WO2001032498A1

WO2001032498A1 - Fastening device for luggage carrier/child seat on a bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO2001032498A1
Application number: PCT/NO2000/000364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ståle MØLLER; Emil Abry
Original assignee: Abry Industrial Design As
Priority date: 1999-11-03
Filing date: 2000-11-02
Publication date: 2001-05-10
Also published as: NO310400B1; AU1180601A; NO995378D0; NO995378L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for adjustable attachment of a luggage carrier (3) or child seat on a bicycle, said device (1) comprises means for attachment of the device (1) to a seat tube (2) of a bicycle, means for adjusting the luggage carrier's (3) or child seat's angle in relation to the seat tube (2) and possibly an adjustable, shock absorbing means for absorbing impacts or vibrations caused by unevennesses in the ground.

Description

Fastening device for luggage carrier/child seat on a bicycle

The present invention relates to a fastening device for attaching a child's seat or a luggage carrier to a bicycle in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1.

A number of different devices for fastening children's seats and luggage carriers to bicycles are known. However these known solutions are encumbered with several drawbacks, which the present invention aims to solve. First of all, none of the known solutions are equipped with a damping device for absoφtion of unfortunate movements caused by uneven ground, apart from the Applicants own Norwegian Patent Application 19984997, in which is disclosed a number of various solutions for achieving adjustable damping. This publication describes and shows a device for securing a luggage carrier or a child's seat, where the luggage carrier or the child's seat is clamped on the seat bar of a bicycle in a projecting manner by a device that clamps around the seat bar. It is further indicated that the angle of the luggage carrier or the child's seat in relation to the seat bar is adjustable, and that a shock absorbing mechanism is present in order to absorb shocks or vibration caused by unevenness on the road. However this publication does not disclose how these functions may be achieved in a concrete manner.

On a number of newer bicycles, among other things so-called off-road bicycles, the wires for brakes and gears have be led down the outside of the bar that extends between the bicycle seat and the pedals, hereinafter called the seat bar, making it impossible to use the previously known fastening devices. Also, none of the known solutions allow the angle between the luggage carrier /child's seat and the bicycle frame to be adjusted. In addition, no solutions are known by which it is possible to adjust the spring suspension of the luggage carrier /child's seat.

The puφose of the present invention is to provide a device for securing a luggage carrier or a child's seat to a bicycle, by which the following advantages are achieved:

damping of shocks and similar movements caused by uneven ground. possibilities for adjustment of the angle between the seat bar of the bicycle frame and the luggage carrier /child's seat, attaching the fastening device on bicycles where the brake/gear wire has been led down along the seat bar of the bicycle frame, - a fastening device that fits all bar diameters without requiring additional adapters, also for oval bars.

This is achieved by a device for adjustable securing of a luggage carrier or a child's seat on a bicycle, which device includes means of securing the device to a seat bar of a bicycle, means of adjusting the angle of the luggage carrier or the child's seat in relation to the seat bar, and possibly adjustable, shock absorbing means for absoφtion of shocks or vibrations caused by uneven ground, characterised by the means of securing the device to the seat bar including a central body, a movable body or block, a bolt and one or more clamps, which clamps are disposed around the seat bar and connected to the movable body or block; one end of which bolt is threaded and engages a corresponding, threaded hole in the body or the block, and the other end of which bolt abuts the outside of the central body in a manner such that a turn of the bolt will displace the movable body or block, so that the clamp or clamps are tightened or loosened around the seat bar.

The clamp or clamps may be an infinite wire loop, preferably a plastic or elastomer coated steel wire attached to retaining means on the movable body or block, run further along the seat bar and attached to corresponding retaining means on the opposite side of the body or block.

The means of retaining the device may include one or more clamps, which at one end are fastened to the central body, then run further along the seat bar and at the other end connected to a locking arm on the opposite side of the central body.

The means of adjusting the angle of the luggage carrier or the child's seat in relation to the seat bar preferably includes a mounting sleeve provided on either side of the central body, which mounting sleeves are interconnected by means of an upper bolt that is attached to each of the mounting sleeves, which bolt is rotatably connected to a movable body or block arranged within the central body, which means further includes a threaded bolt, one end of which is connected to the body or block by means of a corresponding, threaded hole, and the other end of which abuts the outside of the central body in such a manner that a turn of the bolt will cause the movable body or block to be displaced, thus causing a displacement of the mounting sleeves in relation to the central body.

The means of adjustable damping of shocks or vibrations includes a movable body or block, a threaded bolt, one or more elastomer blocks and a bolt, each end of which is connected to one of the mounting sleeves; one end of which threaded bolt is connected to the body or block by means of a corresponding, threaded hole, and the other end of which abuts the outside of the central body; one end of which elastomer block abuts the body or block, and the other end of which abuts the bolt, where a turn of the bolt will bring a compression or expansion of the elastomer block and thus adjust the shock or vibration damping ability of the device.

The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following, by examples of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the fastening device according to the invention placed on a bicycle frame;

Figure 2 shows a section through a first embodiment of the fastening device along the line A-A in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a section through the fastening device along B-B in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a detail of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 - 3;

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the fastening device of Fig. 1 ; and

Figures 6 A and B show a detail of the shock absorbing mechanism shown in Figure 3.

Figure 1 shows a fastening device in accordance with the invention, generally indicated as 1, attached to the seat bar 2 of a bicycle frame. The fastening device 1 secures a luggage carrier 3 or a child's seat (not shown) to the bicycle frame 2. In the embodiment shown, the luggage carrier 3 consists of a generally U-shaped body where the two ends 4, 4' have been bent downwards at an angle. These two ends 4, 4' are attached to the fastening device 1 by means of a mounting sleeve 5 on either side of the fastening device 1. The fastening device 1 is attached to the bicycle frame by means of one or more U-shaped clamps 6. The clamps 6 may e.g. consist of an infinite wire loop as described below. When using a child's seat instead of a luggage carrier, the child's seat will be provided with two downwardly projecting ends 4, 4' in a similar fashion. The mounting sleeves 5 are attached to the fastening device 1 by means of an upper through bolt or axle 12 and a lower through bolt or axle 13.

Figure 2 shows a horizontal section through a first embodiment of the fastening device

1 in accordance with the invention. As shown in Figure 2, the device comprises two mounting sleeves 5, 5' provided on either side of a central body 8. The mounting sleeves 5, 5' each have a longitudinal hole 11, 1 1 ' for receiving the ends 4, 4' (Fig. 1) of the luggage carrier or the child's seat. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises one or more clamps 6 attached to a movable body or block 7. The block 7 is movable in the central body 8 by means of a screw or bolt 9. Further, the device comprises a packing 10 or similar that will abut the seat bar of the bicycle 2 (Fig. 1). When the screw 9 is turned clockwise, the block 7 will move towards the screw 9 in Figure 2 and tighten the clamps 6 around the seat bar 2 (Fig. 1), while the packing 10 will be forced against the seat bar

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the first embodiment of the fastening device along the line B-B in Fig. 2. The two mounting sleeves 5, 5' are interconnected by means of an upper through bolt or axle 12, each end of which is attached to the mounting sleeves 5, 5' and which passes through the central body 8. In the same way, the lower parts of the mounting sleeves 5, 5' are interconnected by means of a lower through bolt or axle 13.

The upper through bolt or axle 12 goes through a cutout 17 in the central body 8. An upper movable body or block 14, through which the upper through bolt or axle 12 passes, is provided centrally in the central body 8. The upper movable block 14 is connected to an upper screw or bolt 15, the head of which abuts the outside of the central body 8, and the other, threaded end of which is placed in a corresponding, threaded hole in the block 14. When the upper screw or bolt 15 is turned, the upper block 14 will move left or right in Figure 3 and cause the mounting sleeves 5, 5' and thereby the angle of the luggage carrier or the child's seat to change.

The lower through bolt or axle 13 passes through a cutout 18 in the central body 8. A lower movable body or block 19, through which the lower through bolt or axle passes, is provided centrally in the central body 8. The lower movable block 19 is connected to a lower screw or bolt 16, the head of which abuts the outside of the central body 8, and the other, threaded end of which is placed in a corresponding, threaded hole in the block 19. When the lower screw or bolt 16 is turned, the lower block 19 will move left or right in Figure 3. The puφose of this will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 6.

Figure 4 shows, in greater detail, an embodiment of the movable body or block 7 and the clamp 6. In the embodiment shown, the clamp consists of an infinite wire loop, e.g. a plastic or elastomer coated steel wire. The wire loop 6 is, as shown in Figure 4, arranged around retaining means 23 in the block 7, further around the seat bar (not shown) and around similar retaining means on the opposite side of the block 7.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the fastening device in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the clamp 6 and the movable block 7 shown in Figures 1-3 have been replaced by one or two bow-shaped bodies 6 with one end com ected to the central body 8. The other end is provided with e.g. an ear or an angular portion that may engage a complementary portion on a locking arm 21. This locking arm 21 is preferably hinged to the central body 22 by an axle 22 or similar. Turning the locking arm 21 as shown in Figures 5 A and 5B will cause the bow-shaped body or clamp 6 to be tightened around the bar 2 and secure the fastening device.

In Figures 1 - 5, an embodiment of fixing clamps 6 is shown, which consists either of an infinite wire loop, i.e. a continuous ring-shaped wire (Fig. 4) or a bow-shaped body or wire (Fig. 5). This wire is preferably coated with a friction seeking coating, e.g. plastic or an elastomer. By using a plastic or elastomer coated wire 6, it is possible to prevent the fastening device from sliding down the seat bar 2 during use, while also preventing the fastening device from twisting sideways, even under extreme conditions.

Figures 6 A and 6B show in greater detail how the adjustable shock absorbing function of the fastening device is implemented. The shock absorbing function is implemented by means of one or two elastomer blocks 24, 25, which in the embodiment shown abut the bolt 13. A threaded bolt 16 is connected to a block 19 by a corresponding, threaded hole. The head of the bolt 16 will abut the outside of the central body 8 (Fig. 3). One end of the elastomer block 24 will abut the bolt or axle 13, while the other end will abut the block 19. When turning the bolt 16, the block 19 will be moved left or right in

Figure 6A (correspondingly up or down in Figure 6B) and thereby press the elastomer blocks 24, 25 more loosely or more firmly against the bolt 13, thus adjusting the shock absorbing effect of the device.

In order to prevent any of the bolts 9, 15, 16 falling out of the fastening device 1, each of the bolts may be provided with a lockwasher or similar that will abut the wall of the central body 8.

In order to be able to adjust the height of the luggage carrier or the child's seat, the mounting sleeves 5, 5' may be equipped with an adjusting screw or similar (not shown).

The two mounting sleeves 5, 5' may be constructed as a uniform body, e.g. in the form of a general U-shaped body with legs extending downwards on either side of the central body 8.

The central body 8 may for instance be a section made from a suitable material, e.g. aluminium or steel.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A device (1 ) for adjustable fastening of a luggage carrier (3) or a child's seat on a bicycle, which device (1) comprises means of retaining the device (1) on a seat bar (2) of a bicycle, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the means of retaining the device (1) on the seat bar (2) comprises a central body (8), a movable body or block (7), a bolt (9) and one or more clamps (6), which clamps (6) are disposed around the seat bar (2) and connected to the movable body or block (7), one end of which bolt (9) is provided with threaded and engages a corresponding, threaded hole in the body or block (7), and the other end of which bolt (9) abuts the outside of the central body (8) in a manner such that a turn of the bolt (9) will displace the movable body or block (7), so that the clamp or clamps (6) are tightened or loosened around the seat bar (2).

2.

A device in accordance with Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the clamp or clamps (6) consist of an infinite wire loop, preferably a plastic or elastomer coated steel wire that is attached to retaining means (23) on the movable body or block (7), run further around the seat bar (2) and attached to similar retaining means (23) on the opposite side of the body or block (7).

3.

A device in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the device (1) includes means of adjusting the angle of the luggage carrier (3) or the child's seat in relation to the seat bar

(2).

4.

A device in accordance with Claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the means of adjusting the angle of the luggage carrier (3) or the child's seat in relation to the seat bar (2) comprises a mounting sleeve (5, 5') provided on either side of the central body (8), which mounting sleeves (5, 5') are interconnected by means of an upper bolt (12) attached to each of the mounting sleeves (5, 5'), which bolt (12) is rotatably connected to movable body or block (14) placed within the central body (8), which means further comprise a threaded bolt (15), one end of which is connected to the body or block(14) by means of a corresponding, threaded hole, and the other end of which abuts the outside of the central body (8) in such a manner that a turn of the bolt (15) will cause a displacement of the movable body or block (14), thus causing a displacement of the mounting sleeves (5, 5') in relation to the central body (8).

5.

A device in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the device ( 1 ) comprises adjustable, shock absorbing means for absoφtion of shocks or vibrations caused by uneven ground.

6.

A device in accordance with Claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the means of adjustable absoφtion of shocks or vibrations comprises a movable body or block (19), a threaded bolt (16), one or more elastomer blocks (24, 25) and a bolt (13), each end of which bolt (13) is connected to one of the mounting sleeves (5, 5'); one end of which threaded bolt (16) is connected to the body or block (19) by means of a corresponding, threaded hole, and the other end of which abuts the outside of the central body (8); one end of which elastomer block (24) abuts the body or block (19), and the other end of which abuts the bolt (13), where a turn of the bolt (16) will cause a compression or expansion of the elastomer block (24) and thereby adjust the shock or vibration absorbing ability of the device.