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EP-4739545-A1 - ROOF BAR ASSEMBLY TO BE POSITIONED ON A VEHICLE ROOF

EP4739545A1EP 4739545 A1EP4739545 A1EP 4739545A1EP-4739545-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof bar assembly (1) comprising: - two pairs of attachment feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2), and - a pair of bars (2a, 2b) that can be moved into at least two specific use positions, i.e. a longitudinal position in which the bars are parallel to a longitudinal axis (X), and a transverse position in which the bars run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), wherein each of the bars (2a, 2b) can both rotate and perform a translation relative to one of the attachment feet.

Inventors

  • CHENAUD, DAVID
  • HUGUET, GUILLAUME
  • COMBE, Philippe
  • BRICHET-BILLET, Etienne
  • COCHARD, MATHIEU

Assignees

  • NOVARES France
  • A. RAYMOND ET CIE

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240702

Claims (20)

  1. 1. Set (1) of roof bars comprising: two pairs of fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2), namely a first pair of fixing feet (3a1, 3a2) and a second pair of fixing feet (3b1, 3b2), intended to be fixed on each side of a vehicle roof, each pair of fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2) comprising a rear fixing foot (3a1, 3b1) arranged at the rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle and a front fixing foot (3a2, 3b2) arranged at the front relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, said front and rear fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2) being parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) defined by the vehicle, a pair of bars (2a, 2b) arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) defined by the vehicle, 2b), namely a first bar (2a) and a second bar (2b), the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), being pivotally connected to one of the fixing feet (3a2) of the first pair of feet, respectively to one of the fixing feet (3b1) of the second pair of feet, by means of a pivot pin (5) so as to allow the positioning of the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), according to at least two specific positions of use, respectively a longitudinal position, in which it is parallel to said longitudinal axis (X), and a transverse position, in which it is oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X), in which the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is provided with a first locking member (10) and a second locking member (10) intended to cooperate with locking pins (6) fixed on the fixing feet (3a1, 3a2; 3b1, 3b2) of the first and second pairs of feet so as to lock said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), in its longitudinal position and in its transverse position.
  2. 2. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 1, characterized in that, in its longitudinal position, the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is capable of being removably fixed on the fixing foot (3a1) of the first pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot (3b2) of the second pair of feet, which does not support the pivot pin (5) when the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a) cooperates with a first locking pin (6) fixed on said fixing foot (3a1) at a first fixing point (P1), respectively when the first locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) cooperates with a second locking pin (6) fixed on said fixing foot (3b2) at a second fixing point (P2), and, in its transverse position, the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is capable of being removably fixed on the fixing foot (3b2) of the second pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot (3a1) of the first pair of feet, which does not support the pivot pin (5) when the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a) cooperates with the second locking pin (6), respectively when the first locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) cooperates with a third locking pin (6) fixed on said fixing foot (3a1) at a third fixing point (P3), and in which the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is provided with a slot (4) along which its pivot pin (5) can slide such that the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), can move both in rotation and in translation relative to the fixing foot (3a2) of the first pair of feet, respectively with respect to the fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet, which supports said pivot pin (5), thus allowing the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a) to cooperate with the first locking pin (6), when the first bar (2a) is in its longitudinal position, and with the second locking pin (6), when the first bar (2a) is in its transverse position, and the first locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) to cooperate with the second locking pin (6), when the second bar (2b) is in its longitudinal position, and with the third locking pin (6), when the second bar (2b) is in its transverse position.
  3. 3. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 2, characterized in that the first bar (2a) can pivot about a first pivot axis (Za), which is distant from the first fixing point (P1) by a first distance (d1) and the second bar (2b) can pivot about a second pivot axis (Zb), which is distant from the second fixing point (P2) by a second distance (d2), the second distance (d2) being less than the distance (d4) separating the second pivot axis (Zb) from the third fixing point (P3).
  4. 4. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot pin (5) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), is provided with a head (51) arranged above a first lower wall portion (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), in which the slot (4) is formed, and a rod (52) partially received in the slot (4) and extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a2) of the first pair of feet, respectively of the fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet, which faces said first lower wall portion (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), the head (51) forming a stop which limits the movement in a direction vertical of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to said fixing foot (3a2) of the first pair of feet, respectively relative to said fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet.
  5. 5. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises at least one U-shaped locking element (11a, 11b; 13), which is slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), said at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13) being provided with a through opening (113, 114; 133), and in that each of the locking pins (6) is provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises at least one U-shaped locking element (11a, 11b; 13) ... the second bar (2b), capable of moving along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (62) of one of the locking pins (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (113, 114; 133) of the at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13), the head (61) of said locking pin (6) covering at least one surface (115, 115'; 117, 117'; 135a, 135b) of said at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13) partially surrounding said through opening (113, 114; 133), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said at least one locking element (11a, 11b; 13), thus blocking said first locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called the unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of said locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening. (113, 1 14; 133), thus allowing a movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), above the head (61) of said locking pin (6).
  6. 6. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 5, characterized in that the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises a pair of U-shaped locking elements (11a, 11b), respectively a first locking element (11a) and a second locking element (11b) spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, which are slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), each of said locking elements (11a, 11b) being provided with a through opening (113, 114), and in that each of the locking pins (6) is provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically. from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, the first locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called locked position, in which the rod (62) of one of the locking pins (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (113, 114) of one of the blocking elements (11a, 11b), the head (61) of said locking pin (6) covering at least one surface (115, 115'; 117, 117') of said blocking element (11a, 11b) partially surrounding said through opening (113, 114), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), bar (2b), coming to bear against a lower wall of said blocking element (11a, 11b), thus blocking said first locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of said locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (113, 114), thus allowing a movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), above the head (61) of said locking pin (6).
  7. 7. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 6 when it depends on claim 2, characterized in that, when the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is locked in its longitudinal position, the rod (62) of the first locking pin (6), respectively of the second locking pin (6), is partially housed inside the through opening (1 13) of the first blocking element (11a) of the first locking member (10), the head (61) of said first locking pin (10), respectively of said second locking pin (10), coming to cover said at least one surface (115, 1 15') of said first blocking element (11a) partially surrounding the through opening (1 13), the lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), coming to bear against the lower wall of said first blocking element (11a), and, when the first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), is locked in its transverse position, the rod (61) of the second locking pin (6), respectively of the third locking pin (6), is partially housed inside the through opening (1 14) of the second blocking element (11 b) of the first locking member (10), the head (61) of said second locking pin (6), respectively of said third locking pin (6), covering said at least one surface (117, 117') of said second blocking element (11 b) partially surrounding said through opening (114), the lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), coming to bear against the lower wall of said second blocking element (11 b).
  8. 8. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), is configured to cooperate with the pivot pin (5) around which said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b) pivots, so as to lock it in its longitudinal and/or transverse position.
  9. 9. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 8, characterized in that the second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises at least one U-shaped blocking element (11a, 11b; 13), which is slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), said at least one blocking element (11a, 11b; 13) being provided with a through opening (113, 114; 133), and in that each of the pivot pins (5) is provided with a head (51), a skirt (54) formed under the head (51) and a rod (52) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, the second locking member (10) capable of moving along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is partially housed inside the through opening (1 14; 133) of said at least one blocking element (11 b; 13), the skirt (54) of said pivot pin (5) covering at least one surface (117, 117'; 135a, 135b) of said at least one blocking element (11 b; 13) partially surrounding said through opening (114; 133), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said at least one blocking element (1 1 b; 13), thus blocking said second locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is no longer housed inside said through opening (114; 133), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to to the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), in abutment against the head (51) of the pivot pin (5).
  10. 10. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 9, characterized in that the second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises a pair of U-shaped locking elements (11a, 11b), respectively a first locking element (11a) and a second locking element (11b) spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, which are slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), each of said locking elements (11a, 11b) being provided with a through opening (113, 114), and in that each of the pivot pins (5) is provided with a head (51), a skirt (54) formed under the head (51) and a rod (52) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, the second locking member (10) being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is housed partially inside the through opening (114) of the second locking element (11 b), the skirt (54) of said pivot pin (5) covering at least one surface (117, 117') of said second locking element (1 1 b) partially surrounding said through opening (114), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), pressing against a lower wall of said second locking element (1 1 b), thus locking said second locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (51) of said pivot pin (5) is no longer housed inside said through opening (114), thus allowing movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a2, 3b1) on which said pivot pin (5) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively the second bar (2b), in abutment against the head (51 ) of the pivot pawn (5).
  11. 11. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 10, characterized in that, when the second bar (2b) is in its longitudinal position, the second locking member (10) of the second bar (2b) is able to cooperate with a fourth locking pin (6) fixed on the fixing foot (3b1) of the second pair of feet which supports the pivot pin around which said second bar (2b) pivots, said fourth locking pin being provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of said fixing foot (3b1), the second locking member (10) being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (62) of the fourth locking pin (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (113) of the first blocking element (11a), the head (61) and the rod (62) of the fourth locking pin (6) being partially housed inside the through opening (113) of the first blocking element (11a), the head (61) and the rod (62) of the fourth locking pin (6) being partially housed inside the through opening (113) of the first blocking element (11a). ) of the fourth locking pin (6) covering said at least one surface (115, 115') partially surrounding said through opening (113), the lower wall (21) of the second bar (2b) pressing against the lower wall of said first blocking element (11a), thus blocking said second locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called the unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of the fourth locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (113), thus allowing a movement in a vertical direction of the second bar (2b) relative to said fixing foot (3b1) so as to position said second bar (2b) above the head (61) of the fourth locking pin (6).
  12. 12. Set of roof bars according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that said at least one surface (115, 115', 117, 117') is formed of an elastic strip configured to move vertically away from an upper wall (111) of the corresponding locking element (11a, 11b).
  13. 13. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that each of the first, respectively second, locking members (10) of the first and second bars (2a, 2b) comprises a handle (12) integral in translation with said at least one blocking element or said first and second blocking elements (11a, 11b), the handle (12) being preferably provided with external zones (122) having an ergonomic shape facilitating the manual grip of the handle (12).
  14. 14. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one locking element or each of the first and second locking elements (11a, 11b) is fixed by clipping onto the handle (12).
  15. 15. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the handle (12) is provided with an internal wall (125) provided with two notches (125a, 125b) spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction, said notches (125a, 125b) being configured to cooperate with a positioning lug (283) integrated in an elastically deformable tab (281) secured to one of the fixing feet (3a1, 3a2, 3b1, 3b2) such that the tab (281) moves in a transverse direction when the first, respectively the second, locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), moves from its locked position to its unlocked position, and vice versa, each of the notches (125a, 125b) having a shape substantially complementary to that of said positioning lug (283), such that the tab (281) returns to its initial position when said positioning lug (283) is housed in one or the other notch (125a, 125b), which corresponds either to the locked position or to the unlocked position of said first, respectively of said second, locking member (10).
  16. 16. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the first and second locking members (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), comprises a blocking element (13) in the form of U, which is slidably mounted on said first bar (2a), respectively on said second bar (2b), said locking element (13) being provided with a through opening (133), and in that each of the locking pins (6) is provided with a head (61) and a rod (62) extending vertically from an upper wall (31) of the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, each of the first and second locking members (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), being able to move along a longitudinal direction between a first position, called the locked position, in which the rod (62) of one of the locking pins (6) is partially housed inside the through opening (133) of the locking element (13), the head (61) of said locking pin (6) covering at least a surface (135a, 135b) of said locking element (13) partially surrounding said through opening (133), a lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), coming to bear against a lower wall of said locking element (13), thus blocking the locking member (10) in said locked position, and a second position, called unlocked position, in which the rod (62) of said locking pin (6) is no longer housed inside said through opening (133), thus allowing a movement in a vertical direction of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), relative to the fixing foot (3a1, 3b2) on which said locking pin (6) is fixed, so as to position said first bar (2a), respectively said second bar (2b), above the head (61) of said locking pin (6).
  17. 17. A set (1) of roof bars according to claim 16, characterized in that said at least one surface (135a, 135b) is formed by a deformable portion (135) of the locking element (13), said deformable portion (135) being capable of deforming under the action of a locking lever (14) pivotally connected to the locking element (13), said locking lever (14) being able to move between a raised position, in which it does not deform said deformable portion (135), and a folded position, in which it causes a deformation of said deformable portion (135), causing said deformable portion (135) to move vertically away from an upper wall (131) of the locking element (13).
  18. 18. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 17, characterized in that the locking lever (14) comprises a pair of lateral arms (142) connected by a crosspiece (141) perpendicular to said lateral arms (142), said crosspiece (141) pivotally supporting the locking element (13), each of said lateral arms (142) having at one of its ends a cam profile (142a), said cam profile (142a) being able to come into contact with a rail (26, 26') projecting from the lower wall (21) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), when the locking lever (14) is in its folded position, thus causing a lifting of the deformable part (135) relative to said upper wall (131).
  19. 19. Set (1) of roof bars according to claim 18, characterized in that the locking lever (14) is provided with an internal rib (145), said internal rib (145) being configured to come into contact with the head (61) of the locking pin (6) when the locking lever (14) is in its folded position and when the first or second locking member (10) of the first bar (2a), respectively of the second bar (2b), is in its locked position, the locking pin (6) then being wedged in position, on one side, by the blocking element (13), and, on the other side, by said internal rib (145).
  20. 20. Set (1) of roof bars according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a cover support (28) is fixedly connected to the first roof bar (2a), respectively to the second roof bar (2b), for example by clipping, a cover (27) being pivotally connected to said cover support (28), the cover (27) having a raised position, in which it allows the manipulation of the handle (12) of the first, respectively of the second, locking member (10), and a folded position, in which it prevents the manipulation of said handle (12).

Description

ROOF BARS SET INTENDED TO BE POSITIONED ON THE ROOF OF A VEHICLE The present invention relates to a set of roof bars intended to be positioned on the roof of a vehicle. It is known to use roof bars to support, for example, a roof box or a bicycle rack on the roof of a vehicle. Most often, the transverse roof bars are attached to longitudinal bars fixed to the vehicle. The attachment of the transverse roof bars to the longitudinal bars is often carried out by means of a screw-nut assembly passing through the transverse roof bar and the longitudinal bar. Similarly, it is known to use adjustable jaws positioned at each end of the transverse roof bar and configured to tighten each longitudinal bar. To maintain the aerodynamics of the vehicle, it is necessary that in the longitudinal position the roof bars are close to the roof. Conversely, it is necessary that in the transverse position the roof bars are further away from the roof (in a direction normal to the plane of the roof) to allow the passage of an accessory attachment system. A solution known from document US2016243994 consists in using foldable roof bars that can be fixed to support rails secured to the roof in two specific positions, a non-operating position, in which each roof bar is fixed to one of the support rails at a first pair of fixing points, and an operating position, in which each roof bar is fixed to each of the support rails at a second pair of fixing points. The roof bars are fixed to the support rails by means of mounting members that can be dismantled without tools. However, this solution requires that the roof bars be successively dismantled and reassembled on the support rails so as to move from the non-operating position to the operating position and vice versa. This solution is therefore not satisfactory because it requires carrying out numerous handling, precise positioning and mounting operations of the roof bars, which excessively increases the assembly time. Furthermore, this solution requires the use of foldable roof bars and the presence of at least four fixing points on the support rails, which significantly increases the manufacturing costs of the roof bar assembly. Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a set of roof bars which limits assembly time while reducing manufacturing costs. According to a general definition, the invention relates to a set of roof bars comprising: - two pairs of fixing feet, namely a first pair of fixing feet and a second pair of fixing feet, intended to be fixed on each side of a vehicle roof, each pair of fixing feet comprising a rear fixing foot arranged at the rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle and a front fixing foot arranged at the front relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, said front and rear fixing feet being parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the vehicle, - a pair of bars, namely a first bar and a second bar, the first bar, respectively the second bar, being pivotally connected to one of the fixing feet of the first pair of feet, respectively to one of the fixing feet of the second pair of feet, by means of a pivot pin so as to allow the positioning of the first bar, respectively the second bar, according to at least two specific positions of use, respectively a longitudinal position, in which it is parallel to said longitudinal axis, and a transverse position, in which it is oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, in which the first bar, respectively the second bar, is provided with a first locking member and a second locking member intended to cooperate with locking pins fixed on the fixing feet of the first and second pairs of feet so as to lock said first bar, respectively said second bar, in its longitudinal position and in its transverse position. Thus configured, the set of roof bars of the invention will simplify the transition of the bars from their longitudinal position to their transverse position, in particular by eliminating the operations of dismantling/assembling the roof bars on the fixing feet arranged on each side of the roof of the vehicle. The roof bar assembly of the invention may also include one or more of the following features: - In its longitudinal position, the first bar, respectively the second bar, is able to be fixed in a removable manner on the fixing foot of the first pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot of the second pair of feet, which does not support the pivot pin when the first locking member of the first bar cooperates with a first locking pin fixed on said fixing foot at a first fixing point, respectively when the first locking member of the second bar cooperates with a second locking pin fixed on said fixing foot at a second fixing point, and, in its transverse position, the first bar, respectively the second bar, is able to be fixed in a removable manner on the fixing foot of the second pair of feet, respectively on the fixing foot of the first pair of feet, which does not