5

The present invention refers to a folding device for transporting a load on motor vehicles , for example for transporting bicycles . In 10 particular, the invention refers to a device capable of being cantilevered on the rear of a vehicle , fixed to a towing hook connected to the vehicle .

There are devices known for transporting a 15 load on motor vehicles , which can be cantilevered to a towing hook, foldable in order to obtain a device that is easy to transport and store in the trunk of the car .

However, these devices are not satis factory 20 and have the problem of not allowing them to be folded in an optimal way, assuming small dimensions , since the load locking elements connected to the frame of the device have bulky dimensions .

25 EP-A1-2 985 185 discloses a device for transporting a load on motor vehicles according to the preamble of Claim 1 .

Obj ect of the present invention is solving the aforementioned prior art problems by providing a device for the transport of a load on motor vehicles of the type that can be cantilevered to a towing hook, able to be folded in order to obtain a device of smal l dimensions and easy to be transported and stored in the trunk of the car .

The aforesaid and other obj ects and advantages of the invention, as will emerge from the following description, are achieved with a foldable device for transporting a load on motor vehicles such as the one described in claim 1 . Pre ferred embodiments and non-trivial variants of the present invention form the subj ect matter of the dependent claims .

It is understood that all attached claims form an integral part of the present description .

It will be immediately obvious that innumerable variations and modi fications ( for example relating to shape , dimensions , arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the attached claims . The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof , provided by way of non-limiting example , with reference to the attached drawings , in which :

FIG . 1 shows a perspective view of a foldable device for transporting a load on motor vehicles according to the present invention in a first position of use ;

- FIG . 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of a foldable device for transporting a load on motor vehicles according to the present invention in a first position of use ;

- FIG . 3 shows a perspective view of a detail of a foldable device for transporting a load on motor vehicles according to the present invention in a second folded position; and

FIG . 4 shows a perspective view of a foldable device for transporting a load on motor vehicles according to the present invention in a second folded position .

With reference to the figures , the foldable device 10 for transporting a load on motor vehicles of the invention comprises a frame 12 comprising a fixed structure 22 that can be connected to the vehicle , for example by means of a towing hook, and at least one mobile structure 23 connected to the fixed structure 22 in a rotatable way to move into a position of use or in a folded position, and a load locking element 5 , removably connectable to the fixed structure of the frame in a first position and in a second position corresponding respectively to the position of use and the folded position of the mobile structure 23 .

Preferably, the movable structure 23 of the frame 42 comprises two portions 33 that can be closed like a book by rotating with respect to the fixed structure 22 of the frame 42 around axes X longitudinal to the frame 42 , preferably to the fixed structure 22 , to bring them into the folded position, preferably substantially in the upright position; preferably, the mobile structure 23 further comprises a plurality of load securing devices 19 , preferably slidably mounted on the mobile structure 23 of the frame 42 .

Preferably, the locking element 5 , for example a tube 5 with a substantially inverted "U" shape , is configured to lock the load by means of a locking device and comprises first fastening means 12 , 13 and the frame 12 , preferably the fixed structure 22 of the frame , compri ses second 17 , 15 , and third fastening means 18 , 16 , said first , second and third fastening means being configured to removably fasten the locking element 5 to the frame 42 , preferably to the fixed structure of the frame 42 , in the position corresponding to the position of use or to the folded position of the mobile structure 23 .

Preferably, in the position of use and in the folded position of the mobile structure 23 , the locking element 5 is in two positions substantially perpendicular to each other .

Preferably, said first fastening means comprise a plate 12 and a knob 13 and said second and third fastening means each comprise a hole 17 , 18 , preferably threaded, said knob being configured to be screwed into said threaded holes obtained in the fixed structure of the frame , clamping on the plate of the locking element 5 to lock it in the first or second position, corresponding respectively to the position of use and to the folded position of the mobile structure 23 .

Preferably, said second and third fixing means each comprise at least one opening 15 , 16 made in the fixed structure of the frame 42 and configured to interlock a portion of said plate . Preferably, the fixed structure 22 of the frame comprises a license plate holder 32 which can rotate with respect to the frame 42 around the axis X longitudinal to the frame to bring the license plate holder 32 from a first position of use , substantially hori zontal , to a second position, substantially vertical , when the movable structure 23 of the frame 42 is in the folded position .

Preferably, said fixed structure 22 and/or said license plate holder 32 comprise locking means of a known type configured to lock said license plate holder in the first position of use or in the second position, substantially perpendicular to each other .

In operation of the folding device 10 for transporting a load on motor vehicles according to the present invention, the position of the locking element 5 can be modi fied from a transverse position with respect to the fixed structure 22 , corresponding to the position of use of the mobile structure 23 , to a longitudinal position with respect to the f ixed structure 22 , corresponding to the folded position of the mobile structure 23 , or vice versa, by removing the locking element 5 from the position in which it is located and locking it m the other pos ition to the frame 42 , preferably to the fixed structure 22 of the frame , by means of the first , second or third fixing means .

In particular, in the folded configuration of the device 10 , the removable locking element 5 i s locked to the fixed structure 22 of the frame in a longitudinal position with respect to it , the two portions 33 of the mobile structure 23 of the frame are rotated so as to fold up like a book on the locking element by tightening it between the two portions , and preferably locked in a substantially vertical position, the license plate holder 32 is rotated into the second position and preferably locked in a substantially vertical position .

In the configuration of use , the two portions 33 of the mobile structure 23 of the frame are rotated so as to open, the removable locking element is locked to the fixed structure 22 of the frame in a transverse position with respect to it , the license plate holder 32 is rotated in the first position of use and preferably locked in a substantially hori zontal position .

In the folded configuration of the device 10 , the removable locking element 5 is locked to the fixed structure 22 of the frame by means of the first and second fastening means 12, 13, 17, 15; in the configuration of use of the device 10, the locking element 5 is locked to the fixed structure 22 of the frame by means of the first and third fastening means 12, 13, 18, 16.

Advantageously, the folding device 10 for transporting a load on motor vehicles of the invention allows obtaining a device which, in the folded position, has small dimensions, is convenient to transport using the locking element 5 as a handle and can be stored in the trunk, of a car .