GB2492842A - Bicycle mudguard assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mudguard assembly and means for securing the mudguard assembly. Disclosed is a bicycle stay 5 comprising first and second members 9,11, the first and second members 9,11 being securable to one another in a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions of the first member 9 relative to the second member 11 so that, in use, one of a plurality of combined lengths (X,Y) of the first and second members 9,11 is selectable; wherein the first member 9 comprises at least one first feature 27 and the second member 11 comprises a plurality of second features 29 spaced along a lengthwise portion of the second member 11, the first feature 27 being selectively engageable with any one of said plurality of second features 29 so as to fix a selected one of said plurality of combined lengths X,Y of the first and second members 9,11; the stay further comprising means 21 for retaining said first feature 27 in engagement with a selected one of said plurality of second features 29. A mount (7, figure 8), a mudguard mounts member (100, figure 14) and mounting assembly (200, figure 16) are also disclosed.

Description

A Mudguard Assembly and Means for Securing the Same The present invention relates to a bicycle mudguard assembly and to means for securing said bicycle mudguard assembly to the structure of a bicycle.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for securing the mudguard assembly to the structure of a bicycle.

It is known to secure a mudguard assembly to the frame of a bicycle using metal stays or struts. These stays are elongate members which are fixed at one end to the mudguard section and to the bicycle frame at the other end. The length of the prior art stays may be shortened with a cutting tool once the mudguard has been secured and/or the final required length of the stay is known. However, such stays require a cutting tool iii order to reduce their length and, once cut, cannot be subsequently extended for use with a different bicycle. Prior art patent document GB 626438 discloses a telescoping stay which allows for the length of the stay to be varied without the need for a cutting a tool. However, a nut must be tightened with a tool in order for the length of the telescoping stay to be fixed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stay which may be conveniently varied in length.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a bicycle stay as recited in the appended independent claim 1. This mudguard stay nay be a bicycle mudguard stay. Further features are provided as recited in the appended claims 2 to 11.

As recited in the appended claim 1, it will be apparent that first and second members of a stay may be positioned relative to one another so as to provide a required overall length. The two members may be so positioned whilst separated from one another. Once in the required position, the two members may be retained connected to one another by retaining means. When so connected, a first feature on one of the members engages with one of a plurality of second features on the other of said members. This engagement of features fixes the length of the stay. A different second feature will be engaged by the first feature depending upon the length of stay which is selected.

The stay may be used to secure a bicycle mudguard section to the frame of the bicycle. Alternatively the stay may be used to connect another item to the frame of a bicycle.

It is known to mount a mudguard stay either directly to an eyelet provided in the frame of a bicycle, or by strapping the stay part way along a fork blade or seat-stay. In the prior art, a different bicycle mount is required depending upon which of these two mounting techniques is to be used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle mount which provides improved flexibility and, in particular, allows connection directly to an eyelet or 1 5 part way along a structural member.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a bicycle mount as recited in the appended independent claim 16. Further features of the invention are provided as recited in the appended dependent claims 17 to 26. A method of connecting one or more items to the structure of a bicycle is also provided as recited in the appended independent claim 27.

The bicycle mount of the present invention comprises two separable parts which are releasably secured to one another. One of these parts comprises means for locating about, and thereby holding, the structure of the bicycle. This means may be used for securing the bicycle mount part way along a structural member of the bicycle. If the bicycle mount is to be secured directly with an eyelet on the structure of the bicycle, then the two parts of the bicycle mount may be separated and the part with the said holding means may be discarded. The remaining part may then be secured directly to the eyelet. The two parts of the bicycle mount are secured to one another with securing means and an element of this securing means used to secure the second part of the bicycle mount to the first part (comprising the holding means) may also be used to secure the second part directly to the eyelet on the bicycle structure. A flexible bicycle mount is thereby provided.

It is known to secure a mudguard section to the fork crown or seat-stay bridge of a bicycle frame by means of a bolt extending through a bracket upstanding from the mudguard section. The bolt extends through the generally vertically extending bracket and into a generally horizontally orientated eyelet in the bicycle frame.

However, on occasions, the eyelet has a generally vertical orientation and the bracket cannot then be used as intended without modification, such as drilling a new vertically extending hole through the mudguard section andlor removing the bracket andlor bending the bracket in some fashion using a suitable tool (which can result in the bracket breaking). This means of securing the mudguard section can be time consuming and inconvenient.

A third aspect of the patent invention provides a bicycle mudguard assembly as recited in the appended independent claim 28. Further features of the invention are recited as provided in the appended dependent claims 29 to 42. The invention also provides a method of securing a bicycle mudguard assembly as recited in the appended independent claim 46. Further features of the invention are provided as recited in the appended dependent claim 47.

In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, a pivotal connection means is provided which is specifically designed to allow a mudguard section and a mounting member to be connected to one another in one of a plurality of different rotational positions relative to one another. Accordingly, a rotational position of the mounting member relative to the mudguard section may be selected to best suit the position of an eyelet on the bicycle structure, without immediate or long-term damage being caused to the mounting member or the mudguard section.

It is also known to secure the forward edge of a rear mudguard section to the chain-stay bridge of a bicycle frame using a clip. This clip may be bent into an appropriate shape to suit different shapes and/or sizes of bridge. flowever, this bending of the clip can require the use of tools and can result in the clip breaking.

This can he inconvenient for the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle mudguard assembly which can be conveniently secured to frames of different shapes andlor sizes.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a bicycle mudguard assembly as recited in the appended independent claim 48. Further features of the present invention are provided as recited in the appended dependent claims 49 to 64. I0

In accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, first and second parts of a mounting assembly may be located either side of a bicycle frame and moved towards one another so as to abut and press the frame. Tn so doing, the parts move from a first position to a second position relative to one another.

Means for preventing an increase in the distance between the parts when in either of the first or the second position ensures that the mounting assembly may be secured to the bicycle structure. It will be understood that the mounting assembly may be secured to a bicycle structure having a different shape/size such that the first and second parts abut and press against said structure when in another of said positions. Again, the means for preventing an increase in the distance between the first and second parts ensures that the mounting assembly may be secured to this different bicycle structure. Flexibility of use is thereby provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a front mudguard assembly; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rear mudguard assembly; Figure 3 provides (a) a perspective view of a stay arranged to have a first overall length; (b) a perspective view of a stay arranged to have a second overall length; (c) a cross-sectional view of a stay; and (d) a partial cross-sectional view showing the spacing between a mudguard section and a bicycle tyre; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a front mudguard assembly being mounted to an eyelet of a bicycle frame; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second part of a frame mount; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the part shown in Figure 5 being secured to the eyelet shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a first part of a frame mount; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a frame mount being secured to a front fork of a bicycle frame; Figure 9 is a side view of a front mudguard assembly with stays secured to an eyelet of a bicycle frame; Figure 10 is a plan view of a mounting member; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the mounting member shown in Figure 10 being secured to a bicycle frame with a threaded bolt; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the mounting member shown in Figure 10 being secured to a bicycle frame with a threaded screw, wherein the frame mount is oriented in a generally vertical position; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the mounting member shown in Figure 10 being secured to a bicycle frame with a threaded screw, wherein the frame mount is oriented in a generally horizontal position; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a front mudguard section being connected to a mounting member secured in a generally vertical orientation to a front fork crown; Figure 15 is a side view of first, second and third parts of a mounting assembly; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the first and second parts of Figure 15 being secured to one another about a bicycle frame; and Figure 17 is a perspective view of the first and second parts of Figure 15 secured to a bicycle frame with a rear mudguard section shown being secured to the first part with the third part of Figure 15.

A mudguard assembly 1 for the front wheel of a bicycle is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. A second mudguard assembly 2 is shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. The second guard assembly 2 is for the rear wheel of a bicycle.

Each of the mudguard assemblies 1,2 include a part-circular mudguard section 3,4 which, when attached a bicycle, locates adjacent a wheel of the bicycle. This location of a mudguard section proximate to a wheel will be well recognised and understood by those skilled in the art.

The mudguard assemblies 1,2 are secured in position adjacent their respective front and rear bicycle wheels by means of stays/struts and by means for connecting the mudguard sections 3,4 to the structure of the bicycle either directly or indirectly by means of the aforementioned stays/struts. The structure of the bicycle to which the mudguard sections 3,4 are connected is typically the frame of the bicycle (for example, the fork blades located either side of the front wheel) andlor the seat-stay. The stays and particular connecting means associated with the mudguard assemblies 1,2 will be described in further detail below with further reference to the accompanying drawings.

Firstly, each of the two mudguard assemblies 1,2 are provided with four stays 5a,Sb,5c,5d. More specifically, each mudguard assembly 1,2 has two of the four stays 5 arranged in a pair on one side of the mudguard section 3,4 and the other two of the four stays 5 are arranged in a second pair on the other side of the mudguard section 3,4. It will however be understood that an alternative number of stays 5 may be used with a mudguard section 3,4. Indeed! whilst the arrangement of stays 5 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is symmetrical, an asymmetric arrangement of stays 5 may be used. For example, the number of stays 5 used on one side of a mudguard section 3,4 may be different to the number of stays 5 used on the other side of the mudguard section 3,4. For example, a mudguard section 3,4 may be provided with two or more stays 5 on one side of a mudguard section whilst the other side of the mudguard section 3,4 is entirely free of stays 5, with no stays 5 being provided on said other side. Tins asymmetric arrangement of stays 5 can be of particular use in circumstances where one side of a bicycle is congested with equipment (such as, for example, a disc brake assembly or a gearing assembly). In a further example of an asymmetric arrangement of stays 5, the angular position of one of more of the stays 5 on one side of the mudguard section 3,4 may be different to the angular position of the stays 5 on the other side of the mudguard section 3,4.

L

Each of the stays 5a,Sb,5c,Sd have an identical construction which is described in further detail below with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. In general terms, each stay S has an elongate shape with one end thereof being connected to a mudguard section 3,4 and the other end thereof being connected to a bicycle mount 7 which in turn is secured to a structure of the bicycle. Typically, the structure of the bicycle to which the mount 7 is mounted will be a pan of a fork blade or an eyelet adjacent a free end of the fork blade. The stays 5 located on a common side of a mudguard section 3,4 may be connected to a common bicycle mount 7. Accordingly, a mudguard assembly 1,2 may be associated with just two bicycle mounts 7 (as shown in the accompanying drawings) or just one bicycle mount 7 in the case of an asymmetric arrangement with stays 5 provided on just one side of the mudguard section 3,4.

S

Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings wherein the construction of a stay 5, and the resulting advantages, are illustrated. Specifically, a stay 5 comprises a first elongate member 9 and a second elongate member 11.

Each elongate member 9,11 is provided with an eyelet 13 at one end. Each eyelet 13 is an aperture which, in use, may receive a threaded member such as a screw or bolt, or some other suitable fixture by which the end of the member provided with the eyelet 13 may be connected to a further component. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the eyelet 13 of the first member 9 is used for connecting the stay 5 to the mudguard section 3,4, whereas the eyelet 13 associated with the second member 11 is used for connecting the stays 5 to the bicycle mount 7. Such a connection through use of threaded screws is shown being made in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, wherein a front mudguard assembly 1 is being secured to an eyelet 14 of a fork blade.

The first elongate member 9 has a generally V-shaped cross-section when viewed along the length of the member, and the second elongate member 11 has a generally triangular-shaped cross-section when viewed along its length. The general shape of each member 9,11 widens towards the end of said member provided with the eyelet 13 so as to allow the eyelet 13 to have the required diameter. Also, the relative sizes and shapes of the cross-sections of the first and second elongate members 9,11 are such that the V-shaped cross-section of the first member 9 fits about the triangular-shaped cross-section of the second member 11.

Indeed, with reference to the first elongate member 9, the two edges 17 of the V-shaped cross-section distal to the apex 19 of the V-shape are provided with lips 21.

The lips 21 tend to wrap around the second member 11 and retain the first and second members 9,11 in abutment with one another when the triangular-shaped length of the second member 11 is placed within the V-shaped length of the first member 9. The first member 9 is made of a resiliently deformable material.

Accordingly, the V-shaped cross-section of the first member 9 will flex without permanent damage being sustained as the second member 11 is pushed, in use by a user, into the first member 9. The material from which the first member 9 is made is also elastically deformable so that it tends to return to its original V-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the interior surfaces of the lips 21 (i.e. the surfaces of the lips 21 facing the interior of the V-shaped cross-section) are based from one another and arranged so as to cam and continually press the second member 11 into abutment with the first member 9 when the second member 11 is located within the first member 9.

It will be appreciated that the first and second members 9,11 have cross-sections of a size and shape that provide for a snap-fit of the first member 9 about the second member 11.

Alternative arrangements for allowing a snap-fitting together of the two members 9, 11 may be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. Such alternative arrangements are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the elongate lips 21 shown in the embodiment of the accompanying drawings extend along the full length of the first member 9, however in an alternative embodiment, the lips 21 may extend only part-way along the length of the first member 9.

The first and second members 9,11 may be secured to one another in a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to each other. The result of this is that the combined length of the first and second members 9,11 (i.e. the overall length of the stay 5) may be varied and selected. This allows a user of the stay 5 to select a length for the stay 5 which is most appropriate for the mudguard section 3,4 (and wheel diameter) with which the stay 5 is to be used. It will be understood by a skilled person that the stay 5 may be used with a wheel of a given diameter in the first instance and then subsequently used with a different wheel of a different diameter due to theability to vary the length of the stay 5 from a first length X to a second length Y (said length being the distance between the eyelet 13 of the first member 9 and the eyelet 13 of the second member 11 of the stay 5).

Adjustments may also be made to the space 25 between the tread of the bicycle wheel and the mudguard sections 3,4 for a given wheel diameter. Typically, the stay length might be varied so that the space 25 is between 10cm and 15cm. * 10

The first and second members 9,11 are retained in their relative positions by a first feature on the first member 9 engaging with one of a plurality of second features on the second member 11. Tn this way, a selected combined length of the first and second members 9,11 (i.e. a selected overall length of the stay 5) is fixed and prevented from varying during use. The first feature is an element 27 which projects from a surface of the first member 9 and, specifically, which projects from a surface interior to the V-shaped cross-section of the first member 9. in other words, the element 27 projects into the enclosed region defined by the first member 9 for receiving the second member 11. The projecting element is schematically shown in phantom in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. The projecting elements may be provided in the form of a square-shaped or V-shaped tooth. Each of the second features is a recess 29 in the surface of the second member 11 which is received in the V-shaped cross-section of the first member 9.

A plurality of recesses 29 is thereby provided and any one of these recesses may be selected for receiving the projecting element 27. The length of the stay S depends on which of the plurality of recesses 29 receives the element 27. The second member 11 shown in the accompanying drawings is provided with twenty six recesses 29, which thereby provides twenty six different lengths selectable for the stay 5. However, it will be understood that a different number of recesses 29 may be provided so as to allow for a greater selection of lengths for the stay 5.

Furthermore, the spacing of the recesses 29 along the length of the second member 11 may be varied. For example, the recesses 29 may be arranged in groups of three or four with comparatively large lengthwise spacings between the groups.

This arrangement is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

The recesses 29 are sized and shaped relative to the element 27 so that, when a recess 29 is engaged by the element 27 there is no, or only minimal, relative longitudinal movement possible between the first and second members 9,11 of the stay 5. Furthermore, the element 27 and recesses 29 have a shape such that a camming action occurs between the element 27 and a wall of the selected recess 29 so as to move the element 27 and selected recess 29 into alignment with one 4 ii another as the element 27 moves intO the selected recess 29 and is received thereby.

The plurality of recesses may be provided as a plurality of serrations on the second member LI. Also, more than one element 27 may be provided.

The arrangement of the lips 21 on the first member 9 is such that said lips 21 press the second member 11 into abutment with the interior surfaces of the first member 9 and, as a consequence, press the projecting element 27 into fUll engagement with the selected recess 29 and retains the members 9,11 in abutment with one another and the element 27 and selected recess 29 in engagement with one another.

Accordingly, since the lips 21 retain the projecting element 27 in engagement with the selected recess 29, the stay 5 cannot be inadvertently lengthened or shortened.

The length of the stay 5 can only be adjusted by unclipping the first member 9 from the second member 11 so that, as a consequence, the fixing element 27 disengages from the selected recess 29. A new relative position of the first and second members 9,11 may than be selected.

It will be understood that the first member 9 may be manufactured as a unitary item. In other words, the projecting element 27 and the elongate lips 21 may be integral with the remainder of the first member 9.

As can be seen in Figures 1, 2,4 and 9 of the accompanying drawings, the stays 5 in each of the front and rear mudguard assemblies 1,2 are connected to a mudguard section 3,4 by means of two legs 3 1,32 extending from a lateral edge of the mudguard section 3,4. The two legs 3 1,32 associated with each stay 5 extend to converge with one another at an apex 33 in which an eyelet is provided (see Figure 4 in particular). The eyelet provided in the apex 33 receives a screw 15 which extends through an eyelet 13 in a stay 5 and into the eyelet in the apex 33.

The eyelet in the apex 33 may be threaded so that the stay 5 may be conveniently connected thereto.

Furthermore, as will be evident from Figures 4 to 9 of the accompanying drawings, the end of a stay 5 distal to the apex 33 is connected to the structure of a bicycle (and, more particularly, to the bicycle frame) by means of a bicycle mount 7. The bicycle mount 7 shown in the accompanying drawings may be used to connect one or two stays 5 to a screw threaded eyelet 35 provided in a free end of a front wheel fork 37. The eyelet 35 threadedly receives a screw 39 which extends through an aperture 41 of the bicycLe? (see Figure 6 in particular).

It will be understood from Figures 5 to 8 in particular that the bicycle mount 7 is of a two-part modular construction which allows the bicycle mount 7 to be used to connect an item (such as a stay 5) to the structure of the bicycle in a number of different ways. More specifically, when both the first part 7' and the second part 7" of the bicycle mount 7 are used in combination with one another, a stay 5 may be connected to the bicycle structure at any point along the length of a structural part such as a front wheel fork. An arrangement of this type is shown in Figure 8.

At the option of the user, the first part 7' of the bicycle mount 7 may be discarded and the second part 7" of the bicycle mount 7 may be used, as shown in Figure 6 and as previously described, to connect an item (such as a stay 5) to an eyelet 15 in the bicycle structure.

The bicycle mount 7 will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The first part?' of the bicycle mount 7 comprises a body 43 in which an eyelet 45 is provided for receiving a screw 39 (or some other fixture) such as a bolt. The eyelet 45 may be threaded. The body 43 of the first part 7' is also provided with an aperture 47 extending from one side of the body 43 to the other, and through which a strap, such as a conventional cable tie (also known as a zip tie or tie-wrap) 49, extends. A cable tie 49 typically comprises a elongate tape with a ratchet provided at one end in a small open case 51 through which a free end 53 of the tape may be inserted. A plurality of teeth are provided along the length of the tape for engagement with the ratchet within the case 5 1. Once the free end 53 of the cable tie 49 has been inserted into and pulled through the case 5 1 past the ratchet, the tape is prevented from being pulled back in the opposite direction and is thereby restrained. It will be understood that the cable tie 49 may be looped about a structure of the bicycle and pulled tight so as to hold the body 43 of the first part 7' securely in place at a desired position along the length of a front fork 37 (or other part of the bicycle structure).

The first part 7' of the bicycle mount 7 further includes a elongate length of material 55 having two free ends 57 and being secured to the body 43 of the first part 7' mid-way along the length of said material. The elongate length of material may be a plastics material or rubber and is positioned on the body 43 of the first part 7' so that the length of material may, in use, be wrapped about a part of the bicycle structure with the cable tie 49 then wrapped about the bicycle structures so as to overlay the material 55. In this way, the material 55 assists in preventing or reducing damage to the surface of the bicycle structure and also assists in gripping the bicycle structure and preventing the bicycle mount from slipping from its desired position once secured. This process of locating the first part 7' about a structure of the bicycle and thereby holding said structure is clearly shown in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

The second part 7" of the bicycle mount 7 is shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings. The second part 7" has a body 59 which comprises an elongate part 61 with two lobes 63,65 extending from one end thereof Each of the two lobes 63,65 is provided with eyelets 67 for receiving screws 15. The eyelets 67 may be threaded so as to threadedly engage with the screws 1 5 and allow the connection of an item (such as a stay 5) thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the first part 7' of the bicycle mount 7 may include merely a single eyelet 67 or more than two eyelets 67.

At the end of the elongate part 61 distal to the end provided with the lobes 63,65 there is provided the previously mentioned aperture 41 for receiving a screw 39. I.

As will be understood from Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, when one or more items are to be connected part-way along the length of a structural member of a bicycle (such as the blade 37 of a front wheel fork), the whole of the bicycle mount 7 is used. In other words, the two parts 7',7" of the bicycle mount 7 are secured to one another and used in combination. The two parts 7' ,7" are releasably secured to one another using the screw 39 which extends through the aperture 4J in the second part 7" and threadedly engages the eyelet 45 in the first part 7'.

As will be understood from Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, when one or more items are to be connected to an eyelet 14 provided in the structure of the bicycle, the second part 7" of the bicycle mount is released from the first part 7' by removing screw 39. The second part 7" is then connected directly to the eyelet 14 by means of the screw 39 (or some other screw or fixture appropriate for use IS with the eyelet 14) which extends through the aperture 41 and into the eyelet 14.

The first part 7' of the bicycle mount 7 is not required for use in these circumstances and may be discarded or stored (perhaps mounted on the bicycle structure as shown in Figure 8) for possible future use.

A side view of a front mudguard assembly 1 is shown in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings. The mudguard section 3 is secured to the front forks 37 of the bicycle frame by means of four stays, only two Sc,Sd of which are shown in Figure 9. The stays 5c,5d are connected to a bicycle mount 7 (specifically the second part 7" of a bicycle mount 7) which is secured directly to the eye 14 of the bicycle front forks 37. It will be appreciate that the stays on any one side of the mudguard assembly 1 may be arranged to have slightly different lengths, either to ensure a uniform distance between the bicycle wheel and the mudguard section or to slightly increase the distance between the bicycle wheel and mudguard section at particular locations along the length of the mudguard section. Accordingly, the length X of one stay 5d may be different to the length Y of another stay 5c.

It will be ftzrther understood, that whilst Figures 4 to 9 illustrate a front mudguard assembly 1, the stays 5 and bicycle mounts 7 may be used in connection with a rear mudguard assembly 2. In the case of a rear mudguard assembly 2, the first part 7' of the bicycle mount 7 may be used to connect a mudguard section 4 to a seat-stay. It will also be appreciated that, for a given mudguard assembly, the first part 7' of the bicycle mount 7 may be used (together with the second part 7") on one side of the assembly when an eyelet 14 is not available, but only the second part 7" of the bicycle mount 7 is used on the other side of the mudguard assembly where an eyelet 14 is available. This asymmetric arrangement can provide a stable mounting for a mudguard assembly in circumstances where the structure of the bicycle is congested with other items such as a disc brake mechanism.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the respective front and rear wheel mudguard sections 3,4 are each provided with a mounting member 100.

The mounting member 100 is pivotally connected to the mudguard section 3,4 by pivotal connection means. As a consequence, the mounting member 100 may be located in different rotational positions relative to the mudguard section 3,4.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mounting member 100 is shown arranged upstanding from the mudguard section 3,4 at an angle of approximately 90° to the tangent of the part-circular mudguard section 3,4. This relative position of the mounting member 100 and front mudguard section 3 corresponds approximately to the relative position of these components shown in Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings. Similarly, this position of the mounting member 100 relative to the rear mudguard section 4 corresponds approximately to the relative positions of these components that would be achieved by the particular mounting of the mounting member 100 shown in Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

However, the mounting member 100 may also be positioned at other angles relative to the tangent of the mudguard section 3,4. Indeed, in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mounting member 100 may be arranged at any angle to said tangent between 0° and 900. A position of the mounting member 100 on a bicycle frame which would result in said 00 (or approximately this angle) is shown in Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.

With reference to Figure 10, it will be seen that the mounting member 100 is provided as a generally planar member having a generally rectangular shape. An aperture 102 is provided so as to extend through the full thickness of the mounting member 100. The aperture 102 has an elongate shape. Specifically, the aperture 102 has the shape of a rectangle with rounded ends. The aperture 102 receives, in use, a fixture such as a threaded bolt 104 or screw 106. With reference to Figure 11, it will be seen that a mounting member 100 is securable to the structure of a bicycle (and, more specifically, to the seat-stay bridge 108 of a bicycle frame) by means of a bolt which extends from one side of said structure to another by means of an aperture in said structure, through the aperture 102 in the mounting member 100, and through a washer 110 so as to threadedly engage with a nut 112.

In Figure 12, it will be seen that the same mounting member 100 can alternatively be secured to the structure of a bicycle by means of a screw 106 which extends through the aperture 102 in the mounting member 100, and into a threaded eyelet 114.

It will be appreciated that, in both arrangements shown in Figures 11 and 12, the elongate aperture 102 of the mounting member 100 allows for adjustment in the position of the mounting member 100 relative to the bicycle structure along the length of the aperture 102. In other words, the bolt 104 or screw 106 may be slid along the length of the aperture 102 until the mounting member 100 is correctly positioned, at which time the bolt 104 or screw 106 (or other fixture) can be appropriately tightened to fix the position of the mounting member 100 relative to the bicycle structure.

The pivotal connection means (providing a pivotal connection by which the mounting member 100 is pivotally connected to the mudguard section) comprises features on the mounting member 100 and on the mudguard section 3,4 which engage with one another so as to connect the mounting member 100 and mudguard section 3,4 together whilst allowing for the angular position of the mounting member 100 relative to the mudguard section 3,4 to be adjusted. It is to be understood that rotation of the mounting member 1 00 relative to the mudguard section 3,4 need not necessarily be possible whilst the mounting member 100 and mudguard section 3,4 are connected to one another. Such a rotation is not required by a pivotal connection according to the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, a pivotal connection only requires components so connected to be connectable in a plurality of different rotational positions relative to one another. It is within the scope of the present invention for these components (the mounting member 100 and mudguard section) to be necessarily disconnected from one another in order for them to be rotated relative to one another from one rotational position to another. Once rotated to the required position, the pivotal connection allows the components to be reconnected in that selected required rotational position. It will also be understood that a pivotal connection, in the context of the present invention, may also be a connection which allows the relative rotation of components from one rotational position to another whilst the components remain connected, and as will be apparent below, this is possible in the illustrated embodiments.

Again, with reference to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the mounting member 100 is provided with two bosses 116,118 which extend from opposite major sides 120,122 of the rectangular shaped mounting member 100. The bosses have a circular-section and this allows the mounting member 100 to be rotated relative to the mudguard section 3,4 whilst connected therewith.

However, in alternative embodiments, the bosses 116,118 may comprise flat planar surfaces instead of a cylindrical surface. For example, the bosses 116,118 may have a square cross-section which would provide three predetermined angular positions for the mounting member 100 relative to the mudguard section 3,4 (each position being spaced by 90°). Alternative cross-sectional shapes (for example, octagonal or hexagonal) will provide more predetermined positions with a smaller angular spacing between positions. With these alternative embodiments, it will be understood that the relative position of the mounting member 100 and mudguard sections 3,4 must be selected before the two components are connected to one another (since subsequent rotation of the components whilst they are connected is not possible unless the components are separated).

The bosses 116, 118 each have an axis 124 which is coincident with the axis 124 of the other boss 116,118. The coincident axes may be considered as a single axis of rotation 124 of the mounting member 100.

Furthermore, it will be seen from Figure 10 that the two bosses are located adjacent an edge of the mounting member 100 and specifically adjacent a minor edge 126 thereof. The axis 124 is adjacent and parallel said edge 126. In an alternative embodiment, the axis 124 may be coincident with the edge 126.

In addition to the bosses 116,118 the pivotal connection means further comprises features on the mudguard section 3,4 for engaging with the bosses 116,118 on the mounting member 100. More specifically, the features on the mudguard section 3,4 are recesses 128,130 provided in a member 132 projecting perpendicularly from an outer surface of the mudguard section 3,4. Each recess 128,130 receives a respective boss 116,118. The recesses are each shaped and sized relative to the boss to be received so as to snap-fit around said boss. In this way, once the bosses 116,118 have been pressed into the recesses 128,130, the recesses 128,130 tend to close around the bosses 116,118 and resist the removal of the mounting member 100 from the member 132. Nevertheless, the pivotal connection means is separable in that the bosses 116,118 may be pulled from the recesses 128,130 provided sufficient force is applied. The mounting member 100 may therefore be selectively released from the mudguard section.

The member 132 and, more specifically, the walls of the recesses 128,130, are of an elastically and resiliently deformable material. This allows an opening to the recesses 128,130 (which has a dimension less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of the bosses -i.e. less than the diameter of the bosses) to be cammed further open as the bosses 116,118 are pressed into the recesses 128,130. This widening of the recess openings does not damage the member 132 due to the elastic and resiliently deformable material from which it is manufactured. Once the bosses 116,118 have been fully inserted into the recesses 128,130, the openings to the recesses 128,130 spring back to their original state. This provides a snap-fitting of the mounting member 100 to the mudguard section 3,4.

It will also be understood that the member 132 may be manufactured integrally with the mudguard section 3,4 or may be a discrete member which is snap-fitted to the mudguard section 3,4 (for example, to the edges 134 of the mudguard section 3,4).

In use of the mounting member 100 to mount a mudguard section 3,4, the mounting member 100 is first secured to the structure of a bicycle as previously described. The orientation of the mounting member 100 will be dictated by the aperture/eyelet options on the structure of the bicycle. For example, it may only be possible to orientate the mounting member 1 00 in a generally vertical position as shown in Figures 11, 12 and 14, or in a generally horizontal position as shown in Figure 13. However, it will be understood that the orientation of the mounting member 100 does not prevent the mounting member 100 from properly engaging with the mudguard section 3,4 so as to secure said mudguard section 3,4 in a desired position. This is because of the plurality of angular positions of the mounting member 100 relative to the mudguard section 3,4 permitted by the pivotal connection means (i.e. the bosses 116,118 and the recesses 128,130).

Accordingly, once the mounting member 1 00 has been secured to the structure of the bicycle, then the mudguard section 3,4 is connected to the mounting member.

In Figure 14, a mounting member 100 is shown secured to the crown of a front fork. In Figures 11 and 12, the mounting member is shown being secured to the front surface of a seat-stay bridge 108, whilst in Figure 13 a mounting member is shown being secured to the underside of a seat-stay bridge 108 by means of a screw 106. It will be understood therefore that the mounting member 100 combines a flexible and versatile means by which a mudguard assembly 1,2 may be secured to a bicycle structure.

As will be seen from Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, the rear mudguard assembly 2 further comprises a mounting assembly 200 which is used to secure the front portion of the rear mudguard section 4 to the structure of a bicycle (for example, to the chain-stay bridge 201 of a bicycle frame). The mounting assembly 200 is adjustable so as to be capable of fitting about chain-stay bridges of different shapes and/or sizes. Furthermore, the mounting assembly 200 may be reused many times with many different types of chain-stay bridges.

The adjustable nature of the mounting assembly 200 is provided by two parts 202,204 of the mounting assembly 200 which are movable relative to one another between a plurality of different positions. In moving from one position to another, the distance between the first and second parts 202,204 is varied. A threaded member 206 (for example, a bolt) extends through an aperture 207 in the first part 202 and extends from said first part 202 so as to threadedly engage with a threaded aperture 209 in the second part 204. The threaded member 206 effectively allows for an increase in the distance between the first and second parts 202,204 to be selectively prevented. Also, by rotation of the threaded member 206, the threaded member 206 moves the first and second parts 202,204 towards one another or away from one another, depending on the direction of rotation. Consequently, it will be understood that the threaded member 206 allows the mounting assembly to be clamped, in use, about a part of a bicycle structure.

Furthermore, the first and second parts 202,204 have respective elements 203,205 which slide telescopically relative to one another. More specifically, the element 205 of the second part 204 is slideable telescopically within the element 203 of the first part 202. Both elements 203,205 have a generally cylindrical shape, and the element 205 of the second part 204 has a pair of elongate guide rails 211 extending longitudinally along opposite exterior sides thereof The element 203 of the first part 202 has a pair of elongate guide grooves (not shown) extending longitudinally along opposite interior sides thereof The guide grooves slideably receive the guide rails 211 with little space therebetween and thereby ensure a correct rotational aliganinet of the first and second parts 202,204 relative to one another.

It will be seen from Figure 16 in particular that the threaded member 206 extends through the telescoping elements 203,205 of said parts 202,204.

The second part 204 has a shaped portion 213 which extends from said telescoping element 205 thereof and curves towards the first part. The shaped portion 213 thereby provides a hook which tends to wrap around a part of the bicycle stmcture when the two parts 202,204 clamp onto the structure, as shown in Figure 17. This assists in preventing the mounting assembly 200 from becoming detached from the bicycle structure even if the clamping action of the two parts 202,204 loosens. It will be understood that the same purpose may be achieved with a shaped portion which is straight or angled, but which nevertheless leans towards the other part so as to wrap about the bicycle structure as the two parts are moved towards one another. It will also be understood that, alternatively, the first part 202 or both parts 202,204 may be provided with a shaped portion for wrapping about the bicycle structure.

The first part 202 has an aperture 208 for receiving a fixture member 210 which, in use, is secured to the structure of a bicycle. In the present embodiment, the fixture member 210 is a screw which threadedly engages with a threaded eyelet 220 in the chain-stay bridge 201 of the bicycle frame. This use of a fixture member 210 is optional, but has the benefitial effect of improving the strength of connection of the mounting assembly 200 (and, more specifically, of the first part 202) with the bicycle structure.

The mounting assembly 200 ftirther includes a third part 212 and means for connecting said third part 212 to said first part 202. This connecting means has a sprung biased clip 214. The clip 214 is provided on said third part 212 and has two legs projecting from the first part 202. The first part 202 comprises a pair of apertures 216 for releaseably receiving the legs of sprung biased clip 214 in a snap-fitting fashion. The first and third parts 202,212 may be thereby retained in sufficiently loose connection with one another for the mudguard section 4 to be inserted therebetween during assembly, prior to said two parts 202,212 subsequently clamping the mudguard section 4 therebetween (see below).

The means for connecting the third part 212 to the first part 202 also includes means for clamping the mudguard section 4 (specifically, a front edge of the mudguard section 4) between said first and third parts 202,212. This clamping means has a threaded fixture 216 extending through an aperture 222 in the third part 212 and from said third part 212 into threaded engagement with a threaded aperture 224 of the first part 202.

Furthermore, the mudguard section 4 is provided with a recess 218 (or, alternatively, aperture) through which the means for connecting said third part 212 to said first part 202 extends.

In use of the mounting assembly 200, the first part 202 may be first secured to the bicycle structure with the fixture member 210. The third part 212 may be already attached to the first part 202, or attached subsequently. If already attached, then the mudguard section 4 may be also already attached to the mounting assembly 200, with the mudguard section 4 clamped between the first and third parts 202,212. If the mudguard section 4 is not already attached to the mounting assembly 200, then the first and third parts 202,212 may be loosely connected to one another by means of the clip 214 and thereby be immediately ready to conveniently receive the mudguard section 4 and then clamp the mudguard section 4 by tightening the threaded fixture 216.

Whether or not the first part 202 is first secured to the bicycle structure with the fixture member 210, the first part 202 is placed adjacent one side of the bicycle structure and the second part 204 is placed adjacent an opposite side of said structure, and the two pans 202,204 clamped about said structure by tightening the threaded member 206. The front edge of the mudguard section 4 is thereby secured to the bicycle frame.

It will be understood the mounting assembly may be used in a front mudguard assembly.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above.

Alternative arrangements and suitable materials will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS: 1. A bicycle stay (5) comprising first and second members (9,11), the first and second members (9,11) being securable to one another in a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions of the first member (9,) relative to the second member (11) so that, in use, one of a plurality of combined lengths (X,Y) of the first and second members (9,11) is selectable; wherein the first member (9) comprises at least one first feature (27) and the second member (11) comprises a plurality of second features (29) spaced along a lengthwise portion of the second member (11), the first feature (27) being selectively engageable with any one of said plurality of second features (29) so as to fix a selected one of said plurality of combined lengths (X,Y) of the first and second members (9,11); the stay further comprising means (21) for retaining said first feature (27) in engagement with a selected one of said plurality of second features (29).</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A stay according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means (21) is releasable in that engaged first and second features (27,29) may be selectively disengaged from one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A stay according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said retaining means (21) is integral with one of the first and second members (9,11).</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said retaining means (21) comprises a resilient and elastically deformable clip.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said retaining means (21) is located along a length of one of the first and second members (9,11) provided with said first or second features (27,29).</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said retaining means (21) comprises two elongate portions located along a length of one of the first and second members (9,11), the two elongate portions being spaced apart from one another along their lengths so as to allow reception therebetween of the other of the first and second members (9,11) and so as to close around said other of the first and second members (9,11) and thereby press said first feature (27) into engagement with said selected second feature (29).</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second members (9,11) is of an elongate shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one (9) of the first and second members has a cross-section of a size and shape for snap-fitting about the other (11) of the first and second members.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first feature (27) is an element projecting from a surface of the first member (9); and said I S second feature (29) is a recess for receiving, and being thereby engaged with, the first feature (27).</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A stay according to claim 9, wherein said first and second features (27,29) have a shape such that a camming action occurs, in use, between said projecting element and a wall of said recess so as to move said first and second features (27,29) into alignment with one another as said first feature (27) moves into engagement with said second feature (29).</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A stay according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said first features (29).</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A bicycle mudguard stay (5) according to any of the preceding claims.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A bicycle comprising a stay (5) according to any of the preceding claims.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A bicycle comprising a plurality of stays (5) according to claims 1 to 12, wherein all of the said stays (5) are located on the same side of said bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A bicycle comprising a plurality of stays (5) according to claims 1 to 12, wherein the said stays (5) are asymmetrically arranged on both sides of said bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A bicycle mount (7) for allowing the connection of one or more items to the structure of a bicycle, the frame mount (7) comprising two separable parts (7',7") releasably secured to one another, wherein a first (7') of said two parts comprises means (49) for locating about, and thereby holding, the structure of a bicycle; and a second of said two parts (7") comprises connection means (67) for allowing the connection of one or more items to said second part (7"); the bicycle mount (7) further comprising securing means (41,39,45) by which said two separable parts (7',7") are releasably secured to one another, said first part (7') comprising a first element (45) of said securing means and said second part (7") comprising a second element (41) of said securing means, wherein said second element (41) is selectively useable with an eyelet (14) on the structure of a bicycle so as to secure said second part (7") to said structure when said second part (7") is separate from said first part (7').</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A bicycle mount according to claim 16, wherein said first element (45) of said securing means comprising an aperture.</claim-text> <claim-text>1 8. A bicycle mount according to claim 17, wherein said aperture (45) of said first element is threaded.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A bicycle mount according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein said second element (41) of said securing means comprises an aperture.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A bicycle mount according to claim 19, wherein said aperture (41) of said second element is threaded.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A bicycle mount according to any of claims 17 to 20 wherein said securing means further comprises a threaded member (39).</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A bicycle mount according to claim 21, wherein said threaded member (39) is selectively useable to secure said second part (7") to either said first part (7') or the structure of a bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A bicycle mount according to any of claims 16 to 22, wherein said second part (7") comprises at least one eyelet (67) for allowing an item to be connected to said second part (7").</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A bicycle mount according to claim 23, wherein said second part (71) comprises two eyelets (67) for allowing two items to be connected to said second part (7").</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A bicycle mount according to any of claims 16 to 24, wherein said first part (7') comprises a strap (49) for locating about the structure of a bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A bicycle mount according to claim 25, wherein said first part (7') comprises restraining means for restraining a free portion of the strap adjacent the remainder of the first part (7').</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A method of connecting one or more items to the structure of a bicycle using a bicycle mount according to any of claims 16 to 26, the method comprising the steps of i) securing the second part (7") to the structure of a bicycle either by: a) using said second element (41) with an eyelet (14 on said structure, wherein the second part (7") is separate and released from the first part (7'); or b) locating said first part (7') about said structure so that said first part (7') holds said structure and is thereby secured thereto, wherein the second part (7") is secured to said first part (7'); and ii) connecting one or more items to said second part (7") with said connection means (67).</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A bicycle mudguard assembly (1,2) comprising a mudguard section (3,4) and a mounting member (100) for securing the mudguard section (3,4) to the structure of a bicycle, the assembly further comprising pivotal connection means for pivotally connecting the mounting member (100) and mudguard section (3,4) to one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 28, wherein the pivotal connection means provides a snap-fit connection between the mounting member (100) and the mudguard section (3,4).</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the pivotal connection means is separable so as to allow the mounting member (100) to be selectively removed from the mudguard section (3,4).</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the mounting member (100) is pivotally connected to the mudguard section (3,4) by means of two bosses (116,118) extending laterally of the mounting member (100).</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 4, wherein the two bosses (116,118) extend from opposite sides (120,122) of the mounting member (100).</claim-text> <claim-text>33. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the two bosses (116,118) are co-axially aligned with one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>34. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 31 to 33, wherein at least one of the bosses (116,118) as a circular cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 31 to 34, wherein the two bosses (116,118) are located adjacent an edge (126) of the mounting member (100) so that the axis (124) of each boss is coincident with that of the other boss and said coincident axes are coincident with or adjacent said edge (126) of the mounting member (100).</claim-text> <claim-text>36. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 31 to 35, wherein the mudguard section (3,4) comprises one or more recesses (128,130) for receiving said bosses (116,118).</claim-text> <claim-text>37. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 36, wherein the or each recess (128,130) is shaped and sized relative to a boss (116,118) so as to snap-fit around said boss (128,130).</claim-text> <claim-text>38. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 36 or 37, wherein walls of the or each recess (128,130) are elastically and resiliently deformable.</claim-text> <claim-text>39. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 36 to 38, wherein the or each recess (128,130) is provided in a member which is discrete from, and secured to, the remainder of the mudguard section (3,4).</claim-text> <claim-text>40, A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 28 to 39, wherein the mounting member (100) comprises an aperture (102) extending therethrough.</claim-text> <claim-text>41. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claim 40 wherein said aperture (102) has an elongate shape. l</claim-text> <claim-text>42. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 28 to 41, wherein the mounting member (100) is of a generally planar shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>43. A bicycle comprising a frame and two wheels connected to said frame, the bicycle further comprising a bicycle mudguard assembly (1,2) according to any of claims 28 to 42.</claim-text> <claim-text>44. A bicycle according to claim 43, when dependent on claims 40 or 41, wherein the mounting member (100) is secured to said frame by means of a fixture extending through said aperture (102) of the mounting member (100).</claim-text> <claim-text>45. A bicycle according to claim 44, wherein the mounting member (100) is secured to a fork crown or seat-stay bridge (108) of said frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>46. A method of securing a bicycle mudguard assembly to the structure of a bicycle, wherein the mudguard assembly (l,2)is as claimed in any of claims 28 to 42, the method comprising the steps of: i) securing the mounting member (100) to the structure of the bicycle, wherein the mounting member (100) is separate from the mudguard section (3,4); and ii) after securing the mounting member (100) to the structure of the bicycle, then connecting the mudguard section (3,4) to the mounting member by using the pivotal connection means.</claim-text> <claim-text>47. A method according to claim 46 wherein the mounting member (100) is secured to a fork crown or seat-stay bridge (108) of said frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>48. A bicycle mudguard assembly comprising a mudguard section (4) and a mounting assembly (200) for securing the mudguard section (4) to the structure of a bicycle, wherein the mounting assembly (200) comprises a first part (202) and a second part (204) movable relative to one another between a first position and a second position, the distance between the first and second parts (202,204) being greater in the first position than in the second position; and the mounting assembly further comprises means for selectively preventing an increase in the distance between the first and second parts (202,204) when in the first and second positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>49. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 48, wherein at least one of said parts (202,204) has a shape such as to curve or lean towards the other of said parts (202,204).</claim-text> <claim-text>50. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the first and second parts (202,204) are slideably connected to one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>51. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 48 to 50, wherein the first second parts (202,204) are telescopically connected to one another.</claim-text> <claim-text>52. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 48 to 51, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises means for moving the first and second parts (202,204) from said first position to said second position.</claim-text> <claim-text>53. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 52, wherein said moving means is a threaded member (206) which extends from one of said parts (202,204) and threadedly engages the other of said parts (202,204).</claim-text> <claim-text>54. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 48 to 52, wherein said preventing means is a threaded member (206) which extends from one of said parts (202,204) and threadedly engages the other of said parts (202,204).</claim-text> <claim-text>55. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 52, wherein said moving means and said preventing means comprising the same threaded member (206) which extends from one of said parts (202,204) and threadedly engages the other of said parts (202,204).</claim-text> <claim-text>56. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 55, wherein said threaded member (206) extends through telescoping elements of said parts (202,204).</claim-text> <claim-text>57. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 48 to 56, wherein one of said parts (202,204) comprises an aperture (208) for receiving a fixture member (210) which, in use, is secured to the structure of a bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>58, A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 48 to 57, wherein said mounting assembly (200) further comprises a third part (212) and means for connecting said third part (212) to said first part (202).</claim-text> <claim-text>59. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 58, wherein said connecting means comprises a sprung biased clip (214).</claim-text> <claim-text>60. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 59, wherein said sprung biased clip (214) is provided on said third part (212).</claim-text> <claim-text>61. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 60, wherein the first part (202) comprises a recess or aperture (216) for receiving said sprung biased clip (214).</claim-text> <claim-text>62. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 58 to 61, wherein means for connecting said third pan (212) to said first part (202) comprises means for clamping the mudguard section (4) between said first and third parts (202,212).</claim-text> <claim-text>63. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to claim 62, wherein said clamping means comprises a thread fixture (216) extending from one of the first and third parts (202,212) into threaded engagement with the other of the first and third parts (202,212).</claim-text> <claim-text>64. A bicycle mudguard assembly according to any of claims 58 to 63, wherein the mudguard section (4) is provided with a recess or aperture (218) through which the means for connecting said third pan (212) to said first part (202) extends.</claim-text> <claim-text>65. A bicycle comprising a frame and two wheels connected to said frame, the bicycle ftirther comprising a bicycle mudguard assembly (1,2) according to any of claims 48 to 64.</claim-text> <claim-text>66. A bicycle comprising a frame and two wheels connected to said frame, the bicycle further comprising a bicycle mount (7) according to any of claims 16 to 26.</claim-text>