GB2492766A

GB2492766A - Towing device for connecting wheeled luggage to a bicycle

Info

Publication number: GB2492766A
Application number: GB1111807.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helen Saffery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-11
Filing date: 2011-07-11
Publication date: 2013-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-11
Also published as: GB2492766B; WO2013007995A1; GB201111807D0

Abstract

Towing device for connecting a wheeled case 108 to a bicycle, the towing device comprising a beam 12 having a longitudinal axis , a proximal end portion with a releaseable bicycle engagement means (110) and a distal end portion with a releaseable case handle engagement means (10) including lateral extensions (46, figure 8) which extend outwardly on opposed sides of the beam (12) and are configured to be passed through a case handle 50 from a first side thereof to a second side thereof and engage the second side. A version is also disclosed in which a T-shaped case handle passes through the beam 12 (see figure 9).

Description

TOWING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a towing device and in particular a towing device for enabling a wheeled luggage item with an extendable handle, of the type commonly used as hand luggage on an aeroplane, to be towed behind a bicycle. Such an item of luggage wilt be referred to below simply as a wheeled case or case.

Wheeled cases are owned by many people as they are extremely useful as an item of hand luggage on an aeroplane and for other situations in which being able to wheel a case, rather than carry it, is advantageous. It would be useful, for example when transporting shopping, if it was possible to tow such a wheeled case behind a bicycle. The object of the invention is to provide a device for allowing a typical wheeled case to be used in this manner, According to the invention there is provided a towing device for connecting a wheeled case to a bicycle, the towing device comprising a beam having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion with a releasable bicycle engagement means and a distal end portion with a releasable case handle engagement means including lateral extensions which extend outwardly on opposed sides of the beam and are configured to be passed through a case handle from a first side thereof to a second side thereof and engage the second side. Such a device can quickly and easily be engaged with a range of different sizes of handles of the type typically used for wheeled cases. Such handles commonly comprise a pair of parallel extendable legs connected at their distal ends by a hand-grip. The device can be angled such that the lateral extensions can be passed through a gap between the legs then rotated back so that the lateral extensions engage the legs of the handle. This preferably occurs in a form locking manner with one side of each leg engaging a first side of the respective lateral extension on one side of the device and with an oppositely facing surface of the hand-grip engaging an opposed side of the device.

In view of the fact that some wheeled cases have a handle comprising a single leg with a T-shaped hand-grip at a distal end thereof, preferably the handle engagement means also include a slot configured to receive a longitudinal leg of a luggage handle including only one longitudinal leg. By providing such an arrangement, the device can be configured to engage both of the two handle types typically provided on such wheeled cases.

In order to facilitate storage of the device when it is not in use, preferably the lateral extensions comprise parts of a removable cross-member.

Preferably the cross-member closes an open end of the slot when connected to the beam so as to extend laterally outwardly therefrom. With such an arrangement, when the device engages a handle with a pair of legs, the legs can engage portions of the cross-member and when the device engages a handle with only a single leg, the single leg can engage a central portion of the cross-member which closes the open end of the slot.

Preferably the handle engagement means includes a pair of arms on opposed sides of the slot, each arm including a cross-member receiving aperture. Such an arrangement provides an easily dismantleable connection between the beam and the cross-member which will none-the-less provide a secure connection when these parts are interengaged with each other.

In order to ensure that the device will not become accidentally disengaged from the handle of the wheeled case when the wheeled case is rolled over a bump, preferably the handle engagement means further includes releasable retention means configured to selectively retain the hand-grip of the case handle.

This retention means may be in the form of a strap with buckles or hook and loop fabric connection means.

Since the distance between the wheels and the distal handle portion will vary from case to case, the optimum angle between the beam and the case handle will differ, In order to be able to alter this angle preferably the releasable retention means is connected to the beam so as to be selectively positionable at plural locations along its longitudinal axis.

In order for the releasable retention means to be able to selectively engage a hand-grip of both types of handle described above (single and double leg types), preferably the releasable retention means includes two releasable retention means laterally spaced from each other.

Preferable the beam includes storage means for accommodating the cross-member with a cross-member longitudinal axis thereof disposed substantially parallel to the beam longitudinal axis when the towing device is not in use. Such an arrangement allows the device to take up less space when not in use, possibly allowing it to be accommodated in an exterior pocket of the wheeled case. The storage means may conveniently comprise an aperture extending into and along the beam into which the cross-member can be inserted for storage.

A convenient part of a bicycle for connecting the device to, which is generally of a standard size, is a seat pillar. Accordingly, the bicycle engagement means preferably comprises a releasable seat pillar engagement means configured to permit the beam to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the seat pillar with which it is engaged. The seat pillar engagement means preferably comprises a snap-fit engagement means.

In order to accommodate differences in height of different bicycles and wheeled case handles, the device preferably further includes a stop member which is selectively vertically positionable on the seat pillar and configured to control a height of releasable seat pillar engagement means. Plural packing collars may be provided for positioning between the seat pillar engagement means and the seat pillar in order that the device can be securely connected to seat pillars of slightly different diameters.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a schematic side view of a bicycle towing a relatively small wheeled case using a device according to the invention Fig. 2 is a schematic side view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a relatively large wheeled case being towed; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA, of the device shown in Fig. 3; Fig 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line BB, of the device shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a side view of a distal end of the device shown in Figs. 3 to 6 engaged with a handle of a wheeled case; Fig. 8 is a view from the direction of arrow D in Fig. 7, of the handle engagement means of the device engaged by a handle with two legs; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 except with the device engaged by handle with a single central leg; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a collar for connection to a seat pillar to control the height of the seat pillar engagement means of the device; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the seat pillar engagement means of an alternative embodiment; and Fig. 12 is a view on the line EE in Fig 11 of the alternative embodiment A top plan view of a towing device 2 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 3. The device 2 includes a beam 12 with a longitudinal axis 14 and a proximal end portion 4 with a bicycle engagement means. In the embodiment described this is in the form of a releasable seat pillar engagement means 6.

The device also includes a distal end portion 8 with a releasable case handle engagement means 10.

The seat pillar engagement mean 6 includes a clamping block 16 with a hemi-cylindrical recess 18 which confronts a complementary hemi-cylindrical recess 20 in a proximal end of the beam 12. A hinge lug 22 projects from the clamping block 16 into a complementary hinge recess 24 in the beam 12, A hinge pin extends through the beam 12, the hinge recess 24 therein and the hinge lug 22 to hingeably connect the clamping block 16 to the beam 12. A resilient latch arm 26 extends from the clamping block 16 so as to overlap the beam 12 when the clamping block 16 is rotated towards the beam. A latch projection 28, extending from the beam 12, is positioned to engage a latch aperture 30 in the latch arm 26 to latch the clamping block 16 in the closed position shown in Fig. 3. In this configuration, the confronting recesses 18 and define substantially cylindrical passage 31 configured to accept a seat pillar 32 of a bicycle in such a manner that the device 2 can rotate about a seat pillar longitudinal axis 34.

The case handle engagement means 10 at the distal end portion 8 of the beam 12 will now be described with particular reference to Figs 3 to 7, An open ended slot 36 is provided at the distal end portion 8. The slot 36 is bounded on either side by an arm 38. An end of each arm 38 includes a downwardly projecting lug 40 containing a transverse through aperture 42. The apertures 42 in the two arms 38 are aligned and constitute a retention means for a cross-member 44. The cross-member 44 is an elongate member which is a snug or friction fit in the aperture 42. Retention of the cross-member 44 in the aperture 42 could alternatively be provided by some form of releasable retention means. The cross-member 44 has end portions 46 which project outwardly beyond the opposed sides 48 of the beam 12.

A slider assembly 50, which constitutes a releasable retention means of a case 106 for selectively retaining a hand-grip or cross-piece 52 of a handle 54 of a case 106, is slideably connected to an upper surface 56 of the beam 12. The slider assembly 50 includes a slider body 58 with a lower surface 60 which slides back and forth along the longitudinal axis 14 in the direction of arrow C over the upper surface 56 of the beam 12. A handle support member 62 is mounted on an upper surface 64 of the slider body 58. The handle support member 62 may be formed integrally with the slider body 58. The handle support member 62 has a transverse concave handle receiving recess 66 in its upper surface configured to receive the hand-grip 52 of the handle 54 as shown for example in Fig. 7. A strap 68, with a buckle 70 at one end, is secured to each side of the handle support member 62. While the embodiment shown in figures includes a single H-shaped strap assembly, which defines the two straps 68, separate straps could be provided with one strap located at each side of the handle support member 62. Alternatively the straps 68 could be formed integrally with the handle support member 62 and also possibly with the slider body 58. Fastening means, such as S hook and loop fabric fastening means, could be used as an alternative to conventional buckles 70.

Machine screws 72 extend through aligned apertures 74 and 76 respectively formed in the handle support member 62 and the slider body 58.

Each machine screw 72 extends through a longitudinal through slot 78 formed in a respective arm 38 and is engaged by a captive nut 80 which is longitudinally slideable in a channel 82 extending from the respective slot 78 in a lower surface 84 of the respective arm 38. The width of each slot 78 is selected so as to prevent rotation of the nut 80 therein. A nut retention plate 86 closes each channel 82 and has a longitudinal slot 88 formed therein, along which an end of the respective machine screw 72 is slideable. Each end of each plate 86 is secured to the lower surface 84 of the respective arm 38 by means of a screw 90. It will be appreciated that alternative means may be provided for securing the slider assembly 50 to the beam 12 in a manner which permits it to be selectively secured at plural positions along the beam. Each machines screw can be loosened by rotation of its head 92 with a screw-driver coin or other suitable means so as to allow the slider assembly 50 to be slid to a desired location (as explained below) then tightened to secure the slider assembly 50 in place with respect to the beam/arm.

A storage hole 94 extends from a closed end of the slot 36 along the longitudinal axis 14 of the beam. This hole 94 is designed to accommodate the cross-member 44 when it is not in use, thereby allowing the device to be more easily stored when not in use.

The engagement of the device described above with the two commonly used types of handle that cases of the type referred to above are provided with will now be described with particular reference to Figs 1, 2 and 7 to 9.

The most common type of handle 54, shown in Figs 7 and 8, includes a pair of parallel legs 94 joined by a hand-grip 52. When there is a requirement to engage the device 2 with such a handle 54, the cross-member 44 is extracted from the storage hole 94 and slid into the two apertures 42 where it is retained by a friction fit with the apertures 42. The distal end portion 8, including the cross-member 44, is then orientated such that the cross-member 44 can be passed from a first side 98 of the handle, through a gap 102 between the legs 96, to a second side 100 of the handle 54. The device is then twisted about its longitudinal axis 14 with respect to the handle 54 into the engagement configuration shown in Figs 7 and 8. In this engaged configuration, the second sides 100 of the legs 96 bear against an under surface 102 of the cross-member 44. Also in this configuration, a lower surface 104 of the hand-grip 52 is support by the handle support member 62. In the embodiment shown, the straps 68 are interposed between the hand-grip 52 and the support member 62. The strap 68 are then engaged with the buckles 78 and tightened to securely hold the hand-grip 52 in engagement with the support member 62, Having engaged the device with the handle 54 of the luggage item 106, the seat pillar engagement means 6 is then connected to the seat pillar 32 of a bicycle around which a height controlling collar 110 has been clamped by means of a pinch bolt 112 and nut 114. The seat pillar engagement means is opened by pulling the latch arm 26 out of engagement with the latch projection 28 and then rotating the clamping block 16 about the hinge lug 22 away from the remainder of the beam 12. The recesses 20 are then placed adjacent to the seat pillar 32 and the clamping block 16 is rotated back so that the latch arm 26 snap-engages the latch projection 28 with the seat pillar 32 in a passage 31 defined by the recesses 18 and 20 in the clamping block 16 and the main part of the beam 12. The beam is restra tried against downward movement, along the seat pillar 32, by engagement with the collar 110. The size of the passage 31 is selected so as to permit the beam 12 to rotate about the seat pillar 32.

To take account of the fact that the wheeled case 108 may have a longer handle 55, as shown in Fig. 2, the slider assembly 50 is adjustable along the beam 12 in the manner described above. To accommodate such a longer handle 55, the slider assembly 50 would be moved in the direction of arrow F shown in Fig. 2 to permit the angle 116 between the beam 12 and the handle 55 to be reduced.

In the event of the wheeled case having a handle 122, as shown in Fig. 9, with a single central leg 118 and a 1-shaped hand-grip 120, the hand-grip 120 will simply be orientated so that it can be passed through the slot 36 then rotated back into the configuration shown in Fig. 9. The hand grip 120 will be secured to the slider assembly 50 in the same way that the handle 54 is secured as described above. An upper surface of the single leg 118 will bear against a lower surface of a central portion 123 of the cross-member 44.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the seat pillar engagement means includes a pair of semi-circular replaceable inserts 124 and 125 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. One insert 124 is mounted in the hemicylindrical recess 18 in the clamping block 16 by means of a dovetail rib which engages a complementary dovetail recess 128 in the clamping block 16. The insert includes flanges 130 which overlap upper and lower surfaces of the clamping block 16 and will be fed into place by sliding the rib 126 into the recess 128. The other insert 125 is mounted in a similar manner in the hemicyclindrical recess 20 in the proximal end 4 of the beam 12. The inserts are made of resilient material and the device can be supplied with plural pairs of inserts with different pairs of inserts defining passages 31 of different diameters for use with seat pillars having different diameters.

Specific embodiments of the invention have been described above. It will however be apparent to a skilled person in the art that modifications to the embodiments would be possible which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. Towing device for connecting a wheeled case to a bicycle, the towing device comprising a beam having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion with a releaseable bicycle engagement means and a distal end portion with a releaseable case handle engagement means including lateral extensions which extend outwardly on opposed sides of the beam and are configured to be passed through a case handle from a first side thereof to a second side thereof and engage the second side.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle engagement means also include a slot configured to receive a longitudinal leg of a case handle including only one longitudinal leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the lateral extensions comprise parts of a removable cross-member.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The towing device of claims 2 and 3, wherein the cross-member closes an open end of the slot when connected to the beam so as to extend laterally outwardly therefrom.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The towing device of claim 2 and claim 3 or 4, wherein the handle engagement means includes a pair of arms on opposed sides of the slot, each arm including a cross-member receiving aperture.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The towing device of any preceding claim, wherein the handle engagement means further includes releasable retention means configured to selectively retain a hand-grip of a case handle 7. The towing device of claim 6, wherein the releaseable retention means is connected to the beam so as to be selectively positionable at plural locations along its longitudinal axis.8. The towing device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the releaseable retention means includes two releaseable retention means laterally spaced from each other.9. The towing device of claim 3 or any claim depending thereon, wherein the beam includes storage means for accommodating the cross-member with a cross-member longitudinal axis thereof disposed substantially parallel to the beam longitudinal axis when the towing device is not in use.10. The towing device of any preceding claim, wherein the bicycle engagement means comprises a releaseable seat pillar engagement means configured to permit the beam to rotate about a longitudinal axis of a seat pillar with which it is engaged.11. The towing device of claim 10, wherein the seat pillar engagement means includes a snap-fit engagement means.12. The towing device of claim 10 or 11, further including a stop member which is selectively vertically positionable on the seat pillar and configured to control a height of the releaseable seat pillar engagement means.</claim-text>