NL2004866C2

NL2004866C2 - Detachable seating for a bike.

Info

Publication number: NL2004866C2
Application number: NL2004866A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Gertjan Meijer; Bart Jan Herman Reinder Molen; Sjoerd Karel Anton Fauser
Original assignee: My Hop On V O F
Priority date: 2010-06-10
Filing date: 2010-06-10
Publication date: 2011-12-13

Description

Detachable seating for a bike FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a passenger seating arrangement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle passenger seating arrangement comprising a seating portion of a flexible material and being 5 suitable for accommodating at least one passenger, and a mounting portion comprising a mounting element and at least one securing element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Common bicycles being designed for a single person is sometimes used to 10 transport an additional passenger in addition to the driver. Most often the passenger simply sits on the back of the bicycle on the bicycle luggage carrier. However, this is quite uncomfortable due to the shape of traditional luggage carriers being of a substantially flat structure of metal wires or tubes with large openings between them. Furthermore, sitting on such luggage 15 carriers is generally not very secure thereby imposing a safety risk for the passenger.

Various solutions have been proposed for improving the comfort for a passenger. However, few or none provides adequate passenger comfort 2 o and/or sufficient safety. Additionally, they may be of a specialised design not easily usable or adaptable to common designs of traditional luggage carriers.

Patent application US 2009/001115 discloses a bicycle luggage carrier for detachable mounting over a tire of a bicycle having a base and a plurality of 25 supports connectable between the base and the bicycle frame. The base is adapted to receive a conventional backpack in a face-to-face configuration with a back panel thereof. This application does not disclose a carrier for accommodating a passenger.

3 0 OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to provide a passenger seating arrangement for a bicycle with improved comfort for the passenger.

2

Another object is to provide a passenger seating arrangement providing increased safety for the passenger.

Yet another object is to provide a passenger seating arrangement that readily 5 can be secured to traditional bicycle luggage carriers.

At least one of these objects are achieved at least to an extent by a bicycle passenger seating arrangement comprising a seating portion of a flexible material and being suitable for accommodating at least one passenger, and a 10 mounting portion comprising a mounting element and at least one securing element, wherein the seating portion is located on an upper side of the mounting portion and wherein the bicycle passenger seating arrangement is adapted to be mounted (e.g. permanently or semi-permanently) on a bicycle luggage carrier.

15

In this way, a passenger seating arrangement is provided that increases the comfort of a passenger compared to riding on a bicycle luggage carrier. Furthermore, by having an improved seating a passenger will also sit more securely.

20

In one embodiment, the mounting part comprises a support part, and a first and a second end part secured to or integrated with said support part at opposite ends.

25 In one embodiment, the mounting part comprises a support part comprising a number of ribs or the like. This may enable a strong fitting of the seating portion, e.g. especially if it is manufactured by molding the material of the seating portion directly on the mounting portion and/or a mounting element.

3 0 In one embodiment, the at least one securing element is an elongated element comprising at least two threaded holes at opposite ends of the elongated element, each hole being adapted to accept a threaded fixation element, the mounting element comprises at least two threaded holes for each securing element, each hole being adapted to accept a threaded 35 fixation element, and the bicycle passenger seating arrangement being adapted to being attachable to a bicycle luggage carrier by letting the 3 mounting element and the least one securing element be on opposing sides of a part of the bicycle luggage carrier and then aligning the corresponding holes and inserting a threaded fixation element in each hole thereby tightening the mounting element and the least one securing element around 5 the part of the bicycle luggage carrier thus securing the bicycle passenger seating arrangement to the bicycle luggage carrier.

In one embodiment, the seating portion comprises a core element and a surface layer surrounding the core element at least partly.

10

In one embodiment, the core element is substantially made a material being one or more as selected from the group of: a weather and/or UV proof material, a foam material, a memory foam, and a material comprising a polyurethane foam.

15

In one embodiment, the seating portion has a substantially elongated shape being narrower at a middle part than at the end parts thereof.

In one embodiment, the mounting part is substantially made out of metal or 2 o plastic.

In one embodiment, the bicycle passenger seating arrangement further comprises one or more of: at least one integrated reflector, lighting, at least one handle, at least one bag or bag support, and at least one foot support.

25

In one embodiment, the seating portion comprises a substantially centrally and substantially elongated cut-out. This saves manufacturing costs.

According to another aspect, the mounting portion is integrated with the 30 bicycle luggage carrier instead of being located on an upper side of the mounting portion. This avoids the use of the mounting portion and the mounting element.

4

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrative embodiments as shown in the drawings, in which: 5

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a top-view of one embodiment of a mounting portion of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of 10 the mounting portion shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a seating portion of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement; 15 Figures 4a - 4b schematically illustrate cross-sections along sections A-A and B-B and an elevation along section C-C of the seating portion shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a bicycle passenger seating arrangement 2 0 as attached to a bicycle luggage carrier and a cross-section thereof;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a bicycle passenger seating arrangement as attached to an alternative bicycle luggage carrier and a cross-section thereof; and 25

Figure 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an alternative a bicycle passenger seating arrangement;

Figure 8 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the bicycle passenger 30 seating arrangement of Figure 7 with the alternative seating portion being shown transparently;

Figure 9 schematically illustrates the alternative mounting portion of the bicycle passenger seating arrangement of Figure 7, and 35 5

Figure 10 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the bicycle passenger seating arrangement being integrated with a baggage carrier of a bicycle.

5 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a top-view of one embodiment of a mounting portion of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement.

Shown is a mounting portion (102) of a bicycle passenger seating 10 arrangement that comprises a mounting element (103) and at least one securing element (104).

The mounting element (103) comprises - in this particular embodiment - a support part (107) and a first (108) and a second (109) end part. The first and 15 second end parts (108; 109) may be secured to or integrated with the support part (107) at opposite ends of the support part (107).

As will be shown and explained later, a seating portion (not shown; see e.g. 101 in Figure 3) is secured to an upper side of the mounting element (103).

20

The mounting element (103) is to be mounted on a baggage carrier of a bicycle with the first end part (108) towards the front of the bicycle and the second end part (109) towards the back of the bicycle (e.g. as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6).

25

The first and the second end parts (108; 109) may e.g. be identical or as shown in the Figure of different sizes, with the second end part (109) being longer than the first end part (108) in the direction of the bicycle (when mounted), which may be preferred for a seating extending more to the back 30 of the bicycle.

The first and second end parts (108; 109) may e.g. be spot welded to the support part (107) or alternatively secured in another fashion. This may simplify the manufacturing process as the three pieces (107; 108; 109) can 35 be manufactured separately - e.g. (depending on the material and layout) being simpler and cheaper than manufacturing a single item having the 6 combined shape of the three pieces. The first and second end parts (108; 109) may be integrated with the support part (107), e.g. as shown in Figures 7-9.

5 The shapes of the first and second end parts (108; 109) are - in this exemplary embodiment - generally D-shaped. They could also be square but that may provide a less comfortable seating area. They can also be other shapes.

10 The base shape of the support part (107) is generally thin or flat and square but is edges towards the sides of the bicycle (when mounted) has in this particular embodiment flexible side flaps or wings (110) (they may also be non-flexible) curving downwards towards the ground (when mounted) as e.g. can be seen in Figures 2, 5, and 6. It should be noted, that the curving flaps 15 or wings (110) may be omitted in some embodiments, i.e. the support part (107) having only a generally thin or flat and square.

Furthermore, the support part (107) has a center area (107’) being a recess lowered towards the ground (when mounted), as e.g. can be seen in Figures 2 0 2, 5, and 6, compared to the rest of the base support part (107). The area between the overlapping parts of the center area (107’) and the first and second end parts (108; 109) may be open.

Also shown is one securing element (104) having - in this particular 25 embodiment - a simple elongated square shape, i.e. like a strip, a band, etc.

The securing element (104) comprises at least two holes (106), e.g. threaded, at opposite ends in the longest direction where each hole (106) is adapted to accept a fixation element (not shown, see e.g. 105 in Figure 2) 30 e.g. being threaded. It is to be understood that the securing element (104) could also comprise three or more holes.

In the shown embodiment, the securing element (104) comprises two pairs of two holes (106) each with the pairs being at opposite ends of the securing 35 element (104).

7

Furthermore, the mounting element (103) comprises at least two holes (106), e.g. threaded, for each securing element (104), each hole (106) being adapted to accept a fixation element (not shown; see e.g. 105 in Figure 2), e.g. being threaded. The fixation element (105) may e.g. be a screw, allenkey 5 bolt, or the like. In the shown embodiment, the mounting element (103) comprises two pairs of two holes (106) for each securing element (104).

The shown embodiment is for use with two securing elements (104).

10 The holes (106) of the fixation element(s) (104) correspond with the holes (106) of the mounting element (103) so that a fixation element can be accepted in a hole of a securing element (104) and corresponding hole of the mounting element (103) thus being able to securely grip and hold firmly a part of the bicycle luggage carrier in-between as will be shown and explained 15 in the following.

It is to be understood that not every hole need to have a fixation element accepted to have a secure mounting to the bicycle luggage carrier.

20 There may also be additional holes e.g. for allowing for adjustments of the bicycle passenger seating arrangement in relation to the bicycle carrier, etc.

Alternatively, other securing mechanisms, like a hooks and springs system, etc. may be used.

25

The shapes of the support part (107), the first and second end parts (108; 109), and the securing element(s) (104) may alternatively be different than shown.

30 The support part (107), the first and second end parts (108; 109), and the securing element(s) (104) is in one embodiment made of metal giving a robust, sturdy, and cheaply manufacturable design. Alternatively, all, some or parts thereof may be made of a hard plastic material or the like.

35 The bicycle passenger seating arrangement (100) may also comprise further elements or features e.g. like one or more of at least one integrated reflector, 8 lighting (lamp(s), LED(s), etc.), at least one handle, at least one bag or bag support, and at least one foot support.

The support part (107) (and thereby the seating portion secured thereto) is 5 adjustable (e.g. by sliding at preferred place before securing) so that a user may decide where to have the seating arrangement secured to the bicycle carrier.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of 10 the mounting portion shown in Figure 1. Shown are the same elements (with two fixation elements (104)) as in Figure 1 and four fixation elements (105) as an example in the form of allenkey bolts.

Figure 2 readily illustrate that the flaps or wings (110) of the support part 15 (107) edges downwards at the sides of the bicycle (when mounted) towards the ground (when mounted) and that the center area (107’) is lowered or indented towards the ground (when mounted) compared to the rest of the base support part (107).

2 0 As mentioned the flaps or wings (110) may be omitted for some embodiments.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a seating portion of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement.

25

Shown is a seating portion (101) of a flexible material and being suitable for accommodating at least one passenger. Also indicated are sections A-A, B-B, and C-C where cross-sections along those lines are shown and explained in connection with Figures 4a - 4c.

30

The seating portion (101) may comprise a core element (not shown, see e.g. 115 in Figures 4a, 4b, 5, and 6) and a surface or outer layer (not shown; see e.g. 116 in Figures 4c, 5, and 6) surrounding the core element at least partly.

9

The seating portion (101) or the core element comprises a material flexible and deformable material e.g. like a (e.g. partly or fully sustainable) polyurethane and/or memory foam or other suitable material.

5 The material may also be weather and/or UV proof, e.g. as also provided by polyurethane or alternatively other materials.

A seating portion (101) or core element of polyurethane may be produced through a molding process providing cost benefits and also readily enabling 10 shaping into shapes providing comfortable seating.

The seating portion (101) is secured to an upper side of the mounting element (not shown; see e.g. 103 in Figures 1 and 2). An additional advantage of using polyurethane and/or memory foam or material for the 15 seating portion (101) is that it during the molding process readily may be securely fastened to the mounting element simply.

If the area between the overlapping parts of the center area (not shown; see e.g. 107’ in Figures 1 and 2) and the first and second end parts (not shown; 2 0 see e.g. 108, 109 in Figures 1 and 2) of the mounting element (not shown; see e.g. 103 in Figures 1 and 2) is open then foam - during the molding process - will enter there and further secure the seating portion (101) to the mounting element.

2 5 The seating portion (101) has - in this particular embodiment - an elongated shape in the direction of the bicycle (when mounted) that narrows in near the middle part of it. The shape is further explained in connection with Figures 4a - 4c. This provides a particular good seating comfort. Alternatively, other shapes may be used, e.g. the one shown in Figures 7-9 having a cut-out.

30

Figures 4a - 4b schematically illustrate cross-sections along sections A-A and B-B and an elevation along section C-C of the seating portion shown in Figure 3.

35 Figure 4a illustrates a cross-section along A-A in Figure 3. Shown is the cross-section of a core element (115) at A-A having a somewhat C-shape 10 where the ends each may have a hook-like part for engaging with the curved surface of the support part (not shown; see e.g. 107 in Figure 2). This provides a tight and secure fit of the seating portion (101) to the mounting portion (not shown; see e.g. 102 in Figures 1 and 2).

5

Figure 4b illustrates a cross-section along B-B in Figure 3. Shown is the cross-section of a core element (115) at B-B having a somewhat C-shape where the ends each have a hook-like part for engaging with the curved surface of the support part (not shown; see e.g. 107 in Figure 2).

10

In addition, the core element (115) has an additional part (118) that is for engaging in the lower center area (not shown see e.g. 107’ in Figures 1 and 2) of the support part. This facilitates a further tight and secure fit of the seating portion (101) to the mounting portion.

15

Figure 4c illustrates a cross-section along C-C in Figure 3. Shown is a surface or outer layer (116) surrounding the core element at least partly.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a bicycle passenger seating arrangement 2 0 as attached to a bicycle luggage carrier and a cross-section thereof. Shown is a top view of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement (100) and a bicycle luggage carrier (200) having a general frame connectable to the wheel of a bicycle with a number of number of supports (201) connecting and supporting the general frame.

25

Further shown are the top outline of a seating portion (101) and a top outline of an alternatively shaped seating portion (10T) as indicated by a broken line.

3 0 Additionally shown is a cross section of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement as attached to a bicycle luggage carrier. Shown is the bicycle passenger seating arrangement (100) comprising a seating portion (101) with a core element (115) surrounded at least partially by a surface layer (116) secured to a mounting element (103) being mounted on a bicycle luggage 35 carrier (200), or more particularly to the supports (201), using - in this particular embodiment - two securing elements (104) and fixation elements 11 (105), as explained earlier. The mounting element (103) also comprises flaps or wings (110) curving downwards towards the ground (when mounted), which may be omitted in some embodiments.

5 Figure 6 schematically illustrates a bicycle passenger seating arrangement as attached to an alternative bicycle luggage carrier and a cross-section thereof.

The shown bicycle passenger seating arrangement is the same as in Figure 10 5. The difference to Figure 5 is that a bicycle luggage carrier of another shape and size is shown (here being narrower). As can be seen, the flexible design of the same passenger seating arrangement as in Figure 5 readily can be secured to a different luggage carrier.

15 Figure 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an alternative a bicycle passenger seating arrangement. Shown is a bicycle passenger seating arrangement (100), being mounted on a bicycle luggage carrier (200) having a number of supports (201), where the seating arrangement (100) comprising a seating portion (101) of a flexible material and being suitable for 2 0 accommodating at least one passenger

The seating portion (101) has in this alternative embodiment a different layout than explained earlier. In particular the seating portion (101) comprises a substantially centrally and elongated cut-out (111) and/or has a smaller 2 5 height (or at least volume) compared to the earlier described seating portion (101). The smaller height and/or the cut-out (111) reduce the overall volume of the flexible material, e.g. polyurethane foam, thereby saving production costs.

3 0 Figure 8 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the bicycle passenger seating arrangement of Figure 7 with the alternative seating portion being shown transparently.

The shown elements correspond to the elements of Figure 7 but where the 35 transparently shown seating portion illustrates an alternative a mounting element (103), which will be described further in connection with Figure 9.

12

Figure 9 schematically illustrates the alternative mounting portion of the bicycle passenger seating arrangement of Figure 7.

5 Shown is a mounting portion (102) of a bicycle passenger seating arrangement comprising a mounting element (103) as mounted on a bicycle luggage carrier (200) having a number of supports (201). The mounting element (103) may e.g. be used with securing elements (not shown; see e.g. 104 in Figures 1 and 2) to engage the carrier (200) and/or at least some of 10 the supports (201) as explained earlier.

The mounting element (103) comprises at least two holes (106), e.g. threaded, for each securing element, each hole (106) being adapted to accept a fixation element (not shown; see e.g. 105 in Figure 2), e.g. being 15 threaded. The fixation element may e.g. be a screw, allenkey bolt, or the like.

In the shown embodiment, the mounting element (103) comprises two pairs of two holes (106) for each securing element (104).

2 0 The mounting element (103) may be molded into its shape and e.g. be of a hard and durable plastic material.

Preferably, this exemplary mounting element (103) comprises a number of ribs or the like (117). This e.g. enables polyurethane or memory foam or 25 other materials for the seating portion to adhere very efficiently to the mounting element (102) during a molding process of the foam during manufacturing.

Figure 10 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the bicycle 30 passenger seating arrangement being integrated with a baggage carrier of a bicycle. Shown is a sketch of an alternative embodiment where the bicycle passenger seating arrangement (100) is integrated with a bicycle luggage carrier (200) having a general frame connectable to the wheel of a bicycle via a pair of connection members (202) and with a number of number of 35 supports connecting and supporting the general frame.

13 A seating portion (101) with a substantially centrally and elongated cut-out (111) is integrated with the bicycle luggage carrier (200). The seating portion (101) also comprise a reflector or lighting (lamp(s), LED(s), etc.) (203).

5 In this way, a bicycle passenger seating arrangement (100) may readily be provided already installed on a bicycle ready to being sold without the need for a mounting element (not shown; see e.g. 103 in Figures 1 - 2 and 7 - 9). The seating portion may simply be molded onto the bicycle luggage carrier (200).

10

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be constructed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality 15 of such elements.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

20

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the invention as disclosed can be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

A bicycle passenger seat (100) comprising: - a seat part (101) of a flexible material and suitable for at least one passenger, and - a mounting part (102) comprising a mounting element (103) and at least one securing element (104), the seat part (101) is located on an upper side of the fastening part (102) and wherein the bicycle passenger seat (100) is adapted to be mounted on a bicycle luggage carrier (200).

The bicycle passenger seat (100) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element (103) comprises: - a support member (107), and 15. a first (108) and a second (109) end member secured to or integrated with the support member (107) on opposite ends.

The bicycle passenger seat (100) according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element (103) comprises: a support member (107) comprising a plurality of ribs or the like (117),

The bicycle passenger seat device according to one or more of claims 1 D3, wherein - the at least one securing element (104) is an elongate element comprising at least two screw holes (106) at opposite ends of the elongate element, each hole being arranged is to receive a threaded fixation element (105), - the fixing element (103) comprises at least two threaded holes (106) for each securing element (104), each hole being arranged for a threaded fixation element (105), and 30. the bicycle passenger seat (100) is adapted to be attached to a bicycle luggage carrier (200) by the attachment element (103) and the at least one securing element (104) on opposite sides of a part of the bicycle luggage carrier (200) and then align the associated holes (106) and insert a threaded fixation element (105) into each hole (106) the fastening element (103) and the at least one securing element (104) are secured around the part of the bicycle luggage carrier (200) and thus the bicycle passenger seat device is secured to the bicycle luggage carrier (200). 5

The bicycle passenger seat (100) according to one or more of claims 1-4, wherein the seat part (101) comprises a core element (115) and a surface layer (116) that at least partially envelops the core element (115).

The bicycle passenger seat (100) according to claim 5, wherein the core element (115) is substantially made of one or more materials selected from the group of: - a weather and / or UV-resistant material, - a foam material, - a memory foam and 15. a material comprising a polyurethane foam.

The bicycle passenger seat (100) according to one or more of claims 1-6, wherein the seat part (101) has a substantially elongated shape that is narrower at a center portion than at the ends thereof. 20

The bicycle passenger seat device (100) according to one or more of claims 1-7, wherein the mounting member (103) is substantially made of metal or plastic.

9. Bicycle passenger seat (100) according to one or more of claims 1-8, wherein the bicycle passenger seat (100) further comprises one or more of: - at least one integrated reflector, - lighting, - at least one handle, - at least one bag or bag support, and 30. at least one foot support.

The bicycle passenger seat (100) according to one or more of claims 1-9, wherein the attachment member (102) is integrated with the bicycle luggage carrier (200) rather than being positioned on an upper side of the attachment member (102).

The bicycle passenger seat device (100) according to one or more of claims 1-9, wherein the seat part (101) comprises a substantially centrally located and substantially elongated cut-out (111). 5