GB2328236A - Cycle stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A cycle stand 300 comprises a substantially # shaped length of tubular steel. Two arms are connected by a bridge portion of the # shape, with one arm 301 longer than the other 303. The stand is installed by placing the longer arm into a hole 305 in a ground surface. The longer arm may have a flange 306 and protruding bars 307, 308 attached to its end to help keep it in position. The length of the longer arm 301 protruding out of the hole is substantially equal to the length of the shorter arm 303 of the stand. The shorter arm of the stand may be fixed to the ground using bolts 310 or be left resting on the surface.

Description

CYCLE STAND Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stand for vehicles such as cycles.

Background to the Invention Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a first type of cycle stand as is known in the prior art. The stand comprises a substantially n shaped length of material 101, usually steel, inserted into ground 105. The ends of the n shaped stand form two substantially vertical arms, the length of one such arm is shown by arrows 102. The vertical arms are connected by a substantially horizontal arm, whose length is indicated by arrows 103. Each of the vertical arms are partially inserted into separate respective holes of a depth indicated by arrows 104 in ground 105. This results in the horizontal arm of the stand 101 and upper portions of the arms protruding above ground 105 a distance indicated by arrows 107. A cycle can be rested against the protruding section of the stand, and it is possible to wrap a security device such as a cycle chain around the stand and a cycle frame for security. Each of the vertical arms has a substantially square shaped flat metal plate 106 welded onto their lower ends forming a flange. The flanges 106 are intended to make removal of the cycle stand from the ground more difficult, resisting vertical lifting of the stand.

For installation, the cycle stand shown in Fig. 1 requires two spaced apart holes of depth indicated by 104 to be created in ground 105 a distance approximately equal to length 103. However, there is a problem that excavating holes for installing a large number of cycle stands can be expensive and time consuming. The stands may be located in pedestrian areas where the ground surface usually consists of concrete but may be located in parks or recreational areas where the ground surface comprises soil. A significant proportion of the time spent in installing such cycle stands involves excavating the holes. The holes are usually filled with concrete after the stand has been fitted. This procedure is also time-consuming and expensive.

Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a second type of cycle stand 201 as is known in the prior art. This second type of cycle stand is suitable for being installed on paving slabs or on a concrete ground surface. The stand 201 comprises a substantially n shaped length of steel installed with its ends fixed to the surface. Each end of the stand 201 has a square shaped metal plate 203 attached, forming a flange. Bolts 204 are driven into paving slabs 202 or the concrete surface through holes in the flanges 203.

Most of the time spent in installing the second type of cycle stand involves fixing the ends of the stand to the ground. At least one hole needs to be drilled to insert a bolt into a paving slab through each flange. However, drilling the holes can cause the paving slabs to crack. Bolts are also not as effective in fixing the stand in the ground as the concrete filled hole used by the first type of known cycle stand described above.

Summary of title Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle stand comprising: a first arm; a second arm; and a connection portion connecting the first arm to the second arm, wherein the first arm is longer than the second arm.

Preferably the first arm is partially inserted into a surface such that a length of the first (longer) arm of length substantially equal to a length of the second (shorter) arm protrudes thereout. Preferably the stand is installed such that both the arms are substantially upright. Preferably the connection portion comprises a substantially horizontal arm.

In a preferred embodiment the first arm has a first flange attached to one end, having one or more bars protruding therefrom. Preferably one or more bars protrude upwards and sideways from the flange. In a preferred embodiment the second arm also has a second flange attached to one end. Preferably the second flange is attached to a surface by means of one or more bolts or the flange has dummy bolts attached. Preferably the vehicle stand is manufactured of tubular steel. The protruding portions of the installed cycle stand may appear to an onlooker to be similar to a prior art cycle stand.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a vehicle stand comprising a first arm; a second arm; and a connection portion wherein said first arm is longer than said second arm, the method comprising the steps of: creating a single hole in a surface; and securing said first arm of the vehicle stand into said hole. Said first arm is preferably secured such that a length of the first arm substantially equal to the length of said second arm protrudes above a level of said surface.

The second arm may be attached to the surface. In a preferred embodiment the first arm has protruding members attached to its end inserted into the hole. Preferably the hole is filled with a settable material, eg concrete, after inserting the first arm.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 3 herein illustrates a cycle stand in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without using these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a cycle stand 300, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cycle stand 300 comprises a first arm member 301 of a first length, having an upper end 310 and a lower end 311, a second arm member 303 of a second length, said second arm member having an upper end 312 and a lower end 313, said first length being longer than said second length, said first and second arms extending substantially parallel to each other and being spaced apart from each other, said upper ends being rigidly connected to each other by a connecting bridge portion 302 such that the whole stand forms a substantially n shape.

Said first arm 301 is of length typically of the order 750 millimeters to 1250 millimeters and preferably around 1000 millimeters, whereas said second arm i303 is shorter, having length of the order 600 millimeters to 900 millimeters and preferably around 750 millimeters.

Lower end 311 of the first arm can have a flat metal plate 306 attached by welding to form a flange 306. The flange 306 can have two metal bars welded onto its upper surface which protrude diagonally upwards at an angle of approximately SOC. The first metal bar 307 is positioned on a corner of flange 306 on one side of the first arm. The second metal bar 308 is attached to the opposite corner of flange 306 on the opposite side of the first arm. The bars extend in directions transverse to a main length of the upright first arm, and extend outwardly therefrom. Both the bars 307 and 308 may be made of 50 mm x 6 mm flat steel bar.

To install the stand 300, a single substantially vertical hole is created in a ground surface. The first arm 301 of the stand is inserted into the hole of a depth indicated by arrows 304, typically 250 millimeters. The hole 304 is of a depth such that the protruding section of the first arm above the ground surface is of equal length to the length of the second arm 303. This means that the second arm is of the correct length to be fixed onto the ground if desired. The flat flange 300 usually rests on the bottom of the hole during installation so that the first arm is placed in a substantially upright position.

After the first arm has been inserted into the hole, the hole can be filled with cement 305 which will set and fix the cycle stand in position. The flange 306 and bars 307, 308 are intended to help fix the stand within the concrete, making rotating or loosening the stand more difficult. The flat flange resists pulling of the stand out of the ground in an upright direction, and the transversely extending bars 307, 308 resist rotation of the whole stand about a central axis of the first arm.

The end of the second arm can also have a square shaped flat plate 309 welded onto its end. Bolts 310 may be then placed through holes in plate 309 into suitable holes drilled into the ground in order to fix the second arm in position to help prevent rotation of the stand 300.

In a first alternative embodiment, the second arm may be fixed to the ground by embedding the lower section of the second arm in block paving or the like.

In a second alternative embodiment, bolts 310 may be dummy bolts, ie ones which do not protrude through plate 309, in order to give the impression that the second arm is fixed to the ground by bolts, but without having to actually drill any holes in the ground surface to fix the flange 309 to the surface.

Thus, the stand 300 is intended to be installed with only one hole requiring to be excavated to support the stand. The reduction in the time needed to excavate a single hole rather than two holes may lead to an overall decrease in installation time for each stand. This can lead to a significant reduction in costs for a party installing a large number of such cycle stands.

Claims (16)

Claims:

1. A vehicle stand comprising: a first arm; a second arm; and a connection portion connecting said first arm to said second arm, wherein said first arm is longer than said second arm.

2. A vehicle stand according to claim 1, adapted such that when installed said first arm is capable of being partially inserted into a surface such that a length of said first arm substantially equal to a length of said second arm protrudes above said surface.

3. A vehicle stand according to claims 1 or 2 wherein when installed, said arms are substantially upright.

4. A vehicle stand according to claim 3, wherein when installed, said connection portion comprises a substantially horizontal arm.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first arm has a flange attached to one end.

6. A vehicle stand according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising one or more elongate bars extending outwardly from said first arm.

7. A vehicle stand according to claim 6, wherein a said elongate bar extends in a direction transverse to a main length of said first arm.

8. A vehicle stand according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said second arm has a second flange attached to one end.

9. A vehicle stand according to claim 8, wherein said second flange is adapted for fixing to a surface.

10. A vehicle stand according to claim 8, wherein said second flange has one or more dummy bolts attached.

11. A vehicle stand according to claim 8, wherein said second flange has one or more apertures for passage of bolts.

12. A vehicle stand according to any one of the preceding claims manufactured of tubular steel.

13. A method of installing a vehicle stand comprising a first arm; a second arm; and a connection portion connecting said first arm to said second arm, wherein said first arm is longer than said second arm, said method comprising the steps of: creating a single hole in a surface; and inserting said first arm into said hole such that a length of said first arm substantially equal to a length of said second arm protrudes above a level of said surface.

14. A method according to claim 13, comprising the step of securing said second arm to said surface.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said first arm has protruding members attached.

16. A method according to any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein said hole is filled with material after inserting said first arm.