DE102021204801A1 - BICYCLE TRAILER ARRANGEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle trailer arrangement (1), comprising a frame (010) which has at least two wheels (020), a fastening device (070) which is provided on the frame (010), and a supporting structure (050, 051), which can be detachably coupled to the fastening device (070).

Description

The present invention relates to a bicycle trailer assembly.

the EP 3 450 282 A1 describes a bicycle trailer or a stroller with a frame comprising a right-hand frame element, a left-hand frame element and several cross braces connecting the right-hand frame element and the left-hand frame element, with a transport space having at least one seat element for a child being formed between the right-hand frame element and the left-hand frame element , wherein in an upper area of the right-hand frame member and/or in an upper area of the left-hand frame member there is provided a protective member extending outwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

the DE 20 2013 006 204 U1 describes a multifunctional trolley comprising a supporting structure having two wheels and a loading area, and a first receiving device formed on the supporting structure for detachably fastening a drawbar for coupling to a bicycle, with a fastening area being guided in the first receiving device in the fastened state, with the supporting structure being a second receiving device is arranged for the detachable fastening of the drawbar, the second receiving device being in the form of two openings made in the supporting structure and designed to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the fastening area, the openings of the second receiving device being arranged and aligned with one another in such a way that in the fastened state the attachment area of the drawbar is aligned at an acute angle to the loading area.

A problem with bicycle trailers is that they are somewhat inflexible in their handling. This means that different bicycle trailers are used for different purposes or the bicycle trailers have to be laboriously converted for different purposes.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a bicycle trailer arrangement which is flexible in its use and can be easily adapted for different purposes. In particular, a bicycle trailer arrangement is to be made available which can be used for different purposes, with the conversion of the bicycle trailer arrangement being easy to implement for the various applications.

The present invention provides a bicycle trailer assembly having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims represent advantageous developments of the invention.

Accordingly, it is provided:

A bicycle trailer assembly comprising a frame having at least two wheels, a fastener provided on the frame, and a support structure releasably coupleable to the fastener.

According to the present invention, it is possible to attach various support structures to the attachment means of the frame of the bicycle trailer assembly. In this way, the bicycle trailer assembly can be easily adapted for different purposes without having to change the entire bicycle trailer assembly or purchase or use different bicycle trailers. The fastening device acts, so to speak, as a safety device that prevents the support structure from becoming detached from the frame.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the fastening device has a quick-action clamping device. Quick-release devices are used, for example, on bicycles or tools to clamp and fasten wheels or tools. With this embodiment, the support structure can be manually attached to the frame of the bicycle trailer arrangement or detached from the frame of the bicycle trailer arrangement particularly quickly, conveniently and without tools. It is also possible for the fastening device to have a bolt with a cotter pin, a screw or the like, by means of which the support structure can be fixed to the frame.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fastening device is designed to enable rotation about a spatial axis of the supporting structure with respect to the frame. For example, the fastening device has a bearing that includes a rotational degree of freedom. In this way it is possible that the support structure can rotate in the fastening device with respect to the frame. The fastening device can, for example, comprise U-shaped receptacles, in which cylindrical pins associated with the supporting structure can rotate. The pins and/or the receptacles can, for example, have a low-friction plastic or be designed in the manner of a slide bearing. This embodiment is very suitable, for example, for rocking a child located in the support structure with respect to the frame.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the support structure has a seat for transporting people. For example, the support structure has a bucket seat in which an adult can sit. Furthermore, the support structure can also have a seat that offers space for two adults or children. Furthermore, the support structure can also have a baby seat, for example, by means of which a baby or small child could be transported safely. The seat can be made of plastic, in particular GRP, for example.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the support structure is box-shaped. Such a support structure is particularly advantageous for transporting objects. Furthermore, the support structure could also be specially designed to transport crates or packages. Furthermore, the support structure can also be plate-shaped or pallet-shaped or similar to a platform. Furthermore, the support structure can also be designed as a pallet. Moreover, it would also be possible to use other items such. B. form a grill in such a way that it can be releasably attached to the frame by means of the fastening device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the support structure has two pins which engage in the fastening device. For example, the pins are made of a metal alloy, in particular steel. Furthermore, it is possible for the pins to have a low-friction plastic or to be made of a plain bearing material.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the frame has two legs and a cross member which connects the two legs. The wheels are attached to the legs by means of an independent wheel suspension. On the left leg seen in the direction of travel, a drawbar is also provided, for example, which can have a clutch in order to be coupled to a clutch provided on a bicycle. For example, a stand or other accessory can be mounted on the leg on the right in the direction of travel. The cross member is thus located on the side facing the bicycle. The drawbar can also be coupled to the frame by means of a quick-release device. It is particularly possible here to connect the drawbar to the frame in different orientations. The coupling can also be coupled to the drawbar by means of a quick-release device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the cross member and the legs are designed to be slid into one another and fixed. Furthermore, the posts and the legs can be designed so that they can be slid into one another and fixed in place. The frame is formed in particular from hollow profiles that can be slid into one another and fixed to one another. For example, the frame is made of square hollow profiles that can be slid into one another and can be fixed to one another by means of quick-release devices. In this way it is possible to change the length and width of the frame and adapt it to different supporting structures. Furthermore, the height of the posts can also be changed, in that they are also formed from hollow profiles that can be slid into one another and fixed by means of a quick-action clamping device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, vertically extending posts are formed at the ends of the legs of the frame, with the fastening device being provided on the vertical ends of the posts. This embodiment can be advantageously combined in particular with the embodiment in which the fastening device is designed to enable rotation about a spatial axis of the supporting structure with respect to the frame. A combination of these two embodiments allows the support structure to be lowered onto the ground or raised from the ground in a simple manner. Rotation of the frame causes the posts to incline, reducing the distance between the fastener and the ground, and hence the distance between the support structure and the ground. It is particularly advantageous here that the length of the drawbar can be changed with respect to the frame, so that the leverage can be increased if necessary.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a damping and spring device is provided in each of the vertical posts, which dampen and spring the wheels with respect to the frame. Thus, vibrations caused by driving on a rough road, for example, can be well compensated.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the frame has a drawbar that can be releasably connected to the frame. The drawbar is inserted, for example, on the left leg viewed in the direction of travel and is coupled and fixed by means of a quick-release device. The design with a long drawbar proves to be particularly advantageous due to the law of leverage, since heavy loads can be lifted and lowered with little effort.

According to a further embodiment, the drawbar has a first end and a second end, the first end of the drawbar being able to be coupled to the frame, and the drawbar being able to be coupled to the frame at the second end. For example, the first end of the tongue and the second end of the tongue have the same shape. For example, the first end and the second end of the drawbar are designed as square hollow profiles with the same dimensions, which can be inserted and fixed in a frame recess of the frame. In particular, it is possible to releasably couple both the first end and the second end of the drawbar to the frame in positions rotated about the longitudinal axis of the drawbar to the frame. In this way it is possible in a simple manner to adapt the bicycle trailer arrangement to different uses, for example to be able to be towed by a bicycle or by a person.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drawbar has a curved shape. In this way, the drawbar can be fastened, for example with the first end of the drawbar, to one side of the frame and can be connected in a simple manner to a coupling provided on a bicycle. Furthermore, it is possible to connect the drawbar with the second end and rotated by 90° about the longitudinal axis of the drawbar to the frame by means of the quick-release device. In this way, the drawbar is bent obliquely upwards, which makes it possible to pull the bicycle trailer arrangement by hand in a particularly ergonomic manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drawbar has a coupling that can be released from the drawbar. The coupling can also be coupled to the drawbar by means of a quick-action clamping device. In this way, it is possible for different types of couplings to be attached to the drawbar in a simple manner, which couplings can be coupled with different coupling systems. For example, a handle or a loop could also be coupled to the drawbar. In particular, both the first end of the drawbar and the second end of the drawbar can be designed so that they can be coupled to the coupling.

character list

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 3 eine schematische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 4 eine schematische Detailansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 5 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 6 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 7 eine schematische Explosionsansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 8 eine schematische Detailansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 9 eine schematische Detailansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung;
• 10 eine schematische Detailansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung; und
• 11 eine schematische Detailansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fahrradanhängeranordnung.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 2 a schematic view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 3 a schematic view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 4 a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 5 a schematic side view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 6 a schematic side view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 7 a schematic exploded view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 8th a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 9 a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly;
• 10 a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly; and
• 11 a schematic detailed view of a further embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly.

If it makes sense, the described embodiments and developments can be combined with one another as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned.

The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the foregoing advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another. The same reference symbols denote components that are the same or have a similar effect.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a bicycle trailer arrangement 1. The bicycle trailer arrangement 1 comprises a frame 010 on which a wheel 020 is rotatably arranged on the left and right. The frame 010 also has a fastening device 070 which is designed to detachably fasten a supporting structure 050 thereto. As in 1 shown, the fastening device 070 includes quick-release devices 072, by means of which a user can quickly and easily connect the supporting structure 050 to the frame 010 without the aid of tools. The frame 010 includes a cross member 011 and two legs 012 coupled to the cross member 011 . Posts 015 are formed at the ends of the legs 012 and extend upwards in the vertical direction. The quick-release devices 72 are provided at the ends of the posts 015 and are part of the fastening device 070 . Furthermore, a drawbar 030 is coupled to the frame 010 by means of a quick-release device 035 . Furthermore, a coupling 040 is coupled to the drawbar 030 by means of a quick-action clamping device 045 .

A trough-shaped supporting structure 050 is coupled to the frame 010 of the bicycle trailer arrangement 1 by means of the fastening device 070 . The frame 010 is made of square hollow profiles, which can be slid into one another and fixed in place by means of quick-action clamping devices 016. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 031 of the tongue 030 is coupled to the frame 010 such that the bicycle trailer assembly 1 is suitable for being towed by a bicycle.

2 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a bicycle trailer arrangement 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the support structure 050 has a seat 051 in which a person can sit. The seat 051 is made of plastic, for example, in particular GRP.

3 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly 1. The 3 12 specifically illustrates support structure 050 in a lowered condition. Fastening device 070 is designed, for example, to allow rotation of supporting structure 050 with respect to frame 010 about an axis of rotation. By raising or lowering the drawbar 030, the supporting structure 050 can be placed on the ground or raised from the ground 050.

4 shows a schematic detailed view of a further embodiment of a bicycle trailer arrangement 1. As can be seen in FIG 4 recognizes, the fastening device 070 has a U-shaped receptacle 071 and a quick-release device 72, which are designed to receive and fasten a pin 075 of the supporting structure 050. Also provided on the post 015 is a quick release device 017 which can be used to change the height of the attachment device or, like the coupler 040, be replaced by another component or accessory component. The U-shaped receptacle 071 can, for example, have a plastic with a low coefficient of friction, which ensures low-friction rotation of the pin 075 of the supporting structure 050 in the U-shaped receptacle 071. Furthermore, the pin 075 can also have a coating which comprises a low-friction material, for example a plastic or a plain bearing material.

5 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a bicycle trailer arrangement 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle trailer arrangement 1 is set up to be towed by a bicycle. The frame 010 and the drawbar 030 are arranged in a common horizontal plane. Like in the 5 As shown, the first end 031 of the tongue 030 is coupled to the frame 010 and the second end 032 of the tongue 030 is coupled to the hitch 040 .

6 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a bicycle trailer arrangement 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle trailer arrangement 1 is set up to be towed by a standing person.

To from the in the 5 illustrated embodiment to the in 6 shown embodiment, it is only necessary to couple the drawbar 030 with the frame 010 instead of with the first end 031 of the drawbar 030 with the second end 032 of the drawbar 030, the drawbar 030 additionally being rotated by 90° about its longitudinal axis is coupled to the frame 010. Since the drawbar 030 can be coupled to the frame 010 by means of a quick-action clamping device 035, this can be done very quickly and without the aid of tools. Since the coupling 040 can also be changed quickly and easily using the quick-release device 045, it would also be possible, for example, to couple a handle or a loop to the end 31 of the drawbar 030.

7 shows a schematic exploded view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly 1. In the embodiment shown, the drawbar 030 is shown decoupled from the frame 010. On the right the drawbar 030 is shown in position to be coupled to a bicycle. On the left the drawbar 030 is shown in position to be towed by a person. How to in the 7 recognizes, the first end 031 of the drawbar 030 is coupled to the frame 010 when the bicycle trailer assembly 1 is to be towed by a bicycle. If the bicycle trailer arrangement 1 is to be towed by a person, the second end 032 of the drawbar 030 is coupled to the frame 010, with the drawbar 030 additionally being rotated by 90° about its longitudinal axis. The clutch 040 is then in a position which can be easily gripped by one person.

8th shows a schematic detailed view of a further embodiment of a bicycle trailer arrangement 1. In this detailed view, the coupling 040 and the drawbar 030 are shown. The coupling 040 has a coupling pin 041 which can be pushed and inserted into a drawbar recess 033 . Furthermore, a quick-release device 045 is shown, by means of which the coupling 040 can be coupled to the drawbar 030 quickly and without tools. The coupling 040 can be coupled to the first end 031 or to the second end 032 of the drawbar 030, with in 8th the second end 032 of the drawbar 030 is shown.

9 shows a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly 1. The 9 represents in particular the connection between the drawbar 030 and the frame 010.

The first end 031 or the second end 032 of the drawbar 030 can be inserted and fixed in a frame recess 013 of the frame 010 . Both the drawbar 030 and the frame 010 are designed as square hollow profiles. Furthermore, a quick-release device 035 is provided, by means of which the drawbar 030 can be fixed to the frame 010.

10 shows a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly 1. In particular, the 10 a spring and damping device 060, which is provided inside the post 015. Shocks caused, for example, by driving on an uneven road, can be easily compensated for by means of the damping and spring device 060 .

11 shows a schematic detailed view of another embodiment of a bicycle trailer assembly 1. In FIG 11 the frame 010 is shown in section. As can be seen, the cross member 011, the legs 012 and the posts 015 are designed as square hollow profiles that can be plugged into one another and slid. This design of the frame 010 allows the length and the width of the frame 010 to be changed. Furthermore, the length of the post 015 can be changed, whereby the height of the post 015 is adjustable. In this way it is possible to easily adapt the bicycle trailer assembly 1 for specific purposes.

The present invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the bicycle trailer assembly 1 is designed universally that changing a supporting structure 050, which has a seat 051 and which is suitable for the transport of people, by a supporting structure 050, which is suitable for the transport of Objects is suitable, can be carried out easily and without tools. Furthermore, by raising the drawbar 030 from the driving position, the support structure 050 can be lowered and parked very easily on the ground, such as in FIGS 3 and 4 shown.

Furthermore, by lowering the drawbar 030 into the driving position, a support structure 050 can be picked up and lifted off the ground very easily, such as in FIGS 3 and 4 shown. The configuration according to the invention with a long drawbar 030 proves to be particularly advantageous because of the law of the lever, since heavy loads can be raised and lowered with little effort. The invention is further characterized in that the coupling 040 can be separated from the drawbar 030 and coupled to the drawbar 030 quickly and without tools by means of the quick-action clamping device 45 .

In addition, the invention is characterized in that the drawbar 030 can be separated from the frame 010 quickly and without tools by means of the quick-release device 035. Preferably, the drawbar 030 can be mounted in the frame 010 in various orientations, such as in 7 shown. Preferably, the drawbar 030 is structurally designed in such a way that the height of the coupling 040 is changed by mounting the drawbar 030 in the opposite direction and rotating it at the same time, thereby enabling ergonomic handling of the bicycle trailer arrangement 1 for an adult, as for example in 6 shown.

Finally, the invention is distinguished by the fact that the frame 010 can preferably be designed as a multi-part construction made of hollow profiles. Due to the multi-part construction of the frame 010 in conjunction with a large number of quick-release devices 016, the width, length and height of the frame 010 can be changed easily and without tools, such as in 11 shown. Furthermore, the drawbar 030 and the coupling 040 are separable from each other to allow a reverse assembly of the drawbar 030 into the frame 010. Furthermore, the drawbar 030 is designed geometrically in such a way that ergonomic handling is achieved through the inverted and at the same time twisted assembly. This enables the bicycle trailer arrangement 1 to be easily converted from driving mode to manual mode.

Reference List

1

driving trailer arrangement

010

frame

011

cross member

012

leg

013

frame recess

015

post

016

quick release device

017

quick release device

020

wheel

030

drawbar

031

First ending

032

second ending

033

drawbar recess

035

quick release device

040

coupling

041

coupling pin

045

quick release device

050

supporting structure

051

Seat

060

Spring and damping device

070

fastening device

071

U-shaped mount

072

quick release device

075

cones

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 3450282 A1 [0002]
• DE 202013006204 U1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Bicycle trailer assembly (1) comprising: a frame (010) which has at least two wheels (020), a fastener (070) provided on the frame (010), and a supporting structure (050, 051) which can be detachably coupled to the fastening device (070). Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 1 , wherein the fastening device (070) has a quick-release device (072). Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the fastening device (070) is designed to allow rotation about a spatial axis of the supporting structure (050, 051) with respect to the frame (010). Bicycle trailer arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting structure (050) has a seat (051) for the transport of people or wherein the supporting structure (050) is box-shaped or plate-shaped or pallet-shaped or platform-like for the transport of objects. Bicycle trailer arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (050) has two pins (075) which engage in U-shaped receptacles (071) of the fastening device (070). Bicycle trailer arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (010) has a cross member (011) and two legs (012) which are connected to the cross member (011). Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 6 vertically extending posts (015) being formed at the ends of the legs (012) of the frame (010), the fastening means (070) being provided at the vertical ends of the posts (015). Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 6 or 7 , wherein the cross member (011) and the legs (012) are designed to be slidable into one another and can be fixed, and/or the posts (015) and the legs (012) are designed to be slid into one another and can be fixed in place. Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 8 , A damping and spring device (60) being provided in each of the vertical posts (015), which dampen and spring the wheels (020) with respect to the frame (010). Bicycle trailer arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (010) has a drawbar (030) which can be releasably connected to the frame (010). Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 10 , wherein the drawbar (030) has a first end (031) and a second end (032), wherein the drawbar (030) can be coupled to the frame (010) with the first end (031), and wherein the drawbar (030 ) with the second end (032) can be coupled to the frame (010). Bicycle trailer assembly (1) after claim 10 or 11 , wherein the drawbar (030) has a curved shape. Bicycle trailer assembly (1) according to one of Claims 10 until 12 , wherein the drawbar (030) has a coupling (040) that can be released from the drawbar (030).

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