Hitch Carrier

Abstract

To provide a hitch carrier which makes it possible to adjust the tilt angle of a main frame even in a state where it is difficult to apply force by facilitating the operation of an operating lever. [Solution] The vehicle engagement frame 12 has an angle adjustment mechanism 16 via a hub 18, a main frame 20 whose base end is supported by the angle adjustment mechanism 16 to be freely rotatable and has an operating lever 26 at its tip end, a positioning pin 28 that allows the main frame 20 to move in the axial direction and is biased toward the base end, and determines the tilt position of the main frame 20 by interposing itself in a positioning groove 18c provided in the hub 18, and a connecting member 32 that connects the operating lever 26 and the positioning pin 28, and the connecting member 32 is configured to move due to the swinging action of the operating lever 26, releasing the intervention of the positioning pin 28 in the positioning groove 18c.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier for carrying cargo such as bicycles, and more particularly to a hitch carrier for carrying cargo on the rear of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various types of carriers (hitch carriers) for carrying cargo such as bicycles at the rear of a vehicle. A typical structure is disclosed in Patent Document 1, which has a vehicle engagement frame that can be engaged with a hitch receiver (not shown) installed at the rear of the vehicle, and a main frame that allows angle adjustment with respect to the vehicle engagement frame. An example of a hitch carrier having such a basic structure is shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0003] The hitch carrier 1 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a hub 4 interposed between a vehicle engagement frame 2 and a main frame 3 as an angle adjustment mechanism, the main frame 3 is configured to be rotatable relative to the hub 4, and the tilt angle (position) of the main frame 3 is determined by fitting a positioning pin 5 into a positioning groove 4a provided in the hub 4. An operating lever 6 is provided at the tip of the main frame 3, and the operating lever 6 and the positioning pin 5 are connected by a connecting member 7 arranged inside the main frame 3. With this configuration, by pulling the operating lever 6 toward the tip side of the main frame 3, the positioning pin 5 is released from the positioning groove 4a, and the main frame 3 can be rotated.

[0004] With the hitch carrier 1 configured in this way, the tilt angle of the main frame 3 can be easily changed simply by operating the operating lever 6 at the tip of the main frame 3.

[0005] However, in a hitch carrier 1 configured as described above, when releasing the engagement state of the positioning pin 5, it is necessary to pull the operating lever 6 along the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the main frame 3. For this reason, depending on the length and tilt angle of the main frame 3, it may be difficult to apply force when operating the operating lever 6. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 1,139,0222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hitch carrier that simplifies the operation of the operating lever and makes it possible to adjust the tilt angle of the main frame even when it is difficult to apply force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the hitch carrier of the present invention comprises a vehicle engagement frame having a connection portion to a hitch receiver at one end and an angle adjustment mechanism via a hub at the other end, a main frame having a base end supported by the angle adjustment mechanism so as to be freely rotatable and an operating lever at a tip end, a positioning pin that enables the main frame to move in the axial direction and is biased toward the base end side, and determines the tilt position of the main frame by interposing itself in a groove provided in the hub, and a connecting member that connects the operating lever and the positioning pin, wherein the connecting member moves in the axial direction due to the swinging action of the operating lever, and the connecting member is pulled toward the tip side, thereby releasing the intervention of the positioning pin in the groove.

[0009] In addition, the operating lever in the hitch carrier having the above-mentioned characteristics may have a fulcrum, a force point, and a point of action, and the fulcrum may be pivotally supported, and the force point may be swung in a direction different from the axial direction to move the force point and attract the connecting member. With such characteristics, the principle of leverage can be applied to the operating lever. Therefore, by making the distance between the fulcrum and the force point longer than the distance between the fulcrum and the point of action, it is possible to attract the connecting member with a small force.

[0010] In addition, a handle may be provided on the tip of the main frame in the hitch carrier having the above-mentioned characteristics, and the fulcrum of the operating lever may be pivoted on the tip of the main frame or on the frame of the handle. With such a characteristic, the operating lever can be gripped with one hand by using the handle as a pivot point to swing the operating lever.

[0011] In a hitch carrier having the above-mentioned features, it is preferable that the handle be provided at an inclination angle upward in the arrangement direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main frame. With such a feature, even if the main frame is lowered close to the ground while gripping the handle, it is possible to prevent the hand from being pinched between the ground and the main frame.

[0012] Furthermore, in the hitch carrier having the above-mentioned characteristics, the operating lever can be configured so that the point of application is located between the fulcrum and the point of force. Even if the operating lever is configured in this way, it is possible to apply the above-mentioned principle of leverage. Effect of the Invention

[0013] A hitch carrier having the above-mentioned features can simplify the operation of the control lever, making it possible to easily operate the control lever even in situations where it is difficult to apply force, and to adjust the tilt angle of the main frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a side configuration of a hitch carrier according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment, showing a partial cross-sectional view with a case of an angle adjustment mechanism open. [Diagram 3] 1 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a hitch carrier according to a first embodiment, taken in a longitudinal direction. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a partial cross section of a hitch carrier according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which a main frame is raised to a maximum angle in the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which a main frame is lowered to a minimum in the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a side structure of a hitch carrier according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a hitch carrier according to a second embodiment, taken in a longitudinal direction. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a side view of a hitch carrier according to a second embodiment, showing a partial cross-sectional view with a case of an angle adjustment mechanism open. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a side configuration of a conventional hitch carrier. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a conventional hitch carrier taken in a longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the hitch carrier of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is a part of the present invention, and even if a part of the configuration is changed, it can be considered as a part of the present invention as long as the effect of the invention is achieved.

[0016] [First embodiment: configuration] First, the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a side configuration of the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the side view of the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment with the case of the angle adjustment mechanism open. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment divided in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a partial cross section of the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the main frame is raised to the maximum angle in the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the main frame is lowered to the minimum in the hitch carrier according to the first embodiment.

[0017] The hitch carrier 10 according to this embodiment is basically composed of a vehicle engagement frame 12, a main frame 20, a positioning pin 28, and a connecting member 32. The vehicle engagement frame 12 is an element that serves as a base for mounting the hitch carrier 10 to a vehicle (not shown). Specifically, one end of a long (longitudinal length is sufficiently longer than the width) frame base 12a is provided with a connecting portion 14 for a hitch receiver (not shown) provided on a vehicle (not shown), and the other end is provided with an angle adjustment mechanism 16. The details of the connecting portion 14 are not important as long as it can be reliably fixed to the hitch receiver.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the angle adjustment mechanism 16 is configured to determine the tilt angle of the main frame 20, which will be described later in detail, by a hub 18 provided therein. The hub 18 has a rotation center hole 18a, an arc-shaped groove 18b, and a positioning groove 18c. The rotation center hole 18a is an element that becomes the rotation center of the main frame 20, which will be described later in detail, and is a portion into which a rotation shaft 18d is inserted. The arc-shaped groove 18b is a groove that is provided in an arc shape with the rotation center hole 18a as a base point, and is an element that is provided to move a positioning pin 28, which will be described later in detail. The positioning groove 18c is a groove that is formed to protrude on the outer periphery side of the arc-shaped groove 18b, and is provided at multiple locations of the arc-shaped groove 18b in a radial manner with the rotation center hole 18a as a base point. The positioning pin 28 fits into the positioning groove 18c, preventing the main frame 20 from rotating, and determining the tilt angle of the main frame 20.

[0019] The main frame 20 is an element that serves as the loading platform of the hitch carrier 10, and a cradle 22 is disposed on the main frame 20 when a bicycle is to be loaded. The main frame 20 is configured so that its tilt angle can be changed with the angle adjustment mechanism 16 described above as a base point. The main frame 20 is made of a hollow material, and is provided with a rotation shaft 18d at the center of rotation, and is provided with a handle 24 and an operating lever 26 at the end (tip) protruding from the angle adjustment mechanism 16. The main frame 20 is also provided with a rectangular hole 20a with a long axis disposed along the longitudinal direction, and a positioning pin 28 is disposed in the rectangular hole 20a. By moving the positioning pin 28 along the long axis direction of the rectangular hole 20a, it is possible to switch between a positioning state of the tilt angle of the main frame 20 and a rotatable state.

[0020] The handle 24 extends obliquely upward in a side view of the main frame 20. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the hand holding the handle 24 comes into contact with the ground or the like (the hand gets caught between the ground and the main frame 20) when the tilt angle of the main frame 20 is lowered while the handle 24 is being held. The tilt angle θ of the handle 24 is not limited, but it is preferable that the handle 24 be tilted upward by about 30 degrees from the extension line of the main frame 20.

[0021] The operating lever 26 has a rotation axis serving as a fulcrum a on the frame of the handle 24, and also has a force point b and an action point c. By configuring the operating lever 26 in this manner, it becomes possible to adjust the force acting on the action point c when the force point b is operated by adjusting the distance between the fulcrum a and the force point b, and between the force point c, and it becomes possible to generate a large force on the action point c with a small force.

[0022] The positioning pin 28 is fixed to a pin base 30 that is movable in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the internal space of the main frame 20, and is disposed so that a portion of the pin protrudes outward from the rectangular hole 20a. The shape of the positioning pin 28 is not particularly limited as long as it is movable in the arc-shaped groove 18b provided in the hub 18 and can fix the tilt angle of the main frame 20 by fitting into the positioning groove 18c.

[0023] A connecting member 32 is disposed between the point of action c of the operating lever 26 and the pin base 30. By operating the point of action b of the operating lever 26 (swinging it in the direction of arrow A), the point of action c rotates around the fulcrum a, and the connecting member 32 is attracted to the tip side of the main frame 20, making it possible to attract the pin base 30. Here, a force attracting the pin base 30 to the base end side of the main frame 20 is applied to the pin base 30 according to this embodiment via the biasing means 34. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the positioning pin 28 from unintentionally coming out of the positioning groove 18c.

[0024] In this embodiment, the fulcrum a of the operating lever 26 is described as being fixed (the rotation axis is disposed) on the frame of the handle 24. However, it goes without saying that the fulcrum a may be disposed on the tip side of the main frame 20 depending on the operability of the operating lever 26 and the shape of the handle 24, etc.

[0025] [Actions and Effects] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the hitch carrier 10 configured as described above. As shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6, the hitch carrier 10 according to this embodiment rotates the main frame 20 around a rotation shaft 18d disposed in a hub 18 provided in the angle adjustment mechanism 16 as a base point, thereby making it possible to change the tilt angle.

[0026] 5, for example, the positioning pin 28 is fitted into the positioning groove 18c provided at the lowermost part of the arc-shaped groove 18b, and the main frame 20 is in an upright state (a state in which it does not function as a loading platform: an unused state). From this state, by gripping the handle 24 and operating (swinging) the operating lever 26 so as to grip it toward the handle 24, the engagement between the positioning pin 28 and the positioning groove 18c is released, and the main frame 20 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow B.

[0027] The pin base 30 to which the positioning pin 28 is fixed is biased toward the base end side of the main frame 20 by a biasing means 34. Therefore, by operating the operating lever 26, the engagement between the positioning groove 18c and the positioning pin 28 is released, and while the positioning pin 28 moves along the arc-shaped groove 18b as the main frame 20 is rotated, there is no need to operate the operating lever 26. When the positioning pin 28 moves to a position corresponding to a new positioning groove 18c, the positioning pin 28 fits into the corresponding positioning groove 18c. The state in FIG. 2 shows a state in which the positioning pin 28 fits into the positioning groove 18c provided at the top among the multiple positioning grooves arranged along the arc-shaped groove 18b.

[0028] Note that the tip position of the main frame 20 can be further lowered from the tilted position shown in Fig. 2 as shown in Fig. 6 by operating the operating lever 26 to release the engagement of the positioning pin 28. In the state shown in Fig. 6, the positioning pin 28 abuts against the upper end of the arc-shaped groove 18b, stopping the rotation of the main frame that would otherwise rotate in a direction that would lower the tip due to its own weight.

[0029] In this way, in the hitch carrier 10 according to this embodiment, the main frame 20 can freely rotate around the rotation axis 18d. In addition, if multiple positioning grooves 18c are provided, the tilt angle can be fixed according to the position of the positioning groove 18c.

[0030] Furthermore, by operating the operating lever 26 at the tip of the main frame 20, it is possible to rotate the main frame 20. Also, by making the operating form of the operating lever 26 a swinging type, even if it is difficult to apply force to operate the operating lever 26 due to the tilt angle or length of the main frame 20, it is possible to easily operate the operating lever 26 and easily adjust the tilt angle of the main frame 20.

[0031] Furthermore, by providing the operating lever 26 with a fulcrum a, a force point b, and a point of action c, and making it possible to apply the principle of leverage, it is also possible to reduce the force required to swing the operating lever 26 by changing the ratio between the fulcrum a and the force point b, and between the fulcrum a and the point of action c.

[0032] [Second embodiment: configuration] Next, a hitch carrier according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. The basic configuration of the hitch carrier 10A according to this embodiment is the same as that of the hitch carrier 10 according to the first embodiment. That is, the hitch carrier 10A is basically composed of a vehicle engagement frame 12, a main frame 20, a positioning pin 28, and a connecting member 32, and the main frame 20 can be rotated with the angle adjustment mechanism 16 provided at the other end of the vehicle engagement frame 12 as a base point. In addition, an operating lever 26 is disposed at the tip of the main frame 20, and the positioning pin 28 and the action point c of the operating lever 26 are connected by the connecting member 32. Therefore, by swinging the operating lever 26, the positioning pin 28 is pulled out of the positioning groove 18c of the hub 18 in the angle adjustment mechanism 16, and the main frame 20 can be rotated.

[0033] The hitch carrier 10A according to this embodiment differs from the hitch carrier 10 according to the first embodiment in that the handle 24 provided at the tip of the main frame 20 is eliminated, the operating lever 26 is L-shaped, and the force point b is arranged in a direction along the main frame 20. In such a configuration, the operating lever 26 has a point of action c between the force point b and the fulcrum a. In addition, by making the operating lever 26 L-shaped and arranging the force point b in a direction along the main frame 20, it is possible to make it easy to input force when operating the operating lever 26 even without the handle 24.

[0034] The hitch carrier 10A configured in this manner has the same effects as the hitch carrier 10 according to the first embodiment described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10, 10A... Hitch carrier, 12... Vehicle engagement frame, 12a... Frame base, 14... Connection part, 16... Angle adjustment mechanism, 18... Hub, 18a... Rotation center hole, 18b... Arc-shaped groove, 18c... Positioning groove, 18d... Rotating shaft, 20... Main frame, 20a... Rectangular hole, 22... Cradle, 24... Handle, 26... Operating lever, 28... Positioning pin, 30... Pin base, 32... Connecting member, 34... Actuating means.

Claims

1. a vehicle engagement frame having a connection portion for connecting to a hitch receiver at one end and an angle adjustment mechanism via a hub at the other end; a main frame having a base end side pivotally supported by the angle adjustment mechanism and rotatable, and a tip end side having an operation lever and a handle; a positioning pin that allows the main frame to move in the axial direction and is biased toward the base end side and that determines a tilt position of the main frame by being inserted into a groove provided in the hub; a connecting member that connects the operating lever and the positioning pin, The operating lever is disposed at a position where the operating lever can be pivoted toward the handle while the operator is holding the handle, This hitch carrier is characterized in that the connecting member moves in the axial direction due to the pivoting motion of the operating lever, and the connecting member is pulled toward the tip side, thereby releasing the intervention of the positioning pin in the groove.

2. The operating lever has a fulcrum, a force point, and a point of action, 2. The hitch carrier according to claim 1, wherein the fulcrum is pivotally supported, and the force point is swung in a direction different from the axial direction to move the action point and attract the connecting member.

3. A hitch carrier as described in claim 2, characterized in that the fulcrum of the operating lever is journalled to the tip side of the main frame or to the frame of the handle.

4. the handle has an inclination angle toward the upper side in an arrangement direction with respect to an axis line in a longitudinal direction of the main frame, The fulcrum of the operating lever is pivotally supported on the frame of the handle, 3. The hitch carrier according to claim 2, wherein the force point of the operating lever is provided at a position extending from the fulcrum as a base point toward an extension of the axis.

5. 3. The hitch carrier according to claim 2, wherein the operating lever is configured such that a point of application is disposed between a fulcrum and a point of force.

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