EP3102480A1 - Dispositif permettant de relier deux vélos - Google Patents

Dispositif permettant de relier deux vélos

Info

Publication number
EP3102480A1
EP3102480A1 EP15746588.1A EP15746588A EP3102480A1 EP 3102480 A1 EP3102480 A1 EP 3102480A1 EP 15746588 A EP15746588 A EP 15746588A EP 3102480 A1 EP3102480 A1 EP 3102480A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rod
bicycle
gravel
steering
steering axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15746588.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3102480A4 (fr
Inventor
Njål UNDERHAUG
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Familybikes As
Original Assignee
Familybikes As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Familybikes As filed Critical Familybikes As
Publication of EP3102480A1 publication Critical patent/EP3102480A1/fr
Publication of EP3102480A4 publication Critical patent/EP3102480A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K13/00—Cycles convertible to, or transformable into, other types of cycles or land vehicle
    • B62K13/06—Cycles convertible to, or transformable into, other types of cycles or land vehicle to a quadricycle, e.g. by coupling together two bicycles side by side
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K27/00—Sidecars; Forecars; Trailers or the like specially adapted to be attached to cycles
    • B62K27/10—Other component parts or accessories
    • B62K27/12—Coupling parts for attaching cars or the like to cycle; Arrangements thereof

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a connecting device between two bicycles. More particularly, it relates to a connecting device between a first bicycle and a second bicycle, in which a supporting frame connects the first bicycle to the second bicycle, and in which a steering rod is directly or indirectly connected between the front-wheel suspension of the first bicycle and the front-wheel suspension of the second bicycle.
  • a steering rod is connected between the front-wheel suspensions of the bicycles to ensure that the bicycles will run as one unit.
  • the device according to NO 322361 is conditional on the ground cycled on being relatively firm in order to function in a reliable way.
  • the invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.
  • a connecting device is provided between a controlling first bicycle and a second bicycle, wherein a supporting frame connects the first bicycle to the second bicycle, and wherein a steering rod is directly or indirectly connected between the front-wheel suspension of the first bicycle, which is rotatable around a first steering axis, and the front-wheel suspension of the second bicycle, which is rotatable around a second steering axis,
  • the connecting device being characterized by including a gravel rod which is connected between the front-wheel suspension of the first bicycle and the front-wheel suspension of the second bicycle, and the steering rod being in front of the second steering axis relative to the direction of travel, and the distance of the gravel rod relative to the second steering axis being different from the distance of the steering rod relative to the second steering axis, the length of the gravel rod being restrictedly variable during use.
  • the extended centre lines of the steering rod and the gravel rod extend in front of or behind the respective steering axes. It may happen that the rods are of a shape that contributes to not giving a clearly defined longitudinal axis. In such cases, the centre line of the steering rod may be considered as running through the two steering-rod mountings of the steering rod, whereas the centre line of the gravel rod may be considered as running through the gravel-rod mountings of the gravel rod.
  • the supporting frame is pivotably attached to the first bicycle to absorb the angular change that occurs as the bicycles are "leaning" in a bend, for example.
  • the gravel rod prevents a sudden occurrence of too great a steering-angle difference between the front wheel of the first bicycle and the front wheel of the second bicycle. Too large a steering-angle deflection between the front wheels has turned out to lead to the possibility of the second bicycle overturning.
  • the gravel rod is arranged to allow a certain steering-angle deviation between the front wheels.
  • a practical embodiment of the connecting device and positioning of the attachment points in preference to a theoretical embodiment based on the steering geometry has as a consequence that a certain change in track width occurs during cycling and thereby a certain steering-angle deviation.
  • a desired elastic attachment of the steering rod has the effect of enabling the person present on the second bicycle to contribute to steering the second bicycle himself, with a subsequent steering deviation resulting.
  • the restrictedly variable length of the gravel rod thus allows the front wheels to roll freely without skidding sideways when the bicycles are steered and are leaning sideways in bends, for example, where the steering angles of the front wheels will have to differ somewhat.
  • the forces transmitted through the gravel rod to the handlebars of the first bicycle on sudden steering-angle deflections, for example in consequence of too little friction under the front wheel of the second bicycle, are limited by the gravel rod being arranged at a relatively short distance from the steering axis of the first bicycle.
  • the distance between the rods and the height from the ground are determined from practical considerations relative to wheel size and attachments.
  • the gravel rod is telescopic with an integral end stop, at least in one direction.
  • the gravel rod is connected to the front-wheel suspensions of the bicycles via an elastic material. There may be combinations of these.
  • the gravel rod prefferably be provided with at least one quick-release coupling to enable relatively quick connection to and disconnection from the bicycles whenever required.
  • Tests show that the gravel rod is also effective in holding the second bicycle in a desired position when it "is bouncing" on the ground, typically when there is no person present on the second bicycle.
  • the device according to the invention solves unfortunate aspects of prior-art connecting devices for bicycles in a simple and reliable way.
  • Figure 1 shows, in perspective, bicycles with a connecting device including a gravel rod according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of a gravel rod
  • Figure 3 shows a plan view of a gravel rod in another embodiment.
  • the reference numeral 1 indicates a connecting device between a first bicycle 2 and a second bicycle 4.
  • the connecting device 1 includes a supporting frame 6 which, in addition to being directly or indirectly connected in an articulated manner to the frame 8 of the first bicycle 2, is directly or indirectly and releasably connected to the frame 10 of the second bicycle 4.
  • connection may include intermediate components.
  • the connecting device 1 also includes a steering rod 12 which is connected via a first bail 14 to the front-wheel suspension 16 of the first bicycle at a first steering-rod mounting 17.
  • the front-wheel suspension 16 of the first bicycle 2 with a front wheel 18 rotates around a first steering axis 20 as usual.
  • the steering rod 12 is connected to the front-wheel suspension 22 of the second bicycle 4 via a second bail 24 at a second steering-rod mounting 25.
  • the front-wheel suspension 22 of the second bicycle 4 with a front wheel 26 rotates around a second steering axis 28.
  • a gravel rod 32 is arranged between the front-wheel suspension 16 of the first bicycle 2 and the front-wheel suspension 22 of the second bicycle 4.
  • the gravel rod 32 is connected to the front-wheel suspension 16 of the first bicycle 2 at a first gravel-rod mounting 33 and to the front-wheel suspension 22 of the second bicycle 4 at a second gravel-rod mounting 35.
  • the gravel rod 12 is at a distance in front of the first steering axis 20 and the second steering axis 28 in the direction of travel.
  • the gravel rod 32 is on the opposite side of the first steering axis 20 and the second steering axis 28.
  • the gravel rod 32 may be telescopic between two end stops 34 as is shown in figure 2.
  • the telescopic displacement of a pin 36 which is attached to an inner telescope part 38 and runs in a slot 40 in an outer telescope part 42, is restricted.
  • the gravel rod 32 includes quick-release couplings 44 and rubber joints 46 and is connected to the first bail 14 via the first gravel-rod mounting 33 and to the second bail 24 via the second gravel-rod mounting 35.
  • the gravel rod 32 will limit the steering-angle deflection between the front wheels 18 and 26 so that the second bicycle 4 will not overturn. Normal functioning occurs as soon as the second bicycle 4 is on firm ground . The function is conditional on the first bicycle 2 being stable.
  • a gravel rod 32 which includes quick-release couplings 44 and a plate-shaped, elastic material 48 is shown.
  • the gravel rod 32 is connected by means of quick-release couplings 44 and the elastic material 48 to the first bail 14 at the first gravel-rod mounting 33 and to the second bail 24 at the second gravel-rod mounting 35.
  • the deflection between the steering angles of the front wheels 18, 26 is restricted by the greatest deflection of the elastic material .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
  • Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de liaison (1) entre une première bicyclette pilote (2) et une seconde bicyclette (4), un cadre de support (6) reliant la première bicyclette (2) à la seconde bicyclette (4) et une tige de direction (12) étant directement ou indirectement raccordée entre la suspension de roue avant (16) de la première bicyclette (2), qui peut tourner autour d'un premier axe de direction (20), et la suspension de roue avant (22) de la seconde bicyclette (4), qui peut tourner autour d'un second axe de direction (28), le dispositif de liaison (1) comprenant une barre de parallélisme (32) qui est raccordée entre la suspension de roue avant (16) de la première bicyclette (2) et la suspension de roue avant (16) de la seconde bicyclette (4), la tige de direction (12) se trouvant à l'avant du second axe de direction (28) par rapport à la direction de déplacement, et la distance de la barre de parallélisme (32) par rapport au second axe de direction (28) étant différente de la distance de la tige de direction (12) par rapport au second axe de direction (28), la longueur de la barre de parallélisme (32) étant, de façon limitée, variable lors de l'utilisation.
EP15746588.1A 2014-02-05 2015-02-03 Dispositif permettant de relier deux vélos Withdrawn EP3102480A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20140139A NO337053B1 (no) 2014-02-05 2014-02-05 Sammenkoplingsanordning mellom to sykler
PCT/NO2015/050022 WO2015119506A1 (fr) 2014-02-05 2015-02-03 Dispositif permettant de relier deux vélos

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3102480A1 true EP3102480A1 (fr) 2016-12-14
EP3102480A4 EP3102480A4 (fr) 2017-12-13

Family

ID=53778230

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15746588.1A Withdrawn EP3102480A4 (fr) 2014-02-05 2015-02-03 Dispositif permettant de relier deux vélos

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3102480A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN106163911A (fr)
HK (1) HK1231447A1 (fr)
NO (1) NO337053B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015119506A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US469722A (en) * 1892-03-01 Attachment for bicycles
US1522039A (en) * 1923-07-28 1925-01-06 Walter W Swearinger Bicycle connecter
CH147314A (de) * 1930-07-18 1931-05-31 Lindner Adolf Fahrzeug mit nebeneinander angeordneten Fahrrädern.
US4290620A (en) * 1974-01-28 1981-09-22 Chika John J Structure to couple two bicycles
FR2467764A1 (fr) * 1979-10-17 1981-04-30 Velocar Dispositif d'accouplement de deux cycles cote a cote
DE102004025292A1 (de) * 2004-05-19 2005-12-15 Idee-1 Gmbh Fahrradgespann
NO322351B1 (no) * 2005-01-31 2006-09-18 Njal Underhaug As Anordning ved sykkelfeste
KR20090005029U (ko) * 2007-11-22 2009-05-27 김양욱 레저커플자전거
CN201545126U (zh) * 2009-11-25 2010-08-11 蔡钟坤 多功能自行车

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2015119506A1 (fr) 2015-08-13
HK1231447A1 (zh) 2017-12-22
EP3102480A4 (fr) 2017-12-13
CN106163911A (zh) 2016-11-23
NO337053B1 (no) 2016-01-11
NO20140139A1 (no) 2015-08-06

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Ipc: B62K 27/12 20060101ALI20171106BHEP

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