阅读说明：本技术 货物承载装置 (Cargo carrying device ) 是由 S·布赫霍尔茨斯特罗姆 G·弗里切 H·埃里克森 M·诺丹加德 J·安德尔松 J-P·特雷 于 2019-09-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及货物承载装置,该货物承载装置包括具有槽形形状的基部和以铰接方式与该基部联接的能够打开且能够闭合的盖部,该槽形形状具有用于在其中存放待运输货品的内部空间。该货物承载装置还包括附接到该基部和该盖部中的至少一者的附加部分,其中该附加部分扩大该货物承载装置的总体外部体积。本发明还涉及用于制造此类货物承载装置的方法。(The present invention relates to a load carrying device comprising a base portion having a trough-like shape with an interior space for storing goods to be transported therein and an openable and closable lid portion hingedly coupled to the base portion. The cargo carrying device also includes an additional portion attached to at least one of the base and the cover, wherein the additional portion enlarges an overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a load carrying device.)

1. A load carrying device (2), in particular a roof load carrying device, comprising:

a base (10) having a trough-like shape with an inner space (11) for storing goods to be transported therein;

an openable and closable lid (20) coupled in a hinged manner with the base (10); and

an additional portion (4) attached to at least one of the base portion (10) and the cover portion (20) for enlarging an overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device (2).

2. The cargo carrying device (2) according to claim 1, wherein

The additional portion (4) extends at least partially outside a male housing (6) enclosing both the base (10) and the cover (20).

3. The load carrying device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

Said inner space (11) being accessible through an upper opening defined by a rim portion (12) of said base (10);

the openable and closable lid (20) being adapted to be positioned in a closed state, wherein an edge portion (22) of the lid (20) contacts the rim portion (12); and is

The additional portion (4) comprises a bridging portion (30) attached to the base portion (10) or the cover portion (20) and formed to provide a transition between the edge portion (22) of the cover portion (20) and the rim portion (12) of the base portion (10) when the cover portion (20) is in the closed state, preferably between an outer surface (23) of the edge portion (22) of the cover portion (20) and the rim portion (12) of the base portion (10).

4. The cargo carrying device (2) according to claim 3, wherein

The bridging portion (30) provides a substantially flush transition between an outer surface (31) of the bridging portion (30) and the outer surface (23) of the cover (20) and/or between the outer surface (31) of the bridging portion (30) and an outer surface (14) of the base (10), preferably between the outer surface of the bridging portion and a lower outer surface (15) of the base (10), when the cover (20) is in the closed condition.

5. Cargo carrying device (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein

The rim portion (12) comprises a U-shape, wherein in the rim portion (12) a wall portion (17) of a side wall (16) of the base (10) is bent outwards and over itself such that an edge portion (18) of the side wall (16) protrudes downwards, and wherein a gap (19) is formed between the downward protruding edge portion (18) and a portion of the side wall (16) of the base (10).

6. The cargo carrying device (2) according to claim 5, wherein

An upper edge portion (32) of the bridging portion (30) is received in the gap (19) and is preferably supported against a wall portion defining the gap (19).

7. The cargo carrying device (2) according to claim 6, wherein

The upper edge portion (32) of the bridging portion (30) comprises two support sections oppositely supported against the wall portions defining the gap (19), preferably a first support section (33) contacting a lower end portion of the edge portion (18) of the side wall (16) and a second support section (34) contacting an opposite upper portion of the side wall (16) of the base (10).

8. Cargo carrying device (2) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein

The upper edge portion (32) of the bridging portion (30) is hyperboloid, preferably comprising a saw-tooth shape.

9. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the claims 6 to 8, wherein

The upper edge portion (32) of the bridging portion (30) is bonded to the wall portion defining the gap (19), preferably by gluing.

10. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the claims 3 to 9, wherein

The bridging portion (30) comprising a frame (40) surrounding the base (10),

the frame (40) preferably comprises at least one hole for the grip (42) and/or the locking member (44), and/or

The frame (40) preferably extends around the base (10) to form a double shell structure comprising the base (10) forming an inner base shell and the frame (40) forming an outer base shell of the load carrying device (2).

11. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

The additional portion (4) comprises a spoiler portion (50) attached to the cover (20), preferably to a rear portion of the cover (20), or to the base (10), preferably to a front portion of the base (10).

12. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of claims 3 to 10 and claim 11, wherein

The spoiler portion (50) provides a substantially flush transition between an outer surface (51) of the spoiler portion (50) and an outer surface (31) of the bridge portion (30).

13. The load carrying device (2) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein

The spoiler portion (50) comprises a grip portion (52), preferably not protruding beyond a rear edge portion of the spoiler portion (50), for gripping the load carrying device (2).

14. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

further comprising a securing member (60) for securing the load carrying device (2) to a vehicle,

the securing member (60) is arranged within a male housing (7) enclosing the base (10), the cover (20) and the additional portion (4),

the base (10) and/or the additional part (4) preferably comprise at least two ground contact sections (62) for supporting the load carrying device (2) on a substantially horizontal ground.

15. A method for manufacturing a load carrier (2), in particular a roof load carrier, comprising the steps of:

forming and preferably moulding a base (10) having a channel shape with an internal space (11) for storing goods to be transported therein;

forming and preferably moulding a cover (20) having a shape for covering the base (10);

hingedly coupling the cover (20) with the base (10) such that the cover (20) is openable and closable;

attaching an additional portion (4) to at least one of the base (10) and the cover (20) thereby enlarging the overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device (2).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a load carrying device comprising a base portion having a trough-like shape with an interior space for storing goods to be transported therein and an openable and closable lid portion hingedly coupled to the base portion. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a load carrying device.

Background

Modern recreational activities involve the use of bulky equipment. As a result, cargo carrying devices for transporting goods, such as bulky sports equipment, on the roof of a vehicle are becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, the increased mobility and increased frequency of recreational activities allows the cargo carrying device to be used even more frequently and for longer distances.

However, driving a vehicle with a roof load carrying device results in higher energy consumption than driving a vehicle without a roof load carrying device. Higher energy consumption in turn leads to more serious environmental pollution, which should be limited. In connection with this, driving a vehicle with a roof load carrying device also affects the driving characteristics, especially when driving the vehicle on a motorway at high speeds.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to manufacture and provide an enhanced load carrying device having a less negative impact on driving efficiency, in particular on energy consumption, when mounted on a vehicle.

This object is solved in one aspect of the invention by a load carrying device according to claim 1 and in another aspect of the invention by a method of manufacturing a load carrying device according to independent claim 15.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, wherein specific further modifications of these embodiments can be gleaned from the following summary of the invention, the detailed description and the drawings themselves.

The load carrying device according to the invention may be mountable on a vehicle. Preferably, the load carrying device may be mountable on a vehicle roof, wherein the load carrying device is configured as a roof load carrying device.

According to the invention, an additional portion is attached to at least one of the base and the cover for enlarging the overall external volume of the cargo carrying device. The overall exterior volume of the load carrying device corresponds to the space occupied by the load carrying device. Accordingly, the cargo carrying device includes a volume attachment portion mountable to at least one of the base and the cover. In other words, the additional portion may be added to an outer surface of at least one of the base and the lid, wherein the additional portion extends outwardly from the outer surface of the base and/or the lid.

Thus, the additional portion provides a volumetric extension of the overall volume of the cargo carrying device. Thus, the overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device including the additional portion is greater than the overall volume of the cargo carrying device not including the additional portion. Thus, the outer dimensions or outer size of the load carrying device including the additional portion may be larger than the outer dimensions or outer size of the base and cover portions without the additional portion.

With respect to enlarging the overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device, the additional portion may provide an exterior space outside the base that does not overlap with the interior space of the base. Thus, the overall external volume may comprise an internal space with an internal volume and an external space with an additional volume. Thus, enlarging the overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device does not change the interior space of the base, wherein the exterior space and additional volume are added externally to the base and/or cover of the cargo carrying device. Enlarging the overall volume of the cargo carrying device may also provide additional storage space for goods in additional sections.

The additional portion may be attached to the base or the cover, wherein the additional portion comprises at least one additional portion. In addition thereto, the add-on part is attachable to both the base part and the cover part, wherein the add-on part comprises at least two separate add-on parts, at least one of which is attached to the base part and at least another of which is attached to the cover part. The at least two additional parts may be arranged to the cargo carrying device in a pivotable manner with respect to each other for opening or closing the cover.

This additional part enables a more complex design of the load carrying device. The external shape of the cargo carrying device can thus be designed to conform to a variety of external surface shapes. The additional portion may have a stabilizing effect, making the cover or base more rigid. The additional part of the load carrying device may also have an aerodynamic effect. This aerodynamic effect can be achieved by aerodynamically designing the outer shape of the load carrying device, in particular by the additional part. Alternatively or in addition to the aerodynamic effect, the additional portion may provide a flush fit of the additional portion with the cover and/or the base.

The additional portion may include an air displacement body added to the cargo carrying device. Such an air vent body may be provided by a solid body, a hollow body or a body filled with a filler material. Thus, such an air discharging body added to the cargo carrying device may be provided to enhance the aerodynamics of the cargo carrying device and provide higher driving efficiency based thereon.

Additional portions of the aerodynamic effect (which may enhance aerodynamics) may be created by the streamlined surface of the load bearing device, which may result in less air resistance of the load bearing device and less air turbulence occurring on the outer surface of the load bearing device. Less air turbulence may occur particularly near the rear of the load carrying device. Less air resistance and less air turbulence may also result in less resistance of the load carrying device, which in turn may result in less fuel consumption of the vehicle. Alternatively or in addition, the aerodynamic effect can be produced by a spoiler surface of the load carrier, which can also produce less air turbulence and thus less fuel consumption of the vehicle due to a more laminar air flow. Especially when the load carrying device is moving.

Thus, an advantageous and preferred idea can be embodied in the following way: the outer surface of the hingedly coupled base-cover system of the load carrying device is reshaped by adding at least one volume attachment part as an additional attachment element, so that the aerodynamics of the entire load carrying device can be positively influenced. The reshaping with the at least one additional component may comprise a streamlined reshaping of the outer surface of the base-cover system, and may alternatively or additionally comprise a front spoiler or a rear spoiler, so that the outer surface of the base-cover system is reshaped to change the airflow around the load carrying device. Both the front and rear spoilers are components that may otherwise increase the rigidity of the base or cover portion to contribute to the overall stability of the cargo carrying device. Thus, the load carrying device may be designed and when mounted on a vehicle serve as an active aerodynamic component of the vehicle. "active aerodynamics" can be understood as having a positive effect on aerodynamics, driving efficiency and/or driving characteristics.

The additional portion may comprise a substantially straight or curved transition between the cover and the base, which may or may not conform to a convex shell enclosing both the base and the cover. The transition may comprise at least a portion of the outer surface of the additional portion, the at least a portion being located between those elements between which the transition is provided. The transition may also include gaps between those elements between which the transition is provided. The gap may be located between the additional portion and one of those elements between which the transition is provided. The transition between the elements may also be configured as a substantially seamless transition, wherein there may be no substantial gap.

According to a preferred embodiment, the additional portion extends at least partially outside the male housing enclosing both the base and the cover. The male housing may include outer envelope surfaces of the base and cover. In other words, the male housing may span the outer geometry of the base and cover, wherein the outer edges and corners of the base and cover are linearly connected to each other such that no concave surface area is present on the envelope surface. Thus, the convex shell of the base and cover may comprise a planar patch forming a convex envelope surface. The at least partial extension to the exterior of such a male housing provided by the additional portion may have a positive effect on providing and manufacturing a wide range of aerodynamic designs for different design layouts of different base-cover systems of the cargo carrying device. The manufacture of the load carrying device thus allows an efficient optimization of its aerodynamic layout.

According to another preferred embodiment, the inner space is accessible through an upper opening defined by the rim portion of the base. Furthermore, the openable and closable lid part may be adapted to be positioned in a closed state of the lid part, wherein the edge portion of the lid part contacts the rim portion, in particular the outer surface of the rim portion. In the closed state of the cover, the edge portion of the cover may contact or rest on the outer surface of the rim portion of the base. Thus, there may be a step from the edge portion of the cover portion to the rim portion of the base portion, wherein the step may occur from the outer surface of the edge portion to the outer surface of the rim portion. As regards the additional part, it may comprise a bridging part attached to the base part or to the cover part and may be formed to provide a transition between an edge part of the cover part and a rim part of the base part when the cover part is in its closed state, preferably a transition between an outer surface of the rim part of the cover part and the rim part of the base part.

Preferably, the transition portion may engage the male housing of the base and cover portions, or may be at least partially external to the male housing. Such a geometric bridging of the base and cover parts may have a positive effect, i.e. the steps, recesses or grooves on the outer surfaces of the base and cover parts may be reshaped or bridged by additional parts including bridging parts. Such reshaping or bridging may in turn provide a substantially streamlined outer surface of the load carrying device.

The attachment portion may provide a substantially flush transition between the base portion and the cover portion of the cargo carrying device. According to another preferred embodiment, the bridging portion provides a substantially flush transition between an outer surface of the bridging portion and an outer surface of the cover portion and/or between an outer surface of the bridging portion and an outer surface of the base portion, preferably between the outer surface of the bridging portion and a lower outer surface of the base portion, when the cover portion is in the closed state. The substantially flush transition may include a substantially flush transition within respective manufacturing tolerances for manufacturing the flush transition. Such substantially flush transitions may be provided between the outer surface of the bridging portion and the outer surface of the edge portion of the cover and/or between the outer surface of the bridging portion and the outer surface of the rim portion of the base. Providing such a substantially flush transition may further enhance the efficient streamlined design of the cargo carrying device.

According to another preferred embodiment, the rim portion of the base comprises a U-shape, wherein in the rim portion the wall portion of the side wall of the base is bent outwards and onto itself such that the edge portion of the side wall protrudes downwards, and wherein a gap is formed between the downward protruding edge portion and a part of the side wall of the base. The gap may be traversed, covered or filled with bridging portions of the additional portions. Thus, the bridging portion may provide an air displacement body that fills at least the recess within the U-shaped rim portion of the base.

Further, the gap may provide a receiving space for attaching the bridging portion to the base. According to another preferred embodiment, an upper edge portion of the bridging portion is received in the gap. The upper edge portion is preferably supported against the wall portion defining the gap. Furthermore, the upper edge portion may be supported (preferably doubly supported) against an opposite surface portion of the wall portion facing the inner space of the gap. In other words, the upper edge portion of the bridging portion may be supported in the gap. Such accommodation may be provided with a snap-fit assembly for attaching the bridging portion to the base when manufacturing the load carrying device.

Preferably, in the closed condition of the load carrying device, a bottom edge of the cover portion is receivable in a recess formed in the bridging portion adjacent the upper edge portion. Thus, a substantially flush transition between the outer surface of the bridging portion and the upper outer surface of the cover portion may be efficiently manufactured.

According to another preferred embodiment, the upper edge portion of the bridging portion comprises two support sections oppositely supported against the wall portions defining the gap, preferably wherein a first support section contacts a lower end portion of the edge portion of the side wall and a second support section contacts an opposite upper portion of the side wall of the base. Both support sections may be arranged in a staggered manner within the gap. The arrangement in a staggered manner may comprise a stepped arrangement of support sections. Furthermore, both support sections may be connected with the intermediate section, wherein the intermediate section is not in contact with the wall portions defining the gap.

According to another preferred embodiment, the upper edge portion of the bridging portion is doubly curved, preferably comprising a saw tooth shape. The upper edge portion of the bridge portion may comprise a Z-shape. Alternatively, the bridging portion may comprise an S-shape. Thus, the bridging portion may be doubly curved at the time of manufacture. This shape of the upper edge portion may provide effective support of the bridging portion within the gap or recess of the base.

According to another preferred embodiment, the upper edge portion of the bridging portion is bonded, preferably by gluing, to the wall portion defining the gap. In the case of a double-curved shape, the bridging portion may be dispensed with an adhesive provided on the wall portion during manufacture of the load carrying device for evenly bonding the bridging portion between the support section and the wall portion when sliding or snapping the upper edge portion of the bridging portion into the gap. Such bonding of the bridging portion may provide a secure attachment of the bridging portion to the base of the load carrying device.

According to an embodiment, the bridging portion may be configured as a frame surrounding the base and/or cover. The frame may be arranged to the base and/or the cover in a substantially horizontally expanding manner. The frame may be attached to a gap, which may be a circumferential gap. The frame may include one or more frame members. The frame may be integrally formed. In other words, the frame may be manufactured in one piece. Alternatively, the frame may comprise at least two bridging members connected to each other to form the frame. In addition to this, the frame may be broken, thereby comprising at least one bridging member.

The at least one grip portion and/or the at least one locking member may be arranged to one or both sides of the base portion or the cover portion of the cargo carrying device, wherein the cover portion may be openable at one or both sides. According to another preferred embodiment, the bridging portion comprises a frame horizontally surrounding the base or cover portion, wherein the frame preferably comprises at least one aperture for a gripping portion and/or a locking member of the load carrying device. Thus, the additional portion may be designed as a horizontally surrounding bridging member, thereby providing access to the at least one grip portion and/or the locking member. The additional portion may also be designed as a circumferential spoiler frame horizontally around the cargo carrying device. This reduces the flexibility of the element (e.g. base) to which it is added and may help to prevent fishmouth-like openings due to deformation of the front lower portion of the cover.

According to another preferred embodiment, the bridging portion comprises a frame which extends around the base to form a double shell structure. The double shell structure may comprise a base forming an inner base shell and a frame forming an outer base shell of the load carrying device. Thus, the frame may extend around the entire base. The frame may comprise a small cut-out, for example to provide access with respect to the fixation elements. In other words, the double shell structure may provide a double-layer structure including a base as an inner layer and a frame as an outer layer. Thus, the frame may be manufactured to have a trough-like shape (similar to the shape of the base itself) that at least partially encloses the base. This may be advantageous because no centerpiece may be removed when manufacturing the frame components.

According to another preferred embodiment, the at least one additional portion comprises a spoiler portion attached to the cover, preferably to a rear portion of the cover, or to the base, preferably to a front portion of the base. In addition to the other effects mentioned, attaching the spoiler portion to the cover may reduce the flexibility of the cover and increase the stiffness or rigidity of the cover, which is particularly effective in combination with a reinforced front portion of the cover to be described later. According to another embodiment of the load carrying device, the additional part comprises two separate parts-a bridging part and a spoiler part. Preferably, a spoiler portion is attached to the rear portion of the cover portion, wherein the spoiler portion may provide a rear spoiler of the load carrying device. Such spoilers may also provide enhanced aerodynamics of the load carrying device, which in turn provides enhanced driving stability of the vehicle. Furthermore, such spoilers may increase the stability of the rear portion of the cover.

According to another preferred embodiment, the spoiler portion provides a substantially flush transition between an outer surface of the spoiler portion and an outer surface of the bridge portion. In this embodiment, the attachment portion may include a spoiler portion attached to the rear portion of the cover and a bridge portion attached to at least the rear portion of the base. According to this embodiment, the features described with respect to the transition between the bridge portion and the cover portion or the bridge portion and the base portion may also be applied to the transition between the spoiler portion and the bridge portion.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the spoiler portion comprises a grip portion, which preferably does not protrude beyond a rear edge portion of the spoiler portion, for holding the load carrying device. The gripping portion may comprise a depression or grip integrated into the spoiler. Such a grip portion may provide an effective grip of the goods while being aerodynamically effective. Alternatively, the grip may be attached to the outer rear surface of the spoiler portion as an additional element.

According to another aspect, the load carrying device comprises a ground support provided by the base and/or the additional portion for protecting the securing member of the load carrying device from damage. Advantageous and preferred ideas about this aspect can be found in the following aspects: such ground supports that can be provided for the load carrying device according to the invention protect the fixing members on the one hand and aerodynamically shelter them on the other hand. The base and/or the additional portion may have a curved shape. The underside of the load carrying device may have a concavely curved shape. The shape may be adapted to conform to the shape of a vehicle roof. Thus, the shape of the vehicle roof can conform to the concavely curved underside of the load carrying device.

According to an embodiment of one of these aspects, the load carrying device comprises a securing member for securing the load carrying device to the vehicle, the securing member being arranged within a male housing enclosing the base, the cover and the additional portion, the base and/or the additional portion preferably comprising at least two ground contacting sections for supporting the load carrying device on a substantially horizontal ground. In other words, the securing member does not protrude beyond the convex outer shell of the concavely curved underside of the load carrying device. The ground contacting section may be configured and positioned such that ground contact of the securing member is prevented. The securing member may be or include a rail attachment clamp or claw for attaching the load carrying device to a rail on a vehicle.

According to another embodiment of one of these aspects, the ground contacting section may be aligned with the fixation member, i.e. may be arranged on the same level. Alternatively, the securing member may protrude slightly beyond the male housing such that the securing member may contact the ground. Thus, the load carrying device may be configured such that it may rest on both the ground contacting section and the securing member. In this way, the weight force of the load carrier is distributed between and transmitted via the contact section and the securing member, so that the forces acting on the securing member are at least reduced. In other words, the ground contacting section may be arranged on the underside of the load carrying device slightly above the securing member such that the securing member receives some, but not all, of the contact pressure from the load carrying device when the load carrying device is supported on the ground.

The fixed member may be movable when in contact with the ground to cause buckling, so that the ground contacting section will obtain the main pressure from the weight of the tank.

According to another embodiment of one of these aspects, the ground contacting section is arranged on the base. Thus, the additional portion may not have a ground contact section that touches the ground when the load carrying device is supported on the ground. The base portion may have a matte surface structure and the additional portion may have a smooth surface structure. Therefore, the frame and the rear spoiler of the additional portion may have a smooth surface structure. The cover portion may also have a smooth surface texture. The scratch sensitivity of the matte surface structure is lower compared to the smooth surface structure. Due to the preferred configuration, only the base with the matte surface can reach the ground, so that contact of the scratch-sensitive glossy surface of the additional part and the cover with the ground is avoided.

Such a configuration of the load carrying device provides the benefit that the securing member can be aerodynamically sheltered when positioned on the roof of the vehicle and can be protected from touching and thus from ground contact and damage caused thereby when the load carrying device is positioned on the ground. The ground contact section may be a substantially point-like contact section (wherein at least three point-like sections may be provided) and/or a substantially line-like contact section. Thus, the base and/or the additional portion may partially contact the ground when positioned on the ground. Thus, such ground support concepts may provide wear protection for the stationary components, and are particularly aerodynamically effective.

A method for manufacturing a load carrier, in particular a roof load carrier, comprises the steps of: a base portion having a trough-like shape with an inner space for storing therein an article to be transported and a lid portion having a shape for covering the base portion are formed and preferably molded. The method further comprises the following steps: the lid portion is hingedly coupled with the base portion such that the lid portion is openable and closable. In addition, the method comprises the following steps: attaching an additional portion to at least one of the base and the cover, thereby expanding the overall exterior volume of the cargo carrying device. The additional portion may have an aerodynamic effect.

According to another aspect, a rear spoiler attachable to a load carrying device is provided. The rear spoiler may be attachable to an openable and closable cover of the cargo carrying device. The rear spoiler according to this aspect may comprise at least one feature of the spoiler portion of the additional portion, or vice versa.

Preferably, the upper edge portion of the rear spoiler may be attachable to the top surface of the cover, preferably to the stepped portion on the top surface. The rear spoiler may be configured to provide a transition portion substantially flush with a top surface of the cover portion. Additionally or alternatively, the rear spoiler (preferably a rear upper portion of the spoiler) may be configured to be engageable with the cover.

Preferably, the lower edge portion of the rear spoiler may be attachable to the bottom edge of the cover portion, preferably to the raised edge surface. The rear spoiler may be configured to provide a transition substantially flush with a bottom edge of the cover portion. Additionally or alternatively, the rear spoiler (preferably a rear lower portion of the spoiler) may provide a transition that is substantially flush with the base of the cargo carrying device and/or with an additional portion attached to the base. A flush transition may also be provided between the frame or bridge portion surrounding the base and/or cover and the rear portion of the spoiler.

Further load carrying devices, in particular roof load carrying devices, may be provided. The cargo carrier may include a base portion having a channel-like shape with an interior space for storing goods to be transported therein. The interior space may be accessible through an upper opening defined by the rim portion. The cargo carrying device may include an openable and closable cover hingedly coupled to the base portion and may be adapted to rest on the rim portion in a closed condition, wherein an edge portion of the cover contacts a lateral outer surface of the rim portion. The cargo carrying device may include a bridging portion mounted to the base portion and formed to provide a substantially seamless transition from an outer surface of the cover portion to an outer surface of the bridging portion when the cover portion is in the closed condition. The components of the load carrying device may be configured in the same manner as the corresponding components of the previously described load carrying device.

Another cargo carrying device, in particular a roof cargo carrying device, may be provided, wherein the cargo carrying device comprises a base part having a trough shape with an inner space for storing therein goods to be transported and an openable and closable cover part hingedly coupled to the base part. The cargo carrying device includes an additional portion attached to at least one of the base and the cover. The additional part comprises a frame surrounding said base, which frame preferably extends around the base to form a double shell structure comprising a base forming an inner base shell and a frame forming an outer base shell of the load carrying device. The components of the load carrying device may be configured in the same manner as the corresponding components of the previously described load carrying device. The additional portion may have an aerodynamic effect and/or be provided for enlarging the overall outer volume of the load carrying device.

According to another aspect, a cover for a cargo carrying device is provided. The load carrying device may be a load carrying device as described above and the cover may be used in connection with such a load carrying device, but may also be used in connection with different, e.g. conventional, load carrying devices. The cover may comprise a reinforced front part for reducing the flexibility of said cover at least in said reinforced front part. The reinforced front portion may comprise a reinforcing structure, wherein the reinforcing structure may comprise at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections. Thus, if a cover portion is used in addition to the additional portions described above with respect to the different cargo carrying devices, a reinforcing structure provided on the cover portion may be added to the cargo carrying device, which additionally provides rigidity in the cover portion.

Each of the at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections may extend along or may be defined in an inner surface of the cover portion and may comprise a different main direction of extension. The at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections may cross each other. Alternatively or additionally, each of the at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections may extend along a path defined by a differentiable function.

It can be seen that a beneficial effect of such a reinforcing cover part is to increase the rigidity of the front portion of the cover part, thereby at least reducing, preferably completely preventing, deformation of said cover part due to internal or external forces acting on the cover part, in particular forces which may lead to undesired fishmouth-like openings due to deformation of the front lower portion of the closure. The front portion of the cover may thus be or comprise a front stiffener or front reinforcement of the cover. In other words, increasing the rigidity makes the front portion of the cover less likely to deform.

The reinforcing structure may be provided on or in the cover part. In other words, the reinforced front portion may be a separate member applied to the cover portion, or may be a structure integrally formed with or in the cover portion.

Preferably, the cover portion comprises an inner wall, and the reinforcing structure is provided on the inner wall of the cover portion in a front portion of the cover portion. The reinforcing structure may be structured according to the shape of the inner wall of the cover portion such that the outer contour of the reinforcing structure at least partially conforms to the shape of the inner wall of the cover portion. In this way, contact may be provided between the reinforcing structure and the cover, which facilitates attachment of the reinforcing structure to the inner wall of the cover. The reinforcing structure may be attached to the inner wall by suitable fixing means, such as rivets, or may be bonded to the inner wall by gluing or welding, for example.

The reinforcing structure may be formed in or as a sheet material which is applied on the inner surface of the cover part in the front part of the cover part. The sheet may be a single complete sheet. The reinforcing structure may be formed by plastically deforming a sheet or by molding a sheet having a specific pattern, thereby imparting rigidity and stiffness. The sheet may be sized and shaped to allow it to be attached to the cover in the following manner: so that the sheet material not only covers the inner top wall portion of the front portion of the cover portion, but also continues at least partially down from the inner top wall along the inner side walls of the cover portion. The sheet may also be configured such that corners of the inner wall of the cover portion remain uncovered by the sheet. This saves weight and only slightly reduces the overall stiffness of the front portion added to the cover by the sheet.

The reinforcing structure may be configured to extend over a substantial part of the front portion of the cover, preferably over substantially the entire front portion of the cover, e.g. laterally across the inner surface of the cover in the front portion, and laterally from the front end portion of the inner wall of the cover up to or even beyond the forwardmost hinge attachment portion on the cover. Where the reinforcing structure comprises a sheet material (preferably comprising a complete sheet material), the sheet material may be configured to cover a substantial portion of the front portion of the cover portion.

Optionally, the further reinforcing structure may be configured to extend over a middle portion of the cover portion, preferably laterally over the middle portion of the cover portion. Optionally, another reinforcing structure may be separate from the reinforcing structure.

In the context of the present disclosure, the main extension direction of a reinforcement section may relate to a direction in which the respective elongated reinforcement section extends mainly in the length direction. In the case of a straight elongated reinforcement section, the main extension direction corresponds to or is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the straight elongated reinforcement section. In a curved or arched elongated reinforcing section, the main extension direction can be seen in the direction of the straight line connecting the ends of the elongated reinforcing section. The main extension direction may be defined as the net path of the elongated reinforcement section in a protruding plane parallel to the base portion of the load carrier. The net path is a direct path from the beginning of the elongate reinforcing section to the end of the section without regard to the actual form of the elongate reinforcing section. For example, one of the elongated reinforcement sections may extend in a transverse direction of the cover, which means crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the cover, and another of the at least two elongated reinforcement sections may extend in the longitudinal direction of the cover. Thus, the geometry of the reinforced section may at least partly comprise a (double) cross structure or a hash structure. At least one of the elongated reinforcing sections may be curved in one direction. Preferably, one or more of the elongate reinforcing sections comprises a curved shape. Preferably, one or more of the elongate reinforcing sections comprises a straight shape. Thus, the reinforcing section may extend in multiple directions.

According to a preferred configuration, one of the elongate reinforcing sections extends in the longitudinal direction of the cover and the other of the elongate reinforcing sections extends in the transverse direction of the cover. The elongated reinforcement section extending in the transverse direction of the cover portion may be curved in a convex manner toward the front end of the cover portion. In other words, the elongated reinforcement section extending in the transverse direction may comprise an intermediate section which is convex towards the front end of the cover. Two or more elongated reinforcing sections may penetrate each other. In a preferred configuration, two elongated reinforcement sections (preferably substantially parallel elongated reinforcement sections) extend in the longitudinal direction of the cover portion, and at least one reinforcement section intersects both elongated reinforcement sections. At least one of the at least one intersecting reinforcing segment is curved or arcuate. At least one frontmost cross reinforcement section of the at least one cross reinforcement section may be curved in correspondence with a front wall portion of the cover, which front wall portion preferably extends substantially vertically. The front end portions of the two preferably parallel elongated reinforcement sections and a portion of the reinforcement section intersecting therewith may define a U-shape that bounds a fixing area of a hinge or lid lifter for assisting in opening the lid when mounting the lid on the base portion. In such a configuration, the front end portion may extend beyond the fixing region in the longitudinal direction of the cover portion, thereby providing additional rigidity in the fixing region.

Alternatively or additionally, at least two of the at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections may cross each other.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections may preferably extend along a path defined by a differentiable function. The differentiable function may be a constant differentiable function. Thus, at least one of the at least two continuous elongated reinforcing sections extends along a path that is free of kinks or sharp bends. Therefore, the path can be smoothly formed. Thus, the exact form of each of said elongated reinforcing sections may be described by a differentiable function, wherein a differentiable function is defined as a mathematical function in which at each point in its domain there is a derivative. The mathematical function may be, for example, a polynomial function or a spline function. Each or at least one continuous elongated reinforcing section may be formed along a kink-free and unbroken path.

Preferably at least one of the intersecting elongate reinforcing sections is continuous, more preferably all of the intersecting elongate reinforcing sections are continuous, that is, uninterrupted or continuous along their entire length. In the context of the present disclosure, the term "uninterrupted" may be understood as at least one dimension of the elongated reinforcing section remaining substantially constant along its entire length. Depending on the configuration of the elongated reinforcing section, possible dimensions include, but are not limited to, the width of the elongated reinforcing section, the height of the elongated reinforcing section, and the wall thickness of the elongated reinforcing section. For example, the elongated reinforcement section may include a substantially constant height along its extended length, while the width may vary or may also be constant. Preferably, the width is also substantially constant. Therefore, it is preferable that this is the case: the uninterrupted distance between the cover wall and the free end portion or reinforcement wall bounding the elongated reinforcement section is formed and does not decrease along substantially the entire length of the elongated reinforcement section.

The elongate reinforcing section may be considered continuous if there is no offset between adjacent sections that completely separates the sections from each other along the direction of extension. However, it is possible that the portions of the elongated reinforcement section have a certain degree of offset or displacement relative to each other, but in a way that does not break the elongated reinforcement section. For example, an elongated reinforcement section having a width may intersect another elongated reinforcement section such that portions of the elongated reinforcement portion are located on both sides of the elongated reinforcement section that intersects therewith. The elongated reinforcement portion may include a certain width, may meet another elongated reinforcement section, and may continue on the other side in an offset or displaced manner. Thus, although the width of the elongate reinforcement portion may remain constant when crossing another elongate reinforcement section, the portions entering into and leaving the other elongate reinforcement section can be offset relative to each other in such a way that these portions still partially overlap. In the context of the present description, the intersection between two elongated reinforcing sections does not form a discontinuity.

Preferably, each continuous elongated stiffening section extends over a significant part of the front portion of the cover, for example over at least two thirds of the front portion of the cover in the longitudinal direction of the cover, more preferably over the entire front portion, which means that the continuous elongated stiffening section may extend into the side wall of the cover, and preferably even a predetermined distance into the side wall of the cover, thereby forming an end section of the cover, and in particular the cover for contacting an end section or edge of the base portion. Preferably, at least one of the reinforcing sections extends across a substantial portion of the width of the cover.

The front portion of the lid section may be a portion of the lid section ranging from the hinge mechanism fixing section on the lid section up to the front end of the lid section, preferably from the front end of the hinge mechanism fixing section up to the front end of the lid section in the longitudinal direction of the lid section. Thus, the front part of the cover may be considered as the part of the cover that protrudes beyond the foremost hinge mechanism connected to the cover. At the front end region of the front section, a hinge or cover lifter may be secured to assist in opening the cover when it is mounted on the base section. Thus, the reinforcement structure, which may be a sheet as described above, may extend at least between the cover lifter and the frontmost hinge, such that the cover lifter and the hinges are secured by both the cover and the reinforcement sheet. In other words, the sheet may be formed to form a double-layered structure in the fixing region of the hinge and the cover lifter. A lid lifter is a structure that assists in the process of lifting the lid from the base when opening the load carrying device. The lid lifter may be a hydraulic lifter. In addition, the open position of the cover portion may be maintained by the cover portion lifter, thereby maintaining the cover portion in an open position relative to the base portion for loading and unloading the load carrying device without having to manually hold the cover portion throughout the loading and unloading process. The hinge may be any hinge that hingedly couples the base and the lid. Since the user may open the load carrying device by lifting the cover at different locations, e.g. at the side walls or at the front, different forces may be applied to the cover during the lifting process. A reinforcing structure extending at least between the hinge and the lid lifter may support the lid lifting and lowering process by stabilizing the lid when the user opens the lid.

The elongated reinforcing section may be embodied as a rib or a protrusion. Thus, the elongated reinforcing rib may form an elongated reinforcing section. The rib may be made of a solid material or may include a hollow interior space. Each rib may form a single elongate reinforcing section. Thus, according to the present disclosure, the lattice or grid-like structure may be embodied as a rib which, when applied on the inner wall of the front portion of the cover, acts as a reinforcement, thereby forming a reinforced front portion of the cover.

The reinforcing structure may also be formed by moulding a sheet (preferably a sheet having a substantially constant thickness) in the following manner: channels or grooves are formed on one side of the sheet and protrusions are formed on corresponding portions on the opposite side of the sheet. The groove or channel may comprise a certain depth, thereby creating a protrusion comprising a certain height on the opposite side, wherein the certain depth and height may be substantially constant. The channel formed on one side of the sheet and the corresponding protrusion formed on the other side of the sheet may comprise a certain width, which is preferably substantially constant over the entire length of the channel and protrusion. Deviations may occur in the area where two channels or grooves cross each other.

The areas of the sheet material between the grooves or channels may be used to secure the reinforcing structure to the inner wall of the cover portion. Such regions may be referred to as fixed portions. The reinforcing structure may be formed such that the width of the fixing portion is greater than the width of the groove or channel and the protrusion. This provides a large support area for supporting the reinforcing structure on the inner wall of the cover, which can be used to bond the reinforcing structure to the inner wall of the cover, for example by gluing to create a strong bond.

The reinforcing structure may comprise ribs arranged on, preferably fixedly attached to, or formed integrally with the sheet.

The reinforcing structure may comprise a lattice-like, grid-like, mesh-like or hash-like pattern formed by elongated reinforcing sections, preferably ribs or protrusions, crossing each other. The pattern may be integrally formed with the cover portion such that the cover portion and the reinforcing structure form a unitary piece. The pattern may be formed as a separate member attached to the cover. Thus, the pattern may be an additional component that can be attached to the cover.

The lattice-like or grid-like pattern may be formed by a first set of substantially parallel ribs or protrusions and a second set of substantially parallel ribs or protrusions arranged at an angle relative to the first set of ribs such that the second set of ribs or protrusions intersect or penetrate the first set of ribs. In this way, a diamond-shaped section fixing portion, a rectangular section fixing portion, or an orthogonal section fixing portion may be formed between the ribs or the protrusions.

With the above reinforcing structure, the reinforcing member, which extends in two directions, can be formed at the front portion of the lid section. The first reinforcing section may extend in a first direction, and the second reinforcing section may extend in a second direction different from the first direction. The reinforcement sections extend in at least two directions, preferably in a primary direction and a secondary direction, preferably intersecting each other or extending perpendicularly.

Since the reinforced front portion reliably prevents the above fishmouth effect or behavior, it is not necessary to provide a bridging portion at the front portion of the cover for additionally coupling the cover to the base, or to provide a stop member at the front inner end of the load carrier, which is mounted to the base or the cover and protrudes into the other of the cover and the base, to avoid transported loads from reaching the front end of the load carrier and passing through the opening between the cover and the base when the opening is formed, which may look like an open fishmouth.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a cargo carrying device according to an embodiment in a perspective view from above.

Figure 2 shows the load carrying device of figure 1 in a side view.

Figure 3 shows the load carrying device of figure 1 in a perspective view from below.

Figure 4 shows the cargo carrying device of figure 1 in an exploded view.

Fig. 5 shows the load carrier of fig. 1 in a longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 6 shows a front portion of the load carrying device in a detail view taken from the longitudinal cross-sectional view of figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a rear portion of the load carrying device in a detail view taken from the longitudinal cross-sectional view of figure 5.

Figure 8 illustrates the cargo carrying device of figure 1 in a first cross-sectional view.

Figure 9 illustrates the cargo carrying device of figure 1 in a second cross-sectional view.

Figure 10 shows a lateral portion of the cargo carrying device in a detail view taken from the first cross-sectional view of figure 8.

Figure 11 shows another lateral portion of the cargo carrying device in another detail view taken from the detail view of figure 10.

Figure 12 illustrates a portion of an additional portion of the cargo carrying device of figure 1 taken separately from the detail view of figure 10.

Figure 13 illustrates a portion of the base portion of the cargo carrying device of figure 1 taken separately from the detail view of figure 10.

Figure 14 shows the load carrying device of figure 1 from below.

Figure 15 shows the cargo carrying device of figure 1 resting on the ground.

Fig. 16 shows the rear spoiler in a side view.

Fig. 17 shows the rear spoiler of fig. 14 in a perspective view from above.

Fig. 18 shows a cover portion including a reinforced front portion in a bottom view according to an embodiment.

Fig. 19 shows the cover part shown in fig. 18 in a perspective view.

Fig. 20 shows a configuration of a reinforcing structure that can be attached to the front portion of the cover.

Fig. 21 shows a configuration of an alternative reinforcing structure that can be attached to the front portion of the cover.

Fig. 22 shows a configuration of another alternative reinforcing structure that can be attached to the front portion of the cover.

Fig. 23 shows a front portion of a cover provided with another alternative reinforcing structure attached thereto.

Fig. 24 shows a front portion of a cover provided with another alternative reinforcing structure attached thereto.

Fig. 25 shows in bottom view a cover comprising a reinforced front portion provided with a further alternative reinforcing structure attached thereto according to a further alternative embodiment.

Fig. 26 shows the reinforcing structure of fig. 25 in a bottom view.

Fig. 27 shows the reinforcing structure of fig. 25 in a perspective view.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, a load carrying device 2 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in a perspective view, seen from above. The cargo load carrier 2 comprises a base portion (not visible in fig. 1), an openable and closable cover portion 20 and an additional portion 4 attached to both the base portion and the cover portion 20. The cover 20 may be one of the reinforcing covers 20 described with respect to fig. 16-25. The cover 20 is hingedly coupled to the base. The attachment portion 4 is fixedly coupled with the cover 20 and the base.

The additional portion 4 may increase stability and thereby contribute to an increase in the overall stiffness of the load carrying device. In addition to the additional portion 4, the reinforced front portion 21 of the reinforcing cover 20 described with respect to fig. 16-25 may also add additional stability, thereby contributing to an increase in the overall stiffness of the cargo support 2.

The additional portion 4 includes a bridge portion 30 and a spoiler portion 50. The bridge portion 30 is attached to the base portion and the spoiler portion 50 is attached to the rear portion of the cover 20. Since the cover portion 20 is openable and closable, the bridge portion 30 and the spoiler portion 50 are not interconnected to allow the cover portion 20 to move relative to the base portion.

The bridging portion 30 is designed as a frame 40 horizontally surrounding the base. The integrally formed frame 40 includes a plurality of spans-a front span 35, a rear span 36, and two lateral spans 37. Alternatively, the frame may be assembled from these bridging portions 35, 36, 37, which may be provided by at least two separate bridging components and may be connected to each other. The left lateral bridging portion 37 is disposed between the left lateral portion of the front bridging portion 35 and the left lateral portion of the rear bridging portion 36. The right lateral bridging portion 37 is disposed between the right lateral portion of the front bridging portion 35 and the right lateral portion of the rear bridging portion 36. The terms "front", "rear", "left" and "right" refer to the direction of movement D of the load carrying device 2 when mounted on the roof of a vehicle (not shown in the figures).

The load carrier 2 as shown in figure 1 comprises a longitudinal centre axis a-a. The axis a-a extends horizontally in a vertical plane of symmetry with respect to the outer shape of the cover part 20, the base part, the bridge part 30 and/or the spoiler part 50 of the attachment part 4. In other words, these components include mirror symmetry with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry such that a symmetrical aerodynamic design axis is provided.

In fig. 2, the load carrier 2 according to the embodiment of fig. 1 is shown as seen from its left side. The base 10 is partially shown. The external shape of the load carrier 2 is designed as follows: a first substantially flush transition T1 is disposed between the front portion of the cover 20 and the front bridge portion 35. A second substantially flush transition T2 is provided between the lateral portions of the cover 20 and each of the lateral bridging portions 37. A third substantially flush transition T3 is disposed between the outer surface 51 of the spoiler portion 50 and the aft spanning portion 36. A substantially flush channel T4 is provided between each of the front and lateral bridging portions 35, 37, which may be a fourth substantially flush transition where the frame is assembled from separate bridging members. A substantially flush channel T5 is provided between the rear spanning portion 36 and each of the lateral spanning portions 37, which may be a fifth substantially flush transition where the frame is assembled from separate spanning members. A sixth substantially flush transition T6 is disposed between the spoiler portion 50 and the rear portion of the cover 20. The longitudinal contour S1, which results from a longitudinal section through the load carrier 2, comprises in the clockwise direction the transitions T1, T6 and T3, wherein the contour S1 is therefore designed as a substantially flush contour of the load carrier 2.

The spoiler portion 50 includes a grip portion 52. The load carrying device 2 comprises a lateral grip 42 and a locking member 44. A lateral grip 42 is arranged on the lid portion 20 for manually opening and closing the lid portion 20. A locking member 44 is arranged on the base 10 for engaging and locking the closed cover 20. One of the lateral bridging portions 37 of the frame 40 includes a locking recess 45 which allows access to the locking member 44 even though the base 10 is surrounded by the bridging portion 30.

The cargo load carrier 2 further comprises a securing member 60 attached to the bottom portion of the base 10. These securing members 60 allow the load carrying device 2 to be secured to a corresponding cross member (not shown) mounted on the roof of the vehicle. With regard to the male housing 7 enclosing the base 10, the cover 20 and the additional part 4, all the securing members 60 are located inside this male housing 7.

In fig. 3, the load carrier 2 is shown in a perspective view from below. The securing members 60 (e.g., four securing members 60) are attached to the base 10 in a longitudinally displaceable manner to accommodate differently spaced cross members. In addition to this, ground contacting sections 62 are arranged on the base 10, e.g. two ground contacting sections are arranged on a front portion of the base 10 and two ground contacting sections are arranged on a rear portion of the base 10. Alternatively, ground contacting segments 62 may be arranged on additional portion 4, more specifically on bridging portion 30, e.g. two ground contacting segments 62 are arranged on front bridging portion 35 and two ground contacting segments 62 are arranged on rear bridging portion 36.

As further shown in fig. 3, seventh substantially flush transitions T7 are provided between the front span 35 and the base 10, between the rear span 36 and the base 10, and between each of the lateral spans 37 and the base 10. The transverse profile S2 resulting from the cross-section of the load carrier 2 (shown in fig. 8) including the second transition T2 and the seventh transition T7 (described with respect to fig. 2) is thus designed as an additional substantially flush profile of the load carrier 2.

In fig. 4, the load carrier 2 is shown in an exploded view, wherein the cover part 20 of the spoiler portion 50 with the additional portion 4, the base part 10 and the bridging portion 30 of the additional portion 4 are shown separately from top to bottom. The cover part 20 comprises a rim portion 22 at the bottom side of the cover part 20. The base 10 includes a rim portion 12 on a top side thereof. An interior space 11 is provided inside the base portion 10 for storing goods (not shown) inside the cargo carrying device 2, more specifically inside the base portion 10 and/or the lid portion 20. The bridging portion 30 comprises a front bridging portion 35, a rear bridging portion 36 and two lateral bridging portions 37 which form a frame 40.

The cover 20 is coupled to the base 10 by at least one hinge (not shown). When the additional part 4 is added to the base 10 and the cover 20, respectively, the bridging part 30 of the additional part 4 engages with the base 10 and the spoiler part 50 of the additional part 4 engages with the cover 20. The manufacturing process of the load carrier 2 may thus comprise a corresponding joining step.

In fig. 5, the load carrier 2 is shown in a longitudinal vertical section a-a as shown in fig. 1. Detail C of fig. 5 is labeled with respect to the span portion 30 attached to the base 10 (more specifically with respect to the front span portion 35) and is further described with respect to fig. 6, and detail D of fig. 5 is labeled with respect to the spoiler portion 50 attached to the cover 20 and is further described with respect to fig. 7. The fixing member 60 is slidably attached to the base 10.

In fig. 6, detail C of fig. 5 is shown. In the closed state of the cover part 20, the edge portion 22 of the cover part 20 rests on the rim portion 12 of the base part 10. The bridging portion 30, more particularly the front bridging portion 35, engages the base 10 from below, more particularly into the rim portion 12. In addition to this, the bridging portion 30, more particularly the front bridging portion 35, covers the bottom edge portion 9, more particularly the front bottom edge portion, of the base 10.

A portion of the male housing 6 of the base 10 and the cover 20 is schematically shown, which portion encloses the base 10 and the cover 20. The bridging portion 30, more specifically the front bridging portion 35, extends outwardly from the base 10 and projects beyond the male housing 6. In other words, a sub-portion of the front bridging portion 35 is located within the male housing 6, where it is joined to the rim portion 12 of the base portion 10, and another sub-portion of the front bridging portion 35 is located outside the male housing 6, where it provides a substantially flush transition T1 between the front bridging portion 35 and the lid portion 20 and a substantially flush transition T7 between the front bridging portion 35 and the base portion 10. As further shown in fig. 6, the cross-section of the bridging portion 30 (more particularly the front bridging portion 35) is formed substantially as a polygonal chain. Alternatively or additionally, the cross-section of the bridging portion 30 may be curved.

In fig. 7, detail D of fig. 5 is shown. In the closed state of the cover part 20, the rear bridging part 36 engages the base part 10, more particularly the rim part 12, from below. The rear bridging portion 36 covers the rear bottom edge portion of the base 10. Fig. 7 again shows the male housing 6 of the base 10 and cover 20 of fig. 6. The bridging portion 30, more particularly the rear bridging portion 36, extends outwardly from the base 10 and projects beyond the male housing 6. Furthermore, the lateral bridging portion 37 may also protrude beyond the male housing 6 (not shown in fig. 6 and 7).

In other words, a sub-portion of the rear bridging portion 36 is located within the male housing 6, where it joins the rim portion 12 of the base 10, and another sub-portion of the rear bridging portion 36 is located outside the male housing 6, where it provides a substantially flush transition T3 between the rear bridging portion 36 and the spoiler portion 50 and a substantially flush transition T7 between the rear bridging portion 36 and the base 10. Accordingly, a flush transition T3 is further provided between the frame 40 and the rear portion of the spoiler portion 50. As further shown in FIG. 7, the cross-section of the rear bridging portion 36 is formed substantially as a polygonal chain. Alternatively or additionally, the profile may be curved. The spoiler portion 50 may be bolted or riveted to the cover 20, preferably adjacent the flush transition T6.

With respect to the cross-section of the spoiler portion 50 as partially shown in fig. 7, the cross-section includes a wing-shaped profile disposed at the rear of the cargo carrying device 2. The profile is substantially formed as a polygonal chain having a substantially triangular base shape, as shown in fig. 7. Additionally or alternatively, the profile may be curved. Thus, the substantially flat rear portion of the cover portion 20 is elongated in the rearward direction of the cargo carrying device 2. These shapes are provided by adding the spoiler portion 50 to the cover 20.

In fig. 8, the load carrier 2 is shown in cross-section B-B as shown in fig. 2. With respect to the additional portion 4, reference is made to fig. 10 with respect to the bridging portion 30 attached to the base portion 10 (more specifically to one of the lateral bridging portions 37) and further details E of fig. 8 are described. Fig. 8 also shows a transition T2 between the lateral bridging portion 37 and the cover 20 which is substantially flush and a transition T7 between the lateral bridging portion 37 and the base 10 which is substantially flush as already described with respect to fig. 2 and 3. The transverse profile S2 provides a substantially flush cross-section of the cargo carrying device 2.

In fig. 9, the load carrier 2 is shown in another cross section C-C as further shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 9, the cover 20 is openable and closable on each of the two lateral sides of the load carrying device 2, with a respective locking and hinge mechanism 46 disposed inside the load carrying device 2. The grip portion 42 is attached to the cover portion 20 on both lateral sides of the cargo carrying device 2. Furthermore, locking parts 44 and corresponding locking recesses 45 in the frame 40 are arranged to the base 10 on both lateral sides of the load carrier 2. Adjacent to the locking recess 45, the bridging portion 30 is divided into an upper portion 37a of the lateral bridging portion 37 and a lower portion 37b of the lateral bridging portion 37.

In fig. 10, detail E of fig. 8 is shown. A second substantially flush transition T2 is provided between the outer surface 23 of the edge portion 22 of the cover portion 20 and the outer surface 31 of the bridging portion 30, more particularly between the outer surface 23 of the lateral edge portion 22 of the cover portion 20 and the outer surface 31 of the lateral bridging portion 37.

A seventh substantially flush transition T7 is disposed between the outer surface 31 of the bridging portion 30 and the lower outer surface 15 of the base 10. Alternatively, a seventh substantially flush transition T7 may be provided between the outer surface 31 of the bridging portion 30 and the outer surface 14 of the side wall 16 of the base 10. Details F are marked in fig. 10 and further described in fig. 11 with respect to the attachment of the bridging portion 30 to the base 10 and with respect to the resting of the cover 20 on the base 10.

In fig. 11, detail F of fig. 10 is shown. In the closed state of the cover part 20, the inner surface 24 of the rim portion 22 of the cover part 20 rests on the outer surface 13 of the rim portion 12 of the base part 10. A substantially flush edge transition T8 (also shown in fig. 2 and 3) is provided between an end portion of the rim portion 22 of the cover 20 and an end portion of the rim portion 12 of the base 10. As also shown in fig. 11, the outer surface 31 of the bridging portion 30 (more particularly the lateral bridging portion 37) is substantially flush with the outer surface 23 of the cover 20, with a gap provided at the respective substantially flush transition T7.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the upper edge portion 32 of the bridging portion 30 has a first support section 33 and a second support section 34. The first support section 33 and the second support section 34 are connected with the intermediate section 38.

As shown in fig. 11 and 13, the rim portion 12 of the base 10 includes a U-shaped wall portion 17 at an upper end of the base 10 (more specifically, at an upper end of the side wall 16 of the base 10). The U-shape is provided by bending the wall portion 17 outwards and over itself. The edge portion 18 of the side wall 16 thus projects downwards and is located opposite the remaining non-curved portion 18a of the side wall 16. A gap 19 is provided in the U-shaped portion of the U-shaped wall portion 17. A gap 19 is formed between the downwardly projecting edge portion 18 and the opposite portion 18a of the side wall 16.

As shown in fig. 11, the first support section 33 contacts the edge portion 18 of the side wall 16. The second support section 34 contacts the opposite portion 18a of the sidewall 16. The first and second support sections 33, 34 are supported against the edge portion 18 of the side wall 16 and against the opposite portion 18a of the side wall 16, respectively. The support sections 33, 34 are arranged at different heights within the gap 19, wherein the first support section 33 is arranged below the second support section 34. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second support sections 33, 34 may be bonded to the edge portion 18 of the side wall 16 and to the opposite portion 18a of the side wall 16 at respective support locations.

The embodiment of the cargo carrying device 2 as shown in fig. 1-13 comprises an additional part 4 attached to the base part 10 and the cover part 20, wherein an aerodynamically efficient design is provided, in particular as demonstrated with respect to the substantially flush transition and passage T1-T8 and the contours S1 and S2. In addition to aerodynamics, an efficient cargo carrying device 2 manufacturing assembly for efficiently manufacturing a cargo carrying device 2 is correspondingly provided.

In fig. 14, the underside of the load carrier 2 is shown as seen from below. The two left ground contacting sections 62 are arranged substantially in alignment with the two left fixing members 60, wherein the two left fixing members 60 are disposed between the two left ground contacting sections 62. Two right ground contacting sections 62 are arranged substantially in alignment with two right fixing members 60, wherein the two right fixing members 60 are positioned between the two right ground contacting sections 62. Both the ground contacting section 62 and the securing member 60 are arranged on the base 10. The distance between two rear ground contacting sections 62 arranged at the rear portion of the base 10 is larger than the distance between two front ground contacting sections 62 arranged at the front portion of the base 10. Thus, the four ground contact sections 62 together with the fixing member 60 are arranged in a trapezoidal shape on the lower side of the base 10. At the intersection of base 10 with span 30 and frame 40, a flush transition T7 is formed between each of the front, rear and lateral spans 35, 36, 37 and base 10.

In fig. 15, the load carrier 2 is shown in a side view, from the left, resting on the ground G. The ground G is indicated by a dashed line. When resting on the ground G, the lowermost ground-contacting section 62 (of which two are shown in fig. 15) contacts the ground G in a point-to-point manner. With respect to the securing members 60 (of which four are shown in fig. 15), these do not contact the ground G because they are positioned above the lowermost ground contacting section 62.

In fig. 16 and 17, the rear spoiler 5 is shown in a separated manner. The rear spoiler 5 may be identical to the spoiler portion 50. Therefore, all the features described with respect to the spoiler portion 50 are also applicable to the rear spoiler 5.

The outer surface 51 of the rear spoiler 5 comprises a gripping portion 52 for providing a spoiler grip. The rear spoiler further comprises a spoiler attachment portion 53 for adding the rear spoiler 5 to a cover portion of the cargo carrying device (not shown in fig. 16 and 17). The rear spoiler 5 further comprises a recess 54 (only shown in fig. 17) substantially flush with the grip portion 52. Further, the rear spoiler comprises a tapered portion 55 from a front portion 56 of the rear spoiler 5 to a rear portion 57 of the rear spoiler 5. Such a tapered design has the aerodynamic effect that less air turbulence occurs around the spoiler 5.

Fig. 18 shows the cover part 20 according to the embodiment as seen from below, and fig. 19 shows the cover part as seen from below in a perspective view. The cover is generally applicable to a load carrying device, and in particular to a load carrying device as previously described, preferably a load carrying device having additional portions. The cover 20 includes a front portion 21 and a rear portion and an inner surface 24. In the front portion 21, a reinforcing structure 70 is provided on the inner surface 24.

As already shown in fig. 18 and 19, the reinforcing structure 70 extends substantially over the entire width of the inner surface 24 of the cover portion 20 and partially downwards in the front portion 21 and preferably also in the lateral portions of the cover portion towards the edge portion 22 of said cover portion 20. Therefore, the reinforcement part 70 according to this embodiment reinforces not only the top inner wall of the cover part 20 but also the side inner walls extending downward from the top inner wall. However, the reinforcement of the side walls is optional, and the reinforcement of the top inner wall may be sufficient.

Although not shown in fig. 18 and 19, the reinforcing structure 70 is located at least at a longitudinally forward position of the forward-most lateral portion where a hinge for coupling the cover to the base may be attached to the cover 20. However, a part of the reinforcing structure 70 may also be located at a longitudinal rear position of the foremost lateral part, where a hinge for connecting the cover to the base may be attached to the cover 20, which adds additional stability in the hinge attachment area.

The reinforcement structure 70 comprises continuous elongated reinforcement sections 72,73, wherein at least two of the continuous elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 comprise different main directions of extension. In all the embodiments shown in the figures, the continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 are arranged such that one of the continuous elongated reinforcing sections crosses the other continuous elongated reinforcing section. Thus, the continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 may form different patterns when applied to the front portion 21 of the cover, which patterns may create additional stability. Furthermore, although not shown in some figures, the continuous elongated reinforcing section 72,73 preferably extends over substantially the entire width of the cover.

According to the embodiment of the figures, the continuous elongated reinforcing section 72,73 is embodied as a protrusion formed on or in the sheet 71, which is manufactured according to the dimensions of the front portion 21 of the cover 20 to which it is mounted. The protrusions may be produced by directly forming and integrally forming the sheet 71 with the protrusions, for example, by forming ribs on the sheet 71, or by forming the sheet 71 with grooves on one side to produce the protrusions on the opposite side. Such sheets may be manufactured by molding plastic.

In fig. 20 to 24, different possible patterns formed by the continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 are shown.

In fig. 20, a mesh structure is shown in which a first set of elongated reinforcement sections 72 are formed straight and parallel with respect to each other, and a second set of elongated reinforcement sections 73 are formed straight and parallel with respect to each other, but extending at an angle with respect to the first set of elongated reinforcement sections 72. In this embodiment, the elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 are arranged such that one or more diamond-shaped regions are formed between four of the elongated reinforcement sections. Since the elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 extend over the sheet in an uninterrupted and continuous manner, such reinforcement structure provides a reinforced rigidity and the diamond-shaped areas provide contact surfaces by which the sheet 71 can be bonded to the inner wall.

In fig. 21, the intersection of two elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 is shown. The elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 again cross each other at an angle and both extend along specific paths P1, P2, respectively. In this embodiment, the elongate reinforcing sections 72,73 meet at an angle of substantially 90 degrees, but it should be noted that meeting can be achieved at different angles. As can be seen in fig. 21, the elongate reinforcing sections 72,73 meet each other in such a way that their portions continue on opposite sides without significant offset. This process of such elongated reinforced sections 72,73 may be referred to as regular and continuous reinforced sections, as these elongated reinforced sections continue on their respective paths P2, P3.

Fig. 22 shows a slight modification. Here, the reinforcing section 72 is partially continuous in that it continues on a path P2 that lies within the width of the reinforcing section 72, as shown. In other words, there is a slight offset in the portions on opposite sides of the intersecting reinforcing section 73, but not to the extent that these portions no longer overlap. For example, where portions of one of the elongate reinforcing sections on opposite sides of the reinforcing section intersecting therewith are offset in configuration such that one of these portions does not lie at least partially in an area bounded by two imaginary extensions of the laterally outer portion through the intersecting elongate reinforcing section, such configuration of the elongate reinforcing section may be considered discontinuous. Thus, while the configuration shown in FIG. 22 is still considered to have a continuous reinforcement section 72a, further offset between portions on opposite sides will result in a non-continuous configuration.

Fig. 23 shows an arrangement in which the elongate reinforcing sections 72,73 are arranged to cross each other in the sheet 71. More precisely, in the configuration according to fig. 23, the two elongate reinforcing sections 72 extend substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction and are at substantially the same distance from the central axis of the cover 20. Both longitudinal reinforcement sections 72 extend up to the front end of the cover portion and partially down along the inner side wall surface of the cover portion 20. The lateral reinforcement section 73 intersecting the two longitudinal reinforcement sections 72 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the front end of the cover 20. The transverse reinforcement section 73 is continuous and uninterrupted over substantially the entire width of the cover. The lateral reinforcement section 73 comprises a curved shape, wherein the middle portion is closer to the front end of the cover portion than the end portions of the cover portion. The area 75 bounded by the front end portion of the longitudinally elongated reinforcement section 72 and the front end portion of the middle portion of the curved transversely elongated reinforcement section 73 may be used for attaching the cover lifter, and thus may form a fixing area 75 and a cover wall with a support portion 76 formed by the double-layer sheet 71. On the rear side of the transverse elongated reinforcing section 73, a similar area at least partially limited by the elongated reinforcing section may serve as a fixing portion 74 for adhering the sheet 71 to the inner wall 24 of the cover 20 or may serve as a fixing region 77 which, in addition to being able to adhere to the cover 20, may also serve as a fixing region defining a support portion 78 configured for attaching the laterally foremost hinge of the cover 20. Instead of or in addition to the curved laterally elongated reinforcing section 73, a straight laterally elongated reinforcing section may also be provided.

Fig. 24 shows a configuration in which a plurality of straight laterally elongated reinforcing sections 73 are provided instead of the curved laterally elongated reinforcing sections. Likewise, suitable regions 74, 75 as previously described are created between the elongate longitudinal and the elongate transverse reinforcing sections 72, 73.

In fig. 25, the cover portion 20 is shown as viewed from below. In the cover part 20, a reinforcing structure 70 is provided on the inner surface 24 of the cover part 20. The other reinforcing structure 70 may be at least partially configured as the reinforcing structure 70 described with respect to fig. 18-24. The other reinforcing structure 70 extends substantially the entire width of the inner surface 24 of the cover portion 20. The reinforcing structure 70 extends in the front portion 21 partly downwards towards the edge portion 22 of the cover portion 20 and preferably also backwards towards the middle portion 25 of the cover portion 20.

The cover 20 can include additional reinforcing structures 83 that can be attached to the middle portion 25 of the cover 20 (e.g., in areas where a middle hinge can be provided for coupling the cover to the base). The reinforcing structure 70 and the additional reinforcing structure 83 are separate components. The additional reinforcing structure 83 extends laterally across the entire width of the inner surface 24 of the cover 20, wherein the additional reinforcing structure 83 may interconnect the edge portions 22 of the cover 20, thereby providing enhanced overall stability of the cover 20. The additional reinforcing structure 83 can be at least partially configured as one of the transverse reinforcing sections 73 of one of the reinforcing structures 70.

In fig. 26 and 27, the reinforcing structure 70 is shown as seen from below. Likewise, the reinforcing structure 70 comprises continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 forming another pattern that creates additional stability similar to the pattern shown in fig. 23, wherein the elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 are arranged flush with each other towards the rear of the reinforcing structure 70. The reinforcement structure 70 comprises a mesh structure, wherein the first set of elongated reinforcement sections 72 are formed straight and parallel with respect to each other, and the second set of elongated reinforcement sections 73 are formed in a curved manner and not necessarily parallel with respect to each other, but extend at an angle with respect to the first set of elongated reinforcement sections 72. In addition to the above with respect to fig. 26, the continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 in the reinforcing structure 70 may be at least partially configured as the continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 described with respect to fig. 18-24. Thus, the continuous elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 may be embodied as protrusions formed on or in the sheet 71 as described herein.

Fig. 26 and 27 show an arrangement in which the elongate reinforcing sections 72,73 are arranged to cross each other in the sheet 71. In the configuration according to fig. 26 and 27, the two elongate reinforcing sections 72 extend substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction and are at substantially the same distance from the central axis of the cover 20. Both longitudinal reinforcement sections 72 extend up to the front end of the cover portion and partially down along the inner side wall surface of the cover portion 20 up to the transverse reinforcement section 73, wherein the two longitudinal reinforcement sections 72 may terminate flush with the transverse reinforcement section 73. The lateral reinforcement section 73 may not be bent in the longitudinal direction. However, the transverse reinforcement section 73 may taper in the longitudinal direction and/or in the transverse direction. Another transverse reinforcing section 73 intersecting the two longitudinal reinforcing sections 72 may be provided at a predetermined distance from the front end of the cover 20. Another transverse reinforcing section 73 may be provided between the front end of the cover 20 and the transverse reinforcing section 73, which may be flush with the two elongated reinforcing sections 72. The lateral reinforcement section 73 comprises a curved shape, wherein the middle portion is closer to the front end of the cover portion than the end portions of the cover portion 20. At least one of the transverse reinforcing sections 73 of the arrangement is continuous and uninterrupted over substantially the entire width of the cover. The region 75 described with respect to fig. 23 and 24 (not shown in fig. 26 and 27) may also be provided according to this arrangement. The same applies to the area described with respect to fig. 23 and 24, which serves as a fixing portion 74 for adhering the sheet 71 to the inner wall 24 of the cover portion 20 or as a fixing area 77 defining a support portion 78.

As shown in fig. 25-27, the elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 may further include curved end portions 85 that may at least partially geometrically conform to the shape of the edge portion 22 of the cover portion 20 in the front end and/or lateral sides of the cover portion. In addition, at least one of the elongated reinforcing sections 72,73 may further include at least one raised portion 87, shown in fig. 27, that conforms to the shape of the inner surface 24 of the cover 20. The raised portion 87 may partially enlarge the thickness of at least one of the elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 by adding additional raised volume to the constant thickness of at least one of the elongated reinforcement sections 72, 73.

Common to all of the latter embodiments is the manufacturing process of the cover part 20 including the reinforcing structure 70. First, a cover for a cargo carrying device is provided, and a reinforcement structure 70 comprising elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 is provided. For this purpose, the elongate reinforcing sections 72,73 are formed in a separate sheet 71. In the present embodiment, the sheet 71 and the elongated reinforcement sections 72,73 are formed by integrally molding a resin mold, specifically, by forming protrusions on the sheet. The thus formed reinforcing structure 70 comprising the sheet 71 with integrally formed reinforcing sections 72,73 is then attached to the inner wall of the cover 20 at the front portion of the cover 20, preferably glued thereto. It should be noted that existing cover parts may be retrofitted by attaching such reinforcing structures to the existing cover parts, due to the fact that the reinforcing structures are formed as separate members and then applied on the cover parts.

In the following, in addition to the subject matter of the claims, the possible first configuration of the load carrying device and the second configuration of the cover part, which cover part can be used with the load carrying device, in particular with the load carrying device according to the first configuration and/or as described above in the summary of the invention and the embodiments, can be indicated in an itemized structure. Basically, each individual feature of each configuration can be combined with each individual feature described in relation to the load carrying device according to the invention and vice versa.

Each itemized structure includes item 1 and additional items, each of which may refer to each of the preceding items. It should be noted that the following specific combination of features is not intended to limit the present disclosure to such specific combination of features. In contrast, the following combination of features provides only different examples of improved capabilities of the load carrying device and the cover. These capabilities can be combined with each other as appropriate, i.e., at least one feature from at least one item can be combined with at least one other feature of all other items.

First configuration

1. A load carrying device (2), in particular a roof load carrying device, comprising:

a base (10) having a trough-like shape with an inner space (11) for storing goods to be transported therein;

an openable and closable lid (20) coupled in a hinged manner with the base (10);

a securing member (60) for securing the load carrying device (2) to a vehicle, preferably a crossbar attachment clamp or claw for attaching the load carrying device (2) to a crossbar on the vehicle;

an additional portion (4) attached to at least one of the base portion (10) and the cover portion (20) for enlarging an overall external volume of the cargo carrying device (2);

the base part (10) and/or the additional part (4) comprises at least two ground contact sections (62) for supporting the load carrying device (2) on a substantially horizontal ground and for protecting the securing member (60).

2. A load carrying device (2), in particular a roof load carrying device, comprising:

a base (10) having a trough-like shape with an inner space (11) for storing goods to be transported therein;

an openable and closable lid (20) coupled in a hinged manner with the base (10);

a securing member (60) for securing the load carrying device (2) to a vehicle, preferably a crossbar attachment clamp or claw for attaching the load carrying device (2) to a crossbar on the vehicle;

the base (10) comprises at least two ground contact sections (62) for supporting the load carrying device (2) on a substantially horizontal ground and for protecting the securing member (60).

3. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

when positioned on the roof of the vehicle, the fixing member (60) is aerodynamically sheltered by the at least two ground contact sections (62).

4. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

the securing member (60) is arranged within a male housing (7) enclosing the base (10), the cover (20) and/or the additional portion (4).

5. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

the underside of the load-carrying device (2) has a concavely curved shape, wherein the base (10) and/or the additional portion (4) preferably have a curved shape.

6. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

the at least two ground contacting sections (62) are aligned with the fixed member (60).

7. The load carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

four ground contacting sections (62) comprising two left ground contacting sections (62) and two right ground contacting sections (62); and

four fixing members (60) including two left fixing members (60) and two right fixing members (60);

the two left ground contact sections (62) being arranged substantially in alignment with the two left fixing members (60); and is

The two right ground contacting sections (62) are arranged substantially in alignment with the two right securing members (60).

8. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

the fixation member (60) is movable upon contact with the ground to create flexion.

9. The load carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

at least three ground contact sections (62);

at least three ground contact sections (62) of the at least three ground contact sections (62) are preferably substantially point-like contact sections.

10. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein at least one ground contact section (62) of the at least two ground contact sections (62) is a substantially linear contact section.

11. Load carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

Said inner space (11) being accessible through an upper opening defined by a rim portion (12) of said base (10);

the openable and closable lid (20) being adapted to be positioned in a closed state, wherein an edge portion (22) of the lid (20) contacts the rim portion (12); and is

The additional portion (4) comprises a bridging portion (30) attached to the base portion (10) or the cover portion (20) and formed to provide a transition between the edge portion (22) of the cover portion (20) and the rim portion (12) of the base portion (10) when the cover portion (20) is in the closed condition, preferably between an outer surface (23) of the edge portion (22) of the cover portion (20) and the rim portion (12) of the base portion (10);

wherein a ground contacting section (62) of the at least two ground contacting sections (62) is arranged on the bridging portion (30), preferably two ground contacting sections (62) are arranged on the front bridging portion (35) and two ground contacting sections (62) are arranged on the rear bridging portion (36).

12. Cargo carrying device (2) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein a ground contact section (62) of the at least two ground contact sections (62) is arranged on the base (10);

wherein the distance between two rear ground contact sections (62) arranged at a rear portion of the base (10) is larger than the distance between two front ground contact sections (62) arranged at a front portion of the base (10).

Second configuration

1. Cover part (20) for a cargo carrying device (2), in particular a roof cargo carrying device (2), comprising a reinforcement front portion (21) for reducing the flexibility of the cover part (20) at least in the reinforcement front portion (21), the reinforcement front portion (21) comprising a reinforcement structure (70), the reinforcement structure (70) comprising at least two continuous elongated reinforcement sections (72,73), each of the at least two continuous elongated reinforcement sections (72,73) extending along or being defined in an inner surface (24) of the cover part (20) and comprising different main directions of extension, wherein the at least two continuous elongated reinforcement sections (72,73) cross each other and/or wherein preferably the at least two continuous elongated reinforcement sections (72,73) extends along a path (P1, P2) defined by a differentiable function.

2. Cover (20) according to claim 1, wherein a first reinforcement section (72) of the at least two consecutive elongated reinforcement sections (72,73) extends in a first direction, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the cover (20), and wherein a second reinforcement section (73) of the at least two consecutive elongated reinforcement sections (72,73) extends crosswise to the first reinforcement section (72), preferably transversely to the longitudinal direction.

3. Cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. item 2), wherein at least one of the elongated reinforcement sections (72,73) is curved, wherein preferably at least one of the second reinforcement sections (73) is curved, preferably such that its middle part bulges towards the front end of the cover (20).

4. The cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. according to item 2 or item 3), wherein at least one of the elongated reinforcing sections (72,73) is straight, wherein preferably at least one of the first reinforcing sections (72) is straight.

5. The cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement sections (72,73) are arranged in a frame-like pattern or a net-like manner and are alternatively or additionally integrally formed with each other so as to form a one-piece member.

6. Cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement sections (72,73) are formed as ribs, protrusions, channels, grooves or tubes.

7. Cover part (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement structure (70) comprises a support sheet (71), the support sheet (71) being a separate member that is fixable on the inner surface (24) of the cover part (20).

8. The cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. item 7), wherein the continuous elongated stiffening section (72,73) is formed on or in the support sheet (71), preferably by deforming the support sheet (71) or by integrally moulding the support sheet (71) with the continuous elongated stiffening section.

9. The cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. according to item 7 or item 8), wherein the support sheet (71) is a single full sheet, preferably comprising a shape covering the entire inner surface of the cover in the front portion except for corner portions of the cover.

10. Cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. according to one of items 7 to 9), wherein at least some areas (74) of the sheet (71) between the reinforcement sections (72,73) are formed as fixing portions (74) configured to be in surface contact with the inner surface (24) of the front portion (21) of the cover (20), the fixing portions (74) being fixed to the cover (20), preferably by attachment means such as rivets, or preferably being glued, preferably to the cover (20).

11. Cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. according to one of items 7 to 10), wherein the area of the sheet (71) between the reinforcement sections (72,73) is formed as a fixing area (75) with a support portion (76) configured for attaching a cover lifter.

12. Cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. according to one of items 7 to 11), wherein the area of the sheet (71) on the lateral sides of the cover (20) is formed as a fixing area (77) with a support portion (78) configured for attaching the laterally foremost hinge of the cover (20).

13. Cover (20) according to one of the preceding items (e.g. according to one of items 7 to 12), wherein the sheet (71) has a size and shape allowing it to be attached to the cover in the following manner: such that the sheet material not only covers the inner top wall portion of the front portion (21) of the cover part (20), but also continues at least partially downwards from the inner top wall along the inner side walls of the cover part (20).

14. A load carrying device (2) comprising a base (10) for supporting goods to be transported and a cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, the cover (20) being hingedly coupled to the base (10).

15. A method for manufacturing a cover part (20) according to one of items 1 to 14, the method comprising the steps of: -providing a reinforcement structure (70) comprising at least two continuous elongated reinforcement sections (72,73), preferably by moulding, and-attaching the reinforcement structure (70) on a front portion of the cover part (20) so as to form a reinforced front portion (21).

Reference numerals

2 cargo carrying device

4 additional part

5 rear spoiler

6 convex housing of base and cover

7 male housing of base, cover and attachment

9 bottom edge part

10 base

11 inner space

12 edge portion

13 outer surface of the rim portion

14 outer surface of the side wall

15 lower outer surface of the base

16 side wall of base

17 wall portion of the side wall

18 edge portion of side wall

18a opposite part

19 gap

20 cover part

21 front part

22 edge portion of the cover part

23 outer surface of the cover part

24 inner surface of the cap portion

25 middle part of the cover part

30 bridging part

31 outer surface of the bridging portion

32 upper edge portion of the bridging portion

33 first support section

34 second support section

35 front bridging portion

36 rear bridging portion

37 lateral bridging portion

37a laterally bridging the upper part of the section

37b laterally bridging the lower part of the section

38 middle section

40 frame

42 grip part

44 locking member

45 locking recess

46 locking and hinge mechanism

50 spoiler portion

51 outer surface of spoiler portion

52 grip portion

53 attachment part

54 concave part

55 tapered part

60 fixing member

62 ground contact section

70 reinforced structure

71 support sheet

72 continuous elongated reinforcing section

73 continuous elongated reinforcing section

74 fixed part

75 fixed area

76 support part

77 fixed area

78 support part

83 additional reinforcing structure

85 curved end portion

87 raised portion

G ground

S1 longitudinal profile

S2 transverse Profile

T1 first flush transition

T2 second flush transition

T3 third flush transition

T4 flush channel

T5 flush channel

T6 sixth flush transition

T7 seventh flush transition

T8 flush edge transition