"Bicycle Transport Support"

Area of the invention

This invention relates to the area of accessories for both bicycles and vehicles and in particular to an aid for assisting with the mounting of bicycles on racks for transport on vehicles.

Background to the invention

A standard bicycle has a frame having basic structural members which include a seat tube between the seat and a bottom bracket adjacent the pedals, a down tube between the head or fork tube, the front fork being the movable part of the frame that holds the front wheel, and a top tube between the fork tube and the seat.

In men's bicycles it is customary for the top tube to be a generally horizontal member however women's, children's and some mens' bicycles may have a step through facility provided by the top tube in that this may either be attached to the seat tube at a position lower than that in a man's bicycle and also, quite commonly, be downwardly curved.

It is also common for bicycles to be transported on purpose designed bicycle racks which are mounted on the rear of vehicles such as cars, usually on a tow bar or the like.

These racks usually have a horizontal elongate support for the top tube, upon which it is positioned, and held in place with a clamp device.

While this system is quite suitable for supporting standard men's bicycles it is inappropriate for transporting bicycles which have an angled or arcuate top bar.

For this reason it is known for tubular support devices to be located between the tops of the fork tube and the seat tube to provide a horizontal bar which can be used to support these bicycles on bicycle racks.

These supports have means at either end to attached across the bicycle but they are generally not tight fitting so that the bicycle can move during transport and suffer consequent damage.

Outline of the invention

It is an object of this invention to provide a means whereby a bicycle without a horizontal top bar may be securely supported on a bicycle rack for transport.

The invention is a support device for a bicycle in the form of a temporary top tube which includes a rod member having engagement devices on either end thereof adapted to engage with the bicycle frame.

It is preferred that the engagement devices be hooked or arcuately shaped devices although the type of engagement means used is not restricted in the invention.

It is further preferred that the engagement devices are adjustably engaged with the ends of the rod member.

It is preferred that these devices be in threaded engagement with the ends of the rod member.

It is further preferred that the rod member is extendible. It may also be preferred that the rod member is telescopically extendible. It is envisaged that this extendibility may be either continuous or discrete.

ft is further preferred that the rod member be provided with telescopi c adjustment means for adjustment of the length of the rod member.

It is also preferred that rotation of the extendable rod member tighten the engagement devices such that a firm fit to the bicycle is achieved.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non limiting example a specific embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Fig. 1 Shows the bicycle support member of the invention situated on a bicycle;

Fig. 2 Shows a perspective of the bicycle support member;

Fig. 3 Shows a partially disassembled embodiment of the invention;

Brief Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

In one embodiment of the invention a support device 10 is provided for a bicycle of the type not having a horizontal top bar. This support device takes the place temporarily of a conventional horizontal top tube of a bicycle frame and can be used as a support for the bicycle which can be located on a bicycle rack for transport. These racks customarily being mounted behind a vehicle on a tow bar mount or the like.

The device of the invention has a generally tubular elongate member 20 which in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 consists of two components 21 and 22 where

component 21 slides within component 22 such that the length of the tube member 20 is extendable. The length of the tube in this embodiment is fixed by means of a spring loaded pin 24 associated with component 21 which is adapted to engage with discrete apertures 25 along the length of the tube component 22 such that it can be readily shortened or extended.

While the tube can be extended at discrete intervals in the embodiment of the invention shown the invention is not restricted to this length adjustment mechanism and it may be preferred for a means of continuous adjustment to be used. In either case however a means of fine adjustment for tightening purposes is provided.

At either end of tube 20 an attachment means 30 is provided which in the embodiment shown is a hook device 31 which is in threaded 35 engagement with the inner ends of the tube.

The arrangement is such that the hooked ends 31 can pass around opposing sides of a bicycle frame to provide a generally horizontal support device. The telescopic extension, means is then used to roughly tighten the tubular member of the support device.

The ends 31 are oppositely threaded onto the tube ends such that rotation of the tube causes the support device to tighten onto the frame. Once in place the device can be placed over a bicycle rack support and clamped into place. Because the support device

is fitted firmly to the bicycle frame there is no extraneous motion caused by the support device which could damage the bicycle when travelling.

It is similarly a simple matter to rotate the rod to loosen the device when it is to be removed.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention the device is manufactured from metal however the invention is not restricted with respect to the material from which it is manufactured. It is however preferred that the hook devices be covered with some material such as a plastic material to cushion its attachment to the bicycle frame.

The shape of the tube used is not restricted in the invention, neither is the type of engagement means at either end of the tubular member.

Nor is the invention restricted with respect to the shape and size of the tube member or the hook means and in general any adjustable extendable device adapted to attach to a bicycle frame in the manner described and engage with a bicycle rack is included in the invention.

While we have described herein a specific embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that variations in and modifications in the features described may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.