CA2471149A1

CA2471149A1 - Carrier for attachment to a bicycle

Info

Publication number: CA2471149A1
Application number: CA002471149A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Malcolm Jefferson
Original assignee: 6319009 Canada Inc
Current assignee: 6319009 Canada Inc
Priority date: 2004-06-11
Filing date: 2004-06-11
Publication date: 2005-12-11
Also published as: US20050274758A1; EP1714860A1; EP1604890B1; EP1604890A1; US20060219186A1; ATE359206T1; US7174852B2; DE602005000851D1

Abstract

An infant carrier and a support for a bicycle-mounted carrier are disclosed.
The support for a bicycle-mounted carrier is mounted between the bicycle saddle and the handlebar. The support includes a beam for supporting the carrier and fastenable thereto. The beam includes a first end, a first clamp associated with the first end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, and a second clamp associated with the second end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle rearwardly of the first clamp.
The beam also includes first and second elongate arms slideably engageable with each other. The first and second arms include proximal end regions where the arms are engaged together, and distal end regions associated with the clamps.
The second arm includes a linear region at the distal end and an angled region towards the proximal end and reversible fastening means to fasten the first and second arms together in either of two selected positions. The angled region angles upwardly or downwardly.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
CARRIER FOR ATTACHMENT '.CO A BICYCLE
BACKGROUND OF THE I NVENTION
This invention relates to carriers for attachment to bicycles, such as carriers for attaching a seat (e.g. child seat, small animal seats or an item carrier to a bicycle.
The prior art includes various child carriers for mounting between the saddle and the handlebars of a bicycle. This location of the carrier has the advantages that the child can have a good view forwardly of the bicycle and is given a sense of security by being located between the arms of the rider, while the rider can observe the child.
In the present inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,188, issued Apr. 14, 1992, there is disclosed a bicycle seat for a child which, when mounted to a man's bicycle, is mounted on the top tube of the bicycle by means of a clamp mounted below the seat and engaging the underside of the top tube. When used with a women's bicycle, which lacks a horizontal top tube, it is necessary to mount the seat on a separate support, which is clamped to the steering post of the bicycle at one end of the bar, the opposite end of the bar being hingedly connected to a vertical post secured to a diagonal bracing bar forming part of the frame of the bicycle.
Tn U.S. patent application publication no. 2004/0061361 Al, published April l, 2004, there is disclosed a child carrier for attachment to a bicycle.
The child carrier attachment includes an extendible rail or beam, to which a child's seat may be mounted. The beam is mounted to a bicycle by front and rear clamps which grip the front post and seat post of the bicycle, respectively, to fixedly secure the carrier to the bicycle.
This type of carrier may be mounted to either a male-style or female-style frame, and has the advantage that it may be elevated off the top tube to avoid contact with cables or other arms on the top tube. However, there are certain applications not satisfied by this design. For example, shorter or plumper individuals sometimes prefer the use of a female-style frame with a large space in front of the saddle. The beam design of the prior art effectively removes this space when mounted to the bicycle. As well, certain modern frame designs with a radically sloping top tube sloping upwardly and forwardly, with a minimal seat tube can make it difficult to satisfactorily mount th.e prior art carrier for horizontal disposition of the infant seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The term "bicycle" refers to a conventional upright adult bicycle and does not include a recumbent bicycle nor the like.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a support for a bicycle-mounted carrier. The support for a bicycle-mounted carrier is mounted between the bicycle saddle and the handlebar. The support includes a beam for supporting the carrier and fastenable thereto. The beam includes a first end, a first clamp associated with the first end for gripping a tubular member of the 24 bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, and a second clamp associated with the second end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle rearwardly of the first clamp. The beam also includes first and second elongate arms slideably engageable with each other. The first and second arms include proximal end regions where the arms are engaged together, and distal end regions associated with the clamps. The second arm includes a linear region at the distal end and an angled region towards the proximal end and reversible fastening means to fasten the first and second arms together in either of two selected positions. The angled region angles upwardly or downwardly.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an infant carrier. The infant carrier is mounted to a bicycle between the bicycle saddle and handlebar. The carrier includes an infant seat and a support beam for supporting the seat and fastenable thereto. The beam includes a first end, a first clamp associated with the first end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, and a second clamp associated with the second end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle rearwardly of the first clamp. The beam also includes f rst and second elongate arms and a pivot including at least one pivot pin extending through horizontally aligned apertures within the first and second arms for rotation within only a vertical plane. The first and second arms include proximal end regions where engaged together and distal end regions associated with the clamps.
An advantage of the present invention is that the support can better accommodate obese individuals and individuals having a shorter than average height.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the support of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a side view similar to that of Figure 2, but with the support's rear arm in an inverted position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the support of Figure 1 attached to a bicycle (parts of the bicycle being omitted for clarity);
Figure 5 is a side view of a bar used in a support constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and the support being attached to a bicycle (parts of the bicycle being omitted for clarity);
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a support constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a side view of the support of Figure 7 attached to a bicycle;
Figure 9 is a side view of a support constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the support being attached to a bicycle;
Figure 10 is another side view of the support of Figure 9 attached to a bicycle; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of an infant seat assembly mounted on the support of Figure 7.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment(s), it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embadiment(s). ~n the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates a support according to one aspect of the present invention which comprises a rigid beam 18 that has a front or first end 58 and an opposed second end 32, and is defined by front and rear or first and second arms 20 and 22 which are slideably engageable with each other. It will be seen that the beam may be readily adapted for mounting in either direction on a bicycle and thus "front" and "rear" are used only for convenience of description.
The arms 20 and 22 are j oined together at their proximal ends such that they may telescope to adjust the overall length of the beam 18. Further, as will be described below, the rear arm 22 may be inverted relative to the front arm 20 in -S-order to change the relative position of the clamp at its distal end which in Figure 1 is the end 32. Front arm 20 corr~prises an elongate channel-shaped member having an inverted U-shaped cross-section, composed of sidewalk I and a web 2 spanning the sidewalk I . There is an interior space between the sidewalk 1 (i.e. the space of the channel), and the proximal end of the arm 22 is slideably engaged with the interior of the channel. The rear arm comprises two substantially parallel spaced apart bars 26 and 28, which in the illustrated embodiment are generally strip-like in shape, with each bar being fastened to a corresponding inside surface of a sidewall 1 of the front arm. Referring to Figure 2, regions of the rear arm 22 include a linear region 31 and an angled region 33. It will be seen that a wide range of configurations are possible for the rear arm. For example, the rear arm could have only one bar instead of two bars; how ever the illustrated rear arm is lighter than many alternative arms made of the same metal. Also it is possible to have the angled region 33 in a variety of locations including adjacent the distal end of the rear arm or at about the middle of the second arm 22.
Both front and rear arms includes front clamp or clamp assembly 66 and rear clamp or clamp assembly 74 (see Figure 4) respectively at their distal (free) ends for releasably fastening the beam 18 to a bicycle. T he distal end of the front arm in Figure 4 is the end 58. The clamp 74 is for releasable attachment to a seat tube or seat post of a bicycle frame. The front clamp G6 joins the front arm 20 to the bicycle at a position close to the handlebars, such as the head tube of the bicycle frame.
In the illustrated embodiment, the approximate lengths of the front and rear arms 20 and 22 are substantially equal. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that neither the absolute lengths nor the length ratio (front arm to rear arm) axe essential; any combination of arm lengths will suffice provided the resulting beam will fit a bicycle conveniently. Also it will be understood that the arms 20 and 22 can be made from a suitable rigid material, including a metal, such as steel or aluminum.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front and rear arms are joined together at their proximal ends by aligned slots and holes within the respective arms.
Thus, there are a plurality of spaced apart holes 42 along the bars 26 and 28. In one version of the rear arm 22, there are seven of the holes 42 per arm, and the holes are evenly spaced apart from each other. The holes 42 may be aligned with slots 46 within the sidewalls of the front arm 20. These holes 42 are designed to receive fasteners, such as a nut/bolt, to fix the position of the rear arm 22 with respect to the front arm 20 once the support has been telescoped to the desired position.
Each fastener is fitted through both an elongate slot 46 and one of the holes 42.
In one embodiment, increased rigidity is achieved by using two spaced-apart fasteners per side. Although only one of the elongate slots can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, there are two opposed elongate slots 46 formed in the opposite sidewalk 1 of the front arm 20. The size of the slot 46 will vary depending upon such factors as the size of the holes 42 and the desired number of holes to be exposed through the slot.
I S Reversible fastener means is provided by the slots 46, the holes 42 and the associated fasteners. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that many other types of reversible fastener means are possible, and that these need not include slots and/or holes.
Use of single fastener per side permits angular adjustment of arms, while multiple fasteners are useful when a linear beam will suffice.
Referring to Figure l, the beam 18 includes a mounting means to attach a child seat or the like. In Figure 1, this is shown as a pair of threaded vertical holes 50 in the web 2 of the front arm 20. The threaded hales 50 permit the fastening of a child seat, small animal seat, item carrier, etc., having a mating threaded post or bolt. The attachment of such devices is described in published U.S. patent application no. 2004/0061361 (hereinafter "the previously mentioned U.S.
patent application"). In one version of the front arm 20, there are three aligned holes. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the spacing and number of these holes is not essential to the invention. In fact even having at least a single hole is _7_ not essential to the invention.
A first region of the clamp 74 is releasably attached to the region 31 of the bar 26. A second opposed region of the clamp 74 is releasably attached to the region 31 of the bar 28.
Figure 2 illustrates the support with the arms 20 and 22 fastened together in a first position and wherein the angled region 33 angles upwardly. Figure 3 illustrates the support with the arms 20 and 22 fastened together in a second position and wherein the angled region 33 angles downwardly. Bars 26 and 28 have angled distal end regions to displace the clamp either above or below the mid-plane of the beam.
Changing the configuration of the support from that of Figure 2 to that of Figure 3 (or vice versa} is simply a matter of inverting the rear arm 22.
Which configuration should be used for a particular bicycle depends on which configuration will best permit the front arm 20 to be substantially horizontal when the support is attached to the bicycle.
In order to-assist inunderstanding the illustrated support, one can visualize an axis parallel to the length of the front arm 20. This axis extends through the front end 58 and rear end 59. One can then visualize another axis extending through the front end 58 and the end 32. Flipping the rear arm 22 provides a means for varying the angle between these two axes. When the support is attached to a bicycle, the configuration of Figure 2 is one in which the end 32 will be above the front end 58, and the configuration of Figure 3 is one in which the end 32 will be below the front end 58. The rear clamp or clamp assembly 74 is on the end 32, and thus flipping of the rear arm 22 is a way of permitting height adjustment of the rear clamp assembly 74.
Figure 4 illustrates the support of Figure 1 attached to a bicycle frame, a part of which is indicated by reference numeral 62. In this Figure, the front arm 20 is substantially horizontal (when the bicycle is resting on a horizontal surface).
The front clamp assembly 66 attaches the support to the bicycle. More _$_ specifically, the front clamp assembly 66 grips a tubular member of the bicycle in the handlebar region, such as the head tube 70 (or handlebar stem, although this would be Iess suitable in light of the rotation of the stem). The front clamp assembly 66 is a conventional operable clamp far gripping a cube such as that described in the previously mentioned U.S. patent application. In the preferred version, the clamp 66 is generally horizontally oriented to grip a generally vertical tube. However, it will be seen that when suitably modified the clamp 66 may grip any part of the front region of the bicycle, such as the forward region of the top or down tubes. The clamp 66 includes two apenable and opposed regions 67 and 69 which are best seen in Figures 1 and 4 respectively.
The rear clamp assembly 74 attaches the support to the bicycle in the region of the seat, including a lower part of the frame close to the bottom bracket, in one arrangement. The rear clamp assembly 74 includes bridge assemblies (which each include a rigid spacer 37 and a compressible sleeve 40) and resilient sleeves 30.
The bridge assemblies maintain the bars 26, 28 in parallel spaced apart relationship while also compressing in length when tightened to form a mount to attach the device to a seat post or seat tube. Centrally in each of the bridge assemblies is a rigid spacer 37, which could comprise a bolt. Providing a rigid spacer is not of course not essential to the invention. Also the bridge assemblies could easily be replaced by something else which might include, for example, a foam piece.
The pair of resilient sleeves 30 which are of hollow rectangular crass-section fit onto the bars 26 and 28 at the end 32 between the bridge assemblies to protect the bicycle when attached. The sleeves 30 are described in the previously mentioned U.S. patent application. The sleeves provide both cushioning and grip when engaged with the bicycle frame or post. While useful, the sleeves 30 are not essential to the invention.
The rear clamp assembly 74 grips seat post 78, and is of a conventional openable arrangement such as that described in the previously mentioned U.S.
patent application.

Figure 5 illustrates configuration of bars 82 in an alternative embodiment, wherein the supporting beam 18 is composed of front and rear arms 20, 83 which are pivotally joined together at their proximal ends. As in the first embodiment, the distal ends (front and rear) include clamps to grip the bicycle at or near the handlebar and seat regions respectively. The pivoting arrangement permits the carrier to be used with a variety of bicycle sizes and types, such as small-framed bicycles, female frames, and those with a radically sloping top tube. The rear arm 83 may be rotated downwardly to provide clearance to the user, by a variable amount depending on the frame size/type and needs of the rider. Once clamped to the bicycle, further pivoting movement of the arrn is prevented by the front and rear ends of the beam 18 being firmly axed in position on the bicycle. The strip-shaped bar 82 has a front end 86 and a rear end 90., The front end 86 is rounded to facilitate pivoting within the front arm 20. The strip-shaped bar 82 has a length of approximately 0.20 m (as measured from the end 86 to the end 90) or slightly more than half the length of the strip-shaped bars 26 and 28 illustrated in Figure 1.
Holes 94 are for attachment of the bridge assemblies. Holes 98 are for essentially the same purpose as the holes 42. If the strip-shaped bars are pivoted, only one of the holes 98 per arm would be used. The holes 94 and 98 are elements in fastening means, and it is known to achieve fastening without the use of holes.
Figure 6 illustrates the support constructed with the strip-shaped bars 82.
This version of the support is shown attached to a bicycle frame, a part of which is indicated by reference numeral I62. As in Figure 4, the front clamp assembly grips a head tube 170 forming part of the bicycle frame (again, the handlebar stem could be gripped instead). The rear clamp assembly 74 is in gripping engagement with seat post 178. Another part of the bicycle frame is top tube 180. The top tube 180 extends from a point just below the bottom of an exposed segment of the seat post 178 to the head tube 170.
For the particular bicycle of Figure 6, the top tube 180 is sloped downwardly and rearwardly; this type of frame is typically provided for use by shorter riders. It may be undesirable to have the front arm 20 parallel with the top tube 180. For example, when a child carrier is attached to the top tube 180, the earner may end up being unsatisfactorily attached because the carrier may not be designed to be angled. It is therefore desirable to have the front arm 20 (to which the child carrier would be attached) substantially horizontal. Pivoting the strip-shaped bars 82 downwardly permits the rear clamp 74 to grip the seat tube or seat post near the junction of the top tube for greater strength and less interference with the rider. It also permits use of the device with a shock-absorbing seat post.
Before the front clamp assembly 66 and the rear clamp assembly 74 are clamped to the head tube I70 and the seat post 178 respectively, the rear arm of the support can pivot away and towards the axis through the ends 5 8 and 59.
After both the front clamp assembly 66 and the rear clamp assembly 74 are in gripping engagement with the head tube 170 and the seat post 178 respectively, the rear arm of the support cannot substantially pivot away and towards the axis through the ends 58 and 59.
The support illustrated in Figure 6 may also be particularly desirable if interference with any cables running along the top tube 180 as a concern. As can be seen in Figure 6, the front arm 20 and the strip-shaped bars 82 are significantly distanced from the top tube I80.
Figure 7 of the dxawings illustrates a third embodiment of the beam 18 which comprises front and rear arms 190 and 192 pivotally engaged together at their proximal ends. Front arm 190 is a channel having an inverted U-shaped crass-section. The rear arm includes two strip-shaped bars 196 and 198.
Means for keeping the strip-shaped bars 196 and 198 spaced apart is provided. In particular, nut and bolt assembly 202 extends through compressible cylindrical sleeve 206. The sleeve 206 can be the same sleeve as the sleeve 40 illustrated in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that the means for keeping the strip-shaped bars 196 and 198 spaced apart is not essential to the invention, the strip-shaped arms are also spaced apart by, for example, the seat post. There are also other also other possible means for keeping the strip-shaped bars 196 and 198 spaced apart, Iike a resilient piece of foam, for example. It will be appreciated though that the nut and bolt assembly 202 provides a rigid spacer. As mentioned, there are -alternatives to using the bars 196 and 198.
S There are one or more holes 210 in the upper portion of the front arm 190.
The holes 210 permit the attachment of a child seat, small animal seat, item carrier, etc., and the attachment of such devices is described in the previously mentioned U.S. patent application. In one version of the front arm 190, there are three holes, a middle hole being spaced approximately 0.12 m from a hole closest to front end 212, and a hole furthest from the front end 212 being spaced approximately 0.12 m from the middle hole. Alternatives to the holes have already been discussed.
The rear arm 192 can pivot with respect to the front arm 190, via a pivot or pivot joint 21 S comprising fasteners such as nut .and bolt combinations 216 and aligned openings within the sidewalls of the channel axed the parallel arms 196, 1 S 198 (which are hidden from view in Figure T because of the nut and bolt combinations 216). The front and rear arms are joined at the pivot joint 21 S, and it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the illustrated pivot joint 21S is only one possible means to pivotally attach the rear arm 192 to the front arm and permit pivotal movement thereof.
The rear arm 192 also has a clamp 218 at its distal end 220. The clamp 218 permits attachment of the end 220 to the frame of a bicycle. The clamping device 218 is any type of conventional openable clamp. having opposing members for gripping a tube, such as the clamp sold under the trade-mark Krypto.
The support 18 of Figure 7 is shown attached to a bicycle 230 in Figure 8.
2S The rear arm 192 has been pivoted downwardly to form a slightly acute angle with the front arm 190. The front arm 190 is substantially horizontal.
The clamping device 218 is shown as engaging down tube 238 of the bicycle frame 230. Both the seat post 234 and the down tube 238 are portions of the bicycle frame other than a handlebar stem or head tube 246. In this configuration, the beam l 8 provides an open space in front of the bicycle seat for the convenience of the rider.
Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of the support 18 attached to the bicycle frame 230. 'This support is constructed a sing the front arm 190 and the S rear arm 22 of type shown in Figures 2 and 3. The rear arm 22 has been reversed front to back such that instead of the gripping means (clamping device 218) being on the end 32, the gripping means is instead on the other end of the rear arm 22, which previously was the proximate end. 'The clamping device 21$ is in gripping engagement with the seat tube 233.
Figure 10 again illustrates the support shown in Figure 9, but the support is attached to a different bicycle frame 2S0 which includes a top tube 252. The clamping device 218 is in gripping engagement with seat tube 2S S at a point on the tube 2SS below the top tube 252. Gripping engagement below instead of above the top tube 2S2 prevents interference with the cable 270.
Figure 11 illustrates an infant carrier which comprises a seat and headrest assembly S00 mounted on the support shown in Figures 7 and 8. The seat and headrest assembly S00 is disclosed in the previously mentioned U.S. patent application and is manufactured by Centric-Safe Haven Inc. of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The seat and headrest assembly S00 includes an infant seat or child's seat attachment S04 and a headrest attachment 508. 'The headrest attachment S08 is mounted on the child's seat attachment S04 which, in turn, is mounted on the support.
The seat and headrest assembly S00 can be mounted on the other embodiments of the support as well. Also it will be appreciated that many other types of seats and item carriers differing significantly from the seat and headrest assembly S00 can be attached to the supports which have been described and illustrated.
Although the described embodiments of the support are designed to support loads of up to SO lbs, loads well above SO lbs are not intended. Because of likely bicycle instability, it would be usually unadvisable in any event to ride a bicycle with an additional load of say 200 lbs.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An infant carrier for mounting to a bicycle between the bicycle saddle and handlebar, said carrier comprising an infant seat and a support beam for supporting said seat and fastenable thereto, said beam comprising a first end, a first clamp associated with said first end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, a second clamp associated with said second end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle rearwardly of said first clamp, said beam comprising first and second elongate arms slideably engageable with each other, said first and second arms comprising proximal end regions where engaged together and distal end regions associated with said clamps, said second arm including a linear region at said distal end and an angled region towards said proximal end and reversible fastening means to fasten said first and second arms together in either of two selected positions wherein said angled region angles upwardly or downwardly.

2. An infant earner as defined in claim 1 wherein said first arm comprises a channel defined by opposed sidewalls, a web spanning said sidewalls and an interior space between said sidewalls, the proximal end of said second arm being slideably engaged within the interior of said channel.

3. An infant carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said second arm comprises a pair of spaced apart bars and at least one rigid spacer spanning said bars and engaged thereto for maintaining said spacing, and said reversible fastening means comprises a pair of opposed fasteners for engaging each of said bars to a corresponding sidewall of said first arm.

4. An infant carrier as defined in claim 3, wherein said fastening means includes opposed slots and alignable holes within said sidewalls and said bars to receive a fastener.

5. An infant carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein said slots are provided within said sidewalls and said holes are provided within said bars.

6. An infant carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein a plurality of spaced apart holes are provided for accepting a plurality of fasteners between each bar and the associated sidewall.

7. An infant carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second clamps each comprise openable opposed regions for gripping a bicycle tubular member therebetween, and a fastener for closing said regions together.

8. An infant carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said second arm is associated with said second clamp.

9. An infant carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said angled region is adjacent the distal end of said second arm.

10. An infant carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said angled region is at about the middle of said second arm.

11. An infant carrier for mounting to a bicycle between the bicycle saddle and handlebar, said carrier comprising an infant seat and a support beam for supporting said seat and fastenable thereto, said beam comprising a first end, a first clamp associated with said first end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, a second clamp associated with said second end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle rearwardly of said first clamp, said beam comprising first and second elongate arms and a pivot comprising at least one pivot pin extending through horizontally aligned apertures within said first and second arms for rotation within only a vertical plane, said first and second arms comprising proximal end regions where engaged together and distal end regions associated with said clamps.

12. An infant carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said first arm comprises a channel defined by opposed sidewalls, a web spanning said sidewalls and an interior space between said sidewalls, the proximal end of said second arm being engaged within the interior of said channel.

13. An infant carrier as defined in claim 12 wherein said second arm comprises a pair of spaced apart bars and at least one rigid spacer spanning said bars and engaged thereto for maintaining said spacing.

14. An infant carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said first and second clamps each comprise openable opposed regions for gripping a bicycle tubular member therebetween, and a fastener for closing said regions together.

15. An infant carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said second arm is associated with said second clamp.

16. An infant carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said second arm includes an angled region to displace the clamp associated with said second arm upwardly or downwardly by a selected amount.

17. An infant carrier as defined in claim 16 wherein said angled region is adjacent the distal end of said second arm.

18. An infant carrier as defined in claim 16 wherein said angled region is at about the middle of said second arm.

19. An infant carrier as defined in claim 15 wherein said second arm is sufficiently long relative to grip a portion of said bicycle adjacent the bottom bracket of said bicycle.

20. A support for a bicycle-mounted carrier for mounting between the bicycle saddle and handlebar, comprising a beam for supporting said carrier and fastenable thereto, said beam comprising a first end, a first clamp associated with said first end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, a second clamp associated with said second end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle rearwardly of said first clamp, said beam comprising first and second elongate arms slideably engageable with each other, said first and second arms comprising proximal end regions where engaged together and distal end regions associated with said clamps, said second arm including a linear region at said distal end and an angled region towards the proximal end and reversible fastening means to fasten said first and second arms together in either of two selected positions wherein said angled region angles upwardly or downwardly.

21. A support as defined in claim 20 wherein said first arm comprises a channel defined by opposed sidewalls, a web spanning said sidewalls and an interior space between said sidewalls, the proximal end of said second arm being slideably engaged within the interior of said channel.

22. A support as defined in claim 21 wherein said second arm comprises a pair of spaced apart bars and at least one rigid spacer spanning said bars and engaged thereto for maintaining said spacing, and said reversible fastening means comprises a pair of opposed fasteners for engaging each of said bars to a corresponding sidewall of said first arm.

23. A support as defined in claim 22, wherein said fastening means includes opposed slots and alignable holes within said sidewalls and said bars to receive a fastener.

24. A support as defined in claim 23 wherein said slots are provided within said sidewalls and said holes are provided within said bars.

25. A support as defined in claim 23 wherein a plurality of spaced apart holes are provided for accepting a plurality of fasteners between each bar and the associated sidewall.

26. A support as defined in claim 20 wherein sand first and second clamps each comprise openable opposed regions for gripping a bicycle tubular member therebetween, and a fastener for closing said regions together.

27. A support as defined in claim 20 wherein said second arm is associated with said second clamp.

28. A support as defined in claim 20 wherein said angled region is adjacent the distal end of said second arm.

29. A support as defined in claim 20 wherein said angled region is at about the middle of said second arm.

30. A support for mounting to a bicycle between the bicycle saddle and handlebar, said carrier comprising an infant seat and a support beam for supporting said seat and fastenable thereto, said beam comprising a first end, a first clamp associated with said first end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle adjacent to the handlebars thereof, an opposed second end, a second clamp associated with said second end for gripping a tubular member of said bicycle rearwardly of said first clamp, said beam comprising first and second elongate arms and a pivot comprising a pivot pin extending through horizontally aligned apertures within said first and second arms for rotation within only a vertical plane, said first and second arms comprising proximal end regions where engaged together and distal end regions associated with said clamps.

31. A support as defined in claim 30 wherein said first arm comprises a channel defined by opposed sidewalls, a web spanning said sidewalls and an interior space between said sidewalls, the proximal end of said second arm being engaged within the interior of said channel.

32. A support as defined in claim 31 wherein said second arm comprises a pair of spaced apart bars and at least one rigid spacer spanning said bars and engaged thereto for maintaining said spacing.

33. A support as defined in claim 30 wherein said first and second clamps each comprise openable opposed regions for gripping a bicycle tubular member therebetween, and a fastener for closing said regions together.

34. A support as defined in claim 30 wherein said second arm is associated with said second clamp.

35. A support as defined in claim 30 wherein said second arm includes an angled region to displace the clamp associated with said second arm upwardly or downwardly by a selected amount.

36. A support as defined in claim 35 wherein said angled region is adjacent the distal end of said second arm.

37. A support as defined in claim 35 wherein said angled region is at about the middle of said second arm.

38. A support as defined in claim 30 wherein said second arm is sufficiently long relative to grip a portion of said bicycle adjacent the bottom bracket of said bicycle.