A bicycle transportation support and a packaging structure and a method for

packaging a bicycle

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bicycle transportation support and packaging structure for transportation of a bicycle and to a method for packaging a bicycle for transportation purposes which comprises demounting a saddle from the saddle post, demounting the handlebar from the handlebar stem and demounting the front and rear bicycle wheels. BACKGROUND

Bicycling is an activity that is receiving more and more interest and bicycles have become more and more specialized depending on specific use, activity to be undertaken by an individual, from conventional bicycles, city bicycles to mountain bicycles and racing bicycles. Bicycles also tend to become individually adapted to a high extent, hence often being expensive and technically elaborated devices. It has therefore become more and more frequent for individuals to transport their bicycles, for example for performing a cycling activity and to travel with or have the bicycle transported somewhere. This means that there is an increased demand for facilities for transportation of a bicycle in a safe manner, in an easy manner and assuring that the bicycle is as well protected as possible. Therefore different kinds of bicycle bags or cases have been proposed, for example WO 2008/109986 shows a bicycle travel/storage bag and US 4,991,715 shows another bicycle transport case. Bicycle bags with a hard cover often suffer from disadvantages of being bulky and heavy. Bags or cases are known which comprise an enforcing shell and frame structure to protect the bicycle and to keep it safe in a given position. However, all so far known devices suffer from several drawbacks; either they are heavy and bulky but give a comparatively good protection, or they are light-weight devices only having poor protective capabilities. Many of the devices are also complicated and time consuming as far as the mounting of and arranging a bicycle therein is concerned. It should also be noted that bags or cases which give a comparatively good protection are also large and bulky which means that they are space demanding during the storage period, i.e. when not in use.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle transportation support and packaging structure as initially referred to which is easy to handle, which provides for a good protection of the bicycle and which is a light-weight device. It is also an object to provide a support and packaging structure which is not bulky and cumbersome, neither during transportation of the bicycle nor in the meantime, i.e. at storing. It is also an object to provide such a structure which is cheap and easy to fabricate and which is easy to mount/demount. Still further it is a particular object to provide such a structure which is capable of keeping a packaged bicycle in place and which is easy for a user to transport in general and to transport or move manually short distances.

One or more of these objects are achieved through a transportation support and packaging structure as initially referred to which has the characterizing features of claim 1. A method for packaging a bicycle through which one or more of the above mentioned objects are achieved is given by the characterizing features of claim 23.

Advantageous embodiments are given by the appended sub-claims.

It is an advantage of the invention that a support and packaging structure is provided which has a low weight, which is secure and provides a good protection and which is compact. Other advantages will follow from the description below of advantageous embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be more thoroughly described, in a non-limiting manner, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematical view of a support structure applied to a partly demounted bicycle in a packaging state,

Fig. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the structure with a partly demounted bicycle, with a positioning of a mountain bicycle handlebar according to one embodiment,

Fig. 3 is a schematical view of a support structure applied to a partly demounted racing bicycle with another proposed positioning of the handlebar,

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a handlebar adapter, Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a saddle adapter,

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of a saddle adapter,

Fig. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a front hub adapter,

Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a rear hub adapter,

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a support structure with a dismantled bicycle arranged in a package or a bag with a front portion of the bag removed for illustrative purposes ,

Fig. 10 is a figure similar to Fig. 9 illustrating a protective side cover portion,

Fig. 11 shows a closed transportation support and packaging structure according to one embodiment, and

Fig. 12 schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of a support and transportation structure with an alternative outer cover or structure for shipping purposes of for example new bicycles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig 1 is a view of a partly demounted bicycle as arranged for packaging and transportation using a support and packaging structure 100 according to the present invention. A bicycle arranged with a support structure for example as shown in Fig. 1 is adapted for being arranged in an outer, external bag or case as will be described more thoroughly below, which assists in making it suitable for transportation for example by car, train, bus, or airline. For application of the support structure, the wheels, the handlebar, the saddle are removed to allow for arranging a saddle adapter 10 in place of a saddle, a handlebar adapter 20 in place of a handlebar, a front hub adapter 30 in place of the front hub and a rear hub adapter 40 in place of a rear hub. The adapters 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 are provided to reinforce the frame of the bicycle and comprise, on both sides of the bicycle, protruding distance elements 12 ; 22 ; 32 ; 42 which for example are made of aluminium or any other appropriate material. The distance elements, which are longitudinal and have a length exceeding the width of the bicycle frame, are adapted to provide a support for a tensioned edge cover, and to, at their respective outer ends, provide attachments for an outer protection, for example in the form of a fabric or a plastic material, a flexible or a more stiff, e.g. foldable material, to provide a protecting side cover, and to allow for attachments for supports or roller wheels. An outer cover may, but does not have to, have solid, hard, outer corners and for example consist of an elastic, damping material which makes the structure compact, low weight. The saddle adapter 10 comprises a saddle post connecting means

11 with, here, connecting elements H i , II ₂ which are adapted to be releasably and adjustably connected to the bicycle saddle post in place of a saddle, and a longitudinal distance element

12 as referred to above which either fixedly or releasably is connected to one end of the respective connecting elements H i ,

II ₂ . The longitudinal distance element 12 is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to and protrude on both sides of the longitudinal extension of the connecting elements H i , I I ₂ and has a first given length. In particular the longitudinal distance element 12 protrudes symmetrically on either side of a central plane through the bicycle frame although, in alternative embodiments it may protrude asymmetrically on the sides. The partly demounted bicycle is arranged in an upside-down position and the saddle adapter 10 here comprises a longitudinal distance element 12 which on its outer ends is provided with roller wheels 6 I ₁ , 6 I ₂ on which the partly demounted bicycle can be rolled, pushed or pulled. Alternatively the saddle adapter distance element at its outer ends is provided with supports. However, in the embodiment shown in Fig 1, supports 51ι, 5 I ₂ are shown as being arranged on the handlebar distance element 22. Alternatively both the saddle bar distance element and a handlebar distance element can be provided with roller wheels. These wheels may be mountable or replaceable or fixedly provided on the respective distance elements, or on any one thereof. The handlebar adapter 20 comprises a handlebar stem adapter element 25 which is adapted to be releasably, in some embodiments, adjustably, attached in a bicycle handlebar stem clamping means 85 in place of a handlebar stem. It further, in a first embodiment, comprises handlebar connecting means 21 with, here, two handlebar connecting elements 21ι, 2 I ₂ which are adjustably, fixedly or releasably, connected to the handlebar stem adapter element 25 and a longitudinal distance element 22 as discussed above, which is fixedly or releasably connected to one end of the handlebar connecting elements 21ι, 2 I ₂ , which extend substantially perpendicularly to, and protrude on both sides of the longitudinal extension of the handlebar connecting means 2 1 and has a given second length. The lengths of the distance elements 12 , 22 may be the same or may be different and they may protrude symmetrically on either side of the bicycle frame in a demounted state with respect to a longitudinal plane formed by the frame through the center of the handlebar stem and the saddle post and the respective center of the front and rear hub, a main thing being that the distance elements protrude on either side of the bicycle so demounted that the wheels can be arranged on either side of the frame as shown in Figure 1 .

In an alternative embodiment the handlebar stem adapter element and the handle bar distance element comprise one and the same element, the handlebar adapter element thus being extended and adapted to receive roller wheels or supports thereon, thus there being no connecting elements, which gives a particularly stable structure which is resistant to shocks, forces arising when it is pulled/pushed, e.g. bumps, shocks.

The support structure further comprises a front hub adapter 30 and a rear hub adapter 4 0 . The front hub adapter 30 comprises a front hub adapter element 35 which is adapted to be releasably and adjustably connectable to a front hub holding means 95 of a bicycle and front hub connecting elements 31 i , 31 ₂ , connected to the front hub adapter element 35 and a longitudinal distance element 32 which, preferably but not necessarily, is connected to an end of the front hub connecting elements 31 i , 3l ₂ . It is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to, and protrude, preferably symmetrically, but alternatively asymmetrically, on both sides of the longitudinal extension of the front hub connecting elements 31 ι , 3I ₂ and it has a given third length, which may be the same as one or both of the first or second lengths referred to above or have a length which is different from one or more thereof.

Similarly the support structure comprises a rear hub adapter 40 with a rear hub adapter element 45 to which the rear hub connecting elements 41ι, 4I ₂ are adjustably, optionally releasably, connectable. It also comprises a longitudinal distance element 42 which preferably also is adjustably connected to an end of the rear hub connecting elements 41ι, 4I ₂ and extends substantially perpendicularly to, and protrudes on either side of the longitudinal extension of the rear hub connecting elements 41ι, 4I ₂ and has a length which preferably corresponds to the length of the front hub adapter distance element, though it may also differ in length therefrom.

Thus, for mounting the support structure, the handlebar is removed. The handlebar can then be connected to one side of the bicycle, in any appropriate manner, for example Fig. 3 very schematically illustrates a possible way of mounting a handlebar 94B of a racing bicycle which may be attached by means of straps (not shown) or similar. Fig 2 schematically illustrates how a mountain bicycle handlebar 94A could be arranged with respect to the frame of the bicycle where it can be held in place by means of straps (not shown) or similar in any appropriate manner and in such a way that the gear shift 95 is not exposed. Then the handlebar adapter 20 is mounted in the place of the handlebar. The saddle of the bicycle is removed and the saddle adapter 10 is mounted to replace the saddle. The pedals are removed and the front and rear wheels are removed and the front and rear hub adapters 30, 40 are mounted. The pedals and the saddle are conveniently arranged in a bag or any appropriate holding means arranged to be provided in the supporting transportation structure separately and connected to for example the frame. As can be seen from the figure the bicycle is placed upside-down to rest on the support elements 51i, 5l ₂ , and roller wheels 6I ₁ , 6I ₂ . In advantageous embodiments an edge cover is arranged so as to be extended around the sides of the distance elements facing away from the bicycle and the roller wheels and/or supports protruding through openings therein. This will be more thoroughly discussed with reference to Figs. 9, 10.

The rear derailleurs of the bicycle may be placed in a separate casing or similar which by straps or any other appropriate means can be attached to the bicycle frame. In one embodiment a handlebar connecting means 21 is adapted to be fixedly connected to the handlebar stem adapter element 25 whereby in other embodiments it is adjustably connected to the handlebar stem adapter element. Preferably at least one of the saddle adapter distance element 12 and the handlebar adapter distance element 22 (or a combined adapter element-distance element) at, or adjacent, outer ends thereof is/are provided with pulling wheels or are adapted for releasable connection of pulling wheels thereto. The adapter system is formed by the adapters 10, 20, 30, 40 to provide a stable protecting structure actually formed mainly by the bicycle frame itself. In an advantageous embodiment at least two of the adapters are formed by similar elements, and the handlebar stem adapter 25 may comprise a first tubular element whereas the front and rear hub adapter elements 35, 45 also comprise tubular elements which may have the same dimensions as the first tubular element or other, different dimensions. Similarly the distance elements may comprise distance element with the same dimensions and sizes and comprise for example profile elements made of aluminium or a plastic material or a carbon fibre material or steel or any other appropriate material. As referred to above the distance elements may also have different dimensions, but it is extremely advantageous for mounting purposes and for fabrication purposes if one and the same distance element can be used for different purposes, i.e. as a distance element for a handlebar, for a rear, front hub, for a saddle or at least for some of them. In a similar manner, in advantageous embodiments, the same connecting means or elements can also be used for different purposes although they of course also may be specifically adapted for the respective function. Also similar tubular elements may be used for different purposes; however the saddle adapter normally has no need for a tubular element.

For such a multi-purpose function the second tubular elements 35, 45 each may comprise two sets of through openings 36i, 36 ₂ ," 46i, 46 ₂ located adjacent opposite ends of the respective tubular element and which are adapted to allow for reception of a respective pair of connecting elements 31ι, 3I ₂ ; 41ι, 4I ₂ forming part of a respective connecting means. Connecting means 31, 41 are adjustably connected to the tubular elements in that the lengths of the connecting element inserted through a said opening and protruding from the tubular element on an opposite side facing away from the bicycle frame can be adjusted, for example for the purpose of tensioning or fastening an outer cover as will be discussed more thoroughly below. If specifically adapted, dedicated, tubular elements are used, there is no need for different sets of openings.

In one advantageous embodiment the connecting means or elements and the tubular elements are made of steel, e.g. stainless steel, carbon fibre or any other appropriate material.

In order to provide an extremely simple, flexible system, which may be made at a low cost, the profile elements, i.e. the distance elements, may comprise two sets of pre-drilled holes Hi, VI ₂ or similar of which a first set is adapted to allow reception of pairs of connecting elements of the saddle adapter and the front and rear hub adapters whereas the second set of the holes or openings is adapted to allow reception of a pair connecting elements 21ι, 2I ₂ forming connecting elements of a handle bar adapter connecting means 21. This means that one and the same distance element can be used in any one of the adapters. Of course in alternative embodiments different distance elements are used for one or more of the adapters in any combination and the connecting means may also be different for different adapters or one or more thereof. A connecting means may alternatively comprise but one connecting element, or more than two, but it is extremely advantageous if some of the functional elements of the adapters are similar so that for example the distance element, the adapter element and/or the connecting means are multi-functional elements.

As referred to above also the connecting elements pair-wise may form connecting means and be multi-functional, arbitrarily usable as saddle bar, front and rear hub adapter connecting elements etc. The distance elements may have a length between 150 and 400 mm, preferably between 200 and 350 mm, most preferably around 250- 300 mm. In some embodiments separate extension (prolongation) elements may also be provided; then the distance elements may be shorter. Preferably the length of one or more of the connecting means, which is functionally adjustable in that the protruding length can be adjusted, preferably about 200-250 mm and thus provide a corresponding adjustability somewhat less than the length. In advantageous embodiments fastening means 55, for example screws, bolts, socket head cap screws or aliens, which normally are used to fasten a saddle post or a handlebar stem or hubs, are according to the invention used to releasably connect the saddle, the handlebar, and the front and rear hub adapter elements 15, 25, 35, 45, which is extremely advantageous.

Fig. 2 is a figure similar to Fig. 1 but does not show the bicycle wheels for reasons of clarity. It schematically illustrates how a handlebar 94A can be mounted, in this embodiment a mountain bicycle handlebar. In the figure only some of the elements of a bicycle are indicated, the chain 96, the fork 99 etc. However, the elements of a bicycle are not further discussed herein since they are well-known per se.

Fig. 3 is a very schematical illustration of how a racing bicycle handlebar 94B can be fastened for example to the fork.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating one embodiment of a handlebar adapter 20 comprising a connecting means 21 with two connecting elements 21ι, 2I ₂ which are mounted in a pair of holes or openings 12 _lr Ί2 of a distance element 22. At the outer ends of the distance element 27, in this embodiment, support elements 52ι, 52 ₂ are arranged. The handlebar adapter 20 comprises a handlebar stem adapter element 25 which comprises a tubular element with two through openings adapted to receive the connecting elements 21ι, 2I ₂ at opposite outer ends of the handlebar stem adapter element. The handlebar stem adapter element 25 is releasably provided in a handlebar stem clamping means 85 of a bicycle in place of the handlebar stem. Since the handlebar stem adapter element, to be received in the handlebar stem clamping means, has a symmetrical shape corresponding to the inner shape of the clamping means 85, it can be rotated and the distance that the connecting means are introduced trough the handlebar stem adapter element can also be adjusted for example by loosening screws normally holding a handlebar. This can be done at a later stage when a protective edge cover 50 (Figs. 9, 10) has been arranged around the handlebar, saddle, front and rear hub adapter elements. This edge cover element 50 will then be sufficiently stretched and tensioned so that a good protection is provided thereby and it is also to be adapted to an outer bag or case in which the structure with the tensionable edge cover 50, having a width substantially corresponding to the length of the distance elements, is to be arranged for transportation .

Thus, in order to assure that the edge cover 50 is efficiently tensioned, the length of the connecting means of one or more, or all of the handlebar, saddle, front and rear hub adapters can be adjusted both as far as the lengths of the connecting means are concerned as well as the mounting angle, i.e. the angle which the connecting means form with for example the handlebar post, or generally the frame of the bicycle or the element receiving an adapter element. The connecting elements 21ι, 2 I ₂ are connected at outer openings 12 _lr Ί2 in the distance element 22.

Fig. 5 shows a saddle adapter 10 comprising connecting elements H i , H ₂ arranged at an inner set of openings of a distance element 12 at the outer ends of which support wheels 51ι, 5 I ₂ or roller wheels are attached. The saddle adapter 10 is releasably and adjustably connected to the bicycle saddle post in place of a saddle. In this case no adapter element is needed and the connecting elements H i , I I ₂ can be directly connected to the saddle post. The portion (length) that a connecting means protrude from the saddle post can be varied by adjustment of screws, bolts or similar fastening means normally used on a saddle post. In other embodiments the connecting means may be fixedly connected or the protruding length is variable in other manners .

Fig. 6 shows an alternative saddle adapter 10A for an I-beam type of saddle wherein the connecting means 11A only comprises one element arranged around the distance element 12A. As for the handlebar adapter, the saddle adapter is adjusted by loosening fastening elements, for example screws, bolts etc. normally holding the saddle, and tightening them once the adapter has been arranged in such a manner that an edge cover 50 is sufficiently stretched and which is adapted to fit in an external case or bag or similar (see Fig. 11, Fig. 12) .

Fig 7 and 8 show a front hub adapter 30 and a rear hub adapter 40 respectively. As for the handlebar and saddle adapters the connecting elements 31ι, 3 I ₂ and 41ι, 4 I ₂ respectively are adjustably, releasably or fixedly connected to distance elements 32 and 42 respectively and taken up in respective hub adapter elements 35, 45. As for the handlebar and saddle adapter connecting means, the front and rear hub adapter connecting means can be adjusted to obtain the appropriate protruding lengths and the appropriate mounting angles, for example with respect to the frame or adapter element holding means when arranged in an edge cover 50 or a bag to be tensioned. For example they are adapted to fit in outer corners of a bag or similar by loosening a fastening means, for example a clamping knob 65, whereupon the length of the connecting means facing away from the bicycle frame, i.e. the length on the side of the adapter element at which the distance element is connected, can be adjusted. Preferably the connecting means can be rotated with respect to the frame or the adapter element holding means around the axis of the adapter element between the connecting points where it is connected to the hub holding means. When desired length and angle have been found, the knob 65 will be actuated to lock the adapter in the desired position. The rear and/or front hub adapters may be provided with a respective fixing element 49 in the form a bar or a rod which is adapted to be fixed to a bicycle frame, e.g. by means of straps or similar (not shown) in order to keep the adapter safely in the accurate position and orientation. The adapters can be reinforced in different manners.

Figs. 9, 10 schematically illustrate the adapter system with the adapters 10, 20, 30, 40 appropriately extended and oriented, with an edge cover 50, for example of a textile fabric or a plastic material, which has a width substantially corresponding to the lengths of the distance elements, or somewhat exceeding it (or somewhat shorter) . In one embodiment it comprises elastic ribbons 64 against the retracting action of which the edge cover 50 is arranged to surround the distance elements. The entire structure is subsequently provided in a foldable bag 60, preferably turnable inside out and which may be provided with a handle 70 for pulling/pushing the bicycle in its transportation state on the protruding roller wheels. In an advantageous embodiment protective side cover portions 55A are arranged between the frame of the bicycle and the wheels 81, 82 of the bicycle in order to protect the bicycle and the wheels. The side cover portions 55A may for example be made of a textile material, e.g. of or with foam, an inflatable material, e.g. Therma-Rest™, or any other appropriate material, or a rigid, stiff material, and are preferably adapted to be attached at the respective outer ends of the distance elements, e.g. by means of straps 67 or similar. It should be clear that any alternative mounting to the outer respective ends of the distance element can be used. This means that the wheels 81, 82 will be very well protected between the outer bag 60 and the side covers 55A, as will be the frame of the bicycle.

A foldable bag can be folded out to provide a plane outer surface which is tensioned by the distance element and closed by means of a zip fastener 77 or in any other appropriate manner (see Fig. 11) . It should be clear that through the use of the adapter system with a foldable, flexible bag as suggested, a very light-weight and compact support and transportation structure 101 is provided. It may even weigh as little as 3 kg, although it of course may be heavier as well as lighter. In the meantime, when the support and a packaging structure is not used, it will be very small and compact and hence easy to store since the elements forming part of the adapters are small and can be demounted and the bag in some embodiments can be made of textile, plywood, a laminate with a foam core or a sandwich structure, and be foldable. The bag may be provided with a handle 70, and it may comprise openings through which the roller wheels 61ι, 6I ₂ or supports 51ι, 5I ₂ protrude i.e. they are located outside the bag.

Fig. 12 shows another implementation using the same support structure but with a different outer storage, a casing for example of card board, plastic board, glass fiber or a similar material 60B. By providing a reusable outer package, which can be unpacked then folded together, it can be returned to a distributor of bicycle, for, again unfolded, receiving another bicycle in a transportation state with a mounted adapter system etc., which is extremely advantageous since the number of bicycles produced somewhere in the world and shipped to different destinations is huge. A means for transportation which is extremely environmental friendly can thus be provided, since the outer material is reusable, not space demanding, neither in transport, nor in storage.

According to different embodiments of the invention, the outer bag or casing is flexible, e.g. comprises a fabric or a plastic material, comprises a rigid enclosure, a sandwich material, or is inflatable, e.g. comprises a so called self-inflating Therma.Rest™ material, or some other inflatable material.

It should be clear that the invention can be varied in a number of ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims.