GB2549691A

GB2549691A - Bicycle hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2549691A
Application number: GB1604628.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hannath Graham
Original assignee: Fabriweld Tubular Steel Products Ltd
Current assignee: Fabriweld Tubular Steel Products Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-18
Filing date: 2016-03-18
Publication date: 2017-11-01
Also published as: GB201604628D0

Abstract

A hanger for hanging a bicycle and, in particular, a cycle storage hanger or bracket. The hanger comprises a mounting 1 for attaching the hanger to a structure, a lower jaw 3 and an upper jaw 7. The lower jaw 3 is attached to the mounting 1 for receiving a portion of the bicycle and being moveable downward relative to the mounting 1. The upper jaw 7 is moveable from an open position, where the portion of the bicycle can be withdrawn from the lower jaw 3, to a closed position for retaining the portion of the bicycle received by the lower jaw 3. The downward movement of the lower jaw 3 moves the upper jaw 7 into the closed position. The upper jar 7 may be moved by the interaction of a rack 8 and pinion 9. An integrated lock 6 may also be included.

Description

BICYCLE HANGER

[001] The present invention concerns a hanger for hanging a bicycle and, in particular, a cycle storage hanger or bracket having an integrated lock.

[002] Various conventional bicycle hangers exist to allow bicycle users to store their bicycles by mounting them in an elevated position on a wall or other structure. This avoids the bike occupying floor space when not in use. Such hangers are used in both domestic environments, as well as in public and commercial locations to allow a greater number of bicycles to be stored using the same floor area.

[003] Most bicycle hangers comprise hooks which receive a portion of the bicycle, such as a part of its frame or wheel. As such, a user will hang the bicycle by lifting it up and hooking the respective part onto the hook. However, once hooked onto a hanger, a bike may easily get knocked, for example, by another person passing next to it or when another bike is lifted into an adjacent hanger. This may dislodge the bike from its hanger or impart a twisting force at bike's contact with the hanger, either of which could damage the bike.

[004] A further issue with conventional bicycle hangers arises if a user wishes to lock their bike. Once the user has lifted their bike onto the hanger, it can then be difficult to access a secure part of the hanger in order to attach their bike lock because the hung bike is then in the way. This issue further exacerbates the above problem of knocking the bike because in the process of a user attaching their bike lock, they may risk inadvertently knocking their own bike and damaging it.

[005] The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to the above issues.

[006] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hanger for a bicycle, the hanger comprising: a mounting for attaching the hanger to a structure; a lower jaw attached to the mounting for receiving a portion of the bicycle and being moveable downward relative to the mounting; and an upper jaw being moveable from an open position where the portion of the bicycle can be withdrawn from the lower jaw to a closed position for retaining the portion of the bicycle received by the lower jaw, wherein the downward movement of the lower jaw moves the upper jaw into the closed position, [007] In this way, once a user has lifted their bicycle onto the lower jaw, the action of the weight of the bike bearing down on the lower jaw drives the upper jaw into its closed position. This then acts to securely retain the received portion of the bicycle between the closed jaws and thereby prevent the bicycle from being dislodged from the hanger. That is, the bicycle is held in place on the hanger by its own weight applying a closing force on the upper jaw. To remove the bicycle from the hanger, a user needs to lift the weight of the bike off the lower jaw, thereby removing the closing force from the upper jaw to enable it to reopen.

[008] Preferably, the hanger further comprises a biassing means for basing the lower jaw upward relative to the mounting. In this way, the biassing means acts to hold the lower jaw in an upward position, which in turn acts to hold the upper jaw in its open position. With the jaws open, a portion of the bicycle may then be inserted between them and received onto the lower jaw, with the weight of the bicycle then acting to close jaws around the received portion.

[009] Preferably, the upward bias of the biassing means is overcome by the weight of the bicycle.

[0010] Preferably, the biassing means is a spring.

[0011] Preferably, the lower jaw is attached to the mounting through a bearing engaged within a track for allowing movement of the lower jaw relative to the mounting between an upward position and a downward position. In this way, the lower jaw may move relative to the mounting in a smooth manner, whilst maintaining a strong connection between the parts .

[0012] Preferably, the upper jaw is pivotably connected to the lower jaw at a pivot. In this way, the upper jaw may pivot between its open and closed positions.

[0013] Preferably, the hanger comprises a closure mechanism connecting the upper jaw and the mounting such that movement relative to the mounting moves the upper jaw.

[0014] Preferably, the closure mechanism comprises an engagement formation formed on the upper jaw for engagement with a counterpart formation formed on the mounting and, when the upper jaw is moved downwardly with the lower jaw, engagement there between drives the upper jaw into the closed position. In this way, as the lower jaw moves linearly relative to the mounting, its connection with upper jaw translates the linear movement into a rotational force for closing the upper jaw.

[0015] Preferably, the engagement formation of the upper jaw comprises a pinion formation and the counterpart formation of the mounting comprises a rack. In this way, secure engagement is achieved between the engagement and counterpart formations .

[0016] Preferably, the hanger further comprises a lock for locking the upper jaw its closed position. In this way, the bicycle can be locked in its hung position for storage on the hanger.

[0017] Preferably, the lock is a key lock or a combination lock. This provides a security mechanism for securing the bicycle without reguiring use of a separate bike lock.

[0018] Preferably, the upper jaw engages with the lower jaw when in its closed position for retaining the received portion of the bicycle between the upper and lower jaws. In this way, when the jaws are closed, they form a closed ring around the received portion of the bicycle to hold it onto the hanger.

[0019] Preferably, the upper and lower jaws engage with one another at their distal ends.

[0020] Preferably, the lock is provided at one of the distal ends of the upper or lower jaws and comprises a latch for engagement with a formation the other of the distal ends for locking the distal ends together. In this way, the distal ends of the jaws can be mechanically connected through the latch to secure the upper jaw in its closed position. Furthermore, in this way, the lock is also exposed on the outer side of the hanger when the lower jaw is in its closed position, thereby allowing a user to access it easily.

[0021] Preferably, the lower jaw comprises a hook formation for receiving the portion of the bicycle. In this way, a portion of the bicycle, such as a part of its frame, may be received within the recessed region of the hook formation, with the sides of the recess acting to locate and centre the frame on the lower jaw.

[0022] Preferably, the upper jaw comprises a curved formation for closing over the portion of the bicycle received by the hook formation. In this way, the curved formation may correspond to the opposing surface of the received portion of the bicycle in order to minimise the space available for that part to moved within the jaws once they are closed. In some embodiments, the curved formation may be configured to mate with a surface of the received portion of the bicycle, such as a section across a tubular part of the bike's frame.

[0023] Preferably, in the closed position, the hook formation and curved formation form a ring around the received portion of the bicycle. This may provide for a tight enclosure around the received portion of the bicycle.

[0024] Preferably, at least one of the upper and lower jaws comprise polymer contact surface for engagement with the received portion of the bicycle. In this way, the contact surface provides a softer contact area for avoiding damage to the received portion of the bicycle, such as scratching the bicycle's frame.

[0025] Preferably, the polymer contact surface is provided as a polymer inlay. In this way, a harder material, such as a metal, may be used for the bulk components, whilst allowing contacting areas to be softer to avoid damage to the bike.

[0026] Preferably, the lower jaw is configured to receive a portion of the bicycle's frame. In this way, the bicycle is supported by its frame.

[0027] In some embodiments, the portion of the bicycle is clamped between the upper and lower jaws when the upper jaw is in the closed position in use. In this way, the received portion of the bicycle may be gripped by the closed jaws of the hanger in order to more firmly hold the bike in place and minimise any movements relative to the hanger.

[0028] Preferably, the lower jaw comprises a connector section connected to the mounting.

[0029] Preferably, the connector section houses the closure mechanism. This hides and protects the moving parts of the closure, as well as the bearing connecting to the mounting.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle bracket comprising: an attachment for attachment to a structure; a hook for receiving a portion of a bicycle frame; and a retention arm moveable over the hook for securing the received portion of the bicycle frame; wherein the hook is moveable relative to the attachment under the weight of the bicycle, and the hook and retention arm are connected such that movement of the hook actuates the movement of the retention arm to secure the bicycle frame.

[0031] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bicycle hanger according to an embodiment of the invention in which the jaws are open;

Figure 2 shows the bicycle hanger of Figure 1 with the jaws closed;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the bicycle hanger as the jaws are closed, with (a) showing the open position, (b) showing the downward force acting on the lower jaw, and (c) showing the closed position;

Figure 4(a) shows an end view of the hanger with the jaws open and Figure 4(b) shows a cross section view though section A-A shown in Figure 4 (a); and

Figure 5(a) shows an end view of the hanger with the jaws closed and Figure 5(b) shows a cross section view though section B-B shown in Figure 5 (a) .

[0032] Figures 1 to 5 show a bicycle hanger according to an embodiment of the invention. The bicycle hanger comprises a mounting section 1, which is moveably connected to lower jaw 3 though a connection section 2 of the lower jaw. The upper jaw 7 is connected to the connection section 2 of lower jaw 3.

[0033] Mounting section 1 is provided with apertures for allowing the hanger to be mounted to a wall or strut using fixtures. The front of mounting section 1 comprises a vertical track into which a bearing part of connection section 2 is engaged for allowing the lower jaw 3 to move up and down relative to the mounting section 1, whilst remaining connected thereto.

[0034] Lower jaw 3 comprises a hook formation which extends from connection section 2 in semicircular shape into which a section of a bicycle's frame may be received. The curved sides of contact surface of the hook formation acts to centre the tubular part of the received bicycle frame.

[0035] Upper jaw 7 is pivotably connected near its base to connection section 2, and is moveable about the pivot from an open position, as shown in Figure 1 and 3 (a), to a closed position, as shown in Figure 2 and 3(c). From its connection with connection section 2, the upper jaw 7 extends outward in semicircular shape so as to allow it to fit over a section of a bicycle's frame received within lower jaw 3 when in its closed position.

[0036] The distal end of upper jaw 7 comprises a male locking section 5 which is received into female locking section 4 provided at the distal end of lower jaw 3 when the upper jaw is closed, as shown in Figure 2. Male locking section 5 comprises key mechanism 6 which, on turning the key (not shown), moves a latch within the male locking section 5 into locked engagement with an opposing formation within female locking section 4.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(c), when upper jaw 7 is in its closed position, the upper and lower jaws engage with one another to form a closed ring though which a section of the bicycle's frame may be contained. The bore of the closed ring formed by the jaws comprises a polymer inlay for protecting the bicycle's frame.

[0038] Figures 4(b) and 5(b) show the mechanisms within the interior of the component housings. Spring 10 provides a biassing means for biassing together a spring connection point on the mounting 1 and a connection point on the connection section 2. With this arrangement, in order for connection section 2 to move down the vertical track formed in the mounting 1, it must act against the bias of spring 10. As a consequence, in the absence of other forces, lower jaw 3 is held in an upward position on the vertical track. However, once a bicycle is placed into the hook formation of lower jaw 3, its weight overcomes the bias of spring 10, thereby allowing the connection section 2, and hence lower jaw 3, to move downwardly.

[0039] The closure mechanism for closing upper jaw 3 is housed within the body of the connection section 2. Here, the proximal end of upper jaw 7 is provided with a pinion formation 9 formed around its pivot connection with connection section 2. The teeth of pinion formation 9 engages into a vertical rack formation 8 formed within mounting 1. Consequently, as connection section 2 is moved downwardly, the pinion formation 9 rotates over the toothed rack 8, translating the linear downward motion into a rotational motion (counterclockwise in Figure 4 (b)) to thereby drive the upper jaw 7 to close. Conversely, if connection section 2 is moved upwardly, the pinion formation 9 rotates back over the toothed rack 8, translating the linear upward motion into a rotational motion (clockwise in Figure 5(b)) to thereby drive the upper jaw 7 to open.

[0040] In use, a user may lift their bicycle to locate a portion of its frame into the hooked recess formed in lower jaw 3. At this point, the user may rest the weight of their bike onto the lower jaw 3, which thereby overcomes the upward bias of spring 10 and causes connection section 2 of lower jaw 3 to move downwards relative to the mounting 1. This downward motion is then translated through pinion formation 9 to pivot upper jaw 7 into its closed position, as shown in Figures 2, 3(c), and 5(b). Once the distal ends of the upper and lower jaws have engaged, a suitable key may be used in key mechanism 6 to then securely connect male locking section 5 to female locking section 4. This thereby forms an enclosed ring around the bicycle's frame, both holding it in position and preventing the bike from being removed without access to the key.

[0041] To remove the bicycle, the user may use their key to unlock keying mechanism 6 to thereby release male locking section 5 from female locking section 4. Under the weight of the bike, the upper jaw 7 remains shut until a user is ready to lift the bike. Once the user starts to lift the bike, its weight is then no longer forcing down, allowing the lower jaw 3 and connection section 2 to move upwardly under the bias of spring 10. This upward motion is then translated through pinion formation 9 to pivot upper jaw 7 into its open position, as shown in Figures 1, 3(a), and 4(b).

[0042] As will be appreciated from the above, lower jaw 3 therefore functions as a hook for hanging the bicycle, with the upper jaw 7 functioning as a retention arm which moves into place for retaining the bike once the weight of the bike is applied to the hook. As such, embodiments of the present invention thereby allow a bicycle to be securely retained in an elevated mount without risk of being knocked out of its hanger inadvertently. Furthermore, the provision of a security locking mechanism allows the enclosing or clamping action of the jaws to secure the bike, without need for a separate security lock.

[0043] It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated above shows applications of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

[0044] In this respect, for example, the hanger may be provided without an integrated lock for use in situations where this security is unnecessary, such as within a secure building. Equally, a lock may be provided in the form of a simple mechanical latch for holding the jaws together, purely as a fail safe rather than a security measure. Conversely, whilst in the above example a key mechanism was proposed, other forms of personalised security locks may also be used. such as combination locks.

[0045] Furthermore, in other embodiments, the distal ends of the jaws may be provided with locking loops to allow a separate security lock, sucn as a padlock, to be used to secure the jaws together.

Claims

1. A hanger for a bicycle, the hanger comprising: a mounting for attaching the hanger to a structure; a lower jaw attached to the mounting for receiving a portion of the bicycle and being moveable downward relative to the mounting; and an upper jaw being moveable from an open position where the portion of the bicycle can be withdrawn from the lower jaw to a closed position for retaining the portion of the bicycle received by the lower jaw, wherein the downward movement of the lower jaw moves the upper jaw into the closed position.

2. A hanger according to claim 1, further comprising: a biassing means for basing the lower jaw upward relative to the mounting.

3. A hanger according to claim 2, wherein the upward bias of the biassing means is overcome by the weight of the bicycle.

4. A hanger according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the biassing means is a spring.

5. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower jaw attached to the mounting through a bearing engaged within a track for allowing movement of the lower jaw relative to the mounting between an upward position and a downward position.

6. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper jaw is pivotably connected to the lower jaw at a pivot.

7. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger comprises a closure mechanism connecting the upper jaw and the mounting such that movement relative to the mounting moves the upper jaw.

8. A hanger according to claim 7, wherein the closure mechanism comprises an engagement formation formed on the upper jaw for engagement with a counterpart formation formed on the mounting and, when the upper jaw is moved downwardly with the lower jaw, engagement there between drives the upper jaw into the closed position.

9. A hanger according to claim 8, wherein the engagement formation of the upper jaw comprises a pinion formation and the counterpart formation of the mounting comprises a rack.

10. A hanger according to any preceding claim, further comprising a lock for locking the upper jaw its closed position.

11. A hanger according to claim 10, wherein the lock is a key lock or a combination lock.

12. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper jaw engages with the lower jaw when in its closed position for retaining the received portion of the bicycle between the upper and lower jaws.

13. A hanger according to claim 12, wherein the upper and lower jaws engage with one another at their distal ends.

14. A hanger according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 10, wherein the lock is provided at one of the distal ends of the upper or lower jaws and comprises a latch for engagement with a formation the other of the distal ends for locking the distal ends together.

15. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower jaw comprises a hook formation for receiving the portion of the bicycle.

16. A hanger according to claim 15, wherein the upper jaw comprises a curved formation for closing over the portion of the bicycle received by the hook formation.

17. A hanger according to claim 16, wherein, in the closed position, the hook formation and curved formation form a ring around the received portion of the bicycle.

18. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the upper and lower jaws comprise polymer contact surface for engagement with the received portion of the bicycle.

19. A hanger according to claim 18, wherein the polymer contact surface is provided as a polymer inlay.

20. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower jaw is configured to receive a portion of the bicycle's frame .

21. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the bicycle is clamped between the upper and lower jaws when the upper jaw is in the closed position in use.

22. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower jaw comprises a connector section connected to the mounting.

23. A hanger according to claim 22 when dependent on claims 7 to 9, wherein the connector section houses the closure mechanism.

24. A bicycle bracket comprising: an attachment for attachment to a structure; a hook for receiving a portion of a bicycle frame; and a retention arm moveable over the hook for securing the received portion of the bicycle frame; wherein the hook is moveable relative to the attachment under the weight of the bicycle, and the hook and retention arm connected such that movement of the hook actuates the movement of the retention arm to secure the bicycle frame.

25. A hanger for hanging a bicycle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .