Bike trailer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12145685-B2
Application number	US-202318316508-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2023
Priority date	Sep 18, 2020
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

Disclosed is a bike trailer having a main frame and a seat structure. The main frame defines an accommodating space for a passenger or load to be transported. The seat structure is transferable between an operational state in which the seat structure forms a seating area for the passenger, and a stowed state in which the seat structure is folded away thereby allowing the transport of loads other than passengers. The seat structure comprises a backrest portion with a seating side for at least partially contacting the back of a passenger. The backrest portion is accommodatable in the bike trailer such that at least the seating side of the backrest portion is protected against contact with loads to be carried when the seat structure is in the stowed state.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-function load carrier comprising:
a main frame comprising a lower frame portion, a rear frame portion, and two side frame portions provided on opposite lateral sides of the lower frame portion, the main frame defining a space for a passenger or a load to be transported;
a seat structure transferable between an operational state in which the seat structure forms a seating area for the passenger, and a stowed state in which the seat structure is folded thereby allowing transport of loads other than passengers; and
a support arrangement transferable between a loading state and a stowed state,
wherein when the seat structure is in the stowed state and the support arrangement is in the loading state, the support arrangement at least partially covers the seat structure.

2. The multi-function load carrier of claim 1 , wherein the seat structure comprises a backrest portion having a seating side, the seating side defining a front of the backrest portion, and
wherein when the seat structure is in the operational state and the support arrangement is in the stowed state, the support arrangement is disposed behind the backrest portion.

3. The multi-function load carrier of claim 1 , wherein the seat structure comprises a backrest portion, and
wherein when the seat structure is in the operational state and the support arrangement is in the stowed state, the support arrangement supports the backrest portion.

4. The multi-function load carrier of claim 3 , wherein when the seat structure is in the operational state and the support arrangement is in the stowed state, an end portion of the support arrangement is coupled to a rear upper portion of the main frame to support the backrest portion.

5. A multi-function load carrier comprising:
a main frame comprising a lower frame portion; and
a support arrangement comprising a plurality of segments, the support arrangement transferable between a loading state and a stowed state,
wherein when the support arrangement is in the loading state, the segments of the support arrangement are positioned adjacent to and parallel with each other in a horizontal direction relative to a travel direction of the multi-function load carrier, and
wherein when the support arrangement is in the stowed state, the segments of the support arrangement are stacked in a vertical direction relative to the travel direction of the multi-function load carrier.

6. The multi-function load carrier of claim 5 , wherein when the support arrangement is in the loading state, the segments of the support arrangement are coplanar and the support arrangement extends over a majority of the lower frame portion of the main frame.

7. The multi-function load carrier of claim 5 , wherein when the support arrangement is in the stowed state, the support arrangement extends over a smaller portion of the lower frame portion than in the loading state.

8. The multi-function load carrier of claim 5 , wherein the support arrangement is transferable from the loading state to the stowed state by folding.

9. The multi-function load carrier of claim 5 , wherein the segments are rigid.

10. The multi-function load carrier of claim 5 , wherein the segments are integrated into fabric.

11. The multi-function load carrier of claim 5 , further comprising a fixation arrangement configured to releasably hold the support arrangement in the loading state.

12. A multi-function load carrier comprising:
a main frame comprising a lower frame portion; and
a plurality of support segments pivotably coupled to each other,
wherein in a first configuration, the support segments of the plurality of support segments form a floor across the lower frame portion, and
wherein in a second configuration, the support segments of the plurality of support segments are stacked in a parallel arrangement with each other and extend across a smaller portion of the lower frame portion than in the first configuration.

13. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of support segments are movable between the first configuration and the second configuration by pivoting the support segments of the plurality of support segments relative to each other.

14. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , wherein in the first configuration, a first side of a first support segment of the plurality of support segments and a first side of a second support segment of the plurality of support segments face the same direction, and
wherein in the second configuration, the first side of the first support segment and the first side of the second support segment face opposite directions.

15. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , wherein in the first configuration, a first side of a first support segment of the plurality of support segments, a first side of a second support segment of the plurality of support segments, and a first side of a third support segment of the plurality of support segments each face a first direction, and
wherein in the second configuration, the first side of the first support segment and the first side of the third support segment face the first direction, and the first side of the second support segment faces a second direction opposite the first direction.

16. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , wherein the lower frame portion has a rectangular configuration that is longer in a first direction than in a second direction, and
wherein in the loading state, the support segments are positioned adjacent to each other in the first direction.

17. The multi-function load carrier of claim 16 , wherein in the second configuration, the support segments are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

18. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , further comprising a coupling unit configured to couple the main frame to a bike.

19. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , further comprising a handle.

20. The multi-function load carrier of claim 12 , further comprising two wheels.

Assignees

• Thule Sweden Ab

Inventors

• Andersson Stefan
• Arvidsson Andreas
• Mendes Karl
• Britton Daniel
• Favero Garett

Classifications

• B62K27/12

  Coupling parts for attaching cars or the like to cycle; Arrangements thereof · CPC title

• B62B9/26

  Securing devices for bags or toys {; Arrangements of racks, bins, trays or other devices for transporting articles} · CPC title

• B62B9/104

  with adjustable or reclining backrests · CPC title

• B62B7/126

  into a trailer, e.g. bicycle trailer · CPC title

• B62K27/003 Primary

  Trailers · CPC title