NL2016893B1 - Adapter for detachably mounting accessories to a bicycle mounted receiving member - Google Patents

Description

Octrooicentrum

Nederland

(21) Aanvraagnummer: 2016893 © Aanvraag ingediend: 03/06/2016

Θ 2016893

BI OCTROOI (51) Int. CL:

B62J 7/08 (2017.01) B62J 11/00 (2017.01)

(4A Aanvraag ingeschreven:	(73) Octrooihouder(s):
11/12/2017	Invented Here B.V. te Ulft.
(43) Aanvraag gepubliceerd:
11/12/2017	(72) Uitvinder(s):
	Paul Bruinink te Ulft.
(Z) Octrooi verleend:	Marc Johannes Fleuren te Ulft.
12/01/2018	Kornel Ringelberg te Ulft.
(45) Octrooischrift uitgegeven:
30/01/2018	(74) Gemachtigde:
	ir. C.M. Jansen c.s. te Den Haag.

© Adapter for detachably mounting accessories to a bicycle mounted receiving member (57) An adapter (1) for detachably mounting accessories (71) to a bicycle mounted receiving member (A; B). The adapter (1) can be part of a mounting system, which comprising a bicycle mounted receiving member (A; B), and an accessory (71) that includes the adapter (1). The bicycle mounted receiver member can be either one of a first bicycle mounted receiver (A), or a different second bicycle mounted receiver (B), because the adapter (1) is arranged to be selectively connectable to each one of the fist and second bicycle mounted receivers (A, B). The adapter (1) includes a trapezoidal recess (11), bordered by at least a pair of oppositely inclined grooves (9) that extend between an inner wall (7) and a first outer wall (5). A second outer wall (15) extends over an upper portion of the first outer wall (5) to define an undercut cavity (17) on each of an upper top corner of the adapter (1). A twoposition element (19) is pivotally mounted for selective movement between a retracted, and an extended position for allowing selective connection to one of fist and second bicycle mounted receivers (A; B).

NL BI 2016893

Dit octrooi is verleend ongeacht het bijgevoegde resultaat van het onderzoek naar de stand van de techniek en schriftelijke opinie. Het octrooischrift wijkt af van de oorspronkelijk ingediende stukken. Alle ingediende stukken kunnen bij Octrooicentrum Nederland worden ingezien.

P111978NL00

Title: Adapter for detachably mounting accessories to a bicycle mounted receiving member

The invention relates to an adapter for detachably mounting accessories to two-wheeled vehicles. In particular the invention relates to such an adapter for mounting luggage holders or containers to receiving structures affixed to tubular members of bicycles, such as handlebars, frames, or the like, in a more permanent manner.

It is known to detachably connect a variety of bicycle accessories, such as baskets, boxes or bags, by means of an adapter to a common receiving member affixed to a bicycle. The receiving member thereby has the form of a bracket that, as the case may be, is suitably formed for semipermanent attachment to a handlebar, a handlebar stem, a front fork, a seat or saddle post, a seat tube, or other part of the bicycle frame. The receiving member or bracket forms an interface with the adapter that is conveniently formed as a part of the bicycle accessory. While there is no standardization in detachable mounting systems presently in use, there are notably two systems that have come into widespread use. One well known detachable mounting system is known to the trade as the BasEasy® system, which is described in German patent document DE 102 42 032 Al. The BasEasy® system is comprised of a bracket part that affixes to the bicycle, having a trapezoidal coupling element on a free end thereof with downwardly diverging opposite lateral edges. The trapezoidal coupling element includes a latch that is spring biased into a latching position, when engaged by a dedicated adapter of a bicycle accessory. The dedicated bicycle accessory has a complementary trapezoidal groove defined between spaced walls, which engages over the trapezoidal coupling element when lowered thereon in a generally vertical direction. The latch is provided with a handle portion to enable disengagement, and detaching of the adapter together with the bicycle accessory. Another popular detachable mounting system is know to the trade as KLICKfix® system, and is described in German patent and utility model publications DE 40 08 211 C5; DE 10 2013 002 941 Al; and DE 20 2014 010 618 Ul. The KLICKfix® system is comprised of a bracket part that affixes to the bicycle, and that has a receiving base with laterally spaced, upwardly directed hooks or noses at an upper end, and an upwardly biased latch at a lower end that can be disengaged by depressing a knob projecting from the upper end. A dedicated adapter of a relevant bicycle accessory is engageable behind the upwardly projecting hooks or noses, upon which the adapter can be swung to a generally vertical end position, in which it has a detent engaged by the upwardly biased latch. Detaching is possible by depressing the knob that overrules the spring bias of the latch.

It has been felt as a nuisance by bicycle owners and suppliers of bicycle accessories that a duplicative amount of accessories, such as baskets, boxes or bags, are needed or that adapters have to be frequently exchanged to satisfy the requirements of different bicycles. There can be different bicycles in one household, or a supplier needs to keep in stock a duplicative amount of such articles to serve customers with different bicycles.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved adapter for detachably mounting accessories to a bicycle or other two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles. In a more general sense it is thus an object of the invention to overcome or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to provide alternative solutions which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. Alternatively it is an object of the invention to at least provide a useful alternative.

To this end the invention provides an adapter for detachably mounting accessories to a bicycle mounted receiving member as defined in one or more of the appended claims. In particular the invention provides an adapter for a mounting system for detachably mounting accessories to bicycles, comprising a bicycle mounted receiving member, and an accessory mounted adapter, wherein the bicycle mounted receiver member is one of a first bicycle mounted receiver, and a different second bicycle mounted receiver, and wherein the accessory mounted adapter is arranged to be selectively connectable to each one of the fist and second bicycle mounted receivers. In one embodiment the adapter further includes a trapezoidal recess that is bordered by at least a pair of oppositely inclined grooves that extend between an inner wall and a first outer wall. In such an adapter the inner wall can have an opening for receiving a latch of a first bicycle mounted receiver.

The adapter can also include a second outer wall extending over an upper portion of the first outer wall to define an undercut cavity on at least each of an upper top corner of the adapter. In further combination a twoposition element can be provided that is pivotally mounted for selective movement between a retracted position, and an extended position for selective connection to one of fist and second bicycle mounted receivers. In such an adapter the two-position element can be pivotally mounted on a pivot pin, and optionally a free end of the two-position element can have a detent that in the extended position is directed downwardly.

Ridges that project from a first outer wall to extend parallel at each lateral side of the two-position element in its extended position can optionally be added to the adapter of the invention to improve guiding and locating on a bicycle mounted receiver. The adapter can also have a spring plate on a reverse side of an inner wall of a trapezoidal recess in the adapter. The adapter can further be arranged for the two-position element in the retracted position to be flush with the inner wall. The two-position element can also be releasably retained in its retracted position by cooperating resilient protrusions and recesses. These cooperating resilient protrusions and recesses can be integrally formed in the material used for the body of the adapter and for the two-position element, when these are made from a resilient plastic material.

The spring plate can have a resilient tongue for engaging at least one of a first and second detent edge on the two-position element. In this combination the inner wall of the trapezoidal recess may have a tool access aperture to allow the resilient tongue to be disengaged from at least the second detent edge by means of a tool to cause the two-position element to be moved from the extended position into the retracted position. Further a step can be included in the inner wall to define and limit the extended position of the two-position element.

The invention also includes a bicycle accessory including the adapter with any one of the above features, and a mounting system for detachably mounting and locking the bicycle accessory selectively to a bicycle using one of at least two different bicycle mounted receivers.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the appended description and in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an adapter of the invention;

Figure 2A is a cross section according to the line II-II in Figure 1, showing the adapter in a first position;

Figure 2B is a cross section according to the line II-II in Figure 1, showing the adapter in a second position;

Figure 3 shows internal parts of the adapter in the first position of Figure 2A;

Figure 4 shows the internal parts of the adapter in the second position of Figure 2B;

Figure 5 shows a bicycle mounted first type of receiving bracket;

Figure 6 shows a bicycle mounted second type of receiving bracket;

Figure 7 shows the adapter as part of a basket mounted in its first position to the first type of receiving bracket; and

Figure 8 shows the adapter as part of a basket mounted in its second position to the second type of receiving bracket.

In Figure 1 is shown an adapter 1 from a side of it that is remote from the accessory with which it is associated. The relating accessory is not shown, but can be a conventional basket, box, luggage container or travel bag. Other accessories, such as laptop holder, map holder, tablets or navigation devices (GPS) are also conceivable, and can all be used in association with the adapter 1. Such accessories will be attached in some way or another to the opposite side of the adapter 1, not visible in Fig. 1.

The adapter 1 has a generally rectangular perimeter wall 3 with rounded corners, and the non-visible side may have suitable but conventional fixation means for mounting to an accessory. A major part of the side of the adapter 1 visible in Fig. 1 is formed by a first outer wall 5. Between the first outer wall 5 and an inner wall 7, a pair of opposite inclined grooves 9 is defined. The oppositely inclined grooves 9 define a generally trapezoidal recess or pocket 11 within the adapter 1. At an upper end of the recess or pocket 11 an opening 13 is formed in the inner wall 7 for receiving a latch element of a bicycle receiving member as will be explained herein below.

At an upper part of the adapter 1 a second outer wall 15 is spaced from the first outer wall 5 in a direction opposite to the inner wall 7. The second outer wall 15 overlaps the first outer wall 5 only partially at an upper region thereof and thereby forms undercut cavities 17 on opposite lateral top corners of the adapter 1. Within the trapezoidal recess 11 and pivotably mounted is a two-position element 19, which is shown in its extended position. The two-position element 19 further includes a downwardly directed detent 21. When in its retracted position (not shown in Figure 1, but visible in Figure 2A), the two-position element 19 is flush with the inner wall 7. In the retracted position the two-position element 19 is retained by opposite protrusions 23 on the body of the adapter 1 engaging in opposite recesses 25 on the two-position element 19, as seen in Figure 1. In the inner wall 7 an aperture 27 offers access for a tool to disengage the twoposition element 19 from its extended position as will be explained in reference to Figs. 2A to 4. With the two-position element 19 in its extended position it is possible to use the adapter with a different bicycle receiving member as will be explained herein below. Optionally ridges 29 may extend from the first outer wall 5 as guide and locating means aside of the twoposition element 19, when this is in its extended position.

Figures 2A and 2B respectively show the retracted and extended positions of the two-position element 19 in a cross-section along the line II-II indicated in Figure 1. It is further seen in figures 2A and 2B that the twoposition element 19 is pivotable about a pivot pin 31. Mounted at the reverse side of the inner wall 7 is a spring plate 33. A resilient portion of the spring plate 33 cooperates with first and second detent edges 35, 37 on the two-position element 19 to define its retracted and extended positions, respectively. Also a step 39 in the inner wall 7 ensures that the two-position element 19 cannot move beyond its extended position. For a further description about how the retracted and extended positions of the twoposition element 19 are defined and retained, reference is made to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 show the spring plate 33 and the two-position element 19 in a partially cross-sectioned arrangement and for clarity without the rest of the adapter 1. It is seen in Figures 3 and 4 that the spring plate 33 had a flexible tongue portion 41. In Figure 3 a free distal end of this flexible tongue 41 is engaged against the first detent edge 35. This ensures that the two-position element 19 cannot move beyond its retracted position in the wrong direction. The skilled person will recognize that this can also be ensured by other means than this first detent edge 35. When the two-position element 19 is pivoted about pivot pin 31 in the direction of arrow 43 from the retracted position of Figure 3, it will eventually achieve the extended position illustrated in Figure 4. During this movement the free distal end of flexible tongue 41 will resiliently flex and ride over a ramp surface 45 between the first and second detent edges 35, 37 on the twoposition element 19. As seen in Figure 4 the flexible tongue 41 with its free distal end engages behind the second detent edge 37, and prevents the twoposition element 19 from being pivoted back to its retracted position. As explained in reference to Figure 2B the step 39 of the inner wall 7 also prevents the two-position element 19 from moving beyond the extended position in the wrong direction. Hence the second detent edge 37 and the step 39 together ensure that there is a firm extended position of the twoposition element 19. In the extended position of the two-position element 19 the adapter 1 cannot be readily converted back for use with the two-position element 19 in the retracted position. As explained in reference to Figure 1 there is provided an aperture 27 that offers access to a tool. This aperture 27 corresponds with the location of the flexible tongue 41 in a region close to the pivot pin 31. When a tool, such as a screw driver, is inserted through the aperture 27, the flexible tongue 41 can be deflected from the second detent edge 37 to allow the two-position element 19 to return to its retracted position. This possibility to change back from the extended to the retracted position can be convenient when the user changes bicycles.

Figure 5 now shows a first bicycle mounted receiver A, having a bracket part 51 mounted, in this example, to a bicycle handlebar stem 53.

On a free, in this example, forward end of the bracket part 51a trapezoidal coupling plate 55 is provided. At an upper end of the coupling plate 55 a locking detent 57 extends forwardly thereof. This locking detent 57 is adapted to engage by resilient bias in the opening 13 of the adapter 1 (see

Figure 1). By means of a handle portion 59 the locking detent 57 may again be disengaged from the opening 13 to allow an accessory associated with the adapter 1 to be removed from the bicycle. A mounting system generally as described in reference to Figure 5 is commercially available as the BasEasy® system, and is described in German patent document DE 102 42 032 Al.

Figure 6 shows a second type of bicycle mounted receiver B. The bicycle mounted receiver B has a bracket part 61. The bracket part 61 is mounted, in this example, to a bicycle handlebar 63. On a free, in this example, forward end of the bracket 61, there is provided at least one, but preferably a pair of laterally spaced, upwardly directed nose, or noses, 65 forming a hook portion. The nose, or noses, 65 are adapted to engage in the undercut cavities 17 of the adapter 1 (see Figure 1). When the two-position element 19 is in its extended position, the adapter 1 can be swung in a position where the downwardly directed detent 21 engages with a locking latch 67 at a lower end of the bracket part 61. In addition optional projecting ridges 29, as shown in Figure 1, can assist in guiding and locating at the lower end of the bracket part 61. The locking latch 67 is spring biased in the position shown in Figure 6 and may be released by depressing a handle or knob 69. A detachable mounting system generally as described in reference to Figure 6 is commercially available as KLICKfix® system, and is described in German patent and utility model publications DE 40 08 211 C5; DE 10 2013 002 941 Al; and DE 20 2014 010 618 Ul.

When reference is made to Figure 7 this shows the mounting system of receiver A with the adapter 1 attached thereto to carry a bicycle accessory 71, which in this example is a basket.

When reference is made to Figure 8 this shows the mounting system of receiver B with the adapter 1 attached thereto to carry the same bicycle basket 71 as in the example of Figure 7, but with the two-position element 19 in its extended position. It is clearly seen in Figure 8 that the detent 21 of the two-position element 19 is engaged by the locking latch 69 of the receiver B.

Accordingly there is disclosed an adapter (1) for detachably mounting accessories (71) to a bicycle mounted receiving member (A; B).

The adapter (1) can be part of a mounting system, which comprising a bicycle mounted receiving member (A; B), and an accessory (71) that includes the adapter (1). The bicycle mounted receiver member can be either one of a first bicycle mounted receiver (A), or a different second bicycle mounted receiver (B), because the adapter (1) is arranged to be selectively connectable to each one of the fist and second bicycle mounted receivers (A, B). The adapter (1) includes a trapezoidal recess (11), bordered by at least a pair of oppositely inclined grooves (9) that extend between an inner wall (7) and a first outer wall (5). A second outer wall (15) extends over an upper portion of the first outer wall (5) to define an undercut cavity (17) on each of an upper top corner of the adapter (1). A two-position element (19) is pivotally mounted for selective movement between a retracted, and an extended position for allowing selective connection to one of fist and second bicycle mounted receivers (A; B).

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description and drawings appended thereto. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. It will be clear to the skilled person that the invention is not limited to any embodiment herein described and that modifications are possible which may be considered within the scope of the appended claims. Also kinematic inversions are considered inherently disclosed and can be within the scope of the invention. In the claims, any reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The terms 'comprising' and ‘including’ when used in this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Thus expression as 'including' or ‘comprising’ as used herein does not exclude the presence of other elements, additional structure or additional acts or steps in addition to those listed. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. Features that are not specifically or explicitly described or claimed may additionally be included in the structure of the invention without departing from its scope. Expressions such as: means for ...” should be read as: component configured for ... or member constructed to ... and should be construed to include equivalents for the structures disclosed. The use of expressions like: critical, preferred, especially preferred etc. is not intended to limit the invention. To the extend that structure, material, or acts are considered to be essential they are inexpressively indicated as such. Additions, deletions, and modifications within the purview of the skilled person may generally be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as determined by the claims.

Claims (3)

Conclusies

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1. Adapter voor het losneembaar bevestigen van accessoires aan een fiets-bevestigd ontvangerlid als deel van een bevestigingssysteem, voorzien van een fiets-bevestigd ontvangerbd, en een accessoire die de adapter bevat, waarbij het fiets-bevestigde ontvangerbd er één is van een eerste fiets-bevestigde ontvanger , en een afwijkende tweede fiets-bevestigde ontvanger, en waarbij de adapter is ingericht om selectief verbindbaar te zijn met elk van de eerste en tweede fiets-bevestigde ontvangers.

2. Adapter volgens conclusie 1, verder voorzien van een trapezoïde uitsparing begrensd door ten minste een paar van tegengesteld hellende groeven die zich uitstrekken tussen een binnenwand en een eerste buitenwand.

3. Adapter volgens conclusie 2, waarbij de binnenwand een opening heeft voor het ontvangen van een grendel van een eerste fiets-bevestigde ontvanger.

4. Adapter volgens conclusie 1 of 2, verder voorzien van een tweede buitenwand die zich uitstrekt over een bovendeel van de eerste buitenwand voor het definiëren van een ondersneden holte op ten minste elk van een boventophoek van de adapter.

5. Adapter volgens één van de conclusies 1 tot en met 4, verder voorzien van een twee-positie-element zwenkbaar bevestigd voor selectieve beweging tussen een teruggetrokken positie, en een uitgestrekte positie voor het selectief verbinden aan één van eerste en tweede fiets-bevestigde ontvangers.

6. Adapter volgens conclusie 5, waarbij het twee-positie-element zwenkbaar bevestigd is aan een zwenkpin.

7. Adapter volgens conclusie 5 of 6, waarbij een vrij einde van het tweepositie-element een pal heeft die in de uitgestrekte positie neerwaarts gericht is.

8. Adapter als in één van conclusies 5, 6 of 7, verder voorzien van kammen die uitsteken vanaf een eerste buitenwand om zich parallel aan elke laterale zijde uit te strekken van het twee-positie-element in haar uitgestrekte positie.

9. Adapter volgens één van conclusies 5 tot en met 8, verder voorzien van een veerplaat aan een tegenovergelegen zijde van een binnenwand van een trapezoïcle uitsparing in de adapter.

10. Adapter volgens conclusie 9, waarbij het twee-positie-element in de teruggetrokken positie vlak is met de binnenwand.

11. Adapter volgens één van conclusies 5 tot en met 10, waarbij het tweepositie-element vrijgeefbaar vastgehouden is in de teruggetrokken positie door samenwerkende veerkrachtige uitsteeksels en uitsparingen.

12. Adapter volgens conclusie 9, waarbij de veerplaat een veerkrachtige tong heeft die ingericht is voor het aangrijpen van ten minste één van een eerste en een tweede palhoek van het twee-positie-element.

13. Adapter volgens conclusie 12, waarbij de binnenwand van de trapezoïde uitsparing een gereedschap-toegangsopeningen heeft om toe te laten dat de veerkrachtige tong vrijgemaakt wordt van ten minste de tweede palhoek door middel van een gereedschap om te veroorzaken dat het tweede

10 positie-element van de uitgestrekte positie in de teruggetrokken positie bewogen wordt.

14. Adapter volgens één van conclusies 9, 10, 12 of 13, verder voorzien van een trede in de binnenwand die de uitgestrekte positie van het twee15 positie-element definieert en begrenst.

15. Fietsaccessoire voorzien van de adapter volgens één van de conclusies 1 tot en met 14.

20 16. Bevestigingssysteem voor het losneembaar bevestigen en vergrendelen van het fietsaccessoire van conclusie 15 selectief aan een fiets gebruikmakende van één van ten minste twee verschillende fiets-bevestigde ontvangers.

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Title: Adapter for detachably mounting accessories to a bicycle mounted receiving member