NL2007865C2

NL2007865C2 - Bicycle hitch and bicycle connected to an appendage with a bicycle hitch.

Info

Publication number: NL2007865C2
Application number: NL2007865A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Anthony Jerome Davis
Original assignee: Mobilijzer B V
Priority date: 2011-11-25
Filing date: 2011-11-25
Publication date: 2013-05-28

Description

Title: Bicycle hitch and bicycle connected to an appendage with a bicycle hitch

The invention relates to bicycle hitches.

Bicycle hitches are known to connect appendages, e.g. wheeled carriages or trailers to the rear of a bicycle. Often the connection between the appendage and the bicycle is realized by means of a ball-and-socket joint, 5 wherein a bar rigidly connected to the appendage has a coupling head forming a socket or cup shape that can mate and connect with a ball shaped coupling that has been fitted to the bicycle. On itself the ball-and-socket joint has an advantage that it allows for a limited rotation and translation in three dimensions, however, one always needs the same appendage having the cup 10 shape coupling that fits the same bicycle having the ball shaped coupling. If one wants to transport goods with a bicycle making use of a trailer, one needs the combination of that particular trailer with that particular bicycle, which connect to each other by means of the ball-and-socket joint. If for some reason e.g. the bicycle with the ball joint is not available due to a flat tire or other 15 reason, a different bicycle can not be used quickly as the ball joint will have to be removed from the bicycle and placed on a different one. In case the usual trailer is not available, one can not use an other appendage or trailer that has a different connection than the socket or cup shaped coupling fitting the ball joint.

20 An object of the invention is therefore to provide a bicycle hitch that mitigates at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks.

Thereto, the invention provides a universal bicycle hitch for coupling a bicycle appendage to a bicycle, comprising a drawbar having a first and second end portion, a first coupling means provided at the first end portion and 25 a second coupling means provided at the second end portion, wherein the first coupling means is adapted to be connected with a bar of a bicycle, wherein the second coupling means is adapted to be connected with a bar of the bicycle appendage that is substantially perpendicular to the driving direction.

2

By providing a bicycle hitch that can be universally coupled between any two bars, one bar of the appendage perpendicular to the driving direction and one bar of the bicycle, a universal bicycle hitch can be provided fitting and connecting nearly every combination of bicycle and appendage. For example a 5 handle bar of a shopping trolley may be connected to the rear bicycle rack by means of the universal hitch, or the handle bar may be connected to the bicycle saddle bar my means of the universal hitch.

At least one bar of the appendage to be connected with the hitch may be substantially horizontal, as most handle bars of carts, wheeled wagons and 10 suit cases will have a handle bar which is substantially horizontal, whilst at the same time being perpendicular to the driving direction.

The first and/or second coupling means may be made in such a way that they enable the detachable connection of the drawbar to the bicycle and the appendage respectively. The first and/or coupling means are preferably 15 detachable and/or attachable without the need of any, especially additional tools. In a preferred embodiment the first and/or second coupling means are especially build as wrapping means, which are able to wrap the bar of the bicycle and the appendage respectively, to enable a secure and detachable connection.

20 The first and/or second coupling means may have a substantially U- shaped or V-shaped cradle portion for receiving one of said bars at least partly therein. Also, a flange portion may be extending from the U-shaped or V-shaped piece, for better receiving one of said bars, using the flanges as a guide. Moreover, the flange portion may make it easier to secure said bar to the 25 drawbar. For example, the cradle portion may be comprised of a piece of sheet metal that has been formed into a U-shape or a V-shape. The ends of the U-shaped or V-shaped sheet metal may be bent outward as to form a flange portion.

For securing one of said bars to the drawbar the first and/or second 30 coupling means may be adapted to receive one of said bars in a first open 3 condition and for securing one of said bars in a second closed condition. Securing one of said bars to the drawbar in a second closed condition may be realized by means of a snap connection, strap or other means, ensuring the universal characteristic of the hitch, which may be switching from the first 5 open condition to the second closed condition and vice versa without the use of tools.

The coupling means and the drawbar may be made of steel, aluminum or any type of strong enough plastic or fiber reinforced materials.

To be able for the coupling means to accommodate for a vast majority 10 of said bars of either the bicycle or e.g. trailers, will mean that the coupling elements of the universal hitch may not fit all of said bars perfectly. In some cases there may be some void spaces between said bar and the coupling means. Therefore, the first and/or second coupling means may comprise at least one filler material for filling a void space between said bar and the coupling means 15 in a second closed condition. This may ensure a good, tight, or snug fit of said bar in the coupling means. The filler material may be flexible and/or resilient such that it may be in a somewhat compressed state when the coupling means is in a closed condition. The flexibility may allow in some leeway for the hitch to rotate and/or displace with respect to the bar. However, this may be possible 20 without slipping of the coupling means on the coupled bar.

The at least one filler material may be comprised of a rolled up resilient strap material, which is placed in the void space in a first open condition of the first and/or second coupling means before securing one of said receivable bars in a second closed position.

25 The filler material may be comprised of a protrusion provided on the coupling means and/or the drawbar. The protrusion may form an integral part with either the coupling means and/or the drawbar or the protrusion may be fixedly connected to the coupling means and/or the drawbar by means of adhesive or screws etc. The filler material may be the same material as the 4 coupling means and/or drawbar or may be of a different kind of material, e.g. plastic or rubber, which may make the filler material resilient.

The protrusion may be provided with a recess for receiving one of said bars at least partly therein. This may be a U-shaped or V-shaped cutout, or the 5 protrusion may have a contact surface which may correspond at least party with the surface shape of said bar to be received.

The coupling means with the protrusion may be provided with at least one further substantially rigid protrusion on the coupling means, such that in a closed condition, the rigid protrusion tightly clamps one of said 10 receivable bars in the recess of the resilient protrusion. For example a protrusion with or without a recess may be provided on the drawbar, the rigid protrusion may be provided on the coupling means or vice versa. When the coupling means is in a closed position the rigid protrusion may push the received bar onto and/or into the recess of the protrusion. This may prevent 15 slipping of the hitch along the bar. Further, it may still allow the hitch to rotate with respect to the bar without slipping along the bar.

The first and/or second coupling means may be hingedly connected to the first and/or second end portion of the drawbar as to form a folding clamp. The hinge point may be applied at and edge portion of the coupling means, e.g. 20 at the edge of a leg of the U-shaped or V-shaped cradle portion or a flange thereon, such that in a closed condition of the coupling means, one of said bars is held between the coupling element and the drawbar. The folding clamp provides in a simple, quickly to operate mechanism without having to use tools. To keep the folding clamp in a closed condition, the folding clamp may be 25 secured by means of a securing means, e.g. a locking pin, clip, catch or similar means known to the person skilled in the art.

The first and/or second coupling means may be provided with a strap, such that in a first open position one of said bars is receivable in the coupling means and wherein in a second closed position said receivable bar is secured in 30 the first and/or second coupling means. With the straps, odd shaped bars of 5 either the bicycle or the appendage may be easier accommodated for. Also, the straps may be partly resilient, such that during shocks or hard braking or any other forceful movement of the bar in the coupling means during the bicycle ride, the resilient strap may provide some damping.

5 By providing the universal bicycle hitch with the first and/or second coupling means that may be rotably arranged on the draw bar, taking tight turns whilst riding the bicycle with an attached appendage may be easier. The appendage will more smoothly follow the riding path of the bicycle and will result in less torsion forces on the coupling means, trying to force the 10 appendage back into a straight line with the bicycle. In the transition from making a turn with a bicycle with a coupled appendage towards riding the bicycle in a straight line, the coupling means being rotably arranged on the draw bar may help to smoothly rotate the appendage back into a straight line with the bicycle.

15 The first and/or second coupling means may be detachably connectable to the drawbar. Also, the first and/or second coupling means may be detachably connectable to the drawbar or the coupling means may form an integral part with the draw bar.

The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary 20 embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment according to the invention wherein the first coupling means of the bicycle hitch is in an 25 open position.

Fig. IB shows a perspective view of the first embodiment according to figure 1A, wherein the coupling means of the bicycle hitch are in a closed position.

6

Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the invention, wherein the coupling means of the bicycle hitch are in an open position

Fig. 2B shows a perspective view of the second embodiment according 5 to figure 2A, wherein the coupling means of the bicycle hitch are in a closed coupled position.

It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limited example. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are designated with the same 10 reference numerals.

Figures 1A, IB, 2A, 2B show a first and second embodiment according to the invention, wherein, a universal bicycle hitch 1 for coupling a bicycle appendage to a bicycle, comprises, a drawbar 2 having a first and second end portion 3, 4, a first coupling means 5 provided at the first end portion 3, a 15 second coupling means 6 provided at the second end portion 4, wherein the first coupling means 5 is adapted to be connected with a bar 7 (see Fig. 2B) of a bicycle, wherein the second coupling means 6 is adapted to be connected with a bar 8 (see Fig. 2B) of the bicycle appendage that is substantially perpendicular to the driving direction D.

20 Figure 1A shows the first coupling means 5 at the first end portion 3 of a draw bar 2 in a substantially open position, i.e. able to receive a bar 7 of a bicycle. The first coupling means 5 is shown here as a wrapping means and as a preferred embodiment especially as a folding clamp 10, having a substantially U-shaped cradle portion 9 for receiving a bar 7 at least partly 25 therein. The folding clamp 10 is hingedly connected with the drawbar 2 via a known hinge pin connection. However, any other known hinge mechanism can be used.

At the second end portion 4 of the draw bar 2, a second coupling means 6 is provided which is also build as a wrapping means. In the first 30 embodiment the second coupling means 6 has a substantially U-shaped cradle 7 portion 9 and is rotably connected with the drawbar 2 around axis a, as shown in figures 1A and IB. The second coupling means 6 can be connected to the drawbar 2 by means of a screw connection, rivet or similar, allowing for a rotational movement of the second coupling means 6 relative to the drawbar 2 5 and especially movement around the axis a orthogonal to the main axis of the drawbar and orthogonal to the bar the drawbar 2 is connected to. Figure 2A and 2B show that the second coupling means 6 forms an integral part with the drawbar 2 and wherein the coupling means 6 is substantially V-shaped, being able to receive a bar 8 of an appendage at least partly therein.

10 In further embodiments, the coupling means 5, 6 can be fixedly connected to the drawbar with conventional means, like screws, bolts etc, or the coupling means 5, 6 can be detachably connectable with the drawbar 2, e.g. a click-in connection or a screw bolt connection, i.e. leaving the coupling means rotationally free or rotationally fixed. Preferably, the coupling means 5, 6, if 15 detachably connectable, can be quickly attached and detached without the use of tools.

It should be noted that in other embodiments, the first coupling means 5 and/or parts thereof are exchangeable with the second coupling means 6 and/or vice versa.

20 To be able to fulfill the universal nature of the bicycle hitch 1 according to the invention, any type of appendage should be able to be connected with said hitch 1 to connect to any type of bicycle. Therefore, to accommodate for a variety in the thickness and shape of the of the bars 7, 8, a filler material 13 may be provided to fill a void space between one of said bars 25 7, 8 and the coupling means 5, 6 respectively. This ensures tight and snuggle fit of the bars 7, 8, such that the bars 7, 8 do not move in the cradle portion 9.

A shown in the figures, the first and/or second coupling means 5, 6 can be provided with a filler material 13, e.g. a protrusion 13 as shown in the first coupling means 5 in the figures or a rolled up piece of strap material 13, 30 as shown in the second coupling means 6 of figures 1A and IB. The filler 8 material 13 is resilient, as to accommodate for some deformation and can be made of rubber or similar especially elastic material. The filler material 13 is provided on the coupling means 5, 6 or on the drawbar 2. More than one filler material 13 can be provided on the coupling means 5, 6 and/or the drawbar 2 5 and it can also form an integral part.

Figure 2B shows the first coupling means 5 in a closed position and connected to a bar 7 of a bicycle rack 12. The bar 7 is positioned partly in the cradle portion 9 and is partly pressed into the filler material 13. In this embodiment the filler material is connected to the folding clamp 10 shown as a 10 protrusion 13 and is at least partly resilient, tightly clamping the bar 7, preventing the first coupling element 5 from sliding along the bar 7.

Additionally a rigid protrusion 14 may be provided to the coupling element 5, 6, which pushes either of said bars 7, 8 at least partly into said cradle portion 9 and optionally also partly into the filler material 13. In figures 15 1A and IB the rigid protrusion 14 is provided on the first coupling means 5, here on folding clamp 10, and is integrally formed with the folding clamp 10. However, the rigid protrusion 14 may also be fixedly connected to the coupling elements 5, 6 by means of adhesive, screws, bolts etc. Also, the rigid protrusion can be connected to the drawbar 2 as shown in figures 2A and 2B.

20 In the first embodiment the filler material 13 of the first coupling element 5 is provided with a recess, slit or cut-out for receiving a bar 7 of a bicycle at least partly therein. The rigid protrusion 14 pushes the bar in a closed position of the coupling means 5 tightly into and/or onto the filler material. This results in a tight and larger contact surface between said bar 7 25 and the filler material, resulting in better clamping and non-slippage along said bar 7. However, it still allows for some flexing/rotation of the bicycle hitch 1 with respect to the bar 7/bicycle.

The second coupling element 6 as shown in the figures for the first and second embodiment is provided with a strap material to tightly couple a 30 bar 8 that is substantially perpendicular to the driving direction D of the 9 bicycle. Preferably, the bar 8 is substantially horizontal. Figure 2B shows that the bar 8 received partly in the cradle portion 9 is clamped by means of a strap material 11, which is connected with one end to the coupling means 6, loops at least partly around the bar 8 and connects to the coupling means 6. In this 5 case this is realized with a hook-eye connection, but a clip or similar engagement or fixing means are also possible. Preferably, the strap material 11 is partly resilient, such that it can dampen shocks from the appendage while riding, that would otherwise be directly transferred to the bicycle. The strap material 11 allows differently shaped and sized bars 8 to be easily 10 coupled to the coupling element 6.

The appendage may be wheeled carts, trailers, trolley or suit cases etc. As shown in Fig. 1A and IB, the second coupling means 6 is substantially U-shaped. The vertical walls of the U-shaped cradle portion serve for transferring load forces directly onto the draw bar, onto the bicycle. This 15 prevents the strap material 11 to be stretched over and over during braking. Also, it prevents slightly delayed braking action, that is, the bicycle brakes and shortly after the momentum of the appendage gives the bicycle an extra “push” which can result in dangerous situation.

The drawbar 2 is in the figures designed as a plate, which makes it 20 easier to apply the coupling means 5, 6 thereon. However, any other shape is possible. When connecting the first coupling means 5 to a bar 7 of the bicycle rack 12, a further bar 7 may support the drawbar 2 at a central portion between the coupling means 5, 6. The second end portion 4 is shown slightly elevated compared to the first end portion comprising an elevated portion. This 25 is for leaving a rear light clear, mounted on the bicycle rack, such that is does not brake. However, the drawbar 2 may also be proved oval shaped, bar shaped, rod shaped etc.

All the rigid parts of the bicycle hitch 1 can be made of metal, aluminum or other metal and to reduce weight it can also be made of plastic or 30 fiber reinforced plastics, like carbon fiber.

10

In another embodiment the drawbar 2 is fixedly but detachably connected at the first end 3 with a bicycle.

Further, the first coupling means 5 connectable to a bar 7 of a bicycle does not have to be connected to a bar of a bicycle rack. Any other bar 7 5 suitable can be used.

The coupling elements should be easily and quickly to use, without the use of tools.

It shall be readily apprehensible to the skilled person that many variants are possible, which are understood to be comprised within the scope of 10 the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng voor het koppelen van een fietsaanhanger aan een fiets, omvattende - een trekstang met een eerste en tweede eindgedeelte; - een eerste koppelmiddel voorzien aan het eerste einddeel; 5. een tweede koppelmiddel voorzien aan het tweede einddeel; waarbij het eerste koppelmiddel is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een stang van een fiets, waarbij het tweede koppelmiddel is ingericht om te worden verbonden met een stang van een fietsaanhanger welke in hoofdzaak dwars op de 10 rijrichting staat.A universal bicycle trailer coupling for coupling a bicycle trailer to a bicycle, comprising - a pull rod with a first and second end portion; - a first coupling means provided on the first end part; 5. a second coupling means provided on the second end part; wherein the first coupling means is adapted to be connected to a rod of a bicycle, the second coupling means is adapted to be connected to a rod of a bicycle trailer which is substantially transverse to the direction of travel.

2. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel een in hoofdzaak U-vormig of V-vormig wieggedeelte heeft/hebben voor het tenminste gedeeltelijk daarin ontvangen van genoemde stangen.Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and / or second coupling means have a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped cradle portion for receiving said rods at least partially therein.

3. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel is/zijn ingericht voor het ontvangen van één van de genoemde staven in een eerste open toestand en voor het bevestigen van één van de genoemde staven in een tweede gesloten toestand.3. Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and / or second coupling means is / are adapted to receive one of said bars in a first open state and for attaching one of said bars in a second closed state.

4. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens conclusie 3, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddelten ten minste één vulmateriaal omvat voor het vullen van een lege ruimte tussen genoemde stang en het koppelmiddel in een tweede gesloten toestand.Universal bicycle trailer coupling according to claim 3, wherein the first and / or second coupling means comprise at least one filling material for filling an empty space between said rod and the coupling means in a second closed state.

5. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens conclusie 4, waarbij het 25 vulmateriaal een uitsteeksel omvat, voorzien aan het koppelmiddel en/of de trekstang.5. Universal bicycle trailer coupling according to claim 4, wherein the filling material comprises a protrusion provided on the coupling means and / or the drawbar.

6. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens conclusie 5, waarbij het uitsteeksel veerkrachtig is.The universal bicycle trailer coupling of claim 5, wherein the protrusion is resilient.

7. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppeling volgens conclusie 5 of 6, waarbij het uitsteeksel is voorzien van een uitsparing voor het ten minste gedeeltelijk daarin ontvangen van één van genoemde stangen.Universal bicycle trailer coupling according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the protrusion is provided with a recess for receiving at least partially one of said rods therein.

8. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppeling volgens conclusie 7, waarbij ten 5 minste één verder in hoofdzaak rigide uitsteeksel is voorzien aan het koppelmiddel, zodanig dat in een gesloten toestand, het rigide uitsteeksel één van genoemde te ontvangen stangen in de uitsparing van het veerkrachtig uitsteeksel vast klemt.Universal bicycle trailer coupling according to claim 7, wherein at least one further substantially rigid protrusion is provided on the coupling means, such that in a closed state, the rigid protrusion clamps one of said rods to be received in the recess of the resilient protrusion.

9. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppeling volgens conclusie 4, waarbij het 10 vulmateriaal een opgerold veerkrachtig bandmateriaal omvat, dat is geplaatst in de lege ruimte in een eerste open toestand van het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel voordat één van genoemde te ontvangen stangen in een tweede gesloten toestand wordt bevestigd.9. Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in claim 4, wherein the filling material comprises a rolled up resilient tire material which is placed in the empty space in a first open state of the first and / or second coupling means before one of said rods to be received in a second closed state will be confirmed.

10. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens één der voorgaande 15 conclusies, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel scharnierbaar is/zijn verbonden met het eerste en/of tweede eindgedeelte van de trekstang om een vouwklem te vormen.10. Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and / or second coupling means are hinged to the first and / or second end part of the draw bar to form a folding clamp.

11. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens conclusie 10, waarbij de vouwklem kan worden bevestigd in een gesloten toestand door middel van 20 een bevestigingsmiddel.11. Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in claim 10, wherein the folding clamp can be attached in a closed state by means of a fastening means.

12. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens één der conclusies 1-9, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel is/zijn voorzien van een band, zodanig dat in een eerste open toestand één van genoemde stangen in de koppelmiddelen te ontvangen zijn en waarbij in een tweede gesloten 25 toestand genoemde te ontvangen stang bevestigd is in het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel.Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, wherein the first and / or second coupling means is / are provided with a tire, such that in a first open state one of said rods can be received in the coupling means and wherein in a second said receiving rod in the closed state is attached in the first and / or second coupling means.

13. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppehng volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel roteerbaar is/zijn op gesteld op de trekstang.A universal bicycle trailer coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second coupling means is / are rotatable mounted on the drawbar.

14. Universele fietsaanhangerkoppeling volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het eerste en/of tweede koppelmiddel losneembaar is/zijn verbonden met de trekstang.Universal bicycle trailer coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and / or second coupling means are releasably connected to the drawbar.

15. Fiets verbonden met een aanhanger met een universele 5 fietsaanhangerkoppeling volgens conclusie 1-14.15. Bicycle connected to a trailer with a universal bicycle trailer coupling according to claims 1-14.