GB2393166A

GB2393166A - Extendable mudguard

Info

Publication number: GB2393166A
Application number: GB0221508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony Hsu
Original assignee: Sunny Wheel Ind Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sunny Wheel Ind Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-09-17
Filing date: 2002-09-17
Publication date: 2004-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-17
Also published as: FR2845658A1; DE10243870B4; GB2393166B; GB0221508D0; DE10243870A1

Abstract

An extendable mudguard assembly attaches to the seat post of a bicycle and comprises a quick-release bracket 2 and guard 3. Quick release means comprise an adjustable strap 21 and buckle 213 and are actuated by a lever 214. When fastened the buckle engages a latch groove 201 in the bracket body 20. The bracket is attached to the guard via mutually splined surfaces 221 which enable the angle of the guard to be adjusted. The guard comprises a base plate 31 and plurality of extension plates 32 which have external ribs 328 and complementary side channels 327 enabling the guard to be extended in a telescopic manner. The terminal extension plate has a tab 320 which aids extension of the guard.

Description

23931 66

EXTENDABLE FENDER FOR BICYCLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

5 The invention relates to an extendable fender for bicycles and particularly a fender that is extendable for adjusting the length and the angle according to the size of the bicycles, and may be detached and shrunk easily to a smaller size to facilitate carrying.

2. Description of the Prior Art

10 A conventional fender it is generally formed in an one piece elongated plate connecting to a linkage rod 12 and a coupler 13 for fastening to a seat post 14 (as shown in FIG. l). Such a construction has the following disadvantages: 1. As the fender mainly aims to fend off rain water or water trapped on the ground, and prevent mud or slops from splashing with the wheels, it is 15 useless when there is no rain or in good road conditions. During racing or carrying goods, the fender often is removed. The lengthy fender is inconvenient to store.

2. In some countries the bicycles are taken as transportation tools to couple with railways and roads. They are commonly used in recreations and

trips. To transport the bicycle by means of railway or a vehicle, the bicycle often has to be disassembled to a few smaller pieces and held in a bag for carrying. The lengthy fender makes packing and carrying difficult. It often results in the fender being squeezed and becomes not 5 usable. It is obviously that there is still room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide an extendable fender for bicycles. The fender has a base plate with an anchor trough on a rear side and 10 first channels on two sides of the bottom and in the middle to couple with at least one extending plate. The extending plate has second channels and slide ribs on the outside corresponding to the second channels, and a latch block corresponding to an elastic anchor strip for anchoring. When in use, the fender may be extended and adjusted to a desired length and angle according to 15 requirements of the riders, and may be securely anchored without loosening off.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extendable fender for bicycles that has a fast detaching means on a coupling dock to enable the fender be removed quickly. The extending plates of the fender set may be retracted and nestled inside the base plate so that the fender set may be shrunk to the shortest 20 length to facilitate storing and carrying.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an extendable fender for

bicycles that has a pulling lug located on the last extending plate to facilitate extension or retraction of the fender.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description,

5 which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional fender for a bicycle.

FIG.2 is an exploded view of the invention.

10 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base plate of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an extending plate of the invention.

FIG. S is a perspective view of an extending plate of the invention, with a pulling lug.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the invention, after assembled.

IS FIG. 7 is a cross section of the invention taken along line I-I in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the invention in an extending condition. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the fast detaching means of the invention in an operating condition.

20 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the invention, after extended.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention, with light reflection and alarming effect.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention, held in a bag.

s DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 2, the fender of the invention mainly includes a coupling dock 2 and a fender set 3. The coupling dock 2 includes a fast detaching means 21 located on one side for fastening to a seat post 14. The coupling dock 2 has a 10 connection means 22 located on another side to pivotally couple with the fender set 3. The fender set 3 includes a base plate 31 and at least one extending plate 32. The base plate 31 has one end pivotally engaged with the coupling dock 2, two sides bent inwards to form respectively a first side channel 317 to enable slide ribs 328 located on two sides of the extending plate 32 to wedge and slide 15 therein. Thus the extending plate 32 may be extended outwards or retracted inwards after having been pulled out.

The coupling dock 2 has a body 20 which has one side coupled with the fast detaching means 21. The fast detaching means 21 includes a trough 202 formed on one side of the body 20. The trough 202 has one side extended to 20 form a lug 203 which has a first aperture D formed thereon. The lug 203 is pivotally engaged with a second aperture B formed on one end of a lever 214

through a pintle 216 which becomes the axis of turning. The lever 214 has a third aperture C located on a middle section to pivotally engage with an axis hole A of an arm 211 through another pintle 215. The arm 211 has one end coupled with a band 212 of an adjustable length. The band 212 has one end 5 fastened to a buckle 213 which is engageable with a latch groove 201 formed on another side of the body 20.

The connection means 22 is located on yet another side of the body 20 of the coupling dock 2. The connection means 22 includes a fastening arm 220 which has an axle hole 222, a turning knob 223 with an inner screw hole 2231 10 formed therein and a bolt 224. The peripheral surface of the axle hole 222 formed a first spline surface 221.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fender set 3 includes a base plate 31 and at least one extending plate 32. The base plate (also shown in FIG. 3) has a front end extended form a fastening head 311 which has a two-step hole 312 in the 15 center and one side formed a second spline surface 313. The base plate 31 further has a first retain flange 316 located on the bottom of the front side, a first front anchor trough 314 behind the first retain flange 316, and a first rear anchor trough 315 with a slant surface formed adjacent to a rear end thereof.

The base plate 31 has at least one indented first middle channel 319 formed in 20 the middle of the bottom side, and two side frames 318 formed on a portion of two lateral sides each is bent inwards to form a first side channel 317. The extending plate 32 consists of at least one plate (also referring to FIGS. 2 and 4).

The front side of the bottom of the extending plate 32 has a second retain flange 321. And behind the second retain flange 321, there are two notches 322 with an elastic anchor strip 323 located therebetween. At the bottom of the elastic anchor strip 323, there is a second front anchor trough 3231. The elastic anchor 5 strip 323 has a latch block 3232 with a slant surface corresponding to the outer side of the second *out anchor trough 3231. Behind the elastic anchor strip 323, there is a second rear anchor trough 326. The extending plate 32 has two bottom sides each has a second side channel 327 to extend outwards to form a slide rib 328. The extending plate 32 further has at least one second middle channel 324 10 formed on the bottom side and middle ridges 329 of the same number as the second middle channel 324 formed on the outer side. In the event that the extending plate 32 has two or more plates, the width of the subsequent extending plate 32 is smaller than the preceding extending plate so that the slide rib 328 on either side of the subsequent extending plate 32 may be wedged into 15 the second side channel 327 of the preceding extending plate 32. Similarly, each of the subsequent extending plate also has a narrower width than the preceding one to allow the slide rib 328 of each subsequent extending plate be wedged in the second side channel 327 of each preceding extending plate.

The last extending plate 32 has a pulling lug 320 located at one end to 20 enable users to grasp with fingers for extending or retracting the extending plates 32 when in use (as shown in FIG. 5).

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, for assembling the invention, first couple the

first extending plate 32 by wedging respectively the slide ribs 328 on two sides and the middle ridge 329 on the outer surface of into the first side channel 317 and the first middle channel 319 of the base plate. Then couple the rest extending plates 32 that may be one or more depending on requirements or 5 bicycle types. In the event that there are two or more extending plates, sequentially couple the extending plate that has a narrower width into the preceding extending plate that has a greater width by wedging the slide rib 328 and middle ridge 329 of one extending plate into the second side channel 327 and the second middle channel 324 of the preceding extending plate. The last 10 extending plate has the pulling lug 320 located on the rear end to facilitate extension and retraction as discussed previously. For the invention with a single extending plate 32, the pulling lug 320 is located on the rear end of the extending plate 32.

To enable the invention to anchor and position securely in extension or 15 retraction, the first retain flange 316 is formed at the front end of the bottom of the base plate 31, and the first front anchor trough 314 is located behind the first retain flange 316. And there is the elastic anchor strip 323 located behind the second retain flange 321 of the extending plate 32, and a latch block 3232 located on the outer side thereof. During retraction the second retain flange 321 20 of the extending plate 32 presses against the first retain flange 316 of the base plate 31 to form the stop end of the forward position. And the latch block 3232 is latched on the first front anchor trough 314. Unless subject to an extension

force, the extending plate 32 is anchored securely without sliding away. When there are more than one extending plate 32, the latch block 3232 of the subsequent extending plate 32 latch on the second front anchor trough 3231 of the preceding extending plate 32, and is stopped by the second retain flange 321 5 of the preceding extending plate 32 (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). By contrast, during extension (as shown in FIG. 8), the latch block 3232 of the extending plate 32 engages with the first rear anchor trough 315 of the base plate 31 to form an anchoring position. Similarly, when there are more than one extending plate 32, the latch block 3232 of the subsequent extending plate 32 is engaged 10 with the second rear anchor trough 326 of the preceding extending plate 32 to form an anchoring position in the extended condition (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10). Referring to FIG. 9, when to fasten the invention to the seat post 14 of the bicycle, couple the trough 202 of the fast detaching means 21 of the coupling 15 dock 2 to the rear side of the seat post 14, then adjust the length of the band 212 as desired to wind around the seat post 14, and latch and couple the buckle 213 at one end of the band 212 to the latch groove 201 of the body 20. Then press the lever 214 to form a tight and secured fastening. When there is a desire to unfasten and detach the fender, pull the lever 214 in the reverse direction to 20 loosen the band 212, the buckle 213 may be removed from the latch groove 201, then the entire fender may be removed. The first spline surface 221 of the connection means 22 is engageable with the second spline surface 313 of the

base plate 31. After the fender is adjusted at a desired angle, the bolt 224 may be inserted into the two-step hole 312 of the base plate (with a polygonal bolt nut 2241 to anchor on the outer polygonal cavity of the two-step hole 312) and the axle hole 222 to engage with the inner screw hole 2231 of the turning knob 5 223.

In addition, the base plate 31 and the extending plate 32 may be made from plastics that have light reflection effect. Hence when the bicycle is parked on a road side, the fender may be adjusted to an angle desired to reflect light for alarming purpose as shown in an embodiment in FIG. 11.

10 The fender of the invention may also be retracted to the shortest length and held in a bag 5 to become easier for users to carry (referring to FIG. 12).

By means of the construction set forth above, the fender of the invention may be adjusted to a desired length and angle to suit the bicycles of various sizes. It is easy to unfasten and remove, and may be shrunk to a shortest length 15 to facilitate carrying and storing.

Claims

I claim:

1. A fender for a bicycle, comprising: a coupling dock having one side coupled with a fast detaching means to fasten to a seat post of the bicycle and another side coupled with 5 a connection means, and a fender set including a base plate and at least one extending plate, the base plate having one end pivotally engaged with the coupling dock and two sides each bent inwards to form a first side channel to enable a slide rib formed on each of two sides of the extending 10 plate to wedge and slide therein such that the extending plate is extendable outwards or retractable inwards after having been extended.

2. The fender of claim 1, wherein the coupling dock includes a body which has one side fastened to the fast detaching means, the fast detaching means 15 including a trough formed on one side of the body and a lug extended from one side of the trough with a first aperture formed thereon, a lever which has one end formed with a second aperture to pivotally couple with the lug through a first pintle which serves as a turning axis and a middle section having a third aperture to pivotally couple with a fourth aperture formed on 20 an arm through a second pintle, the arm having one side coupled with a band of an adjustable length, the band having one end fastened to a buckle which is engageable with a latch groove formed on another side of the

body.

3. The fender of claim 1, wherein the coupling dock further has a body which has another side to hold the connection means, the connection means having a fastening arm with an axle hole formed thereon, a turning knob 5which has an inner screw hole and a bolt, the axle hole having a peripheral surface formed a first spline surface.

4. The fender of claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has a front end extended to form a fastening head which has a two-step hole formed in the center thereof and one side formed a second spline surface.

105. The fender of claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has a first retain flange located on a bottom surface thereof.

6. The fender of claim 5, wherein the base plate of the fender set has a first front anchor trough located behind the first retain flange and a first rear anchor trough with a slant surface adjacent to a rear end thereof.

157. The fender of claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has at least one indented first middle channel located in a middle portion of a bottom surface thereof.

8. The fender of claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has two side frames formed on a portion of two sides thereof, each side frame being bent 20inwards to form the first side channel.

9. The fender of claim 1, wherein the extending plate of the fender set includes at least one plate which has a second retain flange located on a

front side of a bottom surface thereof.

10. The fender of claim 9, wherein the extending plate has two notches located behind the second retain flange and an elastic anchor strip located between the two notches.

5 11. The fender of claim to, wherein the extending plate has a second rear anchor trough located behind the elastic anchor strip.

12. The fender of claim 10, wherein the extending plate has a second front anchor trough located below the elastic anchor strip.

13. The fender of claim 12, wherein the elastic anchor strip has a latch block 10 with a slant surface corresponding to an outer side the second front anchor trough. 14. The fender of claim 1, wherein the extending plate of the fender set further has two bottom sides each has a second side channel.

lS. The fender of claim 14, wherein the extending plate has two sides extended 15 outwards to form a slide rib.

16. The fender of claim 1, wherein the extending plate has at least one second middle channel formed on a bottom side thereof.

17. The fender of claim 16, wherein the extending plate has middle ridges of the same number as the second middle channel formed on an outer side 20 thereof corresponding to the second middle channel.

18. The fender of claim 1, wherein the at least one extending plate includes a last extending plate which has a pulling lug located on a rear end thereof.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS

1. A fender for a bicycle, comprising: a coupling dock; and 5 a fender set, the coupling dock including a quick release mechanism for releasably fastening to a scat post of the bicycle, and a connection means for pivotally engaging the fender set; the fender set including a base plate and at least one extending plate; lo the base plate including a front end pivotally engaged with the connection means, two sides each defining a first side channel, a first Font anchor trough located adjacent to the front end of the base plate, and a first rear anchor trough located adjacent to a second end of the base plate; the or each extending plate including two sides each defining a is further side channel and a rib, a further front anchor trough located adjacent to a first end of the or each extending plate, and a further rear anchor trough located adjacent to a second end of the or each extending plate; the further front anchor trough of the or each extending plate defining an elastic anchor strip the in-use upper surface of which defines a to latch block with a slant surface and a notch at either end thereof; each side channel slidably receiving a corresponding rib on an extending plate whereby the fender set is extendable and retractable; and the latch block on the or each extending plate releasably engaging with a corresponding Font anchor trough and a corresponding rear anchor trough when the or each extending plate is in a retracted condition and an extended condition respectively.

2. The fcuder of Claim i, wherein the coupling dock includes a body which has one side fastened to the quick release mechanism, the quick so release mechanism including a trough formed on one side of the body and a lug extending from one side of the trough with a first aperture formed

thereon, a lever which has one end formed with a second aperture to pivotally couple with the lug through a first pintle which serves as a turning axis and a middle section having a third aperture to pivotally couple with a fourth aperture formed on an and through a second pintlc, the arm having 5 one side coupled with a band of an adjustable length, the band having one end fastened to a buckle which is engageable with a latch groove formed on another side of the body.

3. The fender of Claim 1, wherein the coupling dock further has a body lo which has another side to hold the connection means, the connection means having a fastening arm with an axle hole formed thcrcon, a turning knob which has an inner screw hole and a bolt, the axle hole having a peripheral surface defining a first spline surface.

Is 4. The fender of Claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has a front end extended to form a fastening head which has a two-step hole formed in the center thereof and one side defining a second splice surface.

5. The fender of Claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has a 20 first retaining flange located on an in-use bottom surface thereof.

6. The fender of Claim I, wherein the base plate of the fender set has at least one indented first middle channel located in a middle portion of the i,-use bottom surface thereof.

7. The fender of Claim 1, wherein the base plate of the fender set has two side frames formed on a portion of two sides thereof, each side frame being bent inwards to form the first side channel.

8. The fender of Claim 1, wherein at least one of extending plates has a second retaining flange located adjacent to the front end thereof and on an in-use bottom surface thereof.

s 9. The fender of Claim 1, wherein the or each extending plate has at least one further middle channel formed on an in-use bottom side thereof.

10. The fender of Claim 9, wherein the or each extending plate has at least one further middle ridge formed on an in-use upper side thereof, the lo number of further middle ridges corresponding to the number of further middle channels.

11. The fender of Claim 1, wherein the fender set includes a last extending plate which has a pulling lug located on the rear end thereof.