WO2001019668A1

WO2001019668A1 - Bicycle trailer-trolley

Info

Publication number: WO2001019668A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2000/000169
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Ramasego Mokgwetsi
Original assignee: Anthony Ramasego Mokgwetsi
Priority date: 1999-09-17
Filing date: 2000-09-15
Publication date: 2001-03-22
Also published as: AU1107001A

Abstract

The invention is about a bicycle trailer-trolley, which is to be towed by use of a bicycle of the size of a mountain bike, as shown in figure. This is a two-wheeled trailer, made from a selection of very light yet robust material for the purpose of carrying men and material. It can be assembled component by component by simply fastening each component to the relative position. The trailer comprises the following parts: two bicycle wheels; a steel frame, made from round tubing, which forms the base; a plastic crate; a set of plastic chairs and a shelter. The advantages of this trailer are that it is light and strong, can be made from cheap and affordable material being plastic and steel. This is so intended that this trailer can be affordable by most people who might desire such means of transportation. The energy consumed by this trailer would only be the rider's energy, which will also be an alternative exercise. It is assembled to the rear of the bicycle by simply pulling out the bicycle seat from the bicycle frame and then insert the stem of the seat through the hook of the trailer, then fasten the seat back into position on the bicycle frame.

Description

BICYCLE TRAILER-TROLLEY

The diagram above, fig.1 shows the bicycle trailer-trolley complete with all accessories added to it.

The following components show how the trailer is assembled in order: -

1. This, fig.2 is the steel frame of the trailer without wheels. It comprises the following parts-:

- Steel tubing of total length of θmeters initially, and then cut to two pieces of 4,8meters and 1 ,2meters length, respectively. The diameter of the tubing can vary from 25mm outside diameter to 38mm outside diameter. The choice in size depends entirely on the customer's desire of load he/she would like to carry. The recommended wall-thickness of the tubing is 1 ,6mm. The complete 4,8meter tube is then bent to the required shape to form a frame of the trolley using a hydraulic pipe bender. The 1 ,2meter long piece is then bent also to form a support, which is then welded to the frame to stabilize the whole structure.

- The base, made from expanded metal sheet, of original size 1224mm x 2448mm, is then cut to three equal sizes of 1224mm x 816mm to fit on top of the frame, to form a base. This base is to be welded onto the frame.

- The hook, which is made of three, 6mm round steel rods, cut to the sizes of 400mm length, and then bent around a 40mm round bar, to form a hook. These hooks are to be welded to the end of the frame. The hook is composed of three rods.

- The flange, fig.3 formed from a flat metal sheet of 1 ,6mm or 2mm thickness, and sizes of 1224mm x 2448mm, which will then be cut to flange sizes of 160mm x 40mm each. This piece will then be punched on either side, with holes of 10mm diameter, and then bent at the ends. This flange is to be welded to the frame, as shown in the flange drawings, to form a support for the wheels. The wheels are to be bolted on to the flange.

- The finished product is to be painted. Two paint coats are to be used, being, the primer first and then the finishing layer.

- Reflectors are to be affixed to the rear of the trailer so as to be conspicuous at night or during rainfall. Red reflectors are recommended, according to government standards. Description of the trailer

This is a light trailer, which is to be drawn by a bicycle by simply hooking the trailer to the saddle of the bicycle. This design is specifically designed for the size of the mountain bike. It is a two-wheeled trailer.

The diagram above, fig.1 shows the complete drawing of the bicycle trailer trolley. All the necessary parts that form a complete trailer will be described hereunder:

- two mountain bike size bicycle wheels

- a steel frame that forms the base

- a plastic crate

- a set of chairs

- a shelter

The wheels of a mountain bike type bicycle are normally sizes 24" and 26". These wheels can be used with tyre tubes that require inflating or a special sponge tubing can be used.

- A sponge is to be glued to the inside of the hook to prevent damage to the bicycle saddle during towing.

- A washer is to be used to support the hook when assembled to the bicycle saddle, to prevent the hook from damaging the bicycle frame.

Bicycle wheels, of the size of a mountain bike, are recommended for this trailer- trolley. It is also recommended that a strong material of the axle be used with the wheels to be able to bear heavier loads.

The following diagrams show how the components of the trailer are put together to ultimately form the structure as shown above: -

- A trailer with a plastic crate, fig.4 attached to the top of the frame. This crate should be sealed at the bottom and be water - tight. Slots under the crate are to be provided to accommodate fasteners that will be used to secure the crate to the frame.

- A four-seat, back-to-back, fιg.5 and a face-to-face

^" arrangement, fig. 6,is to be made of plastic and should fit into the crate. This seat is to be secured to the crate by means of fasteners, which could be bolts, preferably.

- A shelter, fig.7 that covers half the rear side of the trailer, is also to be made of plastic. A plastic material is recommended mainly because of lightweight reasons. This shelter is also removable, and can also be opened upwards at the back to allocate space for loading purposes.

NB

A complete assembly drawing of the trailer hooked to the bicycle is also provided. The trailer is detached from the bicycle by lifting the saddle from the bicycle frame.

Advantages of the trailer

This trailer is intended to assist bicycle owners in carrying loads safely without having objects hanging loosely beyond the bicycle or trailer.

It will be noticed that such transportation can be vastly used in rural areas where there is need for economical transportation. This unit does not require any use of fuel since only pedaling of the bicycle will do the work. The maintenance of this trailer is minimal, since the parts that need to be replaced would be bearings on the wheel-axle, and this would be after some considerable space of time in use. The sponge, that forms the bushing on the hook, can also be replaced when worn out. The structure of this trailer is made of robust material, which gives one a lengthy lifetime on this product. The following diagrams show how the trailer is attached to the bicycle:-

Fig.8 (A) indicates the step by step method of assembling the trailer-hook to the bicycle saddle;

Fig.8 (B) shows the assembled configuration of the trailer-hook to the saddle for the purpose of towing.

Fig.9 shows how the trailer is attached to bicycle with only the crate on the trailer.

Fig.10 (A) shows the trailer-bicycle assembly with a back-to-back seat arrangement.

Fig.10 (B) shows the trailer-bicycle assembly with a face-to-face seat arrangement.

Fig. 11 shows the complete trailer-bicycle assembly with a back-to-back seat arrangement covered with a shelter.

Fig. 12 shows the complete trailer-bicycle assembly with a face-to-face seat arrangement covered with a shelter.

Claims

This is a special mountain bike size of a trailer - trolley.

It can be dismantled component by component to allow ease of storage in the house or storeroom.

It is of a make that is detachable from the bicycle.

It is a two-wheeled trailer trolley

Its frame is of steel tubing material, with a base of an expanded metal sheet.

It is light in structure yet very strong to sustain heavy loads.

It is a man and material carrier.