GB2581509A

GB2581509A - Bicycle carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2581509A
Application number: GB1902366.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Boyce Hugo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-21
Filing date: 2019-02-21
Publication date: 2020-08-26
Also published as: GB201902366D0

Abstract

A bicycle carrier 10 for carrying a bicycle 2 on a vehicle (4), comprising an elongate support bar 12 formed of at least two sections; a strap 18, clip or clamp for securing the support bar to a roof 6 of said vehicle; and a fork clamp 14 arranged to engage with forks ends of a bicycle to secure the bicycle to the bar. the fork clamp being mounted on and secured to at least one of the sections of the support bar, wherein the sections of the support bar are moveable between a first configuration in which the elongate support bar has a first length and a second configuration in which the support bar has a second length, the second length being less than the first length. A further feature may include the strap extending through an internal space of the vehicle.

Description

Bicycle Carrier

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bicycle carrier for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, and in particular to a portable bicycle carrier. This invention further relates to a bicycle carrier kit and a bicycle carrier assembly.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The need to transport one or more bicycles using a vehicle such as a car or van is well established. Cyclists may transport bicycles to different locations which cannot be reached practically or conveniently by cycling, for instance to attend cycling events or races, or simply to cycle over different terrain. In addition, it may be desirable to travel by bicycle for part of a journey, such as during a commute, or to deliver or retrieve a vehicle. There may also be a need to transport a bicycle in the event of injury to a cyclist, or damage to the bicycle itself.

In some cases, a bicycle can be transported inside a vehicle, although this may necessitate dismantling of the bicycle by removing one or both wheels. However, space within the vehicle may not be sufficient, and/or may be restricted by other cargo. This problem may be exacerbated where transportation of more than one bicycle is required. A common solution is to secure bicycles to the exterior of the vehicle using a cycle carrier. As is well known, cycle carriers (also known as bicycle carriers, cycle racks, and bike racks) may be secured to the roof or rear of the vehicle.

For roof mounted devices some cycle carriers may include an arm which clamps to and supports the frame of the bicycle, and clamps, hooks or straps to secure each of the wheels. In this way, the bicycle is held in an upright position and these devices are generally referred to as 'upright' cycle carriers. Alternatively, other carriers may clamp the front forks of the bicycle, whilst the rear wheel is secured in a similar manner to an upright carrier. These 'fork mount' devices typically comprise a -2 -clamping arrangement which is secured in place of the front wheel of the bicycle. Specifically, the carrier may be secured to the end pads of the front forks (known as fork ends), by a similar mechanism to that which secures the wheel. The front wheel is therefore removed from the bicycle prior to mounting the bicycle on the carrier. Fork mount cycle carriers may have some advantages over upright carriers, such as improved aerodynamic efficiency, having fewer parts, and reducing the maximum height of the bicycle above the vehicle.

In general, wheels are secured to a bicycle by a wheel-securing rod such as an axle, spindle or skewer which extends through a hub of the wheel and engages with the fork ends. The dimensions and arrangement of these components may vary according to different standards. For example, the mechanism of engagement between the wheel-securing rod and fork ends may vary, as may the length and/or diameter of wheel-securing rod and the spacing between fork-ends. Accordingly, if a user wishes to carry more than one type of bicycle, it may be necessary to have more than one type of 'fork mount' cycle carrier.

Typically, cycle carrying devices or racks are bulky and unwieldy pieces of mechanical equipment, with roof-mounted cycle carriers secured to conventional vehicle roof bars. Installation of roof bars and cycle carriers on a vehicle may be time consuming, and it may be impractical to carry uninstalled pads in the vehicle, difficult or dangerous to transport on a bicycle, unrealistic to transport on an airplane for use on a rental vehicle or may take up valuable space in the home. For convenience therefore, roof bars and cycle carriers may remain mounted to a vehicle for prolonged periods. However, there may be disadvantages to leaving these pads secured to the roof of a vehicle, such as increased fuel consumption, wind noise and an undesirable appearance. As such, many vehicles may not be fitted with roof bars, and therefore a typical roof-mounted cycle carrier cannot be fitted.

It is known to secure some roof-mounted cycle carriers directly to an external surface of the vehicle using suction cups, without the need for roof bars. However, such carriers are expensive, and are considered to be less reliable than other types -3 -of carriers. Furthermore, these suction cup cycle carriers may be considered to be less secure than more conventional cycle carriers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bicycle carrier that overcomes or mitigates at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a bicycle carrier for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, the bicycle carrier comprising: an elongate support bar formed of at least two sections; a strap, clip or clamp for securing the support bar to a roof of said vehicle; and a fork clamp arranged to engage with forks ends of a bicycle to secure the bicycle to the bar, the fork clamp being mounted on and secured to at least one of the sections of the support bar, wherein the sections of the support bar are moveable between a first configuration in which the elongate support bar has a first length and a second configuration in which the support bar has a second length, the second length being less than the first length.

The support bar is preferably formed of three sections.

In preferred embodiments the sections of the support bar are separable. In other embodiments the sections of the support bar may be hingedly connected or may be telescopically connected.

Preferably, in use, the elongate support bar extends across more than half the width of the roof. The support bar may extend across substantially the full width of the roof.

The bicycle carrier preferably comprises a strap to secure the support bar to a roof -4 -of the vehicle, and the strap is preferably configured to extend across the complete width of a part of said roof.

In preferred embodiments the bicycle carrier comprises a strap to secure the support bar to a roof of the vehicle and the support bar extends between first and second ends. In these embodiments a part of the strap preferably extends from the first end of the support bar and a part of the strap preferably extends from the second end of the support bar.

The bicycle carrier may further comprise a pair of legs connected to the support bar. The pair of legs are preferably configured, in use, to raise the support bar off the roof of the vehicle. The legs are preferably hingedly connected to the support bar.

In preferred embodiments the fork clamp comprises a plurality of adapters configured to engage with different configurations of fork ends. The plurality of adapters may comprise a plurality of pairs of adapters, each pair including a bore of a different diameter.

The fork clamp preferably comprises a bracket arranged to engage with the support bar and a mounting member arranged to extend between said fork ends of a bicycle. The mounting member may comprise a bore for receiving at least part of an adapter.

The fork clamp may further comprise a spacer arranged to engage with the mounting member such that a combined length of the mounting member and spacer is greater than the length of the mounting member. This allows the fork clamp to accommodate a larger spacing between fork ends of the bicycle.

In preferred embodiments the bicycle carrier further comprises a tether arranged to engage with a rear wheel of the bicycle to secure the rear wheel to the roof of the vehicle. The tether preferably comprises a strap and a protector plate, the protector plate being configured to support a part of the rear wheel.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a kit comprising: -5 -an elongate support bar formed of at least two sections, the sections of the support bar being moveable between a first configuration in which the elongate support bar has a first length and a second configuration in which the support bar has a second length, the second length being less than the first length; a strap, clip or clamp for securing the support bar to a roof of a vehicle; and at least one fork clamp arranged to engage with forks ends of a bicycle to secure the bicycle to the bar, the fork clamp being securable to at least one of the sections of the support bar.

Preferably the kit comprises at least two fork clamps, and the support bar comprises securing means to permit the fork clamps to be secured to the support bar in at least two different locations.

The or each fork clamp preferably comprises a plurality of adapters to permit the fork clamp to be engaged with different configuration of fork ends of a bicycle.

In preferred embodiments the kit further comprises a tether arranged to engage with a rear wheel of the bicycle to secure the rear wheel to the roof.

The kit preferably further comprises a bag or pouch for receiving the support bar in the second configuration.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an assembly comprising: a vehicle; and a bicycle carrier according to the first aspect of the invention, the bicycle carrier being secured to a roof of the vehicle.

Preferably the bicycle carrier comprises a strap that secures the support bar to the roof, and the strap extends through an internal space of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying -6 -drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a bicycle carrier according to a first embodiment of the invention attached to a vehicle and used to secure a bicycle to the vehicle; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bicycle secured to a part of the bicycle carrier of Figure 1, the bicycle carrier including a support bar and a fork clamp; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the support bar of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a tether forming part of the bicycle carrier of Figure 1 for securing a wheel of a bicycle to the vehicle; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the fork clamp of Figure 2, additionally showing a selection of adapters; Figure 6a shows the support bar of Figure 3 in a disassembled configuration in which sections of the bar have been separated and legs of the support bar are stowed; Figure 6b shows the support bar of Figure 3 in a partially assembled configuration in which the sections of the support bar have been connected; Figure 6c shows the support bar of Figure 3 in an assembled configuration, in which the sections of the support bar have been connected and the legs have been deployed; Figure 7 illustrates the bicycle carrier of Figure 1 in a storage configuration, the bicycle carrier being arranged to fit in a space within a frame of a bicycle; Figure 8 shows the bicycle carrier of Figure 7, in the storage configuration; Figure 9 illustrates a bicycle carrier according to a second embodiment of the invention attached to a vehicle and used to secure two bicycles to the vehicle, the -7 -bicycle carrier comprising a support bar and two fork clamps; and Figure 10 illustrates a bicycle carrier according to a third embodiment of the invention, in which the fork clamp is secured to the support bar by an alternative mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a portable bicycle carrier 10 for securing a bicycle 2 to a supporting surface. The bicycle carrier 10 may be secured to a vehicle 4. Specifically, the bicycle carrier 10 may be secured to the roof 6 of a vehicle 4 such as a car.

The bicycle carrier 10 comprises a main support bar 12 to which is attached a fork clamp 14. The fork clamp 14 is arranged to secure to the fork ends of a bicycle 2, such that the bicycle 2 is secured to the support bar 12. The bicycle carrier 10 further comprises means for securing the support bar 12 to the supporting surface, and in particular to a roof 6 of a vehicle 4. In preferred embodiments the bicycle carrier 10 further comprises a tether 16 for securing a wheel 8 of the bicycle 2 to the same supporting surface.

It will be appreciated that, in use, a front wheel of the bicycle 2 is removed and the front fork 9 of the bicycle 2 is secured, by means of the fork clamp 14, to the support bar 12. The support bar 12 is attached to the supporting surface (i.e. the roof 6 of a vehicle 4) either before or after the bicycle 2 has been secured to the support bar 12. The rear wheel 8 of the bicycle 2, which remains attached to the frame of the bicycle 2, may then also be secured to the supporting surface (vehicle roof 6) by means of the tether 16. This prevents or limits movement of the rear of the bicycle 2 with respect to the front of the bicycle 2.

As illustrated in Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment, the support bar 12 is arranged to extend across the roof 6 of a vehicle 4. Preferably the support bar 12 extends across substantially the complete width of the vehicle roof 6, and advantageously -8 -extends across more than half the width of the vehicle roof 6. The support bar 12 is secured to the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 by a securing mechanism. In this embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises a securing strap 18. The securing strap 18 may be a webbing strap of a kind well known in the art, which may be fastened using a cam buckle, ratchet mechanism or other suitable fastener. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, a block 20 is provided at each end of the support bar 12 for attachment of the securing strap 18. The securing strap 18 is not shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The strap 18 extends from a first end 22 of the support bar 12, over a first edge region of the roof 6 of the vehicle 4, across an internal space of the vehicle 4, over a second edge region of the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 and is secured to a second end 24 of the support bar 12. Advantageously, a first part of the strap 18 extends from the first end 22 of the support bar 12 and a second part of the strap 18 extends from the second end 24 of the support bar 12, and the strap 18 is fastened within the internal space of the vehicle 4. In preferred embodiments the first part of the strap 18 will enter the internal space of the vehicle 4 at the top of a first window of the vehicle and the second part of the strap 18 will enter the internal space of the vehicle 4 at the top of a second window on the opposite side of the vehicle. The first and second parts of the strap 18 are preferably secured together proximate to the ceiling of the vehicle 4.

The tether 16 is preferably also arranged to be secured across the roof 6 of the vehicle 4. In use, the support bar 12 and tether 16 are arranged to extend across the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 in a generally parallel and spaced apart configuration.

The fork clamp 14 is mounted on the support bar 12. The fork clamp 14 is arranged to engage with front forks 9 of the bicycle 2, and in particular with fork ends of the bicycle 2. The fork clamp 14 may include a kit of parts to allow the fork clamp 14 to engage with different types of front forks 9 having different arrangements for securing the wheel.

In use, the bicycle 2 is supported by the fork clamp 14 (and support bar 12) and the -9 -tether 16 such that the bicycle 2 is held in a generally upright position on the roof 6 of the vehicle 4.

Advantageously, the bicycle carrier 10 of the present invention is portable such that it can be easily carried within a vehicle 4, on a bicycle 2 or in luggage when travelling. This means that the bicycle carrier 10 does not have to be permanently installed on a roof 6 of a vehicle 4, but can be deployed only when required. Furthermore, the means of attachment of the bicycle carrier 10 to the roof 6 of a vehicle 4 is preferably independent of the type of vehicle. This means that the bicycle carrier 10 may be transported or carried by a cyclist, who is then able to secure their bicycle 2 to any vehicle 4 should the need arise.

To achieve this portability, the support bar 12 comprises at least two sections. The sections are moveable with respect to one another between a first configuration, in which the support bar 12 is extended and has a first length, and a second configuration in which the support bar 12 is collapsed and has a second length, the second length being less than the first length. Preferably, the second length is less than half the first length. More preferably the second length is less than one third of the first length. In the first, extended configuration, the support bar 12 may be used to support a bicycle 2 on a vehicle 4, while in the second configuration, the support bar 12, along with the rest of the bicycle carrier 10, may be stored for transportation.

A first embodiment of a bicycle carrier 10 according to the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to Figures 2 to 8.

Figure 2 shows a bicycle 2 secured to the fork clamp 14 and support bar 12 of the bicycle carrier 10. The support bar 12 is shown in the extended configuration.

The support bar 12 is elongate and extends between first and second ends 22, 24. The support bar 12 is generally tubular to minimise the weight of the support bar 12 for a given stiffness. In this embodiment the support bar 12 has a generally square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support bar 12. In other embodiments the support bar 12 may be of any suitable cross-sectional -10 -shape.

To support the support bar 12 on the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 (or other supporting surface), a leg 26 is provided adjacent each of the first and second ends 22, 24 of the support bar 12. This leg may be hinged or fixed. It may be solid or variably structured. It may be of a hard material or rubber. The purpose of the legs is to elevate the support bar 12 off the surface of the vehicle roof Sand allow for variable curvature of the roof.

In this embodiment each leg 26 is connected to the support bar 12 by a pivot mechanism or hinge 28. Referring additionally to Figure 3, each leg 26 comprises a pair of opposing side plates 30 and a brace plate 32. The side plates 30 extend generally along a length of the leg 26, and the brace plate 32 extends between the side plates 30, such that the brace plate 32 is transverse to the side plates 30.

Each side plate 30 has a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 of each side plate 30 is pivotally connected to the support bar 12. Each of the side plates 30 is pivotally connected to an opposite side of the support bar 12. An angle between at least a part of each side plate 30 and the support bar 12 is such that a distance between the second ends 36 of the side plates 30 is greater than a distance between the first ends 34 of the side plates 30.

The brace plate 32 extends transversely between the side plates 30. The brace plate 32 is generally trapezium-shaped, having first and second parallel edges 38, 40, the second edge 40 being longer than the first 38. The first edge 38 of the brace plate 32 extends between the side plates 30 proximate the first ends 34 of the side plates 30. The second edge 40 of the brace plate 32 extends between the side plates 30 proximate, but spaced from the second ends 36 of the side plates 30.

A foot 42 is provided at the second end 36 of each side plate 30, such that each leg 26 has a pair of feet 42. In this embodiment, each foot 42 is provided with a protective cap.

In use, the legs 26 are arranged to raise the support bar 12 above the roof 6 of the vehicle 4. This accommodates any curvature in an upper surface of the roof 6 of the vehicle 4. Only the feet 42 of the support bar 12 are, therefore, in contact with the roof 6 of the vehicle 4.

As shown most clearly in Figure 3, in this embodiment the support bar 12 comprises three sections; a middle section 44 and first and second end sections 46. Preferably the first and second end sections 46 are identical. When the support bar 12 is in its extended configuration the middle section 44 extends between the first and second end sections 46. The first end section 46a includes the first end 22 of the support bar 12 and a first leg 26a is attached to the first end section 46a. The second end section 46b includes the second end 24 of the support bar 12 and a second leg 26b is attached to the second end section 46b.

The support bar 12 is secured to the roof 6 of a vehicle 4 by the securing mechanism. In the first configuration the support bar 12 is arranged to be positioned on the roof 6 of the vehicle 4, oriented such that the legs 26 extend between the support bar 12 and the roof 6 and the feet 42 contact the roof surface. The support bar 12 is therefore held at a distance from the roof 6 by the legs 26. To secure the support bar 12 to the roof 6, a part of the securing strap 18 is looped through the hole in the block 20 disposed at each end 22, 24 of the support bar 12. To secure the support bar 12 in place on a vehicle 4, the securing strap 18 is fastened to the body of the vehicle 4 below the roof and the strap 18 is tensioned. In this arrangement, the support bar 12 is held in position on the roof 6 by the downward force provided by the securing strap 18. For example the securing strap 18 may be passed through the door openings on opposing sides of the vehicle 4 and the ends of the strap 18 fastened together within the vehicle 4.

In this embodiment, as shown most clearly in Figure 2, the fork clamp 14 is mounted on or attached to the middle section 44 of the support bar 12. Figure 5 is an exploded view of the fork clamp 14.

The fork clamp 14 comprises a bracket 48 for attaching the fork clamp 14 to the -12 -support bar 12. The bracket 48 comprises a base plate 50 and a pair of substantially parallel side walls 52. The base plate 50 is generally rectangular. The side walls 52 extend from opposing long edges of the base plate 50 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base plate 50. In this arrangement, a channel 54 is formed between the base plate 50 and the side walls 52. The channel 54 is sized to receive a part of the middle section 44 of the support bar 12.

A hole (not shown) is provided in one of the side walls 52. In use, the hole is arranged to align with an aperture (not shown) in the middle section 44 of the support bar 12, when the support bar 12 is located in the channel 54. The hole is sized to receive a fastener 56 such that the bracket 48 and the support bar 12 can be secured together. In this way, the fork clamp 14 can be secured to the support bar 12. In this embodiment, the fastener 56 comprises a screw having a head and shank, as shown in Figure 5. The shank is sized to extend through the hole with clearance for rotation, while the head has a diameter greater than that of the hole. The shank is externally threaded and arranged to engage with an internal thread of the aperture. In use, rotation of the screw drives the head towards or away from the support bar 12, depending on the direction of rotation. When the screw is rotated to drive the head towards the support bar 12, the head abuts the side wall 52, clamping the side wall 52 between the head and a surface of the support bar 12. In this way the bracket 48 may be secured to the support bar 12. The hole and fastener 56 of the fork clamp 14 and the aperture of the support bar 12 therefore form a cooperating pair of engagement features for securing the fork clamp 14 to the support bar 12.

The fork clamp 14 further comprises a mounting member 58 and a plurality of adapters 60, 62, shown most clearly in Figure 5. The mounting member 58 is generally tubular and extends between first and second open ends 64. A hollow interior or bore 66 extends between the open ends 64 of the mounting member 58. The mounting member 58 is connected to the bracket 48 by a pair of support plates 68 which extend between the base plate 50 of the bracket 48 and the mounting member 58. The support plates 68 extend in an opposite direction to the side walls 52 such that the mounting member 58 is disposed on an opposite side of the base -13 -plate 50 to the side walls 52. In this way, the mounting member 58 is at a distance from the support bar 12 when the support bar 12 is engaged with the bracket 48. When the fork clamp 14 is secured to the support bar 12, the mounting member 58 is arranged so that the bore 66 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support bar 12.

Each adapter 60, 62 comprises a hollow cylinder, with a bore extending between first and second ends 70, 72 of the adapter 60, 62. The bore is sized to receive a wheel-securing rod (not shown) such as an axle, skewer or spindle of a bicycle wheel. The cylinder comprises a reduced-diameter body portion 74 and larger-diameter spacer portion 76. The spacer portion 76 comprises a flange provided at the second end 72 of the cylinder. The body portion 74 extends between the spacer portion 76 and the first end 70 of the cylinder. The body portion 74 is sized to fit in the bore 66 of the mounting member 58.

In use, the mounting member 58 and adapters 60, 62 are arranged to extend between free fork ends of a bicycle 2, as will be described in more detail below. The forks 9 may be secured to the fork clamp 14 in a manner generally known in the art. The front wheel (not shown) of the bicycle 2 is removed to expose front fork ends. The body portion 74 of an appropriate adapter 60, 62 is inserted into each end 64 of the mounting member 58. As shown in Figure 2, the mounting member 58 is located between the fork ends, such that the bore 66 of the mounting member 58 extends between the fork ends. The second end 72 of each adapter 60, 62 abuts a corresponding fork end. A wheel-securing rod (not shown) is then inserted through the aligned bores of the two adapters 60, 62 and the mounting member 58. The wheel-securing rod therefore spans between the fork ends. In this arrangement, the mounting member 58 and adapters 60, 62 effectively replace a hub of the wheel. The securing rod may be of the same type as used to secure the front wheel to the forks 9, and so can engage with the fork ends. In this way, the securing rod is used to secure the fork clamp 14 between the fork ends, in a similar manner to the way in which a wheel may be secured.

In order to accommodate forks 9 having different wheel-securing arrangements, the -14 -plurality of adapters 60, 62 includes different types of adapters, sized and shaped to engage with wheel-securing mechanisms having different fork ends and different axles, skewers or spindles.

In the present embodiment, the adapters include a pair of primary adapters 60 and a plurality of secondary adapters 62. The body portion 74 of each primary adapter 60 is sized to fit in the bore 66 of the mounting member 58. The body portion 74 of each secondary adapter 62 is sized to fit in the bore of a primary adapter 60. In other terms, the bore of each primary adapter 60 is sized to receive the body portion 74 of a secondary adapter 62.

Adjacent to the second end 72 of each primary adapter 60, the bore has an enlarged-diameter portion. The enlarged-diameter portion is sized to receive the spacer portion 76 of a secondary adapter 62. In this way, when a secondary adapter 62 is inserted into a primary adapter 60, the second end 72 of the secondary adapter 62 is flush with the second end 72 of the primary adapter 60.

In use, a primary adapter 60 is inserted into each of the open ends 64 of the mounting member 58. The first end 70 of each primary adapter 60 is inserted into the bore 66 until the larger-diameter spacer portion 76 abuts an end surface of the mounting member 58. Depending on the wheel-securing mechanism of the bicycle 2, different secondary adapters 62 may be used in addition to the primary adapters 60. In this case, the body portion 74 of an appropriate secondary adapter 62 is inserted into the bore of each primary adapter 60 from a second end 72 of the primary adapter 62.

In this embodiment, the adapters 60, 62 are provided in sets, each set comprising a pair of identical adapters 60, 62. Each pair of adapters 60, 62 is arranged for use with a particular wheel-securing mechanism. Specifically, each pair of adapters 60, 62 has a different diameter bore to accommodate wheel-securing rods of different thicknesses. First, second and third adapter pairs 62 are provided, as shown in Figure 5. For relatively thicker wheel-securing rods, the primary adapters 60 may be used without secondary adapters 62. Additionally, the second ends 72 of each -15 -adapter pair 60, 62 are shaped to engage with a specific type of fork end.

The fork clamp 14 is also adaptable to accommodate different lengths of wheel-securing rods with corresponding different spacing between the fork ends. To this end, the fork clamp 14 further comprises a pair of annular spacers 78. Each spacer 78 comprises a ring having an internal diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the bore 66 of the mounting member 58. For relatively longer wheel-securing rods, an annular spacer 78 may be inserted between each primary adapter 60 and the mounting member 58. In this arrangement, the body portion 74 of the primary adapter 60 extends through the spacer 78 and into the bore 66 of the mounting member 58 such that the annular spacer 78 sits between an end surface of the mounting member 58 and the spacer portion 76 of the adapter 60. The distance between the second ends 72 of the primary adapters 60 is therefore increased. In this way, the fork clamp 14 can be adapted to extend between fork ends which are spaced relatively further apart.

In this embodiment, the mounting member 58 and adapters 60, 62 are sized for use with standard wheel-securing mechanisms. The mounting member 58 has a length such that when a primary adapter 60 is inserted into each end 64, the distance between the second ends 72 of the primary adapters 60 is 100 mm. The bore in each primary adapter 60 has a diameter of 20 mm. Each annular spacer 78 has a thickness of 5 mm, such that if a spacer 78 is inserted between each end of the mounting member 58 and each primary adapter 60 (as described above) the second ends 72 of the adapters 60 are spaced 110 mm apart. In this arrangement, the fork clamp 14 may accommodate a wheel-securing mechanism having a securing rod with a 20 mm diameter and with a spacing of 110 mm between the fork ends.

The pairs of secondary adapters 62 may be used, with or without the annular spacers 78, to vary the diameter of the bore which receives the wheel-securing rod. In this embodiment, the first, second and third pairs of secondary adapters 62 have bore diameters of 5 mm, 15 mm, and 12mm respectively. The fork clamp 14 may therefore be adapted to receive wheel-securing rods having a diameter of 5 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm or 20 mm, in combination with a spacing between the fork ends of 100 -16 -mm or 110 mm. Diameters of 12 mm and 15 mm with a spacing of 100 mm are used for example in some through-axle (also known as thru-axle) standards. Other standards use a 15 mm or 20 mm diameter with a spacing of 110 mm (for example the 'boost' standard). Standard 'quick release' skewers commonly used with road bicycles often have a 5 mm diameter for use with a spacing of 100 mm between front fork ends. A collar 80 provided at the second end of each adapter 62 of the first pair of secondary adapters 62 is arranged to engage with fork ends in use with such a quick-release skewer.

In other embodiments, the dimensions of the adapters 60, 62 and spacers 78 could be varied to accommodate other types of wheel-securing mechanisms.

In this embodiment, the rear wheel 8 of the bicycle 2 is secured to the vehicle 4 by the tether 16. As shown in Figure 4, the tether 16 comprises a tie-down strap 82, a protector plate 84 and a cam buckle 86. The tie-down strap 82 and cam buckle 86 are of a kind well-known in the art and will not be described in detail here. The protector plate 84 is generally rectangular, having first and second ends 88, and first and second side edges 90. A slide buckle 92 is provided adjacent each end 88 of the protector plate 84. Each slide buckle 92 comprises a pair of closely spaced parallel slots cut through the plate 84. The slots extend generally perpendicular to a length of the plate 84.

A side wall 94 extends from each opposite side edge 90 of the protector plate 84. The side walls 94 extend parallel to the side edges 90 and in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the protector plate 84. A recess 96 is provided in each side wall 94 such that a middle portion of each side wall 94 does not extend as far from the protector plate 84 as end portions of each side wall. The recesses 96 or middle portions of the opposing side walls 94 are aligned.

In use, the protector plate 84 is arranged on the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 such that the side walls 94 extend away from the roof 6. The length of the plate 84 extends generally parallel to the support bar 12 of the cycle carrier 10, when the support bar 12 is secured to the roof 6.

-17 -To secure the rear wheel 8 of the bicycle 2 to the roof 6, an outer part or tyre of the rear wheel 8 is seated in the recesses 96 of the side walls 94 of the protector plate 84. The tie-down strap 82 is threaded through an opening in the rear wheel 8. For example, the strap 82 may be threaded through an opening between spokes of the rear wheel. The tie-down strap 82 is additionally threaded through each of the slide buckles 92, as shown in Figure 4. The tie-down strap 82 extends over the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 and extends into an interior space of the vehicle 4. In preferred embodiments a first part of the strap 82 will enter the internal space of the vehicle 4 at the top of a first window of the vehicle 4 and a second part of the strap 82 will enter the internal space of the vehicle 4 at the top of a second window on the opposite side of the vehicle 4. The first and second parts of the strap 82 are preferably secured together proximate to a ceiling of the vehicle 4, and are preferably fastened together using the cam buckle 86. Alternatively, the tie-down strap 82 may loop around a roof panel of the vehicle 4 and ends of the tie-down strap 82 may be secured together proximate to the protector plate 84.

It will be appreciated that as well as securing the rear wheel 8 of the bicycle 2 in position on the roof 6 of the vehicle 4, the protector plate 84 also protects the roof 6 of the vehicle 4 from contact with the rear wheel 8 of the bicycle 2. As such, the protector plate 84 may include a resilient or cushioning layer on a surface of the protector plate 84 opposite the side walls 94. This resilient or cushioning layer is therefore disposed, in use, on an underside of the protector plate 84, between the protector plate 84 and the roof 6 of the vehicle 4.

As mentioned above, an advantage of the cycle carrier 10 of the present invention is that it is portable. To allow the cycle carrier 10 to be transported easily when not deployed on the roof 6 of a vehicle 4, the support bar 12 comprises a plurality of sections 44, 46 that may be moved into a second, storage configuration. In this embodiment the sections of the support bar 12 are separable. Additionally, the legs 26 can be folded into a more compact arrangement.

As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 6a, the middle section 44 of the support bar 12 is tubular, having a bore with a generally square cross-section. An end portion 98 of each of the first and second end sections 46 of the support bar 12 comprises a reduced-diameter shaft 98. Each shaft 98 has a generally square cross-section and is configured to be received in the bore of the middle section 44. In particular, at least a part of each shaft 98 is configured to provide an interference fit with the bore of the middle section 44. A shoulder is disposed between the shaft 98 and the rest of the end section 46 of the support bar 12. As shown in Figure 6a, this arrangement allows the support bar 12 to be assembled by pushing the shaft 98 of each end section 46 into the bore of the middle section 44 until the shoulder abuts an end of the middle section 44. Similarly, the support bar 12 may be disassembled, or separated, by pulling the end sections 46 out of engagement with the middle section 44.

In some embodiments a fastener may be used to secure each end section 46 to the middle section 44 once the support bar 12 has been assembled. In other embodiments, the support bar 12 may be assembled simply by pushing the sections 44 and 46 of the support bar 12 together.

Referring additionally to Figures 6b and 6c, the legs 36 of the support bar 12 preferably pivot with respect to the end sections 46 of the support bar 12. Figures 6a to 6c illustrate the support bar 12 being assembled, from the storage configuration to the extended configuration. In the storage configuration the legs 26 are folded in a stowed position. In the extended configuration the legs 26 are extended in a deployed position.

In the stowed position, each of legs 26 extends in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the respective end section 46 of the support bar 12. Accordingly, each of the legs 26 extends in a direction from the end 20, 22 of the respective end section 46 of the support bar 12 towards the reduced diameter shaft 98. In this position, a part of the end section 46 of the support bar 12 is received in a channel defined between the side plates 30 and brace plate 32 of the leg 26, as shown most clearly in Figures 6a and 6b. To move the legs 26 from the stowed position to the deployed position, the legs 26 are pivoted with respect to the end section 26 of the support -19 -bar 12. In particular, the legs 26 are pivoted such that the feet 42 of each leg 26 move in a direction both towards the end 20, 22 of the end section 46 and away from the end section 46. In the deployed position, the legs 26 extend away from end section 46 of the support bar 12 such that there is an angle of between 90° and 150° between the brace plate 32 and the axis of the end section 46 of the support bar 12. In the deployed position the top edge 38 of the brace plate 32 contacts an outer surface of the end section 46, thereby limiting the angle of each leg 26 with respect to the axis of the support bar 12.

As illustrated in Figures 6a to 6c, in use, the bicycle carrier 10 is assembled by inserting the shaft 98 of each end section 46 into the bore of the middle section 44 and pivoting each of the legs 26 into the deployed position. The fork clamp 14 is secured to the middle section 44 of the support bar 12 by the fastener 56 as described above. The bicycle carrier 10 may then be positioned on the roof 6 of a vehicle 4, such that the feet 42 contact the roof 6 and the support bar 12 is held above the roof 6, as seen in Figure 1. The bicycle carrier 10 is disassembled by reversing this assembly process. By separating the sections 44, 46 of the support bar 12, the overall length of the bicycle carrier 10 is reduced allowing the bicycle carrier 10 to be transported more easily.

Advantageously, the disassembled sections 44, 46 of the bicycle carrier 10 are preferably sized to be carried on a bicycle 2. In particular, the sections 44, 46 are preferably sized to fit in the triangle of the bicycle frame, as shown in Figure 7. In this way, the bicycle carrier 10 may be easily transported by a cyclist, with or without a carry case or bag allowing attachment to the frame 2. Alternatively, the bicycle carrier 10, in its storage configuration, could be carried in its case with a handle or shoulder strap or within a backpack or pannier bag.

It will be appreciated that, although Figures 7 and 8 illustrate only the support bar 12 and fork clamp 14 of the bicycle carrier 10 in the storage configuration, the securing strap 18 is preferably permanently connected to the end sections 46 of the support bar 12. Furthermore, the tether 16 is preferably also transported together with the support bar 12. As such, a suitable receptacle may be provided in which -20 -the support bar 12 and tether 16 may be contained in the storage configuration. In particular, a pouch or bag may be sized to receive the bicycle carrier 10 in the storage configuration and the pouch or bag may be configured to attach to a part of the frame of a bicycle 2. This bag may also have capacity to carry the adapters 60, 62 and spacers 78 required for adaptability of the fork clamp 14.

A bicycle carrier 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 9. This bicycle carrier 110 is substantially identical to the bicycle carrier 10 of the first embodiment, and like features have been indicated with reference numerals incremented by 100.

In this second embodiment, the bicycle carrier 110 includes a support bar 112 that is identical to the support bar 12 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, the bicycle carrier 110 includes two fork clamps 114. Each fork clamp 114 is identical to the fork clamp 14 of the first embodiment and is mounted on the support bar 112 substantially as described in the first embodiment. With this arrangement, two bicycles 2 may be secured to the roof 6 of a vehicle 4 parallel to one another, as seen in Figure 9. The fork clamps 114 are mounted spaced apart on the support bar 112 to accommodate the width of each bicycle 2. As such, to accommodate the additional fork clamp 114, the middle section 144 of the support bar 112 may be longer than each of the end sections 146 so that a fork clamp 114 can be mounted to each end region of the middle section 144 whilst maintaining sufficient distance between the fork clamps 114. Alternatively, each fork clamp 114 may be secured to a respective end section 146 of the support bar 112. In some embodiments the support bar 112 and bracket 148 of the fork clamps 114 may be configured such that the bracket 148 of each fork clamp 114 spans the join between the middle section 144 and the respective end section 146 of the support bar 112.

The tether (not shown) of the bicycle carrier 110 of this second embodiment is also substantially identical to the tether 16 of the first embodiment. Preferably the tether comprises a single tie-down strap connected to a pair of protector plates. The protector plates may be positionable along the length of the tie-down strap to receive the rear wheels 8 of the bicycles 2 secured to support bar 112 by the fork clamps 114. In other embodiments a pair of tethers 16, each being as described in the first embodiment, may be used to secure the rear wheel 8 of each bicycle 2 separately to the roof 6 of the vehicle 4.

Although the bicycle carriers 10, 110 configured to support one or two bicycles 2 have been described above as separate embodiments it will be appreciated that the bicycle carrier may be provided as a kit of parts. In its most basic form the kit provides a support bar 12 and associated securing mechanism, a fork clamp 14 and a tie-down strap 82. Additional parts of the kit may then include additional fork clamps 14 attachable to the support bar 12, and protector plates 84 engageable with the tie-down strap 82 to form a tether 16 as described above.

To enable the support bar 12 to support one, two or more fork clamps 14, the support bar 12 preferably includes a plurality of engagement features configured to engage with a corresponding or complementary engagement feature of each of the fork clamps 14. The engagement features are preferably spaced at intervals along the length of the support bar 12 to enable each fork clamp 14 to be secured to the support bar 12 at different locations. The plurality of engagement features may be provided only in the middle section 44 of the support bar 12. As described above, the engagement features of the support bar 12 may comprise a plurality of apertures.

In other embodiments one or more fork clamps 14 may be permanently attached to the support bar 12. For example, one or more fork clamps 14 may be welded to the middle section 44 of the support bar 12.

A bicycle carrier 210 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 10. This bicycle carrier 210 is substantially identical to the bicycle carrier 10 of the first embodiment, and like features have been indicated with reference numerals incremented by 200.

In this third embodiment, the bicycle carrier 210 includes a support bar 212 that is identical to the support bar 12 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment however, -22 -the fork clamp 214 is secured to the support bar 212 by an alternative mechanism.

The fork clamp 214 comprises a bracket 248 for attaching the fork clamp 214 to the support bar 212. The bracket 248 is similar to that of the first embodiment, comprising a generally rectangular base plate 250 and a pair of substantially parallel side walls 252 together defining a channel 254 sized to receive a part of the middle section 244 of the support bar 212. In this third embodiment however, the mounting member 258 is connected to the bracket 248 by a single support plate 268. The support plate 268 extends between the base plate 250 and the mounting member 258 in an opposite direction to the side walls 252, such that the mounting member 258 is disposed on an opposite side of the base plate 250 to the side walls 252. The support plate 268 is offset from a long edge of the base plate 250. In this way, the mounting member 258 is not disposed directly opposite the channel 254, but is offset such that the side of the base plate 250 facing away from the channel is exposed. When the fork clamp 214 is secured to the support bar 212, the mounting member 258 is arranged so that the bore 266 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support bar 212.

In this third embodiment, a hole 253 is provided through the base plate 250. In use, the hole is arranged to align with an aperture 245 in the middle section 244 of the support bar 212, when the support bar 212 is located in the channel 254. The hole is sized to receive a fastener 256 such that the bracket 248 and the support bar 212 can be secured together. In use, since the mounting member 258 is supported by a single support plate 268 offset from the base plate 250, the fastener 256 can easily be accessed from above the base plate 250. In use, the fastener 256 extends away from the base plate 250 in generally the same direction as the support plate 268. In his way, the fork clamp is advantageously more compact.

In the above described embodiments, the support bar 12 comprised a plurality of separable sections 44, 46. In other embodiments the support bar may comprise two or more sections that are telescopically connected. In these embodiments the sections of the support bar are movable with respect to each other between an extended configuration and a collapsed, storage configuration. A latch mechanism -23 -may be provided to retain the sections of the support bar in one or both of the extended and collapsed configurations. Providing telescopically connected sections of the support bar has the advantage that the sections remain connected together both in the extended configuration and in the storage configuration.

In yet further embodiments the sections of the support bar may be hingedly connected. For example, in an embodiment in which the support bar includes a middle section and two end sections, a first end of the middle section may be hingedly connected to a first one of the end sections and a second end of the middle section may be hingedly connected to a second one of the end sections. In the extended configuration the sections are arranged end to end in a similar manner to that described above. In the storage configuration the sections are rotated about the hinges into a folded configuration in which the sections lie side by side. A latch mechanism may be provided to retain the sections of the support bar in one or both of the extended and folded configurations.

In further embodiments some sections of the support bar may be externally threaded and arranged to engage with an internal thread provided inside a bore of another section of the support bar.

In any of these embodiments, sections of the support bar may be fastened together by bolts, pins, spring clips, or other suitable fasteners.

In the above described embodiments, the support bar 12 was secured to the roof 6 of a vehicle 4 by a securing mechanism in the form of a securing strap 18. In particular the securing strap 18 comprised a flexible webbing strap. In other embodiments, the securing mechanism may comprise a different type of strap such as a bungee strap. The strap may comprise a metal cable or the strap may be in the form of a woven metallic strap. In yet further embodiments the securing mechanism may comprise a clip or clamp arranged to engage with part of a vehicle. For example, the securing mechanism may comprise a clip or clamp configured to engage with edges of the roof of the vehicle. The clip or clamp may comprise a spacer member that connects to the support bar to raise the support bar relative to -24 -the roof of the vehicle, the spacer member therefore replaces the legs described above. Alternatively, the legs of the support bar may include a suitable clip or clamp.

Figures 2 and 9 illustrate bicycles having a rear wheel that is a full disc wheel. In some embodiments the tether may comprise a clip that is engageable with a full disc wheel to secure the rear wheel against movement and to protect the roof of the vehicle as described above.

The present invention therefore provides an improved bicycle carrier that is convertible between an extended configuration for mounting on a support surface and to which a bicycle may be secured and a collapsed configuration for transportation or storage of the bicycle carrier.

Claims

-25 -CLAIMS1. A bicycle carrier for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, the bicycle carrier comprising: an elongate support bar formed of at least two sections; a strap, clip or clamp for securing the support bar to a roof of said vehicle; and a fork clamp arranged to engage with forks ends of a bicycle to secure the bicycle to the bar, the fork clamp being mounted on and secured to at least one of the sections of the support bar, wherein the sections of the support bar are moveable between a first configuration in which the elongate support bar has a first length and a second configuration in which the support bar has a second length, the second length being less than the first length.
2. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the support bar is formed of three sections.
3. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sections of the support bar are separable.
4. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sections of the support bar are hingedly connected or are telescopically connected.
5. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in use, the elongate support bar extends across more than half the width of said roof.
6. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, the bicycle carrier comprising a strap to secure the support bar to a roof of said vehicle, and wherein the strap is configured to extend across the complete width of a part of said roof.
7. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, the bicycle carrier comprising a strap to secure the support bar to a roof of said vehicle, and wherein the support bar extends between first and second ends and a part of the strap -26 -extends from the first end of the support bar and a part of the strap extends from the second end of the support bar.
8. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a pair of legs connected to the support bar.
9. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the legs are hingedly connected to the support bar.
10. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fork clamp comprises a plurality of adapters configured to engage with different configurations of fork ends.
11. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the plurality of adapters comprises a plurality of pairs of adapters, and each pair includes a bore of a different diameter.
12. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fork clamp comprises a bracket arranged to engage with the support bar and a mounting member arranged to extend between said fork ends of a bicycle.
13. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 12, when dependent on Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the mounting member comprises a bore for receiving at least part of an adapter.
14. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the fork clamp further comprises a spacer arranged to engage with the mounting member such that a combined length of the mounting member and spacer is greater than the length of the mounting member.
15. A bicycle carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a tether arranged to engage with a rear wheel of said bicycle to secure said rear wheel to said roof.
16. A bicycle carrier as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the tether comprises a strap and a protector plate, the protector plate being configured to support a part of said rear wheel.
17. A kit comprising: an elongate support bar formed of at least two sections, the sections of the support bar being moveable between a first configuration in which the elongate support bar has a first length and a second configuration in which the support bar has a second length, the second length being less than the first length; a strap, clip or clamp for securing the support bar to a roof of a vehicle; and at least one fork clamp arranged to engage with forks ends of a bicycle to secure the bicycle to the bar, the fork clamp being securable to at least one of the sections of the support bar.
18. A kit as claimed in Claim 17, comprising at least two fork clamps, and wherein the support bar comprises securing means to permit the fork clamps to be secured to the support bar in at least two different locations.
19. A kit as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the or each fork clamp comprises a plurality of adapters to permit the fork clamp to be engaged with different configuration of fork ends of a bicycle.
20. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, further comprising a tether arranged to engage with a rear wheel of said bicycle to secure said rear wheel to said roof.
21. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 20, further comprising a bag or pouch for receiving the support bar in the second configuration.
22. An assembly comprising: a vehicle; and a bicycle carrier as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16, the bicycle carrier -28 -being secured to a roof of the vehicle.
23. An assembly as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the bicycle carrier comprises a strap that secures the support bar to the roof, and the strap extends through an internal space of the vehicle.