Bicycle carrier

Abstract

To provide a cycle carrier capable of further surely restraining a front tire from being laterally dislocated.SOLUTION: The cycle carriers 1 are provided with a tray 2 on which a front tire B1 of a bicycle B can be placed. The front tire holding unit 4 is attached to the tray 2 to hold a front tire B1 of the bicycle B from the front side. The rear tire holding unit 5 is attached to the tray 2 and is capable of holding the front tire B1 of the bicycle B from the rear side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cycle carrier.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional cycle carrier of this type, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This Patent Document 1 discloses a cycle carrier used when loading a bicycle onto a vehicle and carrying it.

[0003] Specifically, in this Patent Document 1, the cycle carrier is attached to a carrier bar of the vehicle and includes a tray on which the front tire and the rear tire of the bicycle are placed. Further, the cycle carrier includes an inverted U-shaped arm that is rotatably attached to the tray and holds the front part of the front tire, and an inverted U-shaped arm that is rotatably attached to the tray and holds the rear part of the rear tire.

[0004] Then, by placing the front tire and the rear tire on the tray and holding the rear part of the rear tire with the rear arm while holding the front part of the front tire with the front arm, the bicycle placed on the tray is sandwiched by the front and rear arms.

[0005] Thus, in Patent Document 1, the entire bicycle placed upright on the tray is sandwiched from the front and rear by a pair of arms so that the bicycle is fixed on the tray.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in a typical bicycle, the handlebars are connected to the front tire via the front fork, allowing the front tire to rotate left and right around the axis of the handlebars. Also, bicycle tires are generally made from elastic materials and are therefore flexible.

[0008] Furthermore, simply fixing the front of the front tire with an arm, as in the conventional technology described above, may result in play in the front tire.

[0009] Therefore, with the conventional technology described above, when a force is applied to rotate the steering wheel from side to side, the front tires may wobble from side to side, pivoting around the point of contact with the tray.

[0010] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cycle carrier that can more reliably suppress the lateral movement of the front tire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A cycle carrier according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a tray on which the front tire of a bicycle can be placed, a front tire holding portion attached to the tray and capable of holding the front tire of the bicycle from the front, and a rear tire holding portion attached to the tray and capable of holding both sides of the front tire of the bicycle in the width direction from the rear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a cycle carrier that can more reliably suppress the lateral movement of the front tire. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing a bicycle loaded onto a vehicle using a cycle carrier according to one embodiment. [Figure 2]It is a side view showing a state in which a bicycle is fixed in a locked state to a cycle carrier according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a view showing a cycle carrier according to an embodiment, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a front pipe and a rear pipe are folded. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a tray included in a cycle carrier according to an embodiment with a part broken away. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a part of another example of the tray with a part broken away. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a front tire holding member. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of a front tire holder seen from the front side. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a front tire holder seen from the rear side. [Figure 9] It is a side view showing a rear tire holding member. [Figure 10] It is a view showing an attachment member attached to a tray, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a lock cover is removed. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view from above showing a state in which a pipe member is attached to the attachment member with the lock cover removed. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view from below showing a state in which a pipe member is attached to the attachment member with the lock cover removed. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing a scale provided on the tray. [Figure 14] It is a view showing an attachment member, and is a perspective view from above showing a state in which the lock cover is slid to an exposed position. [Figure 15] It is a view showing an attachment member, and is a perspective view from below showing a state in which the lock cover is slid to an exposed position. [Figure 16] It is a view showing an attachment member, and is a perspective view from above showing a state in which the lock cover is slid to a covering position. [Figure 17] It is a view showing an attachment member, and is a perspective view from below showing a state in which the lock cover is slid to a covering position. [Figure 18] A perspective view from above of a mounting member shown while sliding the lock cover to the covering position and in a locked state by a lock mechanism. [Figure 19] A perspective view showing a lock mechanism. [Figure 20] A perspective view showing a screw to which a lock knob is attached. [Figure 21] A perspective view showing another example of a screw. [Figure 22] A figure explaining an example of a method of fixing a lock mechanism to a tray, which is a perspective view showing a state before engaging a T-bolt with the tray. [Figure 23] A figure explaining an example of a method of fixing a lock mechanism to a tray, which is a perspective view showing a state where a T-bolt is engaged with the tray. [Figure 24] A figure explaining an example of a method of restricting the operation of a lock knob by a dial lock holder, which is a perspective view showing a state where the dial lock holder is positioned at an operation-permitted position. [Figure 25] A figure explaining an example of a method of restricting the operation of a lock knob by a dial lock holder, which is a perspective view showing a state where the dial lock holder is positioned at an operation-restricted position. [Figure 26] A figure explaining an example of a method of restricting the operation of a lock knob by a dial lock holder, which is a side view showing a state where the dial lock holder is positioned at an operation-restricted position. [Figure 27] A figure explaining an example of a method of restricting the rotation of a T-bolt by an engagement-release suppression part, which is a perspective view showing a state where the engagement-release suppression part is positioned at a rotation-permitted position. [Figure 28] A figure explaining an example of a method of restricting the rotation of a T-bolt by an engagement-release suppression part, which is a perspective view showing a state where the engagement-release suppression part is positioned at a rotation-restricted position. [Figure 29] A figure explaining an example of a method of fixing a bicycle to a cycle carrier according to an embodiment, which is a perspective view showing a state where a front pipe is deployed. [Figure 30] This diagram illustrates an example of a method for securing a bicycle to a cycle carrier according to one embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the front pipe and rear pipe in an extended state. [Figure 31] This diagram illustrates an example of a method for securing a bicycle to a cycle carrier according to one embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the state in which the lock mechanism has been released. [Figure 32] This diagram illustrates an example of a method for securing a bicycle to a cycle carrier according to one embodiment, and is a perspective view showing a bicycle placed on a tray with its front tire supported by the front pipe. [Figure 33] This figure illustrates an example of a method for securing a bicycle to a cycle carrier according to one embodiment, and is a side view showing the state in which the rear tire is held by the rear pipe and locked by the locking mechanism. [Figure 34] This diagram illustrates an example of a method for securing a bicycle to a cycle carrier according to one embodiment, and is a side view showing a state in which the front tire is held by the front pipe and also held by the front tire holder. [Figure 35] This is a side view showing a cycle carrier according to one embodiment in which another bicycle is secured in a locked state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in these embodiments are illustrative only and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit this disclosure. Furthermore, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to this disclosure are omitted from the illustrations.

[0015] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the direction along the vertical (up and down direction) will be defined as the Z direction. Also, the directions that are mutually orthogonal on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the Z direction will be defined as the X direction and the Y direction. Here, the X direction is the direction along the vehicle length direction, i.e., the front-to-back direction, and the Y direction is the direction along the vehicle width direction.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the cycle carrier 1 according to this embodiment is fixed to a carrier bar (mounted member) V2 that extends in the Y direction (width direction) on the roof V1 of the vehicle V. In this embodiment, two carrier bars (mounted members) V2 are arranged side by side, spaced apart in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and the cycle carrier 1 is fixed to each of these two carrier bars (mounted members) V2.

[0017] Then, by placing and securing the bicycle B onto the cycle carrier 1 fixed to each of the two carrier bars (mounted members) V2, the bicycle B is loaded onto the vehicle V, and the vehicle V can carry the bicycle B.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cycle carrier 1 is equipped with a tray 2 on which the front tire B1 and rear tire B2 of bicycle B can be placed.

[0019] Furthermore, the cycle carrier 1 is equipped with a front tire holding member (second tire holding member) 3 that is attached to the tray 2. This front tire holding member (second tire holding member) 3 has a front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 that is capable of holding the front tire B1 of bicycle B.

[0020] Furthermore, the cycle carrier 1 is equipped with a rear tire holding member (first tire holding member) 6 that is attached to the tray 2. This rear tire holding member (first tire holding member) 6 has a rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 that is capable of holding the rear tire B2 of bicycle B.

[0021] In this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holder) 611 are attached to the tray 2 in a foldable state, as shown in Figure 3. This eliminates the need to drive the vehicle V with the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holder) 611 extended when driving the vehicle V without removing the cycle carrier 1 which does not hold bicycle B. In other words, when bicycle B is not loaded onto the vehicle V, the vehicle V can be driven with the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holder) 611 folded. This prevents the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holder) 611 from getting in the way when driving the vehicle V without bicycle B, even without removing the cycle carrier 1 from the vehicle V.

[0022] In this embodiment, the rear tire B2 is one of either the front tire B1 or the rear tire B2 of bicycle B, and the front tire B1 is the other of either the front tire B1 or the rear tire B2 of bicycle B. However, it is also possible to use one of the tires, the front tire B1, and the other tire, the rear tire B2.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, tray 2 has an elongated, roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and can be formed using a metal material such as aluminum. The top of tray 2 has a tire holding surface 241 on which the front tire B1 and rear tire B2 of bicycle B can be placed.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the tray 2 comprises a bottom wall 21 and a pair of side walls 22 that are connected to the outer end of the bottom wall 21 in the Y direction (width direction) and rise upward. The tray 2 also comprises a pair of inner walls 23 that are connected to the inside of the bottom wall 21 in the Y direction (width direction) and rise upward. A rail groove 211 is formed between the pair of inner walls 23 in the bottom wall 21 so as to extend in the X direction (front-back direction).

[0025] Furthermore, the tray 2 is provided with a top wall 24 formed to connect the upper end of the side wall 22 and the upper end of the inner wall 23, and the upper surface of this top wall 24 serves as the tire holding surface 241.

[0026] In this embodiment, the tire holding surface 241 includes a first tire holding surface 2411 formed on the inside of a pair of inner walls 23 in the Y direction (width direction), and a pair of second tire holding surfaces 2412 connected to the upper ends of a pair of side walls 22, respectively, with a different radius of curvature than the first tire holding surface 2411. Thus, in this embodiment, two types of tire holding surfaces (first tire holding surface 2411 and second tire holding surface 2412) are provided. This allows tires of various widths (front tire B1 and rear tire B2) to be placed on the tray 2 while being held by the tire holding surface 241. This makes it possible to place various types of bicycles (bicycles with tires of various widths) on the tray 2 while preventing them from coming off the tire holding surface 241. In this embodiment, the tire holding surface 241 is formed to accommodate tire widths ranging from narrow tire widths (approximately 20 mm) like those of road bikes to wide tire widths (approximately 100 mm) like those of mountain bikes.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a slide rail groove 242 is formed between the upper end of the first tire holding surface 2411 and the lower end of the second tire holding surface 2412, with the groove opening inward in the Y direction (width direction) and extending in the X direction (front-rear direction).

[0028] Furthermore, a groove 243 extending in the Z direction (vertical direction) is formed in the center of the top wall 24 in the Y direction (width direction), and extends in the X direction (front-to-back direction). The head 722 of the T-bolt 72, which will be described later, is inserted into this groove 243. In other words, the elongated groove 243 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) functions as a hole formed in the tray 2 into which the head 722 of the T-bolt 72 is inserted. Note that the hole into which the head 722 of the T-bolt 72 is inserted does not necessarily have to be a groove 243 extending in the X direction (front-to-back direction). For example, it is also possible to form multiple elongated holes 244 along the X direction (front-to-back direction), as shown in Figure 5, so that each elongated hole 244 functions as a hole formed in the tray 2 into which the head 722 of the T-bolt 72 is inserted.

[0029] With tray 2 having this shape, the strength can be increased, allowing the tires of bicycle B (front tire B1 and rear tire B2) to be placed on tray 2 more safely.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tray 2 is fitted with a member for fixing the tray 2 (cycle carrier 1) to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0031] Specifically, in order to fix the tray 2 (cycle carrier 1) to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2, two members, the front mounting member 8 and the carrier fixing member 623, are attached to the lower end of the tray 2, spaced apart in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

[0032] In this embodiment, the front mounting member 8 is equipped with an elastic piece 81 whose front end in the X direction (front-to-back direction) is hooked into the rail groove 211, with the rear end in the X direction (front-to-back direction) being a free end. This elastic piece 81 is attached to the tray 2 in a manner that allows it to slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Furthermore, the front mounting member 8 is equipped with a bolt 82 that is inserted into an insertion hole 811 formed at the rear end of the elastic piece 81. Then, with the front carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 positioned behind the rear end of the elastic piece 81, the elastic piece 81 is moved to the rear (by moving the elastic piece 81 together with the tray 2 to the rear, or by sliding the elastic piece 81 to the rear relative to the tray 2), thereby inserting the front carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 between the elastic piece 81 and the lower part (bottom wall 21) of the tray 2. Then, with the front carrier bar (mounted member) V2 inserted between the elastic piece 81 and the lower part (bottom wall 21) of the tray 2, the bolt 82 is inserted into the insertion hole 811 and fastened, thereby enabling the tray 2 to be attached to the front carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0033] On the other hand, the carrier fixing member 623 comprises a clamp 6231 having a body portion 62311 that is elongated in the X direction (front-to-back direction) and a pair of rubber tubes 62312 located on both sides of the body portion 62311 in the X direction (front-to-back direction). The clamp 6231 is attached to the body portion 621 of the mounting member 62, which will be described later, with the rear carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 positioned between the pair of rubber tubes 62312 and above the body portion 62311. In this way, the rear carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 is sandwiched between the body portion 621 and the clamp 6231, and the clamp 6231 is fixed to the tray 2 via the body portion 621, so that the tray 2 can be attached to the rear carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2. In this embodiment, the main body 621 of the mounting member 62 is attached to the tray 2 in a state that allows it to slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction), thereby allowing the carrier fixing member 623 to be attached to the tray 2 in a state that allows it to slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

[0034] Thus, in this embodiment, the front mounting member 8 and the carrier fixing member 623 are attached to the tray 2 in such a way that they can slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Therefore, the tray 2 can be moved (slid) relative to the pair of carrier bars (members to be mounted) V2 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) while the front mounting member 8 is attached (temporarily fixed) to the front carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 and the carrier fixing member 623 is attached (temporarily fixed) to the rear carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2.

[0035] This allows the cycle carrier 1 to accommodate bicycles of various sizes (bicycles of various lengths).

[0036] Furthermore, since the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 has a curved shape in the Y direction (width direction), when attaching the tray 2 to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2, the carrier fixing member 623 may be attached to the curved portion of the carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0037] As described above, if the carrier fixing member 623 is attached to the curved portion of the carrier bar (mounted member) V2, the tray 2 may tilt diagonally, and the bicycle B placed on the tray 2 may also tilt. Furthermore, if the bicycle B is placed on the tray 2 in a tilted state, a large stress will be applied in one direction, which may cause the tray 2 to deform.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, a rubber spacer 6232 can be interposed between the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 and the main body 621, so that the tray 2 can be held more reliably in a horizontal position (see Figure 9). In this way, by maintaining the horizontal position of the tray 2 regardless of the mounting position, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent the bicycle B placed on the tray 2 from tilting. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent the bicycle B from swaying in the Y direction (width direction) when being transported in a vehicle V, etc.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the front tire holding member (second tire holding member) 3 is equipped with a front tire holding portion 4 capable of holding the front tire B1 from the front. This front tire holding portion 4 is equipped with a front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 capable of holding the front tire B1 of the bicycle B, and a resin block 42 to which the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 is rotatably attached and which is fixed to the front end of the tray 2.

[0040] Thus, in this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is rotatably attached to the tray 2 via a resin block 42.

[0041] This front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is substantially inverted U-shaped and can be formed using, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or a rigid resin material. In this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is provided with a pair of parallel sections 411 that are spaced apart in the Y direction (width direction) and arranged substantially parallel to each other. One end of the pair of parallel sections 411 is fixed to the walls of the resin block 42 on both sides in the Y direction (width direction) by a rotating shaft 431 that extends in the Y direction (width direction). In this way, the pair of parallel sections 411 are fixed to the resin block 42 in a state that allows them to rotate about the rotating shaft 431.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is provided with a U-shaped section 412 connected to the other end of a pair of parallel sections 411. The front tire B1 is inserted into the space formed between the roughly inverted U-shaped sections 412, and both sides of the front of the front tire B1 in the Y direction (width direction) are brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the U-shaped sections 412, thereby holding the front tire B1 in place by the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41.

[0043] In this embodiment, the tip of the roughly inverted U-shaped front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is bent so that it becomes narrower towards the tip. Specifically, the U-shaped section 412 located at the tip of the roughly inverted U-shaped front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 includes a pair of bent sections 4121 connected to the other end of each of the pair of parallel sections 411 in a state where they are bent inward in the Y direction (width direction) relative to the parallel sections 411, and a curved connecting section 4122 connecting the tips of the narrower side of the pair of bent sections 4121. In this way, the shape of the U-shaped section 412 becomes tapered, bending so that it becomes narrower in the Y direction (width direction) towards the tip (away from the parallel sections 411).

[0044] Furthermore, by making the shape of the U-shaped portion 412 tapered, so that it narrows in the Y direction (width direction) as it approaches the tip (away from the parallel portion 411), the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 can hold front tires B1 of various widths. In this way, various types of bicycles (bicycles B having front tires B1 of various tire widths) can be held by the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 with appropriate holding force. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the front tire B1 from coming off the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41, regardless of the tire width of the bicycle B being placed on it. In this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41, like the tray 2, is formed to accommodate tire widths ranging from narrow tires (approximately 20 mm) like those of road bikes to wide tires (approximately 100 mm) like those of mountain bikes.

[0045] The resin block 42 is formed to be rigid using a hard resin material or the like, and includes a main body portion 421 that is attached to the front end of the tray 2. One end of the parallel portion 411 of the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 is rotatably fixed to the outer wall portion of the main body portion 421 in the Y direction (width direction) by a rotating shaft 431.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the resin block 42 is equipped with a rotation restricting wall 422, which restricts the relative rotation of the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 with respect to the tray 2 (resin block 42).

[0047] Specifically, the rotation restricting walls 422 are formed on the outer walls of both sides of the main body 421 in the Y direction (width direction), and each rotation restricting wall 422 restricts the rotation of the parallel portion 411 of the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41.

[0048] In this embodiment, each of the pair of rotation restricting walls 422 is provided with a front rotation restricting wall 4221 and a rear rotation restricting wall 4222. When the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 412 side) moves rearward and downward, the parallel part 411 of the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 comes into contact with the lower surface 4221a of the front rotation restricting wall 4221 and the upper surface 4222a of the rear rotation restricting wall 4222. This prevents the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 from rotating further rearward and downward. Furthermore, when the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped section 412 side) moves forward and upward, the parallel section 411 of the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 comes into contact with the rear surface 4221b of the front rotation restricting wall 4221 and the front surface 4222b of the rear rotation restricting wall 4222. This prevents the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 from rotating any further forward and upward.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 is attached to the tray 2 in a state that allows it to rotate between a folded position in which the parallel portion 411 abuts against the lower surface 4221a of the front rotation restricting wall 4221 and the upper surface 4222a of the rear rotation restricting wall 4222, and an unfolded position in which the parallel portion 411 abuts against the rear surface 4221b of the front rotation restricting wall 4221 and the front surface 4222b of the rear rotation restricting wall 4222. In this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 is held at two locations by the rotation restricting walls 422 (front rotation restricting wall 4221 and rear rotation restricting wall 4222). In this way, the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41 is firmly held by the resin block 42 in both the folded and unfolded states.

[0050] Furthermore, when the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is deployed, the parallel section 411 is brought into contact with the rear surface 4221b of the front rotation restricting wall 4221 and the front surface 4222b of the rear rotation restricting wall 4222, thereby preventing the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 from rotating further forward and upward, and enabling the front tire B1 to be held by the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 with appropriate holding force.

[0051] In this embodiment, the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 is held at two locations (both sides) on the left and right (Y direction: width direction) of the high-strength resin block 42. The high-strength resin block 42 restricts the forward and upward rotation of the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 when deployed. This allows the front pipe (second tire holder) 41 to be attached to the tray 2 with reduced forward, backward, and lateral movement, and makes the front tire holder 4 a stronger structure. When the front tire B1 is held by the front pipe (second tire holder) 41, the forward, backward, and lateral movement of the bicycle B can be more reliably suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front tire holding section 4 is equipped with a folding mechanism 43 having the aforementioned rotating shaft 431. This folding mechanism 43 allows the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 to be held in a folded state, while also allowing the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 to be moved to an unfolded state with a single touch.

[0053] Such a folding mechanism 43 can be obtained, for example, by, when the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 is folded, restricting the rotation of the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 in the deployment direction while it is biased in the deployment direction (a force acting to rotate the parallel part 411 forward and upward), and then releasing the restriction by moving the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 in the deployment direction, or by operating an operation button for releasing the restriction, thereby causing the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 to rotate to the deployment position due to the biasing force in the deployment direction.

[0054] Furthermore, by providing the folding mechanism 43, when the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 is folded, the parallel part 411 is brought into contact with the lower surface 4221a of the front rotation restricting wall 4221 and the upper surface 4222a of the rear rotation restricting wall 4222, thereby preventing the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 from rotating further backward and downward, while also restricting its rotation in the unfolding direction. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress rattling of the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 when it is folded. In addition, in this embodiment, when the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 is folded, an appropriate gap is formed between the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 and the tray 2. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the noise caused by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 hitting the tray 2 when the vehicle V is driven with the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 folded, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle V when the cycle carrier 1 is attached.

[0055] Incidentally, in a typical bicycle B, the handlebars B3 are connected to the front tire B1 via the front fork B4, allowing the front tire B1 to rotate left and right around the axis of the handlebars B3. Furthermore, the tires of bicycle B (front tire B1 and rear tire B2) are made of elastic material, and tires made of elastic material (front tire B1 and rear tire B2) generally hold air-filled tubes. Therefore, the tires of a typical bicycle B (front tire B1 and rear tire B2) are flexible and are configured to bend (elastically deform) from side to side (Y direction: width direction).

[0056] Therefore, if the front of the front tire B1 is only fixed by the front pipe (second tire holder) 41, when an external force is applied to the bicycle B, such as when it is carried on the vehicle V, the front tire B1 may bend, and there is a risk that play will occur between the front tire B1 and the tray 2. And if there is play between the front tire B1 and the tray 2, there is a risk that the front tire B1, which is fixed by the front pipe (second tire holder) 41, may move. In particular, since the handle B3 is connected to the front tire B1 via the front fork B4, when the bicycle B is carried on the vehicle V, a force is easily applied to the bicycle B that causes the handle B3 to rotate from side to side (Y direction: width direction). And when a force is applied to the bicycle B that causes the handle B3 to rotate from side to side (Y direction: width direction), there is a risk that the front tire B1 may wobble from side to side with the point of contact with the tray 2 as the pivot point.

[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, the lateral movement of the front tire B1 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0058] Specifically, the front tire holding member (second tire holding member) 3 is equipped with a front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 that is attached to the tray 2 and is capable of holding both sides of the front tire B1 of the bicycle B in the Y direction (width direction) from the rear, in addition to the front tire holding part 4 that can hold the front tire B1 from the front. In other words, the front tire holding member (second tire holding member) 3 is equipped with a front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 that is a separate component from the front tire holding part 4.

[0059] This configuration allows the front of the front tire B1 to be held by the front tire holder 4 while the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 are held by the front tire holder (rear tire holder) 5 when the bicycle B is loaded onto the cycle carrier 1.

[0060] In this configuration, the front tire holder 4 holds down the front of the front tire B1, while the front tire holder (rear tire holder) 5 holds down the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the front tire B1 from swaying from side to side around the point of contact with the tray 2, even if a force is applied to rotate the handlebars B3 from side to side when the bicycle B is being carried in a vehicle V.

[0061] This front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5, like the resin block 42, is formed to have rigidity using a hard resin material or the like. In this embodiment, the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 are held by the high-strength front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5.

[0062] In this embodiment, the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, comprises a main body portion 51 having tire holding surfaces 511 that contact the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1, and a guide portion 52 connected to the lower end of the main body portion 51 and positioned on the tire holding surface 241 of the tray 2.

[0063] Furthermore, the guide portion 52 is formed such that a pair of guide pieces 521 protrude outward in the Y direction (width direction) from both sides of the guide portion 52 in the Y direction (width direction). By inserting the pair of guide pieces 521 into a pair of slide rail grooves 242 formed in the tray 2, the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5 is made slidable on the tray 2. At this time, the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5 slides on the tray 2 while being guided by the pair of guide pieces 521.

[0064] Thus, in this embodiment, the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 is attached to the tray 2 in a manner that allows it to slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

[0065] This allows the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 to be pressed against both the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 simply by sliding it. This makes it easier and more reliable to hold both the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 with the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5.

[0066] Furthermore, by making the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 slidably attached to the tray 2, the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 can more reliably hold down both the left and right rear surfaces of front tires B1 of various diameters. In other words, even when various types of bicycles (bicycles B with front tires B1 of various tire diameters) are loaded onto the cycle carrier 1, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the lateral swaying of the front tires B1 with the contact point with the tray 2.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5 is connected to the lower ends on both sides of the main body portion 51 in the Y direction (width direction), and when the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5 is attached to the tray 2, it is provided with a pair of side pieces 53 that face the outer surface of the side wall 22 of the tray 2. This prevents the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5 attached to the tray 2 from rattling from side to side (Y direction: width direction) by the pair of side pieces 53. At this time, the upper end of the side wall 22 of the tray 2 is inserted into the rail holding groove 54 formed between the guide portion 52 and the side piece 53. This allows the front tire holder (rear tire holding portion) 5 to slide on the tray 2 in the X direction (front-back direction) while being guided not only by the pair of guide pieces 521 but also by the pair of rail holding grooves 54. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress rattling of the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 when sliding it in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the tray 2, and allows the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 to slide more smoothly in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the tray 2.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tire holding surface 511 includes a first tire holding surface 5111 formed to be convex downward at the center in the Y direction (width direction), and a pair of second tire holding surfaces 5112 connected to the upper end of the first tire holding surface 5111, each having a different radius of curvature from the first tire holding surface 5111 and convex outward and downward in the Y direction (width direction). Furthermore, the tire holding surface 511 includes a pair of third tire holding surfaces 5113 connected to the outer ends in the Y direction (width direction) of the pair of second tire holding surfaces 5112, each having a different radius of curvature from the second tire holding surfaces 5112 and convex outward and downward in the Y direction (width direction).

[0069] Thus, in this embodiment, there are three types of tire holding surfaces (first tire holding surface 5111, second tire holding surface 5112, and third tire holding surface 5113). Furthermore, the tire holding surface (contact surface) 511 of the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 that contacts the front tire B1 is provided with stepped surfaces (multiple tire holding surfaces with different radii of curvature: first to third tire holding surfaces 5111 to 5113).

[0070] This allows the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 to more securely hold both the left and right rear surfaces of front tires B1 of various widths. This makes it possible to place various types of bicycles (bicycles B with front tires B1 of various tire widths) on the tray 2 in a state where lateral swaying around the contact point with the tray 2 is suppressed.

[0071] In this embodiment, the tire holding surface 511 is also formed to accommodate a wide range of tire widths, from narrow tires (approximately 20 mm) like those on a road bike to wide tires (approximately 100 mm) like those on a mountain bike, similar to the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 and the tray 2.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tire holding surface 511 is inclined such that the rear side is positioned higher than the front side. That is, the tire holding surface 511 is formed to correspond to the curved shape of the lower rear side of the front tire B1. This ensures that a relatively wide area along the circumferential direction of the lower rear side of the front tire B1 contacts the tire holding surface 511. This allows the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 to be held more securely by the tire holding surface 511, and more reliably suppresses lateral movement with the contact point with the tray 2 as a pivot point.

[0073] On the other hand, the rear tire holding member (first tire holding member) 6, as shown in Figure 9, includes a pipe member 61 having a rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 capable of holding the rear tire B2 of bicycle B, and a mounting member 62 that is attached to the tray 2 in such a state that the pipe member 61 is rotatably mounted and can be slid in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

[0074] Thus, in this embodiment, a pipe member 61 having a rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 is rotatably attached to the tray 2 via a mounting member 62.

[0075] This pipe member 61 comprises a rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 which is roughly inverted U-shaped, and a movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 which is roughly inverted U-shaped. By connecting a pair of ends of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 to a pair of ends of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, a roughly elongated, frame-shaped pipe member 61 is formed in the X direction (front-to-back direction). In this embodiment, by connecting the pipes on both the left and right sides (Y direction: width direction) to form a single pipe, twisting of the pipe can be suppressed, and the strength of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 in the direction (X direction: front-to-back direction) and left-to-right direction (Y direction: width direction) in which the bicycle B is fixed can be further increased.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the overall shape of the pipe member 61 is such that a portion of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is bent upwards in the vertical direction, with a point midway along the X direction (front-to-back direction). This further enhances the strength of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 in the direction (X direction: front-to-back direction) and the left-to-right direction (Y direction: width direction) in which the bicycle B is fixed.

[0077] Then, the connection between the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 and the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is fixed to the walls on both sides of the mounting member 62 in the Y direction (width direction) by a rotating shaft 63 that extends in the Y direction (width direction), so that the pipe member 61 can rotate about the rotating shaft 63 and is fixed to the mounting member 62.

[0078] In this embodiment, the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 is substantially inverted U-shaped and can be formed using, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or a rigid resin material. This rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 has a pair of parallel portions 6111 that are spaced apart in the Y direction (width direction) and arranged substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a curved portion 61111 is formed in the middle of each of the pair of parallel portions 6111, and the pair of parallel portions 6111 are bent with the curved portion 61111 as the base point. A movable pipe (rotating operation portion) 612 is formed at one end of the pair of parallel portions 6111 that are bent with the curved portion 61111 as the base point, extending along the direction in which one end of the pair of parallel portions 6111 extends. In this way, a substantially frame-shaped pipe member 61 that is elongated in the X direction (front-rear direction) is formed that is bent with the curved portion 61111 as the base point. It is preferable that the pipe member 61 has a bending angle of approximately 95 to 115 degrees. This way, when the pipe member 61 is rotated so that the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 located at the front extends horizontally, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 located at the rear will be tilted slightly backward from the vertical direction, allowing the rear tire B2 to be held more easily and securely by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 is provided with a U-shaped portion 6112 connected to the other end of a pair of parallel portions 6111. The rear tire B2 is inserted into the space formed between the substantially inverted U-shaped portions 6112, and both sides of the rear of the rear tire B2 in the Y direction (width direction) are brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the U-shaped portions 6112, thereby holding the rear tire B2 in place by the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611.

[0080] In this embodiment, the tip of the roughly inverted U-shaped rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 is bent so that it becomes narrower towards the tip. Specifically, the U-shaped portion 6112 located at the tip of the roughly inverted U-shaped rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 includes a pair of bent portions 61121 connected to the other ends of each of the pair of parallel portions 6111 in a state bent in the Y direction (width direction) relative to the parallel portions 6111, and a curved connecting portion 61122 connecting the tips of the narrower sides of the pair of bent portions 61121. In this way, the shape of the U-shaped portion 6112 becomes tapered, bending so that it becomes narrower in the Y direction (width direction) towards the tip (away from the parallel portions 6111).

[0081] Furthermore, by making the shape of the U-shaped portion 6112 tapered, so that it narrows in the Y direction (width direction) as it approaches the tip (away from the parallel portion 6111), the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 can hold rear tires B2 of various widths. In this way, various types of bicycles (bicycles B having rear tires B2 of various widths) can be held by the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 with appropriate holding force, and the rear tire B2 is more reliably prevented from coming off the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611. In this embodiment, the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611, like the front pipe (second tire holding portion) 41, tray 2, and tire holding surface 511, is formed to accommodate tire widths ranging from narrow tires (approximately 20 mm) like those of road bikes to wide tires (approximately 100 mm) like those of mountain bikes.

[0082] On the other hand, the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is also roughly U-shaped and can be formed using, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or a rigid resin material. In this embodiment, the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is provided with a pair of parallel parts 6121 that are spaced apart in the Y direction (width direction) and arranged roughly parallel to each other. Furthermore, the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is provided with a U-shaped part 6122 connected to the other end of the pair of parallel parts 6121. By rotating the roughly U-shaped movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 up and down with the rotation axis 63 as the pivot point, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates with the rotation axis 63 as the pivot point in conjunction with the rotation of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612.

[0083] In this embodiment, when the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves forward and downward, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates in a direction in which its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves forward and upward. With the bicycle B placed on the tray 2 and the front tire B1 held by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves forward and downward, causing the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to rotate in a direction in which its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves forward and upward with respect to the rotation axis 63, so that the rear tire B2 is held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0084] On the other hand, when the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves backward and upward, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates in a direction that its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves backward and downward. Therefore, with the bicycle B placed on the tray 2 and the front tire B1 held by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 and the rear tire B2 held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, when the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves backward and upward, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates in a direction that its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves backward and downward with the rotation axis 63 as the pivot point, and the rear tire B2 is released from being held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0085] Thus, in this embodiment, the rear tire holding member (first tire holding member) 6 is connected to the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 and includes a movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 that can be rotated around the rotation shaft 63, thereby controlling the rotation of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 around the rotation shaft 63.

[0086] In this way, by rotating the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 with the rotating shaft 63 as a pivot point, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates with the rotating shaft 63 as a pivot point in conjunction with the rotation of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612. By rotating the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 with the rotating shaft 63 as a pivot point, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 can be rotated with the rotating shaft 63 as a pivot point, allowing the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to hold the rear tire B2 or release the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 from holding the rear tire B2.

[0087] Thus, in this embodiment, the rear tire B2 can be held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 by utilizing the force (rotational moment) based on the lever principle, with the rotating shaft 63 as the fulcrum, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 as the point of effort, and the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 as the point of application. Furthermore, the rear tire B2 can be released from being held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 by utilizing the force (rotational moment) based on the lever principle.

[0088] This allows the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 to be operated with relatively little force, so that the rear tire B2 is held in place by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 with greater fixing force. This makes it easier to load and unload bicycle B onto the cycle carrier 1.

[0089] When loading bicycle B onto cycle carrier 1, the front tire B1 and rear tire B2 are placed on tray 2, with the front of the front tire B1 being held by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41, and the rear of the rear tire B2 being held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611. In this way, bicycle B, which is placed upright on tray 2, is secured to cycle carrier 1 while being held between the pair of pipes.

[0090] In this way, by fixing the bicycle B, which is placed upright on the tray 2, to the cycle carrier 1 while being held between a pair of pipes, the load on the bicycle B when it is loaded onto the vehicle V and transported can be minimized.

[0091] Therefore, by using the cycle carrier 1 shown in this embodiment, it is possible to minimize the load on the bicycle B when it is loaded onto the vehicle V and transported, while also making it easier to load and unload the bicycle B.

[0092] Furthermore, by utilizing the force (rotational moment) based on the lever principle to hold the rear tire B2 to the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, the bicycle B can be loaded onto the cycle carrier 1 in a more secure position, thus allowing the bicycle B to be transported more safely by vehicle V.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by operating the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 holds the rear tire (one of the tires) B2.

[0094] In this way, by operating the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves from top to bottom, the rear tire (one tire) B2 is held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611. In this way, by pushing the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 downward, the rear tire (one tire) B2 can be quickly held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611. In other words, when holding the rear tire (one tire) B2 with the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, if the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is operated so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves from top to bottom, the rear tire (one tire) B2 can be held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 more easily and reliably.

[0095] Furthermore, by moving the tip of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 (the U-shaped part 6122 side) from above to below, it becomes possible to operate the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 while applying the operator's body weight. In this way, by operating the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 while applying body weight, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 from rotating to the opposite side (the side that releases the hold) due to the reaction force from the rear tire (one tire) B2 when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 holds the rear tire (one tire) B2 with appropriate holding force. In other words, it becomes easier to move the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to a position where it holds the rear tire (one tire) B2 with appropriate holding force against the reaction force from the rear tire (one tire) B2.

[0096] In this embodiment, the pipe member 61 is attached to the mounting member 62 in a state that allows it to rotate within a predetermined range of motion. Specifically, when the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated to a predetermined position so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves forward and downward, the parallel part 6121 of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 comes into contact with the mounting member 62, preventing the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 from rotating further forward and downward. Also, when the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated to a predetermined position so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves backward and upward, the parallel part 6111 of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 comes into contact with the mounting member 62, preventing the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 from rotating further backward and upward. This prevents the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 from rotating too far upward, and more reliably prevents the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 from getting in the way when loading or unloading bicycle B onto tray 2.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 is equipped with a folding mechanism 6114. This folding mechanism 6114 allows the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 to be held in a folded state, while also allowing it to be moved to an unfolded state with a single touch.

[0098] In this embodiment, a pair of folding mechanisms 6114 are provided in the middle of a pair of parallel sections 6111 of the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611. Specifically, the folding mechanisms 6114 are provided near the end of the curved section 61111 formed in the pair of parallel sections 6111 on the side of the U-shaped section 6112. The side of the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 on the U-shaped section 6112 side relative to the folding mechanism 6114 can be rotated around a pivot axis 61141 formed in the folding mechanism 6114. At this time, the side of the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 on the U-shaped section 6112 side relative to the folding mechanism 6114 can rotate between a folded state in which the tip (U-shaped section 6112 side) is located furthest forward and downward, and an unfolded state in which the tip (U-shaped section 6112 side) is located furthest rear and upward.

[0099] Furthermore, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is folded to the side of the U-shaped part 6112 relative to the folding mechanism 6114, the rotation of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to the side of the U-shaped part 6112 relative to the folding mechanism 6114 is restricted so that it can be released when it is biased in the unfolding direction (a force is acting to rotate the U-shaped part 6112 side backward and upward).

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the folding mechanism 6114 is equipped with an operation button 61142 for releasing the restriction, and by operating the operation button 61142 to release the restriction, the U-shaped portion 6112 side of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is rotated to the deployed position by a biasing force in the deployment direction relative to the folding mechanism 6114. Alternatively, it is also possible to omit the operation button 61142 for releasing the restriction and release the restriction by moving the U-shaped portion 6112 side of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to the deployed position relative to the folding mechanism 6114 relative to the folding mechanism 6114, thereby rotating the U-shaped portion 6112 side of the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to the deployed position by a biasing force in the deployment direction relative to the folding mechanism 6114.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a folding mechanism 6114 is formed using a metal material with higher rigidity than the parallel section 6111, and is thicker than the parallel section 6111. This increases the strength of the folding mechanism 6114 (rotating shaft 61141), which is a part where stress tends to concentrate when the rear tire B2 is held by the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611, and more reliably suppresses deformation of the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 due to the reaction force from the rear tire (one tire) B2. In this way, even when the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 is equipped with a folding mechanism 6114, the bicycle B) having the rear tire B2 can be held by the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 with an appropriate holding force.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is folded with the U-shaped portion 6112 side closer to the folding mechanism 6114, an appropriate gap is formed between the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 with the U-shaped portion 6112 side closer to the folding mechanism 6114 and the tray 2. Also, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is folded with the U-shaped portion 6112 side closer to the folding mechanism 6114, an appropriate gap is formed between the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 with the U-shaped portion 6112 side closer to the folding mechanism 6114 and the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress noise caused by the U-shaped portion 6112 side of the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 hitting the tray 2 or the movable pipe (rotating operation portion) 612 when the vehicle V is driven with the U-shaped portion 6112 side of the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 folded down more than the folding mechanism 6114, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle V when the cycle carrier 1 is attached.

[0103] The mounting member 62 is a member for detachably attaching the tray 2 to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2. By attaching this mounting member 62 to the tray 2, the pipe member 61 is rotatably attached to the tray 2 via the mounting member 62. This prevents the transmission of force (for example, a force pressing to one side in the Y direction) to the tray 2 when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is rotated by operating the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 when loading or unloading bicycle B onto the cycle carrier 1. This ensures that the force is not transmitted to the tray 2.

[0104] Furthermore, if the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 is attached to the tray 2 via the mounting member 62, the relative position between the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 and the tray 2 can be displaced simply by sliding the mounting member 62 relative to the tray 2. Therefore, a configuration that allows for the displacement of the relative position between the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 and the tray 2 can be obtained more easily. And by displacing the relative position between the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 and the tray 2, the cycle carrier 1 can be made compatible with bicycles of various sizes (bicycles of various lengths).

[0105] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, the mounting member 62 comprises a main body portion 621 that is slidably attached to the tray 2, and a carrier fixing member 623 that is attached to the main body portion 621. The rear carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 is sandwiched between the main body portion 621 and the carrier fixing member 623 attached to the tray 2, thereby fixing the tray 2 to the carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2.

[0106] The main body 621 includes a rear stay 6211 to which a pipe member 61 is rotatably attached, and a rear holder 6212 fixed to the rear stay 6211 and to which a pair of carrier fixing members 623 are attached.

[0107] As shown in Figure 10, the rear stay 6211 comprises a bottom wall 62111 and a pair of side walls 62112 that are connected to the bottom wall 62111 so as to rise upward from both ends in the Y direction (width direction). The connection between the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 and the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 of the pipe member 61 is fixed to the pair of side walls 62112 by a rotating shaft 63 that extends in the Y direction (width direction), so that the pipe member 61 can rotate about the rotating shaft 63 and is fixed to the rear stay 6211.

[0108] Such a rear stay 6211 can be formed, for example, by drawing a single metal plate. In this embodiment, a bulge 62113 is formed at the rear of the rear stay 6211 so as to bulge outward, and a rotating shaft 63 is attached to the portion of the pair of side walls 62112 where the bulge 62113 is formed. This increases the strength of the rear stay 6211 and suppresses deformation of the pair of side walls 62112 in the Y direction (width direction). This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the wobbling of the bicycle B placed on the tray 2 in the Y direction (width direction), and makes it possible to transport the bicycle B in the vehicle V more safely. Such a bulge 62113 can be formed, for example, by drawing a single metal plate.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, guide pieces 62114 are formed on both sides in the X direction (front-to-back direction) at the center of the bottom wall 62111 in the Y direction (width direction). The base of these guide pieces 62114 is inserted into a rail groove 211 formed in the bottom wall 21 of the tray 2, and the head of the guide piece 62114 is hooked onto the upper surface of the bottom wall 21 of the tray 2, thereby enabling the rear stay 6211 to slide on the tray 2. At this time, the rear stay 6211 slides along the rail groove 211 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the tray 2.

[0110] The rear holder 6212 is fixed to the lower part of the bottom wall 62111 of the rear stay 6211. In this embodiment, the rear stay 6211 and the rear holder 6212 are fixed using blind rivets 6213 with high bonding strength. This increases the strength of the main body 621. The rear holder 6212 can be formed from a metal material such as stainless steel, for example.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length of the rear holder 6212 in the Y direction (width direction) is made longer than the length of the bottom wall 62111 of the rear stay 6211 in the Y direction (width direction), and the rear holder 6212 is fixed to the lower part of the bottom wall 62111 of the rear stay 6211 with both sides of the rear holder 6212 in the Y direction (width direction) protruding outward in the Y direction (width direction) beyond the bottom wall 62111 of the rear stay 6211.

[0112] Furthermore, the carrier fixing members 623 are attached to each end of the portion of the rear holder 6212 that protrudes outward in the Y direction (width direction) compared to the rear stay 6211.

[0113] This design allows the rear holder 6212, which is wide in the Y direction (width direction), to receive any sway in the Y direction (width direction) of the bicycle B placed on the tray 2, thereby more reliably suppressing sway in the Y direction (width direction) of the bicycle B placed on the tray 2. This also makes it possible to transport the bicycle B in the vehicle V more safely. In other words, it improves the safety of transporting the bicycle B in the vehicle V.

[0114] As described above, the carrier fixing member 623 comprises a clamp 6231 having a main body portion 62311 that is elongated in the X direction (front-to-back direction) and a pair of rubber tubes 62312 located on both sides of the main body portion 62311 in the X direction (front-to-back direction). The clamp 6231 is attached to the rear holder 6212 of the main body portion 621 with the rear carrier bar (member to be attached) V2 positioned between the pair of rubber tubes 62312 and above the main body portion 62311.

[0115] Specifically, a hex socket head bolt 62121 is inserted into the rubber tube 62312 from above the rear holder 6212, and the rear holder 6212 and the main body 62311 are fastened together with the hex socket head bolt 62121, so that the rear carrier bar (mounted member) V2 is sandwiched between the rear holder 6212 and the main body 62311. In this way, the mounting member 62 is attached to the rear carrier bar (mounted member) V2. Then, the tray 2 is attached to the mounting member 62 so that it can slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction), so that the tray 2 can slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the rear carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a position adjustment section 6214 is formed on the main body 621 of the mounting member 62, and this position adjustment section 6214 is equipped with a position adjustment bolt 62141 and a nut 62142.

[0117] Then, with the mounting member 62 slid in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the tray 2 to a predetermined position, the main body 621 is fixed to the bottom wall 21 of the tray 2 by fastening the position adjustment bolt 62141 and the nut 62142, so that the mounting member 62 is fixed in a predetermined position on the tray 2 with its sliding restricted. Note that if the position adjustment bolt 62141 is loosened while attached to the nut 62142, the mounting member 62 is allowed to slide in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the tray 2, and the mounting member 62 can be moved to a different position on the tray 2.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, a scale 221 is formed on the side wall 22 of the tray 2, and by aligning the rear end of the rear stay 6211 with a predetermined value on the scale 221, the mounting member 62 is positioned in a predetermined location on the tray 2.

[0119] At this time, the distance from the rear end of tray 2 can be marked on the side wall 22 as a scale 221. A table can be created in advance to determine the optimal distance from the rear end of tray 2 to the rear end of rear stay 6211 for each type of bicycle B (total length of bicycle B). Based on this table, the optimal distance for the bicycle B to be loaded (distance from the rear end of tray 2 to the rear end of rear stay 6211) can be determined, and the position of the mounting member 62 can be adjusted so that the distance from the rear end of tray 2 to the rear end of rear stay 6211 is the optimal distance. In this way, with simple position adjustment, the front tire B1 and rear tire B2 of the bicycle B to be loaded can be held with appropriate holding force by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0120] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mounting member 62 is slidably attached to the main body 621 and includes a lock cover (cover) 622 that can cover and expose the fixing portion (hex socket head bolt 62121) formed on the main body 621 with the carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0121] Specifically, as shown in Figures 14 to 17, the lock cover (cover) 622 is mounted in a manner that allows it to slide within a predetermined range in the X direction (front-to-back direction) in front of the main body 621, so that the portion of the rear holder 6212 that is exposed upward from the rear stay 6211 is covered by this lock cover (cover) 622.

[0122] In this embodiment, the lock cover (cover) 622 has a fixing bolt cover portion 6221 that can cover the hex socket head bolt 62121 from above, and the fixing bolt cover portion 62211 has a bolt exposure hole 62211 that can expose the hex socket head bolt 62121 upwards.

[0123] Then, with the lock cover (cover) 622 slid to its furthest forward position relative to the main body 621, the bolt exposure hole 62211 is positioned above the hex socket head cap screw 62121, so that the hex socket head cap screw 62121 is exposed upward from the bolt exposure hole 62211 (see Figure 14). Also, with the lock cover (cover) 622 slid to its furthest rearward position relative to the main body 621, the bolt exposure hole 62211 is offset from the hex socket head cap screw 62121, so that the hex socket head cap screw 62121 is covered by the fixing bolt cover 6221 (see Figure 16).

[0124] This design prevents the lock cover (cover) 622 from being released (by removing the hex socket head bolt 62121) when it is slid to its furthest rearward position relative to the main body 621. This helps to deter the theft of bicycle B by removing the cycle carrier 1 itself from the carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0125] To remove the cycle carrier 1 itself from the carrier bar (mounted member) V2, the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid furthest forward relative to the main body 621 so that the hex socket head bolt 62121 is exposed upward from the bolt exposure hole 62211. In this state, the hex socket head bolt 62121 is removed using a wrench (not shown in the illustration). This removes the carrier fixing member 623 from the main body 621, allowing the cycle carrier 1 itself to be removed from the carrier bar (mounted member) V2.

[0126] To adjust the position of tray 2 relative to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 (Y-direction: width direction), loosen the hex socket head bolt 62121 using a wrench (not shown) with the hex socket head bolt 62121 exposed upward from the bolt exposure hole 62211. This releases the clamping of the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 by the main body 621 and the clamp 6231, allowing tray 2 to slide relative to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 in the Y-direction (width direction).

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid to its furthest rearward relative to the main body 621 so that when the fixing bolt cover 6221 covers the hex socket head bolt (fixing part) 62121, the position adjustment part 6214 is also covered.

[0128] Specifically, the lock cover (cover) 622 is equipped with a position adjustment bolt cover portion 6222 that can cover the position adjustment portion 6214 from below. When the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid furthest rearward relative to the main body portion 621, the position adjustment bolt cover portion 6222 covers the position adjustment portion 6214 from below, preventing operation of the position adjustment portion 6214 (operation of the position adjustment bolt 62141) (see Figure 17). On the other hand, when the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid furthest forward relative to the main body portion 621, the position adjustment bolt cover portion 6222 detaches from the position adjustment portion 6214, exposing the position adjustment portion 6214 downwards, allowing operation of the position adjustment portion 6214 (operation of the position adjustment bolt 62141) (see Figure 15).

[0129] This makes it possible to prevent the mounting member 62 to which the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is attached from sliding relative to the tray 2 while the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is holding the rear tire (one tire) B2. This prevents the theft of bicycle B by removing the cycle carrier 1 itself from the carrier bar (attached member) V2, and also prevents the theft of bicycle B by releasing the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 from holding the rear tire (one tire) B2 by sliding the mounting member 62 to which the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is attached relative to the tray 2.

[0130] In this embodiment, when attaching the cycle carrier 1 to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 or removing the cycle carrier 1 from the carrier bar (mounted member) V2, the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid furthest forward relative to the main body 621, exposing the hex socket head bolt 62121 upward from the bolt exposure hole 62211, and the hex socket head bolt 62121 is tightened or loosened using a wrench (not shown).

[0131] Furthermore, when adjusting the position of the mounting member 62 relative to the tray 2, the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid as far forward as possible relative to the main body 621, exposing the position adjustment part 6214 downwards, and the position adjustment bolt 62141 is tightened or loosened.

[0132] Then, while the cycle carrier 1 is attached to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 and the mounting member 62 is fixed to the tray 2, the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid to its furthest rear relative to the main body 621, thereby preventing the operation of the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment bolt 62141.

[0133] This prevents the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment bolt 62141 from being operated unintentionally.

[0134] Thus, in this embodiment, the lock cover (cover) 622 is configured to slide relative to the main body 621 between an exposed position that exposes the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment part 6214, and a covered position that covers the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment part 6214. In other words, the lock cover (cover) 622 is configured to restrict the operation of the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment part 6214.

[0135] In this embodiment, the position in which the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid furthest forward relative to the main body 621 is the exposed position that exposes the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment part 6214, and the position in which the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid furthest rearward relative to the main body 621 is the covered position that covers the hex socket head bolt 62121 and the position adjustment part 6214.

[0136] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 is formed on the rear tire holding member (first tire holding member) 6 when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is holding the rear tire (one tire) B2 and the lock cover (cover) 622 is covering the hex socket head bolt (fixing part) 62121, thereby restricting the sliding of the lock cover (cover) 622 relative to the main body part 621.

[0137] Specifically, a lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 is formed on the parallel portion 6121 of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612. Then, as shown in Figure 18, when the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid to its furthest rearward position relative to the main body 621, and the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped portion 6122 side) moves forward and downward, the lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 is inserted into the lock hook insertion hole 6223 formed in the lock cover (cover) 622. In this way, the sliding of the lock cover (cover) 622 relative to the main body 621 is restricted. In other words, the lock cover (cover) 622 cannot be slid forward relative to the main body 621. When bicycle B is loaded onto tray 2, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is held by the rear tire (one tire) B2 with the lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 inserted into the lock hook insertion hole 6223.

[0138] This prevents the release of the fixation between the main body 621 and the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 (by removing the hex socket head bolts 62121) and the sliding of the mounting member 62 (by loosening the position adjustment bolts 62141) when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 holds the rear tire (one tire) B2.

[0139] This way, by removing the cycle carrier 1 from the carrier bar (attached member) V2 while the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is holding the rear tire (one tire) B2, it becomes possible to deter the theft of bicycle B. Furthermore, by sliding the attachment member 62 to which the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is attached relative to the tray 2, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611's hold on the rear tire (one tire) B2 is released, thus also deterring the theft of bicycle B.

[0140] Furthermore, if the lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 and the lock hook insertion hole 6223 are provided, when the lock cover (cover) 622 is not slid to its furthest rearward position relative to the main body 621, the lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 will abut against the fixing bolt cover 6221 even if the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 attempts to hold the rear tire (one tire). As a result, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 cannot be rotated any further so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves forward and downward, and the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is unable to hold the rear tire (one tire) B2.

[0141] Therefore, by providing a lock hook (slide restricting part) 61211 and a lock hook insertion hole 6223, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 cannot hold the rear tire (one tire) B2 unless the lock cover (cover) 622 is slid to its furthest rearward position relative to the main body 621. In other words, it becomes impossible for the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to hold the rear tire (one tire) B2 when the lock cover (cover) 622 has been forgotten to be closed. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent forgetting to close the lock cover (cover) 622 when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is holding the rear tire (one tire) B2.

[0142] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 19 to 28, the cycle carrier 1 is equipped with a locking mechanism 7. When the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves forward and downward, the locking mechanism 7 locks it (main lock), preventing the pipe member 61 from rotating in a direction that moves the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 backward and upward. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the clamping state of the bicycle B by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 from being released.

[0143] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 is equipped with a T-bolt (fixing means) 72. Specifically, the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is formed on the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612. Then, with the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 holding the rear tire (one tire) B2, the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 can be fixed to the tray 2 by the T-bolt (fixing means) 72.

[0144] Thus, in this embodiment, by engaging the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2 while the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is brought close to the tray 2, the state in which the rear tire (one tire) B2 is held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 (temporarily held state) can be maintained. In other words, by engaging the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 can be temporarily locked in the state in which it holds the rear tire (one tire) B2 (temporarily held state) (restricting the rotation of the U-shaped part 6122 to the rear and upward).

[0145] In this embodiment, the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 comprises a substantially rod-shaped shaft portion 721 extending in one direction, and a substantially rod-shaped head portion 722 connected to the tip (one end) of the shaft portion 721, projecting in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the shaft portion 721. The T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is rotatably attached to the U-shaped portion 6122 of the movable pipe (rotation operation portion) 612, with the head portion 722 projecting downward from the lower end of the central part of the U-shaped portion 6122 (see Figure 15). In this way, the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is attached to the U-shaped portion 6122 in a manner that allows the head portion 722 to rotate around the shaft portion 721.

[0146] In this embodiment, when fixing the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 to the tray 2 with a T-bolt (fixing means) 72, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, with the extending direction of the head 722 substantially aligned with the X direction (front-back direction), and the head 722 is inserted from above into the groove 243 formed in the tray 2.

[0147] Subsequently, with the head 722 inserted into the groove 243, the head 722 is rotated clockwise, for example, when viewed from above, so that both ends of the head 722 come into contact with the inner surface (restricting portion) 231 of the inner wall 23 of the tray 2. This restricts further rotation of the head 722 in the same direction (clockwise when viewed from above).

[0148] Furthermore, when the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 rotates so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2, the head 722 is designed to catch on the underside of the top wall 24, preventing the head 722 from coming out of the groove 243.

[0149] In this way, the head 722 restricts further rotation of the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 away from the tray 2, and the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is temporarily fixed to the tray 2 by the T-bolt (fixing means) 72.

[0150] On the other hand, when releasing the temporary fixation of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 to the tray 2, first the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated slightly so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves closer to the tray 2, thereby releasing the catch of the head part 722 on the lower surface of the top wall 24.

[0151] Subsequently, with the head 722 released from its engagement with the underside of the top wall 24, the head 722 is rotated in the opposite direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) so that its extension direction approximately coincides with the X direction (front-to-back direction).

[0152] Then, with the extension direction of the head 722 roughly aligned with the X direction (front-to-back direction), the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2, thereby removing the head 722 upward from the groove 243 formed in the tray 2.

[0153] This allows the tip of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 (the U-shaped part 6122 side) to rotate away from the tray 2, thereby releasing the temporary fixation of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 to the tray 2.

[0154] Thus, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 is configured such that the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is releasably engaged with the tray 2.

[0155] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 is equipped with a pressurizing means 73. Specifically, the pressurizing means 73 is formed on the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612. By operating the pressurizing means 73, the holding force of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 can be improved.

[0156] This makes it easier and more reliable for the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to hold the rear tire (one tire) B2 with the appropriate holding force (main holding state).

[0157] In this embodiment, the pressurizing means 73 comprises a screw 732 extending in one direction and a lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 rotatably attached to the screw 732. The screw 732 is attached to the U-shaped portion 6122 of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 with the screw protruding upward from the upper end of the central part of the U-shaped portion 6122. The lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotatably attached to the screw 732 with the threaded portion of the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 screwed into the threaded portion of the screw 732. In this way, the pressurizing means 73 is formed on the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612.

[0158] Furthermore, with the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 engaged with the tray 2, when the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotated clockwise, for example when viewed from above, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 rotates so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves closer to the tray 2 while maintaining the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2. Also, with the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 engaged with the tray 2, when the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotated counterclockwise, for example when viewed from above, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 rotates so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2 while maintaining the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2.

[0159] Thus, in this embodiment, the rotational state (rotational position) of the pipe member 61 when the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is engaged with the tray 2 can be adjusted by operating (rotating) the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731.

[0160] Specifically, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is in a state where it temporarily holds the rear tire (one tire) B2, and the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is engaged with the tray 2, the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotated clockwise when viewed from above, so that the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 rotates so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2 while maintaining the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2. In this way, when the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 connected to the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 rotates so that its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves forward and upward. Then, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates so that its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves forward and upward, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 presses against the rear tire B2, thereby increasing the holding force of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0161] In this way, by increasing the holding force of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, it is possible to restrict the downward pushing of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, thereby preventing the head 722 from being released from its engagement with the lower surface of the top wall 24. As a result, it is possible to prevent the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2 from being released. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress a decrease in the holding force of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, and to more reliably suppress the bicycle B from rattling or falling off the tray 2 when the bicycle B is loaded onto the vehicle V and carried.

[0162] On the other hand, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is in the position of holding the rear tire (one tire) B2, and the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is engaged with the tray 2, and the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from above, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 will rotate so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2 while maintaining the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2. At this time, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 connected to the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 will rotate so that its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves rearward and downward. Then, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 rotates so that its tip (U-shaped part 6112 side) moves backward and downward, the pressure on the rear tire B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is released, and the holding force of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is reduced.

[0163] In this way, by reducing the holding force of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, the holding of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 becomes a temporary holding state, allowing the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 to be pushed downward and rotated so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2. This releases the catch of the head part 722 on the lower surface of the top wall 24, and releases the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2.

[0164] Therefore, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 is configured such that the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 temporarily holds the rear tire (one tire) B2 by engaging the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2, and the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 can permanently hold the rear tire (one tire) B2 by operating (rotating) the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731. Furthermore, the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is used to switch between allowing and restricting the engagement and disengagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2.

[0165] This makes it possible to either allow or restrict the engagement and disengagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2 simply by operating the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731. This makes it possible to change the state in which the rear tire (one tire) B2 is held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to a permanent holding state in which the engagement and disengagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2 is restricted, or to a temporary holding state in which the engagement and disengagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2 is allowed, with a simpler configuration.

[0166] Furthermore, by engaging the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 can temporarily hold the rear tire (one tire) B2, allowing the rear tire (one tire) B2 to be quickly temporarily held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, thus making it easier to load the bicycle B onto the cycle carrier 1.

[0167] In this embodiment, even when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is temporarily holding the rear tire (one tire) B2, and even when the bicycle B is not placed on the tray, when the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is operated to rotate the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, the pair of parallel parts 6121 of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 come into contact with the fixing bolt cover part 6221 of the lock cover (cover) 622. In other words, when the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is tightened, the pair of parallel parts 6121 of the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 come into contact with the fixing bolt cover part 6221 of the lock cover (cover) 622. This makes it possible to fix the pipe member 61 without rattling, and thus improves the quietness of the vehicle V to which the cycle carrier 1 is attached when it is in motion.

[0168] Furthermore, the pitch of the threaded portion of the screw 732 to which the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is attached can be 1 mm, as shown in Figure 20, or 3 mm, as shown in Figure 21. If the pitch of the threaded portion of the screw 732 is 3 mm, it is possible to quickly switch between the permanent and temporary holding state compared to when the pitch is 1 mm. Although not shown in the figures, it is also possible to set the pitch of the threaded portion of the screw 732 to 5 mm. If the pitch of the threaded portion of the screw 732 is 5 mm, it is possible to quickly switch between the permanent and temporary holding state compared to when the pitch is 3 mm.

[0169] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 is equipped with a locking means 74 that can lock the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 while it is engaged with the tray 2, thereby more reliably preventing the theft of the bicycle B loaded on the tray 2.

[0170] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 19 to 21, the locking mechanism 7 includes a bracket 71 attached to the U-shaped portion 6122 of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612, and the locking means 74 is attached to the U-shaped portion 6122 of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 via this bracket 71.

[0171] This bracket 71 comprises a top wall 711, a front wall 712 extending downward from the front end of the top wall 711, and a rear wall 713 extending downward from the rear end of the top wall 711, and has a substantially inverted U-shape that opens downward. The bracket 71 is attached to the U-shaped portion 6122 such that the top wall 711 covers the central part of the U-shaped portion 6122 from above.

[0172] On the other hand, the locking means 74 includes a bracket 741 and a safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 that is slidably attached to the bracket 741.

[0173] Then, bracket 741 is fixed to the front wall 712 of bracket 71 from the front, and the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is attached to bracket 741 fixed to the front wall 712 of bracket 71 in a manner that allows it to slide in the front-rear direction. In this way, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is attached to the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 in a manner that allows it to slide in the front-rear direction.

[0174] In this embodiment, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 includes a main body portion 7421, and a dial lock piece 74211 is formed at the front end of the upper part of this main body portion 7421 so as to rise upward. When the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid rearward relative to the bracket 741, the dial lock piece 74211 is inserted into and engaged with a lock piece insertion recess 7311 formed in the lock knob (engaging operation portion) 731 (see Figures 25 and 26). In this way, the rotational operation of the lock knob (engaging operation portion) 731 is restricted.

[0175] On the other hand, when the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid forward relative to the bracket 741, the dial lock piece 74211 disengages from the lock piece insertion recess 7311, thereby releasing the engagement between the dial lock piece 74211 and the lock piece insertion recess 7311 (see Figures 22 to 24). This allows the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 to rotate.

[0176] Thus, in this embodiment, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is configured to slide relative to the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 between an allowable position in which rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is permitted and a restricting position in which rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is restricted. In other words, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is configured to restrict the operation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731.

[0177] In this embodiment, the position where the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid furthest forward relative to the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is the permissible position where rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is permitted, and the position where the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid furthest rearward relative to the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is the restricted position where rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is restricted.

[0178] This makes it possible to allow or restrict the rotation of the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 simply by sliding the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 relative to the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612. As a result, it is possible to suppress unintentional rotation of the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 with a simpler configuration.

[0179] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking means 74 is provided on the main body portion 7421 of the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742, and a key lock structure 74212 is provided that allows the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 to be locked while the rotational operation of the lock knob (engaging operation portion) 731 is restricted by the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742. It should be noted that a conventionally known structure can be used as such a key lock structure 74212.

[0180] Then, by sliding the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 to the restricted position, thereby restricting the rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731, the key 743 is inserted into the key lock structure 74212 and locked, preventing the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 from sliding to the permissible position. In other words, unless the lock by the key lock structure 74212 is released using the key 743, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 cannot be slid to the permissible position.

[0181] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 from being operated unintentionally, thereby releasing the main holding state of the rear tire (one tire) B2 by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, and thus more reliably prevents the theft of the bicycle B loaded on the tray 2.

[0182] Furthermore, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 has an engagement release suppression part 7422 formed thereon that suppresses the release of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 from the tray 2 when the operation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is restricted by the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742. In this embodiment, this engagement release suppression part 7422 is formed to protrude downward from the lower end of the main body part 7421.

[0183] Then, when the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid to the permissible position, allowing the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 to rotate, the engagement release suppression part 7422 is prevented from interfering with the head 722 of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 (see Figure 27). In this way, when the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is allowed to rotate, the engagement and disengagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 to the tray 2 is permitted.

[0184] On the other hand, when the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid to the regulated position, thereby restricting the rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731, the engagement release suppression part 7422 interferes with the head 722 of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72, preventing the head 722 from rotating (see Figure 28). In this way, when the rotation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is restricted, the engagement and disengagement operation of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 to the tray 2 is also restricted by the engagement release suppression part 7422.

[0185] This way, when the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 locks the rear tire (one tire) B2 in a fully held state (fully locked), even if someone tries to forcibly disengage the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 from the tray 2 using a tool or the like, the head 722 of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 will interfere with the disengagement suppression part 7422, preventing the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 from being disengaged from the tray 2. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably deter the theft of the bicycle B loaded on the tray 2.

[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is configured to be releasably engaged with the tray 2 while the anti-theft wire 75 is locked to it.

[0187] Specifically, with the wire portion 751 of the anti-theft wire 75 wrapped around the frame B5 of bicycle B, the engagement ring 752 at one end of the anti-theft wire 75 is inserted into the engagement ring 752 at the other end, and the head 722 of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is inserted into the engagement ring 752 at the other end of the anti-theft wire 75, so that the anti-theft wire 75 is engaged with the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 (see Figure 2). Then, with the anti-theft wire 75 engaged with the T-bolt (fixing means) 72, the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is engaged with the tray 2.

[0188] This prevents the theft prevention wire 75 from being removed from bicycle B while the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 is firmly holding the rear tire (one of the tires) B2.

[0189] This makes it even more effective in preventing the theft of bicycle B, which is loaded onto tray 2.

[0190] In this embodiment, when the position of the mounting member 62 is adjusted so that the distance from the rear end of the tray 2 to the rear end of the rear stay 6211 is the optimal distance for the bicycle B to be loaded, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, and when the tip 7422a of the engagement release suppression part 7422 is positioned at the upper end of the tray 2 in a side view, the rear tire (one tire) B2 is temporarily held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0191] Therefore, the position of the mounting member 62 can be adjusted to achieve the optimal distance for the bicycle B to be loaded, depending on the position of the tip 7422a of the engagement release suppression part 7422 and the state in which the rear tire (one tire) B2 is held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611. In other words, even if a table that can determine the optimal distance from the rear end of the tray 2 to the rear end of the rear stay 6211 for each type of bicycle B (total length of bicycle B) is lost, the position of the mounting member 62 can be easily adjusted to achieve the optimal distance for the bicycle B to be loaded.

[0192] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a lock area indicator 74213 is formed on the main body 7421 of the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742, which serves as a guide when gripping the bicycle B with appropriate pressure. When the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotated clockwise while viewed from above, maintaining the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2, the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2. When the upper end of the tray 2 is positioned within the range of the lock area indicator 74213 in a side view, the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 holds the rear tire (one tire) B2 with appropriate holding force, resulting in the final holding state.

[0193] This allows for visual confirmation of how much the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 needs to be tightened in order for the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 to properly hold the rear tire (one tire) B2. This makes it easier and more reliable to properly hold the rear tire (one tire) B2 with the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0194] Next, an example of how to load a road bike (bicycle B) onto the cycle carrier 1 will be explained using Figures 29 to 34. In the following explanation, the position of the front mounting member 8 and the carrier fixing member 623 has been adjusted to the optimal position for loading the road bike, and the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 and the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 have been folded, and the method of loading the road bike onto the cycle carrier 1 fixed to the carrier bar (mounted member) V2 of the vehicle V will be explained. Furthermore, the procedure shown below is merely an example, and each step can be rearranged as appropriate.

[0195] First, the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 is moved in the unfolding direction to release the restriction by the folding mechanism 43, causing the front pipe (second tire holding section) 41 to rotate to the unfolded position due to the biasing force in the unfolding direction (see Figure 29).

[0196] Next, by operating the release button 61142 to release the restriction imposed by the folding mechanism 6114, the biasing force in the unfolding direction causes the U-shaped portion 6112 side of the rear pipe (first tire holding portion) 611 to rotate to the unfolded position relative to the folding mechanism 6114 (see Figure 30).

[0197] Next, the key 743 is inserted into the key lock structure 74212 to unlock it, and the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid to the permissible position.

[0198] Then, rotate the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 counterclockwise when viewed from above, and rotate the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2.

[0199] Next, the temporary fixing of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 to the tray 2 is released. Specifically, first, the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is rotated slightly so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2, thereby releasing the catch of the head 722 on the underside of the top wall 24. Next, with the catch of the head 722 on the underside of the top wall 24 released, the head 722 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above, so that the extension direction of the head 722 roughly coincides with the X direction (front-back direction). Then, with the extension direction of the head 722 roughly coincided with the X direction (front-back direction), the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 is rotated so that its tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2, thereby removing the head 722 upward from the groove 243 formed in the tray 2. This releases the temporary fixing of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 to the tray 2. Then, the pipe member 61 is rotated so that the tip of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 (the U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2 (see Figure 31). This prepares the cycle carrier 1 so that a road bike (bicycle B) can be placed on the tray 2. Note that the pipe member 61 is set to rotate by its own weight so that the tip of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 (the U-shaped part 6122 side) moves away from the tray 2, so that the cycle carrier 1 can be prepared to place a road bike (bicycle B) on the tray 2 simply by releasing the temporary fixing of the movable pipe (rotating operation part) 612 to the tray 2.

[0200] Next, the road bike (bicycle B) is placed on tray 2 with the front tire B1 facing forward. At this time, the road bike (bicycle B) is placed on tray 2 with the rear tire B2 positioned between the pair of parallel sections 6111 of the rear pipe (first tire holding section) 611 and between the pair of parallel sections 6121 of the movable pipe (rotation operation section) 612.

[0201] Then, with the road bike (bicycle B) placed on the tray 2, it is moved forward so that the front part of the front tire B1 is inserted into the space formed between the roughly inverted U-shaped U-shaped parts 412. In this way, both sides of the front part of the front tire B1 in the Y direction (width direction) come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the U-shaped parts 412, so that the front part of the front tire B1 is held by the front pipe (second tire holding part) 41 (see Figure 32).

[0202] Next, with the wire portion 751 of the anti-theft wire 75 wrapped around the frame B5 of bicycle B, the engagement ring 752 at one end of the anti-theft wire 75 is inserted into the engagement ring 752 at the other end, and the head 722 of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is inserted into the engagement ring 752 at the other end of the anti-theft wire 75, so that the anti-theft wire 75 is engaged with the T-bolt (fixing means) 72.

[0203] Then, with the anti-theft wire 75 engaged with the T-bolt (fixing means) 72, the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 is engaged with the tray 2, so that the rear tire (one of the tires) B2 is temporarily held in place by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0204] Subsequently, with the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611 temporarily holding the rear tire (one tire) B2, and the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 engaged with the tray 2, the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731 is rotated clockwise when viewed from above. This rotates the movable pipe (rotation operation part) 612 so that the tip (U-shaped part 6122 side) approaches the tray 2 while maintaining the engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2, so that the rear tire (one tire) B2 is permanently held by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611.

[0205] Then, with the rear tire (one tire) B2 being held in place by the rear pipe (first tire holding part) 611, the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 is slid to the regulated position so that the rotational operation of the lock knob (engaging operation part) 731 is restricted (see Figure 33).

[0206] Subsequently, the key 743 inserted into the key lock structure 74212 is operated to lock the key lock structure 74212. Then, with the key lock structure 74212 locked, the key 743 is removed from the key lock structure 74212, preventing the safety lock gauge (regulating member) 742 from sliding to the permissible position.

[0207] Finally, slide the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 forward to press down on both the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 with the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 (see Figure 34).

[0208] This way, the road bike (bicycle B) will be loaded onto cycle carrier 1.

[0209] The same procedure will be followed when loading the mountain bike (bicycle B) onto the cycle carrier 1 in the state shown in Figure 35.

[0210] Thus, in this embodiment, by inserting the key 743 into the key lock structure 74212 to lock the key lock structure 74212, that is, the following six operations are locked with a single key operation. 1. Rotate the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731. 2. The engagement of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 with the tray 2 is released by rotating the lock knob (engagement operation part) 731. 3. To release the state in which the release of the T-bolt (fixing means) 72 from engaging with the tray 2 due to unintentional external force is restricted by the release suppression unit 7422. 4. Remove the anti-theft wire 75. 5. Remove the mounting member 62 from the carrier bar (member to be mounted) V2 by operating the hex socket head bolt 62121. 6. By loosening the position adjustment bolt 62141, slide the mounting member 62 relative to the tray 2.

[0211] Furthermore, by reversing the above procedure, you can remove road bikes (bicycle B) and mountain bikes (bicycle B) from cycle carrier 1.

[0212] [Effects / Effects] The following describes the characteristic configuration of the cycle carrier shown in the above embodiment and the effects obtained therefrom.

[0213] The cycle carrier 1 shown in the above embodiment includes a tray 2 on which the front tire B1 of bicycle B can be placed. The cycle carrier 1 also includes a front tire holder 4 attached to the tray 2, which can hold the front tire B1 of bicycle B from the front. Furthermore, the cycle carrier 1 includes a front tire holder (rear tire holder) 5 attached to the tray 2, which can hold both sides of the front tire B1 of bicycle B from the rear in the width direction.

[0214] In this embodiment, when bicycle B is loaded onto the cycle carrier 1, the front side of the front tire B1 is held by the front tire holding part 4, and the left and right rear sides of the front tire B1 are held by the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5.

[0215] In this configuration, the front tire holder 4 presses down on the front of the front tire B1, while the front tire holder (rear tire holder) 5 presses down on both the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the lateral movement of the front tire B1 around the contact point with the tray 2, even when a force is applied to rotate the steering wheel from side to side.

[0216] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a cycle carrier 1 that can more reliably suppress the lateral movement of the front tire B1.

[0217] Furthermore, the tire holding surface (contact surface) 511 of the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 that contacts the front tire B1 may have stepped surfaces (multiple tire holding surfaces with different radii of curvature: first to third tire holding surfaces 5111 to 5113).

[0218] This makes it possible to more securely hold the left and right rear surfaces of front tires B1 of various widths with the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5. In other words, even when various types of bicycles (bicycles with front tires B1 of various tire widths) are loaded onto the cycle carrier 1, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the lateral swaying of the front tire B1 with the contact point with the tray 2.

[0219] Additionally, the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 may be slidably mounted on the tray 2.

[0220] This allows the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 to be pressed against both the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 simply by sliding it. As a result, both the left and right rear surfaces of the front tire B1 can be held more easily and securely by the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5.

[0221] Furthermore, by making the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 slidably attached to the tray 2, the front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 5 can more reliably hold down both the left and right rear surfaces of front tires B1 of various diameters. In other words, even when various types of bicycles (bicycles with front tires B1 of various tire diameters) are loaded onto the cycle carrier 1, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the lateral swaying of the front tires B1 with the contact point with the tray 2.

[0222] [others] The above describes the contents of the cycle carrier relating to this disclosure, but it is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0223] For example, the embodiments can be modified or altered based on the above disclosure. In this case, all components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually selected and combined, provided that they do not contradict each other.

[0224] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates a cycle carrier 1 that holds both the front tire B1 and the rear tire B2 of a bicycle B placed upright on the tray 2, it is also possible to apply this disclosure to a cycle carrier that holds only the front tire B1 of a bicycle B placed upright on the tray 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0225] B Bicycle B1 Front tire (the other tire) B2 Rear tire (one tire) 1. Bicycle carrier 2 trays 4. Front tire retaining section 5. Front tire holder (rear tire holding part) 511 Tire retention surface

Claims

1. A tray capable of holding the front tire of a bicycle, A front tire holder is attached to the tray and is capable of holding the front tire of the bicycle from the front, A rear tire holding part is attached to the tray and is capable of holding both sides of the front tire of the bicycle in the width direction from the rear, Equipped with, The contact surface of the rear tire holder that contacts the front tire has a stepped surface. Bicycle carrier.

2. The rear tire holding portion is slidably attached to the tray, The cycle carrier according to claim 1.

3. A tray on which the front tire of a bicycle can be placed, A front tire holder is attached to the tray and is capable of holding the front tire of the bicycle from the front, A rear tire holding part is attached to the tray and is capable of holding both sides of the front tire of the bicycle in the width direction from the rear, Equipped with, The rear tire holding portion is slidably attached to the tray. Bicycle carrier.

Images