GB2280410A

GB2280410A - Bicycle transporter device

Info

Publication number: GB2280410A
Application number: GB9300307A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fred Higson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-08
Filing date: 1993-01-08
Publication date: 1995-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-08
Also published as: GB2280410B; GB9300307D0

Abstract

A device T is disclosed which has means for attachment to one bicycle U, and means for supporting part of another bicycle V, to be transported. The device may comprise side frames (4, fig 2), a support frame (6, fig 2), and a horizontal base frame (8, fig 2). The device may be disassembled, and also may be adjustable for different sized bicycles. <IMAGE>

Description

BICYCLE TRANSPORTER DEVICE The present invention relates to a bicycle transporter device and, in particular, to a bicycle transporter device for attachment to a bicycle.

In the present specification the term 'bicycle' is to be understood as meaning any form of two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle and includes tricycles.

It is known to provide bicycle transporter devices which are designed to be attached to the rear of a vehicle such as a car or van for transporting bicycles. However, in general, such devices are not suitable for attachment to bicycles and, in any case, are not designed for the transport of a bicycle by another bicycle.

There is no suitable means of transporting a bicycle while riding another bicycle other than by guiding it along manually which can be dangerous.

The present invention provides a simple and convenient means for transporting a bicycle using another bicycle and will be found useful, for example, when one bicycle has a puncture and cannot be used. The unusable bicycle can then be safely and easily transported by another bicycle to which a transporter device of the invention is attached. Similarly, when for example on a family cycling outing, a steep hill is encountered, a bicycle having the transporter attached can carry another bicycle up the hill allowing the rider of the other bicycle to walk up the hill unhindered.

According to the present invention there is provided a transporter device for transporting a second bicycle characterised in that the transporter device comprises meanss for attachment to a first bicycle and meanss for supporting part of the second bicycle.

Preferably, the transporter device is adapted for transporting the second bicycle by supporting part of the front frame of the second bicycle so that the front wheel or wheels of the second bicycle are raised clear of the ground.

Preferably, the transporter device is adapted for attachment to the rear frame of the first bicycle.

The transporter device may comprise a first frame, a second frame and a support frame, all being detachably interconnectable, the first and second frames being adapted to be detachably connected to upper and lower portions of the rear frame of the first bicycle and the support frame being adapted to be detachably connected to a portion of the front frame of the second bicycle.

Preferably, all said detachable interconnections are adjustable.

The second frame may include an extended base frame adapted for supporting the front wheel or wheels of the second bicycle.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a transporter device attached to a first bicycle and being used to carry a second bicycle; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the transporter device; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of joint A in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of joint B in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base frame of the transporter device; Fig. 6 is an exploded view of joint D in Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 is a rear view of the transporter device and first bicycle of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, a first bicycle U carries a transporter device T attached thereto for transporting a second bicycle V.

The transporter device T comprises a substantially horizontal framework Z having side rods 21 and 22 and cross rods 23 and 24.

Frame Z is adapted to be joined at one end adjacent cross rod 23 to the first bicycle framework U by means of joint A as described below. The other end of frame Z adjacent cross rod 24 is adapted to be joined to upstanding triangular frames 4 and support frame 6 by means of joints B as described below. Triangular frames 4 comprise side rods 42 and 44 and base rod 46. Side rods 42 are adapted to be joined to the first bicycle framework U by means of Joint B, as described below. One of the triangular frames 4 has an extended base frame 8 having side rods 82 and 84 which together with base rod 46 and extended base rod 86 form a rectangular substantially horizontal base frame. A further base rod 88 extends between side rods 82 and 84.

Support frame 6 comprises an upwardly extending rod 62 and cross rod 64 joined together at respective one ends thereof and joined by means of base rod 66 at respective other ends thereof.

Horizontal cross rod 68 extends from one end of rod 62 in the same direction as extended base frame 8 and is adapted to be joined to the second bicycle framework V by means of joint D as described below.

Joint A comprises two apertured flanges Al extending from cross rod 23 of frame 2. Plates A7 and A4 are fitted, in use, on either side of the rear frame of the first bicycle U and tightened together by means of threaded rod A6 extending from one side of plate A4 and fly-nut A8. Plate A4 has two apertured flanges A5 extending therefrom and adapted to interconnect with flanges Al so that bolt A2 may be passed through the apertures of flanges Al and A5 and the joint is secured by tightening nut A3 onto bolt A2. When assembled, joint A securely connects frame 2 with the rear frame of first bicycle U.

Joints B comprise bars B1 secured to respective side rods 42 of triangular frames 4. Bars B1 have one or more apertures B2 along the length thereof. Angled members B3, each having apertures B4 and B5 adjacent either end thereof, are adapted for connecting the triangular frame 4 to bicycle U on either side thereof Spoke B6 of bicycle U passes through aperture B4 of the angled member B3 which is secured by means of nut B7. Bolt B8 passes through aperture B5 of angular member B3 and through one of the apertures B2 of bar B1 and is secured by means of nut B9. An appropriate aperture B2 is used acording to the size of the bicycle U to which the transporter device T is to be attached.

Joint C comprises apertured flanges C1 extending upwardly adjacent the adjoining ends of side rods 21 and 24 and 22 and 24.

Apertured flanges C2 extend downwardly from the same adjoining ends.

Base rod 66 of support frame 6 comprises a hollow tube adapted to fit between the flanges C1. Elongated bolt C3 and nut are then used to secure the support frame 6 to the horizontal frame Z by passing the bolt C3 through the apertures of flanges C1 and the hollow tube 66. It will be appreciated that the height extension of support frame 6 may be adjusted by rotating hollow tube 66 about bolt C3 before tightening the nut thereon. Respective side rods 42 and 44 of triangular frames 4 are joined together at respective one ends thereof to form apertured joints C4 which are bolted to apertured flanges C2 using bolts C5. The triangular frames 4 are thereby secured to the horizontal frame Z.

Upwardly extending rod 62 of support frame 6 is in two sections which are secured by means of bolt D1 passing through aperture D2. This allows the extension of rod 62 to be adjusted to suit the size of bicycle V to be transported. Horizontal cross rod 68 of support frame 6 has two apertures D3 extending therethrough adjacent the free end thereof. U-shaped member D4 is designed so that respective free ends of the U-shape fit through respective apertures D3. The U-shaped member free ends are threaded so that wing-nuts D5 may be secured thereto. In use, U-shaped member D4 is placed around part of the front frame of the bicycle V to be transported. Preferably, member D4 is placed around the handle-bar support rod of bicycle V. The free ends of member D4 are then passed through apertures D3 and secured by means of wing-nuts D5.

When fully assembled with all the respective joints secured, the transporter device T can safely and securely transport bicycle U. It will be appreciated that the transporter device T can be disassembled for storage and can be sold in kit form.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment.

In particular, any suitable alternative form of joints may be used, for example cotter pins may be used instead of nuts and bolts.

Wing-nuts may be used wherever convenient. The rods used to form the frames described may be joined integrally or may be welded together at appropriate points. Alternatively, the whole transporter device may disassemble into individual rods by having all joints made using threaded apertures and bolts or the like. The rods may have any cross-sectional shape or size and are dimensioned as appropriate so that the transporter device is suitable for use on the required bicycle, slight adjustment being possible by means of joints A to D as described above. Any suitable material may be used.

Claims

1 A removable bicycle transporter comprising a main frame, adjustable side frames, wheel mount and handle bar retaining strut.

2 A removable bicycle transporter as claimed in claim 1 wherin side frames are provided to adjust height of wheel mount.

3 A removable bicycle transporter as caimed in claim one or claim two wherin an adjustable strut is provided to accept handle-bar of transporter bicycle.

3 A removable bicycle transporter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherin adjustable strut is provided to hold handle bar of transporter bicycle.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1 A removable bicycle transporter comprising a main carrier frame, adjustable side-frames, wheel mount and handle-bar retaining strut.

2 A removable bicycle transporter as claimed in claim one wherein side frames are provided to adjust hieght of wheel mount.