DESC:LOAD CARRYING ASSEMBLY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICTIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202421030468 filed on 16/04/2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to a load carrying assembly. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a load carrying assembly for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the usage of vehicles. Particularly, the vehicles have now become household need for personal mobility and other domestic purposes. With rising urbanization, growing population, and expanding economic activities, vehicles ranging from two-wheelers to four-wheelers are increasingly employed not only for transportation but also for carrying goods and materials essential for daily household needs. This shift has amplified the demand for reliable load-carrying mechanisms integrated into these vehicles as the user may need to carry multiple items in the vehicle including groceries, bags and so on.
To address this need, many vehicles are equipped with provisions such as load-carrying hooks, racks, or similar attachments. Such hooks are typically designed to secure items like bags, groceries, or other lightweight cargo, offering convenience to users. For instance, two-wheelers often feature hooks near the handlebar, on tank and/or under the seat, while four-wheelers may include hooks in the trunk or cabin area. Such provisions have become a standard feature in modern vehicle designs, catering to the practical requirements of domestic users.

However, the existing load-carrying hooks in vehicles are not without limitations. One prominent issue is their susceptibility to breakage under higher-than-anticipated loads. As users increasingly rely on these hooks to carry heavier items beyond their intended capacity, the hooks often fail, either by snapping or deforming. This failure can lead to damage to the goods being carried, inconvenience to the user, and in some cases, safety hazards, particularly in moving vehicles. Additionally, the materials and designs currently employed in these hooks may lack the durability or adaptability needed to withstand diverse load conditions, especially in a country like India, where road conditions and usage patterns vary widely.
Therefore, there exists a need for an improved load carrying mechanism to overcome the one or more problems associated as set forth above.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a load carrying assembly for a vehicle.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a load carrying assembly. The load carrying assembly comprises a holding member and a load member. The holding member comprises a first end, a second end and a hinge point between the first end and the second end. The holding member comes in physical contact with the load member to transfer a load on the load member in an open position.
The present disclosure provides a load carrying assembly for a vehicle. The load carrying assembly of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing better load carrying capacity without failure. The load carrying assembly of the present disclosure beneficially distributes load in an effective manner. The load carrying assembly of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of possessing high durability. The load carrying assembly of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of improved safety while carrying the load. It is to be understood that the load carrying assembly eliminates any potential safety hazards caused by falling loads particularly during the vehicle movement. Beneficially, the load carrying assembly of the present disclosure possesses increased load carrying capacity than any regular load hook. Beneficially, the load carrying assembly of the present disclosure is easy to integrate into a variety of vehicles including two-wheelers, four-wheelers and other categories of vehicles.
Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1a illustrates a front view of a load carrying assembly in open position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1b illustrates a front view of a load carrying assembly in closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a load carrying assembly integrated in a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognise that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a load carrying assembly of a vehicle and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilised. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
As used herein, the term “vehicle” refers to a a mobile machine designed for the transportation of people, goods, or materials. It includes, but is not limited to, two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles and scooters, three-wheeled vehicles such as auto-rickshaws, and four-wheeled vehicles such as cars, vans, and trucks. Vehicles may be powered by internal combustion engines, electric motors, or human effort, and are commonly used for domestic, commercial, or industrial purposes. In the context of the present disclosure, the term "vehicle" specifically encompasses those equipped with load-carrying mechanisms to facilitate the transport of goods.
As used herein, the terms “assembly”, “hook assembly”, “load carrying assembly”, “load carrying hook”, and “hook” are used interchangeably and refer to a structural arrangement integrated into or attachable to a vehicle, designed to support and secure loads during transportation. The assembly comprises at least a holding member, such as a hook, and a load member positioned below the holding member. The holding member facilitates the attachment or suspension of the load, while the load member bears the primary weight of the load, thereby reducing stress on the holding member and preventing the breakage thereof. This assembly is intended to enhance the capacity, durability, and safety of load carriage, particularly for domestic purposes, and may be adapted for use in various types of vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers.
As used herein, the terms “holding member” and “hook member” are used interchangeably and refer to a component of the load-carrying assembly designed to engage, secure, or suspend a load for transportation on a vehicle. Typically embodied as a hook, clip, or similar structure, the holding member provides a point of attachment for items such as bags, packages, or other cargo. In the present disclosure, the holding member is positioned above the load member and works in conjunction with it, relying on the load member to bear the primary weight of the load, thereby minimizing the risk of deformation or breakage under stress. The holding member may be fixed or adjustable and is integrated into the vehicle to facilitate convenient and reliable load carriage.
As used herein, the term “load member” refers to a structural component of the load-carrying assembly positioned below the holding member, designed to bear the primary weight of a load during transportation on a vehicle. The load member supports the cargo attached to the holding member (such as a hook), distributing the load’s stress and preventing excessive strain or breakage of the holding member. It may be configured as a platform, bar, frame, or similar robust structure, and is engineered to enhance the load-carrying capacity and durability of the assembly. The load member is integrated into or attachable to the vehicle, ensuring stability and safety for domestic or general-purpose load carriage.
As used herein, the term “first end” refers to a physical end of the holding member that enables holding any item or load on the holding member. The first end of the holding member acts as a hook to enable loading of the item on the load carrying assembly.
As used herein, the term “second end” refers to a physical end of the holding member that comes in contact with the load member, when the holding member is in open position to receive loading of any item on the holding member. The second end of the holding member transfers the load acting on the holding member to the load member.
As used herein, the term “hinge point” refers to a physical point on the holding member present between the first end and the second end that is mounted on a fixed structure to enable pivot action of the holding member leading to opening and closing of the holding member with respect to a structure on which the load carrying assembly is mounted.
As used herein, the term “resting member” refers to a structural component of the load-carrying assembly positioned below the holding member, designed to provide a resting surface to the holding member, in a closed position when there is no load. It may be configured as a platform, bar, frame, or similar robust structure, and is engineered to prevent improper closing of the holding member. The resting member may be integrated into the load member.
As used herein, the term “first snap” refers to a locking feature integrated into the load carrying assembly that prevents unintended opening of the holding member. The first snap removably secures the holding member on the resting member in the closed position. The first snap activates automatically upon closing the holding member or requires minimal manual effort to engage.
As used herein. the term “second snap” refers to a locking feature integrated into the load carrying assembly that prevents unintended closing of the holding member. The second snap removably secures the holding member on the load member in the open position while carrying the load. The second snap activates automatically upon opening the holding member or requires minimal manual effort to engage.
As used herein, the term “opening grip” refers to a textured surface on the holding member that enables opening of the holding member, when an external force, such as a push of a finger from the user, is applied.
As used herein, the term “closing grip” refers to a textured surface on the holding member that enables closing of the holding member, when an external force, such as a push of a finger from the user, is applied.
As used herein the term “pivot member” refers to a structural component of the load-carrying assembly positioned below the holding member, designed to provide a pivot point to the holding member. It may be configured as a platform, bar, frame, or similar robust structure. The pivot member may be integrated into the load member.
Figure 1a, illustrates a front view of a load carrying assembly 100 in open position, in accordance with an embodiment. The load carrying assembly 100 comprises a holding member 102 and a load member 110. The holding member 102 comprises a first end 104, a second end 106 and a hinge point 108 between the first end 104 and the second end 106. The holding member 102 comes in physical contact with the load member 110 to transfer a load on the load member 110 in an open position.
The present disclosure provides a load carrying assembly 100 for a vehicle. The load carrying assembly 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing better load carrying capacity without failure. The load carrying assembly 100 of the present disclosure beneficially distributes load in an effective manner. The load carrying assembly 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of possessing high durability. The load carrying assembly 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of improved safety while carrying the load. It is to be understood that the load carrying assembly 100 eliminates any potential safety hazards caused by falling loads particularly during the vehicle movement. Beneficially, the load carrying assembly 100 of the present disclosure possesses increased load carrying capacity than any regular load hook. Beneficially, the load carrying assembly 100 of the present disclosure is easy to integrate into a variety of vehicles including two-wheelers, four-wheelers and other categories of vehicles.
In an embodiment, the holding member 102 is configured to hold at least one hanging item exerting the load on the holding member 102 in the open position of the holding member 102. Beneficially, the holding member 102 securely holds the at least one hanging item during the movement of the vehicle. It is to be understood that the holding member 102 is configured such that the at least one hanged item does not fall off from the holding member 102.
In an embodiment, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises a resting member 112, wherein the holding member 102 rests on the resting member 112 in a closed position of the holding member 102. Beneficially, the resting member 112 prevents extra movement of the holding member 102 in the closed position. In other words, the resting member 112 prevents undesired movement of the holding member 102 in the closed position.
In an embodiment, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises a first snap mechanism 114 configured to removably secure the holding member 102 on the resting member 112 in the closed position of the holding member 102. Beneficially, the first snap mechanism 114 secures the holding member 102 on the resting member 114 in the closed position. In other words, the first snap mechanism 114 prevents undesired opening of the holding member 102 during the movement of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the first snap mechanism 114 may comprises a pair of snapping members mounted mutually opposite on the holding member 102 and the load member 110.
In an embodiment, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises a second snap mechanism 116 configured to removably secure the holding member 102 in physical contact with the load member 110 in the open position of the holding member 102. Beneficially, the second snap mechanism 116 secures the holding member 102 on the load member 110 in the open position. In other words, the second snap mechanism 116 prevents undesired closing of the holding member 102 during the movement of the vehicle or while carrying the hanged item. In an embodiment, the second snap mechanism 116 may comprises a pair of snapping members mounted mutually opposite on the holding member 102 and the load member 110.
In an embodiment, the holding member 102 directly transfer the load on the load member 110 in an open position while the second snap mechanism 116 removably secures the holding member 102 in physical contact with the load member 110. It is to be understood that in such configuration, the second snap mechanism 116 does not act as a load path between the holding member 102 and the load member 110. In an alternative embodiment, the holding member 102 is configured to transfer the load on the load member 110 in an open position via the second snap mechanism 116. It is to be understood that in such configuration, the second snap mechanism 116 acts as a load path between the holding member 102 and the load member 110.
In an embodiment, the holding member 102 comprises an opening surface 118, wherein an external force applied on the opening surface 118 facilitates opening of the holding member 102. Beneficially, the opening surface 118 provides necessary grip to an external element applying force to open the holding member 102. It is to be understood that the opening surface 118 may be textured to provide required friction preventing slipping of the external element applying force to open the holding member 102.
In an embodiment, the holding member 102 comprises a closing surface 120, wherein an external force applied on the closing surface 120 facilitates closing of the holding member 102. Beneficially, the closing surface 120 provides necessary grip to an external element applying force to close the holding member 102. It is to be understood that the closing surface 120 may be textured to provide required friction preventing slipping of the external element applying force to open the holding member 102.
In an embodiment, the holding member 102 oscillates along the hinge point 108 moving the first end 104 and the second end 106 to transition the holding member 102 into the open position and the closed position. Beneficially, the holding member 102 may be set in the open position or in the closed position based on the usage requirement of the load carrying assembly 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the holding member 102 is configured in the open position by applying external force (such as pushing force by the user) on the opening surface 118 to carry the load while using the vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, the holding member 102 is configured in the closed position by applying external force (such as pushing force by the user) on the closing surface 120 while the load carrying assembly 100 is not in use.
In an embodiment, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises a pivot member 122, wherein the hinge point 108 of the holding member 102 is pivoted on the pivot member 122. Beneficially, the pivot member 122 acts as a supporting structural member to enable installation and functioning of the holding member 102.
In an embodiment, the pivot member 122 is integrated with the load member 110. Beneficially, the integration of the pivot member 122 with the load member 110 provides structural integrity to the load carrying assembly 100.
Figure 1b, illustrates a front view of a load carrying assembly 100 in closed position, in accordance with an embodiment. Accordingly, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises the holding member 102 and the load member 110. The holding member 102 comprises the first end 104, the second end 106 and the hinge point 108 between the first end 104 and the second end 106. The holding member 102 comes in physical contact with the load member 110 to transfer the load on the load member 110 in the open position. Furthermore, the holding member 102 is configured to hold the at least one hanging item exerting the load on the holding member 102 in the open position of the holding member 102. Furthermore, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises the resting member 112, wherein the holding member 102 rests on the resting member 112 in the closed position of the holding member 102. Furthermore, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises the first snap mechanism 114 configured to removably secure the holding member 102 on the resting member 112 in the closed position of the holding member 102. Furthermore, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises the second snap mechanism 116 configured to removably secure the holding member 102 in physical contact with the load member 110 in the open position of the holding member 102. Furthermore, the holding member 102 comprises the opening surface 118, wherein the external force applied on the opening surface 118 facilitates opening of the holding member 102. Furthermore, the holding member 102 comprises the closing surface 120, wherein the external force applied on the closing surface 120 facilitates closing of the holding member 102. Furthermore, the holding member 102 oscillates along the hinge point 108 moving the first end 104 and the second end 106 to transition the holding member 102 in the open position and the closed position. Furthermore, the load carrying assembly 100 comprises the pivot member 122, wherein the hinge point 108 of the holding member 102 is pivoted on the pivot member 122. Furthermore, the pivot member 122 is integrated with the load member 110.
Figure 2, describes a perspective view of a saddle type vehicle 200 with the load carrying assembly 100 installed on a tank surface area 202 of the vehicle 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the load carrying assembly 100 integrated with the tank surface area 202 of the saddle type vehicle 200 enables transportation of small goods on the vehicle 200 by carrying such items on the load carrying assembly 100. Beneficially, the load carrying assembly 100 may be robust and sturdy and capable of carrying higher amount of load with any failure or breakage.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed,” “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combination of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non- exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A load carrying assembly (100), wherein the load carrying assembly (100) comprises:
- a holding member (102), comprising a first end (104), a second end (106) and a hinge point (108) between the first end (104) and the second end (106); and
- a load member (110),
wherein the holding member (102) comes in physical contact with the load member (110) to transfer a load on the load member (110) in an open position.
2. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (102) is configured to hold at least one hanging item exerting the load on the holding member (102) in the open position of the holding member (102).
3. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load carrying assembly (100) comprises a resting member (112), wherein the holding member (102) rests on the resting member (112) in a closed position of the holding member (102).
4. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load carrying assembly (100) comprises a first snap mechanism (114) configured to removably secure the holding member (102) on the resting member (112) in the closed position of the holding member (102).
5. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load carrying assembly (100) comprises a second snap mechanism (116) configured to removably secure the holding member (102) in physical contact with the load member (110) in the open position of the holding member (102).
6. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (102) comprises an opening surface (118), wherein an external force applied on the opening surface (118) facilitates opening of the holding member (102).
7. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (102) comprises a closing surface (120), wherein an external force applied on the closing surface (120) facilitates closing of the holding member (102).
8. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (102) oscillates along the hinge point moving the first end (104) and the second end (106) to transition the holding member (102) in the open position and the closed position.
9. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load carrying assembly (100) comprises a pivot member (122), wherein the hinge point (108) of the holding member (102) is pivoted on the pivot member (122).
10. The load carrying assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivot member (122) is integrated with the load member (110).