NL1029816C2 - Bicycle storage. - Google Patents

Description

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BICYCLE STORAGE

The invention relates to a device for storing bicycles, which device comprises a first layer with bicycle holders and a second layer with bicycle holders located above the first layer, wherein at least each of the bicycle holders of the second layer can be tilted separately between a stationed position and a loading and unloading position.

Such a bicycle parking is known, for example, from DE-U-203 08 087. In this bicycle parking, the bicycle holders must be pulled out of the second layer, after which the bicycle holder can be tilted downwards. The pivot point of the bicycle holder is at the level of the second layer. The consequence of this is that when a bicycle is placed on the bicycle holder of the second layer, a very large part of the weight of the bicycle must be lifted, whereafter the holder must moreover be retracted. Certainly this last operation requires a lot of energy since the forces must be exerted above the head for retracting. This is not user-friendly, as a result of which it appears that the top layer is rarely used in such known bicycle parking facilities.

It is now an object of the invention to provide a bicycle shed, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are reduced or even avoided.

This object is achieved with a device for storing bicycles according to the preamble, which is characterized in that the pivot point of a bicycle holder of the second layer is arranged at substantially the level of the first layer.

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This makes it possible to have a bicycle holder of the second layer make such a path that it can be brought into a movement between a stationed position and a loading and unloading position.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pivot point of a bicycle holder of the second layer is arranged in a vertical plane, which plane is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bicycle holder and, in the stalled position, behind the center of the bicycle holder lies. As a result, the bicycle holder will automatically remain in the parked position because the center of gravity lies before the pivot point. When the user now pulls on the bicycle holder, the center of gravity is moved beyond the pivot point, whereby the bicycle holder automatically moves to the loading and unloading position. As a result, little force is required to move a bicycle holder including a bicycle from one position to the other.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, it comprises a frame lying below the first layer 20, to which the first layer and the second layer with bicycle holders are arranged. As a result, the size of the frame remains limited and, in contrast to the prior art, there is no need for a large framework with which the second layer can be supported.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, each bicycle holder comprises a ramp on which a bicycle can be parked. The ramp ensures that the bicycle is guided and that the wheels cannot fall off the bicycle holder.

In a preferred embodiment the loading chute comprises at least one wheel opening, into which a wheel of a bicycle partially fits. As a result, the bicycle is fixed by its own weight on the ramp, so that the bicycle is not moved when the bicycle holder is moved from the loading and unloading position to the parking position or vice versa.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the bicycle holders of the second layer comprise an arm, with which the ramp is connected to the pivot points lying substantially at the level of the first layer. A simple and effective construction is hereby obtained.

In yet another embodiment, the device 10 comprises spring means for urging the bicycle holders of the second layer to the stationed position. The spring means can ensure that less force must be exerted when storing a bicycle in the device.

In yet another embodiment of the device 15, a bicycle holder comprises a bicycle fork holder. This bicycle fork holder ensures that the bicycle remains upright. The bicycle fork holder preferably comprises two arms arranged on either side of the bicycle holder, which arms are forced towards each other, so that a bicycle fork 20 can be held clampingly between the arms. The bicycle can thus be placed in a stable manner in the bicycle holder. Moreover, this ensures that almost every model of bicycle can be placed in the device.

These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows in perspective view an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a device according to Figure 1 with a bicycle holder in the loading and unloading position. Figure 3 shows the device according to Figure 1 in top view.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment 1 of a device according to the invention. This device 102981B-1 has a frame 2 on which fixed bicycle holders 3 are arranged on a first level. These bicycle holders 3 comprise a ramp 4 and an arm 5 with which the bicycle gutters 4 are arranged on the frame 2.

Bicycle holders 6 are arranged on a second level.

These bicycle holders 6 also have a bicycle gutter 7, which is mounted on the frame 2 by means of an arm 8 around the pivot point 9. Handles 10 are provided on bicycle gutters 7, so that a user can bring a bicycle holder from the parking position shown to the bicycle holder to a loading and unloading position.

This loading and unloading position is shown in Figure 2. The bicycle gutter 7, on which the bicycle F is placed, is tilted around the pivot point 9, so that a user can remove the bicycle F from the bicycle holder. A gas spring 11 is provided between the frame 2 and the arm 8, which reduces the forces required to bring the bicycle between the different positions.

Mounted on the bicycle gutter 7 is a bicycle fork holder consisting of two arms 12.

In figure 3 this bicycle fork holder 12 is shown in top view. The arms form a V-shaped opening between which a front fork of a bicycle F can be placed and where it can also be clamped.

Figure 3 clearly shows that the ramps 4, 7 are provided with openings 13, 14 in which respectively a front or rear wheel can be placed. A part of the wheel falls into this, so that the bicycle is held upright and, moreover, cannot ride out of the ramp.

1029816-

Claims (9)

Device for storing bicycles, which device comprises a first layer with bicycle holders and a second layer with bicycle holders located above the first layer, wherein at least each of the bicycle holders of the second layer 5 can be tilted separately between a stationed position and a load and release position, characterized in that the pivot point of a bicycle holder of the second layer is arranged at substantially the level of the first layer. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot point of a bicycle holder of the second layer is arranged in a vertical plane, which plane is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bicycle holder and, in the stalled position, lies behind the center of the bicycle holder and lies in the loading and unloading position in front of the center of the bicycle holder. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a frame lying below the first layer, on which the first layer and second layer with bicycle holders are arranged. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein each bicycle holder comprises a ramp on which a bicycle can be parked. 5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the loading chute comprises at least one wheel opening, in which a wheel of a bicycle partially fits. Device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the bicycle holders of the second layer comprise an arm with which the loading leg is connected to the pivot point lying substantially at the level of the first layer. 7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising spring means for urging the bicycle holders of the second layer to the stationed position. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a bicycle holder comprises a bicycle fork holder. 9. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bicycle fork holder comprises two arms arranged on either side of the bicycle holder, which arms are pressed towards each other, so that a bicycle fork can be held clampingly between the arms. i! 1029816-_