Bicycle rack for coaches

Abstract

The invention relates to a bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach, comprising: - a support (2) intended to be secured to the coach (9); - a first arm (3) pivotally mounted about a first axis (81) in a first direction (y) relative to a first end (31), between a high position and a low position, and comprising a first element (33) configured to project in the first direction at a second end (32); - a user authentication device (7); - a controlled locking device (97) for the first arm (3) in the high position; - a control circuit (71) configured to control the locking / unlocking of the first arm (3) by the locking device as a function of authentication by the authentication device (7). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Bicycle carrier device for coaches

[0001] The invention relates to the transport of bicycles when using public transport, and in particular to the transport of bicycles by means of coaches.

[0002] Given the development of interurban public transport by coach and the increasing use of bicycles by users of these coaches, certain legislations require coaches to have transport equipment for a minimum of 5 bicycles.

[0003] In order not to excessively clutter the coach holds, equipment has been developed for cantilevered attachment to the rear wall of the coach.

[0004] Coach attachment equipment is often difficult to handle, requiring the user to lift a bicycle wheel very high to reach a attachment hook. In addition, there is a risk of the bicycle falling when it is raised but not yet attached to attachment equipment. Equipment with pivoting movable arms has thus been developed to allow a bicycle wheel to be attached to the arm in a lowered position, then the arm to be pivoted with assistance to lift the bicycle and hold it in an upright position.

[0005] However, there are still some obstacles to the use of such bicycle racks. Many users are reluctant to place their bicycle on such a rack, for fear of having their bicycle stolen when the coach stops, even in traffic. Using locks to secure the bicycle to the rack is also relatively complicated.

[0006] The invention aims to solve one or more of these drawbacks. The invention thus relates to a bicycle carrier device for coaches, comprising: - a support intended to be attached to the coach; - a first arm pivotally mounted around a first axis in a first direction relative to a first end, between a high position and a low position, and comprising a first element configured to project in the first direction at a second end; - a user authentication device; - a controlled device for locking the first arm in the high position; - a control circuit configured to control the blocking / unblocking of the first arm by the blocking device based on authentication by the authentication device.

[0007] The invention also relates to the following variants. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the features of the following variants can be independently combined with the above features, without constituting an intermediate generalization.

[0008] According to a variant, the device comprises a rail for clamping a bicycle wheel in its high position at the second end, the clamping rail projecting relative to the first arm on the same side as the first element, the first element pivoting between a first position where a passage is provided in the first direction between the clamping rail and the first element in the low position of the first arm, and a second position where the rail masks the first element seen in the first direction in the high position of the first arm.

[0009] According to another variant, the authentication device includes a near field communication reader or RFID reader.

[0010] According to another variant, the device comprises several first arms as defined previously and offset from each other in the first direction, and comprising several controlled locking devices of one of said respective first arms in its high position, the control circuit being provided with a screen and an interface for selecting the first arm to be locked / unlocked.

[0011] According to another variant, the locking device comprises a locking lug and a servomotor controlling the movement of the lug between locking and unlocking positions of the first arm.

[0012] According to yet another variant, the device further comprises: - an operating mode switching actuator having first and second positions; - a return device configured to apply a return force of the first arm from the low position to the high position; - a locking mechanism acted upon by the actuator and configured to: -in a first position of the actuator, allow the first arm to pivot from its high position to its low position and define several stable intermediate positions of the first arm between its high position and its low position, and lock the pivoting of the first arm from its low position to its high position; -in a second position of the actuator, allow the first arm to pivot from its low position to its high position and define several stable intermediate positions of the first arm between its low position and its high position, and lock the pivoting of the first arm from its high position to its low position.

[0013] According to one variant, the locking mechanism comprises: - a toothing integral with the first arm pivoting around the first axis; - a ratchet mounted to pivot relative to the support around the first direction, comprising first and second lugs separated by a recess allowing the passage of the teeth, each of the first and second lugs having first and second contact faces; -in which: -in the first position of the actuator, the first lug is positioned between two teeth of the toothing, the interference angle between the first face of the first lug and a first of these two teeth being different from the interference angle between the second face of the first lug and the second of these two teeth; -in the second position of the actuator, the second lug is positioned between two teeth of the toothing, the interference angle between the first face of the second lug and a first of these two teeth being different from the interference angle between the second face of the second lug and the second of these two teeth; -the locking lug being configured in its locking position to interfere with the ratchet.

[0014] According to a variant, the device further comprises a cover covering the locking lug, the servomotor and the pawl.

[0015] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] is a view of a rear face of a coach equipped with a system including several bicycle carrier devices according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of a bicycle carrier device of [Fig.l] in setup configuration;

[0018] [Fig.3] is a partial side view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the installation configuration;

[0019] [Fig.4] is another partial perspective view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the installed configuration;

[0020] [Fig.5] is another partial perspective view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the installed configuration;

[0021] [Fig.6] is another partial side view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the installation configuration;

[0022] [Fig.7] is an enlarged side view of a locking mechanism in the set-up configuration;

[0023] [Fig.8] is a partial perspective view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the lifting configuration;

[0024] [Fig.9] is another partial perspective view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the lifting configuration;

[0025] [Fig. 10] is a partial side view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the lifting configuration;

[0026] [Fig. 11] is a partial perspective view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.l] in raised configuration;

[0027] [Fig. 12] is another partial perspective view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the raised configuration;

[0028] [Fig. 13] is a partial side view of the bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] in the raised configuration;

[0029] [Fig. 14] is an enlarged side view of a locking mechanism in the raised configuration;

[0030] [Fig. 15] is a side view of a bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] when a bicycle is being placed therein;

[0031] [Fig. 16] is a side view of a bicycle carrier device of [Fig.2] with a bicycle in the raised position;

[0032] [Fig. 17] is a side view of a bicycle rack device of [Fig.2] with a bicycle in a raised position;

[0033] [Fig. 18] is a side view of a variant of a locking arm in the free position;

[0034] [Fig. 19] is a side view of the internal mechanism of the locking arm of [Fig. 18] in the free position;

[0035] [Fig.20] is a perspective view of the locking arm in the deployed position before locking;

[0036] [Fig.21] is a side view of the internal mechanism of the locking arm of the [Fig. 18] in the deployed position before locking;

[0037] [Fig.22] is a front view of a portion of the internal mechanism of the worm arm rusting of the [Fig. 18] in the deployed position with locking;

[0038] [Fig.23] is a schematic front view of an exemplary device authentication;

[0039] [Fig.24] is a schematic representation of the integration of a device of blocking;

[0040] [Fig.25] is a perspective view of a variant of bicycle rack with an arm in low position for loading;

[0041] [Fig.26] is a perspective view of the bicycle rack variant of [Fig.25] with a arms in the raised position for transport.

[0042] In the remainder of the description, the terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "above" "below" are to be considered taking into account a horizontal median plane of a coach. The "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" directions are to be considered as the usual directions for defining a coach and correspond here respectively to the directions x, y, z of an orthogonal reference frame identified in the figures.

[0043] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a rear face 91 of a coach 9 equipped with a bicycle carrier system 10 comprising several bicycle carrier devices 1 according to a method of embodiment of the invention. The bicycle rack system 10 here comprises a frame 100 intended to be fixed to dedicated fixing locations 92 of the rear face 91 of the coach 9. In this example, several bicycle racks 1 according to the invention are fixed on the frame 100. Advantageously, at least 5 bicycle racks 1 are distributed on the frame 100 in a transverse direction y of the vehicle 9. Advantageously, the adjacent bicycle racks 1 are offset from each other in a vertical direction z, to prevent the handlebars of the adjacent bicycles from interfering with each other. The bicycle rack devices 1 are associated with a user authentication device 7, positioned for example on the body of the coach 9.

[0044] Figures 2 to 7 illustrate an example of the bicycle carrier devices 1 of [Fig.l] in the configuration for placing a bicycle, from different viewing angles. Figures 8 to 10 illustrate this same bicycle carrier device 1, in the configuration for raising the bicycle, from different viewing angles. Figures 11 to 14 illustrate this same bicycle carrier device 1, in the configuration with the bicycle raised. The bicycle carrier device 1 is illustrated here with partial views, in order to better reveal potentially hidden components.

[0045] The bicycle carrier device 1 here includes a support 2 intended to be secured to the coach 9, a first arm 3, an operating mode switching actuator (in the form of a second arm) 4, a return device 5 and a locking mechanism 6.

[0046] The first arm 3 is pivotally mounted about an axis 81 in the transverse direction y relative to a first end 31. The first arm 3 is pivotally mounted between a high position and a low position. The first arm 3 comprises a bicycle retaining element 33. The element 33 is configured to project in the direction y at a second end 32 of the arm 3, or free end. The element 33 is here in the form of a hook capable of engaging a bicycle wheel. The hook is here pivotally mounted about the direction y to facilitate its positioning relative to a bicycle wheel and its attachment.

[0047] A locking device 91, an example of which is detailed below, is controlled to selectively lock the first arm 3 in its high position. A control circuit 71 detailed below is configured to control the locking / unlocking of the first arm 3 by the locking device 91. This locking / unlocking control is carried out as a function of authentication by the authentication device 7.

[0048] An example of implementation of the authentication device 7 is illustrated schematically in [Fig.23]. The authentication device 7 here comprises a housing integrating an electronic circuit not illustrated. This housing may also include the control circuit 71. The control circuit 71 may be integrated into the same electronic circuit with the authentication device 7.

[0049] The aim is to allow the unlocking of an arm 3 only by an authorized user, for example the owner of the bicycle or the driver of the coach. In particular, in the presence of several bicycle racks 1, it is important to be able to select the bicycle rack 1 that a person wishes to unlock. For this purpose, the authentication device 7 advantageously includes a near-field communication reader 74 or RFID reader for authentication. The control circuit 71 may be provided with a display screen 72 and a selection interface 73, allowing the user to select the location in which he will place his bicycle and / or the location that he wishes to unlock. Similarly, in the presence of several bicycle racks 1, respective locking devices are associated with the arms 3 of each of these bicycle racks 1 and controlled by the control circuit 71.

[0050] The authentication device 7 may include a self-learning function at the time of blocking: it can identify any type of badge compatible with the reader 74 and memorize its properties for the purpose of unlocking. The coach driver may have a master badge allowing him to unlock any bicycle rack space, in the event of loss of badge or technical problem. It is possible to envisage a time stamp with recording of the history of use of the badges.

[0051] During a typical use, a person chooses the location of a bicycle rack 1 to be blocked, for example by means of the interface 73, by checking with the screen 72. The person then presents his badge on the reader 74 to proceed with the blocking of the selected bicycle rack. It could be envisaged that the same badge is used to block or unlock several bicycle racks 1, for example for use by a family or a group. The control circuit 71 records the corresponding badge in a memory to authorize a subsequent unlocking by this same badge. The blocking occurs when the corresponding arms 3 are in the high position.

[0052] To proceed with the unlocking, the user presents his badge on the reader 74. The authentication device 7 compares this badge to badges recorded during the blocking. Then, the control circuit 71 unlocks the locations corresponding to the badge. The user can then return the arm 3 to the low position in order to unload his bicycle.

[0053] An example of bicycle rack kinematics 1 will be detailed in more detail. The actuator 4 here has two different positions: a first position to allow the arm 3 to be lowered but to lock its rise, and a second position to allow the arm 3 to be raised but to lock its descent.

[0054] In this example, the actuator 4 is implemented in the form of a second arm. The second arm 4 is pivotally mounted about an axis 82 in the direction y relative to a first end 4L. The second arm 4 is pivotally mounted between a high position and a low position.

[0055] The return device 5 is configured to apply a return force of the first arm 3 from the low position to the high position. The return device 5 is thus designed to facilitate the raising of a bicycle with a minimum of effort on the part of the user, or to prevent a bicycle from descending unexpectedly when the pivoting of the arm 3 from its high position to its low position is unlocked. The return device 5 also makes it possible to maintain the arm 3 in its high position if necessary, to prevent the bicycle from descending on its own.

[0056] The locking mechanism 6 is acted upon by the actuator 4 and configured to:

[0057] -when the actuator 4 is in its first position (the second arm 4 is in the high position), allow the first arm 3 to pivot from its high position to its low position and define several stable intermediate positions of the first arm 3 between its high position and its low position, and lock the pivoting of the first arm 3 from its low position to its high position. In this configuration, the user can gradually lower the arm 3 to the low position to hook the wheel of his bicycle, without risking an untimely rise of the arm 3 (and possibly of the bicycle which has just been hooked to it) to the high position;

[0058] -when the actuator 4 is in its second position (the second arm 4 is in the low position), allow a pivoting of the first arm 3 from its low position to its high position and define several stable intermediate positions of the first arm between its high position and its low position, and lock the pivoting of the first arm 3 from its high position to its low position. In this configuration, the user can gradually raise the arm 3 to the high position to raise it, without risk of an untimely lowering of the arm 3 to the low position.

[0059] As detailed below, with such kinematics, the bicycle carrier device 1 advantageously makes it possible to maintain the first arm 3 in the configuration for placing the bicycle, to assist the user in raising his bicycle, to ensure that the bicycle is held in the raised position, and this with a compact design making it possible to distribute several devices 1 along the transverse direction of the coach 9.

[0060] The locking mechanism 6 of this example comprises a toothing 61, a pawl 62 and a cam 46. The toothing 61 is here in the form of an angular portion of a toothed wheel, provided with several teeth on the periphery. The toothing 61 is integral with the first arm 3 in pivoting about the first axis 81. Thus, a pivoting of the first arm 3 causes a pivoting of the toothing 61, and a locking of the toothing 61 causes a locking of the pivoting of the first arm 3.

[0061] The pawl 62 is pivotally mounted relative to the support 2 around the direction y. The pawl 62 has a reversible freewheel mechanism, with: -a first position allowing the arm 3 to pivot from the high position to the low position with several intermediate stable positions and locking a pi- voting of arm 3 from the low position to the high position; - a second position allowing the arm 3 to pivot from the low position to the high position with several intermediate stable positions and locking the arm 3 to pivot from the high position to the low position.

[0062] Furthermore, the pawl 62 here comprises lugs 621 and 622 separated by a recess 620. The recess 620 allows the passage of the teeth 61 during a rotation thereof. The lug 621 has an external contact face 623 and an internal contact face 624. The lug 622 has an external contact face 625 and an internal contact face 626.

[0063] The pawl 62 here comprises two levers 628 and 629, projecting on the side opposite the lugs 621 and 622 relative to the axis 83.

[0064] The cam 46 is integral with the actuator 4 in pivoting about the second axis 82. By pivoting, the cam 46 interferes either with the lever 628 or with the lever 629 to pivot the pawl 62 either towards its first position or towards its second position. Depending on the position of the cam 46, the pawl 62 will lock a direction of pivoting of the teeth 61 and allow the pivoting of this toothing 61 in the other direction with stable intermediate positions.

[0065] In the first position of the actuator 4 (the second arm 4 is in the high position), the pawl 62 has the position illustrated in [Fig.7]. In this position, the lug 621 is positioned between two teeth of the toothing 61. The lug 622 is released from the toothing 61. The external face 623 is opposite a respective tooth. The internal face 624 is opposite another respective tooth. The interference angle between the external face 623 and its respective tooth is different (lower) than the interference angle between the internal face 624 and its respective tooth. Thus, the face 623 blocks a pivoting of the arm 3 from its low position to its high position. The face 624, on the other hand, allows a pivoting of the arm 3 from its high position to its low position. The intervals between the teeth of the toothing 61 define intermediate stable positions of the arm 3 between the high position and the low position.

[0066] In the second position of the actuator 4 (the second arm 4 is in the low position), the pawl 62 has the position illustrated in [Fig. 14]. In this position, the lug 622 is positioned between two teeth of the toothing 61. The lug 621 is released from the toothing 61. The external face 625 is opposite a respective tooth. The internal face 626 is opposite another respective tooth. The interference angle between the external face 625 and its respective tooth is different (lower) than the interference angle between the internal face 626 and its respective tooth. Thus, the face 625 blocks a pivoting of the arm 3 from its high position to its low position. The face 626, on the other hand, allows a pivoting of the arm 3 from its low position to its high position. The intervals between the teeth of the toothing 61 define intermediate stable positions of the arm 3 between the position low and high position.

[0067] Figures 2 to 7 illustrate the bicycle rack 1 in its configuration for placing a bicycle 94. [Fig. 15] illustrates the association of the bicycle rack 1 with a bicycle 94 in this placing configuration.

[0068] In this configuration, the arm 3 is in the low position and the arm 4 is in the high position. In this configuration, the cam 46 places the pawl 62 in its first position. The pawl 62 thus performs its function of stabilizing the position of the teeth 61 and the arm 3, by interfering with the teeth 61, in order to allow the pivoting of the arm 3 to its low position but to avoid its untimely return to its high position. The arm 3 could thus be lowered to its low position to engage with the front wheel 95 of the bicycle, providing stable intermediate positions. The arm 3 is kept stable in the low position and in intermediate positions to prevent the return device 5 from moving this arm 3 to its high position while the user is positioning his bicycle.

[0069] In this position, the user was able to place the retaining element 33 projecting transversely so as to engage with the front wheel 95 of the bicycle 94. Advantageously, the retaining element 33 has a hook shape in order to ensure retention of the bicycle 94 according to transverse movements.

[0070] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the bicycle rack 1 in its configuration for lifting the bicycle 94. [Fig. 16] illustrates the association of the bicycle rack 1 with a bicycle 94 in this lifting configuration.

[0071] In this configuration, the arm 3 is in the low position and the arm 4 is also in the low position. In this configuration, the cam 46 secured to the arm 4 has interfered with the pawl 62. The pawl 62 has thus pivoted to its second position, to reverse the authorized pivoting direction of the teeth 61. The pawl 62 thus performs its function of stabilizing the position of the teeth 61 and of the arm 3, by interfering with the teeth 61, in order to allow the pivoting of the arm 3 to its high position but to avoid its untimely return to its low position. The user can thus pivot the arm 3 to its high position, accompanied by the return device 5. The retaining element 33 will then urge the front wheel 95 of the bicycle to lift it to the high position.

[0072] Figures 11 to 14 illustrate the bicycle rack 1 in its raised bicycle 94 configuration. [Fig. 17] illustrates the association of the bicycle rack 1 with a bicycle 94 in this raised configuration.

[0073] In this configuration, the arm 3 is in the high position and the arm 4 is in the low position. In this configuration, the pawl 62 is always in its second position and prevents the arm 3 from pivoting towards its low position. The bicycle 94 can thus be held stably in the raised position. In this configuration, the user can introduce the retaining element 43 (detailed later) projecting into the rear wheel 96 of the bicycle 94, in order to ensure its gripping by its two wheels.

[0074] To allow the bicycle 94 to descend, the user must again pivot the arm 4 towards its high position to pivot the pawl 62 and reverse the authorized pivoting direction of the teeth 61, freeing a pivoting of the arm 3 towards its low position.

[0075] [Fig.24] schematically illustrates an example of integration of a locking device 98 controlled by an arm 3. In this example, the locking device 98 comprises a locking lug 99 and a servomotor 90. The servomotor here ensures the driving of the locking lug 99. The locking lug 99 is here configured to interfere with the pawl 62 in order to ensure the locking of the pawl 62 in its second position, and thus lock the arm 3 in the high position. The lug 99 here ensures the locking by inserting itself into a bore of the pawl 62. The lug 99 is typically moved into or out of the bore by means of the servomotor 90. Advantageously, a cover covers the lug 99, the servomotor 90 and the pawl 62 at least in the locking position, to prevent a user from fraudulently unlocking an arm 3 by manipulating its mechanism.

[0076] The first arm 3 here has an elongated shape. The first arm 3 here comprises a tubular section extending between the ends 31 and 32. The first arm 3 advantageously comprises a rail 35. The rail 35 is intended to receive a bicycle wheel in its high position and ensure its clamping against transverse movements. In addition, the rail 35 makes it possible to exert a force on the arm 3 via the front wheel 95 of the bicycle 94, to bring the arm 3 to its high position without having to let go of the bicycle. The rail 35 thus facilitates the ergonomics of lifting the bicycle 94.

[0077] Advantageously, the first arm 3 has a length of between 600 and 1000 millimeters. With such a length, the arm 3 makes it possible to recover a relatively low bicycle wheel, to bring it sufficiently high into the raised position.

[0078] According to an aspect of the invention independent of the stable intermediate positions defined for the arm 3, the actuator 4 is advantageously in the form of the second arm 4 having an additional function of retaining the bicycle 94. For this purpose, the actuator 4 is provided with a bicycle retaining element 43. The retaining element 43 is configured to project in the transverse direction y at a second end 42 of the second arm 4, or free end. This retaining element 43 is for example configured to engage at the rear wheel 96 or at the saddle of the bicycle 94.

[0079] The second arm 4 here has an elongated shape. The second arm 4 here comprises a tubular section extending between the ends 41 and 42. To facilitate its gripping, in particular in the example illustrated below, a handle 47 is integral with the retaining element 43, in order to facilitate its sliding and pivoting. The retaining element 43 advantageously has a hook shape, in order to ensure the retention of the bicycle 94 according to transverse movements.

[0080] To facilitate maintaining the arm 4 in the high position, a return device advantageously forces it to pivot from its low position to its high position. The return device here includes a gas cylinder 53 having one end fixed to the support and another end fixed to the arm 4.

[0081] Advantageously, the arm 4 has a length of between 600 and 1000 millimeters. With such a length, the arm 4 allows a user to have a point for retaining the rear wheel or the saddle sufficiently distant from the front wheel.

[0082] The arm 4 advantageously comprises a handle 45, facilitating its grip in order to pivot it towards its low position. Such a handle positioned at an intermediate position between the ends 41 and 42 allows in particular the user to be able to manipulate the arm 4 from its high position without necessarily having to reach its end 42.

[0083] Advantageously, the return device 5 is autonomous, that is to say that it is devoid of an external energy source. The return device 5 of the example is thus a gas cylinder, but it could also be envisaged to use other types of return devices, such as a torsion spring.

[0084] The support 2 here comprises a base 20 intended to be positioned parallel to the rear face 91 of the coach 9. Sides 21 and 22 extend perpendicular to the base 20 in the direction x, on either side of a volume housing in particular the locking device 6. The sides 21 and 22 serve in particular to define bearing surfaces for the pivoting guidance of the arm 3 around the axis 81, the pivoting guidance of the arm 4 around the axis 82, or the pivoting guidance of the latch 62 around the axis 83. The sides 21 and 22 also provide inertia to the support 2 to stiffen it.

[0085] Advantageously, the first and second arms 3 and 4 are positioned on either side of the locking mechanism 6 in the direction y. The arms 3 and 4 may be separated from each other by a distance of between 80 and 200 millimeters in this direction y. It may also be provided that the sides 21 and 22 are separated by a distance of between 80 and 200 mm in this direction y. It may be provided that the ends 31 and 41 of the arms 3 and 4 are housed in the volume between the sides 21 and 22, in order to limit the risks of pinching a user.

[0086] In the example presented previously, the arm 4 serves both to lock / unlock certain pivots of the arm 3 and to ensure that the bicycle is held in place by means of the element 43.

[0087] Another independent aspect of the invention is presented with reference to a variant of locking arm 4 illustrated in Figures 18 to 22. In this variant, the arm 4 remains pivotally mounted relative to the support 2 at its first end 41, around a direction axis y. The second end 42 of the arm 4 is slidably mounted relative to the first end, in a direction corresponding to the length of the arm 4 and perpendicular to the direction y. The retaining element 43 is integral with this second end 42. This configuration of the arm 4 makes it possible to adapt the position of the retaining element 43 relative to the rear wheel of the bicycle, between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0088] Advantageously, the second retaining element 43 is pivotally mounted relative to the first end 41 of the arm 4, around the direction corresponding to the length of this arm. The second retaining element 43 can thus pivot between a first position illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 where it does not project relative to the arm 4 in the transverse direction y, and a second position illustrated in [Fig.21] where it projects relative to the arm 4 in the transverse direction y. In the first position, the retaining element 43 does not hinder the movement of the bicycle when it moves into the raised position. In the second position, the retaining element 43 can engage with the rear wheel of this bicycle in the raised position.

[0089] Advantageously, the arm 4 comprises a return spring 480, urging the second end 42 of the arm 4 towards a retracted position. The second end of the arm 4 comprises a shaft 48 housed inside the tubular section 44. The return spring 480 is here a compression spring (positioned around the shaft 48) positioned between a stop 481 secured to the shaft 48 inside the tubular section 44, and a stop 442 provided at one end of the tubular section 44 positioned close to the retaining element 43. Thus, by moving the retaining element 43 away from the first end 41, the return spring 480 urges the second end 42 to bring this retaining element 43 closer to the first end 4L

[0090] Advantageously, the second arm 4 is configured to lock the pivoting of the retaining element 43, when it is projecting for gripping a bicycle wheel (as illustrated in [Fig.20]) and the second end 42 is deployed.

[0091] In the illustrated example, the shaft 48 has a stop 483 at one end housed in the tubular section 44. A pin 486 is embedded in the shaft 48 and projects radially. The pin 486 is disposed between the stop 481 and the stop 483. A ring 443 serves as a stop and is embedded inside the tubular section 44. The ring 443 is traversed by the shaft 48 and is configured to allow the passage of the pin 486.

[0092] A movable stop 485 is slidably mounted on the shaft 48, between the pin 486 and the stop 483. The movable stop 485 is arranged between the ring 443 and the stop 483. The movable stop 485 is configured to interfere with the ring 443 beyond a certain deployment stroke of the shaft 48. A return spring 484 is interposed between the movable stop 485 and the stop 483. The return spring 484 is arranged around of tree 48.

[0093] The movable stop 485 is illustrated in section in [Fig. 22], in a position for locking the retaining element 43 in the position illustrated in [Fig. 18]. The movable stop 485 comprises two grooves 487 and 488, positioned at right angles to each other. The grooves 487 and 488 are oriented in directions perpendicular to the axis of the arm 4. The grooves 487 and 488 are deep enough to accommodate the pin 486.

[0094] The kinematics of the arm 4 will be detailed from the position illustrated in [Fig. 19]. In [Fig. 19], the second end 42 is in the retracted position and the retaining element 43 does not protrude relative to the arm in the transverse direction y. The spring 484 maintains the movable stop 485 in its position closest to the stop 481. The pin 486 is then housed in the groove 487 which corresponds to a rotational unlocking position.

[0095] In the configuration of Figures 20 and 21, the user pulls on the shaft 48 to deploy it out of the tubular section 44 and pivots the retaining element 43 to place it projecting in the y direction. By pulling on the shaft 48, the spring 480 is compressed to exert its return force. When the shaft 48 is sufficiently deployed, the movable stop 485 interferes with the ring 443 while the pin can pass through this ring 443. The pin 486 then comes out of the groove 487. By pivoting the shaft 48 about its axis, the retaining element is placed projecting in the y direction and the pin 486 is also pivoted by 90°. By allowing the spring 480 to exert its return force, the shaft 48 partially retracts into the tubular section 44. The pin 486 passes through the ring 443 to fit into the groove 488 and thus ensure pivoting locking of the retaining element 43.

[0096] Figures 25 and 26 illustrate perspective views of a variant of bicycle rack 1 according to the invention, respectively for a low loading position of the arm 3, and a high transport position of the arm 3.

[0097] In the configuration of [Fig.25], the clamping rail 35 here allows the attachment of a bicycle wheel to the element 33, a space being provided between the element 33 and the rail 35 in this low position, for insertion of the wheel in the transverse direction Y. The element 33 is thus pivotable relative to the arm to achieve this configuration.

[0098] In the configuration of [Fig.26], the arm 3 is in the high position. The clamping rail 35 makes it possible to block the removal of the bicycle wheel, the guide rail 35 having come to mask the element 33 seen in this direction Y. For this purpose, the element 33 has pivoted to be masked by the guide rail 35.

Claims

Claims

1. Bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach, characterized in that it comprises: - a support (2) intended to be secured to the coach (9); - a first arm (3) pivotally mounted about a first axis (81) in a first direction (y) relative to a first end (31), between a high position and a low position, and comprising a first element (33) configured to project in the first direction at a second end (32); - a user authentication device (7); - a controlled locking device (98) of the first arm (3) in the high position; - a control circuit (71) configured to control the locking / unlocking of the first arm (3) by the locking device as a function of authentication by the authentication device (7).

2. Bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach according to claim 1, comprising a rail (35) for clamping a bicycle wheel in its high position at the second end, the clamping rail projecting relative to the first arm (3) on the same side as the first element (33), the first element being pivotable between a first position where a passage is provided in the first direction between the clamping rail and the first element in the low position of the first arm (3), and a second position where the clamping rail masks the first element (33) seen in the first direction in the high position of the first arm (3).

3. A bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the authentication device (7) includes a near field communication reader (74) or RFID reader.

4. Bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach according to claim 3, comprising several first arms (3) as defined in claim 1 and offset relative to each other in the first direction, and comprising several locking devices (98) controlled from one of said respective first arms in its high position, the control circuit (71) being provided with a screen (72) and an interface (73) for selecting the first arm (3) to be locked / unlocked.

5. Bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking device (98) comprises a locking lug (99) and a servomotor (90) controlling the moving the lug (99) between locking and unlocking positions of the first arm (3).

6. A bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - an operating mode switching actuator (4) having first and second positions; - a return device (5) configured to apply a return force of the first arm (3) from the low position to the high position; - a locking mechanism (6) acted upon by the actuator (4) and configured to: -in a first position of the actuator, allow a pivoting of the first arm (3) from its high position to its low position and define several stable intermediate positions of the first arm between its high position and its low position, and lock the pivoting of the first arm (3) from its low position to its high position; -in a second position of the actuator, allow the first arm to pivot from its low position to its high position and define several stable intermediate positions of the first arm between its low position and its high position, and lock the pivoting of the first arm (3) from its high position to its low position.

7. Bicycle carrier device (1) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the locking mechanism (6) comprises: - a tooth (61) integral with the first arm (3) pivoting around the first axis (81); - a pawl (62) pivotally mounted relative to the support (2) around the first direction (y), comprising first and second lugs (621, 622) separated by a recess (620) allowing the passage of the teeth, each of the first and second lugs having first and second contact faces (623, 624, 625, 626); -in which: -in the first position of the actuator (4), the first lug (621) is positioned between two teeth of the toothing (61), the interference angle between the first face (623) of the first lug and a first of these two teeth being different from the interference angle between the second face (624) of the first lug and the second of these two teeth; -in the second position of the actuator (4), the second lug (622) is positioned between two teeth of the toothing (61), the interference angle between the first face (625) of the second lug and a first of these two teeth being different from the interference angle between the second face (624) of the second lug and the second of these two teeth; -the locking lug (99) being configured in its locking position to interfere with the pawl (62).

8. Bicycle carrier device (1) for a coach according to claim 7, further comprising a cover (97) covering the locking lug (99), the servomotor (90) and the pawl (62).