GB2578521A - An assembly and installation - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly 10 for storing a bicycle in an upright orientation by engaging the tyre of the front wheel of the bicycle comprises a first formation 11 that is configured to engage an upper part of the front wheel, a second formation 17 that is configured to engage a lower part of the tyre of the front wheel, and an actuator (20, figure 2) that is operably connected to the second formation 17 to move the second formation 17 toward the first formation 11. In use front wheel is placed on the second formation 17 and moved rearwardly relative to the formations 11, 17 moving them apart to accommodate the wheel therebetween, and thereafter, the actuator is operable to move the second formation 17 toward the first formation to secure the front wheel in an upright orientation. The actuator 20 may be a spring. The bicycle may be removed by a user pulling it out f the stand against the resistance of the actuator 20.

Description

AN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for storing bicycles in an upright orientation. The present invention also relates to an installation comprising a plurality of the assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0002] There are a range of different racks available for storing bicycles. One type of rack includes semi-circular structures or arch structures projecting up from the ground at approximately the same height as the frame of bicycles. Bicycles can then be locked to the structures with both wheels on the ground. Another type of rack includes pairs of small arches that are spaced apart to allow a front wheel of the bicycles to be positioned between the arches. The front wheel of the bicycles can then be locked to the arches. Both of these types of racks may not be suitable when limited space is available.

[0003] There are also bicycle racks available for storing bicycles off the ground.

Typically, off the ground storage racks include either hooks that engage a wheel rim for supporting the bicycle, or pairs of arms that engage the horizontal bar of the bicycle frame between the seat post and the handlebars (or the goose neck of the handlebars). However, a difficulty with both of these racks is that the wheel rim or the bicycle frame may have a particular profile that is not well adapted to be engaged by the hooks or arms, or the rim or frame may be made of materials that can be damaged. For instance, the wheel rim or frame may have a pointed profile made of carbon fibre that can be easily damaged.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative assembly for storing bicycles that may at least partially avoid these difficulties. -2 -

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to an assembly for storing a bicycle in an upright orientation with a front wheel of the bicycle above the rear wheel by engaging the tyre of the front wheel of the bicycle, the assembly including: a first formation that is configured to engage an upper part of the front wheel of the bicycle; a second formation that is configured to engage a lower part of the tyre of the front wheel of the bicycle, the second formation being arranged rearward of the first formation from the perspective of the user loading the bicycle onto the assembly; an actuator that is operably connected to the second formation to move the second formation toward the first formation; whereby in use, the user can place the front wheel on the second formation and move the front wheel rearwardly relative to the first formation and moves the second formation away from the first formation to accommodate the wheel between the first and second formation, and thereafter, the actuator is operable to move the second formation toward the first formation so that the front wheel is engaged between the first formation and the second formation in a manner that secures the front wheel in an upright orientation.

[0006] The actuator may urge the second formation toward the first formation which is overcome by the user pushing the front wheel onto the assembly so that the second formation moves away from the first formation, and when the user ceases pushing, the actuator causes the second formation to move the second formation toward the first formation.

[0005] The actuator may be operable to move the second formation in a direction upwardly toward the first formation.

[0006] In an embodiment, the user can move the front wheel onto the second formation which causes the actuator to move the second formation toward the first formation. -3 -

[0007] Ideally, the second formation is pushed downward when the user initially moves the wheel rearwardly while engaging at least part of both the first formation and the second formation.

[0001] When the front wheel is in the upright orientation between the first formation and the second formation, the bicycle can be suspended from the assembly. Ordinarily the bicycle will swing into an upright orientation when suspended from the assembly.

[0002] In an embodiment, the user can place the front wheel on the second formation and pushing the bicycle onto the assembly which moves the second formation away from the first formation, such as in a rearward direction, and progressively loads the actuator, and in turn, increases a force that the actuator can apply for moving the second formation toward the first formation after the user has ceased pushing.

[0003] The second formation may be located by the actuator in an initial position prior to receiving the wheel of the bicycle. When a user loads the bicycle into the assembly, the second formation moves from the initial position away from the first formation.

[0004] The second formation moves from the initial position away from the first formation, the second formation moves in a downward direction.

[0005] The actuator can move the second formation into a raised operating position, in which front wheel is engaged between the first formation and the second formation in a manner that secures the front wheel in an upright orientation, and maintain the second formation in the raised position, whilst the weight of the bicycle is resting on the second formation. For instance, the actuator can move the second formation into the raised operating position when the user ceases pushing the front wheel.

[0006] The second formation may include a pivotally mounted arm that pivots upward and downward, i.e., in an upright plane. -4 -

[0007] The second formation may have an upwardly facing channel having a base and sidewalls extending from the base. The tyre of the bicycle may engage the sidewalls, for example when the sidewalls are spaced narrower that the width of the tyre tread. The sidewalls may be spaced wider that the tyre tread, in which case the tyre tread may engage the base.

[0008] The actuator may include a biasing member that urges the second formation toward the first formation and against the weight of the bicycle into a raised position.

[0009] Depending on the size of the bicycle wheel, the second formation may be in the initial upward position, when the front wheel engages both the first and second formations.

[0010] In one example, the second formation may be closer to the first formation when in initial position than in the operating position.

[0011] In another example, the second formation may be further from the first formation in the initial position than in the operating position.

[0012] In another example, the second formation and the first formation may be approximately equally spaced apart in the initial position and in the operating position.

[0013] The second formation may move in a recoiling motion from a loaded reward position to an upward neutral position, and during the recoiling motion, the front wheel of the bicycle is secured in the upright orientation on the assembly.

[0014] The biasing member may be any one or a combination of: a compression spring, a tension spring or a gas strut.

[0015] Ideally, the biasing member is a torsion spring. -5 -

[0016] The torsion spring may be a single sided spring, comprising a coiled body and two limbs extending from opposite ends of the spring.

[0017] The torsion spring may be a double-sided spring, comprising two coiled sections that are arranged co-axially and three limbs, in which one of the limbs interconnects adjacent ends of the two coiled sections and two outer limbs that extend from outer ends of each of the coiled sections. Forces applied to the spring may be applied through one or more of the limbs of the spring to the second formation.

[0018] The actuator may include a powered drive mechanism that moves the second formation toward a raised neutral position.

[0019] In order to remove the bicycle from the assembly, the user can operate the actuator to move the second formation away from the first formation, so that the front wheel disengages from the first formation. The actuator may be operated by a variety of ways, particularly when the actuator is a power actuator. When the actuator is a biasing member, the user can operate the actuator by pulling downward on the bicycle.

[0020] The first formation may extend forwardly and above of the second formation from the perspective of a user loading the bicycle into the assembly.

[0021] The first formation may be located above the second formation.

[0022] The first formation may have a rotatable member, such as a roller.

[0023] The first formation may have a body having an opening that receives an upper part of the tyre when the bicycle is secured the loaded upright orientation on the assembly.

[0024] The opening may include a slot or a gap between two members. -6 -

[0025] In one example, an upper part of the tyre of the bicycle may engage the roller and the second formation whilst the user pushes the front wheel rearwardly, and once the user stops pushing the front wheel, the actuator moves the second formation toward the first formation so that the upper part of the tyre of the assembly is received by the opening.

[0026] The assembly may have a third formation positioned above the first formation.

[0027] The third formation may be arranged intermediate of the first and second formations. The third formation may be arranged between the first and second formations.

[0028] The third formation may include a U-shape that receives the tyre of the wheel. The third formation may straddle the rim of the wheel and engage the tyre.

[0029] The assembly may have frame to which the first, second and third formations may be mounted.

[0030] The frame may include a pair of legs, the legs being arranged in a parallel spaced apart relationship so that the bicycle wheel can be positioned between the legs when in the loaded position.

[0031] Ideally the legs have an L-shaped longitudinal axis. In use, the legs have an upwardly extending portion and forwardly extending portion. The first formation may be mounted to the forward end of the legs, and the third formation may have an inverted U-shaped that extends above and faces downwardly.

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an installation in which a plurality of the assemblies described herein are mounted to a support structure.

[0033] In one embodiment, the support structure is a wall. -7 -

[0034] The assemblies may be mounted to the support structure at different heights. For example, the assemblies may be arranged at two alternating heights. In another example, the assembles may be arranged at more than two different heights two cater for children and adult users, and bicycles of different sizes. Another benefit in staggering the heights is so that the handlebars and peddles of bicycles on adjacent assemblies are less likely to be aligned and clash.

[0035] An embodiment relates to an assembly for storing a bicycle in an upright orientation by engaging the tyre of one of the wheels of the bicycle, the assembly including: framework having an engagement formation that is configured to engage first and second sections of the tyre of the bicycle, the first and second sections being spaced apart; a moveable engagement formation and an actuator that this operably connected to a movable engagement formation to move the movable engagement formation in at least one of either toward or away from the engagement formation, the moveable engagement formation being configured to engage another section of the tyre of the bicycle; wherein the actuator is operable to allow the bicycle wheels of different sizes to be accommodated between the engagement formation and the moveable engagement formation.

[0036] Another embodiment relates to an assembly for storing a bicycle in an upright orientation by engaging the tyre of a front wheel of the bicycle, the assembly including: a first formation which is configured to engage the tyre of the front wheel of a bicycle being loaded onto the assembly, the first formation being arranged forwardly on the assembly from the perspective of a user loading the bicycle into the assembly; a second formation which is configured to engage the tyre of the front wheel of the bicycle, the second formation being arranged rearward of the first formation from the perspective of the user; a third formation positioned rearward of the first formations; and -8 -an actuator which is operably connected to the second formation to move the second formation toward the first formation; whereby in use, the user can initially move the wheel rearwardly while engaging both the first and second formations and thereafter, the actuator is operable to move the second formation toward the first formation to cause the tyre of the wheel to engage the third formation, and thereby secure the bicycle in a loaded position onto the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: [0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembly for storing a bicycle in an upright orientation, however a bicycle not been shown in figure 1.

[0038] Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly shown in Figure land a torsion spring, that forms part of the assembly, has been disassembled from the assembly.

[0039] Figure 3 is a side view of the assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which a pivotally mounted arm is shown in two positions, including a forward initial position in which the bicycle front wheel first makes contact with the assembly, and a rearward position in which the bicycle can be loaded onto the arm of the assembly, and when in the reward position the arm can recoil to lift the front wheel into an operating position as shown in Figure 4.

[0040] Figure 4 is a side view of the assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3 in which a bicycle has been loaded onto the assembly and the arm is in an operating position.

[0041] Figure 5 is a front view of an installation having a set of the assemblies arranged in a stagger on a supporting wall, thereby minimising the likelihood of handlebars and peddles of bicycles on adjacent assemblies from clashing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION -9 -

[0042] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. The following text includes reference numerals which help identify the corresponding features in the figures. However to maintain the clarity of the figures, all reference numerals are not included in each figure.

[0043] As illustrated in the figures, the preferred embodiment is an assembly 10 for storing bicycles in an upright orientation. The assembly 10 includes a framework that includes a pair of L-shaped members 11 and a base plate 12 by which the assembly 10 can be mounted to a structure such as a wall of a building.

[0044] As can best be seen in figure 1, the L-shaped members 11 include a pair of tubular sections that are spaced apart and connected to the base plate 12. The L-shaped members 11 include an upwardly extending section ha and an outwardly extending section 11b. As can best be seen in figure 2, the outwardly extending section llb of the L-shaped member is oriented horizontally or close to horizontal.

[0045] The assembly 10 includes a first formation 13, a second formation 14, and third formation 15, each are configured for engaging the tyre of the bicycle.

[0046] As best seen in figure 4, a bicycle is loaded onto the assembly 10 with a front wheel supported and secured in an upright orientation. The bicycle is suspended on the assembly 10 with the front wheel engages the first formation 13 and the second formation 14 in a manner that secures the front wheel in an upright orientation.

[0047] The first formation 13 includes the outwardly extending section llb of the L-shaped members 11 and a roller 16 that is rotatable mounted on axis A at a forward extremity. In other embodiments, the roller 16 could be replaced with a fixed cross member extending between the sections 11b. When the wheel of the tyre is at least partly received in the gap between the outwardly extending sections 11b, the wheel is held in a more stable upright orientation.

[0048] The second formation 14 has a support arm 17 that is pivotally connected to the base plate about pivot axis B. The support arm 17 has a channel formation with -10 -sidewalls 17a extending from a central web 17b, best seen in Figure 1. A stop element 18, such as a bolt, interconnects the sidewalls 17a and may help locate the tyre of the front wheel on the support arm 17.

[0049] The assembly 10 also includes an actuator 20 that is operably connected to the support arm 17 to urge the support arm 17 into an initial position, as shown in Figure 2, and an operating position, as best shown in Figure 4.. The actuator 20 may be any suitable mechanism, and may include an actuator that is power driven, such as an electrical screw rams, or an actuator that is not power driven.

[0050] Ideally, the actuator 20 is a biasing member such as a torsion spring 21 having a coiled body that, when assembled, has a central axis that is parallel to the axis B. Figure 2 illustrates the torsion spring 21 in a disassembled condition.

Ideally, the torsion spring 21 has two coiled sections 22 and 23 located either side of the support arm 17, a central limb 24 that connects the two bodies and contacts the support arm 17, and two outer limbs 25 that extend from outer ends of the coil sections 22 and 23. The outer limbs 25 engage the base plate 12. The torsion spring 21 is arranged to urge the support arm 17 to a raised initial position, which is the position of the support arm 17 shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 illustrates the position of the support arm 17 in the raised initial position, denoted by the position of the arm 17 labelled X, and a lowered rearward position, denoted by the position of the arm 17 labelled Y. The torsion spring 21 becomes increasing loaded as the support arm 17 is pivoted downwardly from the initial position toward position Y. [0051] The torsion spring 21 has sufficient stiffness or a pre-set loading when in the initial position to act against, and support the weight of, a bicycle. That is, the torsion spring 21 can move the support arm 17 from the lowered rearward position, denoted by position Y, to the operating position, denoted by position X, against the weight of the bicycle.

[0052] Other types of biasing members that could be used include gas structs, tension springs, compression springs and leaf springs.

[0053] The third formation 15 has a downwardly facing arch that straddles between, and extends upwardly, from the L-shaped members 11. The arch includes a pair of legs 27 that are connected to the L-shaped members, and a middle section 28 that interconnects the pair of legs 27. When the bicycle is loaded onto the assembly 10, the tyre of the bicycle can contact a downwardly facing surface of the middle section 28 of the third formation 15 as shown in figure 4.

[0054] A user can load a bicycle onto the assembly 10 by balancing the bicycle on its rear wheel and pushing the bicycle in a direction toward the support arm 17. Ideally, the user is able to move bicycle onto the support arm 17 whilst the tyre of the bicycle also engages the front roller 16, as shown by position X in figure 4.

[0055] However, it will be appreciated that the user may be able to push the front wheel of the bicycle onto the support arm 17 and pivot the support arm 17 downwardly, without the front wheel of the bicycle initially engaging for roller 16, as shown by operating position Y in figure 4. For instance, depending on the overall length of bicycle, and the size of the wheels of the bicycle, there may be instances in which a user may orient the bicycle on its rear wheel, and move the bicycle rearwardly such that the tyre of the front wheel engages and pivots the support arm 17, while the tyre of the front wheel does not engage the front roller 16.

[0056] As the user pushes the bicycle rearwardly and the torsion spring 20 becomes more loaded, the torsion spring 21 becomes operable to recoil and pivot the support arm 17 into an upward direction. When this occurs, if the tyre of the front wheel is not in contact with the front roller 16 while the bicycle is being pushed rearwardly, ideally the support arm 17 lifts the front wheel, raising the bicycle so that the tyre contacts the front roller 16.

[0057] In addition, the tyre of the bicycle may be received by an opening 19 between the outwardly extending sections llb of the L-shaped members 11, and thereby securing the front wheel of the bicycle in an upright orientation. As can best be seen in Figure 4, with the bicycle in a loaded position on the assembly 10, the frame of the bicycle is suspended under the front wheel.

-12 - [0058] Ideally, and as can best be seen in figure 4, the torsion spring 20 may pivot the support arm 17 upwardly so as to raise the bicycle until the tyre of the front wheel pass through the opening 19 and engages the top of the arch 28 of the third formation 15. If required, the user may assist in lifting the bicycle upwardly to complement the action of the support arm 17.

[0059] To unload a bicycle from the assembly 10, a user is able to pull the bicycle downward, pivoting the support arm 17 downwardly, and the front wheel out of engagement with the third formation 15, and free of the opening 19. The user can then also pull the bicycle forward, i.e., toward themselves and once the diameter of the wheel has past the roller 16 of the first formation 13 and the stop element 18 of the second formation 14, the bicycle is effectively unloaded.

[0060] It will be understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0061] For example, the roller may be moveably mounted to the L-shaped member so that it may be moved rearwardly and forwardly.

[0062] In another example, the framework may be adjustable so the spacing between the first formation, such as the roller, and the second formation, such as the supporting arm, may be adjusted. The adjustment with the bicycle adjacent to the assembly, and prior to the bicycle being loaded onto the assembly. For example, the adjustment may be made with the tyre contacting support arm prior to a user pushing the bicycle rearwardly, and the adjustment may include lowering the roller onto the tyre of the front wheel.

-13 -Reference numeral table assembly 10 stop element 18 L-shaped member 11 actuator 20 upwardly extending section ha torsion spring 21 outwardly extending section llb coiled sections 22 and 23 first formation 13 central limb 24 second formation 14 outer limbs 25 third formation 15 legs 27 roller 16 middle section 28 support arm 17 sidewall 17a central web 17b

Claims (20)

1. -14 -CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION1. An assembly for storing a bicycle in an upward orientation with a front wheel of the bicycle above the rear wheel by engaging the tyre of the front wheel of the bicycle, the assembly including: a first formation that is configured to engage an upper part of the front wheel of the bicycle; a second formation that is configured to engage a lower part of the tyre of the front wheel of the bicycle, the second formation being arranged rearward of the first formation from the perspective of the user loading the bicycle onto the assembly; an actuator that is operably connected to the second formation to move the second formation toward the first formation; whereby in use, the user can place the front wheel on the second formation and move the front wheel rearwardly relative to the first formation which moves the bicycle onto the assembly and moves the second formation away from the first formation to accommodate the wheel between the first and second formation, and thereafter, the actuator is operable to move the second formation toward the first formation so that the front wheel is engaged between the first formation and the second formation in a manner that secures the front wheel in a loaded upright orientation.
2. 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator urges the second formation toward the first formation which is overcome by the user pushing the front wheel onto the assembly so that the second formation moves away from the first formation, and when the user ceases pushing, the actuator causes the second formation to move toward the first formation, thereby securing the front wheel between the first and second formations.
3. 3. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second formation moves rearwardly and downwardly relative to the first formation when the user pushes the front wheel onto the assembly, and when the user has ceased pushing, the actuator is operable to move the second formation in a direction upwardly toward the first formation.
4. -15 - 4. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator can move the second formation into a raised operating position, in which the front wheel is engaged between the first formation and the second formation in a manner that secures the front wheel in an upright orientation, and maintain the second formation in the raised position, whilst the weight of the bicycle is resting on the second formation.
5. 5. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the front wheel is in the upright orientation between the first formation and the second formation, the bicycle is suspended from the assembly in an upright orientation.
6. 6. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second formation moves in a recoiling motion from a loaded reward position in a upward direct, and in the recoiling motion, the front wheel of the bicycle is secured in the loaded upright orientation on the assembly.
7. 7. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second formation has a pivotally mounted arm that pivots upward and downward, and the actuator moves the arm to an initial upward position prior to receiving the wheel of the bicycle.
8. 8. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second formation has an upwardly facing channel having a base and sidewalls extending from the base, and in which the tyre of the front wheel engages either the sidewalls and/or base.
9. 9. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator includes a biasing member that urges the second formation toward the first formation against the weight of the bicycle so that the front wheel engages the first and second formations.
10. 10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the biasing member is a -16 -torsion spring having a coiled body and at least two limbs extending from the coiled body in which at least one limb operably engages the second formation and another limb is in a relatively fixed position.
11. 11. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first formation extends forwardly and above of the second formation from the perspective of a user loading the bicycle into the assembly.
12. 12. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly has a frame having a pair of legs, the legs being arranged in a parallel spaced apart relationship to define an opening that forms part of the first formation, and the front wheel can be positioned between the legs when in the loaded upright orientation.
13. 13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first formation has a rotatable member mounted to the frame, the rotatable member can be engaged by the front wheel when the front wheel is moved rearwardly onto the assembly.
14. 14. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the assembly has a third formation position above the opening, the third formation has an inverted U-shape mounted to at least one of the legs that can engage the tyre of the bicycle.
15. 15. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the upper part of the tyre of the bicycle can engage the roller and the second formation whilst the user pushes the front wheel rearwardly, and once the user stops pushing the front wheel, the actuator moves the second formation toward the first formation so that the upper part of the tyre of the assembly is received by the opening.
16. 16. The assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the legs have an L-shape, including an upwardly extending section and outwardly extending section that defines the opening of the first formation, and the frame has a base plate extending between the legs, and the second formation may be mounted to a lower end of the upwardly extending section of the legs.
17. -17 - 17. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user can operate the actuator to move the second formation away from the first formation, so that the front wheel disengages from the first formation.
18. 18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the user can operate the actuator to move the second formation away from the first formation, by pulling downward on the bicycle.
19. 19. An installation in which a plurality of the assemblies according to any one of the preceding claims are mounted side-by-side on a support structure.
20. 20. The installation according to claim 16, wherein two or more of the assemblies that are arranged adjacently to each other are located at different heights.