CA2823414A1

CA2823414A1 - Bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist

Info

Publication number: CA2823414A1
Application number: CA2823414A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michael Brennan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-09
Filing date: 2013-08-09
Publication date: 2015-02-09

Abstract

A bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist consisting of a shell-form body having a mounting section, an awning section and a connective section maintaining the mounting section and the awning section in a substantially perpendicular orientation. The body is characterized by an open rear and open sides to facilitate access to a bicycle seat. A mounting assembly is provided for mounting the mounting section of the body to a front steering assembly of a bicycle in a substantially upright orientation, with the awning section in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying a seat.

Description

TITLE
[0001] Bicycle Mounted Weather Cover For A Cyclist FIELD

[0002] There is described a weather cover that mounts on a bicycle to provide a cyclist with some shade and protection from light rain when cycling.
BACKGROUND

[0003] A downside to the use of a bicycle is a constant exposure to the elements. When riding through a drizzle, the cyclist is going to get wet. When riding in the hot sun, there is no shade. United States Design Patent DES.245,903 (Harris Jr.) entitled "Protective Cover For A Bicycle" proposes a solution of an enclosure which shelters the cyclist from the elements.
The present invention provides an alternative solution to that proposed in Harris Jr.
SUMMARY

[0004] There is provided a bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist.
This weather cover is intended to be attached to a bicycle having a rear frame, a front steering assembly pivotally attached to the rear frame, a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the rear frame, a front wheel rotatably mounted to the front steering assembly, and a seat for a cyclist supported by the rear frame. The weather cover includes a shell-form body having a mounting section, an awning section and a connective section maintaining the mounting section and the awning section in a substantially perpendicular orientation. The body is characterized by an open rear and open sides to facilitate access to the seat. A mounting assembly is provided for mounting the mounting section of the body to the front steering assembly of the bicycle in a substantially upright orientation, with the awning section in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying the seat.

[0005] The weather cover, as described above, supports the awning section over the seat of the bicycle to provide some shade for the cyclist from the sun and protection for the cyclist from light rain. It is recognized that the weather cover will not protect the cyclist from a driven rain. However, it is considered that having an open rear and open sides, is preferable to a full enclosure as proposed by Harris Jr. A full enclosure can be stifling for the cyclist on hot days. A full enclosure restricts the visibility of the cyclist during operation. A full enclosure is a potential safety hazard, as it restricts the ability of the cyclist to escape the bicycle seat in the event of an emergency.

[0006] In a first embodiment, which will be hereafter described, the body is unitary with the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section being made from one sheet of material. In this embodiment, the connective section is curved to provide a transition from the mounting section to the awning section. This embodiment can be constructed either with or without a rigid support frame, depending upon the thickness and self-supporting nature of the material out of which the body is fabricated.

[0007] A second embodiment was subsequently developed which incorporated a number of refinements. It was appreciated that the weather cover would not be required in all weather conditions and facility should be made for its quick deployment when required and quick removal when not required. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when the body is detachable from the mounting assembly by a quick release engagement.

[0008] It was realized that the weather cover would be more convenient, if it could be folded for ease of storage. It was felt that this feature would also be desirable to bicycle commuters who may wish to remove the weather cover and store the weather cover in their offices during office hours to avoid theft. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when hinges are positioned between the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section. The hinges provide the body with an operative position and a stored position. In the stored position, the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section are folded into face to face relation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of bicycle mounted weather cover.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the bicycle mounted weather cover illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of bicycle mounted weather cover.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the shell-form body of the bicycle mounted weather cover illustrated in FIG. 1 detached from the mounting assembly.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shell-form body illustrated in FIG. 4 folded about hinges into a stored position.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative form of quick release engagement for use between the shell-form body and the mounting assembly.

[0016] FIG. 7 is an end elevation view of the quick release engagement illustrated in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A first embodiment of a bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
2. A second embodiment of a bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist generally identified by reference numeral 100, will be described with reference to FIG.
3 through FIG
5. A variation in quick release engagement detail for weather cover 100, will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, in order to describe the use environment, both weather cover 10 and weather cover 100 are intended to be attached to a bicycle 200. Bicycle 200 has a rear frame 202, a front steering assembly 204 which is pivotally attached to rear frame 202, a rear wheel 206 rotatably mounted to rear frame 202, a front wheel 208 rotatably mounted to front steering assembly 204, and a seat 210 for a cyclist (not shown) supported by rear frame 202. Front steering assembly 204 consists at an upper end of handle bars 212 and at a lower end of front forks 214.
Structure and Relationship of Parts of the first embodiment:

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the primary components of weather cover 10 are shell-form body 12 and mounting assembly 14. Shell-form body 12 has a mounting section 16, an awning section 18 and a connective section 20 connecting mounting section 16 and awning section 18. During use, connective section 20 maintains mounting section 16 and awning section 18 in a substantially perpendicular orientation. In contrast to the prior art of Harris Jr., shell-form body 12 is characterized by an open rear and open sides to facilitate access to and from seat 210. Mounting assembly 14 serves to mount mounting section 16 of body 12 to front steering assembly 204 of bicycle 200, placing mounting section 16 in a substantially upright orientation. Due to the relationship between mounting section 16 and awning section 18, this places awning section 18 in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying seat 210.

[0020] As illustrated, body 12 of weather cover 10 is unitary with mounting section 16, awning section 18 and connective section 20 being made from one sheet of material.
Connective section 20 is curved to provide a transition from mounting section 16 to awning section 18.

[0021] Weather cover 10 can be constructed either with or without a rigid support frame, depending upon the thickness and self-supporting nature of the material out of which the body is fabricated. Chosen for illustration is a version with a rigid support frame

22.
[0022] Mounting assembly 14 can also take a number of forms. Chosen for illustration is a mounting assembly 14 with a pair vertical members 24 which are secured at their upper ends to handle bars 212 and secured at their lower ends to front forks 214. A
pair of cross members 26 extend between vertical members 24. In this embodiment, rigid support frame 22 is permanently affixed to cross members 26 of mounting assembly 14.
Operation of the first embodiment:

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, mounting assembly 14 is mounted to front steering assembly 204 of bicycle 200. This places mounting section 16 of body 12 in a substantially upright orientation and awning section 18 in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying seat 210. The cycle is protected in the front by body 12, which serves as a windscreen. More importantly, awning section 18 positioned over seat 210 provides some shade for the cyclist from the sun and protection for the cyclist from light rain. Weather cover 10 will not protect the cyclist from a driven rain coming from either of the sides or from 5 the rear. However, it is considered that having an open rear and open sides, is preferable to a full enclosure as proposed by Harris Jr. A full enclosure can be stifling for the cyclist on hot days. A full enclosure restricts the visibility of the cyclist during operation. A full enclosure is a potential safety hazard, as it restricts the ability of the cyclist to access the seat and to escape the seat in the event of an emergency.
Structure and Relationship of Parts of the second embodiment:

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, the primary components of weather cover 100 are shell-form body 112 and mounting assembly 114. Shell-form body 112 has a mounting section 116, an awning section 118 and a connective section 120 connecting mounting section 116 and awning section 118. During use, connective section 120 maintains mounting section 116 and awning section 118 in a substantially perpendicular orientation. As with the first embodiment, shell-form body 112 is characterized by an open rear and open sides to facilitate access to and from seat 210. Mounting assembly 114 serves to mount mounting section 116 of body 112 to front steering assembly 204 of bicycle 200, placing mounting section 116 in a substantially upright orientation. As with the first embodiment, due to the relationship between mounting section 116 and awning section 118, this places awning section 118 in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying seat 210. As with the first embodiment, mounting assembly 114 has a pair vertical members 124 and a pair of cross members 126 that extend between vertical members 124. The differences between the first embodiment (weather cover 10) and the second embodiment (weather cover 100) will now be described.

[0025] In the first embodiment, mounting assembly 14 was rigid. In contrast, mounting assembly 114 has hinges 130 that enable mounting assembly 14 to be folded about hinges 130. It is envisaged that mounting assembly 114 will still be permanently affixed to bicycle 200. However, this folding feature is useful for shipment or off season storage.

[0026] In the first embodiment, shell-form body 12 was permanently affixed to cross members 26 of mounting assembly 14. Referring to FIG. 4, quick release engagement is provided between shell-form body 112 and mounting assembly 114. As illustrated, quick release engagement is in the form of a "C" shaped members 132 which clamp around cross-members 126 of mounting assembly 114.

[0027] In the first embodiment, shell-form body 12 was a unitary body formed of one sheet of material and had a rigid support frame 22. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, shell-form body has a hinges 134 and 136. Hinge 134 is positioned between mounting section 116 and connective section 120. Hinge 136 is positioned between connective section 120 and awning section 118. Hinges 134 and 136 are of the type that can be locked in a selected position. This enables shell-form body to be placed into an operative position as illustrated in FIG. 4 or folded to assume a stored position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the stored position, mounting section 116, awning section 118 and connective section 120 are folded into face to face relation.
Operation of the second embodiment:

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3 through FIG. 5, weather cover 100 functions exactly the same as weather cover 10 to protect the cyclist from the sun or the rain. Where weather cover 100 has superior features is when the cyclist arrives at his or her destination.
Referring to FIG. 4, the use of "C" shaped members 132 of as a quick release engagement, enables shell-form body 112 to be rapidly removed from mounting assembly 114. Referring to FIG.
5, the provisions of hinges 134 and 136 enables the cyclist to fold shell-form body 112 into a stored position. An example of where these features are useful is for a bicycle commuter. The bicycle commuter who has ridden from his home to his office, simply detaches shell-form body 112 from mounting assembly 114, folds shell-form body 112 to assume the stored position, and carried shell-form body 112 away to store in his or her office.
This enables the cyclist to avoid theft of shell-form body.
Variations:

[0029] There are a number of alternative quick release engagements which could be used to secure shell-form body 112 to mounting assembly 114. Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, there is illustrated an alternative form of quick release engagement. The advantage of this alternative engagement is that it is more stable in high winds than would be "C" shaped clamps 132. With this alternative engagement, cross-member 126 of mounting assembly 114 is provided with an engagement channel 140 and shell-form body 112 is provided with members 142 that carry a bulbous insert 144. Bulbous insert 144 is slide into engagement channel 140. In order to prevent accidental separation, both cross-member 126 and members 142 can be provided with one or more apertures 146. One or more locking pins 148 inserted through selected aligned apertures 146 prevent lateral movement of bulbous insert 144 along channel 140 and thereby prevent accidental separation.

[0030] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0031] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of the description as a whole.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist, the weather cover attaching to a bicycle having a rear frame, a front steering assembly pivotally attached to the rear frame, a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the rear frame, a front wheel rotatably mounted to the front steering assembly, a seat for a cyclist supported by the rear frame, the weather cover comprising:
a shell-form body having a mounting section, an awning section and a connective section maintaining the mounting section and the awning section in a substantially perpendicular orientation, the body being characterized by an open rear and open sides to facilitate access to the seat;
a mounting assembly for mounting the mounting section of the body to the front steering assembly of the bicycle in a substantially upright orientation with the awning section in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying the seat.

2. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 1, wherein the body is unitary with the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section being made from one sheet of material with the connective section being curved to provide a transition from the mounting section to the awning section.

3. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 2, wherein the unitary body is mounted onto and supported by a rigid support frame.

4. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 1, wherein the body is detachable from the mounting assembly by a quick release engagement.

5. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 1, wherein hinges are positioned between the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section, with the body having an operative position and a stored position, in the stored position the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section are folded into face to face relation.

6. A bicycle mounted weather cover for a cyclist, comprising in combination:
a bicycle having a rear frame, a front steering assembly pivotally attached to the rear frame, a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the rear frame, a front wheel rotatably mounted to the front steering assembly, and a seat for a cyclist supported by the rear frame;
a shell-form body having a mounting section, an awning section and a connective section maintaining the mounting section and the awning section in a substantially perpendicular orientation, the body being characterized by an open rear and open sides to facilitate access to the seat; and a mounting assembly for mounting the mounting section of the body to the front steering assembly of the bicycle in a substantially upright orientation with the awning section in a substantially horizontal orientation overlying the seat.

7. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 6, wherein the body is unitary with the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section being made from one sheet of material with the connective section being curved to provide a transition from the mounting section to the awning section.

8. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 7, wherein the unitary body is mounted onto and supported by a rigid support frame.

9. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 6, wherein the body is detachable from the mounting assembly by a quick release engagement.

10. The bicycle mounted weather cover of Claim 6, wherein hinges are positioned between the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section, with the body having an operative position and a stored position, in the stored position the mounting section, the awning section and the connective section are folded into face to face relation.