CA2327451A1 - Side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device therefor - Google Patents
Side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2327451A1 CA2327451A1 CA 2327451 CA2327451A CA2327451A1 CA 2327451 A1 CA2327451 A1 CA 2327451A1 CA 2327451 CA2327451 CA 2327451 CA 2327451 A CA2327451 A CA 2327451A CA 2327451 A1 CA2327451 A1 CA 2327451A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- side car
- attachment
- pivotal
- bicycle
- bolt
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K27/00—Sidecars; Forecars; Trailers or the like specially adapted to be attached to cycles
- B62K27/02—Frames
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K27/00—Sidecars; Forecars; Trailers or the like specially adapted to be attached to cycles
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)
Abstract
A side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device therefor comprised of a tubular side car frame and the pivotal attachment device. The tubular side car frame comprising, a rectangular base section including a set of base struts, a set of four vertical spacing struts, a set of upper strut membres, a lateral side car frame extensions extends laterally from each side of the side car frame, a side car handle is mounted on a handle sleeve attached to one of the upper strut, a extension rod slidably and telescopically inserted within the handle sleeve, a side car axle which extends transversally across the side car rectangular base, a base plate of the side car frame, a pair of side car main wheels provide two side of the tubular frame, an auxiliairy wheel.
The side car is designed so as to be either used attached to bicyle or independently of the latter. The side car handle and the auxiliary wheel are adopted to facilitate handling, support and maneuverablility of the side car when the latter is not attached to a bicycle.
The pivotal attachment device includes a chain stay attachment section and a seat stay attachment section. The chain stay pivotal attachment device is compound meaning of threee components, the housing of the chain stay device includes a housing flange adopte for attaching the chain stay device to one chain stay tube part of bicycle frame, the housing of the chain stay device further includes a resilient and biasing pivotal connection assembly having a torsioning-type spring is thus adapted to act as a suspension system and the chain stay device includes also a pair of the attachment flanges adopted for attaching the chain stay device to lateral side car frame extension.
The seat stay pivotal attachment device include a seat stay pivotal connecting component attached to seat stay tubes part of the bicycle frame, a pivotal link component is attached to the tubular extension rod part of tubular side car frame, the connecting component having two helicoidal - type springs and spherical pivotal link component thus allows for both angular and translational mouvement between the side car and the bicycle frame.
The side car is designed so as to be either used attached to bicyle or independently of the latter. The side car handle and the auxiliary wheel are adopted to facilitate handling, support and maneuverablility of the side car when the latter is not attached to a bicycle.
The pivotal attachment device includes a chain stay attachment section and a seat stay attachment section. The chain stay pivotal attachment device is compound meaning of threee components, the housing of the chain stay device includes a housing flange adopte for attaching the chain stay device to one chain stay tube part of bicycle frame, the housing of the chain stay device further includes a resilient and biasing pivotal connection assembly having a torsioning-type spring is thus adapted to act as a suspension system and the chain stay device includes also a pair of the attachment flanges adopted for attaching the chain stay device to lateral side car frame extension.
The seat stay pivotal attachment device include a seat stay pivotal connecting component attached to seat stay tubes part of the bicycle frame, a pivotal link component is attached to the tubular extension rod part of tubular side car frame, the connecting component having two helicoidal - type springs and spherical pivotal link component thus allows for both angular and translational mouvement between the side car and the bicycle frame.
Description
SIDE CAR FOR BICYCLE AND PIVOTAL
ATTACHMENT DEVICE THEREFOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to the general field of bicycle accessories and is particularly concerned with a side car for bicycles and a pivotal attachment device therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Relatively recent trends towards improved fitness through exercise and towards ecological modes of transportation have led to a concurrent resurgence in the use of bicycles.
The use of trailers behind bicycles is increasing as cyclists find better ways of increasing the utility and capacity of their bicycles. Bicycle trailers have been developed both for around town errands, such as carrying shopping and hauling laundry and other loads. For bicycle tourists, trailers extend load capacity beyond conventional bags and panniers.
.../2 Methods of connecting bicycle trailers to bicycles are various.
Some connections come off the bicycle feet, which provides attaclunent above the center of gravity of the bicycle, and thus in an adversary way affects braking power.
Some connections or hitches employ additional parts which attach at the rear axle of the bicycle and thus become a modification of the latter.
Other common bicycle trails ~ hitches attach to the rear most bicycle frame members, normally referred to as "sa.ys" by means of bolted clamps which encircle the stays. The clamps themselves must withstand the stresses that the trailer connection provides with such stresses characteristically causing the clamps to slide along the stays and thus work themselves loose. Sliding clamps also mar the finish of the bicycle.
Furthermore, such conventional clamps are time consuming to attach and remove, normally requiring tools.
Furthermore, different clamp configurations may be required as various sizes of stays are used on different bicycles and may even be found on the same bicycle.
Likewise, the angle between the stays will vary with different bicycle designs and sizes. In addition, on some bicycles the stays are not coplanar thus requiring a stay-clamping-hitch to be twisted for installation.
There also seems to be a relatively recent trend towards group activities and more specifically towards activities performed with other members of the family unit.
It has thus become increasingly frequent for a healthy adult to go for a cycling ride accompanied by a child, an elderly person or any other person having limited .../3 physical capacities. Heretofore inventions for carrying infants or individuals having limited physical capacities on bicycles have presented many disadvantages.
Such inventions are typically designed for carrying infants.
They typically include carrying slings or seats for carrying a child over the handle bars or the front wheel, over the rear wheel, between the rider's leg or in a trailer pulled behind the bicycle.
Most such inventions position the child so that while the bicycle rider is watching the road, the child is out of view and the rider is unable to effectively communicate with the child. Also, the prior art inventions have been uncomfortable for the child.
Indeed, when the carrying device is in the form of a soft sling, it gives the child insufficient support resulting in the child becoming cramped or twisted. On the other hand, when the carrying device is rigidly attached to the frame of the bicycle, the child is jarred by bumps in the road and thrown from side to side by the pedaling efforts of the rider.
Most prior art child carrying devices also do not offer reasonable safety for the infant rider.
Furthermore, most such devices do not provide adequate storage for the paraphernalia that most parents desire to take with them on an outing with the child.
Still further, most prior art devices do not provide a useful seat for the child when the bicycle is at rest and do not allow for use independent of the bicycle.
Some of these problems have been recognized in the past and, consequently, .../4 side cars for bicycles have been proposed. Side cars for bicycles eliminate at least some of the hereinabove mentioned disadvantages.
However, most side cars heretofore proposed were based on concepts developed for motorcycles with problems in mind that are only marginally relevant.
Many of the prior art inventions have relied on an offset tricycle (two axle) configuration which is impractical and unsafe because it is highly susceptible to pitch poling even at very low speed. This defect is found in US Pat. N°
4,378,121 to Runs ( 1983).
Typically, the attachments for side cars which have been designed for motorcycles interfere with the pedaling motions required to operate a bicycle, rendering them useless when attached to bicycles. Side cars incorporating elaborate torsion or other shock absorbing devices render them too heavy to be practical for a bicycle. This defect is found in US Pat. N° 4,614,352 to C;ervantes (1986).
On the other hand, other approaches to flexibility renders the side car too wobbly to be free standing when not in motion, to be safe for vulnerable cargo or to support mph ofthe load. This defect is found in US Pat. N°4,378,121 to Runs (1983).
Furthermore, side cars designed to support very heavy loads or to adjust for high speed cornering or to absorb road shocks associated with such support and speed, make no sense were the strength of the rider limits the ability of the vehicle to carry a load.
Also, prior art inventions often fail to compensate for the lighter weight frame of the bicycle so that when they are used with a bicycle such prior inventions could cause damage to the bicycle frame.
.../5 Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved side car for bicycles and a pivotal attachment device therefor.
Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed invention allows for a bicycle rider to carry various types of cargo including children through the use of a side car specifically designed for use with bicycles.
The proposed side cars have a generally rigid yet light weight frame allowing for carrying relatively heavy loads without inherently increasing the overall weight to be carried.
Also, the proposed side car is specifically designed so as not to interfere with pedaling of the bicycle or overstressing the bicycle frame not originally designed for such load carrying.
Still further, the proposed side car is designed so as to be either used attached to the bicycle or independently of the latter. It is provided with structures enhancing its ability to be free-standing when not in motion and to be useable when detached from the bicycle.
The proposed side car is also provided with a pivotal attachment device therefor allowing to be readily detachable and attachable so that the aforementioned advantages of the side car be enjoyed while still permitting use of the bicycle separate from the side car with the attendant improvement in maneuverability and handling on occasions when the advantages provided by a side are not needed.
The attachment device allows the side car to be mounted to different makes of bicycles without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity and with reduced risks of damaging the bicycle frame or finish. The pivotal attachment device allows the .../6 bicycle side car and the bicycle frame to tilt independently in a manner that increases the overall maneuverability of the side car-bicycle combination. It also reduces the risk of the potential side car occupant to be jarred by bumps on the road and from being thrown from side to side by pedaling efforts of the rider.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
An embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way of examples, in reference to the following drawings in which:
FIGURE 1: in a perspective view~with sections taken out, illustrates part of a side car for bicycles in accordance with m embodiment of the present invention with one of its side wheels removed therefrom and one of its optional front wheels shown in phantom lines;
FIGURE 2: in a partial elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates part bf a side car for bicycles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention attached to part of a bicycle (shown in phantom lines) by a pivotal attachment device also part of the invention;
FIGURE 3: in a partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates the side car for bicycles shown in Figures 1 and 2 attached to the rear portion of a bicycle (shown in phantom lines);
FIGURE 4: in a partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates a close-up view of the attachment between the bicycle and the side car shown in Figure 3;
FIGURE 5: in a partial elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates part of the attaclunent shown in Figure 4;
.../7 7 _ FIGURE G: in a partial perspective exploded view, illustrates part of the attaclunent device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 7: in a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along arrows VII VII in Figure 4, illustrates a pivotal connection part of the pivotal attachment shown in Figures 4 through 6;
FIGURE 8: in a close up partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the components shown in Figure 8;
FIGURE 9: in a transversal cross sectional view taken along arrows IX IX of Figure 7, illustrates attachment components part of the pivotable attachment device shown in Figures 4 through 8;
FIGURE 10: in a partial perspective view with sections taken out, illustrates an abutment component part of the pivotable attachment device shown in Figures 4 through 9;
FIGURE 11: in a partial perspective view with sections taken out, illustrates a front segment part of the pivotable attachment device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 12: in a partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates a clamp component part of the front segment of the pivotable attachment device in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 13: in a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along arrows XIII XIII
of Figure 14, illustrates some of the internal components part of the attachment segment shown in Figure 1 l;
.../8 FIGURE 14: in a partial side view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the components part of the attachment segment shown in Figures 11 through 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a side car for bicycles 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention attached by a pivotal attachment device 12 through a section of a conventional bicycle frame 14 (shown in phantom lines).
The bicycle frame 14 typically includes an horizontal tube 16, a transversal tube 18 and a seat tube 20. The seat tube 20 telescopically receives a seat post 22 for supporting a conventional bicycle seat 34 (Figure 11). The bicycle also includes a drive means including drive pedals 24 and a drive gear sprocket assembly 26.
A bicycle rear wheel 28 is rotatably attached to the bicycle frame by a bicycle rear mounting assembly including a pair of seat stays 30 and a pair of chain stays 32.
Each pair of corresponding seat and chain stays 30, 32 typically merge together in a plate conventionally called a "dropout 3:3." which is provided with an attachment slut for the rear axle of the rear bicycle wheel 28.
The herein above mentioned description of the bicycle frame 14 is quite conventional and it should be understood that modifications and variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 11 could be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As shown more specifically in Figures 1 through 3, the side car 10 preferably includes a tubular side car frame defining a generally open top box-like enclosure.
.../9 The tubular frame includes a generally rectanbular base section including a set of base struts 36. A set of four vertical spacing struts 38 extend generally upwardly from the base struts 36 adjacent the corner sections thereof A set of upper strut members 40 are rigidly attached to the vertical spacing struts 38 so as to complete the box-like enclosure.
A base plate 42 preferably made out of a polymeric resin or other suitable material is attached to the base struts 36 using suitable attachment Means 45 such as;
screws, bolts, rivets or the like. The base plate 42 has a pair of axle guiding tongues 44 depending integrally and generally perpendicularly therefrom on each side thereof.
Each axle guiding tongues 44 is provided with an axle receiving slot 46 for rotatably supporting a side car axle 48. The side car axle 48 which extends transversally across the side car base rotatably supports a pair of side car main wheels 50. A set of washer and nut assemblies 52 or other suitable means allows for proper mounting of the side car main wheels 50 on the side car axle 48.
A lateral side car frame extension 54 extends laterally from each side of the side car frame. Each lateral side car extension 54 preferably includes a generally "C"-shaped lateral strut 56 attached to a corresponding pair of vertically spacing struts 38.
A reinforcement sleeve 58 is preferably mounted on the longitudinal segment of each lateral strut 56.
The reinforcement sleeve 58 is abutted to provide structural reinforcement to the lateral strut 56 and facilitate attachment of the pivotal attachment which will be hereinafter disclosed in greater details. A splash guard component 60 is preferably attached to the transversal segments 5 7 part of the lateral struts 56 so as to generally overlie the adjacent side car wheel S0.
.../10 _ 1~ _ The side car 10 is preferably further provided with an auxiliary side car wheel G2 for facilitating support and maneuverability of the side car 10 when the latter is not attached to a bicycle. The auxiliary side car wheel 62 is preferably of the caster type and is preferably attached to a corresponding auxiliary wheel attachment tongue 64 protruding from a frontward p°ripheral edge of the base plate 42. The auxiliary side car wheel G2 is rotatably mounted by an auxiliary wheel axle 66 to a forked tines 68.
In turn, the forked tines 68 are rotatably mounted to the auxiliary wheel mounting toque G~ by an auxiliary wheel pivotal mounting knob 70.
The side car frame is also further preferably provided with a side car handle mounted on a handle sleeve 74 attached to one of the upper struts 40. The side car handle 72 is adapted to facilitate handling and maneuverability of the side car 10 when the latter is not attached to a bicycle.
Referring now specifically to Figures 4 through 14, there is shown in greater details the pivotal attachment device 12. The pivotal attachment device 12 includes a chain stay section 76 illustrated in greater details in Figures 4 through 10 and a seat stay attachment section 78 illustrated in greater details in Figures 11 through 14. The chain stay attachment section 7G includes a chain stay attachment housing 80 adapted to be attached to the attachment sleeve 58 part of the lateral frame extension 54 of the side car 10 and to one of the chain stays 32 part of the bicycle frame 14. The housing 8U is preferably attached to the chain stay 32 so that its pivotal connection is positioned adjacent the dropout plate 33.
As shown more specifically in Figure 6, the housing 80 is preferably attached to the attachment sleeve 58 using a pair of attachment flanges 82, 84 each having a generally "L"-shaped cross sectional configuration. The attachment flange 82 has a top plate 86 provided with corresponding apertures for receiving attaclunent pins 88 c.u.l an attaclunent bolt 90 having a bolt handle 92. Similarly, the attacluuent flange .../11 11 _ 84 is provided with attacliment apertures 94, 96 for respectively receiving the attachment pins 88 and the attachment bolt 90.
The attachment aperture 9G is provided with an internal thread for threadably receiving the threads part of the attachment bolt 90.
The attachment flange 84 is further provided with auxiliary attachment pins 98 extending from a proximal plate 100 thereof.
The attachment sleeves 58 and the associated longitudinal segment of the lateral strut 56 are provided with corresponding attachment apertures 102 extending therethrough for receiving the pins and bolt 88, 90 and 98.
The housing 80 preferably includes a housing flange 104 having a generally elongated configuration and defining a generally substantially "U"-shaped cross sectional configuration.
As shown in greater details in Figure 10, the distal tip of the housing flange is preferably bent integrally so as to define first and second abutment tongues 1 OG, 108.
The abutment tongues l OG and 108 are configured, sized and positioned so as to abuttingly contact and at least partially encircle the corresponding chain stay 32.
A conventional attachment component such as a U-bolt 110 is used to releasably secure the attachment flange 104 to the chain stay 32 with the abutment tongues 106, 108 in abutment contact therewith. The U-bolt component 110 'is adapted to extend through corresponding U-bolt apertures 112 formed in the attachment flange 104 and to be attached to the chain stay 32 using conventional nut-type component 114.
.../12 The housing 80 further includes a resilient and biasing pivotal connection 116 shown in greater details in Figures 7 through 9. The pivotal connection 116 includes a cylindrical shaft 118 rotatably mounted within a shaft sleeve 120. A pair of shaft arms 122 preferably attached at distal ends of the shaft 118 by releasable fastening means such as screws 124 are solidly anchored to the proximal plate 100 part of the attaclunent flange 84.
The shaft sleeves 120 have a flattened segment 128 adapted to abuttingly c~mtuct a segment of the flange 104 such as shown in Figure 9. A fixing component such a conventional U-type bolt 130 having corresponding U-bolt nuts 132 is used for securing the sleeve 120 to the flange 104 so as to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween.
A biasing means for biasing the shaft 118 and the shaft sleeve 120 in a predetermined pivotal relationship relative to each other is further provided.
The biasing means preferably takes the form of an helicoidal-type spring 126. The lielicoidal-type spring 126 is attached at a first end thereof through the shaft 118 by a spring-to-shaft linking bolt 134. The other end of the helicoidal-type spring 126 is attached to the sleeve 120 using corresponding spring-to-sleeve connecting bol~:; 136.
The spring 126 thus allows relative pivotal movement between chain stay 32 and the side car 10 while resiliently biasing the latter towards a predetermined angular relationship relative to each other. The spring 126 is thus adapted to act as a suspension system. The compact format of the suspension system allows it to be positioned adjacent the wheel mounting plates 33 part of the seat stays 32 and thus to be positioned substantially in line with the axle of the bicycle wheel 50 for optimizing the suspension characteristics.
Referring now more specifically to Figures 11 through 14, there is shown in .../13 greater details the seat stay attachment section pert of the pivotal attaclunent device included in the side car 10 part of the present invention. The seat stay section 78 includes extension rod 7 5' slidably and telescopically inserted within the handle sleeve 74.
The rod 75. is maintained in a predetermined longitudinal relationship relative to the sleeve 74 by a longitudinal locking means such as the locking pin 142.
A seat stay pivotal connecting component 144 is releasable attached to the seat stays preferably using a generally dome-shaped fixing plate 146 and a dome-bolt 148 threadably connected to a corresponding dome-bolt receiving segment 15 1' part of the seat stay p~v. otal connecting component 144. Tightening and loosening of the dome-bolt 148 allows the seat stays 30 to be respectively sandwiched between the dome-plate 144 and the outer surface of the pivotal connecting component 144 for selective release therefrom.
The pivotal seat stay connecting component 144 preferably has a generally cylindrical outer casing 150 defining a corresponding longitudinal channel 152 therein.
A pivotal hinge mean preferably taking the form of a spherical pivotal link component 154 is slidably and rotatably mounted within the channel 152.
Biasing components for biasing the pivotal link component 154 towards a generally centered position within the sleeve channel 152 are provided. The biasing components preferably take the form of a pair of helicoidal-type springs 15G
each abutting against a corresponding end plate 158 mounted at each end of the sleeve channel 152 and a pair of abutment plates 16o positioned in abutting relationship with the pivotal link component 154. The abutment plates 160 are provided with plate apertures 162 extending therethrough for receiving at least a section of the outer surface of the pivotal link component 154 so as to seat the latter. One of the end plates 158, ~ namely the end plate 159 located proximal to the side car 10 is provided with a .../14 rod slot 164 extending therethrough. The rod 138 is solidly anchored to the pivotal link component 154 and adapted to move angularly therewith as indicated by arrows-166 in Figure 13 as it slides through the plate slot 164 shown in Figure 14.
The seat stay attachment section part of the attachment device thus allows for both angular and translational relative movement between the side car 10 and the bicycle frame 12 as indicated respectively by arrows 166 and 168 in Figure 13.
Furthermore, angular and translational movement between the side car 10 and the bicycle frame 12 are biased towards a predetermined relationship therebetween by the helicoidal-type springs 126 and 156. Cargo, including children located within the side car 10 may thus enjoy a relatively smooth ride regardless of the maneuvers of the bicycle and of the road conditions.
Preferably, the base plate 42 is made out of an elastomeric material, the tubing part of the side car frame is made of aluminum while the reinforcement sleeves 58 and 74 are made out of stainless steel or the like. The various components are preferably welded or otherwise suitably assembled together.
z,~x Signed: \ ~'~' iego G. Ponce, Inventor.
LISTS OF SCE NU11~ALS
10- side car for bicycle 12- pivotal attachment device 14- bicycle frame 16- horizontal tube 18- transversal tube 20- seat tube 22- seat post 24- drive pedal 26- drive gear sprocket assembly 28- bicycle rear wheel 30- seat stays 32- chain stays 33- dropout 34- bicycle seat 36- base struts 38- vertical spancing struts 40- upper struts 42- base palate 44- axle guiding tongues 45- attachment means (screws, bolts, rivets) 46- axle receiving slot 48- side car axle 50- side car main wheel 52- washer and nut assemblies 54- side car frame extension 56- shaped lateral strut 57- transversal segment 58- reinforcement sleeve 60- splash guard component 62- auxiliary side car wheel 64- auxiliary wheel mounting tongue 66- auxiliary wheel axle 68- forked tines 70- auxiliary wheel pivotal mounting knob 72- side car handle 74- handle sleeve 75- extension rod 76- chain stay section 78- seat stay section 80- chain stay attachment housing 82- upper attachment flange 84- lower attachment flange 86- top plate of upper attachment flange 88- attachments pins of upper attachment flange 90- attachment bolt 92- bolt handle 94- attachments pins apertures 96- attachment bolt aperture with internal thread 98- attachments pins of lower attachment flange 100- plate of lower attachment flange 102- attachments pins apertures 104- housing flange of the chain stays device 106- first abutment tongue of housing flange 108- second abutment tongue of housing flange l 10- U-bolt 112- U-bolt apertures 114- nut 116- pivotal connection device 118- cylindrical shaft 120- shaft sleeve 122- shaft arms 124- screws 126- torsionning-type spring 128- flattened segment of the shaft sleeve 130- U-type bolt 132- nut 134- shaft linking bolt 136- sleeve connecting bolt 13 8- a title rod of pivotal link component 140- inside end of the extension rod 142- locking pin of handle sleeve 144- seat stay pivotal connecting component 146- dome - shaped 148- dome - bolt 150- cylindrical outer casing 151- dome - bolt receiving segment 152- longitudinal cylindrical channel 154- spherical pivotal link component 156- helicoidal - type spring 158- end plate of the cylidrical outer Gassing 159- end plate with rod slot 160- abutment plates 162- plate apertures 164- rod slot 166- arrow indicated the angular movement 168- arrow indicated the translational mouvement
ATTACHMENT DEVICE THEREFOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to the general field of bicycle accessories and is particularly concerned with a side car for bicycles and a pivotal attachment device therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Relatively recent trends towards improved fitness through exercise and towards ecological modes of transportation have led to a concurrent resurgence in the use of bicycles.
The use of trailers behind bicycles is increasing as cyclists find better ways of increasing the utility and capacity of their bicycles. Bicycle trailers have been developed both for around town errands, such as carrying shopping and hauling laundry and other loads. For bicycle tourists, trailers extend load capacity beyond conventional bags and panniers.
.../2 Methods of connecting bicycle trailers to bicycles are various.
Some connections come off the bicycle feet, which provides attaclunent above the center of gravity of the bicycle, and thus in an adversary way affects braking power.
Some connections or hitches employ additional parts which attach at the rear axle of the bicycle and thus become a modification of the latter.
Other common bicycle trails ~ hitches attach to the rear most bicycle frame members, normally referred to as "sa.ys" by means of bolted clamps which encircle the stays. The clamps themselves must withstand the stresses that the trailer connection provides with such stresses characteristically causing the clamps to slide along the stays and thus work themselves loose. Sliding clamps also mar the finish of the bicycle.
Furthermore, such conventional clamps are time consuming to attach and remove, normally requiring tools.
Furthermore, different clamp configurations may be required as various sizes of stays are used on different bicycles and may even be found on the same bicycle.
Likewise, the angle between the stays will vary with different bicycle designs and sizes. In addition, on some bicycles the stays are not coplanar thus requiring a stay-clamping-hitch to be twisted for installation.
There also seems to be a relatively recent trend towards group activities and more specifically towards activities performed with other members of the family unit.
It has thus become increasingly frequent for a healthy adult to go for a cycling ride accompanied by a child, an elderly person or any other person having limited .../3 physical capacities. Heretofore inventions for carrying infants or individuals having limited physical capacities on bicycles have presented many disadvantages.
Such inventions are typically designed for carrying infants.
They typically include carrying slings or seats for carrying a child over the handle bars or the front wheel, over the rear wheel, between the rider's leg or in a trailer pulled behind the bicycle.
Most such inventions position the child so that while the bicycle rider is watching the road, the child is out of view and the rider is unable to effectively communicate with the child. Also, the prior art inventions have been uncomfortable for the child.
Indeed, when the carrying device is in the form of a soft sling, it gives the child insufficient support resulting in the child becoming cramped or twisted. On the other hand, when the carrying device is rigidly attached to the frame of the bicycle, the child is jarred by bumps in the road and thrown from side to side by the pedaling efforts of the rider.
Most prior art child carrying devices also do not offer reasonable safety for the infant rider.
Furthermore, most such devices do not provide adequate storage for the paraphernalia that most parents desire to take with them on an outing with the child.
Still further, most prior art devices do not provide a useful seat for the child when the bicycle is at rest and do not allow for use independent of the bicycle.
Some of these problems have been recognized in the past and, consequently, .../4 side cars for bicycles have been proposed. Side cars for bicycles eliminate at least some of the hereinabove mentioned disadvantages.
However, most side cars heretofore proposed were based on concepts developed for motorcycles with problems in mind that are only marginally relevant.
Many of the prior art inventions have relied on an offset tricycle (two axle) configuration which is impractical and unsafe because it is highly susceptible to pitch poling even at very low speed. This defect is found in US Pat. N°
4,378,121 to Runs ( 1983).
Typically, the attachments for side cars which have been designed for motorcycles interfere with the pedaling motions required to operate a bicycle, rendering them useless when attached to bicycles. Side cars incorporating elaborate torsion or other shock absorbing devices render them too heavy to be practical for a bicycle. This defect is found in US Pat. N° 4,614,352 to C;ervantes (1986).
On the other hand, other approaches to flexibility renders the side car too wobbly to be free standing when not in motion, to be safe for vulnerable cargo or to support mph ofthe load. This defect is found in US Pat. N°4,378,121 to Runs (1983).
Furthermore, side cars designed to support very heavy loads or to adjust for high speed cornering or to absorb road shocks associated with such support and speed, make no sense were the strength of the rider limits the ability of the vehicle to carry a load.
Also, prior art inventions often fail to compensate for the lighter weight frame of the bicycle so that when they are used with a bicycle such prior inventions could cause damage to the bicycle frame.
.../5 Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved side car for bicycles and a pivotal attachment device therefor.
Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed invention allows for a bicycle rider to carry various types of cargo including children through the use of a side car specifically designed for use with bicycles.
The proposed side cars have a generally rigid yet light weight frame allowing for carrying relatively heavy loads without inherently increasing the overall weight to be carried.
Also, the proposed side car is specifically designed so as not to interfere with pedaling of the bicycle or overstressing the bicycle frame not originally designed for such load carrying.
Still further, the proposed side car is designed so as to be either used attached to the bicycle or independently of the latter. It is provided with structures enhancing its ability to be free-standing when not in motion and to be useable when detached from the bicycle.
The proposed side car is also provided with a pivotal attachment device therefor allowing to be readily detachable and attachable so that the aforementioned advantages of the side car be enjoyed while still permitting use of the bicycle separate from the side car with the attendant improvement in maneuverability and handling on occasions when the advantages provided by a side are not needed.
The attachment device allows the side car to be mounted to different makes of bicycles without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity and with reduced risks of damaging the bicycle frame or finish. The pivotal attachment device allows the .../6 bicycle side car and the bicycle frame to tilt independently in a manner that increases the overall maneuverability of the side car-bicycle combination. It also reduces the risk of the potential side car occupant to be jarred by bumps on the road and from being thrown from side to side by pedaling efforts of the rider.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
An embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way of examples, in reference to the following drawings in which:
FIGURE 1: in a perspective view~with sections taken out, illustrates part of a side car for bicycles in accordance with m embodiment of the present invention with one of its side wheels removed therefrom and one of its optional front wheels shown in phantom lines;
FIGURE 2: in a partial elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates part bf a side car for bicycles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention attached to part of a bicycle (shown in phantom lines) by a pivotal attachment device also part of the invention;
FIGURE 3: in a partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates the side car for bicycles shown in Figures 1 and 2 attached to the rear portion of a bicycle (shown in phantom lines);
FIGURE 4: in a partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates a close-up view of the attachment between the bicycle and the side car shown in Figure 3;
FIGURE 5: in a partial elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates part of the attaclunent shown in Figure 4;
.../7 7 _ FIGURE G: in a partial perspective exploded view, illustrates part of the attaclunent device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 7: in a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along arrows VII VII in Figure 4, illustrates a pivotal connection part of the pivotal attachment shown in Figures 4 through 6;
FIGURE 8: in a close up partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the components shown in Figure 8;
FIGURE 9: in a transversal cross sectional view taken along arrows IX IX of Figure 7, illustrates attachment components part of the pivotable attachment device shown in Figures 4 through 8;
FIGURE 10: in a partial perspective view with sections taken out, illustrates an abutment component part of the pivotable attachment device shown in Figures 4 through 9;
FIGURE 11: in a partial perspective view with sections taken out, illustrates a front segment part of the pivotable attachment device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 12: in a partial top view with sections taken out, illustrates a clamp component part of the front segment of the pivotable attachment device in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 13: in a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along arrows XIII XIII
of Figure 14, illustrates some of the internal components part of the attachment segment shown in Figure 1 l;
.../8 FIGURE 14: in a partial side view with sections taken out, illustrates some of the components part of the attachment segment shown in Figures 11 through 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a side car for bicycles 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention attached by a pivotal attachment device 12 through a section of a conventional bicycle frame 14 (shown in phantom lines).
The bicycle frame 14 typically includes an horizontal tube 16, a transversal tube 18 and a seat tube 20. The seat tube 20 telescopically receives a seat post 22 for supporting a conventional bicycle seat 34 (Figure 11). The bicycle also includes a drive means including drive pedals 24 and a drive gear sprocket assembly 26.
A bicycle rear wheel 28 is rotatably attached to the bicycle frame by a bicycle rear mounting assembly including a pair of seat stays 30 and a pair of chain stays 32.
Each pair of corresponding seat and chain stays 30, 32 typically merge together in a plate conventionally called a "dropout 3:3." which is provided with an attachment slut for the rear axle of the rear bicycle wheel 28.
The herein above mentioned description of the bicycle frame 14 is quite conventional and it should be understood that modifications and variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 11 could be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As shown more specifically in Figures 1 through 3, the side car 10 preferably includes a tubular side car frame defining a generally open top box-like enclosure.
.../9 The tubular frame includes a generally rectanbular base section including a set of base struts 36. A set of four vertical spacing struts 38 extend generally upwardly from the base struts 36 adjacent the corner sections thereof A set of upper strut members 40 are rigidly attached to the vertical spacing struts 38 so as to complete the box-like enclosure.
A base plate 42 preferably made out of a polymeric resin or other suitable material is attached to the base struts 36 using suitable attachment Means 45 such as;
screws, bolts, rivets or the like. The base plate 42 has a pair of axle guiding tongues 44 depending integrally and generally perpendicularly therefrom on each side thereof.
Each axle guiding tongues 44 is provided with an axle receiving slot 46 for rotatably supporting a side car axle 48. The side car axle 48 which extends transversally across the side car base rotatably supports a pair of side car main wheels 50. A set of washer and nut assemblies 52 or other suitable means allows for proper mounting of the side car main wheels 50 on the side car axle 48.
A lateral side car frame extension 54 extends laterally from each side of the side car frame. Each lateral side car extension 54 preferably includes a generally "C"-shaped lateral strut 56 attached to a corresponding pair of vertically spacing struts 38.
A reinforcement sleeve 58 is preferably mounted on the longitudinal segment of each lateral strut 56.
The reinforcement sleeve 58 is abutted to provide structural reinforcement to the lateral strut 56 and facilitate attachment of the pivotal attachment which will be hereinafter disclosed in greater details. A splash guard component 60 is preferably attached to the transversal segments 5 7 part of the lateral struts 56 so as to generally overlie the adjacent side car wheel S0.
.../10 _ 1~ _ The side car 10 is preferably further provided with an auxiliary side car wheel G2 for facilitating support and maneuverability of the side car 10 when the latter is not attached to a bicycle. The auxiliary side car wheel 62 is preferably of the caster type and is preferably attached to a corresponding auxiliary wheel attachment tongue 64 protruding from a frontward p°ripheral edge of the base plate 42. The auxiliary side car wheel G2 is rotatably mounted by an auxiliary wheel axle 66 to a forked tines 68.
In turn, the forked tines 68 are rotatably mounted to the auxiliary wheel mounting toque G~ by an auxiliary wheel pivotal mounting knob 70.
The side car frame is also further preferably provided with a side car handle mounted on a handle sleeve 74 attached to one of the upper struts 40. The side car handle 72 is adapted to facilitate handling and maneuverability of the side car 10 when the latter is not attached to a bicycle.
Referring now specifically to Figures 4 through 14, there is shown in greater details the pivotal attachment device 12. The pivotal attachment device 12 includes a chain stay section 76 illustrated in greater details in Figures 4 through 10 and a seat stay attachment section 78 illustrated in greater details in Figures 11 through 14. The chain stay attachment section 7G includes a chain stay attachment housing 80 adapted to be attached to the attachment sleeve 58 part of the lateral frame extension 54 of the side car 10 and to one of the chain stays 32 part of the bicycle frame 14. The housing 8U is preferably attached to the chain stay 32 so that its pivotal connection is positioned adjacent the dropout plate 33.
As shown more specifically in Figure 6, the housing 80 is preferably attached to the attachment sleeve 58 using a pair of attachment flanges 82, 84 each having a generally "L"-shaped cross sectional configuration. The attachment flange 82 has a top plate 86 provided with corresponding apertures for receiving attaclunent pins 88 c.u.l an attaclunent bolt 90 having a bolt handle 92. Similarly, the attacluuent flange .../11 11 _ 84 is provided with attacliment apertures 94, 96 for respectively receiving the attachment pins 88 and the attachment bolt 90.
The attachment aperture 9G is provided with an internal thread for threadably receiving the threads part of the attachment bolt 90.
The attachment flange 84 is further provided with auxiliary attachment pins 98 extending from a proximal plate 100 thereof.
The attachment sleeves 58 and the associated longitudinal segment of the lateral strut 56 are provided with corresponding attachment apertures 102 extending therethrough for receiving the pins and bolt 88, 90 and 98.
The housing 80 preferably includes a housing flange 104 having a generally elongated configuration and defining a generally substantially "U"-shaped cross sectional configuration.
As shown in greater details in Figure 10, the distal tip of the housing flange is preferably bent integrally so as to define first and second abutment tongues 1 OG, 108.
The abutment tongues l OG and 108 are configured, sized and positioned so as to abuttingly contact and at least partially encircle the corresponding chain stay 32.
A conventional attachment component such as a U-bolt 110 is used to releasably secure the attachment flange 104 to the chain stay 32 with the abutment tongues 106, 108 in abutment contact therewith. The U-bolt component 110 'is adapted to extend through corresponding U-bolt apertures 112 formed in the attachment flange 104 and to be attached to the chain stay 32 using conventional nut-type component 114.
.../12 The housing 80 further includes a resilient and biasing pivotal connection 116 shown in greater details in Figures 7 through 9. The pivotal connection 116 includes a cylindrical shaft 118 rotatably mounted within a shaft sleeve 120. A pair of shaft arms 122 preferably attached at distal ends of the shaft 118 by releasable fastening means such as screws 124 are solidly anchored to the proximal plate 100 part of the attaclunent flange 84.
The shaft sleeves 120 have a flattened segment 128 adapted to abuttingly c~mtuct a segment of the flange 104 such as shown in Figure 9. A fixing component such a conventional U-type bolt 130 having corresponding U-bolt nuts 132 is used for securing the sleeve 120 to the flange 104 so as to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween.
A biasing means for biasing the shaft 118 and the shaft sleeve 120 in a predetermined pivotal relationship relative to each other is further provided.
The biasing means preferably takes the form of an helicoidal-type spring 126. The lielicoidal-type spring 126 is attached at a first end thereof through the shaft 118 by a spring-to-shaft linking bolt 134. The other end of the helicoidal-type spring 126 is attached to the sleeve 120 using corresponding spring-to-sleeve connecting bol~:; 136.
The spring 126 thus allows relative pivotal movement between chain stay 32 and the side car 10 while resiliently biasing the latter towards a predetermined angular relationship relative to each other. The spring 126 is thus adapted to act as a suspension system. The compact format of the suspension system allows it to be positioned adjacent the wheel mounting plates 33 part of the seat stays 32 and thus to be positioned substantially in line with the axle of the bicycle wheel 50 for optimizing the suspension characteristics.
Referring now more specifically to Figures 11 through 14, there is shown in .../13 greater details the seat stay attachment section pert of the pivotal attaclunent device included in the side car 10 part of the present invention. The seat stay section 78 includes extension rod 7 5' slidably and telescopically inserted within the handle sleeve 74.
The rod 75. is maintained in a predetermined longitudinal relationship relative to the sleeve 74 by a longitudinal locking means such as the locking pin 142.
A seat stay pivotal connecting component 144 is releasable attached to the seat stays preferably using a generally dome-shaped fixing plate 146 and a dome-bolt 148 threadably connected to a corresponding dome-bolt receiving segment 15 1' part of the seat stay p~v. otal connecting component 144. Tightening and loosening of the dome-bolt 148 allows the seat stays 30 to be respectively sandwiched between the dome-plate 144 and the outer surface of the pivotal connecting component 144 for selective release therefrom.
The pivotal seat stay connecting component 144 preferably has a generally cylindrical outer casing 150 defining a corresponding longitudinal channel 152 therein.
A pivotal hinge mean preferably taking the form of a spherical pivotal link component 154 is slidably and rotatably mounted within the channel 152.
Biasing components for biasing the pivotal link component 154 towards a generally centered position within the sleeve channel 152 are provided. The biasing components preferably take the form of a pair of helicoidal-type springs 15G
each abutting against a corresponding end plate 158 mounted at each end of the sleeve channel 152 and a pair of abutment plates 16o positioned in abutting relationship with the pivotal link component 154. The abutment plates 160 are provided with plate apertures 162 extending therethrough for receiving at least a section of the outer surface of the pivotal link component 154 so as to seat the latter. One of the end plates 158, ~ namely the end plate 159 located proximal to the side car 10 is provided with a .../14 rod slot 164 extending therethrough. The rod 138 is solidly anchored to the pivotal link component 154 and adapted to move angularly therewith as indicated by arrows-166 in Figure 13 as it slides through the plate slot 164 shown in Figure 14.
The seat stay attachment section part of the attachment device thus allows for both angular and translational relative movement between the side car 10 and the bicycle frame 12 as indicated respectively by arrows 166 and 168 in Figure 13.
Furthermore, angular and translational movement between the side car 10 and the bicycle frame 12 are biased towards a predetermined relationship therebetween by the helicoidal-type springs 126 and 156. Cargo, including children located within the side car 10 may thus enjoy a relatively smooth ride regardless of the maneuvers of the bicycle and of the road conditions.
Preferably, the base plate 42 is made out of an elastomeric material, the tubing part of the side car frame is made of aluminum while the reinforcement sleeves 58 and 74 are made out of stainless steel or the like. The various components are preferably welded or otherwise suitably assembled together.
z,~x Signed: \ ~'~' iego G. Ponce, Inventor.
LISTS OF SCE NU11~ALS
10- side car for bicycle 12- pivotal attachment device 14- bicycle frame 16- horizontal tube 18- transversal tube 20- seat tube 22- seat post 24- drive pedal 26- drive gear sprocket assembly 28- bicycle rear wheel 30- seat stays 32- chain stays 33- dropout 34- bicycle seat 36- base struts 38- vertical spancing struts 40- upper struts 42- base palate 44- axle guiding tongues 45- attachment means (screws, bolts, rivets) 46- axle receiving slot 48- side car axle 50- side car main wheel 52- washer and nut assemblies 54- side car frame extension 56- shaped lateral strut 57- transversal segment 58- reinforcement sleeve 60- splash guard component 62- auxiliary side car wheel 64- auxiliary wheel mounting tongue 66- auxiliary wheel axle 68- forked tines 70- auxiliary wheel pivotal mounting knob 72- side car handle 74- handle sleeve 75- extension rod 76- chain stay section 78- seat stay section 80- chain stay attachment housing 82- upper attachment flange 84- lower attachment flange 86- top plate of upper attachment flange 88- attachments pins of upper attachment flange 90- attachment bolt 92- bolt handle 94- attachments pins apertures 96- attachment bolt aperture with internal thread 98- attachments pins of lower attachment flange 100- plate of lower attachment flange 102- attachments pins apertures 104- housing flange of the chain stays device 106- first abutment tongue of housing flange 108- second abutment tongue of housing flange l 10- U-bolt 112- U-bolt apertures 114- nut 116- pivotal connection device 118- cylindrical shaft 120- shaft sleeve 122- shaft arms 124- screws 126- torsionning-type spring 128- flattened segment of the shaft sleeve 130- U-type bolt 132- nut 134- shaft linking bolt 136- sleeve connecting bolt 13 8- a title rod of pivotal link component 140- inside end of the extension rod 142- locking pin of handle sleeve 144- seat stay pivotal connecting component 146- dome - shaped 148- dome - bolt 150- cylindrical outer casing 151- dome - bolt receiving segment 152- longitudinal cylindrical channel 154- spherical pivotal link component 156- helicoidal - type spring 158- end plate of the cylidrical outer Gassing 159- end plate with rod slot 160- abutment plates 162- plate apertures 164- rod slot 166- arrow indicated the angular movement 168- arrow indicated the translational mouvement
Claims (6)
1- a side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device which includes a tubular side car frame having an axle, two main wheel, an auxiliary wheel, a base plate, a side car handle, a lateral side car frame extension extends laterally from each side of the side car frame, a extension rod slidably and telescopically inserted within the handle sleeve and a splash guard component installed to the transvesal segments part of the lateral side car flame extension, said tubular side car frame comprising:
a) a rectangular base section including a set of base struts b) a set of four vertical spacing struts c) a set of upper strut
a) a rectangular base section including a set of base struts b) a set of four vertical spacing struts c) a set of upper strut
2- the pivotal attachment device as claimed in claim 1 comprises a) a chain stay attachment section and b) a seat stay attachment section
3- a base plate of claim 1 having a pair of axle guiding tongues provided with an axle receiving slot for rotatably supporting a side car axle and an auxiliary wheel attachment tongue
4- the chain stay attachment device as defined in claim 1 and 2 further comprising:
a) the housing of chain stay pivotal device includes, a housing flange having a generallly elongated configuration with two abutment tongues, the abutment is configured sized and positioned so as to abutlingly contact and at least partially encircle the corresponding chain stay tube b) a conventional attachment component such as a U-bolt is used to releasably secure the attachment of housing flange to the chain stay tube of bicycle frame with the abutment tongues, in abutment contact therewith c) the pivotal connexion device includes a torsioning type spring, a cylidrical shaft rotatably mounted within a shaft sleeve, a pair of shaft arms preferably attached at distal ends of the cylidrical shaft, a fixing component such a conventional U-type bolt is used for securing the shaft sleeve to the housing of chain stay pivotal device, the torsioning-type spring is attached at a first end there of through the cylindical shaft by a spring-to-shaft linking bolt, the other end of the helicoidal-type spring is solidly anchored to the housing of chain stay pivotal device to shaft sleeve using corresponding spring to-sleeve connecting bolt d) the connecting device includes a pair of attachment flanges each having a generally "L"-shaped cross sectional configuration, the lower attachment flange is solidly anchored to a pair of shaft arms, part of the pivotal connexion device by releasable fastening means such as screws, the lower attachment flange is provided with attachment apertures for receiving two attachment pins and an attachment bolt, the lower attachment flange is further provided with two auxiliary attachment pins. The other attachment flange, said the upper flange is provided with two attachment pins and an attachment bolt having a bolt handle, the longitudinal segment of the lateral side car frame extension is provides with corresponding apertures extending therethrough for receiving the pins and bolt of both attachment flanges, allows a segment of the sleeve lateral side car frame extension to be respectively sandwiched between the lower and upper attachment flanges this is the connecting device, the bolt of upper attachment flange having a bolt handle therefor allowing to be readily detachable and attachable the side car frame from the chain stay attachment device.
a) the housing of chain stay pivotal device includes, a housing flange having a generallly elongated configuration with two abutment tongues, the abutment is configured sized and positioned so as to abutlingly contact and at least partially encircle the corresponding chain stay tube b) a conventional attachment component such as a U-bolt is used to releasably secure the attachment of housing flange to the chain stay tube of bicycle frame with the abutment tongues, in abutment contact therewith c) the pivotal connexion device includes a torsioning type spring, a cylidrical shaft rotatably mounted within a shaft sleeve, a pair of shaft arms preferably attached at distal ends of the cylidrical shaft, a fixing component such a conventional U-type bolt is used for securing the shaft sleeve to the housing of chain stay pivotal device, the torsioning-type spring is attached at a first end there of through the cylindical shaft by a spring-to-shaft linking bolt, the other end of the helicoidal-type spring is solidly anchored to the housing of chain stay pivotal device to shaft sleeve using corresponding spring to-sleeve connecting bolt d) the connecting device includes a pair of attachment flanges each having a generally "L"-shaped cross sectional configuration, the lower attachment flange is solidly anchored to a pair of shaft arms, part of the pivotal connexion device by releasable fastening means such as screws, the lower attachment flange is provided with attachment apertures for receiving two attachment pins and an attachment bolt, the lower attachment flange is further provided with two auxiliary attachment pins. The other attachment flange, said the upper flange is provided with two attachment pins and an attachment bolt having a bolt handle, the longitudinal segment of the lateral side car frame extension is provides with corresponding apertures extending therethrough for receiving the pins and bolt of both attachment flanges, allows a segment of the sleeve lateral side car frame extension to be respectively sandwiched between the lower and upper attachment flanges this is the connecting device, the bolt of upper attachment flange having a bolt handle therefor allowing to be readily detachable and attachable the side car frame from the chain stay attachment device.
5) the seat stay attachment device part of the pivotal attachment device included in the present invention as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 includes:
a) a seat stay pivotal connecting component attached to the seat stays tubes part of the bicycle frame using a dome-shaped fixing plate and a dome-bolt threadably connected to a corresponding dome-bolt receiving segment part of the seat stay pivotal connecting component b) a pivotal hinge taking the form of a spherical pivotal link component is slidably and rotatably mounted within of pivotal seat stay connecting component c) a pair of helicoidal-type springs each abutting against a correspondind end plate mounted at each end of the cylindrical casing of the pivotal seat stay connecting component for centered position of the pivotal link component within the longitudinal cylindrical channel d) one of the end plates located proximal to the side car is provided with a rod slot extending therethrough for receiving a litle rod part of the pivotal link component e) a seat stay connecting device includes: a extension rod slidably and telescopically inserted within the handle sleeve part of the tubular side car frame, the extension rod is maintained in a predetermined longitudinal relationship relative between to the tubular side car frame and a title rod part of the pivotal link component by a longitudinal locking means such as the locking pin.
a) a seat stay pivotal connecting component attached to the seat stays tubes part of the bicycle frame using a dome-shaped fixing plate and a dome-bolt threadably connected to a corresponding dome-bolt receiving segment part of the seat stay pivotal connecting component b) a pivotal hinge taking the form of a spherical pivotal link component is slidably and rotatably mounted within of pivotal seat stay connecting component c) a pair of helicoidal-type springs each abutting against a correspondind end plate mounted at each end of the cylindrical casing of the pivotal seat stay connecting component for centered position of the pivotal link component within the longitudinal cylindrical channel d) one of the end plates located proximal to the side car is provided with a rod slot extending therethrough for receiving a litle rod part of the pivotal link component e) a seat stay connecting device includes: a extension rod slidably and telescopically inserted within the handle sleeve part of the tubular side car frame, the extension rod is maintained in a predetermined longitudinal relationship relative between to the tubular side car frame and a title rod part of the pivotal link component by a longitudinal locking means such as the locking pin.
6- the side car - bicycle combination assembly includes a bicycle conventional with the side car as defined in claim 1, having the components in accordance with the present invention as claimed in claims 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2327451 CA2327451A1 (en) | 2000-11-30 | 2000-11-30 | Side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2327451 CA2327451A1 (en) | 2000-11-30 | 2000-11-30 | Side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2327451A1 true CA2327451A1 (en) | 2002-05-30 |
Family
ID=4167810
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2327451 Abandoned CA2327451A1 (en) | 2000-11-30 | 2000-11-30 | Side car for bicycle and pivotal attachment device therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2327451A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014009746A1 (en) * | 2014-07-01 | 2016-01-07 | Brüggli | Trailer for a bicycle |
-
2000
- 2000-11-30 CA CA 2327451 patent/CA2327451A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014009746A1 (en) * | 2014-07-01 | 2016-01-07 | Brüggli | Trailer for a bicycle |
| US10239369B2 (en) | 2014-07-01 | 2019-03-26 | Brueggli | Trailer for a bicycle |
| DE102014009746B4 (en) | 2014-07-01 | 2023-01-12 | Brüggli | trailer for a bicycle |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |