WO2008099386A1 - Ready-to-ride bicycle carrier - Google Patents
Ready-to-ride bicycle carrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008099386A1 WO2008099386A1 PCT/IL2008/000174 IL2008000174W WO2008099386A1 WO 2008099386 A1 WO2008099386 A1 WO 2008099386A1 IL 2008000174 W IL2008000174 W IL 2008000174W WO 2008099386 A1 WO2008099386 A1 WO 2008099386A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- bicycle
- handlebar
- affixing
- seat
- rack
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/08—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear
- B60R9/10—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like specially adapted for sports gear for cycles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R9/00—Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
- B60R9/04—Carriers associated with vehicle roof
- B60R9/048—Carriers characterised by article-gripping, -covering,-retaining, or -locking means
Definitions
- Affixing the handlebar affixing assembly includes selecting a location on the first bar of the roof-rack and affixing the top part to the bottom part with the attaching mechanism at the selected location, wherein the bar is disposed between the top part and the bottom part of the handlebar affixing assembly.
- a second handlebar affixing assembly is affixed to the first bar of the roof-rack at a distance D from the first handlebar affixing assembly. Distance D is set by measuring the desired holding places of the bicycle handlebar.
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustration of an assembled bicycle seat holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, with the top part being adjusted to fit the bicycle seat position;
- Top part 130 and bottom part 140 are affixed to each other by some attaching mechanism, for example, by bolts 160 and nuts 162, whereas bolts 160 are inserted through socket 132 and through holes in bottom part 140.
- some attaching mechanism for example, by bolts 160 and nuts 162
- bolts 160 are inserted through socket 132 and through holes in bottom part 140.
- any other affixing mechanisms known in the art can be used.
- handlebar affixing assembly 120 stays affixed to roof-rack 60 unless adjustment is needed, but in everyday use, handlebar affixing assembly 120 stays affixed to the bar of roof-rack 60.
- a second handlebar holder assembly 120 is preferably affixed to the same bar of roof-rack 60 at a distance D (see Figure 3b) from the first handlebar affixing assembly 120 of handlebar holder 100.
- Body 171 includes a groove 175, into which locking latch 180 can slide in and out.
- Figures 12a and 12b illustrate handlebar holder 100 with cross section AA' locking unit assembly 170 and top part 130 of handlebar affixing assembly 120, whereas in Figure 12a handlebar locking part 110 detached from the handlebar affixing assembly 120 and in Figure 12b handlebar locking part 110 is attached to handlebar affixing assembly 120.
- U-shaped locking part 110 is inserted into sockets 134 in direction 119, teeth 115 push on the sloped surface of tooth 185 of locking latch 180, forcing locking latch 180 to move in direction 189 into groove 175, against the force of spring 194.
- spring 195 pushed locking latch 180 and tooth 185 back in the opposite direction to direction 189.
- Figure 14b illustrates an example of another locking part 310 having teeth 315 only on one post of the U-shaped device.
- Figure 14a illustrates an example of another locking part 410, being a single rod.
- Figure 14c illustrates an example of another locking part 610 having teeth 615 on the internal side of one post of the U-shaped device. In the embodiment shown in Figure 14c requires that tooth 185 of locking latch 180 can be operatively engaged with teeth 615.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
Abstract
A ready-to-ride bicycle carrier. The bicycle carrier preferably includes two bicycle handlebar holders and a bicycle seat holder. Each handlebar holder includes an assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack and a part that attaches the bicycle handlebar grip the affixed assembly. A bicycle handlebar holder may also include a locking mechanism preventing removing the U-shaped part from the affixed assembly and thereby disallowing the removing the bicycle from the vehicle roof-rack. The bicycle seat holder includes a preferably adjustable assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack and a strap that tightens the bicycle seat to the affixed assembly.
Description
READY-TO-RIDE BICYCLE CARRIER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to roof-mounted bicycle mounts for vehicles and more particularly, the present invention is related to bicycle mounts that secure a bicycle to a vehicle roof-rack in an up-side-down position, enabling quick mounting and quick releasing of the ready-to-ride bicycle. The bicycle mount of the present invention may further provide quick locking/unlocking of the bicycle to/from the vehicle roof-rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
Roof mounted load carriers are well known in the load carrier arts for carrying different types of cargo. Typically, bicycles are too large to fit inside the carrying vehicle and thus, specially configured carriers have been designed for transporting the bicycles, typically in an upright configuration, on a vehicle roof-rack.
The terms "bicycle mount" and "bicycle carrier" are used herein interchangeably.
Generally, bicycles may be attached to a vehicle roof-rack through their frames or their wheels. Bicycle carriers that are designed to attach the wheels to the vehicle roof-rack, often are not stable enough and some bicycle carriers require disassembly of one or both wheels. Other wheel-based bicycle carriers are not designed for easy bicycle loading on a vehicle roof. As a result, it may be difficult for one person to position and balance a bicycle on the carrier as the bicycle is attached. Figure (prior art) illustrates a prior art vehicle roof-rack 60 bicycle carrier mounted on vehicle 20. Bicycle 50 is in upright position and supported through the wheels by some holding mechanism 70. Other bicycle carriers that are designed to attach the bicycle through their frames, in upside-down configuration, require the disassembly of the bicycle seat assembly, as illustrated in Figure 2 (prior art). The bicycle carrier shown in Figure 2 holds bicycle 50 is in up-side-down position through the bicycle frame, by some holding mechanism 90.
Thus there is a need for and it would be advantageous to have a bicycle mount that securely attaches a bicycle to a vehicle roof-rack and which enables quick mounting and quick releasing of the bicycle, with no need for assembly of parts of the bicycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the teachings of embodiments of the present invention there is provided a ready-to-ride bicycle carrier, enabling one person to mount or dismount a bicycle onto or from a vehicle roof-rack in less than a minute, in up-side-down position. The bicycle carrier includes one or preferably two bicycle handlebar holders and a bicycle seat holder. The bicycle carrier of the present invention includes one or preferably two bicycle handlebar holders and a seat holder. The bicycle handlebar is firmly attached to a first bar of the vehicle roof-rack by the handlebar holders and said bicycle seat is firmly attached the second bar of the vehicle roof-rack by the seat holder. Each handlebar holder includes an assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof- rack and a locking part, typically a U-shaped part that attaches the bicycle handlebar grip to the handlebar affixing assembly. The bicycle handlebar holder may also include a locking mechanism preventing removing the U-shaped part from the affixed assembly and thereby disallowing the removing of the bicycle from the vehicle roof-rack. The bicycle seat holder includes a preferably adjustable assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack and a strap that tightens the bicycle seat to the affixed assembly.
The handlebar affixing assembly includes a top part, a bottom part, a locking mechanism and an attaching mechanism, whereas the attaching mechanism affixes the top part and the bottom part to a bar of the vehicle roof-rack. The attaching mechanism can be two or more bolts and coupling nuts, or any other attaching mechanism.
The U-shaped locking part typically includes two elongated parallel posts, having saw teeth on at lease one side, preferably external, but can be internal. The upper surface of a tooth of the saw teeth is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the elongated post containing the saw teeth. The locking mechanism is preferably affixed to the bottom surface of the top part of the handlebar affixing assembly. The locking mechanism includes a body and a moveable locking latch having saw tooth. The body of the locking mechanism includes a groove that can accommodate the moveable locking latch such that the lower surface of the latch tooth is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the elongated post. The moveable locking latch is connected to the body by a bolt, whereas the bolt head is disposed inside a designated groove in the moveable locking latch and thereby operatively affixing the bolt to the moveable locking latch. The locking mechanism further includes a returning force, typically a coil spring, and a release mechanism, which can be firmly attached to the moveable locking latch. The spring is disposed
inside the groove of the body of the locking mechanism, between the moveable locking latch and the innermost wall of the groove, thereby pushing the moveable locking latch away from the innermost wall of the groove. The returning mechanism is typically a pulling knob, which is operatively affixed to the connecting mechanism, and the knob is pulled, the connecting mechanism operatively disengages the tooth of the moveable locking latch from the teeth of the locking part, thereby enabling the removal of the locking part from the affixing assembly of the handlebar holder.
The seat affixing assembly includes a top part, a bottom part and an attaching mechanism, whereas the attaching mechanism affixes the top part and the bottom part to a bar of the vehicle roof-rack. The attaching mechanism can be two or more bolts and coupling nuts, or any other attaching mechanism.
The top part can be adjusted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar of the roof-rack. The top part includes two grooves disposed on both sides of the top part, whereas said grooves operatively host a tightening strap. The tightening strap is a security belt including a strap and a locking buckle disposed at one end of the strap and an adjustable, operatively complimenting part of the locking buckle location on the strap.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of mounting a bicycle onto a vehicle roof-rack, comprising the steps of providing the bicycle carrier of the present invention, affixing the at least one handlebar affixing assembly to a first bar of the vehicle roof-rack, affixing the seat affixing assembly to a second bar of the roof- rack and mounting and affixing the bicycle to the handlebar affixing assembly and to the seat affixing assembly.
Affixing the handlebar affixing assembly includes selecting a location on the first bar of the roof-rack and affixing the top part to the bottom part with the attaching mechanism at the selected location, wherein the bar is disposed between the top part and the bottom part of the handlebar affixing assembly. Preferably, a second handlebar affixing assembly is affixed to the first bar of the roof-rack at a distance D from the first handlebar affixing assembly. Distance D is set by measuring the desired holding places of the bicycle handlebar.
Affixing the seat affixing assembly includes selecting a location on the second bar of the roof-rack, attaching the top part of the seat affixing assembly to the bottom part with the attaching mechanism at the selected location, wherein the bar is disposed between the top part and the bottom part of the seat affixing assembly. The top part can
then be adjusted in the longitudinal direction, to fit the distance between the bicycle handlebar and the seat of the bicycle. Once the top part longitudinal position is set, the top part is affixed to the bottom part with the attaching mechanism, wherein the bar is disposed between the top part and the bottom part. The handlebar affixing assemblies and the seat affixing assembly remain attached to the corresponding bars of the vehicle roof-rack, unless adjustments are needed due to change in bicycle type or change in the bicycle seat height and other changes alike.
To mount the bicycle onto the handlebar affixing assemblies and the seat affixing assembly, the bicycle handlebar is place on the handlebar affixing assemblies and the bicycle seat is place on the seat affixing assembly. The locking parts are inserted into the corresponding handlebar affixing assemblies as far as possible, and the locking mechanisms lock the locking parts in position. The tightening strap is inserted into the two grooves disposed on both sides of the top part of the seat affixing assembly, wrapped around the seat or around the seat post of the bicycle. The buckle is closed and the length of the tightening strap is adjusted and thereby operatively tightening the seat to the seat affixing assembly.
To dismount the bicycle from the vehicle roof-rack, having a bicycle carrier of the present invention, the release mechanism is activated to operatively disengage the tooth of the moveable locking latch from the teeth of the locking part. The locking parts of the handlebar holders are then pulled out of the corresponding handlebar affixing assemblies, the locking buckle of the tightening strap is opened and the ready-to-ride bicycle is unloaded from the roof-rack.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method to lock the bicycle mounted on a bicycle carrier of the present invention. The method includes the step of detaching the release mechanism from the moveable locking latch, for example unscrewing the knob from the bolt of the locking mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 (prior art) illustrates a prior art vehicle roof-rack bicycle carrier in upright position;
FIG. 2 (prior art) illustrates another prior art vehicle roof-rack bicycle carrier in up-side- down position;
FIG. 3a depicts a side view of the top of a vehicle having a bicycle carrier, according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 3b depicts a front view of the top of a vehicle having a bicycle carrier, according to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4a depicts the front and back affixed assemblies of a bicycle carrier, according to embodiments of the present invention, affixed to a vehicle roof-rack;
FIG. 4b depicts a bicycle mounted on a bicycle carrier, according to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a bicycle handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, just before attaching a bicycle handlebar to a vehicle roof-rack;
FIG. 6 illustrates a bicycle handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, attaching a bicycle handlebar to a vehicle roof-rack; FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustration of securing the handlebar affixing assembly of a bicycle handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, onto a vehicle roof-rack;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustration of the handlebar affixing assembly of a bicycle handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, secured to a vehicle roof-rack and the handlebar locking part detached from the handlebar affixing assembly;
FIG. 9 is an exploded view illustration of a bicycle handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view illustration of the locking unit of the bicycle handlebar holder shown in Figure 9;
FIG. 1 1 illustrates a cross section AA' of the locking unit of the bicycle handlebar holder shown in Figure 9, affixed to the top part of handlebar affixing assembly of a bicycle handlebar holder, shown in Figures 7 and 8;
FIG. 12a illustrates cross section AA' the handlebar holder, shown in Figure 8, having the handlebar locking part detached from the handlebar affixing assembly;
FIG. 12b illustrates cross section AA' the handlebar holder, shown in Figure 8, having the handlebar locking part attached to the handlebar affixing assembly;
FIG. 13a illustrates a bicycle handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, with the locking screw detached from the handlebar holder;
FlG. 13b illustrates cross section AA' the handlebar holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, with the locking screw detached from the handlebar holder;
FIG. 14a illustrates another example of a locking part, according to embodiments of the present invention, being a single rod. FIG. 14b illustrates another example of a locking part, according to embodiments of the present invention, having teeth only on one post of the U-shaped device;
FIG. 14c illustrates an example of another locking part, according to embodiments of the present invention, having teeth on the internal side of one post of the U-shaped device; FIG. 15a illustrates an example of another top part of a handlebar affixing assembly, according to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 15b depicts a side view of the top of a vehicle having a bicycle carrier, handlebar affixing assembly as shown in Figure 15a;
FIG. 16 illustrates a bicycle seat holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, attaching a bicycle seat to a vehicle roof-rack;
FIG. 17 is an exploded view illustration of a bicycle seat holder, according to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustration of an assembled bicycle seat holder, according to embodiments of the present invention, with the top part being adjusted to fit the bicycle seat position; and
FIG. 19 illustrates a bicycle seat holder including a strap, according to embodiments of the present invention, securing the seat the affixed seat holder and thereby to the vehicle roof-rack.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides a ready-to-ride bicycle carrier for a vehicle, which enables a user to quickly mount a bicycle on a vehicle roof-rack and quickly dismount the bicycle from a vehicle roof-rack. The ready-to-ride bicycle carrier also includes a locking mechanism such that a mounted bicycle cannot be dismounted without releasing the locking mechanism.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided ,so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of the invention belongs. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Figure 3a depicts a side view and Figure 3b is a front view of the top of vehicle 20, having a bicycle carrier, according to embodiments of the present invention, and bicycle 50 mounted onto the bicycle carrier. The bicycle carrier includes front and back assemblies (100 and 200, respectively), affixed to a vehicle roof-rack 60. The bicycle carrier includes one or preferably two bicycle handlebar holders 100 and a bicycle seat holder 200. Figure 4a depicts the front and back affixed assemblies (100 and 200, respectively) of the bicycle carrier of the present invention, affixed to a vehicle roof- rack 60, and Figure 4b depicts bicycle 50 mounted on the bicycle carrier of the present invention. Handlebar 52 of bicycle 50 is affixed to roof-rack 60 by two handlebar holders 100, and seat 54 of bicycle 50 is affixed to roof-rack 60 by seat holder 200. Each handlebar holder 100 includes a handlebar affixing assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack 60 and a locking part that attaches the bicycle handlebar grip 52 to the handlebar affixing assembly. Bicycle seat holder 200 includes a preferably adjustable assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack 60 and a strap that tightens bicycle seat 54 to the affixed assembly.
Handlebar Holder 100 Figure 5 illustrates a bicycle handlebar holder 100, according to embodiments of the present invention, just before attaching bicycle handlebar 52 to a vehicle roof-rack 60. Handlebar holder 100 includes handlebar affixing assembly 120, which is an assembly that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack 60 and a U-shaped locking part 110 that firmly attaches a bicycle handlebar grip 52 to affixed part 120. Handlebar affixing assembly 120 is shaped as the letter U for convenience but is not limited to a U shape and can take any shape or profile. Figure 6 illustrates bicycle handlebar holder 100, whereas locking part 110 firmly attaches handlebar grip 52 to handlebar affixing assembly 120, and thereby to the vehicle roof-rack 60.
Figure 7 is a perspective view illustration an example of securing handlebar affixing assembly 120 of bicycle handlebar holder 100 to a vehicle roof-rack 60, and in Figure 8 handlebar affixing assembly 120 of handlebar holder 100 is shown secured to roof-rack 60, whereas locking part 110 is detached from handlebar affixing assembly 120. In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, handlebar affixing assembly 120 includes top part 130, bottom part 140 and an attaching mechanism to affix top part 130 and bottom part 140 to a bar of roof-rack 60. Top part 130 is placed on top of a bar of roof-rack 60 at a selected position, and bottom part 140 is placed below the same bar of roof-rack 60 just underneath top part 130. Top part 130 and bottom part 140 are affixed to each other by some attaching mechanism, for example, by bolts 160 and nuts 162, whereas bolts 160 are inserted through socket 132 and through holes in bottom part 140. For the sake of clarity, any other affixing mechanisms known in the art can be used. Once affixed to roof-rack 60, handlebar affixing assembly 120 stays affixed to roof-rack 60 unless adjustment is needed, but in everyday use, handlebar affixing assembly 120 stays affixed to the bar of roof-rack 60. A second handlebar holder assembly 120 is preferably affixed to the same bar of roof-rack 60 at a distance D (see Figure 3b) from the first handlebar affixing assembly 120 of handlebar holder 100. Distance D is set by measuring the desired holding places of bicycle handlebar 52, when placed on top of handlebar holder 100 of the bicycle carrier. After bicycle handlebar 52 is placed on top of handlebar affixing assemblies 120 of handlebar holder 100, U-shaped part 110 is inserted into matching sockets 134 at each top parts 130 and firmly attaches handlebar 52 to handlebar affixing assemblies 120, as illustrated in Figure 6.
Figure 9 is an exploded view illustration of bicycle handlebar holder 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. U-shaped part 110 has a mechanism to affix part 110 to handlebar affixing assembly 120. By way of example, the affixing mechanism includes saw-teeth 115 on at least one side of U-shaped part 110, and a locking unit assembly 170. Figure 10 is an exploded view illustration of locking unit assembly 170 of handlebar holder 100 shown in Figure 9. Locking unit assembly 170 includes body 171, moveable locking latch 180 having a tooth 185, bolt 190 and spring
195. Body 171 includes a groove 175, into which locking latch 180 can slide in and out.
Head 192 of bolt 190 is disposed in a groove 182 in locking latch 180, whereas bolt 190 operatively attaches locking latch 180 to body 171. Locking unit assembly 170 further
includes knob 116, which is screwed onto the end of bolt 190. Locking unit assembly 170 is affixed to the bottom of top part 130 of handlebar affixing assembly 120. Figure 1 1 illustrates cross section AA' locking unit assembly 170 affixed to top part 130 of handlebar affixing assembly 120 of handlebar holder 100, for example by bolt 172. Figures 12a and 12b illustrate handlebar holder 100 with cross section AA' locking unit assembly 170 and top part 130 of handlebar affixing assembly 120, whereas in Figure 12a handlebar locking part 110 detached from the handlebar affixing assembly 120 and in Figure 12b handlebar locking part 110 is attached to handlebar affixing assembly 120. When U-shaped locking part 110 is inserted into sockets 134 in direction 119, teeth 115 push on the sloped surface of tooth 185 of locking latch 180, forcing locking latch 180 to move in direction 189 into groove 175, against the force of spring 194. At the end of the slope of each tooth 115, spring 195 pushed locking latch 180 and tooth 185 back in the opposite direction to direction 189. As locking part 110 is sliding in sockets 134 in direction 119, tooth 185 keeps moving in and out teeth 115 until the inner top part of U-shaped locking part 110 reaches handlebar 52. Once inserted into handlebar holder handlebar affixing assembly 120, locking part 110 reaches handlebar 52, handlebar 52 is affixed to roof-rack 60.
To pull U-shaped locking part 110 out of sockets 134, knob 116 must first be pulled outwards and then locking part 110 can be lifted out of affixing assembly 120. A bicycle handlebar holder 100 may also include a locking mechanism preventing removing U-shaped part 110 from handlebar affixing assembly 120 and thereby disallowing the unwarranted removal of bicycle 50 from the vehicle roof-rack 60, for example by thieves. Figures 13aand 13b illustrates bicycle handlebar holder 100, according to embodiments of the present invention, whereas locking knob 116 is detached from the handlebar holder 100. In this example embodiment of a safe locking mechanism, knob 116 can be unscrewed from bolt 190. Therefore, bolt 190 and thereby locking latch 180 and tooth 185 back cannot be pulled out from lock teeth 115 and thus, the U-shaped part 110 is locked inside handlebar affixing assembly 120. Only when screwing knob 116 back locking assembly 170, knob 116 can be pulled out and thereby releasing U-shaped locking part 110 from handlebar affixing assembly 120.
It should be noted that the attaching mechanism shown in Figures 7 and 8 and in other figures, is given by way of example only, and other mechanism can be used, within the scope of the present invention. Figure 14b illustrates an example of another
locking part 310 having teeth 315 only on one post of the U-shaped device. Figure 14a illustrates an example of another locking part 410, being a single rod. Figure 14c illustrates an example of another locking part 610 having teeth 615 on the internal side of one post of the U-shaped device. In the embodiment shown in Figure 14c requires that tooth 185 of locking latch 180 can be operatively engaged with teeth 615. Figure 15a illustrates an example of another top part 530 of handlebar affixing assembly 520, and Figure 15b depicts a side view of top part 530 of handle bar holder 500. Top part 530 has an elongated form whereas groove 532 hosting bolts 160, are generally in a row with sockets 534 and not side by side as in handlebar affixing assembly 120. Typically. two handle bar holders 500 are coupled with a seat holder 200 having a strap 230. A design as shown in Figures 15a and 15b is capable of handling, for example, roof-racks with relatively wide bars.
Seat Holder 200 Figure 16 illustrates a bicycle seat holder 200, according to embodiments of the present invention, attaching a bicycle seat 54 to a vehicle roof-rack 60. Bicycle seat holder 200 includes a preferably adjustable assembly 210 that is affixed to the vehicle roof-rack 60 and strap 230 that tightens bicycle seat 54 to seat affixing assembly 210.
Figure 17 is an exploded view illustration of bicycle seat affixing assembly 210, according to embodiments of the present invention. In this example, top part 220 of seat affixing assembly 210 is placed on top of a bar of roof-rack 60, at a selected position, and bottom part 240 of seat affixing assembly 210 is placed below the same bar of roof- rack 60 just underneath top part 220. Top part 220 and bottom part 240 are affixed to each other by some attaching mechanism, for example, by bolts 260 and nuts 262, whereas bolts 160 are inserted through groove 226 and through holes in bottom part 240. For the sake of clarity, any other affixing mechanisms known in the art can be used. Once affixed to roof-rack 60, seat affixing assembly 210 stays affixed to roof-rack 60 unless size or other adjustments are needed, but in everyday use seat affixing assembly 210 stays affixed to the bar of roof-rack 60. If, for example, bicycle seat 54 was adjusted, top part 220 can be adjusted accordingly in directions 218, as shown in Figure 16, by moving top part 220 along groove 226.
After bicycle seat 54 is placed on top of seat affixing assembly 210, a strap 230 is inserted into matching grooves 222 and wrapped around seat mount 55 and tightened
to assembly 210, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 16. Optionally, openings 224 are provided to ease the insertion of strap 230 into grooves 222.
The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A ready-to-ride bicycle carrier, enabling one person to mount or dismount a bicycle onto or from a vehicle roof-rack in less than a minute, in up-side-down position, the bicycle carrier comprising:
(a) one or two handlebar holders; and
(b) a seat holder; wherein the bicycle handlebar is firmly attached to a first bar of the vehicle roof-rack by said one or two handlebar holders and said bicycle seat is firmly attached the second bar of the vehicle roof-rack by said seat holder.
2. The bicycle carrier as in claim 1 , wherein said handlebar holder comprising:
(a) a handlebar affixing assembly; and
(b) a locking part.
3. The bicycle carrier as in claim 2, wherein said handlebar affixing assembly comprising:
(a) a top part;
(b) a bottom part;
(c) a locking mechanism; and
(d) an attaching mechanism; wherein said attaching mechanism affixes said top part and said bottom part to a bar of said roof-rack.
4. The bicycle carrier as in claim 3, wherein said attaching mechanism comprises two or more bolts and coupling nuts.
5. The bicycle carrier as in claim 2, wherein said locking part has a U-shape form, comprising two connected elongated parallel posts.
6. The bicycle carrier as in claim 5, wherein said locking part comprises saw teeth on at lease one side, wherein the upper surface of a tooth of said saw teeth is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said elongated post.
7. The bicycle carrier as in claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism is affixed to the bottom surface of said top part handlebar affixing assembly.
8. The bicycle carrier as in claims 3 and 6, wherein said locking mechanism comprising:
(a) a body, wherein said body comprises a groove;
(b) a moveable locking latch having saw tooth, wherein said locking latch can move inside said groove of said body and wherein the lower surface of said tooth is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said elongated post;
(c) a connecting mechanism operatively connecting said moveable locking latch to said body;
(d) a returning force; and
(e) a release mechanism, firmly attachable to said moveable locking latch; wherein said tooth of said moveable locking latch is operatively engaged with said teeth of said locking part and wherein said release mechanism can operatively disengage said tooth of said moveable locking latch from said teeth of said locking part.
9. The bicycle carrier as in claim 8, wherein said moveable locking latch further comprises a groove and wherein said connecting mechanism is a bolt, wherein the head of said bolt is disposed inside said groove of said moveable locking latch thereby operatively affixing said bolt to said moveable locking latch.
10. The bicycle carrier as in claim 8, wherein said returning force is a spring, wherein said spring is disposed inside said groove of said body of said locking mechanism, between said moveable locking latch and the innermost wall of said groove of said body, thereby pushing said moveable locking latch away from said innermost wall of said groove of said body.
11. The bicycle carrier as in claim 8, wherein said returning mechanism is a pulling knob, wherein said knob is operatively affixed to said connecting mechanism, and wherein when an operator pulls said knob, said connecting mechanism operatively disengages said tooth of said moveable locking latch from said teeth of said locking part.
12. The bicycle carrier as in claim 1, wherein said seat holder comprising:
(a) a seat affixing assembly; and
(b) a tightening strap.
13. The bicycle carrier as in claim 12, wherein said seat affixing assembly comprising:
(a) a top part;
(b) a bottom part; and
(c) an attaching mechanism; wherein said attaching mechanism affixes said top part and said bottom part to a bar of said roof-rack.
14. The bicycle carrier as in claim 13, wherein said attaching mechanism comprises two or more bolts and coupling nuts.
15. The bicycle carrier as in claim 13, wherein said top part can be slidely adjusted in a direction substantially perpendicular to said second bar of said roof-rack.
16. The bicycle carrier as in claim 13, wherein said tightening strap is a security belt, said belt comprising a strap and an adjustment locking buckle disposed at one end of said strap and on another location on said strap.
17. The bicycle carrier as in claim 16, wherein said top part comprises two grooves disposed on both sides of said top part, wherein said grooves operatively host said tightening strap.
18. A method of mounting a bicycle onto a vehicle roof-rack, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a bicycle carrier as in claim 1 ;
(b) affixing said at least one handlebar affixing assembly to said first bar of said roof- rack;
(c) affixing said seat affixing assembly to said second bar of said roof-rack; and
(d) mounting and affixing said bicycle to said handlebar affixing assembly and to said seat affixing assembly;
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said affixing of said handlebar affixing assembly comprises the steps of:
(a) selecting a location on said first bar of said roof-rack; and
(b) affixing said top part to said bottom part with said attaching mechanism, wherein said bar is disposed between said top part and said bottom part.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
(c) providing a second handlebar holder;
(d) selecting a location on said first bar of said roof-rack to fit the size of the handle bar of said bicycle; and
(e) affixing said top part of said second handlebar holder to said bottom part of said second handlebar holder with said attaching mechanism of said second handlebar holder, wherein said bar is disposed between said top part to said bottom part.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein said affixing of said seat affixing assembly comprises the steps of:
(a) selecting a location on said second bar of said roof-rack;
(b) attaching said top part of said seat affixing assembly to said bottom part of said seat affixing assembly with said attaching mechanism, wherein said bar is disposed between said top part to said bottom part.
(c) adjusting the longitudinal position of said top part to fit the distance between said handlebar of said bicycle and said seat of said bicycle; and
(d) affixing said top part to said bottom part with said attaching mechanism, wherein said bar is disposed between said top part and said bottom part.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein said mounting and affixing said bicycle to said bicycle carrier comprise the steps of:
(a) placing said bicycle handlebar on said handlebar affixing assemblies;
(b) placing said bicycle seat on said seat affixing assembly;
(c) inserting each of said locking parts into corresponding said handlebar affixing assemblies, wherein said locking parts are inserted as far as possible;
(d) inserting said tightening strap into two grooves disposed on both sides of said top part;
(e) wrapping said tightening strap around said seat or the seat post of said bicycle; and
(f) closing said buckle and adjust the length of said tightening strap, operatively tightening said seat to said seat affixing assembly.
23. A method of dismounting a bicycle from a vehicle roof-rack, having a bicycle carrier as in claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
(a) activating said release mechanism to operatively disengage said tooth of said moveable locking latch from said teeth of said locking part;
(b) pulling said locking parts from corresponding said handlebar affixing assemblies;
(c) unlocking said locking buckle of said tightening strap; and
(d) unload said bicycle from said roof-rack;
24. A method of locking a bicycle carrier as in claim 1 , having a bicycle mounted on the bicycle carrier, the method comprising the step of detaching said release mechanism from said moveable locking latch.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP08710174A EP2117878A1 (en) | 2007-02-12 | 2008-02-11 | Ready-to-ride bicycle carrier |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US90070107P | 2007-02-12 | 2007-02-12 | |
| US60/900,701 | 2007-02-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2008099386A1 true WO2008099386A1 (en) | 2008-08-21 |
Family
ID=39400458
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2008/000174 WO2008099386A1 (en) | 2007-02-12 | 2008-02-11 | Ready-to-ride bicycle carrier |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2117878A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2008099386A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2500268A (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2013-09-18 | Plus 8 Ind Ltd | Handlebar support pads for bicycle maintenance |
| US20140197213A1 (en) * | 2013-01-16 | 2014-07-17 | Joshua Shearer | Portable Bicycle Carrier System For Automobiles |
| JP2018534207A (en) * | 2015-11-19 | 2018-11-22 | シク ユン，イル | Multipurpose carrier for vehicles |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2263913A1 (en) * | 1974-03-12 | 1975-10-10 | Gerber Gary | |
| FR2270472A1 (en) * | 1974-02-12 | 1975-12-05 | Cros Jacques | Automobile roof-rack clamp for bicycles - has pivotal upper half held by locking lever on lower half |
| FR2404549A1 (en) * | 1977-09-29 | 1979-04-27 | Ipill Sas | Anti-theft bicycle supporting vehicle roof rack - includes handlebar supporting cross member with key operated lock one end |
| FR2420454A1 (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1979-10-19 | Saint Julien Chaudronnerie | Bicycle carrying attachment for car roof rack - has two parallel longitudinal cross pieces and fixings for saddle and handlebars |
| US6283310B1 (en) * | 1999-11-23 | 2001-09-04 | Yakima Products, Inc. | Bicycle carrier |
| WO2004108479A1 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2004-12-16 | Straus, Jaroslav | Bicycle carrier |
-
2008
- 2008-02-11 EP EP08710174A patent/EP2117878A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2008-02-11 WO PCT/IL2008/000174 patent/WO2008099386A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2270472A1 (en) * | 1974-02-12 | 1975-12-05 | Cros Jacques | Automobile roof-rack clamp for bicycles - has pivotal upper half held by locking lever on lower half |
| FR2263913A1 (en) * | 1974-03-12 | 1975-10-10 | Gerber Gary | |
| FR2404549A1 (en) * | 1977-09-29 | 1979-04-27 | Ipill Sas | Anti-theft bicycle supporting vehicle roof rack - includes handlebar supporting cross member with key operated lock one end |
| FR2420454A1 (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1979-10-19 | Saint Julien Chaudronnerie | Bicycle carrying attachment for car roof rack - has two parallel longitudinal cross pieces and fixings for saddle and handlebars |
| US6283310B1 (en) * | 1999-11-23 | 2001-09-04 | Yakima Products, Inc. | Bicycle carrier |
| WO2004108479A1 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2004-12-16 | Straus, Jaroslav | Bicycle carrier |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2500268A (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2013-09-18 | Plus 8 Ind Ltd | Handlebar support pads for bicycle maintenance |
| US20140197213A1 (en) * | 2013-01-16 | 2014-07-17 | Joshua Shearer | Portable Bicycle Carrier System For Automobiles |
| US9150162B2 (en) * | 2013-01-16 | 2015-10-06 | Joshua Shearer | Portable bicycle carrier system for automobiles |
| JP2018534207A (en) * | 2015-11-19 | 2018-11-22 | シク ユン，イル | Multipurpose carrier for vehicles |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP2117878A1 (en) | 2009-11-18 |
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