GB2103553A - Collapsible structure for a bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible frame structure, particularly for a cycle has a first frame member composed of aligned separable parts (11, 12), hingedly connected together for pivotable movement about a remote axis (16), locking means (26, 29, 31) being provided which acts transversely of the pivot axis (16), to secure the parts (11, 12) together or to release them. Axis 16 is disposed at an angle to the axis of the one member (11, 12) and its position is determined by bracket arrangements (13, 14) of which one (13) is connected to one part (11)and the other (14) is connected to a second frame member (15) secured to the other part (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Collapsible structure The invention relates to collapsible structures, and has particular, though not exclusive reference to folding bicycles.

Thus, in its broadest sense, the present invention proposes a collapsible frame structure which comprises a frame member having aligned, abutting separable parts hingedly connected together for pivotal motion about a remote axis, and cooperable locking means associated with the respective parts and adapted, upon interengagement, positively to secure the said separable parts in abutting alignment, the said locking means being adjustable between operable and inoperable conditions in a direction transverse to the pivot axis of the hingedly connected parts.

More particularly, the invention provides a folding frame for a bicycle or the like including a frame member having aligned separable parts hingedly connected together for pivotal motion about a remote axis, and cooperable locking means provided on the respective separable parts, the locking means being operable generally in the plane of the frame and the pivot axis of the said hingedly connected parts being directed generally perpendicular of such plane.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment thereof, and in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the hinge of the invention as applied to a folding bicycle; Figure 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a part section on the centre line of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 Referring now to the drawings, the main tube of a folding bicycle frame is divided into front and rear sections, 11, 12, the sections 11, 1 2 being connected together for pivotal motion about a remote axis by respective bracket arrangements 13, 14 provided on the front section 11 and, on a seat tube 1 5 secured to the rear section 12, respectively.A hinge pin 1 6 connects the bracket arrangements 13, 14 and a locking means 1 7 is provided for maintaining the front and rear sections 11, 1 2 of the main tube in axially aligned disposition when so required.

Bracket arrangement 1 3 consists of two generally triangular plates 18, 1 9 extending from the underside of the front tube section 11, the plates 18, 1 9 being arranged in spaced apart parallel disposition and each being substantially tangential to the tube. The plates are of cranked configuration, as can best be seen in Fig. 2, the remote ends 20, 21 respectively of the brackets being mutually parallel and inclined at an angle a to the longitudinal axis x-y of the main tube and being relatively offset in the direction of such main tube.

Bracket arrangement 14 similarly comprises two generally triangular plates 22, 23 secured longitudinally of the seat tube 1 5 and extending forwardly thereof, the plates 22, 23 being cranked to provide spaced, parallel offset forward extremities 24, 25 inclined to the longitudinal axis of the main tube separated by a distance appropriate for engagement with and as a close fit between the ends 20, 21 of the individual brackets of bracket arrangement 13.

Hinge pin 1 6 is engaged with the aligned holes in the ends 20, 21 and the extremities 24, 25 such pin defining a pivot axis transversely of the main tube and inclined at an angle H to such axis.

The locking means 1 7 comprises a bolt 26 captively mounted in the seat tube 1 5 to extend through diametrically opposed holes 27,28 in the wall thereof, the forward end of such bolt being screw-threadedly engageable with a nut 29 secured to an apertured cup 30 mounted inwardly of the end of the front section 11 of the main tube, the bolt 26 extending axially of the rear section 1 2 of the main tube and protruding forwardly from the end thereof for cooperation with the nut. At its rearward end the bolt 26 carries an adjustable handle or wheel 31 outwardly of the seat tube and whereby the same is rotatable.

Intermediate its ends the bolt is pinched to provide enlargements 32 thus to hold the bolt captive in relation to the rear section 1 2 of the main tube and to the seat tube 1 5.

An apertured cup 33 is engaged with the forward end of the rear section 1 2 of the main tube, and extends forwardly therefrom for engagement with the adjacent end of the front section 11 in the aligned condition of front and rear sections 11, 1 2 engagement of the cup with front section 11 facilitating proper alignment of the front and rear sections of the main tube on erection of the frame.

In order to fold the bicycle from the erect, locked condition shown in the drawings, the bolt 26 is simply disengaged from the nut 29 by rotation, in an appropriate sense, of the handle 31, and the forward part of the bicycle is swung downwardly relative to the rearward part thereof about the hinge pin 16, the inclined nature of the axis of such pin in relation to the plane of the bicycle allowing for the forward part to move into a position alongside the rearward part, thus providing for a compact collapsed structure.

In order to erect the folded bicycle into a use condition, the reverse procedure is followed, the forward part of the machine being pivoted forwardly to bring the front and rear sections of the main tube into alignment, with the cup 33 in engagement with the end of the front section, and the bolt 26 is screwed into tight engagement with the nut 29.

The structure as proposed has a minimum of parts and those parts which are visible externally of the frame can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing so as not to detract from the overall appearance of the bicycle. The operating handle, or wheel, is located rearwardly of the seat tube at such a position as not to interfere with the normal pedalling action of a rider. Equally importantly, however, the invention allows of the production of a bicycle hinge which has no projections on the upper part of the main frame tube when locked in the riding condition.

The invention is not restricted to the exact features of the embodiment disclosed, since alternatives will readily present themselves to one skilled in the art. Thus, the form of the locking means and the precise form and manner of mounting the captive nut may be varied to suit particular circumstances.

Although the primary application of the invention is in the context of folding bicycles, an analogous structure may be of application in other fields, and the invention is to be construed accordingly.

Claims (19)

1. A collapsible frame which comprises a frame member having aligned, abutting separable parts hingedly connected together for pivotal motion about a remote axis, and cooperable locking means associated with the respective parts and adapted, upon interengagement, positively to secure the said separable parts in abutting algnment, the said locking means being adjustable between operable and inoperable conditions in a direction transverse to the pivot axis of the hingedly connected parts.

2. A folding frame for a bicycle or the like including a frame member having aligned separable parts hingedly connected together for pivotal motion about a remote axis, said cooperable locking means provided on the respective separable parts, the locking means being operable generally in the plane of the frame and the pivot axis of the said hingedly connected parts being directed generally perpendicularly of such plane.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said aligned abutting separable parts, are portions of an elongate linear member.

4. A frame as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pivot axis is defined by bracket arrangements extending outwardly of the parts.

5. A frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bracket arrangements are attached one to one of the parts and the other to a further frame member connected to the other of the parts.

6. A frame as claimed in claim 5, wherein the further frame member is disposed at right angles to the first mentioned frame member.

7. A frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the further frame member is a saddle tube of a cycle frame.

8. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot axis is disposed at an angle to the axis of the one frame member.

9. A frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein said angle is from 75 to 85

10. A frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking means includes a nut and bolt arrangement disposed within the parts of the one member.

11. A frame as claimed in claim 10, wherein the nut and bolt arrangement is coaxial with the parts of the one member.

1 2. A frame as claimed in claim 11 wherein one end of the bolt is disposed outwardly of the frame.

1 3. A frame as claimed in claim 12, wherein said one end of the bolt has a handle or the like enabling it to be turned manually.

14. A frame as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the bolt extends through a further frame member connected to a second of said parts.

1 5. A frame member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first mentioned frame member has one of its parts connected to a second frame member, the position of the pivot axis being determined by support brackets arrangement extending one from one of the parts of the first mentioned frame member and the other from the second frame member, the two frame members, the support bracket arrangement and the locking means being disposed substantially between a pair of imaginary planes spaced apart by the thickness of the frame members.

16. A frame as claimed in claim 15, wherein the one frame member extends horizontally and the second frame member extends vertically, the support bracket arrangement being disposed below the one frame member and in front of the second frame member.

1 7. A frame as claimed in claim 16 wherein the locking means has a handle disposed rearwardly of the second frame member.

18. A collapsible frame structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. A cycle having a frame as claimed in any preceding claim.