WO2009037140A1

WO2009037140A1 - Portable device for facilitating the support of a bicycle in an inverted position

Info

Publication number: WO2009037140A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/061861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miguel LUQUE MUÑOZ
Original assignee: Luque Munoz Miguel
Priority date: 2007-09-20
Filing date: 2008-09-08
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: ES1067006U; ES1067006Y

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable device (1) for facilitating the support of a bicycle in an inverted position, in which the bicycle is supported on the handlebars (2) and the saddle (3), comprising at least one support leg (4) for the handlebars of the bicycle in the inverted position, provided with coupling means (5a, 5b) suitable for coupling it to the handlebars and for adopting an operative position, in which it remains extended, projecting from the handlebars in a direction opposite the wheels of the bicycle.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N

Portable device for facilitating the support of a bicycle in an inverted position

Technical Field of the Invention

The object of the present invention is a portable device for facilitating the support of a bicycle in an inverted position in which the bicycle is supported on the handlebars and the saddle.

Background of the Invention

There are currently a great variety of human-powered land vehicles by means of pedals, the bicycle being the most widely used. To that end, multiple devices can be found on the market intended to increase the performance of these vehicles, such as improving night visibility, geographically locating, recording and reporting on the route, notifying other passersby of presence, etc.

Among said devices, those intended to show some type of information to be observed by the cyclist or requiring quick and easy access during the route, are usually coupled to the handlebars or at least one of their components, such as for example GPS devices, odometers, lights, bells, map carrier supports, etc.

In addition, during the route it is common for small breakdowns of the vehicle to occasionally arise, such as flats, chain breaks, mechanical misadjustments, etc. To that end, normally a well equipped user usually provides himself or herself with the basic tools in order to be able to carry out the repair in situ. Even so, during the repair, the correct positioning of the bicycle is usually awkward, especially if there is no one to help or to hold the bicycle, which frequently occurs. For this reason, the user of the bicycle must rest it on the ground or any object which may serve as support. In particular, the position providing greater stability to the bicycle and access to all its parts for facilitating its repair is the inverted position, consisting of maintaining the bicycle turned over, its wheels being left upward, and supported on the handlebars and the saddle.

The mentioned inverted position of the bicycle however has a main drawback that everything projecting from the handlebars can be supported on the ground and therefore be damaged, as can easily occur, for example, with the mentioned devices coupled to the handlebars unless they have been previously removed therefrom.

The lack of a portable device which allows maintaining the bicycle in a suitable position for its quick and convenient repair in the case of a breakdown, therefore preventing its components or accessories, especially those located on the handlebars, from being damaged, is therefore noted.

Disclosure of the Invention In essence, the portable device object of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one support leg for the handlebars of the bicycle in the inverted position, provided with coupling means suitable for coupling it to the handlebars and for adopting an operative position, in which it remains extended, projecting from the handlebars in a direction opposite the wheels of the bicycle. The bicycle can thus be easily and securely positioned on the ground in order to conveniently repair it.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the leg is detachably coupled to the handlebars through the coupling means. The small size of the portable device according to the invention allows, in this particular embodiment, the legs of the portable device to be carried along with other repair tools and to be applied when needed.

The portable device is characterized in that the coupling means comprise at least two elastically deformable extensions suitable to be detachably fixed on the handlebars like a clamp. According to another embodiment of the invention, the leg is integrally coupled to the handlebars through the coupling means. In this case, the reduced size allows maintaining the legs of the portable device coupled on the handlebars, being able to be installed at the time the bicycle is purchased.

According to another feature of the invention, the leg is attached to the coupling means through a hinge allowing the leg to also adopt a withdrawn position in which it remains folded. As a result of said withdrawn position of the leg the portable device is prevented from interfering in the use of the bicycle, even being permanently installed.

According to another feature of the invention, the leg comprises a retractable body linked to the respective coupling means, the leg and the corresponding retractable body being attached to one another through the hinge, all such that in the withdrawn position of the leg, the latter is kept folded in the retractable body, while in the operative position of the leg, the retractable body is extended from the handlebars.

Another notable aspect of the portable device object of the invention is that the coupling means consist of a tubular body suitable for being inserted in tubular handlebars through the side of one of their grips, comprising fixing means for fixing it to the tube of the handlebars and guide means for guiding the retractable body which facilitate its longitudinal movement with regard to the coupling means.

The portable device according to the invention is further characterized in that the fixing means for fixing the coupling means to the tubular handlebars are provided with at least one rough surface on the outer face of the mentioned tubular body configuring the coupling means.

As a result of the special configuration of the portable device, it can be easily installed on handlebars of a conventional bicycle without the handlebars being specially suited, therefore making its use more extendable.

In accordance with another feature of the invention the retractable body comprises a moving receptacle suitable for housing the leg therein and actuation means by means of which the operative position of the leg is made to give way to the withdrawn position, and/or vice versa.

According to another feature of the invention the moving receptacle consists of a tubular body the contour of which is internally complementary to that of the tubular body of the coupling means, provided with an upper opening, and suitable for longitudinally moving inside said coupling means in an adjusted and guided manner from the withdrawn position to the operative position of the leg, in which it unfolds through said upper opening.

Another notable aspect of the portable device object of the invention is that the leg is a rod provided at one of its ends with the mentioned hinge which attaches it to the retractable body such that in the withdrawn position of the leg, the latter is coaxially arranged in the inner space of the moving receptacle, the retractable body in turn being introduced in the coupling means whereby its upper opening is obstructed, while in the operative position of the leg, the - A -

retractable body is extracted from the coupling means, projecting enough to leave the mentioned upper opening of the moving receptacle free and allow the exit of the leg therethrough upon rotating about its hinged end.

According to another feature the guide means comprise a rib made in the wall of the tubular body of the coupling means opposite a groove made in the moving receptacle through which the mentioned rib longitudinally slides upon passing from the withdrawn position to the operative position of the leg, and vice versa, the retractable body moving telescopically with regard to the tubular body of the coupling means and the rotation of the moving receptacle according to its longitudinal axis being prevented; and elastic means compressed by the retractable body in the withdrawn position of the leg and driving the retractable body towards the operative position of the leg.

The portable device is additionally characterized in that the actuation means consist of a prismatic part hingedly attached to the distal end of the moving receptacle of the retractable body freely rotating about its longitudinal axis and comprising a control accessible from the handlebars, and at least one projection on its side face, all arranged such that in the withdrawn position of the leg, the projection is introduced in a slit made in the coupling means, its exit being blocked, said prismatic part being retained and the forward movement of the retractable body through the mentioned coupling means being impeded until, upon rotating the prismatic part, the mentioned projection travels through the slit to end up coming out of it allowing the retractable body to longitudinally move out of the coupling means and discontinue the withdrawn position of the leg.

According to a preferred aspect, the control of the actuation means is a push-button base accessible through a hole made in the side of the grip of the handlebars.

The surface of the push-button base forming the control of the actuation means is preferably provided with printed information.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the hinge comprises a torsion spring keeping the leg extended in its operative position.

According to another particular aspect, the portable device is characterized in that the leg comprises at its free end an unfoldable framework increasing its support surface area in its operative position.

According to another feature, the portable device object of the invention further comprises an accessory for bicycle saddles, suitable for serving as additional support when the bicycle is the mentioned inverted position. The deterioration of the saddle when the bicycle is in an inverted position, and therefore the saddle is supported on the ground, is thus prevented. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the accessory for saddles is a cover which at least partially covers the outer surface of the saddle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Two embodiments of the portable device object of the invention are shown in the attached drawings as a non-limiting example. In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a leg of a first embodiment of the portable device which is being detachably coupled to bicycle handlebars;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional perspective view of a leg of a second embodiment of the portable device in a withdrawn position; Figure 3 is another perspective view of the leg of Figure 2 in an extended position;

Figure 4 is another perspective view of the leg of Figure 2 being integrally coupled to bicycle handlebars;

Figure 5 is another perspective view of the leg of Figures 2 to 4 integrally coupled to bicycle handlebars during its operation;

Figure 6 is another perspective view of the leg of Figures 2 to 5 in a partially extended position;

Figure 7 is another perspective view of the leg of Figures 2 to 6 in an extended position; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bicycle in an inverted position provided with an operative portable device with two legs of Figures 2 to 7.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The portable device 1 according to the invention is suitable for facilitating the support of a bicycle in an inverted position in which the bicycle is supported on its handlebars 2 and its saddle 3. Figures 1 to 8 show two preferred embodiments of the portable device 1. In both cases the portable device 1 comprises two support legs 4 for the handlebars of the bicycle in the inverted position, one for each grip 9. Each leg 4 is provided with coupling means 5a or 5b suitable for coupling it to the handlebars and for adopting an operative position, in which it remains extended, projecting from the handlebars in a direction opposite the wheels of the bicycle. It can be observed that the same reference numbers have been used in said Figures 1 to 8 to designate similar parts or equivalent components in both embodiments of the device according to the invention.

According to a first embodiment each leg 4 is detachably coupled to the handlebars 2 through their respective coupling means 5a. Only one of said legs 4 has been depicted in Figure 1 , since the other leg is equivalent. It can thus be seen that the leg 4 comprises two elastically deformable extensions 6. To couple the leg 4 to bicycle handlebars 2, one of the two grips 9 of the handlebars 2 must be introduced under pressure between the two extensions 6, (arrow F1 ), being coupled like a clamp on said grip 9. This embodiment allows the subsequent removal of the leg 4 from the handlebars 2 when its use is not required.

In addition a second embodiment is depicted in Figures 2 to 7, showing only one of the two legs 4, and in Figure 8, showing the entire operative portable device 1 . In this case the legs 4 are integrally coupled to the handlebars 2 through coupling means 5b. The legs 4 in turn are attached to the respective coupling means 5b through a corresponding hinge 7 allowing the leg to also adopt a withdrawn position in which it remains folded, as is explained below. Figure 2 shows the leg 4 in a withdrawn position, comprising a retractable body 8 linked to the respective coupling means 5b. In the depicted position, the retractable body 8 is introduced in the coupling means 5b, visible through a section carried out for such purpose. The coupling means 5b consist of a tubular body comprising fixing means 10 for fixing it to the tube of the handlebars, provided with rough surfaces on the outer face of the mentioned tubular body, and guide means 1 1 for guiding the retractable body 8, facilitating its longitudinal movement with regard to the coupling means 5b.

Figure 3 depicts the leg 4 in an extended position, showing how the retractable body 8 comprises a moving receptacle 12 suitable for housing the leg 4 therein and actuation means 13 by means of which the withdrawn position of the leg 4 is made to give way to the operative position, as will be explained below. The mentioned moving receptacle 12 consists of a tubular body the contour of which is internally complementary to that of the tubular body of the coupling means 5b, provided with an upper opening 14. Figure 3 also shows that the guide means 1 1 comprise a rib 15 made in the wall of the tubular body of the coupling means 5b opposite a groove 16 made in the moving receptacle 12 through which the mentioned rib 15 longitudinally slides upon passing from the withdrawn position to the operative position of the leg 4, and vice versa, the retractable body 8 moving telescopically with regard to the tubular body of the coupling means 5b and the rotation of the moving receptacle 12 according to its longitudinal axis being prevented.

Said Figures 2 and 3 also show that the leg 4 is a rod provided at one of its ends with the mentioned hinge 7 which attaches it to the retractable body 8, while at its other end it comprises a tripod-like unfoldable framework 23 increasing its support surface area in its operative position. The leg is thus coaxially arranged in the inner space of the moving receptacle 12 in the withdrawn position of the leg 4, the retractable body 8 in turn being introduced in the coupling means 5b whereby its upper opening 14 is obstructed (Figure 2), while in the operative position of the leg 4, the retractable body 8 is extracted from the coupling means 5b, projecting enough to leave the mentioned upper opening of the moving receptacle 12 free and allow the exit of the leg therethrough upon rotating about its hinged end. In order to maintain the mentioned operative operation, the hinge 7 comprises a torsion spring 22 driving the leg 4 towards the position of Figure 3.

In addition, the mentioned actuation means 13 are provided with a prismatic part hingedly attached to the distal end of the moving receptacle 12 of the retractable body 8 freely rotating about its longitudinal axis and comprising a control 18, consisting of a base of the prismatic part, and at least one projection 19, arranged on its side face. All this is arranged such that in the withdrawn position of the leg 4 (see Figure 2), the projection is introduced in a slit 20 made in the coupling means 5b, its exit being blocked, said prismatic part being retained and the forward movement of the retractable body 8 through the mentioned coupling means 5b being impeded. The mentioned actuation means 13 also comprise a spring 17 arranged between the retractable body 8 and the closed base of the tubular body configuring the coupling means 5b.

Figure 4 shows the coupling of the leg 4 to handlebars 2. To that end, the coupling means 5b are suitable for being inserted in tubular handlebars 2 through a hole 21 of the side of one of their grips 9, according to the arrow F2, being retained once the leg 4 is completely introduced in the corresponding grip 9 by means of the fixing means 10.

In order to activate the leg 4, the push-button base configuring the control

18 of the prismatic part of the actuation means 13 must be operated through the hole 21 made in the side of the grip 9 of the handlebars 2. Said operation is depicted in Figure 5 and consists of pressing (arrow F3) the retractable body 8 and making it rotate (arrow F4), compressing the elastic means 17. The mentioned projection 19 thus travels through the slit 20 to end up coming out of it due to the effect of the drive of said spring 17, allowing the retractable body 8 to longitudinally move out of the coupling means 5b, and discontinue the withdrawn position of the leg 4, as the arrow F5 of Figure 6 indicates.

Upon continuing to move the retractable body 8 according to said arrow

F5, it reaches the position of Figure 7, in which the mentioned opening 14 of the moving receptacle 12 is exposed, such that it allows the exit of the leg 4 therethrough upon rotating about its hinge 7, as arrow F6 indicates. The leg 4 is extended from the handlebars 2 in said position, being able to also unfold the framework 23 for greater support stability.

Finally, Figure 8 shows a bicycle in an inverted position and with the portable device 1 operative, i.e., with the legs 4 coupled to the grips 9 of the handlebars 2 in an extended position. It can also be seen that the portable device

1 further comprises an accessory 24 consisting of a cover which covers the outer surface of the saddle 3, serving as additional support when the bicycle is in the mentioned inverted position.

The push-button base forming the control 18 of the actuation means 13 optionally comprises an ornamental surface, being able to be provided with printed information.

Claims

C L A I M S

1 .- A portable device (1 ) for facilitating the support of a bicycle in an inverted position in which the bicycle is supported on the handlebars (2) and the saddle (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support leg (4) for the handlebars of the bicycle in the inverted position, provided with coupling means (5a, 5b) suitable for coupling it to the handlebars and for adopting an operative position, in which it remains extended, projecting from the handlebars in a direction opposite the wheels of the bicycle.

2.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the leg (4) is detachably coupled to the handlebars (2) through the coupling means (5a).

3.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling means (5a) comprise at least two elastically deformable extensions (6) suitable for being detachably fixed on the handlebars (2) like a clamp.

4.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the leg (4) is integrally coupled to the handlebars (2) through the coupling means (5b).

5.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the leg (4) is attached to the coupling means (5b) through a hinge (7) allowing the leg to also adopt a withdrawn position in which it remains folded.

6.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the leg (4) comprises a retractable body (8) linked to the respective coupling means (5b), the leg and the corresponding retractable body being attached to one another through the hinge (7), all such that in the withdrawn position of the leg, the latter is kept folded in the retractable body, while in the operative position of the leg, the retractable body is extended from the handlebars (2).

7.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the coupling means (5b) consist of a tubular body suitable for being inserted in tubular handlebars (2) through the side of one of their grips (9), comprising fixing means (10) for fixing it to the tube of the handlebars and guide means (1 1 ) for guiding the retractable body (8) which facilitate its longitudinal movement with regard to the coupling means.

8.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing means (10) for fixing the coupling means (5b) to the tubular handlebars (2) are provided with at least one rough surface on the outer face of the mentioned tubular body configuring the coupling means.

9.- The portable device (1 ) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the retractable body (8) comprises a moving receptacle (12) suitable for housing the leg (4) therein and actuation means (13) by means of which the operative position of the leg is made to give way to the withdrawn position, and/or vice versa.

10.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the moving receptacle (12) consists of a tubular body the contour of which is internally complementary to that of the tubular body of the coupling means (5b), provided with an upper opening (14), and suitable for longitudinally moving inside said coupling means in an adjusted and guided manner from the withdrawn position to the operative position of the leg (4), in which it unfolds through said upper opening.

1 1.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the leg (4) is a rod provided at one of its ends with the mentioned hinge (7) which attaches it to the retractable body (8) such that in the withdrawn position of the leg (4), the latter is coaxially arranged in the inner space of the moving receptacle (12), the retractable body (8) in turn being introduced in the coupling means (5b) whereby its upper opening (14) is obstructed, while in the operative position of the leg (4), the retractable body (8) is extracted from the coupling means, projecting enough to leave the mentioned upper opening of the moving receptacle (12) free and allow the exit of the leg therethrough upon rotating about its hinged end.

12.- The portable device (1 ) according to anyone of claims 7 to 1 1 , characterized in that the guide means (1 1 ) comprise a rib (15) made in the wall of the tubular body of the coupling means (5b) opposite a groove (16) made in the moving receptacle (12) through which the mentioned rib (15) longitudinally slides upon passing from the withdrawn position of the leg (4) to the operative position, and vice versa, the retractable body (8) moving telescopically with regard to the tubular body of the coupling means and the rotation of the moving receptacle according to its longitudinal axis being prevented; and elastic means (17) compressed by the retractable body in the withdrawn position of the leg and driving the retractable body towards the operative position of the leg.

13.- The portable device (1 ) according to anyone of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the actuation means (13) consist of a prismatic part hingedly attached to the distal end of the moving receptacle (12) of the retractable body (8) freely rotating about its longitudinal axis and comprising a control (18) accessible from the handlebars (2), and at least one projection (19) on its side face, all arranged such that in the withdrawn position of the leg (4), the projection is introduced in a slit (20) made in the coupling means (5b), its exit being blocked, said prismatic part being retained and the forward movement of the retractable body through the mentioned coupling means being impeded until, upon rotating the prismatic part, the mentioned projection travels through the slit to end up coming out of it allowing the retractable body to longitudinally move out of the coupling means and discontinue the withdrawn position of the leg.

14.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 13, characterized in that the control (18) of the actuation means (13) is a push-button base accessible through a hole (21 ) made in the side of the grip (9) of the handlebars (2).

15.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 14, characterized in that the surface of the push-button base forming the control (18) of the actuation means (13) is provided with printed information.

16.- The portable device (1 ) according to any one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the hinge (7) comprises a torsion spring (22) keeping the leg (4) extended in its operative position.

17.- The portable device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the leg (4) comprises at its free end an unfoldable framework (23), increasing its support surface area in its operative position.

18.- The portable device (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises an accessory (24) for bicycle saddles, suitable for serving as additional support when the bicycle is in the mentioned inverted position.

19.- The portable device (1 ) according to claim 18, characterized in that the accessory (24) for saddles is a cover which at least partially covers the outer surface of the saddle.