GB2447215A

GB2447215A - Device for coupling a baby buggy to a bicycle

Info

Publication number: GB2447215A
Application number: GB0704487A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Rose; Dominic Rose; Karen Schindler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-08
Filing date: 2007-03-08
Publication date: 2008-09-10
Also published as: WO2008107698A3; WO2008107698A2; GB0704487D0

Abstract

A device for coupling a baby buggy (a) to a bicycle (e) comprises a hitch (b) for connection to the buggy (a) and a clasp mechanism (d) for connection to the bicycle (e). A bar (c) connects the hitch (b) to the clasp mechanism (d). Ball joints inside the hitch (b) and clasp mechansism (d) allow adjustment of the device. The clasp mechanism (d)may remain attached to the bicycle frame whilst the tow bar (c) and hitch (b) may be removable.

Description

1 2447215

BUGGY CONVERSION KIT

The invention relates to a tow bar unit used to attach the Phil&Teds e3 twin buggy to a standard adult bicycle. This facilitates the conversion of the buggy into a child/children carnage.

A similar concept exists but converts from a child carriage into a buggy.

The invention solves a number of problems relating to:-a) Storage space -a single vehicle with two purposes.

b) Cost -purchase of one vehicle plus attachments, as opposed to two relatively expensive vehicles.

c) Lifestyle -parent/s are able to enjoy a cycle ride with one or two children.

d) Ecology -provides an environmentally friendly form of transport and leisure.

The tow attachment converts a buggy into a child carriage which saves on storage space, expense and 1cilitates the enjoyment of family leisure by way ofajoint bicycle ride.

The body of the tow bar unit is preferably made from metal with metal or plastic fixings and may be finished in a coloured paint to coordinate with the buggy colour.

The tow bar unit comprises attachment to the buggy by way of a hitch, distancing itself from the bicycle by way of a tow bar and attachment to the bicycle frame by way of a clasp mechanism. The tow bar unit can be adjusted to fit most bicycle frames by way of ball joints present on the hitch and the clasp mechanism. The tow bar unit can be easily removed and the child/children carriage reverted back into a buggy. The clasp mechanism can however remain attached to the bicycle frame negating the need for constant fixing and removal of the tow bar unit.

The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the related drawings.

FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the tow, attached to both the bicycle and the Phil&Teds e3 buggy.

FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the Phil&Teds e3 buggy and how the front wheel hitches to this.

FIGURE 3 shows a front view of the hitch that attaches the tow to the buggy.

FIGURE 4 shows an aerial view of the hitch that attaches the tow to the buggy.

FIGURE 5 shows an aerial view of one of the two tow bars.

FIGURE 6 shows an aerial view of the left band clasp mechanism used to attach one of the two tow bars to the bicycle frame.

FIGURE 7 shows a side view of the left hand clasp mechanism used to attach one of the two tow bars to the bicycle frame.

As shown in Figure 1, the tow attaches to the front of the buggy at point a) and the bicycle frame, point e). The tow itself comprises the hitch identified by point b) and further detailed in Figure 3 and 4; a left hand tow bar identified by point c) and further detailed in FigureS; and a left hand clasp mechanism identified by point d) and further detailed in figure 6 and 7.

As shown in Figure 2, the removal of the front buggy wheel identified by point e) from the buggy itself identified by point a) facilitates the attachment of the tow by way of the bitch detailed in Figures 3 and 4.

The hitch as shown in Figure 3 and 4 slots into the actual wheel socket of the buggy identified by point d), Figure 2. The locking mechanism present on the Phil&Teds e3 buggy identified by point b), Figure 2 is engaged to secure the hitch in place. The locking mechanism slots into a concave hollow on the back face of a solid cylinder (not shown on diagram but identified by point b) Figure 3.) An additional locking mechanism, a screw is passed through a small hole on the Phil&Teds e3 buggy frame as identified by point c) Figure 2 and screws into a threaded hole present on the hitch identified by point c) Figure 3.

The hitch as detailed in Figure 3 and 4 comprises point a) a solid cylinder. The cylinder comprises a threaded screw hole point c) on the face of the cylinder and a concave hollow in an identical position on the reverse side (not shown by the diagram but indicated by point b). Two ball joint shoulders point e) contain two ball joints, point d). The ball joints point d) are extended by hollow tube point f) and comprise a sprung nipple, point g). The sprung nipple, point g) engages with hole point b) Figure 5 and is used to lock the tow bar in place.

Figure 5 details the tow bar, which is a length of hollow tube comprising two holes, point b) at either end of the tube. The holes facilitate the securing of the tow bar to the tow hitch by way of a sprung nipple, point g) Figures 3 and 4 at one end and to the tow clasp mechanism by way of a sprung nipple point a) Figure 6 at the other end.

Figures 6 and 7 show the clasp mechanism used to attach the tow to the bicycle frame.

Figure 6 an aerial view of the clasp mechanism identifies point b) as being a hollow tube, with point a) a sprung nipple which locks into a hole at one end of the tow bar identified by point b) Figure 5. Point c) identifies a ball joint, which is encased in point d) the ball joint shoulder. The ball joint shoulder is welded onto a diagonal solid cylinder point e) which is welded onto the clasp mechanism identified by point f).

The ball joints located on both the hitch point d) Figure 3 and 4 and the clasp mechanism point d) Figure 6 allow sufficient adjustment to the angle of the tow bar unit to account

for different bicycle frame specifications.

The clasp mechanism as detailed in Figure 7 comprises Iwo halves point g) and h). These are hinged at the base by a pin identified as point i). The two halves of the clasp mechanism encase the bicycle frame and are secured by a screw identified as pointj).

The screw not only holds the two halves of the clasp together, but would also be used to accommodate different size bicycle frames by loosening or tightening the screw. A loose rubber insert (not shown on the diagram) is placed within the two halves of the clasp prior to fitting to the bicycle frame to protect the frame from scratching and provides a non-slip clasp.

The clasp mechanism Figure 6 can if required remain fixed to the bicycle frame, whilst the tow bar FigureS and hitch Figure 3 can be removed. This negates the need to fit and remove the unit when not in use.

Claims

1. A tow bar unit facilitating the conversion of the PhiI&Teds e3 buggy from a buggy into a bicycle drawn child/children carriage, comprising attachment means for attaching the unit to the Phil&Teds e3 buggy, adjustment means enabling the adjustment of the unit to fit most variations in bicycle frame specification and attachment means to the bicycle frame enabling removal of the tow bar unit from the buggy but permanent fixing to the bicycle frame.

2. A tow bar unit according to claim 1, in which permanent attachment of the clasp mechanism to the bicycle frame facilitate the removal of the tow bar unit from the buggy but negates the need to constantly fix and remove the clasp mechanism.

2. A tow bar unit according to claim 1, in which attachment to the buggy is facilitated by way of a hitch which connects to the buggy in the same way as the buggy wheel would attach.

3. A tow bar unit according to claim 1, in which the adjustment means is facilitated by way of ball joints.