GB2468521A

GB2468521A - Device for transporting foldable bicycles

Info

Publication number: GB2468521A
Application number: GB0904273A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Andrew Higgins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-12
Filing date: 2009-03-12
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Also published as: GB0904273D0; CN102348591A; WO2010103328A1; EP2406118A1

Abstract

A device for releasable attachment to a bicycle and for transporting articles by wheeling when not attached to a bicycle. The device may comprise a frame 1 and trolley 3. The frame 1 may comprise two arms 6, 7 and a cross bar 13 which are rigidly linked or made from a single tube. The cross bar 13 may have two depressions 15 and an attachment strut 21 and the legs may have attachment points 19. The trolley may have two legs 17 which may be telescopic and may be attached to each other at one end by a handle 35 and at the other end by a hinge 37. A rotatably attached quick release mechanism 43 may be provided at the handle end of the trolley 3 with feet (45, Figure 4) and rollers 44 at the hinge end. There may be a bracket (47, Figure 4) on each leg 17 of the trolley 3. In use the frame 1 may be attached to a bicycle (5, Figure 6) via attachment points 19 and attachment strut 21. The trolley 3 is fixed to the bicycle (5) via quick release mechanism 43 attaching to the saddle stem (59, Figure 6) in this configuration the trolley can be used to hold articles. Alternatively the trolley 3 may be removed, the bicycle (5) folded and strapped to the trolley 3.

Description

DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING FOLDABLE BICYCLES

The present invention relates to devices that may be releasably attached to bicycles and which are suitable for transporting articles by wheeling when not attached to a bicycle. In particular, the devices are suitable for transporting foldable bicycles.

Bicycle use is increasing, both for leisure and business purposes, and many people often wish to transport their bicycles from place to place by other means; for example, in cars or on public transport for long journeys, or by carrying the bicycle in areas where it may not be ridden. Foldable bicycles are particularly suitable for transporting in this way, but may be too heavy to be conveniently carried by some riders, In addition, public transport restrictions sometimes require foldable bicycles to be contained in bags or boxes, which may themselves be difficult to transport whilst riding a bicycle.

Electrically assisted bicycles are particularly useful for the elderly or infirm, and foldable versions of such vehicles are known. However, the additional weight caused by the inclusion of a battery pack and electric motor makes such bicycles less convenient to transport, and therefore restricts their use.

Whilst bicycles may conveniently be used to transport relatively heavy articles over considerable distances, difficulties may arise in transporting the articles into areas where bicycles are not permitted, as the bicycles must be secured and the articles carried by hand. This is also particularly difficult in the case of foldable bicycles, which must be folded and transported together with the articles that were formerly attached to them.

One means for transporting heavy or bulky articles is to support them on a wheeled device, for example a trolley having two or more wheels. Known trolleys, however, are either too small to conveniently transport large articles, such as folded bicycles, particularly folded electrically assisted bicycles, or are too large to be themselves transported on bicycles.

Thus, known trolleys may be used to transport large articles to or from a bicycle, or to transport a folded bicycle from one place to another, but must then be left behind when the bicycle is ridden.

The present invention provides a device for releasable attachment to a bicycle and for transporting articles by wheeling when not attached to a bicycle.

Devices according to the present invention may be used in conjunction with bicycles to assist in transporting heavy loads. For example, devices according to the present invention may be attached to a bicycle together with one or more heavy articles whilst the bicycle is being ridden, and may then be removed from the bicycle and used to transport the articles into areas into which the bicycle may not be taken.

Particularly preferred devices according to the present invention are suitable for attachment to a foldable bicycle when the bicycle is unfolded, and for transporting the foldable bicycle when the bicycle is folded.

Devices according to the present invention are preferably suitable to assist in the transport of additional articles when the devices are attached to a bicycle. For example, devices according to the present invention may provide a carrying surface on a bicycle to which articles may be attached directly, or may provide attachment points for panniers for transporting articles.

Particularly preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention comprise a trolley comprising two legs, each leg having a first end and a second end, the legs being linked at their first ends and being provided with wheeling means at their second ends. The wheeling means allow the trolley to be easily transported across a range of surfaces, even when objects of considerable weight are attached thereto.

Wheeling means for use in devices according to the present invention include wheels, casters and rollers, and these may be attached in any conventional way to the devices.

Preferably, the legs of the trolleys of preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention are extendable, so that when a trolley is attached to a bicycle the legs may be relatively short (preferably between 400mm and 0mm, for example 500mm), and also so that the legs may be extended when the trolley is removed from the bicycle for transporting articles (preferably to lengths of between 800mm and 1200mm, for example 1000mm) Any conventional means may be used to cause the legs of the trolleys to be extendable; for example, the legs may comprise two or more, for example three, interlocking telescopic sections.

In devices according to the present invention comprising a trolley, the legs may be linked at their first ends by a pivot means, so that the distance between the first ends of the legs is fixed but the distance between the second ends of the legs may be varied. More preferably however, the legs of the trolley are linked via a connecting handle, and each of the legs are pivotally connected to the connecting handle, so that the distance between the first ends of the legs is fixed but the distance between the second ends of the legs may be varied. In this particularly preferred embodiment, the handle linking the legs may have a length of between 100mm and 200mm, for example 150mm, and when the trolley is attached to a bicycle the legs of the trolley will preferably be parallel along their entire length, but when the trolley is not attached to a bicycle the second ends of the legs of the trolley may be separated to a maximum distance of 600mm, or preferably a maximum distance of 500mm.

In devices according to the present invention in which the legs of the trolley are linked pivotaily, any form of pivot attachment may be used. In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the devices will also comprise means to lock the second ends of the legs of the trolley at a chosen distance apart. Suitable means for locking the legs of the trolley at a chosen distance apart include a hinge linking the second ends of the legs of the trolley, which may flex to alter the distance between the second ends of the legs, and which may be locked in at least one position.

Devices according to the present invention comprising a trolley also preferably comprise means to attach the trolley to the handlebar stem or, more preferably, the saddle stem of a bicycle to which the trolley is attached. The means for attaching the trolley to the handlebar stem or saddle stem of a bicycle most preferably comprises a quick release clamp, which is permanently attached to the trolley, and which is suitable to clamp around the saddle stem or handlebar stem of a bicycle.

Devices according to the present invention comprising a trolley preferably comprise additional supporting means located at or near the second ends of each of the legs of the trolley, so that the trolley may stand substantially upright when not connected to a bicycle. Such supporting means may comprise feet attached to the second ends of each of the legs of the trolley. Preferably the feet may swivel, so that when the trolley is attached to a bicycle the feet may be located in the same plane as the trolley or may be raised to assist in retaining items attached to the trolley.

Devices according to the present invention comprising a trolley also preferably comprise a support frame for permanent attachment to a bicycle, and to which the trolley may be releasably attached. Suitable support frames may be permanently attached to bicycles during manufacture, or may be purchased by a consumer for attachment to the consumer's own bicycle.

Preferred support frames of devices according to the present invention comprise two arms, each arm having first and second ends, and a crossbar linking the first ends of each of the arms, each of the arms comprising means for attachment to a bicycle. The means for attachment to a bicycle may be any suitable means, for example holes may be provided in the arms of the support frame so that the support frame may be rivetted or bolted to a bicycle frame, or an attachment plate may be provided so that the support frame may be permanently welded to a bicycle frame. Support frames of devices according to the present invention may optionally also be provided with additional means of attachment to a bicycle frame or axle, to reduce to a minimum any movement of the support frame when attached to a bicycle frame.

Preferably the crossbar linking the arms of the support frames of devices according to the present invention will have a length of between 150mm and 200mm.

Preferably the lengths of the arms of the support frames of devices according to the present invention will be from 200mm to 500mm. Most preferably the arms of the support frames of devices according to the present invention are asymmetric, so that one arm is longer than the other, the preferred length of the longer arm being from 300-to 400mm and the preferred length of the shorter arm being from 250mm to 300mm.

Preferably, the lengths of one or both of the arms of the support frames of devices according to the present invention may be extended, for example to improve engagement of the arm with a trolley when the bicycle is attached thereto. In preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention wherein the arms of the support frame are asymmetric preferably at least the longer of the two arms is provided with means to extend the length thereof. Any conventional means may be provided to allow the lengths of the arms of the support frames to be extended, for example the arms may be provided with telescopically extendable sections or inserts.

The crossbars of the support frames of preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention preferabiy comprise means for engaging the legs of a trolley when the support frame and the trolley are attached to a bicycle. Such engaging means may, for example, comprise two recesses or depressions in the upper surface of the crossbar of the support frame suitable to receive the legs of a trolley.

In preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention comprising a trolley and a support frame, each of the legs of the trolley are provided with a bracket to engage the crossbar of the support frame when the support frame and the trolley are attached to a bicycle. Such brackets may be permanently positioned at a particular point on each leg of the trolley, or their position may be adjustable along the length of the leg. When the position of the bracket is adjustable along the length of the leg, means will also be provided to lock the bracket in a chosen position.

More preferably the brackets located on the legs of the trolleys of the preferred embodiment of devices according to the present invention are also suitable to engage one of the arms of the support frame when the support frame is attached to a folded bicycle and the folded bicycle is attached to the trolley. Even more preferably, in this embodiment of the present invention at least one of the arms of the support frame is provided with means to reduce lateral movement of a folded bicycle when it is attached to a trolley by the support frame. In embodiments of devices according to the present invention comprising support frames having asymmetric arms, when only one of the arms is provided with means to produce lateral movement of a folded bicycle, these means are preferably positioned on the longer of the two arms. Such means may comprise, for example, a short projection positioned towards the second end of one arm (preferably the longer arm if the arms are of unequal length) of the support frame, and which will engage the bracket on one of the legs of a trolley when a folded bicycle comprising the support frame is attached to the trolley.

When folded bicycles are attached to the trolleys of devices according to the present invention they may be further secured thereto by additional securing means, for example a securing strap, and such straps may also be used to attach additional articles to the bicycle when the trolley is attached to the bicycle.

In particular preferred embodiments of devices according to the present invention, the trolley may be used to wheelably transport a folded bicycle and additional articles simultaneously.

Devices according to the present invention may be constructed from any suitable materials, including plastics, carbon fibre and metals. In particular, the support frames and trolleys of particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention are preferably constructed principally from steel, aluminium, carbon fibre or plastics. Various components of the trolleys of the preferred embodiments of the invention, for example the connecting handles or wheels, may be made from conventional plastic materials or rubber.

Devices according to the present invention preferably also comprise a bag suitable to contain the device and any articles attached thereto. Such bags may be composed of any suitable material, for example nylon or recycled rubber or plastic materials.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a support frame of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the support frame shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a trolley of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention, the trolley being in collapsed mode suitable for attachment to a bicycle; Figure 4 is a side view of the trolley shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front view of the trolley shown in Figure 3 in extended form suitable for transporting a folded bicycle; and Figure 6 is a side view of the support frame shown in Figure 1 and the trolley shown in Figure 3 when attached to a bicycle.

Figure 1 shows a support frame 1 for use in attaching a trolley 3 (shown in figures 3 to 5) to a bicycle 5 (as shown in Figure 6) . The support frame 1 and trolley 3 together comprise a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

The support frame 1 comprises two arms 6,7, one arm 6 being longer than the other 7, and each arm 6,7 having a first end 9 and a second end 11. The first ends 9 of each arm 6,7 are linked by a crossbar 13. The arms 6,7 are formed from aluminium tubes of a generally square cross-section. The crossbar 13 is formed from an aluminium tube similar to that used to form the arms of the support frame 1, but is provided with two recesses or depression 15 for engaging with the legs 17 of a trolley 3 when the support frame 1 and trolley 3 are attached to a bicycle 5. The arms 6,7 and crossbar 13 are rigidly linked, for example by welding, or the support frame may be fashioned from a single tube.

As shown in Figure 2, each of the arms 6,7 of the support frame I are provided with means 19 to connect the arms 6,7 to the frame of a bicycle 5. In the present embodiment, the connection means 19 comprise passages through the arms 6,7 to enable the arms 6,7 to be connected to a bicycle frame by bolts or rivets, however it will be understood that any conventional connection means may be used to attach the support frames 1 of the present invention to a bicycle 5, for example points for attachment may be provided to enable the frame 1 to be welded to the bicycle 5. The support frame 1, as shown in Figure 2, also comprises an attachment strut 21, which is fixedly connected to the centre of the crossbar 13 of the support frame I at its first end 23, and which comprises attachment means 27 at its second end 25 to allow the strut 21 to be permanently attached to the frame of a bicycle 5. The attachment means 27 may comprise any means suitable to connect the attachment strut 21 to the frame of the bicycle 5, for example by screwing or rivetting.

The crossbar 13 of the support frame 1 of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 is 150mm in length, and the arms 6,7 of the support frame are 320mm and 300mm in length respectively. One or both of the arms 6,7 of the support frame 1 may optionally be provided with means to increase their lengths when required, for example when the support frame 1 is used to attach a bicycle 5 to a trolley 3 of the present embodiment of the invention. These extension means may, for example, comprise an additional telescopic section fitted within the second end 11 of the longer of the two arms 6, and which may be extended when the bicycle 5 is attached to the trolley 3 by the support frame 1.

The longer of the arms 6 of the support frame 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is also provided with a stud 29 located towards the second end 11 of the arm 6. This stud 29 assists in preventing lateral movement of a folded bicycle 5 when the support frame 1 is used to attach the bicycle 5 to a trolley 3 of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a front view of a trolley 3 of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention, and which is suitable for use in conjunction with the support frame 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The trolley 3 comprises two legs 17, each having first ends 31 and second ends 33. The first ends 31 of each of the legs 17 are linked by a handle 35, which is attached to each of the legs 17 via a pivot 36.

The second ends 33 of the legs 17 of the trolley 3 are connected by a hinge 37, which comprises a first section 39 and a second section 41. The first section 39 of the hinge 37 is attached at one end to the second end 33 of one of the legs 17 of the trolley 3, and the second section 41 of the hinge 37 is attached at one end to the second end 33 of the other leg 17 of the trolley 3. The first and second sections of the hinge 37 are also linked at their respective free ends. The connections between the first and section sections 39, 41 of the hinge 37 and the legs 17 of the trolley 3, and between the first section 39 and the second section 41 of the hinge 37 are all rotatable, so that the distance between the second ends 33 of the legs 17 may be varied by changing the angle between the first and second sections 39, 41 of the hinge 37. The hinge 37 is also provided with means (not shown) to lock the first and second sections 39, 41 at the widest possible angle, to maximise the distance between the second ends 33 of the legs 17. The first and second sections 39, 41 of the hinge 37 may be made from any suitable material, for example they may be in the form of square section aluminium tubes.

The second ends 33 of the legs 17 of the trolley 3 are each provided with wheeling means in the form of castors 44, however it will be understood that any other conventional wheeling means could be used in trolleys according to the present invention, for example rollers or wheels. The castors 44 allow the trolley 3 to be wheeled on a range of surfaces, and to conveniently transport articles attached to the trolley 3.

The trolley 3 shown in Figure 3 is also provided with a quick release clamp 43, which is rotatably attached towards the first ends 31 of each of the legs 17 of the trolley 3.

In use, the quick release clamp 43 may be attached to the saddle stem 59 of a bicycle 5 (see Figure 6), and acts to lock the trolley 3 rigidly in position on the support frame I and bicycle 5.

The legs 17 of the trolley 3 shown in Figures 3 to 5 are also each provided with a foot 45 attached to the second end 33 thereof. The feet 45 may be rotated into the same plane as the trolley 3 or to project out of the plane of the trolley 3, as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 4, the trolley 3 of the preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention also comprises two brackets 47, one bracket 47 being attached to each of the legs 17 of the trolley 3. The brackets 47 will engage the crossbar 13 of the support frame 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 when the trolley 3 is attached to a bicycle 5 via the support frame 1 (see Figure 6) . In addition, the brackets 47 will also engage the longer arm 6 of the support frame 1 when the support frame 1 is used to attach a folded bicycle 5 to the trolley 3. The bracket 47 may be made from any suitable material, for example steel, and may be attached to the legs 17 of the trolley 3 by any suitable means. The brackets 47 may be attached to the legs 17 at fixed points, or their position along the lengths of the legs 17 may be variable.

As shown in Figure 4, the feet 45 attached to the second ends 33 of the legs 17 of the trolley 3 may be rotated to act as supports, so that the trolley 3 may stand substantially upright when not attached to a bicycle. In addition, the teet may be rotated 180 degrees so that when the trolley 3 is attached to a bicycle 5 the feet 45 will project upwards and act to stabilise and/or secure any articles carried on the bicycle and secured to the trolley 3.

As shown in Figure 5, the legs 17 of the trolley 3 each comprise first, second and third telescopic sections 49, 51, 53; the third section 53 fitting within and slidably engaging the second section 51, and the second section 51 fitting within and slidingly engaging the first section 49, so that the lengths of the leg 17 may be varied. Each of the first, second and third sections 49, 51, 53 of the legs 17 are provided with means (not shown) to lock the sections in position with respect to each other and to prevent the lengths of the legs 17 changing during use. The quick release clamp 43 is pivotally attached to the third section 53 of each of the legs 17 of the trolley 3.

The length of the first section 49 of each of the legs 17 is 450mm, and the length of each of the legs 17 when the first, second and third sections, 49, 51, 53 are fully extended is 950. Each of the first, second and third sections 49, 51, 53 of the legs 17 are made of tubular steel and the first section 49 of the leg 17 is 20mm in cross section, the second 51 and third 53 sections being sized to fit within and engage each other and the first section 49.

The length of the handle 35 of the trolley 3 is 150mm, and therefore the width of the trolley in the collapsed form, as shown in Figure 3, is also 150mm. However, when the legs 17 are extended to their full length and the hinge 37 is locked in its widest position, the first ends 33 of the legs 17 will be positioned up to 500mm apart.

As shown in Figure 6, the trolley 3 shown in Figures 3 Lu 5 may be attached to a bicycle 5 via the support frame 1, which is permanently attached to the frame of the bicycle 5 by the connection means 19 at the second ends 11 of each of the arms 6,7, and by the attachment strut 21. The support frame 1 may be attached to the bicycle 5 either during the manufacturer thereof, or afterwards by a wholesaler or by an individual purchaser. The support frame 1 is rigidly attached to the frame of the bicycle 5.

The trolley 3 may be attached to a bicycle 5 in the collapsed form shown in Figure 3 by engaging the legs 17 of the trolley 3 with the depressions 15 in the upper surface 57 of the crossbar 13 of the support frame 1, and also engaging the brackets 47 of the legs 17 of the trolley 3 with the underside 55 of the crossbar 13 of the support frame 1. The quick release clamp 43 of the trolley 3 is attached to the saddle stem 59 of the bicycle 5, and the trolley 3 will therefore be held rigidly on the bicycle 5. Additional articles (not shown) may be transported on the bicycle 5 using the trolley 3 as a support, for example luggage may be attached to the trolley 3 by means of one or more securing straps.

In order to remove the trolley 3 from the bicycle 5, the quick release clamp 43 is released and the saddle stem 59 is lifted out of the bicycle 5 and through the clamp 43. The trolley 3 is then slid from the support frame 1. The legs 17 of the trolley 3 are extended, and the distance between the second ends 33 of the legs 17 increased by use of the hinge 37 to move the trolley into the extended form shown in Figure 5. The trolley 3 may then be used to transport large items, for example any luggage that had previously been carried on the bicycle 5. In addition, the bicycle 5 may be folded in a conventional manner, and attached to the trolley 3 by engaging the longer arm 6 of the support frame 1 in the brackets 47 on each of the legs 17 of the trolley 3. The trolley 3 may ideally be used to simultaneously transport both the folded bicycle 5 and additional articles, the bicycle 5 being attached to the trolley 3 on one surface via engagement of the frame 1 with the brackets 47, and the additional articles being attached to the opposite surface of the trolley 3 by any suitable means. Lateral movement of the folded bicycle 5 on the trolley 3 will be prevented by the stud 29 on the arm 6 of the support frame 1, which engages with one S of the brackets 47 on the legs 17 of the trolley 3. The feet attached to the legs 17 of the trolley 3 may also be rotated into the position shown in Figure 4, so that when the trolley 3 is not being wheeled on the castors 44 it may be rested on the feet 45 and therefore remain substantially vertical.

The bicycle 5 may be further secured to the trolley 3 by means of an adjustable or elasticated strap (not shown) To assist storage, the trolley 3 having the bicycle 5 attached thereto may be covered by a bag (not shown) Conversion back to the cycle mode comprises the reversal of the above operation. Thus, any cover is removed from the trolley 3 and any securing straps are also removed. The bicycle 5 is lifted from the trolley 3 and unfolded into the rideable form. The legs 17 of the trolley 3 are collapsed, and the distance between the second ends 33 of the legs is reduced by adjustment of the hinge 37. The trolley 3 is then slid onto the crossbar 13 of the support frame I so that the legs 17 engage the recesses 15 in the upper surface 57 thereof. The trolley 3 is moved forward until the brackets 47 engage the underside 55 of the crossbar 13 of the support frame 1, and the saddle stem 59 of the bicycle 5 is then slid through the quick release clamp 43 and into the frame of the bicycle 5. Once the saddle stem 59 is in the preferred position, the quick release clamp 43 is locked around the saddle stem 59, and the trolley is firmly attached to the bicycle 5.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A device for releasable attachment to a bicycle and for transporting articles by wheeling when not attached to a bicycle.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 for attachment to a foldable bicycle when the bicycle is unfolded and for transporting the foldable bicycle when the bicycle is folded.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 for transporting additional articles when attached to a bicycle.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a trolley comprising two legs, each leg having a first end and a second end, the legs being linked at their first ends and being provided with wheeling means at their second ends.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the legs of the trolley are extendable.
6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first ends of the legs of the trolley are linked directly by a pivot means, so that the distance between the first ends of the legs is fixed but the distance between the second ends of the legs may be varied.
7. A device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the legs of the trolley are linked by a connecting handle, and wherein each of the legs arc pivotally connected to the connecting handle, so that the distance between the first ends of the legs is fixed but the distance between the second ends of the legs may be varied.

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8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 comprising means to lock the second ends of the legs of the trolley at a chosen distance apart.
9. A device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8 comprising means to attach the trolley to the saddle stem or handlebar stem of a bicycle.
10. A device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9 comprising additional supporting means located at or near the second ends of each of the legs of the trolley, so that the trolley may stand substantially upright when not attached to a bicycle.
11. A device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 10 further comprising a support frame for permanent attachment to a bicycle and to which the trolley may be releasably attached.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the support frame comprises two arms, each arm having first and second ends, and a crossbar linking the first ends of each of the arms, each of the arms comprising means for attachment to a bicycle.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the two arms of the support frame are of different lengths.
14. A device as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the length of one or both of the arms of the support frame may be extended.
15. A device as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the crossbar of the support frame comprises means for engaging the legs of the trolley when the support frame and the trolley are attached to a bicycle.
16. A device as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15 wherein each of the legs of the trolley are provided with a bracket to engage the crossbar of the support frame when the support frame and the trolley are attached to a bicycle.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the brackets located on the legs of the trolley are suitable to engage one of the arms of the support frame when the suppcrt frame is attached to a folded bicycle and the folded bicycle is attached to the trolley.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17 wherein at least one of the arms of the support frame is provided with means to reduce lateral movement of a folded bicycle when it is attached to a trolley by the support frame.
19. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a bag suitable to contain the device and any articles attached thereto.
20. A device for releasable attachment to a bicycle and for transporting articles by wheeling when not attached to a bicycle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.