GB2516887A - Bicycle carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle holding device secures at least one bicycle by the rear wheel and the pedal shaft. The rear wheel may be located in a cradle and the bicycle crank may be counter-rotated to locate the base of the pedal shaft into a clip, channel or hook. Preferably, the bicycles own freewheel mechanism holds the pedal shaft in place and the rear wheel is prevented from rotating by a strap or clamp; alternatively the pedal shaft may also be clamped. The device may hold a plurality of bicycles, for example two or four, side-by-side in various orientations, for example vertically or horizontally. The device may be free-standing, wall-mounted or attached to a vehicle. The front wheel of each bicycle may in addition be stabilised or may be removed and stored in a separate cradle. The device may be foldable for storage in a car boot.

Description

BICYCLE CARRIER.

This invention relates to a device for carrying or storing bicycles.

When bicycles need to be transported, for example on the back of a motor vehicle, a quick and secure method of attachment is required.

Conventional cycle racks tend to be complicated designs requiring time to set up and load the bicycles. The more simple designs have the disadvantage that the bicycles are not as securely held and tend to move and rub against each other causing damage. A certain amount of difficult lifting may also be involved. Different sizes and styles of bicycles, for example lathes frames and suspension systems, are also difficult to accommodate, needing adaptors.

To overcome these problems this invention proposes a bicycle carrier that is simple in design, makes it easy and quick to attach the bicycles and holds the bicycles securely and apart from one another. The invention can be attached to the rear of a vehicle using the towing hitch or pads and suaps. The invention could also be used for static storage of bicycles, being either floor mounted or attached to a. wall for security and space saving.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure I shows an example of a complete device. The bicycle is lifted into a vertical orientation and the rear wheel located iii a cradle. The bicycle pedal is rotated counter clockwise until the base of the pedal spindle enga.ges in the hook (figures 2 & 3). The free-wheel mechanism of the bicycle prevents clockwise rota.tion of the crank and so keeps the spindle in the hook.

For extra security a strap at point A (figure 1) is attached to clamp the wheel into the cradle and prevent it from rotating. A further lock nut (figure 4) is applied behind the hook.

To remove a bicycle the strap and lock nut are released. The bicycle is then lifted slightly (allowing the rear wheel to rotate) then lowered to release the pedal shaft from the hook. The bicycle is then removed from the device.

Various combinations may be deployed, for example up to 2 bicycles may be carried with the front wheels removed and stored in the outer cradles (figure 5). Up to 4 bicycles may be carried with front wheels attached and stabilised using a simple strap (figure 6).

Figure 7 shows the device attached to the rear of a vehicle. The device could also be used in other possible orientations for example with bicycles horizontally as shown in figure 8 or with alternating bicycles as shown in figure 9.

The advantages of this invention are that the cycles are quick and easy to load/unload and do not touch each other in any way. This prevents any rubbing and scratching and also allows them to be loaded or removed in any order. Different sizes and styles of cycles can be loaded without the need for any ada.pting a.s the use of the pedal for mounting makes the system self-adjusting. Security locks can be easily applied to the pedal lock mechanism to prevent bicycles being stolen. When removed and folded the device is compact and easily stored, for example in the boot of a car. The device could also be used for space saving static storage as-well as transport.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS1. A bicycle holding device where the bicycle is secured by the rear wheel and the pedal/crank mechanism.
2. 2. A bicycle holding device according to Ci in which bicycles are mounted side by side in a vertical or horizontal orientation and individually secured.
3. 3. A bicycle holding device according to Cl that can be free standing, wall mounted or attached to a vehicle.
4. 4. A bicycle holding device according to Ci in which the rear wheel is held in a cradle and 1 pedal shaft is clamped.
5. 5. A bicycle holding device according to C4 in which the rear wheel is secured using a strap and the base of the pedal spindle is counter-rotated to engage in a hook or clip and is locked into place.
6. 6. A bicycle holding device according to C2 where the front wheels are stabilised or removed and stored in separate cradles.