EP3030476A2

EP3030476A2 - Bicycle frame with storage compartment

Info

Publication number: EP3030476A2
Application number: EP14835985.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Barnabás VÁGI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-10
Filing date: 2014-08-01
Publication date: 2016-06-15
Also published as: WO2015022554A3; WO2015022554A2; EP3030476A4; HUP1300480A2

Abstract

Bicycle frame with storage compartment, where the frame has an approximately vertical oblique head tube at the front, an approximately vertical oblique rear frame tube at the rear that accommodates a seatpost, at the lower end of which it has a bore to accommodate the axle of a chain wheel or a belt drive wheel, and the rear frame tube - near the aforementioned bore - attaches to a lower frame tube that runs to the head tube obliquely and upwardly, and the parts of the frame tubes altogether surround and define a central hollow space in which the storage compartment can be placed. The lower frame tube has a bottom part (17) that runs towards the front in an approximately horizontal path to certain dimensions, and a curved frame part runs to the headtube (4) from the front end of the said bottom part section (17), and the storage compartment, made of reinforced carbon fibre or another composite sheet, is a unit encompassing a closed space that can only be opened and accessed from the top, and the said storage compartment has two approximately vertical side walls (2) and edges that are approximately perpendicular to the said side walls, and the edges attach in a form-fitting way following those parts of the frame that define the central space and partly include these parts. In case of frames made with carbon fibre technology the storage compartment can be manufactured together with the frame in the same technological step.

Description

BICYCLE FRAME WITH STORAGE COMPARTMENT

The invention relates to a bicycle frame with storage compartment, wherein the frame has an approximately vertical oblique head tube at the front, an approximately vertical oblique rear frame tube at the rear that accommodates a seatpost and at the lower end of which it has a bore to accommodate the axle of a chain wheel or a belt drive wheel, and near the bore of the rear frame tube it attaches to a lower frame tube that runs to the head tube obliquely and upwardly, and the parts of the frame tubes altogether surround and define a central hollow space in which the storage compartment can be placed.

Bicycle transport in cities is getting increasingly popular nowadays, as more and more people shift to travel by bicycle at least partly due to crowded public roads and traffic jams. One of the barriers to this process is the fact that the possibility of transporting luggage on a bicycle - compared to transporting it by car - is greatly limited in terms of both the size of the luggage and the method by which it is carried on the bicycle and/or on the cyclist. Undoubtedly, the awkwardness of transporting luggage has a massive impact on the daily choices of passengers concerning their preferred means of transport, which may account for the large number of people who continue to travel by car or public transport instead.

The solutions available in practice for carrying bags and parcels on a bicycle tend to be less comfortable. The most common is the use of the classic rear carrier, which is - apart from being particularly narrow - positioned relatively high, thus placing luggage on it causes the centre of gravity to rise. Furthermore, the rear carrier is positioned out of sight of the cyclist, and thus the rider is unable to ensure their luggage is not lost or stolen. Another common solution is using a front basket, which - especially when loaded with heavier luggage - again influences the centre of gravity of the bicycle-cyclist system in a very disadvantageous manner, lifting and pushing it forward, while also decreasing manoeuvrability of the vehicle, causing it to over-steer, as the luggage amplifies the effect of steering movements. In both cases, the luggage is placed just over a wheel, thus exposing it to significant shaking and potential dirt thrown up by the wheels. In these positions, luggage is also exposed to the elements, such as rain or snow.

As an alternative, many cyclists use a rucksack. In this way, the luggage is subject to less shock and cannot easily be lost or stolen; however, the centre of gravity is extremely high, sweat builds up between the rucksack and the rider's back and the cyclist is necessarily required to carry their luggage in a rucksack type bag that is not accepted in all business situations. For these reasons, passengers often chose not to use a bicycle.

The solution published under patent registration number DE1020431 1 (Al) describes a storage box that can be mounted into the main triangle of a bicycle frame, which box has a side door for putting luggage in or taking it out. The side door has evident disadvantages as a side door which is too small makes it impossible to fully use the internal space, as the small door will not let in larger objects such as a larger bag that would otherwise fit easily into the available space. On the other hand, if the door is large enough to allow a bag to be put in which would fill the available space, then smaller objects might easily fall out upon opening the door, because while travelling the contents tend to arrange themselves in a bottom-up manner and lean against the side walls, that is, against the door on one of the sides. This solution does not exceed the dimensions of the topology of frame triangles of typical bicycles.

While searching for illustrations, a further solution, the so-called 'Tato bike' has been found (www.tato.li). This bicycle has a special frame as its upper tube has been doubled in a horizontal plane and connected by two U-shaped tubes that are perpendicular to the heading direction of the vehicle. These tubes can hold a handbag that is placed in from above, provided that the size of the bag is appropriate. Lacking a closed space and having only a loose framework, this solution is only compatible with such bags that more or less fit into the created tube framework, because under a specific size the bag would fall out between the tubes. Smaller objects (such as a pump, a water flask, a lock or objects placed in a plastic bag) can only be transported in a bag, because these objects would otherwise fall out of the structure. The size of the storage space is also limited, and the solution does not exceed the standard dimensions of a classic frame in the symmetry plane of the vehicle.

The DE 19723886 (CI) and DE19723887 (CI) solutions offer a storage box from a textile-like material that is placed into the first triangle. These are storage elements placed into the first triangle of a male frame, attached to the tubes surrounding the triangle. Noticeably, a very similar solution has been used since the second world war on bicycles of the German and Swiss army (under MO- 05, MO-93, and then MO- 12 registration numbers), where (most similarly) a bag has been placed into the first triangle of the bicycle that follows the shape of the frame and mounted to the frame tubes. This is another special solution, where the bag can be opened at the side. Its content is also special (map and military equipment), and the shape of the bag is also specific, making it impossible or at least impractical to use it unmounted as a bag on its own. As a further disadvantage, the bag only uses a much smaller space than that available within the frame. Despite these disadvantages, this solution shows that a larger object placed into the frame triangle does not necessarily hinder pedalling or decrease functionality of the bicycle.

According to the patent with registration number JPH10157684 (A), an approximately horizontal platform is created above the lowered upper tube of a female frame, the platform of which is large enough to accommodate a bag. Along with technological development of the bicycle industry, increasing numbers of carbon fibre reinforced plastic frames have appeared on the market, where the applied technology gives huge versatility to design and construction. Despite this fact, shaping a luggage space while shaping the frame, that is, to establish them in the same technological step, has not previously been thought of and even for the above mentioned composite frames, the above mentioned mountable separate storage enclosure - with several disadvantages - is normally applied.

The primary object of the invention is to create a bicycle with a frame that can be complemented with a centrally-positioned storage compartment that prevents the listed disadvantages, while being aesthetic and without encumbering pedalling of the cyclist.

The secondary object of the invention is to develop carbon fibre reinforced plastic frames in such a manner that facilitates the creation of the storage compartment along with creating the frame, both in the same technological step.

The invention is based on the recognition that a novel combined approach and possibilities in using the light and stiff carbon fibre or other composite materials facilitates the creation of a storage compartment in the central zone of the bicycle, in place of the first triangle between the head tube and the seat tube, that is accessible from above and that possesses the aforementioned advantageous attributes in an ideal combination.

Regarding the basic aspect of the invention, I created a bicycle frame with a storage compartment, where the frame has an approximately vertical oblique head tube at the front and an approximately vertical oblique rear frame tube at the rear that accommodates a seatpost. At the lower end of the rear frame tube here is a bore to accommodate the axle of a chain wheel or a belt drive wheel, and the rear frame tube - near the aforementioned bore - attaches to a lower frame tube that runs to the head tube obliquely and upwardly, and the parts of the frame tubes altogether surround and define a central hollow space in which the storage compartment can be placed, and according to the invention, the lower frame tube has a bottom part that runs towards the front in an approximately horizontal path in a predetermined length, and a curved frame section runs obliquely to the headtube from the front end of the said bottom part section, and the storage compartment, made of reinforced carbon fibre or other composite sheet, is a unit encompassing a closed space that can only be opened and accessed from the top, and said storage compartment has two outwardly bowed, approximately vertical side walls and edges that are approximately perpendicular to the said side walls, and the edges attach in a form-fitting way following those parts of the frame that define the central space and partly include these parts.

In a preferable embodiment, the upper opening of the storage compartment is closed by a tilting door. Strength of the storage compartment is enhanced if the upper opening is bordered by thickened and reinforced upper edges of the side walls.

The luggage space can be enlarged if the bottom line of the approximately horizontal section of the bottom part is level with or lower than the horizontal lower tangent of the chain wheel or belt drive wheel.

The manufacturing process becomes much simpler if the storage compartment, excluding the door that closes the upper opening, is a shell structure made as one piece.

Regarding the second aspect of the invention, I created a bicycle frame with a storage compartment, where the frame is a uniform shell structure made with carbon fibre technology or made of another composite material, where the frame has an approximately vertical oblique part at the front to accommodate a head tube, a part to accommodate a seatpost at the rear, an approximately vertical oblique rear frame edge at the lower end of which is a bore to accommodate the axle of a chain wheel or a belt drive wheel, and the storage compartment, according to the invention, is a hollow space formed in the centre of the frame structure, which is bordered by load- bearing structural elements of the frame at the front, bottom and rear, and two slightly bowed, approximately vertical side walls that follow the frame curvatures, and there is an opening at the top of the storage compartment with a door through which luggage is placed or removed.

According to the solution of the invention, a well accessible and protected space is established for luggage. Presence of luggage barely influences the centre of gravity of the bicycle, and thanks to its clever allocation, the dimensions of the storage compartment do not encumber pedalling of the cyclist, the storage compartment is aesthetic and its rainproof internal space facilitates careful transportation of luggage. In the case of frames made with carbon fibre technology, the storage compartment can be manufactured together with the frame in the same technological step, which decreases manufacturing costs and facilitates making a professional and beautiful product.

Below I describe the present invention in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings in which:

Figure 1. is a front view of an integrated male bicycle frame with central storage compartment; Figure 2. is a front view of an integrated female bicycle frame with central storage compartment, lowered bottom part and storage compartment door;

Figure 3. is a front view of an integrated bicycle Y-frame with central storage compartment and lowered bottom part;

Figure 4. is the front view of a lowered bottom part with belt drive; and

Figure 5. is a shell structure frame with a door turning out sideways. Figure 1 . illustrates the embodiment of a male composite bicycle frame with integrated central storage compartment and visualizes a bottom bracket 8, a seat post 5 and its upper end 6, a head tube 4, and the storage compartment of the invention, and its two side walls 2 defining the hollow inner space that have reinforced upper edges 3 and the lower and lateral edges of the side walls 2 attach to parts of the bicycle frame, namely, the bottom part 1, the head tube 4 and the seat tube 5, and its shape is adjusted to the shape of the chainguard 10 that protects the chain wheel 9. The upper door 12 of the storage compartment can be opened upwards by turning around its axis of rotation 14. It can be recognized on the illustration that the bicycle frame has no upper frame tube, because the storage compartment takes its place. Despite standard bicycle frames, this bicycle frame is designed between the head tube 4 and the rear approximately vertical frame tube in such a way that from the edge at the axis of rotation 18 the frame continues towards the front approximately horizontally or with a little elevation, and at the bottom, it bends up from a bottom part to the head tube 4. With this design such a large, slightly trapezoid space is created in the frame for the storage compartment where the necessary luggage, such as a briefcase, can easily be placed. It is important to mention that the side walls 2 form a hollow trough with the frame, or more precisely, the trough sits on the frame tube and the side walls 2 then bow outwards to provide appropriate internal space for accommodating the luggage. The outward bowing can be seen as a very aesthetic slight transition and the storage compartment is wide in such areas where the distance between the legs is relatively large and thus it does not encumber pedalling of the cyclist. Within this description - for the sake of convenience - we describe frame parts as tubes. It is a well known fact that frames can be made of any kind of load bearing profile instead of tubes, such as U or V profile open sections, carbon fibre reinforced spatial profile or from various parts. The function of these elements is to bear the load as a whole system and to establish a strong connection between the front and the rear wheels. Hence, where we use the expression 'tube' in the present description, we imply the above mentioned equivalent elements as well.

Figure 2. illustrates the embodiment of an integrated female bicycle frame with central storage compartment, and visualizes the side walls 2 of the storage compartment surrounded by the lower edge of a chain wheel 18, the central section of a seat tube 7, the head tube 4, and the reinforced upper side wall edges 3, the side walls of which 2 attach to a lowered bottom part 17 that is a continuation of a lowered chainstay 1 1, to the head tube 4 and to the seat tube 5. Furthermore, the shape of the storage compartment also orientates to the chain guard 10 protecting the chain wheel 9, and the upper door 13 of the storage compartment 12 is accessible by means of a zip fastener. Here again, the bottom part 17 of the frame includes a horizontal section from the rear edge towards the front, and the curve of the frame only bends up towards the head tube 4 from the front edge of this horizontal section. In this case the storage compartment is not horizontal but has an oblique upper part inclining backwards so as to provide maximal convenience to female cyclists, too.

Figure 3. illustrates the embodiment of a bicycle Y-frame with integrated central storage compartment. The storage compartment is bordered by the lower edge of the chain wheel 18 at the 5 bottom, by the upper end of the seat tube 6 at the rear and at the top, and the central part of the bottom part 15 at the front. The two side walls 2 meet in such a manner that a concave groove is established between them that follow the curvatures of the side walls, the concaveness of which fits to the bent shape of the frame tube. At the top, the reinforced side wall edges 3 establish the edge of the internal space and provide appropriate strength and stability. The grooved middle section

10 stands against the lower bottom part 17 of the frame and against the seat tube 5. Its shape provides appropriate space for the chain guard 10 protecting the chain wheel 9. In this embodiment the upper door 12 of the storage compartment can be opened and closed by turning it around the horizontally oriented axis of rotation 14 at the front. In this embodiment the highest point of the storage compartment is in the proximity of the seat tube 6 and runs down towards the central part

15 of the frame 1 5 obliquely.

Figure 4. illustrates the area around the bottom bracket with a lowered chain stay 1 1 and bottom part 17. In this embodiment the bicycle is driven by a belt 16 instead of a chain. The profile of the lower and rear edges of the storage compartment follow the shape of the frame, its lower and rear edges are close to rectangular, because the lowered bottom part 17 of the frame is in the

20 continuation line of the lowered chain stay 1 1. The profile of the side wall 2 attaches to the seat tube 5 at the rear and connects to it via a concave trough.

Figure 5. illustrates the embodiment of a bicycle frame made as a carbon fibre reinforced shell structure, where the storage compartment is realized in the central hollow space. In this case, the shell structure accounts for all functions of a traditional frame, thus it contains the seat tube 5, the

25 head tube 4, the reinforced upper side wall edges 3 of the storage compartment, the side wall 2 of the storage compartment that follow the line of the chain guard 10 that protects the chain wheel 9, and the lowered bottom part 17 adjusted to the lower edge of the chain wheel drive 18, the components of which form a unified shell structure. The upper door 12 of the storage compartment opens and closes the luggage space by turning sideway around an oblique vertical axis of rotation

30 14. Due to the applied carbon fibre technology there are no separate frame tubes here, but the shell structure itself provides the strong connection between the suspension of the front and rear wheels. Here again, the bottom of the frame body continues forwards along a short horizontal section from the axis of the chain wheel 9 and the curved elevation begins only after this horizontal part.

Upon using the central storage compartment according to the invention, the location of the

35 centre of gravity will be much lower than when using the traditional rear luggage rack or a front basket, therefore movements of the bicycle will be more stable. In contrast to the rear rack, with the central storage compartment the luggage will be in full view of the rider, so the risk of unauthorized access is less and the risk of losing the luggage is practically impossible due to the closed storage compartment. Luggage placed halfway between the two wheels is exposed to much less shock and vibration than those placed over the wheels. Due to the opening of the storage compartment being at the top, the luggage does not fall out of the storage space upon opening the door, and due to the fact that almost the entire of one of the sides of the storage compartment can be opened, the available space can be used almost entirely. The storage compartment also offers protection for vulnerable luggage against dirt and rain.

The solution comprising the core of the invention also offers the above advantages in case of child bicycles, although in such cases, due to lower speed and lighter luggage items, one of the main functions of the storage compartment might be to store knee and elbow protectors and smaller toys. It is reasonable to store the protectors together with the bicycle because equipment stored separately is often left at home.

If the storage compartment according to the invention replaces a traditional front or rear luggage rack or basket, then aerodynamic features of the vehicle will be improved. Regarding headwind, in case of a city bicycle, the additional drag incurred by the storage compartment solution is negligible, especially in the case of it replacing a front basket that does itself significantly increase the drag coefficient. The body of the cyclist on the bicycle is perpendicular to the direction of travel and the potential increase in drag should be taken into account with that in mind, as the storage compartment is arranged in parallel with the plane of the direction of travel and thus the drag increase caused by it is less in the direction of travel.

Similarly to walking, the movements made during cycling show individual variations. Some people cycle with their legs and knees kept close, and for such people smaller variations of the integrated storage compartment described in the invention might be convenient, whereas for the majority of cyclists, especially for men, or for those used to a male bicycle frame, bicycle frames with a higher built integrated storage compartment shall also be perfectly convenient.

Claims

1 . Bicycle frame with a storage compartment, wherein the frame has an approximately vertical oblique head tube at the front, an approximately vertical oblique rear frame tube at the rear that accommodates a seatpost at the lower end of which it has a bore to accommodate the axle of a chain wheel or a belt drive wheel, and the rear frame tube - near the aforementioned bore - attaches to a lower frame tube that runs to the head tube obliquely and upwardly, and the parts of the frame tubes altogether surround and define a central hollow space in which the storage compartment can be placed, characterized in that the lower frame tube has a bottom part (17) that runs towards the front in an approximately horizontal path in a certain length, and a curved frame part that runs to the headtube (4) from the front end of the said bottom part section (17), and the storage compartment, made of reinforced carbon fibre or other composite sheet, is a unit encompassing a closed space that can only be opened and accessed from the top, and said storage compartment has two approximately vertical side walls (2) and edges that are approximately perpendicular to the said side walls, and the edges attach in a form-fitting way following those parts of the frame that define the central space and partly include these parts

2. Bicycle frame according to claim 1 , characterized in that the upper opening of the storage compartment is closed by a tilting door.

3. Bicycle frame according to claim 1 , characterized in that the upper opening of the storage compartment is bordered by thickened and reinforced upper edges (3) of the side walls (2).

4. Bicycle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom line of the approximately horizontal section of the bottom part (17) is level with or lower than the horizontal lower tangent of the chain wheel or belt drive wheel (9).

5. Bicycle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage compartment, except its door (12) that closes the upper opening, is a shell structure made as one piece.

6. Bicycle frame according to claim 1, characterized in that its side walls (2) are slightly bowed outwards.

7. Bicycle frame with storage compartment, wherein the frame is a uniform shell structure made with carbon fibre technology or of another composite material, wherein the frame has an approximately vertical part at the front to accommodate a head tube, a part to accommodate a seatpost at the rear, an approximately vertical rear frame edge at the lower end of which it has a bore to accommodate the axle of a chain wheel or a belt drive wheel, characterized in that the storage compartment is a hollow space situated in the centre of the frame structure, which is bordered by load-bearing structural elements of the frame at the front, bottom and rear, and two slightly bowed, approximately vertical side walls (2) that follow the frame curvatures, and there is an opening at the top of the storage compartment with a door (12) that can be opened and closed to allow luggage to be placed or removed.