an app. The locking device ensures that the load carrier cannot be operated by unauthorized persons. Furthermore, the locking device can increase security because, when locked, it prevents the locking mechanism from being unintentionally released.

[0012] The load carrier has two complementary locking elements. These elements can be a male and a complementary female locking element. The complementary locking elements are translationally adjustable relative to each other by the locking mechanism. In a locked state, the locking elements engage with each other, for example, in a positive-locking manner. In an alternative embodiment, a frictional engagement takes place between the locking elements in the locked state. The present embodiment thus provides a load carrier that enables particularly reliable and effective locking.

[0013] The locking elements comprise a bolt, for example a cylindrical bolt, and an opening complementary to the bolt, for example a blind hole. The bolt can be adjustable by the locking mechanism, for example translationally adjustable. The opening complementary to the bolt can be provided in the end face of the load-bearing section.

[0014] In one embodiment, the load carrier further comprises a centering device for aligning the complementary locking elements when they are moved relative to each other by the locking mechanism, in particular when they are adjusted towards each other. The centering device can be designed as a chamfer, which may, for example, be provided at one end of the bolt.

[0015] In one embodiment, the load carrier further comprises a bearing bushing, which can, for example, be designed as a hollow cylinder. The bearing bushing can have a cylindrical cavity with a diameter that essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical bolt. The cylindrical interior of the bearing bushing can thus act as a guide for the cylindrical bolt. In the bearing bushing of the present embodiment, one of the locking elements, for example, the bolt, is slidably mounted. The locking element is adjustable relative to the bearing bushing, in particular translationally adjustable, by means of a lever mechanism. The bearing bushing can be designed and arranged such that, in the assembled state of the load carrier, it can be positioned coaxially with the elongated load-bearing section when the latter is, for example, in the positioning state described above.

[0016] The lever mechanism according to one of the embodiments described above can comprise a lever pivotable about a pivot axis and a sliding element mechanically connected to the lever. One of the locking elements, for example, the bolt, can be mechanically connected to the sliding element. The lever mechanism can be designed such that a pivoting movement of the lever about the pivot axis results in a translational sliding movement of the sliding element. For example, the sliding element is slidably arranged in an elongated hole provided in the bearing bushing and is mechanically connected to the slidable locking element, for example, the bolt. The sliding element can be a sliding member that, for example, can be slidably arranged in two opposing elongated holes formed in the bearing bushing.A pivoting movement of the lever mechanism around the pivot axis is then converted into a translational displacement movement of the displacement element within the elongated hole of the bearing bushing, whereby this translational displacement movement of the displacement element can be accompanied by a corresponding translational adjustment movement of the locking element. In this way, a locking mechanism for a load carrier can be provided that is easy to operate, results in high operational reliability, and exhibits high robustness.

[0017] In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is self-locking. This means that forces acting on the locking mechanism during normal operation do not affect the locked position and therefore do not facilitate opening the locking mechanism. In other words, the self-locking locking mechanism is designed such that forces acting on the mechanism during normal operation do not constitute opening forces that would facilitate opening the mechanism. This allows for a locking mechanism with a high degree of reliability.

[0018] In one embodiment, the lever mechanism has a connecting element that is rotatably mounted on the lever about a first axis of rotation and on the sliding element about a second axis of rotation. In particular, the connecting element is a one-piece, rigid element, although other configurations are also conceivable. The connecting element can be an angled link with an angle between two legs greater than 90°, for example, approximately 135°. At the ends of the two legs, the endpoints of the connecting element can each be rotatably connected to the lever and the connecting element, respectively, about an axis of rotation.To create the self-locking mechanism described above, the first axis of rotation, which connects the lever to the connecting element, the second axis of rotation, which connects the connecting element to the sliding element, and the pivot axis, about which the lever can pivot, can be arranged on a straight line when the locking mechanism is locked. This straight line can, for example, be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bearing bushing and / or to the longitudinal direction of the load-bearing section when it is in the engagement position. This embodiment provides a simple self-locking configuration.

[0019] In one embodiment, the load carrier has a locking mechanism for securing the lever in its locked position. The locking mechanism can be designed as a releasable latching mechanism. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism has two locking elements that engage positively with each other, with one locking element being located on the lever and the other, for example, on the load-bearing section. The locking mechanism holds the locking mechanism in its locked position. This ensures, for example, that the locking mechanism cannot be opened by unintended external forces. The locking mechanism can include an actuating element, such as an actuating button, by which the locking mechanism can be released.The actuating element can be a mechanical component that releases the locking mechanism via a mechanical chain of action. Alternatively or additionally, the actuating element can be an electronic component that can release the locking mechanism via an electronic control signal.

[0020] In one embodiment, the locking mechanism has a stop surface, which can be designed to be complementary to the outer contour of the load-bearing section. The stop surface can, for example, have a circular shape, provided the elongated load-bearing section has a circular cross-section. Other configurations are also possible. The stop surface can be designed such that, when the load-bearing section is in contact with the stop surface, it can be aligned with a locking element of the locking mechanism, for example, the bolt. In this way, the stop surface ensures that, when the locking mechanism is actuated, a positive engagement of the locking elements can be achieved.

[0021] In one embodiment, the load-bearing section has a trailer hitch, which can be designed, in particular, as a ball hitch. The trailer hitch can be permanently mounted to the load-bearing section. Alternatively, the trailer hitch can also be provided in a detachable manner. In one embodiment, the load carrier is designed such that the vehicle mounting section can be attached to one end of the vehicle in the transverse direction, and the locking mechanism to the other end, so that the load-bearing section, when locked, extends substantially along the entire width of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the load carrier also has a bicycle carrier, which is attached to the load-bearing section, for example, to a trailer hitch of the load-bearing section.Regarding the design and advantages of the individual elements, please refer to the above explanations.

[0022] The present invention further relates to a vehicle with a load carrier according to one of the embodiments described above. The load carrier can be attached to the rear of the vehicle, in particular to the rear of a vehicle chassis. The vehicle preferably has at least one rear door which can be opened by pivoting the load carrier section even when a load, in particular a bicycle by means of a bicycle carrier, is mounted on the load carrier section. The vehicle and the load carrier can be designed according to one of the embodiments described above. Reference is made to the corresponding details and advantages of the embodiments described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Fig. 1shows a vehicle with a load carrier in its initial state in a perspective rear view. Fig. 2 The vehicle shows the load carrier made of Fig. 1 in a second state in a perspective rear view. Fig. 3 The vehicle shows the load carrier made of Figs. 1 and 2 in that state Fig. 2 in another perspective rear view. Fig. 4 shows a section of the load-bearing structure made of Figures 1 to 3 in that state Fig. 3 . Fig. 5 shows the section of the load-bearing structure made of Fig. 4 in another state. Fig. 6 shows a section of the load-bearing structure made of Figures 1 to 3 in another state. Fig. 7 shows the locking mechanism of the load carrier Figures 1 to 3 in an unlocked state. Fig. 8 shows the locking mechanism of the load carrier Figures 1 to 3 in a locked state. Fig. 9shows a locking device of the load carrier's locking mechanism. Figures 1 to 3 . Detailed description of embodiments

[0024] Fig. 1 The figure shows vehicle 1 in a perspective rear view, essentially only the chassis of the vehicle is visible, but not the vehicle body. Vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle frame with a Fig. 1 The rear cross member 2, which extends essentially from the left to the right side of the vehicle 1, is visible. Furthermore, rear wheels 3 are rotatably mounted on both the left and right sides of the vehicle chassis 2. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 is a panel van with a door 4 at the rear, from which... Figures 1 to 3 Only a lower section is shown. In the present embodiment, door 4 is designed as a double-leaf door and opens outwards.

[0025] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment comprises a load carrier 10, which is attached to the rear of the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the load carrier 10 is mounted on the cross member 2 of the vehicle frame. The load carrier 10 comprises a vehicle mounting section 11, an elongated load-bearing section 13, which in the present embodiment is designed as a swing arm, and a locking mechanism 15. The vehicle mounting section 11 is attached to the cross member 2 on the left side of the rear of the vehicle. The locking mechanism 15 is attached to the cross member 2 on the right side of the rear of the vehicle. The swing arm 13 is attached to the cross member 2 via the vehicle mounting section 11, in the present embodiment via a pivot bearing 12.

[0026] The pivot bearing 12 allows the swing arm 13 to pivot about a pivot axis perpendicular to the transverse direction of the vehicle 1. The pivotability of the swing arm 13 can be determined by comparing the positions of the swing arm 13 in the Figs. 1, 2, 3 , 4, 5 and 6 The states shown are evident. More precisely, the swing arm 13 can be positioned between a Fig. 1 shown display state, in which the swing arm 13 is arranged essentially at a right angle to the cross strut 2, and a in Figs. 5 and 6 The vehicle mounting section 11 is designed such that it forms a stop 14 for a cap 7 attached to the swing arm 13 (see figure). Fig. 3When the stop 14 and the cap 7 come into contact with each other during the extension of the swing arm 13, further extension movement of the swing arm 13 is prevented and an end extension position is defined. This end extension position is in Fig. 1 shown and corresponds to a state in which the swing arm 13 is arranged essentially at a 90° angle to the cross member 2.

[0027] A trailer coupling 8, designed specifically as a ball coupling, is attached to the swing arm 13. The ball coupling is mounted on the swing arm 13 in such a way that it moves when the Figs. 5 and 6 The swing arm 13 is in the position shown, located in the center of the vehicle rear. As described below, the swing arm 13 can be locked in the position shown in the diagram by means of the locking mechanism 15. Fig. 5 The delivery state shown is locked. If, however, the locking mechanism 15 is open, the swing arm 13 can be moved into the position shown. Fig. 1The displayed position can be rotated. In the Fig. 1 In the exhibition state shown, the trailer coupling 8 attached to the swing arm 13 is swung out of the movement area of ​​the double-winged rear door 4 of the vehicle 1.

[0028] Accordingly, devices attached to the trailer hitch 8, such as a bicycle carrier mounted on the trailer hitch 8 with bicycles possibly attached to it, do not interfere with the rear door 4 of the vehicle 1. In other words, the rear door 4 of the vehicle 1 can be opened and closed without interference when the swing arm 13 is in the position described in Fig. 1 The vehicle is in the displayed state, although the devices mounted on the trailer hitch 8 do not allow the rear door 4 of the vehicle 1 to be opened in the position shown. Figs. 5 and 6The shown delivery state of the swing arm 13 would be prevented. If, for example, a bicycle carrier with bicycles is mounted on the trailer hitch 8 and access to the trunk of the vehicle 1 by opening the rear door 4 is to be enabled, the load carrier 10 of the present invention can be used to move the swing arm 13 into the position shown in the invention by releasing the locking mechanism 15. Fig. 1 The rear door 4 of vehicle 1 can be pivoted to the shown position in order to expose it. In this state, the rear door 4 of vehicle 1 can now be opened unhindered despite a load-bearing device, for example a bicycle carrier, being mounted on the vehicle coupling 8.

[0029] As in Figures 1 to 5As can be seen, the swing arm 13 in the present embodiment has a circular cross-section. At its proximal end, it is pivotably coupled to the vehicle mounting section 11 via the pivot bearing 12. At its distal end, the swing arm 13 has a circular end face.

[0030] Figs. 4-6 show the locking mechanism 15 of the load carrier 10 Figs. 1 to 3 in enlarged view. The locking mechanism 15 comprises a bearing bushing 16 fixedly attached to the crossbeam 2, which in the present embodiment has a circular cross-section and an outer diameter corresponding to the swing arm 13. The bearing bushing 16 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam 2 and thus also to the longitudinal direction of the swing arm 13 when the latter is in the position shown in the illustration. Fig. 5The load carrier 10 is in the delivery state shown. Furthermore, the load carrier 10 comprises two locking elements. The first locking element is a bolt 17, which in the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical bolt 17 is mounted in the bearing bushing 16 so as to be translationally displaceable. As described in detail below, the cylindrical bolt 17 is positioned between a locking position, which is in Fig. 8 is shown and in which the bolt 17 protrudes from the bearing bushing 16, and one in Fig. 7The release position shown, in which the bolt 17 is essentially completely enclosed within the bearing bushing 16, is adjustable. The second locking element is an opening 9 designed complementarily to the bolt 17, which is formed as a blind hole in the end face of the swing arm 13. The bolt 17 and the blind hole 9 are aligned such that the bolt 17 is in its Fig. 8 The locking position shown can be received in the blind hole 9 formed in the front face.

[0031] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 15 has a stop surface 18 for the swing arm 13. The stop surface 18 is designed to be complementary to the outer contour of the swing arm 13, i.e., in this case, circular. The stop surface 18, the bearing bushing 16, and the locking elements 9 and 17 are aligned with each other such that the cylindrical bolt 17 is aligned with the opening 9 provided in the end face of the swing arm when the swing arm 13 rests against the stop surface 18.

[0032] By transferring the locking mechanism 15 into the Figures 4 and 5 In the release position shown, the swing arm 13 can be moved around the pivot bearing 12 of the vehicle mounting section 11 into the Fig. 1 The displayed exhibition state is transferred. If the swivel arm 13 is now moved back into the shown position by a user, Fig. 5The shown delivery state is pivoted by a pivoting movement about the pivot bearing 12 of the vehicle mounting section 11 and brought into contact with the stop surface 18, the locking mechanism 15 can then be moved into its position. Fig. 6 The locking position shown is transferred, in which the cylindrical bolt 17 penetrates the opening 9 formed in the end face and thus prevents the swing arm 13 from pivoting. To facilitate the penetration of the bolt 17 into the opening 9 formed in the end face, a centering device is provided on the side of the bolt 17 facing the swing arm 13, which in the present embodiment is designed as a chamfer 19 (see Fig. 8 The two locking elements, namely the bolt 17 and the opening 9 formed in the end face, are engaged via the chamfer 19 when the locking mechanism 15 is moved into the Fig. 8The locking position shown, i.e., when the bolt 17 is pushed out of the bearing bushing 16 in translation, is aligned with each other in order to bring about a positive engagement of the locking elements with each other.

[0033] To transfer the locking mechanism 15 from the one in Fig. 7 release state shown in the Fig. 8 In the locking state shown and returning to its original position, the locking mechanism has a lever mechanism 20. The lever mechanism 20 comprises a lever 22 pivotable about a pivot axis 21. The axis 21 is arranged essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cross member 2. In the present embodiment, an elongated hole 23 is provided in the bearing bushing 16, which is formed on both the upper and lower sides of the bearing bushing 16 and extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bearing bushing 16. A [missing information] is located in the elongated hole 23. Fig. 8The sliding element 24 shown is arranged and mechanically connected to the bolt 17. By translational movement of the sliding element 24 in the elongated hole 23, the locking element 17 can therefore be translationally moved between the Fig. 7 shown release position and the one in Fig. 8 The shown locking position can be adjusted.

[0034] This translational adjustment movement of the sliding element 24 in the elongated hole 23 is brought about by a pivoting movement of the lever 22 about the pivot axis 21. For this purpose, a rigid connecting link 25 is provided, which is rotatably connected to the sliding element 24 and rotatably to the lever 22. The connection to the lever 22 is eccentric to the pivot axis 21 in order to be able to redirect a pivoting movement of the lever 22 about the pivot axis 21 into a translational movement of the sliding element 24 in the bearing bushing 23 by means of the connecting link 25. The rigid connecting link 25 is rotatably attached to the lever 20 about a first axis of rotation 26 and rotatably attached to the sliding element 24 about a second axis of rotation 27.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 15 is designed to be self-locking, so that loads occurring during operation of the load carrier 10 do not promote the opening of the locking mechanism 15. For this purpose, both the two pivot axes 26 and 27, via which the connecting member 25 is linked to the lever 22 and the sliding element 24, and the pivot axis 21, about which the lever 22 is pivotably connected to the bearing bushing 16, are designed to be self-locking. Fig. 8 The locking state of the locking mechanism 15 shown is arranged on a straight line which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the bearing bushing 16, parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the cross member 2 and parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the swing arm 13 which is in the closed state.

[0036] Furthermore, the load carrier 10 has a locking mechanism 30 by means of which the locking mechanism 15 can be secured in its locked position. In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 30 is designed as a releasable latching mechanism comprising two locking elements 31 and 32 that engage positively with one another. One locking element 31 is provided at the distal end of the swing arm 13 and, in the present embodiment, is designed as a hook that can be displaced against a spring force between a locking and a release position. The other locking element 32 is designed in the form of an opening with a guide surface in the lever 22. When the lever 22 is disengaged from the Figs. 4, 5 and 7 shown opening position in the Figs. 6 and 8When the lever 22 is moved to the closed position shown by a pivoting movement about the pivot axis 21, the guide surface of the locking element 32 engages with the hook 31 and displaces it against the spring force such that the hook engages in the locking element 32, which is designed as an opening. In the engaged state, a protruding section of the hook 31 engages behind the guide surface of the locking element 32 and thus holds the lever 22 in its locked position. By pressing an actuating element 33 provided on the front of the lever 22, the guide surface of the locking element 32 is displaced, thereby releasing the engagement with the hook 31 and allowing the lever 22 to pivot again.

[0037] The locking mechanism 15 further comprises a locking device 35 by means of which the locking mechanism 15 can be locked in its locked position. For this purpose, a lock operable by means of a key is provided, which is particularly useful in Fig. 9 As shown, by actuating the lock 35, the guide surface of the locking element 32 can be fixed in its locked position, thus preventing the actuating element 33 from being actuated to release the locking element 32. For this purpose, a mechanically movable component is provided, which prevents the actuating element 33 from being pushed when the lock 35 is locked. However, when the lock 35 is unlocked with the key, the actuating element 33 can again be pushed to move the locking element 32 into its release position.

Claims

1. Load carrier (10) for a vehicle (1), in particular for a rear (2) of a van, having a vehicle fastening portion (11) for fastening the load carrier (10) to the vehicle (1); an elongate load-carrying portion (13), in particular a swing arm, which comprises an end face and is pivotable relative to the vehicle fastening portion (11), in particular between a stowed state and a deployed state; and a locking mechanism (15) for locking the load-carrying portion (13), in particular the distal end of the swing arm, wherein the load carrier (10) has a bolt (17) and an opening (9) complementary to the bolt (17) which are translationally movable relative to each other by the locking mechanism (15) and in a locking state of the locking mechanism (15) engage in each other in order to lock the load-carrying portion (13) from its end side.

2. Load carrier (10) according to claim 1, wherein the two mutually complementary locking elements (9, 17) form-fittingly engage in each other in the locking state of the locking mechanism (15).

3. Load carrier (10) according to claim 2, wherein the locking elements comprise a cylindrical bolt (17) which is movable in particular by the locking mechanism (15) and an opening (9) which is complementary to the bolt and is formed in the end face of the load-carrying portion (13).

4. Load carrier (10) according to either of claims 2 to 3, further comprising a centering device (19) for aligning the mutually complementary locking elements (9, 17) when said elements are moved toward each other by the locking mechanism (15), wherein the centering device is preferably in the form of a chamfer (19) at one end of the bolt (17).

5. Load carrier (10) according to any of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a bearing bushing (16) in which one of the locking elements (17) is slidably mounted, wherein the locking element (17) is in particular translationally movable relative to the bearing bushing (16) via a lever mechanism (20) and / or wherein the bearing bushing (16) is arranged in particular coaxially with respect to the load-carrying portion (13) when said portion is in the stowed state.

6. Load carrier (10) according to claim 5, wherein the lever mechanism (19) has a lever (22) pivotable about a pivot shaft (21) and a sliding element (24) which is mechanically operatively connected to the lever (22) and is designed to perform an in particular translational sliding movement during a pivoting movement of the lever (22) about the pivot shaft (21), wherein the sliding element (24) is arranged in particular in a slot (23) provided in the bearing bushing (16) and is mechanically operatively connected to the slidable locking element (17), with the result that a pivoting movement of the lever (22) about the pivot shaft (21) results in a translational sliding movement of the slidable locking element (17).

7. Load carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (15) is self-securing, with the result that loads occurring during the operation of the load carrier (10) do not facilitate the opening of the locking mechanism (15).

8. Load carrier (10) according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the lever mechanism (20) has a connecting member (25) which is mounted on the lever (20) so as to be rotatable about a first rotation shaft (26) and mounted on the sliding element (24) so as to be rotatable about a second rotation shaft (27), wherein the two rotation shafts (26, 27) and the pivot shaft (21) in the locked state of the locking mechanism (15) are arranged on a straight line which runs axially parallel to the bearing bushing (16) and / or to the load-carrying portion (13) when said portion is in the stowed state.

9. Load carrier (10) according to any of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a securing mechanism (30) for securing the lever (22) in its locking position, wherein the securing mechanism (30) is preferably in the form of a releasable latching mechanism and / or preferably has two securing elements (31, 32) that can brought into form-fitting engagement with each other, wherein the one securing element (32) is preferably arranged on the lever (22) and the other securing element (31) is preferably arranged on the load-carrying portion (13), wherein the securing mechanism (30) is releasable via an actuating element (33), in particular an actuating button.

10. Load carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (15) has a stop face (18) which is preferably complementary to the outer contour of the load-carrying portion (13), wherein the locking elements (9, 17) are preferably aligned with each other when the load-carrying portion (13) rests against the stop face (18).

11. Load carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the load-carrying portion (13) has a trailer coupling (8), in particular a ball head coupling, the load carrier (10) is designed in such a way that the vehicle fastening portion (11) in the transverse direction of the vehicle (1) is fastenable at one end and the locking mechanism (15) is fastenable at the other end of the vehicle (1), with the result that the load-carrying portion (13) in the stowed state extends substantially along the entire vehicle width, and / or the load carrier (10) preferably has a bicycle carrier attached to the load-carrying portion (13).

12. Vehicle (1) comprising a load carrier (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the load carrier (10) is attached to the vehicle rear (2), in particular to the vehicle chassis, wherein the vehicle (1) preferably has at least one rear door (4) which can be opened by pivoting the load-carrying portion (13) into the deployed position, even when a load, in particular a bicycle via a bicycle carrier, is mounted on the load-carrying portion (13).