GB2383787A

GB2383787A - A support for a wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2383787A
Application number: GB0230296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William David Steadman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-05
Filing date: 2002-12-31
Publication date: 2003-07-09
Also published as: GB0200212D0; GB0230296D0

Abstract

Support apparatus 10 mountable on the rear of a car 12 for carrying a scooter. The apparatus comprises telescopic support members 44, 52 which in a carrying condition can be located one within the other behind the car 12 with the scooter supported on the member 44. In a loading position the member 52 telescopes from the member 44 in either direction and causes pivoting of the members 44, 52 about a mounting arrangement 18 to enable the scooter to be driven thereon.

Description

Support Apparatus This invention concerns support apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, such as a motorised scooter, motorbike, bicycle, or wheelbarrow, and particularly but not exclusively support apparatus for supporting such a wheeled vehicle on a larger vehicle to permit transportation of the wheeled vehicle.

To date support apparatus suitable for supporting apparatus of the type outlined above on another vehicle such as for instance on the back of a car or van, has not been particularly satisfactory. This has often resulted in such vehicles being carried inside the back of a van, thereby significantly reducing the carrying capacity of the van.

According to the present invention there is provided support apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, the apparatus comprising a first support surface and mounting means, the first support surface being selectively pivotally moveable relative to the mounting means between a first inclined position permitting a wheeled vehicle to be wheeled thereonto or thereof, and a second substantially horizontal position permitting the vehicle to be supported above the ground.

The apparatus is preferably arranged such that the first support surface can be inclined selectively downwardly to either side of the mounting means.

The first support surface may be pivotally mounted to the mounting means substantially about a mid-point of the first support surface. Means may be provided to selectively prevent downward pivoting of the first support surface relative to the mounting means in either or both directions. The pivoting preventing means may comprise one or more members selectively locatable immediately beneath the first support surface on a one or both sides of the pivotal mounting thereof.

A second support surface may be provided which is selectively extendable,

and desirably in a telescopic manner, from the first support surface. The second support surface may be selectively extendable in either one of opposite directions from the first support surface to permit a wheeled vehicle to be wheeled along the second support surface onto the first support surface from respectively either side thereof.

The first support surface may be selectively moveable to a substantially vertically aligned out of use position.

The apparatus may be mountable on a larger vehicle such that a wheeled vehicle can be transported by the larger vehicle. The apparatus may be mountable on the rear of the larger vehicle, and may be mountable to a conventional towing hitch arrangement.

Stop means may be provided to selectively prevent a wheeled vehicle being wheeled off an end of the first support surface.

The stop means may comprise a barrier or barriers selectively mountable on respective ends of the first support surface.

Retractable leg means may be provided on or mountable on the first support surface, to retain same in a required alignment.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a vehicle mounting a support apparatus according to the invention in an in use condition and a first position; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic rear view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a second position with a wheeled vehicle partially thereon;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of part of the apparatus of Fig. i ; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the apparatus of Fig. i ; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a further part of the apparatus of Fig. i in an out of use condition; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 5 in an in use condition; and Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. i but with the support apparatus in an out of use condition.

The drawings show a support apparatus 10 mounted in Figs 1, 2 and 7 on the rear of a car 12. The apparatus 10 is suitable for carrying a wheeled vehicle such as a scooter 14 (Fig. 2) on the car 12.

The apparatus 10 is mountable on a conventional towing hitch 16 on the car 12 and comprises a mounting arrangement 18. The mounting arrangement 18 comprises a square section bar 20 which fits into the towing hitch 16. An upwardly extending section 22 extends from the end of the bar 20 and connects with a transverse portion 24 with a lip 26. Pivotally mounted one on each side on the upwardly extending section 22, are a pair of'L'shaped section brackets 28 which mount therebetween a generally T-shaped piece 30. The T-shaped piece 30 pivotally and restrainably mounts a rod 32 extending beyond the stem of the T. A circumferential groove 33 is provided in the rod 32 towards the distal end thereof. At each end of the side limbs of the'T'a pair of rotatable fingers 34 are provided connected to handles 36.

The mounting arrangement 18 is moveable between an in use position (Fig. 6) with the rod 32 extending substantially coaxially away from the square

section bar 20, and an out of use condition (Fig. 5) with the rod 32 pointing substantially vertically upwards. In the in use condition for retention a threaded member 38 on each of the L-shaped brackets 28 locates in a hole 40 provided at the junction between the square section bar 20 and the upwardly extending section 22. In the out of use condition a sliding member 42 mounted on the stem of the'T'is engagable behind the lip 26 to provide retention in this position.

The rod 32 mounts a first support member 44, with the rod 32 extending transversely substantially centrally beneath the first support member 44. A transverse tube 43 is provided on the underside of the support member 44 which tube 43 locates the rod 32. A spring retaining bolt 45 is provided generally midway along the tube 43, and selectively extendable from beneath the tube 43 thereinto to engage in the groove 33.

The first support member 44 defines a longitudinally extending support surface 46, with slightly raised side walls 48. The support member 44 is formed by a double skin of material (Fig. 3) with the side walls 48 defining a channel area 50.

A second support member 52 is provided with similar side walls 54, which member 52 is telescopically slidable relative to the first support member 44, such that the second support member 52 can locate substantially within the first support member 44, locating between the skins of material thereof, or can extend to either side thereof with only an end part of the member 52 located within the member 44.

In use, with the apparatus 10 mounted on the rear of the car 12, a vehicle such as the scooter 14 can be loaded thereonto as follow. The second support member 52 is pulled to the appropriate side of the first support member 44, which will cause the first and second support members 44, 52 to pivot relative to the mounting arrangement (as shown in Fig. 2). The scooter 14 can then be driven onto the second support member 52 and then onto the support surface 46. Once

the centre of gravity of the scooter 14 has passed beyond the centre of the first support member 44 and hence the rod 32, this will automatically cause the first support member 44 and hence the second support member 52 to pivot.

The fingers 34 can be selectively moved using the handles 36. Therefore in this instance the left hand finger 34 as shown for instance in Figs 1 and 7, could be located beneath the first support member 44 such that when the first support member 44 tips by virtue for instance of the weight of the scooter 14, the first support member 44 will only tilt to a horizontal alignment. Once in the horizontal alignment the second handle 36 can be turned to locate the second finger 34 under the first support member 44 to retain same in a horizontal alignment.

The second support member 52 will then be slid into the first support member 44 and the scooter 14 can then be carried behind the car. It may be appropriate to hold the scooter 14 on the first support member 44, for instance by straps. If required a barrier member or members (not shown) can be located at one or both ends of the first support member to prevent a scooter from driving therebeyond. The barriers may be locatable in holes (not shown) in the first support member 44.

The scooter 14 can be driven either way off the first support member 44 as required, with the second support member 52 being slid in a required direction from the first support member 44. The respective handle 36 and thus finger 34 can be rotated clear, and the first support member 44 pivoted accordingly.

When it is not required to use the support apparatus, it can be moved to an out of use position as shown in Fig. 7. This can be achieved by releasing the threaded member 38, and pivoting the L-shaped brackets 28 and hence the first support member 44 and rod 32 to a vertical alignment. The sliding member 42 can then retain the first support member 44 in this alignment by virtue of engagement with the lip 26 until the apparatus is again required for use. Also, the

support members 44,52 can readily be removed if desired, by pulling the bolt 45 away from the member 44 and hence out of the groove 33, and sliding the member 44 off the rod 32.

There is thus described support apparatus which readily permits a wheeled vehicle such as a scooter as shown to be carried on the back of a vehicle. Such apparatus could be used for a wide range of wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes, bicycles, wheelbarrows or wheelchairs.

The apparatus permits a wheeled vehicle to be moved thereonto from either direction and moved off in a required direction. This can be useful in a car park or other location where space is limited. This can also permit a vehicle to be driven on and off in the same direction which can be particularly important with swivel wheels which otherwise may tend to cause the wheeled vehicle to move sideways on the apparatus. As described above the apparatus can readily be moved to an out of use condition, and also can readily be removed from the vehicle when appropriate. The apparatus is of relatively straightforward construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the apparatus could be differently arranged and different mounting means could be provided. The telescopic arrangement could be differently provided. Feet could be provided on the first support member to retain same in a required orientation. Such feet could fold or could be provided with a screw thread to be wholly adjustable.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Support apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, the apparatus comprising a first support surface and mounting means, the first support surface being selectively pivotally moveable relative to the mounting means between a first inclined position permitting a wheeled vehicle to be wheeled thereonto or thereoff, and a second substantially horizontal position permitting the vehicle to be supported above the ground.
2. Apparatus according to claim i, in which the apparatus is arranged such that the first support surface can be inclined selectively downwardly to either side of the mounting means.
3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the first support surface is pivotally mounted to the mounting means substantially about a mid-point of the first support surface.
4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided to selectively prevent downward pivoting of the first support surface relative to the mounting means.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the pivoting preventing means comprises one or more members selectively locatable immediately beneath the first support surface.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 3, in which the pivoting preventing members are provided on a one or both sides of the pivotal mounting thereof.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which a second support surface is provided which is selectively extendable from the first support surface.

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8. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the second support surface is selectively extendable in a telescopic manner from the first support surface.
9. Apparatus according to claims 8 or 9, in which the second support surface is selectively extendable in either one of opposite directions from the first support surface to permit a wheeled vehicle to be wheeled along the second support surface onto the first support surface from respectively either side thereof.
10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first support surface is selectively moveable to a substantially vertically aligned out of use position.
11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is mountable on a larger vehicle such that a wheeled vehicle can be transported by the larger vehicle.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the apparatus is mountable on the rear of the larger vehicle.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the apparatus is mountable to a conventional towing hitch arrangement.
14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which stop means are provided to selectively prevent a wheeled vehicle being wheeled off an end of the first support surface.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the stop means comprise a barrier or barriers selectively mountable on respective ends of the first support surface.
16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which retractable leg means are provided on or mountable on the first support surface, to retain

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same in a required alignment.
17. Support apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.