EP2238014A2

EP2238014A2 - Towing mechanism for bicycle trailers

Info

Publication number: EP2238014A2
Application number: EP09701603A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Amit Regev
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-14
Filing date: 2009-01-14
Publication date: 2010-10-13
Also published as: GB0800525D0; EP2238014A4; WO2009090637A2; WO2009090637A3

Abstract

A three axis bicycle-to-trailer connecting device which a flexible connecting mechanism includes three axes of rotation each implemented by a different pivot. Such a pivot may be implemented on an independent connecting device or on the trailer or on the bicycle. A retaining mechanism keeps the trailer linked to the bicycle, in such a manner as the trailer may be easily connected or disconnected, typically to be carried manually.

Description

TOWING MECHANISM FOR BICYCLE TRAILERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to personal transportation means, and specifically to auxiliary bicycle transportation means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Two wheeled transporting means, mainly bicycles, are sometimes used for towing a trailer for enhancing the haulage capacity of the transporting means. Such a trailer is to follow the bicycle and therefore has to be compatible with the characteristics of bicycle transportation, such as agility, maneuverability and roughness of subtending terrain. The connection between the bicycle and the trailer has to provide for very sharp turns an es of the driver, with minimal vulnerability of the connection as well as low interference with the drivers actions.

Several other specific physical features of a trailer may be required in order for it to be fit for haulage inside railway carriages, and useful in supermarket shopping. In the first case narrow dimensions are an advantage, and in the second case, large enough carriage volume is required.

An essential feature of the invention is that it is extremely easy to use and allows for quick release and re-connection of the trailer from and to the bicycle with little time or effort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic isometric description of a bicycle to trailer connection in a setup as provided by the implementation of the present invention; Fig. 2A is a schematic isometric description of a bicycle to trailer connection showing the connecting mechanism;

Fig. 2B is a schematic isometri on of a bicycle to trailer connection showing the trailer detached from the bicycle;

Fig. 2C is a schematic isometric description of a connection mechanism, of the invention showing the three axes of rotation and a handle;

Fig. 2D is a schematic isometric description of a handle of a trailer held by a partially exposed retaining mechanism;

Fig. 2E is a schematic isometric description of a handle of a trailer held by a partially exposed retaining mechanism; Fig. 2F is a schematic isometric description of a retaining mechanism in a closed position;

Fig. 2G is a schematic isometric description of a retaining mechanism in an opened position;

Fig. 3A is a schematic isometric description of a sports bicycle to trailer conn a setup as provided by the implementation of the present invention;

Fig. 3B is a schematic isometric description of a sports bicycle to trailer connection showing axes of rotation of the connection mechanism;

Fig. 3C is a schematic isometric description of a bicycle having a rear suspension, and connected to a trailer; Fig. 3D is a schematic isometric description of the connecting mechanism of the bicycle having a rear suspension, showing two axes of rotation;

Fig. 3E s a schematic isometric description of the connecting mechanism of the bicycle having a rear suspension, showing a horizontal axis rotation; Fig. 4 is a block diagram representing the principle building blocks of the connection mechanism of the invention and their interconnections;

Fig. 5A is a schematic representation of a bi-functional connecting device implementing both a rotation axes and quick connecting disconnecting device having a withdrawble toot55H schematic representation of a bi-functional connecting device as

in Fig. 5A, describing the tooth in more detail;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a bi-functional connecting device as in Fig. 5 A but employing retractable balls instead of a tooth.

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a trailer attached to another towing mechanism which is a part of a rear rack which mounted to the seat post of a bicycle.

Fig 7A is a schematic representation of a gripper mechanism which connected by 3 damped axis of rotation to a rear rack of a bicycle.

Fig 7B is a schematic representation of griping mechanism in details including a one of the axis dumper. Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a trolley and its dumped handle including the dumper, a level mechanism and trolley rotating stopper.

Fig. 8A is a schematic representation of the trolley's dumper in details.

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a bi functional push-push retaining mechanism, in its position while it is disconnected from the towing device. Fig. 9A is a schematic representation of a trolley's handle quick connecting push-push retaining mechanism while its button is pushed and it is about to be insert into the towing device.

Fig. 9B a schematic representation of a quick connecting push-push retaining mechanism's sliding piston, in its first cycle while it pushed inserted and rotated in the towing device.

Fig. 9C a schematic representation of a quick connecting push-push retaining mechanism's sliding piston, in its 2nd cycle while it is locked in the towing device.

Fig 9D a schematic representation of a quick connecting push-push retaining mechanism's sliding piston, in its 3rd cycle while it is pushed again and rotated in the towing device.

Fig. 9E a schematic representation of a quick connecting push-push retaining mechanism's sliding piston, in its 4th cycle while it is rotated and pulled out from the towing device. Fig. 10, a schematic representation of a sliding retaining mechanism

Fig 1OA, a schematic representation of a sliding retaining mechanism in detail while it is attach to the towing mechanism.

Fig 1OB, a schematic representation of a sliding retaining mechanism in detail as the handle button has been pushed to release. Fig 1OC, a schematic representation of a sliding retaining mechanism in detail as it slide out of the towing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a connecting mechanism which can envisaged as an articulated towbar (ATG) is provided for coupling between a trailer and a bicycle. The connecting mechanism of the invention is non rigid, connected on the one end to the rear side of a bicycle and on the other end to a trailer or is a part of a trailer. A typical connecting mechanism of the invention has three consecutive joints each facilitating rotational displacement of the ATG, each in a unique plane. The consecutive arrangement of the joints allows for safe yet convenient, minimally constraining, on all three dimensions, connection to the bicycle. The ATG of the invention typically connects to a rear part uch as to the rear rack also known as carrier. The

ATG typically connects at an inclination angle relative to the earth of about 45°. As can be seen in Fig. 1, bicycle 14 is connected to a cargo bearing trailer 16, via connecting mechanism 18. The connecting mechanism connects to the trailer in its lower end, and to rack 20 in its upper hand. The connecting mechanism is sturdy enough to hold the trailer which bears cargo including cargo bag 22 and may be substantially heavy. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, more features of the invention are shown in Figs 2A-E to which reference is now made the trailer 16 described above is stripped off of its cargo and cargo bag. In Fig. 2A, trailer 16 is stripped, showing handle assembly 26. In this drawing, the handle is shown secured by a retaining mechanism connected in series to a flexible connecting device, together designated 30. More detailed description of the retaining mechanism and flexible connecting device will be given in subsequent drawings. In Fig. 2B, with respect to the figure described formerly, the connecting mechanism, latch and rack are removed. In this drawing, the trailer is shown (without the cargo) as detached from the bicycle, assuming an independent status, ready to be picked by hand and used as a manual cart, or be connected to the bicycle by the handle assembly 26 using the retaining mechanism.

Other features and aspects of the connecting mechanism of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 2C the three axes of rotation relating to the three degree of freedom that the connecting mechanism of the invention provides are shown. Axis of rotation 36 is implemented by a pivoted connection at the rear of connecting mechanism usually forming a permanent pivoted link with the rack (not shown), axis of rotation 56 allows rotation in another plain, and axis of rotation 58 permits rotation in yet another plain. It is not necessary that all three plain are orthogonal, because the deviation of the trailer movement from the bicycle's movement is not expected to be completely random in all plains. Shown in the drawing is locking handle 60 which the user actuates to lock or unlock the retaining mechanism. In Fig. 2D additional features of the trailer's retaining mechanism are described schematically. Handle retaining hooks 62 hold handle 28, bearing the weight of the trailer and the mechanical stresses produced by the trailer as it is towed by the bicycle to which it is connected. The retaining mechanism in this drawing is shown stripped of its locking lever, thereby exposing spring 68 biasing a pawl (not shown) in the locking position, such that it is urged into a gap in the toothed surfaces 70. In Fig. 2E the retaining mechanism is shown with locking handle removed and pawl assembly 72 inserted between the teeth of toothed surfaces 70, thereby securing locking lever 76. In Fig. 2F the retaining mechanism is shown closed with locking lever 76 in closed position without the trailer. In this drawing, axis 36 is drawn showing its position relative to the connecting mechanism. In Fig. 2G the locking lever 76 is opened, naturally allowing dismissal or engagement of the handle of the trailer, In the example described above all the axes of rotation are implemented on the connecting mechanism, while none are implemented on the trailer. The trailer's handle assembly is in this case rigid and non changeable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking lever, when the trailer is detached, can be raised to a secured parking condition, to prevent dangling and interference with the management of the bicycle. The trailer is in this case an independent device capable of being used as a manually handled carriage.

In Fig. 3A to which reference is now made, the connection between the bicycle and the trailer is somewhat different than the one described above. Bicycle 72 is connected to trailer 74 using a connecting mechanism 76 coupled directly to an extension bar 78. The extension bar replaces the rack that is typically lacking in sports bicycles, and is connected at the bicycle end to the seat post or seat tube or seat stay. More details of this specific embodiment are described in Fig. 3B to which reference is now made. The three axes of rotation associated with the three dimensional freedom of the trailer are as follows. For axis 84 rotation is provided by a pivot disposed along the main frame of the trailer. For axis 86 rotation is provided by a pivot disposed extending from block 88 in a slant angle relative to extension bar 78. For axis 90 rotation is provided by a pivot running through extensions 80 of extension bar 78 and through block 88. Handle 92 enables the user to detach the trailer from the bicycle and carry it manually. To that effect, a quick connection mechanism is employed such that by pressing or turning of the handle, the link between the trailer and block 88 is disabled, freeing the trailer. In this case, the trailer and the extra trailing assembly are complementary and would accomplish their assigned task only as linked together. A connecting mechanism in accordance with the present invention fit for implementing in bicycles having a rear suspension, is described in Figs 3C - 3E to which reference is now made. To the rear of rear suspension 90 is attached a connection mechanism 92. Some details of the connection mechanism are described in Fig. 3D, axis of rotation 94, is implemented in the trailer itself, while axis of rotation 96 is implemented in the connecting mechanism, sharing location with the physical axis of handle 98. The handle extends into block 100, better seen in Fig. 3E in which the external part of the handle is removed. This block is pivotally connected to bracket 102, while the bracket is affixed to the rear suspension assembly 90. The pivoted connection of block 100 to bracket 102 implements the rotational axis 104 of this particular connecting mechanism. Typically, handle 98 is bi-functional, on the one hand it is used to actuate a quick decoupling of the trailer from the bicycle and on the other hand, it provides a carrying handle for the trailer when detached from the bicycle.

The schematic structural principles of the connecting mechanism of the invention are summarized in Fig. 4 to which reference is now made. A chain of connected mechanical entities is described Bicycle 112 is connected through pivot A

114 which is connected indirectly to pivot B 116 again connected indirectly to pivot 118, which is connected to trailer 120. In some embodiments handle 124 is disposed any where along that chain. The handle may be connected directly to the trailer or to any link to which the trailer is connected that allows manual carriage of the trailer.

A quick connection/disconnecting device is in some embodiments implemented to facilitate fast attachment/ detachment of the trailer. In Fig. 5A to which reference is now made an exemplary device for implementing the task is described schematically. Shaft between a bicycle at the right and a trailer at the left. Cylinder 166, which at its upper portion 168 forms a gripping handle, includes piston 170, moveable up and down inside the cylinder as described by double arrow 172. Cylinder 166 and its upper portion 188 can be each or both constructed forming a telescopic contractible barrel, for permitting the user to change the extent of projection below or above the connection mechanism. When pushed down against the urge of spring 174, by button 178, retaining tooth 182 which is generally located under block 100, is pulled inside the cylinder allowing smooth release of the cylinder from its lodgment inside the block (not shown). The quick release mechanism is shown in more detail in enlarged section shown in Fig. SB. Prong 188, constituting an extension of piston 170, tapers almost to its end, forming a slanted surface 190. As this slanted surface is pushed down when the piston is depressed, retaining tooth 182 is urged inside the cylinder urged against horizontal spring 194. Ball retainers as described in Figs. 6A - 6B may be used as well to implement quick attachment / detachment of the trailer, by mechanisms known in the art, sometimes referred to^' as quick connection mechanisms. In Fig. 6A, the bottom part of cylinder 166 is shown. One to several balls 198 are urged by enlarged lower section 200 of prong 188. As the prong is depressed against the urge of spring 202, the balls are released allowing cylinder to be pulled out of the block.

Another quick connection/disconnecting device described In Fig. 7. The trailer 208 is connected to the towing mechanism which is a part of a rear rack seat post's mount 206 which mounts permanently to the bicycle 204.

In Fig 7A the three axes of rotation relating to the three degrees of freedom that the connecting mechanism of the invention provides are shown. Axis of rotation 214 is provided by a pivot between the gripping locking mechanism 210 and the perpendicular shape link 218, axis of rotation 216 is provided by a pivot between the perpendicular shape link 218 and the main U shape link 220, and axis of rotation 222 is provided by a pivot between main U shape link 220 and the rack 212, each axis can optionally restrains by a damper to apply stability to the trolley.

The gripping mechanism is described by details in Fig. 7B, in which the mechanism 208 is assembled from a main slide bar 224 which is a hook-shaped bar, and a slider 228 which can slides one way down on the sliding bar in the direction of the arrow 229. The braking lever 230 is pivotally captured in the slot 232, the force of the spring 234 create a torque 235, that creates a great friction on the bar's 224 surface and the braking lever 230 on the contact edges 231, which locks the slider. The greater the forces create by the handle 226 on the slider 228, upwards in the direction of the arrow 239, the greater torque is, as well as the friction forces between the slider 228 and the slide bar 224.The trolley is connected by placing the trolley's handle 226 on the slide bar's hook 224 while the slider 228 is up, than the slider 228 pressed down by hand until its squeezes the trolley's handle 226. Releasing the slider 228 is accomplished by pulling up the breaking lever 230 in the direction of the arrow 239, this action causes the edges 231 to unattach from the sliding bar 224 which causes the friction between the sliding bar and the slider to significantly reduce, at which point the spring 236 assists in lifting up the slider, then the trolley handle 226 is no longer locked and can be lifted up from the mechanism hook 224.The center of gravity of the gripping mechanism 210 and the three axes locations, set the mechanism 210 in a position that the hook cavity's sliding bar 224 is facing up and makes it easier to place on trolley's handle, and to push down the slider 228. Each axis can be restrain by oil radial dumper or a spring damper 237 as shown on the upper side of the sliding bar 224, the perpendicular profile Hnk218 which is squeeze by a bolt 246 and a spring 242 between two low-friction plastic washers and the sliding bar 224. The mechanism creates friction between the connecting mechanism 208 and the perpendicular profiled link 218.

To stabilize the trolley which presented on Fig. 3A-3E and prevent it from overturning, the trolley is equipped with radial shock absorber, and in a certain position of the handle, the angle of rotation is limited. As shown on Fig. 8, inside the trolley's main frame cylinder 250 there is a rotational mid cylinder 252 around axis 260, which works as a radial shock absorber and allow the trolleys handle 254 to move vertically along the mid cylinder 252, by pulling the normally close pin 258 and moving the handle 254 along until it is in aligned with one of the holes .260 on the handle's 254 bar. When the handle 254 is in its upper position the stopper plate 262 limits the rotating angle around axis 260 of the handle 254 by making contact with the trolley's frame 264 on either side. The trolley's damper and stopper are described in details on Fig. 8A. The trolley's handle 254 which is inside the mid cylinder 252 which is inside the main frame cylinder 250 as well, separate on both side of the frame's cylinder 250 by two low friction plastic washers 262, The mid cylinder 252 is tightened to the frame's cylinder 250 by the two nuts 268 onto two metal washers 264 with a spring, or Belleville washers 266 in between them.

Fig. 9 describes a push-push mechanism, which is one of the mechanism designs to be implement in the trolley's handle which described in Fig. 3A-3D. This quick connecting/ cuduHo w the user to push on the button 272 on the top of the handle 274 and connecting the trolley to a towing device which is connected permanently to bicycle, and push it again, in order to disconnect it from the towing device. That why it is called push-push mechanism. The button 272 moves vertically inside the trolley's handle's 274 cylinder and it is in a normally open position by the spring 276 which pushed it up against the stopper 278 (which is a part of the handle), On the other side of the button 272, attached a free rotating piston slider 280 which is retracts inside the handles cylinder while it is not in use. Connecting the trolley to the towing cylinder is done by pressing the button 272 down as shown in Fig 9A and inserting it into the towing cylinder 284.1nside the towing cylinder 284 there are 4 guiding pins 286 which guides the slider piston 280 and rotates it. Sliding piston 280 divided into two guiding rails: Upper guide rail 288 whose function is to rotate the slider 280 to the right in each pressing of the button 272, And lower guide rail 290 whose function is to rotate the sliding piston 280 in and out the cylinder and to lock the sliding piston in the cylinder.

The push-push functions in four steps cycle:

On the first step which is described in Fig. 8B, the sliding piston 280 is pushed into the cylinder 284, the lower guide rail 290 forces the guiding pins 286 to slide along, until it comes into contact with upper guide rails 288 and rotate the slider piston 280 one notch to the right. Fig. 8C shows the second step, in which the button 272 is released and the pins 286 fit into a slot in upper guide rails 288, which locks the trolley to the towing mechanism and to the bicycle. On the third when the user push the button again, as shown in Fig 8D, the pins 286 are rotating the slider piston 280 again one notch to right, and on the fourth step when the button 272 is released, as shown on Fig. 9E the pins 286 force the lower slidin c5.fH0-q to rotate to the right and release the trolley's handle piston from the towing cylinder 284 and allowing it to disconnect from the bicycle.

Another mechanism to connect/disconnect the trolley which describes on Fig

3A-3B is shown on Fig 10. This slide connecting mechanism has again 3 axes: Axis of rotation 292 is provided by a pivot between by the trolley handle 294 and the U profile link 296, Axis of rotation 298 is provided by a pivot between towing mechanism 296 and the rack 300 and the third axis is provided by a pivot disposed along the main frame of the trailer, as shown on Fig. 5A. Fig 1OA shows the trolley handle 294 connected to the towing mechanism 296. The trolley cylinder 302 has a slot 304 which slides between three plates, main plate 306, mid plate 308 and upper plate 310.Those plates create a path on which the slotted handle can slide in.The normally open slanted retaining tooth 312 which pressed up by the spring 314 is pressed down by the handle's cylinder 302 while it slides in until it is aligned with the handle's cylinder's hole 313, than the retaining tooth 312 release into the cylinder's hole 313 and prevent the handle's cylinder 302 to slide out. the trolley's handle button 314 is normally pressed up by the spring 316, in ordered to release the trolley, as describes on Fig. 1OB the button 314 is pressed down in the direction of the arrow 318, which presses the retaining tooth 312 down until the top of the retaining tooth 312 is aligned with the surface of the main plate 306, than the handle's cylinder is free to slide out forward as shown on Fig.l0C in the direction of the arrow 320.

Claims

1. A three axis bicycle to trailer connecting means comprising: • a flexible connecting mechanism

• a retaining mechanism

Wherein said connecting mechanism includes three axes of rotation each implemented by a different pivot, each associated with a rotational motion;

2. A three axis bicycle to trailer connecting means as in claim 1, wherein at least one pivot is implemented in said trailer;

3. A three axis bicycle to trailer connecting means as in claim 1, where in at list one pivot is restrain by a radial dumper;

4. A -trailer connecting means as in claim 1, wherein said retaining mechanism is quick connecting;

5. A connecting system which is used for attaching standard shopping trolley's handle to a bicycle frame in order to tow the trolley while riding the bicycle comprising: a bar or a rack; first link; second link; a towing hook ; gripping means; Where in the bar or the said rack is rigidly connected to the bicycle frame by any mean and on the other side it is connected any way of pivotally connection to the said first link;

Where in the said first link is connected in any pivotally connection to the said second link:

Where in the said second link is connected in any pivotally connection to the said towing hook;

Where in the said towing hook is allow to place the said shopping trolley's handle in the towing hook's cavity from the top side; Where in the said gripping means is connected to the said towing hook which locks the shopping trolley's handle after it was placed in the said ^ towing hook;

Where by the said three axes applying changing of the angles between the bicycle and the shopping trolley in three degrees of freedom;

6. a trolley which is design to connect to the bicycle's frame in order to tow it while riding the bicycle which contain mean to connect and disconnect from the bicycle comprising; a trolley which built from main frame which two or more wheel attach to its bottom and the top of the trolley's frame is connecting pivotally central bar; a handle; a link with cylindrical hole; a bar or a rack;

Where in the said rod or a rack is rigidly connected rigidly on it one side to the said bicycle frame;

Where in the other side of the said rod or rack is pivotally connected to the said link with a cylindrical hole; Where in the said central rod connected in it low side to the said trolley's frame;

Where in upper side of the rod connected to the said handle;

Where in the said handle connected by any pivotally to the said cylindrical holed link as well as the lower side of the said handle inserted in the said cylinder hole link;

Where in allow to connect and disconnect the said trolley from and to the bicycle by inserting or sliding the lower part of the said handle from the said cylinder hole; Where in the lower part of the said handle includes a locking mechanism which allows quick connecting and disconnecting of the said trolley to the bicycle.

7. The said trolley on claim 6 wherein the locking means assembled in the lower part of the said handle which includes a retaining tooth which is controlled by available button;