Footrest apparatus for a tilting vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a footrest apparatus (2) for a tilting vehicle, which footrest apparatus can be arranged or is arranged on a vehicle component (4) of the tilting vehicle, such as a vehicle seat, comprising: at least one receiving unit (6), which is arranged in or on the vehicle component (4) and comprises at least one opening (8), through which the receiving unit (6) is accessible from the outside; and at least one footrest (10), which can be transferred from a support position, in which a foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the footrest (10), into a stowed position, in which the footrest (10) is pushed fully or at least partly into the receiving unit (6) through the opening (8) in the receiving unit (6) and is arranged in the receiving unit (6) in full or at least with an area that is larger than in the support position.

Description

[0001] Footrest device for a tilting vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a footrest device for a tilting vehicle.

[0003] Footrests for tilting vehicles are known, for example, in the form of so-called pillion footrests, i.e., footrests on which a passenger can rest their feet while the tilting vehicle is in operation. Footrest devices designed as pillion footrests are not always needed when the tilting vehicle is in operation, but only when a passenger is being carried. If a single person is driving the tilting vehicle, the pillion footrests are not required.

[0004] It is known from the prior art to fix footrest devices designed as pillion footrests either rigidly and stationary on the tilting vehicle or to transfer them from a support position, in which a foot of a passenger can be supported on it, to a storage position by means of rotation, in which the footrest is arranged on a panel, in particular under a vehicle seat.

[0005] It has been found to be disadvantageous that a user of the tilting vehicle can touch the footrest device designed as a pillion footrest when driving or maneuvering, which reduces driving comfort.

[0006] If the passenger footrests are immobile and fixed relative to the tilting vehicle, they protrude unnecessarily outward, which detracts from the overall line. Screwing and unscrewing rigid, fixed footrests is uncomfortable and time-consuming.

[0007] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a footrest device for a tilting vehicle which, when not needed, can be stored in an improved manner.

[0008] This object is achieved by a footrest device for a tilting vehicle, which can be arranged or is arranged on a vehicle component of the tilting vehicle, such as a vehicle seat, with at least one receiving unit which is arranged in or on the vehicle component and which comprises at least one opening through which the receiving unit is accessible from the outside, with at least one footrest which can be transferred from a support position in which a foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the footrest, into a storage position in which the footrest is pushed entirely or at least partially through the opening of the receiving unit into the receiving unit and is arranged entirely or at least with an area larger than the support position in the receiving unit.

[0009] Because the footrest device comprises at least one footrest that can be transferred from a support position, in which a foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported in the footrest, into a storage position, in which the footrest is pushed entirely or at least partially through the opening of the receiving unit into the receiving unit and is arranged entirely or at least with a larger area in the receiving unit compared to the support position, the footrest in the storage position does not protrude laterally beyond the tilting vehicle, or only protrudes slightly. This reduces the influence on the line of the vehicle and the risk that a user of the tilting vehicle could touch the footrest of the footrest device while driving. The receiving unit can be arranged in or on a vehicle component. In embodiments, it is provided that the vehicle component comprises a vehicle seat, on or in which the receiving unit is formed.The receiving unit can comprise only a receiving base against which the at least one footrest is arranged and held in the storage position, or can be designed in the manner of a housing comprising a hollow space and predominantly surrounding the hollow space.

[0010] The transfer of the at least one footrest from the support position to the storage position and back can be done manually or automatically. If the transfer of the at least one footrest is done automatically, a drive, in particular a mechanical or electric drive, can be provided.

[0011] By transferring by pushing from the support position to the storage position and vice versa, the transfer movement comprises at least one translational movement.

[0012] A tilting vehicle is understood to mean bicycles, motorcycles or motorcycle-like motor vehicles, such as scooters, in particular two-, three- or four-wheeled scooters, tilting trikes, quads or the like.

[0013] In principle, it is conceivable for the footrest to be formed from a single straight or curved element. In one embodiment of the footrest device, it proves advantageous if the at least one footrest comprises a leg element which is arranged with a rear gripping section in the storage position and in the support position in the receiving unit, and if the at least one footrest comprises a support element which is arranged at the end of the leg element facing away from the rear gripping section, which extends obliquely or transversely to the leg element at least in the support position and on which the foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported in the support position.

[0014] Because the footrest comprises a leg element that is arranged in the receiving unit with a rear gripping section in the storage position and in the support position, the footrest is always secured in the receiving unit to prevent it from being removed. This secures the footrest in the receiving unit.

[0015] Because the footrest comprises a support element that runs diagonally or transversely to the leg element and is arranged on an end of the leg element facing away from the rear grip section, a relative height with respect to the tilting vehicle at which the support element is located can be designed independently of the arrangement of the receiving unit. For example, the receiving unit can be arranged on a seat device of the tilting vehicle, and the support element can be spaced from the seat device and the receiving unit, in particular with respect to the vertical axis of the tilting vehicle, by encompassing the leg element and the support element that runs diagonally or transversely to the leg element. This ensures a comfortable arrangement of a user's legs thanks to the footrest device.

[0016] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves to be advantageous if the leg element and the support element of the footrest form a one-piece common component or if the leg element and the support element of the footrest comprise separate or separable components.

[0017] If the leg element and support element form a single, integral component, the footrest device can be designed with fewer components. If the leg element and support element of the footrest comprise separate or separable components, leg elements of different lengths can be joined together to form a footrest.

[0018] Furthermore, embodiments of the footrest device are conceivable in which the support element is arranged immovably and stationary relative to the leg element on the leg element or in which the support element is arranged movable, in particular rotatably, relative to the leg element on the leg element and can be transferred from a support position in which the foot of the user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the support element in the support position into a folding position in which a free end of the support element is arranged moved in the direction of the leg element with respect to the support position.

[0019] If the support element is immovable and fixed relative to the leg element, the angle between the support element and the leg element is always constant. In this case, the support element can rest against the receiving unit from the outside in the storage position.

[0020] If the support element is movable relative to the leg element, in particular, is rotatably mounted on the leg element and can be transferred from a support position, in which the foot of the user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the support element in the support position, to a folding position, in which a free end of the support element is arranged so as to be moved toward the leg element relative to the support position, the support element can bear against the leg element. In this case, the support element and leg element can be arranged in the storage position in the receiving unit.

[0021] In order to be able to ensure that loads are received in the support position, it proves to be advantageous if the receiving unit comprises a wedge-shaped contact section adjacent to the opening, on the first surface of which the leg element rests with its rear grip section in the support position, forming a rear grip with respect to the opening, and on the second surface of which, adjacent to the first surface, the leg element rests at least partially in a planar manner in the support position.

[0022] The wedge-shaped contact section can be formed, for example, by a step between a base surface and an opening in the receiving unit. The rear grip section of the leg element can be implemented as a step or hook.

[0023] Because the receiving unit includes a wedge-shaped contact section adjacent to the opening, the leg element is hooked onto the wedge-shaped contact section in the support position by its rear grip section and rests partially against the wedge-shaped contact section. This allows loads transferred to the footrest, for example, by a foot or leg of a footrest user, to be absorbed by the receiving unit.

[0024] The picking up of loads can be further improved and a relative movement of the leg element with respect to the receiving unit can be limited if the receiving unit comprises a stop section which is arranged on a side of the opening opposite the contact section and against which the leg element rests in a planar or linear manner in the support position.

[0025] In this case, the leg element rests against the stop section of the receiving unit with a side opposite the rear grip section. In principle, it is conceivable for the footrest device to comprise several receiving units, with a footrest being arranged in each receiving unit. Preferred embodiments of the tilting vehicle comprise footrest devices in which a footrest is arranged on each side of the tilting vehicle.The footrest device can be designed to be compact if the receiving unit comprises at least two openings lying opposite one another, through which the receiving unit is accessible from the outside, and in which a first footrest can be transferred from the support position into the storage position through a first opening and in which a second footrest can be transferred from the support position into the storage position, wherein the first footrest and the second footrest are arranged in the storage position at least partially overlapping one another and abutting one another in the receiving unit.

[0026] In this case, two footrests can be arranged in one and the same receiving unit. Because the two openings are opposite each other, both the left and right sides of the tilting vehicle can accommodate a footrest that can be moved from the storage position to the support position.

[0027] Because a first footrest and a second footrest are arranged in the storage position at least partially overlapping each other and adjacent to each other in the receiving unit, the footrest device can be designed to be compact and space-optimized.

[0028] For this purpose, it proves to be particularly advantageous if the leg element of the at least one footrest comprises a solid profile or a hollow profile, in particular if the leg element of the first footrest comprises a hollow profile and if the leg element of the second footrest comprises a solid profile.

[0029] If the leg element of at least one footrest comprises a solid profile, the footrest device can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively. If the leg element comprises a hollow profile, the footrest can be designed to be weight-optimized. If the leg element of the first footrest comprises a hollow profile and if the leg element of the second footrest comprises a solid profile, the solid profile of the leg element of the second footrest can bear flatly against the leg element of the first footrest in the storage position. In this case, the hollow profile of the leg element of the first footrest surrounds the leg element of the second footrest in the storage position like a rail from at least two sides.

[0030] Furthermore, embodiments of the footrest device are conceivable in which a leg element comprising a hollow profile comprises at least two leg sections which can be telescoped into one another, wherein the leg element comprises its longest extension in the support position and its smallest extension in the storage position.

[0031] If the leg element comprising a hollow profile comprises at least two leg sections that can be telescoped into one another, the longitudinal extent of the leg element can be adjusted. This allows the footrest device to be designed with reduced installation space. In this case, it is conceivable, for example, for the leg element to be reduced in its longitudinal extent when transferred from the support position to the storage position, and to have its smallest extent in the storage position.

[0032] Simple embodiments of the leg element can in such a case provide that the leg element comprises a stop for the at least two leg sections in its longest extension and in such a case the leg element can be arranged exclusively in two positions, namely longest extension and shortest extension.

[0033] Furthermore, it is conceivable for the leg element to be adjustable in stages or continuously at different longitudinal extensions. In this case, a drive can be provided in the leg element, or the leg element can be manually adjusted in stages or continuously.

[0034] In order to prevent the at least one footrest in the storage position from being inadvertently moved out of the receiving unit during operation of the tilting vehicle, in which the occurrence of vibrations and oscillations can never be completely ruled out, one embodiment of the footrest device provides at least one mechanically or magnetically active fixing means by which the at least one footrest, in particular the first footrest and the second footrest, are releasably fixed against movement in the storage position, wherein the at least one footrest can be released from the fixed arrangement and transferred into the support position when a holding force of the fixing means is exceeded.

[0035] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, from the drawing and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the footrest device.

[0036] The drawing shows:

[0037] Figure 1 A sectional view of an embodiment of the footrest device in the support position of the footrests;

[0038] Figure 2 A sectional view of the embodiment of the footrest device according to Figure 1 in the storage position of the footrests.

[0039] The figures show a footrest device for a tilting vehicle, designated overall by reference numeral 2. The footrest device 2 can be arranged or is arranged on a vehicle component 4 of the tilting vehicle, such as a vehicle seat.

[0040] The footrest device 2 comprises a receiving unit 6 which is arranged in or on the vehicle component 4 and which comprises at least one opening 8.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving unit 6 comprises two openings 8 arranged on opposite sides. The receiving unit 6 is accessible from the outside through the openings 8.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the footrest device 2 comprises two footrests 10, each of which can be transferred from a support position in which a foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the footrest 10 (Figure 1), into a storage position in which the footrest 10 is pushed in its entirety, at least in sections, through the opening 8 of the receiving unit 6 into the receiving unit 6 and is arranged completely or at least with a larger area in relation to the support position in the receiving unit 6 (Figure 2).

[0043] The footrests 10 each comprise a leg element 12 which is arranged with a rear grip section 14 in the receiving unit 6 both in the storage position and in the support position.

[0044] Furthermore, the footrest 10 comprises a support element 16, which is arranged at the end of the leg element 12 facing away from the rear grip section 14 and which, in the embodiment shown in the figures, extends obliquely to the leg element 12 in the support position 16. A foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the support element 16 in the support position.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figures, leg element 12 and support element 16 are designed as separate and separable components. The support element 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the leg element 12. In this case, it can be transferred from a supporting position (Figure 1), in which the foot of the user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the support element 16 in the supporting position, into a folding position (Figure 2), in which the free end of the support element 16 is arranged so as to be movable towards the leg element 12 with respect to the sitting position. In this case, the support element 16 rests against the leg element 12.The receiving unit 6 comprises two wedge-shaped contact sections 18, each of which rests against the openings 8. The first surface of the leg element 12, with its rear grip section 14, rests against the first surface of the support section 18, forming a rear grip with respect to the opening 8 in the support position, and the second surface of the leg element 12, adjacent to the first surface, rests against the second surface of the support section 18, at least in part, in the support position. Opposite the wedge-shaped section 18 with respect to the opening 8, the receiving unit 6 comprises a stop section 20, against which the respective footrest 10 rests with a side of the leg element 12 opposite the rear grip section 14, in the support position, in a planar or linear manner.

[0046] The figures show an embodiment in which the leg element 12 of a first footrest 22 comprises a hollow profile and the leg element 12 of a second footrest 24 comprises a solid profile. This makes it possible to arrange the second footrest 24 in the storage position, overlapping the first footrest 22 and in contact with each other, thus reducing installation space in the receiving unit 6.

[0047] The following briefly outlines the operation of the footrest device 2:

[0048] From a storage position according to Figure 2, the second footrest 24 is first pulled out of the receiving unit 6. In doing so, the second footrest 24 passes through the opening 8 and, in the support position, rests with the rear grip section 14 of the leg element 12 against the wedge-shaped contact section 18 of the receiving unit 6. At the same time, the leg element 12 of the second footrest 24 is supported on the side opposite the rear grip section 14 by resting against the stop section 20. The support element 16 is folded over and thus forms, according to the arrangement according to Figure 1, a support for a foot of a user of the tilting vehicle. The same procedure is followed with the second footrest 24.

[0049] From the support position shown in Figure 1, the footrest device 2 can be returned to the storage position. The previously described steps are reversed.

[0050] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

[0051] List of reference symbols

[0052] Footrest device vehicle component mounting unit

[0053] opening

[0054] Footrest

[0055] Leg element

[0056] Rear grip section

[0057] Support element

[0058] Investment section

[0059] Stop section first footrest second footrest

Claims

Patent claims for a footrest device (2) for a tilting vehicle, which can be arranged or is arranged on a vehicle component (4) of the tilting vehicle, such as a vehicle seat, with at least one receiving unit (6) which is arranged in or on the vehicle component (4) and which comprises at least one opening (8) through which the receiving unit (6) is accessible from the outside, with at least one footrest (10) which can be moved from a support position in which a foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the footrest (10) to a storage position in which the footrest (10) is inserted completely or at least partially through the opening (8) of the receiving unit (6) into the receiving unit (6) and is arranged completely or at least with a larger area in the receiving unit (6) with respect to the support position.Footrest device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one footrest (10) comprises a leg element (12) which is arranged in the receiving unit (6) with a rear grip section (14) in the stowed position and in the support position, and that the at least one footrest (10) comprises a support element (16) which is arranged at the end of the leg element (12) facing away from the rear grip section (14), which extends obliquely or transversely to the leg element (12) at least in the support position and on which the foot of a user of the tilting vehicle can be supported in the support position. Footrest device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the leg element (12) and the support element (16) of the footrest (10) form a single common component or that the leg element (12) and the support element (16) of the footrest (10) comprise separate or separable components. Footrest device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the support element (16) is arranged immovably and fixedly on the leg element (12) relative to the leg element (12), or that the support element (16) is arranged movable, in particular rotatable, on the leg element (12) relative to the leg element (12) and can be moved from a support position in which the foot of the user of the tilting vehicle can be supported on the support element (16) in the support position to a folding position in which a free end of the support element (16) is arranged to be moved with respect to the support position in the direction of the leg element (12).Footrest device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving unit (6) comprises a wedge-shaped contact section (18) adjacent to the opening (8), on the first surface of which the leg element (12) with its rear grip section (14) rests in the supporting position, forming a rear grip with respect to the opening (8), and on the second surface of which adjacent to the first surface the leg element (12) rests at least partially over a surface in the supporting position. Footrest device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving unit (6) comprises a stop section (20) which is arranged on one of the sides of the opening (8) opposite the contact section (18) and against which the leg element (12) rests over a surface or line in the supporting position.Footrest device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving unit (6) comprises at least two opposing openings (8) through which the receiving unit (6) is accessible from the outside, and in which a first footrest (22) can be moved from the support position to the storage position through a first opening (8) and in which a second footrest (24) can be moved from the support position to the storage position, wherein the first footrest (22) and the second footrest (24) are opposite each other in the storage position. The footrests (2) are arranged in the receiving unit (6) in a manner that overlaps at least partially and abuts one another. A footrest device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leg element (12) of the at least one footrest (10) comprises a solid profile or a hollow profile, in particular that the leg element (12) of the first footrest (22) comprises a hollow profile and that the leg element (12) of the second footrest (24) comprises a solid profile. A footrest device (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the leg element (12) comprising a hollow profile comprises at least two leg sections that are telescopically extendable into one another, wherein the leg element (12) has its longest extension in the support position and its shortest extension in the stowed position.Footrest device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one mechanically or magnetically effective fixing means by which the at least one footrest (10), in particular the first footrest (22) and the second footrest (24), are releasably fixed in the storage position against movement, wherein the at least one footrest (10) can be released from the fixed arrangement and moved into the support position when a holding force of the fixing means is exceeded.

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