NL2018550B1 - Foldable trailer for bicycles - Google Patents

Foldable trailer for bicycles Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2018550B1
NL2018550B1 NL2018550A NL2018550A NL2018550B1 NL 2018550 B1 NL2018550 B1 NL 2018550B1 NL 2018550 A NL2018550 A NL 2018550A NL 2018550 A NL2018550 A NL 2018550A NL 2018550 B1 NL2018550 B1 NL 2018550B1
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
trailer
support
wheel
central element
frame
Prior art date
Application number
NL2018550A
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Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Van Der Vorst Arno
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Van Der Vorst Arno
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Priority to NL2018550A priority Critical patent/NL2018550B1/en
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Publication of NL2018550B1 publication Critical patent/NL2018550B1/en

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Abstract

The present invention is in the field of a foldable trailer for bicycles and in particular for electrical bicycles which are somewhat heavier than typical bicycles. The present trailer is easily folded from a compact (and hence storable) sta— tus to an extended and open status. It can be used with ease by for instance elderly people. It can also be used as a lightweight trailer, such as for relatively small cars. A pressure on the ax— is is typically well below 50 kg.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of a foldable trailer for bicycles and in particular for electrical bicycles which are somewhat heavier than typical bicycles. The present trailer is easily folded from a compact (and hence storable) status to an extended and open status. It can be used with ease by for instance elderly people. It can also be used as a lightweight trailer, such as for relatively small cars. A pressure on the axis is typically well below 50 kg.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of a foldable trailer for bicycles.
Bicycles are quite often carried on a rack or the like. The rack is often attached to a car directly or positioned on a tow bar or the like. The rack comprises fastening means. A disadvantage with these systems is that the weight load on the tow bar is typically limited to 50 kg. or less. Also some cars, especially lightweight cars, are limited in a load they may carry.
In addition fastening bicycles onto the rack typically requires some force, which may not be much of an issue for fit people, but for instance for elderly people might cause some effort. Also fastening lightweight bicycles and the like is relatively easy, whereas electrically supported bicycles are somewhat difficult to lift in view of their extra weight.
Trailers are considered relatively big. In order to store trailers extra space in a garage is therefore often needed. Such space may very well not be available.
Hence there still is a need for relative simple and effective trailer for bicycles, which overcomes one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages without jeopardizing beneficial characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in a first aspect to a trailer according to claim 1. The present foldable trailer can carry a number of bicycles, typically 1-4. The bicycles are typically transported in a modus such that the bicycles are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trailer. In extended, unfolded mode the trailer is some 150-200 cm long (from clutch to number plate) and some 100-150 cm wide, whereas in folded mode the trailer is some 100 cm long and some 50 cm wide. As such it can be stored in e.g. a cupboard, under a stair, etc. As in folded mode the wheels still support movement of the trailer is can be moved from one location to another without much effort, despite the weight of the trailer. The trailer comprises three foldable elements, one for each wheel, and one for a carrier part. Each wheel is attached to the trailer by at least two support elements, which attach a wheel supporting element to the central element. In view of folding, each support element 2-5 has two hinges, one at each end thereof. The hinges 10,10 (and likewise 11,11 and 12,12) are typically located in line, i.e. in a line parallel to the virtual horizontal axis. The central element comprises at one end thereof a tow bar connector 40 for connecting to a car and towing thereby. The tow bar connector can be any tow bar connector being available. For sake of clarification a virtual longitudinal axis 35 is defined, which runs from the tow bar towards the end of the trailer, where typically a license plate is located. The trailer is typically formed in a symmetrical way with respect to the central axis, in that a virtual mirror plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis is present; put different, elements of the trailer on the left and right are mirror imaged. For transporting, and supporting actual storage, wheels are provided. In view of storage the wheel segments are foldable with respect to the central element. Each wheel segment comprises a frame for supporting load and the wheel. The frame can be adapted from a first folded position, where the wheels are close to the central element and in a front position, to an extended position, wherein the wheels are at a distance from the central element and located in a back position and wherein the frame is opened up. The support elements 4,5 (or 2,3) are parallel to one and another and form a parallelogram together with a central element 1 and support element 7 (or 6). It has been found that for optimal use the angle a is > 90 when the trailer is in extended mode, such as ocg<90-145] , preferably ae<100-140], more preferably aedlO135], such as ae<120-130], e.g. 125, as the wheels then pro vide sufficient stability to the trailer, especially when moving, and in that the unfolded trailer is sufficiently long whereas the folded trailer is sufficiently small. The supporting elements 2-5 rotate along hinges 10 around a virtual vertical axis 10, which coincides with a center of the hinges 10. Each wheel comprises an axis for rotation, which axis is attached to a support element 6,7 of the frame. For providing rotation each frame is attached to the central element by two hinges 10 and each support element 6,7 is attached to a connecting support element 2,3,4,5, respectively, by a hinge 11,12. A carrier part 8, which can receive at least one bicycle, is attached to the central element with at least one hinge 9 such that the carrier is rotatable around a virtual transversal axis, which transversal axis is in a plane of the central element and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which coincides with a center of the hinge 9, from an extended position wherein the trailer is long to a folded position wherein the trailer is short. By providing rotation around the transversal axis for the carrier and by providing rotation of the wheel segments around hinges 10,11 the carrier when folded does not coincide with the wheel segments.
Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems and drawbacks. Advantages of the present description are detailed throughout the description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in a first aspect to a trailer according to claim 1.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer each frame comprises a partly detachable diagonal support element 31. The diagonal support element is attached to the central element by hinge 16, and to support element 7 or) by detachable hinge 32. The diagonal support element provides an improved stiffness and stability to the trailer and specifically to each wheel segment.
In an exemplary embodiment the present trailer further comprises a wheel house 18,19 per wheel.
In an exemplary embodiment the present trailer comprises a grasp element 17,21 attached with a corner of the frame and with the wheelhouse. The grasp element can assist when folding the trailer, and it may prevent hands getting caught between elements of the trailer.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer the frame is 100-150 degrees rotatable, such as 110-140 degrees.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer the carrier part is 170-190 degrees rotatable.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer a carrier part comprises at least one of (i) uptake elements for a bicycle preferably provided on a bar, (ii) support elements for a bicycle, and (iii) attachment elements for a bicycle, such as a slot, a foldable support, a fastener, a clamp, a post, a buckle, and a toggle. With these elements a bicycle or a number of bicycles can be attached firmly to the trailer in an easy way and thereby made ready for transport. Likewise the bicycle can be detached easily.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer the central element comprises at least one supporting bar (1), preferably two supporting bars. In a simple cost effective example only one bar is provided, typically with a dimension of 5x5 cnf to 10x10 cm2 which is more than sufficient for the present goal.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer at least one of the frame, support element, carrier part, and supporting bar is provided as at least partly hollow.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer the carrier part further comprises at least one of a lighting system, a receiving element for a license plate, side marker lights, reversing lamps, and a connecting cable for lighting.
In an exemplary embodiment the present trailer further comprises at least one closing clamp (14,15,29,30) attached to the central element for locking the carrier part and wheel segments in folded status, preferably a closing clamp with two arm-formed elements comprising a beak-formed part.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer the at least one hinge (9) is located 10-40 cm from a rear end of the central element. As such the central element provides support to the carrier part when unfolded. In addition the carrier part can be locked to the central element.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer a lighting system is provided at each side of the license plate and wherein each part of the lighting system is foldable around a hinge. Therewith the folded trailer is even more compact and risk of damage of the lighting is reduced significantly .
In an exemplary embodiment of the present trailer a wheel axis of a first segment is removably connected to a wheel axis of a second segment and/or wherein a further fixing element is provided for fixing the first and second wheel segments. As such a more firm axis structure can be made.
The one or more of the above examples and embodiments may be combined, falling within the scope of the invention.
FIGURES
Figure 1 shows a top view of a part of the present trailer.
Figure 2 shows a side view of a part of the present trailer in unfolded mode (top) and in folded mode (bottom).
Figure 3 shows the present closing clamp in closed mode (left) and in open mode (right).
Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of sections 22 and 23 of figure 2 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The figures are also detailed throughout the description .
In the figures:
100 foldable trailer angle of frame with respect to central element central element support element support element support element support element support element support element carrier part hinge
Virtual vertical axis
10-12 hinge (unfolded) ( folded)
14, 15 closing clamp hinge side toggle wheel house side toggle enlarged section enlarged section section 23 when unfolded hinge lever spring u-formed beak
1-formed beak support element diagonal detachable fixing element virtual longitudinal axis tow bar connector wheel segment
Figure 1 shows a wherein for sake top view of a part of the of clarity a carrier part portion of figure 1 shows present is left trailer, out altogether. The lower segment 90 in unfolded and extended mode, whereas the top part shows the other wheel segment in folded position. Further optional elements, such as those for carrying bicycles, legal required parts as lighting, reflectors, as clamps and the like are left out. Also only one diagonal support element is shown (bottom) taching, a wheel trailer . Said diagonal support element can be removed by deor can be fixed by clamps or the like.
Figure 2 shows a side view of a part of the present in unfolded mode (top) and in folded mode (bottom).
Here for sake of clarity the wheel segments are left out altogether, as well as the optional features mentioned above. Sections 22 and 23 are further elucidated in figure 4.
Figure 3 shows the present closing clamp in closed mode (left) and in open mode (right). The clamps are to some extent rotatable around a hinge and clamp support bars 6,7, respectively, when folded, or rest on central element 1 when unfolded.
Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of sections 22 and 23 of figure 2. In the top section the carrier 8 is unfolded. A clamp having an 1-formed beak 30, which provides clamping action when unfolded, and a u-formed beak 29, which provides clamping action when folded, are provided. The clamp is asymmetrically positioned around a hinge 26. A lever 27 is provided for assisting in removing clamping action when unfolded c.q. folded, and a spring 28 is provided to move the lever 27 back and to keep it in position when clamping.
EXAMPLES
The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.
For the purpose of searching prior art the following section is added, representing a translation of the last section in English:
1. Foldable trailer (100) for bicycles comprising a central element (1) comprising a tow bar connector (40), said central element comprising a virtual longitudinal axis (35) which longitudinal axis runs through the tow bar and is parallel to the sides of the central element , at each side of the central element a foldable wheel segment (90), wherein each wheel segment comprises a frame, which frame comprises support elements (4,5,7 and 2,3,6), such that three of the support elements (4,5,7 and 2,3,6) together with a side of the central element (1) form a parallelogram, wherein in extended mode the frame an angle a > 90 forms such that a wheel segment extends further to a rear, wherein a wheel is connected by an axis to support element (6,7) which support element (6,7) extends further to a rear, wherein the frame is connected to the central element by two hinges (10) such that each supporting element (2,3,4,5) is rotatable around two perpendicular to the longitudinal axis located virtual vertical axes (10), and wherein support elements (6,7) a connected to support elements (2,3 or 4,5), respectively, by tow hinges (11), and
3.
5.
6.
9.
10.
a carrier part (8) attached by at least one hinge (9) with the central element, such that the carrier part is rotatable along a virtual transversal axis (9).
Trailer according to embodiment 1, wherein each frame comprises a partly detachable diagonal support element (31). Trailer further
Trailer further according to comprising a according to comprising a any of the preceding embodiments, wheel house (18,19) per wheel.
any of the preceding embodiments, grasp element (17,21) attached with a corner of the frame and with the wheelhouse.
Trailer wherein
Trailer wherein
Trailer wherein according the frame to is according the carrier part according a carrier to any of the preceding embodiments, 100-150 degrees rotatable.
of any is take elements for the preceding embodiments, 170-190 degrees rotatable, the preceding embodiments, of (ii) support elements for a bicycle, elements for a bicycle, port, a
Trailer wherein porting
Trailer wherein er part, hollow.
Trailer fastener, a clamp, according to any of the central element bar (1), preferably according to any of at least one of the and supporting bar to any part comprises at least one of (i) upa bicycle preferably provided on a bar, and (iii) attachment such as a slot, a foldable supa post, a buckle, and a toggle.
the preceding embodiments, comprises at least one suptwo supporting bars.
the preceding embodiments, frame, support element, carriis provided as at least partly according to any of the carrier part further comprises a lighting system, a receiving element for plate, side marker lights, reversing lamps, ing cable for lighting.
Trailer according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one closing clamp (14,15,29,30) attached to the central element for locking the carrier part and wheel segments in folded status, preferably a closing clamp with two arm-formed elements comprising a beak-formed part.
wherein the preceding embodiments, at least one of a license and a connect11.
12. Trailer according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one hinge (9) is located 10-40 cm from a rear end of the central element.
13. Trailer according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a lighting system is provided at each side of the license plate and wherein each part of the lighting system is foldable around a hinge.
14. Trailer according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a wheel axis of a first segment is removably con- nected to a wheel axis of a second segment and/or wherein a further fixing element is provided for fixing the first and second wheel segments.

Claims (14)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Opvouwbare aanhangwagen (100) voor fietsen omvattend een centraal element (1) voorzien van een koppeling (40), welk centraal element een virtuele longitudinale as (35) heeft welke longitudinale as door de koppeling loopt en parallel is met de zijden van het centrale element, aan weerszijde van het centrale element een opvouwbare wielsegment (90), waarbij elk wielsegment een frame omvat, welk frame steunelementen (4,5,7 en 2,3,6) omvat, zodanig dat drie van de steunelementen (4,5,7 en 2,3,6)) samen met een zijde van het centrale element (1) een parallellogram vormen, waarbij in uitgevouwen toestand het frame een hoek α > 90 graden maakt zodanig dat een wielsegment zich naar achter uitstrekt, waarbij een wiel middels een as is verbonden aan een steunelement (6,7) welk steunelement (6,7) zich verder naar achter uitstrekt, waarbij het frame aan het centrale element is verbonden middels twee scharnieren (10) zodanig dat elk steunelement (2,3,4,5) grotendeels roteerbaar is om twee loodrecht op de longitudinale as gelegen virtuele verticale assen (10) , en waarbij steunelement (6,7) middels twee scharnieren (11) is verbonden met respectievelijk steunelementen (2,3) of (4,5), en een dragerdeel (8) dat verbonden is middels ten minste een scharnier (9) met het centrale element, zodanig dat het dragerdeel roteerbaar is om virtuele transversale as (9).A folding trailer (100) for bicycles comprising a central element (1) provided with a coupling (40), which central element has a virtual longitudinal axis (35) which longitudinal axis runs through the coupling and is parallel to the sides of the central element, on either side of the central element, a foldable wheel segment (90), each wheel segment comprising a frame, which frame comprises supporting elements (4,5,7 and 2,3,6), such that three of the supporting elements (4, 5,7 and 2,3,6)) together with one side of the central element (1) form a parallelogram, wherein in the folded-out state the frame makes an angle α> 90 degrees such that a wheel segment extends rearward, with a wheel is connected by means of a shaft to a support element (6,7), which support element (6,7) extends further to the rear, the frame being connected to the central element by means of two hinges (10) such that each support element (2,3 4,5) is largely rotatable about two directions virtual vertical axes (10), which are situated on the longitudinal axis, and in which support element (6, 7) is connected by means of two hinges (11) to support elements (2,3) or (4,5), respectively, and a support part (8) which is connected by at least one hinge (9) to the central element, such that the carrier part is rotatable about virtual transversal axis (9). 2. Aanhangwagen volgens conclusie 1, waarbij elk frame een deels losneembaar diagonaal steunelement (31) omvat.Trailer according to claim 1, wherein each frame comprises a partially detachable diagonal support element (31). 3. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattend een wielkast (18,19) per wiel.Trailer according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wheel housing (18, 19) per wheel. 4. Aanhangwagen volgens conclusie 3, verder omvattend een grijpelement (17,21) verbonden met een hoek van het frame en met de wielkast.Trailer according to claim 3, further comprising a gripping element (17.21) connected to a corner of the frame and to the wheel housing. 5. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het frame 100-150 graden roteerbaar is.Trailer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame can be rotated 100-150 degrees. 6. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een dragerdeel 170-190 graden roteerbaar is.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a carrier part can be rotated 170-190 degrees. 7. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een dragerdeel een of meer omvat van (i) opneemelementen voor een fiets bij voorkeur voorzien op een balk, (ii) steunelementen voor een fiets, en (iii) bevestigingselementen voor een fiets, zoals een richel, een opvouwbare steun, een band, een klem, een staander, een gesp, en een afsluiter.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a carrier part comprises one or more of (i) receiving elements for a bicycle preferably provided on a beam, (ii) support elements for a bicycle, and (iii) mounting elements for a bicycle, such as a ledge, a foldable support, a strap, a clamp, an upright, a buckle, and a closure. 8. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het centrale element ten minste een steunbalk (1) omvat, bij voorkeur twee steunbalken.Trailer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element comprises at least one support beam (1), preferably two support beams. 9. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij ten minste een van het frame, steunelement, dragerdeel, en steunbalk, ten minste deels hol is uitgevoerd.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the frame, support element, support part, and support beam is at least partially made hollow. 10. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het dragerdeel verder omvat ten minste een van verlichting, een opneemelement voor een nummerplaat, richtingaanwijzers, achteruitrij lichten, en een verbindingskabel voor verlichting.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the carrier part further comprises at least one of lighting, a recording element for a number plate, direction indicators, reversing lights, and a connection cable for lighting. 11. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattend ten minste een sluitklem (14,15,29,30) verbonden met het centrale element voor het in opgevouwen toestand vergrendelen van het dragerdeel en wielsegmenten, bij voorkeur een sluitklem met twee armvormige elementen voorzien van een bekvormig deel.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising at least one closing clamp (14,15,29,30) connected to the central element for locking the carrier part and wheel segments in the folded state, preferably a closing clamp with two arm-shaped elements provided of a jaw-shaped part. 12. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de ten minste ene scharnier (9) zich 10-40 cm van een achtereinde van het centrale element (1) bevindt.Trailer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hinge (9) is located 10-40 cm from a rear end of the central element (1). 13. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de verlichting zich aan weerszijde van het opneemelement voor van de nummerplaat bevindt en elk deel van de verlichting inklapbaar is om een scharnier.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lighting is located on either side of the receiving element in front of the number plate and each part of the lighting is foldable around a hinge. 14. Aanhangwagen volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een wielas van een eerste segment losneembaar is verbonden met een wielas van een tweede segment en/of waarin een verder fixeerelement is verschaft voor het fixeren van de eerste en tweede wielsegmenten.Trailer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a wheel axle of a first segment is detachably connected to a wheel axle of a second segment and / or wherein a further fixing element is provided for fixing the first and second wheel segments. 1/31/3 LD mLD m
NL2018550A 2017-03-20 2017-03-20 Foldable trailer for bicycles NL2018550B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2018550A NL2018550B1 (en) 2017-03-20 2017-03-20 Foldable trailer for bicycles

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2018550A NL2018550B1 (en) 2017-03-20 2017-03-20 Foldable trailer for bicycles

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NL2018550B1 true NL2018550B1 (en) 2018-09-28

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