GB2602807A

GB2602807A - Improvements in or relating to bicycles

Info

Publication number: GB2602807A
Application number: GB2100463.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Michael Astbury Robin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-01-14
Filing date: 2021-01-14
Publication date: 2022-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-14
Also published as: GB202100463D0; GB2602807B

Abstract

A compact bicycle 1 which comprises a bicycle frame 8, a steering assembly, a front wheel 10, a rear wheel 6, and an adapted head tube 2 on which the steering assembly 4 is mounted wherein the adapted head tube connects the steering assembly to the frame such that the steering assembly 4 is moveable relative to the frame between a use position (figure 1) where the steering assembly is aligned with the frame and a compact position (figure 4) where the steering assembly is moved laterally and rotated to a compact positions such that it is both out of alignment with the frame and the front wheel of the steering assembly substantially overlaps the frame. Additionally disclosed is a head tube 2 that connects to the steering assembly that facilitates lateral movement and rotation of the steering assembly such that in a compact position the front wheel is out of alignment and substantially overlaps the frame.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BICYCLES

The present invention relates to a low-cost compact bicycle and an adapted head tube for use in converting a standard bicycle into a compact bicycle.

Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular form of transport both for commuting and as a leisure activity. Bicycles are bulky items and previous attempts to make foldable bicycles have added weight and additional weld points by using frame hinges, non-standard framed design or require adapted components, for example hinged forks, to reposition wheels. The problem of additional weld points or use of adapted components is that the cost and complexity of manufacture is increased. Furthermore, existing conventional bicycle designs based on standard frames and standard components cannot be utilised in the construction of a compact bicycle.

A way of ameliorating these problems has been sought.

It should be understood here in that the steering assembly of a bicycle comprises a steerer tube, a fork, a headset, a handlebar stem, handlebars, and a front wheel, which are preferably of a conventional construction and may include standard sub-components, for example hubs, spokes and braking mechanisms.

According to the invention there is provided an adapted head tube for mounting on a bicycle wherein the bicycle comprises a steering assembly and a frame wherein the frame comprises an adapted head tube wherein the adapted head tube connects to the frame to the steering assembly such that the steering assembly is moveable relative to the frame wherein the adapted head tube has a lockable use position where the steering assembly is aligned with the frame and a compact position where the steering assembly is moved both on a lateral plan and a rotational axis to a non-planar position such that it is out of alignment with the frame and the front wheel substantially overlaps the frame.

Advantages of the invention include that the adapted head tube allows a standard bicycle design to be made more compact by moving the front wheel such that it substantially overlaps the bicycle frame. Furthermore, all other components, for example front fork, steerer tube, handle bar stem or headset can be of conventional design thus reducing cost of manufacture, repairs and replacement of these components. Furthermore, that by using an adapted head tube which is pivotable, the bicycle is compact without compromising the integrity of the bicycle frame or fork minimising additional costs and complexity of manufacture. Furthermore, the use of the adapted head tube means the frame can be of a conventional design and allows conventional bicycles to be converted to a compact bicycle by use of the adapted head tube.

In some embodiments, the adapted head tube may comprise a frame connector, a movement support connector and a steering assembly connector. In some embodiments, the movement support connector may be one or more movement support connector pivot joints and/or revolving joints to allow lateral movement and/or rotational movement of the steering connector, a movement support connector telescopic member to allow lateral movement and/or rotational movement of the steering assembly connector. In some embodiments, the rotational movement of the steering assembly connector may be rotational movement about a horizontal axis.

In some embodiments, the adapted head tube may include one or more locks such that the steering assembly connector is lockable in the use position to prevent lateral and/or rotational movement. In some embodiments, the lock mechanisms can be of a conventional kind for example clamping mechanism, a pin and a corresponding aperture, a clip, and/or a nut on a threaded connector.

In some embodiments, the adapted head tube may include a slideable or telescopic member to support moving the steering assembly from the use position to the compact position.

In some embodiments when in the compact position the fork arm closest to the frame is brought into a position where it is positioned between and substantially aligned with the top tube and/or down tube along the vertical plane.

Typically, a bicycle also includes pedals, braking mechanisms, cogs rotatably mounted on the frame and on the rear wheel, and a chain which rotatably connects the cogs. In some embodiments, the compact bicycle may be a compact electric bicycle; a compact electric bicycle may additionally comprise an electric motor for powering one or more of the wheels and an electric power source such as a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the fork may be a mono fork.

In some embodiments, the handlebars may be rotated into a vertical position and/or folded via mechanisms already known in the art, for example rotation device on the handlebar stem or folding handlebars to reduce the width of the bicycle in its compact position.

The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention: FIGURE 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention in a first position where it is suitable for normal use; FIGURE 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention in a second position where its steering assembly has been moved out of alignment with its rear wheel; FIGURE 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention in a third position where its steering assembly has been rotated such that the front wheel substantially overlaps the frame; FIGURE 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention in the third position where the handlebars have been positioned such as the bicycle is a compact bicycle; FIGURES shows an exploded schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention in the first use position; FIGURE 6 shows an exploded schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention where its locking mechanism has been released.

FIGURE 7 shows an exploded schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention where steering assembly support has been moved laterally.

FIGURE 8 shows an exploded schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention where steering assembly support has been rotated.

FIGURE 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a second embodiment of the invention in a first position where it is suitable for normal use; FIGURE 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a second embodiment of the invention in a second position where its steering assembly has been moved out of alignment with its rear wheel; FIGURE 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a second embodiment of the invention in a third position where its steering assembly has been rotated such that the front wheel substantially overlaps the frame; FIGURE 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a compact bicycle according to a second embodiment of the invention in the third position where the handlebars have been positioned such as the bicycle is a compact bicycle; FIGURE 13 shows an exploded schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention in the first use position; FIGURE 14 shows an exploded schematic perspective view of the second embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention where steering assembly support has been moved laterally.

FIGURE 15 shows an exploded schematic perspective view of the second embodiment of an adapted head tube according to the invention where steering assembly support has been rotated.

A compact bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 1 on Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. Compact bicycle 1 has a bicycle frame 8, a front wheel 10, a rear wheel 6, a chainset indicated generally at 7 which includes a chain and pedals for propelling the rear wheel 6, seat 11, and a steering assembly indicated generally at 4 which includes a fork 9 on which the front wheel 10 is mounted. Bicycle frame 8 has an adapted head tube 2 where the frame connector 12 is separate from the steering assembly connector 13 such that the steering assembly connector 13 may be moved laterally to the frame connector 12. Adapted head tube 2 is as described below in relation to Figures 5 to 8 The steering assembly 4 is arranged to extend through the steering assembly connector 13 via a tube channel 16. In an alternative embodiment, the compact bicycle 1 may be an electric bicycle and may include an electric motor for powering the rear wheel 6 and a rechargeable battery for powering the electric motor.

When the handlebars 3 are not rotated and are in a central position, the adapted head tube 2 of the compact bicycle 1 is in a first locked use position as shown in Figure 1 where the front wheel 10 is in the same vertical plane as the rear wheel 6 and the compact bicycle 1 is usable in the usual manner. Adapted head tube 2 may be unlocked to allow the steering assembly 4 to be moved out of that vertical plane such that its front wheel 10 is out of alignment with the rear wheel 6 and that the compact bicycle 10 is in a second non-planar position as shown in Figure 2. The front assembly 4 may then be rotated such that front wheel 10 overlaps the bicycle frame 8 whereby the compact bicycle 1 is in a third compact position as shown in Figure 3. The handle bars 3 may then be moved/rotated by a conventional folding bicycle mechanism to reduce to width of the compact bicycle as shown in Figure 4.

An adapted head tube according to a first embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 2 on Figures 5 to 8. The adapted head tube 2 comprises a frame connector 12, a steering assembly connector 13, and a movement support connector 14.

The frame connector 12 comprises a frame connector body 12A that connects to a bicycled frame (for example top tube 8A and/or down tube 8B (which are not shown for simplicity) via standard methods (for example welded or glued), and clamping mechanisms comprising of brackets 15, hinges 17 and bracket locking mechanisms which comprises of a quick release screws/pin locking mechanism (not shown) that is received by a threaded frame connector aperture 20 and receiving threaded bracket aperture 19.

The steering assembly connector 13 forms a head tube channel 16 at its distal end that operates in the same manner as a conventional head tube for engagement of a conventional steering assembly, for example via a steerer tube and head bearings (not shown).

The movement support connector 14 is connected to the frame connector via a pivotable joint 18 that allows for rotational movement of the steering assembly connector 13 around the vertical axis and is connected to the steering assembly connector 13 via a revolving joint (not shown) that allows for revolving movement for the steering assembly connector 13 around the horizonal axis.

To move the steering assembly connector 13 from the use position (as shown in Figure 5) to the compact position (as shown in Figure 8), the locking mechanism needs to be released to allow clamping mechanism bracket 15 to disengage from the steering assembly connector 13 (as shown in Figure 6). The steering assembly connector 13 is then rotated via the movement support connector 14 to move the steering assembly connector 13 laterally (as shown in Figure 7). The steering assembly is moved into the compact by revolving the steering assembly support 13 around a revolving joint connected to the movement support connector (as shown in Figure 8). Where embodiments utilise a standard fork with two arms (such as fork 9 in Figure 1) in order to clear the down tube 85 the steering assembly connector 13 can be partially moved laterally to allow for sufficient clearance of the tube channel 16 to be revolved/and or rotated to allow for the fork closest to the frame to clear the down tube 8B prior to completing lateral and revolving movements.

A compact bicycle according to a second embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 1A on Figures 9 to 13 of the accompanying drawings. Compact bicycle 1A has a bicycle frame 8 a front wheel 10, a rear wheel 6, a chainset indicated generally at 7 which includes a chain and pedals for propelling the rear wheel 6, seat 11, and a steering assembly indicated generally at 4 which includes a mono fork 22 on which the front wheel 10 is mounted. Bicycle frame 8 has an adapted head tube 21 where the frame connector 12 is separate from the steering assembly connector 13 such that the steering assembly connector 13 may be moved laterally to the frame connector 12. Adapted head tube 21 is as described below in relation to Figures 13 to 15. In an alternative embodiment, the compact bicycle 1A may be an electric bicycle and may include an electric motor for powering the rear wheel 6 and a rechargeable battery for powering the electric motor.

An adapted head tube according to a second embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 21 on Figures 13 to 15. The adapted head tube 21 comprises a frame connector 12, a steering assembly connector 13, and a movement support connector 14.

The frame connector 12 comprises a frame connector body 12A that connects to a bicycled frame (for example top tube 8A and/or down tube 8B (which are not shown for simplicity) via standard methods (for example welded or glued) and a frame connecter casing 12A which is preferably in the form of a crown gear but may be other suitable shape which connects to the movement support connector 14.

The steering assembly connector 13 comprised of a head tube channel 16 at its distal end that operates in the same manner as a conventional head tube for engagement of a conventional steering assembly, for example via a steerer tube and head bearings (not shown) and a steering connecter casing 13A which is preferably in the form of a crown gear that corresponds to frame connecter casing 12A but may be in other suitable shape which connects to the movement support connector 14.

The movement support connector 14 comprises of a telescopic member 26, and a pin lock 23 which is in the form of a pin that penetrates pin holes 24 and 25 in the telescopic member 26 and prevents the expansion of telescopic member 26.

The frame support casing 12A and steering assembly casing 13A are each in the form of partial casings preferably with corresponding teeth which in combination form a casing or volume which is shaped to receive the telescopic member 26 and stops rotational movement of the steering assembly. When pin lock 23 is released, the steering assembly casing 13A may be moved laterally by expansion of the telescopic member 26 such as the steering assembly casing 13A moves away from the support connector casing 12A and the corresponding teeth of each casing disengage to allow for the steering assembly to be rotated via the movement support connector 14. The telescopic member 26 acts as a movement support connector to allow the steering assembly connector 13 to be moved laterally in relation to the frame support connector 12 and to be rotated about a horizontal axis.

To move the adapted steering assembly 360 from the first position (as shown in Figure 13) to the second position, the pin lock 23 needs to be released to allow the telescopic member 26 to expand such that steering assembly connector 13 to move laterally away from frame support connector 62 into the second position shown in Figure 14. Steering assembly connector 13 may then be moved into the third position by rotation of the telescopic member 26 shown in Figure 15.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adapted head tube for mounting on a bicycle wherein the bicycle comprises a steering assembly (wherein the steering assembly comprises a steerer tube, a fork, a headset, a handlebar stem, handlebars) and a front wheel, which are preferably of a conventional construction and may include standard sub-components, for example hubs, spokes and braking mechanisms), a frame wherein the adapted head tube connects the steering assembly to the frame such that the steering assembly is moveable relative to the frame between a use position where the steering assembly is aligned with the frame and a compact position where the steering assembly is moved laterally and rotated to a compact positions such that it is both out of alignment with the frame and the front wheel of the steering assembly substantially overlaps the frame.
2. An adapted head tube as defined in Claim 1 which includes a lock or plurality of locks such that it is lockable in the use position to prevent lateral and/or rotational movement; preferably the lock is formed by a pin and a corresponding aperture, a clip, a nut on a threaded connector, and/or clamping mechanism.
3. An adapted head tube as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which is includes pivotable and/or hinged member for moving the steering assembly laterally by rotation such that it is in non-planar position such that it is out of alignment with the frame.
4. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a slideable and/or telescopic member for moving the moving the steering assembly laterally such that it is in non-planar position such that it is out of alignment with the frame.
5. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a pivotable and/or hinged member for rotating the steering assembly on a horizontal axis.
6. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a frame support connector and a steering assembly connector each in the form of interlocking partial casings that prevents rotational movement of the steering assembly connector.
7. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a frame support connector and a steering assembly connector which form a casing or volume which is shaped to receive a telescopic member and/or slidable member that provides lateral movement of the steering assembly connector.
8. A compact bicycle which comprises a bicycle frame, a rear wheel, and an adapted head tube on which the steering assembly is mounted wherein the steering assembly is moveable laterally such that the compact bicycle is in a non-planar position where the front wheel is out of alignment with the rear wheel and wherein the steering assembly is rotatable such that the compact bicycle is in a compact position where the front wheel has been rotated to overlap the bicycle frame.
9. A compact bicycle as defined in Claim 8 wherein the steering assembly comprises a steering post and handlebars pivotable relative post to be rotated between a use position in which the steering assembly can be controlled by means of the handlebars and a rotated position in which the handlebars are substantially aligned with the front wheel.
10. A compact bicycle as defined in Claim 8 wherein the adapted head tube is as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7.CLAIMS1. An adapted head tube for mounting on a bicycle wherein the bicycle comprises a steering assembly (wherein the steering assembly comprises a steerer tube, a fork, a headset, a handlebar stem, handlebars, and a front wheel, which are preferably of a conventional construction and may include standard sub-components, for example hubs, spokes and braking mechanisms), a frame wherein the adapted head tube connects the steering assembly to the frame such that the steering assembly is moveable relative to the frame between a use position where the steering assembly is aligned with the frame and a compact position where the steering assembly is moved laterally and rotated to a compact positions such that it is both out of alignment with the frame on one side and the front wheel of the steering assembly substantially overlaps the frame.2. An adapted head tube as defined in Claim 1 which includes a lock or plurality of locks such that it is lockable in the use position to prevent lateral and/or rotational movement; preferably the lock is formed by a pin and a corresponding aperture, a clip, a nut on a threaded connector, and/or C\I 15 clamping mechanism.C\I 3. An adapted head tube as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which is includes pivotable and/or hinged member for moving the steering assembly laterally by rotation such that it is in non-planar COposition such that it is out of alignment with the frame. C\J4. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a slideable and/or telescopic member for moving the moving the steering assembly laterally such that it is in non-planar position such that it is out of alignment with the frame.5. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a pivotable and/or hinged member for rotating the steering assembly on a horizontal axis.6. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a frame support connector and a steering assembly connector each in the form of interlocking partial casings that prevents rotational movement of the steering assembly connector.7. An adapted head tube as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which includes a frame support connector and a steering assembly connector which form a casing or volume which is shaped to receive a telescopic member and/or slidable member that provides lateral movement of the steering assembly connector.8. A compact bicycle which comprises a bicycle frame, a rear wheel, and an adapted head tube on which the steering assembly is mounted wherein the steering assembly is moveable laterally such that the compact bicycle is in a non-planar position where the steering assembly is out of alignment with the bicycle frame on one side and wherein the steering assembly is rotatable such that the compact bicycle is in a compact position where the front wheel of the steering assembly substantially overlaps the bicycle frame.9. A compact bicycle as defined in Claim 8 wherein the steering assembly comprises a steering post and handlebars pivotable relative post to be rotated between a use position in which the steering assembly can be controlled by means of the handlebars and a rotated position in which the handlebars are substantially aligned with the front wheel.10. A compact bicycle as defined in Claim 8 wherein the adapted head tube is as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7.