FR3069841A1 - LOCOMOTION MACHINE OF BIKE OR CYCLE TYPE PROVIDED WITH LOAD TRANSPORT MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locomotion machine (1) comprising a frame (10) provided at the rear of a saddle (13) adapted to receive a user and comprising at least two wheels (17, 18) carried by the frame ( 10), including a front wheel (17) and a rear wheel (18), the frame (10) having a steering tube (15) in which is rotatably mounted a fork (16), the front wheel (17) being mounted at the lower end of the fork (16), and being adapted to be actuated by means of a handlebar (20) mounted at the upper end of the fork (16). The locomotion machine further comprises a load carrying system (100) fixed to the frame (10) in front of and above the front steering wheel (17), the handlebar (20) is arranged towards the rear relative to the steering tube (15). This type of construction makes it possible to carry a rather high load up front while preserving the maneuverability of the locomotion machine.

Description

BIKE OR CYCLING LOCOMOTION MACHINE PROVIDED WITH MEANS OF TRANSPORT

CHARGE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a cycle or bicycle type locomotion machine provided with multipurpose load transport means and in particular means of transporting children at the front.

There are quantities of bikes and bike architectures and systems for transporting children and / or loads. In general, for the transport of children, there are removable baby seats to attach to the rear of the bike, these seats can only carry one child, and above all do not allow to keep the child in his visual field, make the bicycle more unstable in the presence of the child and more the latter has his visual field blocked by the cyclist. These child seats do not allow the transport of other loads.

There are also specific bikes, such as those known under the name "Marna Chari" in Japan, in which the child seat is fixed to the front on the handlebars, which allows the cyclist to keep the child well in his field. visual and also allows the child to look at the landscape, on the other hand these bikes are difficult to steer, due to the presence of the child which interferes with the cyclist's field of vision and adds significant overweight on the handlebars. In addition, the child seat rotates with the handlebars, which makes the latter more difficult to maneuver and control. In addition, the wheel is generally smaller to allow the passage of the child seat, which for example makes obstacle clearance more difficult.

Transport bikes or utility bikes are also known, with very varied architectures and making it possible to carry varied and heavier loads. For example, the so-called cargo or two-carrier bicycle has a conventional frame at the rear with a front wheel very offset towards the front and dissociated from the handlebars so as to receive a lowered plate, that is to say close to the ground so to lower the center of gravity of the assembly and improve the stability of said bicycle, or else a transport tray placed between the handlebars and the front wheel and also placed close to the ground. This type of device is complex, very heavy and bulky, difficult to handle and requires electrical assistance to compensate for the significant weight of the bicycle linked to its complex structure. Furthermore, this type of bike, designed for transporting heavy loads, is not at all suitable for transporting children who find themselves too close to the ground and too exposed to collisions with other vehicles and to pollution emitted by motorized vehicles. In the same spirit there are also bicycle trailers, with the same disadvantages of weight, size, poor handling and proximity of the load to the ground as so-called cargo bikes.

Finally, there are bikes, “Faraday” type bikes (trade name) fitted at the front with a load carrying system fixed to the frame, but this carrying system only allows loads of medium weight and reduced height and is not or hardly compatible with carrying children or high loads, the turning radius of the handlebars then being limited by the height of the load.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks. An object of the present invention is to provide a locomotion and load carrying system which makes it possible to transport children safely for the child and the driver. An aim is also that the system is practical and handy as a function of the load transported, and versatile in particular making it possible to transport bulky loads of different types without degrading the stability or the maneuverability of the machine.

Another object is to allow the transport of a second child with a conventional baby carrier on the rear luggage carrier.

This or these goals are achieved in the locomotion machine according to the present invention, which comprises a frame, provided at the rear of a saddle capable of receiving a user and comprising at least two wheels carried by the frame, including a wheel front steering wheel and a rear wheel, the frame comprising a steering tube in which a fork is rotatably mounted, the front steering wheel being mounted at the lower end of the fork, and being able to be actuated by means of a mounted handlebar at the upper end of the fork, the locomotion machine further comprising a load carrying system fixed on the frame at the front of said frame, above the front steering wheel, machine in which the handlebar is arranged backwards from the head tube.

Indeed, compared to a conventional bicycle-type locomotion machine in which the cyclist puts a significant part of his weight on the handlebars, this arrangement allows, on the one hand, to offset the weight exerted by the user or cyclist on the handlebars towards the rear in relation to the load and therefore makes it possible to balance the load on the front of the frame and make it much more manageable, and, on the other hand, to allow a large radius of turning the handlebars, even with a high load, the offset of the handlebars backwards to avoid interference with said load even with large wheels, for example 26 inches or more, when pivoting the handlebars .

Surprisingly, this measure makes it possible to reconcile contradictory objectives, and makes it possible, at the same time to improve the handling of the bicycle, the handlebars being much less cumbersome to maneuver and the front wheel being able to be large and thus allowing to improve the passage of obstacles, sidewalks, and to have a greater possibility of transporting loads, both in terms of weight, that of size and in particular load height.

According to an additional aspect, the handlebars are inscribed in a volume in W, the apex of which is forwardly offset from the axis of the head tube by a value equal to the desired distance from the load, and the volume in W has two central branches and two outer branches and the opening angle of the central branches is 90 °, these provisions allow different forms of handlebars while ensuring a total displacement of twice 45 ° of the handlebars, and therefore optimum maneuverability of the bike even in town.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the load-carrying system comprises a tubular frame and a bottom panel extending in an essentially longitudinal direction of the machine. This structure makes the carrying system light and allows the carrying of different types of loads.

According to another aspect, the bottom panel is articulated in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. This arrangement makes it possible to fold it slightly in order to constitute a seat for a child and therefore increases the modularity of the load carrying system.

According to yet another aspect, the load carrying system comprises a protective arch extending in height at its end situated on the side of the handlebar. This arrangement allows protection of the load, which is particularly advantageous in the case of transporting fragile loads and in particular children.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages of these will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing, which illustrates by way of nonlimiting example, a mode and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the bicycle with a carrying system according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bicycle of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top view of the bicycle of FIG. 1 in the direction of the fork axis 15a, a child being represented diagrammatically on the front of the bicycle,

FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 3 in the 45 ° pivoted position of the handlebar,

FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, the cyclist and a child being represented,

FIG. 5 is a detailed rear perspective view of the carrying system,

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the load carrying system in the raised position from the bottom,

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the load carrying system in the flat position of the bottom,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 in the extended position of the protective cover of the carrying system,

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5 in the installed position of the protective cover of the carrying system.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bicycle 1 with carrying system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises a generally conventional structure, with a frame 10 essentially comprising a diagonal tube 11, a tube of saddle 12 surmounted at its upper end by a saddle 13, and connected to the rear wheel 18 by shrouds 14, and a steering tube 15, of longitudinal axis 15a, in which is mounted, rotatable around said axis 15a, a fork 16 carrying the front wheel 17. The fork 16 is shown in a conventional manner with two arms 16a on which the front wheel 17 is fixed, but could have a single arm then arranged asymmetrically with respect to the axis of the steering tube.

Also conventionally, the front wheel 17, the steering wheel, is mounted at the lower end of the arms 16a of the fork 16, and is actuated by a handlebar 20 mounted at the upper end of the fork 16. The bicycle further comprises a load carrying system 100, which will be called nacelle thereafter, fixed on the frame 10 at the front above the front steering wheel 17 and in this case on two fixing plates 15b integral with the tube steering 15. The system for fixing the nacelle 100 to the frame is not detailed since, calling on the general knowledge of those skilled in the art, it can be produced by welding or by any other removable fixing means, and by example of screws.

In the present case the down tube 11 is oversized and has the shape of a beam of oblong section, because the bicycle shown does not have a horizontal tube. It could also be a frame also comprising a horizontal tube, in addition to the conventional down tube or a frame of any other shape, the frame having to be designed and dimensioned to withstand the forces resulting from the cyclist and the load. carried using the carrying system according to the invention. The frame can be of any known material, metallic or otherwise.

The bicycle 1 also comprises a crankset and conventional transmission system by chain or other, whether or not equipped with a gear change system, which will not be described in more detail. The bicycle can also be fitted with a pedaling assistance or electrical transmission system.

The handlebar 20 has a very particular shape. It comprises a hanger 22 fixed to a bracket 21 integral with the fork 16, and coaxial with the latter and with the axis 15a of the steering tube 15, and comprises at each end of the hanger 22 handles 23 with braking system 24 The handles 23 and the brakes 24 can have any shape known per se and adapted to the morphology or needs of the user.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the hanger 22 has a very specific shape, it consists of a bent U-shaped tube (see FIG. 1) extending essentially in the vertical direction and is shaped and connected to the bracket 21 so as to extend only towards the rear relative to the longitudinal axis 15a of the head tube 15 / bracket 21, axis 15a which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bracket 21 due to the rotary assembly previously explained.

The particular shape of this hanger 22 can be modulated and adapted to the user insofar as it always meets the following constraints, shown schematically in Figures 2, 3 and 3A, namely that the handlebar assembly 20, constituted of the stem 21, of the hanger 22, of the handles 23 and of the brakes 24, is inscribed in a volume 25 defined at the rear of a left surface, delimited at the front in FIG. 3 by a broken line 25a having a shape of W whose apex 26 is forwardly offset relative to the axis 15a of the head tube 15 (and of stem 21), with a value d (see FIG. 4) equal to the desired distance from the load with respect to the axis of said head tube, and for example equal to 60mm. Furthermore, the volume in W has two central branches 27 and two outer branches 28.

As shown in Figures 3 and 3A:

the W is symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane of the front wheel 17 and of the bicycle 1 as a whole,

-the two central branches 27 are tangent to an arc centered on the axis of the bracket 21, which is also that 15a of the head tube 15, and whose radius 27a corresponds to the desired distance d between the load and l axis 15a of the bracket, and for example 60mm.

the angle between the central branches 27 corresponds to the desired total clearance of the handlebars, and is in the example shown at 90 °, another angle of clearance can of course be provided.

the outer branches 28 of the W each extend perpendicular to the adjacent central branch 27 and each outer branch 28 is situated at a distance dl from the axis of the head tube corresponding to at least half the width D of the load to carry.

For example, for a load 101 to be transported, -corresponding for example to a child-, having a width D of 250 mm, and located 60mm from the axis of the bracket 21, the two central branches 27 will be tangent to an arc of a 60mm circle centered on the axis 15a of the stem / steering tube and make an angle of 90 ° between them for a desired travel of 90 ° (i.e. + or - 45 ° relative to a aligned position of the handlebar with the bicycle), and each of the outer branches 28 is at a distance dl equal to 125mm from the axis of rotation 15a, in other words the length of each of the central branches 27 is 125mmm or half of 250mm. Of course the above mentioned angles of the W can be "cut" or rounded for a greater clearance.

Of course, the values given above are given by way of non-limiting example and may vary depending on the use of the bicycle (more or less maneuverable) and the size in width of the planned loads.

The geometry of the handlebars thus described, and in particular its offset towards the rear relative to the head tube and the stem, makes it possible to avoid any interference with the load 101, and in particular a child, whatever the angle of rotation of the handlebars 20 and whatever the seat height of the child 101, this is particularly apparent from Figure 3A where we see that the handlebars 20 does not interfere in any way with the load 101 (in this case a child ) for a turning angle of 45 °. Such a geometry is particularly advantageous and is moreover compatible with front wheels 17 of all sizes, of 26 inches and more, without any restriction, the child or the load not having to be placed under the handlebars as in the solutions. load carrying currently known.

In addition, a large angle of movement of the handlebars, of 90 ° in the example shown, is preserved and therefore excellent maneuverability, and in the end great comfort of use linked to the possibility of keeping large wheels.

It will be noted that the shape of the handlebars chosen also imposes a fairly straight position of the user on his saddle 13, so that his center of gravity is found directly above the saddle 13, which also allows the weight of the latter is fully taken over by the latter.

As a result, only a negligible proportion of additional weight related to the user is found on the handlebars 20, unlike bikes with conventional carrying systems, and the bike is then very pleasant and easy to handle and steer despite of the retracted position of the handles 23 relative to the axis 15a.

In the end, the bike presents an excellent compromise between size and weight of the load, handling and wheel size, which makes it particularly efficient and pleasant to drive, especially in town. With this construction, according to the exemplary embodiment, loads of 20 to 35 kg can be carried at the front, and of the order of 20 kg at the rear.

FIGS. 5 to 9 more particularly illustrate the construction of the nacelle 100. In the example shown, this nacelle 100 consists of a light and load-bearing framework 110, made of metal tubes welded together, and for example of alloy tubes. aluminum (for example alloy 6060 T6 of diameter 30), which supports a set of rigid panels forming a tray open at the top and suitable for receiving the products / child to be transported. As will be seen below, this container has a modular shape to adapt to the load 101 and in particular to the type of product / child transported.

The supporting structure or framework 110 mainly comprises two arches 111, 115, namely at the rear an arch 111, substantially in the shape of an inverted U and extending essentially in a vertical and horizontal direction an arch 115, also having substantially a shape of U and extending mainly in the longitudinal direction towards the front, defining the upper edge of the nacelle 100. The two arches 111, 115, as well as the set of tubes constituting the support structure, are connected together for example by welding or by hooking lugs (not shown) so as to facilitate disassembly. Two transverse tubes 112, 113 connect the two legs of the U 111 at the rear, respectively near their lower end and approximately 1/3 of the height of the arch 111. The upper transverse tube 113 ends the upper edge of the nacelle 100 in connection with the horizontal arch 115. The arch 111 has at its upper end 111a a slightly curved shape returning to the front and the top of the load 101 so as to protect the latter in the event of an impact, and therefore serves as a roll bar, this arrangement being very advantageous in the case of child transport.

The transverse tubes 112 and 113 are also used to fix the entire frame 110 on one or more fixing plates 15b secured to the frame of the bicycle, and in this case the steering tube 15, by means of four screws 112A . Of course other means of attachment to the frame of the bicycle can be provided. The horizontal hoop 115 is fixed to the hoop 111 approximately at the level of the upper rear tube 113. Two struts 114 laterally connect the horizontal hoop 115 to the vertical hoop 111, forming a triangulation.

This frame 110 supports side panels 130 fixed to the horizontal arch 115 and the struts 114, a rear panel or backrest 131 fixed to the tubes 112, 113 and a bottom panel 120 which, for its part, is simply suspended from the 'horizontal roll bar 115 on each side and on the front and rear by four hooking straps 140, 141 respectively (see Fig 5), these straps being arranged at the side panels 130. The hooking straps 141 located the most rearward are of adjustable length so as to allow the passage from an ergonomic sitting position, folded bottom 120, where the straps are shortened, to a flat bottom position, where the straps are lengthened. Of course, adjustable straps can also be provided in other places.

Each panel 120, 130, 131 is made of a rigid material, which must resist the load which has to be transported in order to serve as a support for it, and is for example made of wood and in particular laminated wood resistant to water, or other sufficiently resistant synthetic material. The panels 130 and 131 are fixed to the support structure 110 independently of each other and can therefore be changed individually in the event of deterioration.

The rear panels 131 and bottom 120 respectively are covered and connected together by a resistant textile material 125 such as that known under the trade name Cordura, this textile material also acts as a hinge 121 in the transverse direction, the bottom panel 120 being in two parts. The bottom panel 120 can therefore be folded up in a transverse upward direction as shown in FIG. 6 in order to pass from a position with a flat bottom more suitable for transporting objects to an ergonomic position with the bottom raised upwardly. to form a Vee as shown in Figure 6 more suited to receive a child as shown in Figure 4.

As will be understood, the front of the nacelle has no rigid wall and is simply closed by a flexible and extensible textile material 150, but resistant such as lycra or neoprene (trade names), attached to the straps 140 and to the horizontal arch 115 and possibly also to the textile material 125 of the bottom 120 so as to allow a better adaptation to the load transported, in particular to allow more comfort for the feet in the event of transport of a child, or quite simply to adapt to changes in the shape of the bottom, when moving from the flat position to the folded position, or vice versa.

It will be noted that the side panels 130 are provided so as to allow the bottom 120 to slide when it folds / unfolds. A child safety belt can also be provided, its various elements being hung, for example, on the one hand on the backrest 131 and on the other hand on the bottom panel 120.

According to the embodiment shown, the nacelle also includes a protective cover 160, in particular an anti-rain cover which is integral with the textile covering 125 of the backrest 131, or can be made detachable by means of press buttons or other attachment system. reversible. This cover is made of a waterproof and extensible material such as coated textile and is shaped so as to cover the whole of the nacelle 100 as shown in FIG. 9. In addition, the cover 160 can be stored in a pocket cover 170 provided in the textile covering 125 of the backrest 131. In the example shown, this cover pocket 170 is open downwards and provided at its lower edge with an elastic band 171 so as to allow storage (or conversely unfolding) quick and easy cover 170.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above by way of nonlimiting example, but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments. In particular, it is not limited to a two-wheeled bicycle but can also be applied to a cycle provided with two rear wheels. Similarly, the handlebars may be in one or more pieces, as well as the load-carrying system without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will also be noted that the proposed bicycle construction also allows the carrying of a load, and in particular of a child, at the rear in a manner known per se.

Claims (10)

1 Locomotion engine (1) comprising a frame (10) provided at the rear of a saddle (13) capable of receiving a user and comprising at least two wheels (17,18) carried by the frame (10), of which a front wheel (17) and a rear wheel (18), the frame (10) comprising a steering tube (15) in which a fork (16) is rotatably mounted, the front wheel (17) being mounted on the 'lower end of the fork (16), and being adapted to be actuated by means of a handlebar (20) mounted at the upper end of the fork (16), the locomotion machine further comprising a carrying system load (100) fixed on the frame (10) at the front of said frame, above the front wheel (17) steerable, characterized in that the handlebar (20) is disposed rearward relative to the tube steering (15). 2 locomotion engine according to claim 1, characterized in that the handlebar (20) comprises a hanger (22) fixed on a stem (21) integral with the fork, and in that the hanger (22) extends completely towards the rear relative to the longitudinal axis (15a) of the steering tube (15). 3 locomotion engine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the handlebars (20) is inscribed in a volume in W whose top (26) is forwardly offset from the axis ( 15a) of the steering tube (15) with a value (d) equal to the desired distance of the load from the handlebars. 4 locomotion engine according to claim 3, characterized in that the volume in W has two central branches (27) and two outer branches (28) and in that the opening angle of the central branches (27) is substantially equal at the angle of travel of the steering. 5 locomotion engine according to claim 4 characterized in that the outer branches (28) of the W each extend perpendicular to the central branch (27) adjacent and in that each outer branch (28) is located at a distance (dl ) of the axis (15a) of the head tube corresponding to at least half the width (D) of the load to be transported. 6 locomotion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load-carrying system comprises a tubular frame (110) and a bottom panel (120) extending in an essentially longitudinal direction of the machine . 7 locomotion engine according to claim 6 characterized in that the bottom panel (120) is articulated (121) in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction (120a) 8 locomotion machine according to one of claims 6 or 7 characterized in that the 5 load carrying system (100) comprises a protective hoop 111 extending in height at its end located on the side of the handlebars. 9 Handlebar for locomotion machine characterized in that it comprises a hanger and a stem and characteristics according to any one of the preceding claims. 10 Load carrying system for locomotion vehicle characterized in that it comprises 10 a frame 110, a bottom 120 and features according to any one of the preceding claims.