GB2259678A

GB2259678A - Device for supporting carrier bags on bicycles

Info

Publication number: GB2259678A
Application number: GB9119883A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Vincent Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-18
Filing date: 1991-09-18
Publication date: 1993-03-24
Also published as: GB9119883D0

Abstract

The support device 20 comprises an elongate groove for engaging the wire carrier frame 10 fixed to the rear of the cycle and an upwardly facing hook 25 for supporting the handles of the carrier bag 18. The device may be secured to the carrier frame 10 by a bolt. In a modification, Fig. 11, a pair of plates 30, 37 are clamped to the carrier frame, the side elements of which are received in cooperating grooves 31, 32, 38, 39 in the plates so that a pair of hooks 35, 36 are provided. <IMAGE>

Description

Carrier Baa Support for Bicycles This invention relates to a support for use on bicycles to support carrier bags.

Cyclists find it a problem to carry goods in carrier bags. Various arrangements have been proposed for supporting or containing goods being carried by cyclists on their bicycles, but these arrangements are accompanied by one or more disadvantages, rendering it difficult or dangerous for a cyclist to carry goods in carrier bags.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a support device which has a portion with an elongate groove for engaging a side element of a wire carrier frame fixed to the rear of a cycle, and has a curved grooved portion to support the handles of a carrier bag.

In use, the carrier bag hangs down from the support device, generally level with the rear wheel, and so keeps the centre of gravity of the bicycle and rider quite low: further, the sides of the wire carrier frame, either side of the wheel, act to keep the carrier bag out of interference with the wheel.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of the rear of a bicycle fitted with support devices in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view to show carrier bags hooked onto the support devices shown in Figure 1; FIGURES 3 to 5 are side, plan and sectional views of a first embodiment of support device; FIGURES 6 to 8 are side, plan and sectional views of a modified support device; and FIGURES 9 to 11 are side, plan and sectional views of a second embodiment of support device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 shows a conventional wire frame carrier 10 fixed to the rear of a bicycle, behind the saddle and over the rear wheel. The carrier has a flat top portion with side elements 11, 12, and two side portions with elements e.g. 13, 14 extending down to and fixed at axle level to the rear subframe of the bicycle.

Figure 1 further shows two support devices 20 engaged with the opposite side elements 11, 12 of the top portion of the wire frame carrier. Figure 2 shows carrier bags 16, 18 with their handles hooked over the support devices 20, to hang down either side of the wheel, with the side elements e.g. 11, 12 of the wire frame carrier preventing the carrier bags from interfering with the wheel.

Figures 3 to 5 show the device 20 in more detail. The device comprises a none-piece moulding of plastics material and includes a flat central portion 21 of generally rectangular shape. At its top end, portion 21 joins with a fixing portion 22 which turns over and downwardly generally parallel to flat portion 21, and then turns inwardly at 23 towards portion 21, and finally slightly outwards at 24 (Figure 5). The portion 22 thus provides an elongate groove which engages over the side element 11 or 12 of the wire frame carrier, and the narrowing at 23 provides for snap-engagement over the wire element 11 or 12.At the lower end of the flat central portion 21, there is a portion 25 which curves outwardly (in the opposite direction from the plane of portion 21, as compared with portion 23) and then upwardly: the portion 25 is curved in side view (Figure 3), being convex towards the top, to provide a convex-curved, elongate groove on which to hook the handles of the carrier bag.

Figures 6 to 8 show a modified support device, in which a bolt 28 extends through the portion 21 and the flat rear of portion 22; the bolt passes below the wire side element of the carrier frame, so that when engaged with its nut, the bolt prevents removal of the support device.

Figures 9 to 11 show a second embodiment of support device, which may be made of metal. The device comprises a top plate 30 of generally rectangular shape, formed so as to have an elongate groove 31, 32 in its underside adjacent each of its ends. Each of these ends has a downwardly-projecting portion 33, 34, carrying at its lower end a curved portion 35, 36 corresponding to the portion 25 of the device of Figures 3 to 5, on which the handles of the carrier bag are to be hooked.

The device further comprises a bottom plate 37 of generally rectangular shape, formed so as to have an elongate groove 38, 39 in its top side adjacent its opposite ends. In use the top plate 30 is placed across the top of the wire frame carrier for its grooves 31, 32 to receive the opposite side wire elements of the frame top portion: the bottom plate is applied to the underside of the frame top portion with its grooves 38, 39 also receiving same side wire elements of the frame carrier: a bolt 40 extends through the centres of the top and bottom plates and a nut is tightened onto this bolt, so that the top and bottom plates are clamped onto the top portion of the wire frame carrier. The handles of the carrier bags can be hooked over the curved support portions 35, 36 as previously described.

Claims

1) A support device having a portion with an elongate groove for engaging a side element of a wire carrier frame fixed to the rear of a cycle, and a grooved portion to support the handles of a carrier bag.

2) A support device as claimed in claim 1, in which the elongate groove is directed downwardly.

3) A support device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which is arranged for snap engagement with the wire carrier frame.

4) A support device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a generally rectangular plate having an elongate groove formed adjacent each of its opposite ends for engaging respective opposite side elements of a wire carrier frame, and a grooved portion formed on each of its opposite ends for supporting a carrier bag on either side of the wire carrier frame.

5) A support device as claimed in claim 4, comprising means for clamping the plate onto the wire carrier frame.

6) A support device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the grooved portion comprises an upwardly-facing hook.

7) A support device as claimed in claim 6, in which the groove is convex towards the top.

8) A support device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.