GB2457991A

GB2457991A - Bicycle support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2457991A
Application number: GB0804246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald Michael Bradbury
Original assignee: BROXAP Ltd
Current assignee: BROXAP Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-07
Filing date: 2008-03-07
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Also published as: GB0804246D0

Abstract

A support apparatus 10 for bicycles includes an elongate channel member 12 with a profiled cross section. The channel member profile has in cross section, a central lowest section 18 of a size to receive the tyres of a racing bicycle in a friction fit, a mid section 20 with upwardly diverging side walls of a size to receive the tyres of a hybrid bicycle in a friction fit, and an upper section 22 also with upwardly diverging side walls but which side walls diverge more gently than those in the mid section, the upper section being of a size to receive the tyres of a mountain bicycle in a friction fit. The channel member 12 may include a depression 14 to receive the tyre of a bicycle.

Description

Support Apparatus This invention concerns support apparatus, and particularly support racks for bicycles.

A number of racks for supporting bicycles have been proposed. Some such racks engage with the wheels of the bicycle in a friction fit to provide support to the bicycle. However, due to the wide variety of bicycles now available, and particularly in view of the large range of tyre widths used, such supports do not operate well with all types of bicycles. For instance, road racing bicycles may have a tyre width of typically 19mm, whilst hybrid bicycles may have a tyre width of 38mm, with mountain bikes often having a tyre width in the region of 60mm.

According to the present invention there is provided support apparatus for bicycles, the apparatus including an elongate channel member with a profiled cross section, the channel member profile having in cross section, a central lowest section, a mid section with upwardly diverging side walls, and an upper section also with upwardly diverging side walls, but which side walls diverge more gently than those in the mid section.

The lowest section may be of a size to substantially receive the tyres of a racing bicycle in a friction fit.

The mid-section may be of a size to substantially receive the tyres of a hybrid bicycle in a friction fit.

The upper section may be of a size to substantially receive the tyres of a mountain bicycle in a friction fit.

The lowest section may have a substantially shallow u-shape cross section, and may have an internal maximum width of between 15mm and 25mm and more particularly 18mm and 22mm.

The walls of the mid section may be substantially straight, but connection portions between the mid section and the lower and/or upper sections may be curved.

The minimum internal width of the mid section may be between 22mm and 28mm. The maximum internal width of the mid section may be between 35mm and 60mm.

The walls of the upper section may be substantially straight.

The minimum internal width of the upper section may be between 45mm and 60mm. The maximum internal width of the upper section may be between 60mm and 90mm.

The channel member may be shaped in side view so as to define a depression to receive the tyre of a bicycle. A cross support or supports may extend across the depression to provide lateral support for a bicycle wheel located in the depression.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig I is a diagrammatic side view of a bicycle rack according to the invention in use; Fig 2 is a cross sectional end view through part of the rack of Fig 1; and Figs 3 to 5 are diagrammatic views similar to Fig 2 showing use of the rack of Fig 1 with different bicycle tyres.

The drawings show a bicycle rack 10. The rack 10 includes a length of profiled channel 12. The channel 12 may be substantially horizontal, or may be arranged to be inclined upwardly towards the right, with a depression 14 in the channel 12 at the left hand end to receive a wheel of a bicycle 15 as shown. Support bars 16 extend across the depression 14 to provide lateral support for a bicycle wheel located in the depression 14.

Fig 2 shows the profile of the channel 12 in more detail. The channel 12 is formed from 2mm thick metal plate. The channel 12 has a lower section 18 leading to a mid diverging section 20 and an upper section 22, which is also diverging but more gently than the mid section 20. The lower section 18 has a substantially semi circular bottom part 24, in this instance with a 13mm radius. The side walls of the channel 12 extend upwardly from the bottom part 24 and curve outwardly to the diverging mid section 20. Aside from the lower and upper ends of the mid section 20, the walls of the channel 12 in the section 20 are substantially straight. The top of the mid section 20 curves inwardly to the more gently diverging upper section 22, which ends with an external width of around 66mm Fig 3 shows the wheel 26 of a racing bicycle. As can be seen, the lyre 28 engages in the upper mouth of the lower part 18 in a friction fit. Fig 4 shows the wheel 30 of a hybrid bicycle, with a lyre 32 which has a width of substantially 38mm. As can be seen the tyre 32 rests on top of the lower section 18 and also engages with the side walls of the mid section 20.

Fig 5 shows the wheel 34 of a mountain bike, with a tyre 36 which has a width of approximately 58mm. The lyre 36 rests substantially at the top of the mid section 20, and also engages with lower parts of the side walls of the upper section 22.

There is thus provided a bicycle rack with a channel which is profiled so as to receive a wide range of different bicycle tyre widths in a friction fit, so as to support the bicycles in an upright condition. The rack 10 can readily be formed once appropriate tooling is provided to form the channel 12, and such racks should provide long term, substantially maintenance free operation.

It is to be realised that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The channel 12 may take a different form and part or all of it may be of a somewhat different shape and/or size. A rack may be provided in a different form than that shown in Fig 1.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Support apparatus for bicycles, the apparatus including an elongate channel member with a profiled cross section, the channel member profile having in cross section, a central lowest section, a mid section with upwardly diverging side walls, and an upper section also with upwardly diverging side walls, but which side walls diverge more gently than those in the mid section. l0
2. Support apparatus according to claim 1, in which the lowest section is of a size to substantially receive the tyres of a racing bicycle in a friction fit.
3. Support apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the mid-section is of a size to substantially receive the tyres of a hybrid bicycle in a friction fit.
4. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the upper section is of a size to substantially receive the tyres of a mountain bicycle in a friction fit. 20
Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which *SbS.the lowest section has a substantially shallow u-shape cross section. * ** * * * * *
6. Support apparatus according to claim 5, in which the lowest section has an internal maximum width of between 15mm and 25mm. S...S **..
7. Support apparatus according to claim 6, in which the lowest section has an internal maximum width of between 18mm and 22mm.
8. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the walls of the mid section are substantially straight, but connection portions between the mid section and the lower and/or upper sections are curved.
9. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the minimum internal width of the mid section is between 22mm and 28mm.
10. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the maximum internal width of the mid section is between 35mm and 60mm.
11. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the walls of the upper section are substantially straight.
12. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the minimum internal width of the upper section is between 45mm and 60mm.
13. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the maximum internal width of the upper section is between 60mm and 90mm.
14. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the channel member is shaped in side view so as to define a depression to receive the tyre of a bicycle. * I -** .1
15. Support apparatus according to claim 14, in which a cross support or I. S. * * supports may extend across the depression to provide lateral support for a bicycle wheel located in the depression. S...S

* 25
16. Support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.