GB2493978A

GB2493978A - Lightweight Mudguard

Info

Publication number: GB2493978A
Application number: GB1114791.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shane Darwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-26
Filing date: 2011-08-26
Publication date: 2013-02-27
Also published as: GB201114791D0

Abstract

A lightweight multifunctional mudguard or fender is provided to deflect matter thrown from the front or rear wheel of a bicycle. It has a body 1 constructed from a lightweight flexible material which when shaped and installed on a bicycle, provides sufficient stiffness for it to be used as a mudguard in one or more location on said bicycle. The body is attached to the bicycle by the way of straps 2, clips, threaded fasteners or a combination of the three. All fastening types may be separate or manufactured into the body, prior to installation.

Description

LIGHTWEIGHT MULTIFUNCTIONAL BICYCLE MUDGUARD

DESCRIPTION

Object of the invention This invention refers to a lightweight inultifunctional mudguard or fender for bicycles or the like, with a body constructed from a lightweight flexible material allowing it to be installed on said bicycle, in one or more location.

Background to the invention

When using a bicycle, particularly in wet, off-road conditions, the cyclist and bicycle components are subject to impact caused by the matter emanating from the bicycle wheels. This can lead to the cyclist feeling uncomfortable and the serviceable bicycle components needing attention or even replacement, as seals and moving components perish and wear, for example. The serviceable bicycle components include, but are not limited to: front suspension, rear suspension, braking system, drivetrain and selector mechanisms.

Conventional mudguards already serve to deflect matter thrown from the bicycle wheels but are often large and cumbersome, adding a significant amount of mass to the bicycle, which is a deterrent to cyclists that are concerned with speed or endurance. Also, conventional mudguards are only designed to be installed in one location, usually the Fork Crown, Seat Post, or Down Tube, with their primary purpose being to protect the cyclist. The protection provided to any of the serviceable bicycle components is usually limited or nonexistent.

A description of the invention

To overcome these problems the mudguard provided in this invention is designed such that it is lightweight and flexible, allowing it to be neatly installed in one or more location on a bicycle, and thus; providing the user with a protection option.

The mudguard is formed by a body; which is constructed from a lightweight flexible material, such as sheet plastic, and fasteners; to attach said body to the bicycle. The flexibility of the body allows it to be shaped to follow the contour of the bicycle components, such as the fork brace and stanchions for example, without it compromising much of the clearance between said bicycle components and the surrounding architecture.

The body has one or more deflector regions, which provide most of the protection against the emanated matter, one or more fastening region, to attach said body to the bicycle and one or more stiffening region, allowing the body to function as a mudguard, once fitted.

The body may also contain colorants and graphical items for decorative purposes.

The fasteners can take the form of straps, clips, threaded fasteners or a combination of the three and be separate or integral to the body at point of manufacture.

A Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a design variant of the present invention detached from the bicycle.

Figure 2 is a side view of a bicycle with the design variant shown in Figure 1 fitted in two locations.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the design variant shown in Figure 1 attached to the bicycle in location 1 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the design variant shown in Figure 1 attached to the bicycle in location 2 of Figure 2.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the aforementioned figures.

As shown in Figure 1, the mudguard comprises the body (1) and fasteners (2) with said body further comprising the deflector region (3), fastening region (4) and stiffening region (5).

The body, shown in Figure 1, is manufactured from sheet plastic, typically less than 1.0mm in thickness with added colorants and graphical items for decorative purposes. 1.

Holes (6) in the fastening region (4) are used to allow the fasteners (2) to attach the body (1) to a bicycle. The fasteners, shown in figures 1 to 4, take the form of hook and loop straps, but may also take the form of clips or threaded fasteners Figure 2 shows the mudguard shaped and installed on a bicycle, at two very different locations; location I being the fork stanchions and location 2 being the rear triangle.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the mudguard installed at location 1 where the mudguard serves to protect the cyclist's face and the stanchion seals (7).

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the mudguard installed at location 2 where the mudguard's primary function is to protect the rear shock components (8).

Depending on the bicycle architecture and the shape, size and layout of the invention's elements, provided that this does not involve an alteration to the essential characteristics of the invention, as claimed below, the mudguard can be attached to a bicycle in various locations, protecting numerous components and anatomy parts.

It is not considered necessary to extend the description in order for any expert in the field to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages arising from it.

The terms of these Specifications must be taken always in the broad sense, without limitation.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A bicycle mudguard of the type formed by; a body (1) manufactured from a flexible material which when shaped and installed on a bicycle provides sufficient stiffness for it to be used as a mudguard in one or more location on said bicycle; and one or more fastener (2), to attach said body (1) to said bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A bicycle mudguard as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body (1) is formed from a material or combination of materials which has substantially constant thickness.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A bicycle mudguard as set forth in claim 2 wherein said body (1) has one or more hole (7) in the fastening region (4), to allow one or more fastener (8) to attach said body (1) to a bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A bicycle mudguard as set forth in claim 2 wherein one or more fastener (8) is integrated with said body(1) during manufacture.</claim-text>